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Noting the serving girl Pelligrina pointed out, Triphylla rushed off to intercept. The girl seemed at first annoyed that somebody half her size was getting in the way asking her to get some wine, and she tried to dodge around but Triphylla was having none of it and the tone of her voice suggested that this was going to be more trouble than it was worth, so instead she thrust what she was carrying towards Triphylla saying, "Here take this. I'll get you some more wine presently!"
Unaware of the drama the crowd listened Princess Eutropia deliver the remainder of her speech, "But we gather here to discuss matters of state, as well. And just as the exaltation reminds us that our glorious empire must always look out into the world to refresh the greatness of its leadership, we must all look out into the world around us and see how it has grown. The child-nations our empire birthed Andoran, Cheliax, Lastwall, have grown strong by examining the great traditions they inherited from our motherland, and embracing those relevant to this new world and discarding those that held them back. So too will we, this very night, examine one of Taldor’s oldest traditions, agnatic primogeniture, with eyes wide open, to determine whether it has held us back from the glory and stability our wayward states have found."
She seemed to catch everyone's eye as she finished with, "Our obligation tonight is not about one person or one vote in the senate. It is about the nation we love and about ensuring that nation does not fall behind the times. We are the inheritors of mighty Azlant, and I say that we must work together to avoid sharing that old empire’s fate. Taldor endures!"
The princess hops down from the railing and is suddenly inundated with supporters and critics. There was polite applause from many, condemnations from others and everything in between.
When the Princess' speech began Valeria listened closely as she began to speak. It was a typical introduction to a speech, though standing on the railing to deliver it was a bit different, but it did serve to catch the audience's attention.
While she did see someone wandering with some honey Valeria thought nothing of it. From she heard Pelligrina say and realized she had been too slow and failed to do much to help. "It seems you beat me to the same end Pelligrina, I guess I need to figure out a new way to contribute huh?"
Triphylla examines the wafer in her hands, and by its smell knows instantly that this would have caused a very serious commotion and embarrassed the Princess in her moment. Triphylla makes a note to thank Pelligrina later but right now she gestures to Cyrene and then hastens after the servant girl, following close enough so as not to lose her quary, but not so close as to be easily noticed. Although the girl is likely to perform the required duty at hand, the halfling hopes she might instead return to her provocateur to explain what went wrong, and give Cyrene another target.
Cyrene follows Triphylla, whose stealth skills are commendable, and the serving woman for a while in an attempt to track down whoever sent her. Once that goal is completed she returns to the gallery, wanting to track down the reason behind her instinctive sense of unease there.
Lope completes his task as good as he can during this time. Once finished, he emerges from the pantry, tightening his red vest and walking back to the garden with a pride smile hoping to catch some of the princess speech.
Cyrene found several of the older noble children waiting for her when she returned and they asked her to pretend to be various famous people. Each time Cyrene rummaged thorough her disguise kit, putting on wigs and moustaches and funny exaggerated walks. Some of this was borderline scandalous and the kids thought this was great and the crowd of watchers grew.
Still you were not the only show in town and you had a good chance to observe little Wyssilka, she had an even larger crowd but her antics where kind of demeaning to your eyes. Sure a halfling was little, but encouraging the kids to run her head for luck was the kind of superstition that was patronising at best.
With the speeches done and a need to find new rumors to spread Valera began to move around the room listening to what people had to say. While she listened for anything knew to use she decided it wouldn't hurt to spread the rumors she'd learned about Senator Karthis. She slipped her way into one group that she heard mentioning they were starting to wonder if the Princess wasn't right and waited for a moment to enter the conversation.
When one there was a brief pause in the gossiping Valeria said, "I quite agree, the Princess is making much more sense than some of the hawks like Senator Karthis. Why, I heard his reasons for a war with Qadira have little to do with patriotism and much more to do with the women." Valeria's smile was wicked as she said, "I heard tell that he fled to Qadira to avoid the draft some time back and stayed there until the war was over and while he was there he couldn't get a single Qadiran woman to respond favorably to his advances. Why, it is said even the ladies at the Gilded Lily in Katheer wouldn't talk to them. Her tone turned arch as she added, [b]"And to think he complains about a lack of morality in Qadira, sounds like he was the one lacking morals."
In between impersonations Cyrene finally gets a handle on exactly who has been getting her hackles up. Wyssilka the halfling.
Excellent cover too. No-one pays attention to the help. Ironically exactly the same method Cyrene herself has used to avoid notice. She makes a mental note to have one of her companions observe the halfling at some point - multiple sets of eyes see more things often.
Unfortunately the children aren't distracted for long and demand more amusements so Cyrene reaches into her bag of tricks once more and starts planning her exit.
