Deep below the boiling sun that scorches the surface of the Obari Ocean, untouched by the roiling seas, a war torn underwater city rebuilds itself. Built of living coral and shell the dull shafts of sunlight from the surface alight upon a sprawling, multi-colored metropolis nestled against a rising cliff. Fields of kelp and coral give home to thousands of salt water fish. Here and there areas sculpted of living coral give testimony to the beauty of the city, luckily avoiding the destruction. Work crews busily attends to the damaged zones, coaxing them slowly back to the original grandeur. At the center of it all a tower of pearl looks over the city and its inhabitants.
This is the beginning of the reign of Mirathan the Third, forced upon the Pearl Throne by the death of his father in the Battle against the Black. Will the poet-king be strong enough to lead his people past this devastation? His heart is strong. We of the Order of the Pearl will make sure it stays so.
Shell may be sundered, coral broken, loved ones lost, but the sea elves are resilient. As we hope our new king will be. Years of living in the deep seas have taught us to weather the forces of Nature. These lessons should hold true during the aftermath of this recent storm.
How the story unfolds will be left to you.
Mirathan is led to the his chambers to begin the healing process. Guards are stationed both within and outside of his rooms. His mother and brother visit him as soon as he is settled in, his mother staying for hours at a time leaving the Regent to take care of the preparations.
The body of Mirathan's father is prepared for burial, all signs of his partial transformation erased with his passing.
Proclamations are passed throughout the sea realms, announcing the passing of Mirathan the Second and the pending coronation of Mirathan the Third.
Sadness and eagerness both flow within the waters of the city. Uncertainty of the change from a warrior king to a poet and artist is the cause for concern, but the sea eleves are long-lived beings and even their warriors have an artistic side.
Two days after Mirathan was brought home, Nimora steps through the portal and looks around uncertainly.
Two days after Mirathan was brought home, Nimora steps through the portal and looks around uncertainly.
As Nimora steps thru the omniportal she sees a much different scene than when she was last here. The omniportal is guarded by a squad of knights of the Order of the Pearl, Manta Ray sect, in gleaming armor of black and white. Colorful pavilions surround the portal, with a small army of clerks swimmming to and fro frantically. There are no signs of the destruction upon the fields heading into the city, and colorful banners adorn the walls. Some obviously covering damaged sections. Crowds of dignitaries mill around the portal, discussing items with the assembled clerks.
A frazzled clerk approaches. "Yes, Miss, how may I help you?"
A frazzled clerk approaches. "Yes, Miss, how may I help you?"
"I...Oh, my, it's changed so much in just two days. Yes, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let myself get distracted. I just wanted to check on Mirathan's condition. I - oh, yes, you probably need to know who I am," she said with a self-deprecating smile. "I am Nimora Orlbareth. Ummm, I'm not even sure who to ask for. Telestial? Could I speak with him please?"
"I...Oh, my, it's changed so much in just two days. Yes, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let myself get distracted. I just wanted to check on Mirathan's condition. I - oh, yes, you probably need to know who I am," she said with a self-deprecating smile. "I am Nimora Orlbareth. Ummm, I'm not even sure who to ask for. Telestial? Could I speak with him please?"
A frazzled clerk approaches. "Yes, Miss, how may I help you?"
The clerk looks bothered at first at Nimora's simple, meandering introduction. He starts checking his ledger and stops at the first page. His look changes to one of embarrassment and slight panic.
"I...uh...my apologies, Lady Orlbereth. I shall have an escort take you to your suite immediately." He bows quickly and swims off a short distance, calling for the Captain.
Nimora watches the clerk swim away, a bemused expression on her face. Why did she need an escort? And what suite? This was all so complicated. And she had a feeling she had better get used to complicated.
3 of the Mantas approach. 1 is definitely an officer. They all bow, and the Captain addresses Nimora...
"Lady Orlbereth. The Mantas would be honored to escort you to your suite at the Pearl Palace."
3 of the Mantas approach. 1 is definitely an officer. They all bow, and the Captain addresses Nimora...
