3. Nathen Wingates - Mystran Bard.

Nathen Wingates - Mystran Bard.


  • "Crystalline Paradise."

    Crystalline; Adjective. Consisting of or containing or of the nature of crystals.

    Paradise; Noun. Any place of complete bliss, delight and peace.

    Tell me why are we
    so blind to see,
    That the ones we hurt,
    Are you and me?

    C.

    _The orange haired bard is not found in the large mansion estate in Jiyyd today. He isn't found huddled over a Cerulean Knights file, working overtime to solve some case. He isn't on duty as a guard in Peltarch, he isn't cleaning the latrines for the bardic college.

    He is laying down, on a flat surfaced rock near Jiyyd, just a few steps off the Eastern Road. His arms folded behind his head, smiling blisfully, bathed in the sunlight. Those greenish blue eyes of his, are closed, and it seems his tale is about to come to an end. When you've finally found what you were fighting for, for so long - Peace, that is - why continue fighting, if you've already found everything, and anything you've ever wanted? The crystals keep him safe, share his emotions, they wrap his mind in a soft cushion and cradle it kindly.

    Peace of mind… but not quite. Not yet, anyway.

    "I don't want to fight Zyphlin, or Maya... Or Meril... or any of my old friends." He thinks, feeling altogether against the whole idea, as he sits on the warm surface of the stone underneath him. "We probobly won't end up fighting any of them, all we have to do is wait, and be patient." Kara's voice chimed in, breathing it's way into his mind naturally and easily. He sighs at that, shaking his head. "We can't be sure. They all think we're working against the betterment of Narfell." Kara's response over the crystalene link is delayed slightly, before finally answering. "I know… your right. But we'll just have to wait and see what happens. Trust your gut, Nate." Nate chuckles out loud, half heartedly, in response. Shaking his head and fending off a sarcastic smile. "That's the thing, Kara. My 'gut' isn't feeling to optimistic about this whole ordeal. Come to think… I feel a bit edgy." He thinks.

    Kara chuckles. "Where are you, anyway?" He asks, she responds bluntly enough. "Still in Norwick, practicing my sword strikes." The bard grins then, feeling altogether amused and sarcastic inside. Kara pauses, briefly, furrowing a brow. "What's with the amusement, Nate?" Drat, she felt it. He snaps his finger, grinning. He takes a moment to consider a proper response. "Well?" He purses his lips, shifting himself on his rock, before thinking casually. "It's simply because you folks have no idea on how to enjoy life right now. Always practicing swords, heck, Thomas too" He feels her stop her movements, furrowing a brow. His senses tell him that the combat dummy she was practicing on is slashed to ribbons. "Responsibility is important. If I want to keep in shape, I need to practice."

    Nate just sighs dramaticly, rolling his eyes as he stretches slothfully across the flat surfaced stone. "Aaah… you realise we'll be fit and healthy with ease from now on, right? What you need is to relax and take a breather. Like the crystals would want us to. Peace and relaxtion, ooh yeah." Nodding to his thoughts as he sits there, smiling. "Tell you what..." He continues, "How about I paint that portrait I promised you? Oh... what was it, seven -- no, eight years ago?" She chuckles, he feels her amusement over the mind-bond created for them. "Fine. A break will be nice. And I think I've gotten enough training for the day."

    "There we go, that's the attitude." He states, cheerily – In his thoughts, of course. Because if he were really stating it, out loud that is, Kara would never hear him. If he tried to communicate with someone in Norwick all the way from his rock near Jiyyd, by means of oral communications well… that would be just plain silly, now wouldn't it?

    ... ...He remembered the day he'd joined the crystal collective. Jarek came up to him, grinning and talking about this treasure he'd spotted near the giantspire. He mentioned that he'd need a bard's magic to help, and asked Nate if he would. Nate never expected it, oh no. Not one bit. So, the bard and the barbarian made there way into the scale singer cave, and everything was going as planned, until... well, to make a long story short, Jarek knocked the poor bard down and out when his back was turned. Let's just say there never was any treasure. Let that be a lesson to you, dear reader. Now, Kara, who had been following them invisibly, was the one who assimilated him. He was subdued, wounded gravely, barely concious. She pressed her lips unto his. Now he thought this was some sort of kiss, and was quite confused. Even more so when he felt her draining something out of him. Nothing organic, mind you. Something spiritual. He still can't put his finger on what. But what's past is past. Let's focus more on the present... ...

    Kara sheaths her sword, with a smile. "I'm on my way. Be there in roughly two hours." Nate just lays back down, making himself comfortable in slothfull bliss. "Take your time, I'm enjoying the sunlight here in the road near Jiyyd, on my rock. My amulet takes care of the cold, and the frost, so all I feel is the lovely sun." He thinks, cheerily. She senses his joyous emotions as his thoughts melt into hers. She chuckles, and grabs her things, making her way towards Jiyyd._


  • "Thin ice."

    _Nate's boots step heavily into the Jiyydian grass as he hastily makes his way towards Bromley Estate. Quickly, keeping his face low, he fidgets with the key and finally opens the lock, pushing the door and stepping inside. Like he's done countless times, with a heavy heart, he steps up the stairs, eyes low and distant, just about ready to give Maya a farewell kiss as she sleeps, grab his things before word came to Jiyyd about the happenings in Peltarch and leave.

    He opens the door to the closet, walking inside and grabbing a bundle of clean clothes. He shoves them inside his pack without a second thought, noticing that Maya's clothes are missing. Not all, but some… His eyes flicker over to the door that leads to the bedroom. Couldn't be... After the briefest of considerations he walks over to it, opening it.

