S'meena turned her head sharply such that her hair carried its movement with the momentum when she stopped. Facing the group, she hoisted the topic. "This man has skill with a sword? Though it is my second weapon, I would not want to see him cut down in an unfair fight should you encounter any peers of my undertalents."
Geoffrey chuckles. "I might actually be a bit rusty after all that desk work. I would appreciate some sparring before we went out." He gives a challenging grin to Takaral. "Well it's been a while, but I'm known for more than a strong jaw. Perhaps you would be interested in helping me hone my edge?"
The mage was then more direct. "You've changed."
Geoffrey's demeanor quiets a bit. "Well, I can't say the past few months have been easy on me. Ever since the decision I had to make in Xilres...those lives still weigh heavy on me. And a lot of bureaucracy since I've gotten back." He looks at Toramin. "And the decision with Marcus the Dog as well. I know you weren't particularly happy with my decision on that. Marcus has found work with the army. I've gotten a number of reports on his...abrasiveness, so I put him in my division. The man is...well he's an ass - pardon my language - but he lives to work and is damn good at it."
Dalton fully understood the weight on Geoffry's shoulders might make him uncomfortable, though his concerns stemmed from a more personal concern.
The transmuter sat back, his diadem twinkling in the dim light.
Did you have a contingency in plan for my mother? Think your speech a moment, for I'd rather not talk across the table about this.
Becoming less tough for a moment, S'meena gave a slightly inviting smile. "Not in public. Your friends would rather not have your standing lowered by embarrassment in a spar."
She glanced across the table to Toramin. "One of the earth-children hasn't shown the strength of stone to this youngster? I'm surprised."
Geoffrey gives a chuckle at Takaral. "Perhaps. Maybe upon the road than. I hardly think Korech would like us sparring in his restaurant anyways." He glances at Toramin. "Well at the time we met I hadn't spent much time with Toramin, and we were a bit busy with a war on our hands. Ever since he has been whisked away for other responsibilities. Perhaps we could have that contest as well."
As the talking continues, Geoffrey switches topics to something more commonplace as the server comes over, taking orders for the party. The options include an impressive array of seafood, but covers a number of high-end dishes of different varieties as well.
Ianna lays a comforting hand on Geoffrey's arm and gives him a reassuring squeeze when Dalton's questions grow pointed.
The priestess suspected that Geoffrey had changed. Those blessed by the gods bore a certain grace. While she couldn't be sure, she does not sense that grace about Geoffrey. But if . . . if . . . he has set aside his vows, then it is not a conversation she would want to have in public.
"I was concerned because it seemed to me to be an abnegation of your oaths. If the Lord of Cities followers will not hold up civilization, then who will? But as I told when we returned to the city: your vows are between you and your god. I will be your friend regardless. How is Marcus? I am glad he has not used his skills for wicked ends."
Toramin shrugs at the the outsider's rudeness. He does not care for the thing, but keeps his peace for Dalton's sake.
"A person's worth does not reside in her skill or in her strength. If you prove stronger or more skillful than another, what have you proven? Worth resides in character, which one demonstrates through actions. Strength and skill put to uses other than to edify and protect those less capable is either pride or tyranny. That is the 'strength of stone' that I show."
"Abrassive but productive. To be honest with a strong hand he's one hell of a soldier. Was almost an embarrassment when he was put with new recruits, he made them look like children in the circle."
Across the room the new guests are being seated, what appears to be some high-ranking nobles, followed closely by a pale half-elven guard wearing full plate and military colors.
"A little humility goes a long way." Heff could do well to learn that.
"He abides by his word. So, everything must be explicit."
"Geoffrey, what wine would you recommend?" Ianna asks softly.
"Yes we've learned that. But once something is explicit he follows it to the letter. A predictable man fares well in the army."
"Well if you were having something heavier I would recommend the same import I have, for a white the Xilres zinfandel is my favorite."
Ianna's keen eyes note the human queen.
"White generally pair better with the fruits that are my usual fair, but tonight I will try your red. Did you hear of the adamantine shortage in Grastle Hollow?"
Geoffrey nimbly takes Ianna's glass and pours some wine from his bottle. "I did, its caused a fair amount of economic uproar. According to what we received from Grastle Hollow they were having a serious criminal problem until...very recently." Geoffrey looks up at Ianna as though a lightbulb went on.
She listens to the discussion but doesn’t have anything in particular to add.
