The Mapmaker and the Dreamcatcher

The transition of autumn brought with it the shortening of days. And while the length of daylight certainly put a damper on the amount of time she could spend exploring, the girl certainly made it a point to do so. Talyssa would take up her usual habit of carrying maps around with her, usually rolled up in her knapsack. When she was in the thick of it, she would scribble out rough drafts of the areas she had explored, returning home at night to put her developing etching skills to meticulous use.

Returning back home in the evening, she would find a quiet place to lay her map out flat, allowing her to create a more detailed sketch of the terrain. The castle grounds were well-lit. Even as the sun began to set in the horizon, light still spilled from each window, and Talyssa welcomed the soft yellow glow. The smell of burning wood filled the air, mixed with a hint of smoke and a warmth that was as comforting as it was inviting. As she worked, she found a sort of harmony with the castle’s subdued ambiance, the scratching of charcoal on parchment in time with the crackling sound of burning wood in the fire. Carefully drawing out the nuances of each area, she was captivated by the intricacies of the world around her and the stories hidden in the margins. In these moments, she felt more connected to the world around her than ever before.

She attempted to remain vigilant with her attention in the room around her, but the lulling atmosphere made it easy for her to adopt a one-tracked mind. Just a bit longer ...

"Talyssa Carpathius"