[J] Satarel

[Elevar]

Journal,

Tomorrow is the day that father decided I would begin the trip. At first I believed him to be quite mad with this suggestion. With the passing of time I began to realize that it was no joke, test, or misunderstanding on the part of myself. He was quite serious about this mad scheme.

The feelings are mixed on this topic.

From a political point of view I know it to be for the best. With a purely objective outlook - sending away the second son is even favorable in itself. It will steal away mothers' claim to father's name should some greivous fate fall upon my person. On a similiar note it will do the family no great trouble to lose one who is not the first born.

On the personal note - which I am not allowed to speak on - this fills me with absolute rage. Being treated like a gift to one of father's foreign friends who I have never met nor do I even know the name. Even worse yet that this country is Holdine; source of endless conflict with our nation. As if carried by the wind itself word of my soon to be departure spread and people began to distance themselves with whispers of treachery.

Father has given me his honest word that the rumors were not his doing. Though there is no doubt he would stoop so low as to force me into going; surely this is the work of my brother. There is absolutely no doubt on my part that he would do such a thing. Slander my name so that there would be no chance of my remaining here.

Unfortunately breaking from the family is not an option. Mother would never approve of the action and Father would surely object. Quite honestly - I would rather not be caught in the resulting war within the house that my departure would leave. Though I am angered by this - there could be a potential chance for me to return one day. Should I break away it would drive us into the streets without a doubt.

I leave tomorrow in the afternoon for the Capital of that accursed country. According to Father I will be traveling by carriage in the company of a military official of some rank who will tell me of the country. From what I heard of the servants' gossip - there will also be some hired guards to watch over me.

 

[Elevar]

Journal,

I had, perhaps foolishly, expected a break upon entering the city of Holdine Strane. To stop the carriage in what I have come to know was the Buisness District. A mistake if I've ever made one.

It would be fruitless to chalk it up to a mere lack of knowledge as to my position. Being in my family - high standing in the City-State of Durem - I should well know my place and how the people will react to it. It is within my power to say I never doubted their intereast. But the brutality of my coat guardians was not something of suspect in my plans. I did not realize their actions until later on the ride back in the carriage - then came regret.

Unfortunately I do not have time to dwell on that matter. Nor do I believe it wise to lodge a formal complaint. Instead my attentions are forced to drift elsewhere as father's grip seems to extent even here. Upon arrival in the place that will serve as my home the caretaker awaited with a notice.

A grand event to celebrate things I know nothing of - with people I would best do well to be wary of. Simply delightful, may my sarcasm bleed deep into this page and stain it. This event rides right upon the crest of my arrival in an most unfortunately timing. I have traveled light and have yet to actively fill this home with my belongings, few as they are.

Thankfully father has hired an intelligent caretaker though the man, named Ivan by the way, is a bit disturbing in persona. I have known him for the extent of four hours now. Not once has that smile faltered from his elderly face. Keeping up that look even after sticking himself with a pin is quite distrustful - I believe I shall keep my distance for now unless absolutely required.

Though the distance between us is great - treachery is still very possible so long as my father holds the reins. The sooner they were broken the sooner this new enviorment will stop reeking of danger to my senses.

Perhaps this is why I have decided to not attend tonights affair alone. Ivan has advised me that to attend with only my person would be a show of convidence and strength. This reeks of father's hand at work in a style befitting only him.

As such I have deemed it worth bringing a guardian along to ensure nothing goes amiss. Taking into account that there is only one left of the group this was not a hard choice. The man from earlier, Galen I believe his name was, was quite the obvious choice so long as he has not left the house already. I am quite unsure how long father extended the contract. It has recently come to mind that I might hire him on myself - rather then in my father's name. But for now I will strive to keep at least one guard at hand.

On an additional note this allows me to not go into unknown territory completely alone. Granted that I only spoke with the man a short time in the Cafe and during the parade. Still - someone I barely know is better then not knowing anyone at all.

Though I am not quite sure how he will take to the message I sent. Perhaps it sounded too forceful to tell two of the servants to - should he accept - attend to getting him fitted for the night. The soldier gear would not go over well in a court enviorment. Finery is an absolute must - though I did tell them to refrain from drowning the man in it.

This did not keep them from giving me strange looks in the least. Apparently it has not dawned on them that I do not wish to stand out by having a soldier there. At least this way he will blend and not cause trouble by some odd rule I have no knowledge of. At least I hope this to be the case. He did not seemed all that skilled in formal speech earlier.

Oh well - what will be, will be. This will just be a situation where I must play it by ear and hope for the best.