Weāve met a man who claims his name is DāMitri. He rents boats and was very insightful. I seem to trust this man and the air about him, and I hope that he should be an ally when the time is right. I can only hope that I am correct in this assumption.
I am alive, as are you.Ā Iāve sent my dear friend, Lucian, with this message for you on his journey home, and I promise to keep this short.Ā
I will be in Iadara for a short visit in three daysā time. Meet me in the early afternoon at the table in the back corner, if you are able to get away momentarily. If not, the country uses a letter-carrying system now that allows for almost instant mail delivery. You can always reach me.
Weāve done it. Under the guise of night, with the help of nothing but adrenaline and a random hothead, weāve done it. By gods, weāve done it.
As attached as Iāve gotten to this small group Iāve fallen in with, I am so sick of surprises. This was two-for-one, and I am so over it. The insufferable one, Eradwing, vanished into thin air and was replaced by a man named Ula. I jokingly made a request to call him Sparky, but for some reason, he was okay with it. Strange, honestly. Come to find out that this... Duo, I suppose we should call them, was the same duo that was involved in the incident back at the mage school where two were fused together when someone was practicing magic above their means.Ā
In the middle of all of this, we were interrupted by an attack on the city from some strange, half-fish looking creatures. They resembled fish trolls, and it was kind of humorous until these stupid things continued to attack us and other civilians. We finally made it to shelter where we settled in for the evening, only to be awoken abruptly the next morning. Again, with the surprises.
On a similar note, if one more person addresses me asĀ āMissā, I am going to lose my mind.
We were taken to a meeting with an Ancient Dragon Turtle, who I promptly named Crush. For some reason, he went along with it. He was very quick to tell me that war is coming and that I will not be fighting alone. I am tired of the war talk, as nobody as waited for me to make this decision on my own. It is a constant push from all angles of others wanting me to declare war. Obviously it is something I am considering, but I donāt understand why people are not willing to simply wait for me to make my own decisions. It is as if I were a princess again.Ā
All bitter feelings aside, I returned to the center of the brass city to meet with my comrades and inform them of my decision to wage war on the Utos Empire. Despite all of my hesitations, I know it in my heart that this is the correct decision for a leader to make. Everyone was full of opinions, but when I was finally able to have someone listen to the exact plan I was wanting to implement, we were able to modify it to make it work, and we executed it well.
I sent Scrimmage back to Yhora with a letter requesting to meet with the weasel, Silas, still with him believing that I was an ambassador from Iadara. The lie was that we wanted to open up a port on the coast, establishing a trade route and allowing the Empire into our city. Laughable, isnāt it?Ā
Luckily, the weasel fell for it.
As we were preparing to sign the documents, he was foolish enough to let me see his writing utensil, which he called aĀ āpenā, if I remember correctly. Once I had him distracted, Khazim was capable of stunning him. We were able to escape the castle, claiming that we were going for help, as none of Silasā guards were present in the room at the time, and as we exited the castle, Sparky set the castle ablaze.Ā
Writing that line makes me sick. Seeing my home in flames is an image that will never leave my mind. It has been about a week now, and it still haunts my dreams. Though I know it was the right choice, my heart breaks. I am homesick for a place that no longer exists, and this is why I must fight. For my family, for my home, for my people. That does not make this any less painful.
Upon exiting the castle, we took the weasel straight to the gallows, as citizens were emerging from their homes to find our stage illuminated in the orange glow of the fire behind us. Guards appeared, but the moment they realized that they couldnāt be stopped, they lowered their weapons. Confusion seemed rampant.
Though I have never been much of one to choose physical violence, I had no qualms about my lack of mercy towards the man we had kidnapped. Looking back now, I am but slightly disappointed, as I am well aware that my father raised me to be better. I can only hope that he and my mother are not disappointed, if they are even able to watch over me as everyone claims.
With a fistful of Silasā hair, I slit his throat. I made sure to go deep enough to keep him from suffering for too long, but I watched the life leave his eyes. That was our declaration. I believe Ula strung his body along the gallows, putting him on display, but I was quick to leave after my declaration of war, as it would be much more complicated to track two of us running to the water at separate times.Ā
If I am being honest, I am unsure of whether or not we were followed by members of the Utos guard. We did it, though.Ā
I am terrified of what is to come. May the gods be by my side, and for the love of all, may my parentsā wisdom resurface within me. Oh, how I hope that this goes well.
