Beginnings - Lancefer

Lance swung his sword hard, connecting to his sparring partner’s shield with a loud clang. Next thing his partner knew, was starring up at the snowy sky above as Lance swept the man’s feet.

“Get up. You can’t tell me you’re done already.” Lance scoffed as he rolled his shoulders about to try an keep the muscles loose.

“Aurifore! Go for a run!” His superior ordered. “Burn off that energy before you come back.”

“Yes sir.” Lance answered back with a salute before sheathing his sword at his side. He would be the first to admit he was restless. Very restless. And edgy. But he had reasons. Reasons he was not willing to explain to his fellow knights.

The last few days had been a whirlwind. Both good and bad. A smile drifted across his lips as he thought of Miu. How long had it been since he had last looked at a woman like he did her? She was sweet an smart. He enjoyed being in her presence. It made him feel warm. Made him feel less alone. Less concerned that his every waking moment was for nothing but duty or protecting his family. Not that he was not concerned about his duty or family. That was far from the truth. He just now had more in his life. A blue haired Miqo’te who made him want to be better. Made him want to try harder. A promise from her to show him more of Eorzea.

If anything he now had more desire to find Tempete again. No not Tempete. The man had left that name behind. He was still confused on the relationship of Oni and Raiden. But he still wished to let Raiden train him. He wanted to be stronger. Needed to be. Especially if last night was any indication of what lay ahead. Regardless if the man was once a Dragoon for Durendaire. He needed Raiden. The other knights he served with… They just weren’t enough. They weren’t serious enough. They weren’t skilled enough. They lacked Raiden’s poweress.

“Lord Chlodebaimt…” Lance whispered the name once before starting off jogging towards Camp Dragonhead. He would jog there before heading back south towards the Observatorium.

Miu and her friend Cio had offered to help him sort through that dreaded place people were calling the ‘Palace of the Dead’ in the South Shroud. But he still felt bad allowing the ladies to accompany him. But… He knew he could not do it alone. Yesterday had been proof enough. The traps… The numerous enemies that never seemed to end. The number of exploding traps he had managed to trip… Plus being transformed into a frog a few times… If it had not been for Miu and Cio he probably would have joined the rumored spirits that wandered that place.

But… He had to know. Had to find out if Chlodebaimt’s spirit truly wandered those haunted halls. If… If he did indeed… Then Lance knew he had to find a way to free the man’s spirit. Help him find peace. He owed Chlodebaimt that much. If it had not been for that man’s sacrifice at Steel Vigil… Lance knew he might not still be alive today. Might not have survived the fall of the Vigil as the enemy razed the place with fire and claws. The sound of wings still bothered him to this day. Still put him on edge. But it would not stop him from repaying the debt the son of House Haillenarte made in giving his life so others might live.

He also had to worry about the safety of Miu and Cio. He would not allow harm to come to them for aiding him in this venture to discover if rumors were true or not. He needed to be stronger to protect Miu. She was… An important light in his life right now. He would do his best or die trying to keep her safe. He had promised her. His sword and shield were hers.

“On my… honor… as a knight… of House… Haillenarte…” The words between each puff of breath as he jogged the path. His promise an vow. The words that drove him forward.

Journal Entry 30 - Destiney

The mission at the end of the week took us down in the Sunken Temple of Qarn. We hoped to find whatever it was that the enemy was after. As well as come up with a way to undo whatever meddling he had done. The aether around the temple felt… Disturbed. Obviously our enemy had a hand in whatever was wrong.

I was assigned to a team with Kagato, Chloe, and Dusk. Together we took one path. The other two teams split off from us to check other areas. Kagato was treasure happy. Why am I not surprised when he is a pirate. The whole mentality of ‘it it can be taken, take it’.

Things went fairly smoothly for us for the most part. Until the room with the large stone golem. The fight got a bit rough. At one point even though it seemed like Kagato had it’s attention, it turned around to smack me. I was totally off guard, focusing on keeping everyone standing an save from major injuries. Thankfully the damage I took was not life threatening. The arm it had hit though was not in the best of shape. I’m pretty sure something was fractured for the amount of pain I was in. I allowed Daisy to tend to my arm as the battle ended. However I stopped her from doing more then healing the fracture. We didn’t have time nor did I want to waste the effort on healing minor injuries.

