3. An Akanaxan's thoughts - Darius's journal

An Akanaxan's thoughts - Darius's journal


  • Memories

    It seems so long ago that Andreas and myself were originally drafted into the military and trained. If it had said then that we would end up in the Akanaxan Phalanxes then, I would have laughed repeatedly at the thought that we would find a place among the finest warriors that Akanax had to offer. Laughed.

    It is however, true.

    He is a leader of men and that is clear every time he leads us, the few of his phalanx who could leave the city without repercussion. We have been inseparable since we were children and I won't let him wander alone now, especially when he needs those he would call friend and brother. Damn those cowardly Luthecheqen slimes to the very pits of hell!

    ( Some of the small journal entry is scored out and then continues below the marks )

    How like my father I have turned out.

    Raised with a spear in hand and taught to use it almost from birth as expected of an Akanaxan. That was never enough though…not for him. At the time, I hated his lessons but now, I look back and realise that he knew what he was doing. How fond he was of saying 'it wasn't enough to be a warrior lad....you have to use your head for more than smashing into people'. He wouldn't let it rest until I could read, write and understand what it was to lead people...what command meant and the strategies and tactics that had to be employed to gain the upper hand and eventually victory.

    It didn't matter that I'm not a leader. I've always been by Andreas's side, ever the loyal friend and follower...that is the way I like it. Still, he would always insist his lessons had to be learned. Assuran has a sense of humour, it seems.

    I'm not sure why, but I've never let on that I could read or write. Andreas knows, though he has never let on. Given our culture, It could well have been seen as a disadvantage...Especially to those who stayed on long after their draft was over.

    I miss our homeland. The forests, the marshes...the warm weather, the lack of judgement from those who were different and the women. The soldiers I have known in the phalanx and through the ranks of the army...they were all good men, fierce and proud. The women though....they put us all to shame. They had to earn every bit of respect they get through hard work. - More so than the rest of us. Perserphone did that and so much more.

    ( A few more smudges cover the small journal page, the next paragraph was completely scored out )

    Time we were on the move again. Andreas set out before us and managed to gain a headstart. He always was quick on his feet.


  • Honour

    Tonight has seen both Andreas and myself gain a great deal of honour in combat.

    Especially our last battle. All during the night, it was suspected that Sharn and his(her?) minions would attack at the weakened walls and it seemed we arrived just as the battle was due to begin. At first, it was only their warriors that showed up and were quickly cut down. Then some kind of spearman of theirs arrived and bloodied themselves against the walls of defenders there to stop them. I could not help but feel a little pride at facing these warriors head on. They were worthy!

    I did manage to cut one down though. The last hit on an already brave pig-warrior. I took his spear as a trophy. What a trophy! It is no wonder they fight so brutally….they are armed with impressive weaponry. Once I had time, I removed a small chain with the symbol of Assuran from a pouch and wrapped it around the spearhead.

    It is now my spear and it went on to slay many of the orcs, a fitting deliverance in the eyes of Assuran.

    We both almost fell as well...Andreas was the first....he was in battle with one of their spear wielders and it struck past his shield and speared his chest. By the time I got there, he was on the ground and the orc was ready to finish him off...it was fortunate that I dived over his prone body and took the hit as the one known as Grag swung round and lopped off it's head following that.

    Then myself, only somewhat less gloriously....we were surrounded by goblins at the time and Shaman Elyl accidently threw a spell too close to our lines. Combine that with axes from the goblins and I was left in a poor shape for a few moments. Overall, it was a short and very bloody battle.

    After the battle was over, Andreas recovered one of the spears as well. It was a good day for the sons of Akanax.


  • Much continues to change as we find our place in this frozen land….I have had nary the time to write since my last entry and yet, there is so much to record here. The main thing of note...I continue to train and hone my skills. Steel is the one constant in my life and I will not let that constant go. Andreas needs his warriors by his side, he needs them focused and ready for war.

    Regardless of anything else.

    The training has always come easily to me. It sooths my mind when there is doubt....guides me when I am stuck with indecision. The fire of battle is one that steels the heart and soul against everything that would take the life of a person.

    I will be a sword, because that is what my captain needs me to be. The striking revenging steel of honour and glory. I did not come to this country for my own benefit. Indeed...I don't really care for the pursuit of honour. Not anymore. What I do care about is their honour. It has always been about my brothers and if I have any say in the matter, it will always be.

    If my brothers read this, I am sure they would disagree.

    I am content though. Living for them.

    Which brings me on to my first real problem.

    Andreas is sadly right. Matters of the heart are a distraction from what needs to be done. Especially when those matters of the heart include a third person. Bad enough that he did tell her. What really bothers me is the comment on abusing trust and taking temptation. I tried to hide it, but it bothered me a great deal.

    I don't claim to be an honourable man...just try to live by what's right. I don't claim to be a loyal man, I just stand by those I care about until the bitter end. Words are not something that I consider to be my strong suit.

