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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 5125151" data-attributes="member: 5203"><p>Kaliel was escorted by a servant to Rinalta’s private chambers. He felt slightly uncomfortable walking about unarmored under the current circumstances, but to show up prepared for war would be insulting to his host. He knew he had to do what he could to put her at ease.</p><p></p><p> He had sent a request to the queen earlier that day for a private meeting, but had been surprised when instead she invited him to dine with her that evening. The venue, however, was of little matter; there was a question that had been burning in the Solar’s mind since he had arrived.</p><p></p><p> The doors to her chambers were opened, and Kaliel saw that a table had been laid out for two. Silver settings and ornaments dominated the table, and Lady Rinalta was already seated at the far end.</p><p></p><p> “Forgive me for not rising to greet you,” Rinalta said. “I find pregnancy to be a wonderful excuse to ignore certain protocols.”</p><p></p><p> “Not at all.” Kaliel crossed the room and took his seat. Servants brought platters of roasted duck, fresh river trout, and other assorted delicacies. Wine was poured into silver goblets as plates were filled with all manner of succulent foods. When the preparation was finished, Rinalta waved a hand, and all of the servants left – as did the guards, Kaliel noted.</p><p></p><p> “This room is in the middle of the palace,” Rinalta said as Kaliel’s eyes followed the guards. “No windows.”</p><p></p><p> “Of course.” Kaliel held up his goblet. “To you, and to your child.”</p><p></p><p> Rinalta returned the toast, and after they both drank, Kaliel said. “I must admit, this was somewhat more formal than I had expected. I know that I have been gone for some time, but I had hoped our relationship had not soured.”</p><p></p><p> Rinalta smiled, but it was a smile with little joy in it. “That is… complicated. Our personal, intimate relationship is fine; relations between our two nations may not be what they once were – at least, on the surface. But first, let me answer the question that has been on your face since you arrived; yes, the child that grows within me is from your seed. But it cannot be your child.”</p><p></p><p> “Few would suffer the spawn of an Anathema to live,” Kaliel said, nodding. “or its mother, or the land she ruled.”</p><p></p><p> “My people have tolerated you and your friends,” Rinalta explained. “But despite my personal politics, and my kingdom’s alliance with the Confederation of Rivers, the truth is that most of my people follow the practices of the Immaculate Philosophies, if not to the extent desired by the Realm. If I were to bear your child, their tolerance would end.”</p><p></p><p> “I understand this,” Kaliel said, “perhaps better than you realize.” His mind drifted back to relive the sight of thousands of once-loyal troops riding away from the ruins of Kryptos, some shouting curses at his name, calling him demon-spawn, and worse.</p><p></p><p> “For some months,” Rinalta continued, “I have been leading Mnemon Lyrik to believe that the child I carry was his. This will remain the official truth. I am afraid I must admit that his death will make the deception easier.”</p><p></p><p> “Our alliance will remain intact,” Rinalta said, “but it must appear that I am distancing myself from Chrysanthemum. The shipments of ore I have been sending to you must cease. Your soldiers have already been sent home, and we will continue training our forces internally. If I do need your aid in a military matter, I have already drawn up the papers needed to contract the services of the Chrysanthemum Knights as mercenaries. I do not think it will be too unseemly for me to have a prearranged contract with you. I do intend to continue sending aid your way in exchange for your support, of course, I must merely be more circumspect about it.”</p><p></p><p> “What did you have in mind?” Kaliel asked.</p><p></p><p> “No doubt you have heard that we have attracted a number of people from outside Lagan who are interested in joining our military, including some Dragon-Bloods. Not all who come are qualified for military service. So far, my commanders have been advising these recruits to travel to Nexus to join a mercenary company, to get some field experience before returning. I will see to it that some of the more open-minded are instead referred to a mercenary group that headquarters much closer than Nexus. In addition, although I cannot openly send you silver ore as I have in the past, it has come to my attention that river piracy may be on the rise next year, and some of the barges coming out of Lynnisbrook could lose their entire shipments.”</p><p></p><p> “You appear to have thought this matter through thoroughly,” Kaliel said.</p><p></p><p> “There is one other piece to this charade which must occur,” Rinalta said. “One I do not relish but which is necessary. There must appear to be some sort of catalyst for the souring of relations between Lagan and Chrysanthemum; otherwise the sudden break in our ties will seem suspicious. I have consulted with my advisors, and it seems that the most logical reason for such a severance of ties would be to accuse you and your companions of the murders of the Silver Guard.”</p><p></p><p> Kaliel frowned. “The investigation is not finished. The evidence points to the involvement of another Solar. If he is caught, then I and my Circle can simply take on guilt by association. Anti-Anathema sentiments are sure to rise when the identity of the assassin is known.”