"Yes, kissing would be good now," Zhi says as she bites her lower lip.
"Then by the authority vested in me as a disciple of Calistria, I sanctify this union of passions, and woe betide any who would come between them." The priestess smiles enigmatically and concludes, "You'd best hurry with the kissin'."
Zhi grins sideways at Zileska and then turns and nods at Selli who reaches under her seat and pulls out a wooden box and slides it over to the small rogue.
She shoves it into position and steps up on it in her red sandals, placing herself almost as tall as her new wife. Her grin widens. She puts one hand behind the changeling's waist, the other behind her head, and tips her slightly and angles in to join her lips with her love's.
"Congratulations, Printesa Mea," she whispers against her wife's lips after a moment. "You're now married to the happiest woman alive," She then kisses her again, although this kiss is quite a bit longer.
As the whistling and cat-calling begins to rise, Zhi lets up and, holding Melodie's hand, turns and bows to the onlookers.
Melodie needs to second prompting, weaving one hand behind Zhi's back she leans in to kiss Zhi with all the passion she is capable of. Sparks almost literally fly as their lips touch and the kiss goes on until even Melodie's trained lungs are crying out for relief and air. Amidst the cheering and applause Melodie finally pulls back, her eyes flicker briefly down Zhi's neck and she growls a single, possessive word. "Mine!"
------------------------------
Disdaining the traditional exit procession, Melodie moves to speak individually with the guests, her hands never leaving Zhi's. As she sees a number of her agents and other villagers slipping out of the garden she begins the mental countdown which should mark time until the food is ready.
Befitting her rank the Princess is the first greeted along with Martella. "Thank you both so much for coming, you get credit for us ever meeting Martella, it feels right to have you here for the wedding as well."" She gives Martella a hug, not allowing the other woman to refuse, and gives Eutropia a brief, questioning glance to see whether a hug there would be welcome or intrusive. Even Taldogis, who behaved impeccably through the ceremony gets a scratch on the head.
Next are her parents who embrace both of the newly-weds with wide smiles. "I suppose I have two daughters now then!" Lord d'Valois says with a smile as he embraces Zhi, "I understand that your own father couldn't be here Zhi, and I have no intention of making things awkward, but you are a member of our family now and you mustn't call me 'Lord' anymore. My name is Louis, and I insist you use it, at the very least!"
Isabel, having just hugged Melodie for the second, or possibly third time, beams a radiant smile at them both. "So what are you doing about names? We can't really give you your wedding present until we know, and we didn't want to presume. I know your name is Mai Zhi, so does the first name come last in Tian culture my dear? Are you both joining House Valois or is Melodie a 'Mai' now? Not that it matters of course, you're a member of our family now, no matter what your names are."
Melodie glances at Zhi with the same question in her eyes. "There was talk about becoming d'Valois Mai Zhi wasn't there... wife?" The thrill she gets out of that is obvious.
With her parents questions answered it is time for friends and Melodie absolutely insists on hugging every one of them, even Malphene gets an embrace. "I'm sorry for how I've treated you recently." Melodie offers the noblewoman. "I've neither been a good host to you or a good friend to Sara and I'm sorry for that. I hope you can forgive me." She mouths an apology to Sara as well and moves on quickly.
"Don't worry, it's nearly over." She whispers to Maria, "Thank you so much for being here, it wouldn't have been the same without you. And your timing has been perfect. When the preparations became too much I sought out the most logical and brilliant mind in Stachys for support and Maria had been a pillar of organisation and brilliance." She confides to Zhi, "She deserves most of the credit for today!"
Dame Crabbe, Sepsinia and Voinum are all greeted with beaming smiles and embraces, Melodie's happiness flowing far too easily to be contained even by Voinum's legendary reserve. Finally comes Baron Okerra and Selli and Melodie leaves Okerra to Zhi for a moment, crouching down amongst her golden skirts to Selli's level.
"I thought we discussed this!" She says, teasingly, poking a finger at Selli. "I was meant to be the most beautiful girl in the procession, then you upstaged me! Don't you know you have to be nice and not look more pretty than the bride on her wedding day?" This is all said with a huge smile and Selli catches on quickly, giggling at Melodie's antics, before Melodie rises again and offers a hug to Baron Okerra.
"Thank you for standing with her." She whispers in the Baron's ear. "It means so much to all of us, and Selli was beautiful, absolutely beautiful."
Seeing one of the Domovoi appear and give her a significant nod Melodie breaks away from the wellwishers and hums a single resonant note which silences the crowd.
"Thank you everyone for coming. My wife and are so delighted to have you all here. Food and drinks are set up inside, so please help yourself and have a wonderful time!"
Seeing Melodie's hesitation, Princess Eutropia is the one to initiate the hug, drawing Zhi into the embrace as well. "I'm so happy for the two of you. Congratulations!"
Malphene returns her hug somewhat awkwardly. "Hey, no hard feelings," she mumbles.
Baron Okerra nearly crushes Melodie with his hug. "It was my absolute honor. You two were meant to be together." He surreptitiously wipes a few tears from his eyes.
