[IRP] Dread Star's Zenith

[Alusq]

Hyperion. Hyperion. Hyperion... Nichol repeated the name in his head as he marched at a staggered pace, Jerome at his side. He had recommended to both of his Ostian allies that they remain in the village to protect against unseen threats, but Jerome, knowing that Nichol had no actual power over him, had elected to come along, which Nichol took as a sign that his taciturn comrade didn't trust him. He stumbled as a gnarly tree root on his boot jolted him back into the moment, following up with a frustrated glance in several directions: a vain attempt to peer through the thick fog. For all I know, Donovan's following me too, Nichol thought. Although his timid young comrade seemed, well, timid at first sight, perhaps that was just a front. Despite all these thoughts, there was one that refused to be evicted from the top of his head: Hyperion.

Where had he heard that name before?

"Pardon," Nichol said in Lennox's direction before he could stop himself. "Hyperion, was it? You seem an imposing character. Are you a traveling mercenary?" As expected, Jerome perked up and swiveled his head ever so slightly towards Nichol's attempt at conversation. This was, of course, bad: the two guardsmen could only grow more and more suspicious of one another, but Nichol at least was aware that it would scarcely matter were they to suddenly find themselves in a battle against the heathen sorcerors.