preparations

[cellio]

February 22 (Sunday)

I don't know how he did it, but Prolix has persuaded most of us to go along with his vampire-hunting plan. I suspect a losenge of glibness. But for better or for worse, we are now making preparations to attack.

We will need several scrolls and potions, at the very least, so it will be several days. I told Prolix that I absolutely require that we have a scroll of teleportation. Why, he asked, when he can cast the spell himself? Because, I said, by the end of the fight he might be unable to cast the spell, and I will not go in without an escape plan. Liandra and Kyle agreed with me, so Prolix is spending today and tomorrow writing the scroll.

I also insisted that we discuss the escape plan. He agreed that any one of us can call for a retreat and everyone will have to abide by it. I'm not convinced that everyone will abide by it, but we'll see. In addition to the risk of having any of us die, which would be quite unfortunate, I have heard tales of monstrous undead, and other evil beings, interrogating the corpses of those they've killed. A dead party member will thus give up all our knowledge and plans to Garrett. This would be a major loss.

Charlos said he would like to come with us. It is not clear what he will be able to do against Garrett, but it seems to be very important to him, or to his sense of duty, to try. I will certainly not object to another ally; I hope he gets the outcome he seeks.

Brennan gave us some items to help in the fight, including a wand of protection from evil, a couple of scrolls of protection (in a larger circle, not just for an individual), a scroll of restoration (very important), a necklace of fireballs for Kyle, and a few other items. Delyan told Prolix he could take the bracers of armor from her body, though she pointed out that they had done her no good against Garrett.

It will take several days for Prolix and Liandra to prepare the scrolls and potions that will be needed. I think it would be a good idea for me to prepare for the possibility of failure. If we don't make it, certain people need to be told certain things. It's time to prepare some letters.

February 23 (Monday)

Prolix finished the teleport scroll today. One scroll down; several to go.

We discussed a plan of attack today. We settled on this: we will all be invisible and flying, and Prolix will scry right before teleporting to improve his chances of landing in the right place. (Hey, it's got to work for him eventually, right?) We will all, also, be protected from evil; that charm lasts only a minute, so I will use one of the scrolls we were given to cast a stronger version of the spell. That way, others can run for cover near me if they lose the spell, and I can renew it from the wand.

If we succeed in surprising Garrett, we will attack him with my circlet, divine flames called down by Liandra, Turok's breath, and holy water. Turok will then try to disarm him in hopes that we can capture Weeping Wounds early. That dagger frightens me, and the sooner it is out of Garrett's hands the happier I'll be. I am taking the three large pieces of the glass block that previously encased it, so we will have something to wrap it up in. I hope to not touch the dagger personally at all; I fear what it can do to the land through me. Ok, I also fear what it can do to me.

Prolix has been counting up spells, to figure out what to write on scrolls in advance. He will not be able to make all of us invisible in one day on his own, so he will need to write a couple scrolls. The same applies to flying; I told him that this time I need a fly spell, rather than relying on polymorph for wings like when we cleansed the pool. The flight from the spell is superior in speed and maneuverability, and I do not want to be left behind. In addition, I want to find a different, stronger form for this fight; I will need all the strength and fortitude that I can muster. I will be spending some time with the beastiaries in the library tomorrow.

While it saddens me greatly, I have decided that Hrolf should not accompany us in this fight. Slade and Tasha will also be staying behind. I fear for Hrolf's life, and I do not believe he will be able to damage Garrett enough to make up for that risk. I'm going to sleep on this tonight, but if I still feel this way in the morning I'll tell him. I suspect he will not be happy with me.

February 24 (Tuesday)

Prolix continued to write scrolls today, and also worked with Liandra on the first of two potions so that she and Kyle will be able to see invisible. Seeing each other is important.

After pouring through books today, I think my best option during this fight is to take the form of a troll. The pictures look quite sturdy and fierce, and while dreams are not necessarily accurate, I once had a vivid nightmare about trolls, and they seemed quite effective then. So I found a room out of the way and practiced the form today. It took some work, but I think I know how to do it now. Kyle was rather disturbed when I broke the news to him.

