The long nights

I’m currently helping in the Escorting of a boy from the Lonelands to Bree. I usually try not to work in groups anymore, I can barely handle working with one or two but I have little choice. Laer asked for my assistance, so I accepted. The trek is fine so far, supposedly we are trying to beat a force heading from Angmar to take the boy..and also suspicion that the boys  adoptive father is in league with Angmar. I know all to well how the corruption works..I still bear my brand. That will stay to myself though, it would cause much fuss and anxiety within the group I fear. I don’t even wish to think of it..I just think of all the people in the downs, their faces of horror and pleading for mercy. I was a monster..but I cannot dwell on the past if I am to keep working on my path. We are at camp right now, waiting for everyone to rest up, I’m used to working on little to no rest myself..my camp has been having a larger number of orc attacks at night recently, maybe time to relocate. I preferred to be away from everyone as usual so I can collect my thoughts and have my peace. Amanda spoketo me and said she wants to help people, I’ve never seen her have such drive so I told her I’d train her. I just hope I don’t come to regret it but I’d be a hypocrite to ignore her request, when I was her age I wanted to be a hero as well. She is a quick study, just hope her arrogance doesn’t cause problems..I wish to keep thinking of that and the mission and less of where we are currently. When we approached my past failure to bring Brandilyn home hit me. This was where we spoke and where I looked when she disappeared again. I spent weeks scouring the lands but to no avail. It’s my fault, I could not give her what she desired.