Sorry we're late, replied Casticus, quickly moving to the empty seat next to Dragons.Surrina stood behind Casticus.Tarzool and Gian pulled up chairs to the already crowded meeting table.
I was just about to begin my briefing, said Dragons. But since you are here now, I think it's best if you go first, Casticus.
I agree, replied Casticus, sitting upright in the chair. He leaned inwards as he spoke again. What I am going to tell you will take some time, but it may help us to figure out a way to help Taeeren. Casticus took a deep breath before continuing.
What I am going to tell you is very hard, and some of you may have trouble enduring my story. Over the past few days I have been probing through Taeeren's mind, unbeknownst to him. That is why I have not been around. I have been able to focus enough of my powers where I could actually see what he was dreaming.Rather, having nightmares about, for the most part. Though I tried very hard, I was only able to see what was going on in his mind; I was not able to hear any sound. While I recollect this, it will take my utmost concentration, and I might have to stop at certain points to regain it. This will take a while, please bare with me... Casticus closed his eyes in deep concentration.He took a few deep breaths before he spoke up again. Every one of Taeeren's dreams has been the same. Exactly the same, from what I can tell. Whether it is merely a dream, or a haunting of past memories, only Taeeren may know the answer to that.
I am going to tell you Taeeren's dreams exactly as I witnessed them. I am almost certain that everything I see would have happened in chronological order.His dream starts out like this. Casticus paused.
There is a small campfire.Taeeren is talking to somebody on the other side. It is a large form.I can eventually make out that it is a barbarian, rather large for a barbarian. The barbarian seems rather young, and from his clothing I would guess that he is a shaman. Then, that vision fades into a new one. Time seems to move forward. Taeeren is with the same barbarian. They are in a snow-covered land. They seem to be hunting some sort of creature. There is also a wolf, which seems to be the barbarian's pet. That vision fades away. Casticus paused for a brief moment.
Taeeren is with the barbarian again.The barbarian seems older now, I would guess 10 to 12 years older. Taeeren looks the same age, as elves live for a very long time, as you all already know.The 2 are traveling together.It looks cold out; I would guess that it is during the winter. They come to a keep. I recognize it.It is The Syndicate's Keep.They enter, both Taeeren and the barbarian. Taeeren leads the barbarian to a meeting room, much like the one we are all in now.A man walks in.I cannot tell who he is yet, his face is blurred. The three seem to talk about something. The man seems to look at the barbarian for a while, and seems to question him about something.Then the man with the blurred face shakes his head. The barbarian slowly lowers his head. Taeeren takes the man aside and speaks with him. They seem to be in some sort of argument. Then, the man walks to the barbarian and places a hand on his shoulder.The barbarian lifts his head up and looks at the man. Then the man's face becomes clear. It is Dragons.Dragons says something to the barbarian, then exits the room. Then there is a blackout. Casticus placed a hand on his chin and sighed heavily.
It seems to be summer now.Taeeren and the barbarian are in a village, next to the sea. It is an elven village, judging from its inhabitants. A woman comes into view. She smiles, and runs to greet Taeeren. They embrace, both smiling. Taeeren introduces the woman to the barbarian, and they seem to lock eyes for a long moment.Then, another woman comes up to the group.She too rushes to greet Taeeren, and he swings her into the air. There is a short kiss between Taeeren and the second woman, followed by another blackout.
Now, it is nighttime.The moon is shining very brightly.There are 2 figures on a beach, staring into the sea. As the vision gets closer, I can make out a huge size difference between the two figures.Then, I can tell that the two figures are the barbarian and the first woman. Then, they embrace. Taeeren is walking with the second woman along the same beach. They come across the other pair. The four of them converse about something, Taeeren has a stern look on his face. He starts to walk away, but the barbarian stops him. They exchange words, and Taeeren turns back to the two women. A tear comes to his eyes, and a smile grows on his face.The first woman gives him a big, long hug. She too has tears in her eyes.Then, the first woman goes to the barbarian, and kisses him. The second woman goes to Taeeren and cradles his arm. Taeeren puts his hand on her chin, turning her face towards his.They gaze deeply into one another's eyes, then that vision fades away... Casticus let out a deep breath and slumped back in the chair.He leaned his head down and wiped a tear from his eye.
That doesn't sound so bad, said Trelisha. It seemed like a rather good story, or memory. What does it mean though? she questioned.
Patience, replied Dragons. That is only the first part of the story, the first part of Taeeren's recurring dreams.The next part is far, far worse. Dragons paused. Whenever you are ready, please continue, Casticus.
I need a moment to focus, a few minutes at least, Casticus said as he closed his eyes in deep thought.Time seemed to stand still.The room was quiet, not a single sound could be heard. Trelisha slowly twirled a dagger in her hand. Shadily nervously cracked his knuckles together. Rorin gently rubbed his chin. Mithrass, as well as most of the others, simply stared down, a deep look of sadness on their face. Dragons leaned back in his chair and stared straight ahead. He thought back to when he had first met Taeeren many years ago....
It had only been a few minutes since Casticus had spoken, though he seemed like an eternity to some.But the instant Casticus spoke again, the room seemed to snap to attention, its inhabitants seeming to waking from a pause in time. Everybody listened closely as Casticus continued. I am ready to continue now, Casticus said, breaking the silence.
This is going to be the worse part of my story, of Taeeren's nightmares. A much, much more gloomy part, Casticus paused. Surrina placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly.
