Preparing for Adventure and Horatio Tells Lies

Last night is still so surreal to me. Did I really see that strange man, that sand and the endless crashing waves? I must have, also I am still unsure what to think of his implication I am some sort of hybrid akin to that beast we put down in the dark depths under the temple. Scamp a far far distant relative? It is really to bizarre.
 
We made good for our preparations to head off to the south on the train to get the 250k reward offered for solving the problems of the area. We attract trouble like moths to a flame so I wonder if this will be a step to far for us. Yet we need to take the risk to ensure the ship and Will do not get "repossessed". What a hideous way to refer to a thinking and breathing young man. The ship I can sort of understand even if I do not like it. But to "own" a person is the darkest part of this wide world which troubles me. When Scamp is full grown and I can ride upon him we will make a larger impact than even this Azure assassin. I can't believe that stunt they pulled yesterday, killing lambs all to just get to those noble fops in the protected booth. I don't know, some of them may have deserved it, but burning to death, along with slaves that just had the misfortune to be in the same room? Killing a single man I can understand but the calamity of involving innocents and those with no choice. I still want to find this azure assassin but I do not know if when I do it will be friendly and talking shop.
 
Anyway, Matthew, Will and I procured more medical supplies and potions for the ship and ourselves for this trial. Marvyn and Horatio went to get us more ammunition but apparently we caused quite the shortage with our removal of the factory. I hope the runscribes make a killing and employ many runescribe apprentices. Working with your hands is a great skill people should be appreciating. I still worry about the rush I get when I am full of the power the mana grants me. I point a finger and a man dies, or is blinded. I wave my hands and half a dozen men are shredded by razor sands. I crook a finger and a man tries to shoot himself....Every time I have only killed bandits and those that deserve it, right? Does any man truly deserve to have the horror of seeing his hands turn his own gun on himself? I...I used to be so sure the answer was no. But I see them hurting these children, caring only for their own profit and. I feel it, the power, mixing with my rage giving righteous fury voice in this world.
 
We had to head early to register for this great expedition, that turned out fine except for the very end when Horatio acted very strangely and had to speak to Jessica, alone. I do not know what they spoke about, Horatio continues to only give me lies for every question I ask him about his suspicious behaviour since his untimely end and miraculous return. He returned with a bloody nose saying there was a fight and he was just caught in it. I cannot fathom why but there was some part of that which was a lie. It makes no sense, I always knew him to not be a particularly honest man back in the valley but these lies now border on pathological in their apparent need. If not I fear what he may be hiding to be so desperate for us to not even know an inkling about what it is. Little does he know I have an inkling already, given voice by that strange man. He spoke of a betrayal, I will have to continue to watch to make sure I do not miss it. Scamp is hungry, I will need to feed him soon, along with another Gem he loves, it is satisfying to be able to sate this hunger at the very least...