Blackwater
Veteran
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Diary of the New World - Completed 8/23/2015 - See Page 12 for latest updates
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Veteran
Blackwater
Veteran
Whew. Posted. Long one this time. Hope you all like it!
*Thumbs up*
Yowakusuru
Regular
I say **** the father. Go to the university, ye wise scholar. (btw I feel like since Kivana thought he was dead, she married some other dude, but now she knows he's alive!)
Blackwater
Veteran
Part XII
August 30, 1420
A veritable parade awaited us as we made our way out of the barone's manor and down main street, with music playing, townsfolk cheering for us, and confetti streaming down from the heavens to mark our departure. It was a bittersweet moment for me; as I said, I've rather enjoyed my time with the barone, and the Kingdom of Rhodoks is a place I certainly wouldn't mind returning to one day. On the other hand, I've found myself growing anxious to return to Swadia, to my own people, and to where a career and Kivana both await me. Thus, it was with mixed feelings that we exited the walls of Yalen and made our way to our respective carriages.
The carriage that I was assigned was a lavish four-wheeled vehicle pulled by four heavy horses. The exterior was made of lacquered black wood decorated with the crest of Swadia on it, which made me smile to myself; under any other circumstances, I would have been wary of climbing into the carriage, as it was practically begging to be attacked. I climbed inside and took note of the interior, which was nothing but deep red velvet couches and a plush carpet to ensure that the journey was as comfortable as possible. I noticed that not only did it come with bottles of wine stored beneath the seat, but that a small bookshelf had been provided for me. To my delight, many were classical titles that I had always wanted to read, but could never find the time to, as my studies at the university kept me busy. I was wondering how they had figured out my preferences when a face appeared in the window and asked with a grin if it suited my tastes. My jaw fell open when I recognized the face of my younger brother, Ihon.
He had grown a fair bit since the last time I had seen him - he was far more muscled, and he was sporting a dark brown beard that covered his entire face, in contrast to my own mustache and goatee combination. What shocked me even more than this, though, was the fact that he was sitting astride a horse. Ihon had signed onto the Swadian guard as an infantryman, and while my family is relatively well-off in terms of wealth, we could not provide a horse for him to ride. This meant that he had somehow risen through the ranks so quickly that he was now an official man-at-arms, at least, which was astounding considering that he had only been a part of the guard since he was eighteen, and it had only been a few years. I wanted to ask him how he had risen so high in such a short amount of time, but at that moment the caravan master announced that we had to be off. My brother spurred his horse to the start of the line, and I had to climb into my seat with questions buzzing in my mind. I intend to ask him the next time we stop.
The journey thus far has been quiet, and I've enjoyed watching the Rhodoks countryside rolling by. The mountains of the country are quite gorgeous when one is viewing them from a distance. Between admiring the scenery and reading, the trip has seemed to go by rather swiftly. It's a pleasant change, letting someone else face the dangers of the world while I simply observe in relative safety. But I intend to ask my questions the next time we stop. I'll collar my brother if I have to, but his story is one that I rather want to hear.
September 1, 1420
Although yesterday passed without incident, this afternoon we noticed that the sky was turning grey, and by dusk a heavy rain had begun to fall. The road that we were traveling quickly became muddy and difficult to traverse, and since there was a roadside inn nearby, the caravan master decided to simply stop for the night and continue in the morning, something that I had no objections to. We were able to pay for some space in the common room with a few florins, and the money that we paid even ensured that we would be given food both in the evening and the next morning. We settled into the inn and quickly ordered some food, as it was approaching dinnertime anyways.
I cornered my brother and made him sit with me at one of the tables as a meal was provided for us. I could tell that we were at least near the border of Swadia by the kind of food that I had for dinner - a meat pie consisting of ground beef, carrots, onions, peas, and thick gravy in a flaky pastry shell, washed down with a tankard of dark beer. As much as I've enjoyed the cuisine of the Kingdom of Rhodoks, I must confess that there had been nights where I went to bed feeling a bit underfed. Although Swadian food is not as refined as our southern neighbors, it does tend to fill one quickly, and it was the first time in a while that I've been able to enjoy a meal without feeling as though I was being judged for my etiquette. It was a rather refreshing experience.
While we ate, my brother naturally wanted to know the details of my travels, but I stopped him and demanded that he first tell me how he had managed to wind up astride a horse. He chuckled at this and admitted that it was quite a story. As I knew, he had joined the Swadian guard at the age of eighteen and had been assigned as a guard of Maras Castle, one of the frontier castles near the border with Rhodoks. According to him, it had actually been a fairly dull post, since Swadia and Rhodoks have tended to stay out of each other's way for the last several years. The only major problems that they faced involved nearby mountain bandits raiding a local farmstead, and even those incidents were few and far between. Thus, for his first couple of years, his duties consisted mainly of maintaining the upkeep of the castle doing the various tasks assigned to him, often involving keeping the armor and weapons polished, throwing out the waste of the castle, and drilling. It was dull, but the pay was decent and he didn't have much of a reason to complain. He was eventually assigned to the stables, and there he found that he rather enjoyed working with the horses. At first he had been assigned only temporarily, but he befriended the stablemaster, who began requesting Ihon for various duties, which not only got him out of some of the less enjoyable tasks, but also meant he could learn more about the care of horses. Eventually, he convinced the stablemaster to begin teaching him how to ride, and while he was warned that even knowing how to ride a horse didn't mean he would become part of the cavalry, Ihon persisted and eventually his request was granted. Over the next several months he perfected his riding technique and even began to learn to fight on horseback.
About four months ago, a messenger had arrived announcing that the nearby village of Reveran was under attack by a mountain bandit referring to himself as the local bandit king. Grand Duke Hughes, seeing a chance to earn himself a spot of glory in the absence of a major war, decided to assemble an army of about fifty men to ride out and meet this threat, my brother included. There were twenty-five infantrymen, fifteen archers, and ten cavalry in the unit, and they expected to meet resistance of maybe twenty bandits at most. However, they were caught off-guard when their forces were assaulted from three different directions by maybe eighty bandits in total, and the Swadians found themselves surrounded. While they tried to hold their ground, they found themselves being boxed in, and their archers were unable to fight properly. What's worse, the rocky terrain denied them Swadia's natural advantage in terms of heavy cavalry, meaning that they were slowly being picked off. As my brother was fighting, he saw one of the knights die when an arrow pierced his visor, and he fell from his horse. Not missing a beat, my brother climbed astride the horse instead to make it seem like the knights still had their full number, and the Grand Duke, seeing this, announced a charge on the enemy archers. It was a dangerous assault over rough terrain, but they managed to reach the lines and begin attacking the unprotected archers. However, the cavalry was then hit from behind by a new wave of rabble, and the Grand Duke was unhorsed. He was surrounded by three bandits when my brother rode them down, trampling one to death and cutting down the other two before pulling the Duke astride his horse and telling him to take it instead as Ihon continued to fight on foot. This display actually turned the tide of the battle, and the bandits were routed shortly afterwards.
When the battle was over, my brother was one of the men the duke honored personally, and when asked what his boon might be, Ihon replied that he'd rather enjoyed fighting as part of the cavalry. The duke said that he felt it was too early to knight my brother, but that in a few years he might prove himself worthy of the title; in the meantime, he had certainly proved himself an adept horseman, and he was promoted to a man-at-arms in the meanwhile. He's been serving as part of a scouting party ever since, consisting of about five horsemen serving as rangers and a patrol between Maras Castle and Reveran, and Ihon has found it much more fulfilling than simply being a guardsman. However, he insisted on being part of the caravan to escort me back, which the Grand Duke had been more than happy to allow. I was amazed, since it seems as though his adventures are at least enough to rival my own. He then demanded that I quit stalling and share my story with him. We discussed my travels long into the night and went through about four tankards of beer each before we finally went to bed around midnight, though I did decide to spend a few extra minutes to write this down. I hardly recognize my younger brother anymore, but I can't really say I'm surprised. While I was the one who enjoyed stories about knights and soldiers, it was my brother who always wanted to be one. And now he's fulfilled that dream. Really, good for him. I'm proud of him.
September 6, 1420
The night after I spoke with my brother, we departed early after a quick breakfast of porridge with apples and fresh milk. The journey passed relatively uneventfully as we traveled through the mountains, which surprised me considering how common the mountain bandits in the area were. However, when I mentioned it to my brother during one of our breaks for water, he told me that it was a testament to how hard he and the other rangers had been working to clear them out. There were still occasional bands preying on unwary travelers, but for the most part, many of the bandits had been dispersed or killed upon facing stiffer resistance from the local lords. Plus, it was unlikely they would attack a party of twenty armed guards, regardless of the cargo they were protecting. Without the danger of facing down these bandits, I rather enjoyed traveling through the mountains. The pace was slower, allowing me to enjoy the scenery. The air was cooler than what I had grown accustomed to, and the men were amused when I asked for a blanket. To be fair, it is a slightly cooler autumn than there had been in previous years, but I doubt I would be so sensitive to it if I hadn't spent most of the year in a jungle.
We stopped briefly at Castle Maras, which was the only way through the mountain pass into Swadia proper, and Grand Duke Hughes insisted on inviting us in to rest for a couple of hours. We were treated to a rich meal of roasted chicken, steamed vegetables, and fresh bread, and though the Grand Duke insisted that I eat more, I politely declined, partially because I'm growing increasingly anxious the deeper into Swadia we travel. Perhaps I'm simply road-weary. However, I did linger over ale for a bit to answer the duke's questions about the New World and my adventures. Like most of the nobles, he was fascinated by my story, though he seemed more interested in the battles I had participated in than anything else. It's understandable, of course. Because Maras Castle is one of the barriers between Swadia and Rhodoks, the duke has focused more on warfare than any other facet of ruling. His men are some of the elite of Swadia, which just makes my brother's promotion all the more impressive. However, we did not linger for long (compared to how long I stayed in Rhodoks, at least), and by early afternoon we had departed once more and crossed the border into Swadia.
The landscape shifted quickly from the mountains of Rhodoks to the more familiar forests of Swadia that I had grown up with, and when I heard the sounds of woodland creatures, I felt strangely comforted. Although I was raised in Aldeburgh and certainly cannot consider myself a man of the woods, I did spend enough time outside of the walls to feel a certain affinity for the forest. Our pace slowed once again, though this time it was because the men were wary of bandits. The trees afforded any potential assailants better protection than the open mountains of Rhodoks did. However, we fortunately did not encounter any trouble during our journey... until we reached the river.
The Uxkhal River is one of the main routes into Aldeburgh, and the intention of the men protecting me was to hire a boat that we could use to sail downstream into the city. When I disembarked, however, we were suddenly ambushed by a number of men pointing bows at us. They had apparently been tracking us for several days and waited for my guards to dismount from their horses before attacking and demanding that I hand over my treasure. Naturally, we refused. My brother ordered me back into the carriage, but upon hearing this, a few of the men shot fire-tipped arrows at the carriage. It wasn't immediately set ablaze, but it did discourage me from climbing into it again. With no other option, the knights attacked the bandits and a battle erupted around me.
I took cover behind the carriage as arrows began flying, seeing as how I wasn't wearing any armor and had no desire to die. I could hear men yelling, screaming, with bows twanging and steel cutting through flesh. I had hoped that I was done with war once I had left the jungle, but this skirmish reminded me that we Calradians are, in fact, the most warlike people in the world. Sadly, it seems I will never be able to escape it. However, I had to snap out of these thoughts when I heard footsteps approaching. A man clad in fur armor came around the side of the carriage, wielding an axe, and grinned savagely when he saw me. Fortunately, I was at least wearing my sword, and as he raised his axe to cut me down, I drew my blade and ran it through his chest all in one quick movement. He stared at me in shock as I pushed him out of the way with my shoulder, while another man ran at me, wielding a falchion. We duelled briefly, but I had both speed and reach on my side, and with a quick roll of my wrist, I was able to get inside his guard and pierce his throat. When I turned to face the next enemy, I saw the other bandits scattering. There were some wounded on our side, but no one was killed.
As I sheathed my eslavona again, my brother approached me with a look of shock on his face. All he could do was comment that he had thought I was lying when I had said I had learned to fight. I'm hardly surprised he was caught off-guard, since I have never been the martial type. He also noted that he had never seen a sword technique like the one I used, but when I told him that I had learned Rhodoks swordsmanship rather than the Swadian variant, he agreed that must have been it. It's fortunate that I did, too. I'm too slender to use the powerful slashing style of my homeland; the Rhodoks' quicker piercing style saved my life against the savages of the jungle, and it seems effective here as well. I suppose savagery knows no race. In any case, we were able to hire a boat about a mile or so down the river, and have been sailing for a little while. We will hopefully reach Aldeburgh in a day or two.
