The museum is most pleased to have intact and for display this only correspondence to the Freemage Academy in Niole Dra, the finest school of all O’erth. With this one letter he cemented his legacy forever.
For the Vice Chancellor Countess Alina Elowyn
Lady, I Sir Kildare S. Redding, Knight Magoi of the Principality of Ulek in humble service to His High Serene Highness, Prince Olinstaad Corond humbly invites thee to grace my humble estate with the blessings of your wisdom. I have penned the first draft of a modern set of law for the institute of freemagery in the Principality and have included with this letter a copy for your agents to review and comment on prior to formal presentation to the Prince. Of far greater interest to you my lady, is a collection of recently discovered pre-cataclysm manuscripts in a terrible state of decomposition. I believe these are of Suelii origin, from beyond the Suel Imperium. These documents are beyond my humble grasp of true magic or language and perhaps beyond any, but with your vast learning and careful treatment of the documents, our world might benefit from even a small return of true magic into the hands of the good people of the Old Kingdoms Domains. The artifacts are in the care of my staff in Gryax, awaiting shipment to a more secure facility near Kaska, we will be at my estate in Havenhill should you chose to travel after the low summer festival, upon the conclusion of which we shall depart Gryax for the hill country estate. We have other artifacts as well, recovered from an ancient Shnai Jarl crypt, believed to be of the same period as the stone and brass manuscripts.
Blessed be,
Sir Kildare S. Redding
Knight Magoi of Kaska, Steward of Nornreddingkragg, High Spring Clan and Harbor I-Shnaihung
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Two stray log entries
Captains Log [date omitted]
Lordship of the Isle’s Patrol Intercepts Voyager to perform routine inspection. Brief scuffle occurs below decks as three men are identified as outlaws wanted by the lordship. Hooligan officers demand a bribe suggesting they’ll sink us if we don’t pay up. They take what they want, including the three scofflaws and depart.
We sail on Skirting the Spindrift to the East, the Lordship officers having informed us of open fighting in the sound. Planned next land fall at Kalport Bay in the corrupt formerly Great Kingdom. The thought of making landfall there sickens me, but I have no choice. We might not have enough supplies remaining aboard to make it that far, the eastward detour around the Spindrift Sound will take time and there are few ports I would consider friendly, and I expect no harbor here will honor requirements for courtesy to a diplomatic envoy.
Captain’s log [date omitted]
After the difficulties with the eastward bypass, we have found ourselves run aground. A mistake I fully accept as my own has put us on a shoal. The crew is working hard to drag Voyager off but it is back breaking work. The men complain loudly and so I’ve doubled rations for all hands hoping this will safely free out bottom before the spine cracks under her weight and an ebbing tide.
Lordship of the Isle’s Patrol Intercepts Voyager to perform routine inspection. Brief scuffle occurs below decks as three men are identified as outlaws wanted by the lordship. Hooligan officers demand a bribe suggesting they’ll sink us if we don’t pay up. They take what they want, including the three scofflaws and depart.
We sail on Skirting the Spindrift to the East, the Lordship officers having informed us of open fighting in the sound. Planned next land fall at Kalport Bay in the corrupt formerly Great Kingdom. The thought of making landfall there sickens me, but I have no choice. We might not have enough supplies remaining aboard to make it that far, the eastward detour around the Spindrift Sound will take time and there are few ports I would consider friendly, and I expect no harbor here will honor requirements for courtesy to a diplomatic envoy.
Captain’s log [date omitted]
After the difficulties with the eastward bypass, we have found ourselves run aground. A mistake I fully accept as my own has put us on a shoal. The crew is working hard to drag Voyager off but it is back breaking work. The men complain loudly and so I’ve doubled rations for all hands hoping this will safely free out bottom before the spine cracks under her weight and an ebbing tide.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Contiguous Log.
