I find myself writing less and less these days for I still find there is either nothing to say or too much. I will speak first of the every day so that I don’t forget that there are pleasant days too. We spent much of our time resting while we awaited Marco to contact us. After a day of rest the ladies decided that the first order of business was shopping. I was told that their first time in a real city such as Waterdeep must be christened by new clothing. I was therefor appropriated as their baggage handler for the day. I’m sure the others came only to laugh at the paladin made into a pack mule, for all they did was sit and drink as I lugged packages hither and yon. Thankfully they were not around when the ladies decided they must stop to buy under garments. For the fact they decided I must wait facing the window with the further threat of throwing a cloak over my head if they so much as thought I might see what they purchased.

I have to admit I found it slightly disconcerting the imagery their whispers and giggling put into my head. Not that I’m a prude mind you, but in that I always thought I saw Elysium as a sister, since we grew up together, however those were not sisterly images my imagination conjured up. Thankfully Mystra doesn’t require penance for such thoughts as I hear some Gods do. I wonder what kind of penance would be required if she did. Six lay-on-hands and one cure light wounds? I digress. With our day of shopping done I and the ladies turned in early while the others kept carousing.

We arrived in Waterdeep today. I never found the time to write when we were on the road. With nothing of real interest happening for most of the trip there simply wasn’t anything to write about. However two days before we reached Waterdeep we were accosted by a group of Ettin. Several of the other guards were killed and one wagon was destroyed. The creatures can be fearsome opponents especially in numbers. We held our own quite well and thankfully no one in our group was killed. Neither by the wagon nor the bodies of our fellow guards as they came flying by. It seems an enraged Ettin has quite an arm on them at times. After tending the dead and moving what was salvageable from the broken wagon to the others we moved off a bit and setup camp.

Our arrival in Waterdeep was auspicious end to our travel in that there were no further problems and for that I’m grateful. After collecting our money and taking leave from the caravan, we proceeded to find the Black Lion Inn. As with Volo we left a message for Marco and hope to speak with him soon. I fear this is all I can write this evening as I am greatly tried and wish nothing more than some food and a pillow in that order.

After a few days time we met with Volo and he setup a meeting with his caravan friend. We will be hired on at what seems a decent rate to me(Malcolm managed to get a bit more added to our fee). The Caravan Master seems kind enough and I get no sense of evil from him. We leave on the morrow. The master said that at this time of year it should take us well over a month to reach Waterdeep. At this rate that could have us reaching there about the time of the first snow fall.

We are to leave tomorrow so I plan to enjoy what will most likely be my last night in a bed for some time.

We arrived in Loudwater this evening, just as the gates were to close, both tired and foot sore. And yet slightly elated as well. Early this morning we were accosted by a band of rogues calling themselves the Thieves Quartet. I’m not sure if the name was supposed to be misleading or if they simply couldn’t count as there turned out to be five of them. Sadly we were only able to take their leader alive. While I find I have no compunction about killing when necessary I would much rather avoid it if at all possible. The others of his group simply would not yield. Cane killed the last well into the woods, but brought the body back. We gave over their leader to the town guards.

The elation comes from knowing that our training has truly paid off! I cannot speak to the others feeling in the matter as of yet, however I’m proud to know that I can do what has always been in my heart to do. Which is to take arms against evil where and when I find it. I hope I continue to prove up to all the tasks set before us.

We arrived at the inn and have taken rooms in groups of two. The ladies of course share a room then with Malcolm and I in one room and finally Cane and the Monk sharing the last. We asked after Volo of the innkeeper and while he admits such a person is staying it seems he isn’t here now. We have left a message and hope he contacts us soon.

Patriarch Daothran asked to speak with a group of us orphans today. In attendance were Elysium, Daevianna, Malcolm, Cane, the Monk, and myself. The Patriarch made a request of us that we meet with a person by the name of Volo in the city of Loudwater, which is a few days to the East. He said that Volo would then see that we were hired on by a caravan heading to Waterdeep. Once in Waterdeep we are to then meet a man by the name of Marco(Doesn’t anyone outside the Vale have a last name??) who will help us further. It seems that there are great portents afoot, yet none know what they might mean. The Patriarch asks that we help track down further knowledge in the hopes that knowing what is coming will avert any potential disaster.

All were in agreement to his request. Truthfully, with the monastery as kind to us as it has been over the years how could any of us say no? My companions seem itching to leave as soon as possible, for we leave at first light tomorrow. I am a little apprehensive that the ladies are coming along. Far be it from me to suggest they cannot take care of themselves as much as we, but there are dangers that the fairer sex must face that we men do not. Nay the less I’m sure they would string me up by my gizzard if I suggested they stay behind, so in this instance silence is golden.