The Adve ntures of Ange lmyst

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12 Oct 2010

" I no longer know him, but I know you Atrus. Measure your own deeds against the truths I have taught you. If you act for self-gain then no good can come of it. If you act selflessly, then you act well for all and you must not be afraid."

pg. 87 MYST The book of Atrus by Rand and Robyn Millar, Hyperion, New York

The words of Anna to Atrus, before he left on his journey down, through the tunnels to the city of the D'ni with Gehn, echo in my heart. The need, the desire to retrace those steps are why I have come to this place. I have spent months learning as much as I can about the comings and goings of those who come to this place. I long to find the way back up to the Cleft, through the tunnels. The way Gehn and Atrus came down. After hearing of Gehn, and his journey with young Atrus to the city of the D'ni, I feel I have to retrace their steps. I will work when the city is quiet. Seems that explorers are few at various times of the day, so I should be able to work in secret. Very few come to this section of the ferry terminal and I can keep my work hidden in the waters of the Lake. The beginnings, may very well be my end--but so be it.

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15 Oct 2010

There are several pieces of material I can access to get a vessel to float. The DRC were very careful to leave nothing around, but my work in carpentry has taught me a few things. I can carve easily with stone, as the wood that is available is soft. Some nice tight tongue and groove fittings should hold long enough for me to get across the water. And even though the wood is wet, it will stay tight in the water. I found one small vessel, nearly completely submerged, that will not be missed by any explorer. No one pays that much attention to this shore.

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18 Oct 2010

Some one almost caught me today as I was sinking my boat out of sight. I was just about to come out of the water, when I saw him. So glad for the Relto book.

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19 Oct 2010

I have decided to move my boat way over to down below the cliffs behind the Library. Very few explorers have been able to make their way down there, and the chances of getting caught are slim. An explorer has taught me well to get down there safely, and if I work behind the fallen structures I can be out of sight to all but a few who have managed to make it down there.

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23 Oct 2010

Moving the boat was easy... thankfully. I had to bail as I paddled but it is safely hidden. Now I have been able to work uninterrupted for hours. I heard explorers up above, but they cannot see me. I have heard the sound of linking and suspect that someone is trying to come down here, and falling. I will sink my craft and come back another time. Do not want to be here if they succeed in making it!

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24 Oct 2010

Being so close to having my vessel seaworthy, I have to be here every day. My work on the surface will have to take a back seat. I figure 3 days of solid work will have my boat ready to go.

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25 Oct 2010

My estimates were wrong. This will be done today, especially if I get as many hours of work as I managed yesterday. I was watching the events posted, and the 27th would be a perfect day to launch. A 'heek' tournament is planned for that day, so I should be able to slip across the water unseen.

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26 Oct 2010

I have all my supplies together. If all my calculations are right I should cross the waters in about two hours. I am curious to go to K'veer, to explore it from this vantage point is almost too much to resist, but if I should run into someone, or be seen... ....no, I must just head past the arch, as fast as I can go.

I have settled all my business on the surface, so they know I will be on 'holiday'. If all goes horribly wrong I have the security of my Relto book. I hope I do not have to Relto. I would have to make a new boat. Just pray that nothing goes wrong.

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27 Oct 2010

Off I go. I will make note of my journey when I am safely out of sight.

All clear. I saw movement on the ferry docks, but I stayed still and no one seemed to notice. I was a good way out already. Now I am past the Arch. It is as described, blotched, pitted and aged. I am enjoying the antics of some damselflies over the water. Just hope I see nothing bigger!

I see the tiny harbor that looks like it could have been the one used by Gehn... I hope it is. Will not take long to confirm.

Yes, the scene from this point on shore is like described. I can see the island, the faint outline of the city in the distance... Yes. I have landed safely. My daylight is almost gone. I will make camp and set out early. I need to be well rested. I plan to do some short explorations back and forth to be sure of myself. From the record, there are many twists and turns ahead.

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3 Nov 2010

6 days of charting. I must rest, for tomorrow I head up in earnest.

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4 Nov 2010

I am off, I have mapped as far as I dare, and feel I can make good progress. Will fill in more when I take a break.

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5 Nov 2010

That first day was wonderful, I am well rested and off on another trek.

Okay this is crazy, I must have taken a wrong turn.

I thought I had the tunnel well mapped, I had too much confidence in myself, if I do not find something I am going to have to Relto out. I am sure I am in a branch of the tunnels leading up to the Cleft that has never been explored. I am lost...hopelessly and surely lost.

I must rest, but everywhere I sit is cold and hard, how much water have I left? One small swallow! Well this is it. I need to discover the way soon. I do not want to have to Relto out, and have to build another boat. The chances of getting another one made unseen are slim to none. I may as well push on. My maps are worthless...paper is hardly satisfying nourishment. But a wad will give me something to chew, and to occupy my screaming salivary glands. Some are giving me a bit of light as I burn them intermittently... I will soon be in the dark. As with my childhood games in mazes I choose to keep to the right, always to the right... and walk... walk... walk... pushing myself to the brink.

Wait... the air, something in the air is different... well no more keeping to the right, I must follow my nose... Ah... the smell is getting stronger, almost unbearable, I must steel my mind now... never know what I may find. I need more light!!! As I feel in the semi darkness, I bump my shins on something... a chair!!! Praise be, a chair!!! and a table!! and several pieces of cloth!! I sink into the chair, and rest... sleep comes fast.

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6 Nov 2010

The rest was so needed. Now I need to get some more light and explore. An empty room, a cave, dark and bare save for this table and chair but off in the corner, what is that?

A book, sitting on a crate, open as if it was totally forgotten, its pages covered in dust. I carefully blow off the dust. It glows! Its visual looks good, looks to be like a control room of sorts. How did this escape the searching of the DRC? I will never know, but I will need to explore, and see what this place is. If it is inhospitable I have my Relto book to escape, just hope I can do so in time.

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6 Nov 2010

I link into a room similar to Jalak except closed off with 4 walls. On the floor I find a note:

The path you seek is for your making. Choose your direction and make your path. Do not fear a wall, for in your faith a way will open before you. Just Go, and trust that you have chosen well.

