Heaven's Angel

Stephany

Stephany was only 4 year’s old living in the small town of Zere when her mother fell ill. She promised to learn healing magic so her mom might live, but once she was 6 the celestrians came to ferry her mother to the realm of the almighty. With her last words she told Stephany to keep her head up and always wear her necklace so she could watch her. It was then she vowed to devote her life to help the sick and dying. Her aunt raised her and when she heard what Stephany's plan was laughed and said that no 6 year old could hold a vow that long. Essential she was forced to grow up only so she could survive and live her life like her mom would have wanted. Stephany stood only 5'2 with a nut brown hair and eyes to match, with a semi light skin. She was 19 when the bandits attacked and stole her mother's necklace and nearly killed her. After talking with people around town and some merchants she found out that the bandits had a fort just south of Stornway. After a quick goodbye to everyone in town she packed up some rations and clothes then headed to Stornway, the actual journey was painfully uneventful. She made it to the city just before sunset so she headed to the inn to find a place to sleep. It was then she noticed a tall handsome blond man with a sword about as tall as he was checking into a room. She shook the thought away and started asking around to see if anyone would help her look for the necklace, she tried for a while but no one would even give her a look. Stephany eventually went to the counter and checked into a room, the lady behind the counter's name was Erinn. She was originally from Angel Falls but moved to Stornway to run the inn like her father did, she wore an orange bandana left for her by her mother who passed away at child birth. Luckily for Stephany her room was on the second floor so she didn't have far to walk to get there, the inn itself was 3 stories high with a storage cellar and a library. She got up way before sun rise and headed down to find some breakfast, after a ordering a bowl of porridge she sat down and stared at it instead of eating it. When she looked back to the counter and saw the man from the night before. She started to panic once he started walking over. He agreed to help her find her necklace so she accompanied him to the bandit fort. After they returned he went off to find a forge, Stephany noticed he was writing in his journal which gave her an idea to start one of her own just so people at home could read of her travels. She picked one up at the general store and started writing when she got back to the inn. Dear diary, I arrived in Stornway about 2 days ago and when I went to check into the inn I saw the most handsome man ever! He had medium length blond hair spiked up and he had a purple tinted great-sword almost as long as he was, he also had a bearskin vest and some tan pants. I really wanted to talk to him but he looked like he was going to pass out on his feet. The next day he actually talked to me I was so excited and he agreed to help me find my necklace, I was so happy and we set off as soon as we could. We defeated the bandits and found out that a different group took everything with them, so we headed back and I went back to the inn. I also found out that his name is Haven which is a super cute name; I guess I’ll write later I probably should be careful what I put here just in case someone reads it. Dear diary, it’s probably been 5 or 6 days since I agreed to travel with Haven, nothing happened in that time other than we made it to Coffinwell. For whatever reason Haven wanted to find this place I don't see why though it looks like a ruined city, we actually passed it several times thinking it was a ruin. Haven found out that there was a monster causing a plague that the citizens were suffering from. So he set off to find this thing and I stayed behind to help the sick, I hope that the monster isn't a giant spider I heard they eat people after poisoning them. EWWWW!! I really hate spiders, well as long as he can take care of it there is no problem. I learned from one of the clerics how to use some simple healing magic which I used to help people around the village. Other than that nothing happened I got a room and some food but that's it, well I guess I’ll see how the next day unfolds then. Dear diary, I got so scared when Haven didn't return so I went after him as it turns out he couldn't harm the creature and started suffocating on the miasma. The monster called itself the raging contagion I got so scared that I just blasted it repeatedly with a fireball spell then sealed it away with some of the white magic I learned, then I cleared the poison from his lungs. I was so scared that he might actually die so I sat with him making sure he was breathing. Once I was sure he was going to be ok I looked around a bit and I’m glad I did because I found some stairs that lead down to a single grave that read: Here lies the nameless king, may he rest in peace. I got super creeped out so I went back to Haven and it seemed like he was starting to wake up I waited till he was able to stand before I helped him back to the town. It took a while only because he had multiple acid burns and he had just recovered from the miasma in his lungs, we got back just before night so I took him straight to the inn so he could rest and recover from his wounds. The lady running the inn gladly took him and laid him in bed, so I headed to find some food for the both of us so I headed to the dining hall and got some soup and bread, one of the girls in the dining room offered to help me carry the food back which I was more than glad for her help but when we got back she started 'drooling' over