Librarian Katrina, Bard's Journal? xD
(Send me Drabble Prompts!)
After the events at Gáire Roosts last week, I completely forgot to write an the account of my journey and miscellaneous events that occurred during my stay in House Jameson. While the trip itself was a personal venture to fill out some paperwork and catch up with peers in the Bard’s Guild, some of my experiences on the trip and during my stay may be of interest to The Watch.
The journey itself went surprisingly well. I set out at the end of the month, the morning after King Sean held his most recent charity event in the capital. Much of this winter’s snowfall is still piled up in dense banks along the roadsides of House Jackie, but the roads themselves were clear and manageable as ever. I made excellent time, reaching Runner’s Haven in less than two days.
Once there, I personally ensured that all of your letters and messages made their way into trustworthy hands. I was told to inform you all that, while spies have continued to crop up across Duilintinn, few have attempted to interfere with the duties of messengers and riders across the kingdom. Clearly, whatever evil power holds sway over these poor souls cannot convince them to violate our traditional values on such matters, and for that, I am grateful.
In addition, it was here that I received word about the King’s troubling response to The Watch. Messengers at the outpost graciously distributed my letter on the subject to the garrisons and outposts on my behalf as I continued my journey.
After another three days journey, I reached Fort Conchúr. Despite the responsibilities that awaited me at the Bard’s Guild, over a day’s journey to the south, I ended up spending a full day at the garrison recuperating from the long journey.
Okay, that’s a lie. I spent the whole day in the library working on the paperwork I needed to turn in at the guild. You know, the stuff that I probably should have done before I left, but instead carefully ignored in their waterproof canvas package until the day before my arrival.
Thankfully, Librarian Kat of House Jameson was at her usual place among the bookshelves, accompanied by her newly-appointed familiar, Diaval. The mountain of forms were far easier to endure with Kat’s quiet, knowing company as she reminisced about her days learning how to tend the books all around us. She joked that we should burn useless files such as these, which served no purpose other than to analyze our abilities at something we don’t particularly feel like doing… but in the end, we settled for lighting a stove instead and shared hot drinks to keep warm as the sun dipped below the horizon.
I must say, Diaval is an extraordinarily intelligent and well-behaved animal; whoever conducted and approved his familiar status knows what they’re doing. He barely made a sound as I worked; the only time I even noticed him pacing at Kat’s feet was when she seemed to take ill for a moment. I can hardly blame Kat for her moment of disconcertion; I nearly dozed off in my seat multiple times throughout the evening. It’s a wonder the two of them don’t lose all sense of time amidst the ancient tomes. I feel like I could get lost in the knowledge within them for a century, and the cold drafts coming from between the stone walls of Fort Conchúr certainly have a knack for keeping you huddled up indoors.
Unfortunately, spending one hundred years in The Watch’s library is not possible when you have guild business to attend to in the south. I took my leave of Kat, Diaval, and Fort Conchúr the next morning, planning to arrive at the guild by the next day. Of course, this was precisely when Watchers at the Roosts spotted signs of The Enemy’s movements near the forest border. Mage Artist Fay, a fellow Watcher and friend who had been in the Western Forest during my brief stay in Fort Conchúr, managed to intercept me on the road and relay the news, stopping only briefly to point me in the direction of the outpost before continuing towards Fort Conchúr. The rest, of course, is history.
My journey back to Fort Stiofán began two days ago, and Lord willing I should arrive at the garrison in five days time. I’m currently spending another evening of far more enjoyable writing in the library of Fort Conchúr with Kat. She was the one who suggested I write to you with all that’s occurred on my journey, though she is unaware of the glowing appraisal of her company I’ve included within this letter. While such an account may not be particularly helpful in our watch for The Enemy, I truly believe that such stories of mundane contentment and peace amidst the tides of chaos are exactly what we need to carry positivity and encouragement into the days ahead.
Written to fellow members of The Watch in the Third Month of the Year One Thousand Six Hundred and Fourteen.
