Main Page >> Character Journals >> Liberty’s Journal >> Liberty Journal 4

20 Planting, 595 CY

Dear Connie,

Greetings from the Free City of Greyhawk! You were right, again; it’s bigger than I ever could have imagined.

We’re staying at the Silver Dragon Inn in the Foreign Quarter, after a long day of buying and selling. Tomorrow we start the three-day walk back east to Diamond Lake. This is the first chance I’ve had to write anything down!

We split up this afternoon; my job was to get the Chronicle of Chan from the Great Library. I got turned around more than once in Clerkburg, and I saw the Arena where Auric competes on my way there. That was pretty impressive.

I spoke to the head librarian, Gratius Saghast. He was crusty as last month’s bread, but I could tell he still likes flirting with pretty girls, and Allustan’s note seemed to carry some weight with him. I found the Chronicle in the History wing, but it looks like very dry reading, so I’m not touching it again until later. At least it’s in Common, and it seems to include all the sigils we saw in the tomb.

We also had an elven armband to sell, which I convinced Xan I could get a better price for than they offered him in the Low Market’s Bazaar. It was an excuse to seek out Greyhawk’s elven community without the fellows around, and we all knew it, but he turned me loose anyway, on the off chance that I was right. And I was!

I found a curio shop in the High Market, near the Star of Celene (That’s the most popular gathering spot for elves in the Free City, but only elfbloods and their guests are welcome. I thought about blustering my way in there, but I’ve got to have something to look forward to on my next visit, don’t I?). The elven clerk’s name was Newlyn, and he waxed rhapsodic about the intricacy of the armband’s engraving. I do love to see elven passion on display… Anyway, I got a hundred gold orbs for it, which was better than the seventy-five we were offered before.

I also saw a ruffle-tailed coat that I just had to have, and I found something nice for you, like I promised. Having a trio of elves fuss over me while they fitted me for the coat was pretty nice, I don’t mind telling you. The youngest one liked my spectacles a lot, and seemed more interested in humans than the other two did. Part of me really wanted to just sneak into the back room with him! Oh well, like I said: something to look forward to.

I probably should have replaced this beat-up hat while I was at it, too, but it reminds me of you, and that’s never a bad thing.

The Free City reminds me of home a little bit more than I expected it would. There’s no shortage of poor folks – I never went down to the River Quarter or the Old City – or bawdy houses. But the difference is that these people don’t see a witch when they look at me. I could be anyone I want to be here. Hells, I could be anyone I want to be anywhere but Diamond Lake.

And yet… all the talk of the Ebon Triad worries me. Most folks in Diamond Lake wouldn’t cross the street to spit on me, but that doesn’t mean they deserve whatever the cult’s planning. And the town does have some decent folk, like yourself, and Allustan, and Valkus Dun. I think our group might have a shot at stopping the Ebon Triad, and if we don’t take it, who will? Besides, they might have more treasures!

It occurred to me on the way here that we should try to recruit Sam Claiborne again. I went to her when I first heard about the map – before I spoke to Mom, even – but she didn’t think it sounded worthwhile. We’re pretty sure that she’ll change her tune once she sees how profitable the Whispering Cairn was.

I hope you’re well. I couldn’t find Drake or Auric before I left, so I find myself hoping that Purple Prose is watching over you until I get back. We’ll talk soon.

All my love,
Libby

<< Previous Entry * Next Entry >>