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Written By Eleyna

Feb. 19, 2017, 7:30 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Luca

It's easy to be fooled by him. Lazy Luca. He's been indolent and lethargic since we were children, yet he's so charming that you can't really hold it against him. He does some impressively stupid things sometimes, but not because he's stupid necessarily. He just chases a thrill no matter what the consequences. He and I could not be less alike, yet, oddly, he's the one I find it easiest to spend time with.

He's also the only person in the family allowed to call me 'El'. None of the rest of you better get any ideas.

Written By Alis

Feb. 19, 2017, 7:17 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Nadia

Nadia and I became fast friends, once we had the chance to finally meet and speak with each other. She was a vibrant and vivacious personality, filling the room with energy wherever she happened to be. She brought out that energy in me, someone who is normally quiet and determined, but not what one would call playful. Unless I was with her. What we had in common from the moment we spoke, however, was an unrelenting desire to show Avrum that those who are small of stature can also be mighty. Together we would be unstoppable, we said. She proved half of that, at least. None can doubt that she was a fierce warrior and leader, as she stood fast with Nightgold forces, protecting them with her very life. There is no sacrifice mightier then that. We will always be together in memory, my friend. So I promise you I will still prove that we are unstoppable. I will see justice for you, Duchess Nadia Nightgold.

Written By Cristoph

Feb. 19, 2017, 7:11 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

I am tempted to stop visiting the training center, or at least doing so in armour and ready to spar, I should stick with my own sworn swords instead of being endlessly thrashed by the various improbably good swordsmen who apparently populate the capital.

Written By Cristoph

Feb. 19, 2017, 7:10 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Duke Gabriel for regent? I can think of worse choices certainly, I have never met the man but certainly respect his reputation, not to mention, he is not one of the members of the Great Houses. He has less far incentive to outright loot the Crown to further his own family than one of them would, not that I suspect he would do such a thing.

Written By Cristoph

Feb. 19, 2017, 7:06 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

I expected it to be harder.

That sounds either egotistical or facile, but facing demon led shavs in unfamiliar territory? I thought we were going to get mauled and suffer more casualties than we dealt even if we did everything right. My pessimism was misplaced though, the enemy do not fight exceptionally well, our casualties almost absent, the foe slaughtered. But it turns out their numbers are horrendous, they must have mobilised every able bodied adult in the Grey Forest and formed them into an army intent upon murdering us.

I doubt they have the supplies for a siege of the capital and I also doubt they have the numbers to take Arx by storm, but they could ruin the lands of house Greyson for a generation or sack everything short of and perhaps including ducal castles.

Written By Darren

Feb. 19, 2017, 6:52 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Nadia

"You with the rose-gold hair, have you ever wrestled a bear? I've taken down ten since I learned to walk!"

I think those were the first words I uttered to you, so many years ago. Of course, it may have also been: "Hi, I'm Darren. Who are you?" Either way, we were ten years old, and Stonedeep was our playground. We spent so much time amongst the mountains trying to learn its secrets, that we might have turned into mountain men ourselves had we been allowed to. Of course, that was never in the cards for us.

The future dealt us a hand that neither of us expected. Particularly not you; you were not meant to lose so many so early on. But we both took to our duty the best way we knew how - with fierce passion and dedication, to the North and to our people. When we met again in Arx, it was with both our lives changed. We were different people. We had taken different paths, though I still think they would have led us to the same destination.

I will remember the last thing I said to you. How you wanted to catch up, and how I didn't have the time. I should've made it. I thought we'd have more.

Goodbye, my friend. I hope you are at peace.

Written By Ferrando

Feb. 19, 2017, 6:46 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

My dear elder sister Caprice and I had the great honor of being invited to dinner with the Velenosa family this evening. It was quite a lively social affair, and it was nice to catch up with my cousin and some other old friends I had not seen in a while. I even got to write a bit of poetry. The only thing that could have improved it would have been to see Uncle Donato as well, but perhaps next time. At least I don't think I made such a poor showing that there won't be a next time, I should hope. I was entirely kidding about bringing a helmet to future dinners, I assure you!

Written By Julea

Feb. 19, 2017, 6:44 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

War is a strange thing. How just by donning the uniform of the other side is a sufficient threat to alter the person's moral status as a legitimate target. That somehow the bearing of arms takes us into an alternative moral realm where killing is the expectation and the norm.

These Shavs that have been manipulated and controlled by our enemy to fight us. Or our own people from the boroughs, altered until they have become our enemy. To not bear arms and fight them, isn't an option for us anymore.

And yet afterwards, when it is over and we return to Arx, we have to somehow turn it off, and not jump to arms when you catch someone out of the corner of your eye. And not see enemies in the faces of those around you. To sleep soundly in an empty bed, and go about daily life like we didn't just kill a bunch of people who look just like us.

I still haven't the knack for it yet, but maybe I eventually will. I don't know if that is a good thing or not. It is easier fighting monsters.

