You Can Run And You Can Hide
You can run away from your troubles, run away so that they can't find you. It's rare that anyone manages to forge a completely new life for themselves, but I did. I told no lies, really, thinking about it. All I said was that when I felt that my father would not return from his journey to avenge my mother and my tribe, I took up his great battlesword and began my wanderings. I simply don't mention the fact that I was enslaved and was so bent on revenge that I killed hundreds of goodbeasts, including my two best friends. I blame myself for everything. But I never cried. Like Felldoh, I never gave a sign that anything hurt me.
I could get angry, though, and I did. It was because I showed my fury when Hisk whipped Barkjon for being old and feeble – and for being a squirrel! – that all this happened. I couldn't stand that. Slave captain, ha! More like a weak, bullying coward who grovels to a tyrant.
I suppose my life has been full of heartbreak, in a way. That's how some people would describe it, I'm sure. But I don't think so, really. Ever since Marshank, I've just been numb. I couldn't feel any pain, or show any emotion. And I know I don't want to.
The snow is falling all around me. I'd like to lie down and fall asleep, but I can't. I have to keep going. Something tells me I'm going to be hurt, not physically, but mentally. And I will exact revenge for it…but at what price?