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8th of Sun's Dawn, 428 3E
It likely goes without saying at this point that I'll usually be starting every entry reporting what was in the news because the news is either too strange or too interesting to not comment on. The report this morning involved Sarasvati's father Master Aryon and a new House Telvanni Retainer who happens to be a vampire;
Master Aryon showed off his mad defensive skills recently by repulsing an attack by a local Nosferatu member; Sophelia LaChance. In the ensuing brawl, Sophelia's strength and agility were no match for Aryon's cunning, and the vampire was sent packing.
My first reaction to this story was that this Sophelia would likely be expelled for attacking a Telvanni Mage Lord, but according to Thorinor this is just something that Sophelia does and Aryon didn't see a reason to take any actions other than just giving her a "disciplinary swat". While it's surprising that Sophelia wasn't expelled, I'm sure Master Aryon knows what he's doing. He didn't get where he is today by being stupid.
As for life here in our transplanted home, since it's the weekend Neldor and I each had the day off. When he headed out to meet with Thorinor so they could play their guitars for tips in one of the local taverns, I resumed working on a painting while debating on how to approach my sister.
Some may wonder what the big deal is, but Acacia and I did not have a normal upbringing. Our father, fearing that we might conspire against him, kept us separated throughout our lives. While I was brought up in the King's household, Acacia was raised in Summerset, specifically within the court of King Reman.
King Helseth is one of the most ruthless mers in all of Tamriel, and if Acacia and I were to both take after him, it would mean that Acacia would be plotting to kill me so that she could move up in the line of succession, while I would be plotting to kill her in order to eliminate a rival. For this reason I'm sure that Acacia has been feeling as wary of me as I have been of her.
Recalling that the instruction manual for the Dwemer communication device stated that short notes could be sent without needing to place it in the post or in the hands of a courier, I picked up the device from my desk, stared at the little screen and tried to decide what to say.
Deciding to keep it very short, simple, and as friendly as possible, I used the tiny keyboard to punch in Acacia's personal number, then typed out, Fancy meeting you here of all places. I followed this sentence with a picture of a stylized smiling face in order to show that my message was intended in good humor. Then, following a deep breath, I touched the "Send" button and sent the little note on its way.
Within a minutes a response came back, saying, Quite unexpected, isn't it?
While I was trying to think of what else to say, Acacia sent another note, saying, I am working at the moment, but perhaps I could call you on this device in a few hours?
With a soft, giddy laugh, I replied, Yes, that would be welcome.
At that point I resumed painting, though it was difficult to concentrate. A thousand questions went through my mind, such as why was Acacia on Vvardenfell and what had she been told about me. Did the King know she was here? Did he allow her to go or did he throw her out?
I got some answers a little while later when my device made a chiming noise and displayed the name "Acacia Laurinde" on the screen. Not knowing what to expect, I answered the call with a hesitant "hello" and heard an equally hesitant female voice with a Summerset accent ask, "Aeronwen? This...this is Acacia."
And so, after being separated our entire lives, my sister and I had our first conversation and I have to admit that I think using the devices made it easier to break the ice that it would have been had we met in person. She told me that Helseth had summoned her to Mournhold from Summerset, had named her as his heir and set her up in the Princeps Almalexia's Chambers (my old chambers) but didn't know why. No one was willing to tell her what had happened, just that I had been removed from the Court and was not to be spoken of again.
So...the King had his new heir but Acacia didn't want her new title or the baggage that came with it, instead choosing to run away. I must say that I was stunned by her story. She showed great courage in breaking free from her gilded cage. Acacia told me that after leaving Mournhold she did run into some trouble with pirates but she would share more details about that part of her story later, perhaps when we met face to face.
Since she had shared some details about how and why she had come to Vvardenfell, I shared some of mine, explaining what happened that terrible day in the palace library, how the King had accused me of trying to steal the Dagger of Symmachus and that is why I was banished and stripped of my title.
I said gravely, "I was and am innocent of what the King accused me of. I've never been anything but a dutiful daughter and a loyal subject to him. The punishment was not deserved...I realize you have no reason to believe me, but that is the truth."
Following a pause, Acacia replied, "I believe you. Since coming here I've gotten to know some people around Pelagiad, people who are acquainted with you, and they all say that you are good, honest, and honorable. That doesn't match the description of someone who would try to steal an heirloom from the King."
We spoke a little while longer, gradually becoming more at ease, mutually sensing that neither of us wanted to kill the other. Toward the end of the conversation we agreed to meet tomorrow afternoon at the Old Tomes Tea House. That seems like a good place to have our first meeting; it's quiet and comfortable and will likely make each of us feel more at ease than meeting at one of our homes.
When the call was concluded I went back to working on my painting as snow continued to fall outside. I don't think we'll have trouble thinking of things to say to each other. I'm certainly curious about how Acacia was able to escape from pirates when she was crossing the Inner Sea. No doubt she has an amazing story to tell.
