Estra looks at the horribly familiar mist, the shadow of old sorrows visible behind her eys, before she plunges her hands into it, hissing as it begins to burn her flesh.
Well I didn't join the Society to die peacefully in bed.
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Estra moves near the construct and tries to dislodge the malfunctioning wand placed inside its body. She feels the wand moving yet the old woman starts suffering the effects of the acidic cloud surrounding the clockwork owl...
"Thank you" the owl says to Estra before adressing the questions poured on it.
"Italice Cenabri was my mistress, a loyal servant of the Emperor. She was one of those that were tasked with judging Honaria Alacasti for her failure to prevent the wayward provinces to secede from the main Empire and found her guilty, stripping her and her family of their noble title. Syagra Tetranella was Honaria Alcasti's companion and friend during the campaign. After Honaria died in shame she plotted her revenge and assassinated my mistress. Decapitated the body and came here in the mountains to offer her grisly thropy to her dead friend as proof that vengeance had been accomplished. She broke inside the tomb, defeated the defenses and delivered the head. I tracked her down and confronted her but she was blind to all reason and just struck me down leaving me here to rot. As for Honaria... For a very long time I have hated her yet being left alone in the darkness at least gave me a lot of time to contemplate the facts. I still don't like the woman but I must admit I can't claim she would have been pleased with her underling's actions. Honaria failed her given task but in life she was never one for needless and baseless revenge"
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Valeros smiles at Estra. "You're a good woman, Estra."
He nods to the clockwork owl after hearing the tale. "Thank you. We can take you with us and return you to the Cenabris, along with the head of your mistress, if Estra can fix your wand malfunction...
You mention Honaria failing at her task...was it entirely her fault? All other accounts we've heard of her talk about her courage, honor, and devotion to duty...this is the first we've heard of her failing at anything..."
While awaiting a reply, if Honaria's coffin is free from the fog, Valeros will retrieve the items they were sent to fetch from it, along with the skull of Italice Cenabris...
Oh that was nothing. She looks sadly at the green mist that always collects beneath Honaire's feet. I've just never cared for that sort of thing.
Would you like to come with us now that you're free? You could help explain the choices everyone made back then.
Amiri frowns at everyone's apparent desire to play nice.
"Fine then." She mutters, clearly not convinced.
Estra's determination cannot be stopped by flesh melting acid!
Amiri just shakes her head at the old woman's foolishness.
She will attempt to lift the lid off of the coffin, to see if the medals the were sent for are indeed in there.
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Amiri moves away the stone lid of Honaria's coffin revealing her corpse and her accolades, including an impressive collection of military ribbons and medals. On her chest also lies a polished skull, no doubt what's left of Italice Cenabri.
As Amantius notices her former mistress skull it pleads:[b]"That's her. Italice Cenabri. Please, I beg of you... bring her head back to her family. In so doing you'll restore her to a peaceful slumber and make right on a grave misdeed!
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While Amiri looks for (and I assume takes) the medals, Valeros will retrieve the skull of Italice Cenabri...
"I was wrong before Estra...you are an awesome woman!
And Amantius, we will take you along with the skull of your mistress; I'm sure Estra didn't risk her life to save you for you to toil here any longer. There can be no dishonor for Honaria from the evil of a misguided companion...and her medals will speak for themselves."
The kellid woman will grab the medals, leaving the skull alone.
"Don't know about the rest of you, but I'll be happy to be away from this place." She growls.
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As you promise to return Italice to her family, a feeling of peace suffuses the tomb, and you feel restored finding all of your wounds miracolously healed!
Your return trip to Oppara is as uneventful as the the previous one was.
You present Remaio with the laurels you recovered from Honaria's tomb and he seems overjoyed spending a lot of time and effort in explaining those of them he knows the meaning to you. It's evident he's very pleased with your work and proud of your accomplishments.
The same cannot be said for your decision to bring back Italice's head and her familiar Amantius. The Taldan would be noble isn't happy about that claiming it will taint the petition to restore Honaria’s good name, but after a while he quiets down does not push the subject further.
