I had finished my last entry with the departing of my brother Marcos and the other hunters Cruz and Jackie. I will not stand on any time of formality of what happened here. Nor will I attempt to record the main details of the event. It has been well over ten years since then to my current memory. The loss of the three of them plus the death of Wilfredo was too much for me to bear. I will not linger on the complexities of the political nature of it either. I have never been one for politics. Furthermore, I do not wish to speak poorly of Jefe Conrad anymore. I will forgive the nature of the whole event, but I will not forget the wrongs did on all parts. Although I still serve under Conrad as his guardian.

Now getting down to what I think is important to record this hour. I will present in the order of what has happened since the day of Marco's departure and Wilfredo's death. I state for the record here and now: I did not sleep with Sancho. I am innocent of such action. I will not comment on any relationship with Desi, other than friendship. I do not wish to explore any aspect of the topic. Just know that since my brother's departure my relationship with Conrad has been strained. I have fallen back on Desi, Sancho, and Pancho to get myself stable and an able hunter again.

For the issue of an heir to the chief, I say nothing. It was Blanca's station in life. It was Blanca's duty. There was a child for a period, which I will name here Faith. But she was and is no more. I state now she remains in Blanca's keep now. Not mine. I do not want to speak about Faith... Instead, Desi fathered a child from one of Crystal's gatherers. The mother's name was Essence I believe. We once more started to have children among us. Seeing as Desi was the first to help produce a child. The child's name is Marla. His daughter is in line to become the next chief upon Conrad's death. There are currently ten children in total.

Forgive me as I jump around in the timeline of things. I am going to get pass the next nine years or so. For after all the troubles from the year of 1999 came to pass. The following years had been steady and calm. I will sum up everything as best as I can here. In the past several times of Great Exchange, there has been unrest about the faith of the clan, especially the Roadrunners and the ending of the Circus Keepers. No one has spoken of what to do of the werewolves as they have vanished as they came. For a while it was that way. Then they reappeared in the Northern lands. There is a much longer tale of how the clans killed off those werewolves. (However, seeing as one of my readers is a werewolf himself. I will not go into depth of the murders and the war. I am sorry. I do not have the heart to go on about it.)

We have managed well enough as the Dust Eaters in the Time of Great Exchange. The Night Hunt and the Day Hunt have been put off as we no longer socialize with the Roadrunners as we used to. When I saw Borrowing Owl last as the chief of the Roadrunners, he had married Lucy. He refused to give any information on the fates of Cruz, Sophia, Jackie, Gila, or Marcos. I had wanted to beg for the information related to my brother. The words never came and Jefe just lingered around without leaving the sight.

(Do you know what it is like to lose a relative in such a manner? I guess you do. Thinking about what happened after the Under the Bed Riots. The heartbreak rots within me and Conrad seems to have let it all slip from his mind. Do you think it has to do with his time here? I think... I am sorry. I am getting ahead of myself.)

In time, I toughen up and got pass my brother's banishment. It will be left to be swallowed up by the desert now. I will standby the remaining clan members, my brother, and Jefe. What else have I? My passion for human objects? That has dulled with time as I keep hearing about the loss of goblin lands to human development. I worry about how the young children will react when they get close to the cities and the technology. I do like humans and their work. But news of the lessening of goblins as hunters and gatherers shift towards of city goblins is something that disturbs me.

Right to the current I should speak of ... Crystal has become busy in her elderly age with the many children about who are now entering adulthood. Even Elder Mike has developed a good two students from the new generation. Marla studies under Conrad about the duties one would have as chief. I think she will be a good chief when Conrad steps down in the next five years. She is a smart young goblin. I am very sure she will lead us well. The clan hopes to keep the children on our lands.

Yet, I know I cannot say with the blessing of children has come without a price paid on us. The lands are drying up. The game is becoming harder to find. Not to mention in the last ten years the older population of the Dust Eaters have move on to the next life. I can tell you what this means for our clan. It means we are leaving up to the name shake of the clan. We are doomed to be left in a small state of danger. We will be short of sources. All the silver will buy us nothing as our trade system seems to be failing as well.

The purpose of this second to the last entry in this section of this journal is to state the crumbling of my clan, the departure of Conrad, and the ill fate I caused to my people. (It is not the first time I have caused a major problem when I only meant to be merciful.)

