High Roads and Low

5th of Planting;
I passed my examines, graduated first out of my Creche. Not even 17 yet and I can sign myself a Journey Woman Courtesan of the Honestia Class. I'm so excited and proud. Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the Madam, I hope mother is as excited about this as I am. I beat out Jean Marie, in testing and graduation, according to the Records Mistress, I even beat out mother's old record.
 
6th of Planting;
My meeting with Mother, er, Madam Anne was a bit of a let down. Rather than work in the Rising Sun, she's sending me to a sister order and House in the Frontier. I smell Jean Marie's hand in this. O.K., she and mother are the tall, willowy type, with nice,...personalities. Yes, personalities. My personalities are a bare handful, being generous a hand and a mouth full. Sigh. if Madam says I must go out to the frontier and convert the heathen, introducing them to soap, finger bowls, etiquette and manners, so be it.
 
Said my goodbyes to the staff and Maggie. Margarette de Royon. My best friend, truthfully my first love and lover. I am going to miss her. Maggie, interesting story, surprised she failed her exams. She's the bastard of a rabbit lord, managed to scrape enough together to get her admited to the House. She was originally assigned to my Creche, making the tenth, and the oldest by a factor of 1 year, two months. She's beautiful. Skin like fresh drawn cream, auburn hair, normally worn piled high, blue eyes, tall, curves in all the right places. We held hands and cried a little last night, offered consolations, promises, I can almost see her fate. If she isn't given as a Mistress to one of the frontier rabbit lords by her family when she passes the exams, someone is blind and oblivious. Sigh. I'm going to miss Maggie.
 
7th of Planting;
Got my traveling gear together, cleared the House Mistresses, got my certification and diploma, the three that would talk with me expressed surprise that I was being sent to the frontier. But Madam has so ordered.
I stopped by the temple of Lliiara, got a holy symbol. I like them, even though Mother is rather cool toward that cult. I like the idea of someday being a spell singer, joy bringer and joy dancer. A girl can have ambitions cann't she? Even got prime signed. The priest was so surprised, he didn't ask for his token coin for the blessing and service. Who knew?
Met the caravan, next stop, Grytack.
 
10th of Planting;
Bother, one of the bully boys of the caravan got it into his little head that he could sample the merchandise. I let him get close, then kneed him in the nards, then kicked him in the head when he was down. Damn it, he was a head taller than I am. When he woke, we had words, I told him I was a professional, and could pick and chose my partners, 'Try coming back after you've had a bath and gathered at least 50 new smooth gold coins. And I would think about it. " Heard lots of muttering after that, but no more problems.
 
23th of Planting;
Made it, and I am way underpressed. But this is where my guild sent me, I will make the best of it. Found accomodations, paid through the end of the month and next. The Owner, she seems nice, a few simple rules, two meals a day with my rent. Not bad. Now to check around town and make contacts.
Found the Guild. They call it 'The Seamstress Guild,' I get the joke, but wonder what is wrong with just calling it what it is? Worse, this guild is set up like a resistance movement. Dispersed organization, nothing centralized. I know what the guilds did during the war, but that was almost 150 years ago. Oh well. Party, tonight, free food, some inn Archane Goblet if I heard right, owned by Hobbits. At least they should know how to party.
Found the Other Guild. Have to come back tomorrow to do my intros.
Time for the party.
Fanciest Inn in town, this has potential. Turns out they are celebrating the graduation of a Meister, one Meister Cyrano, if I heard correct. Gnome, spell chucker, had a few words about his degree, asked about the rumor I'd heard about the problem with oak galls. Tried to draw out more about how they made ink here. Seems remarkable similar to how we did it back home, no use of iron rust to fix it, maybe he didn't want to talk about it. I'll be back.
Met Dem, simple country boy, uneducated, a good 50 years behind the times, but he's cute, cutish, definitely going to have to introduce this one to soap and a bath. But he should be making a more than adequate shield for one small Rogue and Courtesan. Then met, the Mystery Priest. Nobody noticed, I missed a couple of cords, he's cute, tallish, I tried one of the classics, asked if it hurt, when he fell from heaven's gate...He didn't get it. Am I losing my mojo? Already? No, cann't be. Tried shaking his hand to get his name, three joints of a candle later, he was limp in my hand, talking about Eldath loving me, the virtues of Eldath and her followers. Tried to get in a few words, Lliiara, Allied church, three out of five isn't bad. Is he really clueless? Has no likely lass offered to play Priestess to his Priest during the holy days? I kissed his cheek, reclaimed my hand, promised I would be back. Time to target the gnome Meister.
Not very subtle but I pitched the idea that his expedition to look at the tree gall problem could benefit by the presence of a neophyte treasure finder. Then, then the Hobbit butted in. Dinky Underfoot, Druid, and member of the Underfoot clan. From his arrogance, condescension and general air, he butted in, announced as a Druid he should be involved in anything involving trees. I wanted to walk away. Stood to it. yes, we got a small group together, me, Michael, my mystery priest, Dem, Meister Cyrano, Lord Dinky. Goddess bless us.
We start tomorrow.
 
