Before returning to the surface we did a quick conference on how to manage the loot we found below. Though we made off with several hundred gold and platinum, we also found some mighty fine pieces of weaponry and jewelry that we are not willing to split with the mine foreman. This was no ordinary evil-infested mine. Varsevis Arn showed us magic I had never dreamed of before. We agreed to give the foreman a full share of the money, but the treasures we will keep to ourselves.

The foreman accepted his (frankly large) share of the gold, and was gracious enough to offer us a night’s stay in the barracks in return for our deed. Weary and still scared from the fight underground I nearly accepted the offer—but a sharp glance from Ben reminded me that considering our hidden loot, it would be best to keep moving. After all, our work here is done, there was no need to linger. The magic triangle awaits!

Sad news to report. Sergeant Desario has decided to return to Colm. I fear his bout with the Slimy Doom has weakened him more than he is willing to admit. He took the wagon, along with our loot, back to Colm. We were sad to see him go, but I know he will be happier among the company of Crumple and surrounded by the comforts he is so accustomed to.

We are truly in the mountains now. The next day we found a light covering of snow all around us. It has grown bitterly cold. We came upon a ravine leading to a valley, and Ben spied large footprints in the snow. Ahead we saw a fortress or a keep—I saw one thick wall that seemed to connect to a higher level above it, and another beyond that. I snuck in for a closer look and to my dismay we found three ogres waiting for us. Ambrose’s bat, Kai, flew around the area and reported even more in the valley beyond.

The lack of Sarge and Subaka was sorely felt in this battle. Brave Kilja suffered what I thought was a killing blow. She lay on the ground stunned for far longer than I was comfortable. And for some reason—perhaps I was driven into a madness seeing Kilja down on the ground—I ran headlong into the battle myself, waving my sword clumsily, only to find myself crushed by an ogre’s huge club. I was too weak to move, and were it not for the healing powers of Ambrose, and the strength of Sparrow, Ben, and Zadok, I might have lain there much longer. But the ogres finally fell to The Broken Sword.

We will rest tonight in the ogre’s keep. I will need a day to heal from these wounds, and I will definitely think twice before I run into battle again.

—Bran Harvish