Role

Chapter 11

'Kin!' proclaimed the Harbinger as he approached Lanathalis with a smile upon
his lip. This instantly put Lanathalis upon guard, for this was not what he
expected. Of course he was joyed to see another of his kin, yet that smile
and his presence, it made the hair on his arms prickle. This Harbinger touted
the noble cause of the Refuge in how it sought to re-awaken the ancient
spirits of Thar-Eris and to reclaim the land in the name of Nature. Such
words started to put Lanathalis at ease for this is what he had sought. This
was the very thing which he had dedicated his life to, to regain the purity
of life and the soul. Perhaps he had been put off guard due to how everyone
else up till now had treated him and he was just jumping at shadows. It had
been some time since his nightmares, and such caused him always to be on
edge.

'Just pledge, and you shall understand' proclaimed the Harbinger, and every
so slowly Lanathalis seem to relax his guard. Here was a new family, one who
understood. One where he did not need to be lonely any more in his war
against blight and corruption. 'Family' Lanathalis whispered as a small sad
smile spread across his face. Seizing upon such, the Harbinger replied 'Yes,
family! You shall find all here that will always watch over you!' The
Harbinger motioning to the unseen to come forth, figures soon started to
emerge. Holy Druids, warriors, ...mages? Wha...what is this?

Recoiling in horror, Lanathalis got an icy cold feeling in his stomach.
Confusion set into the Harbingers face as he watched Lanathalis back away.
Could these people not see the corruption within their own refuge? These
souls who would defile the laws of nature in chasing the power of magic? Only
now did Lanathalis truly start to look at the land around him, and it
sickened him. Trees had bark stripped of them as if high winds had ripped
through them, and grass had shown signs of frost bite. Frost bite in the
middle of summer! No..no this was not a home for him but a nightmare born
again. Fear and panic however soon turned to anger, anger at these wretches
proclaiming to preserve and protect Nature while stripping it of its soul and
life force. These "Outlanders" were just as horrible and fools to think they
could use such magic without harm.

Fleeing from this god forsaken sight, Lanathalis rushed headlong into the
thick brush. Not knowing where he was going, but he knew anywhere but there
was an improvement. He would rather walk alone within the world then to
corrupt his soul and blind himself to the source of the blight.