3rd Sandstone
Today is a grim day.
My second youngest son, Tulon Eshan, was killed by wolves while following me outside of the wall to collect some clothing that the human merchant had dropped during the summer. I hurried to his side, but I was too late to save the child. Watching in horror as the wolves tore him apart like a ragdoll. I felled two of the dire beasts, but we all mourn for one of our number, so brutally taken from us.
What is odd is that his favorite toy, a puzzlebox of particularly fine construction that was taken from the elves was found laying several feet away from him. How it got there I have no idea, as I have never let him take the silly thing out of the house.
13th Timber
The wolves that live in the area have been driven into a frenzy from a lack of food, constantly encroaching closer and closer to our village.
Today Ukat was attacked when collecting a backpack that had been dropped right outside of the south gate. Fortunately she had her crossbow on her and glacies was not far off. The two of them were able to drive off the pack. However, I feel that the wolves are becoming more than a annoyance. Indeed, the hole in Ukat's upper body may take several weeks to properly heal.
Strangly, Ukat consistantly mummers about seeing a dwarf dressed in goblin leathers behind all of the wolves, driving them towards her. I've written it off for now as a hallucenation. I still plan to ask her about it when she wakes.
23rd Timber
Our population once again reaches 25 with my youngest daughter. I have decided to name her Scribbler, after her great uncle Scribbler who died several years before we left our original home.
1st Moonstone
Ukat has healed quickly, her wounds already gone within two months. Sadly she remembers nothing of the night she was attacked, so I cannot correlate evidence from her.
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Elsewhere:In a glade in the depths of forest Elecu Umoleriya, deep in the heartland of Elufiimere, a wizened elf sat upon a wooden throne, his eternally youthful face distant as he leaned against the left arm rest. The fingers of his left hand stroked the living wood of his throne, long since shaped by the virtue of magic so that it appeared perfectly natural. His cold blue eyes were focused on his right, slowly reading a piece of bloodstained parchment.
'My Dear Ally Gica Rifayifi
While it gladdens me to see that you and your kind have taken up our cause. While I can understand your reluctance to fight however, given the negligence of Mato Snukangamxu in regards to the heroes you have sent, I must insist that if you are to be our ally in this war that you must supply us with more than exotic war animals. I have lost a number of troops to penning and controlling your wolves, far more than I would if set upon by the cowardly dwarves themselves. While they have proven their effectivness, I must ask you to please send actual troops next time. Ones that I can depend on to actually fight at our side when we take the gates of Asnbasnusp.
Your ally untiil my kin spill my blood,
Lafo Femavavafice Asi Nevele'
The druid finished reading, his eyes as cool as ice as he let the parchment drop to the ground to be consumed by the glade. With a sweeping gesture he summoned forth a brief flash of anger and channeled it at the parchment, loosing a bolt of fire which quickly consumed the message. It was then that he stood and addressed the two elves who had brought him the paper. Their weapons and livery marking them as rangers in the service of Athe Cironoimere, the high druid.
"It was you who intercepted this letter from it's goblin message to Yifinemo?" He said, his voice even and calm as the burning parchment curled tightly in the heat.
The nearer and shorter of the two took a step forward and bowed her head in respect to the druid, his dusky brown hair nearly black in the moonlight, even for those with eyes as sharp as an elf. The faint glow of her infrared body heat, only visible to elves out of the common humanoids, making him look even darker to the rest of his kin. Behind him his wiry companion dropped to a knee in sight of the elven druid. "Yes lord. It bears the crest of Snag Bax. The southern goblins have sought the aid of our breatheren there."
"That makes little sense to me, there are no creatures in that region. Tell me Fael, why would the goblins be asking for help?"
The second of the two rangers looked up in surprise, his hawk-beaked nose quivering slightly in fear as he scrambled to his feet. Around him a corona of close-cropped light brown hair flew in every direction, the red highlights within catching in the moonlight and transforming into a warm grey. "Lord?"
"Well?" The druid spared a glance at Fael, his expression never changing as he met the questioning expression with one of his own. As he waited the Ranger finished standing and began to sputter slightly, his mouth attempting to wrap around the ideas his mind created before they were fully composed.
"Lord, there are st...rumors around that a ... er... city has been discovered not far from Omoamxu. I've heard a little bit about it from some traders... but their word its..." He paused for a moment, uncertain how to finish the sentence.
The druid waved his hand dismissively, immediatly sending the taller elf back to his kneeling posture, "I understand. Then, I have a job for you two."
"Sir?" The foremost ranger looked up quizzically, dividing his glance between the druid and his companion.
"Go and find those merchants. Discover who the goblins are allying with Yifinemo against and bring their leader to me. Do not fail." With an offhanded gesture the druid waved away the two rangers and turned towards a small tent made of rope reed at the edge of the clearing, behing him the fire that he had lit on the parchment guttering out as it ran out of dry fuel in the damp evening. On the far side of the clearing the taller ranger stood and nodded to his companion, both turning towards the thick of the forest and quickly blending into the trees.
Moments later, A small nightingale sang.
