"Err? I'm sorry, but accounting is not something I'm very proficient with. Only moderately so. The Guild usually handles these things..."After several hours of poring through the ledgers, she has about a dozen of them open in front of her. She keeps checking and rechecking figures, frowning a bit at her results.
"Are there any expenses that don't get recorded in these books? Because unless there are your accountants are robbing you blind. I expect a little skimming, sure, but this is ridiculous."
"Also, could I get some more information on the city's trade agreements? Based on what I'm reading here they seem...inefficient. But I could be missing some vital pieces of information by looking only at the numbers."
"Sorry," she says apologetically. "I'm so used to hearing my family talking about this sort of thing that I forget sometimes that not everybody knows this stuff." She shrugs. "I'm just trying to get to know Pearl better. Mirathan loves this city and I want to be able to understand what's going on. I'll talk to him about it, but I think at some point I am definitely going to have to speak to someone from the Guild, make sure I'm seeing the whole picture."
She stretched as best she could in her tightly fitted dress. It had been a long time since she had spent so much time poring over books. She had grown more accustomed to battlefields than libraries. And it was definitely time to pause her research. She could hardly read an entire library in an afternoon, she reminded herself, smiling a little at the absurdity of it. Not really knowing where else to go, she heads back to her room.
As Nimora heads out of the library she just happens to run into Mirathan's mother.
"Well, hello dear. I didn't get to greet you when you returned to our fair city, or to congratulate you on your military victory."
"Hello, your majesty. It's good to see you again. I'm sure you've been very busy, and I was er, rather occupied my first few days back," she said, blushing deeply.
"I appreciate the sentiment about the victory, but the truth was that we got lucky. We were outmatched plain and simple and if we hadn't been able to taunt the enemy leader into single combat we would most likely have lost and badly. It was Tempest's victory really."
"But why would Tempest fight for you...did fight for you, when she refused so many others thru the year?"
"I don't understand. She never really told me much about herself. She always sidestepped my questions when I tried to ask. She introduced herself to me after Mirathan's coronation, and after that she was pretty much there everywhere I went."
In her room she finds a new sketch of herself standing proudly, a figure of power and beauty. And a note
- Mirathan
"These are heavy things to discuss so late at night. Let us walk."
It's a bit weird that they don't run into any servants on their walk, which ends at Nimora's doors.
"You have a sharp mind, Nimora. And strong allies. Be careful that you do not attract strong enemies. And watch. Always. So that you may learn to spot a shark in a dolphin's skin. The Sea Furies may be either."
"What are the Sea Furies?"
"I am trying not to step on the wrong toes, but it's so much to learn. It is...interesting going from a place where I knew everything about everyone and all of the history to a place where I know virtually nothing. The political structure of Sandreef may be unconventional, but I knew it. Here I am constantly afraid that I'll make a terrible misstep that will cause no end of trouble."
"There is more than I can teach you in one century about our home. Fear not."
"As for the Furies, they are ancient beings. Deadly in their power. Most believe them to be myths, worshipped by fanatics."
"No, they are not myths," she said, thinking of the cocoon and the baby within, and the note she later received. "I don't know exactly what they are, but that they are real, of that I am entirely certain."
"And I look forward to learning. I'm afraid I'm driving the chamberlain a bit batty," she added apologetically. "I'm just so eager to know everything right this moment. I will try to work on my patience."
In her room she finds a new sketch of herself standing proudly, a figure of power and beauty. And a note
** spoiler omitted **
She gasps when she sees the sketch.
"That cannot possibly be me! Oh, it looks so beautiful."She smiled as she picked up the note and smiled even more as she read it.
"Now the only problem is waiting that long. Well, I did promise his mother that I would work on my patience."
She hummed absently to herself, thinking happy thoughts about the man she loved as she was helped out of her dress. The servants exchanged even more smirks than before, but this time she wasn't particularly noticing them, her eyes going back to the sketch every few moments.
Just before dawn the next morning there is a light knock on the door. It's Mirathan, alone and dressed simply. A crossbow and dagger as weapons. His carrying net at his waist.
"Ready?"
Once Nimora is ready he holds her hand, and touches an amulet around his neck. They teleport into darkness; not total but really more of a deep purple. Air. They are above ground. Nearby the splash of someone leaving is barely heard over the splash of waves upon rocks. As Nimora's eyes adjust the scene brightens; the purples of the morning sky give way to bands of crimson and orange. They stand silently as the new day dawns.
"This is where I fell in love with the surface world," he whispers.
The cries of gulls seem to respond in kind.
Behind the couple, a blanket has been spread out on the ground. There is a basket with assorted goodies, and several bottles on ice. Two settings have been laid out. Surface utensils, salvaged from ships or traded for, metals that would corrode in the sea. Bread. Still fresh, and impossible to enjoy beneath the waves.
Breakfast?
