Remembrance

The day started early in the dawn. Not for Dormaruk, the trickster, and especially not the Headsmasher, whom I and the trickster had to wake up. Dormaruk had some unfinished business with Deorgria. The Headsmasher was not keen on being up in time. I jokingly berated him as I would an unprepared vanguardsman on an unannounced reduction in their sleep cycle. He did seem to take this as a challenge, which is a first. However, he also took it as a chance to strike at me with his fist. Plate armour can withstand crossbow bolts and troll bites. Made of adamantium, nothing of this world can dent it. The Headsmasher's punch was decidedly ineffective. He is still far away from the high standards of a White Sentinel. The brutes of the Iron Brigade would probably be a better fit. Regardless, I will offer both the Headsmasher and the trickster training in something. Perhaps heavy armour? Dormaruk's resolve and ability speak for themselves. We left the village after a short detour to the general store. Herr Ginte mentioned a monster that was prowling the outskirts of Zarastil, and that some mercenaries had been sent after it. Worth looking into. The trickster persuaded him to give him one shiny coin in exchange for some exposure that he is supposed to give the gentleman in the capital of this backwater. We left thereafter.
 
As Dormaruk and I had travelled this road before, it was an effortless day. The only break came in the form of an old man in a black robe who gave Dormaruk a letter written in Deep Speech. After the trickster offered him an orange, the "man" disappeared in thin air, only leaving the robe behind, which I now carry with me. Another thing to investigate in the capital, or wherever we can find relevant information. We ended the day in the Empty Cauldron. Dormaruk and I joined two strangers for songs. We later spoke with them, a halfling and a man. The halfling claimed that soldiers from my former unit had been seen in Zarastil heading to the kings's castle. Dragon-head insignia and crimson cloth, which rules out the 1st, 2nd, and 4th companies of the Adamantine Regiment. It could be one of the other Crimson Dragon infantry sections, or the crossbows, or the scouts, but I still know most of those officers by name, and if it is my exact unit, I have to meet them! If only to imagine Zéphyrine amongst them. Of course the halfling later admitted to being a former pirate. At least he was willing to part with some information concerning the Pitched Wanker and its crew with Dormaruk. I do not know what manner of company the trickster and the Headsmasher found, but it looked like a wandering circus.
 
I insisted maintaining a rotating watch with Dormaruk, since we may be tracked. He thought it unnecessary. Perhaps, but I could at least collect my thoughts in written form. Minotaurs are not quiet sleepers. Tomorrow we reach Zarastil.