*Morte lays his cutlass upon the bed of his cabin, and searches his drawers for his quill pen. After finding it misplaced in the lowest drawer, he shrugs and begins the write.*

Entry 120:

The hunt continues.

For the past few days, my men and I have had no time to enjoy ourselves. It seems that Marcus, my brother, has miraculously recovered from the psionic surge I delivered to him, and now he's free to wreak havoc once again.

Just yesterday, he slaughtered another of my crew, Gilbert. While Gilbert was returning from the town last night, Marcus slew him in cold blood. How do I know that it was Marcus? A handwritten note was left in Gilbert's pocket, signed in Marcus's own blood. A mage such as I can easily sense where a person has been by the magic that flows in a person's blood. My 3 other crew members discovered Gilbert's body this morning, and they brought it aboard the Demonshadow for a proper burial at sea. I shall not forget Gilbert...even though he had once betrayed me, he learned from his mistakes and became one of my best crew members.

As for the note itself, it resides between the pages of my log, for future reference.

At this rate, I may not have a crew. We are all on constant guard now, and we've spent this entire day searching for Marcus. Wherever he is, it must be an excellent hiding spot, or else we would have found him by now. I need to speak to my other comrades soon about this, for they are in grave danger now, even as I write.

As for the dreaded spell that Marcus wants so badly, I am keeping a close eye on it. It's sealed within a magic chest that will open only under one of two conditions: Either I open it with a unique spell of mine, or I die. As powerful as Marcus may be, he still is no match for the skills of his elder brother. His chances of killing me to claim the contents of that chest are the same as the chances of a snowball surviving in hell. I shall not let him have his way...he shall not defeat me. I'd sooner die at the hands of a woman than allow Marcus to slay me.

I think it is best that I set my mind off it for a while, so I can calm down...

Despite the fact that I have been unable to enjoy these past few days, I hope Lord Turnip...err...Neo has. He had quite an unusual 201st birthday. I personally gave him the best gift of all...a fresh, juicy...turnip! I doubt that an explanation is needed...I won't forget why I gave him such a vegetable. No need for a mental note...

*Morte chuckles upon recalling Neo's birthday. He won't forget Neo's reaction to the turnip*

I might as well get some rest now...it is something I shall need if I am to survive the days to follow.

*Morte closes his log and walks over to a large, gold-rimmed chest. He recites a peculiar chant as he waves his hand across the top of the chest, and the chest slowly opens. He drops onto his knees and takes a large broadsword out of the chest, observing it as he moves it. He glances at the dragon engraved on the handle, a symbol of his home kingdom. He then places it aside and sets his log next to his spellbook, which also resides inside the chest. After sealing the chest shut, Morte stands up once more. He sighs after looking upon the broadsword once again, and walks out onto the deck with the sword held in his right hand. He whispers out towards the night sky as he gazes at the stars*

"This sword...this is what I'll use to defeat you, Marcus...the weapon that you, me, and all magi-knights of our kingdom, carry with them...this is what shall strike you down...and I shall wield it."

Journal Entry: Captains Log, 23 January, Morte Geist

*sits up suddenly in bed, startled for a moment but than realizing it was only a dream, she looks around the room and until she see's Neo asleep on the floor, forgets where she is at and why. She pulls back the covers and tip-toe's to where she placed her belongings, digging around until she pulls out her journal and some writing supplies and tip-toes back to the bed so that she doesn't wake Neo. She pulls up the covers and begins to write*

Dearest Journal,

I am in danger. Morte's brother has labeled me as the first of Morte's friends that he will kill off. He left a note to Morte on the dead body of one of Morte's crew members, Gilbert I think was his name was. *sighs* I am under being guarded by my new bodyguard, I do wish that Neo wasn't drug into this, but I doubt he would have had it any other way, so for the time being I am staying at Neo's house, my house contains the spell that Marcus is after and even if I weren't the first on the list to be killed, I wouldn't want to stay in that house with that spell, if Marcus were to find out where it was hidden anybody in the house would be in danger, that is why I have brought Merasi with me,she may just be a cat, but I don't want anything to happen to her. Well Journal, I don't wish to wake Neo, so I will end here and try to sleep, the thoughts that keep going through my head make it hard, but I will try, today we begin our plan to lure Marcus. Till we meet again journal, I do hope that we meet again.

Rosalyn Lovine

Journal Entry: 23 January, Rosalyn Lovine

Good and Evil

Heart of Darkness.
Child of Light.
When forced together, they begin the fight.
Sword and spear.
Magic and spell.
Put two together, they'll unleash hell.

Master of Evil.
Steward of Right.
Both sides of the spectrum, bearing their might.
Fighter of Good.
Knight of Wrong.
Forever,Eternally, Singing their song.

Eden Arcane

Journal Entry: 23 January, Eden Arcane

Last night at Dome was very strange..But first Mia is feeling better and resting comfortably in Achethe at her Grandfathers manor. Thank the gods for that. I think Alterio will bring her back to the Isle in a few days.

Secondly, Val and i had words yet again. He says Im a whore and that Im the worse woman he has ever met. He is so wrong and will learn that in time. I am not a whore But he can think what he wants. And I am by the far the worst woman on this island. At least im not fake. I dont pretend anything. Unlike what I see going on all around me. But he is blind. Eh well he will learn.

And last... I was proposed to twice last night. The one I wont mention right now. But when Nems told me to divorce the old man and marry him I about fell off the stool. "smirks" but he admitted he only wants to marry me to get my gold...as how did he say that "I was the richest woman on the Island". But when he said i married Alterio for his gold, he is wrong. I dont need his gold. I have earned all the gold I have and never even asked his son for anything when i was with him. When he gave me gold for the children, aye i took it to buy them whatever he told me to. But i never once -asked- him for money.

