We have still found no sign of Reller. My heart pounds with silent fear and my vision swims with anger at my helplessness. Yulte agreed to watch Festal for a few days. I told her I would be ranging farther to look for signs of my eldest son. My heart aches to imagine what may have befallen him, especially if

No. I will not conjecture. I have paced the woods by the path until I found the doorway again, the trees stronger and taller than I recalled. My hand shakes to think it has been nearly two decades since I last traveled.

Wait. Reller cut his hand. What if he was wandering the forest, thinking of my stories? I saw a dark smear upon the bark, though whether that is the scar of my own blood from so long ago, or that of my son’s from yesterday, I cannot tell.

I must leave immediately if I hope to rescue my son. Anything could be waiting on the other side. For that, I must be ready, and I leave my farewell in this journal. Yulte, I am sorry if I do not return. You have always been kind to me. Take care.