Meeting Harik and Breaking the Bad News

I met with Harik yesterday afternoon.  I had to be quite blunt with him, but I didn't want to upset him.  I told him that I'd been considering taking a break after the trauma of my captivity, and he thought that was a good idea.  I told him that I'd discussed it with the Hznamen, and they'd proposed that I spend some more time on the surface with them.  I didn't mention the rewards, or the mercenary activities, and he agreed that some time away would help.

He told me that he'd been thinking of enforcing a break upon me anyway - he'd been concerned about my welfare after the reports of Hushmaz when he met me on the battlefield.  I was effective, but clearly settling a scores with the Gurgam, and that passion may interfere with my objectivity as an investigator.  He also pointed out that, as I'm on the payroll of the delve, I'm entitled to invoke the 'year and a day' rule, where I can take a break after such suffering.  The rule means I'm allowed to take a year off to 'recover', and the delve will hold my station for me.  That's really useful, because if I'm no good as a mercenary, then I'll be free to return.

The Dzarraf contingent is preparing to leave, we'll be away from Sanvell first thing in the morning.  Harik will be coming with us, but he's expecting to be back in a week or so when the other force returns from the eastern mountains.