Journal of Mhiska Nenue
by MagpieShrike
For many years, the territory North of Baralj was unexplored. Cut off from the rest of the world by a vast range of mountains and legends of a monster that could rip apart the sky. The Northern Expedition broke through the myths and mountains, bringing knowledge of the Veljudi in Syeurra and the deadly polar spatial storms that have separated them from Baralj.
The expedition party was composed of five members: theramancer Attena Batsulhi, naturalist Ehrtse Sencora, anthropologist Gorund Relks, record keeper Mhiska Nenue, and the stowaway child, Tanse. All but the child passed away due to disease, but their story and findings remain preserved within this journal brought back with Tanse alongside a Syeurran diplomatic convoy.
Journal of Mhiska Nenue
Half a month is all we were given. Half a month to pack our things and settle loose ends. It sounds like plenty of time; at least, that's what I thought. But when you realize that you may never see your children again, that your body might be left forever undiscovered beneath layers of snow... Pilsek will be here before we know it.
I'm scared. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. A part of me is excited but another is filled with dread. After all, no expedition has made it back before. They all just disappeared. How can I do that to Enkha and Bortza? Leaving two children alone, not knowing whether they'll ever see their mother again? I feel so cruel. I didn't want to show them my tears so when it came time to depart, I- Ah, how could I give them the cold shoulder? I am such a fool. I must make it back, let them know I'm sorry. I love them. It's only been a few hours and yet I already miss them.
I always loved adventures as a child, maybe that's what led me to travel this path. But never was I so daring as this rascal. Stowaway beneath the carriage you say? You're excited, you say? Hungry? Our food is carefully rationed, just how are we supposed to keep track of a young child when we have ourselves to worry about? I don't know how we didn't manage to find him until we were already well away from the last border town. It's already too late to turn back. Dealing with this child who only looks to be about 12 is going to be a headache.
I've somehow been stuck as the babysitter. Those bachelors don't have any experience so they shoved him along to me. Now they call me Ehman. I suppose the kid fills an itch in me. Keeps me from missing my own children so much. I've decided to take him in as my own if we make it back in one piece.
We've taken it upon ourselves to teach the child. He has a penchant for magic, especially geomancy, but is not too keen on more mundane knowledge. Fortunately, this solitary journey makes him unable to hide when it's time for lessons. Each new discovery and place we travel lends a new teaching moment. Geography, biology, survival; even mathematics was taught when we had to find the distance between two mountain peaks this afternoon. I suppose this kind of hands-on learning will stick in his head more than anything taught from the books back home.
If I don't make it, at least let it not be to these horrific storms. I know where they get it from now, the legends. The sky up here seems to randomly split and tear. The first few times it happened, we didn't realize what was going on. The surroundings seemed to randomly change. But this morning, goodness, I felt that I must have been dreaming. The tip of a mountain was swallowed up, and through the holes in the sky, we could see distant ice floes. It would have been a beautiful sight if I weren't scared out of my life.
Ehrtse has come down with some sort of illness. Attena says that he's never seen anything like it before and that we have to be careful not to catch it. If even a renown theramancer can't cure him, I'm afraid our luck might be running out.
There is hope! Gorund says that there are signs of civilization. I know that I shouldn't get too hopeful, but Ehrtse's health has only gotten worse and even Attena has developed a cough while trying to cure him. If only it were from a cold.
This evening we spotted what we believe to be a column of smoke. Tanse calculated that it would take us about three days to get there. I hope that the boy's calculations aren't off, but Ehrtse says that he has faith in his teaching. Still able to joke around I see.
Ehrtse... Ehrtse did not make it. We will be burning his body tonight.
I feel like crying. One more day and there might have been a chance for him. This morning, a group of people came up to our campsite. They must have seen the smoke from our fire just as we had seen theirs. They bear resemblance to the children of Ekrihandr told in stories. They only reach the height of my chest. They seem closest to the Čoljudi in terms of anatomy, having the same ears and feet and not possessing horns. But, true to legend, they have four arms. How interesting.
I am in love with these people. How can every single one of them be such great cooks? Gorund, our resident anthropologist is doing his best to communicate with them. He's not doing too shabby a job. Attena has gotten worse. Unfortunately, it seems that these people aren't used to this disease either? Could it be that we've come all this way just to fail here?
How I miss home. The tall, vaulted ceilings, warm air and a perfect sky with no tearing. To avoid these storms, these people have built semi-subterranean buildings. Of course, they were built to fit their height. I'm going to hurt my back having to crouch all the time, but at least I'm not like Gorund whose horns extend upwards. Attena, for better or for worse has been confined to his bed.
It's hard, watching as everyone around you falls. The Veljudi, kind as they are, don't seem to be too skilled at magic. While their herbal magic has eased our suffering, there's not nearly enough time to figure out the root cause of our illness and develop a cure. Attena passed quietly through the night and Gorund is not far behind him. Tanse, poor child. I'm afraid I cannot be there for him much longer. I've kept it from him best I can but these coughs are only getting harder to hold back.
