Last Seed 30, 3-433
I swear, the West Weald is crawling with bandits. I've only seen one or two Legion patrols, but still. The road between Kvatch and Skingrad is Dangerous. One of my first acts will be to deploy patrols of my own.
Around Noon, I arrived at Skingrad. The first order of business will be to repair my equipment, and sell off what I picked up during the battle. After lunch, I'm going to speak with the Count.
It seems the Count is not holding court at this time. So I will head to the Mages guild. Perhaps they can tell me more about this Sigil stone. It might be worthwhile to pick up a few new spells while I am here too.
We spent hours pouring over old tomes and examining every inch, nook, and cranny of the glowing, humming Orb. Eventually, we learned that it's magic could be drawn out, much like that of a Welkynd Stone. However, a Sigil Stone requires a vessel for its power. By carefully channeling the energies from the stone into, say, a piece of clothing, armor, or a weapon, the Magic Properties of the stone will be transfered as well. In this Stone's Case, it Imbued my Longsword to unleash flames upon biting into my foes.
I took the Mages guild guide to the Imperial City, and spoke with the Watch Captain. He said I would clear out a Vampire Nest beneath the City, he would get me an Appointment with Chancellor Ocato.
I managed to clear the nest out, but was only able to stabilize myself from dying. I'll be spending a few nights down here. At least I have plenty of clean water with me. I'm so tired...

Heartfire 2 3-433
My days were spent in lethargy...I fear my blood had been drained. I feared that I would die. My frequent need to sleep was no sanctuary, as my dreams were plauged with bloody Nightmares. Today I awoke from a dream...and I had a craving that I have never felt before. It seemed as if I could smell everything, and see in the dark. I feel strong again. Stronger than before, even.
Knowing something was wrong, and fearing the worst, I went to the Temple of the One, and spoke with a priest of Arkay. He politely listned to my tale. He said they could not cure me. My curse wa beyond their ability. He did refer me to the Arcane University. I hope they can help me.
After Speaking with the Consul at the University, I discovered that the very man I spent a day trying to seek, would be willing to see me. Perhaps I have discovered a means of aiding him after all. I wasted no time in taking the guide back to Skingrad.

Heartfire 3, 3-433
I spent the rest of the Night at the Mages guild. As an associate, I am allotted a bed. Ensuring I was dressed in my best, I went to the Castle in the Morning.
I will not write here why the Count wants my help seking this cure, only that he does. If I aid him in this, He has granted us permission to Quarry stone from Skingrad County.
Needless to say I began to seek out the witch Immediately. I made arrangements with the Mages guild to teleport myself, and my horse to Cheydinal, at signifigant expense. The Cross country trip to Drakelowe was mercifully uneventful. Not even a bandit or wolf to slow me down.
Melissande, the Witch, offered to help me, at the cost of 5 empty Grand Soul gems. I haven't even seen on since leaving Hammerfell. I hope I can find all I need.

Heartfire 4, 3-433
I was able to collect all the Soul gems I needed without having to set foot outside of the Mages guild halls, via teleportation. Chorral I should have gone to first, as they had three free to any associate.
I spoke to Melissande, and got a shopping list. Most of it will be easy enough. I don't look forward to stabbing some poor argonian sot. I also have the location of a particularly powerful Vampire I need to slay and take the Ashes of. The next couple of days will be very busy.
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Heartfire 4, 3-433
While Trekking south to the tomb of Hindarel, I ran across a shrine out in the wilderness. All the worshippers there seemed rather...well, comatose, but upright. Spooky. I kept moving.

I make this entry before I go to engage the Vampire Hindarel in Mortal Combat, so my Fate will be known, should I perish. May Arkay and Talos guide my blade.

