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An Epitaph

Here she rests, Katya Belyaeva.
Balladeer, Inspiration, Friend.

She bore the blade with solemn grace,
Speaking of duty's bitter weight;
Yet steel could never still the heart,
That beat beneath its tempered fate.

Now let the sword lie silent, sheathed—
The burden set aside at last;
Remember her not as the blade,
But as the woman who surpassed.

The crypto-Orentids are real...

P.S.

Thanks, big sis! You're the best!

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She was always there...

Whether it was saving Ephia's Well from the Wyrm...

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Witnessing sights unseen...

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Witnessing pledges...

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Helping her friends through the greatest trials...

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Or remaining dignified as people played their first (and only) game of Efoodle... Musky? Really?

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She gave excellent advice...

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And was iconic to the Rose...

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Representative of her order to nearly every new student over the years...

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And a steadfast ambassador for her people...

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She rescued the first people who fled from Arslan's capture...

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Helped provide shelter to those lost and poor fleeing Il Modo...

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She was even there to welcome those who would be turned away at any other corner of the Ash Desert...

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And still had time to lift the spirits of those at home...

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Even if...

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She sometimes got a bit mischievous...

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She was our heart...

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And guide...

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...

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Plus, she was always on call to help with a kitchen emergency...

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And she helped us say goodbye to so many friends before...

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So it's time to say goodbye.

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Thank you for playing such an amazing character.

Katya, you may rest now...

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More than just a blade.

Student Katya Belyaeva,

I had hoped to have this conversation in person, yet the hours of our duties and the tumult of the College has meant such is not possible.

Heed these words well then, for I acknowledge and even respect your independence to date.

When I first made you my student, I gave to you a task. Learn well of the virtues amongst our near, our dear, and our enemies alike. I confess to some small disappointment that since that time, you have not come to me once to learn of the virtues and traditions of my people. Further, I was disappointed with the doubts and distrust for our rose you expressed in an attempt to-- I assume-- appease Domergue. We are never to shirk nor softly double speak. We speak truth to power.

And yet I am forced to assume it was with good reason, as oft I sheltered you from the intrigues of our halls so that you may continue your work.

The time for further learning has ended. You will present your studies to me in this upcoming week. By now, you should have learned well the virtues of Prudence, Justice, Courage, Temperance, Faith, Hope, and Charity, and how these have shaped our diasporas and will shape the world to come.

I sorely hope you have not put aside the mission I so-charged you upon for idle board work and games. For we, the Balladeers, must act without oversight and direction, towards the ends offered to us by our Grandmaster years apart. Your presentation should reflect these many months of assignment.

On another note, I expect good news regarding your conversation with Casia. It has been your opportunity to lead and inspire her into good service.

We will meet soon. I pray you do not disappoint me again.

Aeronwy Caddick,
Balladeer of the Lost Hearth

[An open letter is posted to the Grandmaster Elizabetha d'Auvergne, with copies made conspicuously available for Lyrists Beauregard, Didereaux, Pommerst, **Domergue**, and Ser Arkaeos.]

[Inside the Grandmaster's copy are two sheets. The first reads...]

I have confronted your Lyrist Aubrey Domergue with the contents of this letter, in the interests of forthrightness and attempts at concord. She has assented to its posting should I believe it is necessary, our positions irreconcilable.

[The second sheet is presented more widely.]

Grandmaster Elizabetha d'Auvergne,

When last I lost heart, your Alois bid that I should have written a letter. Loathe as I am to put pen to paper to make plain what happens in our halls, here I am, as bidden. I write this beside my noble companion Llywarch, the griffon I have today, for the first time, managed to inspire to roost and rest upon the battlements of our Krak des Roses. And what a sight she is. She gives me the heart to see this through with patience.

When you asked me to don this cloak again, it was on a promise. That treachery in our halls would be ended. And so I pledged to strive to unite our banner again. And so I have quietly worked.

Never before has the Rose been so united. We have moved beyond petty brawls, argumentation, and murder with your Red Band. We have learned from and led the Sisterhood both on our quest, roamed from the centre of the world to the edge of it-- to the most profane hells and beyond in our works to make the world good again. Our Rose banner hangs over the Warmaster's seat, entrusted by the Sultan, and the Legatesure has favoured our works to keep the lost and weary sweet and sanctuary. I have worked tirelessly, as you have asked.

