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The Heartwood
Dawnview Vale
Snowgate Keep, Snowgate Hall
Hasday, the Twelfth Day of Tiger

Lyric and Eleni, then Daxia, Cesare, Anatoli, Kisa, Nadya, Rishka, Slink, and those partaking of Eleni's Court

"Yet, yet, yet...

"That is the story of my life, all in Dayala's coveted walnut shell, set aside on the shelf, and not just anyone but the top one that's hardest to reach and most easily forgotten. Which raises the most important question. Does Dayala have a shelf? Or a cupboard at that? On the one hand, it seems a very silly thing for a Goddess to have. On the other hand, a Goddess can have anything in the world, and so who are we to say she doesn't have one?"

The young Khorall let out a long breath.

"Nadya gets annoyed when I ask questions like that. She says it only goes to show that I am a scatterbrain. But yet, anyone who has been around Dominic for a time knows that the Gods and Goddesses are real and do things that are both inscrutable and so very, very obvious. For example, setting you here with me. Was this chance or was someone looking out for you? I like to think of it as the latter, you know. That there is more to life than a roll of the dice, that things have a meaning, and that, in the end, it's to make us better and nicer than hurt or dead. Does that mean I have no choice in what I do? Maybe yes, maybe no. Maybe it's a matter of trust.

"If we believe in them, so they in return trust us to do what's right?"

Elini lifted her head, straightened and leaned back. She then smiled at Lyric.

"Trust."

She stretched a bit, letting her head fall back.

"Maybe that's all you need. Exiled, hurt, driven from your little village, and now you are here. Well, then, Lyric, someone has trusted you to take this journey, to find this Song. I think that may be what weighs more heavily on you than grief. Grief is like a rock that's tied to your leg. If you can't cut that rope by yourself, well, you just haven't found someone to help you do that. And that's fine because that is inherently hopeful. That each day is not one more day of grief, but one more day closer to when it no longer hold you down. Trust, however, never goes away.

"It makes you responsible.

"And that's even scarier."

She reached out to the side, and there, waiting for her, was a wooden goblet filled with cider. Somewhere in their conversation, her manservant had silently returned. She lifted the goblet and sipped.

"Except, of course, it also means that someone, someone out there is doing the trusting. That they believe in you. And come the coldest night, which we have here quite a bit, that may not warm your hands, but it can warm a cold heart. It's assured, knowing you are out here, learning about everything.

"Now here is a ponder for you, Lyric, one you should also remember. You have passed through the gates of this keep and have been granted the right to travel through Dawnview Vale. That's because I do trust you. So here's the thing you need to decide... I know, I know the answer, but it — like your story — means nothing if I have to tell it to you. I have listened, and I have heard, and it will be interesting to see if the young Rhoni lass has the same understanding. Do I trust you because it is my duty as Khorall...

"...or do I trust you because you are a new friend?"

Letting out a long breath, the young Noble slumped in her chair and looked at her mug of cider.

"And do you know what this means?

"It means it's almost time for Court."

And that was true. They were no longer alone. Along the edges of the hall, preparations were being made — banners straightened, the wooden thrones at the end of the hall set up, the hearth stirred and the curtains in the gallery above thrown back to let in the midday light. The stained glass painted the room in soft, cool colors — various shades of blue seemed to be a favorite of the keep's original builders. Once the impending court had been vocalized by Snowgate's mistress, Anatoli became a bit more apparent, clearing away the dishes and platters related to the day's first meal and replacing them with tall carafes of water and cold kavass. Even Nadya made her presence known, walking up behind Eleni with a scowl.

"How many times have I told you, no guests for breakfast, young woman. It always ends the same. You bore them with your chatter all morning, and now you are not fit for a proper Court. Now, let me at the very least straighten out that mop of tangles you call hair — thank the Goddess you decided to cut it short, or we would be here all day. Anatoli, a cloth and water, bys-bys."

Eleni rolled her eyes and let out a long sigh.

"And at the very least, Lyric, you don't have to put up with this! But it could be worse..."

A third person walked up behind the Khorall. The elder sister simply crossed her arms and spoke a single frosty word.

"Propriety."

Eleni squeaked.

"Kitten!"

Then she looked back at Lyric.

"Fine, it's worse."

In the end, it was all settled. Interestingly, the setup for Eleni's Court was something that Lyric had never seen before. There were three tall and ornately carved chairs at the head of the hall, on a small dais and backed by the banners of both Dawnview Vale and Snowgate Keep. The center chair was set back from the other two, and this was the one Kisa had settled into. The one reserved for the Khorall of the entirety of Dawnview Vale. The chair to the left was claimed by Nadya, as befitted her place as the Snowgate's high counselor. The last, despite Nadya's glare and acknowledged by Kisa's wry and very elder sister smile, remained empty.

The center of the hall was not empty, as most courts between the glaciers and the Archipelago. The large table remained. That was where Eleni remained. She sat at the side of the table, not at the head or foot. She seemed confident about that. As if there was a very particular reason why she had chosen that particular chair.

Eleni looked toward the side, nodding once more to Lyric.

"You may stay here if you wish. It's fine. Or you can stand with my Sister's Knight. She should be here any moment."

Eleni looked very happy when lyric chose to stay with her.

Then her Guard arrived and took their places. This too was different and it took Kisa, Eleni, and Nadya by surprise. First, Snowgate's Captain wasn't present — instead, her place was taken by Daxia. And next to Daxia was a very finely appointed Dayalan, tall and with black hair. She was dressed in light armor over which were worn tunics of black. The undertunic was boldly trimmed by silver key and her surcoat by two vertical bars of whites. Her choice of weapons was a greatsword, which she held in two leather gauntleted hands, one on the hilt and one about a foot along the blade. That section was un-sharpened and marked by two triangles off steel.

Only one would spy the third guard. She was lazily sprawled along the gallery railing, so much like a cat sleeping in the sun. Directly above Eleni, she actually did appear to be snoozing.

The table took up the upper third of the hall, leaving the lower third for those awaiting audience.

And the lower third very quickly filled as the doors were thrown open. That was where the Captain was, along with a blonde Initiate. It seemed their post was on the outside with the role of gatekeepers. It was a small crowd made up of various sorts. There were five men dressed very finely, looking impatient and proud, as if they had been waiting longer than they believed their importance should warrant. Two farmer families were looking at each other fiercely, and a pragmatically dressed man carried a huge bouquet of flowers. There were a pair of merchants and their guardsmen and last, a lonely and worried looking servant.

Cesare was able to enter with the others and find a place to watch among those waiting at the back half of the hall.

What followed was both amusing and intriguing.

Of course, the finely appointed ones worked their way around the table to approach the dais. And they were immediately halted. First, by the so-called sleepy Dayalan rising one hand straight up and calling out a single word.

"Hold!"

That, and they found themselves facing Anatoli, who was a bit more polite.

"My Lords?"

It took them a heartbeat to realize what they were being asked, and then, with a nod for propriety, they divested themselves of their daggers and knives, leaving them stacked at the end of the table. Only then were they given leave — the cat-like Dayalan waving her hand from above to grant passage — to approach the dais. Which they did, bowing low when they reached their destination.

Kisa just smiled. Then Eleni spoke up.

"I'm over here."

The far-away lordlings looked surprised. Eleni pointed to the chairs that were in front of her.

"Come, sit. Like civilized folks. There's water and kavass in case your throats get parched listening to me. You are the representatives from Trundle-on-the-Hill, ja?"

What followed was a very animated discussion concerning relations, propriety and the balance of trade between the keeps. Eleni listened, riposted, poked and prodded with her rambling questions. Kisa's head just tilted slightly as if she noted something slightly amiss, but could not see where those falling tiles lead. Then Eleni swooped in like a hunting Mountain Hawk.

"Well, of course, all things should be fair, equitable and the matter of courses stayed along their proper courses, and the real reason you are here is because one of your merchants — let us say accidentally — sold two wagons full of rice plants without telling you, and now that the cat has not only ripped itself off of the sack but has run away who knows where, and you want me to not only find said cat but give it back to you?"

There was a long moment of quiet.

"I shall grant your boon."

The Trundle merchants smiled.

"I promise to take up the matter at our next meeting with the Imperial Viceroy."

On their way out, after retrieving their weapons, one of the Trundle representatives spoke, very dryly and harshly, to the other, waiting merchants.

"May you have better fortune than us."

Rishka almost broke her concentration at that. But, biting her lower lip, she returned to her appointed task.

Next was the cook, who looked rather quiet as she took the chair directly across from her Khorall, looking down and not saying anything.

"Miss Heather. I am not mad about the cream. What I want to know is where all those slinks came from?"

The cook whispered.

"They's just slinks, ma'am. You cannot tell a slink where to go, that's why it's so nice when they rub against your legs because they want to be with you and all."

Eleni nodded.

"Or they want cream."

The cook swallowed.

"Well, they's just cats, ma'am. You cannae blame them for being slinks and likin' cream because it's what slinks like. Like mice and rats. We ain't had a mouse or rat — except for the young miss last night, and she's too big and too nice to be et — in the kitchens ever since they be comin' round. They are harmless, really, please don't get mad at them, well, because they are just slinks being slinks."

The Khorall just tilted her head.

"You like them, don't you, Miss Heather."

The cook's eyes went wide, and she choked, having been caught. She just looked down at the floor, silent.

"Have the seneschal order a few more buckets of milk from now on. If I can have one lazy slink, you can have a bunch of hard-working ones."

The cook looked surprised and then could not help but smile brightly.

As for the flowers, Eleni just placed her forehead on the table for a long moment. Looking up at their bearer, she just sighed.

"Does he even like me? I mean, really? I don't know what Mother or my Aunt are thinking, but really. He's sending me flowers, and he's never even met me. Does he even know you are doing this for him? You just blinked. He doesn't, does he? Is my Mother sending him cute little daggers in my name? I bet crowns for stars she is. Well, it just has to stop. One, I am too young for courting, despite what our respective parents might say. Second, I am an Allaine, and we choose who we marry. And if he and you are really serious about this, you can put him on one of your well-trained horses and have him come out and actually visit me!

"Who knows, we may even like each other. That would be a wonder now, wouldn't it? Don't you think it's time my Mother and your Khorall started to trust either one of us? Oh, don't answer that. I know you will just nod your head and say whatever you think I want to hear and when you go out those doors just say I am a silly girl.

"Well, I may be. But I'm a Khorall. You will have to get used to that, ja?"

Bowing politely, the Kierkegaard matchmaker's apprentice stepped away before he got into more hot water. And yes, Eleni had one more thing to say.

"Leave the flowers."

That left the Brementown merchants. They, too, were held at the tables end, their weapons stacked safely aside before being allowed to approach either of the two Allaine sisters. Again, Eleni started by listening, and with each word spoken both her and Kisa's expression darkened.

"Let me make sure I am understanding this correctly. The Road East is now a toll road? And this occurred, what, a few months after the Court? Fine. And you are talking to me, why? Because you expect me to not only pay more crowns to send our goods to Trundle but to also include a Brementown gratuity to ensure there will be no troubles or delays at the crossing point? Don't you already know what my answer will be?"

Then it was Eleni's turn to be surprised, as the Brementown merchants rose and retreated.

"Of course."

Her fingers drummed on the table as they walked away. She shot a glance at her sister, whose face was also so very still. And yet all the Brementown folk did was collect their weapons and head out the door. It was like they knew just how much they were not wanted. Rishka then broke her orders, her attention suddenly shifting from Kisa to Eleni.

"Tchaaaaaaaaaaaa ..."

It was a quiet exclamation from the black-haired Dayalan. Something was definitely not right. Perhaps it also acted as a warning.

All these little things adding together into a whole would best explain how Daxia was able to suddenly step aside when the merchant guard — using the pretext of re-belting his sword — instead let belt and scabbard drop to the stone threshold when he attempted to drive his shortsword into her gut.

His target was not Kisa. Not Eleni.

But Daxia.

[OOC How far away is Cesare from Daxia? I cannot imagine what he might do but sit there and do nothing is not an option. ]

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

Her hand was at the hilt of her sword as Kisa’s expression began to darken. Daxia couldn’t read the patterns as expertly as Kisa could, but her lesser skill combined with years of training, of honing reflexes and instincts, told her there was something dangerous here. Her eyes flickered from Kisa’s face to Eleni’s to the merchants at the table — once, twice, thrice.

And as the merchants and their guards walked back toward the door, she saw... something. There was something in their eyes, their bearing, the way they gave up far too easily.

Merchants from Brementown. There’s no such thing...

It would have been hard to say who was most surprised by the Starlord’s movement — she was drawing her sword before she could have fully registered the guard as a threat.

While it might have been difficult to point to the most surprised person in the room, the one person who most assuredly wouldn’t have been surprised was Cesare. He’d seen her swordwork on multiple occasions.

Daxi was pivoting back as she raised the sword, as Rishka was making her exclamation. And then, as the guard moved passed her, she brought the sword down hard, striking the man’s arm with the preternaturally sharp blade and the not inconsiderable strength of her sword arm. She felt the tug, the catch of blade on bone, and pulled the sword back. He was well and truly injured, and unless he had some pain-mitigating magic or herbs, he wasn’t an immediate threat.

She never liked being the leader, the one to whom others looked. But just because she didn’t like, that didn’t mean she wasn’t good at it.

“Slink, to Eleni. Cesare... to Kisa and Nadya.”

The sword was up and she was turning toward the other three Brementown miscreants. It was time to see how TeeCee had trained her Initiates.

The Knight of Dawnview Castle spoke oh so calmly, oh so quietly as she stared at the so-called merchants and the second guard. She could well have been commenting on the day’s fine weather or the price of spidersilk thread in the Market.

“Take care of the trash there, Rishka, if you please.”

She smiled at the three men who were just out of reach; it was not a nice smile, not at all. It was certainly something Kisa had never seen before, although she might have noted hints of it in Dorian Korie’s Council Hall.

“Do not...

“Try...

“My...

“Patience.”

Hired guards — whether disreputable Jvrillians or independents — might have had some experience standing with a sword pointed at them, but it would be on the far side of unusual for the sword to be the milky white of Ironsilver. Merchants who were agents of a Noble who hated her guts probably had less experience at being threatened by an angry Dayalan — but, to be sure, a very calmly angry Dayalan.

Cesare

There is a certain tension in the chamber but nothing he can quite put his finger on. Still is is more alert than usual, looking for what is bothering him.

He sees the start of an attack! Daxia! And is about to rush to her defence though he knows she is unlikely to need it, however, she perceives a possible secondary threat and he knows that if he can free her mind of worry, that will be a big help in itself.

He is on his feet and running, ready to dodge, magically or otherwise, so that he can get where he is going, even before she has finished speaking. Once there his intention is to turn to face the room, backs to the people he wants to protect, daggers in both hands.

And he thought he might be bored..?

Last night I was passing dark moor and sweet meadow.
I chanced by the barrows as the moon it sank low
and paying no heed to the old bitty's stories
as the mist rolled around through the downs I did go.
At first my steps lightly did carry me whistling
a frolicsome jig, just to keep my head high
But I stopped!---
When the hairs on my neck took to pricklin'
When from over my shoulder there came a strange cry...

Lyric, of choices and stories... and the moment in time for each




No more meaningful a question could exist right now between the two women. At the heart of Eleni's want and need was Trust. And it matched Lyric's own, despite the obstacles she placed in the path of those who still found a way to do so where the Minstrel was concerned. To Trust and be Trusted. To Care For and Be Cared For. To Love and be Loved.

Trust was hard for Lyric. It was not a natural commodity where she came from. In fact, it was a manufactured one, woven and held fast in rules and oaths and bindings of intentions and fealties. If that was even Trust at all... The Minstrel had been taught a valuable but hard lesson in Trust and then sent out so very vulnerable to a wider world with no choice but to Trust. And what she discovered, beyond a truer meaning for Trust was just how hard it was to be worthy of Trust.

"We all must follow our hearts where such things are of import," she said to herself, wishing she could have said it aloud. And yes, as Eleni then stated it was time for Court.

"You may stay here if you wish. It's fine. Or you can stand with my Sister's Knight. She should be here any moment."



