Written By Lisebet
Jan. 26, 2022, 8:21 p.m.(1/3/1017 AR)
I find it incredible and hard to believe, the news about Prince Niklas. He was my patron for a time.
I hadn't really known much about him before then, and there's still a lot I never knew. Poor Princess Sabella must be beside herself. I - am saddened. Arx has lost a bright light.
I hadn't really known much about him before then, and there's still a lot I never knew. Poor Princess Sabella must be beside herself. I - am saddened. Arx has lost a bright light.
Written By Raven
Jan. 26, 2022, 12:22 p.m.(1/2/1017 AR)
Well. Fuck. Starting to realize all the problems may be one giant problem. Which means I've triaging things that may actually need attention like they're different problems. I really need a word more profane than fuck. It no longer does the trick.
Written By Caspian
Jan. 26, 2022, 10:08 a.m.(1/2/1017 AR)
by the powers but that tourney was amazing! i may have performed poorly, but it was such a wonderous time! and i stumbled upon a masterful partner in crime with Lord Savio! i think he was right when he said the world is not ready...
Written By Ilira
Jan. 26, 2022, 3:40 a.m.(1/1/1017 AR)
I feel like I'm coming together.
Written By Tikva
Jan. 26, 2022, 12:40 a.m.(1/1/1017 AR)
I swore once that I would write no dirges.
When Princess Sabella first asked for an alliance with House Kennex, I was the Voice of Grayson at the time and she, as yet, was not. I thought she was asking for a silly love match; and I, despite my own marriage, was sworn at the time to protect the House I served from acts of unbalanced affection without political gain.
Sabella insisted that Niklas had much to offer House Grayson and that he would be an asset, and I did not listen. I'm afraid it was a bit of a flaming row. She raged and I dismissed, and then I went to Ainsley and I stormed about her presumption, which was not big of me. Ainsley laughed at me, if I remember rightly, and folded his hands behind his head, and commented that he thought it quite grand that I was now the Voice and not he. He might remember the conversation differently, but this is my white journal, not his.
I hadn't met Niklas, at least not more than an instant in passing.
I chanced to meet the young Lord Niklas in the Ambassador Salon a few weeks after that. It was a chance meeting, and of course, he had no idea he was being interviewed at the time. I recognized in him the keen eyes of a writer, a student of humanity, the kind of man who pays a great deal of attention while pretending he does not. I was friendly and polite and went on my way.
Princess Sabella urged us to have Lord Niklas to dinner and interview him for ourselves. I did not tell her I had already done so, but said that I would, of course, accept such a meeting as it would be my diplomatic duty to do so. I cannot for the life of me remember what happened at the meeting. I believe everyone was on their best behavior and nothing of value was really accomplished. I believed Sabella to be discouraged. By that time, I had already reached out to Ford Kennex to begin negotiations for a treaty.
The treaty I proposed was, in a word, insulting. Beloved Orazio remarked upon it, when I sent it to the Faith for review. The marquis apparently believed that it would be the cost of alliance with House Grayson, and did not even try to bargain. All he asked was that Niklas's plays continue to be published under the nom de plume of Niklas Kennex. It was such a small thing. Of course we agreed.
I think back on that treaty a lot. House Kennex agreed to a significant financial benefit to us, which was written into the agreement as recoupment for the funds that were granted to House Kennex following the abolition of thralldom there. They agreed that several persons of House Kennex would be proteges of House Grayson. They paid it all, timely and correct. Both our Houses prospered. House Kennex has _thrived_ and while I do not claim our alliance sole reason, I can't think that the splendid economic connections we developed following the treaty can possibly have hurt.
I don't know why Ford Kennex never bargained, but I think about it a lot. All he cared about in that negotiation was the happiness of his brother.
Once the treaty looked acceptable to both Houses, I was going to surprise Sabella with it. But she had been so tragic in the intervening time, and then she wrote a white journal that I interpreted as a possible disruption in her relationship with Lord Niklas, and became consumed with anxiety that I had put my foot in it, and bridged this proposal without directing enough communication to its principals . . . But Sabella's words had not been about that at all, and she was so delighted to discover that House Grayson had changed its mind that her shrieks of joy could probably be heard all over the city.
