Post by redcoat on Mar 27, 2022 13:13:17 GMT -5
Username: Ancelas
In which Valor Company begins to move against the shadow falling across the country of Astorea.
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Username: Taliesin
Musings of Taliesin Korvalis
Finally out of that terrible lightless lifeless expanse. I was not prepared for how much the time down there would rustle the memories of my past. Sae is the only one who has seen, who understands.
Not all my returned memories are terrible. My father, he was a Hunt Master for the Arbor Lord. Our home was in the center of the section that was in his charge. The hanging gardens, the twinkling light. Some might be warped to a brighter interpretation, or maybe darker. I've pushed these memories back to stay sane, to keep from home sickness, to survive.
I miss the sound of the wind through the boughs. I miss the melodies of the birds. I miss the feel of ancient bark beneath my fingers.
I was once taught to care for plants, for living things. Would I have followed father? Would I have become a warden of the garden? None of that matters now. Perhaps when we can retire from this.
The biggest lie, hah. It doesn't matter what started the first war anymore. All that matters now is what Hectapol has become and the damage she is forcing. I'm not going to end up like that.
Perhaps I will find a Dire Wolf or two. Perhaps I will find pieces of my family, if only markers. Perhaps Sylvanus's Blade will join the Prince of Leaves.
I will protect, I will foster, I will nourish. I'm Allurani - I'm Mareki. Honor is my badge, life is my duty. I will live my days out with Sae Cai'rel.
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Username: The Red Coat
From the Journal of Sae Cai'rel
We are finally no longer buried alive and I can breathe easy, in more way than one. Alistair's first decision as leader has played out, and while I wasn't sure I agreed with it in the moment, it appears to have played out exactly as he wished it, as he planned it.
I think that I need to stop thinking of him as my little brother. I told him that first night in Astor that once his skills on the road caught up to his mind, he'd outpace me, and I was not wrong. I am… so happy to not be in charge anymore.
It gives me time to help Tali.
I took him on a proper night out, to the gardens. I got him to tell me about his family, and about his favorite place in his homelands- a trick I learned from Kaladin to use later to center him, if he says the screaming starts again. I'll need to stop by the apothecary in the morning.
I'll need to do a good bit of shopping in the morning. I am tired of looking like I rolled in a wizard's spare closet, and Tali mentioned a Marini tailor in town.
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Username: Opiii
From the journal of Alastair Fields
One restful night later, it seems plans are being shifted and shaken. The king wants to see us at seven… Unfortunately, Sae was already out, so we'll need to touch base and let her know that the plan to leave today has changed.
As much as I'd like us all to get a move on, to make progress toward Kyr and figure out how to slay a dragon god, part of me is… Relieved. I don't like rushing into things. I'd rather know what I'm getting involved with, utilizing what resources I have access to. In this case, the Aetherforge and its massive library.
Knowing we're grounded at least until the good king has had our ear, my research today has been relaxed. Enough so that I took time out to help Taliesin search for answers to some of his own mysteries. He came with information to the Aetherforge, more secrets he's kept under his hat, and a list of sorts. Cryptic and… vague. Funny, I used to be afraid of the secrets others kept themselves wrapped in… But lately, I've come to realize a new paradigm. Most secrets aren't something that pose a risk to me- rather, it seems most secrets are kept to preserve the safety of their keepers. Like Konane. Taliesin is keeping his own secrets close to the vest, letting me only glimpse for the sake of trust. I can accept this, though it's a rather persistent itch.
After finding some clues toward that end, he's suggested a group council within the Rope Fort. A demiplane, even a small one, should be scry-proof. Smart reasoning.
I'm happy to abide. What we share with the others concerning Taliesin's secrets, and what we learn from the king's dinner this evening, could very well change our game plans in their entirety. We'll see what comes next.
