Well, I guess I have let this journal collect enough dust to classify it almost an antique. It’s been quite sometime since I have taken the opportunity to sit down and write about my journeys in this life, but it isn’t for the lack of anything to write about. Quite the contrary, there has been so much to write about that I am afraid that I had been so involved in doing that recording didn’t take precedence. Now, to begin again.

My Daisy. Our relationship has deepened as our time together as a bonded couple has passed. I must admit that I feel an aching loss when she is not near. She completes a part of me that I had not realized was missing. The times we must spend apart only serves to highlight the sense of completion I feel when we are together. Not to sound disdainful of the duties that demand our parting (however brief), or to be misunderstood as a pining heartsick fool that does nothing more than sit around daydreaming of his dearest love… ah, well… maybe that is case. I do love her so and there has never been a day created that isn’t better for having my Daisy near. There is always so much to learn from each other and it is deeply satisfying to know that these lessons deepen our appreciation for one another and for the bond that we share. Yes, satisfying is certainly a good way to describe it. She has continued her training, although mine has become somewhat lax. I am so very proud of how far she has come and of the discipline I see in her as she strives to better herself. She is my Daisy and I have never felt so fortunate as to find a perfectly suited match for me, in passion for life, love, and defending these lands we hold dear.

I have trained somewhat infrequently since my latest entry. I have gained another level and finished the quest to defeat the Blood Demon with the help of Urkki and encouraging friendship of Azure. It was quite amazing really, as fond as I am of endlessly dark places… I certainly won’t be going back.

On a more recent (and certainly more cheerful note than howling abysses under the Dundee Inn) Cordelia came to visit our guildhall. An official visit to start off her tour of the various guild locations around Valorn, as I understand, beginning with our own because we won the earlier contest for helpfulness. It was really quite an honor and pleasant experience to pass the time in the company of my guildmates and Queen. Unfortunately, I had to retire for the evening before the entire visit was completed. Fleur performed an impromptu song for the Queen, accompanied by Korrith on his zither. I am told it was quite spectacular and Im not in the least surprised. I am certainly blessed with exquisitely talented guildmates, all of them add something very special to the guild and it makes me very proud to be counted among the legendary 22.

I would like to take Daisy shopping in Ethucan. I think soon. Ive been farming to save up enough plat to make it a special occasion, as I have never been very good at holding on to money very well - this is going to be quite a feat. Azure was kind of to attempt to sneak a few doorway crystals into my pack when I wasn’t looking. I didn’t say anything then, as she was trying very hard to be sneaky… which I should say is quite difficult in this clanky bit of armor we Knights wear, but a valiant effort from my friend so I didn’t point out her obvious un-rogueish success. Admittedly, I gave one to Korrith because he seemed very excited to go to Ethucan. Now, he is stuck there as I had assumed he knew he would need another to return. Well, a bit more farming should save enough to buy another crystal when I am there to return the cheeky cleric to his normal haunts of the Dundee Inn.

That may have to wait a few more days, however. Farming is very tedious work… and there are lessons for Daisy I feel are more important at the moment. She is a very fast learner and as I mentioned (although quite accidentally) to Cordelia, Daisy has quite an insatiable appetite. She is without a doubt the most gratifying apprentice any teacher could ask for: attentive and mindful, and takes correction very well once the mistakes are irrefutably pointed out. While I do admire the strong stubborn streak she has and adore her sense of pride (that many cannot see beyond her sense of shyness in public), it is fortunate they do not seem to interfere with her training as they could be serious detractors… and actually seem to balance in such a way that they drive her to push her limits quite satisfactorily and successfully.

That does not quite catch up on everything I havent written about, but its a start. I will write more as I have time. I could probably fill up many of these pages during the times I watch Daisy sleep peacefully, but its oh so nice to just sit and watch over her dreams.