//------------------------------// // [23] 4th/5th Hematite, 222; Lattice's Note // Story: My Little Fortress: Shadytrails // by PersonalGamer //------------------------------// Lattice’s Diary, 2nd Hermatite, 222 I’m still kind’ve upset there’s no way for me to put my special talent to use yet, but there’s simply no cloth at all. I haven’t looked around for any equipment, but since there’s not a lot of places to hide it (not that it would be hidden), I don’t think there’s any equipment. Yet alone a workspace for it, meaning that even if I made my own frames and mechanisms, it wouldn't be useful (I don't even know if I could make new equipment; it's been so long since I last did anything of the sort). No matter the questionable state of my career, I’ve been assigned to help build a much-needed bridge across the river. It isn’t that bad, I still remember enough from my father's attempted lessons to be useful beyond hauling materials. Not that that makes hauling them more pleasant. But there’s not much you can do wrong with putting stone chunks on a riverbank for erosion control, right? I’m still glad to be off the road, though. A roof ‒ even shared ‒ is a welcome addition (I guess... I'll get used to it eventually, I hope), while there’s something comforting in a nice meal. Lattice’s Diary, 3rd Hermatite, 222 Progress on the bridge is going well, I think. We should be done in a day or two, though I expect we’ll be replacing it with something sturdier as trade picks up. Probably made of something sturdier than wood. I talked a little more with Patina over lunch today, and told her a little about myself. Nothing too special, just that my father was the renowned (well, I like to think he is... ) architect, Sturdy Frame, and my mother, North Rose, used to work as a guide with various traders (until she settled down with my father in Beakshine), before doing some cartography and map-making work. Oh, and that both were earth ponies, but that probably wasn't surprising. I told her a little about the journey, with emphasis on how Lucky Lands should be avoided and my suspicions about Freija and Dawn Star’s story. Though Patina seemed a little worried this evening, I hope she’s ok. Oh, I should mention a little about Patina. She’s an extremely qualified Saddle Arabian architect student, who for some reason ended up out on the middle of nowhere to help us build a town. I don’t think it’d be hard for her to have stayed in Saddle Arabia ‒ why would they let her train there if she couldn’t get a job there, after all ‒ so I’m really curious as to why she’s here. I’m not complaining, but I wonder how well she can design for our wintery weather. Lattice’s Diary, 4th Hermatite, 222 I was out by the mines this evening (to see how it worked) and one of the guards ‒ Fargo, the big griffin ‒ asked why I was there. I don’t know why, but as he asked I started to break down. It’s not like he intimidated me or did anything wrong, and we've spent more than two weeks traveling together. But instead I just completely fell apart when he, with only good intentions, started talking. To the point where I was crying and whimpering on my haunches in front of the shaft, next to my half-eaten bowl of vegetables. It was just that… While I I know he wouldn’t As if that’s not enough, after I broke down, he tried to console me but I just ignored him! He eventually stopped and waited, then left, though I think I was starting to pull myself together at that point. A little while later,evidently before he returned to the communal building, I pulled myself together enough to decide to go into a clump of trees by the woods for a moment of solitude; only he came and ‒ with a concerned look on his face ‒ told me (rather forcefully) it wasn’t safe. I think he was under the impression I was going to do something stupid or even suicidal. I just planned to have a mom- I didn’t have to spirit left in me to say no, and just trudged off back to the town. I should’ve explained and gone anyways He has to think I’m a complete foal at best, a lunatic as worst, and I’m sure he either hates me or lost any respect he had for me. I still can’t I’m I don’t know if I should be embarrassed or mortified about what happened, or even scared. I don’t want to know what’ll happen if Lucky gets wind of me sobbing like a foal. I thought I was doing so well, but… Damn it, I don’t know. I just don’t know anymore. I’ll have to apologize at some point, but I don’t think I can face him; what if it happens again? Maybe I’ll leave him a note? I have some extra paper, I can use one of those. I’ll slip it into his things after he starts his shift tomorrow. It'l be fine, I'm sure. Or he could arrest me for harassment. Unbeknownst to Lattice, when she grabbed paper for the note, she hadn’t been paying enough attention, and she wrote it on the back of the removed entries she set aside, the pages stuck together. Lattice’s note of apology to Fargo: Fargo, I’m sorry for breaking down yesterday at the mines, I should’ve kept myself under control. I'm sure you’d never do anything to hurt me after traveling with you for over two weeks, but the part of the mind that knew that was overruled by the part panicking over being alone with a guard. I don’t know why it happened, but I’m sorry. I’m sure you think I’m a complete foal now, and I don’t blame