Our trip was uneventful, though extraordinarily expensive due to the restrictions placed on trade by the thieves' guild. I spent most of my time on the journey learning new spells, while the others trained in their own ways. On the first day, the guardsman – I suppose I should stop calling him that, since he is no longer employed – the easterner performed some ritual to improve his sword. I did not witness the ritual, but I know it involved destroying a few magical artifacts and letting the sword absorb their power. The Infiltrator and the Empty Hand sparred with each other as they had frequently done in the past, and the Infiltrator won the match. This reminded me how severely I had neglected my own training since I had entered the world of man, so I challenged the winner. He was too tired to fight me, but we had a match a couple days later which I quickly and predictably lost. I would have preferred a longer fight, since my goal had not been to win, but to learn.
I found out a few interesting facts during the journey. The easterner was in this part of the world to recruit additional forces in the priest's home town, which was the capital of this kingdom, to fight the Red Warrior. The same kingdom was currently under attack by an unusually organized group of giants, making the recruitment, in my opinion, highly unlikely to succeed. I read some more of the journal, which mentioned that there was a gate somewhere to that magical castle. Traveling there without the gate would be extremely hazardous, so that was surely our best bet if we intended to visit. Unfortunately, the journal gave no specific location for the gate.
When I played my flute one night, the easterner joined in with a long-necked stringed instrument, which he played by plucking the strings. He was far more practiced than I, and I found it difficult to play at all while he harmonized with such skill, but I still enjoyed the experience. I am beginning to like this foreigner, though I will not allow my instincts to interfere with the mission. I can not trust him enough for that. Towards the end of the journey, the easterner offered to teach me his language. I expect I will soon be in his lands, so I am grateful for the offer. His language is written in the familiar letters of dragons. I do not know what this might mean.
I am told that we will soon arrive at the priest's town. I prepare to depart.