Day 13:
Jared says he finally figured out what the book is meant to teach.
Magic. It's a book of Magical Spells. Specifically, Elven spells.
When I asked how he knew, he said it came to him in a dream. Some beautiful spectral figure in white came to him and said that he was meant to translate the book and learn their ways or something, I don't know. Even time I asked what the being looked like, he just kept getting this faraway look in his eyes and trailing off. Even for Jared, that's a pretty weird thing. So I stopped pressing him on it.
As for mom, she went out yesterday to get us more meat. I offered to go instead, but she confidently told me that she can do this. So I let her head out. I pray nothing's happened to her out there.
Day 14:
Mom came back this afternoon with a little makeshift sled that had a couple interesting items in it.
The first item was a large deer-like creature with spiraling horns instead of antlers, goat-like eyes and the body and coloring of a caribou, I think? Kinda like a goat/reindeer mix. It looked kind of cool but also super weird.
The second was a box or chest she found in the woods on the way back here. She claimed that she just randomly came upon it on her trek back, laying there on the outskirts of the border of the land this haven is on, just underneath some leaves in the base of a tree. The second Jared saw the chest, he wanted to open it up. So he and I pulled it off the sled, then let me open it up. And inside were a few items.
The first was a full set of what looked like silver and white scale mail armor. We're talking full gear, here. Torso, legs, boots, gloves, belt. The whole set was completely themed. And on top of it was this beautiful silver sword with white gemstones and cold embossment. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. It was just so cool! But there was more underneath it. So I pulled it out and put it aside to reveal the next layer of items.
Underneath the surprisingly light armor lay a long staff on top of what looked like a set of scandalous red robes and a white cloak. Though I do have to admit, they didn't look like they'd fit any of us properly. And mom looked like she found them a bit uncomfortable to even look at. As soon as he saw them, Jared immediately dove in and pulled the staff out. Holding it in his hands, he ran his finger across the golden markings inlaid into the dark wood with a childlike wonder.
"It's Elvish!" he told us, turning the staff this way and that to get a better look at all the little notches and bits of metals that seemed to blend perfectly into the fibers of its design. Mom just shook her head before reaching in and pulling the robe and cloak out of the chest. But then she gasped as she saw what lay underneath it.
"Oh my word...!"
There, laying on top of what looked like fur and studded leather armor, was an absolutely MASSIVE axe. As she took hold of its black handle, I couldn't help but note just how small mom's hands were compared to the size of the weapon. Struggling to pull it out, I took stock of just how intact the axe looked. Pristine and polished, it was like I could tell just how sharp its edge was by just looking at it.
"That's gotta be heavy!" Jared said, bending down to scoop up the robes mom put on the ground.
"It is!" mom grunted, struggling to pull the weapon out of the chest. When she felt it was safe to let go, she let it drop beside her before reaching in for the rest of the items inside. Pulling out the top of the leather armor set as she got to her feet, she held it against her body and let it unfurl until it hung like a curtain. The overall size dwarfing my mother with the huge expanse of leather stitching and iron that comprised its making. Thinking back on it, I'm kind of surprised mom was able to drag everything back. The contents of the box, and in particular the axe and set of studded armor, seems like it should have made the trip back especially difficult. And then there's the animal she brought back, too. Mom is sort of prideful, after all. So maybe she brought it back by sheer grit alone.
Clearing out the last bits of leather armor, we found two pairs of boots (one white, the other brown), one pair of something that looked like a ballerina would wear and a little pouch. When I put the contents in my palm, I couldn't help but gasp as a pair of rings slipped into my hand. The way the metal shone in the dying sunlight and the brilliant gemstones embedded into them gleamed. I couldn't take my eyes off of them. I had been hoping to save up to buy Marie a ring so I could propose to her! And here these are, literally falling into my hands?
"Those are pretty!" Jared said, uncharacteristically as he bent over my shoulder for a better look.
"They are! Perfect for when we get back home!"
Mom's face screwed up like a foul wind crossed her path, sneering at the thought of who was waiting for us.
"You know I don't think she's good enough for you," she told me, airing her grievances once more. "The poor girl can't do anything right!"
I got on my feet, glaring at her while I put the rings away.
"You've told me a million times," I fired back, moving my jaw from side to side like I always do when I'm annoyed. "And probably a million more before we're rescued from wherever the fuck we are!"
I reached down and scooped up the stuff I pulled out, using the sword as a way to balance everything in my arms before turning around and storming back into the house. All I heard was the sound of leather being stacked on itself and my mom growling disapprovingly. Why does she always have to try and dictate the way I live my life, especially with who I love?