i am the mace, the map, the fall and the high
The summons is like an itch along his skin, prickling with an uncommon intensity. There is chaos in that call, crackling in his mind where it forks into the future. Yet, he can’t see beyond it. It stirs curiosity, unimaginable and enticing. More than that though, it stirs a warning.
If he were someone else, he might have listened to that warning. But he is not someone else.
Still he answers despite the way common sense rebels against it. He has never been very good at heeding common sense, and everything in him tells him this is a moment in time he would want to be witness to. That whatever they are being called forth to do will be as fascinating as it is dangerous. And if the way the very land seems to heave against him is any indication, it is something they should most certainly not be doing.
It should frighten him. Should send him back home. Instead it draws out the most destructive parts of his soul. The parts that crave turmoil above the peace that seems to have fallen like a heavy cloud, spreading boredom over the continent.
The trembling beneath his feet only intensifies the further he walks. The closer he climbs to whatever disaster awaits, the louder the earth groans, making Reave wary of his every footstep. A less persistent creature might have given up already, but if there is anything Reave lacks, it is not determination.
Despite his watchful gaze, he nearly tumbles right into the crack that opens in the uneven stone before him. He stumbles, scrambling quickly backwards to avoid the crack that yawns into a widening chasm far too swiftly to be natural. It shudders across the path, seeking to block his road forward.
Rune shrieks in the sky overhead, demanding Reave turn around. Demanding he give up his foolish quest. Reave ignores him (as he too often does), instead studying the growing split, calculating his options as quickly as possible. There isn’t time to waste. Isn’t time to consider the ramifications of his decision.
Retreating, he gives himself enough space to get a running start. Lurching forward despite the trembling mountain, he commits himself to his forward sprint. He would either fall into the chasm or leap across it. Adrenaline surges as he launches himself over the abyss. It’s barely a heartbeat of time before his feet are scrabbling at the stone on the other side. An unfortunately timed heave nearly sends him crashing backwards, but talons grip bloody furrows into his neck as Rune latches on, wings sweeping powerfully as he steadies Reave. The bird, large as he is, can’t hope to lift anything as big as his soul-bound. Still, it is enough to allow Reave to scramble over the edge to safety.
Breathing heavily, Reave shakes his head, ignoring the pain of the gouges in his neck. Rune takes to the sky again, giving up whatever hope he had of convincing the bone-clad stallion to turn back.
When he finally reaches the peak of the mountain, Reave allows a broad grin to spread across his lips. He has no doubt this adventure has only just begun, but already he can feel the heat of the thrill to come.
reave
