The Journal of Allannia Liatoris

Passage 1: When I was young my grandfather told me of the wars of the hunting of our people and the burning of our kin. He told me this is the reason we live hidden, hidden behind the trees and wildlife. The men of the North of this " Empire " hate us with a vile vigor that cannot be imagined. But why? Why do these short-lived race hate us so? is it envy? Envy is a likely answer, they may see our accomplishments, our potential, and are filled with hate and want nothing more to see us burn. it is most worrying.
Passage 2: Queen Allannia Liatoris, it sounds strange to me. King Varis Liatoris the 5th is a kind man, I have spoken with him on several occasions. Every time we have spoken it is he had seemed to find a way to embarrass himself, all be it in the smallest of ways. My father spoke of him as a man that was in need of a strong elf at his ear. One of conviction and strong hand, I suppose that is going to be me now. It is a task I do not look forward to.
Passage 3: Will this child ever cease, the crying is never-ending. Teriani was born several weeks ago and every day and every night she screams like a banshee. Only Varis can calm her in her fits when I come near she only cries. Am I truly not fit to be the mother of this child. Varis only laughs and tells me I am overreacting to the whims of a newborn.
Passage 4: As she ages, she has shown a preference to be near her father. She follows him everywhere a toddler is allowed in a castle. When she is forced to be only with me she does nothing but speaks of Varis. It was charming at first but a certain point I don't want to listen to her go on about how her father's choice of stone for a bridge. I attempt to bond with her through the arts and music, these hold no interest to her. She wishes to run about declaring herself a knight and the "champion of the mouse" (whatever that is). I am entertaining these ideas at the moment but the time will need to come when she lays down her cape and prepares to learn her role in life.
Passage 5: After Teriani I decided that I did not wish to bear another any more children. But as a queen, I apparently do not have the privilege to choices. I told The king that I did not wish to conceive another child. He was not pleased, not in the slightest. He went into a rage saying it was my duty to do so as the queen, that one heir is not enough and that if goddess forbids something happened to Teriani that he needed another. I pointedly told him that he would need to find a new wife then. That fanned the flames in his eyes, we argued for sometime back and forth we spit venom at each other till I thought he would strick me. He didn't have the spin to do so. If he had he would have had to face my father a man far better than that pathetic king. Does he think me a whore? A woman that will lay down at his wish, rubbish.
Passage 6: The healer brought the news I had feared, I would carry yet another child. The old man will get his wish. Yet another child to fan over him, to sow seeds of hate against me. When I received the news I consider throwing myself down the stairs of the keep, all 12 sets. I didn't, however, I don't know why I choose not to. Perhaps it was Adrora's doing, the goddess swayed me away from the stairs instead taking me to sit under the trees of the garden. Contemplating how this came about and how happy the king will be upon hearing the news. Truly a gift from the goddess.
Passage 7: Faric, that is what we named him, quite where Terinai was load. He is calm in my arms were as she only kicked and cried. I am puzzled at the difference. Varis adores him, as he does most children, but it is different then Teriani. He looks at Faric with a sort of pride that I can't seem to place. At one moment he looked up from the infant in his arms and gave me a smile I hadn't seen in decades. Teriani is pleased as well she dances about excited to be a sister. "Another for her to protect," she says "the champion of the mouse always protects the small". Varis cheers her on proclaiming her the one in charge of Faric and I while he is away. She glows at that.
Passage 8: I am pleased to find that Faric and I share a love for music. He heard me playing this morning and came waddling in to listen to the soft notes of the piano. I sat him on my lap and layed his hands upon the keys, he pushed down with a giggle. I will inform Varis that I will begin Faric's musical instruction as soon as he is old enough to reach the keys himself.
Passage 9: Varis has decided that the children need to learn to defend themselves. Teriani is thrilled, Faric less so. Varis has arranged for them to train with the guard masters son, Wyn. He is a kind boy, close in age with Faric but been training since he could hold a sword. My husband assumed that I would be against putting weapons in the hands of children. On the contrary, I think that it is a wonderful idea there may come a time where we are threatened by the outside world and I want my sweet children to survive.
