Wednesday, the 15th of Eleint
I've never thought to actually keep one of these. Most of what runs through my head, I wouldn't want to put into writing. Self incriminating evidence and all that. So yeah... It's great not to have to trade tobacco for food from the bottom bunk of a prison cell again. Didn't think I'd run across Sanria again, much less in a city like Waterdeep. Didn't think I'd ever heard word from that fling I had back in the city as well. Rumors fly that the woman killed something like ten civilians. Thank the gods her husband came home when he did, I would hate to be number eleven. Damn... And they put ME in jail?? Much as I hate to admit it, a small part of me is glad to be back home. Though I'm not quite certain what this Lifestream trip that Sanria told me the old man put me up to will entail. For now, I'm supposed to be waiting for the ex-clannie who I am to accompany, but so far nobody has come by since Sanria left. Empty houses are about as fun as empty beds I've learned. Though one or two of the girls on the serving staff that remained behind may see to fixing the last one before the day is over. Well, enough for now. I'm not sure what sort of crap I'm supposed to put in this old thing, only that----------------------
(A long dark pen mark runs across the page)
The Lost Tome...(continued)
Tsabicaran sits at his desk in his personal chambers within the High Hall. With a heavy hand he turns another page careful to not damage it. He looks towards the parchments resting next to him and begins to scribbleupon them. "Hmmm" he says in deep thought. He turns back to the tome turning yet another page. Hours go by and finally the last page is turned. Again looking over to the now many parchments resting next to him he makes his final scribble. He picks up the parchments and begins shuffling into order. Leaning back in his chair he lets out a sigh. "Now to begin studying them properly" ,he says with determination. Flipping thru page after page and at times going back to reread certain pages hours pass. He slams the set of parchments down on his desk and grabs his pipe. He pushes clumps of mixed dried grasses into the pipe and strikes a match upon his cheek. Carefully placing the match over the opening and drawing heavy upon the mouth piece he shutters dropping the pipe and the match. With a blank stare he begins to stand up from his resting position. He quickly snaps out of it and stomps on the match, picks up the pipe and places it on his desk. "Crovax...Psycho...I must inform them of this now." He says with a hurried voice.
The Lost Tome...
Sangraal bursts into the Grand Foyer of the High Hall nearly breathless. He furiously secures the doors behind him and quickly makes his way to the library on the second floor. He throws himself down into a chair. Blood begins to make a small pool on the floor from his many wounds. As he regains his breath Tsabicaran enters the room. Tsabicaran with a concerned face says, "Dear friend I heard the Grand Foyer doors slam and..." Quickly Tsabicaran rushes to the side of Sangraal and begins to heal his wounds. "My bag...it is in my bag," Sangraal says with a heavy breath. "Yes yes it can wait a moment. Please sit still and relax yourself," Tsabicaran says with true concern of his friends state, "We need to get you to the healing room now. Your wounds will mend but not without true proper care." Worried, Tsabicaran helps Sangraal up and walks him to the healing room where priests await to heal him further. As Sangraal is placed on the bed he jolts up and grabs Tsabicaran's arm, "The tome...it is in my bag," Sangraal says has his eyes begin to close..... Sangraal awakens with ease. "The tome Sangraal, where did you find it." Tsabicaran says in a soft voice. "Uh...the tome? Yes the tome! Did you find it?", Sangraals says with fright and concern. "Yes, but where did you find it?" "The Chamber of Intrigue...in the Shattered Keep II." "I see. Do not worry yourself any further my friend you will be fine. Now rest." "But..." Tsabicaran cuts him off saying, "Rest...That is an order." Sangraal nods and lets out a heavy sigh as he begins to fall back asleep.
Closing Doors, Opening Trials
Two entities. One felt relief in the form of a cold focus and realistic nature. The other felt damaged, weakened and hurt as if it had just lost a vital part of it's being. The first twisted darkly through the ethereal essence of it's existance, bearing down upon it's wounded cousin. A brief flare of brilliance exuded from the second entity as it fought to retain it's existence in the ethereal. Fought for a war that had slowly been lost within the avalanche in which time had become. Just as swiftly as the battle had begun, it ended. The first descended upon the second smothering it in it's embrace as if to say: 'Shh, it's okay. You'll find true strength in this.'
