"Well, congrats there for that win" Lope makes a solemn vow to Triphylla adding a quick gesture with the hand, just for the enjoyment.
Overhearing the halfling's conversation with the Baroness Lope tries to help "Ah, yes, the old splendor of the Great Taldan Expeditions, sure those were good times for Merrat County as well. Wonder if anyone can reproduce those achievements once more."
"Count Bartleby's wine isn't to your refined tastes, my lady. Well, I can't blame you there. The man pulls out a joust and trucco but decides to skim on the wine? Whatever was he thinking? Perhaps he doesn't do much thinking at all?"
Something flickered over the face of the baroness before she replied quite carefully, "The swill they're serving up on sliver platters is more vinegar than wine, initially I thought it a calculated insult but now I suspect no thought went into it at all."
You believe it's easier to win her respect via Kn: geography, Kn: history, Ride or Profession: Brewer checks. She's highly resistant to Diplomacy or Intimidation.
In addition to the above, based on her suppressed grimace, you think she secretly loathes Bartleby.
"his debt to me alone is one-thousand"
"I suspect you'll have a long wait for him to pay up, although if the boot was on the other foot, he'd be demanding satisfaction this very day to pay off some of his other debts." remarked the baroness.
"Baroness, would you see this County restored to its former greatness, if not for its great fields of wheat then at least for its once-renowned vineyards and chateaus overlooking the mountains which reflect golden hues at sunset?"
For once mere words penetrated the baroness's frosty exterior and with a far away wistful sigh she replied, "When I was a child, Merret County was a very different place. Harvests were bountiful, the roads well maintained, the people well looked after and by and large content. I know for a fact we shall have to import food this winter yet the county treasury is bare."
"Ah, yes, the old splendor of the Great Taldan Expeditions, sure those were good times for Merrat County as well. Wonder if anyone can reproduce those achievements once more."
The Baroness replied, "The glories of the past are ever alluring aren't they? Especially when we've conveniently forgotten the cost. The High Strategos, for one, believes we should take back all that was lost. I fear he overestimates the strength of our nation and underestimates our neighbours, they have not been sitting idly by. Anyway I suspect I'm preaching to the choir here, what is it that you are proposing?"
Cyrene watches the group around the Baroness and slips away - it's not her place currently, something Trip seems to be confusing a little. That's the problem with taking on too many disguises too quickly, keeping the character becomes difficult.
Instead she sets to work exploring as much as she can - there's unlikely to be another time she has this much access and will be this invisible. A swiftly grabbed stack of towels and she has a ready excuse to seek out the upper floors; making mental notes as she goes.
"The High Strategos, for one, believes we should take back all that was lost. I fear he overestimates the strength of our nation and underestimates our neighbours, they have not been sitting idly by. Anyway I suspect I'm preaching to the choir here, what is it that you are proposing?"
Lope looks around to make sure no one is at earshot then stares at the Baroness "To be sure, I had the chance to assist to the vote that elected Princess Eutropia as official heir in the Senate, and I was impressed by how a mature ruler she has grown to be. Way more balanced and thoughtful than the Strategos or even her own father."
He does leaves the idea sink while the influence of the party is still warm on the Baroness.
Unsure of how Lope's (and the rest of the group's) idealism would work with the Baroness' traditional Taldan values, Triphylla appeals to the grand lady's national pride, adding, "If I may, my lord, as one who cannot participate fully in government - nor should I ever expect or wish to - I recognize that Taldor's past glory may be reclaimed, but only through a renewed spirit of dedication to tradition and patriotism, to raising our collective standards. If we cannot aspire to greatness, then it is truly lost. In my humble opinion as a member of the underclass, I would serve any ruler who inspired their people thusly. I believe both the High Strategos and the Princess wish the best for this nation, but I do wonder at the likely rush to war that the former would almost certainly pursue, As you say, Baroness, the coffers are bare, and not only in Meratt County."
With that much said she bows to her betters and asks, "I happen to have brought a modest but quite drinkable sherry with us from Oppara. If it pleases the three of you I shall go fetch it and return with full goblets." Yay or nay, she returns to the Palace.
