last day ... last night.

*Raven crosses his legs and draws them under his body, preparring to open his journal for another entry. His pale lips are barely revealed under the light of the dying fire who seems to relinquish its role in favor of the morning sun.*

~I'm not sure how everything has come to this. Am I coward of some sort? I'm not sure wheter I hurt someone in the process or not ... but it was honesty. Honesty is prefferable to concealing one's feelings isn't it? They say I've been rude but I dont know how it came to that ... I was alone in the doorway so I went to sit at the bar. Where is the rudeness? I guess it makes no difference now. Lucenth says she had a date. Maybe that's the way her mind will be drawn away from me. I can't say I'm not jealous but ... what can I do now? Everything is prepared ... for going on to Achethe. I'm not sure what am I to do. My life ... seems so far away now. My previous entry relates what happened after ... after that morning on the beach. Lucenth can say .. well ..

I'm going to find Feng Shui and his sister Shu Lien. I know Lucenth misses Shu Lien .. after all she's the only dragoness he ever met. When I saw the glittering in his eyes .. ah ... he was happy. Happy in the way I'll never be. At noon I'm going to the dome again. Nas'kharadah! That's what they shall call me in that dead tongue. But Endymion is my birth given name. I shall write it again. Endymion. All those that know it are dead save for Feng Shui, Lucenth and miself. I wrote again two songs ... sorrow is good inspiration. I wished she was my inspiration. She's gone now and I have to learn a lesson but ... dammit

.. I don't want to let go. Do I have to?

Some tales say morrow knows
I know not why they say so
some go where sorrow goes
I know not where they do go

One comes with winter's wind
to tell a tale of mourning
one free as summer's sin
to tell a tale of mourning

So sing the poets then
I know not why they sing so
so go they sorrow's friends
I know not where they do go

One comes with autumn's rain
and sings a song of mourning
one sets the spring aflame
and sings a song of mourning
~~ There it is ... I'm going to the dome now. Lucenth is playing with the birds again ... I think he has begun to enjoy flying again~~

*Raven rests the small booklet on the sand and gets up, letting the first rays of the sun caress his gentle traits. The calm onhis face is immortal, something undeciphrable, something reminding of an ancient statue of a prince reflects in him now. Slowly his feet move barely leaving tracks on the dry and then on the wet sand of the beach. Behind him the sea roars and thunders while an excuse escapes his lips:

"Excuse me while I tend to how I feel"

Journal Entry: 27 January, Raven Nightwind

"she finally gives up trying to sleep after tossing and turning all night, she gets up and lights a candle and sighs as she looks around the cottage. She sits on the edge of the bed thinking. Upon hearing a knock at the door, she rises and opens the door letting Raoul in with the a tray of coffee and a plate of fruit:::Just leave the coffee, take the fruit away, Im not hungry:::He nods silently and leaves after pouring coffee in the cup for her. She locks the door behind him and sits down at the desk and picks the cup up sipping the coffee as she pulls the journal over to her"

I find myself at the Resort once again. I havent been in here in months. I had no reason to run away. Frankly im not sure how I got here. I was 'Dome for a very short time last night, and started for home "she looks around her" I guess I ended up here. I couldnt go home, and i had no where else to go. I didnt want to go home and find him gone. Or argue with him if he was still there. It seems I always run away when I dont want to face things. Things I dont want to deal with.

hmmm I cant even remember what I wrote in the journal that pissed him off this way. Maybe he has calmed down by now but i doubt that. Anthony seems to be the only Carazzi I can get along with. The drunken lowlife whore chaser. But then again he doesnt give a damn what I do. Alterio and I cant get along for more than ten minutes. We always end up arguing over something. And my husband...well unless I can be his submissive quiet wife, we cant get along.

I dont want him to leave but I cant stop him. We have been married almost a month, and we have spent most of that month either apart or arguing. Maybe I should just let him go. Like i really have a choice in that. Its obvious i cant be the kind of wife he wants. And he wont settle for anything less. Maybe he will find the right one, that can be what he wants.

As for me....Im going to put that god damn wall back up around me so thick no man can get close to me again. No more trying to change to make someone happy and getting it tossed right back in my face. Why make an effort when it will fall apart eventually anyways?