The sound of Throm's tent flap rapidly parting woke him suddenly. He blinked several times, the shadows of sleep and...something else slowly receding from his vision. The middle aged man clad in a uniform identifying him as a Lieutenant within the Tripower Army stopped cold in his tracks his mouth agape.
'Yes?' Throm rasped, clearing the sleep from his voice as well.
'Your eyes? I thought? Nevermind.'
Throm frowned as he rolled onto his side, sitting up in his bed. He was certain the man would not have woken him for the mere sake of looking into his eyes. He noted the man's name on the ID plate he wore over his light armor just in case.
'Well Lieutenant...Nils. What can I do for you this fine morning?'
The man looked rather sheepish for a moment causing Throm to wonder if truly the man had burst into the wrong tent accidentally. Suddenly the man seemed to remember where he was and stood to full attention on the spot.
'Sir! Battle Patrol 27 responded earlier this morning to a sighting by Scout Patrol 4 on the North Gate of Kefkaburg. Bodies sir. Hung by their necks from the wall. A family of Espers.'
Throm's frown deepened. The boldness of the Vectorian's had been growing steadily, this much was apparent in the ever increasing taxes and imprisonments without trial. But open slayings of it's citizens was too much. He stood up, noticing for the first time the letter still held in his hand. Last night he had read it once, then twice, then again. Then this morning it's contents no longer brought conflict within him. He casually tossed it into the blazing brazier which burned at the edge of his tent and walked out.
The sound of Throm's tent flap rapidly parting woke him suddenly. He blinked several times, the shadows of sleep and...something else slowly receding from his vision. The middle aged man clad in a uniform identifying him as a Lieutenant within the Tripower Army stopped cold in his tracks his mouth agape.
'Yes?' Throm rasped, clearing the sleep from his voice as well.
'Your eyes? I thought? Nevermind.'
Throm frowned as he rolled onto his side, sitting up in his bed. He was certain the man would not have woken him for the mere sake of looking into his eyes. He noted the man's name on the ID plate he wore over his light armor just in case.
'Well Lieutenant...Nils. What can I do for you this fine morning?'
The man looked rather sheepish for a moment causing Throm to wonder if truly the man had burst into the wrong tent accidentally. Suddenly the man seemed to remember where he was and stood to full attention on the spot.
'Sir! Battle Patrol 27 responded earlier this morning to a sighting by Scout Patrol 4 on the North Gate of Kefkaburg. Bodies sir. Hung by their necks from the wall. A family of Espers.'
Throm's frown deepened. The boldness of the Vectorian's had been growing steadily, this much was apparent in the ever increasing taxes and imprisonments without trial. But open slayings of it's citizens was too much. He stood up, noticing for the first time the letter still held in his hand. Last night he had read it once, then twice, then again. Then this morning it's contents no longer brought conflict within him. He casually tossed it into the blazing brazier which burned at the edge of his tent and walked out.
Preludes to War
The breath of the chocobos and their riders steamed in the cold morning air. Rising up it vanished into the gray sky above, which cast down a gloomy light upon the outskirts of Kefkaburg. It was a quiet morning save the crunching of the morning frost beneath the feet of the birdlike mounts as the patrol moved purposefully towards the North Gate of the city. Atop the walls of the city, magenta armored sentries stood next to their equally magenta banners which sat just as still as their sentient counterparts in the windless skies. No movement came from above, no demands to turn back. The Vectorians wanted the patrol to be there it seemed. Wanted the riders precisely where they were. A single gesture from the foremost rider brought the patrol to a halt just within range of arrow fire, yet still the magenta figures looked down impassively from above. The lead rider, clad in heavy armor of bright red and blue, swung down from the saddle both hitting the ground heavily and eliciting a quiet 'wark' of relief from the chocobo. As he looked up to the gate a small gasp escaped him, echoing through his helm far louder than he had intended.
It was exactly what it had appeared to be according to scout reports, but worse. A man woman, three children, even what had probably been the family pet had been strung up by their necks and left for the crows Espers by the look of them, a Vectorian favorite. Removing his helm in reverence the patrol leader, a youthful looking elf with a copper mane of hair, motioned for the other riders to approach.