    But Maya isn't spread out on the bed, hugging her pillow and snoozing peacefully. Maya isn't in the magically enchanted pool of water taking a bath or relaxing. Maya isn't praying to tempus for insight, Maya isn't admiring her armor and how it shines in the light. Maya isn't sitting on the couch with her lips scrunched up in thought as she tries to figure out what to eat for dinner.

    ...Because Maya isn't there.

    His eyes then find themselves on her empty clothes drawyer once more, then back to the empty room. His gaze lowers, he pauses, thinking... A small skip of a heartbeat explains it to him, taunting him and laughing at him, 'Your too late, Wingates' ... it skips another, as if saying.

    His hand rests over his left breast. Take a moment to think, Nate. Take a breather, give yourself a chance to consider what could of happened. No, nothing to consider, it's obvious what happened. But what if she's in danger? She's a big girl, she can protect herself, quit worrying. No time to look over the possibilities, Nate. Only time to grab your stuff and leave before word spreads.

    ..."Yeah..." Frowning faintly, with one last grim breath, he reaches over and grabs the bag he'd packed his things. He had to get out of town soon. Word travels fast from Peltarch to Jiyyd. But not as fast as a hasted bard. He still has time.

    Buckling the pack over his back, he quickly steps down the round stairs leading to the lower level of the estate. Closing the door behind him, locking it, and making his way through Jiyyd. Eyes occasionally dancing to the guards, then to the banning sign that had been recently placed. Finally, he opens the gate and closes it softly behind him, before uttering an invisibility spell and dissapearing into the nars.

    Many things to do, tonight. For now, the bard has to get away. Away from prying eyes and impulsive judgements. Away from lynch and pitch-fork mobs. But getting away is the least of his worries, now._


  • Journal Entry…

    _…I heard that the murders werent solved at all. Talgrath was wrong. But he had told me that they were linked to the shadows earlier, linked to the kidnappings. If the murders arent gone, what about the orphans? Are they going to end up getting kidnapped left and right again?

    I'm strongly considering taking Zyphlin up on that guard job I asked for way back when, the day I quit the Cerulean Knights. Jiyyd is a little odd. Not a bad town, just odd... different then what I'm used to. Oh well... He had agreed and understood why I had quit, too. I also need to give him the news that Gildor wanted me to. In any case, people are dying again. I need to find Zyph, soon. Maybe even move back to Peltarch, even if only to help. Don't know how Maya would take to that, though... I need some time to think on it. ~_


  • ((Good story…though I am wondering when Peltarch became Basin City 😉 ))


  • "Controlled Chaos."

    _-Walking down streets.

    Walk down the right street in the city of Peltarch and you can find just about whatever you were looking for. I make my way out of the bardic college, hauling whatever's left and getting ready to finish up my moving to Jiyyd. I march into the commons, seeing my ex-captain Anakore and his lady-friend, Nicahh. Not exactly who I was wanting to bump into, the last meeting between 'Kore and I was a little off-set, a little wierd…

    Regardless, I set my things down and dispel the invisibility sphere that protected my steps. Slumping down against the sundial, drumming my fingers against my knee and loking towards the couple. "Morning Anakore, Nicahh." They turn their gazes towards me and reply, "Hello Nate." A little exchange of polite smiles is done, I've gotten pretty used to that by now though. Everyone in Peltarch hides behind something -- Might as well be a smile, eh?

    Whatever, we continue talking, and I offer them some music. You know, maybe make some money to fill my light coin pouch, which it has been ever since that gnome in Norwick ripped me off. I chuckle at the memory. Clever little Frago.

    They agree to the music and I pull out my mandoline, plucking and strumming at the cords a for a few moments before starting. For a little while I sing "The Skinner, Part III" from my note-book in the bardic college.

    I finish up, a few minutes and no tips later, Anakore says he loved it, and so does Nicahh. Tips bag is empty, doesn't matter. A sleek figure catches the corner of my eye...

    She watches on, amused. Watching behind a masked cowl, leaning on a pillar to my left. Black and silver clothing pulled and strapped tight over her slender self, she claps softly. I smile in her general direction, otherwise shifting my weight and putting my mandoline back in the pack on my back.

    -Turning corners.

    "Nate." She calls me by name. That's funny… my mother specifically told me to stay away from dark clothed masked folk who didn't show their faces and hung around shady areas of the city. Yeah, real funny.

    This was someone I had met before... someone who didn't want me to know who they were. Regardless, she can't do anything, their are Peltarch soldiers everywhere. By the looks of it, she's an elf, but then again she could just be a really thin human...

    In any case, I don't recognise her. "Yes?" I respond, keeping my attitude polite as ever. "A word." She states, making her way west towards the giantspire and beckoning me to follow. I shrug and excuse myself from the happy couple sitting on the bench in front of me.

    As I walk by the stealthy figure, I notice something. Her stride is gracefull, her step, soundless. I know who she is, I just can't place it... stupid bard, you can figure this out. It can't be Divinus, she doesn't wear those kinds of clothes. And even if it was, I've learned to opress and resist her would-be mind magic. So, who is it?

    "Excuse me miss? Pardon my asking but, who are you and how do you know my name?" She continues walking, past the gate, into the giantspire, away from the fire. We walk towards a rock and she stops, standing in front of it. I blink and await my answere.

    And then the oddest thing happens. She dissapears. I take a moment to gather myself, I look around, ready to cast darkness and sprint out of there like a bat outta hell. But she re-appears again, a few paces north. She beckons me along with a slender finger. "This way." Oh real funny, lady. Keep taunting and toying with my nerves like that, I think to myself. Without a word, I follow.

