Cyrodiil/Raaslan's Diary

30th of Sun's Dusk, 4E 171

The losses are terrible. The end of the month left us with half of our key agents gone. We suspect none of us remains in Summerset; of the forces in Valenwood, we only have five men whose death is not certain. We meet each new day with anxiety, in fear of a new dispatch. Acilius is doing his best to warn our divisions in the rest of the Empire. So far, we managed to receive five loremasters and seven of our finest warriors, in the hope the   will keep them alive a little longer. Some are already leaving, to prepare the comrades in Hammerfell and Skyrim. May their journeys be safe - we cannot afford to mourn their passing.

17th of Evening Star, 4E 171

Praise be to the Nine! We almost lost Acilius today... had he left us, I dare not think of the consequences. He was ambushed by a group of Aldmeri warriors. It was to be expected, of course; still, we did not expect them to target Cloud Ruler so fast. The wretched snakes made sure to plant an arrow straight in his chest before attacking. Our brothers fought hard, thankfully - hard enough to make them flee before they could complete their foul task. They did not leave, however, without yelling they would come again, for all of us. We are more than aware that it is a warning.

As he was brought to his quarters, Gaius and Rossena carried an unexpected guest. There was a young Breton girl lying in their arms, bleeding profusely and almost unconscious. She had joined the fight alongside us, after the older man accompanying her had been caught by a Thalmor arrow. Whatever happens, we will not let her die.

27th of Evening Star, 4E 171

Her name is  . In the first two days, she refused to say much more than that. Acilius told me she asked to join us immediately, but always listened in silence, and refused to speak of her motives. Last night, when I entered the nursing room to check on her, she looked lost and desperate in her lonely bed. I noticed the copious tears in her eyes, lit by the fireplace. 

She said that man was her beloved parent, and that she has no home to return to. As a travelling merchant, he was guarded by her in his journeys; he was her only company, and the last of her family. She hopes to find a new one, among us. I promised her so, despite the growing menace of the war. I did not expect her to have such a bright smile. 

15th of Second Seed, 4E 172

I realize, just now, for how long my diary has been left untouched. However, that is hardly surprising. My duties as the Chronicler have merged with martial responsibilities; the great difficulties of the Order find us less and less prepared, in terms both of number and resources. Half of Cyrodiil is already taken, and we regret our lack of pressure on the Council daily. But who would have taken us seriously anymore? Fallen from grace, awaiting a Dragonborn who never seems to come...

At least, the trainees are truly promising. My dear Alina improves daily, despite her naivety and the obstinate tenderness of her soul. I doubt she may be ready to cope with war as us veterans do; but she is strong, and her recovery was faster than anyone's I have ever seen. In these gloomy days, she gives me hope for the future.

30th of Sun's Height, 4E 172

The growing threats to the   required immediate action. The transfer of the archives is half complete by now. I cannot disclose the location, not even on this diary; Talos forbid, it may always fall in the wrong hands. However, Acilius and I made the necessary agreements with agents from Skyrim, and our knowledge may be saved after all. It is sad to part from these writings - centuries of history, so diligently collected in our East Wing, travelling to meet who knows what destinies... but they rest in the hands of the Nine, and maybe, if we have faith, our story shall not be completely lost. 

18th of First Seed, 4E 173

Alina is so sad these days. She claims to suffer from the departure of the archives, in which she was so keenly interested; but I feel it is the devastation of the war to break her heart, and I believe she is concerned for our lives. I caught her looking at the White Gold Tower one day, her eyes full of tears. She has become a brilliant fighter by now. I rarely praise her openly, not to lift her spirits too high - she is easily excited, and thus distracted -  but I do believe she is the youngest we can rely on. 

They do say I am a fine enchanter. Is it time to put my abilities to good use? Maybe it would help to strengthen my faithful old blade. I will tell Acilius today - I want her to have it upon my death. 

2nd of Hearthfire, 4E 173

They finally arrived.

The sound of the horn awoke us at dawn. We have been under siege since the late morning. The Thalmor's attack is exactly what we expected from them - this is why we had enough time to prepare, and give them what they didn't expect. 

Our archery stands, ready, all along the walls. We have assembled the trainees and the lower ranks in the Great Hall, so they may defend the Temple in the unfortunate case of our failure. The veterans, led by Acilius, are ready to spill the last drop of blood, as long as it falls with Aldmeri blood.

I wait here, in the basement we use as our training room. We hold the last of our knowledge in here, and I shall defend it at the cost of my life.

I met Alina in the Great Hall. She was writing something, too, on a battered piece of paper. She smiled to me, to give me strength and courage... but her eyes were melancholic. I am glad we had our last peaceful talk. I think she knows - we will most likely die today.

There is so much silence. Will this day ever end? I hope

A trebuchet! The roof is destroyed, I hear the yells, the screams, and then - under their blasted ram, the gates are falling! I must hide all of this, I must go