Log entry #6

Io knows.

She confronted me, and I couldn’t keep up the lie. So now, I have a deal with her—my knowledge for her silence. I teach her, and in return, I don’t have to keep looking over my shoulder. Not sure if that’s a fair trade, but it’s the best I’ll get.

Maybe now I won’t have to be so paranoid about my watch.

Ongoing Observations:

Potato experiment: Progressing well. The plants are growing, though I have no real way to compare their development to what I’d expect back home. Need to monitor soil conditions and pests.

Io’s interest in writing: She’s started looking at my notes more closely. I think she wants to learn my language. Not sure how far we’ll get, but if she’s serious, I might have to structure actual lessons.

Famine assessment: Io’s records indicate that the village is not struggling more than usual for this time of year. The famine theory may have been premature. Need to reassess external factors—trade disruptions, price fluctuations, and the lord’s grain shipments.

Mapping efforts: My attempts at drawing a map of the village are paying off. Planning errand routes is easier, but the map itself is still a mess. I need a better way to measure distances. Maybe counting steps isn’t as reliable as I thought.

Additional Notes on the Village & Residents:

The Chief: Remains unreadable. He keeps his distance but hasn’t interfered with my work. Still no clue if he truly accepts me or is just tolerating my presence.

The Residents: More of them acknowledge me now, though some still keep their distance.

Need to keep up with the routine.