Mardin

Begin writing your story here...

Not much happened yesterday, or at least nothing that didn't happen the day before. The sheep are quite predictable, which does give this job a bit of a monotonous tone. I can understand more easily now why everyone preparing me for it often spoke of it with a sense of near-dread. It's not that bad yet--and despite the slowness, I doubt it will--but I can understand. That in itself is good, as a large part of this tradition is to help us better relate to the lives of our people. I feel I have already made progress in this area, even more than I expected. But I digress. I'm writing this evening because something did happen today. At about third setting, I was taking a short nap in the cottage when Jassen (I've named the dog, by the way: "companion" seems a fitting name for him) began to bark. At first I thought he was just putting the sheep back in their place, but it kept up, only growing in intensity. I finally realized that something was wrong, and I got up to see what was happening. I assumed it would be Quill coming on his first visit, bringing news from my father. I stepped out, looking up to see if I could spot Quill coming in for a descent. Then a squeak caught my attention, and I dropped my gaze to a normal level. I was quite taken aback to see, not the stately griffin preening his feathers and glaring indignantly at Jassen, but Seralisa backed against the wagon that had brought her here, cloak wrapped tightly around herself and frightened eyes fixed on Jassen, who was stretched to his full length in front of her with his teeth bared. I quickly took stock of the situation and called Jassen off. He didn't respond immediately, but after the third command, he backed away and came to my side, though a low growl was still rumbling in his throat. I now had the freedom to pay attention to Seralisa. I was still astonished to see my betrothed here. Such a rustic location is the last place I would have expected her to be. Her expression seemed to point to a similar feeling as she peeled away from the wagon. I realized then that there was no driver, which meant she must have driven herself. That in itself is impressive, I must say. Seralisa came towards me, keeping well clear of Jassen. She smiled then, and I returned it, hoping she wouldn't catch the surprise that still lingered behind my welcoming words. I started to invite her inside, then thought better of it, remembering that there is only the one room, and it hardly seemed appropriate to talk to her in what was essentially my bedchamber. She seemed a bit confused by that, as her eyes kept cutting to the cottage, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she produced a small basket from under her cloak and held it out to me, explaining that she had brought a small supper for the both of us. That surprised me too, given the time she arrived; it would be at least three hours before I could get free to eat, and then an additional hour to actually eat together, since I imagined she had more in mind than just a quick bite to eat. I quickly explained that to her, and she only smiled again and nodded. She had cleared her afternoon and evening, and she wanted to spend it with me. The rest of the afternoon was an unusual experience. I watched the sheep as usual, and Seralisa sat with me, asking questions and seeming genuinely interested. I admit that I'd expected her to react quite differently, so this was a pleasant surprise. Perhaps we have more in common than I'd thought. I still don't know what to think of our betrothal. She's a sweet woman, a perfect princess in the making. She often seems better suited to the title of royalty than I do. We are friends, certainly, and I enjoy spending time with her. She's a good conversationalist and, though a bit too easily frightened, able to hold her own in most situations. But... can I love her? It's telling that my first reaction to her surprise visit was more annoyance than happiness. I would have preferred to have my afternoon to myself. And perhaps that's just because it was what I had anticipated the day would be like, and I was frustrated because my plans had gone awry. Yet if it had been one of my sisters, I would have been excited. It would have been a delight to show them around my cottage and explain to them the finer things (such as I know) of shepherding. With Seralisa, though, there was none of that. She was interested, but I wasn't. The afternoon seemed so long. This is so wrong of me. She doesn't deserve this. It's not as if she's forced me into a betrothal against my will. We both agreed to it, both recognizing that this is for the greater good of the kingdom. I can grow to love her. I will. I must.    

