To Return

How long is it that I have been gone.... it seems so long I can hardly recall the most familiar places.

Wandering the hideous and unfamiliar is somehow comforting. The black Wastelands at midnight, when even the safety of the glowing stones surrounding the one safe place to be in that nightmarish place seem somehow threatening - but it is suitable to my mood and my resolutions.

I have neglected my reason for being - I have fallen down in my promise to guard the land and the people and thereby the King. My own selfish gain was behind my trip abroad. His Majesty had been gone from our side for so long - and no news from any messenger either - my own selfish heart took my legs along and thus I travelled abroad to seek any news I could find. When there was none, I travelled further and further away - many strange sights I have seen and heard many strange tongues. A vision came to me in the night in my darkest hour however, and woke me from my own path and reminded me of the true path of the cleric and my gods. Even in that far land I felt their life giving presence looking down upon me from the unfamiliar night sky.

New adventurers in the land had not received my help; the temple at Branishor had not seen my worship - my guild mates, so very dear to me, knew not whether I were dead or alive.

I knew I must return. Of course this was another wearisome journey to recover all the time and space I had put between myself and the dearest land of Valorn - but it was time to think, to be ashamed, to make my vows anew to my gods and to prepare myself for the return I had been too long in making.

Now I am back - touched by the fact that some seem to have missed my presence - and then punished in the knowledge that while I was abroad, the King had made a return to the lands - and I had missed him. Bitter tears I wept, but I thank the gods still for this reminder that seeking your hearts desire will not bring happiness. The sight of his most dear face will - but that is the gods will, and the King's blessing if he chooses to bestow it.

I have come to a decision. I must train hard and spend time in the wastelands in solitude with my gods as my company. I will not return to Dundee for some time - not unless my love calls me back.