Yesterday I finished my interview with Seaver, I watched this man nearly break down from the guilt he carries because he could not protect the woman he cared for and whatever other baggage that seemed to weigh him down. The girl Cirywen is never far from my mind, I want to catch the person who killed her so callously. Seaver was a likely suspect at first, their relationship was known to be tumultuous and the man, I’m told, likes his drink and is a hired sword. His alibi is currently being checked on, he claimed to have been at the Forsaken Inn around the time she was murdered. He spoke quite openly about her associates and the trouble she was in, the same he said he tried to protect her from but she refused to listen.
Eordion earlier had told me about Berrywine’s threats and Seaver confirmed and told me about an even more suspicious Vandalan who had hired Cirywen to spy on his rival. Seaver told me that the one eyed man was cruel and had a vicious streak, that he tried to drown the girl as a warning of what would happen if she left his services without his permission. She did anyway and perhaps that was her doom. Seaver gave me some names of women that know Vandalan as I’ve never met the man nor do I know what he looks like. Some of their names are vaguely familiar but as a Watcher I don’t often wallow around brothels or even in the Pony for very long. I need someone who can sniff these people out, that they would not immediately suspect working for the authorities.
As I wrote, my mind played the images of this girl’s last moments and since I never met her, I don't know quite what she looked like other than a vague description. I’ve been told Cirywen was pretty with dark hair and big blue eyes, petite build and quite young. It was all too easy for me to see in my mind’s eye a chestnut haired lass with green eyes lying in a pool of blood. My sister Piperel was not long ago threatened by a masked man with a knife in her own apartment, demanding information. What if he had killed her rather than leave? Would I look like Seaver, ten years older than my age with dark circles under my eyes, a trembling hand grasping a flask? I do not wish to think about it. It’s bad enough I worry about what might have happened had Hutwig not been able to keep the raiders from the farmhouse that held Corrinne and our grandmother.
The farm is not something I like to dwell on, I should have been leading the defense against the raid on Fenflower land. The anger and desire for vengeance is strong and I must keep my head. I cannot let the desire for revenge rule my thoughts, I am not Billium. After Milly’s death, he was lost and he’s now found a purpose in life. He proclaims it for the good of Bree, but I know the man as a brother and my instincts tell me he is desiring nothing more than a fight, perhaps to his death but at least his self destruction is being put to good use. His Defense militia helped defend the farm but they were not ready, they broke under the onslaught of the raiders. Fifteen died defending my family’s land and I remember their names on a wooden plank I’m having made that will be attached to our rebuilt barn. I could never repay their families for their sacrifice and for those that ran, they’ve not yet showed their faces back in town. He told me he is going to rebuild it, with men that are have more spine to fight. The Blackwolds. I have my trepidation about this and expressed it, he's assured me he will keep them under control. He had better.
My parents are still gone, there is nothing but ominous news from the Northdowns of invading orcs. Stoneheight is rumored to be overrun and the farms are making their stands. My brother, Hollace’s farm perhaps among them. Another place I should be, perhaps rather than here. But it is the uniform of a Watchman of Bree that I wear and that is where I shall stay. The guilt gnaws at me though and I could see some of it reflected in the lines of worry and exhaustion on Mr. Seaver’s face as he left after the second interview.
The shadows seem to spread before me and all the work ahead seems very dark and difficult but there is a light. A golden beauty with sparkling beryl eyes and a smile that promises more than I can dare let myself dream. Ellany came into my life without me even realizing it, as dense as I can be at times. She came first to the jail, to check on a friend’s case and I spoke with her, jesting with Mandic as we often do together. She seemed amused and I thought she was pretty and that was it. It was not until Bill’s near death that I saw her again and had the first inkling of the inner strength this young woman has. Without having to be asked twice, she aided the healer, Sageroot, though the work was bloody and Bill was roaring and cursing as the bolts were taken out of him. After the raid on my farm she asked if there was anything she could do, she wanted to help and provided blankets and bandages. She opened her home to those wounded that did not have anyone to care for them and never asked for compensation or gratitude though I was willing to give both as much as I could.
We have slowly got to know one another, we take walks and speak when I have the time to spare. When I am not with her, she is never far from my thoughts. There is still so much I want to ask her and to tell her, I am worried though as she seems concerned with my past and my intentions. Rumors never seem to stay dead and I wonder what she has heard exactly. It took some doing to get her to admit she was apprehensive about me not being serious and wanting just one with her. I can’t blame her because the patterns speak for themselves but she makes me wait and to my surprise I find I don’t mind at all. She’s a woman that knows her worth and I see it as well. I’m not so dumb all the time, Ellany is someone I think of more than just for her beauty or warmth. I found her a job at the Town Hall as an assistant notary, she is smart and observant, she will be an asset not just to the Town but perhaps as my eyes and ears. Also, I wish to protect her and what is safer than the Town Hall surrounded by guards?
Speaking of which, I’ve come to the conclusion I need to find a friend in low places that can fit in with the dirt and underbelly of Bree and I think I might have found the man. I won’t mention his name even in these pages for his own protection but I’ve promised to try and get him justice for an assault upon him and his friend and he’s given me information I need and a promise to dig up some more. If it works, I am more than willing to pay in coin and favors for an informant that can aid in solving cases in which being a Watcher is more of a liability than a help.
There has been so many things happening since I last wrote, I’ve certainly left some out but I’ll close this entry with the news that Rhyva has stepped down as Captain of the Watch. She leaves a hole that even Brigwald’s broad shoulders will struggle to fill. I mourn her leaving, even if she still is in town and I am able to come to her, she said. I’ve yet to speak to Stoneballs but I dread what he might do to me as he already sent Fourth Watcher Mandic to be Chief Watcher of Staddle. If it was not for Rhyva’s belief in me and her giving me a second chance after Brigwald gave me a demotion, I don’t know if I would be where I am now, Third Watcher and someone not nearly as angry at the world. I found my purpose and her asking me to try to be a better Watcher was something that stuck with me. I didn’t want to let her down and I’ve noticed the changes, which are not always easy, such as learning when to shut my big mouth. She came to see me and give back the keys, she already looks healthier without the stress of command weighing on her. Rhyva tried to kiss my cheek, we shared an attraction that was never spoken of or acted up on around the Jail or other Watchers. I had to pull away, Ellany was there speaking with Bill and I had made a promise not to kiss other women while I courted her. I think I would have done the same had she not been but ten feet away. As much as I respect Rhyva and have always admired her, we had our time and it didn’t work. Perhaps it was not meant to or the timing was wrong but I’ve found my attention completely taken by Ellany. I watched my former captain leave and I wonder if it would be for the last time, after that. I hope not, she’s someone I value more as a friend and associate than anything else.
I’ve filled three pages trying to catch up, I’ll certainly try to keep tabs on a more regular basis. Funny as I have more things to write about, I also have less time to do so.