While Maria hadn't wanted to be directly involved in the ceremony, that didn't mean she wasn't enjoying herself and happy for the couple. She'd certainly dressed for the occasion - a slinky pale-blue dress that was like a more modest form of the red one she'd worn that first party in Meratt. Still halter-topped, still slit high on one side, but with an actual back and not as daringly high a slit.
"Sandra and Kara deserve a lot of that thanks, Melodie, I did some of the organising but they were the ones with the ideas." She gestured to the pair further back mingling with the other guests, not that anyone needed help finding Kara thanks to her standing - quite literally - head and shoulders over everyone else.
Sara, so easily moved to tears, cries in silence the entire ceremony. Two of her very best friends, in front of her, pledging themselves together forever. It was more than she could bear.
She tries to contain herself during the hugs, telling them both that she loves them and they look beautiful and their ceremony was astounding, but she lets go and shuts up before it just becomes her blabbering, as she is wont to do. "I wish you all the best," she finishes, her hands each on one of the girls' shoulders, before pulling them back into another, thankfully abbreviated, tight hug
Melodie finally pulls back, her eyes flicker briefly down Zhi's neck and she growls a single, possessive word. "Mine!"
Zhi looks back up at Melodie through her lashes. "Yours" she says demurely.
~~~~~
Zhi lets herself be pulled along for the whirlwind of hugs, greetings, and meetings.
"I will do that, Louis," she says to her new father-in-law.
To Melodie and her mother's question regarding names, she responds, "Yes, I am now the Lady d'Valois Mai Zhi, wife of the Lady Melodie d'Valois." She punctuates it with a small bow. "So glad to meet you," she says with a playful grin.
When they reach the Okerras, Zhi struggles to keep her tears in check as she gives the large man a heart-felt hug. "Thank you so much for standing with me, Nicolaus. I don't think I would have been able to keep it together if I was up there by myself." She dabs at her eyes and brushes her nose.
"Thank you everyone for coming. My wife and are so delighted to have you all here. Food and drinks are set up inside, so please help yourself and have a wonderful time!"
"That's your cue," Zhi says to Selli, who then runs over and then returns with the same wooden box that Zhi was standing on.
The young rogue looks nervous again.
"I got you these and I hope ... I mean ... it's just ... " she begins to stammer. "Well, here," she finally says, flipping a catch on the side of the box and opening the lid.
Inside the box is a silk garment. It is a mix of blue and green and very sheer. As Melodie lifts it out of the box she can feel the smooth sensuousness of the fabric. The material drapes and flows like water.
Zhi reaches out and puts her hand on the robe.
"You can change what it looks like," she says. As if to demonstrate, she closes her eyes and the cut of the robe's neckline rises up, becoming more demure. It then lowers down to scandalous levels. The colors shift through varying shades before returning to blue and green. "It also keeps itself clean and can even repair itself. If ... for example ... someone tore it trying to ... " Zhi glances around and, noticing Selli looking the robe over, trails off. "It repairs itself," she finishes lamely.
Zhi then pulls from the box a smaller box. She presents it to Melodie.
Opening the small box reveals a necklace. On a gold chain is a small simple gold key. The bow of the key is open and heart-shaped. Within the open bow are set two green stones offset from the center.
"Here," Zhi says. "Let me." She lifts up the necklace and steps behind her wife. "We're going to have to have a talk about you and high-heeled shoes," she whispers as she reaches up to drape the necklace around Melodie's neck and fasten the clasp. "There's another part to this one, but you'll have to wait until later to see it," she says as she puts gentle kisses along Melodie's neck and up towards her ear.
~~~~~
As the new couple move through the crowd exchanging pleasantries and congratulations, a husky voice speaks up from behind them.
"It is so wonderful to see a young couple in love."
Zhi and Melodie turn around to see a tall dark-skinned Varisian woman standing there with a seductive smile. It's difficult to determine her age, she could be anywhere between twenty-five and fifty.
Zhi stiffens.
"So Lady Mai, aren't you going to introduce me to your new bride?" the woman says.
The young rogue takes a couple of breaths before speaking.
"Melodie, this is Tarina Izbasa. She's a business woman from Oparra. Tarina, this is my wife, the Lady Melodie d'Valois," Zhi says in a stiff formal tone.
"I am so glad to meet you," Tarina says, moving forward to take Melodie's hand. Mel can feel Zhi tense up. "I've heard so much about you. It's an honor to finally meet you in person."
Tarina's continues to hold Melodie's hand as she speaks, her eyes looking the woman up and down and finally settling on the gold necklace. "How very pretty. One would wonder what that unlocks," she says suggestively.
"That's none of your business," Zhi snaps.
Tarina rolls her eyes. "So sensitive," she says with a smile and a shake of her head.
"Tarina works with the Raven," Zhi says quietly to Mel. "Like I do." The last part seems to be directed toward Tarina rather then Melodie. "And I thought you were returning to Oparra?"
"Oh, I had to stay to meet the beautiful bride for myself. I needed to see what would be worth ... " she shrugs leaving her statement unfinished. "No matter. I see now why ... the Raven ... " she gives Zhi a knowing look, "would be so protective. I shall take my leave now."
The woman bows and disappears into the crowd.
Zhi closes her eyes and shakes her head.
