Day 2.1, Afternoon

My journey up until this point was pretty uneventful, I was in the water about 5 hours and had made it about half way around what I thought was a Pangaea, which turns out there are some offshoot island that create separate continents if you squint hard enough. When I happened upon a man standing in the middle of the shallows doing some fishing, his eyes glazed over like the jellyfish he was standing next to. I couldn't imagine living such a mundane life was my first impression but I was horribly mistaken.

This is when despite my misconceptions the stranger pointed right at me (I think he was pointing at my bald head) and he said. "You're the Barbarian, Kretch that i've heard so much about" at this point I was flattered, i've only walked this world for two days and I had a following based on my diary entries. (That's kinda creepy) But I trusted this man implicitly as he knew my name before I knew his. He came to tell me his name was Badger. I sat at his table and he fed me great meals of ants and rabbit.

It felt strange sitting at another man's table while his drooling helper looked me over. I mean his helper named simpleton just stared at me the entire time I was eating, I never felt so vulnerable. But after a while the man known as Badger asked me what I wanted out of this life? That was the key question so I regaled him.

Glory, that was what this journey was about and certainly if I had to sum it up into one word it was this. I told him of my adventures so far and how there was a band of assault victims not far to his North. He nodded in approval and explained that he knew how dangerous the life he was leading was as well as mine. For who's life was more dangerous the Barbarian or the Hermit? I knew this, I felt safer among my boat on the calm of the seas with adventure around any corner rather than laying in wait to feed opulent raiders my dried rabbit cookies (Which were delicious by the way).

We both agreed that it was strength that made us safe and for his charity I gifted him the many great treasures that were in my bag and he in return, hearing about my close call with death gave me a poultice for the road. I told him that he was a good sort, and if he ever got bored of that hermit life and wanted the chance to die on his feet, he should seek me out. He agreed, that perhaps when his neighbors to the north turned their eyes to him he may sail the waters of fate with me.

I left him a dead Aurochs for his trouble. I just found it that way but he was really impressed and told me I was very strong, I didn't bother correcting him as Inspiring others is sort of what this journey is all about.