him, well that’s the best I could describe. I told her I can take it from there and forced her out of the room before she could say anything. Luckily he was asleep during this, he really is a kind guy, I did notice a ring on his left hand I’ll probably ask him tomorrow about it just in case its personal it would be rude to intrude. I took the bed next to his I hope tomorrow isn’t so eventful but with my luck it will be worse. Dear diary, I don’t ever want to go on a boat again the rocking and the constant moving is horrible, Haven made a deal with some fisherman: he would fix the fisherman's stuff and in return we got passage to the alltrades abbey. I heard a rumor about the abbey and that it was run by a sage so maybe just maybe he could teach me. I know some spells like flare, healing, and banish but it’s said that a sage knows spells like kaboom and Firestorm, learning explosive magic would be really cool. When I read into being a sage it said that if a sage does not have proper control of both themselves and their mana they could destroy everything with their magic even themselves. That’s a scary thought, when we landed a few hours ago I passed out almost immediately. When I woke up Haven was asleep his great sword was sticking out of the ground a few yards away and in his hands was a short sword. Thinking back to a previous conversation I remember him saying "the strength of a great sword or any large weapon is in its length and the skills of who forged it and who uses it. He told me that if an inexperienced smith forged a weapon out of adamantium the blade would probably not fare as well as if it was forged by one of the elders. The same goes with the wielder, if someone who has never held a sword before uses one they probably won’t be able to deal the same amount of damage a sword master would. You see my sword has an orichalcum core making it rigid but hard, the steel on the outside helps keep the orichalcum covered and in return it keeps the steel sharp." He told me this during our walk to Coffinwell that was when I asked who the Elders were, apparently these were the smiths who supposedly made the weapons used by the guardians themselves. These were the masters who every smith looks up to, as for the sword masters they are men and women who devote their lives to the blade it’s said they are so fast they can slice a demon in two before their sword looks drawn. After he explained this to me I asked him why if he carries the great sword he also carries a short sword. "I carry both as a precaution; I was to lose my great sword I would need something to fight with. This sword is nothin special just a mithril double edged sword, when I made it I gave it a steel core but trying to explain blacksmithing is complicated." I’m getting tired again so I’ll continue tomorrow or whenever I get the chance. Dear Diary, I can’t believe it we actually made it to the abbey, it is so beautiful there is marble on the pillars and a beautiful silk rug. Also there are waterfalls everywhere, and pretty flowers and a magnificent view from the rear of the main room. They had a downstairs with separate bathing areas with locks and a full dining area with a bar and more flowers, I love flowers so much: the colors, the aromas, and the diversity of them all. Which reminds me, I’m forcing Haven to take me to Bloomingdale the city of flowers, I don’t care what he says but we are going. I also heard there is a rich girl who has been giving things away maybe she has a book with some spells in it I could borrow or just a book to read Haven only has his journal but I don’t want to read it, it seems personal. So if I had a good book to read I would be happy, I like reading because it was my mom who taught me so every time I read it’s as if she is next to me reading as well. And now I’m sad that’s just great, I guess this entry won’t be so long but I guess that’s not so bad. Dear diary, we are just outside the tower of trades where the Abbot should be, when I came back to the room earlier Haven was talking with a martial artist whose name was Geoffrey. He joined us and we went to find the Abbot I just hope he is alright, Haven went and started trying to open the door and I guess Geoffrey went to train so I started picking flowers to make into a special spirit charm my Grammy showed me when I was little "remember Nina if you make this charm the guardians will protect you no matter what" I never found out why Grammy called me Nina but after she told me that my Aunt started laughing saying that a good guardian will look after everyone no matter what, then Grammy hit her in the head with her cane it was funny though she deserved it for insulting the guardians. I guess it helps remind me of Grammy but oh well a cleric told me "as long as I keep her in my mind she will be with me". I got about halfway done with the flowers when Haven finally figured out how to open the door; he said he felt stupid because it was so simple. I laughed at first but then gave him a hug; I said that we all have those moments. We then proceeded to head inside its really dark and overgrown, but we ventured on Haven and Geoffrey took care of any demons in the way. We are about halfway up the tower right now; Haven said we should make camp here just in case we have to fight something. I guess he heard something but all I hear is the wind. Dear diary: It’s been a few days since we faced the creature that possessed the Abbot I don’t remember much only that Haven was hurled against the wall and Geoffrey was hit in the head really hard trying to protect me. When I woke up Haven had made a fire and either him or Geoffrey had put an herb paste over my cuts. Geoffrey and Haven were chatting on the