September 9, 1420
We sailed by boat for about two days down the Uxkhal River, and nothing of note happened. My brother and I spent most of the trip simply chatting with each other and catching up some more. I had hoped to glean some news of our family from him, but unfortunately he has been stationed so far away from Aldeburgh that he knew as much about the family situation as I did. He had received a couple of letters, one stating that our sister had become a nurse and another mentioning that the year had been particularly rainy which meant a rise in the number of patients our father had, but otherwise he had received very little news. Thus, I was rather anxious when we disembarked and approached the gates of our hometown.
Surprisingly, our entrance was not met with much fanfare, probably because we had arrived so quietly. When one of the townsfolk recognized me, though, word quickly spread, and by the time we had reached main street, we were surrounded by a crowd, which was an occurrence that I was growing increasingly accustomed to. This time, however, it was old friends and neighbors clamoring for my attention, demanding to know what had happened and how I had returned after so long. Sadly, I didn't see Kivana in the crowd, though I doubt I would have noticed her anyways, seeing as how there were likely hundreds of people engulfing me. Fortunately, my brother and the guards were able to bat them away as we made our way to my house, and when I stepped up to the door, the crowd dispersed somewhat, not wishing to ruin my personal homecoming. I made a note to head to the tavern later to at least grant them a retelling of the story.
When I knocked on the door, it was my mother who answered it, and when she saw me, she immediately began weeping and threw her arms around me. Over my shoulder, she also saw my brother and let out an even more delighted cry as she reached out and pulled him into a hug as well, one of us in each arm despite us both being more than a head taller than her. I'm just glad she didn't have a heart attack from joy on the spot. She all but dragged us inside and shut the door behind us, leading us into the living room while she bustled about making tea and sobbing while smiling at us through her tears. It was at that moment that my father appeared from an upper level, and a look of surprise and shock crossed his face when he saw both his sons in his house. His expression darkened somewhat when he noticed me, and as he descended the stairs, I felt a pit of dread form in my stomach. He motioned for me to come upstairs to his room where we would talk quietly. My mother squeezed my shoulder on the way up, but I took my time climbing the stairs before being ushered into the room.
My father shut the door behind him and walked over to the window as I took a seat at his desk. He didn't say anything for a long time, just staring out at the street while I grew increasingly uncomfortable. He finally spoke up after what seemed like twenty minutes, commenting that he had heard I'd had quite the journey. I didn't respond as he turned around and sighed, folding his arms over his chest. He then told me that I deserved an explanation of his motives. When he was my age, he had tried to pursue a career as a musician. I was shocked when he told me that he had been a bard, traveling from town to town, staying in taverns, playing for his meal. When he had met my mother, though, he had realized that he would be unable to provide for her if he'd kept up his lifestyle. He dove into medicine as a way to provide a stable household and income for her and their future family, and the entire time he was kicking himself, wishing that he had done it sooner since he would have been able to ensure that we were even more comfortable and stable.
He then turned to me and explained that this was why he had pushed so hard for me to get into medicine myself. It had proven to be a career that had enabled my father and his family to live comfortably instead of being destitute and penniless on the streets. And this was why he was so concerned to see me pursuing an education in the humanities, which had few career prospects, as well as courting a bard, which from his experience were little more than flighty children chasing dreams rather than focusing on reality. It was then that I asked him if he was happy doing what he was doing. He simply countered by asking if I had enjoyed my journey to the New World. And that's when I realized what he was really driving at - regardless of whether we enjoyed it or not, we had to make real decisions for the sake of our loved ones, to be able to provide for them and see them happy. If we enjoyed it, so much the better, but the overall goal was ensuring that those we cared about would be safe, fed, and happy, even at the expense of our own joy. In my own way, I had followed my father's path without even realizing it!
However, my father then began to laugh. He admitted that he hadn't expected me to go so far as to leave to find an entirely new world just to prove a point to him, just to pay for the chance to follow my dreams by buying one more year of university study. He was surprised, but also gratified that his son had enough strength and courage to find a new path even when the easy route had been cut off. I had carved my own way in the world, and he couldn't be more proud of me. As he said this, I felt my throat tighten, and my father walked over and squeezed my shoulder, smiling down at me for what felt like the first time since I had entered adolescence.
Before I could break down completely, he then suggested we head downstairs where I could share my adventures with everyone and not just him, as he was just as eager as my mother to hear about what had happened. I hastily agreed, and we walked out of the room to be greeted by the sight of my sister, Iana, who was grinning up at me. The three of us walked down the stairs, and I spent the rest of the afternoon giving the most detailed retelling of the story that I had yet told. I read passages from this diary, something I hadn't done with any of the nobles, and my family was enthralled. My father in particular was interested in seeing the new scar on my arm, while my mother was horrified at my diet at sea. My brother, for his part, still refused to believe that I was in as many battles as I claimed, though my sister pointed out that his own tales were just as wild and far-fetched. That evening, my mother served my favorite meal for dinner - smoked sausages, fresh baked bread, and grilled asparagus. For dessert, she revealed a cheesecake with raspberry sauce, a rare treat that she only usually served for holidays, but she brushed it off by saying that today was obviously a special occasion.
That evening, I finished up my tales by telling the tales of our return journey and the nobles that I had met, something that both my parents were amazed by. Long after the sun had set, we were sitting around the fire, swapping tales, until we began to depart for bed. Before I could do so, however, my father stopped me and asked if I truly had the amount of money I claimed, as well as the guarantee of the teaching position in Praven. When I replied in the affirmative, he sighed and commented that there was nothing more he could do to stop me. Then he shocked me. He stated that because I had more than proven that I would be able to take care of myself and her, I had his blessing to marry Kivana. Words cannot express the joy that swelled through me when he told me this, and before I could thank him, he told me to be off to bed. I'm still beaming as I write this. All that remains now is to travel to Praven and deliver my report to the University, and then to find Kivana and ask her hand in marriage. But I think I'll linger at home for at least a day or two more. After all, it's never felt more welcoming than it does now.
September 13, 1420
I spent three days in Aldeburgh, which worked out well considering that one of the days was a rest day. Naturally, everyone wanted to know my story, but this time the retelling was a bit different. To many of the people I retold the tale to, I was not some nameless adventurer who had landed his fortune, but rather a kid that they had seen growing up and playing in the streets. I even overheard one mother tell his son that if he grew up listening to his elders, he could be like me, which I nearly burst out laughing at. If I had listened to my father, I would be begrudgingly studying medicine at this very moment, likely setting myself up for a fairly stable career as a doctor, but certainly not an international celebrity. Of course, I didn't say this. It was, however, a strange feeling having gone from an unknown to a hero in my own hometown. People whom I barely recognized suddenly seemed to recall seeing me, and tried to remind me of times that they had happened to pass me on the street, or asked if I recalled when they had sat next to me in the tavern. It was strange, but also rather amusing.
When I finally had a spare moment, I also took some time to revisit the ruins of Uxkhal, something that I hadn't done since I was a teenager. Walking amongst the rubble and the ruins, I couldn't help but marvel at how so much death and destruction had actually managed to give life to my dreams. Without the treasures that I had found in Uxkhal, I would have never been able to finance my journey to the New World. At least for me, the deaths of so many of my countrymen were not in vain. For the first time, I silently thanked the spirits of those that had lost their lives in the siege. Shortly after this, I kicked a small, dirty coin. Picking it up, I realized that it was an ancient denar, one that I had missed despite scouring the ruins so many times as a boy. It just showed that there was always more to discover. It also made me wonder, what had I missed in my own voyage to the New World? What still lies there, waiting to be discovered by other explorers? The thought brought a smile to my face as I pocketed the coin.
My relationship with my father has significantly improved, but that hasn't changed how overbearing he can be. On the second day there, he asked me to accompany him to the hospital where he worked, something that concerned me. Once inside, he had his colleagues gather around and asked me to roll up my sleeve to show them the scar on my arm. He then spent the next half an hour expositing about the work I had done mending the wound, and how the treatment I had given it had been extreme, but also supported his hypotheses based on how cleanly it had healed without infection. This entire time, I stood there feeling more like an exhibit than a person as the doctors closely examined my arm and asked me a variety of questions regarding follow-up treatment. They were amazed that no leeches had been used to stem the bleeding and that I had somehow managed to balanced the humors of my body despite extreme conditions. Although I had enough medical experience to follow what they were saying, I couldn't provide them a sufficient explanation as to why my arm had healed the way it did, and they eventually went off to hypothesize on their own. This is why I didn't get into medicine. Still, my father did buy lunch afterwards, so I wasn't complaining.
I rather enjoyed my time in Aldeburgh, but on the third day, my brother reminded me that we had to be off to Praven. My mother was particularly tearful in her farewells, and my father reminded me that he was proud of me, and to mind myself when speaking with the professors of the university. We enjoyed a last meal that evening before my brother and his entourage resumed escorting me north. We've been following a major highway to Praven ever since then, an ancient roadway built when the Calradian Empire was at its peak and Praven was the shining capital of an unrivaled power. Thus, our travels have been swift. This is also literally the first path I've traveled since my journey began that is familiar, as I have traveled it several times to and from Praven University. I can hardly wait to provide my studies to the professors and hopefully be granted the reward I was promised - tenure and security at the university, a career that I could have hardly hoped for at the start of this journey but which now seems just outside of my grasp.
September 17, 1420
As expected, the road to Praven was rather busy, as it's starting to get into harvest season and merchants and farmers alike are eager to sell their surplus goods to whomever will buy them. Thus, my entourage received quite a bit of attention. Not every carriage walks with armed guards, and bandits aren't stupid enough to attack someone on the main highway unless it's very dark out. As such, we made very swift progress from Aldeburgh to Praven, and we were able to reach the city walls in just a few days. By that point, word of my impending arrival had apparently already reached the city. As we approached, we were greeted by a crowd that grew steadily larger the closer we got to the city. By the time we were at the front gates, people lined the streets as though they were witnessing a parade, though fortunately it was much more orderly than when we had first arrived in Yalen.
A messenger arrived quickly and informed me that the king and the pope both wished to see me. I was stunned. Of course my adventures had become a modern-day legend in just a few short weeks, and I was the first Swadian to ever set foot in the New World, but for both figures to invite me for an audience was still simply unbelievable. I was told to report to the palace directly and that I would be dressed for the occasion once I arrived. With their new orders secured, my brother and his fellow soldiers led me to the palace of Praven. I saw my brother beaming at me when he caught my eye.
When we reached the king's palace, I was ushered into the guest quarters and immediately had servants flustering around me. As they dressed me, one of the courtiers anxiously and quickly tried to coach me on proper etiquette. I was to bow before the king and pope upon entrance, I was not to look at them directly, I was to speak only when spoken to... the list went on, but I couldn't help but be slightly amused by all the rules they laid out before me, especially considering that I had been to balls with nobility before and was actually quite well-versed in courtly etiquette by this point. This was, however, slightly different, as I'd never been before royalty before (and naturally, not the royalty of my own country), nor did I have any experience interacting with the pope, obviously. As such, I listened carefully to their instructions, and when the courtier finally stopped fluttering about me, I was dressed in a rich tunic of silver silk, along with black trousers and boots. They then ushered me into the throne room.
To my surprise, the room was empty except for two elderly figures, one in red and one in white. King Cedrus and Pope Gregory VIII both wore warm smiles as I bowed before the king and kissed the pope's ring. As I straightened up, the king them simply told me to dispense with the formalities and to simply sit with them. He motioned to one of the tables in the throne room, and to my surprise, neither man took the head seat, instead offering it to me. I felt my heart racing as I sank into the seat, and then the pope bade me speak about my adventures. And so I did, once again retelling the tale that I suspect I will have to tell for the rest of my life. The retelling lasted for at least three hours, with the king and pope each interrupting at various points to ask for clarification or details. I was, of course, happy to go over it with them. Midway through, we were served a lunch of roast beef and salad, which we feasted on while I spoke. When the dishes were cleared away at last, I finished my tale by slyly mentioning my desire to remain in the city as a member of the University of Praven, something that the pope noticed and winked at me over, smiling slightly.
