I haven't seen Master Tumunir since that night in the tavern where he told me everything. He'd better not have run off. I'll whip his hide if he dares run off!
I hope he didn't. He wouldn't, would he? He promised he wouldn't. I trust him, right? Do I? Can I trust anything he says? I think I can. Even though he did such awful things... he never lied to me. He's not the same dwarf now... right?
I had a letter from Master Maurr a week or so ago. I were so happy to get it! What's not so happy is that I couldn't tell him that everything were fine here. I didn't give any details. I don't want him to worry over much. I miss him so much, it hurts. I'd give just about anything to hear his laugh and have a hug from him.
It's odd how much these dwarves have become like family to me. Master Maurr, Master Tumunir, Mister Doc. I don't know Master Byrge, Master Zurri or Master Bild too well, but they all seem just as kind as can be. I wonder what Pa would say if he knew I were surrounded by dwarves even more than humans half the time. I daresay he'd have a good laugh.
I keep meaning to ask Miss Cesistya if she has anything she can suggest for pain and rest. I need a good sleep more than anything. I feel like I could sleep for days. But my mind won't shutup. Every time I close my eyes I start thinking about it and the night is ruined. Tossing and turning only makes my leg hurt worse than usual. I don't dare go to the Soothery anymore. Not after
The blackbird is sitting on my bed. It's become Pumpkin's favorite thing in the world. The yarn is all loose and dangling in places from where she's bit and clawed and wrestled it like it were a wild boar. I'm glad someone's enjoying it, at least.
There were a strange fellow outside the Prancing Pony last evening as I were going in. I can't even begin to write his proper name, but he said to call him "Zals". Tall he were, like a tree, and wide, and dark. Dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin, dark clothes. But what I found most curious of all was that he had bells on himself. On his clothes and in his hair! What sort of person wears bells, like a lamb or a cow? Of course, they were tiny things and made pretty little sounds, and I told him so later on. He asked if I would walk in with him, and I weren't sure at first. A man what puts upon a young woman without knowing her first can't always be trusted. He were so clearly from some far-off place and I'm a nobody who knows nothing. I know some folk might think I'm just a brainless peasant what might make a good target for...unsavory things. I may not have learned to read till I were twenty-four years old, and I may not know where all the places are on all the maps, but I have some sense. Least I like to think I do.
Anyway, we had a nice talk and he didn't say or try anything unsavory at all, which I were glad for. A woman who came out of nowhere had the nerve to walk over to us and just start hollering at him for being a "southron" and called him a murderer and all sorts of crazy talk. Mister Zals stayed cool as a cucumber, but I weren't going to let some nutty lady bother my company for no reason. I stood up and got in front of her. A man walked up at the same time and calmly told the woman to say if she knew of any crime Mister Zals had done. Of course that quieted her right quick and she stomped away, saying she'd tell me things about Mister Zals and his people if I wanted to hear them. Well, I didn't and I don't. The man has a voice and can use it for himself.
I told him about the Boarding House since he told me a terrible sad story about how he ran from his homeland because of war and bad folk and been wandering since. He didn't look like someone who were hurting for food or clothes or shelter, but it just felt like the proper thing to do. I thought about Mister Gilly and Miss Kira and wonder if they might be from the same sort of places. They all have that dark skin and hair and beautiful, foreign look to them.
After Mister Zals left, I saw dear Miss Finchley and even dearer Mister Doc by the fire! They were standing with poor Master Byrge, who always looks like he's about to scurry under the nearest table and hide from everyone. I finally got a hug to Mister Doc, so long overdue. He and Miss Finchley are apparently going to see Master Maurr, and I nearly died for jealousy! I would've begged to go along, but I'd just slow them down and be a pest, I'm sure. I have to be patient and just believe that I'll see my friend soon. They did promise to give him hugs for me! That will have to do for now.
