Written By Cara
April 8, 2018, 2:06 p.m.(7/7/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Bastien
To be fair, some of them are merely missing. Though I suppose fleeing the known world must count for something.
Written By Cara
March 21, 2018, 5:32 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Brigida
It is rather hard to keep track of us, isn't it, given our propensity for dying in violent ways. Technically, this is my second-and-a-near-miss marriage. You also have some grand-nieces and a grand-nephew, but they're not very interesting as people yet. I shall inform you once they develop opinions and general usefulness.
Written By Cara
March 21, 2018, 3:35 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Echo
If I gave a copper for the opinions of every self-aggrandizing sword-obsessed royal with enough manual dexterity to wield a quill, I would be both penniless and utterly lacking in time.
Thankfully, I have secretaries who tend to this sort of nonsense.
Thankfully, I have secretaries who tend to this sort of nonsense.
Written By Cara
March 9, 2018, 1:33 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Tikva
As for Count Tibault and his adoption of children born outside of oaths --
Clearly, the man has a remarkable eye for those whose innate capability marks them as the very finest of souls among us. I expect his gift is the exception, not the rule.
Clearly, the man has a remarkable eye for those whose innate capability marks them as the very finest of souls among us. I expect his gift is the exception, not the rule.
Written By Cara
March 9, 2018, 1:31 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Either the establishment of the nobility has meaning beyond simply wealth and power, or it does not.
If it does not, then say so, and act boldly in pursuit of this new truth so that we may live openly and freely in whatever world arises from it.
If it does, then it should be respected as the order pursuant to the gods' wishes, and protected as such.
Children, obviously, should be treated kindly and with care. They should be raised fairly and educated, sheltered and given opportunity to pursue trades and callings, be that the church or the call of arms, the way of the crafter or trader or the path of service. Should their own valor raise them to a height which proclaims the gods' favor, then perhaps, _perhaps_, nobility should be theirs.
If it's to be anarchy, though, my advice would be to ensure your home is properly provisioned for emergencies, to invest in strong locks, and make friends with someone beefy and well-armed. Perhaps a Valardin. They are magnificent when things of arms and armor are involved.
If it does not, then say so, and act boldly in pursuit of this new truth so that we may live openly and freely in whatever world arises from it.
If it does, then it should be respected as the order pursuant to the gods' wishes, and protected as such.
Children, obviously, should be treated kindly and with care. They should be raised fairly and educated, sheltered and given opportunity to pursue trades and callings, be that the church or the call of arms, the way of the crafter or trader or the path of service. Should their own valor raise them to a height which proclaims the gods' favor, then perhaps, _perhaps_, nobility should be theirs.
If it's to be anarchy, though, my advice would be to ensure your home is properly provisioned for emergencies, to invest in strong locks, and make friends with someone beefy and well-armed. Perhaps a Valardin. They are magnificent when things of arms and armor are involved.
Written By Cara
Feb. 22, 2018, 2:44 p.m.(3/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Aureth
My dear Archlector, you may wish to work on your 'cheering up' speech.
Written By Cara
Feb. 22, 2018, 1:49 p.m.(3/27/1008 AR)
There are days when I wish that my next life, whatever it may be, will entail nothing more serious than carousing and general hijinks. Perhaps the Queen will see fit to give my soul to a life that's as light as a feather, frivolous and friendly and lacking great strife.
It sounds very restful.
I'm really not sure how many lifetimes one must spend trying to steer events towards a satisfactory resolution through sheer force of will before one is granted a vacation.
It sounds very restful.
I'm really not sure how many lifetimes one must spend trying to steer events towards a satisfactory resolution through sheer force of will before one is granted a vacation.
Written By Cara
Feb. 13, 2018, 5:52 p.m.(3/3/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Mae
Nobles don't have the luxury of choosing flowers, Mistress Mae. We wed for contract and for bloodline, not romance.
Dukes simply have a different criteria in their spouses -- what is best for their House and lineage. Floral variety, alas, has very little to do with it.
Dukes simply have a different criteria in their spouses -- what is best for their House and lineage. Floral variety, alas, has very little to do with it.
