Amiri snorts, "That's hardly a test." She says. "My blade once belonged to a frost giant. It is bigger then most of the nobles here."
"Well, maybe not that one there." She adds, eyeing a particularly corpulent fellow.
Still, she will accept Inka's challenge, glad to do something that's in her wheelhouse.
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"We speak about deeds long eroded by time," Erasmus begins, "but we do have a few witnesses--esoteric witnesses--Amantius, the ancestor tree, and the sword. They all at least agree that Honaria was an honorable person albeit one who failed at her assigned task. I gather than Italice was an honorable person following her orders as handed down to her.
"Do you have any record or tale that tells whether Italice agreed with her superiors in the judgement or the severity of the judgement that Honaria received? I would have expected a woman who fought as bravely and as dutifully as Honoria would have impressed someone like Italice, even if ultimately she had to be disciplined for failure.
"There is a difference, after all, between absconding from duty and failing a given task due to superior resistance. While Remaio is not as... impressive, impressive shall we say, as his ancestor, Honoria, it would seem right to restore her honor."
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Valeros gives a roguish grin. "Forgive me for being forward...I knew of you by reputation only, hearing tales of your valor on the sea. I'm Valeros, I'm a Pathfinder and hail from Andoran. I'm helping Remaio Alcasti restore the honor and place of his ancestor, Honaria Alcasti. I'm a fighter by trade, although you probably couldn't tell by these fancy clothes. When I saw you from across the room, I thought I saw a kindred spirit, one uncomfortable around so much nobility..." He then winks and whispers for only her to hear, "...many of which have never had to work a day in their life, unlike us..."
"If I may be so bold, what brings you here this evening?"
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Amiri doesn't need to be told twice. She grabs the saddle with both hands, raises it above her head and throws it to the far end of the stable smashing against the far wall. It's an impressive show of might and Inka claps her hands:"Well done! You were not boasting, your sword arm is as strong as you claimed! Very well I think I owe you one Amiri of the Six Bears. Is there anything this Ulfen can do for you?" she says, smiling.
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The captain considers Valeros for a moment then she shakes her head:"Then we are on the same boat here, master Valeros. You see, I went to a considerable effort to ensure my presence here this evening. I just wanted to speak with the Princess and swear my blade to her service. The woman is Taldor's great hope and I'm willing to back her cause with steel if needed. But just by walking into this den of moray eels I understood I'd just embarass myself in front of the Princess..."
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Valeros smiles mischievously. "Ma'am, I'm not the best person to show you how to deal with nobility...I tend to just give a blank smile, nod my head, and pretend to agree with most of what they say. However, I may be able to help you look the part. If you'll excuse me a moment, I'll be right back..."
Valeros bows and goes to Amiri to retrieve the package containing the dress and accessories Remaio sent that she refused to wear and then returns to Captain Seferi.
He gives her the package, saying softly, "Ma'am, please take this package...inside you'll find a court dress with all the accessories. Take it to the powder room and change. You can't look any lovelier than you look now but these clothes will make it much easier to fit in and feel at ease with the nobility.
As for the Princess, I'd imagine she'd be happy to accept your sword and you'd probably be more at ease in her presence than most of these fops. It's been a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope to see you later this evening."
Valeros bows to her and leaves.
Amiri raises on eyebrow at Inka's question.
"Do for me? I think you've been hanging around these supposed noble-types too long. I don't want anything."
She shrugs, as they return to the party. "Like I said, I'm only here because Remaio, that's that poofy fellow over there, is trying to get his ancestor's title back, which as far as I can tell, never should have been taken from her in the first place... she seems to have deserved it far more then most of these people."
She pauses, and grins. "And am only talking to you to avoid having to talk to them."
Estra will go over and spend some time chatting with Menander, making sure to butter him up for a while as a particularly perceptive fellow. The kind of man who can see what's happening beneath the surface.
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As everyone starts gravitating towards the southern chamber, intent on hovering around the Princess, Amiri frowns as she realizes the room she's in has mostly emptied out.
Hesitating slightly, she sighs and heads that way as well, stopping by Valeros.
"Was that my dress you gave away?" She asks, with an amused chuckle.
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Valeros grins widely. "Indeed it was. I figured it best to give to a warrior whom would appreciate it as opposed to one whom was more apt to burn it...
Shall we join the others in the inner court?"
Valeros considers offering his arm to Amiri...but thinks better of it and turns to enter the inner court where he will await and observe from the fringes...
"No proper warrior would ever wear it." Amiri responds with a grin.
She follows Valeros in.
Every bureaucrat knows they could devise a better system.
In truth, it seems to be a relic of an earlier age. Something that was put in place to govern a much larger area and then left overgrown as Taldor shrunk. They need to find an experienced factotum to prune it back to a manageable mass, otherwise they'll continue to require great talents to get any results at all.