Julia felt a great wave of relief come over herself as she saw Lotheed break out into her grin after hearing her good. It looked like she had redeemed herself after over doing it with Maxillar. Still... the night was still young and she knew there just had to be more things that needed doing if Princess Eutropia was going to secure the vote...
With that in mind she turned to Lotheed once more and asked what remained to be done. "What else do you need of me?" She whispered.
Triphylla gives up on the serving girl; either she is aware of the halfling shadowing her or she's in no hurry to receive admonishment from whichever disappointed noble.
On her way back she stops by Martella and Pelligrina. "You were keen to notice that serving girl's behavior. That could have gone quite badly." She shows them the alchemical wafer."This was intended to arouse the bees to considerable agitation during Eutropia's moment." She puts the wafer into her bag. "For safe keeping."
To Pelligrina she adds, "Good luck with Okerra in the Senate."
Then Triphylla sets to her original intention to visit the Gallery, and finds Cyrene there entertaining the children. Her eyes go wide when she spots another halfling dressed as a raccoon, a gaggle of children rubbing her head. It's a horrifyingly demeaning display, one that riles her temper.
Triphylla can plainly see the other halfling is more than meets the eye.
She tries to give her fellow halfling a break and wades into the center of the mass of children. Commanding their attention, she regales them with stories of her father's bloody battles in the Arena, sparing no detail. Children love stories of violence.
Lope reaches the garden just on time to see the people is dispersing. Seeing Triphylla directing herself to the gallery, the man decides to go there for now, snatching just another cup of wine on the go "Ah, so much talking is leaving my neck dry." he looks around trying to identify anyone that might be a good target to be convinced to the secret group cause.
Eyebrows are raised when you talk about Senator Karthis' hypocrisy and soon there's dark muttering spreading about him.
Ogvai quickly became a practical and efficient ruler of his small allotment, earning the respect of the paltry population he governed. When word of the landgrave’s effectiveness—and the envious discontent it was fomenting in neighboring regions—reached the grand prince, Stavian “promoted” Ogvai to a vacant position within the senate. Ogvai reluctantly acquiesced to the command, and he began spending more and more time in Oppara rather than the foothills of the Fog Peaks that he’d sworn to defend. Because of this forced detachment, he has come to resent the senate, and he hopes to see Eutropia quickly enthroned, as he believes she will value practicality over politics.
When a pause comes up later she says, "My thanks! They can get a bit much after a while but you need to mind your manners, their parents are movers and shakers. See that boy over there? That's Baron Nicolaus Okerra's son and that girl is the niece of Countess Abrielle Pace and that's Duke Leonard Centimus' daughter. It's funny everyone thinks children are useless and know nothing, but it's amazing what they do know if only you stop to listen!"
As she considered it though something was off about Martella, like she was self conscious about something, and Valeria wasn't sure what. It didn't do to pry into her employer too much so she let it slide for now but made a mental note that she might need to bring it up again later.
Valeria began to make the rounds asking about Senator Pavtian Tholeed. She knew that time was running short and she needed to make haste on this to prove she could be of real use to the cause.
Fortunately Valeria found someone who had seen the Senator recently in the gallery. With a brief thanks Valeria headed in that direction.
"I can imagine. I wonder what Duke Centimus' daughter says about him?" She pauses to let Wyssilka divulge, if she is so inclined. Surely the respite from these awful behaving children is worth that much.
Julia nods as Lotheed gives her new orders. She knew both the Earl and the Landgrave relatively well having learned about them with the noble grapevine. Vernisant was an opportunist who simply wanted the Grand Prince's ear if the rumors could be believed while Jarlbjorn was seemingly an honorable man and a competent administrator of the lands he had been given as a landgrave. Indeed, he was so competent that he was virtual exiled to the senate for being to good at his job.
As Julia left Lotheed's side in search of Cyrene she ruminated on what she could actually do with all her information. Vernisant seemed like a lost cause who's desire to get in good with the Grand Prince would likely make it difficult to get him to expose his secrets but Jarlbjorn seemed like a man who would be all to willing to talk about the Ulfen Guard if Princess Eutropia was slyly mentioned as a benefactor of the information.
Of course, before Julia could choose who she wanted to talk to first, she had to deal with a pressing problem. A quick glance of her hand showed that her scroll's aging magic was starting to lose effect as her actual youthful smooth skin was quickly overtaking her wrinkles and liverspots. It looked like Dolores the conservative dowager was turning back into Julia the libertine songtress and rather quickly at that.