We pressed in deeper into the temple. I managed to get knocked around again by a Croc. Thankfully it only bruised my back but nothing worse. In the end we arrived at a giant room with the other two teams. There was our masked foe. He tried to steal a jewel from the large statue in the room. However this seemed to wake the damn thing. He fled an left us to deal with it. We defeated the living statue but the gem the enemy was after crumbled to dust along with the rest of the statue. So whatever he wanted to us it for we would not find out. The gem was gone. As was our masked foe.

We returned to the house to deal with injuries. I went off to the medical ward to see what I could do while Aimee was tending to Oni’s injuries. Both Nate and Tara came in to be treated. Rhisi left me to tend to Nate’s broken ribs while she went to see what she could do for Tara’s concussion. I sent Daisy over to help Rhisi while I wrapped Nate’s ribs since he said aetherical healing wouldn’t work on him. An it was better then Daisy fussing over my arm.

I had taken my coat off so that the sleeves wouldn’t be in the way. I could already see how badly my arm was going to look the next day. I wanted to ask Nate why I couldn’t use magic to heal him but I decided he would tell me in time. He did not seem ready to talk about it.

Rhisi came over to check on me as Nate excused himself for the night. Tara had already left an Daisy was back at my side. Daisy was waving her arms in annoyance at the fact I wouldn’t let her finish what she had started earlier. I was too tired to care. Rhisi seemed worried but I promised her it was just bruises. Which was not a lie. I just didn’t mention how tired and sore I felt.

I was late to the All Saints’s Wake party at the house. I had gotten caught up in work as well as I had to modify my outfit. An let Daisy at least heal the bruises on my back. My outfit was a bit too revealing to be walking about sporting so many bruises. I had added sleeves to the outfit to hide the way my left arm looked. Of course Daisy fussed again. I felt a little bad at just blowing it off but I was already late.

The party was quite fun. I teased J’siris a bit. Flirted a bit with Raiden before warning him to stay out of my room. Talked some with a friend of J’siris and Kagato. I figured if I was going to go dressed as a succubus, why not be a little bit wicked. It was for one night anyways. So I acted the part an tried not to be as embarrassed as I would have been normally to be in such an outfit.

I ran into Leera at the end of week gathering at Bronze Lake. We talked for a few before I reminded him I had invited him before. Back before I had learned the truth about him. I don’t hate him. I sort of miss the easy interactions I had with him before that night in the South Shroud. Like that night at the house with Capucine. I wanted to talk to him more then too. Something about Leera… I’m not sure what it is… So I tried to talk to Felix an ask him to just try an ignore Leera’s presence… Yeah that went wonderfully. Felix left in a huff.

Nate was talking to Rhisi when I turned around. I heard her mentioning to Nate he should check with his healer about being in the water. I think he was a bit surprised to find me standing to his right when I spoke up with my opinion. So I joined Nate in the water. We could both use a good soak in the hot springs. When we both started to get tired we returned to the house so that I could change his bandages for dry ones.

I went out to the South Shroud for work the next day. I ended up missing dinner. But it was well worth it. I think I made a new friend.

I was over towards the entrance of the Keep. I had offered my services to a friend of my father’s in the Gods’ Quiver. I came across a man. A Duskwight. At first I thought he might be a bandit. He mistook me for a Gods’ Quiver because I was wearing my half mask I tend to use when I patrol in the Shroud.

It was when he drew closer that I thought I was seeing a ghost. I felt my chest tighten. My head felt light. I was afraid I might pass out. Leon… I thought I was seeing him. I know he’s dead but… I should know better. Should know it couldn’t be him.

I think I worried Basteaux a little with my reaction at first sight of him up close. So I told him of Leon. An how they looked similar from first glance. But really looking at Basteaux I realized they are not the same. The skin tone was wrong as was the scars on the face. He was missing that golden tattoo on his face. They both have blonde hair and green eyes though the shades are not the same either. No wonder I mistook him for Leon. They even wore their hair in about the same way.

I talked for a bit with Basteaux until I had to leave. I asked him if I could meet him again. Maybe over drinks at Busacroon’s. He agreed. I’m interested in talking to him. He patrols the South Shroud dealing with bandits on his own because he feels the Wailers and Quiver don’t do a good enough job. I hope I can meet him again.

Two days later I was sitting outside the house reading. Daisy was hovering over my shoulder. Maybe reading. I’m not sure if she knows how. Nate stopped by the house. It was once he was talking that I realized that Oni was sitting on the wall nearby. Being a creeper. I have no idea how long he had been sitting there. Watching. Waiting.