'Soran, Julie. Stay behind and keep the crows off of them. Bradin, Tohl. You will accompany me into the plains to look for something to build a ladder with. We're not going to leave them up there. Nils, I want you to ride back to the Blockade as though the Dragon Queen herself were on your heels. Tell them what we've seen.'
The elf stared above the bodies to where the Vectorian sentries still stood as magenta rocks sprouting from the top of the walls.
'yabraguoph'
His eyes suddenly jumped into focus as though someone had placed an invisible telescope to his eyes. Blinking he looked up again, both anger and dread filling his very soul at what he saw.
They were smiling.
It was exactly what it had appeared to be according to scout reports, but worse. A man woman, three children, even what had probably been the family pet had been strung up by their necks and left for the crows Espers by the look of them, a Vectorian favorite. Removing his helm in reverence the patrol leader, a youthful looking elf with a copper mane of hair, motioned for the other riders to approach.
'Soran, Julie. Stay behind and keep the crows off of them. Bradin, Tohl. You will accompany me into the plains to look for something to build a ladder with. We're not going to leave them up there. Nils, I want you to ride back to the Blockade as though the Dragon Queen herself were on your heels. Tell them what we've seen.'
The elf stared above the bodies to where the Vectorian sentries still stood as magenta rocks sprouting from the top of the walls.
'yabraguoph'
His eyes suddenly jumped into focus as though someone had placed an invisible telescope to his eyes. Blinking he looked up again, both anger and dread filling his very soul at what he saw.
They were smiling.
Contingencies for Contingencies
The heavy footfalls of Colin's boots along the wooden floor of the library echoed throughout the room. Throm studied the warrior carefully. Predictably, Colin's rate of alarm had been steadily increasing since he had learned of Sanria's departure. His decision to follow and approach Sanria was already apparent in his body language.
'Where did she say she was going, exactly?'
Throm continued to study the man as he divulged the information that would soon put him on a course to Sanria.
'She'll probably be on her way to Torregiano. After that I believe Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep.'
Colin's frustration was evident in his voice as well as the increased speed of pacing as he glared at Throm, shaking his head.
'Just when things seemed to be coming together. I'm sorry, but there's no way I can just sit up in this house and not care that she's out there by herself with all that we've seen. You convinced me that this threat was big enough to go into the rift, yet you are fine with just letting this happen.'
Throm leaned forward upon the table as he nodded earnestly.
'Shall we pack up the ship, and bring her back by force then?'
Colin waved him off, his frustration clearly mounting as he detected Throm's sarcasm.
'No, don't you worry, you carry on however you want. I can take care of this. Thank you for the information.'
'What would you do?'
Colin turned to Throm, signs of a cool anger simmering just beneath the surface evident even to the sorcerer.
'I told you, I'm going to make sure she's safe. After that... we'll see. It wouldn't be the first time I've been a guardian. But maybe you've forgotten how.'
His comment hit closer to home more so than Colin could have known. He was right in ways he could not have known. Throm was accustomed to moving people about, as pawns on a chessboard, but even in the worst of times he had not made habit of doing so with friends. He had always drawn an invisible line in the fabric of his moral state, separating friendship from the cool calculating voice within him that always seemed to get things accomplished efficiently.
'If you must keep tabs, then do so. I know deep down I would feel better about it. But by blundering in, announcing that you don't respect her freedom to get away. Does that truly serve her...or does it serve you?'
This earned him another angry glance from the larger man.
'I'm not you Throm. I can't just sit back and watch things happen. I also won't slip about following Sanria like some king of thief, and I won't operate based upon assumptions.'
Throm nodded, reverting mentally back to his original plan. Colin was a man of action, Throm could respected that. His concern would lead him not to dance around the issues, but rather to charge directly into the heart of them. Throm knew his own concern was no less, but there was always a plan to be executed. A contingency for contingencies. While both may in truth have the same goals in mind, they were opposite sides of the coin in nature. But it would be both sides that would be needed to see this through.
'I hope you will keep me informed as well. I'll be leaving here as soon as I catch up with Thasmudyan. I will be staying at the Blockade east of the city.'
Colin issued a somber nod which did not necessarily commit to or against doing so.
'Well, time's wasting. I need to make preparations. I have a lot of ground to make up.'
