A Lost Leader

It was this situation that presented itself to Barset on his awakening that day, though he did not know it yet. He blinked with the morning light. It looked as if a beautiful day was dawning. The cold air of the mountains swept the smell of fresh snow to his nose. Barset stood up, stretched, and welcomed the new day.

Things really seemed to be turning around since the sun was back upon the land. Even from the heights of the mountains he could see the life regaining in the valleys below. The greens were overcoming the brown that had just recently predominated the landscape. He remembered his walks the day before, where he saw animals frolicking and looking healthy, rather than scraggly and dying. Ah, it was a blessing to have the great orb soaring through the sky once again. Spring was returning to the land.

Barset rummaged through his room finding his things. He took his time and admired each piece of armor, each piece of clothing, and his sword, just happy to be so well equipped. He also wanted to be sure that his things were not wanting for repair. When everything had been thoroughly checked he donned his gear and wielded his sword, ready to see what the lands had in store for him.

He set out, with no particular place to be and nowhere to go. It was nice to be able to just enjoy nature coming back into its spring. He had time to stop and smell the flowers, and did so whenever he saw a new gladiola or daisy smiling at the sun. It was turning out to be a very fine day.

As Barset trundled along in the radiant morning, he could not help but feel that something had changed, but not the change he saw about him. He did not understand it for it felt grave, and he did not understand this feeling on a day like such as it was. He decided to head for Windy and see if he could pick up on any rumors that might be passing around. This in mind, he called the winds of nature to help speed him on his course and made his was quickly to town square.

He found a jumble of people all over the square, in fact, it was so crouded he could hardly here himself think. There were faces he knew, and those he didn't, but he did not need approach anyone for what he was searching for was on the lips of everyone present. Sandoz, the mighty Titan and leader of the Dawnbringers, had left his clan.

It was an arrow to the heart from an invisible archer. He stumbled to the ground, physically struck by the implications of the news. His mind raced, but his thoughts were muddled by the babbling people. He staggered from town square, not thinking of where to go, just forcing the steps from his feet. It took all he could to just keep moving.

He trudged for what seemed days, but the next thing he could actually comprehend other than moving his legs, was the Druid's Tree and its magnificience. Even then he was taken aback by Maedwynne's work, but he did not think on this long. He found a quiet nook and began to contemplate.

Barset was bleak. Sandoz had led him through many troubled times and many good times as well. How could such a thing have happened? What could cause him to leave? Would the clan be able to continue without his great presence around? His thoughts were dark and not improving, but he could not see the light from where he sat. He could not figure out the whys to any of the questions he posed to himself. He was forlorn and lost. He fell asleep in his nook and dreamt of darkness and hard times.

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