I awoke from my sleep to find my beloved had departed our home it seems before the first rays of the morning sun. Strange for i usually was a light sleeper, but toll of the last weeks fighting, almost relentlessly at the Lycaneum must be beginning to have an effect. After several days i had found my muscles were beginning to feel the strain for the first time in a long long time. My meditation periods were being replaced by long periods asleep, something i had begun to value as being curled up with my beloved as we slept brought a calming effect over my mind. But now was not the time to dwell upon such minor matters for there seemed no end to the darkness spilling from the depths of the Lycaneum.

I sat eating the breakfast of dried fruits and goats milk that my beloved had kindly left me. Her kindness in often thinking of others over herself always brought a smile to my face. This was a side most did not see, for she often cloaks herself in a cold, distant nature. Looking out over the balcony towards the City i saw the first signs of the City awakening for the day, and my mind drifted over what had transpirred the last few days.

I had encountered Erasmus again, he was still seeking an audience with the Court, it seems Fate is keeping the man from meeting my fellow Courtiers. But he seems most patient.

I spoke to Miss Gia of the Swaggers Tavern and she was had been her usual cheerful self, she even managed prise a smile out of me in these troubled times. I think she could tell i had much praying upon my mind.

The passing of Stormcrow into the void beyond our own plane. I pray that his journey will bear fruit and that he will return soon and in good health.

The one they call Grim Dysart i have seen more often again the last few days, he seems intrigued by all the politics going on between Vesper and Trinsic. Indeed i found his words most interesting.

A brief encounter with Lucy Lastic in the lands of the Dutchy had proved fortunate for the one calling herself Nightshade had by chance encountered us so with Lucy's help we brought her to Rhovanion. Lucy was still concerned about Callum for she had still to find where he had run off to. I admit my compassion for Callum could be measured on one side of the kings crowns, but Callum had been gone for some time now and he had not been himself of late the last few months. I will offer a prayer that he at least get in touch soon so Miss Lucy will gain her smile once more.

Finishing my breakfast my mind came back to the here and now. My own journey of discovering the secrets that are held within the Lore Books i found at the Temple of the Spider Queen had taken another step forward. I had spent the night meditating upon what had transpirred. Something is amiss with me for little things felt different almost wrong.....

I picked up my clay cup at breakfast and i had caused it to crack by gripping it too hard.

As i stepped from my house to the running stream to the side of my house i could almost swear i could hear whispers trying to talk to me , it must be the breeze, although its effect seems almost haunting.

I washed throughly in the fresh water its coolness invigorting my muscles. Returning to the steps of my house i took up my Chi-blade and began to work my way through the first basic katas a cheela would be taught by his mentor. The nights sleep seemed to have refreshed me more than i would have expected for my muscles did not complain as they had done when exherted the past few days. As i continued i closed my eyes as i went through the patterns i know so well like days of the week. If i concentrated i could almost discern the whispers but not quite.

I pulled the last Kata short as i heard the quiet implosion of air as the fragrence of my beloved greeted my nose as she recalled onto the steps of our house.

Sheathing my chi-blade i strode to greet her with a deep passionate kiss. Taking her hands in my own i stepped back so our arms were outstretched and smiling said

' Beloved today is a good day for last night i discovered that sometimes only by losing can one win. So there are times when there is no dishonour in losing . Now come join me for a cool drink and i shall make you breakfast, and after that we need to catch on up those morning kisses i didnt get this morning for you left before the sun had arisen. '

With that i guided my beloved into our waiting home idly scratching at my chest . . . .

Whispers or tricks of the wind . . . .



. . . . . but as i walked the lands they kept coming and going . . . .


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i felt very strange . . hot . . .then . . . cold at times


. . . am i becoming ill ?


I shall spend the evening and the night in meditation.

It was an interesting day today for i encountered many poeple all with stories to tell, and i will endevour to write them down in my journal. But what sticks in my mind this day is the strange creature i discovered whilst travelling the underrealms in an effort to hone my bushido skill.

