The Dawn of Christmastide

It is hard to believe the Christmas season is once again upon us.

It seemed only yesterday that I started this archive and yet it is now nearly a year old.

The Agmar castle is aglow with festive decorations. Each object of garland hung on the walls and mantels speak of Christmas cheer, candles from every corner spreads an inner warmth and joy.

The dull gray stone walls have never looked more radiant in all their adornments.

A week ago the Ruler came into Saundros, the Krespanian sea-port, with Captain Christian Bentione bringing an invitation from my brother to join him at his castle for the holidays.

It has been several years since I have had Christmas at Agmar, usually having my own festivities to host at LunaMara, that Lennox always came to me but I thought this would be a good change of pace.

Since most of my childhood was spent at Agmar the place holds a dear position in my heart.

The familiarity in every wall, beam and staircase gives a heartwarming reminder of my parents and the many Christmas's we celebrated there together as I grew up.

The memories are bittersweet when I recall how we four sat by the fireplace many a time, sipping hot apple cider and listening to Father retelling a story of his younger days and his many adventures.

I can picture Lennox as he listened intently to Father, drinking in every word with wide eyes, and with a grin so large it filled half his face.

That same love for adventure has never been lost in him since.

Then there was Mother, sitting there as graceful and beautiful as ever I can remember, with a gentle smile, softly interjecting here and there that she remembered the story a little different then how Father was describing it.

And I remember how the fire glowed in the reflection of Father's animated eyes just as strong as the joy of telling his narrative.

And how his deep, strong voice rose and fell with the suspense of the tale, and when he laughed it filled the room with a sound both joyous and warmhearted.

Those were precious moments that I will not forget, and though our parents are not with us anymore, we still find joy in reminiscing those times and making our own traditions between the two of us.

Such as the tradition of handpicking our own Christmas tree.

A few days ago, Lennox and I, accompanied by a party of friends and servants, rode out to the forest close to the castle and searched for the perfect tree.

It was several hours before both Lennox and I were satisfied and agreed on one, and then he continued in his customary way to cut down the tree with his favorite ceremonial axe, that is too large and lavish to be of any ordinary use.

The tree is a glorious one, standing twelve feet high, and fills the Great Hall with it's fresh and earthy aroma. The foliage is a rich, deep green and it's branches are straight and well formed.

The hall's appearance was much improved by the Christmas tree once it was decorated and arrayed in all it's glory, and my brother and I are exceedingly satisfied at choosing it.

I cannot think of ever having a better one.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania

Rest & Relaxation

One tends to forgot what a comfort the home is until they leave it.

The joy in first seeing LunaMara palace, as we crested the hill entering Estrillo, was full and heartfelt inside me. I did not know how much I had missed it until we returned home.

Since I had been away I had longed for it's warm fireplaces, it's cold stone walls and marble floors, and everything surrounding it.

But mostly I longed for my own bed, to be able to sleep on something more comfortable than the hard portable beds used for traveling.

From the time the war begun I had lost an enormous amount of sleep, laboring over tactics and strategies for hours on end and issuing orders and commands to the men; and then there was the battle.

It left me sapped of all strength, and the many hits to my shield left my arm severely bruised and swollen.

My ever so loyal lady-in-waiting, Meredith, saw my lifeless condition when we returned to the camp in victory and at once took control, seeing that I had sustenance and then rest and no disturbances for the duration of the journey home.

My body craved sleep and my eyes could not be held open any longer but sound slumber was not to be found, and I only dozed intermittently on the rough roads leading to Krespania.

Once we arrived at the palace I ordered a hot bath and then retired to my bed, where I collapsed, mentally and physically drained from the past ordeal.

I slept through a whole day before I awoke next and it was many days before I was completely rested.

But when I was recovered enough to bear some news I learned from Meredith that my dear friends, the King and Queen of Asram had arrived while I was away. Having been traveling near Krespania, they had decided to visit me but found I had gone to war therefore they chose to wait until my arrival home.

This was welcoming news to me. King Brinsley and Queen Acora had been close to my family for years being Agmar's neighbor and allies, and their visit shed some cheer upon my depressed countenance.

Between Meredith and Acora, who was just as concerned about my health as my lady-in-waiting, I could not make a move as they demanded I remain in bed and rest, much to my frustration. But with such intensive attendance I was back on my feet in a matter of days and my spirit is much rejuvenated now.