Knowing suddenly transforming from an old woman into a young one would destroy her useful Dolores cover, as well as be a rather strange sight of itself, Julia quickly went to the nearest ladies room even as her white hair started to slowly swap back into its lustrous brown and her sagging features brought back to their usual fullness.
After ensuring that she was alone, took out her last Scroll of Wizened Appearance from underneath the folds of her gown and pondered whether she should use it again and maintain her role as Dolores. In the end, Julia figured that Dolores had overstayed her welcome this night and that her performance was at an end... for not at least.
As such it would be Julia's normal comely face that Cyrene would see when she came upon her as she was entertaining children of all things. With a whisper Julia would tell Cyrene everything she knew about Vernisant and Jarlbjorn as well as add that, "Jarlbjorn seems like the easier target to get information from, especially if another Ulfen was the one who talked to him," and saying so with a knowing wink.
Resolved, Lope approaches Lady Zariyah Clement discretely and tries to remove her fears by inspiring her "That were great words from Eutripia, it feels too convoluted to give the support to her, but it has been when Taldor people has taken risks that this country has advanced, look at them the Grand Expeditions, and the resolved resistance against our many enemies. Something is telling me this is one of those changing points, where the good and loyal peoples of Taldor can make things change in the right direction, despite all the personal risks it might take." Lope adds a short story about one well known case where bravery to step forward and change inspired some goodness to happen in the Kingdom.
She shakes her head, "If you ask me the man has his head in the clouds, engineering is his first and only passion and he seems to think everything , his disability included is a challenge he can overcome with enough brass and clockwork."
Dou tried to push past but she slammed him into the wall and snarled in his face, "No we haven't finished with you Dou! You need to reconsider your stance on tonight's vote, or it will go poorly for you..."
[ooc]Martella doesn't get know that Malphene has kicked off but if she did she'd probably want you to deal with that first.
With the Princess's speech concluded, Pelligrina barely waits to see what happens with the odd servant. As soon as she it's apparent Triphylla is on the case, she hurries off in search of either Baron Okerra or Countess Pace.
She saw a woman with four hanger's on shove someone into another room and one of the sycophants closed the door. Valeria was unsure what that was about so she thought that maybe she should ask around as she continued to look for Senator Tholeed.
Valeria quickly found out what was happening and knew this could be bad. The vote may well be tight and Senator Dou was a vote that had only recently swung to the Princess' side thanks to Martella. Given that Senator Trant's daughter was the one who shoved him into the room Valeria knew she had to do something about that before he was intimidated into switching his vote again. Besides, Valeria didn't much like bullies, not after what she had been through during the war against the abyss.
Valeria promptly headed towards the Beldam II room. As she got closer Valeria heard Malphene tearing into Senator Dou and threatening him so she wasted no time in opening the door andcalling out, "Why there you are Senator Dou! I was hoping to speak with you." She acted like she had heard nothing that Malphene was haranguing the man as she said, "My father asked me to try and speak with you about a business venture that should be quite lucrative for...you..."
Valeria looked int he direction of Melphene and said, "Oh, I am so sorry Lady Trant. I am afraid I must steal Senator Dou from you. This venture is time sensitive so I am sure you will understand." Valeiria made her way towards Senator Dou so he could "escort her " out of the room.
Triphylla takes Wyssilka's information at face value. She considers what she knows about the nature of the Duke's "accident."
Meanwhile, she happens to notice a fracas happening nearby.
Triphylla observes Valeria mediating the two noble buffoons. She does not intervene, and instead returns her attention to Wyssilka.
"Interesting. I wish I had known you before tonight. Too bad our families are not connected in some way." Wyssilka is a halfling she determines would be a good contact in the future. "And what rumors of the Countess?"
Lope gets a sense of Lady Clement worries and gets a more serious face himself "I know, they do in purpose, by scaring us with their aggressive statements, they look for support, but you know, given them control of ourselves depends entirely on us. If we let it go now, things are only going to get worse. People like us do not want confrontation, but when matters of state are at play, we cannot let just things be, that we despise fighting does not mean we are not right "
The Aldori keeps trying to inspire the noble while listening for rumors in the gallery.
Triphylla has informed you that Okerra can be found in the Senate chamber.
Pelligrina will look for him in the Senate Chamber.
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So far you've not found Baron Okerra, although after having done a full circuit you're sure he can't be far.
The baron himself is handsome bear of a man and if he was standing he'd be a head taller than the crowd. While starting to show his age with flecks of white in his black hair and beard, he retains a youthful smile and gentle eyes.
Taking a breath to steady her self she tells you in confidence that, "I believe there may be unrest in the wake of the vote, potentially quite serious unrest. If you ever need a place to lay low, you'd be welcome to visit my manse near the Verduran Forest. It's an oasis of calm from the big cities..."
