By My Word and My Blood, Turmus Is My Home

Journal Entry — October 16, 2026

Locations: Turmus — market square and Tea Room; Palace and Home Stone; City Slave House courtyard; near the Educational Hall and library.

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A Quiet Morning and a Welcome Visitor

The morning began quietly. I met Lady Amira, who was exploring Turmus while traveling with a group. I introduced myself and offered to help her find her way. When she expressed an interest in blackwine, I took her to the Tea Room, showing her the swing that has become one of my favorite places to sit. She seemed to appreciate its comfort after traveling, and I prepared a fresh pot for us to share.

Kael joined us, and our conversation turned to the previous evening’s trial. He praised both my work as Nadia’s advocate and Nadia’s composure while answering questions. He also expressed concerns about leading questions and the length of the proceedings. His encouragement was welcome. I admitted that so much had been running through my mind afterward that it had taken time to settle down enough to sleep.

I had found the experience exciting and almost wished we could have continued another hour to reach a verdict, although I understood that people were tired after three hours. I was glad Nadia had been given time to tell her side. The continuation was expected on Tuesday, with the time still unsettled in our conversation. I had a maximum of eight questions and my closing statement left to prepare.

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The City Meeting

At noon, I attended the city-wide meeting at the Palace with Ubar Bactu and Ubara Selia. There were familiar faces and newcomers among those gathered. Lady Ella even passed sweets along the benches as we settled in to listen.

The Ubar began with reminders about keeping roleplay in character and reducing scripts and prims before the coming festival. The discussion included practical ways to reduce lag, with the final direction being to avoid rez boxes and use idlers or turn off unnecessary scripts. Selia reminded us that the festival begins on October 27 and asked everyone to help by tidying homes and shops and removing unused items.

Commander Augustus reported on the city’s defenses, patrols, and news from other cities. He said no city had threatened Turmus, although the warriors remained watchful of suspicious visitors and reports of northern groups causing trouble elsewhere. He also spoke of the sword tournament planned for the festival.

The meeting was not without laughter. A discussion of safe-room tours led to Lady Ella suggesting that the black-caste guide might appear more reassuring with pink clothing or flowers. Beneath the humor was an important point: the rooms’ locations must remain secret, and tours should be given only to people known to be residents, preferably sworn to the Home Stone.

Jessika announced the city’s new newspaper and invited contributions. Near the meeting’s end, girl 42 asked the Free to include kennel slaves in more roleplay, whether through service or simple errands. It was a reminder that even a small interaction can give someone a place in the city’s daily life.

Meeting Summary

• Roleplay: Keep in-character matters separate from the feelings of the people behind the characters.
• Festival preparation: The festival begins October 27. Reduce unnecessary prims and scripts, use idlers where appropriate, and avoid rez boxes.
• Security: Augustus reported strong defenses and continuing patrols. Safe-room locations are confidential; guides must be certain of a person’s residency before showing them.
• Newspaper: Jessika welcomes news, business information, advice questions, letters, and jokes. Damaging gossip will not be printed.
• Community: Continue welcoming newcomers and include kennel slaves in everyday roleplay.
• Citizenship: The Home Stone ceremony followed the meeting. Bactu confirmed that those who had completed their citizenship application could proceed to swear.

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My Pledge to the Home Stone

After the meeting, I waited quietly for my turn. When the Ubar called me forward, I stepped before the Home Stone, bowed my head respectfully to him and the Ubara, and spoke my pledge:

“I, Lady Kati Evans, pledge my honor, my loyalty, and my service to the Home Stone of Turmus, to our Ubar and Ubara, and to the city I now call home.

“As a Scribe, I shall keep faithful records. As a teacher, I shall share what I have learned. As a citizen, I shall uphold our laws, stand beside my fellow citizens, and serve Turmus with honesty and care.

“In peaceful days and troubled times, may my deeds bear witness to this oath. I pledge my quill, my knowledge, and my life to the protection and prosperity of our Home Stone.”

I took a small blade, pricked my finger, and allowed a drop of blood to fall upon the stone.

“By my word and my blood, Turmus is my home.”

Bactu welcomed me home, and Selia, Augustus, Aries, Vivienne, and others added their welcome and applause. Tears fell freely. I thanked the Ubar and Ubara, deeply moved by the moment. I had been serving Turmus as a Scribe, teacher, and Legal Clerk; now I had sworn myself to its Home Stone.

I remained as Sabrina, Lothar, and Lady Freya, also addressed as Nisaa during the ceremony, made their pledges. Dexter arrived later and was welcomed forward to swear as well. Augustus spoke of sharing a Home Stone as belonging to a family and never being alone. His words suited the occasion. There were smiles and tears throughout the ceremony, and I was still wiping my eyes afterward.

Before leaving, I heard Lothar ask about updating documents bearing his former seal. Aries advised him to update his census to reflect his pledge and suggested adding his new seal beneath the old one on other documents, with a note explaining the change. Lothar mentioned that I had helped him with documents before. No new document work was assigned to me during that exchange.

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Afternoon at the Slave House Courtyard

Later, I encountered a visiting group near the City Slave House. Aries asked whether I was still seeking a second girl, and I told him that I once again had only one. There was some light teasing about which of the visiting slaves might suit tower service, but no choice or arrangement was made.

When the visitors entered the Slave House without a slaver present, Aries courteously asked them to return to the square, explaining that Nicholas and the slavers were particular about guests entering the building.

I spoke with Jayce, who told me that he belonged to the Blackwatch and was staying with Master Viktor while Master Scar was away. He asked whether I was the lady who taught classes. I confirmed that I taught on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, then showed him the direction of the Educational Hall and explained that its door faces the library. He was still learning the language and finding his way around, and I was glad to help.

Carola joined me afterward. We spoke about the visiting group, the coming meeting, and festival activities. She mentioned the Game of Favors and something about matching uncompanioned men and women. I knew little about either, having been so focused on the trial. We also exchanged a little teasing over her hair and new robe. I called her cute, while she insisted she wanted to look elegant and properly dressed as the Head Merchant’s assistant. She left for the evening meeting shortly before five.

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A Quiet End to the Day

By evening, I was finally sitting with a hot drink and allowing myself to relax without thinking about anything in particular. Kael checked on me and reminded me that it had been an exceptionally busy, hectic, and productive week.

I told him how difficult I had found the proposed change allowing audience conversation in the courtroom. At the time, it had felt overwhelming. His continued reassurance about my work and Nadia’s testimony helped, and I was glad to be able to rest.

I also shared my news: I was now a sworn citizen of Turmus. He congratulated me before leaving to travel home. It was a simple exchange at the end of a full day, but the words still carried the weight of the afternoon’s ceremony.

Today, I pledged my quill, my knowledge, and my life. By my word and my blood, Turmus is my home.

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TO DO / FOLLOW-UP

• Prepare the remaining questions, within the eight-question limit, and my closing statement for the continuation of Nadia’s trial. Confirm Tuesday’s trial time.
• Review my homes and furnishings for unnecessary prims and active scripts before the October 27 festival, following the meeting’s guidance.
• If I have not already been shown the safe rooms, arrange a tour through an authorized guide.
• Continue considering a suitable second girl; no arrangement was made today.

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