    "Oh what the hell," I think to myself, "She's only able to dissapear and re-appear at will. What's the worse that could happen?" I tag along, pushing and fighting off every single instinct that's telling me to just ignor her and return to the city. You can't be too carefull these days, with all the crap that's been stirred. Like those crystals, or the kidnappings.

    We find a secluded area, a cliff as she pauses and turns around to face me. "Miss?" I querry yet again, to no avail. This is starting to look more and more suspicious and I'm liking it less and less. I have my hand near the blunt axe I have buckled to my belt, but before I can really do anything, she removes her helmet and cowl, shaking her light red hair loose from behind elven pointed ears. She presents a wink of her bright green eyes, coupled with a coy smile. I blink. "Gildor!"

    Turn the right corner in the city of Peltarch and you can find just about anything your looking for: Even old friends. And that's exactly who this was. This wasn't some two-bit wannabe sneak with tight dark clothing, this was a famed and trained stealthy woman who's probobly just as deadly as she is mysterious.

    "What're you doing here? Where were you?" I continue, rambling, my eyes flickering over her and just about everywhere else around my current location. But it's isn't like I'm not happy to see her.

    She chuckles, I settle down. We both sit, get to talking. I ask her what's she been up to, why's she been gone so long. And better yet, why she came back. We keep talking, she answeres my questions, if not a bit riddlish. While we're exchanging pieces of information, I notice yet another strange detail.

    It's probobly just my imagination, but the shadows cast by the nearby brazier seem to be extending and flickering towards the elf sitting just in front of me. Just a little bit... I'm probobly just seeing things. "Stupid bard, your just imagining it. Now quit looking like an idiot and focus on the conversation." I think to myself, rubbing my forhead, lifting my eyes again to meet Gildor's.

    It starts raining. Soft drops start landing gently on the grassy field around us, her red hair gets wet. I have to blink and squint my eyes so that no rain water upsets them, but I ignor the rain for the most part. Too focused on the infamous elf in front of me who just happened to have wandered back into the city that gave her said infamy, and just so happened to have stumbled unto one of my performances.

    She asks me what's been happening, she asks me how I'm doing and how the city is holding up, and I tell her everything. The more we talk, the more I realise she's changed.

    She looks weary, tired, worn out. She looks like butter spread over too much bread. I ask her why and she just tells me that she's focused and training hard. Training hard? For what? I disregard the comment, I ask her if she's staying instead. She shakes her head and continues. She asks me casual questions... how my child, Krystal is. I answere them all. I have no reason to distrust Gildor, no matter when people have told me in the past. She's always been nice to me, at least. Hells, she even helped me get a few keys a while back.

    After a few moments she gets up, I look to her from my sitting position. She warns me not to tell everyone that she's in town, but she asks me to make sure Zyphlin knows. I nod and agree, an easy task. She bends down to kiss my cheek. Then she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, the shadows cast by the brazier linger towards her. "Gildor?"

    "Hmm?" She responds, her body now half-surrounded by shadows, looking towards me. "It's just, you know... this city, you left a mark in it, and, well, -- It misses you, Gildor." I continue, pulling myself up to face her directly, she just chuckles and winks. "No it doesn't."

    Just like that she fades away, pulled into obscurity, pulled into the steady calm shadows surrounding her, and then poof... nothing. I swear this city gets wierder and wierder everytime I visit._

    ((EDIT Thanks for the compliment Zyph, it was a bit inspired, to say the least. ^^; ))


  • Journal Entry…

    …I quit the Cerulean Knights today. I need a vacation, a long one. I'm going to move down to Jiyyd or Norwick soon, too. I've also taken up a position as a squire for the order of the Divine Shield. They are a respectable bunch... And my good friend, Mariston, is going to train me personally. I hope this all works out. I also hope to spend more time with Maya.


  • Journal Entry…

    (Written with a calm hand.)

    _…Well, the questions posed in my last entry were answered today. Captain Anakore told me about Talgrath's expedition to the sewers, and I also just read the file about how they managed to find the culprits and destroy an evil hidden altar. Apparently, at the end of their voyage, Eli appeared and told them that the souls of the others were at peace, and the shadows wouldn't be appearing anymore. And that the city should be safe...

    Looks like the Eli that spoke to me the other day wasn't the actual Eli... just a figment or, perhaps a part of her soul... or probobly just the same vision as usual...

    I doubt I'll ever see her again, and I'm sorry I couldn't save her. ... In any case, I'm glad she's finally found peace, wherever she is.

    ...Rest in peace, Eli. ~_


  • Journal Entry…

    _…The oddest thing happened today. I was sitting in the Peltarchian commons, alone, by the sundial, thinking about my next move with the investigation, when suddenly, a little girl walks up to me. She tells me, "Nate, there you are!" -- I look up to her and squint, wondering who she is, and then it hits me. It's Eli! She's back, safe and sound. At the moment I almost didn't know what to say. I checked her for wounds, or anything of the sort, and she was fine! Hah! Talk about good things happening to good people! ~

    She only remembered the night of her kidnapping, though. She said she was the one looking for me. Talk about odd. … She didn't remember any of the visions I had or... anything like that, really. I brought her to see Daisy at the Tyrran temple, to see if the shadows had brain washed her to make her forget the events. ... She didn't want to enter the temple. She was afraid, shivering even. I asked the fellow inside of Daisy could come out into the street to examin Eli, but Daisy was busy. Eli whispered to me, asking me if we could leave. She was probobly just afraid of the new building with all the tall strangers inside, or something. So, I said "okay" and we left. I'll bring her back when Daisy isn't busy. Though, I can't help but wonder why she was so afraid of that little temple...

