I like having an excuse to visit the castle. We are much more likely to pick up new information about the state of the city there. Lets return this trinket post haste.
Rosa sighs. "Oh, fine, you guys can give the brooch back."
Rosa, you wouldn't be able to wear it without getting picked up by the guards any how. And that just wouldn't do. I ... uh ... I mean, we can get you something similar or even more tailored to your tastes. You know, um ... if you want.". Seren trails off andflushes a bit.
"Agreed. Let's be off then."
"Make certain to look presentable," Absinthe says. She flicks a speck of dust from her sleeve and smiles sadly. "It might improve our chances of getting out of the castle in one piece again, given the current unrest."
Melianthe emerges from the back of Zellara's, yawning a bit, where she has set up a 'lair' with blankets and sheets to create a dark hideyhole of a place. She has gotten comfortable around the others and is wearing what she might normally wear at 'home' or in the woods: a simple halter top of dark fabric that resists dirt, a slight collar to the shirt, and something akin to a loincloth. Her exotic features and expanses of sleek grey skin and slender limbs would be somewhat more alluring if Hloire wasn't crawling around her abdomen and up to her shoulders.
"What time is it? I can't get used to this day-schedule. I take it we're off to the castle?"
"It's morning, Mel. Well, you're going to have to get used to it. We're leaving as soon as everyone is ready, including you. I don't think they'll let you in the castle dressed like that. Well they might, but get dressed anyhow."
Mel blinks. "Oh, of course." She disappears for a bit and reappears in proper, covered, doctorly fashion.
"I'd love to get a true doctor's outfit now that we have some solvency. No time now, I suppose. Blast these diurnal outings."
You head out from Zellara's and make your way through Midland up Field Marshal Avenue. The walk is peaceful, but everywhere you look are furtive glances, mistrust and fear.
Set atop an ancient Thassilonian ruin in the shape of a flat-topped pyramid, Castle Korvosa can be seen from all corners of the city. It is a magnificent architectural achievement, its walls and spires rising high into the sky above. Although one corner of the foundation has fallen into ruin, the additions built onto the sides by eager and talented Korvosan masons have created one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Varisia.
IMAGE (with the city's famed psuedodragon and imp swarms in battle)
All approaches to the castle are blocked by a picket of guards and fortifications at the base of the pyramid. Pikes and crossbows bristle in all directions, and the guards eye you suspiciously as you approach.
"Oi! State yer bus'ness or piss off!" a sergeant yells down from the gate overlook.
"We found the queen's brooch. We'd like return it, we heard there's a reward." Demitri will slowly pull out the item and show it as proof.
Segang shows his hands. We are loyal to the city and its rightful ruler. We are on your side.
The sergeant squints down at the brooch, and shakes his head. But he replies gruffly, "Don' move."
"Didn't your ancestors burn Korvosa? To the ground?" whispers Melianthe to Segang.
Rosa (who has been holding onto the brooch the entire time) sheepishly realizes it's probably time to actually give it up and pulls it off. Reluctantly. "I believe this is the item in question. As lovely as it is, I suppose it really isn't mine."
Absinthe keeps to the back of the group and says... nothing. Her eyes are arting this way and that, however, as if she is looking for something important.
"A'ight, hold on," the sergeant says after you explain. He speaks with his men behind the wall, then hops down to open the gate. He waves you inside, but points towards a large strongbox by the portal. "Leave y'r weapons... all of them." The sergeant and half a dozen guards stand by, watching you closely.
A pained expression crosses Absinthe's face, but she slowly divests herself of her rapier, a dagger and three darts. "Might one be so bold as to ask for a receipt?" she asks in a hopeful tone.
Demitri will hand over his sword and club without any hesitation. No one in their right mind would let a bunch of armed civilians into the castle. "We don't need one. I trust we'll get them back."
Seren passes over his weapons, grumbling something about bureaucrats.
Segang complies, leaving long sword, spear, javelins, and a club.
Melianthe divests herself of her weapons, and after a moment, her doctor mask.
Rosa pulls a semi-hidden dagger from under her skirt, but almost forgets to leave the more obvious whip until a guard coughs at her.
"Business and pleasure," chuckles Melianthe at Rosa.
Confirming that everyone is disarmed, the sergeant leads you with a detachment of obviously nervous guards. You march straight to the base of the pyramid and up the steps, a tedious climb. The mastaba is built on a cyclopean scale, and though it is obviously large when viewed from a distance, only experienced first hand do you truly appreciate its size. From the plateau, you gain a magnificent view of the entire city and surrounding lands for miles in every direction.
