Another eventful day to add to the collection. It's become the norm now. I used to be able to go weeks without seeing anyone, but not anymore. There's always something going on, although at least I've managed to get some rest before Cynv panicked... It's crazy, it's not even a day and I'm already longing for those soft, warm, bubbling baths that Claus offers. There's nothing like it to ease the tension after a long journey, even if the saddest part is getting out of the water and back on that long journey, but hey. All good things must come to an end, as they say. Oh, and speaking of good things, the pies here are definitely the best. It's obvious that this is the most fertile area for agriculture. The result show it for himself, but one thing is bothersome. Meat is scarce, very scarce. They have fish, but red meat is very expensive, probably because the vast majority of the population are herbivores. I can see why Irlen could make a good profit from hunting here. She didn't have to pay import costs or hire anyone else to hunt for her. Which reminds me, I also took the letter to Irlen's family today. I wasn't lying when I said it had been a busy day! It was long, but worth it. I wanted her family to know what had happened to their daughter... And yet... I lacked the courage to go and tell them face to face, so I just left a letter with her bow explaining everything. I hope it will not be too hard for them to lose a daughter like that... I'm sorry Irlen†, I really wish I could have saved you that day…

I lost track again... To get back to Cynv, she wasn't very happy when I returned. I'd left my book on the ship and she took the opportunity to read it. Normally I wouldn't have been happy about someone going through my things like that, but let's just say my reaction would have been nothing compared to hers. She was furious. Shouting at me, telling me to be careful and all that. Actually, you know what? I'm in no mood to write and I have some shopping to do before nightfall. I'll let the 'stupid quill', as she called it, do the rest. Whether she's happy about it or not, I don't care.As the fox made his way along the quayside towards the ship, he was suddenly stopped by the vixen, who aggressively handed him his book back.
Hey, idiot! Forget your stupid book before you left!
The fox, slightly confused, grabs the book so it doesn't fall on the floor.
Oh, er, thank you. But you could have left it with my bag on the boat, you know. It's not like someone would steal it.
Well, I did!
Why?
said the fox, visibly confused, as she looked around quickly. Seeing nothing, she grabbed his arm before dragging him a few steps further, between two houses.
Teige asked me to bring your book to him. I took the time to check it out, and it's a good thing I did! Idiot!
Wait, you read my book? What about my private life?
You lost that right as soon as you saw me naked! And even if I hadn't, I don't care about your stupid private life if you're going to mess me up by letting that stupid quill record every detail of our conversations. Especially when it's supposed to be private!
There was a moment's silence between the two of them, as the fox bowed his head at the realisation of what all this had been about.
Ah yes... The necklace.
She nods as he lifts his head to look at her.
And what do you want me to do about it? It wasn't my idea, you know.
That's right, this wasn't your idea! So you should be thanking me instead of trying to throw me overboard! You got a better cut because of me!
Thank you? For what? Sharing with another person I don't know? I never wanted to get on this stupid ship! I could have been on my own all the way, with 100% of the profit, the way I had in mind!
She crosses her arms
So why did you come with us if you didn't want to?
He pauses for a moment, then shrugs.
Laziness, I guess. I wanted it to go faster.
Well, you've paid your price, now lock up your stupid diary before Teige gets to it. Anything will do, we don't know how to lockpick. Then you can write whatever you want in your stupid diary. All the while, Teige will be asking you about this. After all, he's the one who asked me to read it. I'll tell him there's nothing very interesting in it, but prepare to face him nonetheless.
Without another word, she turned to leave.
What else did you read?
The vixen said louder to be heard.