Written By Ferrando

Feb. 19, 2017, 6:37 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

The Old Oak Festival was a fine affair, with the very best of food, entertainment, and company. The Marquessa of Deepwood certainly put on an exemplary display of Crownlands hospitality and I am sure all the guests and refugees in attendance had their spirits well raised by the joy and laughter on the night.

It will also likely not surprise any readers of this journal that I won the pie-eating contest.

Written By Ferrando

Feb. 19, 2017, 6:18 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Pietro

I did not have any close personal associations with the valiant souls who were lost in action in the recent battles, save perhaps a small acquaintance with Lord Pietro Igniseri. His face was not uncommon to see around the training center, and his high spirits and good attitude towards combat practice made him a rather welcome sight whenever I chanced to meet him there. Our styles were oddly mismatched, and our lone spar of note resulted in a inconclusive affair to the point where we decided we'd had enough exercise and called it a draw. He will surely be missed, but his valor will not be forgotten.

Written By Cicero

Feb. 19, 2017, 6:15 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Awful poetry
Journals read to those Questioned
They shall talk right quick

Written By Cicero

Feb. 19, 2017, 6:14 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

A welcome surprise
Time with the best company
And already missed

Written By Edain

Feb. 19, 2017, 6:13 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Fiachra

Lord Fiachra is a man that I have come to call a friend. He's rode into battle with my sister and fought along side her. He has shown himself to me a man of honor and devotion. He is dedicated to his family the Greenmarch, to his liege the Telmar, and by extension his oath to the Valardin. He is also a damn fine archer and an excellent hunting companion.

I like him, even if he does occasionally send me a dispatch that makes me spit my tea.

Written By Luis

Feb. 19, 2017, 6:10 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

The wine from Granato, especially from 26 years ago, is a particular blend. It's conflicted in its tastes, just like the twins. I like that.

Written By Edain

Feb. 19, 2017, 5:52 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Eirlys

The strength of the Greenmarch is always something that surprises me. In my personal ignorance, I always assume that our differences are going to be rift that I will never truly bridge. But constantly I am proven wrong, and no one proved me more wrong than Lady Eirlys. We could not be more different, and yet on some of the most important things, we are in complete agreement. Loyalty to family, and being willing to fight for them.

She's also a hell of a fighter, she rode with me in the battle of Pridehall and protected my flank and saved my life more than once, and she has also beaten me from pillar to post in armed practice in the Telmar gauntlet. That's the kind of warrior you want to have your back when battle comes.

Written By Killian

Feb. 19, 2017, 5:51 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

So many losses, but none as profoundly hurtful to those i care about as the loss of the Igniseri twins. Pietro and Vincere were good men, good allies, and most of all beloved by those who knew them. My heart breaks every time I behold Cara and Ainsley, to see how they suffer for their loneliness and the pain of being torn away from the one that they loved. I pray the gods will grant them comfort from their pain, and justice against the ones who harmed them.

Written By Edain

Feb. 19, 2017, 5:35 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Nadia

When we lost Nadia Nightgold we lost one of our brightest ray's of light in all of the compact. She had a love for life that was nothing less than infectious. She was an ally and more importantly she was friend. Over the past year she would remind me often that I should take time to relax and enjoy this beautiful world we are part of. She'd always have ideas of things I should do, and I almost never found time to do any of them with her. There just always seemed like there would be time later.

Later never came.

She was a friend with a heart of honor, like greatest knights I ever knew, so I wanted to remember her as such.

My father had a tradition, would a knight in his service would fall, their arms and armor would be turned over to the knight's family, but my father would keep their spurs. In a small private ritual, he would bury the spurs in his chapel garden, a moment to those lost to battle in the most serene place he knew. I had a small pair of spurs made so I could honor Nadia's memory in the same way.

When I held them in my hand I started to turn them over and over, and I thought to myself how tiny and delicate they looked, just like Nadia. Then i promptly tore my thumb open with the point of one of the spurs. Again, just like Nadia, they looked small and delicate, but made of the strongest steel, the sharpest edges, and ready to humble you when you underestimate her.

Small, sharp and made of the strongest steel. That is how I will always remember my friend, Duchess Nadia Nightgold.

Written By Calliope

Feb. 19, 2017, 5:28 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Margot

It seems the new Duchess of Tyde more generous and gracious than I expected. She accepted my apology without reproach, and refrained from pressing her offer on me again. I do believe we may have found some common ground, some understanding. Perhaps the chance for a friendship is actually not as far as I'd thought? It remains to be seen.

Written By Owain

Feb. 19, 2017, 5:28 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Drea

Princess. Shaman. Wise Woman. We met in the Stone Grove and talked. I'm going to learn a lot from her. I know it.

Written By Owain

Feb. 19, 2017, 5:27 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Sigurd

Met the Nightgold lord in the Spirits Inn and then a couple days later at the training center. Best fight I've had in a very long time. Though he put me on my ass, it could have probably gone the other way around. Gives me incentive to practice all the harder so I can win a rematch.

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