Arx, After the Reckoning

Perhaps Duke Laurent we all must apologise to one another constantly for not considering one another often enough. I am sure I am dismissive many a time of the needs and burdens of nobles great office, because it is a strangeness to me. I lack the understanding of many of the noble Blessed Archlectors and others, for I have never lived a life outside of the Faith, and perhaps that makes me see the Faith as others see their mother and father, and I am too quick to take offense on its part. I will think on Father Orazio's words, as I often do even when I disagree with him, and perhaps there are better approaches, perhaps it would have been better to be specific. For in attempting to avoid a small dispute, I caused a larger one. I hope all reading know that Laurent is amongst the most pious of houses for all they have sacrificed to the Faith, including their future Duchess in recent years who now leads the Temple of Gloria with the honour, determination and faith equal to any.

The Princess Redrain and I have run into one another quite a bit. We've shared drink, stories, and so on. I enjoy her company and I especially enjoy watching her spar and practice. Her highness is quite the inspiration. I look forward to my next chance to speak to her after every parting.

In delicate times, it is nice to see so many people practicing their favorite things. Music, games, all manner of things that cheer people up. I would like to see more of this, personally. I'm hoping to also host an event. It's nice to have friends who care, and want me to be more active. I will see about what I can do.

I believe I tipsily suggested a Thraxian prince should marry my cousin Cadenza, though I soberly stand by this idea.

I appreciate the clarification, for I confess I noted your earlier reflection and had been pondering my own response to it. Not all beyond the Compact worship spirits, and this is a misconception I deal with quite often as one who holds the Pantheon in her heart. And ever has. I respect the power of spirits and find no quarrel with those who venerate them, but that has never been my path. I learned of Gloria on my grandfather's knee, and I'm not the only prodigal who has such a tale.

Also, I would never pray to Gloria for victory. Perhaps some do, and I'll not quarrel wit them, either, but that also isn't me. I pray for the courage to ride into a battle where the odds are against me. I pray for the resolve to put the lives of my comrades or my cause ahead of my own blood, if it comes to it. And I pray that I conduct myself with honor, as much as a warrior in the thick of battle can. I pray for the virtues which I often lack. I figure I and my commanders have to take care of the victory part ourselves.

That is always the most sound reasoning, Cybele - often the most safest one, I find. Legate Orazio has always been the most patient and kindest when it came to answering my questions and giving guidance on matters of the Faith.

Cybele has many thoughts on gods, and spirits, and old gods. But perhaps these thoughts, if written down, should be offered to personages of the Faith to ensure they do not offend first.

--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--

The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter

--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--
|--Intro--|Am------|Am7-----|C-------|G-------|Am------|
|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
|Dm-------|----G---|----C---|---G----|--------|---C----|
|---------|---Dm---|----G---|---C----|--------|--------|
|--G------|---G----|--------|--------|--------|--------|
|--Am-----|---C----|----G---|---Dm---|--------|--------|

The heavy sea was crashing, on the cliffs of Mada Layne
The moon was a ghostly darter, behind the cloudy seas
The beacon was a spear of sunlight, oer the broken wave
And a pirate captain's sailing...
.~;`.,'Sailing...`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~.
.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'Sailing...`.,'`~..,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`..~;`.,'`~.,'`
,'`~.A Pirate came a’sailing, over the stormy sea.~;`..
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
The captain was a sailor, but as pretty as e're had been
He’d a Lycene hat onnis foretop, Setarco lace at his chin
A coat of Grayson velvet, and boots laced up to his thigh
His fur-lined pants were astolen, and fit without a sigh
He sailed like a seaborn shadow, into the lighthouse quay
And up the cliff he scampered, the moonlight lit his way
To the lighthouse proper, it’s doors were all shut tight
He knocked on a well-locked window, away from any light
He whistle a tune at the winda, and who was waiting there
But the Bess the keeper's daughter,
The Lighthouse Keeper's daughter
plaiting loveknots in her hair
One kiss, my bonnie sweetheart, I’m after a prize tonight
I shall be back with a treasure, afore the morning light
Yet if the redcoats aspy me and harry me thru the day...




