Thoughts from the Otherworld

It has been a busy and incredible day again. I do not remember the last time we've had this much excitement in our lives.

Throughout the morning and day I and Kii Kalira participated in the festivities again, and agreed to help with an event called the Wake of the Lilies. I dimly recall hearing something about this previously, yet the exact particulars of the matter elude me. It is apparently a wake held yearly to appease the souls of dead witches, with progressions in every nation.

Aside from the Wake, we walked about the city in costume and enjoyed the festivities. As much as it pains me to admit, the festivities in San d'Oria have not been this much fun since I was a child. There is something about the atmosphere in Windurst that makes everything seem that much more lighthearted, and the people more willing to let go of everyday matters to concentrate on having a good time.

Later in the day, I and Kii Kalira attempted to leave for Giddeus again. But who do we meet if not the very Moogle we met yesterday, still worrying about Pyracmon. I had good reason to worry about the authenticity of his defeat yesterday. It seems that he might be immortal, or close to it. Nevertheless, this should not stop us from doing everything we can to stop him, whatever his purpose in infiltrating Windurst would be. We aided in his defeat once again. It seems though that after yesterday, not quite as many adventurers are willing to help. There were only two Tarutaru dragoons with us. Despite this, our victory was ensured. I am starting to think that his strategy depends on overwhelming our defences not with strength, but with resilience.

For defeating Pyracmon this time - what can the cityguard be thinking, not helping during these times? - I and Kii Kalira received several enchanted items. The enchantment is a spell of Teleport, with the destination point set at Bastok. The mere concept of such items fascinates me. They are certainly cannot be very widely available, for I have merely heard of them before, but never seen one with a Teleport enchantment. Granted, I do have a ring with a San d'Orian Warp enchantment, for those emergencies should I ever be needed at home.

Our venture to Giddeus forgotten, we decided to see what festivities Bastok has to offer us. The decision was certainly sudden, although understandable considering the freedom and convenience of travel these items have temporarily brought us.

I am currently writing this in Bastok. I hope the good people of Windurst can wait a little while to have their requests fulfilled. We have rented rooms here and plan to stay for a little while.

It is the first day of the Harvest Festival.

Earlier today, Kii Kalira and I were on our way to Giddues to complete some requests from the cityfolk. Just outside Odin's Gate we came upon a frantic Moogle. While this itself has not been an infrequent sight lately, it was only polite to listen to his woes.

Turns out that the rumors that have been circulating in Windurst lately were based on truth, and the monster was actually the exorcist Pyracmon, come back to life due to an evil relic he had in his possession. Controlled by the evil of the relic, he had become a fearsome monster, a rather big flying eyeball. Naturally, we agreed to help the poor Moogles. We joined the many other adventurers helping vanquish this evil, and after a fierce but short battle we emerged victorious.

Words cannot quite convey how amazed I am by this turn of events. To have those rumors to actually have been true... this certainly is the most exciting Harvest Festival I remember having, and I am truly glad that I came to Windurst again. However, it worries me how easy it was to dispose of the threat, in the end. Could this truly have been a mighty exorcist in his previous life?

Despite the festivities, something seems to be bothering Kii Kalira. I am reasonably certain by now that my misconduct has been forgiven, but something is most certainly weighing on her mind. I wish I could help.

We never did get as far as Giddeus. Will have to attempt again tomorrow.

I am in Windurst now. Even at this time of the year, the city manages to surprise with its lush surroundings - so different from San d'Oria - and its people small in stature, but with warm hearts. Talk to any of the Tarutaru around, you'll feel welcomed. Some of the Mithra might be another matter. One Mithra in particular confounds me. I...haven't really talked to her much since my arrival. Maybe she forgives me, maybe she does not. I must confess, I feel like I could never figure her out.

The Harvest Festival is approaching. When I am not outside the city practicing my skills, I am among the merchants, admiring their wares. The cooking guild in Windurst seems particularly enthusiastic about the upcoming feast, and delivers one heavenly sweet after another to the merchants. I am looking forward to spending the Harvest Festival here, I am certain I'll stay in the area at least for that long.

Lately, I've been hearing rumors among the city folk, about some strange monster or other. Maybe it is merely the upcoming festival, but it would certainly turn out to be very interesting if true.

