Paths Less Traveled

Paths Less Traveled is the twenty-seventh chapter of Tales of Sheol'gotha:  Shadow of the Abaddon.

Synopsis
The legion departs with the trailrunner, Gryvel, in charge of steering them over the mountains by roads other than the main western road. Seeing fires in the distance which disappear, Valon is made aware of the tribal people, the Hydari-kar, who are known for feeding on travelers. He mentions that they are in turn coveted for their teeth that make for fantastic trophies. They march into the night, anticipating losing time the next day during Skelkhorn, a shifter holiday.

The shifters read from the Gargairthe and the Tome of Flesh, revering Aranicus and Skelkhorn, the first abaddon who took Nazrin from the First Empire. He is technically credited with taking it from heathens of a cult, but their names are not known. Valon wonders at the Hydari-kar, but Gryvel quickly shoots down that idea without qualification. Palus suggests that the grigori fell from favour because of association with false gods, resulting in their decline and the rise of the shifters. The legion continues west, heading into smoky, volcanic regions.

After two days of marching they are still in dire straits with soldiers being hurled off the sides of the narrow paths by the winds. The larger travelers such as the carts, the black legionnaires, and some scouts to guide them, take an easier path, however Palus anticipates the soldiers wanting to take the simpler routes too if they get more restless. Haebin admits his concern to Valon, though Valon suggests that their time in the north with General Azjbir as accompaniments to the army was worse. Haebin agrees to an extent, but doesn't feel that this is the same as Valon is wholly in charge. The vampire admits to being in bad moods for a variety of reasons and his doubts over Gryvel, suspecting the trailrunner of being a witchguard.

Palus joins them, sharing Haebin's sentiments of concern at their chances, but also points out that he's willing to die for Valon should that be the case. Eventually Palus remembers why he approached, informing them both that Soltas found a Death Door - a remnant of the Spirit Abaddon and his Spirit Host - and was waiting for them. The group moves quickly, heading up a small barely-there road into a basin with a door engraved into the wall at the far side. The great magical barrier speaks to them, demanding someone to come forward, and when Valon does it offers him riches in return for answering a riddle correctly. Valon listens but doesn't know the answer and steps away, deciding to leave for the moment and not risk his death.

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