Heroes?

Hello there, book! Well, I've got quite the story for you this night.

Last we spoke, Locke and I were resting in the beautiful town of Reedshire. We awoke to another peaceful day, when suddenly we heard an announcement! It was the Mayor of Reedshire - a man named Marven. He pleaded for help, as one of their ancient monuments was being ravaged by beasts. I wasn't very sure about such a mission, but of course, Locke couldn't keep his gigantic mouth shut...

Long story short, he volunteered us for the cause and soon we were on our way. Neither of us could have known, however, just how trying the Golden Ruins of Avandra, as they're called, was going to be. Perhaps the snow should have been our first clue...

It was freezing! I exaggerate not, book. It was absolutely dreadful. I thought my ears and fingers and toes were going to freeze and fall off one by one! To make matters worse, we found that the entrance was being blocked by none other than a floating head! This was no ordinary head, however... He called himself Amun. He was a very ancient looking skull, with massive green flames flowing from his skeletal head. He had big jewels for eyes, and he spoke, most peculiarly, in rhymes! Soon, he vanished... But not before casting a terrible, and powerful evil spell on us!

For an entire night, I was cursed to take Locke's form. That's right - this Amun switched our bodies! It was absolutely terrible. I couldn't use my magic due to obvious reasons - as Locke was obviously not built for such deeds. And I had the added worry of Locke residing in my own body! I dare not imagine what nasty things he might have done in my form... In any case, it was quite the conundrum, and it was all that vile skull's fault!

The ruins themselves were quite a trial. They were freezing and full of hazards. I found myself not only attacked by cold zombies, but being thrust into a hole which filled with freezing water! We were attacked by rats and lost in fog... I couldn't imagine what horrible monster was responsible. In the meanwhile, that darn Amun kept showing his face, merely to tease us!

Finally, we made it through the ruins and found ourselves in a large, beautiful room full of crystal-like structures. From these structures emerged a massive ice covered man, who called himself an Ice Archon. He was pure evil, book... He told me himself! It was strange, for he spoke Primordial... A language I saw only in my home studies with mother. In any case, he wanted a fight - and by heavens, we gave him one.

It was a long and arduous battle, but the beast did finally fall. It was a good thing too, for we may have perished if the battle drew on any longer... Afterward, we were ready to make our escape when that wicked skull appeared once more! This time, he sealed us in the room... and then, all went dark. When we awoke, we were not in the ruins, but on the outskirts of Reedshire. Best of all, we were back in our own bodies!

It makes me wonder... Just what was the purpose of such a dreadful joke, anyway? I wonder who this Amun is, and why he seems so attached to us? I can only hope we'll never see him again; however, he promised we would be friends forever... A frightening thought, indeed! In any case, we made it back to town, bringing Marven the Ice Archon's weapon - a mighty ice hammer. He took it and rewarded us graciously, with a vast amount of gold pieces. He then revealed to us that we had been gone for not just a night but... an entire week!

Just what happened to us? Was it Amun's doing, I wonder?

Now, we rest in the Reedshire Inn, where Marven has allowed us permanent free lodgings. He has also named a day of their festival after Akorrin, after Locke's suggestion! It is quite the nice deed... It makes me wish all the more that we could stay, but alas. There are many things yet to be accomplished on our journey. Locke is already fast asleep, as always. Actually, bed sounds rather good at the moment...

Goodnight, book! I wonder what more strange happenings we have to look forward to in the coming days.

Together

Sometimes I feel as if things couldn't get any stranger, but then something else happens that just completely obliterates the rest in strangeness!

Locke and I, book, were kidnapped by pirates. That's right. . . I always blew pirates off as mere fantasies in children's books, but there actually is fact to the myth! These pirates called themselves the Ibius Scoundrels. You see, Locke and I returned to Blackcrest after leaving Vadhat Forest. I met some of the friends Locke had made when I was on Fukai, and then the next day, a large magical ship landed in town. It could fly! I was utterly amazed. We managed to get tickets from this friendly Dragonborn named Hektor, and then we set off. The ship was called the Mighty Blue, and indeed is was mighty. The magic which powers it must be beyond anything I could have ever mustered on my own!