Amantius insists on making the truth about Italice’s fate known. While grateful for your decision its loyalty to Italice's memory and asks to be delivered to the Cenabri family, although he inists you take the wand that used to be slotted within its body as payment for your kindness. He also informs you even if the Cenabri might offer to pay for itsrepairments it plans to keep its broken face as a tribute to Italice's memory.
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After your encounter with Remaio is over you have more than a fortnight to spend for yourselves without hearing from it.
This changes when you receive another missive from your employer. This time he also provides expensive looking outfits for each one of you. The letter also clearly states you need to wear the oufits to look presentable at court.
... You wear the outfits provided for you and join Remaio just outside the Royal Palace.
As he sees you approaching Remaio moves to intercept you. He makes an exaggerated show of courtesy as he tries to kiss both Amiri and Estra's hands and exchanges jokes with Erasmus and Valeros as they had been his friends all their lives.
Amiri eyes the dress that gets delivered to her room with open disdain.
"He's kidding, right?" She says, incredulously.
When Amiri arrives at the party, it is not entirely surprising to see she has not donned the fancy clothes sent by Remaio. In fact, she is instead carrying the familiar-looking package under her arm ... that looks like it may have been opened, then its contents jammed back in again in anger. She at least did not bring any weaponry, and took the time to clean up and run a brush through her hair.
She looks like shes on a slow simmering boil, and she glares at Valeros, daring him to say something.
Estra arrives at the party dressed to the nines with her hair tightly coiffed. I'll have you know I was quite the lady of society in my day.
Honaire is discretely hidden away within her mind.
Estra gives Remaio a piercing look, Is everything all right young man? You seem nervous.
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"Nervous? Who? Me? Lady Estra please... I've never been so docused all my life! I have everything planned out and I'm perfectly in control. This evening will be the success I've waited for so long, there's no other reasonable outcome! As much as it pains me... I dare suggest YOU calm your own nerves down!" declares Remaio answering Estra's doubts... while sweating profusely and giving Amiri a long, hard look, yet having the sense not to upset the barbarian woman.
"Ok. If we are done with this defeatist attitude I'll outline what happens next. We'll enter the Grand Palace and we'll be allowed inside the court. Princess Eutropia won't be there at first and will join us in a while. She's a grand dame and she knows all about the importance of being fashionably late. She'll mingle with us a little because starting the formal proceedings and our case will finally be heard. Then I will explain our reasons and without doubt House Alcasti's nobility will be reinstated! That said..." - Remaio clears his throat before continuing - "I won't be doing much mingling. I need to concentrate on my speech after all. As for you... you were vital in retrieving the documents and artifacts proving Honaria's honor and valor, the Princess and the court are sure to have questions for you. I need not mention how presenting our case in the best possible light is paramount, right?"
He lets his words hand in the air for a few moments before continuing again.
"Anyway the court will be filled with important people this evening. Short of his grace the Grand Prince most everyone who is someone in Oppara will be here tonight, so be careful not to make yourselves look ridicolous! These are the people we might encounter tonight..."
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Estra gives Remaio a very dry look for his rudeness, but lets it pass.
To the party!
"Let's get this over with." Amiri mutters, with a scowl.
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This ancient and grand palace is decorated with ornate arches of patterned stone. Robed greeters bow as the building’s massive iron doors swing open. Light illuminates the hall through dozens of windows in the ceiling.
Shining panels of gold decorate the marble walls.
You arrive before official proceedings begin, so you have time to converse with other guests before being called upon to speak. Remaio hurries toawards a secluded studio whwere he spends his time alone, repeating the grand speech he intends to give to the Princess...
You are on your own it seems.
Lady Gloriana Morilla=Yellow
Dominicus Rell=Magenta
Father Basri=Cyan
Inka Heldotor=Black
Captain Seferi=Orange
Solomon Menander=Green
Theon Cenabri=Red
Remaio Alcasti=Purple
Aayef=Brown
Estra will first approach Lady Gloriana, She can help us get the lay of the land.