Wyssilka asks "Countess? Eh which one? There's at least five here tonight. Do you mean Countess Pace?"
You start to worry, you're out numbered and they look ready to rough you up...
Triphylla nods. "Yes. Countess Pace, whose niece is here."
Valeria squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes as she looked down her nose at the b&~&!. "I"ve been raped, I've been skinned, I've been brought to the brink of death and back only to do it again." Her voice dropped with scorn, "What makes you think anything you can do will scare me?*
Pellegrina keeps looking!
Cyrene ignores the badge for the moment, there's work to be done!
Unfortunately her companions are all busy elsewhere so she heads after Trant alone, slipping quietly into the waiting room and closing the door while the noble woman is still ranting, and producing one of the many daggers she has secreted around her person.
The temptation to strike first is strong so she does so, leading with the weighted pommel of her dagger to the nerve cluster just beneath the ribs!
Lope smiles noticing his words have inspired some bravery on Lady Clement in front of the raising demagogues "I have always been interested to know in first person how the timber for the Imperial Navy is extracted. And getting to know your manse would be a delightful addition to such a trip Lady Zariyah Clement. Would a northern wine be a good gift for your husband?"
The aldori notices then Senator Dou being shoved into a room and raises an eyebrow at the situation "Sorry my Lady, there seems to be a pressing matter that requires my attention, but I much enjoyed your company"
Striding towards the door the sycophants just closed, Lope just tries to open it directly without mediating a word.
While this went on, nobody paid any attention to Cyrene creeping inside.
Looking at Valeria Malphene snarled, "Look I don't know who you're trying to impress but why don't you b***** off! OOOF!" Suddenly Malphene pitched forwards clutching at her side and she gasped, "Uh..." There was no blood when she pulled her hand away but she gave Cyrene a startled look and nearly swooned into the arms of one of her sycophants.
None of them were feeling quite so brave now and they helped Malphene limp away. Senator Dou picked himself up and gave Cyrene a nervous laugh as he said, "I've never seen anything quite like that! I suggest we move on from here before the guards turn up, they'd likely believe an aristocrat like Malphene over anything you or I might have to say."
As you walked out of the room into the gallery area he limped slightly as he told you, "Naturally I'm extremely grateful. If I may I'd like to know who my rescuers are!"
Triphylla nods a thanks and sighs when her fellow halfling returns to subjecting herself to humiliation at the hands of human children.
She turns to look to see who is still in the Gallery. Now some commotion has been caused by Cyrene and Valeria, but she's missed it. As for Duke Centimus, she doubts she has anything at all in common with him, and if his focus is on technology and industry she has nothing to offer. But there stands Abrielle Pace at the balcony...
"I could tell your niece instantly," Triphylla ventures while approaching the Countess. "She's as beautiful as her aunt. And so charming, too. Look at how she plays with that halfling. You must know we consider it a high honor to be allowed entry into these ivory towers. And Wyssilka is something else. Precious! Children really are the future, aren't they?" She does not allow Pace to answer or get a word in edgewise.
"But not your niece, because she's a girl. I mean all those boys. They are the future. The best she can hope to be is, well, you. A girl could do a lot worse, I suppose. Well anyway, it's been a pleasure. I'm going to go down and see how the vote goes." She peers down at the garden below. "Hmm, there are so many clever women here today. One might almost think that if you worked together you could influence change. Toodles!"
Returning to the gardens Triphylla considers that the hour is nearly upon them for the vote. Perhaps she can yet spread some influence in Eutropia's favor, but if not, she has exceeded the expectations put upon her by Lotheed and done more than her fair share for Queen and Country.
She decides to track down the amazing Kalbio from Breezy Creek and make his acquaintance before the ceremony.
Deciding that going after Jarlbjorn first would truly be her best option given his apparent favoring of the princess, Julia left her compatriot Cyrene's side and searched the grand hall for any sight of the landgrove. It couldn't be too hard finding him in the crowd given just how tall the Ulfen lord was.
"No-one of importance, sir." Cyrene says brightly, her dagger already stowed away once more. "We were sent by Lady Lotheed. She looks after her own and when you were accosted by that Lady she had us step in. You have plenty of friends here tonight sir, please don't let this small incident spoil that."
She gives a cheerful smile and then blends back into the crowd, catching sight of Julia and Pellgrina obviously on the hunt as she returns to the gallery where she last saw Martella.
