Unto Shadow #11 - The Ladies

There are still three of them.

The eldest is named Victora. She does not like me in the least. Nor does she care for D.A., I think. But that is somewhat irrelevant in this context, as her Lord accepted us as guests and as his senior companion she must behave. She is the dark-haired one that I wrote of months ago. So pleased she had appeared then, when I ventured into the Web for certain destruction. Conscious of her rank, she wields it whenever possible.

The blonde-haired one has not changed either. She is called Sophia and does not possess a talent for conversation. Her talents rest below the neck. She is not vicious though and is manageable.

The third has red hair, and unintentionally revealed a different aspect of the Lord when he introduced her to my beloved. Her name is Kaelyn. Of the three she seems the most compassionate and aware. The Lord complimented her maturity despite being the youngest, and I detected the hint of affection between them. I did not expect that of him. In later calculations I concluded that he hides it.

Unto Shadow #10 - Lodgings

The castle is very grand inside. Although it appears extremely empty unless one knows about the shadow-people that behave as servants. My beloved and I have been given a suite that is larger than the accommodations I utilized before.

We agree that there is some intent to the luxury that is not pure generosity. But whether to impress or intimidate is not clear.

The servants are still silent and helpful. I do wonder if the one lingering about is the same as the one before but do not know their longevity. A sentimental piece of me hopes that it is her.

Unto Shadow #9 - Arrival

It took some days to locate this journal, because I left it in my saddle bags and have been preoccupied with our hosts. But as I wrote before, my beloved and I have found the Lord of the Castle and he granted hospitality to us.

He did vaguely chastise me for delaying my return though. I explained that the circumstances were too severe to both remain in the realm and survive at the moment I last departed. I expect that soon he will ask for clarification; and I dread describing that moment.

My beloved was suitably impressed with the castle and its forbidding location. As before the Lord escorted us through the jungle and remarked on our “wonderfully delicious youth,” which was not praise necessarily. In honesty it meant that our method of travel was primitive and plain compared to his. That is a theme that surrounds me in particular here.

For now I am content that we arrived in safety, but not in complete ease. We do not forget that our hosts are just as dangerous as the rest of the inhabitants of this realm. If better mannered and dressed.

Unto Shadow #8 - The Others

We have found them.

Unto Shadow #7 - Storm

To my dismay, it can storm and rain here. The chill of the land combines with the damp for a truly miserable experience. There was an opportunity to camp before the storm began but I chose to continue moving forward to a safer area.

The consequences were an extremely unhappy, soggy cat and beloved. But from here it should not be much longer to the Lord’s forest. Then things should be more comfortable. Materially, at the least.

Unto Shadow #6 - From Afar

Both Westlynn and Nemeiah I have spoken with at a distance. I am also forced to estimate the passage of time in this realm, as it does not seem to match what the living world experiences. I believe that more time has elapsed there than here. But such speculation is irrelevant.

Westlynn prepares an application to a sort of exploration group, so that she may see the new lands under an official aegis. When it was requested I told her my views of the place and the political turmoil. With the latter I have attempted neutrality, particularly after learning that Westel's wife was thrust into the war for the Horde. This is not for the former Regent though. It would be flora and not forged metal that occupy her there should she be accepted.

She was very curious regarding what this realm's landscape, appearance and conditions are. But I did not think it helpful to describe them in detail, to her disappointment.

Nem waits yet for the Bishop to do his bloody job. She wishes to advance her holy studies and succeed at ordination, but as long as she depends on him for her instruction her progress also relies on him. I have already expressed my opinion thus as well. The rest seems satisfactory - she told me she may even attend a Hallow's End function that she received an invitation for. 

With Nem I felt temptation to tell her more of the realm, unlike with Westlynn. The most that I said though was that it was unpleasant and I did not like it here.

Unto Shadow #5 - Beasts

I cannot precisely calculate the amount of time that has passed since entering this realm, but believe it to be at least two days now. Already we have been attacked by strange creatures. Before this I had not seen this particular kind but they were as foul as everything else. Bone-creatures with flattened heads that rose up from the sand. Fortunately with our combined abilities my beloved and I were able to vanquish the lot without significant damage to ourselves.