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When Erasmus' turn comes Princess Eutropia proves herself to be a charming host though:"Well met master Pathfinder. Rest assured we do remember about this night's hearing. But that's a matter we'll devote our full attention later on. For now we are here to meet our loyal subjects and, when possible, have a meaninful conversation. So tell me master Pathfinder, what do you think about our Court? Did it suit your taste or would you have likes something more... adventurous, or exotic maybe?" she asks sounding completely serious.
Estra leans in with interest, Do tell. We have been assisting that young man primarily out of historical and archaeological curiosity, but if he's not someone we should be entangled with the Society would be very grateful to discover that.
Oh of course. Simply the proper remuneration for services rendered.
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"It reminds me of home--only less violent. A pleasant change, Your Serene Highness," he says with a wry smile. "I assume there is as much maneuvering here as in Caliphas, but hopefully not as much murder. That's a dreary story, though, and I would not want to dampen your spirits or keep you from your subjects. You have put together a grand party, honestly. Thank you, again, for the privilege of speaking with you."
Amiri is staying out of trouble for now. Too many noble types in close proximity make her nervous, and self-conscious. She's just hanging out on the wings.
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Estra takes some coins out to discretely pay the man.
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"Lie to Your Serene Highness? Never," Erasmus says, "But the subject of using murder to advance one's political position is, regrettably close to my hear."
His tone takes a somber turn. "If you truly wish to hear my thoughts... I abhor the idea. Killing your betters or worse, those who have done you no harm--No, worse! Killing those who have loved you merely to improve your wealth and station is dastardly and lazy means of advancing oneself."
Erasmus takes a moment to gather his composure. "You see, my brother killed my brother, my two sisters, my father, and our uncle and sentenced me to an asylum in order to advance his own position in the aristocracy."
Estra sheepishly wanders over to Erasmus for the remainder.
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Valeros gives a genuine smile as he rises from his bow. "Pleasure to meet you, your Royal Highness...
As for your question, your Highness, tis difficult for a humble warrior such as I to answer. In my experience, murder is more a matter of perspective. As a warrior, I've killed many enemies...each of those acts, I would consider justified but many of the family and friends of the slain might call it murder...
Case in point, in a recent venture we journeyed to meet a relative of our benefactor, Remaio Alcasti. We found her murdered by kobolds...but the kobolds would've argued that they were fighting for freedom from their oppressors. We killed them in turn and called it justice for their act...I'm sure their comrades would've called that murder.
It's easy, and considered the right thing, to oppose murder...but in my line of work, killing is sometimes required...and when you kill, regardless of the circumstances, someone somewhere will call it murder...
Excuse me for such a long winded answer, your Highness."
Amiri is just standing back, watching the goings on around her, trying not to either hinder the other's attempts at socializing, or give the nobles an excuse to mock her.
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Disappointing, but purely hypocritical of Menander to complain about bribery. If that's Remaio's worst sin, I don't see any particular reason to betray him.
Estra will follow Remaio's earlier advice and avoid Dominicus, though she will attempt to at least introduce herself to the Princess.
Amiri continues to play wallflower, taking up a stoic stance by the back wall, arms crossed, watching the proceedings... though more as a thought exercise on threat assessment then any interest in courtly goings-on.
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"Thank you for the pleasure, your Highness..." Valeros bows, turns, and heads over to Dominicus Rell.
"Sir, I am Valeros, here tonight at the request of my benefactor, Remaio Alcasti...but I'm not here to speak to you about his plea.
Forgive me my forwardness, but as you are advisor to the Princess, just wanted to let you know that Captain Seferi, a most valiant sea captain, wishes to swear her sword to the Princess, yet she is not entirely at ease at court. Just thought you should know as she could be a most valuable ally."
"Isn't there supposed to food or something?" Amiri mutters irritably as they wait.
It sounds like she hasn't made up her mind yet. If she knew whether this would be a triumph or a tragedy, she would be more specific in how she emptied the halls
Estra moves up to speak with Remaio briefly, Be wary, young man. The princess hasn't yet decided what to do with you. Be sure to speak well. Stand up straight. That sort of thing.
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"Sir, we've been to many places in our quest...I'd hate to bore you with all the details so I'll sum up...
We met a talking ancient tree that told us of Honaria's valor, retrieved a relic at the Cathedral, gathered some notes and Honaria's diary, fetched her medals from her very crypt, along with the skull of Italice Cenabri and her clockwork owl familiar, fighting various enemies along the way to get them...
But my favorite quest was retrieving Honaria's intelligent sword...had to dispatch a giant scorpion to get that though. Would you like to see it?"
Valeros pulls it out from under his elaborate clothes, holding it out for Dominicus to inspect. "Soldier's Glory it is called...it talks as well, when it feels the need, but has done much less so since I've been wielding it..."
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"So... as I understand you wish to help Alcasti regain his family name. I believe I can help you with that... for the right price, of course" he finishes, nodding towards Soldier’s Glory and giving Valeros a not so subtle hint about the kind of prize he has in mind