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Written By Valery

Dec. 29, 2016, 6:14 p.m.(7/8/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Cassius

Each time Lord Cassius needs to talk to me, he's always angry or annoyed, and it's never for anything I've done, just something he thinks I did...
He scares me.

And he didn't even mention if the tea worked...

Written By Eirene

Dec. 29, 2016, 6:11 p.m.(7/8/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Felix

He's so damn cheerful. It's like all the grumpiness and gristle of every other Thraxian in Arx got turned inside out and he's the exact opposite. It's refreshingly amusing.

'Hey, a Thraxian smithy is going to install a ballista in our courtyard, we good?' That'd go over like a... ballista bolt to the eye.

Written By Isolde

Dec. 29, 2016, 5:50 p.m.(7/8/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Aislin

Lady Aislin is a curious woman, and I find I like her very much. She asks fantastic questions and is the perfect person to chat with, if you want to look at the world from a new perspective. I worry for her, though, and wonder what her particular game is. (Note: Game in the general sense, not, necessarily, intrigue, though... I would not rule that out.)

Written By Isolde

Dec. 29, 2016, 5:49 p.m.(7/8/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Anze

A cousin of Darren's, brother to Freja and Fergus, and very similar to them both. A touch rougher (though don't let Fergus hear me say that. He may get jealous), but extremely thoughtful and engaging, especially on matters of spirits and religion. I rather like the man, even if his obsession with snow is a touch... worrisome.

Written By Samantha

Dec. 29, 2016, 2:12 p.m.(7/8/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Rymarr

I believe the reason so many women find him attractive is because he is so stoic. The allure is the prospect of being singular in making him smile, and knowing one is special for that. It speaks to a woman's desire, and her sense of challenge.

I enjoy making him smile. But I also enjoy his bearing, his dedication, his intelligence, his earnestness, his patience, and his sensibilities of justice, fairness, and honor.

Written By Samantha

Dec. 29, 2016, 2:07 p.m.(7/8/1005 AR)

"You are a daisy in a field of dandelions."

That is what he said.

Written By Killian

Dec. 29, 2016, 1:37 p.m.(7/8/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Ainsley

Gabriel's Nephew, was in training with Killian as Squires.

Written By Eirene

Dec. 29, 2016, 10:50 a.m.(7/8/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Anze

Who knew a drinking contest could lead to such a bizarre friendship?

Well, I did. Honestly most of my closest friends were made over alcohol and trying to forget our soldiering for a few hours.

The fucker better not spill this latest round of confidential discussion. No matter how hard I may want to hit him I can't do jack shit against those muscles.

Even if it means freezing my scrawny ass off, I will someday see his lands and try to find the beauty in them. He loves it. You can see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice. Such pride; as much as I have for my ladies and lads in the unit.

Written By Faye

Dec. 29, 2016, 8:02 a.m.(7/7/1005 AR)

It is refreshing to be back in Arx and back upon solid ground. The Saffron Chain may be as beautiful as Prince Laric Grayson insisted, but the taste of bile is not likely to leave my tongue ever again. The sea is made to be admired from afar.

It has been some time, but familiarity will return. I shall need to replace some equipment.

Written By Agnarr

Dec. 29, 2016, 6:39 a.m.(7/7/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Tristram

Not a bad shot, but archery skill cannot fully overcome poor tactics.

Written By Juliet

Dec. 29, 2016, 5:38 a.m.(7/7/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Anze

If you live up to the banter of your letters, Prince Anze, then I have every expectation that you shall be an exciting new friend.

Written By Serafine

Dec. 29, 2016, 4:22 a.m.(7/7/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Leta

Had a long winded discussion about weapons and bladework in the Grotto with Leta this evening, after a failed attempt to pair fight two other fighters.

It was a good learning experience (the fight), and an intriguing meeting (at the Grotto).

I hope the others didn't find us rude, but honestly, I didn't notice much beyond Leta.

What a remarkable person. I look forward to seeing her again.

Written By Darrow

Dec. 29, 2016, 3:39 a.m.(7/7/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Victus

I feel like a rock, pounded by the sea waves.

Ouch.

Written By Ferrando

Dec. 29, 2016, 3:31 a.m.(7/7/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Agnarr

I happened to encounter the Redrain housecarl in a training match. He's not very talkative but seems like a good straightforward fellow. It's a little fuzzy when I try to recall more detail, however. I should endeavor to not intercept that padded greatsword of his with my helmet in any future sparring engagements.

