Lisl nods and turns to Isabel and says, "Isabel Rhelian, do you then promise that you shall cherish and protect, love and support, this woman - Isabel Rhelian, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, in the holy state of matrimony, so long as you both shall live?"
"Don't you get it? Don't you see? They sent me out here to vanish, to die. Instead, we're being offered everything they've ever wanted for themselves. The troublemaker they would rather never see again gets what they want!"
Jory cannot help but chuckle along. "I suppose that rules you out for a diplomatic post, eh? Let us do our gloating from a safe distance, to start. Your family is not without some means to makes our lives here miserable."
""As for the undead... over the course of a few days it should be easy for me to stride through the graves, destroy them with Abadar's holy power, then consecrate the ground so as to end that particular curse," she says in response to Jory's questions."
"As for time..." Jory slaps the pommel of his rapier. "We'll provide you whatever time you need to clear the beasts out, my dear."
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Lisl nods and turns to Isabel and says, "Isabel Rhelian, do you then promise that you shall cherish and protect, love and support, thiswoman - Isabel Rhelianman - Darian Aulamaxa, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, in the holy state of matrimony, so long as you both shall live?"
"I already do." Isabel answers, smiling softly. "So yes - absolutely."
She waits just long enough for permission before pushing forward into Darian's arms for a kiss.
"If anyone has any reason why these two should not be lawfully wed, then speak now, or forever remain silent."
No one speaks up when Lisl asks the traditional question, everyone is watching the wedding with great respect for the occasion. For many this is the first formal wedding they have every witnessed.
Everyone is standing straight and as neatly dressed as they can make themselves. Svetlana is dabbing tears from her eyes and smiling with joy watching the two become joined.
Darian is all smiles and laughter at the reception. He helps himself to some of the roasted pork, finally getting the chance to sample some of the meat off of Tuskgutter, rye bread, and pie. He mingled through the crowd, not caring if he is celebrating with commoners or of noble-birth, treating everyone as equals. He dances with any of the ladies that wish to dance, but makes certain to share a solo dance with Isabel, allowing new bride to choose the music for their number. During their dance, he makes certain to compliment Isabel’s movements to show off her skill on the dance floor.
__________
__________
Eventually, he makes his way around to his companions, thanking hem for being here with them and sharing this day with them. ”You all have no idea what it means to have people I hold in such high regard here to share this with me. In a way, you are all my family now, and I will always consider you as such.”
Lisl nods and says, "Let it be so noted."
"The exchange of rings." She motions for the ringbearers to provide the rings to Darian and Isabel, as the couple place the rings upon each others' hands.
"The ring, of course, is a symbol of this commitment, an unending circle that binds the two of you together. Mirrored, because each of you bears one; shining like your love, perfect in its shape like your place in the community as a family."
She reaches up and removes the hanging key and ribbon from the archway, then turns to the table and picks up journal with a lock on it. She hands the journal to Isabel and the key to Darian.
"This journal is for you to record the story of your family... yesterday, today, and for the future. Alone, they are just a key and a book... but fitted together, they are a legacy. Each is valuable, but it is when they are together that their true virtue shines," she says. The symbolism should be obvious.
Turning her face away from the couple and to the assembly, "I am honored to present to you, the newly-wed couple, Mr. and Mrs. Aulamaxa."
"You may now kiss..." she starts; as Isabel lunges at Darian enthusiastically, she finishes, "... the groom."
"You may now kiss..." she starts; as Isabel lunges at Darian enthusiastically, she finishes, "... the groom."
APPLAUSE
Jory proclaims a loud "HUZZAH!!!" and brandishes his dueling blade with a flourish amidst the cheering. Sliding it back into the scabbard with satisfaction, he eyes the crowd and the music builds into the first of a series of up-beat dances. With some forceful negotiation, he successfully argues Svetlana onto the floor.
