In Due Course

[Sören]

Though he discovered nothing of note, Sören continued to visit the lake and surrounding area in his dreams. The ice chilled his skin when he allowed it to pierce his consciousness, but even making himself vulnerable to such influence did nothing but make him miserable with it. He brooded in that snowy landscape, a sentinel awaiting his body's arrival.

Of the times he slept truly, no dreams came to him. Perhaps because his body craved the honest rest so often denied it, though to all appearances Sören took every opportunity to shut his eyes. He was poor company when the wheels of trains, cars and buses rumbled beneath him.

The village, though, seemed to animate him from his quiet stupor. He ate well and smiled easily, though their reception was understandably cool. Nonetheless he offered respectful condolences for the men lost in the previous expedition - men whose deaths, it was true, he had barely considered since he'd heard of them. Money paved their way here, not silvered words, but he offered them anyway. They would be placing their trust in Daruka on the morrow.

---

The hike was a quiet one, and cold. He longed for a trick to ignore it as he could when in the Other place, but settled for keeping his mind fixed on their goal and paying attention to their guide. Camp that night was welcome. He was making himself comfortable when Declan cornered him.

Sören cocked his head, interested. "You waited for Daruka to be out of earshot. You're spooked."
The hitch of smile suggested ridicule, but Declan knew him better than that. He folded his arms, considering whether he could use the runes to help provide the man a better night's sleep, or if the portent was better addressed than ignored. "What did you dream?"