you, since you're probably justified ‒ I mean I can’t even apologize properly! I know you deserve better than this, and if you ever need a tear sewn or patched up, I’d be happy to do it to make it up to you. It’s the least I could do. Please try to keep this between the two of us, I don’t know what I’d do if everypony found out about it, especially a certain few individuals. We both know who I mean. Sincerely, Lattice Frame. Warning: Viewer discretion is advised. While not mature, the content may be disturbing to some. Lattice’s Diary, 3rd Slate, 222 Some important-looking stallion approached me today on one of the side streets near my shop, and he was leaving little illusion to his intent. I might have been flattered… if the blue bastard hadn’t threatened me when I said no. He was scrawny even by elitist unicorn standards and he knew he couldn’t physically force me when I refused him, though he swore he’d have me. I hope he’s bluffing and that he can’t find me if he isn’t. Lattice’s Diary, 5th Slate, 222 Oh Faust, he walked into my shop today and said in no uncertain terms that he’d have me, and that if I refused, as the Duke’s heir, he’d have me accused and sentenced for attempted sexual blackmail! When I asked for proof he produced a ducal singet, and said he’d be back tomorrow for me. Tomorrow! What am I going to do?! After last year’s fiasco involving another mare and the same prince, I knew as well as anypony that the sentence to unlawful contamination was death, he knows it, and I know he’d do it without a shred of remorse. What do I do? What can I do? Even if it was clear I was the victim I still get executed! ...When did my life turn into this? What sin did I ‒ a simple, honest clothier, unremarkable in every way ‒ do to deserve this? Lattice’s Diary, 6th Slate, 222 I… He… That... [The remainder of the entry is composed of illegible ink smudges and water stains; what might be a prayer can be barely made out] Lattice’s Diary, 7th Slate, 222 I can’t stay here, not anymore. I have to, I need to leave before he comes back. The guards here not only didn’t help, but they held me down ‒ a sick, twisted smile on each one of their faces. One of the unicorns there even cast a few spells on me, though I don’t know who told him to. All I remember was that shortly after it started one of their horns lit up and I was forced into eye contact with a unicorn whose horn and eyes were glowing a bright, icey blue, not unlike the color often associated with windigos. After that Then after that That was when I lost control … lost myself. All my memories since are just an indistinct blur. Goddess, what if it he something that could kill me on command? Or some sort of tracking spell? What if it’s some sort of controlling spell? Something to mark me as his, or render me sterile?! No. I can’t think like that. If I do, I’ll never get out of this. I’d sooner die than be his personal whorse until he disposes of me. ...I think I can make a tent out of some waterproof canvas I have and find passage out of the city with what I can carry. I heard that one of the big merchant groups was looking for settlers and labor for a series of new trading posts; hopefully I can get onto one of those. I’ll go look into that now. If not I’ll try some other way. Lattice’s Diary, 7th Slate, 222 Usually I only write once per day, but this is special. Not only were they still looking for ponies, but they gave me a choice of where to! I just asked for somewhere far away, out of jurisdiction of the future duke, and the griffon said to report back with my traveling supplies that I wanted to bring. He said food would be provided for the journey and at the destination, but suggested I bring anything that would be a personal comfort. I expected an interview, but I guess he was satisfied by my explanation that I've been forced by circumstances to liquidate my shop and leave town. ...I don't think I could have kept it together if he prodded. I should be glad they badly needed a seamstress, and that there’s somewhere he can’t find me. I already prepared and sent letters to my family, explaining what happened and how I had to leave, as well as that I’d write as soon as I could. I couldn't say where I would be going, in case they were questioned, but I did say that they shouldn’t worry. I’ll have to be sure to write to them when I can. Hopefully they won’t get entangled in the mess I found myself in. Lattice’s Diary, 8th Slate, 222 I sold off what I could of my equipment, but it was well below what it was worth. The rest I sent to friends and I left some for my family. I have a nice tent and brought some quality camping supplies with me, including a map and a waterproof case for my things (which at this point are just my journal, my map, and a few sentimental sewing supplies I couldn’t live without), and I also brought a utility knife. It was hard to part with the weaving frame that earned me my cutie mark, but it was far too big to take with me. I decided to leave it at the shop for my family. I’ll be leaving for the depot tomorrow morning. I was going to have it on the back of the note page, but it's 3 pages of 11pt font, that isn't going to fit well on a on half a page. So instead the water damage and ink stuck them together, and a distressed Lattice didn't notice due to the fading light and her distress.