Being
the 1st
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
It
is quite lovely to be home again with the whole family. No mention
has been made of dear little Greda or Tarek. I have this odd feeling
that people are afraid to talk about them. What really happened? Is
brother Uli's story true. Although he admitted writing the story of
the mirror to me, he refuses to talk about it. Has something else
happened? Am I not to know the truth? Surely even brothers Yaron and
Xander, who knew not the particulars said naught. I would think they
would at least comment upon the fact that their youngest siblings
were missing. I fear brother Xander was not even aware that they were
gone. He does pay much attention to small details. Brother Yaron
certainly asked discretely, but I have not heard what that reply
would be.
More
news on Captain Bluebeard. He has taken to giving veiled insults
behind his flattery. Only our father, the king, and sister Cassandra
like him, so his insults were returned with far less veiling. I fear
once he takes my sister's hand a war will start. Brother Xander does
not think twice about calling him fat, big and ugly. He is very
indiscreet.
Being
the 15th
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
The
marriage of Captain Bluebeard and my sister Cassandra has begun. Now
is the time for the seven night feasts. Sister Beatrice has been
sullen and moody. She made little biting remarks about sister
Cassandra and her life before our father, the king, adopted her.
Sister Anne, brother Yaron and I took care that her remarks would
remain unnoticed. It would not do for sister Cassandra to throw a
tantrum at her wedding feast.
Being
the 16th
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
We
feasted again. I had the dubious luck to be seated by the other lords
of the other Glittering Cities. I know my father, the king, is not
well liked, but I am surprised that he has survived this long with
such opposition. People hate him. It is not a pleasant thought to
think that once I take my birthright I will be just as hated.
Being
the 17th
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
I
really am getting so tired of feasting and this is only the third
night. I am thinking that perhaps Sister Cassandra is in need of a
good spanking. I have this wicked desire to distribute it to her.
Being
the 18th
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
My
father, the King, is throwing a fit. Brother Varek saw fit to put a
live peacock on the table. The bird never hinted that it was
breathing until Captain Bluebeard attempted to sever the head. The
bird flew up into the air sending food and dishes flying in many
directions. Offended guests competed in volume with one another, to
see who could display their anger the best. My father, the King,
chased Varek throughout the palace with the platter, that the peacock
had reposed on. Sister Deborah and Brother Waylan howled with
laughter in a very naughty fashion. Brother Xander said it was a nice
change. Madra cried and Sister Cassandra threatened to murder the
culprit. I made certain I looked quite distressed. But I was secretly
quite pleased with the episode.
Being
the 19th
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
I
had to play Throne Winners with Captain Bluebeard. It is a game of
tack, deceit and luck. The winner gets the throne. I like to think of
myself as an honest man. My father, the King, was furious that I lost
the game. The whispers of the people are that I will never be king
now. But I will never let Bluebeard be king either. He would destroy
the entire Third World. Not to mention the game taught me that he is
terribly deceitful. What the Glittering Cities need is a king who
will unite all of the Third World under one banner of peace. Of
course the winner of the game Throne Winners does not really get the
throne. It is just a game.
Being
the 20th
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
It
is considered ill-luck to not feast seven nights before a royal
wedding, but if I stuff myself to bursting one more night, I am going
to be sick. Brother Xander threatened to drown Bluebeard and sister
Cassandra in rich pastry soup if it was served to him again. I fear
that I shall stand aside and do nothing. I am also beginning to think
this diary will be testimony of the deeds leading to sister
Cassandra's murder instead Bluebeard's murder. Perhaps she is well
suited to Bluebeard after all. Not a day has passed that she has not
whined that we are all jealous of her. How are we jealous of her? Not
even Sister Beatrice would marry Captain Bluebeard. Perhaps Sister
Cassandra has low taste because she is only adopted.
Being
the 21st
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
The
last night of feasting. I had to drink Bluebeard's toast and offer
him land. I have a plot of farm land on the southern shore. As the
eldest brother, I had to give it to Bluebeard as part of sister
Cassandra's dowry. I am furious. But I did my duty and no one would
have realized that I hate Bluebeard's guts with great intensity. My
speech was very flowery. But every word was underlined with hatred
and fury.
Being
the 22nd
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
Sister
Cassandra wedded Captain Bluebeard on this 22nd
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow. Rupert, Yaron and I accompanied
the groom. Sisters Anne and Beatrice accompanied the Bride. I refuse
to say anything else on the subject except that Sister Deborah put a
mud patty on the bride's cushion. Sister Cassandra did not notice,
but the rest of us took great satisfaction in the ugly brown stain.
Captain Bluebeard saw it and turned his terrible eyes on me. I
ignored him. He knows I hate him. I believe he would take more
satisfaction then necessary to squeak my throat.
Being
the 23rd
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
Sister
Cassandra is gone and tempers are flaring. Sister Deborah sassed one
of the advisers and our father, the king, slapped her. Sister Deborah
threatened to run away. I was called to smooth things over. But then
everyone was arguing except me. Then my father, the king, got angry
and started insulting my methods of fighting and leadership. Which
had nothing to do with the present conversation. I had been injured
in his service. I had never been so furious before. But I will not
argue with him.
Being
the 24th
Day of the Time of the Melting Snow
I
am returning to war camp for a little peace and quiet.
~E
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