[Fiverine]

Mother gave me this book years ago.  She said it would be good to record my thoughts and experiences here at the Laurent Estate so I could look back upon them when I eventually returned home.  This is the first time I’ve opened it.  My parents sent me here to straighten me up.  According to them, I was lazy, reckless, overweight, easily distracted, liked to wander, enjoyed luxury too much and associated with the wrong people.  They'd never tolerate even one of those things in my siblings but time and again I was able to dodge any consequences.  At first I thought I was pretty clever, but once I hit my teens I realised I could do just about anything and my parents wouldn't do much about it. 

I was a nuisance to my family, and I didn't think much of them either.  My parents are Lord Leon and Lady Apolline Sadardiel, first generation nobles.  They insisted we all introduce ourselves as 'lord' or 'lady', even little Valentin.  This makes me Lady Manon Sadardiel, fourth in line to the Sadardiel estate.  It's pretentious rubbish, but I happily exploit being a noble at every opportunity.  My father's nickname is "the Lion", at least he calls himself that.  Just to drive the point home he's covered the estate in lion statues and paintings.  Mother's a tireless worker and bookkeeper and that's about all there is to say about her.  She has no life at all outside of the estate and family.  I have her hair but little else.  My oldest brother Nael might just be the worst of the lot... intelligent, handsome, powerful, charming... ugh.  How is that fair?  Then there's the twins Anais and Yanis who think nothing matters but competing with each other.  Gods, we're doomed if either of those idiots inherit the estate.  Valentin's all right I suppose, but he's going to grow up just like the others.   

Anyway I finally crossed my parents' invisible line of tolerance when I was 15.  They found out (thanks to Anais and Yanis shadowing me and snitching)  I'd been hanging out with cultists camping by Lake Vyctoria.  They called themselves the Order of the Ascended Lady and worshipped some dead woman the lake is named after.  To me they were silly and harmless but my parents decided I'd gone too far and needed a firm hand to guide me.  They sent me east to the estate of Lord Druon Laurent, an Imperial army comrade of my father.    I was told Laurent was a fierce and strict father with equally spartan sons.  He was a mighty ranger and would teach me the hard life of fieldcraft and survival.  My parents told me if I didn't knuckle down I was in for a nightmare.  Instead, these have been the best years of my life. 

Druon (he insisted I not address him as 'Lord') reframed everything I'd believed and been told about myself.  I was bored, not lazy.  Bold, not reckless.  Robust, not fat.  Perceptive, not easily distracted.  He took me under his wing and trained me personally.  Accepting that I'm heavy and a little clumsy, he trained me in trapping and surveillance rather than sneaking and concealment.  He introduced me to his faith, that of Kozah, and said unlike his sons I had the right frame of mind to follow it.  His boys were tough warriors though, and I learned I could rely on them in a scrap.  Druon trusted me completely, and allowed me to read all the correspondence my family sent him.  I was rarely mentioned in it and my father spent most of the letters complaining about ogres.  Taking note of this, Druon trained me in how to deal with large opponents.  I came of age here at the Laurent estate, and spent the night with Druon's sons getting drunk and roaming the town.  Truly, I finally felt I belonged somewhere.

I should have known my parents couldn't allow that.  Today Druon received a letter from my mother.  For the first time he refused to allow me to read what they sent.  Instead he insisted I immediately pack my things and prepare to travel back "home" to the Sardardiel estate.  I was furious, this is my home now!  But whatever he read had unnerved him.  He mouthed the name "Nael" as he read.  I suspect my magnificent, good at everything and loved by all oldest brother has convinced my parents to take me back.  I'll give him a piece of my mind about this.  Maybe some bruises too!

My things are packed and I've boarded the carriage.  Druon gave me a fine cloak to take with me.  While I wait for the driver I've written all this down.  I'm going to take mother's advice and look back on it some day and get all pissed off at my family all over again.  Kozah take them, I was happy.  And now I'm back to their haven of judgemental and pretentious fools.  What the hell could have been so important for them to forget how much they hate me and drag me back home to them?

[Fiverine]

The carriage journey was uneventful.  I arrived on the outskirts of the city of Conch which has grown remarkably in my years of exile.  I spent some time sneaking away from the estate and rowing there as a teenager so I am looking forward to exploring the city again.  It will be much easier to get into the taverns now.  The driver told me that a merchant guild, the university and one of the gangs mostly run Conch now.  From the farmland near Conch I took a barge to the family estate. 