The three of us talked for a bit. Oni was mentioning something about smelling a certain type of aether. Daisy was busy amusing herself. She had first gone over to Nate an waved to him, examining him before I reminded her we couldn’t heal his ribs. So Daisy then began wandering over towards Oni. I was talking to Nate so I wasn’t fully paying attention to Daisy. Oni had held his hand out to her and she sat down on it. She thought she was safe. Should have been safe… If Oni wasn’t hungry…

Before I knew it Oni was trying to eat Daisy… I smacked him over the head with the book I had been reading when he didn’t spit her out when I demanded him to. I might have smacked him a bit harder then intended but I was panicking about Daisy. He did spit her out. Strings of blue saliva dripping from her as she sat upon the ground. Daisy was totally not happy. I scolded Oni, reminding him that I had no idea the effects if he ate Daisy. I had no idea if I would be able to resummon her again or if the bond would be broken. So instead I concentrated an made a ball of aether for him to snack on. I’m sure it wasn’t enough but it would have to do. Of course then there was talk of him licking Nate.

Some days I worry about Oni. Other days he seems so normal.

Well I need to get some work done before tonight’s mission.

Journal Entry 29 - Destiney

I was running late for the gathering at Forgotten Springs. I took far too long fussing with that silk. I really should not make bets while drinking. Felix finally decided this week would be the time for me to wear it. So thankfully by the time I arrived most people were busy talking to other people already. I was not sure how the silk an water would mix so I took a seat on the dock.

Konner came over to talk to me for a little while. It was mostly just small talk. Asking me how I was an such. A few things of what I enjoyed. I think mostly making sure I was doing alright. I appreciate the concern. Eventually Konner wandered off to check on other people at the gathering or something. I can not recall.

Eventually Nate finished his conversation with Neiven and came up to sit beside me. He commented on how I looked. I could not help but fuss with the silk an blush like some stupid maiden. Ugh. How is it I can think an behave two different ways? I mean I know I have the figure for the outfit but I still felt like… Like this outfit was something Leon would have enjoyed making me wear. I wanted to hide my burning face.

Raiden did not help matters any. Not. One. Bit. PEST! Oni was busy with Aimee and Felix but that did not stop Raiden in his aether form from pestering me. I do not think Nate could see him. An Raiden was being far too touchy feely. He kept trying to get a view under that silk. When I tried to thwart him, he just perched on Nate’s shoulder an looked down at my chest… Pervert…

Dinner came and went. It was a hotpot dinner? I think that is what Rhisi called it. It was a quiet night though. Raiden made no moves despite me wearing that outfit again. Thank the Twelve. I spent most of the dinner making small talk with Nate. We did not have any guests for a change.

Our mid-week mission… Wow…

We went out to the Churning Mists to collect stuff from Wind Sprites in the area. Rhisi hoped we could find a way to counter whatever was done to the golems using them. Since in the elemental wheel Earth is weak to Wind. So out we went.

Of course things did not go entirely smooth as usual. Dragons and all. An not the friendly kind. Remnants of Nidhogg’s Brood probably. I can not say for sure since I was not going to try asking an angry dragon why it was attacking us. Though we did manage to collect enough to work with plus one extra. Just in case. Hopefully it will be enough to reverse the tampering that was done.

We encountered a strange treasure coffer in the middle of the road as we finished. Of course it was trapped. Why not. We subdued the monsters lured by the trap only for a portal to appear. A few of the group were unsure about seeing where it lead. Rhisi has said she had heard mention of these portals before. Some place called the Aquapolis. So we ventured inside. It was a fascinating area I wish I could have explored more.

We found a treasure coffer in the middle of a spacious room. Of course it was trapped. A coffer in the middle of a room untouched. Definitely trapped. Two gates opened an we dealt with the monsters the trap had unleashed upon us. It left us with two choices. Left or Right. Two doors. No idea if either was trapped or not. We tried going left but it was the trapped door of course. So much for that. The trap threw us back out into the Churning Mists. Rhisi called an end to our adventures for one night, assigning Quarcy to help me figure out a way to reverse the tampering.

We returned to the house. I went to my room to change back into the silks of the thavnarian outfit. Well at to drop off the stuff we gathered tonight as well. I went back out to see if I could find Quarcy. He had gotten sick while we were in the Churning Mists. I could tell the signs. I knew them all too well. Something was bothering him. Something as bad as my own memories of Castrum Occidens. I wanted to make sure he was okay.

