12. Silvershield Estate

Jun 3, 2024 1:58 am
After the party's errands, it's getting to be late afternoon or early evening by the time they return to the Silvershield estate.

Dieter's dogs are happy to have space to run again after following Dieter around all day, and they eagerly take off after a bunny in the garden.

Aldous and Duke Entar seem to be in good spirits as well. The younger Silvershield greets Stella with a hug. "Duke Jannath paid us a visit after you saw her," Aldous says with excitement. "She's explained some of her plan to us, and I think it's splendid! She bid us not share the details, she'd prefer to do that herself tomorrow with the rest of the Dukes, but suffice it to say we're going to put Rieltar Anchev and thie Iron Throne in their place!"

For his own part, Koveras sits in his room with typical stoicism, working over various papers with ink-stained fingers. "Back already?" He looks out the window and blinks at the long shadows. "I suppose the time got away from me. What news of the other Dukes?"
Jun 3, 2024 2:12 am
Aiwë leans against the wall next to Koveras' desk and drums on the wall behind her with her palms.

"Jannath asked us a bunch of riddles or hypotheticals. I think she found me annoying. But my cousin Xan had already been speaking to her! The Blacksheaf moonblade actually... accepted me I think. Not that I needed a stiff sword's approval, but... Anyway Jannath was clear and said she had a plan."

"Belt's son was killed by Umberlee's priests, so we had to fetch his body for a resurrection. He's fine now, but I'm a little uneasy that our talk with the High Priestess didn't come to blows. We just left her. Is that justice in this town? The next person to die at her hand won't be lucky enough to have a powerful and rich cleric for a father..."

Shelur chewed her lip with tuskish teeth and her rhythm increased, and then ceased abruptly.

"How goes the war here?"
Jun 3, 2024 2:17 am
Dieter confidently walks over to the windowsill and Leans against its archway. He can see Remus blinking circles around Romulus in the garden with some perplexed workers trying not to trip over them. Dieter had changed out of his torn clothing and into a clean white linen tunic with canvas trousers.

Dieter found Aldous’ excitement at the upcoming fight annoying. He didn’t know if it was just because he didn’t like him or that his inexperience combined with his eagerness grated on Dieter’s patience.

Dieter blinks away his irritation.
Last edited June 3, 2024 2:29 am
Jun 3, 2024 2:36 am
Koveras nods at Aiwe's news, unsurprised at Jannath's quirks. He raises an eyebrow at the mention of the moonblade. "It's said that such weapons are incredibly ancient and rare. I can't say much for its apparent wisdom though, to take so long to see your worth. But if an orc-hating moonblade can be swayed, that speaks well for the rest of orc-kind in this world."

He crosses his thick arms and leans back in his seat. "As for the Umberlee priestess, yes, she's bad news. But did you consider that she killed the boy because he has a powerful and rich cleric for a father?" He rubs the stubble under his jaw. "Still the boy's bound to have learned a valuable lesson from this."
Quote:
"How goes the war here?"
The half-orc stretches his arms up and back with several loud cracks from his spine. Then he looks down at the pile of papers. "My contacts - such as they are - have little new information to share. But this..." His fingers brush aside a few papers. "You remember Aldeth Sashenstar, the would-be wyvern hunter we saved in the Cloakwood? I reached out to him when we arrived, and I've just heard back from him. He may have a lead for us. I just need to verify that his information's correct. I may have a friend who can do so..."

He trails off as he begins sorting through the papers again, before coming to himself and glancing over at Aiwe. "Aldous seems excited for whatever Liia Jannath's plan is for tomorrow. I hope to have something useful to share by then."
Jun 3, 2024 2:42 am
Dieter finds the source of his irritation close behind.

"Dieter!"

Aldous jogs up to him, rather smoothly considering his frog leg. The young noble waves at Stella through the window, then leans opposite Dieter. He brushes his red hair out of his eyes, then casually gestures to Dieter's new 'crown'. "So what's with the branches? You get married after just one day on the town?"
Jun 3, 2024 2:44 am
Aiwë nodded along as Koveras spoke, taking note of the ink-stained fingers and distant eyes as she twirled a mallet in her fingers.

