Written By Leta
Feb. 5, 2017, 11:35 p.m.(11/11/1005 AR)
I'm writing again. Don't properly know why, but I was told anything I write will please Vellichor, and I ought to please as many gods as possible. Think I've got some of them covered, others not so much.
War fills my purse, and I don't apologize for it. I don't apologize for the earning or for the spending. I bought myself red steel to fight those things coming our way, and I bought myself an earring with a pearl the size of a walnut, because it's pretty and pricey and because I can.
This time it's not blood money, not the usual kind, but the blood of unnatural things. And this makes a woman wonder whether I'd rather be fighting a proper war against common folk. I'd rather die by steel than by sorcery. But I think I'd rather kill these Bringers than people that bleed like me, not that blood on my silver ever turned my wine bitter.
I keep thinking about such things. Even caught myself wondering if I've a right to be happy when things are the way they are and folk are grieving, and even more folk are bound to be grieving soon. But it could bloody well be me next week, or the other, and in my line of work more than others, and I'd be a right fool if I kept myself from cheer because someone else is in mourning. We live while we live, not a day longer.
So that's all I was thinking of. I think I feel better after writing it. So next time I get asked if I'm happy, I believe I'll just say yes.
War fills my purse, and I don't apologize for it. I don't apologize for the earning or for the spending. I bought myself red steel to fight those things coming our way, and I bought myself an earring with a pearl the size of a walnut, because it's pretty and pricey and because I can.
This time it's not blood money, not the usual kind, but the blood of unnatural things. And this makes a woman wonder whether I'd rather be fighting a proper war against common folk. I'd rather die by steel than by sorcery. But I think I'd rather kill these Bringers than people that bleed like me, not that blood on my silver ever turned my wine bitter.
I keep thinking about such things. Even caught myself wondering if I've a right to be happy when things are the way they are and folk are grieving, and even more folk are bound to be grieving soon. But it could bloody well be me next week, or the other, and in my line of work more than others, and I'd be a right fool if I kept myself from cheer because someone else is in mourning. We live while we live, not a day longer.
So that's all I was thinking of. I think I feel better after writing it. So next time I get asked if I'm happy, I believe I'll just say yes.
Written By Leta
Jan. 29, 2017, 9:59 p.m.(10/18/1005 AR)
I probably have no cause to write this, but it's something I've been thinking of, and maybe I ought to put it to paper.
If you ask me, maybe when they find whoever it was that killed Prince Donrai, they'll know something about what's happened to the Grand Duchess Esera too, or the other way around. And I'd start keeping better watch on the other High Lords and Ladies, if I was captain of their guards, just in case. Or maybe it's the Dominus that ends up poisoned, next thing you know.
Not that I know much of politics and treachery of this sort, and I'm not saying coincidences don't happen. But it sure is a good trick for the enemy, when they're right at the doorstep. Maybe they expected folk would start fighting over it, and that's not happened yet. They did in the Thrax ward, from what I hear, but that's just their way, and it looks like they're done with that for now.
Written By Leta
Jan. 29, 2017, 3:04 p.m.(10/17/1005 AR)
I'm no good with coin. The minute my purse starts feeling heavy, I get this itch and then I get to buying what I want and what is pretty. And there's this fur I got my eye on for a winter cloak and a pearl for an earring, fat as a sparrow's egg.
But I ought to be wise and save my coin to buy better steel. What I need is steel that will take a man's head in a single cut, on the first try, every time, like their necks were made of butter, or fresh bread or a nice sausage. If you pardon, I am writing this at my breakfast table, and that's the examples I came up with, cause my knife here cuts through them easy as can be.
I thought of armor, seeing as I like living, but some things I worry armor isnt worth much against, and in such cases offense is the best defense. Now, the old sergeant who told me that had a habit of wearing plate from head to toe except for when going to the bucket or the bushes, and that makes me wonder. But it's like folk say, do what I say and not what I do, and there's a time and a place for everything.
But I ought to be wise and save my coin to buy better steel. What I need is steel that will take a man's head in a single cut, on the first try, every time, like their necks were made of butter, or fresh bread or a nice sausage. If you pardon, I am writing this at my breakfast table, and that's the examples I came up with, cause my knife here cuts through them easy as can be.
