Fletcher's Journal

[Lydia]

The Iron Ring seem to be setting up in Sweetgrove again, possibly using underground channels accessing an undercity. Ruins of a previous settlement run beneath warehouse district. Following the river, we were able to navigate our way outside of town.

Warehouse entrance has been sealed by authorities. Six slavers eliminated, three slaves freed. Gart, shopkeep, testimony: They wanted me to help them sell their goods here in town, but when I refused they threatened me and kidnapped me. River entrance still accessible. Third entrance through cellar of empty shop. Underground river runs around ziggurat dedicated to undead creature. Probably wise not to approach without clerical assistance.

Cleric Joachim may be of assistance in future endeavors. Level-headed, if talks too much. Powerful magics. May understand ancient languages lost to modern day.

Adventurer Dantalis: trustworthy, dwarf, black hair with gray streak along parallel to his facial scar. Blue eyes. Likes to talk. Do not trust with secrets. Fights well. A little prone to charge into danger unprepared, but can be brought around to caution.

Also of note: Sarcophagi present in undercity. There may be other channels still intact beneath the town. Merits investigation.

[Lydia]

The Iron Ring are muscling in on McGinty's. Dantalis's tall tales probably give impression of connection between the adventurer's guild and myself. McGinty unharmed.

Did not investigate. Asked by one Damien Wright to assist in work for mayor's daughter; accompanied in bodyguard capacity.

Attacked again by Iron Ring thugs outside of town. Two men, one Guido (now deceased), other in chainmail, longsword, shortbow, did not appear to be well-accustomed to the weight of his burden. Confiscated iron band from Guido, but no evidence of orders, no maps. No lead. Other assailant escaped while providing first aid to Wright.

Mayor's daughter's lover, druid, name of Bertrak, under hex by local hag. Magic chimes responsible for erratic behavior, could not remove without assistance. Freed two cursed persons, town guard Ilsa and scribe Dunkel. Third compatriot Theobald dead, eaten by hag. Discovered hag's lair, magical horn; cat, possibly the hag's familiar.

Confiscated horn for use on chimes. Hag, returning, attacked. Unfazed by direct hit in left eye. Gave horn to Wright with instructions to find and rescue Bertrak, and drew hag away.

Rescued by Right and Bertrak. Trustworthy men.

No further sign of fled Iron Ring assassin. No indication of Iron Ring involvement with Bertrak's hex. Returned to Sweetgrove and parted ways.

Bertrak: powerful druid and once-wizard. Appears to be gentle-hearted, abhors wizardry in his natural state. Friendly. Standing offer of assistance if needed.

Damien Wright: Unassuming man, long brown hair tied at back of neck in a knot. Green eyes, piercing. Active hands, usually gesturing; likes to talk; storyteller. Magically trained, good intuition.

[Lydia]

Nearly died.

Iron Ring ambush while I was leaving inn room to check up on leads with Watch Captain. Mage put me to sleep before I realized they were about. Not sure what their plans were. They were killing time; was not certain why.

Rescued by Damien and witch. Witch's name, Alice. Slavers had brought me back to the undercity by the ziggurat. Recently cleared passage to the north led into more passages, including some occupied by a wizard calling himself by a false name. Thanks to quick thinking on part of Alice, revealed himself to be one Lord Blackwell. Wanted posters at the Guard's office pegged him at 3000 gold value, doa. We agreed to take him in dead.

Blackwell went down easy; owlbear and gargoyle guarding his things were tougher. Managed to kill them both without quite going down ourselves. Blackwell had been employing goblins and made half a mansion for himself out of the undercity. Took out most of the goblins, but the rest gave up and promised to head back to the forest. Bertrak likely won't be thanking us for that.

Some treasure found in Blackwell's rooms. Sent the others to handle selling off the excess, turned in Blackwell myself. Thran seemed surprised to see me. Second offer to join the watch. Turned him down. Seems like a good captain. Probably not involved with anything to do with capitol politics.

Alice: witch, capable of healing magics. Used some on me. Strange penchant for going naked. Briefly concerned of her affiliation with Iron Ring, but it turned out they'd been charmed to even odds. Uncontrollable urge to drink any potion set before her. Self-destructive. Unkempt red hair, wild eyes. Has guard dog named Pansy. Do not take either lightly.

