A Diary

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

When I woke today, I knew something would happen.
As everyday day, I went and checked the lizard on the beach. I remember the day I found his almost dead body floating away from the sand. Well, that was too the day I learned to swim. Since then I take care of him. And strangely, he has no memory. He don’t know his own name. So I call him Seshir. The odd part is that he gets more old with every day; it’s unusual, very fast. And no matter how much I try to convince him, he never leaves that beach. Maybe it has something to do with his lost past.
When my grandparents decided that they should move to another island with the others elves, they left their house in the forest for me. I am surviving very well. From what I can remember, I always did. I lost my mother when I was too young and my father... I guess he lost me. Or never wanted to find. I learned to grow between elves, even though some of them refused to have a half-elf in their community.
Until today, I don’t know what I am. Half-elf or half-human.
The name of my mother was Elliria. I believe my father was Dominik. I gained his last name. Windslasher. Myself, I am Kamik Windslasher. I don’t know really why, but after what happened today, I decided that I should keep a diary. A place to keep my memories safe. Perhaps, the situation of that lizard was what inspired me.
But yes. I knew something would happen by the time I woke. Call it a pressage. I got up and felt the smell of loneliness in the air. I stared out of the window and scaned for any beast lurking around the tree house. Clear.
I left using my usual leather armor and the longsword my grandfather gave me when I was 8 and couldn’t lift it. I am 17 now. Young, I know. But now I can lift the sword and swing it sometimes.
Walking through the trees I caught the first song of the birds in that morning. I was enjoing the music when suddenly I noticed another kind of sound following the whistles. It was a lute. It made me remember of my childhood. I followed the music in a mix of curiosity and intrigue.
In a clearing of the woods I saw a man. He was sitting over a stone playing the lute I heard. I raised both eyebrows in surprise. I knew him from somewhere. I was just unable to recognize him under that hat that covered almost his entire face.
The next step I gave in his direction made him stop to play and turn to me. I still don’t know if I was too noisy or if the man can hear the silence. Whatever it was, he grinned to me and called me by the name:
– Kamik – he called. – Kamik Windslasher.
– You know me? – I asked approaching. It was then that I noticed the strange configuration of trees in front of the man. A bottle of wine layed on the ground in front of the trees.
– Maybe – he answered. – However, I don’t know other boy with blue hair.
I smiled.
– It’s my mother’s heritage.
He grinned under the borders of his hat and stared at the trees. I wanted to know what he was thinking. An umconfortable silence followed.
– It’s dangerous to walk alone here – I broke the silence.
– I’m never alone – he said.
What happened after was even more odd. I heard a third voice and from what it seemed, it came from his belt.
– Indeed – it said.
– What’s that? – I asked confused.
– My dagger.
Then he showed me the talking weapon. It really could talk and I really couldn’t believe my ears. I don’t know what made me stay there for the next two hours. Perhaps, it was what he knew about me. The man talked a lot. He explained that he knew my father and my mother. That my mother was murdered by a member of a group called Scarlet Banshees and that my father almost lost his sanity searching for them and his revenge. He told me how he found the dagger and how it decided to never leave him. He also told me, for my surprise, the name and story of Seshir, which actually was Chak’ Ysshirr. For my surprise, the lizard once was the captain of the guard of Vashikar and the bodyguard of a Child of Bjolmur. I was impressed. The tired imagine of the lizard came to my mind and I couldn’t accept that it was his destiny to end his life like this.
The lute man also told me that it was in my blood to become an adventurer like my father.
– After all – he said –, you’re a Windslasher.
He started talking to me as if he wanted me to be an adventurer or maybe as if he knew I would become one someday. He told me about events, places and people I should know. He told me about how he kidnaped the Brute of the Bloodskulls, Wiergraf, alone; of how he and Pendar Fayed found the Gold Mine; of how Caitlin showed him the Blue Blossoms Tree; of how he and Vayle explored the caves in the North Forest; of how he helped Maeve to escape from a determined hunter when she burnt the Tree of the Five; of how he and others fought against a demon inside of Troll’s Bane; of how he lost an Onion Ball Game to Fooser; of how was pleasant the night he spent inside a cell of the Grey Rose Castle with a crazy man called Ceigan Ibatha; and many other stories, some of them even out of the island.
– There are some people you might want to know if one day you decide to travel – he said. – The orc Wiergraf can help you to train your fighting skills. Pendar is the best friend and partner for taverns and long travels one needs, he brings lucky and also has the best wine around. Caitlin can make you cheap and good potions and is an adorable lady, with a passion for nature never seen before. Vayle, the halfling, walks a lot, he can be a good guide. Fooser is the funniest lizard you will ever found, I think he felt in love with the dagger. Ceigan can give you pleasent hours of laughs and an aid with magic – he grinned under his hat. – And finally, if you really want to help that lizard you call Seshir, find Maeve and her ring. She is probaby the only one who can bring him back. But don’t call her by that name. ‘Mary’ is much better.
I didn’t know by that time why he told me all that. Becoming an adventurer wasn’t one of my plans. My dream is to become a guard of Troll’s Bane and maybe, someday, a Knight of the Grey Rose. To tell you the truth, I never liked adventures and the ways of my father. My father... Just then I remembered to ask how he met Dominik, my father. But when I turned, the man was nowhere to be seeing. A pity. I didn’t even had the chance to ask his name.
– If you ever want to talk to him again – said that voice – I can take you to him, Kamik – he dagger was left over the stone where the man was sitting.
Slowly the facts started to make sense. The wine in front of the trees. The lute that brought back memories of my childhood. The taste for adventures.
I looked deep into the trees. There was a stone inside: a mark. A name was written in it: Elliria. I looked around searching for that man in vain. Finally, I turned to the trees and prayed, feeling that those 16 years passed too fast.
Before heading to the beach, I got the dagger in my hands and set it in my belt.
– Am I the one you’re not going to leave now? – I asked.
– No. – it answered. – If you ever toss me away,I’ll come back to him.
I nodded. However, I had no intention in discarding a present.

When I got to the beach, Seshir, no, I mean, Chak, said:
– You aresss latesss today.
– I am sorry – I said.
– Can an old lizzzard asssksss what took you ssso long?
– Yes – then I looked to the sea knowing that what I was about to say would hurt. – I probably met my father today – I made a pause. – And my mother too.
I decided I shouldn’t explain much. After all, I had not a single fact or proof that what that man told me was true. Nothing that could proof he was Dominik Windslasher. I had no reason to believe all that. Those people he told me about could even never existed. Then I noticed something. My eyes opened wide from my surprise. The lizard had a ring in one of his fingers.
– Where... Where did you got the ring? – I asked.
– A girl gavesss me. Ssshe thought I wasss sssomeone called Chak’ Yssshirr – he answered. – Her namesss wasss Marysss.
The words of the lute man came back to my mind: “But don’t call her by that name. ‘Mary’ is much better”.
Well, life is just like this, I think. When you don’t expect your past can come back and bump into you, or maybe just play a song in an old lute.
I looked again to the dagger. I knew what would happen: I would set out to the world to find a girl I knew nothing but the name and save the lizard Ysshirr. In this travel, I would search for those people to try, after them, to get to know my father better and what kind of man he was. Then maybe one day I would be ready to ask the dagger his whereabouts.
It’s ironic. One could call it destiny. Perhaps, one would be telling the truth. Because there is no way to hide. It is in my blood and there is no way to run from ourselves. I still don’t like the idea of adventuring. But I guess that, one day, I’ll end up enjoing it. After all, I’m not a half-elf, nor a half-human. I’m a Windslasher.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

And again, I wasn't born for adventures. Maybe there is less of my father in me than he thought when we spoke yesterday. However, either way, I packed my things and left the tree house today, by the morning. I knew I wouldn't be coming back.
Just when I left the forest that I remembered how big the world was. Perhaps, that wasn't my world. It was the world of my father and his great adventures. I wondered where I fit in it, if it was in finding who he was or who I am going to be. Whatever it was, he seemed to know the answer from the beggining. That was his last joke.
And that's probably just what he wanted me to be. An adventurer like himself. He knew that telling me about the lizard's situation would make me want to help him. That's my first motivation to start this travel. The second is to discover who my father was. When I find the answer for this question, I'll be able to ask the dagger his whereabouts and go there there return his talking-weapon.
Well, although I didn't know where to start to search, I knew what I should do first and it was to find the girl called Maeve. And that's why, on the first day of my travel, I went to Troll's Bane. It was a long day. And a hard one. But even then, on the first day of my quest, I had a success and a failure.
As I entered the grey walls of the city I felt a cold wind on my face. That was the city where my father grew and where I was born. I presume it was there that it all started. I guess it's my duty to end it now.
I headed to the shop which is the first building you see when you enter from the East Gate. For my surprise, Eliza still worked there. I greeted her and it took the lizardwoman some time to recognize me. But my blue hair isn't difficult to notice. She smiled at me and hissed. That was when a girl entered the shop. The first thing I noticed about her was that she was beautiful. The second was the sad look on her face.
Finding her was my success, but, in the end, I guess that she was the one who found me.
- Is it her, dagger? - I asked.
- I don't know. I can't feel her magic anymore - answered the voice from my belt.
But the answer I was waiting to hear came from the girl.
- What are you doing with Dominik's dagger? - she asked.
- You knew my father?
- Yes. So, are you Kamik? - she asked. - And I can't believe you forgot me, dagger.
- It's her - was everything the dagger said.
I stared into the eyes of the girl inside of me. She seemed much younger than me, but, those eyes... They showed more age than she had. Some people say that eyes can tell stories.
- Are you Mary? - I asked.
- Maeve - she said. - Or Mary too.
I nodded and bowed a little.
- Aren't you the one who is taking care of Chak? - she asked me.
I nodded again.
- Then I have to thank you - she said. - Chak is really important to me.
- No need to thank me, Mary - I said. - In these few days Chak was to me the father I never had.
She smiled for the first time and again I looked deep into her eyes.
- Do you really love him? - I asked.
- Yes! We are engaged! - she answered.
- So I guess you may want that ring back.
- Only when Chak remembers of me.
What I said next would stay in my mind for a long time, just because it wasn't like me to say such a thing, i sounded more like my father. I put my hands on her shoulders and made the promise to bring Chak back. That time I didn't know what I was speaking about. The phrase just came out of my mouth in an impulse. I had no obligations with the lizard I called Seshir besides what I already wrote here: he was, indeed, the father I never had. And for the girl, well, I didn't want those eyes to see the death of her love again. It was the love of a child, I knew, but it was true.
- Mary, I promise to bring him back.
That would probably the last thing I'd do in my life, however, thinking about it now, I guess it was only the start. The dagger seemed to know a lot about everything, but whatever it knew, it kept to itself. But when it said it knew a way to bring Chak's memories and the missing part of his soul back, I felt happy that I could count on it. And no matter what was the way, the ring seemed to be the key.
Now, if I wanted to start an adventure like my father, I must think like him. That's why I took the rest of the day to walk through the land to got to know it better. And it's here that my failure happens. I walked too much away from Troll's Bane and when I noticed, I was already lost.
The first thing that came to me was the smell. There was humidity in the air and it stinked a lot. But the swamp was the last of my worries. Coming in my direction with a buzz, the giant flies seemed to be my death. But I didn't intend to die so easily or so soon. And for a moment I thought what my father would do in such a situation. I couldn't figure it out so I had to do it my way. I drew the sword from my back and stood in a defensive position, waiting.
While the flies approached, their stings turned in my direction. I swong the sword into the bigger group of flies. A slash and some of them fell. The ones that still could fly surrounded and attacked me by all sides. One thing I knew: that it was impossible to hit them all at the same time. Yes. But the Windslashers doesn't know the meaning of the word "impossible". Holding the grip of the sword with my both hands, I spinned around my center wielding the sword to the side. The blade described a silver circle and the buzz stoped as the flies, one by one, fell to the ground. And then a sigh of relief. I returned the sword to it's case on my back and decided to leave that place. I guess I was lucky. But the stings on my skin still hurted. Damn.
-Why didn't you use me? I am more powerful than your sword - the dagger asked.
- Well, as you said, you're not mine. You still belong to him - I answered. - When I'm ready to see him again, I'll give you back. And he will not be happy if I return a rusty, cracked or broken dagger.
The talking weapon said nothing and I felt like a fool. I didn't know if the dagger could even break or rust. I wonder how much time Dominik had it. Many years, I think. Judging that it wasn't enjoying it's stay with me. Yes, since it never speak, only when I ask something or when it's really necessary.
- There is a troll behind you - said the dagger.
I turned and saw two empty eyes, like small caves, staring at me from the top of a big body made of wood and leaves. Tre troll seemed to examin me. This time I didn't bet on lucky and escaped, trying to avoid the forest and possibly another troll.
My legs were already tired and were begging for a rest. I walked a lot that day. I kept walking in the oposite direction of the swamp and suddenly I saw a figure on the horizon. It was a man. When approached I noticed a serious look on his face, his eyes scanned all the region around us.
- Were you the one who devasted the forest? - he asked.
- No, I just came from the swamp.
- I see - he said while looking around.
Then it ocurred to me that that's why the troll didn't attacked me. I wasn't the tree killer he was searching for.
- Who would destroy a forest? - I asked.
- Greedy carpenters. Everyone seems to want that plate mail the dwarves made - he said. - By the way, I'm Stephen Rothman.
I nodded.
- I don't think an armour is worth enough of the death of many trees - I said before introducing myself. - I am Kamik Windslasher.
It was then that he stopped to look around and turned to me.
- Windslasher? - Stephen asked. - Are you relative of Dominik?
- I am his son. You knew my father?
- We spoke some times. What happened to him?
Then I explained I didn't know. The dagger, on the other hand, explained that he was living on other city and then greeted Stephen. After that we didn't speak much. I wished him good lucky in finding the murderer of trees and advised him of the troll on the way ahead. He only nodded and started to walk again. And when I remembered about asking directions, he was already away.
And again, my father helped me indirectly. Call it my first lesson. I was tired, so I sat on the grass. And when I did, I noticed the footprints of Stephen. I didn't know where they would take me, but wherever it was, must be better than that place. I stood again and started to follow the trail of footprints, only stoping sometimes and kneeling down to check on them again.
The footprints leaded me to the bridge that links the side of the river I was with the road that enters Troll's Bane. I finally found my way back and as I entered town I tried to avoid the tumult and sat near the north gate, on the grass, and leaned on a tree letting my eyes close slowly. I was tired, but I wasn't sleeping. I was trying to clear my mind of any thoughts, perhaps, I was trying to think about nothing. But every time I tried, his image came back to my mind grinning under his hat. Dominik Windslasher. My father. Who are you?

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

A side note on a page of the diary:

I met Marie Tolong today, a tailor and a friend of my father. She told me he was a kind and decent man, and that he loves me and is proud of me. It was odd to hear such a thing not from my father but from a stranger.
She is a kind lady and agreed to help me localize the others that my father knew when I told her some names. I guess I can already call her a friend.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

Things are happening fast. Maybe it's the natural way of life - to flow. And the last days have been passing quicker than all my seventeen years. When I'm writing in this pages I feel these memories aren't mine, but someone else's.
My limited knowledge of the land seems to be growing, which is good. I am feeling more confident while walking on the land I know, which is odd. That's when I wonder if the desire of my father will come true. But at the same time, I am not able to think of me as the adventurer he was. I don't see a great future ahead of me besides accomplishing what my good sense tells me.
And yes, for now I can call it a "good sense" if I don't think about the minor dangers that I passed through until now. It's the look in her eyes when we speak about Chak that makes me feel like doing a good action. The fight for the love of a life. The only thing is that it's not my life neither my love. Well... I never thought about it by this angle. Actually, I never had a reason to. I keep my feelings to myself, when I do really feel something. I think it's normal for young men of my age to think about love and others things concerning this matter. Somewhat, I sense I can't fit in this kind of discussion. I don't know what this word means. Love.
I made more success in contacting the people my father knew and told me about. The dagger seems to be getting used to my company and I think it's trying to help, in it's own way. It greets known faces what makes easier for me to know who to speak to.
The people I met includes Pendar Fayed, Fooser, Ceigan Ibatha, Naybet Grint and Marius. But, unfortunatelly, I still couldn't speak properly with any of them. All I could discover from the little I heard is that my father was banned from Troll's Bane for assassination. He killed a half-elf called Rebecca, who everything points to be the murderer of my mother. Like the "lute man" said that day: My father almost lost his sanity searching for his revenge. I wonder if he had it. I'd like to see the color of his eyes under that hat.
Other thing I found out was a possible location of my father whereabouts. The halfling city of Greenbriar. I could even hear some rumours about a human bard living there. I don't intend to go there so soon.
And there is this thing about this artifact called The Astral Eye. Pendar told me that my father wanted to find it as his last adventure; and when I asked how Dominik could find it, to my surprise and fear, the answer was:
- It seems your dagger can feel it. Right, dagger? - answered Pendar. - Magic - he said imitating the voice of the dagger and grinned.
I thought about what he said and the fact that the dagger was now in my hands. Somehow, it was starting to make sense.
- I think I know why my father gave me the dagger, then - I said.
- Knowing your father, Kamik, could be possible - was all the man said with a slight grin.
Then that was the truth: my father didn't finish his days of adventures to give a start to mine's. Now that I was in the middle of it all I wished that he had asked me what I think about his idea. I know what my answer would be. My dream always was to become a guard or a knight and protect people. But answering things is easier when you speak from the outside. Now that I am in, I don't know what would be my answer. I needed the dagger, after all. It knew how to bring back Chak's memories and it was the only thing I could do to help the lizard and make Maeve feel more happy. So the dagger stays in my belt and with it, a responsability I didn't ask for.
Yesterday the dagger said for the first time it has all the knowledge of the world. I hope the dagger is a good liar.
I learned another lesson today, this time with a man called Kenneth. It was a lesson about speed. Even though I think I didn't learned it properly, it gave me something to think about. This man showed to know a lot of the history of this island and, mainly, the town of Vashikar - or Northerot, how he prefered to call it.
I met with Maeve again today. And I convinced the dagger in telling us how to heal Chak and it agreed, yes, but with a price: when the deed is done, I have to go see my father. I looked deep into Maeve's eyes searching for my answer. I accepted. The girl looked a bit happy inside her sadness and, somehow, it made me feel happy too. I smiled. I think I was starting to see in her the little sister I never had.
There was a dancing contest today. Well, the truth is that I can't dance, but I went to see the show. It was very good. Stephen showed quite an elegant dance with a woman I think is called Josefine. But from all, the dance I most liked was Ceigan's. With that I can agree with my father: the man is crazy.

