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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Aust Meliamne" data-source="post: 956" data-attributes="member: 95">Misha’s Journal #4 26th Leaffall, 1372 DR I really hate the rain; I hate the great outdoors too. Damn pesky bugs, the cold bitter air, and all this travel. Now I am not averse to traveling, that is fine, but I just like to complain. Though now that my journal has been returned to me, thank you very much Karanaj, I feel somewhat elated. I think he knows too much now, but I trust him. Now I know this group of clueless adventurers is rubbing off on me. Now if Vallia could just learn to keep herself out of harm’s way then all would be right in the world. Though it does not help that trouble and mystery seems to follow us, but I can handle that. Well, let me return to recounting the journey through the Cloud Peak Mountains. We had left Crimmor, and were a few days travel into the foothills surrounding the Cloud Peak Mountains, and everything had been going well. We continued our ruse of being a merchant family, when we needed to. The opportunities on the open road were far and few in between. Which suited me fine, I only wanted to get through the mountains before the rains came. It was pleasant, until we got ambushed by a band of troglodytes. Smelly nasty creatures, they hurled javelins at us from hidden locations. Vallia took it upon herself in her utter brilliance to take a javelin in her chest. She claimed later, that it was headed for my head. The javelin knocked her off of the wagon onto the left side laying on the ground bleeding and unconscious. The rest of the party prepared for the attack, I was the quickest off the mark and drew my composite short-bow, I could see two troglodytes hiding behind large stones on the right and three moving from the brush line on the left. I knocked an arrow and fired two shots in quick succession at one of the hiding creatures, only one arrow hit its mark. I gritted my teeth as Kay took cover and both Karanaj and Gruush dismounted and prepared to attack. Gruush aimed a bolt from his crossbow and fired at the same beast I had injured. Karanaj finished the task by using his magic, a magic missile I suppose. We had killed one creature as they began to advance, now the odds looked slightly better. I aimed my bow at the beast and fired two more arrows at the creature, my hands moving quickly. I am growing to like these Bracers of Speed. Both of my arrows hit their mark, but the creature did not fall. Gruush finished it though with another shot from his crossbow. Karanaj turned his attention to the troglodytes approaching quickly on our left and used his magic once more. Two more magic missiles arced out at the creature hurting it. It growled and charged into melee with Karanaj, while the others went to take on Kay and Gruush respectively. The attacks were vicious, but Gruush managed to emerge unscathed. I aimed my bow at the beast that attacked Kay, taking advantage of her short stature and fired into melee. Both of my arrows luckily hit their mark. Like I said luck is one of my best skills. Kay attempted to capitalize on my distraction but failed to connect with her unarmed attacks. Gruush attempted to lay down a mighty blow against the troglodyte but failed to hit the evil creature. Karanaj finished the beast he was facing by stepping back and using his magic missile spell to strike both his own opponent and Kay’s opponent. I like that spell. The creatures continued to attack but missed horribly. I dropped my bow and drew my longsword and flipped off of the wagon landing behind the troglodyte facing Kay and unleashed two quick strikes into its back. The first was a low strike severing the spine and the second attack a slash across his back. It was dead thankfully. Kay turned on the other creature and moved to sweep it with a well-placed kick, but did little to deter it from Gruush. Gruush added more insult to injury by kicking the beast in its gut knocking its air out. The lone troglodyte leapt upon Gruush and mauled him violently, as I approached to flank the beast and gutted in where it stood. It crumpled to the ground, and just for good measure I kicked the beast, it was very much dead. Immediately Karanaj went to look after Vallia while I scanned the horizon for any more troglodytes, I could see none and returned to check on Vallia. Karanaj decided that removing the javelin might help, a sound plan, if the javelin had not been barbed. I was horrified and immediately set about to trying to stabilize her. She was stupid; I am the one that is supposed to be throwing myself in harm’s way. I was able to close the wound as best as I could, but their was precious little else I could do until we could find a healer. I made her comfortable with Kay’s help while I thought if what to do. Speaking of thinking, it was about then, that I heard Karanaj’s mental voice. Karanaj and I spoke about the incident, and how stupid Vallia was for doing what she did. Karanaj returned my journal then, and he told me that he knew about the “Burning Rose”, bastard. He does not know anything about Ellyn or