Eutropia inclines her head regally to both Shula and Robert. "My thanks to you both. No matter how 'convenient' it is, Pythareus has significant military support - they favor their own, so I need allies wherever I can find them."
She turns to Victor and gives the young man a smile. "It's good to see you too Victor. You know, if it wasn't for your grandmother they'd probably be supporting you for the throne rather than me. Still family should stick together, I'm glad you're with me."
She pauses and looks at the two Vernisants. Victor can see from the slight tightening of her lips that the Princess is nervous about his companions.
"And you, my ladies Vernisant. What say you?"
~~~~~
Lollia's eyes widen when introduced to Princess Eutropia.
'That's the Princess! Queen, now, actually! Queen Eutropia!'
"Your Highness," the bard responds with a curtsey. "It would be a privilege to serve you in whatever manner you deem required."
Whatever Lucretia was expecting from Martella by way of thanks and/or further employment, it wasn't a private audience with Princess Eutropia! Still, she hesitates a moment when the Princess makes a bid for her loyalty - if there is one thing she has had drilled into her from birth it is to think things through before committing. The fact that Lollia dives straight in simply reinforces this idea!
After a few long moments she concludes that family leanings can go whistle. Lucretia is going to do what she believes in, not what her uncle might want. "You have my support your Highness." She says with a curtsy of her own. "I cannot speak for my family but my cousin and I are with you."
With the formalities out of the way she goes to stroke the mutt. "Hello, Taldogis was it? You're a good boy aren't you?"
The Princess relaxes a fraction once both Lucretia and Lollia pledge their allegiance. "Very well, then I ask you each to kneel." She looks directly at Victor. "I'm sorry that I have no formal power to grant you lands or titles at this time, but I appreciate your service and will do my best to reward that which is given: fealty with love, valour with honour, oath-breaking with vengeance."
She taps each of you on the shoulders with her rapier, a well worn weapon and functional rather than decorative, before gesturing for you all to rise.
“Now we rally our resources and allies. This is not a war we can win by swords; Pythareus commands the entirety of the Phalanx, and much of the rest of the military is fiercely loyal to him. This is a war we must win with words and guile and allies. We need the people of Taldor to unite behind a single monarch to dispel the military’s desire to settle this with force of arms. I don’t want the blood of common Taldans spilled to slake some petty squabble between nobles. Martella will be in contact with you shortly, but let me thank you again for all you have done."
The Princess inclines her head to each of you and then makes her exit, leaving you to enjoy the tea, biscuits and Martella's company. What will be known to future generations as the War for the Crown has begun, and it seems you are fated to play a starring role!
Shula maintains her composure until the princess exits the room, then practically collapses into a nearby sofa. "Were we just knighted? I feel like there wasn't enough ceremony for that, but it also feels a lot like we were just knighted."
"It was an honorary knighting, at least, Dame Shulamit," Victor says wryly.
The gang members thought their hideout was secure. They though they could continue to prey on the people of the Narrows without consequence.
They thought wrong.
The silence of the night was broken by the sound of a baleful howl. Moments later, the windows shattered as a nightmarish wolf composed of roiling black smoke burst through them. Its glowing red eyes seemed to stare into the depths of the criminals' souls, inspiring terror in any who dared to meet them. And perched on its back was a beautiful Ulfen woman in gleaming armor, clanging her sword against her shield. A tiny dragon fluttered in the air beside her.
"Tremble in fear. The Shield Maiden is here!"
***
Word of the Maiden's attacks on the gangs of Oppara began to circulate over the next few days. A hooded man whispered in the ears of those inspired by her actions, promising a chance to meet with the heroine. And indeed, when the handful of hopefuls arrived, the Maiden was there to greet them. She spoke of change coming to Oppara, and to all of Taldor, under the leadership of Grand Princess Eutropia. But there was a war to win first. The hopefuls agreed to joined the Maiden's cause. And thus, the Maiden recruited the first of her Valkyries.
"Have a seat," she gestures with a slight sway towards the small table with three mismatched chairs. "I'll be right back." She slips into the rear of the area behind a rickety privacy screen. "I'm happy that you're giving me a second chance," she says from behind the screen emblazoned with a sunrise in the Tian Xia fashion. A moment later and she steps back out into the room. She's traded her day-dress for a thin robe of pale blue.