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Username: Opiii
The morning after our meeting with King Forgefire, our breakfast was… enhanced by a visit by the good king himself. He brought with him gifts: Two official writs for the Naithrani and Mareki respectively, depending on what we ran into in the elven cities. He also brought an Aetherstone the size of my head. I don't even know where to start with this thing.
Later on I broke off with Konane and Klinkle and did some shopping for some components for a project.
After shopping I asked some of the palace crew where I could get a yam and a box. I ended up leaving a care package for Alain with Glimmerwing. He's got to keep up on his roughage.
When I got back to the suites, I ran into Sae and she startled me good. After some light chat, I found there was a lot on her mind. She briefed me on the situation in her homeland, and just what it meant for Tali to write those letters. It turns out Konane was right, Sae definitely was uncomfortable with the petition for marriage, something I was clueless about.
I let her know that I was here for her, and the party as a whole would support her and Tali through whatever… they… would become. I went to work as the others arrived, and for the most part I thought things were fine.
As Tali and Sae moved somewhere private, it became evident that everything was not fine.
After an argument ensued between the two, Tali came out and tried handing off his gear to me with a note. He had plans to go it alone, leave the party and catch up elsewhere. Gods, I feel like I'm trying to talk Tali down from jumping from a roof. The poor guy just doesn't seem to get it, and I'm starting to think he's got a death wish. Going alone to Sor Aluryn alone is dangerous at best, and suicide at worst. And why? For comfort's sake?
After I convinced him to just… stay another day, to not make some rash and dangerous decision, we discovered that Sae up and disappeared. She left a note about meeting at the ships…. It doesn't make me feel any better, but I suppose it's a step up from Tali's plan.
I really am trying my best. I really am… getting so, so worn out.
I should just… let this thing collapse, let them go their separate ways and stop nosing in where I don't belong. But I ended up spending the night in my room fretting and thinking myself in circles, trying to find a solution. Because they called me family. And I can't just…
Konane showed up late and distracted me, thank goodness. Nightmares and anxiety… She needed someone to talk to, what with the flight coming so soon. Inspired, I decided to help her declaw and detooth her big bad wolf. Face her fears. A walk, some talk, and a featherfall followed.
She's… capable of bravery. Just needs a push, I think.
At least that part I could figure out. The night ended in exhaustion, on a much higher note than it started. Er got back to the suites pretty late. After she taught me about her cards, she ended up sleeping with Hermes at the foot of the bed. It reminds me of having a roommate back at the Lyceum. It was nice…
Well. I'm going to hate waking up tomorrow… But I've got to throw that smile back on as set for Kel'Mar.
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Username: Taliesin
:: Taliesin broke from the group after Alastair and Konane had secured the delay they needed. He slowly walked to the port side and grabbed the rail; eyes set out into the lanes watchful for Sae and Jennar's return ::
Reflections on Watch aboard the Storm Runner.
What a merry mess. If I hadn't agreed to stay Sae and Jennar would have been on the boat already. But at the same time perhaps Konane would be taken. Konane - she mentioned that Vanyr were disliked and distrusted, but a whole order that hunts them for bounty? This is measures worse than where we're going.
She isn't Vanyr though, she said as much. So, did the writ specify her as one? Perhaps that is a legal loophole. The next one that comes - we just note what she is instead and that the writ is invalid and must mean a different person. Or perhaps … perhaps the next one we stun and clap the manacles on them. Perhaps if those metal bugs are with the next one we destroy them - he did say something about blood.
I have to stay with the group now. There is no way that Klinkle and Konane are going to be taken from Valor's company. Innocents must be protected from harm - always.
Alastair - is so squirrely and strangely charming. I tried to relate to the Marini as I had seen other Marini do, but they were deckhands and not Captain and First Officer. His words and that token gave us the time we needed.
Sae, Sae … Sae. I didn't envision Alastair convincing me to stay to the boat. I couldn't possibly see that members of our company would be set upon forcing us to fight and protect. I was to be at the train to Dainholt. Sae - you would have had time away from me. You would have been protected the more dangerous path through my home. We could have met back up at Skyhammer or Astor City after we both had time to work through that last conversation and all the mistakes I made. Now - now I am committed to staying with the group. Now we move together through lands that are designed to make the rift between us larger.