As I mention Marla is to be our next chief when Conrad steps down from his position. I suppose as I said she would have made a fine chief. But she was not the next Jefe. It all started when Conrad needed to start sending the younger goblins to scout out for resources. He assigned Marla to the town of Tombstone. She found resources all right. Marla even found Marcos, Sophia, and the other banished Dust Eaters. They had joined the Roadrunners for a spell. Until Sophia suggested they break out into their own clan in the nearby town and survive with the humans in secret. The new group called Gunners had taken to the city life and eventually moved down to Sedona. They would visit the Roadrunners in Tombstone every now and then. Well, Sophia told Marla to come with them to the city.

Marla being smart and knowing about the state of our clan, said she would take who she could and explain city life. Marla made her case before the clan. She made herself clear that we would not last much longer here in these lands. She told of how our traditions were outdated. Marla pointed back to the city and said she was leaving and taking anyone who wanted to leave. Five goblins went with her. Two young goblins, Quinn, One Eyed Juan, and one musician left. That was five years ago. We have lost more people since.

Conrad states no hatred will be held against anyone for leaving. I will be honest times are bad here. We hunters have been coming back too often with nothing to give. The gatherers have not found the necessary herbs to make dyes. The shaman has not commented on the future in several years. Nor has Crystal snapped about the need for children anymore. As I write this I am supposed to be looking for game. There are no traces of animals going through our land. Not a single sign.

At sunset, I drift back to the half empty village. From the different building I can hear the movements of those of us stayed. The other hunters are slowly making their way into the village. It is clear we are empty handed again. The church bell of the Broken Church rings loudly. I stare out. There the church bell rings again. I strain my vision and see Jefe Conrad standing outside of the doors with Elder Mike.

As I approach closer the remaining clan members stand in the dim candlelight. I can easily list the reminding people right here. I have spoken of Alejo, Desi, Sancho, Sans, and my older brother Poncho. They have remained with us. Of the gatherers, we only have Crystal and her last student named Tessa. Furthermore, it is clear Elder Mike has no remaining students other than Conrad. He lost newest student in an accident caused by a landslide. His name was Ricardo, age four at time of death. The musicians at current remaining are only the couple Rosa and Nero. The last silver smiths are Auto, Gabby, and Rubio. All of our miners have all left.

We are less than twenty goblins. We are a dying clan. I am fearful to admit it... Marla is right. We are small now. I can only hope we carry on as is the tradition of the Dust Eaters.

The clan members stand in the Broken Church with quiet whispers. The gatherers have only a few pieces of herbs in their baskets. Crystal sighs heavily as her old eyes turn to Tessa. The younger goblin folds her arms tightly against her green poncho. The musicians barely hold onto their instruments as they wait for a cue to play. Rosa holds tightly onto Nero. The silver smiths play a game of dice. They made small bets with rocks.

I walk pass Conrad without any words as Poncho arrives. Our chief goes on speaking with Elder Mike in a worried tone. The rest of the hunters take their places in the Broken Church. Alejo joins the musicians to discuss playing styles. Desi goes to his mother and reports the lack of game. Sans and Sancho forlornly discuss the weather and no signs of rain clouds. I have noticed the two have had their color fading lately. I know they are mostly to leave next.

Poncho and I stand near to door of the Broken Church. There comes a cough. Elder Mike and Conrad enter the ruins and close the doors. Our chief gravely scans the room. The bald shaman marches around the room with a weak smile and hands us each a candle. It is coldness in the action. Each goblin receives the candle with grimness. We know what is coming and we don't want it. But ... it is Conrad's departure for help. Help from any sister clan or city goblins.

I pause as Elder Mike hands me the candle. I know the secret he told me. I know the image of the mirror and the event s that happen. I have never spoken of the images with Elder Mike. He has never commented on how his predictions were panning out. I hold the candle with emptiness as he stops when he gets to Conrad.

Elder Mike says, "Brothers and Sisters, we gather today for the Departure of Fire. As we all know the center of our village usually is for the celebrations of births and rebirths. We celebrate much in the center of our village. Yet in the Broken Church we celebrate something else. We hold the Night Hunt here, the Passage of Age, and the Departure of Fire. The Broken Church has always been a place to embrace friendship, endings, and treaties. Today we give way to Jefe Conrad's ..."

