Entry 66: A day of normalcy

by Hayley Thomas

Dear Diary,

Breakfast was brief and quiet. Too quiet. I barely touched my food. The weight in my stomach wasn’t hunger; it was frustration. Disappointment still hung over me like a stormcloud, thick and sour. I wasn’t ready to talk to the others. Not after yesterday.
Then Gael, with all the sensitivity of a charging boar, casually announced that he wanted to bring Dynia with us into the Neverhold.

I nearly choked on my tea.

He said it like it was a thoughtful, reasonable idea—like bringing the person he loved into a region ruled by a king who most likely wants us dead was somehow wise or necessary. The sheer stupidity of it would’ve been laughable if it hadn’t been so dangerous. Why, in all the Realms, would we put her in the crosshairs like that? We were walking into a trap, not a stroll through a moonlit glade. And the Neverhold? That cursed place is the last place I want to see her go. She’s not ready. None of us are.

But before I could voice any of that, Vivienne entered the room, boots clicking sharply against the floor.

She gave Dynia one look—and frowned.

“There’s something... off about her,” she said, tilting her head. “A glamour. Subtle, but it’s there.”

The silence that followed crackled.

Thankfully, everyone had their own plans for the day—our one day to prepare before we entered the Neverhold. After that, there would be no more time for bickering or doubts. Just survival.

Liliana and Alistan headed off into the city, hoping for news on Galiene. Dadroz went with them to pay his respects in the Necropolis. Gael, ever predictable, tagged along. I suspected it had less to do with reverence and more to do with finding Dynia another shiny trinket.

As for me, I stayed behind at Wolf’s Rest. It had been too long since I walked these halls—my halls. I had responsibilities here. Duties I’d neglected while saving kingdoms and slaying knights.

So I laced up my boots, threw on my cloak, and went out to do my rounds.

I spent the better part of the afternoon walking the streets of Wolf’s Rest, exchanging quiet words with familiar faces. Many of the townsfolk were worried—though most were too polite to say it outright. They’d grown used to our comings and goings, but this latest departure had stirred fresh unease. Not knowing when we’d return—or if we would—tugged at their peace like a loose thread.

Still, a few kind words and honest smiles did much to ease their concerns. I made a point to listen, to reassure where I could. Small gestures, but ones that mattered.

While making my rounds, I couldn’t help but notice the growing number of carts under construction. Not a few—dozens. It struck me as strange. We didn’t have that many skilled craftsmen in town, and yet the work was moving swiftly, with laborers working under the guidance of our best carpenters.

When I asked about it, one of the workers, hands thick with sap and sawdust, told me some wealthy woman had shown up offering good coin for the job. No name, but she was described as older, with faded red hair and a dress far too fine for a forest village. Apparently, she’d taken up residence in the old hag’s cabin on the outskirts of the woods.

That gave me pause.

The hag’s cabin had been abandoned since our encounter wih Aunty Pattie . Anyone with sense avoided it. For someone to move in by choice—especially someone with wealth and poise—was a puzzle I didn’t like the shape of. We’d have to investigate before we left for the Neverhold. There was no doubt in my mind.

I turned the thought over as I made my way back to Wolf’s Rest.

The house was quiet when I returned, the others still off in Keralon. I took the chance to speak with Dynia in private. She met me with her usual gentle grace, and to my relief, she listened with an open heart. I told her the truth—about the danger ahead, the unpredictability of the Neverhold, and the risk to her life if she joined us.

She didn’t argue. She simply nodded, her eyes a little sad but steady. Dynia, for all her softness, was no fool. She agreed to stay behind where it was safe.

Later, when Gael returned, she told him herself. I saw the flicker of disappointment cross his face, but he didn’t push. He just took her hand and nodded. Perhaps, in his heart, he knew it too.

Over dinner, I shared what I’d learned about the woman in the woods. The mention of red hair and the hag’s cabin caught everyone’s attention, and it didn’t take much convincing for them to agree—we’d pay the place a visit first thing in the morning.
With that decided, I excused myself.

The rest of the evening I spent alone in the garden. The night air was cool and quiet, the stars peeking through the canopy like curious eyes. I let the silence wrap around me, grounding myself in the one place that still felt wholly mine.
We were leaving again soon. But for now, this was home.

Continue reading...

Entry one: The trials

Entry two: The bramble

Entry 3: Rosebloom

Entry 4: Hearts and Dreams

Entry 5: of ghosts and wolves

Entry 6: Hillfield and Deals with Fae

Entry 7: mysteries and pastries

Entry 8: The scarecrow ruse
6th of Lug, 121 Year of the Tree

Entry 9: A betrayal of satyrs
7th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 10: The fate of twins
8th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 11: Cursed twins
10th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 12: Loss and despair
11th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Hayley's rules to being a Witch

Entry 13: the price of safety
12th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 14: A golden cage and fiery tower
13th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 15: A trial by fire
14th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 16: Keralon
15th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Letter to Luke 1

Letter to Luke 2

Letter to Luke 3

Letter to Luke 4

Letter to Luke 5

Letter to Luke 6

Entry 17: I shall wear midnight
1st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 18: peace in our time
2nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 19: Caern Fussil falls
3rd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 20: I see fire
4th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 21: Cultists twarted
10th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 22: Ravensfield
14th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 23: The Hollow Hill Horror
15th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 24: Burn your village
16th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 25: Ravensfield burns
17th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 26: There will be blood!
21st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 27: A happy reunion
22nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 28: The embassy ball
23rd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 29: The fate of Robert Talespinner
24th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 30: A royal summons
28th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 31: of Dogville and Geese
29th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 32: A boggle named Pim
30th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 33: A deal broken
1st of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 34: The cost of doing what is right
2nd of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 35: A dish best served cold
9th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

entry 36: Cornu returns?
10th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 37: A letter from Amarra
11th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 38: The case of the (not) missing villagers
14th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 39: A curse broken
15th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 40: Into the Lorewood
18th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 41: Cabin in the Woods
19th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 42: Myrdin and Anaya
20th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 43: Into the Immerglade
21st of Aran, 127 Era of the Tree

Entry 44: A tale as old as time
22nd of Aran, 127 Era of the Tree

Entry 45: The truth
23rd of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 46: Luke's Ordeal
24th of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 47: The festival
26th of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 48: Trouble at the Cathedral
2nd of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 49: Quinn's court
4th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 50: onwards to Latebra Velora
5th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 51: Where is my cow?
6th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 52: Here be dragons
7th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 53: Dragon hoard with a side of scarabs
8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 54: Leave the basilisks alone
9th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 55: Return to Ravensfield
10th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 56: The needs of the many...
11th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 57: Dreams of Sister Willow
12th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 58: wetlands be wet
13th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 59: Baron Perenolde
14th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 60: Talebra Velora and the lady Morenthene
15th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 61: Cypria
16th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 62: Dragon takes Knight
17th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 63: Return to Talebra Velora
18th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 64: Your presence is “requested”
19th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 65: I stand alone
20th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 66: A day of normalcy
21th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 67: Into the Neverhold
22nd of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 68: The Warg King

Entry 69: Chased by birds

Entry 66: A day of normalcy

Continue reading...

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