Some things about Bree don't never change. Butterbur's beer is the same as ever, the market square is just as noisy… there's even a smell. I couldn't tell you what it's the smell of. It's got to be a lot of things put together, but somehow, it's a different smell than anywhere else. Staddle's got a smell, and so does Combe, and they're like to that of Bree, but not quite the same. And the smell of Bree this year is the same as it were two year ago.
In fact, about all that seems different is all the folk I knew. I had occasion for to go back to Hookworth for a day, on account I met a dark-skinned lass, probably Easterling, what wanted to learn how to use a bow. I ain't picked mine up since the day I were sent from Hookworth, and hardly been back there in all this time. I'm sure I'm more'n a little rusty at the bow. But I reckoned I ought to take my day off and go back to Hookworth to fetch it, and my arrows, so's I could practice, and in case it'll help with teachin'. Assumin' I ever get to teach the lass, that is. While there I had to ask around about a feller called Firithain, on account a lass I met, named Miss Carria asked after him, and… wait, I'm gettin' more'n a bit ahead of myself. The important part is, near to ever'one I knew in Hookworth is gone.
Of course I already knew Miss Brynleigh had moved away, though I don't know nothin' 'bout why. Ever'thing about whatever happened with her is a muddle to me, only I reckon I must done somethin' unforgiveable and still don't know what it were. Now she's gone, I reckon I'll never know, which is a hurt I try not to pick at. Miss Adri seems to have moved away too, or so the guards said, though they didn't much know where, and I didn't ask too much, as it seems to me it's none my affair. As for the other folk there as I knew, like Mister Aren and Miss Inayat, or Lady Ramield, no one were sure or were willin' for to say. Some said they might done gone on a mission and not come back yet. Hookworth seems nigh on to empty and it's a sad thing, though I can't go castin' blame -- my own house is as empty as any, cold and dusty.
As for this Firithain feller what Miss Carria asked about, I didn't know him, or leastwise I didn't think I done. The name didn't bring anything to mind when she asked, but after I made inquiries over Hookworth way it seems he's a feller what moved in while I were on my journey two year ago back to the Mark, then left, no one there knew how or why or to where, around when I come back. Only it turns out I'm the one what do, on account me and Miss Adri met him on the Redhorn Pass comin' back. I were supposed to write a letter to Miss Carria 'bout it, but it'd take me a month to write all I know, so I will wait for to see 'er. Though I do got to figure how much it's proper to tell 'er. Wish I had someone I could ask for help, someone smart and trustworthy and a friend, to help me figure out such tricksome things.
But so far there's not one person what I knew, not truly knew, what's still here. So I reckon that means I got to make new friends if Bree's to ever feel like a home. I've met a few folk. There's a Dwarf feller, most friendlisome, what gave me a fine journal and ink-pot and pen when I were askin' 'bout where to buy some. There's a young lass named Miss Lena, must be from a wealthsome family, who for a while folks thunk as I'd offended her, but it seems it were all nothin' more'n a bit of befuddlement. I do have a knack for that, but I apologized and I think it's all sorted. And there's Miss Carria as I already said, and another Dwarf named Maddoct, and there's the Easterling lass I mentioned, and that lass I met the first night outside the inn, and a cheersome lass I met the next night what I mistook for one of Butterbur's serving girls, but luckily she didn't hold it against me. More'n like, most of 'em I won't see again, or if'n I do I'll probably say somethin' wrong and drive them away too. But maybe somewhere in all of Bree I'll make a friend or two, and by that make it feel like a home.