    I brought her back to her parents' house. They're probobly happy to see her. She lives in the docks. She was smiling and giggling, like before any of this crap had happened. ... It almost makes me wonder if it ever happened at all. Almost.

    Eli's safe and sound. I should be happy... but, something doesn't feel right. It's too... conveniant. I spoke with Meril about it at our usual meeting spot, the south Peltarchian fires, away from the ruckas of the city. And he says it is odd, but told me not to worry about it. I'm going to bring Eli to see Daisy as soon as I can. Just to make sure everything's alright._


  • "Diabolic Delirium."

    _My name is Nate Wingates. For over seven tendays I've been combatting and chasing the shadowed, hellish hallucinations that plague the city I live in, Peltarch. The creatures are made entirely of shadow and darkness. They've currently abducted numerous children, little boys and girls who were orphaned after the Peltarchian civil war.

    I'm going to open a bracket here and explain the war. The war itself, was caused by a rat-bastard Tyrran priest named Koreth the Crusader, who's too far stuck up in his own perverted vision of justice to see the total and utter chaos his actions have caused. Regardless, Koreth is now on the run, hiding like the coward he is, and we're left to clean up his mess.

    Now, many people were killed during this war. We won, in the end, but endured many casualties. "Justice was restored, peace brought back to the lands" some said, but not quite. Many children lost their parents, who were soldiers in the war. These children had no place to stay. The Bardic College took some in, aye, and a woman named Ocean Fyne tried to open up a place for them to stay, but by all means couldn't account for all of them.

    But that's alright. It's not like no one noticed the poor, homeless children. Someone did – or should I say, something. This brings me back to the abductions and attacks involving the strange arcane darkness and creatures made purely of obscurity.

    Now your probobly wondering how I got involved with the current state of affairs.

    The reason is split in two. On one hand, I work for the city. I am a cerulean knight, "first and formost," I have to help keep the beautifull jewel of the icelace, Peltarch, safe from magical disturbances.

    On the other hand... I met this little girl one night at the bardic college. She was off to her classes with Eowiel, a teacher who works there. The little girl's name is Eli, her and her friends only wanted to learn that night. Well, just as they were going to settle down and pick up there quills and listen to the teacher, one of those things I told you about earlier appeared. It literally consumed the two boys, leaving only Eli. The teacher and I faught and killed the thing, but couldn't save the two boys.

    The teacher, Eowiel Senella, who's also a Cerulean Knight, ordered me to bring the girl, Eli, to a safe, non-magic zone so she could be kept safe. In this case: The prison. So, I humbly accept my orders, and prepare to bring the girl to the destination. We're on our way, we're outside of the college, when another creature, another shadow-thing rears his ugly face again, appearing in an oscbure patch of magic. I hold Eli's hand tight, but it slips. Yeah, it slips, stupid bard can't even hold unto a little girl's hand to save her life.

    ...

    Anyway, ever since then... more and more kids, orphans, are being kidnapped. Yeah, missing, gone, without a trace, you know how it works. All cases match up. All cases are similar. Every single victim was poor, every single victim, an orphan, living in the slums. The slums that mister "almighty crusader of justice" Koreth created so long ago, thanks to his little war.

    So, I hold the weight of Eli's life in particular on my shoulders. The others, arent directly linked to myself... but Eli's, her existence, presses my responsibility. Anything happens to her at this point, it'll be on my head. I have this rotten feeling in my gut, this guilty reminder that it's my fault she's gone. My fault her life's at risk.

    It doesn't take me long to decide that I want this case, I want it bad. Anakore, the captain of my Cerulean Knights batallion, doesn't object and gives me total control of it.

    For seven tendays, I've been piecing stuff together. Asking my friends for help. Roubanes, Eowien, Maya, everyone I know can help. Especially Roubanes, he's always been there whenever something wicked happens, always been there to lend his knowledge of arcane as a helping hand.

    So, like I said, for seven tendays, we work on trying to find the missing kids, Eli included. One day, I decide to take a midnight stroll. A stroll I regret taking. I'm turning a corner in the Peltarch commons, when suddenly, I hear this voice. It tells me that, if I ever want to see Eli alive again, to go to this specific ware house in the docks. And to come alone.

    I don't have time to notice the guards and commoners standing near me, giving me strange looks. I answere the voice, asking who it is. It doesn't answere, tells me once again to head to the ware house. I think, whatever, this is the first big break I've had. Might as well take a look. I walk back to the commons first, finding my captain, Anakore. I warn him, telling him where I'm going, and that if I'm not back in five minutes, to come on after me.

    I might of been under some serious pressure, but I wasn't about to start making stupid decisions like going into a ware house in the middle of the night without a small back-up plan. I don't tell him why I'm going, though, because if he knew, he'd probobly just want to come with me to begin with. And if whoever contacted me earlier saw that I had brought someone, panicked, and killed Eli before we even knocked on the door, I could never forgive myself. He agrees, not knowing the full details, and I set off.

    I arrive at the ware house. I open the door, and take a look around. Empty? Heh, looked like it, though there was one thing I did see. That one shadow in particular, moving and taking a form, standing sinisterly before me with two red glowing eyes. He proposes his deal: If I stop looking for the other kidnapped orphans, he gives me Eli. I sneer at that.

    Decisions, decisions. I'm presented with a delirium.

    Like I said before, on one hand: I'm a cerulean Knight. Here to serve the city, not to amend my personal guilt.

