What was only supposed to be a trip of study and exploration quickly became a conflict with major stakes. It is through extracts from my personal journal that I took the passages necessary to write this story. Without having the neutral character that History requires, you will still find in this work the broad outlines of this conflict. Do not look for impartiality or objectivity, they were not at the forefront of my thoughts when I noted certain facts. These are my feelings, my ideas and my opinions which form the story of my personal experiences relating, directly or indirectly, to the conflict which opposed us to the Salmarak guild and from which we emerged as big winners.

The importance of this news was confirmed a week ago, during the culminating moment of the Galion festivities, during the big banquet organized by the port leaders. Indeed, while Adept Auvrindar and I were both in the middle of a discussion, we were interrupted by men of Duke Salmarak of Buy who happened to pass by. One of them, completely drunk, insulted the Auvrindar Adept by attacking him for his nature as a dark elf and his smell. The latter didn't respond, just stared at the drunk. For my part, I told the one who supported his colleague that they would do well to look elsewhere if we were there. Unfortunately, the one who could hardly stand on his legs began to insult the Adept of the Sphere of Souls again. Again and again weak insults compared to its smell. It goes without saying that the lexical field of these sailors without a boat is very limited and is close to that of the peasants when the time comes to fertilize the fields, although I know many peasants whose list of insults originals is very impressive! And I who believed that sailors were colorful people and that this was reflected in their language... I will have to find time to study this environment, perhaps I have only witnessed the exception which confirms the rule ? Perhaps the frustration of the men of Salmarak is only the fact of knowing that they have navigating ancestors, but of not having any ships? Or even their accumulated defeats, such as Liberec, in the year 1000, where we, mercenaries hired by the Duke of Buy, waited in vain for him and his men before deciding, finally, to confront the troops of the Order of the Redemption alone (what a massacre…); or even Reikwald, in the year 1002, where the political weight of the Horde of Gorghor Baey earned Salmarak a crushing and complete defeat while they were crushed under the number of allies of the lord of Ghoria? So many hypotheses, so many possibilities...

So in the face of such big mouths and such little wit, I couldn't help but respond. Not to defend the Auvrindar Adept, who could have done it himself if he had thought it was worth it, but simply out of principle and because I had, at the moment, nothing more important to do. . Of course, Mistress Yasraena would not have approved of my actions, she who finds me too impulsive and impatient, but since she is not

unspeakable.

Certainly, the fact that the Salmarak guild sees its income and production reduced to nothing should rejoice me, because they are now our avowed enemies. But too many innocent people died needlessly in these events, far too many...

And on a purely political (and religious) level, Garganesh's curses are not to help us. The Holy Order of the Iron Fist, armed arm of the True Faith, is likely to unite with Salmarak in this ordeal. Only time will tell, but I believe that the battle that will take place in Eraldosse in a few weeks is, for us, lost in advance. The True Faith, and especially the Iron Fist, is a little cousin of the Order of Our Lady of the Redemption and losing the military support of these two experienced guilds in Salmarak would represent, in my opinion, an almost certain defeat, since it must be taken into account that they will probably bring other factions with them. However, I believe that it is not impossible to convince Redemption of the merits and advantages of fighting on the side of the Tower of Díedne.

For its part, the bad news is rather worrying. It is common knowledge that the Salmarak Guild will refuse to engage and even negotiate with so-called chaotic or evil troops. He is as well known to all as we Mages of Díedne know him. It would seem that, seeing their value diminish since one of the two sides will refuse to pay them, the troops of chaos are at work and are discussing the creation of a third front. During almost every major conflict, there is a rumor of an additional front which will be created by people who are dissatisfied and unable to have everything they want to obtain. These fronts are rarely realized, being too complex to organize and, above all, often being forced to be composed of too few fighters to achieve an unexpected victory. However, the troops in question today are said to be chaotic, but some of their elements are good military strategists and would be able to rally many warriors to their cause. If it came to fruition, this front, even with few combatants, would ensure our military defeat. Worse than a military defeat, the Balance of the Worlds would be even more in danger if such an army were to seize the treasure of Orapal Tamas. For either of our two adversaries to possess all of these artifacts would mean the coming of catastrophes that we can barely even imagine. We could laugh at the Great Khan's past curses because they seem so minor to us.

Year one thousand and three of the Central Lands, thirtieth day of July, Region of Éraldosse

Camp is set up. The region is still rather deserted, but will not remain so for long. Our scouts report several troop movements converging towards us. It seems we are ahead of the bulk of Salmarak's troops. They certainly have a few spies and scouts around, but their army is still several leagues from ours.

Tomorrow, I will go to the Torascon plain to note the particularities of the land and its surroundings. All the greatest known generals spent more time preparing for battle than fighting. If I can help Mistress Åsa and Captain I-Hann be recognized as great generals, even if only by providing them with a detailed map of the region, I will be more than happy.

The days pass and I fear for our future. How could we win with empty coffers? I don't know what the Council is planning, but they will have to pull off a major feat. Salmarak is much richer than we are and, as if that were not already enough, they are supported by the strength (and fortune) of Brabancourt.