With our own letters of introduction - we need to try to quell whatever is rising between the Naithrani and the Mareki. The tribes are splitting again and we need a unified front. It would be best to reach the Allurani - but I doubt I or we would hold much sway with the Prince of Leaves. We - I - need to find something, anything that will aid in the reparations of relations. The Allurani are being pushed aside as our former kin, now Drow. It needs to stop if the tribes of Illyria hope to weather this war.
I'm watching, I'm waiting … Sae - I will abandon this ship if it begins to leave without you. Please … please make it back with Jennar so Valor Company can resume its path.
Sae - where are you? Please, hurry …
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Username: The Red Coat
I remember once, at the Black Tower, one of my instructors demonstrating what can happen to brittle things when the temperature changes too fast. She took a handful of glass marbles and let them heat near the forge fire, and, when she knew they were hot enough, plunged them into ice water.
They cracked and fractured almost instantly, but some of them remained whole- the only evidence of their damage the fractures within. At the time, I thought they were quite pretty. Right now, I think that they serve as the best analogy as to how I feel.
Tali and I fought. He pinned me in the room with blackmail, and interrogated me about my feelings. And, when I didn’t break to his interrogation, he broke off our relationship. He stormed out of the room by door, I slipped out of the window, fully intending to get very drunk and meet everyone at the ship in the morning.
Intentions are a… funny thing. I did get drunk, but the ensuing fist fight got me dragged back to that damned room. Breakfast was a treat, but…. well. Ali said that I should lean on my friends, and I am… going to try. When Jaeger asked me if I was alright, I did answer him honestly. My instinct is to hide from all of this, to close off and project confidence- but that hasn’t served me well in the past.
I hope when we get to Kel Mar, I can introduce Ali to Pyria and Ivran. I wonder if he will remind me as much of them close up? I certainly give his opinion as much weight as I did theirs. Hells, maybe even more. I also hope that someday, when he decides to retire, he does go back to his lyceum and become a teacher. I think the world could use a few more teachers like him.
Breakfast was… more or less quiet, which my pounding head appreciated. The King stopped by with more to say, but not to me. We took off to catch the Storm Runner, and that’s when things went to shit.
A bounty hunter came after Konane and Klinkle, intending to bring them to justice for some sort of crime. I did… not handle it well. I demanded to see his writ, and then had George urge her to run. It was a stupid plan, a messy plan. I put a half dozen bullets in the man when the situation devolved, and Tali killed him when he ran, which… ugh. A thought for another time.
I asked Jennar to come with me to help me clean up the mess, ordered the others to go to the ship. Delay it if they could, meet us in Kel Mar if they couldn’t.
I do stand by my choice of Jennar. They are calm under extreme pressure, don’t have my tendency to lash out emotionally. They also are very good at being flexible- if a plan needs to change, Jennar will not overthink it. I didn’t know what the situation would be- talking our way out or breaking our way out of prison- so they seemed like the logical choice. It went well, too- though I am sorry that Jennar is now on the hook of a blood debt as much as I am, in exchange for cleaning up this mess. Another apology I owe.
I was a bad friend, a bad comrade, to Klinkle and Konane. I will need to apologize to them when we meet again. Hopefully the Company has been everything I promised to First Mate Mavrelli, and she is willing to give us a little time to catch up with the others. If not… Jennar is an interesting choice for a travel partner. I really could learn a lot from them.