    On the other: I'm that idiot bard who let the little girl he was supposed to protect get kidnapped.

    I need some time to think this, it wants an answere right away though. I stall it, asking it why it's doing this, who it is. I'm trying to buy time. Too damn bad it ain't selling any. My questions must of made it uneasy, it tells me "too late" and lunges out for me. That's alright, I came prepared for a fight.

    I fend it off, kill it easily enough too, if it isn't already dead to begin with. Then more of it's friends show up, they've been in the shadows all around the dusky ware house all along. I fight them, hold them back long enough, at least for five minutes…

    It was a fight I couldn't win. I shoved my way through them, headed outside, to see the captain Anakore and Chaevre waiting. Thank the gods for back-up plans. They help me fight tthe things off, and we win. Then we head inside, to poke around, maybe find Eli. We hear a girlish scream, then see it... a little girl's body. But it's not a little girl. Not anymore. The thought makes my stomach turn. The body giggles darkishly, and like some sort of puppet, it rises. Shadows lurk and slither across her body... and then, she dissapears.

    Eli... what have the sick bastards done to you?

    The investigations continue. Whether or not that body was Eli's, I wasn't sure. At least not 'till that one night at the Mermaid Inn, with my ex-lover, Shemaright. We had settled down for a casual drink. We get to talking. Her newly adopted child, Tillan I think his name is, was doing great. I'm happy for her. Funny, I haven't seen her smile like that in so long, and every time she does, she always says it's when she's around me. Whichever the case, I don't have time to comment. A familiar patch of darkness appears, behind us. And what's inside just about answeres my earlier querry, too.

    Eli stands there, surrounded by shadows, an unearthly darkness surrounded every single part of her. She shouts out to me, says I killed her, says it's my fault. Am I going insane? Why is it I keep seeing these visions?

    I'm not, Shemaright sees it too. The vision dissapears. She tells me to calm down, getting worked up won't solve anything. I catch my breath. I was in denial for a few moments... telling myself that that couldn't of been Eli, and that Eli was stronger then that. Who was I kidding?

    Whichever the case, one fact remains: The investigation is still on. Shadows are still attacking left and right. People were being killed and the regular city guard couldn't do a thing about it. My colleagues in the C.K. are helping, so are my close friends, like Roubanes or Maya. Giving me advice, helping me look, search the docks.

    There's one other thing that's certain. After all this chaos, all this death, this blood and sorrow... whoever caused it, isn't going to get away with it. Kids are missing, shadows are killing casually, and Eli's become a monster. So, what's certain is the fact that whoever's guilty, is going to pay, tenfold._


  • Journal Entry…

    (Written a slight sloppiness, with a few droplets of ink here and there.)

    _I was sitting in the commons and chatting with Clandra, when the brown haired elf, known as Amy, ran up to us and shouted that the kobolds were attacking. We quickly cast our protective spells and followed her to aid against the attack. ....When we arrived, we saw far scout Hjoichi Olsen and a group he hired, they had sucesfully slain the rushing kobolds.

    We spoke briefly, and everyone seemed alright, until a darkness spread over the foothills. I quickly cast an Ultravision spell to see whether or not it was dangerous, and as expected, it was. The shadows were back, looks like they arent quite done with Peltarch. Hmpf**.**..

    Hochi's group drew steel and arrows, Clandra rushed into it, rapier drawn, I quickly followed after her. That crazy bardess**.** Heh. ... We faught ... them off easily enough, though most were confused with the lack of decent vision. The darkness then evaporated, and I asked Knight Clandra to cast a detect magic, she detected Conjuration, and Necromancy. Among others....

    (A few more bloched drops of ink here.)

    _I think this stupid quill is broken, having a hard time writing without spilling ink from it. I better replace it soon.**..

    That's when more sprouts and clouds of darkness appeared from the ground. More creatures made of shadows presented themselves. Clandra, myself, Hochi**,** Drelan, Amy, among many others fended them off sucesfully. One of the shadows taunted me, too. Saying it was my fault. ...Is it? .... I've been racking my brain trying to figure out a win-win situation for Eli and the other children.... gods....**


  • Journal Entry…

    …With the little knives gone, and visions of Eli becoming more and more scarce, I decided I needed a relieving breather from the investigation. I went down to Norwick to visit Maya. I turned myself invisible, and bought a few flowers along with a bouqet of roses from the flower salesman. Heheh, then I spotted Maya. I layed the bouqet down, still invisible. Then I placed the individual flowers I bought in a row leading to Maya, linking her and the bouqet together. She grinned and had a good time finding the bouqet. I'm glad. Then we headed to Peltarch. We had some fun while I told her a few riddles that Meril and Zyph taught me. It was grand.

    ...An odd thing, though, is the fact that the Umberlean dwarf, Mercy, might have a crush on me. She asked to stroke my hair, right in front of Maya! And then she made some jokes about, well, some rather unsightly relations she wanted to have with me. Hells, Maya thought I slept with her for a moment. Which, is totally false. Well, I don't want to be impolite, but I don't know how I'm going to get rid of her flirting if I don't say something. Mercy even cut off some of my hair when I wasn't looking, and she says she's going to make a love potion using it.

    ...Maybe I should try and get that hair back.


