February 22^nd, 912

Alicia and I were provided a room in the central tower, one clearly reserved for guests of high station; I’ve no doubt Gravalt sees quite a few merchants and traveling nobles of great renown. I had some reservations myself about sleeping in such an expensive bed, but Ezekiel insisted, and the room would only go to waste without me in it. Alicia certainly shared none of those reservations.

We slept well in a bed worth more than anything I might ever own, awaking bright and early to meet up with Ezekiel and his companions. Alicia did seem uncomfortable with the prospect of traveling with others, but she assured me that she intends to see the journey through. I shall have to be careful to refer to her using her alias.

We travel now as a group of five—myself, Alicia, Ezekiel, and two of his bodyguards. One is a Seraphim girl who I vaguely recognize from the United Mortals, the other a Dwarf. They are a rare sort, so I appreciate the opportunity to learn of his people. That aside, the idea that Ezekiel would need bodyguards at all is quite a laughable one; as a Demigod, there are few that can rival his strength.

I suppose that concept demands an explanation. As you may know, the world we live in is comprised entirely of an infinite spectrum of energy and ideas known as the Leys. This force, in turn, comprises everything that is, was, will be, or could be. It is a concept as fascinating as it is confusing, but mortal minds have found ways to categorize and understand its infinity.

The Leys can be divided into three core facets: Mind, Matter, and Magic. Higher life is created by combining these aspects in equal amounts. The Gods, the first creatures to be brought into existence, were created directly by the Leys by combining all three facets. The higher lifeforms of the world—those capable of magic and complex thought—were in turn created by the Gods by combining two facets; Mortals were born of Mind and Matter, Fae were born of Mind and Magic, and Monsters were born of Matter and Magic.

Among higher lifeforms, Demigods are an exception, an anomaly that was not intended to exist. They are forged of facets combined in uneven amounts, and while this makes them very powerful, sometimes comparable even to the might of the Gods, it also makes them incredibly unstable. Their conditions varied greatly, some possessing bodies that fell apart, others being driven mad, and still others being torn apart by magic they could not wrest control of. They were pitiable existences, and most did not last very long.

Ezekiel is among a scant few who were relatively stable, and was lucky to be among the even fewer who survived the Holy Wars. I would estimate there are fewer Demigods remaining on earth than Gods. He is an Archangel, a being created in the image of the Angel races.

It is around midday now, and we have stopped to rest in a small cave outcrop. We are traveling northeast across the Ciric Hills, and with a larger group—and a member who radiates quite a bit of magical energy—we have had poorer luck avoiding danger than Alicia and I had on our way to Erenley. None of the common monsters in our path stood much a chance against the might of an Archangel; the other four of us haven’t had much to do besides walk.

Ezekiel is quite a talkative sort. I suspect that, between his position on Erenley’s council and his identity as a Demigod, he has few opportunities for real conversation. No doubt the biggest reason he seems to enjoy my company is because I treat him the same way I would treat anyone else.

I told him of my current journey, my quest to travel the world and document its cultures and peoples and to see firsthand the way the world shifts in these turbulent times. He seems to approve of the idea, and he laments that he cannot join me.

Ezekiel’s bodyguards have made for good conversation partners; I suspect that was as much a factor in their selection as their skill in combat. I am also led to believe that the Seraphim woman bears feelings for him that go beyond mere loyalty to her superior, though I’ve no intention to pry. Alicia seems to be getting along with all three of them; I am glad, for her sake.

—Kirra

February 22^nd, 2^nd entry

My suspicions were confirmed. The Seraphim, whose name is Uriel, is Ezekiel’s fiance. Their relationship is somewhat of an open secret in the circles they frequent, but Ezekiel has begged me not to spread the word nonetheless. I shall oblige, though I intend to make the most of the potential this information has for teasing him.

I write as we march, which is both a very difficult thing to do and very inadvisable in such hostile territory. Even so, I thought it important to record this detail as soon as possible.

I hope their relationship is official by the time my journey is complete, else I shall have even more to redact from this journal. I should strop writing now, so I will.

—Kirra

February 22^nd, 3^rd entry

Kirra is engrossed in discussion with Uriel, Thamin, and the blademaster, so I have taken it upon myself to fill in this entry—not because it is necessary, but because it will be quite entertaining to see how Kirra reacts. Fear not, my dear Dryad—I did not look at the previous pages, and I… mostly avoided using my Truesight on the journal.

We have entered Emberfall proper and are staying the night in the southern city of Silverchar; I find this nation’s naming scheme as endearing as ever. The journey was tough, the path rich with monsters, but it progressed smoothly thanks to my companions.

I am quite glad to see Kirra is still doing well for herself all these years later. I met many great figures throughout my time in the United Mortals, but hers is a name that has always stuck with me. She dedicated her entire life to humanity’s salvation, and I had worry that she might never again find the joy that she bore when I first met her. I do not know exactly when or why that smile disappeared, but I am glad to finally see it returned.

No, that sentence contained a lie, and this journal is no place for such things. I know exactly why, thanks to my Truesight; try as I might, it is next to impossible to keep it from activating on a person I saw so frequently during my work. Where possible, I try not to let what I learn from it color my actions or my perceptions of others. It is like I am always playing a multi-layered game of pretend, acting as though I do not know the deepest secrets of everyone around me.

It is clear Kirra approaches this self-imposed task with great passion. She was always the studious type. It is deeply entertaining how quickly her otherwise-stoic expression lights up when she finds an opportunity to learn.

Ah, I believe she has noticed me. Yes, and now she has noticed the journal, and it is very hard to continue writing while keeping it out of her reach. I suppose I should return it.

—Ezekiel

I must be more vigilant in preventing others from laying their hands upon my journal. Ezekiel is unrepentant.

—Kirra