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 Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2024 12:13 pm
Sariza ll 1
As a Calvary Captain in in the Great Oban Army it was Sariza’s duty not only to plan and strategize, but to ensure that all efforts were executed with swift precision. While there wasn’t an active war, her unit participated in a variety of war games and tournaments, all of which not only tested the merit of her soldiers but the worth of her position. It was her job to know the ins and outs of her unit, better even than their family, and with her militant upbringing it was a surprise to many that Sariza hadn’t yet been promoted to General. While there was speculation as to her skills any who saw her during drills knew her to be a fearsome warrior with a keen mind. So, then, why did she remain a Captain? Surely there must have been aspirations of greater rank?
And there were; Sariza just wasn’t at liberty to take them. Promotions had been offered multiple times, but Sariza’s place as the wife of a noble scion halted any military growth. She had other duties to attend to, duties that would conflict with the dedication needed for a General. As much as her heart called for it, right now Sariza knew her place and contented herself with it.
Right now her duties as a wife and mother came first. Staying by Faisal’s side was important as ever, but preparing her sons to take on their roles in life meant more than her own goals. It was why she’d returned to the manse in the early afternoon, well before drills were over, to wash up and prepare for the ‘discussion’ ahead. Her muscles ached, a bruise was left forming over her left hip, but none could tell with so much finery draped over her muscular frame. Truly she didn't fit in with the other noble ladies of Sulburi, and yet she'd made friends with many all the same.
As she walked through the halls toward her husband's private chambers she thought about the first time she'd come this way. Her walk was a little more unsure back then; maybe even a little faster because of anxiety. She'd been so scared she had to ask a serving girl if it was the right way, and now Sariza knew the path by heart. She gave two knocks to the door to his study, barely waiting for the footman to announce her before slipping inside.
The boys weren't here yet? I told them not to be late. Clucking her tongue, the Captain did her best not to snort and instead took a calming breath before turning to her husband. "Are you ready?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:41 pm
Qaisan ll 1
Qaisan rubbed the bridge of his nose with a grumbling curse. Ever since he had taken up personal training with his grandfather the man seemed to relish in targeting his personal weak points. He’d already had to remove his piercing because of the swelling and if one of the lieutenants hadn’t reminded him that his grandson was, indeed, nobility he very well might have made his face unrecognizable. As it stood his nose was currently broken and swollen, and his lip was split. That was, of course, only a few of the many bruises Qaisan sported these days.
His grandfather had taken the boys personal ‘failings’ as a sign that he needed another ‘outlet for his time’ and since Qaisan didn’t require the same sort of training as Calix that meant physical training. When Hakan had a moment he would personally oversee it, but a majority of his drills were taught by a vetted instructor. He ran in the morning, went through teachings with his brother, ran in the afternoon, worked on swordplay, riding, hand to hand, etc. Honestly, the fact he only had a slight limp as he went down the hall to his father’s study was a good thing.
”You’ll either learn respect or die trying.”
Taking a deep breath, Qaisan stood a little taller and waited just outside the study to compose himself before going in.
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:45 pm
While Qaisan was taking a beating for his physical training, Calix was studying tomes of books so that he could be better educated and prepared for his future as heir of the family. He still had some physical training so that he knew the basics of swordplay for defense, but nothing near the level that his grandfather forced his twin to endure. Instead he frowned at text, his gaze narrowing as he caught the smaller elegant script and fought against another headache. He had wanted to finish this passage and his essay on the philosophy of another ancient king, but it seemed that time was not on his side this morning. As much as Calix wanted to procrastinate showing up to his father’s office even he knew that he couldn’t avoid the reality of their ages much longer. Debut season was quickly approaching and it was finally time for both him and Qaisan to show up in front of society. Such thoughts had kept him from finishing his assignments on time this morning and eventually Calix tossed the tomes to the side of his desk to review later. Debuting was a hassle that he did not look forward to participating in, especially since he preferred books to people most days.
It would be much easier if Alinta hadn’t decided to join the military as well. She had been the one to attend most events when his parents couldn’t, but in the near future she would be out on missions and training often so it would be harder for her to cover for his father. The responsibility would shift to Calix eventually, his aunt still assisting when able but also passing off more duties to her nephew as future heir. The thought only increased his frown as he dressed, layering his outfit by himself without servants today since he hadn’t wanted to be bothered, and as the golden sash was tied into place with a gemstone pining it together he was ready to go. Though it looked like his twin was not as prepared as he was. “Qaisan.” Calix warned him, shaking his head slightly at the sight of his twin. “Did you piss off someone again or is Grandfather just training you into oblivion?” Either way their Grandmother would have a fit if she saw. He could only imagine his own parents' reactions, but thankfully they were in the privacy of their manor and not in public. That would definitely be more awkward then, as if it wasn’t awkward enough with some of the situations that his twin would probably cause without looking like a mess.