Damien expressed severe dislike of Iron Ring. Keep in mind if ever make concerted attack on their home front.

Still feeling a little out of sorts. Bedrest, maybe.

[Lydia]

Never leave unfinished business. I should know better. Thought we could leave well enough alone, and it cost three people their lives.

Checked up on Bertrak and the inn by the wayside near his domain. Not too much trouble with the goblins lately. Returning to town, however, came upon the Watch examining the corpses of two victims to a serial killer.

Not sure why: thumbs were removed; also spotted incisions on the bodies. Perhaps to remove internal organs of some sort? Victims were a woman, middle-aged, and a male child. Thran explained there'd been another marked the same way a week before, a man. All of the victims were murdered brutally. Man's throat was slit, boy was strangled, woman was stabbed in the back. They'd been soaked in spirits, or at least they smelled like it. Thran wanted help and I offered.

Wrongly suspected Alice, but I had my reasons. A magic using type with no affiliation to the gods is always potentially dangerous. Went to fetch her from McGinty's, found Dantalis and recruited him as well. Good thing I did; he drew the monster's fire.

After availing myself of suspicions with regard to Alice, we began investigation. She led us to the library, but we found nothing I could lend credence to there. Based on the incisions, however, it was suggested that the criminal must have steady hands. We investigated artisans, crafting folk around the town and came across the smith.

He complained of nightmares, describing the murders vividly and a terrible bronze palace beneath the earth. Dantalis and I both suspected this indicated the undead thing we left below had not returned to its rest.

We showed Alice the path below that lies in the cellar of her new Apothecary shop, and returned to the ziggurat. Inside, the body of the man-- buried by the kindly Elder Thomas and his acolytes, Thran had told me-- was kneeling before the pool at the room's center.

Unholy sight, that. Walking dead. I'd thought the skeletons Bishop Joachim banished were difficult to face, but this was the grotesque avatar of nightmares. The smell; I don't think I'll be drinking for a while.

Silver-tipped arrows did work, as Joachim had suggested before. The enchanted weaponry, and Alice's stock of holy water, worked better. When we'd felled the man and laid his spirit to rest again, the creature from the deeps that had summoned him rose from the waters.

Am ashamed to admit that in the heat of the moment, my hands were trembling. Unnerving monster. When I snapped the bowstring, it was only Dantalis that stood between us and the wretched thing.

Put the enchanted axe to use. Alice kept Dantalis on his feet as long as she could. He fell, for a moment; just unconscious, but I'd never felt so cold as I did seeing him there, lying on the floor beneath the evil grip of that sick monster.

I split the thing in two in panic, but as it died it peeled away, shredding into dust.

I don't think I'll be drinking for a while.

[Lydia]

Trouble.

Iron Ring is trying to lay claim to Sweetgrove. Ran McGinty out of town; his wife says he's holed up in the undercity, and she appears to be safe, but town is under siege. Thran informed me: Kaine left town, Iron Ring planning to make deal with monsters in caves near the town, try to box us all in. Key: stop Iron Ring from using the spoils of the Guild of Merchants' gold mine.

Gathered what adventurers I could find, set out immediately for the gold mine. Killed 11 Iron Ring with assistance from Wright, the witch, an elf and a dwarf. Elf's name, Loreleina. Dwarf, Greta Boulderbust. Greta travels with four fighting dogs.

Inside, discovered the reason why the Guild abandoned the mine. Gorgon. Damien, Greta and I managed to take it down; Loreleina and Alice indisposed, stone at the time. Important note: persons turned to stone by Gorgon's breath turn back if smeared with Gorgon's blood.

Freed some miners that had been turned to stone. Was also a room of slaves concealed in the western part of the mine.

Thran, townspeople seemed without hope when we left. Maybe returning these lost steaders will help a little.

Loreleina: elf, capable of magics and handy with a blade. Arrogant, typical of elves, xenophobic, but young. Doesn't seem to have met many humans. Quick thinking.

Greta Boulderbust: dwarf, violent. Dog trainer. Gluts her dogs on the corpses of her enemies, not much regard for others whether they are allies or enemies. Keep an eye open when she is around.

