A Scream in the Night

His own scream woke him from a fitful sleep. The nightmares had come again, but this time much stronger and more vivid. His body was covered in sweat and his muscles ached from the tension created by the restless slumber. He kicked the sheets off himself and made his way to the room’s lone window, pushing open the wood slatted shutters to let in the cool night air. A gust of wind blew back his snowy hair and beard. It felt like a gentle kiss upon his heated brow. In the distance he heard the baying of wolves.

The Magus stared upon the slumbering city of Ranzington. Even in darkness, the city was beautiful. Torches lit the main gates and the entrance to the Temple of Tri, casting dancing shadows upon the city’s walls and streets. It was a peaceful scene, but one that was sure to be short lived. When the sun showed its fiery face again, the town would burst forth with activity and life. Citizens would begin their busy daily schedules, street vendors would hock their wares, and the city guard would admit countless numbers of visitors into the city to experience it all. That in itself was peaceful in its own way. The city was safe and booming with trade. But change was coming …. And there was not much he could do about it.

He was not one to become easily unnerved which frustrated him all the more. Even when his golems turned upon him at the excavation site on Serris Island, he had kept his nerves about him as he was forced to flee. This however, was not magic gone awry; though it still vexed him to this day that he had lost control of his own creations. This was something different … ancient and powerful and completely out of his control. If the common folk knew what he knew, it would send them into terror induced frenzy. Like it or not, they would soon find out. Anphillia’s true origin was about to rear its ugly head and bite, like a fire breathing…

The wizard caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Against the moon’s light he saw dozens of shapes flying through the starry sky. Grabbing his robe from a nearby peg, he rushed down the stairs and out into the streets. His preparations had to begin immediately.

Dragons were gathering in Anphillia.