Birthday Celebrations

This month has always been my favorite time of the entire year; the first being it is the month of Meredith's birthday, and the second, I do not know if it is vain of me to acknowledge this, but also my own.

And if you have only noticed one thing about me it would have to be that I adore celebrations of any kind, whether it is for another or myself.

Planning the festivities are my specialty but I enjoy participating in them just as much.

My birthday was a simple affair, yet I enjoyed it immensely.

The whole of Krespania observes it as a holiday and the villagers of the capital Estrillo where LunaMara palace is situated, decorated the streets and townhouses with boughs of lovely winter flowers.

I rode through the thoroughfare on my steed, greeting the citizens that lined the sides and waved to me, stopping here and there to speak to a few as I did every year.

When I returned to the palace, I spent the better part of the morning in the court, receiving subjects who wished me a pleasant day and presented to me their gifts they desired to give.

The farmers would bestow to me an assortment of land sown produce, from grain and fruit, to vegetables and herbs, each depending upon the manner of their trade.

Merchants would offer tapestries and richly woven rugs and material from the finest weavers.

While others such as metalsmithes would give jewelry made with silver and gold.

With these acts of kindness and well-wishing, I feel most appreciative of having such loyal and caring subjects.

Without their support the kingdom of Krespania could not continue or flourish as it has done for years.

That evening Meredith arranged a small gathering of relatives and close friends to the palace for a feast in my honor.

I was surprised and delighted to find Viscount Alessandro de Garza to have come, having thought that he was still traveling and not in the region.

He had not altered in the least from my recollection of our last meeting; his smile was just as contagious and handsome, his appearance just as dashing and dignified.

He bowed.

“Good evening, Your Majesty. May I wish you the best of birthdays?”

I responded with gratitude.

He was silent for a moment before saying, “Only last year I thought to myself that Your Majesty could not become any more beautiful when yet another year passes and I find that her beauty far outshines the full moon outside.”

I stifled a smile. “I see that your roguish tongue has not changed any over time; just as audacious and bold.”

He gave another smile. “I cannot be reformed, I am afraid. But if my queen finds it offensive I shall endeavor to conquer the impossible.”

Truth be known, I would not have him change anything about himself.

His unabashed manner was in fact intriguing and his outspokenness different to all others I must interact with in the court.

Alessandro was amusing and courteous in all aspects save for his bold speech and I always enjoy being in his company.

It had been many months since I had seen him last and he explained that he had been busy traversing the wide countrysides of his land, overseeing his farms and tenants, and assuring all was peaceful and prosperous.

“But I will be remaining in Estrillo for an uncertain amount of time, and henceforth I will amend the fault of neglecting my queen the paying of respects she deserves by visiting often.” He concluded.

I was not a little pleased at this news, and I look forward to his visits with anticipation.

Thus my birthday was concluded for this year.

For Meredith, it was not quite as large but I obtained a wonderful feast for her with a dessert of her preference.

And of course I made sure Luco Giovanos was to attend.

That I had invited the business man from Natilia must have secretly in her heart made her mostly pleased, but also partly embarrassed that her queen would connive and bring such thing to pass, knowing my full intention of it.

I do not deny it; my conduct and interference is shameful yet I am without regret.

They both are in need of a little direction, and being queen, there are marvelous advantages for it.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

 Queen of Krespania

A Letter From Lennox

It is a cold in wintry day at LunaMara palace outside, but tranquil and warm inside.

Snow is softly and noiselessly falling to cover the garden grounds, I can see from the window, and is lining the trees with an unblemished white.

It is as if it quiets your very soul with it's peace and vanishes any reminder of bitter memories and cares.

It makes you feel isolated from the world as if nothing else did exist but this moment.

Makes you cease your striving and pause to admire this beautiful and simplistic thing that captures your attention so much.

At least, it has always done so for me, and I think that is one of the reasons I like it.

Other than this activity all is silent and still inside the palace.

It is as if the weather has cast an enchantment upon them; the servants all work in hushed whispers and muted movements, and there has not been anyone that requests an audience with me or brings a petition.

The bitter cold and snow has seemingly barricaded them indoors.

But I am grateful for the opportunity to be left in isolation and take this moment of seclusion to write to you what you must be eager to know.

Just as I foretold a letter arrived three days ago from my brother, explaining the full reasons for his departure last month on the eve of the New Year and the results that followed.

Once Lennox arrived at the Summit Isles and spoke with the League he discovered that it was Palkkan that was the root cause of this, just as he suspected.

The kingdoms became frantic at the sight of Palkkan's continuously growing army and feared that he would attack and besiege their cities, therefore they had come to the decision to surrender to him.

Lennox was enraged at this news and at their foolishness and declared that this decision was unacceptable and that they should not go through with it.

He then proposed his plan of action, he did not go into detail in his letter about it but the League yielded and agreed to it.

The only problem was that envoys of the Erelli-Lion kingdom had already embarked to surrender to Palkkan.

It was already too late.

But not in Lennox's opinion.

He departed immediately and set sail on The Ruler with the intention of overtaking them.

The Ruler is a lithe vessel with very few to compare with her agility and celerity, it was not long before they intercepted the Errelli-Lion's ship and explained the situation.

Now he writes that he is engaged in transporting his troops to the southern tip of Errelli-Lion, to counteract any anticipated move of Palkkan, and thwart his opportunity of attack.

He will explain his strategy more fully to me later, he says, but for now he wants my assistance.

For Agmar, their greatest power is in their troops, but Krespania's strength has always been in the sea.

The Krespanian armada is the largest of all kingdoms, possessing a total of three hundred vessels, and all built for war.

One would be foolish to attempt an attack on Krespania from the sea with this knowledge.

He bids me to have them ready to set sail at a moment's notice to Erelli-Lion when he gives the word.

It is evidently all part of his strategy to outwit Palkkan.

Although, I wish he would not assume that I will lend him my armada at any time, he does not rule Krespania after all, even if he acts like it.

But then, he is always like that, and I suppose I might do just the same, so I cannot really complain.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania