#kat emerald

(Send me Drabble Prompts!)

Fellow Watchers,

After the events at Gáire Roosts last week, I completely forgot to write an the account of my journey and miscellaneous events that occurred during my stay in House Jameson. While the trip itself was a personal venture to fill out some paperwork and catch up with peers in the Bard’s Guild, some of my experiences on the trip and during my stay may be of interest to The Watch. 

The journey itself went surprisingly well. I set out at the end of the month, the morning after King Sean held his most recent charity event in the capital. Much of this winter’s snowfall is still piled up in dense banks along the roadsides of House Jackie, but the roads themselves were clear and manageable as ever. I made excellent time, reaching Runner’s Haven in less than two days.  

Once there, I personally ensured that all of your letters and messages made their way into trustworthy hands. I was told to inform you all that, while spies have continued to crop up across Duilintinn, few have attempted to interfere with the duties of messengers and riders across the kingdom. Clearly, whatever evil power holds sway over these poor souls cannot convince them to violate our traditional values on such matters, and for that, I am grateful.

In addition, it was here that I received word about the King’s troubling response to The Watch. Messengers at the outpost graciously distributed my letter on the subject to the garrisons and outposts on my behalf as I continued my journey. 

After another three days journey, I reached Fort Conchúr. Despite the responsibilities that awaited me at the Bard’s Guild, over a day’s journey to the south, I ended up spending a full day at the garrison recuperating from the long journey. 

Okay, that’s a lie. I spent the whole day in the library working on the paperwork I needed to turn in at the guild. You know, the stuff that I probably should have done before I left, but instead carefully ignored in their waterproof canvas package until the day before my arrival.

Thankfully, Librarian Kat of House Jameson was at her usual place among the bookshelves, accompanied by her newly-appointed familiar, Diaval. The mountain of forms were far easier to endure with Kat’s quiet, knowing company as she reminisced about her days learning how to tend the books all around us. She joked that we should burn useless files such as these, which served no purpose other than to analyze our abilities at something we don’t particularly feel like doing… but in the end, we settled for lighting a stove instead and shared hot drinks to keep warm as the sun dipped below the horizon. 

I must say, Diaval is an extraordinarily intelligent and well-behaved animal; whoever conducted and approved his familiar status knows what they’re doing. He barely made a sound as I worked; the only time I even noticed him pacing at Kat’s feet was when she seemed to take ill for a moment. I can hardly blame Kat for her moment of disconcertion; I nearly dozed off in my seat multiple times throughout the evening. It’s a wonder the two of them don’t lose all sense of time amidst the ancient tomes. I feel like I could get lost in the knowledge within them for a century, and the cold drafts coming from between the stone walls of Fort Conchúr certainly have a knack for keeping you huddled up indoors.

Unfortunately, spending one hundred years in The Watch’s library is not possible when you have guild business to attend to in the south. I took my leave of Kat, Diaval, and Fort Conchúr the next morning, planning to arrive at the guild by the next day. Of course, this was precisely when Watchers at the Roosts spotted signs of The Enemy’s movements near the forest border. Mage Artist Fay, a fellow Watcher and friend who had been in the Western Forest during my brief stay in Fort Conchúr, managed to intercept me on the road and relay the news, stopping only briefly to point me in the direction of the outpost before continuing towards Fort Conchúr. The rest, of course, is history. 

My journey back to Fort Stiofán began two days ago, and Lord willing I should arrive at the garrison in five days time. I’m currently spending another evening of far more enjoyable writing in the library of Fort Conchúr with Kat. She was the one who suggested I write to you with all that’s occurred on my journey, though she is unaware of the glowing appraisal of her company I’ve included within this letter. While such an account may not be particularly helpful in our watch for The Enemy, I truly believe that such stories of mundane contentment and peace amidst the tides of chaos are exactly what we need to carry positivity and encouragement into the days ahead.

With Warm Regards,

Bard Emily Keyes

Librarian Katrina’s familiar, Diaval

As Katrina was wandering near the border of the southern mountains during her off days, she had come across a black wolf nearly as big as her. Frightened, she avoided the wolf as best she could as she continued to wander around, getting used to the land and it’s climate. The wolf kept following her around, so she decided to confront the creature, trying to scare him away. Katrina realized that the wolf- despite his appearance and size- meant no harm, and she found a connection towards him, for he didn’t judge her for her horrible mood swings. 