But all is not well beneath our banner. Your Lyrist Aubrey Domergue once explained to me her view on our storied arcades: that this is a stage, that she must carefully manage the influence of each Balladeer and cut them off at the knees when they rise too high to steal her spotlight.

Such a craven point of view has always turned my stomach, for ours is not the role of prima donna. Ours is the greatest of all causes.

Life itself.

I once let myself become disheartened by Aubrey's schemes. I removed my cloak in disgust as those who would see men exiled or executed but for the circumstances of their birth filled our halls, a betrayal of the Cinquefoil promise. But you were right. We must be above such actors. We must strive to change the world forever in our passing.

So, never again.

I have travailed, seeing sights unseen from dread Qa'im to Banafsi, Il-Modo to the world's edge, and Assuru to the burning hells themselves.

At that time, since my return, I offered an olive branch to those I disagreed with. In Aurelio, where once we bickered, I have found a stalwart and trusted companion. Our manifold diversities have come together into a greater whole. Likewise, in Asherias, I have found a woman I can lean on who supports us when we stumble, tireless and steadfast.

But all is not well. But days ago, your Lyrist Aubrey Domergue called council students and Balladeers. To these students, she commanded their distrust of Aurelio and our dear Sisterhood of the Sibylline Vine.

All sorts of gross accusations were bandied about. Accusations of Aurelio inventing rites and the Sisters taking advantage of students in a coarse attempt to manipulate the Rose towards maleficent ends.

Your Lyrist seemed grossly unaware that I, independent of Aurelio and the Sisterhood, have long wandered the world, glimpsed sights unseen, and have more than enough experience to recognise the mythical importance of our quest. To strive and build a better world for our children and our children's children to come.

She commanded me to distrust. And for the student's benefit, I did not raise my voice. I have seen the tumult and agony such arguments, taking place publicly, have caused.

But I say no.

I say no, and I am disgraced that students marched to their deaths with the last command from their Lyrist being treachery in our ranks. I will not allow it to come to pass again.

And so, I hereby challenge Aubrey Domergue. I challenge her to walk beside me and see the realms unseen. To lay aside her myopic personal agendas and desires for Legatesure and advancement. To learn to lead our rosy cohort and not merely punch down upon them as suits her political agendas. Because for months now, she has been breaking us apart.

And, if she cannot do that, I shall lead the Balladeers in her stead. Because we have no more time for idle dreaming. We have no more time for negligence or excuses.

We have a world to save.

Aeronwy Caddick,
Your Balladeer of the Lost Hearth

Well done.

Ye Strong, Ye Kind

So rest now Grenth, 'eneath that burning sky.
Thoust gentle strength shall ne'er die.
For in these halls whence heroes tread,
Thy kindness lives on in thy stead.

With wisdom's voice and steady hand,
Thou built up hearts, thou lead the band.
Through war and flame, through peace and strife,
Thou raised the axe in noble life.

And thou led thy band so darkly oathed,
On doomed quest 'gainst them so-loathed.
Wouldst they break? Not now, not then,
A rightly cadre of the bravest men.

Go on, onto this next journey, mine son!
This garden o' life, thoust walked, thoust won.
A leader bold, yet gentle too;
A guide for many, steadfast and true.

Go on, my son, to that sacred shore.
Destiny awaits; thoust leads e'er more.
And when we meet 'ere the Edutu's dark,
We'll share one last tale, that song, that spark...

[The letter is received and read with an overfull cup of wine.]

[A Rose-Marked letter is delivered directly to the la Banda Rossa fortress.]

Dear Condottiera Mirielle Rosseau,

Rare is it that I pen a letter, and rarer still is that I write one of such length. Still, I have had this missive presented to you so that a potential near-miss is recorded with you as befits your role in the security of our Krak des Roses. As you will note, this investigation has been ongoing by myself.

There may have been an attempt to assassinate a member of our Rose using judicial and legislative pressure.

I will outline the events that have led me to this conclusion.

On the 21st Subat 7788, I recorded in our filings a meeting I answered on behalf of the College of the Lost Hearth to one Legate Achaeus. In this meeting, I was requested to confirm the Balladeers of Grandmaster Elizabetha d'Auvergne's readiness to arrest a subject or subjects within the Krak des Roses. I rebuked this with the clear instruction that we would comply only when fair evidence or a summary of guilt was presented for our oversight. Legate Achaeus initially stated that this would be forthcoming. However, it was never provided. This meeting was recorded in the annals of the College of the Lost Hearth.

