7th of First Moon. 989 DR
Kasamir says writing just as I come out of meditation might help me remember my dreams better. I’d hate to prove him right, but a priestess that cannot dream cannot serve.
23rd of First Moon.
989 DR I can’t remember anything. Matron Malika worries that I dwell too much on the invaders. “A fearful mind is a restless mind”. I can’t help finding it insulting.
1st of Second Moon.
989 DR I dreamt of my teeth falling out. They fell to the ground and I counted them over and over again. Sir Vladimir called it a very human dream. I’m staying in Argynvostholt while we wait for the new refugees to arrive. Sir Argynvost says they’ll stop the invaders at the Raven River if they keep coming. I don’t think he even believes it.
3rd of Third Moon.
989 DR Couldn’t dream with all those crying human children and screaming soldiers, and the road through Tsolenka Pass was even worse Three men died when one of the amber blocks went over a cliff. I doubt I’ll have any dreams worth remembering once we get to the prison, but Angrynvost says we must ensure it’s safe from the invaders.
9th of Third Moon.
989 DR I dreamt on the third night in the prison. I can’t remember what happened, and I don’t think I could put it to words if I did, all that was left was a feeling. I left my trance feverishly hot and covered in sweat. I should find somewhere to rest away from these vulgar human men.
10th of Third Moon.
989 DR I dreamt again, clearer this time. I don’t care to recall it. I’m moving my things away from the men, I don’t like how they stare at me.
11th of Third Moon.
I found a secret room through one of the alcoves in the Western Shrine. My dreams were clearer, maybe even prophetic. I felt the sensation, like deja-vu for something that you know hasn’t happened. The Von Zarovich armies sail across the great lake to recapture Vallaki. I must warn Matron Malika.
13th, Third Moon.
A messenger was sent to Luna Lake. It took a day to convince Vladimir to spare someone. Even he doesn’t believe in me, after all, I did for him and Godfrey.
14th. 3rd moon.
I’m so lonely here, it has barely been more than a week and I can hardly stand it. I actually slept last night, I haven’t slept since I could first walk. I awoke crying and searching for someone, I don’t know who. I think the men might have heard me. They give me strange looks, and I can sense their lust, their vulgar thoughts are like the scent of putrefaction clinging to everything.
15th.
I awoke in bed with a human. Even he didn’t even know when, or how I got there. I hurt him. Sir Godfrey is taking me back down the mountain tomorrow.
29th of Third Moon.
Matron Malika guided my meditation, I dreamt of tall humans with iron masks and glowing eyes. I ran to embrace them, I don’t know why. I told Malika I dreamt of the first plums of Summer.
16th of Fourth Moon.
I dreamt of a battle, the Order went North to defend Vallaki on my word, and the Von Zarovich army came down from the mountains. Argynvostholt fell, the knights were scattered, and a great silver dragon was slain by a man with dark eyes.
18th of Fourth Moon.
Sir Argynvost, Sir Vladimir Horngaard, Sir Godfrey Gwilym, and all the others, all dead. I did this, they went North because of me.
21st of Fourth Moon.
I’m leaving the temple to join the battlemages at the Forest Shrine, Malika actually cried when I told her. She’s so weak, she’ll be the death of us. I’ll be writing an account of my efforts in the war from now on, in case I don’t make it back.
(From this entry on the handwriting becomes angular and the parchment is often torn or splotched with ink.)
22nd of Fourth Moon.
Our people cannot look to any god or goddess for protection.
30th of Fourth Moon.
I left to join our forces at the Forest Shrine, but I arrived at the Amber Prison. There were three deserters hiding here, they said the enemy can call thunder, and make the sky rain iron. They were dead when I woke, I was naked, covered in their blood, standing before one of the sarcophagi. I write this as a confession, in case someone finds me here. My feet are still black from the frostbite. I don’t know what day it is. It’s been weeks at least. I can barely walk, my feet haven’t healed right. I slip in and out of sleep for days on end. I think there’s someone in here with me. Those men had plenty of provisions with them at least. Help will come eventually.
My prayers go unanswered. The gods betray us again. I know someone is here with me, I feel them at night, they crawl across me while I sleep. If I die here tell Kasimir I’m sorry. I learned how to read the books in the library. SHE taught me how. I see now how Sehanine betrayed us, so much is written here, the bargains struck with dead gods, Demons, and Unseelie Fey. I could read for centuries. Someone is here, from the outside. She says he’s a friend. I think I can walk. When I realized who it was I nearly killed him. Rahadin, the traitor. He who first brought Barov to our valley. As I prepared to burn his flesh from his bones I heard Her. He could hear her too. A mountain goat had fallen near the path, its’ back was broken and blood poured from its’ eyes, but She spoke with its mouth. Her name is Somnara, Chain Matron, Hierodule of Baphomet. I know why I was brought here now. The gods can’t protect us, but I can save our people myself. I showed Rahadin the secrets of Somnara’s Amber Temple, we spoke for days. Somnara has a gift for the wizard-prince who is slaughtering my people, I will deliver it, and myself to him. Our union will end the conflict between Dusk Elves and the Zarovich humans. It has been over a year since I left Luna Lake. The land is torn and burnt, everywhere humans cut back the forests and plunder the earth. There never was any hope against him.
2nd of Seventh Moon. 990 DR
The fortress his mages are building is like nothing the world has seen before. I can see it clearly from miles away. This road they’ve built is lined with the crucified bodies of the Eastern Forest Folk. I cannot help but admire the totality of his victory, the majesty of it. When we are wed, with Somnara beside us, we will look down upon the gods that spurned me. He would not see me. Even with the offers of peace, and the word of Rahadin. He has eyes only for a filthy human peasant girl who doesn’t even see him. Somnara hears my prayers. She sends me dreams of my prince. She promises to keep Tatyana from him for eternity. She promises to make him deathless so he can love me forever. I just need to bring my prince to the amber sarcophagus, and invite Somnara into the temple at Luna Lake. Then she can bring her love to the priestesses there. I can still save everyone.
1st of First Moon. 1008 DR
A decade and a half since I last wrote. So tumultuous are these times. I have spent the years well, tending to my King, helping him through his metamorphosis. Somnara has given me nearly everything she promised. Tomorrow Strahd Von Zarovich and I will be married. All that is left is to accept my people’s surrender. My little brother Kasimir has come to swear fealty to The Crown. I wonder what I shall feel when I see him again.