Do Not Advance Further

Braegar's advances have been getting more and more preposterous.  At first it was flattering, though I have always been clear, then it was slightly annoying, now it is becoming frustrating and if it continues I will have to put a stop to this.  I have told him that I am not interested in him but he will not take the hint or even the bold, clear, statement to his face directly.

I am not sure why this memory just came to mind or perhaps I truly am.  I had to play for father’s clients. I didn't mind the music, in fact I rather enjoyed having an audience .It sharpened my performance, But did they have to be so crass? There is no reason to mock me as “Red”  And then half the room laughed?   Oafs. They are morons. Revo probably even thought he was original with his banal idiocy. I hope he doesn’t mind the eldenberry in his ale. How I would love to see his face later when the case of runs strikes him fiercely. I suppose their is an ironic justice in both ends running with equal lack of restraint.

A Song's End

Piercey died today.  I suspect foul play.  Poison was ruled out but what could cause a healthy man to keel over and die so quickly and easily.   He was a gentle soul and I shall miss him much.

Poor Piercey

I  still cannot believe Piercey is dead. And why?  He was a gentle soul.  I cannot imagine anyone wanting to kill him.  It is sad.  I much preferred Piercey to Braegar who is boorish, rash and unkind.  Three cities ago when a few scruffy dongs wandered into camp looking for some food,  Braegar kicked  a few of them telling them "to get their own food" It was unnecessary and cruel.   His advances are becoming bolder and more frequent too.  He even tried to prevent me from leaving my tent one night but somehow he was called away at just the right moment.

Friends

I have actually made other friends.  I am truly having fun. If ever I thought I was free spirited these traveling gypsies are truly the definition of freedom.  They follow their hearts. They are like the wind.  I have become especially close to Sveta Katarina. She is teaching me the two bladed - "dance of the twin blades" style.  I hold a scimitar in one hand and and a short sword or dagger in the other.  I have come to enjoy both our talks and the training. She is also teaching me to fight with with numerous simple melee weapons .

We have also been playing practical jokes on each other. I do not believe I started these jokes.  Me innocent me? (I am laughing aloud as I write this)  I do remember that I tied Sveta's arm to the bedpost as a joke but I do not think that was the beginning. The next day when I was bathing in the stream Sveta hid and took my clothes. I had to skulk back to camp using tree branches to try to cover myself.  We all had a good laugh.  That was not nearly the end though, I then salted Sveta's mead and she retaliated by skunking my boots and on it went back and forth for nearly a month straight.  By the end I believe I nearly exhausted all my good practical jokes, but in truth we did have the entire camp entertained including ourselves. We were nearly in tears with laughter.

Sveta recounted for me the tale of the Seven Sisters after she caught me whimpering in mys sleep after a nightmare and I had confessed about the recurring dreams of the seven lights.  She did not laugh. She did not laugh.  She did not send me away.  She, like Ellis reacted to comfort.  It is good to have another friend.   

Here is the tale she recounted: 

Many moons ago Seven Sisters were born into the wild. Legend has it they sprang forth from the earth itself. No one can recall them every having been born to a family of any sort other than the company of the land itself. Each of the sisters had the most beautiful voice and each played a different instrument with a preternatural skill. It is said that the woods themselves taught them to play. In any case, the forest was filled with beautiful, wondrous and enchanting music and the creatures lived quite literally in harmon; elves, fey, dwarves, humans, halflings, eladrin, gnomes. It was as if the creatures all communicated through music and rhythm.

But then an evil came over the land. No one knows from where and most tales say little about exactly what happened except that many died much blood was shed and much was lost. It is said that in the end the seven were instrumental (pun intended) to the defeat of the evil.
Some say that they gave up their voices to imprison the evil beneath the ground. Others say they bound themselves to certain places or things in the land and that their sacrifice power the prison. In this story, the forest contains 7 special objects that are marked that indicate gateways to some other world.  Perhaps they are gateways or entry points to the prison. In any case the seven were never seen again after that point. The evil was vanquished. Several version of the poem however note that it was not permanent.

