A Watermarked Ledger

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 17th Day of Alturiak, 1354

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn

Tess Ableton

Rain Girl

-Confronted the mixed blood woman with the purple eyes. No real ken of what she is - she looks like the sort with celestial heritage, but she's not. Sharp ears, purple eyes, human's stature, two long blades resting on her hips. Doesn't rightly matter - because she isn't drow, an orc, or a devil. Claims to be working with an orc though. Will continue to watch, she knew quite a bit about my own history. If I've met her before I don't recollect the meeting.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 18th Day of Alturiak, 1354

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn

Tess Ableton

Rain Girl

__________________________________________________________________________
Visitors to the camp:

-Rai, the Murder Cat. Came to ask about current affairs, was particular interested in the drow that have been killed.

-The Order of the Silver Rose. Four or five lead by their commander-general, Elvina. Was surprised to see them in the region, but they were a welcome sight.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 19th Day of Alturiak, 1354

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn

Tess Ableton

__________________________________________________________________________
Visitors to the camp:

-The Darius barkeep, I'll have to refer to notes to write down his name again. The elemenetal man in bright colors. Came asking about a blight around the Gate - remnants of the old war returned?

__________________________________________________________________________
Incidents:

-Two more orcs sighted in Soubar. When will enough be enough?

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 20th Day of Alturiak, 1354

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn

Cormac

Roland

Wren Blackthorne

Maximilian Blackthorne

Tess Ableton
__________________________________________________________________________
Visitors to the camp:

-Three members of Clan Ursus, they were skirmishing with giants in the mountains and almost met tragedy. They rallied at the docks near the Boareskyr bridge and they spoke briefly with Cormac and I.

-Nathan, Darius Snoop and Bartender. No news of the criminal at large Mae. He's been having dreams like the rest of the mixed bloods in the south but he's going to have Rania help look into it.

-Rokh, Candlekeep Protector. Came and we spoke of the drow in his neck of the woods.

-Iris, the iris. Came by for a social visit.
__________________________________________________________________________
Incidents:

-Imani, Skinchanger druid. Observed a dragon make several passes over the area of the Boareskyr bridge. Tracked up to the southern moor til it went toward the snake lands. Turned back and it returned a short while later. Sent for Kald and he came but we weren't able to meet up to face it. Eventually I saw the 'dragon' return to its true form, Imani, follower of the Skulker.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 21st Day of Alturiak, 1354

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn

Tess Ableton

Cormac

__________________________________________________________________________
Visitors to the camp:

-Elisabeth Tesper, the burk. She came for the thing which was promptly delivered.


__________________________________________________________________________
Incidents:

-Bran is alive and loitering around the Friendly Arm Inn, again. See report.

-Drow attack in the Cloakwood. See report.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 24th Day of Alturiak, 1354

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn

Tess Ableton

Rain Girl

-Another quiet day, almost a month since the last devil sighting.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 25th Day of Alturiak, 1354

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn

Tess Ableton

Wren Blackthorne

-Met with Sirion at the camp who came by after that ol' tome I came across, traded was finished for the agreed amount and he departed shortly after.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

These two pages are blank, carefully pressed between them is a letter with the seal broken.

Michael –

I’ve known a great deal of pain and sorrow. Losing my brother, my father, nearly losing you.

But nothing has ever hurt quite like this.

Like leaving our camp, leaving Rain, leaving you sleeping as I love to watch you do in the last bit of silver light before dawn. Leaving little more behind than a kettle of coffee still warm for you on the embers of the fire we shared last night.

I’m not certain what else I have to say, other than I know I ask for forgiveness.

I hope one day, when you are caught by surprise by the beauty of the stars in a cloudless sky and you think of me, you will understand. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for leaving as I am. But far more than that, Michael: I hope, I pray, one day you can forgive yourself.