"Friends are hard to find in this city, it seems," she says as she opens a cupboard and produces an amber bottle and a pair of short glasses. With unsteady hands, she fills each glass half-way. Taking a sip from hers, she sways a bit more as she leans in a little closer.
"You're really pretty," she says.
~~~~~
"Yes. With the exception of not having it documented with the royal seal, we've been knighted," Lollia says with hesitation.
~~~~~
Word of mouth passed quickly to all her musician friends that Lollia had reserved the entirety of the Lazy Lamb for a 'performers only' party to be held two nights hence. It was meant to be a semi-secret, but the level of revelry that it created was anything but. Music, dancing, singing, impromptu performances of every sort kept the attendees fully engaged as well as making it clear to any passersby - along with the neighboring businesses - that something special was happening there.
As the bard moved through the crowd smiling and clapping along with a particularly infectious jig, she handed out small slips of parchment to select guests. The message was short; There would be a second meeting the next morning at a nearby inn to discuss the political climate in the city.
Two! Two people!
Only two people out of the dozen or so, she'd invited to the secret meeting actually showed up. Lollia took this as a lesson learned. Never schedule a meeting the morning after a large party.
She takes a seat, eyeing the privacy screen for a second before deciding to look at the instruments instead. "Your first chance wasn't so bad, you know. A few mixed signals, but that was probably more on my end than yours. Not anything I'd say you had to make up for. On a different, hehe, 'note,' do you actually know how to play...all..." Her voice trails off as Lollia reemerges.
Accepting the drink and taking a large sip of her own, she finally says, "So here's my confession. I had a huge crush on Atia Blue. Strates used to tease me about it, said he never saw me except when you were on stage. Disappointed the hells out of me when you stopped performing. I think you're gorgeous, and I like what I've gotten to know of Lollia so far, and...oh f&%+ it." She leans forward and, (unless Lollia pulls away), kisses her.
During the coming week Shula increases her efforts at finding potential targets for the Maiden. Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the Senate's destruction, (which ripples down all the way into the Narrows), she meets up with Tarsus for the first time in over a year.
"Things are going to start changing, fast. Not just in the Narrows. In all of Oppara. All of Taldor even." They're sitting in a seedy bar with a bartender pointedly ignoring them. It's what passes for privacy in the Narrows. "If the High Strategos takes over, that means the military takes over. Which means lots more guards with sticks rammed so far up their asses even I couldn't retrieve them."
She swallows a big gulp of her ale. "I still think you joining the Ghostbloods was a bad idea. You probably still think me trying to stay out of the gang stuff is a bad idea. But I think we can both agree that the High Strategos would be bad news." Her lips twitch. "From what I know of the Princess, she's pretty naïve. She doesn't care about the Narrows beyond opening some feel good soup kitchens or something. I intend to do what I can to make sure she ends up the one in charge. So if you hear anything useful and it won't get you in trouble, I'd appreciate it if you kept me in the loop."
Shula wasn't lying to Tarsus, she did want him on her side. That didn't mean she was going to pass up an opportunity to follow him back to the Ghostblood's base of operations. Tarsus was good, (they'd had the same teacher after all), and there were a number of close calls, but in the end Shula was just that little bit better.
Making note of the building, she finds a way to pass the information along to the Maiden. Lots of interesting stuff inside this warehouse. Might be worth a visit
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Robert spends some time acting in the princess' aid. He first spends some time doing something he has recently learn to do, work a crowd towards legislation that would hinder the High Strategos' progress.
Then, he notices that his group is working hard on their more charming, subtle and noisy features, so he focuses on the brains aspect. He wants to be respected for his knowledge, but wants to keep a low profile for now. He organizes for one of the High Strategos' allies to have his mistress suddenly come to light.
The kiss seems to catch Lollia off-guard, but not flat-flooted. She presses back with a moan as the slayer's lips send tingles out the tips of her fingers, toes, and ... other places. She pulls back finally to catch her breath, her cheeks flush and her pupils dark. A quick gut check tells her that she likes where this is going. Although, perhaps it shouldn't go too far ... yet.
"That was nice," she says with a grin. "I would like to do more of that." She rises from her seat and moves around the small table to settle into Shula's lap, wrapping both arms around the woman's neck. With her body pressed so close, it's easy for Shula to tell that the thin robe is all she's wearing. A repeat of the previous kiss follows, but with more heat. And hands that are invited to roam.