People say Im dumb. Maybe i am but I know when to shut up and not piss Nems off. I do fear him and I value my life. They, on the other hand, are the dumb ones and will die at his hands by pushing him. I have known him for a very long time and I know how dangerous he is. Aye, I goad him at times but I know when to back off. I dont push him to the point of striking me.

Alterio, now thats a different story. I do push him. I always have.. i guess a little attention was better than none. Even though I knew I would anger him. He has slapped me a few times. He never beat me though like he was accused of many times. He spanked me, yes, but i pushed him to that point. I knew what would happen.

My husband, I push to a point then I back off. Well some times I do. It depends on what we are talking about and whether I really disagree with him. When he makes me mad, I curse and I know he doesnt like that.

eh well I must get to the Boutique. So thats all for now.

Vixen

Journal Entry: 24 January, Vixen Blade Carazzi

::he walks from the Master bedroom leaving Ros to get some sleep. He carries his Journal tucked under one hand and steps out to his balcony, to where he looks upon the Demonshadow, Morte Geists ship harbored near his Beach House with a slight sigh. He sits in one of his chaise loungers and begins to write::

Journal,

These past few days have been lead with much interest to say the least. First off, Rosalyn is staying with me... temporarily only. *sighs* I wish she would stay longer, but tis only until Mortes brother is dead. To back things up a bit, I have turned in things with Mags. If she truely wanted to be with me, she would've written and at least said why isn't coming around anymore. I hope she finds things better with Dan anyway. Now, Rosalyn Lovine and myself have started to court. Gods how she is such a lady!! I do find myself falling for her more and more each day. Now onto other business. Morte has moved his ship near my home to give Ros a little more protection from his brother, because he wants her dead. Bah, I will kill that man before he even thinks about harming MY Rosalyn. ::sighs a bit looking out into the ocean and pausing briefly letting his almond shaped eyes rest on the Demonshadow as if it were an eyesore on a beautiful landscape::

I have met a man named Marcus. He loves to spar, and fight. *laughs* He reminds me of myself about 50 years or so ago. So eager to swipe at others with a blade and having the complete urge to become victor over all... not that I would do such a thing now a days. Being with such a dazzling Lady as Ros has seemed to calm me quite a bit. Vix says I am a lovesick puppy and need laid so I will back to normal again. What if I don't want to be normal again, (not that I ever was Journal) and I wish to remain a 'love sick puppy'? Oh well, only time will tell. Until next time Journal...

~Neo~

::sets the Journal out on his balcony and returns to the Master bedroom watch over the sleeping Rosalyn::

Journal Entry: 24 January, Lord Neo

Thoughts and Ponderings

~she scribbles down several thoughts in her bedroom, the house very still today with everyone gone but Nathaniel. She sits in the middle of her bed, her feet bare and her hair unbound, a little tired and somewhat troubled~

Da, Uncle Kienen, Jane, and Paul have gone today to the mainland. Jane's rushed to Achethe to take care of Sir Paul Lyons. She doesn't know how long she'll be away, but she says it will be quite a long trip. At the very least two weeks, though she only took her satchel. What an odd way to pack. I feel rather nervous being left here without her or Da. Nathaniel certainly shan't be any help, nor Uncle Treyman. Oddly enough, I think I'd go to Ashling for help before any of them.

Once they land, Jane will see to Kienen and Da's transport to the North, to home. They've taken Aunt Amy's body with them, to lay in the crypt if they can. I hope they're able to. I can't imagine anything being able to destroy the entire holding. We've gotten no recent word, however. I worry. I wonder how bad things are there. The giants were terrible, and it's only by desperate hope that we think the snow may have driven them off.

Jane plans to send Nathaniel, Treyman, and Ashling back to the mainland when she returns. She told Uncle Kienen she'd be sending me too, but she can't make me go. I don't think she'll even try. I highly doubt Da will make me return once he's there and I've refused. They'll all be too busy with repairs and fallout. I hope the trade routes are alright. Heart and soul of the land, after the diamonds.

Nathaniel thinks he owns the house now. I keep reminding him it's Jane's, and we're her guests, but he seems to have adopted to extreme of Kienen's ideas: all of the criticism with none of the compassion. But then, Nathaniel's always been that way. He and Ashling have been really close of late, the best of friends. It makes me anxious, and I'll be glad when they leave.

~she sighs as Nathaniel bellows at her about there being nothing to eat. She drags herself off of her bed and down the stairs to glower at him and send him *out* for food~

Journal Entry: 24 January, Hestia fa`Carlin

*begins to write slowly as he rests for a few hours in the search of his brother*

Well I dont know what to say, it seems I am drawing closer to my brother, but what I am finding I dont want to find. I am begining to be hit by a wall of silence and startled or terror filled looks apon my inquiries. Unfortunately I am out of the bounds of even the scholar's guild or any other guilds I can call on for information because of an alliance of some sort.

**He shivers violently as the reason for his rest kicks him once more**

Adding to my problems is this darn illness I have contracted, how or when I have no idea, Indeed I truely have no idea of what it even is, all I know is that it saps my strength by the day, by the hour even, though I wont let it beat me, I have sent Az back to the isle in hope of her finding lyri, I do worry about my wonderful wife, there has been no word from her since I left, though that is not too unsual and I know she had business on the mainland, she had not returned when I had. I do hope she shall be back safe on the isle, or will be back there soon.

**dropping the quill and grasping at his stomach as cramps hit he forgets about his journal for the time being, until he is in a state to control his body atleast**

Journal Entry: 25 January, Taeliesyn