Burlnard,
I arrived at the Fields of Fornost several days ago. You should see this place! They stretch for as far as the eye can see in either direction and the sheer amount of barrows here is astounding. In all my years as a treasure-hunter, I have never seen an area so abundant with the cairns of the long departed. It makes your Barrow Downs look like one of those small town gardens that you showed me on our tour around Bree.
There are no wights here, which is a blessing for the necessity of fighting off such creatures slows my work considerably. Unfortunately, there is a high number of barghests and a handful of wargs, along with a variety of very angry wildlife. As inconvenient as they can be, they are still much easier to deal with than the walking dead. Speaking of which, I have yet to come across the cursed spirits alluded to in all the cautionary tales surrounding this area.
Unfortunately, I have likewise been short of luck in the matter of valuable finds. I can only assume that these tombs have been picked over more times than an old man's teeth for there has been naught of interest in any of the areas I have searched thus far. There are, however, at least two large ruins further to the north of my current position. Surely one of them will yield something of worth. There is an orc encampment near the largest of the two. I shall have to be careful when passing by it, but initial scouting suggests that there is a path I can take to avoid the inhabitants.
In the meantime, I have received a rather disturbing surprise. A man found me here this morning. He asked for me by name. I have not seen him before, so it was no matter to pretend that I had never heard of a woman by the name of Searipha, but this, I fear, does not bode well. I had no opportunity to interrogate him as to the reasons for his enquiry. Had I shown too much curiosity, my ruse would have been rendered quite transparent, so I am left with a mind awhirl with unpleasant possibilities. If you are confronted by anything similar, I would take it as a kindness were you to deny all knowledge of my person and whereabouts. If this is, indeed, my past catching up with me then no good can come of my being found.
Minor setbacks and nagging worries aside, I find myself remaining positive about this excursion and the riches to be found. Perhaps, if I come across something of true value, I might make an anonymous donation to the Trestlebridge restoration efforts. My heart goes out to those poor beleaguered people.
I must admit, however, that my thoughts often wander back to Bree and, specifically, to you. Have you found someone at long last, I wonder? Will you put that ring to good use? When I return, will I find you happily married with a child soon to follow? I truly hope that all is well for you, my friend. I would dearly love to see you with a smile upon your face when next we meet.
Goldie.
