Clair's Journal

[Clair Feldsky]

Year 1, Month 1, Day 1, Mid spring

Well, I'm leaving home today. By the end of sun's light this place won't even be visible as a dot on the horizon. I've got my armor, my lance, and some medical supplies already stowed safely. Extra provisions are a must. Irrenica said that caravan food could never be counted on. At least not the stuff they give the help. I'll be scouting along the right side of the caravan, making sure no one sneaks up on us. They have a more seasoned pegasus knight watching the front and left side. I guess I might as well watch the back too....

Where was I? I have a spare set of clothes, a bedroll and extra blanket (this is Ilia after all!), a hoof pick and a rasp for Corona. And a pair of clippers. A brush. The usual stuff.... I can't stop shaking in my boots, and it has nothing to do with the cold. I guess I'm a little nervous. I'm really leaving to begin a career as a pegasus knight. Was Mom this scared when she started? Everything in me knows I'll be fine. I've had excellent teachers. I've thought of everything I could pack and then some. Twice! My parents went over the list with me and said they couldn't have packed it better themselves. I still feel nervous. Like I did before my first flight without an instructor.... I bet these feelings will go away as fast as they did then, but in the meantime....


Day 2

Ohhh...... I'm so tired. I slept horribly last night. Too much excitement. I already miss my parents, especially because I know that after this week long trip to the pass into Sacae, I won't be going home. I'll be going on another mission. It's going to be a long time before I get home. At least three months. I've heard some of these trial missions for pegasus knights can take up to six months, or even a year! Every knight in the cavalry has done this though, and I won't be left out as sure as ice crystals are on Edessa's Spires.

I couldn't help it last night though. I looked behind me as I started my approach for landing. Arphen was gone.... There was no trace of it on the horizon. No walled city on the mountain. No lights twinkling. I couldn't even see the mountain it sits on. A blizzard had rolled in after we left. I had wanted to see it again. Just one last farewell. But I guess Ilia's snow had something else in mind.

I tried to talk to the other knight this morning. She blew me off. I guess she's really busy, but I wouldn't have minded a little bit of chatting. Maybe some advice.... I'll try again some other time. For now, I need to get Corona warmed up and get ready for takeoff. We're leaving soon.


Day 5

I was right in a sense. I don't miss my home any less, but it's getting easier to focus on my tasks now that I'm learning them better. It's also easier to get excited about the future. I spotted a group of people heading towards us from the my side, today, but I landed and alerted the caravan guards. It felt good to be the eyes and ears of the traveling group. Whoever it was watching from the side, they didn't feel like taking on our collection of guardians.

Oh yeah. We were joined yesterday by another pair of pegasus knights. Relief for when Corona and Ranger (the other knight's pegasus) get too tired.... Corona hasn't gotten too tired yet. He's got such strength to him! I never realized how durable he was until I had this chance to really test him.

Anyways, we seem to be pretty popular at dinner. I met a seamstress named Hilda, who wants to go to Sacae to study their patterns. Apparently, the cloth their is some of the most beautifully made fabric in the world. Or perhaps it was just the patterns. I don't know, and I'd rather have metal over me, personally.

Still, Hilda is friendly enough. She brought a handful of sugar cubes for Corona last night. It was not wasted on either of us. I hope she succeeds in her venture.


Day 7

We arrived today in the crossing town. Just ahead begins the pass into Sacae. I can see the mountains coming together to form a narrow funnel. That's going to be fun..... I've heard of this place. During some days, the Ilian mistrals wreak havoc on the air space inside the pass. Some times it can be perfectly calm and you'll ascend another twenty feet into a ripping jet stream of air currents. I'll have to be on guard, and pay special attention to Corona. He probably has a better sense for these things than I do.

Anyways, I got payed today, and restocked my supplies. Now I just need to find someone interested in going through the pass to hire me on. Easier said than done when you're just a squire. I won't charge much though.... Probably not worth all that much right now anyway....

[Clair Feldsky]

Year 1, Month 1, Day 9, Mid Spring

I... found someone. It isn't much of a job. Just wants me to follow him through the pass into Sacae. That's it though. Through the pass. No trip to a city. It is a job, and I can't afford to wait here forever, but this makes me a little suspicious. Where's he going once he's through the pass. I don't know what to do. I know I have to take jobs to get paid, but I always thought I could avoid the shady ones. What if he's smuggling and I get mixed up in it? I can't risk that....


Day 10

Someone else took the job I found yesterday. What's more, I found out that the caravan driver regularly trades with a tribe of nomads just through the pass.... I guess I got burned here. Suspicion isn't always a good thing. I don't think I regret my decision though.

It looks like alot of the traders in the area are making contracts like that at the moment. I don't really like the idea of short contracts like this. It'll take about two days to get through the pass and not many more afterwards to reach the tribe. I was hoping to find a nice two or three week trip down to Bulgar. Like the one I took a year or so ago.... I might have to settle for less though.


Day 15

Well, that's that. I finished a small trip through the pass, and a couple days to the southwest. Sacaeans are funny folk. They're very polite and generous to their guests, but I can tell I'm still an outsider. It's not something I can really lay a finger on. Some of the other guards say that they grow more comfortable with you if you visit them repeatedly. And if you make the effort to try to puzzle out their customs and manners. I could believe it, but that isn't going to affect things now.

I asked one swordsman if he had any job hunting advice for me. He told me to watch my step. Deceit isn't difficult to find, especially in smaller deals. I guess he's probably right. I pressed him for any other ideas, but he seemed cautious about sharing. I guess I can see why.

Apparently, Etruria's army is operating in the area. Ilian scouts are always prized highly by other countries, even when taken for granted. Maybe I can get some kind of job there. The soldier advised me to keep quiet about my intent though. Apparently, some of the missionaries have a bad reputation in parts of Sacae. Some of the tribes don't like outsiders traveling their land with no business as well....

The closest Etrurian outpost I'm interested in visiting to here is Salvation Point. It's the furthest east of three of four different strongholds. Sounds pretty well established too. I think that's what I'll do.