The barge trip was nothing like the one by carriage.  When I left the Sadardiel lands, the Lake Vyctoria region was lush and fertile and several other noble families had prosperous estates near us.  But now those plantations are abandoned and overgrown and the manors are just burnt ruins.  "Ogres," grunted the captain when he saw me surveying the destruction.  "They call this place the Lake of Tears now, for so many have died and been wept for."   He told me my kin are the only noble family left in the region, and his tone made it clear he didn't think it would be the case for much longer.  I thought my father had been exaggerating in his letters to Druon...

It was past nightfall when I arrived at the village near the estate.  In the gloom I could tell that our own family holdings were intact and patrolled by a handful of heavily armed retainers.  Some were limping from old injuries.  My arrival had been expected and I was briskly escorted by one of the guards to the manor.  As I stepped inside I mentally prepared myself for the lecture of expectations and instructions I was about to be hammered with.  Mother would be waiting just inside the door like she always used to, ready to throw up her hands in despair about me sneaking off instead of doing my schooling and chores. 

But the manor was almost deserted, apart from the family servants who seemed almost amused to see me again.  They told me mother was exhausted and had retired early.  Father was in his study and had ordered he absolutely not be disturbed by anyone.  Valentin was asleep.  The twins were out patrolling with retainers.  The only direction left for me was to go to the armoury and tailor for fittings ahead of officially meeting my parents tomorrow.  "I demand to speak to Nael," I snapped at the servants.  Their quiet amusement evaporated immediately.  When they stammered I pushed past them and stormed up to Nael's chambers.   

I flinched when I reached his door.  It was locked and planks had been nailed over it.  Pinned to one of the planks was a tattered sign reading "Do not open by order of Lord Leon!" I must have stared numbly at the door for half a minute.  Where the hell was Nael?  Kye the steward placed a hand on my shoulder and waved away the other servants.   He spoke quietly to me. 
"Lady Manon, the house is broken.  Your brother is lost and we fear he may be dead.  Your father is shattered with grief, your mother by exhaustion.  Your elder siblings care only whom shall now be heir.  Your younger one is just a boy.  You must do something, milady.  It is time for you to grow up and serve your family properly.  Imagine how desperate your mother must be to see you of all people as an asset right now."

He almost had me until that last little jab.  I grunted and shouldered him aside on my way to the armoury.  My mood did not improve when they tried to cram me into a suit of armour that seemed to have a built in corset.  At least the evening dress is comfortable.  I am wearing it now as I perch here on my dusty bed in my familiar old room.  Tomorrow I will officially present myself to my parents and receive my orders.  I'm not worried.  Nothing they throw at me, be it an order or punishment, ever sticks.  I just have to ride this out until they send me away in disgust again.  They'll find Nael, or the twins will pull themselves together and take their roles seriously.  It's just a matter of time. 

[Fiverine]

Today was my formal presentation back to the family.  We did the ceremony before breakfast.  It wasn't bad so much as creepy and strange.  These aren't quite the people I left behind those years ago.  I immediately caused a problem by refusing to wear the body-crushing armour and surcoat I'd been provided with.  The armourer and tailor both had to improvise.  I was quite happy with the result but my father's dropped jaw when I entered the hall indicated he was not.  I bowed, as is expected.  Even after my absence I'm still quite adept at going through these motions without feeling a thing.

Father hugged me with a manic intensity that frightened me.  He welcomed me back, then spluttered into loud outrage about my weight and "disgraceful" custom livery.  Mother's hug was stiff, but warm.  I could tell the poor woman actually was glad to have me back.  Valentin was the happiest to see me, however.  He began rattling off everything he'd learned in numismatics while I was away, at least until father barked at him to shut up.  The twins just watched the whole scene without saying a word.  Merely nodding at my greeting, they both perched in their chairs with their arms folded.  To me they looked like a pair of praying mantises waiting to strike.  The only words I heard them speak was a quiet argument between them about who has slain the most ogres this week.  Father continued to grumble about my appearance and twitch nervously throughout breakfast. 