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Isabel and Darian's dance is a sight to behold, two people moving perfectly in tandem with almost one thought. Isabel smiles the entire time they dance, the song she chose taking her back to their very first lesson in Kintargo, when Darian was little more than a two-left-footed client. We've come so far since then!
As the dance ends and Darian sweeps her into a low hold and a kiss Isabel can't help but wish she could freeze this moment in time - a single, perfect instant.
As the dance ends however she immediately drags Oleg onto the dancefloor, followed by Josef, Jory, Kesten and pretty much anyone else within reach who seems interested! She matches her partners expertly, even the uncomfortable shuffling that appears to be Oleg's preferred style - she's far too happy to allow anyone else to be anything less.
Her energy lasts all the way through the party, although she does take time to eat small portions two or three times, and the spring in her step when she and Darian depart the party shows that her energy is in no way diminished for the night to come...
The pair had been graciously allowed the “privacy” of the guest house at Oleg’s for their wedding night, but anyone within earshot didn’t have much trouble guessing that the newlywed couple had thoroughly enjoyed their first night as man and wife.
The next morning, well after dawn, Isabel is awakened by Darian tracing a finger along her skin. He smiles at her as her eyes flutter open, ”Good morning, Lady Aulamaxa.”
He drops his head back down to the pillow beside hers and adds, ”So, are we really doing this, or is this all some wild dream? Forming a nation? From literally the ground up?”
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"Good morning... husband." Isabel replies, smiling and relaxing back into the pillows.
"Yes, I think we are!" She grins, "I haven't really been thinking about it, what with wedding plans and all - but it can't be as bad as planning the wedding was, so I'm sure we'll be fine!"
She falls silent for a while, occupying herself and her new husband with more pleasant things, but when they finally fall back to rest again she picks up the conversation once more. "Do you think it will be anything like the Ravens? It'll be so strange doing things like this without Phineas and the others... We should do something to remember them, once we're established. A holiday or something - so that they aren't forgotten."
Darian grows somewhat somber for the first time in days. After thinking, he eventually shakes his head. ”No...I don’t think that is appropriate. We were the only two here who knew them. We would be forcing our own mourning on an entire nation...however large that ends up being. I think it would be best if we just cherished their memory in private...”
He then smiles, and says ”Alright...wife! As much as I’d like to keep doing this for all time, we have work that needs done! Time to get up and get to it!” he says as he begins tickling at her ribs, before he himself gets up and dressed.
He is prepared well before her. ”Takes time to get perfection ready,” he muses to himself. He waits for her by sitting at a small table and looking over the map they had created, thinking on the future...
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Once Perfection is ready , she prods her husband(!) from his reverie with the map, gathers the offending object and leaves the guesthouse, fully prepared for ribald jokes and the traditional, morning-after teasing.
"Before you ask, yes he went on all night. No we didn't break the bedframe and it's far too early to tell if I'm pregnant!"
Once the jocularity has died down Isabel respreads the map. "So, we're going to start here with the Stag Lord's fort. That's going to take a lot of our initial resources to make it habitable. We'll need to think carefully about expansion - equipping explorers will take some time and effort."
With that, she throws herself wholeheartedly into discussion of how the newest kingdom in the Stolen Lands is to be run.
Darian smirks and follows Isabel out of the guesthouse. He too takes any jestful comments gracefully before joining the others in finalizing plans for the settlement of the lands they had explored.
When everything is settled, he readies his horse and prepares to lead the caravan south, towards the fortress they intend to soon call “home”...
Getting a large collection of heavily laden wagons and the craftsmen & Women who will be using the content for construction is an exercise in patience. Your experience of the Stolen lands is called in to play constantly, but you arrive without any serious problems at your chosen site.
Lisl spends several days making sure the curse is lifted and the dead rest properly in the new graveyard.
Kesten, Oleg & Svetlana are not with you yet. They will be keeping the trading post running until replacements can arrive. Ludi, Natalia & Akiros are sent to give you some guards to aid you in watching over your workers.
