Written By Dafne
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:40 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
I often write and think about death. The poetry of it, the mystery of it, the tragedy of it--but not tragedy in the real human way. Tragedy in a grand sad beautiful way, the sort of tragedy that makes you tear up at the sorrow of it all--but not the messy sprawling real way.
Because--it's mostly been at a remove from me, hasn't it? My mother died when I was born, but that's distant and far-off, like a song. I never knew Zaccheri all that well, even when he married Sylvie, because he was a lot older. It was something I could treat like a story.
And now it's here and real and I don't know what to do. Vincere, who sent me concerned messages when I hurt myself with experiments, and Pietro who sent me messages and hugged me and danced with me at my first ball when I was too shy to talk to anyone. And here I am, sitting very quietly at the Assembly and staring at walls, because last time I was at an Assembly and boiling over with anger, Pie was there to rant with me and joke with me and make me feel heard.
And I--I
I just can't.
I never wanted to believe in ghosts more.
Because--it's mostly been at a remove from me, hasn't it? My mother died when I was born, but that's distant and far-off, like a song. I never knew Zaccheri all that well, even when he married Sylvie, because he was a lot older. It was something I could treat like a story.
And now it's here and real and I don't know what to do. Vincere, who sent me concerned messages when I hurt myself with experiments, and Pietro who sent me messages and hugged me and danced with me at my first ball when I was too shy to talk to anyone. And here I am, sitting very quietly at the Assembly and staring at walls, because last time I was at an Assembly and boiling over with anger, Pie was there to rant with me and joke with me and make me feel heard.
And I--I
I just can't.
I never wanted to believe in ghosts more.
Written By Ywaine
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:37 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Iona
Met with the Duchess Iona this week. Picked her brain about diplomacy with regards to working the streets. She had some good tips - bar brawls to defuse and whatnot. I like that idea, a lot, and I think we're going to fold it in.
Written By Ywaine
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:36 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Mathias
New recruit at the company. Solid young man, carries a honkin' huge sword and knows how to whip it around. More import, boys got no amount of quit in him, which is what we need right now.
Written By Luna
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:33 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
I entertained for the masses. It was good to be back into normalcy. Rein seem to enjoy it too. If I can only gain support to have his proper papers in the city. He is such a good boy. I should be setting up camp within the Deepwood Estate soon. I an bring my traveling wagon in. Rein can get more rest within the coming winter months.
Written By Sudara
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:27 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Where and how has the time flown since my last entry? Fever-dreams have a great deal to do with it. I had no notion of the passage of many of the days that have whipped by in recent weeks, and now find myself adrift in a startlingly (and frighteningly) unfamiliar world. Today, I gave orders for my fleet to assist that of my House, and must now scramble to find out how we have come to this pass. I hope that it shall not take me as many weeks again to do so.
Written By Barric
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:12 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
I missed the Battle of Pridehall. I was out scouting ranging through the forest. We came upon an Abandoned tribe. Its former chieftain had been turned by the Bringers of Silence and was coming to recruit his former people into the army set against us. We were severely outnumbered but due to some blessing from the gods or stroke of luck, the Bringer decided that the matter should be settled by single combat. So I drew Elvesbane and the fight commenced. It was short and brutal. I maintained a defensive stance to get a feel for the Bringer. It knocked over a tree and at that point I realized I needed to end this fight quickly before I made a misstep and was annihilated by the beast. The opening came quickly - it fought relying on its newfound strength rather than its skill of a previous life - and I took advantage. I but Elvesbane through the thing's skull and it dissolved. Hadn't seen that before. The Abandoned decided to sit the fight out and also fled the Gray Forest. So, a meaningful victory on the periphery. Next time, I should like to be in the thick of it.
Written By Eirlys
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:07 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Neve
My cousin, the heart and soul that is the Greenwood. I was grateful to see your face when I got back. I see that your fighting skills have improved and you are learning to use the bow. I am so proud of you. Selfishly I don't want you to go into battle. You have a purpose that is different than my own but so incredibly important.
Written By Talen
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:05 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Luca
I'm not sure that's how you water plants you know, Luca. If they die, the house gardener will have your head.
Written By Aurora
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:04 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
It has been a difficult task to replace Duchess Nadia as my patron. Granted, there have been very few who responded to my need for one. Though, I suppose it is about the quality of those who offered and not the quantity of how many did. Maybe there are not many who were as brave as Nadia was to take me on, and I should be grateful that she did and to those that wish to.
Written By Talen
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:04 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Acacia
I'm not even going to lie, that was an impressive win of the 5,000 silver. Also, making Luca puke is worth about 100,000 silver.
Written By Talen
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:03 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
The Mirrorguard have been established and those closest to the family, those most skilled within the royal guard have been drafted to the order.
A prince within the very house they intend to serve, an old friend from as far as Caith and a common scrap with more wit than often know how to do with. It'll be a good start.
We'll succeed as a team where I alone previously failed. We'll remain unbroken until the Thirteenth's final reap.
A prince within the very house they intend to serve, an old friend from as far as Caith and a common scrap with more wit than often know how to do with. It'll be a good start.