"Lady Orlbereth. The Mantas would be honored to escort you to your suite at the Pearl Palace."
"Thank you," she says with a smile. "Please, lead the way. I am still learning my way around here."
"Thank you," she says with a smile. "Please, lead the way. I am still learning my way around here."3 of the Mantas approach. 1 is definitely an officer. They all bow, and the Captain addresses Nimora...
"Lady Orlbereth. The Mantas would be honored to escort you to your suite at the Pearl Palace."
The captain bows again. "This way please."
A carriage of shell pulled by a team of sea horses pulls up, the driver in livery of a sea dragon clutching a trident. Her escort indicates that it is for her. The crowd of dignitaries pause in their discussions and turn their attention to Nimora. The whispering of their questions and comments increases. The 2 Manta Knights approach with sea horses of their own.
The captain bows again. "This way please."
A carriage of shell pulled by a team of sea horses pulls up, the driver in livery of a sea dragon clutching a trident. Her escort indicates that it is for her. The crowd of dignitaries pause in their discussions and turn their attention to Nimora. The whispering of their questions and comments increases. The 2 Manta Knights approach with sea horses of their own.
Nimora's eyes widen in astonishment. "For me?" she asks surprised, when her escort steers her towards it. She blushes as she realizes that she has become the center of attention. She climbs into the carriage feeling like she has just stepped into some sort of strange dream.
In a carriage of polished shell Nimora Orlbereth is taken upon a tour over the city. She can still see signs of the damage in the distance, but her driver navigates a course that focusses upon the untouched beauty of the Pearl of the South. Up and down they go, meandering slowly, allowing her to take in the sights. The presence of the Manta Knights keep the curious from straying too close, but she can also see that she is the source for much attention. The royal carriage has that effect on people, even sea elves.
Eventually she is delivered to the Palace itself, and turned over Knights of the Blue Eel, who escort her to a suite of rooms oppulent enough to rival her mother's villa. Inside, two female servants attend to her every need with much fuss.
In a carriage of polished shell Nimora Orlbereth is taken upon a tour over the city. She can still see signs of the damage in the distance, but her driver navigates a course that focusses upon the untouched beauty of the Pearl of the South. Up and down they go, meandering slowly, allowing her to take in the sights. The presence of the Manta Knights keep the curious from straying too close, but she can also see that she is the source for much attention. The royal carriage has that effect on people, even sea elves.
Eventually she is delivered to the Palace itself, and turned over Knights of the Blue Eel, who escort her to a suite of rooms oppulent enough to rival her mother's villa. Inside, two female servants attend to her every need with much fuss.
She was truly impressed by her tour of the city. Sandreef was no backwater, but it was still not as impressive as this. Although she also couldn't help feeling rather awkward as people stared trying to see who was in the carriage.
She felt a bit lost in the palace and hadn't the faintest idea what she was supposed to do with the servants fussing over her. Even at home where there had been servants in plenty she had always insisted on doing for herself. And here she didn't have Maera to shoo them away.
"I know that everyone must be very busy right now," she says, finally breaking free of the fussing, "but all I really want to know is how Mirathan is doing now. Is there any chance that someone who knows will be free to speak to me soon?"
After an hour there is a knock on the door, and one of the attendants answer it. She asks if the Lady will grant audience to the Knight-Captain Telestial and the High Chamberlain.
Telestial enters, followed by a smaller elf in fine clothing. They both bow deeply. The servants both bow, and backstep a bit holding their heads low.
"My Lady, I am glad that you have come. I was remiss in not thanking you and your companions for removing me from that nest of vipers. This is the High Chamberlain Erstlan. He will see to any of your needs."
"My Lady." he continues "Is it true that you come without luggage? No gowns? No personal attendants?"
After an hour there is a knock on the door, and one of the attendants answer it. She asks if the Lady will grant audience to the Knight-Captain Telestial and the High Chamberlain.
