Crazy people were best to be avoided. Living in the forest was the best way to do that but he saw little choice. "We could skirt the village, around the edge of the forest, to get to the Castle. Avoid the crazy people that way." The stone must be extremely powerful to effect people from so far away. While he was intrigued to see the changes in the people, he also felt his heart quicken at the thought too. He didnt want to have to hurt anyone.