The Drums Begin

Thazmug stared at the scroll even as he sat, drinking the ice cold water. It gnawed at him, and the parchment pulsed, like it was alive. The ink glistened like it had been written that morning, and his head pounded.

"Is it enchanted?" He ventured to ask, though his voice cracked.

The scribe shook his head. "Only by fear. Fear of what it holds."

"What does it hold?" Thazmug asked, wiping his forehead. He felt like he was sitting next to a forge.

"The records. Of our mistakes." The scribe said quietly, his face forlorn.

Thazmug looked down at the heading of this next part. The Drums Begin.

Extract from the Testimony of General Sandstone, Imperial Guard, taken in Ironhand 4834

Questioner: "General, even now the Imperial Guard refer to the sound of drums in the sand. Can you tell me a bit about this?"