Pages ripped from the journal of Red Jeffreys, dated 17 August 1833—Skeleton Peak, Rocky Mountains:

At dawn we entered the Peak.

I was standing near Black Wood and Erin Hart when the Reverend ordered the woman be killed. A scuffle broke out between Black Wood and Whiskey Nelson, but Ignatio subdued the skirmish by reciting an invocation. The Reverend commanded Black Wood to prove his loyalty by eliminating Miss Hart. I was ordered to stay behind and ensure the task was done.

Guided by the ancient scroll, the Reverend commenced his search for the Key of Enoch. Though the Master speaks little about the Key and the bone dagger, there is no doubt that both artifacts are vital in our search for eternal life. We have heard hushed conversations between Ignatio and the Reverend pertaining to a third relic—an object known as the Char Stone—but apparently this object is impossible to retrieve without the Key.

After all the other members of our party had disappeared into the mountain, Black Wood beseeched me to carry on into the tunnels while he dispatched Miss Hart. But I knew he would not take her life. Before entering the passages, I glanced back and saw Black Wood cutting Miss Hart’s bindings to free her.

And now tonight I lie in my tent beneath this terrible mountain, and my friend Black Wood has not yet returned from the tunnels. Most of us have come back, all empty-handed. Whiskey Nelson stumbled out at twilight to give news that Sagebrush and the Gambler did not survive the day’s excursion. My fear is that Black Wood has suffered a similar fate.

I hope to see my friend walk out of this mountain—just as I hope that Erin Hart finds her way back home.

—R.J.