The guards halt as a beautiful woman dressed in magnificent full plate armor walks from the castle gate to meet you. She carries herself with the confidence of one in high command, and is obviously comfortable in the heavy armor. IMAGE (though imagine the hair a few shades darker)
The sergeant stands at attention and salutes. "Lady Merrin. These're the persons who claim to've recover'd the Queen's jewels." He is clearly trying to speak more formally in her presence.
She turns to you, presenting a mirthless half-smile as she takes in your eclectic mix. "Is that so? You have something that belongs to the Queen?"
Rosa sighs but turns over the brooch.
Melianthe does her best to curtsey and doesn't offer an explanation; she knows enough of royalty not to speak first.
The woman's eyes widen as you reveal the brooch, but instead of taking it from Rosa, she stands aside and gestures towards the castle. "You will come with me to deliver it to the Queen herself." She looks over at the sergeant and adds, "You may return to your posts. These heroes pose no threat to Her Majesty."
Absinthe stays at the back of the group and acts generally quiet and unobtrusive.
Demitri will follow the woman as ordered quietly and respectfully.
Seren scrunches up his face in confusion, "Why didn't she take it? Why would the queen want to see a rag tag group like us?"
Segang corrects Seren. Hey. We are heroes. Didn't you hear the lady.
"Maybe the queen really wants this brooch back."
"Obviously. Now hush and mind your manners." Melianthe bows her head, not before shooting an eye-dagger at Demitri.
As you walk towards the entrance, the woman finally introduces herself in a curt tone. "I am Sabina Merrin, the Queen's handmaiden. Her Majesty is in a state of mourning; I ask you to be mindful. How would you each like to be introduced?"
I am called Segang, free rider of the Shoanti Shriikiri-Quah, but I lived in this city for much of my youth.
"Ah," Absinthe murmurs. "One, ah, wonders whether the Queen would not be... offended to be introduced to a tiefling? One would be perfectly willing to stay in back and remain silent."
"Well you're not just any tiefling, you're a tiefling hero who helped recover a prized possession . I believe she would be suitably impressed." Demitri replies to Absinthe.
"I am Demitri Severin."
Sabina gives Absinthe an amused look. "Her Majesty has met tieflings before. I should not worry that she will take exception to your heritage, though she may wonder why you go un-introduced."
"I am Rosa a simple...servant of Calistria." Okay, a quarter of the truth at best.
"Seren Dypethe, aspiring student of the arcane."
"Melianthe Ssulissien, a Dusk Elf of the Churlwood, and in the last decade or so a doctor of Korvosa."
Sabina nods, quietly in your responses. She leads you up a long, wide staircase on the castle's exterior, climbing two stories before entering a double-doored gate. From the entrance hall, you pass through two or three more halls and rooms. The castle is quiet and somber, and you see no guests or courtiers, only the occasional servant on a hasty errand. Sabina slows her pace, saying "Ready yourselves. Follow my example."
Sabina turns a corner and you enter the throne room. She calls out your names and stands aside to let you enter. "Your Majesty, may I present Demitri Severin, esquire. Seren Dypethe, arcane scholar. Segang, warrior of the Shriikiri-Quah. Rosa of Calistria. Melianthe Ssulissien, chiurgeon. And One, friend." She offers Absinthe a subtle wink.
The throne room is pristine but empty, with a vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows of past kings and queens looking down from the eastern wall, and crimson tapestries hanging along the others. An immense fireplace offers additional light and heat to the hall, and a silk carpet provides a gently arching path to the base of the Crimson Throne.
Queen Ileosa sits there, dressed in a black mourning dress and veil. She is a vision of beauty despite her demeanor and garb. On her lap sits a silver coffer.
Sabina walks up to the throne, pausing to bow three times at specific intervals, deepening the gesture as she gets nearer to the monarch. Then she steps over and stands to the throne's left side to await your approach.
Rosa approaches carefully, trying hard to get the essence of the ritual before the specific motions.
Absinthe manages to keep from grimacing at the ceremony, but does her best to follow Sabina's example, and then to fade in behind the rest of the group once more.
Demitri will try to pick up from the queen's body language as to what she wants to see and will do that.
Melianthe watches carefully, then executes her genuflections as properly as she can.
Segang does his best not to stand out, but can't seem to get it right.
Seren attempts to properly pay respects ...
[
... and surprises himself with how well he pulls it off.
Guess a few things from the Acadamae stuck!