A black leather bound book small enough to be quickly slipped into a large pocket or bag. The text inside is written in small enough hand that one would have to squint a bit to read it. It is a mix of personal musings, poems and snippets of stories.

At last, I have found a suitable book. Now I can finally gather up all those scraps of parchment I have and scribe them in one place. Such a bother always trying to find one, but I really did not want to carry around a large book.

My path has led me to an interesting place called Sanctuary. I do not know yet why He has led me here, but I feel as though there is much that can be done. In time He will reveal His plans.

I have applied for a position as an entertainer. It could prove to be a daunting task, for I generally do not like to be the center of attention. But the sign was given to me that this is what I must do. How else to explain the notice that flew under my feet on a gentle gust of wind.

(a few random scribbles are next as if the writer is in thought)

Perhaps this is for the best. I think He will show me the way to use this opportunity well.

I must remember to offer proper thanks to Him during my evening prayers.

I submitted this to Mr. Stones with my application. I do hope he finds it acceptable.

Shadow Dance Have you ever seen the shadows dance Twisting turning dancing 'round Here and there and all about

Have you ever seen the shadows flow Whispering their seductive song Moving gently surrounding all

Have you ever seen the shadows fly Taking wing gliding high Ghostly vapors skimming low

Have you ever seen the shadows weave Slipping gracefully through all you know Showing beauty once unknown

Have you ever seen the shadows dance Unveiling slowly wonders shown Now for you to call your own.

A common man was walking through the woods. Spotting a small pond he decided to take a rest under a tree next to it. As he sat dozing, a shadow passed over him waking him from his light rest. Upon opening his eyes, he caught a brief glimmer on the water. Deciding to refresh himself he walked over and knelt next to it.

As he knelt he saw his reflection. He paused for a moment looking at it and the reflection changed, showing a faceless man. He knelt there staring, a small sadness descending upon him. “Is that all I am? An empty faceless soul that leaves no memory, no mark upon the world?”

As he softly spoke the words, the reflection changed. Showing him glimpses of those he had known, and glimpses of himself as those people touched his life. “Is that all I am? A collection of those who have passed through my life? Not really my own, but pieces of those I’ve known?”

And as he spoke those words, the reflection shifted again. Showing him faces he did not know, every so often showing a glimpse of him changed each time. Sometimes big changes, sometimes small. Finally the reflection stopped shifting, showing him as he was just then.

He sat back on his heels and pondered a moment. “That is what I am. I am who I make myself.”

He quickly gathered a small piece of bread, a bit of cheese, and a coin, wrapping it snuggly in bit of parchment. “Thank you unseen one. You have given me much to ponder upon. I offer this token in thanks,” he said, tossing the small package in the lake. Just as it broke the surface, a shadow passed over him again and the ripples of the lake smoothed out.

And so he continued on his walk, contemplating what he had been shown. Confident that the many paths that were shown him would be revealed in time.

I have met an intriguing man this night. We walk a similar same path, he and I. It bodes well for our futures. I knew eventually He would show me the reason I followed the path He set before me so faithfully. I must admit along the way I had my doubts. One should never doubt Him, for He knows all.

It is a good alliance I have started. For through this, I will be able to gather my Brothers and Sisters. I will someday have a place for us to gather and worship. I must remember to whisper this man’s name in His ear during my prayers.

I still have heard nothing from Mr. Stones. Pity, I think it could've had possibilities. Perhaps it shall yet come to pass in a different way.

There's been much to think on this week.

I have met more intriguing people. I think that together we shall be a good alliance. They will help me build a proper place for my Brothers and Sisters, and I shall whisper their names in His ear so that He will favor them. Already He smiles upon them, I shall ask that He continue to do so.

I have seen what passes for justice in Upper. Out of curiosity I watched the trial of a man who apparently was one of importance. I think there was much more to what happened than was said during the trial. At the end though he was found guilty and sentenced to execution by stoning. Such a cowardly thing to do to a man. To lock a man in a cage so that the public may throw stones at him is cowardly and weak. They seemed so pleased with themselves, though I cannot fathom why. In the end there was one who showed honor and mercy. Though he was then arrested for this. They congratulate themselves on doing what is right, proper, and traditional. Fancy words so that they may sleep at night when they show themselves to be fools and cowards. I think I should’ve liked to have met this man that was executed. From all that I heard and saw, he would’ve been favored by Him.

I’ve also seen what passes for justice in Lower. Though it is violent, it is swift and decisive. It is also done by one’s own hand. It is done with power and strength. It is as it should be.

