November the Thirtieth, Twelve Oh Seven

Dearest Audrey,

Before the sun officially rose, Flora was already waiting on me (and breakfast), tapping her foot impatiently. The morning meal consisted of Quail eggs and toast, scarfed down by my dainty daughter. She ran back to her room to get dressed (she desperately wants to show off her new blouse and skirt) while I go over my shopping list one last time...

One, a new set of quills and inks.
Two, Three parchment rolls, preferabbly Elmtree or Icewither.
Three, a new Sprocketdriver as my old one is now dull. Perhaps see if there is a way to sharpen it.
Four, more Cephil Fur and Leather to patch up/repair jacket.
Five, an updated map of the Inner Continent, the Nighe Desert region specifically (since we will be moving there in a few weeks).
Six, rations for the week: Eggs (quail and Albatross), bread, moss, Niflheim Tundra shrubs and Four or Five Chickpoppys, seeing as we had finished off the last one two nights ago. De-feathering them is a nightmare, but Flora is sick of eating grass.
Seven, medicinal herbs, especially Warmgrass and Lichentide.
Eight, oil for clock and compass.
Nine, a Carrier Kraken.

The list was simple enough - I knew where I needed to purchase everything and I was sure there would be surplus: travel through the town slowed significantly during the winter months. The Carrier Kraken is something I have been meaning to purchase for some time now and the mere mention of one caused young Flora to shriek in happiness. She had wanted a pet for some time now and I am sure a cephalopod will "fit the bill," even if it will be spending a majority of the time delivering mail.

My bike was still in disrepair since I crashed it into an Ice Pillar (added Twelve Gears Of Various Size as number ten on my list), so I suggested we walk. Almost an hour later we reached the town of Fimbulthul, ready to spend! It has been over a week since my last visit to Fimbulthul; it is quite a sight to see! I adore that the town sits curved into a close-by mountain (Mount Sigilr, I believe) while still residing on the main travel road. Flora kept tugging me to the Squiddery, but I shushed her, promising we would travel there last so I would not have to lug the beast around.

We initially entered Coolat's Clothing and Linen to purchase material for my jacket repairs. James Coolat was also nice enough to throw in a scant collection of sewing thread spools in exchange for a detailed description of how I crashed my bike three days ago. Words, like the winds, travel fast. Next, I dragged Flora (already bored out of her mind) to the Paper mill where I purchased my quills and parchment. The man at the counter complimented Flora on her new skirt, who smiled and yelled "Thanks!"



The next stop was the Engineer's Depot where gadgets and gizmos keep me from the task at hand. Flora kept me on topic though and we picked up a new 'driver, oil and ordered the parts for my vehicle. The highlight was the store being manned by a Nakika named Jode.



The Nakika have to be the most intelligent creature in Rhiannon, far more ingenious than humans or Irusans alike. They are also known for being the most friendly and this case was no different with Jode, who juggled gears with her tentacles for Flora while taking down my order. We talked for a bit. Jode had grown up on the Inner Continent, but the growing number of tinkerers here had interested her. We spoke of my research as well. Flora and I left our new friend and headed to market.

Quail eggs are far more expensive than they should be.

Our last stop was the Squiddery. Our arms full of food and gear, we entered the store. Ink caked the floorboards. I let Flora decide on our new Kraken as an early present (I spoil my girl). She really liked the Longarm Kraken, the Tiamat Twin-Tentacles Kraken, a forlorn Glass squid and the Muspelheir Red Devil. Personally, I tried to urge her towards the purchase of a Nighe Speed Squid, but the thing was "bloody ugly" (according to Flora) so we settled on the Red Devil. I also picked up a gorgeous mail sash for the creature and a few cans of anchovies.



The walk home consisted of naming the beast. I joked that we shall name the creature so it could rhyme with "cephalopod," but the lady was not having any of it. She decided to name our new Carrier Kraken "Moose." Sometimes I wonder if I had dropped her when she was still a baby.

I told Flora that we must let the squid get used to his new home and we promptly let Moose alone. I will say this, Kraken ink is exceptionally difficult to get out of bed-sheets. The night ended with dinner, playing with Moose (the thing can catch small orbs with such speed!) and story time. I let Flora fall to sleep and set Moose on a perch I built with unneeded parts from my bike.

I quietly went to the garage and went to work on the steam bike. I finished working at about one in the morning and fell asleep not long after.

