Written By Ailith
May 14, 2016, 8:38 p.m.(6/26/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Isolde
It is jarring for anyone raised in the Oathlands to see those who worship the Thirteenth willingly, who place themselves on the path of darkness and still claim to be good and godly women. Princess Isolde Velenosa is one such example, and the woman makes no apologies for it. Despite a bone deep revulsion for the Thirteenth, I cannot fully fault the charming woman. She has the courage of her convictions, and even if she is on the wrong path, she seems to come by them honestly.
Written By Leona
May 14, 2016, 2:25 p.m.(6/25/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Ailith
The King's Own often prays with the Palace Seraph rather than going through the trouble of going all the way down to the Cathedral for daily prayers. Ailith just seems to have something special about her, the kind of infectious belief that bolsters everyone around her. I was not raised by House Thrax to be particularly ardent, but it's hard not to feel the faith talking to this woman.
Written By Leona
May 14, 2016, 1:55 p.m.(6/25/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Donrai
Some call my grandfather an evil man. It seems like the sort of hyperbolic political rhetoric one would immediately discard, but I'm not so sure. Callous? Certainly. Ruthless? Absolutely. Tyrannical? Without a doubt. But evil? He rules over Thrax with a firm grip that's unmatched by any other high lord over their realms, and while the Mourning Isles have less warring with shavs, I'm not so certain they are truly better for it.
Written By Leona
May 14, 2016, 1:52 p.m.(6/25/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Donella
I'm very sympathetic towards my cousin. I know what it's like to have all the pressures of being a Thrax woman dropped upon your shoulders, but I fear she is so close to the heart of the beast she can no longer see how corrupt and dark House Thrax has really become. It is my hope Princess Donella, given the rare opportunity of a Thrax woman to act as a Voice, can do some good for the House. Even if I am no longer welcome for refusing to be a meek Thrax woman.
Written By Leona
May 14, 2016, 1:50 p.m.(6/25/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Dagon
My cousin Prince Dagon, from the times we spoke, a good and honorable man that cares about many of the same things I do, and is very much like his father, Elton, from the little I remember of my uncle. It is my fond hope that he does become the new high lord of House Thrax after our grandfather finally dies and releases his tyrannical hold. Thrax, and the rest of Arvum, would be better for it.
Written By Leona
May 14, 2016, 1:48 p.m.(6/25/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
I never knew my parent's cousin well, Victus. An illegitimate child, he likely felt just out of place as I did among House Thrax, but he proved his mettled by ending the Thrax Rebellion. I can understand the desire to prove oneself all too well, but I fear his path took him down a road that can only lead to brutality rather than honor.
Written By Leona
May 14, 2016, 1:45 p.m.(6/25/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
I know what it's like to be trapped where you do not belong. House Thrax was that for me, and I imagine it has not been easier for the last lady of Tyde raised among those who killed her family. She seems to be a perfect Thrax woman now, but it makes me wonder.
Written By Leona
May 14, 2016, 1:35 p.m.(6/25/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Jaenelle
My twin sister, and we oculd not be more different. She played with dresses, and I infuriated my tutors by playing with swords. She saw the beauty and simplicity in things, and I made sure the bullies left our brother Valerius alone. And now she is a lovely princess married into House Velenosa and enjoying the scandal and intrigue of the Lyceum. I wish her well, but my path is carved with a sword, and the King's Own is where I belong.
Written By Leona
May 14, 2016, 1:33 p.m.(6/25/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Alaric
He is my king, no more and no less. At least I wished it was so. Duty and obligation are unyielding, and one cannot have their judgment impaired by other feelings, but his majesty never seems to understand that. King Alaric Grayson IV is a warm man, a kind man, that makes friends easily with a whimsy and lack of care that worries those around him. I kept my distance, even if he would have it another way.
Written By Victus
May 10, 2016, 5:10 p.m.(6/14/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Alessandra
Alessandra is the woman Victus is courting. She's a bit down on the social ladder from him, but he's been adamant, and Prince Donrai has allowed it.
