23rd of Cass
Ashley returned to the Varo estate today. Despite the fact the girl is Alexander’s
niece, she has favored the varos and the west side of the island since I was
assigned. Both of the sons were over
excited to see her. However, she didn’t
seem too excited. Almost like she regretted coming back. If I had to put up with those two fawning
over me I’d regret coming back to. In
fact if it weren’t for Lord Anthony I’d hate this family all together, but he
makes it worth it. Silvas is immature
and niave, Brend is selfish and brutal.
How could such a great and strong man like my lord raise two worthless
sons? Well, nothing else today. Boreing like always. I’m so glad I’m not in Andreal or Waterdeep,
despite the secret mages, and the haunted swamp this assignment has been
nothing but easy.
24th of Cass
Count Varo seems to have taken ill. Though he tried to hide it, he can’t hide
anything from me. The old man has been
coughing and doesn’t look like he slept well.
He told me he was fine and not to burden anyone else with his health. He is an independent man and doesn’t want to
burden anyone else, even when my life is to carry his burden. Some nobles rely on title for power. He brings nobility and power TO his title.
28th of Cass
Preperations today to move back to the city. Count Varo wants to be there in time to do
all his routine inspections before Worm Moon.
In most of the Empire the holiday means nothing, but hear Lord Varo
looks for any and every reason to reward the peasants with feast and
festival. He loves his people. The Empress, may she live forever, would do
well to model the rest of her nobility after this man.
29th of Cass
Arrived back in the city today. Reports from the counts eyes and ears say the
Dread Pirate Roberts was in port while we were away. The scoundrel uses Windfall as a hideaway and
trade port as he pillages the main trade line.
Though he’s never around when I am.
Even if he were my responsibility is to guard the count not hunt
fugitives. I’ve made a full report to
and forwarded it to my contact at the Pig.
Though I’ve done so before and the legion appears unable or unwilling to
intercept him.
3rd of Kale
Worm Moon festival appeared to be a hit among the
people. Rich and poor a like mingled on
merchant street the party went most of the night. These parties use to scare me. Hard to guard a man that is dancing among
riff raff and peasants. But after
hundreds of them I’m no longer nervous.
7th of Kale
Brend frustrates me.
He’s such a horrible person.
Light help us if he becomes Count.
At least then I’ll be reassigned.
12th of Kale
The Count’s health is failing. I had to transcribe his journal for him
tonight. It led us to a short discussion
on picking and heir. A conversation I
would never have wished to have with him.
He’s torn between his two sons. I
wanted to tell him that though tradition dictates a son be named the Imperial
law allows for any selection of reigning count or appointment by the Empress
may she live forever. He is wise. I hope he comes to that conclusion on his
own.
20th of Kale
Spent all day with the count in his chambers discussing the
heir. He asked for my opinion and I gave
it. I told him both his sons are only
half of what they need to be. The only
conclusion he could come to was to have them work together. He’d give Ashley to Brend to pacify him and
let him have the family estate to act as a buffer between Alexander and Silvas
in the city. The people love Silvas and
he loves the people. It seems like a
good enough plan. If I had more courage
I would have spoke my mind and asked to be named the heir. I have served him with out fail while his
children only fail him. But that is not
my place.
22nd of Kale
Count Varo has decided with assurity that Silvas is better
equipped to be count. I agree. He has always been honest and gentle and
loved by the people. I was worried about
him being too weak but he will have the might of the empire behind him. Alexander will never make a move so long as
that is true.
23rd of Kale
More ungrateful boys could never be found. Before the Count
could proclaim Silvas the heir Brend attacked Silvas. Some dispute about Ashley. Brend claims that Silvas assaulted Ashley and
tried to force himself on her. I took a
statement from Ashley with tearful eyes.
She holds to the story. I have my
doubts because Silvas doesn’t seem like he has the heart to do such a
thing. Either way Count Varo will not
tolerate his children killing eachother.
He’s told me to arrest Silvas and escort him off the island. What this
will do to the count in his failing health I can only imagine. What this does to the island now that Brend
will have to be the count AHH. Perhaps
this will be enough for the Count to see the obvious choice – me.
25th of Kale
Got Silvas to the docks and an imperial transport ship took
him off to waterdeep. That young man is
banished and can never return. I wish it
was Brend that was leaving.