24th of Planting:
We gathered at the stable, Professor Flintaxe had hired us to carry a cart of supplies to Lakedale, he might have work for us later. And before we left, one of his students had missed a test. Could we check up on him.
That led to all day wandering all over, with a few interesting things.
1. I met the cutest squirrel. I'm told they are Pipkin Squirrels. I think the bastard charmed me. Gah, rolled by a squirrel. But it was cute. I'll be back.
2. The missing student's farm house had been raided, someone killed everything. Who ever did it, they were all wearing boots. That's odd. Found a journal, language I didn't understand. Gave it to Meister Cyrano. Maybe he can make heads or tails of it.
3. Met lots of people, some of them might be interesting or even useful.
4. Met the night shift librarian at the College. They were cute. Don't any of these people know how to flirt?
 
I'm coming back for this one.
 
5. Met the rep of the local 'ahem' guild. explained my situation, so long as I keep checking in, and don't steal anything they won't send the leg breakers after me. I can live with that.
 
25th of Planting;
On the road to LakeDale. Only one serious encounter. Goddess help me, I want to throttle the little prick.
Approached him with the idea of arrainging a meeting with his Sister as Manager/Owner of the Eldrich Lantern.
 
The little bastard gave me a lecture on the immorality of prostitution, slavery, all of it including how his family was against slavery in any and every form.... I tried to explain what I was, my status and certifications, he doubled down on prude and prick. If he's an Underfoot, I want nothing to do with the family. No idea of the draw a Courtesan of my class could bring to his or their establishment. definite profit multiplier. I held my temper for all of five minutes, then let loose.
 
Idiocy like that comes from some where. He didn't learn that as a druid. So, no talking to the Eldrich Lantern.
 
26th of Planting;
Jumped by goblins in an ambush.
Insert a deep heartfelt sigh here.
We knew from the set up, two dead horses, obviously stripped left dead in the middle of the road, black hafted arrows...
I threw out a couple of fast ideas out to turn the tables. Thank you Sr Sgt Norwood. I did learn something from your classes.
 
Nope, nope, nope.
 
Yes it's an ambush.
We are going to roll right into it.
The Druid is going to turn to a wolf and go solo against an unknown enemy, no back up.
 
We should have lost, I got an arrow in the back. Brought down a Goblin, Michael caught one. Meister Cyrano tagged and bagged one, the Druid killed one. Four goblins, no coin, four short scimitars, leather, not worth it, and four short bows with arrows. Refilled my quiver, packed an extra with 20 more arrows. We can sell the others.
 
Had a talk with Mikey, Goddess he's cute, told him some, not all. I wanted to believe his way of not killed had appeals, I wanted him to be right, but he'd have to convince me. He did, sort of. I agreed, I would try his way, non-lethal, if at all possible. I have doubts, but I will try. This would be easier if he weren't so damned cute. Samhain is coming, if we get the chance I will offer to be Priestess to his Priest. Bet he's still virgin. But I will offer.
 
