Alak'aer walked from the park to the tavern, then back to the park, then to the tavern. Pacing in wide, open circles, thinking so hard that his face showed visible strain. Park, tavern, park, tavern. He fought with himself furiously, forbidding his head to turn in the one direction he had promised he wouldn't go. Looking upwards now, finding a clock: nearly midday, almost time for the boats to depart. He stared at the ground now, as hard as he could. Then walked to the park and sat down on a bench. Scowling, tapping his fingers, fighting the urge.
"I told her I wouldn't go. I told myself I wouldn't go. I can't go back to the Spirit-damned North."
Getting up off of the bench now, he walked towards the docks. Birds chirped as he passed...