On the road (Entry 87)

by Hayley Thomas

Dear diary,

That night, Lady Rootskewer came to me in dreams.

She appeared not as a nightmare, but as a presence — half-shadow, half-root, her eyes gleaming like moonlight through moss. She shared what I had long sought: the truth of the primordial spirits. I will not commit those secrets to paper; if this diary ever finds its way into the wrong hands, the cost would be too great. But suffice it to say, the revelation turned the world sideways. As a bard would say, the plot thickens — though this is no song worth singing.

What she did allow me to speak of was far more immediate. Eileen Inkheart — one of the hags — has been corrupted by something older than language, a power without a name. Under its sway, she turned Auntie Patty to her cause, hoping to wrest control of the coven for herself. With their number dwindled to four, the balance they once held is breaking; Sister Willow and Brother Stalker stir in their prison. And now, it seems, I have been marked — a likely candidate to fill their ranks, and a target for Eileen’s ambition.

Morning found me bleary and hollow-eyed, my mind still tangled in the dream’s roots. Over breakfast, I told the others what I could — the warning about Eileen Inkheart, nothing more. The rest is knowledge too heavy to share, and too dangerous to repeat.

The replies to my letters waited for me like ghosts. Each carried the same tone: quiet anger, restrained resolve. We will not act in haste, they said, as if fury were a thing one could simply store away for later. I sighed inwardly. I do not ask for recklessness. I ask only that they feel — that they let the fire breathe, if only for a moment.

By midday we were breaking camp, our caravan winding south along the rim of the Lorewood. Hillfield lay far beyond, past the haunted trees and the scar of the river. Before we left, Alistan, Liliana, and Ileas asked leave to visit their brother’s grave one last time. It felt right to grant it, though something in my chest whispered caution.

Hours later, they returned — not alone, but with Rachnar and the cart of supplies he had promised. Alistan looked tight-jawed, his usual composure cracked. When pressed, he admitted that knights had found them at the gravesite. Visiting had been deemed a “breach of our exile.” Only his silver tongue and measured temper had convinced them to let the matter rest this once.

The words hung in the air like a curse.

One warning, one reprieve. And the road ahead growing darker by the mile.

Rachnar brought grim news with him. Martial law had been declared in Keralon. The Circle of the Long Table had resisted their forced disbanding. Some were slain in the attempt; the rest were chained and carried off to the dungeons beneath the city.
Another nail in the coffin of a kingdom that once called itself noble.

I made a silent promise then: once our people were safe, we would return for them. We need allies — now more than ever — and the Long Table deserves a home where honor still means something.

While we prepared to break camp, Luke asked Ileas to send a message to Lumeria, to see if she’d survived her banishment. Her answer came swiftly and predictably — silk and venom. “I’m back under King Ulther’s care,” she said, and when Luke asked if she wanted us to rescue her, she replied, “Ew. Free me when you have a castle again.”

I could have laughed if I hadn’t wanted to scream.

Is this really the creature my brother’s heart still clings to? I know I promised to think about rescuing her from Immerhold on our journey south, but I think we both know my answer has not changed. Nor will it.

The rest of the day passed beneath the sullen sky as we followed the Emperor’s Road, our caravan winding slowly south. Five days until we reach the crossing at Logvale, and Hillfield beyond that. Five days to think about everything we’ve lost.

Not long after setting out, a patrol appeared ahead — armored riders flying the royal crest. A familiar sight in the north, but never this far along the road. They did not stop us, only watched in silence as we passed, their gazes heavy and unblinking.
Even as their silhouettes vanished behind us, I could still feel their eyes on my back.

Let them watch.

We are gone — for now. But one day, we will return.

Continue reading...

