Fan Art: Messenger Journal
Posted by Meg
Elicius, who has contributed to contests in the past, created something very special for Peat during the Daylight War Tour in the U.K. Because of how crowded the signing was, Peat wasn’t able to take a look until later after Elicius had left.
What he found was a beautiful piece of fan art and writing. And now we are sharing it with you!
The beautiful, leather cover of the journal
The first note we find is to Tender Ronnell from Wiln Messenger
Tender Ronell,
I pray this missive finds you well, as I fear the same may not be said of your colleague. Found by the Dukesmen amongst the ashes of Oldmine, I believe the item here contained will unfortunately lay to rest te question of your missing Librarian. Our contract is thus concluded, if you are satisfied, please make payment of the outstanding amount directing to the Guild.
May the Creator watch over you,
Wiln Messenger
Journal of Tender Oren Tallow
The journey thus far has proven surprisingly sedate. The enclosed cabins of the caravans’ carts make a surprisingly formidble warding, once lowered to the ground at night in formation. While at first I was wary of the painted wards on the carts’ outer side, they make for a powerful, if slightly cramped, lodging – not that any dare the night when their own cart-wards are secure.
Venn informs me that we shall arrive at Old Mine in two more days. I hope I shall be on time to observe the festival Speaker Winch spoke of! I hope the sense of urgency in his last missive shows him to be as excited as I!
***
Hmm … the caravan arrived before midday today – in more than time to prepare for the dusk ceremony – but I am troubled. For a town preparing to celebrate, the folk here seem dispirited. Although any pand all have greeted me with a smile, I feel that the looks convey less welcome and more … relief? No doubt I am making wax out of water. But this may herald a less auspicious beginning to my research than I had hoped.
***
The evening’s celebrations were muted compared to what I had been expecting – perhaps festivities at home i the city have coloured my views overmuch. While I did enjoy a mug or two of ale, I began to carefully probe the townsfolk about their mysterious “Mist Coreling”. A surprisingly strong reaction! Those who were willing to answer at all gave scant details and half of those drew wards in the air before the words fully left my mouth. I knew from what passes for fashion here that the town held to older beliefs, but … this?
***
After breakfast this morning, I took a walk around the town. From the dilapidated mine, for which the town is named, back to the inn, I must only have spotted two souls – although in truth, this ever present corespawned mist could easily have shrouded more. I did notice, however, that the warding on the buildings is in a deplorable state! I fail to see how any building beyond the stone0cut speaker’s home survived the Night! I will be sure to offer my services, but roof or no, I am sleeping in my circle tonight! Already, I miss Venn’s carts …
***
I finally managed to talk with Speaker Winch before lunch; at last! A forthright man! He tells me this Mist Demonhas been whispered of around the hearthfires since his mother was a child; a ghost story to most, but with so many ‘glimpses’ (perhaps eddies and currents?) near the mine by the young and old alike, he says there must be some credence to them. As he spoke of the creature, a light entered his eyes – a ferver I have seen before only in the unquestioning faith of my fellow Children. He is most passionate about this creature – perhaps a kindred spirit? he says most sightings happen at dusk, perhaps tonight I shall glimpse this creature!
***
Winch came to me this evening with a gift! He said that despite the towns warding condition, they know a thing or two of wardcraft and handed me a package. Contained within, I found a new lacquered plate – similar in style to those in my own circle, but the ward itself entirely new to me. Winch claims the ward was known by the town elders before his time and seems to protect against the Mist Demon. Worked so far! He laughed as he handed it to me – Now I am truly ready to face the Night. If I bring back proof and a ward, Ronell cannot think of denying me!
***
It is true! I have seen it! Although I may yet prove to be wrong, I now believe entirely! I have never sensed such intelligence; such fury! While more details must follow at a later point, on more study, I simply had to record this with the fresh image in my mind!
I believe the creature to be modular! Although all I saw at first were odd shifts and eddies, as soon as the sun sunk below the horizon, but before the moon could crest the mountains of the mine (perhaps there is a correlation ), it rose – tenfrils of a thicker mist, an intricate, near-hypnotic spiral. At first I was confused, why would a coreling rise, but not coalesce (catalogue; benefits to vapor form?) Then, I … sensed, more than saw, a change in the texture of the mists! An eddy I had been watching shifted suddenly – as if falling from waist-height; once it reached the ground, it began to lurch towards my circle – movements not dissimilar to the small Northern meat animals (Night! What were they called?) The smaller creature had barely reached the outermost ward – the strange quills on its back rustling silently and breaking up its outline – when its … host? turned to me – blind! But such anger conveyed by that near-featureless visage – with nothing but dual nasal paths to show it, the creature still glared. I will remember until my dying day; the ripple of the quills on its head as it looked at me, roared and charged. The first rays of moonlight crested the mountain top, te coreling hissed and instantly withdrew to the core.
Tomorrow the new moon begins – perhaps I shall have a greater chance to study this curious grouping – the strange symbiosis.
This was incredibly well-thought out and beautifully executed. Thank you to Elicius who wrote and created the journal.
I realised as I was reading this back on the tube this morning that I have no copy of it for myself. Thank you so-so-so much for taking the [ no doubt rather impressive ] pains to transcribe the near-unintelligible writings of my house-mate and I, heh.
Thanks for sharing this & thanks again to Peat for letting me inhabit a tiny corner of his world for a while.