It was a weird feeling, even as both Jean and Luka were drinking throughout the night, both felt perfectly fine, I guess that might be the difference between cheap alcohol and an expensive one.

  As he thought about it and lingered on it more and more, Luka helped him pack up essentials in his bag.

  "you ready?" Luka gave a bag to Jean

  "honestly, no, not really, I don't know what to expect." Jean's worry was quite expected.

  Luka pushed Jean to get him moving "If you are gonna be worrying the worry while on the journey." Luka waved "You will be joining a crew, so maybe this time, you can make yourself useful" A final jab at Jean, at least for now

  With silence and a smile Jean waved goodbye, hoping that one day he may share his tales of adventures.

  Luka saw his adoptive son leave, knowing that this might be the one of the last times he will see him, and as thoughts of regret started to pile, Jean was already long gone.

  Silence lingered on until the air began to weigh heavy on the very life that surrounded Luka.

  "If you have anything to say, then say it" Luka felt a lingering look on his back

  Loud steps were heard hitting the stone floor. "And here my hopes of age stripping away your skills"

  "You got what you wanted, what else do you want to change?" Luka took his cane and was readying to swing it

  "Put it down." the man stopped him "I am here to congratulate you, after all you made the first step of your journey"

  Luka already tired simply did not wish to deal with the man. "Jean will blame me until the moment I die."

  "He will blame for being a coward." the man answered with no hesitation.

  "what?" Luka's voice felt mad

  The man looked at Luka "You've given Jean your notebook, where all your sins lay rest." The man's figure slowly rose up defying nature itself "Instead of facing your sins, you have chosen to run away from them, instead of accepting them you sealed it away and given them to one person who cannot come back." the man's physiology became more and more unnatural "You preach about acceptance and facing one's fears." The surrounding bacame dark as the night itself "Yet you were always a coward, running away from everything, instead of fighting, and then you disguise it as a noble act!" The being has lost it's human resemblance turning into a huge bird covered in white shadows "You are a hypocrite who has sold his morality under the words of penance" The being looked at Luka who stood unwavering

  With silence Luka turned around "Is that all bridface? or will you go back to your books" As Luka answered all fell back to normal and the being known as the bookkeeper.

  The church felt silent under the weight of it's sinner.

  Jean arrived to the lower docks of Cerillia where apparently he was supposed to join a crew in return for getting to the archipelago, he will also be joining as a helper.

  As he walked around the docks he finally found his ship or to be more accurate he found the dock number, as he got closer he saw that the ship was much smaller compared to the huge ships he would see and in front of the entrance were two individuals.

  One of them was humanoid rabbit or Rabi, in waist pants, wide shirt and boots that wouldn't ristrict their jumping power.

  The ears were also quite large and overall the Rabi was much taller comparable to the size of an Orc.

  Fur was black and the eyes were yellow like gold.

  And from what it looked like, they were a woman and wore the attitude of a captain.

  On the other hand there was another woman, who wore an outfit that some would call posh and was about the same height as a Jean, she also wore a bag that even from a distance felt heavy.

  Even as her outfit was posh and expensive, it was still quite well equipment, with protection around the vital areas, boots that would not get wet combined with a cloak that could easily be used as protection against the outside weather.

  As Jean got closer the woman got on the ship and disappeared into the hold.

  While he started talking to the Rabi.

  Before even saying anything she immediately asked "You Jean Vane?"

  "Correct" no hasitation from Jean's answer

  "Good, name's Astana, I'll be your captain you hear?" Her dialect was that of a Southern Grasslands, a mostly nomadic place with occasional settlements here and there.

  Jean seemed to be having some trouble understanding "Understood, captain"

  "Good" Astana held out her hand "I have high hopes for you"

  With a firm handshake the two boarded the ship, Jean looked around the hull, it was mostly to see where entrances are.

  Astana observed Jean "onev my men'll give ya a rundown" she called someone over "we're leavin in anhour, so don worry" Astana seemed to explain the situation to one of her people.

  As she explained the situation it was more and more apparent that there really aren't that many people.

  In fact there are only eleven people with Jean included, and twelve with the stranger that went to the hold.

  Yet there were all kinds of people from different species, places and countries.

  One of the men from Astana's crew came to me and intruduced himself as Leoben, a human who mostly cooks and does first aid.

  Leobel showed Jean around the ship and giving him a hammock to hang in his tiny room during the voyages.

