We're still "hot" on Pyro's trail, but putting out small fires or smothering hot spots isn't fast work so we haven't caught up yet. We're so glad everyone has been taking care of the Glade! The Whimsical Woodsman has been so helpful in this journey. He's very skilled with his axe, quickly creating fire breaks by cutting down trees with a few hacks. Well, excluding the trees we just came across.

A small brush fire was burning and I set to putting it out while Whimsical started cutting the trees next to it, just in case the wind picked up and moved it into their branches. Everything was going well until there was a loud bang, and a yell, and then a moan. I quickly smothered a flame and went to check it out. There was Whimsical, sitting in his typical alluring way, but holding his hand and looking remorsefully at his axe and a large stump. He explained that he was simply chopping it in half to move it out of the way, but instead of slicing into the wood as usual, his axe bounced off!

I examined the stump and found it wasn't a stump at all! It was solid rock! The outside of these false logs look just like regular bark, but on the inside there is glittering rock in every color imaginable. Alazyn, the swamp dragon who is always keen on special finds, just stopped by and gathered some up for the treasure trove!

The land has started to change, but until I came around those trees I hadn't realized how much. We are seeing less and less forest, and more dry open spaces, and there seems to be a canyon in the distance now. Hopefully we can pick up the pace as the forest thins and less fires are present, but I am now also worried we might lose Pyro's burning trail.

Still searching,

Onyx