    Maybe it's because I love her. That we almost launched at each other until Andreas drew us aside just explains the problem without words.

    A few hours later

    I attended the wolf festival after all and generally found a good time waiting…there were many faces I didn't know and quite a few that I did lurking there and it became even more enjoyable after taking part in some of the games with grease and (especially) sparring with Ragnhild. I stood my ground for as long as I could, but deep down, I knew that I would end this match on the ground, bruised to all hell.

    And I did.

    Afterwards, she helped me up and bound my wounds. I think she was impressed I held my ground without slipping for as long as I did, especially with her trying to trip. Said I was spirited. One day, I will meet her as an equal and we will stand tall together, wading through countless enemies with nary a care except the battle. The rush and flow of blood lust.

    She is ferocious, it is difficult not to be awed. Wolf had joined in with our wrestling after he'd finished fighting this professional brawler. Between the two of us, we managed to pin her down. Just. JUST! Assuran above, that is strength. We were joking around and I emptied a pail of water over her. She jumped up and utterly flattened me with one swift tackle.

    It was only after we'd found out that a wedding was taking place at the festival that we sneaked off to find a lake and clean up...grease covered warriors is not the best sight at a wedding.

    What happened? I stared. At the end of the day, I am still a man. Let me say that it was worth it...that woman has a body to die for.

    The wedding passed without any problems and afterwards, i cleaned out the ale bottles that our host generously offered. Back to Norwick.

    The following day

    Locrian, or Doc as I have come to call him is completely crazed. I'm unsure if it was from calming that bear, or just an amusing name, but I've also picked up the nickname 'bear'. I can't say I mind entirely though…it's a good strong animal, a fine beast to be pictured as.

    We set out earlier to pick a fight with some bugbears - Just the three of us. Doc, this lassie and myself. We bloodied their damn noses, that's for sure. Even if we were forced to withdraw after being overrun. So...we fell back and circled around to strike from behind.

    Only.

    They have since moved. We could not find them anywhere until we looped right the way back round and met up with some adventurers who mentioned bugbears in the western part of the forest.

    So, naturally we went right round there and picked a fight after we had healed. Somewhere along the way, we picked up a small (undisciplined) army and that's where the real chaos began....the group rushed in and the bugbears met us head on. Those axe wielders are HUGE.

    From there, it was a running battle that led us back to town and then holed up defending the gate for the better part of the night (With absolutely no tactical acumen by the defenders....it is a wonder they are still alive if they cannot listen). Even more of a wonder that only one died. I thought Khory might fall at several points.

    Khory is another woman that I understand, yet will often leave me confused. She loves battle...that much is clear. She does not like retreating, nor running like a coward. My kind of woman.


  • Today has passed in a bit of a blur really.

    It started off fair enough…I found myself in the company of my brothers and Persephone, when the others suddenly left, leaving me alone with Persephone. We must have sat for..well, a while. Just laughing and enjoying one another's company. Recalling the past and speaking on that. when...I think I must have gone temporarily insane and edged closer to her....she didn't back away.

    Before I knew it...our lips were pressed against each others for the first time.

    I keep waiting for me to wake up and to find that it had been a pleasant dream and that we are all back home, ever the good soldiers with little time for anything else.

    I keep waiting for that moment and it's not appearing. much to my relief.

    She did look absolutely stunning in the moonlight. If I do wake, I will always have the thought of her.

    After she had slipped away to seek out some rest, I wandered down towards the fire to join an elf shaman by the name of Calendel, a capable looking man that offered to heal my wounds as we trained. Ha! A fine offer. It did take him a while to finish talking with Wizard Lucidious before we finally set out.

    His blessings are mighty! his aid made me as strong as ten men and as hard as tree bark. Then the hunt began. Our group sought out the goblins of the eastern forest, though we received no real challenge until we approached the deeper parts of the forest. It was a curious fight….goblins with bows and shamans of their own, wielding those heavy mallets. It was not long before they forced us to withdraw from the battle to heal.

    It was then I told him of our beliefs, that we do not retreat, nor do we surrender...that we would have to turn and re-engage the group we had left to satisfy honour. Then wizard Lucidious appeared and I grinned.

    We turned and charged!

    The battle was a long one and we fought trough the entire clearing, cleaving a bloody path in our wake. Even Lucidious had called some kind of Frog-Demon. It fought fiercely.

    It was then we saw the beast we had came for, a giant bug that the others called an umberhulk. When it came upon us, we were scattered at the time and Lucidious's called beast avoided it.....we had to face it quickly as it soon turned it's sights on Wizard Lucidious. Noone else could aid him so I drew back and hurled an axe between it's antennai.

    It fell.

    IT FELL!

    It fell by my hand, with the aid of others to cut a hole in that carapace first. Wizard lucidious managed to avoid getting struck by the beast too, so while the others were tending their wounds, I approached the hulk and tore off one of it's antennai and strapped it to my spear with the aid of some cloth.

