Why was Vollird raving about ghosts to Tyl Loesp?
Earlier in Matter, Vollird is described as such:
>Vollird was a tall, thin, darkly intense fellow with a look that could, as now, verge on insolent. He usually regarded the world with his head tipped downwards, eyes peering out from beneath his brow. It was by no means a shy or modest aspect; rather it seemed a little wary and distrusting, certainly, but mostly mocking, sly and calculating, and as though those eyes were keeping carefully under the cover of that sheltering brow, quietly evaluating weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and the best time to strike.
Later, after his companion Baerth was killed by Oramen in the failed assassination attempt, and Oramen himself had been attacked by the Iln machine and lying in bed, and after Tyl Loesp’s attack and takeover of the settlement, Vollird approaches Tyl Loesp like this:
>“It is, sir! It’s me! Your good and faithful servant, sir!” Vollird cried. “We did all we could, sir! We nearly got him! I swear! There were just too many!”
>Tyl Loesp stared at the fellow. He shook his head. “I have no time for you—”
>“Just save me from the ghosts, tyl Loesp, please!” Vollird said, his knees buckling underneath him and the guards on either side having to take his weight. Vollird’s eyes were wide and staring, foam flecking his lips.
>“Ghosts?” tyl Loesp said.
>“Ghosts, man!” Vollird shrieked. “I’ve seen them; ghosts of all of them, come to haunt me!”
>Tyl Loesp shook his head. He looked at the guard commander. “The man’s lost his wits. Take him—” he began.
>“Gillews, the worst!” Vollird said, voice breaking. “I could feel him! I could still feel him! His arm, his wrist under—”
>He got no further. Tyl Loesp had drawn his sword and plunged it straight into the man’s throat, leaving Vollird gurgling and gesticulating, eyes wider still, gaze focused on the flat blade extending from his throat, where the air whistled and the blood pulsed and bubbled and dripped. His jaw worked awkwardly as though he[…]”
It felt like something had happened to him. Maybe the Iln machine had affected his mind somehow, although he was never in close proximity to it like Oramen. It’s never fully explained though. Does anyone have any ideas?