"I might be a little drunk," she says with a giggle when they finally come up for air. "So if I'm going too fast, feel free to stop me."
Shifting to make sure Lollia's comfortable on her lap, her hands settle near Lollia's waist as they continue to kiss. Lollia's lips are so soft. The tiny part of Shula's brain not caught up in the moment wonders how she's managed to keep them that way.
When they part again, Lollia's little giggle proves to be infectious. However, her comment makes Self-Control reappear after having been gone most of the day. Auntie E.'s morals might be flexible when it comes to thievery and con jobs, but she's made sure to hammer the notion of consent into her 'children's' heads. "You're not going too fast for me. But this is great. This is amazing. So let's just keep doing this for now. If you want to do more later...you know where to find me."
Like her cousin, Lucretia sets to work wooing her peers although her party is of a slightly higher class. Held at the Young Lions (which coincidentally requires a lot of close communication with Caspian) Lucretia manages to gather a number of Oppara's great and good, and perhaps more helpfully, their younger siblings, mildly disgruntled sycophants and a number of local lushes. Helped by a large amount of alcohol the party goes swimmingly and a number of people express their approval and support for the mesmerist.
Unfortunately the crown jewel of Lucretia's plan, the twin scions of the Basri House, did not attend the party and when Lucretia sends a discretely worded message to try and arrange a more private meeting they are 'not at home' to all callers.
After a week of high-class parties, low-class parties, violent 'parties' and a less than successful attempt at intrigue by the Church of Calistria you all reconvene for a meeting with Martella at the Young Lions. Interestingly however she has asked that you all bring clothes and sundry goods suitable for a weeks travel, including clothes suitable for a ball...
When you reach the Young Lions you are directed to the courtyard at the back of the mansion. Here you find Martella waiting in a large and finely appointed coach. The spymistress declines to tell any of you what is going on until everyone has arrived and the coach departs. As Oppara rolls by, and the city walls give way to suburbs and then fields she finally explains what's going on.
"I appreciate you agreeing to this trip on such short notice. Please, have an estate." She hands Shula a sealed scroll case and a smile ghosts across her lips.
“I wish I could say this little gift didn’t come with strings attached, but these are tangled times. As you may have heard, the Ulfen Guard—the emperor’s personal bodyguards—have locked down the imperial palace, and they won’t allow access to anyone until Taldor has an official Grand Prince once again. Keeps unreasonable sorts from looting the palace, I suppose, but it has also sealed away Eutropia’s personal wealth. The Stavian family has another estate, though—the Palace of Birdsong—but the Stavians entrusted its care and maintenance to stewards two centuries ago. These stewards now refuse to leave and, I’m told, are courting Maxillar Pythareus’s favor. It doesn’t help matters that the stewards are my family, or that my half brother Bartelby has been squandering the estate’s fortunes."
“While we technically have the authority to demand the estate’s return, we lack the power. My brother would drown himself in the Sellen River before giving up an ounce of the family wealth to me and we have no means to compel his obedience at the moment. If we could weaken Bartelby’s power base and woo some of his subordinates to support us however, then we could reclaim the Palace of Birdsong. That’s where you and your lovely new home comes in."
She pauses to take a sip of tea from a small flask. “The Lady Allis Betony died nearly a decade ago, leaving no heirs. We purchased her estate at auction last week, and I have taken the liberty of drawing up a few documents listing one of you as a Betony family scion. I simply need to fill in the chosen name. You’ll be arriving just in time to make your debut at the annual Tanager Jubilee. The carriage and horses are yours to keep, as you can’t very well be seen walking to the jubilee; I’ll be riding on to Cassomir once we near the county border. Make friends, learn the lay of the land, and afterward do what you can to win the nobles’ and citizens’ loyalty. Undermine Bartelby, and wherever you can, try to improve peoples’ lives and engender loyalty. For any overt actions you take, you’ll likely want to hide your identity to keep Bartelby from cracking down on you. Whatever you do, nothing must call the legitimacy of the princess's claim into question."
