Lucinda wakes up, and gets off the illusory bed, which promptly fades from sight. She wanders over to the giant clam and for no particular reason which she can think of speaks to it.
I hope that helped, she says, although she's not quite sure why.
Gathering her train of fish to her (which have changed whilst she slept to become much prettier and more friendly) she takes to the balcony and departs.
Nimora pales.
"Then there is no honorable way out of this? Is that what you are telling me?"
Melusine sighs and looks at Nimora
There is no EASY way to extricate you from your promised marital contract. There is ALWAYS a way to do anything you set your mind to. As for honor, that is for fools and dreamers. Our family has not got where it is today by being honorable.
Melusine stares hard at Nimora.
I will attempt to void our contract with Blurghoot, but I will need King Mirathan to agree to send troops to our city to prevent any incidents with the Free Companions or the Brightwater Clan. These nomads have a prickly sense of 'honor' and will most likely be aggreived that you have traded up in the marraige game.
If any meatbags need terminating, I humbly offer my services.
Nimora pales.
"Then there is no honorable way out of this? Is that what you are telling me?"Melusine sighs and looks at Nimora
There is no EASY way to extricate you from your promised marital contract. There is ALWAYS a way to do anything you set your mind to. As for honor, that is for fools and dreamers. Our family has not got where it is today by being honorable.
Melusine stares hard at Nimora.
I will attempt to void our contract with Blurghoot, but I will need King Mirathan to agree to send troops to our city to prevent any incidents with the Free Companions or the Brightwater Clan. These nomads have a prickly sense of 'honor' and will most likely be aggreived that you have traded up in the marraige game.
Nimora blushes. "I understand, Mother. I am sorry that I did not tell you the whole truth before. I did not think you would believe me."
Nimora blushes. "I understand, Mother. I am sorry that I did not tell you the whole truth before. I did not think you would believe me."
Melusine huffs
I didn't believe you when you said the barracudas ate the seaweed crab cakes. I would hope I could believe you when you professed your love for a future king! By Blibdilpoolp's claw child, sometimes you amaze me with your thought processes.
Melusine calms herself
I am going to go talk to the brothers. Please try to discover if we can rely on some military assistance should Blurghoot take this turn of events badly .....
Melusine swims off, her ladies-in-waiting hurrying after.
That's right dude - be calm. You're Karmic aura needs to be a really nice shade of blue...or maybe green....I like green....It reminds me of traffic lights....
Nimora breathed a sigh of relief. That had been awful, but still not nearly as bad as it could have gone. And at least her mother was going to try to help her, albeit in a twisted sort of way.
[Please try to discover if we can rely on some military assistance should Blurghoot take this turn of events badly .....
Nimora breathed a sigh of relief. That had been awful, but still not nearly as bad as it could have gone. And at least her mother was going to try to help her, albeit in a twisted sort of way.Marielle approaches Nimora following a circuitous path, stopping to exchange brief greetings with the assembled guests.
"Nimora dear, how are you enjoying the festivities? Was that your mother that just left?"
Nimora sighs. "Yes, that was my mother. And the Brightwaters, although mercifully I didn't have to talk to them. Mother was bad enough all on her own."
"Ahh, the nomad clan. They don't usually come to our gatherings."
Nimora wrinkles her nose. "They were at my parents' villa to talk about arrangements when the invitation arrived. I presume that they came because my mother could not find a way to politely leave them behind. Or because of some complex political maneuver I can't possibly understand no matter how hard I try to think things through."
"Arrangements? What sort of arrangements, dear?"
Nimora looks startled. "Didn't Telestial tell you? I had to...." she pauses, feeling slightly ill even having to say it. "I had to agree to...I needed the information in order to save Mirathan. After we were sent away from here I didn't know where else to go for help. My mother was able to scry the location for me, but as a price..." She took a deep breath. "The price for the information was my agreement to an arranged political marriage. I had no choice. I probably could have found someone else to help me eventually, but every second that Mirathan spent in captivity...I had to be able to find him while there was still something left to save." Nimora held her arms closely across her chest, trying to fight off the feeling of utter misery. "I begged her to call it off, and she said she might be able to, but she wants things she has no right to ask for, and I don't know how this will end. Probably badly. It sometimes feels like all I am to her is a commodity to be auctioned off to the highest bidder." Nimora covered her face with her hands as she struggled to regain her composure. Finally she looked up, a strained smile on her face.
"I am sorry. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. I should not burden you with my troubles. Please forgive me."
"Not at all,dear one."
"Telestial shared some information with me, but was hesitant to go into details. Most likely for some sense of decorum, but mayhaps out of a lack of hard facts."
"Mirathan knows nothing of this. Not even a hint."
"It sounds like your mother had you over a barrel, and took advantage." casting a stare at the retreating priestess
She muses "But what can be done to buy your freedom? It is not right that you should sacrifice so much. Negotiating with the Brightwaters will be difficult at best."
"Your nobility would be wasted on them."
