The Faithful and the Fallen discussion

Corban is wandering in a 'grey, lifeless world.

He sees the oathstone weeping blood, he saw snakes, coiling, writhing, surging, feeding on flesh and far above warriors with great feathered wings were locked in combat.

Then he is sitting by a pool, a man approaches him whom Corban recognises.

This figure asks for his help and stirs young Corban with words passion about the coming God War. Corban asks the figure if he is Elyon.

"He is gone from us," the man said, shaking his head.

"Where am I?" Corban whispered
"Choose me," The man said...

"Make your choice, before it is too late."

This small scene opens up all kinds of questions: Who is this man? Where is he? Make what choice? Is the God war already in full swing???

Anyway! what happens next is Corban wakes up (so we could dismiss the previous part as a dream. Though something about it made Corban shiver.)

He woke before dawn, got up and made his way to the stables. At first he thought himself alone and then Gar emerges from the shadows. Corban asks what he is to do and Gar instructs him to run. Basically, Corban is put through some intensive training (he doesn't see how this will help his fear but Gar explains) Their session ends with Corban copying Gar as he goes through a dance like series of movements (almost tai chi like in my mind) forcing Corban to hold his body in strange positions. He finishes up and as the sun is coming up he is walking home, exhausted, sweaty and probably just wanting to collapse.

We then skip to the courtyard in front of Dun Carreg. King Brenin has four score warriors with him and sets out for Jerolin. Edana is with her mother, Queen Alona and calls over Corban and Cywen. They are all talking when Evnis asks for the Queens ear. Once left alone Edana receives a wink from Vonn and explains that Evnis has pushed for Vonn and Edana to be handbound. She explains that she is not in favour of the union (much more succinctly)

Evnis then looks to ask permission from Alona to leave for his wife's health (the cauldron) but is denied by Pendathran. Evnis then throws something of a tantrum.

A full ten-night later Corban saw Marrock galloping up the giantsway. In the feasthall he finds out Marrock found a corpse in the baglun, eatean by wolves or wolven. They think one of the Brigands. He has returned for more warriors, he wants to patrol the western border of the forest.

A full flavoured chapter eh?!