Mizugami/SessionSeventeen

1st Day of Calibration, RY 769-770

We encountered a band of Icewalkers last night, members of the Bear Tribe. They comported themselves well and I ended up trading with their leader, a statuesque young woman named Sleeves of War. Curiously, she was only interested in jade as payment. Icewalkers are usually more interested in silver or other means of payment more practical and useful to their lives. When we concluded our business, she returned to her encampment and this morning, we went our separate ways. I found her utterly fascinating; perhaps our paths will cross again.

2nd Day of Ascending Air, RY 770

The Fairy Queen of the North is upset that Kazuki killed the Count of Fog. She sent a 50 foot tall nightmare bird of snow to demand tribute. I offered it a mild insult on Kazuki's behalf and instructed it to deliver our words to its queen.

I suppose it was only a matter of time before the raksha were gunning for us.

6th Day of Ascending Air, RY 770

Another pleasant evening with Nepel and Tamoro. I had a private word with Nepel before we left today to tell him I was in his debt. He's an honorable man and saddling him with the presence of the Vermillion Legion is not something I did lightly.

16th Day of Ascending Air, RY 770

We reach Cherak tomorrow and these pleasant days of leisure will be ended. At least I'll have them to remember. I don't expect to have much time to devote to sailing during this school year.

17th Day of Ascending Air, RY 770

House Ragara made a move while I was away. A one-time jade tax has been implemented on sorcerers, Immaculates, and bearers of jade weapons. I paid it without complaint since the entire proceeds go to the new wall and defense of the city, but that cheapskate Judas wanted my help in avoiding it. He said he has important work to do with his money. I refused to help, but in my frustration I simply gave him the money to pay the tax. It just wasn't worth the argument.

Tomorrow I speak to Crow about enrolling my foundling in school. It's not going to be an easy adjustment for him, but his dorm-mates will know of his connection to me, so that should make it a bit easier.

18th Day of Ascending Air, RY 770

Crow has no problem with me enrolling the boy. She also told me the outcome of Peleps Deled's Wyld Hunt. They tracked down and killed the Anathema known as Deadly Veiled Forge at the cost of many mortal lives and a lot of damage to the city. Saiki had to deal with an outbreak of zombies in the aftermath and Houses Ferem and Margard will be feeling the pinch to their coffers for some time.

Virtuous Cloud has not returned from her investigations of 'Ragara Tren', but the freshman rector, Nellens Malaki, is a sorcerer and will teach Ranka and Soosilus until Cloud comes back.

Crow also said that there are signs and portents that the Bull intends to move against Gethamane.

19th Day of Ascending Air, RY 770

Wonderful. Rector Danic has tasked Kira and I with keeping tabs on Kazuki because of the raksha threat. Maybe I can convince Kira to handle most of that; having Kazuki along for most of what I do is just trouble I don't need. And it's probably better for everyone the less time I spend around the Idiots.

21st Day of Ascending Air, RY 770

Word from the fleet is that the Legions should be here within a month. I've prepared things as best I can and all I can do now is wait.

Just one more week to prepare for the new school year.

1st Day of Resplendent Air, RY 770

What an interesting class, though I guess you could say that about every year. Saiki's younger sister took the Second Breath, also as a Waster Aspect. Little Rika seems to lack Saiki's egalitarian outlook, however.

I'm not sure how much luck Ferem Zulla is going to have summoning and commanding elementals or demons. Conversation with other Terrestrials is enough to terrify her currently. To be fair, she's from Chiaroscuro and only just joined House Ferem and came to the North.

And now I finally know a bit more about where Kuk came from. One of the new freshmen is Soaring Wolf, a Wood Aspect who Exalted during the same battle that Kuk did. Virtuous Cloud and Aunt Elana were battling a dragon near their village and they both drew the Second Breath and helped in the fight. As stoic as Kuk is, Soaring Wolf is personable.

The last new student is one of Judas' First Pulse Style-wielding gangsters, Jolsen. He showed up with a half dozen girls, all mortal practioners of the style, in tow. At least he's friendly.

2nd Day of Resplendent Air, RY 770

Soaring Wolf is amenable to being Speaker to the Lesser Deliberative, so I'm going to help him with his nomination speech. It's not his forte, but he's earnest enough and willing to try; I think he'll be fine.

7th Day of Resplendent Air, RY 770

Fallowes ran against Soaring Wolf. He lost. Judas has decided to take Tiger of the Heavens' place, I guess, and start sleeping during the sessions. One less hassle I have to deal with, at least.

8th Day of Resplendent Air, RY 770

Rector Malaki introduced a new student during lunch today, Peleps Wannick, late of the House of Bells. It seems he seized command from the mortal Peleps captain of his patrol in order to save a Cathak village the captain was willing to let burn. Transfer to the Colleges was his apparent punishment, though they did let him keep his daiklave. I showed him around and helped him find his quarters before returning him to Rector Malaki. He seems like my kind of Terrestrial; I wish he was in my class.

I expect we have Rector Danic to thank for his admission here.

17th Day of Resplendent Air, RY 770

Success! General Ejava and the Legions are here! Today rapidly turned into a school holiday. I didn't get to celebrate much, though.

My day was spent shepherding the General around Cherak and facilitating meetings. To my surprise, Kazuki wanted to tag along; I took a chance and let him and he was perfectly behaved. I think I sensed some hero worship directed towards the Roseblack. I'm probably going to be skipping classes for the rest of the week.

20th Day of Resplendent Air, RY 770

General Ejava has graciously loaned me the use of 2 fangs of troops as guards when I'm within the city. I came to realize that Flame and Mantis weren't nearly enough for all that I have going on.

I've hired Kazuki's equestrian trainer Hikaru now that she's graduated. In the last 2 years I've accumulated quite the collection of horseflesh and it occurred to me that with her knowledge, I could probably start turning a profit on it. Kelana will supervise her efforts.

28th Day of Resplendent Air, RY 770

A golden light appeared today in the West, above Gethamane. I believe the Bull has announced his intentions.