The weeks that followed were miserable for Iphnis. He was forced to take the human's roads back down the mountains and further south, and that meant human interaction. Something he did not care for at the moment. He was tempted to be bitter about humans, a it was technically their fault that he was cast out in the first place. But he couldn't stay that way. It would only lead to more grief. Besides, if it was anyone's fault, it was his. They didn't know that he had to be back before a certain time, and that was because he'd never told them. Of course, telling the humans about the customs of the Gnomes would have resulted in sure punishment, but mayhap nothing so serious as banishment. So it was his fault. All of it. His family blamed him, and he deserved it.

really nothing is making sense about iphnis and his reasoning about anything right now, and that could make sense in the story, considering what a blow he just received, but this wasn't me being clever author, it was me being stupid author

He was able to avoid much clashing with the humans, for which he was thankful. In one respect, Gnomes and humans were alike: If you left them alone, they'd leave you alone. Iphnis made no attempt at communication, and the humans ignored him. Probably taking him for a beggar or wanderer, for he still wore his travelling clothes, which were stained and muddy, and he downcast in expression and mood.

Always the one alone longs for mercy, the Maker's mildness, though troubled in mind....

there are too many translations of that. i should just learn the original old english version

Rain had come up from the south, but Iphnis ignored it and kept on his way. Rain was no bother to him, though his clothes get soaked through, and his boots get terribly muddy, at least his pack was waterproof.

The rest of the travellers he'd come across so far along the road had ignored him, for which he was thankful, until one party of traders, they looked to be, Whose heavily loaded wagon had slipped into a rut at the far side of the road, and they were struggling to get it out. One of the four men straining at getting it out called to him and waved him over.

"Hey, beggar, give a hand to better folk," he called rudely.

rude

Iphnis eyed him for a moment before answering, "I have business of my own," he said and continued walking.

"Oi! You dare talk that way to me?" The man called after him, scrambling up from the ditch.

ahhh clasism strikes again

Iphnis ignored him, not wanting to get involved in anything.

A hand roughly grabbed his shoulder, yanking him backwards. Iphnis whirled around to face his delayer, freeing his shoulder from captivity.

The man tried to grab him again, and Iphnis ducked quickly, his hand now on the hilt of his knife. The man was now enraged that someone he'd thought to be a simple beggar had defied him twice now would do it again. The other three men had now also come onto the road to see if their master needed any help with this difficult person.

They surrounded him. Iphnis was surprised that they were going this much out of their way just to subdue someone who'd talked back to them and didn't do what they wanted. Were humans really this stuck up? Not all, at least. They all lunged for him at once, but Iphnis ducked and sun out of the way through a gap in their circle.

man i really took any opportunity i could to insert the ugh humans thing

"Are you really going through this much trouble just because I wouldn't do as you asked?" He questioned.

asking the real questions

The four men just stared at him, some in anger, some in surprise. The leader spoke up, "I'm an important trader, you know, and am going to Campel with this load of goods. You're just a beggar and should do as your betters tell you. And i'm your better and told you to help us with that wagon over there," He said angrily.

ahhh clasism strikes again

Iphnis raised an eyebrow. "Have you so little respect for your fellow men?"

The man snorted, "Me with little respect? You're the one who refused to do as I asked."

"You did not ask, you demanded. And I refused because I had my own business to attend to. If you pushed harder for a little longer, your wagon would be free by now." Iphnis replied, miffed.

pits of despair or not, iphnis is still smarter than you and will call you out out on your bull

The man sputtered but didn't reply.

A voice called from behind the wagon, "Father, he's right, you know," A girl came from behind the wagon to watch the proceedings. She came up onto the road and shaded her eyes from the sun to better see the proceedings.

ah yes, the smart lone girl

"Angi, get back down, I'll talk to you later," The man called to her, annoyance clear in his voice.

Angi, as she was called, heeded not her father's orders and continued forward until she was standing right before Iphnis. She looked him up and down, but not in a rude or unfriendly way. She held out a hand, "My name is Angi. What's yours?"

Iphnis thought for a moment before answering, "Krivdil." Wronged, he so called himself, for he did not think it wise to give his right name to these humans. He took her hand, and was glad to find her grasp firm.

this is actually a group of bandits and iphnis will soon kill one of them and then take his place in the group and proceed to teach them all about elvi--*ahem*Gnomish methods and they'll become the best group of bandits in the world. they'll meet a random dwarf who will show them his secret hideout. before long, iphnis' bro from home will show up and fix them all up.

Angi nodded and turned to her father, "Father, can you not tell by his speech that he is no beggar? He speaks finer than you do." She turned back to Iphnis before her father could respond. "It is midday now. Would you join for our afternoon meal? If your destination lies in Campel, or near it, would you join us on our way?" She invited.

Iphnis didn't even have to think before making his decision, "No, I'm afraid not. I must be on my way," So saying, he hefted his pack back up on his shoulder from where it had slipped down during the scuffle.

Angi looked a little surprised, and tried to persuade him, "Are you sure?"

Iphnis nodded.

She did nothing to hide her disappointment, but thankfully, didn't try to change his mind. "Well, then, Krivdil, I hope that we may meet again someday, and that you might tell me of your errand."

"I find that unlikely, Angi, but the fates may have a different story outlined." Iphnis replied, and bowed. He turned and continued down the road, leaving them behind.

alright enough funtional iphnis let's get back to pits of despair iphnis

By the time evening rolled around, he was cold, hungry, thirsty. But he had little inclination to eat, and he almost didn't feel the cold in the depths of his sorrow. He traveled the night through. With no humans passing by to distract him or anything, his depression settled on him more heavily than ever.

oh no he's too sad to eat what else will 2017 me do to him

His father's last words to him rang in his ears. The scene of right when he was banished flashed before his eyes again and again. He didn't see the deep rut from a wagon wheel in front of him, and he tripped, falling to his knees. He didn't get up right away. He felt like a failure. He'd failed his people, his family, his friends. He gathered his strength, and his will, and got back to his feet. He had to keep going. He didn't want to go to any big and largely populated cities, so he turned off the road to Campel to some other unknown path. He had some vague idea of where he was going, but couldn't concentrate on anything, except his grief. He had no care for himself anymore. He only ate because he had to keep himself alive, and even then, he wondered why he should. He was of no worth anymore. His food supply dwindled eventually, but he had no desire to get more. So he just didn't eat. Not that he wanted to anyways.

sad sad sad boy iphnis

Now his clothes were more worn and dirty than ever. Everyone who saw him instantly took him for a beggar, that is until they caught a glimpse of the sword and the bow strapped to his back, still barely visible from where they stuck out behind his pack. People left him alone, for the most part; except when the scornful would call him names, and the pitiful would try to give him something, but he ignored it all.

i almost wonder if i was in the middle of something right then that would warrant this unrestrained depression everywhere episode. Who am I kidding? I'm an INFP, we gotta be sad about something at all times. Melancholy at the very least, in fact preferred.