Lady Elysa... Pirate Queen?

Yes, it's another slow night in Ireem, no slavers are around, and I just couldn't resist the temptation to slip on my favorite pirate wench outfit and pose for a few pictures by the captain's chair on the bow of the slaver ship *chuckles*

~Lady Elysa

Mache and Shev exchange vows

In the most romantic scene I've seen since "Gone With the Wind," the knight Mache captured the undead Shevaunn, threw her over her shoulder and refused to take "no" for an answer. Standing there on the walkway near the knights' camp, they exchanged vows with only myself as witness.... and yes, I had my Kleenex out!!!

Congratulations, Mache and Shev!

Captured by the sandolinistas!

So here is where things get really interesting. I was standing alone on bedu hill and everything was quiet. Suddenly Sando comes out of his tent and comes up to me, and says he’s here to grant my wish. I’m like... oh, nice, you’re here to tell me you’re quitting as bedu leader? But... naturally nothing so fortunate. He tells me that he’s there for me to execute. Standing there saying, I said he should be executed for treason, referencing a comment of mine that was posted in the Chronicle, so I should do it, his throat is bared for me to cut him. Of course, since I don’t have a sword, he wasn’t really putting himself at risk. And all Ireem knows I couldn’t really hurt someone... well, unless I was in a temper and there was a fight already going on, but that never lasts long (and my skill is so low I’m more of a danger to myself than anyone else). Besides, as I told him, whether or not he should be executed is neither my decision to make, nor my responsibility to carry out. I stated my opinion in the Chronicle, which is absolutely my right to state my opinion. It is for Sultana and Lord Kadar to decide his offences and his punishment. But he kept on and on about it, and I’m thinking, geez, go away already. So then Arian comes up on the hill and Sando runs off back down to his tent, even though Arian didn’t attack, he just stood beside me looking all protective and stuff. And the next thing I know, April and Seawater are all over us, and although Arian got away, April capped me, continuing to attack even though it was obvious I didn’t even have a sword!

That’s when things got really, well... interesting. April runs off after Arian, and Cowboy comes running up and discovers I’m capped, and says he’ll buy me from April. You have to understand this is not from any philantropic ideas. He’s been after my hide for a month or more, since we had a kind of... .ummmm... *misunderstanding* ... and he hasn’t been very forgiving about it *grins* So off he goes, and Sando comes over. You know, I’d really had it with his whining and whining that goes on and on endlessly, so I moved away... and he came after me! So I went off the hill and down to the entrance to the bedu camp. Since I was capped, I needed to stay near the camp of course (a matter of honor), but OMG here he comes after me again, typing away. So I put my earplugs on ((i.e., I muted him)) and told him I wasn’t listening.

Finally after a bit, April calls me down to the bedu camp. She puts me on my knees, and tells me I have to obey Sando now. I told her no way in hell was I ever obeying that traitor, which left her kinda stuck as to what she was going to do with me. During all this, Sando keeps coming to stand in front of me, and I would turn my back on him, saying aloud that I wasn’t going to appear like I was kneeling to a traitor. So he’s going in circles around me, and I’m still on my knees, going in circles to keep my back to him.

So Cowboy comes and offers April money for me, and she’s interested in the deal. She asked me if Cowboy and I were friends, and I said no, he’s after me for revenge, so she’s really interested in his deal, until he offers her 100 dinars. She gets offended at the low amount, and attacks Cowboy and off they go into the desert. So here they come back after a bit, and Cowboy is capped by April. By this time, I’d gotten bored being on my knees in camp, and moved up onto one of the camels for a better view, and Cowboy takes the other camel. Arian comes back and is fighting both April and Seawater, and is suddenly joined by Ariberto! And I’m all clapping and cheering them on, when Estella, one of the rebel knights, shows up in camp with another rebel, a new and misguided knight who doesn’t know any better named Zazz. So they enter the fray, and low and behold, here comes Tobi and caps Zazz, and Ariberto gets Seawater. Cowboy informed me, as we sat there on the camels watching all this, that his being capped is my fault and he’s gonna get me for that, too. At some point Arian managed to kill Sando, I don’t know how, because he was in camp near me when he died. Then April was capped by Arian, and I thought by then that would be the end of it, since April was pretty much in charge of the whole aggression operation, when Primo showed up, and managed to cap Ariberto, but Tobi in the meantime had capped Estella.

Is anybody confused yet? OMG. I almost fell off my camel a dozen times from laughing so hard! Oh, and April told me later, about 10 preys, all in all, were capped throughout the course of all this, which certainly took well over an hour!

So here’s the final score, not necessarily in order:
April capped me
April capped Cowboy
Tobi capped Zazz
Ariberto capped Seawater
Arian killed Sando
Primo capped Ariberto
Arian capped April
Tobi capped Estella

At the end of it all... we all went up to the auction area and everyone was uncapped... and OMG wasn’t this a blast, from beginning to end!!!!! By this time, it was 6:30 a.m., and I finally headed to bed... after this very long, very exciting night... and laughed myself to sleep!

~Lady Elysa

Sandolina captured!

Wow! My Sunday started out (well... Saturday ended, lol) with a real bang! I was actually headed to bed in the very wee hours of the night when I saw Sando, the bedu leader, arrive. So I thoughtfully sent a falcon courier to Raiden to let him know, and naturally, stayed to watch. Raiden came charging across the sands in a way which was marvelous to see. Well, Sando was *not* away, but basically he just stood there and watched while April and Seawater fought with Raiden (2 to 1, btw). Some leader, huh, to stand and let his "family" do his fighting for him. No more than I would have expected from "Sandolina," pah! Anyway... Raiden succeeded in capturing Sando, but Seawater captured Raiden. Shaka and Merlin came, and some others, and someone (I think it was Raiden) also capped Seawater, and there was a bit of fighting all over the desert between bedu and slavers, but in the meantime, since 2 weeks before, Sultana had said that Sando was to be arrested and brought before her, I sent out a falcon courier to Arian, who was in the auction area, to let him know. At some point MasterJ showed up and joined the fight (against the sandolinistas, I hasten to add), but so did Primo. MasterJ cappedPrimo but didn't get away in time so Primo capped him also. Then Sando absolutely refused to be taken into custody by Arian, so the upshot was that everyone was freed and went on their way. In the meantime, I got this *lovely* picture of Sandolina face down in the sand, that makes my heart sing with joy!

~Lady Elysa

ummm... oopsies?

Sooo I came wandering up to the city gates one evening, to discover that Leo had capped Chris, who is now a slaver. And was planning on giving him over to Phox to work at the Inn. I *so* did not think that was a good idea, as I explained to the boys. Phox asked why, and I was kind of at a loss, until I noticed olive, kneeling nearby. I told them that would make it hard for Olive, to see her Master serving in an inn, whereby Phox said that she could work there too! *laughs* So finally after a bit, Chris is freed, and everyone wanders off.