She made her choice with a nod and a gesture at the seat beside the young Khorall. To be offered seemed an answer to the question Eleni posed. Lyric shifted her mandola to the selected chair. It would have been hard to hide the beaming smile in this moment. It was going to be a new experience and she would be as close as she could have ever hoped to be to witness the events of Court. Maybe other would find it boring and tedious. But Lyric knew better. She was an expert at living a life filled with the 'boring and tedious'.

She admired the young woman's skill with words and the ability to punctuate a moment, as though Eleni were a storyteller herself. Lyric did not understand the politics at play but those from north along these Black Mountains thought they might have bested a young noble negotiator in her own realm but her final remark, a qualification to her allowance, deflated them. There was something notable in this condition being set upon a conversation with an Imperial Viceroy that was both palpable and yet unexpected... that is, until it was said. Lyric had lived to understand people's reactions, the language their eyes and body spoke. It was a gift that helped her tell stories and sing songs. She could read people. Eleni's own Gift gave her a prowess unmatched in this regard. These men came to challenge her in trade based upon her age and youthful inexperience and she read them, allowed them to believe they had the upper hand, and ended their debate. They would have to depart, maybe reconsider, and then make a new offer, a better offer now. or, travel a long journey to their home empty handed.

Lyric witnessed Eleni exercise a heart of compassion, in a gesture that tightened the Minstrel's throat and wet her eyes as khorall spoke with the cook about cats. The Khorall found the positive in a situation that some might deem a nuisance, and she gave the woman the responsibility to manage it for the good of both the kingdom and of the old woman's lonely soul.

Next came the Flowers and the Matchmaker's apprentice. Lyric watched and listened as Eleni revealed her own heart, just a little, for those with the keeness of wisdom and openness of heart to see and hear what was behind and beyond the words themselves. Young as she might be, Eleni was resolved to stand firm on the desire of her heart to choose her path, not only in matters of state but also matters of love. If someone wanted to Court her, it would be in the open, free of games and pretense. It would take courage to assume a risk and make the effort to win the Khorall's attention. Take the risk and maybe win the heart.

Lyric thought to reflect for a moment on some of these things, love and friendship, compassion and honor, courage and conviction. This pulled at the threads of her emotions in ways she had felt before since her Questing Journey had begun. They were all a bit of a jumble to her, but she realized that having her emotions in a jumble made her feel things and not control things.

From living a life where she has never had a friend, at all, ever... to now, where she could count an ever-growing number gave her a glimpse into the heart of her Quest. How could these things not be a part of what might save her people. She, herself, was already beginning to feel that her own life had been changed deeply and profoundly. Maybe even saved, if she understood the meaning of that concept yet.

But then approached the merchants from a place called Brementown. It sounded as if this place was close because there was a tension in the relationship where trade was concerned. Lyric focused more on Eleni than on the men. Oh, for certain she watched their every move, and heard the tone in their every word. But it wasn't the content of the words that mattered to Lyric. The words themselves were just words, about things Lyric didn't understand. What she saw and heard were the people around her, facing each other, merchant and Khorall. And even the heir. For when Eleni darkened, her sister was doing likewise. Lyric quickly understood that Dawnview Vale and Brementown were not allies and that this meeting was not a normal occurrence.

She heard them speak, and she heard Eleni reiterate the same words for clarity sake between them. Lyric listened as well. Eleni was using kind language to describe extortion. The kind of thing that bandits might pull on a lonely stretch of road. Or rather, an extortion effort disguised as protection from the very same extortion that might befall a person should they not pay. It sounded criminal to say the least, but crime and the laws that prevented surely varied from place to place. Still, it took a considerable hubris to come before the Khorall to tell them they must pay a fee for protection from bandits when the bandits and protectors sounded like they were one and the same... and everyone gathered in the hall knew it. Lyric wished she understood the politics better and maybe this would be much clearer to her, but it wasn't her place to be anything more than a friend given the honor of sitting at the side of a friend.

So Lyric watched and listened. And then she understood. No, there had been no revelation about the relationship between Brementown and Dawnview Vale. What she now understood was the nature of the meeting. Lyric's eyes shifted side to side. She took in all four of the men assembled as a delegation before Eleni. Lyric read them. And then she lokked around the whole of the chamber. At the eyes and faces of others in the hall. She looked at the hall itself. Pieces to a puzzle she had put together in the past. Maybe even many times, in one form or another. So many times, so many variations, it was like a game. Serious and deadly, but without emotional context anymore.

This was different. Lyric could feel it. She could feel her pulse quicken, her senses sharpen. This felt more real, right now, in this moment, than such a remembrance of similar moments had ever felt. it felt as real as that moment when they approached Faast Keep in the Remnant of the Great Forest, as real as when she faced the giant feral weasel beast. As real as seeing One Fang so gravely injured. As real as turning back to help the Pack face the Dwarves.

This was a trap.

Lyric tried to put the pieces together in her head. The same mind that had constructed the plan to assault that fell keep was now racing to unravel a plot and plan that was not of her own design. This plot was already underway, the plan was in motion. The pieces were in play, right before her, across the table from the khorall.

They were disarmed though, so a clean assassination was hardly the move. The four were deep inside the hall, with more guard behind them than in front of them. But, again, they did not have their weapons available to them as they stood so very close to Eleni, and even Kisa. They would never get out of the place alive. That might not be part of their plan though. A sacrifice for their cause. Oh, again Lyric wished she understood the politics.

her eyes darted, but she held her composure. She was a guest, given an honor, to sit beside the Khorall. If she was wrong then she could spoil delicate negotiations by disrupting the 'dance of words' between Eleni and the merchanters. She held herself in check.

Kisa and the Court Councillor behind Eleni, who was at the table nearer to the center of the room. A guard overhead, with a great vantage of view but not for speed of movement. And a crowd gathered to witness the Court proceedings, those of the town of Snowgate keep or whatever it was called. Eleni's people. Petitioners come forward to be heard. To the crowd this is entertainment. Pieces to the puzzle. Most of the guards are at the back, including Daxia. Daxia is the Heir's guard and she is overseeing the whole of the security.

Lyric, think. What is the play?

Was this a half thought act of desperation to TRY to kill Kisa or Eleni? Such a thing surely couldn't hope to take them both, could it? Foolishness for certain. Look at the pieces Lyric. They were inside, in front of the Khorall. They knew they would be disarmed.




Precious moments were sliding by as Lyric found herself feeling desperate to see something that was purposefully hidden from view.



The men from Brementown rose from the table. Their words were part of a script. They knew. This was part of the plan. Another piece fell into place but the cost in time was becoming critical.

Eleni looked surprised. Maybe even confused. She too was trying to understand something now. The men gathered their possessions from the end of the table and carried them away from Eleni, further away from Kisa.

Why?

She hissed a curse in a language that was very old and very forgotten, just enough to make the words clear to Eleni. Lyric's eyes still strafed the room, back and forth, up, over, back again, a little left, then all the way right, and a little left. Seeking and searching, trying to fathom a plan she had not created.

Stop pulling at the strings Lyric. If this was your plan, what would you do next?

The Men from Brementown had passed into the crowd that parted enough to allow them access to the Hall's doorway, where the guards waited. Also where Daxia waited. With a sharpness and suddenness of motion, Lyric twisted in her seat to look at Kisa and then Eleni, right beside her, then Kisa... or rather the wall and the hearths. Her head snapped around, scanning the crowd.

A diversion. A diversion would pull everyone's attention to the back of the hall. Do the unexpected. Even if the level headed warriors and soldiers of this realm were not rattled they would have a room full of onlookers between them and the Sisters.

...to see something that was purposefully hidden from view.

In her plan, deception would be the key element. And someone in the crowd would be an enemy...

...more than one, in my plan.

What happened next was hard to see clearly, but the reactions from the people in the crowd made it clear it was dramatic and unexpected. Foolish even. One of the Guards drew his weapon and attacked Daxia. The crowd's reaction added to the Chaos. Orders were suddenly shouted. Four attackers back there had little hope of fighting all of the warriors and Keep guards, but those defenders would lose precious time doing ending the immediate and visible threat and lose even more pushing through the excited and panicked people.

Lyric had come part way out of her seat as she twisted fully to face Eleni. Her long knife was in her hand. Where she had drawn it from was a mystery because it was one of the many things lost to most eyes in the confusion at the other end of the hall. The Minstrel deftly rolled the weapon over in her hand to offer the pommel to the young Khorall.

"As a new friend, I am asking you to trust me Eleni... All of that out there is a ruse... a trap. Take my blade. Go to your sister... Protect her. NOW!"

Stepping toward her to commit Eleni to action, the unarmed Minstrel continued to speak. Her voice was calm, sharp, but quick. The need for urgency was very clear.

"Ordinary people in extraordinary moments, my friend."




(ready for a Midweek post if one is forthcoming)

The Heartwood
Dawnview Vale
Snowgate Keep, Snowgate Hall
Hasday, the Twelfth Day of Tiger

Cesare, Daxia, Lyric, Anatoli, Eleni, Kisa, Nadya, Slink, and those still around partaking of Eleni’s Court


What happened first?

There were many what-happened-first, or at the least, fast enough that they fell together quicker than Kisa's stone tiles could fall, one after another after another, in a well-behaved order. But conflicts, if anything, tended to not be very well-behaved.

It started, of course, with the would-be assassin's strike, which Daxia suddenly stepped away from. If one caught a glimpse of his narrowed eyes, he obviously realized the dire situation he was in. As if he knew he had but one chance and the gods had not smiled on him this midday.

But he had no time to think beyond that.

It was a heartbeat as his arm was almost shorn in two by the Knight's white blade, so easily slicing past light leather armor and then through skin and muscle, scarring bone as Daxia drew her blade back. It was the epitome of a perfect blow. The maiming hack. And with the slash, metal was drawn through fragile flesh, dragging bits of cloth and sinew crosswise through the wound. It was a second heartbeat, that fast, as his head jerked back, mouth opening without a scream but a spray of blood as Daxia suddenly saw the far side of his tunic tent, tent and then rip as the point of a far heavier sword thrust through him.

It was an oft-thought fallacy that a greatsword could not be used in close quarters. One hand on the hilt, one hand choked up on the unsharpened portion of her sword, and it could pierce even steel. All it took was Rishka pivoting on one foot to use all her strength, feet to hips to shoulders to blade to get her attack in.

Teresa Constance had taught her charges well. Threats were to be ended.

His sword spun loose from his hand, tumbling like a tossed stick, hitting the doors before skittering across the stone floor.

Another first happened at Eleni's table. This time it began with the young Khorall looking at the offered blade, eyes first squinting, trying to figure out what was meant, without even time to reply before she was tackled. But perhaps tackled was a poor word. It was fast, it was instinctive, it was her manservant vaulting the table, scattering cups and carafes, and sending water and kavass flying everywhere, to sweep his liege off her chair and away from the table.

What happened in the next heartbeat would have raised applause if this were a Midsummer's square, where acrobats were dazzling the crowds with feats of complex gymnastics. Immediately after Anatoli had cleared the table — it could not have been timed better if they had tried — there was a loud thump, a solid thunk, and a perfect three-point landing.

Slink was no longer in the gallery.

And she was definitely not being lazy.

What she did have was a long narrow single-edged shortsword. She did not stay put either. Her nickname was well deserved. Like a Dirkwood hunter, once she had pounced from her perch, she was already charging against the next threat.

It was court. Kisa Allaine and Eleni Allaine were present. And Cesare had passed the end of the table with both of his long daggers drawn.

"I don't know you."

It was both a statement and a command, as Cesare found his path blocked by the Snowgate guard.

Teresa Constance had indeed taught her charges well.

Behind her, Anatoli proved that while he may be an excellent servant, his swashbuckling skill left quite a bit to be desired. Of course, he had tripped, and while one might definitely say he had placed himself between Eleni and danger, it was only because they had landed in a tangled sprawl with him on top. The emotions and intent were easily read by Lyric. Whatever the result, the young man had only the most honorable intentions and certainly wasn't trying to hurt his Lady.

At least not on purpose.

This left Lyric free to deal with the incident at the doors.

"KASHA!"

Rishka loudly barked out that single word as she ensured that the trash was taken care of, even if it meant putting a foot high on the now convulsing body to push and help draw her long blade back out. And for once it was Daxia that was spared. Rishka was the one who now looked as if she had been dunked in a bucket of Tomomi's thickest red paint.

When she was done, Rishka did something odd. She knelt by the body as he joined Krysta in his final dance. But it wasn't to comfort. She was tugging up the cuffs of his sleeves.

The doors began to open as Daxia turned to the two merchants and the remaining guard.

The guard had a look on his face as if he was the one most surprised at the actions of his companion. He took a single step back, placing a hand on his sword's hilt but not drawing it. His gaze was focused on Daxia, to see what her next move would be.

The two merchants stood their ground as if they were made of quarry stone. One bit his lower lip. The other just narrowed his eyes, meeting Daxia's gaze without saying a word and he didn't move. He glanced to the side when the door finished opening. There, just outside, were the two other Dayalans and a black unicorn.

Merchants tended to be pragmatic, knowing when they were outnumbered and outmaneuvered.

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

She was angry. And Gilly — as well as Reena and Kassia and every single other Dayalan she’d trained under or with — had admonished her to never fight with anger. But no one had ever targeted her for simply being exactly who she was — Daxia, daughter of Yuri. Yes, she’d faced those who had seen her as someone standing in their way of what they wanted, someone who was protecting someone they wanted to hurt, someone with the audacity to even attempt something as ludicrous as breaking a curse. In those incidents, she had been the right person in the right place at the right time.

This was personal.

Her eyes narrowed as she eyed the merchants and the remaining guard. She took a deep breath, held it for a heartbeat and then a second, then finally exhaled.

“What have you got there, Rishka?” Daxia didn’t look at the Initiate; her eyes barely flickered to the other end of the room. Merchants from Brementown. Such a contradiction in terms.

“Slink, I vouch for him,” she said, her sapphire eyes boring into the very souls of the men in front of her, her sword never wavering from its target — the face of the merchant who appeared to be in charge of this little group of madmen. She wasn’t sure if TeeCee’s Initiate would recognize her authority, but in this particular instance, there was no wrong answer the young woman could give... at least, regarding the Rhoni.

“Someone ought to make sure Anatoli, Goddess love the lad, hasn’t harmed himself or Eleni.”

And then, as Morning Star clop clop clopped to her side — taking great care to avoid the trash on the floor — and peered over her shoulder at the merchants and guard, Daxia exhaled the last of her anger and lowered her sword.

“I’ve heard it said that dead men tell no tales,” she said in a conversational tone to the three men in front of her. “That’s not true, you know. But you’re still alive, so you have the opportunity to explain yourselves. I’m quite interested in what you have to say, and I don’t doubt that the Khorall of Snowgate Keep and the Khorall of Dawnview Vale are similarly curious about your behavior.”

She shook her head, her expression something nearly every child in history had seen on their mother’s or grandmother’s face at one time or another — grave disappointment.

“We are all so very, very curious about your unacceptably rude behavior.” Her mouth flickered in a partial smile that disappeared as quickly as it arrived. “His Magnificence, the Immortal Unicorn known as Morning Star, is somewhat vexed that one of your party tried to kill his Companion. And there is a great deal of truth to the rumor that one should not annoy a unicorn.”

There were enough people watching the Brementown miscreants that she took the opportunity to turn her head to Morning Star and roll her eyes. “Yes, yes... ‘somewhat vexed’ is understating the depth of your annoyance. While I understand, I’m not sure mere mortal men could possibly comprehend.”

Verchovai Daxia turned her unpleasant smile on the men once more, just staring at them, waiting for answers.

Cesare

He had been ready for opposition, be it enemy or someone defending but at times like this there is little time for argument or explanation. Seconds count and this is not the first time he has put himself in harm's way at Daxia's direction.

One second he is there, the next he is past and taking up his guard position behind the sentry. His words though are soft.

"Daxia's friend. Let us protect them together."

I turned in my tracks, my cudgel was flyin'
It cut through the fog like an ol' Jvrill'n blade.
"Come Demon" I cried, but my heart was a sighin'
"We'll see if a dent in your skull can be made."

Then my arm turned icy, right up to my shoulder.
My blackthorn fell useless from my paralyzed paw.
So I lunged at the spot where the coldness seemed colder
and I tackled the first ugly thing that I saw.

