Nihtwulf nibbles on the feather he uses as a quill, before dipping it in the small bottle of ink, and begins to write an entry into his small journal. The first few words show signs of being blotched, the writing laborous.
I stopped by the cabin today, Tam was out working the lumber, so only Jess and the boy were home. As always Jess greeted me with a guarded smile, the boy ran up to look at my sword as is his wont, he is four years old now, and growing well it seems.
Jess invited me in as I tended to the horse, an offer I knew she did not make easily, I nodded in accepting her offer, we never shared many words in the past years, nor did I think we would before Tam returned home. But I had to come, had to say my goodbyes. She offered ale, but I refused, instead focusing on the boy, letting him examine my armor, shield and sword, though I kept the sword in its scabbard. Hurt coming to the boy would not only severe any lingering goodwill I had with Jess, but I could never face Tam, should any hurt come to the kid.
His curiosity sated the boy ran back to his toys, small wooden figurines that I am certain Tam fabricated himself, some fine details on some of them, especially those portraying orc, but that is no wonder, Tam had seen those vile things up close far more than any should suffer. Silence fell over the cabin as Jess worked on some knitwear, and the boy played in his small alcove. I let it settle, not knowing what to say.
Tam returned home and as was his usual wont, he gave a big hearty hello and a bearhug of an embrace when he saw I had come to visit. A hug for the boy and a kiss for Jess, then he kindly asked if we should take a walk to the small pond near the cabin, I gladly accepted. I think Jess was glad to see me go.
Tam asked a little about how I'd been in the past months, and we made small talk for a few minutes while walking, before I told him I was heading south again. It didn't surprise him, he had gathered as much when he had seen my horse, and the blanket adorning it. He knew this day would come, and had on one hand dreaded it, on the other looked forward to it. I could but agree, Tam and I never have kept anything from each other, ever since I came across him in that small orch camp, him a prisoner, me out to settle another score, we have kept brutally honest in our words, I think that is why I consider him such a good friend, one of the few I found here in the north. We say things as we see them to one another, in any matter.
He asked me about the reason for my decision and I showed him the letter from Algar, he nodded gravely, stating he knew how much being bound by an oath means to me, and that he would probably had done the same had our lives been reversed. Glad that I had come to at least let him know, he was also sad to see my departure, though he understood it. With a rueful grin he told me Jess would be sad I left, a surprise to me, given her words for me, and about me, were always filled with rejection and a cold demeanor almost bordering on hatred. Tam laughed at my surprise and gave a shrug, then he told me how they were happy, and how content they were living as they did now, their own cabin, and an honest wage coming in from the woodwork Tam made. But that had I not been too occupied with my own brooding thoughts and my own constant hunt for justice, Jess, the former tavern maid would probably have wed me, instead of him.
I never knew, but it made sense then, why she acted as she did.
We slowly circled the pond a few times while talking, and I wished Tam and his family, both Jess and Wolf, a safe and happy future. Tam hoped I would find what I was looking for in the south, and we parted with a hug, as brothers.
I do not think I will ever see either of them again.
Blowing on the pages to dry the ink, Nihtwulf ponders the fate of the small family left behind, hoping they will make it, and that someday the boy will grow up to be the man his father is.
