Day 27, 8th Year of Braska's Calm

Well, well. In all my fears and expectations, I never dreamed that being a Guardian could be fun.

Never mind that we had an additional challenge, since someone broke into the Cloister of Trials and hid one of the spheres behind Lady Yocun's statue. (I almost told Father Turan who must have done it, but I suppose my leaving is punishment enough.) Once we had sorted out that little mystery, the actual puzzles were child's play! Lady Ginnem assures me that some of the Cloisters are more challenging; Bevelle, she has heard, is a positive nightmare. My guess is that most Guardians are fighters, not thinkers, and the traps were designed accordingly.

But that is a minor part of my duties. It is the journey between the temples where my real work likes. I have shown Lady Ginnem my notes on Fiends and items that might be used for healing and protection, but there was little she did not know already; her lore and knowledge of the mainland are far more extensive than mine. We will spend a little more time in Besaid combing through scrolls and asking sailors for every scrap of information we can about our route and the creatures we may encounter in Kilika and preparing potions and supplies. We leave in three days' time.

I confess that I felt personally vindicated this evening, standing at Lady Ginnem's side while she performed the Summoning before the whole village. It has been a long time since the people of Besaid have seen Valefor fly in majesty. She is so graceful, but so remote to me: above and apart from every element and flavor of magic I know. Chappu was impressed, in spite of himself. He's still not speaking to me, but it is hard to be angry in the presence of something so beautiful. Yuna, of course, was delighted, especially when Lady Ginnem called her forward to let her touch her first Aeon. I am no judge of such things, but I believe that Valefor seems to have a fancy for our temple's new apprentice. After all, Yuna has grown up on her doorstep, and her own spirit soars too. I think, if there had not been so many people watching, she might have begged the Aeon for a ride.

I wish the Summoner's art was not slanted to such a grim purpose. I saw a yearning in Yuna's eyes today that I understand very well: it is the same flush of joy I feel when the winter monsoons batter Besaid with lightning and water, fire and storm. Bless her. She deserves to fly.

This evening, though, Yuna has been very quiet. She is no fool. She knows that her own training has prompted me to undertake this journey. I promised her that I would do everything in my power to return, and that someday, when she enters the Cloister of Trials, I will be there with Kimahri to watch over her.

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