The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious- though the more we gaze upon the mysterious, the more we’re bound
to discover the truth it hides away. Such truth brings knowledge and that knowledge a duty. Things known and unknown, between are the doors of
perception, the paths of wisdom.
~
Entry Eleven:
14th of March 773 BC, Lady Nneme and a Vision of Truth
I was weary when I arrived at the haven, worn down by time and ordeal… I stood for a long while, facing the ladies statuesque visage before
me. So often I’ve come here when in need of wisdom, to recover. I simply gazed upon the blurring surface of the stone tablet below for what
must have been hours, pondering why it hides its secrets away- lost in quiet contemplation. It was then, as that very thought crossed my mind
a young lady appeared beside me, as though a manifestation of my curiosity- her face covered by a veil, cloaked in a fine ivory and mauvish-
crimson dress. Her name was Nneme, and she was the keeper of the shrine to the Lady of Mysteries. In a silvery soft-spoken voice she asked
why I was here- my name is Yunon, merely a ‘wanderer’ I replied. When in need of wisdom I often come here; a jaded smile escaped my features.
I’ve seen you here before, if you stare to long in your search for knowledge, Yunon; you might go blind. She gestured to the statue and the
ever blurring tablet below. While my senses had taken flight already with the days tribulations, I had felt her staring; almost as though
looking at my core- she asked, you seek something deeper here, do you not? Once more she gestured to the statue and the strange stone tablet
below it. Look before you, what does the stone show you? She asked.
Considering her question I answered simply. Something hidden, tucked away from the eyes of those who might glance upon it? There is a lesson
here, a great responsibility. And to share this responsibility I must choose carefully… come, close your eyes; they will only betray you… what
do you see?- Nneme said as her hand slid into mine, clasping gently. I felt a certain confidence in Nneme, a credence of trust; and so I closed
my eyes- as I envisioned the image of the stones and the patterns, circulating and blurring- a single image remained while all others were
unintelligible.
What do you see, Nneme asked again-
I focused upon the single sentence uttered, repeating it to Nneme. But as I did, the image before me distorted and blurred once more. The
first sentence, not too bad, Nneme said. She knew it had blurred once more for me; but even that single sentence, that one glimmer had
revealed much; and I realised there the terrible burden she carries, I’ll not repeat what it revealed to me, not in writing nor anywhere
beyond the confines of my own mind.There is a price for knowledge, Yunon. You know this…please; excuse me for now. We’ll see one
another again soon.
With that Nneme vanished into the halls of the haven, I glanced once more upon the statue of the Ladies glimmering form, noticing a faint
green ink upon my right hands finger tips- where Nneme had taken my hand… no matter what I do I cannot remove it… I am weary still, but I
have much to prepare for- a journey into dreams, into nightmares; for it is to the Nightmare Lands I next go, my companions have been haunted
by the Hag and her master- these nightmares wrap their hands around their souls at night, they try to pull them deep within a world that's
ruled by fright. These dark thoughts may follow us, but they'll never win the fight. We'll escape those looming shadows with the help of
dawns first light, I and my companions few. What awaits us there I do not know, but for now I feel a sense of unburdened peace- and here
within this haven I shall rest till the time comes, might the lady gift me with wisdom and vouchsafe your weary servant in the days ahead.
What Lady Nneme intends for me I know not, but it would seem a trial; for what purpose I cannot say- though she made clear the importance
of her duty here and the revelation this hidden truth holds is the key; yet now I too am haunted- not by nightmare nor fear, but this shrouded
mantle of responsibility.
~