Written By Mia
Sept. 5, 2017, 12:47 a.m.(2/24/1007 AR)
Journey from the Gray Forest, Day 4
It seems that for all of my preparations, the layers of wool and leather did very little to keep out the biting cold. No wonder, I should think. Not only is full plate quite heavy, but suspect that while it does a very good job of keeping out the wind, it only seems to make the cold even worse. Perhaps I should have let them pad out my borrowed cuirass with pillows after all -- not for a better fit, but simply in the hopes that the down would keep out some of the biting chill.
Still, I won't freeze to death -- not tonight, at least. The Tribe that we tracked through the woods was being chased, being hunted even, by a pack of bears that had been tainted. I have never, in all my life, seen such fearsome and terrifying things. Covered in green ichor, they had decimated the Tribe and attacked our party without hesitation, despite the number of weapons drawn and the fires burning. Even grossly outnumbered, they simply charged. Given the damage they had already caused, I suspect they would have succeeded, too, were it not for the warriors among our small party. Inquisitor Crown and Dame Wyrmfang fought bravely despite their wounds; Lady Clara Crovane felled one of the great beasts in a single blow. But Lord Corban Telmar proved to perhaps be the savior of us all. Two blows; two bears. He single-handedly dispatched half of the animals himself and I can see clearly as to why he was placed in command of the mission.
The Tribe was so grateful that we camp with them tonight, sharing their fires and what few blankets they have to spare. Very little, I think, given how quickly they had to move, how many people they lost, the homes they were forced to leave. I doubt they would have lasted even a few more days if left to themselves in the forest. A young mother, her babe still an infant in her arms, was weeping when we first arrived. She was so convinced of their doom that she was ready to smother her child to spare her, as I heard her say, from being taken by the taint. One of her elders stopped her, thank all of the gods, but with so little hope left to them, I only imagine it would've been a matter of time before even I would've thought such a desperate act to be one of mercy rather than one of fear.
We will return to the Grayson camp with them in the morning and speak to them and their leader, Brunnhilda, of their future when they have full bellies and clearer heads. Whether they will join the Compact or not, I cannot say, but they will certainly mount no attacks against us. It is a beginning, at least.
It seems that for all of my preparations, the layers of wool and leather did very little to keep out the biting cold. No wonder, I should think. Not only is full plate quite heavy, but suspect that while it does a very good job of keeping out the wind, it only seems to make the cold even worse. Perhaps I should have let them pad out my borrowed cuirass with pillows after all -- not for a better fit, but simply in the hopes that the down would keep out some of the biting chill.
Still, I won't freeze to death -- not tonight, at least. The Tribe that we tracked through the woods was being chased, being hunted even, by a pack of bears that had been tainted. I have never, in all my life, seen such fearsome and terrifying things. Covered in green ichor, they had decimated the Tribe and attacked our party without hesitation, despite the number of weapons drawn and the fires burning. Even grossly outnumbered, they simply charged. Given the damage they had already caused, I suspect they would have succeeded, too, were it not for the warriors among our small party. Inquisitor Crown and Dame Wyrmfang fought bravely despite their wounds; Lady Clara Crovane felled one of the great beasts in a single blow. But Lord Corban Telmar proved to perhaps be the savior of us all. Two blows; two bears. He single-handedly dispatched half of the animals himself and I can see clearly as to why he was placed in command of the mission.
The Tribe was so grateful that we camp with them tonight, sharing their fires and what few blankets they have to spare. Very little, I think, given how quickly they had to move, how many people they lost, the homes they were forced to leave. I doubt they would have lasted even a few more days if left to themselves in the forest. A young mother, her babe still an infant in her arms, was weeping when we first arrived. She was so convinced of their doom that she was ready to smother her child to spare her, as I heard her say, from being taken by the taint. One of her elders stopped her, thank all of the gods, but with so little hope left to them, I only imagine it would've been a matter of time before even I would've thought such a desperate act to be one of mercy rather than one of fear.
We will return to the Grayson camp with them in the morning and speak to them and their leader, Brunnhilda, of their future when they have full bellies and clearer heads. Whether they will join the Compact or not, I cannot say, but they will certainly mount no attacks against us. It is a beginning, at least.
Written By Mia
Aug. 27, 2017, 10:56 p.m.(2/8/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
I would say there have been stranger causes for kinship, but I somehow strongly doubt that.
Written By Mia
Aug. 20, 2017, 11:39 p.m.(1/22/1007 AR)
Word of the recent losses of House Thrax -- both in the harbor and further from our shores -- have reached Heron Hall. I say now that House Riven stands in solidarity with them.
Although we are not children of the sea, we too are children of the water. We are born in sight of the rivers that sustain us throughout our lives. Our children are consecrated in their currents. Our mothers are blessed on their banks. When we die, our pyres are lit out on their shining surface, that the rapids may carry us into our next life. It is to Mangata that we sing our songs and whisper our prayers.
She sustains us all, as she always has. As she will again -- regardless of which waters we call our own.
Although we are not children of the sea, we too are children of the water. We are born in sight of the rivers that sustain us throughout our lives. Our children are consecrated in their currents. Our mothers are blessed on their banks. When we die, our pyres are lit out on their shining surface, that the rapids may carry us into our next life. It is to Mangata that we sing our songs and whisper our prayers.
She sustains us all, as she always has. As she will again -- regardless of which waters we call our own.
Written By Mia
Aug. 6, 2017, 9:27 p.m.(12/21/1006 AR)
It seems that a new season is upon us -- in more ways than one.
I have attended the wedding of His Majesty, King Alaric IV, to the princess, Symonesse. In truth, it is the first time I have laid eyes on one of her kind and yet I see a kinship slowly being built between them and the Arvani. Their marriage joins two people -- not only man and wife, but the Arvani and the Nox'alfar, the shattered trust between mended like a broken sword remade. If forged well and true, it will not break but instead hold strong, able to be wielded as a great weapon in defense of the Compact in whole. It is long and arduous work, but Riven knows that well. Our house and its future has been built from the same sacrifice, the same shared purpose. I pray to all the gods that the King and Queen find at least as much value in their match. Perhaps more, if Limerance smiles kindly upon them.
I have attended the wedding of His Majesty, King Alaric IV, to the princess, Symonesse. In truth, it is the first time I have laid eyes on one of her kind and yet I see a kinship slowly being built between them and the Arvani. Their marriage joins two people -- not only man and wife, but the Arvani and the Nox'alfar, the shattered trust between mended like a broken sword remade. If forged well and true, it will not break but instead hold strong, able to be wielded as a great weapon in defense of the Compact in whole. It is long and arduous work, but Riven knows that well. Our house and its future has been built from the same sacrifice, the same shared purpose. I pray to all the gods that the King and Queen find at least as much value in their match. Perhaps more, if Limerance smiles kindly upon them.
Written By Mia
July 30, 2017, 11:28 p.m.(12/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Thesarin
He has given Riven a future. That is enough.
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