Drake turned his head to admire his prized possession, his Silifi of
the Crimson Star. The once magnificent battle-axe now sat leaning
against the wall. Nicks and scratches covered the blade and haft
while travel dust left the weapon looking dull and lifeless. There
was a time when Drake would polish and sharpen his SoCS daily. That
was a more peaceful time.

Drake reflected on how well the Silifi had served him in past
battles. He managed a smile at that thought, how well indeed!
Sadly, the very powerful weapon had been feeling heavy in his
callused hands lately. How he longed not to have to call it to work
its magic on yet another murderer in a land of murderers. Alas, this
was his role, and his place, in the chaotic land. So many wrongs to
right, so much more blood to spill.

Drake turned his head away from the weapon at that thought. His
duties were the last thing he wanted to consider at the time.
Working to make his thoughts positive he started thinking of his
fellow warriors and friends. It did not take long for sleep to claim
him once more. The comfort of sleep is always welcome in a land
where one does not know when sleep will come again. Drake's
sleep
was filled with dreams of the past…

…Drake was at Bandi hill, muscles feeling weak beneath patchwork
armor. He was holding an ax given to him by Druss, another warrior
crazy enough to use the slow and tiring weapon. The bandies were
beating on him, but Drake's focus was on the pile of dead bandies
at
his feet…

…Drake now stood over a pile of lugian bodies. The vision of a
lugian fist filled his head. His view became clouded with the color
red and the urge to kill all TSS related vassals. The vision changed
to one in which Drake was hacking away at his beloved monarch. The
Silent Spearman's face suddenly turned into the face of Dhali. A
tear rolled down the face of the sleeping warrior. As the red faded,
the image of a key appeared. The key spun wildly then became a scene
where his monarch, Druss, Sister C, Chinook, and Dhali were rejoicing
at the break of the curse…

…Drake found himself in the wilderness of the Mayoi region where
he
faced his self-imposed exile. The breeze on his face and the smell
of the ocean made him smile. His emotions swirled as the feeling of
loneliness crept over him and the breeze became a harsh wind.
Ominous clouds formed above him. He jumped as lightning destroyed a
tree not 50 yards from him. Swiftly he ran. The lightning was now
coming for him, not from the sky, but from the hands of a murderer.
He ran, but the lightning caught him in the back and threw him to the
ground...

…As he lifted his mud covered face he saw a group of four
warriors
standing before him. He briefly scanned the area and realized that
he was in Yanshi. The four warriors attacked and Drake fought back
with suicidal fury. He then saw the flash of a dagger and the glow
of another SoCS and the four warriors were no more. He smiled as he
saw his saviors, Druss and Mizo-No. However, they soon change
shape…

…Drake now faced two litches, they screamed at his presence. The
urge to run was overwhelming and the laughter of a High Acolyte
chilled him to the bone. His vision became filled with whirling
blades and lightning bolts…

Drake woke sitting straight up, drenched with sweat.

Just a dream, he told himself as he slumped back down into his bed.
This time sleep could not take hold of the exhausted warrior.
Memories filled his thoughts...