The only contiguous sectoin of log entries from this voyage are compiled here for you. It illustrates the very real dangers and harships sailors faced during the Navigator's era. Though mundane compared to rampaging monsters and witches, the threat of plague which can strike invisibly and is little understood in Kildare's time was quite terrifying.
Navigator’s Log [date unintelligible]
Plague has broken out.
3 men buried at sea:
S. Barhoss.
I. Maestro
Joseph H. Woken.
12 men ill, quarantined below decks. Ships surgeon has no treatment. For safety, at his urging bride relocated to Cape, under quarantine there, with Gallon. Upon sighting Talbot we signaled for Nastia to be transferred to help seek a cure. She arrived to report that two officers have died, and at least ten are ill.
The news spreads, the crew is restless, and all discipline has broken down. I recommend replacing the crew at next landfall.
Navigator’s Log [date unintelligible]
Fire aboard Voyager, one crewman attacked another with a torch during the evening meal. One of the men escaped from quarantine, strangled the other man to death even as he was being struck with the torch. Perry dispatched the attacker and warns the fellow may have been a ghoul. Rumor spreads and several more men fall ill, though no more perish. All are quarantined. The suspected Ghoul is treated by Perry and buried at sea. [The man’s name is erased from all logs and manifests]
The fire destroyed a number of spare spars and 23 yards of sail, and several caches of spare misc. rigging and lines. Two men injured in the fire, treated and returned to duty.
The Cape reports no illness, so far she is the only clean vessel. Nastia and Perry suggest exorcising the ship and the pair set about the task. The priest gains a number of converts who flock to him out of desperation and fear.
Two days from land.
Navigator’s Log [date unintelligible]
Land sighted, one man J. Falco is unaccounted for, presumed lost overboard. One infected man has taken his own life by hanging. No new cases or fatalities beyond the suicide. [Suicide also stricken from the logs-something superstitious sailors commonly did].
We anchor outside Dullstrode [Ahlissa] and assemble the remaining officers and crew. Talbot pronounces the plague and bad fortune over but offers to release any man with full pay for the voyage here. Everyone accepts the offer, and sign a pledge to not speak of the misfortune on the voyage thus far. This will not contain the tale I know, but my brother is hopeful. Unlike him, I’d have expected him to cajole or threaten the men with violence; instead he gives each a small bonus of eight silver coins apiece.
I am reunited with my bride, who is happy to see me it seems, I make the best of this rare good mood of hers and waste some time ashore with her. Talbot sets about recruiting new crews, three weeks for recruiting, refit and repairs. Nastia and Perry wish to further research the plague ashore. I warn them the people here may be strange to them, and ask them to exercise extreme discretion as they do this. They make some friendly contacts with good people who need some help and I join them while my wife who is advancing in her pregnancy, takes advantage of the opportunity to gorge herself on fresh food, cakes and chocolates. The ships surgeon tends to her with Gallon while I assist Perry and Nastia with the Cuthbertines ashore.
Captain’s Log [date unintelligible]
Fire aboard the Cape, 25 souls lost, and ship burnt to the waterline, a total loss. Damage to the mission of some thirty two hundred gold.
Talbot orders us to put to sea immediately; he suspects the townspeople were after his ship, or the Voyager, seeking to destroy the source of the plague after reports of similar outbreak in the harbor. We are safely away, Perry, Nastia, Gallon and the bride safe with me. No new master has been hired for Voyager so I spend more time on the bridge while Nastia works on the research I had left unfinished, she is close to a breakthrough I can feel it.
As to my brother and his state of mind, Nastia I fear is right – something is amiss. I wish my brother no ill so I request Perry to examine this matter by way of augury. I keep his findings in strictest confidence alerting only my body guard. I move into the larger captain’s cabin and move my family, Nastia, Perry and Gallon into my quarters. It’s cramped but quite rewarding to see all getting along so well.
Navigator’s Log [date unintelligible]
Plague has broken out.
3 men buried at sea:
S. Barhoss.
I. Maestro
Joseph H. Woken.