This para takes place in the woods on the outskirts of Yhora. Circe has volunteered for the first watch, and seeing as she is far too drunk to keep watch herself, Mar has volunteered to join her. The pair are poised outside of the campsite of their group. @leonisc
Circe, still too drunk to do much of anything functional, takes a seat on a fallen log, legs tucked beneath her, as she wraps her blanket around her shoulders. She tilts her head upwards when she hears Marās steps coming near, well aware that her new friend would be keeping watch with her. After the dayās events, the girl has no desire to sleep. She canāt bare to run the chance of dreaming, not with the loss of her family on her mind.Ā
She stays quiet for a bit, leaning back against the log with her elbows to prop her up against it, when she finally looks at Mar with her head cocked to the side, just slightly.Ā āSo,ā she begins, speaking slowly with an eyebrow raised.Ā āHow did you all come to be?ā She uses one hand to gesture towards the cluster of tents around them.Ā āYou know, this group you all have?ā
Iām so glad to have written two days in a row. So much has happened! My heart feels both full and broken, but I am embracing it for what it is in this moment. I cannot believe all that has happened in just a dayās time, but I am so thrilled.Ā
I forgot to write last night about what happened when we met with Scrimmage at The Torn Banner. I was hesitant to discuss anything. I donāt trust any of what I see around this town, as this... This is not what home ever was. It is far too quiet, there is nowhere near enough movement. It all began very tense, with the rogue in our group, Lucian, revealing a rose tattoo that I had never thought anything of.Ā
Come to find out, that tattoo was the one found on the bodies that were found in the room with my family after their demise. He shares the same mark, though he denies having had any role in it. I believe him.Ā Scrimmage was uneasy at first, but I do hope he comes to trust Lucian. I am not a poor judge of character. Lucian belongs with this group, and with us he will stay. Heās a good man.
Anyway.
When I aired my anxieties about speaking of anything against Utos anywhere near Yhora, Scrimmage stopped me and redirected my attention to the family crest that hangs above the bar. He mentioned that I was among friends there. Unfamiliar faces filled the room, but my goodness. There are still people who know of our family and, I would assume, the old history of Yhora. I so hope. I have no idea what is left of previous history, but I hope there is more somewhere.Ā
Scrimmage sat with our group while we discussed the dayās events, and I told him that we wanted to go to The Shallows. He obliged, and said that we would leave at dawn. We spent more time in the tavern though, and he brought up the human girl from so many years ago. His eyes still shine bright when he speaks of her. He said itās only been a couple of months since his last visit, and when I asked him if he had ever considered marrying her, he said he had. Being in the guard in Utos, though, makes things hard.Ā
Rene. The girlās name is Rene. I hope that, with us agreeing to go, with things turning around slowly, that he chooses to stay soon.
When dawn struck the next morning, we left. Scrimmage had a boat, strangely enough, that could fit all of our crew, including Mar and Thunderdream, our two gigantic cohorts. Iām curious about how he pulled that one off, but some questions are better left unsaid.
We were transported beneath the water to a city of glass and brass through this strange, airtight, glass tube with... Arms? It was strange. I remember very little of it, mostly due to the fact that I could hardly wrap my mind around what all was happening. Things moved so quickly, but we made it to The Shallows in what felt like no time.Ā
The moment we set foot in the city, I wanted to cry. I wanted to throw myself to the ground and sob tears of joy at the sight of my people living so well. I donāt understand how an entire country can uproot themselves and move somewhere so extravagant, but they did it! My people are alive, and they are well, and they are thriving! I simply cannot believe it.Ā
There are many gnomes as well, and though these gnomes are more rambunctious and hard working than those above ground, I still am not a fan of their perpetual, joyful demeanor. I am sure I will have to adjust to this, because these gnomes hosted the largest party I have ever seen once I was recognized.Ā
So much drinking, laughter, joy... There was so much life within these glass walls that I could do nothing but enjoy the moment. For five years, I have wandered the woods and travelled by foot throughout Golgari. I never would have been so foolish as to convince myself that this would ever be something for me to come to. How blessed we are.Ā
Scrimmage brought Rene to me at some point, and it was so wonderful to hold her in my arms and watch her familiar eyes take in the sights of our group of waywards. We talked for so long, and she even showed me a ring that sheās got, as she plans on asking Scrimmage to marry her. She mentioned the same thing, though, about how itās hard with him going to and from so frequently.Ā
I need to remind myself to tell him to wear his Utos armor. He still wears the Presnia uniform, but now that I can do something about it, I refuse to allow him to be injured or killed over it. Not with a takeover on the horizon.