[Lydia]

[[the missing entry]]

[[page is tattered, splotches of ink and torn pieces missing making it mostly unreadable]]

--ght's Castle for a stronghold. Dantalis an--

--lured him into the cell to finish him.

[[rest of the page is smeared with ink, almost intentionally, until the final sentences:]]

I hunted down the rest, demanded to know who they'd sold to, when, where. No good. Executed them.

I've as good as lost her, now.

[Lydia]

[[the book has not fared well; this page comes after several that are forever lost, torn from the binding and thrown away]]

tab 100g per week -ale visit McGinty on Wednesdays

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work for Thran - 1500 g - two serial killers partnered elf and half-orc mercs with a taste for blood, discovered cursed item both had touched, had the Father remove it sent mssngr Thimble mage rep. Ad. guild

[[several more torn pages, and then]]

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cornered by Thran today at jail, arrested for threat to the peace. Victim was a merchant with unusual companion, both young women apparently consider iron chains fashion statement. Did not kill them before guards arrived. quite. Judgment impaired.

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McGinty threatened to cut me off; adv. would find other tavern. Asked me to stay don't know why took appropriate goods for pay and left.

Work for Bertrak - goblin infestation. 20 goblins killed and hobgoblin leader. 600 G and druidic ritual wine.

Father Thomas in graveyard asked why I did not enter the church; I told him. I will get my due justice in time. Murder is murder, however convenient for overworked border police. I got my revenge. It wasn't any good.

He asked what I got revenge for. Told him I don't know. I don't. He seemed to.

Gave me a book of pictures. Collection of the saints. More for children, he said, but maybe I could appreciate it?

I have memorized their faces and their names. So why did every one look like her? Returned book via messenger, with donation for the church. Next time in the street the Father tried to meet my eyes. I didn't let him.

[[another torn page, and then:]]

Joachim tried to talk me into going; should have known not to. Dantalis, witch also asked for help investigating lair of ex-adventurers. Waste of time. Traps, monsters, and a lot of hot air.

Carroll has low sense of self-preservation. Dantalis, boundless enthusiasm. Surprised not to be sole survivor.

Surprised I went.

What's a man supposed to do after this? Raid the dead, maybe.

The dead are damn poor.

[Lydia]

I appear to own a book of some kind; trapped, I tried to discern the writing therein and became debilitatingly ill. Have stowed it beneath the bed in inn room for now. Could be magical. Have Alice look later possibly?

I am starting a journal, trying to collect my thoughts. Have the one at home, but Stafford's a month away, this time of year, with bad weather two. Not entirely certain home is still there.

I awoke three days ago now in Sweetgrove with no memory of how I had come to be here. Woke disoriented, heart racing. Had been crying. Nightmare, possibly. Illness?

Though I have been to Sweetgrove before, they say I have lived here almost a year. A year? Wasn't it yesterday I returned to Stafford from touring the province on the Marshal's trail? Confusing. Innkeep, Katherine. Her husband, Donald. Am a regular? Was drinking heavily before apparently.

A woman, Alice, came to my room as I was cleaning up, shaving off some scruff. Doesn't do to be unkempt on the job, and I assumed I was here on business. I haven't found any sign of the complaints list in my bag, however, and I didn't have a horse at the stable. Did I walk here? Why? No official notices whatsoever. Some of my supplies seem old. Tested various potions, unfamiliar. Have a ring on left hand, middle finger, that I do not remember acquiring. Difficult to keep my thoughts organized. Have had several headaches since waking up. I truly felt like I was fully awake for the first time in my life.

Alice is a dangerous woman with red hair, half my age easily. What she sees in me is beyond my ken. She came to my room with her new store clerk, Pansy. She says she transformed Pansy into a woman from a dog. I think I've heard of such magics, but I've never seen them before. Why did Alice come to my room? Were we lovers?

I went with her. It felt as though I'd done so many times, and I fell into an easy rhythm, guarding her and her clerk without thinking about it.

On the way, we met a man-- a priest-- named Joachim who loaned his fine cloak to Alice for our trip. They reminded me of the Guard Captain here, Thran. Good man, have never met him personally. Or had? Sweetgrove so rarely has complaints to address, criminals to acquire. I had killed some poachers for them once. Why am I here?