You pass a few servants rushing here and there on various missions, so far nobody bats an eyelid at your presence. The exits from this area are thorough the double doors (A) and the two side doors (B & C).
The Baroness replied softly to Lope, "Young man you'd best be careful with such opinions, many around here think highly of Pythareus."
Baroness Voinum listened to Triphylla's speech before replying, "If we don't pay attention to our history we are doomed to repeat it. As for Opparan sherry, that sounds like just the tonic."
Just before Triphylla goes to fetch the sherry, servants in Lotheed livery start circulating and a young man approaches you to say, "Esteemed guests, Count Bartelby cordially invites you to the palace gardens for a short musical performance, accompanied by drinks and a speech about the palace’s history and the meaning of the Tanager Jubilee."
Baroness Voinum rolls her eyes at the last sentence, likely assuming Bartleby would misrepresent things. Still she gets up from her chair saying, "I propose we continue this conversation in the garden."
Since the only noise is from the furthest door Cyrene begins with the nearest, easing the door open and keeping her head lowered slightly as she does so - all the better to appear as the demure servant and hopefully avoid being immediately recongised.
Recalling her insight from earlier that there is a hidden alchemy laboratory on premises, Triphylla begins to snoop around, exercising stealth to the extent possible. It's helpful that in her lifetime she has a good deal of practice avoiding the notice of humans and has learned to hide in plain sight. While everyone begins to assemble for the concert, she quickly retreats to her chamber to change back into her courtier's outfit and gear, recovers her backpack, consumes an elixir of Heightened Awareness, and begins to look around.
She is looking for a cellar to start with, and for irregular wall seams which might indicate secret doors...
Lope just slightly nods, unsure whether the Baroness is just warning him or placing herself against the idea of Eutropia being the real ruler "Ah, yes, let's refresh ourselves with something lighter"
The Aldori leads the Baroness into the garden and quickly mingles with the people there ensuring a cup of some light spirit into his hand "Ah, really waiting for this moment to listen to the real traditional music of Meratt County"
Lope will have his eyes and ears open for any chance to grasp the state of the county and opportunities for the group to incline the balance towards the Princess.
Recognizing at last that Baroness Voinum was a not woman who could be won over with simple flattery, and seeing that Triphylla's speech had struck a powerful and influential cord, Julia happily nodded along and joined the baroness to the palace gardens. Once there and waiting for the musical performance to begin, Julia made mention of the palace's long history.
Alas... it wasn't exactly the most indepth history lesson. "I heard that the Stavians once possessed Birdsong as one of their holdings. A shame the royals lost control of it. Imagine they would have had the funds to get us better wine."
Cyrene you find the eastern most door unlocked, you slip in to find a confusing series of corridors so richly decorated they're best described as tacky. Avoiding the noises from the east you check the room to the west finding yourself in what must be a waiting room. The chairs are unusually sturdy and feature a motif of bear paws.
From here the are doors labeled with brass plaques: County Archive, Chapel and Count Lotheed.
The baroness nods to Lope before replying to Julia with bitterness, "Stavian had the very best of everything, never mind the price. I wonder how much is actually left in the royal coffers... A problem for another day I suppose."
Cyrene eyes the chairs suspiciously but can't put a reason on her instinctive sense of unease. The County Archive and the Chapel are of little interest to her, but Lotheed's private chambers might be - if she has to come back another time for a... different reason.
She knocks softly on the door and then tries the handle, still holding her stack of towels as a protective shield.
While Julia certainly hears the baroness's waspy tones, she can't help but think that her mention of the Stavians sounds rather wistful. As if she grieves at least a little for crumbling House. Putting that theory to the test, the bard keeps chatting about the royal line. "We can only hope that despite recent... misfortunates that the Stavians are still strong. They have lead Taldor for centuries and achieved much for themselves and the realm. It would downright disastrous if they were to fall, no? Losing everything they once had to fools and usurpers. Like lovely Birdsong..."
Lope remains a bit silent for once, just nodding to the words of her sister "Yes sister, I think you are right, it would be a total loss for the Kingdom"
He takes a sip of wine.