This is so similar to Jalak with tile pillars that rise and fall. The four walls of the room have markings and windows...I can see through the windows to a view of each direction by raising pillars to look through... There are flags in the areas similar to those of Jalak and Minkata. I want to get there, but have no idea how. Each direction is different... are they 4 separate places?

According to the note I have to make paths?? But how???

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Okay I just spent the last 4 hours raising pillars and failing. Now I am tired... hungry. I have noted the view from each direction.

North (or I think it is North) I will call it North for I can see snow-capped mountains.

South...As I will call it... it has a garden with what looks to be fruit... I want to get there!! I am hungry!!! It also has a hut I can see in the distance, on a lake with a boat.

I wish I had of had that boat!!

West... Looks rather wild... kinda scares me to think what I may find there.

East... Fields upon fields... quite the farm. I can see what I believe to be farm machinery.

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-15-

I am stuck in this four-walled room until I can figure out the riddle of the note. Now I am tired, and even though hungry I must get some sleep. It is 22:35 by my KI... so glad I have this tool. I lay down on the hard floor and look through the pictures I have taken of buds back in the city. Oh I hope to bring back good word to all my dear friends.

Good night... if anyone ever reads this.

-16-

7 Nov 2010

Okay I have been up since the “crack of dawn” but it is hard to tell if it so since this room as such has no real light. I have checked through the windows of each direction and each seem to be in a different time of day. I will have to rely on my KI to know the time of day. I am going to concentrate on the South wall. I hope I can figure out the note's meaning. I am hungry.

I am in!!!!! The path that opened seems to be staying that way. I have walked out a bit from it each time, and it has not closed. I figured I had better go into the most hospitable looking age, just in case I could go no farther.

It is as beautiful as the small glimpse led me to think.

I will set out how I gained entrance in a separate journal. If others come here, it will serve them well.

I found fruit trees and am enjoying what tastes like a peach, but it is green and nearly heart shaped. I cannot begin to get enough!! Can not get it all down in my KI... the sights are wonderful.

My Ki is not working fully. I had the thought of sending a picture to my good friend Glendor, as a thank-you for teaching me how to get down to waters edge behind the library, but my buddy list is totally blank. I have no neighbors, no buddies, obviously no age players, and not even anyone in ignore! I can take pictures and write notes. It seems like the KI has more room, must be an effect of the Buddy section not working.

I am going to head over to the hut, and see what I can find. I have seen no sign of life, other than a few bugs and birds. Thought I heard a growl though so I am carrying a stick. I can see the lake from this hill, and I judge it to be about 1/4 mile walk. Everything seemed much closer through the window in the wall. I think the glass was magnifying or telescoping to be more exact. No matter 1/4 mile is a nice walk.

It is nearly 12:00 KI time. Good thing I packed a few of those fruits in my bag. The hut is small but beautifully built. It has a deck all around it and a walk way down to the dock. I am going to rest inside for a bit.

-17-

Oh... I was tired. It is now 15:35 KI time. In the hut I found a very comfortable bed. It is all one room with a curtained corner to give a bit of a private sleeping area. There is a wonderfully built S shaped table. Looks like it would have sat a least 12. The top and bottom curve of the S is flanked with bench seating. There are separate chairs in each nook of the S. Interesting. I am going to go down to the dock.

This boat is fine craftsmanship, but obviously home made. It has been out in the elements for quite some time but it is still very strong.

There are instruments that look like fishing poles, but not like any I have ever seen before. They are about 1 foot wide and 1 foot long, and carved with hand holds on each side. Off the end there are 4 fingerlike poles. There is thick line coming out of the hollow of each 'finger'. This is not for catching any fish I have ever seen! Wonder what lurks beneath these waters?? There are several buttons on the main body of the tool. I will fool with it later in the hut to see if I can figure it out.

There is plenty of bug activity, and I saw the ripples of several fish jumping. I wonder how long they have been left free from the fisherman?

I should go back to the hut and look around more. It is starting to get dark... only 17:15 KI time. Wonder how long the days are. Will have to make note of the times.

As primitive as the first impressions seemed I found several mechanisms that are far from primitive. They have been neglected, and are in need of repair. Wonder if I can get things working. I found a book... well several books, but one is a journal. I will tuck it away to read when I have time. Others are cookbooks, and what seems to be a songbook. So much... but it is near dark, and even though the Ki says 20:20 KI time I am tired, and there is not enough light to see much. Maybe I can find some answers tomorrow.

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8 Nov 2010

That by far was the best sleep I have had in a long time. This age is so peaceful. I was wondering why the big table and only sleeping quarters for two people. In my investigations I have discovered that this was a place for fishermen to come for the day to catch fish to take home to their families. The journal is more like a guest log and the entries are names dates and places or origin. There are people from places I have never heard of. Strangely enough there are no names from A'gurea. I would have thought there to be. Makes me wonder who these people were and why they ceased to come here.

Okay, during a quick trek to the orchard I have discovered a few other wonders of this age. While wandering through the orchard I found I was being followed. One bee, then two... three and soon I had a swarm behind me. Then all of the sudden they flew off. Nothing seemed to startle them and I cannot figure out why they left, I was able to get some to follow me again but I have no idea why they disappear. Much like some crazy fireflies I have had the pleasure of encountering. I also discovered, behind a gate, the hives, but I could see no way to open the gate. I certainly would like some of that honey.

After getting back to the hut I spent the morning reading everything I could. Most is in D'ni, some is in English, and other is in another very strange language. I managed to get the power on, and will outline this in the journal that I am keeping to explain mechanisms of this age. With the power on I now have lights and a cook stove. The lights are very beautiful. Hidden in the ceiling until the switch is activated, were wonderful golden globes. They are shaped like a man's bow-tie... and several are suspended in a row. They give off different colored light in different areas of the hut, and I have found that the light is perfectly adjusted to what you would need in that area. Bright light, in a clear white in the kitchen workspace, a medium blue light in the seating areas at the table and at the comfy couches, and a lovely green light in the sleeping area. The cook stove is also a marvel. It is instantly hot and instantly cold. The surface reacts to the cooking utensils, nothing else. I tried placing several things on the stove and nothing else makes the heat turn on. Wonderful safety... I put an empty pot on the stove...no heat, only got heat when I had water in the pot.

