VI. Travelling
Sermillion stood dazed, staring in
the distance. It was getting increasingly difficult to concentrate. The
medallion wanted him to move. He seemed to know where to go and it was
difficult to ignore the call even when Tressen still had some power over
his actions. And what was up with that anyway? Sermillion knew he should
be angry about that but he just felt mildly annoyed and only because it
meant that he couldn't follow the call of the amulet.
"Let's move." Tressen said and wasn't surprised that Sermillion
started to wander away.
The monk was pliable but he still seemed to be somewhat aware of what was
happening. He could answer questions and most people didn't look twice as
they went about their business.
"Where are we going?" Tressen asked, intending it to be a joke.
But Sermillion answered: "North."
"Why?"
"It calls me."
Tressen shrugged and decided they might as well travel north. They
followed the roads, then left to enter a forest. Sermillion seemed
unperturbed, taking the fastest route to whatever his goal was. They were
sae in the forest but Tressen was worrying about where he was being led
now. Could Sermillion be leading him into a trap?
More days passed with little food and a lot of walking. Sermillion could
feel the exhaustion pull at his mind but still his legs moved. But not
even the realisation that he might walk onto his dead seemed to scare him.
And that thought did shake him enough to gain back some control over his
feelings. Sure he'd still follow the call, but he'd do so on his own
terms.
Sermillion turned to Tressen, his annoyance growing to anger as he thought
about the younger monk using him.
"We need to talk." Sermillion said.
Tressen swallowed, and tried to get away.
"Stop." Sermillion said with command.
Tressen stopped dead in his tracks and started whining as his mind tried
to break the incantation. But Sermillion was stronger than the him. And fuelled
by the anger, Sermillion wasn't feeling forgiving. But he would need help
for this. And sadly Tressen was the only one he had that could fill that
role.
"I'm not going to harm you. IF you follow my orders."
Tressen slowly nodded, resentment burning in his eyes.
"We're close. I can feel it. If we make it through I'll unleash you
from my hold."
Tressen got the bad feeling that he'd be used as cannon fodder. Sermillion
meanwhile stopped some of the drain on his inner self but knew he wouldn't
be able to stop the drain completely. Something was using his energy and
he needed to get there soon.
Without much further explanation, Tressen and Sermillion ventured forth.
About an hour later they came upon a clearing. In the middle a square
shape of smoke hung in the air. Small lights seemed to burn in the
distance but the entire thing gave off an air of despair.
"Seems like this is where we need to be." Sermillion smiled as
the pull intensified.
"After you." he added and pushed Tressen through the portal.
Tressen appeared n a sandy beach on
the other side and felt released from Sermillion's hold. He scurried away,
but wasn't fast enough to escape the magician when he exited the portal.
"Welcome to Lantessama." a whispery voice said, "It's good
that you found my gate."
The two monks turned and took in a shadowy shape with burning eyes.
"I've called you here for a reason. Let me show you my eggs...."
Follow
Tressen
Follow Sermillion