me. But I let it pass, my only thoughts were about Vallia, she was stupid in doing that. Karanaj claimed it was a sign, a sign of what? That I should not have let things get so complicated, maybe I am a fool but it is better that she does not get hurt. Karanaj is right though, I do see it, I want it, but I digress I need to move on. The rain began to fall, and I realized that we were not too far from a village I remembered along this road. Didn’t stay for long but I knew it was not that far ahead maybe a few leagues or so. I placed Vallia on the wagon gently, while Kay cared for her. Gruush and Karanaj took their positions and we went with as much speed as we could muster towards the village. The rain came heavy and hard as we rolled into the village. Vallia was turning blue, just watching her so helpless ripped my insides apart it seemed. I was determined not to lose her. We stopped at inn called the “Traveler’s Boon”. Gruush opened the door for me as I carried Vallia inside, he was slightly overzealous in calling out for aid, but I do not blame him. After a few tense moments, the innkeeper, Tal was able to help us and I placed Vallia down on a table. I almost slipped up in our ruse, but continued the role as a devoted husband. Tal had Karanaj fetch the healer, Dosol, which was thankfully not far. I stayed and watched over Vallia and mulled my jumbled thoughts through my mind. Vallia was looking worse and worse by the moment, I hoped that Karanaj would return soon. Karanaj suddenly began to send me mental messaged about the healer, Dosol. He though the man was being charmed, so I sent Gruush to go and help in case there was trouble. At the same moment Tal began to recount a short little tale about some travelers that had recently came into town. A religious troupe of robed brothers whom he had seen at the abbey, when he heard some digging. Great, I knew this was not going to be a good night. Karanaj was suspecting trouble, and so I had Kay go along as well to help the poor mage, while I stayed behind to watch Vallia. But it seemed that I too would be needed and it was a tough decision, but I felt I could trust Tal. And if we could assist this healer, then all the better. I drew my longsword in and went to find Karanaj. I hoped I would not regret my actions. I found Karanaj, and company, engaged in combat with two robed creatures in the doorway to the abbey. Adventure and danger seems to follow us wherever we go I suppose. Good thing I am the best damn merc this side of Amn. Kay had just attempted what looked to be a punch, but she lost her footing, which threw off her balance horribly. Gruush slashed into a figure as Karanaj unleashed more of his magic into the hooded figure. I flanked the creature attacking Gruush, at Karanaj’s request and missed with my first slash but was able to bring my blade through my enemy’s side. Kay continued her attack but missed once more, like I said I do not expect much from the halfling. Gruush slashes once more with his kama and took the robed figure's head. I like Gruush he may smell, but he is good in a fight and smart too. (Did I mention that already?) Luckily I turned and spotted inside the abbey no less, two more of these figures coming up some stairs, joining a third already standing within the abbey. One of them casted a spell that created magical webbing, luckily we all evaded the sticky stuff. One of the figures then went back down the stairs leaving the two robed figures to face our wrath. I flipped forward evading the sticky webbing landed and then roll forward and sprung up into a cartwheel, my blade in my hand the whole time. I brought it to bear and slashed the closest hooded figure. My attacks came quick but did not fell the hooded attacker. Kay threw shuriken at the other figure as Gruush pressed his attack. Karanaj finished off the second hooded creature after it tried to rip Gruush apart with its claws. The figure I just slashed stepped back and unleashed two magic missiles into my chest. Now I don’t like Magic Missile. I growled and pressed the attack first gutting the hooded mage, and then taking his head clean off his shoulders. I felt slightly better after that show of force. I could hear digging sounds coming from the stairway, but we also had the charmed priest, Dosol, to attend to. We debated what to do, I wanted to get Vallia help as soon as possible but I also did not want these cretins to get away with whatever foul plans they had. We were about to take the priest to the inn when he abruptly turned and walked to the stairs, well that settled that. We went after the digging as I held my longsword two-handed. I had Karanaj return to Vallia since he had exhausted his magic power, and I was still very worried about Vallia. I lead the way with Gruush, then Kay following me. Dosol walked down the stairs into a room and just faced the far wall; he was definitely being charmed by something. Before we could focus on that problem we saw two more figures, both robed of course, and that blasted magical webbing. Both Kay and myself avoided the loathsome webs but Gruush was not so lucky, and was stuck. I am starting to loath magic. I