Written By Lydia
June 17, 2017, 7:43 p.m.(9/3/1006 AR)
Okay. I figured it out, Scholars.
Oh, I've done so many wrong things. Spoken the wrong things. Pushed people away and shut myself up like a spiky little hedgehog curled up into a ball. Afraid. Too many blushes and blind judgements. I'm not a shrinking violet anymore.
I thought about it, about Nadia, and I'm writing this down to get it out and be done. I can't be caught up in my own thoughts like I'm still a Lady. I'm not. I have other important responsibilities, other complicated problems that affect more than just me. I can't be self-involved on the level I was --
I'm not sure how long it's going to take to change. But I'm choosing to start today.
Oh, I've done so many wrong things. Spoken the wrong things. Pushed people away and shut myself up like a spiky little hedgehog curled up into a ball. Afraid. Too many blushes and blind judgements. I'm not a shrinking violet anymore.
I thought about it, about Nadia, and I'm writing this down to get it out and be done. I can't be caught up in my own thoughts like I'm still a Lady. I'm not. I have other important responsibilities, other complicated problems that affect more than just me. I can't be self-involved on the level I was --
I'm not sure how long it's going to take to change. But I'm choosing to start today.
Written By Lydia
June 16, 2017, 9:09 p.m.(9/1/1006 AR)
I really thought that someone would have been brave (reckless, foolish, daring, or game) enough to answer that advertisement. It's not that I'm afraid to attend without an escort, but, I really did wish to make an entrance.
I know that I must sound so silly, Scholar.
This is what you get until I feel comfortable with sharing my deeper thoughts.
I know that I must sound so silly, Scholar.
This is what you get until I feel comfortable with sharing my deeper thoughts.
Written By Lydia
June 15, 2017, 10:48 p.m.(8/27/1006 AR)
There's only so much procrastinating, so much avoiding, so much head burrowing beneath the pillows that I can do before I really must come to terms with the fact that I need to start writing in my Journal again. Only, the moment I try to think of putting all the words down - they flee.
Written By Lydia
March 4, 2017, 8:44 a.m.(1/11/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Magden
Well! This is a truly sad turn of events. I do not mean the rumors of the king possibly waking. That would be glorious news indeed! I mean the news concerning Magden.
For whatever role my own actions played in driving her to this, I am truly regretful and hope that she will find peace of mind and the ability to reconcile with her relations.
For whatever role my own actions played in driving her to this, I am truly regretful and hope that she will find peace of mind and the ability to reconcile with her relations.
Written By Lydia
Feb. 27, 2017, 1:37 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
It was a wonderful plan!
I had thought to tell the man that there were bandits harassing a trade route and asking him if he would go deal with it. He would have, of course. Now, these bandits would be sellswords of course, paid to act the part.
Then, after he leaves, you sneak a secret note to his lover, letting her know that the man is riding into a trap and will be outnumbered. There is no time to spare! What can she do!? She must ride after him herself, see, with enough men to act as reinforcements. The timing must be perfect, with messengers to tell the "bandits" when to attack so that she arrives just as the fighting is the thickest and defeat seems inevitable, but at the sight of her, the "bandits" will run and she gets to be the hero who has saved the man.
Now, isn't that romantic? I'm told that there are easier ways, though. Alas.
I had thought to tell the man that there were bandits harassing a trade route and asking him if he would go deal with it. He would have, of course. Now, these bandits would be sellswords of course, paid to act the part.
Then, after he leaves, you sneak a secret note to his lover, letting her know that the man is riding into a trap and will be outnumbered. There is no time to spare! What can she do!? She must ride after him herself, see, with enough men to act as reinforcements. The timing must be perfect, with messengers to tell the "bandits" when to attack so that she arrives just as the fighting is the thickest and defeat seems inevitable, but at the sight of her, the "bandits" will run and she gets to be the hero who has saved the man.
Now, isn't that romantic? I'm told that there are easier ways, though. Alas.
Written By Lydia
Feb. 21, 2017, 9:55 a.m.(12/18/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Mydas
I must take a few moments to speak praise for my cousin.
Perhaps it was a fluke that Nadia promoted him to voice hours before her death, but I think of it as a blessing instead.
I feel so amazingly utterly lost, for all that I have been called "voice" for months now. Yet, for all the areas where I struggle, there Mydas shines. He's been a tremendous help in narrowing down volumes of knowledge into what I should know and what I need to know, he's taken hold of trading concerns that I know nothing about, and has been willing to advise me discretely when my ignorance about my sister's affairs begins to show.
He even made sure there was wrestling at the bonfire!
Perhaps it was a fluke that Nadia promoted him to voice hours before her death, but I think of it as a blessing instead.
