April 601
4-1-01 (Sunday)
I woke this morning a little sore from a bad position I had assumed before
falling asleep. As I rubbed my muscles out, I suddenly got that eerie, tingling
feeling you get when a Ward is going up. Thinking that odd, especially since
Diakaryu is an earth caster...I quickly went to look for him. This was difficult
though as the house was dark, the windows shuttered, and the doors all locked. I
could hear thunder outside, and assuming a storm must be rolling in, continued
my search for the ever elusive Diakaryu since the ward was now up. After a few
moments, he came walking inside...looking a disheveled. The storm outside was
massive and the ward was put up to protect the house from it. Unfortunately, he
had dropped the ward key outside on his way in and we were stuck there. Refusing
to believe that, I ran to look outside. Sure enough, the key lay a few feet from
where I stood...teasing me. Then as if reading my thoughts, the wind swept by
and blew it out of sight. I think my heart jumped into my throat at that
moment...5 days without a chance of going outside to play.
Of course, Diakaryu was helpful as always and suggested that should I have to
leave, we could always spirit walk....ummmm....NO! And, of course, a DFM was out
of the question...
Well, what were we going to do now? I guess he picked up my stress at being
stuck inside until the ward went down, and offered a suggestion of something we
might do. He had some special alchemies we tried out...that was fun, and then we
went back down to the lab. It seems he has all kinds if surprises lurking around
there that I obviously overlooked in my explorations before, including a
pool...so we went swimming. We swam for a while, having water fights and playing
water games. I was even brave enough to go look for the copper at the
bottom...and I found it! Then tired, we wandered back upstairs to find a less
active game to play...only I tripped over my own foot, hitting my head on a
nearby table and knocking some bottles off. I'm such a klutz sometimes, and
Diakaryu, of course, came to my rescue...as he always does.
4-2-01 (Monday)
Today we had a few more of those neat alchemies Diakaryu had stashed around
and played a few games. Toward the afternoon though I started to get a really
bad headache. At first I shrugged it off, but then I started to just hurt...
Finally, I couldn't stand it any longer and just as I thought I might cry,
Diakaryu offered to help. Whatever he did...it worked and I guess I even got a
nap out of it because before I knew it, he was waking me up. So feeling much
better after that we played hide and seek and some other games to pass the time
more quickly.
4-3-01 (Tuesday)
Wow I slept in this morning. It was really late when I finally woke up
and Diakaryu was kind enough to fix me some lunch. Today I wandered about the
house exploring again...only this time I found a whole lot more...now that I
knew what to look for anyway. Being cooped up was really start to get to me
though. I wanted to go outside and play so bad. I was beginning to feel claustrophobic
actually... Diakaryu offered to get me out again, but...the options for doing so
were less appealing then being shut away for 2 more days so I declined.
4-5-01 (Thursday)
Finally, the Ward went away. YAY! The first thing I did was run outside...it
felt so good to run around even if it was muddy from the storm. In fact, mud
fights are fun...and so I decided to initiate one with Diakaryu. He decided to
play dirty though, as he always does, and threw me in the duck pond. Good thing
it wasn't very deep or I might have been mad at that. Anyway, I scrambled to my
feet and shaking off the water, moved to the middle of the pond so he couldn't
reach me. I guess he thought he had the advantage though because he came in
after me. I let him get pretty close and then tackled him and pinned him under
the water. Don't worry, I let him up, but only after he conceded and gave up.
After a few more rounds of that I went in to clean up.
It felt nice to be back outside, so after a small break we went back out. I was
feeling the urge to be sneaky and so we started to hunt...rabbits mostly, but at
one point I even caught a turkey. That was fun.
Then with a heavy heart at having to leave such a beautiful place, we
headed back to Drakemyre. Once he saw me safely there, Diakaryu left to go back
to his homelands. Apparently it is on the verge of war and he is needed there. I
wish him the best of luck...
After watching Diakaryu leave, I went inside the inn to rest. I was so tired
from the quick pace we had taken in order to make it there the same day...and my
feet hurt. As I reached the stairs, I suddenly found Dusty at my side...helping
me up so I wouldn't land on my face. I really missed him. He's always there for
me...especially when I don't even realize I need the help. I started to tell him
about my week after we reached the room, but I think sleep caught up to me
before I could....I vaguely remember Dusty mentioning he had to go to Corvos and
then...I passed out.