After i had silenced the creature i made my way to the surface and to Britain so i could dictate a message to the scribes there and send it by fastest messenger to the Lady Tabbitha. Then i headed south through Trinsic to the Moongate and onwards to Rhovanion where i left word with Nightshade the Alchemist about my discovery. Finally i headed to the Magi Tower seeking my beloved but she was not at home. So i secure the black heart in the warded strongbox she had there and headed onwards to Zento and my own home.

Something was changing in the lands...i could feel it on the wind....

I had spent the last two days mainly concentrating on a practising the ideas my new found mentor had been teaching me. As tey said i found things easier when i didnt have my boots on. That always brings a smile to my face as i must look most unusual. In the coming days i will try to focus this energy to form patterns.

I had spent a day tracing after knowledge about the movements of two of the House of Tremere, Lord Fargo and a young Orlando. Gorthyn had informed me they were given seats at the Council of Knights. This brought much alarm to me for it brought back the times of the Wolfren who were influencing the City of Trinsic. I recalled the word of Lord Garod many years ago...'Do not have concerns about my servants for we do not meddle in the affairs of humans, you have my word'. Now i hear there are Tremeres meddling in the affairs of men.

So i sent word to two who i ahve had past dealings, one of which answered the call fast. I formed this one i wished them to learn more abou the comings and goings of the Tremeres and as always i would pay well. As always our time in talk was brief and with a nod they quickly left like the shadow they came.

I travelled to Trinsic, Skara, Britian, Minoc and Vesper for news of the movements of the three Tremeres. In a few places i gained some insight but in Vesper i was greeted with a host of information.

Taking this news i pened out a letter to a few of the Council about my concerns and mentioned some of those on the Council who had past dealings with this kind of thing and may be worth speaking to.

With that done i took up my training sword and headed once more back towards the caves near Trinsic.

Finally after many years continueing with the training i had left behind with my homeland when i was brought to Sosaria, it was at an end. Today i finally managed to complete all 97 steps of the Dance without making a single mistake or having to adjust my balance.

The dance was flawless. . . .

Now i could turn my head to other matters, as there was a lot going on around myself and my beloved at the moment.

My delving into the understanding of the powers that stand opposite to the Virtues had been going steady. Only by understanding these powers could i ever fathom out how to defend against them properly. My mentor had begun by accessing the Elementi and binding it to my spirit. Since that time i have began to notice changes in my perceptions, i even firmly believe it had some impact on my mastering of the martial dance. For when i am in contact with the earth i feel the life stream whispering to me, stronger now than even when i had in the past held the White Blade to the earth. Indeed at times i can hear ghost like whispers .....is this the ley speaking to me ? I will speak to my beloved for her tie to Gaia is strong and coherrant.

Something i shall have to explore further over the coming weeks.

I had given the items i had gained from one of my contacts to a new member of the Court....Nightshade. I hope she can work out their purpose for alchemy its not something i have ever studied in any form in my past. I think Muldran will find Nightshade a handful during her time with the Court. She does indeed like to investigate old books and lore.

Another meddling scholar...just what the Courts needs, *i laughed to myself*

I have not heard back from the Knightly Council with regards my report to them about the details i provided concerning the men of House Tremere who ahd turned up for seats on the Council. Well i have done my part the rest is up to them. I will not be the fool like what happened last time when almost all of the Council opposed the presence of the Kaldorians on the Council. I was asked to make a plea about them being on the Council for they did not consider them worthy. Then after my open speech i watched everyone remain tight lipped, including Taggart who had been the one to ask me to speak. Thus they kept their seats on the Council.
I looked and felt very foolish.
For the time being i will carry on getting the reports from my hirelings and contacts and feed the information as necessary.

I have not spent nearly enough time with my beloved the past few months as i should. Many events have kept us apart beyond our control. I will seek her out, ask her to forgive me, and i will try to make amends.

Smiling to herself Cherry remembered the wonder of the previous eve when she had returned home and found Decardo waiting for her....she was battle weary in body but in spirit she soared. As he slowly undressed her and bathed her, tending to even her slightest wound Cherry felt her passion rise and soon forgot the trials of her day. She noticed his strength was greater and his intuitive link with the ley seemed to be growing also...their time apart meant both were changing and there needed to be time for rediscovery of one another. Something Cherry happily embraced.