For a long time, I kept that letter in my drawer, while I was still Voice. _There were so many exclamation points._
So many of these matches die aborning, but this one went off without a hitch. The wedding was glorious and both of them were resplendent, of course. Niklas's sense of fashion was spectacular and Sabella is always impeccable. I remember some very elaborate ice sculptures. I vaguely remember some absurdity of Prince Luca's... I wish I could remember more. Time eludes me and it seems so long ago and far away now, like something out of the kind of bedtime story I would spin for Lara and Asharion.
They were larger than life, and they were passionately, absurdly, ridiculously happy together.
Niklas worked very hard to become the Prince of Grayson Sabella had believed from the start that he could be. He kept his hand in playwriting and performance. They made many, many beautiful children. He threw himself into economic study and put that keen mind to use for the benefits of the House. And Sabella bloomed with him. They were practically inseparable. Social darlings, fashionable mavens, the writer and the actress, the dramatist and his muse.
And they have both been deeply important to me, as friends of my heart, at some of the ugliest and most confusing and tragic times of my life in this city. I know that Niklas's tongue could run away with him, his acerbity get him into trouble from time to time. And I know that his glibness sometimes followed onto foolishness and not wisdom. But after all, we are all only human. And he was my family. He chose to be my family, as I chose to be his.
I pray for Princess Sabella today. And I pray for their children.
And to Niklas's soul, in the arms of the Queen of Endings: I promise, I will finish the opera, and whatever tenor I find, he will be beautiful.
When Princess Sabella first asked for an alliance with House Kennex, I was the Voice of Grayson at the time and she, as yet, was not. I thought she was asking for a silly love match; and I, despite my own marriage, was sworn at the time to protect the House I served from acts of unbalanced affection without political gain.
Sabella insisted that Niklas had much to offer House Grayson and that he would be an asset, and I did not listen. I'm afraid it was a bit of a flaming row. She raged and I dismissed, and then I went to Ainsley and I stormed about her presumption, which was not big of me. Ainsley laughed at me, if I remember rightly, and folded his hands behind his head, and commented that he thought it quite grand that I was now the Voice and not he. He might remember the conversation differently, but this is my white journal, not his.
I hadn't met Niklas, at least not more than an instant in passing.
I chanced to meet the young Lord Niklas in the Ambassador Salon a few weeks after that. It was a chance meeting, and of course, he had no idea he was being interviewed at the time. I recognized in him the keen eyes of a writer, a student of humanity, the kind of man who pays a great deal of attention while pretending he does not. I was friendly and polite and went on my way.
Princess Sabella urged us to have Lord Niklas to dinner and interview him for ourselves. I did not tell her I had already done so, but said that I would, of course, accept such a meeting as it would be my diplomatic duty to do so. I cannot for the life of me remember what happened at the meeting. I believe everyone was on their best behavior and nothing of value was really accomplished. I believed Sabella to be discouraged. By that time, I had already reached out to Ford Kennex to begin negotiations for a treaty.
The treaty I proposed was, in a word, insulting. Beloved Orazio remarked upon it, when I sent it to the Faith for review. The marquis apparently believed that it would be the cost of alliance with House Grayson, and did not even try to bargain. All he asked was that Niklas's plays continue to be published under the nom de plume of Niklas Kennex. It was such a small thing. Of course we agreed.
I think back on that treaty a lot. House Kennex agreed to a significant financial benefit to us, which was written into the agreement as recoupment for the funds that were granted to House Kennex following the abolition of thralldom there. They agreed that several persons of House Kennex would be proteges of House Grayson. They paid it all, timely and correct. Both our Houses prospered. House Kennex has _thrived_ and while I do not claim our alliance sole reason, I can't think that the splendid economic connections we developed following the treaty can possibly have hurt.
I don't know why Ford Kennex never bargained, but I think about it a lot. All he cared about in that negotiation was the happiness of his brother.