4-6-01 (Friday)
Dusty stayed with me this morning...which was really sweet of him
considering he'd have to borrow Olven's horse to get to Corvos in time...and he
doesn't like horses. Maybe it's a fox thing...anyway, he should of left last
night, but I'm so glad he didn't. I had barely gotten back and wouldn't have
been able to see him at all if he had.
Another surprise today though...after a few letters arrived from Eric, he showed
up as well. Good thing, I was really beginning to worry something had happened
to him. He's been gone for so long without any messages or anything. He said he
had a run in with Fracture...that scared me, but thanks to his new friend, Lady
Al"More, he is fine. I really must thank her if I ever meet her. Now to
figure out what Fracture is up too...
4-7-01 (Saturday)
Wow, the day was really boring with everyone gone... I was desperate for a
playmate that I even considered seeing of Olven wanted to go out and have
fun...but I quickly dismissed that idea before it went anywhere.
I was about to give up on having any fun today when I heard a knock on the door.
Woohoo...a friend to play with! But when I answered the door, no one was there.
Thinking it a horrible practical joke on someone's part, I slammed the door and
turned to go to the table to write some letters, only there...in front of me was
some ugly little creature. It was black and stood about 3 ft high with like 20
fingers. The nastiest part was that it was drooling like crazy...and it's drool
burned the floor. Man Olvie is gonna be mad at that. Anyway, it asked where
Dusty was. Why it would want him is beyond me, but it was obvious that Dusty had
much better taste in friends, so I doubted it's intentions toward my friend were
good. Not wanting to upset it though, as it obviously wanted to see him very
badly, I told him where to look and let it leave. Good riddance to it...I
sincerely hope it doesn't come back. Olvie comments enough on our current
friends as it is.
Well after a few hours, Eric came back to play. Good thing too, I thought I
might have to play by myself the rest of the day. We went out for a walk and
found this really weird statue. Actually eric went for a walk and I just hung
out on his back. He gave me a piggyback ride cuz my ankles were giving me some
trouble. Anyway, I think the statue attracted kobolds; they were everywhere.
They spotted us though and so I hopped down off Eric's back and got ready
to fight. Not that I was really worried, but...still... Anyway, this funny
little kobold tried to throw rocks at me...so I killed it, and then a light
appeared from the statue and when it was gone...the kobolds standing around it
were dead. Odd that, so we decided to investigate...of course. Because if it's
dangerous who wouldn't want to have a closer look right? Upon further
investigation, there was a pit nearby with stairs leading down. They were
littered with the bodies of kobold though which was odd since no one else was
around. Eric then tried to go down, but as soon as he put his foot on the first
step, the statue began to glow. I quickly pulled him off and reading the riddle
upon the base realized that if you took any weapons down with you, you'd end up
like the kobolds. I know we could have just left, but really...my curiosity had
gotten the better of me. I scurried out of my weapons and Eric decided to stay
up top while I explored, so down I went. Well it was dark...as to be expected,
but I could vaguely make out someone standing near a door in front of me. I
tried to creep up to get a better look, but to no avail. Finally I just called
out Hello... That was a mistake...as soon as I did a portcullis slammed down
behind me, shutting me in with whoever this person was...and I was unarmed. Then
the person moved forward into the light and I saw his face...Fracture! I thought
I was going to wet my pants...but it turns out it was all fake. It wasn't really
him...it was an illusion of some sort. What a really mean trick that was. Once
the portcullis opened again, I stormed out of there and took Eric back with me
to the inn. That wasn't what I had expected to do for fun that day, so a bit
unnerved we just took a seat at a table and ordered up some food. Mmmmmm....Olvies
potatoes... He has the best food.
After a bit I went upstairs thinking what a WONDERFUL day this had been...when I
got a knock on the door. I opened it to see who else...? Diakaryu!!! What a
surprise that was! After much hugging, I realized he was in pain, and stepped
back to really look him over. He was hurt...badly. After explaining he had no
way to heal himself for the day, I grabbed some bandages and began dressing his
wounds. Only once I was done did I realize I still had cure lights in the room
and go get them for him. I truly was out of it today... Anyway after drinking
those he was better and he told me some about what was going on in his
homelands. It didn't sound as if it were going well there at all...but at least
he was okay...
