Being the journal of Maxfield Jaden Fox, begun W'ansday,Thaw 30th

My Uncle Alfred has given me this lovely journal, bound in black and red, the colours of my resolve and enmity. He bought it thinking they were my favourite colours, but no matter. Now I must write. I am an official guild member, having completed the requisite ceremony. The rest of the Company of the Winged Fox survived the graduation rites as well and we are set to sail to Bliss next week on a fine little vessle called the Moonwind. I have decided to scribe my spells into this little book as well, partly as a help in committing them to memory, but also as a small back up in case the large book the guild gave me is not available or is lost (heaven forfend) for some reason.

Th'rsday Seedtime 1st

Stephan gave a marvelous performance this evening, very well attended, even some members of Bowcourt were there. A strange thing happened, a lovely woman, the most beautiful I have ever seen (excepting of course Lark and my mother) beckoned to me, gave me a pin, shaped like a butterfly, kissed me, and vanished into the crowd. Later I noticed that Stephan was wearing an identical pin-I mustask him about it on the morrow. But now, to bed. I am meeting Alfred early for breakfast and I wish to be fresh, there is so much to ask him!

Frysday, Seedtime 2nd

Alfred did not show up for breakfast. How unlike him. I have asked around and he was seen in the company of a cloaked woman, the sly old dog... I have just heard a horrible rumor. I must go and investigate, because concentrating on the task at hand is impossible. (the following entry is blotched with tear stains) True. The rumor is true. My darling Uncle Alfred is dead. Why do those I love die? Am I cursed? Tears smudging the book. Uncle Alfred would not approve. Must try to solve his murder, the transfer of my spells will have to wait. We sail in three days.

4th Seedtime

What animal took the life of Alfred? Worn elvin arrows were found piercing his body, but I can't suspect the elves...I had no idea he was so well respected and powerful. My Uncle Alfred, a knight of the Northern Kingdom. He was just my Uncle Alfred, the man who snuck dinner to me when I was being punished, and told such wonderful stories...At the time I thought them faerie tales, but now I wonder if they were true stories of his adventures? What shall I do without him in the world? I can't allow myself to get maudlin. I have to find the beasts who did this. I have only one day left. Transfering my spells to this book is a good mindless occupation. It makes me feel closer to Alfred although I doubt he would approve of me learning magick. So far all of my leads have met dead ends. I spoke to my cousin Stephen about my secret and he replied with one of his own. Will we find Alfred's killer before we sail? I don't know.

Seedtime 9th

We have set sail. I failed to find Alfred's killers, but I won't stop looking. Many curious things surround the attack. We'll be landing soon on a small island called Tholos. It's hard to be here, I feel like I abandoned a cause I couldn't afford to abandon. But I am a member of the Company of the Winged Fox and must soldier on. It is what Alfred would want. Jeck is settling in nicely, though for some reason he seems to view the cook, Nathan, and his brothers, Miles and Samuel with some dislike. I don't understand why, they seem fine upstanding fellows and feed us well. Tholos Today we explored Tholos. It is a volcanic island with many interesting diversions, but all day I have been on edge. We sighted a ship with red sails that appeared to be tracking us. The crew seemed unconcerned, but it struck me as odd, especially with all of the increased security concerning our voyage... I bought a necklace from an old native woman, it is carved with the image of a soaring bird and reminded me of my beautiful Lark. The others laughed at how much I paid for it and said I was taken by the old woman, but it seemed important to have it. Grief can make you do strange things...