.,';:',., ...:::Look for me by the moonlight
.:;/@.&$@%):...:::::::Watch for me by the moonlight
:.. :(&%#:@).......::::::::::::::`````` :::::::``````
:::::...^$&0)<'>@;
:::::::::::...:::::::::......:::::::....:::..
I’ll come to thee by the moonlight,:::::::``````
Though the abyss should bar my way.:::````
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::``````
`````````````````````````````


He scaled the lighthouse window, to feel his lover’s hand
The rainslick wall defied him, up nary a yardarm’s span
She cast her hair thru the pane, a lock came tumbl'n down
A ring of gold in the moonlight, plaited round and around
Prettier than Setarco lace and softer than Grayson velvet
Down the rocky cliff he clambered, down to his ship below
Down to the waiting tiller, and the current that she rode

|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
|Dm-------|----G---|----C---|---G----|--------|---C----|
|---------|---Dm---|----G---|---C----|--------|--------|
|--G------|---G----|--------|--------|--------|--------|
|--Am-----|---C----|----G---|---Dm---|--------|--------|

He did not come at the dawning. He did not come at noon
And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon
The waves were a darkling meer, lit the lighthouse spear
A red-dressed fleet came sailing...
.~;`.,'Sailing...`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~.
.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'Sailing...`.,'`~..,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`..~;`.,'`~.,'`
A redcoat fleet came sailing, unto the lighthouse near.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.


They gave no word to the keeper, they dint dowse the light
They took the keeper's daughter, clasped her feet up tight
A plot they'd laid in motion, the pirate captain's pursuit
To end here with an arrow if he came close enough to shoot
They only needed assistance to bring their prey to heel.
And Bess, the keeper’s daughter...
The Lighthouse Keeper's daughter
...was where they set their steel
The pirate captain’s orders, they asked, and then inquired
They could have torn it from her, but then she was inspired
She spoke with loving fervor, of her pirate captain’s hopes
That they’d be bound together, on waves they’d make a home.
And all it took was a whisper and a quietly shameful glance
Admit where she would see him and to give her love a chance


.,';:',., ...To watch for him by the moonlight
.:;/@.&$@%):...::::::::Wait for him by the moonlight
:.. :(&%#:@).......::::::::::::::`````` :::::::``````
:::::...^$&0)<'>@;
:::::::::::...:::::::::......:::::::....:::..
Look for him by the moonlight,:::::::``````
And warn him of his death.:::::::````
::::::::::::::::::::::::::``````
`````````````````````````

Alone upon the clifftop, the icey wind at her side
A lighthouse keeper's daughter, kept her hope alive
That on the fickle ocean, born on the wayward tides
Her love had been misled, and would not soon arrive
But recreant the moonlight no man's ship would hide
A ship was coming closer, against the flowing tide

|Am-------|--C-----|---G----|--------|--------|----Am--|
|Am-------|--C-----|---G----|--------|--------|----Am--|
|---------|----G---|----C---|---G----|---Dm---|--------|
|Am-------|--C-----|---G----|--------|--------|----Am--|
|Am-------|--C-----|---G----|--------|--------|----Am--|
|---------|----G---|----C---|---G----|---Dm---|--------|

o They’d bound her fingers tightly
F They’d threatened to kill her sire
___/L They’d put her feet in irons
] They stood ready by to fire.
/ If she warned him with a shouting
. He'd be too close at hand
`. The arrows'd befall him and
; on his head they’d land.
. She stepped her way to the cliffside
\ Where the redcoats thought that
: would expect her there to greet him
. they done it all their days.
} Bess hoped there it'd be a warning
[. to see her there abide,
}. and caution’d be upon him
\ \ he'd turn his ship aside.
. . But the foggy night betrayed her,
\ \ }. the lighthouse did not show her,
.. . and the crashing spray below her
. [ }. swallowed up her every sight.
.. } }

|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
|Dm-------|----G---|----C---|---G----|--------|---C----|
|---------|---Dm---|----G---|---C----|--------|--------|
|--G------|---G----|--------|--------|--------|--------|
|--Am-----|---C----|----G---|---Dm---|--------|--------|

The pirate captain’s promise, carried him thru the gloom
Blind he was to his love's sight atop the crashing plume
And on his ship came sailing...~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~
.~;`.,'Sailing...`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~.
.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'Sailing...`.,'`~..,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
On his ship came sailing, toward it’s cliffside doom.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.



