Amorthon Blackwood

Of Suspicion and Frustration

Starscythe…Starscythe…Oh, come ON. They’ve got to be in here somewhere.

The plan had been to simply return to the Retreat, gather his things, and leave. Maybe he’d ask a few questions, if anyone was present, about the whether or not any rangers with the last name ‘Starscythe’ had been the area recently. He’d gotten stuck on how to explain why he had that particular question. It wasn’t until he’d arrived, and started putting on his armor - as it was simply easier to wear it than to carry it - that he remembered the logs.

That had been hours ago, and still, there he stood, in full armor, flipping and scanning page after page. I’ve got to be getting close…wait - there they ar- 

“Hey, Blackwood…what’re looking for?” 

Amorthon sighed heavily. He could count on one hand the number of times he’d been noticed in the Retreat, more often than not he was free to come and go as he pleased without a question or comment. But the one time he didn’t want to be bothered, that’s when he was noticed. “…Something I can help you with, Duskwater?”

“Hm? Oh, no. Just wondering what you were looking for, that’s all. You seem very interested in whatever’s in those books.” 

“Names. I’m looking for a particular name.”

“Uh…huh. Well, now that I’m here I’ve got another question. Where are you off too all armored up? Last I heard you don’t ship out for a week or so.” 

“I didn’t feel like carrying my armor, Savage isn’t here to carry it for me, and I’m not planning on staying at the Retreat over the next week, or returning for supplies the day before I’m supposed to leave.” He shot a glance at the other ranger before continuing to scan through the pages. “I get the sense you have a specific question that you’re not asking.”

“No…not really, just wondering where you were staying, if it’s not here. Most people like it here when they’re not with family or something. And last I checked…” 

“I don’t have family to speak of, no.” The ranger marked his place in the book with his finger as he looked up. “Ask what you want to ask. I honestly doubt that you’re just here out of concern for my safety and wellbeing.” 

“Fine. You stayin’ with a woman?” 

Amorthon’s gaze narrowed. “Why does it matter if I am? It could be that I simply prefer solitude with my tigers over sleeping in the retreat. And beyond that, you - and everyone else here - has shown less than the slightest amount of interest in the goings on of my life up until now, so I’m curious as to what changed.”

“Nothing, nothing’s changed. Just me bein’ nosy, that’s all. But, ah…I should probably be getting back to my duties before my captain has my head…”

“Your captain? Who’s that?”

“Who? Oh, the captain?  Cerovel Starscythe. Well - him and his brother Herlavel. Not really sure how we haven’t been sent out yet, but they kinda do what they want, and think they mentioned they had some little assignment they had to deal with here. Wouldn’t say what it was. Anyway, I’ll leave you to your reading.” 

There was a beat, then a second as the younger ranger left the room before Amorthon pulled his finger from the book and slammed it shut.

Well…Shit.