other side of the fire which was dying out, once they saw I was awake they nodded and Geoffrey helped me up before disappearing again. Haven said he was going to go fishing so I got out my flower charm so I could finish it up. I swear Haven was gone not even 2 minutes before walking back out of the forest. When I asked he said he had been fishing for a few hours, I asked him to sit down so I could make sure he didn’t have any kind of head trauma but he said he was fine. After talking it over for a bit it started sounding like one of the enchanted groves I read about at the abbey, apparently once in a blue moon these groves open and inside is said to be the most amazing plants animals and minerals ever. The whole blue moon saying is actually true; a blue moon is when there is a full moon twice in a month. So anyways, I told Haven to stay away from the grove I also read that if your caught in the grove once the final moon phase changes you will be stuck there forever, hours take only minutes years take months once you’re stuck there is no way out. Haven changed the subject to the tower so we chatted a little longer, he told me that he and Geoffrey were going back to rescue the Abbot and they wanted me to stay here out of harm’s way. So I slapped him, I said that they still need my help in case the Abbot was injured herbs only do so much after all. After some more auguring and pleading he finally gave up and said that I had to stay as far back as possible I guess it’s a compromise I can agree with. We waited till Geoffrey to come back and we took turns resting before starting to prepare this morning I would like a real bed to sleep in tomorrow night but I’m not going to keep my hopes up. Dear diary: We did it! As soon as the demon was defeated a strange golden fruit was left behind, I healed what injures I could and grabbed the fruit as Geoffrey and Haven helped the abbot back to the infirmary. From what I’ve seen this fruit is not to be eaten so ill hold onto it maybe its powers are too much for mortals I hope to find out, hopefully I won’t succumb to it. When we made it back Haven was forced into a different bed and I lost Geoffrey again so I headed to the women's bathing room to take a much needed bath. Once I finished up there I took the bed assigned to me and fell asleep. I woke a few hours ago and went to find the Abbot, he and I were talking when Haven came up the stairs and got swarmed in thanks and praise. I forced my way in and helped him through it all, apparently he forgot what happened. I took him to the Abbot and I asked if I could become a sage. To my disappointment the abbot said that I lack the required skills and knowledge to venture into that vocation, he did say that I could still learn from furthing my studies as a priests. Haven asked if he could become a paladin and the abbot said that he also lacked the skills but if he learned healing magic and began studying the way of the almighty then the almighty himself might grant him the path of a paladin. We both thanked him and set out to Bloomingdale; Haven said he had to go there anyways so it works out for the both of us. Geoffrey found us just outside and said that he was going to join us but he had to make a stop in Dourbridge, so we headed to the small fishing village to hitch a ride over to the mainland we stopped about halfway to make camp Haven ran out of pages in his journal but he also wrote just about every day so it’s not surprising. I offered some of mine but he said he would just pick up a new journal later. Geoffrey went to sleep since I got first watch but Haven didn’t want to go to sleep yet so I asked him why he started keeping a journal. He said that it was a record of his adventures so when he returns he wouldn’t have to remember every detail. We chatted for a bit and he ended up staying up through my shift and I hope his own. Dear diary: We made it to the port town of Laffan, Haven asked Geoffrey to keep an eye on me while he went to talk to a fisherman I didn’t mind only because the men in this town were scary and I don’t want stuff done to me. Geoffrey and I started touring the town and I said we should stop by the church, and after some arguing he reluctantly followed and I made a quick prayer for a safe journey and we headed out to the dock. Haven helped me load my stuff on the boat which wasn’t much just my staff and my backpack. We set out a few minutes later and headed to the main land. I sat on the edge of the boat feeling seasick again but I was fine once we landed, we unloaded and set off to Dourbridge. I have to say this was by far the scariest town yet, there wasn’t a proper church, there were men in rags everywhere and everything was disgusting. Geoffrey led us to a small pub where he went to a young boy maybe 10 ish super young. The two of then talked for a while, Haven got into a bar fight and some drunk tried to get me to go to his room with him. Let’s just say knees only bend one way, with Geoffrey's help we broke up the fight and the four of us left. Once outside we were introduced to Talon an "acquirer of goods" as he called himself, he told us that he was orphaned at a young age so he had to learn to survive on his own. Haven gave him one of his tunics which fit him more like a dress so I said I would sew it to fit better. From there we continued to Bloomingdale Talon preferred sticking with me for some reason but I don’t mind it gave me time to talk with him, I found out that I’m like a big sister to him and that Geoffrey was the one who saved him from starving to death. I knew we were nearing Bloomingdale when we reached the massive flower meadows, they were amazing to see. I guess Talon saw how much I liked them because he vanished