16 of Secondus, 1669
One would think that in the middle of a complete upheaval of one's life is an odd time to start a diary, but there are reasons that some of these things must be written down. First and foremost, is for the unborn child that I carry. He or she will have a very challenging life ahead of them and I want them to know that I have nothing but love in my heart for them.
But with all stories one must start at the beginning. So here is how it all started.
Several months ago I was sleeping quietly in bed, totally unawares that my life would be changed forever. The hacienda was quiet like it always was; everything was as it should be. That was until I heard my mother scream. I ran down the stairs to find her dying body on the floor and a strange man standing over her. Dashing over to the mantle and I took down my father's sword, determined to fight off this intruder. We fought long and hard, but eventually I managed to wound him enough for him to run. Leaving behind a finger with a very distinctive ring on it. Nothing could be done for my mother; however, he had stabbed her in the heart. I left my home that night not knowing that there was to be a fire also.
A few months later found me disguised as a cabin boy on the Black Swan. It was there that I meet the people that were to become my companions in adventure. To be brief, our ship was attacked by the pirate Captain Reis. He is renowned for never leaving survivors. I have no doubt that we would not have survived if a giant squid hadn't attacked the two ships at the same time.
We barely made to the island we were near. I almost wish we hadn't. I'm not sure about all the things we found on that island, my main concern and focus was seeing that my fellow survivors were kept safe. Perhaps if I had kept a better eye out, the Fey boat would not have been stolen. But I suppose I should elaborate on exactly who my companions are.
First there is the Lady Rachel. She is a Voddacci courtesan, as far as I know, and as unlike the women I am used to as you can get. She is intelligent, spirited and beautiful. Any Don would count himself lucky to have such a wife. She also has a tendency to find trouble anywhere. How any woman finds trouble in the middle of the ocean is beyond me, but she does.
Father Giuseppe is also Voddacci. But he is a priest of the church and not part of the Inquisition, so I am inclined to trust him. He has been most helpful and supportive, through my trials. For a preist he is quite handy with a blade and never backs down from danger.
Luc is a Montaigne composer. On that alone I was disinclined to trust him. But he has proven himself to, at least be neutral in the war between Castille and Montaigne. He is also a good man to have in a fight, and is willing to risk his life for innocents who might be in danger, regardless of station or nationality. A rare trait to find in a Montaigne.
Then there is Bleys O'Brennen. Never have I met a more infuriating man. He is brash, rude, and I'm not sure how smart he is at times. This is a man who thought lighting the powder room on a ship was a good escape idea. He is a blatant womanizer and seems to have little respect for the prediciment he could leave his liaisons in.
Celeste is a new addition that we met in Voddacci after we were, literally dumped there, from Bryn Bresail. I know that she is into some not quite legal things, but in spite of that she seems to be a good woman. I'm not sure what, if any, connection to Lady Rachel she has however. But with with the Voddicci it is hard to tell where you stand on anything.
I know that someone is trying to kill me. I know that it has to do with my bloodline. Knowing that my mother's bloodline has no secretes I can only assume it is because of my father. My mother told me that he died before I was born but would never discuss it beyond that. I think it was much too painful for her. I could always tell how much she loved my father by the way she would look at me. She would always tell me how much I looked like my father. "Anywone can tell who your father is just by looking at you" she would say. Except for my eyes. I have my mother's eyes. She always had the most striking and expressive golden honey colored eyes. While I doubt I will ever be as beautiful as my mother, I am grateful that I will always have something to remember her by, whenever I look into a mirror.
So I am left in the world without mother or father and will soon have a child and no husband. The father is Fey. In order to gain favor with the Fey, we were sent, by Queen Elaine of Avalon, to Bryn Bresail. We had accidentally angered some in the unseelie court by stealing the boat from the island we shipwrecked on. (Incidentally this is the island that Captain Reis uses as berth. I personally think that he is working with Queen Mab of the Sea and that is partially why she is angry at myself and fellow companions. If I am right, then it is also most likely that Captain Ries is already dead)
The Queen of the Sky asked (and when I say asked I mean ordered) that we go on the Flying Hunt. Our goal was to either capture or kill the Horned King; I'm still not sure which. No one mentioned the repercussions of actually catching the Horned King. So in order to try and save my companions and I from further misery I did my best to catch up to him. The Fey horses are quite fast and I am an accomplished rider. Unfortunately it was I who was caught. The result of that hunt is me being with child. I am unsure at this point what to do, but hope that I will find answers upon returning to Avalon. Until then all I can do is keep the inquisition from finding out, because we'd both burn, and try to find out who want me dead and why. I can not guarantee my child's safety while I am ignorant of these things.