Arx, After the Reckoning

On matters of Faith and feeling unappreciated.

I am an Oathlands woman. I was born and raised into the Orthodoxy. I say my prayers every day. I see the hands of the gods in all the beauty that surrounds me.

I hear Mangata's laughter in the babble of a brook, in the feel of the wind on my face, the generosity of Petrichor when I observe our dinner table, as I walk between the trees and bask in the green. The mercy of Our Lady of Change in the hands of those who heal. I see the love of the Queen of Endings and Mother of Beginnings in the cry of a newborn, in the final breath of the dying.

I recognize the promises of Limerance that are kept with each rising of the sun, the love I see in my husband's eyes, in the weight of duty that I carry with me through every choice and decision I make, knowing that it impacts the lives of those who call Oakhaven home. The charity and hospitality of Gild in the smile of those who work to ensure our fellows are clothed and fed. The justice of the Sentinel in the keeping of our Laws. I know that even when it *feels* like there is no choice, there is always a choice. And by Skald's deeds, that choice is mine, as are the consequences, good or bad, that flow from it.

My heart has held fast and true to Vellichor in his search for knowledge, the sharing of wisdom (which is not always the same as sharing information, mind) and the fostering of understanding, and who tells us to document and know our history, lest we make the same mistakes and stop growing. I see the the steely pride of Gloria reflected in the eyes of our warriors and tacticians, her grace in the Knight accepting a favor from their beloved. I see the hand of Jayus in the colors on a canvas, the shape and texture of statues, in the crafting of clothes, weapons and jewelry, the flow of the written or spoken word. And our dreams that flow from the Dreamer of the world, from Aion who brought everything into being.

Father Orazio is correct -- the gods are the ideals we should all aspire to. We should all seek to create, to foster, to show love and mercy, chivalry and honor. We should all seek to be just and honest, to create life, and depart without sorrow. To open our hearts to those with less than ourselves, to give to those we can and shepherd our own. To own the choices that we make, good or bad. To be knowledgeable and wise, to be inspired, to dream of a world greater and more beautiful than we can grasp.

We should love. Love ourselves and one another. Be respectful of your neighbor. Treat those around you the way you wish for them to treat you. I smile to those around me because I wish to be a light, a reminder of the joy and friendliness that is available in this world. Because that is what I seek. Smiles. Friendliness, a sense of community. I offer aid to those I can, because I know when I need help, I will look to those around me for it. I see the best in those around me, because I know inside every heart we are all doing the best that we can. No one wakes up and says "Today... today I'm going to ruin things for everyone." ...Or at least I sincerely hope that no one does. I do not understand that at all. You know what I mean. We are all the heroes of our story. And I seek to see the hero in everyone.

If you are feeling unappreciated, making purposely vague commentary is needlessly antagonistic. Yes, it starts a conversation, but it causes more harm than good. Making people defensive is not the way to feel appreciated. Think to yourself, how would it feel if you were in the other's place? Would the confusion help or make you angry and unwilling to listen?

When our pride is stung, anger is most often the swiftest emotion to arrive. But we can and should try to remember to take a step back and think about how our next act will help or harm. This is a lesson I myself have had to learn, painfully of late, as I have taken to my whites to air grievances best left to blacks.

It has been said numerous times over, but it bears repeating. We are on the verge of war, beset by numerous, deadly and terrifying enemies. These enemies seek to divide us because they know that unity is their bane. We must find a way to come together, to set aside the differences of faith and of temper and try to see the humanity in those around us. To see those lives, those other tiny lights against the dark. For if we can bring all our sparks together, we can outshine the sun, beat back the darkness and create a new age of dreams for all of us.

Legate Orazio wondered at why folk give worship to the spirits. Answered best I could.

Didn't mean to say that our people only paid mind to the spirits, but I see how it could have. So I wanted to make clear.

Reckon you're right that winning is up to us. Can't expect gods to step in on our side.

Would be nice.

Ah. Scholar. I have been having some more thoughts on these recent religious matters....Oh hello Dame Thena, I was just speaking to the....

**The sound of scuffled and murmering is recorded**

Apparently I have a very urgent appointment, ah, elsewhere. Some other time, Scholar.

Yes - that was my rationale exactly.