Rilka orders lightning trout, mushroom noodles, and a mix of grilled vegetables, rice, and spicy sauces. She asks the server, ”Do you have any of Merrystep’s beer? He’s a local halfling brewer,” she adds an aside to her companions. ”He calls one of his ales ‘puddle water’ so it might be too weak for you,” she tells Toramin.
Rilka follows Dalton’s gaze across the room. She sits up straighter when she recognizes who it is.
”I’m glad to hear crime is not such an issue in Grastle Hollow anymore. Hopefully the adamantine markets will be restored to a rational level.”
"We do indeed, we buy locally as well as importing."
"That is the hope, although a few weeks have passed and we haven't noticed any change yet. I'm not an expert in economics but the merchants and smiths seem very upset."
"The Trealamhgabha are trying to provide some relief to Grastle Hollow by using our banks to ship metals to that city. The merchants and smiths of Andril are likely buying their adamantine from their contacts among the Dibh Muileata, who sell Airgidcasúr metals. Although the Airgidcasúr mines do not have the same volume of adamantine as the mines above Grastle Hollow possess, it is a steady supply. They would likely be a better source for Andril's need, if the Airgidcasúr could bear to treat with . . . outsiders. The mark up by the Dibh Muileata middlemen likely stifles southern demand," Ianna opines.
Toramin favors Rilka with a gruff smile. "I like liquor, but I'm always surprised that a people famed for their resistance to poison would also be famed for having a troubled relationship with poisons."
"From what I understand the markup is the reason we get most of our adamantine from the gnomes, even with the increased shipping cost. But perhaps we could temporarily open trade until the situation clears up. I will bring it up during the next Queen's Council."
"The Dibh Muileata have grown wealthy exercising their traditional role as both a buffer to the more traditional clans and as the source of southern imports into the mountains. Our position is that while we sympathize with our friends and allies that the Dibh Muileata rate for our closet business partners and political allies does not always reflect that proximity, there is no profit for the Trealamhgabha to undercut the Dibh Muileata. They are our staunchest ally amongst the other clans, though since Toramin's birth we have grown closer with the Saifír."
Ianna gives a small laugh. "With how much you have to do deal with the nobles of your own land, Geoffrey, I doubt you find the dealings of the central families of the seven clans to be that interesting."
"It's always fun to navigate the intricacies of dwarven politics. I'm sure I can't hold a candle to your experience but I interact with them more than the average Andril noble, and I do not envy your politicians. They take all the complications the rest of the continent has combined and match it in their halls." He takes another swig of wine. "I'm still dealing with the fallout of the explosive gel used during the siege of Xilres. A secret explosive."
Ianna taps her lips thoughtfully, "Yes, that was a bit of a mess. As you know, the Trealamhgabha's ability to sell or share our advances in science and technology is tightly regulated by the Voices. I heard some whispers that there were some who felt you abused your family's connection to the central families. But it is not like you revealed the railways before your queen and our king make their respective proclamations. Moreover, those most displeased by your actions were not there. You were entrusted with secrets because you were deemed worthy of them. To castigate your judgment without a heavy burden of proof is to question the wisdom of those who entrusted you with the secrets in the first place. Or at least, that's my opinion. I try my best to not get too deeply entangled in political matters."
Toramin, a known partisan of the dwarven system of government, interjects. "Yes consensus is complicated, but in all of the lands I have seen, we have the highest standard of living. The rest of continent could do more to be like us. Universal education and preventative care are rights all sentients possess."
Ianna smiles at her brother, "Peace, Toramin. Yes, there is much to recommend about our people, but some may prefer greater personal autonomy. It is not unfair to say that in Dağın Kalp one finds one's place or a place is found for one. We have been very blessed that by circumstance and birth our place is one lavished with blessings. Yes, the floor of our society is high, but the ceiling is also high and with fewer ways to approach those heights."
"Ah you're right, let's not get too deep into politics. This is supposed to be my break, and I'm sure Dalton and Rilka and S'meena are not interested." He smiles and falls silent for a moment as drinks are refilled, then looks across the room and looks briefly shocked. "Oh - apparently her highness deigned to dine here this evening."
"You do take us to the nicest places, Geoffrey." Ianna murmurs as she smiles into her wine glass.
Geoffrey blushes, briefly reminding the party of his young age. "Well it's the least I could do..."