4-09-01 (Monday)
Yay! Dusty came back...and boy was I happy to see him safe and sound. I was
worried that ugly, little thing with all the fingers had found him and played
rough. When I told Dusty about that creepy little thing, he had no idea who I
was talking about so thankfully, it never found him. I'll just have to make sure
it never does... But
4-13-01 (Friday)
I got word from Kiril today and he said he was going to come see me. So all
day I thought about him as I went about my duties in the town. I was so excited!
Then finally, he came, and after making sure he was okay...we left. He wanted to
go back to the manor house, so along the way I told him about Dusty and a few of
the things that had happened to me while I had been away. It was all pretty
boring stuff mostly so I was quite surprised that he listened to it all...but
then he did seem a bit preoccupied. Well I was pretty tired by the time we got
there, so I was ready to pass out where I stood. He tucked me in bed and then
offered to tell me a story, so I eagerly accepted. It was a good story
too...something about chickens and a bowl of yogurt I think....or maybe it was
about a goose and a mischievous hobling. Oh well...I can't remember...
4-14-01 (Saturday)
Today I was determined to see Kiril smile. He seemed a bit on edge since
arriving, so I suggested some games. First we sparred a little. He won...of
course, but c'mon...he's been adventuring for several more years then I have.
And besides...I'm just a little girl anyway.
After that we went for a swim in a nearby pond. As much as I like swimming, I
really should stop. I lost my rock while playing in the water and so started to
drown since I couldn't swim anymore. Good thing Kiril was there. He saved my
life AND found my rock.Once we were done swimming, we took a stroll to a quiet
little place I knew about and had a small picnic. Nothing fancy, and I made sure
there were no spiders or anything in it. I know how that tends to creep people
out...though I don't know why. And now that I think about it...he tried some
spiders and worms a few months ago...and liked them. Maybe I will add some to
the menu next time...or better yet, I'll just help him catch some. They're
always better freshly caught anyway. Everyone knows that... I asked him to
help me practice my whip, but he didn't want to. I guess he was scared I might
hurt him or something. I'll just ask Dusty to help me. He did last time...and we
had lots of fun. Well...we did until Callan walked in and scared me...but that's
beside the point. Since Kiril didn't want to help me out, I just practiced for a
bit by myself and seeing he was quickly getting bored...I suggested a pillow
fight next. He liked that idea so I gathered up the ammunition and told him the
rules. Can I say CHEATER? Wow and I thought Dusty cheated. At least he does it
when I'm looking. Kiril waited until I had my back turned and then tackled me. I
don't know how many of you know Kiril, but he's not a little guy. I decided I
would take matters into my own hands then...and as usual...we ended up having a
donut war. I was nice though and let him win. Pillow fighting is not to be taken
lightly though. It can really wear you down, and I for one was exhausted. I
still had other ideas for fun though, and so we decided to put them on hold
until tomorrow.
4-15-01 (Sunday)
After waiting for breakfast to settle a bit, we began the day with some
wrestling. Nothing like a little grappling to get the blood flowing. That and I
think he really needed to take a bit of anger out on something. This seemed a
simple and easy way to do it...seemed anyway. I really think I should practice
more...or maybe just find someone my own size, like Dusty, to play with. At
least that way I might have a chance. But then, there's just something fun about
taking on someone bigger, stronger and more experienced.
With my adrenaline still flowing from that, I suggested a bit of hunting. I was
after all...in the mood to win at SOMETHING. He agreed and off we went into the
forest nearby. After only few moments, I heard a bunny in a bush nearby
and offered to let him have this one. I think he thought to catch it with his
hands, and though I can do it...I just could not picture him pouncing onto
without making nary a sound. But amused I watched. He did try, I will give him
that...but his mistake was in letting the poor thing know he was there. It's
hardly a surprise when they know your coming, but alas that is what he did. He
shook the bush a bit to flush it out. It was so quick that though this was what
he had intended, he was not ready and so never came close to catching it. It
bounced off and he gave up the chase after only a few yards. I truly expected
him to cast at it or something as Diakaryu did, but he apparently knew how not
to abuse the powers of his super cape. I was proud of him for that. We walked a
bit further and soon came upon another rabbit hiding nearby. This time I took
it, and after creeping as close as possible without frightening it, I POUNCED.
