I return to search for the wiry man, but he is nowhere to be seen. As I cross the market square, I hear many mentions of a "blood moon".
I return to where my guide is resting. He is sitting up in his cot, holding my book, reading.
"You've awakened."
"I can't read this," he says, raising the book. He reclines, and falls back into a deep sleep.
I take my book from his lap. He has been interested in it since the battle. I've been writing it in its original language, to leave the work of translation for later, when I have a deeper understanding of this world's language.
I transcribe my holy book for a time, until hunger arrives. I place the book next to my armor, and head to the inn.
The inn is full of patrons, which comforts me that I might be eating at a normal meal time. I dine alone in a quiet place, and try to tune out the chatter.
"... blood moon soon ..."
"... the elders ... next blood moon ..."
"... I've gotta get going before the blood moon! ..."
It's all anyone is talking about. But, beneath the chatter, there is a low droning. I try to make sense of it, but it always seems to escape me.
"I ... am coming ... this blood moon ... I am coming ..." a guttural voice seems to fill the gaps in the chatter. The voice begins to overwhelm the chatter, but there are no more words. It laughs maniacally.
I awaken, heart racing, from my nightmare. The room is bright with morning light.