Telestial enters, followed by a smaller elf in fine clothing. They both bow deeply. The servants both bow, and backstep a bit holding their heads low.
"My Lady, I am glad that you have come. I was remiss in not thanking you and your companions for removing me from that nest of vipers. This is the High Chamberlain Erstlan. He will see to any of your needs."
"My Lady." he continues "Is it true that you come without luggage? No gowns? No personal attendants?"
"Of course we would not have abandoned you Sir Telestial."
"Hello, Chamberlain Erstlan. A pleasure to meet you. Yes, I am afraid that I did not bring any luggage. I came straight from the Sanctum. I was anxious to check on the King's health after his ordeal," she says looking at Telestial. "I would have come sooner, but the healing spells in the water there kept putting me back to sleep."
"And I never have personal attendants," she says with a laugh. "Maera sometimes I suppose when I am at my parents' home, but I usually do for myself. No matter how much my mother scolds me for it."
After an hour there is a knock on the door, and one of the attendants answer it. She asks if the Lady will grant audience to the Knight-Captain Telestial and the High Chamberlain.
Telestial enters, followed by a smaller elf in fine clothing. They both bow deeply. The servants both bow, and backstep a bit holding their heads low.
"My Lady, I am glad that you have come. I was remiss in not thanking you and your companions for removing me from that nest of vipers. This is the High Chamberlain Erstlan. He will see to any of your needs."
"My Lady." he continues "Is it true that you come without luggage? No gowns? No personal attendants?"
"Of course we would not have abandoned you Sir Telestial."
"Hello, Chamberlain Erstlan. A pleasure to meet you. Yes, I am afraid that I did not bring any luggage. I came straight from the Sanctum. I was anxious to check on the King's health after his ordeal," she says looking at Telestial. "I would have come sooner, but the healing spells in the water there kept putting me back to sleep."
"And I never have personal attendants," she says with a laugh. "Maera sometimes I suppose when I am at my parents' home, but I usually do for myself. No matter how much my mother scolds me for it."
[Erstlan] "Well that won't do. I've have a dressmistress visit you immediately. You'll need something for the funeral, then the coronation..."
An interruption at the door, as two Knights of the Red Octopus enter, followed by the familiar face of Mirathan's mother.
"You'll do no such thing Erstlan." The queen approaches Nimora, kneels on both knees taking hold of both of her hands, and kissing each in turn. The servants, guards, and chamberlain look shocked. Only Telestial doesn't seem to be. "She shall use my dressmaker."
She looks up at Nimora, tears brimming in her eyes. "Thank you."
[Erstlan] "Well that won't do. I've have a dressmistress visit you immediately. You'll need something for the funeral, then the coronation..."
An interruption at the door, as two Knights of the Red Octopus enter, followed by the familiar face of Mirathan's mother.
"You'll do no such thing Erstlan." The queen approaches Nimora, kneels on both knees taking hold of both of her hands, and kissing each in turn. The servants, guards, and chamberlain look shocked. Only Telestial doesn't seem to be. "She shall use my dressmaker."
She looks up at Nimora, tears brimming in her eyes. "Thank you."
"Oh, please don't kneel in front of me," Nimora pleads, dropping to her own knees to be on a level with the queen. "I promised you that I would bring him back and I did. How could I have possibly done otherwise? I would do anything for him. If there is anything else that I can do, anything at all, you have only to name it."
"Oh, please don't kneel in front of me," Nimora pleads, dropping to her own knees to be on a level with the queen. "I promised you that I would bring him back and I did. How could I have possibly done otherwise? I would do anything for him. If there is anything else that I can do, anything at all, you have only to name it."[Erstlan] "Well that won't do. I've have a dressmistress visit you immediately. You'll need something for the funeral, then the coronation..."
An interruption at the door, as two Knights of the Red Octopus enter, followed by the familiar face of Mirathan's mother.
"You'll do no such thing Erstlan." The queen approaches Nimora, kneels on both knees taking hold of both of her hands, and kissing each in turn. The servants, guards, and chamberlain look shocked. Only Telestial doesn't seem to be. "She shall use my dressmaker."
