A Weary Traveler's Journal (Rubesh)

Rindras -




Last I wrote, my plans were to scope out a town called Cormount - the wildlife there is plentiful and trade could be strong, due to its location.. However, plans have changed. Gods, I don't even know where to start. So much has happened, and so quickly. And to think, it all started with an itch for rye beer at the tavern.

I met a mage who invited me to join a mage's study circle, can you believe it? I didn't understand a word they said, but to see their magicka up close was... beautiful. Then I met Afer, the steward ex-steward of the Fighter's Guild... well now the creator of the Iron Leaf Company. In just the few days I've known him, I feel comfortable around him... most of the time, other times I feel as though I should bury my head in the ground and suffocate... Everyone in this town has been... wonderful.

I've decided to stay. For awhile, at least.


Also, I told someone. I don't know why, but I did. My skin seems to crawl more now... It scares me, knowing that this is out there - when everything seemed to be fitting into place..
Please don't worry about me, though. I've joined the Iron Leaf Company and plan to work as hard as possible - that should keep my mind away from my itching skin.

I love you,
R
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Rorin-



I completed my first contract with the Iron Leaf Company, cleared the road of a few bandits, saw a man's head severed from his body and earned some coin! I'm so happy to be a part of something bigger why do I feel like a band of murderers? and I feel like I can make a difference or maybe they'll make a difference in me, I can learn to become more like them, more confident in myself, kill without hesitation.

The town has been hurting for food so a group of us scouted out this new trail Keys found. We found a rotting corpse some starving wolves that led us to a hut his hut. The hut was surrounded with tame animals and I watched Afer and a Dunmer fight over some junglefowl, Keys got chased by a goose, the rest ransacked and stole from his hut.

A lady came into town today, she happened to be the rotting body's wife coming back from Elden Root, some sort of vacation. I wanted to ask her if she came across the caravan but I was too busy being mortified that we ransacked her hut, kidnapped her wolves, and left her dead husband's body to rot in her bed I was too shy, ha.. you know, the usual.

My skin is crawling underneath, ever since I heard they might open up a plantation on the border of Elsweyr. My mouth is so dry sometimes and I can't sleep. I just keep thinking thinking thinking thinking

I have some important interviews to conduct - I'll write soon, I promise.

I miss you so much.

I love you,
R


A few small doodles cover the opposite page, most of which are smudged or scratched over. There's a small tear where it seems the tip of the quill was pressed too hard against the parchment in frustration or anger.

The opposite page shows the following sketch with small print underneath that reads. "They're always watching."
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Rindras-



I just take the bugs, take the caterpillars, the grubs, and the many legged centipedes. I take them all before they get me. Crush them, smash them, mush them up and burn them. Burn them all into sweet smelling smoke.

It makes the itching go away. Makes the lumps in my stomach subside. Makes the nightmares less real.

The nightmares. Severed heads screaming at me. Pools of blood drowning me. Rotting corpses begging me. I can't make them go away unless I mash the bugs. It's the bugs' fault. He says to meditate. To think. I don't want to think. What is there to think about? When I think, I get lost and then I can't find my way back.

They like me better after I burn the bugs. I'm better after I burn the bugs. They smile at me and I smile back because my lungs are filled with sweet smoke.

I'm sorryI'm sorryI'm sorry

What if I can't stop mashing them? What if burning them stops working? What will I do?

The page ends with illegible scribbles, several small rips, and wet smudges.