In the afternoon I went down to the water and messed with the fishing pole. The buttons work a retractable spool system inside the handle. The line shoots out at an amazing speed, with a very tiny hook. How it could catch

-20-

anything I could not have imagined but it does... and I did!! A fish...well guess you could call it a fish. It was a ball, so spherical I laughed. Its eyes were flush with its purple head... body... whatever, and the pink fins were so feathery I could hardly understand how it could swim... but swim it could and fight... as much a fight as anything I have ever caught! I could see no gills to speak of. I cleaned it, which was a feat of some dexterity, and cooked it up in some cooking oil I found in the kitchen. I bravely ate it, and am feeling no ill effects... it and the fruit I picked this morning were a wonderful supper. I am going to head to bed. I will explore this age one more day and then I am heading to the “Jalak room” as I am going to call it and see if the other 'doors' open like this one did.

Goodnight my dear friends... how I miss you all.

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9 Nov 2010

My curious nature has gotten the better of me. I decided to go to Jalak room today and try another wall... to gain access to another age. As I hoped the puzzle remains constant, and the way opened as it did to the South. This time I went East, as it looked to be a far more complicated area.

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After wandering around, I found nothing to raise alarm, also no one, as I had expected. It is a farm, complete with farm machinery, farmhouse and a barn. The fields are massive.

A conveyor belt system that runs through the fields but the conveyor is not working... needs power or repairs, or both.

I explored the house and barn. In the barn are notes as to proper working of belt...weight of shipping allotments... if you load too many vegetables onto belts they are released through a chute and go into what looks to be a compost pile.

I was able to access this this compost pile, it has been sitting for a long while. It has the richest soil I have ever seen.

I also met someone' If you could call it that. I noticed, when I was walking through the fields a little critter that looks like the inside of a sliced cucumber. It flies, like a butterfly and hovers about me as I get near the vegetables. I have obviously come to this age at what would be harvest, for there are ripe vegetables for the picking. When I picked a vegetable, the little critter flew off toward the barn. If I did not follow, he came back and hovered. That is when I decided to explore the barn and saw the notes on operations of the machinery. He is cute, and so far harmless, I have named him Gordon.

There are many machines to investigate. I decided to wait a bit and check out the house. I may make this my home base instead of the fisherman's lodge. I am not sure if I will be able to transport the fruit and fish from there to here. I may have to go back and forth to keep my diet varied.

Gorgon did not follow me to the house.

-22-

After exploring the house, it has the same feel as the fisherman's hut. There is a guest book, like this is a bed and breakfast of sorts. Some of the names from the guest book in the fisherman's lodge are the same as here. I wonder if these are 'vacation' spots. There are 5 comfortable bedrooms. Four are basically furnished with no personal belongings about. The other is obviously the room of whoever lived here. It would seem that they disappeared in a hurry, things are in order, as they would be for an ordinary day's work. Unlike the order you would leave things if you were going to be gone for an extended period.

The kitchen is a marvel, like that of the fisherman's lodge. I will go into detail tomorrow. After having a meal of the vegetables I picked in the field I am very sleepy. KI says 22:45.Yup bedtime... but it is still light, this age has long days.

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10 Nov 2010

It is late. I spent the day exploring this age and found several things. I am very tired from the day so I will list them and go into them in further detail when I have time.

1. The conveyor system leads into a room that I was able to gain access to. There was a linking book to the 'Jalak' room. It would seem that the vegetables can be transported, but I did not test my theories.

2. Dear little Gordon hovered about me as I wandered through the field. If I picked a vegetable he would scoot to the barn. He is so cute, and is some company.

3. I heard animal sounds off past the main field. Sounds like cows, but with a 'grr' sound to the 'moo'. Was not inclined to find out what they are, not until I have some way of insuring my safety.

4. I found a journal hidden under the bed in the main bedroom. It is written in D'ni. The sense of danger was evident. Something scared these people off. I have not discovered what, the journal does not say. The last entry says that they were on alert, ready to leave if the need arose... obviously it did.

5. I found that the vegetables are very filling. The spices in the kitchen seem to be just for them. All I tried taste good. They seem to be the only food source in this age, unless the animals I heard are food as well.

6. There is no indication in the barn that any animals were kept there. Okay....... I am scared. Being alone here with unknown animals has me on edge.

7. This age has about 20 hours of daylight at this time. No way I am going to keep up this pace.

Good night.

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11 Nov 10

Woke this morning to a driving rain. Does not look like I am going to get much exploring done today in this age.

I am going to try the link to the Jalak room that I found at the end of the conveyor system. Will update later.

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15 Nov 2010

I made it back. So much to write, and catch up. I had no time to make a single note in my KI the past 4 days.

When I linked through the Jalak book I came into the Jalak room, but something was not right. The two doors I had opened were still open, but the other two were open as well and when I looked through the doors... the scenes had changed. All I saw was destruction in each of the ages. I had no idea what to do. Dare I go in again??? After deliberation I thought to go into the first age I had explored. As I stepped through the open door I was met with a terrible stench. The orchard was rooted up and... the smell. Death, the smell of dead animals... or dare I think people. This did not happen very long ago!! What had I stumbled into? I found several animal carcasses... not fully decayed... I had not seen these animals when I was here ...and in the fishing hut... oh it was too horrible to tell. I found a shovel and had a burial service. Two lonely mounds now sit near the shore. I believe them to have been the caretakers of this place, a couple, probably man and wife. I am so saddened to think of it... but I am puzzled. How did I come here to no one around and such a peaceful setting just days ago? Where were they when I was here? The thought sickens me... was this my fault? I had left the doors open... did I let something in?

