Where my notes go

[Filter: Those in Floran]

Our search for the prince would be greatly aided if one of you who could read law books would look into them and find the passages dealing with the hosting of soldiers in towns. Specifically, we're interested in a law that would allow us to use inns and private property so we won't have to camp out in the cold.

[Filter: Celeste, in Dentorian]

Lately I've been thinking about our lessons. It's strange to think about just how long ago we were tutor and student, isn't it? Do you even remember that first day I took you into the library, and you went for the story books? I will confess, I should've let you stay with them longer. I had little idea at the time of just how fond you'd become of them all. As fond of them as I was, even if our tastes differed.

I'd like to think my lord was proud of what we managed to accomplish despite my ignorance. There were times I wondered about what would happen when your suitor... hn.

[Filter: Franelcrew and Hanalan Army Pursuing Finlay]

It's a good thing your army makes such a racket, and disturbs so much ground. We would hardly have been able to find you otherwise. I have a feeling the bandits think much the same.

By this I mean that we can actually see you now, and we will be joining you shortly.

We have something of a murder mystery afoot. Usually these things are accompanied by mysterious mansions in the woods, or some other contrived way to keep everyone together. Usually these are accompanied by someone in the ground being to blame for the occurrence. Neither of these are the case.

Instead we have a dead hunter who has been lying here for the better part of a day. There's an arrow in his leg. He was carrying a bow and some arrows, but they seems to be ours now. We've determined that he was very drunk when he died. We're not entirely sure if it's bandits or not, but we'll be checking the area just in case.

I hope you all are ready to start drinking. I have a feeling if we don't start soon, the rest of the people in this inn will beat us to it.

[Filter: Franelcrew's Vanguard Expeditionary Force given the task of rescuing Hanalan nobility from kidnappers in the northern reaches of Hanalan]

We have an important decision to be making, and I think we all need to talk about it. As most of you are aware, the Festival of Leaves is coming up soon, and we're all not in a good position to celebrate it right now. We have two choices: We can be in the middle of nowhere, and give each other actual leaves as gifts. We could also be in the middle of a town for a few days, and celebrate the holiday properly.

I am in favor of the latter. Discuss.

[weakly written]

[Filter: Private]

At least it was after my birthday. Dragons, I'm not sure if I can make them go on when I can hardly go on myself. We'll have to take it slow, not that I'll actually say that to them. Dragons.

[Filter: Private]

Ha, it's finally happened. Travel has not only made me miss my anniversary, it is going to make me miss my birthday as well. Such a fine tradition it was as well. Hn.

[Filter: Maeve]

I have an odd question for you.

I would hope this was assumed, but following the realisation that we were on the wrong road from the start we have turned back, and are going as fast as we possibly can to catch up with the Hanalan knights. Given that I have been running the group past our usual break times, we didn't exactly have any time to stop and write along the way. We hope to catch up in time to shake hands with the successful rescuers, and take half the credit for everything while not having actually helped in the least.

We've all agreed that this is a good plan.

[Filter: Daisy]

I suppose now is as good a time as any for a report. Nothing interesting came up on the first day since our departure. Nothing interesting came up on the second day of our departure. Nothing interesting came up on the third day of our departure. From there, it would be easy to tell exactly how well we've been doing since. Here ends the report.

Actually, we think we found a rather promising lead, though it seems to be taking us in two separate directions.

[Filter: The Finlay Hunters: Franelcrew]

I'm so glad all of you are doing your best today. I feel like we can pick up our pace with very little consequence. After all, it was quite a sober evening, and all of you got the proper amount of rest.

Current Mood: btw I still have alcohol

[Filter: Jonathan and Rae]

It does seem about that time for some bad news since we were doing rather well so far. The spell doesn't seem to be sustaining Celeste anymore, and she requires the treatment as soon as possible. We're still roughly a week away, and it would likely kill our horses to double time it to Floran. Especially since Rae can have you there in two or so days, Jonathan.

I'll explain it to the others, but right now time is not exactly on our side. If you could make your preparations as soon as you can, it would be wise.

I hadn't realised how much I missed stewed rhubarb until it was in tonight's meal. What a strange way to remember home. The rhubarb patches you'd find as one of the first edible things up through the ground. When I say this, it only applies to stewed rhubarb you'd find outside of the castle.

Mario could cook many things well. Not this dish in particular unfortunately...

[Filter: Faith]

Are you doing anything on the 29th?

[Filter: Nessa]

How are things back there?

[Filter: Private]

No matter how many times it is said, it is not a feeling that goes away lightly. It is not by any means a feeling I would wish to have, but it is not my choice. It was never my choice. It has never been my choice. I was put with them, for better or for worse. I was set apart with her.

Something should be happening to me, but there has been nothing. All of this waiting...

[Filter: Private]

As bad as this sounds, I'm supposed to be there with her. Dragons, what is happening here? This is an honest question. I know you love hearing those from me, especially given my past ones. It just makes no sense. I felt it pulling at me. I was supposed to go with her. What happened? I'm not the closest person to her heart, but I thought I was closer than Faith and Lawrence have been...

I was ready to support her. I may have been nervous, but you cannot hold that against me. Dragons, was I held back because I flinched? Was it necessary that she face this alone rather than with at least a nervous mentor? I have no idea anymore. I don't know.

I would follow any of them into hell, but this seems worse to me. To be left here knowing my duty is with her... No, not duty. I'm not simply obligated by law. This is a deeper treason.

[Filter: Private]

I suppose this is coming on fast whether I want it to or not. Whatever happens tomorrow night, I should probably stay close to her. Somehow... it seems like this has been coming on for a long time. I have been able to watch it happen to everyone else, and now it's my turn.

I'm not sure I can do anything except help her. Perhaps that is all I will have to do. Somehow I wish we were closer, but... Hmm.

[Filter: Nessa]

Wish me luck for tomorrow.

[Filter: Jace]

There is something that has been bothering me.

[Filter: Private]

It is strange how I always feel like some kind of stepfather where her family is concerned. I am her first husband, but there is always something about her life before we met... I had a life too, but she has worked her way so far inside of it that pulling her out would kill what's left inside. She knows this as well as I do. She'll be with us forever.

Can I even begin to say the same thing? I would give her terrible pain if I was removed. I would never say with any confidence that I could kill everything she knows by leaving though. She would still have Druce. Her daughter's sister. Celeste... I could hurt, but I couldn't kill. I am simply not involved enough in her life outside of this.

My am I morbid tonight.

[Filter: Faith]

Have you found anything?

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