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Username: CautionCat
From the thoughts and writings of Konane Tsukiko
It has been a rough day… My tarot reading proved true sooner than I would have thought. I still cannot believe that a Vanyr hunter has come for me. How did they find out I wasn't entirely human? I thought we left without anyone seeing…
Perhaps I'm wrong. That, or they bullied my mother for information. I won't know, not for some time, now. It is difficult to rest when there is so much on my mind. From Sae cleaning the mess, Taliesin just… well, his hug was much more sincere than before. Despite me being… nosey and causing conflict, they both helped me, the best way they know how. Sae told me I was her friend. That is the best news I have had since… a while now it feels.
We all had a secret talk in Alastair's magic rope room, about how Sae has us on the same page of what happened to the Otonin. Jennar and Sae… I am in their debt. They took a risk and the king helped us. Well, someone who works for the king… I am deeply grateful for everything that was done to clear up anything. No need for war over me… None at all.
I can't fault Taliesin for killing the hunter. I barely even know if he mentioned his name… But, they will likely send more, once those beetles make their way back. My emotions are all twisted, but Alastair did make a good point about my mother. I had forgotten how strong she is… when she confronted my nana… I am now more sure she is okay. Okay enough.
I know we need to go to my home soon… hopefully they won't think we killed that man… I should try another reading, before we arrive to Kel'Mar. And I need to discuss with Sae a plan of… how I can hire her without coming off as a criminal myself. I can't lie to them, but the entire truth… I am unsure how the Black Tower works.
For now, there has been an elf who is blatantly flirting with me. Hopefully he is not interested in a relationship… but these elves seem much more relaxed than Sae and Taliesin. Perhaps the freedom of the skies or waves is what makes them feel like that? Maybe I can get something other than alcohol to soothe my thoughts.
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Username: Uberwulf X
Battlelust: The Musings of a Watchful Doctor
I hadn't expected things to be easy at all, but I hadn't expected things to spin out of control like that. I don't mean the whole trip, or even the fight itself. Getting ambushed the way we were, it was… unfortunate, but we're all here, and they're not, as much I would have loved to have taken one of the riders' mounts.
Taliesin, bless his heart, has a hard time wrapping his mind around everything being told him. I hope that my own words reached him more than his love's– and I'll keep referring to Sae as such, because no matter what they are on paper, they know their hearts, and at least in this matter, so do I. As much as I wanted to direct him to both hold his tongue and scream, he couldn't tell that I was meaning for him to balance his emotions better. But telling him to do that is like telling the roosters to stop crowing: if the time is right, if they feel so ready, they will. But otherwise, they'll do as nature demands.
So to, will Konane. The next time I have a lengthy talk, it may well be with her. I enjoy her youthfulness, but I dislike the way she approached Taliesin, and the way she butts heads with the elves. 'Did you mean to show me how you feel?' Your naivete speaks louder than your soft voice, little fox, and for us to stay together, you must grow, and be tempered.
(A sigh.) But I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't step before my reflection and ask if I were fine. And… I believe I am, but what happened there– I can usually control the greatest of the battle lust. To let it overcome me like that, to jump into the jaws of a godsdamned dragon, separate myself and let myself go like that… will I too become one needing tempering again? To have Sae and Jennar see me like that…
…No. I can't think like this. Alistair expects me to be the rock, the mountain, and so shall I be. I'll listen to this, letting the others get some answers out of this raider, while I decide how best to skin a dragon. I wonder if Jennar would like a dragon-hide corset, if for nothing else but as a tease?
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Username: Taliesin
We are almost there. I see the arches, I see the statues. The last time I saw these I was going to the other way.
I'm not ready for this. There are so few people in this land that I want to see and one is with me and will take a long time before they really want to deal with me.
No … I can do this. I did this for over ten years. To the hells with this uncertainty. If anything goes wrong my allies will either close ranks to assist or leave me to whatever end. My true fuel for my mania was Sae … that relationship is in just about as bas a state as any could be.
Hm, that galleon … that is moving on an intercept course. Hm, well … tensions are growing. It's not like they would know who is on this ship. This is probably a standard intercept. Besides, I've not sent word home of who I truly am. As far as anyone knows I am Taliesin Davar. My common accent is fine since I've been gone for years.
