Lydia__caen
*All below mentioned devisees and legatees have been notified and asked to gather here as per request of the deceased.*
A minute Lydia Tribute to a fine man known to her as Mentor, Listener, Advisor; friend with admirable wit.
Her, ever understanding and loving of all people, Jah Father.
He is a great example of patience and tolerance to her which is something unencumbered she can carry along at all times.
As the MUSIC plays a special request,
Lydia leaves Collen in his seat, squeezing his hand, which she had been holding, one more time for support and watching his face for the ever present, silently exchanged 'I love you'.
Turning now, she smiles at Daniel who is seated quietly and solemn next to the Lord of Caen.
A few steps take her to the small stairs of the tiny stage that had been prepared for this occasion.
She approaches the podium, a bit shaken.
Straightening the skirts of her Sunday best dark, occasion clothing.
She did not think she would ever have to do this for anyone.
During her service in any of the military Branches she had always hoped such things would pass her by. But now...to have to do this for her Jah father. So unexpected. The mail had been late again!
His letters of account of the war came after the letter of his possible demise...
Her heart aches so.
She shall be brief and formal so that her pain wont show too much to others. Voice and hands trembling, she begins:
Dear honored guests. She halts a moment for the people gathered to settle down a bit; find their seats and end their chatter of greeting one another.
I, Lydia Morningstern, Jah daughter to, and Executor of Sir HenryX's last Testament, hereby ask all and any mentioned in the following Will to sign their name and speak their mind if they wish as they receive their inheritance.
She unfurls the parchment and begins to read the document in a fairly strong and almost-not quaking voice, with occasional breaks:
Being of sound mind and good health I, Henry, son of Harald, Baron of Castle Combe, Knight of the Realm, Knight of the Rose in the order of the knights of England now pen my last will and testament
To my Jah Child Lydia Morningstern I leave my old bed from my cottage in Marlborough and my trusty sword. It seems fitting that you shall have two things that both symbolize the essence of our friendship. You know why you get the bed, it is a funny, innocent story and it will be something to remember me by. The sword you get because you always were a martial girl and I know that you will do it honour, it is also a symbol of that which was the common denominator in both of our lives. Your stout heart and strong arm will be a great boon to England for as long as you live, and I am comforted that my beloved country will still have a brave warrior to protect it.
To Sir Collen of Caen I leave my collection of books on strategy and warfare, not because I believe you will ever need them, but as a symbol of the respect I have for you, as well as for my gratitude towards the man who has done so much, for not just England as a whole but me as an individual as well. You were in many ways a mentor and a role model for me in my early years and you always helped me out when I had questions about warfare.
To Jealeaia I leave my bow and my warhorse and jousting companion, Mjoelner. I first met you many moons ago, when you approached me for membership in the Wiltshire Army, not long after that you took it upon yourself to teach us how to fire a bow. Now I know how to use most any hand weapon, but using a bow has never been my strong suit. I am sure you will do this fine weapon better justice than I ever did. I leave you my warhorse because it is a strong and beautiful creature, with a stout and honest heart, not an ounce of fear in its soul and a fiery temper that would scare most men. I think you will fit perfectly together as you are so alike. You are a strong and brave woman, who has more honour in her pinky than most men have in their entire body, and it has been my great honour to know you and call you my friend
To Tenshi I leave a wooden spoon, and a gold necklace with a heart pendant. There was a time when you were the one to keep us all honest and semi decent, and for that I leave you the spoon. I know that those days are long gone were you had to suffer the silliness of us young men, but in those days our friendship was formed. You are without a doubt the oldest friend I have in this world and nothing I can give you will ever truly express the love and appreciation I have for you. You where always the heart and soul of our town and the necklace is meant to symbolize just that. I also ask that you keep an eye out for Daniel and the other kids. He is a great boy but he will need your help and guidance.
