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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 3421687" data-attributes="member: 3448">Outside the chambers, the corridors rang with the sounds of challenges and counter-challenges.  They could hear a muffled conversation between Cecilia’s chamberlain and the party of the Dowager Queen of Gates.  The chamberlain directed most of the entourage to a side waiting room, before showing in the Queen, the Princess, their chaplain, and a single bodyguard, none with weapons larger than a short sword.“Her Majesty, Queen Baryana of the Gates, and Princess Mirabelle!” cried the chamberlain.The guests strode into the room, proud and measured, with the honor guard remaining at a remove by the door.  The chaplain, princess, and queen stopped at an appropriate distance, and in ascending order of rank performed an incline of respect, each bending less than the one before.  Alistair maintained a pleasant but neutral regard and responded appropriately, inclining slightly less even than the Queen of Gates-- giving them their due, but also making it clear that he did not consider them his equals.From her hiding place, Kit reached out with her mind.  There were no signs of treachery among the visitors from Gates, and in any event Princess Cecilia would surely have reacted if they intended Alistair harm.  She scanned over the surface thoughts of each.  The Queen was hopeful, but also slightly concerned.  The chaplain, an older priest of Glor’diadel, had a strong will, and his mind was closed to Kit.  As for Princess Mirabelle, she thought, “My goodness, he’s not as handsome as they said he was!”  Kit had to stifle a laugh at that-- it must be the silly hat, she thought.  But at least parts of Alistair’s reputation were still positive, although she wondered who “they” were.[As Alistair’s player, when the DM said that I protested that Alistair had a modified Charisma of 20, and he said that he knew.  Apparently, she had been told that he was ridiculously good looking.]Princess Mirabelle approached and said formally, “Your eminent grace, we have brought you a token of the esteem of Gates, at this time of such importance to our people and our region.”  She handed across a scabbarded bastard sword of enormously high quality.  Alistair was almost positive that it was of dwarven-make, and likely intelligent as well.  He began to extend his hand to accept it, but Dame Brionna stepped forward to intercept and received it for him.“Perhaps your grace would like to hear its history before examining the blade itself?” suggested Dame Brionna.  She frantically sent a message over the mindlink to Kit.  <<Is it safe?  Can we be sure that it isn’t a trap of some sort?>><<Aunt Cecilia isn’t bothered by it, so I’m pretty sure it’s not made of warpstone or that sort of trap.  But… the sword is thinking. Not very well, but it is. I think... it's a baby?  That's kinda cute.  It likes the scabbard.  We don't want it to start crying if it's taken out...>>The Princess smiled at Dame Brionna’s suggestion, as if she had hoped to be asked about its history.  “We have significant trade with an underkingdom of dwarves.  We began forging this blade over a year ago, when we first heard that your grandmother was growing ill.  It is truly a gift from both our peoples, because the steel and the mithril in the blade were from a lucky strike in a surface mine, while the skill in its forging was theirs.”In her passageway, Kit slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh.  Princess Cecilia had come within an inch of speaking her thought aloud:  <<The old bat hasn’t changed a bit;  now she has the girl trained.>><<Is it safe for him to hold?  I’m just worried about mind control.>><<Yes. It's not powerful enough to exert any kind of control.>>Alistair reached again for the sword, and Dame Brionna surrendered it this time.  Alistair carefully held the scabbard and drew the sword part way, making it clear from his posture that he only wished to view the blade.  He began speaking, addressing the sword itself.  “You are a great weapon indeed, and I will be proud to carry you in battle, as will my descendants after me.  Many years of glory await us.”  The sword hummed in pleasure, glad to be acknowledged and treated with respect, and Alistair felt a warm presence in his mind.  He carefully unhooked the sword he had worn from his baldric and passed it to Dame Brionna, before slinging the new sword at his side.  Alistair looked up at Princess Mirabelle.  “We thank you for this great gift.  Truly, a worthy gift from one royal house to another.”Kit heard Dame Brionna’s thoughts clearly.  <<Oh, what a waste.  Such a fine weapon, but Alistair won’t ever use it.  It will simply sit in some vault, waiting for a different Archduke…>></blockquote>

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