Evanescence

Journal Entry by Tasha Secondsmith


Date: Unknown

Location: The Viridian Labyrinth, within the Shrieking Wilds



I know I am growing closer to my goal. Of course, as a result, now the rains have begun to fall.

This deep within the Wilds, nonetheless, the trees provide some measure of protection from the elements - but the beasts have been belligerent and restless. How many Parda and Barkback Boars have I had to fend off so far? Too many, it seems, though I am more than a match for the likes of them.

I cannot see the Behemoth, the Great Tree, but I can feel its presence - slow, careful, and watchful. You are never truly alone here, not with the trees marking your passage. My contact told me that Ravi would be there - or that I would find record of her passage at its roots. I hope for the latter, but I cannot think of what she would be doing here - blacksmiths and those otherwise aligned with fire tend to fare poorly in the Gladekeeper’s domain.

But, for now, I am alone.

As I traveled through the valley, I came across a natural ridge of sheer stone, cutting its way beside the path like a wall. Over-strewn as it was with vines and flowering things, I could still see the stone itself - dark, glossy, and smooth. Obsidian would be my guess, although how it came to be here, so far from volcanic activity, is beyond me. The path ran alongside it, for far longer than I could see, but I decided to pay no mind to its presence - I was in a hurry, after all.

After several minutes of walking, I took note of how the texture of the stone had changed - now unnaturally smooth and mirror-like, something that could not have been formed naturally. I could see a reflection of myself, of sorts, though foggy and colorless. Pausing, I stared at it for a long moment before pushing aside my unease. I am not afraid of this, I told myself. I am a member of a clan in the shadowlands. I fear no darkness.

Yet, as I kept walking, my eyes kept tracking back to the stone - and the longer I walked, the more I fancied that the reflection took on an appearance all its own. Still a pearlcatcher, yes, but - with every step I took - cobwebs shimmered along its wings, dark hair tangled along its feet. Flowers, frail and delicate, bloomed at its brow.

Then I saw it look at me and open its mouth, wordless. I froze.

I - go - mourn - save me -

I turned, stepped closer to the glossy stone. “You are not a reflection,” I murmured. “Who are you?”

It - she - stepped forward too, raising her paw a half-beat after I raised mine. She tilted her head, whiskers drooping, before proffering her pearl to me. My knapsack, where I keep my own, seemed to grow heavier. But I could sense no presence of any living thing.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t think you’re really here.”

She shook her head and held out the pearl, shaking it more vigorously. This action seemed to take all of her strength, though, for her outline began to grow blurry - and before I could make up my mind if I should reach out or not, she disappeared.

I placed my talons to the wall. It was solid, cold under my scales. But most certainly, I was alone.

Let us hope that is not an ill premonition for what I am about to find before me.

~ Show me a dragon, get a surprise! by SilverSilver