💾 Archived View for tilde.town › ~dozens › calarath › 2020-12-20-escape.gmi captured on 2024-07-08 at 23:42:35. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
⬅️ Previous capture (2024-02-05)
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The merchant caravan dropped me off on the shore of the Trogath River early this morning. Thank the gods for faithful Ogab and his quick thinking. Without him I wouldn't have escaped.
The Barrier Peaks are visible beyond the river, and past them through a forest lies the town of Cumry. My plan is to make it to Cumry to gather my own strength, and enlist some help in my endeavor.
Tried to cross the river, but the water was deep and the current strong, I was washed up again on northern bank.
The arrival of 4 mercenary Royal Guardsmen prevented any further attempts as they spent the day searching up and down the river bank. I spent the whole day in the reeds and in the mud eluding them. Didn't have any time to look for food. I grow weak with hunger
The guardsmen finally left, and I successfully crossed the Trogath. Hiked through the grassland, skirting the Barrier Peaks, toward the dark wood, through which lies Cumry.
Luck was on my side and I caught three rabbits. Ate my fill, and saved some for later.
Made it to the edge of the wood and stopped for the night. Found plenty of food again. In the morning I will continue to search for a path into the wood, but failing that I am prepared to strike forward and make my own path through. I must get to Cumry and start to raise forces to recover my kingdom!
Indeed, looks as though I must make my own way through the wood. No path was found into or through it. The canopy is thick and the sky is obscured, so I must be careful not to lose my way.
Fortunately game is plentiful and abundant here. I felled a large deer and there was so much food that I regretfully had to leave some behind. Food for the scavengers I suppose.
If luck is on my side, I could be at Cumry in as little as two days.
Spent the day wandering the forest. I think I'm going the right way? Not sure any more.
Starting to feel a little frustrated because Cumry is supposed to be only a five day journey from the river, and here I am, five days into my journey and seemingly lost in these woods. I'm going to end up spending all week just getting to the village! And time is a resource that I cannot be wasting right now!
I suppose travel is always unpredictable. At least there is food in abundance, and at least travel has so far been mostly uneventful.
Despair! Will I ever make it out of these cursed woods! Let every man fear the Barrier Peak Wood.
Wouldn't you know it. Still lost in the woods. I keep walking past the same trees and the same rocks even though I /know/ I must be walking in a straight line! Starting to lose my mind. There is some trickster or some magic in these woods forcing me to walk in circles. I know it to be true. At this rate, my kingdom is as good at lost.
I advance. I think I can at times just glimpse a flicker of light: the edge of the forest must lie ahead. Thank the gods!
Joy! Finally I escape that terrible wood! May I never step foot in it again.
Now I crest the surrounding hills. I can see the town of Cumry in the distance. Hopefully I will be able to hire some help and reclaim my kingdom. Father, I will avenge your death!
Distances are deceptive in these rolling hills. I descend, thinking to see the town before me, only to climb yet another hill. Always is the village visible from the top of the hill, but ever is it just another hill away.
Finaly! Cumry! Passed a band of five amazons on the way in. They looked rough and ready for a fight, but I was able to talk my way out of conflict. Five against one are risky odds, and I can't afford injury to delay me in my quest.
Tomorrow I will try to get some information and hire some followers, and maybe meet with a local lord and beseech them for aide.
I will not tarry here long. I have much lost time to make up for.