Not much time to write all this down.  Thought I might be able to sneak in a journal entry while the servants are running around and getting the house in order.  They just arrived about two hours ago.  John Twendale, the steward, seemed quiet but very professional.  So far we have an not much in the way of furniture so I’m using a window seal in the study for my scrivenings.  I’m certain the lack of furnishings will be only temporary.  Shado appears dedicated to decorating the new estate as quickly as can be arranged.

 

Our wedding this morning was well arranged, with all the proper ceremony and ritual of a traditional Roman union.  I was dressed in the purple and gold of a Roman Patrician.  Shado’s wedding dress was a breath of desire, and her veil was crimson.  Many of the children were given roles as flower girls and pages.  Oberon, Dworkin, and Antonia officiated.  Most of my relatives and aquaintences were in attendance.  Talk about having the proper credentials for a wedding.

 

Just after vows were exchanged things went badly.  Somehow Quintus, along with two of his lackeys and three platoons of Roman soldiers, made an entrance into Arden via Cerdok devices.  Quintus bade the soldiers to kill the sorcerous and men and take the women and children as slaves.  Given that some fifty odd lords and ladies of creation in this realm were present, this hardly came to pass. 

 

The ensuing battle was brief.  Today I killed men for the first time in my life.  One of platoons of Roman soldiers succumbed to a spell I had crafted.  Mercifully the screams were brief.   Some of the more active participants appeared to be Kathy, Xel, and Zeta who launched themselves without reservation at the Romans.  Elders on both sides of the battle studied each other.  Perhaps I should have done so as well, but I lack the perspective of a dozen centuries of conflict.  With Shado’s advice, I did manage to wrest a Cerdok device from Quintus using a Logrus tentacle.  This caused the rapid retreat of the leaders.  Shado informed me that Cerdok devices are attuned to their wearer so I gave it to Daniel for his group’s examination seeing that they are detailed to the exploration of demensional gates.  Maybe Ryoden or one of the other more scientifically minded of his group will figure out something useful.

 

In retrospect I can’t help but wonder if the attack was nothing more then a feint in order to determine our capabilities.  If so, I’m certain my actions have branded me a chaosite in the eyes of our Roman foes.  At the very least they must know I am husband to Shado.  Such thoughts fill me with forebidding.  Not that I fear for my own skin, but my family’s security may be compromised. 

 

We had planned for a reception afterward but given the climax to the wedding Shado and I chose to depart directly to our new home.  I am still amazed at the outpouring of gifts we received.  It will take the better part of a month to write all the ‘thank you’ letters.

 

It seems we have a House Demon now, a pink haired lady by the name of Lotus.  I find it amazing that a demon could operate so well in the realms of order but that may be the nature of chaos.  Given enough variations, some demons can handle order.  I only spoke with her briefly.  She is apparently a gift from Ishamela.  I know little about demonology.  For now I am treating her as just another member of my staff until such time as I can better understand her capabilities and expectations.

 

After looking over our gifts, I moved to the kitchen where I could assemble the breakfast I had prepared earlier.  My own unfamiliarity in the kitchen was further exasperated by a discovery that my blade could shapeshift into a bow but eventually Shado and I enjoyed my humble efforts at breakfast.  My thanks to Michael for his late hour instructions on the cullinary arts.  Just the chance to quietly talk with Shado continued to show me that there was much I had to learn about the world.  She’s been and done things I can scarely imagine even if I am nearly five times her age.  The rapport we share through our psychic link we explored briefly.  So much that we can do and the capabilities are still mostly potential.  Other mentions of a realm of Cerdokians and other strange things fill me with wonder.  So much to explore and so little time to do what needs needing done.

 

One thing led to another and we celebrated our marriage as husband and wife in the age-old tradition.  We may not have time for a proper honeymoon but we had time enough to rest in each other’s arms.  Somewhere along the way I must have fallen asleep from the tender exertions for I found myself in some sort of lucid dreaming state.  I was standing in our bedroom and yet I could see myself sleeping in bed with my beloved.   My Aunt Sand deigned to contact me through a mirror and expressed some remarks on having been busy.  Apparently, my foray into dream had alerted her somehow.  Regardless my intrusion into this strange arena was not met with disfavor and she stated that a tutor would be arranged for education in this subject.

 

My awakening was not unremarkable, excepting for the momentous fact that I could feel a third life form sharing our bed.  To my delight I believe Shado may now be pregnant.  We showered and dressed in preparation for the arrival of the servants but I have yet to make known my suspicions of Shado’s condition.  She has enough on her mind that I don’t feel the need yet to inform her of new potiential.  Nature will announce her status in its own good time.  If she is still oblivious to this situation in a month’s passing I may drop a few hints.  Perhaps polishing the crib might arouse her suspicions?

 

The servants have been industrious and busy.  I’ve figured out a bit more about how my weapon functions.  Julia confessed to me an encounter she had while in her own dream-state.  Apparently a stranger visited her in her dreams.  It was real enough to the young girl that she was worried that there might have been a connection between the visitation and what happened at the wedding.   I did my best to reasure her that she had done nothing wrong, but obviously my tutor from Sand will have some work to do for more then one person.  Julia is now my adopted daughter and I mean to protect her as best I can.  There is much about her I have yet to understand but the youngster is innocent of malice, and a joy to parent in the brief time we have been a family.  Already Shado and I have introduced her to many of the animals here on the estate and she took a delight in giving them names.

 

Ryoden showed up briefly via a trump call.  I was surprised that she sought me out for advice given the way I had previously botched our first introductions.  Apparently she is pregnant and wishes to elope with Andrew and wanted me involved as a witness.  What followed was my giving her some advice in practical areas of life that I had little enough experience with.  Still, I think I may have pushed her in the right direction.  I’m beginning to think the Lady Ryoden of Chaos was interred in a convent for much of her life.  She has remarkable aptitude and experience with things, less so with people.  Perhaps it is a House Minobee trait?  She passed along some items of interest.  Apparently her brother will be helping me construct my ways when the opportunity presents itself.  Overall I like Ryoden and Andrew.  Hopefully the life they plan on having together will be as nice as the one Shado and I share.

 

In conclusion, it appears this account is more of the same.  Life for Lords and Ladies of Creation happens thick and fast.  I see storm clouds on the horizon but so far I’m standing in the sun.