Toramin, who hadn't noticed the queen, looks up in surprise. He had met her once years ago when she had accompanied her parents on a state visit to the dwarven capital. She had been a child then, but so too was he at the time. They had both changed so much. He hadn't seen her since. The closest he had come was advising her council by Geoffrey's invitation.
"Humans change so much in less than a handful of decades."
"You should let me return the favor, Geoffrey. Bolka's blessings could have you feeling restored and invigorated by our coming mission. Wounds of the spirit can just be as painful as wounds to the body. There is no need to punish yourself for choices you made in the past. Please, let me help you."
She says with a light touch to his arm.
"Tiasar and Mortimer agree on almost nothing except for that, although they have a few things to say about dwarves as well." Geoffrey laughs and gives Toramin a friendly pat on the shoulder.
At this point the food starts to come to the table. A veritable smorgasbord of food, of familiar dishes as well as exotic ones, the seafood clearly being the centerpiece.
Geoffrey takes a short breath. "Perhaps that might help."
"Thank you. Let's schedule a time for tomorrow."
"Geoffrey?"
Across the room, the queen stands as she looks over at the party's table with recognition. Her guests quickly stand as well, and the armored half-elf quietly scans the group.
"That is you, isn't it? Oh forgive me, I always thought she should have better lighting in here, and I hardly see you out of your armor." The queen of Andril encourages her guests to sit then glides across the room to the party's table.
Once up close, the party gets a better look at Pame. A human on the brink between middle aged and elderly with silvery hair and almost endearingly befitting wrinkles. She is wearing a well made nobles outfit of purple with gold trimmings, quite impressive for any other noble but very modest for a queen. Her light hazel eyes are bright and comforting, and her entire demeanor radiates a matriarchal figure that could put a raging dragon at ease.
Geoffrey stands, giving a well-practiced bow. "Indeed your highness. I apologize for-"
"Oh come now, I know very well how tired you must be of formalities for the day." She looks around to the party with a gentle smile. "And who are your friends?" Geoffrey introduces each person with the appropriate titles, pausing between each name to let them speak.
The member of the Queen's Guard looms behind her, his face a mask of stone.
When Geoffrey introduces them, the siblings rise as one. Toramin executes a very precise and formal bow. Perhaps the most formal bow, Rilka has ever seen the dwarf give. Similar to the bow of "foreign potentates" the bow was low and made an almost ostentatious display of his empty hands.
Ianna, in contrast, gives the queen an elegant curtsey as her storm cloud mantle swirls about her.
"We bring you the greetings and felicitations of Yana Trealamhgabha, daughter of Mathild Trealamhgabha, Your Highness. All the families of the Trealamhgabha stand with the royal house of Andril in war and in peace for as long as the for as long as the Stone of Balgradash stands. May the blessed gods ever strengthen our compact and may Kols bind its words to our hearts."
Her musical voice chimes its way through the formal greeting that recognizes the nearly three-hundred year old treaty between the royal house of Andril and the Voices of the Stone.
Unaware of the hostility from the queen's retinue, S'meena had no retort of posture or language to present to them. To the queen, however, she remained pleasant if somewhat unappreciative of Pame's fully power. "A higher lady of a larger land," identified the less-than-polished elf woman to the queen after Geoffrey introduced her. Placing her hand over her heart, S'meena leaned forward in a diagonal fashion. "Your realm has been safe and generous. My thanks for the hospitality of your people." Though those particularly knowledgeable about elves would know that as a sincere gesture of politeness, people having shallower knowledge might interpret the gesture as somewhat inadequate for a queen.
After taking over, Pame has made some fast changes in the last decade. Significant infrastructure projects within the major cities of Andril, pulling back exploration into the uncharted wilderness of the far borders, pushing for the nations to be more connected and trade more openly, evolving military strategy beyond traditional methods, and increasing the budget for magic and alchemical research are the most notable events.
Pame is well known for the kind of demeanor she is radiating now; a wise and calming maternal figure, and one that deals with problems old and new with a variety of strategies and solutions, be them traditional or innovative. She always seems to lead with understanding and compassion, often throwing a wrench into the heated and aggresive politics of what is almost entirely a man's world. Some misread this as weakness, but that perception was quickly tossed out the window when some foreign leaders and a few local nobles tried to intimidate or aggresively confront her, revealing her ability to switch to an icy rage that has made some truly tough nobles wither. The most notable event is that within the last year when meeting with Nuro of Xilres prior to waging war on him, she came across the table and hit him, although that is a rumor.
