The battles ahead will be fierce, and Abhaya and I must prepare. This strong mail of ether speaks of what cruelties lay ahead. So be it, strike me demons; there will be no rest for you, and neither myself.

With the guidance of the smith, finally a man with an iron fist, I offered Abhaya a new fleece. The denizens here are fierce; I fear for her with but a leather mantle for protection.

She wears it with grace. "May our wills intertwine" is all she said, leaving her old garb with the netting and tackle in the hut. May some needy soul find it when we're gone from this place.

Out in the boat that very night, seeking the nightfish to roast, there was talk and also trepidation. I've come to believe that Abhaya thought I would abandon her in my zeal to push onward. My mind can be to quick to focus at times. I grasped her hand, placed in on the shadowy plate that covered now my beating heart, "fear not".

Love the writing and the build. Very nice job.

Emboldened with our suits of armor, our dealings of carnage were without challenge. Even the greatest foes beyond the gate fell as easily as dark dreams upon waking.

There is far more to see in this abandoned settlement. The darkness that creeps into our minds here is ever present.

Pagan temples that beckon, striped with the blood of forlorn innocents; and rancid holes I cannot think too much about. We must go on Abhaya, "It is certain" is what she replied.

Once dismayed, but never broken.
All arrayed in numbers certain.
Something wicked, something evil,
Lay in words that must be spoken.

With hesitation we entered, and found hatred thick as envy. Fire seared our armors and smoke filled our eyes, but death came to all who would have it.

Out of the gloom we heard fast approaching steps and suddenly found ourselves surrounded. Every fiber of our muscle was strained. It is sad to me that these creatures have come to this. Rest well now for all time.

My thoughts turn to those who built these great temples, now ravaged by savage creatures. Much wisdom must have been their lot.

While my intellect is swift and the written word comes to me easily, the markings in the vellum-bound pages of the tome here were beyond my scope.

I merely left it at the door and decided to sneak away with Abhaya to our quarters. Then I heard wild shrieks inside the old mans hut.

Too old and feeble to attain the book, he was almost in tears that it now fell into his hands. Sleep well old man, wisdom will too be yours.

The temple beside offered no reward. No reward but suffering.

I felt my knees buckle and my hands lose grip as we battled. In the end, we painted the walls with their entrails. They can dare challenge me, but when Abhaya is under threat, my vengeance cannot yield.