We spoke of it, with both Scrimmage and Eradwing trying to convince me that we have the manpower and resources to execute a revolt. Though I donāt doubt that, I cannot allow my people to hastily sign up for a life or death mission simply because they are excited I have returned. I cannot allow my people to die as a result of elation. In a few days, I will bring it up. I want to allow time for things to return to normal.
This day, these couple of days, were so full of excitement, and the final thing that I really have to mention is... Is that Apollo is alive.
We found our way to the Magister, and with the portrait Scrimmage found for me, and the crystal I discovered beneath the trees from my childhood, we were able to scry on him. Not only are my people alive and well, but my brother is alive. There are two Presnia family members living and breathing. Though, Apollo is now marked with the same tattoo as Lucien. And the murderers.Ā
Lucien believes he could help us contact Apollo, and as badly as I want to, I also donāt. Would he remember me? Would he believe me? Would he try to kill me? I know that I could never defend myself against him, and to think of Scrimmage having to do so... I could never. I will have to speak with Lucien to see if thereās a way to communicate with him beforehand. Even if I could send him a letter... I may try. There is a post office here. I suppose we will see.Ā
I also found out this same day that this insufferable mess, Eradwing, was involved in the fusion of the student and mentor that occurred while I was at the mage school, because, of course, nothing normal can happen in my life. Standing in the middle of the Magisterās quarters, they switched places. I am nervous about having a newcomer in the group, but if he and Eradwing are attached, he must be good, right?Ā
Today was far more than I anticipated, and worlds more complicated than I was prepared to deal with.
I spent half of the night awake with Mar, drunk out of my gourd after attempting to drown the knowledge of what happened to my family out of my head inthe way of drink at the tavern. It didnāt work. Mar and I had a wonderful conversation during our hours awake together, where he told me all about his husband and his life back home. So sweet, he is.Ā I hope that he goes home to him soon.Ā I couldnāt imagine living a life on the road, after being kidnapped much less, knowing that my love was waiting for me at home.Ā
I also donāt understand how someone was able to kidnap a man of his stature in the first place, but I digress.Ā
The next morning came all too early, but I had far too much energy for someone that only got a couple of hours of sleep. The nerves, I suppose.Ā
Eradwing was, to attempt to put it politely, insufferable as always. The fool had far too much to drink the night before, and though he speaks often of being hundreds of years old, he drinks like a child. He did not hesitate in letting us know that he was hungover, which took us to town to find the herbalist. Nobody seemed to be bothered by the fact that we had a place to be and a meeting to get over with.Ā The herbalist, blessed be her soul, took what felt like years to concoct some sort of Earthy mess of a beverage. Though it helped, I would rather suffer through a day after drinking instead of ever having to stomach that drink again.Ā
The next stop was to find clothing to allow us to upkeep appearances. Scrimmage said that I was to be introduced as an ambassador from Iadara with Mar and Eradwing as my guards, and I should have said no from that moment. I should have said no and not gone through with this visit, but because I am far from the brightest being out there and a woman of my word, I agreed and followed through.Ā
We wound up in the general store, and after what seemed like forever, we finally convinced Eradwing to remove his armor for it to be polished, and I purchased a set for Mar. The poor man seemed so uncomfortable, and I wish it would have been easier to just get the two of them some nicer clothing. After all, why would we need armor for a formal meeting?Ā
When we finally made it to the castle, Scrimmage had just been put in his position. He seemed happy to see us again, but the air around us seemed heavy when we had to switch appearances. Professionalism, of course.Ā
Walking through the courtyard was... Surreal. The trees we planted when I was young now stand tall, roots buried deep within the ground. How happy my father would be to see how they stand today. Beneath those trees were patches of tall grass. I have no idea how long itās been since they were touched, but when we walked through the grass, I found a crystal, one that belonged to my family.Ā They were heirlooms, given to each child before the passing of my motherās parents.Ā
It was a sense of great ease that came with it, though the dirty little thing needs to be cleaned off very soon. I switched it out with my crystal, as it was a little less obvious that it has some sort of magic tied to it. It would be very had to make it through an official meeting with an unsuspecting stranger without explaining why my necklace glows.Ā
Scrimmage took me through the castle, and it was the longest short period of time that I have ever experienced. So strange to see how these... Buffoons, if you will, have changed such a beautiful home.Ā
The wide, wooden doors that once greeted visitors are now slabs of marble. Far too ornate for a home as humbled as this one. The entryway, though, is the same aside from the ceiling and the Utos crest that now hangs in place of our family portrait. Tolstoy would scoff at the monstrosity, seeing as it looks like a childās craft piece, but I know for a fact that he would marvel at the work of art on the ceiling. It truly is beautiful.
