June 601
6-3-01 (Sunday)
Okay...it's on!
After a long day at court, I decided to walk back to the inn for a quick bite
and long nap. The common room was full as always...Olven's potatoes are famous
around here...so I took a seat at the bar and hoped my stomach wouldn't grumble
too loudly while I waited. It was then I heard a familiar voice and looked up to
see Eric sitting nearby. I was surprised to see him here actually. It had been
so long since his last visit that I wasn't sure he would ever be back. I was
glad to him though, and as I began to ask him about what he had been doing...he
became preoccupied with the amulet he wears. A gift from Lady Al'more I
believe...
As Eric played with his pretty bauble, a black cloud began to fill the room and
the walls began to sparkle. You know...too many weird things happen in this
place. I'm beginning to think Olven should have his inn checked out...
Needless to say, I was a little scared. Eric took it all in stride though,
so I stayed near him thinking that it might be a safe thing to do... Boy was I ever
WRONG!!! The cloud moved in on us and began to shrink. It sparkled with red and
silver and flung chairs and tables around as it diminished in size. I wanted to
leave, but it hurt...almost like sandpaper rubbing me fur the wrong way. I
closed my eyes and it stopped...
When I opened them again, the cloud was gone, but then so was the inn and so was
Eric.
I was a little disoriented at first, but I soon realized that both my arms and
legs were being held tight by the golems in the room, and that before me stood a
very upset Lady Al'more. A little unsure of not only why I was here, but why I
was being held...a prisoner if you will, I just looked up and said
"Hi!" Her arm went back and then I felt nothing but blinding
pain on the side of my face as stars filled my vision. I was NOT expecting that
one... I would have jumped her had I not been firmly held by those stupid golems
of hers, so instead the most I could do was look threatening and growl a lot.
Needless to say, she finally realized that I didn't have what she wanted, and
had my guards release me. Then she led me into another room all the while trying
to play off the fact that she had just beat me. As I looked for a way out of
this torture chamber, I saw Eric approach Lady Al'more and hold her as he asked
her what the matter was. Ummm...hello Eric? What's wrong with her? Let me tell
you...she's a crazy necromancer who just beat the living snot out of me! But
aside from that? Oh yeah...Fracture has Tiffany. Not like Tiffany is her real
daughter, I know...she slapped me again when I told her that, but yeah...it
seems she apparently still needs Tiffany for something.
Anyway, it was then that the witch asked Eric who his friend was...meaning me,
which is why I was again suddenly very confused. She knew I was Eric's friend
and she STILL beat me up? Hmmmm....strange bedfellows you keep Eric... So this
was the part when whiny Lady Al'more asks Eric to go fetch Tiffany, cuz I guess
she was too busy to go get her own daughter or something, and he, of course,
agrees...even though he couldn't take on Fracture alone even if he wanted
too...and obviously knowing this, he asks me to help. So I had to once again,
tell him how I couldn't stop Fracture from taking her the first time, and then
ask him why he thought I would help his girlfriend after what she did to me.
Sure I wanted to help Tiffany. I had even planned on going after her when I had
recruited more help, but he was asking me to go on a suicide mission. I had no
choice but to go, however, as I couldn't leave unless Lady Al'more wanted me
too. Funny though, that she would want...how did she put it..."a retarded
animal" like me helping her? Right...
As I had no choice, I waited in the hall as she cast an evil ritual to put Eric
into a golem body...since there was NO way he could even survive Fracture
without it, and then she opened a portal straight to place we could find
Fracture. Odd hunh? She knew where to find him, and she was strong enough to fight him, but she
sent us instead.
I stepped through, just wanting to leave that place finally, and as I looked
around me, I found the scene oddly familiar. As I took in the city and the
landscape, I remembered...yep, it was the same place Dusty and I ended up when
Olven was supposedly taken. This could not be a good sign...especially when I
felt my body change as my feet touched the ground. It was then I think Eric
regretted my being there, as he took one look at me and shuddered. You'd think
he would at least try to hide his disgust...especially when he had all but
forced me to come. I didn't dwell on the thought for too long as it was then I
heard the tale tale sound of shattering glass and knew Fracture was close by.
