~After her evening at the dome, and walking home with her sister, Lyri creeps up to her room, changes into one of her nightdresses, and sits to write for a few moments.~

Gawd, I was soo caught off guard by Chas' question. She asked me how Taelie was. *shakes her head* I thought everyone knew that Taelie was dead. I cant help it. The question just stung. For a moment I know I stood there like I had literally been slapped in the face. It felt like it. But, I managed to get through it with some dignity in tact. I explained to her that Taelie had been dead for some time now.. and that it was shortly after he had returned from the mainland looking for his brother. Well...it just set a damper upon my mood. And me.

~With a deep sigh, she leaves the journal, and climbs into bed beside Ben, curling herself tightly around him, trying to keep her mind from wandering back to that day as she drifts to sleep.~

-Journal Entry 27 July, Lyrias Dreams Morgan

~Having finally stepped out of his ships cabin for the day he yawns and once again looks about the silver seaport marina. He knows he must find the person in charge of this port for he must find work but for now he is content just wandering the island. He leans against the ships mast and strikes up his pen and captain's log.~

Captain's Log #3,

I continue to search for work in this isles marina but it appears that I am getting nowhere in that respect. I must replace my sails before I can set off again and I am running low on gold. I need some fresh water and a full pocket first I have decided. I haven't ventured up to the dome in a couple nights perhaps I shall do that tonight. I need another good drink. Besides I'll probably need one to lax my anger and hold me back after I possibly piss another elf off.

~Puts down the pen and log and pushes them aside. He then shakes his head knowing he shouldn't anger anyone else here but it seems inevitable that they become offended by his words. He knows he may have to deal with the problem sometime soon.~

-Journal Entry 27 July, Vincent Baine

Dear Journal;

My life is quietly resolving itself. I think. Maybe.

My father's insistence of leaving has lessened, but not enough to say now that it will not happen. I do not know if he will make good upon his plans for departure, but we have the means to do it should he wish to. I do not know if I wish to go but I do know that should he decide to leave I will more than likely go as well and take Christopher. Ben is talking about convincing Lyrias to leave as well. Nothing would be left for me here.

As for the other events of the Island, well, I find myself growing more and more apathetic. Even in this tropical climate, I am cold, empty and yes... lonely. I know anyone who heard that would scoff and doubt but it is true. My heart aches.

Another truth. It isnt that I do not care for what is happening with Rosalyn, and her being collared as a slave but I can not effect a change in it. She chose this. She put herself in that position with a conscious choice. There is nothing anyone can do. I know my father has great difficulty with that. He has respect for people and his contempt for this situation almost makes him physically ill. It is best that he stays close to home I think, untill he makes a decision of whether to stay or go.

I dont worry if we stay or if we go. It is almost the same to me. It is all just empty.

Xanthia
-Journal Entry 27 July, Xanthia

after the "protection" spell was sucessfully placed upon the stables. Char and Ana talk quietly for a few moments. Ana finnaly explaining a bit about the amulet that Char has never been able to figure out. Finally after telling Ana about Nems taking Ros as a slave, the girls plan their next move, and depart from the shade of the tree. Char, as planned, heading back to her home instead of Ros's.

After checking to be sure that her home is empty, Char heads to her own quarters, for the first time in weeks, and digs out her journal...

Once again i fear, i am in a situation i find larger then me. So much needs attending to, and once again i find myself stuck in the middle.

I have but returned home this day to find that Eyas no longer resides in my guest quarters. I knew it would happen sooner or later. I found but a note that simply read "Gone" with a dagger sticking it to the door. I do hope one day he finds some sort of happiness. I did wish to face him personally, however this is not to be the case. I shall not trouble myself to try and find him, for i believe he wishes to be alone for the time being. I would nae wish to insult his ego anymore then it already is.

Seems Nems has taken Ros for his slave. In order to try and persuade me to sell Mori the horses that he so desperatly wishes. I do belive the man to have more ulterier motives then that, as he is quite wealthy and I'm sure can find better trained beasts then what i have to offer. However he insits upon getting them from me, to give to Mori. There is more here then meets the eye. I feel sure of it. Perchance he just wishes to exert some kind of controll over me. Well, I'll have no such thing.

I met with Ana today, after explaining the situation to her, we both felt we had no choice. We did something that i've only done once before in my life.....

We called upon Fathers spirit.

It was truley an amazing experience for me. Never before had i felt such a surge of warm force. It was as if the man i only knew of from stories, my true birth father, Lord Mandura, was standing there in front of me. Oh, i did nae see him physically. But i felt him. The moment our amulets touched i felt like nothing in the world could harm me. Now i know this is nae true, yet I cannae explain it any other way.

We placed a spell of protection upon the stables. It will bar any from entering, including myself or Gwen. But that is how it must be for now, untill i am sure it is safe to remove it.

Speaking of Gwen, I do hope she recived my note to her. I fear if she did not and then tried to enter the stables...i warned her not to try, for if any attempt such, they would be thrown back from the stables, as though a shield were about it.

I still can nae go back there. I fear it may always be this way. The horrid memories. It was hard enough to meet Ana even near it. I've told no one of my nightmares. Those dreams which constantly plague my nights. Even in the light of day, at times, my mind replays those events. The other day, when Nems grabbed my chin, it was like i was back there, the sights, the sounds, even the smell of his breath reminded me of Marlo. When those filthy, hands of death of his touched my skin, it was like a searing burn to my flesh. I nearly broke down like a child in front of him. Had i not managed to stop him with a well placed knee, I fear I would be in wonderland at this moment.

