Candra’s Travel Journal

Quite an interesting day this has been. Axenus has led us into a pine forest that surrounds the base of a mountain range. I can only suspect that the next upcoming days will be long and hard, especially if we do not have a guide to lead us through the rocky terrain—or the equipment to survive.

Sluimeren suggested we find a village to restock on supplies. Axenus agreed, albeit reluctantly. 

I wonder if he feels we're are close to his dream.

We trek for a couple of hours, clearing the way with the help of Lacuna. Time and time again am I grateful for his duel-bladed scythe, which has helped us countless times on this endless journey. 

The pine forest is beautiful—surely a gift of God. The needles are a bright green despite the chill starting to settle in. There was something about the fresh smell of crushed needles that was quite relaxing. I found myself enjoying the walk in the woods.

I suppose Sluimeren took this opportunity to scare me a bit, muttering something about beasts roaming in the woods. I don't think I'll ever understand them. I'm not sure if they find it amusing or if they are just making things seem worse than they sound.

The faint, sly smile he gives does not ease my worries.

The village is small, with homes made of evergreen wood and stone. The people here sell furs and tools, and Axenus is quick to negotiate with the merchants. It makes me wonder what his background is, what life he must’ve lived before leaving home to start his own village.

Sluimeren is by his side, and perhaps they are helping him. I only stayed by the sidelines with Lacuna, reading the few books I brought along with me. We only stayed for lunch before moving on, despite the necromancer’s protests.

About an hour into the woods again did I feel a sense of being watched. I look around to find no one and Sluimeren’s hint of a smile and gaze in my direction—tells me he knows something. But when I look at them they feign obliviousness. 

Whatever he knows, I can only suppose they will wait until it is voiced.

That proved to be true in the evening when clouds started to roll over the sun and the sky becoming scarlet. I set up camp as Axenus left to hunt. Lacuna stayed to protect the rest of us.

It was only a while of silence before it was broken with the chief calling Lacuna’s name. A Wolf-like beast, larger than any can once I’ve seen before leaping from the foliage and chasing after him. Lacuna quickly rose with his scythe, ready to defend the group from the beast. The large wolf paused, crouching with ears pinned back and fur raised. It bears its teeth.

I remember gripping my staff until my knuckles turned white—praying for no bloodshed this night. Perhaps God has heard me, for the beast slowly showed submission. It rolled to the ground, exposing its side.

Lacuna was silent and he turned to look at Sluimeren. It seemed the two shared a knowing glance. Axenus seemed to frown.

Wolves do not show submission this way. With larger front paws and a form that seemed almost bipedal—it was a werewolf. It spoke and said it wanted help—no, it needed help. 

Its voice was raspy with the occasional growl and whimper. It was afraid to go alone and asked if we would help.

Axenus wanted to know what it needed.

It replied that they wanted to go to a place they heard of: Frostmere. There, lived a healer that knew a cure for its lycanthropy. Axenus then asked if the werebeast knew where to go.

It did not.

So we would have to head back to the village tomorrow morning.

As of right now, the beast sleeps outside of my tent. We only have a couple of weeks before the next full moon. After that, it is a matter of life or death. 

Every night before I write this entry, I ask Axenus how long before we reached our final destination. His response is usually “only time will tell.”

It is added tonight.

“Only time will tell, but soon. I am sure.”

I can only hope it is true.