4th day of October
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
I arrived in Someren yesterday. The welcome was lacklustre, as they see a scribe more as an extra mouth to feed than a help.
Nonetheless, they gave me a room in the house of the widow Nettie, who lost her husband last winter due to a wolf’s attack. I was startled to hear of the incident. After further enquiry, I learned that a wolfpack has settled in the area.
I will investigate the matter further.
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11th day of October
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
A week has passed since my arrival at Someren. Its remote location has left its mark on the villagers. They are hardy and taciturn people.
They mostly ignored me as I started my review of the village’s administration. Except for the widow Nettie, that is. She insist I eat two meals a day with her at the dining table, inciting my paleness as a reason. She seemed unimpressed by my explanation that the work of a scribe does not tend to result in a tan. I believe she still suffers from the sudden loss of her husband.
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13th day of October
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
I am not even halfway in my review of the village’s administration.
The further I explore the content of what the mayor calls administration, the more I feel uneasy. Dwindling crop yields, a decrease in livestock, people dying or disappearing.
And yet not a word of Someren’s trouble was shared with me during my visit to the local baron in preparation to this journey.
I will investigate the matter further.
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29th day of October
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
I do not know what kind of tales the widow Nettie has been telling about me. I do know that the people of Someren have begun to seek a connection. Why, the other day, miss Etsy invited me to share a pint of ale at the local bar! I had to decline her request 3 (!) times. I am simply too busy with my work.
Something strange is going on, and I aim to get to the bottom of this.
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7th day of December
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
I have investigated every scrap of paper in Someren. I have counted, and recounted, the food supplies, the livestock and the village’s coffers. With the help of widow Nessie and miss Etsy, I even visited and inventoried every single household in Someren.
I can conclusively say that something is going on with the local barony. I have seen receipts, proof of payment, and other administrative papers. While the administration was… chaotic, everything was there.
I have seen what I needed to. I will depart to Deurne, the home of the local barony, to continue my review.
With the power of the Ministry of Finance behind me, I will get to the bottom of this!
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10th day of December
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
A snowstorm has impeded my departure from Someren.
I suspect widow Nessie of giving me her portion of the food.
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14th day of December
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
It has finally stopped snowing. However, we have been hearing the howling of wolves in the distance.
I have decided to wait a few days longer.
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21th day of December
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
I do not know how, as animal behaviour is not an area I have knowledge of, but the wolves have broken into the barn with the livestock and murdered the lot. Blood pawprints are everywhere and there are several dragmarks leading to the nearby forest. Someren’s hunters unanimously decided to not follow the tracks into the woods,
I was told the tracks indicate a large and mature pack instead of the young pack they had anticipated.
On related news, I will not be traveling to Deurne.
The wolves ate my horse.
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29th day of December
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
The villagers have decided on communal meals. Under my supervision, the food was distributed to four households with the largest and/or best kitchen. Needless to say, widow Nettie and miss Etsy have been chosen to provide for the rest of the village.
I worry though. We do not have enough food to feed 79 people. Widow Nettie has put us on rationing.
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13th day of January
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
I have not forgotten the matter of Someren’s administration and that of the baron.
However, it is difficult to focus on such matters when we hear the wolves scratching at the doors at night.
We have barricaded the windows and people are only allowed to get food in broad daylight with at least 3 other people.
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26th of January
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
The mayor sent his last dove to Deurne today, asking for help from the baron.
Have the previous letters been lost due to the weather? Or has the baron been ignoring our pleas for help?
I fear it is the latter.
Miss Etsy died last night. The wolves broke through one of her boarded windows.
How can you ignore your people’s cry for help?
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Second day of February
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
I urge the kingdom to investigate the matter of these unnatural wolves. They no longer seem to kill for food, as the bodies of the villagers have not been eaten.
11 more villagers have died since miss Etsy’s death. One of the hunter’s managed to take a wolf to his grave.
I fear I may not return to the Ministry to report my findings.
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Second day of February
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
Addendum
You can find my full recordings in the package left on top of the bedroom table.
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4th day of February
In the village of Someren
Records of the scribe Estus
The wolves are biting through the front door.
By the power given to me by the Ministry of Finance, I order whoever reads this to send this letter, including the package, to the Minister Farleigh, located at the capital Nuenen, at the Ministry of Finance.
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First day of May
In the capital Nuenen
Records of the Minister of Finance, Henk Farleigh
I have received disturbing news today. One of our junior scribes, mere 16 years old but very promising, has perished during his first assignment in the village Someren.
Initial investigation has found the presence of mutated mountain wolves. A regiment of soldiers have been dispatched to exterminate the creatures.
Furthermore, I have dispatched an inquisitor to Deurne. Scribe Estus discovered disturbing findings during his time in Someren.
By the power bestowed upon me by the Ministry, such crimes will not be left unpunished!
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