Oblicano
In a small draw I found this book discarded, I had forgotten I even had it after the events of the past few months and numerous they have been. The shadows that tried to claim us are gone, vanquished and for the first time in weeks I felt warm. The tale told to me was so outlandish that if it had come from anyone else I would have backed away and looked for the nearest door and informed Zarcroft.
After a long series of infighting, I retain the Captaincy of the Red Vardo Traders. The first non-violent succession for a long time I'm gathering. Vasco's unsanctioned actions have caused much damage to the repuation of the organisation in Vallaki and I have only scratched the surface of his dealings. Reparations are still under way but the Ezrites have been informed along the citadel, despite the unfortunate trial the past week or so.
Vasco's puppet fled as soon as he did and the Elders are in uproar over the whole affair. He's a broken man though, his hesitation bred a weak will and now the only thing he is good for to me is information. People had the nerve to question my motives regarding what Caim calls "Smokedreamer" and I write here what I tell them all. If I wanted to waste my time killing an opium-addled coward who ran rather than stood and faced being put to the question, he'd be floating in the Luna face down already.
The Drain's recent bragaddocio has been entertaining, payment set for peace terms and that will be all they get. I saw the exchange between Cristo and "Fesko" and his conversation relayed to me has brought me to the conclusion that he backed the wrong horse and is now trying to sever all links to cover his own arse. Can't blame a man for being ambitious but it looks like anything that was to come to fruition is slowly erroding away. Still, the Conta woman is probably one of the best additions I'll find in a long while. No one appreciates the artistry and effort that goes into extortion or blackmail and I'd prefer to see initiative like that put to use for the Family than dangling from a rope on the gallows.
My tenure has been peacable. I've made efforts to ensure a public image is maintained and the swaggering gangsters walking up the street, pushing all out their way of the past are no more. People like us should stick to the shaded back alleys. I am told to keep the outlander community happy. Fractious, selfish, ignorant children who hurl themselves into a void without even knowing one whit what forces loom over us all whose greed outweighs their compassion for the person next to them. They cry and clamour when the law is enforced because "Barovians are stupid". My employer's organisation is a Barovian creation and I'm going to damn well make sure its governance in Vallaki is as seamless in Barovian society as possible. By using the values of Westgate, we can ensure that. Afterall I already have my very own Deathbringer now, one I trained in life who in turn trained me.
The last update is the most important. Avernus. I will not put my own opinions of those who were captured here since I'm bored of even hearing them from my own lips. Taking my Lieutenants, we accompanied the rescue party into Darkon and past the fields of slaughter I had encountered before. A great battle was underway and we ran through the trebuchet fire, blinded by the mists as they whipped around us, puppets to their will. The trek itself was gruelling and I almost came to an ignoble end falling off the grapples spanning the chasm that the Weathermay man provided. The assault into the castle itself was short and bloody, taking many of their number down in a short time though it was not easy. Navigating our way through we were asaulted by the Kargat agent I met in the Drain so very long ago when RVT and Gokudo were merged and it was my hand that took his unlife. The waves that came once we had found the captured took their toll and many, including Masame, were brought down.
Nara'ia, the dark facet of her, gaurded the captives and I stripped her of those magicks that would have made the fight a close thing. With her death though, the secret of the cells was gone and we floundered as we tried to decipher the means to release them. When we did, I thought that was our task done. Those who were in this mess from day one chose to stay and continue the fight but I am a mercenary first and foremost. The agreement, gratis, was to free the captives. My obligations were met yet despite my pleading, they would not relent. With a heavy heart I took the slain from that place with my charge with Laila, Kayne and Sera in tow. I didn't expect to see any of them again.
My dead sister's husband, Masame, Kaeyna and Krow were a heavy burden to bear in a land that clamoured for out lives on the journey back but the mists, damned as they are, brought our steps into Barovia where the dead were tended and wounds licked. I spent the tnext two days drinking my way through wines that cost more than your average home but what point is there, to covet something made from grapes someone had stamped on centuries prior? News came of the events afterwards and Grevis' death relayed to me. Some came in anger, accusations and spite. Some came with simple words of friendship and understanding. If I had known, I would have never have taken that harness. Left it on the body of the man it inevitabley had slain but the power in it, to negate the spells of those who manipulate life was all I saw. A potent weapon against a man who himself, is unlived.
Of all those visitors, Sera was the only one who made any valid points. She had obviously come to kick and scream but looked too worn out to even do that. So we just talked. You think you know a person from what you've heard and seen then they surprise you as she did me. The self same words I told others sound much different when relayed to me by another's voice. They certainly do have impact and I can see why some would have been upset prior. No one will ever know what happened that day, nor will they care. They'll continue to strut about, drink, pick fights and go out into the dangers of the world int he hope of quick coin. No one will understand the sacrifices or the losses suffered that terrible night. They won't comprehend how much they owe those who stayed behind for their own lives and those of the Core.
They won't understand that Grevis' death wasn't just a loss to his friends, but a loss to this world.