"Sorry about that. I didn't expect her to be here at all," the woman says, taking Melodie's hand in hers. She brings the hand up and kisses the palm. Noticing something, she looks over Melodie's hands. She then reaches down and with a smile pulls the ring from the woman's hand and slides it on to the correct finger.
"Mine alone," she says with a raised eyebrow and a playful smile.
"It's beautiful!" Melodie breathes, allowing the fabric to run through her fingers, marvelling at the softness and sleek feeling of the material. "Is this silk? I've never seen something so light and beautiful!" She holds the garment in her hands and frowns lightly, until the garment turns a dark golden colour. Melodie drapes it around her back and over both elbows, enjoying the sensuous feeling of the silk of her skin.
"I have something for you too." She smiles, before passing one hand over Zhi's like a magician. When her hand passes Zhi finds herself carrying a jewellery box much like the one she was holding moments ago. Inside lies a necklace on a thin golden chain, holding an elaborate musical note embedded with light blue stones.
Within the circle of the necklace is another, smaller box containing a ring. The ring is a signet ring, with a stylized raven surrounded by Fleur-de-Lis. "This is yours, to make you officially part of the family." Melodie explains with a smile. "My parent's gave me mine on my eighteenth birthday and we all agreed you had to have one too."
With the brides having exchanged gifts Isabel and Louis approach, another small box in hand. On the front it has both women's names, addressing d'Valois Mai Zhi, as well as Melodie. Inside are two bracelets with clasped hands and a small ring of keys.
"Those are the keys to our summerhouse in the lakes." Louis explains with a smile. "Melodie always loved it as a girl, so we thought it would be a good place for the two of you to go for your honeymoon."
"The bracelets will get you through the wards on the property," Isabel adds. "Everything is prepared. Have a lovely time, both of you." Melodie grins delightedly and it is apparent that she's really excited by the prospect of their honeymoon.
--------------------------
A number of gifts from all sorts of guests follow and Melodie deals with them all with genuine delight until Tarina appears. Then Melodie's smile moves swiftly from happy, to polite, to fixed as the conversation takes its course. By the time Tarina is leaving Melodie's face is clearly unhappy and she mutters to Zhi, quietly but just loud enough for Tarina to hear "You were meant to keep that secret!"
Once the woman is safely out of range Melodie's smile returns, although there is still something troubled in her eyes. "Sorry, I was making that up, but it seemed like you need some cover. Tell me about it later, we can work something out."
------------------------
Much later, as the party begins to die down, Melodie stands up and again sings a note to attract attention. "I want to thank you all again for coming. It has been a truly wonderful event and every one of you has been a part of that. Please, stay as long as you wish and enjoy yourself. If you're still here in the morning we'll see you then!" She nods significantly to the Princess and her parents, all of whom have had bedrooms prepared for them. "But for now it has been a long day, and so Zhi and I bid you all goodnight! Thank you again every one of you!"
-----------------------
The next morning Melodie and Zhi breakfast, absolutely beaming before setting off for the d'Valois summer estate, making their plans to return in two weeks and leaving with another round of thanks and well wishes, as well as a large amount of luggage.
The two weeks after the wedding seem to pass by rather quickly. The rest of you keep busy with various downtime activities around Stachys. Zileska continues to entertain Duchess Veleto in private. The two seem to have settled into a "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding the trompe l'oeil's true nature. Baron Telus visits a few times as well, eager to continue courting the alluring Calistrian.
Sara and Lucretzia spend quite some time together as well. Dating her involves a fair amount of teaching her adaptability, tolerance for others, and willingness to organize for the overall goal of liberty. In the long run, though, sharing her life with another person— and all the negotiation that entails—may be one of the healthiest possible outcomes of her clandestine lifestyle. With a lot of patience, Sara may yet shape the Night Swan into a figure worthy of the common folk's adulation.
Sara's agents report back to her in the state of the War for the Crown. Several of the lesser aspirants for the throne have abandoned their bids, either due to lack of funding or lack of support. With Meratt County fully behind Eutropia, she has secured the loyalty of most of Taldor's central prefectures. Maxillar Pythareus still commands the favor of the south, while the north is becoming a hotly contested battleground. It seems that the next front in the war will be centered around the trading hub of Yanmass. Both Eutropia and Pythareus have already sent agents there to try to win over the city's Mercantile Council.
Of note in Yanmass, her agents report a mysterious cult is rising to prominence among the common people, It's called the Cult of the Twilight Child, but details about its nature are sparse at this time.
Soon after Melodie and Zhi return from their honeymoon, you are summoned to the Palace of Birdsong. The palace is now bustling with activity as artisans work to restore its faded glory and visiting diplomats elbow one another in the halls. Martella Lotheed is waiting in her office, with a platter of honey cakes and a steaming teapot on her desk.
"Thank you all for arriving so quickly, and please help yourselves to refreshments. I hope you've all enjoyed a well- deserved rest. I'd offer more, but I've been giving the serving staff a lot of days off in light of recent... upheavals, and we've been a bit short-handed.
