You manage to steady yourself and regain control. Straightening your back, you now look down at the old man in front of you. Pain dissipates as adrenalin courses through you. Noticing your change of stance the old man speaks.

“Maldred is my name as you’ve probably forgotten. You and I have quite the journey ahead of us. Our first step is to the village beyond those hills over there.”

Maldred gestures behind you to the far side of the horizon. Green hills paint the landscape in various sizes.

You spit on the ground and finally manage to respond in a raspy voice.

“And what exactly were we supposed to do there, Maldred?”

Unfolding your arms you gesture at the dead bodies around you, and continue in a louder tone.

“And what happened here? There’s dead people everywhere! By the sign of the nine, what happened?”

Maldred leans on his staff and meets your gaze.

“You did that. Now come along, I’m tired of always having to explain.”