I do not deserve their pampering yet I am exceedingly grateful to them for being with me and helping me through it all, and without them I likely would not have recovered so speedily.

They are such a comfort.

I need to close now. I promised Meredith I would not spend too long writing and tax myself in the process.

Until later...

-Emerald de Gavrillac

 Queen of Krespania

The Journey Home

The shadows have long since grown and faded as night has once again fallen on the camp. But tonight we have reason to rejoice, for victory has been won!


We are finally on our way back to Krespania. When we made camp, my Lady insisted on writing of the consequences of the ambush but I refused. She was exhausted and barely able to hold her Jomacha cup. So she entrusted the duty to me. Thus this entry will be written by Meredith de Barra, her lady-in-waiting.


In light of this responsibility, I shall take the liberty of starting my short narrative near the beginning but from a different standpoint. Worry not, my Lady's accounts will not be revisited.


When the hour for battle arrived I implored the Queen not to go. I told her her presence in the camp would be enough to incite courage in the men's hearts, but alas! She is remarkably stubborn and, I'm afraid, too adventure prone. Those of us remaining watched as they road off, the Queen leading her men to the rescue of the small kingdom of Kordana. When they were out of sight, I returned to the tents to help prepare for the coming injured. I will readily admit my frustration at not being allowed to accompany the Queen as I was accustomed to. Though I cannot measure up to the strength and experience of her bodyguards, Joktan and Jokthan, I was determined she needed me.


Reports of the battles' progress came too intermittently. We held our breath as our horsemen advanced from both sides of the Lorate army and drove them back to their camp. And when they succeeded in ousting the enemy from their own camp, we cheered for joy. But the next part of the plan was the essence of a good battle scheme. There was no surety the Lorate's would head for the Kruhn Ridge. They very well could have headed west further across the Valley of Kordana but the Queen's military commander, Emilio de Casimiro, a seasoned soldier, had a feeling the Ridge would be their escape route.


As our commander had suspected, the frightened Lorates fled the valley and headed straight for the westernmost part of Kruhn Ridge, seeking a moments solace to regroup and strengthen their members.
With thoughts of hope no doubt spurring them on, the Lorate army climbed the ridge and was soon out of sight of Kordana. But from nowhere, Krespanian archers penetrated their ranks. They were in fact hidden all along the mountain outcrops prepared for the enemy's escape. What remained of them was met by the remainder of our own army and it was soon apparent who was the stronger of the two. Now in captivity, the surviving Lorates are awaiting the decision of whether they live or die.


While I write, I hear the joyful voices of the men through the tent layers and I know that their happiness will only escalate the nearer we draw to LunaMara castle and home. I am so glad to be returning home, as I know everyone else is too. When we arrive the whole of Krespania will be crowding the streets to welcome us and their young leader, Queen Emerald. No doubt there will be feasting and all sorts of merry-making for at least a week. Only I wish the men would have some consideration at this moment for their tired Queen. Aside from mere battle fatigue, she suffered a dreadful blow to her arm. It is not broken, only severely bruised, but she needs as much rest as she can get before we continue our journey home tomorrow.


And I suppose I shall leave you at that. We are all very grateful the Lord has so blessed us. We sustained very few injuries and all went according to plan.


 In grateful relief,
-Meredith de Barra,
 Lady-in-waiting

(Blog Post Courtesy of Amy Molloy)
(http://overthehorizon-goldensails.blogspot.com/)

Ruse de Guerre

All is going according to plan so far.

The Lorates are proceeding the way we predicted, and if they continue in the present course we will have victory.

Our first encounter proved successful and had a strong impact upon the battlefield, though at first glance was a discouraging and gruesome sight.

As I rode up to the crest of the hill my heart caught in my throat as I saw the wreckage and chaos that laid upon the Kordana valley before me.

Lorate siege towers gathered close to the walls of the royal Kordana castle, thousands of arrows issuing forth and peppering the battlements, and at the same moment a battering ram was leveled upon the main gate in an effort to breakthrough to the inside.

Roughly a thousand feet from the castle walls lay Mangonel catapults, towering menacingly in front of their army of foot soldiers and horsemen, hurtling large stones and boulders from the bowl-shaped bucket at the end of the long arm of the apparatus.

The damage it incurs is horrendous and devastating, sometimes bringing down a whole portion of a castle tower in one hit, and sending chunks of stone in all directions.

I took a deep breath and steadied my nervous steed with a rub to it's neck.