Alice took Pansy to a tailor in the guildhouse, and then led me to the tavern, introducing me to a man with only one arm, who insisted I remembered him. McGinty, the tavernkeeper. An ex-adventurer, evidently of the guild of which I am presumably a member. I was a little panicked by my lack of memory, and pretend to recognize him.

Inside the tavern, as McGinty was discussing something with Alice, I felt suddenly ill and had to return outdoors. The sun was shining, but I felt cold and something. A deep ache. Something missing.

When she'd concluded her business with McGinty, Alice came outside to join me. From there, we went to meet a young magician named Trebbelos. The boy was cast out by his parents to learn magic, but doesn't see any tragedy in that. In any case, he was aware of a cistern Alice wanted to investigate, so she enlisted him to help her locate it. I purchased horses for the two of us, and Trebbelos met us at the south gate on his pony.

It's not quite a day's ride. Alone, we could have made it there faster, I think. There was a young girl in the water, drowning, as we arrived; it was deep and cold and wide, and she was at the very center. I swam out to her.

What else happened is...confusing. I remember helping Alice, wanting to protect Alice and make sure she was safe, but the girl became a woman, a monstrous woman wearing the body of a snake instead of legs, and she, too, bade me help her, to see Alice away to safety and Trebbelos away from the lake. She they she asked me to slay the leeches, monstrous things as big as a large dog. I went to shore and slew them, though one latched on to me before I could kill it. Painful.

Alice told me she loved me before the beautiful woman-- I do not know her name-- could steal a kiss from me, and I realized that her mouth was laid with fangs. Couldn't get away, her tail was wrapped like a vice around my ankle. Her touch was like ice, I

It was very hard to think. Something must have been wrong with me, then; she commanded me to kill my companions, and I agreed. I have done many terrible things in my life, with no regret and no one to stay my hand, but I am not one to turn on a friend. There was a feeling of horror that I would hurt the woman who had been so kind to me as I turned on Alice.

Her command of magic is quicker than my blade, though, and luckily so, and she held me back with a magic prison. I was rescued from the woman's touch had to watch Alice slaughter the woman from the lake before its invisible walls released me. It was hard to move, after; I couldn't stand for a time, even after Alice gave me a couple of healing potions from her personal stock.

The memory of that night is hazy, but the touch of that woman has been fading, slowly, since. Joachim encouraged me to rest until I was well again. Still, I'm not certain. Can I be well? I remember nothing between my return to Stafford and awakening here. A year of my life, gone? Maybe more?

Since I've returned I asked Katherine to help me locate the general store. She was confused; uncomfortable, I suppose. She says she feels guilty for selling me so much liquor if this is the effect. I told her it couldn't be something like that, and bought this book to write in. I'm afraid to sleep. What if I remember nothing when I wake tomorrow? Maybe, at least, I'll have this book to remind me of what came the day before.

[Lydia]

Dantalis- Male dwarf, black hair ponytail distinct facial scar around which hair is streaked gray, loud, trustworthy, fighter, goodnatured familiar

They said I had met Dantalis before; even Pansy, apparently, when she was a dog. They talked of an undercity, of slavers, the Iron Ring, and something about it all seemed very close, a little like fabric straining in that instant before it rips.

Headaches, and more headaches. It had been four days since Alice and I returned to town, and I thought I had my wits about me again. I took the trapped book to her store, searching for her, but there were others there. Dantalis as above, Pansy.

Alice has stopped pretending for my sake, I suppose recognizing that I know something is wrong; she told the dwarf I had forgotten him, but would be quick to remember. He is of such easygoing nature that the news didn't slow him down for more than a second. I immediately liked him. If I did fight alongside him before, I can rest knowing I at least had sound judgment at the time. Whatever happened between then and now is still a complete mystery.

Note: figures in the basement of apothecary? This was the conversation that led to discussion of the undercity, which I could not follow. Headaches seem to spring up at inopportune times, makes discussion difficult. Alice was not pleased that people are using her shop as a thoroughfare, Dantalis rescinded his request to rent her rooms as a result. For whatever reason she decided to talk to McGinty about it. Does McGinty know something about the undercity? They mentioned an occupation, and the Iron Ring slavers.