The warrior departed, leaving Throm to scratch out the location of potential hidden caches upon a piece seconds before the man in black slipped back into the room, chuckling in sarcasm though speaking quietly so as not to be overheard.
'Long time no see.'
Throm folded the parchment and handed it to the man returning his comment equaling his tone of sarcasm, in the process.
'It has been indeed.'
The Cetra cast a glance at the doorway after Colin.
'It's good to know I still have friends out there. Ensure he doesn't know you're following.'
'No doubt.'
The man nodded and once more took his leave. Throm sighed, alone to his thoughts once more. He had but one more task to complete before leaving the manor. His gaze drifted to the small necklace that still lay upon the table. He would need to see to it's safety, and for that he would need Thasmudyan.
'Where did she say she was going, exactly?'
Throm continued to study the man as he divulged the information that would soon put him on a course to Sanria.
'She'll probably be on her way to Torregiano. After that I believe Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep.'
Colin's frustration was evident in his voice as well as the increased speed of pacing as he glared at Throm, shaking his head.
'Just when things seemed to be coming together. I'm sorry, but there's no way I can just sit up in this house and not care that she's out there by herself with all that we've seen. You convinced me that this threat was big enough to go into the rift, yet you are fine with just letting this happen.'
Throm leaned forward upon the table as he nodded earnestly.
'Shall we pack up the ship, and bring her back by force then?'
Colin waved him off, his frustration clearly mounting as he detected Throm's sarcasm.
'No, don't you worry, you carry on however you want. I can take care of this. Thank you for the information.'
'What would you do?'
Colin turned to Throm, signs of a cool anger simmering just beneath the surface evident even to the sorcerer.
'I told you, I'm going to make sure she's safe. After that... we'll see. It wouldn't be the first time I've been a guardian. But maybe you've forgotten how.'
His comment hit closer to home more so than Colin could have known. He was right in ways he could not have known. Throm was accustomed to moving people about, as pawns on a chessboard, but even in the worst of times he had not made habit of doing so with friends. He had always drawn an invisible line in the fabric of his moral state, separating friendship from the cool calculating voice within him that always seemed to get things accomplished efficiently.
'If you must keep tabs, then do so. I know deep down I would feel better about it. But by blundering in, announcing that you don't respect her freedom to get away. Does that truly serve her...or does it serve you?'
This earned him another angry glance from the larger man.
'I'm not you Throm. I can't just sit back and watch things happen. I also won't slip about following Sanria like some king of thief, and I won't operate based upon assumptions.'
Throm nodded, reverting mentally back to his original plan. Colin was a man of action, Throm could respected that. His concern would lead him not to dance around the issues, but rather to charge directly into the heart of them. Throm knew his own concern was no less, but there was always a plan to be executed. A contingency for contingencies. While both may in truth have the same goals in mind, they were opposite sides of the coin in nature. But it would be both sides that would be needed to see this through.
'I hope you will keep me informed as well. I'll be leaving here as soon as I catch up with Thasmudyan. I will be staying at the Blockade east of the city.'
Colin issued a somber nod which did not necessarily commit to or against doing so.
'Well, time's wasting. I need to make preparations. I have a lot of ground to make up.'
The warrior departed, leaving Throm to scratch out the location of potential hidden caches upon a piece seconds before the man in black slipped back into the room, chuckling in sarcasm though speaking quietly so as not to be overheard.
'Long time no see.'
Throm folded the parchment and handed it to the man returning his comment equaling his tone of sarcasm, in the process.
'It has been indeed.'
The Cetra cast a glance at the doorway after Colin.
'It's good to know I still have friends out there. Ensure he doesn't know you're following.'
'No doubt.'
The man nodded and once more took his leave. Throm sighed, alone to his thoughts once more. He had but one more task to complete before leaving the manor. His gaze drifted to the small necklace that still lay upon the table. He would need to see to it's safety, and for that he would need Thasmudyan.
Contingencies
Little galaxies, each one containing perhaps hundreds of worlds. Be they symbolic or literal Throm knew not. The only thing he knew was that the necklace they had found within the cave inside the rift was a powerful artifact, and according to Kaliadra may perhaps be capable of travel to other worlds not reachable by standard arcane means. The journey back had been uneventful, the return home more so. Sanria had left after perhaps a day after their return, and Throm couldn't blame her. As glad as he was to have everybody under the same roof, he imagined the manor had become quite stuffy as of late. Even with the knowledge that she would be outside of his immediate protection Throm was secretly glad that she was headed east. It was probably safer there than it soon would be in Westbridge.