The first months event was beneficial for you, what is the party doing while construction is taking place?
Darian is surprised with the arrival of extra supplies from Houses Lebeda and Orlovsky, and asks Isabel and Josef who he should contact to thank for the added support. With Josef, he does take the time to add ”If your family really wanted you to fail out here...I have doubts they would have sent these supplies to aid your efforts. But, if you think it is all for show, then let us give them a show, eh?”
When Akiros pulls him aside, Darian listens to his tale thoughtfully before adding ”Well, you are at least sincere in a desire to redeem yourself, and I can understand that love will lead you to do crazy things that are out of character. My feelings for Isabel led me to join a rebellion and then flee my home. So...yeah...I won’t hold that against you. If you want to keep this between us, I will. And I am willing to give you the chance to earn this redemption you seek. Who knows, perhaps one day, if you are willing, you can even formally atone and regain your paladin-hood.”
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"I'll write the letters dear." Isabel offers. "You concentrate on the man-management here - I'll deal with our northern patrons. Besides, I can't just let someone else write to my relatives - they'd be offended, even if we are married now!" She adds with a beaming smile.
Isabel also takes the time to talk to Ludi and Nadia about their new roles in the kingdom.
Ludi: "Ludi, I'm hoping I can steal you to be my personal assistant on some of the diplomatic issues our new kingdom is going to face. Darian and I won't be able to leave Silverhold much, at least for some months and I'm hoping that you can step in, be my eyes, ears and voice, represent us all when needed. I know it's a big job and I'm asking because I have the utmost faith in you. You've helped us out so much over the past months I think it's only right that we give you more responsibility now."
Isabel wraps her friend in an enthusiastic hug. "I'm so glad - there's no-one I'dd rather have with me for this!"
Nadia: "Nadia, I know you still want to work closely with Kesten so I had an idea to run past you. Kesten is going to be the kingdom's general, oversee our military and generally be a commanding face for Silverhold. I thought you might like a job as his... more subtle side? We can come up with a suitable title later - but I know there are going to be things that Kesten can't or won't deal with, you know - the more subtle ones, where you need to talk quietly to someone rather than bark orders." She looks over at Darian directing some of the new workers in clearing ground and smiles fondly.
"Men - we can't live without them, but what would they do without us to keep the small things from becoming problems? Do you think you can do that Nadia? Help me sort out the small problems so that they never have to worry Kesten in the first place?"
Much like Ludi, Nadia gets a small outpouring of Isabel's general joy when she accepts, including a hug and lots of excitement.
Since the end of the wedding proper, Freya has been distant, keeping to herself (and her companions Muninn and Fenrir) the most part.
As the business of building a kingdom continues, she exhibits equal parts disdain and unease. It is obvious to any that are around her, that she is anxious to be back out in the wilds.
During the construction efforts, Darian notes Freya’s absence. He takes some time to step away and seek her out.
”Freya, is something wrong?”
The Ulfen woman shrugs. "All of this I suppose." she says, gesturing to the burgeoning construction efforts.
"I signed on to explore the wilds of the Greenbelt and eliminate bandits...now it would seem that has shifted to reshaping the wilds and ruling them...I'm just not completely sure how I feel about any of this."
Darian sits beside her, and is quiet for a bit after Freya speaks. ”I understand,” he finally adds, ”it is entirely unexpected. But, it is what has fallen to us, and if not us, then who? Another Stag Lord? Someone or something worse?”
He lets her have a moment to consider that before adding, ”Also, it is your love for the wilds that makes you such an important part of this enterprise. We will need you to help us be mindful and respectful of the natural order of things, despite the need to build up and expand. I have no desire to clear-cut the Narlmarches or to drain the Tuskwater, but there are resources there we will need to use respectfully.”
Reluctantly, Frey nods - mostly agreeing with Darian's sentiments. "At the same time, Darian, there is a reason no mortal kingdom has taken hold in this region...almost as if the land itself defies it."
