Sareesa's Journal, Age 30.
Day 1, of the Second Month of 2 U.T.
Winter chill again descends upon Blue Blood Tower. The inhabitants continue to busy themselves, preparing for the envoys sure to come before the week's end, but these unexpected storms are taking a toll. Any more delays and we will have to seek a magical solution to the problem of procuring enough food.
I usually wouldn't be bothered so much but the timing is so damned convenient for the demons and their puppets. A freak blizzard in a normally comfortable valley. I've tried to identify if there are any origins outside of natural causes for the storm, but my results are all inconclusive.
While we wait for the envoys, Sentinel and I have spent much time reconnecting. His own journey through the Zealots is much more mundane than mine, but truth be told I delight in it. I oftentimes wish I hadn't been born with this gift, for it is just as much a curse, however, listening to his stories makes me feel better, like I'm normal.
Day 3,
All the preparations have been completed, including the troublesome supply of food. I spent most of the day out among the village talking with the people there, and helping comfort them through this cold. I'm glad I can use my magic to help people in such a personal way. The mantle of leadership usually keeps me away from direct contact with the 'lower' classes, but I was among them once. I still understand the troubles of trying to keep a family warm in bitter cold.
Day 3, Evening
After a warm bath, I took my leave from official duties and retired to my room. Expecting to be left alone, I wrote several personal letters to my friends across the world. Halfway through my final letter, I heard a small knock on my door. It was Sentinel, he brought news of imminent attack by several demon-alligned companies seeking to limit how I am able to influence events in this world.
I have seen how this ends already... it is written in the blood of the villages I have defended from the demons before. For every life I save five will die. I must bear the weight of the dead, and the survivors, for there are no others fit for the task.
Day 4, *written in a different script, suspected to be one of Sareesa's servants*
Injured, lower left arm, cut, healed through magic, no scarring.
Burn marks, right and left hands, healing through salves, no scarring anticipated.
Dead: 237 Villagers, 112 soldiers, 3 priests
Injured: approx. 500 Villagers, 223 soldiers, 1 priest.
Healthy: approx. 1,000 Villagers, 775 soldiers, 3 mages, 6 priests.
Report, The battle began at dawn. The mist was thick but burned off quickly as the morning progressed. Several of our archers accidentally fired on advance scouts or outlying villagers seeking refuge. I confronted the demon lord leading the troops personally.
Advice for future battles against demons of the same variety, remove unenchanted equipment before confronting, they can melt it quite easily.
Day 5,
Sentinel survived the assault, burning the dead, the whole valley reeks of death and fear now. An ill omen. I will work on clearing it out tomorrow. Spent all day healing the injured, very tired now.
Day 6,
I managed to clear out the aura the demon's death brought to this place. I was able to find the remnants of his spirit seeking release back to the foul lair that gave him birth, I then trapped and overloaded it with energy, directing the resulting flow of energy to cleanse the land. It seems most demons need to be dealt with in a similar manner. Surprisingly the demon's spirits don't seem to have the same corruptive effect as their bodies. This merits investigation, I have a few theories of my own however. I have no time to pursue any of these though, the first of the envoys have started to arrive. For now my role as the leader of the Zealots must take precedence over my role as Mage Priestess.
I expect no time, or desire, to write for several days, these meetings are always filled with treachery and it would be best to not have any physical record of my thoughts or knowledge of these meetings. For now, I merely hope to come out with more allies for my cause, the expulsion of all demons, no matter the cost, than detractors.
Author
Topic: Zealots and Demons, The Fall of a God, Turn 122: A Standoff (Read 136503 times)