Just focus
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In which Valor Company begins to move against the shadow falling across the country of Astorea.
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Username: Taliesin
Musings of Taliesin Korvalis
Finally out of that terrible lightless lifeless expanse. I was not prepared for how much the time down there would rustle the memories of my past. Sae is the only one who has seen, who understands.
Not all my returned memories are terrible. My father, he was a Hunt Master for the Arbor Lord. Our home was in the center of the section that was in his charge. The hanging gardens, the twinkling light. Some might be warped to a brighter interpretation, or maybe darker. I've pushed these memories back to stay sane, to keep from home sickness, to survive.
I miss the sound of the wind through the boughs. I miss the melodies of the birds. I miss the feel of ancient bark beneath my fingers.
I was once taught to care for plants, for living things. Would I have followed father? Would I have become a warden of the garden? None of that matters now. Perhaps when we can retire from this.
The biggest lie, hah. It doesn't matter what started the first war anymore. All that matters now is what Hectapol has become and the damage she is forcing. I'm not going to end up like that.
Perhaps I will find a Dire Wolf or two. Perhaps I will find pieces of my family, if only markers. Perhaps Sylvanus's Blade will join the Prince of Leaves.
I will protect, I will foster, I will nourish. I'm Allurani - I'm Mareki. Honor is my badge, life is my duty. I will live my days out with Sae Cai'rel.
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Username: The Red Coat
From the Journal of Sae Cai'rel
We are finally no longer buried alive and I can breathe easy, in more way than one. Alistair's first decision as leader has played out, and while I wasn't sure I agreed with it in the moment, it appears to have played out exactly as he wished it, as he planned it.
I think that I need to stop thinking of him as my little brother. I told him that first night in Astor that once his skills on the road caught up to his mind, he'd outpace me, and I was not wrong. I am… so happy to not be in charge anymore.
It gives me time to help Tali.
I took him on a proper night out, to the gardens. I got him to tell me about his family, and about his favorite place in his homelands- a trick I learned from Kaladin to use later to center him, if he says the screaming starts again. I'll need to stop by the apothecary in the morning.
I'll need to do a good bit of shopping in the morning. I am tired of looking like I rolled in a wizard's spare closet, and Tali mentioned a Marini tailor in town.
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Username: Opiii
From the journal of Alastair Fields
One restful night later, it seems plans are being shifted and shaken. The king wants to see us at seven… Unfortunately, Sae was already out, so we'll need to touch base and let her know that the plan to leave today has changed.
As much as I'd like us all to get a move on, to make progress toward Kyr and figure out how to slay a dragon god, part of me is… Relieved. I don't like rushing into things. I'd rather know what I'm getting involved with, utilizing what resources I have access to. In this case, the Aetherforge and its massive library.
Knowing we're grounded at least until the good king has had our ear, my research today has been relaxed. Enough so that I took time out to help Taliesin search for answers to some of his own mysteries. He came with information to the Aetherforge, more secrets he's kept under his hat, and a list of sorts. Cryptic and… vague. Funny, I used to be afraid of the secrets others kept themselves wrapped in… But lately, I've come to realize a new paradigm. Most secrets aren't something that pose a risk to me- rather, it seems most secrets are kept to preserve the safety of their keepers. Like Konane. Taliesin is keeping his own secrets close to the vest, letting me only glimpse for the sake of trust. I can accept this, though it's a rather persistent itch.
After finding some clues toward that end, he's suggested a group council within the Rope Fort. A demiplane, even a small one, should be scry-proof. Smart reasoning.
I'm happy to abide. What we share with the others concerning Taliesin's secrets, and what we learn from the king's dinner this evening, could very well change our game plans in their entirety. We'll see what comes next.
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Username: Opiii
The morning after our meeting with King Forgefire, our breakfast was… enhanced by a visit by the good king himself. He brought with him gifts: Two official writs for the Naithrani and Mareki respectively, depending on what we ran into in the elven cities. He also brought an Aetherstone the size of my head. I don't even know where to start with this thing.