"Let me ask: How much do you know about Yanmass? If it isn't much, I have a few books you can read on your way, because that's your next stop. The city has been neutral up until now but commands considerable wealth and access to exclusive trade goods; its support would be invaluable, and the princess and Pythareus have both sent delegations to win an alliance with the Mercantile Council that runs the city. But our agent, Sir Meir Dratavis, has gone missing. His last correspondence mentioned troubling recent events: bandit raids, cult activity, missing soldiers. He was working alongside Pythareus's representative, an earl named Yander Merkondus, to resolve the problems, but I haven't heard anything since, and I suspect foul play. Find Meir, or else continue his work of convincing Yanmass to formally back Eutropia.
"I have another reason to dispatch you quickly, though. This cult Meir mentioned, the Cult of the Twilight Child... they claim to worship a resurrected Prince Carrius, Eutropia's younger brother who died 20 years ago. Attempts to resurrect him shortly after his death failed. While it's possible for a powerful spellcaster to raise the dead after so long, it still strikes me as suspicious that a potential claimant to the throne has just happened to appear. Eutropia hasn't yet heard these rumors, and I'd like them investigated quickly and quietly."
Sara's jaw drops at the implications. "Carrius, alive? You don't suppose it could be Pythareus' doings?"
She holds off on asking about what's bothering Martella until after the conversation.
Martella frowns. "I... have no idea. Maxillar Pythareus's Imperialists claim that the vote against primogeniture either never happened, or else is invalid given the violent circumstances, meaning Eutropia, as a woman, cannot claim the throne. But by their arguments, Carrius would be a more legitimate heir than Pythareus, who was only adopted. If anything, this complicates both Eutropia's and Pythareus's claims."
"This is a more than suspicious coincidence," Zhi says with a chuckle. "I don't buy it. It doesn't seem like something Pythareus would do so who's behind it?"
She shakes her head.
"It sounds like you don't want the Princess knowing about this at all. That's going to make it tough to prove or disprove because she'd be the one most able to do either."
Zhi meets Martella's gaze.
"Do we have to do this under a guise or can we investigate this openly?"
"However you deem the best approach. We know very little about the cult, except that its members seem friendly and it is popular with many locals. Meir claims the so-called Twilight Child has been healing the sick and injured with a touch, but he would hardly be the first self-proclaimed god I've seen claim the same. If you even suspect he may be genuine, return him here and I will do more to confirm his identity before we approach Eutropia. The last thing she needs right now is to relive the loss of her baby brother."
"If Dratavis was working with Pythareus' man ... Merkondus, you said? Is there a chance Merkondus has something to do with his disappearance? What do we know about him?"
"The Merkondus family operates in sea trade. They're landed in Moda prefecture, but Yander works heavily in Oppara. I've had the dubious pleasure of working with him in the past, and he is charming, insightful, and ruthlessly efficient. He's the sort of man you watch very carefully, only to be struck down by a carriage you never saw coming.
"I offered to send a specialist to protect Meir, but he insisted that Pythareus and the earl were honorable men who would let the strongest argument succeed. I hope that decision didn't prove to be his downfall."
"So our mission is two-fold." Melodie summarises. "Go to Yanmass and sway the Mercantile Council, which may or may not involve dealing with this Yander Merkondus. Besides this we need to investigate this Cult of the Twilight Child and see if its claims are genuine."
She hmms over the question of motive. "Could it be a third party? You say it would destabilise both Eutropia and Pythareus. Perhaps one of the weaker claims has engineered it to try and discredit them both and open their own way to the throne."
"Zileska, we'll need to talk about the school before we leave."
"I suppose that is possible, Lady d'Valois. We won't know for sure until you get to the bottom of things."
Taking advantage of the quiet, Maria was catching up on some reading on the manor's back patio. As the inventor among the novel's protagonists dove into a hot spring with a bag full of raw sodium - mid-way through the description of the resulting blast, in fact - she was interrupted by the whump of displaced air, a clatter, and a string of very impolite language that cycled through about three different languages before the speaker finally shifted back to Taldan.
"I didn't take this job to be your bloody guinea pig!" he called out to the empty air around him. "I know your scrying on me you old bastard; making sure I didn't wind up inside a wall or something!"
The young man was tall and lanky, though that was difficult to see under the heavy coat and the assortment of bags and satchels draped across his form. What was immediately noticeable were the pair of goat-like horns protruding from an unruly mop of dirty-blonde hair, contrasting sharply with his deep-maroon skin. A second glance, as he stumbled slightly, drew the attention to the fact that his legs ended in hooves rather than feet and a long tail snaked out to try and adjust his backpack as he retrieved a cane that he had dropped. Leaning on the cane, he looked around to try and get his bearings, seemingly oblivious to the manor that was right behind him.
"Tash?" Maria called out, recognising the fellow tiefling. He turned at the sound, his bright-red eyes lighting up in recognition and relief. To anyone watching, it would be clear that he was about a year or two younger than Maria, and to anyone listening his accent would be one more at home in the Narrows - though few if any from that part of Oppara could afford the clearly-expensive outfit he was wearing.
"Maria?" he asked. "Bloody hell; the old man's aim was right. Even if it did drop me two feet above the ground."
Maria hurried over to him, making sure he was alright. "What the hell are you doing here? I assume Darius sent you here?"
