It is good to have my brother back. I remember the days when I thought he was dead all to clearly.
I will never take my time with Mibbitwiss for granted, even when he's shoving my head into a bucket.

Mibbitwiss suggested we play a card game called, Dunk.
We have not played it since we were young dwarfs. I hated the game then and still do. Mibbitwiss was a bit of a cheat. He promised he'd behave, so I agreed.

The object of the game is similar to the humans' game of poker, except the loser gets his head dunked into a bucket full of Bog Ale.

Let's just say, I spent half the night with my head in the bucket. By the time the game was over, Mibbitwiss had to carry me to bed.

I woke up to the worst headache I've had in years and to Mibbitwiss' confession that he did, in fact, cheat. . .again.

​

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It is a fine thing when differences can be put aside. Unity is the key. It benefits all. Mibbitwiss and I ventured to the centaur village in the south the other day. We approached with caution.
Centaurs prefer to keep to themselves and it is a rare thing to see a human or dwarf amongst them. Gul and his mate, Nazana held counsel with us.Their herd lived quietly a north of Merrihaven. They were attacked by Isolde and driven from their home not long ago.

Dwarfs can stand on their own in a physical fight, but a magical battle calls for as many allies as one can get. It was important to find out if the centaurs planned on returning to the area. Gul was not as receptive as Nazana. It took quite a bit of coaxing to get him to speak with us. Gul's rage against the witch was more than evident, but in the end, Mibbitwiss and I left feeling unsure of our alliance with the centaurs. I hope Nazana will convince him that joining forces is the right choice.

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I do not want to speak about Isolde. Today I will tell you a story about the time I witnessed the most peculiar fight between Johnny Two-Toes and an ogre.

Mibbitwiss and I were enjoying a pint of Bog ale at the pub when in walks an ogre. He was smaller than any ogre I'd ever seen. (Later, Mibbitwiss would inform me that the ogre was the "baby" of it's clan)

The ogre's beady eyes grew beadier as he searched the pub for his intended target. His eyebrows came together to make one long hairy caterpillar. 

"I have a feeling this is going to be good," whispered Mibbitwiss.

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

He pointed to the darkest corner of the pub. I could barely make out the outline of a table. "Johnny Two-Toes," he said.

I had no idea who Johnny Two-Toes was, so I shrugged and waited for an explanation.

"You don't know who Johnny Two-Toes is?" he asked, with a roll of his eyes. "Just watch."

The ogre roared and swung its club. The patrons ducked under the tables. The barkeep disappeared behind the bar. My brother and I stayed right where we were. Mibbitwiss grabbed a jar of pickled boars' feet and settled back to watch the show.

The ogre stomped towards the back of the pub. I made up my mind that Johnny Two-Toes was about to be flattened, then wondered if the ogre would attack the rest of us.

Before the ogre reached the back corner, Johnny Two-Toes jumped up on the table. I almost choke on my ale at the sight of him. He definitely had two toes; one on each foot. He was small and thin. If I blew a hard enough breath, he'd probably fall over. I had to give him credit, though. He stared the ogre in the eye and stood with the confidence of a man three times his size.

The ogre raised his club over his head and growled. The pub filled with the ogre's underarm stench. Johnny was off that table and flying through the air. His two toes connected with the ogre's eyes. The club fell to the floor with a thud. Johnny was a blur as he fought the ogre. I've never seen anyone move so fast. He jumped to the floor, broke the club over his tiny knee and used a shard to poke the ogre in the rear; herding him out the door.

"Did you see that?" asked Mibbitwiss. "I told you it was going to be good." He nudged me in the arm. "You thought Johnny was a goner, didn't you?"
The pub exploded in cheers as Johnny walked through the door.

Mibbitwiss slid off his stool. "Let me buy you a drink, Johnny."

"Much obliged old friend." I couldn't help staring down at the little man. He glanced up at me.

"How?" I asked.

Mibbitwiss handed him a pint of ale that was almost as big as he was. He looked up at me and shrugged. "Without his club, that ogre is defenseless." He disappeared into the crowd of well-wishers.

"That was amazing," said Mibbitwiss.

I agreed. It was amazing and not something I'd soon forget. I wonder where Johnny Two-Toes is now.