Then I heard it... the grrrmoo sound I had heard in the second age I went into. I have never ran so fast in my life. I ran blindly, jumping over the twisted trees. I saw it behind me. A critter much like a small cow, but with fangs. I made for the door, and was able to pull it closed behind me. I lowered the pillars and sat in the darkened room and cried. I fell asleep in my tears. When I awoke, I had thought of using my relto book and just leaving. My curious nature would not let me. I had to find out what I did wrong. One thing was certain, I had to shut those doors... but I had to make sure everything else was safe. I checked my KI. 23:12. I closed the doors, but stayed in the Jalak room.

In all of the chaos, I had missed a full day. I had been running on adrenaline, and slept for nearly 12 hours. On the 14th I decided to go into the second age I had visited, the one where I had first heard that animal. I had seen no sign of life there, but I had not seen anyone in the orchard age either. Were they simply hiding, or had they left?

-26-

With the pillars raised correctly, I made towards the door. Very hesitantly I headed in and this time I closed the door behind me. The fields were ransacked. I smelled no stench, that was good, and I heard nothing. Also... no sign of Gordon. I headed to the barn and checked out the controls. It was there I saw Gordon. He was in a cocoon of sorts. The rain?? Did it signal the beginning of Fall? I breathed a huge sigh of relief, for there was no sign of loss of life there, and my dear little Gordon was safe.

After some thought on the events this is what I concluded. My leaving the doors opened made it possible for the other doors to be opened from the inside. That animal that caused so much destruction, certainly was not native to either of these ages. It was my fault. I should have shut the doors. This age has a linking book to the Jalak room, most probable that the orchard does as well, I just did not find it. On leaving the doors open I allowed the animals from the West or the North to come into these ages. The notes in the journal about danger... they were written recently??? Was the danger me??? I have such a feeling of guilt.

I spent the rest of the day cleaning the house. I did not hear a noise from outside, nor did I see any sign of any people. I am hoping that since it seems to be fall they were gone. With the long days of this age, maybe it has short seasons. It would be entirely possible for them to be gone for the winter. I at least hope so. I was able to get some sleep. I will need to go back to the orchard and find the Jalak book for that age... if my assumption are correct, the fruit should be able to be transported through a linking book.

To the dear couple I caused to lose their life, I am so sorry. I will do all I can to repair the damage I have done but I know I can never fix my mistake. Sorry.

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16 Nov 2010

I am heading back to the orchard today. I need to do something about what happened over there if I can. I have to make a few plans for safety. I only saw one animal, but that does not mean there are not more. I wish I had a weapon of sorts, but there are some things in the hut's kitchen that I can use.

I have figured that the Jalak book must be behind the gate that led to the hives, but how to get the gate open? It must be triggered by something but at this point I have no idea what.

I hope to only stay there for the morning... if nothing goes wrong I will update when I return, for I dare not take the time over there to be messing on my KI.

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I re-read through the journal I had found. The animal is definitely a threat. The people who were here had encountered it before but had managed to kill the one that had made it into the age. A small rug on the floor by one of the beds is the skin! Since I see no weapons, I am assuming that my knife/spear may be sufficient. There is mention in the last entry of the rain and a 'stranger'. Did they leave on the 11th? How did they manage to move about without my seeing or hearing them? Where did they go? When will they return? Too many questions, I must find answers.

-29-

17 Nov 2010

After some thought I decided to face the problem head on. I am most certain that the animal I encountered came from the age to the West, the one that looked very wild. I was able to make a spear of sorts with a knife from the kitchen and the handle of a broom. It feels quite heavy and I have been practicing throwing it and swinging it. I also tucked a couple other smaller knives into a holder that I made with a leather-like apron I found. I am not at all looking forward to this but if these ages are going to be safe for others I have to do it.

I am packing some vegetables to keep me for three days. I hope to not be that long but I have no idea what I am going to face. Will fill you in as soon as I can.

-30-

18 Nov 2010

I am still alive. I found out much about what happened but also confirmed my fears. The death of those two people was my fault. The animals of this age probably can not get out of the age through the Jalak linking book, but it would seem that if just one of the four doors is open, the other three doors can be opened from the inside. For this age it would seem it was a safety measure of sorts, in case you could not get to the Jalak book in time to link in face of danger.

The Wild West... so true to the old nick name... for indeed I did find this place to be as I suspected... very wild. I am writing this from the safety of a tree fort I discovered quite by accident. It is quite the elaborate fort... my kids would love it! I did not need the safety as much as I figured, for it would seem the animals are mostly tamed... except for the one... the one I let loose. Even it, however has limits. The route to the door has several traps and safety mechanisms. They were all triggered, and in each trap was an animal... dead.

Due to the fact that the people who would have normally come to this age to hunt, or observe were scared off... by me, the traps were not reset. This led to the one remaining wild animal to make its way through the door... and through to the orchard to the south and the farm to the east. This I discovered on my first sight of the age. I was able to reset the traps, but I believe the animal is still back in the orchard. I left this age door open when I came in, on purpose, for the animal in the orchard certainly came from here, and I want it back here. Hopefully... cannot believe I am saying this... it will follow me.

With the traps reset I feel I have a measure of safety but I am being cautious.

To the tree fort I found... After I set the traps I did some wandering through the age. As I wandered around I could hear noises, and I saw glimpses of things moving, but never anything clearly. I saw gun-like devices, that I could shoot at targets. When I would shoot, I would hear the rustling of brush and scurrying of feet. The animals were afraid of these guns, but they could not be moved, just aimed at targets.

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I came into this age, expecting the worse. I thought I was going to die... ...all indications led me to believe there were wild beasts. I was sure... this would be the end.

I found nothing at all dangerous. The few wild things, are terribly shy... just peeking at me through the leaves. The gun devices are fun to mess with, after I figured out how they work, and I have shot at targets to give me some activity. It would seem that the hunting has led to the total extinction of the more dangerous beasts... with one exception.