In any case, we took off on the Mighty Blue and met an old friend we didn't know we had! Her name is Dara, and as it turns out, she was one of the village people we rescued in Willow's Keep. She was very friendly, and I've come to quite like her! Locke also made a new friend aboard the ship. . . Her name is Alexandra and she speaks with a very strange accent that I've never heard before. She claimed to be from Blackcrest, but there was just something odd about her that I couldn't seem to ignore. She didn't seem to like me very much either, so I left Locke and her alone. . . Mind, I had no choice, as I couldn't have known how violently ill I would become when the ship took off! Ngh. . . Add airships to the list of things my body cannot handle!

It was after we took off and Locke tucked me into bed that the pirates attacked. When I awoke, Locke was nowhere to be seen, and I was dragged above deck. I was far too ill to even concentrate on my captors, nevermind fight them. I was tied up with the other passengers, as well as blindfolded with a large smelly brown sack which they put over my head. When the sack was pulled from my head, I was being thrust violently into a small room. To my relief, Dara was there, but she was tied up to a chair! I soon followed, and we were left alone for quite a while. Soon, however, a few of the pirate scum showed themselves, and started to rummage through our things! One even had the nerve to read your entries, book, aloud to his comrades! Disgusting buffoon!

To my relief, Locke soon crashed through the doors, but I noticed Alexandra was behind him. I knew right away where that buffoon had been all this time. . . with her! I couldn't stand it. He saved us - no thanks to that woman, who ran away during the fight. Although I was happy to see him safe, I couldn't make myself be grateful to him. . . I was furious!

We then took Dara and continued to search for a way to free the others and escape. Locke was mindlessly flirting with that nasty woman, so I took Dara and left the room. However, I lingered in the adjoining staircase to listen to their conversation. . . I know it is quite a nosy thing to do, book, but I couldn't help it. I had to know how he felt about her. I listened, and I could tell he had begun to fall for the other woman's ploy. I know it is not my place to be angry, but. . . I couldn't help myself. I didn't know what I was feeling, but it made my blood boil with rage. I took Dara by the wrist and led her to the next floor. . . where we were promptly ambushed by pirates, and a large, ugly bird woman named Martel.

Luckily, Locke soon followed - and without Alexandra. We fought the evil woman, but not without a price, as Dara was injured in process. I rushed to help her, but then Locke had the nerve to ask if I was "okay." I couldn't take it anymore - I snapped!

We had a very long argument. . . Possibly one of the worst ones we've ever had since we had become friends. There was a point when I thought he was going to leave me there with Dara, as he sounded so angry and annoyed. But he didn't have the right to be angry! He was the one who had left me alone in my vulnerable state! He was the one who always left me behind for other women! I would have never dreamed of doing that to him. . . But soon, he told me that that's exactly how he felt. That I merely remained with him because I was waiting for a smarter man to come along. How wrong could one possibly be? I was so angry. . . I told him exactly how I felt, even before I knew what those feelings were. . .

And as it turned out. . . He feels that very way about me, too.

Fortunately, the argument finally came to an end and I think we may have made up. That is, we may have if Dara didn't seem to take a turn for the worse! We gave her some potion and I found the keys to the prisoner's cells. Locke carried her in his arms and soon we snuck through the pirate's lair and freed the passengers which remained of the Mighty Blue. We reunited Dara with her family, before Locke brought us to a large life boat. Everyone fit aboard; that is, everyone except for Locke and I. We bid them a sad farewell and then watched as they sailed off through the cove exit, and into the far horizon. . .

Locke and I lingered in the cove for some time. . . We shared a tight hug and then. . . he kissed me again. I felt slightly confused - as if I should have been angry at him for what had happened. But I didn't care. I could have stayed there with him forever.

But if we did that, how would we have ever survived? We needed to escape, so we snuck back up the hideout and to the very top. To our distress, we discovered we have been inside of a large mountain on the continent of Ibius all along. It was not enough to deter us, however, as we soon began our way down the mountainside, encountering much danger - like a large drop from a weak bridge, a horrible ride down a former waterfall, and more bats than you could shake a fist at! Eventually, we made camp and dried our now drenched clothing. During this time, Locke gave me a pretty platinum ring he had discovered in the pirates' lair!

