Kyle Pandorn: Stranger in a Strange Land

[SteveJW]

It is finally over...

Koralawyn was bound to Insanity...and defeated. Ozy had tricked Koralawyn into thinking he was foolish enough to 'accidentally' bring her the amulet. So...she took it from him and put it on...binding herself to Insanity. It was a delayed binding...for Koralawyn struck me down as well as a few others. Her taunts ringing in my ear. But...I was raised in time to see the unbinding and the beautiful sight of Ireth being reunited with Aranna on Celestia. Celestia is a beautiful plane. But I fear I will never walk there again. It will be a memory that will stay with me until I am in my grave.

The girls have unbound with their horses...Elezandor is in his rightful place...and the best news of all...Aranna...who we all thought had perished...was alive and will now live with Ireth here on Layonara. It was the outcome that we all hoped for.

But I am torn a bit. When all this started...I was actually disliking the horses and what Elezandor did to the girls. But as time went on...I came to realize that those horses were just as much a pawn in this as the girls and I actually started to like them. Guess they kind of grew on me. As I saw each one unbind...I felt sad. Like they were unbinding from me a bit. I guess the whole thing has affected me as well. I will miss the horses too.

I need to go to Ferrit. To tell her what I have done. And to tell her for the thousandth time how much I love her. She will be proud of me...

[SteveJW]

Ayla Bineau is a blessed woman...

Once again...the gods saw fit to return her to the living. I found her on top of the platform in Hlint...resting out her death. It seems that she has some sort of task she has yet to do or else she would not be back. Maybe she will be more cautious now...I don't think the gods will give her another chance.

The Broken Forest has become more deadly...

I went there to get some oak and found the area levelled by some cataclysm. And there are VERY deadly creeper vines. More deadly than the creeper vines that are outside Krandor. This one stung me...paralyzed me and sucked the life right out of me. And again my luck holds...for the Soul Mother was nowhere to be seen. As if I knew what she looks like anyway. I must keep Ferrit from going there. She would not even stand a chance. She...and everyone else...must go through Leilon to get to Port Hampshire now.

There is an ill wind blowing. And everyone will get caught in it....

[SteveJW]

Rhynn is becoming more and more...dark...

She has been accepted into the Arcane Alliance...and is now dressing the part. Black...and her mood has become darker...more...like a shadow. A side of her self that well...frightens me. Treana says that the Alliance has ties to the Black Wizards...and that we should be wary.

And she has told me that Rhynn is having second thoughts about it and is trying to break her contract with them. Tough thing to do. Rhynn is so mixed up...I doubt she knows exactly what she wants.

Ferrit had to leave me for a while. A tirp to Dregar searching for some artifacts. The captain of the ship wouldn't allow me to come. Fool...to not let me...her husband go...it made me sore a bit. And she must return next week to complete the job. Every time we're apart...I feel empty...incomplete.

Let's hope this job is over soon...

[SteveJW]

*a page has been torn from this entry*

Rhynn Saebhel has changed...

She has developed a mean streak in her. She smiles at other people's pain and discomforts. It is as if the light inside her has grown dim. A shadow...one that holds a very dim view of life.

Maybe the ordeal in Pandemonium affected her deeper than she realizes...or that it is the lessons with Mith...his dim view of life rubbing off on her. And maybe I hope she can sort it out.

On a happier note...Treana has found love again...

She had explained her culture to Talen along with what it means to be betrothed to her. And they will be wed within the year. Such a joy could not be concealed...for she was skipping...practically floating in the air. I hope they will have the happiness that Ferrit and I enjoy. But I fear that I gave Treana the impression that I am a priest of Ilsare. I must set her straight on that.

Ferrit fell in Haven Mine and was touched for the second time again. I say again because when the Soul Mother was defeated that time...everyone got a piece of their souls back. She is now resting at home and I must get back to see her.

I'm going to hold on to her and never let go...

[SteveJW]

I am a fool...

I broke a rule I made for myself once I started Weapons Training. That is never...never...be quick to judge. That can be a fatal mistake. And I almost made just such a mistake about Rhynn.

She is her own person. And for better or worse...it is her life to lead. That I was so...presumptuous...was not only unfair to her...but it was very unlike me to do so. I have apologized to her...and she was very gracious in accepting. I'll just be the supportive friend that I hoped I was and can still be.

I owe her that much at least...

[SteveJW]

Treana is a wise woman...

