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A Rose In The Wind: A Saga of the Halmae -- Updated June 19, 2014
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<blockquote data-quote="ellinor" data-source="post: 5728187" data-attributes="member: 14561"><p><strong>26x02</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>WEEK 10 | MONDAY</strong></p><p></p><p>“Your man is free,” Kormick told Daisuki. They were sitting at Daisuki’s regular table at the Inn of Generous Portions, eating stew and drinking a delicious, if thin, beer. “As far as the Eighths are concerned, the whole matter of the fixed matches on Ehkt’s Judgment is resolved.”</p><p></p><p>Daisuki nodded. “You’re a good man, Kormick.” </p><p></p><p>Kormick took a swig of beer. “I have a message for you,” he said, holding out a piece of paper.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“Lukas von Volken—he is the one who insists he is not a King? The one known as Four Fathoms, right?” Daisuki asked Kormick, as he took the dagger and examined its blade. </p><p></p><p>“Some people call him that,” Kormick replied.</p><p></p><p>“I suppose that’s because his enemies are all four fathoms deep?”</p><p></p><p>Kormick chuckled. “Because when you pull an enemy’s intestines out, they’re four fathoms long.”</p><p></p><p>Daisuki guffawed. “Perhaps we do have a lot in common.”</p><p></p><p>###</p><p></p><p><strong>TUESDAY</strong></p><p></p><p>At the Adept infirmary, Savina packed ice around Nyoko’s sore ankle. “It looks to me like the Dance of the Sevenfold Secrets is a taxing one,” she commented. </p><p></p><p>Nyoko nodded. “It’s not something that one usually learns in three weeks,” she said.</p><p></p><p>“Will you be able to prepare it in time for the indulgence party?” Savina asked, concerned.</p><p></p><p>“Oh, I’ll learn it, if only to prove Unsuku wrong,” Nyoko replied. “I know the steps already. It’s just a matter of practicing it until it feels easy. I should feel comfortable enough to accept the invitation soon. Iwai-sensei says the only thing I’m missing is a connection with the audience.” </p><p></p><p>Out of the corner of her eye, Savina noticed one of the Adept healers whom she had seen earlier using distinctive Alirrian techniques. <em>A connection with the audience,</em> Savina thought. She missed feeling a connection to a community of Alirrians. As far as Savina could tell, there was not a single Alirrian in Cauldron other than herself willing to expose their faith.</p><p></p><p>Savina took a chance and approached the healer. “I was thinking,” she said, “in the spirit of the Affirmation, of holding a regular Alirrian prayer service at dawn in the courtyard of the Inn of Comfortable Repose. If I did that, do you think anyone would come?”</p><p></p><p>“Maybe,” the Adept healer said, with an almost-imperceptible shrug. </p><p></p><p>“Well, if you know anyone you think would be interested, please feel free to let them know about it. I’d welcome them.”</p><p></p><p>Without a word, the Adept moved on to another patient.</p><p></p><p>Savina resolved to hold dawn prayer services every morning until somebody showed up.</p><p></p><p>###</p><p></p><p><strong>WEDNESDAY </strong></p><p></p><p>At the Fortune Riders’ temple, Tavi stared across the table at a sweaty man. Tavi was trying to decide how much to bet on the next die roll. <em>It’s a game of chance,</em> Tavi thought. <em>You won’t change the dice by changing how much you bet.</em> He stared at the Sedellan symbols on the wall, and took a small cup of rice wine from the tray of a well-dressed priestess. Phoebe darted above him. <span style="color: Magenta">Bet it all! Bet it all! </span></p><p></p><p>At Tavi’s left, Arden was flipping a chip over her fingers and sharing knowing glances with other gamblers’ servants—the kind of glances that mean “look at this idiot nobleman, spending money on cheap thrills.” The kind of glances that would help maintain her cover with the Tide. At Tavi’s right, Mena’s eyes were peeled for influential marks to stand across the table, gamble, and leave to spread the fable of Octavian di Raprezzi, man of indulgent tastes. Rose stood behind him, her hand on his shoulder encouragingly. <em>I’m not here to win,</em> he thought, <em> I’m here to look good</em>.</p><p></p><p>Tavi leaned back and pushed his whole stack of chips into the center of the table. </p><p></p><p>###</p><p></p><p><strong>THURSDAY</strong></p><p></p><p>“Those <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/story-hour/42423-welcome-halmae-updated-2-27-07-a-16.html#post1266460" target="_blank">Harbingers </a>are interesting!” Twiggy exclaimed as she flopped down on the divan at the Inn of Comfortable Repose. </p><p></p><p>Mena had known Twiggy for the better part of the girl’s life. She thought of the girl as a good student, and generally sensible. Getting better all the time, surely. But every once in a while the girl let loose with a statement that just didn’t make sense.</p><p></p><p>“Harbingers? Interesting?” Mena raised an eyebrow.