To Manerta I leave my trusty field mug. We had many wonderful times together in Marlborough, none more fun than the night we spend getting drunk together hunting Hips. As I recall we were convinced that hips where bad and the best way to kill them was to drown them, preferably in alcohol. That night, and the following five days, were the most drunken I have ever been, and that is saying a lot from someone who spent the majority of his life in one military campaign or another. So I leave this mug to you, my dear old friend, so that you will always remember me when you do your best to dry out a tavern.
To Cruzincat I leave a set of scales and a hammer. I always knew you had greatness in you, and I am so happy to see you were you are now. I am certain that you will do well, and I have the utmost faith in you. The scales is for you to weigh the pros and cons of all the suggestions you will undoubtedly be given. I know you have good counsel and you should listen to them, but you’re the one that has to make the decisions, and in that you have to listen to your own heart. The hammer is to knock parliament upside the head with… they never where able to agree on anything. I am sure if a poll where held to see if they should breathe or not it would come up 33% for 33% against and 34% none of the above.
Use the hammer wisely and often… they need it.
To Mommikerri I leave a sapling of a cherry tree. A long time ago we met by chance and spend a day together trying to beautify London. As I recall we planted a tree together in the hope that it would one day grow to a nice place to sit under. It is a long time since I were in London so I do not know if it still stands there or if it has been chopped up for kindling but I would like to think that right now, someone is sitting by it, relaxing, and enjoying the little piece of paradise we tried to create there. The tree is a reminder to you never to give up trying to beautify the world, you do so every day with your presence and your personality and the world would be a poorer world without you.
To Springtime I leave an ocular device I picked up in Turkey before I settled down. You have always been strong willed and fiercely loyal to those you call your friend as well as to the place you call your home, and these are qualities I greatly admire. While living in Ireland I came to call you friend and while we ended up on different sides in the war I never lost my respect for those virtues that made you fight us so hard. I may disagree with your methods but I always respected your fire and drive. Hopefully this ocular will help you to scout out your path ahead, and let you see which roads lead where, before you choose which one to venture down. Beside that, I wish you all the best luck and hope that one day you will find yourself in an Ireland at peace, something I know we both want.
To Caissadiplomat I leave a simple thing, the religious penchant I received when you baptized me. You have been my religious guide through out my entire life and I have the utmost respect for you. You showed trust in me when I took my first seat on a council, giving me the important position of Captain even though you had an absolute majority, and I was a young new player from a party with just one seat. We did not always agree on matters of politics but we always discussed with civility and respect, and I owe you a great debt of gratitude. I leave you with an Ireland in greater need of spiritual and political guidance than ever before and you are perhaps the person besides myself, whom I have the most trust in when it comes to solving the huge obstacles ahead. I pray and hope that you will succeed where I failed, and bring peace to Ireland.
To Anto_Capone I leave a bottle of good wine. I spent a good part of my life fighting you and your organization and in the end it seems fitting that I shall die by your army’s hand. Know that it was never personal, and that I did respect your person, if not your actions. I did not trust you, nor did I approve of you or your organizations actions, but you where always a worthy opponent. My hope for you is that one day soon you will settle down on a small farm somewhere and live out your life in peace without ever hurting another soul. I hope that you are sincere in your wish for a peaceful Ireland, and it is my hope that the day will come where all Ireland can live free and in peace. When you read this I will be dead and you will likely have taken the government of Munster, I hope you will prove me wrong and be a good count, and if that is the case then know I do not begrudge you my life. You gave me every possible way out, and for that I thank you, but my honour denied me the possibility of taking it. The bottle of wine is to celebrate peace in a free Ireland, may you drink it sooner rather than later.
To Daniel I leave all my other worldly belongings as well as my title to hold in stewardship until Valdemar turns 18. On that day the title and the land that belongs to it, as well as ¾ of the inheritance will be transferred to Valdemar while Daniel retains ¼ of the inheritance and all land and wealth he may have earned since he took over stewardship. Daniel you are like a son to me, so like me at your age. I see in you so much potential and I feel confident that you will amount to great things. I have full confidence in leaving the care of my children in your care, and I leave you with an opportunity to make something for yourself. Valdemar is my firstborn, and to him goes my title and my lands when he comes of age, but you are every bit as much my son as the others are so I leave you an equal share of the wealth I have amassed.