Because I’ve seen the storm in your eyes these many months on the road, after all that has transpired, and I feel so helpless trying to part them so the light can shine through again. So your heart can be unburdened, as you deserve it to be after all you’ve fought so hard for.
And I have come to realize perhaps I am the reason you have struggled with it so. Perhaps I am what holds you back. Perhaps I’m altogether wrong. But I know there is only one way I can be certain, for us both.

And maybe, too, I am selfish. Maybe I must find my way, find a life for myself where I do not feel like I must share you with the ghosts and shadows of your past. Maybe I cannot settle for less than walking openly in the light.

Please do not spare a moment’s thought on doubting whether I love you. You know I do. You know I always have.

But all things wax and wane, my love. And one day, should we meet under the full moon’s smile, and should you ask me with an open heart to dance beneath the stars with you and only you, you know I will. There will always be a silver song that plays only for us.

But until then, my love... my dearest friend, my constant companion. When the night is long and dark, when you are afraid or alone or feel as though you may never find your way: know I believe in you. Know I am always with you.

All you have to do is look up.

– Tess

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 2nd Day of Myrtul, 1355

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn

-Knocked the dust off the old journal.

-Journeyed into the Reaching Wood and came across two archers. Arendhel (elf, magi) and Voskul (Mixed blood, said he was an 'elemental marksman'). Both highly skilled and we dispatched several gnolls in the region before I took an injury and parted ways.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 7th Day of Mirtul

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn
Rain Girl ('Borrowed' from Lou)

________________________________________________________

-Hunted the thief but no sign or indication of their coming and going.
A. They may be an honored guest, currently. No proof.

-Changed one hunt for one hunt for another. Looked high and low. Gave up - returned to the settlement and lo and behold - there they stood. Postponed to another day, onto a new trail.

-Abandoned the last hunt to pursue a missing turn cloak turned sailor who has gone missing. They were right to be concerned over the lack of Sendings response. Harlos is departed.

_________________________________________________________
Job(s):

-Hired by the Windrider's Merchant, Wendi, for an escort in the north. A hunt for a merchant I did not have ken of. Was successful in the search and paid three large for the job.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 8th Day of Mirtul, 1355

-Bridgefort was unmanned, too worn down for that today.


_________________________________________________________
Job(s):

-Ordered to hunt down a drow. Left with Zeland and caught two of them at the Eldath Shrine in the Reaching Wood. Stayed in the brush and Zeland went and confronted the pair. There were two drow, including the one with the bait, but he challenged only her. A friend observed, as well as a sneak-magi in a full helm or mask that I did not have any ken of. Another magi cloaked in magic appeared just long enough to put Zeland in the dirt before he was gone again. Eleazar the priest minded the shrine and also joined in the fight, or intervened after. Another sneak off in the distance, too far off for me to get a great look at them.

Course, hell broke loose before the fight between Zeland and the drow. Dark magick crackled and suddenly there was a war party of those drow on the field. Fighting against the same one Zeland would later challenge. She bested them and some of the 'locals' even pitched in to help. But Zeland did have his challenge, and did go down, three to one, two to one, four to one, some sort of odds that were never in his favor. Eleazar took to drag him off before the drow could get aholt of him, thankfully. Hard to get someone back once they get down below the dirt.

Found out later from a friend that Eleazar went and got himself hemmed up by gnolls, who came in force on account of the earlier skirmish. The friend saved them both from winding up in a gnoll's stewpot. Which suited me fine because I was able to track the pair of surviving drow as they went south.

Kept pace with them a while, they were searching for a cave and felling the monsters along the road. Decided to come out of cover before they slipped into a cave and confronted them. Turns out they were after stopping whatever was pulling up all the other drow onto the surface. Unlikely allies.

The mess got sorted with a confrontation in another cave and the two drow slipped back to their own territory to finish the business that would keep that magick from happening again. Will have to pick up the trail another day, sarge.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 9th Day of Mirtul, 1355

-Bridgefort was manned by:

Tess Ableton, Silverstar returned.