Seeing both has made me think. Long have I been an oddity even amongst my own. They do not understand how it is I walk with Him. They have always thought me far too gentle and soft, for I abhor brutality for it’s own sake. They do not understand. How better to do His work than to speak with soft and honeyed words. Those that are lost in the dark will more readily come to your hand if you speak with a soft voice and a gentle smile. How better to weave the webs if it can be done quietly. Weave your plots so that you may bring ruin or glory to those that deserve it. If you are to kill a man it should be done swiftly and closely. His name whispered in their ear from behind. And if a man has been a deserving foe, look him in the eye as you take his life. Yes, violence has its place. But it should be done properly and with cause.

I think He has led me home. So many possibilities open before me. So many souls to find in the dark. Brothers and Sisters to gathered. Yes, I think I am home.

And so it begins. I must find workmen and crafters. The locks will have to be changed and the key redone. I'll need to get the sign out front changed, since I'll not keep it's current name. It's not a large place, but that is good. I'll have to see about getting another door put in as well. He has smiled upon me.

Sad dark it was last night. Strange are His ways. Canal Ward and Lower were attacked by a great beast of a spider. I had the honor of standing with and healing some very brave men. But though I whispered fervently in His ear, many fell to the beast. We revived and healed as many as we could and went back to the battle. Again I sent my pleas to His ears, and in the end we were victorious, but at a great cost. A great man was felled. I fear this loss will have lasting repercussions.

I have been assured that this will not affect what has been started, but we shall see. They have many things to think about now. But my faith is strong in Him. He has led me to this place and to these people for a reason. I shall trust that all will be as it should.

I have had an interesting voyage this dark. A great dark lake is within this land of stone. I ventured across it to deliver a message for the Shadow Tribe. I must confess I smile at their name and am a bit envious of the great shadowed statues they possess. As I was crossing this lake I happened to spot a large fortress bathed in shadows and darkness. I am curious what lies within, but that shall be a journey for another time.

For now I must focus my efforts at the task at hand. Quickly I must work so that He will be pleased. Much is still to be done.

I took my Sister and a rather brightly lit little gnome out to Port Claw this dark. Sister was awed at the beauty to be found there. As is well. He has smiled upon that place.

When we returned I found myself drawn to the temple within the Canal Ward. To gaze upon the great statue that resides within is a place of inspiration.

I finally met Mr. Stones. Though it was purely on accident. I was out for a stroll and happened to see that the Fortress door was open. Curious to see if looters had already set upon it I went inside to look around. Much to my surprise, Mr. Stones appeared and wanted to know why I was following him. What followed was a rather odd meeting. It seems as there has been a bit of miscommunication between him and his assistant. On our way to Mr. Stones’ establishment to continue discussions, we were interrupted by a chance meeting. Though I think Mr. Stones was rather annoyed, it proved to be a fortuitous interruption. As always He guides my way and gives me what I need. Unfortunately there is a bit of a misunderstanding about the terms of my employment with him. I am confident that it will get settled in time. For he will learn as others before him did, I am faithful to My Lord and nothing shall stand between Him and me.

This entry is written in particularly shaky handwriting

A vision shared. I had thought it a dream of my own fancy. Mayhaps a sign from Him that needed to be meditated upon and found the truth of. But it was more. Oh so much more. For another has had a similar vision. Another was blessed with His glory and revelation. I am humbled by the truth of Him, by what He has honored me with seeing. Truly there shall never be another, for I am His with body, mind, and soul.

Another odd meeting this dark. Though I serve the same Lord as this Brother, our paths are much different it seems. Again I am shown my differences from others that serve Him. Brother did not understand. He offered me what others before him have. In a moment of weakness I almost let it sway me. But He gave me the strength I need to continue. If my Lord wishes my path to end, so shall it be. But my visions tell me otherwise. Truly I have been touched by Him as ever I feel His hand upon me. To many they think it is because I must be a naive untested child to be led by the hand and shown things that they must decipher. But He has shown me the truth. I welcome His touch, His sight in my dreams, and His voice in the whispers. To be touched by such greatness is beyond words. I am blessed beyond measure that He gives me such a gift.

