December 12

Journal Entry: December 12, 2025 

Location: Ar's Station (Ironheart) 

Mood/Title: Technical Difficulties, Tactical Critiques, and a Silver Blade Wedding

The day began with the quiet scratching of quills and the shuffling of virtual paperwork with Caroline. We are trying to organize the Scribe's shelves using a new system where scrolls are dropped into specific boxes to be sorted. It is a bit finicky—we had to adjust the drop zones several times—but I think using a numbering system rather than long titles will keep the archives clean. We also realized we are missing formal "Rules of the City." I shared Janette's old rules from Teletus with Caroline to use as a template; there is no sense in reinventing the wheel when we have excellent examples to build upon.

The afternoon took a very different, more rugged turn. Izzy, one of the Silver Blades, came by to visit. He saw Father's picture on my wall and then proceeded to give me a very blunt, tactical critique of Ar's Station. While I think the city is beautiful, Izzy called it a "Raider's Dream." He pointed out the lack of defensive fortifications, the absence of choke points, and how easily archers could dominate the streets from the rooftops. To prove his point, he actually took me "roof running"—yes, me, climbing about on the rooftops! He insists that unless the layout is changed to include a central keep and better gates, the city is undefendable. He asked me to pass this warning on to the owners.

Later, another Silver Blade named Sky joined us, along with his intended, Liddi (a Bloodaxe). It turned into an impromptu ceremony. Sky asked me to witness and seal their Free Companionship contract right there on the spot. There was much crude joking about clauses involving the removal of manhood if Sky breaks his word, but in the end, the papers were signed (and stamped) happily. Sky paid me 10 silver for the service—a very generous rate. It was a chaotic but profitable end to the day.

To Do:

• Help Caroline finalize the text for the IC City Rules based on the Teletus templates.

• Pass Izzy's notes regarding the city's lack of defenses (specifically the open staircases and roof access) to Asher immediately.

• File the copy of Sky and Liddi's Free Companionship contract in the archives.

• Practice navigating the new drop-box filing system to ensure I don't lose any scrolls.