Broken Land

e whispering to themselves before they saw Fonati and they bowed. Fonati nodded to them and stood in silence. Some of the younger men formed a wide circle and a small chaff ca

bon. Fonaya joined the men in the circle and some went back to where they stood, le

ping. He grunted and got on his knees then Fonaya delivered a swift, deadly uppercut that sent blood spurting from the younger man's mouth as he fell backwards. He lay still for a while then a slow, long groan came out from his mouth, ragged and painful then it ended in a harsh laughter. A man raised his leg but Fonati clapped once, signaling that the candle had burned out. He was helped to his feet by some of the men and was lowered on to a log where a Famka healer took away just enough of his pain to keep him conscious. Another man went into the circle and it continued until the last man who was knocked unconscious from Fonaya's head butt. The man was left to lie there in disgrace. He would attempt again the next year and until he passed, he would not serve in

g the first wave. The cords of muscle on his arms were taut and his growl melted into a painful groan before he threw his head back, arched his back and blew out a loud, unearthly shriek. The other men held him down, restraining him. He shook and trembled, yelling and fighting desperately. A wet patch appeared in his loincloth and Monama knew from experience that he had probably shat himself as well. His body began to stretch and spas

e the only ones that could use Shandar in it's liquid state. Multi harnessers could only use Shandar in it's powdered form. Liquid would not work on them and they would have to draw solely from their emotions which in turn, transformed them into colds. The others were offered the drink and Monama had to listen to more screams, shrieks and yells but in the end, their wall broke and none of them fell unconscious. Monama turned to look at Arumin considering the