Made it to the general store, got paid, sold the captured gear, reloaded some supplies.
 
Dem admitted he didn't understand money, asked if I would help. I agreed, got him a Field Medical Kit, six days rations, put his four coins in a pouch, promised him I would treat it as if It was my own. Trust like that. It's heart warming.
 
Went to the tavern, after getting rumors. The group needed a short rest, I worked the room, shirt tied off, boots off, playing, singing, dancing with the pipes. It worked, the town had a bully problem. No civil authority worth a damned.
 
Going bully hunting. some how I expect to hear a riff from 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.'
 
 
28th of Planting, Maybe. It's after mid-night, maybe the 29th.
It's been rushed. Sitting here on another short break, pen in hand scribbling notes, observations, thanking the Goddess for Sgt Norwood. Next chapel, I light a candle for him. He gave me a light in the darkness. I could kiss that old man and Sgt Isault as well.
We went into the unground under an old ruin, found a Nothic, some cheap jack brigands, got a chance to see my fellows in action again. The more the hobbit tries, the more I wrinkle my nose at him. From the beginning.
We encountered a Nothic, it was ugly, one eyed, psionic. I knew, knew that at one time it had been human. Don't know how. He was hungry. Meat eater, human meat eater. Tried to placate him with an apple, then some jerky, he wanted man meat. Oh, also found and rescued a dwarf. Why does he smell of yeast and sour wort?
Anyway, I tried to appeal to the Nothic's humanity, it attacked, I had even offered to go and find it food and bring it back, or bring myself back. Then the damned Hobbit decided he was a subaltern working on mention in dispatches, and started the attack. Third time he's done this in three days. Is this a Druid or a Warrior?? If he's a warrior, he's an idiot. If he isn't a Druidic Defender or Avenger, he's damned big idiot. It did distract the monster. Bought me time to unlimber my sling, two dwarf bread balls then using the sword, it was down. The Hobbit turned wolfen and took a bite out of the Nothic after it was down, saying he had to be able to claim he had at least bitten it. And the rest of our group nodded, gave the hobbit credit for the kill.
After Michael healed everyone, I presented myself for succor, and was told he was saving his spells those that were really hurt. I was standing there showing necrotic damage, and he told me I wasn't really hurt. In three days, he called me harlot and whore, tried to shame me for my training and occupation, then dropped an unsubtle hint I might steal from my companions.
 
WHOSE SIDE IS THIS IDIOT ON ANYWAY. Goddess forgive me, I still want him, but his price is going up. A little more and I cannot afford him. Denying me succor, aid and assistance, and it gets worse.
 
I was getting angry.
I collected the Nothic's head, we cleared his horde, cleared an area with some refuse, then headed on. It gets worse, and I enterred the darkness, freely and of my own will. Goddess forgive me.
 