We'll succeed as a team where I alone previously failed. We'll remain unbroken until the Thirteenth's final reap.
Written By Calista
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:02 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Inigo
A Malvici. If I left this journal with just those words, they might not mean anything to anyone else but for me they carry the weight of my entire existence. "Draw Your Sword." I feel a battle on the horizon.
Written By Valerius
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:58 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Nadia
The bonfire for Nadia is today. I know I should go, spend some time there, show her family that she was loved. They know that, of course, or they should, given how much the spirits of the city fell when we learned of her death.
But I don’t think I will. I think I’ll remember her in my own way, with a bottle of whiskey alone.
But I don’t think I will. I think I’ll remember her in my own way, with a bottle of whiskey alone.
Written By Tristram
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:49 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Reese
I don't know what to make of her. Is she too innocent for me? The last thing I want to do is spoil that, but she is lovely and graceful and wonderful. I am not an innocent man; will she find me darker than she might wish in a Prince?
Written By Rowan
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:46 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
I was born shav, and lived over three-quarters of my life as such before - for a few vows and the flick of a quill - shav was exchanged for prodigal and 'Lord' was affixed to my name. I'm not certain that I will ever grow used to it.
Among the nobility, it does not bother me much. When one noble speaks it to another, it feels more like a nuance of language and little else. When I hear it on the lips of the common class, the language takes on a more uncomfortable suggestion. It feels a reminder that I am held in some higher regard by the world for no reason other than that my cousins married the right families and an agreement was made. There is an obligation to it, an unspoken note in the ring of it that they are well aware that they, and myself, have been dubbed different creatures by some intangible scale. By the same token, to ask to be only the name I came into the world with, it burdens them with social risk and confusion.
I never held dreams of nobility before being vaulted from a life I was happy and comfortable in to a life where I still feel like a child playing at pretend games. So if I should wince, if I should grunt or frown for an introduction...Have patience with me, Arx. I am still learning the steps to this dance.
Among the nobility, it does not bother me much. When one noble speaks it to another, it feels more like a nuance of language and little else. When I hear it on the lips of the common class, the language takes on a more uncomfortable suggestion. It feels a reminder that I am held in some higher regard by the world for no reason other than that my cousins married the right families and an agreement was made. There is an obligation to it, an unspoken note in the ring of it that they are well aware that they, and myself, have been dubbed different creatures by some intangible scale. By the same token, to ask to be only the name I came into the world with, it burdens them with social risk and confusion.
I never held dreams of nobility before being vaulted from a life I was happy and comfortable in to a life where I still feel like a child playing at pretend games. So if I should wince, if I should grunt or frown for an introduction...Have patience with me, Arx. I am still learning the steps to this dance.
Written By Eirlys
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:39 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
I have been trying so hard to find the words to express what has happened during the battle. So many things happened. There were so many people who fought bravely.
Ansel fought to keep the mercies safe. He ended up injured and his horse was killed in the process. I thank the spirits that he lived.
Sophie was out there in the fray willing to tend to the wounded even though she could have lost her life and I don't think I could ever stop being grateful for that.
Alis is so strong, determined and a great leader. I would follow her into the Abyss if I had to.
My brother Fiachra whom I have always looked up to did rode into battle along side Alis. He was brave, he used his scouting abilities in a way to help us all.
Lord Gabriel whom I haven't had a chance to really formally meet was so important to this fight.
Edain who I had the honor of riding into battle with was a leader that I respect completely. He didn't stand back, he didn't ask us to ride into battle while he stayed safe. He rode with us, he lead us like a true leader does. I look at him and I see an honorable man.
When hearing about the battle one might think that the casualties were few there for the battle was easy. No battle is easy and not all of the scars are from wounds people can see. We lost people and it was painful. We mourn because they will never be able to ride with us again.
I did not know Lady Nadia but Alis did and Ansel did. I stood in the room with Ansel, who got out of his sick bed, walked while injured to lady Nadia's house, and I stood in the back while he paid his respects. I have seen what losing even one person can do. It was painful, it was sad and I felt so helpless. Grief is not something you can fight with a sword. It's not something you can beat back with willpower or training. It isn't a wound that can be treated by a healer. It is something that one has to face in their own ways. All I can do now is be a friend and hold the hands of my friends who grieve for those that they lost. I pray to the spirits that their souls find peace.
There will be more battles. Even now we are preparing for more fighting. Even now there is determination in those I fought along side, and for those that scouted and helped us have the advantage (forever grateful little sister to my brother and forever grateful to Gabriel) but I see that determination. I see the need to make sure those who fell did not fall in vain. We will do all we can to avenge them. Every battle comes with a price. No matter how great or small that battle is. I wish sometimes if I could pay that price for those I love, for those I respect and for those I call a friend so that they wouldn't have to hurt so badly.
So from a soldier on in the field to those who led us into battle, those who picked the site to our advantage. I am forever grateful that you did all you could to keep our numbers down. I am grateful that more of us came home than I expected. I wish I could take your pain for you in repayment. All I can do is continue to offer you my sword and friendship and pray that it is enough.
