December 1222

So I finally arrived at Cliffheart.
This will be my last stop before leaving Ireland, my land. I know I am just putting my sorrow off but I can't live without these landscapes. Italy is beautiful, there are many witnesses, and there, among the nice hills, is Harco, my House’s Domus Magna.
However I don't want to have a rough departure. I'll remain here for some seasons, surely until the weather will be fine.
It’s not safe travelling while it’s storming.
I am grateful to Al’gor of Verditius to host me here. I will have to repay.

December 27^th  1222

The inhabitants of this isle are kind. That Aswick scares me and I can't trust him. Maybe because he’s a Tytalus?
I don't think so: Yolhe, tough that bizarre looking, seems to be competent and reliable.
Does the Merinita feel anger for me? I've heard her saying bad things about my House. Anyway, I am at my ease in Cliffheart and I've everything I desire. I enjoy my fellows, at least those with the same age of mine.

January 1223

Stop! These knees have to move. My bag is ready. The sky has been dark for weeks. I know it’s not the best weather to go around  but I can't remain here at the window.
I want to go north, to the heart of the Count, to describe, in my book, what I see.
It will be a marvellous work; I will bring it Harco.
Harco! My Home...I've been so absorbed in Cliffheart’s business I've kept putting my departure off. I have to write to Mihalyi to tell him I want to remain here for some years. I have so much to learn from these wild lands, not less than from the cultured books of my Domus Magna.

January 18^th 1223

I've left Cliffheart for nine days. Down in the hills I can stand the cold. The high picks  offer a good protection from the most cold winds. I can advance with difficulty on this snow and, at evening, I must admit I am exhausted. Today, I've followed a an azure river through a little valley, when it vanished into a wood of larches. I've seen two beautiful silver foxes. It’s a pity I had not the opportunity picture them. They were meagre for the hungry. The snow has covered everything and Nature seems to be sleeping under thick mantle of snow.
I love travelling. And more I love drawing what I see, due to holding memory of what I've done and to having something useful to left to who will come after me.
The cold saves my food in a good status, though it’s going to finish.
I want to go to Maigh Chromtha (Macroom). I hope to be there within fifteen days.

February 9^th 1223

I am near Maigh Chromtha.
My Pater told me my real family is in this city. He told me that my father gave me him to let me grow free. When I asked from what or who I had to grow free, he answered: "free from hungry and free from englishmen".
They were the years of the english conquest through west, the same conquest that still continues.
My family was poor, fallen in disgrace because of my father’s will to abandon the humble work in the fields to try himself to commerce. It was our ruin.
I remember other children, maybe my brothers.

February 10^th 1223

I think I've seen my mother. She’s really old but I recognize my eyes in hers. There’s a skinny young man with her with a familiar looking: is he one of my brothers? This night, perhaps, I'll get into their house, giving me out to be a traveller looking for a bed. Moreover I need one: taverns are full and I don't know how passing this night. I don't like the idea to sleep in the open again. The cold stings in these days and I risk to take ill.

February 10^th 1223

I've met my family. Simple and nice people. I've told them who I am and they not only recognized me but welcome me too. My old father appeared to be the happiest. He also cried for the joy too when I told him of these years of distance; he explained me that he gave me my Pater because he had such a bright and serene eyes. He had already heard of children kidnapped by Magi but, for me, he had no doubt. He trusted that man and he thought he was my savior.
Now I am someone inside an often feared but respected Order and now I have some money, living in Cliffheart, I've decided I'm going to  be closer to my family. I'm going to be back here every Christmas. My family is very religious and, though I don't believe in their Lord, I like the idea to spend some time with them during such a happy occasion. I've found my real name out, my Pater  never wanted to tell me.

February 1223

I have seen so many places travelling during these months and how many emotions I've felt.
I've crossed far and wide the land in the south of Blackwater. I've done a good job, too. I've filled parchment sheets with very fine writing, notes and sketches. It will be a very useful text which I'd like to give to my Covenant; in fact, I think I'll make a copy for the library and I'll take mine to carry it to Harco. I am going to astonish many people thanks to such a detailed description of unknown and so far places. It’s time to come back home. Within two days I am leaving Cliffheart, just the time to see to provisions in Maigh Chromtha and to take me leave of my family.

June 1223

The baby of a grog who belongs to the Covenant was born, Eileen’s custos.
His name is Senach. And it seems to be his second on! It’s a really happy and good-lucky event. I am very glad about knowing that, inside such a little Covenant in decay, there is space for these moments of everyday life, usually wiped by the tiredness of a life devoted to the Arts out.