But then, a little later, here comes Chris while I’m walking along toward the auction area, and attacks me and caps me! He takes me off to the bedu camp for some reason, where I discover that Leo and Phox are there before me, capped by MasterJ and Cara, one of the bedu. And our captors are now gloating that they have all 3 of us. Ummmm, oopies? So there we are with Leo being silent and Phox mouthing off (I gotta have a talk with that boy about how to behave when capped and in imminent peril).

So Chris finally settles down to talk terms of release. He wants an apology from Leo and Phox for attacking him when he first arrived in Ireem and hadn’t been able to see yet. Which I thought perfectly reasonable and appropriate. And 200 dinars from each of us. Phox says, he’s not going to pay anything and they can kick his teeth in if they want to. I really gotta have a talk with that boy. Anyway, so Chris nods, and says, if they don’t meet his terms, he’ll sell me to MJ for 600 dinars. Okay, that’s a serious wrong turn. MJ has been kinda after me for a couple months now, but recently he’s gotten pretty determined. In fact, that very morning we’d been standing outside the city gates with a bunch of other people when he ordered me to kneel to him. I laughed in his face and walked off, and he came after me swinging his sword and said if I wouldn’t kneel willingly, he’d make me! I managed to get to auction reasonably safely, but it’s put a whole new aspect on things and I’d determined to be very, very careful when MJ was loose in Ireem. So I was like, "gaaahh!" and said I’d be happy to pay my ransom and Phox’s too. So they freed Leo and Phox, who both apologized, and Chris took me up to the auction area to be safe before he freed me.

I just looooove Ireem!!!!!! heehee

~Lady Elysa

Well... it is official now

As of Sunday, Jun 14, I am no longer Royal Scribe. It’s not like there was a lot to do on the official end... one staff meeting and a notecard or 2 a week, and the occasional audience, was about it, and I could have *easily* done that as well as my Magi studies. And... hello? The Magi are the learned ones, the ones who read and write and actively seek knowledge. Doesn’t it make *sense* that a Magi might be the scribe? But, apparently, loyalty, efficiency and a willingness to knock myself out for the palace, do indeed only come with the Citizen tag. I gave them *everything* 100%. I CARED, dammit. I tried to hold the palace and hell, even sometimes the whole country, together singlehandedly, because the people whose jobs it were to do that, weren’t freaking *there* ...oh, excuse me... they *were* there in Ireem... running around having fun on their alts. You know, if everyone who was supposed to be palace, would actually be there in the palace and around and about Ireem with their citizen tags and RP’ing and interacting as Palace members, the palace would not *be* the dead place it is. Nor would the "palace" be so completely separate from the rest of the population that not only do most people in Ireem have no clue what goes on in the palace (nothing, anyway), but there is absolutely no interaction between the palace and the rest of the country. I at least, the *only* one of *all* the members of the palace, was out and about, day and night, under *my own* name, interacting with others. I tried so hard. I was careful about my dress, my speech, my behavior, because everything I said and did reflected on the palace. No, I’m not perfect, and I had varying degrees of success in being a credit to the palace, but for God’s sake, at least I *tried!* And I kept my eye on things... I reported, to people who were never there, things I thought they should know, things that were happening outside the pretty palace walls, things that may or may not need action on an official level. In the absence of a harem mistress, I did my best to protect the harem ladies; I payed 1100 dinars out of my own pocket to save a harem lady at auction; I was capped by MasterJ himself trying to protect another harem lady and get her to safety. I really threw myself into the role, and took on the responsibilities, and knocked myself out trying to do what was right and best. You’d think that would have counted for something. But... apparently it didn’t mean anything, in the end.

Lord Kadar told me that they were probably doing me a favor, and I even knew at the time that he was right. There was a lot of stress, too many days I sat crying, too many nights I went to bed crying myself to sleep, or worrying so much about what was happening that sleep was impossible at all. But you know what? Yeah, maybe he’s right. Okay, I know he’s right. But... to know that everything I did, and everything I tried to do, counted for so little, that they could just throw me away like that.

~Lady Elysa

A big change in my life

Yesterday I had a very long discussion with the interim Magi leader, Tim Speiser. Both he and KCEE have for some time wanted me to join the Magi, only I didn't see very clearly what purpose that would serve... I knew little about Magi and didn't see what I could do, as a Magi. And my position as scribe is very dear to me, and it does give me a purpose, even though there is little for me to actually do as scribe. But Tim said he could teach me magic, as well as the healing magic that I am learning under KCEE. Because of my djinn blood I have natural magical abilities, although I don't know much about this, or how to control my magic; indeed, it was only 2 months ago that I knew that I was half djinn... I just thought I was... well... peculiar, with these strange things that I could sometimes do (and generally tried not to do). But I would be able to learn more about my natural abilities as well, and to call and use them.

Since Indigo found out that I was part djinn she has wanted me to join the Djinn group, and so I felt torn between Palace, Magi and Djinn. So Tim and I met yesterday with Indigo and we worked it out between us that I would become Magi and study under KCEE and Tim, but because of my blood tie to the djinn I would be the perfect choice as bridge, or liaison, between the two magical groups of Ireem, the Magi and Djinn. Pretty cool, huh?

We are hoping that Sultana will permit me to remain as royal scribe as well... my loyalty remains to Sultana above all, and that has not changed, no matter what. Hopefully she will be able to understand that. Tim spoke to the Great Goddess Kora, who said it was okay with her if Sultana approved. Tim and I then spoke to Lord Kadar, who is not happy... but hopefully he will calm down and come around by the time Sultana returns from her travels this weekend. I really want to remain the scribe, but I haven't been happy for a long time, because there is so little to do in the palace, and most of my time I spend wandering around more or less aimlessly. As scribe, my duties are to attend official functions and the weekly staff meetings, and write up any scrolls to be delivered to the populace or to the Chronicle, all of which I can do that just as easily as Magi. So, basically, if they do not approve, it would be because my loyalty was in question... and if they believe so little in my loyalty to Sultana, that is very hard for me, I could not have stayed in the palace anyway knowing that.

~Lady Elysa

Lady Elysa... Undead Princess???!

heehee, just kidding. But a few days ago I went shopping with Chant and she took me to this store that had this totally rad outfit, which I bought at her (and Marcus' and Xan's) insistence, I just loooove it! So last night there was nobody in Ireem, and I was sooooooooooooo bored, so I changed into my Undead Poizzon outfit (as opposed to Undead Xena, pics to come), and dashed down into the combs to play and goof off, and take some neat pics *grins* Pretty cool, huh? :)

I did consider (very briefly) running for Undead Leader at the next elections... just 'cause it's so fun looking the part, and there's this whole Power Trip thing going for it besides *grins* And, of course, only if Damien wasn't running, naturally. But last night Chant got hold of Lord Wonder and seriously messed up his face, which reminded me how little suited I am for undeadness, and decided not to run for office. I mean, we can't have an undead leader who runs for cover every time things get a little... er... gory, now can we?