Well...she said this bit of wisdom comes from her grandfather. I had asked her if it was possible to be too caring...too afraid of what may happpen to a friend...that it becomes more like a sermon than advice. What she said makes sense. That caring for someone isn't a bad thing...but one must examine the motive for such caring. Whether it come from love or selfishness determines it to be true caring or not. That if such caring is an attempt to force one's idea of good or ill on the cared for...then it isn't caring at all. Even if such an examination leads to hurt...better to know it now than live in ignorance of it. The last thing I would want is to force my ideals on anyone. I must think on this more...and square it all in my mind.

And deal with what I may learn about myself...

[SteveJW]

The blessings have run out...

Ash told me that Ayla Bineau...who had twice thwarted death...has succumbed for what is most likely the final time. While I hold out hope that she will once again cheat the cold hand of death...I do prepare myself for the reality of her final death. She was a good soul...and this death hurts no less than the others. I will sorely miss her.

Ferrit is resting at home. She had gathered quite a bit of material and it will take her a few days to process it all. She is so tired...that once we are in bed...she falls to sleep almost immediately. Poor thing. I'll make her a breakfast in the morning fit for a queen.

She deserves it...

[SteveJW]

Ferrit came out last night...

She went to the Arms with me to hear stories and spend an evening with me away from crafting and work. We sat arm in arm and listened to Acacea regale us with her exploits of a trip to Xantril. I do so love these moments with Ferrit. Just the two of us...just relaxing and enjoying ourselves. It makes life...well, life. When Acacea finished...we went home for some quiet time for ourselves. She still has a lot to do.

I haven't seen Treana for a while. Did I do anything to upset her? Is she avoiding me for some reason? She has been distant lately and I miss her company sometimes.

I hope I can talk to her and find out...

[SteveJW]

The Soul Mother has once again brought grief to our lives...

She claimed another piece of Ferrit today. That's the third time my Ferrit has seen her. Ferrit said she got a little careless gathering corn near Port Hampshire and the ants swarmed her and killed her. The *Elven expletive* was waiting. Why Ferrit? Why any one who is close to me? Ferrit promised me she will be more careful in the future. but...I can't let her be timid either. I want to have a family with her so badly...it is all I can think of now.

I will hold her with all the love in my heart. We will have a family...we will grow old together...we will be happy. So help me Ilsare...it will be so...

[SteveJW]

Rhynn is in yet another crisis of love...

Crisis? Maybe not. But a problem nonetheless. There is this paladin of Rofirein...Thomas...who is following her around like a lovesick puppy. Rhynn told me he is aware that she loves Freldo...but it doesn't seem to sink in. Then...it happened. Thomas surprised her by kissing her. Froze her in her tracks. She told me...Treana and Anna. They wanted to gut the poor fool...but me...I told Rhynn that she must make Thomas understand she cannot love him back. And to tell Freldo the truth about it.

Sure...some will get hurt...but I told Rhynn that now that she let it happen...it will be a lot tougher for her to tell Thomas without breaking his heart. He will undoubtably think that Rhynn has feelings for him. And that is what is going to make it difficult.

I care for Rhynn as if she was one of my sisters. We went though Pandemonium and back. Do I play the big brother and scare Thomas off or do I let her handle it?

I shall wait and see. Maybe...just maybe everything will work out...

[SteveJW]

I don't know what I'm thinking...

Talen Sgath asked me to stand with him as his Witness and Helper at his wedding to Treana. I was honored to do so until he told me of one of the duties I had to perform.

This duty is to kiss Treana at the ceremony with all the passion I could and judge if she returns any. It is a test to see if her passion belongs to Talen and Talen alone. Now...I like Treana as a friend and a kiss on the cheek is one thing...but a passionate kiss...it will feel wrong. Like I would be betraying my vows to Ferrit. It saddened me to decline. And Talen...well...let's just say that he said he understood...but he was depressed.

I returned to the Craft House where Ferrit was helping Honora with some monk robes. Ferrit saw my sadness and asked me why. I told her of Talen's request of me...and I demonstrated what I had to do at the ceremony. I kissed Ferrit with all the love I have for her. She said that she saw no problem with that as long as I didn't like kissing Treana better. "Are you afraid that I would fail the test?", she asked. "No..." was my only answer. "I know about it...I understand why it is necsessary...you say you like my kisses better...so what's to worry?" is what she said. Gods...how I love Ferrit so!!! She is truly my one and only love!!! "Go find your friend and help him." she told me.