With only an abyss before her, one step was her hecatomb
Waves crashing hard below her; an sonorous, endless boom
But Bess the keeper’s daughter,
The lighthouse keeper’s daughter
And forward leapt the woman, to fall a half a rell below
The pirate captain knew Bess, that nary a careless step
Could cause his love to perish, and fall to such a depth
The treasure he had recovered, to him, no prize at all
Compared to the one f'saken, which he had just seen fall
Raising his cutlass before him, and shouted to the night
Urging his crewmen onward, readying them for the fight
The red-clad sailors came crowding, on the nearing butte
The pirate captain shamed them, quailed them with rebuke


.,';:',., ...:::::::I see you by the moonlight
.:;/@.&$@%):...:::::::I’ll hunt you in the moonlight
:.. :(&%#:@).......::::::::::::::`````` :::::::``````
:::::...^$&0)<'>@;
:::::::::::...:::::::::......:::::::....:::..
I’ll follow you in the moonlight:::::::``````
And the Abyss should be my way:::::::````
::::::::::::::::::::::::::``````
`````````````````````````

Pierced by falling arrows, still up the cliffs they raced
The pirate captain and his crew who'd just a little taste
Of redcoat’s sense of justice, and they would never deign
To yield unto them meekly, or to accept their evil reign
Of six score blooded oarsmen, only seven reached the rise
The pirate captain led them with the bloodlust in his eye
And there they met the redcoats, numbering sixty and five
With steely cut the pirate captain met his doomed demise.

|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
|Dm-------|----G---|----C---|---G----|--------|---C----|
|---------|---Dm---|----G---|---C----|--------|--------|
|--G------|---G----|--------|--------|--------|--------|
|--Am-----|---C----|----G---|---Dm---|--------|--------|

The pirate captain's ship, untethered slipped awane
Carried by the flowing wave it was never seen again
Still they say that it’s still sailing…
.~;`.,'Sailing...`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~.
.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'Sailing...`.,'`~..,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
Sailing the mourning ocean, with the captain's prize.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.


The pirate captain's body, was left there among the dead
When the reds a'went to claim it, and sever off his head
They found the deadpile wanting, vanished was the named
Over the cliffs had it too fallen, never to be reclaimed


They say that he's still sailing, beneath the sea's ebb tide
With Bess, the keeper’s daughter...
The Lighthouse Keeper’s daughter,
...sailing at his side.

((Drawn from the Highwayman by Alfred Noyes))

I should make clear: my people's prayers didn't start and end with the spirits of the Grey Forests, even before we bent the knee and set them to side.

Plenty prayed to the Twelve and One in the woods, either beside the spirits or in stead. Most especially the Greenblood, who held the Pantheon fast a thousand years away from the Compact.

Among them Dame Esoka, now my sworn sword, and her grand-father, the man taught me the better part of what I know of war and leading. (And tried teaching me the better part of what's left, if I'd had sense to listen.)

He's disgustingly efficient at running meetings. I'm glad I took notes.

I find myself humbled by Legate Orazio's journal from earlier today. I'm grown enough to admit that when I read Sir Preston's whites, my own ego was struck. I found myself offended on not only the behalf of the people who call the Oathlands home with me, but myself. My own insecurities and faults. For that I am completely guilty.

I then went out of my way, to engage in a discourse in which I wasn't fully listening to the concerns that came from a young man of the Faith. One that has already accomplished much in his time as a Godsworn and is more than allowed to have worries of his own.

My behavior was the very sort that I would disapprove of in others. To Sir Preston, I owe you a most contrite apology and I intend to make the fullest of amends to yourself and the Faith Militant as a whole.

The Dance of Duty (Week 3)

When the fire burns hot, the flame can burn itself out. This might not exactly be the case in which I experienced
with Lady Oriana, it is still true enough. While Lady Oriana was assisting me with dealing with some old problems,
I could have been making some progress with them... Maybe... I have received word that I shall be commanding the
troops from Tor in the war to come. It is an honor to be able to serve my House and my people in such a way. Lady
Oriana on that note has been recalled to her home, for that is where she is needed most. Somethings are not meant
to be. But where one door closes shut, another one opens.

Mistress Shard, thank you as well.

For someone who feared they would not be able to help, I have found your words quite helpful. For me, when I consider my worship of the gods, there is an element of submission and awe involved in how I see them, how I offer to them. We sometimes do offer up a sacrifice to show our devotion to the gods, although these are rarely physical things, but rather vows of poverty, chastity, or - as in the case of godsworn - oaths against marriage or children, and the sacrifice of our fealty to our family. These are not things demanded by the gods, however; indeed, the gods have often touched or proclaimed their love for those who have offered none of those sacrifices. It is not a transactional relationship, but then, that may be because the gods have already given us more than we can ever repay: our very souls, and our existence as a human people. There could be no equal transaction that would match that, even if the gods did nothing more on this world, so we offer up what we can, in gratitude and love.