I thought of armor, seeing as I like living, but some things I worry armor isnt worth much against, and in such cases offense is the best defense. Now, the old sergeant who told me that had a habit of wearing plate from head to toe except for when going to the bucket or the bushes, and that makes me wonder. But it's like folk say, do what I say and not what I do, and there's a time and a place for everything.
Written By Leta
Jan. 22, 2017, 9:02 a.m.(9/23/1005 AR)
I ought to worry more about Arx and this mess that's going on. Ought to worry more about the rest of Arvum too, if I'm to live in southern parts with my woman some day. And maybe there's something I can do, and maybe there's not. But I'm not a noble, am I? They get born in their silks, and in pay they get to lead and they get to worry about the messes they make, unless they give the whole thing up.
And sometimes I can tell all these regents and councils and ministers and all sort of highborn sorts are about to step in a bog. And since we're all tied together because of Limerance and Gild and all, if they go down then a bunch of us go down with them.
But I can't say I envy them. Maybe some Lycene princeling that ain't got a worry in the world but which silk to wear, him I'll envy, but I reckon I'm happier with a single pair of gloves than he is with a full wardrobe. Silk's like water to a fish for him, I wager.
I've my own worries. I care about mine, and sometimes I get to care about other folk. And maybe I'm tangled up in all this, and I'd rather not be, and maybe I ought to be doing something about that, but I won't. And gods forgive me, but if they wanted me to bear the burden they had better stick a silver spoon up my ass, if you pardon me, when I was born, and I don't remember one.
And sometimes I can tell all these regents and councils and ministers and all sort of highborn sorts are about to step in a bog. And since we're all tied together because of Limerance and Gild and all, if they go down then a bunch of us go down with them.
But I can't say I envy them. Maybe some Lycene princeling that ain't got a worry in the world but which silk to wear, him I'll envy, but I reckon I'm happier with a single pair of gloves than he is with a full wardrobe. Silk's like water to a fish for him, I wager.
I've my own worries. I care about mine, and sometimes I get to care about other folk. And maybe I'm tangled up in all this, and I'd rather not be, and maybe I ought to be doing something about that, but I won't. And gods forgive me, but if they wanted me to bear the burden they had better stick a silver spoon up my ass, if you pardon me, when I was born, and I don't remember one.
Written By Leta
Jan. 15, 2017, 11:04 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
I've been sitting on a pile of things I said I had to write down, and seeing as I'm supposed to be getting bedrest after the beating I took at the melee, I can at least put them here. Most of them aren't important to write down, so I won't. This isn't in the right order. I don't think that matters much.
I saw the elves. I didn't get a proper look, but there they were. I thought they'd look more unnatural, and that would have been good. Put a hat covering the ears on these and they could almost look like regular folk, but maybe not so much if you're closer and in the dark. Didn't bring the cat to see if she'd hiss at them, but seeing as she's small maybe that wouldn't work. I hope the swords and all aren't a trap.
Went to that Common Council they had. I got there late, so I didn't catch it all, but the Captain-General said some clever things from what I understand, and that's good. I've had some other offers of work, but I don't know if I should pledge my loyalties. A noble house might put me in finer silks, but what if they like one color and I another? Then I'm stuck, aren't I? And what goes for color goes for the rest.
Got that coin from the Scholars, properly, and paid for training from the winner of the melee herself, Mistress Zhayla, so I reckon that's silver well spent. I've also done some training myself. Never too keen on that before, but I just acted like my first sergeant at the old company, but not such a rat bastard, if you pardon. But for a painter this fellow took well to learning. Hope he hasn't got to use it, but if it does I hope it serves him well. I didn't ask him to pay, as that way I think I got my debt to Vellichor squared off.
Didn't win the melee at the combat exposition but then I didn't think I would. Thought I might do better, but that was thinking my step longer than my legs. Didn't count on the mess it was, I suppose, and I'd wager some folk I know would've smacked me on the head for taking on Prince Anze first thing while Lord Ansel and all manner of other folk decided I'd make a good dummy. A proper tactical blunder, that.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I need to get out of bed. Everything else is fine as can be.
I saw the elves. I didn't get a proper look, but there they were. I thought they'd look more unnatural, and that would have been good. Put a hat covering the ears on these and they could almost look like regular folk, but maybe not so much if you're closer and in the dark. Didn't bring the cat to see if she'd hiss at them, but seeing as she's small maybe that wouldn't work. I hope the swords and all aren't a trap.
