S30

In Maford, invited Friend Ashton and Friend Mara to trainings with Sir Nicolas Shale. Warned as to Sir Nicolas having penchant oft decorating tree trunks with the teeth oft those who do not mind their manners. Same ast he wilt shatter bones when roused to ire and hast constitution oft draft horse. Able to drink three orcs under table or lash plow to own shoulders and draw through ground most dry and filled with stone.
 
Friend Ashton took warning well and permitted a followup question. That to be how one attracts attentions oft fairer folk.
 
He responded to request oft clarifications. Girls. And so.. ahn.. didst tell him so. Yes. Girls.
 
To which Ashton admitted he did not know, and asked on ift had spake to girls. This question one such ast I evaded and stead led to Friend Mara to invite one such ast her to attend trainings. Trainings she agreed to without need for persuasion.
 
Wast most dreamlike oft encounter. To introduce Friend Ashton and Friend Mara to Sir Nicolas. Spent near to three hours in training and swordplay afore one such ast he had need to attend to other business. He ist man from other place. Like Lady Luisa, but not so fell a creature ast Lady Luisa. Came from place elsewheres to the Emerald Vale. Wast able to cleave through trees, left some time ago, wast surprised to find so dressed near to beggar but declined to accept payment in way oft clothes for trainings. Most proud man. Seeking purpose or way home, intends to head north west of Hotlake. Said wast gathering there, but gathering oft what cannot be sure.
 
On return to breakfast asked oft Friend Harper ift wilt be picking out a wedding band. Pointed out hast brought ruin upon the house oft Taybot and ast such house Taybot wast ripe for conquest by the Bowens. Friend Harper explained he had eyes for the lady Luisa Taybot and merely wished Lady Janie to not be alone. So in kind one such ast I laid out explanation that only hope for Lady Janie to live ast Lady moving forth wouldst be for Bowen man to make her a lady Bowen. Elsewise she is to be songbird in gilded cage in house oft Bowen. Most likely never to leave again. Explained lady Sonata wouldst surely to agree to such arraignments in securing southern lands ift friend Harper were to suggest such a union. Friend Harper wast most quiet after such. Made claim wast bad person, corrected he not bad, merely wast devious. Explained wast in truth fault oft Lady Janie to be caged so. She played the game. She lost. Comforted mine friend that it matters not ift such wast Friend Harper's intention or not ast many things happen outside oft our control. It stead comes down to what we do with what we have. Friend Harper now hast opportunity to preserve Taybot history, allow one such ast to her to take lover oft her choice, make self most important, and change Hotlake to direction oft his own designs. Ist his choice whether to do so, or not to.
 
Friend Velvet hadst hopes to stay in town a few days longer ast met someone who wouldst be making the journey too. A student oft academy named Danni. She stood near to five foot three wearing robe same ast Friend ArlanVal but with green trim, green trim meanings works in illusion magicks? Which ist good ast will allow time for Friend Velvet's chosen kin wilt then haft time to make journey.
 
On the morning oft 15th made journey to the south. Gave pause in Maford and on passing path to the emerald Vale. Missings oft home and those I know. Oft the winding paths and great woods. Wagon stopped only a time afore setting south once more. Couldst tempt mine heart only so long by looking down the trade road until such feels pang oft pain in heart. Shouldst not tempt self so.
 
With home at mine back once more we made passage south towards Telton. Something caught Friend Velvet's eye on passage. A poorly drawn wanted poster oft Friend Ashton. Brought much mirth to Friend Mara on reading ast picture drawn most unflattering. Friend Ashton seems ist wanted maimed but alive, for theft oft dowry and abandonment oft marital duties. Reward oft 100 gold pieces. This raised great many questions! Such that needed answerings. From there Friend Harper dressed Friend Ashton ast orc named Roc and stopped by the home oft his would haft been fiance. The Thornfields. Head oft cattle wast dowery paid unto the Anchors seems. Head oft cattle yet not repaid.
 
During night in Telton felt an enforced coldness. Shut the window to room and made to lay down. Mine skin reacting to the moonlight. The blue dancing with much energy. Considered tossing demons into bed oft friend Harper, but rolled over and chose to gain sleep as best could. Seems Friend Mara and Friend Velvet too had troubles in Telton. Mayhaps worth lookings into on return trip?
 
Didst see Anchors house. Made appearance that many hadst come hunting for friend Ashton, and were told shouldst send on home. Journey on south to city wast without troubles. Friend Ashton came to mind to look after Miss Elara, wast told to send her home. Was told Miss Elara wast searching for friend Ashton in Shimmerlake.
 
Anchors homestead ist like a miniature village, his home being the tallest house near the middle. Surroundings were other houses, barns, huts all with adjacent fields and livestock. Seems there art those who rely upon his family for their livlihoods? With many who wait for his return and marriage to secure their futures?
 
Such ist no longer case oft farmer wishings for love to find marriage, stead ist man abandoning those who rely on him for own desires. Most selfish and dishonorable a deed leaves mine tongue dry and brow furrowed.