The old woman had nodded sadly, she saw that look in his silver eyes, he had been hurt deeply, and now was closing in on himself. She sighed to herself as he strode out of the infirmary with his head held high. That one was tough, hopefully he would pull out of that downward spiral before it consumed him.

The sunlight washed his face in a cheery glow but he didn't feel it. It picked up blue highlights in his raven colored hair and more then once he heard a few girls giggling as he walked past. Fools, they are insolent brats, may the gods help their parents. He lengthened his stride and went to the guardhouse of the hold. The guard on duty was new and, thankfully, didn't know him. Vallendel asked simply if thread was due and whether any merchants were leaving. The guard nodded and pointed to a wagonload that was getting papers checked. "They leave in an hour boy, if you want a ride better hurry." The middle-aged man said, eyeing him suspiciously, but obviously he was used to runaways for he made no move to stop him. Vallendel nodded and thanked the guard quietly.

           Walking over to the wagon Val asked the driver who was in charge, grinning at him toothlessly, the driver pointed to a tall gray haired fellow with a long horsy face. Val went to him and stood nearby, when the merchant finished talking to another man, obviously a prospective buyer, Vallendel cleared his throat. The man turned and looked him over oddly. "Yeah, what do you want pretty boy?" The merchant asked gruffly. Swallowing his pride for a moment Vallendel continued. " A ride sir, I don't have any money but I'll help out along the road." He said motioning towards the old driver who looked rather infirm. The horse faced man considered, Vallendel knew that he only looked like a pretty face but he did have some muscle, getting tossed around every night did that to a guy.

"I'm not as weak as I look sir." He supplied when the man favored sending him home. The merchant looked up from his speculation and frowned "Not that son, I dont want your parents after me." He said, looking around apprehensively. Vallendel laughed bitterly. "They won't sir, trust me, they would probably shake your hand." The genuine pain in his tone obviously struck a chord, but the merchant still didn't look to convinced so Vallendel continued. "Mother's gone, Father hates me, don't worry they won't ever know about you sir." Val supplied, finally the man nodded. " Alright son, and you don't need to pay me when this ride is over, I have room, two others are also hitching a ride, so I want no trouble or I'll throw you off. Thread or no thread got it?" Vallendel nodded, and bowed his head a little. "Thankyou sir." The merchant huffed a little. " No matter, what's your name, I won't be calling you 'boy' the whole trip." "Vallendel sir." He nodded and his face twisted in thought. "Any nickname? Vallendel's kinda long to shout over a wind or wheels." He asked as Vallendel though a moment, the names his father had called him weren't exactly complimentary, and he didn't have any friends.

"Val will do sir." The merchant nodded. " Good, I'm Rodri, the driver is Slim, and the other two boys are Carse and Martic. You won't have to do much but follow my orders. Get off wherever you want and you don't really have to speak to anyone if you don't want to." Vallendel nodded and followed Rodri to the back of the wagon. It was a large contraption, with a covered roof and half filled with casks of wine and, by the smell, ale. Two boys a little younger then Vallendel looked up when they approached. " Move over boys, one more passenger." Rodri ordered. They did so obediently, one eyeing Vallendel appraisingly. Vallendel climbed in and moved to the opposite side of the wagon, crossing his legs like a pretzel and leaning his back and head against the wooden sides and closed his eyes.

        "Y' runnin away to?" Vallendel opened them again and glared at the speaker. "No, just moving on, I have no where to run from." The younger boy flushed and looked like he was about to say something when the other spoke up. " You ain't got no home?" the lanky red head asked, his green eyes widening. His interest and fear of the unknown leaking over into Vallendel's mind. Vallendel sighed and put on a mask of indifference and tried to look bored. "No" he said bluntly as the place came back to him and he felt the welcome numbness overtake him. The boys' emotional overflow subsided until Vallendel felt only himself, yet even that seemed to be fading, a little. "I have no home, no parents, nothing. Trust me, you don't want to know this feeling." He said coldly. By the look of their clothes and their overall health, these two had parents who took care of them. I don't care, if they want to mess up their lives let them. It isn't my problem. He closed his eyes again, ignoring them both. The wagon shifted as Rodri climbed up next to the driver Slim. The whip cracked and Vallendel surpressed the urge to wince. More then once, that tool meant for animals had been directed at him. Along with anything else on hand. He shuddered and visualized his sanctuary the numbness strengthened and he sighed in relief.