Went to that Common Council they had. I got there late, so I didn't catch it all, but the Captain-General said some clever things from what I understand, and that's good. I've had some other offers of work, but I don't know if I should pledge my loyalties. A noble house might put me in finer silks, but what if they like one color and I another? Then I'm stuck, aren't I? And what goes for color goes for the rest.
Got that coin from the Scholars, properly, and paid for training from the winner of the melee herself, Mistress Zhayla, so I reckon that's silver well spent. I've also done some training myself. Never too keen on that before, but I just acted like my first sergeant at the old company, but not such a rat bastard, if you pardon. But for a painter this fellow took well to learning. Hope he hasn't got to use it, but if it does I hope it serves him well. I didn't ask him to pay, as that way I think I got my debt to Vellichor squared off.
Didn't win the melee at the combat exposition but then I didn't think I would. Thought I might do better, but that was thinking my step longer than my legs. Didn't count on the mess it was, I suppose, and I'd wager some folk I know would've smacked me on the head for taking on Prince Anze first thing while Lord Ansel and all manner of other folk decided I'd make a good dummy. A proper tactical blunder, that.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I need to get out of bed. Everything else is fine as can be.
Written By Leta
Jan. 8, 2017, 2:01 a.m.(8/8/1005 AR)
Haven't written much because I know there are many wise minds writing about these matters of the Crown, so there's no call for me to say anything.
I don't know if I agree with this sacrifice. I don't like the sound of it, and I don't know if it's any good to offend the gods. Maybe the cure is worse than the sickness, and maybe not.
But when it comes to sacrifice, I don't know what sort of folk the elves say they needed, if it was just folk with six fingers in one hand, or the seventh of seven brothers, or only the sons and daughters of kings and queens of old. If it was just any man or woman, there's folk that are sick or dying, so not even the Mercies can help. Some of these folk have children, bound to be orphans before the year's done. If the Crown were to give their children a home, a trade, and a proper stipend, like some folk get just for being born to noble parents, I'd wager you'd get more than willing to go. Ask outside of Arx, and you'd get ten times the number.
If some noble wants to go, that's their affair, but giving orphans a home and a trade is better than making more, silk or not. Good and bad die every day, and you might as well make it worth the death.
Now this is too late, but maybe there's call for such a thing again in the future, so I put it here for the scholars to remember.
I went to see my folks after it happened, and they're well. The cat had kittens, as cats don't much care about Regents or Kings, but only one lived. I'm thinking of taking her in. I don't know if what some folk say about kittens and dark magics has any truth to it, but even if it doesn't, I've the coin to spare for a saucer and some milk and offal.
I don't know if I agree with this sacrifice. I don't like the sound of it, and I don't know if it's any good to offend the gods. Maybe the cure is worse than the sickness, and maybe not.
But when it comes to sacrifice, I don't know what sort of folk the elves say they needed, if it was just folk with six fingers in one hand, or the seventh of seven brothers, or only the sons and daughters of kings and queens of old. If it was just any man or woman, there's folk that are sick or dying, so not even the Mercies can help. Some of these folk have children, bound to be orphans before the year's done. If the Crown were to give their children a home, a trade, and a proper stipend, like some folk get just for being born to noble parents, I'd wager you'd get more than willing to go. Ask outside of Arx, and you'd get ten times the number.
If some noble wants to go, that's their affair, but giving orphans a home and a trade is better than making more, silk or not. Good and bad die every day, and you might as well make it worth the death.
Now this is too late, but maybe there's call for such a thing again in the future, so I put it here for the scholars to remember.
I went to see my folks after it happened, and they're well. The cat had kittens, as cats don't much care about Regents or Kings, but only one lived. I'm thinking of taking her in. I don't know if what some folk say about kittens and dark magics has any truth to it, but even if it doesn't, I've the coin to spare for a saucer and some milk and offal.
Written By Leta
Jan. 3, 2017, 2:28 p.m.(7/23/1005 AR)
Here I am with nothing to do but write and think about things, so I'll write down my thoughts. I tried my hand at poetry but that didn't go too well and I'm not putting any poetry here on account of last time.