Once the treaty looked acceptable to both Houses, I was going to surprise Sabella with it. But she had been so tragic in the intervening time, and then she wrote a white journal that I interpreted as a possible disruption in her relationship with Lord Niklas, and became consumed with anxiety that I had put my foot in it, and bridged this proposal without directing enough communication to its principals . . . But Sabella's words had not been about that at all, and she was so delighted to discover that House Grayson had changed its mind that her shrieks of joy could probably be heard all over the city.
For a long time, I kept that letter in my drawer, while I was still Voice. _There were so many exclamation points._
So many of these matches die aborning, but this one went off without a hitch. The wedding was glorious and both of them were resplendent, of course. Niklas's sense of fashion was spectacular and Sabella is always impeccable. I remember some very elaborate ice sculptures. I vaguely remember some absurdity of Prince Luca's... I wish I could remember more. Time eludes me and it seems so long ago and far away now, like something out of the kind of bedtime story I would spin for Lara and Asharion.
They were larger than life, and they were passionately, absurdly, ridiculously happy together.
Niklas worked very hard to become the Prince of Grayson Sabella had believed from the start that he could be. He kept his hand in playwriting and performance. They made many, many beautiful children. He threw himself into economic study and put that keen mind to use for the benefits of the House. And Sabella bloomed with him. They were practically inseparable. Social darlings, fashionable mavens, the writer and the actress, the dramatist and his muse.
And they have both been deeply important to me, as friends of my heart, at some of the ugliest and most confusing and tragic times of my life in this city. I know that Niklas's tongue could run away with him, his acerbity get him into trouble from time to time. And I know that his glibness sometimes followed onto foolishness and not wisdom. But after all, we are all only human. And he was my family. He chose to be my family, as I chose to be his.
I pray for Princess Sabella today. And I pray for their children.
And to Niklas's soul, in the arms of the Queen of Endings: I promise, I will finish the opera, and whatever tenor I find, he will be beautiful.
Written By Haakon
Jan. 26, 2022, 12:18 a.m.(1/1/1017 AR)
Had a trio of fine matches this night, against three worthy foes. In the four matches I had no part in, the opponents showed exceptional skill at arms.
Also Savio was there.
The rounds of dueling organized by the Eurusi I was free to watch made for a fine spectacle, seven bouts in all, but Sea and Sky strike me down if I lie: by the end of my third, I were spent.
Deva Redrain
Sorrel Thrax
Corban Telmar
Fine matches, all.
Also Savio was there.
The rounds of dueling organized by the Eurusi I was free to watch made for a fine spectacle, seven bouts in all, but Sea and Sky strike me down if I lie: by the end of my third, I were spent.
Deva Redrain
Sorrel Thrax
Corban Telmar
Fine matches, all.
Written By Ryhalt
Jan. 25, 2022, 9:20 p.m.(1/1/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Desma
I apologize to Splinter.
Written By Cambria
Jan. 25, 2022, 6:59 p.m.(1/1/1017 AR)
Allow me to feign shock and disbelief.
Written By Viviana
Jan. 25, 2022, 6:11 p.m.(1/1/1017 AR)
I don't understand why others do the shit that they do -- countless, like the raindrop scatter of yellow sapphires across star iron, but, of course, are simply stars and not gems, Scholar, and I am only making an educated assumption that sapphires can be yellow. Are stars yellow. Gold's yellow -- ish. I don't see why the stars wouldn't also be made of gold. No, the night-sky's star iron in this. Now, see -- I have messed up the entire analogy --
Let's start again.
I don't understand what motivates others.
I am relearning mine.
Let's start again.
I don't understand what motivates others.
I am relearning mine.
Written By Ida
Jan. 25, 2022, 5:58 p.m.(1/1/1017 AR)
I should write something about it being a dagger to the heart, but that just makes it worse.
(I kid! Mostly.)
(I kid! Mostly.)
Written By Viviana
Jan. 25, 2022, 5:52 p.m.(1/1/1017 AR)
-- What I wanted for myself and what ended up for me -- those are two different stories.
What I wanted: verve and vigor, flash and flourish, blushes and thrown roses. I wanted ballads and stories. I wanted crowds. I wanted to be able to take a turn in a duelist's ring and get them up on their feet for me. For me to be their champion. I see Champion Caspian, unflaggingly cheerful, and I see a glimmer through my good eye of what could have been. Fuck, Scholars, it would have beautiful. It wasn't just a damned dream either, it was longing -- it was yearning -- it was a need so deep to the fibers of my being that I wept. Wept each night that father and I rode out to the war in Nilanza. So he wouldn't see me -- the disappointment, the fear, the dissolution of my naivety. The first time I realized that the truth that Leticia pressed for me was entirely different from the future I saw for myself.
Fuck you, Leticia, for that.
What I wanted: verve and vigor, flash and flourish, blushes and thrown roses. I wanted ballads and stories. I wanted crowds. I wanted to be able to take a turn in a duelist's ring and get them up on their feet for me. For me to be their champion. I see Champion Caspian, unflaggingly cheerful, and I see a glimmer through my good eye of what could have been. Fuck, Scholars, it would have beautiful. It wasn't just a damned dream either, it was longing -- it was yearning -- it was a need so deep to the fibers of my being that I wept. Wept each night that father and I rode out to the war in Nilanza. So he wouldn't see me -- the disappointment, the fear, the dissolution of my naivety. The first time I realized that the truth that Leticia pressed for me was entirely different from the future I saw for myself.
Fuck you, Leticia, for that.
Written By Sabella
Jan. 25, 2022, 5:44 p.m.(1/1/1017 AR)
*There seems to be several spots on the pages where alcohol was spilt. Perhaps a little too much. The words are also sloppily written.*
Cherish what you have before it's taken from you. Hug your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you. Never know if it's gonna be your last......
Cherish what you have before it's taken from you. Hug your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you. Never know if it's gonna be your last......
Written By Udell
Jan. 25, 2022, 10:47 a.m.(12/28/1016 AR)
Ah, another party and this one at least without being eaten or accosted, or any other such nonsense! I nearly won that contest of musical chairs, but goodness, that cider was STRONG.
Written By Eirene
Jan. 25, 2022, 10:05 a.m.(12/28/1016 AR)
This journal may embarrass them someday, or embarrass me now; but fuck it. I love my family. Riven. Malvici. My husband. My wonderful little monster children. It needs to be said else it go unspoken and forgotten when I am gone. Not that I have intentions of leaving, no. But one never knows what the world may hold in the days to come.
I soon go to Bastion- for Grayson, for King and Compact. But mostly out of spite, though, towards our enemies. Any chance to extract a pound of flesh is worth taking these days.
I soon go to Bastion- for Grayson, for King and Compact. But mostly out of spite, though, towards our enemies. Any chance to extract a pound of flesh is worth taking these days.
Written By Eirene
Jan. 25, 2022, 10:03 a.m.(12/28/1016 AR)
Normally you describe fruit as per the taste. Sweet. Salty. Savoury. Sour. Tangy. (I needed a word to break up the S's.) But this time, the fruit was sad. It held emotion more than taste. But for posterity it was a mix between an apple and a pear. Context: A memory made physical, a longing and sorrow for a life not lived as it could have been.
Written By Preston
Jan. 25, 2022, 8:43 a.m.(12/28/1016 AR)
Let me be clear in the whites as I was in the Assembly - the Templars did not start the Thrall revolt in Sungreet. It is not our role to do so. What we did do was to present the demands of the Faith. Ivan then-Helianthus wished to talk, and so we negotiated in good faith, but he in bad. He was stalling for time and refused to bend to the demands of the Faith, to the expectations of the Compact, to the command of the Gods. As Carnifex, I excommunicated him because that is my duty. While I was doing my duty, he was ordering an assault on the temple at Sungreet, the slaughtering of those inside against the laws of Sanctuary. The Thrall revolt broke out. And rather than betray his Gods, the now-Duke Trevor chose instead to refuse his father's command to assault the Temple and thus saved a Mother of our Church.