Everything.There, I've put the lock on the book. This stupid parchment cost me a fortune! 50 gold coins to be exact, but at least I don't have to worry. No one should be able to open it but me... unless they remove the spell I put on it. So now she can leave me alone. I'll just have to think of what to tell Teige when I get back to the ship...It had been a good hour since the ship had left the harbour. The fox had avoided going to the cabin so far, but he couldn't avoid the responsibility any longer if he wanted to eat. He had to face the birdfolk and the vixen who were already there, looking at the map. Reluctantly, he opened the cabin door, drawing the attention of the birdfolk, who raised his heads to look at him, while the vixen leaned against the wall to get a better look.
We need to talk to you, Vix,
What do you want, Teige? I sold your stuff like you asked me to. I put the gold in the box like you wanted.
Yes, but it took you 10 hours!
Yeah, so what?
It should have taken you an hour, maybe two. What did you do in the meantime?
The fox shrugs
Things
What kind of things?
Things like telling a family that their daughter has been murdered by a psychopathic madman, if that's what you really want to know. I'm sorry, I didn't know I was clocking in, had I known I would have let them mourn their daughter's disappearance for the rest of their lives just to be here a few hours earlier.
I see, I'm sorry for her family, but that doesn't explain being 9 hours late! Is this the only thing you've done today, apart from your delivery?
Claus isn't next door, you know.
The birdfolk turns back to the vixen
Do you know anything about this?
He says the truth, before I found you in Icywind, we were in a manor and a madman killed several people, including this woman, but I didn't know she lived in Claus.
I see, I see.
He looks at the fox.
It's really the only thing you've done.
The fox nods again.
And yet your fur has been trimmed and cleaned.
Oh, yes, that too. I hadn't thought of that, it's something we fur-folk have to do, preferably every day, so that our fur doesn't get too tangled and dirty. Something bird folk like you don't have to do.
He looks back at the vixen, who just nods. Having got that confirmation, he turns his attention back to him.
I understand that it was necessary, but you'll have to get it into your head that being on board my ship costs me something and that you have to pay for it by working. In short, pay for your passage.
I've already given you 113 gold coins for my passage. That's more than enough, considering the quality of the journey.
That was for getting on board and going to your mysterious place. It wasn't for the rest of the journey, so now you'll either have to work a lot harder or leave. I don't want to keep you on my ship for nothing.
I don't mind leaving, but we're on the high seas, how can I leave?
That's not my problem, you'll find something in the water. Sea turtles or something.
The fox, not really liking this threat, said nothing. Looking at him, he tightened his grip on his weapon. It was then that the vixen spoke.
And if he were to pay for it by leading us to a treasure. Would that suit you, Teige?
The fox let go of his weapon and looked confused at the vixen, while the birdfolk turned his head to look at her
Treasure? Do you think he has this information?
Yes, he told me about it back at the manor. He wanted us to go after the necklace.
Did he give you any more information about it?
No, he didn't.
The birdfolk turns his attention back to the fox.
Well, maybe we have a deal. If you lead us to one of these treasures, you can stay, but you'd better be worth it, and you'd better be real, otherwise I'll go back to the offer I made before: you pay or you leave, and it doesn't matter where we are right now.
The fox looks at the vixen, who nods. He finally turns back to Teige
Well, if I don't want to die. I can take you to one of the ruins of the old world that I found a long time ago. But I'll take you there, disembark and leave the rest to you.
The birdfolk smiled.
Perfect, then it's agreed. Can you put it on the map?
I'll have to decipher my own maps to see which one I can lead you to. Unless you want to walk a few days on dry land to get there.
the birdfolk squints.
No, indeed. You can go about your business and come back to me when you're ready to tell me which way to go. We still have a long way to go before we reach the port of Caelum. That should give you plenty of time to make your decision.Now I guess I have to show them a ruin or something. Or maybe not? I can just point them to whatever, get off the ship when we get to port and disappear, but I don't think he will left it at that. They will try to find me for sure. I've got to find a solution, and quickly, or they'll know something's wrong. Maybe something with Cynv? After all, she did help me out with this strange treasure story. I don't know what to do. I will need the night to think about it. Clear my head and all that, I have done enough for one day.