I must admit, the abduction of Mr. Lane and Mr. Stevens by the laurel surprised me. For a few seconds, I didn't even know where they were. Of course, I soon found them again, saw that they were okayish, and concentrated on the rest of the group.
The abduction was part of another attack on my group by the laurel. It is slowly but steadily waking up. The team better hurry, or they will be lost forever in Jimmie's Hell. Luckily, there are other forces at play here, too. During the night - let's call it a night, it was dark, and they were tired - something brought the guys to another section of the forest. And I'm entirely positive that wasn't the laurel's doing because it brought the team closer to their goal. In the morning, it was pretty clear which direction they should follow. Basically, there was only one direction. But I was in awe of their ingenuity as they passed the various small obstacles. Finally, they reached the clearing and the tree. At that moment, I realized it was not Jimmie's Hell that posed the most significant threat but the tree itself, that sentient tree, and deep below, the Cindering.
Yes, I was aware of the Cindering and its machinations, and of course, it started to corrupt the team immediately. But I was sure that even if one of them became tainted by the Cindering's influence - I'm watching you, Mr. Cole - the rest of them would do anything to protect their teammates and forbade the emergence of the Cindering. I erred that I didn't consider the sentient tree and its loathing of its job. Because of my failure, the nearby settlements are in danger. But there is a slither of hope, and it came from a shocking source.
Before I finish my diary for today, let's get back to Mr. Lane and Mr. Stevens. They were pulled far away under the surface. Contrary to my first thought, this act wasn't carried out by the laurel but by the Green as a gesture to the sentient tree. They were in a tight tunnel of spiders, centipedes, and other critters. Because the ground closed above their heads, having no alternative, they followed that path. After a while, this led to a considerable gap that was the home of the Cindering. Seeing new and closer victims, its gaze shifted from the team above ground to my two boys. I hope they are strong enough to oppose its sway because having pawns of the Cindering below and a raging tree above is not a good combination to live long.
But let's get back to that hope I mentioned. It came in the form of Mr. Bartholomew Pierson, the owner of the nearby mining company. He is the one Mr. Fitzpatrick was tasked to find. Mr. Pierson and I have had a long, many times opposing relationship. He is not my enemy, far from it. I truly admire his work. Let's say we are serving different masters, even though he is unaware of it. But if he is on the playing field, I must step up my game and participate more actively in the upcoming events. It looks like watching is not enough anymore.