</p><p></p><p> “Perhaps, but that assumes he is caught. He has been elusive thus far. Your plan may work, Kaliel, if you do capture the killer, but even then it may require that I paint a more direct association between him and you.”</p><p></p><p> “Allow us time to think on this matter, and propose another solution,” Kaliel asked. “Though I understand your motivations, I do not relish I or my friends being branded as murderers.”</p><p></p><p> “Nor do I,” Rinalta admitted. “Very well. If you can concoct a reasonable alternative, I will listen. But first, capture this assassin.”</p><p></p><p> “We will, Your Highness. I promise you.”</p><p></p><p> They both lapsed into silence. Each looked down at their plates, and pushed their food around with their forks for a few moments. Finally, Rinalta looked up.</p><p></p><p> “Perhaps we should have eaten before we had this conversation,” she sighed.</p><p></p><p> “I think you may be right,” Kaliel agreed.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">۞</p><p></p><p> Zanka sat in a corner, a disapproving frown on her face, as her companions cavorted with prostitutes.</p><p></p><p> To be fair, ‘cavorted’ was an inaccurate term; Ayama was administering healing to some of the men and women who worked in the House of a Thousand Delights, while Ghost was questioning some of the women who Tearful Mountain had patronized in the past two weeks. The madam of the house, Lady Li, had agreed to allow the Solars to question her employees after Ayama had offered to cure the diseases that some of them suffered. She was currently administering to a cat-like beastwoman who went by the name Ginger, who Lady Li described as ‘our top attraction’ – until she had contracted syphilis.</p><p></p><p> Zanka could not bring herself to participate, even though she probably could have obtained the information they needed much faster than Ghost. Doing so felt to her as though she was tacitly approving of their business. Although the people who served here were free men and women who earned salaries, it still reminded her that many brothels were populated by slaves – which likely would have been her fate, had the Unconquered Sun and Kaliel not intervened.</p><p></p><p> After what seemed an eternity, both of her companions concluded their business. Zanka was only too happy to leave and go somewhere more savory.</p><p></p><p> “He seems to go there after a successful assassination,” Ghost said. “He seems to be indiscriminate in his tastes – he doesn’t have a ‘favorite’, but simply takes whoever is available. He apparently will use the services of several women in one evening – typically they run out of available women before he is sated.”</p><p></p><p> “He is a man of disgusting appetites,” Zanka said.</p><p></p><p> “He may also have an ulterior motive,” Ayama said. “The attacks he makes obviously rely on a great deal of his Essence. As you well known, once a Solar’s reserves are depleted, they must rest to restore themselves. However, certain recreational activities are known to be more efficacious in restoring Essence than simple rest. One of those activities is intercourse. His habits may be distasteful, but they may also be a means to an end.”</p><p></p><p> “It does mean that we are unlikely to catch him there, unless he has made a successful assassination,” Ghost observed.</p><p></p><p> “Did he not attack Ayama earlier today?” Zanka asked.</p><p></p><p> “But his attack was thwarted,” Ayama pointed out. “Thus his Essence was not fully depleted. He is also now aware that there are others hunting him, with abilities that match his own. I suspect he will simply lay low tonight.”</p><p></p><p> “We should return to the palace,” Ghost said, “and inform Kaliel what we have learned. We need to make a plan for what we will do now.”</p><p></p><p> “I could not agree more,” Zanka said. She had had quite enough of slumming for one day.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">۞</p><p></p><p> Later that night, a visitor arrived at the House of a Thousand Delights, cloaked and hooded. They were greeted at the door by Lady Li.</p><p></p><p> “Oh, it’s you!” she said. “I didn’t expect you back so soon! Come to experience one of the Thousand Delights? I’ll even give you the first one for free.”</p><p></p><p> Ayama drew her cloak back. “No, thank you, but I have a request. May I be allowed to observe one of your women as they perform their duties?”</p><p></p><p> “Ah, so that’s your thing. Not that unusual, we have a room set up for just that.”</p><p></p><p> Ayama opened her mouth to correct the madam’s assumptions, but then closed it. There was little point in quibbling over details, and Lady Li would likely discount her explanation as mere shyness or misplaced shame over her supposed fetish. She allowed Lady Li to lead her into a small sitting room, decorated with an overstuffed divan and numerous throw pillows. One wall was dominated by a large window; from the tint of the glass, Ayama could tell that the other side of the glass was mirrored, allowing a person to see into the other chamber undetected.</p><p></p><p> “You’ll have to be a bit quiet,” Lady Li advised. “No way to make the sound only go one way, you know?”</p><p></p><p> “I understand. Thank you.”</p><p></p><p> As soon as Lady Li left and the door closed, Ayama made herself comfortable, and waited for the adjoining room to be used. She carefully reviewed in her mind what she was looking for; the mannerisms of the young woman, the phrases she used, her body language. Those details would be important if she hoped to convince Tearful Mountain of her legitimacy.