25th day of the 10th month of the year 718 KDC

My name is

I am writing this journal

Today, this day, the 25 th, is my birthday.

I turned 18 today.

I had grown up in what we sometimes call an Institution. A place where children without parents grow up. Everything was fine when I woke this morning, but by lunch time my world had been turned upside down.

The Matron kicked me out! Well, sort of. Really though, the whole thing is kind of strange. The other children left the institution when they reached 16. Usually given to some local trades person as a form of cheap labour. But I think it would be good for the child too, or young man/woman at that stage. They learn a trade, have a roof over their heads, and get food. For some reason I got none of this.

First I was not released at 16, but rather I remained in there until today. A whole extra 2 years. I don’t really understand it. But that is what happened.

Second… I have no work. No one was there to pick me up like they did to the others. The Matron dumped a small backpack beside me with my belongings and some food. Then she handed me this journal and a sword. Finally she pointed me towards the nearest town of a decent size. I believe she called it Sakura. Bit of a strange name I think. But who am I to judge.

I do not know what I should be doing now. I don’t even really know why I am writing in this. I mean, I’ve never had a journal of any sort before. But when I stopped as the sun started to go down I just felt this urge, or maybe a desire, to write in this. I flipped through it and everything was blank. There was this strange writing implement inside it. Looks like one of those quills, that you dip in the ink, but seems to have a reserve of ink inside it, and it wasn’t dry. I am just glad the Matron taught me to read and write as I grew up. Otherwise doing this would have been mighty hard.

Oh, I got so caught up in writing this I forgot the sword. Let me have a look at it now. I’ll try and describe it.

It’s fairly long. Slightly curved. The bit you hold, the handle? Seems to fit both my hands easily with some room to spare.

It feels nice to hold. And light.

The handle is not very ornate, rather plain. But what was I expecting, haha.

The holder case I have no idea what it is called. But the thing it sits in is plain too. Like painted wood. Around the top, bottom and 2 places in the middle there are dull metal bands. Not rusted, just dull. On the middle ones are a couple of hooks and a sash sits between them. Seems to be made of some soft material, like silk or something. Doesn’t seem to fit with the rest. I’ve been using it to carry it today, over my shoulder. It felt comfortable.

There is like some wire around the guard thing and the case thing, stopping me from pulling it out. I’ll be able to get that off easily.

Oh, wow, this is strange. I’ve got the sword out now. I was expecting some sort of metal, but no. Looking closely at it the blade seems to be made of stone. It’s like a dark grey, with tiny little holes all along it. I don’t know if it is sharp, but it is stone, it couldn’t be too sharp. I don’t want to test it though.

I could probably sell it in town. I mean, I don’t have any money, and surely something like this must be worth a few coin? Even if just to use as scrap.

I’ll put it away now.

It is strange how light it is though. Surely something made of a stone like that would be heavier?

Hey, I just noticed a piece of paper on the ground. Looks like it might have been wrapped around the sword, since it is folded all weirdly. Maybe it fell off when I drew it…

Let me transcribe it. Just in case I lose it.

Ignatius

When you are reading this I will be long gone. You cannot come and find me, because I have not gone somewhere, I have died in a duel.

You are probably a little lost now. I didn’t given the Matron many instructions. She was to keep you in the Institution until you were 18. She was to hold onto the journal and katana until then, and give both to you when you leave. That is it. You will need to handle the rest yourself.

You will be heading for Sakura no doubt. That is the nearest town of importance. Once there seek out a man named Balthasar. He also goes by Hawk. He will be an ally to you in the times to come, much as he was an ally to me.

Beware though, the ones that will come for you in cloaks of red and grey. Do not put your trust in them. But you may have a use for them at some stage. Just keep your wits about you.

Farewell my son

Well. I think that settles it. Though this does not answer any questions I would have for my father, it does give me a purpose. I suppose I should rest now. Tomorrow I should be at the town of Sakura. I wonder how hard it will be to find this, hehe, Hawk. Who calls themselves something like that? I find it funny.