"I hope so. In the meantime, am I allowed to say I'm worried about you? I know you're not as... calm... as you look."
Jun 3, 2024 2:46 am
"Yeah, uh, Diets..." Aiwë squints at the boy. "I didn't want to ask in the street but... Are those... coming out of your head? And do they have blood on them?" She looks as though she intends to sniff them and see.
Jun 3, 2024 2:49 am
Koveras frowns - more. "Why wouldn't you be allowed to speak your mind?" He rubs his eyes. "I'm pulling my weight." Some stubbornness in that tone? "Rieltar needs to be brought low, and I need to make sure it happens."
Jun 3, 2024 2:52 am
Aiwë puts a hand on her hip. "I said I'm worried about you, not about whether you can lift your weight." As he rubs his eyes she gently tapped his knuckles with her mallet. "You don't look okay."
Last edited June 3, 2024 2:58 am
Jun 3, 2024 2:56 am
"No, It’s a manifestation of a childhood event. The crown is bonded to my skull, I had to change my clothes it was quite…messy. Dieter addresses Aldous directly. He doesn’t dance around the topic but also doesn’t directly tell him either.

"Yes it’s blood. it must still be bleeding I thought I had gotten all of it" Dieter answers Aiwë

"how goes your studying Aldous?" Dieter changes the topic "do you know what school of magic you’ll specialize in?"

Dieter found himself surprised by his new yet old arcane knowledge, of course he only knew enough to just scratch the surface of the topic.

While Dieter doesn’t want to explain himself to
Aldous he seems more than willing to do so with Aiwë, that is if Aldous wasn’t present.

Last edited June 3, 2024 3:03 am
Jun 3, 2024 2:56 am
Koveras flinches back from the touch of the mallet, blinking to clear his eyes. "I'm fine. Better than. After a lifetime under Rieltar's thumb, I can finally act, finally do something..."

He sighs. "But a short reprieve wouldn't be amiss. Have you eaten? I may stretch my legs on the way to the kitchen."
Jun 3, 2024 3:01 am
"Wait, is this like what happened in the Friendly Arm? Why didn't you ask me for help? Look! You tore your shirt!" Aiwë tuts at a rip in his clothes and the remains of dried blood on the crown, and in doing so fixes them both.
Jun 3, 2024 3:05 am
Aldous barks a laugh. "It must have been some 'childhood event,' to only show up today." He lifts his frog leg high. "We can almost start a circus, now." He turns his head to wink at Aiwe. "We could make a fortune! We'd just need some music and a colorful tent."

His red eyebrows shoot up at Dieter's change of topic. "School of... Why, I didn't think you cared at all for magic! It's a good question though. I've come to enjoy setting things on fire. You thinking of learning a spell or two yourself?" There's a slight smirk to the question. Dieter, cast spells? Surely not...
Jun 3, 2024 3:08 am
Aiwë whistles a circus tune at Aldous' suggestion and an illusory flag unravels above her head announcing 'The Misfits Extraordinaire, in town for a short time only!'
Jun 3, 2024 3:13 am
"I get that there might be some relief in the current situation, but you don't seem 'better than okay.'" Aiwë unslings most of the gear she took with her on their errands and leaves it on the floor before opening the door for Koveras. "Food, then a spar? You're more tightly wound than I am."
Jun 3, 2024 3:14 am
Araklusta says:
Aldous barks a laugh. "It must have been some 'childhood event,' to only show up today." He lifts his frog leg high. "We can almost start a circus, now."
Dieter stops leaning against the window "what are you implying?"

He didn’t realize it but he was closer to Aldous a lot closer then before.


Dieter casts misty step

Dieter takes a step back "my apologies, I’m still recovering. I think I need to lay down"
Last edited June 3, 2024 3:16 am
Jun 3, 2024 3:21 am
The corner of Koveras' lip turns up in a slight smile. "Must I prove it to you, then? Ha! Challenge accepted." His stomach growls. "After food," he agrees.

The kitchen's cooks are cleaning up for the evening, but they're happy to share what they have on hand. On one counter Aiwe spots the remains of a large bowl of 'iced cream' - no doubt Aldous' work.

After some cured ham and several rolls of bread, Koveras is ready to spar. "And where will this mighty duel occur? Outside? I wouldn't want to break any Silvershield antiques."
Jun 3, 2024 3:24 am
Aldous' jaw drops. "Dieter, you just-" He shakes his head in amazement, and apparently oblivious to Dieter's mood. "When did you learn to do that?"
Jun 3, 2024 3:30 am
"Surely this Duke has a courtyard or small arena for such things." Aiwë grabs another roll in each hand to be inhaled on the way.

"Everyone's been so on edge lately," she says between bites as they walk. "Fearful is one thing, but the... frustration. Irritability." Aiwë growled quietly in her throat. "I'll be glad to see this behind us. "
Last edited June 3, 2024 3:31 am
Jun 3, 2024 3:33 am
Aiwë's eyebrows shoot up. "Yeah, you look like you've been through it. How about I ask the kitchen to send you food after I check on Koveras? Aldous, can you show me where he's lurking, again?"
load next

You do not have permission to post in this thread.