The only thing surprising about this new "tax" is that there is any squawking about it at all. All vassals are expected to pay a tithe of 1/13 of their income to their direct liege. Do you provide an accounting to your vassals of everything that you do with that customary tithe before Limerance? Good grief, what a mess of paperwork that would be. I'm glad Cara and Lark do our financials, I have enough work without imagining that!

I've recently read a great many entries on the Gods, the Spirits, and how many reconcile their own personal beliefs on the two.

As Highlord of the Northlands, I feel I should weigh in on this matter, as I can see no social or political consequences to my words.

Oh, no... look my quill broke and I can't find another one. Guess I just have to stay silent.

The news of the Crown's tax increase cannot be one that is surprising to any. Wars are costly, and rebuilding after one is similarly expensive. That said, it must be remembered that any taxes removed from the individual houses is money that cannot be reinvested in the wartime needs of those houses, be it defensive arms or food stores. For that reason, it is very important that there be transparency from the Crown regarding these new, temporary revenues. Most are willing to happily pay their share, so long as they recognize value in their sacrifice.

House Velenosa would more than welcome any additional ties to House Thrax to further cement our time-honoured alliance. Princess Jaenelle Velenosa is one such fine example of this and is so very dear to our heart

You can pick your friends but you can't choose family.

Oh no, that wasn't a barb against my sister. It's just a thought that came to me after reading too many noble White Journals.

Why am I reading those? Because it's prime song material, I'll have you know. Mostly for the silly, senseless, happy tunes that Mae enjoys so much.

Yes, that one was a barb. You're learning, Scholar.

How sweet of you...

I'd love to see you say it sober.

I know I said I would not add my thoughts to the current discussion and I am going to stand by that, but I did want to acknowledge something that has lifted my heart over the past few days.

What started, as it often does in the pages of white journals, voicing frustrations, and those that felt hurt by them firing back. As the discussion carried on something subtle, but something I consider quite wonderful happened. People shared their thoughts, their beliefs in a frank and honest manner. In doing so I saw people stay true to their own beliefs, but gained a greater understanding of the beliefs of others. Understanding is a powerful thing and it will help us to see that the virtues and values we hold are largely the same.

I think this is one of the most important reasons that Velllichor asks us to keep our journals. It is not only to preserve knowledge but to foster understanding. This is why it is never shameful to share your beliefs, even if most do not hold them. Wise guy that Vellichor.

Perhaps Duke Laurent we all must apologise to one another constantly for not considering one another often enough. I am sure I am dismissive many a time of the needs and burdens of nobles great office, because it is a strangeness to me. I lack the understanding of many of the noble Blessed Archlectors and others, for I have never lived a life outside of the Faith, and perhaps that makes me see the Faith as others see their mother and father, and I am too quick to take offense on its part. I will think on Father Orazio's words, as I often do even when I disagree with him, and perhaps there are better approaches, perhaps it would have been better to be specific. For in attempting to avoid a small dispute, I caused a larger one. I hope all reading know that Laurent is amongst the most pious of houses for all they have sacrificed to the Faith, including their future Duchess in recent years who now leads the Temple of Gloria with the honour, determination and faith equal to any.

The Princess Redrain and I have run into one another quite a bit. We've shared drink, stories, and so on. I enjoy her company and I especially enjoy watching her spar and practice. Her highness is quite the inspiration. I look forward to my next chance to speak to her after every parting.

In delicate times, it is nice to see so many people practicing their favorite things. Music, games, all manner of things that cheer people up. I would like to see more of this, personally. I'm hoping to also host an event. It's nice to have friends who care, and want me to be more active. I will see about what I can do.

I believe I tipsily suggested a Thraxian prince should marry my cousin Cadenza, though I soberly stand by this idea.

I appreciate the clarification, for I confess I noted your earlier reflection and had been pondering my own response to it. Not all beyond the Compact worship spirits, and this is a misconception I deal with quite often as one who holds the Pantheon in her heart. And ever has. I respect the power of spirits and find no quarrel with those who venerate them, but that has never been my path. I learned of Gloria on my grandfather's knee, and I'm not the only prodigal who has such a tale.

Also, I would never pray to Gloria for victory. Perhaps some do, and I'll not quarrel wit them, either, but that also isn't me. I pray for the courage to ride into a battle where the odds are against me. I pray for the resolve to put the lives of my comrades or my cause ahead of my own blood, if it comes to it. And I pray that I conduct myself with honor, as much as a warrior in the thick of battle can. I pray for the virtues which I often lack. I figure I and my commanders have to take care of the victory part ourselves.