Then mother took over and and updated me on the situation.  House Sadardiel was indeed the only remaining noble estate at Lake Vyctoria.  The increasing frequency and intensity of ogre raids drove everyone else away.  With no other holdings my parents have agreed to stay here to the bitter end.  Many of our retainers have been killed or wounded over the years of my absence, including a few of my cousins.  But the heaviest blow was the recent loss of Nael.  He was leading the defence against an ogre raid and became separated from his lifeguard.  He was overpowered and subdued.  Rather than continue the battle, the ogres then unusually withdrew with their prize.  Father is convinced that Nael is still alive and that any day we will receive a ransom demand.  Mother did not disagree but I could tell from her grief-lined face she suspects he is dead.  Ogres generally carry people away only to eat them later so she is probably right. 

Though I've barely arrived, I was then given weighty tasks.  Using the skills that Druon taught me I am to investigate a labyrinth near our estate.  Some of our plantation workers disappeared in there recently and I am expected to venture there and learn of their fate.  I was given no information about what I might face and the retainers are refusing to go in there.  Unless I get some other help I will be delving in there alone.  Assuming I don't die "or just make a complete arse of things like you usually do" as father put it, they want me to join the search for Nael. 

Meanwhile I must make some plans of my own.  This place is going to the dogs and I need to do something.  The most we are likely to find of Nael will be his marrow-sucked bones, and who knows what dangers await me in this labyrinth the retainers are so deathly afraid of?  I fear father will completely lose his mind if Nael is confirmed dead.  Yanis or Anais are going to be made heir eventually, and I don't want to be around for that.  Mother is going to work herself to death.  But I'm bound by law and honour to my oaths to my family and this land, however I feel about that.  There aren't any nearby noble families left with a witless son I could marry myself off to.  If I just walk out I lose all the privileges that come with our title and I am certainly not giving those up.  Will finding Nael fix all this?  What if that is not possible?

I'm going patrolling for ogres with father, the twins and some retainers tonight.  After breakfast, mother quietly warned me to watch my back saying "Leon loses his wits and discipline at the sight of an ogre now, and your brother and sister care only for their headhunting."  If I am going to do anything fun or constructive around here I will need people at my side I can trust.  Nael used to have his own personal retinue, and I can understand why right now.  Odd too that mother called father "Leon" rather than "your father" when she spoke with me today.  I'd forgotten that the servants used to gossip that she'd had an affair before I was born.  Was she making a reference to that, or am I reading too much into this I wonder?

[Fiverine]

I did something a little reckless.  Not wanting to accompany my father and the twins on their ogre patrol, I found out from a retainer named Kashia where they planned to go.  Then I went there alone ahead of the others, thinking they'd arrive to find me sitting atop a pile of ogre corpses.  I'd never fought an ogre before but imagined I was more than a match for any of them.  I wasn't exactly wrong.  One on one or even one on two I could dispatch the brutes fairly easily, but once they were aware of my presence and charged me en masse I had to beat a hasty retreat.  I expected them to be heavy hitters but underestimated how difficult they would be to injure, let alone put down.  Naturally, father's party then conveniently came riding over the crest to rescue me.  At least they didn't find me roasting on a spit, I suppose.

I know I should be grateful.  And I would have been if father hadn't launched straight into one of his "Manon you have disappointed me!" lectures, with the twins sneering and rolling their eyes at me in unison (which never stops being creepy).  They also entirely overlooked that I'd slain nearly a dozen ogres entirely on my own.  Father turned it into a big triumph for Yanis and Anais and told me and the slightly embarrassed retainers at length how amazing they are.  Nearly as good as Nael, he said.  The twins lapped it up, but once the accolades were over they began accounting for how many ogres each had slain, how effective their orders to the retainers had been and so forth.  I'm sick of them already.  They'll seize every opportunity to remind each other who should be heir now and remind me that I'm the black sheep who can't do anything right.  I decided right then that I would deny them their next opportunity for either.

The next morning, fate gave me my chance.  Whether intentionally or by mistake, Kye the steward left a letter to father on my desk.  The plantation farmers are having trouble with boulders being hurled at their defences and begged for father to send someone to do something.  I sent a reply to this Farmer Jason assuring him I'd investigate personally.  A few boulders thrown at a farmyard without a major assault following sounds like a few stray ogres, not a warband like the one I encountered on my solo patrol.  I can handle this, and I'll grab all the rewards and praise.  Not because I really want them, but because I don't want father or my siblings to get them. 

[Fiverine]

I stayed in Laketown Hamlet a few days waiting for the next ogre movements.  It started with another rain of boulders from the hills upon the farmlands, and an ominous shaking of the earth.  Hastily I donned my armour and rushed to the scene.  None of the Laketown guards followed me, insisting they needed to protect the town.  The farmers were both relieved and surprised to see Lord Sadardiel had apparently sent one of his own children to the scene. 

