Beldren was first aware of the pounding in his head, as if someone smashed a hammer to his skull in time to his heartbeat. He blinked swollen eyes against the darkness. His vision adjusted and he blinked at planks; some kind of wooden building with a dirt floor and scattered hay. Slats of late sunlight splayed across one corner. From their color he could tell the sun would soon be gone. Had he slept all night and the next day?

With the question came self-awareness. He wasn't ...