Lab Journal

"Went into the woods. Found many roots, pine cones, flowers — and a dead squirrel. Scant little I can make of that! I must consider where I might gain rarer ingredients for my experiments. ... Some damnable racoons got into the hut while I was exploring the woods. Broke all the glassware. The only things left are ten flat-bottom glass tubes, five round-bottom flasks, a couple porcelain mortars, three pestles and the precious spiral. — A good thing all the pots are still there. So many good chemicals wasted! Shame. Need to lock everything up in the closet. ... Tried to finish the experiment today, the one I started at the old lab. Used the lead powder from the master's box. At the crystallization stage the liquid foamed, changed color and formed a deposit. Another unsuccessful experiment — and I've all but exhausted my supply of essential materials. ... Caught a racoon with a snare trap. Didn't get the bastard to the hut in time. Perhaps I should ask some hunters for help in catching experimental subjects? But I must save money, and besides, I see how those bumpkins scowl at me. As if I've grown horns! ... Third attempt at the crystallization experiment. Broke the last round bottom flask. — I recall my tutor calling me ham-handed and making me clean up. Perhaps he was right. But he did teach me much, despite everything. But why didn't he wish me to develop my abilities? Didn't he want me to learn anything beyond the basic potion recipes?! Kept saying I wasn't ready, but in truth he feared the student surpassing the teacher, and for good reason: I shall prove this process works. I'll prove it to everyone. ... Today an old lady came from the nearby village, asking me to make her goats yield more milk. I had to help — I'm in desperate need of money. Oh, why must I spend my time so? ... Boring, boring, BORING!" Several pages remain empty, then the writings continue. "Observation day 1 Finally. I finally got a chance I can't miss. I found a dying elf in the woods. She was barely breathing, and ants were swarming all over her. Who is she? What happened to her? It matters not: this is the opportunity I've been waiting for. With great effort I managed to drag her to the hut, remove her clothes and hide her behind the bags in the corner. Enough wasting my talents on trifles — it's time for action. Used the largest glass tube from the master's box, the one with the warning ("In case of contact with skin, wash off immediately"! Ha! The dottering parrot of all the standard warnings.) I spread it evenly over her body, and began my observations. Observation day 3 The subject has survived. Had to tie her up and gag her — the moaning could attract unwanted attention. Her skin is changing, but… it's hard to determine the precise character of these changes. The early stages of festering, perhaps? The treated areas do smell faintly. Observation day 5 The changes continue, faster and faster. The epidermis has festered away, the joints are grown swollen, tough and calloused. — And the subject has a fever. Observation day 9 Over the past few days, the subject's legs became covered with mildew and moss. Her fingers and toes grow long and crooked — as though she would grow into the ground? I shall move the subject outside. The experiment now demands sunlight. Observation day 13 The body's changes are so significant, it's impossible to recall the creature's original appearance, from the way it looks now. A seething growth covers the whole body's surface. Every day I find new kinds of moss, mildew, grass and other plants. The subject attempts to move. Had to immobilize her. I try to make contact, but she utters inarticulate sounds, alike to howling. Might intelligence be restored at a further stage of regeneration? Observation day 18 The subject has grown larger, several times. She is now… strangely quiet these last few days. I'm beginning to worry: in the end I see I've become attached to her. She will make me famous! Observation day 25 My living experiment shows all signs of obedience. She is much like a little tree — a magnificent walking tree! She is already eight feet tall, and the child keeps growing! I wish to give her space, more fresh air and sunlight. I suspect we shall need some fertilizer… For now, I only walk her around the woods on a leash. This is the greatest achievement of my career! Soon we'll be ready for a journey to Absalom, and there… there I will present my masterpiece. I must think of a name for my girl..."