3. Then and Now

Then and Now

  • S

    _By Helm, it has been many an evening since I have written in this book, however, tis good news I write as the path to become a Watchknight becomes clearer. Aft so long, waiting, watching, and following the eddicts of my God, that each step is being defined by the the people I meet. I know Helm watches over me as he leads me from one person to another bringing me closer to the goal. As advised, I have spoken to the knight I was directed to and found out much information about the next step to take. My training should start soon once I find the next one I am to speak to. When I awaken, I am excited, thinking will this be the day? I am admittedly apprehensive and a little nervous. I admire the one I am to learn from and I do not wish to dishonor Helm by failing in the training. I shall do all nessessary to complete what is requested of me. I pray vigilantly that Helm will continue to watch over me and give me strength throughout to stand strong for him.

    {ink swirls ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}

    I have recently received a note from my songstress. I wonder if she knows this is what I call her? SHE IS WELL and she wishes to see me! I have looked for her though I have yet to find her. The tune she hummed the first evening we met and the sound of her voice stays with me even when I can not sleep at night and tis calming. I left another note for her with a good friend. I know he can be trusted to see that she gets it. I hope to hear from her again soon as I do not know what the training will entail or if I shall be able to see her during or will need to wait until the training is complete. I do hope to spend even a little time with her. I have missed her. {little drawings of suns, halfmoons, and stars}

    {ink swirls~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}

    I have a new friend as well. A follower of Helm and now a recruit in the Legion. I met her in Norwick. As I did my patrols and helped others I noticed her sitting near the fire. No one spoke to her and she spoke to no one. Aft a few hours, I decided to rest and eat and began talking to her only to find she could not speak common. To my surprise she did not know any language except a little shou. I remembered how miss Sara first communicated with me and began doing the same and aft a week she was able to speak basic common words. She is a boxer and a very good one, besting me more than once. She seems to have an understanding about her that is beyond mine and prides herself on learning as much as she can. She was knighted and so happy when she told me about it. She pointed at me, seemingly as if she knew of my aspirations to be a knight and then proudly pointed to herself saying the word "Knight" Some setbacks have befallen her though she is strong willed and faces each challenge head on. Tis much like having a sidekick when I travel and I only hope that I can help her to learn her path as others have helped me to find mine.

    Tis patrol time and I must go {ink trails off}_

  • S

    _I must rest. I could not believe what I saw when I came to town. Radriel was there. aft almost a year. I walk into Norwick and she is sitting at the fire. my questions many, her answers short. her eyes empty of the kindness and laughter I once saw in them, replaced by a prominent scar stretching from her cheek to her neck.

    is it wrong to care? is it wrong to offer help. she slapped me when I told her it mattered to me what had happened. she is a cold different person. I had hoped we would sit and talk. That she would tell me what happened. She did but was vauge. talking about making attonement for her past. What could turn her so cold? she seems more an enemy than a friend now.

    I hope her heart has found peace from her past. I hope Helm watches over her. I hope I have a chance to speak with her, though I doubt it shall happen.

    I must get a party together and deliver supplies to Jerrick and the other druids._

  • S

    _The night is quiet and tis raining again. I would think that floods would start though the land seems to drink it up as I do water aft a hard fought battle. I continue to train with the new bastard sword and it feels more sure in my hand each and every day. General Lyte says I am getting better and I still read through my manual to make certain I am proceeding as I should when we go out on patrols.

    I am tired of seeing the fallen soldiers of Jiyyd laying in the plains left to rot. I found one just past the treeline south of the archers and the poor soul I found had almost made it home. It seemed he fought to his dying breath taking one of the scavengers with him. I pulled the shortsword from his gut and carried him back leaving him in the capable hands of miss Just'ene to be buried. What else could I do?

    I went off hunting for food aft as I was hungry and realized I had not done so since taking the supplies to Jerrick in the south east Rawlins wood.