  He also explained what Jean is gonna do, which mostly meant training with weapons by Leoben, he also showed Jean where and how to reload the four cannons on the ship, overall the entire hour was spent simply by explaining how things work and what to do.

  With the hour ending the ship started to move out into the open sea, Jean decided to walk around, though the ship appeared small it was by no means tiny, in fact Jean realized that the fact that he had his own room was a much better luxury than in most ships.

  Usually the crew would sleep on hammocks that would be put on a ceiling, yet here you got an entire room, though small it is still a room.

  With the ship already long gone from the shore it still felt weird.

  The home he so longed for, a place where he risked his life to get to, gone just like that.

  Only thing left are the memories and locked notebook.

  As Jean hung up the hammock, granted after his 5th try he almost gave up, he got ready to read the notebook.

  It felt heavier, in fact it felt as if holding a mountain.

  Yet even as his heart wavered and fears piled on and on, it was a promise he needed to keep.

  With a key in hand he inserted it into the lock turning it, there wasn't anything spectecular, no complicated mechanism, magic that would open a portal or another lock that woul require a pass phrase.

  Nothing like that, just a simple lock.

  What it opened was the truth that Luka had hidden away and the truth that made Luka who he is.

  There was no kindness, no forgiveness in the pages, just hypocrisy and sin.

  Day 25 of the Sixth moon, year 1611:

  I was forced to buy a new notebook, due to the fact that the old one was filled out.

  Annoying but it matters not, the campaign so far has been doing good, though some knights report that their men do not like that we are letting cities be destroyed.

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  What fools, are we going to waste resources and money just to save lives of those who do not believe our teachings, still I will have to deal with it one way or another.

  Still I fear I have no choice but to burn down the city, if we leave it to the enemies all it will do is give them an advantage, more financial power and human resources.

  Better to burn it all down than to die.

  Day 03 of the Seventh moon, year 1611:

  Seems like a lot of people did not like the plan to burn down the city of Agen, so we had to do something else.

  To all of them it seemed much better alternative but to me it seems excessive.

  Soldiers and knights wished to poison the river, believing that it will be more merciful than to burn down an entire city.

  What fools they are

  Day 15 of the Seventh moon, year 1611:

  Guess they have realized it, that poisoning the river was a mistake.

  Once we have arrived there were dead on the street, sick in the houses and rats eating corpses.

  Many were asking why they didn't leave, as if I would let them, honestly the very moment that we poisoned the river we have already pronounced all of the 150 000 people living there as dead.

  Anyone who dared to leave the city was captured and killed by my own hand, for it is my duty as the War Cardinal to bring down the blade of Luna.

  Either way it did not change anything, the city was still burned down, the only difference is that we have lost future trade with what now is ruins, annoying more than anything.

  Still I have personally punished the knights and soldier who pushed to poison Agen.

  Branded them as enemy prisoners and sent them to the penal legion, if they live or not doesn't matter anymore.

  There were however some who tried to escape, luckily they were dealt like with the same way you'd dael with any other deserter.

  Day 27 of the Seventh moon, year 1611:

  We are moving more south with our campaign, we should be reaching the Grand Doctorow's Duchy capital soon.

  But the Doctorow army has been doing hit and runs, which has slowed us considerably but luckily we have a solution to drive out their army at the minimal cost.

  Day 10 of the Eighth moon, year 1611:

  I must say there is something relaxing while looking at a fire burning, it's warmth and light that it brings out is truly comforting.

  Though the soldiers tend to disagree, which is a shame because it's beauty must be shared and what better way to share it then by being engulfed in it.

  It's beauty even brought out creatures of the Doctorow's myth, a Phoenix.

  A bird that apparently borns anew while being engulfed in flames.

  But seeing it in person was quite the sight, the beauty of it was egulfing just like the flames and at the same time it is a blessing disguised as a horror of war.

  Day 11 of the Eighth moon, year 1611:

  I am dissapointed, I expected a creature of legend to put up more of a fight, but all it did was hurl more flames and scream loudly.

  Although the screaming did bring out wyverns and other creatures who would usually be an issue, all it did was stall the inevitable.

  Bashing it's beak in was quite satisfying, the screeching stopped though dealing with the wyverns was a bit annoying but easy nontheless, I do have new scars and my armor took some beating but that is about it.

  As for the damage on the creatures, I tried to not damage them too much, but sadly my hammer was too excited.

  Still I am very dissapointed in soldiers that chose to ran away instead of facing the enemy, luckily the forest still has enough fuel.

