NINE – Reality
He woke suddenly. Slowly the familiar sight of the Night’s Lights came into focus. He was lying on his back, out in the open. Krisis was licking the side of his face; the loyal dire wolf had clearly succeeded in waking him from his slumber. He sat up abruptly. Instinctively he clutched his head, which ached painfully; evidentially he had not yet fully recovered from the psychic scream which had temporarily paralysed his body. Krisis had been the one to drag him away to a safe distance, though he must have subsequently lost consciousness entirely. He tried to stand but his body was stiff and ached all over, forcing him to stay down. Absentmindedly he licked his lips; they were dry and cracked. He wiped the back of his hand across the corner of his mouth to dislodge some dirt
