"By the Walker, the King, and the Elements herin, I call upon the spirits of fire and wind. In this space, sanctified to thee, I call thy strength to me. Bind thy heat to mineself who puts faith in thou and let mine will be done, until so do I release thee." = "My Will Be Done" tiger/fire, ox, swan/wind, heart.

It's cold. Adding another incantation right now seemed to make sense, at least now we'll stay warm through the night. Jem glared at me when I did it, she's still upset that I won't let her use my shortcuts. Or let her use anything at all. She doesn't understand the dangers of it, I can't let her get hurt. I guess that means I'll have to bind this notebook too when I'm done for the night. Otherwise she'd probably steal it and try out what I've pieced together from this journey. She's glaring at me across the fire even as we speak.

"My Will Be Done" (III_X) Four Races, heart, mind, ox. (Gods above, but do I love that incant. I'm brilliant, absolutely brilliant.)

Oh, but she'd really kill me if I did that.

As it is, I focus my efforts on getting us through the Karayanir's alive. Hewei's doing his part to keep morale high, but even he's starting to wane...when we get to Itasha, perhaps we'll sidetrack and go to Tir Vestra for a while. The mountains don't go over well with him, the strongest wind couldn't bring the smell of the sea up here. I just hope the Draki don't catch up with us befor then...

Retta still won't speak to me. I don't blame her, but if she won't let me explain to her she'll never forgive me. I don't think she understands half of what's going on (but on that note, neither do I, really. And yet by unspoken vote I've been put in charge. I hate my life.) She looks so sad by the firelight...I wish I could say something to her. Nevermind, Hewei's already going at it. Heh, and getting glares from Jem too. Serves him right.

He appeared again last night, after everyone had gone to sleep. I'm not sure why he only shows himself to me, but judging by how quickly he comes and goes at this point I feel safe in saying *he's not human*. He was, I think, but something has his spirit tied here. Why he's chosen me, I have no idea. I don't like it much, but damn me and my quest of the unknown I can't just let it lie. Maybe he knew that...actually, what I really want out of him right now is a name. This whole thing is too frustrating and mysterious. Anyway, he told me more about the Oracle last night. I feel like I'm being herded across across Itasha, that even when I try to make a decision of my own it's somehow already been forseen in his Master Plan. Either that or he's really good at compensating for my moves...

I'll leave them in Norel and go see the Oracle myself. Send a letter to Mother, maybe get the three of them home. I don't like them being mixed up in this.

The fire's starting to die. We need to sleep peaceful if we're to travel on in the morning.

My Will Be Done" (IV) fire, tiger/eyes, bear.

I have no choice but to follow on this path and see where it leads us. Maybe tomorrow, we'll know more. Maybe.