28th November, 1035
Unbelievable as it may seem, I am writing this from my small cabin aboard The Wavesinger. I have to keep pinching myself just to be sure, although the rolling and pitching of the ship is a constant, if unpleasant, reminder. Captain Larius claims that it is very calm for the time of year, but I am not sure if I believe him. Still, he is very kind and courteous to me, for a Byffeni anyway. Verina says I must lose these prejudices once I arrive in Delmop, if I am to fit in in the temple there. I suppose she is right, but it is hard for a true bred Keit to fully trust a Cyndig. Well, except Verina anyway. But she has been in Teissbin forever and has never seemed like a Cyndig to me.
Anyway, I digress. I have never kept a journal before, but as I am leaving the Temple for the first time in my life now seemed like a good time to start. I am Withnada, a priestess of Ishkana from the Temple in Teissbin. I have been there for all that I can remember of my twenty-two years, having been donated by my family when I was but a babe-in-arms. However, now I am to begin my great adventure. Well, actually I am travelling to our sister temple in Delmop to spend some time there. It is customary for our temples to exchange priestesses in order that we broaden our horizons and so that the main temple in Teissbin can maintain contact with its satelite temples.
I am so looking forward to seeing Delmop. From all that I've read, it is truly one of the great cities of the world. There is so much that I want to see; the Emperor's Palace, the Temple of Taranus, the ampitheatres. Why even the ordinary citizens live in tenement blocks that are sometimes six stories high!
1st December, 1035
Tomorrow we will arrive in Cufen, and I cannot say that it is in any way too soon. I have never felt so ill in my whole life, and am sure I will not be able to eat a thing for weeks. How on earth do sailors manage? If I had known the realities of sea travel, I don't think I would have volunteered to go to Delmop so readily. I sincerely hope that this man Eulac is there to meet me. I do not think I will be in any fit state to arrange accomodation myself or travel across Byffen to Delmop.
I have not explained the other part of my mission, have I? I am to deliver a letter to a man named Eulac Lietna. He came to the temple about ten months ago requesting information about the revolution in Kaimoc. Our oracles - myself included - have managed to discover that it was begun by a man named Cheshmau, working for Lord Weillecha of Abnain, as I think Eulac already suspected. Verina let slip that Eulac is from the ruling house in Hyhaihog, who were ousted years earlier. I think she suspects Weillecha was behind this also, and is doing further research.
2nd December, 1035
We arrived in Cufen early this morning. Despite it being very cold and damp, Eulac was indeed there waiting for me. I recognised him at once: a dark-haired man in his thirties, I would guess, though at first glance he looks much younger. I gave him the letter, which he read at once and apparently with great interest, although I could not tell if he was pleased or otherwise with its contents. In Teissbin I had the impression that Eulac, though undoubtedly very good-looking, was a rather supercilious man. He did not seem to display quite the proper respect for the Goddess that was owing. However, today he was utterly charming, showing me around Cufen and finding me accomodation in an establishment called The Albatross where he is also staying.
Eulac has suggested that we travel on to Delmop together. I am keen to go as soon as possible, for Conia, the high-priestess there, will be expecting me. Eulac, however, seems to want to wait a while. He says he is waiting for someone, a business associate. I suppose a small delay wouldn't hurt.
3rd December, 1035
I have just returned from a morning's sight-seeing with Eulac. Cufen is a busy city, with gleaming white-painted buildings, some up to four stories high. Eulac laughed at my amazement, saying that his was nothing compared to Delmop, but if that is the case then I am only glad that I started with Cufen. Then maybe Delmop will not be such a shock.
Eulac has now gone off to meet the person he was waiting in Cufen for, who is in fact a woman. He says she is a business associate, a merchant from Delmop, who is awaiting a consignment of cheeses to arrive by ship.
6th December, 1035
Tomorrow we are to leave for Delmop, and not a moment too soon.
† Title with apologies to Ellis Peters.