Cole Pandorn - Beginnings

[SteveJW]

*Cole opens the new journal his father Kyle had given him. Not quite
sure...he begins to write*[/b]

I love my Mom and Dad and my sister Aylana. While I am glad to have a home....I feel more at ease in the forest...the animals there are more friends than beasts. I try to take the hurt ones home...but Mom and Dad and Aunt Jenna just frowns and say no...I shouldn't be around these dangerous critters.

Bah...they just have to get to know them like I seem to. Like Mr. Rain and Mr. Dalan and this girl Abigail. The four of us would go into the woods...and Mr. Rain would show us how to 'talk' to the animals and shoot the bow while Mr. Dalan would show us how to track things. And at home...Dad tries to teach me how to use a sword...but it drives Mom crazy.

But...if I thought I was nervous around Mr Rain and Dalan...I'm really nervous around Abigail. I mean she is cute and all...but her dad is a very...BIG...man. A warrior like my father...but more powerful. And my dad is no weakling. I wouldn't want to make Abi's dad mad at me. But Abi is nice to have around and we have fun when we aren't training.

Here they come for another trip in the woods. And Abi is smiling at me again. More like chuckling...since I almost put an arrow into Arwin's...that is Mr. Rain's wolf friend...backside during bow training. Mr. Rain said to focus and not be so distracted...but Abi is always in my line of sight for some reason...

[SteveJW]

Almost missed Sarah's birthday...

It was a picnic and it was fun. Although..I'm still trying to get that skunk smell from my clothes. It has gotten better. At least Abi and the others can stand to be around me again. Abi and I made Sarah this shortbow so she can train with us. I like being around them.

But Sarah seemed to make her dad mad...he just came and took her home without a word. Must have been a pretty big mistake.

Abi can't take a joke. Mom has been teaching me how to be stealthy...so I'd thought I'd try it out. Bad move. Abi was making a drawing and I stuck up on her very quiet and slow. I then jumped and said 'Boo!' and this startled Abi...making her spill ink all over her clothes. She got really angry and just stormed away without saying a word.

Now...she doesn't say a word to me and walks away when I come near. And Tristan just glowers at me.

Think I'll head for the woods behind the house after school. I feel more at ease there...

[SteveJW]

Sarah is in trouble...

Some guys at school are picking on her. Had it not been for a soodo...uh...sewdo...eh...baby dragon she had with her these guys could have hurt her. The dragon scared them off. I want to help Sarah...but these guys are a little bigger than I am. I'll have to think of something.

Abi isn't mad anymore. We had a long talk after school. She's not that bad when you get to talking to her. she said thet Mr. Dalan had something to show her...but she doesn't know what.

We'll find out the next trip we take I guess...

[SteveJW]

Sarah is quite an archer...

The bow Abi and I gave her helped her win an archery contest at school. Two almost identical bulls eyes. I would hate to have one of those coming my way.

She was so happy...she even gave me a kiss on the cheek. Seems she may have heard of an embarrassing thing that happened to that bully. Something about a mouse getting into his britches in front of everyone. The way he carried on about it...dancing and flailing wildly...it was funny. A barely perceptible nod from me and the mouse scurried away...leaving the bully red-faced and embarrassed. He hasn't been seen around lately. Maybe he will leave Sarah alone now.

When she kissed my cheek I just looked down blushing. She never did that before. It was...wierd.

Oooo...I'm going to be late. Dad doesn't like to be kept waiting for practice...

[SteveJW]

Something is wrong...

First...Abi is sad. She goes off into the woods for long stretches of time. I followed her once...not letting her see me. She seems distracted...because she usually picks me out within a few minutes. She cries sometimes. I followed her for quite a while...before she started to turn back. But I don't think she wants to turn back. Something is definitely wrong.

And Dad is ill...

He's been tired and doesn't eat much. It is like he doesn't have strength. He puts up a brave front...but I can tell. He struggles to smelt the ores that his friends leave for him and he usually goes to bed right after. He went to see grandpa Krindo recently...and it was then he started to feel it. Mom knows something is wrong...he doesn't even drink his favorite raspberry juice. Hope he gets better.

I see Abi going for another walk...better follow in case she gets into trouble...

[SteveJW]

Sarah and Abi are gone...

They haven't been around for training...or in school. I know Abi is mad at something her father's friends did or made him do...but Sarah? I am worried for them both. I have to go find them...but Dad said to stay here. Then he grabbed his gear and left.

He is a very capable warrior...but he doesn't know how to track. I have to do something. Can't let anything happen to...

*Cole grabs his bow and blades and heads out to the woods. Seeing what appears to be a part of Sarah's cloak...he heads in the direction of broken twigs and bent vines...heading towards Fort Vehl.*[/b]

[SteveJW]

This is strange...

Dad has asked to see me. The ranger post said he was looking for me. He never had to come find me...but it seemed important. Something to do with Mr. Daniel. Something personal. I wonder what it could be...

Anyway...I need to go to Port Hempstead. Be easier for me to find Dad there than him to find me here.

Wonder how Sarah and the others are doing?

[SteveJW]

Aylana is missing...

Mom asked me to go find her. Said she went off into the wood...which she doesn't know. I'll start with the Wolfswood. She always liked going through there to the Lake of Glass. I'll tell the ranger post there to keep an eye out.

And Mr. Daniel is getting married..

And he wants me to be his Best Man. Dad says to think carefully...there is a ritual that must be performed by me at ceremony...should I accept. He won't tell me unless I accept. I will think about this some more and send word to Mr. Daniel.

Now I must find my wayward sister...Longstrider, guide my steps to her...

[SteveJW]

I have much to learn about cultures...

I almost made a fatal mistake at Mr. Dan's wedding. Not that anyone was going to die..but I almost killed Ms. Treana. When I had to judge the sincerity of her love...I mistakenly said she wasn't ready. It was that Old Culture language of hers. She collapsed in despair and it was then I realized I said the total opposite of what I meant...so I told everyone that I would only speak in Common and reversed what I said. The ceremony went off without further mistake...at least not major ones. There is a lot to be said about being properly prepared.

The shocker was when they had to give up their most prized possessions. Ms. Treana gave up a rapier of hers she had for a while. This was ok...but Mr. Dan gave up something that no one ever thought he'd do.

When I was a child...Mr. Dan told us of Rofirein and what it was like to become a Knight. He held this to be his lot in life. To serve Rofirein with his heart and soul. It was a proud moment when he was inducted as a Knight of  the Wyrm and the pride was evident in his swagger. It was this he gave up for Ms. Treana.

I am at a loss for now. I hope though that if the Longstrider asks me to give up something...I hope I have the...courage...to make a fitting sacrifice.

[SteveJW]

Abi's dead...

She succumbed to what everyone refers to as the 'Soul Mother'. I...can't believe it. She was so full of life and was going to be wed...and now...gone.

They are having a rememberance gathering at the Orc Basher's guild. I will go and I'll bring a drawing I had all these years. I had made her spill ink all over it...but I cleaned it mostly and finished it. At least...what I think it was supposed to be.

It is the only thing I have that I can give. We will laugh at it when we meet again in the here after...