The Reluctant Captain's Log

[Raiden Morana]

SATURDAY 21st JULY - PART TWO.

The evening started off calmly enough. Actually, calmer than I thought it would, seeing as I was giving Mischief her marching orders.

She's always had her own agenda and from what I had heard, she was not being too discreet or too smart about pushing it. Not what I needed to come back to me or the men, especially as it's none of my bloody business anyway. All I wanted was for her to keep her ear to the ground and find some dirt on the Initiate. Seems all she had for me, apart from antagonizing the bugger further, was that he's friendly with a recruit, Garshinkle and that Garshinkle feels he owes the churchman 'favours'.

Whether there's more to that arrangement than meets the eyes remains to be seen but I want as much distance between the army and Mischief as possible. Seems to me that they way she's going about things, the church will end up not only persecuting elves and arcanists but females and the army at large too, if it's implicated in her none too clandestine dealings.

I need to keep an eye on her, for the men's sake.

Anyway, that deed done, I made my way to Trinsic. I reckon I owe Wilkes and Tripps a drink apiece and the lass a nice eve of browsing the market and maybe picking up a trinket or two!

[Raiden Morana]

SATURDAY 21st JULY - PART THREE.

It all happened so fast, though my feet felt like they were in mud. Vision foggy. Senses dulled...

The market was just beginning to bustle. I'd had a passing glance at Aries. A smile and wink. I wanted to give her some space. I feel at times I maybe smother her. I saw her talking to Saer' but it didn't matter to me a jot.

I was enjoying the crack with Wilkes and Tripps when it happened. They were off, as if loosed from a bow! Wilkes after the assailant, Tripps to the aid of the assailed. Aries... My back was to the fray, I turned and went to run but my legs would not carry me. I went to speak, but I don't know if words were formed. Tripps saved her life and I stood there gawping like a fool.

The Besieger's words cut through the haze. His quick actions bringing her back from the brink, I had her in my arms, clinging to me, clinging to life as I was escorted to the gate and back to Cove.

Take her to Cove, she'll be safe there. Tripps words ringing in my ears, as I barged into Kelly's place. Sheriham posted sentry on the step, I laid Aries down. So helpless again as she wretched. Good only for holding the vase into which she vomited.

I made her drink, I made her throw her guts up, I changed her dressings and cleaned her wounds. I asked her to stay. Taunted her into standing by my side, in spite of it all.

Tripps returned. Nadia the culprit, arrested and locked up in Yew. I offered him my thanks and my hand.
'Nay offence Raiden but I didn't do it for you.'
'Aye... But ye still have my gratitude Tripps.'
The lass is lucky to have him with her in Yew and the new friends she's made here in Cove.

Two bloody guards from the Trinsic Watch came to gawk! I had a good mind to give them a proper dressing down but the lass chastised me between bouts or nausea and pain. Kelly was next, smashed me in the face and then brought Pickles in to try and draw the poison out of the lass's system.

Word was that a Waywatcher was outside. If one was visible, there'd be two or three in the shadows. Come to finish their Corporal's crime? I wasn't taking the chance. I had Pickles open a Portal and I carried Aries home.

[Raiden Morana]

TUESDAY 31st JULY.

My first day off in a while and a lot to catch up on here. Patrols, sentries, expeditions... Even a spot of cleaning but the main news is the trial is over, thank feck.

Afore I get onto that though, we meted out some justice of our own at Sunday's parade. A Watchman was punished for dereliction of duty, stripped of rank and privileges, lashed and locked in the cells. Young Eason and Kobra also get their just deserts, the former earning promotion and the latter receiving the Covian Seal.

Whilst we saw justice served in Yew, in terms of Smith being found guilty, our Watchmen got harsher treatment for disobeying orders, than she did for attempted murder. What's the world coming to? Are our allies becoming soft?

The whole damn trial was a sham... Well, what I mean is the defence was a sham-bles and the punishment was a sham. Aries was attacked in Trinsic, whilst their Watch did nothing, one of said Watch then represented the defendant and now Smith gets to live out her days there, instead of swinging from a tree. Heh. Stinks to me. But all that matters is Aries.

