Jenni's Journal - Chapter 9

Translation

Day 55:

I made it! After bidding an emotional farewell to Lexi - and her promising to send a courier to Aureyn to let him know what was happening - I departed for Falkreath. I was swift across the landscape and seldom paused to camp; it seems that such a deep reaching personal goal can make quite the incentive to hold pace! Upon my arrival in Falkreath, I made a beeline for the local inn, figuring that if anywhere in town had news of a passing caravan, it would be there. Though the place was typically quiet for the time of day, I was greeted by the most incorrigibly upbeat Breton girl! Mia's perky persona was highly intoxicating and I found myself unable to deny a smile in her presence - shortlived as it may have been; for she excitedly pointed my towards the caravan which was pitched up towards the rear of the inn while they waited to continue their journey. Rushing outside, I soon found the Khajiit trader just where she said! He of course remembered me but more interestingly; he seemed to welcome my arrival, like it was anticipated! When I asked him about the source of the cloak he told me it came from his Den Mother; said she handed it to him as their caravan first departed telling him it was a gift for one such as her; an invitation. When I asked what he meant by 'one such as her' he simply grinned and reached to my cheek with a furry paw, brushing my hair back and tracing the tip of his claw up my ear. Despite my insistence, he could tell me no more as he himself was told no more; though he was more than accommodating to my request to join their trek home that I might meet this Den Mother. Curiously though, he didn't seem able to give me a straight answer when I asked when we would be departing; said something about the moons not being right yet... so I at least got to spend the night at the inn and enjoy a warm bed for one last night, for I know not how long it will be before I have such luxury again. Oh and Mia's singing! I have heard bard's perform in Solitude, but none with such a blessed voice. It was truly a pleasure to spend the night sat at my table and listen to her melodies.

Translation

Day 61:

After departing Falkreath and descending south through the Jerall Mountains, we crossed the Heartlands and are now in Blackwood. I have learned a great deal these last few days; the reverence these Khajiit hold for the moons is... humbling, yes that seems right; it is humbling. Za'Nir has been teaching me about the Moonpath's - the way the Khajiit caravans cross the lands - though I still have no idea how much there truly is to their beliefs in this manner, I find myself unable to deny the results as our journey has been entirely uneventful as we crossed through what I would have considered to be dangerous territories. But oh! Today I saw the Imperial City! Never could I have dreamed that the famed White-Gold Tower would be so magnificent!

Much as my heart desired to leave the caravan and explore the inspiring ancient city however, I still had more pressing matters. As we sat around the campfire earlier; Za'Nir asked me why I was seeking out his Den Mother. I wasn't even sure how to explain it to him, my mind has been a jumble since I left Lexi. It was all I could do to say that I believed she had answers for me (which he seemed surprisingly understanding to!). Still, tomorrow we will cross the Nibenay and Za'Nir tells me that the Elsweyr desert awaits so I should get some rest...

As an aside, I find myself browsing back through my recent entries in this journal and find myself quite satisfied with the improvement of my sketches! Perhaps when I eventually get back home I should look to expand on this, maybe take it up properly as a means to relax, or even try taking it a step further with painting!

Translation

Day 67:

Za'Nir was not wrong in advising me to prepare my strength before we entered the desert; I have never known such a harsh climate - by the heat of day my flesh felt like it boiled, yet but with nightfall came such an extreme cold the likes of which I could not have imagined. It felt more unforgiving even than the cold of the Jerall Mountains! This desert... it feels like death; like the land has been punished by the Nine and cast into Oblivion. Even the greatest of Kynareth's children fail to survive here, I don't like this place. But as promised, the moonpaths led us safely through the terrain and with each passing day we drew closer to the waterways of Elsweyr.

Day 71:

Water! Blessed water everywhere! I have never felt so happy to be surrounded by it! As the caravan drew to it's home in Ein Meirvale, Za'Nir informed me that we must take to the jungle canals in order to reach his Den Mother. And so (after enjoying the most welcome waterfall bathe of my life!) we took to a small boat which he slowly maneuvered through the narrow waterways. This place - this jungle - it was like the complete opposite of the desert; teeming with life so richly it felt like it would burst at the seams! I marveled at all the exotic creatures we saw and - having grown to welcome my curiosity - Za'Nir took great pride in educating me about his homeland as we sailed along. However our journey now nears it's conclusion, for tomorrow we will arrive Tenmar...