~Lady Elysa

A Princess!

Well. OMG. I don't even know where to start, but here goes... Two days ago my friend Hailea brought me to her castle in the nearby realm of Anoron, and invited me to stay. She made me a Princess of Anoron, and gave me a wonderful suite in the castle, I was completely amazed! There's a huge fireplace, with a settee and pillows in front of it for cuddling, and a wonderful lounger in an alcove. I brought my library and reading nook with me, that I'd just bought two days earlier, and it fit perfectly along the wall opposite the bed, besides being so perfect for a castle! Besides my reading nook, at the foot of the bed is a cushioned bench for reading. Several people live in the castle, in their own suites, and there is a huge central living room for everyone, and a wonderful bath, and terraces for dancing on the rooftop. And there is a lagoon for swimming and white sand beaches to enjoy. I can do a lot of my palace work, writing scrolls and so forth, as well as my studies for KCEE, here in my reading nook, or downstairs relaxing in one of the huge sofas.

Believe me, I feel like a princess when I am here! I have found a wonderful princess dress to wear when I am at home, and I lay about on my lovely princess lounger in my luxurious princess suite, feeling just like... well... a Princess!

And it isn't only that I have a home now, but a place where I feel I can belong, and Hailea my dearest sister! I am so happy!

~Lady Elysa

my new... slaver???!

OMG. this was soooo funny. This happened back on Monday, it's taken me until now to write about it. So I was down near the bedu camp with my Phox, talking with River and Sunbeam and Qiana, when Phox runs off somewhere. He calls me to come to him, and I find that he has captured a slaver who attacked him. We'd been having a lot of problems with slavers, and I was half inclined to tell Phox to just kill him (I know, not my usual nature, but I was pretty stressed by that time and sick of the whole slaver bunch going around killing everybody), but Phox pointed out that the slaver was pretty new, and so yeah, that did seem to be a mean thing to kill him, so we stood and debated about what to do with him. The slaver stood there and didnt' say much, until Phox and I had pretty much decided to take him to the slaver camp and see if his brothers would pay us for him. Then he said, no he didn't want that. I'm like... ummmm.... what?

So Phox and I debate some more, and decide to take him to the knights and turn him over to them. We get almost to the knights camp, when the slaver stops and says he doesn't want to go there either, or be turned over to them... he's afraid they will hurt him. Phox and I go on in, while I continue to try to coax the slaver to come in with us, that no one will hurt him there. In the meantime, Mache is telling me that we can't turn the slaver over to him either, as the knights don't hold prisoners. By now I am getting a major headache, and sit down on the bench. We finally convince the slaver to come on into the camp with us to try to figure this out. Someone suggested that we turn him over to the jailers, but I didn't want to see him put in that awful dungeon... but what to do with him??? Then suddenly he comes over, and asks if he can't just stay with me.... WHAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT???

OMG. Then I get a REALLY big headache, and I'm holding my head and moaning. Finally Phox frees the guy, just because we don't know what else to do with him. But then he's at low health, and still our responsiblity, so we take him to Knights Inn to eat, and he won't eat, he just stands there saying he'll be fine, and can't he stay with me anyway?

By this time the ridiculousness of the whole situation hit me, and I started to laugh so hard that I fell onto the floor. I think my poor Phox thought I had finally gone around the bend *grin* Anyway... eventually the slaver went on his way, and my Phox and I went on our way, and all's well that ends well...

...but I sure laughed myself to sleep that night!

~Lady Elysa

my Phox, model of perfection

My Phox has been pardoned! On Tuesday I took Phox before Sultana, and gave her my petition to ask his pardon. She was quite gracious, and spoke to him, asking his account of what happened. And in the end, she granted him a pardon. Below is my record of her words to him:

Zanlu Heron: mmmh... do you swear to be always good from now?
Phox Sillanpaa: I swear to be nothing but a model of perfection.
Zanlu Heron laughs
Zanlu Heron: i like a model of perfection
Zanlu Heron: i forgive you Phox, model of perfection
Zanlu Heron smiles warmly
Phox Sillanpaa: Thank you, your highness
Zanlu Heron: Phox..Elysa loves you very much
Zanlu Heron: please,be loyal and obeying
Phox Sillanpaa: I shall be
Elysa Swansong: he is, your Highness
Zanlu Heron: i hope for him and for you too

I am so relieved! I worried so much about the jailers arresting Phox and taking him to that awful dungeon. He has turned innkeeper now, of the Knights Inn, and seems to be enjoying himself very much there.

~Lady Elysa

My Phox and how he came to me

I have taken the little Djinn, Phox, under my protection. He is bound to me now (a fate worse than death, some might say *grins*) in reparation for his behavior some days ago. This binding is of his own free will and he does my bidding. I do have to say, I'm getting to kind of like having a companion, to have someone at my side, whether trotting along willingly as I go from place to place, or sitting patiently at my feet. He is funny too, and fun to be with, and to talk with. I'll miss him when it is time for him to move on. Hmmm, maybe I should consider getting a slave of my own? *wink*

(just kidding, of course)

(I think)

(hmmm)

LOL. Anyway, currently Phox is in a bit of hot water, as you will read, and I am planning on asking Sultana for a pardon for him. Below is the account of what happened, as I have written it in my petition to Sultana:

Phox is a cursed djinn, who must obey every command of his master (like the genie in Aladdin). On Thursday, Mar 14th, in the auction area, I overheard Leoxis Werefox and Jaril Rexen talking. Jaril had given Leo orders to kill, and he wanted to know who. Jaril grinned and said "ALL." A short time later, there was an auction and Leo bid and won the djinn Phox, and commanded Phox to join him on a joyful killing spree of everyone they saw (except slavers). As a bound djinn, Phox of course complied. Between them, Leo and Phox killed 12 people (6 each), including myself, Tim Spieser and the only knight in Ireem at that time, Maia. Citizens, magi, undead, djinn and bedu were killed.

The djinn leader Indigo arrived, and at my urgent request she came quickly and resolved things for Phox by arranging his release from Leo. Phox was genuinely repentant for the things he had been forced to do by Leo, and he came to me to offer to bind himself to me of his own will, in reparation. I was very angry and refused this, but Indigo convinced me of the truth of his story (as I have written above), and that his repentance was sincere. Therefore, I accepted this binding and have taken Phox under my care.

I ordered Phox to find each of those he killed that night, and to offer a sincere apology and explanation that he was bound to me now. If any did not accept his apology, or wanted further punishment, they were to contact me and we would discuss what they wished. However, so far all have accepted his apology and are satisfied with the current arrangement.

