I was on patrol with Ero’an last night. Like the rest of us, Ero’an shows the weariness of the long weeks past, but fatigue has not diminished his kindness. He complimented me for my work in the scouting missions and with Joanna. “I read what you wrote about rescuing her—a gripping story,” he told me. “And it struck me how very much good you did for the boy as well. He will always remember the joy of saving a life,…
I know that in the current world, there are many reasons to be uneasy. Between my usual work and training and the long weary work of tracking the Pestilences driving this pandemic, I have more than enough worries and no need to be adding more. And yet I can’t shake the thought that something is wrong here. I am back on patrols again, as are most of the other Guardians, those who are not still on the hunt. It seems…
I wonder if the Enemy has watchers too? Small spirits who sit in the shadows and spy on the light? Either they do, or else the Violence sent against Joanna was chosen for its truly perfect timing. If I had not been extremely blessed, I would have lost her today. At a particular moment this afternoon, Christy was out at the grocery store, while Mariah was working on a leak in the upstairs shower. Lucas had taken his work and…
There has been no sign yet of any enemy activity in Joanna’s vicinity. Nothing dark or suspicious, no one nearby who does not have the full trust of the family. I have hardly left Joanna’s side, and whenever I have, Taralom has kept watch for me—happy little Joanna has charmed even him. Neither of us have seen any trace of anything. It is my theory, and my seniors agree, that when the attack does come, it will take the form…
My newest and littlest charge is an absolute delight. I did not know that babies can see angels. It makes sense, though. Since they have not been long in the world, their spirits remember some of the things of heaven. When I first came down to meet Joanna, she was just waking up from a nap, but her heavy eyes opened on my arrival, and she smiled and reached for me. I was worried that she would be afraid, but…
I expected to return to the hunt today, but Ruhamah told me instead that I would be getting a new assignment. I was surprised by this, and more surprised when I reported to Orison to find him waiting with Simmah, the Reader. I greeted them both courteously, but I’m afraid I was a bit nervous as Simmah lifted his hand and fixed the Inner Eye on me. “I’m quite used to it, you know,” he said without preamble. He closed…
If I have not written in some time, it is because all available Guardians have been pressed into service hunting Pestilences. What nasty, feverish creatures they are, breathing foul contagion into the springtime, dragging their fingers across throats, clouding heads and chilling hearts. In the last week I must have located three dozen of them, but there always seem to be more. I asked Orison if these creatures always travel in packs, if the Enemy saves them up and then…
I kept myself very busy yesterday, checking in with Alex, Miranda, and Evan, taking over a patrol for Rumael, and pushing myself at training. I hated feeling that the Apathy might still have some influence over me, but Brid assures me that I am back to myself. Orison agrees with her. He thinks that the creature must not have been using its full ability while it was trying to mislead me—to have overplayed its hand would have revealed its presence,…