THE LION ISN'T SACRED WHEN NOT SLEEPING NEAR THE LAMB
From the ice and into the fire: Halo's shimmer lay forgotten behind him as Brecken descended into the Burrows. He no longer required the layers he had worn in the Citadel; one by one his clothes had gone into his pack until he wore only a loose single layer, sweating still as the shine of the northern sun gave way to something else entirely: the red glow of Caido's fiery blood. Exposed to the air, it looked like nothing less than a wound: a great scabrous sore oozing and rotten. Like someone had peeled up whatever once grew here and tossed it aside. Brecken had paused a long time to survey the abrupt change in scenery. Perhaps he had even begun to second-guess his purpose in coming here. What could he discover that others could not? Perhaps he should wait to hear news of their exploits before venturing forth himself. Perhaps he was simply being reckless again, spurred on by rumors and whispering, frustrated by a lack of answers.
It was exciting, though.
Brecken could not deny that. Once he had arrived, there was really no turning back. There was only the cautious foray down toward the tunnels, slipping more than once, sending tiny avalanches of rock down before him. He had expected darkness from the name, but on arrival he saw he was mistaken. The Burrows were lit by the same magma heating the place to such an excruciating degree. What kind of creatures lived here? What kind of people came here with nothing to find? The thought pinged around in his brain as he moved on, his eyes scanning restlessly from side to side. He paused again at the mouth of the cave opening to blink at the sky, as if fixing it in his memory would help him to return.
It was exciting, though.
Brecken could not deny that. Once he had arrived, there was really no turning back. There was only the cautious foray down toward the tunnels, slipping more than once, sending tiny avalanches of rock down before him. He had expected darkness from the name, but on arrival he saw he was mistaken. The Burrows were lit by the same magma heating the place to such an excruciating degree. What kind of creatures lived here? What kind of people came here with nothing to find? The thought pinged around in his brain as he moved on, his eyes scanning restlessly from side to side. He paused again at the mouth of the cave opening to blink at the sky, as if fixing it in his memory would help him to return.
IT IS EVIL WHEN IT EATS UNLESS IT'S FEEDING FROM THE DAMNED.
