The Southern Expedition
7th Day of Ascending Fire: Journals of Li Jin
Arrived in Timberline at dusk, and quickly found that the people were resistant to Kitaru’s teaching. Strong ancestor cults. Ghosts warned villagers of our coming; Arrested at nightfall by mayor and thugs.
In the jail cell, Cat-Eyed Demon told us that they mayor was a nemissary, to proceed with caution. Murinada suggested waiting till change of guards and facing him in private. Broke out at midnight, but mayor had escaped with his men. Not before torching the fields. And poisoning the well. We’ve sent a request for water elementals purify well, and grain for emergency relief and replanting. Haven’t slept in three days. Maybe tonight.
22nd Day of Ascending Fire: The Death of Murinada
“How could this happen?” Cat-Eyed Dream looked in horror at her still form. She remained as she had when she went to sleep at his side, only now her lips had grown pale blue, and her rosy cheeks and turned ashen. He called the sight of the unseen to his eyes. “Tell me, who killed you?”
Murinada leaned over her lover and ran her fingers through his hair; the immaterial form of her higher soul did not stir a single lock. “I was strangled while you slept, dear Dream, and I did not see him.”
“Gods, it’s too much for me to bear! Stay but a moment, and I will join you!” He lifted his head and whispered through taught lips to her vanishing form, seeing her wearing the kimono he had given her three days before they had left for the south. “Damn the cycle, and damn the mission!”
“Good bye, Dream, I promise you I’ll find you again, but not in this form...”
As she faded, he shook his head ruefully. “Oh Murinada, you were supposed to tend to our wounds, but when you needed us... needed me... I failed you.”
