13th day of Resplendent Water
We passed the city of Varsi today. Alas for the people I travel with, I count too many wretched villains among them. As the sun sets, I can see the city still burns as I write this. I understand it was started after an argument over a pair of shoes. I have spoken to soldiers that were there. They say the mob turned ugly at their mistreatment by the locals, who inflated prices and treated them with contempt. But I saw it in their eyes that those from our journey were just as much to blame, if not more so, yes?
Goodnight.
16th day of Resplendent Water
Interesting few days. So much so that I have had no time to write, and now must recall all that has occurred, yes?
We are now leaving the Scavenger Lands, and entering a region once under the dominion of my father, but now under the direct control of the obnoxious Canute Mikæl, held in the name of the Empire. After the unfortunate incident in Varsi, he assembled his army (or so he says ~ as if a force of twenty thousand could be assembled in two days) to prevent us from entering his territory and burning down the town of Greyd. Concerned by the rumour of this, a number of pilgrims formed some sort of council with the purpose of policing the pilgrimage to prevent subsequent repetition of the pillaging of Varsi. When we were informed of this Yy was very concerned that they did not feel adequately protected by his legion and that the people did not put their trust in their betters as they should. Ivory told us she believed that there might be anathema hiding among the masses, stirring up revolting ideas. Yy challenged her to prove it ~ she sees anathema in every shadow, yes?
As for this ‘council’, Yy and I took our rightful places on it, and balance the military régime with the civilians who were anxious to avoid a battle with Canute’s army. A suggestion from one Fionn, an interesting fellow whose popularity Yy is becoming concerned about, was for their army to escort us through their territory, obviating the need for combat and allowing both sides to get what they want ~ by which I mean us on and out of Greyd. A small group from the council travelled ahead to put this plan to the Greyd army. I was with them, and we negotiated briefly with General Madoc, Mikæl’s right-hand-toady if I remember aright, who was all too relieved by the proposition. And so we travel encircled by Madoc’s men, with them forming a steel curtain between us and the rest of the world, comings and goings entirely at their discretion, at least in theory, yes?
Goodnight.
17th day of Resplendent Water
Today I have learned that sixty horsemen, newly arrived from the north, were offered no challenge by our military escort. I wonder, how thinly stretched are they?
Perhaps a more pressing question is: who are these horsemen? I think I shall find out for myself ~ a little investigating is in order, yes?