Xander looks down at the stricken Gwylum. An uneasy anger beginning to spark inside him.
Just a bird.
Just a friend.
Xander takes the body of Gwyllum and walks back out of the forest's influence. He takes Edward and walks him back to a meadow or serene place…hopefull, outside of the site of the forest. He removes the pack from Edward..and feeds him very well one last time.
"I won't make you come in there with me, Edward. You've done enough for me already. I'm going to leave you here. Hopefully I'll be back and we can both go home to Aurora victorious. But either way..you are free now. Take care, my friend."
He pats Edward on the head, giving him water one last time. Then Xander takes Gwyllum's body and digs a hole, burying him near a large rock near the tree. He takes all he can from the packs..food, water, tinderbox, a blanket, rope….all he can carry without getting winded. He leaves the rest by the tree. He then take the one pack now and ..with a last look back…he turns and enters the Silver Birch forest.
"Thats two I owe you, Witch. There won't be a third except me. I hope you are ready. Because I am."
Xander will look for any obvious paths..if he sees none..he will make his way towards the mountain….he thinks the bear's cave would be there. He opens up his senses..and tries to determine if he has entered another shadow. If so..he will have to change the lynchpins of his spells.