was the quickest to act, and slashed at the hooded mage, but I missed both of my attacks. Kay used her sling to pelt the digger and hit the digger squarely in the head, but he continued to dig. A fanatic perhaps? I would not have much time to think about that as the mage stepped back and fired more magic missiles into my chest. I really am starting to hate that spell. I continued my assault and slashed the mage wickedly with my blade, but he did not fall. The mage stepped back and unleashed more strange magic upon me, but I was able to evade the strange sickening magic. Kay launched another pellet but missed the digger this time. I growled and pressed my attack with a fury, that not even Selune could contain. I slashed my blade into the mage’s gut then ripped it out quickly and spun taking the mages head as well off his shoulders. I watched as the hooded mage fell into three messy pieces. I love it when a good plan comes together. Kay slung another stone as Gruush freed himself from the webbing. She missed her attack once more as Gruush slashed at the mage, again missing as well. I took the opportunity to flank the mage and brought my longsword, held two-handed no less, down splitting the mage’s skull. He fell the to the floor in a heap, a bloody heap, but a heap nonetheless. We looked to the priest but our gaze was drawn to a glow, coming from where the digger had been digging before I split his skull open. The glow was coming from an orb; I knelt down near it and glanced at the others. We were all wary, but I bravely reached out to touch it. Against Gruush’s wishes, strangely enough the orb healed me. I like this glowing and I bade every one else to “touch my orb”. Since I touched it first it was my orb. Gruush followed my lead and touched it as well, and it in turn healed his wounds. Kay was frantic and grabbed the orb to take it to Vallia, it healed her wounds as well, but it disappeared right before our eyes. We shared some terse words and I relayed to Karanaj as well, via my ring, what had transpired. He was not pleased with the results but it mattered little we still had Dosol, the healer. Kay grabbed Dosol and led him towards the inn; he was still quite confused but agreed to help us. Gruush followed, and I set about the grisly work of checking the bodies of these hooded thugs. I found about 250 silver, which I being overly generous lost 200 trying to share equally with the rest of the group. Their lack of common sense astounds me; none took the silver I left for them at the inn. I can only presume they have yet to learn the rudimentary aspects of greed. Anyway as I checked these loathsome thugs I found that they were not men but some strange hawk-like humanoid. I have not the knowledge to know what they were so I grabbed one that was relatively intact and carried it back to the inn. I entered the inn and hoisted the strange humanoid onto the table and shook off the blood and gristle. Always a good feeling, well not really, I suppose. I took a seat and rested for a moment while the rest of the party pondered over the strange creature I had found. I rested and thought about the day’s events. I also chatted with Karanaj mentally and I am finding he can be just as annoying as Vallia. They are both too naive at times for their own good. Tal came into the common room and was shocked as well; I explained to him everything that happened he seemed grateful if not surprised at the events that unfolded this rainy eve. I hate the rain; I just wanted to say that. Dosol came downstairs and was pleased and happy that we assisted him. In the meanwhile Karanaj and myself were having a heated argument over Vallia. He wanted me to see what a fool I had been up to this point, and I could not doubt that he understood why I persisted. He knew about Ellyn after all. I wanted to choke him at some points, but I understood he meant well. But I don’t want to hurt Vallia, not like I did Ellyn, I love her too much I think. If one such as myself can love at all. We passed each other in the hallway he glanced at me and I at him. I gave him a curt response as if master speaking to servant, to continue our ruse. I then shooed Kay out of the room and spoke with Vallia alone. She at least was feeling better. I sat down on the bed and explained what had happened to her, during her figurative leave of absence. I also let it slip that I thought her actions were foolish and that she should take greater care before casually throwing herself into harm’s way. She was saddened by that, I can see why she did it. I had hoped I was wrong, and this will complicate my role as a protector. But one look into her opened eyes and I knew it didn’t matter. I am a sucker for a pretty face. I explained to her the events of the night as well, and our little altercation with the hawk-like humanoids. She was most distressed that I left her. And that sent pangs of guilt up and down my spine. I didn’t want to leave her but it had to be done, to help her. Or so I thought. I so despise the position of leadership, which has been unceremoniously dropped into my lap. I am not a leader of men, but a merc. A merc, why couldn’t she understand