Through the morning the men had gathered wood from the northern forest, it was meant to be a short turn, but already it felt like ages had passed since he left.
When noon arrived, the men sat down to eat and talk among themselves although Loakee did not find himself in much of a mood to speak.
I should have stayed. What if he does come back? No, that's impossible. He's exiled and branded; he wouldn't be able to step near without being spotted and hanged. No one is that stupid, are they?
Unease had him shift in place and dread weighed down on his shoulders. In his thoughts, he didn't notice as men were coming up the hill, more laborers catching up to the rest of them.
This won't be so long. She needs this, we do. I will return with coin... With lumber to build. I had to do this... Right?
"What?"
His thoughts were interrupted, and his attention fell to the men that had just arrived. To his horror, he learned of the recent happenings in the town. There was no more question anymore; he had to go back.
Loakee packed his things in haste and made his excuses for leaving. Without a horse to ride he questioned the shortest route to take so he could return to the town in good time.
One of the men he had worked with for the past days offered to take him, saying that he knew a shortcut across the land but was confident that man who didn't know the area would quickly end up lost.
Loakee wasn't happy with the idea, and he had noticed odd looks being thrown his way by this man through the travel as well while they worked but after hearing of what had happened he had no choice but to accept. He had to get back as soon as possible.
The trek was long and tedious, but Loakee followed close behind the man, the two exchanging few words on the way.
Murder... A fire... Is it his doing? Did she get caught in it? Why did I leave? I should be there. Never underestimate a man's foolishness, father was right on that. Why did I forget it? Dammit all! If she's been-...
He stopped and stared down over a cliffside, frowning deeply. "I thought you said you knew a shortcut. How are we going to get down from here? It's going to take ages to go around this!" There was no answer.
"Didn't you hear me?" Loakee spat and turned halfway to face the man but before even catching a glimpse of his companion a sharp pain flooded into the back of his head as something struck it. His vision blurred and his body staggered at the loss of balance, within moments all had turned dark.