There is a meeting, many of us are present. Taeeren is there as well.There is a discussion about something; I cannot tell what it is for sure. Then I see Taeeren preparing to leave the Keep. I think this takes place 2 months ago when Taeeren went on his last mission. Taeeren is sent off, at night. Then I see a village.There are many battered people there.Many are tired, injured, scared, and seeming to have no hope.
Then Taeeren is following a trail.He comes to another village.It is burnt to the ground.Bodies... burnt bodies, everywhere.Humans, elves, and livestock, nothing is left alive. The scene is almost too much to bear. Taeeren starts to run.He starts to follow a trail.Then it is night.Night flashes to day, then to night again. No pauses in between, just flashes. Then he stops.
There is a camp ahead, he can see the light from the campfire. He seems to be scouting it, checking it.There is one large campfire, surrounded by many large forms. I can make out a few of the forms as orcs, goblins, and some humans, at least 15 of them.Then there is a large commotion.Creatures are running all around, some are dropping to the ground dead. Blood..... blood everywhere. Taeeren is fighting fiercely. Then it is over.
Taeeren is looking around the camp, searching for something. He spots a dark form moving in the shadows. He gets a torch from the fire and goes to see what it is. When he gets there, he drops the torch. I can see a small form, tied to a tree. It is a woman, an elven woman. She is badly beaten, almost beyond recognition, and is barely alive. Taeeren tries to dress her wounds, but can tell that his skills will do the woman no good.Taeeren holds the woman in his arms, crying as he does. She wakes up, and speaks to him. She puts her hand on his cheek and smiles. She wipes a tear from his face, and then she draws her last breath. She dies in his arms. Casticus pauses for a moment, wiping yet another tear from his eye.
Taeeren carries the woman away, and digs a small grave. He removes his cloak and wraps the woman in it. Then he lays the woman in the grave and covers it. He goes into deep meditation; I can tell that it is some sort of elven burial ritual. Then he leaves.He goes back to the camp where he found the woman. Suddenly, he is overcome with rage. He picks up one of the orcs weapons and begins to hack and slash at the dead bodies.Chopping off heads, tearing off limbs with his bare hands. He is covered in blood.
Then he stops, falling to his knees.He pounds the ground with his fist, crying. Then, he stops.He has spotted something in the corner of his eye. He moves over and rummages through the creatures bags. He draws out a small medallion. He clenches it with his fist. Then, he looks around, scanning the camp. He seems to see something, though I cannot tell what it is. I would guess that he has found a trail, but my eyes are not as well trained as his. He gathers his weapons, and cleans himself off. He sheathes his sword, and begins to run. He runs, and does not stop. Time seems to move very fast.Night changes to day, then to night.This happens for many cycles, five to be exact. Then, he stops.
Taeeren is looking around, seeming to have lost the tracks. That, or the tracks have stopped and disappeared. Then there are horses. Taeeren draws his bow and knocks an arrow, ready to fire. The riders come into view and Taeeren quickly lowers his weapon.I can see Dragons, Rorin, Gazzaz, Ulkaur, Warin, and Kailea on horseback, plus one extra horse.Taeeren yells something at Dragons, and he says something back to him. Taeeren jumps on the extra horse and speeds off. I can see a large keep in the distance. As it Taeeren gets closer, I can tell that it is The Syndicate Keep. Taeeren enters and dismounts quickly. He runs towards the back, to a building. A man is out front, blocking the entrance. I can tell that it is Aortus, standing outside the building where he carries out his studies in necromancy. Taeeren draws a weapon on him, but is soon tackled to the ground by two figures.Then he is let go, and he enters the building. He goes to the back, and enters a room. It is the room with an elven woman lain out, prepared for burial. Taeeren walks to the body and falls to his knees.Taeeren does not move for a long time.When he does, he gets up and goes to the door.He exits the room to see Dragons, Ulkaur, Kailea, and Shadoll standing there. Then, he collapses, followed by a blackout. Casticus collapsed back in the chair, exhausted. I am finished, he said.
There was a long silence.Mithrass finally broke it. Four women, eh? Mithrass said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. I always knew Taeeren was a ladies man. Mithrass looked over at Surrina and winked at her.
What does it all mean? asked Shadoll. Did you recognize anybody in his dreams, the barbarian or any of the women?
No, I didn't recognize the barbarian or any of the women, replied Casticus.
I may have an idea of who some of those people are, said Dragons. I believe that... Dragons was quickly cut off by Casticus.
Oh my god! Casticus gasped, turning white. Damn me for not seeing this sooner!
What is it? Rorin asked. What did you not see sooner?
It's about the women in Taeeren's dreams, Casticus replied. There are not four women, there are only two.Two women, but at different times.The two in the first part of his dream, they are the two women in the second part of his dream, his nightmare.The two women that died.
That means that.....that... Surrina could not finish saying what she knew was true. She could not bring herself to say the unthinkable, although the thought was shared by all in the room.Taeeren's dreams made a lot more sense now. A very important clue had been revealed, but there was still much left to this mystery.
This makes things worse, far worse than I had originally thought, Dragons said. Let me fill you all in on some details about the people in Taeeren's dreams. I believe it is all becoming clear to me now. Let me start by telling you who they are, Dragons was interrupted by a very loud, obnoxious knock on the door. Gian got up to answer it. Before he made it to the door, it was opened. Dini came rushing in.
You wanted me to tell you right when it happened, sir, Dini said.
Go on, replied Dragons.
It's Taeeren. He's awake now! Dini said, catching her breath.
To be continued.....
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