Martella pauses for some time, and seems a little conflicted about her next statement before finally taking the plunge. “I feel that I must urge you all to be cautious. The funds for this mission were provided by Prince Ali of Qadira. He met the princess in person and was apparently very impressed with you all. I trust that I need not remind you that, no matter how friendly Prince Ali himself is, Qadira and Taldor have been in conflict many times and the current crisis might well encourage the warlike elements in Katheer to agitate for expansion. Please remember, Taldor comes before anything else-including friendship.” She sits back and her face smooths out.
"It is a long journey and I'm sure you have questions, please feel free to ask and decide amongst yourselves who is going to claim Lady Bettony as a long-lost relative."
Leona lays across Victor's lap as they ride in the carriage. She purrs loudly as Victor scratches behind her ear.
"Suffice to say, my family name would make it difficult to sell the lie of being related to the dear departed Lady Betony," Victor says. "Perhaps Robert would be an appropriate choice? Trickery like this seems right up a Calistrian's alley."
An estate? A title? Wouldn't that just be a big 'F!&& you!' to her bigoted family? She didn't need them anymore - she achieved success without their support ... or love. She resists the urge to snatch the scroll case out of Shula's hands and instead turns to look out the window at the passing terrain.
It only takes a moment for reality to set in, though. No one would accept her as nobility ever again. She knows how the game is played. She's a marked card and everyone knows it.
"Lucretia should take it," she says in an even voice as she continues to watch the trees pass.
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After a week spending too much time on the wine and partying aspect of Calistria's teachings, Robert realized that his lack of focus caused him to fail to get more followers on his cause than he wished. Martella's summons for a new mission gives him some perspective again, and makes him remember his purpose. He refocuses as he listens to her.
He prefers to act in the shadows than to be the center of attention. Surely, having an estate would be beneficial in the long run, but something Martella said makes him reconsider. He does not have such loyalty to Taldor as a country, even though he feels he can do much for the people who cannot defend themselves from the politics. If he is given the estate, there will come a time where he will be expected to stand his ground in the name of Taldor, possibly sending good people to die. He feels this would make him closer to being like Pythareus himself and he can't stand that thought.
He says "I think I can work better if the estate is not in my name. Lucretia is a better alternative." Like Lollia, he doesn't give a reasoning for saying so, he's just glad he can redirect this burden.
However, he has more questions about the mission itself. He first asks Martella "I would like to know more about our targets. You say we should aim for Bartelby's allies and subordinates. Do you have a list we can work with?"
However, he has more questions about the mission itself. He first asks Martella "I would like to know more about our targets. You say we should aim for Bartelby's allies and subordinates. Do you have a list we can work with?"
"My information is not current." Martella says with a grimace. "Bartelby's arrangement with Caspian has ensured that his isn't either. Besides Bartelby himself? My little sister Cateline is quite shrewd, if she still lives there, and cousin Titus is a leech and a bully but capable with a blade. Beyond the family, Sir Gul Gusairne is a suspicious sort—he was father’s seneschal and I imagine Bartelby has kept him on in some fashion or another. And I suppose Sepsinia’s mother, Dame Crabbe, is a touch overbearing. You won't be completely without friends though. Baron Nicolaus Okerra’s lands stand at the edge of the county. I believe you met him during the senate festivities before the... unpleasantness. He’s generally a fair-minded and compassionate man and would be a good ally. I understand that you made a good impression on him, so seek to build on that.”
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Robert thinks hard about what he heard, but he has some follow up questions. He first asks "So... does Bartelby know we're working with you?" He expects the answer to be yes, since they're claiming relation with a house recently bought by Martella. Still it doesn't hurt to ask.
He also asks "So, if we were to sway or undermine these allies you told us... we'd be weakening his foundation, but... how do we do the final blow? You know, put his foundation to the test..."
"He shouldn't." Martella answers. "Lady Bettony was a minor vassal of his and the purchase happened in Oppara. Unless Bartelby was interested enough to send a representative, or go himself, then he will have no idea who purchased the estate and the actual business was handled through intermediaries so you should be safe from any association with me. Claiming acquaintance with Caspian might be good for you, or it might not." Her shoulders lift in a minute shrug. "It's hard to say. As for the coup de grace... we will have to see. The desired outcome is a peaceful transition where my brother recognises that his duty is to return Meratt to royal control as is the role of a steward... but honestly I have no idea how that can be achieved. This is not a quick mission I'm afraid. Expect months of work at least."
