[Filter: Private, in Atsirian]

We can't leave yet. We can't leave until we solve this mystery, and the Holy Three alone know how long that is like to take. We are lucky that Ilserna is not so far from Razen, by dragonback, but the Queen is like to take offense if we delay too long. Her royal messengers were obvious enough in their meaning ... that ( Read more... )

[Filter: Private, in Atsirian]

I don't like this. Why did it have to be him? He was supposed to be gone, him and all of the rest of them, out of our lives forever. Mother shouldn't have to contend with such distractions. We have so much to do, so why must it all go back to him?There is a reason for it, there must be. These are visions, somehow, in ( Read more... )

[Filter: Adrian, in Atsirian]

[quickly scrawled]

Adrian -- remain here and see to the preparations for tonight's sermon. I must -- I will return shortly, I -- I trust that you can handle this for a time, yourself.

[Filter: Private, in Atsirian]

Dairanne would never understand, of course, that I am ... no longer so anxious to see Razen, again. I would be perfectly content to let it be the last of Atsiria's cities we visit. Strange, now, to remember how disappointed I was when I learned it was Ilserna that we would arrive in.

But now ... no. I am in no ( Read more... )

[Filter: Adrian, in Atsirian]

There, you see! I knew Mother would be just fine. That was a wonderful sermon, last night, wasn't it? Did you see their faces?

She has them all again, just like that.

It was foolish ever to worry, ever to doubt.

[Filter: Dairanne, in Atsirian]

It occurs to me ... I haven't heard, yet, how things went for you on Rose Day. Did James enjoy his dinner?

[Filter: Adrian, in Atsirian]

Adrian ...

Did it seem to you that perhaps mother seemed more like herself, yesterday?

[Filter: Private, in Atsirian]

None of this with mother makes any sense at all. She's always been so strong. What could be happening? I don't have any answers, and the people will demand them, soon enough. But I can't disappoint her, either, out of the question. If it cannot be her, then it must be me, and I must be every bit as strong as she isn ( Read more... )

[Filter: Private, in Atsirian]

Everything will be fine. It's so easy to forget, sometimes, that mother is mortal, regardless of how we must have the people view her. It will pass. It must.

[Filter: Adrian, in Atsirian]

Adrian, I require your assistance.

[Filter: Private, in Atsirian]

She has changed. It's for the best, I'm sure. She seems to have better confidence, now, and why wouldn't she? Years of mingling with Razen's upper class, well, I'd be more concerned if all of that hadn't straightened that spine of hers, some. Perhaps that's why James has taken on such a fancy for her ( Read more... )