Later on I broke off with Konane and Klinkle and did some shopping for some components for a project.
After shopping I asked some of the palace crew where I could get a yam and a box. I ended up leaving a care package for Alain with Glimmerwing. He's got to keep up on his roughage.
When I got back to the suites, I ran into Sae and she startled me good. After some light chat, I found there was a lot on her mind. She briefed me on the situation in her homeland, and just what it meant for Tali to write those letters. It turns out Konane was right, Sae definitely was uncomfortable with the petition for marriage, something I was clueless about.
I let her know that I was here for her, and the party as a whole would support her and Tali through whatever… they… would become. I went to work as the others arrived, and for the most part I thought things were fine.
As Tali and Sae moved somewhere private, it became evident that everything was not fine.
After an argument ensued between the two, Tali came out and tried handing off his gear to me with a note. He had plans to go it alone, leave the party and catch up elsewhere. Gods, I feel like I'm trying to talk Tali down from jumping from a roof. The poor guy just doesn't seem to get it, and I'm starting to think he's got a death wish. Going alone to Sor Aluryn alone is dangerous at best, and suicide at worst. And why? For comfort's sake?
After I convinced him to just… stay another day, to not make some rash and dangerous decision, we discovered that Sae up and disappeared. She left a note about meeting at the ships…. It doesn't make me feel any better, but I suppose it's a step up from Tali's plan.
I really am trying my best. I really am… getting so, so worn out.
I should just… let this thing collapse, let them go their separate ways and stop nosing in where I don't belong. But I ended up spending the night in my room fretting and thinking myself in circles, trying to find a solution. Because they called me family. And I can't just…
Konane showed up late and distracted me, thank goodness. Nightmares and anxiety… She needed someone to talk to, what with the flight coming so soon. Inspired, I decided to help her declaw and detooth her big bad wolf. Face her fears. A walk, some talk, and a featherfall followed.
She's… capable of bravery. Just needs a push, I think.
At least that part I could figure out. The night ended in exhaustion, on a much higher note than it started. Er got back to the suites pretty late. After she taught me about her cards, she ended up sleeping with Hermes at the foot of the bed. It reminds me of having a roommate back at the Lyceum. It was nice…
Well. I'm going to hate waking up tomorrow… But I've got to throw that smile back on as set for Kel'Mar.
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Username: Taliesin
:: Taliesin broke from the group after Alastair and Konane had secured the delay they needed. He slowly walked to the port side and grabbed the rail; eyes set out into the lanes watchful for Sae and Jennar's return ::
Reflections on Watch aboard the Storm Runner.
What a merry mess. If I hadn't agreed to stay Sae and Jennar would have been on the boat already. But at the same time perhaps Konane would be taken. Konane - she mentioned that Vanyr were disliked and distrusted, but a whole order that hunts them for bounty? This is measures worse than where we're going.
She isn't Vanyr though, she said as much. So, did the writ specify her as one? Perhaps that is a legal loophole. The next one that comes - we just note what she is instead and that the writ is invalid and must mean a different person. Or perhaps … perhaps the next one we stun and clap the manacles on them. Perhaps if those metal bugs are with the next one we destroy them - he did say something about blood.
I have to stay with the group now. There is no way that Klinkle and Konane are going to be taken from Valor's company. Innocents must be protected from harm - always.
Alastair - is so squirrely and strangely charming. I tried to relate to the Marini as I had seen other Marini do, but they were deckhands and not Captain and First Officer. His words and that token gave us the time we needed.
Sae, Sae … Sae. I didn't envision Alastair convincing me to stay to the boat. I couldn't possibly see that members of our company would be set upon forcing us to fight and protect. I was to be at the train to Dainholt. Sae - you would have had time away from me. You would have been protected the more dangerous path through my home. We could have met back up at Skyhammer or Astor City after we both had time to work through that last conversation and all the mistakes I made. Now - now I am committed to staying with the group. Now we move together through lands that are designed to make the rift between us larger.
