Mihai's Private Journal

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

22/1/773

Best Goods

1. Verinne (Yes! Much Yes!) Morrigan (Get loose trousers for when she is around)
2. Morrigan (No, but want) Verinne (Still nice, but something is changed)
3. Vardo Lady Merchant  (Married. Probably small Borcan man, no threat.)
4. Woods Lady (Married? Watch out for Axe-Man)
5. Krofburg Stewardess (Lippy, but ample)
6. Ex-Slave Fey (Exotic. Squeeze and flee)
7. Forfarian Ezrite (Holy treasure or cultist trap?)
8. Dawn Cultist (Armor makes difficult to tell, possible cultist trap)
9. Red-Head Minstrel (Bounce to the music)
10. Gundarakite (Look, never touch)

Thoughts

Port Al's Urceen was horrible. Don't go back until I can understand their lady-tongue.

Axe is working nice. Cuts all beasts, even trolls the size of the Liberator's statue! Don't try again though. Funny to watch fall, not so funny when they hit you.

Need new suit. Something dashing-er. Will take walk in resident's district after, let merchant's daughters swoon.

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

26/1/773

Questions

Why does Mihai-Two have two axes shoved into one? (Is this more impressive for women?)

Is bigger always best, or should consider hips too?

How drunk is too drunk for duty?

If I learn western lady-tongue, will this make me weak and start caring about stupid clothes?

Thoughts

Service is much less exciting than I was expecting. Look good in uniform, is no question, but am spending most of the day standing or walking circles.

Fighting crag cats is good. Fierce combat practice, drives away boredom, provides big scars if I am making mistakes.

Mihai-Two seems alright, maybe not so funny as proper Mihai though. Will have to make sure he does not die, it would be boring without him. Other guards are useless for talking and drinking.

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

28/1/773

Fears

Is everyone laughing at Mihai?

What if am not finding someone who wants more than coin and favors?

Are brothers doing better than I? (If Emilian OX-DUNG passes me, will jump into ravine)

What if Mihai fails in oath-keeping?

Thoughts

Many new faces, all with fire-hair.

Am not sure which is more frightening, umbrella woman or quiet somebody. Umbrella woman makes me fool, quiet somebody could slit throat with ease.

Helped someone, did not ask for reward. Not sure if being stupid or if feels good. Will have to think on it.

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

1/2/773

Jokes

A pitic, a twist, and a gundarakite are all walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and is telling them to get out. Then the gundarakite shouts something in their dung-tongue and explodes. Everyone dies.

What is an Invidian's worst fear? Bathing.

Borcans are actually being good people.

Thoughts

Was given a horn today. Am wondering if I blew it right in someone's ear, could I break their hearing? Maybe will be trying if a twist or pitic acts up again.

Apparently pitics dislike twists even more than I, they is not so patient as I am though.

Been practicing lady-tongue. All is well so far, if starts thinking about perfume or trousers will be stopping immediately.

Need to be getting dyes and having my own uniform forged. Leathers are worse than my own armor, need something better for twist fighting.

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

5/2/773

Happenings

Was on duty and escorting a disgusting twist out of Krofburg lands when I have luckiest meeting. A noble! Was very kind, did not yell at me once, and even shook my hand and touched my shoulder (Is never washing that spot again, is probably good luck)

Got even more drunk than am used to with new best friend. Was nice

Found someone to practice writing with, hopefully will be good for learning lady-tongue more quickly

Thoughts

Stunties are less trust-worthy than I was thinking originally. Speak much of honor, but do not think they apply this when dealing with non-stunties

Have to make return trip to the miserable village eventually. Think the people there are needing my coin much more than I

I think rum is better even than tsuika, if my father was knowing of this I think he would weep

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

10/2/773

Hopes

Officer? Was not thinking so at first, but after seeing what I am competing with is not seeming so impossible.

Save enough coin to be able to rent a plot of the Count's land. Could be like a boyar, but without pike up backside.

Get name on something. Will have to be doing something heroic, but if MIHAI ALBESCU is scratched into a book or statue somewhere will have something to point at when telling Emilian Ox-Dung to go rut a sow.

Thoughts

Something must be going on, suddenly there is Hawks about. Even worse, this could mean there is Invidian scum hiding about with them. Will have to be keeping on guard.

Received praise from the Captain, was best day since arriving in the village. Must work double hard to make him proud.

Had homesick feeling, was strange. Making mother's joint salve was making me ache to see her and father, but then I remembered Ox Dung would be there. Felt much better about not going home after this.

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

1/3/773

Misery

It ruined my face.

Can't sleep. Everytime I close my eyes I see It and if I am nodding off, I can taste the meat on my tongue again.

I can feel them, the stares. They've been on the back of my neck since I hiked back up the mountain. They press on me like a sneak's dagger. Am not sure what's worse, pity or disgust.

Thoughts

Switch to spirits. Maybe if I can feel nothing when I hit the bed I can sleep through the night.

Pray.

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

4/3/773

Hope

Maybe am not so ugly.

Training is very tiring. Having to re-learn how to fight is making me feel useless, but will learn all the same.

Very sore. Hurts to even take a seat, will have to be leaving most patrols to the men for a few days.

Thoughts

Maybe if I offer larger bonuses more will enlist.

Am torn between getting fake eye or just sticking with the patch. Might just flip a fang.

Need to get a new blade commissioned, again. Not sure what else to spend fang on up here but this and bullet.

[a peasant and his pitchfork]

24/3/773

Change

A simple change in name could open a world of doors to me. Am not sure if I should be excited or nervous.

They make me very happy. It is strange, am used to chasing after women for night or two but this is being different. It's frightening to care.

Might become part of a family? I hope so, but if it becomes so, can I ever be without them?

Thoughts

There is much to be done and little time to be doing it all in. Must seek family records, get a gift, and have fake eye finished.

It is nice getting these blades without cost so far. Platinum and silver, never thought I would own such things let alone be able to provide to my men.

I like saying 'My men.' Is not so much about feeling important (this is still nice) but about being responsible for others.