Passage 10: We are hosting leaders of Ondest for two weeks. It is not often we have outsiders in our home. These people, members of their council, as an interesting group I don't see how they achieve anything. They are not all here but the ones that are bicker back and forth and are determined to each have the last word. It is exhausting. During the feast held in their arrival, I had the unfortunate luck to find myself in a conversation with Argos a council member. By the gods, this woman spoke in a constant monotone and never ceased the conversation. At one point the archways of the keep came up, she then went on a 10-minute rant on the history of that particular style and its prevalence in the south. I looked to my husband in hopes of being saved only to find him in a deep conversation with the head chair, Amarachi. They were laughing over some matter, he is gifted with that while I am stuck with this wet carrot of a woman. I was only saved when an apprentice Medjay approached and joined the gods offal conversation. He introduced himself, Milsosh I believe, and quickly the conversation became a squabble between the two southerns. The carrot of a woman quickly left, I thanked the apprentice. He only smiled and proceeded to question me on Terinai, rest assured I made my exit not long after.
Passage 11: The King, my husband is dead. He was found by the guards in the early morning hours a knife lounged in his chest. Teriani is devastated, Faric as well. It is unreal, so many centuries by his side only to wake up and find him gone. Is this why he wanted the children to learn swordplay? So they may avoid this fate? To be murdered in your own home while your family sleeps. The guards claim that they haven't concluded that he was murdered. Is it not clear to them? He lay dead a blade impaling him, alone in the courtyard on the path to our quarters. How could the blade have found its way into his chest? Did it walk? Or perhaps it skipped. He was killed in cold blood, but who would do this? He was a loved king, strange at times, infuriating at others but always loved. It had to be from outside the kingdom or perhaps an advisor? He for all his oddities was an angle, an elf that none could compare to.
Passage 12: This has been a trying week, the forth advisor in a row I've dismissed. The bumbling fool spoke so casually in the presences of the future queen. Teriani says that I overreacted but if she is to rule this kingdom then she most command the people with the authority of a queen. I will not have another Varis on the throne. Perhaps she isn't ready to rule, maybe she needs more time to watch and learn by example.
Passage 13: The years go by and these children become more and more insolent towards me. Their mother, their queen. My sweet Faric refuses to listen to my suggestions and refuses to even discuss marriage opportunities. The life of a prince is one of compromise, just as the life of a queen is. And Teriani has all but ignored my words of wisdom on the matters of education. She will be queen when her time comes and she will have no need for sword-fighting or archery. She needs to focus on learning matters of state. None the less Faric will need to listen to this most recent preposes it could bring great things to this kingdom.
Passage 14: Gone...My sweet boy.
Passage 15: The guards have turned up nothing, Faric has been missing for so long. What has come of you, my boy. Wyn and Teriani have assured me he will be back. But nothing, we have searched every corner of the kingdom, turned up every stone and nothing. Faric is a gentle soul and not made for the world filled with enemies and the likes of them. I feel as though my life has come to an end.
Passage 16: The new advisor arrived, the last advisor of foreign affairs was dismissed months ago. Finding a suitable replacement was quite the task I'm told. The new advisor hails from Galik Talwen, he is an elf, as is required for such a job. He weaves the most interesting tails from his homeland. While they are truly fantastical I can't help but believe him. If it was not for his exceedingly good recommendations from Clan Briggins and the Talwen Court I would not be giving him a chance to speak to me. He is a tall man, pale and extremely charming. If lord Erevan Hanali can continue with this charm and wit then he may win this position.
Passage 17: Lord Hanali has proven to be talented in his new job. His advice has been insightful and his company has been comforting in the absence of Faric. He has told me tales of our cousins in the west, how they have persevered and flourished despite all odds. They seem to be strong people. People that could prove to be valuable allies in the struggles to come. Maybe Teriani would do good to learn from them. I've thought of opening talks with them, Hanali could open those doors as well as another. I fear that Teriani does not have the temperament to rule our people and do what is best for them. She plays soldier and neglects the finer parts of the ruling. With Faric gone she is the only heir. But Hanali has given another option one I must give more thought.
Passage 18: The preparations have been made and Teriani will be traveling to the Ton Suvi to harbor goodwill between our people.
Passage 19: Living forever is a terrifying thing, but the feasting upon others scares me more. My people need a strong and just ruler and I fear only I can uphold the way of our people. So be it. I will bear this weight for my people and our future. Erevan has brought perhaps the key to saving our people and he will be by my side as I guide us into a better age.