Entry one: The trials

Entry two: The bramble

Entry 3: Rosebloom

Entry 4: Hearts and Dreams

Entry 5: of ghosts and wolves

Entry 6: Hillfield and Deals with Fae

Entry 7: mysteries and pastries

Entry 8: The scarecrow ruse
6th of Lug, 121 Year of the Tree

Entry 9: A betrayal of satyrs
7th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 10: The fate of twins
8th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 11: Cursed twins
10th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 12: Loss and despair
11th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Hayley's rules to being a Witch

Entry 13: the price of safety
12th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 14: A golden cage and fiery tower
13th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 15: A trial by fire
14th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 16: Keralon
15th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Letter to Luke 1

Letter to Luke 2

Letter to Luke 3

Letter to Luke 4

Letter to Luke 5

Letter to Luke 6

Entry 17: I shall wear midnight
1st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 18: peace in our time
2nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 19: Caern Fussil falls
3rd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 20: I see fire
4th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 21: Cultists twarted
10th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 22: Ravensfield
14th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 23: The Hollow Hill Horror
15th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 24: Burn your village
16th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 25: Ravensfield burns
17th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 26: There will be blood!
21st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 27: A happy reunion
22nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 28: The embassy ball
23rd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 29: The fate of Robert Talespinner
24th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 30: A royal summons
28th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 31: of Dogville and Geese
29th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 32: A boggle named Pim
30th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 33: A deal broken
1st of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 34: The cost of doing what is right
2nd of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 35: A dish best served cold
9th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

entry 36: Cornu returns?
10th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 37: A letter from Amarra
11th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 38: The case of the (not) missing villagers
14th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 39: A curse broken
15th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 40: Into the Lorewood
18th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 41: Cabin in the Woods
19th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 42: Myrdin and Anaya
20th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 43: Into the Immerglade
21st of Aran, 127 Era of the Tree

Entry 44: A tale as old as time
22nd of Aran, 127 Era of the Tree

Entry 45: The truth
23rd of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 46: Luke's Ordeal
24th of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 47: The festival
26th of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 48: Trouble at the Cathedral
2nd of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 49: Quinn's court
4th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 50: onwards to Latebra Velora
5th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 51: Where is my cow?
6th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 52: Here be dragons
7th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 53: Dragon hoard with a side of scarabs
8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 54: Leave the basilisks alone
9th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 55: Return to Ravensfield
10th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 56: The needs of the many...
11th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 57: Dreams of Sister Willow
12th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 58: wetlands be wet
13th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 59: Baron Perenolde
14th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 60: Talebra Velora and the lady Morenthene
15th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 61: Cypria
16th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 62: Dragon takes Knight
17th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 63: Return to Talebra Velora
18th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 64: Your presence is “requested”
19th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 65: I stand alone
20th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 66: A day of normalcy
21th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 67: Into the Neverhold
22nd of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 68: The Warg King

Entry 69: Chased by birds

Entry 70: Whitewail

Entry 71: Nimmerhold

Entry 72: The menagerie
29th of Gobu, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 73: To the library!
30th of Gobu, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 74: The people's tournament
First of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 75: Nimmerhold party
First of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 76, The return home
Second of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 77: A week of peace
10th of Mannan

Entry 78: The tomb of the First King
11th of Mannon, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 79: I had a dream
12th of Mannon, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 80: The ritual for Sister Willow
14th of Mannon, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 81: Trouble at the Briar Ring
15th of Mannon, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 82: My day as a crocodile
21st of Mannon, 128 Era of the Tree

The return of the twins (Entry 83)
22nd of Mannon, 128 Era of the Tree

Earth and Sky (Entry 84)
26th of Mannon, 128 Era of the Tree

Wolf's Rest betrayed (entry 85)
30th of Mannon

The end of a chapter (entry 86)
first of Edon, 128 Era of the Tree

On the road (Entry 87)
second of Edon, 128 Era of the Tree

The Red Knight (Entry 88)
7th of Edon, 128 Era of the Tree

Dear uncle… (Entry 89)
8th of Edon, 128 Era of the Tree

Cut the bridge (Entry 90)
10th of Edon, 128 Era of the Tree

Home (Entry 91)
13th of Edon, 128 Era of the Tree

A tale of two shadows (Entry 92)
16th of Edon, 128 Era of the Tree

On the road (Entry 87)

Continue reading...

Find your way!

Resources

WHO WE ARE

LEGAL

Get the news

Listen to our Podcast

Our Allies