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By Root 383 0

locked doors. A few of the most devout of the Old Man gathered in the groves, but their eyes were closed or turned inward, intent on their devotions. And so, in the Fortress of the Old Man, the half-orc was very likely the only one who saw the shadows crawling down the vines and branches that encased the Tower of the Sun. He watched as they disappeared into the overgrown gardens beneath the tower, and he watched still as they scuttled out the gate or crawled over the wall to hunt in the dark.

Lightning flashed overhead, flickering off steel in the half-orc's hand. By the time the thunder answered, he was already on the move, the tiger following.

+++++

Lewan was aware of none of this. He stood on the balcony, leaning against the ivy-thick railing in the downpour, unmoving as the statues in the courtyard below. His hair hung heavy over his forehead, and the tears on his cheeks mingled with the rain.

So loud was the roaring of the rain and the recurring thunder that he never heard the door open behind him, nor did he hear Ulaan lock it behind her and call out to him.

She found him on the balcony, hesitated only a moment before stepping into the rain, and placed a hand on his shoulder. He jumped slightly at her touch but did not turn.

"Master Lewan!" She had to shout to be heard over the storm. "Come inside! You're drenched."

He ignored her.

"Master Lewan! Master, can you hear me?" He turned to her, and she flinched at the pain in his eyes. "Go away," he said.

"Master Lewan, what's wrong?" "Please. Go."

Ulaan looked back into the room, then cast a quick glance outward, where the great tower dominated the center of the fortress. When she turned back to him, Lewan could see a slight tremble in her bottom lip, and her eyes flicked back and forth like those of a deer who hears wolves in the distance.

"Master, I… I'm frightened," she said. She clutched at his sleeve with both hands. "Please, let me stay. Please."

Lewan blinked and looked down at her hands. She was trembling.

"Please come inside, Master Lewan," she said. "Please, I beg you."

Lewan could see no point in doing so, but neither could he see any point in refusing her. He sighed and nodded, allowing her to drag him inside. He stood dripping on a rug that was probably worth more than all the coins he'd ever held in his life. Ulaan scrambled to the balcony doors, pushed them shut against the wind and rain, and threw down all three latches. The sound of the rain hitting the thick wood sounded hard as hail, and the wind whistled in beneath the door. Ulaan pulled the gauzy curtains over the doors. They were soaked and too heavy to flutter at the encroaching wind. As she stretched on her tiptoes to pull the heavier drapes over the balcony doors, shutting out the breeze and dampening the sound, Lewan noticed that her silk dress was soaked and sheer. It clung to her like a second skin. Lewan swallowed hard and averted his eyes.

"We must get you out of those clothes before you freeze," said Ulaan. Her voice held a slight tremble, and her hands shook as she reached for collar of his shirt.

"No," said Lewan, pushing her hands away. "You should leave. I can undress myself."

Her eyes went wide. "You said I could stay."

"No," said Lewan. "I never said that."

"Please, master!" she clutched at him again. "Please don't make me go back out there."

Lewan pushed her away, using more force than necessary. "Why? What has everyone so frightened?"

Ulaan clutched her fists to her mouth. "Not tonight, master, please. Please, don't make me go back out there. I beg you. I'll do anything."

"Then answer me," said Lewan, anger plain in his voice. "What has you so scared?"

Thunder shook the room, rattling even the massive brass candelabra flanking the hearth. Ulaan's voice was barely above a whisper as she replied, "This night… something… special for that old druid the Old Man keeps locked up. Something…" She shuddered. "Things are not like they once were in the Fortress. The shadows have a life to them. There are sometimes eyes in the dark. The great tower, it has always been known