To Valdemar my first born child, I leave ¼ of my wealth as well as my title, lands, my axe and the book of our family’s history, the book will be yours immediately but the rest will be held in stewardship by Daniel till you turn 18. Never forget that you are the rightful Jarl of Lindholm, the axe is the symbol of that right and the book will tell the story. I regret that I will not be there to teach you all that you need to know but I am sure Daniel will take good care of you and your siblings. There is so much I wish I could tell you, so much I wish I could do for you, but my time here is short and I am not long of this world. I am sorry I was'nt a better father to you, my responsibility took me away from you and your mother too soon. Death left you without any parent. I am comforted somewhat by the knowledge that you were surrounded by servants who adore you, but I also know that they will never replace the loss of your parents.
To Tella and Deaglan I leave each ¼ of my wealth, which will be held in stewardship by first Daniel, then Valdemar until you turn 18, as well as my undying love. You were barely born when your mother died, and I was forced to send you to England, and you will not remember me or your mother. I cannot describe to you the pain and anguish it brings to a man who had to choose between being with his children and fulfilling his responsibility and oaths. In the end I sent you away thinking that one day soon I could have you brought back to me and I would once again look upon the faces I love so much, but it was not to be. I love you all very much and I wish that I would not be such a stubborn old man. That perhaps I could forgot my honour and duty just long enough to flee and be with you again. But I cannot, for I know not how to live without my honour.
I hope that one day you will forgive me for what I am about to do.
If I have forgotten anyone I apologize, time is short and I must admit to being a bit distraught at what awaits for me in the morning. Please forgive me, and may you all live long and happy lives.
Henry, Son of Harald
After the reading Lydia rolls up the scroll and sets about getting back to her seat next to Collen as they will prepare to receive their tokens of affection from the Heirs.
A minute Lydia Tribute to a fine man known to her as Mentor, Listener, Advisor; friend with admirable wit.
Her, ever understanding and loving of all people, Jah Father.
He is a great example of patience and tolerance to her which is something unencumbered she can carry along at all times.
As the MUSIC plays a special request,
Lydia leaves Collen in his seat, squeezing his hand, which she had been holding, one more time for support and watching his face for the ever present, silently exchanged 'I love you'.
Turning now, she smiles at Daniel who is seated quietly and solemn next to the Lord of Caen.
A few steps take her to the small stairs of the tiny stage that had been prepared for this occasion.
She approaches the podium, a bit shaken.
Straightening the skirts of her Sunday best dark, occasion clothing.
She did not think she would ever have to do this for anyone.
During her service in any of the military Branches she had always hoped such things would pass her by. But now...to have to do this for her Jah father. So unexpected. The mail had been late again!
His letters of account of the war came after the letter of his possible demise...
Her heart aches so.
She shall be brief and formal so that her pain wont show too much to others. Voice and hands trembling, she begins:
Dear honored guests. She halts a moment for the people gathered to settle down a bit; find their seats and end their chatter of greeting one another.
I, Lydia Morningstern, Jah daughter to, and Executor of Sir HenryX's last Testament, hereby ask all and any mentioned in the following Will to sign their name and speak their mind if they wish as they receive their inheritance.
She unfurls the parchment and begins to read the document in a fairly strong and almost-not quaking voice, with occasional breaks:
Being of sound mind and good health I, Henry, son of Harald, Baron of Castle Combe, Knight of the Realm, Knight of the Rose in the order of the knights of England now pen my last will and testament
To my Jah Child Lydia Morningstern I leave my old bed from my cottage in Marlborough and my trusty sword. It seems fitting that you shall have two things that both symbolize the essence of our friendship. You know why you get the bed, it is a funny, innocent story and it will be something to remember me by. The sword you get because you always were a martial girl and I know that you will do it honour, it is also a symbol of that which was the common denominator in both of our lives. Your stout heart and strong arm will be a great boon to England for as long as you live, and I am comforted that my beloved country will still have a brave warrior to protect it.