"Yeah; bleedin' Darius - he figured you'd need a hand or two with any enchanting work you needed doing 'round here. I offered and apparently he figured hiring a carriage or something was gonna be too expensive. Shoved all this crap on me then used some locating spell to find your location, then flung me over here. Honestly; as much as I appreciate you getting me this apprenticeship with Darius, the man can be a flamin' lunatic at times."
"Well, come inside in any case. We'll put all that stuff away for now and then find you somewhere to stay in town."
"Cheers. Oh; and here." From one of the pouches weighing him down, he produced Maria's sword cane. She'd left it with Darius to add some extra enchantments to it and he'd promised to deliver it to her after the wedding. He also disentangled one of the bags from his unwanted collection and handed that along with the cane. "Got lucky with the timin' on the bag; Darius was makin' this one for another client but they had to back out for... some reason or other, he never said. Bag was half-done when you asked him for one."
"Might not even be an existing claimant - could be an enterprising independent group looking to get themselves a puppet ruler."
Martella nods to Maria. "I'm sure you ladies will be able to suss out the truth of the situation. If you have no further questions, I'd suggest you prepare yourselves and your agents to depart as soon as possible. You'll likely be gone for quite a while, so make sure you take care of whatever business you need to here in Meratt before you leave."
As the group leaves, Sara approaches Martella privately. "Hey, I thought it a bit rude to just ask this out of nowhere, but are you doing alright? I get the distinct impression that this ain't all that's bothering you."
Martella sighs. "It's Bartelby. I've been visiting him almost every day since we took over the palace. At first, it was fun to gloat and rub his defeat in his face, but being jailer to my own flesh and blood is starting to become painful. I'm not Zileska. I don't take pleasure from vengeance, deserved though it may be. All I want from him--all I have ever wanted--is resolution and support. He's my brother. Family is supposed to be there for one another."
Sara sits down and invites Martella to do the same.
"I know the feeling, almost. My father was an evil, abusive wretch and when he died, I sold his body at his own funeral. Months later, I realized that that was the only kind thing he had ever done for me, and I grieved. If not for him or his memory, then for the absence of a parent I had deserved. I can't imagine being in your place.
"But if you want my advice," she starts, gathering Martella's hands in her own and pulling them into her lap, "I see two options. You could spend genuine time with him, offering friendship and support: he would hate it and you could eventually build that relationship that the two of you lack, so, two wins there. Or you could have him executed, put it out of your mind entirely. He certainly deserves it, and the common folk would love to watch him die, but then you never have the chance to resolve this feeling.
"I know which I would do if it was my own father. I would kill him," as she says this, her black eyes narrow and her muscles tense, her grip on Martella's hands increasing. She lets go, and turns away. "But I think that would only bring you pain. Martella, be there for him, even though he'll resent you for it. Show him charity, grace, kindness, all that you are that makes you better than him, but not to prove it. Be that way because you are."
She offers the woman a tight hug and stands. "I really must be going, I have to get all the birds on the back of that carriage. I'll miss you, and the Princess. We will return with good news."
As Melodie is packing for the journey, Zhi assists however she can.
"Hey, I don't know if you're aware," Zhi says casually. "But Sara's birthday is on the 2nd. We're probably still going to be traveling then. Should we take something along to celebrate with?"
Arrange Secret Meeting
Martella's eyes widen slightly when Sara squeezes her hand, but she nods at the advice. "Thank you, Dame Burke. I'll try the kind approach. Be safe on your mission."
"Miss Burke," she reminds her as she leaves. "I refused the knighthood, after all."
"Of course. My mistake. Perhaps I will just stick with Sara."
"Really?" Melodie says with a smile. "Go downstairs and ask the Domovoi what we have left in the cellar, we should pack a few nice things to celebrate with. And then you'll stop packing my bags wrong!" She takes a playful swipe at Zhi's behind on the way out.
"Really?" Melodie says with a smile. "Go downstairs and ask the Domovoi what we have left in the cellar, we should pack a few nice things to celebrate with. And then you'll stop packing my bags wrong!" She takes a playful swipe at Zhi's behind on the way out.
"Hey!" Zhi says, holding up a defensive hand. "I'm not the one packing bags wrong. It's clear, however, that you wish to live in denial in regards to your packing abilities."
She gestures towards her haversack near the door.
"My packing is complete. I just figured I would share my coveted abilities with my wife."
With a giggle, she then makes her escape out the door.
"The bag organises it for you, that's cheating!" Melodie yells down the stairs after her escaping wife, although it's clear she's trying not to laugh.
The next morning, after saying farewells to your friends and neighbors, your caravan departs Stachys heading north along the Oppara Highway. After passing through Lotheedar, you turn east down the Dalaston Hallway, heading out of Tandak Prefecture and into Krearis. The most populous noncoastal Taldan prefecture, Krearis stretches from the Falling River in the north to the base of the World's Edge Mountains in the south and to the Verduran Forest in the west. The rugged terrain, rocky hills, and boggy creeks of Krearis create dozens of distinct and isolated landscapes, from rolling fields to primeval forests to marshy wetlands. The hardy, stubborn people who settle here embrace this isolation, making them resistant to any sort of central authority, and a popular joke the rest of Taldor tells is that Krearis is ready to go to war with any of its neighbors... whenever it can stop going to war with itself. The region sees frequent infighting among its earls and especially among its barons, sometimes exploding into bloody battles.