I decided to realize my plan of contacting Kii Kalira by going to visit her in Windurst. In fact, I have already been on the way for some time. I write this in Mhaura, having just reached the village and taken rooms at Sailor's Stay.

I took the same route as previously, a ferry from Selbina to Mhaura and walking the other parts of the journey. However, this plan took a rather more dramatic turn than previously. Around the half-way mark of the ferry route, a band of undead pirates attacked us. I was astounded. There have been some rumors recently that all is not well at the seas, but to have the undead sail the seas and attack the very vessel I traveled on! It was quite a shocking experience. I thank Altana that there were other passengers, adventurers more battle-hardened than I am. After a gruesome battle, they disposed of the undead ship's crew, consisting mostly of skeletons. I fear I wasn't of much help. This was too far beyond my ken.

I will reach Windurst soon. I will have to deliver my apologies to Kii Kalira, for abandoning her so suddenly - right after she had been sick, too! The more I think of it, the more I fear no apologies will be enough.

It has been some time since I last wrote, several months. The new helper at Richille's Wares quite suddenly quit, just at a time when mother fell ill. Rather than heartlessly leave my family in need, I decided to do what I could, and help them out. The decision wasn't hard, but in all the hurry, I neglected to keep in touch properly with Kii Kalira. I have no idea how I managed to keep her away from my mind for all that time. One day, then, I found a note, saying she had gone back to Windurst and to contact her again some day. I was sad to see her go. While we do have our differences, I had gotten used to her presence, and after her sickness, she shouldn't travel around too much. I hope she made it to Windurst safely.

All is well now at home again. Mother feels a lot better, although I worry for her health now. The doctor said the sickness frequently revisits a person it has once found. As a result of these two sicknesses, I have put some more effort into my studies of white magic in this period. I feel a little more confident in being able to take what ever adventures throw in my way.

But now, I am eager to take up the road again. Like the note says, I should contact Kii Kalira again, now that the troubles at home are over. I am trying to come up with the best way of doing that...maybe I'll journey to Windurst again, to apologize to her in person. I cannot help but feel that a mere letter would not be enough.

I seem to recall that Mr. Balasiel had something for me to do. The way he asked it, I suppose he was in no hurry. I am starting to think it a passing fancy of his, to send people to prove themselves. A good enough motivation, I suppose, but it does not make the task urgent. I hope he will wait patiently, should he even remember the incident anymore.

She was...in Bastok. How did she manage to end up in Bastok? She says she has no idea, but...

I received a quite bewildering letter from Endahren not too long ago. It started out normally, but ended up sounding a little too amused. He notified me that Kii Kalira had arrived at his doorstep, and that I should come get her. It was...a relief. To know that she was alright.

I made my way to Bastok as soon as I could. She notified me that she had been sick - so that is why I did not see her in San d'Oria - and that she did not know how she ended in Bastok. She thinks she might have sleep-walked. How can you..?

In any case, I am glad to know that she is unharmed. We are back in San d'Oria now.

Our way back was magnificent, made no less so by the relief of finally knowing no harm has come to her. We made certain to explore La Theine Plateau more thoroughly than before, and wondered at the ancient mystery of the Crag of Holla again, as well as the natural beauty of the place.

The old man Balasiel who asked for revival tree root has now asked me to visit Ordelle's Caves and bring back proof of my visit. This might not be easy. But somehow, I am looking forward to it.

It has been too long, with no word from her. Could something really have happened?

To take my mind away from the issue for a while, I approached the Royal Knight on duty at Westgate and asked for a mission. What he told me was quite surprising. Apparently not too long ago, orcs kidnapped some children. They have been getting quite active recently, despite the best efforts of our military. This makes me quite worried. Prince Trion was out with the Royal Knights, and this is out of the jurisdiction of the Temple Knights. What a terrible situation. I was sent to the Cathedral to inquire what Tedimout, one of the children reported missing, looks like.

Father Arnau was quite pleased that something was being done about it, but before too long I received quite a shock. Prince Pieuje and Papsque Shamonde entered, their intention to ask about just the same thing! Thus I ended up receiving a mission from the Prince himself. He seemed quite concerned over the matter, and informed me that they suspected the children had been taken to Ghelsba Outpost.

