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Written By Alarissa

Feb. 28, 2021, 2:46 p.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Sina

There was a time when you were a servant. A handmaiden to Thrax. You have served Princess' before you served the Gods. Most forget that before the Dominus, the Legates, Archlectors and godsworn gave of themselves to the Gods, they were aught else. It's strange to think of that.

It was strange to sit before you in your office with your mantle and remember the way you brushed my hair.

I have always prided myself on my ability to adapt. From Grayson to Valardin, from Valardin to Thrax. Without fail I have found my place, found the way to thrive. It was harder with Thrax. Without you, I do not know that I would have managed so as well as I presume that I have.

I remember with eyes closed, my hair in your hand and the comb going through it, you filling me in on the small nuances that came with this people. The expectations of the traditionalists, with that of the progressives. Of who in the house below the stairs to rely upon, who to watch, who was not getting their proper due. When you rubbed ungents on my skin to keep it soft and spoke to me of the house and how it ran before. Of life before Victus.

You were there for the painful victories and silver-tinged sorrows in my life. Of holding me in my grief when I asked one that I loved to sacrifice himself to ensure the return of another that I love. When it happened in truth instead of a possibility. It was your forehead pressed to mine and your fingers twisted in mine in the early hours of bringing the line of Thrax into the world and telling me it was okay to yell and yelling with me while knee deep in saltwater before the gods until he could get away from duty to take your place near the end of it all. You helped to take the pain and bear me through it.

You took the knife and split my breast to expose my heart when you told me your wish. You'd warned me. We'd talked about it in the late nights in the library after returning from obligations. You had warned me many times. And yet the knife. I begged him to let me the one that walked with you into the Cathedral and sever the oath to Thrax, see it reforged anew to the faith.

You were a thrall. You bought and earned your freedom and then you remained in the house to serve when you had every right to leave it and all that it represented behind. you served Donella before she left to stand at the side of Redrain. You turned to serve me when I came to stand at the side of Thrax.

You-

You are gone. This comb will be placed in the alcove. Beside the portrait of my brother, Vance's ribbon, Driskell's rum and the piece of marble from Darrow's statue. Knowing, it still hurts. I am sorry I could walk with you like we had before. But there were always paths that I took that you could not. Sometimes, we cannot walk them together.

I can only hope that I see you again, before it's my own turn to walk a road that cannot be walked with any other. I will make sure that my children know of the thrall who become the Archscholar and that nothing, is unobtainable if you have the will to see it through.

Written By Piccola

Feb. 28, 2021, 2:38 p.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

A jester is an officer attached to a household, whose business it was to amuse the court through ludicrous actions and utterances.

The jester was commonly called a fool, but the poets and romancers have ever delighted to represent him as a singularly wise and witty person. Their behavior is tolerated because the fool may claim license to criticize all and sundry without reprisal through their madness, which define them not fully a person and therefore not a sentient being with desires, ambitions, or marked intelligence. So the fool, therefore, is humorous where they are unaware of how their behavior makes us laugh or is unable to know what the joke actually is.

Being considered a fool therefore is a pitiable title for one born to nobility.

It is only by the deepest suffering that one acquires true authority in the use of the comic, an authority which by one word transforms as by magic the reasonable creature one calls man into a caricature. Humor, if we are to be serious about it, arises from the fact that we are all born into a losing struggle. Humor arises from an awareness that some things are really important, others not; but mostly that, whether important or not, most things end up on the deadly end of a spear. The more one suffers, the more has one a sense for the comic.

And nothing is more curious than the hostility that humor can excite in humorless times.

Written By Cufre

Feb. 28, 2021, 2:33 p.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

Never have I felt so touched by Jayus as these last few days. Which is saying a lot, when you think about my trade. Maybe it was the weather turning to colder days, when work slows and ideas can play.

I don't know, and I don't have to know. I'm thankful for it.

Written By Cambria

Feb. 28, 2021, 2:05 p.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

When people are prepared to cry in public, with the hope that it shall bring some advantage, the meaning of the gesture is devalued. Indeed, its sincerity will come into question, as does the sincerity of expressions of repentance when there is an obvious reward for expressing it.

Written By Jaenelle

Feb. 28, 2021, 1:58 p.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

I am related to almost everyone, so it is no surprise that when Princess Deva invited me to join her at the Valardin dinner, I agreed as the Valardin's favorite cousin that I am. Sometimes it is nice to be able to enjoy an event without hosting such.

Also if anyone speaks of shields and boats they are lying. Shield make terrible boats.

Written By Raymesin

Feb. 28, 2021, 1:25 p.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Sina

Archscholar Sina will be missed, although it would have been nicer, Scholar, if the person who was doing the aiming had missed.

She was with me on a venture out into the world, and she was one of the people who was very happy when I stabbed something in front of her; I don't know if she realised that she helped confirm my choice was the right one, but she did.

She's definitely going to be missed. Not least because she'd have been called on as a character witness if I need one.

Written By Shae

Feb. 28, 2021, 11:59 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

It was nice getting to go do something good with Kedehern, and Fia, getting rid of some slavers, and see the people they had captured free, and safe now.

Written By Duarte

Feb. 28, 2021, 11:55 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

It reminds me of a joke:

A Grayson prince walks in to a bar with an Oathlands noble. The Grayson knows three jokes: one about a Pravus, one about a Thrax and one about a mule. Which one does he tell?

Neither because he'd just be made to apologize.

Written By Shae

Feb. 28, 2021, 11:51 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

Goodness where has the time gone, one moment I was only around five months pregnant, and now... I look like I'm about to give birth any moment. Did we miss calculate the months? We must have, surely. Or I'm having twins again.

