Notes and Crap (entry twenty-eight)

[written after the talk with Julian, before he leaves]
 
It was a rather uneventful traveling across the western lands of Randera. Landing on the coast, we ended up in the "Lower Desert" nearby to the west of Foxhole. We traveled for about a day or two, which I admit, my only source of entertainment was my books, so it wasn't too bad, read about "The Tale of the Nine Ronin". Eventually we came across a group of fennec foxes hunting some desert creatures, and chopping fruits off cactuses. It turns out the foxes we met were Kosuke's kin, and they treated us to a humble dinner back in their home. Naturally, I threw Kosuke under the carriage, mentioning that I had to sign a contract for friendship with him, "monies", and all the other quirks he had. What a laugh it was!
 
[writes a Haiku in his travels]
 
"Stop writing haikus
They don’t even make sense now
Something something fish"
 
At the inn later that night however, Julian approached me posing a question, whether that his father could be approached and forgiven. Well... I gave him my thoughts on it. I had to deal with my grandfather Aka Manto, the Shogun in the past, so maybe I could relate? I thought about it, and from what Julian told me, I said it was possible. We'd likely have to force his hand, but perhaps he could see reason and have the Winter's Children stand down. A son should never have to kill his father, nor should a father ever have to kill his son. He left for his bed, so tomorrow, we'll have to travel further east and think out our next move and plan for any encounters out in the wild frozen lands.
 
"I will not hate you
for your sins belong to me
thus they are forgave"
 
 
[written.... shortly after Julian is brought to the hospital]
 
Shizune forgive me for what I have done! I unknowingly sent Julian out on his lonesome out east. Shortly after I went to sleep, Julian went out alone to go find his father! We had several hours behind him after we realized he was gone. Not even strategizing, we marched out east half asleep out into the night, expecting to destroy any Winter's Children in our way. Azralea, thank the gods she had a thing for Julian, she was able to faintly trace down where he went. Given that we trekked for four hours into the night, the winds howling with blistering cold, the crunching snow, and cloudy skies with no moon in sight. We found a camp along a riverside, corpses ripped to shreds of victims by the Winter's Children, seemingly untouched tents, and many snowmen surrounding the area... and Julian near beaten to death inside a cage, left to rot in the snow!! I was seeing red, by the spirits someone was going to pay! Examining the camp, I went into the master tent, hoping we'd find Julian's father, but I instead found a war room table, and possessions.... alongside 4 snowmen.
 
Before I was able to properly examine the room, the snowmen attacked us! I was overwhelmed and forced to retreat from inside the tent. As quick as the ambush occurred, so too did the aggressors fell, but we found that the snowmen... had corpses of the Winter's Children inside them. We grew worried, realizing the cultists were already dead... Radegast found quickly we were not alone.
 
All around us, echoing maniacal laughter, groans that do not sound like a humanoid..., crushing snow and branches all around us. Rad and I saw a colossal spiny skeletal figure lurking in the shadows, through what I think was magical means, the second I laid eyes on it, I could not help but nearly vomit in fear. I can't even cast spells against it, if I can't even gaze upon it! Azarelea said it was the same devil as before, the bone devil of the Volcanorian Council, so he's clearly after Varis!
 
We doubled our haste out of that camp and into the forest, sprinting for hours eastbound, until we eventually reached Hvita, a mountaintop town keep in the Reach. Safe from that devil, we barged into the hospital and admitted Julian into their care. Here I sit, waiting outside his room. I swore I would not kill a living person by my hands again, but I failed my friend, and he very well might die from his injuries. My inaction and soft heart caused Julian harm, by Shizune's name, I hereby swear vengeance upon the Winter's Children, Julian's father shall experience all the pain he inflicted upon Julian, the people of this land, and his own people a ten-fold! None shall be left alive, and if they do, I shall end them painfully, this I swear!
 
"I cast upon you,
The black shade of my revenge
An eye for an eye"