12 men ill, quarantined below decks. Ships surgeon has no treatment. For safety, at his urging bride relocated to Cape, under quarantine there, with Gallon. Upon sighting Talbot we signaled for Nastia to be transferred to help seek a cure. She arrived to report that two officers have died, and at least ten are ill.
The news spreads, the crew is restless, and all discipline has broken down. I recommend replacing the crew at next landfall.
Navigator’s Log [date unintelligible]
Fire aboard Voyager, one crewman attacked another with a torch during the evening meal. One of the men escaped from quarantine, strangled the other man to death even as he was being struck with the torch. Perry dispatched the attacker and warns the fellow may have been a ghoul. Rumor spreads and several more men fall ill, though no more perish. All are quarantined. The suspected Ghoul is treated by Perry and buried at sea. [The man’s name is erased from all logs and manifests]
The fire destroyed a number of spare spars and 23 yards of sail, and several caches of spare misc. rigging and lines. Two men injured in the fire, treated and returned to duty.
The Cape reports no illness, so far she is the only clean vessel. Nastia and Perry suggest exorcising the ship and the pair set about the task. The priest gains a number of converts who flock to him out of desperation and fear.
Two days from land.
Navigator’s Log [date unintelligible]
Land sighted, one man J. Falco is unaccounted for, presumed lost overboard. One infected man has taken his own life by hanging. No new cases or fatalities beyond the suicide. [Suicide also stricken from the logs-something superstitious sailors commonly did].
We anchor outside Dullstrode [Ahlissa] and assemble the remaining officers and crew. Talbot pronounces the plague and bad fortune over but offers to release any man with full pay for the voyage here. Everyone accepts the offer, and sign a pledge to not speak of the misfortune on the voyage thus far. This will not contain the tale I know, but my brother is hopeful. Unlike him, I’d have expected him to cajole or threaten the men with violence; instead he gives each a small bonus of eight silver coins apiece.
I am reunited with my bride, who is happy to see me it seems, I make the best of this rare good mood of hers and waste some time ashore with her. Talbot sets about recruiting new crews, three weeks for recruiting, refit and repairs. Nastia and Perry wish to further research the plague ashore. I warn them the people here may be strange to them, and ask them to exercise extreme discretion as they do this. They make some friendly contacts with good people who need some help and I join them while my wife who is advancing in her pregnancy, takes advantage of the opportunity to gorge herself on fresh food, cakes and chocolates. The ships surgeon tends to her with Gallon while I assist Perry and Nastia with the Cuthbertines ashore.
Captain’s Log [date unintelligible]
Fire aboard the Cape, 25 souls lost, and ship burnt to the waterline, a total loss. Damage to the mission of some thirty two hundred gold.
Talbot orders us to put to sea immediately; he suspects the townspeople were after his ship, or the Voyager, seeking to destroy the source of the plague after reports of similar outbreak in the harbor. We are safely away, Perry, Nastia, Gallon and the bride safe with me. No new master has been hired for Voyager so I spend more time on the bridge while Nastia works on the research I had left unfinished, she is close to a breakthrough I can feel it.
As to my brother and his state of mind, Nastia I fear is right – something is amiss. I wish my brother no ill so I request Perry to examine this matter by way of augury. I keep his findings in strictest confidence alerting only my body guard. I move into the larger captain’s cabin and move my family, Nastia, Perry and Gallon into my quarters. It’s cramped but quite rewarding to see all getting along so well.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Captain's Log One
Kildare begins a new log during his time at sea, few of the writings survive but this one has been restored for your viewing. The note from Ms. Leipzig has not survived the ravishes of the elements.
