A cold welcome

We wondered the forest, making our way home in the dark. Sis tried to illuminate the path with her power, but nothing quite came of it, she had placed too much into healing me and sustaining from exhaustion until we arrived home. We didn't speak much, but after some time we arrived at the gates.

She stopped right before we came into view from the guard post. "Bryan," she asked somberly, "Please tell me the truth, where were you? We hadn't seen you for days and your hunting party came back without you. Why?" I stood there quietly, as still as a dead man. I couldn't answer her, she could tell if people were lying if they were under her influence, after all she had control over every facet of my body, except of course, my brain.

"I was hunting." This was still true even with the different circumstances. "However, I came across something I couldn't handle and had to use the amulet, that's all really." She looked at me, her eyes saddened but relieved. She shook her head and walked towards the gate. I lagged, not wanting to be seen in my condition, however the wounds I received will take time so eventually everyone will see.

The guards gave a nod upon my approach, the newer recruits of the paladin order stiffened up in repose. Fearing that they might disrespect the hunter's heir. I waved them down, I hated when people did that. I never liked the respect, because I knew it wasn't because of my prowess as a hunter but simply because of my father.

The town was sleepy this time of night, thanks to the paladins taking watch. the tavern was the only place was rowdy this time of night. Hunters returning from there hunt, some drinking in triumph, some in despair. I looked towards the mountain, upon its side was my birthplace, the castle. The stones were engraved with magic that made it a fortress against the beasts. It stood high above everything in the valley. To most it represented safety and victory, to me, it was a prison. I wandered through the town, weighing whether I should just run. Father would surely give me a thrashing. However I knew that if I did run sis's magic would run dry and I would fall in mostly likely a pit or some other lost situation, so I walked up to the front gate. The guards were sleeping with only a few somewhat conscious. On my approach, one slowly came up to me.

He looked me over in haze, not realizing until moments later who I was. When he did, his eyes widened and almost bolted for the castle, however I quickly forced some of my remaining energy into my feet and took him down swiftly. "Please master Bryan, I was tasked to report to the Earl on your arrival, please." He said in jagged breath, thanks to my knee planted on his back.

"You will stay on your post; I plan to speak to my father now." His faced held fear, but he nodded his head and I allowed him to rise. He bowed and wandered back to the gate.