This was unexpected. Master Balnirar came to find me, the dwarf that had threatened me just a day earlier. Nearly had me jump out of my skin when I returned home, after his voice, still freshly etched in my memory, called me out to check.
I had been called out to check on a young boy. It seems there was little wrong aside from eating too much cabbage and the boy being full of air because of it.
Master Balnirar waited behind the totem, springing forth once I came back and I was certain he had planned an ambush. He showed me that he was without weapons and wished to talk, so I invited him in.
He apologized for his threats and assured me that I had nothing to fear from them. This is a relief. We spoke a good while, and the unintentional insult has been forgiven. It appears that he knows Doc as well and so I've offered master Balnirar to visit more often. Both to keep Doc company, as well as sate my curiosity of their kin, their traditions, and culture. I'm uncertain how open he shall be to talking about such with me.
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Miss Fletcher visited me and brought a gift. This is the second one I've been given in a short time. She gave me a pair of books; The Art of Change: Alchemy Theorem and Practice. A book she's been putting together herself and has offered me the first binding. The second book goes by the name A Sailor's Soliloquy. A book of fantasy, I believe.
She'll be heading further northwards with her partner for a while and has promised to gather some herbs and roots for me while she's there. Will pay by the species brought and weight.
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I find myself looking at and studying the pendant I was given, crafted by Doc at my request. I hadn't expected the changes he did to it, as it was never meant for myself, but another. Now that he's made the familiar Tree sit beneath the rain of gold, it's become more personal. Perhaps, someday, I shall be able to give this to someone who shall remain with me. Such a treasure would make for an elegant heirloom to pass down, a reminder of the partnership friendship that can form between Men and Dwarves.
Friendship, another word that I'm trying to get used to. I've never thought of myself as having friends; I had always thought specific requirements had to be met for a person to be called such. Yet, I've heard this word spoken from a few in regards to myself, and it's still strange to think that there are those that see me as a friend to them. I'm not sure what the requirements for a friend are any longer, as I find myself seeing them as friends as well, even if said requirements that I observed are not met.
What master Balnirar said has stuck with me. That loneliness is far more dangerous than an orc. One is harder to kill than the other. I've thought about this, and the more I do, the more it seems to make sense.
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Many seem to be stuck with song as of late. On a few occasions, I've heard people singing and humming. I wonder if it's because of the autumn season or the festival that I've heard spoken of. I don't know whether it's the people or the air here, but even I have a tune in my head. I can hear it clearly, even if I don't recall where or when, but the music is evident.
With all the preparations for winter, my coin is running low. I still get by with selling over the counter and the occasional haircut people ask for, but beyond that, there is little income and more expense than that. I'll have to reconsider offering lessons, whether it's academic learning or something as simple as dancing.
