"Actually I didn't ask, but for sure not on Sunday." Persephone admits.
"On a related topic - you're a wizard. I only know Alendru, and he is all about books. Inkskin did magic without books. What's the difference? Are you also the bookish type? I haven't seen you reading yet."
"There are different types of magic and different sources of that power. Some can cast any spell they know at any time. Others must prepare certain spells daily. I envy those that can cast at will. I am of the book type more like Alendru. Perhaps that is why I do so much planning and think things through ahead of time."
"What can you do with your magic?" Persephone inquires further. "Let's say - some hypothetical situation - you meet an owlbear?"
"Well, there are many things I could do. Would need to plan a strategy first, but I could make you invisible, stronger, more coordinated, shield you, stun the beast, blind the beast. There are many options."
"Well, isn't it obvious to stun it then? An owlbear that doesn't resist isn't dangerous anymore." Persephone concludes.
"But, can you do everything with magic? Are there limits? Or things you could do but won't?"
"I cannot do everything magic by any means. The limits are great at this time yet I study and practice to become much more powerful. There are a great many things I could do that I will not do. Some spells are outright evil and others just repulse me while others I could do but have concentrated on other areas. If and when we go after this owlbear, I will think it through and have a good plan of action."
The evening passes over some beers and also some food, as Isabella can work the kitchen. One thing that dawns all later on, is that next day will be Sunday, so the perfect day to go on a hunt.
The bells will toll later, but longer to call the people to the temple. The sun rises and promises a beautiful sunny day.
Menan and Arawyn attend services at the chapel of Pharasma.
With no work to do and nothing else going on at the moment, Persephone visits the service in the name of Cayden Cailean. Sounds fancy, but is by accident. At The Pig's Whistle.
Indeed the tavern is full already in the morning and they start out sober. The service is led by Isabella. Songs are played, praising freedom, speeches are held, praising ale, wine and reckless deeds. It culminates into everyone drinking their first ale of the day in the name of Cayden and from there it deteriorates into the happy drinking and singing that is common here.
Father Grimburrow leads a solemn liturgical service. The names of those who died the last week are remembered, in this case one man named Frank Thornton. Also those that are born. There is prayer for both groups and a short sermon, about the path between birth and grave.
Besides Menan and Arawyn there are the widow and her family, as well as a handful of elderly people and one young couple.
After the service most leave. Only the widow stays back to thank Father Grimburrow and the young couple to ask for prayer.
Menan and Arawyn decide to not disturb the parishioners. They head back to their room at the Fat Goose and prepare for the tea party. Menan decides he can give them a boost on being well received. And, just to be safe he prepares some spells for the owlbear should the others insist. "Spread thin."
They put on their fine clothes and jewelry and head to the tea party. Menan casts cultural adaptation on himself before leaving and eagle's slendor on Arawyn just before they enter. "Well, that should help with first impressions but you will be on your own before long.
"Hello - wonderful you could make it, please come, take a seat!" Eleanor greets the elves from the door at the far side of the room leading to the terrace.
There a group of three women, all about Eleanor's age, sit at a large round table. The table is laid for five people. Besides the table stands a small table with hot water in a mug and cake, along with a waiter to serve that small group. "These are Lady Margaret and Lady Adelaide." she pauses a moment then suggests "Best you introduce yourself, before I pronounce you names wrong, or miss the correct title."
"Thank you for having us, Lady Eleanor." He addresses the two other ladies. "I am Menan Variel and this is Arawyn Variel. We are travelers originally from Kyonin. Lady Eleanor was kind enough to make our acquaintance. We enjoy our travels and meeting new people."
"Yes, I am Arawyn. Oh, you ladies look wonderful today. I should learn a bit about fashion and manners from you. Please tell us of yourselves. Menan and I will then tell you about Kyonin and our travels since leaving there." She smiles with true pleasure at each of the ladies.
Lady Eleanor tells a bit about who they are. The ladies are from old noble families that have lived in this city, since before the temple of Abadar was built. They own a lot of land and have some other things on the side to make money. Lady Adelaide for example breeds horses. Of course the ladies themselves don't do the dirty work, they are representing.
Lady Margaret has a seat in the town council, While Lady Eleanor busies herself raising her kids. Well, telling the maids how to do it. "It's such a hassle. I'm glad we have these times we meet for tea. The calm of it is such a joy."
Arawyn takes a sip of tea and says "Oh, it certainly is. Menan can describe Kyonin and our travels better than I could. Menan..."
"Kyonin is the kingdom of the elves. It is mostly beautiful forest and the architecture is stunning. Non elves are not allowed in Kyonin with few exceptions. Queen Edasseril currently does a good job of ruling. Our families are related so we had to do courtly things on a regular basis. Queen Edasseril was wise enough to found the port city known as Greengold which does allow for any race to be present. That is where our interest in what this world offers began. Many a race a tales from each."
"Arawyn and I decided to travel the world and have really enjoyed it. We moved through the River Kingdoms and then into the Kamelands. Lady Adelaide, you should see our horses. They are from the Kamelands and are reputed for their vigor and surefootedness. I can assure you, you will notice they are unlike any horses you have seen before. It would take a trained eye to note it."
"We traveled here as we know that our ancestors lived and died here hundreds of years ago. We were able to locate their final resting place."
"Traveling as we do is challenging and rewarding. We camp and fish and hunt when far from any town or city. We have two Apollos that keep watch and do tracking for me when we hunt."
Lady Adelaide expresses her interest to see the horses. "Why not come to our stables, and show me those precious animals?"
"We shall do that, Lady Adelaide."
"What do you think of our nice little town here?" Lady Eleanor inquires.