Written By Cara
Feb. 1, 2018, 1:47 p.m.(1/27/1008 AR)
If a woman stands up and reaches out for freedom, only to be struck by a wicked man who wishes to keep her in chains, is the blood that falls her fault for provoking him?
No.
It is the fault of the wicked man, and only he, for we each determine our own actions and none other.
No.
It is the fault of the wicked man, and only he, for we each determine our own actions and none other.
Written By Cara
Jan. 8, 2018, midnight(12/4/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Laric
Every so often, my husband makes a sartorial choice that is eminently sensible. And rather fetching, too.
Love the new coat, darling.
Love the new coat, darling.
Written By Cara
Dec. 23, 2017, 12:57 a.m.(10/26/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Killian
Oh, my dear brother.
Written By Cara
Dec. 17, 2017, 6:41 p.m.(10/16/1007 AR)
On Reincarnation
From time to time, I converse with someone who has some experience with reincarnation -- they themselves, perhaps, are an older soul reborn, or they know someone who is, or the like. One topic seems to consistently emerge in these discussion, and that is this:
How much of who we are comes from our past lives?
It is a worthy question, I think, and one with no clear answer, save for this -- we are each of us both old and new, the product of a life lived many times, but we are also each gifted with the ability to change.
A past life is not a predictor of the present one; it is as much a part of you as childhood memories, true, though oft forgotten, but it is not a determination of destiny. No matter the patterns of fate that we might fall into, our particular resonance in the reality of life repeating itself, we -- each of us -- have the capacity to choose.
This is our gift; we are not bound.
Someone who lived a life emperiled and desperate, who fell to dark choices, might be reborn and try again. They are not destined to fall each time.
Someone who lived a life of greatness and magnificent deeds are not doomed to repeat the past, pulled into battles over and over again. They have the choice to walk a different path.
This gift we are given by the Queen of Endings, may She always be remembered. This gift we are given by Skald, who is an okay guy (or so I hear). This gift we are given by Lagoma, the force of Change, and by Gild, and by Petrichor and Vellichor and all of the gods.
May those who have found that they have lives beyond the one they know hold this thought dear. They are not altered by the past, but simply informed by it, and their life is wholly their own to create.
From time to time, I converse with someone who has some experience with reincarnation -- they themselves, perhaps, are an older soul reborn, or they know someone who is, or the like. One topic seems to consistently emerge in these discussion, and that is this:
How much of who we are comes from our past lives?
It is a worthy question, I think, and one with no clear answer, save for this -- we are each of us both old and new, the product of a life lived many times, but we are also each gifted with the ability to change.
A past life is not a predictor of the present one; it is as much a part of you as childhood memories, true, though oft forgotten, but it is not a determination of destiny. No matter the patterns of fate that we might fall into, our particular resonance in the reality of life repeating itself, we -- each of us -- have the capacity to choose.
This is our gift; we are not bound.
Someone who lived a life emperiled and desperate, who fell to dark choices, might be reborn and try again. They are not destined to fall each time.
Someone who lived a life of greatness and magnificent deeds are not doomed to repeat the past, pulled into battles over and over again. They have the choice to walk a different path.
This gift we are given by the Queen of Endings, may She always be remembered. This gift we are given by Skald, who is an okay guy (or so I hear). This gift we are given by Lagoma, the force of Change, and by Gild, and by Petrichor and Vellichor and all of the gods.
May those who have found that they have lives beyond the one they know hold this thought dear. They are not altered by the past, but simply informed by it, and their life is wholly their own to create.
Written By Cara
Dec. 12, 2017, 3:06 p.m.(10/6/1007 AR)
If there is one thing I've learned through my readings of history, it's this: the ends almost never justify the means -- and that people so often learn that fact far, far too late.
Written By Cara
Nov. 5, 2017, 3:43 p.m.(7/12/1007 AR)
I have, in recent moments, when I have not been so ill that I wish only to sleep and try not to murder my husband, been making a small study of the medical arts. I am only a very beginner at it, of course, but as it seems that my dear friends and family have chosen to undertake PERILOUS THINGS at all hours of the day, a familiarity with treating wounds would be of sound course.