King Cedrus, meanwhile, settled back in his seat and commented that while it wasn't in his power to interfere with the university, he could certainly pass on a recommendation. He then informed me that I was a welcome guest in his palace for the next few days, at which point he intended to hold a ceremony honoring my accomplishments in the New World. When I shyly protested that I had really been little more than an observer, and that Santiagon and Basim had been the true heroes of the expedition, he waved aside my protests and replied that I was the one who had made note of the journey, and that I was the one who was seated before them, not the two captains. Pope Gregory, meanwhile, commented that he was amazed by what Santiagon had accomplished, and that he would immediately begin the process of canonizing him for sacrificing himself to the savages to save his men; saints had been made for less heroic deeds, after all. He also mentioned that he intended to honor Basim as well, heathen though he may be.
With that, the King stood and ordered two servants to see me to my quarters. Quite like Yalen, he told me that I could roam freely through the city, but that there were doubtless other nobles that wished to congratulate me on my success and hear my story. He also informed me that if I wished to speak with the university, I should do it sooner rather than later. He then politely dismissed me, as he had other matters to attend to that day. The pope, however, invited me to the papal throne room to continue chatting. I grew rather fond of the man, as he reminded me quite a bit of one of my professors, more than eager to simply speak with me about anything that was troubling me. We discussed philosophy and religion a great deal, and though I'm not particularly religious, I found myself admiring the man. He exuded an air of kindness and wisdom that I've rarely seen anywhere else, and it's not difficult to see why he was elected to his position. It was dusk when I finally departed to my room to get settled into my quarters, my mind still buzzing with the events of the day. My life has been a whirlwind all year, and it still amazes me to no end that there are still things in this world that CAN amaze me. And yet, every day I'm proven wrong.
August 30, 1420
August 30, 1420
The morning after the ball we awoke to the Barone informing us that passage back to our respective home cities had been secured, and that we were to be transported there by carriage, escorted by armed guards. He told us that we should get our things in order, as the carriages were scheduled to depart around noon. After breakfast, Basim gathered us all together in the parlor for a final meeting between the remaining members of the crew. He could barely keep his voice from cracking as he told us that no matter what happened from this point on, we were brothers, eternally bound to one another. I could feel my own eyes stinging as he asked us all to exchange addresses so that we could remain in contact with each other, which I did so gratefully. When a few of the men pointed out that they didn't know their addresses, Basim asked the Barone to look it up for them, which he did, utilizing a member of the census office. Thus, I recorded down the homes of every one of the remaining crew members of the Horizon, and though I knew some of them were unable to read, that won't stop me from writing to them. We exchanged embraces before we were each given our share of the treasure, each carefully partitioned out and valued at over twenty thousand florins apiece. Considering the amount of wealth we were carrying, it was a small wonder that we were being accompanied by a full caravan. I made sure that my armor was in the chest as well, and my sword was strapped by my side, in case we ran into any trouble on the ride back. And then we had a final meal before departing.A veritable parade awaited us as we made our way out of the barone's manor and down main street, with music playing, townsfolk cheering for us, and confetti streaming down from the heavens to mark our departure. It was a bittersweet moment for me; as I said, I've rather enjoyed my time with the barone, and the Kingdom of Rhodoks is a place I certainly wouldn't mind returning to one day. On the other hand, I've found myself growing anxious to return to Swadia, to my own people, and to where a career and Kivana both await me. Thus, it was with mixed feelings that we exited the walls of Yalen and made our way to our respective carriages.
The carriage that I was assigned was a lavish four-wheeled vehicle pulled by four heavy horses. The exterior was made of lacquered black wood decorated with the crest of Swadia on it, which made me smile to myself; under any other circumstances, I would have been wary of climbing into the carriage, as it was practically begging to be attacked. I climbed inside and took note of the interior, which was nothing but deep red velvet couches and a plush carpet to ensure that the journey was as comfortable as possible. I noticed that not only did it come with bottles of wine stored beneath the seat, but that a small bookshelf had been provided for me. To my delight, many were classical titles that I had always wanted to read, but could never find the time to, as my studies at the university kept me busy. I was wondering how they had figured out my preferences when a face appeared in the window and asked with a grin if it suited my tastes. My jaw fell open when I recognized the face of my younger brother, Ihon.
He had grown a fair bit since the last time I had seen him - he was far more muscled, and he was sporting a dark brown beard that covered his entire face, in contrast to my own mustache and goatee combination. What shocked me even more than this, though, was the fact that he was sitting astride a horse. Ihon had signed onto the Swadian guard as an infantryman, and while my family is relatively well-off in terms of wealth, we could not provide a horse for him to ride. This meant that he had somehow risen through the ranks so quickly that he was now an official man-at-arms, at least, which was astounding considering that he had only been a part of the guard since he was eighteen, and it had only been a few years. I wanted to ask him how he had risen so high in such a short amount of time, but at that moment the caravan master announced that we had to be off. My brother spurred his horse to the start of the line, and I had to climb into my seat with questions buzzing in my mind. I intend to ask him the next time we stop.
The journey thus far has been quiet, and I've enjoyed watching the Rhodoks countryside rolling by. The mountains of the country are quite gorgeous when one is viewing them from a distance. Between admiring the scenery and reading, the trip has seemed to go by rather swiftly. It's a pleasant change, letting someone else face the dangers of the world while I simply observe in relative safety. But I intend to ask my questions the next time we stop. I'll collar my brother if I have to, but his story is one that I rather want to hear.
September 1, 1420
Although yesterday passed without incident, this afternoon we noticed that the sky was turning grey, and by dusk a heavy rain had begun to fall. The road that we were traveling quickly became muddy and difficult to traverse, and since there was a roadside inn nearby, the caravan master decided to simply stop for the night and continue in the morning, something that I had no objections to. We were able to pay for some space in the common room with a few florins, and the money that we paid even ensured that we would be given food both in the evening and the next morning. We settled into the inn and quickly ordered some food, as it was approaching dinnertime anyways.
I cornered my brother and made him sit with me at one of the tables as a meal was provided for us. I could tell that we were at least near the border of Swadia by the kind of food that I had for dinner - a meat pie consisting of ground beef, carrots, onions, peas, and thick gravy in a flaky pastry shell, washed down with a tankard of dark beer. As much as I've enjoyed the cuisine of the Kingdom of Rhodoks, I must confess that there had been nights where I went to bed feeling a bit underfed. Although Swadian food is not as refined as our southern neighbors, it does tend to fill one quickly, and it was the first time in a while that I've been able to enjoy a meal without feeling as though I was being judged for my etiquette. It was a rather refreshing experience.
While we ate, my brother naturally wanted to know the details of my travels, but I stopped him and demanded that he first tell me how he had managed to wind up astride a horse. He chuckled at this and admitted that it was quite a story. As I knew, he had joined the Swadian guard at the age of eighteen and had been assigned as a guard of Maras Castle, one of the frontier castles near the border with Rhodoks. According to him, it had actually been a fairly dull post, since Swadia and Rhodoks have tended to stay out of each other's way for the last several years. The only major problems that they faced involved nearby mountain bandits raiding a local farmstead, and even those incidents were few and far between. Thus, for his first couple of years, his duties consisted mainly of maintaining the upkeep of the castle doing the various tasks assigned to him, often involving keeping the armor and weapons polished, throwing out the waste of the castle, and drilling. It was dull, but the pay was decent and he didn't have much of a reason to complain. He was eventually assigned to the stables, and there he found that he rather enjoyed working with the horses. At first he had been assigned only temporarily, but he befriended the stablemaster, who began requesting Ihon for various duties, which not only got him out of some of the less enjoyable tasks, but also meant he could learn more about the care of horses. Eventually, he convinced the stablemaster to begin teaching him how to ride, and while he was warned that even knowing how to ride a horse didn't mean he would become part of the cavalry, Ihon persisted and eventually his request was granted. Over the next several months he perfected his riding technique and even began to learn to fight on horseback.
About four months ago, a messenger had arrived announcing that the nearby village of Reveran was under attack by a mountain bandit referring to himself as the local bandit king. Grand Duke Hughes, seeing a chance to earn himself a spot of glory in the absence of a major war, decided to assemble an army of about fifty men to ride out and meet this threat, my brother included. There were twenty-five infantrymen, fifteen archers, and ten cavalry in the unit, and they expected to meet resistance of maybe twenty bandits at most. However, they were caught off-guard when their forces were assaulted from three different directions by maybe eighty bandits in total, and the Swadians found themselves surrounded. While they tried to hold their ground, they found themselves being boxed in, and their archers were unable to fight properly. What's worse, the rocky terrain denied them Swadia's natural advantage in terms of heavy cavalry, meaning that they were slowly being picked off. As my brother was fighting, he saw one of the knights die when an arrow pierced his visor, and he fell from his horse. Not missing a beat, my brother climbed astride the horse instead to make it seem like the knights still had their full number, and the Grand Duke, seeing this, announced a charge on the enemy archers. It was a dangerous assault over rough terrain, but they managed to reach the lines and begin attacking the unprotected archers. However, the cavalry was then hit from behind by a new wave of rabble, and the Grand Duke was unhorsed. He was surrounded by three bandits when my brother rode them down, trampling one to death and cutting down the other two before pulling the Duke astride his horse and telling him to take it instead as Ihon continued to fight on foot. This display actually turned the tide of the battle, and the bandits were routed shortly afterwards.
When the battle was over, my brother was one of the men the duke honored personally, and when asked what his boon might be, Ihon replied that he'd rather enjoyed fighting as part of the cavalry. The duke said that he felt it was too early to knight my brother, but that in a few years he might prove himself worthy of the title; in the meantime, he had certainly proved himself an adept horseman, and he was promoted to a man-at-arms in the meanwhile. He's been serving as part of a scouting party ever since, consisting of about five horsemen serving as rangers and a patrol between Maras Castle and Reveran, and Ihon has found it much more fulfilling than simply being a guardsman. However, he insisted on being part of the caravan to escort me back, which the Grand Duke had been more than happy to allow. I was amazed, since it seems as though his adventures are at least enough to rival my own. He then demanded that I quit stalling and share my story with him. We discussed my travels long into the night and went through about four tankards of beer each before we finally went to bed around midnight, though I did decide to spend a few extra minutes to write this down. I hardly recognize my younger brother anymore, but I can't really say I'm surprised. While I was the one who enjoyed stories about knights and soldiers, it was my brother who always wanted to be one. And now he's fulfilled that dream. Really, good for him. I'm proud of him.
September 6, 1420
The night after I spoke with my brother, we departed early after a quick breakfast of porridge with apples and fresh milk. The journey passed relatively uneventfully as we traveled through the mountains, which surprised me considering how common the mountain bandits in the area were. However, when I mentioned it to my brother during one of our breaks for water, he told me that it was a testament to how hard he and the other rangers had been working to clear them out. There were still occasional bands preying on unwary travelers, but for the most part, many of the bandits had been dispersed or killed upon facing stiffer resistance from the local lords. Plus, it was unlikely they would attack a party of twenty armed guards, regardless of the cargo they were protecting. Without the danger of facing down these bandits, I rather enjoyed traveling through the mountains. The pace was slower, allowing me to enjoy the scenery. The air was cooler than what I had grown accustomed to, and the men were amused when I asked for a blanket. To be fair, it is a slightly cooler autumn than there had been in previous years, but I doubt I would be so sensitive to it if I hadn't spent most of the year in a jungle.
We stopped briefly at Castle Maras, which was the only way through the mountain pass into Swadia proper, and Grand Duke Hughes insisted on inviting us in to rest for a couple of hours. We were treated to a rich meal of roasted chicken, steamed vegetables, and fresh bread, and though the Grand Duke insisted that I eat more, I politely declined, partially because I'm growing increasingly anxious the deeper into Swadia we travel. Perhaps I'm simply road-weary. However, I did linger over ale for a bit to answer the duke's questions about the New World and my adventures. Like most of the nobles, he was fascinated by my story, though he seemed more interested in the battles I had participated in than anything else. It's understandable, of course. Because Maras Castle is one of the barriers between Swadia and Rhodoks, the duke has focused more on warfare than any other facet of ruling. His men are some of the elite of Swadia, which just makes my brother's promotion all the more impressive. However, we did not linger for long (compared to how long I stayed in Rhodoks, at least), and by early afternoon we had departed once more and crossed the border into Swadia.
The landscape shifted quickly from the mountains of Rhodoks to the more familiar forests of Swadia that I had grown up with, and when I heard the sounds of woodland creatures, I felt strangely comforted. Although I was raised in Aldeburgh and certainly cannot consider myself a man of the woods, I did spend enough time outside of the walls to feel a certain affinity for the forest. Our pace slowed once again, though this time it was because the men were wary of bandits. The trees afforded any potential assailants better protection than the open mountains of Rhodoks did. However, we fortunately did not encounter any trouble during our journey... until we reached the river.