July 7^th 1224

Bad luck! Misfortune!
Al'gor, the man who harbored me among these walls died. My heart is full of sadness. I had know him for few months only, but he had done very much for me. His death seems to be due to an accident at the laboratory. Neither I have got nor I have seen one, laboratory I mean.
However, I want to endeavor for the funerary pyre preparation. A man has come to the Covenant, too, a Sodales, Graudius, belonging to the noble family of Flambeau. It’s not necessary, but it seems that Cliffheart is preparing to conquer new lands. Sherkin Island has become a consistory of Magi devoted to struggles and political plots, resolutely. Perhaps I have a too frail character and I let the past of these nobles families darkens my eyes. There is not a label for everyone.

July 1224

I don't like to know that Cliffheart is going to be governed by that old Tytalus. Every kind of goodness, charity and friendship seems wiped from this heart out. He’s a cold calculating man, worthy representative of his race.

July 8^th 1224

I want a laboratory! I am tired to be mocked because I haven't the Gift. What do they believe that I wouldn't like to subdue nature of all things to my will? I really desire a role of protagonist inside this Covenant, don't I? My Cliffheart friends don't know the value of us, Red Caps, and they don't consider us respect-worth, such respect we gained and which is all in the Order have for us. All except these old maids.
Stop! I am too beside myself to write. I am going to bed.

July 9^th 1224

Venerable Verditius’ death seems to be related to some kind of Code violation.
I'd like to know more about it, if I could approach to those documents which seem to be found in his laboratory!
Surely, if it’s in this way, a heavy punishment is going to be inflicted on Cliffheart.

July 15^th 1224

I don't know what those three women have done, but they have been really able to do it! I think that much about the good success of the last diplomatic mission was due to Gaia of Ex Miscellanea. Opposite to the common opinion of her House, she’s a well-balanced woman, with a strong sense of morality and honor.
We’re lucky she’s here at Cliffheart, so she can balance the oddness of the other Sodales.

July 1224

At last I have spent my dowry of vis which my Pater had given me before I was taken far form the Covenant by the wind. I've left all the pawns to Yolhe of Tytalus to have my new boots enchanted and I've asked her a spell to help me in travelling faster and safely. She smiled at me winkling, saying “don't worry, I'll take care of it!”. I hope she doesn't mess things up and the result is really useful. I fear she abandon herself to self-celebration.

September 1224

Aswick of Tytalus delivered his settlement speech. I don't mind very much who will have the power, I'd rather concentrate on my job. My fingers are stained with ink and the smoke of the candle is inflaming my eyes, I have been writing for hours  I write better at night  but I want to finish the copy of my book “Iacere ad meridiem Aquenigrae”, furthermore I've undertaken to copy the book wrote by Yolhe of Tytalus. I don't understand much about magic theory and copying what is illegible, it’s a boring and exhausting work. Lucky I am about to finish!

March 5^th 1225

Yolhe has finished the work which I had ordered her. A pair of boots which could make capable of travelling at unexpected speed and risen from ground. It’s perfect. I asked her to operate them through a sentence pronounced by me. I must admit the excellent quality of the work and it will be very useful for a Mercere who desires to know the world, like I am. I like Yolhe more, now. She has shown a big skill and precision in her work, and high consideration of my needs.  I am a bit mortified because the work ordered her had taken up such a long time… I wouldn't be malicious, but if I know her a little, I am sure that some day she'll want some kind of reward.

Spring 1225

I feel something has happened to Eileen. She has left on mission following a strange enchanted creature. Surely she is not on her own, in fact she’s well escorted by the other Sodales, but I feel that something will go wrong. I don't like that pigmy at all. Even though I don't cherish Merinita, I hope it’s only a sensation.

June 1225

It’s the first time I have seen Eileen again after her leaving. She misses her left arm. What kind of beast has made this ruin? And why haven't Yolhe and Gaia defended her? Why hasn't the assembly investigated the events up? I fear my presence at the Council has changed the natural course of the discussion. Of course Aswick doesn't trust me and I am not even supported by the other Sodales, perhaps Gaia has a little regard for me. I'd like to know what happened to Eileen, but I dare to ask her it. She’s so much strange that a furious answer wouldn't astonish me. I fear that I have never been integrated to this Covenant. Harco is ever nearer.
The Covenant has a statute now, with some norms and offices. I am out of my mind: I am Librarius. I think I was wrong when I wrote not to be integrated. This office proves the contrary. I'll try to do of my best not to disappoint neither of my Sodales.
I wonder what had taken Aswick of Tytalus to give a part of his power. I'm very excited: we’re planning an exploration of the surrounding isles. I am aware of the fact that for some Magi of this Saint Covenant it’s only a new opportunity to extend their own power on new lands and to exploit the possible resources. But I don't care of it! I must prepare the new parchments, I must make them white by the police stone, press some new ink. Who knows what kind of marvellous wild things are only waiting to be revealed!