  • Journal Entry…

    …Well, the "Little Knives" kids have left the city. I blew it, couldn't find them in time. Eli's gone and I've got no culprit. Gods damn it. Our last investigation proved to be an odd one, I spoke to Talgrath about the deal the shadows, or whatever the hells it was, wanted to make. He says that Eli's gone, and they've gotten whatever... use... they wanted out of her. The infectious freaks. I still don't know what could posses someone to do this, to kids for goodness' sake. He also says I need to stop thinking about Eli, and start thinking about the kids that escaped. They arent dead, at least not yet, I should hope. He says I have to focus on them, the ones who're still helpable. And you know what? He's probobly right...

    ...I heard a voice that night in the warehouse. It's what proposed the deal. Something urks me, though... We're not dealing with anyone mercifull, we're not dealing with people who would willingly help someone. And that's painfully obvious. It makes me wonder. Why are they offering me Eli?


  • "A devil's deal…"

    _The orange haired bard walks into the commons, broodish and ponderous now. Still, no sign, not a single sign of Eli. Only more murders, and more death. He sits, frowning to himself, that familiar sneer seems to have attached itself permenantly to his face. Where could she be?

    The sound of Talgrath's armor is heard strolling into the commons, the bard looks up with recognition. "Talgrath, hey…" He calls over, pulling himself to his feet and making his way to speak with the six foot fighter. "Hey Nate." He responds, with a friendly nod.

    "Listen, Tal..." Nate lowers his voice slightly, his face grim, as is his tone, which is now a whisper. "You hear about the recent murders in the docks? The three guards, did you find out what happened?" Talgrath frowns, with a nod, responding: "Yeah, I heard of it. I'm still lookin' into it though. You alright? You look pale." The orange haired man shakes his head. "I'm alright... Look, I'm about to go investigate the docks' alleyways for any signs of the missing girl I filed a report on... you want to come?" The massive warrior nods. "Sure thing."

    The two make thier way towards the docks, each keeping a keen eye on thier surroundings. One peers into an alleyway, the other checks behind some boxes. For a few more minutes the continue, 'till finally coming up to an open-doored warehouse. How fittingly inviting. "Hey Tal, check this out, don't see this every day." The tall Defender glances over, disregarding the alleyway he was examining. "Yeah? Hah, an open door. We going in?" The dark clothed bard nods with a sneer. "Yeah, this was near the place where I was attacked last time, too. Let's check it out."

    They open the door, squinting and moving cautiously. The duo, each on their guard, working together to cover every single dark corner of the warehouse with vision. "See anything?" Nate calls over, Talgrath responds with a call of his own, "Nah, nothin' yet. Wait... check this, y'see this door?" Nate glances back, walking up next to the warrior and sizing the door up. "Open it?" They both nod to eachother, and push it open, repeating the earlier process and carefully examining the interior. "Eli, hello? Eli?"

    BAM! The door slams shut. "What the hells?" They both turn, Talgrath reaches for his longsword, Nate tenses his fingers up wryly for spellcasting. Shadows, crawling and slithering down from the walls and pushing themselves teasingly against their feet. "Oh gods..." Nate quickly utters an Ultravision spell upon himself, then as the shadows quickly flood the room in a brisk motion, barely manages to cast one on his friend as well. "Talgrath, get READY!" The bard shouts, knowing all too well what was about to happen next.

    "I am ready, these bastards don't know HOW READY!" Soon, claws, vicious claws begun slashing thier way through the shadows at the duo. Talgrath swings his sword violently, while his partner unleashes the usual raspy banshee's wail: "TELL ME WHERE SHE IS, MONSTERS!"

    The fight continues, bright sparks of light emerge and sparkle from the Bard's finger tips as he heals the Warrior, who slashes and hacks away at the fiends with heroic strength. Echoes of hollow screams are heard as the shadowy assasins are all struck down.

    Breathless, the Bard stumbles to a corner, his enchanted glowing eyes scanning the room dancingly. "ELI!?" A girl, yes that's it, the figure of a girl in the corner. It has to be her.

    "I hate you, Nate! I hate you! I HATE YOU!" Gritting his teeth and pushing himself off the wall, the moment seems to freeze itself with an unnerving calm. "Eli, you've got to listen! You've got to let me help you. ELI!" The shadows dissapear, one brisk motion like a dagger through the heart. So does the little girl.

    "Eli…?" Talgrath's voice breaks in like a ton of bricks. "Nate, calm down. Getting all freaked out won't help you. You alright?" Blinking, gathering his senses, did he just see her, or was that a cruel trick of his eye? "Yeah... yeah, I'm... I'm alright. You?" Talgrath snorts, pushing his sword back in it's hilt. "Yeah, takes more then a few dumb bastard shadows to get the better of me. Come on, let's search the rest of the room."

    They make thier way out of the enclosed room, back into the ware-house. Something had to be there. Anything. Nate pushes aside boxes and shoves his way through crates. "Eli, Eli are you here?" Talgrath kicks aside some debree and squints at the floor, looking for any trace of the missing girl.

    "You wish to have the girl return to you, this is your desire, boy?" A voice, not even above a whisper, hollow and chilling creeps it's way into his ear and down his spine, the Bard tenses up on the spot, pausing. Talgrath looks over, "Hey Nate, you okay?" The bard doesn't respond, his eyes distant… Nate lowers his voice to respond to the shivery question. "Who are you... what do you mean?" He speaks, quietly, Talgrath still giving him an odd look. "Nate?"

    "The girl can be returned to you, but you must be prepared to sacrifice something very dear to you. Hault your search immediately, what has begun cannot be stopped." The bard swallows lightly, letting each eerie articulation shudder their way into his ears. "Yo, Nate? Are you feeling alright?" Talgrath calls over from across the room, furrowing a brow. "Yeah… Yeah, I'm fine... just keep looking." A dismissive wave, though the orange haired man's tone hints dryness.