Either way his questions were cut off as the door opened and he found himself facing his parents. “My apologies for being late. I was caught up in my studies, and I’ll be more vigilant going forward.” He promised as he stepped into the study with Qaisan, the young nobleman preparing himself for whatever this meeting held.
[Calix 1]
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:47 pm
“That is a good question, indeed.” Faisal looked up over the pile of records that he had been studying, the hybrid sporting faint shadows beneath his amber gaze. Days like this made him wish that he was the twin that had gone adventuring out into the wilds with only the rare letter sent home once every few months or so, if even that. Would fighting a beast be less stressful than dealing with the twists and turns of noble society and the pressure of maintaining the delicate balance of his family’s influence? He hadn’t even been able to go through his sword paces for the past few days with how many meetings he had attended to prepare for the debut of his sons. As insane as it was to realize that they were already nearing the age for such things, even as much as Faisal was dealing with as the current head of the family there was part of him that wished the boys were well...still just boys. The nobleman shook his head at the thought as he smiled towards Sariza, hoping the warm expression would somewhat ease the impending danger that Calix and Qaisan would be in if they delayed much longer. “My apologies, I promise I’ll be finished with this work soon.” It was the busy season with budgets to be passed within the city and also for their own estates. There were merchants as well returning that the family had funded who would be giving them their share after successful ventures into oversea countries, which also meant more paperwork for Faisal to scour with his aids to make certain that all the accounts added up correctly. And he didn’t even want to think about the noble conferences, the royal family hosting an annual banquet and a season of debut for upcoming nobility which this time finally included his own sons.
“At least their tardiness always gives me a chance to straighten things around here.” Faisal acknowledged, finally standing as he tidied up the piles of paperwork so that his desk didn’t look like a madhouse. At least he had the sense to dress properly in the morning with his silks layered in rich indigo and golds and looking fit for an outing. His aqua locks that betrayed his mixed heritage were pulled back with golden bands that had precious gemstones embedded in them, the sight almost dazzling in the sunlight that came in through the tall study windows with their stained glass depictions of the gods. Their Sulburi manor was a lavish estate, nearly as elegant as the palace itself, and everything spoke of wealth with the decorations and intricate designs that could be seen throughout the study with its ornate shelves and desk. Even the chaise by the windows had the finest silks draped across it, something that Faisal kept since this originally had been his grandmother’s space for decades before she gave over the role to him. Admittedly at first he had questioned the chaise in addition to the normal chairs set up in front of the imposing desk that he currently used, but after spending nights pouring over materials having the option to relax there and take a short nap was a blessing indeed.
The chiming of the bells noted the hour as Faisal emerged from behind the desk. “If only I could take a few of those chimes back so that we could delay this another year.” He murmured, reaching out to give Sariza’s hand a light squeeze as their sons’ announced their entrance. His fingers rubbed against his wife’s hand in reassuring circles for a moment longer before Faisal straightened his shoulders and prepared himself for this meeting. “Come on in. You’re both late, but not terribly so. We’ll have to work on that though since certain events cannot accept tardiness. Studying or training, neither will always be forgiven by certain hosts. Understood?” He called out as the door opened to reveal both Qaisan and Calix. Despite Faisal’s firm words though his expression was fairly calm, his gaze even softening slightly as he looked over both boys. He would send them to their grandmother if they had serious injuries, and those training sessions for Qaisan truly seemed to be pushing it. At least he could use their debut as an excuse since any heir coming out of Cyrillus household shouldn’t be sporting injuries in public, not if they wanted to avoid rumors. Even if someone did tend to cause trouble, Faisal would just have to hope debuting could somehow get him more in line. “You should also drink an elixir or ask your grandmother for healing after training sessions going forward since you’ll both be in the public eye more often starting soon. I’m assuming you’ve both realized that your old enough to officially debut and participate in noble society as of this season, yes?” They should know, considering he had mentioned it over the past couple of months during family meals to prepare them all for the upcoming changes as their family got thrust once more into the eyes of society. Not that Faisal wanted to participate in any arrangements for either son if he could help it, but it wouldn’t stop the offers from coming in - that much he was certain.
[Faisal 1]
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