September 21, Year 1471 in the year of Glabados
I've been most fortunate to have met Reis in the market square five years ago. She was…and I was…young, back then. Too young to understand romance as we know it now.
Ah, yes. Romance. The mere sight of those golden sheets of blonde floating in a breeze makes me long for her, the vision of her beautiful, angelic face is enough to make any man fall for her. Reis…is just perfect. She's intelligent, beautiful, and strong, and yet she is not arrogant or proud as some of the richer or better-brought up people are in this city. Humble like a lamb, and yet as powerful as a bear; as wise as an ancient sage and more beautiful than a dancer. If only there was some way to wipe that melancholy expression that broods upon her face…even in her smiles there is a tinge of unhappiness overturning those luscious red lips of hers.
I have nearly graduated from the Military Academy of Lionel; for reasons I know not I am not to be transferred to the forefront of the war. Of that I thank Glabados with all my heart. It is fitting, as my thanks, that I serve as his templar, I think. I can't wait until that time, when I get my shiny new crystal armour instead of this dirty, rusty rubbish that the academy issues to so-called 'advanced sponsored students'. I would rather have a suit that Reis prepared over one of their best…
Speaking of Reis, she will go back home at the end of this week. Her time in Lionel to study under the direction of Cardinal Draclau is nearly over, and by Friday she will be asked to pack her valise and leave the city. Oh, how I will miss her…thank goodness that I have a holiday in October. She needs a break, too…with all the orders from that cursed old merchant flooding her lists of orders, she had little time to rest; by St. Ajora I will stop him if this continues. Reis worked night and day when she could, trying to fill out those overflowing requests, having only a few hours of sleep when she fell asleep on her feet in the forge. Of course the money's more than I will ever handle in three years, but she looked a mess. Her normally spotless dress was covered in soot and oil stains, and frayed at places where the blazing forge had made its mark on the silk; her eyes were bloodshot from the lack of sleep. I have never seen her so tired before…if only there was some way I could alleviate that poor soul of depravity…
That pest, Buremonda, the fool that calls himself the 'true disciple of Ajora'…will he never stop following me or Reis? Only last night I had to throw him out of a window in Reis' smithy; he had hidden behind the furnace. Of course, I needn't have done that; if I had kept him behind the furnace as Reis stepped up the heat, he would have been toasted—and good for his health, too. Maybe it would reshape that foul, beaked nose of his to a finer shape. Sure, he might be cooked after that, but it's only progress, after all.
Hmm, speaking of progress…what did I learn today? Oh yes, the useful 'don't act'. If only I pulled that spell off on Buremonda behind the furnace as he crouched…oh, it would be so funny. I would have done that, if the church authorities would not punish me for assault on a cleric. Personally, I doubt his cleric-ness, for his appearance…does not convince me of any good existing within his soul. However, if the cardinal says that he is trustworthy, then I would rather agree with him than be tried for heresy or blasphemy.
Reis had grown spectacularly. Her slim, willowy build had changed for the better; she was still lean, still tall, and still fit; but slightly more muscular and curvaceous. Of course, not quite as curved as a mother of ten or so, but still enough to draw attention on the streets. I had to walk alongside her on an alleyway to stop the resident thieves of Lionel from doing some dreadful deed against her on one night…I could sense their presence but they were afraid of me. Only God knows what might happen to her if I didn't…oh, maybe not. She did carry a gigantic two-handed katana with diamonds all down the edge at that time, I think. No sane person would try to take that…lest his brains be spilled out by the hard blade of that giant saber.
Autumn is coming fast…the maple grove outside Lionel had laid down a thick matting of red and gold; during Reis' spare time (of the little she had on Sunday), we ventured into the grove. There I made that daring wish—I kissed her twice quickly on the cheeks, watched her cheeks blush gently pink, before I knelt down on the soft carpet of fallen leaves…oh, I will remember that for years to come… 'Reis, will you be my girlfriend?' I asked her; and the obvious reply…one of affirmation! 'Yes!' she will be my girlfriend. It is still too early to ask for marriage as yet, I suppose…
I think the bastard of a weapons merchant hated me after the two of us wore the same ring…his reasoning I know not. Stares of ice I can distinguish, however, as well as sharp words. He intends to separate me from her, that insane fool! Weapons and armour he may have, but to wield them I think not. Neither could he petrify like me; to stone he shall become if he attempts to break Reis away from me.
Nightly visits to Reis' quarters I have made; naturally Reis lives in the church's female half, so I had to formulate a special plan. Reis had convinced the other nuns and female students not to tell Draclau about my visits; it would be dangerous…for her, and for me. We could've been convicted of adultery and be locked up behind prison bars for our lifetimes…or worse still, be excommunicated and shot dead by a team of archers. Loving words we have exchanged under the moonlight; kisses we have passed through the open window. She was…very warm, on the coldest of nights.
Getting out of there was a different problem; by the time I have finished communicating with Reis, the sentries of the church patrol would have been up; I needed to sneak out again after the visit. Most nights it would be fine; once or twice the guards only saw a glimpse of my trailing cape, but that's perfectly fine. They're as smart as rocks are socially able.
Time is getting late, and I must soon extinguish my candle to conform with the town curfew. A visit to Reis awaits…
Beowulf Kadmus