I slept better last night than I have in far too long. There was something about the stillness of the pasture that hastened me into sleep. It simply cannot be replicated in the palace, even when the city is quiet. There remains the awareness that someone somewhere is awake, and it cannot help but affect my own wakefulness. Out here, there is none of that. The sheep are asleep, the dog is asleep, and though various insects come awake in the night, their chirring serves rather to soothe than to startle. It will not be hard for me to fall in love with this place. I had an early start this morning, with the dog awakening me at dawn by a series of short barks. I leapt out of bed, certain that something had gone wrong. As it happened, though, that was merely his way of waking up the sheep and preparing them to go out into the fields again. I had not realized that was his responsibility, but I am glad he took that task upon himself, as I likely would have slept for some hours longer. It will still be quite some time before I'm adjusted to the new hours. Palace life has made me so soft. The day with the sheep was a bit slow. I sat and watched them for a while, and when nothing of interest had happened for several hours, I got up and took a walk around the pasture. Boy came with me (I really must find a better name for him). He darted in front of me, and I allowed him to show me the best paths. (Or perhaps they were merely his favorite ones and not necessarily the best. It is hard to tell.) He seemed more resigned to my presence after that, even sitting beside me for a few minutes when we returned to the pasture. I rubbed his ears, and then he darted away, huffing slightly. I'm sure he'll warm up to me soon, though. I will need some other occupation during my time here. Watching the sheep is hardly exerting. This seems the perfect time to continue my studies of Ancient Delorn. I still remember the basics of the language from secondary school, and it would be intriguing to refresh my memory and go deeper into my studies. I must remember to ask my father for them when Quill comes to check in. But I am certain that I will enjoy this time. I almost wish I would never need to return to the palace. Is abdication a possibility? (That is a joke. Mostly.) Needless to say, I certainly won't be one of those princes who wishes an untimely demise upon his father.

The long-awaited day has arrived at last. My twenty-first birthday was yesterday, and after the celebration (that lasted well into the night), I completed my packing and fell asleep in my comfortable palace bed for the last time in who knows how many years. I slept surprisingly well, all things considered. Malath warned that the nerves would keep me awake, but I went to sleep shortly after completing my packing and woke with the sun.   Peret helped me carry my trunk to the stables. He didn't say much as we loaded the trunk onto the small wagon that had been assigned to me, beyond reminding me that the wagon was mine to use throughout my time in the fields. We were silent still as I guided Baldur out of his stall and hitched him to the wagon. But then, I expected nothing less. Peret is always quiet when he doesn't wish to show emotion. but Our goodbye was nothing more than a mutual clap on the shoulder. Peret wished me good luck, reminded me that I was expected back for all the major festivals, and then headed back inside. I turned my face to the west, where my new plot of land lay. Excitement stirred within me, drowning out any trepidation I might have felt. I have waited for this day for as long as I can remember. It is hard to believe that it is finally here.   I arrived at my land about three hours after sunrise. It is a beautiful place, rolling hills covered in emerald grass providing sustenance to nearly a hundred sheep. Simple stone walls keep the sheep from wandering too far; slick moss grows along the walls, a darker green than the grass and remarkably soft and spongy to the touch.   My cottage is no more than thirty nelphiin from the sheep pen. Should any danger come to the sheep, I will be aware of it instantly. The cottage is small, with one door opening into a square room holding a woodstove, a two-person table, and a single bed against the far wall. There is just room under the bed for my trunk. I am considering rearranging the furniture and making the trunk a sort of extra table. It seems a waste of space to have it just sitting there.   Already this place feels more like home than the palace ever has. Perhaps that is because it is mine, and mine alone. I have not experienced this before, and it is exciting. But more than that, this feels... right. I am meant to be here. Now that I am here, I am more excited than before. Many warned me that I would be lonely and that these would be difficult years, but somehow I do not think so.   And I am not quite alone. There are the sheep, of course, and there is also a dog to keep me company. He looks to be about four years old and is well seasoned in his task of guarding the sheep. He seemed to know who I was, coming up to me with a pleasant wag of his tail and submitting to having his head rubbed. There was nothing to tell me his name, so I am calling him "Boy" until I know his personality better.   Quill will come every now and then with messages from my father. Honestly, I am not nearly as removed from the city as I might have liked. I can easily ride back in whenever I please. Without the cart, Baldur can make the journey in less than two hours. But I shall not avail myself of that option. I am here until such time as I ascend to the throne, and I will do all I can to make this into my home. This is my task now, and I will not allow myself to become distracted.