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Cyrene finds no answer to her knock. She tries the door and to her surprise it opened revealing a darkly opulent room with mahogany panels reaching up the frescoed ceiling depicting First Emperor Taldaris’s noble conquest of Cassomir. A desk, carved from dark purple wood to look like owls with their spread wings supporting the work surface, occupies the center of the room, while plush, burgundy chairs surround the remaining space. A family portrait on the western wall depicts a dozen scowling nobles: a teenaged Bartelby among them and a single hound, though the dog is clearly a later and more amateurish addition to the otherwise high quality artistry. The view through the window is spectacular, showcasing one of the grandest gardens in Taldor.
Despite the grandness of the room, there's practically nothing in the way of paperwork or anything of interest that's visible. A search of the room reveals one of the desk drawers in locked.
Triphylla spots the Senchel Sir Gul Gusairne's office and she tries to open it thinking he might have various things of interest under lock and key. The lock proves to be annoyingly good, defeating her attempts to pick it. Triphylla hears the sound of music from the garden outside, it seems the nobles are gathering there, which could provide the cover she needs if a destructive approach to gaining entry is desired.
Lope, Julia and Valeria walk with the baroness as you make your way towards the gardens. As you approach you hear harpsichord music and you spot the players at the veranda stairs. By tradition Count Bartelby traditionally delivers his speech from the top of the stairs. There's quite a crowd assembling, you are neither the first or the last of the guests to arrive. The baroness replies to Julia softly, "Historically the Stavian line has been strong. As for this palace, I think tonight we shouldn't talk of such things. For now we must grin and bear it as Bartelby prattles on and no doubt mixes up his history."
In front of you Count Bartelby starts ascending the stairs.
After examining the room Cyrene nods to herself and quietly withdraws. Finding the Count's bedroom would have been better, but everything she learns will be useful.
Lope nods to the baroness and follows "Let him has his night. Let's see what he has to say. We might even get surprised by a turn on events, who knows?"
The Aldori takes another sip of the wine "Ah, I truly believe something more can come out of these lands, if only they were properly managed"
With the tourny in full swing Valeria stayed with Julia and played the part of the dutiful Lady in Waiting, even going with her an Lope as they followed the baroness.
Then she saw it, something just barely visible strung across the floor at about ankle height. She'd seen such things before and knew a trip wire when she saw one, granted she didn't want to go into how she found out about them but she did remember to thank her then goddess she was wearing full plate at the time, something she no longer could manage. Valeria acted quickly as she lunged forward and cried out, "Stop," as she attempted to shove the count out of the way of his possible death.
Unfortunately there were too many people between her and the count and Valeria did not think she would make it. She just hoped there would be time to heal him if he was injured.
Despite Valeria's best efforts, Count Bartleby sets off the trap. There's a ziip-tTHWACK! noise and suddenly the count grunts as the shiny tip of a broad head arrow suddenly pokes out of his thigh. The shaft and fletchings are discoloured by a dark green substance.
<--- HIT
<--- FAIL
The color drains from Bartleby's face and he falls to the floor, causing gasps all round and several screams. The senchel Sir Gusairne and several guards rush to his side!
Triphylla packs her kit of picks away hastily and turns away from the door. It's clear to her now that an entire section of the Palace is hidden, but she deems it extremely unlikely that it should be accessed via the senechal's office. If she thinks later he might be a dabbler in alchemy she'll just ask him straight out.
The only other door to the space is directly across from a window, through which the halfling carefully peers to see a quartet including Lope and Julia. Also unlikely that door leads to anything interesting. She stoops to avoid the view from the outside and follows the wall around into the dining hall. Often in these grand old buildings there were concealed access to the interior of the house for the servant class to move unseen.
Nevertheless, with the guests sequestered in the garden, she spends a few minutes inspecting the south and east walls in this room for such access. If nothing else, perhaps she'll stumble into the wine cellar.
Valeria cursed when she realized she wouldn't make it and when she saw what was likely not a fatal wound she worried, particularly when the color drained from his face and he fell to the floor. She noticed the strange green substance on the arrow and realized it was likely poison, something she could not treat on her own.