Lollia finally looks back from the window at Martella. "I understand that he's your brother and you'd like it not to get violent, but from everything you've told us, that may not be an option."
She narrows her eyes.
"If it does come to that - a violent transition, what leeway do we have with him? We may not be able to prevent ... Do you really wish to put him in danger like that?"
"Not really." Martella says with a sigh. "I consider him family, even if he doesn't return the favor. But murder must be a last resort - if the Princess is seen to be resorting to assassins to gain lands that are rightfully hers then all of our careful work will be for nothing and all the nobles will flock to Pythareus for fear of their lands and lives."
Shula looks increasingly nervous as the city disappears behind them. She's gotten some exposure to greenery of course; gardens are quite popular among Taldan nobles. But she's never seen this kind of emptiness. All around them are fields without a single building in sight.
No small alleyways to disappear down. No crowds to get lost in. It all leaves her feeling very exposed.
She's relieved when Martella finally starts talking and gives her something else to focus on. Turning the scroll case over in her hands, she starts to hand it over to Lucretia but then pauses. "I think we're going about this wrong. The claim that one of us is a Betony family scion has nothing to do with reality. It's all about the image. What did the dear departed Lady Betony look like? Which one of us looks the part of being a long lost relative? I've no particular objections to this going to Lucretia, but if Lady Betony was a short dark-haired woman it might be harder for people to believe."
She very much doubts the person looking the part will be her. (Which is good, because she has no idea what owning an estate actually means.) Red hair is not exactly common in Taldor, and she's avoided taking part in similar cons because of that.
"Also, I'm assuming this estate comes with staff." Nobles could barely dress themselves without a servant or two; not having staff would be far too conspicuous. "How much do they know? If the answer is nothing," (which it should be), "we'll have to be very careful not to give ourselves away."
"Thank you." Lucretia says, inclining her head regally to her cousin and Robert. "I would be honored to take on the role. My family inherits a title every few years from various cadet branches and elderly relatives so it should be believable enough. As for servants Shula I imagine they'll be long gone. If the Lady died a decade ago then no-one will have been paying them. There will probably be a lot of work for us to do in terms of fixing the place up, but at least the information side of things should be secure enough. I have some people in Oppara I could bring down once we're settled, enough to form a basic household staff at least."
"Having our own people on hand will also be useful in furthering Princess Eutropia's agenda in the region," Victor adds.
Martella inclines her head in acquiescence to your collective decision and, the next time the coach stops, inks Lucretia's name into the document - doing a masterful job of it in the process. She produces cards and a couple of small board games with pegs and these help to ensure that the next two days pass without being entirely soul destroying.
Early on the third day a pair of horsemen are seen at the side of the road with a string of remounts and Martella climbs from the coach. "Our ways part here friends. A few last words of warning - Meratt's nobles, and people in fact, are an insular lot. My brother is not beloved, but the people will likely side with the devil they know than the one they don't. Take your time, make sure that you have as much local support as you can. No-one has the power to make a claim for the throne right now and as long as the Princess remains in Oppara no-one can try to sway the Ulfen Guard against her so do this right rather than rushing. We must have complete legitimacy or as near to it as can be arranged. Good luck to you all."
She smiles to each of you and passes Lucretia a small slip of paper that she pulls from inside her glove. "Caspian asked me to give this to you when you arrived in Meratt. You should reach it within the hour so I count my duty fulfilled."
The carriage rolls on and, just as the spymistress predicted, within the hour you enter the Beggarwood, which marks the border of Meratt. Shortly afterwards the carriage pulls up to the sound of nervous horses and a gruff voice sounds.
"Look, we don't want no trouble. We're just common folk trying to make a living. Take a look at our wares and then we'll let you on your way, nothing unfair. If you could spare any coin it would mean a lot to us."
Looking out of the carriage you can see a rag-tag bunch of people offering homemade trinkets, a couple of pedlers with their packs and various other items. Everyone looks dirty and thinner than they should.
Shula looks out the window and bites her lip. You can't save everyone. She'd learned that early in the Narrows. Plus it's possible this is a trick. They might be trying to see if the people in the carriage have enough money to make it worth the risk robbing them.
