HWC's Diary. Read it at your peril.

	Introduction and Archives		Latest pathetic writings

September

So, it's now September 1999. God knows what the Puddleby date is. That time line is just a royal pain in the arse and I can never be bothered working it out. Chum wrote me a little lecture about it once. Didn't understand it then, don't understand it now. Anyway, Sleipy gets a little stronger every day. Presently he slaughters large vermin with an axe, but kills them with a dagger. Not much to be proud of really. He hunts mostly by himself (or with his great love, Babajaga) in the East Forest, North Forest, Tanglewood. He avoids the passes and noids usually, as those places are full of rank chasers who are a bit painful to hang with. He gets killed in one minute in the South, so he's a coward and doesn't go there much either. He doesn't like the coliseum at all, and has sworn never to go the Arena, so he doesn't spend much time on the water either, although he loves to sail, being from the Far Isles and all.

He finally managed to pass the second circle fighter test recently. Bloody hell, what a performance. Failed miserably a few times, got pissed, practised a lot killing ferals, and finally went back and passed. Poor Baba had to put up with all sorts of crap over that period. He's working on getting the Order of Knights up and going a little better, and trying to organise Lorian's inquisition and the Ball and Tourney. And what royal pains they both are to organise.

Started slaughtering large vermin with my shovel. Damn. (Actually, it's amazing how much money I've been offered for theshovel. Many thousands. As if I'd sell it!) Still, Sleipy skins them well, so it's not all bad. September was my Darkus month. Next month is Troilus, and after that Evus again. Maybe. Easiest way to remember what to train is to do a whole month at a time. Probably a stupid scheme, but I couldn't care less, so if you, gentle reader, feels like making a smart remark, you can just go to hell.

Ball and Tourney arrangments going well. Fuyu making smart remarks about Sleipy and Chum in the newgroup. Most amusing. Outcast is pissed off by the announcement, which makes me very happy indeed. He's such a twit. List of fighters is growing. No more spoilers here.

Prue and Ashe are diabolical. Great fun, and wonderful sense of humour, but dear oh dear, they tear strips off poor old Sleipy. Of course, I try to keep him nice and honourable in reply, but every so often I slip through and embarass him by being rude. Sorry Sleipy. (Aye, many are the times that I have had perforce to bow my head in very shame. HWC has very little honour I fear, and I do wish that he take more care of mine. He is not a Gentleman.) Captain Prue indeed! And there is absolutely no doubt that Baba is the true Master Gunner, no matter what the rules say. Ashe can hardly fart well, far less fire a cannon! If you disagree, bugger orf. What bloody nonsense. And now Althea is joining in the fight. She's a bloody handful too. Her and Baba going at it hammer and tongs. Wonderful stuff. And now Pharazon and Clan Rising Claw seem to be joining in. Three cheers for petty conflict.

Talked to Trep about the Fen part of the map. I hope he'll help me out. This has needed to be done for quite a while now. Also, I have to do the transparency bits of it. What a painful job that'll be. And all for what? A bloody game, that's all! I must be bloody crazy.

Well, lots has happened since I last wrote. The third and final session of the Inquisitions. The rescue of Vagile. The arrival of Sleipy's brother, Draupnir. But, most of all, and sad even for me, the death of sir West. Silly bugger that he is.

Inquisition first. Found Loriann innocent of malice aforethought, which is lucky for her. However, the Council did impose a neat penance. No killing things, and helping Sylvans. Sounds fair to me I have to say. Lorian doesn't seem too pleased, but what can a genocidal murderess expect? Sleipy will do a proper writeup eventually, including proclamations from the Council etc etc. Lorian has a nice writeup in detail also; look in her chronicles.

Vagile was rescued. Is this a good thing? Probably not. She's more trouble than anything else, and a long time with veggies would do her good. She wouldn't give Baba a medal!! How mean of her. So Baba resigned from the Navy, and shall instead institute the Puddleby Army. As Field Marshal probably. Check out Baba's diary for records of this. I think Sleipy will insist on resigning his Admiral position in protest also. By the way, Prue's line in invective is priceless and unbeatable. Check out the logs in Baba's diary. For pure nastiness and humour, she has no equal. What a scream.

	Sleipy's brother Draupnir arrived recently in exile. Killed Helmut, the son of Lord Kaizer, in a duel over the family honour, and was exiled for it. Blames Sleipy for all this, and is very bitter and angry. He called the lovely Baba some most rude words in the town square, and was promptly taken to court by the wonderful Marmoset! Found innocent though, thank goodness, and was promptly freed. Draupnir is a knight, but follows different rules than Sleipy's. Probably better ones. Poor Sleipy is rather upset by all this.

Finally, the death of West. One of Sleipy's oldest friends, and a sad time even for me, cause I'll miss him too. Murdered by Sendorian. Came as a bit of a surprise I must say, but I can't fault Tim's reasons for leaving. Lovely card from Michael Aridfox, and a lovely funeral. Forgot to take pictures, silly me. The Knights, and Baba, are after Sendorian's blood now, so he'd better watch out. Sadraz can't bear to see Lorian. Quite understandable.