6th Opal.
The snowstorm has finished, at last, and we've emerged from our cavern below. It's quite small, as requested, but it kept us safe, and somewhat warm. This keep must be finished. I've given the carpenters orders to roof it up. After that, we can dig a moat, and we'll hopefully be safe and secure.
Mal Men and Fimbulwinter are now at the moment moving the rocks underground, turning them into building materials. I've lent a hoof or two to the Ashlers outside, building the roof for the keep. With any luck, we'll have it ready before the next winter.
This place... It's so different from back home. But we'll make it a proud Xandan of the Rainbow Coalition. I know we will.
12th Opal
Diary, we've got to make sure we have room for new ponies. Today, I ordered the digging of an enlarged section of the dormitories. With any luck, this will suit the demand we might well have.
I've started helping the carpenters get the beds ready. We have more than enough wood, at least. In fact, almost an embarrassment of lumber.
Especially for such a small settlement. Lewkes must be a legendary woodcutter.
27th Opal
Fimbulwinter and Mal Men reported to me today. During the digging of the new bedrooms, they found a new ore. Platinum ore. I'm sure it has uses, and might be suitable to help new metalworkers practice.
7th Obsidian
It's the middle of winter now, and the work below ground hasn't let up. Today, I gave Mal Men plans for the quarters I'd be using. They consist of five rooms - at the front is a room for the clerk and manager. Through that, my office, with Kat's quarters attached, followed by my dining room and my bedroom.
A rather modest layout, overall.
8th Obsidian
More news today. The ostriches we brought with us have continued laying, and just today, I received news of their chicks hatching. 14 new ostriches, which (when they mature) will keep us fed for a long time, with their eggs. I think, at this point, we can discard any care of food. We should provide far more than we need.
The only issue now is drink, so the farms will have to be prepared. And after that, we will be self-sufficient. Nearly ready.
16th Obsidian
The caravan is here today, at last! Kat spotted it while out hunting, and hurried back to inform us. We'll be ready.
They're here. At last. They're here. We haven't been forgotten.
1st Granite, 310
Thank Pewseth and Dezd! It's spring, at last! It's spring! Work is continuing on the roof, and it should be much faster now!
2nd Granite
As if to mark that spring has arrived, one of our yak cows has given birth to a calf. Good news for us all.
3rd Granite
Now spring is truly here. The spring melt has started. We have water again. The river is flowing.
10th Granite
Well, we don't have any Stream Caste here yet. But I was able to fill in for them, today. We've finished trading. We got a lot of new drink and material, and we traded away most of the crossbows our bowyer has made.
We also traded away the crafts that I (among others) have been making. At least they got a decent price. I think I'm improving.
Once we've finished the roof, we can begin on that moat... and that'll protect us.
14th Granite
The Merchants are leaving us now. Rather quick, but I suppose they want to be on their way before the heat of summer...
Anyway, we'll look for them next year.
Fimbulwinter's been a bit quiet. I wonder what he's up to...
25th Granite
Pertegah, the pegasus bowmaker, has got stuck on the wall. I guess that's the problem with these quick log walls. They're uneven, and it seems one of his wings got caught. At least we were able to free him quickly.
3rd Slate
Nothing really to report. We're doing well.
I've been making bolts to help out the hunters. I'm getting better at it.
I've seen Fimbulwinter hiding away food and drink, including all the pegasan rum. I didn't confiscate it, yet, but I wonder what he's up to...
10th Slate
Today, the ostrich chicks were making a nuisance of themselves, playing around the dining hall. It was good to see such joyful beings.
It'd be nice having foals doing that sort of thing...and I think that we might be getting some possible parents soon...
Diary, watch this space.
11th Slate
Okay, Diary, I know it now. Spinneret and Fimbulwinter? They're in love. I saw them just today, and that's what Fimbulwinter was doing with all that rum.
They're both Ashler, so that will at least clear up the caste of any foals. And the union will be simpler. I suppose I'd better prepare for that...
16th Slate
Diary...More migrants. A slippy stallion and tentacle mare Ranger couple, a Ranger darkbolt stallion (who claims he's married, but his wife isn't with him...) a pegasus stallion Ashler, with a Partisan unicorn daughter married to an Ashler Unicorn, an Ashler Unicorn mare, married but with an absent husband, an Ashler keshi mare and gorlak stallion couple, an Partisan Tentacle mare and unicorn stallion couple, a Partisan keshi stallion and slippy mare couple, an Ashler Pegasus mare, married but with an absent husband, a Ranger Slippy mare, with an absent husband, an Ashler Pegasus Mare and Unicorn Stallion couple, an Ashler Unicorn stallion, with absent wife, an Ashler Pegasus Stallion and Earth Pony Mare couple, a Ranger Slippy stallion, with absent wife, an Ashler Shadowbolt stallion and pegasus mare couple...
We've got a lot more people now. With any luck, this keep should be ready within two seasons.
Let's hope it is.