Good evening my lady. What a grand day this may prove to be.
After the assorted pleasantries, Estra will ask discretely.
Young Remaio seems very nervous, is he right to be?
Amiri feels lost amidst the pomp and circumstance.
She starts out trailing along behind Estra, though quickly realizes she's probably going to do more harm then good to the older woman's attempts to socialize, so eventually, drifts away.
She briefly considers approaching Captain Seferi, but seeing the other noble types gathered there, decides against it.
Eventually, she will gravitate towards the members of the on-site
security.
She tries to get a read on Inka's mood, before going too far.
"A lot of protection for a bunch of peacocks." She says, conspiratorially. "Can't imagine many of them would be much trouble."
"Well, perhaps that one there looks like he's used a sword." She adds, with a slight smile and a nod towards one of the nobles.
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"Yes, he does," Erasmus adds in the conversation, "We were able to bring back all of the evidence he requested. True, we returned the Cenebri's owl and her remains, but that simply seemed the right thing to do, and I don't believe it will hurt Honaria's status. Right or wrong, they judged as they judged, and everyone is aware of that judgement. She seems like she was an honorable woman who, do to actions not entirely under her control, failed at her task. Even the owl confirmed her honor. Besides, he now has his own construct (the sword) to speak for Honoria. So I'm not sure what Remaio has to be nervous about."
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Not caring for Taldan social conventions you charge head on towards Lady Morilla saluting her and Aayef. She seems pleased to see you:"Good evening and well met Pathfinders! Young Aayef here eas just telling me how you helped him get rid of a dangerous beast of the desert. Quite the daring act if I must say so myself! It's refreshing to see how some still know the meaning of honor and and dedication to their station! Well done indeed!" the lady sips red wine from a calice of fine crystal before hearing Estra's question about Remaio:"Eh... who knows? Pricess Eutropia is a fine and kind Lady but amke no mistakes she's just above all else. She will hear your friend Remaio Alcasti out but it will take more than pretty words to impress and convince her to change the fate of House Alcasti" Lady Morilla takes another sip then she adds:"I'll be honest with you, I'm not entirely convinced Remaio's case has merit. Honaria Alcasti might very well have been a glorious and fair general, judged unjustly because of political circumstances at the time of the Even-Tongued Conquest. Yet that time is long gone. Those who would become nobles of Taldor are not Honaria and her family but Remaio's and I'm a bit doubtful he deserves understands the responsability. That said... I'm not unsympathetic to your cause either. There are certainly people far worse than Remaio who can boast titles and honors they don't deserve. Take that lout Solmon Menander. He's cynic, greedy and self serving and only cares for his self interest. Unfortunately I happen to know he's got his grubby paws on some missives that, were they to fall in the hands of the wrong person, could be cause of some concern to the Princess cause. I'm not sure about the nature of those letters so I'd like to ask you a little favor. As you have already proved yourselves extremely capable I'd love for you to find a way to obtain those missives or failing that at least to learn about their content. I would be extremely grateful for your help and I'm sure the Princess would appreciate it too..."
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For a split second the Ulfen woman turns to Amiri, considering her before moving her eyes back to the court:"As for the rest of these Taldans you are half right. Most of them are peacocks and are no use in a real fight... yet they have the good sense of hiring professionals to take care of their protection and the money to pay for the best on the market. And that, my Kellid friend, means they are not completely useless, not by a long shot!"[b] Inka considers slowly, smiling at Amiri.
[b]"You seem like someone accostumed to "less gentle" company than the one surrounding us. I'm Inka, Ulfen Guard, and this evening I've been tasked with the protection of this particular avenue... but I suspect you already know that. So... what's your name and what are you doing here? You look terribly out of place here. I suspect you'd look much more at home out in the battlefield and I must confess I'd probably be happy to join you there. So... amuse an old guardian of peacocks with a tale of valor if you please. Thus far the evening has been beyond boring"
Amiri chuckles.
"I am Amiri, of the Six Bears clan." She says, joining Inka in watching the crowd.
"And I'd give my eyeteeth to be on a battlefield right now, instead of here amid this lot, for sure."
