"Cooperation, indeed, seems desirable. As stated, stripping him of his position would have been the best I hoped to achieve, so hearing that is your goal, I'd even say that our current interests align perfectly."
Mira takes another drink, somewhat relaxing, but still unwilling to let her guard down entirely: "As for the Lady Martella, I did not have the pleasure of meeting her so far. Just trying to gain her attention. I believe change is coming to this country, and I hope to be on both the right and victorious side of history.", she offers a disarming smile, then places her glass on the table and leans back in her chair.
"If I may be so bold - I did answer your questions, but do have one, as well. What's your long-term goal? Remove the Count, that's now. But I have stated my motivation...revenge, with the Count just a stepping stone - what's yours? Where are you going with that if you succeed? Because right now, it sounds too good to be true - my saviours turn out to have goals that perfectly align with mine? I wouldn't want to go ahead blindly, then find myself - in a couple of weeks - mired down in some elaborate plot against the Princess with my hands dirty and my neck in a noose."
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Amandine takes a sip from her glass as she considers her reply.
"Of course you may ask such a question. I will answer it, but understand I must be circumspect about some details. This is not by choice, but rather in deference to our employer."
"We are here at the behest of an employer, whose identity I cannot disclose. We are expendable, our employer is not. Our long term goal, the next step, is whatever our employer assigns. I expect there will be a next step, but we have not been informed of it at this point in time."
"I presume this answer is less than completely satisfactory to you. I apologize, and beg your understanding regarding the matter. I can say that I have been imprecise in explaining our mission here though. While we are tasked with removing Count Lotheed as I have already explained, the why for his removal should be revealing for you."
"When Count Lotheed is removed, Princess Eutropia will come into direct possession of Birdsong Palace and the County of Meratt along with its resources. This outcome is beneficial to Princess Eutropia of course. In the longer term I will say that I do not think our employer is capricious in their motivations and views. I foresee our future work aligning perfectly with our past work. I will add here, so I do not inadvertently implicate Her Grace, we are not employed by Princess Eutropia."
"I hope I have guided you to a conclusion about us that you find comfortable while remaining within the boundaries to which I must adhere?"
...
Greenly returns down the canals, having delivered the meeting request to Baroness Voinum. The baroness requested two days to prepare her home for guests, and this extra time allows Mira to join Gan'dro as he searches for a surviving bottle of Stachys wine.
Cutting it very close to the deadline for the visit, they make a fortuitous discovery!
They learn that a couple bottles remain in Baron Telus' long-neglected wine cellar. Eternally grateful for being freed from his curse, the baron eagerly parts with a bottle as a gift for Lady Amandine.
When Dro'gan amd Mira procure the bottle of wine, Amandine is surprised and delighted.
"Wonderful! Excellent work! I truly didn't expect it would possible to find any short of perhaps a few collectors in Oppara or Cassomir, beyond our reach."
She carefully wraps and pads the bottle for protection.
"I truly hope this gift will incline Baroness Voinum to regard us somewhat more warmly. I do not expect the difference in our generations to be beneficial to us, nor have I seen hints that her political or social views align well with what we will be lobbying her for. That leaves us with anti-corruption, and possibly a personal betrayal by Lotheed, with which to coax her. Neither argument elicits positive emotions."
"We need a softener, and if the Baroness has one, I think it may be nostalgia. This gift is not just about the rarity of the wine, but a visceral reminder of what she considers better days now long past."
The boatman is scheduled for the journey, and the departure is made in order to arrive for the visit with Baroness Voinum at the proper time.
With little to offer directly in search of the most excellent wine, Meraki turns to the mundane talents she does have: art. Based on what she knows of Baroness Voinum, she decides on a depiction of the Sixth Army of Exploration, pushing their way into the region now known as the River Kingdoms.
Hopefully, she thinks, looking over her finished work, she'll be impressed by such a patriotic piece.
Mira licks her lips in anticipation, deep in thought. "I do understand you will have to run that by your employer, of course, but here's hoping."
