The Season of Spring in the Year 510 AV: Day 10 For the wildlands of Syliras, the passing of Winter was a blessing. Spring had come and with it came new growth and a promise of better things. Though seldom were such hopeful things in a time without peace and true civilization, nature at least provided the illusion of hope. Blooming plants, flowering trees and the sweet smell and sound of new life masked the dangers inherent in the wilds. It was in this deceptive environment that a lone figure found himself. The Kelvic, Montis, was greeted early in the morning by the day's first rays of sunlight and a soft breeze. Unlike other days though, there was something different in the air. Montis couldn't quite place it yet something wasn't quite right. The birds still sang, insects still chimed and little else seemed out of place. Whatever it was remained unclear but the feeling did not leave him. As he prepared to embrace the new day, something in the air raised the hairs on the back of his neck. The faint smell of smoke was noticeable on the breeze. Though it could be little more than a distant forest fire; not all that rare in the wilds especially during spring lightning storms, there didn't seem to be any other obvious signs that it was that. Usually there were more sightings of large groups of animals displaced by the fire or large plumes of smoke in the distance. Montis had witnessed none of these. No, the source of the smoke was much closer and smaller; a comparatively short distance to the north. |