She looks up at Nimora, tears brimming in her eyes. "Thank you."
[Queen]"Forgive me?"
The attendants gasp, then cover their mouths.
[Queen]"Forgive me?"
"There is nothing to forgive," she said with a smile and a shake of her head, "but if you feel that there is, then I will gladly forgive you. You were doing what you thought was best, for your kingdom and for your family. You had just been attacked. You had no real reason to trust the word of some unknown girl. I cannot possibly blame you for that. Besides, there's no sense dwelling on what-ifs. Mirathan is alive and safe and that's all that matters."
"There is nothing to forgive," she said with a smile and a shake of her head, "but if you feel that there is, then I will gladly forgive you. You were doing what you thought was best, for your kingdom and for your family. You had just been attacked. You had no real reason to trust the word of some unknown girl. I cannot possibly blame you for that. Besides, there's no sense dwelling on what-ifs. Mirathan is alive and safe and that's all that matters."
[Queen]"Forgive me?"
The Queen winces slightly at the name shared between her husband and her son, but recovers quickly. She rises, pulling Nimora up with her.
"Safe. Because of you. I underestimated you dear one. Not only do you save my first son, you saved one of our knights. Remarkable. My husband would have like to have met you, Lady Nimora Orlbereth of Sandreef."
"My son is much better than you last saw him, but is consumed by affairs of state. Please let us honor you with some clothing, and perhaps some styling. Something to emphasize the woman...yes...the woman behind the warrior. You'll create quite the stir. And add a spark of happiness to these halls."
The Queen winces slightly at the name shared between her husband and her son, but recovers quickly. She rises, pulling Nimora up with her."Safe. Because of you. I underestimated you dear one. Not only do you save my first son, you saved one of our knights. Remarkable. My husband would have like to have met you, Lady Nimora Orlbereth of Sandreef."
"My son is much better than you last saw him, but is consumed by affairs of state. Please let us honor you with some clothing, and perhaps some styling. Something to emphasize the woman...yes...the woman behind the warrior. You'll create quite the stir. And add a spark of happiness to these halls."
Nimora's smile is radiant. "I am so glad to hear that he is recovering well."
As the rest of the queen's words sink in, "I would indeed be honored to accept such a generous gift, your majesty. Thank you."
"I must depart for now, but I leave you in capable hands. Do not hesitate to ask for anything. Anything at all."
"Will you be alone for the ceremonies, or should we expect any of your friends or family?"
"I didn't really have a chance to invite anyone. Although I am sure that my family would wish to attend," she says dryly.
"OH!" she puts a hand up to her mouth as she remembers something. "Poor Ethelbert. I never went back to the Oasis to tell him what happened. He must be so worried. Oh, I hope that Kaelar told him.""I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so scatter-brained. I've been asleep for most of the last two days. For some reason the healing spells in the water at the Sanctum seemed to think I needed it."
"I didn't really have a chance to invite anyone. Although I am sure that my family would wish to attend," she says dryly.
"OH!" she puts a hand up to her mouth as she remembers something. "Poor Ethelbert. I never went back to the Oasis to tell him what happened. He must be so worried. Oh, I hope that Kaelar told him.""I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so scatter-brained. I've been asleep for most of the last two days. For some reason the healing spells in the water at the Sanctum seemed to think I needed it."
"We can send word to your friends, or you may use the crystal you have."
"I'm sure your family will be well-cared for in the Sandreef delegation rooms."
"We can send word to your friends, or you may use the crystal you have."
"I'm sure your family will be well-cared for in the Sandreef delegation rooms."
She gave him an impish grin. "Yes, I'm sure."
"I can contact Kaelar through the communication crystal, yes. And Devlyn and Allura as well. I am not sure if they will be coming. I know Kaelar can breathe water, but I'm not so sure about the other two. I will ask."
"I'm not surprised. After all that you've been through. I promise we'll try not to wear you out too badly, but diplomacy can be wearing on the strongest of nerves."
