Red Wolf Blogs

  Dusk, 2 nd Day of Snow Moon, 1219 th Year, Human Age of Magic … I’ve decided to take the trail that runs north along the edge of the forest instead of risking losing my way in the tall grass of the Plains of Saha’ar. It will be a longer journey but safer, especially if I travel at night. I don’t think there’s much traffic here, anyway, for I encountered none this entire afternoon as I foraged for fruits and nuts within the cover of the trees on the west side of the road. I was able to stuff my pack with walnuts, star apples, and a couple of baobab fruits. Along with the dried bowfin, I think I have enough food to last four or five days, if I ration it wisely. I assume I’ll be able to forage as I go, and there seems to be an abundance of small game here. Of course, I have no idea what I’ll find further north. The thing that worries me most is water. I’ve run across many small streams and have been able to keep myself well hydrated since I left the swamp, but I have nothing...

From the January 24, 2025 newsletter ... Morning, 2 nd Day of Snow Moon, 1219 th Year, Human Age of Magic … I haven’t slept much since I left the Swamp of Ozua, being anxious to put as much distance as possible between the castle dungeons and myself. Since I sneaked away under the distractions of the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Zemburith, I’ve taken only the occasional cat nap when I felt the need to rest, and I’m pleased with my progress. That first night, the light of a waning crescent moon was sufficient to negotiate the dense cypress groves and thickets near the swamp, and by morning the undergrowth had given way to a more open forest floor beneath a tall tree canopy, which was easier going. Late the next afternoon, I came upon evidence of logging—a large clearing where stumps of mahogany and teak absorbed the unhindered rays of the sun. There was a poorly maintained logging road leading away from the clearing, which I followed, assuming it would be the quickest way out of...

 From the 12/20/24 newsletter: Early evening, 28th Day of Winter Moon, 1218 th Year, Human Age of Magic … It’s the eve of the New Year for the humans in Zemburith, and the celebration in the city should be the perfect distraction to cover my escape from the Swamp of Ozua. I’ve managed to eavesdrop on some of the conversations of the women in the search parties looking for me the last few days. The new queen has given the soldiers of the Seventh Legion a leave of three days to spend with their families, so the celebration in the city promises to be particularly raucous. I’ve also heard there is a tradition where folks gather at the western edge of the swamp to send candles in colorful paper boats over the falls symbolizing the letting go of grievances from the past year and wishes for the year to come. With all that going on, I suspect the eastern edge of the swamp to be deserted, and I can use the distractions and the cover of night for my escape. Getting away will be th...

 From the November 15, 2024 Newsletter: Evening, 26th Day of Winter Moon, 1218 th Year, Human Age of Magic … There must be a queen in Zemburith. Today I was fishing on the eastern edge of the swamp. I’d been wary of that area, where a raised earthen road is well maintained. It’s an alternate overland route through the forest to Azurith and parts north. Although it is much less travelled than the river route, I didn’t want to risk the chance of discovery. But the bowfin are plentiful there, and I had almost filled a basket I’d woven from cane for the purpose, when I felt the thrum of marching feet vibrating through the water. Fearing another search party—I hadn’t encountered one all day—I hunkered down in the reeds beside the roadway, trying to stay as quiet and undetectable as possible. Soon, a column of soldiers appeared, marching six abreast, headed north. They were red-eyed zombies, like the ones that attacked Bokdu’s village and those that had guarded me in the dunge...

 From the 10/18/24 Newsletter: Morning, 26th Day of Winter Moon, 1218 th Year, Human Age of Magic … This morning, I awoke with the sun, a free goblin. The peat-covered ground in the copse of cypress trees in which I’ve made a temporary home was an infinitely more comfortable bed than the cold stone floor of my dungeon cell, and to actually see the light of day, knowing it is indeed daytime and not just a guess, was so very comforting. And I have confirmed the date by way of a conversation I overheard from one of the search parties that passed by in the night. (I was right, by the way, and I’ll pat myself on the back for my cleverness in measuring time in the dungeon by the cycle of meals provided.) Two young men in the search party were discussing plans for a celebration on the eve of the new year, one reminding the other it was only two days hence. So, there should be no need to backtrack my journal and correct any of the date entries. I’ll need to relocate my campsite soon...

  From the 09/20/24 newsletter: 25th Day of Winter Moon, 1218 th Year, Human Age of Magic … I’m still unsure of the date, but I now have hopes that I can verify and track it accurately, for I have escaped! I am writing this from a temporary hiding place in a copse of cypress trees in the great swamp that forms the northern border of the castle in Zemburith, where I spent my first night of freedom. I waited until morning to make this entry, afraid the glow from the screen of my journal might draw attention from some sentinel in one of the high castle towers. My escape opportunity presented itself yesterday afternoon when the physician returned to extract my infected tooth. He was unable to get permission to take me to his offices in the city, which had been my hope, but he was accompanied by two of Mazuom’s mind slaves who shackled me and took me to another room in the castle where there was at least some light for the physician to work by. The “operating room” they had cho...