Valeria realized her attempt to intimidate Malphene and her goon squad only partially worked as the Lady began to be mouthy again. Fortunately Cyrene happened to have caught on to what was happening and used Valeria's dialogue as a distraction to sneak into place and sucker punch Lady Malphene drew a giggle from Valeria. As the Lady retreated she couldn't help but add, "The second lesson of the battlefield Lady Malphene, watch out for an ambush."
Valeria's attention turned to Senator Dau and said nothing of Cyrene's identity, that was for her and her alone to divulge, instead she gave the senator a graceful curtsy and aid, "Valeria Turanor, and it is a pleasure to meet you Senator Dau." She straightened and then said, "As my compatriot so aptly said we are here on behalf of Lady Lotheed to support the Princess initiative vote and I quite agree that we should move along. They might believe her right up until I am willing to testify under a Zone of Truth and she is not."
As they left the room Valeria asked Senator Dau, "By any chance have you seen Senator Tholeed anywhere? I was asked by my patron to speak with him and I heard he was last seen here some where, but I had not found him before I saw you were in trouble."
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Lope is going to knock at the door when it opens and Senator Dou gets out with both Valeria and Cyrene "Seems the chick left the nest"
The man smiles seeing things have been properly resolved and just follows the trio at a short distance, tightening his vest and smiling kindly to anyone they come cross.
"No-one of importance, sir."
"Mmm hmm." replied Senator Dou who didn't press the matter.
"By any chance have you seen Senator Tholeed anywhere? I was asked by my patron to speak with him and I heard he was last seen here some where, but I had not found him before I saw you were in trouble."
Senator Dou gave you a blank look before remarking, "Oh! I know him, the representative from Meratt County. Only met him once, gave me the creeps, he looks right through me as if was an irritating gnat. I saw him in the Archives earlier, reading a book and pointedly ignoring Duke Centimus. I'll take you there it's the least I can do."
A few minutes later you enter the imperial archives. If properly handled this could have, should have, been the premier collection of books transcribed knowledge anywhere on Golorion. Historically though Taldor's rulers simply didn't care about its upkeep. Centuries of redirected funding and senate-sanctioned pruning of “sensitive information” has irreparably ruined the once immaculate reputation of the archives. This vast library now acts as a repository of haphazardly curated books, senate minutes, and genealogy records left open to the scrutiny of uncaring nobles.
As you enter you overhear several incredibly cringeworthy conversations as various nobles and senators try to impress their sycophantic entourages with their knowledge of the sciences and of Taldan history.
Several of nobles start to get bored and sensing this Marcus goes on to describe how some levels of the old senate involved the intentional immurement (walling them in and leaving them to die) of workers a grim reward from the nobles of the time. This perks the nobles up who ask all sorts of awkward and worrying questions about this gruesome topic.
On the way here you noticed Duke Centimus in his wheel chair speaking animatedly to a tall ulfen man. With a round face and a few extra pounds, Duke Centimus looks very different from the waifish ladies’ man he was 5 years ago. He clearly takes great pride in tinkering with his wheelchair, having repeatedly revised its design.
Senator Dou points Senator Panivar Tholeed out, who is sitting quietly at a reading desk studying an old book. He tells you, "Well there he is. I've got to run some errands now, but come by my office tomorrow I'll have a reward for you.". He tells you where his office is and then says goodbye.
Senator Tholeed is a slim man in his fifties with greying hair, he's wearing subdued but expensive clothing favouring onyx jewellery. Something about his nose and face structure actually reminds you of Martella, could they be distantly related? While you observe him you notice he waves away several people who attempt to speak to him.
DC 17):
It was staring to get late and then suddenly a fanfare of trumpets sounded heralding the arrival of Taldor's leader Grand Prince Stavian III. Silence descends for a moment as a team of servants efficiently unroll a red carpet through the Arcade of Triumphs and the senate floor. Eveyone stops to watch his procession through the senate accompanied by a very large detachment of his famed Ulfen Guard. Guests quickly flock to catch a glimpse of him ,but he doesn't stop to wave and instead briskly moves toward the Emperor’s Hall, which is closed for the remainder of the night.
Valeria was quite pleased with Senator Dou's offer and said, "Why thank you good sir, your aid is greatly appreciated." She walked with the senator through the gallery headed towards the archives and looked at the pictures that Martella had mentioned as they went. There were indeed several who looked very similar to her but that could be coincidence. Still, she, better than many, knew the kinds of beings out there and that many were nigh immortal unless they were killed outright. The senator could be one such being.
When they reached the archives and Senator Dou told her to come see him tomorrow for a reward Valeria smiled gratefully and said, "I will certainly be there Senator Dou." After the senator left her Valeria studied Senator Tholeed for a moment and noted how he waved people off.
