paradisa | ♔ dix-huit || that i shall lead an endless life with them in peace

[Skilled Fighters & Soldiers]

[ This is written on a different page from anything else, with handwriting slightly sharper than her norm. An attempt at being anonymous. ]

It has now been over a year since I awoke here, and still I find myself seeking warriors only to be disappointed. I wish not only for guards and soldiers to keep peace, but also to learn after skills of a savage nature myself. This is not my world, and I cannot continue to treat it as such. If either prospect interests and pleases you, then say so here, written to one named 'Nan'.

[/Skilled Fighters & Soldiers]

[The Doctor]

[ She doesn't know there is more than one! ]

To The most esteemed Doctor,

You have shown a clear, if misguided attention for my concerns and well-being. I recall once that you put forth your efforts into seeing after the livelihood and humors of the Queen Elizabeth on my behalf. Though she has gone, I have not, and would ask after your unusual skills once more.

I understand you say that you are no court physician, but still there is a matter that must be sought after and none other to look to for it. I shall pay you what you please, to look towards the health of one Spike Spiegel. He is in a most grievous state, though he speaks not of it, and he is of little use to me and cannot share the Lord's work while so immobile and pained.

With a cautious but hopeful faith,
Anne the Queen

[/The Doctor]

[Ben Paul]

Young Master Paul,

I require your presence in my apartments. Please do not question, or tarry.

In humble guidance and request,
Anne the Queen

[/Ben Paul]

[General Windrunner]

General and Ranger Windrunner,

Should you fancy a ride, I find myself unable to wait for kinder airs. My horse rides well enough in the snow, and I will have no shortage in sustenance. I think you to also be interested by an even longer ride I am thinking after soon enough.

Your friend,
Anne the Queen

[/General Windrunner]

[ Dictated in her handwriting; ]

Residents of Cair Paradisa,

I bring you both hopeful tidings and the most sad news. I have seen the matter as far as I must, but there is no helping it. The Master Once-ler has departed this cursed realm, and for where he goes to requires our most devoted and kind prayers. Just as he understands that his world must be so bettered, he strove to strengthen the love and warmth of this one. For any who have not seen the grand orphanage he tirelessly worked over to place before the first snow fell, I bid you to think of him whenever you look after it on your way to the market; whenever you see children well and good and looked after in a building that seems a realm of it's own. It carries his character with it forever-more, and in such a small way he will never truly leave us.

But though I continue to seek the betterment of the peoples both within and without the castle, and I do promise you I will not allow May Day to go uncelebrated, I still cannot condone the curses we must suffer in trade of supposed gifts and enticement. I will be leading a progress when the ground has thawed and the world beyond beckons those who would brave new possibilities. For some, there is no returning, and it is those who ought to think the most on such a matter. Shall you live here forever, or shall you discover another kingdom entirely to settle? Then there are those who merely need to wander, who have felt trapped for too long but do not wish to stray overlong — you are also most welcome.

Do not worry overmuch for your decisions now, as there is time yet, but to those who can offer protection and guidance, I urge you to not dally in your response. Such charges require planning.

— Anne the Queen

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I hardly need to swear my loyalty to want to protect those of us who go. We all of us are residents, and if we go, we go together and it should be our mission to see everyone home safely, not just the leader. I would never leave man or woman behind.

My honor will not see such a thing happen.

_{[ Sorry, Anne. He barely knows you, and he hardly sees why it is
necessary. Further, does swearing loyalty mean you will not accept anyone
questioning your decisions on this trip? That could be just as deadly as
anything they face if your decisions are wrong. ]}

[ Clearly he's misunderstanding her, or not listening, because in no way would she have the people go unprotected. 'To the cause' is meant to include all, but Anne has a low tolerance for those who cannot keep up with her diction, or fail to understand her, because she is not a fan of repeating herself or having to correct others. Their loss, not hers. ]

I do not need to be preached at, sir, nor do I care for such gross assumption on my love for the peoples here.

Do what you will, and go where you will, as your will is your own; But on my progress I will not allow any who cannot swear by their honor and faith on the protection or loyalty to the expedition, it's civilians, and its leader.

Then you already have my swearing.

_{[ He pretty much just did it, did he not? He is not used to dealing
with such... royals as her. Randy and his wife were much looser, but then,
he was personal friends with them, and he never much stood on ceremony with
them, though there were times one had to accept proper forms and such. It
was helped by the fact that their child, their heir, was in fact his child,
a decision made between all parties involved. This suddenly made him glad
for it. ]}

My Bonded would see it too, for he is the same as I, both of us Heralds. I can guarantee Yfandes as well, though any swearing from her shall have to come through my lips.

You speak in riddles to me, as if these are names and ways of magic I ought to know. Please explain yourself before I can further accept such oaths.

[ Once someone is on thin ice with Anne, if she feels insulted, it's hard to get off, but she is a lot more forgiving now since going home than she would have been a few months ago. ]

Ah, apologies. I always forget they are not common terms here, even more so now that my Bonded has come.

Herald is a position with Valdemar, my home kingdom. We are people who have Gifts, of which there are several types, and we are Chosen by Companions. The easiest explanation of Companions is that they are magical, white horses gifted to us from the Goddess. They are smart as a person, and are our guides and symbols of our office. Heralds and Companions serve the crown and ride through Valemdar, seeing to the needs and protection of the people with our Gifts.

Yfandes is my Companion. She can MindSpeak, but only to me, so I speak for her to others.

_{[ There is a bit more to Companions than that, but people do not need
to know everything there is to such things. Even the Heralds do not know
all there is of Companions. They had their secrets too... ]}

[ Wow that sounds like a bunch of crazy pagan bullshit to her, and she struggles against telling him away for it. But she has learned to accept most people here are either pagan or atheist, and okay she needs competent warriors right now, even if they don't fight for Christendom.

Sigh it's so hard being her! At least she is experienced in not letting her distaste show in her voice, when she wants to put the effort into it. ]

I see. This is noted, and I see no reason it would harm your case if all who are with you wish to accompany.

_{[ Yfandes was having some choice words about this conversation in the
back of his head, but luckily there had never been a problem of
accidentally spouting what she sometimes said. His lady was a fiery one
when she wanted to be, but thankfully that fire usually went expressed in
stamps of hooves rather than vocally for all involved.}

It may sound pagan to her, but it was reality to him. In fact, the concept of God as it had been explained to him sounded very much like the Karsite theocracy, and he and them had never gotten along. He had the scars from lightning blasts and demons to prove it. ]

They will be be thrilled to hear it, I am sure.

I also usually offer to help people pack for these expeditions. Part of a Herald's duty is to ride Circuit through the kingdom, where we go out and visit the villages and towns far from the capital. We must learn to pack our supplies for such long journeys and the possibility of no roof above our heads.

I am happy to do so again when the time comes.

_{[ He would rather see everyone properly prepared and take the time to
do so early than be sorry for it later, after all. ]}

If you wish to do so, I will not stop you. It will be best to wait until we know when it is we are leaving, and where it is we go.

Of course. It would be foolish to advise packing for a summer heat when in fact we head into winter storms.

♔ dix-huit || that i shall lead an endless life with them in peace

Re: dictated;

dictated;

Re: dictated;

dictated;

Re: dictated;

dictated;

Re: dictated;

dictated;

Re: dictated;