or sailing expedition stuck straight to the coastline and traveled north to south, or vice versa. There was always the Baltha Sea, but no one in Cardoon had much use for it: it was only a trade route between the west and the island lands of Norrow.
He looked back on the mist before riding out of its view. The land began to transform into fields, grassy knolls, and even a forest. He followed a path through Llewallen Forest and spotted his best friend in all the Circle Guard, Geyess, heading toward him.
“Whoa,” Tolan called to his steed. He put his hand up to Geyess. “Good to see you, my friend.”
“And you, as well,” Geyess said, pulling his horse to a stop. “How is your journey?”
“Uneventful. And you? How do the Lake Lands fair?”
“Quiet. The villages barely noticed me, and the raids from the South seemed to have stopped. At least for now.”
“Very good. And what of Bhrungach?”
“I didn’t get close enough to find out. You know what those Northerners think of us.”
Tolan laughed. “That I do. They’d serve us spoiled meat and sour milk and call it good hospitality before showing us the door.”
Geyess smiled. “I hope the Red Coast behaves itself on my pass.”
“I feel it will.”
“Those clouds of mist always make my blood run cold.”
“Just don’t look them in the eyes…” Tolan smirked, and Geyess shook his head. “I am off to report back to the city.”
“Safe journey to you.”
“And to you. See you at home.”
The two friends departed, and Tolan continued on his forest path. In the distance, he caught a glimpse of the first lake within the Lake Lands.
###
The massive gates of Cardoon opened, allowing Tolan entry. He rode past the farmlands on the outskirts of the city. Peasants made homes in the fields, and sold their harvest once a week inside the city’s walls. They grew all manner of vegetables and fruit, and bred livestock for meat. Each knight that went out of the gate had to endure the markets and bazaars: all the peddlers lined up to sell food, clothes, wine, and jewels.
Tolan moved through them all without losing a coin, and entered the city confines. He strolled into the first courtyard, and returned his banner to its rightful place upon the pedestals lining the pathway.
He was greeted by the High Guardsman, Jorrel. “Hark, Tolan, what news do you bring us?”
Tolan dismounted and shook Jorrel’s hand. “I saw lightning in the misty clouds of the Fifling Sea.”
“Lightning?” Jorrel confirmed. “Was there thunder?”
Tolan nodded.
“Well, a storm over the sea is no cause for fret. It does happen from time to time.”
“It has been quite some time since any thunder was heard in those clouds.”
“True, but a natural occurrence, nonetheless.”
“It wasn’t thunder.” A voice rasped behind them.
Tolan turned to see the cloaked mage standing with a grimoire in his hands. His dusty frock and cowl flapped in the breeze. He had a grave look on his face as he stormed over to them.
“Sooth-Malesh, what brings you down from the spires?”
“The news young Tolan brings, of course.”
“There is no news. You should go back to your brews and luck stones.”
“Fool, that was no thunder. No lightning. Describe this lightning to me, Tolan.”
“Of course, Sooth-Malesh. It rose from the water through to the clouds. Then the inside crackled with light.”
“Crackled with light,” Sooth-Malesh said, raising his eyebrow. “Lightning does not behave in this manner. It was not lightning. Something is breaking through the mist. There is magic use afoot.”
“I’m not sure if it was magic,” Tolan replied. “But it was strange.”
“Strange, indeed. It was something trying to break through. We are all in grave danger. The city—nay—the lands should be put on alert.”
“I’m not putting the city on alert for natural phenomena,” Jorrel said.
“It wasn’t natural. Something on the other side is coming.”
“There is nothing on the other side. The land ends at the Red Coast. There is nothing but water. Beyond this mist, the world ends. That’s why no ships have ever sailed through it. We are in no danger.”
“You’re wrong, High Guardsman. We are all in danger. Something is coming. Heed my words. Warn the King!”
“I’m sorry, Sooth-Malesh. I cannot do that. Please, return to the spires.”
“You’re fools… all of you. You will remember this day when you did not heed my words.”
“Of course.” Jorrel nodded as Sooth-Malesh turned and wandered back through the courtyard.
“He’s quite upset,” Tolan said.
“He’s always upset. Always raving about something. The end is coming, the end is coming.”
“Well, it was strange.