Aeronwy's Diary

[Loops]

Each page in this small book is written in compact, tight handwriting.

Page 1.

Strange times I find myself in. After endless travails, I have come upon Ephia's Well. It is a place possessed of a wealth of opportunity and potential, such as I had perhaps forgotten possible. Here, there is food and water aplenty. No longer will I need to trade the salvage of the wastes for vine fruit, flour, and water to bake upon my shield. Paper is abundant here, not merely hoarded by the chemists and the rich. So, I have decided to attempt the hobby of diarist. It will allow me to use letters such as I learned back home.

[close]

Page 2.

The tales of the Cinquefoil Rose have proven themselves to be grounded. There are people here who speak of their attempts to find the fabled cup to restore the world anew. I have met the Grandmaster of the Order, who is an inspiring woman such as I have not seen since I was a girl. There is a sisterhood here also spoken well of by the Grandmaster, whose purpose is that of the hearts, morals, and duty. One amongst them, Hypatia, I find myself quite fond of, indeed.

[close]

 Page 3.

I have found myself fond of the conversations with a physician and Astronomer known as Ashley. I am given to understand she is not without standing here in Ephia's Well. She has explained to me many extraordinary things regarding the inventions of an Ashfolk Q'tolip and his students. I have been bold enough to ask for more of her time, as her company is both pleasant and insightful. Indeed, out of a sense of duty and respect for my new hosts, I must endeavour to learn as much as I can about this new land and its customs.

[close]

Page 4.

I have been told to persuade the Legate Gausim al-Marain of the virtues of a hypothetical Rose District adjacent to the Krak des Roses. However, upon my meeting with the Legate and his scribes, it seems that my master was unaware of the various arrangements that the Balladeers, Sisterhood, and la Banda Rossa have already undertaken. Nevertheless, I did all that I might to furnish the Legate with the culture and beauty that my master wished to convey. Given the assembly of government is tomorrow, I fear that my role in this is too late. Yet, it was my honour to meet the Legate and his aid.

[close]

Page 5.

The Lyrist Aurelio whom I was told to serve has proven himself not a dutiful armsman but a young master. When I was first inducted into the Cinquefoil Rose, I was instructed to find whatever means I could to undermine its own army, la Banda Rossa. Yet how could I do this in earnest? There is no rightly way to betray the men and women who guard the doors as you sleep. Now I see the instruction for what it was. One of the Lyrist's closest men murdered a member of la Banda Rossa, stabbing him in the back, for all the government assembled of Ephia's Well to see. Our honour is greatly impugned. The Grandmaster has diminished Aurelio's standing, and I see now I must look elsewhere for leadership.

[close]

Page 6.

It was a storm of activity in an attempt to put things right. The murder of the Balestriere Vico in the seat of governance was an act so sinful that it appeared to corrupt the very halls of the institution. The former Lyrist and his men threatened a coup to betray their pledges to the Grandmaster. She put their ambitions down and forgave them. I had the honour of protecting the Legate Gausim al-Marain in cleansing the Stele and the Chamber of Rule from what I am told is the forces of a Sibilant Messiah, a Wyrm. I did this alongside Aurelio, the Balladeers, and a Sister-Acolyte Narwen, who seems a blessed sweet soul. Yet my duty means I shall need to keep a close eye on Aurelio and his men, indeed.

[close]

[Loops]

Page 7.

I have met a travelling Wyld woman known as Nonon. She has told me that the ash of the desert is alive in its own wicked way. She tells tall tales that the storms I remember from so long ago still rage. That some are destructive enough to turn men to dust and grind the walls of Ephia's Well to gravel. She even claimed that Q'tolip's Shade might not be enough to protect it. The thought has kept me up late tonight. This small township that is Ephia's Well has grown on me during my short stay and I am so sworn to protect it, however I may.

[close]

[Loops]

Page 8.

