The gray-silver haired man strolled through Bree, continuing down the road that led to his small but comfortable house. It was late in the night, and the streets were rather empty... in contrast to his mind at the moment.
It was now about three weeks since he’d returned to Bree from Draugmir. But it was several days since then when he’d learned the fates of the four warriors. Contrary to Calagand’s fear, the four had indeed found victory in the end. At first, the enemy had apparently had the advantage, with Alestair Wolf being struck down early in the fight, the others weakened and perhaps only barely keeping the crimson-robed wraith at bay. At the end, however, things had somehow switched when Celebsarn continued fighting – even after Luthbereth and Galgardor had fled – with Alestair coming back to aid and save him. Though he was wounded, Alestair had eventually delivered the final blow against the withered Cargul, placing the stone at the spire soon after. The Wolf had then returned to Draugmir as a hero, with the stone finally dealt with at last. Galgardor, assumed still alive as he had fled before the end, did not return to Draugmir afterwards for reasons unknown.
This was the information Calagand was given. He’d expected for Edhelfaron to return to him with the news, but it was instead a simple messenger and scout of the order. Nevertheless, it was a great relief for Cal to know that the quest for the Black Stone was finally over, with all their efforts paying off in the end…
On another note, one of the first things Calagand had done when he came back was, of course, informing the Watch of his return. Agromnir had already spoken to them about their long, unspoken absence, but Dawn Appledore and a couple others were still somewhat irritated with the matter (more so with Cal as he was a Captain). In the end, however, they understood... but warned him of doing such a thing in the future.
The old man sighed into the cold, biting air as he reached his home, opening the old door to reveal a dark, quiet room. Yet... this was not his real, true home, he knew. He’d come to Bree to learn, serve, and find adventure... and that’s exactly what he was doing, and had been doing for many years. Yet now, he suddenly began to feel as though it was coming to an end. He’d done his part... and it was now so long since he’d last gone back.
Perhaps the time to return home was near. To return to Dale and the friends and family who were there, leaving Bree behind, thus resigning from the Watch.
Creak-click, went the door as Calagand shut it behind him, closing out some of the frosty wind from outside. For the longest time he just stood there, silently, peering into the darkness of the room. Then, suddenly, his line of thought swerved a different direction as he remembered something. This was the last place Duindos was before mysteriously separating from the group… and as far as he knew, he was still missing.
Where was he?
