10The Red RiverFrom the ridge, the view over the Red River stretched for hundreds of miles in each direction. The river curled over the landscape like a scarlet serpent. In places its water boiled, seething in rage, while in others it sat placid, a static bog of melted fat and congealed blood.
The stink rose across the whole landscape, from the green hills in the north to the distant crystal azure sea of the south. Between them lay miles of black barren despair where demons lurked to trap those who attempted to escape their fate. But no one escaped. No one reached the paradise-like destinations of hill or sea. All were returned to be drowned once again in the river where their skin and flesh were melted and their bones tumbled against the rocks until they crumbled. The poor souls screamin