If you ask me, I'd rather be fighting a proper battle, mess and all, over the things they have in the woods. I don't mean Shavs, though I don't care to fight them either, but these other white things will give you the chills to look at. They're tall, but strong arms and good steel will cut through them same as any. But seeing as they're unnatural, you get a scratch from one and they lock you up in the House of Solace. There's worse places to be locked in. The Mercies are kind and they do fine work.
I think there are other people better at telling the story of what happened, so I'll leave that up to them. I expect I'll be getting well paid for it, one way or another, and there's worse jobs.
But it makes a woman think about what other kinds of unnatural things there are out there. They say a wizard can cast a spell on you from afar if you look in a mirror or they got a lock of your hair, and they can turn into all kinds of critters or become transparent like air, in the stories, not that I believe that. Stories get taller in the telling, as they say. But if there are such wizards, that would make them hard to kill unless you catch them sleeping. Myself, I've turned down work that called for butchering folk in their beds because that's murder and not soldiering, but I think I might do just that for a wizard or a witch.
That's all the thoughts I have for now. I'm feeling fine and I think they'll let me go soon enough as I have no signs of fever or turning into something unnatural.
Written By Leta
Jan. 1, 2017, 3:24 p.m.(7/17/1005 AR)
I'm sober as a scholar so here's an accounting of things, as I see them, and that's good enough for Vellichor, or so I was told.
Things are going well enough, not counting what's going on beyond the walls. But I'm no knight, and it's none of my affair unless someone is paying.
I found paying work. I've a contract, at least, with the Valorous Few. It'll pay well enough and the Captain seems a reasonable, sensible sort.
Got enough coin to make something of the silk and leather I've bought. Should ask the Captain if we're leaving Arx any time soon, clothes for the north and clothes for the south aren't the same. Armor's armor, but I don't go to the market in steel like some.
I visited my folks, and things seem well enough, or not as bad as they were. I've the Mercier's and their wine to thank for that, I think.
I have been more fortunate on the training fields these days. But now I have work so I should find a proper trainer. There's a lesson in every beating, but I forget a good half of anything I learn at the hands of northern giants and shorter southerners.
There's a woman and my heart's a fool, but they say fools are the happiest of folk.
Written By Leta
Dec. 28, 2016, 3:28 p.m.(7/5/1005 AR)
I don't think I'm drunk enough to cause offense this time, and if I do may Vellichor pardon me again.
Time was all a woman needed was her arms and good steel. I can work on both of those things. It's just hard practice and honest work. But now people talk of monsters and shav gods and elves, and I don't rightly know what to make of this. How are strong arms and good steel any good against curses and demons and sorcerers? I'm no bloody knight princess with a pure heart to kill some demon.
You would hear things before, sure enough. You'd even see strange things sometimes. But these days you've got serious important folk sounding like my nan. How's that make any sense? Maybe someone should have made her a scholar of Vellichor. If I see the Archscholar again, or if he's reading this, I'll be sure to remind him to start looking around the Boroughs for learned old washerwomen.
Time was all a woman needed was her arms and good steel. I can work on both of those things. It's just hard practice and honest work. But now people talk of monsters and shav gods and elves, and I don't rightly know what to make of this. How are strong arms and good steel any good against curses and demons and sorcerers? I'm no bloody knight princess with a pure heart to kill some demon.
You would hear things before, sure enough. You'd even see strange things sometimes. But these days you've got serious important folk sounding like my nan. How's that make any sense? Maybe someone should have made her a scholar of Vellichor. If I see the Archscholar again, or if he's reading this, I'll be sure to remind him to start looking around the Boroughs for learned old washerwomen.
Written By Leta
Dec. 23, 2016, 12:28 a.m.(6/16/1005 AR)
I haven't dared write here after that last one, even if I've been assured by Archscholar Aldwin himself, in person that it didn't cause an offense to Vellichor, and he ought to know. I never know what to write, so it can't be helped.
All in all it's good to be back in Arx. I haven't visited my folk. Last time da was still mad at me, and we don't have much to talk about, so be it. They'd rather I didn't earn my coin the way I do, so my coin is my own.
I've made some easy silver, but I'm spending more than I'm earning by my account. I fear there will be plenty of work and I'm not too worried. I'm sure I'll like the pay, but not what that means for the people caught in it all. There's trouble brewing, even if I haven't been paying attention to the criers and the gossip mongers to know what's coming.