ps: I heard today of a member of this group called Scarlet Banshees as an elfess was accused to be part of it. I think she was an ice mage, but it seems Moshran drained her powers, I don't know. I don't understand these kind of things. But by the look she gave when the dagger spoke, and the coldness I felt in my spine, I believe she knew my father too. I suspect that she was the one who convinced the orc Grebar that I was the murderer of the dwarf Acerk, which I'm not. I heard some names and rumous about her and... if she is really who people claim she is, I hope Moshran never gives back her powers.

a baseboard note:
The elfess Raelitze makes me remember of my mother. Not in appearence, I don't remember my mother's face. But in her personality, this thing mages call aura. Perhaps, it can be her passion for flowers.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

The dagger finally said it. It's the Heart Desire. But it didnt say where I can find it yet. And it has been some time since I last saw Maeve, so I don't know when we'll be able to cure Chak. The dagger says that it's extremelly important that the girl acompany us.
The Heart Desire is a kind of flower that used to grow only in the desert, because it doesn't need water to bloom. Strangely, these flowers have disappeared tottally from the hot sand and, from what I understood from the dagger, there is only a single seed left, which lies within the earth, deep, inside an ancient maze. The dagger knows where this maze is, of course - it knows everything, it seems.
But, no matter how much I asked, it never said what is it that feed the seed. I guess we'll find out at the right hour which seems closer with every breath I take.
The days are still passing fast and lonelly. The dagger began to speak more after it was robbed and thrown away. Whatever it was, the dagger felt it, something that made it give me some respect and I wonder if it was the respect I have for my father's most precious treasure.
The name of the thief is Ziel, a halfling. Or was, I heard he is dead. I don't know if I should be sad with that, though I can't wish death to anyone. This halfling, Ziel, was being accused in the middle of the town square of being a murderer by a man I met earlier, Faladron. The judge was a dwarf. Durin. He had sold me very well crafted armour other day, but his ability in judging seemd really lesser than his ability with smithing. And seeing that the situation wasn't going to change, I offered to help.
There was only one evidence of the crime which was Faladron's dagger which was with Durin which seemed to didn't know what to do with it. So I asked to see the dagger and make some questions to the halfling. That was my biggest mistake. After some questions, I took Faladron's dagger (the one that had a "FF" carved on the blade) and placed it on the ground, with his initials turned to the grass so that no one could see them, with another two other daggers: a common and Dominik's.
- Which one is Faladron's dagger? - I asked the halfling. The three of them were like the same, their only difference was the "FF" which was hidden. I waited for the answer of the halfling because it would show if he was a criminal or not. My point of view was: it didn't matter which dagger he would choose, because they were identical, so, choosing none would make him inocent, there was no way he could possibly know; however, any choice would show he was the culprit. But it wasn't the halfling who took a dagger: it was Durin. And he took the wrong one - my father's dagger.
In possession of Faladron's dagger, I asked Durin for my weapon. He refused to give it back even after I showed him Faladron's initials on the blade of the other dagger and even after my dagger spoke. Well, he is a good smith...
When Marius, a member of the guard arrived, I thought that all that confusion would end. But it didn't. Marius was as confused as I was, there was a crime to be solved and two misplaced daggers. The guard asked the dwarf the hand me the dagger back, but Durin let it on the ground and gave up on the investigation. Ziel got my dagger and runned.
He was sure he could prove that he was innocent through some process that involved Faladron's dagger, flour and some boards. But Faladron's dagger was with me! Why they couldn't understand that?
After some time and the loss of my patience, Ziel finally noticed that the dagger in his hands could speak and, not giving it back, he threw it over the roof of the shop. Well, being he a criminal or not, now he was a thief and Marius and myself tried to grab him. Marius wanted to jail him, I'm sure, but all I wanted was that the halfling got my dagger back. The only thing my father ever gave me. For the first time I sensed it's importance to me. I wonder if it was that kind of respect that made the dagger talks more with me.
Ziel ended up climbing the shop and throwing the dagger down, in the direction of Marius, but he missed. The dagger fell a bit away. I walked to it and kneeled down. I could hear Ziel running from Marius behind of me. And then... an odd sensation of heat. I got the dagger in my hands and raised my head just to see a big fire in front of me. In front of the fire was a floating transparent being. A ghost.
One thing I noticed about towns in the time I'm living inside one: whenever something happens, soon there will be a crowd around it, talking a lot and trying to do something. I mean, there was a fire on the grass and the ghost was the only attention. I was surprised to see that the only one who put down the fire was the halfling Ziel. No one seemed scared of the ghost too. I mean, no one but myself. I tried to avoid contact, when other people tried to approach him fast.
I still don't understand all that followed, but from what I can guess, the ghost want us to find his corpse and move it to another place. However, he was unable to leave town and consequently to show us his grave. I wonder if he was killed insed town, that would explain why he can't leave. All he said was that his grave was warm, that he was buried in an unholy land and that there were flies and worms there. There were other facts that showed this deed to be dangerous: Pendar said the ghost tried to hurt him the day before that.
The ghost finally disapeared inside the shop, leaving a flame behind, saying that he would come every day until his body was found and buried in a better place. Eliza constated that we could use the shop to discuss this matter. I left. Even though I understand that the dead need respect in their eternal rest, I can't imagine me doing much for him. Not in this case. There were other things that needed to be done first. The life of Chak depended on it.
The dagger showed hints that it will be telling soon the location of the Heart Desire seed. I think something is going to happen tomorrow.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

I still can feel the pain in my ears. That noise. This night was one full of surprises. I still can't help but feel that I am a murderer. It took me some time to remove the blood from the blade of the sword that belonged to my grandfather. I named the weapon "Childhood", for it is the only thing that brings me back to my past as a kid. Sometimes I can still see the hate in the eyes of the pure blooded elven children looking at me. They are now away from this island I learned to call home. Or was teached to.
It was late. I was at the library, searching for any information I could get from the druidism books about the Heart Desire flower and the location of it's seed. Unfortunatelly, I found nothing. Just as the dagger said, the flower had long disappeared from this land. I sighed as I put the book back into the bookcase and left the building feeling tired. I imagined a soft and warm bed and pleasant dreams. This idea was very far from the cold and hard forest ground and the danger of any beast waking me up in the middle of any reasonable dream. That was my reality.
As I walked through the streets of Troll's Bane toward the east gate I noticed a man and a woman near the shop. They were speaking of a lizard. The man, I mean, the boy name is Joshua. I had helped him earlier, making a bleeding stop and wraping some bandages around a wound. I never asked for any shown of thanks. The woman was hiding her face under a hood, but even without seeing her face I could sense that I didn't know her.

I still don't know what made me stop to walk.

But I did. And as I watched Joshua leave I sensed my small pointy ears moving, catching a noise from somewhere, showing me that something was approaching. The noise was a "zzsssst" or something like that. I could imagine that such a sound made louder would make my sensible hearing listen to a big noise that would hurt my ears. So I decided to wait and see what was making it.
It was the lizard. The one they were speaking earlier. He came near the woman and, without any hesitation, stabed her with a dagger. I could feel my hand moving alone to the grip of the sword on the case on my back. No. I controled the hand and runned towards the woman.
- Why did you did it? - I shouted in the direction of the lizard.
- Becaussse I wanted to - he answered as he left.
I tried to forget him and treat the woman. I made some bandages around her chest and tried to make the bleeding stop. Oddly, it stoped very fast and the wound started to heal in the same speed.
- You heal fast - I said.
- It's an ability I inherited from my mother - she said with a melodic voice. And then raised her green eyes in my direction. - Your blue hair is pretty.
- Thank you. My mother's heritage - I tried to smile but it was just a second before I notice something toward us. Trusting in my elven senses and flexibility I hit whatever it was. A barrel fell to our side. And as I was distracted with it, the lizard came and pressed his dagger against the woman's throat.
- Don't movesss - he said.
Of course I would move. I just needed to be fast. So I turned and lifted the barrel from the ground as fast as I could and threw it on the lizard direction. It didn't hit him, but made him free the woman. That was the chance I was waiting for. I leaped foward drawing the "Childhood" from my back. I slashed, but my attack hit thin air. The lizard was really fast and was already running away.
- Coward! - I shouted in his direction. Then I turned to the woman I didn't know the name yet. - Are you well?
- Yes - she answered. - Thank you.
- No need to thank me - I said. - But we better go to a safer place in the case the lizard decides to return.
It was setted. I lost my sleep and the desire for a good night of rest. Those green eyes... It was setted. I would protect her. If you asked me by that time why I was doing so, I wouldn't know the answer. If the question was made now, the answer would be: "I still don't know, but I'm glad that I did". But I guess a diary can't speak or ask.
I helped her to walk to the tavern then and when we reached the place her wound was almost closed and fully healed. Very fast, indeed. The bartender gave us a concerned look as we entered and then went back to his job. I pulled a chair for her to sit and she did. Just then she asked my name.
- Kamik - I answered. - Kamik Windslasher.
But before I could continue with the conversation, Joshua entered the tavern saying that he was searching for that lizard but that he would only help the woman if she asked to.
- Can you get me some water? - she asked me. I nodded and got a cup of water from the bartender and handed to her. Joshua seemed to don't like this and left the place. I watched as she drank all the water. She seemed better.
I asked her what happened for the lizard want to attack her. She explained then that she didn't know, that he was just crazy. That I would found out soon. Because the lizard appeared again. I hoped that he would gave up after this try. I wish I was right. The night followed with me and her trying to have a decent conversation being interrupted by nonsense attacks of the lizard and Joshua showing up sometimes. And there was a lot of confusion. First, it seemed that Joshua killed the lizard, but then it wasn't, he had, actually, killed an innocent. And then it seemed that the lizard had killed Joshua. But again, only a impression. They were odd.
- I forgot - she said between the time of two assaults of the lizard.
- Hm? What?
- I forgot to say my name.
- Oh - I just then realized that I forgot to ask too. - I'm sorry. All this made me forget to ask too.
- It's Nariela - she said removing her hood. Her skin was white, no, it was pale, and her eyes, out of the shadow of the hood, were like esmeralds, green. Her hair was red.
I smiled. Just then the insistent lizard came back. This time I didn't think about it. I drawed my sword and charged to his front. But I didn't attack.
- Leave - I said.
- No - he answered and hissed.
I then walked foward, sword in hand.
- Leave - I said again and swong the sword in the air. The coward left the tavern then.
- You're very... very brave... - Nariela said.
- No - I replied. - This isn't being brave. This is having respect for life.
We decided to go to a more movimented area. The square. We entered the shop and sat there for the rest of the night. Telling and hearing stories, getting to know each other. I felt weird. She became my friend just as fast as her wound healed. I told her about my dream of becoming a guard and about my father. I also heard her story as well. Strangelly, many coincidences surrounded us.
Just to start, she is also a half breed. Not as me, a different kind. She is half human and half vampire. It's hard to believe and I wouldn't if I didn't see that wound closing. Another coincidence was that we both never knew our fathers, the difference was that her father was dead and mine was alive.
The fact that she is a half vampire scared me first. It got me surprised. But again, those green eyes, and the fear was no more there. I enjoyed our talk. It has been some time since I last spoke to someone during so many hours.

I still can hear her melodic voice.

For the first time in my life I didn't think about my problems. This quest in which I was involved seemed a very distant memory. The night followed...
Until we heard someone screaming. I recognized the voice. Drogan, the dwarf. Amused in the conversation I didn't payed much attention when he left the shop in the company of a tall hooded man... Thinking of it, he was too tall to be a man. The lizard!
I drawed the sword again and runned to the door. Naerila followed me. Outside, we saw the head of Drogan coming from a barrel which was being carried by that lizard bandit. He was escaping through the east gate. We followed him, but he was faster and disappeared. I was looking around, searching for any clue of his hideout when Naerila said:
- That cave.
We both went down the ladder into the darkness. I just noticed that her hood was on again, but one time evolved by the darkness, she removed it. I still remember her words about this: "The sun weakens me".
I followed a path that was a dead end, wishing for Drogan's safety I turned back and runned towards the other way of the bifurcation. There they were. Drogan was running from him. This time I didn't hesitate. "Childhood" was already on my hand when I charged at the lizard. He used the barrel as a shield and tried to escape again. No. Not this time. I trusted the sword over the barrel and I felt the blade entering his scales. I didn't like that sensation. For a moment, I thought of stoping and helping him. But only for a moment. I knew it would be enough time for him to slip my throat open. So I slashed again, using the sword with one hand and letting it's weight guide the direction of the blade.
The the lizard started to escape. But it wasn't him anymore. All that rested was a spirit cloud form floating towards the ladder. I killed him.
I was too worried about Drogan that the fault didn't strike me yet. I thank all the gods that his wounds were a mere cut not very deep near his neck. But it was still bleeding and before we could leave the cave we would have to make it stop.
Naerila moved closer and examined his neck. For a moment I saw her opening a mouth with two sharp canines and biting his neck. But only for a moment. I casted that image away from my head as I saw her taking care of him. I was making bad judge of her thinking such things. She was one of the nicest persons I met since I left my forest. Somehow, I could trust her, I knew I could.
When Drogan was almost well and we were preparing to leave, the lizard came back. He was really insistent, if I can say. I pointed my sword to him and stood between him and Naerila and Drogan. The lizard started to speak, but to tell you the truth, I wasn't paying much attention.
- Listen to me, lizard - I said. - You don't deserve to be a lizardman, you don't have their honour and courage. I'll count to 5 and that will be the time you have to leave. Not because I have any respect for you. I have respect for life.
I started to count. "1... 2... 3... 4... 5...". And as expected he didn't leave and even attempted to attack. A slash and he was a cloud again. I sighed. I killed him again. This time I felt the fault of being a murderer. But, as always, I hide it very well inside my heart and covered it with my calm smile. Naerila stated that she was amazed of how I could stay calm under any situation. I don't know, it seemed as if she was able to see through my mask and reach who I really am.
So we left and headed to town. The lizard crazy attempts to hurt us stopped and me, Nariela and Drogan had a good time inside the shop. They were very interested about the dagger, Drogan mainly. I guess it's his nature as a dwarf. I tried to tell them the story of my father by my view, which isn't a very well aimed one, since I don't know much. But at least I managed to answer his question.
- Where did yer dad found th' dagger, lad?
I explained that my father was venturing away from the island and found this desert island on which there was a mine and inside the mine was the dagger. It was the truth, I mean, a part of the big truth I don't know yet. But I can't call that a lie. The fact that my father left the island because the death of my mother could stay away from the story I told them. The Scarlet Banshees and a half elven baby being left alone too stood out of it. I didn't want it to sound as a sad tale.
The dawn was approaching as our words were going out of the window of the shop and were carried by the wind. Drogan made many questions that made me blush as well as Nariela. Like the questions you aren't suposed to do toward a couple. I mean, Nariela and myself weren't a couple. We were friends. She is much older than me too, though she appears to be my age. And... And I don't know what I am writing anymore.
The next things that happened was a noisy lizard and a drunk Joshua. The lizard discovered that a "zzssssst" louder could make my ears ache and he used this artifice to get near us while I was covering my ears. The sound seemed to affect Naerila too. But we get used to pain, we learn to resist it. Although, sometimes it takes time. In this case it was easy: I didn't have time.
Fortunatelly, the lizard escaped again. We decided to leave the shop. Drogan was leaving to get some rest and just then I realized how tired I was. "Childhood" was resting silently on my back as well as the dagger on my belt. I wonder if the dagger can sleep and even dream. It must have wonderful dreams. I'll make sure I ask this to it later.
Before leaving, I showed her my diary. She was the first person to read it. I guess I can't show it now, after all I wrote about her.
Outside, we sat under a big tree on the square. Her hood was on again, even under the shadow the tree was casting upon us. Those were simple, slow and pleasants moments in which the silence of the dagger seemed quite proposital.
Faladron, the man I mentioned on the my last writings, came towards us some time later. He sat with us on the grass. What happened next, as I already said, was the drunk Joshua bothering us and the lizard making that noise. And yet, I killed him for the third time. I didn't want to. I was still feeling that fault of being a murderer. So I gave him a chance to leave. But he insisted in attacking me. However, I only defended myself behind my shield. I only wanted him to leave. He took the chance of my defensive position to wrap his tail around Nariela's neck. That left me no choice but to attack. And I had to do it listening to that terrible noise. But as I wrote before, sometimes, we have to endure the pain. "Childhood" slashed the wind again.
After that, things calmed a bit and we could continue with the conversation until drunk Joshua showed up. It didn't take much for Faladron to hit him with his staff on the head and he passed out. Naybet Grint came from the south and helped to take care of the boy. Myself, I stood by Nariela's side, hoping Joshua was ok, but doing nothing to help. Some things he said offended me, I didn't care what would happen to him, then.
But just like all nights, this one also had an end. I made my good byes to Naybet and Faladron and they headed to the shop. About Nariela... Our dismissal was fast, odd and... friendly. I don't know what I was expecting for. But her kiss on my cheek was warm. And as I watched her leaving I hoped to have the chance to speak with her once again.
The sleep came back, so I headed to the south forest, sat on the ground and leaned on a tree. I wondered if my father one day had to sleep at that same place. Yes. Who knows.

