Another dark day...

(a series of scribbles and sketches proceed the writing. Some look like drawings depicting the various battles during the final days of the quest others look like what could be designs for some mechanical device. a decent drawing of Yitoshk's face is drawn a few pages prior to the writing. Most of his writing appears to be done several days after the fact as if he was contemplating how to write this.)
 
(in celestial)
 
I can't believe it happened again...
I thought I could at least help and protect Yitoshk, he was my friend and he sacrificed himself to defend us. Not that I can blame him for his decision since I would have done the same in his position. Aside from being capable of actually killing the demon, not sure if I could manage that.
 
As you know we were hired to protect some noble from Lealon who was to be wed to a noble in Nisiar, almost feel bad for him since the nobles of Nisar do love to gain power by any means. Likely will end up with Fletcher having a less than comfortable lifestyle compared to the one he likely grew up with. Then again it might just be trading one version of noble lifestyle for an equal sort, not sure how those barbaric Lealons have their nobility live but that's beside the point. At least Fletcher was nice, and so is most of my current group. Still we were hired to protect Fletcher and it would appear in retrospect that was the easier part of our job.
 
Turns out that Cybil and Yitoshk were the real targets of our wonderful killer mage friends. Their leader was worshiping that 'wonderful' deity of vengeance hoping to avenge his family from one of Cybil's witch hunts that Yitoshk was there for. He wanted vengeance on Him specifically since he refused to save the man's family from the inquisition. Can't say I can't sympathize with the man. For a while I was willing to do that sort of thing. Quite glad that my friends were able to steer me away from that now that I've seen what that can lead to. Thought that sort of stuff was seen only in the stories people told. Guess I would have preferred to continue being naive in that.
 
Yitoshk fought valiantly though, I just wish I could have done more to prevent unnecessary death. I don't like wasting blood, especially innocent blood, which is something that vile man wasn't so keen on doing. I feel as if I could have done more to save him but at least he died well. As for Cybil, well she's lost her wings I think. They were mostly just bone when I last checked. Not sure how that's going to pan out for her.
 
I left the party after that battle, wanted to get some space to collect myself. Besides, I'd much rather not be within the same building as that many nobles. The blue-bloods make great audiences when they're in a good mood but tend to get very backstabby faster than a pack of wild starved animals for my liking. Especially given they like to pin the blame for said backstabbing on the common folk, or start a war that said common folk end up paying the most for.
 
I'll just have to work harder from now on. On that note I've been thinking of some things I could do to better help the party. I learned some new spells while on the road back and after seeing Cade's creativity in his work I think I could make something useful to the party. Thinking of making some sort of launcher for my grappling hook. Not sure what that's going to look like honestly. Likely it will look somewhat similar to a crossbow with some sort of mechanism to pull on the rope or chain to allow someone to 'draw' themselves up. Could be a nice break from what just went down.
 
I'm going to send a letter to Freya in a bit though. I'm curious how she's doing these days. Hopefully she's been having a better time than I have. Here's hoping. Still would be nice to speak with her at least for a while. Hopefully Varex doesn't scare her too much. Then again she has a familiar of her own.
 
Well at least the road is always a faithful companion. Here's hoping Mushaya's watching the roads these days. I could use some good luck these days.