BW XXIV - Hintzu

Hintsu saw a distant mesa which rose from the surrounding barren plains like a God’s dining table. A road meandered across the plain, occasionally crossing a shallow, broad murky brown river which moved at glacial speed across the bleak landscape. It was overcast and, despite being asleep, Hintsu shivered in an effort to protect himself from the cold. The top of the mesa smoked as if it were a semi-dormant volcano, but Hintsu knew this land and there were none here. He looked at Vorsaykarai, or rather what was left of it. The once cheery and well farmed plains were devoid of people, livestock and crops. The road that was the artery of trade in the south of Amorsland was deserted. As he looked, on he saw that the land had been rent and torn, in places turned into a bog, and no living thing could be discerned. Near the fords, which used to be well defended bridges, the river was stained with blood, as it made its way between the ruined fortifications.

Amongst the dead were the bushido warriors and samurai that were charged with the defence of the great fortification. There was no sign of what killed them. Was this a vision of the future, or a reminder of the wars which plagued the castle-city after Hintsu had joined his companions? Would Lanzi understand?

The noise was deafening (was he asleep?) and the arrival of the beast was almost as shocking. The huge roar emanating from the serpent’s giant maw announced its presence moments before its shadow darkened the grey landscape further. The beat of its enormous black wings created such a down draft that Hintsu instinctively ducked, despite it being over one hundred feet above him. The head alone must have been nearly 50 feet long. This dragon was even bigger than Tun Mi Lung! It was as black as night, but for its burning red eyes and metallic tusks and teeth. It swooped across the plains searching for movement before it climbed up the side of the mesa and sat atop the ruins of the once-majestic temple. The giant serpent surveyed the land, looking pleased with itself.

The vision drew Hintsu nearer until he was at the broken steps of the temple looking up at the gigantic creature. Close by was an oriental man with a neat cue, trimmed goatee and deep sunken black eyes. He was dressed conservatively in a black, grey and white kimono with a dark purple obi. As he looked up towards the beast he spoken an unfamiliar tongue, which seemed to be interpreted for Hintsu by some unseen servant. “Well, Wan Lung, are you content?”

“There are more souls, you say?” the dragon did not even look down to acknowledge the human below him.

“Yes, there will be more, many more…Some have treasures which I desire very much and would make us both more powerful.” The dragon looked down briefly and seemed to shrug its wings slightly.

“I will feed on the second born? Those that plunder and delve where they should not…” The Dragon’s eyes burned red, seeming to tear into the oriental.

“You will soon my friend, some have already entered my halls, although they know not what awaits them. Their souls will no longer be lost…” he broke into a slight cackle.

“When will they be mine? I grow impatient!” The Serpent’s gaze returned to the horizon and he continued without waiting for a response, “There are some treasures on the Prime which I also desire greatly and I will not share with you Malor.”

“That I understand, Wan Lung, our bargain holds. You will be approached by those of the lowest depths but I know them not to be worthy of your trust.” The man looked uncertain; he certainly looked small, compared to the beast sat atop the temple wall.

“None are worthy of my trust, Malor. Our bargain suits us both for the time being. Once we have our desires, I will depart this insignificant realm and prepare for the real challenge.” The beast stretched its massive, black wings flexing them against the cold breeze, as if thinking of some distant breeze on which to travel.

“And you will ensure that the touch of the Gods leaves me unscathed to continue to serve as I may?” The man seemed not to dare to look at the serpent above.

“You will be safe enough. Hide in your dwarrowdelf and wait for the time when the Giants again walk the land and we take to the air…”