I found Quarcy hiding in a corner. I asked him if he was okay an he deflected the question trying to assure me he was okay. I sort of expected that answer. I put a hand against his head, his skin was so cold. I tried again to ask him about his current state only to give up an attempt to let it go at that. So I suggested we could begin our work on those cores. I figured maybe instead I could at least take his mind off things.

Well maybe. I decided to kindly mention once we were in the privacy of my room that I knew the way he felt. I knew how badly a traumatic moment could shake a person when returning to the place or something similar. Our conversation got to be a bit jumbled between the discussion of the cores and what was bothering him. He slowly began to open up. Asking me if things ever got better. I told him I was still dealing with my own problems but time an the people I care about having given me the strength to keep pushing. To find a path in the right direction. Healing is no overnight process. An for everyone it is different.

He asked me to go with him. He wanted to show me something. Since we were making no process on the cores I agreed. He was too distracted to work an I wanted to know. I wanted to be there for him. Even if listening an sympathizing with him was the only thing I could do. Sometimes it helps just to know there is someone who cares.

He could have at least warned me we were going somewhere extremely cold so I could have put on my gear instead of that soft silk. I was freezing when he teleported us to Falcon’s Reach. Thankfully I had my grabbed my bag so I could throw on my coat, boots, and gloves. At least now I wouldn’t completely freeze as he showed me what he wanted to show me.

The Orphanage and the graves of those he had lost in Coerthas. Mabs’ grave at the Burning Wall. He opened up to me on the reasons Churning Mist brings back such bad memories and made him ill. An gave me more reason to dislike House Dzemael other then some of my family in Ishgard serving them. I was glad he opened up to me and shared some of his pain. I feel like I am beginning to understand Quarcy a bit better. An I tried to make him think of himself as more important then he believes. He is such a smart guy an a good person. No matter what he has suffered. He should not feel like he is worthless or has no real place.

We returned to the house after. However it was late an I needed rest. The cores could wait. Helping Quarcy was more important. I was glad to see him doing better.

I seem to be doing a good bit of that lately. First with Nate and then with Quarcy. I guess my own stupidity choices helped with something. I’m learning how to help others who have also had something pretty bad happen. In a way I guess it is a good thing. I am a healer after all. Who is to say I can’t help with the mental besides just the physical.

I was too tired to change my clothes. So I fell asleep in the silk thavnarian clothes. The next morning… By the Twelve… Raiden!

I thought something felt off. I was drowsy from being up so late. But something woke me from slumber. I blinked with eyes not quite adjusted to the morning light. I looked down at my legs where something felt off. I screamed an scrambled to get away. Raiden! Freaking me out that early in the morning. Seeing a big fat tentacle of aether just draped over my legs… Just sprawled there… Like it was no big deal… I hope no one else heard my screams. Both my screams of panic before I realized what was going on an the screams at Raiden as I kicked him out of my room. The nerve of him! Twelve save me… He better pray to Halone to protect him if he tries anything like that again. I am pretty sure my face was as red as it could possibly be. Just what in the world had he done while I was sleeping?! Pervert!

Beaten and Bruised - Lancefer

Waking up the next day was hell. Lance did not want to leave that borrowed bed in the guest room at the Order’s house. Everything hurt. Mostly just aches. The worst of the injuries had been handled with the elixir Raiden had given him from the medical ward. Though he had somewhat lied to Raiden that nothing was broken. He knew the bone in his lower left arm had fractured from that blow he had foolishly tried to block with his shield gone. As well as at least one rib had broken. Every breath had been like fire after it had happened. But pride made him brush it off as minor.

He was still unsure why he even agreed to come back here with Raiden. He looked around the room to find where he had dropped his armor the night before falling into bed exhausted. The one gauntlet was heavily damaged from his foolish maneuver. The chainmail would need fixed on the right arm. An of course there was a tear on the left leg of his pants. His favorite damned pants… Plus he would have to replace his sword and hope to either find his forgotten shield or replace it as well. Maybe he was really touched in the head after that fight. The only thing undamaged was his greaves. It was at least one small mercy.

Of course there was also the heavy bruises on his torso and left arm. There was no way he could have returned last night. He poked softly at the bruises on my side with a grimace. The elixir had definitely helped but he still looked like someone had beaten the hell out of him. This would definitely had raised numerous questions had he gone home. None of which he could honestly answer. Not if he wished to keep his cousin from harm.

