Entry #12

I have been on my search for about 16 days now. It took a whole week and a half to even reach the glass animal circle. Since then, I've discovered various leads, but so far, none have proved fruitful. My frustration got the better of me yesterday, and I tried chopping up that snake statue. My sore shoulders and bandaged side to show just how well that idea played out. (To be fair, I hadn't realized how hard sun-baked glass would be before.) I can't stand this. Hirah and Essai are back at that castle, being held hostage while I'm sitting in the desert with no idea what to do! And I've tried. I really have. That's why I haven't written much in here. I just have no clue... I mean, what even is a dakyal in the first place? If Eleni was here, I'm sure he would know what to do.

Entry #57

Day 112: Father was gone again today. Since Hirah, Essai, and Erelen left, he's become absent more than he's been around. Every day, he goes to the forests, but I don't know what he does there. There has still been no news of my dear siblings’ ship, the Ekatari, and it is rumored in Eloplaw that it must have gone down when that gale hit the Narmok Sea. I would probably start thinking like that too, but Reuel disagrees. He seems certain that our brothers and sister are alive. It is hard sometimes, particularly now that Father has turned to the forest for comfort and solitude. It's like he's gone back to how he was when Mother died. Sometimes I would find it easier to just believe the Ekatari went down, rather than to hold on to this thin thread of hope that my loved ones are alive, but I may never see them again. However, I look at Reuel and know that they must be alive. His twin connection with our sister would be triggered should she die. Not knowing what has happened to them is exhausting and frankly infuriatingly frustrating. I can only pray that they are safe and will come home someday soon. Until then, I must watch over Father and keep our business going. The snakes have been harder to find of late. I think there must be some connection between that and the mysterious woman who appeared in the North Woods. I think I will leave Reuel in charge here, and travel up to the north to see what has happened. Without the snakes, our business will not last long, so I must resolve whatever it is that has changed in the north.