With a matter with this level of royal interest behind it, I wasted no time in setting out. Ghelsba Outpost is orc territory, and that was clear from the moment I started approaching the outpost. As my travels had not yet taken me north-west of the city, I didn't have a clear picture of how close their influence reaches. Why, their flags stand almost to the gates of the city itself! This, more than anything, convinced me that the Royal Knights need all the help they can get.

The Ghelsba area seemed barren. It is as if even the trees cannot survive where so many orcs dwell. Thankfully I did not need to wander in too deep, as when investigating a hut close to the entrance, I was interrupted by three orcs, one of whom identified himself as Fodderchief Vokdek. They naturally attacked me, but I was victorious, and freed the three prisoners.

I was intending to investigate another hut nearby when Prince Trion arrived with two Royal Knights. I was caught off-guard. Not do I meet only one, but both the princes in a single day...this quite amazes me. He apologized to me for Pieuje, who he said should have come himself. Maybe he was just being courteous, but that could also be a sign that the rumors are true and the princes do not get along well... Nevertheless, we entered the hut and discovered Tedimout, the missing friar in training from the Cathedral. I was quite relieved, that made all the missing people I knew about. Prince Trion thanked me and went on his way to the city. As the presence of royalty was making me (admittedly) somewhat nervous, I was thankful for that.

Even though night was already arriving, I took it upon myself to dispose of orcs and dangerous monsters on the way back to the city. Altana must have smiled upon me today, for I encountered a wolf and obtained revival tree root for the old man. I must give it to him in the morrow, after visiting the Cathedral and the gate house it was already too late to do that.

It has been an eventful day, and it almost made me forget I still haven't heard from her. No word. At least the children are safe.

Visited home today. Triene was doing admirably well with Richille's Wares. His years of being trained as the successor to the store have really been worth it. Mother was as always - worried. My short visit to them made me notice how much I value my freedom.

As I was making my way up to the city's walls, I came upon an old man called Balasiel. He inquired about my sword and asked if I could trust it and my skills. While I know that there are monsters out there beyond my skill, I do trust myself enough to know when to fight and when not to. He then proceeded to ask me to bring him some revival tree root, which are known to be in favor of monsters of the night. While I could not understand his attitude nor his desire for revival tree root, I could not turn him down either. I am now wondering how to acquire some.

...I have not seen Kii Kalira since the day we arrived. Has something happened to her?

Finally back in San d'Oria! It certainly was an experience, bringing Kii Kalira here. Quite unexpectedly we were ambushed by what seemed like a horde of orcs on the way at La Theine Plateau, half-way between Ronfaure and the Crag of Holla. We did manage to survive this encounter, albeit only barely. Indeed, if it had not been for a fellow traveler Leghard, a hume from Bastok on his way to San d'Oria, we would not have made it.

I still do not know where the orcs were hiding at. I was quite certain there were no more than one or two orcs in the near vicinity...

While it is a good feeling to see the familiar walls of San d'Oria again, I worry over Kii Kalira. She does not seem all that comfortable, although it isn't quite as noticeable as was the case with Bastok.

I must remember to visit Mother and Triene soon.

Co-existence with Kii Kalira is not without its troubles. Nevertheless, she is quite..charming.

We have now left Windurst. She surprised me by asking to come along when I told her I'd be going to visit Endahren in Bastok. While worried for her safety, I couldn't exactly refuse. Thankfully the journey was rather uneventful.

People seem to rely much on adventurers these days. When we visited the Goldsmithing Guild in Mhaura, the Guild leader Fyi Chalmwoh stopped us and asked us to help. She wants to build...mannequins. I do not quite understand her enthusiasm, but nevertheless, we agreed to ask around. The weaver's wife in Selbina seemed to know something, but she was quite adamant she wouldn't help, and just sent us on our way with an old mannequin catalog. She seems to have something against them. We'll continue searching.

Kii Kalira doesn't seem to like Bastok too much. She has this strange expression on her face at times. Maybe we should leave soon.

Endahren seems to be doing rather well. He was busy with work, though, and we haven't had much time to catch up, so I've been exploring Bastok by myself and with Kii Kalira. It's quite different to be here when you can freely choose where to go. Father did always have the strictest time tables.

I've joined the local Goldsmithing Guild, although they tell me elvaan do not make too good goldsmiths. I think I would like to try, though, and the gil made off of it will certainly be needed. For now, I am just learning the basics of it. It seems to be rather more complicated than I thought, I have had my share of failures. I think that is to be expected, though.