Mira leaves the handing-over of the bottle to Dro'gan, seeing how it was his task in the first place. When Amandine explains her reasons for the Wine, and describes the Lady Voinum, Mira raises an eyebrow:"So she's an old woman, stuck in and glorifying the past? Traditions and order and young people be damned?"
She sighs:"I know her type. I take no pleasure in spending more time with them than necessary - but necessity seems the name of the game, here. I am used to telling people what they WANT to hear, in a sympathetic way. So I could try and open the conversation, talk with her first and get her in a good mood, before you take over. Only if you want, of course."
Quintus and his son provide a safe, quick ride down the cleaned up canals and bring you across the heart of the county and into the Voinum Barony. He poles the barge over to an old quay along the canal's edge, looping a rope around a rusting mooring. Thus, you disembark on the edge of the barony, midway between the Void Wood on the west and the local vineyards on the east.
Voinaris, a small settlement of about 150 residents, sits at the heart of the vineyards rolling across the barony's hills. The Voinum Estate sits about 3 miles removed from the village, but the two are connected by well-worn wagon trails.
Guarding the bottle of wine like it was his only newborn child, Dro'gan keeps it wrapped safely and hidden in his magical backpack.
If no way for the group to travel is closely available, Dro'gan will run ahead and try to procure a carriage or cart for the 'softer' members of the traveling group.
"Sir Greenly, would you mind carrying this for me?" Meraki asks hopefully, hefting a large rectangular object wrapped in protective vellum. "It's a bit bulky for me, I'm afraid."
Greenly easily hefts the wrapped rectangle upon a shoulder and smiles at those gathered. While they wait for Gandro to return with a cart, she wanders the streets of Voinaris and engages in idle gossip with the locals, hoping to find potential inroads for treating with the Baroness.
Walking through the village, Greenly quickly picks up that public sentiment has turned heavily against the Count. Baron Okerra already stood as a lone contrast to the idles and wastrel ways of Count Lotheed, but now with Lady Betony and Baron Telus rapidly revitalizing their lands, the residents in Voinaris are discussing the proper role of nobles in governing the land.
Greenly also overhears quiet debate from the villagers about where their own Baroness falls on the matter. The dominant opinion seems to be that Baroness Voinum secretly loathes Count Lotheed for disrespecting the traditions of Meratt and for acting more like a wanton rake than the holder of a historic county. Baroness Voinum continues to carry out the duties and responsibilities proscribed of a vassal, but she privately believes its all for naught since she serves an indolent liege.
With the transport arrived, the warrior makes a beeline for Amandine. "Miss, mind helping me set Meraki's rectangle down in the back?" Flush with new information as she is, she quietly shares what she has learned as the Lady Betony 'helps', i.e., stands and watches.
Amandine is content to wait with the baggage until transport arrives. When it has arrived and Greenly asks for help with Meraki's 'triangle', Amandine does help her so long as no third parties are around to see it happen. She looks around to see if the coast is clear.
Whichever occurs, Amandine is quite relieved to hear that rumors suggest the Baroness is more politically aware regarding Count Lotheed than she had anticipated, and it may tilt their dealings with her in their favor.
"That is very good to know Sir Greenly. I will think about ways we may be able to insert more color to that effect into our conversations with her, hints that we are all fellow travelers."
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Meraki beams at Greenly despite herself, and follows along after her, tail swishing to and fro in excitement. It was already looking to be a lovely day.
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You load your baggage, along with the painting and wine, into the handcart you were able to safely carry aboard Quintus' barge for the journey across the revitalized canals. Thus, you ramble your way through Voinaris, past the intervening vineyards, and up to the gates of the Voinum estate. You are greeted by the baroness' footmen, who help you disembark and unload what you have brought with you.
Within the half hour, you are seated in a parlor with Her Gracem Baroness Legate Adella Voinum. Even sitting down, the baroness is an imposing figure. You have heard that she was of legendary stature in her youth, and age has only managed to bow her down to a mere six feet tall.
