Page 8
What a joyous day it was yesterday. Thestra saw the formal introduction of the new Prince, Garus. Their Majesties, King Horus Targonor Furth and Queen Annabelle stood upon the Grand Balcony while their Herald proclaimed the name of the royal heir. Milus and I were near the back of the crowd and could not get a good view of the babe.
The celebration continued well into the evening and night. We attended the Guildmaster's Feast. Perhaps I had a bit too much to drink as I accepted Milus' offer for a dance. Somehow, I just can't find a reason to regret that.1
Page 13
Festival Day
Mother and I were finally able to find the perfect gift for Constance. I was worried. We had visited shop after shop over the past few weeks and had been disappointed each time. This morning, we visited the stalls set up in Market Square before heading to the Temple. In one of them, there was a talkative shopkeeper from Willowroot who, after describing the locket and chain we were looking for, assured me he had the ideal one. He was right. Mother quickly haggled the price. She loves bargaining so. 2
Page 16
I had a conversation with Milus this morning. He is insistent that we should have a stall during market days. His blades certainly show fine craftsmanship and have been fetching a pretty sum when we have them for sale in the shop. His workmanship is much improved since he started in our forge. Milus has even cajoled Mother into not only volunteering to take charge of all the planning for this new venture but also becoming the primary advocate. How he was able to do that, I have no idea but I can't deny it was effective.3
Page 30
Milus has asked for my hand in marriage. While it wasn't unexpected, it does cause me to reflect on the past. Clearly Milus was always more than an apprentice. For some time, we have been inseparable and I have found myself relying on his counsel. The way my heart quickens when I see him and the calm I find in his presence compelled me more than any sweet words ever could to accept his proposal. We are to be wed this springtime.4
Page 32
The house is certainly more crowded. Constance, Mother, and I have to make adjustments with our new additions. Milus' son, Rendil, has taken up residence in Constance's room. Constance has moved into Mother's room. These cramped conditions are short lived though with Constance beginning her apprenticeship with Tanner Wylan next month.
As for Rendil, I am not sure what to make of him. Most of his time is absorbed with the following around different members of the Sages Arcane as they go about their daily tasks. Milus tells me some of them have even given Rendil books to study.5
Page 46
This morning saw the entire Gold Eagle Brigade marching from Targonor. New reports confirmed that the fighting has intensified south of Targonor. The King has ordered all available forces to defend the southern watch. Our forge will certainly be heated well into the night, as we have received an order for additional blades to outfit a new brigade.6
Page 51
The city is in an uneasy and anxious mood. Constance arrived in tears this morning after Kestrich informed her that three brigades were overrun just two days march south. Every public square and tavern is talking of evacuating and abandoning Targonor. Even this late in the evening, I hear the commotion of tradesman and families loading their wagons and pack animals as they prepare to head out through the Eastern gate.
Earlier tonight, I quenched the fire in the forge as Mother, Milus, and Constance began loading the tools into our wagon. The moment I placed the anvil into the wagon, I felt the finality of the situation. Targonor will be no more. We leave with the artisan caravans for the highlands in the morning. However, I find myself unable to rest knowing the journey will be long and the uncertain future that tomorrow brings.7
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Page 55
Mirdon Vinecobble told me a story today about his wife's family, the Rindols. About ten years ago, Jessip and Mara Rindol were living in Willowroot. They had recently lost a young child who drowned in the Beranid. Mara couldn't stand the sight of the river anymore so Jessip packed everything they had and headed east. They found a nice valley past Bordinar's Cleft and build a home.8
Their oldest son traveled back to Willowroot to find a bridge and when he came home, he brought with him several other Rindols. Since then, there have been a few new homesteaders each year in Rindol Field. Mirdon said that many of the Halflings, himself included, are going to head there.9
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Page 70
The Royal contingent of architects and builders has finally arrived. By decree of His Majesty, all artisans and merchants have been ordered to assemble tomorrow morning. The general rumor is that the King is to arrive soon.10
Page 74
The outpost on this bluff is to be expanded and improved upon. The new name of our refuge is New Targonor; named after our first new order, while under the guidance of the Royal Architect is to forge tools for building. I have no idea where we are to find the resources to complete such a large order.11
An interesting rumor is floating about of late. The Standard of Targonor, which was last seen hanging in its place of honor in the Great Castle of Targonor, is missing. It has not been seen in any of the wagon loads arriving from the west. Did someone steal it? I hope it did not fall into the hands of the invaders. Whatever its fate, its absence is just one more reminder of what we have lost in our flight from our home.12
Page 77
Among every storm, a moment of respite arrives. That is what we experienced today. Constance was married. Mother was beside herself with joy. Naglund is a good man has agreed to assist in the smithy as soon as his enlistment is up. The wedding was not the same festive affair that it would have been in Targonor but the meaning of the ceremony was not lost on anyone. Perhaps life can go on even after the upheaval we have experienced.13