He had fought the purple-eyed aevis an lived. Granted he had totally lost completely. He had never even stood a chance. He realized it the moment Raiden had decided to show him his true strength. Lance laughed wryly. He had been foolish to think he could kill Raiden. An yet… Even though Raiden knew Lance was trying to kill him… He had still shown mercy when Lance was beaten. To think he had survived the terrible night of Steel Vigil’s fall only to encounter a ghost of the past an face him down in a fight. Just to lose. Lance leaned back against the wall with a sigh.

It was going to be a long day… He pushed off that wall finally an left the Order of the Sword and Rose behind. His mind still drifting between Raiden and his cousin. To think she spent time around such a man. He just hoped Raiden’s dark past would not drag her down. He would continue to do his best to keep the hounds from finding the truth. She was family an he would not let her suffer for an old man who was too foolish to see beyond outdated thinking. Ha. As if he was one to talk as he shook his head. He had thought what he was doing was right. Maybe he had needed sense beat into him. Challenging Raiden had gone from wanting to kill the man to a competition between A Bell and A Rose.

He was conflicted. However we still went about securing repairs to his armor and replacing what needed replaced. His new sword was not the same as the old but it would work. Better then trying to wield or repair the one he had shattered last night in his fight. Thankfully no one would see the bruises once he was dressed in armor once more. The chainmail covered all them. Now he could at least head to Skyfire Locks to report for duty later in the day. No one would know any better that he, a Hallienarte Knight, had been bested by a former Durendaire Dragoon. Not that he could even begin to explain things to anyone. Better left between him and Raiden. He was even still confused on how Raiden was even still alive.

He paused an took a deep breath of that frigid Coerthas air as he arrived at Camp Dragonhead. One glance towards the office where Haurchefant had once been. He had never known the man personally. He wished he could have. That was two honorable knights now that had died, sacrificing themselves for the greater good. War was never pretty. He was glad Ishgard was slowly moving on past the war. His feet crunched through the snow as he walked south towards his post. He would have all evening to dwell on thoughts.

A grin crossed his lips. Maybe he should keep touch with Raiden. Foolish as the idea was. Keep tabs on the man an his cousin at the same time. As well as maybe get some much needed work on his sword skill. He had felt truly alive in that fight the night before. No one had given him quite the challenge Raiden had. Not since he had been a fresh faced novice at Steel Vigil. As much as part of him hated the idea of even thinking that way of someone who had once been tried as a heretic… Maybe it was a way to help make a difference for Hallienarte. To be as noble an tough as Lord Chlodebaimt. Ishgard was changing. Why couldn’t he? A laugh escaped him as he shook his head at the thought. One step at a time.

Journal Entry 28 - Destiney

The beach night was at Costa this week. It was not a bad night. Nor was it overly memorable. Well not as much compared to some of the others things that happened this past week.

I spent the night talking with Nate and Chloe mainly. Though Oni left a note with me before he left. Saying we needed to speak so I could give my report on the work Tara an I were supposed to have done. I put the note away and continued to converse with people present. I would worry about it later. The reports had waited this long anyways.

It was at dinner the next night that Oni decided it was a good time to pull me aside for those reports. I left Nate to speak with Rhisi about joining us for some work. We headed off to my room where I left my papers an the armband I needed to give to Oni.

I gave him my report. An gods be damned if I did not feel like I had somehow kicked a small cute creature after Oni had left. He was… So quiet. So unlike himself. Well unlike what I had grown used to knowing. I felt like I had surely done something bad. I returned to join those that remained at the table. Oni’s silence was unnerving at the very least. I wanted to scream an demand to know what I had done. All I had done was give my report as he had asked.

I had promised Nate a reading after dinner. Most of the others had wandered off for the night. An I needed a distraction from the fact that Oni was behaving like that. So we headed downstairs so I could use the table down there for the reading. The table that was setup for Triad was a good place to work with the cards. It all started out well as I used the Trinity spread. It was not until the third an final card that I became worried. It was a warning of sorts. At least from the way I was interpreting the meanings. I am still learning after all. It called for vigilance. That some quest ahead would be dangerous for him. I hoped the warning was not needed. But I asked Nate to promise me he would be careful an ask for my help if he needed it.

I was busy most of the next day with work of my own. Well most of the day. I might have set outside of the yard hiding behind the fence later that evening. Aimee and Oni were in the yard. As was Tara who had just gotten back home from helping her family with the harvest. I was sort of snooping, still curious what was going on with Oni an not wanting to outright confront him. Eventually Nate arrived an nearly gave away my position. Thankfully though Oni left with Aimee and Quarcy to head to Ishgard. They were off to investigate some leads.