27th of Kale
I found a note today.
It was badly burned in the fire I couldn’t make it out but I did see the
impression of a skull on the upper left of the paper. I’m not sure what this means, but Alexander
must be talking to people in the Varo household. I was going to discuss with the Count but he
insisted on talking to me about another matter.
He said that Brend must be the new Count and charged me with making him
ready. He made me swear by the Empress
may she live forever, to prepare Brend and to give the ring to him once the
Count died. He doesn’t deserve to know
that Alexander has infiltrated his house.
28th of Kale
I arrived and took my mission to humble Brend to heart. Travelled back to the city and at every
chance I had I corrected him in front of everyone. It gave me great satisfaction. It also frightened me, because he was making
the opposite decision that his father would make at every took.
29th of Kale
The Count has died.
Brend will never be ready. My
heart only wants to cry for my fallen lord but duty demands I press on. I can’t let Brend get that ring. The signet ring will make his arrogance
uncontrollable. Perhaps if I hide it, it
will give me more time to influence him.
3rd of Munth
The funeral was simplier than the greatness of that man
deserves. I found the ring the counts
secret room, right where he said it would be.
Not it rests on my person. One
Day Brend Maybe ready, until then I hold it.
15th of Munth
A guard patrolling the road north came back today and
reported seeing Tigers hunting and killing a deer just south of the family
estate. That can only mean
Alexander. I’m curious if he is behind
the rebellion, maybe a distraction for him to spread over the island. That would be possible if Brend didn’t
completely deserve it. More likely its
just him expanding for expansion sake.
Or maybe he is looking for Ashley too.
Unfortunately, I am too busy to have this investigated right now. Besides if I let him spread a little bit it
will make the threat even more real to the Empire. They’ll need me to save their holdings in
windfall.
19th of Munth
Investigated some flash of light south of the city. Brend was sure it was the righteous. Found signs of battle but no dead. The cabin near the south west shore looked to
be occupied. Someone with expensive
taste was staying there. We did find a
lot of very valuable art objects. Most
strange was a group of 6 still beating hearts in jars. We put them in the Palace Brend claiming it
all. Just because it was on his island
he thinks he owns it. Though it may
later provide some clue. But none of that matters to me at the moment. I am resigning. I have made contact with my man at the
Squealing pig arrangements have been made and things go according to plan.
20th on Munth
No longer the ‘Counts Guard’ I return to the legion. Windfall is in full collapse under Brend’s
arrogant leadership. But now I know what
to do. I already have the ring. I’ll request to go back and lead the
garrison. When Brend does what he does
best, destroys himself and windfall, I’ll ask for direct Imperial control then
produce the ring. Then I will be able to
fulfill Count Varo’s legacy in a way that will honor him.
22nd of Munth
Back in Windfall, The rebellion take all of my time now.
Making sure the Knights, brend rich friends, and the righteous, impoverished
slum workers don’t kill eachother. Very
little time for journal writing. Plus
with all the trouble in the Empire the Emperor, may he live forever cannot
afford more than a 5 person garrison here.
Windfall will have to completely fall apart before I can present the
ring. The righteous are led by some
secret hidden man named the Saint. No
one knows who he is. His will is passed
to the rightoues via two newcomers – Steward and Gloria. Perhaps most tragic all this fighting has
chased most of the city back to waterdeep.
The once crowded streets and docks remain empty now. There may not be much of Windfall left to
rule if I can’t act quickly. If only the
count would have seen that Brend should never rule. I could have stopped all of this before it
started.
24th of Munth
Hired a cleaning lady today.
Mary Anne was happy to have the work and the slothful pigs the
magistrate handed me will be grateful not to sleep in filth.
26th of Munth
Here I sit in the middle of two factions. Brend with his knights north and someone
called the Saint and his righteous in the south. We control the market district and act like a
buffer. I sent a scout and the report
came back that Alexander has in fact, taken command of the Family estate. He was attacked by and killed a tiger. The tiger was headed east toward the Caldenstien
monastery. It had a note tucked under
its collar. I included the note. It confirms Alexander is moving on windfall. Without the Empire windfall is lost. I make a last report advising the magistrate
that I have found the signet ring and that he should name me count, as I am
uniquely qualified to rule these people and to send legionaries to save the
city and the precious gold mines that Brend recklessly lost control of.
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