I composed short poem/song after her telling:

Poem of the Seven
Tell me the tale of the sisters of seven
whose voices were golden like light from sky’s heaven

Whose tunes and dance the forest did green
then suddenly no more were ever again seen

They say that pure evil came over the land
And the seven in battle did righteously stand

Though the land lay pocked, ashen and grey
United it stood on that last dour day

Seven voices as chains to bind such foul beast
Such that the evil dominion henceforth had ceased

But if ever their melody should come to an end
The darkness shall strike and the whole land shall it rend.

Escape with the Troupe

I've done it. I can't believe I am free.  I am liberated, escaped from that prison   The troupe came into town a little more than a week ago.  As Ellis had taught me I had watched for when they might come.  I have always looked forward to when the troupes would come to town.  On the last day of their performance I snuck out of our estate trekked over to their campsite and auditioned for them.  I played out my heart and soul as if everthing that had been bottled could finallyknow its expression and furthermore. knowing this was my moment of escape.  Into my song I poured my loneliness, my grief at losing Ellis, my anger at my father and the longing for world in which each had a place.  They hired me on the spot.

As I write this several days later I cannot believe I am unshackled and free.  My destiny is my own.

Dismissal of Ellis

How can he do this?  He knows how much I have loved Ellis. How can he throw her out like that. She is the only one who listens.  She is the only one who has nutured me.  She is the only one who has been there when I have needed her.  He is a monster.  I did not even have a chance to say goodbye.  My dear Ellis.  How grateful I am that at least before she left she managed to write me this letter and tuck it into my journal which she knew no one would find. 

My Dearest "little bonfire"
I laugh through the tears as I write this knowing that I ou would let few else call you by that nickname.  Know that I will always love you and that you are in my heart always.  As I have oft said of recent, be prepared for their will come a time when I am not around. It seems that time has finally come, though it is indeed sooner than I expected.  I regret that I am not able to say this in person but I am grateful that I am able to sneak to write. this at all. Do be careful  Take care of your mother as best you can and try not to be too harsh with your father.  Perhaps in his own way he believes this is best for you.   Remember to keep up with your practice and your composition. You are gifted but even the most gifted must always seek to expand their skill and talent.  Take time to listen to to all that is around you it contains many songs within itself if you listen carefully.  You are a free-spirit.  Your time will come to liberate yourself and fly but remember to watch your fiery tongue; it may be your undoing someday. Again, I will always have you in my heart and these years I have spent with you have been the most enjoyable I've lived  You have my love, gratitude and affection always.

Your Ellis

Father was a bit taken aback at my calm when I confronted him.  I merely said  "I see" but the look of red hot steel that I shot back at him when I learned that he had dismissed her because she was pregnant and unwed would have melted the blade of a short sword. I was determined not to let him see me cry.  I walked out with a furious equanimity if such a thing exists and went straight to the river where Ellis and I often fished together.  It was then that I wailed. My best friend, my only friend was gone.

After some time I picked myself back up and went back home. Still determined not to let him see any affect from his decision I handily picked up the chores that Ellis had once done.

As I write this now I make this pledge that as soon as I am able I will leave this festering hell hole.

"My little bonfire"

Diary of Sam

Age 14
Another evening entertaining father’s stupid bores of friends. I sometimes wonder if they have a brain among them. When Delam started on his rude comments. I had had enough. I stopped playing and said aloud “My dear Delam- sometimes I need what only YOU can provide -- your ABSENCE.” The room erupted into laughter (even father laughed at first) Delam did not. He scowled hotly then jumped up from his chair and said - “you little whore.” I dashed over a chair and out the room. From what I can tell he stumbled rather early on in his chase.

Later father scolded me and told me never to embarass him like that ever again. He said if I ever did that again and he even raised his fist as if to strike me, but mother came near at that moment. Instead, he turned toward her and spat on floor at her feet, and reeled off cursing. Mother looked at me with more scorn in her eyes and hobbled down the hall after him.

Ellis came by much later that evening and offered me some comfort. She said she had been listening behind the wall when it happened and had laughed her head off.  Delam had deserved every blister from the tongue lashing I gave him. She said "you have a tongue on you my little bonfire,  but you must be careful for it could get you in trouble. And then she added wistfully, and I may not always be nearby.