There was also an event I'd like to point here: I met an elf called Cjauncey who also knew my father. He and Marius were going to go down the cemetery dungeon ruins. I hope everything went fine for them.

All the night, the dagger spoke little. But from her phrases, there was one, when we were heading to our "bed", I am sure I will never forget: "A vampire is a dangerous creature". And I will not be able to forget not because it made me change any decision I had in my mind, but because it was the first time the dagger said something that I didn't care about.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

A list on the upper part of a page:

Things I need to accomplish and can't forget:

- visit Seshir;
- contact Maeve;
- find the Heart Desire seed;
- learn more about dagger;
- learn more about the Astral Eye relic;
- contact the people my father knew;
- speak to Nariela again.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

Before the first time the dagger said "Magic", I didn't know the power I had in my hands. And I wonder, why did you give it to me, father? What are you trying to proof to me? The day when we'll meet again, I'll probably be changed. I hope it's into something we both wish for my future, something to bring honour to the "Windslasher" name.
I am now sitting on the small round table of the shop and trying to write using only one hand, It's quite difficult to hold the diary, but it can be done. The fact is that my left arm is wounded and I'm trying not to move it much. It must be healed by night. But yesterday, everything started because of this simple wound. I mean, because of those who did it, in a way or another. However, everything ended with that tree and the earth under it.

I was, once again, on the woods. This time wasn't for land recognition. I just wanted to walk a bit and forget myself. I was trying to speak with the dagger too, what proved to be useless. The weapon has showing more interest and staying in my belt, but only that - the dagger only speaks when it want to and only answer when it want to as well.
- Dagger, what is this Astral Eye?
No answer. I gave up. It was a grey evening. The clouds were hiding the sun and the wet earth beneath my boots was a sign that had rained all day. It's really hard to hear footsteps on wet earth. For a pure blooded human, perhaps. I felt my small pointy ears shaking under my long blue hair by the time a dagger came flying my way. It got stuck on a tree beside me.
- Bandits - said the dagger.
There were three of them. They came out of the shadows, surrounding me. But under their hood I could see their fierce eyes staring at me.
- His dagger - said one of them. - That thing can talk.
- Hand the dagger, lad, and you can go safely.
I knew it was a lie. They were just afraid of the dagger. If I gave it to them, just after they would attack and loot all I had with me. Bandits. I couldn't give the dagger and didn't intend to. I wouldn't allow them to take it from me. With one hand I motioned drawing the dagger, they stepped back. Then, with me other free hand I drawed "Childhood" from it's case and swong it in the air in front of me without saying a word. I let my sword speak through the wind.
Two of them had daggers, the one that seemed the leader had a longsword. I had to be smart if I wanted to stay alive, there were three of them and I was only one and they would probably attack the three at the same time. If they only had given me more time to think...
The leader charged in my direction and that motived the other two to follow him. I let my body fall and slashed with my sword at the legs of the bandit near to me. He felt. The leader trusted his blade while the other aimed for my head with the grip of his dagger. Well, I managed to roll to my side, avoiding the dagger. But the sword hit my left arm. I kicked the leader and he pulled the sword. I stood with a jump and slashed between them, they jumped back then I runned. The hurt bandit was screaming on the ground. Even then, the other two left him to die and came after me. The one with the dagger was faster, probably because he wasn't wearing any armor. Without his expectance, I turned and attacked, spinning around with "Childhood" giving me the chance to attack two times. The first, a slash, sent him back; the second, I trusted the sword in his chest. With the help of my other hand I pushed the sword foward, deeper into his heart. Perhaps, that was a mistake. Making such effort made my wounded arm need to stay unmoved for the rest of the fight. Well, one left.
The bandit leader came running and jumped raising his sword. With my good arm, I moved the grip of me weapon, turning the body of the bandit stuck to it's blade and using him as a shield. Thank gods it worked. The leader ended up attacking his partner. Again, he didn't seem to care. I pulled my sword and sttod ready. The body of the bandit fell.
- You'll pay for this, blue hairdo - said the leader, longsword in hand. - My name is Deevan. Remember the name well, 'cause I'm promising for it that your head will be mine - having said that, he stared a last time at the dagger in my belt, then turned and escaped, running into the shadows of the forest.
A thin rain was starting to fall. The drops from the sku turned red when they reached my wounded member.
- Deevan... - I whispered to the woods around me and then sighed. It wouldn't be a good idea to stay there, it was bandit's territory and I had a cut to treat. So, I started to make my way back to Troll's Bane, the fast as I could.
- Thank you, dagger - I said. - For advising me of their presence.
- You're welcome, Kamik - it said, with it's normal polite voice that didn't resemble a man's or woman's voice. - That Deevan - the dagger added -, he is a half-elf too.
I said nothing. All I wanted was to leave that place.

When I arrived in town, I pulled my cloak over my left arm, hiding the blood. I didn't want to attract more attention I already did with my hair. As I turned on the shop, the first thing I saw was a tub. Beside it was Joshua.
- Kamik! - he called me. - Where have you been? Nariela missed you.
I blinked and my eyes moved as if by their own to the woman standing near the tub. Her green eyes were staring at me.
- Hello - she said.
I tried to smile under my pain.
- Good night - I said.
I tried the best I could to hide my arm and the pain, after all, It wasn't my intention to worry or bother anyone. Either way, my intention was discovered by those green eyes and I had to let her help me with the bandages. The dagger also told her about what happened, I wonder if it did it because it cares for me, I mean, if it can care.
With my arm well wrapped in cloth, we talked about the days and slow events. But none of that could take the words from Deevan from my head. Nariela has the special ability to always know when I'm distracted, thinking on other subjects. She always notices. I wonder if it has something to do with her kind.
- Kamik, would you like to see the place where I sleep? - she asked me. I can understand why she did, because I had the vampiric idea of the vampires from the myth in my mind. Well, at least, I think. Even though, I couldn't help but feel a bit shy and that's rare - my grandparents taught me how to destroy your feelings, and if that's impossible, at least to hide them. That was the way of the elven society I grew in. But I nodded.
We walked out from the west gate and headed to a tree next to a lake. She pointed and said that it was there. That was a beautiful tree and, for a moment, Nariela remembered me of the Heart Desire seed: she was sleeping under the earth, near the water from the lake, like a flower. But different from any flower, the Heart Desire doesn't need water, or so the dagger said. And thinking about it now, Nariela also doesn't need water...
For a moment, I stop to write here and look through the window wishing to see her outside. But again, the ways of my grandparents strikes my head and I come back to my diary.
We spent some time there, speaking and staring at the water of the lake. The ripples over the water almost seemed to hear us; or speak.
- It's not difficult - I said, on a subject that isn't important now. - To get to know things, you just need to ask.
She seemed to ponder for a moment.
- I want to get to know you, Kamik.
I felt all my barriers crumbling to dust.
- Well - I said -, for that, you don't need to ask.
She just giggled
- Erm, sorry - I added. - I don't want to be taken wrong.
- Why? Did you meant something else?
I looked at the lake. A sigh.
- What is the water telling you? - I asked.
Without understanding where I wanted to take the conversation, she answered:
- To resist my urges.
- But did it meant something else? - I smiled. - Do you want to know what the water is telling me?
- Yes, please.
- It is saying...
- Magic - the dagger said suddenly.
I knew the meaning of this. It was the first time that happened. I stood and looked around.
- What's happening, Kamik? - Nariela asked while my eyes scanned around us.
- This dagger can feel magic. I think it just felt something.
- The power is growing.
- Dagger, is it the...?
- The Astral Eye.
Nariela looked confused.
- Astral Eye? Kamik, what is happening?
I looked to her, trying to think of a good explanation.
- The Astral Eye is a relic that no one can find. My father was trying with the help of the dagger. I heard a demon was after it too.
- The desert. It's coming from there.
- Nariela. I have to go.
A moment.
- I'm going with you - she said.

She had to put her hood on. The dawn was near. On the way, I made the promise to protect her from any danger there. I started doing it by handing her my cloak.
The sand of the desert wasn't wet like the forest ground. It was still a bit hot. I wonder how it felt to Nariela. Well, since I promised to keep her safe, I fought some scorpions before following dagger's directions, but when we finally got there, we saw an oasis.
- It's here. In the heart of the desert.
I started to look around. The dagger asked for to me put her near the oasis before that power started to fade so that it could locate the Eye. I started to move nearer the oasis when I noticed the scorpion approaching Nariela. I stepped back and runned to it with the "Childhood" in hand and trusted the blade's into the body of the creature.
- No. The power is fading now. - the dagger said.
- Sorry - I replied removing the sword from the dead scorpion.
- You should had get closer to the oasis while I still could locate it.
- Sorry, dagger. I promised to protect her - I looked to Nariela with a tired smile. Tired, indeed. To use a sword with one hand is easy, difficult is to use a sword with one hand trying to don't move the other. Well, nothing more would happen there, so we decided to head back to town. On the way, I found myself thinking about this artifact, the Astral Eye, and the mistery arround it. An object that no one can find. That must be an important thing, finding it. And having the dagger with me doesn't make me feel important or a part in this; it makes me feel responsible for something I am not mature enough to handle with. Well...
Back to town we talked a bit more before she had to go, when the sun was waking, and I acompanied her to that tree, where the night ended. And again, our dismissal was fast. Like it should be... I think. But then, no, it couldn't end that way.
- Don't you want to know what the water said? - I asked.
- Yes. What did it say?
- "She is beautiful, isn't she?" - I said. - That's what it's telling me.
She blushed a bit and I also felt something warm on my cheeks. Control. Then a good night and a wave and we walked in oposite directions. On my way to the forest, I thought about Seshir and that afternoon, when I visited him again. He is more old than the last time I saw him and yet, he is still at that beach.
Maeve, where are you?

ps: Nariela licked my blood on her fingers after she treated my wound. She said it's pure. Maybe it's from my elvish side. I'm glad she could control herself.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

Nariela Beaumont.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

I rememeber saying to Joshua one time that life was just like a book, but the feather and the ink that writes it, are ourselves. Like never before these words are echoing on my ears, making the full sense I thought to understood by the time I said them to him. Can one choice change all your life? Or, can one choice change all the other choices one could have? She said that there is more of a man in me than I can imagine. In the end, I think I am just a lost boy in a big world.
I still couldn't find Maeve. I searched in Troll's Bane, Varshikar and in the way between both cities. She seems to be nowhere. And the dagger said that there is no way to bring Chak back without her. Thinking about it, I wonder if it has anything to do with the name of the flower: Heart Desire. Because if it does, it makes totally sense.
Before going to Varshikar, I started to search for Maeve near the Grey Rose Castle. Just past it, as the road started to turn into rocks and the rocks into grass and the grass into earth and the earth into a strange dark soil, I saw the ruins of what seemed to be a temple. The dry earth was cracking under my foot. Even the trees had a more, I don't know, rotting appearance near that place. A cold wind was coming from inside the ruins, whispering words on my ears that I couldn't understand. Words long forgotten. I swallowed hard. The place was calling me. Or maybe it was something, and urge, inside of me telling to enter. I refused to admit, but that's probably everything my father told me, the meaning of adventures and the name Windslasher. Without taking my eyes from the ruins, I asked the dagger:
- Is this the place where the seed is? - now I know that I was just searching for an excuse to follow that feeling of exploration, or, well, for adventures.
- No - the dagger answered.
I nodded and when I noticed, I was already walking into the ancient temple. Now one thing I noticed is that I write in this diary as if someone else would read it. But now I need to write this for me, to try to understand what I felt in the future. I'll try: that feeling was a kind of curiosity, but not that kind someone may feel when he thinks he wants to know a secret; it's the kind you feel when you has to know the secret. Like a puzzle that has no solution but yet you seeks to find one. The expectance, the surprise, everything. That's what I felt. I mean, I've felt this before, that was just the first time I noticed.
Entering the temple I thought how longer can my father be right in his conclusions being away. I mentioned this here before: that, without a doubt, was his last joke.
The heavy air inside the ruins engulfed my body as a thin fog crawling on the ground made it impossible to see my boots. My heart was beating fast, my elven senses all turned on, my ears hearing what can't be heard, my eyes seeing what can't be seen. I followed the corridors and on the end there was a room, filled with a stinking smell. On the center of the room was a coffin.
There was something really odd about that coffin, the position it was set, maybe. I approached, drawed "Childhood" from the case on my back and opened it. I made a face as the stink got worse. But my eyes opene in surprised as I saw that the coffin had no floor, instead of that a stair made of stone leaded down. Holding the coffin open I looked behind. Nothing. Then I looked at my belt. The dagger was silent, though it seemed to has something to say. So I entered the coffin and closed it behind me when I followed the stairs into the darkness.
I was glad that my elven blood allowed my eyes to see in the dark, if not I wouldn't be writing by now. Just as I steped one level down, something grabed my leg. Then I understood where that stink was coming from. That was a cursed temple. The thing holding me was a zombie, his dead body liberating fluids all over the stairs. He had no eyes. Ragged bandages were wraped around him. Blidnly he tried to bite me, but with my free lef I kicked him, sending him down the stairs.
"Childhood" in hand, I jumped over him and trusted the sword in his chest. He stopped to move, so I removed the sword. Then I felt extremely stupid: how could I kill something that was already dead? The thing slashed blindly into my directions, but he was lazy an I was fast enough, "Childhood" moved almost on it's own at cut his hand off. I kept striking until all that rested of him were motionless insides. But when I turned it was too late. Three other zombies were stumbling in my direction. One of them could grab be, so I pushed him behind into the other, making them fall and turned to the stairs just when something hit my eyes and the darkness came. I knew what was that: poison. A forth zombie, between my way to the stairs, must have thrown it. And I found it true when I sensed his fingerless hands attacking the metal of my armor. I thought I would die, that I would never save Chak, that I would never discover my father's misteries, that I would never become a guard and fullfill my dream and... that I would never see Nariela's face again.
- To your left, raise your sword slashing down and up.
I did as told by the dagger and heard something falling on the floor.
- Behind you. Three of them. The nearer is at the center. Trust the sword. Right, now step foward and attack the left one with the blade and the right one with the grip. Turn and trust the sword again. Now spin around your center holding the sword firmly. Done.
Following dagger's voice I was able to destroy them without actually seeing them. I guess it saved my life. I breathed fast, trying to catch my breath. My vision started to clear. I front of me were five long dead bodies finally at rest. No. They would never be at rest in a cursed place like that.