June 25^th 1225

At last we’re leaving!
Kuron has come to take us with the Covenant’s boat. There are Eileen and Graudius of Flambeau, and other men assigned to our escort. The sun is hot and the salt impregnates the hair…these are the moments when I don't regret remained locked in a laboratory researching goodness knows what strange things!
Hare Isle is really delicious. Its inhabitants are gentle  only Luigi had a squabble with a native of the place. Profanes without brain. They’re deaf to Nature voice and their souls are not moved by the surrounding world beauty. I've sketched of our landing place, with that ridge which goes straight down to the sea. Wonderful!
There’s something wrong between Graudius and Sir Damon Garth. I can't understand well why, but if I must tell the truth I don't care of it!

June 26^th 1225

We have left Hare and we’re going toward the Calf Isles, three rocks in the middle of our bay. We’re about to land on the most northern isle. The salt ruins the ink and this is melting on the sheet…. I must invent something, I need a new pumice and cuttlebones.

June 27^th 1225

Only now I feel capable of continuing this diary. I don't remember anything about what happened to me: it seems that Eileen saved my life. An enchanted creature with enormous powers, perhaps it was a mermaid, has conquered my attention by fraud and she has subdued my soul. I've thanked Eileen, without her I would have died. In these occasions I think about how much dangerous the world is and how much the "job" I've planned to carry out. It’s easy for the Black Lady to reach you in a place which you don't know. I'll must be more careful in the future.
We've decided to put the exploration of the Calf Isles off. They appear too harmful. In my opinion it’s better in this way! Of course we'll be able to come back by a little time, more prepared, with the Tytalus too and in general, without this easygoing atmosphere which characterizes this exploration. And I think there’s also a child with us… However we’re going toward Cape Clear Isle.

June 28^th 1225

We have visited two settlings in the south of the Isle. I think it’s all very boring… I don't care of profane matters. Luckily at least I can draw outline of these coasts. Today I'll go till that rock rampart from which I'll be able to see the whole west coast of the isle. I've mixed the dust of a crumbled berry with my ink, which, thanks to my pigment, has become denser but brighter, too.
It seems that today we'll have to devote to the exploration of the north north west part of the isle.
I'm very satisfied of the work done till now, so much that I think to add the result of these three days to my previous book, perhaps creating a note. In the afternoon we have seen something really fascinating: strange gigantic and anthropoid beings have built a nice community among the woods of the isle. After overcoming the first problems of communication, they have shown very gentle and hosting people  one of the them has also carried me on his arms after my falling down from their high stairs, when I have had my knee hurt. I couldn't draw the aspect of these giants, but I propose to return to Cape Clear again.
Now we’re travelling back home. They have been three wonderful and interesting days, full of adventures but harmful things, too. I'll have to spend many weeks in correcting what I've written and drawn, and finding some suitable miniatures. I know the Covenant trusts a profane librarian who lives near Cionn tSáile (Kinsale): I'll visit him this winter.

July 15th 1225

A strange man arrived at Cliffheart, an old pilgrim from the Holy Land. If I think of how many miles he covered to reach this place... He speaks an elegant latin and brings a wonderful book which I'll have to take care of because, due to the long travel, the pages started detaching. I wonder if he's going to remain here or if he will leave soon. In this latter case I'll have to recopy his book as soon as possible.

October 1225

Pathos the Giant is back. And he brings two fellows, Jerome and Spampus. I can't say who's the worst: the first seems a bandit and I don't like his continuous playing with knives; regarding the second, his ridiculous name tells enough. During the Autumn Council some letters are publicly read, letters Aswick received from Garret of Ex Miscellanea, Gaia's pater if I am not wrong. A strange story based on a demon. My sodales decided to reach Carrick and to get the new comers with them. Graudius and Spampus seem to match, not an obvious thing. About me, I am going to return home. I want to study english during this period off and, if they like, I'll teach it my sodales. I hope to find here the pilgrim, before he could leave and take away the book.