Behind the couple, a blanket has been spread out on the ground. There is a basket with assorted goodies, and several bottles on ice. Two settings have been laid out. Surface utensils, salvaged from ships or traded for, metals that would corrode in the sea. Bread. Still fresh, and impossible to enjoy beneath the waves.
Breakfast?
She smiled. "It is a beautiful place. The sight of a sunrise above the waves, I miss it sometimes even though I still love the world under the waves. Thank you for bringing me here."
She smells the bread, savoring the aroma, before putting a piece in her mouth and chewing slowly. "Mmm. It's delicious."
Behind the couple, a blanket has been spread out on the ground. There is a basket with assorted goodies, and several bottles on ice. Two settings have been laid out. Surface utensils, salvaged from ships or traded for, metals that would corrode in the sea. Bread. Still fresh, and impossible to enjoy beneath the waves.
Breakfast?
She smiled. "It is a beautiful place. The sight of a sunrise above the waves, I miss it sometimes even though I still love the world under the waves. Thank you for bringing me here."
She smells the bread, savoring the aroma, before putting a piece in her mouth and chewing slowly. "Mmm. It's delicious."
Mirathan watches her closely as she enjoys the repast.
"Nimora?, he asks tentatively.
Mirathan watches her closely as she enjoys the repast.
"Nimora?, he asks tentatively.
"Yes?" she says, smiling at him.
"Yes?" she says, smiling at him.
Mirathan watches her closely as she enjoys the repast.
"Nimora?, he asks tentatively.
"I know we haven't had much time to be us, simply us...."
"But...if you would have me...I would...would you marry me?"
he flushes, and adds quickly "I'm sorry. I practiced and practiced, and still couldn't help sounding like a fool. But I forget to breathe when I look at you."
"Yes?" she says, smiling at him.
Mirathan watches her closely as she enjoys the repast.
"Nimora?, he asks tentatively.
"I know we haven't had much time to be us, simply us...."
"But...if you would have me...I would...would you marry me?"
he flushes, and adds quickly "I'm sorry. I practiced and practiced, and still couldn't help sounding like a fool. But I forget to breathe when I look at you."
Her eyes got wide as she heard what he was asking her.
"Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you!"
She flung herself into his arms, hugging him tightly, not quite sure if she was laughing or crying she was so happy.
"My dearest love," she murmured and kissed him.
"Yes?" she says, smiling at him.
Mirathan watches her closely as she enjoys the repast.
"Nimora?, he asks tentatively.
"I know we haven't had much time to be us, simply us...."
"But...if you would have me...I would...would you marry me?"
he flushes, and adds quickly "I'm sorry. I practiced and practiced, and still couldn't help sounding like a fool. But I forget to breathe when I look at you."
Her eyes got wide as she heard what he was asking her.
"Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you!"
She flung herself into his arms, hugging him tightly, not quite sure if she was laughing or crying she was so happy.
"My dearest love," she murmured and kissed him.
Much smooching ensues
in between smooches
"After sunset, we'll head down and tell everyone."
"Not that I think they'll be surprised. It's been like I have 'I luv Nimora' written on my forehead or something."
"I don't, do I? looks for something to check his reflection
in between smooches
"After sunset, we'll head down and tell everyone."
"Not that I think they'll be surprised. It's been like I have 'I luv Nimora' written on my forehead or something."
"I don't, do I? looks for something to check his reflection
"No, dearest, there isn't anything written on your forehead," she said laughing.
"Neither of us has been very good at hiding our feelings."
"Sunset? But the sun just came up....Oh. Mmm. Yes, I see. After sunset."
in between smooches
"After sunset, we'll head down and tell everyone."
"Not that I think they'll be surprised. It's been like I have 'I luv Nimora' written on my forehead or something."
"I don't, do I? looks for something to check his reflection
"No, dearest, there isn't anything written on your forehead," she said laughing.
"Neither of us has been very good at hiding our feelings."
"Sunset? But the sun just came up....Oh. Mmm. Yes, I see. After sunset."
"Both sunrise and sunset are beautiful, but different too."
"Neither as beautiful as you."
"Both sunrise and sunset are beautiful, but different too."
"Neither as beautiful as you."
"I don't think that I could ever possibly be as wonderful as you make me out to be, but I still like hearing it."
"If I were any happier I think I might explode."
Then for a long day of 'watching' the waves. Not as boring as this job usually is. Followed by a view of the setting sun, before they teleport back to Pearl.
Nimora still doesn't figure out what 'watching the submarine races' means, but she doesn't care.
Then for a long day of 'watching' the waves. Not as boring as this job usually is. Followed by a view of the setting sun, before they teleport back to Pearl.
Nimora still doesn't figure out what 'watching the submarine races' means, but she doesn't care.
Then for a long day of 'watching' the waves. Not as boring as this job usually is. Followed by a view of the setting sun, before they teleport back to Pearl.
Nimora still doesn't figure out what 'watching the submarine races' means, but she doesn't care.