As I wrote previously, I did still know my way around. It will always be my home, and one day, I know it will be ours again. I can feel it in my heart.Ā
The library was our next stop, which was also something that remained unchanged. Of course, minor details, like my fatherās desk, have been replaced. Not much else, though. Scrimmage apparently discovered a smaller copy of a previous family portrait that was not destroyed, and he saved it for me. At this point, I have no room or reason to be holding on to sentimental pieces of my past, but I couldnāt just tell him no. I will find a place for it eventually, but until then, it will remain protected. I cannot allow any more of the Presnia family history to fall away.Ā
After leaving the study, I was offered the chance to enter my old bedroom, but that was not going to happen. I doubt it ever will. Time has likely taken it over, and I cannot bear to walk through the intimate homes of so many quiet memories. How tiring it is to be the sole keeper of a familyās history, of rule, love, and pure life.Ā
Our final stop was the dining room, where Eradwing, Mar, and I were left to have a meal with the ruler of this new empire. Our meeting was disguised as strictly relationship building, but it was far more formal than any attempt I have ever witnessed at building a relationship with another country. So strange to see how differently things are done, but it has been five years. Perhaps thatās just the way things are now.
This man, Silas Davenport, is about as slimy and unbearable as one would think. Of course, I am definitely biased, but I was not comfortable at any moment. Who serves soup for a first time meeting with another country? Blasphemous, honestly. This man obviously has no idea what it is to rule. Soup and tea. Ridiculous!Ā After shushing my comrades and I during the meal, the weasel brought out wine in an attempt to lessen the tension, but I was ready to leave.Ā
He said that it was a rule to not speaking during a meal. You would think it was also a rule to not murder an entire family. You would also think it was a rule to not be a pompous prick, but, here we are.Ā
I have never seen so many royal staff tending to a group, not to mention the abnormal size of his guard. There were so many. He is far too comfortable in his position of power. Far too comfortable. I was relieved when he excused himself, and I hope that he was too uncomfortable to stay versus actually having a previous engagement. Again, a weasel.Ā
Apparently Scrimmage does not set foot in the dining room very often, as he asked if it is still the same. It is, but it also isnāt. There is more furniture, and more elaborate lighting, but the floors and walls are the same. The table is decorated more lavishly than we used to keep it, but they also stained it. Scrimmage said that they had to because of all of the blood stains that were left behind after the murders. That was enough of that conversation.Ā
I was told to take anything I may need form the library, so I had Scrimmage pull a book on Utos history, but I doubt Iāll ever read it. A memento to keep, if anything. I know revenge is monstrous, and my parents would be so disappointed in me for it, but I have made my decision.Ā
Tomorrow, we go to The Shallows. Should my group agree, we may soon have a revolution on our hands, and with this book of their history, we also may easily find a way to execute this overthrow. I have to keep quiet for now, but I feel it rising. Home will return, perhaps sooner, rather than later.