  Day 01 of the Twelfth moon, year 1611:

  We have arrived to the capital of Doctorow, we were able to get quite some money from the wood we cut down, since most of the forests were burned down by me.

  Luckily our magicians preserved the corpses of the creatures, they will be putting them on display in the central cathedral of Cerillia.

  What does annoy me is that I couldn't use those corpses to scare the city into surrender and instead was forced to negotiate due to the fact that the Pope of all people was here.

  He is a weird man, he has the most luxurious food and gets so much money yet he gives it to the poor.

  If he is gonna give it to someone then give it to the believers or at the very least give it to the Luna's knights, we are already suffering from poor rations as it is.

  He talks of forgiving all even those who do not believe in the same things, he also bought up every slave he could and send them to be cared for in Cerillia.

  What a waste, as if that is gonna stop slavery and inequality.

  Just kill the slavers and be done with it, as for the slaves, I guess get rid of those who are useless and let others go, as if they are of any use.

  Day 24 of the Twelfth moon, year 1611:

  By the moon we were stuck in this city for so long, in fact I got orders from other Cardinals to stay here, normally I'd ignore it, however it was signed by the Pope who also made me his personal bodyguard.

  If I am gonna be here then I want to rest and drink tea, not deal with some selfish do gooder who thinks that going around giving free food will deal with the issues that the city is dealing with.

  Still lately I have been feeling tense, in fact I believe something is happening without my knowledge.

  I will need to up the security, if possible.

  The New Day of the First moon, year 1612:

  As I have been following the Pope around I talked to him about things he does, and as to what exactly is the purpose of his charity.

  His answer? something about forgiveness and helping out those who have no way out.

  To me it sounded more like avoiding the question entirely but who knows.

  Not gonna ruin this new year because of a man who doesn't realize what his actions bring.

  I am planning to mostly spend my time resting with my man outside the walls.

  One thing I did notice is that there was some commotion on a farm not so far from the barracks, apparently some slaves escaped a while back.

  Day 05 of the First moon, year 1612:

  I WAS GODDAMN RIGHT.

  The reason ME and the POPE are here is kill us, this entireeee thing of ME and MY men, MY MEN going on the crusade was a ploy to get rid of us.

  I am so pissed, there is no way for me to describe it.

  IT WASNT EVEN TWO DAYS SINCE THE NEW DAY AND THEY DECIDE TO LAUNCH AN ALL OUT ASSAULT ON THE CITY!?

  WHERE WE ARE!

  Not to mention trying to get the Pope to safety was also a pain, he was adamant on saving those who are bound to die, the entire city was falling apart, worst part was that out of all my soldiers only 100 survived and even THEY were forced to die, now it is only me, the pope and two slave children.

  All my men dead for the sake of two children, what a joke.

  I wish I could write more, but I simply cannot, I am tired and exhausted, yet the Pope still looks hopefull.

  He shared whatever food he could to the two children, at this point he will die from malnourishment.

  Day 11 of the First moon, year 1612:

  It was only a matter of time before we were captured luckily the children were able to run away, as if they will survive for long.

  As for me and the Pope we are under arrest for 'burning the city of Doctorow' what a joke.

  I am not scared, I can handle torture, but the Pope highly doubt it.

  Both of us got a deal, die and the other gets spared, like hell I'd accept it.

  Day 30 of the Third moon, year 1612:

  The fool of a Pope sacrificed his life, funniest thing I was his executor.

  Never did my blade feel heavier than on that day.

  You know what he told me before dying? That he forgives me and to forgive them.

  I believe I will have to make a different deal.

  Day 15 of the Fifth moon, year 1612:

  I was able to make a deal with the bookkeeper, whether it is worth it or not, doesn't matter.

  I also was found the two children who escaped and took them in, I don't know what possesed me to do that but who knows?

  How funny just 6 moons ago I was resting and drinking, and now I am stripped of my title, given a crumbling church in the slums with only a relic of the Devine and my hammer still with me.

  What a joke.

  I fear that I am becoming soft, especially after meeting that Pope.

  Looking back, he looked like he was having fun with me, sharing stories and tales he went through.

  Not to mention the way he lived was completely different compared to me, yet many times he called me a friend.

  He couldn't hurt a fly, while I burned down an entire forests to get rid of my enemies.

  Yet he saved so many while the city was crumbling, why?

  Shouldn't he have focused on himself instead.

  He was such a fool.

  I guess for now, I can take care of the two children left behind.