It's believed that Heveta and her husband never made it to the wood elves, the site of their attack several dozen miles away from their destination. From what Takaral would know as S'meena, this is true, and knows that nobody is sure what killed them except it was clearly some sort of large creature who killed them with natural weapons.
Pame gives a calming smile as the dwarves introduce themselves. "Ianna and Toramin Trealamhbagha, it is a pleasure. I am happy to hear such strong words on our treaty, it is reassuring in these unsure times."
She looks at Toramin. "I believe congradulations are in order, Stonelord, for your ascension into the holy service. I am sure Vorn is proud to have you among his ranks." She said "Stonelord" in dwarven, effortlessly slipping in and out of the dwarven tongue with a perfect accent. "And I am proud to have had you among our ranks during the siege of Xilres with your direct involvement in the fall of the tyrant Nuro. That is a service to Andril that will never be forgotten, and we are in your debt." She says the last bit to Dalton as well, acknowleding his involvement.
She looks back to Ianna. "I am honored to have an exalted of Bolka, for with you comes love and prosperity. As well as a daughter of the Trealamhgabha, for Yana has always been a strong ally and friend to me when making treaties with the dwarves. But above all I was glad to hear Yana inform me of your safe return." She gives a consoling smile.
Pame then turns to S'meena with a curious arc of her brow. "S'meena, well met. I do not believe we've had the pleasure. Forgive me if I make undue assumptions, but you seem to be from among the wood elves, yes?" She appears completely unbothered by the not-quite-formal greeting of S'meena. "I am glad you have found our realm safe. I think it is important for leaders of the land to protect foreigners." She says with a dimpled smile.
Pame does not seem tricked by S'meena's alias, but is humoring the outsider.
Toramin bows again, though less formally this time. "Thank you, Your Highness. It is an honor and privilege to serve the King and the other Voices. When Nuro began his genocide, he made himself the enemy of all thinking people. Beyond what is owed to kith and kin, more than duty to hearth and crown, I am committed to uplift and unification."
Ianna gives a delighted laugh. "I will do my best not to be kidnapped again, Your Highness, especially not in your kingdoms. Luckily, my brother and the connections he has forged in Andril are committed to that goal as well. I rejoice in the opportunity to share the grace of the Golden Gift with our southern friends and allies."
Dalton, acutely aware he was underclass to Toramin, Ianna, and Geoffrey, kept his conversation with the queen politely short. "It is an honor, your highness. I am indeed the arcanist Geoffrey claims. We met after my service to his aunt Ella , and ..." the old man hesitated for a moment. "my association with House Kellow."
"My main profession is as a goldsmith though. I've a small shop - Barrowwheel's Bracelets. I used to make medals for Geoffrey! My word, how time flies." He seemed to find some comfort in remembering simpler times. As his eyes dared to meet the queen's, he saw they looked the same age, though his heritage likely made him many years older.
”Rilka Featherfeet, my queen,” Rilka says with a deep curtesy. ”It is an honor.” Wait till my parents hear about this! she thinks. I should have worn my nicest dress, as I’m sure Ma will tell me. After the curtesy she glances at Pame Galladon’s face and smiles.
The queen turns to Dalton, acknowledging the arcanist.
Pame gives a surprised look. "Dalton? Oh my it has truly been years. I remember you, although I don't believe we've met in anything but passing. Geoffrey has mentioned his care taking of your mother recently. Is she well? I am sure she must be proud of the student of the arcane you have become."
"Ah yes, he was complimenting the broach you made him some time ago. A wonderful piece of craftsmanship, if I do say so. Perhaps I might commission you to make a personal piece for me as well, if you could find the time."
Finally Pame turns to Rilka. "Rilka Featherfeet, a pleasure. I don't believe we've met before either, although you appear much more local than S'meena."
It would be hard not to be more local than I am, thought an amused Takaral.
Dalton nodded his head voluntarily. "She is elderly and frail, your highness, yet her mind is clear and her body free of sickness. She endures - and will continue to, Pharasma willing. I'm in Geoffry's debt for his help." Though I didn't know he'd been mentioning this job to the most visible of folk.
"Creating an apex piece for you would be an honor, your majesty - even if your countenance would outshine the brightest diamond I could set."