As the guards came up to surround him Valeria said, "There is a green substance on the arrow, do not touch it with your bare hands. I can try to heal him but I think he has been poisoned, it should be treated first and I am not trained to deal with that myself." She could only hope they would believe her.
Seeing the exit Cyrene turns away and continues to explore the upper floor - realistically she probably has until the signal for dinner, whenever that is, at which point she should be in attendance on her mistress once more.
"What?!" Lope instinctively brings his hand over the pommel of his blade as the scene develops.
While everybody gathers around Bartleby, he looks up and looks around in all directions trying to find out who dared to attack the Palace with a trap like that.
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Julia's eyes go wide as the very count she was just trying to undermine suddenly has his thigh impaled for all to see. While her instincts scream that should fall Lope's example and reach for her weapon, she instead decides that getting control of the situation would best serve everyone involved as well their group's interests on establishing themselves as some kind of authority.
"The Count has been struck," she calls with authority to the guards and just about anyone else who could be of some help. "Guards secure the area. There may be an assassin amoungst us. Have any healers, alchemists, or clerics in the Count's service come to treat him. Guests, countrymen! Do not panic. A rush would only bring disorder and give those responsible time to escape. Stay where you are so we can sort out this mess. We are Taldans not wild animals. We do not panic."
Triphylla passes by the door to a servant's room (Door B) as she heads north towards a series of grand rooms used to entertain guests of the count.
Outside Sir Gul Gusairne replied to Julia and Valeria, "Poison eh? By Abadar I think you're right! Never fear ladies, we shall look after the count."
Several guards directed by Sir Gusairne help the count up and half carry him outside. Julia's words help settle the crowd and an awkward silence settle followed by a muttering of, "I bet it was that thrice blasted Night Swan!"
To Lope, Julia and Valaria, a frowning Baroness Voinum muses, "I wonder what Bartleby is going to do about that? I have a feeling there's nothing he can do, other than brood and rage privately..."
"Yes, yes, rest his soul," replies Triphylla to the servant. She clears her throat while muttering, "his infernal soul," in such a way as to be difficult to hear.
"I shall of course inform the esteemed members of my party about the tower. It is strictly off limits. Thank you. By the by, would there happen to be access to a wine cellar sequestered away behind these walls? There seems to be this large southeast corner of the house adjacent to the main hall and dining room I have no access to, and in my role as Master Chamberlain I have need to inspect the local store of wine for our betters. My Lady has a minor allergy to tannins, you see."
Lope is impressed by Julia's reaction and follows her up trying to project the brother's figure on this opportunity. Inspired by her, he checks the tripwire "Anyone has seen someone strange around the stairs before the party? And what about the shaft of the arrow, do you recognize this type of bolt?"
"The Night Swan you say?" Lope looks down at the arrow, avoiding to touch its dangerous poison "I heard she is kind of a romantic bandit, a one-woman army seeking to right the manifold Taldan injustices." he looks thoughtful at the Palace "Or a petty vandal, seeking to destroy that which she does not understand?"
Following her exchange with the servant woman, Triphylla marks the spot of the likely secret door in her mind, but then decides that the tower is the more intriguing location to investigate.
It seems the attention of the guests and staff is drawn to some commotion outside, giving her a window of opportunity to make her way to the west end of the palace.
Unfamiliar with the layout, she looks for the entryway into the tower.
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Julia gave Lope a knowing look and hoped he'd be able to read behind the lines. "This Night Swan seems like a capable and powerful woman. One with a great many talents. It would be a great boon to find out how she is... so she can stopped of course."
Turning to the Baroness she says. "Honor, duty, and historic precedent would demand that he commit some kind of action. An attack on his person is bad enough but a rogue attacking nobility is an affront to everyone of our class. If he did nothing but brood... well, it would certainly make his stewardship of Birdsong look feeble at the very least."
Cyrene starts to explore the remainder of the upper floor, heading east. She finds a room with a billiards table adjoining Count Lotheed's office. From there there were two doors with the southern one (K) labelled as 'Laboratory'. This door seems to be locked.
To the south there is a long corridor running east to west with several corridors branching off. You also spot some stairs that lead to the level below.
