Journey South

On the road traveling from Brassfall to Zreystead with the cart
 
I’m not ok. I can’t talk about it, these people we are traveling with don’t need their worlds so upturned like my friends have had. I don’t want them to overhear. It can wait until we make it to Hope’s.
I know Calder is going to open the wagon covers soon. I’m curious about what is inside, but what if it is something truly horrible and we let it go. Again. I don’t know how much more guilt I can handle without cracking.
I am glad Tahlrem has been able to handle Passion’s persistent advances. Every time she tries or quips that he’ll give in, I keep hearing “you belong to me by birthright” over and over again.
 
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The night after the cart attack
 
A hag called the Fairy Godmother put the woman we’re transporting to sleep. I’ve really only met one hag before and 3 kinda hags(?) and none of them seem to be actually evil. But I don’t see any of them doing what she has.
Passion is despondent. She did witness two people get murdered in front of her. I understand. The first time I saw someone get ripped in half it was also traumatic and then my wife died. I hope she heals. I don’t know how to talk to her. Not after what I said about Zane. He was actually kind, he just had been so secretive. I am struggling with so many thoughts and feelings. I hope Mel doesn’t think I hate him. I haven’t spoke to him or anyone much, not without them speaking first.
 
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Hope’s house
 
Auto has grown so much. He’s learned more emotions and is wearing the common clothing of Zreystead. He also made a nice backpack for me that Sebastian and Midnight can use.
 
Talking about everything again to catch up with Auto has helped. I’ve been practicing the five things breathing exercise Kyrie tried to teach me back in the Feywild. If I don’t use people, it seems to work pretty well.
 
It was nice getting to sleep in an actual bed again.
 
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Pit Stop in Everton
 
Calder made sure Ben’s siblings have been taken care of. I’m glad. Ben did not deserve what all has happened to him, but hopefully his siblings are able to live comfortably now.
 
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Sandy Creek
 
Kyrie has been talking about her plans for fixing up the library for weeks now. I asked about maybe making a little house nearby. It’s outside of the town so Sylla could fly and feel normal again there. And Mel would have a place to stay and not constantly be on the road with us.
Calder also asked about joining in building a store there. A place to sell what he’d acquired on our travels. He’s from Hope’s Gorge which is only a three day horse ride from Sandy Creek.
We arrived earlier today and met Kyrie's former bandit friends, Rucker and Mail. They’re going to help build up our places. Mel and Sylla will stay and help supervise or help in whatever other way.
 
I’ve been feeling much better. It’s been around 2 months since the Feywild. We haven’t heard from Mel’s dad or my parents yet, so I’m just assuming no news is good news. A whole day might not have even passed yet.
Sylla’s common is getting better. I’m sure Mel will help her while we’re away.
He’s been happy here. Made friends with the guys. The material plane is certainly better than sitting all day in his room alone.
 
I’m hoping for a moment alone with him before we leave. We’ve been camping with everyone and even if it makes me a hypocrite since Kaelee and I cheered Kyrie on to kiss Clyde before we left Brassfall I can’t when we have all these eyes on us. And sneaking out into the woods is just going to make everyone assume things and I could not have handled the teasing for the entire journey here. I mean, I have kissed him before, but not this form. His true form, which it’s still him, but he looks so different and I liked his old form, but holy shit is Mel attractive as hell. And it’s been years. I was married between then and now. He basically made a warlock pact because he was in such a dark place after everything. I don’t want to fuck this up.