Yesterday, Arian came to arrest Phox for being a mass murderer. While I have some understanding of and sympathy for his viewpoint, Phox was not operating under his own will at the time, AND, his victims have forgiven him. As Arian has not arrested Leo, who not only instigated and participated in the blood bath but also gave the "kill" order to Phox, nor has Arian arrested Jaril, who ordered these killings, I feel this is not right. While undoubtedly Phox did kill 6 people, he did so under compulsion and has sincerely repented and is doing atonement under my care. I feel also that there is a strong case to be made that Leo, and not Phox, should be changed with the murders that Phox committed while bound to Leo. This was clearly premeditated by Leo; he purchased Phox with the intent to use him to kill for this killing spree. Leo should be brought to justice for these murders as well as the murders he committed by his own hand. And Jaril should be brought to justice for all the murders as well, since she gave the orders to Leo to kill ALL.

~Lady Elysa

Feeling desperate

Lately, I have found myself thinking of travel to distant lands, listening to wanderers, and watching the caravans come through longingly, half thinking to leave here. Then I think, how can I leave, when my heart and soul are here in Ireem? Yet my heart is so battered, my spirit so wounded, I do not know how they can recover. Every morning I wake thinking, "Today will be better..." and then such things happen! So many things have gone wrong, I sometimes wonder if it will ever be fixed. For me now there is so much pain, so much hurt... and so lonely...!!! sometimes I think I cannot bear it.

I found such a wonderful sense of purpose when I first came to Ireem and became the royal scribe... there was never anything like that before in my life, it was so wonderful! I never meant to aspire to anything like that, I just wished the peace of citizenship rather than the stress of life as a prey... and anyone who knows me knows I could never be a predator, of course, I just do not have that in me. So I applied for citizenship, and the next thing, I had an appointment with the royal secretary, and then she decided I should be the scribe! I was so pleased and excited, and even more so when it was confirmed after meeting with Sultana. Suddenly, I was no longer alone, I was part of a team that worked together with the Sultana for the good of all Ireem. We had meetings, we discussed policies and made decisions as a team, it was so exciting! And then, in these last few weeks, everyone has faded away. Perhaps they have left to new jobs, new countries, more exciting adventures. For whatever reason, they are gone. Aside from Sultana, I am the only one left now in the palace. And while Sultana rules, she needs counselors and advisors, people around her to assist her in running the country. But there is only me, and I am not the person to advise her! So many things are happening, and the palace should be involved, but how can I bring these problems to Sultana, with no one at her side to advise her? People come to me with problems and expect me to help, but I can only advise, I have no authority to change anything, to do anything. Nor do I want such authority. I am a scribe... not a diplomat, not a politician. While I accept that to run a country such as Ireem, it is needed that there must be someone able and willing to be ruthless, to manipulate and scheme, to do what is needed to keep the balance, the peace... I am not that person! I could never be such a person. I am scribe, and never have I aspired for more. Indeed, it suits me well. But now there is only me, and I have no one to turn to, no one to ask direction or what I should do, when so much responsibility now falls on my shoulders, until I just want to cry out, "I am not the right person for this!!!"

Indeed, I am far too trusting, too gullible, for such responsibility. All Ireem must know this by now. Need leverage against the palace? Oh, go see Lady Elysa. Convince her you are sincere and give her your word of honor, and she’ll trust you completely. Safe passage? Oh sure, just promise it to her, you can always capture her once she’s there. I am so angry, so sick, of being fooled, of being tricked, of believing people when they give me their word! And even worse, I feel like I am STUPID, and I hate to be made to feel stupid, and foolish. I really hate it, more than I can possibly begin to say here. And yet, still I trust, when someone gives me their word. I finally swore I would stop this, that I would cease being naive and gullible and believing in people’s honor. And then last week, one friend gave me his word for safe passage, and because he was a friend, I ...foolishly... trusted, and went into the enemy camp as emissary... and he attempted to take me prisoner. Oh! So angry! I fought my way out of the camp, and swore never to return, never to believe anyone, ever again.

And then there is the healing. I know so little... I am a mere apprentice, and have as yet had no training. My apprenticeship to KCEE had only been approved by Sultana a day or two before she was kidnapped by Damien, and all went on hold during those trying times, of course. But since then, there has been no time for us to begin my studies, and yet people call for me, since they know I am apprentice. But I am apprentice only! Not a healer yet! My skills are limited, and very basic, and pretty much limited to the contents of the first aid kit that Prince Pawlaew gave me upon my apprenticeship. I am frightened when I must go alone to heal someone with terrible wounds, nor can I heal such things as undead poisons. I am alone when I am called, and so unsure of myself... and oh! I care so much when people are injured or hurt! I worry about them, and fret over their health even after they are well. Many, too, come to me with their troubles and problems, and I am so pleased, so honored with their trust! I treasure each and every one who come to me like this. And yet... there is that in me that cries out... who will come to heal ME?

Because, very slowly, day by day, I am dying a little inside.

~Lady Elysa

a terrible thing

Something awful is happening today in Ireem, so terrible I cannot even write the words. I can only weep for a gentle, sensitive nature so wounded, so hurt... and now today... so much more so. I ache for the pain I cannot save him from, both now, and in the difficult days ahead.

In deep sorrow,
~Lady Elysa~

Close Encounters of the Tobi Kind

So last night, I was boooooooooooooooored, and decided to play in the combs. It was a slow night and there were no undead there at all... must have been Goth Night at the local bowling alley or something. Anyway it was deserted, so I amused myself by racing from the auction site through the combs and out the old temple to the desert, and back. So Tobi finally came, and I thought I'd better stop, and he thought I'd better too. So there I was hanging out in the auction area, and he was too, but he didn't move for so long, I thought maybe he was asleep and I could dart down there and he wouldn't notice. Just to check that, and to get into possible position for a quick takeoff, I moved over to the pillar closest to the combs entrance, and darned if Tobi didn't turn and look at me, and ask if I was planning to go for another run in the combs!!!! I gave him my best innocent look, naturally ;) After a bit, he ran off toward the city gates.

Feeling mischievous, as soon as he was out of sight I instantly dived down the steps into the combs, and made it all the way through the combs, came around the turn just past the snake, when I came face to face with.... TOBI!!!!!! OMG. OMG. How the hell he knew I would do that, I have no idea, but the sneak had run around and in through the temple, and there he was! I kept my head even though panicked... I didn't even stop but rushed right past him out of the combs into the temple with Tobi just a couple of steps behind me. I think the fact that I dind't stop, or try to turn around, took him by surprise too, or I wouldn't have had that little teensy bit of a headstart. The instant I was free of the temple I jumped up high, toward the knight camp, and made it into the city safely. But my health was so low, it was a very close-run thing... I think one more swing of his sword and he'd have gotten me! OMG! I was panicked, relieved, and ROFLMAO all at the same time!!!! So there I was, gasping for breath, laughing, and asking Tobi how he'd known I would do that, when here come Paw, Urso and Jig on the run, looking all ready for battle. I was laughing so hard, it was all I could do to pull myself together enough to calm them down, let them know I was okay, and to tell them that yes, Tobi had faked me out but he hadn't cheated or done anything dastardly, he just out-guessed me, and really it was my bad {{{giggles}}} So Tobi went off on his way, and the knights also, and I went to eat.