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Remembering it was her who was trusted to connect with the Baroness, Greenly steps forth and bows to her fellow soldier.
"Your Grace, it is an honor to, like, stand in the presence of a vernerated member of the Taldan Phalanx, sir. I know this is traditionally the footman's job to introduce our party, but I, like, felt the need to take it on myself, one warrior to another. We bring with us Gandro, the Lady's butler, Meraki Hannan, artist and attendant of the Lady, and a new friend of the Lady's known as Mira. Of course you are familiar with the Lady and myself, but as, like, a reintroduction, I am Sir Greenly Baerdottir, champion of the Jubilee Joust and knight in service to my Lady Amandine Betony, heir to the late Lady Allis, who has revived her beloved prefecture thru careful management, steady guidance, and an earnest respect for her subjects.
"Know we remain at your service while in your demesne, asking only that you listen to the request we bring before you."
Stepping back, she whispers to Meraki and Amandine, "Wait, gifts now or later?"
If he gets the nod from Amandine, Gandro will present the bottle of old wine carefully to the Barroness without speaking.
Mira does a perfect curtsie, then adds:"It is an honor to be in your presence, ma'am. I received a traditional upbringing, and am afraid I'm not much of a fighter, but my late father served in the Phalanx and the stories of your deeds and accomplishments inspired me since I was a child."
She casts her eyes down shyly, then locks her gaze on the Baroness.
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"First we'll uncork that bottle of wine, pour ourselves some glasses, then you can tell me why your 'Lady' came to Meratt to impersonate a child of the Betony family," the baroness says plainly as she retrieves a cadre of wine glasses from the nearby serving cart and deploys them upon the parlor table.
While waiting for you to get over your surprise, she reaches to grab the bottle of Stachys wine from Greenly, muttering "Here, I'll show you how to do it right" before opening the bottle.
"At the Tanager Jubilee, I immediately pegged you as an imposter," the baroness says to Amandine, keeping her eyes on the bottle and glasses as she pours. "You don't have any of the Betony family attributes - the chin, the jawline, the cheekbones. None of it."
The baroness offers a wolfish smile, proud to demonstrate that her knowledge of the county's history can be a potent weapon.
"Now, don't go flying into a tizzy. You might spill the wine. If I was going to out you, I would have done it right after the Jubilee. If I was a gambling woman, I would wager that your arrival has something to do with the count. Your business in the county has thus been an amusing curiosity because, frankly, I despise that man and his whole family.
"The benefit of being known as the local bitter, sarcastic old woman is that no one can tell the difference between my ordinary, everyday criticism and when I sincerely hate someone."
Easily uncorking the old bottle, Dro'gan decants the wine carefully into large wine glasses and giving the lion's share to the Baroness of course.
He then retreats toward Meraki to let the 'highborn' tussle out what happens next, without his interference. Standing at 'parade rest' near her he whispers out of the corner of his mouth to the Tiefling and wiggles his eyebrows at her.
"I like her already!"
While Amandine is certainly wrong-footed by by the very different than expected Baroness, she isn't going to fold like a cheap card. When something is both unexpected and just about too good to be true, Amandine tends not to so easily believe.
She buys a bit of time by leaning back in her chair and making herself more comfortable before replying. Meanwhile she mentally parses what Baroness Voinum as just said for any falsehoods.
Amandine examines Baroness Voinum from multiple angles: her posture, her facial expressions, her choice of words, her tone of voice, and her overall mood. All the evidence Amandine observes indicates that the baroness is being truthful and sincere.
"I'm no fool. I can see the social decay eating away at Taldor," the baroness says while allowing Amandine to continue her appraisal. "It's all because of a lack of discipline and respect for tradition, and the count is one of the worst offenders in that regard.
"When you first made your debut at the Jubilee, I wanted to see how things played out. Imposter or not, if you wanted to act like a noble, I wanted to see what kind you would be. Unlike some of my peers, you have more than just fluff in your head, and you actually worked to bring your lands back into line and get your people back to work."
