[VoraciousReader]

Page 1

“We leave tomorrow, Gan.” You take a long drink of the ale in your cup, and watch the images of flame dance in your firepit.

Gan, your trusted friend and longstanding comrade-in-arms, nods. “Yup.”

Gan isn’t known for being much of a talker, but as far as you’re concerned, that makes him an ideal evening drinking companion, especially for the night before you leave for a long journey. You sit beside the fire in companionable silence.

Above you, the stars are just starting to emerge in the evening sky. A short distance away, a group of five or six of your fellow mercenaries are throwing dice, gambling, laughing, and saying good-naturedly rude things to each other. It’s a welcome sound. There has been too much silence since your last conflict. The scent of smoke wafts through the area, carrying undertones of cooking food and the spicy herb many members of the band have been smoking since the battle in Tenochlan. The company bard is singing something mellow up near the command tents. He, like so many around you, is a new addition to the band.

As is often the case, Gan seems to almost read your thoughts. “Rough time in Tenoch.” He nods toward the gamers. “Met one of the new guys, Orren. Seems a good fighter. He‘ll be going with you tomorrow.”

Continue to page 2.