I caught Talen at the Hlint Crypts and told him I'd go through with it. His mood brightened up immediately. I had to make him understand that my heart will always belong to Ferrit and nothing will change that.

After the ceremony...I'm going to take Ferrit away and show her just how much my heart belongs to her...

[SteveJW]

Something strange happened to Ferrit and me...

We went deep into the Seilwood because Ferrit needed some garlic and adventurine. It started out like any other gathering trip...ogres...cockatrices...spiders. Always spiders...sheesh. It was when we got to the ruins very deep in the Forest is when it happened.

We were attacked by these strange dog-like creatures who can draw upon the Weave for magic. And there were an extraordinary number of lycanthropes in the area. They almost sent Ferrit to the bindstone. I fought with everything I had to keep them from harming her...at the risk of my own life. I will not have Ferrit see the Soul Mother anymore. We barely got out of there with the aventurine...and our lives.

We limped back to Aerdin's Grove. Ferrit was still shaking from the bone-chilling howls of those beasts. We spent the night together in the Grove...comforting each other as we slept at the campfire. It was a very unsettling event. We must warn people about this swell in the lycanthrope population down there.

Treana's wedding is fast approaching and I am getting more and more troubled...

I won't back out...I gave my word to Talen. But I think Treana knows that I am Talen's Witness and Helper. She is not sure....but I feel she has a good idea that it is me. That could complicate things. It would mean she knows who it is beforehand...her tradition dictates that she not know before the ceremony...and she may be relieved enough knowing that it is someone she trusts to show a hint of affection to me in her kiss. That would end the ceremony right then and there. I don't know what to do. I have Ferrit's understanding and blessing but still...

What if Treana does show a hint of passion? How would that make everyone involved feel?

I could lie...but Treana will know. I will know. I am honor bound to be truthful. I hope to the gods...and my conscience...that I am not passionate enough for Treana...

[SteveJW]

The wedding is off....

Treana and Talen decided to postpone their wedding. Seems they had a little disagreement and split up. Most couples have their quarrels and Treana told me they patched things up...but they will wait to see if they are really sure they are ready to commit to each other. A reasonable thing...she is a reasonable woman.

I am sorry that it came to this...but I am also relieved. I will not have to administer the A'Dose Min Im'Taro Desiir....the kissing test...to Treana. A huge burden was lifted off my shoulders even with Ferrit's blessing. I was prepared to go through with it...but I would have still felt funny and the postponement makes it a moot point anyhow.

They still travel with each other...and maybe they will try again. And I will still be honored to be Talen's Witness and Helper if he so chooses.

But now...I will be ready for it...

[SteveJW]

I am teaching Rhynn Elven...

Actually...I'm filling in when Ash isn't around. Rhynn has a knack for language. Must be because she has to utter words of a different language to be able to use the Weave. At any rate...she is picking up the Elven language quickly. Faster than I did when I learned. And she will blow Freldo's mind away once she whispers sweet nothings in Elven to him.

Zandor Glowingaxe is back. And it was great to see him again. Hope he stays a while this time. Ferrit and I missed his company. We will have to go adventuring with him again for old times sake. Listen to me...for old times sake. Heh...as if I'm ready to retire now...

Addison is due to give birth anyday now. Zandor mentioned questing to get a strand of Cole's soul back...and we had to quickly talk Addison out of it. She has a baby to think of now. A piece of Cole that will give her the hope she needs. And the love she deserves. To risk that for Cole would be too high a price. And Addison seemed to understand that. She is in Pranzis with her mother now...waiting to give birth. And that is where the hope is...

That is where the hope for the future is...

[SteveJW]

Addison gave birth to a boy a few days ago...

And she named him...Calvin Norseman. And I've never seen her happier. Now...she has someone to live for...someone that will fill her days with joy and love. And he looks a bit like Cole too. And he will probably master the katana like his parents. Addison will be a terrific mother. The baby couldn't be in better hands.

Treana and Talen have started the Courting Period again. Another year to see if they truly love each other enough to marry. I think Treana was a bit hasty in ending it the first time...and it will now cost another year's waiting as her traditions dictate that it must begin anew. I better start to re-learn those phrases for the wedding ceremony.

I think I'm going to need them in a year's time...

[SteveJW]

I just have five words for the new Triumvirate Janis Meteior...

