//------------------------------// // [14] (Travel) Lattice Frame's Diary: 9th Slate 222 to 1st Hematite 222 // Story: My Little Fortress: Shadytrails // by PersonalGamer //------------------------------// [There are several missing pages ripped out before this, and slight water damage to page] Lattice’s Diary, 9th Slate, 222 The griffon ‒ the same one from yesterday ‒ looked surprised to see me so soon, but he hardly complained. He marked on my map where the destination was and gave me instructions as to where to go after the caravan drops be off at an assembly location where I’ll meet to rest of the party. He seemed surprised at how I brought my own traveling supplies. I guess it isn’t that common. I guess they don’t get a lot of ponies capable of making their own out of quality supplies (I didn’t expect quality provisions from them). I knew that I had the supplies and skills to make a tent, bedroll, and jacket; I’d definitely be happier over the long journey with quality supplies. I also brought a map, fire-kit, knife, compass, canteen, and a waterproof pouch for my Diary and other things (Including a sentimental sewing kit I couldn’t live without). They were expensive, but since I liquidated most of my store I still have over a thousand bits left, in varied denominations. I also bought a small, metal case with a tumbler lock on it to store them in. I had him mark on my map where the outpost and rendezvous village were; I must admit I was concerned about how far south the outpost site seemed to be, doubly so since there’s little in the way of tailoring supplies. My map labeled the region “Cloverbuck”, but it didn’t have any settlement yet there. That makes sense, though, since a “new outpost” is new by definition. Not terribly surprising that they’d send me there when I asked for “far away from here”. They probably have less ponies willing to go there, considering it’s both cold and in the middle of nowhere. The caravan leaves tomorrow, and when I asked if I could stay for the night he said I could use one of the merchant rooms, and that if his boss had issue he’d cite the value of the kit items I didn’t need as covering the rent. Maybe I’ll see him again; he said his name was Jack Sharpbeak. He seemed nice enough, I guess. I met a few of the caravan members already; it’s a mixed race group (but there aren’t any buffalo), and some of them seem nice, but a few of them are really cold. The latter group makes me kinda nervous, but maybe it’s just me. P.S. I realized I didn’t bring any medical supplies, which was silly of me. I snuck back to my shop (I left the property to my family, so it’s technically not mine anymore) and grabbed the paltry medical kit I kept; it’s mostly bandages and some salves, as well as a sling I made a few years ago. I’m hardly a trained doctor, but I like to think myself above average. Or at least average. Bandages aren’t very complicated either way. Lattice’s Diary, 10th Slate, 222 Well, this is it… my last morning in Buckington. The caravan is all set up and departing. The merchants and ... the guards seem nice enough ‒ or at least dedicated to their job ‒ even if they have different uniforms. Is that normal? I guess it makes sense for a large merchant organization to use multiple sources for caravan guards. Well, this is it. The last day of my old life and the beginning of the new one ‒ no, my new one. I hope this works out... Lattice’s Diary, 11th Slate, 222 Second day on that road now, and soon to be my second night. I don’t have anything terribly interesting to write about, other than that, while I have a nice enough bedroll to be asked where I got it (to which I thanked them for the compliment and said it was my own work), it’s still going to take some time to get used to sleeping on the ground. I only have a few hundred bits left of my old life, so I would welcome commissions if there were time. The caravan master said that I’d be waiting for a little while at the town the group will be launching from. Maybe I could do it then; more bits never hurt anypony. I’d only be able to do so much without equipment, though. Lattice’s Diary, 13th Slate, 222 Buckington finally disappeared over the horizon behind us as we traveled today; and already I feel better. As they say, “Out of sight, out of mind” and it holds true here. Otherwise most of the caravan has ignored me with the exception of necessary conversation like the route of travel and supply management. Unfortunately, one of the guards ‒ a unicorn mare named Lucky Lands ‒ has been … unpleasant