The gravel crunched under his feet hoarsely, despite his best efforts to move softly. His master would be ashamed of him, but he didn’t care. It had been many years since his days at the Academy, and some things are harder to keep as polished over the years.
He made his way up the hill at a steady pace. With the pines on either side of the road, he had ample cover from prying eyes. With any luck he would make his way unhindered.
Off to his left, a cock crowed, breaking the sound of his footsteps. The sun was yet to be seen, but the graying sky was growing brighter now. He glanced in the direction of the call, and noticed smoke softly making its way to the sky.
He cursed himself for not noticing it before. If anything, he should have smelled the fire from the farm’s hearth long before seeing it. Ah, what would Aranl think of him now?
He found himself surprised to be missing the old man. It made sense, he supposed. That was the way of life. Comings and goings. Beginnings and endings. It was always the middle parts that he had a problem with. Even with Aranl gone five years come this Spring, it still seemed just like yesterday that they were sharing a pipe and enjoying the company that only long years of hard times can bring.
._._.
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