To the hells with you. My family's home is in the Kingdom of Roldem. Long have we enjoyed the alliance between the Kingdom and Mistone. Now...some petty halfling would abandon them in their time of need. Such folly...especially in out war against Blood.

I for one will not stop donating my time and skills to Roldem. Even if I have to stand at the gate of Tibum alone against Blood's army. If Janis Meteior and the Alliance have a problem with that...they can...well...I won't base myself with what they can do.

Better start doublinng my donations...Roldem will need them...

[SteveJW]

Ok...Thomas is no paladin...

He blatently lied to me about his feelings for Rhynn. Little does he know Rhynn told me about the stolen kiss in Haven and that the poems in the Surge are all for her. And he tells me to my face that his heart belongs to another...but won't say her name.
It is Rhynn...because he still follows her around like that love sick puppy.

I had to take matters into my own hands. I spoke to Freldo. I told him simply that Thomas is delusional....that the 'paladin' believes Rhynn to be his chosen. The one Rofirien picked for him. Freldo said that that is Rhynn's problem and that if he were to butt in....she would be even more dependent on him. I said..."I think this would be a good time for you to 'butt in'. And what can she do against the percieved word of a paladin's god?" Freldo thought about it a moment and asked where Rhynn was. "She's at the Temple of Ilsare. Maybe you should talk to her." And he left in a little rush.

Later...Rhynn told me that she and Freldo talked a bit. And that Freldo had a solution to her 'problem' but he wouldn't say what. If it means what I think it means...

I just hope that 'paladin' gets the message this time...

[SteveJW]

Is it on or is it off...

Talen and Treana have had another quarrel. This time about Treana taking a job at the Freelancers. I don't know....but I'm beginning to feel that they aren't meant to be married after all. Fine thing for an Ilsarian to say. Talan asked me to be his Viza Na'Ruvan again...but Treana indicated that maybe it may not happen after all. She is frustrated.

And I can understand her frustration. Talen is hardly around for her. That is never good for a relationship. At least I know Ferrit will be home...and she knows I will come home...so when we are apart...it isn't the end of the world. But Talen...he disappears for weeks at a time...not even a message telling Treana how much he loves her. Treana is just about at her wits end. I told Talen as much when we went to Lar. A messenger falcon brought a note...obviously from Treana because he left me swiftly. I had get back to Hlint on my own.

Call me a hopeless romantic...but I hope they can get everything straightened out between them...

[SteveJW]

I guess when you pray to Ilsare enough she listens...

Treana and Talen have seemed to put their quarreling behind them. We were on our way to Ulgrid's Fortress...when in Shoufal...Treana and Talen could help but show their love for each other. Treana thought it strange for me to turn when they started to get affectionate...but I wished to give them some privacy. Such is only proper for an Ilsarian to act.

The trip however turned into a disaster when we all fell to the giants trying to get to Ulgrid's. It took a lot of magics by Sa'kura to get us to our stones and us to find the real cave the fortress was in. Seems Talen was mistaken and we had fallen in the wrong area. Perhaps it was his love for Treana that confused him a litte. They decided to head back while Sa'kura and I resumed the trek to Ulgrid's to get some documents for the tinker in Lar.

Sa'kura is a good friend. And a lot of fun to travel with. If it weren't for the spells she cast...we could have lost soul strands. I'm glad she was there. I was able to complete the task for Charles Dawson in Lar. Now maybe he won't break too many chairs.

Ferrit has been very busy lately. I just watch her sleep. She must be having nice dreams because I catch her smiling while she sleeps. It makes me smile myself and I can't help but kiss her forehead and let her sleep. I guess seeing Treana and Talen together brings out the love I have for Ferrit out. I do love Ferrit so.

And I know our lives will be filled with love...and more adventure...

[SteveJW]

Spiders are popping up throughout the area...

I had to stomp on a few in the smithy the other day while smelting gold for Talen. There must be an infestation somewhere that must be dealt with. Otherwise we will be hip deep in the vermin. I think I'll start the search in the Seilwood. That is the nearest nest of spiders I know of.

Something is bothering Treana. We got to talking about the wedding and when I asked her if Addy was still going to be her Viza Na'Ruvan...she got very nervous and flustered. Hope nothing happened between them. Addy is still my de facto mentor in katana. We will have to get together for dinner...Viza Na'Ruvan to Viza Na'Ruvan. Just to talk about our roles at the wedding. And to set up when I can train in earnest.

I feel ready to be called a Master...I hope Addy...and Ferrit...will be proud of me...