**moves through the land silently to where Taelie's home is..the grotto. Knowing he isnt there, but, unable to sleep, she slips into his home, journal tucked into her pack as she moves to seat herself before the fireplace,building and lighting a small fire. Finishing her task, she takes out the journal and ink**

I cant sleep...the whole ordeal at the dome last night has my mind twisting and churning. I hope Taelie wont mind my being here...its the only place I believe I will be able to find rest right now. I miss Taelie and wish he were here with me now..I could use the comfort he brings. Gods knows I didnt find it when I saw my Uncle. I dont know whats happened to him...its as though hes been brainwashed or something.

**sighs as she curls up around the journal**

I dont know what to do to help Ben out right now. I will think of something, I know I will. I dont believe he maliciously murdered anyone..even this Qko woman. If he was as big a threat as everyone is making him out to be...then I would not have even been safe around him. As everyone can see...I am safe. He didnt act strangely towards me, so I know nothing has changed.

**thinks quietly as sleep threatens to steal her over finally**

Somehow all of this...Qko..Uncle Alterio...Nems...it all ties in with the death of Lord Pryce..I can feel it. I dont want to believe Uncle Alterio is doing this out of simple power-lust. **shakes her head lightly** I have seen stranger things happen though.

~Lyrias~

**leaves the journal open as she curls around it, falling fast asleep on the floor of Taelie's home, to dry..**

--Journal Entry 7 September, Lyrias Dreams

:: reaches for the quill and logbook grimacing in pain as he begins to write::

This is just great, finally i find those who are of like mind with myself and this happens. So much needs to be done and i can't do it like this. so now I must lay here for days while my back heals! ah...well, at least this time it's not long lasting.

I wish to meet with Fierjen and Lady Maichen to discuss a few things but that will have to wait. As for the Quiet Lady...I hope everything is well with her, I miss her deeply and I realize now...just how much I feel for her

Galadhring Roquen lhug Celeb

--Journal Entry 7 September, Ardwin

*She walks inside and glances at her journal, the only thing that has kept her sane during the few days away. She sits at the desk then begins to write*

Today, I decided to return to the dome and to society again. Upon my return I have discovered some good or bad news, which I am not sure. Qko is dead, that is a great relief for me. I no longer have to worry about Ardwin, but I have also discovered that Ben is being charged with murder when he should be rewarded. Other news, Alterio has declared himself leader of the isle. I do not know if this is for the better or worse. Hopefully, not the latter...I had hoped to see Ardwin today but that did not happen unfortunately. I wonder if he ever received my letter. I now regret ever writing that letter in the first place. I wonder why he hasn't replied. Perhaps he didn't receive it all. I should only be so lucky. I have nothing else to write about now. Until next time.

*She stands and leaves the entry to dry then glances down at her skirt. "I think I will buy a new dress today. I don't even know why I have waited so long." She exits and heads out to the dress shop*

--Journal Entry 7 September, Nestasia

I am beyond happy! To find someone to share my life with was never part of my life's plans, but somehow, here on this island, it has happened. Tonight I shall say my good-byes to Jasmin and Fierjen, then stop to the 'dome and bid farwell to the other friends I have met. Darionus will stay at the cottage and make our final preperations to leave. Stoke is excited to be on the move again, and Fierjen has offered one of his dragons for Dari to ride.

I hope that one day we may return here, perhaps with a family of our own. *grins broadly at the thought* For now, I must focus on the here and now. It is hard to hold a thought in my head for more than a moment without my heart leading my brain back to Darionus. *sighs*

*hearing Darionus call out to her, she lays her quill down and joins him*

--Journal Entry 7 September, Lilith

**stumbles home from a late, late night at the dome in the early morning's light, stopping long enough to pen her entry before sleep**

No sign of Uncle Alterio today...or so I heard...I wonder what's kept him? Hopefully nothing baneful. I still dont understand...I dont guess I will for a while. Ive been gone too long.

**Sighs**

I wish Taelie were here with me

~Lyrias~

--Journal Entry 9 September, Lyrias Dreams

~she hurriedly throws clothing into her pack, speaking rapidly to Trenedy, who's staying in her home, to keep an eye on things while she's away. She pauses to gaze around slowly, the canaries twittering anxiously, the walls dully lit by the ominous sun shining through the sheer curtains. Shifting her weight from foot to foot, she leaves the packing half done, and shoos Trenedy out more shortly than intended, her thoughts almost literally buzzing through her head. She sits down heavily to write, to put her thoughts in order~

Things have changed rather drastically. Him and his fanfare...him and his parade...using MY people, the midgets, as his slaves. I will not allow it. He's threatened to murder them. I will not allow that either.

But then I slipped a little in my speech to him, and he threatened to have me taken to Wonderland...reaching for my dagger, I would have pressed it to his throat had a guard come through that door. But my thoughts suddenly caught up with me, and I then realized what must be done...for the good of all. I will send messages with trusted folk explaining to my allies. A masquerade...a blindfold. Saving grace? We'll see. The midgets will be released from service. And how formidable we shall become... Forgive me, Father...Wesley, lend me strength.

I am not inconsequential.

