Written By Vanora
April 28, 2019, 8:27 p.m.(1/4/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Cambria
Recommending all books is very daunting, darling.
Maybe give her a list of two or three to start on at least?
Maybe give her a list of two or three to start on at least?
Written By Vanora
April 28, 2019, 8:25 p.m.(1/4/1011 AR)
I wish I could have spent more time the other night visiting with the Fidantes and friends, its been such a long time.
Hopefully soon. I'd especially like to catch up with that Lora, the one who has my life in reflection. Sort of.
Hopefully soon. I'd especially like to catch up with that Lora, the one who has my life in reflection. Sort of.
Written By Vanora
April 26, 2019, 6:35 p.m.(12/28/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Cambria
Last but certainly not least. Studying human nature is ongoing, and though one can find some universal truths, there's much more we need to know in order to apply what we've learned of it. Human nature that is.
As an aside, I miss your company terribly. We keep saying we'll have drinks. But now I'm positive we will. It's a goal, set in my mind.
As an aside, I miss your company terribly. We keep saying we'll have drinks. But now I'm positive we will. It's a goal, set in my mind.
Written By Vanora
April 21, 2019, 6:10 p.m.(12/18/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Luca
There has been so much grief, I don't know how to add to it.
There ought be space to mourn the happy Prince, the man whose presence lit up any space he was in, and brought laughter despite everything.
Now he won't be there to do it the next time. Or here to do it this time.
We will miss you, Prince Luca.
There ought be space to mourn the happy Prince, the man whose presence lit up any space he was in, and brought laughter despite everything.
Now he won't be there to do it the next time. Or here to do it this time.
We will miss you, Prince Luca.
Written By Vanora
April 13, 2019, 5:39 p.m.(12/2/1010 AR)
I find that grief can bring one to the point of numbness, which is only replaced by guilt when for a moment you forget what you have lost.
Who you have lost.
But it rushes back so unexpectedly, and when it does so to me it is so painful it is paralyzing. I cannot grieve the way they do on the Isles, not really. I never could, but I certainly can't when the people I'm mourning are not from here but from home. In the Lyceum we pause to mourn, to weep, and sometimes to rage, or plan revenge. When its pertinent, of course.
Is it now? I can't tell, and I'm not sure I know where to start.
Who you have lost.
But it rushes back so unexpectedly, and when it does so to me it is so painful it is paralyzing. I cannot grieve the way they do on the Isles, not really. I never could, but I certainly can't when the people I'm mourning are not from here but from home. In the Lyceum we pause to mourn, to weep, and sometimes to rage, or plan revenge. When its pertinent, of course.
Is it now? I can't tell, and I'm not sure I know where to start.
Written By Vanora
April 3, 2019, 4:37 p.m.(11/10/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Eleyna
Threnody of the White Lily
Long ago was born a Fox
Blue of eye with flaxen locks
Her childhood oft felt lonely
She kept to herself, only
Until she blossomed and bloomed
Wit and charm: The girl was doomed
To be married off, once, twice
A third time, she paid a price
A princess does her duty,
Especially such a beauty.
There were three husbands wed,
There were three husbands dead,
Named her for that spider, sure,
Black Widow, yet she was much more.
She took her time until we all believed,
Her loss is so very deeply grieved.
Once more she married, this her choice
Talen, her husband and her Voice.
And let there be no mistake
She married for love, the kind that can ache.
Yet the passion between them was shared,
Would that it might have been spared.
Their future cut away too soon,
All I can offer is this tune.
Eleyna is my dearest friend,
I wanted more time 'fore the end.
Yet that is not the way that Death,
Considers when to take last breath.
Black Widow to White Lily,
She defined her role,
I have never forgotten,
My oaths towards this goal.
My darling, my dearest, my friend.
Don't worry, this is not the end.
You will be remembered. I keep my promises.
Long ago was born a Fox
Blue of eye with flaxen locks
Her childhood oft felt lonely
She kept to herself, only
Until she blossomed and bloomed
Wit and charm: The girl was doomed
To be married off, once, twice
A third time, she paid a price
A princess does her duty,
Especially such a beauty.
There were three husbands wed,
There were three husbands dead,
Named her for that spider, sure,
Black Widow, yet she was much more.
She took her time until we all believed,
Her loss is so very deeply grieved.
Once more she married, this her choice
Talen, her husband and her Voice.
And let there be no mistake
She married for love, the kind that can ache.
Yet the passion between them was shared,
Would that it might have been spared.
Their future cut away too soon,
All I can offer is this tune.
Eleyna is my dearest friend,
I wanted more time 'fore the end.