Ansel fought to keep the mercies safe. He ended up injured and his horse was killed in the process. I thank the spirits that he lived.
Sophie was out there in the fray willing to tend to the wounded even though she could have lost her life and I don't think I could ever stop being grateful for that.
Alis is so strong, determined and a great leader. I would follow her into the Abyss if I had to.
My brother Fiachra whom I have always looked up to did rode into battle along side Alis. He was brave, he used his scouting abilities in a way to help us all.
Lord Gabriel whom I haven't had a chance to really formally meet was so important to this fight.
Edain who I had the honor of riding into battle with was a leader that I respect completely. He didn't stand back, he didn't ask us to ride into battle while he stayed safe. He rode with us, he lead us like a true leader does. I look at him and I see an honorable man.
When hearing about the battle one might think that the casualties were few there for the battle was easy. No battle is easy and not all of the scars are from wounds people can see. We lost people and it was painful. We mourn because they will never be able to ride with us again.
I did not know Lady Nadia but Alis did and Ansel did. I stood in the room with Ansel, who got out of his sick bed, walked while injured to lady Nadia's house, and I stood in the back while he paid his respects. I have seen what losing even one person can do. It was painful, it was sad and I felt so helpless. Grief is not something you can fight with a sword. It's not something you can beat back with willpower or training. It isn't a wound that can be treated by a healer. It is something that one has to face in their own ways. All I can do now is be a friend and hold the hands of my friends who grieve for those that they lost. I pray to the spirits that their souls find peace.
There will be more battles. Even now we are preparing for more fighting. Even now there is determination in those I fought along side, and for those that scouted and helped us have the advantage (forever grateful little sister to my brother and forever grateful to Gabriel) but I see that determination. I see the need to make sure those who fell did not fall in vain. We will do all we can to avenge them. Every battle comes with a price. No matter how great or small that battle is. I wish sometimes if I could pay that price for those I love, for those I respect and for those I call a friend so that they wouldn't have to hurt so badly.
So from a soldier on in the field to those who led us into battle, those who picked the site to our advantage. I am forever grateful that you did all you could to keep our numbers down. I am grateful that more of us came home than I expected. I wish I could take your pain for you in repayment. All I can do is continue to offer you my sword and friendship and pray that it is enough.
Written By Iona
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:38 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Zhayla
I had the pleasure of bumping into Miss Zhayla in the middle of the Costumers Closet. Or more precisely, she bumped into me and Prince Valerius as we discussed the merits of the various fabrics displayed there.
It needs no mention that I have seen Miss Zhayla in Sammie's presence more than once, albeit always from a distance. As such I gladly took the opportunity to engage her for a little talk. For one, it turns out she has an eye for colour, but surprisingly enough she's employed as a guard. (Okay, so the sword ought to have given it away, but these are trying times and sharp metal makes a person feel safer. Right!?)
Knowing Sammie's eye for talent, I suspect this young miss has a couple more cards up her sleeves; she surely left in such a speedy rush that it left me speechless by the suddenness of it.
One thing is for sure: Arx is not that big of a city. We'll meet again.
It needs no mention that I have seen Miss Zhayla in Sammie's presence more than once, albeit always from a distance. As such I gladly took the opportunity to engage her for a little talk. For one, it turns out she has an eye for colour, but surprisingly enough she's employed as a guard. (Okay, so the sword ought to have given it away, but these are trying times and sharp metal makes a person feel safer. Right!?)
Knowing Sammie's eye for talent, I suspect this young miss has a couple more cards up her sleeves; she surely left in such a speedy rush that it left me speechless by the suddenness of it.
One thing is for sure: Arx is not that big of a city. We'll meet again.
Written By Darren
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:37 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
In times of trouble, when everything seems so very dark and grim, it is often necessary to slip away from it all and enjoy the fresh air. So very rarely do these times lead to anything except a few moments of peace and solace before the messengers find me again.
But sometimes, they have unexpected results. I am particularly thankful for those sometimes. Especially when they provide even the smallest bit of hope for tomorrow.
But sometimes, they have unexpected results. I am particularly thankful for those sometimes. Especially when they provide even the smallest bit of hope for tomorrow.
Written By Tristram
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:37 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Here we are at the memorial bonfire for Nadia, but I cannot help but think of Pietro and Vincere as well. I cannot help but wonder if we can live up to and achieve the salvation of Arvum that they all strove to bring about. Though angry almost every time I saw him, Pietro was passionate enough to make a strong ally against our enemy, and Vincere was a deep thinker. Nadia brought grace and beauty to the art of battle. Can they be replaced? Perhaps there are others who might be -like- them, but there will be no one who can -replace- them, the spirit, the thought, and the beliefs that they had. I did not know any of them as well as I might've liked, but I will strive to remember them well.
Written By Eleyna
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:33 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Acacia
She's wickedly clever. That can be said without a single qualification needed due to her background and station in life. I never thought I would see the day that someone outsmarted Niccolo, yet that business with the sauce and the dare was brilliant.
I think the family and the Compact as a whole should be afraid if she and I figure out how to work together.
I think the family and the Compact as a whole should be afraid if she and I figure out how to work together.
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