Queen Jane Shayla Maichen

~she folds the parchment over and over, and buries it in her belt purse beneath a handful of gold. Straightening, she opens a drawer in the desk, and lifts out the crown she received from the midgets. Smiling grimly, she sets it atop her head~

--Journal entry 9 September, Jane Maichen

I'nt Aun'y Leer...When Tor'in's comin back...I be a better girl I pomisse...whyfer e'ryone I wikes goes 'way foreber? I's sorry e'ryone, I dunn't mean t'make Tor'in go 'way...I sorry I swur..

--Journal entry 9 September, Thirlia

Tick tock tick tock sings the clock.
Strings in the air the audience see the fair
Waiting to open another the twisted lock
forgive me gods I care not
when the old wizard knocks

--Journal entry 9 September, Mumphra

**sits outside in the grotto where Talie lives with her journal. Eyes lifted to the skies after she found and deciphered Lia's note, trying to make sense of it all, then begins to write**

Poor Lia...I wish I could have been there when she found out about Torlin. I wish I could go back in time and be there for her when she needed someone. I understand why she feels as though shes been bad. I just dont know how to make her believe that it wasnt her, and she isnt bad. I want to see her so badly...hug her and hold her and tell her she isnt bad..that it isnt her fault. Over the period of time that I've known Lia...since the Isle...I feel as if she were mine..even though she is my niece. I feel as though I should always be there for her. When Im not...it hurts me.

I *will* always be there for her...always...sometimes I have to go away...and I hope one day she will understand that. She is the most precious child I have known. Mia and Alkane, I love them as well....but, Ive gotten incredibly close to Lia. After spending night after night with her through her nightmares...I feel as though we should always be inseperable. I know that is impossible...but, its how I feel about her.

*sighs* What I wouldnt give to have Taelie here. I know he and Uncle Alterio arent getting along...but, that's just something Uncle Alterio will have to deal with. Im not letting him go. I miss him too much and realize now how much he does trully mean to me. *closes her eyes speaking softly into the dark night "Come home soon, love, please..."...then looks back to the journal and begins to write again* I know he is coming home...I just dont know when, and all this time being without him here....I miss him soo much. *sighs*

Uncle Alterio...I swear this whole leadership thing has gone to his head. A troop of ogrelettes to wait on him hand and foot...asking Janey to marry him. What's wrong with him marrying Vixxy? Isnt she the one who hes with right now? What has gotten into him? He should be the one to visit Wonderland again. All the women on the Isle his concubines....ha!....I believe he will be surprised when he tries to enforce that one at the number of women who tell him to piss off. The whole ordeal with Ben and Casi...who is he trying to cover for? It cant be Qko...she's dead.

What good would it do to cover for a dead woman? The whole situation is just insane! Ill be surprised if it doesnt drive me insane. I worry about the children with him acting as he is. I know he would never intentionally hurt the children....or would he? In this state of mind...I just dont know. Its as though Ive never really known him.

*thinks about Ben a moment*

Ben...he has been through so much,his and Ali's seperation, this whole accusation thing. He is strong, I will give him that much. I dont care how mad he becomes with me...if anyone gets too close to where he is...I will use myself as bait to lure them away from him. He is innocent....I KNOW he is. I wont let anything happen to him because of this whole debacle. If I have to..I will get him out of his hiding place and give him somewhere else to stay. I know of places where he would be safe. I dont want to go and see him for fear that it would be anticipated and one of the SSAG guards would follow me to him. I can still get messages to him. I know that much for certain. I just dont want to risk his safety by going to see him. I will just have to send him his supplies and messages through a messenger.

**thinks hard about aspects of the situation**

This journal will have to be hidden. I cant risk anyone finding it and it falling into the wrong hands. That would give away more information than I want anyone to know. It would arouse suspicions about what Im doing...and I cant afford that right now. I have to act as noraml as I can until the situation is resolved. Even if it means...ocassionally...agreeing openly with Uncle Alterio...or playing his game. I just have to keep my thinking straight. I have to keep pretending everything is just peachy. ,p>Gods! IF this doesnt drive me insane...nothing will!

~Lyrias~

**uses some of the sand beside her and sprinkles it over the page to dry the ink, then closes, and hides her journal**

--Journal entry 10 September, Lyrias Dreams

Why did I come to this Island again? Ah yes to escape the violence, hatred and threats on the mainland. But this Island has turned into much worse. Worse than the mainland ever was. Now i see why Alterio wouldnt let any of my family come to the island. He wants total control.

I managed to hide the children on the mainland to protect them. I let people think they were dead. With the help of my family and friends it worked. Here I have nothing. No family and no friends. I dont trust anyone here. And they have been placed in worse danger now than they ever were back then. How do i Protect them this time, when i cant even protect myself? Maybe they should go back where they are safe. But how do i get them off the island? I feel like im being watched constantly. p>Alterio uses the children against me. He has placed them in danger. Im trapped here, on this cursed Island. A place where Ive never been happy and Ive learned to hate. Its turned into something ugly. Gods why didnt I just get on the return ship back to the Mainland?

"She closes the journal wondering if she should even bother to get dressed or leave the manor again for that matter"

--Journal entry 10 September, Vixen Blade