Acceptance

Sitting down with his back against the wall, Hildreth feeds his familiar Zohar a piece of the rabbit he hunted for Davynn before writing in his personal journal.
 
"My benefactors have more work for me to do. I was hoping that getting the reagents from the serpent would be enough, but it seems they too have taken an interest in this group of adventurers. They seem to have accomplished much before I arrived, and even during my hunt for the golden serpent they had a battle of a personal nature, and their resilience and skill is admirable. However, I hate being away from home. As accustomed to poverty as I have become, I always enjoy my own mattress over a bed roll or a cushy inn room. I don't like being away from my things.
 
No matter. If this is where they want me, then here is where I shall be. It isn't all bad, for they seem open to the idea of helping me gather items for myself as well. They seemed a little too accepting of me, though I will chalk it up to the harrowing experience they just had, especially the human boy called Davynn. I will continue to try to earn their trust, since it will be needed if I am to be traveling with them for a time. But will I be able to trust them?"
 
Hildrethfeels the presence of Zohar in his mind as he casts a glance to the shadow of the book case on the floor next to him before returning to his journal. "Perhaps I shouldn't be so concerned about others. I have the only friends I really need here.
 
"Even so, I still work to gain their trust, if not friendship. I got suffering Davynn the entrails from a rabbit as I was returning to Featherstone. The first animal father ever took me to hunt was a rabbit, and mother cooked and prepared the meat while taking the offal and taught me how to divine the weather and location of useful herbs with them. It is my last fond memory of them I have before..."
 
Hildreth closes his eye and takes a teek, calming breath before continuing, the growl of Sayah filling his mind as he sense Zohar's feathers ruffle.
 
"Well, regardless of the reasons, just because I don't need to make friends doesn't mean I shouldn't try to be helpful, even in times of emotional strife. If Sayah taought me anything it's that just because you are a stranger doesn't mean you shouldn't offer help. I don't think my gift went over well however, so I chose to follow the man Kern to discuss the finer points of our business agreement. That hair. If her were but a simple animal I would have killed him and skinned him on the spot to line my coat with it. Such soft and silky locks he has, to be able to caress them whenever I desired...
 
But I digress. He more than the others seems to be alarmed at my presence and methods, but that is natural. Even with his concern he and the armored man Xylund agreed to let me follow along, but negotiations for my share seems it will need to be negotiated at a later time. That's not a problem however, as observing them is my main goal. Xylund and Kern rode off to take a rather pungent man off to Greyloch to be questioned. It would have made sense to follow and continue those negotiations, but their destination is terrifying enough, let alone their reasons. I'm happy they were the only ones to leave so I could remain behind and observe the others.
 
The Tiefling girl Lana seems much more amicable than Kern, but still acts like a cornered animal in my presence. All the same, she is the one I felt it was best to go to when Sayah helped me track down the ghostly presence in Featherstone, and she believed me even though she could not see the woman called Ori, which isn't a surprise. Rarely can people see the likes of her. However, thanks to her guidance and enough pantomime that makes me think I should learn how to act, we got Lana, her twin sister Lili and Davynn to follow her to the location I met her at and, thanks to Davynn and his preparedness, accomplished Ori's goal; the destruction of her phylactery.
 
I don't know where we will be going from here or where the group wishes to go, but whatever they decide on, I hope it's not too dangerous. No matter where though, I will be safe as long as I have my friends by my side."
 
Hildreth puts his journal back into his pack, noting that Zohar has already fallen asleep. Deciding it is time to turn in himself, he places his hand on the wooden floor cast in shadow next to him, but instead of the rough, cold wooden planks, his hand instead falls upon and caresses dark, thick fur.