HEROIC REALMS

*Stark is seen gearing up to leave. He is of course in disguise. He leaves his cabin and attaches a note to the door with a dagger.*

The note reads:
I will return shortly. I have some matters to attend to far away. Zeesa, if you would be so kind, if you do see Taldrin, let him know I would like to seek council with Lord Elecsirt while he is traveling. Dream send me if this is possible. Cali, don't worry about me. I'll be back soon. You know there are things I need to take care of. You know I care about you and I'll see you when I return.

Thank you all so kindly.
Stark Silverthorn

*Stark can be seen walking down Dark Entry Road, the high afternoon sun still glinting off the silver-tipped sword strapped to his back.*

(OOG: Keith, I will PM you later with a list of things I'm trying to accomplish while out of the stronghold.)

Laurelin catches sight of her friend walking down dark entry road as she exits the barracks. At first she does not recognize him, dressed differently and such... but some things are difficult to mask. It was his gait, and the sound of his footfall that gave him away to the druid. She frowns, but understands he is only doing what she would in his shoes. None the less she follows him for awhile in silence from the woods, just incase he comes across any trouble... then again, any trouble that came his way she knew would likely end up in a ribboned mess at his feet. Still... she would at least make sure he finds unhindered passage to the borders of the stronghold, for she had much to take care of herself that kept her here.

Spying a bird overhead she smiles as an idea comes to her. Running a bit ahead, staying from sight off the road, she stops beside a boulder and whistles to the bird.

((OOG PM coming))

Waking up from a dreamless sleep, Ancalime stirs in the cabin and rolls over. "Stark, are you awake?" she mumbles as she snuggles into the pillow. Suddenly realizing that she is hugging a pillow instead of her man, she opens her eyes and looks around to find herself alone. "Stark?" she calls out. She climbs out of bed and rushes out the door of the cabin in a panic, stopping when she sees a note on the door. She reads the note and tears fill her eyes. "He's gone...and he didn't even say goodbye?" Her voice cracks softly. Reattaching the note to the door, she goes back into cabin and crawls back into bed, crying until sleep once again takes her over.

*Stark knowing he is disguised well enough, the Constable obviously did not recognize him.*

No it's not. Everyone here is dead.

*Stark bolts off into the woods laughing with no chance of anyone catching him.*

Ancalime rolls over in bed and opens her eyes to stare at the ceiling of the cabin. Sighing to herself, she looks around once to realize that she is, in fact, alone. "He said he wouldn't leave me alone. He said he'd keep me safe." Tears fill her eyes as she sits up and pulls her knees to her chest. Stark had gone back on his word about leaving her alone, but she knew why he had to leave...to save her. If he hadn't left, she would be dead for sure by the time next moon came around. Dragging her feet, Ancalime gets up and walks to the door of the cabin. She stops briefly to turn around and stare at the bed she and Stark sleep on. One of his shirts was there, in a mess on the corner. She walks back over it and picks it up, bringing it to her face to inhale his scent. "Please come back soon, my love...and be safe." She gently folds the shirt and places it on his pillow so it will be there when he returns.

Before she can cry again, she grabs her sword, rushes to the door and leaves the cabin, taking the note off the door and taking the dagger with her. Knowing she is alone and it's dangerous, she runs down the trails and into the tavern. She plops down in a chair in the corner with the note in her hand and leans back to lean her head against the wall to relax. That's what she needed...to relax.

*After finishing his business in Trillador, Stark "borrows" a horse and begins riding on the path back to the Stronghold.*