I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.

Exodus‬ ‭31:3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

It’s been a year, since I left the gates of Aurora, and what a year it has been! Traveling through the outer villages plying my trade, I picked up my sidekick, Sheff, a red fox, and honed my skills, all while dodging thieves and brigands.

Working my way back home, I had one more village to visit. I was camped outside the Gnarled Woods, just north of Woodsedge. The crackling fire warmed my bones but did nothing to settle my mind, and the blood red hue of dusk casting gnarled shadows only added to my distress. Sheff, where are you boy?

Sheff had ventured into the woods to hunt. Normally, he would feast and then bring me back a rabbit or a squirrel for my dinner. He had been gone for hours, and now I was worried.

“Well, Sheff, there’s nothing I can do tonight. I hope you’re okay.” I spoke out into the darkness. I rolled out my bedroll and plumped up my rucksack for my pillow, settling in for the night, with thoughts of how I would track him down in the morning—hoping against hope that I wouldn’t have to trek through the Gnarled Woods.

Exhaustion finally winning, my chest rising and falling in the lullaby of slumber, I had just dozed off when I felt the wet kisses of my furry companion startling me awake. Sheff’s paw was on my chest and his eyes flicked back and forth between me and the woods. “What is it boy? Is something wrong?”

Sheff yipped and nudged my blanket down. Oddly he began snapping in the air, growling, and spinning around like he was saying, “Hurry up! This is important!”

With urgency and trepidation equally mixed, I broke camp and followed after my companion as he slipped in to the last place I ever wanted to revisit, in the darkest hour of night.

Thank you for reading about these characters who will be appearing in the story I’m currently writing. Roam is my protagonist’s romantic interest and savior. This has been fun! I hope you enjoyed these three insights into these characters lives.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy