"Oh, none could mistake me for nobility. Care to say my calling provides a unique perspective of the court and its players," Thalia answers Toanga. "And yes, exotic is fine. It is held in particular regard in Pitax, almost to the exclusion of the mundane," she hums, eyes flashing.
"We are in agreement, Raxus. For one who calls himself the Bard King, his timing could not be less advantageous. There is a particular allure to waiting upon a maiden to resign to your affections," Thalia begins, addressing Felina with her speech and her eyes, "but if she rebuffs at the wrong moment, any efforts previously made may well be considered fantasy."
Cyean grins oddly after hearing Raxus and Thalia speak. "If you do not wish to stay I know a fine place both of you may go if you like. Though the people there might think you a bit odd at first. You understand newcomers and all that. Though agree with both of you this Bard King is taking a very long time."
He than thinks to himself pleased at how the group is turning out and what information he is getting from speaking to them. "Oh, the fun, I wonder which will happen first they find out or I tell them."
Thalia's attention shifts immediately to Cyean. Oh, and what manner of place would this be? she wonders. "I have yet to hear of a city half as intriguing as Pitax, Sir Knight. Might you qualify?" she inquires.
I also am impatient for the king. To ThaliaI bore of your not so subtle innuendo, and am anxious to see what task is asked of me.
"Thank you, Cyean. I really don't know what to say but, thank you", Mikam nearly gushes, deeply touched. "That you as a complete stranger would make such a generous offer. I hope that we will have time to talk about business possibilities later, in a quieter setting. For now, suffice it to say that I am most familiar with the workings of a trading house. A trading house works with various independents and buyers, contracts transport, establishes letters of credit and the like...so honestly with a little time and research I would sell just about anything."
The merest suggestion of a change in fortune causes an almost complete alteration in Mikam's stature. Unconsciously he has shifted forward in his seat, his posture is straighter and the hint of smile begins to play around the edges of his mouth where before his lips were merely taught with tension.
He continues to listen to the various conversations, but the listless quality that he had been exhuding has been replaced with a sort of rapt fascination.
"...exotic sells over mundane in Pitax...exotic in truth or presentation...?", Mikam mumbles very quietly to himself.
I bore of your not so subtle innuendo, and am anxious to see what task is asked of me.
"My heart, lady, it breaks," Thalia sighs dramatically and then laughs. "To take a partner unwilling to completely indulge in lust is not only an offense to me, my training and my efforts, but an offense to my goddess. You have thrice made your aversion clear, and thus I will desist. I must state, however that your silence thus far has been most appreciated."
Cyean shrugs at Mikam "I just know a great many people Mikam. Some of whom would love to back a trading house. We shall speak later on it than." Turning to Felina he winks once again a grin on his face "Oh Lady Felina so open."
Finally he looks at Thalia "I know many such places Lady Thalia. I could take you to see each one if you like until you find one that meets your liking. All I ask in return is to answer a question for each city we visit. Not to much to ask now is it?" He than gives Thalia a insincere hurt look "If you wanted a partner for the night all you had to do what ask Lady Thalia. No need to drop hints. Tell me who is your type and I shall find them for you at once."
Winterflower's eyes narrow. "I will trust, for the sake of our recent acquaintance, Sir Cyean, that you did not intend to imply that I am unable to attract a willing partner."
Thalia licks her lips and then smiles, the aggression and cool tone that she only formerly adopted disappearing when she speaks again. "Certainly, I will travel to these cities with you, if our companions agree. I must admit I prefer them to the wilds. Although... my experience of the wilds thus far is limited to participating in a production of a tragedy with fey elements that required more than it's share of props." Thalia chuckles.
Cyean laughs at Thalia tone with him than looks at her with a serious gaze one that shows he has much steel in him "Never assume Lady Thalia. When I speak I say what I mean, nothing more nothing else. I offered you help as a knight should a Lady."
His eyes change back to the soft cheerful ones he had most of the night before answering the rest of what was said " All of our companions are welcome to come each however will have a different price. If any of you wish to come tell me I shall tell you the price. As for the wilds I know some about wilder places of the world but I am not hunter as some of our group seems to be."
"Quite," Winterflower answers, and falls silent.
