Document submitted to Inquisitor Carnis by representatives from House Renfro in support of Temple investigations into the occult. House Renfro claimed the document contained the ravings of a lunatic attempting to dissuade exploration into the region southwest of Thornhold. House Renfro agreed to turn over the document in lieu of a full inventory of the House’s holdings in Timbur Deep. Inquisitor Carnis entered the following extracts into the Imperial Archives, insisting the remainder of the document was not relevant to the Temple investigation.
Qazari Expedition Day 17
The evening sky shows the way. South to the spire of stone, then west into the dunes. Our expedition demanded additional supplies, so each of our party carries two extra days’ worth of provisions to ensure we reach the main trail. The exploration will complete the quadrant and allow the House to determine the most efficient path between Thornhold and the western shores. If we can push further south, it should keep the caravans further from the Somari raiders whose horses stumble in the deep sand.
Qazari Expedition Day 19
We have reached the great spire and it is as magnificent as described – a column of rock made from the sand itself and carved by the wind. The handler claimed the akalreth did not need guiding to find the spire, and they almost seemed drawn to it naturally. He explained that the beasts often know the desert better than the maps, and I am inclined to believe that claim.
Upon our arrival, we performed our usual survey and confirmed the scout’s reports. Our scryer says there is water beneath the surface that will require more equipment to access as it is trapped beneath rock. If the well can be drilled, this area makes a fine waypoint as it offers a natural shelter that is easily visible from a great distance away.
We were able to locate a spring near the base of the spire, one full of sand and silt. It took several hours to dig deep enough to form a small pool from which we refilled our waterskins. A necessary preparation for tomorrow, as the journey west is uncharted.
Qazari Expedition Day 22
The great spire faded hour by hour as we marched west. The sand deepened, but the wide feet of our mounts held steady. Our guardsmen are confident the Somari would be impaired by such terrain and deterred from raiding our caravans. The expedition feels promising.
Qazari Expedition Day 23
For two days now I have been plagued with nightmares. I am not quite sure how to describe them as it does not seem to make sense even as I remember it clearly. It starts in a void, then a point that became a line, moving slowly across my vision. It was alone in a field of nothing, not even the sand as a backdrop, simply darkness. It moved with agonizing slowness. Then, suddenly, it burst into motion, scattering about haphazardly. I wake drenched in sweat even if the night was cold, and my nerves deeply unsettled. I haven’t told anyone about the dreams. Even if I wanted to, I’m not sure they’d understand how I could be frightened by a slow moving spot in a field of nothing.
Qazari Expedition Day 26
The sand never ends. It is an eternal landscape, one dune after another, and at times I am not sure if we are continuing in the right direction. We follow the sun every evening, yet I swear we’ve traversed the same dune multiple times. The akalreth march forward, unbothered, and seemingly immune to the desert heat. Nothing lives out here, except the jackal that trails behind the caravan.
I fear our party is not faring as well. The heat reflects off the sand in a way that stains one’s vision, such that even once you look away or close your eyes it is still there. I am beginning to wonder if it will be like a scar that stays with us once the expedition is complete.
Qazari Expedition Day 27
The dreams are not just with me!
I spoke with Dirksen this morning. He mentioned seeing a woman with red hair in his dreams while we were eating before breaking camp. He seemed bothered by it. I told him I’d also seen a red-haired woman in my dreams. That did nothing to ease his nerves. I do not know what it means.
Qazari Expedition Day 27 - Evening
We have discovered something unusual. It might be a small temple, or old farm, we cannot tell which. It is a mud-brick building whose sides were smoothed, packed with wet silt. Three small rooms branch off a larger main room. We have decided to stay the night here as we saw a reclaimer on the horizon and dare not risk remaining in the open.
It is the first time during our journey that the akalreth behave unruly. It appears the storm unsettles even their steady nerves.
Qazari Expedition Day 27 – Late Evening
Dirksen has tried no less than three times now to run directly into the storm. It arrived in a rush, slamming into the building like a god defied, then settled around us with choking dust. Not long after, Dirksen stripped himself naked and tried to run out. It took two of our hired guards to restrain him, and we now have his hands bound to his feet. He babbles constantly.
Qazari Expedition Day 28 – Night
Gods! Where does a woman wander in from in this kind of storm?
She came donned in crimson robes in the traditional style of our people, but she is not Qazari, nor Somari. She is also not of the Empire, yet she speaks our common tongue. We have offered her water and food, but she declined. She keeps herself crouched in the corner and watches. Micah does not trust her, and keeps his blade at the ready. I told him to calm himself, the gods must have seen fit to deliver her to us.
Qazari Expedition Day 28 – Night
The storm rages outside and does not intend on relenting. I have tried to sleep, but am once again plagued by the dreams. The empty void with the single line. It moves too slowly. I want it to move faster. It will not obey.
Micah has settled next to the girl and I am concerned at how loose his lips have become. I have noticed she will ask a single question, and he will drone on as if to impress her. She does not smile at him, nor reward him for his efforts, yet he pursues anyway.
Qazari Expedition Day 28 – Night
The girl… Something is not right with her. She draws in the silt on the floor. A single finger drags straight across, then she wipes it clean. Over and over.
I have watched her carefully. She does not blink. Does not smile.
She asks questions that have no clear answer. Micah entertains her.
Qazari Expedition Day 28 – Night
Micah is a fool!
He has wounded Andrei gravely, all because of the girl! She did not respond to his desires, and when he forced himself, Andrei pulled him off. Micah put a knife to his belly.
The girl simply watched, as calmly as one watches a campfire. It is as if she is waiting for something. It is madness!
When Micah buried his knife in Andrei, she asked him how it felt to draw blood. He said it felt warm. The girl suggested he step outside. To let the winds cool him. His face went still, the knife fell from his hand. He disappeared into the storm beyond the door and has not returned.
The girl looks at me now and I am afraid.
Qazari Expedition Day 28 – Night
Dirksen weeps. His cries come soft, like a babe, broken and with long pauses in between.
The girl watches me still. I am afraid to move. She has said nothing, as have I. The shadows have started to move on their own. Untethered. I find myself wondering if she is still in the room. If I am.
Qazari Expedition Day 29 – Before Dawn
Dirksen is dead! His corpse dried as if he has been dead for months.
The girl has not moved. Her shadow touches me. I cannot.
The final entry contains handwriting completely different than what came before.
Qazari Expedition Day 29
We have reached the oasis as expected. The journey from the spire took two full days and the akalreth fare well in the deep sand. Our House will profit greatly from this new route. It is our recommendation that all traffic to the western coast be rerouted as soon as possible.