Zedd Witlock -- Hard to say goodbye<br/><br/>Despite his decision the night before to begin his journey at first light, Zedd still had not left San Lobos until almost noon. As he started packing his travel gear, he had realized he wouldn't be able to leave without ensuring the orphanage would be taken care of in his absence. Unfortunately, that meant a discussion with Ernesto over breakfast, with the young man asking a lot of questions that Zedd didn't have any answers to.<br/><br/>"Por que? Why you are leaving, Zedd? We did something wrong?" Ernesto asked, causing Zedd to nearly choke on his orange juice.<br/><br/>"Wrong? Of course not, Ernesto. This has nothing to do with any of you, I just..." Zedd paused for a moment, considering how much to tell his student. After debating with himself, he elected to fill him in on the vision he'd recieved from Artemis. Zedd glanced around to make sure none of the younger children were listening in, and gestured for Ernesto to lean in a little. In hushed whispers, Zedd described the dream and explained that he had been selected by the gods for what he suspected was an important errand, leaving out the part about Artemis' gift. There was no need to frighten the young man any further than he already clearly was. Ernesto's eyes widened as he absorbed his teacher's story, and nodded in understanding when they sat back into their chairs. The young man had no particular loyalty to any one deity yet, but he knew full well the importance of answering a call to divine service. That it was Lady Artemis who had summoned Zedd helped greatly to soothe Ernesto's fears; he recalled how often he'd come across Maria offering prayers to her in the small shrine out back. Though he was young, he was wise enough to realize that in all likelihood, Zedd was doing this as much to honor Maria's memory as to serve Artemis.<br/><br/>"Si. Alright, Zedd. I will try to keep la casa well until you come home. Will you use the lightning rails to travel, or...?"<br/><br/>"Gracias, hermanito. I'll try to come home soon. I'd better not take the rails, though; I don't think they will take me far enough. I'll have to shadowsurf. It's been a while since I used that skill, but I have a strong feeling I need to get to California as soon as possible, and we don't have the money to pay my passage on one of the caravans," Zedd replied, speaking in between mouthfuls of slightly charred spiced eggs and outright burnt toast.<br/><br/>"You'll find some lesson plans and homework assignments for the younger children in my desk, enough to keep them out of trouble for at least three weeks. Talk to Senor Montez about covering the expenses, he should be willing to help you out if you explain things to him. You and Juanita should be able to handle any problems that come up, yes?" He continued, a sly smile on his face. He knew the young man had been developing a crush on Juanita, a girl about his age. The two had grown up in the orphanage together, and Maria had always teased them about getting married someday. From Ernesto's suddenly red face, Zedd guessed she wasn't far wrong. "I'm sure everything here will be fine, Ernesto. Now...I suppose you should gather the others. I'll need to say goodbye."<br/><br/>Ernesto's expression turned downcast, and he nodded shortly. Without a word he left the kitchen and started rounding up the other children. Zedd finished his meal and put the clay dishes away, then returned to his room to finish packing. When he arrived back downstairs, his rucksack lightly packed with only a couple changes of clothes and his holding bag cinched tight to his belt, he stood in front of a small mob of kids of all ages, about twenty or so strong. Many of them looked heartbroken, and as one they began chattering and pelting him with questions, begging him not to go. He raised a hand for silence, and almost immediately the children fell quiet.<br/><br/>"I'm very sorry I must leave, ninos, but there's something very important that I must do. I promise, I'll come back home as soon as I can, but until then I want you all to listen to Ernesto. He is in charge until I come back." Zedd turned and gave Ernesto's shoulder a squeeze. "It's all yours, hermano."<br/>______________________<br/><br/>After saying his final goodbyes to the children, Zedd picked up his pack and walked outside to a small shack that was built on haphazard to the orphanage proper. Ramshackle didn't come close to describing it, but it suited Zedd's needs just fine, for inside it was completely empty, and not a single ray of sunlight pierced the walls or ceiling. It was black as night inside, a perfect gate to begin shadowsurfing. Zedd stepped inside and sealed the heavy wooden door behind him, saying a silent prayer that he'd find as suitable an exit.<br/><br/>He reached up to his shoulder and tightened the straps on his backpack to ensure it would stay put, then closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the first of many. When he'd told Ernesto it had been a while since he'd done this, he wasn't kidding; he remembered learning the technique from a local government official one night after beating him in a drinking game at the tavern, not long after he'd first come to Mexico. Since then he'd rarely used it, as the sorts of distances he usually travelled now were not worth such effort. But it would be worth it now. Zedd cleared his mind of all thought and allowed his body to experience the sensation of being completely wrapped in shadow and darkness.<br/><br/>Several minutes later, Zedd's body felt as light as air. It was as if he no longer existed in this world. At last, he began to cast his mind about, knowing instinctively where to find the deepest and best concentrations of shadows in the direction he needed to travel. As soon as a dark enough patch was located, the rest of him faded from existence, and he felt the pure essence of himself being pulled inexorably toward his destination by nothing but iron will and gossamer memory.<br/><br/>Ernesto, who had followed Zedd out back into the small courtyard and watched him enter the shed, approached and knocked on the door after watching for nearly a half hour. Hearing no answer, he pushed open the door to find the small shack completely empty. He shook his head and leaned against the doorframe. "May the gods watch over you, Hermano. Godspeed." With that, he turned and headed back into the home. There was much to do.<br/>