January 7 Dear journal... The good news is I finished my internship with Benden and have been given leave to begin my own expeditions. The bad news? I have no idea what I want to explore first! And so I have taken a trip up to the cold, arctic north of Alaska. I'm spending time with the natives here, listening to tales of various creatures, trying to tell fact from fiction in order to persue a legend... I think... I know what creature beckons me now. But enough about my vague hopes for the future. I found many creatures today, it's surprising how full of life this frozen wasteland is. As I write this a small northern gryff has landed and is eating it's prey. The slight little thing is only 2 feet long, at most... but seems so much larger when it's wings are spread wide. Thankfully it's too dark out for me to see the little human looking creature it's taken down... that's always a disturbing sight to witness. At least to me. Ah well, it's time to call it a night. I have much work to do tomorrow. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Done in colored pencils. © Jessica Douglas