I've taken a pair of solid beatings in training. The truth is that scaring off bandits is one thing, having a proper fight with some northern giant is another.
I ought to write more about people, the way people do, but here in Arx there's some scholars for hire that go and read everything folk wrote. I haven't read anyone's journal but I know enough just from hearing folk talk. I don't think anyone would read mine besides the Archscholar, but writing anything of worth seems like yelling out my heart's fancy off the city walls, and writing anything else seems like a waste of my time and Vellichor's patience.
Writing this has always helped me make sense of things sometimes, and that's no small thing, so I'll try harder. I still think the quill's more likely to land me into trouble than the sword, as I've told someone, but more's the reason to learn how to wield it.
All in all it's good to be back in Arx. I haven't visited my folk. Last time da was still mad at me, and we don't have much to talk about, so be it. They'd rather I didn't earn my coin the way I do, so my coin is my own.
I've made some easy silver, but I'm spending more than I'm earning by my account. I fear there will be plenty of work and I'm not too worried. I'm sure I'll like the pay, but not what that means for the people caught in it all. There's trouble brewing, even if I haven't been paying attention to the criers and the gossip mongers to know what's coming.
I've taken a pair of solid beatings in training. The truth is that scaring off bandits is one thing, having a proper fight with some northern giant is another.
I ought to write more about people, the way people do, but here in Arx there's some scholars for hire that go and read everything folk wrote. I haven't read anyone's journal but I know enough just from hearing folk talk. I don't think anyone would read mine besides the Archscholar, but writing anything of worth seems like yelling out my heart's fancy off the city walls, and writing anything else seems like a waste of my time and Vellichor's patience.
Writing this has always helped me make sense of things sometimes, and that's no small thing, so I'll try harder. I still think the quill's more likely to land me into trouble than the sword, as I've told someone, but more's the reason to learn how to wield it.
Written By Leta
Dec. 19, 2016, 11:06 p.m.(6/7/1005 AR)
There once was a knight from Farhaven
That no one would dare say was craven
But from his ax head
All the maidens fled
Cause he looked like a bear that was shaven
(This is the last of a series of failed, crossed-out attempts at poetry, and is accompanied by crude illustrative doodles and wine stains.)
That no one would dare say was craven
But from his ax head
All the maidens fled
Cause he looked like a bear that was shaven
(This is the last of a series of failed, crossed-out attempts at poetry, and is accompanied by crude illustrative doodles and wine stains.)
Written By Leta
Dec. 16, 2016, 3:07 p.m.(5/25/1005 AR)
Lost a good six months of writing crossing a lake, so unless there's scholars that dig up frozen muck for knowledge, that's all gone. Here I'm wringing out my head to remember how it went. Not going to use as many words.
Boat journey to near Pride Hall. Nothing happened on the river. Met Jenna, a boatwoman, tall with handsoome hands. Waited for the caravan then set off. Had to chase off some bandits just a week in. Caravan owner was a bastard, everyone knew he was hauling more coin in there than he let on when the Captain took the contract. That's why we ran into so many bandits. Met Dorinda, brunette, sings pretty as a bird. Can't remember the name of her village. Promised her a pair of new slippers if I see her again.
Got back together with Cassiola. More bandits. Rooster caught a deer for supper and everyone was sick and puking for two whole days after eating it. Bought a pair of embroidered slippers from a peddler. Broke up with Cassiola after she threw the slippers in a stream. Asked the Captain to stop working with her but the Captain was an ass about it again.
We were attacked by bandits again on the way to Lenosia. That time there was a proper fight and we had two wounded. Took an arrow to the arm, but it got stuck in the mail. The Captain fell off his horse, broke his leg and his seat. He couldn't ride like that, so he decided to stay in Lenosia and we had to wait around. I liked Lenosia. I know I wrote more about it, but I can't remember what.
I was going to travel back with the caravan, but the merchant got it in his head I was being friendly with his wife. Captain gave me my pay and I got a job on a ship headed for Caith. I asked Cassiola to come but she stayed with the caravan. Sea made me puke as hard as that time with the deer. Didn't see a single pirate, giant fish or siren. Lost my writings traveling with a peddler from Caith to Arx.
I left out parts I can't remember and some other parts that aren't important now, even if anyone were to read this. Fresh wounds spill more ink or so they say.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.