It seems as though I am never going to hear of my brother or family again. \
I may as well get used to the idea of never knowing why they just left him in that moment he needed us. In the meantime I seem to have adopted a wonderful “son” and who knows where life may lead.

These people I travel with seem to be okay with ..theirselves? They smell to high Heaven and I feel unclean every time i breathe the same as air.

Sigh…my patience is wearing thin.

My dearest and angelic Evilyn,

After a prolonged and agonizing period of two months, I have finally received the letters I had been awaiting from you. Sadly, they did not rekindle hope, but rather confirmed my darkest and most dreaded fears.

You and I have drifted irrevocably and irreversibly apart.

In the beginning, we had been conjoined. But by some twist of fate had split asunder. By some strange and as of yet unexplained phenomenon, we had been conjoined yet again – something I had, in a bizarre combination of euphoria and amnesia, taken as the Blessing of Corellan.

I understand now that we have been returned to our separate and coterminous state.

You have always been in search of the unexplained. Ever putting your unfettered brilliance to the task of searching for the truth, no matter where it might lead, heedless of its dangerous and threatening nature.

It would seem you have found it.

You were ever the smart one, possessor of the keener intellect. I always pressed for caution, beckoning you to be patient, but you wouldn’t have it. You were always taking risks, stepping over the threshold first. Going where angels fear to tread. With me ever on your coattails, one step behind.

I cannot go with you this time. But, ere you succeed at your vile task, I must. I must follow you – to the dark corners of the unfathomable, to the most depraved places of your mind.

To save you if possible. To stop you at all costs. To end you if necessary.

I am truly sorry, my dear and precious one. I failed you once before. I shall not fail you again.

Ever and eternally yours,
Craven Nathaniel Stirge

Dear Mother,

It has been some time since I last wrote to you. I hope that you have been well and I apologize for this hiatus of mine. There were some things that I had to take care of. Anyway, I’m sure that you care more of what I’m up to now rather than the past. Well to start things I had a rather calm, albeit dull, trip back from Ireland. I have a few sketches that I know you’ll enjoy seeing. Upon reaching the town of Redwater, I and a group of others came across a creature that has never been seen before. We had to fight it though as it has been harassing the town for some time. After a tough fight, we came out victorious though I still wish I had some time to study and observe it. I might’ve been able to glean more information on the situation if I had, but the beast seemed to dangerous to let live. Oh that’s right, I’ve also met a rather interesting group of individuals. There is this one Frenchman who likes to appear like a knight. I wonder if he’s just that passionate about that era of time. I guess I’ll ask him next time. Then there’s this gnome that I met. I never thought I’d get to meet a gnome in person, but they’re just like you told me. He’s also a businessman who specializes in gunsmithing, so I’m sure his wares are no joke. Next I met this giant of a man. I expected him to be like one of those brutes, but as it turns out he’s quite docile. Though he still had the intellect of one until he got a headband from a dwarf that somehow taught him years of knowledge in just a few seconds. I know dwarves are known for their craft but that was amazing. Then there’s this native american that I met. As it turns out he’s just like me when it comes to my powers. I should ask him how he came across them and maybe I can learn more about my abilities. Don’t worry, I’m still making sure to allow as little people as possible about what I can do. Last, but not least, I met another elf who seemed to be the leader of the group. I’m so excited to meet an elf, well besides you that is. He is quite good with a gun as he was the one to do the most damage to the beast, so I know that they’re used for more than just show. I think I’m gonna stay with this group for a while. They seem like they are gonna be traveling a lot so they might need someone to guide them in the wilderness should they find themselves there. Well I should get some rest, we’re supposed to be going on a ship for Galveston tomorrow and I’m sure Angel would give me an earful for staying up late. I’ll write to you again as soon as possible and hopefully their travels bring me back home to Paris. I so miss the scenery and people there. Anyway, I’m off to bed.

Love,

Theodore

A small note addressed to Craven was delivered.

My esteemed Caitlyn Elizabeth Stirge,

This letter will most surely find ye, and the faithless curs yer running with.

I’ll have ye know ye’ve gone and done it. And it’s a lengthy list of what ye have done, mind ye. Murder. Treachery. Thieving. Running around with ruffians. All the spilt blood, all the heinous crimes against the powers above and yer fellow man go on like a housemaid’s daily chores.

And I would have forgiven it all. Because ye’re blood. Blood does cover a multitude of transgressions, Caitlyn.

But ye broke faith with and betrayed yer own, and broke yer Brother’s heart. Which is damn unforgivable.

Well I reckon I’ve done all I can to reason with ye, and bring this whole matter to a satisfactory and peaceable end. For my efforts a score of innocent people from that train are dead, murdered in cold blood. Thirteen passengers, a posse of seven lawmen. The remains of the Desert Rose Line burnin in a ravine, untold antiquities destroyed. All to satisfy yer whimsy.

