Samhain 802

We voted and recorded with the Guild that on this day Raven Fox is now serving as leader of the Company of the Winged Foxes.

5th of Frost, 802

Inspecting the ruins outside of Arbor I find an area that at first looked like a small hill but is actually rubble of a large structure. There are areas up the valley that seem to have been cleared long ago for farms but have been reclaimed by the woods. All I am able to find are small shards of pottery and other signs that this was once a large settlement. I hope to be able to spend some additional time exploring this site for I believe it may hold some insight into the recent past.

10th of Snow 802

As we plan for our Solstice pilgrimage to the Wind Shrine we prepare for a cold journey. We leave most of our weapons at the guild expecting to have a safe trip.

Just as we are ready to leave on the 10th of Snow a ship arrives from Alusia. We investigate and are told of some of the current events from the land we called home just a year ago. The word is that there have been a number of massive Orc attacks in the areas to the west of Braster Holding. This is a sparsely populated area that I spent much time during my training mapping and patrolling. I fear for the hardy soles that call that land their home. The sailors said that after news of the first attacks no additional word has been heard. We also heard news that here in the isles the orc fleet has been destroyed but the colonies on the fringes of the kingdoms, particularly to the west and northwest have reported isolated attacks but they too have fallen silent. On this saddening news we leave for the Crystal Chapel.

We still have not seen Lia but we expect to see her at the chapel. The trip is uneventful the only observation worth noting was late in the day I saw a large shape soaring high over the mountains. I was unable to identify it but it was a creature I did not want to deal with at this time so keeping an eye on it we made no threatening moves. If we were prepared for battle and not on a pilgrimage I Think I would have preferred to try and investigate further and to rid the area of this possible threat. One other thing that we found unusual was the number of travelers on the road. These were not casual travelers but whole families moving their homes to the city. When questioned one family said they feared for there safety with the stories of orcs and such attacking isolated communities. We wish them well and hoped they will be able to return to their homes soon.

We greet the monks and we each find our own ways to prepare for the journey tomorrow. The next morning Élensûl mentioned he again heard the call of a hunting horn. He said it had the same sound as the one he heard in the forest of the first born. To the rest of us the night was calming. The next morning we awoke to the concerns that a goat was missing from the monks herd. We thank the monks again for their hospitality and started our travels. Not far down the trail we came across a tree with a freshly killed goat hanging from one of its branches. It happened to be the same tree that held a carcass the first time we traveled to the shrine. We all take a quick glance at Deval and Raven who insists she has no knowledge of the incident.

Even though this is my third visit to the Wind Shrine I am still awestruck by its first sight across the magnificent valley. The mountain towers as if standing on delicate legs of a finely crafted table. I find the climb up the winding stir case and onto the switchbacks to be somewhat easier that I remember. But that does not seem to be the case for Jaden. For as we clime higher and the clouds start to build Jaden starts to strain at the exertion. He says that these long weeks studying with Mr. Hope apparently have taken there toll on his stamina. I have to wonder if it is just the clime that drains him or that it is that Lia did not meet us at the Crystal Chapel. Either way his mind must have started to drift for as the path curved along the cliff he continued straight. He is saved from certain death by the quick responses of Raven but he seems to have suffered a muscle pull of some sort but continues on, showing signs of a limp.

After some time Raven who is up ahead stops on the path and seems to be greeting something. It is the serpent we have meet before. It is adorn in brightly covered plumage seems to just be lying on the trail just ahead. I hear a muffled scream from behind me and as I turn I see Élensûl hanging onto Jaden by his foot. I immediately grab his other foot and return him to the path. He is shaken and panicky and says that he was not thinking about anything in particular when he saw the dragon like serpent and just started to run, apparently off the cliff. Élensûl and I sat with him to try and calm his nerves while the others talk with the giant plumed beast.

Raven instructs us that the beast has given us permission to pass by climbing over it. Jaden turns a stark white at the thought and we reassure him as Raven starts by climbing on one of its immense claws. Raven asks Stephen if he could sing a song that could bolster Jaden's courage as wall as entertain the serpent. With this encouragement we all pass with out further incident.

After we pass the path gets steeper and the moisture from the clouds make it very treacherous. Fortunately we all manage to keep both our concentration and footing, until we arrive and the Angel with the flaming sword. At his sight I feel his divine presents and the feeling of humility. The question that enters my mind is, "Are you worthy to pass?" What makes you worthy? Doubts flood my mind. I focus on that the knowledge I seek is pure and that I will do good with that knowledge. I am pure of heart and as I answer in my mind the doubts start to fade. Yes I am worthy to pass and I step forward. Soon I find myself with the others on the other side of the Angel. Feeling drained but also somehow refreshed.

After we pass the angel the trail gets even steeper. Just as the beginning of our assent seemed easier than before this seems harder. The path seems to be different than I remember. After the innumerous switchbacks after one turn the next leg cutes back on to a wide level path. On the open side of the path are stone planters and benches. They look old but were definitely not on any of our last assents. Further on are some huge cables that are anchored into the cliff fastened with gigantic wooded stakes. The cables all head off into the mist as if supporting something immense that lies ahead of us. Soon the path enters a stone tower. It is round and open on the inside and passes straight through to a bridge. It is almost as big as the Giant made bridge that we saw at Trollbridge. It is made of very large logs and is ties together with a fibrous rope. We decide to rest here before attempting the crossing.

Scribed by BlackHawk Fox