--{Confessions of a Young Lady Abroad }--

[Head Moderator]

One: Setting Sail to Westby
Cherith Mourne d'Avilon

My mother gave me such a beautiful book to write about my journeys that I am nearly afraid of putting pen to parchment and ruining it's beauty, but I would not disappoint my mother and not write as she wished me to write so that when I return she may read it. She was not happy about my choice to travel the world, but she would not stop me nor did she let me know that she was not supportive, but I could see it in her eyes and the way she held her mouth in that fake smile she gives to the Doxenian nobles when they come around the island. I am sure that it was her whisper in my father's ear that has forced poor Sir Brendan to accompany me as my guardian, though I cannot be sure it was not my father's decision solely. Either way, I suppose I cannot say I am upset to have someone with me from Avilon. I am afraid I may grow homesick very soon after leaving.

So, this is my first entry and I sit within my cabin on the ship that is taking me and my guardian to Doxenia. The times I have been to Doxenia we always used the Port Union, mainly because we were going there to attend Court, or to some fancy ball and it was easy enough to travel that way and back, but this is different. I do not want to rush things, and that includes taking the slow way to the mainland.

The Jade Sea is beautiful. I have never been this far out upon the sea, only as far as our sailboats could go and we could always see land. Now, it is a beautiful green-blue all around, the color of jade which I imagine is where it got it's name. It's elvish name is Rhyaira Shor, which translates to Jade Sea very roughly. By morning, if we don't run into any storms, I should be in the docks at Westby.

Our horses and supplies are being transported with us, and everyone on the ship has been very kind to me except for one man that has made me quite nervous. He can't be much older than me, but he looks very hard and has a smirk upon his lips that sends a shiver down my spine. He bumped into me earlier today, and his hands slid down along my waist and hip in a way that made me feel dirty afterwards. I did not tell Sir Brendan, though, as I was afraid he might toss the man overboard and we would not make it to Westby. Perhaps I will tell him after we are ashore and the ship is at sea again. I have decided to stay in my cabin tonight, though, and do a little drawing.

[Head Moderator]

Two: Upon the Jade Sea
Cherith Mourne d'Avilon

I did not sleep well last night at all. The sea was choppy, the boat swayed side to side, and the bed felt like I was upon a wooden board. At least I did not get seasick, as I saw a few other passengers hanging over the railing quite sick. I am used to the sway of the ocean upon smaller vessels, I do love to sail, but trying to get a good night's sleep just did not work out well. I also am already in dire need of a nice, hot bath. I am told that by tonight we will be in Westby. I do look forward to that.

One of my tutors showed me a quote a few years ago, that has stuck fast in my mind since then. I believe it goes something like this:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

I know not what will become of me in twenty years, but I certainly do not wish to be disappointed that I did not take every advantage and opportunity when I could. I daresay that being on this ship in the midst of the Jade Sea is truly sailing away from the safe harbor of my homeland, and into the scariest thing of all ... the unknown.

[Head Moderator]

Three: Beyond Westby
Cherith Mourne d'Avilon

It was very nice to spend a couple days in Westby at the beautiful hotel in town, and have a fine soak in a hot bath before the fire. Even though it had only been a few days on board the ship, I found that I had missed a nice bath more than really anything else. I suppose it will be something that I will only get on occasion once we start out towards Navahla. Yes, we are heading to Sarkotos. I believe mainly because Brendan has heard of a good smithy there that can make a glaive like I wish it.

I look forward to it. I'm also in the need for a buckler. Perhaps made of glassteel. I saw that once and thought it was quite posh. You can see right through it! Yet hard as steel. Thus glass-steel. I considered at one time learning to use a shield, but I much prefer polearms and a polearm and shield are difficult to use, unless you are holding a lance and shield while jousting!

Jousting is definitely something I hope I can learn more about. I have jousted, even in a few competitions but I have never ranked in them. My mother thought it was far too dangerous, and so I did not pursue it then but now that I am on my own (well, notwithstanding having a guardian) I do hope to become a much better jouster than I have ever been.