I was wandering along a trail observing the beauty, and making my way through some dense growth, when all of the sudden I found myself in a small room. The door behind me closed and I was drawn upward. The door opened to this fort. Reminds me of a hut out of a Tarzan movie... but a little better built. From here I can see the whole of the jungle, for that is what it truly is. For miles around all can see are trees, brush, weeds and one small river running through it. Each direction has a gun set up, loaded, ready to fire... and each gun can be moved to aim in any spot. A blind??? I was no sooner up here that I heard that grrrmoo sound. I have never been so glad to find something by accident!! I could see the brush moving in the direction of the door... then I heard the clang of the trap! I held my breath... but somehow the creature avoided the trap. Had it learned, was it intelligent enough to do that? If it was... was it smart enough to get up here?? I put those fears to rest. For this fort was obviously made for safety. I found more arrows for the gun, and familiarized myself with its working. It is drawing to nightfall, not sure how much sleep I will get. This hut is well supplied with food; I should be fine here until I find the Jalak book for this age. Good night.

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-33-

20 Nov 2010

I have spent the last three days making short excursions down to the forest floor to see if I can find the Jalak book for this age.

A few times I have made a mad dash for the hut, as I heard the animal, or thought I did. One night was fitful, as the animal decided to circle below like a vulture. It knows I am here. I had it in the sights of the gun one afternoon, but it scooted behind a rock just as I took the shot. It makes no sense why I cannot locate the Jalak book. Has it been removed? My excursion today was nearly as hopeless as the rest. I do not want to have to close off the door to this age, for it would be a great place to come and explore. One good that came out of the day. I made a friend. A cute bunny sized animal followed me back to the elevator today. It came into the elevator with me. She is so soft. She has short round ears, and a tail three times her length. Her fur is burnt orange...and she is very curious. Her sound is like that of a cricket, a soft chirp. She comes to attention when she hears the animal, she may come in handy as a look out as I explore tomorrow. I have named her Guardian.

If I do not find the Jalak book tomorrow I will have to make my way back to the door, and hope the animal is in here when I close the door.

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21 Nov 2010

What a day!!!! I found the Jalak book. Ever hear the expression,' if it was any closer it would bite'? Guardian actually found it. She was racing around the room, playing with her tail, and she knocked over a small table that had a framed picture of all four ages on it. The tabletop shifted in the fall and I saw it had a secret compartment. I managed to fix it and found, when I laid the picture down the compartment opened to reveal the book. Makes sense... I should have figured the book was in this place of safety instead of risking my neck looking below.

Guardian would not unwrap her tail from my arm. I had to prepare for my link, I gathered my homemade weapons, and a bit of food ...for me and Guardian since she will not leave me. I prepared to stay in the Jalak room for a bit while I gathered my nerve to go back to the farm to see if the animal was there. I had not heard it here last night or this morning. I at least know it can only be here or at the farm, for the other doors were closed. I linked through the book to the Jalak room and quickly lowered all of the pillars thus shutting all of the doors. I was only going to stay for an hour. I thought I was well rested.

The animal could now be in one of two places. West, in its native area, or East, on the farm, for they were the only two doors open.

I think though I am going to leave it for a bit and go back to the orchard to see if I can find the Jalak book. To this point I have found an animal in each age to be a help. The farm has dear little Gordon, the jungle I had found Guardian, and I saw bees in the orchard. Maybe they are my link to finding the Jalak book. But... Guardian is asleep... and I am more tired than I had anticipated. Tomorrow... ...always tomorrow.

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23 Nov 2010

Okay, I came back to the orchard yesterday. I spent most of the time dealing with the trees that had been destroyed. I used a bit of my gardening skills to repair some other damage.

I tried an experiment. I grafted some of the broken tree branches into some of the living trees. Do not know if I will be here long enough to see any results.

I wandered around the trees and tried to figure out a pattern to when and why the bees follow me. I managed to get a swarm to follow, but they disappeared after about 2 minutes. I tried to get more to follow me but they would not. I will sleep on this problem. I could see the honey hives behind the gate, but saw no way of opening the gate... was sooooooooooooo frustrating.

I made myself a fruit salad with some of the various fruits in the orchard. It has a taste I cannot compare. I caught another little fish. I was better at cleaning it this time. They are elusive. Wonder if there are any other kinds.

I fell asleep reading through the journal I had found in the house of the farms caretakers. It was fall, and they were getting ready for harvest. The ease of getting into the room that the conveyor led to was because the system was ready to be turned on. They were set to harvest... until I interrupted them, and let the animal loose, and oh my... I have done such damage. I hope to set some things right.

I am going to take some time and work at using the conveyor. I see that the barn has storage areas. Maybe they have a cold storage? They obviously have a set amount they can transport... ...I will have to check it all out... but I will solve the bee problem here in the orchard first.

Still no luck with the bees. This is what I discovered.

1. They do not stay with me long.

2. They do not like the jacket I found to wear. I was chilly and I put on a jacket I found...but I do not know why they do not like it.

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3. The buzz they emit is noticeably louder as they gather.

I caught some more fish, and found some berries growing along the edge of the water. I took a break in the berry field, and ended up having a nap.. lol.

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24 Nov 2010

I spent the day... again... wandering around the orchard. I managed to figure out one thing about the bees. They like bright colours, makes sense. I was able to find a few changes of clothing. The weather is getting significantly cooler. It was looking to be fall in the farm age, and it looks like it could be here as well. The bees liked me in my red Tunic, but they did not like the dark blue... they also liked the orange sweater I had worn today... but flew off when I took it off and showed the black shirt I had on. Part of the problem solved... ...but there were also times when I was well coloured and they would not follow me. Besides this... the few times I did get them to follow, they would fly off after just 2 minutes... to the second from the time I have a swarm emitting a very loud buzz.

I have located 5 different fruit, and was able to pick some and get them prepared to store. I found the fixings to can them in the hut. I am going to plan to stay here for the winter if possible... if they get a winter that is. There is warmer clothing, but not what I would refer to as winter clothing, so I am hopeful.

I also found some books on the fish of the age. They are written in conjunction with recipes, and some have canning instructions. My D'ni is not the best, and some of the language does not seem to be D'ni, but I managed to figure out the basics, and I know how to can anyway so I have that set up to keep me busy. This is going to be my home for a while. I feel like I need to stay here and make sure this age has someone to look after things, since I... did... what... I... did.