As later Cherry lay within the comfort of Decardo's arms she softly spoke of the quest she had begun that day. Spoke with the ease of one whose soulmate listened with understanding, with a ready word to aid her in correcting where she had gone wrong...or with offers of help when needed. Cherry spoke of the shrines of love being embattled and of her attempts to follow to the source of this darkness. As yet she had not succeeded but with Decardo's advise she hoped to be able to progress further on the next day.

My travels had taken me the full length of Sosaria the last week making notes of what i had seen regarding the Shrines which had become touched by Chaos. It seems the strange glow that encompasses them comes and goes as does the hoards of creatures that swarm around them.

Master Orpheous makes me laugh as he follows me when i go battling around the Compassion Shrine collecting all the Ore from the fallen elementals that engage me.

My contact in Vesper says they have not heard anything about the Tremeres travelling through Vesper...strange that they have now gone quiet again. But i have asked them to keep their ears open for news.

My travels with my beloved took us to Spiritwood where we encountered an old friend from our earlier years. They showed us around the Tavern which they had managed to glean from the old Duke Pad O'Lion. We were both delighted to hear that the tavern will be in the future used to its full potential once more. Maybe even the old Spiritwood Festivals will be given new life . . . this can only spell good times ahead for Spiritwood. We both have spent many months there in the past when we were members of the Custodes Fati. Indeed it was through the Dukes wife Jordan that i met the Lady Cherry. That seems many decades ago now.

A lot of my time has been spent trying to work with the gift the Lady Jade gave unto me. I have notice my senses have become more acute as long as i remain in contact with the ground, indeed my fighting stance has also benefitted from this in several ways. Last time we spoke the Lady and i we did not see eye to eye regarding her minions, but she did say i should concentrate and expanding this gift she had given me.

A gained a minor success this day for i managed to call forth a minion of rock...only a small one mind you, nothing compared to the size of creature i have seen my beloved summon or like the one Lady Jade when she gave me the gift. Its something for me to work on in the future.

After a few days taking care of personal matters i received word of the Conclave gathering from Lady Tabbitha. The meeting centred around the strange goings on of Lord Darkion of Haven and the many possibilities of why the Black Robed Traders that had been seen around Haven also. The man at arms from Haven was as helpful as possible with his details but still there remained many unanswered questions. Although the outbursts of a young Knight called Uther did not help matters, but i had to admit i came away feeling he was a man of his convictions like myself who always spoke as he saw things.

With that matter attended i headed back to Rhovanion for the remainder of the evening.

The following day brought unsettling news for there were many rumours flying around about Haven. Indeed Muldran had left word that he also had heard the idle talk and would appreciate some investigation on the matter by his fellow Courtiers. As i left the Magi Tower i bumped into my beloved who as always greeted me with her warm smiles and a kiss. She soon brought up word about Haven also, so we decided to head there and take any Courtiers we could locate along as well.

Our runes to Haven seemed to be void, a most unusual occurence for seperate runes to be ineffective so we travelled to Haven where we met up with the new Courtier Lady Chaismane Volte. We explored the surrounding area as we emerged from the Gate Portal and found much had changed. The size of the land mass had changed , indeed it now resembled the place i had known many years called Occolo. The town we all had come to know as Haven over the last few years had been destroyed, all that remained now was ruins except for one building which remained untouched. At least that brought a smile of remembrance to my face. Somehow overnight a new Haven had been erected from destruction. Exploring this 'New Haven' we found many of the buildings to be imcomplete.

So then our attention turned towards the 'Old Haven' and what had brought this disaster..... our search brought out some facts which we shall put to the Court when all can be gathered.

Many of the citizens have been killed and their remains had risen as walking corpses. What is strange is that these creatures are all blotted as if 'waterlogged' from being killed by being emmersed in water for a long time. Much like a body that is washed up on the shores of the sea.

None of the Black Robed Traders have been seen, and from tales i have heard from people in my time travelling Haven before the disaster none of the Traders gave out any of the 'promised' chosen items for any handed in Blackrock. I heard mainly of people being given some rare reagents.

