I awoke still tired, still exhausted. I had not recovered and the pain from my leg had grown. I had concerns infection may spread and therefore could not remain at my solitary camp in Far Chetwood. Even I know when help is needed and this was the time to admit that. I gathered my clothing and struggled towards the south.
As I limped through the wood, I noticed day had passed into night and night into day. To quickly was this for any winters day and I was sure I had only taken a hundred strides from my camp. I had lost all bearings, all sense of direction. All the trees looked the same and not a sound to follow. The clouds had moved to reveal the sun but it seemed to circle in a way that I could not follow and the heat was that of a summer’s day. I removed my winter cloak and pressed forward. Following only what was cries and muttered words in the far distance. I came to a clearing in the woods that I did not recognize.
A small, humble home, built of wood taken from the nearby trees was just across the way and I could smell cooked meat. I was to take what I needed and leave the residents unharmed if it could be helped. As I pressed towards the house, I would examine the small crop field and the windows for signs of life. None could be found even as I climbed up the steps and looked around, no person would reveal themselves. The door was already open as I entered and the fires lit up but still no sign of life. An old, chipped, small table with a single matching chair consumed the majority of the main room, another solid wicker chair was placed nearby with a bowl containing hair and strings.
The plate of food laid upon the table was what I could smell and so I sat and ate a few bites before glancing towards the window, back outside from where I had come from. Midsummer was in full glory, the crops had grown in mere moments and there was a good, clean sense to it all but still I could only grunt as I retreated further into the house. A kitchen well kept with only the basic items and further still the bedroom laid a large, comfortable bed setting built up of furs from different animals known throughout Breeland.
My eyes once again grew keen to the outside, now looking towards the back of the house. Night had come once again and I had only moved from one room to the next, this seemed not to be my concern for as I looked out of that back window, it portrayed the view I had so many times seen. The lake from Far Chetwood. The same lake I had for an age made my home That I meet with Ilaru before and spent time with her talking over our lives, issues problems or dramatics but I had never seen a house nearby. I had only a day ago been there and I would have seen this.
For a moment, it sent confusion through my mind but the longer I looked upon it, the longer I felt acceptance to it. I stepped over to a cupboard and took out some evening wear, dressed and thought nothing of this. I walked through the house and gave Ilaru a smile as I passed her in the hallway. She was pottering around looking for some lost heirloom. I continued back to the door I had come in from and circled the house back towards the lake. There I took up a chair and sat to enjoy the view I had always admired. Ilaru came and sat with me but both of us remained silent. Eventually I just closed my eyes to enjoy the peace.
The quite had become noticeable now, what was moments ago the sounds of the inner woods had dimmed to nothing. I opened my eyes again to find I was inside the House of Midnight, not the dark and dusted image I had seen only a day before. This was the House as it stood when I was first brought here by Emmelin. This was the grand Kin hall that inspired me years ago. This was the Avasian Hall. This was the place that a younger me took orders, that Jack and Esclyn would not even speak to a rank so low as mine. Siward, Eovad and more would walk by me and I would exit the door with pride. Towards the stable I could see Mae, stood as she had always done in the Prancing Pony playing an instrument. Dearest Mae, so long now has she been gone.
I turned to examine the Halls to which I had given so much of my life. The day and night continued to cycle back and forth as I watched the House. I knew know I was not awake and I was maybe even dead but I did not give it a second thought. I waited in belief that this dream state would give me some message of sorts but it never came. I simply stood and watched as the famous kin halls of Avasa changed, darkened. For a moment they became the home of Irrianya and afterwards they sprung to life once more only to die off again and become what it is today. Expecting a glimpse of that which has not come to pass yet, I continued to watch the house.
Yet nothing came. The house just aged, rotted and crumbled. As did the grass, the stone ruins and all surrounding the House. I turned to observe my own home and its ruin, long since gone. I had expected some message of glory or some inner struggle of my own, a decision to make would have given less confusion but all that I could take from this was no matter the places I wondered. The people I met or actions taken, my life as it was or could be. Not a single piece of it matters. Everything will still continue.
Evening had come by as I sat up, the fire had long been dampened by a rainfall I had slept through. The trees now looked as they should and the lands once again familiar. The wound on my leg was calm now which made getting up easier. I had hoped to take a moment to consider the dream I had. If I had missed some meaning or was it just delirium?
A question for another time as I could feel I was no longer alone in the woods. I could sense something familiar about whomever I was sharing the woods with this evening, but I took no chances with being discovered and moved from the camp. Towards the eastern parts of Chetwood, the trees would meet the rolling hills of the Lone Lands and here I spent the rest of my day.
Sat thinking over my plans, what must be done. Who can be contacted. The Alliance I would have to draft. Old enemies of mine who would now have a shared interest. Each one of my future movements to gain advantage over Julian and how I could remove his. And all the while keep Ilaru safe while I feed the selfish desire to meet her. I have plotted, toyed with ideas. My darkest smirk grew as I imagined revenge and I enjoyed the thoughts that once I have succeeded, I would wear that armour no more.
