Argus realized that he was feeling better of late. He still walked with a limp, and probably always would, but was no longer in the constant pain.<br/><br/>His clothing, although simple, was not tattered and torn.<br/><br/>He stood out of sight waiting and watching the ranch. He knew it would have to be after dark before he made his move to go to the barn and sleep.<br/><br/>He also had the inclination to go back to the village. He had not seen the short-statured man of late. He knew to try to seek him out would probably be fruitless, but he knew that there were better odds of seeing him in the village than here. The thought came that the man he was seeking knew Smith. Perhaps he had a connection to the blacksmith shop. If he went and asked Smith, perhaps he, Smith, would know something. When the thought "... would know something" came to mind he almost laughed out loud. Then a feeling of remorse came to him for even thinking that.<br/><br/>He<i>was</i>curious as to how Smith was doing and what he was doing. He would like to visit him. Argus realized that he would be on the dangerous ground attempting that. But Smith was the only one in the village that he had a connection with, however limited it was.<br/><br/>As Argus stood out of sight watching, he realized that it was daylight and there were ranch-hands about. Being seen here was a real possibility. He thought that if seen here, he could use the story that he was on foot and it would only be natural to seek a horse. He could offer a story to the stable-keeper of some problem along the way. Or something. Then he realized that if he were believed and the woman recognized him things would fall apart. And then he wondered why he would want to do that, anyway. His mind was conniving in ways that were of no real purpose and thoughts of this sort surprised him.<br/><br/>If a purpose was to be had, perhaps he would apply for a job as a ranch hand. It would be honest work and the pay would be welcome. "I am an honorable man, and the reason for being here was I had fallen, hurt myself, and was on the run from being falsely accused of a crime. But I am honorable," he thought to himself.<br/><br/>It was at that very point the thought came to him. "The reason I am seeking her is to tell her of a Mission from the King. That is a good and honorable thing. She is in the ranch with the others, and in there she will probably not create a disturbance. I shall go and announce my intention - first thing - And she will be honor-bound to listen. Then I will deliver the King's message and be on my way."<br/><br/>And with that thought in mind, he started to walk with confidence toward the door of the ranch.