Hearing this, the Archscholar nods solemnly to Rinel. "I see," she murmurs. "We can speak of it later, if you wish." Her assistant Jacinthe coughs to get her attention. It's time. Sina nods her head, and gives Rinel an encouraing look. Then she's making her way over toward the teacher's desk, glancing about one last time to make sure everything is settled. It's probably not perfect, but it will do. "I'm not sure if anyone will actually show up," she says with a little grin toward Rinel. "But I thought I would try to carry on Mother Bianca's tradition." She seats herself then, at the desk, waiting to see who arrives.

Merek walks to the Academy and also finds a place to settle in and relax. It would seem that he's wearing his cloak with a hood up.

Rinel is scribbling away in some journals, muttering to herself. "Etiquette nobles who even /cares/ not like I meant anything--" trailing off into indiscernable grumbles. Someone brings her tea. Her mood improves mariginally.

2 Redrain Guards arrives, following Helena.

As Merek arrives, Sina glances toward him, and gives a dip of her head in greeting, even while trying to peer into the hood. She recognizes that fireweave scarf, however! "Senior Scholar Merek! How pleasant for you to join us. It's been some time." For now, she's just sitting there at the teacher's desk, waiting to see if anyone else will arrive. Her assistants bring her some finger snacks and tea as well. Acolytes will bring food to any who ask, or people are free to go to the table and help themselves as they wish.

Renn, the mousy, scholarly brunette, Anya, the cool as an ice cube Champion apprentice arrive, following Caspian.

Entering with wet hems of cloak and gown, because Helena rarely takes carriages anywhere, Helena smiles brightly when she enters the Academy. "Hello! Praise Vellichor," she says cheerfully. "I was just visiting the new little lord Greenmarch. He is quite charming and going to be brilliant, it's clear as day on his tiny little face." She moves to one of the desks to set down the journal and quill she's brought with her for the occasion.

At the moment, Sina is seated at the teacher's desk, and things are pretty quiet while people still straggle in. Some Scholars are already seated among the desks, quietly writing in their journals. Acolytes are there, not yet full Scholars, bringing anything anyone wants from the tables, or others may simply go to the tables and take a plateful of food back to their desk. The Archscholar nibbles on a finger sandwich while she waits to see if anyone else arrives, an air of anticipation about her. She seems in a good mood, animated and enthusiastic. As Helena arrives, Sina beams a smile at the Princess. "Oh? How exciting! It's always a joy when a new bundle of life is brought into the world. Welcome, and thank you for joining us," she adds, before she motions to one of her assistants. She murmurs something to the dour man, who nods, and leaves.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Rinel before departing.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Rinel before departing.

Dame Tommelisa Thistlefur, Wilhelm the Iron Messenger arrive, following Sparte.

"Praise Vellichor indeed!" Calls out Caspian to the crowd as he walks in soon after Helena, giving a smile to the group as he enters, moving to take a seat at the nearest chair and leans back. "How's it going, everyone? Anyone? Anyone writing anything scandalous in thier journals?"

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Rinel before departing.

"Mind your own business, Caspian Wild," Rinel says mildly. "I've heard about the romance novels scattered about the Champion--/what/?!" she yells, as yet another messenger comes to deliver a missive. "I haven't /done/ anything--oh, it's not your fault. Look, have some tea. Or booze. Food. I know it's cold out. Yes, you're very helpful." The frightened messenger goes to snack while Rinel reads her letter with a grumble.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Rinel before departing.

Sparte slips in, catching the shout from Rinel and pausing in the entrance. He looks behind himself, then back at the gathering, weighing the option of backing out before anyone notices him.

"Thank you," says Helena with a laugh, glancing over her shoulder to lift a brow at Caspian. "Not that I would have anyone read, of course," she says, but pulls out her black journal to wave at him a bit. "Perhaps there's something scandalous in here, but the world shall never know." She glances over to Rinel as the woman shouts, her eyes widening a little, before her gaze follows after the poor messenger. "I'm usually so happy to get messages, myself," she says blithely, before smirking at Sparte. She won't tell if he runs away.

"You can blame Lady Isabetta for those novels," responds Caspian to Rinel with an amused grin given her way. "Also, you need to relax one of these days." And sorry Sparte, Caspian notices you, and he gives you a wave! "Hey there Sparte! How's it goin'?"