We leave soon, and will begin our camps upon the roadways between the villages and towns. I am a little afraid, but much more excited than afraid. I know that Brendan will watch over me, as he has told me that he wished to accompany me for that very reason - to keep me safe from harm.

[Head Moderator]

Four: The Twisting Road
Cherith Mourne d'Avilon

We have been traveling for some time upon horseback, following the main roads that wind through Doxenia moving south. It is still cold, and from what I've gathered from talking to the villagers we've seen when we stopped in the local tavern on our way through, we will not feel a change in weather until we cross the Ballari Ridgebacks. The lady was kind enough to tell me many stories of the village and around it, as well as what sorts of monsters we might find. Giants? Serpentkind? Goblins? Sounds exciting!

We are going to go through the mountain pass, but it is a dangerous thing as it is such a small space that it is easily used by the raiders and monsters to kill and loot while moving through it. So, we will have to be sure we are prepared when we begin that journey. I have never ridden solidly for so long of a time, after all Avilon is not that big and there is no reason to ride from one side to the other! My rear is sore, as are my thighs, but it is far superior to walking so I will not complain save in this diary!

[Head Moderator]

Five: Musings
Cherith Mourne d'Avilon

The attack by the highwaymen was surprising, though I am not sure why it surprises me. Perhaps because it is the first taste of having to protect myself or lose my life. While there is much to be learned from sparring, and jousting, and books there comes a time when you cannot learn what is meant for you to learn until you step out of your comfort zone into the hard truth of real life. That is exactly what we have done.

A swordsman named Kyle came upon us in just the nick of time to assist us in protecting ourselves. He was most impressive, and we are both thankful for his assistance. We were going to invite him to our fire and to eat with us when the brigands appeared down the road. I suppose that if we went off the main roads and went through the forests and hills without path we would face fewer of these brigands -- but then again we may very well face worse types of creatures hiding and lurking in the woods, so monsters on one hand, brigands on the others...... I suppose taking the main road would provide us with a bit more protection since others may pass us by. I do hope we run into Kyle again, I think he has many stories he could tell us.

Ahh, Brendan is calling for us to pick up camp and keep moving. This will be where I end my journal this morning, for we have a great long way before us before we may camp again.

[Head Moderator]

Six: Ettin in the Pass
Cherith Mourne d'Avilon

As we approached the mountain pass in the distance, something akin to a cold touch of a hand was felt upon my neck, though when I spun around upon Merlini, nothing was there. No spirit I could see, no breeze blowing across me, it was very odd. We made camp, and Kyle joined us again after taking the brigands into town but before we could make off again, there was the sound of beating hooves upon the trodden dirt road.

We prepared for combat, it seemed that was a necessary quality upon the mainland - looking for combat or attack with every shadow or sound. But, it was instead two horse riders, and a wagon being pulled by horses. We were told of a two headed giant causing havoc in the pass. So, what did we do? The smart thing, perhaps, would have been for us to turn and find another way through. But we could not, what if the giant attacked others? It had been brought to our attention and we were in unanimous decision to fight the creature. So, to the pass we traveled.

It did not take long for the stench of the giant - an ettin to be exact - to be smelled upon the wind. It was a horrific scent, causing my stomach to twist and turn. I covered my mouth and nose and continued onward. When we saw the creature, it was a frightening, but I did not let my fright be seen if at all possible. The two handed monster had to be twice as tall as a tall man, if not taller. Massive, bearing two morningstars, and a scent that could kill a man on its own it would be a formidable foe it seemed. But, against the three of us, it fell.

Kyle is more merciful than Brendan and I, and I respect him for that. But, our conversation was that if this beast was not killed, this evil foul creature would attempt to harm or eat or destroy anyone else that passed. So when Kyle went into the cave that had been discovered, Brendan took upon himself to kill the ettin. I agreed with it, though I am glad that I was not forced to kill it myself. I know time will come when I will have to do this, and I knew that the ettin had to be destroyed, but killing is no easy task for my heart. I wonder if I will grow null and dulled to killing at some point? I hope not.