Lyric, of truth and deception... and knowing one from t'other

Foolish boy, she thought as she turned enough to see Eleni's groomsman, or manservant, vault the table in a misplaced gesture of heroism. She rolled the knife again, now holding it properly, and shook her head as he tumbled Eleni over and both fell to the floor in a heap. She could see the effort for what it was. His duty mixed with his desire.

"There has to be an easier way to tell her how you feel," remarked the Minstrel before putting the fallen pair at her back.

The guard from the gallery overhead was already off the table, rushing to intercept the approach of Cesare. Lyric's eyes scanned the faces and eyes of the stunned and disquieted crowd. She looked the full length of the room and could tell that Daxia had dropped one of the Brementown Guardsman. The other three were hemmed in and contained. They appeared to have given up any interest in fighting, if they even had it with which to begin. Good choice. Reinforcements and even the Unicorn were entering the Hall now.

Lyric could go down there, hear what was being said, try to add that to her understanding.

"What a foolish plan," she whispered, mostly for her own benefit. She used her words to pace her thoughts. This wasn't her plan, so grasping the logic of it was an elusive effort. It was someone's plan though. To what end? A single guardsmen with grudge? Thus just a feeble attempt to strike at the Warrior woman at first opportunity? What good is revenge if you are dead? Unless you have nothing left to live for... NO. The whole charade before Eleni was part of the orchestration to gain admittance to this room. Lyric could still see the pieces. But pieces were missing. That was obvious to her.

"Am I wrong?" Again the whispers, as she shifted her stance and sought balance in the room. Pick a spot to see everything and be everywhere. But the hint of doubt whispered back to her now. Moving to the void between the head of the table and dais, Lyric continued to puzzle the possibilities.

Focus Lyric.

"Is this really over..."

Lyric wheeled slowly about in place, to see Eleni and Anatoli, and then to look at Kisa and Nadya. Back around to Slink and Cesare at the other end of the long table. Half the room was now very nearly empty because so much was happening at the other end of the Great Hall. She looked up to the vaulted ceiling and the Galleries that overlooked the hall from each side. Bow fire from above would be very hard to defend against now.

No longer a whisper. "Cesare... watch the galleries!"

She kept turning in place. Back around to face Kisa and Nadya, but her eyes weren't really on them. Seemingly unfocused as though she watched both doors at the same time, ears listening for any sound that wasn't true and proper in this place. Sound was her specialty. She slowed her breathing and that slowed her heartbeat.

thum.. thum.

"Eleni... get up... Now!"

The large chairs and the two women near them on the dais. The hearths. The banners. The large round window way above them. The galleries. The interior service doors on each side. Cesare and Slink should stay where they were. A line of defense. Lyric identified where all the scattered serving ware was located. Carafes. Serving trays.

thum... thum

Lyric couldn't let go of the feeling that this plan was much more elaborate than anything revealed thus far. So foolish and reckless on it's surface. By design? Deception... Distraction? Confusion? How to keep the Sisters from realizing it too soon?

An imaginary line drawn between the doors put the two woman on the opposite side of it from Lyric. She took a few more steps, slowly and patiently. arms out, low, at an angle from her body, loose, Knees bent, padding like a Wuff. She was born to be a predator, born to a people meant to be predators. Eyes shifting between the doors. Head slightly down, using all her senses, especially her hearing. But those eyes... So deeply blue they looked like they glowed. There was magic in the air.

thum.... thum

Get them all between me and Cesare.

thum..... thum

"Kisa... I don't think this is over... come to me... Both of you... now... Please?

thum....... thum

The Heartwood
Dawnview Vale
Snowgate Keep, Snowgate Hall
Hasday, the Twelfth Day of Tiger

Cesare, Daxia, Lyric, Anatoli, Eleni, Kasha, Kisa, Nadya, Rishka, Slink, TeeCee, and those still around partaking of Eleni’s Court

Lyric was absolutely correct. There were two threats in the court of Eleni Allaine. Perhaps, if one were a touch cynical, there were three. But the last was over rather quickly. Eleni blinked, once, twice and then thrice. That was expected, her head had taken a sharp rap when her head had hit the floor. That, however, was not what made her eyes go wide and her cheeks a deeper red than her short hair.

"Anatoli..."

"My Lady?"

"...uhm... ah... uhm... your... uhm... hand?"

"AAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!"

The lad immediately pushed himself backward, as fast and as hard as he could, in absolute panic. Which of course had him seeing stars, now kneeling on the floor after his had head inevitably slammed back against the big wooden table.

At the door, the original threat was resolved. Or, at the least, it had come to a stand-off that was a battle of will and words. When Daxia lowered her sword, the remaining guard removed his hand from the hilt of his sword. He did not offer a word but watched the exchange between his employers and the Dayalan like a mountain hawk. The one who had bit his lip shifted uncomfortably, looking between the other merchant and the angry Yurisdotter. The other merchant matched her gaze, still and with almost equal resolve.

"I'm shocked. Shocked that my hireling would do such a thing."

His words were smooth but oily as if that should have been a well-expected answer. The unexpected answer, however, came from Rishka. She drew up the fallen man's arm by the wrist, letting the sleeve of his tunic fall, to expose a marking inked into his forearm, a few fingers below his wrist. It was a small checkerboard.

"Krysta's cold and icy smile. When did you annoy the Imperial Guard..."

Her expression then changed, darkening, when two of her own puzzle pieces suddenly fit together.

"...may your fortunes be better than ours."

"TCHA!"

"Kasha! Those merchants, have they cleared the gates?"

The blonde Dayalan turned on her heels and vanished back into the courtyard. The dark-haired initiate then focused her attention again on Daxia.

"When did you manage to annoy House Velikii?"

Once the Captain saw that the chances of more bloodshed at the keep's threshold were no longer high, her attention snapped down the hall, to the second threat against the Allaine sisters. There was no other term to describe it. How were they supposed to react? A man had charged their Nobles, bearing steel past the Court's forbidden line. And when his path was barred by a rightful sentry, his response was to magic himself behind her, his deadly daggers still out. How could there be any other response?

Slink spun immediately on her heel, and was once again facing Cesare. This time, however, her blade was even with his neck. But she didn't need to say a thing, as a final question about Eleni's Court was answered. Would they truly have the Khorall of Allaine be without a personal guard? As his attention was elsewhere, it was Eleni who could not help but see Nadya command Kisa to the far door with a wave of her hand as she far too quietly walked up behind Cesare and their Slink. Cesare felt the blade's point — probably a very heavy dagger — at the very center of his back.

"You will place those two knives on the floor. And I recommend staying down there with them."

She then echoed Daxia's words.

"Do not...

"Try...

"My...

"Patience."

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

“Your words say one thing. Your face and tone of voice say another.” Daxia stared at the man for a moment before shifting her gaze to the other merchant and finally the remaining guard.

However, when Rishka spoke up, she raised an eyebrow in surprise and gave her attention to the Initiate.

“The Imperial Guard?” She had never been to Trundle and the only Imperials she’d met were a pair of Koromov sisters, their great-something ancestor, and Captain Koromov’s incredibly clever Deynnekko swordsman. It wasn’t until Rishka sent her sword-sister off on a task that she clarified matters.

“Oh.

“Them.”

Dazi’s voice remained calm and even, though it took on an iciness that was out of character for her.

“I suppose that would have been the end of Raven, two years past. I happened to be in a Cragside alley when some foolish individual took a tumble off a nearby roof. Captain Koromov informed me the man was a Velikii.

“If the Velikii are annoyed by the loss of someone who scampers across rooftops in the middle of the night as Storm Season is coming on, I’m surprised they didn’t burn down half the town of Cragside to punish the buildings and roofs.”

Then she shrugged as her gaze crossed the room.

Eleni and Anatoli — it would be a hard call to say which of them was blushing more furiously. But the Khorall appeared to be none the worse for wear. Cesare — well, Slink had warned him and hadn’t paid the slightest attention to Daxia. Fair enough. Nadya might actually smile later, once the court was cleared. She probably hadn’t had an opportunity to practice that sneakiness of hers against someone who wasn’t part of Eleni’s household. Cesare was smart enough to follow orders, wasn’t he? And then there was Lyric...

“Mistress Lyric, if you’re looking for a place to point your knife...” She gestured toward the merchant who appeared to be in charge. “...this one seems to be a fair target. Of course, Eleni’s guards seem to have things well in hand.” The Starlord’s smile was fleeting, although she tilted her head as she contemplated the minstrel.

“I don’t suppose minstrels have the sort of magic that would coax the truth out of pompous merchants, would they? And might you? It’s curiosity really. After all, I still haven’t asked him any questions.”

Daxia looked at Eleni again.

“Dama Eleni, why is it that your Court produces even more intrigue than your mother’s? Do you think we can blame your foster brother even though he isn’t here? It seems fair to me. And as I’ve most egregiously presumed to dispense justice on the man who attacked me, I will leave these others to you, as is right and proper.”

Lyric, left with confusion


It made no sense to her. Not the part where it seemed the attacker operated as a singular effort against the Dayalan swordswoman. The part that made no sense was that it was such a poorly constructed plan, carried out in a manner which confronted the intended directly and at her strength. So Yes, Lyric was wrong. She imagined a much greater threat than what had presented itself. Why? Why did she do that? Because it was how her mind worked. Always thinking, always imagining. It confused her that she saw shadows where none seemed to exist. It also embarrassed her a little. She stood alone in the center of the upper part of the room. Kisa was being ushered out. The manservant and Eleni safe, albeit egos bruised.

Still the Minstrel stood there, though her posture relaxed a little. She tried to play it over in her head. She had allowed herself to react without understanding the politics and made assumptions that if anyone was daring enough to attack here, then the plan had to be equally daring. But such was not the case... Even with a layer or two more of deception it still came down to one man trying to stab an armed and armored warrior standing among other warriors. Who does that? Who accepts that end of a plan when it is neither smart nor inspired. Just foolish and suicidal.

And still she felt herself to be the bigger fool right now. And still she didn't move...

"My apologies Khorall," she stated. It seemed right that she offer her concession of misjudgment in more formal words while in the Court Hall. She would have said the same to Kisa as well, but the older sister was already gone.

Finally when she did move, it was just to turn in place, back to the thrones now. Cesare was still the closest but there was some contention in his situation with the guard who had dropped from the gallery. She looked past him hearing Daxia offering her a place to point her dagger. But there appeared to be more than enough guards for that task already. She exhaled deeply as she regarded her blade and slipped the long knife back out of sight. "I... believe the they do... Yes, have things... well-in-hand."

She considered the warrior's next questions carefully.

"I can't speak for other Minstrels..."

"...but yes, I might... maybe. After a fashion... That is, if 'coax' means what I think it means... then maybe. Best I can offer before trying."

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

Nodding to the minstrel, Daxia beckoned the woman closer.

“I suppose ‘coax’ could mean any number of things, that is true — wheedling, bribery, outright threats. Why, the infernal Minstrel of Trundle, Talesian himself, might possibly ‘coax’ an answer from me by threatening to write yet another embarrassing song. Who knows what manner of coaxing these three will require, da?”

She finally leaned over and cleaned her sword on the dead man’s tunic before sliding the blade back into its scabbard.

“Relationships are important — perhaps that is something that is true in your far away corner of the world,” Dazi said, smiling at Lyric. “They’re also very complicated at times. When I first set foot outside the Vale, I was just a commoner, an Initiate serving Dayala — not at all important, except as the sister of an Atteran Priestess and friend of the Allaine Heir. I’ve turned as a Starlord Priestess with a unicorn at my side — something that only other Dayalans would note as important.”

She chuckled as she glanced at Morning Star.

“The unicorn is more impressive and fascinating to most people. And he’ll be happy to agree that this is exactly the way things should be.

“But thanks to one of Kisa’s many proclamations, I find myself also in the category of titled nobility — I am her Lord Protector. So. There are relationships to other people, to various families, and to an assortment of gods that are possible here with these men. Individually, good minstrel, each of these things may seem unimportant. Collectively?” Daxia shrugged. “They tell a story.”

She wasn’t sure how much of the mainland’s politics Lyric understood. At times, the woman seemed so naive as to make one wonder how she survived in the world... at other times, her insights were as sharp as anything Kisa saw. The lines between Imperials, Nobles and commoners ought to be distinct and unambiguous. However, as Daxia had learned in her travels outside the Vale, things weren’t always as simple and clearcut as they seemed.

And at the moment, she merely wanted Lyric to hear the stories these men would tell... perhaps, if it were possible, to encourage them to be truthful. It was the Knight’s job, after all, to sift through the madness of politics.

“I’m going to start simply,” she said to the three men in front of her. “Who are you — who is your family, to whom do you owe allegiance, to what church do you belong? Here in the Vale, it’s best to be honest about that. What is your connection to House Velikii? And why in the name of all our gods did you think it was wise to come into Khorall Eleni’s Court and have one of your company make an attempt on my life?”

The warrior pointed at the remaining guard. “You first.” As she rested her hand on the hilt of her sword, she gave the oily merchant a look that held no emotions whatsoever. “You will wait until your companions have said all they wish to say.”

Cesare

For a moment he wondered about resisting.. but only for a moment. A blade before him and one behind, no, the odds were not good.

He let the daggers fall loosely in his hands, pointing to the floor as he lets his body sink fluidly to the floor, carefully placing the daggers to each side of him, he folds his hands together in his lap.

His attention though is now focused on the corner of the room as he wonders just what was meant here.

Lyric

The Minstrel was reluctant to move closer but not for the lack of willingness to help. She cocked her head to the left after Daxia 'beckoned' her to come closer. She had no reason to doubt the swordswoman's motivations, but she also didn't know her very well. Lyric hadn't had to trust Daxia with her own life yet, and neither had Daxia trusted Lyric with hers. Coming closer to Daxia isolated the Minstrel despite there being so many more people over there than where she currently stood. Isolation in this instance was not based upon numbers, but rather trust. Eleni had helped her understand the depth of the bonds she felt with her little group... Keiko, Cesare, Bekka, Tomomi... Kadri, Ser Pietro, and even Mikal who had accepted her among their company as he was coming to his own realizations about his path to a different future.

But, she had travelled with the Swordswoman and the Allaine Heir for many many days to get to this moment. That had to account for something, right? It needed to be part of Lyric's understanding.

But it wasn't the same as putting a life in someone else's hand, or being the one entrusted to old that life in your own.

But maybe this moment right now was where she put her life in someone else's hand...

You see, there was usually more than one path to the truth, and there was a difference between being truthful about what she could do and revealing what she could do.

Lyric looked to Cesare, just off her current line of sight, down the length of the table. He had claimed friendship with Daxia as a circumstance worthy of the Guard's consideration. His opinion was important to Lyric. He had trusted her in the Keep. She was new to the group and he actively backed her plan to free the slaves in the Mad Prince's Keep. He had put his life in her hands. And despite his current circumstance (that he seemed to have under control without actually being in control) she asked him a simple and direct question. "Are you alright?"

Cesare

He is watching events, happy to have a grandstand seat, even if it is the floor. He doesn't want the guards to take their attention from the true enemies, so he stays at ease and relaxed but also still.

Then Lyric's voice cuts through everything, as only a minstrel's can.

He turns his head towards her, slowly.. and grins.

"Fine and dandy."

Lyric

The Minstrel's nod in return was more acceptance of Cesare's three words than a reply of her own. The question itself was important to her because Cesare was not worried about his predicament. He believed he was safe. He believed everything would be resolved. He trusted that everything would be 'fine and dandy'. Thus the Minstrel was able loosen her grip on her doubts and insecurities and she could relax a little.

(Hoping that the GM is timing a resolution for Cesare to fit in with the multitude of things that are going on at the same time)

Lyric shifted her attention back to Daxia.

There was so many things happening. It always felt that way since her journey began. She was getting better at adjusting and adapting but moments like this tested her focus. That focus was needed now.

"It would be helpful if they were separated from each other at this point."

Lyric moved slowly down one side of the table, slipping the Mandola around her body so it would be ready to play. Stopped about two thirds the way down from where she and Eleni had previously been sitting. She glanced from Daxia to Eleni.