Taking note of Darian's second statement, the Ulfen woman concedes, "Perhaps that is where the all the others from the past have gone wrong. I will advise you as I can. I suppose it is up to you and Isabel to decide as to how, if at all, you heed that advice."
”And you can be certain that I, for one, and I am sure Isabel as well, will always cherish your input. Even if it is something that is difficult to hear, or that we simply logistically cannot heed entirely, we will do our best to find a suitable middle ground if there is one to be had,” he replies.
"Be sure, Darian, that these gifts from my family are an attempt to glean favor with those who will control access to the resources around here. Wanting me to fail is far less important than working to ensure the ongoing success of the family. Think of them as long-term bribes. I do."
----
Assuming Josef learns of Akiros' story . . ..
The young man approaches Akiros when there's not really anyone else at hand. "So, I heard about how you ended up here. The details are different, but the story is familiar. The love of a women, lost, drove you to kill as an attempt to quell the pain. It failed, didn't it? But you were forced to leave, one way or another, as a consequence of the killing." He hesitates for a moment. "Nothing we can say or do will bring back the dead, or their love. I don't know about you, but I just try to get past each day and on to the next. Mostly just to refuse to die like those who got rid of me would like. Here, though, those deaths don't define our future. How we live today will. I'd like to have you join me in refusing to give those bastards what they want. With a little effort, we can even become more than they were or will be. What do you think?"
As the purging and refurbishment of the Stag Lord's former stronghold begins to accelerate, Jory can't help but feel a creeping nervousness as their settlement becomes more prominent within the region. He had survived in Restov by knowing what was around each corner. And, if he didn't know, he knew who did know, or how to safely find out.
Here, at the end of a tenuous supply line, surrounded by expansive rolling plains to the east, a dozen squabbling governments to the south, unknown dangers within and beyond the Narlmarches to the west, and uncertain kobold allies behind them, Jory was unsettled.
Jory cornered the newlyweds one evening. Darian and Isabel had taken the lead in marshalling the group's efforts to enact their new charter, and he remained most confortable coming to them with ideas first. "Are we sure how the kobolds will react to what we're building here? This influx of people? Perhaps we might send an emissary of some sort to more formally codify our agreement? I've been looking over our maps, and the location of their caverns is key to our position here.
"Speaking of maps....here we are, planting our flag on the north shore of a lake, and we know nothing about who or what lives on the other side! We haven't even mapped the shoreline beyond the fort here. Nor do we know what might come floating out of the Narlmarches. I'd feel a lot better about our prospects if we could put together a scouting party and at least map the contours of the Tuskwater..."
Lisl is quite busy, ministering to people, reading the occasional sermon, and serving as a spiritual advisor as well as a fount of healing for the inevitable injuries. As one might expect of a classically-trained priestess, she organizes tea gatherings and the occasional social affair, but unlike some of the stodgier priests of Abadar she is also active in community business among the poor and disenfranchised - both with work placement and with material assistance. Her work is a study in contradictions: She encourages people to save a bit of money for emergencies, but does not seem to judge them by their wealth; she encourages people to set down contracts and orderly businesses, but refrains from acting like she is the lawgiver for the community. It's an odd dichotomy: Normally one would expect a priest of Abadar to take a more moralizing, legalistic tone.
She especially spends time with the team's repatriated bandits, though she gives Akiros a wide berth if he continues to give her the cold shoulder.
Desnus comes along and the skies are smiling on your works, the weather is bright and clear during the day and works proceeds at a good pace.
Even mother nature seems to approve as the local berry bushes and wild fruit trees seem to groan with their fruits, giving your people a boon to food gathering.
Your second month begins, what actions does the party wish to take while construction is happening?
”I will keep that in mind,” Darian replies.