Close. Oh so close. Strong and vigilant I must be. I must give all to Him that He may wrap me in His strength and glory. Fervently I must whisper in His ear. The moment was at hand, but apparently it was not yet to be. But soon it comes. Very soon. I feel it in the shadows. I hear it in the whispers. I had hoped the path to be different. I had hoped that ... well I had many hopes. We shall see how this dance goes. I have not seen the outcome, only that we must dance. No matter the outcome it shall be glorious to behold. Two shadows entwined in dance. There is still a part of me that wishes this did not have to be. That our dance could be one of glory to Him. I can see it within my mind's eye how beautiful it would be. Ah well. There are other shadows I dance with. Though few match what this one could have been.

It was sooner that expected and the path I had hoped it to be. The shadows will dance. By the oath of blood and shadow, they will mingle and entwine, bringing praise and glory to my Lord. A magnificent beautiful dance it shall be. I pray that we will be worthy of this blessing.

A pilgrimage is to be made. Oh how I tremble at the thought of being in the presence of Him made flesh. But I must meditate. I must clear my mind and soul so that I will be a vessel worthy of being filled by Him. And so I sit and think.

Everything that came before I found Him is unneeded and not worth remembering. And so I carve it from myself as one would a splinter in a finger. To be removed of and disposed.

I had thought that my journey here was perhaps a type of pilgrimage. But instead it was the journey home. So many places I traveled through that the names have become a blur. None worth remembering. At each stop I sought my Brothers and Sisters, but too different were we. And so my journey continued. He has led me here, home. A place of shadows and mystery.

It is here I have found the shadows to dance with my own. It is here where He has the upper hand over those who seek to drive back the shadows with their light. They do not understand. Even the brightest shining among them has skirted the edges of what is His. They have sought refuge in His shadow even if only for a moment. They have brushed against His whispers as they think to quietly make their plans to drive back what is His. Someday they will see. If they dance within His world, someday He will claim His due. And the sweeter it will be to watch those that once sought the light to instead seek the comfort of the shadows.

And so Brother and I will bring His flock to Him. It is slow and delicate work. But as Brother and I each see a different side of Him, together we shall be stronger. For our differences have been acknowledged. An oath of blood and shadows made. Some will come to Brother’s hand and some will come to mine. All will be made to be worthy of Him. To bring Him what is rightfully His.

Together we will make this pilgrimage with another Brother. Another Brother that has truly been blessed by Him. He has felt the very touch of Our Lord. Seen the glory and comfort of being wrapped in His shadow. We shall make this pilgrimage. We shall renew our vows to Him, pledge ourselves to His bidding, to be the shadows the weave and bend as He deems it. I look forward to this. This triad of His chosen. Together we shall be the vessels that He fills. To bring glory, honor, and power to Him.

I still do not know quite why I went with them this dark. Although it was an experience to be had. We fought a hellish group of trolls. Several nearly were sent to the other side. But the most interesting part was as we were leaving. We encountered a group of dark elves. It seems they were after a book. It really could have gone very badly. I whispered my prayers in His ear, and as always He gave us His grace. Long shall I remember this encounter.

There was one with us that I continually cross paths with. Always she gives me a sidelong look when we meet. I do not know yet her intent. I shall have to talk with her. Perhaps she walks the path yet unaware.

A long, interesting, and tiring night this dark. So much intrigue. Oh how the whispers weave. There are things that must be said to certain people. I was correct about what they refer to as justice and right in Upper, as the bruises on my body attest to. They speak with forked tongues so much they no longer know what is truth and what is lie. His justice has started though. I pray that it will continue. He watches over what is His.

So much has happened these last few darks I scarce know where to begin. Perhaps it does not really matter. I know what has happened. What I fear is what’s to come. It is rare that I fear as I do now. I know that there is still much He would have me do. I pray that He will allow me to continue. I send fervent whispers to His ears, praying for His protection and mercy. I pray that those that would seek to end the path of His chosen get the taste of His justice. My faith does not waiver. But yet I still fear. Never have I had cause to fear the shadows and whispers as I do now. I must trust that He will keep me safe within them for I am His. I pray that He will keep my Brothers and Sisters safe within His arms as well. For truly have they earned His protection. We shall see what the coming darks bring.

I was correct; a cleansing of mind and spirit was needed. After a fearful and tense eve, I found a relatively safe place and sank deep within my meditations and rest. Upon awaking the clarity I sought had come to me. No matter one’s faith, powerful things happen in three’s. And so it is that I see now the three mistakes I have made that have put me in what may yet prove to be a fatal position. It comes as no surprise as one of His that my mistakes are woven, in some ways so tightly that it is hard to tell where one ends and another begins.