A change is coming... she muses. If the Blind Bard must remain to witness, what is my role? What are theirs?
Toanga speaks witout looking at anyone in particular, "Well, if I was interested in performances this day I would certainly have my pick from this room alone. Unfortunately, the more I watch of them the less interesting some of them have become. Disappointing."
"The ogre-man is impatient. The centipede lady is offended." Turning to Mikham, "If trade is truly your passion then look to Kibwe. But I would not go there myself were I you; it is not for the faint of heart and you would leave a different man than you arrived." Looking at Thalia, "You are a dichotomy that, at present, I cannot figure out." His gaze shifts to Cyean, "You look the part of a knight but are very vague for one who purports to speak plainly. I am interested in what knightly order you belong to that views finding a sexual companion for a lady as a knightly duty and who views his travel companionship so highly that he must charge for it." He looks around the room, "I thought there was another but perhaps he has left."
His gaze leaves everybody and he now seems to be speaking to himself. "At this point, my level of interest has waned so much that I would leave too but for one mystery that has presented itself which must be solved."
"I speak and answer plainly, it is not my fault that others find it vague. As for my order I belong to the Order of the Sword. I view the happiness of my comrades as one of my duties. So if you wish for something I will go through great lengths to attain whatever it is that my comrades wish for." His eyes than lock with Toanga's "As for my companionship I doubt that simple questions or someone's thoughts on a matter is much to ask when I protect them and pay for all expenses with all I travel with in such a way. Unless you think it is a great price when you received for your payment someone who will protect you at all costs. In which case you could decline my offer."
Thalia giggles. "My thanks for your thorough assessment, Toanga. I will endeavor not to bore in the future."
"The ogre-man is impatient.
"I am not an ogre. That the lot of you have your limbs unbroken is proof. I choose my mother's ways, though the talk here makes me consider my father's a little less harshly. You mistake my disgust for impatience. I know little of all...this," Raxus says gesturing to the room and it's inhabitants, "but I know enough to see that whatever 'court' is, it seems to serve little purpose besides making people act like petulant children. I have had enough of hearing it."
Raxus stands again, towering more than a foot over the exceedingly tall Toanga, and makes his way toward the exit with a snarl that clears a path for him.
"I speak and answer plainly, it is not my fault that others find it vague.
"Blame the listener. A very aristocratic response, though rather dull."
"So, "the happiness of my comrades" you say." Toanga ponders this for awhile. "Very intriguing. If a comrade cannot pay your "price", would you still help them find happiness? Or what if that happiness came at your own expense?"
Turning to Thalia, "You have not bored me. If anything, you have given me a secondary mystery to solve."
As I thought, some here are easy to provoke. That one is the half-ogre is not surprising but it does make the mystery all the more strange.
Thalia reaches out and stops Raxus's chair from falling over in the suddenness of his exit. She looks after him for a time, eyebrows raised slightly, then turns back to the group and shrugs. "With that surly demeanor, Raxus is more likely to meet a contingent of Wardens than the King," she says and sighs. "I did warn him earlier, but with his distaste for speeches... I gather he did not care to hear."
"Blame the listener. A very aristocratic response, though rather dull."
"So, "the happiness of my comrades" you say." Toanga ponders this for awhile. "Very intriguing. If a comrade cannot pay your "price", would you still help them find happiness? Or what if that happiness came at your own expense?"
Cyean shrugs "It may be a dull response but it is a true one. No matter how much you would like to think otherwise." He than looks at Toanga before speaking " You must really stop assuming much as I said to Lady Thalia. First of all the price is something everyone can pay. Second if their wish is that they do not wish to pay the price than so be it. If their happiness comes at my expense that is fine. Before you say no one is willing to do that for free I will tell you there are people that do and I am one."
To Toanga I never said I was offended, but bored. I do not take of the same pleasures as Thalia, that's all there is to it.
Thalia rolls her eyes when Felina speaks. Oh, this performance is not likely to grow stale. Hardly contributes to a conversation, only to utter a single statement that completely kills any mood. It will be a sacrifice to share a camp with her, much less blankets.
"When the King arrives, I will be fairly disappointed if I cannot smell his woman on his person from this vantage point, and approve of her taste," Thalia growls in frustration.