That is always the most sound reasoning, Cybele - often the most safest one, I find. Legate Orazio has always been the most patient and kindest when it came to answering my questions and giving guidance on matters of the Faith.

Cybele has many thoughts on gods, and spirits, and old gods. But perhaps these thoughts, if written down, should be offered to personages of the Faith to ensure they do not offend first.

--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--

The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter

--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--
|--Intro--|Am------|Am7-----|C-------|G-------|Am------|
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The heavy sea was crashing, on the cliffs of Mada Layne
The moon was a ghostly darter, behind the cloudy seas
The beacon was a spear of sunlight, oer the broken wave
And a pirate captain's sailing...
.~;`.,'Sailing...`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~.
.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'Sailing...`.,'`~..,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`..~;`.,'`~.,'`
,'`~.A Pirate came a’sailing, over the stormy sea.~;`..
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
The captain was a sailor, but as pretty as e're had been
He’d a Lycene hat onnis foretop, Setarco lace at his chin
A coat of Grayson velvet, and boots laced up to his thigh
His fur-lined pants were astolen, and fit without a sigh
He sailed like a seaborn shadow, into the lighthouse quay
And up the cliff he scampered, the moonlight lit his way
To the lighthouse proper, it’s doors were all shut tight
He knocked on a well-locked window, away from any light
He whistle a tune at the winda, and who was waiting there
But the Bess the keeper's daughter,
The Lighthouse Keeper's daughter
plaiting loveknots in her hair
One kiss, my bonnie sweetheart, I’m after a prize tonight
I shall be back with a treasure, afore the morning light
Yet if the redcoats aspy me and harry me thru the day...




.,';:',., ...:::Look for me by the moonlight
.:;/@.&$@%):...:::::::Watch for me by the moonlight
:.. :(&%#:@).......::::::::::::::`````` :::::::``````
:::::...^$&0)<'>@;
:::::::::::...:::::::::......:::::::....:::..
I’ll come to thee by the moonlight,:::::::``````
Though the abyss should bar my way.:::````
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::``````
`````````````````````````````


He scaled the lighthouse window, to feel his lover’s hand
The rainslick wall defied him, up nary a yardarm’s span
She cast her hair thru the pane, a lock came tumbl'n down
A ring of gold in the moonlight, plaited round and around
Prettier than Setarco lace and softer than Grayson velvet
Down the rocky cliff he clambered, down to his ship below
Down to the waiting tiller, and the current that she rode

|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
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|---------|---Dm---|----G---|---C----|--------|--------|
|--G------|---G----|--------|--------|--------|--------|
|--Am-----|---C----|----G---|---Dm---|--------|--------|

He did not come at the dawning. He did not come at noon
And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon
The waves were a darkling meer, lit the lighthouse spear
A red-dressed fleet came sailing...
.~;`.,'Sailing...`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~.
.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'Sailing...`.,'`~..,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`..~;`.,'`~.,'`
A redcoat fleet came sailing, unto the lighthouse near.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.


They gave no word to the keeper, they dint dowse the light
They took the keeper's daughter, clasped her feet up tight
A plot they'd laid in motion, the pirate captain's pursuit
To end here with an arrow if he came close enough to shoot
They only needed assistance to bring their prey to heel.
And Bess, the keeper’s daughter...
The Lighthouse Keeper's daughter
...was where they set their steel
The pirate captain’s orders, they asked, and then inquired
They could have torn it from her, but then she was inspired
She spoke with loving fervor, of her pirate captain’s hopes
That they’d be bound together, on waves they’d make a home.
And all it took was a whisper and a quietly shameful glance
Admit where she would see him and to give her love a chance


.,';:',., ...To watch for him by the moonlight
.:;/@.&$@%):...::::::::Wait for him by the moonlight
:.. :(&%#:@).......::::::::::::::`````` :::::::``````
:::::...^$&0)<'>@;
:::::::::::...:::::::::......:::::::....:::..
Look for him by the moonlight,:::::::``````
And warn him of his death.:::::::````
::::::::::::::::::::::::::``````
`````````````````````````