When I left the temple, I was carrying the urge to come back there another day, more prepared, and five corpses - the zombies - with the promise to bury them in a better grave.
The rest of the day was very peacefull. I went to Varshikar to search for Maeve and what I found was an orc called Tihgorac who seemed to be a very skilled warrior. He told me he could teach me how to be a good warrior but for that I'd have to prove myself to be have talent with the sword.
- Yub. Mes can teach yous if yous prove yous be good fighter, yub - he said. - Bring me mummie innards and Tihgorac teaches yous.
I smiled. I have found a grave for them. I dropped the sack from my shoulder and it fell open in front of the orc. He smiled back, an odd smile. I told him it was my decision to bury those corpses and he said that there was honour in that action, so he helped me. After that, he told me to come back tomorrow and just then he would give me another task. That sounded fine, I'll probably need to learn anything I can, not only to save Chak but to improve my skills to become a guard. If I want to protect people, I must know how to fight for them.
And speaking of becoming a guard, I finally had a conversation with Pendar. We were at the town square, enjoying a warm fire, himself, me and a woman called Bailey. She was quite boyish but seemed very strong, much stronger than me. She let us alone for some moments and I decided that was the right time to ask the captain of the guard about my father and to tell him about my dream.
He told me my father was a smart man, always watching everything even when he seemed distracted and that he always came up with a plan from nowhere when there was need for it. What was the word Pendar used? "Cunning"? Yes. He also told me that, sometimes, Dominik said to be proud of me, when he said that Pendar resembled me, always when he was doing a good action. I liked to hear that. Made me feel nearer him. Pendar explained too the conditions of the banning of my father from town. That person, Rebecca, was throwing hard words at him, speaking of my mother and asking to be attacked. I think she only wanted to drag attention from the people in town to Dominik in the case he attacked her... what he did.
And I told him my wishes to become a guard. He seemed a bit hesitant and disconcerted when I told him that. I don't know why. Something in his eyes made me think, for a moment, that, again, from away, my father was controlling my path. But only for a moment.
- I am sure needing more guards, Kamik - he told me. - But, first, I need to... contact someone.
- Hm? Who? - I asked.
He seemed to think before answering, but he thought fast.
- Callith. Yes, Callith, another guard. He will be helping to select the new recruits. You just need to show you're capable of doing the job - he grinned slightly.
Whatever it was necessary to prove, I would. I might not have much, but what I have, I have plenty; and I doubt there is a single man in this island that has more determination than myself. But first, I needed to heal my friend, Seshir - Chak' Ysshirr.
Three times, while I was writing here, I was interrupted. The first time was by Faladron Furnir. I didn't mind stoping to write to talk to him, he seems to be a very wise man that knows that he is speaking about. And we share the same "curse", the fantastic ability to attract trouble, though theirs, from what he told me, seemed much more worse than mine, in some way. He told me a drow invaded town that day and tried to kidnap a girl. Faladron and other people managed to save her, thanks the gods. He was also the first man in this island to have a decent conversation with dagger while it is in my possession. The dagger seemed to enjoy to speak openly again, just to stay shut after, once more.
The second interruption was by a dwarvess called Belegi. And again, I didn't mind to stop writing. Her attention was draged to me because of the voice of dagger, but in truth, she was much more interested in my story. She said she loves tales. With this I must agree, I like to hear good stories too. However, I don't think my story is a good one to be told, not because it can be sad or great, but because I'm not a good storyteller. That's why I choose to writer here. But yesterday, while the Sun was falling asleep and the Moon was waking with the night, I chooses otherwise. I think it was because she is a very kind dwarf and seemed so interested in the story of the dagger that I had to try. We sat out of the shop and she made a fire while I was speaking. Durin joined us in the middle of the story. Both of them seemed interested, though Durin was a bit afraid of the dagger when it spoke. He insisted that it is a magical being, but dagger refused, saying that magic was used during it's forging but that it's not magical, itself. Unfortunatelly, I wasn't able to end the story due to the time and I hope to able to finish it someday. It felt good to tell a story. The story of my life.
The third interruption was a quiet one. She entered the shop and didn't notice me sitting on the chairs where we first spoke. My ears heard her entering and I turned. Nariela was beautiful as ever.
- Oh, Kamik! - she said when she saw me. I smiled. Looking at her made me remember of that night inside the guardpost. I felt my cheeks getting hot and my calm smile going way. When I'm near her it's always like this. It's difficult to keep the control I was teached to have. I still remember the words my grandfather used when he gave me his sword: "One thing you must understand in life, Kamik, is that you must act with reason and logic. If you let emotions get in your way to your destiny, you will get nowhere". Then he handed me the sword I still carry on my back. "Childhood".
That night I wrote about was some days ago. We were searching for a quiet and peacefull place to sit and talk and we ended up inside a guardpost. That night was one to never be forgotten.
But last night was very memorable, maybe much more than the one I wrote above. She sat down and we started to speak as the night went by. I wasn't sleep at all, actually, I am not sleeping well these days. Not because of anything in particular, I think that my mind can't possily rest when there is so much to think about.
The subject of our talking changed until it stoped at the graveyard. Yes, the graveyard. I had been there earlier that day, I was in need of a silent and peacefull place to sit and watch the world around me go by, trying to don't think for some moments. I met Ramond, the cemetery keeper. He told strange rumours about bodies getting up fom their graves and walking. That made me remember of those mummies I fought that day.
On our way out of town we met a young girl which later I would discover to be called Alyssa Corulas, though she said her name was just "Aly". The dagger was the one who knew her, even though they never met. Aly followed us to the graveyard, or it was us that followed her - the girl was as fast as a cat, or maybe a fox. When we got there I spoke to Ramond to explain our little stay in the quiet place.
- We're just looking for some peace, Ramond - I said. - We'll probably be staying for a while, so you can go sleep if you want and we'll keep our eyes open, ok?
The man nodded and went to his room.
We spoke about many subjects, but the last one while Aly was still there was the lizard Chak. She knew him and from what I could understad she was a kind of sister of Maeve. After she left, Nariela and myself sat, close. The hours passed fast after that. Fast enough for me only be able to describe them with simple words. Urges. Caresses. Lips. Temptations. Declarations. And, the last word - Neck. In question, my neck. Accidents happen and sometimes you can't blame someone for it. I know it wasn't her fault, it's just her nature. Nariela tried to bite my neck. I'm glad she could control herself over. I'm really glad. I would prefer to die than to fight back. With that, she decided that she needed some rest. I nodded and made my good byes and left her there.
From away, I watched her laying on the ground and sleeping right there. I sat on the grass and took the case with "Childhood" from my back, scretched and then watched, guarding her sleep. When the first rays of the sun were showing, Ramond came out of his room. I went to him and asked him to don't wake her up and to keep her safe. By that time, I was almost sleeping on my foot. So I went back to the woods south of Troll's Bane, to the tree I use as a closet. And I allowed my body to sit and lean confortably on the tree the sleep came almost automatically.
In my dream, her words echooed: "There is more of a man insde of you than you think, Kamik". Well, who knows. I might really be a lost boy in a big world, but I know that, one day, the roads of life will open their paths to me.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

The wound made by the skelletons still hurts. I can't lean on the back of the chair due to it. I wasn't prepared.
What happened can be resumed: Maeve found me and the dagger told the location of the seed. I was a bad idea to go alone by myself into that hole under the cemetery. Truth be said, I was angry enough to even think what I was doing. Again, I let my emotions choose my path, perhaps, maybe there is some true in what I was taught by my grandparents.
The dagger still didn't say what is needed to make the seed bloom in the desert, but it gave another hint: somehow, Nariela is needed to accomplish this quest. Dagger stated this because Maeve didn't want her near, maybe because Maeve could feel the presence of the vampiric blood in her veins, I don't know.
- Kamik, I don't trust her - Maeve said, looking straight to Nariela. - I can feel Cherass in her.
The thing went to another level as Nariela got offended by that and entered the shop. I followed her.
- Nariela, I apologise for her, she didn't want to mean it and...
- Did you tell her?
- No. I think she can sense it - I explained. - Please, the dagger said Seshir can't be saved without you. If you don't want to go for her, at least go for me.
- She knows nothing, Kamik - that said, Nariela turned and walked out of the shop. I felt an inner anger growing inside of me, so much that it made me kick my depot. It made me remeber of all my life, always being left behind. Made me remember of Dominik turning his back at me, of my grandparents turning their back on me. I was tired of this. And I know that Nariela is important to me, that's why it made me so angry.
- Kamik - said Maeve approaching -, I won't go with her.
I turned to her.
- I thought you wanted to save Chak, Maeve. Fine. I'll go alone.
That was dumb. I should never went into that place alone. Maeve followed me, but when the dagger said: "There is no point in trying without Nariela", I felt my anger growing into a big deception. I didn't wait for Maeve. I went alone. I'll apologise to her later. It wasn't my intention to leave her behind.
Well. The last things I heard begore heading down that hole was Ramond's words. "Boy, don't go there!"
I don't know how much time I walked inside that place. But with the first noise I stoped. The sound of bone cracking. He appeared on the corner of that corridor, wearing a rusty armor and wielding a rusty scimitar. His mouth opening and closing, as if he was trying to speak. Then... he started to run in my direction and jumped raising the scimitar. I drawed "Childhood" fast enough to parry the attack, turning to my side. But then he raised his sword, slashing it through my armor and into the flesh of my back. I screamed of pain. I knew it would be almost impossible to win him using a blade. Then something occured to me. I jumped back and opened the belt across my chest, taking the case of "Childhood"in my hands. I could feel the blood driping for the cut. He charged into me again.
- Die, you cursed thing! - I shouted as I attacked him with the sword, he parried with his scimitar, opening his defense. So, using the case, I hit his head, making it fly away and hit the ground, breaking into pieces. Next I hit the arm wielding the sword, which also fell down. And keeping moving the case, I attacked describing a half-moon in the air, hitting both his legs too.
When his body fell, I was panting. My eyes were wanting to close. I set my sword inside the case and kept holding it with a hand. With my other hand, I grabed the rusty scimitar. I should have heard dagger.
I wanted to move foward, but then I heard more bones cracking and I realized I wouldn't be able to save Chak if I died now. So I headed back, through the corridors, out of the hole, just to discover that it was already dawn. Ramond was sleeping and the graveyard was silent, very silent, besides for that voice who kept saying: "You will understand one day, after all, you're a Windslasher". I knew who it was. My father. And as the voice echooed in my head, I felt the wind blowing on my face and something hit me. Before passing out, I noticed that what hit me was the ground and it wasn't the wind blowing, but myself falling.

"Kamik"
...
"Kamik"
I could her a voice calling my name.
...
...
- Kamik!
- ...mother...?
- No, it's me, Nariela. I was worried you didn't come back. Don't speak now, I'll treat your wounds - after she said that, I heard a huffling and then a cloth started to clean the cut on my back.
- Nariela... it's dawning... dress your cloak... the sun...
- You need it - was all she said. Next, I heard dagger giving advices to her, telling what she should do. The dagger said to her to wake Ramond and to get water and some medicine with him. After Nariela came back, she treated my wound and bandaged it with some bandages I had in my bag.
- I could get it, Nariela... I couldn't get the seed... - I said. - But at least the skelleton that did it to me is sleeping now...
- You're not going anywhere tonight, Kamik. Even though your elven blood will make the wound heal fast, you should stay this night here. Walking could make it start to bleed again. - said the dagger and I'm very gratefully for everything it did for me. It was the second time it saved my life.
- Fine. Nariela help me to stand. I'll ask Ramond if he can led us a room for the night.
With her help, I stood and walked into the cemetery keeper room. It smelled of sibanac. I asked him for a room and said that I would pay for it, but he refused, saying that after my recover, that I could help him with the shovels. I wonder what that means.
As we entered the room, I sat on the bed and tried to make myself confortable, laying on one of my sides. The bed was small and not very soft, but it was better than the forest ground. Just then, I looked to Nariela and said:
- Please, never turn your back at me again. It hurted more than this wound.
She sighed.
- I'm sorry...
Then I couldn't help but smile. My anger was gone by the sight of the bright smeralds that were her eyes. She sat on the ground and leaned to the bed, stroking through the mess that was my hair. I noticed that the bed was too small for two persons.
- I can sleep on the floor, stay on the bed - I said.
- No - she replied.
- Then... well, if we stay very close, then maybe we both can sleep here... - I noticed she blushing, as I must have been too. She layed beside me, staring at me. Just then I allowed my eyes to close. On my back, I could feel the cut slowly closing.
And then I heard Nariela saying something. It made me smile. I moved one arm around her and pulled her near me. Only then Iwas able to sleep.

I woke today without knowing where I was, but the pain on my back made me remember the events of the last night. I sat on the bed and started to write. Nariela was still sleeping, but I decided to don't wake her. I am making plans for my trainning and I don't care if I have this cut to slow me down. I am going to visit Seshir... I mean, I am going to visit Chak now, he likes to watche that beach on the morning. After that, I know where I will go. That abandoned temple, where I'm sure those zombies will be waiting for me. "Childhood" shall sing once again. After all, I need their insides, so that Tihgorac teaches me.
Before leaving the room, I kissed gently Nariela's forehead, left a letter on the bed and stood with some effort.
I still can hear her voice whispering to me before I sleep.

"I love you, Kamik."

[Irania]

Another page shows new handwriting.

Every memory of you is a precious moment in my life.

Nariela

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

I feel more confident on my skills. I know I have much to learn. But what I know, I think I'm using well.
I spent the days trainning with the mummies as I mentioned I would here before. All the insides go to Tihgorac. He now feels that I'm ready to start my trainning. My first test is to find his lost axe on the swamps. I still had no lucky in finding or even at searching, the flies don't allow me. However, I don't intend in letting this make me give up. I'll find it. I have to.
Tonight I also duelled with two persons I don't know well. But these fights were what made me rely more on my skills. The first person was Georgius Egillrek, a man of few words. We met inside the cursed temple of the mummies and duelled outside. I asked him. Not because I wanted to test myself, but because that misterious man could have something to teach. We used daggers. Normal daggers, not those that speak.
On the start of the fight I couldn't focus well on my attacks and had to parry his quick slashes. I saw him using a war axe against the zombies. A war axe is a heavy weapon. Using a dagger was easy for him. But then, I was able to locate an empty spot on his defense and aimed there. I had succes in my attack. But only one time. After that, he noticed the open area on his defense and corrected his position imediatelly. The duel didn't last much. Myself, I believe everyone wins on a battle as long as both sides learn. But he said I was the winner. He stepped back first. I was surprised.
The second fight was with Revlen, a man who knows and have no reason to like my father. He was a friend of Rebecca, that Scarlet Banshee that assassinated my mother. But I think he is a good man.
- Did you came for the mummies? - I asked him.
- Aye, but there is indeed a more powerfull foe I wish to test my blade skill on - he answered. - If you would permit me a duel?
I accepted and then explained I was no foe, nor powerful.
We had two fights. The first, with a single sword; the second, with two. The result was very unexpected. I won both, I think. I mean, I learned from the duel and I hope he did too, but like Georgius said: he stepped back first.
But, one thing I noticed from the duel that made me glad. Revlen didn't hesitate on fighting me as he would to anyone. He didn't hesitate because of the fact that i'm just a kid. And another thing: in not a single moment he tried to harm me just because I am the son of Dominik, I mean, not in a single moment he searched for revenge on the wrong place. But somehow, I don't think he is searching for it anywhere, but I can't be sure. I can just be glad that he doesn't seem to be looking for it.
We talked a bit between the duels and after them. All the time his eyes didn't leave the stars.
- They hold memories - was his words when the dagger commented that he really liked the little lights on the darkness of the night.
But after three fights, with countless mummies, I think it was time to rest. I was tired, I'm not being able to sleep properly these days. Not knowing that Seshir could die any moment.
Seshir... Thinking about it now, I didn't visit him today... Maybe I'm so worried about the trainning to reach the seed that I ended up forgeting what I was fighting for. But I promise to myself that I'll go see him by the dawn and spent the morning with him.
It has been some time since I last saw Nariela. I miss her. I'm gratefull of the moment I asked her to write me a message on this diary. At least, it makes that night at the inn seem more nearer.
I want to see her.
Well, the last thing I have to write here is about the dagger. Something is wrong with it. As if it was wishing to be used. It asks me to wield it now and then. Not all the time. But it did while I attemped to enter the graveyard dungeon and before the duel with Georgius. I wanted it to speak more often and now that it is doing, I wonder if all it says is that it wants to fight. I hope that's not true.
Before leaving Revlen with the stars, I remembered something and turned to him.
- Ah, Revlen - I called. He then, for the first time while we weren't fighting, looked to me. - I hope that, one day, you can forgive my father.
He didn't response. And I expected for that. However, if I am going to accept the destiny the Gods and my blood traced for me, and become half the man my father was, I know that one day this man Revlen and I will have another fight. And the decision if this fight will be only a duel or not lies within the choice of forgiveness he might give or give away.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