Throm stood from the table where he sat within his library and walked slowly over to the map which covered the northern wall of the room. Most of it had been filled in thanks to efforts combined between the topographers at Melancholy's and his own personal travels. He inwardly mused which parts me might fill in next, turning away only at the sound of a polite cough in close proximity. He smiled at the darkly clad man before him
'Apologies my friend, the older I get, the more I tend to drift off into other worlds.'
The man laughed, his leather armor creaking slightly at the movement. Shaking his head so as to neither confirm or deny Throm's statement he spoke in a voice that betrayed years of smoke inhalation and soft spoken words.
'We've been unable to locate her. Thus it may prove difficult to ensure her safety.'
Throm nodded. His eyes scouting over the man to determine the sincerity of his statement. A short time ago, it would have been only a quick word throughout the web the Emirc Dezinagro Syndicate maintained and the information would have been at his fingertips. He turned to the bookcase closest him, and slowly ascended the ladder to the top rung as he searched aimlessly along the upper shelves.
'There may be another way. As we speak a man by the name of Colin Stone searches the manor for either me or Sanria. He will fare better better than you I imagine.'
Again the man laughed. If his feelings were hurt his ashen face showed no sign of it.
'I suppose you'd like me to follow Stone, who will lead me to Sanria?'
Throm frowned.
'His name is Colin, and it's not quite that easy. I will see to it that supply caches are at your disposal in case the worst should befall him. He's still trying to figure out what may be happening to him and does not yet know the full of it.'
The man raised an eyebrow. He ran a hand through a tangled mane of black hair.
'I don't know the full of it, nor the empty of it. What's happening to him.'
Throm shook his head, glaring down from the ladder for a moment before resuming his browsing along the book shelf.
'You don't need to know that. You'll know what to do when the time comes. But for now I'll recommend a hasty retreat, Colin is approaching.'
Throm didn't hear the man depart, but the voice of Colin behind him confirmed his leaving.
'Throm, hello.'
Throm stood from the table where he sat within his library and walked slowly over to the map which covered the northern wall of the room. Most of it had been filled in thanks to efforts combined between the topographers at Melancholy's and his own personal travels. He inwardly mused which parts me might fill in next, turning away only at the sound of a polite cough in close proximity. He smiled at the darkly clad man before him
'Apologies my friend, the older I get, the more I tend to drift off into other worlds.'
The man laughed, his leather armor creaking slightly at the movement. Shaking his head so as to neither confirm or deny Throm's statement he spoke in a voice that betrayed years of smoke inhalation and soft spoken words.
'We've been unable to locate her. Thus it may prove difficult to ensure her safety.'
Throm nodded. His eyes scouting over the man to determine the sincerity of his statement. A short time ago, it would have been only a quick word throughout the web the Emirc Dezinagro Syndicate maintained and the information would have been at his fingertips. He turned to the bookcase closest him, and slowly ascended the ladder to the top rung as he searched aimlessly along the upper shelves.
'There may be another way. As we speak a man by the name of Colin Stone searches the manor for either me or Sanria. He will fare better better than you I imagine.'
Again the man laughed. If his feelings were hurt his ashen face showed no sign of it.
'I suppose you'd like me to follow Stone, who will lead me to Sanria?'
Throm frowned.
'His name is Colin, and it's not quite that easy. I will see to it that supply caches are at your disposal in case the worst should befall him. He's still trying to figure out what may be happening to him and does not yet know the full of it.'
The man raised an eyebrow. He ran a hand through a tangled mane of black hair.
'I don't know the full of it, nor the empty of it. What's happening to him.'
Throm shook his head, glaring down from the ladder for a moment before resuming his browsing along the book shelf.
'You don't need to know that. You'll know what to do when the time comes. But for now I'll recommend a hasty retreat, Colin is approaching.'
Throm didn't hear the man depart, but the voice of Colin behind him confirmed his leaving.
'Throm, hello.'
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