Speaking of unhappy news, I had a talk with Hrolf tonight. As I expected, he is both hurt and indignant that I want him to stay behind. Who will protect me if he is not there, he asked? And how could he ever live with himself if something bad happens to me and he was not there to defend me? I said that I had the same fear about him -- that Garrett would smash him out of spite and I would be unable to stop him.

I also told Hrolf that if something does happen to me, there is something I need him to do. It is hard to write about this without crying. If I do die (or worse), there are people who need to be told certain things. I asked Hrolf to handle delivery of some letters that I will write before we leave. If we don't come back, or if the group does but I do not, he will deliver those letters.

I didn't know that owls could shed tears, but it looked for all the world as if he was crying, too. I hate the thought of being separated from Hrolf, and I hate the thought that one of us might die at that fiend Garrett's hands. Hrolf and I just held each other silently for a time, and I think he finally, reluctantly, agreed that I am right. I wish that made me happy.

February 25 (Wednesday)

Prolix continued to write scrolls today, and Liandra made the other potion for seeing invisible. I spent some time practicing with polymorph, and also spent some time in the kitchen evaluating the garlic supply. This was all by way of procrastination, though, and finally I sat down to write some letters. The letters to Seamus, Anarian, and Lord Marius are relatively straightforward, but I could not bring myself to write the hard ones -- to my parents, Brion, and Tobin. I will try again tomorrow.

Kyle has been drinking nearly non-stop since we made the decision to fight Garrett. He is feeling the weight of this task, as are most of us, but there seems to be nothing I can say to console him. It doesn't help that Prolix occasionally cackles while writing scrolls, saying things like "this will teach him!" and "he won't go through us like butter!". I find this behavior rather disturbing, myself.

Hrolf has been staying especially close to me today, which I appreciate. Slade is also sticking close to Liandra, I noticed. And, of course, Viggo and Liandra are spending most of their time together.

February 26 (Thursday)

Liandra is finished with potions but Prolix is still writing scrolls. Kyle and Turok have been somewhat stir-crazy and have been drinking quite a bit, and Viggo has been itching to get out into the fresh air, so today we left Prolix and Olver to their studies and went out for a walk in the city. We did not encounter any monsters, though we saw plenty of evidence that they are nearby. Hrolf did not go hunting without me, this time.

Liandra and Viggo have been spending a lot of private time together. Viggo is not going to join us in fighting Garrett; he will stay here with Slade and the others and await Liandra's return. I can see that he is worried about her.

February 27 (Friday)

Prolix finished the scrolls we will need today, so we will attack Garrett tomorrow. He and Turok seem to be the only ones who actually think this is a good idea, but I guess we're committed at this point.

I can't put it off any longer; I wrote some difficult letters today, and had another long, tear-filled talk with Hrolf. I desperately hope that we all return safely from this mission tomorrow -- for our own sakes, and for the sake of the land.

Comments

[cellio]

Thank you for the positive feedback.

Larissa would have discussed with Liandra, but not recorded in her diary, some contingency plans in the event that Liandra makes it back and Larissa dies:

• If you have my body, please get me raised. I'll find some way to pay for it.
  
• If you can't, please talk with Tobin about proper burial. I've also left some letters with Hrolf if this happens; please distribute as seems appropriate.
  
• If I don't survive, please take care of Hrolf if he's willing to stick around. You can talk with him; he won't mind. I think he likes you.
  
• Also if I don't survive, you should take my books, including my diary. I've been making notes about the land and magic and stuff; it might be helpful. My diary has a small trap on it, but you are immune to its effects.
  
• My sword should not be sold; it was a gift of Agondre, and it shouldn't show up in a market somewhere. Perhaps Agondre will suggest a proper distribution.

Just for the sake of sharing

[mrpeck.livejournal.com]

Kyle demanded that he not be raised. He has seen what can happen when people come back and he wants no part of it. He also refuses to listen to reason if anyone tries to explain that odd things only happen in certain cases.

He made a deal with Turok that each would be sure that the other one was dead, if necessary, to ensure that each would not become a vampire.

In his mind, he thinks he made a similar deal with Liandra although I am sure that Liandra sees that deal quite differently.