As tension and impatience begin to grow at your table a hush fills the whole room, then silence, followed by a fanfare and the opening of the main doors to let King Irovetti make his entrance. Dressed in his most ostentatious and expensive clothes the Bard King walks nonchalantly to the largest table in the hall. Once there he raises his voice and proclaims My friends, I have summoned you to this magnificent Academy to announce a great enterprise that I have decided to face in the name of Pitax and its glory. he makes a pause and looks at your table For too long has banditry plagued our borders and kept trade, culture and arts scared to share our extraordinary kingdom. he moves his hand to point at your table These heroes, the best Pitax and Golarion whole have to offer have been given by me the task to get us rid of that scourge, they have the skill and strength to do it so he points towards each of you as he calls out your name
Thalia, mistress of revenge and diplomacy,
Toanga, favoured by the gods of the Mwangi Expanse,
Cyean, heir to the glory of the ancient Taldor knights,
Mikam, magic touched son of House Orlovsky of Brevoy,
Felina, dame of the green, lady of nature,
Raxus, son of the strongest of giants and the wittiest of men.
Sev, killer of beasts, hunter of monsters
I and Pitax have placed our trust in you. I know you will not fail.
Bandits? Winterflower seethes. He has called us here to engorge his ranks? Or... has he lost control of them? Winterflower's eyebrow raises slightly, and she rises, leading with her long, slender legs, displaying an ample amount of flesh high on her thigh when she does.
"Thalia, Priestess of the Sacred Sting, our most gracious Liege," she corrects him, granting him a sedate bow another artist, particularly a bowed instrument user would recognize on sight. Mistress of Trickery, and Lust too, you should also know. "You have called, and I answer. I will represent the interests of Pitax in the field."
After his name is called Cyean stands and bows. He thinks to himself " Heir to the glory of the Ancient Taldor Knights? That indeed does have a nice ring to it." "I have come as requested. I shall do my best to help complete the task at hand." As he speaks he has a savage grin on his face and his eyes seem to hold fire.
Raxus stops on his way out of the room and turns at his name. Uncomfortable with all the eyes on him, he says nothing.
A round of applause and wolf whistles comes after Thalia's answer, then more applause after Cyean's. After Raxus is called the crowd looks at the now standing half-ogre with both awe and fear.
Thalia giggles and blows kisses to her vocal admirers, relishing in the opportunity to slight Irovetti ever so publically by the gesture. She is grinning when she turns to Cyean, and speaks:
"You see, Sir Knight, I have little need of your assistance."
Cyean looks over the crowd and watches the king to get a better idea of the man. He than hears what Thalia said without turning he says:
"I would not be so quick to say that Lady Thalia."
Sev scowls when his name is called, and stands only enough to bob his head and sit back down, watching the place with wary eyes. 'Too many that might recognize me. Gods, but I hate social gatherings!'
Mikam doesn't even stand, nor make any motion or signal to the crowd, but merely shrinks into the chair as if he is attempting to put the table between himself and the attention of the masses. It almost appears that Mikam is trying to decide if he should dive underneath the table, but is restraining himself with great effort.
Felina stands and nods to the crowd, and then turns toward the king and gives a graceful curtsy, she attempts to make and hold eye contact with the king for as long as possible and then sits without a word.
Favored of the Mwangi gods? Is this man an idiot? Leaving there was the best thing I ever did. I wonder how much they really know about us…
Toanga stands and faces the crowd though he doesn’t look in the king’s direction at all. With a beaming smile on his face he begins speaking, very quickly, in heavily accented common, “Thank you for such a…gracious I believe the word is…welcome! It is truly amazing that…” at this point Toanga lapses into the Polyglot tongue and continues talking as if he hasn’t noticed.
With that, Toanga bows to the crowd (only) and sit back down. He begins carefully watching, especially near the king, to see if anyone has understood what he has said and, if so, how they interpreted it.
A linguist, Winterflower muses, but does not take her eyes from the king's party for a moment. The ability to communicate in a language that they are unlikely to know... Would require a spell for them to decipher. A scroll is a simple thing to procure, however, would they always be prepared?