Fortune is a strange thing. I met an extraordinary woman who goes by the name of Madeline. According to tale, she is from a far-off land, a city suspended on a sea by which way I have never seen. She is a Luckfisher, a title that initially inspired in me no small amount of incredulity. Indeed, she of such unbridled affection and confidence that I admit I initially found it grating. But for the virtue of temperance, the more time I spend with her, the more I am beginning to see her every bright and wonderful quality. She spoke to me of the three pillars of her faith in Maribela de Fortuna. As foreign as it is to me to hear of unknown faith after faith in this strange land, I could not help but give it credence as I saw her speak with the most respect I had seen her articulate to date. I even shared a little of the small gods from the old world, yet the betrayals and monsters are such that I will not darken this page for it. Perhaps we shall journey together again soon. I would like such.

[close]

[Loops]

Page 9.

By the lost nine faces of misfortune, was there ever such a boor as Argoyle? Four wives bought from a slave market? My sweated well, well-marched posterior as oath that man could neer afford a lesson in numbers, much less a servant. That young master vexes me so with his every remark of irreconcilable ill virtue and poor regard. Yet, all the more reason to remind myself of the manners of temperance: discernment, obedience, silence, fasting, sobriety, physical penance, and contempt of the City Disk. Through these acts, I shall maintain the discipline required to bite my tongue, and I shall pray that, in the fullness of time, he grows to become a better and more honest man.

[close]

[Loops]

Page 10.

Today, on a venture abroad at the behest of the Cinquefoil, I came upon a shining mirror. It is ornate and quite fetching. Upon finding such, my mind turned to the Sisterhood and to Hypatia, who first greeted me when I arrived, hearing tell of the legends of them who would save the world. I secreted it away and asked Sister Selsi, who assured me that Hypatia would enjoy such a gift and that giving it would not cross any offence or superstition to local regards.

[close]

Page 11.

The days have become long. I have not had the company of a Balladeer since the betrayal of the Grandmaster. I fear that their silence and absence speak to a lack of belief in the Grandmaster's mercy and her command to cleanse the stain upon the honour of the Cinquefoil Rose. I will not deny my worry that this speaks to a greater issue. I remind myself of the virtue of hope and its tenets: the contemplation of heaven, of joy, modesty, confession, patience, of ardent sorrow for my faults, and acceptance of the long-suffering nature of life in the Disk. I shall pray that they grieve and do not plan further betrayals, even as I work towards peace.

[close]

Page 12.

I turned towards the duty that the Grandmaster gave me, and today, my attention has been on la Banda Rossa and House Maribid's 4th Legion. Having spoken to them both at length, it would seem they both agree in their own way that their work would be easier if given peace by the other. Yet any attempts at overtures between them in the past seem to have been undermined by a lack of respect for the other or a willingness to engage in good faith. I have proposed to them each to allow me to serve as a bridge between them and left them to consider how best that could be built. As I await their considerations on the matter, I found myself wandering and speaking to people in Ephia's Well about the tangled history of this place and the many betrayals that seem to have occurred. I suspect such will come for me in time, and I should be well prepared.

[close]

Page 13.

Unfortunately, the Sisterhood has seemed greatly busied of late, and I have not had the pleasure of the Sisters' company over wine. However, I was honoured by Eyck's company and more. It seems he has emerged in good enough spirits as to dispel my gravest concerns, and he came in time to witness Lyrist Hiltrud name me Balladeer and Sister Selsi grant me my first sip of the drink. Strange things I saw in my imaginings. Some poppy liquor, indeed, though pleasant enough for its bodily sensations. I am still abuzz, though I think that is my pride still resounding like a bell.

[close]

[Loops]

Page 14.

A day of tumults. What started as an opportunity to sit down with the Astronomers of Q'tolip and learn of their aggrievances was interrupted by the politician Marcellus' claims that young boys were trying to kill him. After safely escorting him to his home- a supposed temple filled with a collection of rat heads and goblin pornography- he then decides to throw a celebration with an open door, so much for the fright of assassination. Someone decided to have a jest with some tricks of the light, but there was a jovial atmosphere all around. I kept my eye out and saw not a raise of the knife throughout. I was finally able to gift the mirror to Sister Hypatia, and her smile made it worth the wait. And later that night, after celebrations, Aurelio emerged and declared it an hour of oaths. Once night had truly fallen, we gathered atop the Krak des Roses. I swear there I saw the King's mist adrift as we spoke our words true. I asked for a Sister who would accept my forebear's oath, and Sister Hypatia stepped forward to my delight and esteem.

[close]