Ahead of the Storm - Day 4

Sasserine, Six Months Ago

I've been woken from my night's sleep with comforting news: that the Harbingers of Faith have put an end to the Age of Worms. Though, glad as I am to hear it, I also can't help but feel sadness at the thought of my own failure to be of true help to them. I guess my sister doesn't really have much to learn from her brother anymore, these days.

Yet, it was for the best. My adventuring days, and those brushes with death that came with it, only served as harsh reminders of how I was wasting my life away on such escapades - gradually turning myself into a monster at the same time. The time had come to make a choice - continue on my path as an Immortal, turning forever away from the hope of a peaceful happy life... or sacrifice all of it for the chance to be happy, with the one I love, my dear Lavinia.

In the end, the choice was an obvious one, and I don't regret a moment of it.

Thus, with the Age of Worms now seemingly at an end and peace likely to return to the land (for a time, anyway) - Lavinia and I can at last begin planning for our wedding. Indeed, when I asked her, she joyfully accepted. All that kept us from making a public annoucement was the depressing climate of war. Yet after victory comes celebration, so there is no better time than the present.

We shall therefore set the date for six months from now, right here in Sasserine.

I've already asked Lavinia's brother Vanthus to be my best man. And I must say, I've grown to like him a lot more in these past few months than I ever thought possible. In some ways, he hasn't changed all that much since our youth - he's still getting himself deeply involved with the local criminal element down in Shadowshore. But in many ways, he seems happier too - perhaps it's his love affair with Brissa... or is it Rowyn now... either way, the guy's got more girlfriends than he needs to keep himself happy, so I'm sure that's part of his brighter demeanor. But there's something else I like more about him than I used to - his wits. Whether it be an intense game of dragonchess, or a heated debate over local politics shared over mugs of ale, Vanthus has proven himself to be far more clever than most would give him credit for. He's certainly become a good friend to me, and I'm proud to have him at my side for the wedding. In a way, it's my peace offering, to bury the hatchet over our arguments of the past.

In turn, in an effort to keep things somewhat balanced and symmetrical, Lavinia has agreed to my suggestion that she ask Elena to be her maid of honor. The two have only met on occasion, but Lavinia has no sister of her own, nor any close female friends, so the option seems most fitting. I have no doubt that Elena would agree, proud as she was of my decision to stop fighting and go home to Lavinia. I'm sure she'd be honored.

As for the rest of the guests, we've pretty much finalized that list as well. Should be a rather modest contingent, all things considered - likely no more than 60 or so guests. Most of those being invited by Lavinia's parents, anyway. The Vanderborens can't risk offending any of the local noble families, after all! As for the Guildensterns... well there really isn't much family on our side, is there? Mother and father are passed on... all that really remains is my sister and I. But I do have all those I call friends, and I hope they can make it for the special day. As much as they might not have really understood me, I truly did grow to appreciate travelling companions like Pellegri and Soulerio. I'd be truly pleased to see them again, and give them proper congratulations for all they've done for this world. I'm so proud of them all.

And so, the countdown is officially on. Six months till wedded bliss. I simply cannot wait.

As for what happens after that, who can say... These past months have been such a whirlwind of unexpected developments. Yet I have no doubt that our marriage will be a long and happy one. No matter what the future brings...