Written By Alis
April 18, 2016, 2:13 a.m.(4/5/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Arn
He openly doesn't approve of my choice of knighthood, and argues and argues about it, but it's nothing I'm not accustomed to. Many women serve capably and honorably as knights in the service of House Valardin, and despite it, I can tell it's not doubt on my talents- it's (misplaced) paternal feelings of an old warrior afraid of seeing another protege meet tragedy on the field. He's a surprisingly good man, despite his reputation, full of a carefully concealed concern for House and family. He was loyal to my father and it has cost him almost everything, meeting any sacrifice without flinching. He's a reminder of a very peculiar kind of honor, one often forgotten- the type of men who will surrender anything, even their good name or their ideals, in absolute service to their lord. Not a proper knight, perhaps, but our family could do worse.
Written By Alis
April 18, 2016, 2:01 a.m.(4/5/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Edain
Edain believed in me when others doubted me and attempted to dissuade me. Even if my vows as a knight did not require my absolute obedience to my liege, I would serve him with without question or complaint. But I worry about him. My brother is a good and idealistic young man and already shows the strain of his newfound duties. Of course I shall aid him in any way I can.
Written By Arn
April 18, 2016, 1:51 a.m.(4/5/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Gabriel
Ask anyone on the streets of Arx who's the greatest knight in the land now that Dayne's dead and chances are they will tell you it is Duke Gabriel Bisland. Gabriel! Squire Gabby! That boy that looked like he was twelve the first time I met him, bright eyed and so green he could have been a hedge! But I guess he's a big damned hero now after all the work he did with the shavs. To me though? Hard to think of him as anything but that kid, that young bright squire, so I might let that slip. Repeatedly. Something I take great delight in referring to him as, or sometimes I make it even more casual and just call him 'son.' It makes the Graysons mad as hell and so it's one of the few guilty pleasures I refuse to give up. Gabriel himself? It doesn't seem to bother him. Seems to appreciate keeping him grounded. I figure helping to keep him humble is the least I can do for a battle brother that I've fought alongside over the course of three decades. He's welcome.
Written By Arn
April 18, 2016, 1:37 a.m.(4/5/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Alis
The knight-princess reminds me entirely too damned much of my daughter, and I find myself speaking far too frankly around her or being a sentimental old fool. And just like my daughter she has is determined to drive me mad by insisting that 'deep down' I am a good person, despite knowing full well I handle problems in a way no knight should ever approve of. I told Prince Radley, her and Edain's father, not to encourage her path to Knighthood. And then I told her brother the same. It'd only lead to sorrow. Now she's the knight and he's stuck wearing the crown and making the decisions that'll send men off to die while he has to sit in safety and miss all the glory. She's too damned young, she's too talented, and like every idiotic child with a sword she thinks she's immortal. She'll be the bold hero that begs to ride at the head of the column. It is going to get her killed, and I am not ready for that. Not so soon after losing Radley and far too many others. I've warned her of this now a half a hundred times. I see it coming, so I try to push her away, but somehow I fail at this and find myself in the ridiculous situation of offering fatherly advice now that Prince Radley's gone, which I know will only end poorly for both of us.
Written By Edain
April 18, 2016, 12:43 a.m.(4/5/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Alis
I love my sister. I saw the all-too-familiar fierce passion she had burning inside her to be a knight, and I encouraged her to walk the same path I felt destined to walk. I helped her train, arguing on her behalf, when Father and our elder brothers attempted to dissuade her. As her brother, I could not be more proud of her. At the same time, I am ashamed to admit that I seethe with envy that she is now going to be able to live the life I always wanted for myself. That I need to hide how bitterly unfair I find it that she is the one that gets to be the golden champion, while I am tethered as a ruler. She will be the bold shining example of what Valardin knights should be. I will have to ask much of her, and I know she will aid me how she can, but in the end she will be free in a way I cannot be. I love her, even as she reminds me what I've had to set aside.
Written By Jacinthe
March 24, 2016, 7:31 p.m.(1/16/1003 AR)
The nuptials of King Alaric and Queen Genevieve were all I had hoped them to be. A spectacle worthy of the event, truly. How rare it is to see a groom so enthusiastically greeting his bride. The men of Arx have quite the role model in our noble King.
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