As more arrive, Sina wipes her mouth with a napkin, and then rises to her feet, beaming a smile to Caspian as well. "Welcome, Caspian," she says warmly. She completely ignores the comment about scandalous journal entries. She glances around, eyeing Rinel briefly, before looking to see who else might be here. "Well," she says, eyeing many empty seats, "It is quite a bit of a smaller crowd than I would have liked, but we will have to make do. We'll start off with a prayer, I think, once everyone is seated. Then I have a few announcements, and I thought I'd make this an opportunity for anyone who has something they wish to bring forward to the Scholars for research, assistance, or investigation."

There's a significant pause, while she waits for everyone to be seated. There are a few younger Scholars who hurry to their seats, then look more attentive. Then she bows her head, and gives the prayer.



"Vellichor, in your enlightened name we pray:

Enlarge our understanding of this world;
Let us see it.
Steady us when we stand before the unknown;
Let us know it.
Edify our minds, our hearts, our wits;
Let us remember it.

We bend our knee and receive your truth,
We open our ears and receive your counsel,
We open our eyes an receive your words.
We open our heart and receive your wisdom."

Once she has finished the prayer, Sina's head remains bowed for a moment longer in some silent prayer of her own, and then she lifts her gaze. She glances toward the doorway briefly, seeing Sparte. She offers him a smile, waiting for conversations to die down again. She's got a few things to announce, but her demeanor is patient.

Rinel takes the time to pray. She is calm. Cool. Composed. Absolutely in control of herself.

Then she sees yet /another/ messenger coming for her and throws up her arms in disgust. "Excuse me a moment," she says to nobody in particular, and stalks off.

Caspian remains quiet for the prayer, his work of keeping Sparte here is done, so he doesn't need to say anymore, though he does give a wave to Sina after she is done her prayer, "Long time no talk to, Sina. I didn't thank you for your letter after Bashira's death, it's good to know people cared."

"Non omnis moriar," Rinel intones quietly, her head lowered at the mention of the lost shaman.

Sparte remains standing where he is, taking off his helmet and holding it under one arm when Sina prays. Ducking out during a prayer would've been doubly poor form. Once she is finished Sparte slowly makes his way over to a seat, giving Caspian a nod as he settles without comment.

Helena sits and lowers her head, looking up again once the prayer is over. She's still new and so still curious, having not been to many of the Scholarly events. Caspian's words earn him another solemn look of sympathy from Helena, who returns her gaze to Sina for the announcements to come.

As Caspian addresses her, and speaks of Bashira, a shadow passes briefly across her features, and she inclines her head. "The few times I met her, she seemed a kindly person," she says quietly. "I only wish I had gotten to know her better. My condolences, once again, though... from what I hear, she went a hero." She glances over to Rinel at her words, and bows her head in agreement with those ancient draconic words. "Non omnis moriar," she intones solemnly. Her eyes glimmer just a little, making them seem even more silvery than usual, before she turns her gaze back to Caspian. "Her memory will not be forgotten. She will live on in our hearts, and in the Grove of Renewal, where I understand a sapling now stands in her memory, along with that of Shaman Cybele." How she feels about Shamanism, she doesn't say, but she speaks out of respect for both of them. "Quite the miracle that," she murmurs, almost as an afterthought.

She pauses for a time, waiting a moment to gather herself once more, and then she smiles once more. "So, to the announcements. The first is that I'm pleased to announce that the bookshelves that will replace the ones in the Stacks have been finished, and have been installed. I currently have assigned an army of Scholars to ensure that all of the books are chained so that they do not walk off or rearrange themselves, and to make sure that the entire Archive is in order. Who knows how much knowledge has been lost, simply because books have been mis-shelved?" She beams a smile. "We have Mistress Adora of Bell Bookcases and Cabinets to thank for these. While the cost for the replacement of all of the bookshelves was high, I believe it worth it for the quality of the shelving. They will last for hundreds of years, and they are beautiful. I encourage everyone to go and see them, in the Great Archive, when you have the chance."

Sina puts a Sina in there somewhere.

"So that is why Atreke looks as proud as a cat who's gotten into the cream," Rinel murmurs thoughtfully to herself. "Organizing all those books... dear Gods. She said she was in charge of the scribes writing the catalogue cards." There's a brief silence. "Poor scribes."


