Sleep is something that you, Hyuga Lord of Vlekstaad, have come to see as a luxury these last several weeks. The nature of your struggle to survive has meant that the long days and short nights of summer have meshed together so that you exist in a kind of perpetual dreamstate. You have the ability to travel for days without proper sleep, snatching several moments here, a couple of minutes here. Your ability to fight and function seems unimpaired and you can quite happily carry on this lifestyle indefinitely.

A bi-product of this sleep deprivation has recently come to your attention. You have begun to have visions...Encounters is probably a better term for these ‘encounters’ are becoming increasingly real as you approach the Gap of Veluna. The first was last night...

You see a figure coming towards you. It is difficult to understand whether you are dreaming but you recognise the figure immediately. It is the minstrel, Faran, sat upon his donkey and strumming a lilting melody on his lyre.

"I died before my time, Hyuga," Faran says with an accusing tone. You seem unable to respond and Faran continues: "I was sent to serve a warning to you, Hyuga, Lord of Vlekstaad, but I met The Reaper early. The young lady Dismet will be forced to pay for my destruction but that is not the issue.

"There is a choice which must be made by you. The day of that choice is near and whilst I cannot tell you the nature of it I can tell you of the consequences. With one path lies salvation and the other lies destruction. It is that simple..." Faran begins to laugh and the image fades away...

Later, just before dawn, you are aware of another figure approaching. As before you seem unable to interact with this man or anyone else for that matter. This man wears a large bearskin around his massive frame and across his back is a mighty greatsword. He speaks the language of Stonefist, your own language: "Greetings, Hyuga. I am Vladek, Lord of the Hunt. I protect the brave and mighty barbarian brothers who serve me and bestow favour and fortune upon those who are especially brutal. I have witnessed you several times and it pleases me that you care not for your own safety but for the simple pleasures in life: Death, destruction, violence, intoxication and debauchery !!

"We share an enemy, Hyuga, an enemy so dangerous that to utter his name brings destruction. You will soon face him. Should you overcome him I will find you and reward you in the manner that only the Lord of the Hunt can. But if you fail..." He fades away before he can finish but you can hear a distant, hideous laughter...

Again, a figure approaches. It seems somehow more real than the last two and you can almost smell the gentle, alluring aroma of perfumes and scents. The figure is not male, nor female, but possesses a beauty that transcends sexual boundaries. You cannot speak because of the awesome nature of the creature.

"We meet again, Hyuga." The voice is rich and resounds around your mind. "Fear not, you are not going mad, it is merely the Universes way of preparing a mortal for a struggle that could ultimately shape the world. I, however, prefer more direct methods. I come here with advise. When the time of choice comes, choose with your heart and not your head..." The figure vanishes as suddenly as it appeared.

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