</p><p></p><p>“Yes! I was there today—we do need to build relationships with the Sedellans through something other than Tavi’s gambling—and we spent all afternoon talking philosophically about the Affirmation.” Mena recognized the girl’s enthusiasm, even if she was wary of the girl’s seeming affection for a group of Sedellans. </p><p></p><p>Twiggy continued without a breath. “The Harbingers depend on the Affirmation for their very existence in Cauldron, and yet they still are not confident that it is the way of the future here. The Harbingers’ goal is to help people through changes, so if the Affirmation ends, then they’ll work to ease the transition for people who find that traumatic. If the Affirmation is here to stay, then they’ll have a whole other group of people to console.”</p><p></p><p>“Tidesmen,” Mena sighed.</p><p></p><p>Twiggy was still talking. “So I spent the day trying to convince them that the Affirmation is the way of the future, and that the Harbingers should work to make people comfortable with that so that they don’t follow the Tide and create eddies of discord in the winds of change. So to speak. I said that even if the Affirmation might end someday, it would still be the Harbingers’ role to help calm the people who didn’t like it right now. The woman in charge of the Harbingers, Sister Gentle Breeze, is very nice. And very thoughtful, although I don’t know if I got through to her. I want to go back tomorrow to bring her a book I read at the Adept house, one of the histories of the Lord High Regent, which has a very interesting passage about the nature of change in the Sovereignty.”</p><p></p><p>Mena sighed and sat down on the divan next to Twiggy. “Have I ever told you that you’re a good student?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes,” said Twiggy, “but I don’t mind hearing it again.”</p><p></p><p>###</p><p></p><p><strong>FRIDAY</strong></p><p></p><p>Arden dipped her spoon into the familiar soup at the Inn of Agreeable Company as she waited for Shen to arrive. She was there to advance her infiltration of the Tide and to spread misinformation in the hope of hampering their progress—but it felt futile. As before, the Tide still wouldn't trust her with their plans unless she agreed to kill for them. And because she wouldn't do that, Lord Ono had nearly died; she hadn't known enough to warn him. <em>So be it</em>, she told herself. She felt no guilt about the entirely justifiable decision to be non-murderous, no matter what happened to Lord Ono—but she was frustrated. Deeply frustrated. </p><p></p><p> Shen opened the door and bounced into the booth. She was alarmingly giddy. “We’ve pulled off a great one this time,” she said, excitement radiating from her face.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, it's certainly the end for Lord Ono,” Arden replied, playing along.</p><p></p><p>“Not Lord Ono,” Shen responded. “Something else. I can’t give you details… but it’s good. All of Cauldron will hear about it. Count on it.”</p><p></p><p>“When?” Arden demanded, letting her frustration animate her voice while resisting the urge to begin thudding her head against the table. <em>This sounds exactly like before Ono was poisoned. Gods, give me <em>something</em> to work with here…</em> “I can’t wait to find out what’s planned.” </p><p></p><p>“Not ‘planned,’” Shen grinned. “It’s already <em>done</em>.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ellinor, post: 5728187, member: 14561"] [b]26x02[/b] [b]WEEK 10 | MONDAY[/b] “Your man is free,” Kormick told Daisuki. They were sitting at Daisuki’s regular table at the Inn of Generous Portions, eating stew and drinking a delicious, if thin, beer. “As far as the Eighths are concerned, the whole matter of the fixed matches on Ehkt’s Judgment is resolved.” Daisuki nodded. “You’re a good man, Kormick.” Kormick took a swig of beer. “I have a message for you,” he said, holding out a piece of paper. “Lukas von Volken—he is the one who insists he is not a King? The one known as Four Fathoms, right?” Daisuki asked Kormick, as he took the dagger and examined its blade. “Some people call him that,” Kormick replied. “I suppose that’s because his enemies are all four fathoms deep?” Kormick chuckled. “Because when you pull an enemy’s intestines out, they’re four fathoms long.” Daisuki guffawed. “Perhaps we do have a lot in common.” ### [b]TUESDAY[/b] At the Adept infirmary, Savina packed ice around Nyoko’s sore ankle. “It looks to me like the Dance of the Sevenfold Secrets is a taxing one,” she commented. Nyoko nodded. “It’s not something that one usually learns in three weeks,” she said. “Will you be able to prepare it in time for the indulgence party?” Savina asked, concerned. “Oh, I’ll learn it, if only to prove Unsuku wrong,” Nyoko replied. “I know the steps already. It’s just a matter of practicing it until it feels easy. I should feel comfortable enough to accept the invitation soon. Iwai-sensei says the only thing I’m missing is a connection with the audience.” Out of the corner of her eye, Savina noticed one of the Adept healers whom she had seen earlier using distinctive Alirrian techniques. [i]A connection with the audience,[/i] Savina thought. She missed feeling a connection to a community of Alirrians. As far as Savina could tell, there was not a single Alirrian in Cauldron other than herself willing to expose their faith. Savina took a chance and approached the healer. “I was thinking,” she said, “in the spirit of the Affirmation, of holding a regular Alirrian prayer service at dawn in the courtyard of the Inn of Comfortable Repose. If I did that, do you think anyone would come?” “Maybe,” the Adept healer said, with an almost-imperceptible shrug. “Well, if you know anyone you think would be interested, please feel free to let them know about it. I’d welcome them.” Without a word, the Adept moved on to another patient. Savina resolved to hold dawn prayer services every morning until somebody showed up. ### [b]WEDNESDAY [/b] At the Fortune Riders’ temple, Tavi stared across the table at a sweaty man. Tavi was trying to decide how much to bet on the next die roll. [i]It’s a game of chance,[/i] Tavi thought. [i]You won’t change the dice by changing how much you bet.