Ivan fled the damage he caused, and died like a rat in some hole. His Seraph, one who chose temporal power over his spiritual duties, fled with him and tried to compound the damage.
Whoever started that Thrall revolt helped stop a great crime against the Gods and the Faith. They - along with the defection of a third of the Eurusi forces - also caused a great tumult and denied Ivan and the Eurusi forces the option of safety behind the city walls. And they likely prevented a forced retreat of the Faith, and the death of a Mother of the Faith, as we were pressed hard before that outside the walls. We had to rush to Sungreet, unable to call upon the forces we might normally muster and it was a close thing.
People made choices at Sungreet and after - for good, for bad - and we must honour those choices and respond accordingly. Our traditions demand no less.
Ivan fled the damage he caused, and died like a rat in some hole. His Seraph, one who chose temporal power over his spiritual duties, fled with him and tried to compound the damage.
Whoever started that Thrall revolt helped stop a great crime against the Gods and the Faith. They - along with the defection of a third of the Eurusi forces - also caused a great tumult and denied Ivan and the Eurusi forces the option of safety behind the city walls. And they likely prevented a forced retreat of the Faith, and the death of a Mother of the Faith, as we were pressed hard before that outside the walls. We had to rush to Sungreet, unable to call upon the forces we might normally muster and it was a close thing.
People made choices at Sungreet and after - for good, for bad - and we must honour those choices and respond accordingly. Our traditions demand no less.
Written By Tikva
Jan. 25, 2022, 12:22 a.m.(12/27/1016 AR)
I had a truly delightful evening tonight at Princess Keely and Sir Corban's Farewell to Autumn ball for the King's Own. I admit, I had let the social calendar fall away from me a bit, between the work of the Inquisition and my own private research. With the sack of Bastion a looming pall over all, it was easy to let the gloom of the world overtake me a little, carving out a small and sacred bit of home and love and laughter just for me and my little ones. I don't regret the time I took to hover over the nursery like an overbearing chicken hen, but --
I also feel entirely ready for the winter season, a social set full of (appallingly) young and (ravishingly) beautiful people, and the stubborn optimism of a very hard head (mine, you see) smashed repeatedly into the wall of gloom wherever it occurs.
I commend to all Princess Keely's hosting, Princess Sofia's dancing, and Mistress Ilira's charm as a ... collision? I don't actually know how to describe that, but really, great fun was had by all.
Always commit!
I also feel entirely ready for the winter season, a social set full of (appallingly) young and (ravishingly) beautiful people, and the stubborn optimism of a very hard head (mine, you see) smashed repeatedly into the wall of gloom wherever it occurs.
I commend to all Princess Keely's hosting, Princess Sofia's dancing, and Mistress Ilira's charm as a ... collision? I don't actually know how to describe that, but really, great fun was had by all.
Always commit!
Written By Desma
Jan. 24, 2022, 5:50 p.m.(12/27/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Ryhalt
Palamon didn't lose to a falcon. They lost to Splinter, an osprey.
Regardless I thought that Duke Ryhalt did exceedingly well at the small contest, especially given how awkward his owl was being!
Regardless I thought that Duke Ryhalt did exceedingly well at the small contest, especially given how awkward his owl was being!
Written By Savio
Jan. 24, 2022, 10:54 a.m.(12/26/1016 AR)
I am no stranger to loss, but somehow I am still consistently surprised by all the aching, endless shapes of it.
Written By Tanith
Jan. 23, 2022, 11:35 p.m.(12/25/1016 AR)
There are some horrors that no amount of alcohol or haze or fucking or all three at once can scour from the mind, sights burned into your mind in a way you -know- will cling for ... however long it might. The only solace, and scholar, I mean that: the -only- solace, is that them in pain found their peace in the end. Sydney says it's a gift, what we did together. When I stop crying, I'll tell you I believe her. For now? I'm writing this to remember.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.