with a face like this

[Filter: Private]

I can't believe how long we ended up staying. She always knows how to make me feel just horrible, doesn't she?

... but she really was a lot more sick than I thought she was ... I'm so glad Eve sent a healer with me ... she looks much better, now.

[Filter: Keller]

Well, as much as I hate leaving her alone like this ... especially when she isn't one hundred percent better, we've really been here for far too long, right? Are you almost finished getting ready to leave?

I'll probably have a mountain of paperwork to do when we get back.

Oh, and you know ... thank you for being such a gentleman.

[Filter: Private]

Of course you think so, mother ... and yes, we're serious ... I know he's old, but really. You know you like him, too. He may be a bit stiff around the edges, but he's a good guy.

Really, she's so silly. I can't believe all the questions she asked him ...! And the things she just said right in front of him. Oh, but that's not the reason I opened my journal ...

I haven't even had a chance to get to tell Eve we've arrived. I hope she's handling everything well.

[Filter: Eve]

Hello ...!

So yeah, we got here a few days ago, but my mother's just been running us ragged since the moment we arrived. You'd think she let us rest a bit after all that travelling we did.

I think Keller might explode, though. It's pretty funny, actually.

[Filter: Keller]

Are you ready to go?

It won't be a terribly long trip there ... maybe half a days ride? It'd be shorter if we flew, but well, seeing as how that's not likely to happen.

I'm sorry we won't be in Rayla for the Day of Long Summer ... you were probably looking forward to all the drinking and everything, weren't you? Or um ... you know, we could just leave in a few more days, if you really wanted to stay for it ...

[Filter: Private]

Hm ... she says she's all right, but knowing her, she just doesn't want to worry me. Oh, and it's been so long since I've seen her. What with all of these exercises we've been doing.

I really think I'll have to make a visit ... and I'll bring my staff with me, just in case.

[Filter: Eve]

... so I got a letter from my mother, and it sounds like she's sick. Do you think you'd be able to handle everything on your own for maybe a week or so?

[Filter: Keller]

Hi ...!

My mother wants to meet you.

[Filter: Private]

I'm actually really glad I had everyone write a report on the exercise. There were so many useful little details I never would have found on my own. Just the fact that every single one of these soldiers were in different parts of the castle were good enough to help me strengthen our defense.

I just have a few finishing touches to make on these blueprints and a new list of training exercises to go over, and I'll be done. Finally.

[Filter: Eve]

So I think I might finally be done with everything. Would you like to see the blueprints I've drawn up?

I've actually taken the reports and written up some new training regimes that I thought might be helpful to strengthen all of the soldiers' weak points as well. I thought you'd like to look at those, too, before I distribute the copies to the captains. They're just some tips for them, really. I know how much they'd hate to be told how to teach their recruits.

[Filter: Private]

All right.

Time to get to work. It looks like I'll be here for a while, too ...

[Filter: Private]

There's just so much to do, it's ridiculous ...

[Filter: Those in Rayla]

I know that our guests will be able to see this filter, but I thought I'd just let everyone in on what we'll be doing for the next few weeks.

Again, all of the leaders did a great job. Thank you for all your hard work in going through with this entire exercise.

As I've said before, it isn't mandatory for you to write a report, but it'd be really helpful to me if you did write one. Even if it's a paragraph long, something would be better than nothing. And of course, the soldiers need to write them no matter what, so if you could remind them every once in a while that they need to be on my desk by the 25th, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm going to have a checklist of everyone's names written down so that the soldiers who neglect to turn them in will be in heeps of trouble. We have ... a lot of work to do, to say the least.

[Filter: Keller]

Well, that was fun, wasn't it?

[Filter; Rayla Defense]

We need everyone in position at the front gates.


Now.

[Filter: Private]

Well, this can hardly go on much longer, can it ...?

[Filter: Rayla Defense]

It's not like we aren't, already, but let's be prepared for anything.

[Filter: Eve]

I'm thinking the northern walls might be best. If you just mention that we'll have a good amount of knights stationed there to repair damage ...

[Filter: Those in Rayla]

Well, everyone knows that we've ceased fire for the night, but ...!

We're going to be sending out some moon dumplings. So, everyone can relax and enjoy the goodies, right? We can all sit under the stars ... in the freezing cold (around a bonfire, at the very least!), watch the moons and tell the story.

Yes? No?

If not, we can all just enjoy ourselves on opposite sides of the wall. Whatever works, I suppose.

[Filter: Eve]

You're having way too much fun with this.

[Filter: Private]

Well ... it has been a while. What could it hurt? It'll probably be more fun than anything.

[Filter: Keller]

It's been a while since we've spoken to each other, hasn't it?

[Filter: Private]

Well ... that would certainly explain why they've been quiet for so long.

[Filter: Rayla Defense]

So apparently, out of the kindness of their hearts, they've decided to let a merchant caravan through with provisions for us. They don't know that I've been getting supplies another way, but that's a different story.

Eve, are you busy? If you aren't, can you meet me out by the front gate?

Sir Zacharias, please get the troops ready and prepared for anything that might happen. Dame Harriet, could you dispatch the pegasus knights and send out some scouts? They'll need to be discreet.

[Filter: Rayla Defense]

It looks like they're getting ready for their next move.

We need to be ready for them this time. Our troops have been slacking off.

[Filter: Rayla Defense]

The north wall.

Call defense to the north wall.

Make sure you station troops along the walls as lookouts, but lead the rest towards the north.

Dame Harriet, have the pegasus knights ready and waiting. If you can, send a few up in the air to scout the walls and have them report to me with any other suspicious activity. This could be yet another trap, and we can't afford such a division of troops.

[Filter: Those in Rayla]

Hello everyone.

As you all know, tomorrow is Rose Day. As much as this exercise is beneficial for those of us in Rayla, it's also a special day to anyone who has someone they love. Although a real war wouldn't ceasefire for such a holiday, this is still a training exercise and it would be beneficial to everyone to get the day off.

There are rules for tomorrow, of course. It would only be fair that no one on opposing teams would spy or snoop around for information. I'll be keeping an eye out for everyone, as will some other nameless faces, so don't try anything funny.

Please let those working under you know the conditions for tomorrow. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

[Filter: Rayla Defense, Eve]

I saw some activity on the west side of the wall.

We're going to need to send more troops out to scout the area.

Dame Harriet, have there been any reports coming in from the aerial scouts?

[Filter: Keller]

Keller!!!

[Filter: Sir Zacharias, Eve, Dame Harriet]

Is everyone in position for the next step of our plan?

Well ... excluding you, Eve. I figured this would be a good way to keep you informed.

[Filter: Those in Rayla]

All right.

We'll begin our exercise tomorrow.

[Filter: Those in Rayla]

So here's the deal.

I've spoken to everyone about our plans and they all seem to be enthusiastic about it. I mean, it's not really like they have a choice or anything, but it's better if they're looking forward to the training, right?

Now, I've come up with a list for those of us on these journals who will essentially be leading the recruits.

Defense of the Castle: Lady Eve, Sir Zacharias, and me.
Aerial Defense: Dame Harriet

Offense: Sir Keller, Lord Eric, and Lord Kray.
Aerial Offense: Lady Lara

Of course, the generals are all informed of my decisions and will be doing their best on the sidelines.

I've also given instructions to the healers. Anything else will be announced in person before we begin the exercise.