August ll, 2016

The summer heat beats upon us once again. We've endured the blistering rays of the sun for a significant number of weeks now, but one never gets used to the relentless heat. I went to pray that fall will be upon us once again - a useless act. The seasons awaits us, each with its own specialized horrors. With fall comes the falling of the leaves, leaving us to be more exposed to the enemy. The winged demon, with its keen eye, will have no problem spotting us now.

Our water provisions run low. We've had to cut rations once again. I fear such an action will affect our young. It's difficult to think of them; such innocence should not have to endure the struggles of our conflict. An order was sent out for a night mission to retrieve more water from Lake Infinite. I will always remember how the Oak Chamber fell silent on that day. The mission was declared volunteer only. I could not muster the courage for the excursion; I tried to raise my paw in bravery, I tried! However, upon the twitch of my paw to announce my courage, visions - no - nightmares of the winged demons and their terrifying screech and their blood-stained talons echoed through my mind. I could not do it. A night team was sent out last night to Lake Infinite, to retrieve water for our dwindling provisions. The creature came in the darkness and took Corporal Jessica Uridae of Third Battalion. I can only imagine the sensation, the horror of a night mission, praying to Ratatoskr that one can make it home safely, only for the nightmare that keeps us from sleep takes manifestation and snuffs out life in an effortless swoop. I can only hope her death was painless.

With Fall, the giants will return. Our research teams deem them as a primitive species with little to no intellectual development. Very similar to the Canine species, their acts of aggression seem to be instinctive, and without cause. Dr. Fluffytail explained that it is likely due to their lack of intelligence, they've formed a symbiotic relationship with the hounds. Recent observations have shown that in exchange for food, the giants gain companionship with the hounds. Truly fascinating.

My scavenging party and I have acquired as much food as we can from Summer and Spring. However, Winter is coming, and our provisions will need to last through the stinging cold. With fall, my team and I will have to resort to thieving the hell hounds food. Our quick wits and agility prove ample enough for the beasts, though their imposing size and terrifying yips and yelps do not fail to strike fear into the hearts of my team and me. To think that those creatures are the smaller of the species; I will never forget the imposing size of the canines I once saw interacting with the giants in some sort of companionship ritual. I wonder if they seek companionship just as we do, is it indeed wrong to hate them, even if they act as a danger to us? Do they truly know better? Perhaps they are not so different from ourselves - only trying to survive in a world with vast survival limitations. I wonder what our species could learn if we could communicate with them. Alas, their impending size and cooperation with the hounds brand them an enemy. I fear that our history barkwood tablets will only dictate them as such, never to explore what wonders might come with and open mind, and an understanding heart.

The scavanging missions will begin soon.

May Ratatoskr help us all.

Sir Adrian Nuttington VII - Second Lieutenant of the Four Squirrel Battalion.