Subject: Re: Moving toward Gullys, and at Gully's

Pensive opens his eyes, but does not release the holy symbol. He stretches and makes a quiet circuit of the camp.

The optimism of last night, the suprise at finding Elvira's gift, has faded a bit. More than a bit-- Pensive can feel the Shadow looming over them, squeezing the island. And he remembers the screaming of men in his mind, the scent of their death in his head.

He remembers their names, screamed out by someone else. Even if he never heard their names, he gives them names. Because there will be a reckoning with the Shadow, and all those who died at its bidding must come and account and . . .

Pensive checks himself. Vainglorious thoughts. His task was, as ever, to walk the Path as it turned and ran in front of him. The simplicity of the Path to counterweigh the savagery of the Shadow.

Blood and Stone must abide.