Tirici (♀) ----- and ----- Albu (♂)
Excerpts from the Journal of Albu (Son of Lord Riactu and Lady Miasha)
~April 19, 1692~
The strangest thing happened to me this day. While strolling in the meadow, near to the tree line, I spotted the strangest rabbit hopping among the herbs. On her head was a crown of ivy --why she was not itching uncontrolably I do not know, as everyone knows all ivy is poisonous, my mother has told me such-- and a group of yellow eyed, black-winged creatures flew around her as she explored. She saw me watching her, and sent a wolf with glowing green eyes to give chase to me. I am proud to say that I escaped back into the village with my life. I asked mother this evening at supper, she has informed me that the black-winged creatures are called bats. Father says they suck blood. I do not think I shall return to the meadow for the few upcoming weeks.
~April 21, 1692~
I have asked my father's servant, Azu, about the rabbit in the forest --to satisfy my growing curiosity-- and now I am even more frightened to return. Tis a shame, I quite liked the meadow. Sadly I cannot permit myself to journey there again after being told that a mad witch --who has successfully evaded capture for years-- lives in the forest and uses despicable enchantments to capture wolves and make them her servants. If she can capture a wolf I am quite certain she could kill a rabbit like me, despite my extraordinary strength. Ah, tis all for the better, father says that I can now focus more on my studies.
~April 27, 1692~
I am ashamed of my thoughts. My desire to stay away from the meadow has become a passion to return. I cannot shake her image from my head, I suppose it is because she it pretty in an odd sort of way. Father says noblemen do not get distracted by poor peasant women, and I am determinded not to bring him shame, though it has even become hard to concentrate on studying with my many tutors. I must stay away... I must...
~April 30, 1692~
I returned to the meadow yesterday, but did not catch a glimse of the mysterious witch. There was no sight of her, not even a paw print from what I could observe. But, I suppose since i had not ventured beyond the treeline my line of observation was obscured. I shall set aside my ink and quill, I am going to look for her again now.
~Later, April 30, 1692~
I saw her, and she spied me watching again and did not send her wolf after me. I feel light as air now, she has such wonderful orange eyes. I wish I knew her name, but we only made contanct for a second before she ran off, it wasn't enough time to get over her eyes. I do not believe in love at first sight any more. I believe in love at second sight, because it was the second time, not the first, that she did not try to kill me. If only she will be mine I needn't worry any more. Should it be needed, I shall trade all my wealth and more for her.
~May 4, 1692~
She spoke with me today, I have been sneaking out to watch her for five days now and she just spoke to me. Just four little words before she left, but they mean the world to me. "My name is Tirici". Tirici... I think it is a wonderful name. Now that she has spoken to me, maybe I can get her to stay longer, perhaps have a small conversation.
~May 6, 1692~
I cannot go a day without seeing her, but my mother has mentioned to my father that I have not been home helping her with housework, and now he is suspicious of me. My Tirici --yes, my Tirici-- is waiting and I cannot come by the light of the sun, for I am watched every day. Only the moon lights my path to her now, as it has the past two nights. I fear father will discover our meetings. I could not bear to lose her, since those first four words we have shared hundreds more. I believe I have even begun to learn the ways of witchcraft. I am writing by candle light, I now hear the snores of my gaurd. It must be the hour of the night I leave to meet with Tirici... my Tirici...
~May 7, 1692~
I cannot sleep. They have caught her, my fears came true and father led them to our meeting place before I got there. The gaurds have taken my Tirici to the prison at the castle, and I am on house arrest. How I wish I could go to her. She hates me now, she thinks it was I who betrayed her. They want to kill her, for she is a witch and witches are hated in my kingdom. I wish I could save her, I fear for her life.
~Later, May 7, 1692~
I shall destroy him! He has personally arranged her death! He, my father, whom I looked up to for so long! I cannot bear the pain of betrayal any longer, my love shall be burned. Burned alive while tied to a stake. If she must die, I shall die with her. Oh my beloved Tirici, what have I done?
~May 8, 1692~
I showed my gaurds the witchcraft Tirici had taught me. They have reported me and taken me to the prison, just as I had hoped, but luckily I convinced them to let me have my journal, quill, and ink. I can hear Tirici's soft, sleeping breaths from the cell next to mine. It is the only sound --save for the scratching of my quill-- in this lonely, forsaken place. Though it pains me to write it, she shall die tomorrow, but at least I shall die with her. I will not abandon my love, I have not yet, and will not till the end.
~Later, May 8, 1692~
Father has just left. He offered to buy me my freedom from this place because I was his son. I said I would go if he rescued Tirici. When he refused, I refused, and he then called unspeakable curses upon my head. I do not care, curses shall not follow me where I am going. I do fear that his screaming has awoken Tirici, I am sorry to have disturbed her final peaceful sleep before the end.
~May 9, 1692~
Just one hour is left before they take up to the stakes. I convinced the gaurds to allow Tirici to spend her final hour with me, though she has so far ignored me. Excuse me while I try to convince her to speak. If only four simple words, just as before.
--
She has said my four words, after much of my begging and pleading. Her words were thus, "Teach me to write." I am helping her top learn now and, when she has learned sufficiently enough, I will allow her the last entry in my journal. I am proud to help fulfill her last request.
~Later, May 9, 1692~
i am tirici. i am a victm becas they think i am a withc. i am a real withc tho but stil a victm of injustis. i am glad i can rite. albu is a gud teachr. i wish i had nown albu befour now. i am sad he has to di with me. but i am hapi to. i wil not be alon at the stak with the fiyr. i wil have a frend with me. a reel frend. i have never had a reel frend be4 albu. most peepul r afrad of withces. i am glad he is not. if yoo reed this, no i lov albu. he dos not no i do. but i do. be4 the gaurds take me heer my last wurds and remembr them. i lov albu with all my hart.
Ssorry its so long, i got carried away. Also, sorry if you cannot read what Tirici wrote, but since she just learned to write I had to make it look like it. The Salem witch trials started in may of 1692 (im pretty sure...) so I decided to manipulate the dates to fit in with that. While us humans had our witch trials, apparently the animals did too.
