Joryn - 13

## Power

I resent those with power over me. Leopold called me a fool when I attempted to evade him. Another Great One, whose name I never learned, called us fools when we avoided arrest just earlier this evening. Coincidentally, the same Great One made an exception for Lagreth and complimented him for his wisdom despite the fact that he was the foremost in resisting capture. He had even attempted to overcome the Great One through force and violence.

I, on the other hand, had surrendered upon request and was viewed as the lesser for cooperating. No, not for cooperating, but for not possessing the gift. I would have been considered a fool regardless of the course I took.

I despise these hypocritical Great Ones. To many of them, we without the gift are nothing but tools. To most of the others, we might be more than objects but are still clearly beneath them. And, with them holding the power that they do, they're often right. Only those as strong or stronger than them are respected.

Amaron and Vargath each treated us with apparent respect. However, it was recently confirmed by one of Vargath's agents, Simon, that he was using us "inexperienced recruits" as bait to draw out those working with the Lyth. It worked; or maybe backfired. He was attacked in the tower in the afternoon. I don't know the details. All I witnessed was a large explosion of light from the tower that shook the city. Simon, who was with us at the time, received a magical message from Vargath stating that it was part of an attack on him.

## Leaving the City

Simon collected the information we had on Leopold and notified us that we may report for training at the Painted Duck in the Rivillian capital. He left shortly after the explosion of light to assist Vargath. Lagreth and Darius would have gone with them, but Simon said to accompany us. Only a few hours later, we walked into an ambush and were arrested by a Great One just outside the southwest gate. Between the Great One and nearly a dozen men surrounding us, I wasn't ready to put up a fight.

We, everyone except Lagreth, were shackled and placed in the back of an open wagon. On the way back to the tower, one of the guards clumsily dropped his keys right into Yavin's lap while he was giving us water. He didn't notice his folly and we managed to discretely unlock ourselves. When the time was right, we scattered.

After getting Vera's pursuing guards to chase me and then losing them, I decided to head right back to the southwest gate. Between Leopold, the Great Ones, and the signs of a looming civil war, this place is a death trap. I preferred to risk a second encounter with an already sprung trap rather than trying to lay low in the city.

I ran into the rest of the group on the way out. We were supposed to meet at the Calico Kitten, but I decided that would be too risky. If even one of us were caught, our captors would know right where to find us. Coincidentally, I ran into everyone else on the way out. Yavin had managed to capture the wagon with all of our gear and even had Lagreth with him. I'm told that he burned the Great One to death.

Our second attempt to leave the city was successful. The guards were actively questioning everyone leaving and there was another Great One at the gate, but they gave us no trouble. We had dressed down as farmers and hid our gear among hay, but I don't think it was us that they were trying to find.

I believe they were trying to prevent Great Ones from leaving. Just before reaching the gate, we spotted a few of them using magic to leap up to the top of and then over the wall. The Great One stationed at the gate didn't seem to notice. I doubt he even cared. He didn't even come out of the guardhouse when we were being inspected.

## Unexpected Revelations

Yavin surprised me. I didn't expect him to go back for the gear or Lagreth. We had briefly discussed trying to obtain some of our gear from the other wagon, but thought it too risky with so many guards and a Great One. He must have seen an opportunity and seized it.

I'm also surprised that Lagreth managed to kill the Great One. When we first encountered him, he was able to wave off Lagreth's flame with his hand. Yet, Lagreth appears to have found a way around that. In the end, it was the Great One who proved to be the fool.

Vera and Yavin said they'd be willing to go with me to the Scar. I thought our relationship was more fickle. I'm now seeing more loyalty in them than I expected; perhaps even friends. Even Lagreth stood by us and fought a Great One from his academy. Maybe I can trust them.

Kaelib, on the other hand, seems to have caused us a great deal of trouble. Prior to meeting Simon, Vera got separated and was temporarily detained by a group that's looking for Kaelib. Apparently, he's been spreading word of the academy being responsible for the fall of Moira's Victory. It has earned him, and us, some dangerous attention.

On that note, it's quite possible that the ambush was somehow incited by Kaelib. After all, the Great One stated that he was arresting us for trying to start a war. Perhaps it was with information from Kaelib that he was able to make that claim. Whether Kaelib is with or against us, it seems we'll be better off without him.

As for the Order of the Vanguard, I'm even less inclined to be their puppet. Vera agrees with me and has stated that she has no interest in meeting up with them in Rivillian. If that is true then, despite my curiosity, it seems I won't be learning what they have to offer me.