Ottokath's Journal #30

General Summary

The next day was heralded by the return of Hamood. It was rather amusing seeing Mavis struggle before his rebukes. A learning moment for her to be sure. With Yoshitsu now secure among his order we continued south to rid ourselves of our charge. We made good time and arrived before nightfall. There I saw the most magnificent tree and was overcome with the urge to converse with it, something I still hope to do one day. We met a great diamond dragon, one that did not mind Hamood national nature, and delivered our charge, even rewarding us for the effort. This dragon seems to covet belongings of individual value, rather than their intrinsic worth. A curious sentiment, but one I can respect.
We were invited to celebrate our success on the beach. One can hardly pass up the invitation of a dragon, so we accepted. After a brief gambit of shopping we split up, leaving Mavis and myself to enjoy lunch at the local inn. At least, it would have been pleasant if not for the infernal fiend of a roach that intends to call itself a rat of the fey. It led us on a train of questions between myself and Mavis that resulted in one grim realisation. Upon the fateful encounter aboard the Rockbreaker I had intended to end myself to avoid the worse alternative. Mavis interfered, as is their right as my companion. She then proceeded to barter my soul for passage back. That is a transgression I am less eager to forgive, due to the nature of what followed. As such, I scolded her young heart, for as much as she claims age over me, she lacks greatly in wisdom. She became very withdrawn to that and my ire made way for concern, yet she failed to share her worry and trouble. She puts far too much stock in the fiend I fear. His council is not ever of help, or so I have found. This is when I decided we had kept the dragon long enough and ought head for the beach. Mavis did clearly not share this sentiment and headed for her room instead. I followed her up quietly and listened to her writing for a while. Deciding I could truly not keep the dragon any longer, I headed out, to my current regret.
The beach was host to a number of tales told among friends, but was otherwise uneventful. That is until Hamood fell from the air, deposited by the fiend. He spoke of Mavis performing some form of ritual. Not one to was time, I turned into an eagle and flew us both back to the inn. There we found Mavis' blood and the remnants of a ritual I cannot perform. Among this shambles was a note. This angered me. For the first time since I found Mutt, alone on that mountain, I felt true anger. Mavis thought she could leave with a simple note? Return to the feywild without uttering so much as a word of goodbye? Over my dead body.
I asked the fiend first. He, of course, like usual, was of the least fraction of help. When proposing a trade, both parties have to find a currency the other is at least willing to consider paying under the correct circumstances, lest they have no choice but pay. With the fiend, I always have found myself to have a choice, yet it fails to comprehend this. I had another card I could play on this occasion. We had garnered the favour of a dragon acquainted with a powerful conjurer. And I owned a currency to pay it. And unlike my soul, this was one I was willing to part with if it meant furthering my intention. The others attempted to reason with my, but I would have none of it. I would have my intend fulfilled if it killed me. Should I fall, my duty to Art, the promise yet fulfilled, would never become otherwise, but my duty to Mavis was grander than even that. I'd apologies in the afterlife, if such a thing could come to pass.
I gave the dragon Mutt's necklace, one of only two items I possess that belonged to the giant. It was accepted and a portal was opened for my passage. I was forwarned, of course. The course I intend to take will scar me, no doubt. My intend will be fulfilled, however.
So I now write this, my future self. Should you come to read this, having lost your way, your mind afflicted by the denizens you face, know this. Find Maegelle Vissera, the daughter and sister of the former archfeys. Find your companion and converse. Say goodbye, if not for yourself, do it for me. And if you do read this, having lost the path I set, I can only wish you the best of luck. I am Ottokath Villortas, son the former archwarden of Ortellas and lord of Villoraes, friend to Mutt, Hamood, Art and Mavis, and I hope you find your path, like I have.

Report Date

17 Jul 2021