"We both like it. Everyone has been kind and friendly to us. We still have much to discover here. For example, are there any good opportunities for commerce or any good businesses for sale? I have noticed that towns of this size tend to have one family much more well off than the others. Is that the case here?"
"Well, I really don't think so. Of course some houses are better off than others, but for sale? Never." Adelaide replies with a hint of disgust.
"You remember," she turns to Margaret "it was two decades ago, or was it more? When house Mordor fell on a hard time. Two years of bad harvests and a reckless investment - I believe it was a sunken ship, or was it a scam? I only heard the rumors. They still has a pretty daughter, and in the end one of the other noble houses took everything over through a marriage."
"The name was lost, but the estates stayed with the nobles. You can't have that fall into the hands of some rich commoner."
Margaret nods in agreement. "But there are the businesses of the commoners. If you are looking into trading, maybe even between countries there are some businesses. The last acquisition there is a few years in the past. When Marinelli bought one of his competition and became the most influential merchant in town. Of course there are many small businesses, but nothing worth your time. Something new and big, something that hasn't this small town smell on it. If you'd start something like that, that would be exciting."
"I will give that some thought. That name again. It comes up everywhere I go. Marinelli. The boy only garnishes curses. What type of man is the elder Marinelli?"
"I've never met him in person, but the wine he sells is wonderful. Not that sour stuff that some grow on the hills here." Eleanor replies.
"He made a case, that the constitution of the council of Abadon should be changed to include people like him a few years ago and was quite adamant about it. But as that - of course - got him nowhere it became silent around him. I haven't heard or seen of him in years." Margaret comments. "Only of his wine." she smiles at Eleanor.
"It would be interesting to meet this man. Is that a possibility? He seems rather recluse if I hear you correctly."
"You're considering doing business with him? I really don't know. But he has a sign on each of his companies buildings. It shouldn't be that hard to inquire about meeting him." Margaret replies.
"Menan, we are not here on business. Ladies, please excuse Menan. He is always over thinking everything and going off on tangents. The tea is wonderful. What else is there to do with free time in Abadon?"
"Fox hunting is an interesting social pastime for those who enjoy riding. It's almost the season." Adelaide suggests.
"There is a ball every now and then, or an exhibition of art. There are all kinds of social events organized by one house or the other." Eleanor adds. "Are there any typical elven pastimes, that we are unaware of?"
"That all sounds so interesting. I would be interested in all of that. Elves in general tend to be practical and have an appreciation for knowledge and art. I would not say there are any typical elven pass times, though."
"I enjoy the study of magic. Would you ladies care for a demonstration? I also enjoy reading and taking in knowledge as well as scribing."
"I hope you don't want to turn one of us into a toad or scare us. If that is ensured I'd really like to see some magic."
Menan mumbles a few word like sounds and makes a very specific series of short motions with his hands. He leans back and smiles as his cup of tea slowly begins to rise into the air.
"Oh!" Margaret calls out as the cup moves.
"I expected something more flashy. I believe you're doing real magic here and not tricks, but we once had a jester doing that kind of stuff to entertain the kids."
Eleanor's tea cup begins to rise in the air as well. "May I warm your tea for you, ma'am?" Menan nods and smiles at Lady Eleanor.
Eleanor grabs the cup out of the air. As the tea start steaming again she voices "Oh, that's different." with a bit of her excitement coming back.
"I did not prepare anything really impressive for this day. Lady Adelaide, if tomorrow afternoon is a good time we could let you see our horses at that time. Lady Eleanor, I have the ability call up the actual voices of a choir from heaven. It is quite an experience that you will never forget. The next time we meet, I will be prepared for that."
"I'm looking forward to that." Eleanor answers.
"Are you planning on settling here, or is this only a short stop on your travel of the world?"
"Anything is possible but I expect our travels to continue. If you ladies continue to invite us for tea, it could take a while. You are refreshing to visit with."
"Maybe you'd like to visit me at our manor? If you bring along a choir from heaven that might be a bit too spectacular for this establishment. Maybe for dinner?"
"We have a beautiful park with lots of space for displays of your magic abilities, if you'd choose to humor us."
"That would be wonderful. You are too kind. We accept."
"I need to make some arrangements, so how about next Sunday? Maybe instead of our tea round? Of course you're all my guests. And bring your families." she tells to the ladies. "This will be delightful."
All in all, Menan gets the impression, that he will be the main act at the party.
"Delightful! I look so forward to this."
As her new elven acquaintances decide to visit a church service Faerveren is surprised. For one, that they consider that at all, and second, that they visit the chapel of Pharasma. Why not the temple of the elven goddes?
Faerveren's family wasn't very pious and visiting church besides of the special holidays wasn't common. And most of the time she managed to weasel her way out of those few occasions too. She liked the swallow tail festival, but otherwise she found it boring.
But with this development, her interest is piqued and she decides to visit the House of Flame. If Persephone is there regularly and Menan and Arawyn avoid it, she needs to know what's going on there.
Entering the temple of Calistria, Faerveren finds, that there is practically no common folk there. Almost all of the attendees wear the revealing clerical garbs in white and gold. About half of them are elves, the others half-elves, about evenly men and women.
The service has already started. Harp music is echoing through the hall and the atmosphere is tense with joyful expectation. All surround the white marble altar, the centerpiece under the depiction of the goddess.
A young man is lead in by the head priestess, his gown taken away, and he is laid on his back on the altar. The priestess pours oil from a carafe over his body and then all step closer stroking and massaging the man. From the incantations of the priestess it becomes clear that this will be a sacrifice of virginity to please the goddess.
Faerveren decides that the interactivity in this service is far too high for her tastes and steals out of the temple.
She hurries to The Pig's Whistle to wash the picture out of her mind with something stronger than ale.