The southern part of the prefecture supports Eutropia's bid for the throne, but the northern sections are split between lesser contenders Nazezi and Merkander. From her new power base in Meratt, though, the princess can focus her agents on convincing the holdouts of the righteousness of her cause.
After four days on the road, stopping at small roadside inns each night, you reach the small town of Dalaston in southern Krearis. Dalaston hosts one of the region's most productive iron mines. It also hosts the Blackpeak Brewery, which brews the region's preeminent ales and distills fine whiskeys under the masterful management of the Irini family.
Your arrival coincides with a time for celebration--it's Sara's birthday!
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"Ok, now that dinner is out of the way," Zhi says with a groan as she looks over the remains of the expansive repast that constituted the meal. "It's time for a celebration." She reaches into her bag and produces two bottles of red wine, a frosted white glass bottle, and an expensive looking bottle of whiskey.
She passes the whiskey to Sara.
"Now that's from me, Happy Birthday," she says. "If I had thought about it, I would have picked some up here. Remember," she adds, giving Sara a meaningful eye. "Drink it with friends."
She then produces five small glasses and proceeds to open the white bottle. "And this one is for drinking."
The small woman opens the bottle and tops each of the glasses off and passes them around. She holds hers up.
"To my friend, Sara," she says solumnly. "Someone who has shown me time and time again what loyalty is about. Someone who has shown me that strength doesn't neccessarily equate to crudeness. Someone who has shown me ... " She ponders for a moment and then begins to blush. "To Sara! A bad-ass b*@%^!!" Zhi then downs the contents of her glass.
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"To Sara," Melodie continues, having refused more than half a glass, "A woman who shows us that we can outgrow any limits, be anything we want to be!"
"And the woman who taught me how to swear properly." She adds as an after-thought.
Sara blushes and allows herself to be fawned over, quite happy for any amount of positive attention. She accepts the bottle, rolling her eyes at Zhi's chastisement but not interjecting.
As her friends toast her with wishes of many happy returns, she stands to raise her glass in turn. "To my loyal, loving friends. It's hard to be afraid of the future when I have such beautiful women to celebrate it with."
Zhi turns a shocked face to Melodie.
"You swear!?" she asks, the picture of surprise. She reaches out and refills her glass from the white bottle. "You'd think after everything we've shared ... you spring this on me?" She drains the glass. "You think you know a girl."
"So what other secrets did you wait until after we were married to share? Are you a Chelish spy as well? Did you have a secret love child with a Vadruni prince? Are you actually wealthy beyond my wildest dreams?"
She considers refilling her glass a third time, but thinks better of it.
"Although that last one wouldn't be so bad," she smirks.
"How wild are your dreams?" Melodie asks with a smile. "d'Valois aren't the greatest noble house in Oppara, but we're not poor either - and that includes you too you know!"
She then looks around the table, stony faced. "Yes, I am a Chelish spy. And that goes no further than this room, clear?"
"Does that mean we can afford to buy me a second pair of socks?" Zhi snarks. "And I won't tell anyone you're a spy; you'd murder me in my sleep," she says, leaning over to give her wife a quick kiss.
"Very convincing, Mels, but unless you and Zhi went all the way to Cheliax on your honeymoon, I just don't see how you would have time to report in, given all that we've been doing."
"Well, she did disappear for a few minutes on the first night," Zhj says with a suspicious look. "She said she had to pee, but now that I think about it, it was a rather long time if that's all she had to do."
Melodie just grins widely and leans over to give Zhi a kiss. "Yes you can have a new pair of socks dear, I just got my new stipend from Queen Abrogail."
Maria wasn't much for speeches, but still wished Sara a happy birthday. Even had a present for her - a bottle of 4708 d'Ontalen Merlot from Varisia. Her father had bought it back in '09 when it was cheap(ish, it was still imported) and it had just been collecting dust on the cellar wine rack. When they'd been back to Oppara, she'd grabbed it originally so she'd have something on-hand for a special occasion. Then she learnt, after the wedding, that Sara's birthday was coming up (it wasn't opened at the wedding because drinks had been already sorted out before she'd remembered about the bottle).
"To be fair, Mel, you would look great in a Chelaxian dress."
After celebrating in Dalaston, you continue on your trek. Another five days of overland travel gets you to the Brokenbridge River, where you board a barge and journey upstream before taking a series of canals to finally reach the city of Yanmass, the capital of Avin Prefecture, after five more days of travel.
Taldor's largest and northernmost prefecture, Avin stretches from the Fog Peaks to the Falling River and west to the Verduran Forest. As Avin is one of the breadbasket prefectures, its economy revolves heavily around its many farms and ranches. Producing much of Taldor's wheat and gifted with access to Casmar trade and the presence of the Taldan Horse, Avin enjoys an unusual level of political influence for such a far-flung region.
