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Friday 17 May 2013

[Short Story] Maiden

From the Journal of Julia Aurelius

17th Sun of the Third Month - 187th Year of the Milvian Age

Dear Journal,

Today I left my father's house. A lot has happened over the last few weeks, and I regret not to have written in this time; no doubt whoever reads this journal will attribute it to simple idleness if I do not mention so now. Since the Lords' Court was dissolved and the war declared, my honoured father and my brothers have been making preparations for war. They muster troops and meet with generals daily; it occurs to me that I have barely seen or spoken to them, so much of their time has been spent poring over maps. My father says that he hates it all, the pomp and the responsibility, but I can tell he's lying; he was born and bred a soldier, and when he speaks of strategies, horses and banners I see his eyes light up. He hasn't looked that way since mother was alive. It's nice, in a way, to see him so lively.

More importantly for me, in the last week or so I've begun correspondence with the King himself. It's so exciting; I treasure his letters, he writes with such wit and insight that they are a delight to read. He's a fine man, and he wishes to make me his bride. Though I admit the possibility of marriage is daunting, I think that I shall be happy in the Hearthlands. I have had little to do these past few years but study, and in my studies I have found a love of governance; its intricacies and pitfalls are to me an elaborate game with extremely high stakes, one whose rules I have read at length and long to test.

As I said, today was the day of my departure. The journey will perhaps be more arduous than normal; the Thesis Floodlands and the Winding Marsh, once the most convenient route, are now considered enemy territory and I do not trust the Lords' honour in dealing with noble ladies to hold firm should the lady in question be in negotiations to become Queen. Fire bless me, but I trust my escorts to see me there safe. What is in store for me, I wonder? Only time will tell.

- Julia


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19th Sun of the Third Month - 187th Year of the Milvian Age

Dear Journal,

Today we reached the docks, and a ship is being prepared for my travel. It was planned for us to depart the same day we arrived at Atrium, but a change on the part of my arrangements means that a large ship must be procured before we can sail. We were going to take a small skimmer around the coast, but my escorts have since decided that this is unsafe and we are to brave the southern sea. True, we run the risk of piracy, but pirates are less of a danger than Lord Everett's navy.

I have taken it upon myself, while confined to the simple room I have been afforded in one of the less conspicuous inns, to learn the names of my protectors. The knights, on the whole, have enough sense and manners to keep their lewd soldier's banter behind closed doors rather than spouting such things to my face; though not enough sense to remember that the walls in this inn are painfully thin. Sir Lane, one of the older men, is the one I feel most of a connection to; I believe he is also the only one to have fought in my father's honour guard. He spent a morning with me today, while the others drank their pay; we discussed my future at length. He expressed concern over my marrying a man that I did not love, and I ended up having to explain to him why such things aren't important in high politics. He seemed dissatisfied with my answer, but was kind enough not to press the matter further.

I have spent a great deal of time today staring out of my window. I have a view of the harbour, and to watch the ships come and go is greatly relaxing. There was one, a great thing with sails of green, gilded cloth, which I believe came from the Solar Empire. The men from that ship were a strange sort; darker even more than I, and all wearing armour of gold. I have no idea what metal it was made from, it looked too sturdy for simple jewellery, but it was very pretty.

I ought to rest soon; I've been known to react badly to sailing on occasion, and if we are to brave the open sea I would rather not do so without sleep.

- Julia

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20th Sun of the Third Month - 187th Year of the Milvian Age

Dear Journal,

The ship I have found myself on is a marvellous thing. It takes the waves better than any other such vessel I've ever been on, and the crew are all far friendlier than I would have thought. To my surprise, the first day of our journey has been relatively smooth; though I suppose we are not so far out as to incur the sea's wrath. I seem to be doing better than Sir Lane, at least. He seems uncomfortable around the water; disguising it with an admirable layer of humour, but hiding it poorly. I suspect he cannot swim.

I'm thankful for the few books I brought along with me on this journey; particularly Oberon's Histories, and the Lost City. The Histories are not precisely 'neutral' in tone, but this breathes life into the events described far more so than many other dusty tomes of lore which I find scattered about the shelves these days. Likewise the Lost City is a grand tale; though it bears little connection with reality, I find it a pleasing escape... perhaps it is also a little on the morbid side, though to the imagination of a kept princess such as I that matters little. It is a story of adventure... much like the adventure I find myself on now, in many ways.