"They bring memories", were his words. And only now I understand the power of those words. The stars. They really bring memories. Revlen was right.
And it wasn't a simple fact that made me realize this. Today I met with two persons, important persons, I didn't see in a long time. The ones who raised me and educated me. My grandparents. And as everything until now, it happened by accident. The dagger says that I'm much like my father when it comes to coincidences. It seems all his great adventures also were a strike of luck and an accident well placed.
It started with Bailey and myself searching for an axe. Tihgorac's axe again. And again, no lucky. All we found were flies and all we achieved was one getting lost from the other. Perhaps, that made me realize I worry too much. I spent some hours looking for her, trying to avoid the flies, just to find her safe when I went back to town.
However, a discussion was what dragged my attention. Pendar, Revlen, Fooser and a lizard I didn't know. The subjext was a drow attack. They are happening more often. And between that cloud of words being thrown from both sides was me. I entered the shop with the excuse to write here due to the lack of things to do. I had trained all day and was so tired I knew I couldn't concentrate on learning. And without the right preparation, there is no point going down that dungeon. It already proved to be a mistake to go unskilled and alone.
I motioned to walk to the depot but hesitated. Standing in front of it was a tall man wraped in grey cloak. I don't know if it was that talk about attacks, drows or the unsuccessfull search for that axe, or a mix of it all, but from the moment I stopped my eyes over the cloaked figure I started to find it suspicious. So I decided to approach and speak. I've heard of drows having their ways to hide their appearance, to distort and manipulate what you see. Illusion.
- Hello - I said.
- Greetings, my friend - he replied and then smiled under his hood. - How can I aid you? - then he threw the hood back. His pointy ears was the first thing I noticed, next was his long blond hair and pale skin, not white, but perhaps that was just an impression caused by the blond hair, almost grey. So, he was an elf.
- Sorry to bother you - I said. - It's just that I enjoy speaking to your people.
- You're welcome. I was just packing for a journey to Tol Vanima.
- Tol Vanima?
I was sure that I had heard that name before. The elf smiled again.
- The elven island.
Yes. The elven island, I remembered, the place where my grandparents moved to, some years ago. I still remember that day. I was fifteen and my hair was on the way to my shoulders. My grandfather, Rellorioe, and grandmother, Ellara, came to me, at the port, and said that they wouldn't be coming back and that I'd have to live on my own for now. They couldn't take a half elf with them. Their community was too strict and wouldn't allow and it would cost their place on the ship. I nodded and tried to understand. When they were gone on the way to the horizon, I waved to them. They didn't wave back. Perhaps, that was their way. Kill your emotions. Don't let them step on your goals. I wonder if they had looked back at that time if they would have turned back the ship and stayed with me. I wonder...
The misterious elf introduced himself. His name is Sideon Vilarion. He mentioned that travelling alone was boring and asked if I wanted to acompany him. At first, I hesitated, but then accepted his offer. He said the travel could be dangerous, though. So I introduced myself and asked if he knew a man called "Dominik Windslasher".
- I saw him once, speaking to a dagger, at the Tree - he answered. Made me remember one of the stories the lute man told me before going away; of how he helped Maeve to escape because she tried to burn the tree.
Well, back to that event, I accepted his offer and we set off to start the travel. The truth was that I didn't plan on going with him, but to discover if he was or wasn't a drow in disguise. I told Pendar and Revlen in our human language to follow me if I ever left town with that elf, but Pendar said that Sideon was a good elf. Either way, I kept walking with him, keeping the distance, hoping that what Pendar said about him was right.
The men I called never did come and it was too late to go back to Troll's Bane. We were walking for hours. Sideon then stopped and called for a break, a bit of rest before we continue to the harbour.
Sideon soon made a fire and I approached to it and sat in front of him, the fire between us.
- So, why did you come with me? - he asked. - If I may ask.
- Didn't you asked for company?
He chuckled and added:
- Well, people normally don't have time for a walk.
- I think I needed a walk... - I started.
- Yes, town life can be so tough. It is so narrow in Troll's Bane.
- ...And because you don't seem to care about my blue hair or pointy ears - I finished my phrase. - The elves in the community I grew in didn't like half breeds.
- Oh, well... Nature would be so boring... - but he never ended his sentence. The fire vanished within the time we spoke. - This is the sign to go on, I suppose - he then smiled and lifted himself leaning on his staff.
We walked for over another hour, passing by a tree or another, until the trees were becaming more and more dense. When I noticed, we were already inside a forest. The dagger was strangely silent at this part of the trip. Perhaps, the answer for this would be found soon.
I heard a noise coming from the forest. With the noise, a big, green and extra eyed creature came floating in the air toward us. And it was coming fast. I heard of them once, when I asked someone about the creatures inside the graveyard dungeon. Beholder. A "uh oh" came out of my mouth just as I felt my legs stopping and a shiver run down my spine when his many eyes stared at me. Sideon, however, was just standing there, calm and silent.
But suddenly, for our lucky, perhaps, the creature started to fade until it disappeared leaving a thin fog on the air and an odd red light on the ground.
- An illusion - said the elf. - I have seen those before. But normally, they don't leave something.
My eyes then followed the trail of the fog where inside of it was a red ruby, sparkling with a red light. I picked it and stuffed in my back, hoping that with it, nothing like that would appear on our way again.
With that, we tried to forget what happened and focused on getting out of the forest and finding the road again. And without noticing, the elf guiding the way was becoming another person in my mind, I mean, the judgement I made when I saw him inside he shop was changing and I think I was starting to trust him.
- I have felt evil magic the last weeks - he said, as if trying to explain what we saw.
- There is evil magic here - the dagger agreed.
No more was said until we left the forest. It didn't took long for us to find the road again and following it we got to the port. Just then I remembered that I didn't really planned on going to the elven island and that I never took a ride on a ship. However, it was late and getting dark, if I was to return to Troll's Bane by that time, I wouldlost a whole day. And besides, I didn't want to risk myself in "finding" another beholder, alone. The idea of visiting my grandparents started to seem much more confortable and, well, I missed them.
So, we took a ferry and went to the isle. Just by approaching it one could feel the magic in the air. Everything in the whole island seemed more alive: the wind, the earth, the trees, even the rocks. Everything seemed eternal there and forever.
- I wonder whether Pendar did follow us - was the first thing he said when we arrived. The surprise hit me like a punch.
- I spoke to him in human language, how could you possibly know?
- Well, yes... I am not very familiar with this language.
- ...
He chuckled.
- I am sorry. I thought you were a drow - I said in human language.
- If I were a drow, you would be dead by now - he started to say. - You are lucky that I am not.
- Sorry if I offended you.
On the way to the elven city, Vanima, he told me that he was a novice of the Grey Light Order. That was the second time I heard about that order that day. The first was while I talked with Lennier about the guard and the Knights of The Grey Rose. Sideon told me that he went back to Tol Vanima searching for some answers on their big library.
Only a few steps away from the port and we arrived at a forest and inside it, the marvelous city.
- Welcome to Vanima - Sideon Vilarion said.
The whole city was built in a tower-like style, using trees as columns and supended bridges crossing over them, linking the towers. A river circunded the town and around everything, in the vastitud of the island, wherever one would look, he would see trees. The elf showed me all the city and the higher levels. From the top tower I could see my own home land, Gobiath, my island away on the horizon. It was wonderful. For the first time I felt the part of elf inside of me trying to go out and see the world. Strangely, no one in the town refused me or disliked me or didn't treat me well. It was as if I were one of them.
However, after looking around the whole town I still couldn't find my grandparents. Perhaps they were living alone on the woods, that would be more like him and our strict old community. My grandparents were old, very old, I am sure even though they never wanted to tell me their real age.
I mentioned them to Sideon and he told me that we could look for them at the woods behind the city, since many elves lived there. So we did it.
He showed me the cherry tree garden and the rest of the forest and nowhere we found them. Well, in the end I did find them, in a different way.
On an empty spot of the forest we found a coffin that wasn't buried yet. On the wood of the coffin, elven words were carved. I asked to Sideon to translate them.
- Sleeping Forever Together - he said. - Rellorioe and Ellara.
They were dead on the eternal island where nothing dies. Now I understand why they left Gobiath and myself. They were dieing. The death of their daughter, Elliria, my mother, was probably too much for them. But in front of their grave I couldn't think of anything than loliness and that the only person left in my family was missing. The tears came with the cold wind.
Sideon helped me with his silence. As well as the dagger. But, after some time, he said:
- We should take care of this coffin... in some way...
- No - I disagreed. - They are sleeping. I don't want them to be disturbed.
Sideon smiled and then nodded. Next, I tried the best I could to say "thank you" in elven language and then reached for something inside my bag. I took the ruby out, the one that illusion left behind, and placed it on the coffin. The jewel shone red. Then we made a silent prayer and left their rest place, sleeping forever and together, and started to head back to the elven city. And like they taught me, I didn't look back.
Back to Vanima I made my good byes to Sideon and thanked him for everything, mainly his silent some minutes before. He climbed down the ladder to the library while I made my way back to the port. Luckly, a ferry was just about to leave, so I took it.
Back to Gobiath, I started to head to Troll's Bane hoping that Nariela was there. I felt sad, very sad, like I never did. I felt alone. Then...

crack

A noise behind me made me stop.
- Did you hear anything, dagger? - I asked.
- That could have been anything.
I continued until I heard it again. I turned. A squirrel runned up a tree. But before I could feel the relief, a voice spoke near to my ears:
- Follow the winds... - it said.
Quick, I drawed my sword and turned around.
- Who's there? - I shouted to the forest surrounding me.
- [/i]It is said that when the wind calls for you that you must follow it[/i] - the dagger said.
- The wind...?
I started to walk toward the direction of the voice hoping it wasn't trouble. I already had enough for a day.
- We accept your present.
- Such a nice ruby.
I was confused.
- The ruby? I don't have it anymore - then again I started to walk in the direction of the voice, then I whispered to he dagger: "Guide me, dagger".
- We will sleep now... - that voice said again.
- Wait! Who are you? - I shouted.
- Sleep...
I started to run toward the voice until my breath became but a pant.
- Who are you...?
- Sleep forever and ever...
Then a scene from my past passed in front of my eyes. "Kamik, I want you to have this sword. Use it wisely".
- Wait... This voice! - I started to run again. - Grandfather! Grandmother!
Silence.
- Please, don't leave me!
- Remember us and we will live within you... Farewell...
The wind blew through my hair and the voice silenced again.
- No. I never had the chance to thank you for everything you did for me - the tears started to fall again. - I promise that I will honour you two. I really will...
- Don't you cry... you already did... - said the voice fading. That was the last time I heard my grandparents.
- Tell my mother that I love her! And that my father revenged her! - I shouted, feeling my own voice fading. - Please, tell her that...
And again, another try to speak in elvish: "Farewell...".
Then I finally set the sword back to it's case on my back.
- Childhood...
Somehow, my sadness was much less now. My grandparents taught me to forget feelings and, on our last time together, they showed me the biggest demonstration of emotions I've ever seen. And left me divided in happiness and sadness. To know that they were proud of me motivated me for everything. The memory of the ruby on their coffin came back to my head.
And just then I noticed that, while I followed the voice, it took me to a place. Behind me the walls of Troll's Bane grew high in the direction of the stars. The stars. They were radiant that night. I wish Nariela was there.
I entered town and found empty streets. But heard voices near the east gate. Through it I saw Pendar, Revlen, another man, a halfling and a girl. The girl came to me and introduced herself. "Valerie" is her name. I sat there for some moments and let my eyes aim the stars and the moon.
The moon that night was brighter than ever and for a moment I felt it's light shinning for me. But just for a brief moment. Somewhere above the clouds, I hoped that two elves were looking down at our humble island and that they smiled at what the saw. But that night we had no clouds.
Later, after they ended their duels, they all entered town. Only Revlen and myself stood outside. Both staring at the stars. We didn't spoke much. Some things happened after, then. A lizard came, Revlen tried to attack it, I stood between them... Later I discovered that the lizard's name is Zorune and that he knew my father. It seems this lizard was trying to get his hands on the Astral Eye himself. However, he made me an offer which I promised to think about. But I better not write about this offer in this diary, since I promised to keep it a secret and I don't know what might happen to this book in the future.
After our brief talk, I decided to take a small walk outside of town. The moon was still shinning on the sky. The night took me to the swamp almost by coincidence. Suddenly I felt something under my feet and fell into a pool of mud.
- Wha...?!
All soaked, I started to touch the ground under the mud searching for what made me fell. My eyes opened wide when my hand reached something and lifted it.

It was an axe.

With the surprise, I looked up to the sky. I smiled. The light of the moon seemed to be falling over me and my discover. Perhaps, that was the first treasury I found. Tihgorac's axe. So I stood and forgetting about the time, started to run to Varshikar, to where the orc lived.

[Valerie]

Valerie writes with a sloppy hand

kamik is nice i like kamik, kamik is my friend. he saved him and i owe him my life.

she signs underlining her name
Valerie[/i]

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

A single note is written:

I can't believe I won.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

I can't believe I won. Peharps, that non-prized duel contest showed me, for the first time, a part of the word "Windslasher" that flows in my veins. I remember Pendar saying that my father was well skilled with his dagger, that he never saw my father losing a fight while he wielded it. I wonder if I would become so "invincible" if I wielded it too. Until now, there was no need and I hope it stays like this.
The days, however, are starting the strangest way. The day of the festival, where the duel happened, started, at least for me, with a skelleton named Harold coming to town advicing the attack of Gnolls. Fortunatelly, no attack happened to my knowledge.
The day ended on the same strange way, with a devastation of the pig's pen and fire. Rumours of a dragon are spreading, and demons. And even then, what really surprised me in all this story, was the fact that he knew my name, even though I can't remember his or his face. The person in question was an old man I met inside the shop. He came to me, his ragged cloak slowly trembling with his steps, and spoke to me as if he knew me for a long time. He said he knew many things. And yet, I didn't asked why he knew me. I prefered to ask about the Heart Desire. And his answer was that it was a dangerous thing to search for. I also asked about Dominik Windslasher and he told me about a bard living in Greenbriar. It could be him. Like Pendar told me earlier with his slight grin: "Your father was searching for his deserved peace".
But in the between of it all was the duel contest. There was a festival in town. But, as Thalodos stated, the hustle bustle of the town wasn't made for me. Or I wasn't made for it. I only stood there enough time to see the dance of Fooser. And Harold. Yes, that skelleton didn't only dance but also drank wine. And I that thought that the life in the forest was weird.
In the duel, the participants were: myself, Pendar, Bailey, Berengar, Xantor and Tialdin. The first duel was Pendar and Berengar, resulting on Berengar's victory. Next was Bailey and King Tialdin of Silverbrand. The king won. The last duel of the first round was me and Xantor, a very well skilled dwarf. The first battle wasn't the most difficult, but not the most easy too. The rules of the contest were simple: one sword and no armor. Perhaps, that was my advantage against Xantor. Without my armor it was easy to dodge attacks, at least for those who have longer legs.
Next I fought Berengar. He already showed me his skill with a blade earlier, while we ventured inside the South Forest searching for someone which I'll speak about later. A Troll attacked us on the way. I know I can't fight a Troll alone, not many can. But yet, he did. So I helped as well as I could. I think that what made me won him on the duel was the fact that I am more used to swords than him, I saw his incredible skill with an axe while we fought the Troll and I know, if he was wielding his axe during the duel, I would need a nurse.
The last battle was me and King Tialdin. I still don't know what made me win. A strike of luck, perhaps. Being tired of all the last battles, I don't know what made me stand and still have enough strenght to wield my weapon. Maybe it was that sound. Yes. Thinking about it now I think it was that sound. During the last duel, when I thought I was about to lose, the sound of a lute coming from behind the crowd reached my ears. It was so low and simple that it didn't attract the attention of others. However, the music was my motivation. For a moment, a single moment, I saw a man smiling under the borders of his hat, playing an elven lute that belonged to his long dead wife. But just for a moment. I saw it in my mind.
I won the tournment and after some claps and yells I know I didn't deserve, I noticed that the music was gone. As well as the lute player, because I couldn't find him anywhere. But something inside of me made me don't care and smile and enjoy the rest of the festival. This thing inside of me is usually called happiness.
Somewhere, I hope that the person that played the lute is smiling.


The person that made myself and Berengar head to the forest is called Caitlin Fergus. A druid and medico. She was a friend of my father and, what it seems, of the dagger too. They both spoke in riddles about something I still doesn't understand quite well. Something about Caitlin dying and a Great Mother bringing her back as part of her forest. The dagger said that the talent inside Caitlin was higher due to what they spoke. I still wonder if my father was right and if she will really sell me potions for a cheap price just because of my name. And I must say that I am very interested in the trade she and dagger made. The dagger traded the knowledge of the subject they were speaking for a favour: dagger asked Caitlin to show me a tree, a special one, that she had shown my father some time ago. Caitlin agreed to tell me the story around the tree as well. I think I know what was the intention of the dagger with this request. But I can be mistaken. The talking weapon always find a way to surprise me, in the end.
The final hours of my day were spent with Seshir. No matter how much time passes, I can't call him by his true name. Because I know that "Seshir" is what he is now, his condition. When we heal him, he will be Chak' Ysshirr again and will probably forget that one day there was a blue haired boy that cared for him like a son cares for a father.

It's today.

[Devrah Liioness]

A fresh page in the diary bears a new script. It is in a loose, flowing hand, and the words are followed by a sketch.

The only thing stronger than the mind, Kamik, is the heart. It goes on forever, even when the world itself has ceased to turn.

Devrah

The sketch is of a leaf.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

There is a leaf between the last page and this one

One thing I know I will never forget about my past was when I fell from that tree. I was five, and still didn't understand the differences between me and the other elves. But, one thing I was proud of when I was a kid, is that no other in our community could climb a tree as fast as me. But one day, as it might have happened, I fell. I came back crying to my grandparents with bruises all over my body and told them what happened. They stared at me and my grandfather said: "Stop crying. This will not end with your pain. And this will not make the trees stop to grow. There will be always a bigger tree to climb, the biggest is called Life. If you cry everytime you fall, it will get bigger and bigger, because your tears will feed it. Don'tlet your emotions stand between you and your goals, Kamik". That was what he said to me.

"Don't let your emotions stand between you and your goals, Kamik."

It didn't make sense the first time I heard. But the last days have shown me that, sometimes, you can cry without falling from the tree. I'm learning many things since I left that forest. Troll's Bane, the city in which I was born, is being a good teacher somehow. And the people I met there. One of them, the most silent, but still the better teacher, is being Revlen. Although we had some kind of discussion last night. I mean, a discussion never happened out of our range of vision, because we didn't speak.
But I don't feel like writing about this, I want to write about... she. I'm starting to believe that what I was afraid of happened. I think Nariela left me like everyone else. I miss her. And I'm afraid that within the days I'll start to miss her less. And besides, after what Devrah told me... well...

Stephanie. Or Persephonie. I finally spoke with her. She, that one day sweared to kill my father. I knew one day we'd have a conversation, but what lead us to each other was worse than our talk. Her husband, Callith, is a guard. I met him ocasionally, when I asked if Pendar had told him about my request to become a guard (what lead me to another discover, but I'll skip that now). Well, later, Callith told me that I was lucky he didn't keep his anger to another generation, that is, he too wanted the head of Dominik, because he murdered Rebecca.
- Rebecca wasn't the killer of your mother, Kamik - he told me. - Your father was so blind by his vegeance that he attacked the first Banshee he located.
I couldn't believe his words. Not a single one. The dagger told it was a lie. But I needed another point of view, from the... other side of the coin. Then I went to Stephanie. Dagger had already told me about the Banshees, of how they manipulate the men and use them. I was sure that Rebecca lied to the elf guard. And Stephania told me the truth, the truth I knew and believed in. But she told me more than I wanted to hear: I finally discovered why my mother was killed.
- Your mother was already on the list, Kamik - she said. - If it wasn't Rebecca on her trainning, it would be another.
I blinked.
- Why?
- Because she was with a human.
So that was it. I finally understood why my father left me and I felt sad, I pity him - he left because he feared for me, in the case the Banshees came to me, and staying they would surelly have success. Sixteen years. Sixteen years away from the island and I grew safe between my grandparents thinking that he would never come back. He may have thought that I would never forget him. He was right. But at least now I can understand his reasons.
After that, she went to her business and I went to a walk. However, before I could leave the city, a voice called me.
- You seemed angry a while back, Young Windslasher - said revlen from the corner of the shop. - Can I ask what happened?
I nodded. He needed to know, since he is... like me. However, I know nothing of his past. And I think few do.
The night went by with myself, Revlen and Devrah talking. Devrah is someone that became my friend fast. I told her about her great simpathy.
- Did you really win that contest? - she asked.
- Yes... - I answered kinda unsure. That made me remember of that song I heard, that lute. Before the duel contest I heard it a second time, while I was speaking with Caitlin when showed me and told me the story of that tree.
After some time, Revlen left us to do his night patrol or maybe it was just because of the jokes Devrah was making. We were alone then. The conversation changed to how she beated a troll alone and of how I couldn't possibly do it. I don't know, it's strange, I don't know how to describe what happened after... Well. Revlen came back, hiding himself behind the shop, and whispered something to her that made she turn to him with a surprised look on her face. I imagined that it was the time for me to leave. I went to the shop, spoke to Eliza and felt I've forgotten something somewhere, but I didn't know what.
The city was empty. It was night. Voices I didn't recognize coming from the window of the tavern. I wanted to see Nariela.
But... I just went back to the place where I left Revlen and Devrah. Theu were still speaking, there was some tension in the air, so I decided to sit by a tree and relax a bit.
Valerie came and, as always, runned to Revlen and, as always, he said:
- Go to Kamik.
I smiled and waved when she came and sat by the same tree as myself. I ate an apple and handed another to her. Then I sighed. The time was going too slow. I let my head lean to the tree and my eyes close, slowly...
- Kamik - Revlen called me. - Come over here.