"And... if the Khorall and her Court allow, I would like to do this, one at a time, here at the table. As many guards as you desire for safety of course. It will not affect my efforts to help find the truth of things."

The Heartwood
Dawnview Vale
Snowgate Keep, Snowgate Hall
Hasday, the Twelfth Day of Tiger

Cesare, Daxia, Lyric, Anatoli, Eleni, Kasha, Kisa, Nadya, Rishka, Slink, TeeCee, and those still around partaking of Eleni’s Court

The move was simple, direct and with no little hint of cool and controlled fury. Cesare's long daggers were kicked to the side the moment they were let loose on the floor by the younger Dayalan while he obeyed the command of the elder. Once he had taken his place, Nadya called out to his patron.

"Yurisdotter, are you going to retrieve your man or shall we have Slink sit on him until you are ready to take him out of here?"

Slink also had something to say about that.

"He doesn't look too comfortable."

On the other side of the table, there was a different sort of commotion.

"Ana!!! Are you..."

Eleni's actually choked off her own words as she sat upright, cheeks still that odd shade of pink. For a moment it was the rarest of all times — the youngest Allaine sister at a loss not just for the proper words but for any words at all. Thus it was Nadya's duty to speak again.

"Boy. Pull yourself together and get your Lady away. And take her sister with. You have my leave to push."

Wobbly, somehow the lad managed, with the help of the table, to pull himself to his feet. It was hard to tell his motive. Service to his Liege? Care for his Lady and her sister? Or fear of a wrathful Nadya? It was probably a mixture of all three. Thus, his motions were awkward as he at first hesitated to help Eleni up, and then to herd her and her sister towards the back of the Court and the doorway out. It did require a modicum of pushing for Eleni. Kisa was far too dignified to allow herself to be pushed...

...by anyone except her Knight.

At the doorway, a different conversation was continuing.

"The Velikii has a bloody long bloody memory. And they do not fight..."

Riska looked at the fallen assassin's blade. It lay on the polished floor tiles just over a handful of feet away.

"...fair."

The Dayalan Captain looked at her initiate and spoke a single flat word.

"Nin."

Rishka's answer was just as brief.

"Ja."

TeeCee slowly walked to where the weapon rested, crouching down to just look at it. That was when the first of Daxia's many questions were answered, though not necessarily the first asked. From the other end of the hall, Eleni looked back over her shoulder. She had both hands on the door jambs, resisting exile from her own Court.

"Nin! Nin, Nin, Nin! You can blame him for asking questions no Lady should ever be asked! You can blame him for convincing someone to sneak a frog into Nadya's bed! Wait! That was his idea, not mine! You can blame him for running through dinner with an angry Father, two brothers, and a mother with a rolling pin. And stealing my dinner roll. You should have tripped him, Anatoli! And stop pushing me! Who is your liege? Me or Nadya?"

"Lady Nadya is scarier than you, My Lady."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing? And you can blame him for stealing an apple from Mother's personal tree when you are sick, and blame him for asking you to dance when everyone is too scared to ask you to dance because you are the heiress and all."

And that, that now, made said heiress blush the color of her own fiery hair.

"But you can't blame him for THIS!"

The last was hastily barked out as she was finally oooshed to a place a little bit safer than here. Such was the life of a Noble at times.

This left the Court proper holding only Dayalans, miscreants, a minstrel, and a Rhoni. At first, the Merchant leader stood his ground, simply matching Daxia's harsh look with one of his own. It took a sudden stamping of a heavy black hoof on the stone tile to fracture that resolve, just like the tile Morning Star just fractured. He was indeed magnificent, especially when he was at his partner's back.

There is a difference between being scared and being coerced to answer questions — or, at the least, answer questions in a manner that could be considered in any way reliable. It took the coaxing of a Minstrel's melody to ensure that. Could one have accomplished it without the other? Perhaps. But together — Dayalan, unicorn, and minstrel — the perhaps became a certainty.

The guard, as directed, was the first to take the seat at the end of the table.

"Kelsey Sellsword. And Master Robert holds my contract. For ten seasons now, since he started in Bordertown."

The other Merchant had equally simple answers to Daxia's questions.

"That's right. I'm Robert the Merchant."

It was a plain but acceptable name.

"And I am a Brementown Merchant. So I work out of Bordertown, but what do you expect? Someone has to do the town's trading and while they might be cursed their coin isn't. I know most folks would like to see them starve, but their children shouldn't be blamed for what their parents didn't do. I was doing well enough, at least until the men in gray came to set their pike across the Road East. Then he came, with his chest of Imperial stars, saying he'd square us with the Montagues if we'd make this trip with him. What was I supposed to do, was it my turn to starve?"

The lead Merchant refused to take the chair across from Lyric. He chose to stand. And yes, he was honest, Lyric had made sure of that. But his answer was completely unexpected.

"Churches? Who needs churches? They are but sops to old powers who are no longer necessary and should no longer be. Their time is over. We are on the crux of a new Age, one that will be an Age of Men. We are no longer children playing children's games. There will be no more gods or goddesses."

That drew a cold snort from the black-haired Dayalan.

"Oh, he's a Velikii all right. Not of the blood, but definitely one of the House. I'd say a housecarl, a servant, a spy, a pawn."

Rishka was interrupted by TeeCee.

"And a viper.

"And I can answer the last. He didn't expect to kill you with one blow. He expected to kill you with a single nick. The slightest cut. He's wearing gloves, isn't he?"

And indeed the merchant was.

"The blade's coated with something. I'll wager crowns for stars that it's poison."

The merchant gave Daxia a single look.

"Kill me, lock me in your dungeon, it won't matter. We are legion. There will be another to take my place in service to Mankind."

He smirked.

"And you think this is the end of it?

"Your bastard-wench at the least has that correct. My liege has a very long memory."

Cesare

He is sitting cross-legged, perfectly comfortable despite the opinions around him. It worries him not being talked about as if he is not here. It is when talking stops that the real problems often start.

He had winced.

Once.

When his daggers were kicked. They obviously did not appreciate the amount of effort and care that had gone in forging those, the amount of honing and care since. He does. The long hours, the sweat in the heat of the forge, the gentle patient care in the shaping.

A soft sigh.

He may have to do some more work on them now. He wonders if there is a forge here. Surely there is. He must ask Eleni..

..at a more convenient time.

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

Daxia looked at Nadya, then at Eleni and Anatoli, and finally at the three men in front of her. Her jaw tightened for an instant before she looked at the Regent again.

“Have Slink sit on him. He might have some interest in what these miscreants have to say.” Then her gaze turned to Slink. “Just don’t create more work for my sister. Please.”

Cesare’s glance at his weapons didn’t go unnoticed. She knew how important his blades were to him. There wasn’t anything she could do about that right now, however.

She watched Kisa leave the court — dignified, proper, doing the right thing. Dazi didn’t have to like it, but she did need to accept that Nadya was right. Eleni’s little tirade almost made her smile.

“Yes, Eleni. Of course, Eleni,” she murmured. “Dom Dominie is only responsible for household mischief. Of course, you’re absolutely correct, Eleni. This sort of chaos is all on my head.” She snorted softly. “It’s something about Allaine courts, too.”

Then Daxia looked at TeeCee and Rishka, a hint of anger returning, before staring at the poisoned blade for a moment. However, she said nothing as she and Morning Star joined Lyric and the three men at the end of the table.

The Starlord’s expression remained emotionless as she listened to the Jvrillian and the merchant. It was difficult to keep a grimace off her face when she heard Robert’s story. A pang of guilt stabbed through her — she couldn’t help but feel the actions of the Montagues were more than a little related to events of last summer’s Council.

She couldn’t save everyone. Enough people had told her that, hadn’t they? And that meant she probably tried to do exactly that. It was honorable. But was it her duty? It was something to discuss with Morning Star and a question to pose to her Goddess. Later.

It was the words of the other merchant that shocked her back to this singular instant in time.

She acknowledged her Sisters’ comments with a nod. “Don’t forget coward. Seems to me that poison is a coward’s weapon.”

With Morning Star at her side, she dared to face TeeCee and Rishka... turning her back on the Velikii scum.

“Are all Velikii this mad? And might I borrow your gloves, Captain?”

Slipping on the gloves reminded her that a shield was not the only thing she needed to replace. TeeCee’s gloves were in much better condition than her own. It wasn’t an irrational thought on her part that the High Tarn was, in many ways, a much harsher and harder place than the lands of the frontier keeps.

Daxia picked up the shortsword and walked back to the Velikki.

“Your opinion on the need for churches has been noted. Respectfully, I find that I must disagree with you. A person may choose not to align themselves with a church, as you have clearly done. I can’t hold that against you, for it’s my understanding that neither of my Rhoni companions follows the teachings of gods... merely the teachings of their people. I have known my friend Cesare longer than his kinswoman, yet I perceive that both of them are decent and honorable people.

“You are not honorable, but that might be a personality flaw of folks aligned with House Velikki.

“And while our companion, the esteemed minstrel Lyric, has shared nothing of her religious beliefs — as is her right, of course — I can see that she, too, is decent and honorable.”

The Dayalan raised the shortsword and pointed it at the Velikki’s face.

“A thought experiment for you, O Non-Believer — in this new age of men you rant about, will you survive a nick from this blade? I have only been tutored in poisons to the point where I know there are two that are generally used on blades. Shagger is rarely fatal. So let us assume that the blade I hold is coated with Junker.

“Do you have enough personal magic to fend off the suffocation that would result from the poison coursing through your system? Or would you suddenly develop a belief in the necessity of Atterans in the world and hope that someone could fetch Lady Bekkah before you die?

“Or — and this is an interesting option — do you really not care if you live or die? Do you have nothing to live for beyond sacrificing your life? Do you have no concern about what will happen to your soul when you are dead? Might death not be the ultimate test of your faith... or lack of it?

“Personally, I would find it delightfully ironic for your soul to face Krysta as you find yourself dancing with Her.”

She was close enough that the blade was a threat, yet far enough away that she would have to take a step to actually harm the man. Daxia simply raised an eyebrow.

“Your master might have a long memory, but I suspect the Immortal Unicorns have memories far longer. Not that I’m threatening you, of course. I’m merely pointing out that your master might not have the advantage you believe he does.”

Finally, she smiled, thinking about early conversations she had with Camelia Ayyanasdotter, not long after she discovered she was Camelia Koromov.

“You know, I’m almost tempted to invite my apprentice and my Temple Sister to accompany me to Trundle and pay a visit to the Justice. The Velikki arranged to have the Koromovs stripped of their Imperial status for reasons that benefitted the Velikki. Now that their status has been restored, do you think the Justice of Trundle-on-the-Hill, Erika Koromov Deynnekko, will have forgotten what the Velikki did?

“From what I’ve learned of Erika from Captain Koromov, I suspect her memory is every bit as long as your master’s.

“And I’ve heard it said that the female of the species is more dangerous than the male.”

She looked down the poisoned blade at the Velikki’s face.

“You’d do well to believe it.”

The Minstrel, tales of Gods and Men, Goddesses and Women

Until the men were brought before her, the Minstrel watched Cesare. His position was a difficult one but he accepted this moment with grace and dignity. She was not so sure she could be as serene and peaceable as her travelling companion. What she did have in her favor was patience though and maybe that would be enough were she in his position right now. He was possessed of a great deal of maturity for someone so young.

Daxia and the guards escorted the Merchanters and guard. But it was the Unicorn that continued to fascinate her. Lyric had travelled in the company of the beautiful creature for many risings and settings of She as they travelled from the Bordertown to Snowgate, but she had always kept her distance. Unicorns were mercurial creatures, at least what she knew of them from her own experiences. Yes, even more mercurial than Lyric herself. But this one was different and that might well be owed to the fact that he was not a unicorn from her homeland. That furthered her wariness because she simply didn't know what to expect. Still, she was fascinated and now they were the closest they had ever been since the first time she had seen him.

It took no small effort for her to return her focus to the task at hand.

With the men delivered before her, one at a time... save for the actual attacker whose testimony could only be rendered by a different kind of magic now, Lyric began to speak. Not just to the first one placed in front of her, but all of them. Her words were soothing and evenly spoken. There was not animus in her voice, there was no condescension. She did not speak harshly, nor with any hint of ire. She did not declare herself the arbiter of their truths and their lies. She offered no judgment nor consolation either. Her words were just that, words. It truly mattered not what those words were, but suffice to say, she offered a brief summary of circumstances that brought these men before her. What was important to recognize was that her words were delivered in a voice that touched them and affected them. The words could have been a list of ingredients for Meat Pies from Waverider's Reach. They were not those words though, mostly because Lyric didn't know the ingredients. The point is, the words weren't actually as important as how they were spoken. To the casual listener it was clear that Lyric spoke eloquently, but she chose simple conversational words. It seemed important that Lyric speak this way and use these words as she did. The tone and pitch and cadence were melodic and the rhythm of her delivery made her voice sound hypnotic.

Then she focused directly on that first man and began to play her instrument as she spoke to him. Then the one after him, and finally the last of them. What any of them had to say was immaterial to her. She simply wove the questions spoken to them into her own words. Were these men answering Daxia? or Lyric? One, the other? Both? That didn't matter either. The Minstrel performed the task sought of her and focused only on the men. She did not want anyone else falling under the influence of her voice.

When the questioning appeared to be done and Daxia became more direct in her approach Lyric continued to speak and play, but much softer and quieter now. The effect would be the same because the words themselves were irrelevant. It didn't sound like Daxia wanted more information from this last man. Maybe there was nothing more to be gained. Lyric didn't know. The politics of the nations in question were a mystery to the Minstrel. And if it was important for her to know these matters someone would tell her or she would ask others the questions at a later time.

The Heartwood
Dawnview Vale
Snowgate Keep, Snowgate Hall
Hasday, the Twelfth Day of Tiger

Cesare, Daxia, Lyric, Nadya, Rishka, Slink, TeeCee, and those still around partaking of Eleni’s Court


It was not as if Cesare was not there. He had broken the rules of court, he had refused the words of the Khorall's Guard. He was definitely being treated as if he were truly there and a threat to the House Allaine. He was also lucky. If he had been any closer to Eleni, he too might have shared the fate of the Imperial assassin. Slink looked past Daxia and only after a nod from her Captain did she pivot, a smooth motion to place her at the Rhoni's back. Her blade stayed at his throat as if daring him to try that trick a second time.

"Too uncomfortable." That was her reply to Daxia, an explanation of why Cesare was not face down on the tiles with her atop.

"Good enough." That was her Captain's response. There would be no recriminations. The initiate was, after all, just doing her job.

"You will stay put until you are collected. And quiet. All you need do is nod."

If anyone was being ignored, it was the big black unicorn. Yet, for the moment, he seemed well satisfied. If his partner was being strong, then, of course, it reflected well on him. That made him very different for Lyric. Morning Star was not at all unpredictable as the proverbial Unicorn. He was at his partner's back, a solid anchor, her foundation and protector, still as midnight.

"Yes, they are. Why else do you think the Trundle Cathedral is empty?"

That was the answer when the sanity of the Velikii was questioned. Rishka's words were bitter, spoken with more than a little distaste. It would seem that the laws of Trundle-on-the-Hill were not being thrown away, just re-written. The Merchant seemed willing to live — or die — by those rewritten laws.

"Then just do it."

The venom in his words was a contrast to Daxia's much more measured words. There was an edge when he spoke, a certainty, a solidity of belief that made him, potentially, more dangerous than an Eastern Avatar seeking revenge.

"Of course we know many of us will die upon this just and right crusade."

He wasn't a warrior. He did not wear a punched penny. But still, he was a fanatic.

"Do you think he did not know the cost of his failure? Does death matter? Gods or not, we are gone. What matters is this world, not the next."

"Bot vou met!..."

That phrase could not help but raise Daxia's brow. Just what sort of Ancient was TeeCee teaching her students? The harsh words came from Rishka as she turned to face the interrogator and the interrogated. And when she spoke, it seemed that for all Lyric's care, her melody had reached someone else. More truths were being spoken.

"Oh, I know that well. The belief that death could be a welcome ending.

"So proud. Velikii gives you a cause to die for.

"So what?

"Dayala gives me a cause to live for. And that makes me stronger than you."

"You don't understand at all, do you? What happened at Cragside?

