Written By Reigna
July 30, 2017, 7:02 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
I had the pleasure of speaking with and sitting next to Princess Alis at the archer competition the other night. How is it that the Ladies and Princesses of Valardin are each nicer than the last? I have never felt so at home as I have in Arx. It is an unexpected and fantastic thing.
Written By Tikva
July 30, 2017, 6:56 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Laric
The Master of Questions has learned what happens when you send me a rhyme in the mail!
Written By Tikva
July 30, 2017, 6:55 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
A SONG FOR THE INQUISITION:
In service to Crown and Compact,
the Inquisition holds oath to combat
the enemies of the Crown and the light
and those bound all unwilling in that fight
are caught betwixt all in a fearsome plight
Bold and fierce as a light in dark places
our men and women stand, frontward faces,
‘gainst monstrosities rising from the depths
even to confront us on the palace steps,
when their dastardly plans we did intercept.
An evil man whose name I won’t speak
In shadows cloaked and authority peaked—
We struck him down upon the stones
when he dared to subvert the Throne
alongside our brethren in the King’s Own
Now for his Majesty, we serve as sword
to pierce darkness and seek the horde
The questions we put to them all
will bring forth justice, truth, withal
and with that truth, we’re standing tall.
But truth our goal, and justice plain
Neither graft nor unnecessary pain—
It is grit we must have, the requisite
strength of purpose to Inquisit—
for it seems mysteries expand, infinite.
In service to Crown and Compact,
the Inquisition holds oath to combat
the enemies of the Crown and the light
and those bound all unwilling in that fight
are caught betwixt all in a fearsome plight
Bold and fierce as a light in dark places
our men and women stand, frontward faces,
‘gainst monstrosities rising from the depths
even to confront us on the palace steps,
when their dastardly plans we did intercept.
An evil man whose name I won’t speak
In shadows cloaked and authority peaked—
We struck him down upon the stones
when he dared to subvert the Throne
alongside our brethren in the King’s Own
Now for his Majesty, we serve as sword
to pierce darkness and seek the horde
The questions we put to them all
will bring forth justice, truth, withal
and with that truth, we’re standing tall.
But truth our goal, and justice plain
Neither graft nor unnecessary pain—
It is grit we must have, the requisite
strength of purpose to Inquisit—
for it seems mysteries expand, infinite.
Written By Denica
July 30, 2017, 6:09 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
(More abstract, spare sketches. A couple of lines here and there create the elegant curve of a waterfowl neck.)
A bevy, a bank, a gathering of swans. Perhaps a parliament of owls. They make no sound when they fly. They land - they watch - they judge with golden coins for eyes.
Eventually someone will need to be paid.
(Two drops of ink spatter, drop, and stare like open and unblinking eyes.)
Written By Abbas
July 30, 2017, 5:47 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Fatima
Apparently I am hosting a festival event of some sort. Axe tossing. The last game of axe tossing I was in a man got hit in the leg. I am hoping this, will... also be a similar success.
Written By Leola
July 30, 2017, 5:25 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Following Her Highness, Princess Sophie Valardin's offer of patronage, I've been assisting her with tutoring the young in caring for plants and animals both. I remember my fascination with them as a child; one that never really left me; and I feel it would be well to aid in showing the glory of Petrichor to those who might otherwise not see it; to let them see the world around them with open eyes and heart.
As certain members in Thrax have asked of me. I did apologise to the High Lord; I certainly never expected the otters to be quite so playful with him.
As certain members in Thrax have asked of me. I did apologise to the High Lord; I certainly never expected the otters to be quite so playful with him.
Written By Leola
July 30, 2017, 5:10 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
His Highness, Prince Aiden wrote to me on my work with the Gray Forest. It was something of a relief to know the Lodge may receive compensation for the money and time it gave to the lands of Grayson; trying to explain to Lindsay why we donated over a hundred thousand silver, and nearly triple that in writs, was a difficult time.
I do not think she disagreed with me; but she gently reminded me of my duty to the Lodge and Faith, especially given how the Faith supports us so strongly. The impression she left me with was that I had to consider the Lodge's good in addition to what I saw as the good of the rest of the Compact.
She did, though, agree we had done the right thing. She merely suggested that next time, we make sure to get receipts for our aid. I think she was joking.
*****************************
Mistress Leola
Good news! The King has accepted my proposal to have a sanctuary founded for the animals in the forest, a no hunting area as well as a place for animals to be nurtured back to health. I have also brought to his attention your involvement in the Gray Forest and it's recovery with the efforts of the Lodge. He said he would likely wish to speak with you and learn more about it. I'm certain that means good things. My word is my bond and while I took long to fulfil it, the most important Grayson knows of your contributions.
Prince Aiden.
*****************************
I do not think she disagreed with me; but she gently reminded me of my duty to the Lodge and Faith, especially given how the Faith supports us so strongly. The impression she left me with was that I had to consider the Lodge's good in addition to what I saw as the good of the rest of the Compact.
