The spring festivities truly kicked into gear upon the return of the child.  However, one of my new compatriots had spotted smoke in the distance on our return.  I had accompanied the farmer, Adelaide Shard, when she went to provide a report to the local noble of this community.  To my surprise, a human wizard of some apparent notoriety, was already there.  I believe that Adelaide may be apprenticed to him, at least loosely in a manner similar to our training of choice at home.  So perhaps this will be a place where some continued magical study can be accomplished, and perhaps that is why my instincts have guided me here.

There truly is little guardianship within this community.  By the random success of our little group, this noble, the Gran Jossup, asked Adelaide to investigate the smoke that had been seen.  Perhaps I should not have spoken, but the chaos and lack of organization prompted my directness in reproach of the lack of preparedness here within the Hall of the Hill.  It truly appears strange that there is so little readiness to protect one’s family and friends, to such an extent that this community depends on one farmer, plus outcasts.  As an aside, I have discovered the wilderness walker is descended from at least one of the people in the recent past, although whether a parent or grandparent I do not know.  I wonder how and why the local noble trusts this particular farmer, or expects her to take on such responsibility.  Perhaps she is not only a wizard but an advisor of some sort? She must certainly be a respected land-owner if I understand this human kingdom at all.   I will freely admit that her directness in conversation and in action is a breath of floral tinged air, much more akin to being at home.

I chose to accompany the party again.  To some degree, I felt obligated to lend my superior tactical experience to any situation.  I also felt it wise to pursue a relationship with Adelaide to again advance any opportunity for access to magical study.  

To my astonishment, we discovered a significant party of goblins attacking and torturing a nearby village.  With no dissent, the group quickly decided that action needed to be taken.  I advised that we should pursue the ripa ar’futa.  However, such an enlightened technique obviously needed to be modified, so I suggested the ripa ar’ficur.  This was quickly agreed to, and lasted for just a few moments until the child dwarf charged out into the fray.  I almost immediately regretted following him, as there were moments of the battle in which I felt my quest had come to an end.  Quick and furious the battle flowed, and shortly the inexperienced human who had joined the group took a grievous wound, a mortal wound although I was unsure at the time.  A comrade in battle must be protected and we were surrounded anyway, but my efforts to protect him proved futile as we were overwhelmed.  The rest of our comrades joined us, and prevented my end, but it proved to be too late for poor Maislen.  

We prevailed, although poor tactical judgment nearly cost us all.  The village, a small place called Horndeen, had been sacked, and many killed.  It was a new experience to be celebrated in this land of persecution.  The trip back was somber, although these humans seem to take death so lightly, I suppose due to their already short life-spans.  We have returned to the Hall of the Hill, and returned the fellow’s body for mourning.  Nonetheless, the festival has kicked into a frenzy, and the town wishes to celebrate.  I will quickly put down the quill, as I am in my room at the Proud Horse Inn.   I am unsure if this is a celebration of the life of the departed, the fact that we are alive, or both.  After the long years of exploration, a celebration of welcome will hopefully be a much needed balm to the spirit.  

Aa’ menealle nauva calen ar’ malta—–Elyrienne