Now I have tried being reasonable, and I didn’t much like it.

I’m coming for ye, Caitlyn. No matter how far or long ye run, the Law is coming for ye. Ye called down the Thunder, and it’s a coming. I’m coming for ye, and I’m bringing all the wrath of Hell with me when I do.

May the Powers have mercy on yer soul.

Sincerely, Marshall Jonah “Cuchulainn” Hill

Met some new folks today. Some people died. Shit happens, grab the whisky.

-Sunrise

Many months have passed since I left the town of Red Water. Shadow’s advisor, a “Mister Randall Flagg”, has saw to spread word that I have retired. It’s completely untrue but still funny, nonetheless I will use it so as to minimize my chances of being spotted. It’s difficult enough traveling around looking the way I do, and if you add Flagg’s “gift” to me it’s dam near impossible.
Many months but yet it feels like years. I find myself sometimes, when out on the open roads, to think back of what set me on this path. I think back to those who aided me, but mostly of those that were lost. I’ve had my faith tested, then shaken, and almost nearly destroyed. But I continue on, “my” quest taking me further and further to what feels as my last stand against a coming Great Evil.
When I started my trek I was merely going off of gut feelings, instinct, and just pure random luck. But as of lately I’ve been sensing a “presence” and at times when I am asleep I hear a “voice” seemingly leading me to where I need to be, who to talk too, or help. So here I am headed to another town. Just the road, my horse Sliver, and me thinking to myself:
“Am I a man of peace or am I a man of holy war?
To many sides to me, I don’t know which anymore.
Is my life made to breathe destruction or defense?
Only god would know. I feel them somewhere here or looking from below.
But I don’t know, I don’t know.”

My Sweet Lonesome Dove,

I have my hands full with this sordid lot of injuns and ingrates, that’s fer sure and fer certain. Half bubble off plumb, every solitary one of ‘em.

Why do they try my enduring patience so? I’m flattered that ye would ask. Permit me to indulge ye.

First off there’s Fubar – now he ain’t a complete and utter idiot. Not that I’m wholly settled about him, wanderin’ off all those months past and then miraculously showin’ up but a few days ago. Cain’t tell if he’s been sent as an Angel of Mercy, or one of Heaven’s rejects been tossed out on account of he couldn’t make muster in the hereafter.

Then there’s this Injun I mentioned, calls herself Foreign Sky. I ain’t entirely made my mind up about that one, neither. If for nothin’ else she’s so damn secretive. Tribal tradition my arse. She’s a might more astute than the rest of these heathens, though, I’ll give her that.

Then there’s Mercy Lee. I reckon she’s been bitten by somethin’ unnatural, as she’s got herself a vile thirst that won’t abide nothin’ but what’s sanguin. Easy enough to slake with pig’s blood from the butcher. But her behavior bears watchin’, lest she gets even more peculiar. I’ll be keepin’ a pistol loaded with silver bullets, and sleepin’ with holy water and a wooden stake under my pillow.

About this Theodore character that just showed up a few weeks ago. Well, he’s just a goddamn fool. Not a lick of common sense. A tree stump could best him at a game of wits. I’m of a mind to string him on a leash like a mangy pup to keep him from goin’ astray. Fitting enough ol’ Mustang Bill gave milk to the ignoramus. Liberating him of his tequila might of learned him. But I highly doubt it.

We also found this stray, Nine-Finger Nico. A relentless braggart and a plum idiot. And as dangerous as a rabid cur. He’s as big a damn fool as Theodore, and worse, more inclined to shoot off his mouth as his pistol. He took a couple of sore good lessons of late. Had run-ins with Red Revolver and Rattlesnake in nary a two-day stretch. I am fairly certain that nothin’ of any virtue sunk into that thick skull of his, however.

Fingerbanger ‘tis another stray that took up with us. Can’t hit the broadside of a barn most days, even when the runt has the good sense to draw down and shoot. His bragidotious mouth is nearly as wide as Nico’s, and both of theirs would put the Grand Canyon to shame. He’s handy with his tinker-tools, so he ain’t a complete loss. He’s proved useful enough to keep as a travelin’ companion, anyhow.

Might be there’s a glimmer a sun shinin’ on this lot. Or a curse spat out from hell a-hangin‘ over ‘em all. Only time will tell. This has to be the sorriest excuse for a posse I ever did throw in with. That’s fer sure and fer certain.

Angels of Mercy and Ministers of Grace protect us. We sorely need all the help we can get.

Sincerely yours, Jonah “Cuchulainn” Sterling

….

-Sunrise

Dearest Diary,
It seems as if I have become rather infatuated with the taste …of blood? The sensation I get the ubsettling and..

Even so- I have tried my best to stay a lady. I’m not sure if anyone except Craven has noticed of course. Should I be worried? Maybe? Must get back to my pack . Restless and hungry,

Mercy