De Laric piece 2

I awoke several days later in a small tower. I could hear music dancing the stairwell. My wounds had been mended and the burning in my body was gone. I sat up and tried to focus my strength to at least stand up. The cold stone floor was a welcome treat as it was a sign that I was still alive and not dead.

I made my way up the stairs glancing out each window I passed. The tower was located on the edge of a forest overlooking the ocean. I could see the moonlight dance with the waves. I stepped out onto the roof of the tower. A cloaked figure sat on the edge playing a small harp.

"I see you are awake now friend. The old man was a little worried we found you too late." He nodded to the edge. I slowly walked over trying to keep from losing my balance and leaned against the short rock wall around the edge. "I am Seiar the traveling minstrel. I reside on the top floor of the tower because its easy to get to the roof from there. The night is the best time to play music. The stillness and peace lets the notes travel further and be heard clearly. So tell me. What brings you to the deep forest? Your wounds suggest an extreme amount of trouble."

"My fiance and I discovered an ogre campsite. Before we could get away the ogre's attacked us. I can't remember much else."

"You were alone when we found you. Did she escape?"

"I don't know. I can only remember her screaming as I was carried off deeper into the forest."

"I see. Ogre's are not known for taking prisoners. Do you have any idea as to the location of that camp?"

"No. We got lost trying to find the road. I've really traveled much outside of Asan."

"Asan? The miner town? That's almost two days travel from here. I go there on occasion to play at the tavern. It is surprising to know that you survived that long while being poisoned and with the damage you suffered to your body."

"My memory is clouded. I can't remember anything past the screaming."

"That might be a good thing. The images may not be something a person would wish to live with for ever."

"I have to find her."

"We will. But right now you need to get your strength back. I will head to Asan tomorrow evening and return with what information I can about the campsite. Maybe someone has discovered it by now." Seiar stood and latched his harp to his belt. "I need to run into town and prepare for tomorrows journey. Glad to know that the old man's medicine kept you alive."

I continued to stare into the ocean and heard the door behind me open. "By the way, "he said "what is your name?"

"Crin. Crin De Laric," I answered.

I could hear his footsteps echo down the stairwell. Still unaware of where exactly I was and who saved my life I began to hope that I was in the company of allies and not enemies. Tomorrow would be the start of a new day. And with it would come training. I needed to get my strength back. In my current state I wouldn't be able to leave the tower any time soon. As I headed back down the stairwell I could hear music playing. I looked out the window and saw Seiar ride into the forest a top of a large featherless bird. It looked almost reptilian. I was a long way from home and something whispered in my head that my adventure was only just starting.