I write with weary hands and heavy eyes, very much in need of rest but I must write down the events of today before I allow myself to relax. A day like today must be documented while it's still fresh and unclouded by sleep.
The woman from yesterday, Almaleksia, whom I have been calling Miss Lexi, and I met early this morning for our journey to Garth Agarwen. We were meant to leave the night before but I had gotten caught up with my wood carving that I had completely missed our planned departure. For this I have yet to apologise, though I'm not entirely sure if she cares much for my explanation. Thinking to it now, I don't believe she even noticed the change in our scheduled times, which relieves me a bit. She seems to be the sort that one would not like to aggravate! She is interesting character indeed, but I still don't know her very well. Perhaps after our adventure she and I will keep in touch.
Oh, but I am getting off topic, back to events - when she initially saw me she seemed rather questioning in my apparel, vocally noting her distaste for my wardrobe concern for my survival if I were to go into battle without wrapping myself in iron. I assured her as I did the day before that we would both be equally safe once we enter the treacherous lands. After I had satisfied her with my confidence in our safety, I had remembered to give her the small wooden carving I made for her; or rather, I dropped the trinket which had reminded me that I had intended to gift it to her. Her words after my clumsiness remain in my head, inviting a bit of amusement and embarrassment at myself: "What am I going to do with you, Mister Ruinic?" I shake my head now as I write this, I need to improve my grip on things.
Miss Lexi storing the Warden carving I gifted her.
We then hastily made our way to Garth Agarwen on our steeds. We realized dangers awaited us, so we left our horses with the soldiers near the entrance and made our way into the dangerous lands on foot. The enemies that challenged us were no match for our combined strength, for Lexi's blows were mighty and merciless and my training with runes kept our health up and high. I'm rather proud at how well we did, we truly showed all that threatened us how mistaken they were to even attempt to challenge our determination.
Miss Lexi and I before reaching the true battles found in the depths of Garth Agarwen.
However, I would be wrong to not mention our meet with the true challenges of the region... there were a few times where we found ourselves nearly overwhelmed. Several encounters surprised us with either their strength in numbers or strength through, no doubt, vigorous training. At one point I even feared for my own survival, for I had come close to my end... just the memory of it all weakens my courage, but I know Miss Lexi would tell me not to let my guard down or to not show weakness. The thought doesn't necessarily aid in my comfort though...
Anyway, we survived, and that's what matters. We found ourselves struggling in our final battle and it dampens my spirit a bit to know we had to retreat, otherwise we would have been no more alive than the malevolent undead that nearly took our lives. We escaped but felt ourselves much too exhausted to continue on, so here I sit at small camp found in the North Eastern end of Garth Agarwen with Miss Lexi, who has long since passed out from our shared weariness.
I feel myself wanting to lie down as she does, but not before completing my thoughts.
We will be leaving Garth Agarwen tomorrow morning. She had noted that the adventure would take all day, and I see now that she was very much right in this, for the moon lingers high above us very much like the sun did before we departed from Ost Guruth. I'm sure the journey back will be done with far more ease than what we have just experienced, but simply thinking now causes me more weariness, so I feel that the time to rest is best suited for me now.
Miss Lexi and I - victorious!
