It always seemed to rain through the small, oval window panes of his small house by the pond. Somehow, it never seemed inviting, did the Bree weather. Always something to put a downer on any jovial mood.
His hat sat on his desk, neatly placed and kept, with a backpack and his sword propped up next to the doorway behind him.
"Alas, I'm too tired for it all any longer", he said to himself, smiling wryly. He had poured himself one last glass of wine, but had merely spun the goblet on the table between his index finger and thumb. He didn't want to taste it, but in the waning light it was some comfort to hold of his life he was about to leave behind.
He'd become fatigued. He'd rubbed too many people up the wrong way. He'd lost his way. As a matter of fact, he'd lost himself along the wy of becoming a Master of the Company. In front of him were all the legal papers, handing the business and its effects to the Commander, Altheric. The man was respected, connected, had wits about him and would make a fine leader.
Daphnee had gone again, almost as soon as she'd arrived back to Bree. He'd waited so long for her return, and she was gone almost in an instant. Before he'd been given full charge of the Company, he'd spoken with her, and almost asked her to go to Dale with him, where her distant family resided.
Staring blankly at the bag by the door, he let go of his wine glass, and left the key on the table for his housekeeper to find along with a note explaining what to do with it. Standing up, he brushed himself down, and sighed deeply. Trying his best not to think too much, lest he falter and turn back from his decision, he picked up his effects from the doorway, slung the pack over his shoulder, buckled his sword and stepped out the door.
Looking up at the night sky, he sighed, deeply, once more, and inhaled the crisp air. Chewing his lip, he thought about Bree, and the many memories it had held for him.
"All good things must come to an end" he said to himself, aloud, before adjusting the hat and placing it on his head.
Walking down the pathway of his residence, he closed the gate behind him, and began to head for the East Road. He had dedicated his recent life to trading and traversing the route, and now it was time for him to see what really lay at the end of the path.