"Hearing that the Velikii had been blocked, that someone had managed to deny him what he wished? It showed an illegitimate kitchen slave that if you believed hard enough that there could be hope. That she didn't have to accept what he said as the one and only truth. That there was another way.

"It gave her a hero.

"So she left."

Someone, long ago, had tapped the first tile in a long line of tiles. That clattering chain had finally come full circle.

"I should gut you. But you aren't worth it."

The Merchant paled. This was something he had not expected. Rishka looked at Daxia.

"Just so you know, House Velikii is not fond of failure."

The Merchant's face went white.

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

She’d met people who were so set in their ways that nothing was going to stir them from their beliefs. As intelligent as she was, this was a mindset that Daxia Yurisdotter simply could not understand. And why could the man not see that a concern for both worlds — this one and the afterlife — was not a mutually exclusive proposition?

However, before she could delve further into the madman’s philosophy — having empathy for others was important — Rishka did, indeed, cause her to raise both eyebrows. She had been reduced to piecing together the rich tapestry of Ancient vulgarities on her own. Clearly, TeeCee did not share Kassia’s belief that cursing was beneath a Dayalan.

As the initiate spoke to the Velikii, understanding dawned on the Starlord’s features.

“Oh, my,” she said conversationally to the Velikii minion. “It seems that you have made a few enemies. Of course, that’s the risk one takes when one goes out in the world and tries to change the cultural foundations of, well, everyone except the Velikii, it would seem. My accomplishments pale in comparison.”

Daxia sighed with what appeared to be disappointment and lowered the sword.

“My most magnificent companion has made a suggestion that’s more than a little ruthless. You have managed to get him extraordinarily angry — no small feat, I assure you.”

She tilted her head and glanced at Morning Star. “While your suggestion is noted, my friend, I doubt very much we could convince my sister to participate in such an... Eastern way of dealing with an enemy. She is far too kind-hearted for such things.” She paused a moment and then shook her head. “I don’t believe her apprentice would do so either. She might be capable of repeatedly snatching him away from Krysta, but even she would rely on Attera’s teachings.”

And then she looked at Rishka again for a moment before nodding and turning back to the Velikii.

“I’m not entirely sure that Krysta would be interested in your soul, but who am I to say? I’ve been told that she, too, is merciful.

“Now, while my word is not the law in this Court, I will petition on your behalf to give you the one thing you want least.

“Your man attacked me in Khorall Eleni’s Court. He found justice.

“I will recommend to Khorall Eleni and to Khorall Kisa that you be granted mercy. You should be escorted out of the Vale, of course. Perhaps the Captain can spare Initiate Rishka and Initiate Kasha for the several weeks it would take them to get you to the fine mercantile city of Cragside and return to the Keep.”

Daxia glanced at TeeCee. “They’d come back. They know there’s more to learn from you.”

Then she smiled at the man’s ashen face. It wasn’t a particularly pleasant smile.

“If I didn’t have business elsewhere, I’d escort you myself to Brementown and kick your sad, sorry behind all the way to Trundle.

“However, I’m sure your master will have someone waiting in Cragside. He’ll want a report from you, da?”

Daxia looked at the highest-ranking individual currently in the Court. “Kelsey Sellsword and Robert Merchant appear to be unwitting victims of Velikii machinations, and I am inclined to forgive their transgressions today. I’d also beg the Khorall’s mercy for the Velikii himself so that he may find justice with his own people.

“Do you think that a fair and reasonable solution, Regent?”

The Minstrel had called herself A Voice

Lyric took the words being spoken around her and she wove them into her own words. She spoke those words softly, as though they were an echo of the words being spoken directly by the interrogator. She also made those words her own. She did not understand much of what was being said, but realized it was important.

Was the Velikii a place or a person? Was it a Deity? Or the people who worshiped one while claiming the Gods of the Land were dead? How oddly ironic that thought sounded to the minstrel though.

House Velikii? Nobility? From where? This place called Trundle on a Hill? Or was that just Trundle and it sat upon a hill? (as opposed to some other Trundle somewhere else) Lyric always endeavored to learn things. Learning anything was an experience and experiences were always important to her. They had always been important to her. How long did it take her to realize that much of her life was no longer about experiences, especially new and real experiences, but rather about the variations of remembered experiences? Oh, how long indeed.

How could this last man fail to understand the untenable nature of his belief? Even if he declared himself a non-believer in one thing he was thus a declared believer in the other. Belief is Belief. Can you really oppose something and not actually believe in it? And his lack of belief in Deities does not make them any less real. Does it? Even without followers from which they might and maybe draw strength from they are still real. Aren't they? They were real when the rose to prominence in the First Age of Man. Didn't they? They were real when they survived the Shattering War. Weren't they? They were real in an Age of Might and Magic, when Order and Chaos imbued their creations with the Power to fight the Battles that could not be waged directly by the two equal but opposite forces of Creation. And who or what was Creation in the first place?

Silly questions, still unanswered after a lifetime of pondering. What hope could a silly girl have to unravel such philosophical mysteries in this particular moment?

Daxia had stated that she found the Minstrel to be of decent and honorable character, despite not sharing the intimacy of religious beliefs with the Dayalan. Lyric considered those words to be high praise and maybe a bridge to finally forging a path of friendship with the warrior woman. But the praise had a second edge. What would happen if Lyric did indeed share the truth of her religious beliefs? What then? This among other possible revelations was a keenly sharp weapon in waiting.

Of course they were real. Lyric had witnessed their power and influence through their worshipers. Lyric had seen Bekkah wield great power in the name of her Healing Goddess. She had seen disciples chosen to serve deities and granted a mantle of authority. And she had stood face to face with a Goddess at a wedding. So Lyric knew they were real, and at least one of them had wanted to meet Lyric. Just a meeting. Perhaps to sate curiosity is all it was as such encounters go. Who knew that 'finding a song to save a people' would engender such interest, but it happened and thus it was true, and that made it real. That made her real. That made them all real. With more meetings a possibility. Humbling that thought. Perhaps a Quest to save a People was the thing that caught attention, more so than the quester herself.

But thoughts wander and the Minstrel kept the woven magic in her words and music.

To Look is not necessarily to See. To Listen is not necessarily to Hear. And her path to Hope was found in Learning.

Nowhere was it mentioned that one should Speak though. But Lyric was Lyric was Lyric, or so she had been told by a friend.

Daxia was declaring her intentions with regard to the Merchanters. While she was not the arbiter of their fate, her words would carry great weight. That was the nature of not only her station, but also her reputation. But it was even more than that. Her words also carried value with Kisa and also Eleni because of the strength of the bonds that tied them personally.

Lyric let the music fade and her voice fell silent. She listened and she heard. She Looked and she Saw. She heard Daxia's words, her suggestion for a fitting punishment for this man's crime. She saw the Fear in the man's eyes. But what was there to learn in this moment?

Exactly. Could something be learned?

Lyric remembered the cruelty of a punishment imposed upon her own self. A punishment said to be fitting for her crime. Her crime was belief. Her belief was different than those who had the power to determine whether she lived or died. A punishment that was meant to teach her a lesson. A punishment that was to be exacted at the hands of those most eager to satisfy personal vendetta and racial animus. A punishment that could be petitioned by one and allowed by another, and delivered by third(as well as the first in this instance). It was a punishment that gave shelter to the the disaffected, shielding them from consequence by justifying that Lyric deserved to be treated in this way. A punishment that meant only a severing of the bonds and oaths between her and those who would never would deliver the sanction itself, thus absolving them of any sense of an emotion like remorse that they no longer knew how to feel anyway.

An indictment of heresy on her part, in daring to believe something different and thus dangerous. That indictment became and edict. An edict that stated Lyric deserved to be hunted because that was how the executioners treated those who were not them. An edict was all the 'lifeblood' for which they allowed themselves to be responsible. An edict that would shield those who turned their backs upon her, those to whom she was foresworn and bound and had served all her life, the comfort and peace of not having to hear her scream in agony when she was struck by arrows and slashed by a blade so often in the days of the chase that she could no longer heal herself and simply had to survive on her sheer will and determination not to die. It afforded those who betrayed her a shelter of belief that her death was not truly in their hands, but rested upon the consequences her own wrong beliefs and their mercy was sufficient to allow her a chance to live in a hunt from which she could never escape.

Lyric sat there. Seeing and Hearing and she began to cry because she had Learned. She wished she hadn't seen and heard because this wasn't her Court. She saw this man's fear upon his face. She wasn't foolish enough to believe he had just undergone a change of heart or even felt remorse. She simply felt his fear and remembered her own. Without Learning there is no Hope to save her people. Without learning there is no hope that anyone can be saved... Not this man and not those who condemn him to a fate of cruelty that will leave scars upon them deeper than any marks cut into his body.

And she saw the difference and the similarities clearly enough.

The chase was over, the Hunt near it's final moments. The prey had been wounded such that simply waiting for the her to fall would have delivered the sentence in full. But when the hunt crosses over to sport and the malice of heart takes hold either through the final swing of a blade or the sheer indifference to life itself then a piece of the heart of all those who had a hand or a word dies as well. Evil wins when Good retreats. And Good can never win by fighting the battle against Evil as Evil would fight.

That day, not so long ago, someone had stepped forward to stay her final fate. Someone had spoken up for her. Someone had believed in her. It wasn't necessarily a matter of believing what she believed, but rather believing that what she believed had value. That she, as a person, had value... and that she deserved to live. Someone had stepped in to declare that the consequences of killing her, or allowing her to be killed, would be far graver than simply accepting that she was different than everyone else. And that if their belief was the right and true path then it would be stronger than her path... but, if her path was the right one it might not never be found again. Why not? Because, as Eleni said to her... echoing a wisdom that Keiko once spoke to her as well. 'You can not step into the same river twice.' The water, like life, is always moving forward and it is always changing. But the nature of the river remains the same. So too is our own sense of self. We are always changing, following the currents but the path of the river guides our journey. Be true to the river no matter the waters.

"Please..."

Lyric, in voice no longer strong and resolved, addressed those around her but looked at Daxia. Imploring, pleading. Her emotions threatened to make the pleading of her case so much harder, and yet so much more honest.

"Is this really the Path of Light and Truth?"

"Forgive me. I speak out of turn and place. I do not mean to offend. But I fear that the consequences for not speaking my heart right now could set a stone's ripple upon a new friend's soul and that could have even graver consequences upon her... upon everyone whose beliefs are founded in goodness and mercy and compassion. And the same upon my own heart should I remain silent."

"I have no Court anymore. I have no more a home than any place I am given refuge that night. I have lost everything I once thought to be right and true, following my heart, and maybe that is the right of it. But now I am searching for way to save my own people, regardless of the sacrifices. I have to believe that what I seek is a right and true thing and that my heart, when focused upon that which is Good, is greater and more resilient than the failings and stumbles i have made along the way to find it."

Lyric looked from Daxia to the Regent, and finally to the man. Her words continued to be directed for everyone gathered near though.

"I do not know if this man can be redeemed. I do not know if he can be shown a different path. Yes, his crime is very serious. I understand that, and there should be justice. But... In pursuit of Justice do not lose sight of goodness."

Lyric stood up and slipped the mandola around to her back again.

"Didn't Rishka just say that hope prevailed in her heart and turned her from a path of darkness? Hope and all the gifts of goodness that come with it are surely greater than meeting evil with evil as a means of justice. Maybe he will never see the truth. Maybe what I feel so strongly in my own heart is that it isn't HIS path that I am most concerned about. Just because a punishment might serve Justice, and might seem fitting in a moment carved out of time, does not mean it serves good."

"Order and Chaos exist in a balance, but so does Good and Evil. They are not balanced on the same scale. The universe holds one, and each of our hearts holds the other. It does not serve us, and the path we walk, any Good at all to darken our steps and our hearts by allowing evil to cast a shadow with our own words and deeds. Evil can not be met with Evil and then be called good and right."

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

The warrior’s eyes never left the figure of the minstrel as she spoke. Daxia could not know what was in Lyric’s heart and mind, but she could read what was on her face and in her posture, could hear the inflections in her words.

Silence echoed in the hall after Lyric spoke. But there was much to be said in silence.

Finally, Daxia nodded to the minstrel.

“Truth can be found in the most unlikely of places. But you are shedding an interesting color of light on this situation, Mistress Lyric.”

Where to start? Perhaps the beginning...

“My teachers instilled in me a belief that Our Lady demands that we must fight against Chaos. In my time on the High Tarn, I learned that there is, and needs to be, a balance between Order and Chaos. My teachers know this and knew this even while instructing me. In retrospect, I see that their silence was itself a lesson: they deemed it important that I learn this truth for myself.”

A series of fleeting expressions flowed across her face — sorrow, anger, guilt, frustration... followed by joy and peace. Yes, she could have hidden all of that. It would have been hardly any sort of effort. But when the minstrel spoke so plainly and honestly, it felt wrong to conceal the manner in which her words fell on the heart and mind of a warrior.

“My teachers also spoke of honor and duty. They alluded to good and evil, to right and wrong. In my journeys across the mainland, I saw and experienced...” She paused, remembering a singular moment in a Temple, an honest conversation with a Priestess. She drew a deep breath and slowly exhaled before continuing. “I experienced more than most, I think. But I hear echoes of your own trials in your voice, so I wish to consider your words with the same gravity I would give a command by my liege.

“You are right, of course. We must look in our hearts to find our own roots of goodness, to see where mercy and justice can meet, to feel for the Path that leads to the greatest good.”

She glanced at the unicorn beside her and smiled. “My armsmaster told me that unicorns keep us — Dayalans — honest.”

Dazi looked back at Lyric and sighed.

“As I said to Tashka Darkdown the night before a unicorn saved my life, I only have my heart to keep me honest. I fear that may still hold true, despite Morning Star’s presence in my life.

“What is ‘justice’? Is it strict adherence to the Law, as the follower of Rames believe? Should justice always be tempered with mercy, as the followers of Attera believe? And what of the Justice who keeps her own counsel and tosses people off roofs in Trundle? Perhaps justice means different things to different people. I think ‘truth’ might also be like that — some truths that Dayalans know, for instance, are things that a Jvrillian can’t understand. Even when he earnestly tries.”

She paused again and canted her head in contemplation.

“You speak of the many ways a human heart can bend, Lyric — good and evil, hope and despair, truth and justice and even faith. And you have given me pause, caused me yet again to consider my beliefs and actions in a new light. For that, you most assuredly have my gratitude. And I would be pleased to have further discussions of this nature...

“...but now is not the best time for that.”

The Starlord’s gaze swept across the room — taking in the tableau of Cesare and Slink, the expressions and body language of TeeCee and Rishka, Kelsey and Robert, the Velikii who had refused to give his name, Nadya — before regarding Morning Star for a moment. Carefully, she laid the sword beside the dead man, removed TeeCee’s gloves and returned them to her.

And then she spoke to Lyric, almost as though they were alone in the room.

“A dead man has received his punishment by my hand, and his soul will be judged by Krysta. I am told that she is merciful and patient, so I am inclined to believe he will be judged less harshly than my Companion would have judged him.

“A living man who, on orders from his masters, orchestrated this attack and stands before us. His plan was foiled. His masters will be displeased with him, but who can say with certainty what they might do when he returns to them? Rishka seems to be of the opinion that allowing him to go free would be a death sentence. I can’t say for certain one way or the other, for I only have his words to guide me. Well, yes, and his fear. He is afraid.

“But I have seen fear before, both in those who sought to harm me or my companions and in those selfsame companions as we prepared to do battle. I cannot deny that I have been afraid. Faith gives us a reason to face down our fears and do what must be done. I think you understand what I mean, da?”

Dazi gestured to the Velikii as she continued speaking to Lyric.

“What is justice in this case? Is justice served if I allow him to die for his cause? He doesn’t fear death. He might see that as a reward for his devotion to his masters. Is justice served if I allow him to live, having a fairly good idea that he will die anyway? He does fear that his masters will discover that he has failed them. Is sending him away not an honorable way to deal with him? It allows him the opportunity to overcome his fear. And if I let him live, do you think he might find something to actually live for, as Rishka did?”

Daxia shrugged. “My heart tells me I should let him live... that he should be taken as far away from Dawnview Vale as possible. My heart tells me he won’t survive another meeting with his masters, but there is the chance — a small one, that’s true — that he might find something to actually live for.

