Entry 7
It rained this morning, thankfully the walk to Stangard was a short one. All this walking has taken it’s toll, the soles of my boot are even starting to tear at the seam!
I wish I’d brought Daisy with me, though the caravan guide said it’d be too difficult bringing a horse through the mountains. Can’t say I disagree, though it’d be nice to have her here. I left her at a farm in the Bree-fields. The man running it said she’d be well taken care of, though if ever I return I plan on taking her with me.
Understandably, the garrison was a bit uneasy about my arrival. The guardsman on duty stopped me before I even reached the gate. Sabert, his name was. Anyway, he proceeded to question me about my business here, and even asked to take my weapons from me. I suppose he could tell that I wasn’t from these parts, due to my accent, though even so his actions were far too much! Eventually his commanding officer asked to have a word with me, and once I’d explained myself, and showed that I had goods to trade, they became less hostile. I hope Sabert got a good scolding after that.
Entry 8
I managed to barter what pelts and furs I had for four slabs of smoked meat and some dried fruit. That, along with the fish and bread rolls Dunlida had generously provided ought to be enough to stave me over the rest of my journey. The tailor mended that accursed hole in my boot, too.
I pitched my tent just inside the walls. Better than sleeping out in the open, seeing as the guards on patrol had seen a party of orcs about.
Entry 9
On my way north I’ll be passing by the mill again. Figure I’ll stop in and thank Frumgar and Dunlida again, it’s the least I could do.
Damn it all! Those bastards!
I arrived at the mill this evening, though only too late! I’d knew that something had been watching me, following me…
Once I had gotten within eyeshot of the mill, I could tell something was amiss. The door had been broken from the hinges, and a set of large orcs adorned in bones of some kind were lurking around outside! In my fury I charged them, and quickly felled the first before he’d known what was happening. The second drew his weapon and caught me in the gut! I managed to fend him off for now, but the wound in my belly still hurts like all hell…
Inside the place had been completely flipped upside down. All the food was taken, and even the lumber had been snatched! On the floor they painted some sort of odd symbol in blood… Oh, ancestors give me strength… A sorry day it is that the blood of those two fine folk have been spilled…
The bodies had been disposed of outside, by the river. I did my best to give them a proper burial.
I can’t help but feel as though I’m responsible for this, somehow. I’d felt that something was following me the other day, but woe that these orcs had left me unharmed, instead following me to Frumgar’s home after he’d invited me to stay!
I… I can’t in good conscience leave things like this and go home… Those bastards left footprints outside, I’ll follow them as far as they go, and bring them the justice they deserve for such villainy as this!