    "I thought Eli was..." The bard lowers his voice to a whisper once again, restraining a sneer. "Dead? She is gone, yes. However you can still grant her the chance to be loved at least once in her eternal life, for as long as you live, that is. If you are capable of loving such a thing in it's current state." An unnearthly chuckle presents itself from the confinse of the hollow voice's invisible throat. A frown crawls it's way across Nate's face.

    "You know I think if we found out who owns this factory we can gather more clues." Talgrath calls absently, still poking about and searching the factory. The voice continues. "Take your time to think on this, boy." The chilling presence losing itself, Nate's eyes unglaze and blink a bit, focusing themselves on Talgrath. "Huh… what?" Talgrath looks up, once again his brow finding itself furrowed.

    "Nate, honestly man, get some rest. You sound like your losing it. C'mon, let's go see the dock master and ask him who owns this damn place." Nate nods, gathering himself, though his eyes, those greenish-blue eyes of his, they hint an intense, critical ponderation. "Yeah, let's go..." His voice dry, the Bard follows the six foot fighter outside the ware house._


  • Journal Entry…
    _…I spoke to Roubanes today, he got my letter requesting to meet him in the Mermaid. We met, and chatted. He agreed to help me look for Eli, just as I knew he would. I know alot of people think he's just a maniac, but his heart's in the right place. He's a good person, and unlike some of the other people that are actually in the militairy, he helps whenever I ask him to. He seems just as upset about this whole thing as I am, which I don't know whether or not is a good thing, considering his impulsive habbits. Regardless, I'm happy I have his assistance now, seen as how his impulsive attitude is matched only by his will to help. Hopefully.

    ...We had a major break-through in the case today. Linking most of the crimes together. I need to tell Ro and the others about it. I'm glad, but something's still missing. Still no sign of Eli. Is she alright? I don't know how I could forgive myself if anything else has happened to her. I don't know who exactly did this, but the bastards are going to pay for messing with a gods damned child … for Mystra's sakes, what sort of people are we dealing with. Sickening._


  • "Cold Conscience."

    On the city streets,
    They move en masse,

    Like a rash,
    on the back,
    of a manky cat.

    I watch them watch me,
    But I watch them too:

    Across the street,
    Across the room.

    S.C.

    _Nightfall. Shadows creep across the Peltarch docks district. The orange haired bard makes his way through yet another alley, searching, his greenish-blue eyes hard and focused. Another sign, just another sign, that's all he needed to further help him reach his goal. Something is not right this eventide… Perhaps it's the cloudy skies, or perhaps it's the gentle falling drops of rain?

    "Eli, can you hear me? Eli?" His voice calls, it's tone hinting a strange mixture of determination and grief. She had appeared from the shadows many times before, though, currently, all was calm. Frowning, and shifting his dirty, dark-blue Cerulean Knights uniform, he makes his way turning another alley. "This is the shadiest and darkest part of the city... still nothing..." He ponderous helplessly, would he ever find her? He should probobly just give up and stop looking... there was no point in this, ... was there? She hated him now, she thought him a traitor, a backstabber, a murderer.

    He shakes his head, gritting his teeth and pinching the area between his brow. Closing his eyes, he takes a moment to gather himself in the dark dock-side alley. "Don't give up yet, you stupid bard…" He mumbles, opening his wryly focused eyes to take a glance around. Shadows. Surrounded by shadows. "Blasted things... they're everywhere." The man states, before incanting a light spell to aid his search.

    He couldn't just give up, not yet. His heart had to be strong, Maya was right. He had to brave this, he had to stand unwavering, undaunted and calm -- if he was ever to help Eli become normal again. "I will find you, Eli. I'm going to help you..."

    The past month had proven hard to endure, aye perhaps... Sleep was scarce, and sanity was on the brink at times... But he was still there, he was still trying, he was still fighting for that little girl he met in the Bardic College, what now seems oh so long ago. What he would of once considered a mad plan now brewed and stirred in his mind, all for the sake of a little girl.

    He steps out from the alleyway, taking a glance to the east… Sunrise. He'd have to continue his search the next evening, when it would be dark again. Lowering his head, frowning and gritting his teeth, he makes his way towards the Cerulean Knights Headquarters._


  • Journal Entry…

    (Written with yet another very troubled shake of the hand.)

    I spoke with Shemaright, in the Mermaid Inn, about her adopted son, Tillan today. We were in the middle of our conversation when it happened. Darkness sprouted from just beside us, but that isn't what bothers me. The voice. That voice from inside the shadows. Eli's voice. I am sure it was Eli's. She shouted violently about how I betrayed her.

    (At this point trails and flecks of black ink drops are seen.)

    _She yelled and said I left her for dead. I couldn't of just forgotten about the other kids that one time in the docks… I couldn't... But I shouldn't of just...

    Gods... I'm at a loss for words. The shouting isn't even the most painfull part. She dissapeared after, and when I asked Shemaright to cast a detect magic for me, she found traces of necromancy.

    I fear for what might of happened to Eli. I worry she's become something she she shouldn't of ever even seen at her age. I've spoken to Chaevre and asked her help. She said she could reverse any possible transformations she could of underwent... but only if we find her. I hope we can succeed in time.

    …And this pained guilt in my gut just keeps getting worse._


  • Journal Entry…

    (Written with a now calm hand.)

