Aedon's Journal

[aedon]

I am a bit concerned for the lass Sasha. I have been watching her for some time now. At first, I wondered if she were simply mad. An unfortunate soul cast aside by family when they discovered she was not the perfect daughter. But there was always a cadence to her seeming madness. Even when she lashed out violently at people around her, it was clear that she was not directing her ire at the shadows and lights moving around her. I could have mentioned this to others at the time, warned Aly perhaps. But I had to know if what I was beginning to see in her was real.

It is hard I know to walk in the shadow of magics that you cannot grasp the concept of, let alone control. The unexplained ability to heal the wounds of others, while exposing your own self time and again to untold suffering. This alone could easily break the minds of most mortals. I know well the self-doubt that haunts her steps, the fear of never knowing who or what was reaching out form the mists, clawing at her, trying to draw her in to….

More chaos.

But a chaos, that with proper training, she could master, and perhaps bring her some measure of peace. And so, I took her to the one place I have ever been able to find peace of mind. The Freehold of Roses. The shimmering shadows about her have increased. Her energy output is like that of few I have known through my years. An emerging fae can be a dangerous thing when left alone and confused. More so the themselves than to others.

James is chaotic for sure. But then again, I can say the same is true of me. But he is an elder pooka and one of few fae left within the secluded valley. I believe that he will be able to help her deal with the things she is seeing and feeling. I will be there to watch over and help, but I am not truly fae. And she needs the closeness of the balefire, and of course, the reading I have been assigning her. It is all to focus her mind, and help her take these steps which are hers alone.

Her mind is still a bit befuddled, but slowly, perhaps at times clawing her way across the ground within the dreaming, she will find her answers. I believe she is strong enough to endure this. And am happy to see that more help has show up at a crucial time in the person of Sylvia.

Sasha now needs to trust in others. That those of us who care about her and want to see her become all that she can will be there for her through the rough times to come.

[aedon]

It was a quiet night, a dark night. The moon was quartering, and though the lamp posts were all lit, darkness occupied all corners of the square in front of the meadhall not touched by the flickering light. Most in the neighborhood had already returned to their homes, and the smell of wood burning in the many hearths filled the air, and gathered lightly around him. Breathing deeply, he savored the sweet, woody aroma.

Setting aside a half cup of coffee, Aedon picked up his journal, and began to write.

Life has thus far been peaceful here. Izz….Greyylene seemed to be thriving. She has already gathered a small crew for her ship, and they busy themselves brewing something they call Creyylable. I am certain this can be used to remove barnacles from the ships hull or strip the deck. They then cart this concoction around, and sell it to unsuspecting tavern owners. Most of the rest of her time she spends sailing the coast of Belfalas seeking treasure.

Our home-life is not what it once was, and more times than not I am left ashore tending to the day to day operations of the Knights Rest, or working with local artists in the town of Bree. There are few meetings and even fewer bar fights to deal with. It is just the simple life I had long wished to live.

Hmm, be careful what you wish for I suppose.

I really am happy here, but it would be lying to say I do not miss those I left behind. But that too is something I have become accustomed to. And through the years, I have learned to never get too attached to people or places. All things are fleeting, and caring too much for any one person or place can only lead to a lifetime of heartache.

But this has all worked out for me. Really it has.

The other night I dreamed that Nemira sat upon the windowsill of my house singing in the moonlight. It was a sweet song, and yet touched with sorrow. I walked outside and approaching her asked the reason for her lament. Tilting her head to one side she replied. I sing for you my son. With that, she turned to smoke which rose high into the sky, then drifted out across the green fields.

I am not sure what such a dream foretells, but the vision lays heavy on my mind, and teases at the deeper recesses of my thoughts. Perhaps it is little more than a dream. Time, as always, will write the story.

Closing his journal, Aedon stood and looked around. In the distance he could see the light shining though the windows of his house. Greyy was home tonight, and most likely burning the midnight oil preparing for her next voyage. Perhaps she would like to sit before the fire and enjoy a cup of coffee?

Tucking his journal under his arm, and picking up his cup, Aedon headed down the hill from the meadhall, to his home.

[aedon]

Among the items I have found within Connemara, I came across this journal. I immediately recognized the etching on the front, a large tree standing alone in a field, and it feels familiar in my hands. But I cannot for the life of me recall writing most of the words within.

It would seem that this place called Yew, and the village of Aegis were once important to me, and that I, in some way stood watch over her for many years. As I read the entries, I found myself walking the paths of this forest within my thoughts, and the sites described within wove a picture within my mind of a home long left behind.

Some of the entries even spoke of my time in these lands. But I cannot help but wonder, if I wrote about the mead hall, and Rohan, how is it that the Journal was not here with me, instead of within the walls of Connemara?

It has also awakened a desire to see this place again with my own eyes. Perhaps it is there that the dreams I walk each night will be made clear.

I have spoken to Nemira and she has agreed to aid me in a journey to these lands. I still, it would seem, hold some property there, so at least I will not have to search for a safe place to stay. She has sent Nimbus to inform the caretaker there that I will soon pay a visit to my old haunts.