“Except... except his words and his fear say that he’d rather die here. I’ve had enough of killing, I’m weary from it. Is it my duty to take his life, or might I give him the slightest chance of life? I don’t know, Lyric. My heart tells me to let him go. I’m torn as to where my duty lies. My Lady has seen fit to elevate me to the rank of Starlord and bestow on me the responsibilities of Priestess. One might think this would give me the wisdom to know what to do. It does not. Dayala Herself could speak to me, telling me what She knows to be the most honorable thing to do. But I’d like to think She has as much faith in me as my teachers did — to puzzle this out myself, with the help of my friends. I am happy to count you among my friends, for you have rare wisdom that belies your youth.”

She turned to the Velikii then. “You don’t think it matters if I kill you. Or if I ask the Khorall to imprison you. Perhaps you would be interested in knowing that the Immortal Being beside me suggests that we fetch the Priestess of Attera and then let you experience the effects of Junker. Over and over...

“Shall I follow his advice?”

Giving her attention to Lyric once more, Dazi gave her a wry smile. “My heart strongly opposes Morning Star’s suggestion. But to him, that would be just and right. Would it be good? Perhaps not by our standards, no. Would it be evil? I cannot in good conscience say that it would be. Immortal Beings, like the Gods, are ineffable... even to one fortunate enough to be a Companion.”

Finally, the warrior chuckled. “You’ve just experienced what Kisa likes to call ‘Dazi thinking outside her head.’ It’s a habit I acquired after meeting my small band of misfits in Cragside — I found it important that they understand why I chose certain Paths over others.

“Although I must confess that you have a quality in common with Khorall Eleni — you have a similar way of delving into the nature of people. I value the conversations I’ve had with Eleni. She’s wiser than she believes herself to be.”

Perhaps it was a lengthy response to something that should have been simple. But doing the right thing was very often not a simple matter. Daxia was probably more prone to engage in these sorts of philosophical and ethical debates than many of her Sisters. But Lyric was right to call into question the nature of justice here, to remind the warriors and even the Immortal Being that their actions had consequences. Kisa had a far better grasp of seeing the Paths. For Daxia, in this situation, there was no clear way to move that could achieve the greatest good. Her intention was to find it. And if a wise and enigmatic young woman from a place called Kethy’s Wood could help point the way?

Well, wouldn’t that just be another reason to count the minstrel as a friend?

Cesare

He remains in position, well behaved for a change but then he respects steel, knowing its capabilities. And in view of that makes a slow single nod in response to the question. Besides talking would mean he might miss some of the main conversation from the room. And it is getting interesting.

He listens to Lyric speaking, his respect for her growing. She stands by her principles and is not frightened to say so. He admires that. He isn't frightened to say what he believes either.. just that he has never found that much to believe in.. except maybe righting those wrongs that have been left to fester for too long, far too long. Daxia showed him that and in a small way.. or maybe a greater way.. that has changed his life.

But Lyric also carries a pain inside her. She has been hurt. He may not know her story, may not understand it but that she feels it is enough. It would be nice if he could offer her something that might help her. Right now he doesn't know what that might be.. but opportunities often present themselves, especially when not looked for. He smiles as she finishes speaking, an almost imperceptible nod of support.

And he is glad that Daxia listened, really listened to Lyric. Two women, both of whom he admires, he would not wants them at odds with each other.

Interesting afternoon. Far more entertaining than he had anticipated.

Nadya

"There is another punishment."

The eldest of them finally took her turn to reply, crossing her arms as she took one step forward. Nadya then made a single word pronouncement.

"Banishment."

It was a word that probably had different meanings for all within the room.

"It is not an execution. It simply bans him from the lands that he has wronged — from the Dawnview Castle to the Forest of Roth. That would be a satisfactory punishment. It allows him a choice. Once beyond those bounds, he may choose his own fate. He could choose to return to face his Master's wrath.

"Or he could run."

The Khorall's mentor turned to the Minstrel.

"Would that settle your conscience? It puts his final fate in his own hands."

She raised her hand, a request for a pause before answering, as she turned her attention to the Merchant.

"True, he would always be worried that House Veilikii would still come after him. He would always be looking over his shoulder. Then consider Daxia — his actions today have shown that House Veilikki has not forgotten her. That he now also has such attention, to me that seems both fair and balanced.

"What say you, Knight and Minstrel?"

Lyric, just a Minstrel and not a Justicar

Lyric had spoken what her wisdom and experience led her to believe. She spoke through the filter of her heart. And now she listened, and tried to understand. She took a moment to compose herself and casually wipe each cheek in turn in that moment of silence. She wondered if her words would get her into trouble again, for silence was the moment where consideration could be judgment.

Daxia began with a phrase 'Truth from an Unlikely Place'. Perhaps she meant Lyric, or maybe she meant that this moment was an unlikely circumstance to find it. But before Lyric could consider that very first statement, Daxia's second gave her a sudden worry. Was she really shedding colorful light? Her eyes widened and she glanced to her right hand and arm, and then her left. Her mind tried to parse the words and, seeing that there was no light emanating from her, she exhaled and the worry faded. But, meeting the Warrior's attention again, she couldn't help but blush in embarrassment as she, just then, realized that Daxia used an idiom to turn the phrase that caused the minstrel concern. She now understood that the 'turn of phrase' was not literal, but rather the collective words seemed to fit her Daxia's life and calling as a Priestess of the Sun Goddess. And the Dayalan Warrior continued.

Indeed, what was to follow would be Lyric's first real experience bearing witness to Daxia thinking outside her head. Within Lyric's life and calling came the ability to listen when others spoke. Listening was an important trait for a Minstrel to have. There were those of her people who had a similar calling as hers but were too in love with the sound of their own voice, and so smitten with their belief that they knew as much or more than anyone else around them, that they listened too little and spoke too much. A person would tell you much about themselves if you simply took the time to listen, and to watch, and to learn. Many people would tell you everything if you simply had the patience to listen, watch and learn.

Daxia's questions were rhetorical. Part of a process. Lyric didn't interrupt.

At the end came the comparison to Eleni. It was a frame of reference for Daxia to find a parallel. Lyric returned an accepting nod. It was just this morning that Lyric had a conversation with Eleni that could easily confirm Daxia's assertions. And, in the moment after, where Lyric considered a few simple words to acknowledge all that had been said, and to recognize the sentiments offered in those words, the Regent Nadya spoke. Lyric shifted her attention to give this woman the proper respect as was her right as a governing voice and counselor to the young Khorall in Snowgate Keep.

"It is with humility that I say this... My conscience should only matter to me,and maybe those who have been so kind and generous to welcome me in their company and call me friend... as I call them friend in return. Let your laws, and your own hearts, determine this man's fate. Always remember that every decision and choice we make comes with consequences, some easier to bear than others..." Lyric couldn't help but feel the weight of choices in her life, and recently those related to her 'Rescue Plan' at the Dark Keep in the Lake. "If your heart helps to guide you, and you believe that good is stronger than evil, and love is greater than hate, then the decisions you make, and the laws you create, will bear that out."

"You're question is a difficult one for me to answer. My personal opinion is not relevant. My conscience, while it guides my words and deeds, is not what matters. I did not speak on this man's behalf, nor even out of the desire to see Mercy interjected into this realm's Justice. It is not my place, Regent. And I would not dare to intimate otherwise. I would not dare challenge the Rulers of all that is Dawnview Vale. I spoke my heart because my greatest concern was for Daxia. I spoke that she not misstep in her own path. Maybe her considerations and intentions would not have been a darkening moment of heart and soul. I spoke from what I perceived and believed, simply to let her own wisdom catch up to her fearlessness... her... intrepidity. I think that is a word in your language. My emotions as expressed, perhaps too openly, were for the consequences she might bear."

Lyric looked from Nadya to Daxia and shrugged, "The guardsmen made a choice..." She returned her attention to Nadya. "Daxia defended herself. His death was a logical outcome. And it is one I would likely have attempted to render were I facing the same."

Lyric shifted slightly, and turned enough to see the man at the table though she wasn't speaking to him. "If your laws call for an execution then so be it. See him judged by your laws. If your laws call for a banishment, then that is as it is ruled. I am a wanderer and a traveller. I am a guest here. I respect all the laws a realm must have to provide for the safety of it's people. I have only sought that decisions take into account the other Scale of Balance and not just Order and Chaos. That is all I can offer in response."

Lyric moved away from the man and the table, around him to stand on the other side Daxia, and out of the center of attention. To the Dayalan she spoke more quietly and personally.

"To meet your 'outside the head thinking' I offer that I would probably be very much the same except that I have spent much of my life alone, and with with friends ever for me to be much more than an 'inside the head thinker'. Who would ever trust a person sitting all alone talking to herself, ja?"

Lyric smiled and shrugged. She sought a path to step back further and let those who should rightfully be speaking in matters of judgment actually do it free from her further influence. She glanced about her and saw Cesare still kept under guard on the floor. With a step back toward Daxia, she looked imploringly at Daxia and nodded for her to notice the Rhoni boy. The minstrel didn't expect Daxia to issue an edict to free him nor even to publicly draw attention to him and his plight. Lyric imagined that a resolution could only come from the actual Court itself. But she hoped the Dayalan could speak on his behalf so that the truth of the matter could be revealed and resolved. Lyric knew Cesare was no threat. He made a choice and this was the consequence. But she too acted rashly and abruptly herself. The only difference was that she started on the other side of the table from him and had enjoyed the trust of the Keep's Khorall to be seated at her side when the plot was revealed.

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

At first, Daxia merely tilted her head in contemplation of Nadya’s compromise. She wondered if such a compromise was necessary for, ultimately, whatever fate the Velikii faced, she and Lyric and Nadya could only advise Eleni. It was Eleni’s Court that had been disrupted. It was Eleni’s duty as Khorall to pronounce justice. Having observed her mother’s Court for years, the warrior understood that the decisions Eleni made would not always be easy ones. This was one that should be hard.

Lyric’s words gave her a few moments to layer the minstrel’s additional wisdom over the foundation of the Regent’s proposed judgment.

The Dayalan, too, was accustomed to listening. Kassia had made sure of that. But it had been examples set by Khorall Linnell, by Gillyflower, and especially by Bekkah that allowed Dazi to hear what people had to say. So often, people didn’t say what they meant to say — deliberately or inadvertently. Body language, facial expressions, the mode and manner of their speech... they were all clues.

Without the observations of these things, Daxia might have thought Lyric was plucking the words directly from her own mind. Was it skill or was it magic endowed by whatever God or Spirit minstrels followed that gave Lyric the ability to shine a mirror on the words flowing around her? One phrase stood out from the others, and the Dayalan quirked an eyebrow up in surprise — although, to be sure, it was a pleasant one.

I spoke my heart because my greatest concern was for Daxia.

She did wonder what she had done to be granted the minstrel’s concern. True, she had accepted Lyric — and Keiko and Tomomi — immediately as someone who held her sister’s and Cesare’s respect, trust, and friendship. That counted for a great deal. But had Dazi done anything beyond being Bekkah’s sister and Cesare’s friend to deserve this sort of concern? Perhaps this was just Lyric’s way... making the comparison to Eleni all the more accurate.

These questions were of little importance at the moment... all things would eventually be revealed in the fullness of her Lady’s Time.

Her own thoughts on the matter of justice were ordered in her mind by the time Lyric joined her.

“I don’t doubt that neither of us would have been taken seriously if found chatting to ourselves,” Daxia said with a chuckle. “I think the best we might have hoped for would be seen as followers of Arylis, who, as I understand things, speaks to Her initiates as well as priests and priestesses. Fortunately, I had Bekkah and later Kisa.”

Glancing at Cesare for a moment, she lowered her voice and spoke only to Lyric. “Sometimes it takes leaving the comfort of home to find your friends. And our mutual friend is a patient man.”

Although Daxia had, of course, noted the minstrel’s unspoken plea — except it wasn’t really that, was it? — there was a more pressing issue before her. Matters of the Court took precedence, and Dazi was fairly certain Cesare understood that. Her gaze scraped across the Velikii once more before she gave her attention to the Regent.

“I thank the Minstrel for her concern and hope to set her heart at ease in this matter. I learned from Verchovai Kassia, from Khorall Linnell, from Khorall Kisa that actions have consequences. It was a lesson well-learned during my dakeshtova — a chance encounter with fellow travelers in Cragside was followed by the rescue of another young woman on the Brementown Road... the Dark Mark failed to return to Bordertown, which allowed us to break a curse. The rescue of a young woman at Highside Heather lead to the restoration of an Imperial Family. A chance meeting outside Brockman’s Holdfast with a couple of Montague’s men provided a final key to a puzzle that plagued me since that encounter on the Brementown Road.

“Oh, I am well aware of consequences. So whatever advice I have to give the Court today is spoken, as Lyric so eloquently put it, by my heart.

“I can’t see where this man’s fate falls in the Great Pattern. That is a question for Dama Kisa to answer. I have passed judgment on many in service to my Lady. I protected the innocent and defended the defenseless to the best of my abilities.

“This man’s life — whether spared or not, whether taken by my hand or his master’s or by Krysta’s patience — does not weigh on my heart or soul. He is neither innocent nor defenseless, so I have no urging from my Lady to consider anything other than how his future actions might affect others. Is he likely to cause harm to come to others? Will his actions put another young girl’s life in danger?”

The Priestess lifted one shoulder slightly as she met Nadya’s eyes.

“Just as House Velikii has taken an interest in me, I should note...” Her gaze moved once more to the Velikii merchant. “...that House Velikii has caught my attention. I would have been content to be rid of you, but that is apparently not an option. I would like to remind House Velikii that I have friendships within House Koromov — the Imperial Family Koromov.

“I hope you don’t take that as a threat, Velikii, for it’s merely a reminder.

“Actions have consequences.

“And my actions led to the Koromovs regaining their Imperial status.”

Daxia stared at the man for a handful of heartbeats.

“What will the consequences of your actions be?”

The Heartwood
Dawnview Vale
Snowgate Keep, Snowgate Hall
Hasday, the Twelfth Day of Tiger

Cesare, Daxia, Lyric, Nadya, Rishka, Slink, TeeCee, and those still around partaking of Eleni’s Court

"And let me remind you of another simple fact."

Nadya spoke again to the merchant, drawing up her arms and crossing them.

"Remember your histories. Do not make your grandfather's mistakes. Ask yourself...

"What happened the last time when you Imperials faced both the Allaines and the Kories?"

Someone certainly knew the stories from the beginning of this Age. The Empire's first foray on the mainland had lost them an army and a Prince. The Merchant actually paused at that before spitting out a reply.

"Old wives' tales."

The elderly mentor laughed out loud.

"Have you also forgotten you are in a Dawnview court?"

Old wives' tales indeed. To which, of course, TeeCee had a very simple retort.

"You aren't that old, Lady Nadya."

"Yes, she is."

Rishka added her two pennies. Nadya just gave her one of those sharp looks, the kind one often gives to a brat. Then she let out a breath and waved her hand.

"Captain, get these men out of my Lady's Court. The two pawns certainly need time to contemplate a certain lack of wisdom in the selection of traveling companions, while Khorall Eleni — not her dear visiting older sister — decides the fate of all three."

Between the two of them, Tee Cee and Rishka, the three men from Brementown had their hands restrained behind their backs and then prodded out the big doors, bound for a deeper and darker portion of the keep. The watchful eyes of a black unicorn certainly added to a desire to follow the Dayalan's orders. With a toss of his head, Morning Star followed them toward the dungeons. Two stood a good chance of receiving a modicum of mercy. The third, however... his fate now lay firmly in the youngest of the Allaine sisters' hands.

"And you, Knight, come retrieve your man. Teach him simple manners before Slink falls asleep and accidentally slits his throat."

Slink yawned. Once that last bit of court intrigue was resolved and the room now quiet, Nadya pulled out a chair and sat down in it. Reaching for a carafe, she poured herself a mug of water, looking between Daxia and Lyric.

"No. This is not our usual court. Usually, proclamations about cooks and slinks are about as exciting as we get."

She then turned her attention to Lyric.

