Cordell

I could feel myself slipping for a long time, death was approaching but I was not afraid. Suddenly my progress halted and I felt strength building and I decided to try and fight again. I had dreams of many things and many places I had been, though I had never been far. I tried to piece things together, but I couldn't see anything in a single, solitary piece.

I could feel I had been poisoned by something or someone, perhaps by myself. I felt time pass and I began to regain my senses. I felt a warm towel being placed on my head and I opened my eyes and tried to sit up. A firm, yet gentle, hand pushed me back down.

I heard a voice whisper softly, "You are still quite weak. Don't get up just yet. Rest a little more."

I closed my eyes and dreamt peacefully. I awoke to and sat up in a dark room. I saw a bowl and a plant on a small table a few feet away. There was also a man sleeping with his head on the table.

"He must have been up all night," I gasped. I stood up but almost fell from a sudden feeling of uneasiness that had washed over me.

I nudged the man and I heard him mumble something. I nudged him more and whispered a warning in his ear. His eyes flashed open in the darkness and I realized the man was William. I was instantly relieved, I had seen him in my dreams and he had been taking care of me. Perhaps those weren't dreams after all.

"What is it?" He whispered as he quietly knelt down beside me.

I knelt with him, "I don't know. I just feel, uneasy."

Will saw something out of the corner of his eye and put a hand over my mouth as I saw a small crossbow peak through the door and fire into the bed. Will did not move to give chase but I heard footsteps running away. The intruder had shot the pillow that had been displaced in my sleep, they must have been thinking it was Will.

Will must have felt safe now as he spoke and removed the hand from my lips, "I think it best for now if the enemy thinks I am dead. This goes far beyond the Orders of Madness and Harmony. Something bigger, I need to travel into Bartholomew's territory to find out exactly what."

"Take me with you William," I pleaded. "I'll be safer with you than I'd be here and you know that."

He took a deep breath and sighed, "Alright. You stay here. I'll be back after I talk to Master Taldonis. He'll fake a funeral for me."

William left, but I felt safer knowing I'd be going with him.