Every bit of my sense of safety is now being sucked up into an endless cyclone. One of my companions, Gaeros, has been poisoned. Though admittedly it was his own foolish actions which led to it. I mean, who accepts wine from a strange man in the woods? Sarnai was with him and did not accept the wine. After he was poisoned, she and the man fought, leading to his death and a wound on her shoulder. Our Knight Commander came to Esteldin, asking me where they were, and I of course, being the useless lass I am, did not even notice they had left Esteldin entirely. He told me to change into my armor and mount up behind him. We rode at a rapid pace, jarring my bones with each lunge his steed made, but I understood the danger which our companions were likely in. We found them just as Sarnai cut the man down. She was visibly shaken as she informed us of Gaeros's poisoning. I had not noticed he was there until she pointed toward his prostrated body. I was ordered to tend to Sarnai's wound, which I began, when Gaeros began convulsing violently. I panicked and had no idea what to do. It felt like forever before Cynraede found some sort of antidote on the dead man and poured it into Gaeros's mouth. He must have had minutes left to live, but the antidote did its work quickly. I set about the task of cleaning Sarnai's wound, and then the horrid task of burning it closed. He came to not very long afterward, and was vomiting for a little bit. I cleaned up after wrapping Sarnai's wound and asked if I could get him some water. But I was told he would do better with liquor, so I gave him some of the drink from Bree which I had for cleaning wounds. It's strong stuff, but Gaeros does not seem to be the kind of man to dislike strength in drink. He took it with his shaky hand and drank it. Apparently, as my back was turned, there was a spider somewhere. Must have been large, to frighten Sarnai and Cynraede so much. It is good I did not see it. I have been deathly afraid of spiders ever since Timothie slipped live spiders into my shirt while I was reading.
Oh, I stray from the topic. Anyway, as we stood there, he...the Knight Commander, he...well...took the dead man's body apart. Sliced it open. Cracked the...he cracked the head on something. Not a piece of his body was left whole. Needless to say, I lost every meal I ate within the past week. (Exaggeration, of course. But I did vomit.) It was disgusting and I could not watch. But I am sure he had a reason. After he was finished, he sent us on his horse, Sarnai, Gaeros and I, and he walked away in the opposite direction. He said something that worries me. "If I return." He said "If." I do not know these people very well. But I know they are good people. I know that if they were to die, I would feel the loss. I cannot lose another person I care for.
Now, I sit in my tent and write as my companions eat the supper I fixed. We have a new companion, Narys is her name, if I heard correctly. She was sitting beside the fire with Hallena, Sarnai and Brulk when I began to make dinner. I have not seen Gaeros since his poisoning, and I am too frightened to go near his tent to check on him. I am not used to traveling with men. Traveling with a man like Brulk has proved to be...interesting, to say the least. Hallena and Sarnai have been lovely company. But he...I am not sure how to treat him. He speaks with a foul mouth and constantly growls about this or that. I believe much of it is for show but...it still catches me off-guard. Why, he asked me as I made my stew, if I had ever...er...uh...done...something to an animal. I was shocked, so I asked if he truly meant literally. He looked at me as if I am a brainless oaf. Perhaps I am. But Papa would never approve of me doing such a thing to an animal, nor speaking in such a manner.
Oh my. I must truly miss him a lot. I have not called him Papa since...well, a long time. I will not dwell on this.
After I finished my stew, Hallena brought out her lute and I sang with her lovely music. All except Brulk complimented me, but I know they were simply being kind. I do not even know why I sang. It was good to be able to sing out loud, though. It felt nice. My daylight is fading. Goodnight. ~Lissi