Nimora blushes. "Thank you, your majesty. My mother seems to think that she can end the betrothal, but she wants troops to help defend sandreef against any reprisals. It might be more cost-effective, not to mention more likely to maintain peace, to simply negotiate directly with the Brightwaters. But I have no idea what would appeal to them. They are...the reports I have had of them have not been pleasant. I - " she looked down. "I have no right to ask for your aid, but I will not turn it away if you can help me. I could not bear it if I had to go through with this."
"Well, help we shall...but a reception is hardly the place to think. How much time do you think we have before things...devolve?"
"I hope that we can at least make it through the coronation ball. I will do my best to keep my distance from them. That should help. Beyond that I can't say. I do not know how prickly they are, or how willing to make fools of themselves. I hope that my mother and brother will be able to run interference adequately to prevent any unpleasant scenes."
A bellow sounds out from the other side of the palace
"What in the seven seas - what was that?"
Telestial approaches the challenger.
"I'm not sure how you conduct yourself in your own group, but here nobles try to avoid shouting in the midst of parties."
Nimora pales. "Oh no," she moans.
Before the nomads can get too close they are cut off by several knights.
Blurghoot and his brothers halt at the sight of the guards and sneer. Blurghoot calls out
You hide behind your hounds. Come! Tell me why you would take my intended from me! What sort of ruler are you?
Melusine attempts to talk to him, but he snarls
Away witch! T'was your plans brought me hither!
Mirathan pushes past his other guards and approaches.
"Care to explain yourself, sir?"
Nimora steps forward. "Leave him be Blurghoot. He isn't involved with this. I asked my mother to end the betrothal. I agreed to it under duress. And believe me, sir, we would not suit. Now I suggest that we take this pointlessly loud discussion outside rather than continuing to interrupt a state function and throwing around baseless accusations. I am not a commodity to be argued over as if this were a seahorse fair."
She holds herself proudly erect, but those who know her well can see that she is on the brink of tears.
"Care to explain yourself, sir?"
Blurghoot snarls
I came to this place to claim my bride, as promised by this Sandreef witch. I am now told that you would void my contract and take her for yourself! What is the meaning of this breach of hospitality? I seek justice!
His three brothers grumble and stare down the surrounding knights
Torn btwn diplomacy, confused, but quick to catch on, Mirathan straightens his back.
"I void no one's contract, nor would I. Your customs are different than ours, but hospitality does have limits. You, sir have crossed that line."
"If you find it necessary to find a bride in this way perhaps your quarrel is with the person you made the bargain with. Again we may differ here, but no guest shall be mistreated by another."
"Surely someone as strong as you seem to be has many potential beauties vying for his hand?"
Nimora steps forward. "Leave him be Blurghoot. He isn't involved with this. I asked my mother to end the betrothal. I agreed to it under duress. And believe me, sir, we would not suit. Now I suggest that we take this pointlessly loud discussion outside rather than continuing to interrupt a state function and throwing around baseless accusations. I am not a commodity to be argued over as if this were a seahorse fair."
She holds herself proudly erect, but those who know her well can see that she is on the brink of tears.
"No. You are a guest here, and a close friend. You are not alone in this."
After the four leave Melusine swims up to Mirathan.
Your Excellency, if I may have a moment?
She whispers in his ear:
"Mother, what happened? How did things go so badly so fast?"
"Surely someone as strong as you seem to be has many potential beauties vying for his hand?"
Our marraige was to be an alliance, one which ..He turns to Melusine ... Is now void ... BROTHERS! We ride!
The four swim off and collect their hippocampi and riding off into the deep waters. They stop at an inn that evening
Mirathan takes Nimora's hand and holds it up.
"The depths of passion inspired by such beauty. How many tales have been sung throughout the histories about that?" he kisses her hand and releases it, to nods of agreement from the assembled nobles, and signaling for the musicians
bowing to Nimora "Since I have just been called a codfish, I may as well act the part. A dance, milady?"
Mirathan takes Nimora's hand and holds it up.
"The depths of passion inspired by such beauty. How many tales have been sung throughout the histories about that?" he kisses her hand and releases it, to nods of agreement from the assembled nobles, and signaling for the musicians
bowing to Nimora "Since I have just been called a codfish, I may as well act the part. A dance, milady?"
Nimora blushes, realizing that she has become the center of attention. And even in the midst of her embarrassment and anxiety, she cannot help but enjoy Mirathan's attention.
"Of course, your majesty. I would be honored."
After the four leave Melusine swims up to Mirathan.
Your Excellency, if I may have a moment?
She whispers in his ear:
** spoiler omitted **
Mirathan takes Nimora's hand and holds it up.
"The depths of passion inspired by such beauty. How many tales have been sung throughout the histories about that?" he kisses her hand and releases it, to nods of agreement from the assembled nobles, and signaling for the musicians
bowing to Nimora "Since I have just been called a codfish, I may as well act the part. A dance, milady?"
Nimora blushes, realizing that she has become the center of attention. And even in the midst of her embarrassment and anxiety, she cannot help but enjoy Mirathan's attention.
"Of course, your majesty. I would be honored."
Though a stately underwater waltz the sparring sessions pay off, and neither Nimora nor Mirathan trip over their owned webbed feet. Miratha bows at the end and begs to be excused, hoping that he has salvaged this 'mix-up', and not wishing to add fuel to the fire below the seas.