Guardian has been enjoying following me around the orchard, and she can swim. She swam out to me today when I took a bit of a boat ride. I did not attempt to fish, I was just getting some relaxation in. Surprising how one all alone in a beautiful age could need to find time to relax. I have always enjoyed the lake, so I find this to be a great thing to do when I need to think.

Tomorrow I think I will go to the farm................. or to the mountains........... not too excited about that prospect, but I have to find, and eliminate the animal's threat. I have given things some thought... ...I may try to get the animal trapped in the last age, the mountain one that I have not yet visited... but I have to see if it is inhabited first. I know the three ages I have

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been to would be great places to be able to come, for food, fun, and frolic... but the mountains look cold. I will decide tomorrow. Guardian is curled up at the foot of the bed. She is a wonderful pet.

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1 Dec 2010

Not sure at all what kind of bug I picked up, but the past few days I have been horribly sick. Very much like a flu bug, but I had a rash that covered 90 percent of my body. I found some cream in the cupboard, and it immediately helped the rash, but the other effects just had to run their course. It is a good thing I have a normally strong immune system. I listed all of the things I had eaten, and will go through them a bit at a time to see if it was one of those that made me ill.

Guardian was amazing while I was sick. She has an innate sense about her, and stayed by my side. She only left to go out to eat and do her 'thing'. She has adjusted to this age, with no effects, and seems to like it here. I am glad.

I took the time while I was down to spend some more time reading what I could. Some of the D'ni is beyond me, and some things are not in a language I understand.

It seems like this age has been here for a very long time, for there are references in an older journal to some familiar names. The dates are back to what I would figure near 100 years. From the entries, not much has changed in this age in those years. It is a very stable age, and obviously one that was loved. Just wonder if my intrusion has been keeping the visitors away. Maybe they needed to communicate with the caretakers, and now with them gone they will not come. Maybe they sent a message of some kind to tell the visitors that the age was no longer safe.

I have so many questions still.

I am going to head over to the mountain age today. Having been sick for so long I am eager for a new scene. I have enough clothes here to do layers and keep me warm, and I am no stranger to cold weather. I will have to leave Guardian here, as she is very obviously a warm weather animal. I am taking weapons and some of the first fruit I had eaten, for I know it to be safe, for I did not get sick with it at the beginning. I found several portable heaters of sorts. They work with some rocks similar to fire marbles, and give off a good heat... once I figured out how to use them... lol. From my reading it was used to warm the orchard if weather turned too cold. They are small... just about the size of

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a breadbox... lol... I will bring one with me in case I need the heat. I can load what I need inside.

Will update later... miss you guys totally...

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2 Dec 2010

I spent the end of yesterday and the whole of today hiking the most beautiful mountain trails I have ever seen. It was fairly cool last night but I had found an awesome mountain hut and used the heater I brought along to warm things up a bit. This hut is quite basic, but wholly made of log. All the furniture is log construction and everything is carved ornately. The heat source is beyond me, maybe today I can figure it out. I have seen nothing to be alarmed over. I am going to explore more, for the trails are well groomed. Someone has been here... and not too long ago. I am even more certain now that my presence has caused them to go into hiding, with the fact that I caused so much grief already... I do not blame them. Today on the trails I found a ski lift mechanism, but I could not find the power source. I also have not found the Gateway book for this age. As tranquil as this age seems to be, I wonder if there even is one. There seems to be no need for quick transport as in the Wild West age, or the need to transport other things as in the garden ages. Time will tell. The hut was stocked with food... another indication that people had been here recently. With it having been fall approaching in the farm age I am wondering if this is where some would have come, as a possible vacation spot.... for the ski lifts must lead somewhere. I am going to try to find the power for them tomorrow morning and if I do not I will begin a climb. The slopes are gentle, and I am in okay shape.

This hut has a nice comfy sleeping area. I will sleep. This mountain air has me very tired.

This area looks much like my favorite spot… the mountains of E'rcana.

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3 Dec 2010

What a day!!!! Why the power controls are at the top of the ski lift is beyond me! Unless there is a link to this spot, whoever normally controls this place must be in great shape. I am so dead tired. I followed the lift up the mountain from the edge of the tree line. There were times when I had to use

the trees as climbing rods the slope was so steep… but I made it. The work was totally worth it.

As I came to the crest I am sure I heard the sound of linking!!! The area had fresh tracks. Oh how I wish I would not have scared them off. I am sure if I had not blundered with the letting loose of the animal I would have been able to make contact. Now these people see me as a threat. I will have to make my observations and leave. I am going to leave them a note in my sketchy D'ni and hope they understand. Since some of the literature I found has been in English as well as D'ni I am hopeful.

The ski lodge was amazing. I cannot even begin to describe it. I am taking very few pictures on my KI as I do not know how many I will be able to store. I cannot transfer any, but I can do more since some features are not working.

The controls to run the lift are very basic, and I figured them out immediately. The linking sound I heard was to the A.G. The book is right in the lobby of the lodge. I am wondering that if my KI was working properly if there would not be a link added when I use the book. It would make sense. To all of the ages. The link directly to the book area would be helpful. I still need to find the book in the beehive area. If I can just get the door to open.

I have found little to do here at the moment. I am not up to skiing, and this is obviously a holiday destination. I will leave my note and link out. I have to see if I can contain the animal and see if I can get the beehive area open. For tonight I will head to my new home in the orchard house.

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4 Dec 2010

It felt like coming home when I came back to the orchard. I am going to have a hard time leaving this place when all is said and done. Guardian was glad to see me. She certainly would not have liked the cold.

I had a few thoughts about the bee problem last night and I am going to try them out today. The weather is a lot cooler. I hope the bees are still around. I am wearing the brightest clothes I can find, and mapping the trails through the orchard to the hive door. It seems I have little time to make the trek from bees to hive, so I am trying to find the best direction to take. I will update

tonight.... if Guardian will let me write… I think she missed me., she will not unwrap from my arm!

A productive day! I will tell you how to get the beehive door open later. Maybe if you ask me in the city I will tell you. For now, I would rather keep some mystery. It is rather the same as our friends the fireflies though, a few similarities.