"his infernal soul,"
This elicits a nervous titter from the girl.
"There seems to be this large southeast corner of the house adjacent to the main hall and dining room I have no access to, and in my role as Master Chamberlain I have need to inspect the local store of wine for our betters. My Lady has a minor allergy to tannins, you see."
"We could't possibly serve wine with too much tannin now could we? Follow me." replies the girl, who leads Triphylla through the opulent entertainment spaces and opens up a cunningly concealed door leading to a long and rather plain service corridor. This corridor allows the staff to move about the entertaining spaces of the palace without disturbing guests. Though the doors are concealed from the exterior, they are unadorned and obvious from inside.
Triphylla and the girl pass several servants with various loads as they head towards the bustling hive activity the palace kitchen. The kitchen room is cavernous, plenty big enough to cater for eighty, maybe one hundred guests. Currently there's a dozen cooks inside preparing various dishes making the room hot, noisy and full of mouthwatering smells.
The girl then heads south into a very well stocked pantry. It's noticeably colder in here, and there's a cornucopia of food laid in, enough beans, flour, rice, and water to feed the entire palace for maybe six months, in addition to a huge collection of spices and pickled and preserved produce from all across Taldor and beyond. A small cabinet has been permanently enchanted to remain as cool as a late autumn morning, allowing the kitchen staff to store eggs, milk, and produce far longer than normal. A set of stairs descends down to the palace’s considerable wine cellar.
Sir Gusairne examines the arrow before showing it to Lope, "An ordinary crossbow bolt, it seems unremarkable. There'll be thousands like it in within the county. Still I wonder where it was fired from?"
Baroness Voignum murmured a reply, "To use poison is most repugnant and I trust futile. No doubt the count has access to antidotes."
After fifteen minutes a messenger arrived telling the gathered nobles, "Count Bartleby has been attended to by a cleric and the poison delt with. He will join you anon for the Feast of the Victor, to celebrate Baron Okarra at the tilt. The feat will be starting soon, so please follow me."
In Cyrene's world people open doors for her, so she doesn't waste any time with the locked door and moves on.
Hearing the tell-tale signs of a servants dormitory helps add to her mental map but the smell of food wafting up from below suggests that she'd better cut any further exploration short and return to her 'rightful place'.
The servant woman surprises Triphylla with a tour of the inner working of the house; the Tower can wait.
"Ahh, the inner workings of a fine house. Marvelous," chimes Triphylla, giving full, genuine respect to the people who actually work and keep Taldor from crumbling in on itself. Trying not to forget her phony station, she can't help but smile and do her best to avoid inadvertently getting in the way of the hustle and bustle of the high-functioning kitchen.
Upon seeing the wine cellar, she makes a quiet examination of the stock, but finds that her earlier assertion that the wine was "quite good," was an ill-advised gamble with her inexperienced palate. She winces at the embarrassing recollection. Anyway, no harm done, she'd found a better way to appeal to the Baroness.
"Hmm, yes well, it is what it is. Times being lean and all. Perhaps with a change of management we can restore what surely must have been among the finest cellars in the Empire." Did she just say that aloud?
Evidently there is no alchemy laboratory hidden down here, else these fine people would surely be more cautious.
Returning upstairs to the pantry, Triphylla says, "I hope you don't mind if I poke my head in here as well. His Lordship gets an irritable gut from an abundance of pickling. If he gets into a briny cabbage, watch out!"
"Well thank you dear, this has been educational. I shall not occupy any more of your valuable time. My name is Marianela. Might I learn yours in the likelihood we meet again during our stay?"
Lope nods softly to Julia "Yeah... it would be good if we... find out where she is..."
Lope approaches the fountain while nodding to the Baroness "Repugnant indeed. Mmm... I would have hoped for a swan feather or something but seems our local bandit is a bit shy..."
The Aldori checks here and there for more hints, but as soon as they are called for the feast, he will join with the other nobles.
The girl replies, "Nice to meet you Marianela, I'm Clara. I think you'd better head over to the ballroom, you'll be expected to serve the Betony heirs. Did you see any wine in particular you think would suit their refiled palettes?".