</p><p></p><p> There was a strong possibility that the Solar assassin would successfully kill again before they could capture him, and if so, he would come here. If she were fortunate, he would arrive while she was there, and would be very interested in ‘the new girl’. But she needed to pull off the deception convincingly; he was a man who was accustomed to such places, and had the acute senses and instincts of a Solar Exalt. If she could get him alone, and with his guard down…</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 5125151, member: 5203"] Kaliel was escorted by a servant to Rinalta’s private chambers. He felt slightly uncomfortable walking about unarmored under the current circumstances, but to show up prepared for war would be insulting to his host. He knew he had to do what he could to put her at ease. He had sent a request to the queen earlier that day for a private meeting, but had been surprised when instead she invited him to dine with her that evening. The venue, however, was of little matter; there was a question that had been burning in the Solar’s mind since he had arrived. The doors to her chambers were opened, and Kaliel saw that a table had been laid out for two. Silver settings and ornaments dominated the table, and Lady Rinalta was already seated at the far end. “Forgive me for not rising to greet you,” Rinalta said. “I find pregnancy to be a wonderful excuse to ignore certain protocols.” “Not at all.” Kaliel crossed the room and took his seat. Servants brought platters of roasted duck, fresh river trout, and other assorted delicacies. Wine was poured into silver goblets as plates were filled with all manner of succulent foods. When the preparation was finished, Rinalta waved a hand, and all of the servants left – as did the guards, Kaliel noted. “This room is in the middle of the palace,” Rinalta said as Kaliel’s eyes followed the guards. “No windows.” “Of course.” Kaliel held up his goblet. “To you, and to your child.” Rinalta returned the toast, and after they both drank, Kaliel said. “I must admit, this was somewhat more formal than I had expected. I know that I have been gone for some time, but I had hoped our relationship had not soured.” Rinalta smiled, but it was a smile with little joy in it. “That is… complicated. Our personal, intimate relationship is fine; relations between our two nations may not be what they once were – at least, on the surface. But first, let me answer the question that has been on your face since you arrived; yes, the child that grows within me is from your seed. But it cannot be your child.” “Few would suffer the spawn of an Anathema to live,” Kaliel said, nodding. “or its mother, or the land she ruled.” “My people have tolerated you and your friends,” Rinalta explained. “But despite my personal politics, and my kingdom’s alliance with the Confederation of Rivers, the truth is that most of my people follow the practices of the Immaculate Philosophies, if not to the extent desired by the Realm. If I were to bear your child, their tolerance would end.” “I understand this,” Kaliel said, “perhaps better than you realize.” His mind drifted back to relive the sight of thousands of once-loyal troops riding away from the ruins of Kryptos, some shouting curses at his name, calling him demon-spawn, and worse. “For some months,” Rinalta continued, “I have been leading Mnemon Lyrik to believe that the child I carry was his. This will remain the official truth. I am afraid I must admit that his death will make the deception easier.” “Our alliance will remain intact,” Rinalta said, “but it must appear that I am distancing myself from Chrysanthemum. The shipments of ore I have been sending to you must cease. Your soldiers have already been sent home, and we will continue training our forces internally. If I do need your aid in a military matter, I have already drawn up the papers needed to contract the services of the Chrysanthemum Knights as mercenaries. I do not think it will be too unseemly for me to have a prearranged contract with you. I do intend to continue sending aid your way in exchange for your support, of course, I must merely be more circumspect about it.” “What did you have in mind?” Kaliel asked. “No doubt you have heard that we have attracted a number of people from outside Lagan who are interested in joining our military, including some Dragon-Bloods. Not all who come are qualified for military service. So far, my commanders have been advising these recruits to travel to Nexus to join a mercenary company, to get some field experience before returning. I will see to it that some of the more open-minded are instead referred to a mercenary group that headquarters much closer than Nexus. In addition, although I cannot openly send you silver ore as I have in the past, it has come to my attention that river piracy may be on the rise next year, and some of the barges coming out of Lynnisbrook could lose their entire shipments.” “You appear to have thought this matter through thoroughly,” Kaliel said. “There is one other piece to this charade which must occur,” Rinalta said. “One I do not relish but which is necessary. There must appear to be some sort of catalyst for the souring of relations between Lagan and Chrysanthemum; otherwise the sudden break in our ties will seem suspicious. I have consulted with my advisors, and it seems that the most logical reason for such a severance of ties would be to accuse you and your companions of the murders of the Silver Guard.” Kaliel frowned. “The investigation is not finished. The evidence points to the involvement of another Solar. If he is caught, then I and my Circle can simply take on guilt by association. Anti-Anathema sentiments are sure to rise when the identity of the assassin is known.” “Perhaps, but