    Speaking of Jerrick, it was good to see him. He seems dulled in spirit but had a smile for me and my companions. twas quite a sight to see him sitting there speaking with a demon, one with great power in fact. I knew I would die if I attacked so thought it better to listen and watch, assessing as I had been taught. He is an odd demon. quite jovial and bored it seemed as well as not to bright. I believe he tried to taunt me with a joke though I did not understand his meaning. Then he tempted me to attack and when he raised his backside to me I leaned forward and poked it with an old rusty dagger and stepped back. He found that laughable?? quite an odd demon. Though one I hope not to see again soon.

    {ink swirls}I have to deliver the information to him though it is possible he already received it {ink swirls}

    I must also be careful with the task I am undertaking. I have spoken to the only one that would understand, the only one I felt I could trust. I have also been given good direction and advice. With Helm's help all will go well.

    {ink swirls}

    I wonder, in the quiet of night, where she has gone. if she is well. what stories of her journies she has for me. to see her soft smile and feel her warm hug would bring me the greatest of pleasure. I do hope she is safe. I listen for her as I travel hoping to hear her singing or reciting poetry. my insides warm when she is around me and though I do not quite understand why, I do like the sensation.

    I miss you {ink swirls} I miss you {ink swirls} I miss you_

  • S

    _{book lay open to next page}

    what does it all mean?

    a meeting by chance, a good hunt, a common understanding. converation, the tending of wounds, a warm embrace. a look of sorrow, not pity and the tone of concern. a word of warning, threatening, jovial, caring. a casual meeting aside the fire, green, a short walk, a long walk, more details more comfort more eagerness to share.

    Soft and mysterious, strong willed and thoughtful, alert and protective, careful and caring and all I wish to do is learn more._

  • S

    A book lays open in the room Calen lives in at the Royal Inn in Jiyyd:

    _I traveled back to Jiyyd, weakened, not the triumphant warrior of Helm I had hoped to be when I returned to tell Sigmund the tales of the past weeks. I enjoy the story time that Sigmund and I share and the lessons I learn from it. Sigmund repeats himself constantly, but I know it is for my own good and it makes me smile because he reminds me of the old man that taught me about humans, from a human point of view, and how to speak correctly in common.

    That seems like a lifetime ago, now.

    We prayed and I began to feel better. I remember the encouragements of the people I respect and Sigmunds calm demeanor helps as well.

    We sit in a private room of the Temple of Helm and I tell Sigmund of the wonders I have seen and felt. The power of Torms healing, the strength and blessings that tickle from Chauntea. The friendship, strength, and honor I have found in the people I have chosen to call friends. I even showed Sigmund the new language, though only two words, that I am slowly learning. Sigmund even smiled when he hears of me losing my hearing for a short time in the Legion Hall when I was shown an invention.

    "Now on to what troubles you young warrior?", Sigmund says matter of factly. I give him a sad look and sigh before pulling my thoughts together and then speaking.

    I told him of the battle in the cave and of the two that rushed ahead. How I waited for the rest of the party before proceeding only after hearing the crys of battle ahead of me. I watched as I ran and saw nothing, but, that is what I was supposed to see. How we were unprepared and of my
    disappointment in myself for not stopping and the conflict between that and of feeling responsible for helping to protect those in the party.

    "Twas a trap, they were forming behind us and everyone that had entered was focused on the first contacted enemy, including me".

    How I had fallen and was helped, only to see the attack from behind start and call out and warn the others before I was felled again, this time for certain. How my mind was tormented and teased by this creature that chased me through the nothingness and how I had heard the voice once again calling out to me mocking Helm and trying to tempt me to turn against a god that does not listen to prayers. I continued on speaking about my embarassment over the conversation near the fire of Norwick, when I chastised another for making statements about my faith they had no right to make.

    Sigmund, seeing the turmoil in me, stops me with a strong but caring hand to my shoulder. His words follow. "The path you follow is hard. Do not be discouraged by the ignorance of knowledge in your Lord by others nor let it anger you, for you will be given times to share your knowledge with them. Ever watchful and ever vigilant. Your path is a bright one young warrior, though at times I know you can not see it. Perhaps your example will even bring them to the light to follow Helm themselves.