Three weeks at sea, we make our first land fall for fresh water at a small, little known island free of any national claims and kept secret by the various seaman who visit it for several reasons. It’s too small to fortify or defend, and it is really more an atoll than an island, it’s pure water spring and abundant fish, unique life that abounds here and soft sandy stretch of sand on the inside of the horseshoe shaped section of the island. We take on water and the three captains take a meal together on the beach. During our break my brother finally reveals the meaning of the poem, he says that it was a poem I had penned to him in a letter meant to convey that everything was well, despite the somber tone of the text. It was concealed in the manner that it was to make sure I knew it was from my brother, the same way I had taught him to conceal messages so long ago. A simple enough explanation but I can’t recall ever writing anything remotely poetic; perhaps I borrowed it from a shipmate?
As we broke from our meal Nastia slipped a note into my pocket – I would not have mentioned it or even noticed except that my dear wife had noted it and after we were back aboard Voyager, she decided to pull it from my pocket and read it aloud to me. The noted explained, in sparse detail that Ms. Leipzig had reason to believe my brother to be quite mad and asked for me to come up with some excuse for her to join me aboard Voyager for the next leg of our journey. I know my brother to be quite mad indeed and thought little of it, I planned then to reassure my friend that she was simply attracted to that kind of fellow it seemed, and she should not worry so much. Still her judgment and council are wise so I mull over her note now. My wife was disappointed not to see any secret affections or longing expressed, I assured her as best I know how that there would never be such a declaration from any woman. Probably not even my own wife.
I have ample free time aboard Voyager, the 1st mate was the master and commander prior to my arrival and so I let him handle the day to day chores, he knows the men and the vessel. This allows me to conduct some research and so I will, if she likes, extend an invite to my apprentice to join me. My wife will not join me in my laboratory and fears my cat statuette as well as many of my books and tools. You’d think I had a candelabrum made of human skulls and bones in my office. I think too she had discerned the secret bond between me and my cat and she has gone to considerable length to keep him at bay, wearing some warding charm against him, which of course he has just the other day stolen and I believe eaten.
Three weeks at sea, we make our first land fall for fresh water at a small, little known island free of any national claims and kept secret by the various seaman who visit it for several reasons. It’s too small to fortify or defend, and it is really more an atoll than an island, it’s pure water spring and abundant fish, unique life that abounds here and soft sandy stretch of sand on the inside of the horseshoe shaped section of the island. We take on water and the three captains take a meal together on the beach. During our break my brother finally reveals the meaning of the poem, he says that it was a poem I had penned to him in a letter meant to convey that everything was well, despite the somber tone of the text. It was concealed in the manner that it was to make sure I knew it was from my brother, the same way I had taught him to conceal messages so long ago. A simple enough explanation but I can’t recall ever writing anything remotely poetic; perhaps I borrowed it from a shipmate?
As we broke from our meal Nastia slipped a note into my pocket – I would not have mentioned it or even noticed except that my dear wife had noted it and after we were back aboard Voyager, she decided to pull it from my pocket and read it aloud to me. The noted explained, in sparse detail that Ms. Leipzig had reason to believe my brother to be quite mad and asked for me to come up with some excuse for her to join me aboard Voyager for the next leg of our journey. I know my brother to be quite mad indeed and thought little of it, I planned then to reassure my friend that she was simply attracted to that kind of fellow it seemed, and she should not worry so much. Still her judgment and council are wise so I mull over her note now. My wife was disappointed not to see any secret affections or longing expressed, I assured her as best I know how that there would never be such a declaration from any woman. Probably not even my own wife.
I have ample free time aboard Voyager, the 1st mate was the master and commander prior to my arrival and so I let him handle the day to day chores, he knows the men and the vessel. This allows me to conduct some research and so I will, if she likes, extend an invite to my apprentice to join me. My wife will not join me in my laboratory and fears my cat statuette as well as many of my books and tools. You’d think I had a candelabrum made of human skulls and bones in my office. I think too she had discerned the secret bond between me and my cat and she has gone to considerable length to keep him at bay, wearing some warding charm against him, which of course he has just the other day stolen and I believe eaten.
