Bethany Hawke's Travel Journal

~ 2E 583, 12th of Frostfall~

"It has being a while since I picked you, dear friend. So many things had changed, so many things to write down... But alas, I do not have time or desire to commit everything to these pages. Well, here I am - alone, and on the road again. Talk about history repeating itself...

I grew attached to the members of the clan, you know. Our little rag-tag band of misfits from all across of Tamriel. They are like a family now. A family that occasionally does stupid things and absolutely drives you nuts... But a family, nevertheless.

I had resigned from my post as a Captain of the Guard. Can't say this was a spontaneous decision, I weighed that option for a while now. But Sylva's trial was the last drop into the already full bucket... Ah, who am I kidding! It was a foolish idea in the first place. I am a mage, an adventurer, a scholar... but not a soldier. I was the wrong person to do it from a start. I tried my best you know... but, it never felt natural. On the contrary, it felt like 'I' was the one pretending to wear a mask of strength and authority, to be someone I am not... In an odd way, I feel... relieved, leaving all of that behind me. Kade will do just fine, I am sure of it...

Well, here I am - sitting on the pier of Woodhearth and waiting for my ship to set sail for the distant coast of Morrowind. What will await me there? Only time will tell..."

End of Entry.

~ 2E 583, 28th of Frostfall~

"Who could have thought that a sea travel can be so... well, boring! I miss the days when I sailed all across the Iliak Bay with Captain Kaleen and her rugged bunch of privateers. Who would have thought that her 'pirates' and smugglers will have more honor than the infamous Lion Guard... Ah, I would be lying if I tell that I do not miss those days of adventure, treasure hunting... Even the occasional raids on the Dunmer slavers - after all, we always set the poor slaves free... But I digress again.

According to the captain of this vessel, we should be reaching the port in Davon's Watch in a day or so. Though this evening I swear I saw a faint cloud of what seems to be black smoke on the horizon. Maybe it's just a regular volcanic eruption, after all Stonefalls in quite well known for those. But my gut tells me that something is not right... I guess we will see tomorrow."

End of entry.

~ 2E 583, 30th of Frostfall~

"Damn those Covenant butchers to Oblivion! Gods, I hate it when my gut-feeling is right, especially when bad things follow...

The smoke I saw the other day was indeed coming from the dry land. As it turned out, those cowards had raided a peaceful island of Bleackrock, slaughtering countless innocent civilians, and were on their way towards the northern coast of Morrowind when they came across us. Two Breton galleons had made a quick work of our ship. Last thing I remember before I was in the water, drowning - a burst of flame, followed by desperate screams and a cracking of the breaking timber...

A kind Nord warrior fished me out of the water and dragged me to the town, which happened to be my initial destination - Davon's Watch. The man, his name Hogurn... Holunn... Holgunn! He showed me great hospitality. So much for being called a brutish barbarians by the rest of the 'civilized' world... Once I told him that I was a mage, he requested my aid in repelling the impending Covenant invasion. After all the trouble he went to get me back to my feet, it's the least I can do. I have no issues with fighting men who stood so low as to slaughter innocent, defenseless people. Even if they are supposed to be 'my people'. The Daggers will be in for a 'warm' welcome, if I have anything to say about it!

P.S: Thank the gods for the water-resistant charm I had decency to place on my journal. After spending hours in the water before being washed ashore, it would have being ruined for sure... Note to self - place similar, and possible add a fire-resilient enchanting on all future recording/research notes."

End of Entry.

~ 2E, 583, 1st of Sun's Dusk~

" Why do people never learn that Dark Magic isn't the answer, I never understood! Time and time again, and still they repeat the same mistake over and over! Yes, we were outnumbered by the Daggers three to one. Yes, the city was seemingly about to fall... But for the Maker's sake, we fought and actually drove the murderous bastards back when those foolish Dunmer unleashed... it. That was a monstrosity out of the worst nightmares, blazing with the fires of Oblivion itself! I don't know 'what' was it, but a quick glance at it was enough for me to realize that we're in trouble. And true to my word which was ignored once again! the monster attacked us as soon as it run out of Covenant soldiers... Arkay knows, we were lucky the thing left Davon's Watch before it could do any serious damage!

And of course, 'then' they all drowned me in questions. How am I supposed to know how to kill this thing?! I don't even have the slightest clue of 'what' it is in a first place! Just because I am a Mage doesn't mean I am a Daedric expert, for the Light's sake!

At any rate, it was agreed that I will travel fourth to Deshaan, and seek aid from the mages of Shad Astula. I will make a quick stop by Mounhold and let the Temple Ordinators know what's going on. I pray that by the time I reach my destination it would not be too late...

P.S: the city, the people... could it be what I saw in a vision, over and over again? No, I do not think so. But I have this... nagging feeling that whatever my dream was about, it is nearing. And frankly, I am scared..."

End of Entry.