I guess it's best not to judge, the consequences may be two toes to the eyes.

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Mibbitwiss and I have spent the better part of the new year catching up.
It has been very enjoyable, but in the back of my mind, I wonder if is an hourglass some where. It feels like time is running out and I don't know where this feeling is coming from.

I know the threat of Isolde looms over all of us, but it is more than that.
Change is coming and I am not sure if I like that. It is the unknowing that bothers me. What I wouldn't give to visit an oracle right about now, but oracles have not been seen in this area for hundreds of years.

I have not shared my feelings with Mibbitwiss. His constant smile and joyous nature keeps me from doing so. We all need to be ready for what is to come, though. How we will accomplish that, I do not know. Perhaps I will have a word with Roanin.

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​The celebration of giving thanks was unusual and most enjoyable.
I cannot remember the last time Mibbitwiss and I laughed until
our sides hurt. 

We ate until our bellies could not fit another piece of food, then
a curious thing happened; a lethargic feeling gently drifted
over everyone throughout the house. I accused the Pinkstone brothers
of putting on of their foolish potions in the food, but they claimed
innocence. Griselda explained that it was something to do with the
stuffed turkey and happens every year.

I am not sure I will eat the stuffed turkey again. I like to keep my
wits about me, but I must admit, the rest I experienced was quite 
refreshing. It obviously did something for Mibbitwiss, because I found
him in the dining room eating a large piece of pie with cream.

The deviled eggs were not devilish at all and in fact, quite tasty.

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I have been invited to a celebration of giving thanks.The Cragmores have strange, but interesting traditions.

There is much to be thankful for. I have my brother back. It is good to look into Mibbitwiss' smiling eyes once again. A strong bond has been made with this group that has taken on Oxworth, Drusilla and Isolde.

I am curious about stuffed turkey and deviled eggs.


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I lift my pint of Bog Ale in appreciation, traveler. 
You have kept this journal safe from prying eyes. I am still a bit wary of your loyalty, but only time will tell whose side you'r truly on.

The winds of change are rolling in. This journey is coming to an end. Which side will you stand on when the war between good and evil begins?

Should you stand on the side of all that is good and just, a pint of Bog Ale and all the pickled boars' feet you can eat await you.

Take care and take cover, traveler. The witch comes and her quest for revenge will be a painful one for all.


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I did not think I would ever see the day when victory was on the witch's side, but it appears so.
My brother has been returned to me, albeit not in the form I had hoped for. In the face of death we will stand united and fight until our last breath, whether it is together or as enemies.
I hope I am wrong and good will overcome evil. If only the goblin could send the witch through his portal to somewhere she could never escape or perhaps buried by Milo in an earthly underground prison. My confidence in magic is waning. There was a time Mibbitwiss and I longed for powers of our own. Magical humans and creatures always appeared so happy, so full of "luck". Now I see that having magic is quite a burden and maybe we were the true lucky ones.
This may be my last journal entry. You have been a brave and trustworthy confidant. We shall meet again, I am sure. A pint of Bog Ale will be waiting for you.

H.



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Change is in the air. I can feel it.

I'm not going to wait around to find out if that's good or bad. I am going to take matters into my own hands, even if that means turning my back on the other residents of Merrihaven. They are good people. Friends.
Mibbitwiss is family and I think I'm more close to changing him back than ever before. I've been doing a bit of research in Griselda & Esther's library and there might be a solution, but it is untested.

When a being is bitten and changes into a Trith, his or her soul is gone. There is no saving that person. The shadowshifters' magic works fast.
Mibbitwiss is a fighter. Yes, it has been a long time, but Mibbitwiss is a fighter and I will not give up.

​H.

Life.

A precious and fleeting thing.

It is a delicate beast that will purr in your ear one moment, then throw you onto your backside the next. It is gloriously maddening. It is a gift.
I have taken it for granted and found myself concentrating on insignificant details.

Yet this gift is worth nothing without my brother, my clan, my home and friends. I have been blinded to what is truly important. I will not waste my gift on pettiness any longer.

She is coming. Strength and courage will be needed. I will not turn my back on my fellow dwarf, human or creature. I Will find a cure for Mibbitwiss, even if I have to die trying.

H.