To Sir Collen of Caen I leave my collection of books on strategy and warfare, not because I believe you will ever need them, but as a symbol of the respect I have for you, as well as for my gratitude towards the man who has done so much, for not just England as a whole but me as an individual as well. You were in many ways a mentor and a role model for me in my early years and you always helped me out when I had questions about warfare.
To Jealeaia I leave my bow and my warhorse and jousting companion, Mjoelner. I first met you many moons ago, when you approached me for membership in the Wiltshire Army, not long after that you took it upon yourself to teach us how to fire a bow. Now I know how to use most any hand weapon, but using a bow has never been my strong suit. I am sure you will do this fine weapon better justice than I ever did. I leave you my warhorse because it is a strong and beautiful creature, with a stout and honest heart, not an ounce of fear in its soul and a fiery temper that would scare most men. I think you will fit perfectly together as you are so alike. You are a strong and brave woman, who has more honour in her pinky than most men have in their entire body, and it has been my great honour to know you and call you my friend
To Tenshi I leave a wooden spoon, and a gold necklace with a heart pendant. There was a time when you were the one to keep us all honest and semi decent, and for that I leave you the spoon. I know that those days are long gone were you had to suffer the silliness of us young men, but in those days our friendship was formed. You are without a doubt the oldest friend I have in this world and nothing I can give you will ever truly express the love and appreciation I have for you. You where always the heart and soul of our town and the necklace is meant to symbolize just that. I also ask that you keep an eye out for Daniel and the other kids. He is a great boy but he will need your help and guidance.
To Manerta I leave my trusty field mug. We had many wonderful times together in Marlborough, none more fun than the night we spend getting drunk together hunting Hips. As I recall we were convinced that hips where bad and the best way to kill them was to drown them, preferably in alcohol. That night, and the following five days, were the most drunken I have ever been, and that is saying a lot from someone who spent the majority of his life in one military campaign or another. So I leave this mug to you, my dear old friend, so that you will always remember me when you do your best to dry out a tavern.
To Cruzincat I leave a set of scales and a hammer. I always knew you had greatness in you, and I am so happy to see you were you are now. I am certain that you will do well, and I have the utmost faith in you. The scales is for you to weigh the pros and cons of all the suggestions you will undoubtedly be given. I know you have good counsel and you should listen to them, but you’re the one that has to make the decisions, and in that you have to listen to your own heart. The hammer is to knock parliament upside the head with… they never where able to agree on anything. I am sure if a poll where held to see if they should breathe or not it would come up 33% for 33% against and 34% none of the above.
Use the hammer wisely and often… they need it.
To Mommikerri I leave a sapling of a cherry tree. A long time ago we met by chance and spend a day together trying to beautify London. As I recall we planted a tree together in the hope that it would one day grow to a nice place to sit under. It is a long time since I were in London so I do not know if it still stands there or if it has been chopped up for kindling but I would like to think that right now, someone is sitting by it, relaxing, and enjoying the little piece of paradise we tried to create there. The tree is a reminder to you never to give up trying to beautify the world, you do so every day with your presence and your personality and the world would be a poorer world without you.
To Springtime I leave an ocular device I picked up in Turkey before I settled down. You have always been strong willed and fiercely loyal to those you call your friend as well as to the place you call your home, and these are qualities I greatly admire. While living in Ireland I came to call you friend and while we ended up on different sides in the war I never lost my respect for those virtues that made you fight us so hard. I may disagree with your methods but I always respected your fire and drive. Hopefully this ocular will help you to scout out your path ahead, and let you see which roads lead where, before you choose which one to venture down. Beside that, I wish you all the best luck and hope that one day you will find yourself in an Ireland at peace, something I know we both want.