I feel so amazingly utterly lost, for all that I have been called "voice" for months now. Yet, for all the areas where I struggle, there Mydas shines. He's been a tremendous help in narrowing down volumes of knowledge into what I should know and what I need to know, he's taken hold of trading concerns that I know nothing about, and has been willing to advise me discretely when my ignorance about my sister's affairs begins to show.
He even made sure there was wrestling at the bonfire!
Written By Lydia
Feb. 20, 2017, 12:14 p.m.(12/16/1005 AR)
It's official now.
Last night I went and offered Darren my fealty as duchess. He accepted, of course. So now Stonedeep has it's fourth duke or duchess in as many years.
I fear I may have inherited a curse. Gods protect me.
Last night I went and offered Darren my fealty as duchess. He accepted, of course. So now Stonedeep has it's fourth duke or duchess in as many years.
I fear I may have inherited a curse. Gods protect me.
Written By Lydia
Feb. 15, 2017, 10:36 a.m.(12/6/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Nadia
I left one world and came back to another.
I left Arx a few days ago with a band of other Northerners to try to treat with the Shavs and win us new allies in the desperate fight that we now find ourselves in. I had little that I was authorized to give them at that point, but still, the negotiations went well. I turned back to Arx with a hopeful heart at what might come in another round of negotiations or two.
My hopes, however, were dashed as soon as I entered the city gates and found myself ambushed by messengers all bearing the distressing news of my sister's death. I wish I could write of the feelings in my heart, I cannot. They are too complex and are opaque even to me. I cannot sort through them, I just know that I cannot smile and I cannot feel any levity, and the house feels hollow and empty whenever I walk through its front door.
I left Arx a few days ago with a band of other Northerners to try to treat with the Shavs and win us new allies in the desperate fight that we now find ourselves in. I had little that I was authorized to give them at that point, but still, the negotiations went well. I turned back to Arx with a hopeful heart at what might come in another round of negotiations or two.
My hopes, however, were dashed as soon as I entered the city gates and found myself ambushed by messengers all bearing the distressing news of my sister's death. I wish I could write of the feelings in my heart, I cannot. They are too complex and are opaque even to me. I cannot sort through them, I just know that I cannot smile and I cannot feel any levity, and the house feels hollow and empty whenever I walk through its front door.
Written By Lydia
Jan. 28, 2017, 8:31 a.m.(10/13/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Niamh
The duel is fought and won.
She fought wonderfully, as I knew that she would. I've seen her in the practice ring enough to know that her position is well earned. Hopefully, this victory will also push all the naysayers back to choosing proper champions to defend them in their duels.
She fought wonderfully, as I knew that she would. I've seen her in the practice ring enough to know that her position is well earned. Hopefully, this victory will also push all the naysayers back to choosing proper champions to defend them in their duels.
Written By Lydia
Jan. 27, 2017, 7:16 p.m.(10/11/1005 AR)
I must come up with a good name for a monkey.
Not Tails, that seems horribly uncreative.
Not Tails, that seems horribly uncreative.
Written By Lydia
Jan. 17, 2017, 8:55 a.m.(9/8/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Belladonna
I have finally met this love of my brothers, and I must report that it is not as I feared.
She seems a truly delightful woman of good humor and generosity. I look forward to the many, many hours that we are to spend together!
She seems a truly delightful woman of good humor and generosity. I look forward to the many, many hours that we are to spend together!
Written By Lydia
Jan. 15, 2017, 10:14 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
I met them finally, these elves, although met might be a strong word. I accompanied Prince Darren to the docks where I gawked. I had half a mind to insert myself in the party that went after to the palace, but decided I'd rather not answer questions later, should anyone take umbrage at my tagging along.
Anyway, the elves are fine of feature and appear to come off as haughty as they've been reported to be. The young man with them has an air that reminds me of Prince Kieran, I'm sad to report.
Anyway, the elves are fine of feature and appear to come off as haughty as they've been reported to be. The young man with them has an air that reminds me of Prince Kieran, I'm sad to report.
Written By Lydia
Jan. 11, 2017, 12:46 p.m.(8/19/1005 AR)
There are so many pieces, so, so, so many. And every time I pick one up and slide it neatly back into place. Someone throws ten to twelve more at me.
What I don't understand is why I'm the only one who seems to care that everything is falling apart.
What I don't understand is why I'm the only one who seems to care that everything is falling apart.
Written By Lydia
Jan. 10, 2017, 1:42 p.m.(8/16/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassius
My brother is marrying a duchess and is leaving. I'm not sure that I can stand it. Through all the tumult recently, he's been the one person that I could count on and while I know that I should be more concerned with his feelings about this whole thing, I can't help but feel abandoned.