Written By Shae

Feb. 28, 2021, 11:48 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Amari

I'm glad we managed to find a little time to talk, and even have some tea and pastries. But more importantly to just talk, while it might not have been about recent losses and tragedies, or mentions of poisonings. It was of other topics, that matter a great deal as well. Ones we have been working on for quite some time, in fact. It was good to have a chance to discuss them, and formulate a plan so that we can continue to work and move forward on them. And it is always reassuring to know that you have another's support in your endeavors. Thank you for always being there to support me, and listen to me.

And if Marigold does decide to climb any trees, I'll come get her down for you.

Written By Kiera

Feb. 28, 2021, 11:35 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

Friends and family of house Valardin gathered for evening of food and fellowship, sharing stories of past exploits and jokes. It was an evening much needed and greatly appreciated. I hope I have not given away a closely guarded secret that members of the oathlands are not always stonefaced. Yet even our levity is a reminder that we stand together through it all

Written By Kiera

Feb. 28, 2021, 11:26 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

After the harrowing events of thest last weeks, it was nice to have some purely social visits at the ambassador Salon And Traders Tavern and meet new faces from the charming Crown Minister of coin Rook Champagne to the confident and knowledgeable Messere Raven. Princess Bridget's horse edmund nearly paid a visit to the tavern too

Written By Adrienne

Feb. 28, 2021, 11:05 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Varan

What madman kidnaps a baby? And what mother would not put him to the blade upon learning of it?

Written By Audgrim

Feb. 28, 2021, 10:29 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

I heard of Dame Ida's new diamondplate bow and went to admire it. Apparently I was making so big eyes at it, that Princess Viviana Pravus (whom, by the way, looks like a Crimson Danger in the leathers she's bought from me - quite stunning) - bought it.

And then she gave it to me.

I don't think I managed to utter anything intelligent in thanks. I'm still reeling from the generosity.

Written By Anisha

Feb. 28, 2021, 10:12 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

The People's Tournament is done with for 1014. It was a thrill - and exhausting. I've spent the last thirteen nights or so recovering. But so, so worth it. Thank you all who sponsored, witnessed, participated, and otherwise engaged with the tournament. Truly, it couldn't have been done without you.

For future records, then, the results of the People's Tournament of 1014

Wagon Run Winner: Lore Artiglio
Fishing Derby Decisive: Sailor Zakhar
Muddy Run Rapid: Sydney the Waterfall
Fist Fight Fantastic: Sydney the Waterfall

By Points:
Samira Culler in 5th Place (110 000)
Svana Grayhope in 4th Place (220 000)
Lore Artiglio in 3rd Place (330 000)
Savio Pontelaus in 2nd Place (450 000)
Sydney the Waterfall, Grand Winner (700 000)

And finally, the People's Choice, for quick wit and elegant spirit:
Savio Pontelaus (330 000, and a Crown).

Thank you all. Hopefully, there'll be another one of these soon enough.

Written By Viviana

Feb. 28, 2021, 9:38 a.m.(1/11/1015 AR)

Gave someone a Chance ...

Making that joke was so worth the coin spent.

Yes, Scholar, these are tears. Of amusement.

Written By Varan

Feb. 28, 2021, 2:42 a.m.(1/10/1015 AR)

Had a wonderful evening at the little party at the Grayson Estate. Though I do often prefer to be the centre of attention, even I in all my pomposity couldn't bring myself to spoil Liara's well-planned evening. I do need to brush up on my dancing, however, so as to avoid another particularly scandalous encounter with a member of the waitstaff. The good man didn't even spill a drop of whiskey, so if I find him again I must give him some nature of reward.

I enjoyed much quiet conversation, but never got the chance to bring out my most favourite joke, and so I will make you all endure it:

<It was the rare occasion that three children are born at a similar time and in the same building, and were forced to separate from their mothers for purposes of continued medical treatment. Upon the time of their release their fathers arrive to collect the children - the fathers being a Grayson, a Pravus, and a gentleman of the Eurusi.

The Grayson father enters first, as is his right, and soon emerges from the room with what is quite clearly the Eurusi child. The Eurusi gentleman quite rightly bristles at this and asks the Grayson what he thinks he's playing at. The Grayson shrugs his shoulders and says "One of those two in there is a Pravus, and I can't take that chance.">

Written By Marena

Feb. 27, 2021, 10:40 p.m.(1/10/1015 AR)

With war looming, I find myself traveling more than I expected. From Setarco, to Arx, to Caina, back to Setarco. Now I am returned to Arx, to help my cousin prepare for things to come.

Written By Tanith

Feb. 27, 2021, 8:33 p.m.(1/9/1015 AR)

Cold season brings in more customers. More than harvest time or festival days; it's consistent and often and everyone just wants to stay warm and remember the sun will come back, bringing with it spring and warmer days. But I swear to Death, it seems like some of these folk born of warmer climes whine more and more every year.

There's a fire in the hearth and furs to curl up under, just hang in there for a couple of months, it gets warmer. Failing that, try the new drink at the Murder, the Liquid Furnace. It'll burn all the way down and burn all the way out.

Written By Tanith

Feb. 27, 2021, 8:30 p.m.(1/9/1015 AR)

Gone again, the both of them, and I know if I'm cold here without them, at least they have each other. I hope they don't need the extra wool socks I packed for them, but they're there. I hope the pies don't go to waste, and yet I hope they have some left over. I'm hoping they come back to me, safe and sound, and I hope they know I love them, always.



It's really quite handy that there always seems to be drinks here, scholar. Is that for you lot, or for us?

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