Written By Julea

Dec. 29, 2016, 3:06 a.m.(7/7/1005 AR)

iv.
I wasn’t dead. But by the time I realised this, a small part of me wished I was.

A one-eyed blink, and a blood stained sledgehammer stopped just shy of my face, brought abruptly to a halt by a singular ruling and I was granted clemency that ended with his severed head in my lap. “This is not allowed.” He sung his sweet song, and they followed with the chorus, matching his steps, his words. Words, they were everywhere. spilled from the mouths of my once-friends, once-family, once-lovers. I told them not to speak. But they didn’t listen and their words covered my face until I could pair-see the world once more. “You will remember me,” the Minstrel sung.

I was lugged around with no more decorum than a sack of potatoes and with that backwards view, I watched it burn till the image faded leaving just the blackened husks of three trunks. And standing between them, I saw the man I knew as my father standing before them. “I will remember you,” I whisper-promised back to that Minstrel.



v.

Three days of travelling down Grays River, and I hit the ground, two tribes of Shavs clashing noisily around me. I lay forgotten face down in the mud and a third group of non-Shavs joined in the frenzy but I had no eyes for them, only the glint of red steel held by one of my captors near by. A sharpened buckle on my boot and I was free, wiggling my hands from the cords.

I retrieved both of them, and they paid the price in blood. Church had kept his word, he was there and he saw me. And this time when I fought the Shavs, I was not alone and the outcome would be very different. Red steel glistened terrifyingly in a flash of lightning, the storm that raged above us reflecting with my own singing fury. Kukri struck the Shav just below the ear, the power and the velocity of the blow enough to shear straight through flesh, gristle and bone.

The Shav’s head fell forward and began to bounce hideously down the bank of the Gray, unspooling a splattered red trail over pebbles and landing with a plunk in the swift flowing waters. The decapitated body hung lifeless for what seemed like an eternity, before it slumped to the side, collapsing on itself in a geyser of blood. My heart pounded with the intensity of the battle, but there was to be reprieve and another took his place as I fought hard to shed the ground between us.

The beauty of my Kukri is in it’s ability to adapt. It not only chops, but pierces, slashes, and even smashes when force is focused with the back edge of the blade. The long narrow distal point, in the right hands, can be driven through thick hide and tough skin. And the hands of mine were the right ones. She performed beautifully and I utilised every aspect of her.

“You’re late.” I was breathless and that was all the words I could muster.

Written By Julea

Dec. 29, 2016, 2:08 a.m.(7/6/1005 AR)

iii.
I raised Kukri, aiming a mortal cut to his neck; but did not have the reach, and the Shav returned it at full swing, landing a tremendous blow on my cheek bone and brow and made a red rain of that side of my face as I went down. I could hear their shouts, the roar of triumph as the wave of fortune rolled tumultuously from me to him.

I got up with a ghostly smile, one side of my face perfectly sanguine, my right eye closed as I advanced back to the fight, just as determined. Our blades crossed paths and not receiving another remembrancer I went at it with my former impetuosity, but in vain at first. Weakened, he was easily able to ward off the strikes, or draw back out of reach. There was no cautiousness, no half-hits. No finesse, no art in this kind of fighting. It was brutal.

I lunged for him, using a concentrated blow with the back of the blade to smash his face and for a moment he was suspended and it was uncertain whether he would retaliate before he fell back, hands flung up in the air, and his bloody sword hits a spot of virgin grass. All traces of life and of natural expression were gone from him. His face spouted blood and everything was red.

It was over, for both of us. One more of them fell before they overwhelmed me and everything went black but not before I glimpsed something, or rather someone: A Minstrel ruling the Shav tribes.

--------------------------------- I need a moment. This next bit is important.

Written By Cai

Dec. 29, 2016, 2:01 a.m.(7/6/1005 AR)

07/06/1005

I forgot how I need to remind myself that I need to stop getting my hopes up.

There will always be a better options than you.

Move on, get over it, and focus on your task at hand.

Written By Agnarr

Dec. 29, 2016, 1:18 a.m.(7/6/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Cai

Needs some practice with courtship, might be, not swordsmanship.

Written By Agnarr

Dec. 29, 2016, 1:18 a.m.(7/6/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Ferrando

The mace hurt, but not enough.

Written By Silas

Dec. 29, 2016, 12:17 a.m.(7/6/1005 AR)

Looks like I'm going to have to catch a dog.

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