I think I'm supposed to use the the pointy part of the feather instead of the fluffy part. I tried using my fingers but Woodsworth told me that's not proper either. He told me that this is the only way to do it and have the journal still be "legible". That sounds like an awful curse so I will follow his guidance. I need to learn to do things properly the way these sma civilized people do, if I am to maintain the oath and serve Woodsworth. The way he would have done.
This is Xael. I write these letters to chronicle our journey on the island, in the hopes that should we perish, otherwise will continue this tale in our stead.
After our encounter with the dead but not dead crew, we retreated back to Woodsworth's magical underground dirt cave. At this point the mist had begun to overtake me so my memory isn't as straight, but we eventually found our way to some kind of.. different cave, carved out by magic. What we found inside was unlike anything I ever hunted or heard in the sagas. These strange creatures made of metal, and the dead but not dead. And strange of all, a giant ball creature roaming the halls of the cave, like a hunter stalking his territory.
There was no way we could continue as we were. And yet, Woodsworth never seemed to lose conviction. And, truth to be told, only his magic was able to hold this horrible curse at bay and heal our wounds. I knew even if I perished in trying, I couldn't let him die. Perhaps it was actually He who was meant to slay the dragon. I took an oath to protect, follow, learn and preserve him to the best of my ability, and I intend to follow that path as far as he will take me. And, he does have nice paws.
Over many battles and many more near death encounters, we were able to finally locate the source of this mist and turn it off with some arcane spells I didn't understand. Further in, we found something even more strange. Some sort of crystal that produces the mist, but at a terrible cost. Anything that touches the crystal instantly goes away as if it never existed, turned into gemstones. Cleis found this out by touching it and losing his hand, and dear Woodsworth lost his sight to it.
We decided the device was too dangerous to keep on our own and took it back with us, back to the Discovery. We had found strange magic that allowed us to move to the tops of the mountains, and used that to start our journey. By the time we found our way back, no thanks to the magnificent power of flight our companion has begun to show, the entire port Skipper was overrun by mist. Luckily, Byrd had remained steadfast and was able to keep the situation under control until Woodsworth was able to mend the boat and the bodies of our leshy friends with his magic.
Once the boat had fully mended, a deal was struck with the leshy-folk. They understandably sought to return to their own grounds and tribe, despite being covered in mist. Before I would have scoffed at the idea of letting them go, much less escorting them to what would probably be more death waiting in line. But I couldn't let my friends wander off to their death.
We pressed forward towards home of our strange plant creatures. When we came to their central dwelling, no surprise to find that their leaders had been consumed by the mist. As we had many times before, we waged war on the brink of life and death, and barely came out all alive.
But this time, Woodsworth was unable to fully heal this "Keeper". She slumbers, unable to wake up. We have left the leshys alone in the mountains to fend for themselves while we seek to find a way to restore the keeper. And so we set sail to the next stage of our journey.
Over these pages, I can't help but recall the many times I have failed to keep my friends safe. Woodsworth was only just able to cure his blindness. I train, and I train, and I train. I need to be stronger. I need to be more than that, I need to be better.
There is an old legend among our tribe. I never really thought it more than a child myth for the cublings, but the way Woodsworth uses his magic, the things we have seen here. Maybe.. I need to try. I cannot let them face these trails on their own. I must be like him.
Xael