And when I went to bed, I lay there remembering it all, and laughed until I cried, and actually fell asleep still laughing at it all. I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!

~Lady Elysa~

Apprentice healer!

It is official! Yesterday we spoke to the Sultana, and she kindly gave her permission for me to be apprenticed to KCEE the Magi. When I am not involved in my scribe duties, I will be going around with her learning the healing arts. This all happened very suddenly. A few weeks ago KCEE was healing someone, and I was there, and felt compelled to lend my energy to her to aid in the healing. I did not even know what I was doing.... but KCEE said I had healing magic, and perhaps I am to be Magi as well, eventually. I am very excited, but also still a bit amazed and a lot nervous... KCEE has more confidence in me than I do, I never thought to have anything like this. But KCEE says it is the healer/empath in me that is what always has me charging into trouble headlong to help others, which does explain a lot.

I have also found a familiar, Galon, who rides on my shoulders sometimes and has a strong energy to lend to any magical healing.

~Lady Elysa~

Royally pissed off

So there I was in the palace gardens yesterday, just walking through, when someone comes up behind me. I turn and see Jaril, and say salaam politely. And she punches me in the face! I was so shocked, I couldn't move or think! I finally asked her why, what did I do to her? and she whacked me in the head with the broad side of her sword, then grabbed me by the throat, and started to strangle me. All without warning, without a word.

You know... I just got pissed. First off, we are in the Palace, an area of truce for all. Second off... hello?? I'm a scribe, not a street fighter. Yeah, I sometimes draw my sword and use it, usually to defend someone else when my temper gets riled. But I'm not a fighter by nature, and I don't fight for the fun or thrill of it, and if I wanted to fight, I'll go out in the desert, but not walking in the palace gardens! And thirdly... I don't do cat fights!Furthermore, the whole thing was both stupid and pointless. So I head-butted her, and walked away without a backward glance.


~Lady Elysa~

P.S. Of course, I DO have an alternative ending for this little scenario. It reads like this:
Elysa Swansong grabs Jaril by her hair, yanking backwards so hard the slaver's pretty little neck snaps with a loud crack.
Elysa Swansong drags the lifeless body by the hair over to the wall and shoves it over, watching as it tumbles down to land grotesquely on the city pavement below
Elysa Swansong shouts SLAVERS COME GET YOUR LEADERS DEAD BODY FROM THE CITY BEFORE I TAKE AND FEED IT TO THE SHARK

being good

Last Saturday in a meeting with the Sultana and Lord Kadar, I was asked to stay out of trouble for a whole week, at least until the upcoming Audience on Saturday, so I gave my promise. I am keeping my word, and being soooo good. And I am bored out of my mind! I am staying mostly in the city, where I watch all that happens from far above on the city walls. Sometimes I venture out to the auction area, but no more running in the sands or down to the beach for me! My friend Kara likes me to run with her, but that is dangerous and I think the Sultana would have a heart attack if I got captured again right now, after being captured twice by Damien (not to mention being turned undead and back again), and then got involved in the whole mess with Arian and Kerri and had to wear Arian's collar to care for Kerri, the Sultana does need a break from my antics (and I must say, so do I, heehee). But sometimes I feel like I'm going to bust if I can't get out soon and feel the wind in my face and in my hair and dance on the sand under my feet!

I'm counting the days and hours and minutes until Saturday, 3 p.m.! Then, watch out, Ireem!!!!!!

{{{giggles}}}

~Lady Elysa~

Is it so much to ask?

So here I am feeling lost once more. Is it so much to ask to feel like I belonged somewhere? To be wanted? Yet I remain essentially apart from all. I have a position in the palace, yes, and I love it! Yet, it is not family. It is not really belonging. I was so happy to be welcome in the knights camp; they were the closest thing I felt to family in all my life, and that is no more. Where else is there for me? I don't belong with the predators; I could never do that! I could never capture anyone. Nor do I enjoy fighting... I only fight to defend (or, to be honest, when someone gets my temper up, hehehe). No, there is no place for me, nor is there someone for me yet on the horizon.

There was one once who fought for me... he fought many, furiously and fearlessly, to have me, and to keep me. And in the end, he let me go for someone better. I don't blame him; the deal he was offered was a spectacular trade, anyone in his right mind would have accepted (heck, I would have accepted, if it was me!). Yet, I cannot help now but wonder what it would be like, to be wanted in that way. To be wanted so much that a man was willing to fight to the death to have me, against any and all comers... not just because I was there... not out of duty or honor.... not to have me as a hostage or for trade... but because he wanted me... me, for who I am, because he wanted me, and no other, at his side. And somewhere, in all that, make me want to stay.

~Lady Elysa~

Hearbreak

This morning, I fought for the safety of an injured knight. I fought Raiden. I fought Saiki. I fought Kitty. Then when he was safely back in camp, I stood alone on guard on the wall, watching for predators, while we waited for KCEE to come heal the injured knight and another who was ill. Only one other knight was there, taking care of the 2, while I stood guard.

Tonight, I was attacked by a knight in the knights camp, when I went there on official business for the Sultana. Attacked, with his sword, while mine was sheathed! It is so bad, I cannot write about it. But I will never go back. Nor will I ever again call on the knights to help me; I will live or die by my own chance, rather than call those who have treated me so. Damien himself did not hurt me so much as these knights; he, at least, hurt only my body. He, at least, did not pretend to have honor. But the knights...! My faith is so shaken. My heart broken. If I cannot believe the knights have honor, what is there left to believe in?

~Lady Elysa~

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

So in my efforts to stay out of trouble, a different kind of trouble found me... bored girls!!!! Yes, folks, there is nothing more dangerous than a bunch of girls who are just plain bored! so we went to the local stables and rented Slug Mounts (cheap by the hour) and for about an hour we zooomed all over the desert, having fun. I got this great photo, once we managed to get all our mounts to line up and hold still. Then Chris came, and tried to make us stop... he even took a couple of whacks at me with his sword while I was hovering over his head on BooBoo (my slug's name)... so mean! {{{pout}}} Then he told us that if we rode them into the city we would be put in the dungeon. Katlynn wanted to do it (just because) but I remembered I was supposed to be staying out of trouble, so I thought I'd better not. Chris kept wanting us to stop, but then I remembered that I was under physician's orders.... Kerri told me that I was supposed to ride and play and laugh as long as I wanted. See, after my ordeal with the undead I haven't been doing very well. It's like all the joy that was in me had disappeared... instead of being fearless and free like I was before, I'm always anxiously scanning for preds and always looking over my shoulder. Mostly too, I feel shy around people now, where I didn't before, and avoid crowded areas, sitting for hours out on my camel and watching things from afar. This is the first time I have laughed... really laughed, and felt the cares drop away from me... for days! So Kerri told me to go for it, and I did! I would have kept on, but then some preds came and got in a fight with each other, and then someone others started fighting, and all the fun went out of it, so I took BooBoo back to his stable and walked back to the palace.

