No matter which way I lay on my bed, I cannot escape the dull ache of pain in my shoulder. I feel a quiet hiss of discomfort pass my lips - though I am still grateful, as it is not nearly as pained as it was before I allowed Ithilwe to treat it. Perhaps recounting my day until this point will help lull me to sleep... or at least remind me of my folly so I do not injure myself like this again.
The morning had started with my visit to Bree. I sought out the stable-master from whom I had rented my horse, West. Easily spooked and scared of the dark he may be, I still felt an attachment to him. With some of the coin that I had made in Ost Forod, I bought West off of him, and he has been aptly renamed Thalawest. I just hope I will be able to work him over this fear of the dark. I walked him out of the South Gate to return to the Company House, when I saw a caravan coming in, presumably from further East. There were many horses and wagons led by many people. I saw a pair riding side by side, a woman with short auburn hair and a man with hair the same shade. They appeared to be deep in conversation, though I swear the woman offered me a wink as we passed by each other. Judging by the attire of the caravan and the accent of their tongues, I judged them to be Dalish in origin. I forgot to mention that to Amaken... I shall do it in the morrow.
Once I returned from Bree and settled Thalawest in the Company stables, it was nearly time for the weekly meeting. I went inside and had a brief conversation with Ithilwe and Seregrian, the latter of which stepped away to get a drink and did not return before Deorla and Furley addressed us all. It was announced that next week we will be leaving to go to the Shire to prepare for a market there, and the following week we will be holding the said market. From there, we were split into our respective groups. Seregrian had a new diplomat with her, but I did not catch her name. Ithilwe also stayed with her to prepare for the meeting with the Woodmen in the Chetwood later that night. As Amaken was not present, Deorla took Master Cook Cutch to go over the wares to be sold. Anastasiar, Tarnon, and myself, being scouts, were sent with Elthhelm, though we ran drills under Commander Altheric and Sergeant Kildwin alongside Kavad.
Rumors I had heard of Kildwin's harsh regiment were not exaggerated, though it was likely my adjustment to serving under someone rather than working alongside them. They organized us into a march all the way through the Bree-lands to the Barrow-Downs. From Dead Man's Perch, however, they released us to race down to the Prancing Pony. (Kavad won, but he was shifted into a bear, so I firmly hold to the belief that he cheated). Although Kildwin, Seregrian, and Ithilwe remained at the tavern to relax, Elthhelm took Anastasiar and me to go scouting to Buckland to see if there were any notable dangers on the road. Furley rode alongside us. It was mostly peaceful, granting us an opportunity to speak and get to know each other better. I was grateful for the opportunity, as I had not met Elthhelm before this, and I had only briefly spoken with Anastasiar and Furley. The only danger we saw was an encampment of what was likely brigands on the road, but Elthhelm said they would be more trouble than they were worth to chase off, and we would take a small detour through the grasses to avoid being in their sights. I disagreed with this and thought it would be safer to scout it out and see if they could be chased off, but it was not my place to voice such dissent.
Anastasiar and I returned to Bree, and I joined the others in the Prancing Pony. Seregrian regaled us with beautiful music from her harp - and Sergeant Kildwin... played for us songs on his bagpipes. That music is not my preference, but I do commend him for the talent and effort that went into learning how to play such an instrument. They played many songs, and after a time, the tavern cleared out. Ithilwe and I briefly parted ways, as we promised to get a drink before heading to the Chetwood with Seregrian (I invited myself along, which is probably why I later ended up with the unfavorable job). As I was riding through Bree, doing some scouting on my own, I stumbled upon a small encampment of Orcs. I am not one with any love in my heart for Orcs and considering they could pose a threat to the caravan within the next week, I decided to make rid of them. It was not the swiftest fight, and they were more organized than I had anticipated. Regardless, I had soon killed them all, with only a couple scrapes and a sore shoulder to show for it - and still made it back to the town in time to share a drink with Ithilwe. (He hated the ale).
Seregrian led our embassy (small as it was) to the stockade in Chetwood to meet with the woodsmen there. Ithilwe and I were in charge of Drambordal, our auroch, and the wain. Gaurnim and Seregrian rode up as escort. Upon arrival, the woodsmen offered us a warm welcome and hot food, despite the drizzle of rain coming down. I was put on auroch duty, which I now presume is from inviting myself along. Ithilwe, Gaurnim, and Seregrian made excellent impressions and encouraged good trade. Eventually, one of them, who I was told later was Home-wright, approached, and offered me some food. I very kindly accepted some venison, and she also brought a plate of the casserole for Drambordal, who was all too eager to lap it up. I also spoke with another woman who showed a keen interest in Drambordal and said she had even spent some time among the aurochs of the North-Downs. I had hoped to speak to them all more at length, but Drambordal was getting restless, and we were making our leave before long. After packing our wain and leaving, Seregrian mentioned to me that our trade was immensely successful, and she hoped to work with them more closely in the future.
Gaurnim and Seregrian departed from the Company house once all the wares were safely squared away. I remained outside to make sure Drambordal was cared for and put up for the night, and that is when I realized that the pain in my left shoulder had become quite unbearable. I could hardly move it without sending a surge of pain throughout my entire being, the likes of which I have not felt for many years. I would have chalked it up to a pulled muscle, between fighting and handling the auroch, had Ithilwe not been watching and demanded to see it. He led me inside the house, and with great reluctance, I admitted I had been out fighting Orcs before our meeting at the tavern. He pointed out that I may have been cleaved with a poisoned blade, and it needed to be treated if so. I did not want his assistance in treating it, but he was relentless, and I ultimately allowed him to examine my shoulder. To my embarrassment, he was very correct, and he allowed me to clean the wound while he prepared a salve to treat it.
I roll over in the bed once more, not wanting to linger much longer on the conversation shared between us afterward. I could feel the heat settle on my face regardless, and I cursed to myself and cursed the ache in my shoulder. Ithilwe was becoming a very dear friend to me, and although so were others in the company, they do not share the same experiences as we do. I draw my red hair over my shoulder, running my fingers along the grooves as I recall how deft fingers braided it, ere I fell asleep at last.
