Things are still horrendously expensive in this world, I do not see this changing. I am grateful for my housing allotment, but it is so small. I cannot afford to fix things as I once had. I cringe relying on others to fix my equipment.
Thievery is below me but I am tired of living this way. I long for an honest living but I have been unable to contact the local smithing guild, measures must be taken. There was a merchant that arrived at the barracks before we were to dispatch. His pockets seemed laden, as a good merchant should. I felt saddened by the actions I was about to commit. Juniper had laid her blades on the table as she was making potions, I asked to borrow the smaller of the two.
As the traveling merchant left the warmth of indoors, I met him outside in the dark rain to ask about his wares, concealing the dagger in my cloak. Walking towards the backside of the building, I apologized and quickly slashed his neck. Leaving most of the coin as to not raise suspicion, I took a few silvers and fine pieces of ore for myself.
He was traveling alone. The imps got him. This is a dangerous area. Plenty of bodies had been found already with their throats slashed. I drug the body into the woods and went to get warm inside.
******
Later in the night, as we dealt the final blows to the Filth Lord, I heard screams and assumed more imps were around, easy to dispatch. On the ride back to the barracks, I learned Valdis had tried to close the portal and seal us inside. That kind of betrayal is unforgivable. I had treated her as a good friend, defending her when Simon cut off her horns. They seem no loss to her now, as they’re growing back fine and obviously hasn’t effected her magic using. She is dead to me.
However, smashing her bone creatures the next morning gave me no satisfaction. I was angry, but now I am sad. Looking through her book, she’s learning so much dark magic. Lady of the Moon said she needs to be more careful with her runes, so maybe something went wrong and altered her mind.
******
Dwarves know the smell of the dirt in the earth, Whisper Ridge was not a place to forget. What keeps sending me there, even in this world? Is there an equivalent everywhere, possibly connected by the spirits? Lady Royce claims this portion as part of her reign, I may have to travel back at some point again. The shimmering of the portal gave me sad but fond memories of lost friends.
Speaking of the portal itself, it seemed too quick and easy to close. Perhaps it will rip open again to a different nightmare that we have to take care of. Surely one person does not have the power to close it alone, nasty eyeball key or not? She was weakened and seemed a bit ill, I hope she will be alright on the long ride home. She did regrow my entire leg.
Zeravica Blackhammer