The strong stench of fire and smoke assailed my nostrils.

Gruesome ordeal, indeed.

We then went into action, we divided our horsemen into two groups and positioned one group at the rim of the Tristan forest, sheltered from view by the trees, north of the Kordana Valley, and the other group at the edge of Kruhn Ridge, south of the valley.

Further east of where the second group was situated on the Ridge was our foot soldiers.

When the order was given they raced from their positions and onto the valley plains.

The group from Kruhn Ridge descended and ambushed the Lorate catapults and foot soldiers from the rear while the horsemen from the forest attacked the left flank of the Lorate camp, positioned behind the battlefield some thousand feet away.

Our intention for this movement was to drive them to the western side of Kruhn Ridge, and so far the plan is successful.

They are acknowledging that they are being overwhelmed, and are starting to retreat.

And to prevent their escape to the west, the horsemen will intercept and drive them to the ridge.

Once they begin ascending into the rocky terrain of Kruhn Ridge, archers will assault them from behind boulders and a battalion of horsemen will surround and constrain the army.

Then their only alternative would be to surrender.

That is the whole of our scheme, and many hours was spent in producing and perfecting it to it's flawless state.

Let us just pray that the Lorates follow along with our ruse.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania

The Eve of a Battle

Dusk has fallen upon our vast encampment, and upon the weary men inhabiting it.

After traveling the day through, we have set up camp, forty leagues from Kordana's capital and the war that strives there.

We are a safe distance from harm, and as a mandatory precaution have sentries continually at their vigil for any threat, at all entrances of the camp.

It is almost an irony to find my tent dwelling comfortable and homelike; With rich rugs from Pasarz covering the dirt floor, and a table, and chairs with varieties of pillows and blankets, all for my pleasure, I could easily call it pleasant.

And yet it is an irony because despite its appearance it is so far from home, and these times perilous, that no security is assured to one here that could be otherwise guaranteed.

If I seem a little anxious it is all probably due to the fact that I am tired, and because of this I cannot promise to write for very long.

My commander's and I have just concluded a conference pertaining to battle tactics and strategies, and how we will proceed against the Lorates, and this prolonged discussion has left me rather fatigued in view of the days travels.

I do not think I could have remained upright and conscious through the whole of it, if it had not been for loyal Meredith who served me a continuous supply of cups of Jomacha.

This stimulative drink is rare here, originating in the western regions of Pasarz and only acquired by trade, and helped me stay alert when otherwise I would have passed out from exhaustion.

But I feel my body slowing down as the effects wear off, and already the weariness is poisoning my judgment.

I should retire soon and obtain as much rest as can be afforded me before tomorrow.

One knows not what the morrow holds, and I would be foolish to be ill prepared, but if it were not for my exhaustion I would doubt that I would sleep much.

My anxiety is keen if my mind wanders to the future.

And I know it is not only me.

The men feel it too; I can sense it in their behavior and expressions, and you can see it by just looking out across the camp.

There is a tension alive and strong, and a reserve that results in an unnatural quietness that cloaks all of us.

It is so thick you can almost feel it, like a giant blanket dampening our spirits and filling us with dread for the future.

In times like these the warriors of Krespania need the most encouragement.

In times like these I have to stand up and give a speech of unrelenting courage and bravery, a speech that emboldens and lifts their spirits.

But in times like these the queen is in need of valor also.

She comforts them but there is no comfort for her.

She must face them as one who stands tall and straight in the sight of danger when inside she is trembling in trepidation.

But that is the duty of the one who leads the people and must be endured as part of that responsibility.

Even if I do not favor it.

I suppose I will conclude this letter and retire, if you will forgive my brevity.

It has been a hard day, and will probably be harder tomorrow.

Farewell, dear reader. I hope I shall be able to write again soon.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania

Courage Amid Warfare

My prayers for guidance have been answered, and I have received God's consent to assist Kordana.

Since then the order has been given, and the military of Krespania has begun battle formation by the hand of my commander-in-chief Emilio de Casimiro.

Within a few weeks all will be ready, and the troops will march North to Kordana, and there a small company will be sent ahead with a message to our allies of our approach and assistance.

The small company of men with the message from me will gain entrance through an aqueduct that runs under the north-east wall and into the fortress; there they will relay the dispatch and then remain at the disposal of the general of Kordana's military where perhaps they can add to their defense strength inside.