Yet that is not the way that Death,
Considers when to take last breath.
Black Widow to White Lily,
She defined her role,
I have never forgotten,
My oaths towards this goal.
My darling, my dearest, my friend.
Don't worry, this is not the end.
You will be remembered. I keep my promises.
Written By Vanora
April 3, 2019, 1:58 p.m.(11/10/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Eleyna
Know that I remember.
I said this once, when you told me you were destined to die young. It broke my heart to hear, and denial filled my every pore, and yet, I believed you, and I carried on. I said this:
"If you fall before I do, I promise to continue this work...to neither rest nor pause until we've ensured the proper place for our children. As pawns to no one and nothing. This is my oath to you."
And you said.
"I will hold you to it, Vanora Grimhall. And you have my oath that I won't let my sacrifice be in vain. I plan to leave you more than ashes to build from when I'm gone."
It wasn't how we planned, it wasn't what we planned, and yet I know there are more than ashes to build from. Your final gift is everything to me, the key to the future, to glory, to freedom. Yet I treasure it as much for the source as the object, because it is from you.
"Promise me that my statue in the Hall of Heroes will have me facing from behind so that my ass can be admired for eternity. And .....can kiss it."
I promise, Eleyna. I do.
I will see you again soon. This is not goodbye.
I said this once, when you told me you were destined to die young. It broke my heart to hear, and denial filled my every pore, and yet, I believed you, and I carried on. I said this:
"If you fall before I do, I promise to continue this work...to neither rest nor pause until we've ensured the proper place for our children. As pawns to no one and nothing. This is my oath to you."
And you said.
"I will hold you to it, Vanora Grimhall. And you have my oath that I won't let my sacrifice be in vain. I plan to leave you more than ashes to build from when I'm gone."
It wasn't how we planned, it wasn't what we planned, and yet I know there are more than ashes to build from. Your final gift is everything to me, the key to the future, to glory, to freedom. Yet I treasure it as much for the source as the object, because it is from you.
"Promise me that my statue in the Hall of Heroes will have me facing from behind so that my ass can be admired for eternity. And .....can kiss it."
I promise, Eleyna. I do.
I will see you again soon. This is not goodbye.
Written By Vanora
April 2, 2019, 4:28 p.m.(11/8/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Eleyna
I don't know what to write.
What to think.
My heart is broken and will never wholly mend.
This. This is what Sorrow feels like. Tastes like. Sounds like. This.
Remember her.
What to think.
My heart is broken and will never wholly mend.
This. This is what Sorrow feels like. Tastes like. Sounds like. This.
Remember her.
Written By Vanora
April 1, 2019, 7:03 p.m.(11/6/1010 AR)
In a few days House Grimhall will come together for one of our feasts and what I hope will be a productive and pleasant conversation. We could all use it, undoubtedly.
Written By Vanora
April 1, 2019, 4:56 p.m.(11/6/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Cambria
Your endorsement means everything to me. Thank you for the kind words.
Written By Vanora
March 29, 2019, 11:23 p.m.(11/1/1010 AR)
My two dearest friends in all the world both married commoners.
Scandalous I know, but that is how things are done in the Lyceum. Scandalously.
It turns out they both have wonderful husbands who are a boon to their noble house. Who wear the title 'Prince' to perfection.
Perhaps lightning merely struck twice.
And hit House Velenosa both times.
Fancy that.
Scandalous I know, but that is how things are done in the Lyceum. Scandalously.
It turns out they both have wonderful husbands who are a boon to their noble house. Who wear the title 'Prince' to perfection.
Perhaps lightning merely struck twice.
And hit House Velenosa both times.
Fancy that.
Written By Vanora
March 29, 2019, 11:17 p.m.(11/1/1010 AR)
I expect that if each of the fealties united into the Compact did a better job, or even put forth a better effort, at understanding the values and the culture of the other parts of the Compact, talk of unity would have a chance at amounting to more than just talk.
It's possible I should have considered more than merely potential brides and grooms as the audience for this latest book. Perhaps further volumes can make a case for education and empathy in other situations it is warranted.
It's possible I should have considered more than merely potential brides and grooms as the audience for this latest book. Perhaps further volumes can make a case for education and empathy in other situations it is warranted.
Written By Vanora
March 29, 2019, 7:29 p.m.(10/28/1010 AR)
Every bit of information is useful, if as nothing else than to provide a picture of what society is like at a given time. This too, is sacred to Vellichor.
...is what I say to myself on the occasions I glance through white journals.
...is what I say to myself on the occasions I glance through white journals.
