Written By
Silas
Sept. 26, 2016, 5:09 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Samantha
Samantha and I go some ways back. My mother was a servant under House Deepwood for most of her adult life, only leaving the Marquessa's service to start her own family, and she continued to correspond with her up until she was slain. Old Oak were always somber affairs thereafter, I imagine, but I enjoyed goofing off with her and I like to believe I gave her some fragments of a normal childhood.
She has since blossomed into a woman any parent could be proud of. I hope the harsher truths of the city do not make her cynical, but if there's anyone who can continue to hold their head high hardship after hardship, it's Lady Samantha Deepwood.
Written By
Silas
Sept. 26, 2016, 3:53 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
The Fencing Competition went better than I could have anticipated. A handful of fighters may be interested, I thought, but no - three princes voiced their interest and participated. There were a couple of last-minute entries, too, including the lone Grayson representative: the prodigal Master Viktarkim, who has managed to ingratiate himself with members of the royal family. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about that, but his participation on our behalf speaks well for him.
But I confess I misspelled his name on the parchment more than once.
Lady Dawn and Lord Tobias Telmar agreed to my invitation to be judges, the latter of which impressed me with his observations. I favored Prince Fergus Redrain to win, while he seemed to favor Prince Dagon Thrax after watching his first match; they ended up in first and second places respectively. Lady Lydia Nightgold joined us without a formal invitation, but I didn't see any harm in it, so it was allowed. Sir Stride wasn't terribly fond of the arrangement - he was supposed to be the third and final judge - but he can deal with it.
House Velenosa and it's vassals made up half of the competition - not at all surprising - but none claimed the top three spots. I wonder if their overconfidence sometimes gets the better of them. I suspect Prince Edain is feeling fairly good about a few of his performances. He ought to!
I think I enjoy participating in these events more than running them, simply due to how much scribbling and constant multi-tasking it entails (something I contend my siblings were always better at), but I am elated that both the participants and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed the competition. In a sense it was more enlightening than an all-out melee.
Lady Sylphie contacted me shortly afterward to inquire about my carpentry services, having been informed of them by Mistress Joscelin. The project seems to involve an entire manor. Let us hope Jayus is kind to me in the coming weeks.
Sept. 26, 2016, 3:29 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Kima
(There is an absolutely scandalous drawing on this page, it appears to be a woman wearing a necklace; -just- a necklace)
Don't blush, scholar. You'll have your book back in just a moment.
Also? The next time I come back, these pages better not be stuck together, if you know what I mean.
Sept. 26, 2016, 1:57 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Isolde was right.
Written By
Cara
Sept. 26, 2016, 1:29 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Valkieri
My dear brother! After Zaccheri's death, I worry for him so. I hope I can be of some help to him; perhaps it will aid in taking my mind away from my own troubles.
Written By
Aria
Sept. 26, 2016, 1:26 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
People tell me I wish to be a Baroness. Perhaps I do. What of it, if I do the work well and see my people fed and clothed, come to Court as the situation demands, and offer service to my Liege Lord. It isn't as if I have gotten of this anything I did not have already.
Truthfully, it is a lot of work. That's why I told my Uncle I would serve in his stead as Voice in Arx. I wanted a challenge... And what a challenge it is. Half of it numbers upon endless numbers until I think my eyes will bleed. The other half of it dealing with people.
Which dress to wear to whose party and which drinks to take when. It's enough to make me want to tear the braids from my hair and stamp upon it or light fire to my silk dresses.
Not the emerald one. I look good in green.
Written By
Aria
Sept. 26, 2016, 1:12 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Eos
What to say of Eos? I knew his poor, lovely Rosalynn well when I was younger. He's always been somewhat more dour but I've loved caring for their son, Vomas, when time has seen fit to bring us to the same place. He's come back from his war and I can only hope he's found some peace.
Written By
Aria
Sept. 26, 2016, 12:55 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Salazar
The boy from across the straits. Next in line to be a Marquis? Do we, the Lycene, even have Marquis? Well, I suppose the Argento do rule over a March of sorts. Oh, whatever. He's got a roguish sort of charm and an adventurous spirit, which means he's always up to ill-advised things. We grew up together. A good man at heart. Good enough, at least.
Written By
Aria
Sept. 26, 2016, 12:55 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Salazar
The boy from across the sea. Next in line to be a Marquis? Do we, the Lycene, even have Marquis? Well, I suppose the Argento do rule over a March of sorts. Oh, whatever. He's got a roguish sort of charm and an adventurous spirit, which means he's always up to ill-advised things. We grew up together. A good man at heart. Good enough, at least.
