Year of the Boar, Thirteenth Month, Day 2.

The weather took a sudden turn for the worse. I am glad we took the opportunity to go outside when we did for we will be shut indoors for some days now. Overnight, the skies became icy and cruel with a blizzard which brought snow so thick and hard, it felt almost corporeal; as if the gods themselves had decided to take form and come for us. 

The soldiers on watch have their backs pressed to the walls and when they come inside, their clothes are stiff; solid with ice. I have asked the Deputy Master at Arms to consider having them watch from the inside but he insists they will not be able to identify threats as well. If they die, they will not be able to identify threats at all, I told him, but he would not be moved. 

Snow has been whipping around the house for sticks on end. Earlier today a tree cracked and fell with the weight of the snow and the strength of the wind. It brought others down with it and they have destroyed one of the outbuildings. Atsuko says I am not to worry; the building was empty. Long ago, it was used to house pigs, she says. I did not know that. I do not remember there being animals of any kind here except horses when I was little.

It does not matter. What concerns me is the loose tiles and the debris from the fallen trees. How long will it be before the wind picks it all up and hurls it at the walls of the house...? Riko does not like it. Every now and then, the wind picks up some more and Riko whimpers. She does her best to hide it but I can tell she is frightened. I have told her it is only a storm and that it will pass but it does not help. Perhaps it is the dark she is afraid of. I will ask Atsuko to try and find out. I know what it is like to be afraid all of the time and I do not want that for her. Perhaps if one of the soldiers were to look after her...