She sees a boy that looks remarkably like Loush had when Auntie E. first brought him into the family. Too young, too thin, too hard around the eyes.
She always has been impulsive.
"If this goes wrong, my apologies," she murmurs as she twists her sleeves. Her previously fancy outfit changes to resemble something more suitable for a traveling merchant. "But they could have useful information, and it's never too early to start getting in good with the locals." Then she opens the door and steps out of the carriage.
"Greetings!" Her smile is as bright as her hair. "This might be a fortunate meeting. I'm new to the area you see, and while I don't think I need any of your wares, I would be interested in some local gossip. Perhaps even a map of the area, if you have or could draw one? I'd pay you for the trouble of course."
"I can do the maps fer ye, miss." One youngish man volunteers. His paper isn't exactly clean but his drawing skills are excellent.
"I was training to be a cartographer miss." He explains as he works. "But then me master couldn't pay the taxes and had to shut down his business. So I'm out ere now."
That they're actually taking the trouble to meet her requests soothes most of Shula's concerns about an ambush. Her smile twists very slightly in a way her family would recognize as being more genuine. "These are very nice; precisely what I was looking for. You have real talent." (She hasn't seen many maps before, but even so the quality is obvious and so her compliment is sincere.) "It's truly a pity about your master. Are the taxes here so high?"
When he finishes and tells her the final price her eyebrows raise very slightly. 100gp seems steep, but then again cartography is a rare (and useful) skill. She had mostly been attempting to find a way to give them money with everyone's pride preserved anyway.
(She ignores the part of her screaming about how 100gp could have fed her for years. That's not the person she is right now. Besides, their group is far larger than one person and she doesn't know the price of food out here. It's fine.)
She makes a bit of a show fishing around in her coin purse for loose change, (no need to make it obvious how much she has), but finally produces the money and hands it over. "Thank you." Her smile still has that slight twist. "I apologize if this question is invasive, but I must ask. If your master could pay his taxes, or if those taxes were forgiven somehow, would he return to work?" The part of her mind focused on the mission is already writing up a list of how to get people on their side. Perhaps I should propose lower tax rates and the forgiveness of previously unpaid taxes. Working people paying what they can provide more income than displaced people paying nothing, and are far more loyal.
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Robert's feelings are a little divided to see Martella leave them. On the one hand he enjoys her company and discussing politics, but on the other hand he cherishes working without oversight. He often finds himself feeling like disobeying for the sake of being his own man. He says a warm "Goodbye, we'll do our part." to their patron.
As the young family appears, Robert has a similar thought as Shula, that this could be a trick. However, as the situation unfolds, he realizes that this are only very poor people trying to survive in the world. He feels sorry for his feelings and sits back, thinking about how he has been living in an aristocratic bubble, unable to see how the world is faring. He eventually promises himself to change that in his time here.
Victor doesn't ask to buy anything, but he offers the peasants 15 gp from his purse just as a donation. "Would that I had more to give. I hope it helps."
Moving through the near-destitute camp, there's nothing Lollia is really interested in buying. But knowing that some folks take offense at obvious charity, she spends time at this merchant and then at that one. She walks away with some worthless baubles and trinkets, but twenty gold lighter in her coin-purse.
Once she's made her purchases, she returns to the carriage and climbs to the roof to offer up some music for this small interlude in their travels.
With the kindness and coin distributed the rag-tag marketeers soon warm up to you all and (quietly) offer access to some more magical goods they have squirreled away.
Once your shopping is complete, along with many grateful thanks from the beggars and the occasional comparison between you and 'Seneschal Guisarne', which are always to your benefit, you travel on for Lotheedar. You rest over night in a fine, if slightly shabby, inn and take time over your toilette the next morning as today is the first day of the Taniger Jubilee!
Pulling up to the Palace of Birdsong it is immediately apparent how the building gets its name. The gardens are immaculate and feature dozens, if not hundreds, of gilded birdcages each with their own singing occupant. The effect is surprisingly melodious and befitting a grand house such as this one. There are numerous guests, forty or more, and considerable staff and entertainers bustling around.
As your carriage pulls up a tall, dark haired man strides through the crowd to meet you. The family resemblance to Caspian is immediately apparent and there is a certain hint of Martella around his eyes, although his mouth seems naturally set to stern unlike either of his siblings that you have met so far.
