S - The Darkness (A Brussels' Tale)

The Darkness lurks. The Darkness sweeps.

Do not wander. Do not breach.

Beware the Darkness. Do stay close.

The Darkness awaits your velvet nose.

The Darkness caught me by the tail. It wasn't dark when I left the light. It wasn't dark until it caught me tight. No matter where I ran or hid, the Darkness stalked me out of it. I fell on my face into the light. The Darkness hides just out of sight. I know that it waits there for me, but into it I cannot see. I will run through the leaves. Fall through the steps until I see, the light upon the porch is there. Where warm, soft laps wait for me.

Z - Schnauzer's Log

Although my patrols have been limited as of late, weather conditions allowed for an investigation of the southern territory. Much ice remains, but as long as I move quickly, I don't sink. My two scouts reported a reduction in the ice in the southern most quadrant of the territory, which allowed us to resume patrolling as a unit.

We have been restricted to the northern territory for many days. There is a large layer of white and ice covering the territories. The ice is very delicious, but the white is troublesome. My youngest scout was entirely incapacitated by the white. However, my second in command proved extremely efficient despite the change in transportation. Once the white finished, it was up to my second to scout the perimeters of the territories.

Up until today, we have gathered no intelligence as to the presence of intruders. It is a constant danger that intruders may descend on or within the territories. It is my job to protect our leader, the One. As the scouts and I were suiting up for patrol, blackness gathered in the middle quadrant. We counted four separate sitings of the blackness against the whiteness over the territory. As soon as the doors were opened, my scouts and I raced to confront the blackness. My second took the western side, my third took the eastern side, and I charged direct. Upon approach, the blackness soared above us into the sticks of the overworld, mocking us with their ability to move upwards. Undaunted, I pierced their ears, pushing them to retreat. The cowards fled without a sound.

With constant vigilance, I will keep the scouts and the One safe. The territories remain clear for another day.