The philosophy of painting, or why to paint.

November 24, 2021 Rhinla goes out
Gralen — I’ve been here before. Lesla and I were ambushed when we were on our way to Gralen, and shortly after we met the youngest shard-like offspring of Ar — the Nameless. Now master Jeran and me, we’re here — and it’s pretty peaceful. Though that doesn’t mean there’s…

We’re leaving!

October 26, 2021 Rhinla goes out waterbirds
Oh gosh, my master, he’s such an old man! Well, he’s plenty cute, and wise, and not all that old! But it’s such fun teasing him! And anyway, we’re in such high spirits! We’ve been all over Veray to sketch and draw and paint (in tempera, to make quick color…

Fun and fair in Veray

September 12, 2021 Rhinla goes out waterbirds
Early spring… Lovely weather… Agreeable companions: even Maile the carter’s dog was well-behaved! We stayed in the half-way inn, Inn Halfway, as it’s called, where we’ve been almost regulars. The food is good, the white dog is still there, she’s the parent of carter Maile’s dog, and, well, I had…

The Craftsperson’s Art

August 27, 2021 Meta -- About Valdyas
Until quite recently, little was known about the Pictorial Arts in Valdyas. We knew, of course, that the Temple of Mizran had, mostly monochrome, statues of Mizran in silver, adorned with real clothes. The Temple of Naigha has polychromed wooden statues of Naigha, again clothed with real clothes. We know…

Dinner at the lakeside

July 4, 2021 trade school
When we got to the eating-house a young man let us in and showed us to a table at the window (as I’d asked; they have large glass windows on the side of the water). Riei asked for a screen so we could be on our own a little, and…

Back in Tylenay

July 1, 2021 trade school
Neither Riei nor me wanted to stay in Silvermine or close to the bandit village any longer, so we collected Erne and Arin and the mules and Erne’s borrowed donkey, and Tarn who was really interested in going to school in Veray, especially because he’d talked to his old grandfather…

Captain Aidan writes to his brother

May 16, 2021 trade school
Alysei Aidan astin Velain, captain of the regiment of Turenay, to Alysei Athal astin Velain, king of Valdyas. I’m writing to you as one brother to another; your clerks will probably deal with my official report. That official report says that I detained Rayin and Doryn, formerly of the council…

In Silver Village

May 15, 2021 trade school
It was strange to be without Riei! Though I could still feel her in my mind, that made it less bad. And I was with Venla and Fian and Lochan and Liase. The village already knew we were coming, more than half the people there are gifted! And all the…

Not a Dog Person.

May 6, 2021 trade school
In the evening, in our bed, Leva and I had a loooong talk. She told me that doctor Airath was worried about me, about me having problems with, well, doing more than cuddling, and that he thought she’d better keep an eye on me. I daresay he’s right. I still…