Sept. 26, 2016, 12:06 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Acacia
I refuse to call a person clumsy based on a tiny, minor, insignificant incident on the night that you meet them. I mean, that was probably the first time she'd ever dropped anything in her life, so who am I to judge? That's just not the polite way to go about business. Besides, I think she is responsible for the Duke paying for my liquor. So, in my eyes, she is the epitome of grace.
Sept. 26, 2016, 12:04 a.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Niccolo
I didn't embarrass myself or my family in front of the Duke, and he bought me a drink. I figure if that doesn't spell a good night all around, I don't know what does.
Sept. 25, 2016, 11:37 p.m.(9/5/1004 AR)
Just because a tavern is the first place a lady wanders after arriving to town doesn't mean that she has a problem with liquor. It's a perfectly reasonable place to discover the character of a new city. And if one just so happens to enjoy a glass or three of whiskey while trying to get a feel for a place, then what is the harm in that?
Sept. 25, 2016, 11:22 p.m.(9/4/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Cara
I am relieved beyond measure to have my sister returned to the city.
Sept. 25, 2016, 11:02 p.m.(9/4/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Viktarkim
A tall, tattooed Prodigal in the service of House Grayson. I found him practicing his sword work in the middle of the Grayson estate gardens, which is not perhaps the practice ring I'd have chosen. I believe he hails from out west, beyond the Oathlands. Perhaps I'll take him drinking sometime soon, and try to learn a bit more of the culture and history from his homeland. You never know where you might find your next clue to lead into an interesting expedition.
Sept. 25, 2016, 10:59 p.m.(9/4/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Nadia
Truth be told, I almost pity Nadia in some ways. That may seem strange to say about a Duchess, but politics are their own form of shackle; if I were ever to inherit Ashford, Gods forbid, I'd have to give up my adventuring and focus on the hold. I'd lose much—if not all—of the freedom I currently enjoy.
And of course it's pleasant to spend time with one's family; I always enjoy visiting the Nightgolds, whether here in the city or on my journeys through the Northlands.
But I'd be lying if I said at least part of why I make a point of bringing them stories from my travels wasn't to allow my cousin a chance to travel the world, even if only vicariously.
Sept. 25, 2016, 10:40 p.m.(9/4/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Kima
Lady Kima is a terror with a sword, from what I've seen; I'd love the opportunity to cross my blade with hers, though I suspect she would outmatch me. We haven't had much chance to speak, but just from watching her fight, she's the sort of fighter I'd love to have at my side the next time I find myself dealing with a pack of direwolves that have made their den in some pre-Reckoning tomb.
Sept. 25, 2016, 10:38 p.m.(9/4/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Eos
Lord Eos seems pleasant enough; not a fighter on the level of his sister Lady Kima, but he has enough skill with the blade to likely make an interesting sparring partner, and enough interest in travel and history to make an engaging drinking partner. Besides, it never hurts to have a few more Lycene friends, the next time my travels take me through the Lyceum.
Sept. 25, 2016, 10:35 p.m.(9/4/1004 AR)
It's strange, really, that a city as large as Arx can feel so claustrophobic. But spend enough time out there in the world, where there are places you can stand and look out to the horizon without seeing another living soul, and any walls start to seem too confining.
But for all that I'd rather be tracking that ruin out on the western edge of the Oathlands, it's more important to be here right now, with all the unrest going on. To support both my house and the Graysons.
Still, I find myself standing on the city walls, looking towards the horizon, and I'm already restless. I need to find *something* to keep myself occupied, or these walls will slowly close in on me.
Sept. 25, 2016, 10:25 p.m.(9/4/1004 AR)
I'm rarely glad that I left Farhaven to come to this city, particularly with all the tragedy that surrounds me. I'm comfortable in the South, but I miss the cold hard of the North, the familiarity of it all. Needless to say, there are far too many weeks when I join in Deva's longing for home, even though I know my place is here for the moment.
And then there are weeks like this one, where that homesickness is the furthest thing from my mind, and I think perhaps this place could become quite familiar too. I hope for more weeks like this one.
Sept. 25, 2016, 10:16 p.m.(9/4/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on
Donrai
The Prince of Maelstrom is not someone I have come to meet face to face. Not yet at least. We are but two passing ships in the night who occasionally share correspondence. He is the embodiment of House Thrax; unrelenting, unyielding, wickedly cruel.
It is a fine line of desiring those qualities in a lover or wanting those qualities for myself.