rix_scaedu

This piece runs to 2,981 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

 

Skaithosday, 8 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Sulese, 23 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

I opened my curtains this morning to see that we were being paralleled by an Imperial sloop, the Scion of Wisdom, which was, indeed, close enough to read its name on the hull.  The flashing light I saw pointed at us from their bridge made me believe that they had been tasked to pass information to our ship that the captain and his officers needed.

I think I will keep up having the two dates at the beginning of each entry, and then add in a third one when she gets to her destination just so I know how everyone's calendars align with each other.  Any thoughts?

This piece runs to 1,632 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

 

Hakkarsday, 7 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Asnan, 22 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L

Dear Journal.

No storm in the night last night, but perhaps it is to be expected as, on consideration, we are now slightly south of Amnestri,

At breakfast I was joined by Mr Taighaign, who sat opposite me. He is disembarking today in Mikratoil and wanted to say goodbye. Mrs Nyr sat beside me, I had taken the end seat at the table, and her husband and the rest of their family group were beyond her. Mrs Nyr asked how Mr Taighaign and I were related, and I explained that the Kerajaan hostels had required us to share a table, alone together, at meals in both Sengrangri and Palebihen Leningri. Mrs Nyr, whom I strongly suspect of having a dry sense of humour, said it sounded like very ham-fisted matchmaking. Mr Taighaign begged her not to give his mother ideas.

This piece runs to 1,543 words.  I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.
 

Rhoinday, 6 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Eheid, 21 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

Today is the first day of the Kerajaan week - it seems odd to me that their day of religious observance and rest just sits in the middle of the rest of the week.  Perhaps because I'm just a visitor I'm missing something about how the Kerajaans organise their lives.

This piece runs to 2,663 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

 

Brogaiday, 5 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Sebti, 20 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

I fell asleep to the sound of thunder and what I think was the sound of waves on the seawall.  I hope it was the seawall - one hears stories about sea storms hitting the shore.

Another day, another city.  Anadrasata's travels continue, and she finds another cultural difference.

This piece runs to 920 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.
 

Thuwnday, 4 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Jimool, 19 Lamtan, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

I think we ascended and descended again several times in the night, but I heard no lightning.  (Dear past me, did you expect to?  Really?)

When I went to breakfast, everything was laid out and the tables set, but only Mr Taighaign, Mr Saighaitumais, Dr Idhaisailt, and I were present, aside from the stewards.  When I remarked on this the steward to whom I made the remark (Ghaimus, a man my brother would describe as a 'splendid chap' if he employed him) told me that Jimool is the Kerajaan day of religious observance, and that most of the passengers were attending the prayer service in the second class lounge.  I sat with the three gentlemen while we all breakfasted and made general conversation.  Mr dh'Lhais joined us as I was finishing up, and almost embraced the teapot.  I think I could hear the other first class passengers returning from their service as I returned to my cabin.

Anyway, for your delectation here are two fly-on-the wall snippets running to a total of 1,177 words.  I hope that you enjoy them.

Index Page.
 

"I don't understand why young Fhyailain hasn't taken her children home to her parents," said the Marquess to his solicitor.  The professional gentleman, dressed in a sober dark green coat over a brown and pewter waistcoat, had arrived at Lhong Hall to brief his noble client on recent developments.  The ructions of Caitus dh'Lhong, a younger nephew, being caught at what he was doing were spreading as the extent of those doings was uncovered.

This piece runs to 2,685 words.  I hope you enjoy it.

Index Page.
 

Naiphday, 1 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Sulese, 16 Lamtan, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

The second date at the top of today's page is today's date in the Kerajaan calendar.  I have no idea what T.M.L. stands for or what it means.

Because everyone except the Captain and the Chief Engineer have to leave the ship today and spend two nights in Sengrangri's hostel, this morning's prayer service was truncated and in the short form.  The entrical was recited by a professional actor, Mr Hairhai Ehaign, travelling in second class, this morning's verse for reflection was Naish, Chapter 4, Verse 17: "Remember that a guest is not a master, and that to stretch another's hospitality is to abuse it."  Two curates travelling separately read alternate sections of an episcopal letter dated 23 Ochd condemning "Spiritual Guidance for the Modern Woman" by the Reverend Zaim Fairdaice and recommending that anyone reading it for religious or moral instruction put it aside now. 

This piece runs to 2,173 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Daighsday, 29 Ochd, 1893 C.E.

Dear Journal,

Last night's storm seemed particularly loud, so perhaps we were not so far above it as we usually are.

Breakfast was busy early again, as it appears, I am one of the few Imperial passengers continuing on into the Kerajaa.  The military gentlemen, Lady Rhainail, and her children are, of course, going to their next postings either in Tettamri or near it.  The Dowager Countess' party and Mr Naigheargain are planning to get a faster airship to Akatoil so they don't have to go through the Kerajaa.  Colonel Dhaiharai is planning to visit his married sister who lives in the city.  That will leave me with the dh'Jhaints, Dr Ghairn, and Mr Rhaimais.  Dr Ghairn and the Right Reverend Dean dh'Jhaint are both passionate about their subjects, but neither of them seem to be good at extended conversations, though at least the Doctor is personable when delivering one of his monologues.  Mr Rhaimais is good company and I have hopes of young Mr dh'Jhaint but his uncle(?) seems to think that the younger man's conversations need to be 'guided'which stops him talking at all.

Anyway, this piece runs to 4,020 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

I am also very happy to be out of this man's head - it is not a nice place to be.

Index Page.
 

Amnestri was rapidly losing novelty value for the passengers of on the Empress Mhaihild.  Their short stay in the city was now an extended one while the processes of the Board of Inquiry took their time and those passengers who had to be in ports and other places beyond Amnestri by particular dates were making other arrangements and leaving the ship.  Indeed, so many of third and second class passengers were in this position that it made financial sense, apparently, for the Northern Stars Line to hire a smaller passenger vessel from another line to get those passengers to their destinations.  Caitus dh'Lhong didn't see why the third class, or even the second class, passengers deserved any consideration from the company but if the alternative was refunding them their fares for the rest of their journeys he supposed there was a point - particularly if sending them off on another ship was going to be less expensive than keeping them on the Empress Mhaihild and feeding them.  Personally, he would have kicked them off the ship when the costs of housing them reached the amount they'd paid in fares - well too bad, so sad if they weren't at their destinations, that wasn't his problem.  It was a pity that the pretty ones were leaving too, of course.  He hadn't made as many forays into second class as he'd thought he might.