Sincerely,

Nicodemus Thatcher

November the Twenty Ninth, Twelve Oh Seven

Dearest Audrey,

Six months to the day. My morning began with a small brandy and bagel in your honor.

Poor Flora is still sick with a heavy cold though she tried to make me think otherwise. I find the child getting dressed in my coat, ready for a day out in the snowy realm of Niflheim. Of course, the troublemaker has grabbed my thin Spring coat instead of the proper ice jacket. I realize she had grabbed the former simply because her grubby paws could reach it in my tall closet.



So cute. I sat the lady down in bed and calmly explained that she must get better or else she will die a terrible freezing death. She nodded, smiling at silly daddy and drifted off to bed.

I decided to take the day off from studying the creatures to the West and moved toward the chores that needed to be done here. Cleaning took me five hours longer than it should simply because I started sorting papers from past expeditions. This became an endeavor on its own and the hours wasted away. Not that I am sorry for it; I must begin my book preparation eventually and this "Fall Cleaning" may be the step in the right direction. With the house sorted, I decided to clean up around the exterior homestead.

Cold and wet, I brought home freshly picked Snowdrops (which look like Tethys Tulips, save for their albino petals) for the sick lady. I found Flora awake and smiling. She took the flowers graciously and asked so very politely (and urgently!) for a small vase to keep them alive. I quickly bathed and began preparing dinner - Spiced Moss. Together, we ate the food quickly and I was happy to see Flora gaining an appetite.

Our conversation started with Flora's dreams (one about a Ferret that spoke in rhymes immediately grasped my imagination) and moved to what she would like for her birthday. Without hesitation the child wanted to move.

"Move?" I asked her. She explained that for her 7th birthday she'd like to see the world. Or rather, she specified, one that was the frozen tundra of Niflheim. I suddenly saw a bit of myself, excited about the unseen territories around us and yearning to venture forth to the unknown. The idea of moving was something I had toyed with like a tin windup doll - I knew that my expedition was coming to a close and our next destination would need to be decided. I ran to the cupboards (spilling Moss when I got up unexpectedly, causing dear Flora to laugh) and retrieved my maps. After much debate, we decided that we should travel to Deucalion, where she was born. Timing the trip in my head, I told her that the soonest we could leave was in three weeks time.

One week to finish my research.
One week to prepare for the voyage and goodbyes.
One week to travel to port.

Since we would be traveling across the sea to the Inner Continent, I explained that we wouldn't arrive to the Great City until close to the end of next month. Flora didn't care, and thus, neither did I. The sudden rush of excitement allowed for time to pass far more freer and I realized sick Flora was awake at high moon. I ushered her off to bed, read her a story (Golderwhit's Gold) and promised we would go to town in the morning to send word to Port, chartering an Ocean Zeppelin.

Flora fell asleep, I washed the dishes and quickly made a list of what I needed to pick up tomorrow morning. I closed the night with this entry.

Sincerely,

Nicodemus Thatcher

An Introduction: Wherein We Learn of the Journal's Origins

Before we begin, first a hello. How are you? Did the transportation suit you? Did you fare bad weather? I am very glad to hear it.

Now that we've done away with formalities, you are probably raring to go. I would recommend you have a sip of tea to calm yourself. I am in no rush and neither should you.

Where are my manners? I should introduce myself, I suppose. Remulus Oublie is my name and storytelling is, as the saying goes, my game. Normally I seek out stories in the depths of my noggin. However, since living in Rhiannon, the stories have luckily come to me. What will follow is another "Rhiannon Story," yet this tale is not brought upon by adaptation but rather translation.

Miss Ginny Osbourne, a dear friend, had read my retellings of Rhiannon and wrote to me immediately. Her letters described in detail of a journal written in "scribbles and dots" that had been with her family for years! Knowing that an old(er) Rhiannon language commonly known as "Anent" looks like "scribbles and dots," I immediately sent for the diary.

Thus the Journal of Nicodemus Thatcher arrived weeks later via Carrier Kraken. Inside were extensive entries and sketches - what a find! After sending the poor creature off into the rain, complete with letters of thanks for dear Ginny, I settled down to the task of translating the work. Not an easy job, to be sure, but one that brought me outrageous fruit! I dare not ruin it for you here for this is mainly an introduction not a conclusion. I do urge you to read on and find detailed accounts of the life of Nicodemus Thatcher and his daughter, Flora.

From here on out, I leave you in the hands of Thatcher safely and securely. I do hope you enjoy his sketches and stories as much as I have.

Sincerely,

Remulus Oublie