With our own letters of introduction - we need to try to quell whatever is rising between the Naithrani and the Mareki. The tribes are splitting again and we need a unified front. It would be best to reach the Allurani - but I doubt I or we would hold much sway with the Prince of Leaves. We - I - need to find something, anything that will aid in the reparations of relations. The Allurani are being pushed aside as our former kin, now Drow. It needs to stop if the tribes of Illyria hope to weather this war.
I'm watching, I'm waiting … Sae - I will abandon this ship if it begins to leave without you. Please … please make it back with Jennar so Valor Company can resume its path.
Sae - where are you? Please, hurry …
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Username: The Red Coat
I remember once, at the Black Tower, one of my instructors demonstrating what can happen to brittle things when the temperature changes too fast. She took a handful of glass marbles and let them heat near the forge fire, and, when she knew they were hot enough, plunged them into ice water.
They cracked and fractured almost instantly, but some of them remained whole- the only evidence of their damage the fractures within. At the time, I thought they were quite pretty. Right now, I think that they serve as the best analogy as to how I feel.
Tali and I fought. He pinned me in the room with blackmail, and interrogated me about my feelings. And, when I didn’t break to his interrogation, he broke off our relationship. He stormed out of the room by door, I slipped out of the window, fully intending to get very drunk and meet everyone at the ship in the morning.
Intentions are a… funny thing. I did get drunk, but the ensuing fist fight got me dragged back to that damned room. Breakfast was a treat, but…. well. Ali said that I should lean on my friends, and I am… going to try. When Jaeger asked me if I was alright, I did answer him honestly. My instinct is to hide from all of this, to close off and project confidence- but that hasn’t served me well in the past.
I hope when we get to Kel Mar, I can introduce Ali to Pyria and Ivran. I wonder if he will remind me as much of them close up? I certainly give his opinion as much weight as I did theirs. Hells, maybe even more. I also hope that someday, when he decides to retire, he does go back to his lyceum and become a teacher. I think the world could use a few more teachers like him.
Breakfast was… more or less quiet, which my pounding head appreciated. The King stopped by with more to say, but not to me. We took off to catch the Storm Runner, and that’s when things went to shit.
A bounty hunter came after Konane and Klinkle, intending to bring them to justice for some sort of crime. I did… not handle it well. I demanded to see his writ, and then had George urge her to run. It was a stupid plan, a messy plan. I put a half dozen bullets in the man when the situation devolved, and Tali killed him when he ran, which… ugh. A thought for another time.
I asked Jennar to come with me to help me clean up the mess, ordered the others to go to the ship. Delay it if they could, meet us in Kel Mar if they couldn’t.
I do stand by my choice of Jennar. They are calm under extreme pressure, don’t have my tendency to lash out emotionally. They also are very good at being flexible- if a plan needs to change, Jennar will not overthink it. I didn’t know what the situation would be- talking our way out or breaking our way out of prison- so they seemed like the logical choice. It went well, too- though I am sorry that Jennar is now on the hook of a blood debt as much as I am, in exchange for cleaning up this mess. Another apology I owe.
I was a bad friend, a bad comrade, to Klinkle and Konane. I will need to apologize to them when we meet again. Hopefully the Company has been everything I promised to First Mate Mavrelli, and she is willing to give us a little time to catch up with the others. If not… Jennar is an interesting choice for a travel partner. I really could learn a lot from them.
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Username: CautionCat
From the thoughts and writings of Konane Tsukiko
It has been a rough day… My tarot reading proved true sooner than I would have thought. I still cannot believe that a Vanyr hunter has come for me. How did they find out I wasn't entirely human? I thought we left without anyone seeing…
Perhaps I'm wrong. That, or they bullied my mother for information. I won't know, not for some time, now. It is difficult to rest when there is so much on my mind. From Sae cleaning the mess, Taliesin just… well, his hug was much more sincere than before. Despite me being… nosey and causing conflict, they both helped me, the best way they know how. Sae told me I was her friend. That is the best news I have had since… a while now it feels.
