[ IP ] The Source

How long had it been? Days, weeks, years? Ramsey neither knew nor cared, transfixed entirely by the ineffable stone before him. This stone was unlike any he had seen before. Near the base of the great rock, concentric carvings formed a circular opening for a cave or cavity of some sort. A clear, sweet smelling liquid ran lazily over the lip of the cave mouth and fell softly onto the lush foliage below. Beside the central rock, stone slabs of a pale blue colour stood sentinel. Huge white runes carved into their faces glowed faintly in the approaching twilight. The Source 
 
 `` We've found it, my friend.'' Ramsey looked over at his companion. The stallion, Gordon, was lapping at the moist grass beneath their feet. He neighed his acquiescence but did not lift his head. Ramsey patted his haunch. 
 
 `` Rest now. You've done well.'' 
 
 Approaching the Source Ramsey drew his long sword and shieldbreaker. He shrugged off his thick coat to better free his movement and climbed up onto the lip of the cavity. Though the liquid that lapped at his feet was cool, beads of sweat dotted his forehead. The many travellers he had spoken with had warned him to be careful for the Source was perilous, they said. Taking a quick glance at Gordon, who was still licking the liquid from the grass, Ramsey stepped into the darkness of the cavity. Ramsey guessed that the space had a diameter of roughly fifteen paces. It was small, but not claustrophobic. Aside from the gentle gurgle of the liquid rising from some underground reservoir, the cave was silent. Seeing no immediate threat, Ramsey sheathed his weapons. Starting on the far wall, Ramsey began to tap the stone, listening for any odd noises. He heard nothing. He picked another spot. Tap tap tap. Nothing. And another. And so his search began. 
 
 Hours later, he leapt from the cave mouth. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not one legible rune, not one secret compartment, not even a lick of magic. 
 
 `` It was all a lie.'' He said to no one, for Gordon was not listening. The great stallion was still licking the wet grass, oblivious to his partner's frustration. 
 
 `` So much travelling, so much time,'' he dropped to his knees, exhausted. `` For nothing.'' 
 
 The Source, they had said. Find the Source and your life will change in ways you can not possibly imagine. The Source is this, the Source is that. The Source was nothing. Ramsey was lost, broken. He was also thirsty. Unhooking his waterskin from his belt, he wrenched the stopper free and held it above his head. Not a drop. Roaring hellfire, he threw the waterskin to one side. It hit Gordon, who took no notice of it and continued to lap at the shallow pools. 
 
 `` Forgive me, friend, forgive me.'' 
 
 Ramsey looked at the liquid falling from the lip of the cave. The horse had been drinking it for hours. It must be drinkable. Trudging over, he cupped his hands and collected the liquid. As he raised it to his face, he realised that it did not feel like water. It was too viscous. He shrugged mentally, past caring. Ramsey drank. As he did, his eyes lit. The liquid tasted incredible, like a warm stew on a bitter winter night. It would compliment anything, roast beef, steamed vegetables, even an apple. He drank more, and more, and more until he could drink no more. Content, he sat on the ground once more, not noticing the wetness of the greenery. Stars winked at him from the night sky, and he began to laugh as realisation washed over him. Accents. 
 
 `` Not the Source Gordon, the Sauce! The Sauce.'' 
 
 The horse, who was still drinking, neighed weakly, belly fully to burst. Ramsey chuckled softly to himself. 
 
 `` Perilous indeed.'' 
 
 He would not lose himself in the Sauce. He would study it, replicate it, make it his own. He walked over to Gordon and patted the stallion's cheek. 
 
 `` Rest, friend. Tomorrow you shall drink your fill once more. But tonight, I think you've had... too much Sauce.''
