Bryan Connor ThornBlossom

*The following journal was found by Brynn inside a magical labyrinth where monsters reside, and people go insane. The author of this journal, Bryan Connor ThornBlossom, son of Alexander Connor ThornBlossom, apparently tied his journal to the back of an animal in the hopes of being rescued. The following pages have been translated into the Common tongue where possible and serve as a warning to not underestimate the dangers of ancient magics. *

Day One

My mother was murdered by the Bartthalious family. Don’t know exactly who in the family, but I’ll find out. I have left my home to find the culprits and exact justice. I’m writing in this journal to keep my head clear, so I don’t go into a blind rage and forget my bloodline as a ThornBlossom. The last thing I want is for my rose to turn black because I chose vengeance over justice. No matter. I don’t care how long it takes. I will find them!

Day Three

Yesterday and today were hard on my horse. My search has led me over the Slyde River and into the City of Minore. The men who poisoned my mother are apparently still fleeing. Someone must know that they are being chased. My poor mother, I miss her so. I just spoke with my family through the speaking stone, today. My twin sister, Faith, says that mother’s dress was poisoned with a combination of oleander, nicotine, and sulfur. The smell was covered up by using lilies, mother’s favorite flower. And as it turned out, all the dresses were poisoned, including Faith’s. AAARRGH!! It’s all my fault. I spoke as a witness in trial against a Bartthalious. But he was going to blow up the docks of Sandell! What else was I to do, but the right thing? And they retaliate by killing my mother and attempting to kill my twin as well. I don’t care if I have to raze the whole family to the

No. That’s wrong. I can’t think like that. That’s “black rose” thinking. Breathe, Bryan. You are the stem, not the pissed off rose. Imagine what Grandma would think?

Ahahahaha!! I just scared myself, thinking that Grandma would emerge from the tree behind me! Granted, I would expect nothing less from her… She has power that my father fears, though he would never admit it.

Alright, now that I am in a slightly better mood, I’m getting some sleep.

Day Four

Minore proved no results. I don’t know if they even came here. Perhaps a trip to School of Medicine would be beneficial? They could possibly give insight on who could be capable of mixing such poisons. Or would it be the School of Alchemy? My grief is taking over my mind. I am second-guessing every decision I have made today. I need to speak to my family. That might help.

Faith says that a rosebush is already growing from mother’s grave. She is at peace, now, and that comforts me. I wish I could have held her once more. Her beauty was transcendent, only to be outclassed by her wit and charm.

Day Seven

I haven’t written in a few days. I was chasing a few leads, and they have led me into some caverns. I have found one of the men already, and have his wrists tied so that he can remain a prisoner while we find the other culprits. Being clairvoyant really does help, I suppose. I just had to relax enough to be able to concentrate properly to find him. But these caverns are rather odd. There are writings on the walls that are incredibly old. What really is this place? It should prove quite an adventure to get out of here. I should have marked my routes while going from passage to passage, but there is no sense in closing the barn door after the horse has already escaped.

Day Eleven

I’m lost. Hopelessly lost. My prisoner has escaped custody. I woke up and he was gone. Did I forget to tether his wrists to me? I don’t know. And it would seem that my food is gone as well. Thanks to my aunt Cella, I can tell the difference between edible cave plants and poisonous ones. That will help immensely, since I have no idea how I am going to get out of this place. Yesterday, the walls moved, and I cannot discern any landmarks. I’ll just keep going.

day (night?) fifteen

I don’t know if my days are accurate. I’m just counting sleep cycles, I think. I saw my mother in my dreams, and then again when I woke up. But she’s dead! I don’t know what to make of it. Keep going. I no longer care about justice. I just want to get home to my family. I miss Faith.

Seventeen

The walls are different now. There is more color. I have found some rooms as well. And a library! But the scrolls crumble at the touch. The books are in slightly better shape, but most are in a language I cannot read. I think a couple of them are in the language of Magick, but it’s hard to say for sure. I will continue to investigate.

