Unto Shadow #18 - A Request

After a disturbing revelation regarding that object in the castle library, I suggested to my beloved that we ask for an audience with the Lord for his counsel as soon as possible. That is so that we may leave as soon as possible. I was rather upset when I realized what that artifact could be doing. That is, that it ultimately could be what creates all of these shadow-servants and does so in terrifying manner.

Another very good reason not to bring a mortal to this realm. However curious one like Westlynn may be.

D.A. accepted the explanation, and we decided to stay away from the library. Kaelyn, ever the gracious hostess, agreed to carry our request for counsel to her Lord.

Unto Shadow #17 - Mystery Woman

One interesting mystery did emerge from the ill-fated tour with Kaelyn. The Lord keeps an exquisite suit of women’s armor in one of his halls. I admired it, having not seen such a set with that eminence of craftsmanship and elegance. When I asked her if it belonged to another relation, Kaelyn appeared sad and answered that it had.

Yet she would not utter the owner's name due to the Lord’s wishes. So the circumstances of the armored woman’s passing are unknown. But that has not prevented me from pondering on it.

And no, I am not planning to steal the armor. That would be rude.

Unto Shadow #16 - Unwelcome Reminder

When Kaelyn embarked on a tour of the castle with my beloved and me, one of the places that she showed was the library. Obviously this intrigued D.A. mightily, until we actually saw it.

It did have the old books, tomes and scrolls that were expected, but in the center stood an artifact too familiar. For a very terrible reason. It was similar, though not identical to something that I saw in the Web when searching for my beloved.

After first diving into the books (not literally), D.A. saw the artifact and went ghastly pale. We were forced to retreat to our room and rest soon after. I do not know why the Lord would keep such a thing here.

Unto Shadow #15 - Far Away

Through the shadow I have kept contact with the living world periodically, primarily with Nemeiah and Westlynn. And Mirtai and Nathan, of course, who were notified of our arrival. Conversing with them has been most helpful in maintaining my spirits and noting the passage of time.

Both Westlynn and Nemeiah prepare to depart for the new lands. Nem has not received word from the Bishop for some time and believes that he may be found there. She worries for him, but also wishes to continue with her studies in order to be ordained. I asked her to contact me when she arrived at a conclusion to her journey, whenever she does.

Westlynn I worry for less because she hopes to travel with a group. I presume that they have guards. She voices many questions regarding this realm and my activities in it, the hosts and my accommodations. It is not just on these topics though; our conversations range as widely as they ever have. Her younger sister, Yuliia, happened upon us in Silvermoon and I was able to greet her as well.

Unto Shadow #14 - Shadowcaster

This was the gift my beloved gave me yesterday, when noting the day. There was no discussion or emotional displays this time. Only quiet and enjoyment of each other’s company before being interrupted for the day's activities with the others.

The silvery disc is affixed to my cloak and should augment the mask in its powers. I was horribly tempted to test it on our hosts, but my beloved advised against it despite the potential amusement. 

I asked both Nemeiah and Westlynn to think of me on the day, although I was not explicit on the reason with Westlynn. The day did not seem as terrible to me, so perhaps they did help from afar.

Unto Shadow #13 - Birthday

"There is just one part of all of this that I do not understand. I know why I was made. By whom, when, where, and how. But I do not know what I did that was so terrible that I deserved to be made thus."

Since uttering those words I have elected to not know. The day is marked, regardless. May it pass without memories.

Unto Shadow #12 - Gifts

My beloved and I brought gifts to our host and hostesses out of gratitude for their hospitality. They were selected with a mind for individual personalities (or in Sophia’s case, a shortage thereof). I was the one who managed the presentations.

Sophia was easy to please because she seems to be satisfied with anything shiny. Kaelyn received something pretty, or at least I think it is, but am biased because it was one of my better rose hybrids. And to Victora I gave something ostentatious. I had no use for that gaudy crystal chalice. She hinted that she did not either, in her ambivalent response.

For the Lord it was difficult to envision what to give a man already in possession of wealth and power. Except something with more power. An undamaged relic found during one of my most fruitful ventures. But I confess additional motives in the desire to remove that object from my treasury, and my calculation that anything to please and strengthen an ally in this realm is not wasted.

He expressed his surprise that I had not kept it for myself. Of the ladies, I believe Kaelyn was the most grateful despite her gift's simplicity. I expect that Victora has already shattered her own gift against a wall somewhere.

It really is impossible to satisfy everyone, I suppose.