On the road again

Well here we are on the road again, our visit to Stormont was by no means uneventful. Duke Arthur has been appointed as Lord Protector by the Queen and Martin but we the company have managed to form a political alliance with the Lord Chancellor without it seeming like we have. Hopefully things can stay stable enough for just a little while longer whilst we gather the remaining artifacts.
 
I must say that young Martin has surprised me yet again, this time in a good way mind. Since we last spoke he seems to have really reflected on himself, recognised some of his flaws and negative personality traits and then strived to correct them. Throughout our negotiations in Stormont, Martin frequently asked for mine and Takuma's input and listened to what we had to say. It is highly commendable. I know first hand that it is one thing to know what is wrong with you and an entirely different thing to then have the willpower and determination to correct it yourself. I certainly wasn't able to, I needed nothing but help and to a certain extent I still do. It would seem that that goodhearted and well meaning nature of Martin's is the foundation for his character, a cornerstone that will not be so easily supplanted.
 
Speaking of correcting ones failings, my thoughts turn to Shannon. Did we do the right thing in divorcing? Did I do the right thing in letting her go? To be honest I was damned if I did and damned if I didn't divorce her. To have turned her youth into nought but misery then abandon her to go on a quest only to summon her to the capital to say "I'm better now but I'm still going to be off travelling and will probably be killed along the way but you just go off home and get supper ready." The alternative being, "I'm better now but I'm still going to be off travelling and will probably be killed along the way so we might as well pack it in now, thanks for coming, see you later." Truly I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. The only consolation is that she proposed the divorce first. This will all just have to go down as one of the more bizarre chapters in my life. Why did I agree to get married? Come to think of it, I don't remember if I actually agreed to it or if in her youthful exuberance she forced it upon me. Still, I wish her well, may good fortune and happiness smile upon her now she's finally rid of me. I am so sorry Shannon.
 
But we cannot dwell on the past forever and our current path leads us to Raman, a land I've only visited once when I joined Edward on his pilgrimage more than twenty years ago. Simpler times, happier times... so much for not dwelling on the past.