Bold Warriors and Bitter Wine - January 1

Journal Entry: January 1, 2026 

Location: Ar's Station (Ironheart) 

Mood/Title: Bold Warriors and Bitter Wine

The first day of the new year has been eventful, to say the least. It began peacefully enough in the courtyard with my daughters, Caroline and Catherine, and Catherine’s slave, Doe. We spent some time dancing and enjoying the morning air, though Doe warned us to be wary of a man named Perseus. I shall have to keep that name in mind.

I spent a great deal of the day in the company of Rask. We shared blackwine on my swing this morning, where he told me the amusing story of how his tarn came to be named "Herbert." He seems to have settled into the station well, taking up residence near the tarn cot to care for the chicks there. later, I showed him the Archives, and we discussed the upcoming expedition to retrieve the Home Stone from Ar. I read him the official scroll regarding the mission; it sounds dangerous—looters, burning structures, chaos—but Rask has pledged to protect me should I go.

Our walk through the city led to a rather chaotic scene with Samuel, Luciana, and a slave girl named Red. Samuel, in a moment of baffling curiosity, decided to drink a vial of slave wine to understand the taste. The result was immediate regret, retching, and a desperate need for water. It was equal parts horrified and amusing to watch the Physician poison his own tastebuds.

The evening, however, took a turn I had not anticipated. As Rask walked me home, he became quite... bold. He kissed me, not on the forehead as I expected, but fully on the lips. I was shocked—we have only known one another for two days! I told him my father would have his head for such forwardness, but Rask remains unrepentant, claiming he received an "A+ in Warrior Boldness." I am flustered. I want to trust him, but trust requires time, and he is moving very fast. Still, he escorted me the rest of the way home safely.

To Do:

• Finalize the syllabus for the "Introduction to Gorean Civilization" class for Monday; the scroll titles are still giving me trouble.

• Speak with Asher to get concrete dates and times for the Home Stone expedition.

• Avoid the man named Perseus, per Doe's warning.

• Decide how to handle Rask's advances; he is charming, but I must ensure his intentions are as honorable as he claims.

• Remind Samuel to never drink unknown vials from his own infirmary again.