As queen of Krespania, I will be leading my army into battle against the Lorates as I have done in previous occasions in the past.

My hands have been properly trained for war since my youth, with the help and encouragement of my brother Lennox, and I only lack exercise, which I have been given these last days, before I am well prepared for going into battle.

I go to war wielding a broadsword, shield and prayer.

And my fear is alive and great beforehand, but I take heart that God is watching over me in the midst of the chaos and confusion, and His protection surrounds me like a heavenly cloak.

With only this in mind am I able to withstand the crippling fear that takes hold of one on the field, and this alone restrains me from fleeing once the enemy is in view.

I do not pretend great courage nor lack of fear.

Nay, I am just as human as any other, and act in like degree as as others would on the battlefield.

But this peace of mind that I cling to now is an invaluable asset that I learned when I was young by my father, Raymond de Gavrillac, king of Agmar.

He was a noble man of valor, courage and great faith; a much respected and honorable king, and a loving and caring father to both Lennox and I.

Being through many battles in his time, he taught me how to have courage in the heart of fear by trusting in God, preparing me if ever I was faced with the bloody hardship of war.

I did not understand it truly when he told me, but when my first battle arrived and I rode onto the battlefield followed by my soldiers, and at my feet lay thousands of the enemy's army ready to deploy, panic nearly overwhelmed me and fear clawed it's way into my heart.

I was in a state of shock and beyond discernment, neither did I know what direction to take from there, when suddenly God called to my remembrance the memory of my father's words.

Then I knew what he meant, and how comforting this knowledge was to me! With the commitment of trust came an unexpected but totally desired peace that flooded through me and overwhelmed even the most threatening fear.

No longer was I disoriented, but direction returned to me and I was prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

As I again go to war, I know I will be challenged with this same fear, but my prayers are that I will have strength to withstand it and have courage to meet the Lorate army head-on.

I hope I am not being presumptuous or selfish to beg your participation in prayer for me also. I would consider it most kind and comforting if you would, dear friend.

Though I do not see any opportunity in the foreseeable future, I shall seek to write when I am able.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania

As a last closing remark I will add what I am sure will satisfy your curiosity concerning my counselor.

After gathering all the facts that incriminated Lord Zakar Priseri in treachery against Kordana and betrayal of Krespania, I requested his presence in court, where I pointedly accused him of all these misdeeds.

He did not deny it, and in front of the remaining kingdom counselors and court audience I pronounced him guilty.

He was escorted out of the chamber by my bodyguards, Joktan and Jokthan, where he met his severe punishment, and there his treachery against the crown ended.  

Escapades In The Night

The mystery is beginning to unravel, and I am discovering more incriminating evidence of treachery.

It is in the late hours of the night, but this is too urgent to postpone; therefore I write with the light of the pale moon shining through the window and a glow of a lone candle to guide my pen.

LunaMara is silent with sleep, and a lonely atmosphere radiates from the halls and corridors of the palace; the only sound that reaches my ears is the soft scratching of the quill against the parchment as I write.

The stillness does not bother me, on the contrary I enjoy it. I feel like I can think and meditate easier on problems and situations that are not so clear, at night, without the fear of being disturbed.

The circumstances involving Lord Zakar Priseri, one of my counselors, and the unknown contents of the caravan at his estate is becoming clearer to me and is not so mysterious.

I have had my closest informants inquire discreetly around Estrillo, the capital of Krespania, when the caravan appeared and if the locals knew from whence it came.

The determining answer was that it arrived at the beginning of last month, and they know not who the donor is, but that it came from the north-east by way of sea. The cargo ship that carried it was unmarked and disappeared quickly afterward.

This information was not much but it was a small clue that added into the mix with the others I had gathered, yet it also raised even more questions. Who sent it, and what was inside?

It seemed a little too mysterious to deem it as ordinary and leave it be just as if it was a trivial matter. Nothing was as it seems with Zakar, I have recently discovered.

Now it brings us to this very night.

I decided that it was important that I know what the contents were of the caravan. I could easily send a few palace guards with a warrant to search it but then I would have to surrender the secrecy that I have kept of my knowledge of this, and I do not think I am ready to do that at this moment.

That meant the only alternative was to send an unauthorized investigation.

And the less that knew of this the better it would be, so I chose to go by myself, under the cover of darkness.

Needless to say, Meredith, my lady-in-waiting, did not like the idea at all, especially when I said I was going alone and she was to stay at LunaMara.

