Home at last
There was a little dust on the desk today. But we've been gone over a month, I shouldn't be surprised. Here, I expected to sit down and write down some of the highlights of our trip...but I come home to find that there was a devestating forest fire, Luc is alive and has shown up here, and Bishop Sasarai is also here. Things just got a lot more complicated.
It was a good time, though. Being away from everything I've ever known, having no obligations, no threats breathing down my neck. No one knowing my name or that I carry a Rune, no one caring. The only thing I needed to do every day was put some pants on and make sure I ate and slept. The rest was just...pleasure. I don't think I've ever really taken a trip for pleasure, not even when I walked the world alone. It was...nice.
I learned much about Sigurd while we stayed on Middleport. Not just seeing where he came from, where he grew up, but what he told me. His father, his mother. For a moment I actually regretted that I can't remember my family, because I wanted to share. All I could do was listen, and understand. I don't think he'll be bragging so openly about the Navy naming a ship after him, though - he'll tell a few people he cares about, but I doubt even half the castle will end up knowing that little fact. Moments like that really put the timeline difference into perspective.
Obel, though...I think, if I had to live anywhere in this world besides Budehuc and the northern lands, that island would be acceptable. Perhaps, in another forty years, I'll flee there instead of waiting around to see what Harmonia does when the truce expires. It was busy, but still laid-back and sort of quaint. I only hope walking through the Sindar ruins doesn't awaken any guardian lying dormant in the deeps, I don't want to be the one who ruined it for the tourists. I suppose I'll never really know if I did, though. We spent a couple days there, just being lazy, and then went across the channel to the resort island, Mordo, for hot springs and sitting on the beach. I won't openly admit to Sigurd that I was bored sitting on the beach, but the peace and quiet was worth it. And the hot springs. There were more people making use of the place than I expected, it wasn't like it probably was back in his day. At least, none of the locals batted an eye at two big swordsmen laying out with their shirts off.
At least I had plenty of time to relax, to forget my usual life. And plenty of chances to learn more about Sigurd. I think after all of that, between Middleport and the Pirate's Nest, I feel much closer to him. That I loved him was never in doubt, but there were still small things about him I didn't know, never saw. I can see now why he was made a captain of his own ship. Why he chooses to be friends with Euram Barows. If anything, the trip solidified our bond. I think I will never be alone so long as he exists. I hope.
...and he has certainly learned some new tricks in bed. Damn.
I don't think I will ever be friends with the sea, though. That first day out was torture. If I hadn't heard the sailors at the port of Vinay talking about ginger root, I probably would have had my head hung over the railing the entire way there and back. It really did the trick, though. Except for those few days on our way back when the seas were rough, no amount of ginger root could help there. God, Sigurd must have had a good laugh behind my back at how weak my constitution is on the open sea. Short journeys will be all right, but I could never live and work at sea in the long-term. Between the sea-sickness and the long days of looking out and seeing nothing but unchanging blue water, I couldn't take it. For him, though...I'll take to sea on the Grishend if he would have me along, for shorter trips. Just pack a huge bundle of ginger root first.
I should have written things down as we went, it's always been hard for me to retain every memory I want. My head is so full of them, that keeping a new one often means forgetting an old one. At least I will always remember the sun and the wind and the sails of the ship that bears his name, and the feel of the warm sand under my back and his lips on mine as we laid on the beach on Mordo. Small things are more important in the end.
Now, to a good night's sleep, and a bath and a hearty meal too. I'll turn my attentions to Luc and Sasarai and whatever problems occurred while we were gone tomorrow. If the rumors are true that the forest fire wasn't started by nature herself, well...that can't be a good sign. There are too many people here that I need to be wary of.
I wonder if news of my resignation has reached the Bishop's ear yet.
It was a good time, though. Being away from everything I've ever known, having no obligations, no threats breathing down my neck. No one knowing my name or that I carry a Rune, no one caring. The only thing I needed to do every day was put some pants on and make sure I ate and slept. The rest was just...pleasure. I don't think I've ever really taken a trip for pleasure, not even when I walked the world alone. It was...nice.
I learned much about Sigurd while we stayed on Middleport. Not just seeing where he came from, where he grew up, but what he told me. His father, his mother. For a moment I actually regretted that I can't remember my family, because I wanted to share. All I could do was listen, and understand. I don't think he'll be bragging so openly about the Navy naming a ship after him, though - he'll tell a few people he cares about, but I doubt even half the castle will end up knowing that little fact. Moments like that really put the timeline difference into perspective.
Obel, though...I think, if I had to live anywhere in this world besides Budehuc and the northern lands, that island would be acceptable. Perhaps, in another forty years, I'll flee there instead of waiting around to see what Harmonia does when the truce expires. It was busy, but still laid-back and sort of quaint. I only hope walking through the Sindar ruins doesn't awaken any guardian lying dormant in the deeps, I don't want to be the one who ruined it for the tourists. I suppose I'll never really know if I did, though. We spent a couple days there, just being lazy, and then went across the channel to the resort island, Mordo, for hot springs and sitting on the beach. I won't openly admit to Sigurd that I was bored sitting on the beach, but the peace and quiet was worth it. And the hot springs. There were more people making use of the place than I expected, it wasn't like it probably was back in his day. At least, none of the locals batted an eye at two big swordsmen laying out with their shirts off.
At least I had plenty of time to relax, to forget my usual life. And plenty of chances to learn more about Sigurd. I think after all of that, between Middleport and the Pirate's Nest, I feel much closer to him. That I loved him was never in doubt, but there were still small things about him I didn't know, never saw. I can see now why he was made a captain of his own ship. Why he chooses to be friends with Euram Barows. If anything, the trip solidified our bond. I think I will never be alone so long as he exists. I hope.
...and he has certainly learned some new tricks in bed. Damn.
I don't think I will ever be friends with the sea, though. That first day out was torture. If I hadn't heard the sailors at the port of Vinay talking about ginger root, I probably would have had my head hung over the railing the entire way there and back. It really did the trick, though. Except for those few days on our way back when the seas were rough, no amount of ginger root could help there. God, Sigurd must have had a good laugh behind my back at how weak my constitution is on the open sea. Short journeys will be all right, but I could never live and work at sea in the long-term. Between the sea-sickness and the long days of looking out and seeing nothing but unchanging blue water, I couldn't take it. For him, though...I'll take to sea on the Grishend if he would have me along, for shorter trips. Just pack a huge bundle of ginger root first.
I should have written things down as we went, it's always been hard for me to retain every memory I want. My head is so full of them, that keeping a new one often means forgetting an old one. At least I will always remember the sun and the wind and the sails of the ship that bears his name, and the feel of the warm sand under my back and his lips on mine as we laid on the beach on Mordo. Small things are more important in the end.
Now, to a good night's sleep, and a bath and a hearty meal too. I'll turn my attentions to Luc and Sasarai and whatever problems occurred while we were gone tomorrow. If the rumors are true that the forest fire wasn't started by nature herself, well...that can't be a good sign. There are too many people here that I need to be wary of.
I wonder if news of my resignation has reached the Bishop's ear yet.