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.
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