A dense fog turned his companions into shadow, but Zuhair followed them further into the marsh. The trees seemed to move with them, their leaves rustling in the still wind. The sound triggered a memory that sent fear down his spine.
اختفى الظل من أصدقائه في الضباب
The shadow of his friends disappeared into the fog, and a soft, cackling laugh came from behind Zuhair. "Wait!" he yelled, and spurred his mount forward. The trees seemed to move, blocking his path. "Chase, wait. The trees!"
تتحقق فرع للخروج من الضباب
A branch materialized out of the fog, raking Zuhair's shoulder with razor sharp bark. He could feel blood running down his arm and chest. Not again, he thought. Another branch struck out, piercing his thigh and hitting his mount. "Balian, Fizz!" he shouted.
الحصان زهير تربى بالتسجيل، واسقاط له على الأرض
Zuhair's horse reared up, dropping him to the ground. The branch impaling his leg pulled him off the path, into the marsh. Grasping roots entangled his arms and pulled him to the tree. Not again, he thought, Sarenrae save me, not again.
صورة ظلية مظلمة شكلت في الضباب، بعينين متوهج الأحمر
A dark silhouette formed in the fog, with eyes that glowed red. It laughed as it came into view. Zuhair recognized it as one of the worgs. The one that would not talk to him about their training. "I smell your fear, human." It looked at the scene around them. "Strange to fear the forest."
ناضل ضد زهير جذور للحظة قبل الرد
Zuhair struggled against the roots for a moment before replying. "Strange that you always say that."
انحنى إلى الأمام والذئب البارد أنيابها
The worg leaned forward and bared it's teeth; red eyes focused on Zuhair. "I do enjoy this part," it growled.
زهير توتر عضلاته
Zuhair strained his muscles, trying to break the grip of the roots, but it was useless. The thick branch came down hard, piercing chainmail, flesh and bone. Zuhair screamed--
واستيقظ
--and woke.
سبت زهير بالتسجيل، قلبه السباقات
Zuhair sat up, his heart racing. He got out of bed and went to the water pan to wash away the sweat on his face. It was the third such dream since the event at the marsh.
وكان الجلد تلتئم على ذراعه وصدره لا يزال ردي مشرق
The healed skin on his arm and chest was still a bright pink. Zuhair had seen massive wounds healed before, but had never felt it on himself. The new flesh was tight and the area of his chest was as hairless as a newborn. The repaired muscles were strong, but felt unusally tight--he would need to stretch them out before his morning prayers.
زهير الرب، كل شيء على ما يرام
"Lord Zuhair, is everything alright?" Akiros asked from across the room. The dark skinned paladin put his winter cloak around his shoulders and walked over to Zuhair.
وكان أنا بخير، وحلم جديد
"I'm fine, Akiros, it was the dream again. The Dawnflower curse those worgs for giving me these dreams."
وضع يده على كتف أخيه
Akiros put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "I've looked at them with Her eyes and there was no evil in any of them. Besides, we've never heard of worgs dealing in dreams or enchantements."
تنهد زهير وغطت جنب مع بلده
Zuhair sighed and covered Akiros hand with his own. "You're probably right. The dreams are unnatural, though. I swear it by the sun." In the dream, Zuhair was unable to control or shape anything. It was like it wasn't even his dream.
أعود إلى السرير
"Come back to bed, there's still a couple hours before dawn."
صعدت زهير بعيدا
Zuhair stepped away from Akiros, "No, I don't want to sleep anymore tonight. I'm going to join the Suns on their watch."
بعد جمع ملابسه وغادر زهير معبد
After gathering his gear, Zuhair left the Temple of Sarenrae and met up with the captain of the watch that was on duty. The captain was not hard to find, the Dragon's Rest Tavern was one of the few places that kept their doors open after midnight.
الكابتن، أود أن مراقبة ووتش على دوريتهم
"Captain, I wish to observe the watch on their patrol. Where might they be found?"