"You speak of all you do not have anymore. Bah. Speak instead of all you do have. It's less depressing and more relevant. And as for your words? It is what most folks forget. A council is not when you gather around a Noble to hear their proclamations. It is a place where the Nobles listen to all that is said, from the highest to the lowest, take counsel in those words and only then make their decisions. It is what keeps a Noble from becoming a tyrant, and tyrants only prosper until someone gets tired of them. So, of course, I am going to take your words to my Liege and ensure she understands them before I make her decide.

"It will not be the first time. Bad things do happen in Snowgate.

"This was, however, the first it has struck so close to home."

Nadya then considered Daxia.

"Silence speaks louder than words. While he was loathed to answer any of your questions, the message he brought is perhaps more disturbing. Not in what he said but who he is. That the Veilikki now have those who will follow their lead that blindly and with such resolve? When folks stop thinking, they become capable of doing unreasonable and previously inconceivable things."

Finally, so as not to be forgotten, if Daxia takes claim of Cesare and keeps him on the proper side of the table defined border, Slink would release him into her custody, move to a chair next to Nadya, cross her arms on the table, set her head down and fall asleep.

Or, at the least, appear to be asleep.

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

Daxia looked from TeeCee to Rishka, and then at Nadya before shaking her head and raising an eyebrow in Rishka’s direction.

“Highly unlikely.”

She watched Morning Star walk out after TeeCee and Rishka, narrowing her eyes slightly. She knew he’d leave human justice to humans, but his icy fury was something she’d need to contemplate. Yes, the Velikii had tried to kill her. But had she not acquitted herself with skill and honor? In the end, she hadn’t been harmed. She had to hope he’d realize that soon enough.

She turned back to the Regent with a nod, before stepping over to Cesare’s side and firmly grasping his shoulder — staying well on Slink’s off-hand side.

“Thank you, Slink.”

She would, of course, keep her hand on her friend’s shoulder until the two of them walked to the end of the hall where Lyric waited. With him being only a few finger widths taller, it was no difficult feat. Then Dazi winked at him before returning to fetch the daggers Slink had kicked aside. She was not fooled for a moment by Slink’s pretense of sleeping, so she made sure to cross the hall on the opposite side of the table from where the two Dayalans sat.

“I should probably hang onto these until we’re out of the hall,” she whispered. “Sorry about that. I usurped the Captain’s authority, and you paid the price.”

The Starlord’s eyes darted back and forth between Nadya and Lyric as the Regent addressed the minstrel, although her expression remained impassive. She could almost understand the feeling of... isolation, aloneness, lack of home that Lyric had expressed — although, it seemed something more, something deeper. She had the sense that it was a feeling just barely out of her reach — and focusing on it certainly wouldn’t help.

Despite being with her friends and Morning Star, Dazi’s heart had been heavy and her steps almost plodding those last few miles before entering Talantal at Midsummers last year. Hadn’t she felt at times that she would never see the Vale again? Da. She had been burdened by those thoughts. And hadn’t she spent most of her time longing for the day when she could return home? Indeed... nearly every day until she realized that her place was in the World. Perhaps, just perhaps there was something about her experience that might help the minstrel feel less alone, or at least feel that she, too, might have a purpose for being in the great wide world of the mainland.

It was a thought for later, however.

She furrowed her brows at the Regent’s words to her.

“There has been a surfeit of upheavals on the High Tarn since I left the Vale — from the theft of the Khorall’s last iron shipment to the breaking of the Curse on our temple on the border to the alliance between Allaine and Korie to whatever kerfuffle my sister and friends stirred up in the Dirkwood.

“I don’t disagree with your assessment, Verchovai. I ask a different question, however. Why are ordinary people willing to follow the Velikii on such a journey of madness? Are the problems pouring out of Trundle liable to collide with the trouble Montague is causing outside Brementown with their toll road?” She shook her head. “Never mind. The answer to that is yes.

“I know why Montague is moving east, or at least, I have some very good ideas. What is causing Velikii to venture out of their Imperial city and make an attempt on my life?” Daxia snorted. “As Rishka so colorfully pointed out, my friends and I caused them quite a bit of inconvenience. But to come here, to Dawnview Vale? Madness.”

She sighed.

“I must report to the Temple. More importantly, I need to consult with my Liege. I have no doubt she’ll shoo me out of the Vale to find the answers to those questions. And so that she can send more cryptic messages.”

Dazi looked once more at the door through which the sisters had disappeared.

“I need to talk her out of those nonsensical messages,” she muttered to herself, barely loud enough for Cesare or Lyric to hear.

Lyric, terse for conversation sake...

Lyric nodded to the Regent. Her smile was genuine, albeit a little sad. "Your words are a kindness to me. Thank you for the time and effort you give to extend your thoughts to me. I suppose when you do something for most of your life, and most of your life things are a certain way, that... that becomes all you know and everything you are. It becomes the way things always have been. New ways take time. New thoughts have to work harder. I will do my best to remember these words and find the encouragement they offer."

Lyric could feel that Nadya was looking to close the Court. The Sister Khorall's were gone. The business was concluded and the excitement and danger was past and the emotions and energies fading. Evidence of that was how the one Dayalan Warrior took up a seat and pretended to sleep. She was so young, and quite the novice at it. But Lyric understood the conservation of energy. Daxia was careful to follow a protocol when she took responsibility for cesare's release. Even gathering his weapons in a separate effort. Hearing her apology to the young Rhoni was unexpected. Probably not because she didn't expect that from Daxia. No, she didn't know her well enough to know what to expect. But a thought on that made Lyric realize that it did seem a very Daxia thing... or maybe a Friend thing that she offered to Cesare. It seemed to be a simple gesture. And while foreign to Lyric... this apology for a an action that brought an unintended consequence that somewhat else had to bear... it felt good, proper, right... not the way things have always been, but the way things should be. The way things could be.

With Daxia speaking to the Regent and cesare standing beside her, she tried to listen and understand, but leaned a little in the Rhoni's direction to whisper. "What is a... Karflu... Karfuf..full?"

Cesare

He had caught Daxia's earlier glance in his direction and had returned it with a wink. A wink could hardly be construed as an attack but it was good as a form of quiet conversation, telling Daxia that he is fine, happy to wait as this is a long way from the worst position he has ever been in.. and in fact amuses himself by going through some of those.

They could be split into two groups really, Pre-Daxia and Post-Daxia. Important enough to capitalise in his head as proper titles. The Pre-Daxia period was more low key but more constant, periods of not enough to eat, periods of paranoia - always a need to move on before too long, most times of missing a part of their family - a feeling of incompleteness initially turning more to a heart-break later, the feeling of isolation - a lack of acceptance, understanding or welcome in many places they visited, often resulting in a beating as folk made their feeling clear. The Post-Daxia, much more heightened drama, increased risk, at times life-threatening but interspersed with better times, friends, Darian, finding his place in the world and that feeling that beats all others - that feeling of self-worth, of making a difference, of righting such wrongs that should never have ever been allowed to happen in the first place. He would walk over hot coals for Daxia - well at least give it a damn good try.

So yes, he could say this was fairly comfortable in the scheme of things.

So he continues to watch the discussions, to memorise the faces of those now considered enemies, to listen as justice is decided.

He smiles as Daxia makes her way over, placing a hand on his shoulder and releasing him from his confinement and accompanies her in the direction she feels best, although it is hard to leave his daggers behind. He is sure Karfluthough that Daxia will find a way to return them, otherwise he may find himself occupied at a forge for some time.

He gives Lyric a grin as they get closer, showing that he was not at all discomfited by the experience, he would take the action again in a heartbeat.

"Interesting times.." is his only comment as he watches Daxia backtrack to retrieve his daggers and nods as she says she will hang onto them for now. He trusts her. And it wasn't the first time she had exceeded her authority.. and wouldn't be the last. He is good with it.

"And I doubt you ever will. Good luck with that." is his response to Daxia's last murmur.

Then Lyric's question takes his attention.

"Karful..?"

His mind replays the previous bits of conversation.

"Ah.. maybe you mean kerfuffle? An upheaval? Bit like what we did in the mines"

Lyric

The Minstrel nodded at his mention of 'Interesting Times'


Upheaval? Was this the answer that fit the riddle of a Karfufull. She liked the word, with a kind of a hard sound and then it softened. It reminded her of the oldest language. One she really only knew words and a few phrases anymore. Did she once know more of it? Maybe, but, if so, she was much younger. Karfufull. But his earlier response suited her better. Karfufull meant Interesting Times. She smiled and nodded as she stood beside Cesare.

From behind the Dayalan, she listened to her 'thinking outside her head' again and she chuckled. Lyric took a single foot step closer to speak to Daxia, over her shoulder.


"I have found that Keiko is rather good at understanding nonsense things," she offered at about a the same volume as Daxia's words. "I should know, I have been told I say nonsense things too. Probably not the same kind of nonsense though."

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

As she listened to her companions talk, Daxia smiled and then chuckled.

“I suppose one could look at the commotion you and Bekkah caused as ‘interesting times,’” she said, addressing both of them.

Then the priestess bowed to the Regent. “By your leave, Lady Nadya, I and my friends will leave you to your conversations with Dama Eleni. It might be best if we plan our departure for the morning and take our interesting times, upheavals, and commotions with us.

“You have enough of your own to deal with.”

Gathering the Rhoni and minstrel with her eyes, she nodded to the doorway and led them outside. Once out of the Khorall’s Court, she flipped the daggers over and presented them hilt-first to Cesare.

“If these daggers are as expertly made as I think they are, you should find no damage to them. But if Slink managed to nick them... well, if my shining personality and stellar reputation can’t convince the Temple’s weapons master to allow you the use of the forge,” she said with a straight face, “I’m not above asking Kisa to use her authority. At least then she’ll have some leverage to excuse her artistically exquisite message tiles that mean nothing until after they could have been useful.”

Then she grinned at Lyric. “And your friend Keiko might have better insight into Kisa’s messages than any of us. The only time one of her tiles made sense was when another Card Reader interpreted it. That was...” She shook her head, a bemused look on her face. “A very long time ago? It’s hard to know how to discuss Time when one falls out of it.”

Brightening, she gestured down the path.

“As much as I appreciate Dean’s effort in finding me a new shield in Bordertown, I’d prefer to have my Lady’s colors on it when I present myself to the High Priestess. Would you like to join me at the Market? Lady only knows where Bekkah is, but I believe I heard Tomomi mention that she was heading that way. Perhaps we’ll find Keiko there, as well.”


[Vielen Dank for the OOC. ]

Lyric

"I am not sure what it means to fall out of time. But maybe it is something like... falling into time. I think I understand that."

The Minstrel walked along with Daxia, maybe a half pace off and to one side of her. She knew that they were headed to the market, but had no idea how best to get there, so Daxia would have to guide her. A little time in the market and a chance to meet up with Keiko and Tomomi again. She looked forward to explaining her new word, karfufull, to her friends and see which definition they like better.

"If it is colors and silks and lace and things to make you ready for this High Priestess... then Yes, Keiko and Tomomi are who we need to find. I know that 'Her Mouseness' was planning to go to the Market. I imagine that Friend keiko will have caught up to her by now... provided they didn't have their own Karfufulls." She really liked that word. She would probably keep saying it for a while, at least until another 'new word' came along. Speaking of which...

"Might there be sinno-man bread at this market?"

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

“Falling into time? Are the two similar in the way a doorway might be? One can go in through a door and come out through a door. It’s the door that remains.”

Daxia nodded. “Perhaps Time is a doorway, then. Or it can be if one falls in or out of Time.”

Daxia glanced at Cesare. Their experiences at Highside Heather had been very different, but they did share the commonality of living through the same event.

“I will tell you about the night I fell out of Time and let you decide. It’s only fair, after all, to tell you about Highside Heather, to warn you about the place should you ever find yourself there.

“The town is cursed, but in a different way than Brementown is, I think. On foggy nights, folks who are staying at the Inn will discover they are thrown back into the past, to the end of the Second Age, to experience the Battle of Silk Creek Bridge — at least those who leave their room in the middle of the night. And the past seems to know who you are. They knew my name. And it appears that each person takes on a different role and may not even come across others of their party.

“Our friend Dean had been told not to spend the night there, but I think Sir Kevin neglected to tell him why... and so he forgot to warn us.”

She was silent for a few moments; when she spoke again, it was softly — the memories of the event echoed in her voice, they had been that powerful.

“I was part of the Dayalan force at the bridge, holding off the Eastern horde. I fought alongside them as the bridge began falling to pieces. I watched as my Sisters fell to their deaths. Morning Star was in the guise of an ordinary horse, but I knew him. I couldn’t save everyone — I could barely save myself. But the youngest fighter had saved my life, so I saved hers. Morning Star got us off the bridge as She rose in the East.

“So did Kay and I fall both out of time and into time? I can’t say for certain. Perhaps you know more about such things having studied music and the way it tells stories. I’ve read nothing of such potent magic in any of the scrolls in either Dawnview’s or Port of Lys’ libraries. There are stories and rumors about doorways into the lands of the Faerie. I don’t think that’s the case at Highside Heather,” she said, shaking her head. “None of the children’s stories tell of such a dark and horrible place as the Silk Creek Bridge on the night of that fateful battle. No, all I can say is that Highside Heather should be avoided on a foggy night. There is a curse there to be broken, but I fear it will take a Covener to do so.

“Enough of such dark thoughts, though! Verchovai Nadya could well have been speaking to me, Lyric, for I often wonder about past deeds or misdeeds or even a missed opportunity to perform some deed. Could I have done better? Could I have made a difference? Morning Star tells me not to obsess over the events of the past. I suppose someday I’ll get around to actually following his advice.”

Dazi chuckled at Lyric’s description of preparations for an audience with the High Priestess.

“Oh goodness, no! Silks and finery are not necessary. My surcoat and tunics are perfectly acceptable. My shield, however, has a white bar on it rather than silver — at least Dean was fortunate enough to find a round one for me. My Lady’s color is silver — white implies that I am in service to House Allaine. I should enter the Temple grounds carrying a shield that declares I am Dayalan first, Kisa’s knight second.

“And cinnamon bread? Oh, yes! Cinnamon is wonderful, isn’t it? I can’t decide if I like it best in my cider or in a muffin. Well, I suppose I can like them both equally, can’t I?”

Cesare

He takes his daggers from Daxia, turning them gently over in his hands, catching the light from different angles to check for any defects. He nods.

"Think they survived."

He tucks them away.

"Highside Heather, now that was a strange adventure. Darian and I kept trying to figure our what was happening. People wandering in the corridor outside our room, dressed oddly because of course they were dressed for their time, not ours. Eventually we went downstairs and got co-opted to cross the bridge and to try to delay the horde from arriving, trying to buy some'time' so that those at the bridge might arrive in time to defend it. Out of our time and never sure we might return but we had to play our part to have any chance of that happening."

He adds his part of the tale for Lyric's benefit.

"And the market sounds a great idea if we are travelling on tomorrow."

Lyric, certainly no expert on Time



Lyric had listened all the way through the story. She loved stories. This was dramatic and dangerous sounding, but there was an element of the fantastic to it... even epic in scope. Daxia first and the Cesare added a little more from his perspective. She did not understand much of what they were saying but guessed Darian was another companion during that part of their journey. Perhaps 'understand' was not the right word. Lyric didn't have any context from which she could illuminate the events depicted in their story. It was an historical event and one that reminded her of the Jeminy's Hill Ballad. She had heard a couple versions of it, brought back to her home by those very few who ever went beyond the borders. But those songs weren't about Dayalans. Or were they, and one of the things that time did to those who recorded it's passing was to change the stories to... Of course.

"You and your companions did the best you could do. You acted with courage and you fought a battle that was already lost and would always be lost. You didn't have the means to change it. Maybe it is a thing that yet awaits you. You have seen it. Maybe it is still part of your journey, to return. Maybe it is for another band of Companions that the passing of time will call heroes. Powerful Magic is beyond knowing sometimes. The Whys can be as mysterious as the Hows."

Lyric reached out to touch Cesare on the shoulder, "You miss her, don't you?" Just the way he spoke of that companion, the words, the tone in his voice. She remembered him speaking of a companion before, at Home, one that was important to him.