Elder Mike chokes on the words. Conrad places his hand on Elder Mike's shoulder, "We today celebrate my journey to find help for the clan. It is rare that a chief must leave his clan to find resources and new alliances alone. He usually travels with the company of his guardians, his mate, and his hunters. Today we do not have those choices as it is important for all the clan to stay together... We are here to pray for my safe journey and swift return to you, the Dust Eaters."

Gathering himself again, "Let us bow our heads in prayer and ask for the blessing of the Creators on our pleas."

The ceremony is short.

I am now in charge of the clan's wellbeing until Conrad's return.

We all file out of the church. Just standing there we hold candles in the light of the falling sun. It is the act to light up the path out of the village. I stay froze at the end of the line. Rosa and Nero play their final song. He walks over to them says good-bye with hugs and sweet words. Walking slowly to Crystal, Tessa, and Desi come next. The herbalist hands him a tiny bag of tobacco. Her student just nods. Desi punches Conrad and tells him the next time they meet they will play a game of cards or checkers. Auto, Gabby, and Rubio are next. They smile and shake hand with Conrad. They say they are making bets on how quickly Jefe Conrad the Werewolf Slayer will return from his take. Auto's bet is at a week. Gabby is on a day. Rubio bets on three months. Conrad smirks here and there.

Next Conrad speaks with all of the other hunters. He hears Sans is playing to depart tomorrow for this or that. He does not plan to return. Conrad only gives a short blessing. Sancho promises to look after Tessa for Conrad as she is the last child right now. I hold my breath as Poncho and Elder Mike remain before me.

Poncho hugs Conrad and whispers something. I can barely hear the conversation as the church bell rings with the wind. Poncho appears to be mixed about the choice for the chief to leave. Then Elder Mike's last words and actions to Conrad... They the usual stuff you expect from a shaman. He prays a prayer. He makes symbols here and there on the Conrad. He leans his head against Conrad's head. He with a smile says, "Be safe, Jefe. We hope for your safe journey and return to our last. May the Creators bless you."

I cannot bring myself to face Conrad as he comes to me. I hold my candle steady in the last rays of sunlight. He motions I follow him to the very edge of the village. I swallow hard. I, Daniel, have done many things in the history of life. I have watched my brother be a traitor. I have served as a guardian to the chief. I have been used as a wager. I have birth a child. I have buried that child. I had done much. I have been wrong by my chief and justified by him. Forgive any of my entries as depicting him as anything, but noble. Jefe Conrad changed much in these years.

It is here. It is now. The heart of mine holds together on a special set of words. The last words I get from Conrad before he leaves to the far reaches of the unknown. The words I cling to when I have nothing else to hold onto. Between silent tears, I turn to Conrad with my candle. I hold up the candle and place it on the post of the village. The same post used every time this ceremony is held. Conrad lingers to watch the twitching flame.

"I am sorry about what happened to Marcos. . . I shouldn't have done what I did to Wilfredo... It is just the clan. We are Dust Eaters. We cannot be weak."

I nod.

"Dan, are you crying?"

No response.

"Dan, do not cry."

I hold out the silver hammer I took and never returned.

"You are giving it back?"

I shove it at him.

"Thank you... I will take good care of it, Dan," Conrad tucks it into his poncho. He holds out his hand for a hand shake.

I hug him tightly instead. There is a much longer speech Conrad delivers. But I do not hear the details.

"Dan, you do not need to worry. I will be right back. You will see. I promise you."

Just like that he left. No further words. Conrad smiles widely waves and starts westward. I stand in this spot for hours. And that is that.

I do not know... I cannot say. . . There are no words to describe what exactly has happened in the time Conrad left. What have I done!?

There was meeting with the werewolf child. I thought him a lost child in the desert and bought him to the village to have some water. He told me his name was Charlie. I welcomed him to the village. Then I swear I released him back to Tombstone without any harm. And then ... and then... There was an attack on the village due to the boy's visit.

No healer with the knowledge to help the injured! Oh by the Creators!

And so the brown Earth was stained red and the fires roared. There was nothing left. Only newly added crosses to the graveyard. All eleven in a nice row. Or was it twelve? And one missing goblin named Sancho Alvarez.