Saturday, April 13, 2013

Aches

We've been pushing hard the last few days to reach the township. We've come across n abandoned homestead on the outskirts, which is where we spent the night last. Everyone is tired and sore, but knowing we're so close to the township is helping to push us forward.

The weather has really started warming lately, which is making our clipped pace even more difficult. This morning, though, we awoke to grey, foggy skies. The clouds are hugging the tops of the hills around us, and it's made it quite cool and comfortable. Occasionally, there is a slight rumble overhead, and we keep wondering who, or what, is passing by overhead.

It's why we've been pushing so hard lately. Every day more airships cruise by, east bound. Why? What has happened in the township?

A cup of coffee, and then we'll break camp and head off once more. With any luck, we'll be in the heart of the township in 2 days time.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Rumbles

Yesterday afternoon, 3 airships rumbled by overhead. We're on the side of a mountain that is densely packed with trees, so we weren't spotted. I don't think it would have mattered much, though. We couldn't tell, from our vantage point, if they were Skyrates or Soldiers, but the general consensus is Skyrates.

They were heading East at a clipped pace. Not sure if that's good or bad news for the fate of the township.

The birds are still silent. It's putting me very ill at ease. I miss their songs. I've been leaving out some grains and seeds trying to entice them closer. Thus far, my efforts have been in vain. There are no voices of nature on this mountain. What does that mean?


Saturday, April 6, 2013

Ninkeys

I haven't been able to shake off this depression that's consumed me. So, yesterday after we made camp, May, Ian, and I decided to scout the area looking for something to pick the mood up- flowers, berries, nuts, etc. We didn't find anything like that, but something did find us that took a bit of the load off for a bit. A troop of Ninkeys!

They're smallish animals, covered in hair, and very playful and mischievous. They descended on us from the trees overhead, curious about what we were. One in particular took a liking to Ian, and decided to include him in their game of climbing and romping around. May and I settled back to watch, as the Ninkeys were not interested in the two of us. I suspect it's because Ian was so much similar to their size that they found him so intriguing.

And they were loud! Their vocalizations to one another were, at times, so piercing that it felt like my head would split in two! Ian didn't seem bothered by their sharp cries. In fact, he began joining the chorus! Whooping and hollering like a wild man. At first the Ninkeys seemed confused by his mimicry, but then I actually think they enjoyed him trying to be as much a part of their troop as possible.

I don't know how long we sat there. Eventually, the light began to dip low, and the Ninkeys began to drift off, finding someplace to spend the night. So, we returned to camp, too. The heaviness of my mental burden returned with me, much to my dismay. Hopefully I'll be able to leave it behind soon. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

One foot in front of the other

We're on the move again, but I have to admit that I'm really struggling.

The sun is shining brightly, there's a lovely breeze to keep it not too hot, but I can't shake the feeling that it's all coming undone. Most of the birds have disappeared. I think they're probably all nesting somewhere, but it is strange to have the world so quiet.

It's more than that, though.

I suppose it possibly stems from how I was raised. My parents settled in the township when I was quite young, so I don't really remember being on the move as a kid. It had it's own share of hardships staying in one place. In lean years, my parents would stress a lot. And it seemed every time I made a friend, it wasn't long before they were moving on to new and more exciting places.

But I always knew where home was. I knew where I belonged, and what to expect from the surrounding natural world.

Now, home is not a place. I feel like we've somehow let the kids down- not that the kids seem to even notice. This is their life, and they've never known it any different. And normally I enjoy the change of scenery and people, it's just that sometimes I wish we had a place of our own. Somewhere we could put down roots.