Twenty-one

Uh, I think I made a friend? I was searching through a new section and found the main office and library of the wizard that created this labyrinth. The office was being guarded, however, by a beautiful creature that I had never seen before. When I first laid eyes on him, all I saw was the top half of his body. And what I saw was a bull. A bull! Standing upright! His golden horns gleamed brightly in my torchlight. There was a thick golden ring going through the middle of his nose (snout?), and there was chain attached to it like a shackle that led to an iron plate in the middle of the floor. When I walked into the room, he turned my way and hefted his axe. This axe could cleave me in two with no effort. Taller than me!! (deep breath, Bryan.) Well, needless to say, I got nervous. And when I get nervous, I make jokes. So, when I saw this great big, tall bull type creature tighten his grip on that HUGE axe, all I could think of to say was “wow, I bet you get all the girls with those golden horns!” I thought I was going to die. But then I heard this sound come from the bull creature that I did not recognize at first. Then it dawned on me. He was laughing. Laughing!! So, I think I’m going to live after all, right? Yeah. Then the eyes of the bull creature fully rest on me, and I can see the intelligence. And he was chained. To the middle of the room. For gods knows how long. I slowly walked further into the room, looking as non-threatening as I possibly could, and got a full view of the creature. This wasn’t just a bull. No, this was a minotaur!!!! And his hooves are golden, as well! So, we talked for a bit. His name is the greatest, by the way. Ixelpix. It’s difficult to say without laughing, so I just call him “Ix”. I freed him from the iron plate, and we are now traveling together, trying to find a way out.

Twenty-six

Ix has helped in finding some actual meat, but I’m beginning to lose my appetite. I know I’m losing weight. There are times I forget that we are looking for a way out. I’m starting to see family members, and I don’t know why.

Thirty-something

Ix brought me to a round room and made a cot for me. All I want to do is sleep, and I think Ix worries for me. I had a conversation with my uncle Tyrelle, and he told me that he was with my mother. Does that mean he’s dead? Will I finally die soon as well? I’m starting to hope so.

Thirty-something and two

Ix says that I’ve been asleep for over a year at least. How is that possible? How could I still be alive? I’ve started dreaming of a woman named Lavine. She says that she’s trapped with a dragon under the water somewhere. Talking to her is different than talking to my family. My family is dead (at least, the ones I can talk to), but Lavine is alive still. What makes her different? I want to go back to sleep and find out. I can almost touch her. I want… I think I am falling in love… Odd.

Something…

The walls moved again. For a moment, I felt my twin through our link. It was the most wonderful, most agonizing thing I have felt in a long time. I can still hear her screaming my name. Faith, my precious twin sister Faith. Do you still have mother’s bouncy curls, I wonder? Do you still dress in flames? Have you started sleeping in my tree to be close to me? I would think so; I feel love beyond measure coming from my tree.

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I saw my aunt Truinessta and my uncle Aldayn. They shouldn’t be here! Not one bit! I don’t know if they are here as a vision or if they are real, but either way is horrible! If they are a vision, it means they are dead. If they are real, they will soon be insane. Both are magical. Aldayn is an earthen wizard, and Trui is a rune mage. Casting anything is bad. It will backfire and get into your mind, sowing seeds of madness. I’ve read the writings of the wizard that created this place. He was insane! Then again, the Great Backlash caused his insanity, and he created this labyrinth to surround his manor to trap anyone that wanted to steal his spell books and artifacts.

Goodbye

This is my last entry. I’ve determined that Aldayn and Trui are real. They’re unconscious across the room from me. I’m hoping that this journal will get found and we can be rescued. Ix will remain guard of the three of us, for I’m about to sleep again. If anyone sees this, we are in the middle of the labyrinth to the left of the wizard’s library in a large circular room with a high dome. DO NOT ATTACK THE MINOTAUR!!! Speak to him first if you mean no harm. Please bring sagemint if you have any, for surely Aldayn will need it. There is no chance that he refrained from casting magic in here. Goodnight. Hopefully, I shall dream of Lavine again.

Lord Bryan Connor ThornBlossom, son of Alexander Connor ThornBlossom, grandson of Thorbyous and Sarahquynn ThornBlossom.