______________________________________________________

-No contact from the thief, or the agitator or whatever title best applies to her now. Won't press the issue while she is in grief.

-Wouldn't have worked out anyway, I stole the watcher to the south and we talked for many marks. With the promise of another to follow. Who am I to question what road the wind steers me toward, but was it really a twist of fate that brought us back together, or was it by design?

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 10th Day of Mirtul, 1355

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

Michael Dunn
Rain Dog

_________________________________________________

Nothing to report this eve, suits me just as well because it gives me time to think. To consider the words shared between Tess and I upon her arrival, and what it means for the road ahead. But time is a wheel, and looking forward has me looking back. Old events remembered and more than a few forgotten. Came across a whole bundle of letters I'd tied together and forgot.

Dear Isabella Villame,


I write to you as friend, as I do not know who else to resort to; and as a representative and top authority of the martial forces of Candlekeep; regarding one of your subordinates, as I believe Mr. Michael Dunn is one of yours. If he is not, I apologize and I encourage you to deliver this letter to who it may concern. This man, who claim to guide his actions in the name of Candlekeep has incurred in several faults against my person. Therefore I would like you to correct his actions or punish him considering he is acting in the name of your honorable institution and I do not consider his acts proper of such.

The first one is threat. This man threatened me justifying it on my little argument with Miss. Alexandra Keenan. We may have had our differences and disagreements, and the situation was indeed tense between both of us. Yet I was always respectful in spite I did not received the same treatment. Either way, despite I understand Mr. Dunn overprotective action; I find threatening out of place considering it was not his business but Mss. Keenan’s and mine.

The second fault was defamation and slander. I may understand and appreciate his concern about Moreneth. However, from that, to call me an agent of the enemy or suggest I did something bad to the dragon is going excessively far considering he is guessing wildly providing no clue but only offense.

The third fault is harassment. He has been following me and not just that but he bragged of it. I do appreciate my personal space and my privacy so I find this highly offensive.

This take us to the forth transgression. He not only invaded my personal space by following and harassing me but also put my life and Moreneth’s in great danger by intruding and interrupting an important mission planned for weeks in order to weaken Scarlet’s forces, making it easier for the Order of the Rising Sun.

For all of this and considering he spoke on Candlekeep behalf, I beg you to take actions to correct this man’s attitude as I have never done anything to endanger Candlekeep. In fact I believe I have made a lot to help. Considering your institution represents wisdom and knowledge, I am sure you do not want your people incurring in faults misled by rumours or whatnot.

I know you are a reasonable woman and you will do what must be done. I do not want it to transcend to something bigger, which is the reason I write this letters. I will be please if Mr. Dunn, at least, leaves me alone. An apology will also speak fairly of his honour.

Sincerely yours,
Nixidea

Barely remember this one, a dragon and a Scarlett fiend that was a terror at the time, and a distant memory now. As for Nixidea, mixed blood, magi, trouble. Wasn't the best written complaint but it reminded me of what I thought then were hard days. I wasn't doing well back then, but Alexandra and the rest were dear hearts for taking me in as they did. I probably did get after her harshly for speaking ill of my friend, but it was the very least I could do in return for her kindness.

Two lessons I take away, having re-read this letter. The first being that just because someone sounds innocent, and nice, doesn't mean they come anywhere close. The second is, know your audience, or your target. What did I ken of 'honour' back then? Probably over-thinking the jab, probably wasn't even intended to be aimed at me, but the actual woman being addressed. An attempt to goad her into action that she dodged.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 14th Day of Mirtul, 1355

The Bridgefort Camp was maintained by:

No one, save the wind and rain. My camp was elsewhere.

________________________________________________________________
Stuck between these pages is another letter.

I think your bedrolls are more comfortable than mine.

Sorry to disappear before dawn—starlight’s known to do so, I suppose, when it must be somewhere else.

But thank you sincerely for the camp. I can’t say I feel all that welcome at the Anchor.