to be around. I understand that my first impression back in Buckington wasn’t the best since I spent the whole time worrying and looking over my shoulder, but it’s not like I’m going to kill her as she sleeps or anything to remotely justify how she’s just oozing passive hostility. It could be worse, if the attitude she holds for her armor-bearer is anything to go off of. Is she oblivious to or just uncaring of the angry glares she gets from him? I hope she doesn’t accompany the group to Shadytrails, at least if she doesn’t shape up her attitude. Tomorrow we’re going to pass through the Hooved Mountains, after which we’ll be arriving at a town. Lattice’s Diary, 17th Slate, 222 It was a welcome change to be able to sleep on an actual bed. It wasn’t up to par with what I was used to, but it was leagues better than a tent outside. Lucky Lands is still being an insufferable companion, and while she’s a little better now, it’s not a significant improvement. So far, I do what I can to avoid her, but there’s only so much place to stand in the caravan. Lattice’s Diary, 23rd Slate, 222 We arrived at a sleepy little hamlet called “Farmville”. Which is a stupid name for it, since they don’t grow a lot of food. At all. They do export a good amount of wood, though, if the cleared forests are any indication. It’d have been nice if some of it went to use in building an inn, since all they had was a (barely) sheltered pavilion. I guess it’s better than nothing. I pitched my tent away from Lucky’s. I wanted to see if I could get some time without being bombarded by disdain. A mare can dream, right? Lattice’s Diary, 1st Felsite, 222 The start of my first full month since I left. It's been frustrating dealing with the passive hostility Lucky is far too willing to display, but it's still preferable to having stayed in Buckington. Otherwise, things are looking good. I also overheard that Lucky is contracted primarily by Coupledye, and is just traveling with them for mutual convenience until she reaches her destination. It's good to know she isn't headed to the Cloverbuck outpost. Lattice’s Diary, 6th Felsite, 222 The caravan master said we’d be arriving in Glennsdale tomorrow, and that it was the final stop with them for any headed to the newly-named Shadytrails. Much to my dismay, Lucky Lands was accompanying, as was her servant. We were told that we were probably going to be the first to reach the rendezvous and that we would be leaving for Shadytrails on the 15th of Felsite. I guess the three of us were the only non-local ponies going, since there’s just over a week allowing for them to arrive. I just hope there’s a place to stay ‒ away from that insufferable clod pretending to be a mercenary ‒ I’m beyond sick of my tent. I may have worked hard on it and would claim it to be one of the highest quality, but you can’t argue with a bed. It’s not like I’ll need a lot of bits in a newly-established outpost. I’m surprised they need a seamstress, but I guess it’s important since it’s so cold. When a reputable seamstress offers services and simply wants to be “far from here” as the sole condition, it makes sense, even if I won’t be needed too much for making clothes for everyponybody. Lattice’s Diary, 7th Felsite, 222 I can’t believe what just happened. The inn I’d been looking forwards too just turned from a dream to a nightmare, when the innkeeper tried to bed me ‒ even though I’d paid in full for the night, he still did it. Nothing happened this time since I pulled my knife out, but I opted to get a refund and sleep outside. At least it’s away from that damn guardsmare… She would probably laugh at me if she knew, too. Lucky probably saw the aftermath of what happened and the hasty exit on my part, and how the innkeeper gave me a refund greater than what I paid to save his reputation. I guess seeing a mare pull a knife‒- The writing abruptly stops here and is resumed later, a slight trail of ink running from the last word. I dropped my diary when I heard hoofsteps approaching. Thinking he was coming back to me, I pulled my knife and readied myself to leap. It wasn’t any stallion, but it wasn’t much better either. Lucky Lands poked her head in my tent and found a knife at it the same moment. She’s evidently not respectful enough to knock or something. Anyways, she asked about what happened, and she might just have a soul. Might. After it became clear she wouldn’t let it go, I eventually told her what happened back in Buckington, and she was seemingly sated by it. It would have been nice to