[Filter: Chloe]

Well, I'm sure you've seen the men. All tidied up and ready to march the instant Hasten gives the order. Off to the freezing northlands with the lot of us, and good riddance. I imagine that he's likely to keep me on a tight leash up there, as well. You know Hasten, he can't stand the sight of me doing a single thing he hasn't given me written consent for. Otherwise I imagine he'd be commanding me to run off back to the capital with my tail between my legs, and off I would go.

I hope you're not making yourself too miserable thinking of your brothers going up there with the rest of us.

[Filter: House Lireth, House Rowan]

Well, brother!

I think all of us were very impressed by your little speech there, however shocked we might have been to see that you were the one giving it! Do tell me, what has become of our dear Lord of the North? Has he expired somewhere, perhaps? Gone stomping up to the border to confront the brigands himself? Left us leaderless and alone in the hour of our greatest need? It would be just like him, wouldn't it? And of course, brother, just like you to step into his position so smoothly.

Please do tell us what led to this blessing of ours, won't you? I'm sure we're all most eager to hear it, after such a stirring speech.

Well, then, there they go. An entire mass of backs I doubt any of us are sorry to see marching out of the city. I imagine the people of Emeron and Mansoure must be happy to see the trash turned out from their walls, but oh, I imagine nowhere is as glad to see it gone as Lireth itself.

I know I, for one, will be glad to see things return to some semblance of normalcy.

[Filter: Cathleen]

Hello, dear Cate~

I have a question for you. Might you be willing to humor me, for a few minutes?

[Filter: Chloe]

"What everyone's thinking," really? What everyone is thinking is that the new Lord of Emeron is a rat who apparently has nothing better to do with his time than pronounce everyone who displeases him traitors and every one of his sisters a slut. I'm shocked he didn't turn around and promptly fling the same accusations at Francisca, considering how she seems to be carrying on with that knight of hers.

Shall we retire someplace private? I'd rather not wallow in his presence any longer than necessary. It makes me feel as though I require a bath.

Well, here's your fair warning, brother. The refugees were none too happy while I was out doing my own Festival business today. If they'd had weapons, I think they might have tried to kill me, but as it was, an armed guard put them off.

All the same, they are making quite a bit of noise out there. Probably wiser to stay in for the rest of the day, I would think.

[Filter: Isanae]

Dragons, Isanae, what the hell happened?

I gathered what I could from those entries of yours, and I managed to put together that Tarmon did something phenomenally stupid involving a group of refugees, but that's all I've been able to glean.

No damage done to any of you, I hope, except perhaps Lord Snowflakes himself. Perhaps getting a bit of sense knocked into him will prove to be for the better.

You know, brother, something has occurred to me about your wedding. I know, I know, it was so long ago you're likely to tell me to drop it entirely! But it's very sad, in my opinion.

You never got a proper sendoff from the realm of bachelorhood, did you, brother? Well, now, I know it must have been very hard for you, but you're lucky that I'm here to remedy it. You see, considering how close my birthday and my wedding are, I was planning to celebrate my last nights of bachelorhood on Thursday! And I thought I would have the grace to extend you an invitation, since you missed out on one of your own.

There's no need whatsoever to thank me, of course. Your acceptance will be more than thanks enough.

So many plans to be made. All this business about a ball has me utterly unsure of what to do with myself. Mother's been absolutely a wonder to watch the past few weeks. Truly, she seems alive in a way I haven't seen in a long while. I think planning all of this has put a bit of a spring back into her step.

There's nothing like a summer ball, though, I must say. Though I expect Chloe and I will be absolutely unable to escape the attention all night. So many people are like to corner us with congratulations! I don't know how I'll manage.

So brother, having heard tell that you're coming home to Lireth at last to help your dear younger brother prepare for his wedding, I do have a question: When do you think you'll be arriving? Oh, I have faith it'll be long before my wedding itself, have little doubt in that. I know you that well, brother, you would never be a moment late for fulfilling your duty. It's only that I think all of us here have grown awfully accustomed to the lack of your presence, and why, we'll require a bit of time to brace ourselves for your return.

Speaking of family, Isanae, sister, I don't suppose your lord has made any plans for departure yet? With the ... circumstances surrounding poor Lady Benedette, I'm hardly surprised. Poor Lord Isaac must be absolutely out of his head with worry for the girl.

[Filter: Chloe]

You must be relieved that Mother has a target of her attentions besides you, now that Aunt Mariana's here. Oh, don't tell me otherwise, I've seen you grimacing whenever Mother's back is turned, and I know she's been absolutely smothering you. She's only excited about the wedding, you know, it's the sort of occasion she thrives upon.

[Filter: Public]

Well, Auntie, I have to admit that the children have all thoroughly impressed me with how much they've grown. They're also all such little flatterers, but I'm sure you know that, the way they come up begging for Cousin Fartgus to take them out riding, or to market, or to beg some sweets for them from the kitchen. Never fear, though, I'd never spoil the darlings overmuch, but I thought I would let you know just how much they've managed to make me smile these past few weeks.