Ay Tariray

Extract from the journal of Marxus, Arbiter of the 2nd platoon of the Palace Guard. I haven't slept all night.  This is not uncommon.  My sister, second lady in waiting to Lady Tertia is much in the same situation as I. We both would have much preferred the exhaustion to have been caused by yet another raucous and passionate guest (or guests) of our Lady Tertia.  At least there we know to keep our eyes forward and allow the ladies to tidy up (mop up really).  Ocassionally, we will politely escort or 'roll' an exhausted guest down the stairs and onto their palanquins but such is the lot of cosy palace guard life.  I must admit in my first year I always felt dread when I was shifted to guard Lady Tertia's quarters.  I was always apprehensive of the... noises that drifted past her doors. It wasn't just her epicurean tastes in lovers, it was the strange magics she would dabble with in her studies and the strange mentors she would gather in her chambers....

There’s a lot to get off my chest, today is fitting.   I know, I’m being preachy, even patronising at times.   I have re-written this 5 times because, yeah, I know what I’m like.   But sometimes, you speak out and would you look at that, I’m already apologising for my opinions.   So, just try not to roll your eyes too hard, just a bit.   It’s hard in the era of 150 characters or less, but let’s try and give it a go.   Also, before some of you get in with your ‘ yeah but’s’ and ‘ whatabouts’ – I hear you.   Keep reading because guess what, it gets addressed, and I can only hope I can make it all make some sense for you. Feminism is an ‘F’ word now, because Feminazis are going to steal everyone’s penises and fly us all to the moon, where BBQs are banned and you can only eat sourdough and avocado, or something.   Because an angry woman who is so done with the world is shrill, and extremist, and most of all wrong. /s ( You ever wonder what...