that, I don’t have time for love. I am a warrior for money, I kill and I get paid for it. I don’t stick around, I go where the money is, but she can’t see that. Sometimes I can’t see that either. This life of companionship is growing on me. I don’t want it to end, but I know once this mission is over, and my job done. I will have to move on. I am only human; my life compared to hers will be brutally short. Why does she not see that? I could see though that she was still very cold so I offered to share some warmth with her. I took off my shirt and laid in the bed with her, and allowed her to take part in my own body heat. An old trick I learned from soldiers during cold nights. It takes a lot of trust mind you, but much warmer then sleeping alone. Vallia was startled but she enjoyed it, and I have to admit I did as well. Morning came and I was up first, as usual. Vallia was surprised to still see me there and I enjoyed the pleasant little fiction of husband and wife. She kissed me on the cheek gently, and I could find myself getting used to that. I could find myself getting used to many things, actually. But I still carried the pain from Ellyn so I had to restrain myself. We dressed quickly, and we chatted about the argument that Karanaj and myself had last night. She was surprised to see that she was the topic of discussion. We did not linger long about it and decided to focus on getting through these mountains and towards Mistledale. Karanaj surprisingly spoke to me in the morning but I couldn’t chat for long. I was in the midst of another kiss with Vallia. Sometimes I really hate those damned rings. The morning passed, and I got myself a well-needed bath and some food in my stomach. We would have stayed longer I suppose at the inn, but we needed to move on. Vallia could feel that Aliya was weakening. We moved on, in hindsight I think we had caused quite a ruckus in that small village. We seem to do that more times then I would like, maybe it is just Tymora smiling upon us. We started on our journey once more and I chatted with Karanaj mentally along the way. He was still quite determined to have me admit my feelings for Vallia, a conversation I was beginning to dread every time I heard his voice in my mind. I reminded him that he should never speak of Burning Rose to anyone, and I think I can trust him to do so. He added that I should read his journal as well for fairness, and I after some thinking agreed, since it was only fair. He handed the book over and I have had some time to read it. I can only say that I had quite a few laughs, but I would like to add that I am no braggart. I am the best damn merc this side of Amn. Anyway, to continue, he explained to me this elven phenomenon that is the Ma'sheira. I guess, from his words that it is when an elf meets someone and instantly know that they will love this one person in all of their life. The elf has no control over this I suppose and they will love only this one person, for all of their lives. That sounds good and dandy if that significant other is an elf. But in Karanaj’s case, Aliya loves him in this way, and he is very human. I feel for him, and her sadly, as I have said before we humans live brutally short lives compared to the other races of Toril. I then spoke with Vallia about this phenomenon. I think what I heard stunned me more so then anything else this whole trip. Including those blasted magic missiles. (Did I mention I hate that spell?) At first she was evasive but she explained to me what Karanaj had told me before. So I simply asked her if she had found her own Ma'sheira, and she seemed to at first reply that he had died. I felt bad inside because that is a horrible thing. But luckily he was still alive, and I wished that she would get back to him soon once this was over. I had an inward twang of pain as well. I liked her and I could tell she liked me, but I did not feel right trying seduce another man’s woman. Not that I was doing this on purpose mind you. But she continued and it seemed that she had never left his side from the first time they had met. I knew then I was in trouble, she didn’t even have to say it, even though in my shock my replies were all half-hearted. I was her Ma'sheira, I knew it inside and that scares me still even as I write this. Why me, I am a no-good merc just trying to make a quick gold. I am no hero, I am not dashing, just a merc. I had to think about this, what do I do? I can’t turn her away, she has no choice in this, she loves me and deep down, I care for her so deeply it scares me. Fate it seems is not without a sense of humor. We traveled through the mountains, as I contemplated these recent events. We passed through the mountains and have entered the Dales I wager although we are in marshland it seems. I really hate the bugs and the weather has been less then pleasing. It has rained for nearly the past ten-day. Nearly 23 or days on the road, I hope we are nearing Mistledale. I know in my heart what I must do about Vallia, I hope I am ready for this. Did I mention I really hate bugs? Misha “Burning Rose” Koldun.</blockquote>

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