Allanon's Diary

Date: 09/09/2150 Location: An Inn in Ashan

Over the last 2 days I have learnt a reasonable amount of new information about our party and areas of knowledge to explore. 

But firstly I must admit, Kohaku is not as defenceless as she seems without her creatures. I learnt that the hard way when we spared. 

I used to be stronger then this, I mean how in blazes have my martial arts, and likely, swordsmanship suffered so greatly. Is it my lack of focus? No, I know exactly why. 

Ever since I have joined the army, although I have gone through physical exercise and continued my training that my farther has instructed me to, most of my time has been spent in the mages guild and doing my military duties which have primarily using my magic capabilities. Otherwise why else would I be in the special mages division? 

And Cordelia is ever greater at martial arts than myself or Kohaku. She hardly had to lift a finger! She made it look so easy, as if I were a still object, hardly moving. I might as well have been punching the air! 

I even got trashed about by Fane during our hand to hand sparing, at least I could match him in my swordsmanship. 

I know this is not a competition, but I'm so fustrated. At my incompetence, inability and my inferiority. ALL THAT FUCKING TRAINING, ALL THE DAMN SWEAT AND BLOOD, MY GOD DAMN CHILDHOOD FOR MY FATHERS INCISIVENESS ADDICTION TO TRAIN ME FOR WHAT, SO I WOULD BE SECOND BEST OR EVEN THIRD AT IT ALL. 

Damn it! 

I don't have the luxury of being fustrated right now. Training, great, even more training is what I need. At least I know there's a slight possibility that my shadow might be OK, I remember my magic and our technology being somewhat effective when the demons attacked, it was just their numbers against our small unit that caught us off guard. 

After speaking to Cordelia about going back to get some equipment, especially knowing I could get a great deal free using the contacts I know of, Cordelia suggested seeing the dragons of lazlo. Apparently they are real dragons. 

I thought they were mere mythological creatures, much like the unicorn. It seems common sense does not apply when it comes to these shadows and worlds. Despite this welcoming news, I still prefer to go to my world to get the equipment. 

Plus, if my guesses are right, our side needs all the resources we can get. I feel my world may be able to provide some useful resources to fight against brands forces, I only need to convince the others of the possibility and have the group go a slight detour. 

On other news, we have half the book. Apparently someone gave half of it to Deidra, who in turn gave it to Cordeilia during the incursion. At the same time a being called Ghost Wheel, who is some artificial construct with a very complex AI program built in! The individual who created such a complex device must be a genius, though the design of the body could use some work, but it feels quite proud of its body. 

This Ghost Wheel also eluded the fact that it is possible to use the pattern in my sorceries, but could not direct me to the individual who could teach me how to. 

After our conversations Ghost Wheel kindly transported us to Ashan, well that certainly saved us some time. Although he seems a bit odd, I like this Ghost Wheel. At least he seems nicer than Cordelia and half our party thus far. 

Apart from me and Fane training, even Cordeila woke up to do some training. She called it it-chi, and helps in physical and mental training! Cordelia also said she would be able to show a basic form to me so I too could use this as another method of training. It's probably the first time she hasn't been condescending or rude about my requests. In fact she almost seemed kind! I best not mention it, who knows what delusions would go through her head if she knew I called her 'Kind'. 

It also looks like Isokretes has left us yet again, frankly he can go where he likes, it doesn't look like he seems interested in staying with the party any time soon. But he left us the delight of Daemon, so our plan was to have kohaku escort him to Carnelia so he could walk the pattern while the rest of us go looking for Dworkin, who most likely has the other half of the book. 

Though as soon as we were about to start our journey, it got disturbed by 2 other amberites. I tried to warn cordelia, but unfortunately one of the ambers on board knew magic and magnificently froze all of us, disarmed those who had weapons and then told us to follow him. 

Cordelia didn't look too happy and didn't put any resistance, who ever this person was, it made Cordelia nervous and know she was no match against him. 

I fear to think how strong he may be. The other amber was called Llewella, she was the one who cast the magic. I wonder if I could have a private word with her about other practices of the pattern and of using the pattern in my sorcery if she knows anything and is willing to teach!