The destruction to the Town is widespread and devastating from something very powerful and sudden. Tying this into the fact of the waterlogged walking corpses we have the elements of IMMENSE POWER and WATER being used in conjuction. I talked with Cherry and we summised that the destructive power of the blackrock has somehow been activated by someone of something out in the Sea and that it caused a tidal wave to wash into Haven and cause the mass destruction we have seen. This explosion of the sea over the landmass could be the reason why a lot of land is still missing, maybe it lies still beneath the now calm waters. This would result in the sudden death of many people which would then be lying emmersed in water. We suspect the use of the Dark Arts as the dead corpses have risen in the form of waterlogged zombies and after a while the flesh falls from them leaving just the skeleton....Necromancy we fear.
Could this all be tied into Darkion as the Conclave fear.. i do not know...more facts are required.


I will listen and investigate further till the truth is revealed.

On a different tract..i have not heard anything back from the sisters of House Hunett. I suspect the younger daughter Faeryl did not take my words back to elder daughter from her visit to the Tower of the Magi in Rhovanion.

Time will tell.

The Court had been quiet of late, many had things to distract them from their own individual studies. Something i can understand as i had spent many hours studying the elemental essence the Lady Jade had shown me. I had not met with her since that time she asked me to leave her abode after asking questions about her two companions. I had asked about why she had Sir Fargo and the young Orlando snooping about the goings on of the Knights Hospitillar and the Knights Conclave. My contacts in Vesper had been quiet of news about those two for some time now.

My travels of late have seen me spendiong much time in and around Haven what with the unnatural goings on there in trying with others of the Court to get to the truth of what really happened. One such journey there i came across a very distressed and angry woman who i later was told was a Sergeant at Arms of the Hospitillars who goes by the name of Kimi. She spoke in angry tones about asking for help and not receiving any...all of which i knew nothing about. I explained what we knew about what we think had happened in Haven and after asking her to calm herself i said i would try to ask for more resources to be allocated to Haven to help in discovering the whereabouts of her Guildmistress. But it seems this wasnt immediate enough for her, she then went on about if the Knights would not help she would go to her best friend the Lady Jade Bastet and her family to help her. I listened for some time, and by this time my beloved Cherry had turned up. I spoke quietly to Kimi saying to be wary of the Tremeres as they are not all they appear to be, but this just sent her into an onsaught of words about how she knew all there was to know about the Tremeres, where they came from and how powerful they were. Then she went on to tell me that she would be the downfall of Lord Garod, that she had the 'mark'. Standing at the outskirts of Haven was not the place to be having such unexpected conversation for my interest was in discovering clues to the location of the Lady Tabbitha.
Lord Garods matters are his own concern i thought to myself, and not something i wish to discuss with someone i hardly even know. So with a mental thought from my beloved we thought it best to break the conversation.
Bidding the young armslady good-day we quickly headed to New Haven.

The next few days saw letters sent to various Knights and loyal friends asking for word of the Lady Tabbitha. I also was told of the mobilizing of the Vesper Militia around the ruins of Old Haven..later i was told they were looking for the Lady Tabbitha. I was pleased to hear of their allies also looking for her for Vesper can bring to bear many hands and pairs of eyes in aid of finding news.

We also travelled to Valetta to leave word with the Knights Hospitillar of what was happening but no one was about and there were no noticeboards. So we left a sealed letter on the table in their entrance hall.



It seems there were also strange things about in Haven for i was told of a wounded man being brought into the town by a troop of men.
So we headed to where we knew the Mayor of Haven was dwelliing to speak with her...



This led us to the new home of the Healers in Haven where we found the form of a robed man unconscious and his personal Guard Avery. The man bore the symbol of the Royal Household, and he went on to explain the fallen man was no other than the renowned Magi Clainin.



Avery then went on to explain his plans to us and we listened to his words carefully. After some time we worked out between us that the place he was looking for was the foul dungeon in Illshenar known simply as Blood Dungeon. We agreed that we would head there and bring word of him of its layout whilst he back in Haven mustered his troops to follow.



Packing a few things we headed there with speed to see what we could find and to create a map for Avery to use once he arrived. Inside revealed something new to us we had not seen before.....