"Well that was a wasteful trip," Rose muttered aloud. After the day's chores had been completed, she had walked to Bree to speak with some of the scholars there about the journal. They had looked over it, but none could determine its origin, or the identity of the mysterious woman inside. Though they had appeared quite curious about the book, even offering her several silver for it, Rose had politely turned them down. She wasn't sure where else to take the book, but she would ask around - inquire of other places of knowledge nearby.
As she entered the house, the sound of Merry's singing caused her to smile, and she set down the journal and headed to the nursery. The girl was laying Althessia down for the night, gently rocking her cradle as she sang a simple lullaby.
When the song ended, Rose cleared her throat and Merry turned to look up at her, a soft smile on her face. "I'll be needing you tomorrow to help with the linens, but afterwards you should have the rest of the day to do with as you wish." Rose said, and watched Merry's eyes widen.
"But, Mrs. Rose! Wh .. what of the baby?" Merry stuttered in surprise.
"I've a fair knowledge of how to take care of babies, child. I think I can manage," Rose chuckled. "Besides, you've worked hard the past pair of days. Now, off with you and I'll see you in the morning."
Merry's face lit up in delight and, before Rose could anticipate the move, the girl had stood up and thrown her arms around the older woman in a hug. "Thank you Mrs. Rose! I hear there's a traveling caravan coming through, so I think I'll go see it!" Merry began to happily chatter about what she'd heard as the two left Althessia to sleep.
After Merry had left, Rose tamped down the fire before heading to her bedchambers. With a yawn she settled into bed for the night and, leaning against her pillows, opened the journal.
Days, has it been days here? Weeks? I'm not sure. Time seems to have no meaning here. It is as though this place exists – and doesn't. I've wandered the land here, which almost seems endless and yet always leads right back to the center. The lady that tended my injuries spends her spare time showing me how to mend wounds and tend illnesses.
Today I was tested on my ability to track animals. My mentor, she is called Gwenaewen by the others, challenged me to find her location before turning into a bird – a falcon - and flying off. I had heard tales of beings who could do such – but to see it. I scanned the horizon where I saw her fly, but there was no sight of her, so I walked. I listened to the air, to the trees. I listened for the sound of her wings – faint though they were. I looked for signs of her passing along the branches and the grounds. I wandered into the night and on, until I was attacked by a flock of birds. I fended them off, escaping their incessant pecking and scratching, until I came across a small pool of water. It was then I heard it – the quiet sound of feather through air and I ducked – moments before she flew overhead and landed on a branch above my head. I could her her laughter in my head – neither cruel nor hateful, but amused. She took flight and hovered over me until I followed, leading me back to the center and my bed. “You will learn,” she said, taking a human form once more.
Rossiath shook her head, upon reading the entry. Some dream she had, I'm sure. She pushed her pillows back and closed her eyes, trying to imagine what the woman must have seen in her sleep. Talking stags, women changing into birds. Maybe this Aneira had been delusional from her wounds, maybe she was simply delusional. Rose soon drifted off to sleep, still pondering the question, the book laid open by her side.
Gwenaewen has brought me several small animals to heal. Many have unnatural bite wounds. What does this to them?