And yet, I do understand a part of what you say - the idea of honoring something you respect by giving up something worthwhile is something that anyone of honor can relate to. And our goddess Gild is proof enough that trade is not, in and of itself, inherently wrong (although like anything, it can be exploited towards cruelty and injustice). I appreciate your willingness to share your understanding.

Thank you, Count Thesarin, for your words in your journal explaining your people's beliefs and their origins. I appreciate you sharing your perspective, and I will think on it.

Thesarin makes a good point. A lot of times, the requests made of the spirits where I come from were as simple as 'help us find the herds so we can eat'.

The spirits of the animals we hunted in good times. Raven spirits in bad.

Princess Caith,

Feel awful for a moment, but not for too long, because I did not confront you with a desiccated slipper to send you tumbling into horrific guilt.

Have you perhaps considered sending Stumphrey to a tutor? We surely have seen that among the noble classes, unruly children who are given a firm hand do improve.

Or maybe just get a new pet.

Just ideas.

I don't think I can help you with this one, because I don't understand how the Paths here work. I don't know how they worship, and I don't really understand your worship yet. I don't know or understand the spirits here either (not that I was ever that good with the ones where I'm from, but I had someone to explain them to me there). Where I come from, worship, at least from what I've gathered since coming to the Compact, isn't the right word to use. This is probably something that's better for a conversation than a journal entry, but, shorter, where I'm from, the word to use isn't worship, at least as I understand that word.

The word to use is honor, or maybe respect. There's no prayer, there is meditation and trance. Bargains are made because spirits have desires and needs, but also because, at least where I'm from, this is a tradition, how we show respect. Everyone has needs. I don't know what word to use in Arvani for it, but when you get something, you give something. That's how it is, and it goes for neighbors as well as spirits. Maybe, if I want something from a stone, the stone doesn't actually need what I'm sacrificing to get that something, but I give it anyway, because it shows I respect the spirit enough, and what the spirit is giving enough, that I'm willing to give in return. And the greater the thing I ask for, the greater the thing I sacrifice, because it shows I understand and value what I'm asking for.

Of course, people start getting antsy whenever you start talking about this kind of thing and using the word 'sacrifice'. That's not what this is. Just think of it as a price. You pay a price, like you do with any bargain you make. Maybe that's a task in return. Maybe that's some food. Maybe it's an item you treasure. Maybe you make something. Maybe you destroy something. Maybe you protect the spirit's home. Maybe you build them a home. It's not the way gods work because spirits aren't gods. They're old things with their own ways and wisdoms.

If you're trying to compare the two, I can see the problem. That keeps tripping me up too.

I'm sworn as Count-Consort to Riven, husband of Count Mia Riven and vassal to Marquessa Deepwood, by the light and oaths of Limerance. I serve as War Chief to our armies in the sight of Gloria.

But if you'd ask why folk give worship to the woods, the rivers, the rains and the skies...

Moral virtue and love without question are fine things, but if the skies don't rain, the nets sit empty, and the woods turn up no game, folk can't fill their bellies with virtue.

A second point, far meaner, was that the spirits of a people was the spitits of that people. If Grayson and Thrax make war, can be hoped both go with Gloria, fight with honor and courage. But even she can't give both sides victory.

I'm sworn to the Twelve and One, and if I were otherwise, still couldn't talk for ten thousand of peoples pray to a thousand thousand Old Gods ten thousand thousand ways.

But that was the heart of it, where I came from. Folk treating and begging with the wind, sky, and waters that their children didn't starve.

I've put several earrings up in my shop, bronze, instead of the silver and gold I normally work with. It lends a quality to the pieces that's warm, the patina of the metal changing with time, effected by the air as much as copper, or even human skin. Amethysts, aquamarines, topazes ... Set in these Prodigal-inspired designs, from a tribe to the East, it's definitely very different, but still quite beautiful.

I write about them here rather than in the boards. I don't know why.

Highness, these are good words. Balance is key. One of the foremost precepts of Tehom is balance - to not be overruled by virtue or vice, but to hold both equal and use them to accomplish one's good ends.

I am so pleased to see you strive to embrace this ideal.