Chrysalis

We will be one

Within, within

Surrender the self

To him, to him

The darkest night

Will end, will end

The cage of our flesh

Will break, will break

But we will live

Forever and ever.

In him

Prayer and refrain from the “Lamentations: Spirit of the Great One”, written by Priest Beyn.

but efficient. Positioned on the southern shores of the golden mountain, it was a prosperous trading hub, a raucous tourist destination and

shoulders and pulled him out of the way as the next group came through behind him. He stumbled a little, caught himself, and then walked down the ramp and into the plaza, Drake, Elly

to the Guild registry where they confirmed their applications, found their way to the dock and boarded the vessel

hive of activity. Various crews getting their gear stowed away, catching up with old friends, alongside the usual brainless flexing that went on whenever more than one

looking at

Rillik said over his shoulder. “Just because it’s your first time on a big expedition, that doesn’t mean you need

an air of nonchalance. It was so patently transparent that he couldn’t help but bark out

their bunks and pack away their belongings. While he had

I think this is going to be even bigger than we expected. The Path must have posted this job in quite a few cities; mercs are pouring into Gliax from all over the place, and I hear a second ship is scheduled to leave not even an hour after

three younger mercenaries nodded, trying to contain their excitement, and he smiled. Their attitude was infectious, but he’d been here too many times

head. There’s going to be powerful, experienced mercs out there boasting, daring each other, making bets and generally acting like pirates. Don’t be fooled. When the time comes, they’ll forget all of that nonsense and get down to business. Mercs

each of his crew in turn. Drake was listening, but looked impatient, as if he’d heard this a hundred times before, which he had, to be fair. Elly was nodding, hanging on his every word as she always did, while Lacos’ scaled face was

out and poked the young

and get out. More mercs on the job is good for us, we can operate on

spot he’d been poked

excited, all right? Give me a

Rillik grunted.

that some big shot is going to try and recruit crews and lone morons into an attempt to kill the mythic. When they approach you, look them in the eye and very politely tell them to jump overboard. I don’t care if they promise you world-diamond underpants as a down payment, it’s not happening. As

“Crystal,” they chorused.

the hell out of here,” he told them. “Go

Lacos asked as the other two scrambled out the door, ready to get a taste of adventure. “You

waved him off as he kicked off his boots and pulled on his