Then for a long day of 'watching' the waves. Not as boring as this job usually is. Followed by a view of the setting sun, before they teleport back to Pearl.
Nimora still doesn't figure out what 'watching the submarine races' means, but she doesn't care.
Then for a long day of 'watching' the waves. Not as boring as this job usually is. Followed by a view of the setting sun, before they teleport back to Pearl.
Nimora still doesn't figure out what 'watching the submarine races' means, but she doesn't care.
"So, dearest, how long do people have to wait to be engaged in Sandreef? I'm not sure I can be patient."
"So, dearest, how long do people have to wait to be engaged in Sandreef? I'm not sure I can be patient."
"How long will it take to make the arrangements for the wedding? Because that's about how long we have to wait," she said, smiling. "My family will be thrilled, and most likely want to expedite things before anything else can go wrong," she added with a little laugh. "But what are the usual customs here in Pearl?"
"So, dearest, how long do people have to wait to be engaged in Sandreef? I'm not sure I can be patient."
"How long will it take to make the arrangements for the wedding? Because that's about how long we have to wait," she said, smiling. "My family will be thrilled, and most likely want to expedite things before anything else can go wrong," she added with a little laugh. "But what are the usual customs here in Pearl?"
"I'm...I'm not sure. I wasn't born yet when my parents got married."
"Oh, you mean...I doubt that would work. A state wedding is a big deal. Wanna elope? Nah. I want to show you off to the whole world."
"I'm...I'm not sure. I wasn't born yet when my parents got married."
"Oh, you mean...I doubt that would work. A state wedding is a big deal. Wanna elope? Nah. I want to show you off to the whole world."
She smiled at him. "Well, then that necessitates going through the whole ordeal of a state wedding I suppose. We should probably ask your mother for some advice."
She smiled at him. "Well, then that necessitates going through the whole ordeal of a state wedding I suppose. We should probably ask your mother for some advice."
"I'm...I'm not sure. I wasn't born yet when my parents got married."
"Oh, you mean...I doubt that would work. A state wedding is a big deal. Wanna elope? Nah. I want to show you off to the whole world."
"This is so complicated. Duty sure messes up people's lives doesn't it?"
"This is so complicated. Duty sure messes up people's lives doesn't it?"
She chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it does. But somehow I don't see either one of us ever swimming away from it either, so we may as well learn to live with it."
They were all too soon swept up in the maelstrom of planning a state wedding. Nimora was starting to feel like all she ever said was, "But surely we can get that done a little bit faster." She felt like she was being buried in details. And she knew exactly who she needed to help make things a little more manageable. If he could spare the time. The plan to get Joren declared the royal heir had worked beautifully, but there were a few more rip tides to steer through to have King Orca officially declared incompetent to rule, nevermind that he hadn't come out from under his throne for a week because of fear of the pancake menace. She sent a message anyways, hoping that her father would be able to spare the time to help her.
In the meantime there was an endless round of parties and dinners and other events to attend as she had to be introduced to more people than she could possibly remember. She studied the history of Pearl in her free time and had her maids quizzing her on who was who in the vain hopes that she would remember at least half of them.
Mirathan rubs his temples. Who knew that there was such a huge political side to marriage? Life was so much simpler, albeit dangerous , at the Oasis.
Mirathan rubs his temples. Who knew that there was such a huge political side to marriage? Life was so much simpler, albeit dangerous , at the Oasis.
Nimora was both happy and relieved when her father was able to spare the time for a visit. Even if he did tend to unnerve people who didn't know him well. By the end of his visit, he had helped her come up with a plan for improving the city's financial situation so that the wedding wouldn't add undue strain to their coffers, a plan for diplomatic visits to get annoying things like seating charts and arrival times arranged, the promise that at least half of those visits would be taken care of by her mother, and after a protracted visit with the chamberlain Nerion had a comprehensive list of things that were necessary for the wedding. And insisted on providing most of the more difficult to obtain items as well as paying for at least half of the required entertainments. He was in fact quite offended at the suggestion that this wasn't necessary.
Before he left he presented Nimora with a gift from her grandmother, a large trunk full of fine silk and beautiful handmade lace with a water lily pattern knotted in and a smaller box full of tiny seed pearls to be used to make the wedding dress. "Apparently she's been saving these for you for quite some time."
After her father had gone back home, Nimora brought the plans they'd been working on to Mirathan. She did her best to explain them, but she could see his eyes glazing over involuntarily when she got into the economics.
"Hey, you, pay attention. This is important," she said playfully. "Okay, I know. The chamberlain gets that same slightly panicked look when I start asking questions about money and trade. I know not everyone was taught this stuff from the cradle, but it is important. How about I sum up? After figuring out how to cut every corner possible timewise, it's still going to have to be a long engagement. Just a few months less than two years. That was the absolute best we could do."
And she knew exactly who she needed to help make things a little more manageable. If he could spare the time.
She sent a message anyways, hoping that her father would be able to spare the time to help her.