As Katrina was heading back to the library a giant stag rushed at her but the black wolf defended her, injuring the stag greatly with his agility and ability to blend into the shadows. After that, Katrina decided to keep him as him familiar and naming him Diaval. She snuck him into the library in the dead of night and made a secret a room for him in one of the library’s storage rooms. He secretly defends the library and its borders for any intruders that mean harm. 

(Unfortunately, my drawing skills can only take me so far so I had to use this to make the picture xD)

Librarian Katrina Emerald

@livingemerald‘s Watcher for The Watch AU

“Another mundane day” Katrina said with a sigh. “It’s getting awfully lonely in here..”. Diaval’s ears perked up and he whined and looked at Katrina with half sleepy eyes.

“No offense. I know you’re there for me but..argh!” Katrina threw her hands in the air and spun around, pacing the other direction. “If I wasn’t infected by the Enemy’s magic, everything would have been fine!”

Katrina blinked and took a deep breath to calm herself. Diaval let out a low whine. “I know thousands of people were infected too but…most of them don’t have it bad as me”

Diaval sat up and nodded his head towards the nearest window. “I know, I know. Nothing’s gonna change unless I do something…but hey being cooped up in the library isn’t so bad right?” Kat said as she faced Diaval with a shrug and a half smile.

Diaval only raised a brow and gave her a look saying “You sure about that?”. Katrina sighed and turned back around, her shoulders sagging. “You’re right. I mean the citizens are rather nice…” she said as she glanced towards the window.

Katrina started to pace back and forth again. “What would I even do around the place? I don’t really go anywhere except the market when I run out of food”.

Diaval got up and walked over to the back of the front desk, where a book about familiars was there. Diaval grabbed the book with his teeth and hurled it at Katrina. She yelped as the book hit the back of her head with a thud. She caught the book and rubbed the spot where she was hit as she glared at Diaval who only gave her a deadpan look.

Katrina looked at the book and let out a small smile. “I guess we should find a mage to make you officially my familiar, huh?” Diaval nodded as he walked towards Katrina.

“Alright.” Katrina took a deep breath as she turned towards the door. When her hands were on the handle she suddenly stopped and turned to Diaval. “Umm…how about we do it tomorrow?” Katrina chuckled awkwardly. Diaval rolled his eyes and shook his head as he headed back to his makeshift bed.

Katrina sighed in relief. She then looked towards the window, where the sun was beginning to set.

“Tomorrow then…”

(Just a short story I came up with heh. Quick note the bold, italic text is her aggressive side talking :P)

Luci was working in the library, chronologically organising reports on The Enemy, when he heard someone muttering angrily. Cautiously, she looked round to see the librarian, a lady she had seen a few times around House Jameson, clenching her fists with rage in her eyes. Her mutterings were too quiet to make out, but loud enough to hear the anger in her voice, but with a quick breath, she seemed to calm down and blink repeatedly, like she was in shock at her own emotions. Luci was about to leave when the librarian spotted her. She began to panic, worrying that someone had just seen her outburst.

“It’s ok,” Luci reassured, noting how the librarian’s breathing increased and how she refused to make eye contact, “I’m not going to tell anyone...” As she trailed off, Luci recognised the fear she saw reflected in the librarian’s eyes. It was the fear of being accused of something awful, a fear that Luci knew all too well when she had to deal with the whispers in her head, so she decided to take a risk and hope her judgement was correct. “Were you attacked during the Overnight Defence?” The librarian’s head snapped round so she made direct eye contact with Luci and nodded. Her assumption had been correct. “I’ve had these mood swings ever since. I don’t want anyone thinking I’m an enemy spy, but I think this is his doing.  Please, I beg you, don’t report me!” Luci pointed to her scar, “I was attacked too, but I hear whispers and get headaches when The Enemy is near. I’ve... um... never met anyone else who is a victim of his influence. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.”

She was born in the slums of the kingdom, both her parents never joining any houses despite her father having the gift of magic that now flowed through her. At the age of 21, after getting tired of her rather depressing life, she decided to join a House without her parents knowledge. Unfortunately she unknowingly went to seek a House during The Overnight Defense and was attacked by one the enemy’s minions.

When she awoke the next morning she had become extremely paranoid and had suddenly uncontrollable mood swings—notably with her anger and insecurities, almost as if another person was talking. She spent the following hours trying to control herself as she stumbled into The House of Jameson. Seeing how the denizens were very kind and supportive she decided to join in and hopefully help her grow as a better person.

Kat has medium length dark brown hair and fair skin. She wears black rectangular glasses and often wears coats in dark colors and a hood. She’s rather quiet and reserved but kind to those who are patient enough to get to know her.