This maneuver is hard to explain. Dusty would understand as he does it quite
often. In fact, I am often the victim of random pouncings...not that I mind In
fact, I like it. Anyway, I landed, as I often do, right on my target, catching it off guard and
after a bit of scuffling...they can kick pretty hard...I managed to grab it's
back legs and subdue it a bit. Then, proud o myself for keeping my skills
practiced, I offered it up to Kiril. He seemed amused by this and after taking
it from me, he thought for a moment, and then let it go. That is what I would
have done too. After all, I'm only trying to keep in practice.
With that done, I was ready for a game...maybe a Scavenger Hunt? This
seemed to be a good idea, and after laying down some rules, I ran off to be
hunted. I being the token scavenger after all. After finding what I thought was
a suitable place to hide...I saw a butterfly float by and watched it curiously.
In fact, I was so distracted by it, that I never even heard Kiril sneaking up on
me. He says he was just walking, but I would have heard that, so he had to have
been sneaking. Anyway, he jumped around the tree and sacred me half to death.
Needless to say, he won...but he never did claim his prize. Funny that...
Hide and Seek was the next game that came to mind. This time I could run around
and at least have a chance. Instead of arguing over who was going to count
first, I find it's easier to just run off. Then you know who's hiding and who
isn't...and so I did. I knew these woods pretty well, so I was pretty sure he
would eventually give up. In fact, I followed him for a while...quietly padding
along near him as he searched. I'll have to admit that he was pretty good.
Almost caught me once or twice. Then I saw another butterfly and determined to
find out where the rest of it's friends were (since Meissen is at war with
them), I followed it a bit. Then realizing I was probably out of bounds (stupid
butterflies always distracting me), hard to say for sure since we never set any,
I headed back. At one point along the way, I spotted this really neat tree with
great limbs for climbing, so up I went...and as I was humming a merry tune and
balancing on a branch, Kiril turned the corner. So there he was! Quickly I
hopped down and the chase was on! Okay...I'm slow I think. Maybe Dusty could
teach me to run, cuz Kiril caught up with me as if I were standing still. Seeing
I was not going to outrun him, I turned and jumped at him. He was base after
all...and since he caught me...I was safe.
4-17-01 (Tuesday)
I'm sure what is happening anymore... I thought I got rid of that ugly
little thing, but it apparently realized Dusty wasn't in Barnacus as we were
sent a nasty little message. The note sent with the 'delivery boy' telling Dusty
to meet whoever sent the note out in the forest or he would meet the same fate
as the Tavern owner. Okay, now that didn't sound good for Olven, and just as we
were arguing about what to do...Seith told me to leave the inn. So I grabbed my
weapon and shield and headed out with Dusty in tow.
The common room downstairs was covered in glass dust and seeing a trail of blood
leading out the door, I stopped to regain my senses. Dusty didn't even pause at
the mess, though I could hear him growl as he rushed by me. I ran after him out
into the forest where a blue portal opened up...Zeek. With a bit of advice from
Seith, I took off in another direction as Dusty jumped in and disappeared. It
was then I heard the sound of glass exploding, and then I could see Dusty
again...though it was like looking through fuzzy glass. I tried to keep moving,
but I wasn't getting anywhere. Then Dusty reached out to touch me and the world
faded out. When the landscape faded back into view, a huge city, or remained of
it anyway, loomed in the distance. The ground we stood on was blackened, the
trees around us all twisted and leafless...even the air smelled of
distruction...or more like burnt fur, but you get the idea. I stood there for a
minute to take it all in, when the ground suddenly trembled, bringing us both to
our knees. Then, I saw it...on the horizon...a huge cloud arose. At least I
thought it was a cloud until I could see thousands and thousands of bat-like
creatures. It was then I realized they were those humanoid creatures with the
bat wings...the same ones that have plagued me since I first met Seith, I
was too scared to move. Just watching these creatures fill the sky. Then I heard
something behind me. Fear of something closer killing me first was probably the
only reason I was able to move at that moment, and when I turned...I almost
wished I hadn't. Behind me stood three man all in black, even so that I couldn't
see their faces, the little ugly thing with razors for fingers that had been
looking for Dusty, and of course...Fracture...with that hideous smile on his
face as he rifted in behind them all. OK...I nearly wet my pants, not to mention
having to stifle a scream or two. Let's see...I could fight my way through
thousands of bat things, or fight Fracture and his minions. The hands on the
black clad guys started glowing at orders from fracture, and so I think I just
grabbed Dusty and ran for my life. I knew we wouldn't get away, but I was hoping
