As expected, I was cast out. It did not all go quite how the chief would have liked, however, for Aakusti made a scene, demanding he be allowed one last half-hour with me. At first he was denied, but he made such a fuss about it, even trying to gain the aid of his most trusted friends in fending of those who might take me. He failed, of course. Those men would not disobey their chief for him. Still, Crannog relented after a time, allowing Aakusti to speak to me one last time.
He tried to apologise. He tried to justify his actions in taking me from Bree. He tried, but again he failed. He now admits that he was wrong at least, so perhaps he will learn something from this. I hope so. He has many lessons yet to come.
It was not long before they came again and for that I was glad. I had no desire to prolong this any further than was necessary. Nevertheless, I would not give them the satisfaction of dragging me to the village borders. Instead, when Aakusti unbound me, I walked out with my head held high, without assistance and with as much dignity as I could muster given my nakedness. I looked at none of them, I simply walked on. When I reached the gateway to Fasach Larran, I stopped only long enough to turn and look at them. They stood there, watching me with curiosity and pity, one or two even looked regretful. They whispered behind their hands and none would meet my eye, each turning their gaze away when I lay my own upon them. I told them that I forgave them and then I left.
I know not how long I wandered. The shadows told me which directions to take, when to pause, when to hide, when to creep or move with haste. I heard their whispers as I have always done - at least, since that day in the elven ruins. I heard their commands and their promises and I obeyed for what else could I do?
The jagged black stones of the wilderness cut at my feet, causing a pain which I ignored and leaving bloody prints in my wake. It would only be a matter of time before the wargs caught the scent and came for me, I knew, but the shadows promised otherwise. They would keep me safe, they said. They would see me out of this alive if only I did as they said.
I know not when it happened, when everything stopped making sense and the world became a blur. I know not how long I had been walking or when I passed out. I know only that I awoke in Fail-a-Khro with a woman gently cradling my head and trickling water between my parched lips. I recall her as if from a lifetime ago; Cana. I had healed her once, a long time ago, from a terrible wound that had become infected. She shushed me when I tried to speak and told me to rest, drink and dress.
I know not if Crannog's words concerning me have not yet reached this place or if they simply do not care. Perhaps they recall the small kindnesses I have done for them in the past and now seek to repay me as best they may given the circumstances. I cannot be certain of their motivation.
When I left there sometime later, I was refreshed and a little strengthened by the food they gave to me. I was tempted to refuse the morsels, but the whispering of the shadows was insistant. They demanded that I take what was offered, including this book and a writing implement. I know not why.
I wandered on, once again taking direction from the shadows. Over many hours, they led me to Bail-Rova. As a destination it seems a strange one for this place is a Duvardain fortress. Granted, there is a way to reach Ram Duath through there, but I must bypass a vast amount of the Iron Crown to reach it. Were I in possession of my ancestral blade, I may have been able to trick them into letting me pass, but without it they are unlikely to permit me extrance except as a captive. I have questioned them shadows about this but all they will say is that I am to wait.
So now I sit here, hiding behind a large rock, watching the Duvardain come and go on the path below, hoping that the blood from my battered feet does not seep through the boots Cana gave to me and thus alert any predators to my presence. A part of me believes that I should just walk into a warg den and get this over with, but the rest of me agrees with the shadows: I should survive this just to prove them wrong.