After your introduction the party seems to go on as if the announcemet was a minor matter. The crowd starts forming small groups and praising Irovetti's bravery and selflessness instead of talking about you. A kid comes to your table and says Hiya, the king says you have to meet his assistant tomorrow in the morning at the east gate, he will tell you what to do and sneaks away, not before picking a piece of cheese from your table.
[spoiler=Thalia]The King's Party doesn't seem to have a clue of what Toanga said, but as soon as he started talking in Polyglot a woman of his retinue started scribbling something[/b]
Thalia laughs and ruffles the child's hair as he reaches for the cheese. "Dismissed by the crowd, the king, and now an ignorant child," she hums happily. "It appears my bed will be lonely tonight, after all," she continues and laughs again.
"Gentlemen, it has been a pleasure," she sings, and offers them a bow, "but I am afraid that my faith calls me elsewhere this evening. Unless, of course, one offers a compelling argument how my myriad of talents can be actively employed?"
Cyean bows in turn to Thalia before saying "Very well Lady Thalia, be well this night and have much fun, seems like it will be the last we have for a long time. He thinks for a moment before saying "I will leave as well. I have much to get ready before we leave tomorrow. I shall see the rest of you than." He stands salutes the table before leaving. While he walks he thinks to himself "I need to get my gear ready and my mount. I wonder if my armor will suit the area we are going to. So much to plan and think out."
Raxus sighs when informed of the next day's meeting. So i did not even need to be here.
Without a word he turns and trudges out of the hall.
Sev nods distractedly at each of them as they leave. Once they're gone, he moves to the shadows, finding a hidden place where he can watch without being seen. From there he watches the play of social niceties below, trying to determine who is in whose pockets.
Thalia follows Raxus's exit with widened eyes. "Was it something that I said?" she inquires. "Am I repugnant, or simply easily dismissed?" she fans her eyes in a dramatic gesture, and then winks at Toanga.
"Gentlemen, Lady," Thalia says, and sweeps a bow to Mikam. "Milord Orlovski. Good evening."
Thalia will return to the cathedral to collect her things.
for . Thalia spends the evening alone.
Thalia will also take 10 on knowledge (local) for 16 to know where she can procure a mule and a pack saddle early in the morning so that she can meet the party at the gate.
Felina stands and nods to each person and then heads to the inn where she has taken a room without at word.
I'm glad that is over. I can't wait to get back to the familiar setting of the forest.
The massive Raxus is hard to miss as he wanders the streets of the unfamiliar place, a pair of large mastiffs looking no bigger than hounds next to him. He does not bother with inns. He learned years ago that new places dislike his presence, especially when he is alone. Instead he simply finds a tree to lean up against in some secluded part of the city, wraps a blanket around his shoulders pulls his dogs close for warmth, sleeping uncomfortably until daybreak.
Mikam filtered out with the rest of the party-goers into the warm evening air. Standing at the mid-point of the stairs he looked around, peering at the mass of carriages that had been pulled up, awaiting the various luminaries of Pitax. After a moment he shrugged and walked off the Academy grounds, into the city.
"Milord Orlovski. Good evening."
Thalia’s warm and dulcet voice echoed in his mind as he walked. A small shiver of delight played within him, whether from the unexpected use of his title or simply the attention of such a beautiful woman, he would have been hard pressed to answer. The warm thoughts nearly floated him down the dusty cobblestones to Namith’s modest house.
Namith was awake and waiting by the fire as he entered, a tankard in hand and his large shaggy dog under his legs. A smile played on his lips as Mikam walked in.
“Well? How was the party?”, he asked, not even bothering to conceal his amusement.
“You bloody well know how it went Namith. Apparently the King has, with your assistance, put together a gang of misfits. There was a southern savage and a quite calm and seemingly well educated half-ogre, as well as a druid with a giant bug and a Taladoran knight. I am not certain if the King wants us to succeed or fail, and I am even less certain what sort of game you are playing Namith.”
“Me?”, Namith said, looking deeply offended.
“Certainly! Everybody in this blasted town seems to be playing a game. I feel like a token on a gameboard rather than a person.”