We all had a secret talk in Alastair's magic rope room, about how Sae has us on the same page of what happened to the Otonin. Jennar and Sae… I am in their debt. They took a risk and the king helped us. Well, someone who works for the king… I am deeply grateful for everything that was done to clear up anything. No need for war over me… None at all.
I can't fault Taliesin for killing the hunter. I barely even know if he mentioned his name… But, they will likely send more, once those beetles make their way back. My emotions are all twisted, but Alastair did make a good point about my mother. I had forgotten how strong she is… when she confronted my nana… I am now more sure she is okay. Okay enough.
I know we need to go to my home soon… hopefully they won't think we killed that man… I should try another reading, before we arrive to Kel'Mar. And I need to discuss with Sae a plan of… how I can hire her without coming off as a criminal myself. I can't lie to them, but the entire truth… I am unsure how the Black Tower works.
For now, there has been an elf who is blatantly flirting with me. Hopefully he is not interested in a relationship… but these elves seem much more relaxed than Sae and Taliesin. Perhaps the freedom of the skies or waves is what makes them feel like that? Maybe I can get something other than alcohol to soothe my thoughts.
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Username: Uberwulf X
Battlelust: The Musings of a Watchful Doctor
I hadn't expected things to be easy at all, but I hadn't expected things to spin out of control like that. I don't mean the whole trip, or even the fight itself. Getting ambushed the way we were, it was… unfortunate, but we're all here, and they're not, as much I would have loved to have taken one of the riders' mounts.
Taliesin, bless his heart, has a hard time wrapping his mind around everything being told him. I hope that my own words reached him more than his love's– and I'll keep referring to Sae as such, because no matter what they are on paper, they know their hearts, and at least in this matter, so do I. As much as I wanted to direct him to both hold his tongue and scream, he couldn't tell that I was meaning for him to balance his emotions better. But telling him to do that is like telling the roosters to stop crowing: if the time is right, if they feel so ready, they will. But otherwise, they'll do as nature demands.
So to, will Konane. The next time I have a lengthy talk, it may well be with her. I enjoy her youthfulness, but I dislike the way she approached Taliesin, and the way she butts heads with the elves. 'Did you mean to show me how you feel?' Your naivete speaks louder than your soft voice, little fox, and for us to stay together, you must grow, and be tempered.
(A sigh.) But I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't step before my reflection and ask if I were fine. And… I believe I am, but what happened there– I can usually control the greatest of the battle lust. To let it overcome me like that, to jump into the jaws of a godsdamned dragon, separate myself and let myself go like that… will I too become one needing tempering again? To have Sae and Jennar see me like that…
…No. I can't think like this. Alistair expects me to be the rock, the mountain, and so shall I be. I'll listen to this, letting the others get some answers out of this raider, while I decide how best to skin a dragon. I wonder if Jennar would like a dragon-hide corset, if for nothing else but as a tease?
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Username: Taliesin
We are almost there. I see the arches, I see the statues. The last time I saw these I was going to the other way.
I'm not ready for this. There are so few people in this land that I want to see and one is with me and will take a long time before they really want to deal with me.
No … I can do this. I did this for over ten years. To the hells with this uncertainty. If anything goes wrong my allies will either close ranks to assist or leave me to whatever end. My true fuel for my mania was Sae … that relationship is in just about as bas a state as any could be.
Hm, that galleon … that is moving on an intercept course. Hm, well … tensions are growing. It's not like they would know who is on this ship. This is probably a standard intercept. Besides, I've not sent word home of who I truly am. As far as anyone knows I am Taliesin Davar. My common accent is fine since I've been gone for years.
Just focus
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