As I proceed on my way I find the magnitude of what lies ahead beginning to sink in. I've been re-reading the letters between myself and Flavius, and it dawned on me that I only have six. It seems a queer thing, to be discussing marriage with a man whom I have all of six letters from; but the civil war necessitates such haste perhaps. I understand precisely why he wishes to rush into things so quickly, his position on the throne is left somewhat dubious in the light of his lack of an heir or wife. Hopefully my helping him will help stabilise matters, perhaps even avoid open warfare; though my father will no doubt be disappointed if no-one ever comes to blows, I think it would be better to shed as little blood as we can. Besides, the King seems a pleasant enough soul to spend my time with.

- Julia


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24th Sun of the Third Month - 187th Year of the Milvian Age

Dear Journal,

I'm getting sick of this boat. Never have I been so violently ill for so long; the storm took us for two days, and in that time I barely had an hour of uninterrupted sleep. We were thrown about by the waves near-constantly, and one can only endure so much before their stomach becomes wholly uncooperative... as I'm sure I've written before, I dislike sailing.

Sir Lane has been extremely supporting during this unpleasantness, despite his obvious distaste for water. Then again, his role largely revolved around keeping my hair out of the way while nature did the rest. Fire help me, I shouldn't be admitting that in a document which will no doubt be published one day. Still; he is a kind man. It will grieve me greatly to depart from his company, he's become a true friend to me over the last few days. Perhaps I could keep him with me after my marriage; I am under the impression from Oberon's Histories that it is traditional for Queens to take a trustworthy man for their protector... though it is normally a man taken from among the high nobility, perhaps we could break from precedent for once. To elevate Sir Lane into the noble class might prove fruitful, both for my own safety but also for the Kingdom as a whole.

I have been told by my father that the rebel Lords think themselves acting on behalf of the people. I understand that conditions have been strained recently, with our inter-seas trade slowing somewhat and the food scarcities in some outlying parts of the Kingdom. To have a man of common birth become noble would surely placate them, and the fact that he has done so not by nepotism but rather because of his long military service would send the right message to them. Loyalty to the crown will not go unrewarded, and a worthy man can change his class. This is something I shall bring up at the marital negotiations.

- Julia


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25th Sun of the Third Month - 187th Year of the Milvian Age

Dear Journal,

We docked in the Hearthlands today, and I'm glad to be back on dry land once more. The seas have not been kind to me, though I have developed a new appreciation for the plight of the sailor; they have served admirably through the storm, and though my stomach was sure to show its disapproval of the circumstances I never felt as if I was in any danger. They kept the ship secure and on course despite it all. I intend to see to it that they are paid triple their normal rates for such a journey; they deserve the rest.

We were welcomed at the docks by a royal party today, and I confess that I was so hideously nervous when the King approached me that I merely squeaked out my greetings with all the grace of a church-mouse. He was kind about the whole thing, and seemed to understand what I was feeling; it now appears I am also to marry a man of empathy. It took me a while to become at-ease speaking to him, but the walk from the docks to the castle where I am now lodged gave me enough time to at least accomplish that. Making arrangements at the table of diplomacy tomorrow may be a little more difficult than I anticipated if my nerves get the better of me, but thankfully I have managed to allow Sir Lane access to the proceedings also. His presence is greatly soothing; he seems to have a calm air about him that I cannot help but participate in.

My lodgings are pleasant, though they are not prepared for royalty; it is not the normal thing for fortresses in the Hearthlands to keep guest rooms, apparently, so my accommodation had to be put in order without time to acquire the comforts a woman of my station is accustomed to. It's no matter, really, as I keep in mind that I am here to negotiate my way into the chambers of the monarchy... and no doubt the palace of the Milvian Kings is far grander than even my own home. I write now with great expectations, and a willingness to see what tomorrow will bring... which reminds me, tomorrow is the first of the new month and I ought to arrange my tithe. I'm sure it won't be a problem; I am, after all, the King's bride-to-be.

- Julia

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