Session 13

11 April Writeup
Journal of Bethany - 14 - Human
It has been cold the past few nights. Father says that winter is soon upon us, and the chill in the air confirms it. I would huddle closer to the fire, but since Mother’s passing, I can’t help but feel unnerved at the slightest crackle. I miss our home. Jonnie hasn’t stopped coughing since we arrived. He was caught in the worst of the flames and must have breathed in a considerable amount, despite Mother’s best efforts. He does not yet understand that she sacrificed her life so that he had a chance at his. Father has tried to comfort him, but he is a hollow shell of a man, continuing life out of some sense of duty and spite. For now, I cannot rest. Instead, I will wander the camp and see if my help is needed anywhere.
I steered clear of the many campsites that have been set up within the small, wooden huts. The flicking light cast deep shadows that seemed to grasp towards me, attempting to pull me in. It felt like it took all my strength to resist their allure. The security from a warm hearth now serves to only send a violent chill down my spine. Despite this, I made my way to the outskirts of the camp. Some men continued to dig shallow pits in large circles. There are too few trees here to build our walls from wood, so we must make do with dirt trenches. I cannot help but feel that they are merely excavate their own graves. I decided to sit and watch for a while, the consistent methodical movements serving to distract me from the horrors of the last few days. I find some comfort in the knowledge that those events are now in the past. Before too long, the man Vanthris rounded the hut on my left, accompanied by a woman larger than I had ever seen, and carrying a shovel. Father has told me that is was this man that is the reason that we yet live. Somewhat to my surprise, the two figures began to dig themselves. They worked well together, one breaking the surface of the ground, and the other removing the clumps left behind. Taking only short breaks, they seemed to be having a intense conversation. I did not sense that it came from their voices, but their stances. I could not hear precisely what they spoke of, but it was clear there were more than words being exchanged. I guess the conversation was in earnest, as the two seemed to have a mutual understanding. I did not stay much longer, my legs ached for movement.
I began to duck and weave back through the campsite, until I emerged out the far side. I stared out into the dark, rolling hills before me, allowing my eyes to adjust to the night. As I did so, something brushed past my leg. I must have jumped four feet into the air. To my surprise, as I whirled around to see what had interrupted my peace, I was staring at thin air. Yet more unnerved, I moved further from the fires of the camp. I found myself resting against a rock, looking down upon the refugees. Something that I had not expected to find this far out was a small tent and a short, somewhat blue woman. She had not spotted me, but I watched her for a short while she arranged her gear. Suddenly, this woman was no longer alone. A short figure popped out for seemingly nowhere. Once more I was just out of range to clearly make out what was spoken between the two. Their discussion was half excited murmurs, and half questioning discussion. Something about the second figure caused my mouth to turn dry, my hands to sweat, and my stomach to churn. My instincts could not have been wrong, as not long after, the two figures huddled around a small fire that appeared very suddenly. While this was simply unnerving, what happened next frightened me just as much as hearing the deafening thumps of dragon wings once more. The small flame suddenly erupted into a bright purple and red spark, more intense and bright than any natural flame that I have ever seen. I turned and ran fast back down the hill.
Once I had returned to the relative safety of the camp, I was panting hard. The smoke was just as thick then as it was the first day we arrived. I have seen what being exposed to it for too long could do to a person, so I thought it best to pay a visit to Page to get checked out. Besides, I have thus far found her jittery nervousness to be a humanising comfort in these alien times. I made my way to the largest of the huts that have been built. Inside it was dark and it seems like there was far less smoke. I looked around at the bodies on the ground around me, some breathing deeply in a heavy slumber, others taking fast, shallow breaths as if it were quickly running out. I saw Page next to the large man that has fast become her companion. Although I have often seen them laughing together, tonight they seemed more solemn. Many are still injured, and they are running out of time to provide aid. My worries could wait. Instead, I decided to make myself useful and hand out water to anyone who needed it. Looking back to Page, I thought the smoke had affected me more than I might have thought. I was sure that I was seeing double, but a second glance steadied my momentary surprise. A man i had not spotted before was tending to a small group of the townsfolk. He bore a striking resemblance to Page’s tall friend. I saw that he used some form of magic that I had not seen from any of the travelers that had once passed through Mintarn. It seemed to soothe the pain of a boy not too much younger than Jonnie, and ease the rest of an old man. He seemed almost trance-like in his methods, weaving in sync with an animal spirit that changed forms. Although clearly in need of some rest himself, he spoke to a woman that I had seen a couple times before. Her leg was too badly burnt from the fires to be saved, a stark reminder that my new fears are not unwarranted. There was not much more that I could do there, so I aimed to return home for the night.
Passing swiftly through the now empty streets, I passed Rindor. As I did, I touched my hand to my forehead and spoke the words that he had taught me, “Amar Dontreti”. I still am not sure of their meaning, but I know that by speaking them, I feel a sense of stability and calm. Rindor paused for a moment, and then broke out into a wide grin that is all too common for him. He returned my gesture and made sure that I was quite well before continuing his stride. He was joined by another Halfling, and it was clear from her equally warm and comforting demeanor that she was cut from the same cloth. I paused for a moment to watch them pass, deep in conversation. They seemed to have no destination in mind, but instead were simply enjoying the company of one another. Not wishing to linger longer than I should, I finally made my way to my grave. Father told me not to call it that, but I cannot help but think it is quite apt. Before I could sleep, Jonnie came to me in excitement. He has something that he wishes to show me, and says that it can’t wait until morning. I hope it is not another beatle that he has caught again. He babbled something about a man by the name of Godfree, although I do not know anyone by that name. He has gone to find some supper while I wait for him to return. I hope he will not be long, I am eager to watch the sun rise over the valley in the morning after a well needed rest.