As I thought, the AG book was there.( unwrapping Guardian from my arm again, she missed me) The bee hives were busy with activity, but I could tell the season was wrapping up and they were getting ready to hibernate. I fixed the hive door open, so I could get in here without messing with the bees.

I decided to get to the task of finding out where the animal was. I urged Guardian to stay put in the orchard, and linked through the AG book, and then headed into the farm age again. I had prepared my weapons, just in case. I headed directly to the barn and stayed close to the AG book in this age. All of the doors were closed. If the animal was in this age it would not take long to find out. The weather was quite cold. I had to get the animal problem settled if I was going to be able to salvage some of the crops.

I waited for 6 hours. Nothing. Not a sound, besides the wind. I decided it was safe to head to the house and get a few things. I plan to go back there and get on with the task of harvesting as much as I can.

For tonight I can rest. I am fairly certain the animal is in its wild west age. I had set the traps, maybe in a few days I will go back and re-set

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them, and maybe I caught it. That would be a measure of justice, and I would be very relieved.

This orchard age is home...was home to them as well. I hope I can set some things right.

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15 Dec 2010

I am extremely saddened. I have no words to describe the past 4 days. Guardian and I got to the tree hut safely... just. The animal was circling the area below me just 5 minutes after I arrived. I was glad that the linking book to AG was placed in this hut, but I decided to try to eliminate the threat. The animal circled for two whole days and nights!

The traps had all been sprung, and it would seem that the animal has learned how to avoid them. I set a new trap. One I have know about since I was a child... a very simple snare.

If you are of tender constitution you may not want to read this.

I had found a small animal, somewhat similar to Guardian. It was hurt, and not knowing anything about the physiology of these animals, I could do nothing. This may sound cruel, but it was necessary. I tied the little animal as bait in the center of my snare. It worked... but with an unexpected cost. Guardian was sensitive to the cries of the little creature. She ran out the door this morning right under my feet. The little creature was making horrible cries. Just as Guardian got to it, the animal did as well. It had Guardian and the little creature together in its powerful jaws. It also triggered the snare. In a flash the snare tightened, and the animal was drawn up to the tree tops..... loosening its death-grip. The little creature was dead, a fatal puncture by a powerful tooth to the neck. Guardian was hurt, but not terribly. As I was picking her up to take her to the fort to tend to her wounds, I felt several pair of eyes on me. I looked around and there were a dozen or more of Guardians kind. Guardian was almost purring, and they came close and nudged her out of my arms. Guardian licked my hand, curled her tail around my neck, and chirped, almost an audible, 'goodbye'. I let her down. I watched as her family licked her wounds, and led her off through the trees.

I cried all the way back to the fort.... but I have the satisfaction that this age is now safe.... and the other ages are safe as well from the threat of that horrible animal. I was going to take the animals skin, as these people did, and make a rug, but my tanning skills are not very good.... besides, by the time I regained my composure and went back to the site...the animal was gone...visibly torn apart by some scavenger of the age. I will head back to the

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orchard tomorrow. Not sure how much longer I am going to stay. I feel I still have some damage to repair, but I am going to miss Guardian.

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25 Dec 2010

Merry Christmas. This was by far the loneliest Christmas I have ever had. I have spent the past 10 days going back and forth from farm to my orchard home transporting vegetables and doing canning. I found some crafting supplies in a small storage room in the recesses of the basement of the house here in the orchard. I cut down a tree and decorated for Christmas. As a gift to myself I went to the Wild West to see Guardian. She must have heard the door opening, for I had not even made it to the fort when she came scampering out of the trees and scurried right up my leg. That age is still warm, and I am contemplating moving over there for the winter. It is easy to transport things back and forth, and I have enough canned goods to last me easily 6 months. The age could use some exploring anyway. I am sure there are things to be discovered now that the threat is eliminated. As long as I have something to keep me occupied, I will stay in these ages. I do miss all of my friends back in Ag'uera..... but the prospect of leaving here when there is still so much I do not know is not agreeable.

I have decided to give the ages names. I feel much like the children of Israel, as they explored the promise land, so I have chosen names from Israel's history. Each compass area had a head, East was Nashon, South was Elizur, West was Elishama and North was Ahiezer. So my new home will be Elishama, and to have fun and make it look D'ni-ish I will write it Eli'shama which would roughly mean, The God of Shama.

I have gotten this area in some semblance of order. Gordon is still wrapped snugly in his cocoon, and the orchard is in good repair. I am going to leave a note for those who may come here and let them know that I am moved over to the age that held so much threat for them. I told them about my encounter with the animal, and how I eliminated the threat. I have no idea how long the age has winter, but moving to warmer confines is a very pleasant thought. I am sure Guardian will be happy for my company. I sure will be happy for hers.

I will still keep the doors closed, as I am not sure how each age will affect the others in other ways. There may be animals that would do other kinds of damage to each age. Even bringing Guardian to this age could have been a risk, who knows what she could have introduced to the age unknown to me. I

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just pray that nothing has happened... I have done enough.... I need to be so much more careful.

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31 Jan 2011

I am well settled in Eli'shama (The West age).

I have been able to map the area out quite well, and I have found some things about this age that add to its beauty. I am hoping that getting rid of the threat has made this age a welcome spot for the regular inhabitants of these ages.

The age is about 24 miles wide and 32 miles long. The thick trees were a puzzlement. On closer examination I found that there really is only one main kind of tree in the age. It, of itself, is huge. They make up the massive wall of bush that I cannot get through easily, and they stand alone, but still look to be many trees. Each seemingly little bush is a branch that hangs down from the top of one tree. They stand 25-30 feet high. The top is spiked, but I cannot tell if the spikes are sharp or just an illusion. They are beautiful, and I cannot draw a good enough picture with the tools I have found here in the fort. I have drawn a map of sorts and a picture of one of the trees. I am no artist, and I certainly do not do its beauty justice.

I explored the length of the river that I could access. On either end it meets with impenetrable bush. It runs the whole width of the age, and is only about 3-5 feet deep, but sparkling clear and beautifully refreshing. A few little fish scurried about my feet while I walked through it. It is about a mile across, quite the strange river. Its banks are rocky, and except for the entrance point, it is difficult to get out of once you are in... I was quite water logged after my few walks. The SW direction was the longest, and I walked for 20 miles, found a place to get out and camp for the night.