    _…I was going to buy some flowers for Maya today, at the Norwick graveyard, when something terrible happened. Tond, the flower salesman, was no where to be found. Instead, I was attacked by a Red Armored, hooded man. Not only that, but he used summoning magic to call shadows to help him. I couldn't avoid the fight, the gate was locked. I fended him off the best I could. He was too quick, moving in and out of the shadows, quiet as a mouse and as unseen as a bat. And when our weapons clashed, his blunt speed and strength overpowered me. I've never been beaten so badly. I was at his mercy, his blade could of easily been at my throat, … but he didn't kill me.

    Thank the gods above and below for the fact that Maya, Kara, Meril and the others showed up. Either he did not to be seen by them, or only wanted me intimidated, whichever the reason, he didn't stick around long. I filed a report on him in the Cerluean Star Knights' H.Q.

    ...Gods he was quick._


  • Journal Entry…

    (Written with a slight shake of the hand)

    _…Most of the children from the earlier catastrophe, involving shadows, have returned. Much to my relief. But even with they're return, something is missing. It pains me how I failed her... I cannot believe I let that happen. Did I make the right move? I'm so used to thinking things through. That night in the docks, it happened too fast. Something urks me, this guilt in my gut again, she didn't deserve that fate.

    No. She has to have returned like the others. She has to. I can find her. She has to be here. Somewhere… The reports won't be helping me this time. I've begun searching the darker alleyways of the city, currently to no avail. I've heard rumors of sounds there, and other happenings. She has to be alive, she's stronger then that..._


  • Journal Entry…

    …I voyaged back to Cormyr. What a trip. I needed a small break, anyway. I didn't find my familey, though, which is odd. A nobleman recognised me and told me they had moved, or something... I searched the entire city and didn't find them. What a dissapointement. Well, I returned to Narfell a few tendays afterwards. What a shame.

    ...I met up with the elf we rescued from the pirate ship today. His name's Azilar. He's a nice fellow, a noble in Peltarch. Who'd of thought it? Heh. He gave me a special ring to express his thanks. What a swell guy. I mentioned something about a gift, and I think he was dissapointed. Me and my big mouth. Oh well, I'm glad he's alright and doing well with himself. The ring he gave me is very nice. Extremely beautifull. I've never seen anything like it.

    ...I saw Maya today for the first time after my trip. She was so happy to see me. She shouted my name, ran up and hugged me. I told her I had written a poem for her, too. She liked it, I payed a few bards in Peltarch and we all gathered around her bench, and she was the center of the commons for a few moments. It was perfect. I'll just stick that poem in here.

    (A poem wedged between two pages.)

    @e91ffa9b01:

    "Ode to Maya."

    She's got eyes,
    the Deepest shade o' green,

    As bright as the skies,
    The prettiest you'd ever o' seen;

    Her smile so charming
    it stops farmers from farming,

    So warm and exciting,
    There's nothin' mooore inviting;

    Her laugh's so cheery,
    oh don't make me start,

    The sound'll inspire the dreary
    And it'll warm up your heart;

    She's got skin
    of the softest feel;

    Holding her tight n' close,
    Is just so unreal.


  • "Unwavering Resolve."

    Journal Entry…

    _…Maya and I went on a grand adventure today! It was exhilerating. Nico had just finished getting her order in for her armor, but something went wrong. When the merchants were supposed to deliver the suit to him, they got ambushed and attacked by frost giants! Jeez, they barely managed to sneak a messanger to Peltarch for help.

    So anyway, Nico called me, Maya, Kara, and a bunch of others to his office to explain what had happened. We couldn't just leave the merchants there, so we ended up sailing to there rescue. The ship's captain was a real jerk, too. I'm glad we didn't see much of him throughout the trip. Anyway, on the voyage we got ambushed by pirates. We fended them off easily enough, though. It was exciting.

    After fending off the pirates, we finally arrived at the icelace patch of land where the merchants we're being trapped by the frost giants. We faught our way through bears, giants, wolves, trolls -- A whole bunch of dangerous threats. Things were looking pretty bad, but I kept my spirits up and tried to keep everyone elses nice and high, too.

    When we arrived at the town, it was surrounded by frost giants! We charged through most of them, and actually managed to get inside, fending most of them off. The damarans werent happy, since we had opened the gate, so there captain yelled at us for a bit. Before he could finish, more giants broke through the walls and attacked. We faught them off for a long while, before Maya fell…

    We barely managed to push the last wave of giants back, I rushed to help Maya. She wasn't breathing, so I started praying. After a few moments, Kara motioned me to bring her to the inside shelter of the war-zone town. So I did. When I dragged her into a corner, lightning shattered the window! It charged into her body! After a few moments pause she was moving again! It's a miracle. Tempus must really be fond of his champion. I know I am.

    The damaran captain then recognised her. He gave her the suit of armor, it's actually a really nice suit. I'm impressed with the craftsmanship. Those damarans really know there stuff. Unfortunatly, the giants we're flowing into the time worst than the kobold assaults back home in Peltarch. An old lady suggest we use the 'stones' in the hidden cove of the town. She said they would bring us back home – But with one condition, she would have to remain with her city. We had no other choice. We agreed, and she took us to the stones.

    The rest of the citizens of the town came with us. I'll never forget the sacrifice the old lady made, I asked her name, but it was too late. She was already incanting the opening for the portal. We hopped inside. It worked, we found ourselves in Jiyyd!

    The others, the damaran citizens, I mean, werent with us. I hope to Mystra they're safe somewhere. Maya brought me to her mansion house in the town. She was slightly sad for a few moments, she even cried a bit. She wanted to hear a tale... She even asked me. I said yes. We made love, and she fell asleep as I whispered a story through form of ballad in her ear. I hope she feels better.

    What a day._