Under the Moonlight of Willow's Keep

Hm. . . Where do I begin?

My mother used to always tell me to keep a journal. She thought it would be good for me to be able to express my feelings to someone, or something. Heaven knows I couldn't tell her -- when we speak, she barely pauses long enough for me to get a breath in edgewise! Nevertheless, I know she means well. I wonder what she is doing now, back home. . . I wonder how Akorrin is coping without us as well. He is a strong, wizened man, but we were once like his children. I know Locke misses him. I do, too.

Anyway, I digress. I haven't formally introduced myself to you, book. I am Lilanei Serpenthelm -- daughter to Faefindiel Rolonae. I was once a resident of Illias Upon the Sea, a quaint coastal town full of a wide array of people. However, as I sit here under the stars which sparkle through the trees of Willow's Keep, that time feels as if it is now so far away. . .

I am a half-elf studying the ways of wizardry. While I am not always treated in the fairest of ways because of this, I have come to accept it as an inevitability in our small island of Murrad. In the end, I am still proud of what I am, although I admit I am not always so confident. There was a time long ago when not even my friend, Locke, had accepted me. While it pains me to think of it now, I suppose it was merely a plot by fate to bring us together. If it weren't for his prejudice as a child, Akorrin would have never found us fighting -- and we would have never become such close friends and allies! Akorrin changed both of our lives for the better. A wise old Dragonborn, Akorrin was our mentor for well near 10 years. He taught us how to fend for ourselves in the wilderness and how to face the dangerous creatures which lay in it. He even taught me to pick up my first dagger, and how to fight in melee combat!

. . . Admittedly, I am not the best at it, but it was still something I would have never done if it were not for his talented teaching skills. Locke more than makes up for my deficiencies with a weapon, anyway. He is always swinging that sickle around, like a toy, and unsheathing it at the drop of a feather. He never thinks! It frustrates me just thinking about it! . . . But I digress again. He has rescued my hide more times than I can count, so I suppose I should be grateful for him. Despite how much he grates on my nerves. As I write, he is resting within Adiel's tree house, fast asleep. Hopefully, I will be able to keep you a secret from him, for at least a while. I can only imagine how much he would tease me if he found out about you. Ugh, that dolt!

Only a few hours from now, we will be leaving this place. This is the first time, at least that I can remember, that I have ever been in an elven village. It's so peaceful -- I have never encountered anything like it in my life. Illias was always so alive, but here, I feel as if I can truly think. If it weren't for their leader, Adiel, despising humans so much, Locke and I could probably stay here a while longer. . . On the other hand, her sister Esraniel is such a lovely soul. She is so understanding and thoughtful. It is too bad she must continue on her own adventure; she would have been a great asset to us in our quest. She has been gracious enough to offer to guide us to our next destination, however. I wonder what new adventures we'll encounter when we leave this village today. I suppose only time will tell.

Alas, my eyes grow weary. I should probably return to the tree house, and join Locke in rest for our journey later. Besides, if I'm not there when breakfast is served, he'll just eat it all -- again!

Men. All the same!

Goodnight, book. May we meet again soon.