So later, I was sitting out in the desert on my camel again, when the slavers got a new shipment of rum, and I was invited to the party to celebrate! I so wanted to go, but you know I've been trying to stay out of trouble, and I hesitated. But Chris said it was okay, and that he would be there too, so I went and had an absolute blast, dancing around the fire and giggling and watching the pirates (and Chris! hahahah!) stagger about, and dancing the night away with the slave girls! It was such a good time, and Raiden gave me this hat as a souvenir ;) It was such fun! I am keeping my pirate hat, under my bed, just for memories. Maybe I'll put it on my camel {{laugh}}

~Lady Elysa~

The Peace Camel

So yesterday, being free of the undead at last, I determined that I was going to stay completely out of trouble, and be oh! so good!! I was tired of trouble. However, that was not to be. In the auction area, someone kept trying to bump me out of the auction area, which was kinda fun for awhile, I do have to admit {{{grin}}} But after awhile, I accepted (after some consideration) an offer of escort from Shaka, who appeared not to be in one of his mad moods, and a slave girl who is Jaril's little sister. We were almost at the knights camp, where I was going for some practice in running, when some idiot slaver came by and decided to cap the slave girl... DUMB idea, helloooo? Jaril's sister???!!!! Shaka absolutely forbade him to attack, but the idiot guy spat out foul names and came at her. Well, you probably know me well enough by now to not be surprised that I sort of, um, got in his way, with my sword ;) The knights came and chased off dumb-dumb, and I went inside to eat. When I came out I stood chatting, again right outside the knights camp, with 2 knights, and several more there near the wall, when here comes dumb-dumb running up to attack me... with knights all around! Is he out of his freakin' mind? (oh, and I hear he's a bedu now. I wonder if Jaril chewed him into bitty slaver strips for attacking her lil sis)

Then a friend came and asked me to spar, and that sounded like fun, so we went off to the docks to the space there. We were just about to start when suddenly I saw Damien's wings nearby! We both ran for it, and decided to spar instead down on the sands below. We had a great spar match and we capped each other, which had us giggling like mad. We released each other and headed back up for the city to eat, when I saw Damien again. I shouted to RUN... he probably was not after us, but minding his own business (whatever that may be), but I wasn't taking any chances! but my friend was not safe in the city, and she ran for the auction area, and on the way there before she could eat, was attacked by this stupid new punk kid who attacks everybody on sight. I was soooo mad!

So then I decided to stay inside the city gates, and went to sit and do some palace business, writing in my scrolls for awhile on the stone block just inside the main gates. And I swear, people kept coming in and fighting all around me! What, am I a magnet or something? After the last few days, which were very stressful, I just wanted some peace, you know? But the palace was a little too peaceful, I wanted to be where I could keep an eye on happenings, but be far away enough to not be near it. I didn't want to see fighting, I didn't want to see my friends getting attacked, and even worse, I did not want to see my friends fighting friends. I was getting very depressed, and decided to find some place else to sit and watch from afar.

So I remembered my favorite camel, out by the well. No one mostly comes there, only those people who are already fighting, and they do not notice or bother me, and I can see all the way up to the castle gates! It is a nice spot, very peaceful, and the camel lets me sit for hours on him while I write, and watch. After a long, long time, Prince Paw spotted me, and katlynn also, and they came and joined me up on the camel. Then Derry came along and Starr, and they sat on my poor camel's head! I laughed so hard, and I took this picture to share :)

~Lady Elysa~

A noble sacrifice

It is finally ended. After a prolonged battle in the palace and gardens between Damien and the knights,the visiting Prince Mikk Graves from northern lands transformed into the most magnificent white dragon, roaring with white light. Damien left, but returned astride his black beast. In a stunning sacrifice (and against my pleas), Mikk offered himself in exchange for my freedom. However, all turned out well. Damien was too busy fighting off the entire kingdom (or so it seemed) down in the combs to do any harm to Mikk and finally sold the Prince at auction, where he was bought and freed by Lady Jordina.

So I am free, and free of any spell Damien had cast over me. I am back at my little desk in the palace, amongst my scrolls and busying myself once more in palace business that has gone unfinished for the last few days.

And if, in my heart of hearts, a small piece of me mourns, that is between myself and these pages.

~Lady Elysa~

outcast

There is no longer a place for me in Ireem, no place where I can belong. Damien does not give up so easily, although why he is so determined to have me, none know. Just for the mischief, I strongly suspect, and yet, he has ruined my life. Well, okay, let me be honest. Part of the blame is mine. I fought him instead of run the first time, because I was afraid for Jordi (who can probably take care of herself far better than I ever could). But all I could think was to try to draw Damien off, or at least distract him. And last night... well... he captured KCEE, then called to me from the combs to come to him for her freedom. It was my choice to go, and I made it. Right or wrong, it's just not in me to walk away, and besides, KCEE is so much more important than I! And I owe her so much, she is wonderful.

So here I am, belonging to Damien and caught between worlds. I cannot be undead... I am a GOOD person! I can't ever hurt anyone, or even be mean (well, unless I get mad, of course!), but it just is not my nature, just as I cannot walk away from someone in trouble. And although I can go into the catacombs now, they are cold and damp and comfortless. I am banned from the palace, which was the joy of my life to be a part of the goings on there. No one is angry with me, nor blame me, but until we know if I am under a spell of Damien's casting, I am not safe to be there, I could be a threat to the Sultana without knowing it. I don't blame them for not wanting to take chances with the Sultana's life, I don't want to take that chance either! But it is hard to be banned, although I still carry on my duties from afar. My other joy was practicing and training with the knights and being welcomed always so kindly. But now I am afraid to go to the knights' camp, for fear they too will feel me a danger and not want me there. And truly, I don't even want to see a knight, because I don't want to look into their faces and see... whatever I would see when they look at me, I am so ashamed.

So I sit on a high hill, and look out over the knights' camp, and the palace, where I used to be welcome and so happy! I don't know what will come to me. I know I can never accept being undead. And I am told that the undead do not keep prisoners. Yet Damien seems determined to own me for some reason. It could be he is just playing with me before killing me. But I feel like I am dying now, of loneliness and grief.

~Lady Elysa~

How can this be?

