So I pass another day here in Branishor, hiding out and straying no futher than Kathryan's glance. I've taken to spending time in Elwin the scribes office; I rather like the smell of old parchment, the feeling of well organized antiquity there. I may have accidently knocked over a few ink pots, but at least Elwin wasn't too upset. I don't think the papers were that important, anyhow...

I feel almost guilty, hiding out here from everyone. I've been trying to stay away mostly because...well, I almost don't even want to write it down, because I know someone shall read it. And I hate for my foolish escapades to be revealed for all and sundry-especially when its something I probably could have avoided! And I especially hate to worry people. Namely, Elly-she has alot to deal with as being a leader anyway. And Lucy has still been healing from her injury. And I hate looking like a dangerprone clumsy fighter!

But all of it just had to begin at that mining camp. I had been trying to save up enough for my new armor, and at last decided it wasn't worth it. I'd save the plat and hope I leveled quickly enough to get the next one, since my current armor isn't in bad shape at all. And I was tired of going to the same places over and over again-and I admit, curious to see what was left at the abandoned camp. Which, I must say, was not much. And gremlin looters still abounded, despite the lack of any worthwhile items to loot! So while I was exploring around, quickly dispatching the foolish gremlins who thought me easy prey, I failed to notice the mine shaft.

All of a sudden, there was no earth beneath my feet. Everything solid became fluid and my breath for a moment or two was suspended as though I had left it behind, at that faint glowing circle that was quickly diminishing above me. The smooth descent lasted only a second; I was knocked into the walls, colliding on rocky juts. My armor held fairly well...though I must say the leather does little to shield the body from such blows. I was fine until my left arm suddenly slammed into a ledge and I heard a pop, and a snap. It helped slow my fall when I finally hit the bottom, but I was instantly sick and in pain. I turned my head and saw my left shoulder slumped forward awkwardly, and my collarbone on that side was disturbingly lumped. It took me awhile before I could gather myself, and stand up. Nothing else was hurt, that I could tell..but I could barely think beyond that point. I sent a message, to Dain, even though somewhere in my mind I knew he wouldn't be able to come and help me.

I looked up and say no way to climb back out. I tried to walk west, though the effort drained me, and still found no way. So I began my way east, the only way else I could see. Though I quickly became shrouded in darkness. I was able to see, barely-and I think thats the only way I was able to survive. Otherwise, I think the granite minions would have killed me. I couldn't use my left duelmaster and left it sheathed as I sobbed and hacked my way through the tunnel, not even knowing it was the right way. I don't remember much else...it sort of grays out, until I realize I'm half slumped at the entrance to the mines and Dain is there, gently but frantically saying my name as he reaches out to touch my arm. My left arm. And I screamed, but he said that my shoulder was out of place, and it looked like my collarbone was broken. So he stood behind me, and quickly pulled my shoulder back in and I thought I would die of the pain then and there. The next thing I knew we were stumbling through Branishor and his brown eyes were looking at me anxiously as Kathryan tutted and prodded at my arm. The pain was dull but great...sharp lances as she pushed the bones back in alignment every now and then. Finally she was wrapping my arm up and Dain was then practically carrying me away, to watch over me. I remember seeing Jack....maybe? And the first nite and day after are a blur to my mind-weird smelling salves and strange flavored teas.

But know I'm wandering around...content to let myself heal. The shoulder is still sore but moveable. I have a wrap around my chest and back-some sort of hardened linen and hide-and its supposed to help keep the collarbone in place. But I wear my cloak tightly now, so that no one can tell. I told Dain I didn't want him to say anything-I'd be reclusive and heal out here. So far, so good....now if only I wasn't chaffing at my lack of freedom.