"Well met, newcomers. I am Count Bartelby Lotheed, steward of the county of Meratt, landgrave of the Hyden Marches, and tribune of Lotheedar. We understand you are the new heirs to the Betony lands. It is quite the honor to be our new neighbors, we’re sure.”
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Robert looks at the Palace of Birdsong admittedly with a bit of envy in his eyes.
Seeing Martella's half brother approach them so aggressively gives him an idea of how much he figures himself the owner of this place. He realizes they should pass for pompous nobles and makes such an effort thinking quickly of a noble name .
He tries looking like he is containing his annoyance "Well, it is only fitting that someone would come to greet us. Oh, forgive my mood, travelling has an aftertaste. I am Robert Orlay and... it's an honor." He doesn't elaborate further.
"The honor is ours, Count Lotheed," Victor says. He bows ostentatiously. "Vic Vance, aide de camp to the one true Betony heir. What a charming home you have."
Before they arrive Shula uses her sleeves to transform her outfit into something a little less fancy than Lucretia's own. She also carefully applies both makeup and jewelry according to the latest standards of Taldan fashion.
As the pull up to the palace she can't keep a grimace off her face. She's never been particularly fond of having animals trapped in cages, even birds. The sound seems less melodious and more like screams for help to her. However she quickly returns to a neutral, pleasant expression before anyone outside the carriage can see.
"A pleasure to meet you Count Lotheed." She curtseys, forcing herself not to raise an eyebrow at his greeting. Quite the honor to be a new neighbor? Taldan arrogance at its finest.
Sometimes she hates rich people. Most of the time. Almost all of the time.
"Shula Ottensen, at your service." The last name is Ulfen, which combined with her red hair should lead him to certain conclusions about her origins. "I serve Lady Vernisant as her lady-in-waiting."
Lollia's demeanor shifts entirely when the Count appears. A vapid smile appears on her face and she leans in to giggle and whisper girlishly in Lucretia's ear as she covers her grin.
"It's such a pleasure to meet you, Count Lotheed," she says as she steps forward and extends her hand for a proper Lady's greeting of a Gentleman. "Lollia Vernisant. When I heard that my cousin was now the new heir to the Betony estate, I just had to join her. And I'm so glad I did." She turns and gestures at the woman in question. "Count Lotheed, my cousin, the Lady Lucretia Vernisant."
Lucretia descends, the very image of a fine lady, and lets Bartelby kiss her hand with all the natural charisma and hauteur that years of etiquette training instil. They exchange a few words and Bartelby bows again, more deeply to Lucretia and then to Lollia. "I am delighted to have such lovely new ladies gracing my county. Please, I must insist that you stay in the palace itself rather than in the guest villas. Come this way and my staff will see to your accommodations."
He seems quite impressed by the Vernisant's and 'Miss Ottensen' receives an approving glance too. Mr Vance receives a brief hand clasp of greeting and then the count turns away, giving 'Lord Orlay' nothing more than a muttered "Indeed.".
You congregate in the main hall, tastefully decorated and well supplied with fine local white wines, cheeses, and jellied calves’ feet. Much of the discussion going on appears to be about local matters, such as whether Bartelby's uncle, the reclusive Duke Lotheed, will appear or not.
After the final carriages arrive a gong rings in apparent signal. Everyone presses on into a large ballroom where Count Lotheed greets his guests and assigns each party their 'jester', a dedicated servant who will see to their needs throughout their stay. Your jester is a jolly young woman named 'Purple Finch' who leads you to your rooms in the palace and then proceeds to explain the schedule for the day.
"There is a joust this afternoon my Lords and Ladies. An excellent chance for the lords to display their prowess at the tilt, or lack of it! You have plenty of time before then to mingle and look around. Dame Crabbe will probably insist on Trucco as well if you like your sports a little more blood-thirsty than jousting." Purple Finch says with a wide smile. "If you need anything then please let me know!"
Baron Okerra (popular and honorable soldier): starting - friendly. Discovery - Sense motive/Profession Soldier DC17.
Dame Parthena Crabbe (interfering busybody): starting - indifferent. Discovery - Sense Motive, DC16.
Baroness Voinum (straight-forward and grumpy ex-soldier): starting - unfriendly. Discovery - Sense Motive DC18.