    The old man rises and pats me on the back telling me I need rest. He is right. He tells me we will talk more tomorrow._

  • S

    _plaything, toy, the laughter and pain in soul, did she make it through, were ok?

    I had to jump in the way.

    the fatal blow a hot sensation begining in my head and corsing through my veins. blackout, then the she devil. taunting me. offering me return for my soul. I shake my head. no no no I say over and over and walk away.

    why did they rush without regard to the group.

    Lord Helm I shant let it happen again. I will speak my mind, be heard, and leave if nessesary. I shant be unprepared. Helm forgive me for my rashness. I accept that there shall be times when I give my life for another.

    more training needed. How to explain common sense?

    I must rest now. so weak. so tired. perhaps…. {ink smudge}_

  • S

    _standing, package at feet, what to think, what to do, look, no, yes, no, elven kid curiosity wins and with a nod the package is open. instructions coming into his head, still in shock, remember it all, a gift, big smile, a gift from the plane of the Triad.

    need training, need to learn, slip and fall, try again, walk walk, slip and fall, try again, concentrate, walk walk, good, walk walk, good, need to get used to. Big smile, another trip to Peltarch in order, good good, need a bag to carry the heavier things in.

    only smile, then the thought, green and another smile._

  • S

    _I need to clear up the whole Alice situation with her. she needs to know the truth. Still no word from Radriel, so the words in my letter go unanswered. she said she never would but she did. After weeks, no months, of no word I understand.

    even with all of that

    green, all I keep seeing is green. when I close my eyes, when I glance around. the dress was lovely, the woman lovely in it and her smile. Even as injured as I was, twas as if the pain just dissappeared. she wants me to not be formal but I know no other way so I slip calling her miss still, but I am working on it. {swirls on the paper}

    she loved the gifts and my heart, I am sure, showed on my face. I hope she has found the note I left in her bag. Drudo asked me what the heck is going on with me and all I could say was

    green._

  • S

    _{yawn blink stretch blink} the day is quiet and he rises from the first full nights sleep he has had in a month. He thinks about the dreams he continues to have. He thinks about the herbs and of the kindness and strength in the woman that gave them to him. laughing a little he tells himself he must let her know he is, at least, sleeping through the night. He gathers his armor and weapons and marches off to the temple to training. As he walks through the inn, Drudo comments on his appearance asking what is different and he just gives a little laugh.

    The Watchknights not on duty offer assistance with his swing and stance giving him suggestions and advice concerning different foes. The cleric Sigmund then takes him into another room and listens as he recites the eddicts, correcting him when he is wrong and praising him with a smile when he is right.

    Time has come to leave once again and take care of his duties as a Legionaire. He gathers his gear once again and thanks the Cleric for all his help, leaves an offering of gold at the alter, then heads out into Jiyyd._

  • S

    _Temple of Helm, a tired halfelf has been praying for days. to look in his eyes means to see the strength in him that has been renewed.

    He is steadily attended to by the Cleric Sigmund while his prayers continure.

    "here I am Lord Helm. on my knees, your relic upon the alter as instructed. tell me your bidding, show me your path. Thank you for your many blessings and for your direction to whom I should follow and learn from. you see not elf or man in me, but me, Calen your servant. may I continue to please you and be vigilant in my persuit of becoming your Watchknight.

    Watch over these lands and the people in them that they may be strong and stand well against their enemies. "

    Sigmund lays a hand on the young mans shoulder and he rises, then is lead off to one of the rooms to rest and sleep. he is told he has done well then swallows some herbs and feels the familiar calm they give him, then he falls off to sleep_

  • S

    _what have I done?

    Central Plains, a regular patrol, no problems, no bandits, no bugs. the sound of birds, clear sky, calm. Twas as if the lands where being healed by the Gods. Reminding me of my dreams. Exactly like my dreams.

