Quote:The contents of the book will be contained here-in for ease of reading. Eventually, at-leastWell, let it not be said that I didn't know my own procrastination would bite me.
Chapter 2: Friends go a long way
Their Second Name
Have you ever simply wanted to wander? Abandon all that you've known to go elsewhere and make something brand new? I have, it's how I met them- In fact.
They did, too.
This is a chapter of first meetings and the foundations laid for the story to lie ahead, my father's first meeting with so many people who would later to go on to change their life- It started small however, Kateto abandoned their home of martyr's vigil with the discovery of their new calling, their new passion. They wished to see the world, walking the beaten, dusty roads and seeing all that it had to offer. From Dal'thala to Arcadia and even out to the shadeless deserts to the west. These travels saw them meet many others, one particular to keep in mind is one Nomul Nightfall that their journals had spoken of at length. Something like their first mentor, much like Kateto under the mein of their second name was for me- It's heart-achingly similar though these initial interactions were oh so brief things they did leave an impression upon Kateto.
Their wanders across Meranthe brought them far, they learned much and accrued some measure of personal strength along the way but it was hollow, aimless wandering. Without purpose, eventually they found something worth settling down for. A boy by the name of Aricles Alline hit things off with the young Kateto and they spoke at great lengths over their first meeting. Which itself culminated with Aricles inviting Kateto to come live with them and others on the Isle of Nilhirra, which the world-weary cat eagerly leapt upon the opportunity for stability
Within the island things started to turn around and improve, what was once aimless wandering became a community which nestled within Kateto's heart and brought them such warmth. They even found a family to call their own where once they'd had none in their adoptive mother Tate Briar [2] took them in and their heart was filled with warmth. These were good days, surrounded by friends and family, familiar faces and names that would go on to impact history in their own ways. I'm only focusing on one Kateto, today. Among them numbered names like Grey Aundeoth an at-the-time wellspring magi with a penchant for healing and complex surgeries who would be a friend of his for a long time and- eventually for myself go on to be one of the most impactful people in my life. For Kateto they were a friend, someone who they played with, talked to- and eventually worked along side, however. They were not their Mentor in the way Grey later was for me- Also within the island of was the many members of the Malibu family and, most importantly for this; their Rival. Lavenza Malibu. Though their rivalry was little more than lip-service and play in practice they did grow quite close.
It's a saying that opposites attract but that's not wholly true, in Kateto, Lavenza found a kindred soul and vice-versa. The non-binary necromancer, dual-crafter and medic mirrored Kateto in so many ways and they even helped one-another with self discovery, Kateto never particularly felt like he was a he, or she was a she. Neither felt accurate. And their understanding of it was slim. It was their conversations with Lavenza that helped shed illumination on it. They had a rival, a best friend, family, and before too long even a mentor in medicine to call their own, being introduced to one of the former Menders of Arcadia, Juniper and displaying a great talent with medicine even at this early age?
They were happy, truly.
Arcadia's town hall was popular on that day, bustling with people coming to attend the class on medicine, the last one that Kat would need to attend before they had their certification proper, even Lavenza was there to take notes, was how far the reach of the class had gone
Though that would prove to be a mistake.
"The first taste of cruelty. That's what it was— A fateful taste that would linger upon my tongue for years to come and change everything."—Kateto Espero, their fourth journal on the events of their life thus-far.
2 If anyone from the Briar family is still around I would love to get into contact, please send me a letter, Elisha Arabal
Chapter 3: Trying is Hard
Their Second Name
It's a story I've seen and perhaps one that you've heard before. Redemption is hard and there are only so many chances some people will afford others. When that limit is reached and good people do bad things? It's one of the greatest tragedies known to me.
A midsummer day the heat bearing down outside but nestled within Arcadia's clinic all is cool, all is quiet. The lesson is ongoing and there is peace, you'd expect so from the city of such. It does not last. The door swings open with surprising force as the Arcadian militia lead by its warden comes into the clinic with their weapons at the ready, demanding for the capture of Lavenza. Kateto's rival, closest friend and for what? Their mind spun.
Good people attacking good people, if so only righteous blood would be spilled. The city of redemption sought to capture Lavenza for the crime of the magic they learned? [3] That while vile is not as insidious as a Witches Bargain. Necromancy can even be used in the treatment of wounds, to an extent! —Such was what Kateto thought, such was what they wrote about thinking while they were slowly surrounded. Guns and blades raised and a situation with rising tensions that felt much akin to that of an animal being cornered.
Kateto was going to lash out.
Feelings rapidly flickering between confusion, indignation— And anger. The strong minty sensation of protective instinct cooled their tongue and they knew that they had to act, they had to stop this somehow, someway no-matter the cost that they would personally have to pay for it. And with that thought their hand moved on its own, around the barrel of their gun. A warding swing of its stock sends a few nearly to the ground as they dodge before the barrel is leveled towards their face- They screamed... Something, something that they cant recall. They were just so angry and it poured out into words that their mind refused to catalogue... It was there, with the leader of the militia held at gunpoint by Kateto- ears ringing and vision blurring red... Their finger so close to the trigger, eyes darting around that they suddenly heard it.
Lavenza screaming. ...Not in pain, not rebukes- But at Kateto, 'Stop-' 'Don't you dare!' ...'I will turn myself in'...
But why?
That was the last they'd ever seen of their rival and friend. Slapped in irons(and tyriums) and carted away, them turning themselves in defused the situation, not a single drop of blood was spilled in Arcadia that day
...In the following months news of their execution in Dal'thala hit Kateto's ears and it broke them, somewhere deep inside. It wasn't just them, everyone from Nilhirra felt it, though the impact was hardest on Kateto, Aricles and the Malibu family.
Kateto retreated inward, from other social ties, even those of their adoptive family. The only person who could truly reach them at this time was Aricles, the closest thing to a brother, Kateto admits— They ever had, despite this it was Kateto who would be the one to ultimately talk Aricles off a path that would eventually lead to their death. While beginning to walk it themselves at the very same time, self-sacrificial and hypocritical.
3 Their crimes are not recounted in Kateto's recollection of the events, merely their feelings... Though if the Seneschal of house Caewynn is to be believed the purpose of the capture was not-only their use of necromancy but their connection to the morningstar necromancers. They were dating the daughter of their leader while practicing it, themselves. It was far from a good-look. And "Their aptitude for half-truths most certainly did not help their appearing innocent" as said Aricles on the topic.