Near sunset, they arrived at Xynnar. Atom reared, whinnying. Brenn leaned forward to soothe the horse, patting him on the head and whispering calming words. Atom settled and stood, though still snorting.

Pushing onward he broke through the copse of trees surrounding his village, but there was nothing. No smoke spiraling up from chimneys on houses fashioned from mud bricks. No children playing or women going about their daily activities. No warriors practicing in the field. All Brenn saw was a blackened expanse. What had once been his village, was gone, burnt to the ground. Anger and fear consumed him now. Fear of what had happened to his family, his father and mother, his sister, to the other people of his pride. Anger at who or what had done this, and for the first time in his life both man and beast became one with a roar of agony, so intense, it echoed throughout the valley.

Brenn gazed at the destruction. From the mountain top, it hadn’t been that visible, but now he could see the damage clearly. There wasn’t a dwelling left standing. Piles of black debris scattered the ashes. He spurred Atom on. They slowly walked through the village, but Brenn saw no charred bodies. No remains. Where was his family? Where were all the other occupants? There was no sign of blood. What had happened here? His heart shredded with fear for his family and the members of his pride. They had lived in peace in this valley for so many years. What or who had invaded their territory?