Day 10, Ashleigh's War Journal

Dear W.J.,

I died. And then I came back! Not just knocked out, you know, but actually DEAD!!! Don't worry, I'm STILL the same old Ashleigh. The screeching tangleweed might have done us in (again), but they didn't do in the heart and soul of the Eladrian Elite Enthusiasm Squad. The others brought me back to town on a stretcher. I believe they must have been tearing their hair out with grief over the fall of their leader. And now, now that I have seen the other world and come back, I think they believe I'm even more of a hero than ever. Damn it, though, I'm NOT pleased about this streak of grey hair. Perhaps I'll dye it. Maybe it'll be another girls' day out for me and Laird soon.

Now let me tell you about being dead. It's like being asleep, except totally different, because you KNOW that you're dead and your WHOLE BEING is walking through the dark. I can't remember all of it--but it was terrible--and strangely exhilarating at the same time--I have a memory of meeting Avalonia, queen of Valon and family matriarch, who showed me all sorts of things, past, present, and future, and touched me with her cold white hand. I saw things important to the Chosen Ones, including--well, I'll tell you more about it later.

But guess what? Like I said, I'm still the same old Ashleigh, W.J. Don't worry. I'm even working on my new hobby of poetry still!

SING, oh Muse, of war; of storms that shook
The sea host who, trembling inwardly,
But with fair faces imperturbable,
Upon the wine-dark waves with resolution
Scudded; behold the elven ships all sleek
And white, the prows all forward pending
Like spears of silver, gleaming sharp;
The officers with longswords poised, proud host!
The mages wise, with subtle abjurations
Taming wild serf and quelling winds;
And, tallest standing, dragons' bane,
The paladins with arms and armor holy
Who stood stern-faced against Orichilan.