The Uxkhal River is one of the main routes into Aldeburgh, and the intention of the men protecting me was to hire a boat that we could use to sail downstream into the city. When I disembarked, however, we were suddenly ambushed by a number of men pointing bows at us. They had apparently been tracking us for several days and waited for my guards to dismount from their horses before attacking and demanding that I hand over my treasure. Naturally, we refused. My brother ordered me back into the carriage, but upon hearing this, a few of the men shot fire-tipped arrows at the carriage. It wasn't immediately set ablaze, but it did discourage me from climbing into it again. With no other option, the knights attacked the bandits and a battle erupted around me.
I took cover behind the carriage as arrows began flying, seeing as how I wasn't wearing any armor and had no desire to die. I could hear men yelling, screaming, with bows twanging and steel cutting through flesh. I had hoped that I was done with war once I had left the jungle, but this skirmish reminded me that we Calradians are, in fact, the most warlike people in the world. Sadly, it seems I will never be able to escape it. However, I had to snap out of these thoughts when I heard footsteps approaching. A man clad in fur armor came around the side of the carriage, wielding an axe, and grinned savagely when he saw me. Fortunately, I was at least wearing my sword, and as he raised his axe to cut me down, I drew my blade and ran it through his chest all in one quick movement. He stared at me in shock as I pushed him out of the way with my shoulder, while another man ran at me, wielding a falchion. We duelled briefly, but I had both speed and reach on my side, and with a quick roll of my wrist, I was able to get inside his guard and pierce his throat. When I turned to face the next enemy, I saw the other bandits scattering. There were some wounded on our side, but no one was killed.
As I sheathed my eslavona again, my brother approached me with a look of shock on his face. All he could do was comment that he had thought I was lying when I had said I had learned to fight. I'm hardly surprised he was caught off-guard, since I have never been the martial type. He also noted that he had never seen a sword technique like the one I used, but when I told him that I had learned Rhodoks swordsmanship rather than the Swadian variant, he agreed that must have been it. It's fortunate that I did, too. I'm too slender to use the powerful slashing style of my homeland; the Rhodoks' quicker piercing style saved my life against the savages of the jungle, and it seems effective here as well. I suppose savagery knows no race. In any case, we were able to hire a boat about a mile or so down the river, and have been sailing for a little while. We will hopefully reach Aldeburgh in a day or two.
September 9, 1420
We sailed by boat for about two days down the Uxkhal River, and nothing of note happened. My brother and I spent most of the trip simply chatting with each other and catching up some more. I had hoped to glean some news of our family from him, but unfortunately he has been stationed so far away from Aldeburgh that he knew as much about the family situation as I did. He had received a couple of letters, one stating that our sister had become a nurse and another mentioning that the year had been particularly rainy which meant a rise in the number of patients our father had, but otherwise he had received very little news. Thus, I was rather anxious when we disembarked and approached the gates of our hometown.
Surprisingly, our entrance was not met with much fanfare, probably because we had arrived so quietly. When one of the townsfolk recognized me, though, word quickly spread, and by the time we had reached main street, we were surrounded by a crowd, which was an occurrence that I was growing increasingly accustomed to. This time, however, it was old friends and neighbors clamoring for my attention, demanding to know what had happened and how I had returned after so long. Sadly, I didn't see Kivana in the crowd, though I doubt I would have noticed her anyways, seeing as how there were likely hundreds of people engulfing me. Fortunately, my brother and the guards were able to bat them away as we made our way to my house, and when I stepped up to the door, the crowd dispersed somewhat, not wishing to ruin my personal homecoming. I made a note to head to the tavern later to at least grant them a retelling of the story.
When I knocked on the door, it was my mother who answered it, and when she saw me, she immediately began weeping and threw her arms around me. Over my shoulder, she also saw my brother and let out an even more delighted cry as she reached out and pulled him into a hug as well, one of us in each arm despite us both being more than a head taller than her. I'm just glad she didn't have a heart attack from joy on the spot. She all but dragged us inside and shut the door behind us, leading us into the living room while she bustled about making tea and sobbing while smiling at us through her tears. It was at that moment that my father appeared from an upper level, and a look of surprise and shock crossed his face when he saw both his sons in his house. His expression darkened somewhat when he noticed me, and as he descended the stairs, I felt a pit of dread form in my stomach. He motioned for me to come upstairs to his room where we would talk quietly. My mother squeezed my shoulder on the way up, but I took my time climbing the stairs before being ushered into the room.
My father shut the door behind him and walked over to the window as I took a seat at his desk. He didn't say anything for a long time, just staring out at the street while I grew increasingly uncomfortable. He finally spoke up after what seemed like twenty minutes, commenting that he had heard I'd had quite the journey. I didn't respond as he turned around and sighed, folding his arms over his chest. He then told me that I deserved an explanation of his motives. When he was my age, he had tried to pursue a career as a musician. I was shocked when he told me that he had been a bard, traveling from town to town, staying in taverns, playing for his meal. When he had met my mother, though, he had realized that he would be unable to provide for her if he'd kept up his lifestyle. He dove into medicine as a way to provide a stable household and income for her and their future family, and the entire time he was kicking himself, wishing that he had done it sooner since he would have been able to ensure that we were even more comfortable and stable.
He then turned to me and explained that this was why he had pushed so hard for me to get into medicine myself. It had proven to be a career that had enabled my father and his family to live comfortably instead of being destitute and penniless on the streets. And this was why he was so concerned to see me pursuing an education in the humanities, which had few career prospects, as well as courting a bard, which from his experience were little more than flighty children chasing dreams rather than focusing on reality. It was then that I asked him if he was happy doing what he was doing. He simply countered by asking if I had enjoyed my journey to the New World. And that's when I realized what he was really driving at - regardless of whether we enjoyed it or not, we had to make real decisions for the sake of our loved ones, to be able to provide for them and see them happy. If we enjoyed it, so much the better, but the overall goal was ensuring that those we cared about would be safe, fed, and happy, even at the expense of our own joy. In my own way, I had followed my father's path without even realizing it!
However, my father then began to laugh. He admitted that he hadn't expected me to go so far as to leave to find an entirely new world just to prove a point to him, just to pay for the chance to follow my dreams by buying one more year of university study. He was surprised, but also gratified that his son had enough strength and courage to find a new path even when the easy route had been cut off. I had carved my own way in the world, and he couldn't be more proud of me. As he said this, I felt my throat tighten, and my father walked over and squeezed my shoulder, smiling down at me for what felt like the first time since I had entered adolescence.
Before I could break down completely, he then suggested we head downstairs where I could share my adventures with everyone and not just him, as he was just as eager as my mother to hear about what had happened. I hastily agreed, and we walked out of the room to be greeted by the sight of my sister, Iana, who was grinning up at me. The three of us walked down the stairs, and I spent the rest of the afternoon giving the most detailed retelling of the story that I had yet told. I read passages from this diary, something I hadn't done with any of the nobles, and my family was enthralled. My father in particular was interested in seeing the new scar on my arm, while my mother was horrified at my diet at sea. My brother, for his part, still refused to believe that I was in as many battles as I claimed, though my sister pointed out that his own tales were just as wild and far-fetched. That evening, my mother served my favorite meal for dinner - smoked sausages, fresh baked bread, and grilled asparagus. For dessert, she revealed a cheesecake with raspberry sauce, a rare treat that she only usually served for holidays, but she brushed it off by saying that today was obviously a special occasion.
That evening, I finished up my tales by telling the tales of our return journey and the nobles that I had met, something that both my parents were amazed by. Long after the sun had set, we were sitting around the fire, swapping tales, until we began to depart for bed. Before I could do so, however, my father stopped me and asked if I truly had the amount of money I claimed, as well as the guarantee of the teaching position in Praven. When I replied in the affirmative, he sighed and commented that there was nothing more he could do to stop me. Then he shocked me. He stated that because I had more than proven that I would be able to take care of myself and her, I had his blessing to marry Kivana. Words cannot express the joy that swelled through me when he told me this, and before I could thank him, he told me to be off to bed. I'm still beaming as I write this. All that remains now is to travel to Praven and deliver my report to the University, and then to find Kivana and ask her hand in marriage. But I think I'll linger at home for at least a day or two more. After all, it's never felt more welcoming than it does now.
September 14, 1420
I spent three days in Aldeburgh, which worked out well considering that one of the days was a rest day. Naturally, everyone wanted to know my story, but this time the retelling was a bit different. To many of the people I retold the tale to, I was not some nameless adventurer who had landed his fortune, but rather a kid that they had seen growing up and playing in the streets. I even overheard one mother tell his son that if he grew up listening to his elders, he could be like me, which I nearly burst out laughing at. If I had listened to my father, I would be begrudgingly studying medicine at this very moment, likely setting myself up for a fairly stable career as a doctor, but certainly not an international celebrity. Of course, I didn't say this. It was, however, a strange feeling having gone from an unknown to a hero in my own hometown. People whom I barely recognized suddenly seemed to recall seeing me, and tried to remind me of times that they had happened to pass me on the street, or asked if I recalled when they had sat next to me in the tavern. It was strange, but also rather amusing.
When I finally had a spare moment, I also took some time to revisit the ruins of Uxkhal, something that I hadn't done since I was a teenager. Walking amongst the rubble and the ruins, I couldn't help but marvel at how so much death and destruction had actually managed to give life to my dreams. Without the treasures that I had found in Uxkhal, I would have never been able to finance my journey to the New World. At least for me, the deaths of so many of my countrymen were not in vain. For the first time, I silently thanked the spirits of those that had lost their lives in the siege. Shortly after this, I kicked a small, dirty coin. Picking it up, I realized that it was an ancient denar, one that I had missed despite scouring the ruins so many times as a boy. It just showed that there was always more to discover. It also made me wonder, what had I missed in my own voyage to the New World? What still lies there, waiting to be discovered by other explorers? The thought brought a smile to my face as I pocketed the coin.
My relationship with my father has significantly improved, but that hasn't changed how overbearing he can be. On the second day there, he asked me to accompany him to the hospital where he worked, something that concerned me. Once inside, he had his colleagues gather around and asked me to roll up my sleeve to show them the scar on my arm. He then spent the next half an hour expositing about the work I had done mending the wound, and how the treatment I had given it had been extreme, but also supported his hypotheses based on how cleanly it had healed without infection. This entire time, I stood there feeling more like an exhibit than a person as the doctors closely examined my arm and asked me a variety of questions regarding follow-up treatment. They were amazed that no leeches had been used to stem the bleeding and that I had somehow managed to balanced the humors of my body despite extreme conditions. Although I had enough medical experience to follow what they were saying, I couldn't provide them a sufficient explanation as to why my arm had healed the way it did, and they eventually went off to hypothesize on their own. This is why I didn't get into medicine. Still, my father did buy lunch afterwards, so I wasn't complaining.
I rather enjoyed my time in Aldeburgh, but on the third day, my brother reminded me that we had to be off to Praven. My mother was particularly tearful in her farewells, and my father reminded me that he was proud of me, and to mind myself when speaking with the professors of the university. We enjoyed a last meal that evening before my brother and his entourage resumed escorting me north. We've been following a major highway to Praven ever since then, an ancient roadway built when the Calradian Empire was at its peak and Praven was the shining capital of an unrivaled power. Thus, our travels have been swift. This is also literally the first path I've traveled since my journey began that is familiar, as I have traveled it several times to and from Praven University. I can hardly wait to provide my studies to the professors and hopefully be granted the reward I was promised - tenure and security at the university, a career that I could have hardly hoped for at the start of this journey but which now seems just outside of my grasp.
September 17, 1420
As expected, the road to Praven was rather busy, as it's starting to get into harvest season and merchants and farmers alike are eager to sell their surplus goods to whomever will buy them. Thus, my entourage received quite a bit of attention. Not every carriage walks with armed guards, and bandits aren't stupid enough to attack someone on the main highway unless it's very dark out. As such, we made very swift progress from Aldeburgh to Praven, and we were able to reach the city walls in just a few days. By that point, word of my impending arrival had apparently already reached the city. As we approached, we were greeted by a crowd that grew steadily larger the closer we got to the city. By the time we were at the front gates, people lined the streets as though they were witnessing a parade, though fortunately it was much more orderly than when we had first arrived in Yalen.