How in the world am I supposed to sit and process all of this information at once? Iāve finally managed to break away from this... Band of misfits that I came across, who, for some reason, agreed to come all the way home with me. I set up camp one evening and startled them after not waking up in time to leave before they found me. I believe we were outside the walls of Iadara? Regardless, these strangers seem to have taken me as one of their own.Ā
I donāt know what I expected to find upon my return home, but it was not what we were greeted with. I have never seen so many humans in one place... It was actually very unsettling.Ā
By some grace, though, I found Scrimmage. By God, I found Scrimmage!
He was just as I remember him, and apparently, I was just as he remembered me. How good it was to be in the embrace of an old friend- a parental figure, even. To know that heās still breathing brings so much peace! I missed so much in the time that I was gone, and I so hope that I can meet with him again and discuss the joys that my family had before their end.Ā
Heās currently a member of the new ruleās guard, I believe. We found him guarding the gates of the castle, and after our embrace, he told me that there was nothing left for me here, that this is not the home I know. So strange, honestly, to know these roads and the trees like the back of my hand, only to be told that this is no longer home.Ā
The tree my father had to rescue me from as the unruly child I was still stands just outside the gates, its unkempt branches still curling towards the sky. The paths through the woods are still just as trodden as they were five years ago when I set off on my journey to the mage school. Scrimmage may say that this is not the home I know, but Iām sure that I could still navigate every crevice, every hiding spot, every room within the stone walls of that castle with my eyes closed. It crushes me.
We met at a tavern that I cannot recall the name of when his guard ended, and he brought a few other men with him. Faces that seemed familiar with names I do not remember. I regret this, in complete honesty.Ā
Over the course of the evening, they informed me and my motley crew of what horrors were brought to my home, my people. My family.Ā
Gnomes, he said, creatures that Iāve only briefly become acquainted with, are what took over. Iāve not seen them before this, but theyāre small with very angular features and flat noses. Their ears are long, and while many of them looked very dirty, their hair was very straight. Itās comical, really, watching these little beings bumble around. Their heads seem massive in comparison to their small bodies, and it seems as though they may fall off their shoulders at any moment. The worst part, though, is that these beings all seemed far, far too cheery. Itās unnerving to think that a force that overtook my home could have done it with a smile on their face.Ā
Give me rage, not joy. I would pay good gold to punch one in the face. Perhaps, even a platinum.
The only moment of relief during our entire conversation was the moment I was told that nobody suffered. To give all of my gratitude towards anything regarding my familyās murder is one thing, but if I must, it would be to the fact that they didnāt suffer. One could only hope that they felt no pain at all. Though, I have to worry for Apollo. Scrimmage said he was never found, and seeing as he was out in the yard at the time of the attack, we may never know. If I had it my way, I would spend the rest of my days looking for him. I would give anything to know his whereabouts, his current condition, but I no longer get the luxury of time to grieve or time to search. Perhaps, one day, we might be reunited.
Through this conversation, I also found that one of the members of this crew Iāve fallen in with was a member of the army sent to protect my family. I do not know how to feel about him, and his repeated apologies make me want to vomit. Why apologize for something that you not only had no control over, but also took place over five years ago? There is no reviving my family! Why waste your energy?
Scrimmage spoke of a new home, a place he referred to as The Shallows, and I am hesitant to agree to the venture, but the idiots of this group seem to think it to be a wise choice to go. They briefly mentioned the thought of a revolution, a possibility of overthrowing this monstrous empire, but I am unsure of what I think.Ā
Scrimmage says I would be recognized in this new place, and the thought is overwhelming. How are none of my people here still?Ā
I believe I am going to tell Scrimmage we wish to go to this place, The Shallows. His eyes seemed to sparkle at the mention, and I wonder if itās because the human girl from the docks that he used to bring to dinner is there. This is all assuming that sheās still alive, though. His eyes were always so bright at the mention of her, and Iām not sure how long itās been since heās gone to The Shallows, if ever. I need to remember to ask him about her the next time I get a chance to speak with him privately. I hope we get more time to talk, seeing as I have so much to show him.Ā
Through darkness, light will find a way to emerge.
snowghoul
annaxmalina
discoholicmusic
andulkaphoto
ellievsbear