Soon afterwards, I fell asleep. Seemingly seconds later, we were attacked by more bats! We fought them off after they completely destroyed our tent (it's no fair!) and then continued until we finally made it off the trail and into the continent - only to be attacked by Captain Belamros, the leader of those evil pirates!

It was only after we injured him in battle that he withdrew his sword. . . Only to turn and tell us of the dangers lurking in Ibius. Because of an evil king which rules the continent, Elves are an unwelcome race. . . The mere fact Locke travels with me could mean his death! I can't stand knowing I put my friend in so much danger, but. . . Locke refused to leave my side.

Belamros then asked me to kill him. Me! As if I'd ever accept such a request. . . No. Instead, we left him where he lay and continued on - but not before the Captain took off on his Griffon and vowed we would regret his survival. Despite my worries, I suppose a pirate is one of the least important, however, and we merely continued onwards. A few hours later, we arrived in a quaint little town called Reedshire, where I now sit!

We came just in time for their annual festival! Dedicated to adventurers, they allowed us to partake in their food and games, and with no charge! It was the most fun Locke and I ever had together! We played games and won each other prizes. . . He even took place in an Ale Drinking Contest. Stupidly, I bet him that he would lose and become intoxicated. . . Nevertheless, he actually won! I suppose he must have grown a tolerance, having been a heavy drinker for so many years. . . After the contest concluded, the town's wizards treated us and the many festival goers to a spectacular magic and fire show. It was simply beautiful. . .

As the Reedshire Inn was open for free for us travelers, we soon retired to a room in the inn. We drank and ate some of the food which was left in the room for us, before I stupidly mentioned my bet! Locke expected me to uphold it - and always keeping my promises, I unfortunately was forced to go through with it. The bet was that I would dress in that darned servant's outfit Lucio had forced me to wear. I put it on for him, as well as new sandals he had won for me during the drinking contest. I was so nervous. . . I thought he was going to do or say something horrible to me! But. . . he didn't. He simply hugged and thanked me, and then told me. . . that he loved me.

Book, I know it's quite unlike me, but. . . I love him too! Now that I can finally say it, it feels so. . . fulfilling, as well.

Soon, we retired to bed together. He offered me a spot next to him in his bed and well. . . I took it. After he fell asleep, I considered moving to my own bed, but. . . I quite liked being close to him. Mind you, nothing happened! I simply. . . liked our close proximity. It was the first time in a while that I truly felt safe, and free of danger. Surely enough, the night was full of peace and quite uneventful - to my great happiness.

Locke is still sleeping, with the blanket tightly cocooned around his body. I've tried to wake him up, but he just won't budge! I ordered breakfast especially for him, too. . . I also packed our things, including all the new items we had gained the day before, and readied our supplies for the next journey. Mind you, I don't really want to leave. . . If Locke and I stayed here together for the rest of our lives, I think I'd be quite content. The town is so friendly and peaceful. . . But I know it cannot last. After all, Akorrin is still out there - possibly hurt, or worse! Villains still hunt us down as well, and I simply cannot have such a threat on my conscious as I reside in this beautiful place. . .

You know, book. . . I never quite noticed it before, but seeing him sleep so peacefully now, I realize. . . Locke can actually look quite handsome when he doesn't have his cocky grin plastered across his face! So much has happened to he and I. . . I wonder what weight it will bear now on our relationship. I'm not worried, I just. . . I just would have never imagined us to be. . . this way. We're getting along now, more often than not, and I feel when he looks at me, that he. . . truly does care for me. I wasn't so sure before, but now - perhaps he genuinely means the sweet things he utters every now and then. . . I suppose only time will tell how true those words are. But. . . I must say, I feel quite happy with how things are now. . . Who would have ever thought me and that rogue could be anything more than friends!

In any case. . . Breakfast is getting cold, and Locke's begun to sleep talk about ale. I suppose it's time for his wake up call!

Good day, book. May the coming days bring even more peace and happiness. . .