“Stop.” Namith was suddenly extremely serious, his eyes glittering in the light of the fire, his face half hidden in shadow. “Yes I am playing a game. But unlike many others, I have your interests in mind as I do. The truth is that you are playing a game as well. Not very well, mind you, but you are playing. The question is: are you actually going to make moves of your own, continue to allow others to play you or merely move by the winds of chance?” Namith leaned back in his chair. “When you came here to Pitax, you made a challenging overland trip on your own, from all that you knew, leaving behind family and support and attempting to find your own way. Very few do that. Even less survive. I think that you have something in you. But, for the last two months I have seen nothing but a failure to act. So I now play the part of the adult bird, and push you out of the comfortable nest that you have made. I think that you can fly…I have put some small money on it. Others believe you will die. But now you will have to act.” A log popped in the fire. “Play the game and play it well Mikam Orlovski. Your life starts tomorrow, I suggest you get some sleep.”
Mikam, angry and confused as only a young man can be, stared at the man hidden in shadow, incredulous at what he had just heard. Namith had pushed him to this…Namith was placing bets on him, on his life as if it was a game.
He turned and stomped up the stairs, near petulant.
In the morning, he left, his belongings on his back and without a word to Namith and made his way to the gate.
Toanga makes no particular rush to leave. He gazes at the sycophantic fools fawning over the king with ill-concealed scorn.
Bandits is it? So it's a test then...not a surprise I suppose. A group as odd as ours could only happen by design, but why? Put on display and yet ignored. Not as interesting as I had hoped. Still, one or two minor mysteries to go with the big one should keep things interesting enough.
Realizing that nothing else of interest is going to happen Toanga will leave. The nearest inn that doesn't look like it involves disease or being murdered in the night will do.
Strangely, Winterflower felt not a twinge of disappointment when her services were not required that evening. Literally stitched into her dress, Winterflower caresses a free sister, and drives her passion with a number of well placed kisses. The dress ends in ribbons on the floor, and the sister rolling happily on Thalia's bed, satisfied.
Not enough, Winterflower assesses, a slow smile spreading across her face.
"Not a single woman among them," Winterflower hums, bending her lips to her sweet sister. Her sweet scent too sweet, apple perfume? flares her nostrils as her eager tongue parts her. Winterflower sighs against her sister while the passion quickens, trying to find her pace...
"You've a beautiful singing voice, my darling," Thalia compliments when she has delivered her sister again. "If you've no other appointments, you may lie here awhile," she invites graciously.
Tucked into her warm bed, a lovely girl curled beneath her breasts and purring at her touch, Winterflower allows her mind to wander. Sometimes, she wonders if she truly sleeps, or if her dreams were merely an extension of her conscious mind. Winterflower pictures the Blind Bard struggling with his awkward gait among a field of Wardens towards the Burgundy throne. Upon it is Irovetti, with Thalia mounted upon him, Winterflower recognizes with no small amount of amusement, until her heart, captive in her chest begins to pound.
Thalia is twenty three years old again, and recently ordained. Her first designation, passed to her from Drey himself is an agitated Warden. It was meant to be an assessment of her abilities, and ended with the Shiver-addicted animal crushing her throat while he forced himself upon her. Winterflower wakes with a gasp, finding alien and scarcely lukewarm lips on her breasts, and clumsy fingers between her legs.
"Very good, my darling," Thalia soothes, playing to the girl's passion. A priestess, she could not refuse the girl her expression of lust, but neither could she falsify her own. Deception was Norberger's domain.
After, Thalia asks for her sister to assist with braiding her curls. She dresses, and slings her pack and lute over her shoulder. She cannot bear to face the effigy of Calistria upon her departure. The wasps that surrounded her were known to sting the faithful to express Her displeasure. Three years it had been since Winterflower had sworn revenge upon Irovetti and his cadre, and she had yet to make the slightest progress. Stepping out of the cathedral, Winterflower is assaulted by one of those wasps, which stings her on her left breast.
"Good, my Lady. Three days of agony are not enough, if I might yet know your Grace again."
Thalia shifts the strap of her backpack and her lute over to her right shoulder, and continues on. She knows of a stable that can furnish her with a mule. After procuring a mule, which she names Fleet and a pack saddle, she leads the animal to the East Gate, to await Irovetti's pleasure.