KCEE told me I was healed, and indeed I feel fully well and alive, just as I was before. And yet... there is a curious pull to Damien. I think about him constantly; I scan for him in fear, and yet I hope for him to appear. And when he does come, I want to go to him. Sometimes I swear, Damien whispers to me in my dreams, and I wake out, crying "No! No!" I tremble at the thought of him, yet something in me longs to be in his presence. Damien. Just to say his name is like magic. What is wrong with me? Is some trace of his poison still in my veins?
~Lady Elysa~

Gallant rescue

It's taken me some time to be able to write about this, so bear with me. I was captured by... Damien! Yes, I know, I should have run... and I did run! But Jordi came, and we cannot risk Jordi, and the baby, to the undead. So I turned and fought, and he captured me so fast! He took me down into the catacombs, what an awful place! cold and damp, and full of spiderwebs {{shudder} Then he congratulated me on being his 100th kill! I wondered why that was a cause for congratulations. I admit to hoping that meant he would free me. But not so, he took me upstairs, out into the auction area, and asked if I wanted to be sold at auction. There were many slavers standing around, and I begged him not to sell me to them, and he gave me the choice to be sold or to stay with him. Well...I know what my fate would probably be if I fell into the hands of slavers, and death seemed to me to be preferable. Then he took me back in the catacombs, but still he did not kill me. He seemed to be enjoying my fear as he made me follow him deep into the combs. He asked me again if I was sure, and I said yes, and awaited my fate. He seemed to ponder awhile, then took me up, and up, and outside once more, so that I was confused. Then I saw that he meant to kill me there, before everyone...so awful! And suddenly he turned and bit me, and I thought, "this is it" ...only then I was awake! and there was so much commotion, people screaming and my friend Kara crying, and I wondered why, because I was still alive. Only I felt so... so odd! There was a tingling numbness all through my body, and I could hear a strange deep thumping sound coming from all around me, almost like a heartbeat,but not mine! And something weird, too... suddenly I hated all slavers, with this terrible anger and rage. I went charging toward the slaver camp, I don't even know why, because I don't hate all slavers on sight, it was a very sudden, very violent mood from nowhere. But wolfie stopped me and would not let me go on, and I could not fight with dear indigo wolfie. She told me I was undead... undead!!! No!!! I ran back and attacked Damien in anger... useless of course. I suddenly thought, I thought if I flung myself from the cliffs, I would die. Silly of course, I was already dead, but I was so panicked and afraid, I was not thinking right. And there were so many people, and running and shouting, I was confused. Someone caught me as I fell, a bedu, I think, he caught me right out of the air and he tried to get me away from Damien and into the tunnels. There were so many people, all yelling and fighting and shouting at me to run, back into the caves. But Damien came and was fighting, so many people, I don't even remember. KCEE was there, and the strange bedu was fighting Damien, urging me to run, and my friend Kara trying to lead me through the tunnels, but every way I turned Damien was there, no matter which way I ran, until it was useless. Then he bit me again, and I think I fainted. When I awoke I was so cold... so numb and... different. And also, I felt this strange pull toward Damien. I both hated him and feared him... but he was the only one who could help me, who could explain what was happening to me. And even more than that, I wanted to go to him. And yet he was telling me that I would fight the knights... Never! Never! I would never fight the knights nor betray the Sultana. Finally he left, laughing, and I was left in the combs alone, except for Ari lying like asleep on a cold slab.

Later that evening I had wandered into the desert. I was so lost and scared, and didn't know what to do, or where to go. I wanted to stay far from my friends, because I remembered hearing the blood pulsing in their veins, the beat of their heart like a drum. I was afraid for them, and afraid for myself, for what I had become. When I returned to the combs, Prince Paw was waiting near the entrance, and as soon as he saw me, he attacked! I was heartbroken, that the knights whom I love and who have trained me and been so kind with me, must hunt me. I would not fight Paw, never, so I stood, waiting for my fate, and crying because he must hate me now. It was over in a moment, and he had captured me. Then he told me, so kindly! that I was under the undead spell and that I must follow him to KCEE to be healed. Oh! Healed! I almost didn't dare to hope as I followed Paw to the camp where the knights had gathered, and KCEE, and little blue wolfie too. They were so good to me, and KCEE began to cast a spell, the most wonderful thing I have ever seen, and wolfie added her magic to it as well. I remember beautiful stars and glowing lights, and the most incredible energy flowing through me, while the heavy, dark shadow seemed to drop away from me and I was filled with light. It seemed to go on forever and yet only a moment, at the same time. When the lights faded, KCEE was holding me close, and I was well. I could breathe again... deep breaths, feeling my lungs expand, taking in the warm welcome air of the desert, smell the sharp tang of the ocean breeze. I am alive again!

~Lady Elysa~

New harem girl

We have a new girl in the harem, a slave girl given to the Sultana by her Master. I feel so sorry for her, she is just devastated. It was heartbreaking to watch her cling to him, sobbing, and to watch his attempts to comfort her even as he let her go. Kaela and I took her upstairs and dried her tears, and let her bathe in the huge tub with the waterfall, and dressed her in sumptious silks, and offered her fruits, the best that Ireem had. And yet, when I look in those huge, sad eyes, overflowing with unconsolable grief, I know that all the silks and luxuries in the world cannot make up to this little slave girl for the loss of her beloved Master. My heart breaks for her.

~Lady Elysa~

Longings

Last evening a slaver who had chased me into the city, stayed to speak with me. He tried to beguile me from safety with talk of the confines of the palace, of freedom, of the sun rising over the slaver bay. And, heaven help me, I wanted to go! oh! not with the slaver... but his words woke in me a longing I scarcely knew existed. I don't remember my parents at all, but sometimes I think they must have been ... I don't know... bedu maybe, or perhaps some distant, foreign gypsy blood may run in my veins, because so many times I want to roam far and free, and this man's words opened the floodgates, I am so restless, pacing, and wanting to just run and run and run and never arrive at any destination. And I know that I cannot do that, I must live the life I have chosen. It is a good life, and I have been very happy. I know it is the right choice.

But oh! I wish I had kept running once I reached safety last night, and not stopped to listen.

~Lady Elysa~

I DID IT! I DID IT!

Yesterday was a first for me in my training. I came running from the city gate up the walk toward the knights camp. I jumped and hit the wall running, beyond the first circle, and ran all the way to the other side to the circle there, taking all 3 corners at a run without falling off!

So it's very silly to be so excited, I know, but those darn corners have been giving me so much trouble, and I've been trying so hard! Yayyyyyy!

~Lady Elysa~

The excitement continues

Well, I've had an exciting, fun-filled day! I almost got capped by Jaril this morning. I don't even know why! I was just standing by the city gate watching the slavers and the undead and the knights all fighting (I have no idea why, but everyone seemed to be fighting everyone, all over the place) and suddenly she came at me! I didn't even hesitate, but turned and ran for all I was worth! Better even Arian or Damien, than Jaril! Fortunately, a certain slaver I know {{{blush}}} told me just the day before, if I am being chased, to run in a straight line as much as possible. So that is just what I did, and managed to make it inside the city walls just in time! That was truly an escape for which I am most thankful..