A messenger arrived quickly and informed me that the king and the pope both wished to see me. I was stunned. Of course my adventures had become a modern-day legend in just a few short weeks, and I was the first Swadian to ever set foot in the New World, but for both figures to invite me for an audience was still simply unbelievable. I was told to report to the palace directly and that I would be dressed for the occasion once I arrived. With their new orders secured, my brother and his fellow soldiers led me to the palace of Praven. I saw my brother beaming at me when he caught my eye.
When we reached the king's palace, I was ushered into the guest quarters and immediately had servants flustering around me. As they dressed me, one of the courtiers anxiously and quickly tried to coach me on proper etiquette. I was to bow before the king and pope upon entrance, I was not to look at them directly, I was to speak only when spoken to... the list went on, but I couldn't help but be slightly amused by all the rules they laid out before me, especially considering that I had been to balls with nobility before and was actually quite well-versed in courtly etiquette by this point. This was, however, slightly different, as I'd never been before royalty before (and naturally, not the royalty of my own country), nor did I have any experience interacting with the pope, obviously. As such, I listened carefully to their instructions, and when the courtier finally stopped fluttering about me, I was dressed in a rich tunic of silver silk, along with black trousers and boots. They then ushered me into the throne room.
To my surprise, the room was empty except for two elderly figures, one in red and one in white. King Cedrus and Pope Gregory VIII both wore warm smiles as I bowed before the king and kissed the pope's ring. As I straightened up, the king them simply told me to dispense with the formalities and to simply sit with them. He motioned to one of the tables in the throne room, and to my surprise, neither man took the head seat, instead offering it to me. I felt my heart racing as I sank into the seat, and then the pope bade me speak about my adventures. And so I did, once again retelling the tale that I suspect I will have to tell for the rest of my life. The retelling lasted for at least three hours, with the king and pope each interrupting at various points to ask for clarification or details. I was, of course, happy to go over it with them. Midway through, we were served a lunch of roast beef and salad, which we feasted on while I spoke. When the dishes were cleared away at last, I finished my tale by slyly mentioning my desire to remain in the city as a member of the University of Praven, something that the pope noticed and winked at me over, smiling slightly.
King Cedrus, meanwhile, settled back in his seat and commented that while it wasn't in his power to interfere with the university, he could certainly pass on a recommendation. He then informed me that I was a welcome guest in his palace for the next few days, at which point he intended to hold a ceremony honoring my accomplishments in the New World. When I shyly protested that I had really been little more than an observer, and that Santiagon and Basim had been the true heroes of the expedition, he waved aside my protests and replied that I was the one who had made note of the journey, and that I was the one who was seated before them, not the two captains. Pope Gregory, meanwhile, commented that he was amazed by what Santiagon had accomplished, and that he would immediately begin the process of canonizing him for sacrificing himself to the savages to save his men; saints had been made for less heroic deeds, after all. He also mentioned that he intended to honor Basim as well, heathen though he may be.
With that, the King stood and ordered two servants to see me to my quarters. Quite like Yalen, he told me that I could roam freely through the city, but that there were doubtless other nobles that wished to congratulate me on my success and hear my story. He also informed me that if I wished to speak with the university, I should do it sooner rather than later. He then politely dismissed me, as he had other matters to attend to that day. The pope, however, invited me to the papal throne room to continue chatting. I grew rather fond of the man, as he reminded me quite a bit of one of my professors, more than eager to simply speak with me about anything that was troubling me. We discussed philosophy and religion a great deal, and though I'm not particularly religious, I found myself admiring the man. He exuded an air of kindness and wisdom that I've rarely seen anywhere else, and it's not difficult to see why he was elected to his position. It was dusk when I finally departed to my room to get settled into my quarters, my mind still buzzing with the events of the day. My life has been a whirlwind all year, and it still amazes me to no end that there are still things in this world that CAN amaze me. And yet, every day I'm proven wrong.
Blackwater
Veteran
Heh. Interesting perspective. New section is up!
Yowakusuru
Regular
Niceee. The bro's story is coming up. Totally forgot about him.
Blackwater
Veteran
Well, you don't have to wait any longer. Updated!
Blackwater
Veteran
Hm! I'm not surprised others have done something like this. Glad you're enjoying it! New post is up!
Yowakusuru
Regular
The bandit with the axe be like "Yush, easy target." And then he dies.
Blackwater
Veteran
Gah. Sorry for the wait, this was a rather important entry and I wanted to get it just right. Hope you enjoy it!
Blackwater
Veteran
Gah, sorry for the long wait. Updated.
Blackwater
Veteran
New post, what? Updated? Yes. Yes it is.
Yowakusuru
Regular
Things are developing/closing in on ending I assume 
Blackwater
Veteran
Part XIII
September 19. 1420
That evening, I decided to travel to an old haunt of mine, the Red Lady, to unwind and simply feel at home again. I had my fill of fried cod and was halfway through my second tankard of ale when a familiar song made my ears prick up. Sitting up, I glanced around for the singer and followed the tune to a young teenage girl playing a violin. I shifted my weight to look around a portly man... and on the stage sat Kivana, singing to the patrons, who were cheering for her. I felt my heart stop for a moment, and then resume racing as I pushed myself up and stared at her. It took a few moments for her eyes to fall on me, and when they did, her voice caught in her throat and her eyes welled up with tears. Two seconds later, we were in each other's arms, with the patrons looking confused.
Later... much later... in a private room... in the middle of the night... after a rather long reunion, we had some time to talk. Kivana had her own tales about what she had been doing for the past year. After I had left, she and her troupe had decided to head northeast for a while, traveling first to the fractured Nordic lands where they hoped to not only ply their trade among the boisterous Nords, but also to learn some of their ancient songs. With neo-paganism sweeping across the land, Kivana and her comrades found steady work retelling ancient sagas to the Nords while learning of old tales that had been re-discovered or rewritten by the Noreger. The Nordic Union, meanwhile, desperately held onto the new Christian tales and received Kivana's troupe much less readily, as they felt that the telling of heroic sagas was subversive and dangerous. Therefore, they left after a few months and continued east.
In the Vaegir lands, the audiences were fewer, but the culture was richer and the pay better, so they spent quite some time touring the region. In Khudan, Kivana met a teenage girl with tan skin and dark hair. She was one of the strange intermarried children of Vaegir and Khergit, wandering nomads who found no home in either land and so tried to make a weak living in both. They live on the fringe of society, and are treated as thieves by both cultures even while scraping by to survive. This girl had lost her camp when they left Khudan and she had been living on the streets ever since. Kivana, however, asked if she had any experience with music, and the girl admitted that she knew how to play a violin. Kivana responded by drawing her into the troupe as a musician, and the bards welcomed her readily. In exchange, this girl pledged her life to Kivana as a personal servant, revealing her name as Vladimira. This was the girl that I had heard playing in the tavern earlier while Kivana was singing. Kivana had refused this pledge, but the girl still stuck by her regardless, and now Kivana saw her as a younger sister more than anything else.
They spent the summer in the Vaegir lands, but when word had reached them that I had returned, Kivana had immediately asked to return to Swadia to await my arrival. She realized that I would eventually wind up in Praven, so she made haste to return there with Vladimira in tow. She's been in the city for about two weeks awaiting my arrival, which explains why she wasn't in Aldeburgh to greet me instead. Smart, though, since she knew I would have to return to Praven eventually, while there was no guarantee I would stop off at home. She then demanded to hear of my adventures, and I was happy to retell the story one more time while she listened, curled in my arms. At the end of it, she commented that she did like my new appearance, and that I could keep the long hair and facial hair I had grown. She then playfully demanded a present from my travels, and while I pretended to panic for a moment, a thought struck me. Around my neck still hung the ring given to me by the Acztaoc queen, and I handed the necklace to her, telling her its backstory. She examined it and commented that she thought it was a rather pretty piece of jewelry. I then stunned her by casually asked her if she'd like to wear it for the rest of her life.
She said yes.
September 21, 1420
Kivana and I spent most of the day yesterday together, simply enjoying each other's company and touring the city. We traveled to the old Praven ruins and spent a fair bit of time walking amongst the bones of the past, hand in hand. I still haven't gotten used to the feeling of the ring on her finger, but I suspect that I'll have plenty of time to. We also enjoyed lunch at a high-class tavern that ushered us in when the owner saw me on the street and recognized me. The meal was free of charge, and quite enjoyable, consisting of honey-glazed suckling pig, a salad of rare wild greens and mushrooms, and fresh-baked bread with a faintly nutty flavor to it, as well as a dark ale that the tavern specialized in. When we left, however, we were greeted by a messenger from the king, who informed me that the ceremony recognizing my deeds in the New World was to be scheduled for tomorrow, so I was instructed to return to the castle and get ready. When I mentioned my fiance, the man hesitated, but invited Kivana along as well.
The afternoon was spent rehearsing my steps in the coming ceremony, which was to take place in the king's throne room. My part was simple, to walk down the center of the aisle when my name was called and to simply follow the king's lead from there. I was, however, surprised when the king asked if he could have access to some of the treasures that I had brought back from the New World. He assured me that they would be returned to me immediately after the ceremony was concluded, though I was still somewhat reticent to simply hand over what I had gathered up to that point. Still, I reluctantly agreed, as I wasn't going to refuse a request from the king, and he seemed instantly mollified by this. He then implored me to head to bed early, as the ceremony was scheduled for the next morning.
I was awoken shortly after dawn by the servants of the castle and quickly dressed in a rich, flowing robe made of silk, bearing Aldeburgh's heraldry. I was a bit amused by this, since I had half-expected to be clad in the colors of Praven, but the servant dressing me informed me that I was a child of Aldeburgh, and that the king would not deny the people of that city their hero, even if the expedition had been funded by Praven itself. I was then guided quietly through the halls of the manor to just outside the throne room, where I could hear an organ resounding off the walls of castle. The servant let me peek inside the closed door, and to my shock, over a hundred people were packed into the throne room, including most of the nobles of Swadia - the ones I could recognize anyways - and some of the aristocracy. King Cedrus began by displaying some of the treasures of the New World to the crowd, such as a turquoise mask, a carving of a double-headed serpent, and a sacrificial stone knife. I suspected he chose these pieces in particular for how unusual and alien they were, and they certainly mesmerized the crowd. And then he began to speak. "Across the sea lies a new world, unlike anything we have ever seen. The lands are strange and savage, the people even more so. We only discovered their ways through the efforts of one man, who dared set forth into the great unknown with the crew of a Rhodoks explorer, and has returned to us with treasures we could not even imagine before this journey. And we have gathered here today to honor this man. I give you... Isen of Aldeburgh!"
At this, the doors were pushed open, and I hastily straightened up as every eye in the nobility turned towards me. I felt myself starting to sweat and my body tremble as I slowly made my way down the aisle. A brass band played in tune with the organ, and the deafening din made me want to cover my ears. But worst of all, I could see the nobles whispering amongst themselves about me, and when I had finally stepped up before the king, I actually felt a wave of relief wash over me, since I no longer had to see the nobility talking about me. I knelt before the king, who touched my shoulder, and then announced to the crowd my reward. I was presented with the Imperial Cross, the highest decoration in Swadia, for my courage and for my contribution in writing a new page in Swadia's history. He also announced I was to be rewarded with a purse of five thousand florins, which made my eyes widen in surprise; between that and the treasure I collected, I've become quite rich as a result of my travels. The king then bade me to rise and face my compatriots as a true hero of Swadia.
This last part still has me confused. I'm certainly no hero. I went on a fool's expedition where I was merely a bystander to a man's desperate attempt to restore his family name. Hell, my own reason for even going on the journey was a selfish desire to marry a tavern singer and allow myself to study what I wanted. I shied away from combat whenever I could, and the only reason why I even survived the journey when others perished was through sheer luck. In no way am I a hero, nor will I ever consider myself one. And yet, I couldn't help but smile as applause rained down from the people of Swadia. Fortunately, they didn't ask for a speech, and I was allowed to simply mingle and answer any questions that the nobles had. The rest of the day was spent feasting, and Kivana - who was in the crowd for the ceremony - managed to snag me for a dance when the band started to play after lunch. But this isn't the reward I've been waiting for. Now I'm anticipating the reply from the university, to see if I'll be allowed to take my place as a professor of the humanities there and ensure that my future will remain secure once I graduate.
September 24, 1420
Self-centered, inflexible, tradition-bound, short-sighted morons! Dear God, I never realized that a board that runs an entire university could be so blatantly stupid!