She tried to persuade me not to go, but I had my mind set on it and would not acquiesce to her demands, so than she insisted that I have protection.

When Joktan and Jokthan, my two personal bodyguards, heard of it, they too impressed on me to take both of them as protection, since it was their duty.

I yielded and agreed that it would be wise to have protection, but only one of them. The other would stay outside my chamber so as not to arouse suspicion like they would if someone saw they were not at their post.

No one was to know I had left.

I then slipped a dark cloak over me, and Joktan and I mounted on horses already saddled, and stole out through the gates of the palace.

A cloud hid the moon overhead, covering the land with a thick darkness, and we soon left the warm glow of the torches around the palace and rode into the inky blackness of the night.

The cool air whipped and bit at me as we went through the forest for a few miles and then onto the stretch of grassy meadow that stretched to the entrance of Lord Zakar's estate.

We dismounted a distance from the villa and continued on foot to avoid attention from the sentry Joktan had noticed, that was guarding the caravan.

We waited until he walked to the uppermost end of the immobile caravan and then we crept to the nearest wagon and peered inside.

In the darkness I could make out several chests decorated with engravings. The style appeared expensive and from someone of great wealth by the designs.

“I need to see what is inside, Joktan.” I whispered, and then with his help climbed into the cart.

The chests were not locked and sliding the bolt back, I lifted the lid.

I do not know what my expectations exactly were but the sight that met me was a surprise.

Inside, heaped to the rim were jewels of all kinds; pearl necklaces, bracelets with precious gems, golden and silver anklets, armbands and rings. The array of jewelry was endless, and the value, priceless.

The sight was breathtaking.

“It is filled with jewels.” I said.

“The sentry is starting to approach, Your Majesty. I suggest you hurry.” Joktan's low voice reached my ears.

I closed the chest and went to the second.

This chest was filled with gems, from the Ischitim mountains, would be my guess, by how precise the cut of the stones were. Very valuable. Who acquired these from the dwarves?

“He is coming to the second wagon.” Joktan said.

I could not linger long, so I continued to the last chest. “Now what is in here.” I said, opening the lid.

Gold and silver coins brimmed the chest.

If only I could see the engraving on the coin, then I could tell where it's origin was.

I lifted one out of the chest and held it up into the light, straining to see the distinguishing marks, but the light was too little.

“Your Majesty, he will be approaching us soon.” Warned Joktan.

“I cannot leave without finding some evidence or clue of where this cargo came from.” I whispered, desperately shifting the coin in all angles, trying to reflect light off it's surface.

“He is at the fourth cart.”

Just a little more light is all I need!

“At the fifth cart.”

The loud beating of my heart seemed to fill the silence of the night

Then in those last moments a miracle occurred. The cloud shifted out of the way of the moon and a milky white light flooded me, and the coin's marks were crystal clear.

“It is from Lorate!” I hissed. “All of these are!”

Joktan looked back at me. “He will be upon us any moment, Your Majesty! We must leave!”

I gasped as I caught sight of him, and quickly closed the lid and jumped from the cart.

I landed with a soft thud, and we both ran into the woods skirting the estate, and into safety.

“Did he see us?” My chest heaved up and down, as I leaned against the tree with the estate at my back.

Joktan looked around the tree before answering. “No, they are not alerted, Your Majesty.”

“Good.” I fingered the two coins I had kept from the chest.

I knew not how this was connected with every else I had learned but only knew it was important.

Here, at a quarter till midnight, I sit in the anteroom outside my personal bedchamber in contemplation and silent musing.

The coins are lying on the table in front of me, glistening in the faint light and displaying the profile of Prince Deak Codra on their surface, in unconscious betrayal.

Lord Zakar is involved in treachery, I am sure of this.

First, his apparent disapproval of any movement on our part on behalf on Kordana.

Second, his recently receiving the cargo of jewels, gold, and precious stones from some unknown source from Lorate.

Third, the survey of Kordana's defenses by his request that I never authorized, that took place a little before they were attacked.

Revolving these facts around in my head, I considered what all these added up to and the implications of it.

The resulting conclusion is this: Lord Zakar is betraying Kordana's fortifications to the Lorates in exchange for riches.

Greed has filled his heart and shut out any mercy that might have been there.

The thought of his treachery incenses me to the highest degree. And if this is true, and there is not much doubt of that, he will be dealt with most severely.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania