564
Journal of a Coward, Volume ??
TehLulu
As I ran down the King's Road towards Kal'Urguan, Mayctor always at my heels, that devilish cackle of his ringing through the air, I began to wonder to myself... Where, or when, exactly, had I gone wrong? I realized it was a moot question at that point...I had bigger problems to worry about. Namely, the High Guardian, who I feared was drawing ever closer. But now that I think upon it, I realize it is quite obvious. I relied too much on others, and the assistance they gave. I should have worked for myself, done all of my research myself. I should not have involved innocents, like Prince Toren, or Atles...whom I can only hope is safe, after disobeying orders to assist me... But I am ahead of myself. I suppose I should start at the beginning. :: I believe I had mentioned Mayctor in my last journal entry, though I have lost count of the volumes and being away from Laurelin, am unable to check the numbers. But I will assume I have mentioned him, my suspicions about him, and the whirlwind of evil which seems to have engulfed the Elves of Laurelin. I will assume that I had also mentioned the Dark Brotherhood and some of their possible members. Now, I will mention the new threat that has emerged...the Undead. I firmly believe, now more than ever, that Mayctor had something to do with them... That the Brotherhood at least works alongside them, if not for them. I had just finished a meeting with the  Pathfinders, along with other allies of mine, including Dalejin. Dalejin had left back to Oren with the news I had given him, of Mayctor's involvement in the scheme to kidnap the Queen. I believe he reached the capital in time, right as there were shrieks of horror from the North which we in Laurelin did not hear word of until a messenger came a bit later. As soon as we had heard it though, we left. I and a number of the Pathfinders, including Atles, headed North. Unfortunately, in my condition...I did not reach Winterfell, or Alstion. I am ashamed of this fact. I nearly collapsed on the road, bidding Atles to go on ahead Yet, he returned a short time later. He had made it to Alstion, but had been ordered back to Laurelin by High Prince Native. I left with him. He told me what he saw, of the Undead and the chaos, as we left. When we reached the gates of Laurelin, Mayctor was standing there on top of them... Looking down on me.... I lost control, screaming at him. He had to have had something to do with it! He hated the humans...He sought our end. But he only laughed. I refused to enter the gates of Laurelin at that point. I would not be inside the city with that...devil. I headed to Kal'urguan after that, to make sure the dwarves were prepared. A merchant by the name of Algor told me Hiebe was preparing the army for war, and that he was making axes for Hiebe, but had run out of wood. I went to get him some, knowing it was the least I could do. As I headed back, I ran across a group of strange men, one of whom bumped me off the road. All of them wore white robes...I had no time to question their intentions though. I can only assume they were some foolhardy, arrogant Templars. Or some other guild which thought it could defeat this evil easily. I returned to Laurelin after delivering the wood to Algor. Mayctor was no where in sight...I attempted to locate him, but failed. Then Princess Araina announced she was going to the Capital to help the wounded. I could not let her go alone, and I knew I had many spare supplies I could deliver. So we set off with them. The whole of Oren was chaotic. I found Dalejin right upon entering and we gave him what supplies we had, for the soldiers. As many arrows as I had and iron for armor. An uproar started suddenly, the guards yelling about an escaped prisoner. One of the Undead, apparently. I ran off to search the city, but coming up empty handed, returned just as the guards were escorting the Queen up to the Keep....when I saw him. Mayctor, hiding in the crowd. I yelled at him and he immediately ran for the gates. I gave chase, but he leapt off the road and I lost sight of him. I desperately wished to follow, to capture and question him....but I dare not leave the Princess alone. I found her and we went to the Keep together. She mentioned some kind of Traveler who was going to escort her back to Laurelin. We found that Traveler in the Throne Room, causing a ruckus. He was apparently trying to convince the Queen to come to Kal'Urguan, to hide. She refused, and the guards grew angry, attempting to arrest him. He fled quickly, and then the escaped Undead was discovered. Dalejin, I, and the Princess moved the Queen to the Barracks, as she requested. I left them there to speak, while I went to look around the city, mostly for Mayctor. I knew he was still hiding there somewhere. But then the Princess sent word that she sensed something happening in Laurelin. I immediately found her again and escorted her back to Laurelin... But not without running into the Traveler again. He refused to go to Laurelin with us, and the Princess refused to go anywhere without speaking to him first. By this time we were accompanied by 2 Pathfinders. So I took us to the Whisper Isles. I still had access to the Guard Barracks there. The Princess and the Traveler spoke privately inside for some time, then without a word, we left for Laurelin. When we arrived...well, I had no time to rest. Mayctor was skulking about, odd as usual...then a man pulled me aside. I recognized him. Relok. One of the possible members of the Brotherhood... He wished to know what I knew, how much of it, what I knew about Mayctor. He claimed to be a spy, who was sent to spy on Mayctor. I did not believe any of it. I refused to speak to him, and he threatened me. I do not remember the exact wording, but he ordered me to tell him "Or feel the wrath of the Dark Brotherhood." The Princess pulled me aside then, right as Relok claimed there was no such thing as the Dark Brotherhood. I could not comprehend what he was up to. Was it a plot to discredit me? To fool me? To drive me mad? I found out quickly what they wanted from me though. The Princess wished to speak to me in private about my....condition. She is quite observant, unfortunately. But I did not know what was the subject of our discussion until we reached a quiet place. But before that....Mayctor followed us. He crept along, hissing and making odd noises, half bent over all the while. We finally got somewhere quiet and had our conversation in whispers... And the Princess told me I should leave Laurelin. That it was dangerous. That she had overheard word that the Brotherhood wanted me captured. That was when Mayctor came across us. And the Princess bade me, no....commanded me, to flee. And flee I did. I ran as fast as I could from Mayctor as he yelled for me to halt. Claiming I was under arrest, and cackling. As I neared the gate, one of the Princes joined him in his attempts... I could not believe he had tricked them, too. So I screamed at the Pathfinders, who guarded the gate, to open it. While the Prince yelled in retaliation to keep it closed. Someone, I do not know who, but someone whom I owe my life to finally opened it. And I ran out of the city. But I am injured, and slow. The young Prince caught up to me easily, as did Mayctor. I thought all lost. The Princess had commanded me not to let Mayctor catch me, no matter what. But I could not attack the innocent Prince. That was when Atles, my savior, arrived, demanding an explaination. Mayctor claimed I was under arrest for conspiracy, and Atles asked for proof... I could not stay any longer. I yelled an apology to Atles, then ran. Now we return to the beginning of the journal... I ran down the road from Laurelin, Mayctor cackling behind me. As I entered the King's Road, I thought I saw someone familiar, up in the trees... But no. Even if it was him, I could not expect him to assist. I reached the Isles, then hung a left, running as fast as I could. I believe it was at that point Mayctor's cackles seemed to fade... But I could not be sure. My blood was pounding in my ears. I ran past the marketplace I had met Agnor at, down the trail... Until I finally reached Kal'Urguan and began banging on the gates, demanding to be let in. And directly behind them stood the Traveler, whom the Princess had bade me to meet when I arrived, saying he would help me, and I should tell him all I know. I was allowed in and we quickly retired to a private room. I told him of Mayctor, of the Brotherhood, of my wounds, of the Princess... When finally the story was done, King Charles came upon us. He graciously offered me his protection... :: :: :: :: :: :: ...ah, I drifted off. I'm afraid there are more people here, including...the Princess? And one of those men in the white robes....