Matarelha's Journal
15th Sorhima of the 66th Year of the Reign of Sorha XXIII 🔗
Lady Faivalkhari is still, after one year of my tutelage, a bit on the shy side. Slowly, however, she has made steady progress.
Today, her older brother Polhenma, the magistrate of Khan1, visited the capital2 and brought with him his retinue. Instead of shutting herself in her room, Fai, on her own volition, greeted him and accompanied him during her ceremony3.
I am sure she will eventually be freed from her fear of intimacy of even the familiar sort.
16th Sorhima of the 66th Year of the Reign of Sorha XXIII 🔗
How is it that the world of the Ansa is so different from the rest of society? Are the waoos of the palace imbued with the magics of the Gods of Old4 that even the air itself transmutes into an atmosphere suitable to the Ansa's desires? How are we, the Ahurikishki priesthood so fortuante so as to be allowed to breathe the same air? Especially when seemingly more worthy people are barred from these halls? The Akkibati who fight to protect our land, the Provobati who craft our wares and build our homes, the Ponsabati who grow our food--all of them who prove their worth day-by-day than we who serve in our position of luxury.
Even one such as I, once a mere tool for the satisfaction of your lords' carnal desires5, are elevated, where similar workers who serve men and women of worth, are branded Harsi. My simple proximity to the heirs of the Great Ahuriyata grant me this distinction that would otherwise be derided.
How lucky am I? That I may be selected by the priesthood to pursue scholarship in a field of study, and one of my own choosing? That I may, only a mere months after the completion of my studies, serve at the pleasure of one of the Ansa of the courts as a steward of their exalted child? Then only six months to the day, that I've been entrusted with the care of the daughter of my Prince!
17th Sorhima of the 66th Year of the Reign of Sorha XXIII 🔗
Spring had come somewhat late this year, but it is now definitely in full form. The snow had all but melted, he trees are crowned once more with leaves, the animals are out and about, feeding themselves after a long winter.
On this beautiful day, I would have felt bad if I locked Fai in a dark lecture room. So I had moved our lecture outdoors today. It was a more impromptu lesson, instead of the one that I had planned. It seemed appropriate for me to tailor my lesson to the setting.
We went to the peach orchard to discuss the change of the seasons, and the natural processes associated with them. Since we are currently experiencing this change, I started with the transition of winter to spring. She seemed to have enjoyed the lesson very much! Her demeanor had definitely shifted from her more brooding, reserved self, to a more cheerful and bright one. We went through each plant and their properties. Each tree and their health. It seemed her joviality was infectious. I swear, the leaves seem to have become greener in her presence!
We went back to the palatial residence6, exhausted but, in my opinion, quite fulfilled. I believe I will want to do more of these--perhaps even twice a week, if the weather allows.
18th Sorhima of the 66th Year of the Reign of Sorha XXIII 🔗
The Lunar Festival7 is in twelve days, and the preparations are in full swing! High-priest Chian had asked me to begin preparing Faivalhhari for her role as the Spring Lord8--the first prince that taught farming to the Provobati.
The ink on the page changed shade from a deep crimson to one with a pinkish hue But of course, my inkpot ran out at the most inopportune moment. This is a slightly different shade than the one I was using unfortunately...
To continue, the Ansa's first role in the Lunar Festival is a milestone in their special place along the Starlit Path8. She, and by she, I mean Fai, ahd taaken her role very seriously. As soon as I have told her about it, she quickly took to study. Currently, we are dissectiong the first three stanzas of Lansa I's address to her people:
You who are hungry, rejoice!
Your hunger will be sated
Our Father hath mandated
He had took heed
His wisdom He bestows to all
Harken, for his words are sacredGather all you men of soil
For you might be put to toil
You are akin to the ripe fruit
Whose seed will spread the fertile landYour worth will be proven
For you are the Ponsabati
The men of plenty
And you will feed His men!
She is well on her way to her successful first foray into here deific duties.
Khan is one of the provinces within the Principality of Kolha
2: The capital of Kolha Bulwark Against the Infidels
3: Lady Faivalkhari's coming of age ceremony on the first Lunar Festival following her 13th birthday.\
4: Gods of Old refers to the Great Ahuriyata along with the original twelve Ansa Ahuriyata, who were said to possess magic.
5: Younger Ahurikishki may be selected to serve as Priests of Pleasure, in an Ansa's PLeasure Chambers. Matarelha used to work in one in the Kolhan Capital.
6: A palatial residence refers to a building, or a group of buildings in an Ansan Palace Complex, which houses the more junior Ansa.
7: Festival during the first New Moon of new New Year, ushering the arrival of Spring
8: Spring Lord refers to Prince Lansa I, traditionally held as the one who the Great Ahuriyata charged to train the first Ponsabati\