During one altercation between Fiordelise Foscari and la Capitana's Condotierri, Sister Zoe and Legate Dante Moretti noted separately and independently that Apothar Estellise Azimi voiced her commitment to providing false testimony in her role in the magical safeguarding of our realm on behalf of Legate Achaeus, under the context of arrests to be made at his instruction.

It has been noted that Legate Achaeus has subsequently been at odds with Lieutenant Rennik Colmes of the 4th Legion of House Maribid, up to and including refusing political favour in his early terms in office (legislation regarding disfranchising arms-bearing rights for la Banda Rossa). Sister Zoe and Legate Dante Moretti separately and independently advised me that this was due to Lieutenant Colmes's refusal to arrest and capital charge a figure or figures on Legate Achaeus' behalf.

It is noted that whilst Lieutenant Rennik Colmes seems to have stymied this motion, Sergeant Rhuk Nor is said to have favoured it. Something to regard in future developments.

Be aware that Lieutenant Rennik Colmes did previously demand retribution and arrest of members of la Banda Rossa and the greater Rose directly after his deseating from the position of Warmaster, as witnessed by Legate Dante Moretti, Legate Argent Argyris, which, at the time you may recall widely discussed in our meetings. However, it is remarked that Lieutenant Colmes subsequently received instructions from the Consulate to belay such actions and to minimise infighting until the war is over.

It is my opinion that Legate Achaeus would have been unaware of these instructions before his tenure and, of note, especially during his campaign strategy and promise-making therein.

I understand that you have witnessed Legate Achaeus making a substantive agreement with the Astronomers of Q'tolip to see Apothar Mae Stern rise as Warmaster. It is my opinion that they will only desire this position once the battles of Bet-Nappahi are won and the arcane spoils are picked over. A pin in this point.

You will recall my latest argumentations with Lyrist Aubrey Domergue, as of Subat, and my subsequent firing at her hand after raising criticisms for her alliance with Legate Achaeus. Lyrist John-Henry Beauregard should be kindly regarded for his intervention and witness; note well that during this dispute, Lyrist Aubrey was unwilling to voice what favours or promises she gained from Legate Achaeus for her vote.

You do not need me to remind you of Aubrey's anger toward you and her attempts to blame you for her refusal to make a decisive step towards Legate in that election prior, regarding your alleged inability to pressure the legislative branch to overlook or do away with restrictions on accorded governance law.

As a final point, you will recall our standing arrangements with Legate Dante and note Legate Achaeus' refusal to cooperate with him in any legislative measure. Legate Achaeus insists that he will hold the seat without action until the next election comes to pass. This has come to the point of refusing to pass an Allotment budget that includes the Krak des Roses. Whilst Legate Achaeus insists it is due to the illegitimacy of Legate Dante's tenure, there is a very real possibility that it is strategised under the assumption that Legate Dante is closely aligned with la Banda Rossa and the greater Rose.

Given these points investigated, it is my opinion that there could have been an attempt at judicial assassination for a subject or subjects in the Krak des Roses.

You could have been the target.

It is further possible that this action was to be made possible through the complicity of a member of our Rose.

It is possible that the scheme is ongoing and merely delayed until after Legate Dante has lost his seat or the broad scope of the war is over and the spoils of Bet-Nappahi are to be seized.

Of note: I have no direct evidence linking Lyrist Aubrey Domergue to action. However, I thought it only prudent that you be aware of all potential threats. A missing favour for a Lyrist and an expectation of action from the Balladeers, however, is a dangerous combination. There is a loose thread here, and I haven't finished pulling at it yet. This information will be presented to her directly when she is availed for us to ascertain surety.

To whit all of this penned, when I was given my pledge before Grandmaster Elizabetha d'Auvergne, it was with the simple promise that I would foster bonds of fidelity between our rose petals. I was to ensure that la Banda Rossa rises strong and whole without insipid and perfidious betrayal from within our own Krak des Roses, as you are her favoured red band who opened the gates and brought us hope for a new age, that you have ever held this bastion and guarded the doors as we slept since. It is only together, forthright and bold, that we shall bloom.