The churchies want us married. To solidify the Northern/Avatarian Alliance maybe. We have six weeks to see it done and for me to prove Railen's death. How the feck can I 'PROVE' it. In my heart I know she's gone. All my own enquiries tell me that she's gone. But how do I prove it?

Just when I thought I could put all this behind me and concentrate on the lass and soldiering once more, I get smacked in the chops with that one... Oh... And Kelly wants to be Best 'Man'... Hoagie brought me no luck the last two times, so maybe she'll get the job...

Ugghhh...

[Raiden Morana]

TUESDAY 7th AUGUST.

The lass has only been gone a few days, yet her absence weighs heavily upon me.

She left after the funeral on Sunday. Promised her mission was safe enough. Not sure how much I believed her but I know better than to try and keep her from her duty in the Militia.

I don't know why but I found myself compelled to stand and speak about Garshinkle. It just felt like the right thing to do. Hopefully I didn't make too much of a fool of myself.

I threw myself into duty last night, Sanderson and me, paintin' Sosaria shadow and tan with recruitment leaflets. Asked her to be 'Best Man' and then we headed to the Goblin to get pissed. I was just beginning to regret my decision, when we were called into a meeting as Veseper came calling.

Don't remember much of that though...

I miss Aries. Friday can't come too soon.

[Raiden Morana]

FRIDAY 7th SEPTEMBER.

They say a picture paints a thousand words... Or summat... Let's hope so, otherwise this would be a bloody long diary entry...

[Raiden Morana]

FRIDAY 14th September.

What a night...

Helped stave off undead attacks in the Altmere and Covetowne. The lads did well, we took no losses, discipline in combat was good, the buggers even stood by me when I got bogged down in mud. All except Ting, or whatever she goes by now... Apparently she ignored our plight, during one of the many undead assaults, though I was too busy trying to get out of the mud to notice.

No sooner had she become a trusted guardswoman again, she was stripped of her rank for yet another dereliction of duty. And guess who got to do the honours...

Speaking of honours... It was my honour to be finally wed to Harper this eve. Just a small simple ceremony. We wanted no pomp or attention... Or crowds that could hide would be assassins. Just a churchie, Hoagie, Kelly and Sheri, Aries' maid of honour.

Everyone takes the piss but we couldn't be happier. She looked so gorgeous and we make eachother so happy, what more could we want?

[Raiden Morana]

Monday 1st October.

It was grand to see that the lass gets as much stick off her lot as I do of ours, when I visited our allies in Yew the other week. She had them busying around setting up their famous road blocks when I arrived and after one of the cheeky buggers taxed me, the assorted Footies and Trainees started ribbing her. Hoh. Makes a bloody change.

Grand to see Melior-Martin-Pickles-Whatever leading out so many patrols too. I think she's almost catching up to my trophy count now. Then again, I have taken TEN years off from collecting them! Hoh!

A lot of increased deadite activity recently. I led a joint patrol this eve to the graveyard and only our numbers and expert training carried the day against the skeletal onslaught. Another fine Covian victory!

[Raiden Morana]

Wednesday 30th January.

I haven't written for a while, I haven't had much to say... Young Eason's death really got to me.

Of all the lost comrades and friends down the years, his loss seemed the most pointless.The lad lit up the place, his passion and loyalty and enthusiasm rubbed off on us all and alas, Gregor's health has taken a turn for the worse since the boy has been gone. In truth, it's only the love of Aries that has kept me from an even deeper melancholy.

Our ranks dwindle, whilst the orcish warbands swell. The Militia and Vesperians barely venture from their borders. The weather is bleak, times are hard.The baron and his staff have retreated once more to the colonies and again, I'm left to question my duty and my place within it all.

I've missed out on a lot in life and I never regretted it. Never regretted being a soldier and serving Cove but I don't want to miss out on making memories with the lass... Before it's too late. There's plenty of life left in the old dog yet but the dog is indeed getting old.

I think it's time to retire. To live out the rest of my life without grime and blood and gristle on my hands.

I hope my fellows will forgive me.