and somehow reappeared in front of me with a bundle of flowers, they smelled wonderful. Haven came over and put Talon on his shoulders and said "be careful with this one Stephany, he's a real lady's man" then we all started laughing. When we made it to the town it was around dinner time so we took a rooms in the inn Talon and I in one and Haven and Geoffrey in the other. We got changed and I started sewing the tunic to better fit Talon while he went with Haven to get food. I think I’m going to get some journals for Geoffrey and Talon, I think that would be a nice gift. Talon fell asleep with his head on my stomach, his breathing made me sleepy as well. Dear diary: Talon and I managed to convince the others to let us go shopping, our first stop would be to get some new clothes, and shoes so we found a store and started trying stuff on everyone asked if he was my kid and before I could say anything he said I was his big sister and that our parents passed away so I was the one caring for the both of us. Something in the way he said it I almost believed him myself, they said they were sorry for judging and sorry for our loss. We finished shopping and I picked up 2 more journals one with a ying yang painted on the cover and the other was white, I also picked up some paint so Talon could decorate his own. We made it back to the inn and unpacked, I gave Talon his journal right away and at first he was exited then sad I asked why and he said that he was hoping for one with a special cover. I then gave him the paint and said that these were so he could make it the way he wanted to, that way it would be special to him. I think I got the biggest hug from a 10 year old ever it was a good feeling to make people happy I hope that I can make more people happy in the future maybe that what it means to be a priest. Well whatever the reason I’m happy we hung out in the room for a while Talon was decorating his journal and I was studying some of the books I picked up. Around sun down there was a knock at the door, it was Haven saying it's time for dinner. There were a few scratches on his arms and face plus multiple bruises, he told me the he and Geoffrey were training but somehow I don’t buy it. The two of them have different fighting styles the cant mix well: Haven's is about heavy hitting while Geoffrey's is more about grace and staying out of harm's way while hitting certain points. If the two styles mixed Haven wouldn’t be able to focus on hitting and staying out of the way. I’ll look into it later right now its dinner time I can see the food coming out now. Dear Diary: We decided at breakfast that Talon was to spend the day with Geoffrey and I with Haven. This was a plan I came up with after dinner, the two of us would split up and see what the guys do when we aren’t around. I don’t think I found anything with Haven, he talked about going to find a palace in the desert where a supposed Paladin trainer was taking residence. Haven said he wanted to go there after he finds Sofia, we talked for a while and just walked around town when we stumbled upon another harbor but this time it was a small one with a really big ship in it. As we went to go look at it an elderly man approached us and said that this was the ship belonging to the girl living in the massive estate up the hill. This ship has been in the harbor for a few years now begging to be used once again, Haven being the guy he is asked if we could use it but the old man said that we would have to ask miss bloom for it so I guess our next stop is the mansion up the hill. Once we made it to the gates I noticed some strange looking men hiding in the bushes so I told Haven to go without me and that I needed to look into something. So I began to follow them to a cave hidden in the mountains, as I started heading back I ran into Geoffrey and Talon who apparently saw me so I told them what I saw and the three of us headed inside. What we found surprised us all: there were people in cages everywhere I told Geoffrey to keep watch while we unlocked the cages once we were done and back outside I counted almost 15 people everyone was thanking us and left except for a little girl and an older girl who looked about Haven's age. They both had on tattered clothes we led them back to the city where the little girl was quickly surrounded asking where she was and what happened. As soon as the girl said that she was kidnapped and that I’m the one who rescued her their attention moved to me. During the commotion Haven showed up and rescued me this time and as soon as he saw the other girl he nearly cried, they both hugged and kissed for what seemed like forever. Finally they turned to us and Haven said "I would like you to meet Sofia my wife, Sofia these are the companions who helped me look for you: the guy with the crazy hair is Geoffrey a martial artist, the girl is Stephany a priestess and sage in training and finally the boy is Talon who we met semi recently. We talked until night fall where we headed back inside to eat and get some sleep, Sofia stayed with Talon and I since we only had the two rooms. We talked while I helped her with a bath and gave her some new clothes, Talon fell right asleep and Sofia went to sleep almost as fast. I’m going to turn in soon it seems we have a big day tomorrow. Dear diary: I woke up this morning to a massive commotion in the streets and the sound of metal clashing, when I made it  outside I saw the two men from the day before and Haven fighting. One had a really scary looking knife and the other had a massive battle axe, Geoffrey was bleeding from a cut in his side so I rushed over to him and cast a quick healing spell to stop the bleeding when I turned around Sofia was