Antonio's Journal Entry #6: A collection of Captain's Logs.

Captain’s log:

Either something amazing has happened, or something terrible. I kissed Guile. I kissed her. It was short and sweet, but I did it. Then she ran. I have not seen her since.

I thought she wanted me to. If we had not been in public I think I would have lost control of myself. However, I restrained myself. 

I am sitting here fretting about it, though. Was I too brash? Too forward? Did I ruin everything?

Captain’s log:

You will never believe what happened this morning. Guile and Taerl were having a duel. The winner got me! I did not even get a say in the matter. If I had not shown up when I did, Guile might have died. Yes, I have been teaching her fencing, but she does not yet possess the skill of Taerl. 

Then somehow before I knew what was happening, Pellenistra and I were dueling for the position as captain. It was absurd. Everyone knows that I am captain. There should be no questioning it. Well, without her magic, Pellenistra is no match for me. 

When I asked Guile to explain why she thought dueling was necessary, she told me it was because I was a powerful man and needed a powerful woman at my side. When Blight is finally removed she will lose her magic. She is afraid I will no longer want her because she will not be powerful anymore. Hence the duel to prove she could handle herself without magic. I told her I did not care whether she had magic or not. I loved her, not her power. 

I then had to talk with Taerl and let her know that I had been stringing her along all this time and truly loved Guile. After this awkward explanation, she told me she already knew. You think she would have stopped me, but I think she did it for the pleasure of seeing me look like a fool. The only thing she cares about is having a ship and a purpose. I still plan to keep her on as my second mate.

I hired a new crew for the ship. If anyone ever says anything about Pellenistra being captain again, I will remind them that I am paying their salaries, and they would do well to remember what side their bread is buttered on. One of the crew is a woman named Crystal Brook. She has blue skin and is an old friend of Polly’s. 

The second most shocking thing that happened to me today (women dueling over my hand being the first), was finding my sister staying with Nilsa who we had come back to warn about Jasper. Apparently, my kingdom was invaded by gnolls, and my people scattered. The whereabouts of my parents are unknown. I am troubled by this. I feel I have failed my people by leaving. Perhaps if I had been there things would be different. 

Nilsa’s boy, Squiggle, is a clever lad. I took him with me to remove my mother's emerald ring from my safe box to have it ready for the perfect moment. In my eagerness to obtain it, I seemed to have neglected the fact that it was night and everyone in bed. Quick on his feet, Squiggle pretended to be my starving son with a dying mother. We needed the ring to buy medicine. The unpleasant little man that we had to deal with is a relative of the unpleasant little man in Laskun that I bought clothing from for Polly and myself. Once we had the ring, I proposed the idea to Squiggle that he should be a cabin boy on my ship. I plan to speak to Nilsa when I have a chance.

Captain’s log:

It is a joyous day indeed! We have captured Jasper! Unfortunately, Helen got away. But I have every confidence we will find her again. She killed her parents because they would not give her money. I am disgusted with her and want to see her behind bars. She is a lying, thieving, murdering, etc.

Now that Jasper is out of the way, I plan to find my parents. Elversult needs a leader. Even though I disagree with my parents, they are still my king and queen. I must see them restored to the throne.

I am unsure how this will impact my plans to help Guile. I feel torn. I love her and would do anything for her. But I have a duty to my family and kingdom. I plan to propose to her as soon as I can find the right time and way. I want it to be big. Spectacular. Probably try to get fireworks. Doves. I think women like doves. 

Though Guile is different from normal women. I shall have to ponder this proposal…