to prolong my life as much as I could. It was then that ugly little imp ran by
us so fast he was merely a blur...and Dusty fell, pulling me with him since I
wasn't going to let go. Probably a good thing too since the spells those guys
were tossing just flew right over our heads. I shoved a cure light in Dusty's
hands and pulled him up to keep running. I looked left and right for somewhere
else to go as we were coming to the edge of the forest quickly and then we would
be easy game. There was a tower nearby in the city, and I knew if we made it
there we would be safe. It was then we broke out of the safety of the forest
into a valley where all those bat people stood...ALL of them...in neat little
rows. All I could do was stop. Dusty suggested we split up and meet back at the
tower, but with a black cloud now hovering over us nearby and Fracture behind
us, I was just ready to give up. Dusty grabbed me and pulled me as he started
running along the edge of the forest. The bat people leaped up into the sky as
we took off and I could hear Fracture behind us still. Then as my legs started
to work on their own, Dusty let me go and told me to meet him at the tower. Then
he ran off in another direction. I had no choice but to do as he said, fear
making me run toward the city faster and harder then I ever had before. One of
the bat creatures flew close behind and as it caught up with me and tried to
land, I just knocked it over in my haste to get away. No others caught up with
me after that and I quickly found the tower inside the cities walls. I stopped
in front trying to find a way in, but there didn't seem to be any. Stupid
magical towers with no entrances... So now with my only escape in front of me,
but with no way in, I just got fed up and punched the wall. I know I probably
shouldn't let my anger get to me like that, but I was really having a rough day.
Needless to say, it worked...I punched a huge, gaping hole in the wall, and as
the air cleared...I saw Dusty coming at me posed midstrike in the air.
Instinctively I just stepped to the side avoiding his blows, and as he looked up
at me from where he landed, he looked shocked. Obviously he didn't think I could
have made it there so quickly. Once he recovered though, we made our greetings
and moved back toward a blue portal inside. We were hesitant to step through, but
seeing as we had nowhere else to go, we just shut our eyes and hoped for the
best. And when we came out on the other side...we were on a great big beach. Confusing
hunh? Well standing there a few feet away was Zeek, so we wandered on over and
with a perplexed look around us, he smiled and said he had us brought here
because we deserved a vacation. Looking around at the deserted island I was on,
I came to the same conclusion...and with that he was gone...leaving me and Dusty
to have some fun...for a change.
4-21-01 (Saturday)
A rowboat arrived during the afternoon and a big barbarian, named
Swimming Turtle, asked me if I wanted to go to the big boat. Seeing that Dusty
had left this morning to go to Haylem, and I was now all alone on this big
island with no one to play with...I decided to leave. It took a while to get to
the big boat, but I made it there before the salt from the sea settled to much
on my fur and made it crusty. That would have been a nightmare to brush
out...especially with no help. So anyway, after I got on board and realized I
had no money to pay for my way back to the mainland, one of the men told me to
go find the first mate to find out how I could repay him for my stay on board.
So down I went into the bowels of the ship and knocked on the door where I was
told the first mate would be. To my surprise, the door was not answered by the
first-mate, but by Diakaryu. He was on his way back from his homelands now that
the war was slowing down. He had this woman with him though. Alexia was her name
I think. She seemed real nice...
4-24-01 (Tuesday)
I finally got off that stinkin' boat. You'd think they would let me off
sooner if I had no way to pay them, but for some reason they decided to drag me
all the way to the mainland before letting me off. And then I had to have
someone else pay for my fare. How embarrassing...
The inn was a sight for sore eyes since I was now soaked and chilled to the
bone. Trying not to gnash my teeth to hard, I walked in and upstairs to change.
Olven apparently saw my mood and decided to keep his comments to a minimum this
evening. As bad as I felt taking it out on him, I really wasn't in the mood to
deal with it tonight. So back down I went to apologize, and what would
know...Eric was sitting there. Imagine that! He hasn;t been around in how long?
And then *BAM* just like that he shows up. Olven brought me some food...no fish
though, I was sick of fish. Anyway, he brought me some...chicken and potatoes
and I caught up a bit with Eric while I ate.
I was feeling a little scared to go to bed all alone in that room with the
claw...which reminds me, I really need to ask Olven to change my room...so I was
estactic when i heard Dusty's voice behind me as I walked up the stairs. He told
me all about his trip to Haylem. It sounded pretty fun, so I asked him to come
to Baddira with me next month and he agreed. Wow this is going to be a fun trip.