I joined Chee for a short while before the mid-week mission. We did a little catching up on the things that had been happening in our lives. We enjoyed some drinks for a Lady’s Night at the Last Bell. Sadly too soon I had to say goodnight to Chee. Rhisi had given us the call to begin heading to the house for the mission.

Our next mission was back out in Southern Thanalan again. Nate joined us as a guest. Apparently there were more shepherds then the one we helped. We were looking for something to help remove petrification. Hopefully it would be something more effective then Dusk an my attempt before. That was a bit too much for two people to have to do repeatedly. We found something worth trying an took it back to the two groups, one of shepherds an one of sheep. I still do not understand why these silly shepherds even decided it was a good idea to try an do what they do in Southern Thanalan of all places.

My mind was on anything but the mission of course. Between Oni’s behavior and the reading I did for Nate. I felt like I was ready to jump at every shadow. I was worried something could happen. Worried out reaper friend would choose to attack again. I excused myself early from the half of the team I was working with. My mind was just not focused. I returned to the house.

Raiden was there. As well as Rhisi, Konner, and a guest. I hated asked Raiden for a moment of his time with a guest present but I really needed to at least get something off my mind. I asked him an we went to my room to speak privately. Of course he had to bring a cake with him which he decided to snack on.

I finally asked Raiden to tell me what I did to Oni. I -needed- to know. It was driving me mad. Apparently Oni thought I no longer wished to be his friend based on my behavior towards him. I was… Mad. Confused. Frustrated. Never once did I want to hate Oni. Oni is… different and frustrating. But I could never really hate him. Even if he says things he did not clearly mean. I assumed his words meant one thing when they meant something else. To be honest his words were not exactly clear either. Raiden does not think we need to apologize to each other though. I guess I need to work on my people skills…

Though I did steal a slice of that cake from Raiden’s hand towards the end of our conversation. I could no longer resist the temptation he was holding. Of course then I made a comment that he probably enjoyed me making Oni into a mummy. Which lead to him making a comment of … No I am not writing those words. I thought for sure I might melt alone hearing that comment. I bid him goodnight an pushed him towards the door before he could add more comments of that type.

I was late coming home the next night. I had a bit of work to do. I arrived to quite the mess. Chocolate spatters, shirtless men, and a partially damaged cake dragon. Apparently it was Raiden’s nameday. An I did not know so I did not have a gift for him.

Somehow the conversation lead to my lost bet to Felix. Great. Now Raiden knows. Let the endless harassment begin. Eventually a guest arrived. She commented on Raiden and I. It is not a courtship ritual! Raiden and I are not like that… I don’t think we are… I think he just enjoys leaving me flustered and blushing. Then Raiden just had to lean in an add something to me privately. Twelve save me… He made the comment from the night before worse… I wished I could just disappear.

I used the chance of Raiden being distracted by Anais to disappear up the stairs. I needed a drink. Badly. Nate was up there at the bar an I had almost totally missed the fact he was there because of the addled state I was in. We spoke for a bit. He finally opened up to me a bit. I was happy to listen, to understand him better. We’ve both lost people. We both don’t want to lose anyone else. I think together we can make sure not to let that happen. Not alone. That is one of the things I always hear repeated among those of this company. Not Alone. None of us here are ever truly alone. Not as long as we have each other.

Not alone. It’s been a long time since I could ever truly appreciate those words. Being here.. Among those of the Order… It’s been a much needed balm. My friends of ‘The Outsiders’ gave me purpose an the needed push to keep moving forward. The Order has given me what I’ve long needed to begin to truly heal. I wanted to hold Nate’s hand an never let go. He has become such a precious friend to me. Just as the rest of the Order. I won’t let anything happen. Not to any of them. No matter how frustrating and confusing they can be at times. They are my family.

Anyways! Our mission last evening took us back out to Southern Thanalan again. More dealings with the shepherds and looking for answers on what was going on. Apparently the golems were not behaving properly over towards Qarn. Half the team went to check with the nearby beast tribe. I was with the other half dealing with the golems. We gathered up golem cores to try an figure out what was going on with them when Dusk’s attempt to reason with them went unheeded. I brought samples with us back to the house. The aether of the area was too turbulent to be able to figure anything out from there. But it sounds like we will soon be making a trip down into Qarn.