Daolyth's Diary - thoughts about home

First draft

You are mine

You till the land

You grow the crops

You bake the bread

You give the tithe

You exist for me

I am yours

I ward the land

I watch the crops

I shield the bread

I guard the tithe

I exist for you

We own the land

We give it shape

We name it ours

We build a wall

We call it home

It exists for us

We are the land

The Land is in our name

The Land is in our speech

The Land is in our tales

The Land is in our hearts

We exist for the land

And for the land we must care

For if we do not care

Then the land will die

And we will not exist

Except in memory

September 1112 - Day Two

I set out at first light from the villa, which is barely 20 miles from the Preceptory, but that initial traverse was unduly cautious and consequently slow. I have made better ground today. I think maybe 30miles? Certainly I am not far from the great bridge over to the rest of Amnor.

It has rained persistantly today, which is to be expected, as it has rained persistantly for most of the year. I am not sure of the basis on which the Isles of Lantia "float" but I am profoundly glad that they do, as it means flooding is not an imminent risk. Flooding of the land at least, for I am decidedly waterlogged and my feeble fire is doing little to dry my clothing.

Yes, I assume the piece of stone I found yesterday is indeed a flint. It does flinty things, which is to say, I can use it to light fires.

I had the presence of mind to take some dry kindling with me from my previous camp and take pains to keep it dry.

In order to avoid "the wound" I have decided to travel south from the first ruin and hit the coast line. This does place me near one of the main thoroughfares across Amnor, but I have a little choice in the matter and providing I remain alert, I can conceal myself from travellers.

Or Order of Mithras patrols.

The preoccupation with remaining hidden is at least helping focus my mind during the day and keep more sombre thoughts at bay. As has remaining dry and the pressing need to light a fire. Finding somewhere suitable to shelter has also been a prominent feature, but this small wind worn cave near the cliffs has proved sufficient.

Daolyth's Diary - September 1112 - Day 1

I've managed to get a fire lit, a process of trial and error, with emphasis on the latter. After a number of initial frustrating attempts rubbing sticks together (which I'd been led to believe was the done thing), I attempted to blast the fire into action, only to have to collect all the wood I'd gathered from around the room.

I wish I'd paid more attention to woodcraft, but it has never been a central feature of my studies and besides, lighting fires is for servants and subordinates.

But the fire is lit now as I found what passed for a flint and may, in fact, turn out to be flint on further inspection. It is a sort of black, glassy rock. I haven't really studied rocks either nor sought conversation with those who have.

The villa I am in is, as I expected, long abandoned and in a state of ruin.  Probably from the era of Emperor Joshrim, a ruler of who I know little other than his name. The roof is partially intact, leaving at least one of the inner rooms dry and from in here, my fire is not readily visible to the outside world. Which suits, as I don't want anyone following me, although I think that is unlikely.

I find myself oddly relieved that this ruin is not the place I'm looking for. Partly because I am not looking for a ruin and partly because I do not wish for this journey to be over so soon after commencing. I have barely begun to deconstruct myself and I need time and distance to do this.

I have a lot of questions to ask about what I want and how I will respond to the wants and needs of others.

Expression courtesy of Amazon

Ordered a book of poetry yesterday and then realised, after the event, that this isn't the first such book I've purhcased and wondered where the others are. I'll have to look into this.

I'm not yet decided whether reading poetry will assist me improving my own skills or simply make me better expressing myself more generally. Both could use work, although the latter will inform the former. If I can find a way to express what I thinking, then the writing should be easier, rather than everything being locked up inside my head.