My Life

Such a chaotic day. The day-to-day in the Empire is hardly a bloodless one, but for all its prevalence, I cannot harden myself to it. A man, shot in the streets. An ancient sinner, tortured in the hot sun for hundreds of years. An entire cabal of enthralled people, who fought to the death.
 
None of their ends were good. I do not dare to call death ‘good’, nor will I ever celebrate the killing of another, even if it is necessary. It is times like these that I knew who to pray to, so that I could help their souls rest in peace…
 
It feels right to write about all of those moments. So, that’s exactly what I’ll do. I need the practice, anyhow.
 
We shouldn’t have lied to the shopkeeper. I am not nearly as street-savvy as some of my fellows, but I fail to see how deception would have protected him. His hypothesis was reasonable. Even if he were to be under further threats from the Syndicate, he deserved to know something of what happened. The armor is the least of my concerns. I plan to apologize to him when we can return, and if he is willing, maybe I can help him in his store for a time…
 
He’s not my first choice of employers. Him being so bold as to accuse a passing Aasimar gives me pause. If anything else happens in the store, I can see no other result than me being accused. But maybe I can help him. He ought to come to his own conclusions, in the end. But maybe I can show him something beyond his prejudices.
 
I just have to show him that we’re just like him: good and bad, all mixed together. I think I can set an example for the former. I’ve worked under worse bosses, right?
 
Speaking of good…I’m getting happier and happier about the people I’ve wound up with. At a glance, these are sensible and well-to-do folk, who have not yet been hardened by the cruelties of this terrible system. I was prepared to aid the Tiefling man alone. And to my utter surprise, everyone leaped into action, even Harin…!
 
It was similar for the man impaled by spears. I’m so glad we could free him from his torment, even if it could have only ended in death.
 
If only death could not so often take the place of freedom. If only you could have lived, sir. If only we could have nursed you back to health, and sent you off in the knowledge that you would continue on, for the rest of your days, in good health and spirit. I know your burdens, dear soul. They are mine too. You are exactly who I fight for.
 
Let it be known that a day will come when I can give more than the water from my flask. This is my mission. For you, for the Tiefling man, for Ikko, and for all the others in this time.
 
Freedom or death.