Madlands

Geographic Region

AND01 Dawn of Destiny/19

The trees down in the valley were a different species from those that grew through most of Irth. Stark, white trunks stretched so far overhead they couldn’t see the tips, while branches spread out to the sides and dropped pine-scented needles to the forest floor.

Julianne touched a nearby branch, sniffed it gingerly, and screwed up her face. It was the trees that smelled. Instead of fresh and clean, the pine here had a sharp, coppery odor.

“They say the smell is from all the blood the trees have soaked up, remnant and our people alike,” Marcus called from behind.

“Every place has its ghost story.” Julianne glanced over her shoulder, but quickly jerked her head back as her horse nosed around a bend in the trail. “Is it all like this?” she asked.

No safe havens or clean beds. Rough. Inhabited by remnants, wild animals. A land of dangerous, ravaging monsters.