I was summoned by a messenger yesterday that the university professors had rendered a decision. This happened while I was touring Praven with Kivana, and she told me to go after giving me a quick kiss on the cheek, stating that she would be at the tavern we'd been staying in when I was finished with the university. Thus, ten minutes later I was standing outside the walls of Praven University, which consisted of three buildings and a dormitory for the students. I always found it fascinating that it had its roots in Ancient Calradia, as the university was built on the spot where ancient philosophers used to gather under a pear tree to discuss subjects such as the meaning of life, the nature of the world, and similar topics. As these evolved into modern areas of study, the university was built as a way for scholars to gather and study, though the methods are currently more based on theological traditions and methods, built upon and expanding on the work of the ancient philosophers.
I had been informed that the board of professors wished to see me in a private back room, which I found quickly. It was a room students rarely went in except for exams, where they would stand before their professors and discuss their education. Examinations were simple - one had to simply convince the professors that they understood the material they had studied and that they were ready to progress. The professors eventually decided if the person standing before them was worthy of continuing their education and had fully grasped what they had tried to teach over the past year. Thus, it was a familiar feeling for me, standing on the podium before the seven professors, but the inversion was that this time, they were to talk, and I was to listen.
They started their deliberations by stating that they admired my courage in going forth into a completely unknown area and attempting to apply the scholastic methods to understanding the alien world around me. I had used the processes that they had encouraged, such as documenting my findings in my journal, expositing on available knowledge, and attempting to make sense of the world around me. I had also done an excellent job in collecting artifacts for study, and they could not deny that I had provided a wealth of information with regards to the study of the western islands. In short, I had established a solid foothold with which to begin further study of the New World.
From their tone of voice, however, I could feel my heart begin to sink, and my fears were confirmed when they continued. First of all, they explained, there simply was not enough information gathered to warrant a new department being opened dedicated to the study of the New World. Even though I had spent almost a year there, there were still a great many unknowns about the New World, and anything that I tried to teach beyond my limited findings would be nothing more than speculation, which they feared would become woefully inaccurate as time passed. Furthermore, they felt that I did not have the experience necessary to warrant induction as a professor. I am still in my early twenties, while the other professors are at least in their early forties, and none had been inducted so quickly. I also could not simply apply as a professor of the humanities because that seat was currently filled, and anything that I provided would be supplemental at best. I had also not even completed my final year of study for my bachelor's degree, meaning that I was even less qualified than recent graduates to teach.
Thus, while they thanked me for my time and effort in applying, and applauded what I had accomplished, they unfortunately had to deny me the position of professor at this time. The hearing was unceremoniously concluded, and I was dismissed as my mouth was left hanging open.
And so now I'm back to square one, exactly where I was when I first began my journey. Well... no, that's not true. I have a wealth of experience that no one else in the country can claim. I have tens of thousands of florins to my name, more than enough to live comfortably for a while, though I would not feel comfortable retiring, especially since I feel it would be a waste of my talents. I can offer the world so much more than having just had one adventure and simply fading into obscurity. And I have Kivana to think about now too. When I explained hwat had happened, she quietly told me that she still intended to stick by me regardless of the circumstances. I was grateful and relieved, but it still doesn't change the fact that I no longer have a goal or a direction in life. So I only have one course of action - send out letters wherever I can and use the connections I've gained over the past year to find some way to turn my experiences into a career. Hell, perhaps I'll even go back to my father and see if it's too late to become a doctor, much as I would hate that path. But I cannot just let this lie as it is. I have to find an answer to the question of where I can go and what I can do with what I've learned during my journeys, and how I can turn it into a viable direction to go with my life.
October 24, 1420
It's been quite some time since I last picked up this diary, but considering how hectic things have been, and how it's been buried at the bottom of a trunk of my belongings, I suppose that it's little surprise. Quite a bit has happened since I last took up my pen, but I suppose that I should write down what's happened, if only for posterity's sake, as I once did.
Some time after I sent out letters to every province I could think of, calling in every favor from every noble that I had met on my journey, I finally received an offer that caught me by surprise while I was staying with my parents in Aldeburgh. The Doge of Zendar, of all people, was offering me an interesting position. He intended to build a museum about the New World and other foreign countries, and while I wouldn't be running it per se - he had a senior scholar in mind to oversee the museum - he would be thrilled to have me on the museum staff. He was also offering me a very lucrative position if I accepted. Seeing as how I had no other offers at the time, I decided to accept. I talked it over with Kivana, who was more than happy to accompany me, especially since she had been aching to get out of Aldeburgh anyways. I think that the place was simply too quiet for her. Thus, I began packing my belongings and hired a carriage that would take us to Zendar. After saying farewell to my parents a few days later and promising to write, we were off.
Once again, the trip was rather swift, and since we were traveling as part of an armed caravan - I had paid extra for mercenary guards - we were not even approached by bandits, though I wore my sword all the same. Kivana passed the time singing songs while I read most of the journey. When we stopped in taverns, Kivana took the opportunity to sing for the patrons while I simply enjoyed her voice. Once or twice, I was amused when a drunken member of the audience tried to approach her, only for her to flash the Acztaoc ring on her finger. The crestfallen looks on their faces brought a grin to my own. The only time that we were slowed during the journey was once a little ways past the Rhodoks border, when an early light snow slowed our progress somewhat through the mountains. Fortunately, it was not as heavy a snowfall as we feared, and the storm actually added a pleasant, cool atmosphere to that leg of the journey as Kivana and I sipped tea and watched while we traveled.
It was mid-October when we arrived in Zendar, and while we were greeted heartily by the Zendar guard, we were fortunately ignored by most of the populace. It seems that the initial interest in our trip to the New World has died down somewhat, which is more of a relief to me than a disappointment. It's tiring to maintain celebrity status, especially since I've always been one of the quieter ones anyways. Kivana and I were led to the Doge, who greeted us warmly and offered us goblets of wine before he invited us to sit in chairs opposite his throne so that we could chat more comfortably. He inquired after our journey before getting down to business. The Doge's plan was apparently to make Zendar a cultural center. It has thrived this long as an independent merchant republic thanks to the business savvy of its members, and now he wanted to solidify its place as one of the great Calradian powers by flaunting its wealth. One such method was through this museum, he explained. However, I suspected that there was an ulterior motive, and when I mentioned this, he grinned at me and agreed. The Doge actually plans to make Zendar the starting point for future voyages to the New World. He expects that with interest in it growing, there will be more attempts to reach it, and Zendar is in the best position for future explorers and colonists to use as a port city through which to depart and return. What's more, he actually has aspirations to potentially colonize parts of the New World and turn Zendar into a maritime empire built on foreign goods, maintaining a monopoly on what the New World has to offer. In this way, he could simply buy off the other powers and keep them at bay with a massive mercenary army while maintaining the wealth and splendor of his capital city.
Naturally, I was a bit skeptical about his plans. Having experienced the New World, I am of the opinion that colonization is not a particularly feasible project. Supply lines would take months to reach the colonies, and the danger of attack from the natives is too high, especially from the Acztaocs, who I believe will be more warlike, as they're led by the new warlike, xenophobic emperor. However, I kept my opinions to myself and instead asked where we fit into the picture. The doge explained that if people are going to travel to the New World, then the intelligent ones will seek to learn all that they can about it before departing. Since I was the only member of the voyage to the New World to document what I found there, and since I was the only scholar, he believes that I would be the best person to serve as a guide to the sailors. I could inform them of what to expect on their voyage, as well as showing them the artifacts that we'd collected. The museum would serve as a repository for these artifacts, and in between visits, I would be encouraged to study them and the culture of the New World. He even suggested that the museum might expand to other cultures as well, making it a central hub of affordable information for the common man, as opposed to the exclusionary policies of the major universities.
I was certainly intrigued by the proposition, but I mentioned that Kivana also would like to work as well. The doge merely laughed and said that he had anticipated this, as Kivana has carved out a minor reputation for herself as well. Recently, he had built a reconstruction of an ancient Calradian oratorium, a central stage with benches that could be used to give speeches, or to put on performances. Kivana, he explained, was more than welcome to join the local theatre group, which put on plays and operas periodically, and there was no better way to secure fame and fortune for herself. It was essentially one of the ultimate goals of any bard. Kivana, of course, leapt at the offer and agreed, much to the doge's delight. He then turned to me and asked if we had a deal.
I'll not lie, I still have reservations about his grand plan for a Zendar colonial empire, especially with other countries likely to jostle for position once word gets out about it. But his offer to me personally is far better than I could have ever hoped. With the university turning their back on me, this is the best offer for academic work I'm likely to find in all of Calradia. Of course, I couldn't refuse. It seems Zendar will be my new home for quite some time.
November 28, 1420
I can hardly believe that it's been a full year since I first received this diary. If I'd known on that day everything that would transpire... I think I would still do it all again, honestly. I never WILL do it again, however. I believe my adventuring days to be over. If I set foot out into the wild world again, it'll be surrounded by a small platoon of armed guards and from the safety of a heavy carriage. I know that others might find adventure stimulating and crave it, but for me, I've found everything that I've ever wanted right here in Zendar.
A couple of days after we had arrived in the city, the Doge called Kivana and I down from our quarters in his manor to speak with us. He informed us that as a gift for choosing to accept Zendar as our new home, he had awarded us a patrician's mansion for our own personal use, fully-furnished and with servants at our beck and call to arrange it however we pleased. We were both stunned, and no amount of thanks could ever repay the doge for his gift. Because of this present and the amount of wealth I had brought back from the west, Kivana and I were raised into the aristocracy. We didn't become one of the patrician families of Zendar, as I would have to own and run a business empire, but neither of us are complaining about that lack of status, especially since I have no interest in getting wrapped up in the familial politics the patricians play.
Vladimira moved into the house and became a personal servant of ours, almost a handmaiden to Kivana. We gave her a healthy wage to keep the building clean and straight, and she seems happy, especially since whenever she's not tending to the mansion, she's joining Kivana onstage. The pair impressed the local theatre with their talents, and Kivana was inducted as a member of the chorus while Vladimira became a violinist in the symphony orchestra. Their first play is set to debut in two months, where they will be helping produce the music of the play version of Helgerad and Kara. Kivana seems happy, though I notice that at times she seems restless, wanting to roam from place to place. If that's what she desires, I won't stop her from traveling in between plays and concerts. She's not the sort of woman to be tied down, and I want her to be happy. If that means heading to the local village and singing to the crowd, so be it. Just so long as she brings a couple of guards with her.
The museum where I was asked to work, meanwhile, is run by a former professor from Reyvadin University, a man by the name of Lenn. He's a short, balding man with a friendly, eccentric personality who always seems lost in his own thoughts, but who is still able to maintain the upkeep of the museum and the study of its artifacts. He immediately took the artifacts from me and began planning their study, which I was informed I would lead thanks to my first-hand knowledge of the New World and the fact that I'm the only one who even stands a shot at deciphering the language. When I informed him that I was a language expert, he beamed and mentioned that there were a number of other areas of study that needed to be attended to as well if I had the time, including ancient Calradian texts, Sarranid scrolls, Khergit and Vaegir poetry, and even a few examples of artifacts that had been found from the countries beyond the Eastern Pass, of which little was known. Thus, I have plenty to keep me busy for quite a while, especially with my wedding to Kivana also needing to be planned.
Over the course of the past month, though, things have settled into a comfortable routine, and as I said, I have little interest in leaving Calradia again. I'm perfectly content. And yet, there are parts of the voyage to the New World that will always remain with me. I'm constantly surrounded by mementos of the trip when I'm working, of course, and that part of the New World I enjoy studying and exploring. But there are also nights when I find myself back in the jungle, surrounded by feral beasts hidden in the trees, fearing when the next attack from the natives will come. It's on these nights that I awaken in a cold sweat and Kivana has to force me to lie back and sleep again. I'm told that such dreams fade with time, but I feel the nightmares will always be waiting for me in the deep of night. It's a cruel reality, but for what I've earned, it's a small price to pay. And I suppose that the best way to fight those fears is to face them head-on. And I think the first step is going to be closing this book and moving on. After all, this diary has been my constant companion throughout my travels, but my travels have come to an end, and so I suppose there's no longer any need to write in it. I haven't for over a month anyways, so now is as good a time as any to give myself some closure.