Valeria decided that the man surely wasn't the same as those pictures, there was just no way that was possible. Since Senator Tholeed was reading Valeria looked through some nearby books for something that caught her eye and settled on one about genealogy that she recalled her father mentioning their family line appeared in one time. She didn't care much at the time but she had been curious to learn more since her return and this could serve both as a reason to sit near the Senator that he might not be as determined to turn away. Book in hand Valeria went to a chair near to Senator Lotheed, one that he would be able to see her at but that would be just far enough away that he hopefully wouldn't complain about her presence. When she approached she gave the Senator a polite nod without any words, sat down, and started to look through the book.
Triphylla re-enters the Senate and finds it has become a much busier place since her visit in the previous hour. Nevertheless, Kalbio stands alone, unattended, as if he is a pariah instead of the subject of celebration.
The halfling approaches him straightaway. "I know how you must feel," she begins by way of introduction. It's clear to everyone that she has even less of a reason to be here than he does.
"I'm Triphylla Achlys. It's a genuine pleasure to meet you. I suppose we have something in common; my father was a minor celebrity, in certain circles. But not this one." She smiles.
"I wonder, could you refuse this honor? Not that anyone would. Well, maybe not anyone. Your tapestries are beautiful. Enchanting. And if I may be so bold, your work is too good for these people. It is important, and they appreciate it, and they collect it, but do they even really understand what it's about? Does it make them feel something?" she muses philosophically.
"Chin up. We all have a role to play tonight. Yours is to stand there and not be overwhelmed by all of this. Despite what they would have anyone believe, they're just people, and the entire lot of them are not worth even one of your tapestries."
The halfling manages to get in the way of a serving girl and intercepts a drink tray. She downs one glass of sparkling wine and then offers another to Kalbio. "Here. Take the edge off. Who knows, this may yet be an evening we choose to remember."
A moment later there is a fanfare of trumpets and the Senate din is extinguished for the Emperor. Triphylla clears her throat a little too loudly.
You share a few minuets of small talk before she hands you a pair of letters saying, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to as you to something less exciting now. It's going to involve a fair bit of running around. The first one is for Count Orlundo Zespire in the archives. He's likely near Duke Centimus's entourage so you shouldn't have any problem finding him. The second letter is for Lady Glorianna, she's probably decamped to the Gallery to watch proceedings below with comfort. I expect both of them will want you to return with a reply. Thanks and I'll see you in a little while."
The count seemed slightly irritated at first when you tried to deliver the letter although once you'd explained it was from Martella he ripped it open and quickly scanned the document.
He sighed before saying, "Wait here please." he disappeared into a side room and a few minutes later came back with another sealed letter which which he handed to you saying, "There's a young senator called Dou, ask around I'm sure you'll find him. Hand this to him please."
Lady Glorianna said, "Look at that poor Kalbio down there on the senate floor, all alone in a crowded room and not a soul to talk to!"
Her companion replied, "Oh I don't know, he's about to become rather rich and in his local area at least influential... Of course you know everyone is scandalised by the idea of a weaver becoming ennobled."
Lady Glorianna scolded her softly, "Oh come now he's actually an extremely talented weaver, I have several of his rugs and they're most excellent. There's been more than a few painters ennobled in the past and nobody made any fuss."
"Oh Glorianna you're too soft, you'll encourage them with that kind of thought. The lad will get a title yes, but he'll never be allowed any true power. Besides it's going to be funny watching Stavian performing the ceremony, I heard he was really not pleased at all when he heard who had been chosen, apparently he looked like he'd swallowed a bug."
Lady Glorianna sighed, "Not sure I like the sound of that." Keen to change the topic she noticed you and beckoned you over saying, "I see you have a letter, is that for me?" She scans it and writes two letters while you wait, "Thank you, could you please pass this one to Martella and I'd be obliged if you could run this this one to Duke Centimus. It would be good if you could pass it along quickly since the vote is in half an hour and there's a few last minute details to attend to."
After going around the Senate Hall for a third time, Julia finally signed in frustration. "Oh for the love of Shelyn." She would have thought it easy to find Jarlbjorn even with some many Taldor's nobles all around her but it seemed the Gods wanted to test her after her success with Senator Karthis. Undaunted, Julia decided if her eyes weren't up for the challenge that maybe her gift of gab would do.
Quickly finding some promising looking targets, Julia quickly put on a winning smile and went about asking them innocent questions about where she could find Ulfen lord.