I still can't believe. Perhaps, that's because of the phrase my grandparents taught me. Or maybe the distance between me and Nariela now. But when Devrah told me those things...
- Kamik, I lied to you about the troll - she said.
-No, Devrah, the other thing - Revlen interrupted.
- Well... - she started. - I only said that because... I... I... Because I wanted to impress you, Kamik.
I smiled.
- But there is no need. I'm more impressed with your simpathy, I already told you - I said.
- No... I said that because I think... I am falling in love with you... - her last words were lower than a whisper lost in the wind. But I could hear them very well.
It would change everything and at the same time, nothing. At first I thought that it was a better idea to act as if nothing was happening, but it wasn't good. Next I decided to disappear. But that's not just, as well. But before I could think about something, the Destiny decided for me - we spent the night together, treating Revlen's wounds, after he fought a troll. That night I thought he would die. I'm glad my small knowledge of medicine served for something.
The second night had no motive. I was writing when he came by. I was a bit upset and angry, with Revlen and something I don't wish to write about. But still, I hope that he understands why I did that.
I was sitting against the tree on the square of Troll's Bane when she came. I was with my diary, so I asked her to write me a message. I like to, at least with the ones I like and care about. I hope to be able to ask it to Revlen one day too.
The oddest thing, what seemed almost magical: a single leaf started to fall from the tree, slowly, dancing in the air, until it landed betweem me and Devrah. My eyes stopped on that lonelly leaf and my hands moved almost if by their own.
The leaf is still with me. Marking the page with her message.
Our dismissal was fast, made me remember of the first nights I spent with Nariela. Where is she? Well, I just hope that, wherever she is, she still remembers about me.


Two notes separated from the main text can be read:

On that first night, Stephania came to me and proposed a truce between the Banshees and my family. I accepted, knowing that it would mean the safety of what was left of the Windslashers, that is, my father and myself. Actually, what made me take such decision was the fact that I knew he was searching for a kind of peace. She said to me that she forgives my father for what she did to Rebecca and, for my surprise, told me that Rebecca, in fact, was still alive, healing, away from the island.
I wonder what will happen the first time we meet. Perhaps, that was what Stephanie said, but no matter what, nothing would made me forgive Rebecca for murdering my mother. Nothing.

Now I know why Pendar said he needed contact someone before accepting me at the guard. The truth is that the person wasn't Callith, but my father. Pendar told me that Dominik sent him a letter asking for him to keep me out of the guard. However, I think Pendar never answered the letter, because he didn't know what to do. I'm glad he choosed to help me accomplish my dream. He told me the doors to the guard are open for me when I'm ready. And that's what i'll do after I save Seshir.
That lute I heard two times made me think again that, even with the distance, that my father is trying to interfere with my choices and my destiny.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

She is back.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

It doesn't take more than one step. One step is all you need to change. The first step. I don't know what is happening with me. Even though I took no step I can feel I'm changing. Actually, I'm not moving. It's the world. The world, itself, is running - and fast. This island never seemed so big. Everyone and everything never stops, pushing each others. I guess that's the way things should be.
Myself, I try to intefere the less I can. All I ask for is my dream. I want to protect people, so that no one ever loses someone that is important to them. It would be good enough for me to only join the guard. But even then, I accepted to join that, as he called it, Brotherhood. Although I know nothing of it, nor who is in it.
- We try to keep the isssland sssafe. We regulate evil - he said to me.
Only few men were selected into it. He told me the others members thought of me as a good aset. I wonder why. However, they asked him to give me more time to think. But by yesterday, I already had my answer.
- Count on me, Zorune.
- Zzssss - then he smiled. Soon we will attend a meeting.
He told me it was a secret, so i'm not sure if I can write it all here. If I did, I'd have to take care so that the diary never gets into the worng hands. But since I still know nothing of their goals then their desire to protect, I think I can keep my words written. This lizard, Zorune, he knew my father too. He told me once that they searched for the Eye on the desert with no success, just before the demon attacked town.
And speaking of a demon, rumour has it that one giant creature inhabits the south forest. It is said that when the creature arrived, it fed on all the pigs of the pigsty. Now it feeds on trolls. I heard Pendar saying that the creature gets bigger and bigger the more it eats. It seems it has now the height of four trolls together.
The south forest is my home. Not only me, but also the trolls live there. And sometimes, at night, I wake with growls of pain, as if the world itself was crying. Fearing the worst, I packed my things and moved further north, past the bridge leading to Troll's Bane. I think it's more secure there, with the guards by the gate and the people passing by the safe roads during all the day.
The homeless life was never a big inconvenience to me. The trees is my home, the top of the trees is my roof, the fruits my food and the soft earth my bed. I never minded. And that has nothing to do with my growth between the elves. It's me.
However, the last night made me rethink my ideas of home. Maybe I should start as every start, from the beggining.
I woke early. Made myself a herbs tea with my rudimentary cooking tools and ate some strawberries I saved from the last day. I wasn't very hungry, actually. I took a bath on the lake near the west gate of the city, only carefull enough so that no one saw me. Then, after I was dressed properly, I took a walk to that beach, to see Seshir. However, he wasn't there. I couldn't help but stay worried for the rest of the day.
So I decided to spend the morning trainning for the tournment. Yes, a tournment. Another. But I guess this one will be much more hard, with more participants and rules. From the three tiers, I signed for two. However, only one of them caught my interest at first: "Free for all". There will be a fee too, so I guess the winner will get a prize. Everyone is running into trainning, in getting better, wondering what the prize will be. To tell the truth, I wasn't much interested in the prize until I spoke with Berengar and, after, Nariela.
The place I usually train is the cursed temple. I don't mind much beating the mummies because I know that they are already dead - it isn't a disrespect for life, I am just freeing their souls to what I hope to be a better place. So, after I practiced some moves outside, I climbed down the ladder inside the coffin to the corridor that leads to the hole where the zombies are.
I used to carry their corpses out and bury them away from the cursed soil. However, their bandages can be turned to thread, so many crafters are buying them. One of them, Erart, an odd halfling I met: he can't speak and has a different color in each eye. Call it a work. I can train myself and sell the insides to him. In any way, we three are gaining: myself, Erart and the mummies.
But since the corpses aren't so light, I end having to get out faster than I usually do. The walk to the beach near Varshikar and back to cursed temple turned the morning into afternoon. When I climbed the ladder out of the hole, I saw a man, one of the participants of the duel contest of the festival: Berengar.
- Greetings, Berengar - I said sitting on a stone, panting. - How are you doing?
- I'm alright - he answered.
- Trainning for the tournment?
- I won't participate.
- No?
- Getting to old for this.
He didn't look that old, in fact, maybe 40, I'm not sure. But he stated that he felt old and that he was just searching for some peace. I think that at some age anyone searches for that. Am I to young to be searching for it now? Well, I was told my father went to Greenbiar to live peacefully. The truth is still a mistery.
The smell and the heavy air down there made us go back to town after some time. There, I sold the insides to Erart and sat by the well. That was when Zorune came and asked me again about my choice. That was when I accepted. He left saying that a meet would be called soon, as I wrote above.
The afternoon was turning into evening. Pendar, Derek, Berengar and Salathe were outsite duelling. Since Zorune didn't come back, I joined them and after some duels, Berengar made me a proposal. When we still on the temple, I told him what I would do with the prize, in the case I win. If the prize is to be in copper, I would use it as a start to build a swordplay academy. Berengar seemed to like the idea.
- I really think you should sign for the tournment - I told him.
- But I won't - he said. - I'll watch it, though... and maybe help you preparing for it if you want.
- Really?
- If you want. I would be honored.
I smiled.
- And I think a swordplay academy would be a good thing on this isle - he said, grinning.
I am happy that I have people like him to count on. If the academy starts, he sure will be a teacher. I already asked him, so that he can have his peace teaching. I hope he thinks about it.
- I accept you offer - I said, before we had another duel.
Later, we sat and spoke. He told me his story, of how he came to the island and I promised to tell mine on a next oportunity.

About what happened after, there aren't much words to describe. I finally gave her the ring I bought some time ago. I purpose marriage to Nariela. And she accepted. Actually, I never thought this would happen one day to me.
I told her about my idea, of building the academy and I told her the second floor could be our home.
A home.
That's something I don't know any more, in a long time. But if everything goes right, I will be able to smile in the end and be with those I care for. My goals now are the guard, this brotherhood and the tournment. I'll train and do the best I can to win. Many people told me I have the potential to become a good warrior and... No, wait. Seshir... Yes, Seshir. My first goal is to save him.
...
What is happening to me? I would never forget about him.
I am changing.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

The tournment is approaching and no advance in saving Seshir was made. I don't know what is happening with me that makes me only focuses on trainning and trainning and trainning. I don't know if I'm already able to enter the graveyard tomb and fight those skelletons between the entrance and the seed. Yes, I don't know, because I didn't even try.
Feelings I never had, like anger and hatred, are becoming more and more common inside my soul. Sometimes, my vision darkens and all I see is my opponent and the weapon in my hand. I don't use my sword anymore, Childhood.
Why is this happening when all I wanted was just to help everyone? I don't want this to happen. This change. I know that if my grandparents were still alive that they would stare at me and say: "I don't recognize this person, the person you became". I feel selfish.
It's happening in small waves, sorted events. Like the other night when Devrah and Revlen almost died because of... no, it wasn't because of me, but because of my selfishness. I was near the cursed temple, about to enter, train and, at the same time, my another goal inside that place, free the lost souls of the zombies. However, on the way, I saw something that made me stop. A cloud. A fog. That thing our essence turns into when we die. If it isn't the right time yet, the cloud eventually finds it way back to the Holy Cross, where it is given another chance by the Gods.
Well, that spirit cloud coming out of the hole stopped me. And when it passed near me, I sensed a presence, it seemed like it was someone I knew. I heard steps and someone climbed up the ladder out of the hole. It was Revlen. I looked at him.
- Kamik - he said, the concern in his eyes -, it's Devrah.
I blinked in disbelief.
- No.
The cloud flied up the opening of the coffin. Revlen followed it.
- Revlen.
He looked back on the middle of the ladder.
- How?
- The mummies - he said, then climbed out.
For a moment, I felt worried and saw myself climbing the ladder after him and following both to town, where I would help them with their wounds the best way I knew and could.

But just for a moment.

- No!
I drew two sabres, light and quick blades, and jumped down the hole. The creatures instantly turned to my direction, arms raised, with a stuffy sound coming from their teethless mouth. I stared at them, feeling myeyes narrowing, my heart beating fast and my hands shaking. I forgot everything - Devrah, Revlen, Seshir... Nariela.
- Why?! - I yelled whileI allowed the swords to dance between them, cutting them to pieces. - Why you did this to her?! She didn't deserve it! I didn't deserve it! - the swords continued to attack as if by their own. The silence of the dagger was almost disturbing. - I was trying to helpyou! To free you!

...

I didn't stop to attack even when their dead bodies collapsed and turnedinto a mass of insides. I destroyed all that were there, all that could have possibilly touched her. I did. And I didn't regret doing it.
Fortunatelly, it wasn't too late when I got out and I could save Revlen and Devrah. Surprising it was when three orcs helped us. I never had the chance to thank them properly.
After that night, the mummies fell one by one, their insides were sold, but never again what rested of their bodies was buried by my hands.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

Another page is written and though Kamik's caligraphy can still be recognized, it is noticible that it changed:

I hate those mummies. Why are they even still there? They are stupid. Their curse should be worse. They should be ereased from all existence. I hate them.
That's why I avoid the temple now. Right now I use those bandits for my trainning. I mean, I didn't lose any of my respect for life, it's just that... they don't deserve it. They kill people. They are assassins. They don't deserve any respect. And I won't allow that any person gets hurt or loses someone because of their assaults. No, I didn't lose any respect for life, at all. I am still the same.

It's their fault.

The dagger said I am obsessed with something even I don't know what is. I know what it tried to say. It tried to make me believe I am going crazy. But I won't be fooled by it. It could have fooled my father, if it did, but it will not do the same with me. It stopped to speak again. This time the silence doesn't bother me.
The dagger says that there is no lute at all. But I know there is. He is following me. My... The lute man. I can hear him playing from the distance, but I can never find him. Why is he doing this? I want him to stop. Although the dagger said it isn't my f... the lute man, I still don't believe it. I don't trust it anymore.
However, at least one good thing I heard about him these days. Stephen was the messenger. He told me he once was attacked by an orc and lost the fight. And the orc took the dagger of his family from him and thre it away. Stephen said that when... Dominik heard about it, that he went after the dagger and brought it back.
- Your father didn't always search for glory or treasure, sometimes he found things his friends needed or lost - said Stephen.
Well, can't say I was impressed. I never heard about these "small adventures".


Last night I went to that stupid cursed temple again. Not because of the mummies, but of Devrah. I went to make sure she wouldn't be harmed. We trainnedand duelled. That was strange. For a moment I didn't recognize myself. I used to don't like to fight women. Well, this case doesn't matter. She asked me to teach her and that's what I am trying to do.
And on the middle of it all, you disappeared again, Nariela. Why? Why? Is the life with me that bad? She left me with a ring on a hand and three words on my head. "I love you", she said. Why did she say this if she doesn't stand by my side when I need her? She said she would write me if she had to go on another trip to see her mother. She didn't, yet.


Today is when that meeting will happen. I'm curious to meet the other members and to ask what they told Zorune about me that made him want to give me more time to think if I wanted to join or not.

And that reminds me. I killed Deevan. That half elf bandit I let live when he attacked me with two comrads. I was stupid to do that. It costed me a sword to take care of him now. A waste.
I was spying their camp,"silencing" the ones that passed near me. And when I was leaving, I met someone I didn't see in a long time. It was the second time I met her. The dwarfess Belegi. We stopped to speak just as I heard some steps and felt my small pointy ears trembling. We had company. Bandits. Deevan was amongst them.
- Get the dwarf. The blue haired is mine - he said drawing a scimitar.
- Leave Kamik alone, ye scum! - I heard Belegi yelling at him.
But it was already done. I turned and started to run, knowing that he was following me. The truth is that I was trying to escape, I just wanted him to think I was. I decided Iwould kill him, yes, I would, and I knew I could do that.
Suddenly, I turned drawing two sabres, my light and quick blades, and slashed an X into him. However, he still gave me some trouble. It got easy after I cut him arm off, the one holding the scimitar.
- You don't deserve to live. You allied with bandits. You have elven blood. Why you did it?
Deevan raised his head, his left arm cut, bleeding alot. And, yet, he smiled.
- We both know half elves aren't very popular between the pure blooded, don't we, blue haired?
I felt the anger. One slash - the thin light of the dawm reflected on the blade - and beheaded him.
So Deevan was like me. He was probably raised between elves that didn't accept him too. No, think about it, no, he isn't like me. The pig deserved to die.
Just then I remembered about Belegi. I searched for her, but no use. How could allow myself to forget about her just because of that pig Deevan? It wasn't right. I hope she is well. She has to be. I want her to be.

...
I don't want to write anymore now. I will go to hunt some more pigs

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

It has been a long time since Kamik last wrote in his diary. Instead of that, he olnly make marks on the pages, as if counting something:


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[Kamik Windslasher ~]

When I found my diary, under many kind of weapons, inside my depot I couldn't believe the condition in which it was. The cover all ragged, some pages stained with blood... Just by looking at it I know I will never forget that promise. However, I want to write. It has been some time since I last did it.
First, I don't remember where all those weapons came from. Double axes, war hammers, many kinds of armor. I recognize the way they were made. Only one person can smith such fine equipment: Salathe, the blacksmith lizard. I also don't remember speaking with him since a long time. Not only him but everyone. I feel like I've been sleeping for ages. And I now I know why.

It was the curse.