    I intend to keep it there as a trophy. We returned to the town as victors this day and I recall how hot my blood boiled for a woman. With none in sight either.

    I settled for speaking of the battle instead...I sounded like a young child having gotten his first real weapon. From now on though, I'll be staying quiet of the victory...I do not need the satisfaction of boasting to know that everyone fought well.

    It was a fine day to be alive.


  • Comfort

    It has been two tendays since we have arrived here in force and we are slowly beginning to settle into this land and learn of the customs and such. Since the incident with the dwarf, we have managed continue training together and regain what we had lost on the journey here, long as it was. The spears that we were gifted with continue to show their worth and I think they will last for a good long time to come.

    It was interesting to meet yet more mages, some of which have no idea on how to control their craft. I swear a couple of them almost got us killed. The day started out promising though…I met Persephone by the fire in norwick right as we were discussing the hobgoblins and explaining why we don't wear armour. You would think it obvious...Armour slows you down. If I am slowed down, I cannot react to my enemies and thus my spear-brothers suffer for my lack of alacrity. If the phalanx breaks down then we suffer as a whole. While it seems simple, I don't think they truely understand

    Then I return to Persephone. It is a mixed blessing seeing her again....on one hand, she distracts me, my attention forever wandering to her instead of focusing like I know I should. She fogs up my sight, so to speak. At the same time, the realms seem that much brighter with her presence. She is everything a man could want...beautiful, deadly and a damned good singer.

    Then I consider myself and laugh at the thought. There are better. I'm a man of few words

    After a short journey north, we encountered hobgoblins on our way to this 'camp'. It was only a short journey and we had enough people, it seemed until we encountered a war band...we were eventually forced back, though gods what a battle! Persephone handled herself like a true warrior. Andreas would have been proud.

    When we finally reached the camp, we were both left by...well, everyone and simply sat, talking for what seemed like only a few seconds....hours had passed. Hearing her laugh made the day worth the effort.

    As a rule though, no more drinking the wine those rom brew. Ever. It tastes like old feet. We did come up with a cunning plan...but I shall write more on that later.

    When she retired for the night, I returned to Norwick and found Andreas. We were both almost killed a few marks later by some reckless witch who deliberately put us both at risk....should it happen again, blood will spill.


  • Reunion

    Finally! We are once again together.

    No Akanaxan should be forced to survive alone…not while his spear-brothers still draw breath. Andreas was in good shape, despite the long journey. I was somewhat disheartened to learn that there hadn't been time to recover our equipment before we had been forced to flee Akanax...but we will find new. We will endure.

    I will say though, it cheered me considerably to learn that more of our brothers were on the road here, even if he didn't mention that Persephone was joining us. I'll admit it made for a pleasant surprise.

    She arrived sometime after we had met a small gathering of men that were training in a circle north of Norwick. Andreas had led us there and soon after we saw them, they began to levy jests against us, saying that we couldn't possibly be warriors.

    A Challenge!

    Needless to say, we accepted the competition and moved back with Andreas to heal up and discuss our plans for the fight. In the end, it was decided to stay true to our training and form a wall of shields, with Cleon and Xandos behind with blunted throwing axes. Once we were ready and it had been decided to engage them all at once, we awaited the battle with anticipation..

    It was fairly short, all in all. The barbarians knew what they were doing and divided into two different groups. The first group kept Andreas and myself occupied, while their second group looped around and attacked Cleon and Xandos. That they tried to divide us speaks of their worth in battle. They showed honour and a grasp of tactics. Xandos and Cleon had both fallen unconsious before the end, leaving Andreas and myself to quickly finish up on the barbarians.

    Although we had wagered our gold and potions, we could not take the barbarians....instead, Andreas asked if they could forge proper pilums. To our surprise, some time later...they held true to their word and presented the spears to us. They were as fine as any Akanaxan pike. Should they ever need our aid in the future, We will be honoured to assist them.

    Later in the evening, we had planned to make an appearance at this festival called 'fight night', a local gathering of warriors to test and try their skills against one another without slaying anyone. It is an interesting idea, one that we have often done as a phalanax to ensure we know the skills and the abilities of our brothers. It allows for us to be able to effectively guard one another. Unfortunatly, we didn't get a chance to actually take part in the competion before we were approached by a dwarf by the name of dwin and insulted. We look nothing like singers. We explained to him three times before he finally got frustrated and walked off.

    Things escalated after an elven woman approached us and said hello. The dwarf practically jumped on her and threatened her with jail time if she did not 'avoid us'....it was a heated situation, with insults being passed back and forth before Andreas went to speak with Wizard Lucidious and inform him of a dragon that had apparantly been seen in his lands, when the dwarf followed and began insulting us again.

    Andreas responded with an insult and the dwarf saw fit to attack us all and drag us to his crummy little jail, calling it 'an assault against a senior militia member'

    I bade my time until we could talk with Lucidious and then we all promptly left the town behind.

    That Dwarf will feel Assuran's wrath, that I swear.