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Sorsha liked to think of herself as a hands on ruler, but even she would admit she didn’t concern herself much with the day to day running of Tir Asleen. It didn’t need her constant oversight to manage, the various guards and stewards and staff more than competent in handling their responsibilities. It was only the bigger matters that came to her, the tougher decisions, the arguments that couldn’t be settled between equals. And the things that involved the people too important to be dealt with by other means. Mainly her children.
For the good of Sorsha’s blood pressure these little…not complaints, those involved wouldn’t dream of complaining about the prince and princess, they were just informing Sorsha of a situation that needed resolving ...tended to take the form of short notes, collated for her to deal with in the privacy of her solar with a comforting glass of wine to take the edge off.
She’d been neglecting this duty somewhat lately, too concerned with the war preparations, the diplomacy, the wheels spinning within wheels as every pompous lord tried to use a crisis to enrich himself. Sorsha sighed, filled her glass, and pulled the first of the notes towards her.
Your majesty, blah blah blah…While we rejoice in the return of the Empress to Tir Asleen, might we humbly request that her imperial majesty practices her magic elsewhere, as the forty foot eckleberry bush is proving troublesome to cut down and is impeding access to the orchards.
Your humble servant…
Sorsha placed that one to one side.
They all took a similar tone, though the levels of politeness varied with the patience of the author.
While we are most grateful for the return of the Prince to the castle we would be most appreciative if he could cease entertaining guests in the hayloft, for the good of all involved.
I understand that Thraxus Boorman has been pardoned of all previous crimes and is once again a free man in good standing, nevertheless I must request he is reminded that the castle fountain is not an appropriate place to bathe. Especially not naked, in the middle of the day, no matter his opinions on his physique.
With the current shortages we would be grateful if Jade could restrain herself from cleaving the pells and training dummies in two quite so frequently. It is becoming burdensome to repair.
I appreciate the importance of proper preparation, but even if I were to accept that what I witnessed was an example of a “Cashmeri wrestling technique” the Crown Princess should be aware that the library is not the appropriate venue for such activities.
I am quite certain that the castle has many rooms. Please extend our previous communication vis-à-vis the hayloft to her royal highness as well.
The Empress using magic in the kitchen has unsettled some of the more delicate staff. I am assured the practice is essential but watching the plucked chicken do the waltz was quite alarming.
We are most pleased that the prince is feeling more like his old self, however we would be grateful if he did not abscond with quite so many of the kitchen staff prior to dinner as it places an unfair burden on the remainder, as well as promoting bad feeling among the staff.
Please request that Princess Kit is absent from the training grounds while the Pacalcade are undergoing endurance training. Claymore appears to take her presence as a challenge and we have had four people collapse this week trying to keep pace with her.
I do not understand the attraction of the hayloft. I would be grateful if someone could explain it, and more grateful if the hay could be left alone.
The royal dressmaker only offered to take Jade’s measurements for a gown and I do not feel that warranted being threatened to have her pincushion placed anywhere at any velocity.
If their royal highnesses and associates must insist on pig racing please can they ensure the pigs are returned to the correct styes afterwards, and any “decorations” removed.
Please advise if Boorman’s claimed permission to raid the royal wine cellars is genuine, or whether I should set the guard on him.
I do not wish to make accusations, however I note after the Princess’s visit a significant amount of horse tack cannot be accounted for, specifically straps and buckles. Please confirm if this should be considered lost in the quartermaster’s records.
The landlord of the Drunken Eborisk is happy that all damages have been paid for, but if their royal highnesses insist on going into alehouses incognito the risk of being on the receiving end of overly familiar or rough treatment is unavoidable.
Sorsha rolled her eyes at that one and made a note to have words. Anyone who grabbed at a young woman deserved a wrathful Jade Claymore to teach them where not to put their hands.
While I understand that the princess can go where she pleases the guards would prefer she not ride her horse around the battlements, as while Eclipse is surefooted enough not to be at risk the same cannot said by some of the soldiers.
It would be appreciated if her imperial majesty did not practice anything involving lightning inside, as the scorch marks are hard to remove from the floor, walls and ceiling.
The princess has requested we acquire pickled red bellied possums “for emergencies”. Has she suffered a blow to the head or is this request genuine?
It’s a hayloft. It’s for hay. It’s rough, scratchy, hay. I don’t understand.
Their royal highnesses have requested sufficient arms and armour to equip a small army. I thought it prudent to check that such an expenseSorhad been approved before tasking the smithies.
I wish to clarify a potential diplomatic posting that may reflect ill on Tir Asleen. Her highness’s horse, while undoubtedly a very excellent horse as she has assured me, is not a good choice for the role of ambassador to Galladoorn. As I have yet to receive the official confirmation and have only her highness’s word at present of your intentions, I urge your majesty to reconsider this appointment.
Sorsha let out a private laugh, setting down the papers.
The guards reported that Kit, Jade and Elora were down in the castle gardens. There were worse duties to take care of than to enjoy the afternoon sun.
It wasn’t difficult to spot the shock of red hair against the tree trunk. Sorsha checked her approach, not wanting to alarm her. As she drew closer she could see Elora, lying on the grass beside Jade, head cushioned on Jade’s thigh. Jade had her armour off, sword belt unfastened and laid at her feet.
Jade spotted her approach and Sorsha waved at her to stay sat. She didn’t spot Kit until she was virtually stood on top of them. There was a matching brunette mop of hair resting on Jade’s other thigh, face turned towards Elora’s but her body curling the other way around Jade's to make a sort of S shape, with Jade at their centre.
“Apologies, your majesty,” Jade kept her voice low. “Elora’s been having the dream about the battlefield again.”
Any thought of bringing up the complaints was lost in a swell of sympathy.
“Apparently they didn’t want to wake me after I was at training all day.” Jade said ruefully. “So she was up half the night with worry, Kit up half the night looking after her, and they let me sleep right through like a lummox. So now it's my turn to repay the favour.”
Kit mumbled something unintelligible, and Jade worked her fingers into her hair until she relaxed again.
“Is there something we can do for you? “ Jade asked, and Sorsha shook her head.
“Nothing that can’t wait. Let them rest. And yourself. I don't want to see any of you about this until the day after tomorrow, at the earliest.”
As Sorsha headed back towards the castle she saw Airk parting company from a stable hand. With hay in his hair. She sighed and diverted course.