Morning was spent at my usual place on the High Stair. Seaver joined me there for a short time, but departed when a wounded man stopped to greet us. He introduced himself as Gaerhador, claiming that we had never before met but I am not so certain of that. Something about him was familar. I cannot quite place my finger on it, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he is the one Eovad referred to as Julian.
I went back to the house then and spent most of the day crushing dried leaves in a mortar and pestle. If I am to treat Blaecwyn's affliction then she will need a constant supply of the powdered herbs. I know not if this will work, I know not if it will do her any good at all but I must try.
There has been no sign of Cyfier yet, which is encouraging. However, Haldrid did come to visit me. It was highly unexpected, but pleasant. We spoke for hours. He made me laugh and I... I found myself joking with him. It was almost like it used to be. I almost felt like a real person again. I never knew that I missed that feeling until then. That someone could come to me without an ulterior motive, that someone could simply visit me for naught more than company...
After he left, they chattered at me again. They were so loud and insistant. It made my head hurt. I finished my tasks to the sound of their screams and then had no choice but to rest. Even in sleep they spoke to me, telling me that Haldrid was wrong, that my doubts are misplaced, that they were all I had and were all I would ever have. Perhaps they are right but does that mean that I should not try to have more? They would say yes, they would tell me to accept my fate, to embrace it, to embrace them.
I look to Arugru, though, I see his trusting eyes and thick black fur, I see his bulky body and sharp teeth and I know that I am not alone; I will never be alone for as long as he remains. How sad that the only one I can rely on is a dog.