Then it was my turn to be surprised when two saurian creatures arrived behind me.  For one awful moment I thought they were part of the attack but in fact they had heard the ruckus and come to aid the farmers.  One was clearly draconic in origin, and called himself Zephor.  I had never met such a being before and had in fact thought them to be legendary.  He seemed cultured and friendly, though had the greedy gleam in his eyes I had been told the draconic possess.  His companion was Lezkin, a sadly addled lizardfolk who was adamant that he is a half-dragon too.  Lezkin was a less comforting ally, being crude and incapable of being silent for any length of time.  But without them I would be venturing alone, so I accompanied them into the farmlands. 

The ogres were atop the hill as expected and quickly fell bloodily to our assault.  I spotted the mine entrance they had used to reach the hilltop and we followed their trail in and confronted a much larger band of ogres.  This battle was much closer fought and we were separated on a few occasions, but once again we broke the ogres.  Their leader was a shaman who in his grunting speech swore retribution upon us as he fled.  His spells were far more impressive than his nerve.  I allowed my saurian allies to keep the bulk of the creatures' plunder, only taking those things for myself that obviously belonged to my family. 

There were two such things- a sword and a shield.  Both were magnificent items of war and bore the heraldry of the Sadardiel family.  A hidden compartment on the shield contained a letter written to my brother Nael.  They were his!  This did not bode well for his fate, and I wondered if his bodily remains were in one of the piles of ogre dung in the mine.  Intriguingly, the letter and some other paperwork in the shield detailed the requirements and construction of an artifact of Valstiir.  The Lake of Tears was originally named after Archmage Vyctoria Valstiir so surely anything bearing her name must be powerful.  Indeed, the lakeside cultists I used to fraternise with worshipped her as a goddess.  I don't have the required apparatus to build it yet but it is certainly something worth pursuing. 

There is only one complication.  Nael.  I already suspected he was dead, but finding his personal sword and shield amongst ogre loot is all but proof of his death.  I suppose I will have to tell my parents about it.  I'm keeping the sword and shield whatever they say.  But I shudder to think how father will react.  The letter hidden in the shield indicated that Nael was searching for the items to build Valstiir's  artifact on behalf of someone else.  Was he working outside the family?  I suppose he always did seem just too perfect.  Perhaps before I inform my parents I should do a quick search of his chambers, assuming I can get in at all...

[Fiverine]

Zephor contacted me to let me know he and his group were assembling in Laketown and I could meet them there for an outing.  I had lots of family matters I had been directed to attend to, so naturally I skipped those and went to Laketown.  I was expecting just him and Lezkin but was a little alarmed when he had two other companions.  A mage of few words who kept his helmet on at all times, and a kobold who proudly said he was "Zephor's first disciple".  They were seeking a tree by Lake Vyctoria and wanted me to come along for reasons that still escape me.  My initial thought was they wanted a human along to negotiate but it became quickly apparent they weren't terribly interested in much I had to offer.  Oddly enough the addled lizardman Lezkin was the only one who had anything resembling a normal conversation with me.  He's a bit witless but easily the nicest one of the lot and even asked if I'd had any luck finding Nael yet.  I thought Zephor seemed a decent leader until later events showed him to be disturbingly unstable. 

I accompanied this motley group on a rowboat trip across the lake where we arrived at a neighbouring estate owned by commoners.  I didn't know them, and the guards had barricaded our path and ignored our hails.  We found a cave opening hidden nearby and entered.  My thought was we were bypassing the estate though Zephor told us he expected danger, so we all went in fully armed and prepared.  We emerged in the basement of a building and were attacked by human guards.  In the chaos we slew them all but one, and in the interrogation I learned that this estate belonged to another half-dragon, a silver. one.  Our party seemed surprised at this development, but Zephor's comrades were also delighted by the possibility of their leader meeting a lady half-dragon. 

We fought our way through more rooms.  Diplomacy was of little use for we were invaders.  Eventually we confronted the lady of the estate, a silver half-dragon named Argentia.  Things seemed calm if a little strained at first.  Zephor said the entire matter was a misunderstanding and he merely wanted information.  Some gibberish about apotheosis for his friends.  Lezkin then accused her of committing some massacre.  Things turned even darker when someone mentioned the word "hoard".  This changed Zephor's mood completely.  He seemed consumed by greed and rage and a fight broke out.  I wasn't sure what to do at first but Argentia was powerful and I feared what might happen if she was victorious.  So I stepped in and joined my scaly allies and Kozah willed that it was my blow that felled the woman. 