We found four brigands gaming, minding their own business. We attacked, I ended up killing two, two surrendered, Michael was talking about tending their wounds. I who had been wounded, had offered to wander after him as acolyte and disciple, he had insulted, tried to shame and belittle. I...I got angry. In response, I felt a white heat and a vision of light, took the two I had killed, from behind, I removed their heads. It was a mess, my hands may never be truly clean again.
Throwing their heads in a cloak with the other head, I walked into another corner, someone said something, I don't remember what, my mind was my own and clearing, I realized what I had done, I dropped the bag and started dry heaving. I was afraid. I was in a dark and lonely place. When I stopped dry heaving I moved to the opposite corner, started cleaning my sword, and thinking, hard. My tears fell like rain.
It was dark, scary, and even in a crowd, I was alone. A simple hand on the shoulder, a kind word, something, nothing. The company argued, Dinky about honor, prestige, being a hero when you boiled it all down. Michael renewed his vows. Meister Cyrano was dictating as if in a class room. The dwarf, goddess, he's wearing a striped down studded jerkin and a beaver pelt kilt. I managed not to laugh.
I told Dinky his concerns were too little, too late. I didn't hear his response.
But I did find a flickering candle in the darkness, lessons from Sgt Norwood. I found a light. Michael's concepts wouldn't work, his idea was right, his application, flawed. But I found my light. It may be my way out of the darkness.
Then it was decided that I would interogate the prisoners.
I briefed Michael on what I was planning, he told me no. I did it anyway.
It worked, mostly. We got the information we needed, how to find the leader, someone called 'Glass Staff.' the money man. That and where to find the rest of the bandits underground. All I had to do was promise we would give them their blades and bows back, a pack, some gear and let them free, if their knowledge proved solid.
It did.
We found and captured Glass Staff, along the way, Meister Cyrano screwed up. He told the Rat Familiar that we weren't guards even though we were wearing the red cloaks. The rat braced to run, a fast bread ball to it's head, and it died, unable to share the knowledge we were there. A few fast words, Cyrano doesn't get it he screwed up. Idiots, I'm surrounded by idiots.
We captured Glass Staff. He charmed the Druid, Dinky finally became useful. Meister Cyrano slept the hostile, we secured him, searching to his small clothes. Bless you Mistress Olga for that class on knots. He was restrained, bound, gagged. A fast run through we found useful stuff. I also saw avarice among my companions. I thought I was supposed to be the greedy one.
We got our acts together, and moved on, me using Glass Staff as a meat shield. Maybe his people would be reasonable so as to not harm their employeer. Maybe we can resolve this with less or better no blood shed.
 
That didn't work. We found four bug-bears. One kept trying to hit me through his employer to a point he seriously hurt his employer. Another at right angles to me, swinging wildly before he went for an easier target. Thankfully, not me. Everyone was injured but me, including Glass Staff. Time for another break. We cleared the room, secured it, I'm on watch. My chance to scribble some things down.
 
Things to consider,
 
When we get out, work on my Rogue skills a bit, then time to go to the College and work on other things. See if I can use my skill as a Chanticleer, find a song of ceremonies and consecration for Lliiara. I already have Song of Healing, sounds like my odds of being a Spell Singer have gone up.
With my knowledge of table top alchemy and the notes and kit we found, we will take this out. I plan on learning how to actually make healing potions. We will need them. Especially with my kitten spells and Michael's holding his spells for others. We will need potions badly.
Another thing, there were tales from when my sisters where priestesses, something, a ceremony to 'Take the War from the Warrior." If I found my dark place that easily, what about those that are true warriors. Is there a way to help them come back from the darkness??? That I can and will take as penance. I owe it to those following the paths of joy and happiness to find a way to either recreate or refind this song...
More later, we move out shortly...
 
Wow, big damned heros. We rescued the Carpenter's Widow and children. They knew he was dead. Captured two more brigands. Caught them sleeping.
 
As a group we decided it was time to get the prisoners out.
The two we negotiated with, I kept my word. Even with voiced complaints. But I kept my word. Gave them back arms, armor, one bow, one pack, one of my last fancy bars of milled soap. Damned I'm gonna miss that bar of soap later. A pouch with a handful of coin, recommended they head away, and get baths and haircuts. They left. Smart men.
We did. Got into the Jail, some jail, I got us in by picking the lock. We secured our prisoners, keeping Glass Staff tied up. Then we split up, Before they left I gave a pouch with coins to the Widow to allow them to resettle. She was grateful. Dinky went to guard them during the night.
Me, I set out my bed roll, got some sleep.
 