To Caissadiplomat I leave a simple thing, the religious penchant I received when you baptized me. You have been my religious guide through out my entire life and I have the utmost respect for you. You showed trust in me when I took my first seat on a council, giving me the important position of Captain even though you had an absolute majority, and I was a young new player from a party with just one seat. We did not always agree on matters of politics but we always discussed with civility and respect, and I owe you a great debt of gratitude. I leave you with an Ireland in greater need of spiritual and political guidance than ever before and you are perhaps the person besides myself, whom I have the most trust in when it comes to solving the huge obstacles ahead. I pray and hope that you will succeed where I failed, and bring peace to Ireland.
To Anto_Capone I leave a bottle of good wine. I spent a good part of my life fighting you and your organization and in the end it seems fitting that I shall die by your army’s hand. Know that it was never personal, and that I did respect your person, if not your actions. I did not trust you, nor did I approve of you or your organizations actions, but you where always a worthy opponent. My hope for you is that one day soon you will settle down on a small farm somewhere and live out your life in peace without ever hurting another soul. I hope that you are sincere in your wish for a peaceful Ireland, and it is my hope that the day will come where all Ireland can live free and in peace. When you read this I will be dead and you will likely have taken the government of Munster, I hope you will prove me wrong and be a good count, and if that is the case then know I do not begrudge you my life. You gave me every possible way out, and for that I thank you, but my honour denied me the possibility of taking it. The bottle of wine is to celebrate peace in a free Ireland, may you drink it sooner rather than later.
To Daniel I leave all my other worldly belongings as well as my title to hold in stewardship until Valdemar turns 18. On that day the title and the land that belongs to it, as well as ¾ of the inheritance will be transferred to Valdemar while Daniel retains ¼ of the inheritance and all land and wealth he may have earned since he took over stewardship. Daniel you are like a son to me, so like me at your age. I see in you so much potential and I feel confident that you will amount to great things. I have full confidence in leaving the care of my children in your care, and I leave you with an opportunity to make something for yourself. Valdemar is my firstborn, and to him goes my title and my lands when he comes of age, but you are every bit as much my son as the others are so I leave you an equal share of the wealth I have amassed.
To Valdemar my first born child, I leave ¼ of my wealth as well as my title, lands, my axe and the book of our family’s history, the book will be yours immediately but the rest will be held in stewardship by Daniel till you turn 18. Never forget that you are the rightful Jarl of Lindholm, the axe is the symbol of that right and the book will tell the story. I regret that I will not be there to teach you all that you need to know but I am sure Daniel will take good care of you and your siblings. There is so much I wish I could tell you, so much I wish I could do for you, but my time here is short and I am not long of this world. I am sorry I was'nt a better father to you, my responsibility took me away from you and your mother too soon. Death left you without any parent. I am comforted somewhat by the knowledge that you were surrounded by servants who adore you, but I also know that they will never replace the loss of your parents.
To Tella and Deaglan I leave each ¼ of my wealth, which will be held in stewardship by first Daniel, then Valdemar until you turn 18, as well as my undying love. You were barely born when your mother died, and I was forced to send you to England, and you will not remember me or your mother. I cannot describe to you the pain and anguish it brings to a man who had to choose between being with his children and fulfilling his responsibility and oaths. In the end I sent you away thinking that one day soon I could have you brought back to me and I would once again look upon the faces I love so much, but it was not to be. I love you all very much and I wish that I would not be such a stubborn old man. That perhaps I could forgot my honour and duty just long enough to flee and be with you again. But I cannot, for I know not how to live without my honour.
I hope that one day you will forgive me for what I am about to do.
If I have forgotten anyone I apologize, time is short and I must admit to being a bit distraught at what awaits for me in the morning. Please forgive me, and may you all live long and happy lives.
Henry, Son of Harald
After the reading Lydia rolls up the scroll and sets about getting back to her seat next to Collen as they will prepare to receive their tokens of affection from the Heirs.