Lenn asked if I would mind publishing this diary as a firsthand account of what happened in the New World, and I agreed, so I suppose this is where the story ends. But as an epilogue, I have a few words for anyone who would walk the same path as I have. To those that wish to travel to the New World, be prepared for a long and dangerous journey. We encountered several storms during the voyage and were lucky not to have been sunk. To any who seek the treasures of the New World, know that the secrets of the islands are not easily revealed, and that the jungle jealously guards her trinkets. A gold necklace or a ring is not worth your life. To those who might wish to interact with the native people, beware. Many of their number are savage and practice a religion that entails gleefully murdering anyone who crosses them. If you believe the Acztaocs to be more civilized, know that their emperor has a fierce hatred for Calradians and that you should not expect a warm welcome. To those that might be foolish enough to try and establish colonies in order to exploit the resources of the New World, I believe you are engaging in an ultimately fruitless endeavor that will cost thousands of lives. Neither the natives nor the beasts of the jungle will peacefully allow invaders to take their homes, and you will be engaged in a constant struggle to harvest a few hundred florins in goods. Supplies will be scarce, and you will be facing all the dangers that I did - disease, heat, starvation, threat of attack - constantly. If you still persist in trying to settle the New World, good luck. I have warned you.
And to those that wish to learn about the New World further, I encourage you to seek me out at the museum of Zendar, where I will be more than happy to share what I know. But since you've already read this diary, I believe you already know most of what I do. Nevertheless, I encourage visitors and would be more than happy to share this story again for any who are curious. Until such time as we may meet, may the gods watch over you, and may you always be successful in your endeavors.
Signed,
Isen of Aldeburgh
September 19. 1420
September 19, 1420
As the ceremony was being arranged, I found myself with a good deal of time on my hands, but for once I had definite goals as to how I wanted to spend it. My first order of business was to stop by the university. As it is early autumn, most of the students are still available, especially seeing as how the planting season has ended and their parents can handle harvesting. As I made my way through the halls, I heard whispers all around me, and it amused me that no one wished to approach me directly, which was a welcome change from being swarmed by mobs of people everywhere I went. I first met with Professor Weiss and thanked him for recommending the journey to me. He told me that he was simply delighted to see me back in one piece, and then he told me to wait for a bit while he gathered the head professors to meet with me. For the next couple of hours, I told them about what I had seen in the New World, and then showed them some of the artifacts that I had recovered and brought with me, anticipating that they would want to see them. They were impressed and asked if they might borrow them to study further, at which point I suggested that perhaps I could be the one to lead the studies of them. I noticed they shifted uncomfortably at this, which worried me. They then mentioned that they would deliberate on this, but in the meantime, it was good to have me back, and they hoped I would remain to finish out the year, as I had more than enough experience to graduate. When I brought up their reactions to Professor Weiss, he told me he would look into it and try to persuade them of my circumstances. I thanked him, but I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as I left.That evening, I decided to travel to an old haunt of mine, the Red Lady, to unwind and simply feel at home again. I had my fill of fried cod and was halfway through my second tankard of ale when a familiar song made my ears prick up. Sitting up, I glanced around for the singer and followed the tune to a young teenage girl playing a violin. I shifted my weight to look around a portly man... and on the stage sat Kivana, singing to the patrons, who were cheering for her. I felt my heart stop for a moment, and then resume racing as I pushed myself up and stared at her. It took a few moments for her eyes to fall on me, and when they did, her voice caught in her throat and her eyes welled up with tears. Two seconds later, we were in each other's arms, with the patrons looking confused.
Later... much later... in a private room... in the middle of the night... after a rather long reunion, we had some time to talk. Kivana had her own tales about what she had been doing for the past year. After I had left, she and her troupe had decided to head northeast for a while, traveling first to the fractured Nordic lands where they hoped to not only ply their trade among the boisterous Nords, but also to learn some of their ancient songs. With neo-paganism sweeping across the land, Kivana and her comrades found steady work retelling ancient sagas to the Nords while learning of old tales that had been re-discovered or rewritten by the Noreger. The Nordic Union, meanwhile, desperately held onto the new Christian tales and received Kivana's troupe much less readily, as they felt that the telling of heroic sagas was subversive and dangerous. Therefore, they left after a few months and continued east.
In the Vaegir lands, the audiences were fewer, but the culture was richer and the pay better, so they spent quite some time touring the region. In Khudan, Kivana met a teenage girl with tan skin and dark hair. She was one of the strange intermarried children of Vaegir and Khergit, wandering nomads who found no home in either land and so tried to make a weak living in both. They live on the fringe of society, and are treated as thieves by both cultures even while scraping by to survive. This girl had lost her camp when they left Khudan and she had been living on the streets ever since. Kivana, however, asked if she had any experience with music, and the girl admitted that she knew how to play a violin. Kivana responded by drawing her into the troupe as a musician, and the bards welcomed her readily. In exchange, this girl pledged her life to Kivana as a personal servant, revealing her name as Vladimira. This was the girl that I had heard playing in the tavern earlier while Kivana was singing. Kivana had refused this pledge, but the girl still stuck by her regardless, and now Kivana saw her as a younger sister more than anything else.
They spent the summer in the Vaegir lands, but when word had reached them that I had returned, Kivana had immediately asked to return to Swadia to await my arrival. She realized that I would eventually wind up in Praven, so she made haste to return there with Vladimira in tow. She's been in the city for about two weeks awaiting my arrival, which explains why she wasn't in Aldeburgh to greet me instead. Smart, though, since she knew I would have to return to Praven eventually, while there was no guarantee I would stop off at home. She then demanded to hear of my adventures, and I was happy to retell the story one more time while she listened, curled in my arms. At the end of it, she commented that she did like my new appearance, and that I could keep the long hair and facial hair I had grown. She then playfully demanded a present from my travels, and while I pretended to panic for a moment, a thought struck me. Around my neck still hung the ring given to me by the Acztaoc queen, and I handed the necklace to her, telling her its backstory. She examined it and commented that she thought it was a rather pretty piece of jewelry. I then stunned her by casually asked her if she'd like to wear it for the rest of her life.
She said yes.
September 21, 1420
Kivana and I spent most of the day yesterday together, simply enjoying each other's company and touring the city. We traveled to the old Praven ruins and spent a fair bit of time walking amongst the bones of the past, hand in hand. I still haven't gotten used to the feeling of the ring on her finger, but I suspect that I'll have plenty of time to. We also enjoyed lunch at a high-class tavern that ushered us in when the owner saw me on the street and recognized me. The meal was free of charge, and quite enjoyable, consisting of honey-glazed suckling pig, a salad of rare wild greens and mushrooms, and fresh-baked bread with a faintly nutty flavor to it, as well as a dark ale that the tavern specialized in. When we left, however, we were greeted by a messenger from the king, who informed me that the ceremony recognizing my deeds in the New World was to be scheduled for tomorrow, so I was instructed to return to the castle and get ready. When I mentioned my fiance, the man hesitated, but invited Kivana along as well.
The afternoon was spent rehearsing my steps in the coming ceremony, which was to take place in the king's throne room. My part was simple, to walk down the center of the aisle when my name was called and to simply follow the king's lead from there. I was, however, surprised when the king asked if he could have access to some of the treasures that I had brought back from the New World. He assured me that they would be returned to me immediately after the ceremony was concluded, though I was still somewhat reticent to simply hand over what I had gathered up to that point. Still, I reluctantly agreed, as I wasn't going to refuse a request from the king, and he seemed instantly mollified by this. He then implored me to head to bed early, as the ceremony was scheduled for the next morning.
I was awoken shortly after dawn by the servants of the castle and quickly dressed in a rich, flowing robe made of silk, bearing Aldeburgh's heraldry. I was a bit amused by this, since I had half-expected to be clad in the colors of Praven, but the servant dressing me informed me that I was a child of Aldeburgh, and that the king would not deny the people of that city their hero, even if the expedition had been funded by Praven itself. I was then guided quietly through the halls of the manor to just outside the throne room, where I could hear an organ resounding off the walls of castle. The servant let me peek inside the closed door, and to my shock, over a hundred people were packed into the throne room, including most of the nobles of Swadia - the ones I could recognize anyways - and some of the aristocracy. King Cedrus began by displaying some of the treasures of the New World to the crowd, such as a turquoise mask, a carving of a double-headed serpent, and a sacrificial stone knife. I suspected he chose these pieces in particular for how unusual and alien they were, and they certainly mesmerized the crowd. And then he began to speak. "Across the sea lies a new world, unlike anything we have ever seen. The lands are strange and savage, the people even more so. We only discovered their ways through the efforts of one man, who dared set forth into the great unknown with the crew of a Rhodoks explorer, and has returned to us with treasures we could not even imagine before this journey. And we have gathered here today to honor this man. I give you... Isen of Aldeburgh!"
At this, the doors were pushed open, and I hastily straightened up as every eye in the nobility turned towards me. I felt myself starting to sweat and my body tremble as I slowly made my way down the aisle. A brass band played in tune with the organ, and the deafening din made me want to cover my ears. But worst of all, I could see the nobles whispering amongst themselves about me, and when I had finally stepped up before the king, I actually felt a wave of relief wash over me, since I no longer had to see the nobility talking about me. I knelt before the king, who touched my shoulder, and then announced to the crowd my reward. I was presented with the Imperial Cross, the highest decoration in Swadia, for my courage and for my contribution in writing a new page in Swadia's history. He also announced I was to be rewarded with a purse of five thousand florins, which made my eyes widen in surprise; between that and the treasure I collected, I've become quite rich as a result of my travels. The king then bade me to rise and face my compatriots as a true hero of Swadia.
This last part still has me confused. I'm certainly no hero. I went on a fool's expedition where I was merely a bystander to a man's desperate attempt to restore his family name. Hell, my own reason for even going on the journey was a selfish desire to marry a tavern singer and allow myself to study what I wanted. I shied away from combat whenever I could, and the only reason why I even survived the journey when others perished was through sheer luck. In no way am I a hero, nor will I ever consider myself one. And yet, I couldn't help but smile as applause rained down from the people of Swadia. Fortunately, they didn't ask for a speech, and I was allowed to simply mingle and answer any questions that the nobles had. The rest of the day was spent feasting, and Kivana - who was in the crowd for the ceremony - managed to snag me for a dance when the band started to play after lunch. But this isn't the reward I've been waiting for. Now I'm anticipating the reply from the university, to see if I'll be allowed to take my place as a professor of the humanities there and ensure that my future will remain secure once I graduate.
September 24, 1420
Self-centered, inflexible, tradition-bound, short-sighted morons! Dear God, I never realized that a board that runs an entire university could be so blatantly stupid!
I was summoned by a messenger yesterday that the university professors had rendered a decision. This happened while I was touring Praven with Kivana, and she told me to go after giving me a quick kiss on the cheek, stating that she would be at the tavern we'd been staying in when I was finished with the university. Thus, ten minutes later I was standing outside the walls of Praven University, which consisted of three buildings and a dormitory for the students. I always found it fascinating that it had its roots in Ancient Calradia, as the university was built on the spot where ancient philosophers used to gather under a pear tree to discuss subjects such as the meaning of life, the nature of the world, and similar topics. As these evolved into modern areas of study, the university was built as a way for scholars to gather and study, though the methods are currently more based on theological traditions and methods, built upon and expanding on the work of the ancient philosophers.
I had been informed that the board of professors wished to see me in a private back room, which I found quickly. It was a room students rarely went in except for exams, where they would stand before their professors and discuss their education. Examinations were simple - one had to simply convince the professors that they understood the material they had studied and that they were ready to progress. The professors eventually decided if the person standing before them was worthy of continuing their education and had fully grasped what they had tried to teach over the past year. Thus, it was a familiar feeling for me, standing on the podium before the seven professors, but the inversion was that this time, they were to talk, and I was to listen.
They started their deliberations by stating that they admired my courage in going forth into a completely unknown area and attempting to apply the scholastic methods to understanding the alien world around me. I had used the processes that they had encouraged, such as documenting my findings in my journal, expositing on available knowledge, and attempting to make sense of the world around me. I had also done an excellent job in collecting artifacts for study, and they could not deny that I had provided a wealth of information with regards to the study of the western islands. In short, I had established a solid foothold with which to begin further study of the New World.
From their tone of voice, however, I could feel my heart begin to sink, and my fears were confirmed when they continued. First of all, they explained, there simply was not enough information gathered to warrant a new department being opened dedicated to the study of the New World. Even though I had spent almost a year there, there were still a great many unknowns about the New World, and anything that I tried to teach beyond my limited findings would be nothing more than speculation, which they feared would become woefully inaccurate as time passed. Furthermore, they felt that I did not have the experience necessary to warrant induction as a professor. I am still in my early twenties, while the other professors are at least in their early forties, and none had been inducted so quickly. I also could not simply apply as a professor of the humanities because that seat was currently filled, and anything that I provided would be supplemental at best. I had also not even completed my final year of study for my bachelor's degree, meaning that I was even less qualified than recent graduates to teach.
