Title of Entry: The Sand Snake

Source of Whisper: The Old Crone of the Desert

Details:

The voices from the desert bring whispers of a shahzad, a prince of the sands. A flightless sparrow amidst a flock of magic-wielding birds.

My father has sent a delegation to Djieh to invite King Lazaan's son, Kalal, to become a suitor for one of my sisters. It is clear that while Lazaan was a known mage who brought peace to the otherwise tumultuous sands, his heir was known to be a lesser scion of a great king. I believe that such an inability to manipulate magic gnaws at the heart of this Sand Prince, and an untreated wound often gave birth to a snake before long. Djieh's spices and trade are indeed good. Their trade partners will definitely profit from their alliance, but they are too far away to be of practical use should the Empire's greaves march upon my nation's walls. I find it suspicious that they would agree to such a far-flung marriage when Djieh's environment acts as a natural shield against any would-be aggressor. Unless, of course, they saw another bird within our courts to give their flightless one a pair of wings in the future.

My sister, Loreena, has manifested her powers, and I am filled with pride and joy. But, I fear that she may have attracted a den of snakes to crawl out and strike at her heel. Although, I suppose, with Djieh's need for mage-heirs, a match between their prince and Loreena would ensure that they answer our calls for help. Not to mention that they might be willing to pay a hefty dowry to marry my mage-sister.

But, I hope that sand snake understands that if I hear as much as a whimper from Loreena's lips, I shall douse his chalice with nightshade.

I shall be watching Kalal, and if need be, protect my sister from his ambitions. He may be a savant in the sands, but within Astalia, he is in our woods. And, few dare to cross a stag by its horns. Those who are foolish enough to try are gored, no matter what kind of snake they are.

Summary: Sulhana believes that Kalal and Loreena would be a good match to maintain Djieh's alliance. Their traditional need for mage-heirs would mean that a match between the two would create a consistent alliance with them while ensuring that Astalia had the upper hand in the bargaining part. After all, what was a powerless prince against their own genius Loreena?

Title of Entry: The One-Eyed Sword

Source of Whisper: The Scribe of Medicine

Details:

Whispers from the mountain ranges of Zpina bring tidings of a recently injured son of a great warrior. The voices informed me that this Vyarin excelled in warfare and combat. An epitome of a man bred for war. Which would be a joy if they were all still living in caves, chewing on roots and making flints. Prozdy was a conglomerate of splintered clans who had risen up against their overlords, and it does not bode well in bringing stability. After all, I believe kingdoms that rose from rebellions were breeding grounds for seditious ideals. Still, it went without saying that if Astalia needed a military alliance, we should look no further than Prozdy. Their men were solid as stones, unyielding in combat and terrifying on the field.

But, the question remains: how do I ensure control over Vyarin and his people?

A number of whispers have said that the One-Eyed Sword of Prozdy has been sent away after what seemed to have been accident. I know not yet of his condition for return, but this can mean that the relationship between him and his father are strained. How would the One-Eyed feel about returning home a ruler rather than an estranged son? And, if I secure his obedience, I will have Prozdy in the palm of my hands.

A rough man who views strength and brashness as desirable traits. I would think my youngest sister Jinayah as a possible match. Though rowdy and small, Jinayah will definitely let slip no offense against her person. She can contest this man's strength in speed if not in power. But, a more comforting idea would be Jinayah having a partner who would understand her need to be free. My sister is like a canary, not fit for a golden cage. She needs to be free.

I have heard tales of Prozdy's single-minded pursuit of victory. Maybe, if Vyarin usurps the throne, he can enforce greater freedoms for his kingdom and, with him, freedom for Jinayah.

Although, sometimes I think whether it would be better for Vyarin to be kept on my leash. This way, if his brute strength does echo a brutish personality, then, I can easily cut the weeds before it can have the chance to strangle me.

Summary: Sulhana believes that Vyarin and Jinayah would be a good match in terms of military and catering to her sister's preference for more traditionally masculine pursuits. She also thinks that there is merit in keeping Vyarin on a tight leash since there could be a chance for Sulhana to sow discord between him and his father until Vyarin usurps the throne.

Title of Entry: Twin Disciplines

Source of Whisper: Lady of the Leyline

Details:

It is difficult to send my whisperers into elven lands. Their tight-knit communities meant that it is harder to find an elf in my employ. Therefore, the voices I have heard are limited to the human settlements near such elven kingdoms. But, it would seem that this elvish prince was a dutiful son to a stern father. Whispers speak of a soft-hearted prince who seemingly clung to his mother despite the famed brutality of elven combat training. From the stories, I believe that every elven male was designed to become tools for warfare-- an unfortunate yet logical cause in a time when the Empire has been swallowing entire cities into its shadow. The elves were preparing for war, and it would not be foolish to train their young boys until their bodies buckled under the twin lessons of pain and discipline.

I have little to say regarding Alvaro for I know little of him, but if the whispers are true, then, I would want him to be at sister Annalise's side. They are both duty-bound to protect their respective nations which can serve us well should their duties involve marriage in the future. I can only hope that the heart of this elf remains soft and true. My sister has suffered enough. She needs respite.

I managed to sneak one of my confidants into father's delegation to Lorien, and from the spare glances he cast at the prince, he seemed like a shell almost. A man with little purpose for being beyond his nation. Perhaps, I can learn more once he arrives at Astalia.

Summmary: Alvaro is lukewarm in Sulhana's eyes. Her whispers painted him to be a dutiful prince, easy to manipulate by the right hand. It is in this camaraderie of duty that the third princess of Astalia decided that this elf would be a suitable partner for Annalise who also shared the same personality.

Title of Entry: Prince of the North

Source of Whisper: The Sword Brother

Details:

This Prince of the North is a remarkable man. In that, I know little about him despite the whispers I have gathered from Jorda. This prince has kept out of the public view, apparently. He has chosen to fight in the wars against the Empire, and his bloodline had paid the price-- measured in their crown-prince's blood. To an extent, I feel a kindred spirit between our nations. We have lost so much to the Gilthan Empire, but it does not mean I can let down my guard against Jorda.

All things considered, Jorda is a strategic ally. Skilled shipbuilders, smiths, and architects populated the fertile lands of Jorda. They were brimming with talent and any kingdom would want to strike an alliance with them to gain a possible economic powerhouse and military savant as partners. But, while their land was good, it did not mean that I do not see a darker future for Jorda. The next heir to the throne, Erick, seemed to have little skill in statecraft based on the whispers. Ruling a kingdom required more than just one's ability to shatter an opponent's skull. It involved keeping one's vassals in line and nipping problems at the bud before they can take root to weaken one's rule.

Warfare could only stave the Empire for so long before the men of Jorda faltered to exhaustion. It was likely that King Henrick has turned his sights to Astalia in a bid to bolster their troops, and I respect such a vision. Deterrence was the key to ruling and if I can control Erick by using Astalia's military might, then, Jorda would become a staunch ally against Gilthan. He might also become a wonderful veil to shroud my plans.

Jorda would never dare betray the strongest military might on Sahas and I have a feeling that Erick knows this well.

Summary: Amongst all the potential suitors, Sulhana believes Erick would be the best choice to become a shield to her ambitions by being at her side. In her view as well, Jorda has the most benefit as an allied partner to Astalia but she worries that Jorda's traditional view of monarchies may be a hindrance. After all, she aims to become a queen who ruled her people for the better, not a woman to be ruled by a foreign man.