3. Maya's Journal

Maya's Journal


  • Entry 4

    Today, arrive in great city of Heliogabalus. Brisby help me spell, write and say. I must say, city is big as name. Is head city of Damara, and could fit many Peltarchs inside of it. I can walk across Peltarch in quarter hour, but would take me half a day to walk across this city, and would maybe get lost many times.

    Like in tribe, I feel like birch in forest. Many people go about in shops, and stores. I see many guards, and people running all directions, but all are dressed different than me. I am head taller than most everyone, and my hair is full of trinkets and feathers. My black armor I wear with pride even if the guards look at me funny.

    Messenger was sent ahead when caravan arrive in city. After wait morning, guard arrive, and Maya can tell is from King. Guard are all strong, discipline men. After work with Black Dragon Knights, I can see in their eyes. They are dressed in polished armor, with blue and black tabard. They escort me and two wagons with kegs deep into the city.

    The castle comes into sight long before I get there. Suddenly, it reminds me of one of Adam’s great stories, and I turn to him, to point and smile. Of course, he is not there. I feel silly for a moment, and truly sad. Adam wanted to come and visit, and take me to see the king.

    Now, I come alone.

    After travel and much fuss, the wagons are taken somewhere, and we enter the castle. I am escorted to a room so large I think I could fit Adam's house into it. The fireplace is enormous and roars, and in front is a bearskin so large it must have taken many warriors to kill. I am told I will see the king this evening.

    Now I write this on bear skin rug, laying here with clothes in a pile, the heat of the fire warming me. I think Adam would be happy to see me like this, on rug by a fire wearing little. I will sleep now, and try to imagine him beating Tymora at cards.


  • Entry 3

    We entered Damara today. I hope Adam is watching.


  • Entry 2

    It is hard to write without Johan helping. Each letter is labor. Sometime I have to look up in book he gave.

    Except for the Ogres, the caravan journey has been quiet. I have had much time to think on life before, life with Adam, and life after. I will try to be a good soldier for Koreth, and make honor on me and family who die trying to protect. I wonder why Tempus choose me to do things, and why listen to Sam when I was in Hall of Heroes. I wonder many things, but have no answers. Adam had answers. I pray to Tempus every night so he will give me answers too.

    The ogres came when we were crossing a big field. The wheat grew forever it seemed, and was very tall. The ogres had stood up in the grass and demanded one of the wagons. I am not sure they wanted to fight. There were many guards, but ogres looked strong.

    The merchants talked amongst themselves too long. Too long for me. I went up to the ogre leader and said two of the wagons were mine. He could fight me, and if he killed me, he could have both, then leave the caravan alone.

    He agreed.

    The fight was not very long. The ogre was taller and stronger than me, but did not have my experience. I gave myself to Tempus, and it was over before anyone could count to 10. I do not remember much of the fights when I give myself to Tempus. The war belt of Tempus sings in my ears, and all I think about is killing. I remember pretending Adam was behind me, and that he would die if I did not win.

    I wish it had been real. It would have been a good way to die. To die defending my mate.

    After the fight, the ogres left. Some of the guards were scared though, and looked at me with much worry. Brisby, and man who sings much like Zyplin made a great funny tale about me that night around the campfire. I laughed so hard I almost peed, and for awhile forgot that I missed Adam.


  • Entry 1

    Johan says to number all my entries to help me remember my numbers better.

    I leave for Damara today. Adam said was friends with King of Damara, so I take leave of Knights for a time to go seek audience with King, and do honor and report death in person. I will also give gift of everlasting kegs that give ale. I think is a great gift for king. It is a gift that would make Adam proud. I hope Tymora gives Adam time to watch from heavens when I give gift.


  • Preface

    My lieutenant Johan says "Preface" means to introduce, like when people shake hands or bow. Johan tells me that it would be good to write things down after Adam die. Johan says this will clear heart. He will help me write so less mistakes made.

    So now I preface me.

    I am Maya, daughter of Caijsa and Jhar, second hunter of the Griffon Tribe in the High Forest. I am also grand daughter of Bjearn, great warrior of High Forest, slayer of countless Orc, and hero to many.

    I grew up a woman with yellow hair in tribe of black. I felt like a birch in the forest and think that maybe father had words with mother when I was born. Life was good in the tribe until my first hunting trip. I remember Bearn’s bearded smile, endless trees, and the sound of wolves in the distance. I remember the men that came and killed my family. The men that came with net and shackle. The men that took me from my home and made me what I am today.

    They were slavers. They were pirates. If I ever see pirate again, will be without head.

    I was slave for many years until escaped with help of friend Rhajin. I arrive in town of Norwick with nothing but clothes. A man name Perence help me, and give me axe and armor. Men there teach me, help me, so that I have a home again. There was much honor there, and I was happy.

    I fought against all peoples who would fight Norwick. I fought with Goblin and Orc, and bandit peoples from the east. Soon, I am respected as best axe woman in the Nars, and I move to great city north named Peltarch. I become elite guard and serve Koreth who is great leader of people of the city, and leader of guard named Black Dragon Knights. It is here I serve with honor, and am proud.

    I will tell of Black Dragons, but must first tell of Adam.

    I meet Adam in great adventures. Adam was a man much older than me, with head full of things I do not understand. But one day, Adam tell me very sad story of great knight and love, then I knew that while head full of things I would never understand, I knew his heart was full of fire.

    I understand hearts of fire.

    Adam and I traveled many places. Even though difference in years so many, Adam and I get married in great country of Damara. Was good marriage. Adam let me be me. I let Adam be Adam. At night, after make pleasures, Adam would press against my back, mouth next to my ear, and whisper stories. Adam would tell of lost kingdoms, of heroes, of deeds great and small, and I would fall asleep and dream of these places.

    Now, I am alone at night.

    Adam died fighting great evil. Adam died with honor. I will always be proud to have been his wife.
    My family now is the brotherhood of Knights. Black Dragon Knight who protect the great city of Peltarch. There are about 30 of us. Three platoons of ten, each with a lieutenant who serve under Koreth. Johan, Kalin, and Uthger. Johan is oldest and wisest, with hair of gray. Maybe not the best warrior, but have the most experience. When approach trouble, all knight turn to Johan for advice. Kalin is maybe the best warrior. Not as strong as Uthger, but full of blade tricks and quick. Uthger is strongest, and taller even than me. Uthger is great warrior with honor who was recruited from Norwick. I call all of them friends, and am proud to fight at their side.