That was fun. It has been such a long while since I last fought anyone that I had forgotten how exciting and refreshing it could be. The laying of traps, the attempts at reading each other's intentions. It was almost as great as researching and producing things such as my Treasury Ring. It seems everyone was surprised and impressed when I transformed a projection into an actual shield. That's the genius of it. Instead of sack that connects to the treasury through which you can pull things through, I created a ring which you can use to substitute a projection for something identical in the Treasury. It's so much more practical than pulling something out of a sack.

It was decided that the four of us would travel to Asren, how exciting! For little old me, who had never stepped foot outside Toragan, this was bound to be a new experience. After a brief discussion, we would be taking a ship in a few days that is bound for Tarkatore. I can barely wait.

To pass the time, I decided to talk with my new traveling companions. In terms of power, I have nothing to complain about. Alexius is an excellent swordsman, that also seems to have something yet to be unlocked inside of him. Helena is quite skilled for a human at using projection magic, though she seems to be uncomfortable with more complex projections. Ah, my teacher's sense, I wonder if she minds if I teach her to be better with it. She does seem to be an easily bothered person. Now, for Kardenon Therynia, that armor of his is pure genius. How fascinating. I've met quite a few competent dwarf scholars in the university, but none of them ever thought of using the dwarves' unique ability in such a way. He is going places. Most of the time I spent with him was discussing ways in which to improve his armor.

I must be honest, I was slightly hurt when he said that he found my magnum opus on how to properly cast a fireball to be some of the most boring reading he's done. But what can I say, this is how dwarves are, they let their heart take too much control.

When we eventually embarked to leave Toragan, a surprising amount of people came to the port to see our departure, like it was some kind of farewell party. Initially I thought that most of them had come to see me, but I saw a few boys holding up a doll that looked quite like Kardenon's armor. Heh, they might have lost, but I have a feeling that the three of them managed to become quite endeared to the people of my city. We waved at them to the shouts of good luck and other such well wishing. Hopefully the journey to Tarkatore won't be too bad. I did hear some nasty rumors about the kind of things that can happen during it.

Alas, as expected, we did get hit with a a storm on the way to Tarkatore. My companione seemed to suffer quite a lot because of the rocking of the boat, although none as much as the poor dwarf Kardenon. I guess it is true that among all races, dwarves are the most connected to the earth. Being at sea really did not do him much good. It would have been good if our problems had stopped at just this, but even after the storm, we still had trouble coming our way.

We were attacked by a crew of pirates, quite the varied bunch. Although, to be fair, it wasn't that much of a problem considering our combined combat prowess. Even though Kardenon was essentially out of the fight, due to sickness and inability to create his armor, just me, Alexius and Helena were enough to dispatch the pirates, who didn't seem all that happy. I wonder if we will see them again. After that, there were a few days of respite, with nothing to torment us but the constant rocking of the boat.

Then, our luck turned sour again, as a storm assailed us which knocked us considerably off course. After it was gone, the sailors' faces turned comically pale. Apparently, we got thrown by the storm into kraken territory. Like most animals, krakens aren't very welcoming of visitors to their territory. Compared to the pirates, that was a much more difficult fight, considering that if it wasn't for Kardenon's constant patching up of the boat, the holes made by the kraken would probably have sunk the boat.

All in all, I would like to say that the excitement was more than enough to satisfy me. I wouldn't mind a repeat of it. When we finally arrived at Tarkatore, a weary Kardenon said that he didn't want to take a boat ever again. I wonder if he realizes that if he wants to go back home then he will have to take another boat. While not as radical, both Alexius and Helena grumbled about what happened during our sea travel. Where is everyone's sense of wonder and adventure?