The baroness stops short of admitting that she is impressed. However, from her posture, you also surmise that she proudly thinks that your efforts to revitalize Stachys were inspired by the example she sets for how a noble should act.
"I must defer to your expertise regarding a lack of any family resemblance on my part. I am not personally familiar with any Betony beyond my father, so I have little basis for a comparison. Of course I expect my elven blood obscures what faint likenesses might otherwise be noticeable."
"No doubt I needn't explain to you why my little, half-elven twig off a slender branch of the family tree wasn't spoken of. It took quite a long time for my brother and me to be found. Only after every other branch has been scoured and found completely bare did anyone think to check ours, where there were two little leaves left. So here we are now, the last resort when all else has failed."
"My claim to the Betony title and property is legal and legitimate. I can forward the documentation to you if you would like to read it. But that doesn't really answer the essence of the question does it? Am I a fraud? If there were any other living Betony to offer an opinion, I am sure they would say 'yes'. But I do not put much stock in such things. Probably due to my faulty breeding."
As she speaks, Amandine sounds slightly amused rather than defensive or embittered, like the single survivor who walked away from a collapsed building without a scratch. She is both unable to explain her good fortune, and unapologetic for it.
"I am gratified that you have taken note of my work in righting Stachys, and my measures meet with your approval. It has not been easy, and it has led me to see Count Lotheed as you do. The Count and I have reached an impasse on taxation. As I am sure you know, Baron Telus is now restored to sound mind, but Jambis and its citizenry must travel a long road to recovery. I have been aiding materially in their recovery, and asked Count Lotheed to take the extra expense into account when assessing Stachys's rate of taxation."
"Count Lotheed was too short sighted to consider my request on its merits. But he did make a counter offer. If I were to deal with the Night Swan, he would reduce taxation so I could continue to support Jambis. He also sweetened the offer in a way that involves you. He offered to bequeath your lands and title to me instead of your heir."
As she explains Count Lotheed's proposal, Amandine becomes more and more animated in expressing her shock and disgust at the Count's double dealing.
"Can you imagine? His attempts to handle the threat of the Night Swan have been so incompetent that he would turn to ME as a better solution to the problem than his own people! I am neither a marshal nor a warrior, and I am better suited to fix the mess? How could a man sink so low?"
"I declined of course. It was horrible to realize how far out of his depth Count Lotheed truly is. This is part of the reason I have come to visit. You must be warned about how ready he is to defraud your heir for the smallest personal gain."
Greenly frowns and whispers to Amandine, "Do we really try to keep holding on to this?"
Amandine ignores Greenly, seemingly not hearing her at all and secretly, sincerely hoping Baroness Voinum didn't either.
Noting the direction the conversation was now heading, 'Gandro' steps up trying to support Amandine's narrative.
"Mistress? Pardon my interruption please, but you shouldn't let the DIRE situation with the Count stress you so! I could fetch a tonic for your nerves, or maybe we should adjourn for a moment or two M'lady?"
Mira sits, entirely relaxed, with a hint of amusal playing on her face.
"Mylady, I am certain you would not speak words carrying such weight if you had not done your research. Alas, while I only had the joy of travelling with Lady Amandine's entourage for a short while, I can vouch that she is acting a noble in an exemplary manner. Birthright alone does not make a good leader, and many grow complacent and decadent. I said I am not a warrior myself, but warfare is not entirely unknown to me. I know at the field of battle it does not matter who had the better smith, who had the better trainer, or who had the wealthier father. What matters is who wields their weapon better, who took to heart the lessons given by their betters, and ultimately, who walks away - and who feeds the crows. What I am getting at is the following - even if there is the possibility that some clerical error or misunderstanding may call the validity of the Ladys claimed heritage into question, her actions so far leave no doubt that she is capable of fulfilling the duties given to her."