Perhaps if the Blades aren’t busy working you to the bone and you find the time, you might help me find some things over the next few moons? Hunter that you are.

* A handful of stars
* Something sharp and silver
* Cloth as black as night
* A shallow bowl to hold the sea
* What has been lost and found again

~T

Scrawled notes are recorded on the page behind it.
1. Done
2. Done
3. Done
4. Shouldn't be terribly hard.
5. What could this one be?

[YourMoveHolyMan]

The 16th Day of Mirtul, 1355

-Its a mess, and Tess is somewhere I can't reach her. Writing everything down to disseminate as needed or just to make sure I don't overlook anything again.

Two days prior on the 14th Day of Mirtul, Tess and I walked north along the Thundar's Ride in the direction of Soubar. We never went quite that far north, Fenix came by, saw us, and used magick to walk through a door or tried to. Tess said she was headed for Ulgoth's Beard to pray to Selune. We parted ways.

That night, I arrived in Ulgoth's Beard and went looking for Tess. I found her on a cliff overlooking the sea. She went between bouts of having her heard bowed in prayer, or at times upturned toward the night's sky. I did not disturb her and made camp a small distance away. I made a small fire within a circle of stones, and laid out two separate bedrolls. I watched her awhile more and fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning. The bedroll I laid out for her was rolled up. I did not wake up at her approach -getting lax. I did not hear her depart but that day, I assumed she got up and walked off with the same stealth that she arrived by. There was a letter left for me which was written by her hand, or an extremely gifted forgery though I think it unlikely. Due to the current nature of our relationship I did not think anything of her departing without waking me. I did not think to look for her trail coming or going and I went about my day as normal. For the contents of the letter see the previous entry, the letter is there between the pages.

I did not see her at all on the 15th Day of Mirtul. On the evening of this day, I wandered to the Halls of Inner Light with her letter in hand. I had spent part of the day gathering what I hoped to be suitable materials as she described, but I was unsure of the final component and sat there in thought.

Ready to turn in I got up and left by the door, once in the outer garden I used an amulet to Send to Tess, I received no response. I assumed she was asleep and thought nothing of it. I returned north to Lou's quarters, the Bridgefort camp was not entirely safe at this time considering the recent events of the day and rumor in the south.

Upon waking on the following day, today, I found a small scroll amongst my possessions which did not belong. It was sealed by a dark ribbon and a wax seal bearing no stamp. The ribbon was of a dark purple velvet. I opened it, and it was at first curiously blank, but it did not remain so.

As I watched, blank ink took the form of words as if someone were writing them even as I read them. The ink was so dark that it seemed the leach the light away as I looked at it. All this was magick outside my ken. The words were a perverse poem which read as follows;

To hold moonlight in your bloodied hand,
To parch your thirst by drinking sand:
Turn from your shadow how you might.
Westar, is your star safe tonight?

I'll write now and explain my thoughts concerning the verses, and will continue the events after. So far as the first line that much seems easily translated as, I dared to love her, she who worships Selune, and my violent past is referenced by 'bloodied hand'. The second line I still cannot wrap my head around, I don't ken what it means to parch my thirst by drinking sand, if I had to guess it may have something to do with where I last saw her at Ulgoth's Beard. But this is only a guess and even this was not readily apparent until my last conversation with Shadow. Turn from my shadow how I might - as she has known me she knows I have always struggled with letting go of my past life. Sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing terribly. She of course did not approve of my current road and it was the topic of our discussions since her return. Is the writer taunting me? Will I have to do something contradictory toward this or is it what they're hoping to provoke? Wester, is your star safe tonight, I am a Westar, Tess is my star. This line was personal and implies that have prior knowledge of me somehow. I have not always kept it as secret as I apparently should have, where I am from. I don't recall any rivals from back home that were faithful of Shar, priests, magi, or otherwise.

Out of room for ink on this page, will continue on the next with what happened after.