I dont know whether to go home or to stay here for a while. No one knows im here, except Raoul. I told no one where I was going. Not that anyone would care anyways. I will decide later what to do. Right now im just going to stay here, for today, at least. Its quiet and i need that right now. If i decide to stay longer, I will send Raoul back to let the housekeeper and Alkane know where I am.

Vixen

"shoves the journal over leaving it open to dry and sips the now cold coffee"

Journal Entry: 28 January, Vixen Blade Carazzi

Dear Journal,

It seem that my friendship with Chastity was only that, a friendship. I can't blame anyone, but myself. I said I loved her,she didn't say she loved me. I just se myself up for disappointment. I can't talk to her, not now. I guess I must move on, but I'm just...just... so angry. I feel as though I want to destroy everything around me including myself. Damn! I don't know how I should really feel. Well, I must move on. I pray that the gods keep me from doing something I regret.

Eden Arcane

:: plunges his sword into the side of a tree::

Journal Entry: 29 January, Eden Arcane

Wow.

I am speechless. Or at least, wordless.

When I met Chas, I thought she was 'chaotic'. That she was wild. And she definately has a devilish side...but my original judgement was wrong.

She is not chaotic. She is wonderful.

Well, sorry to keep it short, journal, but I need to get back to the shop. I hope to see her tonight.

-Val

Journal Entry: 30 January, Valyndor Lyndrae

Time to murder love

Sicken, I am. I've returned to the Isle and all I see is lover's paradise again.

I will not turn my back again... I will not offer wisdom to those I come to take.

Yes, it is The Square of Love Chastity, Vixen, Val, and Alterio. How funny that I mentioned Val and Chastity make a perfect couple. Perhaps my eye is too keen, I visualize this even before they had begun their friendship. But my blood boils seeing Chastity become a typical whore. How could I have spent my days with her?..

Trione had warned me about her once. Mardya as well...I should have sought those signs. I failed. But if one thing is for certain, that is I finally realize why I push my companions to the border...I test their loyalty. So far, the loyal one is Trione.

Vixen and Alterio, even though Vixen had loan me the 50,000 gold pieces, I'm growing angered with these two. A drunk and another Chastity. Wait or was it Chastity another Vixen?... Seems like Chastity is taking over Vixen's title.

Lord Neo, and the Gypsies.. Rosalyn and Charquin Love, if one so ever looks at me wrong, or makes a comment I will not halt my blade. This time it's on. This time I am out for blood, and I will not show mercy!

Marcus...now who is this fellow, I hear around the Isle... should I take him down so I may make a point to all, that this is not your paradise?

Yeah, I am out to kill.. It's been a long time since we've seen some threat around here. And I am going to bring it right down the avenue of love and fools.

Call me murderer, call me anything you wish, but I my decision is made..Don't tempt me.

Journal Entry: 30 January, Escobar

Dear Journal;

Well I tried. I made an effort to apologize for snapping at everyone and for slapping Eyas. I apologized to Rosalyn, Khalidan, Eyas and Char. Everyone but Eyas accepted my apology. I did try to do the right thing. I dont get it why he didnt accept but it isnt my place to judge him. On another note, Khalidan has a new boat, or do they call it a ship? At any rate, it's... a yatch, I think he said. He also says he is going to throw a big party to celebrate.. well I dont know what he is celebrating but it sounds like a fun time. Perhaps I will go.

Ran into Eden again. He asked me to sit and talk with him a moment, then remembered he had to go and did so.Ah well... that's the way things seem to happen for me. I like Eden. He is interesting. Oh speaking of interesting, I havent seen Raven Nightwind for some time. I can only assume he is busy with other things. I hope things are going well for him. He seemed to be a pleasant person.

I have not heard from Lyrias since her last note to me to let me know she had married. I believe this is not altogether a bad thing. If I can assume anything, it is that she is so blissfully happy in love that she has forgotten everything else. I know if she needed anything from me she would let me know. I sent some things with a courrier.. some jewelry as a gift for Vixen and some money to Taelie & Lyr... I never heard back on any of it. It's been over a month. I shall have to check to see if any of it made it to them.