First Journal Concludes
This is the first time the navigator eludes to an heir arriving soon, it has been suggested that his bride was his apprentice and this authenticated document hasn't been able to put specualtion in that direction to rest, later documents never manage to put the idea of a trist between Kildare and his apprentice to rest though his bride is discussed as a wholy separate person, at odds even with Ms. Leipzig who is considered by scholars to be his first true apprentice.
And so I conclude this journal as it had begun, in my tiny cabin awaiting the tide shift so we can put to sea. There is for once no urgent matter before me, no cries for attention to some crucial matter from my friends or the state. Only the gentle lapping of the sea against the sides of Voyager, the creek of lines under load, and the foot falls of sailors on deck securing supplies for the journey. Naturally I make use of this time to reflect on the past few months’ activities that have brought me to this point while enjoying some rare pipe leaf brought by my brother from the Urnst highland.
I have decided to relocate to the coast, full time and to only retain an office at the Tower built for the defense of Kaska and the road along the frontier. The incursion that I feared would rekindle the hateful wars seems to have stalled indefinitely, the Thunderbloods having rolled back some enemy forces with vigor. Kaska to be sure has benefitted greatly from the traffic, mostly to the north from Haven Hill and points beyond, to the Ironhelm area where enemy activity continues to be reported. Hopefully the lack of returning traffic past my study window is not due to combat losses. My invitation to artisans and craftsmen to place their business on the increasingly busy path has seen a great expansion in the services available to Kaska, and enriched the town fathers while providing me a simple means by which to ensure the Prince receives his annual taxes without taxing my own income.
A new druid has arrived and has ensured us that the spring which feeds the Keep can be maintained quite easily; however she has expressed a number of troubling opinions about the arrangement of the orchards. While expensive and complex, I’ve decided to defer completely to her judgments about horticultural and agricultural matters. She has taken on two apprentices in Kaska and made fork grove her home where she instructs them. I try not to bother her too much, she is very forceful and I’ve had enough forceful strong willed women this summer to last a lifetime. Food production and variety have been increased and the fungus that plagued my own apple trees has been eradicated so I must thank her for that even if I dislike the cross breeding she insists on to prevent future outbreaks; I dislike the tart flesh of the hybrid fruit though she assures me I will prefer it baked in pastry. Again, I decided it best not to argue.
The women in my life continue to take increasing control. My former apprentice of course has helped to drive off another woman, a refugee with designs on my fortune, as expected but my own wife has proven quite impossible to contain. It is in no small part due to her urging in the form of thrown flatware, that I agreed to travel with my brother to the Thorillian on his diplomatic mission. And so my first heir is due shortly, hopefully not before our arrival at her family’s home along our path. I think I have managed a balance between them where their own rivalry over my various interests and attention intersect in such a manner as to preclude any focus on me – my bride is hopelessly jealous of Ms. Leipzig though less violently so than at their first meeting. And Ms. Leipzig is spending most of her time in the company of my handsome elder brother Talbot and so my wife treats her with increasingly cool civility worried she might plot with Talbot to steal my inheritance or something. It’s all quite annoying really, if not for the child on the way, I’d be alone or perhaps enjoying a short cruise aboard Escape with some dear friends.
The refugees have all been resettled and provided nicely for so they will survive the winter, including Tamara who is also serving as my personal archivist to my delight, she is patient, skilled and respectful of my holdings. I wish I could do more for them; in part that is the purpose of this mission -treasure. Several have settled at Kaska, and many in Gryax. Only a few opted to remain in Haven hill which bore little resemblance I have been told, to their original homes. Kaska’s people have been very welcoming and hospitable and more closely resembles many of their original settlements, and Gryax more so for obvious reasons. Two of the refugees have written me petitioning to be apprenticed. I have interviewed both of them and determined that while they are capable they haven’t enough foundational knowledge to begin the training. I set before them a simple task: spend a year under Cromwell’s care, at their own expense, with all their spare time in study. Cromwell is not a professional wizard trainer, but he knows how to open and prepare a mind certainly – and he probably knows more about wizardry than I am allowed to say I suspect.