I did have some real fun though a bit later! Arian offered to spar with me in the arena! on his word that he would not kill me. So I agreed and we went, and it was way fun, trying to keep my focus on him and swing the sword at the same time. It was also very good practice for me, to have a moving target to chase after. The sparring ended when I killed him. Unfortunately, I had to let him go (well, darn!) because a deal is a deal, after all! heheheh. But it was a splendid time, and I now have 2 kills and my skill level has increased :)

I'm still having trouble on the parapet, when it comes to the corners. At a walk I am fine, but at a run, I still fall off maybe 2-3 times of every 5. I am getting very frustrated with that. But I can now approach the wall and leap up onto it at a run, nice trick! it's just the corners that are so much trouble for me. I'm still running around the tents too, but that's getting kind of boring now that I have gotten the hang of it, but I still do it for the practice.

Speaking of Arian, yesterday we actually fought for real. He capped my best friend's sister and I had to fight with him for him to free her. I haven't written about it because it was kind of traumatic for me, but there is a positive side to this, which is why I'm writing this at all. Despite the fact that I lost the fight (well, duh! Arian has the highest skill for a fighter, I the lowest), due to the training I'd been doing it was not the complete disaster I thought it would be. I mean... I know I can't fight, and hated thinking I would make a fool of myself in front of all the people around watching. I assumed the fight woud be over in just a couple of minutes, and it was not... indeed, I did much better than I expected, and gave Arian a good fight before he capped me! Looking back, now, I am very pleased with how well I was able to defend myself, given the circumstances. What I need is practice... a tricky proposition here in Ireem, if I want to stay free and alive (I do!). A sparring partner would be ideal.

~Lady Elysa~

Close Encounters of the Arian Kind

In the last 2 days, I have barely escaped capture by Arian, not once, not twice, but three times! The first time he came almost out of nowhere, and I was startled and unprepared. He was on me before I knew it, and I had on time even to call for help. However, I had just been talking with Jason, and there were other knights around, and they fought him off while I made my escape, but it was a very close thing. Just a few hours later, he came to the knights camp where I was alone, practicing, and this time I was close enough to the city to get inside. Today though was the worst of all... I'd just come into Ireem and was making for the city gates, and he came across the desert. I saw him coming and RAN FOR IT! Fortunately I've learned a few tricks from my training with the knights, and was able to make it into the city, but my health was very poor, my pulse pounding!

Of course, matters are not helped that Mirna and I put out a bounty on him {{{grins}}} and when WongFei capped him, we turned Arian over to Damien for punishment. But since Arian had already been trying to cap us... word is, he even tried to trade a capped knight to the knights for us! ...we didn't have anything to lose, you know? But now he's even more determined, and seems to chase me on sight! I can tell you, I barely made it to the city in time today, that was a very, very close-run thing, and no rescuers in sight... although this time I did have time to call for help as I ran.

I need to train more. Hopefully soon I will be ready to start working with my sword... though I would never dare to face Arian in a fight... my best bet is to just run!

~Lady Elysa~

My first sparring!

I had my first sparring match today, out in the desert beyond the Knights' camp. I didn't do too badly, I capped my opponent, yeay! Of course, he didn't do too badly either, because he capped me at the same time! LOL. We were both at 0%! I was honestly very pleased with myself; I'd expected to be pretty bad at it, so it was nice to see I could at least hold my own (for a short time, at least). I've actually been able to master running around the tent; though the corners of the parapet still are a difficulty for me, even at a walk...but I'm getting very good at jumping back up onto the wall {{{laugh}}} I've been practicing using mouselook everywhere I go, and can now make a not too bad u-turn while at a run! Next Ringo wants me to run around the campfire... not so easy! But I'm not going to give up; I'd never have thought I could get as far as I have, in the short time (less than 24 hours), and if he can do it, so can I... with lots and lots and lots of practice, of course ;) heheheheh. It's quite exhilarating, too! I am starting to feel as if I at least have a miniscule chance at escaping, should I ever have someone coming after me (depends on who it's with, of course).

Oh, and I had my first real chase today! I made it to safety, just barely a breath ahead of the slaver pursuing me, and whoo, was my heart pounding! I can honestly say that I see the excitement that the chase holds for the slaves... but taken all in all, I do not want to be captured (or anything else) and I remain very glad to be a citizen in Ireem.

~Lady Elysa~

MIrna is home!

I am soooooooooooooo happy and relieved! I don't know who, or how; everyone (knights) had been gathered for a rescue, and I was ready to go in with them again, but so much time passed, and then a slaver showed up, and ...well, to be honest, I gave up in despair. I finally left the area by the slavers camp and was on my way home when I heard the news that she had been rescued. I rushed to the palace, where I was allowed the priviledge of being one of the few people allowed to see her. It was wonderful to know she was free, but even better to actually see her with my own eyes, I am so grateful. She was exhausted and careworn from her ordeal, but the Lady Kerri said she would be fine. I am happy now!

After Mirna lay down to rest, I went on home to do the same, able to sleep peacefullly for the first time in 2 days. I do not want to go through another 2 days like that! (I bet Mirna doesn't either!) When I awoke, I went to the knights' camp for news about the war (or any news, for that matter). I mentioned in passing to the knight Ringo that I wished I knew how to use my sword better. He instantly offered to show me some skills. My pathetic attempts should have made him laugh, but he was very kind, and he took me back to a basic skill I had been unaware of... Mouselook! So instead of swinging my sword, you may in the next few days see me walking circles around the tents in the camp, and walking the parapet. Ringo tells me that next I'll be running along the parapet. Uh-huh. Given my current attempts at walking along it, I venture to say that I'll be running it about, oh, say, the new year ;)

~Lady Elysa~

A busy week in the Palace

Wonderful things are coming to the Palace! This weekend I met with her Highness the Sultana, Lady Mirna and Lady Olivea to debate and plan the exciting changes. I have been drafting a notice to go out kingdom-wide calling for nobles, ambassadors, princes, princesses, foreign royals, and yes! we will be building the harem to entertain all these amazing people! Life in the palace will be as busy and interesting as life out in the desert (tho in a different way, of course).

On a less happy note, my very first friend in the Palace, Lady Mirna, has been captured, along with Lady Jordina, and held by the slavers. I am dreadfully unhappy, but of course there is nothing I can do but wait. I HATE waiting! I wish the knights and djinn would come together and st0rm the camp and free them...and I'd join in, too! Anything but sitting here, waiting and hoping, and crying so much for my friends, and completely helpless to DO anything :(

~A very unhappy Lady Elysa~