Journal of Rollo Lavius 1

Entry #43 - Retzal

(G43 - BG 06/03/09)

I should also note, that a minute or so before Raz was slain, some fool archer shot into the rigging and a heavy spar struck me on the head!

I woke up in my bunk, some hours later, being revived by Nobby.

In the morning, myself and Nobby screened off part of the deck and she cast 'Speak with the Dead' on his corpse. His body lurched up and looked at us quizzically. Nobby had told me that we could only ask three questions so the first was 'Do you want to come back?'

Incredibly he said no! It seemed he was happy in barbarian heaven. So sadly my next two questions were 'What shall we do with your stuff?' and 'What will we do with Fatima?'

Well, he wanted to be buried with his axe, but the rest of his stuff we could divide up between the remaining pie shop owners and Fatima.

Nobby had also noticed that Fatima was pregnant! Although she did not know it yet.

So, we arranged the funeral, that is four poor souls now to be buried in Ishau. Fatima decided to stay, so we gave her enough of Raz's wealth to keep her going.

If we wanted to leave now though, the Wyvern needed more crew. Ishau has six taverns and myself and Shifty divided them up and looked for likely looking fellows. I managed to find a young chap who was willing to work his passage and a couple of sailors who would work for a negotiated fee.

I also questioned an innkeeper about the Red Caps, he told me that they had a cave down the coast and that that was probably where the were coming from.

So, I returned to the ship. So did Shifty, but he had not found anyone for the Wyvern's crew and only muttered that he planned to burn down an inn he had visited. I can only hope these are idle threats.

I called a meeting of the captains and owners. Lavinia wanted to get going as soon as possible.

Shifty could not be persuaded to scout the caves so it seemed the sensible thing to do and we sailed out into the open ocean that evening.

DAY 89

This morning I scouted around the ship in eagle form as normal and spied a lone jolly-boat being rowed towards the distant shore.

I flew in for a closer look and saw an exhausted cloaked figure. Much to his surprise I'm sure I landed and turned into a human!

He was thirsty so I created some water into the bailing bucket and his gulped it down gratefully.

Next we rowed to the Wyvern and we gave him something to eat.

He explained that his name was Retzal and the ship he had been on had been attacked and sunk.

We wondered if he wanted a lift to next port and he said of course, so it looks like he is another Sea Wyvern passenger, at least until Port Nuranzaro.

DAY 90

My daily routine now is to wake, wash and then scout the sea in eagle form. After breakfast I teach Molly (and sometimes Tavvy) for three hours.

Then lunch, and after a break, another three hours of lessons.

This leaves the rest of my day to concentrate on my opera. I really want to get it finished because it seems it will be Raz's requiem.

DAY 91.

Ural Thurol seems happy about getting to see some ruins soon. A place called Tamoshan.

Sounds interesting!

While I was teaching Molly today Retzal came over and asked if he could check her spiritual levels. I said he should ask her. It seems Retzal is a Dragon Shaman, someone who draws power from the worship of dragons. In away, not so different to being a druid I suppose, but we draw our power from all of nature, not just dragons. In fact, what dragons I have met so far I've found interesting, but why worship them? Why not worship a cow for instance?

Anyway, he seems like a nice sort, he seems to be honourable and well spoken. He has a huge tattoo of a dragon down his back.

I think Molly is finding all the attention very flattering.

Spent some time talking to Eriss today.

DAY 92

Retzal decides to join the crew.

Although I enjoyed being in the crew, I also enjoy teaching Molly. It is helping me keep my mind of Raz's death.

The new sailors seem to be working out well and the older fellow seems to be full of interesting sea stories which are not hard to get out of him with the aid of a few swigs of 'Green Man'.

DAY 93

Today Shifty shot a shark with the ballista for no apparent reason.

DAY 94

This morning me and Nobby awoke to find Father Feres very ill indeed!

He had a huge lump on his stomach that seemed to be pulsating. Myself and Nobby spent a lot of time and care removing it which we eventually did.

We think it might be a Slaad egg. I hope Feres will be ok, but he is still delirious.