James will also be there, so I will at least have a face I recall within this land now foreign to me. Let us hope that the descriptions of the people I once knew there will help me fit in a bit.

[aedon]

It has been good to once again sit before my own fire in Connemara. I had forgotten the pleasures to be found within such a simple thing, and it occurs to me that with each passing day I am finding myself relaxing into this life that somehow, I had let slip away.

Reading this journal has filled in many things for me, and told the story in full I suppose, of how I came to be here so far from the forests of Yew. It is not a bad life here, but I would be deluding myself if I did not admit that I miss the feel of the Glade beneath my feet.

At least I know for sure that I left the city in good hands. And that the Knights Rest is thriving even in my absence. I wonder though, what it would be like to sit in the tavern again and listen to the stories spoken and share in an adventure or two with those I once called friends.

Nemira has made helped me plan the visit. Nothing too long, as I know I have my duties here to tend. The plan is to make the voyage near the end of this month so I can attend the Tavern on the first of November. Then if all goes well, return without anyone knowing I left.

I am looking forward to this trip. A chance to see old friends, and perhaps fill in some of the missing pieces of my memories. There are some names in this journal I have no memory of, and yet, they seemed to have at one time been a big part of my life.

For now, I will enjoy my fire, my solitude and the utter sense of peace that is to be found within the walls of Connemara.

[aedon]

It was only a short trip home. But in truth it did wonders for my spirit. I think I need this right now. To be among old friends once more, and spend a night in my own bed. To stand once again behind the bar in the Knights Rest and enjoy listening to the jokes and stories that filled the room.


The evening was pleasant for sure. And it is always fun to spend time with James. In all the long years, James has remained one of the constants in my life. And many times, when I was lost, it was James that always seemed to find me and guide me back home. A pleasant evening for sure, but it ended far too soon, and I once again found myself standing on the deck of the Celtic Tide, bound for Belfalas Bay.


They wanted me to stay, or asked at least that I come by more. And in truth, this appealed to me greatly. But as a creature of duty, I know that there are things that bind me, for now to Middle Earth. But as the gate opened before the ship, and we slipped into the chaos of the pathway between worlds I could not help but long for the simpler days spent in Aegis.


Perhaps I will return there again very soon.

[aedon]

I have received word from Idril. She has informed e that she will not be running for the position of Yew’s Governor again this session. Needless to say, this is of great concern to me.

Upon the departure from these lands of the Knight’s of Yew, Brother Kyriel charged me with the protection of the people of Aegis and the brothers of the Abbey. To do so, I have had to take on the mantle of Governor of Yew, as this made it much easier to protect Aegis and the Abbey.

Much has changed in the lands since I have been away, and yet, much remains the same. It is at this time my intention to run again, and hope to keep Yew under my protection. But before I sign my name, I will seek the council of someone who spends a great deal of time around a great many people.

Perhaps, there is another I can trust with that which is most important to me in this realm.

[aedon]

It has been an odd year for sure. Many things have changed for me. Some came as a surprise, but there were a few that happened as I was always sure they would. Home has become more a stopping point for me. A place to rest between my wanderings. And I have noticed, the urge to wander stronger now than it has ever been in my life

I knew from the start that bringing Izzy here would in the end, lead to heartbreak and loneliness. Not because of her, but because of the changes that had to take place. Izzy could not pass the barrier as she was. Her life was tied to Sosaria. But she wanted to come, and I, in truth, wanted her with me.

At times now I wonder if Nemira knew what she was making at the time. If those forces brought together by her was her way of assuring in time, that I would find myself along once more, and ready for what was to come next.

I hoped it would not be so, convinced myself that the lady lying beside me at night was indeed the woman I loved. But there is more pirate than lady to be found in Greyylene, and my Izzy died years ago on the deck of the Tide. I wonder, if I could go back in time, knowing all I know now, if I would have remained on Sosaria. At least then, I would still have her.

I do not begrudge Greyylene her life. And in fact admire her wild spirit and brash ways. She is who she was intended to be. Is there any of my Izzy buried deep inside her still, or has she fully become Captain Greyylene? This, I suppose, can only be answered by my mother, and she is not inclined to make things clearer.

It is a good thing I am kept busy these days. Between the music things I tend, and running for Governor of Yew once more, I have less time to dwell on what once was. But at night, when I close my eyes to sleep, I can still see her gracefully dancing in the moonlight.

[aedon]

Well, it was done.

The second meeting with the group that called themselves the Rovers went well. The terms for their employment agreed, and a price set. They would start to work immediately and work using the Village of Aegis as their base and in cooperation with Captain Itannar.

The oddest moment came when they asked me exactly what I wanted. I thought, and in truth, I want the rogue Governor and his gang of thugs gone from Yew. The lives of the people of Yew mean far more to me than my own.

I know I did what I had to do under the circumstances. But it seemed strange to hear my voice telling them that how they accomplished this end was up to them. And I cannot help but wonder. AM I perhaps, in my zeal to safeguard Yew becoming as bad as those I wish to drive off?

Time will tell I suppose.