    I walked, looking around, there was no threat. the cave was normally empty, except for an occasional bandit or bug. Not this time. something was wrong and I was not quick enough to escape. the darkness was thick and surrounded me, then a shock and I could not move. the spiders came from the darkness larger than two men and angry. the noise they made filled my ears and I could not move. Reach the light, just fall back into the light, nothing, my feet would not move. and a low emotionless laughing voice. "you were warned". then silence.

    A bright light and I am on my knees clothed in nothing but a robe. Not able to move my legs I lay my forehead on the ground as a cloud forms around me and a sharp toned voice. "Ever watchful means always. Stand, Watch, Wait, means taking time to assess. Your patrols are watched and you do well in assuring others protection, but not of your own, especially not this day. As penence, you will not have the gifts I gave you until you have proven yourself and have earned them again. My servant Sigmund has been told, as have others. Now return and be the knight in your heart the one I called upon in the forrest so long ago. Someone awaits you though they do not know it yet. silence._

  • S

    _after patrols through the last few days days he returns to Jiyyd and his room, he lays down and and consumes the last of herbs given him. Once again the dream surfaces in his mind though the pleasant parts get bigger and bigger and he isnt feeling as tired when he rises.

    standing in the cool morning air he looks around from the Temple tower enjoying the peace and quiet of Jiyyd. {nod firmly making decision and enters the temple when the sun rises over the horizon}_

  • S

    _{heavy eyes watch the fire dance. the conversation still fresh in mind. the herbs in hand. mix the herbs in the water and drink quickly to avoid taste. then a sigh. anyone watching him would think he was troubled but he is surprisingly calm and at peace. he writes, looking up from time to time, to the blazing flame in the inn. lean back eyes heavier. large deep yawn slow rise then up the stairs to a room dropping a few coin on the desk on the way. }

    {mumbled} e> sleep finally. {smile thinking about the conversation}

    {the bed calls in the quiet room and he lays down hopeful of a quiet slumber. over the next few days his dreams are of a peaceful sleep. warm sun and gentle breeze. looking down on his armor placing a hand on the symbol of the gauntlet with an eye in the center. a smile.he knows he is dreaming and his body rests finally. faces of friends pass. the calm sweet and enjoyable. close eyes feeling sun on face. then cool breeze. opens eyes expecting bright blue sky and there is none. dark cloud cover. and the voice}

    c> {laugh } not finished fool
    e> I am a warrior of Helm.
    c> {laugh} Not finished with you weakling
    e> you have no power over me.
    c> yet
    e> I stand vigilant!!
    {silence. clouds clear. sun shines warm again}

    eyes open. no fear. no trembling. only strength. {nod and kneel, he prays} your servant thanks you Helm, thank you Torm._

  • S

    _Helm has blessed me! I have been given gifts from him that Sir Sigmund stated I needed to understand and learn more of before using them. He is wise and has much patience by letting me practice in the temple and sometimes on him to make sure I am using the gifts correctly. Sigmund came to me and sent me on a quest to return with the bones from four undead creatures using my new talent on each.

    I have completed the quest he sent me on and returned the bones of the slain undead. I placed them and my holy symbol of Helm on the alter and then kneeled and prayed as instructed. With my eyes closed thanking Helm, I heard Sigmund praying outloud and then felt a touch on my head. the thoughts in my head cleared and I felt the words "Well Done" through my entire body. when I looked up all that was left was my holy symbol on the alter and Sigmund told me to take it. Then he explained that because I proved myself in the quest Helm had granted me the ability to scare the undead with his power and strength but that I should be careful and watch for when it was most needed. Not to let the gift be my only defense and that I should continue to train and follow Helms eddicts.

    The dreams still haunt me and I am tired, so tired. Helm will watch over and I pray for his strength. Kyoko is dead, the answers I seek gone with her. The message from Torm strong in my mind. Helms gifts growing. I will find a way to talk with the one who can help as suggested.