And now, as I write these words I can feel the pain of a wound inside of me. The dagger told me I had a broken rib and that it perforated my stomach. But I'm alive. I managed to survive somehow. And that makes me glad in a way, but it's also sad that although I'm back some things will never return to the way they used to be. It was a hard month...
I found a page with some marks that I don't remember to have written. I think I know what it is, but I'm afraid to believe it's the truth. Well. I think it is some kind of count - the number of the things I killed while I was possessed. And I hope that the majority is of ogres; the dagger told me I spent a lot of time up there on the North, in Varshikar. It must be truth because when I wield a sword now, I do it with much more skill. However, I would prefer to never have such habilities if for them I'd have to kill.
...
But to think of it, it was this will to never kill that cursed me. Because I needed to train for the tournment and to become a guard, however, I refused to kill, so my usual opponents were already dead. Mummies. I heard a rumour about their story once, about them have been monks one day that became greed and evil, and for this they were cursed forever: never living, never dying, never alive, never dead. The curse didn't only affected them but their temple, the air, the soil and the trees around it. It was a powerfull spell. The rumour speak of a God casting it, but I don't recall which. And it must have been a God, indeed. The curse never gets weak, it never vanishes - it lasts forever. Such punishment is worse than death.
Well, yes. It was the mummies and the ruins of their temple. I spent too much time inside that evil place, during a time when, as the dagger said, I was too trouble minded. I understand the point of view of the weapon. It's a weapon, after all. The truth is that my real problem were my feelings. The ones I was trying to hide like I was taught by my grandparents. Love. Fear. Hate. Anger. Concern. All of them. And not only this... There was also Nariela and Devrah. I know I love Nariela. I really do. Since the first time I saw her, when I fought against a lizard I never seen to save her. But Devrah... It's hard for me to admit, but after all she did for me, even though she knew my heart belonged to another, I think I started to respect her in a different way. And to care for her in a different way. The trouble was solved, the curse was removed, but I'm still the same. Divided in my own emotions. I don't know what to do.
As I was writting, the essence of the cursed temple possessed me in some way, I don't know yet why, only how: the open door was my "troubled mind". Reading some sentences on some pages I can see myself changing. Changing so much and so fast that I didn't even noticed. The curse consumed me like an illness.
From the things I already discovered that I did to the people I know are, at least, a small list - but harsh. I almost killed Devrah, I hit Nariela, I tried to kill Marius, I threatened Marie, Faladron, Berengar and many others. The dagger also told me I hunted an orcess called Turonga... I don't even know her. And the dagger informed me that, after our fight, the orcess runned swearing revenge. I can't blame her for this. And when she comes, I'll be ready to receive what I deserve without arguing or defending myself. Other thing the dagger told was that I mistreated Arynne Halfmoon. And yet, she saved my life. Herself and Caitlin were the ones who took the curse away from me.
And there is another thing. The sound of the lute. I remember hearing it many times and everytime it caused me pain. Much pain. I believe this was a part of the curse: my worse fear, that my father could be watching me, folloing my steps and controlling my destiny and my choices. Even though I can't remember anyhing else, the sound of the lute - as if it's strings were sharp blades - is still on my mind. Dagger told me that when the people who helped me touched my skin that they felt the same, experienced bad memories again.
During the period of the curse, I also lost an important object to me. The ring. My ring. One similar to Nariela's. My wedding ring. And no matter how much I looked for it, I couldn't find. I hope she forgives me.

I hope everyone forgives me.

That's why the first thing I did when I left the hospital was to post a message on the shop board, apologising my acts. I know that, even though I wasn't being myself, that they were mine. It was my fault. I don't remove the blame from me. And its heavier than anything.
The second thing I did was to take a walk, slowly, on a pace that my wound didn't hurt much. My legs eventually took me to the lake, to that tree, where I knew Nariela could be. But she wasn't there, and strangely, I found another person there. She was sitting in front of the lake but wasn't staring at it. Her eyes were closed. She was pale, very pale, maybe because of the blood loss some days ago. I approached and sat by her side.
When she opened her eyes she called my name:
- Kamik... - her voice was weak, almost a whisper.
I sighed.
- Was it... me? - I asked pointing at a stitched wound on her belly. But I already knew the answer.
- Yes... - she nodded slightly.
I sighed again.
- I want to apologise to you - I said. - Please, forgive me, Devrah.
She blinked.
- Kamik...? - she called again, but this time it sounded more like a question. - Are you back...?
- You didn't accept my apologises yet.
She smiled.
- You're back.
I explained to her all that happened that day, at least the part I could remember. All the rest seemed like a dream, or a nightmare, between a dark fog. And, in the parts that I remembered, many times the face of Berengar and Dominik, my father, appeared and, sometimes, both at the same time, mixed, one fading upon the other. I didn't thank Berengar yet, dagger told me he took care of me while I was in the hospital, sleeping. Actually, I didn't have the chance to thank anyone yet. Perhaps, that will be the next thing I will do.
Then, Devrah made me promise to her that I would never come back to that temple.
- I promise.
While I explained all that happened to her, I noticed that there was one last thing left to do. I stood, drawed that double axe from my back, took some steps away and runned toward the lake as fast as the pain allowed me to then threw the axe, with all my strenght.
I watched the weapon hit the water, making it splash some drops on us. I watched it sink. Only then I sat again.
- It's over - Devrah said.
But I knew it wasn't. During the time I was cursed, I forgot about a person. A very important person to me and to a girl which I don't see in a long time. Perhaps, that will be the first thing I'll do when I'm healed - find Maeve and save Chak. I don't know how he is in my absent.
My sword, Childhood, long abandoned inside my depot, will return to the place where it never should have left: the case on my back, ready for anything, fighting by my side...

...again.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

Two days ago, by the morning, I went to Varshikar searching for a man called Moskher. The dagger told me that he knew my father and that he even tried, through some rituals, to decipher the mystery behind the talking weapon. This time, however, I was looking for him because of dagger. It was because of me. I wanted to ask him if he could see if the curse was totally removed from me. Maybe he knew a ritual for it.
When I arrived there I was a bit... disappointed, yes, that would be the right word. I imagined Moskher like a great wizard, his image pure energy and power. However, what I found was a small and rather fragile man with an expression that reminded me a mask of apathy. The dagger said that he was different, somewhat changed. Perhaps, but the aura around him, his essence, that was alike the Moskher I imagined. It was frightening, sometimes.
So, I spoke to him, introduced myself and showed the dagger. Then I made my request and he accepted. He took me to the ruined castle where he drew a circle on the ground. After he muttered some words, he asked me to lay on the middle of the circle, what I did. I was kind nervous, so I closed my eyes, not knowing what to expect from that ritual. In my mind, I was seeing demons being invoked and fire. And then, I felt a warm sensation around me, as if the demons and the fires I imagined were actually there. I heard Mosker mutter more words and then the sensation was gone.
- You can stand, Kamik - he said in an emotionless tone.
I stood and stared at him, waiting.
- The curse was removed, indeed... - he said. I was starting to feel relieved when he started to speak again. - However...
Moskher explained to me that I will never be able to forget about this curse. And that is because it left a dark mark inside of me, a kind of scar. Moskher told that this mark will not interfere with anything besides that the ones who see beyond reality into the aura - mages, I think - will see a dark spot in my own essence. He also said that some can actually feel it.
After the ritual was done, he settled a fast farewell and left. I went after him and thanked him, before going back to Troll's Bane.
Now, to think about it, I don't really want to forget this curse. Because as long as I remember it, I will be able keep my promise to Devrah and never go to that place again.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

This is the last page of this diary.
Between the last page and this one, a piece of paper with an unsigned message can be found.

"Hello, my son.
We'll soon meet again. Before I leave this island once more. And I have proposal to make for you, and that is what will decide if that is our second meeting or our last. Util there, I'll keep looking for your safety".


That was everything the message said. It was handed to me by a halfling yesterday, by the morning. And knowing a bit of the ways of my father, I can judge he choosed that messenger with second purpose, maybe show me his location. I heard many times that he was living peacefully in Greenbriar. Well, maybe all that peace wasn't really made for him, since he is going to leave Gobaith. Again. And I know what he will purpose me and I don't fear the question. What I'm afraid of it the answer. But for now I'm trying not to think about it.
The letter was left unsigned and no name was mentioned. I think he was afraid this letter could get to the wrong hands and the owner of this hands would obiviously search for him or me. Perhaps, my father may still be a wanted man and I don't know if Stephanie spoke to the others Banshees about our truce.
But it was the last phrase of the letter that got me really worried: "Until there, I'll keep looking for your safety". What's the meaning hidden in these words? Perhaps, he is really following my steps, protecting me somehow. But I don't know if I should be happy with this. Although I don't know where my steps will take me, I already learned how to walk.
And it was my walking and my decisions that finally made me pass through the door Pendar left open for me. I joined the guard. I am a recruit now. And I don't regret it, Dominik liking it or not - it's my life, my dream. Some people say I am a very skilled warrior, thus I don't know if this is true, I will use these skills to protect people.

This is the last page of this diary. But last night I received another, as a gift. It was given to me by Nariela, my fiancee. It is wonderful, almost magical. She said she brought it from her lands. It is a small book, the cover is red, almost crimsom, with gems encrusted making a very beautiful decoration. It was the best thing someone ever gave me and it will be my most precious treasure, for all that I'll write in it and all that it represents:
- I giving this gift to you - she said -, because I love you.
I remember telling her about the condition of my actual diary, of all I found it all torn and ragged inside my depot after the curse was removed from me. And this is the last page. Her gift came just at the right time.
- What will you write on the first page? - she asked.
I didn't need to think to answer. I had this during my writtings and was tempted to try.
- A poem - I answered. This poem would tell part of my story, my adventure as my father would prefer to call. If it is good enough, I'll post it on the walls. But I will not sign. I'm not looking for fame or reputation: just want to see if others could enjoy what I write.
And the night she gave the book that followed was the most strangest. I mean, strange in the beggining, but it became dangerous within the first hours.
Myself, Nariela, Ceigan and Aokan - a person I'm learning to dislike due to his treatment towards Nariela - were at the square, talking, when a man approached, laughing oddly - "Ho ho!" - and asking if we were curious and wanting to see the animal he had in his pocket. After some negative answers, he decided to show the animal either way and a massive number of pigs started to roam out of the man's clothes. That's the strangest part. I still can't pronounce or write his name, it's a Necro-something Fungus. I call him the Pig-Man. However, his pockets were holding much more than pigs. After some time, a small crowd gathered around and the Pig-Man started to unleash skelletons... from his pockets. The first the came out moved toward Nariela. I runned to her without thinking, drawing my new double axe I bought from Salathe. 3 hits and the bones were crumbled to dust. Pendar, Georgius and Aokan were also there, fighting. While the Pig-Man vanished into thin air. But we could still hear his voice. Just the thought of Nariela could been hurt gave me enough reason to want to fight him, but if he could summon creatures from within his pockets, I don't think I'd have any chance. Invisible, he played with us like marionettes, making our mouths says things we didn't, makes us act like his desires. We'd have to play his game. And that was done by Caitlin. This Necro-something mentioned he liked riddles, and Caitlin challenged him to solve hers. If he couldn't solve it, he'd have to leave town.
Her riddle was: "I come out of earth, I'm sold on the market, he who buys me cuts off my tail, takes off my suit of silk, and cries when I'm dead. What am I?"
The answer is "onion". But the Pig-Man didn't know that, so he would have to leave town. But due to the brilliant intervetion of Aokan, he didn't.
- Wait. How can you command him? Isn't that foolish? - asked Aokan. - If he can raise skelletons... It isn't wise to force him to do stuff.
And with that phrase, we heard that "Ho ho!" again and the Necro-something agreed with the stupid Aokan and decided to stay. But he left for that time, leaving behind many enormous skelleton heads, biting nervously and attacking everything. We managed to destroy them, but not avoiding new scars.
The rest of the night was peacefull and Nariela had time to sit and make me the surprise: the new diary. After that, we went to my room at the inn, to speak and sleep. It was dawn already. This room was given to me for a small day fee, since now I am a guard, the innkeeper gave me a discount. At the room, I introduced her to the woman I love and I am sure she likes that mirror as well.
Then we lied down and slept. Well, at least her. My sleep time is during the night and hers during the day. Faking it would be difficult and some of our small differences were starting to give me an idea that I didn't know if was right. I spoke to dagger about this and it let me notice that it finds it a bad idea. Well, the fact is that it is probably impossible to turn her into a human. So, I was thinking of asking her to turn myself into her kind.
...
Maybe I am thinking too much. I don't know if she would like the idea.
Well, when I saw her sleep was dense, I stood, dressed my armor and grabed my axe and left the inn. I was feeling like wandering all the morning, to where my feet take me. The truth is that I was searching for Maeve, so we could go and finally help Seshir - a goal that I was almost forgetting to accomplish.
My feet took me to Eliza's shop. Inside, I found Durin and some other people. All left, and only me, Eliza, Mugush and another man were inside. I never got to know the man's name because of what happened. We were speaking when I suddenly felt a sensation of heat and then my mouth moved and said as if by it's own to the man: "I love you". The surprise made me jump. More surprising was when the stranger said he loved me too. Then I realised there was only one person that could be doing this and I discovered it was true when I heard that laugh again: "Ho ho!". The Pig-Man.
He appeared in the shop, making a mess, controlling everyone. The stranger left after some time, Eliza and Mugush were too scared to do anything. It was only me and him. He intruced himself again, as a necromancer of Nargun, of the chaos and disorder. I couldn't bear it - he hurt Nariela. So I attacked him. But attacking a moving enemy is difficult, even more difficult if he can turn invisible.
From everywhere, his voice said he had a gift for me. But I wanted nothing from a necromancer or anything to do with the undead. Nothing to do with curses. Well, attacking him already showed to be futile, so I'd have to try it on another way. So I played his game.
And it's funny that only know I could remember his name: Necrophocius Fungus.
- What brings you to this town? - I asked, away from him.
- I play games with the people and show them fun--and enlightenment!! - was his answer, while he kept walking around the shop.
- Is that so? - I put the axe down.
- Ho ho ho! More than you know!
I looked straight at him.
- Then let us play a game - I challenged.
Then he asked me what was the game about. I told him he could choose the game and the rules, giving him advantage over me, however, for this, I'd could wish any prize. And that could be anything.
- Are we agreed?
- Yes, yes, but what is your choice? - I got him easily. He agreed with his two "yes" before knowing my prize.
- Well, you already agreed. You'll know the prize if I win.
The game was simple. I'd have to guess the animal in his pocket with only three chances. But if my plan would occur right, then the number of chances would not matter. However, for not knowing my prize, he stabilished a rule: that if I lose, the prize would be invalidated in three months time.
- Agreed? Ho ho!
- ...Agreed.
On the way things were going, it didn't really matter if I would win or lose. My first guess was a sheep. Wrong. Second was ogre. Wrong too. The third and last guess was flies. Well... all three were wrong.

I lost.

He disappeared in the air again, leaving no trace of his whereabouts. I walked out of the shop and shouted toward the wind:
- How can you make the oposite for three months if you don't know my prize?!
Silence.
- What is your prize? - his voice asked.
- Show yourself and I'll tell you.
- You must see me to say your prize, huh?
- I must see the one I'm talking to.
Then he appeared right in front of me, giggling madly.
- Ok. Here is the prize...
I saw his eyes widening, his grin increasing. I knew why - Chaos. That's what he wanted when he proposed the oposite.
- I would ask - I started - for you to stay within the town.
- You lie! I don't like liars!
- Now you have to be away for three months - I said. - And you agreed.
- I will play your game, silly man! You will learn to regret it, though! Ho ho ho! Oink! - that being said he vanished again.
- You have no choice - I muttered to myself. - You choosed the game.
After that, I went to library to study everything I could around the followers of Nargun. Without much success due to my lack of experience in library search and since Eltareon, the librarian, was sleeping, there wasn't much left to do. So I wrote a letter to Pendar and passed it under the door of his room, on the inn, and left a message with Durin, the dwarf. Because something would surely happen. And the Pig-Man said I would regret it.

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

The next pages were written on the new diary of Kamik, given to him by Nariela:

I guess that now I know the meaning of a full week.
As I write these lines I wait for someone wondering what will be of my future after I accomplish what I came to do here, in the graveyard. Ramond, the keeper of the cemetery, watch me every time he passes carrying a coffin, making some anotations on a small book, one similar to my old diary. The keeper and myself have become more closer, like friends, although we don't speak much to each other. It must be, though, because of my recent visits to the graveyards, to look at graves of people I never knew - but only one of those graves is of my interest. And that's what brought me here again. That grave. The one that leads to an underground tomb, where the skelletons lurks.
I came here because I didn't have a good sleep this night. Actually, I barely slept. As I said, I had a full week...