*~*~*
It likely goes without saying at this point that I'll usually be starting every entry reporting what was in the news because the news is either too strange or too interesting to not comment on. The report this morning involved Sarasvati's father Master Aryon and a new House Telvanni Retainer who happens to be a vampire;
Master Aryon showed off his mad defensive skills recently by repulsing an attack by a local Nosferatu member; Sophelia LaChance. In the ensuing brawl, Sophelia's strength and agility were no match for Aryon's cunning, and the vampire was sent packing.
My first reaction to this story was that this Sophelia would likely be expelled for attacking a Telvanni Mage Lord, but according to Thorinor this is just something that Sophelia does and Aryon didn't see a reason to take any actions other than just giving her a "disciplinary swat". While it's surprising that Sophelia wasn't expelled, I'm sure Master Aryon knows what he's doing. He didn't get where he is today by being stupid.
As for life here in our transplanted home, since it's the weekend Neldor and I each had the day off. When he headed out to meet with Thorinor so they could play their guitars for tips in one of the local taverns, I resumed working on a painting while debating on how to approach my sister.
Some may wonder what the big deal is, but Acacia and I did not have a normal upbringing. Our father, fearing that we might conspire against him, kept us separated throughout our lives. While I was brought up in the King's household, Acacia was raised in Summerset, specifically within the court of King Reman.
King Helseth is one of the most ruthless mers in all of Tamriel, and if Acacia and I were to both take after him, it would mean that Acacia would be plotting to kill me so that she could move up in the line of succession, while I would be plotting to kill her in order to eliminate a rival. For this reason I'm sure that Acacia has been feeling as wary of me as I have been of her.
Recalling that the instruction manual for the Dwemer communication device stated that short notes could be sent without needing to place it in the post or in the hands of a courier, I picked up the device from my desk, stared at the little screen and tried to decide what to say.
Deciding to keep it very short, simple, and as friendly as possible, I used the tiny keyboard to punch in Acacia's personal number, then typed out, Fancy meeting you here of all places. I followed this sentence with a picture of a stylized smiling face in order to show that my message was intended in good humor. Then, following a deep breath, I touched the "Send" button and sent the little note on its way.
Within a minutes a response came back, saying, Quite unexpected, isn't it?
While I was trying to think of what else to say, Acacia sent another note, saying, I am working at the moment, but perhaps I could call you on this device in a few hours?
With a soft, giddy laugh, I replied, Yes, that would be welcome.
At that point I resumed painting, though it was difficult to concentrate. A thousand questions went through my mind, such as why was Acacia on Vvardenfell and what had she been told about me. Did the King know she was here? Did he allow her to go or did he throw her out?
I got some answers a little while later when my device made a chiming noise and displayed the name "Acacia Laurinde" on the screen. Not knowing what to expect, I answered the call with a hesitant "hello" and heard an equally hesitant female voice with a Summerset accent ask, "Aeronwen? This...this is Acacia."
And so, after being separated our entire lives, my sister and I had our first conversation and I have to admit that I think using the devices made it easier to break the ice that it would have been had we met in person. She told me that Helseth had summoned her to Mournhold from Summerset, had named her as his heir and set her up in the Princeps Almalexia's Chambers (my old chambers) but didn't know why. No one was willing to tell her what had happened, just that I had been removed from the Court and was not to be spoken of again.
So...the King had his new heir but Acacia didn't want her new title or the baggage that came with it, instead choosing to run away. I must say that I was stunned by her story. She showed great courage in breaking free from her gilded cage. Acacia told me that after leaving Mournhold she did run into some trouble with pirates but she would share more details about that part of her story later, perhaps when we met face to face.
Since she had shared some details about how and why she had come to Vvardenfell, I shared some of mine, explaining what happened that terrible day in the palace library, how the King had accused me of trying to steal the Dagger of Symmachus and that is why I was banished and stripped of my title.
I said gravely, "I was and am innocent of what the King accused me of. I've never been anything but a dutiful daughter and a loyal subject to him. The punishment was not deserved...I realize you have no reason to believe me, but that is the truth."
Following a pause, Acacia replied, "I believe you. Since coming here I've gotten to know some people around Pelagiad, people who are acquainted with you, and they all say that you are good, honest, and honorable. That doesn't match the description of someone who would try to steal an heirloom from the King."
We spoke a little while longer, gradually becoming more at ease, mutually sensing that neither of us wanted to kill the other. Toward the end of the conversation we agreed to meet tomorrow afternoon at the Old Tomes Tea House. That seems like a good place to have our first meeting; it's quiet and comfortable and will likely make each of us feel more at ease than meeting at one of our homes.
When the call was concluded I went back to working on my painting as snow continued to fall outside. I don't think we'll have trouble thinking of things to say to each other. I'm certainly curious about how Acacia was able to escape from pirates when she was crossing the Inner Sea. No doubt she has an amazing story to tell.