Be aware that the broad contents of this letter have been discussed with Balladeer Aurelio d'Lyon, but the draft has not been witnessed. Reach out to me when you would like to discuss this further. I am availed to you if I may be of aid or if you just want to call me a fool.

With regards,
Aeronwy Caddick,
Balladeer of the Lost Hearth

Ye Eight

Ye mighty, ye wise, ye stalwart, ye prize,
Who faced the fell djinn 'neath the shadowed sun,
Ye friend, ye kind, ye light of mine eyes,
Whose valour did shine 'till the battle was won.

For eight didst march whence few else tread,
Their hearts unyielding, their purpose clear.
Through frozen time where the spirit fed,
They ventured forth as death drew near.

Sword in hand and prayer on tongue,
They braved the djinn's cruel art.
And ho, though their fate is done,
They bore this world in their heart.

Them the bold, their blade struck true,
Alongside their brethren, both fierce and kind.
Together they stood-- a resolute crew,
Ao banish the fiend and nay soul left behind.

Ye who now sleep 'neath the Wheel's relentless tread,
Know this, thy sacrifice none shall forget.
Thy lives were flames in the darkest of stead.
Thy memory lingers. I cherish thee, yet...

One day, by the dark of the Edutu's flow,
Whence the river meets shadows, and souls alight,
I'll find thee again in that twilight glow,
And sing thee a tale in the still of the night.

So we sing, 'o eight, of thy honour bright,
Ye mighty, ye wise, ye stalwart, ye pride,
Ye friend, ye kind, ye light of our sight,
Forever in glory, by thee we abide.

By the Balladeer's vow, I shall save one refrain,
When the river's dark tide bears me hence to thy sides,
A tale of thy courage, thy triumph, thy pain,
Our songs shall rejoin right 'ere on the tides.

Steadfast Squire

Saria Silverlocke's blade bled that profane Mojem;
Courage brighter than yon rarest of gem.
In steadfast resolve, she faced that starry night,
Beacon of justice, champion o' light.

Laughter didst echo halls whence shade now creeps.
A melody cherished, now silenced she sleeps.
But though she hath past to Edutu's far shore,
Her deeds shall endure, name evermore.

In hearts of her kin, her spirit shall stay,
Guiding their steps 'pon life's winding way.
Saria, dear squire, thy valour we claim.
Forever we shalt honour thy steadfast name.

Student Tryggvi,

Prudence, justice, courage, temperance, faith, hope, and charity. These are the seven virtues I seek to instil in my students, as my mother once taught me.

Despite this, I am not a woman without flaws. Thus, it is my role within the College to ensure that each of the students that succeeds me has learned from my mistakes, so that generation by generation we may rise-- like the Rosy standard we bear-- from the mire and towards a bright future.

You will learn to speak publicly. You will learn the importance of inspiring The People. You will learn why we seek to transform dreams and fables into reality, to reinvent ourselves to save the world entire.

And above all you will embark upon the Quest.

I am surprised to read the contents this letter, and I do not enjoy the idea that a student in the College feels bereft. We shall speak on this further as, for better or for worse, we are a family in the Grandmaster's corps.

Regards,

Aeronwy Caddick
Balladeer of the Lost Hearth

Dream On

I behold the ruins of Ephia's Well,
There Pra'raj's harsh grip dost dwell;
Tales of Knights Cinquefoil 'ere told,
Whose valour shone as brightly gold.

Without their strength, thou would have known,
The sands' cruel thirst, thine life o'erthrown.
Those gallant bannerets, in armour clad,
Against that darkly spawned dyad.

With sword and shield, they cleaved the way,
Through godless lands, where shadows sway.
They rallied souls of fire and fate--
To arms, to stand afore that gate.

That old, rosy gate held fast and true,
Whence blood and ash in promise grew--
A promise for all, of worth unbound,
Sanctuary and grace to be found.

A place of green, of shelter fair,
Verdant boughs for all to share.
What of it now? What of it, then?
I gaze around and recall again--

Their pledge, a realm free and bright,
All creed and kin to dwell wi'out blight.
O' Knights Cinquefoil, in slumber deep,
Dream on in peace; your vow we keep.

For we, the heirs of your valour true,
Shall bear your banner, as you well knew.
With pride, we'll fight to hold this land,
As once ye stood, thy sword in hand.