First Foray into the Realms

Much to my dismay, it seems I’ve ended up alone in the Realms. My travelling companions are nowhere to be found, along with the entire city of St Augustine. I have walked a great distance already, and, thus far, I have passed nothing and met no one. The air of the Realms has been said to aid those of weak constitution, and it seems that will be put to the test without delay. Though I lack many of the comforts recommended for one of feeble health, I am thankful at least to be so thoroughly burdened with other supplies. While my packs are heavy, I have much of what I need to keep myself fed and in high spirits. My dress has been my greatest hindrance. The propriety of city life is largely lost in such a place; I felt little embarrassment hiking my skirts to tromp through the brush, though many at home would malign me for it. I have made camp for the time being in a sheltered grove. Tomorrow, I continue my journey, and with any luck I’ll find myself in St Augustine as the sun sets.

Though I would normally choose to withhold the sordid details of my condition, I feel it is pertinent that I document a rather strange occurrence. I woke this morning with a wretched cough. I expected to see a speckling of red upon my sleeve, but instead found it stained vibrant blue. To say that it startled me would be an unparalleled disservice. The thought of a new, unfamiliar illness is most disquieting, but the open air has always been prescribed by my physicians, and it will show its efficacy once again. I had only a few bites of soft bread before setting out again. To my delight, I rounded a hill to see smoke in the distance and, as I neared it, a gathering of characters, mainly masculine. They welcomed me graciously, offering to carry a lady’s pack. Much like myself, they left Edinburgh to avoid the ever ominous Pale, hoping to find new homes in St Augustine. Unlike myself, they came tragically unequipped, believing they were stepping simply from one city to another. They seem a courteous, respectable people, so for now, we shall travel together.

It has only been a handful of days and already my new companions may count themselves lucky that I happened upon them. While they attempt to conceal it, I see the same azure stains on their bedrolls that colour mine. I recognise their apprehension, but my experience with both travel and medicine will prove invaluable. I cleaned a young man’s angry wound, made purple by what seems the same blue secretion. Even in my frail state, I helped him hobbling through the underbrush. We came through the trees to a truly splendid vision. Three colossal, white statues made by some long-forgotten sculptor stood framed as if by God Himself against sterling mountains in the great distance. When I look in awe to the vast, cloudless sky above, I can’t but wonder if He watches over us here in such inscrutable lands, away from the Earth He placed us on. With each footstep, I see new forms and landscapes so alien I can scarcely believe mankind would dare settle here. In such feeble health, I feel almost alien to myself, though it is heartening to imagine that, just as I endure my wearying condition, so shall we all endure our journey.

The group wore a wholly different aspect today. It seemed we all instinctively understood this to be our final day of travel. It came not a moment too soon, as, despite the open air, our collective health was draining. There was a cheer as roofs peeked up over the treetops. It was not St Augustine, as we would come to learn, but a Druid’s outpost in an adjacent Realm. Scarcely ever have I been so blissful at the sight of a shanty town, built by and for rough folk, outlaws, and mountain men. Despite their fearsome barricades, they welcomed us warmly. ‘It is not men we defend from,’ they told us, as they brought us into the town's lone public house. Secured from the outside world, memories of the wild lands began to fade like a dream, though the distant, violent coughing of my companions brought it starkly back to mind. Like theirs, my skin, mottled and pallid, now feels cold to the touch. I long to rest here alongside them, but I know I cannot stay. Though we stray far from the watchful eye of our Father, I may yet be able to aide those lost in the wilds.