get some emotional support, but considering the pony in question, the lack of it is entirely unsurprising. ...It would still be nice, though... Lattice’s Diary, 11th Felsite, 222 Lucky hasn’t said anything since that night, and I’m guessing her servant didn’t notice since I’ve not even seen him. I spent my time in my tent or near it. Somepony heard I was a seamstress (maybe from the aforementioned servant), and asked if I could fix something for them. I did it happily, and while I didn’t make any money, I did do some barter. I’m glad I could get some more ink, since it occurred to me that there might not be any to buy in Shadytrails. There’s still no sign of anypony else showing up. We’re due to leave soon, and I don’t want to stay longer than I have to. Lattice’s Diary, 13th Felsite, 222 A family & a griffon guard arrived today, the latter consisting of an earth pony farmer named Green Acres, his wife, a pegasus carpenter named Sweet Birch, and their daughter bundle of cute named Purity. The parents seemed nice enough, but I was wary of spending too much time around the father. The griffon was huge, and he said his name was Fargo. I was a little intimidated by him, but he was pretty nice, if quiet. Lattice’s Diary, 15th Felsite, 222 Nopony else arrived, and today we’re set to leave. I’m somehow the only one prepared with a detailed, scaled map and a compass, so somehow I got put in charge of navigation. Or maybe they’re just lazy… I mean there is a trail. But I couldn’t help but be prepared on account of my mother being a professional who worked as a caravan guide, and then as a mapmaker when she settled down with dad. It’s a shame I couldn’t have brought one of her maps, it would have been nice to have a reminder of home. Lattice’s Diary, 17th Felsite, 222 A pair of ponies showed up today, a griffon mare and a cloaked pony … zebra? It was hard to tell if that was dirt or stripes on him, and I wasn’t the only one. The griffon was muddied up, and she said they’d been set on by bandits, and asked if they could travel with us. Safety in numbers and all, I guess. Something doesn’t seem right, though. They don’t look very “robbed” and their clothing isn’t damaged at all. I was going to offer to patch it up, but when I was about to I noticed that they may as well have taken off the clothes when they fled with us being none the wiser. The more I think about them, the odder it seems. They have an odd mix of supplies for traveling, too. I only got a passing glance, but they seemed ill-prepared, and I doubt the thieves went rummaging through their bags. Fargo seemed a little suspicious too, but neither of us said anything. At best, a knowing look. I hope they don’t try anything. Lattice’s Diary, 23rd Felsite, 222 ...I never even got his name, and he’s gone. Lucky’s servant was set upon by bandits, who ran off with her armor. I’m only really concerned since she’s less useful as a guard without her things. Lattice’s Diary, 27th Felsite, 222 We just passed what looked to be the Perechon River on my map, meaning we’re in the general region of Cloverbuck. I told the others to keep an eye out for signs of passage or buildings. Lucky never did give any indication or sorrow for losing her companion, even though it’s been a few days now. I’m concerned that that I’d have been more surprised if she did… At least she’s mostly leaving me alone. I can’t say the same for Fargo, though, who doesn’t like her. She does do her best to annoy him, so it’s justified. Lattice’s Diary, 1st Hematite, 222 I’m terribly confused. Why would they send me to a town that literally has one building? It sucks, and there’s no fabric to work on here. At all. I don’t think I was the only one surprised at this, though. I can’t really complain, it'll be nice to have a roof over my head. I really don’t like that I’ll be sleeping in the same room with everybody of both genders, though. Isolde, a griffoness, is the expedition leader. She assigned me to masonry work with with a unicorn mare named “Patina”. I didn’t get a chance to explain that my name didn’t follow the name-career trend well, since that, while a lattice can be made of cloth, it usually implies stone. Maybe some of what Dad taught me about his work could help, though he usually worked in mixed material structures. I mean it’s all about the attention to detail, right? Well … assuming you want a safe house to live in. Other than that everything seems ok here, and hopefully it’ll grow into a community I might just find a place in … a place to be happy again.