Speaking as the writer of this piece, something about it made it a pain. Raw Hide often does posts on his own, often without even a NPC for Raw to talk to, and I have a better appreciation for how difficult it is now!

Dash basically has some second thoughts here and turns back, although I do imply he sets the steps in to get some closure on the matter that drove him down south...

Not much action.. but a good piece for some insight into Dash's mindset. The alternate title "Dash's second thoughts.." fits for obvious reasons. Check it out!

Warm sun shined on Sebastian Dash's face, with the smell of greasy and overcooked chorizo taco and dry tortilla chips far enough in the distance not to be nauseating. Dash had ridden hard and long past the Distant woods, avoiding the darker areas. The further south he'd gotten, though, the more the desperate urge had seemed to vanish.

The desperate urge to learn of HER fate ...

It left a bad taste in his mouth. Like a nightmare you weren't sure you really had lived through or only dreamed. Dash rode most the ways under unsure, uneasy black clouds. Precious few shafts of light shone reached the sky through the thick storm clouds.

It was hardly two days earlier he'd stormed off on Catrina during her confession.

That had shaken Dash. He'd had a nightmare about the whole insane incident on the island, which defied so many laws of physics and reality that Dash half expected a violet fog to surround them at any minute. Referring to both the island and the dream.

The stark, dry dusty air tickled Dash's throat. Dash ignored the thirst until he could find a good place to settle. Past the dry, arid regions of the desert. Even without any desire for speed, Dash virtually always rode Españolola harder past the hotter section of the desert, on the rare occasion he had to cross.

Dash eased up on Españolola as the heat let up. He eventually came to a safe spot to camp, which brings us up to this point in the story. Sebastian had set up a quiet, fireless camp in a light forest area along a long stretch of caves. It was as good a place as any to stay safe for the night. Without a fire, Dash wouldn't attract any attention, bandit or otherwise. Unfortunately, he'd need a small fire to warm a frozen dinner up. Españolola neighed impatiently as Dash removed the heavy assortment of camping items, combat items, food, water and an extra pair of outfits from his 'beast of burden' and beloved traveling companion.

Thankful for the horse holding out so long, Dash smiled at it. It watched him, seemingly realizing Dash had a treat for it. Indeed, Dash did. He quickly produced a sugar cube from one of the many pockets on his backpack, and fed it to Españolola. Españolola neighed, satisfied with it, although he didn't quite seem content.

Dash'd brought plenty of water for the ride down, which hadn't been too rough a ride. Though tired from the long ride, he had more than enough energy to set up a quick, discreet, safe camping area. He'd brought some of the Kingdom's most popular semi frozen fad foods, Knollvision dinners, with him. Knob sausage, mixed with bugbear bread, and served in a stir made up primarily of May West, Seaside Town fresh water, and baby carrots. With a Tasty Fun Good Vanilla Brownie brand cookie for desert. It only served to remind him of the troubles that had originally taken him up north.

"What's wrong, buddy?" Dash asked his horse. Not that he expected the horse to answer, but he always seemed to like Dash's voice. Indeed, it helped Sebastian having someone else to talk to, as well. Even a horse.

Españolola stomped his foot, almost as if in answer, and cast his eyes in the direction they'd just come from. Sometimes Dash thought it knew more than any animal could.

"Maybe you miss Catrina," Dash mused. He took a deep breath in, then exhaled softly. "Maybe this was a mistake. I don't know."

Dash leaned into the small fire, watching the food tray start to thaw out. He kept his ears sharp for any signs of trouble. If something pounced him, chances are it wouldn't be Catrina. All the time he'd spent riding up here, Dash had second guessed his decision about non stop.

He'd abandoned his friend when she needed him the most, for the sake of someone who probably didn't even want Dash in her life.

Dash was full of confused emotions, and loyalties. After all, he'd loved her deeply. He cared for both women deeply. The images from his past only stirred up old feelings. There was a nagging feeling they were both in trouble and he could only save one.

That was ridiculous. After all, it promised to be a quiet time in the Kingdom for some time to come.

Dash shook his head, carefully letting the heat flow evenly over his food. He'd realized he was letting himself fall to wishful thinking. There was really no way of knowing what predicament would spring itself on the Kingdom, or on Catrina herself.

Dash gnawed on his food in silence. As much as he'd loved her. . . . he couldn't help but thinking he was chasing ghosts. His place was by Catrina. Dash's head hurt thinking about it. He HAD to know if his ex was okay- but he couldn't stop worrying about Catrina, either.

She didn't deserve to be an afterthought.

Dash made up his mind. There was no way he'd go all the way to Honorburg to chase ghosts. At the same time, he needed to know what was going on.

As he finished off his meal, he decided he'd do what he could from Borderco City, only a couple miles south. Then he'd head back up to Catrina.

Back to his Catrina.

Maybe he could get some information on Honorburg in the big city down south, first. He'd then go back north and make everything right.This, he swore.