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Darian was found sitting by a barrel of water, cooling himself after helping the workers with the construction of the Inn. He was soaked with sweat, but through it all was still smiling. ”The kobolds haven’t sent any messengers regarding any problems. But, if it is a concern, perhaps we should reach out first. Perhaps you and Ludi could go and speak with them? See if they are still satisfied with the arrangement? Or even, perhaps, something a bit more formal? Perhaps they would consider officially becoming a part of this?”
He takes a drink of water, then uses the ladle to pour some over his head to cool off as Jory speaks hisnsecond concern. ”It would be helpful, but I don’t think we can spare the manpower? Especially until we get the castle completed and some form of defenses here.”
Overhearing the conversation about a potential scouting mission to investigate the shores of the Tuskwater, Freya speaks up - seemingly for the first time in months. "Darian, I think Jory's suggestion has a great deal of merit. I would be happy to be part of that expedition."
Brushing his hair out of his eyes and the water off his brow, he looks to Freya and considers it. ”Alright then. Freya, get Josef and see if he would be willing to accompany you. Akiros too if possible. Jory, take Ludi and let her get her feet wet in diplomatic relations with the Sootscale. Lisl, Isabel, and I will remain here and continue work on Silverhold, unless they want to go along as well.”
Freya nods.
"It will be good to get back out in the wilds for a while." she says before tracking down Josef.
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Searching around the burgeoning settlement, Freya eventually finds Josef.
"Josef, do you have a minute or two?"
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Isabel watches as Darian takes the lead in directing their fellow charter-holders into various avenues of exploration and discovery. When the group splits up she follows Jory and corrals Ludi into the discussion as well.
"So, our first diplomatic mission, to the Sootscales. Ludi, you're our diplomat, you'll be taking the lead on this. Jory is going to come with you too, for backup, we don't want to take any risks with them, what with our 'alliance' being so new. Jory - you had some specific concerns? Let's hammer our questions and answers out now, that way we're all on the same page."
Darian just watches Isabel moves off to continue talking with Jory and Ludi. He puts the ladle back in the barrel and moves back to the line of folks moving supplies from wagons to the area where the Inn was being constructed. As he carried several boards, he passed by the man carving the sign for the future business
It wasn’t painted yet, but the artwork was quite nice. A raven in flight carrying a strand of ribbon with the words “The Silver Raven” across the front. He smiled at the image, though it did bring back a few painful memories.
Darian throughout it all has tried to help. Without a true office for him to take on the more intricate efforts of running a town, he found it the best way to help. Plus, it allowed people to get to know him, and vice versa. And while he was no engineer himself, he could at the very least pack supplies.
Throughout the labor, he was always open to anyone seeking his opinion on a question, or even for a friendly chat.
__________
"So, our first diplomatic mission, to the Sootscales. Ludi, you're our diplomat, you'll be taking the lead on this. Jory is going to come with you too, for backup, we don't want to take any risks with them, what with our 'alliance' being so new. Jory - you had some specific concerns? Let's hammer our questions and answers out now, that way we're all on the same page."
Jory flashes a smile at Ludi. "I'm practically kobold-sized as it is. I can growl a lot and wear some animal skins on the trip to get you used to them."
Jory addresses Isabel's question. "Well, above we should make them aware of our settlement here. An influx of tall folk. More travel along the roads. Let's ensure they aren't taken by surprise. And, it's not unlikely that they ran afoul of the Stag Lord or his thugs at some time. They might well appreciate how we've cleaned up the place.
They've also been here a lot longer than we have. What do they know that we don't? What might they tell us about the lands and creatures all around us? I grow concerned about all that we are ignorant of. And when we last left their lands, we made mention of a mutual defense pact of some sort?" Jory glances around at the bustling construction activities. "What better time than now to formalize such an agreement?"
"Of course I do Freya, what do you need?"
Assuming she discusses the exploration plan . . ..
"I think that'll take quite a bit more than a minute or two," smile fully in play with a glint in his eyes, "but I think I can help with that. Or did you just want me to help load a donkey for you?"