[/i] He stared at the Sedellan symbols on the wall, and took a small cup of rice wine from the tray of a well-dressed priestess. Phoebe darted above him. [COLOR="Magenta"]Bet it all! Bet it all! [/color] At Tavi’s left, Arden was flipping a chip over her fingers and sharing knowing glances with other gamblers’ servants—the kind of glances that mean “look at this idiot nobleman, spending money on cheap thrills.” The kind of glances that would help maintain her cover with the Tide. At Tavi’s right, Mena’s eyes were peeled for influential marks to stand across the table, gamble, and leave to spread the fable of Octavian di Raprezzi, man of indulgent tastes. Rose stood behind him, her hand on his shoulder encouragingly. [i]I’m not here to win,[/i] he thought, [i] I’m here to look good[/i]. Tavi leaned back and pushed his whole stack of chips into the center of the table. ### [b]THURSDAY[/b] “Those [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/story-hour/42423-welcome-halmae-updated-2-27-07-a-16.html#post1266460"]Harbingers [/URL]are interesting!” Twiggy exclaimed as she flopped down on the divan at the Inn of Comfortable Repose. Mena had known Twiggy for the better part of the girl’s life. She thought of the girl as a good student, and generally sensible. Getting better all the time, surely. But every once in a while the girl let loose with a statement that just didn’t make sense. “Harbingers? Interesting?” Mena raised an eyebrow. “Yes! I was there today—we do need to build relationships with the Sedellans through something other than Tavi’s gambling—and we spent all afternoon talking philosophically about the Affirmation.” Mena recognized the girl’s enthusiasm, even if she was wary of the girl’s seeming affection for a group of Sedellans. Twiggy continued without a breath. “The Harbingers depend on the Affirmation for their very existence in Cauldron, and yet they still are not confident that it is the way of the future here. The Harbingers’ goal is to help people through changes, so if the Affirmation ends, then they’ll work to ease the transition for people who find that traumatic. If the Affirmation is here to stay, then they’ll have a whole other group of people to console.” “Tidesmen,” Mena sighed. Twiggy was still talking. “So I spent the day trying to convince them that the Affirmation is the way of the future, and that the Harbingers should work to make people comfortable with that so that they don’t follow the Tide and create eddies of discord in the winds of change. So to speak. I said that even if the Affirmation might end someday, it would still be the Harbingers’ role to help calm the people who didn’t like it right now. The woman in charge of the Harbingers, Sister Gentle Breeze, is very nice. And very thoughtful, although I don’t know if I got through to her. I want to go back tomorrow to bring her a book I read at the Adept house, one of the histories of the Lord High Regent, which has a very interesting passage about the nature of change in the Sovereignty.” Mena sighed and sat down on the divan next to Twiggy. “Have I ever told you that you’re a good student?” “Yes,” said Twiggy, “but I don’t mind hearing it again.” ### [b]FRIDAY[/B] Arden dipped her spoon into the familiar soup at the Inn of Agreeable Company as she waited for Shen to arrive. She was there to advance her infiltration of the Tide and to spread misinformation in the hope of hampering their progress—but it felt futile. As before, the Tide still wouldn't trust her with their plans unless she agreed to kill for them. And because she wouldn't do that, Lord Ono had nearly died; she hadn't known enough to warn him. [i]So be it[/i], she told herself. She felt no guilt about the entirely justifiable decision to be non-murderous, no matter what happened to Lord Ono—but she was frustrated. Deeply frustrated. Shen opened the door and bounced into the booth. She was alarmingly giddy. “We’ve pulled off a great one this time,” she said, excitement radiating from her face. “Yes, it's certainly the end for Lord Ono,” Arden replied, playing along. “Not Lord Ono,” Shen responded. “Something else. I can’t give you details… but it’s good. All of Cauldron will hear about it. Count on it.” “When?” Arden demanded, letting her frustration animate her voice while resisting the urge to begin thudding her head against the table. [i]This sounds exactly like before Ono was poisoned. Gods, give me [i]something[/i] to work with here…[/i] “I can’t wait to find out what’s planned.” “Not ‘planned,’” Shen grinned. “It’s already [i]done[/i].” [/QUOTE]
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A Rose In The Wind: A Saga of the Halmae -- Updated June 19, 2014
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