Fortunately, the old senator Verdane seemed more that willing to her about the Landgrave's whereabouts, directing her to the senate archives of all places. There, she found her mark, a rather decent looking man with a Ulfen's distinct blonde conserving with Duke Centimus.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Julia was quick to ingratiate herself with the two. "Well hello there, my lords. I did not expect to see the archives so well-attended this night with the festivities about. I assume you came here to feast on some knowledge after the food proved wanting?" She said with a chuckle before actually introducing herself. "My name is Lady Julia Aubigni, a pleasure to meet you both."
"By the by," Triphylla adds with Kalbio after the Emperor has passed through, "Should the opportunity present itself, Princess Eutropia would make one hell of an Empress, if but one silly law were changed tonight."
Cyrene chats pleasantly to her employer, although Martella at least knows that the air-headed manner she speaks in is not as natural as it seems. Once Martella produces the letters Cyrene curtseys and vanishes into the crowd with her usual efficiency before making her way down to the archives and politely, but insistently making Count Zespire take his letter.
She waits as instructed and is fortunate to catch sight of Senator Dou on his way out of the archives, so she double times over to pass on Zespire's message.
"Thank you sir." She offers with a dimpled smile and a curtsey when Dou passes on his agreement. "My Lady will be delighted to hear that."
She lingers for a minute or two to get a sense of the archives, which seem relatively quiet compared to the grander rooms upstairs. Senator 'Tholeed' makes Cyrene smile sardonically for a moment as she watches the man, noting his distinct family resemblence.
Tholeed, he isn't even trying. Men can be that arrogant though. Watching how the man deals with the crowd of hangers on causes her smile to slip into a frown. Powerful though. Grandfather maybe... she must know?
Mind whirring with an unpleasant number of questions Cyrene returns to the gallery to pass on Dou's acceptance to Martella and, once there, speaks to her employer with stunningly directness. "Tell me everything about Senator Tholeed."
When she finally has Baron Okerra sighted, Pelligrina finds a discreet place to call upon some Guidance from her mirror.
Pelligrina moves in obliquely, it wouldn't do for the Baron to sense she is honing in on him. She chats and small-talks briefly with people, each time positioning herself closer to the Baron until she is close enough to turn around to him seemly by coincidence.
Waiting to listen a bit, there may yet be something he says that will be useful, she finally turns to make it seem she almost ran into him by accident.
"Oh! I beg your pardon Sir! The giddiness of this evening has made me clumsy."
Pelligrina engineers a change of expression on her face, changing it slowly from polite neutrality to surprised recognition.
"Surely you must be Baron Okerra! I have often heard he is an imposing gentleman, not just due to his height and looks, but also his easily apparent charm. Since I have not met any other here who matches that description, he must be you. It is my great pleasure to make your acquaintance at last. I am Lady Pelligrina Revay of Tregan."
Pausing for a short moment as if reaching for a conversational topic, Pelligrina opens with "Did you hear Princess Eutropia's speech? Wasn't it outstanding? I found it so inspiring!"
Lope follows Valeria and Senator Dou at a relative distance in order to make sure there are no more troubles.
Once at the archives, he finds himself interested at the books and looks after a registry that might tell him who kept his family blackblade after the belongings of his family were seized.
While he does this search, he tries to influence the place, showing his knowledge on conversations he catch up nearby.
"Aren't the workers not becoming undead?" he asks showing up knowledge to the Markus excursion around the place "By the way, where are objects seized up to nobles brought?"
"Should the opportunity present itself, Princess Eutropia would make one hell of an Empress, if but one silly law were changed tonight."
"Do you really think so?" he asked Guilelessly, "I've never met her, but some of the things she's promising for ordinary people seems nice."
Ogvai Jarlbjorn replied, "It stands to reason it should be possible, I've seen many lowland bridges and you could rig a temporary rope bridge on each side to help placing the stones..."
The duke replied, "Like I said, it's rather more challenging on steep ground but the real problem is finance. Heroic efforts are needed for the senate to pass a bill for the upkeep of Oppara, let alone financing a bridge in the mountains even if it would improve our defences against frost giant incursions..."
Clearly this was a conversation that had been going for some time.
After watching Senator Tholeed for at least half an hour and witnessing him scowling and otherwise scaring off several courtiers that tried to approach you got the feeling that he wasn't in the mood for any conversation. Then a handsome man with a short beard in his late twenties with a body length dark brown cloak over a smart business suit and red sash swept in. He confidently strode towards Senator Tholeed who didn't look up from his book, they had a short tense conversation before the man swept away looking pleased.
The Senator replied, "Excellent. Do you know I think she might actually pull it off... I quite admire her after a fashion, too bad she didn't find a more suitable outlet. Anyway our work is done here."
Tholeed calmly closed his book and looking pleased the pair walked out.
"Did you hear Princess Eutropia's speech? Wasn't it outstanding? I found it so inspiring!"