I was mistaken in thinking that under the veneer of its differences this was a city like any other. This is truly unlike any place I have ever been. He runs deep within this place. Even those that would shun Him or do not know Him have been graced with His touch. That much I saw rather quickly upon my arrival. What I did not see was the manifestations of that. This city moves at such an odd dual pace and is so ever-changing I should have looked deeper within. One must have patience and move delicately and slowly on one hand, yet move with authority, speed, and precision on the other. Those that cannot are consumed by this place.

The problem with immersing yourself within a role is that you become that which you portray. As I looked in the mirror this waking a feeling of disgust came over me. Too completely have I embraced this role. As I read back through my past entries I realize that I have danced the edge of madness. I have let myself become helpless and weak. I have become a burden to those I am with. Too reliant on their willingness to see me as a lost one. How is it that a woman who has made her way here with nothing more than her wits and His guidance has become what I now see in the mirror? Truly it is a madness that overcame me.

In allowing such to happen I fear I have become a liability and a bother. Where once my patience served me well, it now proves to put me in an untenable place. Information outdated, business left unconcluded, acquaintances missed. So many threads left hanging in my weave. Threads that should have long ago been tied up. And now those loose threads threaten to weave the end of my path.

I know the Whisperer must think me useless and a waste of his time. I see it in his gaze and in his dismissive gesture. Hells, if I could just conclude a conversation with the man I would not be such a pest. Where once I stood strong I now hide behind. I think about how we met and where we have come since that time. If it weren’t so damnably pathetic, it would almost be humorous. Now I am a nuisance, a bother. Always we are interrupted and I am pushed to the side. I realize he is a busy man and inevitably these interruptions are urgent and demanding in nature. And it is here that my patience is both a blessing and a curse. For I have allowed myself to be able to be put aside.

Brother was not wholly right those many darks ago, but neither was he wholly wrong. Brother’s words were a message that I failed to heed. Too comfortable had I become in feeling His touch and hearing His whispers. I have committed the sins of self-righteousness and arrogance.

The path to redemption in His eyes is before me. It will take every ounce of me to walk it, but walk it I must. Amidst the dangers of being hunted and having ostracized those that I would call ally; this path I must walk. I must find my own feet again and become my own woman that is worthy of Him. While the dance of mingled shadows is indeed beautiful to behold, it is my own that I must tend to.

I am either about to make a huge mistake or perhaps tie up but one of my threads.

The first steps have been taken. The threads slowly rewoven. The path to redemption begun. I pray it pleases Him. Delicately I must move or my life will be forfeit. But in the end I will have redeemed myself. Once more will I be a woman worthy of Him.

So much yet so little to write about. My path grows narrower each day. The line I must walk finer. If my steps falter off the path my life is forfeit by any number of hands. Yet these last darks it seems as if all I do is stumble. I knew this would be a rough and dangerous path, yet I prayed I would have the strength to walk it steady. But it seems He tests me on all fronts. Twice I have fallen to my own frailness and unsteady feet. He has breathed life back into my shadow while laughing at my foolishness. If I do not find it within myself to do these tasks I will not find my redemption. And find it I must. Where once His touch and voice were my constant companion, now I feel it slip slowly away. It is cold and empty in that spot. Something I’ve not felt in many years since before I came to His hand. I –must- do this thing before me. When my time comes to fade for the last time, I wish it to be with His grace, my hand in His. My redemption must be found.

Whisperer does not understand. Neither does he know me as well as he thinks he does. I know he is irritated and disgusted with me right now because of what he thinks he knows. But this is the rare occasion he is wrong. I have seen Master’s power. Master takes what he want regardless of whether or not you wish to give it. So why not take what he offers? I do what I do in service of My Lord. For it is Him that I am pledged to body and soul. Does Whisperer not truly believe that My Lord can do whatever He wishes at any time? Does he think that He would have allowed this thing to occur if it did not fit His plans for me? Whisperer and I will have to talk. I’ll not have His work ruined because of a misunderstanding.

Entry is written in a shaky hand

And so it seems the end of my path is upon me. Whether it by her hand or his I do not yet know. It will depend on what I decide to do next. For now I hide. Unsure. Even as I write this I send whispers to My Lord to give me the strength to face this. If this is to be my end I wish to face it standing tall, His name upon my lips. I do not wish to face it cowering and sniveling. So I sit and pray. Pray for strength, pray for courage. Pray I make the right choice. Pray that I do His will.

My choice has been made. I will wait for him at the Embassy. I will let my end come by the hand of His servant. I pray that when my shadow fades into His, He forgives me my sins.