Onara Piscum (honorary tribune of Stachys): starting - unfriendly. Discovery - Knw Local/Sense Motive DC17.
"Well this feels familiar," Shula comments as she looks around the room. "I know we're here to make friends and influence people, but I think I'm going to avoid the nobility for a bit and find out more about our new jester." The corner of her mouth twitches. "Servants know everything. She'll either be our best source of information or one of Bartleby's spies, and I'd like to figure out which as early as possible." With a half wave, half salute, she leaves the rest of the group behind and slips into the crowd.
She doesn't directly approach Purple Finch immediately of course. Too obvious. Instead she keeps an eye out with her peripheral vision while nibbling on various cheeses. Where does she go? Who does she talk to?
Victor nods to Shula. "Good luck. I shall test my luck with the Dame Crabbe."
Before he approaches the woman, Victor tries to remember what he can about her.
Setting her eye on the 'big fish', Lollia mingles with the various guests, but stays as close as she can to the Count, himself, to try to get a handle on what drives him.
It takes only a few minutes for Shula to establish that Purple Finch is exactly what she seems - a hired entertainer who wants to do her job well. She seems a tad nervous and out-of-place, which suggests that she has not done something like this before but it is clear that the servant is not a hugely profitable line of enquiry so Shula turns her attention to Baroness Voinum.
Observing the baroness is an interesting experience - the elderly woman is remarkably short with her fellow nobles and keen on her wine. She also seems much more pleasant to those who show regard for the traditions and history of the area.
Victor meanwhile puts his trust in his innate charm and good breeding by going to engage Dame Crabbe in conversation. As he goes he is able to recall a little about the lady. Dame Crabbe rules from Moost, a small town which once hosted a thriving music conservatoire which has declined in prestige in recent years. Combined with his observations as he approaches Victor theorises that Dame Crabbe could be influenced by anyone showing a knowledge of music or an interest in the local arts scene.
Lollia floats her way through the crowd, trying to keep an eye on the host. Although he is very busy, stopping only to exchange nods and brief pleasantries with his guests as he disposes of his army of servants she gets a fairly good read on the man. Bartelby is clearly and intellectual and a snob. He makes his disdain for the peasantry quite clear but seems much more open and friendly to those who can maintain an intellectual conversation, particularly about magic.
Robert goes for the 'challenging' Onara Piscum who is lingering at the side-lines, looking awkward and scowling ferociously at most of the other guests in an attempt to cover up her feelings. The only time he sees her frosty demeanour soften is when a servant leads a small dog on a leash past her and the tribune squats down to pet the animal as a genuine looking smile sneaks onto her face.
Lucretia meanwhile goes to mingle in the vicinity of Baron Okerra, attempting to get a read on the soldier now that he is on his home territory rather than the refined environs of Oppara. It soon becomes apparent to her that the way to the Baron's heart is by discussing the day to day life of his tenants, for whom the baron seems to have a keen appreciation. It is also easy to see that the baron is also seeing similarities between this gathering and the Exaltation Gala where you first met - he looks a little uneasy and slightly jumpy when people brush past him. Expressing sympathy would likely be an effective way of bonding with the man.
As they reconvene and share their findings, Shula looks over to the corner where Onara Piscum is standing. "I'm more of a cat person myself, but she sounds less stuffy than most of the people here. I'll see if I can find out anything else about her."
Disappearing back into the crowd, Shula finds a bookcase near the other woman and starts browsing the shelves. From here she can eavesdrop on Piscum's conversations and start to get an idea of what makes her tick, all without being too obvious about it.
Figuring that the crotchety Baroness Voinum might appreciate somebody who can match her for snark, Victor lifts a bottle of wine from one of the tables and makes his way over to her. "Ugh, I absolutely despise these pompous affairs, don't you? Gods forbid we spend half as much time focused on training our troops for war than playing dress-up and making insipid small talk! I understand these parties' purpose in the politics of the land, but by Abadar's gavel, I find that I can't get through them without a copious amount of alcohol." He gestures at the older woman's glass. "Vic Vance, at your service. Need a refill?"
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After talking with the group, Robert decides that he will try and talk about local arts with Dame Crabbe. After introductions, he is sincere when he says "You know, I have quite an admiration for the local sculpture school of Madam Vornopoli. It is hard to see someone capture movement as her students do."