"Lovely," says Helena, impish smirk turning her lips upward at the corners. "Mistress Adora is quite the craftswoman. I am sure they are beautiful and well made. A worthy vessel to hold the wisdom of the ages. I Look forward to looking at them." The books themselves are more what she cares about, of course, but a bookshelf in itself can be a beautiful item as well.

Merek eats at some food while he listens to others, drinking his tea. He doesn't seem too interested in conversation, although he does actually give people smiles on occasion.

"Now if only her personality was as marvalous as her craftsmanship," Chimes in Caspian shamelessly, giving a shrug of his shoulders

Sparte takes in a quick breath at what Caspian says, pointedly distracting himself by fiddling with the top of his helmet and clamping his mouth very shut.

Rinel checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Rinel sends a wad of paper sailing through the air at Caspian. "Keep it to the journals."

Caspian checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 16, rolling 21 higher.

Sina checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Caspian's quip makes Helena snicker, though she ducks her smirk behind a hand and tries to mask it as a cough. It's cold season, after all.

The Archscholar grins at Rinel's comments, but she doesn't linger on them. She glances at Helena, and dips her head in agreement. "It is going to be quite a long process, getting everything organized. But, this leads me into my next announcement, in that we will also be refurbishing the Academy. New desks, new places for teachers to take students aside for more one-on-one attention. And Rinel has offered to help with architectural improvements and research, to improve the structure, and find ways to heat the place better." She adjusts her sleeves a moment, clearing her throat slightly at Caspian's words, then continues. "This will be quite an extensive project, and if anyone would like to assist, please see my assistant Jacinthe, and we will sign you up for the project." She gives Rinel a /look/ on seeing the paper-wad throwing.

The paper is caught by Caspian in mid-air, giving a little grin to Rinel and a waggle of his finger. But he quiets down so that Sina can continue with her announcements.

Sparte's corner of his mouth quivers a moment, attention shifting to study a spot on the ceiling as he takes a long pause to keep his composure relatively in order. Or his lack of it at least undistruptive. When he gets himself to where he can speak again there is just a bit of a grin still. "Archscholar, has there yet been any interested and qualified candidates for the position of Magister? This seems as though it would be a good way for those interested in the role to prove their dedication. That is, if it wasn't filled already when I wasn't paying attention."

Sina clears her throat slightly, and continues her announcements. "On account of her completion of her penance, as assigned by Mother Bianca," she goes on to say, "Scholar Rinel is hereby officially reinstated to the rank of Senior Scholar. May she carry the responsibility with wisdom and dignity," she finishes, eyeing Rinel and putting a stress on the words 'wisdom' and 'dignity'. "Aside from this, we have several outstanding petitions for assistance. Senior Scholar pro tempore Sparte Fatchforth" quite the mouthful "is still leading a research project on Aion. Countess Mia Riven seeks information about the Sylv'alfar. Princess Nuala Redrain would like to know about the Rex'alfar. Scholar Vitalis Mazetti is seeking teachers on a variety of subjects. Senior Scholar Rinel seeks assistance in researching the warring tribes of the Oathlands. Lady Armani Gilden seeks treasure in the deep seas, and Lady Monique Greenmarch seeks field scholars to assist with her efforts to find dwarves. Finally," she finishes, "Lady Teagan Blackram seeks admission to the ranks of the Scholars. If anyone can assist with these petitions, please be sure to sign up," she says with a smile.

As Sparte asks his question about the Magister position, Sina inclines her head slightly. "That is another matter I wished to touch upon. We still are looking for a new Magister. Interviews continue for this. If anyone is interested, please reach out to myself and Delilah. This will be the last call for Magister interviews." She draws a breath, letting it out, and says, "And that's all I have for announcements. If anyone has anything else they would like to bring up or discuss, feel free to do so. Otherwise, let us enjoy our feast, in honor of Vellichor." She finally sits down at her desk, and takes a sip of the warm tea that has been placed at her elbow by Jacinthe.

Rinel blushes a little at Sina's gentle remonstrance. "Erm... what of Prelate, Archscholar?" she asks. "The position has been empty since Driskell... left."

