Arrival and Departure

During the days, we ride mostly in uncomfortable silence. When we do have occasion to exchange words, they are terse and there's an unspoken undercurrent of tension beneath them. At night (we stay in seperate rooms at my insistence), I am unable to sleep, and alternate between depression, serious contemplation, and wishful thinking, with fits of hysterical crying thrown in as well. The second night, I almost broke down and went to Don's room, intending to tell him the secret I'm keeping. But, my resolve held, and I turned away at the door.

Finally, we make it to Theras on the morning of the fourth day. Don takes me to an inn just inside the city gate. He haggles a bit with the owner, then comes up to me. "I've paid for your room and board in advance. With the gold I have on hand it will cover about 2 weeks. I will not be staying here with you. Since I will be traveling alone from here on, I will stay in the knight's barracks at the castle."

"Thank you." I reply softly.

"Here is all the money I have left over." he says, handing me a pouch of coins. "It's not much, but you need it more than I. It could probably pay for another week or two here, if it came to that. I will be leaving Theras on quest in a few days time, but I will return to the city at least once before heading back to Castle Freydair. If you are still in the city at that point, leave word for me here and I will come find you, to offer whatever help I am able to give. Once again, I am so terribly sorry, Harry. I hope someday you can forgive me."

I nod, and we share a small, gentle kiss - perhaps our last. "Goodbye, Don."

1. Exhausted, I retire to my room, where I fall asleep suprisingly easy. I awaken in the early evening refreshed.
2. Exhausted, I retire to my room, but sleep does not come easy, and, when I finally do, I am troubled by another vivid dream.
3. As it's still early morning, I decide this would be a good time to explore the city. Though I'm tired, I don't think I could fall asleep right now.

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