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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 3274489" data-attributes="member: 3448">“We have an image of the master that the adventurers served.  Perhaps you can recognize him?”Kit projected the image.“While it would be easier with color, that is an Archibald of Pandahee.  I do not know which one.  And he may be in service to Hikbar Arkihebe, the head of the Hanalian intelligence service.  He is definitely of Hanal.”“An Archibald of Pandahee?  What does that mean?”“The Archibalds are privateers.  They may not have actual naval vessels or be captains, but they pirate under letters of marque from the Hiercov of Pandahee.”“What’s their air fleet like?” asked Dame Brionna.“They have a small air fleet, some boats.  Why do you ask?”“The operatives were dropped from a fast, human-made voller.  The voller was much faster than most human countries besides Hanal could have.”“Ah.  Well, Hanal does not sell its best technology, but the Hiercov of Pandahee could easily access ships of the rest of Hanal, even if he did not personally possess airships of that quality.  Pandahee is a Hanalian great house, after all.”“What can you tell us of Pandahee’s politics?” asked Alistair.  “I’m afraid that we are not as well informed about the Hanalian great houses as I would like.”“Pandahee is one of the old great houses.  It is common knowledge that they are less than happy that Princess Anastasia has chosen a different house to ally with in marriage.”“So they would not back her claim?”“They would prefer one of the other heirs.  And they could try to take the throne if none of the Queen-Empress’s children can succeed; they have a collateral line, although there are no direct lines outside the mainline.”“I thought the Hanalian imperial family was strictly matrilineal and that new monarchs traditionally kill their sisters,” asked Dame Brionna.“It is, but where there are males in the house, there are byblows, and such lines do exist.  In the absence of a legitimate heir, the throne could pass to a niece or cousin outside of the imperial family.  They are not of pure blood, but children of teen-aged males survive in several of the duchies, the hiercovates.  If I had one of my servants prepare a glossary of terms and houses, would that be of help to you?”“We would consider that a great service,” replied Alistair.“You would not be offended if one of the maskless in my service left my chambers?”“They are free, I presume?”“Of course, your grace.  We understand your land’s prohibition on slavery and would not presume to violate it.”“Then it would be acceptable.”“Excellent.  I’ll have my servants coordinate with your scribes.”</blockquote>

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