Day 15
Natasha
Progress is so slow. Most of the others went to the meadows today, to take on some of the tougher monsters. I'm still not ready yet.
It's not just the level difference - it's the money. I can't afford the fancy swords they've got. They've got money from the quests they've been doing ... but I can't do quests without better equpiment. Vicious cycle.
Still, a good day today. Sian came with me to train at the Goblins' Den. She will be a good ally, I can feel it. Her mind's on the job, not the petty squabbles.
"You're friends with Reginald, aren't you Natasha?" she asked today.
"We go back a long way," I said.
"How do you think he feels about the Arnold and Lulu situation? Their will-they-won't-they thing?"
"He hasn't mentioned anything like that," I said. "Why? Is it bothering you?"
"I just think it's childish," said Sian.
Yes. I like Sian a lot.
Day 16
Tabatha
I cannot tell you how much my dad's getting on my nerves right now.
I starts with this Almos business. My dad thinks it's hilarious to act like Almos is my new boyfriend, but it just. Isn't. Funny. So boring, all the time.
And just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, he's got this idea that I shouldn't be a warrior, that I should get a safe job in town. No way!
He should know me by now. I'm the sensible one, I choose my battles carefully. Today didn't help - I defeated the Killer Bee boss of Junun Dei Meadows, even though Effie was trying to beat me to it. Everyone's acting like I'm this daredevil warrior person.
And thing is, I was just keeping an eye on Sian. She's had a couple of good days in a row, and she just decided to go for it. The Killer Bee took her out easily, of course, and I was too late to protect her. But since I'm there, I take out the Killer Bee myself. No big deal, but Almos is more persistent than ever, and my dad keeps repeating the phrase, "just goes to show", and I don't even know what he means by that.
The only one who hasn't been totally carried away is Nicholas. He's been so good about it all. I thought things would be weird, with me fighting for the king while Nicholas stays back. But he seems happy enough. He's got a job at the weapons shop, and it's nice to pop in every morning to see him before heading out.
Day 17
Effie
Now that my old friends Benjamin and Ashley are back, it's been a strange day, trying to recapture the friendship we had before. What did we talk about? I honestly can't remember. That doesn't seem to be a problem for Benjamin, who's happy to chat about my adventuring, but Benjamin's clearly feeling left out.
Mind you, Ben (Benjamin's dad) told me later that Benjamin's started collecting commemorative plates from various celebrations of King Epitav's. Dad used to collect those - they're one of my earilest memories - so that can be something to bond over.
I took on yet another behest that was too much for me today. Why does this keep happening to me? Tabatha seems to beat tough monsters by accident, while I can't catch a break no matter how hard I try.
This time, the king requested sword metal from Kubito Grotto. We've all been making good use of our swords, and Kubito's like a second home to me by now - but no such luck. It's being guarded by this horrible Ice Goblin. Knocked me clean out. It took out Tabatha too, so I'm not feeling too bad about it, but it'd be nice to actually win something one of these days.
Day 18
Sian
Great day today!
Natasha's been really lovely to me, showing me the ropes and helping me out. Today, we took on a challenging behest - the king wanted someone to explore Polpus Mistmoor. It's exactly what it sounds like - a really misty marsh - and nobody knew what to expect there. Normally, I let the others take on the tricky ones, but Natasha egged me on, and off we went.
I'd better say now that Natasha wasn't so lucky. She took on a Goblin Mage, and was taken out by its Fire spell. But I had far better luck! Took out a Wee Worm and a Mini Mu AT THE SAME TIME. Also a Bitsy Bat, but I know that's no big deal.
At home, Colleen's bought a bunch of bread rolls which she intends to send Nicholas from a "secret admirer". I couldn't believe it. Bread rolls?! But we don't have many luxuries in Padarak, I suppose, so needs must. She caught me rolling my eyes, though, so things are a bit frosty.
Day 19
Arnold
I managed to grab a quick chat with Sian last night. She's barely spoken to me this week.
"You're not very good company when Lulu's around," she said.
"You can't ask me to choose between you and Lulu," I said.
"I'm not," she said. "I've got my own stuff to do."
So, ouch.
Nothing's even happening with Lulu. I tried asking her out the other day, but she didn't notice. I didn't make myself very clear. Stupid.
It's taking its toll on my adventuring, definitely. I'm being bolder now, but it just lands me in tougher fights. Exploring Polpus Mistmoor today, a Goblin Mage came out of nowhere and killed me with fire. How are we meant to be able to see anything through that mist? I can't begin to guess how the monsters do it.
Day 20
Natasha
Polpus Mistmoor bested me before - today was better.
Those marshes are tough. I've never seen anything like it. Bitsy Bats come out of nowhere. They must have sonar or something. All I've got is an iron sword.
Still. I took a few of them down today, and got back safely. We're mapping out the area, piece by piece. We know where the boss is now. It's a Wolf. Good luck to whoever takes on that thing.
Day 21
Sian
The behest today was to take out the Wolf at Polpus Mistmoor.
I bought a new sword, headed through the Pallum Dei Caverns, through Kubito Grotto, and straight to the Mistmoor's Fountain of Restoration.
I killed Bitsy Bat after Bitsy Bat after Bitsy Bat, and finally found the Wolf.
And I killed the Wolf. And now I have a pair of leather gloves.
Back home, I was given a medal, and finally - finally - Arnold came and talked to me like it was normal. No nonsense, no subtext - he wanted to know all about my victory. And you know what? I wanted to hear his stories too. That's all I ever wanted. I just wanted my friend back.
But, hey. Being a revered warrior isn't so bad either.