    Perhaps I can sleep tonight…............................................._

  • S

    _evil eyes. kind then peircing. the calm voice, soothing. then the pain. can not see coming. can not get away. air thick. heaviness I feel it.a tender caring touch,

    c>please stop! scream through pain, no voice, no words - panic-
    e>why? not strong enough? missed it? how could…......
    c> know u, know u? voice crackle from dryness.

    sleep invaded dreams, no escape. then thoughts gone; Like a whisper only heard for a moment but not clearly. faces - who did this? answer - sorrow and honesty - not sure.

    Dis-belief, betrayal, pain, anger, healing with renewed faith, prayer, duty, peace, and love. the strong and guiding hand and voice, a tender touch, a consoling hug, the priestess, her knight by her side, the touch of a god. the quiet friend and his comforting words, the shock of some, the disbelief of others. To look her in the face, eyes to eyes, no cringe or wince. Can not wait.

    open eyes, alone {kneels} Thanks be to Helm for his watchful eye and to Torm for his grace in healing and words._

  • S

    _then,

    in rags, the severely beaten and injured legionaire, Calen, was seen being lead by the hand, like a child, to Jiyyd by another Legionaire, Benji. the halfelf did not seem his alert and strong self as they were seen walking through the the Jiyyd west gate. Basha, of the Watch, shed a tear, and Vroka the healer was shocked when she saw his wounds. Benji made sure Calen was taken care of and then was seen leaving the healers grumbling about something, as Calen falls asleep.

    I am here. why can I not tell him? my head still pounds and nothing Vroka does helps. but she is so kind.

    c>you know it is not over. you know they will find you.
    e> stop it. I am free now, free and safe.
    c>you just have to be careful. very careful.
    e> why wont you just let me sleep. we are safe now
    c> not yet. Not until all is settled with Alice…....

    {well made glove smashing into his face, hearing inside his head the bones crunch. the pain -punch-. i must endure. -slap punch- i can not see. the light from -punch- the flames} open eye, calming to her touch and feeling her care for him. Radriel... fall off to sleep again.

    Now,

    still dark -punch slap- "speak common, you know I can not understand you" -slap punch- {do not forget, obey her commands, face bones can not hold much longer} "yes M'am"
    BRIGHT LIGHT floating. silver blue clouds. free. no darkness. no pain. distant cloud forms shape. smile watching it relaxing. cloud moves quick turning dark, form face woman scarred}

    "not done with you"

    eyes open._

  • K

    _After Eldoih´s last meeting with Calen he had wonder what really was going on…

    Calen had been slayed by a gang of bandits after defending a Half-Orc and when Eldoih returned to the Temple of Helm to pray for his brother, he prayed that Helm would guard and watch over Calen´s soul. what happened the next seconds could not be explained, Eldoih where so focused and concentrated in his praying, When he opened his eyes he could see his brother Calen laying on the floor before him.

    After helping Calen up and tried to talk to him he notice that Calen only spoke in elvish, with was strange because Calen normally spoke the language of humans. Eldoih asked Calen about this and found out that Calen didn´t even know he spoke elvish.

    They whet to the Inn to talk about what had happen to Calen for a while, After a few hour´s did Eldoih leave Calen to rest, because he needed patrol the lands around Jiyyd.

    That is the last time he saw Calen._

  • S

    _concentrate. blood. tangy water. my head still throbs. I can not breath through my nose. it feels like a weight sitting on my face. the beatings continued and the chains hold. what can i do. i am weakened. there is nothing and no one around and my cries go unheard. Helm will watch over me. I am not dead and that is something I am grateful for. i can only see out of one eye so i keep them closed. the pounding in my head does not hurt as much then. I wait in disbelief.

    that is now, concentrate on the good. stay awake.

    my brother Eldoih's prayers to Helm were heard {painful smile} and Helm brought me back aft i had given my life for another. Though He held onto my understanding of common, why? Then Felix cast a spell that {painful laugh} did something, though I am not certain what and my speech changed again. Frustrated I ran back into the Inn, then Kyoko…... {passes out}_