This does bring to mind another concern, however. I am somewhat disgruntled that the vampires have not yet attacked the town itself. Are there too few of them? Is that even something that would concern them?
I am tempted to throw another stone into the fire. After all, it was a three-stone burn that attracted the vampires in the first place. But I worry about going through our supply too quickly. And besides, the answer may be simple. Mayhap the vampires do not strike the town simply because there are so many other, easier targets outside the walls.
For now, it is best to wait and see. Hopefully the farmers heed the constables’ advice, leaving the vampires nowhere to feed but Lan Shui itself.
* * *
17 Octis
1. I have hired on a local boy to run errands for us in town. He was a farmhand until his master retreated behind the walls in order to escape the vampires. His name is Pantu, and he is as ugly as a troll. Still, his help will be valuable. The constables are ever watchful now, and we cannot move about Lan Shui as freely as we once did. Thank the Lord that we do not need to try to sneak in a replacement cauldron in under these circumstances!
* * *
14 Novis
1. A fresh shipment of magestones has arrived! Thank the sky. I was down to my last five. Now we have two full packets, more than enough to sustain the ritual for several months. And according to the messenger, there are even more in the mountains. A delivery has come to Commander Trisken in our Greatrocks stronghold, a gift of the family Yerrin, just one week ago.
Still no messengers have been able to escape Lan Shui. With more magestones, I feel confident that our aims here shall soon be achieved.
Strangely, however, the messenger brought another instruction: I am not to build a fire from more than two magestones at a time. The Lord dictated that I let things play out as they have been. I do not understand the instructions, but I do not need to. I will obey. The flames will be kept to two magestones, with a new stone added to the fire every two days.
* * *
20 Novis
1. Messengers to and from the Greatrocks have now begun to travel at regular intervals. Today they brought terrible news.
Trisken has fallen.
It is hard to imagine. I cannot picture a world without him in it. All of the shadeborn I have met … Rogan, Enfil, Odobe, Tagata, Poruk, and poor Trisken … they all seemed so invincible. Sky above, they are supposed to be invincible. Yet here we are.
He was always so kind to me. As kind as he was unforgiving to the Lord’s enemies.
I should not linger overmuch on this. My kindred need me.
* * *
25 Novis
1. An unexpected delight in a bleak time. Kaita will be coming here soon. The messenger’s reasons were vague, but apparently the Lord wishes her to oversee operations here for a time before she moves on.
If it were most anyone else, I might be worried that the Lord was displeased with me for some reason. But I think he knows that sending Kaita to me could never be a burden. Happily will I share with her all the progress we have made here, and then we shall have time to catch up. I forget when last I saw her, but it must be at least three years ago now.
Meanwhile, the town grows more frightened every day. There is at least one new death every night, though for now the vampires have stayed far enough away from the town that no one within the walls has seen them. However, there is no doubt in my mind that there are more than one of them out there, though no one in the town has been clever enough to notice yet.
I am glad I had Libet and Askila reinforce the protective seals on the ritual chamber before they left. It cannot be long now before the beasts are within the walls.
* * *
2 Dektis
1. Kaita reached Lan Shui today, and I confess her behavior worries me.
She has always been passionate and driven, but her demeanor now borders on that of a zealot. I do not know that I have ever seen her this consumed with a singular focus, and I worry that it might lead her to lose sight of the larger tapestry of our doings in the nine lands.
But then, mayhap I should be more understanding. Two old foes pursue her, and she has come to me for help.
I shall assist her in sending these two wanderers on their way. Then, hopefully, Kaita will be able to rest.
WOJIN’S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
The First Year of the Age of Fei
From the hand of Wojin the Mournful, of the family Fei, King of Dorsea
No occasion is more suited to cast one into grief than the loss of family. The grief grows sharper the nearer the kinship, is yet worse when those one loses are younger than oneself, and becomes manifold when more than one person falls to time’s brutal sway.
By such measures may you understand the sorrow in my heart when I inform you of the death of my nephew, Jun of the family Fei, who was your king as well as mine. Too must I write you of the death of his son, Senlin of the family Fei, rightful heir after his father.
One would understand if the reader now required a moment to compose themself before continuing. Indeed, one would encourage the reader to do so. For stern and uncompromising action is now required, and a weeping heart may poorly rise to such challenge. Therefore give yourself the time you require to dry your tears and steel your spine before you read on, and learn
