My mind is shattered.
I cannot express the grief that I am experiencing. Only my anger overcomes it.
Bema sends his wrath upon me, and takes people away. My people. It is difficult enough for me to find persons I can trust, who are not frightened to their death of me. And even those few, that I have managed to pick from the worthless, treacherous mass of fools in Bree, I am bound to lose them in the end. Sir Redwick is gone, the Bard-Smith as well, lady Isaura...Though the situation worsens.
Upon my arrival to Bree, after the journey to the Lone-Lands, I encountered the same arrogant brute who demanded to acquire my paralysis technique. I refused, and so he decided to bring forth an exhibition of power to me. In the end, for the sake of my survival I agreed to bring the venom to him, merely to buy some time. After he left, Waldera found me and accompanied me to my home, for a little while. At least I know she would never leave me. And nor would I for the matter.
A few days later, I came in contact with friend Gilderoy, my teacher in alchemy. He were hurt, though not mortally – he said those had been inflicted by an attack of Brigands, near Trestlebridge. He required of me to seek a pair of people, Quin Kelly, and a certain Fayana, for they were fugitives, and danger were nigh to them if ‘He’, found them first. I agreed to aid him, and set out to reach Brandywine. I would not let my mentor down, nor would I refuse him any favour. At that time I deemed him the closest thing to a father that I have ever had. I still do.
My efforts were proven to be fruitless, hence I returned to Bree with empty hands. I had required of My Dearest to watch over lady Redain and her children. Though, in truth, I wished for Redain instead to protect Waldera while I were gone, for she was learned in the manner of arms. To my surprise, I came across an empty house, and the housekeeper, lady Cutleaf, sounded fairly upset. The children had been hidden further into the basement, which I dare not approach. Small, underground places make me uncomfortable, even to this day. Though I were allowed to borrow one of her dogs, and search for Redain, who had disappeared. The broken door troubled me the most.
The night shrouded us in it’s vail, it were difficult for others to see us, or so I thought. My estimations were proven wrong, as I failed to notice a man behind a short wall at a farm in Archet Vale, clad in shining armor. He thrust a large claymore into the ground and called out to me, asking for my aid. I let the animal roam freely around the place, I would follow it later, and I approached, however I never trusted such a mercenary-looking person. Hence I kept my distances. He moaned immaturely, supposedly to have been severely bitten by a wolf to his bleeding hand. Wolves rarely bite at their prey’s hands, they would reach directly for the throat. And besides, the wound were clearly inflicted by a cutting edge, maybe a knife, such indicated the shape of the lesion. Soon he found that I would not approach him, and he turned around to leave.
The dog detected Redain’s smell, it kept paying attention to a basement door within the farm and over the stone fence. I hurried behind the short wall, hiding, whilst the man were occupied with trying to chase the creature away. I heard the familliar sound of sharpness digging into flesh, and the dog's final yelp. A cursing speech. The echo of a rotten, wooden creak. Then silence.
Ten minutes passed, and still I heard naught.
Soon I followed.
A foul scent arose into the basement, the smell of death, decay. I stood for a moment and hearkened the violent speech of the man, the trembling responses of Redain’s voice. The disgraceful being had taken the female into custidy. As though the troubles of her life were not enough. I put out the flaming lights that I could see, and ascended forth. Hither lied Redain upon a hair, bound, bruises adorned her skin wherever visible. And him... He were occupied with building a stone barricade at a gap upon one of the walls. Spider-webs hanged from the ceilling, and the stench were ever greater, though I could not be certain why.
I tried to seise him, attempting to use paralysing venom. He became aware of me and fought me off however. He dared not approach me, though he found my presence amusing. We conversed...I tried to convince him to release the woman. She is a mother to a pair of twin infants after all.
Though I caught a glimpse of a horrific sight; Heads were hanged upon the wall...I could recognise but one...
Friend Gilderoy...
What befell you...?
The man soon recognised me from my recently decapitated mentor’s description. He mocked me, and called me by my name. “Friend Favarth...”, he laughed...such only my teacher referred to me as, for he wished not to be superior than me, humbly yet in honor. My heart burnt, though I held my tears, my urge to rip him into tiny pieces of his revolting existence. In the meantime, Redain managed to undo her bounds, she attempted to flee, and she were ill of luck yet again, for he caught her, threatened to remove her life. I casted a vial that I had created - the final gift of knowledge Gilderoy had offered me worked to my favour. For the contents, within the two seperate containers of the vial, mixed, and produced a thick fog, keeping the fool from determining my position in the filthy room. It were difficult for him to see me, I knew it. Impossible even. I found a weakness to his armor, the fourth rib if I am not mistaken, and I held my venom thither...I had the means to make him suffer as much as it is humanly possible, after I had pierced him... I knew I had the upper hand in this situation, though even then, he would not surrender. Somehow Redain managed to escape his grasp, making a desperate effort in her abused state.
I saw the terror in his eyes, after he realised he had naught to threaten me with. Be began to blurt out names of his family, powerful people...Thayalegnir...Partallions, And others. He would mention a Name, however he held his tongue. It never mattered to me. I had naught to fear from him, or anyone.
I struck him.
I sliced him open...
He could not move..nor scream...his eyes told the story of begging...I could see it...
Though I never stopped...
I enjoyed it even...
He now is lacking a kidney, and hooks adorn his liver. His corpse that is. For I am certain, he must have either starved to death, or festered. Or both. Or perhaps his wounds bled out from within...Anything is possible, apart from him escaping the fate he had earned.
I took Redain to Combe, whither I tended to her as best as I might, and the following day, we treaded the path up the road to acquire her twin babies from the rented home of Ellie Cutleaf. We were however ambushed by the slavers who are after Redain. She fought vigilantly, and I did as I were instructed, to try bringing the children to safety.
I have Failed them.
I took a hit, which renderred me incapable of running further. I fought back, even then. Though there was naught I could do, other than watch until the children’s basket were out of my sight. Soon all went blank, and i can remember very little of my life from that moment until now. Redain kept me alive, I shall soon be able to leave. I have unfinished business to attend to. The last wish of my mentor. To ensure Quin Kelly and Fayanna are kept from harms way.
I hope my path shall bring me closer to retrieving the twins. I shan't forget their innocent smile.
That is all.
