Things are still pretty awful here. We're getting lots and lots of people coming in every day just to pray it gets better...I've been praying a lot, too. I just...wish this didn't have to be happening! War is just terrible, it's bad enough that people fighting have to get hurt but all the innocents caught up in the mess and losing their homes and fearing for their lives...it's all so sad!

[Filter: Private, in Dentorian]

It's one thing when friends and family mention these things, but this? I need the respect of these men. I need them to trust in my judgement and follow my orders, and I do not have a lot of time to establish myself. Already I can see them wondering if I am capable of this, see them looking for ways to circumvent my authority and act however they think best.

I thought ... a chill, perhaps, from the ride, but ... Near two months now, since the last

I think I will go see the physicians. If it's nothing, or just exhaustion from the road, then fine. I will find some way to overcome that. But if it is something, there is no sense in ignoring it. It will need to be dealt with, one way or another.

Dragons damn it Jace! Would you stop putting that fucking matchstick in my pocket? It's bad enough getting shocked when I'm actually trying to help with a puzzle... but when I'm taking a break... dragons... and give it back to whoever you stole it from so they can actually finish.

How did you even sneak that in in my pocket anyways?

[Atsirian]

The problem, I think, with how spectacular Lady Aes's ball was, is that nothing I have done since seems very interesting at all in comparison! It's all just normal parties with the usual guests and the same music and dancing and sigh, I just find myself lost in thought thinking of how lovely everything was at the Cresyn manse!

I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but oh, I wish that night could have lasted forever. I hope I am not the only one who feels this way.

I think that I will decline my invitations for tonight, however. I know very well what an awful guest I've been, with my head in the clouds as it has been. I thought perhaps if you were not horribly busy, Felizia, I could convince you to do the same, and spend the evening out somewhere making trouble with me, instead! Just the two of us! I did warn you I'd accost you with invitations like this, didn't I?

And I do have this generous voucher for dinner ... I know I saw that regretful little gleam in your eye, when you gifted me this! Do say you'll come!

So~ That was a lovely outing the other day, wasn't it? One of the best things about the South is that it's still pretty warm even though winter's right around the corner!

[Filter: Private]

I just...need to try to stay distracted! Sitting around worrying isn't going to make him write back any faster. There's plenty of things to think about right now, too! Wedding plans, Michael...Hugh's birthday is coming up soon, too, I need to get him a gift.

Yeah...distractions!

[Filter: Noye, Sylea, Ferselle]

All right, I've been over this place top-to-bottom, and it's clear. If there were any survivors, they've long since run away, but I don't see how they could get out. Even if they did, what would they do, go home to Varise and tell them how miserably we just kicked their asses?

There's good armor in the barracks, and decent weapons. Pretty good stores of food in the cellar, too. I want to spend a few nights here, getting the men back on their feet and replacing our ruined shit with their gear. It's not like we're in a Dragonsdamned hurry. Winter is already here, really, it's just a matter of how much of it is left. Varise is going to suffer from the season just as bad as we are.

[Filter: Private, in Old Dentorian]

Mmm, almost home now. I am very glad to be back somewhere safe and sound, assuming things have been calm here. Surely Gareth would have sent word if things were otherwise. He would not have had me bring the children back if it were not so. Nor my sister and Lady Gloria. All must be well ... or at least better than from whence I came.

It will complicate things though, having them here. I wonder what it will be like for Bunny, to be once more in the city of her birth and girlhood? I cannot imagine what this homecoming will be like for her.

[Old Kilian] And of course there are other things to consider as well ...