Late Summer 454

I returned to Count Roland and Countess Sophia and got caught up with them. August through September was spent with them and Astra -- a bit of a social juggling act, but not something foreign to me.
 
The Countess made sure I had some dresses that matched hers.
 
In planning for the trip to Thalassa, I allocated up to 4 gp x 182 days = 728 gp. However I want to perform up to 1/3rd the time I'm there which can give Comfortable level (2 gp/day) on it its own. Therefore while I budget 728 gp, I hope to get a 61 x 2 = 122 gp back due to performing. My strategy here is less about saving money, however, and all about getting my name out there as a talented performer in Thalassa, and promote my stories and songs.
 
Just a note -- I am not in favor of Mayors of Thalassa that grant power to the Guilds. The Guilds are led by people not elected, nor bound to think of the people's best interests. I therefore support a more centralized type of rule.
 
At the end of September, we were ready to leave for the Isle of Thalassa.
 
I need to talk to Wren about staying out of the Count's direct line of sight as she is a temptation.
 
Zoey came back, bringing Foxglvoe with her. Zoey is pregnant, but it appears her time with Vin is at an end.
 
On the way to Breven, where we will take ship, I stopped in Derrien to see Rivanon. I'll drop off some letters for her for Arles there on the Isle.
 
And then of course we were hit by a massive battlefield spell, far more powerful than anything we'd seen before. El and I survived only because I had our names written in my book. It was the phantom of Tuderic Draask riding atop an elder black dragon. The battle was very brief, but it utterly destroyed our ship and the entire crew. There was a great deal of loss...
 
But the phantom was destroyed and dragon shot down. I went after it and saved it; in exchange it brought us to at least some sea rocks before it left. There we had to wait for rescue by ship.