Mira leans forward to retrieve her glass, then continues:"Something that can not be said about the Count. My arrival in these lands does indeed have to do with him. I wish to bring about his downfall, and he incompetentely attempted to have me murdered by setting fire to a ship full of people. Between him and the Lady Amandine, there is only one person worthy of being called a noble. And family trees don't even begin to come into play at the point I'm ready to make that call."
She takes a deep sip.
Meraki, not wishing to belabor the point, simply prays in silence, asking Nocticula to bless their mission here.
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Baroness Voinum sits and listens to Amandine's explication, wearing an expression like a stern schoolteacher listening to a student explain what became of her homework. Her scarred, stony face makes it hard to discern how convinced she is by your persuasive insistence that Amandine is, indeed, a genuine Betony.
However, that matter is soon pushed aside when Amandine explains how freely Count Lotheed offered the baroness' own lands and title as an incentive. Voinum's face hardens into a scowl, the corners of her mouth falling downward like tent stakes driven into the ground.
When Baroness Voinum pounds her fist upon the table, three wine glasses are launched and doomed to shatter upon the floor, whilst all the others topple and spill their contents to stain the tablecloth with wine.
the baroness shouts in a voice that would carry across a battlefield.
Voinum bolts upright and paces the parlor like a field commander disgusted with the condition of her troops. She launches into a tirade directed just as much against the walls of her manor as towards you, describing every law and tenet that Count Lotheed - "that petulant, needle-knobbed wastrel!" - has violated by making such an offer.
It takes quite some time for Baroness Voinum to reach something resembling calm, but by that point it becomes quite clear that she is on your side, and she would probably testify that Amandine was Lady Allis' direct blood relative if it meant avenging herself against Count Lotheed and his betrayal of the contract between liege and vassals.
Amandine senses which direction she should lean toward. To make sure the conversation moves well on past the Betony legacy, she tries to rabbit hop further in the direction of the Count's misdeeds. She waits until the Baroness has regained her composure, then drops her spare bomb as a question. After all, the Baroness has been around for a long time and might be able to shed some light on the subject.
There was another troubling conversation that took place while I was visiting Birdsong Palace to speak with Count Lotheed. While I waited for the Count, I talked with Lord Titus. He was drunk, and I think speaking more loosely than he would otherwise."
"He told me Count Lotheed was meeting with representatives sent by High Strategos Pythareus. The meetings had been arranged by another relative though, a great-uncle named Duke Panivar. He mentioned Duke Panivar as being deeply interested in arcane pursuits and knowledge."
"Given the current state of political affairs in Taldor at this time, I can only assume the subject of these meetings have been to make some arrangement between the Lotheeds and Pythareus. Perhaps negotiations for Count Lotheed's loyalty and support in exchange for his direct possession of Meratt. I may be assuming too much, but I cannot think of any other way in which Count Lotheed's and High Strategos Pythareus's interests might converge."
"I am no lawyer, but if this is so, would it not be treason? Do you know anything of this Duke Panivar, or of the Lotheed family more senior than Count Bartleby?"
Nodding, 'Gandro' steps up again and waves a local servant to immediately clean up the spilled wine and broken glasses. He then insists new glasses are brought immediately.
"Again pardon my intrusion, but we can't have a discussion of politics without good wine. Good thing I held on to the bottle! Also...I can attest to Lord Titus inebriated condition and words on such matters, since I was present. It was both suspicious and unseemly! However, as only a lowly servant, I am quite sure it was none of my business."
As wine spills along her front, Greenly shoots up and almost panics before remembering she can magic the mess away. "Thanks, mom," she murmurs as she prestidigitates away the stain off herself, the floor and the tablecloth.
As topics turn slowly more towards treason, Greenly has to restrain herself from just asking Voinum to join their fight. Instead she tries to direct Her Grace into meeting them halfway, saying "Milady is right, don't take a fool to see Count Bartleby intendin to offer the High Strat the county and palace as his base of operations. Ludicrous really, considering, like, his main rival's ancestral claim to both Merratt and the Birdsong Palace? Mr. Count kinda just snaking around behind everyone's back I think. Your Grace and the Princess, definitely. You think he'd betray us, too?"