Written By Vanora
March 11, 2019, 4:17 p.m.(9/20/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Niklas
I was glad to see what you wrote in the whites, and how well you understand how hard this will hit parts of the Isles.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Written By Vanora
March 9, 2019, 2:56 p.m.(9/16/1010 AR)
Requiem for a Disappointment
He yearned for a life of battle and glory
A reaver born true and a reaver he’d die
Yet a twist unexpected took place in his story
His star would vanish before it could fly
An ill-conceived duel, a youthful mistake
It became the bulk and the whole of his shame
Doomed to isolation, pain and heartbreak
Deprived of even his family nameH
His father said “I have no son”
Once spoken the words became true
But his grief was too deep, he was undone
Thus he followed that lure down into the blue.
Sing of this boy, of this drowned heir
This Dirge won’t save him from despair.
He yearned for a life of battle and glory
A reaver born true and a reaver he’d die
Yet a twist unexpected took place in his story
His star would vanish before it could fly
An ill-conceived duel, a youthful mistake
It became the bulk and the whole of his shame
Doomed to isolation, pain and heartbreak
Deprived of even his family nameH
His father said “I have no son”
Once spoken the words became true
But his grief was too deep, he was undone
Thus he followed that lure down into the blue.
Sing of this boy, of this drowned heir
This Dirge won’t save him from despair.
Written By Vanora
March 6, 2019, 11:50 a.m.(9/10/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Skye
They don't, but real heroes, the usually forgotten /should/ have songs in their memory. If you'd like to work together to create one for your mother, I'd be deeply honored.
Written By Vanora
March 4, 2019, 2:35 p.m.(9/6/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Belladonna
And here I thought /I/ was your most valuable jewel, cousin. I'm wounded.
Written By Vanora
March 2, 2019, 5:37 p.m.(9/2/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
I've long stopped expecting much in the way of surprises from the peerage in the Isles. Yet today was a reminder that I should shake off these old experiences and begin anew. As I seem to have done with the Duchess Margot Tyde, who once could not stand me to the point where she refused to take tea with me 'now or ever' and assured me I would never be her peer.
Now we are more than peers of a sort but partners in particular efforts to see our people thrive. We understand each other in a way I never expected we possibly could. And I think I might like her, just a bit.
Now we are more than peers of a sort but partners in particular efforts to see our people thrive. We understand each other in a way I never expected we possibly could. And I think I might like her, just a bit.
Written By Vanora
March 1, 2019, 10:45 p.m.(9/1/1010 AR)
There are days when among the tasks necessary for ruling a duchy (or assisting another in doing such), among the many duties that push and pull in a dozen different directions, there is time it sit and catch up with old friends. Whether it is a tea-time discussion of unpleasant business that shifts to pleasant, or a long-overdue party that requires (and allows for) nothing but lazing about in the sun with wine, friends, and family...these things are a balm to the soul.
Refreshing enough to make us feel more prepared for everything else the world demands.
Refreshing enough to make us feel more prepared for everything else the world demands.
Written By Vanora
Feb. 22, 2019, 2:24 p.m.(8/14/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Sanya
I wanted to express my deepest appreciation to my cousin and friend, The Lady Sanya.
She was instrumental in organizing our diplomatic visit to Grihem's Point and worked tirelessly, her talents are absolutely invaluable to the family.
I'd also like to extend my thanks to Lady Iseulet Blackshore and to Karina Seabright for charming the people and learning of their interests and concerns.
Baron Edward Stormbreak went above and beyond in his rousing speeches to assure our people that they are as safe in the hands of the son as of the father, and that their interests are well-represented.
Baroness Skye Blackshore donated a lovely gift on our visit, a grand door on the awning to the City of Grihem's Point, which displays the visage of Grim Duke Harald reaching to clasp hands with his son the Duke Valdemar. A symbolic reminder of this peaceful transition of power, and of the love between a house and its people.
She was instrumental in organizing our diplomatic visit to Grihem's Point and worked tirelessly, her talents are absolutely invaluable to the family.
I'd also like to extend my thanks to Lady Iseulet Blackshore and to Karina Seabright for charming the people and learning of their interests and concerns.
Baron Edward Stormbreak went above and beyond in his rousing speeches to assure our people that they are as safe in the hands of the son as of the father, and that their interests are well-represented.
Baroness Skye Blackshore donated a lovely gift on our visit, a grand door on the awning to the City of Grihem's Point, which displays the visage of Grim Duke Harald reaching to clasp hands with his son the Duke Valdemar. A symbolic reminder of this peaceful transition of power, and of the love between a house and its people.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.