*Glancing around her room*

Tis been so long since i have returned here. All seems to be generally in place, though for some reason the wall nearest my door is splintered to pieces. I wonder if Eyas did that as he left, though it seems not like him. It is as though someone purposfully shattered it. I shall have to have it fixed soon.

Tis rather lonely here, cold in a way. Funny, I've never felt that way about my own home. Used to be a place of comfort and refuge. Now it just seems cold. I suppose there is so much going on in my life that i have little time to appreciate solitude.

I sent word to the elder Carazzi a few days back. Telling him of my regret of not being able to enjoy his company. I wonder if he ever recieved it. He has nae written back and tis unlike him. Whence i've sent word to him before, he's always returned the curtisy. Perhaps he never recieved it. Perhaps he just does nae wish to be bothered.

All i know is that lately, more then ever, I miss the ways of old. The comforts of court, surrounded by chiverlous knights and handsome lords. Not for the status as some women desire. But for the simple caring and respect that they show women. Ana would laugh at me if she heard such nonsence. She would tell me that no man is worth wasting such sentiments upon. But I feel different. Hard to believe we are relation at times. I feel the need to be cared for in such a way that makes me feel a true lady. I am so tired of playing the part of a man. Defending my friends, protecting what is mine, even fighting with magic and blade!

Can nae anyone see beyond my exterior? I so despertaly need to feel safe for once in my life. I wish for someone to hold me up when my world comes crashing down, I wish for someone to show me respect..Someone to protect me from harm...Someone to love me despite my shortcommings...

(Biting her bottom lip, she finishes off her entry)

Someone like the elder Alterio.....

*Setting her journal off to the side, Char falls exhausted to her bed, the nightmares, only minutes away once again*
-Journal Entry 30 July, Charquin Clemont

~Sitting downstairs in the kitchen with her journal, after work, she decides to take the time and write a bit.~

Despite Father's good intentions, I just dont think I can leave the Isle. Ive never been one to just walk away and let another have their way when it comes to something dealing with Family. That is just not my way. If it were, I would hate to think of the people that I could have possibly lost. But, then again, when have I ever backed away from someone? There were times in the past when I know I should have.. and didnt. Whats soo different about this time? Nothing.

I will have to talk to Ben. I just cant leave all this unresolved. My life is here. I want it to be with him, but, if it has to be alone.. then Ill figure my way out. Ive survived 128 years on my own, more or less. Im sure more years alone will only be par for course.

It seems I am never able to have anyone who will stay. Eventually, they all leave, or they die. Either way, they are never with me. One day it will be different. It has to be. Or, Ill live the rest of my days alone, or with Father. He has one grandchild, and thats Christopher. I dont know that he will ever have one from me. But, if that is the way the Fates have for me to live.. then that is the way I will have to live.

One day, everything will be as it is supposed to be. It has to. Even though, I dont know exactly how it is supposed to be. Im sure I can make it through somehow.

If Ben still leaves, then he leaves. I love him.. there isnt a doubt anywhere about that. I love him more than I love anyone else...family aside. I would love to spend all of my time with him, but, the thing is.. I have a family to take care of again. All of what remains of the Morgans are now beneath my roof. We are all together once again. My loyalty has always been to my family, and while Ben is, in his way, a part of my family, if he has to leave, then he has to leave. I wont stop him. It wouldnt be right of me to try.

I wish he wouldnt.

Lyrias Dreams Morgan

~Leaving the journal on the kitchen table to dry, she rises, and moves about, fixing herself a cold sandwich and some tea. Finishing her food, she rises and begins to wander aimlessly around the house until she finds a place outside, beneath the stars, and lies on a flat rock, watching what few clouds cover the moon float past.~

-Journal Entry 30 July, Lyrias Dreams Morgan

Jamek withdrew to himself for the day to meditate and think, declining to receive treatment from Licia or even play with Christopher. Left alone, wearing his breastplate of his armor to test his stamina, he came back into the house with a grim expression on his face. Walking to his room, he made sure the room was in immaculate order before taking out the journal his daughter thoughtfully provided him, smiling faintly at the inset message. Taking the quill to it, he writes:

Have I become enfeebled of will after my stay with Death? It seems to me that what happens here is too unreal, as a nightmare reflection of the life I once knew as truth. So may enemies left behind, so many ahead. How much blood must cover Morgan hands?

'Tis no matter. We all do as we must. Nobility must be earned, it must be annealed by conflict to be forged true. I know my daughters well...from the sullen expressions on their faces as I broached plans to return to our homeland, I knew I would hear naught but dissention. They are ever my daughters, but I have not the will nor the desire to proclaim my desires for resolution to outweigh their own ties to this, their adoptive homeland. Instead, I must bear their sorrows, etched plainly on their faces, and fight in their battles at their side. Would that I could cast off this second life to ensure their happiness! Such is the tribulation of a loving father. To be a Morgan, it seems, is to never know lasting peace.

I only hope that the souls of our beloved smile down upon us as we enter this new test.

Jamek puts the Journal away after drying the ink, wandering into town to brood and sightsee.

-Journal Entry 30 July, Lord Jamek Morgan