Purchased a winter cloak. It is cold, getting colder, biting and unrelenting, so went to general store. Clerk evidently knows me from previous work in town, and offered a discount. Tried to pay full price, but he would not have it. Sturdy dwarf, dependable. Seemed to be friends with Dantalis. Name-- I didn't get his name. I don't entirely feel comfortable making it public that I've forgotten, not at least until I know how it happened, why. I don't know how much I've forgotten.

Also visited the bank, planning to open an account after last trip with Alice; discovered that I apparently already have one? Made deposit instead. Dantalis explained when I asked that I have been in Sweetgrove more than a year, having arrived before he did, possibly much before. What drove me here?

To learn more of what had happened with the persons traveling through her shop, Alice had us visit McGinty's again. The smell of alcohol is unappealing even faint, and was thick and overpowering in the tavern. Immediately I felt sick. It's possible I'm reacting to the suggestion that my memory loss is directly tied to a few months of excessive drinking. Slovenly behavior unfit for a Marshal. Confirmed two things while listening to Alice and Dantalis talk about me; Alice is almost certainly not responsible for the memory loss, and Dantalis suspected her (correctly) of using magic to charm me. The charm has since worn off, but for whatever reason, I do still care for her. Self preservation was never my strong suit. I don't think she meant me any harm, anyway.

Did not pay much attention in the tavern until Alice began asking about local rumors. McGinty was full of information, then, and mentioned giants. Not sure why that felt familiar, but it caught Dantalis's attention immediately, and mine as well. Asking around, it turned out the Guildmaster of the town has been asking for help eliminating them. Giants off to the west, smashing any trade caravans that come this way. Job for a Marshal if I've ever heard of one.

We approached him and asked if the problem still stood, what he knew of their hideouts, whether we could borrow any explosives in an effort to knock in the hideouts' walls. He did have two small kegs of gunpowder, so we accepted that and the information he had. Alice and the Guildmaster didn't seem to particularly get along, tried to keep things polite.

The journey wasn't far by horse; Dantalis brought a young adventurer, Cassie. Clever little thief, we had her keep an eye on the horses while we entered the stronghold. Should note, there are two, one still untouched. Problem may not be fully resolved.

Twenty giants dead when all said and done, in addition to two cave bears. Some appeared to be children; I put them out of their misery quickly once the battle had ended. We returned what we found to the town, keeping a share of the wealth for ourselves. May yet return mine, I'm unsure what to do with it. If the issue persists, I imagine we will return.

We work well together, Dantalis, Alice and I. They mentioned Damien, another friend I have forgotten. Having returned to town, Dantalis said he would like to pay to have a house built outside city walls, down in the farmlands, for us to live. May take him up on it. Curious. Am I fond of Katherine and Donald? They seem to appreciate my presence, generally. I haven't decided where I would live. There is a deed, in my pack, to the Horne Keep, not far from here. Maybe we could go there, instead, provided it's sturdy enough.

Am now wearing two rings, one red and one set with a sapphire. Have had the sapphire ring since I awoke last week, but the red came from the giants. Stolen, no doubt, from some unlucky traveler.

I don't understand what is wrong with me. I can remember my name, title. Not whether I've ever met Captain Thran. Heard of him, yes; you work in the same part of the country as someone, you'll hear about them. But have I met him? They say he and I were companions, Alice is disdainful of the guard because of Thran's reliance, apparently, on me.

I suppose I am good for extermination of unwanted pests. We returned the trade goods we could salvage to the merchants, and one ballista to use in the town's defenses on the walls. Hopefully for now the west is much safer. Not sure any new caravans should leave until we can confirm the giants have been sufficiently thinned out. More traders lost will do no one any good.

Helped Dantalis pay the thief, Cassie, for her assistance. She did well by us, guarding the horses and staying out of trouble.

Why am I in Sweetgrove? Maybe I ought to ask a priest.

[Lydia]

[Several false starts are marked in scribbled out words; one page has been torn out.]

IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII I

Headaches all the time. An elf named Velira found a dead woman. Thran sent me to investigate, found a passage leading out of the house, loose stones, familiar. Why?

Damien Wright, Bard, trustworthy, used to know him. His husband has been taken by slavers, he said; swore to assist.

Gnome, admitted arsonist. Intimidated him prior to leaving town to avoid incidents. Called self 'fire master', asked us to retrieve items from a crypt. Alice and Damien both asked if I would go, so I agreed and we set out.