Alone upon the clifftop, the icey wind at her side
A lighthouse keeper's daughter, kept her hope alive
That on the fickle ocean, born on the wayward tides
Her love had been misled, and would not soon arrive
But recreant the moonlight no man's ship would hide
A ship was coming closer, against the flowing tide

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o They’d bound her fingers tightly
F They’d threatened to kill her sire
___/L They’d put her feet in irons
] They stood ready by to fire.
/ If she warned him with a shouting
. He'd be too close at hand
`. The arrows'd befall him and
; on his head they’d land.
. She stepped her way to the cliffside
\ Where the redcoats thought that
: would expect her there to greet him
. they done it all their days.
} Bess hoped there it'd be a warning
[. to see her there abide,
}. and caution’d be upon him
\ \ he'd turn his ship aside.
. . But the foggy night betrayed her,
\ \ }. the lighthouse did not show her,
.. . and the crashing spray below her
. [ }. swallowed up her every sight.
.. } }

|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
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|---------|---Dm---|----G---|---C----|--------|--------|
|--G------|---G----|--------|--------|--------|--------|
|--Am-----|---C----|----G---|---Dm---|--------|--------|

The pirate captain’s promise, carried him thru the gloom
Blind he was to his love's sight atop the crashing plume
And on his ship came sailing...~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~
.~;`.,'Sailing...`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~.
.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'Sailing...`.,'`~..,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
On his ship came sailing, toward it’s cliffside doom.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.



With only an abyss before her, one step was her hecatomb
Waves crashing hard below her; an sonorous, endless boom
But Bess the keeper’s daughter,
The lighthouse keeper’s daughter
And forward leapt the woman, to fall a half a rell below
The pirate captain knew Bess, that nary a careless step
Could cause his love to perish, and fall to such a depth
The treasure he had recovered, to him, no prize at all
Compared to the one f'saken, which he had just seen fall
Raising his cutlass before him, and shouted to the night
Urging his crewmen onward, readying them for the fight
The red-clad sailors came crowding, on the nearing butte
The pirate captain shamed them, quailed them with rebuke


.,';:',., ...:::::::I see you by the moonlight
.:;/@.&$@%):...:::::::I’ll hunt you in the moonlight
:.. :(&%#:@).......::::::::::::::`````` :::::::``````
:::::...^$&0)<'>@;
:::::::::::...:::::::::......:::::::....:::..
I’ll follow you in the moonlight:::::::``````
And the Abyss should be my way:::::::````
::::::::::::::::::::::::::``````
`````````````````````````

Pierced by falling arrows, still up the cliffs they raced
The pirate captain and his crew who'd just a little taste
Of redcoat’s sense of justice, and they would never deign
To yield unto them meekly, or to accept their evil reign
Of six score blooded oarsmen, only seven reached the rise
The pirate captain led them with the bloodlust in his eye
And there they met the redcoats, numbering sixty and five
With steely cut the pirate captain met his doomed demise.

|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
|Am-------|--------|--------|-C------|-G------|----Am--|
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|---------|---Dm---|----G---|---C----|--------|--------|
|--G------|---G----|--------|--------|--------|--------|
|--Am-----|---C----|----G---|---Dm---|--------|--------|

The pirate captain's ship, untethered slipped awane
Carried by the flowing wave it was never seen again
Still they say that it’s still sailing…
.~;`.,'Sailing...`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~.
.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'Sailing...`.,'`~..,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.
~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
Sailing the mourning ocean, with the captain's prize.
.~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.
~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.,'`~..~;`.,'`~.,'`~.


The pirate captain's body, was left there among the dead
When the reds a'went to claim it, and sever off his head
They found the deadpile wanting, vanished was the named
Over the cliffs had it too fallen, never to be reclaimed


They say that he's still sailing, beneath the sea's ebb tide
With Bess, the keeper’s daughter...
The Lighthouse Keeper’s daughter,
...sailing at his side.

((Drawn from the Highwayman by Alfred Noyes))

I should make clear: my people's prayers didn't start and end with the spirits of the Grey Forests, even before we bent the knee and set them to side.

Plenty prayed to the Twelve and One in the woods, either beside the spirits or in stead. Most especially the Greenblood, who held the Pantheon fast a thousand years away from the Compact.

Among them Dame Esoka, now my sworn sword, and her grand-father, the man taught me the better part of what I know of war and leading. (And tried teaching me the better part of what's left, if I'd had sense to listen.)