December 2nd 1225

I am having english lessons from a merchant of Maigh Chromtha, while I am teaching him some basic rule of latin. It's not that difficult and I am sure it will be useful. My family is good and everything seems right. My father found another and better paid job.

February 22nd 1226

I have just come back at home. My family or the Covenant. which of them may I consider home? The travel has been distressing. During that year the snow reached almost the meter and marching had been hard. I thought of a new project for a couple of weeks, a project which would help us to move from a place to another; but, being half a Magus, I am not able to invent it. I'll ask my Sodales a piece of advice. In spite of the Codes' statements, I am getting sure I am a second choice Magus, though Codes. Eileen, by repeating it to me, changed my mind.

February 27th 1226

This night, in a dream, I have imagined my project in detail. It's going to be made of a large silver plate, like the meridian endowed with gems built by the Abbot of Ennis. It will indicate each known reachable places ad it will require an adequate hall. It will look great.

March 15th 1226

I decided to go to Cill Airne (Killarney), after my Sodales explained me the situation, Corcaigh's (Cork's) Lords had described. I want to see the war. I'm going to stay off for several weeks. I can: the books are preserved from the wet and I have not any copy left to do. I must admit there is little work here at Cliffheart. I wonder if there are no books or no one wants to share their own.

March 31st 1226

I must say I was worried by the idea to overcome mountains once again, but now, as I've reached the plain of Cill Airne, I have to admit I am glad to have took this decision. I can see big machines made with iron and wood which stands on huge wheels. And hundreds of soldiers, maybe thousands. Lord Mc Charty will be not able to resist for long.

April 2nd 1226

I guess I was wrong because of my inexperience. Even though the Imperial forces were more than the Irish ones, they were not enough numerous to conduct a fast war. They have been fighting for several day, with minimal loses. The castle is still far and siege weapons are still useless.

April 5th 1226

I was able to reach the Ard'ri 's lands and now I am safe behind the walls of his manor. From the wall I can see the war field. My ears still buzz for the arrows' whistle which the archers continued to throw for all day long. Now Englishmen are nearer.

April 9th 1226

There is also the Hebrew, Horestes. I was really surprised by seeing him with his eternal bag messing around for the inner courtyard. He told me he was going to talk with the English captain but I wasn't able to understand what was his business here. Understanding his latin was very hard for me. After days of stasis, we gained a couple of hundreds miles and now the situation is safer.

April 15th 1226

Horestes has been missing for four days. I fear the worst. None of the two arrays able to overcome the opposite one the death of several tens of soldiers is the result. I will return to Cliffheart in a couple of days. The war is awful.

May 1st 1226

I have returned home. In this place there's a silence which calms my nerves down and makes me feel good. A young Magus joined Cliffheart, a representative of the House Bonisagus. I like this cordial young man. I hope he could enjoy our fellowship. That odd orange lock makes him funny. I' d like the task we're going to address him could consist in helping me here at the library. I get bored copying books.

July 4th 1226

Everything's ready for the tournament to remember Al'gor's death. I can't understand what we have to celebrate because, if I am not wrong, this Sodales broke the Code and the Covenant, secretly, had to repair the damage. Anyway, that Patrick impressed me by his initiative and his skillfulness in organizing games. There are several tournaments and prices for the winners. I find hard to recognize this old and sterile rock.

July 7th 1226

Great! The best men of the nearby towns fought courageously and chivalrously. The bow tournament was gorgeous. I have never seen such a show, full of colours, music and emotions. Windowl should be proud. He also received compliments from an old friend of him: a knight who comes from Howling Hills. I am glad this event took place, but I wonder if it we'll be the same the next year.

July 8th 1226

While the bug tent and the patio have been dismantled, the new laboratory is under construction. Those guys are working hard and the job will be finished in a while.

September 13th 1226

The new laboratory's ready. It's the first at surface. I'd like it could be mine. I am tired to settle inside the library. But I don't dare to ask my Sodales. Eileen would be the first to laugh at me. Better, I think it will be his new laboratory and the new one will be Nascimentus'. The Bonisagus is copying Covenant's spells, as I hoped. He ... from a boring work.

November 24th 1226

I am going to leave to Maigh Chromtha for the annual visit to my family. This year has appeared such a long one. If I had not gone to Cill Airne I would have to cross my arms and look at the sky. Resting is good but I feel I am wasting my time. I am going to talk my father and my mother. I'll ask them a piece of advice.