Punzel's Private Journal

February the 11th, and a Sunday

I spent all this morn poring over Her Majesty's Capitulary, and find that the law flatly contradicts the misinformation which Watchman Gareth did announce publicly on Friday eve. In fact, he showed a complete disregard for the explicitly stated court procedures indicated in that respected document which he purports to uphold, and made an announcement which then caused much pain to Martel, and also to myself and all others who love him or me. The agonies I suffered, thinking that Martel was in danger of imminent incarceration and mayhap even beheading!

The capitulary clearly states that "Knights and courtiers may choose ... trial by jury of their peers, or judgement by the Royal Justiciar," and since Martel is one of Her Majesty's Honored Guests, he is indeed a courtier! If indeed Martel is charged, and chooses trial by a jury of his peers, he is certain to be acquited! Also, for high crimes, 'tis the captain of the royal guard who is to decide on jailing, and not Corporal Petris. In fact, as all I have asked, including even Watchman Artegal, claim that the Corporal is not the Royal Justiciar (I assume this Royal Justiciar is, as the title suggests, a resident of the Inner Bailey.), the Corporal has no jurisdiction in this case whatsoever, and if Watchman Gareth had bothered to closely read the Capitulary he has sworn an oath to uphold, he too would have known this. It is a sad day when castle residents must scour the Capitulary themselves in order to instruct the officers of the Winter Watch!

But even better news than this is the fact that Martel has not in fact been charged with any crime as of yet, and Watchwoman Judith, who is currently leading this investigation, today assured me that if all evidence was examined she was certain Martel would be found innocent of any wrongdoing. But I must admit I am disturbed at the Watchmembers' general lack of adherence to the Capitulary, and general lack of communication amongst themselves.

There is also talk among the populace that many also resent Watchman Gareth's recent publicly posted assertion that officers of the Watch are of higher rank than other residents of the Outer Bailey, and that therefore a member of the Watch may imprison any other resident if they refuse to obey any command. Many seem to feel that this oversteps the bounds of the rights of the Winter Watch, and that it gives the officers a nearly infinite degree of power which was not intended by Her Majesty. I believe I should file an official complaint against this Watchman, addressed to both Armsman Philo and Corporal Petris. In addition, for the wretched wrong he did Martel in announcing a trial which was a patent falsity and which caused so much pain and fear, I plan to challenge the Watchman to a duel of honor, when next I see him.

February the 12th, and a Monday

Today I did teach two classes: one a sword practice in the morn, the other an etiquette class in the eve. Both went very well and were well attended. And when the etiquette class was finished, Watchman Gareth did enter the Sunset Room, and I did challenge him to a duel on this matter of his slander against Martel, and he did accept. He pled ignorance, that he had made his rash public announcement based on what was told to him by the Lord Chamberlain ... to which I reply whose occupation is it to know all details of Her Majesty's Capitulary? It is the occupation and responsibility of the Winter Watch, not of the Lord Chamberlain. Since what day did the Lord Chamberlain hold sway over the Watchmen, and decide matters of law? And who instructed the Watchman to make a public announcement? No one. He chose this wrongful path of his own accord. If Watchman Gareth spoke hastily, without investigating the Capitulary, that is his own wrongdoing, and I will hold him responsible for it and for the damage it caused. He shall not escape with these cowardly attempts to put the responsibility on others.

During my etiquette lecture today, I did also learn that sera Zakhovec who has claimed to be a Healer, and who is the authority upon which ser Blackhawk's death was founded, despite his apparent walking away afterward ... I did discover that she claims the title of Healer with no previous training, and is in fact awakened only one week now, and has never even met Apprentice Severin! She claims this title based only on her memories, just as those who have awakened claiming to be holy knights and powerful magi. She has been quite rude in these insistences, and shows little respect toward those such as sera Jasmine and sera Anabeth who truly are Healers who have studied with the doctors in this place. And so it seems even less likely that Martel shall be charged with any crime, as there is no reliable evidence that the ser did even die!