Nothing is happening so far as the office is concerned. I sit here and stare at the walls a lot. I think I need to buy a new couch. This one is uncomfortable. I have been going out walking a lot. It's helpful to keep me in shape because I do feel sorta 'rusty' sitting around an office all day long.

Anyway, I will write more later,
Journal Entry, 30 January, Thia

*Morte rises out of his cabin bed and walks over to his desk. He yawns loudly and stretches his injured muscles, despite the pain it gives him. Using his staff as a support, he limps over to his desk and searches the drawers for his journal, the "Captain's Log". Upon finding it, he opens the journal and begins to write…*

Entry 125:

These past few days have been tremendously troubling for me…I find it essential for me to write my experiences during these days, so that my mind can be at ease for once.

Three days ago, I came across a collection of journal entries placed in between the pages of my spell book. At first, I merely glanced at one entry and turned the pages to look for a spell that could prove useful against the twisted Marcus Geist. However, as I moved on forward through the book, the entries became more and more frequent. I decided to read a few them, since I could not understand why someone would use this book as a journal. The writings shocked and confused me…

They were the writings of Tharivol, a night elf who lived in my home kingdom about 200 years ago. Apparently, he was a powerful sorcerer who had mastered the dark arts. For years, he had been working on unusual and powerful spells, to use against the kingdom in a planned rebellion.

Fortunately, his attempted rebellion failed, and his legions of monsters were beaten back by the magi-knights and wizards of the kingdom. In order to survive the heavy wounds inflicted on him during the rebellion, Tharivol attempted to use his prototype spell for immortality…but it didn't completely work. Instead of making him immortal, his soul was sealed within the pages of his book…the one where he had kept record of his spells…the very book that I have in my possession.

After hundreds of years, it seems that my brother was unfortunate enough to discover the book about 3 years ago. Tharivol saw the opportunity to possess him, and he did. That godforsaken sorcerer was the one responsible for all my troubles…all my suffering…it was he who killed my only love, Valencia…it was not Marcus…my brother was merely a murder tool.

*Tears slide down Morte's cheeks, even though he had finally claimed revenge against the soul responsible for his suffering. The memories of Valencia will never cease to disturb Morte…*

After reading a few of Tharivol's journal entries, my crewmen rushed aboard with the body of a fallen comrade. Marcus had attached a note to the body, requesting that I go to the coastal cliffs near the docks, to finish this once and for all. Despite the danger I was walking into, my hatred would not let me turn back. And so, I proceeded forward to finish what was started.

A violent battle ensued...

At first, Marcus had an advantage over me, and had me on the ground…but then, Charquin arrived and came to my aid. Unfortunately, she too was taken down. Then, Lord Neo arrived to join the battle. Marcus took Char hostage, but was stabbed by Eyas, forcing Marcus to release his hold on her. Neo violently assaulted Marcus, but was taken down by surprise when Rosalyn arrived to help. I finally managed to get back up, and deliver powerful blows to Marcus. That is when I learned that Marcus had been possessed by Tharivol... and I knew what had to be done now. I decided to give Tharivol exactly what he wanted… that blasted spell that he killed so many people for. However, he didn't receive it as he wanted... together with my fellow mages, we used half of the spell to force Tharivol's soul back into the plane of the dead... leaving my brother's soul alone to rule his own body.

Since then, my brother has been resting aboard the Demonshadow. He shall remain here until his health returns. It may take a while, since he has not been in control of his body for years. When he recovers, I would like to spend some quality time with him...I missed my true brother dearly, and I think a conversation with him would be wonderful. As for me, I have been resting as well... the battle drained health from all who were involved.

As for the spell book, I do not know what to do with it. Although Tharivol is gone, his spells are still dangerous and powerful weapons. I do not want to destroy it, but would it be a wise idea to keep the book? I am not sure…I think more rest will help me decide.

*Morte closes the journal, and slowly rises from his seat. He glances over at Marcus' plate mail, lying in the corner of Morte's cabin for the moment. Morte is reminded of his days as a magi-knight, and sighs as he turns away from the glistening steel armor.*

Captain's Log, 30 January, Morte Geist.