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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1449875" data-attributes="member: 15043">Letters from the SouthAs Siabrey looked around the room, she noted almost everything had a magical touch to it... from the clothes, to the objects.  Most impressively, the third drawer in his dresser glowed brightly.“I think there’s something there,” she pointed, getting Shaun’s attention as he opened a chest and was rifling through jewels.  “Shaun!” she shouted, “that might be evidence!”  The rogue sighed, put hte jewels he’d pilfered back, and went to the drawer.He fiddled with it for a few seconds, before hearing a click.  Thinking it safe, he rips the drawer open, and barely dodges a brief burst of rainbow energy that fizzled away (prismatic spray trap).  Breathing a sigh of relief, he then examined what was inside... clothes, notes... and a letter.He scanned its contents, and his eyes grew big as he saw the signature underneath... Lucilda Caladron, Imperatrix et Regina.  M’Lord,We send you our greetings, and wishes for strength in the upcoming war.Stalatan is doing well, and his training proceeds.  It was an excellent recommendation your court sorcerer made in finding him.  His knowledge has proven indispensable in developing our plans.  We trust his allies will prove useful, especially as the meddling ones have by now met their doom at the hands of the little girl Graz’zt called into service.We trust that you recieved the items we discussed, and have taken proper measure to put them into safekeeping.  The small one is the key... without it, the chest nor the artifacts can be accessed.  You must not lose the key, but you also must never let it fall into the hands of the Imperials.  Keep this message as a reminder, but ensure that it is stored safely, should anything happen to you.Our agent will arrive within two weeks to assist you in recovering the items from their locale of hiding, and thereafter you shall recieve payment.  We apologize that you must take this task on such short notice, but unfortunately no agent sufficiently trusted by Us was in position to conduct this task.  Should you fail in this simple holding We have given you, your demise will be most... painful.  ‘Tis but a simple task for a Lord that proclaims he is as great as you do.  Merely hold the item safely until Our agent’s arrival... thence it shall be off of your hands.  It will be no matter then if the Imperials find out about your true leanings... our power will be too great for them to overcome, regardless of how many troops they bring in.The war shall soon begin, my dear Baron, and rest assured you have chosen the correct side, the winning side, and you shall be rewarded handsomely for your services.“Um...” he handed the letter to Siabrey, who also read it over, and her face fell in shock and horror at the news of Stalatan, to confusion about the, “miniature.”  So she’s training a red wyrm... Holy Hospitalers of Honoria...Tess meanwhile had searched the Baron’s workdesk and found two more letters.  The first appeared to have been recieved by the Baron’s wife, Marith von Tor...My Dearest, Sweestest Sister Marith,    I send you my most gracious thanks at the beautiful miniature chest you sent me!  I cannot imagine what it cost you to have this gift created for my birthday!  If you could tell me, which craftsman did this fine mixed carving between walnut, ebony, and cherry?  I would like to commission him to redesign our summer villa’s ballroom floor.  Charles wanted it to have a “country air feeling,” which I feel is utterly preposterous!  But that delves into another subject I could easily write five letters on!    It is my understanding that your husband, unlike mine, is in the forefront of the possible upcoming war.  It should be nice to have him go away for a while and play soldier... you’ll have control of the purse for once!  Please send me a matched male and female peafowl once you add on to your small farm!  And do tell me how that peacock dress turns out, and thank the woman that gave you the idea!  I’ve persuaded my husband that it would be a good idea... it took much whining and griping (You know how our husbands are).       Are the renovations to your city chapel finished, and has Kierich told you why he was keeping you out?  I imagine it is something immensely gorgeous!  Maybe he made an altar out of peacock feathers, hmm?  I should that that would be utterly delightful, both for you and for Tarantor as well, though to answer your question in the last letter, I can’t fathom why your husband would be ordering so much red and silver drapery... it clashes with Tarantor’s normal blue and white.  But then again, no one ever claimed Kierderich was an expert at matching colors!    