While Sina speaks her announcements, there's a scribe nearby, to mark down her words for any Scholars who missed the feast. When Rinel asks about the position of Prelate, Sina glances in her direction, and her eyes take on a solemn look. "Except for the perhaps two months I held the position, before I was elevated by the Dominus to succeed Mother Bianca as Archscholar, you are correct," she says, her expression taking on a thoughtful mien. "The Prelate position is a special one, and I would prefer that it be filled only by a Godsworn Scholar. So far, I have not found any qualified enough to fill the role."

Sparte glances over to Rinel, then Helena, then Merek, eyes passing across each of them in thought before he looks to the table in front of him. "Well, one dozen things at a time I suppose."

2 Redrain Guards have been dismissed.

Sina grins at Sparte's comment, but she doesn't seem like she's at all perturbed or burdened by the heaps of responsibility on her shoulders. She seems to be taking it all in stride, with an energy and calm and a light of purpose about her. "A dozen things at a time, and then some," she agrees. Her eyes light up, then she adds, "That reminds me! One more announcement," she says, rising to her feet, "Sparte is working on a project as well, which we are calling Vellichor's Renewal. If you have questions about that, please reach out to him." She pauses a moment, thoughtfully, then on seeming impulse, she adds, "And speaking of Scholar Sparte, I want to commend him for his dedication, his steadfast work, and his many projects. He has so many projects, that it's impossible for me to even keep track of them. Because of his many projects," she says brightly, "and the progress he has made in his research, I hereby name him a fully ranked Senior Scholar as well." She beams a smile at Sparte.

Sparte's eyebrows shoot up at that as his head snaps towards Sina. "Ah-we-th-huh, I mean thank you Blessed Sina."


"Congratulations!" calls out Helena to those earning higher status and accolades from the Archscholar. "Even if I did defeat you in the field of battle," she says with a grin toward Sparte, picking up her quill to flourish in his direction. "I do feel honored to be among so many great minds. I am still feeling my way about but please do let me know if you need a tiny scholar's assistance."

Rinel laughs in delight. "Welcome to the fold, Sparte," she says warmly. "Now you get access to our special broom cupboard where I keep all my extra canes."

Merek makes his way on towards the main city while he shifts his cloak about him!

Sina beams at Sparte, and inclines her head. "You've earned it a dozen times over, as far as I am concerned," she says, a bit more solemnly. She glances over to Helena, and offers the Princess a warm smile. "There is much to do, and you're welcome to reach out if you need any assistance in turn. I know it can be a bit overwhelming, epsecially without a Magister to guide the Academy officially. Since we have no Magister, I'm taking on those duties right now. So if you need anything, your Highness, please let me know." She dips her head, and then smiles at Rinel with a little grin. "And now that's really all I have," she says, before resuming her seat once again gracefully. She nibbles on a cookie Jacinthe sneaked onto her plate, and picks up her quill to write something down.

Caspian gives applause for Sparte, because he deserves it! "Good job Sparte. Everyone seems to rely on you. Must suck being so reliable."

Sparte nods, furrows his brow, then nods again as he blinks a few times rapidly. "Right. I... Thank you. I feel odd saying this now, but, well, I've already agreed to assist Lady Monique with her investigation, as she has made it clear it is an attempt to right her relationship with the faith." Sparte takes a moment to stick out his tongue at Caspian, then continues. "So I'd like to invite her here, for another session of questions and answers with the scholars. All who wish to come amongst the scholars are welcome."

As Sparte mentions Lady Monique's project, Sina inclines her head slightly. "I'll leave you in charge of that research then, if you wish, Senior Scholar Sparte," she says, "and you can recruit any you wish to assist her. I enjoy the idea of your sessions, for those who come to us seeking knowledge. I hope that others will be encouraged to do so." She nibbles on the cookie in her hand, and glances around. Some Scholars are writing in their journals, some listening, maybe some are dozing after their warm cider. "I think we can officially adjourn, but I'll linger here a while, in case anyone wants to talk about anything." She peers over at the food table then, and murmurs something to Jacinthe, who goes to fetch her a honey-drizzled pastry of some sort.


With the announcements over, Helena settles in to write a little bit in her journal, before closing it and moving by the table to snag a cookie or two. She waves to those still present before pulling her cloak around her, donning its hood, and setting back out once again into the snowy cold outside.

2 Redrain Guards leaves, following Helena.