The rest of them lost all control then.  They began frantically searching the manor for this hoard of Argentia's, even as more guards stumbled upon us.  In the chaos I was separated and forced to fight some of the guards alone.  They were not impressive warriors but there were a lot of them.  Fortunately I stumbled out of the estate alive and joined the rest of them.  They were ecstatic.  They'd found treasure and even more they'd claimed the estate for their own.  The wizard paid me an insultingly small share of the coins of their plunder, but they did allow me to keep a nice pair of boots from the hoard.  Then the group then split up and departed.  I headed home, confused and a little worried. 

Zephor and his friends, assuming they are able to retain control Argentia's estate, are now my family's neighbours.  It is fortunate that I seem to be on good terms with them, but I highly doubt my parents will be pleased by this development.  I fear too that I was manipulated into being a part of their raid on the estate.  Was it all a misunderstanding or did they go in there intent on murdering that creature and stealing its home?  I honestly didn't want to kill that half-dragon woman, but my newfound allies are unpredictable and don't listen to me.  First though I must find a way to tell father about this that doesn't make me sound gullible or incompetent.  I'd rather let him assume (as usual) that I am those things than have it immediately obvious from my words. 

[Fiverine]

I visited "The Scaly Boys" in their new home a few days ago.  The meeting eased many of my reservations about them, and I am starting to see them for what they are- yet another of the "bad influences" I inevitably enjoy spending time with.  Zephor gave me a fine pair of boots to reward me for my assistance and his little disciple Konchord told me the story of just why they hated Argentia so much. And to be fair to them, the Scaly Boys have decorated their manor very appropriately.   

After that meeting I felt good enough about my ability to gets things done that I got up early the next morning.  Knowing I couldn't sneak past a wooden post without alerting it somehow I gulped down an invisibility potion and left the house.  After some hours in the hills I found a trail left by an ogre warband and followed it into a canyon.  I made no mistakes this time.  I led each group of ogres into an ambush.  Nael's sword sliced through ogre flesh readily and I cut through wave after wave of the creatures.  Their leader proved a worthy adversary.  A nimbus of crackling energy surrounded him and his flesh glowed with eerie runes.  But he too fell to my blade. 

With the creatures death I felt a great weight lift off me.  I'd proven to myself I could handle these beasts that have terrorised my homeland and family.  The dutiful mask I've been straining to put on before my family left with it.  I hacked off the ogres's head, took it home and dumped it on father's desk.  Let's see him lecture me now about thoroughness and diligence.  Then I hit the local inn and downed whisky until I puked. 

There's only one thing bothering me.  It wasn't until I'd slain the ogre leader that I could examine the runes on his flesh.  I believe I slew a fellow devotee of the Stormlord.  Kozah won't care.  Hell, he's probably pleased that I removed an unworthy follower from his ranks.  But I feel some personal regret about this, so I will make a small act of contrition.  I believe I saw a druid in Conch last night, if I see them again I will approach them and make my amends. 

[Fiverine]

I finally tracked down that druid I've been seeing about Conch.  Her name is Madie.  She's sweetly naive and into that whole "balance" thing.  I neglected to mention that I follow the Stormlord and handed over my gifts of penance.  Madie was confused but she accepted them.  I invited her to visit the manor some day.  Denny was showing her about town, but he's quite new too.  I hope someone who knows Conch well helped them out.  I suppose I could have done it, but frankly I just didn't feel like it.  Wouldn't have been long before Madie figured out I'm one of the "Unbalanced" as the Jannathians call us anyway.

On an odd note, I think I have a secret admirer.  I was out on one of my usual patrol routes this week and found in the middle of my path a rose.  If wasn't an ordinary flower, it was made of the most sublime crystal and will never wilt.  It must be very expensive, and it's beautiful.  I strutted around the manor carrying it for quite a while.  It's very rare that I get male attention.  Anais was the one the boys were always chasing.  I did ponder a moment that the twins might have left it as a prank on me, but they'd never spend that much on a joke.  I wonder who it was?  Oh gods no... maybe it was Lezkin! 

