Hemmer drew in a deep breath. For the first time in weeks it was a clear breath absent of wheezing. The weight of his body returned as he reentered it from the realm of shadows. It felt as though it was made of lead. His arms and legs were heavy. Even the effort to breath seemed like a conscious obligation. He was was shaking uncontrollably from a cold wind. Cloaked in darkness he had to rely on his hearing to gather his bearings. Heavily laden raindrops were audible over the sound of rushing water. He was still at the river's edge. The revelation was surprising and comforting at the same time. He hadn’t expected to still be here. Though he wasn’t sure why.

Feeling around for his gun, his numb hands began tingling with a stinging fire as his senses returned. He withdrew his hand and kneaded them to coax the blood back into his fingers and ease the pain. His gun had always been a source of comfort. Its well-worn wooden stalk was stained with the sweat and oils of hands and face. It was a part of him and without it he was incomplete. ‘Damn it! Where are you?’ Pushing his hands across the rain soaked soil he fumbled for the familiar weapon. Then his hand brushed against the stock of the butt. Relief flowed through him. He was in need of relief, for in his mind the events of the night were replaying, haunting him. The Gods were not what he had expected, nor were their words. ‘What is a man that lives in doubt of himself but a burden on those who associate with him?’ The prophetic words cut him to the core.

He had launched himself at the gods fueled by his rage. When he arrived he was shamed by his ignorance. The Eagle had been the most direct in his questioning. The others seemed to follow his lead, but it was the words of the Coyote that angered him. ‘He who spends his life trying to change the past denies his future. To deny love is to invite division. I did not stay your passing so that you could err again.’ Hemmer’s careless reply was charged with emotion at the time, but in retrospect was hollow and childish. ‘Which of you has made me a tool of destruction? You speak of love; you know nothing of love. You think to manipulate me for your amusement? I will deny you your games. I am no longer your pawn. By stripping me of my allegiances and those I cherish, you have made of me a dangerous adversary. You are but children playing as Gods. You may deny me your true forms here, but I will seek you out in my world and bring upon you the pain you have heaped on me. When your powers are at their weakest look for me. I will become the instrument you have made of me. My name is meaningless here, you will learn to call me Sorrow for I am the bringer of death’.

Coyote laughed.

‘What you say may have some truth to it, but we are not your enemy, you are. In your rage you failed once more to protect those in your charge. I speak of the elf maiden. She is now in the hands of your real enemy.’ Hemmer spat his reply from behind clinched teeth. ‘It matters not, she is dead’.

Coyote raised an eyebrow ‘Are you sure? You may well make good on your threats, but for now you have much to learn.’ He stood on all four legs and moved toward him. His head was steady, only his shoulder blades seemed to move. Like fins chopping at the air. ‘Its not to late, but now you will have to prove your worthiness now. For there are three that await you, but one does not yet know it’. With that the Coyote moved behind him with blinding speed. Hemmer turned in time to see him place a single paw the silver cord that trailed all the way back to his human form. The Coyote strummed the cord and like a fish on a reel Hemmer was pulled back to his body.

How could I have been so foolish. The signs were all around him. She had built this shelter and moved him here for protection. As he sat up he felt the pouch containing the empty vials slide off his chest. His eyes had adjusted to the night and he could make out simple forms. He noticed that one of the canisters was missing from the belt. ‘What the’’

It would be a few hours before daylight. He would have to wait ‘till then to follow her trail.