"It's alright. I don't mind. I'm used to swimming through jellyfish, metaphorically speaking. You'll understand if you ever meet my mother. She's very..." Nimora searches for a polite way to describe it. "Political."
A haughty-looking dressmistress enters the room, followed by several assistants. Bowing quickly to the queen she orders the men to leave.
The chamberlain practically scampers from the room before the words leave her mouth.
Telestial shrugs, and bows to both the Queen and Nimora before leaving.
Nimora watches the dressmaker with interest. She has never paid much attention to her clothes. She was always more interested in the fit of her armor than party clothes, though she supposes that there are probably a few passable dresses in a closet somewhere in her family's villa. Unless her mother gave them all to the servants for being too outmoded.
[Dressmistress] "I do so love doing that", she says as her face softens.
"If you'll forgive me my Queen, we have much to do."
[Marielle] "Of course, as do I. "
"Nimora, I shall see you soon. Let any of these ladies know if you need anything." she departs
Nimora giggles a little at the dressmaker's first comment. Nimora bows to the queen as she departs. She then turns her attention back to the dressmistress.
"So what now?" she asks with interest.
The attendants swarm over Nimora like pirannha, brushing tangles out of her hair, holding fabrics to her skin for contrast, and measuring every part of her body. Spells are sung and needles fly as she is stripped out of her clothes and rubbed down with perfumed oils. The dressmistress barks out orders like a drill sergeant, but is pleasant to Nimora.
After several hours Nimora feels like she has wrestled a giant squid, but has several outfits in her wardrobe. All form-fitting, accentuating her best features. A deep blue gown for the funeral, and emerald green for the coronation 3 hours later. Casual attire to match the colors of coral, and an encyclopedia of information of court gossip.
They swim her over to the 3 full length mirrors, and Nimora barely recognizes herself. She looks like a princess in the stories told to young girls.
"Is that really me?" she asks doubtfully as she looks at her reflections. She holds up her hand and wiggles her fingers, somewhat surprised when her reflections do the same. She turns around trying to see every direction. "Not the slightest bit like a fishing lure," she thinks to herself with a grin.
"Thank you," she says to the dressmistress. "It looks wonderful. I never imagined I would be dressed like this."
After she is done with the fittings, Nimora uses her communication crystal to tell Kaelar, Devlyn, and Allura what is going on, and also make sure that Ethelbert is okay.
The attendants swarm over Nimora like pirannha, brushing tangles out of her hair, holding fabrics to her skin for contrast, and measuring every part of her body. Spells are sung and needles fly as she is stripped out of her clothes and rubbed down with perfumed oils. The dressmistress barks out orders like a drill sergeant, but is pleasant to Nimora.
After several hours Nimora feels like she has wrestled a giant squid, but has several outfits in her wardrobe. All form-fitting, accentuating her best features. A deep blue gown for the funeral, and emerald green for the coronation 3 hours later. Casual attire to match the colors of coral, and an encyclopedia of information of court gossip.
They swim her over to the 3 full length mirrors, and Nimora barely recognizes herself. She looks like a princess in the stories told to young girls.
"Is that really me?" she asks doubtfully as she looks at her reflections. She holds up her hand and wiggles her fingers, somewhat surprised when her reflections do the same. She turns around trying to see every direction. "Not the slightest bit like a fishing lure," she thinks to herself with a grin.
"Thank you," she says to the dressmistress. "It looks wonderful. I never imagined I would be dressed like this."
After she calls the others, Nimora finds herself completely at a loss. She isn't really sure what she's supposed to do next. All of her plans kind of stopped rather abruptly at rescuing Mirathan. She hadn't really counted on having him turned against her. And the fact the he was royalty was a bit of a shock. She sighed. It would probably make a wonderful story later on, the sort of thing that bards love to tell over and over. But it was a pain in the ass to actually live it.
But it was a pain in the ass to actually live it.
But it was a pain in the ass to actually live it.
But it was a pain in the ass to actually live it.