30th of Planting
Sold off our loot, reorganized, and planned on going back into the ruins. Droopy showed us the front entrance. I was in a hurry, it was Samhain, I wanted to party. Maybe get lucky. Maybe see if Michael needed a Priestess to his Priest tonight.
In, run through, very profitable, I found the promised pit trap. Almost fell into it. Go me.
We cleared the rest of the Dungeon. Michael found a traveling water proof shoulder back, two potions, 50 GP, a change of clothes turned out to be Glass Staffs run away kit.
Loot, well worth it. 27 Books, most of them stolen from the Great Library in Vantage. Really need to go there. One on Alchemy 101, looking forward to reading that. A basic book on theory, gathering herbs, a couple of basic potions. We also nicked Glass Staffs research notes on Invisibility Potion. Another room, we found the armory. In the crash room we found a chest with 30 pounds of processed white sugar. Oh boy.
Rushed out, took care of business, negotiating loot, storing more loot, a quick clean up for the celebration. As the sun was setting, the houses were going dark, the bon fires were started, the ale started flowing.
Darren the Ranger was there, asked after his knee, it was responding to the drought I left him. Then asked if he wanted to dance. Got the long speech about how he was old enough to be my grandfather. I looked at him, mouth agap. had to explain, I wanted to dance with him. That was it. He laughed. Damned, I liked him, but come on, take him to my bed? I don't think so.
Went looking for Michael. Found him at the bonfires, he was with the local priestess of Tymora. 1/2 Elven, pale hair, pale skin, fair of face and form. He had found his Priestess. Damnit.
Tried a round on the dance with the Town Master. He actually leered and all but drooled at me. Ew. He stank. He sweated profusely, he stank, I wanted to take someone to my bed. But...This is probably going to be my only Samhain as a free woman. I want someone to make it special. I want someone special...
Went to hang with the younger set. Too many matched and mated pairs. Tonight, that makes them sacred. I will honor that and hunt elsewhere. Then Michael and the Sister came over. I wandered away. He found his Priestess. This was right and proper, like with like. Why did it hurt??? He's told me his opinion of me, been most vocal about it. Buck up, surely there is someone here looking to share a night of passion...Michael's price is too high, why do I still want him??? Pride? Foolishness? I still think he would be good for me. But...it isn't going to happen.
I still wanted someone special.
Not really going to happen. Wandered back to the tavern, empty, the green was emptying, the witching hour approached, and I was it. Back to the town hall and the jail. A cold and lonely bed roll. Bugger.
It was 80% successful. I danced, I could have danced all night, I sang, ate and drank my fill. Flirted a bit. And spent the night alone.
Damned, Damned, Damned.
Patience. Sometimes the Goddess answers prayer by saying no. A lost opportunity. But the game goes on.
Tomorrow we start the efforts to rescue the Professor and his companion.
 
1st of Floodebbe
I was blessed, two dreams last night. Went to bed frustrated, wanton, aching for touch. The first, it seemed just as real as the second. It was a feasting and celebration with a Fae Court. There was much rejoicing. It made my night much more special.
I had my dream second last night. My dream came again. But there was more...
Everything else was there. But this time, this time, he touched me. It was a strong touch, a warm touch, a wanting touch. We held each other, shared a kiss...
Then we were in our bed. Our wedding bed, the one he took my maiden head in, the one I bore our sons in. It was perfect. Hand in glove, like old lovers. it was glorious. I didn't want to wake up. So help me I want to throttle that hobbit, his snoring woke me just before the dawning of the sun...a few more minutes, another caress, another kiss.
I need to stop obsessing over this. It's just a dream. A fantasy. But it's so beautiful. I need to find a real lover before the dream takes over and I don't want to wake up. But between the two dreams, it made my night special. Special enough. But I do need a real lover. Need, not just want, losing yourself in the dreaming, this is a bad thing.
We go to rescue or start the rescue of Professor Flintaxe and his guard, associate, first to some goblin caverns. Yeah team.
 
Michael and I compaired notes, I said I was going to the Elven Rangers, ask him some things, compair notes to what Itchy told us. Michael seems a little overly sensitive this morning. I made commentary about he could be taught when he echoed what I had just said right back at me like it was original. What's his problem? Officiating last nights activities, he and his priestess paid homage to the God and Goddess. He got lucky.
 
Need to hop to it if I'm going to get any answers this morning.
 