She asks this last as a sort of rhetorical open question, meant both to show her party's lack of commitment and loyalty to the Count without openly speaking treason, and to subtly introduce support for Princess Eutropia into the conversation.
"The High Strategos representatives were there? And in league with Lotheed? This makes everything so much worse. If what you speak is true, then this apple is rotten to the core. It wont do for him to just abdicate. The taint would spread, regardless. That festering wound on Taldors honor must be cleansed with steel and fire.", Mira seems unusually agitated upon learning this new information.
"Duke Panivar VI," the baroness begins, speaking the name as though it was a synonym for 'phooey.' "He's the latest in a long line of reclusive dukes, utterly obsessed with the Grand Dance and their own magical navel gazing, leaving their responsibilities in the hands of incompetent kin. If the duke is wooing the High Strategos as an ally, even if handling it through his petulant nephew, then it must suit his private goals somehow."
However, Voinum is skeptical of accusations of treason against Count Bartelby or his uncle, the duke.
"Strictly speaking, Taldor has no legal ruler at the moment. Despite that, it is pleasing to see that no exceptional violence has broken out, and all the day-to-day functions of the Empire continue unabated. That is the power and momentum of tradition. Dedicated citizens of the Empire know our duty, and we do it as we have for generations.
"Siding with the High Strategos as heir is no more treasonous than siding with Stavian's daughter," Baroness Voinum states, reaching for a fresh glass of wine. "The same goes for Merkander, Vort, Lawsus, or any of the other dozen or so claimants for the crown. Until a new Senate is convened to settle the matter of succession, the nobles and commoners of Taldor alike are free to support whomever they want."
Although the baroness is non-committal when it comes to the larger stage of Taldan politics, she has become much more invested in the politics of the county, largely thanks to your overtures. In addition to already condemning Count Bartelby Lotheed for even considering a revocation of her own land and title, the baroness is also now inclined to judge that his refusal to turn over the Palace of Birdsong and stewardship of Meratt County to Princess Eutropia constitutes a similarly severe offense.
Greenly steps forth once more and bows deeply. "Your Grace, we seem, like, at an accord and an understanding! Please, while we are guests in your demesne, let us know of any way we can be of service and, like, honor our newfound trust and bonds."
"I...apologize for my outburst. I have reason to believe that the High Strategos may be involved in actions that are treasonous in nature, but I am at this point unable to prove that - so should not have spoken up with fervor. Alas, it is my love for Taldor that burns so brightly in my heart that I could not contain my anger. The nobles of the empire, through duty and tradition, are Taldors backbone, the foundation of our great nation. Not pawns to be used and sacrificed in a bid for greater personal power. As you say, even without a legal ruler the people of Taldor know their duty, and look to the nobles of their county for guidance in this trying time. It fills me with anger that some claimants to the throne would use these nobles in such a way, as expendable and replaceable resources and pawns.", Mira inclines her head to the Baroness, having said her part in apology.
The baroness offers the least abrasive 'harrumph' she can muster, showing that she has accepted Mira's apology.
"I'm furious, but not so much that I've entirely forgotten my senses, so don't expect me to go throwing myself into this squabble between the Princess and the High Strategos," Voinum says. "And I do call it a squabble, not a war. I've seen enough war to know the difference.
"However, I do recognize that Count Lotheed - for shirking his responsibilities and forsaking the oaths of fealty - needs to get his overly pampered ass removed from the Palace, dragged kicking and screaming if need be.
"I know some of the guards serving at the Palace. I oversaw their training myself. They aren't entirely hopeless cases. I can send discreet messages to convince them to abandon their posts, leaving you to face less resistance when you decide to pay a special visit to the count."
Dro'gan raises an eyebrow at the woman's words and nods once at Amandine out of the Baroness' eyeline. If he could mind-speak...