"Yes, I do believe that will take more than a minute or two, but I didn't want to assume anything beyond asking the question." Freya says. "This might be a good opportunity to test Akiros's intentions as well. What do you think?"
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Jory flashes a smile at Ludi. "I'm practically kobold-sized as it is. I can growl a lot and wear some animal skins on the trip to get you used to them."
Jory addresses Isabel's question. "Well, above we should make them aware of our settlement here. An influx of tall folk. More travel along the roads. Let's ensure they aren't taken by surprise. And, it's not unlikely that they ran afoul of the Stag Lord or his thugs at some time. They might well appreciate how we've cleaned up the place.
They've also been here a lot longer than we have. What do they know that we don't? What might they tell us about the lands and creatures all around us? I grow concerned about all that we are ignorant of. And when we last left their lands, we made mention of a mutual defense pact of some sort?" Jory glances around at the bustling construction activities. "What better time than now to formalize such an agreement?"
"We also want access to their silver. Ideally they'll mine it themselves and sell it to us. If not then we need some sort of arrangement where they'll let us access the silver ourselves. This might be a difficult negotiation, you can offer whatever you think necessary, we can ratify anything needed once you return."
"I think he needs someone to trust him, an opportunity to be something other than an outsider. Could be a good opportunity for him."
He looks around at the ongoing efforts.
"So, when do you want to walk away from all this hard work and go for our little walk?"
So who is in the away party and how are you travelling to the Sootscales?
"I think he needs someone to trust him, an opportunity to be something other than an outsider. Could be a good opportunity for him."
He looks around at the ongoing efforts.
"So, when do you want to walk away from all this hard work and go for our little walk?"
"As soon as we can." Freya states plainly before adding, "I assure you it's not the hard work that I want to get away from it's all of this...city building."
"Let's go get Akiros and be on our way."
"That fast? M'kay. Guess we need to start by finding Akiros . . .."
Josef wanders about a bit, looking for where the big man may have gone to. "Hey, Akiros! Freya wants to take the two of us on a walk around the lake, see what's on it besides this old fort. You ready to get away from all this honest work for a bit?"
Josef & Freya.
Akiros nods in approval, "Good thinking." He agrees. "I've heard many a wild tale about what's down that way, but the 'Stag lord' didn't care. No coin or booze in it you see."
He gathers his gear for the expedition. "Finding out what's going to give you trouble before it does is always a good move."
Jory.
Ludi is a bit surprised she's been chosen for a diplomatic mission? But nods her agreement, she prefers to be out and about rather than sitting in one place and is ready to head out when you are.
Josef & Freya.
Akiros nods in approval, "Good thinking." He agrees. "I've heard many a wild tale about what's down that way, but the 'Stag lord' didn't care. No coin or booze in it you see."
He gathers his gear for the expedition. "Finding out what's going to give you trouble before it does is always a good move."
"Glad to hear you say it, Akiros. Make sure you bring a ranged weapon, just in case."
As the sun began its slow decent in the sky, Darian walked the pathways through where people had been working all day. He passed by many people whom he had toiled the day alongside, many of whom, like he, was too tired to do much more of a greeting than a smile and weak armed wave.
Even so, he made his way past the tents and wagons that served as temporary sleeping quarters for many who still hadn’t finished houses yet, and up the hill towards the fort. He entered and made his way up to the watchpost that looked over the wall and down towards the activity below. The wagons and tents. The clusters of people milling about, some talking, others resting, another group playing music around a fire and dancing.
He looked at the few houses that had completed thus far, as well as the skeletal frames of a dozen more being built, as well as the larger Silver Raven Inn nearing completion. He stood there alone for some time, thinking quietly to himself...
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"Copper for your thoughts?" Isabel asks her husband, catching him in what she thinks of as Darian's-brooding-pose-2. She wraps her arms around him from behind, pressing her head in between his shoulder blades and neatly shielding herself from the evening breeze which is whipping away the lingering heat of the day.
"We're really building something here."