I pray that Tarantor’s prosperity finds you well (perhaps Sune could persuade your gardener to make more visits while your husband is gone as well), and I hope to hear from you soon!Your loving sister and eternal friend,KeshalyaP.S.   I would like to know if that handsome young man you spoke about is still available, and what his name was.  It was Lucolis, or Lacoris?  I should like to meet him sometime... perhaps one of us will be lucky and our husband will fall on the field...Tess made a note to NOT show the letter to Siabrey if she could help it... the girl had enough on her mind, and undoubtedly seeing that others than Zoe were after Lucius would merely infuriate her even more.The other letter was sitting on the Baron’s desk:L.,There are rumors about the city of the force numbers that will soon be marching north.  I fear we have been discovered.  Supposedly these rumors came from Count Lucius himself found out this information in the Obashi Desert.  Who was your agent that was enroute to Irulas?  I fear your ideas that the meddlesome ones were eliminated may be false, and your agent may have run afoul.I’ve also noticed an increased Imperial presence outside of my villa, and when I attempted to leave the city, something was amiss.  The city guards stated my presence was still required for the purposes of training the troops, which I know is a baldfaced lie.   Time grows short, Mistress.My wife unfortunately sent the miniature to her sister as a present.  I cannot believe I ever married such a sycophantic fool.  As soon as I finish this dispatch, I shall write a letter to her demanding that sheA large splotch of relatively fresh ink covered the bottom after the end of the writing.  He wrote this just before we arrived... Tess reasoned by the incompleteness and freshness of ink.  We arrived just in time it appears...The party slowly began comparing their letters, Tess noticeably keeping one from Siabrey.   As they read and compared, it became very apparent that something big was going on, in addition to the Countess’ armies and offers for bribery...“I think the Baron was hiding something for the Countess,” Grumki said slowly.  “Thank you Captain Obvious,” Shaun rolled his eyes, then ducked away quickly before a friendly “backslap” could find him.“I’m curious about this miniature,” Tess said slowly, holding her letter in her hands, “I think it might be important.  It sounds like a key of some kind.”  She didn’t notice Siabrey sneak around behind her, until the fighter’s hands had grabbed the letter and snitched it from her hands.“What miniatu... WAIT!” Siabrey’s voice roared, as she read the relevant sections that Tess had hoped she wouldn’t find.  “Those... arrogant.. dirty...debauched old women!” she snarled.  “Discussing my Lucius like that!”“Your Lucius?  I like the sound of that,” Luke laughed, trying to get the letter from her.  Siabrey kept it from him, and handed it back to Tess.  “I think we should search the rest of the house... see if we can’t find that... miniature... or what it opens,” Siabrey said, distracting Luke.  The rest of the party nodded.  “We also might want to see if we can find where all of those red and silver pieces of fabric went... those are the colors of the Graz’zt worshippers...”“I bet the chest or miniature of whatever is there!” Shaun said, agreeing.  He’d already re-pilfered the chest, taking jewels that obviously weren’t magic.The Party sniffed around, and quickly found a chapel, clearly in the middle of remodeling.  Tapestries of the blue and white of Tarantor were on the floor, while above hung silver and red tapestries, that were still blank.  An unfinished altar was to the front... and the party, despite diligent searching, found nothing.As they went into the foyer, the heard a loud series of screechings and yellings, as a plump woman, in her early 50s obviously, stormed into the room.“What are you doing in my house!  Why are there soldiers here! What is going on!  I want answers in five seconds!” she roared, before her eyes widened in recognition upon seeing Siabrey’s face.“Baroness Tor,” Siabrey bowed halfway.  She didn’t feel like showing the woman proper respect after seeing what she wrote about Lucius.“S... Saradina?” the Baroness began confused, before her anger came back.  “What are you doing in my house!?  Why is my front door broken down!?  Who are these...”Luke drew out the Imperial arrest warrant, and thrust it into her face.  As she read the damning lines, her face fell, and she grew silent.  Luke, being the noble present, and knowing Siabrey and Tess were not likely to say anything diplomatic to the woman, then spoke.“Your husband was plotting treason, m’lady... he tried to resist, and unfortunately, he is dead.”  His voice was quiet and somber... he was trying to deliver the news as gently as possible.The Baroness nodded, and then looked up.  “Do any of you know if Imperial law would require his possessions to be repossessed for such a charge?”WHAT!? Siabrey’s mind cried in shock, Your husband was plotting treason, and was killed, and you worry about his PROPERTY!?  I’ll never understand the nobility...”No,” Lucius said, “the properties and the like devolve to you, as you were deemed innocent in this affair.”  Your air headed sister’s letter pretty much confirms that.The Baroness let out a giggle of relief, with a small chuckle of, “I’m finally free of that rat bastard!”  She then looked up at Lucius, and with an evil grin, smiled.  “Young man... your name is Lukalis?  Are you interested in woman with power?” she slid a slimy hand towards him, and recoiled.  “A woman with the means to get you anything?”Siabrey looked at that in shock, her fists clenching, her eyes almost bellowing steam.  First, you are an arrogant fool...  Second, you put designs on MY Lucius, and Third, you try to seduce him while he wants nothing to do with your dirty old mind, and finally Fourth, you try to seduce him IN FRONT OF ME!”What the hell do you think you are doing!?” Siabrey snapped, grabbed the Baroness and pushing her away from Luke.  “He is not some free range chicken that you can grab up and eat to your desire!  He doesn’t want to be with you!”  Her eyes seemed to spit flame, and the Baroness looked at her with a snide grin.“How do you know that?  You are a mere servant of Lord Caladron’s...” she smiled.“I AM HIS BETROTHED!” Siabrey screeched.  Her mind needed a few seconds to catch up, and finally asked, Did I say that out loud?The Baroness gained a look of shock, and then horror at the faux pas she had committed.   Siabrey took some measure of pride in seeing the proud peacock woman’s ego collapse, enough that she didn’t notice the strange Luke look had, which then broke into a big smile as an idea formed in his head.“I... um... was unaware Lady Saradina,” the Baroness said slowly.“Siabrey!” the fighter crossed her arms, and the Baroness’ face went an even deeper crimson.“Lady Siabrey... please... accept my deepest, most heartfelt apologies,” the Baroness finally said, looking down.  Siabrey actually had trouble keeping her face drawn tightly in anger... she really wanted to laugh at how far down the proud Baroness had been slapped by her.“Um,  is there a mess in the backroom that needs to be cleaned,” the noblewoman changed the subject, and Tess nodded.  Quickly servants were summoned and sent back with brooms.  The Baroness then asked if there were any papers that needed to be signed, and the party promised that hte Imperial government would get back to her on that.  Tess, fearing Siabrey would explode again (she didn’t know the fighter was barely able to keep herself from laughing now), quickly pulled the party back out.AS soon as they were a block away from the premises, Siabrey broke out in laughter.“Oh god, that was hilarious!  Did you see the look on her face when I said we were betrothed!?” Siabrye ribbed Luke... and the same funny look came over his face.  Siabrey didn’t have enough time to fully catch it, before Tess joined in with her own remark.“That woman was such a gold-digger,” the bard chuckled.“A what?” Siabrey looked at Tess in confusion.  Tess laughed again, and explained it meant that she had married the Baron only for money, not for love.  As they went rather happily back to the Temple, Luke walked alongside Siabrey... the look on his face again.“Hon... whats up?” Siabrey asked him.  What is he thinking?  He’s pondering something...“Um... Siabrey?  You know back there how you said we were betrothed?” Lucius asked haltingly... his voice clearly showing a mind that was walking in untested waters.“Um... yes?” Siabrey said, also slowly.  Oh no... did I scare him?  Was that too fast for him?“Um... well.... Siabrey, would you... um... well... like to be betrothed?” he asked.”I want whatever makes you hap...” she started to reply, hoping even more that she hadn’t scared him, even backtracking a little.  I would love to marry him... he’s the only person that cares for me that deeply... but if I can only have him outside of marriage, I’ll take him... please don’t be upset Luke...“Would you like to be betrothed?” Lucius asked again, his eyes more relaxed as she looked into them.What is he... um... wait... no... no... thats not what he’s thinking... Siabrey’s mind jumped.  Why... he’s a noble... I’m... a... yeoman... I... him... bet...wha...  YES! YES YES!   Her confused, giddy mouth gurgled out an unintelligible reply, and Luke got a smile on his face.  He didn’t say a word, as Siabrey’s mind still raced.He wants to be betrothed to you!?  Lucius!?  A MAN wants you to be his bride?Lucius meanwhile pulled Tess aside as Siabrey stumbled forward, in shock.“Tesseron...” he whispered to her quietly, “I need help picking out a ring.”</blockquote>

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