The Return

Late last night, I was blessed to see the return of the Bishop and the rest of the Gauntlet whom he took with. I can't describe how wonderful it is to have them all back and to know that they're all safe!

There are a few who did not return. Sir Barmand, the man who kept watch over my door when I had locked myself in during the attacks, has taken a leave of absence. Miss Earthbreaker, an Earthen Ring ambassador, has decided to stay in Nagrand for a while. I do not blame her in the least, I hear it is very beautiful. And Commander Verrus has resigned. I'm sad to see him go, he is a very kind man and he is strong in the Light. Wherever he goes next, I pray he is graced by fortune and love, and I hope he can continue the good works that he had started here, elsewhere.

I really cannot go into detail about how joyous it is to have everyone else here. Perhaps now things get settle down to normal... well, normal for life in the plaguelands anyway.

Home Again

It has been an interesting day today. I received another dress from a good friend named Beau and Annjia told me that her beloved is recovering! I'll still continue to pray for the both of them, since I'm told he still has a long road to recovery.

The Sunwalker who calls himself Core accompanied me on the journey back to Tyr's Hand. He's a good-natured sort, and has a wonderful family. I've had the privilege of meeting his mate and child before. When we got to the western plaguelands it soon began to rain. It was perfect... I always love it when it rains in the area near Tyr's. It's like a rain of mercy on the tortured land. We both rode on through the rain and arrived home swiftly.

From there I gave him the standard tour, save for the chapel and the cathedral, since I cannot set foot in those places yet. He seemed at least a little impressed by what the Gauntlet has been tasked with protecting. He wanted to meet the Bishop... but of course he has not returned yet. I can still hear the rain against the stained glass windowpanes. This weather will certainly make washing the windows easier.

Relieved, with Gifts

My previous entry was made in haste. Everything's worked out in that regard, and Miss Springbolt and I have buried the hatchet on the subject. I really should be getting back to Tyr's Hand soon. Something tells me that the abbey's gotten all muddy and dusty with all that foot traffic from the group that's taken to using it as a meeting place.

Over the past week, I've received several gifts. Most of them were dresses. I always feel so strange about getting gifts nowadays... I keep thinking to myself that the money could have been better spent elsewhere. I've a few good robes that I keep well mended. I don't need them, but eventually I'm coaxed into accepting them. I suppose it's nice to have something fancy to wear in case of some event like that dinner party. Don't worry, I thanked everyone profusely!

But perhaps the best gift I've received are my friends. Each and every one I care for, and in turn they care for me. I've had several volunteer themselves to aid me whenever I would need their help, just as I would do the same for them. It's funny... how people that I was raised to fear are suddenly some of the closest friends I have. For each and every one of them I say a prayer in the morning and at night. Even in my... darker moments when I feel down, they cheer me up. There was a time when I thought I was incapable of making friends...  I'm glad that time is passed.

I am truly blessed.

Horrible Mistake

A friend of mine came to me late this evening, and said that she had learned a few new spells. They affected the mind, she told me. At first, I told her to be careful with such powers. She then said that she was working with the Forsaken, helping resurrect more people into the Queens ranks. This... frightened me. That she said such a thing so casually. She also said that she was learning her mind magic from them. That didn't help at all.

I left, and I pushed her away when she tried to apologize for offending me, when she didn't know. I was stubborn and I didn't let her. She left, and after realizing my mistake I sent her a letter. The letter I received chilled me. "I've been working with the Forsaken for some time now. I'm learning shadow magic from them now. I'm sorry."

Did my fear drive her to make that decision? Is my stubbornness to blame? I feel horrible. I wish I could explain how I feel about the subject of Shadow and the controlling of someone's mind on these pages... but I can't sort it out in my head to even begin. I'm so sorry, Krixxi. I didn't mean to thrust you from the Light.

Disappointed

As it turns out, the party was cancelled. All I was told was that 'something had happened'. I do hope everyone's alright. At first I was a little miffed, but I cannot fault them for cancelling the event when something unfortunate might have happened. I sent a letter with my well wishes for them. Though I suddenly understand the phrase "all dressed up and nowhere to go" now.

I was also asked to pray for someone very dear to my friend  sister, Annjia. She calls him her beloved, and she speaks very highly of him on the occasions she actually talks about him. I'll pray until my knees lock up and I cannot stand from kneeling. If he makes her happy, then it's the least I can do to perform this request. 

Invitation

A day ago I received a dinner invitation. I'll be honest, I don't know what will happen at the event. For the most part I was concerned about offending the host of the party by not being able to partake of the food offered... I mean that's what a dinner party is about, right? I've heard of nobles hosting such parties, and they'd be the talk of the town the day after.

Which then brought me to what I should wear. I don't have much for money, and what little clothing I own is patched and threadbare. I don't want to wear the formal vestments that the Bishop gave me... that would probably be overdressing and I would hate to get them stained by something. The answer to this dilemma was delivered by mail. Annjia sent me three different dresses! They look awfully expensive too, I will have to thank her when I see her next. They all seem to be of Gilnean make, and I've chosen to wear a burgundy red one. I showed it off to a few friends and they said it looked good. Well, I still have to hem the length and the waist a fair bit for it to fit me properly.

Showing off new dresses... it seems so odd!

I'm still having second thoughts about going to this party... but I did make a promise to the host that I would be more social. And I really don't want to go back on my word. Plus, Annjia did go and send me those dresses too. I don't want to let her down either. I'll do my best to enjoy myself.

Weight off my Mind

Annjia has returned! I was outside gathering kindling for the braziers on either side of the abbey's door when she arrived in Tyr's Hand. We only talked for a little while... I told her all about my Midsummer experiences this year. I'm worried though, even now that she has returned. She was shivering. But her journey seemed to be eventful, and I offered to be there for her. She's been a shoulder I've leaned upon many times and it is definitely about time I started repaying that.

I was feeling a little worn out from sweeping the abbey floor, but when Annjia came back I was reinvigorated to continue working. I even managed to wash the windows on the first floor before night fell. With the majority of the chores done, I'll be looking into speaking with the library's ghostly inhabitant soon. They haven't moved anything today, but I'll double check before I sleep  try to meditate for the evening.

Little Nunuru, my cat, seems to be chasing a mouse around the abbey right now... I better take care of that before they knock down candle holders!