She did, though, agree we had done the right thing. She merely suggested that next time, we make sure to get receipts for our aid. I think she was joking.
*****************************
Mistress Leola
Good news! The King has accepted my proposal to have a sanctuary founded for the animals in the forest, a no hunting area as well as a place for animals to be nurtured back to health. I have also brought to his attention your involvement in the Gray Forest and it's recovery with the efforts of the Lodge. He said he would likely wish to speak with you and learn more about it. I'm certain that means good things. My word is my bond and while I took long to fulfil it, the most important Grayson knows of your contributions.
Prince Aiden.
*****************************
Written By Belladonna
July 30, 2017, 5:01 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Arcelia
Interesting.
Perhaps the assurances I received were hollow.
I'm watching.
Perhaps the assurances I received were hollow.
I'm watching.
Written By Denica
July 30, 2017, 5 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Merek
Met Merek Black in his shop while I was making a through exploration of shops this afternoon. Formally, he introduced himself as: Merek Black, Officer of the Iron Guard, Disciple of Vellichor and Scholar of his name, Liason of the Gold Order of the Dragon, Servant to House Fidante, and Merchant of the Guild. Which I am committing to paper for all of eternity because he seemed very grounded - and very busy. He works in metal, paints, scuplts, sketches, alchemates and brews and mixes.
All while offering affable conversation, I am pleased to report.
All while offering affable conversation, I am pleased to report.
Written By Merek
July 30, 2017, 4:49 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Denica
Met Princess Denica when she came to my shop. She seems to like art like me, and also seems to be quite kind as well. I'm hoping we can talk more eventually about art and teas!
Written By Octavia
July 30, 2017, 3:35 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Harald
I have questions about the Grim Duke - questions that I'm hoping to receive answers to.
Written By Octavia
July 30, 2017, 3:31 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
I spent some time teaching Duchess Margot about the law of the compact, and the responsibilities of a ruling peer. I believe she took the lessons to heart, and I hope so. Thrax has made so many strides after Donrai's death - it would be a shame for it all to collapse back in on itself.
Written By Denica
July 30, 2017, 2:42 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Fatima
Fatima, dearest cos', please - please don't scream. I think that it might startle the House thralls if you shriek bloody murder at my reappearance. Besides that, I am trying to improve my skulk. It will ruin my practice of sneaking unnoticed down hallways and in doorways if you give away the game.
As though there was a game that I was playing - there isn't. It was grief that held me in, still breathing, and walled me up. It was the love of family that chipped at the stone and brought me back. Thank you for that, always.
Now. There should be a game, shouldn't there? A grand game of hide-and-go-seek.
As though there was a game that I was playing - there isn't. It was grief that held me in, still breathing, and walled me up. It was the love of family that chipped at the stone and brought me back. Thank you for that, always.
Now. There should be a game, shouldn't there? A grand game of hide-and-go-seek.
Written By Denica
July 30, 2017, 2:28 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Dagon
The Names Change, Not the Brother.
Written By Fatima
July 30, 2017, 2:21 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Denica
If my baby cousin is back in Arx, I will literally scream. Denica, the Little Devil of Thrax. Welcome back love.
Written By Denica
July 30, 2017, 2:18 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Donella
Standing Beside, Not Hiding Behind.
Written By Denica
July 30, 2017, 1:23 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
(A few elegant and spare lines on the accompanying page offer the abstract shape of a sleek fox.)
The winter will arrive as we are asleep and dreaming, the snow will arrive like a fox in that dream - white itself, white like the fox, white like the gaping grin. The fox will not be alone, it will be heralded by frozen water and the high and delicate sounds of a flute. The sound will shatter the fragile air into a million slivers, fragments of glass, of diamond, of ice that will frost over everything. It will remind us that winter is the cruelest season, the loneliest -- but, oh, how it will sugar those truths even as it catches at our ankles and reels us in.
Of what I wrote here - the riddle, the dream - sheltered from the wind as much as possible with the quill of my pen sharp like the beak of a hawk, I opened it. I closed it. Taken the words from my mind and seen them to paper. Unable to make sense of it, but unable to put it back where it came from.
Already the dream disappears, deftly, like a white fox against white snow. The lines grow smaller, the paw prints vanish beneath a gust of Northern wind, and in them hide more secrets.
Written By Archeron
July 30, 2017, 7:29 a.m.(12/6/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Harald
Duke Harald is holding naval exercises, and Margot wishes me to gain my sea legs so I had attend. It will also be good to get to know the Duke - his past with my family has certainly been interesting.
Written By Preston
July 30, 2017, 7:26 a.m.(12/6/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Ford
It would seem that Marquis Ford does not always appreciate my directness. This may be a displeasure I have to live with, but I will try to speak less and listen more in his company in future.
Written By Preston
July 30, 2017, 7:22 a.m.(12/6/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassius
Duke Cassius has asked to speak to me about the Faith - and his name has come up in other conversations as someone to get to know, so I will be only too happy to help him if I can. It is always good for the Faith to have friends in the great houses.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.