[Dimturiel]

Ravennar had gone to the inn's front yard. He felt attracted to the joy that was there, to the things that seemed in the same time both new and familiar. There had been a time when he too had laughed and danced and enjoyed every moment of his youth, but that time seemed now to belong to someone else's life. What had happened to him? That was what everyone that knew him best was asking. The others, however, were doing everything they could to show their dislike. And now, he thought, now after all this, no one would ever stand beside him in Dale. And he knew well that it was no more than he deserved.

A cool breeze started blowing. Ravennar leaned back in his chair and let the pleasant wind carress his face. He closed his eyes. Maybe he would fall asleep and forget all his worries. Maybe he would awake and find himself still at home. He would renounce his foolish arrogance then, yes, he promised, he would...