On my way to the Guild at some point, I ran into Aria returning to the inn. (Now I remember why; I was delivering the money from the city to the Guild). She tells me that all who went on the goblin expedition return alive and well, and that a pitched battle they had with the goblins nearly cost them their lives, but they survived. It was not what she expected; I suppose the carnage was a bit much for her. I can understand that, while I myself have never shirked--and pray that I never do--from the shedding of blood while performing the work of Lord Agathalos. To strike dead a being, and even a creature, can be a difficult thing to do, as life is precious.

After leaving the sum of money on Daron’s desk with a note, I went to keep my date with Ard’Nas. It was well dark by then, but she found me as I looked up at the Church. I kissed her hand in greeting, apologizing that I hadn’t managed to come see her sooner. She assured me that I need never explain myself to her, considering how busy I am. I complimented her on her beauty, making her blush furiously. It is true, however--she is most fair. We couldn’t talk long, however, for a bell rang in the Church, and she had to rush off. I hope to see her again soon.

I fast became distracted, however. Returning to the Church to aid with the preparation of the festival wagons (and perhaps see her again briefly), I was approached by a high-ranking priest. He told me that I must help a priest of Ordemetrex on a mission of mercy--she was trekking into the slums to try to track the source of the plague. I was to protect her from being accosted and aid her in any means I was able to. He pointed her out to me, and I recognized her as Natala. I agreed to help her, and leave the festival to others. The priest then surprised me saying that he would inform my “friend” that I wouldn’t be attending, and assuring me that she wouldn’t be a able to attend this year either. Ard’Nas and I must have been seen. I hope this will not affect her adversely. But I went to Cousin Natala, realizing that she and I had never been formally introduced and rectifying the situation. We then left immediately to the slums. The rumors of the plague had only recently caught up with me, and had in actuality shaken me badly. Cousin Natala told me that, during her internment for whatever reason (which she’s obviously free from) she treated and saved the life of a plague victim who was incarcerated at the prison. I realized that the man who’d jumped, whom I wrote of on the 53^rd, must have been suffering from it as well. Cousin Natala confirmed this. The Temple of Ordemetrex had compiled a list of families in the slums that had been touched, and their addresses. We visited the homes on the list one at a time. It turned out that Natala’s persuasive skills aren’t what mine are, so I did most of the talking. That day of searching turned up nothing--the cases were all scattered, and each had very little (if anything) in common with the others. In spite of that, though, we found that it wasn’t communicable. We broke for the day to rest, intending to continue the investigation bright and early the next day, with much the same results. There seemed to be no common thread. We shared ideas, I putting forth my theory that it could have been spread purposefully, and given only to random people for some unkno