User blog:Kitbeard/An Instruction in Sign

An Instruction In Sign, or, There and Back Again
Ever since the cock crew, I had been dreading this. I kept looking at my quest list, then outside. I glanced at a timepiece and realised it was now or never.

First, I had to reach the house of learning. Downhill was easy - too easy at times, as I slid on the frost. I picked my way through the forest, and reached the village of the Smiths. Another traveller thought I was attempting to alert her to the dangers ahead, but once I explained my enchantment, she bore me no further heed. To reach the house of learning, I walked through the village and up the hillside. The sundial outside stated I had arrived on time, but I was breathless and stiff.

Our tutor arrived, and tested our memories of the language. What should have been simple perplexed me, but I steadied my thoughts and regained composure. The enchantment only took hold briefly, and the class recognised it for what it was, and made little comment. I learned the signs for windmill, river, road, and many useful when in charge of a cart. We then imagined ourselves in a mythical village, and told each other the routes from one notable place to another.

When the sun reached its highest point, it was time to disperse. I headed down, through the village of the Smiths, then up through the forest. A wolf cub paid more attention to me than it's guardian, and after some encouragement from both of us, returned to the route the guardian had set. A full-grown wolf took an initial interest in me, but to its keeper's disappointment, devoured a wind-fallen apple that lay on the ground between us.

My home does not lie far from the forest. I am thankful for this, as it meant my quest was complete.

Habits: Walk 2k steps / Sign Language class / Walk 2k steps (the other way)

I suspect I should switch Sign Language class to being a once-a-week daily, but as it's finished until the new year now, it is not something that I urgently need to rectify. As for my enchantment? I may discuss that in future.