Ranno

Rachel woke to find herself lying at an odd angle on the floor. Her shoulder ached from where she had been lying on it and when she opened her eyes, she noticed Candervas standing over her with a blank expression.

'What happened?' she said.

'You panicked.'

'I didn't.'

'You let the crenolites into your mind. Fear is their greatest weapon. You must shield your mind if you wish to survive in this land.'

Rachel climbed to her feet, feeling more than a little embarrassed. She had never been so frightened in her life, but she knew it wasn't real fear, it was an emotion that had been forced upon her by the crenolites. She turned, staring at the rolling landscape outside but she couldn't see them anymore. She was relieved that she couldn't feel their malevolent presence either.

'How long was I unconscious?' she said.

Candervas shrugged, an almost imperceptible movement of his narrow shoulders. 'A few minutes perhaps.'

'Have they gone? I can't feel them like before.'

'They've gone, yes.'

'Those creatures - the crenolites - I remember them now. Doesn't Malkor use them to keep control?'

'The clerics are difficult to control en masse. The lords quickly came to realise it was a waste of time trying to force them to comply with every order themselves. Most clerics are primitive in nature, motivated only by violence and greed. They fear the crenolites, as most creatures do.'

'I don't like them,' Rachel said. 'How did they make me feel like that?'

'They project a kind of mental panic all around them. It's a simple technique but extremely effective. It can be difficult to counter as you have experienced yourself.'

Rachel brushed a hand through her hair as she tried to gather her thoughts. 'Where did they come from?'

'They're a native species. They were always here as far as I know - like the fless.'

Wrapping her arms around hers waist, she felt suddenly foolish and cold. 'I wish I hadn't lost that spear.'

'What Spear?'

'I found a spear in Lord Robinun's cave after he decapitated himself.'

'A black spear?'

'Yes.'

'It would have belonged to a war lord. You should be careful with such things.'

'Nobody was using it. I took it with me but I lost it.'

'Did you use it in battle?'

'I threw it at a tree.'

Candervas frowned. 'Did you feel it bond to you?'

'I felt something. I don't know what it was.'

'Then you can never lose it.'

'Someone took it from me. I haven't seen it since.'

Candervas smiled, shaking his head.

'What's so funny about it? I could use that spear right now.'

'Once a black spear is bonded to its owner it can be summoned at will. It'll return to your hands on command, regardless of where it is now.'

'Really?'

'But wait,' Candervas said, raising a finger in caution. 'Whoever holds it currently will know if you recall it. They'll know where you are too. Don't recall it unless you are ready to face them in combat.'

Rachel sighed.

'Who took it?'

'I don't know their name.'

'Describe them to me. I may recognise them from their description.'

'He had a trimmed beard. He was athletic and tall. He moved with more grace than I've ever seen before, each movement flowing into the next. I tried to shoot him but he teleported away, pulling me deep underground. He left me alone in the darkness to die without any air.'

Candervas nodded. 'That sounds like Lord Rackinun.'

'He buried me alive.'

'That's definitely him. He has strong teleportation skills. He's a war lord. You should avoid him. Forget about the spear. You don't want to risk his ire again.'

'I had to claw my way out of the ground. I'll never forget what he did to me.'

Candervas shrugged. 'You were lucky this time. You're still alive. Stay away from him. He's killed more people than you can imagine.'

Rachel sighed, feeling suddenly tired. Every time she thought she might be getting someone her hopes were dashed once more. The crenolites had unnerved her, leaving her feeling raw inside. She might have felt better with the black spear in her hands but it wasn't to be. She was outmatched on every side.

When she noticed Candervas gazing over her shoulder, she turned and looked outside. 'They've come back to kill us,' she said, her left hand shaking by her side.

'Control your mind,' Candervas said in a harsh tone. 'The crenolites are not here anymore. Those are minotaurs outside.'

Rachel wondered what he was talking about. She had been on the verge of panic but she realised now that Candervas was right. It wasn't the crenolites outside. The cleric army had moved on, heading south as he had implied.

The creatures outside were alien to her. Memories stirred but she couldn't work out what she was looking at. A dozen black figures had gathered outside the landing ship, their impressive physiques making them stand out against the baron landscape behind them. Their muscular bodies were covered in short black fur and their heads were like bulls with fierce-looking horns jutting out on each side. They carried long staffs with curved metal blades that glinted in the light.

'Minotaurs?' Rachel said. 'Do they work for Malkor too?'

'No,' Candervas said. 'They work for no one. They're a proud species. They serve no one but themselves.'

'What do they want?'

'I don't know but there's a druro with them. Perhaps we should ask them.'

'Druro?' Rachel said, staring at a familiar face amongst them. She hadn't noticed him at first. Her heart surged with hope. Maybe her daughter was with them too? 'Lisa,' she said in a quiet voice.

'What's that?'

Rachel frowned. She hadn't meant to mention her daughter's name in front of him. She still wasn't sure how much she could trust him. 'We should go and talk to them,' she said, trying to change the subject.

Candervas nodded, turning to walk back the way they had come.