In the night Guardian came to visit. She scurried off in the morning, and I could hear the noises of her family through the trees but I could not get through. I judged the area and a few days later I made an excursion through to a beautiful opening. The trees were sparser, and I made a rest area, with a couple benches and a bit of a lean-to. It was well worth the work. Guardian and her family would come to this spot to visit me.

I have found some herbs, and fruit that grow on small vine-like plants that intertwine everything. They seem to be Guardians main food. I have also seen several other animals, and will have to take some time to document them.

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None are friendly, all very shy and I have caught only small glimpses of them through the bush.

I hope to leave this area in good shape. In about a month I will go back to the orchard and see if spring has arrived. With the seemingly short seasons, I want to be sure things are going well over there.

Through this next month though I am going to explore the North age a bit more. Even though I am loving the warmth, I am a Northern gal, and hate to admit this, but I miss the snow. I have a feeling about that age. I know I am missing something. Entering that age through the door just does not seem right. I feel there must be another way in.

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14 Feb 2011

Happy Valentines Day!!! Oh my dear friends back in the dark sunless Cavern of Ae'gura... how you would love these sun-drenched slopes. Even those of you who do not like the cold would marvel at the beauty of this age. How I hope to get things set to right here so the dear inhabitants of this age can return... in peace.

I have spent the past two weeks going back and forth from my home in Eli'shama, to these beautiful slopes of Ahi'ezer. I am finding that I like to ski, but skiing alone is rather tiresome. I have searched the age some.... and in every room in the ski lodge I found evidence of a hasty retreat. The case with every age, I really caused panic.... but....

Now for the exciting news. In the lobby, on the floor I found a key, shuffled under a desk. I had several rooms that I could not access, as the doors were locked. I hoped that the key opened at least one of them..... and I was rewarded...... it did........ I found a book... a linking book..... the page shimmers with the lobby of this Ski-lodge. It is just as I suspected. The book was 1/2 under blankets on one of the beds, obviously left in someone's haste, the same someone who dropped the key. I am saddened that I caused such fear, but glad that I have this link. I am going to go through each of these four ages, and be sure everything is as right as I can set it, and then...... I am going back to Ae'gura.... to my Relto... and see... hope that this book will link with me. I have searched all I can here, in these ages. I have tested the book, and it takes me to the lobby of the ski lodge, and it stays with me... so I am hopeful, that it will do the same when I link out of these ages.

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27 Feb 2011

Okay, all seems to be set aright. Spring is arriving in the orchard, and Gordon has emerged from his cocoon... or at least I hope he has. I had wondered about the way he went into a cocoon, as a flier... I am used to caterpillars going to cocoon... but I see no sign of caterpillars, just different sizes of butterflies. They have a different life cycle, to be sure. The shell is empty, and the age is alive with all manner of moths, and butterflies. They did not seem to lead me like Gordon did.... so I wonder if he was specifically a fall guide.

If I can come back in a month I am sure it would be budding with all sorts of new life. The trees I had grafted seem to have survived. There are buds on all of them. Maybe I should take up horticulture when I get back home.

The farm also seems to be warming. The seasons are quite short... xcept for the north and west... they seem to be always the same season. I have seen the end of fall... winter... and the beginning of spring in the south and east ages, in the span of 3 1/2 months. I would guess the year to be about 10 months in total.

I feel I need to leave, and hopefully the inhabitants will come back and be able to get the growing going for the summer season. I have looked at the farming process, but I cannot figure it out. The sowing and reaping is a bit of a puzzle.

I will spend the last day of my stay here visiting with Guardian and her family.... she is going to be missed. I have affixed a small ear tag to Guardian, so I will know her when I return, and so the inhabitants will know her. I am hoping that my friendship with this wonderful creature will help assure the inhabitants of this age that I am friendly.

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28 Feb 2011

All is in order, and I have left stores of canned food for the inhabitants. I hope the book relto's with me. I am reltoing from the room where I found the book, so if it does not, it is where I found it. I left a note here with the door key.

Dear Friends:

I hope I can call you friends. I am truly sorry for any distress I have caused you. When you find this note, know two things.

1. I have done my best to set things aright.

2. If I can get back here, I hope to assure you of my friendship.

I found the linking book to the ski lodge that you left behind. If it will link with me to my home, I will borrow it. If it is here on the floor of your room... well it would not link. I am hoping it will link.

I found your world totally by accident, while trying to find an entrance to my own world. You see I am an explorer, and I was delighted to find another age, another world... very much like my own. I just wish that my presence had not caused so much destruction, grief, and fear. If I am able to keep your linking book, please be assured that I will come back, but I will come alone... until I can assure the leaders of your age that my people mean you no harm.

I made the west age, the age that held the terrible animal, that caused you so much fear, safe. I have eliminated the threat. I had made the tree fort my home for the last of my stay in your ages. I made friends

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with a cute animal in the age... I named her Guardian, for she was truly that to me. You will know her by the little ear tag I attached to her right ear. She had learned to come to her name. Maybe this will help you to see that I am friendly, that I was able to gain the trust of this wonderful creature.

I am leaving now. Good-bye, I hope to meet you someday.

Okay... I am going to Relto out now. Will update when I get back to my Relto. The linking book I found is tucked in my tunic. I hope it stays put!!!

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01 Mar 2011

Home sweet Relto.... but I am full of mixed emotions. I am however excited that the book came with me. I am going to tuck it safely away in my wardrobe and give the inhabitants 6 months to realize that I am gone and the ages are safe. I will transcribe this journal when I get time.

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03 May 2013

(well... it is now 03 May 2013... and Transcriptions are complete)

Update: I never had the courage to go back.... I just cannot risk upsetting those people more than I already have. I have: however, been working on another attempt to retrace Gehn's path back through the caves and up to the Cleft. When I get some time I will work on getting across the Lake.... this time I will have more rations and my ski lodge book besides my Relto book. If I get lost... well let's hope I don't.