rushing over to Haven and cast an spell that made his sword glow red. So I cast a buff spell as well, she turned to me and nodded and we began to boost his armor strength as much as we could the two men were quickly defeated and bound I helped Geoffrey to the church and Haven and Sofia stayed to question the two men. We regrouped at the mansion to discuss what happened, I guess the two of them needed all those people to pay off a some guy they owe and since we let the free they returned for revenge. Over all if Haven hadn’t been going to the forge things could have been a lot worse, we talked it over and Sofia said that she would like to join us in where ever we end up going but first I told her she needs to recover before putting any strain on her body. We agreed that we would set out in 4 days, after restock and repair of our gear. Just then the young girl from the day before approached she wore a red dress with some white lace accents as well a cute red bow. She came up to me and said "as thanks for my rescue I give you my father's ship, it has been sitting there for many years and deserves a new captain I hope it treats you well and I wish you a safe journey. She also asked if we would like to join her for lunch which we agreed to and followed her into the dining room of the manor where we had fresh garden salad and roast turkey the food was absolutely wonderful best meal I have had in a while, after dinner Sofia offered to do miss bloom's hair while the boys go do something else. I was amazed at how well Sofia could do hair, there wasn’t a single hair out of place once she brushed it and then braided it into a perfect single braid. I guess she saw how much I liked it and offered to do my hair when we get back to the inn, the three of us hung out for a little while before we said good bye and went back to the inn. Talon was still coloring his journal when we got back. He still hasn’t showed me so I’m assuming it’s going to be a surprise. As Sofia promised we took our baths and she braided my hair as well but she added a sea foam green ribbon to it so when my braid caught sunlight it would shimmer. She fell asleep with Talon a few moments ago so I’m going to get some sleep soon; tomorrow we begin preparations for our next journey. Dear diary: Today Geoffrey and I  began collecting resources while Haven and Talon fixed our equipment. Sofia offered to mend our normal clothes since she was supposed to stay in bed and recover. I said that would be great as long as she didn’t mind, while she started that I got the inn keeper to deliver some materials. My first stop was the apothecary which was just a medicinal herb store herbs hold better than potions and since we have the ship I can grow some to have our own stock. I did hear that the larger merchant vessels were designed to cause less movement to the passengers, I hope this is true I get sea sick easy. So once I got to the store I bought some herbs and strong medicine, I did pick up some magic waters to refresh our mana, casting spells is really taxing. From there I headed to the mansion to get miss bloom, I promised to take her shopping today. After a brief conversation with her nanny while she was getting changed we headed to the dress store, I saw a really pretty blue dress that matched my ribbon that I wanted to try on and maybe find something cute for Miss bloom. I’m thinking I’ll ask Haven if he could make me a new staff, the one I have is missing pieces and I don’t remember what they look like. Well he does have a lot to do as it is, armor repairs and he was going to make Geoffrey some fighting claws. From what he told me those take a while because you have to make each individual blade then fit them into an arm guard. Being a blacksmith must be a pain, there is so much to do just to make equipment. The two of us spent some time trying on different dresses, she found a really nice green one and that blue dress I saw was already bought so they wouldn’t let me try it on. From there we headed to the shoe store, I got some new sandals and some new boots for Sofia. Once we were done the sun was setting so I took Miss Bloom back to the manor and headed back to the inn to get some sleep and to unpack what I bought. After separating out the herbs and clothes I helped Sofia finish her mending then we went to get some food, today's special was a beef and vegetable stew it was delicious. We came back up a about an hour ago Sofia is asleep and im fighting back sleep as it is, so ill probable make sure our things are packed  before going to bed. Dear Diary, either I got over my sea sickness or this boat is good at staying stable. Well im happy at least, I can stay on the deck of the ship if I wanted to and I have the plants to grow my own herbs so that is good. Talon being the sweet kid that he is asked if he could help me, he is so adorable! So I let him help me make the pots for the plants, we used a simple red clay to form them and Sofia used some fire magic to cook the clay. Once they cooled I added some dirt and showed Talon how you add dirt till it was half full then add the plant and fill the dirt in around it. It’s nice having our own plants so we can pick off the leaves we need and they will eventually grow back, obviously we need to uses them sparingly and I only got 3 plants. Once we were done I took Talon down to the hold and asked if he could deliver the journals I bought, while he did that I set up the table so I could show Talon how to write so he could keep his own journal. I actually just finished everything I needed a few moments ago and Im about to go to bed, im going to take a break from writing so I can help Talon and Geoffrey. (Stay tuned as we read into Geoffrey's story)