She returned her attention to Daxia. Lyric could tell that those events affected her very deeply. From a trade-craft sense she wanted to help Daxia develop the story because it would a story that would stir hearts and souls. It could inspire people, but also serve as a reminder of the past and a warning for the future. Time kind of stuff. All that was real was just Here and Now though. 'That Which Was' and 'That Has Yet to Come' were not the 'Here and Now'. But on a personal level, fighting beside and having to witness the truth of such a valiant but futile stand must weigh on her deeply. But how to offer her comfort and solace?

So, she thought over the story told to her and considered it again, not as a Minstrel or a bard, but as a friend. Lyric seemed genuinely puzzled by the direction that Daxia had taken with her off-hand comment. She knit her brows together for a moment, casting her gaze to the ground as they walked. She shrugged to herself, cocking her head left, then right and finally shaking it as she looked back to Daxia.

"Maybe I misspoke because I wasn't talking about literally falling. It was the word you used. And I don't know about any doorways. But maybe there is the place I saw... and felt, at the wedding. Ummm... The Rhoni Gate I think it was called. But I don't know what it does or where it might go."

But maybe if Lyric could help Daxia understand her own place in the Magic of that night she spoke about in her story, then maybe Daxia could find a little more peace with what she saw and did.

"When I left my home, everything was different. My people have been alone for a long time, hidden. My people did not want to fight in wars. So they found a way, some say they stole a way... to hide, to protect themselves. This was a long time ago, I'm sure. I don't know though. Because we were alone and hidden we didn't have contact with anyone beyond our own lands. Coming here, being driven from my home... because I believed that we shouldn't hide anymore, because I believed we needed to be a part of the bigger world... well, it was quite a shock. But there was no doorway and I didn't fall, like actually into or out of time. I just kind of meant that everything changed for me and things like keeping track of the days was now very important. It never was like that for me before..."

"And what you describe, what you lived through... yes, that does sound like very powerful magic. A moment that was once a 'Here and Now' was spun into a weave, trapped, suspended, like a loop on a loom, the wheel keeps spinning... Magic like that might be self contained, but it might also be as you believe, a moment left unresolved, needing a key components to allow the magic to unravel and unwind and release... I don't know without seeing it myself. But I am not this person you call a Covener... and neither have I ever journeyed into the lands of the Faerie. I can not tell you what that might look like to do so. But should your path ever bring you back to that place again, by fate or accident... Know this. If I am still welcome in your company then I swear to stand at your side and help you in any and every way I can. And I don't make oaths lightly. My words bind me to my pledge."

[OOC We may have crossposted again ]

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

She shook her head. “No, I don’t think we can return.”

There were echoes of familiar stories in Lyric’s words, and Daxia paid close attention. Coming from a place hidden away was reminiscent of Celi’s story, and a bit like Darian’s, as well. And who could say where Jankin had come from?

“Ah... everything changing, that is something I understand. You were driven from your home, and I had to venture out of the Vale. The world out there is very different. You fell into a world that made no sense to you.”

Perhaps there was more to be said on that topic — in fact, Dazi knew there was, but this particular moment was not right. Besides, how could she resist the opportunity to have a conversation about the nature of magic and reality?

“I saw a structure on the opposite hill, yes. So that was a Rhoni Gate? They were mentioned in some of the oldest books in the Port of Lys library, but no one seemed to know what purpose they served.”

What Daxia had found most interesting was the fact that some of them were supposed to have existed in the Archipelago.

“I wonder if your kinswoman could share her knowledge of them, Cesare.” She chuckled. “Sometimes I feel like she’s a walking library, except half of what she knows can’t be shared with anyone but you. Please take the opportunity to soak up knowledge that’s forbidden to those of us who aren’t Rhoni!” she said with a grin before turning back to Lyric and shrugging.

“I think a follower of the Horned God — a male Covener — would have to break the curse. Perhaps it would take standing up to the Archmage in the past as well as some great deed in the present. I saw the Archmage. He was mad with his God’s grief. There would be no reasoning with him, and nothing can change the past anyway.

“And truly... I don’t know if one can experience that night more than once.” Dazi looked from Lyric to Cesare and back again. “If it were possible to experience that fight again...”

She was pensively silent for a moment. “Would I find myself in the same role as before? Would I find Kay waiting for me there? If I don’t save her a second time, would that endanger her existence in the Here and Now? Or should I just trust that Krysta will do the right thing and give Kay this life, here in our time, and a chance at happiness? I think I could trust that Krysta would give Kay the chance to be Lady Romana’s Knight.

“I would be sorely tempted to try to save another of my Sisters, though. And I’m not sure that would be wise.

“I am certain of this, however: I am happy to have you as one of our company, and would be honored to stand with you against adversity... wherever we might find.

“I hope you find a way to help your people, Lyric. And I will offer you my assistance, if you should need it, in your endeavor. My vow is not likely the same as your, but I only put my service to Dayala and my allegiance to the Allaine Family ahead of my promises to friends.” This time, when Daxia smiled, it was easy to see the resemblance between her and her sister, despite her face being framed by red hair instead of blonde. “My sister and my friend Cesare consider you a friend. Cesare is a good judge of people. And despite failing to realize that might actually people in the world who might want to hurt her, Bekkah is insufferably right when it comes to people she trusts.”

Cesare

He smiles but with a fondness now.

"Yes I miss her, maybe more than some of our other companions who no longer walk our path. She and I shared a relationship for a while but like most things, they last only for a time and our goals lay in different directions. I wish her well."

He listens as Lyric continues.

"How do a whole people hide themselves?"

He asks the question almost reflectively, knowing how hard it had been to hide four of them and not from everyone. Then he realises what he is asking.

"No, don't answer that. That knowledge belongs to them but I would happily assist you if you want to bring them to a different understanding. Hiding doesn't solve anything."

"Rhoni gates. Another void in my knowledge." He chuckles, much easier with his place in life now. "But I will ask her though that will probably mean I can't tell you either. There is so much we are not supposed to share. Maybe that is something that needs addressing too?"

He muses on that thought, thinking he might discuss that too with Keiko at some point.

"And I'm not sure I want to experience that fight again Daxia. It was pretty scary and so much out of our control."

Then he grins as Daxia pays him a compliment.

"Don't know about good judge.. but I'm still hanging around with you."

Lyric

This tale that Daxia told was another part of the Flowered Path Story. Lyric remembered the things she felt as they traveled the path. She remembered that one crossroads, where the path in one direction felt stronger and darker. They had travelled the other way, a different direction in the story, toward the Bordering Town. The story brought such a sadness to Lyric, and not just from the purely emotional romantic aspect of love and loss, but because the the Remnant of the Great Forest carried a curse born of these dark days. That sadness that came with those recent memories and feelings was not hidden from the view of her friends. Lyric seldom hid her emotions, good and bad. This was a weight of a sorrow and a sadness, but it wasn't her own. She didn't cry over it now as she did when she first felt the anguish at the Crossroads.

When Cesare asked about the magic her people used, she shrugged. It was an honest answer. She really didn't know. It was a very long time ago and such secrets were closely guarded by those of her people that were far more adept at Magical Arts than she. He quickly negated his own question and that was just as well. Some things were too dangerous to even give voice.

Daxia expressed her reluctance to ever venture to the place of that battle lost and locked in the weave of time and reality. She didn't accept her pledge and oath outright and didn't make one of her own. Not exactly, and that was good, because such things had to be spoken 'exactly'. Lyric didn't respond directly either. She didn't dare say anything that might create a bond in oath. Such magic wasn't her specialty, but she knew enough to be careful with such things. Truth be told, she really wasn't sure how such magic operated at all, let alone beyond the borders of her home. She just nodded for Daxia's benefit and said, "I am grateful you feel this way."

"I am happy that I have people around me who care about me. Who care for me. Who help me..."

"... and trust me."

The last trailed off as she looked distantly between these two friends and smiled a little wanly. They did, didn't they? Why? That and so many other questions and doubts that refused to come closer to the edge of her mind's eye to be seen and heard properly and possibly resolved. The doubts forced her to struggle with a decision that was getting closer and closer to a point of no return. Even if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. Now those would probably be very profound words for a song or a poem. And there was always 'But, What If' was waiting to challenge her courage.

Cesare

"Sounds like there is a question in there Lyric.."

He teases her.

"Well Daxia doesn't know you that well yet but she trusts us and we trust you and care for you so that's all good. When you came up with a plan for the mine, I trusted it and you. Maybe I'm just good at taking orders from women though..?"

He chuckles, making light of it in their relaxed mode, a moment between friends.

Lyric

Teasing or not, Lyric half nodded. She hadn't realized it until he mentioned it but, yes, there was a question that needed to be asked.

Soon.

It had to be soon.



Cesare's argument for her worthiness to be trusted was probably the first time it had been said outside those who had been there at the Lake in Dark Forest. She has devised the plan for the assault on Faast Keep to overthrow the Insane Prince, his Evil Dwarves, and free the slaves... and let the dragon return to its slumber in peace. It was the only plan she could think of that could balance so many needs, account for so many defenses, and do it all in so little time. Just not enough time to free Kadri.

But that was a sadness she carried and was something with which she was learning to cope.

And yet it was the first time Lyric heard it credited to her in a way that gave Cesare a reason to trust her in the future. She believed that, as a Minstrel for the future of her people, she was journeying to see and listen and learn. Devising plans to free slaves, fighting up close against weasel monsters, killing dwarves to even the odds for the Pack, singing the magic out of darksteel, and helping slaves race up a long tower to the surface so they could see the Sun for the very first time ever, was not what she envisioned to be the role of a Minstrel so far from her home.

It didn't sound wrong to hear it, but she felt awkward to be 'this person'.

"Without you, without everyone who helped... it would never have worked. It would never have been more than some drawings on paper at a table in a Tree. Thank you for believing in me though."

Cesare

"Anytime."

He grins at her.

"And yes we all had to play a part, to trust each other, everyone to play their part and do their upmost.. that's how these things work you know."

Lord Protector, Her Ladyship Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
[Daxia serves DAYALA... the GM ESPECIALLY should get this right]

Daxia had lived in the Dayalan Temple for twenty years and had absorbed, at least on an intellectual level, the prejudices of most Dawnview Vale Dayalans. Perhaps the primary reason she had walked out of the Vale with a particular mindset and returned more than a year later with a unicorn at her side was due to the influence of Kassia and Gillyflower Dariansdotter — both of them Wild Dayalans.

Or, given the personality of her older sister, perhaps it was simply a family trait to be more accepting of people than so many of the priestesses in the Temple. Perhaps it was necessary to cleanse and rededicate the Temple on the Border.

These were the things she contemplated as Cesare and Lyric chatted back and forth.

But it came down to one thing: Trust.

That was an interesting thing, wasn’t it? She had trusted a Rhoni when common sense — based on rumors spread about them — insisted she shouldn’t. She had trusted a Jvrillian when she’d been taught they were just brutes who lived to mock women who carried swords. Maybe Mikal hadn’t truly understood why certain aspects of fighting were meant only for Dayalans, but he had at least tried to learn. She had trusted a Covener because she’d been taught that Dayalans ought to protect them — something she hadn’t been able to do for Celi. Perhaps that had been the first inkling that relying on her teachers’ beliefs wasn’t always the best idea.

And then there had been Romana. At times, it seemed as though everything Daxia had learned needed to be tossed into a midden heap in order to honestly interact with the Easterner. Dazi thought it made her a better person to take each person as an individual and not judge them for their place of birth, their heritage, their church, their Family Name. Did it make her a better servant of her Lady? Perhaps.

Or perhaps not. That was something for her Lady to determine. And so Daxia just did her best every day to stay true to... well, her heart, really. That might just be the right way to live life. Everyone who had any influence in who she had become — from her parents and sister to her teachers to an Eastern Princess, a rapscallion of the Family Korie, and long-dead Dayalan priestesses — had a place in her heart.

She grinned at Cesare.

“Da, you’re still following me around, and that might count against your judgment, my friend,” she said, laughing. “Perhaps it speaks more to your ability to get into trouble, for trouble does seem to nip at my heels.”

Then Dazi nodded to Lyric. “Some might say I trust too readily. I prefer to think of it as leaving as many preconceptions aside as I can, and then letting the actions of others guide me as trust develops. That rascal Dominic made himself known as an amusing, talkative friend of Bordertown’s Sheriff, Swordlord Mohlkavin, and Captain Koromov. By the time I learned that he was the youngest son of Dorian Korie — someone who was at odds with the Allaine Family — it was too late. I couldn’t possibly dislike him simply because his father was a bit cranky and tried to make life more difficult for my Khorall.

“And as it turns out, Dorian himself isn’t such a bad person.”

Dazi reached over and lightly punched the Rhoni’s shoulder. “Careful about admitting that you enjoy taking orders from women, Cesare. You’ll have half the unmarried women of the Vale trying to find a way to tie you to a marriage bond and the other half just hoping you’ll warm their beds for a night.” This time, the Dayalan snickered. “I can’t decide if your kinswoman would defend your honor or fall over laughing.”

Tilting her head to one side, she regarded the minstrel for a moment after her last comment.

“You have the right mindset for leadership, Lyric. You recognize that any great deeds you might do can only be done with the help of those you trust to do their parts.

“Cesare has the right of things. Whatever this quest you’ve set yourself on behalf of your people... well, perhaps it’s not something that you can achieve on your own. You’re the key, of course, just as I was the key to breaking the Curse of the Avatar. But the greatest deeds aren’t done alone.”

She shook her head and smiled wryly.

“There were eight other Dayalans with Jeminy Kilkenna and Kisa Allaine when they stood against the Eastern Horde to protect Risa’s followers. But no minstrel mentioned their names.

“There were hundreds of Dayalans and ordinary farmers standing against the incursion of the Imperial forces when Lhannon Bankorpool crossed the Corliss Fields and started into Snowgate Pass. Even the Snowqueen herself isn’t named, but she could not have held off the Imperial army without her people and her priestesses.

“The mad minstrel of Trundle alludes to my actions and Romana’s actions as we faced the Avatar and Chaos Riders, but makes no mention of Morning Star’s deed... and says nothing of Cesare and Kadri and Mikal and Darian and Dean and Bekkah. Without each and every one of them, there would be no song.”

Glancing from one to the other of them, she smiled as she gestured to the market just ahead of them.

“Be of good cheer, Lyric! There is an excellent market to be enjoyed now, and whatever burdens you carry in your heart must surely be eased by a few moments of delight, da? I will not be so bold as to claim your friendship, but you have around you several friends — including my own sister. If we can help you carry your burden, it may be safe to say that we will. And if it is something you alone must bear, then we will be forced to find ways to lighten your heavy heart.

“It’s what friends do, or so I’ve come to understand.”

Cesare

"Trouble can be fun.. sometimes.. more especially when looked back on in the past."

Then his expression changes to one of alarm when she talks of him being pursued by the unmarried woman.

"The Fates be my friend! I would much rather the latter than the former."

The he raises an eyebrow, looking from one to the other.

"And yes, I am very happy not to be named in any epic poems or songs. I value my freedom and the anonymity that goes with with it. Life is much more relaxing that way. Daxia can have the glory. But she is right in that there are always untold others in any conflict, ones to trust and share the burden. Untold is good."

Lyric

The Minstrel listened. What remained to be said would come soon enough, perhaps sooner than she was ready. But 'Soon Enough' was much like 'That Which Will Be' in that you couldn't slow it down and trying could only add more stress and hurt to your heart. Perhaps Keiko would see it like a Wave, the kind she talks about having to ride to see where it will go and what it will do. Soon enough.

So, she listened to Daxia and Cesare.

The Dayalan's words were comforting but Trust would be tested. Cesare's reassurance was easing. Some might look past that impending moment, remember all the ones before it, and still find a way to see that she is the same person they knew. It was true they had faced many great challenges before she came into their lives, but hers was different and unique. She had to save a people who didn't want to be saved, and didn't even accept that they needed to be saved.

The Minstrel listened.

"Thank you both... everyone who has allowed me into their lives..."

Maybe there was more to say, but the Minstrel fell quiet and pensive as she looked ahead to the market before them. She feigned a smile and gathered her enthusiasm about her like the cloak she wore and tried to displace the anxiety and stress so that she could experience the joy and wonder before the 'Soon Enough' became 'Here and Now'.