Written By Lydia
Dec. 21, 2016, 9:42 a.m.(6/11/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Costas
I was asked to write something that is true and honest, but I told him that I write what I like.
Anyway, I shall write some truth. I am now missing a pair of hairpins given to me by my grandfather.
It was, in the end, my own fault they were stolen. I saw a chance to tease and so I did. I suppose a bit of jewelry is a small price to pay.
Note to self: Some people take threats of theft seriously.
Anyway, I shall write some truth. I am now missing a pair of hairpins given to me by my grandfather.
It was, in the end, my own fault they were stolen. I saw a chance to tease and so I did. I suppose a bit of jewelry is a small price to pay.
Note to self: Some people take threats of theft seriously.
Written By Lydia
Dec. 15, 2016, 9:16 p.m.(5/23/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Aksel
AAAAaaaaaaahhhhh!
I have the *best* gossip! The best! I can't keep it in!
So, Aksel, right, he made a bet with Serafine that he could wrestle three bears at once, and Aksel is very good, so that seems doable, right?
Well, the bet was that if he lost, he had to go on a date with her - and while wearing a dress!
And guess what???
He lost! And he's in our dining room right now on a date with Serafine and in the darlingest dress!
Now you know he could have won if he wanted, so there's no other way around it - our Aksel is smitten.
I have the *best* gossip! The best! I can't keep it in!
So, Aksel, right, he made a bet with Serafine that he could wrestle three bears at once, and Aksel is very good, so that seems doable, right?
Well, the bet was that if he lost, he had to go on a date with her - and while wearing a dress!
And guess what???
He lost! And he's in our dining room right now on a date with Serafine and in the darlingest dress!
Now you know he could have won if he wanted, so there's no other way around it - our Aksel is smitten.
Written By Lydia
Oct. 15, 2016, 3:11 p.m.(11/7/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Cicero
I have heard that the Prince is writing poetry. I think it quite charming! A habit that some of the northern noblemen could adopt perhaps.
Written By Lydia
Oct. 14, 2016, 10 a.m.(11/4/1004 AR)
I attended the Golden Arrow competition on my own, but was soon joined by my grandfather, Prince Augustus, Lady General Calypso Malvici, Princess Natalia Grayson, and later on, Master Rook.
The competition itself was a lively thing, if short, with Princess Deva shooting well, but the Prodigal took home the prize in the end.
Our booth was also quite lively, for all of grandfather's dourness. I made quite a connection with Princess Natalia and I believe we will be spending more time together in the future. The only downside to the evening came at the end when Master Rook joined us. I've always been fond of his company in the past, but he spoke quite rudely to Grandfather and seems unapologetic for it. I'm afraid that I will have to cancel the outing he had promised to take me on.
The competition itself was a lively thing, if short, with Princess Deva shooting well, but the Prodigal took home the prize in the end.
Our booth was also quite lively, for all of grandfather's dourness. I made quite a connection with Princess Natalia and I believe we will be spending more time together in the future. The only downside to the evening came at the end when Master Rook joined us. I've always been fond of his company in the past, but he spoke quite rudely to Grandfather and seems unapologetic for it. I'm afraid that I will have to cancel the outing he had promised to take me on.
Written By Lydia
Oct. 14, 2016, 9:53 a.m.(11/4/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Augustus
My grandfather has come to the city, finally!
In many ways, I've felt so adrift the past few years and I hope that he is the rock I need in so many ways - at least until my mother decides to join us.
We have already had a couple of talks, and he has helped guide me through some touchy subjects. He may be all dour and gruff, but that's only because he's seen more and knows more than most.
In many ways, I've felt so adrift the past few years and I hope that he is the rock I need in so many ways - at least until my mother decides to join us.
We have already had a couple of talks, and he has helped guide me through some touchy subjects. He may be all dour and gruff, but that's only because he's seen more and knows more than most.
Written By Lydia
Sept. 21, 2016, 8 p.m.(8/20/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Darren
I'm happy to say that since I arrived to Arx, I seem to have a growing friendship with Prince Darren.
We're taken to meeting up at the Spirits, where he says I help to add some levity to his day. Still, for all he claims that he values my friendship, there are still secrets he doesn't share. Silly secrets that don't need to be secret at all. It would probably help him if it wasn't a secret, but I suppose it's his life!
PS I need to remember to check in about the leathers.
We're taken to meeting up at the Spirits, where he says I help to add some levity to his day. Still, for all he claims that he values my friendship, there are still secrets he doesn't share. Silly secrets that don't need to be secret at all. It would probably help him if it wasn't a secret, but I suppose it's his life!
PS I need to remember to check in about the leathers.
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