I suppose I can't hide it anymore, though no doubt he's noticed. He's too perceptive. I like relaxation as much as the next person, but being confined to a bed isn't how I find it. Ah, even writing this agonizes my body. What then am I supposed to do with all this dreaded time? Wait to join the rest in death? Pitiful. Tanse keeps me company. He's strong, but watching him wear the same strained smile as mine sends an arrow piercing through my heart. How I wish to escape and give him the cold shoulder to ease our suffering. But would it really help? The regret came rushing back. How can I do to him what I hate myself for doing to my own flesh and blood? How could leaving them with uncertainty be the answer? I want them to know that I love them till the end. Oh. Stupid tears.
Yesterday, Mhiska passed away from the disease. I knew it was coming, each day she got weaker and weaker, just like the others. It was hard to watch, hard to not run away and try to escape the truth. The exploration team was like a family to me. No, they were my family. It was hard to watch them pass one after another. But Mhiska was the closest to me...like a mother. Today was the first time I'd read her journal. I'd seen her logging our journey in it but I always thought it was strictly for work. Reading through it, remembering all of the ups and downs, being able to see myself through her eyes. It brings a horrible mix of happiness and sorrow to me. I can't hold back the tears... it's painful.
I've decided to finish their journey. Their families should know what has become of them. I'm scared. Ehman had children of her own. I know there's nothing I could have done to save her, but I can't help being mad at myself for not paying enough attention during Attena's lectures on Theramancy. Will they blame me for her death? The Veljudi tribe we've been staying with has decided to send out a diplomatic party with me. I can't make it back alone and now their bodies will be able to return home. It's a good chance for our species' to meet anyway, though I am a bit concerned about the disease. We have to wait a couple of months. The thick of winter is just setting in. How I wish I were as strong as those told in the legends to simply teleport myself back.
37 / 1 / xxxx
My friends say that it's too dangerous. That I should stay home and let someone else go. Are they children? Everyone knows that the Ekrihandr is just a myth used to keep children from running off into the woods and freezing to death. Honestly, who would actually believe that a monster with six arms and can rip open space is real.
Gorund, that old fogey must have gotten into my head. I brought up the Ekrihandr at lunch with him and he just gives me this dead serious stare. Then he mentions a clan from the northern borders that claims to have seen the children of the Ekrihandr. Short things with four limbs, he says. But what beast has more limbs than its offspring? A man does not metamorphose. But I just can't for the life of me get it out of my head. Perhaps it's a Skeljudi?
43 / 1 / xxxx
Gorund, that old fogey must have gotten into my head. I brought up the Ekrihandr at lunch with him and he just gives me this dead serious stare. Then he mentions a clan from the northern borders that claims to have seen the children of the Ekrihandr. Short things with four limbs, he says. But what beast has more limbs than its offspring? A man does not metamorphose. But I just can't for the life of me get it out of my head. Perhaps it's a Skeljudi?
50 / 1 / xxxx
by MagpieShrike
I'm scared. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. A part of me is excited but another is filled with dread. After all, no expedition has made it back before. They all just disappeared. How can I do that to Enkha and Bortza? Leaving two children alone, not knowing whether they'll ever see their mother again? I feel so cruel. I didn't want to show them my tears so when it came time to depart, I- Ah, how could I give them the cold shoulder? I am such a fool. I must make it back, let them know I'm sorry. I love them. It's only been a few hours and yet I already miss them.
1 / 2 / xxxx
I always loved adventures as a child, maybe that's what led me to travel this path. But never was I so daring as this rascal. Stowaway beneath the carriage you say? You're excited, you say? Hungry? Our food is carefully rationed, just how are we supposed to keep track of a young child when we have ourselves to worry about? I don't know how we didn't manage to find him until we were already well away from the last border town. It's already too late to turn back. Dealing with this child who only looks to be about 12 is going to be a headache.
15 / 2 / xxxx
Today we discovered a new berry. I say we, but it was that blasted child, Tanse. He brought back a bushel of jhajha berries. Well, that's what they looked like anyway. Turns out they're poisonous and not nearly as tasty as jhajhas. The kid insisted on eating them and got the runs. Gorund suggested we call them etlun. We all thought it was great except for the kid but he didn't have the stomach to put up much of a complaint.
They resemble the jhajha very closely. Luckily the arrangement of the leaves on the stem is a trusty indicator. Unfortunately, it's still all too easy for someone to not pay attention. At least it's not too poisonous, you'll only get diarrhea turned red by the undigested fruit. It is quite frightening though.
by MagpieShrike
Left: Jhajha. Right: Etlun.
29 / 2 / xxxx
I've somehow been stuck as the babysitter. Those bachelors don't have any experience so they shoved him along to me. Now they call me Ehman. I suppose the kid fills an itch in me. Keeps me from missing my own children so much. I've decided to take him in as my own if we make it back in one piece.
32 / 2 / xxxx
We've taken it upon ourselves to teach the child. He has a penchant for magic, especially geomancy, but is not too keen on more mundane knowledge. Fortunately, this solitary journey makes him unable to hide when it's time for lessons. Each new discovery and place we travel lends a new teaching moment. Geography, biology, survival; even mathematics was taught when we had to find the distance between two mountain peaks this afternoon. I suppose this kind of hands-on learning will stick in his head more than anything taught from the books back home.