February the 13th, and a Tuesday

Today ser Blackhawk did reappear, and has been placed in the dungeon for his wanton attacks on the populace, and for the incitement of brawling. Apprentice Severin will see to his wounds there, though I have heard little of his still being wounded. As in the fight itself, mayhap his powers of strength and healing are not akin to those we others do have.

Martel and Duren have both been cleared of any crime, for it is acknowledged that they did act only in self-defense and defense of the innocent. And my own duel with Watchman Gareth is averted, for we did both seek to settle the matter peaceably if possible, and so did speak with a Counselor, sera Anabeth.

In our talking with Anabeth, I did explain my reasons for the challenge: that the Watchman had no right to make a public announcement regarding an investigation when the announcement was inaccurate and caused much pain to Martel and those who love him, and that he was remiss in his duties carrying out Her Majesty's laws by not investigating the capitulary and had therefore committed a wrong to the populace.

The Watchman then presented his own point of view, which he had already said when last we spoke: that he had been confused and only repeating the Lord Chamberlain's words because he had not known where to turn for guidance.

I did then rebut with specific references to the Capitulary, suggesting that as a Watchman he should have turned there for guidance. I also did point out that the Lord Chamberlain is not responsible for knowing the law so well as the Watchman who is sworn to uphold it. And lastly suggested that he should not have paired the words 'Martel' and 'trial' in a sentence when speaking to the public unless he had been certain that such was to pass.

In the end, Watchman Gareth admitted that I was correct in my reading of the law, and that he had been wrong in what he said, both in the content and in the speaking it. He also admitted that it is in fact his responsibility to know the law, and that he could not and should not blame the Lord Chamberlain or anyone else for his own actions. He formally apologized to both myself and Martel (I have passed this apology along to Martel, though I know not if the Watchman plans also to apologize to him personally).

Lastly, I requested, since his incorrect information had been given publicly, that the correct information also be given publicly ... that some public announcement be posted explaining the events, including the fact that Martel was never charged with any crime and that no trial had ever been planned. Watchman Gareth has promised that he will see to this matter, though he thinks it best that the Armsman or the Assistant Chronicler make the actual posting. I hope it shall be done within the day.

And so a weight is lifted, which is happy news in such trying times. To have had such a wrong committed against him, the very day after he had declined the knighthood with so much grief ... 'twas so hard on Martel. I hope that this may comfort him some little bit.

February the 14th, and a Wednesday

Today I did teach a sword practice which went very well but for the presence of sera Zakhovec whom I like so little. She shows disrespect for all above her in station or experience, and shows no courtesy of any sort. She claims the title of Healer without any medical training in this place, thereby disrespecting those who have in fact trained ... and she speaks rudely to Her Majesty's Honored Guests and others who might help her if she were to treat them more respectfully. And, recently, she did even post publicly a demand (not even a request!) that Apprentice Severin meet with her at a specific time on a specific day, as if she has the right or ability to demand that busy and respected man's attendance upon her! Whom will she command next? Her Majesty Queen Vivienne? The gall and disrespect she shows have caused me to develop an intense dislike for her, try though I might to feel sympathy for her as a Newly Awakened. Her desire to help castle guests through studying healing is admirable, but her overall attitude is so offensive that I fear I can hardly bear the sight of her.

After the practice, I led my first introductory lecture about the Duelists, which went not so well as I had hoped. One ser in attendance did seem quite promising -- a ser Davog -- and one other I need know better before forming an opinion -- ser Intoflow. Ser Intoflow spoke most disturbingly of wood elves, which from the discussion I understood to be some sort of creature made of wood, but I am not certain. I believe they were discussing fairy stories, but I tried merely to keep the lecture on topic.

After the lecture, my oath-sister Edanya did tempt me to join her for a question game, in which we were joined by Duraze, Armsman Philo, and my sister Katherine. Martel had thought to join us, but important business detained him as it so often does. I am sorry for him that he does not get more pleasant time merely chatting with friends.

