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The Magician's Dialogue~ Week One
🕑 Added 2022-12-04 06:26:57 +0000 UTCThe Ever-Meadows Historical Society (Archivist Branch), on Líris the 13th of Coúmesálh, 1319, hereby authorizes this journal, recovered as part of the Informational Series on the 3rd Great War, to be reprinted for internal circulation.
Reference Use Only.
Note from the Editor: The thoughts and opinions expressed herein are those of the original author. We seek not to absolve, but to understand.
Undated*
I have made a fire, the dry grasses of this land make for good kindling, but trees are sparse, so I only have a few good logs for a persistent flame. Ha. What a first sentence. This notebook, it may as well be my journal. I don't remember the date. Sometime in Ochpaniztli?** Things have been, well, hectic to say the least. Oh. Well perhaps I should have led with that. I fear I do not have the time nor the light to continue this entry. I must put the fire out.
Signed, ...
* Researchers estimate this entry was written sometime during the first week of Tàlniévin, 1306.
** A Month in the Nahuatl Calendar System of Xiuhpōhualli.
Undated
The first thing, the polite thing, to do, is to introduce myself, but things aren't always that simple. I can tell you- well now, who is this for, exactly? I am simply passing the time.
I'm traveling with someone. He was kind enough to show me to this place, this island not on any maps- any human maps. I know now there are things out there. His name is Witzil.* I thought he was just a hummingbird, but apparently he's a shapeshifting magical being called a “therian”. We're going to meet the elf queen.** Strange times.
I am in deep trouble, I think. There are too many unknowns, even to Witzil. He says everything will be fine. I am losing light already. We had a full day of travel. He says we are almost to Meadowspire, capital city of the elf kingdom, where this queen lives. I will turn in for the night.
Signed, ...
* Wítssíl roít Tùrrípír, Famous Lilyfire Functionary.
** We have elected to leave this phrase non-capitalized, as originally written.
Undated
The first bed I've had in a long time feels good on my back. Days of a thin mattress and a thinner blanket under the stars does something to a woman. Bad things. Even if the stars are beautiful out here. With a steady supply of oil for lamps I can write well into the night, though I feel the call of the bed already.
I don't know if I should start at the gate to the city, but it's as good a place as any. The first thing one takes notice of is the castle. It looms over everything in the city, which, isn't much of a city where I am from. Modernity is not something the elves have. It appears as a great tower. Ah. Oh No, I am bad at describing things. I think it may have also been a flower? I can't look outside my window and see it, as I am currently residing in a guest room inside. I must say, Witzil was right, the view from this balcony is gorgeous. I'm glad I let him talk me into staying in this room, even if the stairs up murdered my legs. I can handle strenuous activity, of course. I do not complain about trivial matters!
A maid brought me tea. I asked, and she said it was a type of flower that grew here. The taste is surprising. The best I can describe it is maple syrup, but with the freshness and vibrancy of summer*.
I think I am ready to explain what is going on, but every time I try to write about it, it just feels absurd.
I cannot sign my name. Not only can I not remember it, it seems to have been stricken from the very earth. Every document I have, from the lease on my store, to my identification, even my name tag. It's gone. It's just gone.
I met the elf queen. Her name is Kalyerri** or something like that. I think I will just call her “Karri”, for simplicity's sake. So Karri- Queen Karri, had me explain the situation to her earlier today. Things are actually progressing quite smoothly. She said it sounded like a case of malicious Psychomancy. Huh.
So I just had a word with Witzil. I found it strange, how fluent the queen is in Nahuatl. Him too, in fact, although I did meet him on my own street, so I simply assumed he was from my part of the world. Apparently, political figures and other important people on the island learn Nahuatl and Arabic, so as to converse effectively with people- I mean humans- from either continent. It is certainly convenient that almost everyone on the planet can speak one or the other language! It is also a good thing I am very comfortable in Nahuatl. Most of my clientele speaks Nahuatl natively, actually. Or, they would have.
I forgot about the update. So, Psychomancy. The queen has on retainer a high level Psychomancer, or so they say. She says this mage is the most powerful in her field in the world, and should be able to diagnose the problem when she returns tomorrow.
I think I should turn in for the night. Ah, I should start dating these, but I think they gave me the one for their own calendar, and I didn't pay close enough attention. Several words I did not understand. I will have to take a note next time.
Signed, ...
* Researchers are still trying to figure out what tea was offered here.
** Cáliérrí roíp Péttèteùrrúcà, Lord of the House of High Leaves, and Queen of The Ever-Meadows Kingdom. Long may She reign.
