(( I would just like to specify that the last words in chapter/part #4 might differ from what really happened in the inner circle from the Northwind Free Company’s side. Not that anyone has contacted me to tell me otherwise. But I would just like to say this anyway.

23rd December, 3017

Dearest Hereniel,

It has been three months since my last letter to you and dear father, another three months without your reply. What is it with the winds these days, that even a single letter cannot reach back to Bree...I muse, and hope beyond hope that you receive this letter, as well as the others I sent over the years in the North.

All mornin' He has me there in the word-hoard. Questions, over an' over, as if I aint already told Him all I was rememberin'. Least i got a drink of His wine. so now I know what Gyth gets.

   Jenn smiled warmly as Eradric walked past toward the stairs. The old man had been like a father to her for some time now, which was nice enough. More than that, though, he was unquestioningly loyal and always willing to take that extra step or three. He had moved back into the manor house some days prior, unwilling to leave Jenn unprotected whilst their guests remained on the premises.

I took the splints off today.

What choice did I have? I cannot move with them on. I have to move. I have to leave here. I have to find him and I cannot do so if I am immobile.

It hurts. It aches. I am not fully healed yet, but I cannot sit and wait. He has been gone for too long. I am weakened. After these long weeks of being unable to move, my muscles have wasted. Not too much, though, not too much. I can build it back up again along the way if I grit my teeth and ignore the dull throb.