that assumes he is caught. He has been elusive thus far. Your plan may work, Kaliel, if you do capture the killer, but even then it may require that I paint a more direct association between him and you.” “Allow us time to think on this matter, and propose another solution,” Kaliel asked. “Though I understand your motivations, I do not relish I or my friends being branded as murderers.” “Nor do I,” Rinalta admitted. “Very well. If you can concoct a reasonable alternative, I will listen. But first, capture this assassin.” “We will, Your Highness. I promise you.” They both lapsed into silence. Each looked down at their plates, and pushed their food around with their forks for a few moments. Finally, Rinalta looked up. “Perhaps we should have eaten before we had this conversation,” she sighed. “I think you may be right,” Kaliel agreed. [center]۞[/center] Zanka sat in a corner, a disapproving frown on her face, as her companions cavorted with prostitutes. To be fair, ‘cavorted’ was an inaccurate term; Ayama was administering healing to some of the men and women who worked in the House of a Thousand Delights, while Ghost was questioning some of the women who Tearful Mountain had patronized in the past two weeks. The madam of the house, Lady Li, had agreed to allow the Solars to question her employees after Ayama had offered to cure the diseases that some of them suffered. She was currently administering to a cat-like beastwoman who went by the name Ginger, who Lady Li described as ‘our top attraction’ – until she had contracted syphilis. Zanka could not bring herself to participate, even though she probably could have obtained the information they needed much faster than Ghost. Doing so felt to her as though she was tacitly approving of their business. Although the people who served here were free men and women who earned salaries, it still reminded her that many brothels were populated by slaves – which likely would have been her fate, had the Unconquered Sun and Kaliel not intervened. After what seemed an eternity, both of her companions concluded their business. Zanka was only too happy to leave and go somewhere more savory. “He seems to go there after a successful assassination,” Ghost said. “He seems to be indiscriminate in his tastes – he doesn’t have a ‘favorite’, but simply takes whoever is available. He apparently will use the services of several women in one evening – typically they run out of available women before he is sated.” “He is a man of disgusting appetites,” Zanka said. “He may also have an ulterior motive,” Ayama said. “The attacks he makes obviously rely on a great deal of his Essence. As you well known, once a Solar’s reserves are depleted, they must rest to restore themselves. However, certain recreational activities are known to be more efficacious in restoring Essence than simple rest. One of those activities is intercourse. His habits may be distasteful, but they may also be a means to an end.” “It does mean that we are unlikely to catch him there, unless he has made a successful assassination,” Ghost observed. “Did he not attack Ayama earlier today?” Zanka asked. “But his attack was thwarted,” Ayama pointed out. “Thus his Essence was not fully depleted. He is also now aware that there are others hunting him, with abilities that match his own. I suspect he will simply lay low tonight.” “We should return to the palace,” Ghost said, “and inform Kaliel what we have learned. We need to make a plan for what we will do now.” “I could not agree more,” Zanka said. She had had quite enough of slumming for one day. [center]۞[/center] Later that night, a visitor arrived at the House of a Thousand Delights, cloaked and hooded. They were greeted at the door by Lady Li. “Oh, it’s you!” she said. “I didn’t expect you back so soon! Come to experience one of the Thousand Delights? I’ll even give you the first one for free.” Ayama drew her cloak back. “No, thank you, but I have a request. May I be allowed to observe one of your women as they perform their duties?” “Ah, so that’s your thing. Not that unusual, we have a room set up for just that.” Ayama opened her mouth to correct the madam’s assumptions, but then closed it. There was little point in quibbling over details, and Lady Li would likely discount her explanation as mere shyness or misplaced shame over her supposed fetish. She allowed Lady Li to lead her into a small sitting room, decorated with an overstuffed divan and numerous throw pillows. One wall was dominated by a large window; from the tint of the glass, Ayama could tell that the other side of the glass was mirrored, allowing a person to see into the other chamber undetected. “You’ll have to be a bit quiet,” Lady Li advised. “No way to make the sound only go one way, you know?” “I understand. Thank you.” As soon as Lady Li left and the door closed, Ayama made herself comfortable, and waited for the adjoining room to be used. She carefully reviewed in her mind what she was looking for; the mannerisms of the young woman, the phrases she used, her body language. Those details would be important if she hoped to convince Tearful Mountain of her legitimacy. There was a strong possibility that the Solar assassin would successfully kill again before they could capture him, and if so, he would come here. If she were fortunate, he would arrive while she was there, and would be very interested in ‘the new girl’. But she needed to pull off the deception convincingly; he was a man who was accustomed to such places, and had the acute senses and instincts of a Solar Exalt. If she could get him alone, and with his guard down… [/QUOTE]
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