Then suddenly the wind picked up...almost roaring in my ears and the sky
darkened. Eric yelled for me to find Tiffany, and I didn't hesitate to do as he
asked.
My search for her led me to a large building in the center of the city. As I
slowly crept inside, I could hear the sounds of fighting. Scared that the girl
might be hurt, I looked around the corner toward the sounds...it was Fracture
and Eric! Then my attention was caught by the glint of a golden cage in the
center of the room. Inside sat Tiffany, and as I tried not to shudder at the
memories it brought back, I saw the faint glow of the Circle of Power it sat
within. It looked hopeless, but I had an idea, and as long as Eric could keep
Fracture busy...it might work. I knew that Tiffany was a powerful little girl,
although most likely a scared one, so maybe if she knew we were here to help
her, she would be willing to drop the circle. So quietly I tiptoed to the
circle, and whispered to Tiffany. At first she didn't even acknowledge I was
there, but after a few tries she looked at me. I explained to her what I wanted
her to do, but she was unable to help me. Frustrated, I realized my only option
left was Fracture. I watched as Eric fought with him, and when my opening came,
I stepped out and thrust my sword as hard as I could into his back. He turned to
face me as he continued to parry Eric's blows, so I just smiled and waved. It
was then a scream pierced the air. One so loud and powerful that it knocked me
over. Then as I began to pick myself up, I saw Tiffany standing in the circle,
glowing whiter then the noon day sun. She took a deep breath and before I could
brace myself, she screamed again. This time the cage shattered and the circle
wavered and the fell as if it had never existed. I was...well...in awe. But
before I could fully take in the scene before me, Tiffany threw well...a
tantrum. That's the best way I could describe it anyway because these bolts
of...lightning?...they looked like lightning...shot out of her hands and pretty
much pummeled Fracture into the ground. When I saw this happen, as any
smart girl would do, I took a step back out of the way and made sure I wasn't
standing in a puddle. Eric on the other hand decided to tap her on the shoulder.
So the next thing you know, he was flat on his butt. But as I said,
it had to be a tantrum because all she did was scream, "It's Mine, It's
Mine!" and toss lightning bolts at him. Well, eventually she seemed
satisfied, and Fracture was so deep in the hole she had made, that I didn't even
know if he was still there. So with a shrug, I asked Tiffany to come back with
me. Before she could answer though, the familiar black cloud appeared. Clearly I
did not want to return to Lady Al'more's house, so I left them there and found
my own way back.
6-05-01 (Tuesday)
Eric decided to visit today. He unfortunately did not have anything good to
tell me...nope...nothing good at all... I really hate betrayal...
6-14-01 (Thursday)
I found Dusty outside working on his tree house today. It's looking really
good! He's almost done with it now, and he even let me help him dig some places
to plant flowers and stuff. I'm gonna miss him sleeping on the pillows by my
bed, but we talked some, and I guess he thinks it's best. He's probably
right...
6-17-01 (Sunday)
Okay it seems that Eric has betrayed me... Geez, can't a girl go through
life without having her friends stab her in the back. Apparently not!
Eric was taken by Lady Al'more's big, black cloud while Dusty and I sat with him
in the tavern enjoying a meal. A little unnerving, yes, but I had seen it happen
before so I was only slightly surprised this time. That's just not something I
really want to get used too. Anyway, when I saw it coming, I just grabbed Dusty
and moved as far away as possible from it so that I didn't have to go see her
with him. If you haven't figured it out yet, we just really don't get along.
Then I heard this familiar pipe music coming from somewhere distant. It was the
music I always heard when Curious was around! That could not be though! He was
dead...permanently dead! So as his name suggests, I was curious myself and so I
went to investigate. Fortunately I had Dusty with me or I do not know if I would
have had the resolve to actually go out there. The source of the music was
not far, and we quickly reached it without any problems. But just before we
could see who or what was causing it...it stopped! That did not deter me though,
and so I peeked around the corner of some bushes into the clearing on the other
side to see what was there. Imagine my surprise when I saw Lady Al'more standing
there with her favorite and strongest golem, Leslie, and about 20 others as
well. Then I heard her talking to someone else, about me and why hadn't I come.