39 / 2 / xxxx
If I don't make it, at least let it not be to these horrific storms. I know where they get it from now, the legends. The sky up here seems to randomly split and tear. The first few times it happened, we didn't realize what was going on. The surroundings seemed to randomly change. But this morning, goodness, I felt that I must have been dreaming. The tip of a mountain was swallowed up, and through the holes in the sky, we could see distant ice floes. It would have been a beautiful sight if I weren't scared out of my life.
by MagpieShrike
41 / 2 / xxxx
Ehrtse has come down with some sort of illness. Attena says that he's never seen anything like it before and that we have to be careful not to catch it. If even a renown theramancer can't cure him, I'm afraid our luck might be running out.
68 / 2 / xxxx
There is hope! Gorund says that there are signs of civilization. I know that I shouldn't get too hopeful, but Ehrtse's health has only gotten worse and even Attena has developed a cough while trying to cure him. If only it were from a cold.
4 / 3 / xxxx
This evening we spotted what we believe to be a column of smoke. Tanse calculated that it would take us about three days to get there. I hope that the boy's calculations aren't off, but Ehrtse says that he has faith in his teaching. Still able to joke around I see.
10 / 3 / xxxx
Ehrtse... Ehrtse did not make it. We will be burning his body tonight.
12 / 3 / xxxx
I feel like crying. One more day and there might have been a chance for him. This morning, a group of people came up to our campsite. They must have seen the smoke from our fire just as we had seen theirs. They bear resemblance to the children of Ekrihandr told in stories. They only reach the height of my chest. They seem closest to the Čoljudi in terms of anatomy, having the same ears and feet and not possessing horns. But, true to legend, they have four arms. How interesting.
by MagpieShrike
13 / 3 / xxxx
I am in love with these people. How can every single one of them be such great cooks? Gorund, our resident anthropologist is doing his best to communicate with them. He's not doing too shabby a job. Attena has gotten worse. Unfortunately, it seems that these people aren't used to this disease either? Could it be that we've come all this way just to fail here?
20 / 3 / xxxx
How I miss home. The tall, vaulted ceilings, warm air and a perfect sky with no tearing. To avoid these storms, these people have built semi-subterranean buildings. Of course, they were built to fit their height. I'm going to hurt my back having to crouch all the time, but at least I'm not like Gorund whose horns extend upwards. Attena, for better or for worse has been confined to his bed.
by MagpieShrike
27 / 3 / xxxx
It's hard, watching as everyone around you falls. The Veljudi, kind as they are, don't seem to be too skilled at magic. While their herbal magic has eased our suffering, there's not nearly enough time to figure out the root cause of our illness and develop a cure. Attena passed quietly through the night and Gorund is not far behind him. Tanse, poor child. I'm afraid I cannot be there for him much longer. I've kept it from him best I can but these coughs are only getting harder to hold back.
35 / 3 / xxxx
I suppose I can't hide it anymore, though no doubt he's noticed. He's too perceptive. I like relaxation as much as the next person, but being confined to a bed isn't how I find it. Ah, even writing this agonizes my body. What then am I supposed to do with all this dreaded time? Wait to join the rest in death? Pitiful. Tanse keeps me company. He's strong, but watching him wear the same strained smile as mine sends an arrow piercing through my heart. How I wish to escape and give him the cold shoulder to ease our suffering. But would it really help? The regret came rushing back. How can I do to him what I hate myself for doing to my own flesh and blood? How could leaving them with uncertainty be the answer? I want them to know that I love them till the end. Oh. Stupid tears.
52 / 3 / xxxx
Yesterday, Mhiska passed away from the disease. I knew it was coming, each day she got weaker and weaker, just like the others. It was hard to watch, hard to not run away and try to escape the truth. The exploration team was like a family to me. No, they were my family. It was hard to watch them pass one after another. But Mhiska was the closest to me...like a mother. Today was the first time I'd read her journal. I'd seen her logging our journey in it but I always thought it was strictly for work. Reading through it, remembering all of the ups and downs, being able to see myself through her eyes. It brings a horrible mix of happiness and sorrow to me. I can't hold back the tears... it's painful.
~Tanse 71 / 3 / xxxx
I've decided to finish their journey. Their families should know what has become of them. I'm scared. Ehman had children of her own. I know there's nothing I could have done to save her, but I can't help being mad at myself for not paying enough attention during Attena's lectures on Theramancy. Will they blame me for her death? The Veljudi tribe we've been staying with has decided to send out a diplomatic party with me. I can't make it back alone and now their bodies will be able to return home. It's a good chance for our species' to meet anyway, though I am a bit concerned about the disease. We have to wait a couple of months. The thick of winter is just setting in. How I wish I were as strong as those told in the legends to simply teleport myself back.
~Tanse 12 / 4 / xxxx
by MagpieShrike
In the end, you drew everything but yourself.
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I love this. The beautiful drawings bring life to the document . Tanse finishing the journal was a nice touch as well. Even though the others died, their families at least know what happened to them.
Thank you! I just had to add a nice little jab at the heart in the end there. I'm happy to know it worked well.