After waking in the morning Cyean baths himself before checking his gear. Seeing that everything is in order he dons his armor. Places his massive two handed blade in the sheath on his back he gathers up the rest of his gear. With all his gear ready he heads out to saddle up Granite. When he looks upon Granite making sure he he was fine. Granite heads towards his master making some noise. Getting the saddle from the stable master Cyean gears Granite up and heads towards the east gate.
He looks every inch the knight he claimed to be the night before. His armor and weapons were polished but could see that it had use. His horse was young but a fine specimen with grey fur. He looks around silently as he heads toward the gate. Seeing that Thalia was at the gate already he says "Good Morning Lady Thalia." He than starts to look around once more before standing there silently waiting for the others.
"Is it?" Winterflower sighs, and glances about. "Ne're a Warden in sight when they are needed. Likely some one having a fairly poor morning."
Cyean's silence suits Winterflower's sombre mood well enough. She observes his horseflesh, pondering if he acquired such a fantastic mount to set her dowdy Fleet to shame. She gives her creature's mane a playful tug and pats its neck, and when it unexpectantly responds in kind, nudging her breast with its snout she scarely manages to conceal a hiss of pain in a sharp exhale.
Once more, my Lady? Or am I to know active torment?
With not else to occupy her time, Thalia slips her lute out in front of her, leans against the gate and begins picking a tune suitable for dancing. Her dour spirits sufficiently brightened, she observes Mikam's arrival with a smile.
"Good, my lord. Come to alleviate my boredom? Might I introduce Fleet," she sweeps gesture to indicate the mule. "She will be my beast of burden," Thalia says and giggles softly, handling her lute like a lover.
"Good, my lord. Come to alleviate my boredom? Might I introduce Fleet. She will be my beast of burden,"
The use of the title put a small thrill through Mikam once more, blowing away some of the clouds of darkness that had been pervading his thoughts the entire morning. He smiled for a moment at Thalia, before turning to the object of the conversation.
"And a wonderful girl she is", he says with a critical eye. After a moment of observation he walks to face Fleet squarely and extends his hand towards her nose. Fleet sniffs his hand for a bare moment, then returns to searching the cobbles for weeds poking up between the cracks.
"Well I have to say that I have always tended to like mules over horses. They don't spook easily, have a much tougher disposition, can eat nearly anything and pretty much can cover any terrain. They aren't as showy as horses, and sometimes that keeps the bandits away too. I think she is an excellent choice. Quite sensible."
Mikam shrugs. He pauses for a moment, then turns away from Thalia and looks out the gate and down the road, staring at the brown strip of packed earth as it disappears over the horizon.
"I have been thinking about games recently, mostly because of last night's event....What game do you think is being played here? What purpose could this group that the King formed truly have?"
Thalia continues strumming her lute while Mikam speaks, hearing every word that he says. This one is a great fool, Winterflower decides, and Thalia's smile falters.
"Which game indeed, milord?" she hums, plucking at the strings. "A passionate one, I pray. Like as not better suited for hushed conversations between the sheets," she suggests and winks.
Raxus arrives looking much different than he had the night before. The suit he had worn like a chafing skin was gone. In it's place were raw leather breeches and a simple shirt beneath a massive hooded longcoat, over which was draped a vest of thick animal skins.
At his flanks were a pair of massive dogs, one golden, the other dark grey. In his hand he carried a broadheaded spear. He simply nodded to those who had gathered and sat cross legged on the ground to wait.
Utterly confused by Thalia's words and not wanting to seem like he doesn't understand, Mikam merely nods in agreement. Then, almost sheepishly he picks up his pack, moves off to the side of the road a bit, and sits.
"Repugnant it is, then."
Thalia sighs dramatically and winds her calloused fingertips up the strings of her lute, creating a soft hissing sound as she speaks the words of a spell, then points to Mikam. Her fingers continue to play over the lute, producing an enjoyable melody and she seems to be whispering lyrics to the song.
"Such subjects are best not broached in public, Milord," Thalia whispers in your ear. "Lesser still among our... simple companions, no?"
Sev walks in, holding his musket against his shoulder and smelling of oil and powder.
"Nice music, miss. Does it always come with the show?" He sneers slightly, not at all charming.