Yanmass is the northernmost sizable settlement in Taldor, situated on a pair of low hills alongside the wide Verduran Fork. The only city of significant size in Avin Prefecture, Yanmass is the center of trade coming west from the Padishah Empire of Kelesh north of the World's Edge Mountains. Constantly filled with merchants arriving from across the Whistling Plains with wares from distant markets and caravans loaded with Taldan goods for shipment east, Yanmass is always bustling and lively. The long-established nobility of Yanmass keeps the peace with its own city guard and the elite cavalry known as the Taldan Horse, both funded from taxes levied on trade.
Visitors to Yanmass first notice the sea of tents surrounding the city's weathered stone walls. In pleasant summer months, this tent town sprawls larger than the city within the walls. At the center of the city rise two low hills. The smaller hill has steeper sides and supports the bureaucratic center of Yanmass. The larger hill is covered with ancient trees surrounded by well-tended grounds— this is Hedge Hill, a well-known park. The roofs of a variety of opulent inns, ornate homes, and sturdy warehouses rise above the city walls, reminding visitors that civilization and hospitality are available even in this distant outpost—but for a price.
You have arrived on the day of Baron Mauston Kustios's monthly meeting with the city's ruling Mercantile Council. Normally, city business is private, but you have been granted admission to the council's meetings per Lady Martella Lotheed's request. Now would be an excellent opportunity to attempt to sway the city's leaders to the Loyalist cause. You'll have scarcely enough time to wash off the road dust and dress in your finest clothes before reporting to Yanmass's Commerce Hall.
"To be fair, Mel, you would look great in a Chelaxian dress."
"Thanks Maria." Melodie replies with a smile. "Shall we go shopping sometime and you can show me what sort of thing I should be looking for?"
By the time they arrive at the town meeting Melodie has taken full advantage of her many sartorial tricks to be dressed in finely made clothing of a local style. This includes the Stavian coat of arms over her breast, since the group is representing Princess Eutropia, they might as well be honest about it!
Before the group goes in she looks around, "Same thing as the Gala? Split up and cover as much ground as we can? Zhi, Maria, can one of you try to identify our opposite number subtly? It might be good if he can't pick all of us by sight."
As the group enter she looks for a servant or herald who can give her a quick who's-who of the Council and its guests.
Resembling an opulent manor house rather than a city-administration building, Commerce Hall has elaborate stained-glass windows, enormous chandeliers, and gold accoutrements throughout. Yanmass's Mercantile Council conducts its business in Commerce Hall on most days, although the council meets here in its entirety with Baron Kustios only once every few weeks.
The liveried soldiers at the entrance check your credentials before directing you to a halfling official named Gregor Hamble. "Good day, my ladies. I shall escort you to the audience chamber."
He perks up at Melodie's questions. "I am happy to assist you, my lady! The 19-member Mercantile Council consists of five principals and 14 associates who represent the wealthy interests of Yanmass. Unfortunately, I must regret to inform you that Baron Kustios is too ill to attend today's meeting. He has been sick at home for several days. One of the associate councilors, the banker Rhundle Navin, is also unexpectedly absent, but the other members of the council are all in attendance. They are also hosting another guest, Earl Yander Merkondus, who is already in the chambers. I understand Earl Merkondus is a wealthy aristocrat from southwestern Taldor who has expressed strong Imperialist leanings. Politically, though, the Mercantile Council doesn't lean particularly strongly either way--although certain members of course have their own opinions.
"The five principals of the council are Lord Rudig Autun, Yanmass's largest spice importer and one of its wealthiest citizens; Lady Aumber Gewbell, a clothing importer and exporter; Lady Carmelio Rauls, who deals primarily in armor, weapons, and equestrian gear and holds a lucrative contract to supply the Taldan Horse; Chief Enumerator Abrun Palliettor, the high priest of Abadar in Yanmass; and Lady Hallianna Cobbin, who owns several large orchards and ranches in the outskirts of the city.
"Do you have any other questions before we go inside?"
"To be fair, Mel, you would look great in a Chelaxian dress."
Zhi smirks.
"Why wouldn't she?" she says, giving Melodie a leer. "After all, she looks incredible out of one."
~~~~~
"Do you have any other questions before we go inside?"
"Yes," Zhi says, speaking up. "Is there currently a speaking protocol, or can we speak with whomever we wish?"
The rogue has exchanged her tunic and breeches for her gold and green dress.
"After introductions are made, the council will call the meeting to order. They'll address the main topics for their meeting first, after which you'll be invited to speak. Following that, the council will break into smaller groups to discuss civic matters. During that time, you'll be free to mingle and approach any of the council members you wish to speak with."
The stillness of the woods is broken by the croaking of a raven.
"Could you really pick somewhere more stereotypical?" Tarina snarks as she enters the clearing. She eyes the bird sitting on a broken stump and rolls her eyes.
"~Where arreee you?~" she calls out in sing-song.
There is a moment of stillness before the raven croaks again.
"You're early," Zhi says, appearing between the trees and coming to stand next to the restless bird. She reaches down and strokes the side of the bird's head.
"I have things to do. Important things, as you well know," the Varisian woman responds with a smile. She gives the rogue a knowing look. "So how was your honeymoon? Did you enjoy your time alone with the Lady d'Valois? She's very beautiful."
"The Raven had another meeting and sent me instead," Zhi says, not giving the question a response other than a flushed face.
