Ryson appreciated the wizard's understanding of his personal situation, but he remained focused on his problems with his wife.
"That's why I thought you might be able to talk to her," Ryson said. "She'll respect what you have to say."
"And what is it exactly I should tell her? You don't want me to trick her, but you want me to try to explain to her how I see things. How am I supposed to explain it to her in a way that will make her lose her reservations? I can't even explain it to myself. Imagine having three dreams while you're awake and you might have an idea of what goes through my mind. Now, you want me to try and give Linda, who is completely immune to magic, an idea of what I think? Do you really expect that's going to make her feel better?"
Ryson had to admit it began to sound more and more confusing.
"I guess not."
Enin tried to reassure his friend.
"I appreciate that you came to me. It shows you have a trust in me. I appreciate that more than I can say, but I also think this is a challenge that you and Linda can overcome by yourselves. If you believe you were meant to be together, then I think deep down she believes it as well, and nothing in this land will be able to break you apart. Destiny is more than some kind of twisted joke meant to force us into trying circumstances. It's also more than a test. It's part of our passage through this existence, a reminder that we are not trapped-or alone-in some random collection of events caused by our own manipulations. Have faith in that."
Once more, Ryson didn't quite understand everything the wizard meant, but he did believe he and Linda belonged together, and perhaps that was why he went to Enin in the first place, to confirm that belief. In a way, he had done so. Enin might not have been willing to come right out and say it, but the delver could sense it. That was what Enin was trying to tell him, and Ryson would help Linda reaffirm it as well.
"I'm glad I came here," Ryson admitted.
"I hope I helped," Enin offered sincerely.
"You did. I'll do what I can. Thanks." It was really all Ryson could say. He felt a little awkward and he tried to redirect the conversation. He realized that he had not yet seen Holli and she was usually not far from the wizard's side.
"Has Holli returned yet?" he asked.
"Not yet," Enin revealed. "She's still assisting the elves that have returned from the dark realm, but she and Jure should be returning quite soon… perhaps any moment."
"You've spoken to her?"
"Not exactly, but my link to her remains strong. I understand what happened."
"So you know about the sorcerer?"
"Ansas? Yes, an interesting individual."
'Interesting' was not quite the word Ryson would have used to describe the sorcerer. 'Treacherous' was much more appropriate.
"What are you going to do about him?"
"Nothing."
The simple answer surprised the delver.
"You don't think he's dangerous?"
"My opinion is irrelevant. What is important is that he has done nothing that requires my intervention."
Ryson wasn't ready to agree with such an assertion.
"The elves might argue that. He abducted them… used them."
"That may be true, but isn't that an issue for the elves? They haven't asked me to intercede for them."
"If they did?"
"Then I would seek out this Ansas and request he make the proper reconciliation. I am happy to offer protection for anyone that asks me, but I refuse to become the conscience of the land, or its overlord."
"So you'll assist but not meddle," Ryson offered, somewhat beginning to understand Enin's position.
"You put it very well."
"Well, I think you've assisted me today. I'm not sure exactly how you said it, but I do believe Linda and I will be alright. I guess it's just something we have to work out together. At least now we know the truth about having kids without any doubts. We'll just go forward from here."
"That's the best way to move." Enin then felt a small pang of guilt for not willing to go further, for not going to speak to Linda. He made a conciliatory offer. "I don't want you to think I'm unwilling to do more. If Linda wishes to speak to me, I will certainly do so, but I only ask that it be her request, and not yours. There is a difference."
"I understand. I should get back to her."
"Do you want me to send you there?" Enin asked.
"Would you mind? I'd like to get back to her as soon as possible."
"Not at all. I can send you right to your home, or outside the town gate. Which would you prefer?"
"Outside the gate," Ryson stated. "She's probably at work by now and I'd rather not have you just deposit me inside the Borderline Inn. It might cause a stir."
"I would agree. Are you ready?"
Ryson nodded.
"Very well. It was a pleasure to see you again. Come back soon and see Stomps. He likes you."
"I will."
Chapter 22
Upon leaving the town, Linda used the main road that led west out of Burbon and into Dark Spruce. Though it was a fairly wide stone and dirt passage, it had become infrequently traveled over the past several seasons. It was still used as a supply line for well guarded convoys that wished to cross the forest in either direction, but it remained a lonely road normally devoid of travelers.
Once she was well out of range of Burbon, unable to see the tall watch towers that served as part of the town's defensive perimeter, she turned down a nearly invisible foot path. It was a foolish choice, but it led her to where she wanted to go. She rushed brazenly away from the main road, willingly turning her back to the only sign of civilization.
As the trail before her narrowed, so too did her craving to escape any connection to her home. Initially, she welcomed the thicker brush and the ever expanding clusters of trees as they served to form a natural barrier, separated her more and more from any passage back to Burbon. She embraced the isolation.
Linda didn't stagger or stumble through the forest; she stormed across the rough terrain as if it was just one more irritation that added to her fury. As the forest became more of an obstacle, she cursed at the tree trunks that blocked her way, swatted away the branches that scratched her face, and kicked at the roots that forced her to falter. She viciously ripped away at the brush that blocked nearly every path, all the while raging at each individual stalk as if it were a personal nemesis.
If asked, she couldn't reveal her ultimate destination beyond wanting to go deeper into the forest and away from Burbon. She tried to maintain a westerly direction, but eventually, even that became a futile effort as the thick woods closed around her. The surrounding trees left her without any reference point to guide her travels. In all directions, everything looked very much the same, and so, she simply pressed onward into the denser sections of Dark Spruce.
The diminishing path twisted and turned through the trees, broke over both rock and mud, and ultimately disappeared altogether. Eventually, there was nothing for Linda to follow beyond seemingly senseless animal trails through the shaded grounds of the heavy woods.
She had no food, no water, and no weapon for defense. She didn't care. She didn't concern herself over her safety or her ability to survive. Her palpable anger pushed her onward, but it was only partially her own rage that stoked her emotional state.
Most of the fury that swelled inside her came from an external source, and the raw emotion agitated her beyond clear thinking. She felt a certain amount of fear to be sure, fear that might have forced her to turn back from such a dangerous course, but the anger eventually suffocated everything else.
Even as she raged through areas known to be inundated with goblins and shags, she screamed out curses without a single care to whom or what might hear her. Her arms flailed in every direction, doing more than swiping away the surrounding brush and branches. She swung furiously at the empty air, as if assaulting ghosts that only she could see.