On that subject I am happy to report the Council of Nobles has relented in opposing my position and title, for now. I think they have warmed to the idea of having a friendly wizard at their disposal with so few available in the principality and our kind being able to so quickly turn the tide of any battle, campaign or war. They likely have dispatched spies into my home, and I welcome them, to report on my activities as at least one noble has loudly declared he believes me to be an agent of T Mak and no ally of the dwur. I protested of course, citing my families own proud Keoish roots, my father having retired from the Navy after losing his foot, and my grandfather who perished in battle on the bridge of his own ship defending a young nobles barge from attack, a young noble who would then go on to become queen and mother of old Skotti himself. Most of the council was unaware of my ties to this land or my service to the crown in the Navy and after my name was recently cleared in the Tempest mutiny, I suspect even that loud mouth will come around and accept me as one of their most devoted defenders.
I have just received a wedding gift from Le Toux, it’s late and I had not expected one at all. A fine scarlet coat, with matching hat he insists in a note will be all the rage next season, with a dare to bravely be the first to sport it out in town. The buttons and braids are far less flamboyant than I had come to expect on a Le Toux selection, very tasteful and elegant antiqued pewter that compliments the scarlet nicely. Many pockets are included and so I will switch out of last season’s blue and gold though I am not quite sold on the hat – lost at sea I’m afraid. There is a purse with some jewels he had been saving and a bottle of special reserve single malt he says is for the baby and a pearl necklace for the wife. It’s quite stunning and clearly not something my ruffian bride would normally choose and so I will insist she wear it prominently and always, never revealing the humorous spirit in which it is given.
My brother has signaled just now to set the sea and anchor detail and so we are about to get underway. I close this journal on that happy thought, and with this one; Talbot has been able to confirm that father yet lives, and is safely away from his cell. I chose to believe he is correct and fully expect to see father upon our return trip which will include a stop in to Hardby. He has yet to explain the meaning of the secret poem in his letter but I expect that will come in due time.
And so I conclude this journal as it had begun, in my tiny cabin awaiting the tide shift so we can put to sea. There is for once no urgent matter before me, no cries for attention to some crucial matter from my friends or the state. Only the gentle lapping of the sea against the sides of Voyager, the creek of lines under load, and the foot falls of sailors on deck securing supplies for the journey. Naturally I make use of this time to reflect on the past few months’ activities that have brought me to this point while enjoying some rare pipe leaf brought by my brother from the Urnst highland.
I have decided to relocate to the coast, full time and to only retain an office at the Tower built for the defense of Kaska and the road along the frontier. The incursion that I feared would rekindle the hateful wars seems to have stalled indefinitely, the Thunderbloods having rolled back some enemy forces with vigor. Kaska to be sure has benefitted greatly from the traffic, mostly to the north from Haven Hill and points beyond, to the Ironhelm area where enemy activity continues to be reported. Hopefully the lack of returning traffic past my study window is not due to combat losses. My invitation to artisans and craftsmen to place their business on the increasingly busy path has seen a great expansion in the services available to Kaska, and enriched the town fathers while providing me a simple means by which to ensure the Prince receives his annual taxes without taxing my own income.
A new druid has arrived and has ensured us that the spring which feeds the Keep can be maintained quite easily; however she has expressed a number of troubling opinions about the arrangement of the orchards. While expensive and complex, I’ve decided to defer completely to her judgments about horticultural and agricultural matters. She has taken on two apprentices in Kaska and made fork grove her home where she instructs them. I try not to bother her too much, she is very forceful and I’ve had enough forceful strong willed women this summer to last a lifetime. Food production and variety have been increased and the fungus that plagued my own apple trees has been eradicated so I must thank her for that even if I dislike the cross breeding she insists on to prevent future outbreaks; I dislike the tart flesh of the hybrid fruit though she assures me I will prefer it baked in pastry. Again, I decided it best not to argue.