The day before it all started with another long and tiresome travel to Varshikar, to visit my friend Seshir, or Chak, how I am learning to call him more and more. Dagger told me that Chak has only some days of life. And by looking at him that can be easily noticed. He is a shadow, thin as a cherry tree branch, old like the island... He looked like a grey stone ready to be broken. To watch his situation silently caused me pain, but there was only one thing I could do about it. When I left his beach, I came back to Troll's Bane with a choice made. It would be that day.
Since the change of the laws of Varshikar by Moskher, entering and leaving that town was more difficult. I felt like a rogue, walking in the shadows so their guards didn't catch my sight and for a moment I remembered of Devrah. There were guards even in the desert. So I had to take another road, the bigger one. It is more easy than travelling through the heat of the desert, however, as I said, it's longer. It took me all the morning to go to the beach and return to Troll's Bane, and that because I walked in a large pace, without stopping to rest. The trip drained all my energy and the idea of a bread still warm for breakfast was tempting. And as if it was answering to my thoughts, I heard a voice saying:
- No one is buying my bread.
It was a halfling, her name is Ariadne Sommerwind and I bought her bread. It's incredible, but the halfling food is really the best. I had the best breakfast I didn't have in a long time.
I had already given my excuses to Marie, but not to Faladron yet, so when he passed by I took the oportunity to do it and invite him for a little bread. Ariadne joined us with her elfess friend Sima. I noticed something odd between Faladron and Ariadne, maybe something from their past, but it was evident they didn't like each other.
Later that day I met my elven friend Thalodos Artemetus, the archer. He was helping me to train my dodging and I was helping him with his archery being the aim to his arrows. Along with him came two women that later I would discover the names: Ayalla and Maggie Kemoc.
Maggie held my chain shirt while Faladron and myself were trainning, Ayalla, however, seemed more interested in the fishes of the river. During the trainning a strange subject came up. It was the story of a drunkard claiming to be no one else bot the God Adron. He said his goblet fell off the table and that it was the star approaching to the island everyone was talking about. From what Maggie told me, I could understand the goblet fell on the sea and was found by a pirate called Gerard. Somehow, this name is very familiar, though I can't remember well - I might check the old diary searching for this name. Well, Gerard and the goblet became one thing: the goblet is in his chest. And that gave him the power of a God, creating unbalance on our island Gobaith, or maybe... in the world. Thalodos and Maggie also told me about a rumour Eliza heard, something linking the people in the northern woods and the halfling Nisluf to the case. I've met Nisluf once, maybe twice, when she was being haunted by bad spirits. Now, I heard she lives in a cave, being protected by other spirits, good ones, I guess. The dagger purposed some ideas, but none will be made if the halfling can't be found. And Gerard was sleeping inside the inn, with the goblet still in his chest, protected by a seal around the room.
We continued with the trainning until we both were tired enough to sleep for a week. Ayalla had already left us by that time and I was curious about Gerard, enough to ask them to take me to the inn and show me the sealed room. I shouldn't have been surprised about which room Gerard was in. Mine. But then... just as Maggie and I were trying to figure a way to enter, we heard a scream outside. Thalodos was no where to be seen. So we runned out just to find a dwarf very bad wounded that seemed to have fallen from the roof of the inn. A name was carved in his wooden shield: "Balin Lightaxe". Maggie also found a parchment saying "Durin Goldbart - 1000 copper". The dwarf died, but it wasn't because of the fall, I was sure - when I removed his helmet, a deep cut could be seen. Perhaps, but even then I think that what killed him had something to do with that scar. In his chest, under the blood, we could see a scar in the form of a skull with the number 1 in one of the eyes. What could that mean? Either way, I had no time to think, many citizens were already there and I couldn't risk to put more people in danger. It was my job to handle the situation and since I was the only guard near, I could only count with the citizens themselves and someone that later I'd discover a very good friend in - in no moment she left my side: Maggie Kemoc. And as always happens when I need an advice, Berengar appeared. His wisdom comes in hand in times like this, well, it comes in hand anytime. He may not know it, but he isn't only a master of swordplay - but also a master of words.
Berengar helped me to carry the body to the graveyard. That is, I couldn't let it on the middle of the street to cause panic, so I decided to leave it with Ramond until Silverbrand knew of what happened. Lennier showed on the graveyard and I let the Knights of the Grey Rose handle the situation and headed back to town: I had a mess to clean. People think it's odd, but I like housework, I always liked, since I was left alone and had to live by myself. However, in this case, in any case, cleaning a pool of blood is never good. And while I did it, Berengar went to Silverbrand to search for Durin, since his name was the only clue we had. When he was back Durin was with him and another dwarf, this second one spoke little, only standing there as a bodyguard, I think. Durin said he knew Balin. Maggie told him Balin's last words: "The executioner... wants... more... blood... Rasma". Rasma. Rasma. Rasma. No other name has been in my mind since then. The pool of blood I cleaned was in the form of a skull with the words "The Executioner" beneath. Rasma. I hope someday his path crosses mine...
The rest of the day had an odd silence in the air. Fear and distrust. That Rasma could still be in town. The day for me, perhaps, became worse when I met that... person that pretends to be a guard - Farel. He speaks of my dream as if it was a game, drinking while wearing the symbol of the guard and flirting with every women he sees, throwing our honourfull name in the mud. To avoid any unwanted discussion, I stood and entered the shop. Berengar came to me right after.
Well, in the end Farel and I ended up having a discussion. And the space between us grew bigger. I felt anger again, but this time there was no curse to control my actions, so I prefered to walk away and wait until my mind was light again. For that, I made use of my new hobby: fishing. And I only got calm after getting that fish: it was small, silver and made of metal - we call it an oil lamp. What that was doing on the river I don't know, but I decided to bring it back to town with me.
Back to town I met Thalodos and Alaine in the shop. We decided to go to the tavern, a place to sit and have a nice conversation. But our plans were destroyed... On the way to the tavern, Farel passed by me with two other women. I sensed the air getting heavier around us. But oposite to my expectations, Farel apologised, however, still in his own manner. Before I could say anything I heard someone calling me, shouting. I followed the voice and found a crowd of people, on the middle of them was an elf bad injured.
- She just fell from the library - I heard someone saying. But I knew she just didn't fell. The words on the wall and the scar with the form of a skull on her chest showed that. There was a number 2 on the eyesocket of the skull. On the wall, the words mentioned something about traitors being the ones to blame.
- The Banshees - I heard Farel saying, as if lost in thougths.
The Banshees, the murderers of my mother.
Thalodos, Alaine and myself did the burial ritual and I felt like an intruder, at least half of me, in a ritual of elves, the ones I was never allowed to see in the community I grew.
I wished the murders would stop there, but they didn't. Two more would happen before we learned the name of the killer: Rasmantil. And yet, we still know nothing of his reasons or motivations. The first of the two deaths was a lizard; the second was a half elf. A half elf like me. And I was there, at her burial. Me, Maggie and a girl I would discover the name to be Rhiannon. There was no possible way to do it the elven way, because I didn't know them. I did it the only way I knew. The hole, the corpse and the earth. And it was done. While we did it, Rhiannon and myself heard the voice of Rasmantil. He laughed and threatened us. He said "You are the next". All I desired that moment was that those words were directed to me.
...but they weren't. Days later Rhiannon was attacked, but that idiot Aokan could save her by giving her a teleport scroll to Greenbriar.
Also, Gerard was still in town, casting his magic upon us day by day, making rains of thunderbolts above our heads.
And there was Chak, waiting to be saved.
I thought I would die that day. The town was in fire, nearby the inn. Everyone gathered, each citizen, doing their part and trying to help. But if Gerard came out of his room, I would fight him, without even waiting any word. I would because someone had to and I setted up to protect my town with any cost.
Between all of that there was me, Nariela, Devrah, Maggie and a choice I should have made sooner. The truth is that Nariela was never near, never there, during all that happened and nothing could hurt me more. No marriage would happen without a bride. Nariela wasn't there, if I was to die that day, would like to have my choice made.
- I wouldn't like to die without doing this... - then I kissed her. It was Devrah.
In fact, I never really died because Gerard and Devrah and myself never spoke about that kiss. We were still the best friends we ever were, there was no need to change that... No need...
And now I am here, on the graveyard, waiting for Maeve to come, wondering if she received my letter. If she doesn't appear in ten minutes I will go down to the tomb alone and face the skelletons, and beyond them, the seed; the Heart Desire

[Kamik Windslasher ~]

...I opened my eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling. My head was aching. What happened? I had no idea... I was laying on a bed I didn't know, hearing many snores around me. I sat on the bed and my eyes stopped on the armors all around, the lances and the curtains covering the windows - on them, the symbol of the Grey Rose. I was in the castle.
Slowly the memories started to come back along with a pain inside me and on my back. I reached a hand to a pocket and it was there: the seed. The Heart's Desire. I smiled.
I remembered everything. I had entered the tomb. That moment I could almost see the skelletons in front of me again, when I wondered if there was any curse inside that place; another. I fought with them and my wounds were terrible, I don't even know how I managed to get back to Troll's Bane. But the dagger told me many people took care of me, but mainly Arynne and Pendar. Dagger told me Arynne managed to cast a healing spell which it don't believe she knew, but the talking weapon also believed that the spell was the response to the prayers of Pendar working through Arynne's hands. Whatever it was, I am thankfull to be alive.
I stumbled out of the room and headed to the gate as silent as I could, asked the guard to open it for me and went back to the town, thinking of the time I would ake to heal, knowing that I couldn't lose that time.
There was, however, another matter going on in town. Aldriaa Halfmoon, a cousin of Arynne, was murdered. And everything pointed to Guider to be the murderer - the brother of Rhiannon. Well, the day I decided to go search for Chak, Guider was in town. Devrah had already enlightened me about the suspect, something about his name pointind to an Anither and a Rider. I had spoken with him already and he didn't seemed like a killer, and I knew that Arynne was upset and that Dravish would seek the man again through the only personthat could locate him: Rhiannon. And fearing for the girl, I made a terrible mistake. When I spotted him in town, I asked about Rider and he stated he was called that long ago.
- Very well, Rider, I am imprisoning you for the murderer of Aldriaa Halfmoon - I said. - Stephanie, please, help me carry him to the jail.
Stephanie was near, fortunatelly or unfortunatelly, I'm not really sure due to my actual relation to her. But, we carried him to the jail and locked him. And I did this just to let him go right after, hiding a bag with food and gold somewhere only he knew, asking him to get Rhiannon and go away for some time, until the truth came up. When I told him my plan, he said his real name: Anither. In the end, the three suspects were the same person. I unlocked the door and let it that way, and when I left the prison, Stephanie was outside, guarding the place. I managed to get her somewhere else so he could escape.
But the stupid thing decided to come to me... Stephanie spotted him, wearing the hood, but recognized his voice.

Then the hunt began.

He could leave safe because I could held Stephanie into an argue, which almost threw our truce to the ground. But he escaped and now I regret it. But something about Stephanie was already getting on my nerves, mainly what she said about our town:
- Did you get it yet, Kamik? I don't care about your laws or your people! - this phrase would be on my mind until what would happen after some days. But not before saving Chak.
I went to the shop, got the key to my depot from Mugush, opened it and packed my stuff: some salty ham, fruits, water, a lighter cloak to protect me from the sun during the day, the sword of my grandfather - Childhood - the dagger of my father and the Heart's Desire Seed. However, a moment before leaving I stopped, opened my diary and took that leaf with me - the alive memory of Devrah.
I went to the Northern lands right way, keeping both eyes opened, perharps, to the rumour of armored men on the desert, Varshikari Bandits or the sneak councelor, Moskher. I went to that beach and found the lizardman there, sat on the sand, like a stone. His scales much more dark and seeming to crack with every move. I knew that would be the last time we'd see each other, the last time he would look at me and recognize my face.
- I will not be able to come for three days - I told him.
He smiled at me.
- I don't know if this old lizard will still be here after this time, young master. So I'd like to thank for your assistance and for the fishes you always brought me by the time being.
I stared at him, without saying a word.
- And - he continued - I want to thank your odd dagger too for the knowledge shared...
- You are welcome, sir Ysshirr.
- Pardon...?
- Nothing - I interrupted. - I will take you to your cave; you must rest.
When I came back from his home, I was trouble minded, thinking if saving him was truly his wish. I mean, his last life wasn't that good, I knew how it must have been because I've been cursed once. I wondered what would be his reaction when he'd remember everything. A for a moment, a moment only, I asked me why I was helping this lizard. "He was to me the father I never had", the thoughts came almost instantly.
- Kamik...? - a voice called, it seemed surprised, jugding by the question tone. I knew who it was: Devrah.
So before I went to the desert, she sat with me by the beach and I told her what was about to happen. I still didn't know by then what effect the Heart's Desire would have on me during it's grow so I invited her to do me company. Then...
- I wouldn't go if it's not your wish to age a year per day - said the dagger. It then explained to us that what fed the seed was youth. I sighed. Three days, three years. Was I mature enough to leave the life as a boy and become a man in so few time? Well, with that knowledge I couldn't let Devrah go with me - I am a half elf, three years are nothing for me, but, for a human.......
And again, the dagger surprised me with it's own way to change the fate of everyone around it. Many times it made me wonder about that phrase "I have all the knowledge of the world". The dagger suddenly that a name, and by the words and it's form it was surely an orc's name.
- This is what you have been searching for, Lady Liioness.
Yes. Both Devrah and myself knew two things that moment: the first, was that the dagger seemed to want me to go to the desert alone; the second, that the name was of the orc who slayed Devrah's family.
In the end, we had to split. I went to the desert and she went to the mountains. Somehow I felt like I had lost an arm by letting her go by herself. I knew the danger it meant: orcs are usually good fighters and merciless. But I knew she wouldn't allow me to help. "I can take care of myself, Kamik", that's what she would say to me. Maybe I couldn't go anyway, I had only three days and a chance, or else my lizard friend would be dead.
As I approached the desert the heat started to annoy me, I dressed the hood and walked further in to that oasis thinking that my canteen of water wouldn't be enough. I sat on the sand, the hot metal of my armor already being a burden. Before inserting the seed inside the soil I stared long at it.
- All I need to do is put it on the sand, right? - I asked to the only voice I knew would answer me.
- Indeed - said the dagger.
Without a second thought, I dug a small hole and let the seed slide inside - it shone - then I covered it again and waited. The three days were infinite, I barely slept, only an hour, maybe two for day: my sensitive ears always woke me at the sound of anything: the night's wind, the soft touch of the legs of a small scorpion on the sand, among others... The first day was quite easy if compared to the nexts. On the second day there was a small sand storm during all the afternoon, it's fury so powerfull that the sand could cut my skin; I was gratefull to have brought the cloak with me and to Alaine, my elfess friend, who had made it. On the third days something attracted the scorpions to me, many of them died of age before even getting near to me influenced by the effects of the seed. And at the third night, I saw a caravan going to Varshikar. They didn't notice me fortunatelly, or maybe they did and didn't care or avoided thinking of me to be a bandit. And something fell from their coach: a board of wood. What did it mean? Was that material designed to the reconstruction I heard about? Or were them only simple carpenters carrying the day's goods? In my situation, there was no possible way to know. I could only stare, hear and wait - for the first time I knew how the dagger must feel, in some way the story of the dagger was sad, it is more like a slave, always serving a master for whatever purpose. I wondered who might have wielded it before my father did, how many hands the talking blade passed for, how much blood it might have spilled, how many lifes ended on it's point... I was glad it was with me now, although it still asks sometimes to be used. Who made it and why this person wanted it to speak? It's mysteries were as great as our island's. I only hope to find it all out one day...
The change happened slowly, almost imperceptible, like the flow of time is. I aged three years in three days. And not only, but everything I had. My clothers became old and torn, my armor and axe rusted, the food I brought with me deteriorated, the water evaporated on the first day - what made me feel glad to have choosed an area near the oasis. And, on the third and last day, my sword, Childhood, already to rusty and cracked, finnaly broke apart. Not even the grip was safe from the effects of the seed growing. In three days my Childhood was gone and I, Kamik Windslasher, knew what it was to become a man. In three days I learned the pain of not being a child anymore - a boy - and learned the misery that is life. It hurted more than a cold blade to the heart. In the sky, even the stars above me weren't the same anymore, they seemed older, vanishing, their glow almost a whisper to the dark sky. I wondered if my grandparents and my mother were staring at me from there...
The flower bloomed fast, faster than any other I have ever seen; it was also more pretty than any flower I've ever seen... Then, for a moment, an odd thought invaded my mind: "No. I've seen one prettier... Devrah". When I noticed what I was thinking I tilted my head and only then I figured what was hapening. I loved her. In truth, I think I always did. She, that was always there for me, by my side no matter why or what. I love her. A pity I needed three years to discover that. I wished for Malachin to protect her during the hunt for the orc. I prayed. It had been a long time since I last did it, but I remember well that, on the last time, it was for her too, with her, asking for forgiveness and guidance.
- It's now, the flower is ready - said the dagger. - It's time.
I nodded and pulled it from the sand; it's roots were imense. It glowed and left small sparkles in the night while I walked to the beach.
- Kamik - the dagger called -, are you sure about this? This is the last Heart's Desire flower. The last chance to create more. It is an alive power of the nature, a magical plant. And it is the last.
I answered without thinking.
- I am sure.
The dagger said nothing.
When I reached the beach it was already dawning. He was there, sitting near the shore line, the slow waves hitting his already very dark scales. I approached holding the seed, he raised his look and smiled at me - a kind of smile you know to be the last when you see it. But it wouldn't be, not anymore.
- Good bye... - then I raised the seed and wished, desired, for his soul to be united again. For a moment, there was only silent. Then... the ring on his hand started to glow red. The entire magic is difficult to describe, it all seemed like a distant dream. His old skin cracked and broke, falling to the ground like a peel. He stood, renewed, like a snake changing skin; his eyes turning yellow, his expression changing from the old lizard Seshir into the cold-hearted Chak' Ysshirr, ex captain of the Varshikar army, ally of the Bloodskulls, mercenary... He started at me and knw he didn't recognize me. Then he turned and jumped on the water.
- Good bye... - I said again. But I didn't expected a thank you or anything; he was safe and that wasall that really matters to me. I sat on the sand and let that smile appear on my face and slowly turn to a laugh. I was happy. My father should be too, somewhere, for the adventure of his son. Was that the end for them or only the start? I didn't care. Between the tears and laughs, I allowed my body to fall back and stayed there, laying on the sand, doing nothing besides watching the clouds go by and hearing the whisper of the wind recite a forgotten poem.


Some notes were made on the end of this page:

Devrah and I are together, our love united. After three years I learned how to control my emotions instead of kill them, like I was taught in my young days. We are everything: lovers, job partners (she joined the guard), friends... we even have an odd relation between student and teacher - we train a lot together. And now, more than ever, this trainning is necessary for both of us. I called off my truce between my family and the Banshees during a moment of anger. And now that worries me because soon Devrah will become part of my family.
It was Stephanie's fault; but I don't mind that, she seems to search for fame through blame, and that isn't right. I slew and sent her to cross two time on the same week. The first time, because she disrespect a dead half elf (another victim of Rasmantil), by kicking him and robbering him, and since it was inside Troll's Bane territory and my jusdiction as a guard, I did what I was supposed to do within my duty. I only regreted because it shouldn't have been this way, I advised her to returns the items. But now it is done and my head is probably the next aim to her family of assassins: the Scarlet Banshees. However, when she attacked me again was her own choice. And again I told her that I didn't want a fight. I am not afraid of her, her husband Callith, a corrupt guard, nor I am afraid of the Banshees. Let they come to me. One by one. I don't care. I would meet with them one day anyway, this truce was just postponing this meeting. They killed my mother...

- I need to check on Joshua, it seems he scaped the prison;
- I need to check on Anither too;
- To find Rasmantil (urgent);

I keep on hearing rumours about my duel with Moshker, which I didn't forgive me for losing. If only my axe didn't break... I still don't understand why he didn't kill me when he had the chance. The reason for the duel was a stupidity. He is jealous and I showed him the truth. But what he told me about Pendar... I can't believe it, no matter what he says, I don't believe him. Moskher is a sneak.

[.Rhiannon.]

A childish scrawl adorns the next blank page:

You're a good guy, Kamik.

...is all it says. It is signed, simply:

Rhi