"Mmm." he replied noncommittally and he briefly had a far away look, "A fine speech, but then Eutriopia always was good at public speaking. Naturally she didn't dwell on how divisive this is all going to be. What was it she said the other day, 'a bonfire of obsolete regulation'. A fine sentiment but what if the bonfire proves hard to control, like it did for our neighbours to the north... Considering where you hail from I'm sure my concern isn't as nebulous as it seems to be for many here tonight.
You remained to share various insights much to the delight of those present. After a bit an old librarian carrying a rather dog-eared and crumbling journal introduces himself, "Good evening, I'm Pabrus Telecoum. I was rather impressed by the knowledge of the arcane and I thought you might find this interesting. It was donated a few years ago and I'm afraid it's not in the best of conditions, but rather than throw it out I though I'd pass it on to somebody who might appreciate it!"
He then thrust the ancient journal into your hands.
Cryers are sent fourth to warn the Gathered senators courtiers and nobles that a light supper would be served in the courtyard gardens, starting in fifteen minutes.
Valeria recognized the man that approached and was not driven off by Senator Tholeed. Why, exactly, that man caught his attention was unclear to Valeria but it was something that Marcella might find interesting. Even more intriguing was what they said. After giving them some time to move away Valeria rose and went to go find Martella.
When she finally located Lady Lotheed Valeria approached and said, "Good news is Cyrene and I managed to prevent Senator Dou from being bullied into changing sides. It seems to have firmed up his resolve to vote for the Princess' proposal. Unfortunately whatever Senator Lotheed was doing he finished. I managed to sit near to him and read through a genealogy book while he was there. He sent every approaching person scurrying except for one, Sir Milon Jeroth." She repeated what she had overhear s best she could and then said, "After that they left the archives together."
Triphylla smiles back at Kalbio and hands him the last drink from the tray. "Of course. We can try for the Princess herself, but let me check on one thing first. Perhaps make your way out to the garden for supper and I'll meet you there."
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Pelligrina's expression shifts to pensive, serious. When she speaks again her voice matches her face.
"Yes, Galt is a tragedy and I have witnessed the misery it causes on my very doorstep. There is no real law there except for the whim of the mob. It is a lesson that cannot be ignored."
"But Galt cannot truly be understood as the simple story so often told. It is a product of Cheliax. That part is often conveniently forgotten by those who raise it as a cautionary example. Galt did not simply devour itself. Galt gnawed itself free of Cheliax because it would not be subject to infernal law."
"As we both know Cheliax is nothing if not a nation of law and order. I will not repeat the stories of how Cheliax's people suffer and are degraded through the brutality of law for the sake of obedience, for I am sure you know them well Baron Okerra."
Pelligrina raises her hands, palms upward.
"So the full story gives us two examples to consider. One," she raises her right hand slightly, "shows us principles soured because law did not discipline them."
Pelligrina then raises her left hand. "The other shows us the brutality and nihilism of law without principles."
Pelligrina lowers both her hands. "The true lesson of these two wretched nations' histories is we must reject both extremes."
At this point, Pelligrina lets a smile begin to blossom on her face again, but with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes as well.
"But, even this simple conclusion is not the whole truth; it is an illusion. For law and principle are not opposites. They are not the same kinds of things at all. Law is a tool, made by us to uphold what we hold dear. It is a scaffolding we build to lift up ideals, principles. Those things that are bigger than us, gifted to us by the gods."
"Law for the sake of law has no meaning; it is impotent, without purpose. So, do we want laws that oppress, or laws that benefit those who live by them? My dear Baron, I propose there is only one universal truth in history; things always change. If it were not so, there would be no history to write. People, nations, institutions, all change inevitably. They either grow if we accept the inevitable and map our future wisely, or they atrophy if we are dragged forward kicking and screaming while we clutch at the past."
"This is why I support Princess Eutropia's resolution. She proposes the elimination of one law among the vast number that exist. It is a consequential law, without it it she will rule Taldor in turn. If it remains in place, we both know the High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus is most likely to rule instead. I believe we are both clear-eyed enough to agree that war with Qadira would then follow sooner or later. You know war Baron, so you tell me, how easy is it to control the outcome of a war? How divisive might thousands of dead Taldans be? Ruinous spending in the service of hubris and revanchism?"
"By comparison I would say that a few internal reforms of Princess Eutropia's, designed to better the lives of Taldor's citizens, is temperate and benign. Things WILL change no matter which way the vote goes tonight. If I were casting a vote tonight, it would go to the Princess and the lesser, easier to control change."
Having concluded her oration, Pelligrina smiles sweetly at Baron Okerra.