The women in my life continue to take increasing control. My former apprentice of course has helped to drive off another woman, a refugee with designs on my fortune, as expected but my own wife has proven quite impossible to contain. It is in no small part due to her urging in the form of thrown flatware, that I agreed to travel with my brother to the Thorillian on his diplomatic mission. And so my first heir is due shortly, hopefully not before our arrival at her family’s home along our path. I think I have managed a balance between them where their own rivalry over my various interests and attention intersect in such a manner as to preclude any focus on me – my bride is hopelessly jealous of Ms. Leipzig though less violently so than at their first meeting. And Ms. Leipzig is spending most of her time in the company of my handsome elder brother Talbot and so my wife treats her with increasingly cool civility worried she might plot with Talbot to steal my inheritance or something. It’s all quite annoying really, if not for the child on the way, I’d be alone or perhaps enjoying a short cruise aboard Escape with some dear friends.
The refugees have all been resettled and provided nicely for so they will survive the winter, including Tamara who is also serving as my personal archivist to my delight, she is patient, skilled and respectful of my holdings. I wish I could do more for them; in part that is the purpose of this mission -treasure. Several have settled at Kaska, and many in Gryax. Only a few opted to remain in Haven hill which bore little resemblance I have been told, to their original homes. Kaska’s people have been very welcoming and hospitable and more closely resembles many of their original settlements, and Gryax more so for obvious reasons. Two of the refugees have written me petitioning to be apprenticed. I have interviewed both of them and determined that while they are capable they haven’t enough foundational knowledge to begin the training. I set before them a simple task: spend a year under Cromwell’s care, at their own expense, with all their spare time in study. Cromwell is not a professional wizard trainer, but he knows how to open and prepare a mind certainly – and he probably knows more about wizardry than I am allowed to say I suspect.
On that subject I am happy to report the Council of Nobles has relented in opposing my position and title, for now. I think they have warmed to the idea of having a friendly wizard at their disposal with so few available in the principality and our kind being able to so quickly turn the tide of any battle, campaign or war. They likely have dispatched spies into my home, and I welcome them, to report on my activities as at least one noble has loudly declared he believes me to be an agent of T Mak and no ally of the dwur. I protested of course, citing my families own proud Keoish roots, my father having retired from the Navy after losing his foot, and my grandfather who perished in battle on the bridge of his own ship defending a young nobles barge from attack, a young noble who would then go on to become queen and mother of old Skotti himself. Most of the council was unaware of my ties to this land or my service to the crown in the Navy and after my name was recently cleared in the Tempest mutiny, I suspect even that loud mouth will come around and accept me as one of their most devoted defenders.
I have just received a wedding gift from Le Toux, it’s late and I had not expected one at all. A fine scarlet coat, with matching hat he insists in a note will be all the rage next season, with a dare to bravely be the first to sport it out in town. The buttons and braids are far less flamboyant than I had come to expect on a Le Toux selection, very tasteful and elegant antiqued pewter that compliments the scarlet nicely. Many pockets are included and so I will switch out of last season’s blue and gold though I am not quite sold on the hat – lost at sea I’m afraid. There is a purse with some jewels he had been saving and a bottle of special reserve single malt he says is for the baby and a pearl necklace for the wife. It’s quite stunning and clearly not something my ruffian bride would normally choose and so I will insist she wear it prominently and always, never revealing the humorous spirit in which it is given.
My brother has signaled just now to set the sea and anchor detail and so we are about to get underway. I close this journal on that happy thought, and with this one; Talbot has been able to confirm that father yet lives, and is safely away from his cell. I chose to believe he is correct and fully expect to see father upon our return trip which will include a stop in to Hardby. He has yet to explain the meaning of the secret poem in his letter but I expect that will come in due time.
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