The recovery ward of Fal Dara was always interesting. On one hand it was almost holy, housing individuals who could be described as heroes of sorts, having been wounded in battle while defending the North. On another it was a comical mix of testosterone and strained stoicism, each man refusing to admit to feeling pain regardless of the severity of their injuries. And oddly, the more injured they were, the funnier it became. Lansin watched as a man missing his pinky and ring finger on the right-hand threaded wire through his severed fingers. When he had time to stop to gather said fingers, Lansin didn't know, but he was disturbed. The man looked towards Lansin and shook his fingers at him, "Finger bones," he croaked. "Lucky charm," he intoned, smiling as he returned to his work.
Lansin sat on the edge of his bed testing his weight on his right leg. He winced as sharp pain shot up his side. Reaching towards the floor his hand found his journal, a little dirtier than before, he opened it upon his lap and began to write.
Day 24
“'The long days in the Blight grind you down, sometimes.” That's what Lord Weir told me on my first day out. I 'ad not talked much ter Lord Weir. Just bits of conver... speaking here and there. I think he meant ter be nice when he said that. Truth is it scared the pewp out of me. I wish I could say there was a grand outing. That I saw and helped the Lancers wit pushing back the blight. But it was mostly quiet. A few skirmi...attacks here an' there. I also wish I could say I was displeased by that, but truth is I'm glad. Sometimes I worry I don' got what it takes ter soldier. On account of me bein' so scared an' all. I guess that is not up to me though. I won' give up.
Day 25
Today I met a lot of folk. Some Lancers. Applicants like me an' then the real deal! There was Kyson and Jux who both became the real thing right afore my eyes! Taivin and Dixon! They is higher up. All kinds. I met Isela the Aes Sedai. She keeps saying she wants ter bond me? I don't know what that means. She likes red. I think she might be crazy. Then there were Talasia. She always has candy and stuff. Amarea, I think she doesn't know where she is a lot, but she be sweet as the candy that Talasia Sedai's got. Aes Sedai's are strange birds, but I like 'em.
I also met Maddy. She's an Accepted. This guy called Artorias fancies her I think. Maddy is really nice, helps a lot of people. I met a guy called Franky. I think he might be thick, he keeps puttin gold all in his mouth and on his teeth, but he's nice enough. Lord Frey, he's a forest man. Lives in a tree house and the like. Very important. And finally, a man called Linnaeus, he's a big shot over in the west. Hails from Maradon.
Life 'as become more and more settled here. I still miss home but I am enjoyin' the relationships I have made. It is startin' ter feel like home, just in a different way.
Day 26
Lord Weir gave me a task today. I 'ad ter drop coppers from the Ruined Keep, which is where the trollocs sleep, all the way down to the edge of the Blight. Well, I did it. Can' say I'm much pleased wit it. But it got done. Only thing is I was so scared I didn' stop at the edge of the Blight. I ran all the way home. Coins fallin behind me all the way. I almost feel sorry for 'em. Lord Weir wasn' pleased when I gave him back his empty purse. But hey, I just told him I wanted to excee...do more than what he said. He asked me how many coins I dropped. I showed him on my fingers and he just said "That many huh?" An' that was that. I do think he was probably impressed. Never could tell. His face don' move.
Day 27
There was an attack by the dark ones far west of here aroun' where my family's farm is. I sure hope everyone's ok. In fact I'm sure they will be. Between Ma and Pa and my uncle, not even an eyeless could get the better of them. I'm sure they are fine. We are gearin up to head out that way now. My ma will love ter see me all dressed up and the like. Pa will probably tease me for waving around a sword like a fool. I can' wait to see them.
Day 28
It's all gone. Burned to the ground. There is no one left. How could the Creator let this happen? They were jus' honest folk. Never hurt no one. Never said an unkind word. I don't care anymore. I wish...
An alarm bell sounded and Lansin's quill paused on the page. Men began to shout orders and even the wounded rose from their cots and began to organize. Lansin sat still and listened to it all, taking it in. Rising with care he shuffled over to his sword belt and stood staring down at it for a moment before pulling it around his hips with practiced grace. With a final look around he turned and slowly limped out of the recovery ward. "Time to work," he thought.
Lansin al'Farath Shienaran Lancer Applicant