That I would have come when I heard that music... Then she stepped aside, and
standing there was...CURIOUS!!! Oh my gosh, I think my eyes popped out of my
head. Dusty was a bit confused too, and as we whispered back and forth about the
situation before us, Lady Al'more turned in our direction, her eyes flashing
red. I'm thinking that was when she realized we were there.
Dusty... He jumped out to distract her I think. I really wish he wouldn't do
things like that, but he's a bit rash sometimes. And more often then not, he
just causes me more worry. But as I was saying, the brave little fox left the
safety of our hiding spot to, well...now that I think about it...cause trouble.
He's funny like that. As he strolled forward toward Lady Al'more with a small
wave, she smiled at him and thanked him for coming. Boy she grates on my every
last nerve... He stopped for a moment, offering a slight bow (he's always good
at putting on a show). Needless to say, after what looked to be a small war
going on in his head, he ended up by her side. That was not good...not good at
all... And Curious got up and took a position next to her as well. Now THAT just
gives me the willies. He was DEAD!
So now the reason she was here became clear. She wanted to make a deal with me.
She yelled for me to answer her, and I didn't. What? Was I stupid? Hello, there
are like 20 golems standing there and a woman who apparently does not like me.
She called out again...and again I did not answer. So then she resorted to dirty
tactics. She asked Dusty to help 'motivate' me, and with that, he pulled out his
weapon and lifted it to his throat. That wicked and foul smelling excuse for
swine. I couldn't stand by any longer with my friend in danger, so I stepped
out. She seemed happy at my decision, too happy. And so knowing full well that I
had already condemned myself, I figured what the heck and headed toward her.
Sort of my last feeble attempt to do something before I died. She bade me stop
though, and said she wanted no tricks from me. Me?!?! Hehehehe I did stop
though. After all, she still had Dusty, and I would make sure he left here in
one piece even if I did not. Then she resorted to childish tactics and
began calling me names...like tramp...because Eric was my friend and she likes
him. So when I pointed out to her that I couldn't be the tramp since she was the
one sleeping with him, not me, I think she took offense. Pain exploded in my
belly, and without thought, I fell to my knees. She had Curious... Then, while I
sat there in my misery, unable to do anything, she threatened me. Well I wasn't
completely helpless I guess...I did spit on her, and then she kicked me back in
the face. It appeared playtime was over then, as she gave Curious a nod and what
I thought was agony before seemed only a dim ache to what I was feeling now. I
wanted to die... It was then I heard Al'more (I just refuse to call her Lady
anymore at this point) scream. It seems that Dusty, the ever amazing and always
underestimated, had broken free from her grasp and was giving her a taste of her
medicine. It was hard to know what was happening...other then my own screams,
all I could hear now was the clanking of metal as she screamed for Leslie to
stop him. Then suddenly, as quickly as it had started, the pain ended. I stood
up, only to be pelted by several deaths...all from our friendly neighborhood
evil chick Al'more. Now I was just mad, and as I made my way toward her, she got
a look of terror on her face and faded away in that black cloud of hers with
Curious and the other golems. The coward... But I had no time to waste on her.
She had left Leslie to deal with Dusty and he was definitely giving the golem a
run for his money. Since I was here though, I figured I might as well help a
little, and together we forced Al'more to take back her toy.
Tired and worn, Dusty suggested we head back to the inn to see if Eric had
returned. The walk was long and quiet, but again, we made it there without any
further problems. Tinker is really getting good at keeping the crime down...
I walked about my room there contemplating the days events and trying to piece
things together when Dusty quietly crept in to talk. I always like it when he
visits, but I'll admit that he scared me a bit this time...he's awful sneaky
sometimes.
I wanted to talk with him about the things that had happened, but before I could
begin there was a knock at the door. It was Eric! I was surprised...and even a
bit worried....that is until he began telling me how he had talked with Al'more
about me. The more he talked, the more I realized he had betrayed me. I trusted
him, and he not only turned his back on me, but he stabbed his dagger in it too.
When will I learn?
6-28-01 (Thursday)
Oddly enough...not much has happened. It's been very quiet around here,
especially since Dusty started working so hard on his tree house. Maybe things
will get better? I can only hope.