Thus, I begin my notations on Sudden Head Injuries That Render Supposedly Intelligent People Into Idiots:
The symptoms for this disorder are, as I understand it:
- A complete disassociation from facts and reality
- A refusal to acknowledge said facts and reality when presented by reliable and reputable sources, particularly those neutral to the argument at hand
- Being a former Archlector of Gild
- Not taking very bold hints that one's behavior is displeasing to the Faith
- Giant knots, bruises, contusions or gashes about one's head or person
I am still learning treatments, but it seems that resting quietly and ceasing to storm about publicly making a fool of oneself is an excellent beginning.
Thus, I begin my notations on Sudden Head Injuries That Render Supposedly Intelligent People Into Idiots:
The symptoms for this disorder are, as I understand it:
- A complete disassociation from facts and reality
- A refusal to acknowledge said facts and reality when presented by reliable and reputable sources, particularly those neutral to the argument at hand
- Being a former Archlector of Gild
- Not taking very bold hints that one's behavior is displeasing to the Faith
- Giant knots, bruises, contusions or gashes about one's head or person
I am still learning treatments, but it seems that resting quietly and ceasing to storm about publicly making a fool of oneself is an excellent beginning.
Written By Cara
Oct. 12, 2017, 2:33 p.m.(5/20/1007 AR)
Having an existential threat about to consume one's homeland doesn't make you special.
It just makes you Arvani.
It just makes you Arvani.
Written By Cara
Aug. 6, 2017, 9:58 p.m.(12/21/1006 AR)
The royal wedding was most splendid, of course, as it should be -- but I confess that I was worried, nevertheless, that somehow, some way, something terrible would happen to ruin it. It's been so long since the Crown has been in peace and confident hands; the skill of Duke Gabriel as Regent was and is impressive, of course, but no Regent can compare to a King that demonstrates wisdom and growth of character.
I give thanks to the Gods and to their servants who have labored to bring this course of events about -- thank you, all of you, whomever you are. I rejoice that my daughters, at least for these days, know peace.
I give thanks to the Gods and to their servants who have labored to bring this course of events about -- thank you, all of you, whomever you are. I rejoice that my daughters, at least for these days, know peace.
Written By Cara
Aug. 1, 2017, 5:03 p.m.(12/11/1006 AR)
Two sailors went walking on the beach one night, all alone, and as they chatted by a tidal pool, the first sailor drew a knife and stabbed the other fellow straight off.
"What the bloody hell d'ya stab me for? I thought you were my friend!"
"Nah, mate, I'm no friend," replied the first, "I'm anemone."
"What the bloody hell d'ya stab me for? I thought you were my friend!"
"Nah, mate, I'm no friend," replied the first, "I'm anemone."
Written By Cara
June 4, 2017, 9:18 p.m.(8/4/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Juliet
They say we Lycenes are intemperate and bold, that we play with danger and dance with shadows. That's very true of Lady Juliet; she was tremendously complex.
But when she was needed, no matter her terror, she stood and did her best to help save the world.
That's something, no doubt about it.
Her death was horrific and ghastly. I've not seen it, but I've seen the reflection of it in the eyes of those that I love who have seen it. I try not to imagine it myself, but I pray that the Queen grants her rest -- may She be merciful.
But when she was needed, no matter her terror, she stood and did her best to help save the world.
That's something, no doubt about it.
Her death was horrific and ghastly. I've not seen it, but I've seen the reflection of it in the eyes of those that I love who have seen it. I try not to imagine it myself, but I pray that the Queen grants her rest -- may She be merciful.
Written By Cara
May 30, 2017, 4:46 p.m.(7/22/1006 AR)
I have recently been introduced to a charming snack food -- grains that have been heated until they pop open, giving a delightful flavor, particularly when lightly salted.
I can't help but snack upon it. It's addictive.
I can't help but snack upon it. It's addictive.
Written By Cara
May 28, 2017, 5:42 p.m.(7/18/1006 AR)
On this day, we are safely delivered of two healthy baby girls -- Petra and Kieri Grayson.
They were born in a forest glade during an event honoring Petrichor and the Queen of Endings, in hope for new life and rebirth.
Their timing is already rather magnificent, if I do say so myself.
They were born in a forest glade during an event honoring Petrichor and the Queen of Endings, in hope for new life and rebirth.
Their timing is already rather magnificent, if I do say so myself.
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