Moving corpses; screaming things, bodies-- ghosts, some-- and a spirit of fire that Alice set free gambling on wishes. I killed them, somehow. Killed the mummy, severed the fire creature from our world before it could kill Alice.

After, she and Damien both were rotting from it. Wasn't sure if it was true or just my mind playing tricks, at first.

I've surely done things like this before, seen things like this, but I don't remember. I don't remember any of it. Had purchased brandy before we left, in case there was no potable water. Ended up drinking it alone after, before I could ride with them. They smelled wrong, rotting. Looked wrong. Took Alice to Joachim.

Something's missing.

Hard to see. Headaches, all the time.

[Lydia]

[Marked very neatly, clearly notes rather than the usual (recent) stream-of-consciousness writings:]

So-called fiend or 'devil', name Avarice, reported assault by hunstman Polliver to me. Assault connected with death of out of town archer reportedly of name Jacinth, discovered one week prior at docks. Account of the incident by Avarice that hunstman Polliver attacked without provocation and then tried to hunt and kill Avarice for sport. Talk of Polliver is seldom good; is notably difficult to get along with and rude to many townspersons by word of other guards. Currently associated with merchant's guild. Intend to file formal complaint at Guardhouse once evidence fully collected.

Story does not quite connect. If Avarice and his fellows were unarmed as he suggested, then why was the murdered archer clad in armor? Broken bow found beside the body as well.

Is of a height with Damien and myself, horned, red skin with white hair. Eyes a pale brown, almost yellow, perhaps; he is not liked by many in town, but this may be a slight due to his unique appearance. Capable, though prone to trickery, perhaps somewhat dishonest. According to word of mouth has recently been making efforts to establish Bounty Hunter's Guild. This could be of use to the Watch, as collecting bounties for legitimate threats would occupy those who make trouble and benefit the ordinary citizens of Sweetgrove.

[The rest continues on the next page, fresher, and the ink is splattered a bit more, as if the pressure applied on the pen was too great for the usual cramped but smooth hand in which the journal is penned.]

the woman knew my name who was the woman?

Headache, constant since returning to town. Have sent letter to request aid; not certain if it will be available. Damien's husband is safe, was well, enough to chastise him. It was such a relief, somehow, to see him at ease again. Curious; we may be friends, but why did it matter so much to me?

Iron Ring. Slavers. The name brings on the headaches; like certain people do. The woman-- what was her name? Why didn't I ask her name? She knew mine; both, she said I was her husband. She wept; I gave her my cloak.

She left with it. Where, and why? I looked among the people we'd saved, later, but could not find her with them. Alice says she had gone ahead, but there are bandits on the road. If she was murdered, I won't have the opportunity to ask. What was her name?

Slavers, we killed them to a man. Killed most of those involved, though some complicit with the slavers did escape in the fray. Lucas, Damien's husband, was among those we freed, hidden beneath the inn. Dancing Dragon; did not burn it to the ground, precisely, but there should be no further activity there on part of the slavers.

Dangerous men, nearly killed Alice, the devil Avarice. Velira continues to prove adaptable, and evaded much of the danger as we fought by assisting her fellows who had fallen in combat. Luckily, Alice was not too deeply injured. Took a cut from one eager brigand, but am largely unharmed. Should be fine with a few days' rest.

Her name. It would have been simple to ask, but I couldn't look at her. She seemed familiar. I touched her shoulders, not her face. I'm not even certain I remember the color of her hair.

Restless, mostly. Something is wrong. Something is missing.

I don't

Sleep. Maybe after sleep, the pain will fade enough to concentrate.

[Lydia]

Have been tired, lately.

Nearly died; not awake enough to realize, Dantalis misunderstood plan. Sleeping goblin army consequently awoke. Fortunately, others more awake than myself routed them. The elf and Alice, Damien, some others-- new.

Can't recall what they looked like. A bard, Goldmoon, and some kind of man who wove magics not unlike Alice's. Name Sydney, I think. Also met a dwarf by name of Zankas Fletcher. Half feared I was hallucinating, retreated from the tomb to sleep.

Why were we there? Something about a vampire, details are fuzzy. New experience: javelins penetrating internal organs. Not pleasant. Will be resting quite a while.

Sleeping helps, but the dreams are still-
Something is missing.