Lope doesn't spot any further evidence, and before there's time to check further he Jullia and Valeria are swept up by the general movement into the ballroom.
Cyrene makes her way downstairs in time for the banquet. She enters the palace's grandiose ballroom, which sports an 18' mirrored ceiling with gilded cornices and ostentatious mirror walls. Various white marble statues dot the room, with mixed taste. Some are quite fine, others border on vulgarity. In the centre of the room a number of tables have been set up to accommodate the forty guests. But before the guests are seated, Sir Gusairne cajoles them into lining up saying, "And now for one of Count Bartleby's favourite traditions, saluting the evening's meal!" He sapped his fingers and gestured stiffly to the maitre de, "Come!" The kitchen staff then paraded a series of live chickens, doormice, pigs, several swans, and even a cow past the guests on their way to be dispatched and then cooked.
He took the lessons of his family and those of his faith and formed a philosophy of harsh discipline; he was never allowed an inch to experiment
or fail and still managed to make something respectable of himself, and so he permits no one but his direct superiors the luxury, either.
Despite years of abuse, Gusairne is unflaggingly loyal to the Lotheed family. The former Count Lotheed the lad daily how fortunate he was to receive the family’s generosity, rather than being dumped at some orphanage or into the canal, and some part of Gul still believes that. He is now a dry, humorless man with little joy and an exacting attention to detail.
Baron Okarra sighed, "Clearly dinner will take a while to arrive, I trust we can at least be seated and have some wine?"
Behind you Baroness Voinum murmured, "Here! Here!"
Sir Gusairne replied, "Indeed lets be seated."
The staff scurried to fill the noble's cups as they were seated. Lope, Julia and Valeria where being placed between Baroness Voinum and Baron Okarra when Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava walked over to say, "So your the Betony heirs are you? A pleasure to meaty you, but what's this? Clothes still soiled from the road I see. I'm so sorry, I know it's terribly hard to get the staff these days."
With sudden fury he turns to Cyrene and Triphylla and upbraids them, "What have you lazy maggots been up to? Why haven't you providing them a room with washing facilities or clean clothes?! The Betonys are a proper family and you disrespect them like this... Pah! They should send you packing!"
and decided to avail himself of his cousin, the wealthy Count Lotheed. A spoiled, lazy bully, Titus has found little to do in Meratt and alternates between kicking around the palace complaining of the lack of excitement and doing the same while drunk in the streets of Lotheedar. Bartelby considers the boy an annoying parasite but useful enough for intimidating others, given Titus’s reputation as a capable duelist back in Oppara.
"I see Sir Gul Gusairne cruelty was just not exageration" Lope whisppers close enough to the Baroness so she can hear "But actually was not expecting such a lack of taste"
"Oh, do not worry Sir...." Lope looks down at his clothes then at the new arrival not recognizing who might be "In fact our clothes were pristine, I think we just got too close to the joust and the Swan show perhaps..." with a quick magical gesture Lope dusts himself again and also Julia using prestidigitation "...seems we are just to get used to the hardships of the rural life"
"It is a pleasure Clara. Oh, and you're right, the time has slipped away while you gave me this very nice tour of your kitchen. You and the professional staff do a far greater service than the Count deserves!
"As for particular delicacies the Betony's favor, braised pork belly with morels and candied yams for his Lordship, and for my Lady, duck confit with apricot relish. Please avoid serving them anything that they are forced to observe living only moments before," says Triphylla in response to the carnival sideshow act happening before her eyes.
She clears her throat and continues. "Unless you've hidden the good stuff, I can't, in good conscience, serve any of your stock wine. Now, I happened to have promised a fine Oppara sherry and I intend to deliver on that. Seeing as I'm from Oppara, any sherry will do, but we'll need to make one."
She winks at Clara while producing a sample of the rye whiskey she brought with her from the capital. Given a stool on which to stand while securing a narrow slice of countertop at the farthest corner of the kitchen, the halfling readies her kit from her pack, which she was clever enough to bring with her for this foray into the bowels of the house. Then, with the best available bottle of house red, preferring a Rosé, she tears off the label and sets to work quickly mixing an approximate sherry, adding a dash of this and a pinch of that to round out the flavor.