"Of course she did. My, but aren't you all business," Tarina says with another roll of her eyes. She takes a few steps closer to the small Tian woman. "So, business then. What did ... the Raven ... need to tell me?"
"We're ... the Raven's moving operations," Zhi answers.
"We are?" The tall woman shrugs. "That makes sense. The Princess is ensconced in the Palace and things are looking better. Not enough strife here - I should have known it was too peaceful to stay." As she talks she walks closer to Zhi, finally moving around to stand behind her. "Where are we moving?"
Zhi continues facing forward, seeming more comfortable not looking at the tall woman. "Yanmass," she says.
"Yanmass? Why would you move us to Yanmass?" Tarina says in disgust, stepping closer to Zhi.
"Because that's where ... " the rogue says, before shaking her head. "I'm not the one moving us there, the Raven is."
"Oh, sweetling," the older woman says, reaching out and running a finger up the side of Zhi's neck. Zhi steps away with a start and turns to face her agent. "There's no need to keep playing this game," the woman continues with a seductive smile. "I'm not dense. I can see the all the signs in front of me. I can keep your secret. I won't even tell your beautiful bride." The woman looks thoughtful. "Unless you've already told her, of course."
Tarina steps closer again.
"I can keep other secrets, though," she says looking the young woman up and down.
"I'm moving my agents to Yanmass because that is where I need them to be." A voice comes from the woods. "And you, Tarina, can stop trying to play games of your own with Zhi there. I don't interfere in my people's personal lives - not unless they ask me to. Like a certain struggling, would-be-crime-lady who needed help in the Narrows."
From behind Tarina steps a Mwangi woman of medium height, dark braids tight along her head. Her form wavers, shifting slightly in the shadows and there appear to be two, or maybe even three of the Raven at any one moment.
Zhi's look of surprise at the Raven's appearance looks genuine.
Tarina's eyes narrow and she looks quickly from the Raven to Zhi and then back again. Examining options and discarding them as quickly. Forming conclusions.
"Madam Raven. It's so nice to see you again," she says looking at Zhi. "I was told you wouldn't be able to be here."
"I'm not a mobster Tarina, simply someone who wants to do the best she can in a confused world. Tians, Varisians, there are many people ignored in Taldan society. That can be a strength for us - Taldan nobility has no time to look past their own noses while things run smoothly. But discord, disharmony, my agents threatening each other! These things attract attention, and attention is bad for business."
"I respect you, Raven," Tarina says, steel joining the silk in her voice. "But I haven't threatened anyone. Clean your own wagon before you disparage mine. Who was the one that sent Kaito back to Oparra with a dagger in his arm? Oh, wait, that was you."
Zhi closes her eyes and cringes.
Tarina notes the rogue's reaction. "Or was it?" She smiles.
The Raven leans against a tree, form still flickering. "Since you have done good work in Oppara I will give you the courtesy of an explanation - this once. Zhi is close to the Princess Eutropia, whose gratitude could be valuable in the long-run, she is now married into a Taldan noble house, this gives her status. Yes, mistakes have been made here in Stachys - perhaps I have been more lenient than I should with Zhi but that is because the reward is great, and I have no doubts of her loyalty."
She stalks up towards Tarina, black eyes glaring. "I can see inside your head Tarina, always scheming, always plotting for a larger slice of the pie. I don't object, as long as you remember who it is that got you there. If you want a war of your own I will give it to you!" The Raven smiles, showing incongruously straight white teeth, with just a hint of a point to them before stepping past Tarina to Zhi.
"Now Mai Zhi, Tarina has met me in person. That makes her special, more so than most of our other agents. So treat her well, and make no more mistakes! I am not coming to clear up your mess again. Clear?"
Zhi keeps her eyes on the ground.
"Yes, my Pr ... Yes Ma'am," Zhi says meekly.
At Zhi's agreement the Raven steps back, offers a theatrical bow to both ladies, and vanishes into the woods again, as a raven caws loudly overhead.
Tarina watches the spot where the Raven vanished for a moment before turning to look at Zhi who still stands looking down. She steps closer to the young rogue, reaches out and tips the woman's chin up with her finger. Expecting meek timidity, Tarina is surprised to see that Zhi's eyes are filled with challenge.
"So, you do have feelings for her," she says, tipping her head in the direction the Raven vanished. "Does your pretty fluff of a singer know?" Tarina turns again to look at the empty woods. "Unless ... "
She makes a decision. "Expect to hear from me in Yanmass then," she says as she turns and nods at Zhi and then makes her way back down the trail she arrived by.
Zhi stands for a while pondering as she strokes the raven's head.
"And is this Earl the same Merkander making a bid for the throne? What is his claim?"
Sara wears a pastel blue and white dress in the local style, compliments of the Envoy Ring.
This Merkander is working for Pythaeus, not himself." Melodie replies."Which frankly makes him even more dangerous I think. So who's going to speak to the council? I still think it would be worth one of us staying in the background simply so we have a surprise card or two to pull if" ('When' her eyes say) "things get a little nasty."
She turns back to Hamble. "Sir, is this spate of illness normal? To be missing two members of the mercantile council seems... unusual. Do either of the unfortunate members have strong political leanings of their own?"