2nd of Floodebbe
What a day. Almost drowned, captured some more goblins, Dinky captured some more wolves. He wants to turn them into a hunting pack.
We rescued someone from the Goblins and their Bugbear leaders.
His name is Kostas. We had a chance to break bread. Share a skin of wine. Talk a little. He was complaining of a stiff neck due to his horse threw him when he and Meister Flintaxe got captured. Me, I didn't even think about it, mumbled something about helping, and it was a little used or respected skill among my companions. Pivoted around, started working his shoulders and neck.
He responded almost immediately, more he knew of the technique, then identified where I had learned it. Asked where, which House I had flowered in.
He had an idea of what I was. We flirted, I ended up spinning around, sitting on his lap, legs wrapped around his waist...He blushed so nicely. But didn't push me away. He got flustured, stammered about how I didn't look like the ideal theHouse of the Rising Sun, then realized he may have insulted me.
I took no insult, he is right. I don't look like the Sisters and Ladies of the house in this day and age. I look more like what one of them would have looked like when the Franks came to the lands. I took no umbrage, I was thrilled, someone that knew what I was or had a solid clue and didn't take cheap shots at me, my character and my person. Me I was so happy, I, maybe over stimulated him.
When we were called to get back to it, he was unable to stand. He had gotten an erection from my sitting on his lap, talking to him, and maybe a little bit of a wiggle in my seat. He was so embarrassed. I got up, gave him a good show of my hips he watched me leave the cave.
Kostas would be too easy to love. The more time I was around him, the more easy it would become.
He's only a little taller than me. Has the classic med coloring. Strong but not overly developed. He has cavalry experience, I'm guessing an under officer or cadet to be an officer then a Knight. He wants to be a 'Griffin Knight.' I asked for a ride once he wins his spurs and mount. He hasn't said no yet. He's from an old noble family. That could be problematic. Sigh.
Let's not borrow trouble.
Back in town we feasted, then, then I invited myself into his room, told him the truth, to a limit, I had just survived a series of near death experiences, and I wanted to celebrate being alive, I wanted him that night. Told him, that I was a 'Free Woman,' not dediated to any house, but I wanted him as a 'Free Woman' giving herself to a 'Free Man.' Don't know if he knew what I was talking about, but I was given an invitation, he turned down the bedding for me. I slipped in with him, and we both celebrated being alive.
Goddess, forgive me, he was perfect, his touch, the feel of his hand on my body, my response to what we did. He was perfect to me and for me. Like he knew how to stimulate me, to induce feelings and I poured my wealth of knowledge and experience to give him the best I had to give. It was glorious, I'm not sure how much sleep we got that night.
I actually felt like I was glowing when I left his bed and room with a kiss.
Then things started going wrong. Our prisoners were massacred in the jail, our goblin friends were gone, I wanted to throw up in response to what I was seeing. Who could do such a thing. Why not just rescue them.
Tactically, strategically, we are dealing with an enemy that doesn't even value the lives of their people. Would rather kill them than rescue them so see if they have learned. So much 'Glass Staff,' could have told them about us. Guess we are just too unimportant to worry about to them. Ruthless, cold, virtually unlimited man power and resources. And that tacky red cloak.
It's the same red and build as the field gear of the soldiers of the Old Empire. Could that be it? Could there be Emperial Reminants even after 150 years? Has anyone found a son or daughter of the Emperor? Goddess help us. That would be horrible.
Before I left Kostas, I told him he had greater need than I, pinned my Holy Symbol of Lliara to his tunic, actually told him, "Your need is greater than mine,' I've been reading too many old books, but By Lliara and Eldath, I ment it.
Slow down girl, he's too good for the likes of you. Remember, 'Free Woman' or not, 'A Courtesan cannot ascend to the Purple.' One of the old laws and limitations.
But, damnit, he matches the man, my husband from my dream. The wings? As a Griffin Rider, he can add wings to his coat of arms. That matches. It's scary how much he matches the man, my husband from my dream. Worse, the dream is growing into more details.
Time to leave and rescue Meister Bokur Flintaxe, Thor's cousin.