On the other hand, this question game did become quite uncomfortable for me, for Duraze did ask me a question that led to my admitting that I often wonder why the Inner Bailey -- Her Majesty's Court -- does seem not to recognize in any way the many efforts I expend in the Outer Bailey to help the castle guests. I do not do it in an effort to win favor, but in my efforts to help, I each week lead introductory etiquette lectures, sword practices, and Courtesy Circle meetings. This week I am leading two lectures, two sword practices, and one guild meeting, and also competing in the dueling tournament. And yet the Court seems to like me not, which hurts me when I allow myself to think on it. But I also feel selfish to even notice whether or not I receive recognition, since that is not my purpose in my tasks, and so it was embarrassing to admit these feelings. My oath-brother Duraze then probed me so pointedly on the subject that I did in the end flee the room, much wounded and feeling betrayed that he would seek information so avidly that he would not even notice the pain he was causing to his own oath-sister.

February the 15th, and a Thursday

I can write but little this eve, for I am too amazed to think properly! This eve during a question game in the Duelists' Room, after the weekly guild meeting, Martel did request my hand in marriage! I know not what more to write ... I have walked the halls of the castle, and been congratulated so joyfully by so many good folk ... and now I find I cannot sleep, for I can see only Martel's face, his eyes gazing into mine with the expression they shone when he asked his tender question.

February the 16th, and a Friday

Little of interest this day, for Martel and I spent much of the day and eve talking alone together before the fireplace in his room.

The only significant event was a problem in the Refectory, when sera Lilly (who has been recently threatening to murder my oath-sister Edanya) was threatening Seeker Margaret. I stood beside Margaret with my hand on my scabbard in case of any violence, and was reviled by sera Zakhovec for doing so, as that most annoying of women kept shouting at me and trying to give me orders. I have been honored by Her Majesty Queen Vivienne with the trust to carry a weapon, and this sera -- whom I loathe more with each day -- presumes to tell me what to do? Convinced by sera Zakhovec's screeching that I was a miscreant preparing to do wrong to sera Lilly, a Newly Awakened ser became quite confused and upset, and did punch me in the face. I took the ser aside, away from sera Zakhovec's disruptive influence, and explained to him what had been occurring with sera Lilly's attack against Seeker Margaret, and what my purpose is in bearing a sword. He apologized quite courteously, and I did try to explain a bit to him about the ways of this place -- something which sera Zakhovec has never been willing to listen to, despite my many attempts to aid her.

Later, I did speak with a few friends near the Refectory fireplace about what is to be done about the problems with sera Zakhovec, as we all attempt to aid her so many times, only to be treated with such discourtesy and disrespect. As a result of our conversation there, I have resolved to cease trying to aid her, as she does not seem to appreciate it and it does only open me to her attacks, and to simply avoid her as much as possible. It will pain me to simply abandon one who behaves so inappropriately, but it does begin to appear that she behaves so not out of ignorance but out of willfulness, and she does not want my help.

February the 17th, and a Saturday

I did spend most of this day in Awakeners' duties, helping various Newly Awakened and stocking the guild's wardrobe which had become severely depleted recently. While staffing the Sunset Room, between visits from those who needed aid, I did also write a sonnet on the subject of the Duelists, the first sonnet I have ever written. In the afternoon, I did also lead another productive meeting of the Courtesy Circle, in which we did discuss courtesy in dueling. I hope to write a public posting on the subject tomorrow so that all may know our suggestions.

In the eve, I did attend my sister Katherine's sonnet lecture, and did recite my sonnet. Armsman Philo had, interestingly enough, written his own sonnet on the subject of the Winter Watch ... I found it fascinating that he and I had thought so much alike in this. I fear he responded quite coldly to my own poem. I find it saddening that my own respect for the Winter Watch is not returned ... that my friend shows so little respect for my own goals to serve Her Majesty Queen Vivienne through my oaths to the Duelists.