"If someone asks me to dance, I'm liable to punch them." She adds, only half joking.
She nods over towards Remaio. "Working for that poncy fellow over there." She says. "Hell bent to restore the honor of one of his family members... had us running all over this country of yours... had to use my blade a few times." Her hand instinctively goes to where her sword is usually secured, and she frowns slightly at its absence.
"Not this particular mission, mind you." She amends, looking at the assembled nobles.
"Even had to take a trip over to the burning sands of Qadira." She adds. "You wouldn't believe the vermin over there. Ran into a scorpion larger then a horse... though just as susceptible to a well placed blade, thankfully."
She will go on to recount how they located Aayef, and the battle that followed with the giant scorpion.
"Kid was way over his head, but he kept up a good front. I'll give him that much. Sometimes a little spine is all you need."
"Though at least he didn't explode." She adds, with a wry chuckle... before telling her about the mechanical dog that exploded when she hit it too hard.
Estra purses her lips with concern at Lady Morilla's explanation. I would of course be happy to assist you in gathering Menander's information as a longtime ally of the Society. But let me ask you, aside from the intricacies of Taldor's infamous system of peerage, is there a reason we shouldn't help Remaio and gain another noble ally for the Society?
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"He is a bit of a bore and something of a coward," Erasmus says in a stage whisper to Estra. "As the Lady Morilla suggests, there are plenty of nobles who would match that description."
"That's an understatement," his uncle whispers in his brain, "Must be careful. They'll gut you--literally or figuratively--as soon as you show weakness."
The medium looks around the room for a moment. "Estra, do you think you can handle Lady Morilla's task without me? I see someone that I would be interested in speaking with."
"My Lady, always a pleasure," he says with a bow, "Aayef, stay out of trouble."
Erasmus peels away after pleasantries and heads into the other room to visit with Theon Cenebari. "Good evening, my Lord Cenebari. I wondered if I have a moment of your time to discuss history and your ancestor's place in it."
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"Thank you, Father, your support is most appreciated..."
Valeros then eyes Captain Seferi and, recalling Remaio not knowing why she's here, he decides to give a go at finding out. He goes over to her with a roguish grin and bows.
"Pleased to meet you, Ma'am, I'm Valeros. Forgive my lack of pomp and circumstance but I fear I don't mix with nobility easily considering my background. What brings a lovely and esteemed Captain to a gala such as this?"
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Lady Morilla sips again from her chalice then adds:There's more. Was Honaria Alcasti a great leader, unjustly set up to take the fall for other, more influential and powerful people mistakes and inadequacies? Most probably so. Was this a tragedy? Sure it was. But that's the key of it. As tragic and unjust as it is that a great woman was punished for the faults of others this happened a long time ago. Honaria's memory might be a powerful tool in order to inspire generations of Taldans to be more than they are. A worthy goal indeed. But remember, restoring Honaria Alcasti's legacy and making Remaio Alcasti into a noble of the land are not necessarily the same thing"
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The Cenabri's scion continues speaking:"Now that the task is done... What was that you wanted to discuss about my ancestor's place in history?" he asks with a glint of interest in his eyes.
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The Ulfen Guard gives a pat on Amiri's back:"Thank you, Amiri of the Six Bears. Your tales were well worth listening to, but I wonder... can you put your money where your mouth is? You say you swing a mighty blade. Let me be the judge of your arm's strength!" Inka says suggesting Amiri proves her worth with a test of strength, no doubt what's passes for amusing pastime among Ulfens.
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"I fear you have me at a disadvantage my friend. You know my name but I don't know yours... tell me and maybe we'll have the chance to speak some more"
Estra nods thoughtfully, An interesting proposition my lady. I'll go speak with Menander.
Before she does so though she spends a moment watching him interact with the other guests using the cold reading skills that made her a successful con artist so long ago.
Lets see. He's a bureaucrat, so he's likely sure that he's smarter than everyone here, especially the nobles. Now is he here because he has a stake in the outcome, or merely because it's expected of him..?