[Fiverine]

I was drinking at the Happy Cow like any week day morning when the noise started.  The familiar thud of heavy rocks falling upon the farmlands followed by the obnoxious chanting that had preceded my previous encounter with the ogre mage.  I sent a call for aid and rushed to the farmlands, buckling my armour awkwardly as I jogged.  The farmers told me they had seen large skeletal creatures wandering the hills above their farms and it was they who were hurling the boulders. 

I expected to venture up alone (as usual the retainers and farming militia were hiding in their basements) when my friend Denny arrived.  Usually he is nowhere to be found when anything big happens, so I was rather shocked but welcomed his lanky company.  Together we marched up the hill and soon found the wild stories the farmers had told me were true.  While a few living ogres and ettins accompanied the enemy, most of them were skeletal and mummified.  The latter proved particularly resilient and it took much hacking and burning to put them down.  We were hampered by a foul purplish mist which clung atop the hill and the constant chanting coming from the mine.  Denny provided valuable fire support with this bow and charged in when we had thinned the undead numbers somewhat. Once again the mine was the source of the incursion so we went in.

As we passed through the cave mouth, we heard fast footsteps rushing up behind us.  It was Zephor.  He had heard my call and hurried to join us.  The three of us were quickly accosted by more of the foul mummies, and we were separated.  Sadly in the confusion Denny was overwhelmed and slain.  We covered his remains and agreed to collect them when we left.  Then we followed the sound of the chanting, and once again found our enemy from the last attack, the mutant ogre mage.  Obviously we had put a dent in his army for now the vast majority of it was undead.  The battle was musty, chaotic and bruising but he did not escape us this time.  Zephor was faster than ever and even if the ogre had fled he would have been run down.  We felled the brute, and prepared to collect Denny and depart.

But then I heard a low moaning at the back of the cave.  We cautiously approached it and found a man clambering from a pile of rocks.  In the gloom I could see he was shirtless and covered in a multitude of scratches, cuts and bruises.  It took me a few seconds before I realised who it was... it was Nael!  Against all odds, he still lived!  He was wounded, exhausted and confused.  He couldn't remember how he arrived in the cave, nor did he even remember his abduction by the ogres and could only mutter some gibberish about "the mission".  It was near impossible to contain my glee.  It even overwhelmed the shock of Denny's death.  I'd done what they brought me back to do, found my missing brother and the family heir.  I was already imagining triumphantly returning to Druon's estate.  Unfortunately, Nael insisted he needed some rest before he faced the family again, and asked us to escort him to his tower safehouse in the farmlands.  I agreed, but Zephor was much more cautious.  He chose to send us ahead while he scouted the rest of the mine.  I picked up Denny's remains on the way out, and told Nael it was only fair that our parents should foot the bill for his resurrection.  During our return journey we saw a white stag.  I had some grain on me and offered it some, and it followed us the rest of the way.  I told Nael it was his new pet, like it or not. 

At the tower, Nael slumped into a chair.  He was still insistent on recovering before I took him home, damn him.  I agreed to keep his discovery a secret until he was ready to face mother and father again.  I said "a few days" but I have a feeling he'll drag it out much longer than that.  To be fair, he really did look a mess.  Zephor caught up with us not long afterwards.  Nael assured us we would be rewarded both for our rescue and discreetness.  This noticeably perked up Zephor.  I told Nael I would come back in a day or two to check on him.  I left the stag with him.  It's friendly enough, and if he really doesn't want it he can just let it out the door. 

I'm still excited about having found him, and it was hard to hide it when I returned to the family manor.  I'm fortunate the others have so little interest in me most of the time, because I might have cracked if they badgered me.  There is no doubting that we found Nael, but he doesn't seem quite himself.  I thought he would be in a rush to get back home to his bed, and whatever he went through at the hands of the ogres has made him gloomy and confused.  He'd better not make me wait too long... otherwise I'll just cosh him and take him back in a wheelbarrow.   

[Fiverine]

My interests neatly coincided with Zephor and the Scaly Boys once again.  I have been quietly gathering items from Nael's secret orders.  Nael doesn't know, and I'm not telling him.  I consider this my fee for keeping his return quiet.  One of the items I have been searching for is a firestone.  I thought perhaps it might be near the Vein of Kozah and had been fruitlessly searching that area, but a clue directed me to a nearby mine that was connected to the same lava tubes.  It turned out this mine was infested with kobolds that were kin to Zephor's sycophantic sidekick Konchord.  Therefore, Zephor and I decided to seek out the queen of these kobolds.  He hoped to bring them into his growing community and I hoped to secure the firestone.

