StoneBlood log – May 1st
First Entry - The ship pulled into the bay in the early
morning, sun just rising over the mountains.
It’s odd having the mountains to the east… makes everything darker as we
approached through its shadow. We’re far
from civilization here. The nearest port
is Crestar Keep further north of the bay, but this ship drafts too deep to make
the trip. We’ll have to send a mule
train for supplies. Even then, Rolan
gives me the impression there will be no contact with the Justicarians. It
would seem that our papers are not exactly in order for this mining
expedition. We’re here under some loose
interpretation of ‘salvage rights’ which I don’t believe will hold up in
court. Regardless, Remenik assures me
that we have good reason to be here. The
risk is worth it.
Second Entry – Our scouting team has introduced themselves
to the camp guard with unexpected flare.
No more had we dropped anchor that the Hynn leapt from the ship and into
the pistol sights of the hired sappers.
It surprises everyone when the beast speaks and I was further surprised
by the restraint shown by the Northwind Companions. They were hired for their reputation as loyal
to coin, but it’s impressive to see anyone stand firm as a 7’ Hynn charges down
on them. After the weapons were
sheathed, the rest of the crew let out their collective breathes and returned
to unloading the ship. It will be a long
day.
Third Entry – Eland has surprised us all with what he had
hidden in the larder. It seems that we
will be dining on fresh food this evening.
I can’t take anymore pickled herring or salted pork… my stomach has not
stopped churning since we left Forgen, and pickled anything tastes the same
going down as it does coming up. It
seems that Keymeister helped plan this and even invested some Tap into
preserving the food for the journey. I
doubt the others will understand the work that went into this meal, especially
if they knew how much of the food had suffered from rat infestation. Perhaps we should pick up a cat during our
next supply run.
Fourth Entry (last) – Supper was splendid. Despite Eland’s perpetually dirty knuckles,
his skill with a kitchen knife is beyond question. The wine wasn’t half bad either. Our crew sang songs into the night and will
sleep on solid ground. The Northwinds
have begun their watch, so the scouts can sleep well tonight. It may be their last restless sleep as they
depart on their mission tomorrow.
StoneBlood log – May 2nd
First Entry - Breakfast was a disappointment. Bacon is just another form of salted pork.
Send Entry – The scouts leave today. It should take them a week to get to their
mark, give or take a day as they have to chart their own path. I feel that I should have gone with
them. This is the real adventure…
blazing trails through the wild. Father
would tell such stories to Bors and I.
He and Remenik spent years chasing legends of the Rust Wars. Fighting their way through the Crag Forts and
rediscovering the legends of Forgen sappers fighting waves of Golyn
warriors. How they slew great beasts and
dark sorcerers. How they lost a friend
to black magic. Father was never fond
of geomancy after that. No wonder he
never really approved of my vocation.
I can’t go though. I
have Bors to worry about. In every way
he is still my brother, but something is missing. There is a sorrow inside him, some kind of
guilt. This should be obvious for a
convicted criminal and branded dirt slave, but this guilt seems to have nothing
to do with his crime. He confesses
innocence to that, I’m inclined to believe him.
If true though, then what is eating him?
What burden is he carrying that has yet to breech the surface? I feel as if he couldn’t tell me if he wanted
to… it clings at the edge of his mind as if the thought itself had a dark will,
refusing to let go his tongue.
Perhaps more herring will help
him spill his guts. It seems to be
helping mine.
Keymeister Remenik and
Yugrim Ironsbane sit opposite each other, the fire warming their boots as they
stare into its flickering light. Its
orange flames glimmer with a subtle flash of green and violet as Remenik whispers
the occasional geomantic expression.
“Did you see that, Yugrim?
The flatlander bit the boar as it rushed him! Who knew these primitives had such power.” Remenik smiled and sloshed his morning tea
with the excitement of the scene playing out in the fire.
“I’m more impressed by the swing of that axe. Do you think the crew would have mocked Gar
so if they had truly understood his strength?
It is not his muscle or size that should garner respect, but his
restraint and control. This is a beast
who plays at being a man, and so far he is succeeding.” Yugrim took another puff from his pipe and
leaned in towards the flame. The old
blacksmith did not seem to feel the heat, having long since come to terms with
the nature of fire.
“True, they are all such a fascinating lot. With little understanding of where they are
going, they march boldly into unknown forests.
And do they trust each other yet?
Many of them have just met, yet they are betting their lives on the
competency of strangers.”
“And doing so for 3 Ravens a day I might add.”
They both chuckled at this, but the laughter was
subdued. They had placed their hopes
into the hands of animals. True, there
was a Darian and Forgen amongst them. One
of Remenik’s own students, so there was faith that the mission’s success would
be more than who could hit the hardest.
Despite it all, they both had lived this life before. They knew that the hardest times were ahead
of them. With luck, they would all
return alive.
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