'Beware this woman's wrath: It is like a hurricane about to descend upon the Shackles Islands from the Eye of Abendego! Chaos and destruction WILL ensue, but it will be the sort of Chaos we want!'
Greenly's greedy grin betrays her when the Baroness says "when" and not "if".
"You know, Your Grace, milady been planning a party I think you'll be happy to attend, tryna get the rest of the county thinking your way. From the common folk to minor nobility to the other Barons, it's important we stand together and recognize what needs doing. And personally, I'm quite glad to hear you speak such, like, bolstering words. You're quite the drinking buddy."
"Either way, sounds like the kind of visit or party where you'd want to not go empty-handed, in case things turn troublesome. With assassins about, I'd feel safer if I was able to defend myself. You wouldn't happen to have a spare longsword in your arsenal?", Mira asks Greenly, keeping her voice just low enough to show she had nothing to hide, but was not making a point of addressing the whole assembly.
Baroness Voinum's offer brings Amandine to her feet. She is obviously pleased and excited.
"We have spoken with many others on this subject, though not so plainly. While we have received moral support or best wishes from most, you Baroness are the sole person who has extended a hand in substantial support. I am deeply gratified.
[b]"Sir Greenly mentioned, we intend to invite all those we believe may be willing to help to a meeting soon. It will be in the guise of a small party to allay suspicions, I find Sir Gul Gusairne to curious about us for my taste. The true purpose is to finalize details and make arrangements to act."
"If you would be willing to attend, it may harden the resolve and calm the nerves of others. Could you?"
"As long as this party has enough wine to make the discussion of bitter politics palatable," Baroness Voinum says while setting down her glass gravely, "I will attend."
Meraki smiles despite herself and nods. "Wine is something I can help to provide in great abundance."
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After returning to Stachys via Quintus' barge upon the canals, you settle in to begin planning your party. As you discuss whether or not to invite the Count himself, either as a perfunctory gesture or as a trap, you are interrupted by Calix who brings a letter addressed to his sister. You see that it is sealed with a modified Lotheed signet.
I have met with various contacts and settled misunderstandings here in Cassomir, and I believe we have come to an agreement with Grand Duchess Tiberan. She is prepared to validate our seizure of the county but needs certain conditions to be fulfilled. First, you must obtain the original charter granting the Lotheed family stewardship of the land. It will be kept in the library, near my brother's office on the second floor, and I believe Gul Gusairne would carry the only key (or more likely, hide it near his room, the weasel). Grand Duchess Tiberan also requires both Count Lotheed and his acting seneschal to abandon the property. She was nonspecific as to how.
I may have also implied to the Grand Duchess that you have already secured the assent of the other nobles of Meratt. I trust in your skill to have accomplished this by the time this letter reaches you.
Unrelated to Duchess Tiberan's needs, I have also learned my Great Uncle Panivar has established a teleportation circle to come and go at will from the royal apartments in the tower. Panivar is an extraordinarily gifted wizard and a man utterly without remorse, and I cannot stress how vital it is to destroy his access to the estate before word of this seizure reaches him in the south. Once you begin your attack, I doubt you will have more than a week before he returns.
Good luck, agents. May Taldor endure!
Martella Lotheed
Amandine takes the letter from Calix and thanks him for remembering to give it to her. She opens it and reads the letter. It is such excellent news that she immediately passes it around for everyone else to read, including Mira.
"Well", she comments to Mira, "this letter changes matters. The mystery is over. I can't keep this letter from you, and I can't conceal Lady Martella's identity from you after you have read it. You know all our secrets now."
Amandine takes a break, going to the kitchen with Calix to make them both a snack, and ask him if he could tell the domovoi about the coming party.
"We need to tell them what will be happening so they can be prepared for it. We also might need their help if they wouldn't mind."
Meraki sways slightly for a moment after reading the letter, then looks around at the others. "It's almost time," she says, her voice sounding far away. "Things are moving faster and faster, and your—our—plans will soon bear fruit."