Page 86
Wagon loads of iron have arrived, fresh from some stockpile of the Kingdom. The masons have begun building a stone wall around the entire bluff. This wall is much thicker than the wall of our forsaken Targonor. Perhaps it will be enough to hold back the legions should they come here. The outpost has also been a hub of activity. Each day, its central keep grows higher and larger, or at least appears to with all the commotion about it. 14
Page 87-88
This afternoon I went to meet Frentyl, one of the foremen at the quarry. He wanted to show me a strange wear pattern on some of their cutting tools. While I was there, I saw a most unexpected sight. Several members of the Sages Arcane were assisting in the quarry. I watched them as they waved their arms and spoke certain incantations that pulled the stone blocks, in large and even cuttings, from the side of the cliff. I asked Frentyl about this and he said if he was able to have ten times the number of them helping, the wall could be completed half the time. However, the lack of those skilled enough to perform these spells, as well as the terrible toll they exact upon the caster, forces him to rely on more mundane sources of labor.15
Page 90
Our forge burns hot throughout the day and night. I have had to bring in additional smiths and apprentices to keep up with the demands. Milus and I certainly can't keep up at the pace we have been going. One of our newest smiths is from Bordinar's Cleft. His frenzied toil at the anvil rivals what Milus and I can do together in a day.16
Page 93
Rendil joined us for supper tonight and also gave us some good news. Rendil has progressed through his apprenticeship period within the Sages Arcane. He is to be fully recognized as a Fellow during a ceremony next week. Milus was beaming with pride. I have never seen a prouder father. I could see the look of pain though on his face when Rendil mentioned this to his mother. The loss of a wife and a mother has weighed heavily on both of them for so long. I just hope that my love helps to fill that void, not for Milus but for Rendil as well.17
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Page 101
Work has now begun on an inner wall. Thankfully, the demand for tools have subsided somewhat. Our stockpiles of usable iron are dwindling and new veins of ore have proven scarce. There has still been no sighting of the invaders. Our soldiers continue to watch the west vigilantly however, there have been no further incursions past the Beranid river.18
Page 117
The most tragic news reached us this afternoon. Rendil's traveling partner wrote to tell us that he has been slain while performing his duties for the Sages Arcane. Milus collapsed in the forge on hearing the news. Naglund and I had to carry him into the house. I have never seen him in such a state. I am worried as he won't eat or talk to anyone. Mother has come and is sitting next to him. The two of them have been sitting in the dark for several hours, neither speaking.19
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Page 120
Milus has asked me to write his response to the Sages Arcane. We received a letter from them yesterday. It was hand delivered by a young member of their order. The sight of those robes, the ones Rendil wore so many years on his visits to us, was almost too much for Milus. The letters from the Master, someone named Dorrin Longreat, was polite but seemed to lack any true empathy. Milus accepted the letter with a nod and a polite thanks as I sent the courier on his way.
It wasn't until later this evening that Milus finally read the letter. After dinner, Milus came to me and asked for my help in drafting a letter. He will dictate what he wishes to say and I will put it on paper. We are to start this tomorrow evening. 20
Page 140-141
I worry about Mother. She spends most of her time away from the forge wandering the bluff and watching the sea. While I don't have the need for her assistance in the forge, her mood has turned more sullen. We have all been uprooted, our houses lost, our entire lives turned uncertain. I too worry about what is to become of us. All of us perched upon a rocky bluff overlooking the sea as a gull does upon its nest. Can we truly survive? I try to avoid looking at the sea. I know of nothing beyond the sea that can help us. 21
Page 204
Today marks the tenth anniversary of our flight to New Targonor. When we arrived, there was no name for the small outpost perched atop the bluff. Now, we have home nestled above our new smithy; a home on a street with many other homes and families just like ours. The market square has become a gathering place, just as it was in Targonor. And recently, an ambitious project was started, a library and guildhall for the Sages Arcane. There as been no sign of the legions that destroyed the walls of Targonor and forced us to flee. The patrols are still sent out to search for any sign of further invasion. Thus far, we appear to be safe in our new home. 22
Page 215
I have seen much in this life. As I reflect upon the events I have witnessed I no longer weep. I instead celebrate the perseverance of my family and neighbors. The challenges we faced made us stronger and prepared us to raise our children to know the dangers we face. I have told my children of the trials we saw. When the day comes that I am but dust and have returned to that from which I came, I will rest peacefully as I am confident that even as Coralis takes his rightful position as Headmaster of the forge and little Maldrin has chosen his own occupation, they will do so by remembering these lessons. We need to be ever vigilant lest we lose that which we love most. 23
1 Submitted by Iadien, 9/1/05. Source: Vanguard: Saga of Heroes Web Lore. From margin lore: #89
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