Dear Brother,
This land - this continent - it is so much more hostile than I ever could have thought it to be. I thank you, for keeping me safe, and I am sorry I accused you of admonishing me. It was the only thing that made sense at the time; that I had done something wrong, or maybe I was in the wrong place.
A creature - a person? - threw giant rocks at us. I was certain they were going to rob us or try to harm the giant machine. And... they did. A cat of metal ripped through the walls and tried to take Silas. The giant man with one eye landed on the roof, and we tried to run. We had to, right? Silas, Kiíellièn and myself slid out the window, but Gidget stayed behind. A bit too long. We were worried, but she came out, unharmed. Gidget, I am learning, is very good with people, and also with machines!
She told us that he introduced himself as Rexor, and that the copper machine we are on is not welcome in the state ahead, going so far as to say we are an enemy. And do you know why, Little Bug? He said that Silas is a criminal; that he is why the ship fell from the sky. Gidget made something that smells of the mixture Xenia creates for cleaning, and applied to to his fur to change parts of his color. He sleeps now, but even with his confident attitude, I see how his ears hang as he slumbers. He does not feel well - perhaps the liquid was too strong?
With Gidget's machine damaged and flagged, I... perhaps made a bold decision. I released Payatier so that we could travel on strong legs during the night. I did not expect any of them to have seen a Blackback before, but they took to her well, and she to them.
But Brother, I am confused. Paegor was so quick to call Silas a villain, but... how would they know? How did they know he was there? More importantly, how did they know he was alive? So many people burned, so many falling into the waters because of the one with needle fingers, and if not for him - if not for he and Gidget also, we would be, and I would be,
[[The writing cuts off abruptly, warped spots and spatters of watered down dirt imply liquid that has hit the parchment and dried. Writing continues further down, past the marred writing surface]]
I am sorry. I know the answers will come, and I am grateful for your ever-watching eyes. Silas says there is safety in Ellisbeth, and with your artwork on display for all eyes to see, I can not help but agree. I am scared, Brother, but I trust you, and I am attentive to both your canvas and the gallery you display it in.
Happy Shedding,
Xhoya