The fools cronies were more challenging than the aincent himself. To absorbed in his own power, he fought me unarmed. I smashed him with my shield to stagger him, then ran him through with my sword, letting the Daedric fire infused in my blade consume him. Now, to find an Argonian, and then go shopping.
Excellent. I have only to wait, and the cure will be ready for me to deliver to Count Hassildor.
Heartfire 6, 3-433
I recived the Cure this morning, and made hastily back to Skingrad. As I was stabling my horse, a messenger from Captain Matius arrived. I tipped him and sent him with a message to inform Matius to expect me in Kvatch in the next day or two. I will read his message after my business with the Count is completed.
Hai-Lurz, the castle Steward led me back out to the courtyard, and opened a secret passageway. I was instructed to go down the steps and meet the Count Hassildor within.
The passageway let into a tunnel, deep in the heart of the Mountain Castle Skingrad sits upon. Within is a small chamber with a bed, where a woman lies as if the object of a funeral wake. Beside her sat the Janus Hassildor himself. As promised. Suprisingly, Melissande was there as well.
I was asked to stand back and be quiet. The Countess was awoken, and was not happy to be so. Janus had her drink the potion, and she promptly died the pain and hunger in her features no more.
I was turned out and told to come back in the morning. Count Hassildor needed time to mourn, and make arrangements. I am to speak to Hai-Lurz in the morning. I suppose I will rent a room in the West Weald Inn again, and suffer my own curse one more night.

Heartfire 8, 3-433
The Count was very thankful that I was able to help him end the suffering of his wife. He gave me the remaining dose of the cure, as well as paying me 10,000 septims, to be used towards the reconstruction of Kvatch. I spoke to him about the Bandit problem, but there is little he can do at this time. However, I have fostered a friendship, that can become a measure of diplomatic support, should I ver need the assistance of Count Hassildor, or Skingrad. I shall collect my horse, and make for Kvatch, as promised.
Interestingly enough, Captain Matius needed me to return to Skingrad, and ask the Count for help from his Masons and Architechts. Or course, I will be paying them with the money I have already recieved from him to assisst us in rebuilding. However, I go there now in my official capacity, and not just as an adventurer with a cause.
Due to the late hour of my arrival back in Skingrad, the Count was unwilling to see me. The steward did bring back a note requesting I dine with the Count tommorrow. I shall be renting what has become my usual room at the West Weald Inn for the night, and take care of a few minor errands in the afternoon.

Heartfire 11, 3-433
I spent the last couple days making arrangements with the Mason's guild, and we finally settled on a price. They will arrive shortly after I do in Kvatch. For now, I only want a strong drink and plenty of sleep.

-Today dawned bright and cold, but since I'm in Feldscar, a Nord village on the Cyrodiil-Skyrim border, what morning isn't? Quick breakfast before continuing on...

-Trip back to Bruma was uneventful, the clear skies held out all the way. I'm here today to pay a quick visit to the Fighters Guild and put a few newly acquired valuables into my handy magic storage chest, including Obsidian armor and a rather powerful defensive staff, as well as retrieve some glow dust for Azura. I just hope I have enough.

-Met a nasty bandit in the woods on my way back to Feldscar named Vyka Helrst. She put up a terrible fight and the snow was stained red with our blood by the time it was finished. Fortunately I was the victor, and she was carrying some pretty valuable stuff, including Mithril armor and a heavy cape emblazoned with great black dragon that was capable of placing a strong magical barrier around me. She seemed to be some kind of bandit leader. No doubt her clan will not take kindly to my killing her, but hey, she started it!

-Offered the glow dust to Azura as the sun began to dip and the ground turned pink. She gave me a simple task to earn her favor: Travel to the Gutted Mine and slay five of her followers, who had been afflicted with vampirism after slaying the lord Drakken in her name.

-It was a harrowing adventure through that mine, two of her followers were Orsimer, and I'm nowhere near strong enough to fight them head-on. Thankfully, the cover of shadow gave me advantage enough, as I am well adapted to striking unseen with my bow. Unfortunately, the biggest orc noticed me, and led to a frantic race through the caves, me trying to keep enough distance from his axe to keep the stream of arrows going, and him just not seeming to even notice me hitting him. Maybe it was the armor? Or maybe it was just him being a natural berserker? Either way, it was close, and he nearly crushed me as his body fell before he dissolved in a cloud of dust. I hope I can carry all this loot out! Good thing I packed a few feather potions.

-Azura thanked me for freeing the souls of her followers, and rewarded me with her legendary Star. It's getting too cold and dark to travel now, so I might as well pull up next to the fire and rough it. There's a reason I carry this heavy bedroll around, you know.