The kobolds were not pleased to see either of us, and we had to fight them and their golems and elemental servants repeatedly.  Kobolds may be incredibly annoying pests but their traps were beyond even my ability to disarm.  Even the Kobold Queen and her bodyguards attacked us, and the tribe did not submit to Zephor until the leaders had all been slain.  We then slew the fiery guardians of the firestone and I was able to retrieve it.  I was grateful for Zephor's aid for I'm certain the task was far beyond me alone.  For this reason I tolerated the gaggle of yipping and yapping kobolds that followed us back to the Lake of Tears.  Then I was able to rest and go about my other work. 

A farm girl recently disappeared from the farmlands in our area and I personally investigated the matter.  I found her dead a few days later and the body had been exsanguinated.  Rather than notify her parents I took her to the temple of Tyche hoping the poor girl could be raised.  Unfortunately they felt the nature of her death warranted a cremation which I approved.  I rather cravenly sent her father a letter rather than seeing him myself.  His reply was as mournful and angry as one would expect, and he expects further investigations into her death. 

Zephor has told me he suspects Nael has been influenced or corrupted by dark magic.  Personally I think my brother is just run of the mill insane, which is barely any better.  Either way I feel it's too much of a coincidence that the girl died the night Nael returned to his tower.  I confronted Nael about it, but he is still claiming amnesia and confusion about everything.  I tried to get him to sip some holy water to put my mind at ease, but he refused.  We argued, and he refused all my offered solutions.  I ended up just throwing the water at him in frustration.  It shattered on his breastplate and some drops spattered his face.  He howled that it stung, and that was enough for me.  I told him father would see him immediately however Nael felt about the matter. 

I don't know what happens from here.  I needed to bring back a healthy and sane Nael to save this family, and instead I've brought back a tainted madman.  No doubt father will decide it's completely my fault.  And the twins will be pissed that I've wrecked their dreams of becoming heirs.  The only solution I've come up with so far is an ugly one...

[Fiverine]

It took some forceful persuasion, but I have finally convinced Nael to allow a cleric to examine him.  He is still refusing to go to a temple but consented to allowing a priest I have vetted myself to visit him in his chambers.  I don't think my input is of much use.  If I bring in my minister he'll just put Nael to the flame.  Honestly that's my final plan if things don't go well but I think in the case of my own brother it's a bit harsh to jump straight to that solution.  Therefore I've contacted one of the Temples to Tyche in Conch and they have agreed to send a priest to us.  It's the same temple I took the dead farm girl too.  I must be careful they don't assume I'm one of their parishioners with all these visits I'm doing. 

Otherwise our lands have been fairly quiet.  I've been staying in Nael's tower with him.  The spare room he gave me was a mess with cobwebs and a thick layer of dust everywhere.  I couldn't have been arsed to tidy it though.  I just toss my bearskin bedroll onto the bed and sleep on that.  I don't think Nael's health is improving but at least no more dead farmers have been found. 

The quietness bothers me though.  I am still doing my patrols but not finding as many ogres or giants as usual.  This doesn't mean we are safe, it means they are massing for a raid.  I visited the Scaly Boy estate to discuss the strategic situation with them but was alarmed to find they were absent.  It seems they've all gone off hunting another dragon relic together.  They had left an ample garrison of lizardfolk and kobolds but without one of their leaders on hand they are like a rabble.  I told one of the kobold shamans to send a runner to me if they need any assistance while Zeph and his friends are away, but he seemed offended by my "microaggressive questioning of our competence", whatever that means. 

[Fiverine]

Against all odds, I've found a new retainer for the family, a woman by the name of Kira.  She's a capable warrior, and apart from taking a heavy knock she passed the small test I set for her.  I will have to wrangle things so she gets assigned to my retinue.  Kira's nice and obliging... too nice and obliging.  I'll have to manipulate mentor some of that subservience out of her, otherwise my family will take total advantage of her. 

Priest Zolo has examined Nael, and the news is better than I expected.  Though Nael is suffering from a dreadful curse he is not a lost cause.  Zolo suggested I seek the Tears of Tyche (why do all these goddesses cry so much?) as the only likely hope for a cure.  He directed me to search a village in some nearby swamps which will not be pleasant or easy.  But at least I have some company now with Kira.  Hopefully I don't end up wishing I'd just taken Nael to my own priest.  Admittedly that would have been a painful solution for the family but it would have been a certain one.