The task complete, she sips her creation. "It will have to do. Service this to the Baroness and the Betonys on my behalf, but say nothing of its inception. We take this secret to our graves!"
A little later...
Triphylla almost laughs in Titus' flatulent face, but manages to keep it together. "My humblest apologies to my Lord and Lady. I stand convicted, your Lordship, as you have made a proper accusation that deserves a faithful accounting of my service; Instead of tending to the wardrobe in a timely manner, I had engaged with Count Lotheed on a wager of one thousand gold pieces on the joust. I find myself a fair sum richer for my foresight, but perhaps I should bequeath my winnings to the Betonys in exchange for their forgiveness. Now, if you'll excuse me while I attend to my duties."
Triphylla turns and smiles as she walks away from the lazy bastard.
"Enjoy the sherry, Baroness."
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Cyrene doesn't bother with acknowledging the man, simply looking him dead in the eye and then raising a single eyebrow.
"The mark of nobility is how they treat their inferiors." She says simply. "Coin can buy clothes but not manners."
Nothing else needs to be said so she returns her focus to her lady and the meal, rather than the popinjay.
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Julia's returns Lope's nods with her own. "An issue for later, of course. But something to keep in mind all the same."
Some time later once the confusion and chaos was mostly resolved, Julia followed the other guests to the palace's ballroom for the banquet only to rather quickly find herself forced to endure the rather unseemly company of one Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava. While the others manage to put the braggart in his place in their own special ways, the bard can't help but add to the sly retorts. "Oh how very observant of you, Lord Titus. Very insightful indeed. I have one of my own if you wish to hear it," she says with an innocent smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "Your attire is a few seasons out of fashion in Oppara and honestly isn't the best fit for your frame. I'm sure my brother could show you something more trendy... if you asked him nicely, of course."
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"A practitioner eh?" remarked Titus when Lope's spell removed an almost invisible layer of dirt.
He was about to say something more when Triphylla remarked about her winnings. He squeaked "You bet against me?!"" he was momentarily lost for words, before adding softly, "Was was Bartleby thinking, taking a wager against the likes of you?!" Rather off balance he didn't immediately react when Triphylla withdrew.
He was about so say something when Cyrene gave him the dressing down that he frankly deserved. Something dangerous stole across Titus' features which was interrupted by Baroness Voinum giving him a flinty eyed look as she remarked, "She's not wrong lad."
Julia's words seemed to hit their mark and Titus's started to go red, although whether it was with anger or mortification you couldn't quite say.
Before anything else could happen, Tribune Onora grabbed hold of the man's arm and marched him away, saying "Drunk again I see Titus, best be away before you make a bigger fool of yourself."
The tension dissolved immediately when Titus left and soon the banquet hall was filled with the sounds of conversation and laughter.
Baroness Voinum turned her attention to the sherry Triphylla has presented. She took a sniff and examined it with an expert eye, swirling the glass to observe its behaviour. "A heavy meniscus" she remarked.
She took an experimental sip and gave Triphylla a quizzical look, "Opparan sherry you say? Hmm quite unlike any Opparan sherry I've ever tasted before."
She took another sip before declaring, "This is remarkable. I'm not sure where you go it, but this tastes exactly how I imagined a Meratt county sherry would have been if we'd ever made one!"
After the feast, servants clear away the tables and chairs and, to a fanfare of trumpets, six halflings dressed as Taldan heroes of lore enter, riding in gaudily painted miniature chariots each pulled by dogs. Servants rush to lay out a race course as the drivers perform japes and buffoonery for the wildly laughing aristocrats. The halflings in their magnificent outfits seem to enjoy the attention.
A gong sounds and everyone falls silent. Looking pale and drawn and favouring one leg, Count Bartleby makes his return. His voice was a little shaky to start with but it grew stronger as he spoke, "Well as you can see The Night Swan failed. Anyway nevermind that! Now it's time for one of my favourite traditions! The halfling race. The rules are simple, the halflings race about the ballroom three times, dodging a series of obstacles on the way. I'd like each of you to choose a halfling champion. To spice things up, each of you has given three silken sachets filled with brightly colored powder! If you're skilled you can temporarily blind one of them to give your champion an advantage!"
