Keil

Keil let out a frustrated sigh. He looked out at the sunset beyond the burrow again. He did not like to face it, but he was getting the distinct feeling that Sylvia did not plan on returning, possibly ever. He had gone and scared off the woman, his only means of survival, again. Why could he not control himself around this female? His ever-bold examination might cost him his very life at this point! After all, who was to say whether she would ever come back this time?

Then again, what did it matter? If not for her in the first place, he would have died days ago. At least this way, he had a little something to smile about.

He chuckled again. Such an odd creature this land-dweller was. One minute she was acting tough and shoving food in his unwilling mouth, and then the other she was running away from a helpless man in tears! Not that it was truly all that funny. He hadn't meant to frighten her in any way, and for that he certainly felt regret. Still, he had not expected this outcome. He could not even really understand why she was upset! It was not like he had done anything untoward to her while she slept! Though the temptation to reach out and touch her had been very great a few times…

Keil did not like to face it, but he simply could not sit around forever and wait for Sylvia to come back. If he wanted to eat tonight and regain some strength, then he would have to figure out how to fend for himself. He supposed trapping a small animal might be his best option for now.

With a loud groan he forced his body to move, sitting himself up painfully. His body tensed up, but obeyed his will, moving around somewhat. He sighed and looked out at the sunset beyond the burrow again. If he was indeed strong enough to walk and hunt on his own, then there would be no more reason to dally here. If tonight went well then surely he could recover enough strength to make his way back home. From there he could focus on avenging himself and Finna.

*

Keil spent the time alone over the next two days hunting for food and gathering supplies for his trip. At night he slept in the burrow and during the day he spent all his time foraging. The further he ventured, the more he would find. Why, yesterday he’d managed to uncover a rabbit den, which had been good for food.

The only big problem was that the sun was not out for long, and the days were getting cooler, which meant fall was nearly over. He would have to travel swiftly if he wanted any hope of making it there before winter. Keil knew the Skylands were very far to the north, but that was about it. Where exactly they were located he did not know. He would have to leave here as soon as his supplies were sufficient enough for travel and follow the stars to the northern mountains.

How well could he honestly manage here on the land below, though? So far all he had three extra rabbits cut up and dried out for meat, and had used their furs to make a small backpack of sorts. He also had a makeshift slingshot which he made from the leather scraps off his old jacket, along with his two saved knives for weapons. It wasn't much, but it was not a bad start, he supposed. He probably needed a bit more food and some way to carry a supply of water before he departed.

Keil looked up at the sky and stretched his back as he yawned. His wounds were less stiff and allowed for some movement without splitting his scabs, and the stitches had healed over to where they barely caused any discomfort. Sylvia certainly had done a good job on him.

Sylvia. Just where was she? Had she been so angry that she finally decided to abandon him for good out here? Sure he was doing okay on his own now, but how did she know that? If he had still been too weak to care for himself, would she simply have been alright with leaving him to die? Would he remain in her mind as the strange foreigner she had come to despise?

Was this… goodbye for them? Might he never see her lovely face or hear her sweet voice again? Such a concept truly was not pleasant!

Keil growled and shook such thoughts away. He supposed it didn't really matter in the end. He would eventually be leaving this place, so their separation was inevitable. But he would have liked to give her a proper thanks for once, perhaps even an apology if he could manage the communication.

He paused to examine the sun again. It was getting dark already. He could not delay his travels, or else winter would catch him completely unprepared. If Sylvia did not return in two days time he would have no choice but to head out for good. His curiosity for this world was great, but so were his fears of capture and death. Time was running out, and if he was delayed too long he would be trapped here in this world until next spring!