He waited as the last of the soldiers marched past, then stepped forward to cross the ancient road. And saw, on the opposite side, a tall, gaunt figure in faded orange robes. Black pits for eyes. One fleshless hand gripping an ivory staff carved spirally, on which the apparition leaned as if it was the only thing holding it up. ‘Listen to them now, spirit from the future,’ it rasped, cocking its head.