Clearly many of the nobles thought this a great game given the raucous laughter and enthusiasm this event was met with.
Roll 1d10 for each halfling chariot at the end of each lap to determine the order. Each time a chariot driver is hit with a sachet, reduce his lead by 1. Each time a driver is blinded, reduce his lead by 1d3. The charioteer who finishes with the highest lead wins.
Lope sighs relieved as Titus goes away without causing further problems with the group. He observes the development of the halflings race without much passion or interest "Honestly, a paint the noble game would be even much more fun"
If offered, Lope takes one of the sachels, so to not offend the people of Merrat, but he will just feign not finding the proper chance to throw it "Oh, those halflings are all so fast... shall give them some pastries to all of them for their efforts"
Having slaked her animus toward Titus and Bartleby with her gambling admission, killing two birds with one stone, Triphylla retires to the guestroom wing to inspect the room numbers given to her by Clara. She accomplishes this quickly, then sets out again in the direction of the Tower, using stealth in the event that anyone is milling about.
Though she tries her best to stay in-character Julia can't help but subtly cringe at the count's newest 'entertainment.' She had thought such demeaning spectacles were the domain of places like Cheliax but she supposed that was only wishing thinking on her part. Taldor was hardly immune to small-minded prejudice. Thankfully Triphylla was around to witness it.
Interestingly it seemed she was not the only one uncomfortable at the event as she spies Sir Gusairne, Baron Onara, and Baroness Voinum either try to hide their distain or conveniently leave. The two barons leaving does not shock her Sir Gusairne is another story entirely...
Seeing a chance to make a connection she approaches the seneschal right as the race is about to begins and formally introduces herself. "Greetings Sir Gusairne I don't believe we've formal met. Julia Betony," she says, giving out her hand for him to kiss. "You spoke to my brother Lope Betony during that dreadful attack in the gardens. A ghastly thing indeed. Though I must admit this... race isn't helping to numb my disgust despite its lack of blood. I think were of like minds in that regard, no?"
Lope respectfully nods towards Gusairne when Julia introduces herself to the man.
Seeming a little embarrassed Sir Gusairne replied to Julia through clenched teeth in little more than a whisper, "What can be done? This event is one the count's favourites..."
The event proceeded about as you might expect with raucous (and in some cases forced) laughter from the nobles. The halfling dog charioteers raced around the table with gusto. Most of the silken sachets missed, bursting on the floor making a terrible mess but several hit their marks causing the champion to swerve or cough and splutter which Count Bartleby though was hilarious.
One this had concluded you where bustled through into another room by the servants who announced it was time for dancing and cards. A string quartet was playing popular songs and tongues where loosened with wine and spirits.
After the first dance you hear some gasps from the back of the room as a an attractive woman in her late forties arrives at the party. Several people including the count seem genuinely surprised.
Julia replied to the seneschal in a low tone to match his own. "True enough, good sir. But I wonder if perhaps the other lords and ladies of the county encouraged the count to let such traditions die for the sake of appearances he might be moved on the issue. We don't want the other regions of Taldor to look down us for such vulgar entertainments now would we," she argued.
Once the halfling race thankfully ended and dancing starts, Julia immediately recognizes the newest arrival to the festivities and quickly tells Lope about it in a whisper. "The newcomer is Duchess Veleto Lotheed. Bartelby’s aunt and Duke Lotheed’s wife. Given the look on Bartelby's face it seems he's rather unhappy about her being here. I wonder why?"
Lope raises an eyebrow not recognizing the new arrival, but smiles thankful when Julia illustrates him "Then, let's go present ourselves sister"
He offers his arm to Julia and strides through the dancing hall looking to engage with the new arrived noble "Duchess Veleto Lotheed? It is a grand pleasure to meet you. We just arrived to Merrat, but our family was rooted to this place. The Betony. Let me introduce you to my sister Julia. And I am Lope."
The man vows slightly and offers to kiss the Duchess hand and trying to form an sticking impression with his words "Quite surprised the Birdsong Palace was concealing such a beautiful bird"