Thus, while they thanked me for my time and effort in applying, and applauded what I had accomplished, they unfortunately had to deny me the position of professor at this time. The hearing was unceremoniously concluded, and I was dismissed as my mouth was left hanging open.
And so now I'm back to square one, exactly where I was when I first began my journey. Well... no, that's not true. I have a wealth of experience that no one else in the country can claim. I have tens of thousands of florins to my name, more than enough to live comfortably for a while, though I would not feel comfortable retiring, especially since I feel it would be a waste of my talents. I can offer the world so much more than having just had one adventure and simply fading into obscurity. And I have Kivana to think about now too. When I explained hwat had happened, she quietly told me that she still intended to stick by me regardless of the circumstances. I was grateful and relieved, but it still doesn't change the fact that I no longer have a goal or a direction in life. So I only have one course of action - send out letters wherever I can and use the connections I've gained over the past year to find some way to turn my experiences into a career. Hell, perhaps I'll even go back to my father and see if it's too late to become a doctor, much as I would hate that path. But I cannot just let this lie as it is. I have to find an answer to the question of where I can go and what I can do with what I've learned during my journeys, and how I can turn it into a viable direction to go with my life.
October 24, 1420
It's been quite some time since I last picked up this diary, but considering how hectic things have been, and how it's been buried at the bottom of a trunk of my belongings, I suppose that it's little surprise. Quite a bit has happened since I last took up my pen, but I suppose that I should write down what's happened, if only for posterity's sake, as I once did.
Some time after I sent out letters to every province I could think of, calling in every favor from every noble that I had met on my journey, I finally received an offer that caught me by surprise while I was staying with my parents in Aldeburgh. The Doge of Zendar, of all people, was offering me an interesting position. He intended to build a museum about the New World and other foreign countries, and while I wouldn't be running it per se - he had a senior scholar in mind to oversee the museum - he would be thrilled to have me on the museum staff. He was also offering me a very lucrative position if I accepted. Seeing as how I had no other offers at the time, I decided to accept. I talked it over with Kivana, who was more than happy to accompany me, especially since she had been aching to get out of Aldeburgh anyways. I think that the place was simply too quiet for her. Thus, I began packing my belongings and hired a carriage that would take us to Zendar. After saying farewell to my parents a few days later and promising to write, we were off.
Once again, the trip was rather swift, and since we were traveling as part of an armed caravan - I had paid extra for mercenary guards - we were not even approached by bandits, though I wore my sword all the same. Kivana passed the time singing songs while I read most of the journey. When we stopped in taverns, Kivana took the opportunity to sing for the patrons while I simply enjoyed her voice. Once or twice, I was amused when a drunken member of the audience tried to approach her, only for her to flash the Acztaoc ring on her finger. The crestfallen looks on their faces brought a grin to my own. The only time that we were slowed during the journey was once a little ways past the Rhodoks border, when an early light snow slowed our progress somewhat through the mountains. Fortunately, it was not as heavy a snowfall as we feared, and the storm actually added a pleasant, cool atmosphere to that leg of the journey as Kivana and I sipped tea and watched while we traveled.
It was mid-October when we arrived in Zendar, and while we were greeted heartily by the Zendar guard, we were fortunately ignored by most of the populace. It seems that the initial interest in our trip to the New World has died down somewhat, which is more of a relief to me than a disappointment. It's tiring to maintain celebrity status, especially since I've always been one of the quieter ones anyways. Kivana and I were led to the Doge, who greeted us warmly and offered us goblets of wine before he invited us to sit in chairs opposite his throne so that we could chat more comfortably. He inquired after our journey before getting down to business. The Doge's plan was apparently to make Zendar a cultural center. It has thrived this long as an independent merchant republic thanks to the business savvy of its members, and now he wanted to solidify its place as one of the great Calradian powers by flaunting its wealth. One such method was through this museum, he explained. However, I suspected that there was an ulterior motive, and when I mentioned this, he grinned at me and agreed. The Doge actually plans to make Zendar the starting point for future voyages to the New World. He expects that with interest in it growing, there will be more attempts to reach it, and Zendar is in the best position for future explorers and colonists to use as a port city through which to depart and return. What's more, he actually has aspirations to potentially colonize parts of the New World and turn Zendar into a maritime empire built on foreign goods, maintaining a monopoly on what the New World has to offer. In this way, he could simply buy off the other powers and keep them at bay with a massive mercenary army while maintaining the wealth and splendor of his capital city.
Naturally, I was a bit skeptical about his plans. Having experienced the New World, I am of the opinion that colonization is not a particularly feasible project. Supply lines would take months to reach the colonies, and the danger of attack from the natives is too high, especially from the Acztaocs, who I believe will be more warlike, as they're led by the new warlike, xenophobic emperor. However, I kept my opinions to myself and instead asked where we fit into the picture. The doge explained that if people are going to travel to the New World, then the intelligent ones will seek to learn all that they can about it before departing. Since I was the only member of the voyage to the New World to document what I found there, and since I was the only scholar, he believes that I would be the best person to serve as a guide to the sailors. I could inform them of what to expect on their voyage, as well as showing them the artifacts that we'd collected. The museum would serve as a repository for these artifacts, and in between visits, I would be encouraged to study them and the culture of the New World. He even suggested that the museum might expand to other cultures as well, making it a central hub of affordable information for the common man, as opposed to the exclusionary policies of the major universities.
I was certainly intrigued by the proposition, but I mentioned that Kivana also would like to work as well. The doge merely laughed and said that he had anticipated this, as Kivana has carved out a minor reputation for herself as well. Recently, he had built a reconstruction of an ancient Calradian oratorium, a central stage with benches that could be used to give speeches, or to put on performances. Kivana, he explained, was more than welcome to join the local theatre group, which put on plays and operas periodically, and there was no better way to secure fame and fortune for herself. It was essentially one of the ultimate goals of any bard. Kivana, of course, leapt at the offer and agreed, much to the doge's delight. He then turned to me and asked if we had a deal.
I'll not lie, I still have reservations about his grand plan for a Zendar colonial empire, especially with other countries likely to jostle for position once word gets out about it. But his offer to me personally is far better than I could have ever hoped. With the university turning their back on me, this is the best offer for academic work I'm likely to find in all of Calradia. Of course, I couldn't refuse. It seems Zendar will be my new home for quite some time.
November 28, 1420
I can hardly believe that it's been a full year since I first received this diary. If I'd known on that day everything that would transpire... I think I would still do it all again, honestly. I never WILL do it again, however. I believe my adventuring days to be over. If I set foot out into the wild world again, it'll be surrounded by a small platoon of armed guards and from the safety of a heavy carriage. I know that others might find adventure stimulating and crave it, but for me, I've found everything that I've ever wanted right here in Zendar.
A couple of days after we had arrived in the city, the Doge called Kivana and I down from our quarters in his manor to speak with us. He informed us that as a gift for choosing to accept Zendar as our new home, he had awarded us a patrician's mansion for our own personal use, fully-furnished and with servants at our beck and call to arrange it however we pleased. We were both stunned, and no amount of thanks could ever repay the doge for his gift. Because of this present and the amount of wealth I had brought back from the west, Kivana and I were raised into the aristocracy. We didn't become one of the patrician families of Zendar, as I would have to own and run a business empire, but neither of us are complaining about that lack of status, especially since I have no interest in getting wrapped up in the familial politics the patricians play.
Vladimira moved into the house and became a personal servant of ours, almost a handmaiden to Kivana. We gave her a healthy wage to keep the building clean and straight, and she seems happy, especially since whenever she's not tending to the mansion, she's joining Kivana onstage. The pair impressed the local theatre with their talents, and Kivana was inducted as a member of the chorus while Vladimira became a violinist in the symphony orchestra. Their first play is set to debut in two months, where they will be helping produce the music of the play version of Helgerad and Kara. Kivana seems happy, though I notice that at times she seems restless, wanting to roam from place to place. If that's what she desires, I won't stop her from traveling in between plays and concerts. She's not the sort of woman to be tied down, and I want her to be happy. If that means heading to the local village and singing to the crowd, so be it. Just so long as she brings a couple of guards with her.
The museum where I was asked to work, meanwhile, is run by a former professor from Reyvadin University, a man by the name of Lenn. He's a short, balding man with a friendly, eccentric personality who always seems lost in his own thoughts, but who is still able to maintain the upkeep of the museum and the study of its artifacts. He immediately took the artifacts from me and began planning their study, which I was informed I would lead thanks to my first-hand knowledge of the New World and the fact that I'm the only one who even stands a shot at deciphering the language. When I informed him that I was a language expert, he beamed and mentioned that there were a number of other areas of study that needed to be attended to as well if I had the time, including ancient Calradian texts, Sarranid scrolls, Khergit and Vaegir poetry, and even a few examples of artifacts that had been found from the countries beyond the Eastern Pass, of which little was known. Thus, I have plenty to keep me busy for quite a while, especially with my wedding to Kivana also needing to be planned.
Over the course of the past month, though, things have settled into a comfortable routine, and as I said, I have little interest in leaving Calradia again. I'm perfectly content. And yet, there are parts of the voyage to the New World that will always remain with me. I'm constantly surrounded by mementos of the trip when I'm working, of course, and that part of the New World I enjoy studying and exploring. But there are also nights when I find myself back in the jungle, surrounded by feral beasts hidden in the trees, fearing when the next attack from the natives will come. It's on these nights that I awaken in a cold sweat and Kivana has to force me to lie back and sleep again. I'm told that such dreams fade with time, but I feel the nightmares will always be waiting for me in the deep of night. It's a cruel reality, but for what I've earned, it's a small price to pay. And I suppose that the best way to fight those fears is to face them head-on. And I think the first step is going to be closing this book and moving on. After all, this diary has been my constant companion throughout my travels, but my travels have come to an end, and so I suppose there's no longer any need to write in it. I haven't for over a month anyways, so now is as good a time as any to give myself some closure.
Lenn asked if I would mind publishing this diary as a firsthand account of what happened in the New World, and I agreed, so I suppose this is where the story ends. But as an epilogue, I have a few words for anyone who would walk the same path as I have. To those that wish to travel to the New World, be prepared for a long and dangerous journey. We encountered several storms during the voyage and were lucky not to have been sunk. To any who seek the treasures of the New World, know that the secrets of the islands are not easily revealed, and that the jungle jealously guards her trinkets. A gold necklace or a ring is not worth your life. To those who might wish to interact with the native people, beware. Many of their number are savage and practice a religion that entails gleefully murdering anyone who crosses them. If you believe the Acztaocs to be more civilized, know that their emperor has a fierce hatred for Calradians and that you should not expect a warm welcome. To those that might be foolish enough to try and establish colonies in order to exploit the resources of the New World, I believe you are engaging in an ultimately fruitless endeavor that will cost thousands of lives. Neither the natives nor the beasts of the jungle will peacefully allow invaders to take their homes, and you will be engaged in a constant struggle to harvest a few hundred florins in goods. Supplies will be scarce, and you will be facing all the dangers that I did - disease, heat, starvation, threat of attack - constantly. If you still persist in trying to settle the New World, good luck. I have warned you.
And to those that wish to learn about the New World further, I encourage you to seek me out at the museum of Zendar, where I will be more than happy to share what I know. But since you've already read this diary, I believe you already know most of what I do. Nevertheless, I encourage visitors and would be more than happy to share this story again for any who are curious. Until such time as we may meet, may the gods watch over you, and may you always be successful in your endeavors.
Signed,
Isen of Aldeburgh
Blackwater
Veteran
And so the story comes full circle.
As you guys probably figured out, yes, the story is winding down, and there're only a few posts left before the end. However, this doesn't mean that I intend to stop writing stories here, and Isen'll likely return as the narrator if nothing else. So if there are any particular subjects, cultures, or time periods you'd like me to tackle, feel free to post your ideas and I'll see what I can do. Until then, I hope you keep enjoying this story!
As you guys probably figured out, yes, the story is winding down, and there're only a few posts left before the end. However, this doesn't mean that I intend to stop writing stories here, and Isen'll likely return as the narrator if nothing else. So if there are any particular subjects, cultures, or time periods you'd like me to tackle, feel free to post your ideas and I'll see what I can do. Until then, I hope you keep enjoying this story!
Blackwater
Veteran
New post is up. Happy reading!
