IceAndWave/UnwelcomeGreetings
Unwelcome Greetings
In which a lessons are learned, gifts are given, and a farewell is made...
The 19th Day of Resplendent Air, Realm Year 764
It is a mostly clear, cold morning when the ship arrives at Tideholme. A small crowd gathers at the dockside to watch a ship without sails carving through the calm waters of the harbour, the only sign of propulsion being the taut rope hanging from the bow.
Cassia disappears back below deck, finding Venia. "We're home now," she says, with a slight smile on her face.
Venia doesn't react quite favorably, nodding and tightening the belt on the borrowed pair of Sian's pants, preparing herself for an unpleasant duty. "Good... are we unloading yet?"
"We're just about to dock. I think, anyway. Are you okay?" she asks softy
"No. Not really... but I'll survive, if I can get through today."
The dockside crowd chatters as the ship slides slowly up to the quay, the rope finally going slack. A mass of water lifts up next to the ship, a vast shadow visible under the water, and four glowing eyes shine upwards through the water.
Cassia does her best to hide the worry, and just look reassuringly at Venia.
Venia smiles emptily and takes her arm. "Come on, let's get up there. I want off this ship."
Cassia gently leads her up and out onto the deck
Sian leans over the rail and looks down at the elemental, calling out thanks in a tongue that only he and it can understand. Payment is promised within the week.
A low rumble shakes the waters and the shadows fades into the blue of the water, eyes disappearing in a few seconds, and the only sign of passage is a large wave that itself fades in seconds. The crowd back away from the ship after that, although a few enterprising dockhands have hurled ropes across the gap.
Venia flinches against the wind, and also the sight of the people, sheltering slightly behind Cassia shyly.
"No-one there is even going to touch you, Venia," Cassia says with a concerned glance backwards
The ship is secured and a gangplank fetched, laid across the six feet of water between ship and quay. A gust of wind kicks up some waves and ruffles clothes, a welcome from the city, perhaps?
Venia nods. "It's just... I feel different now." She doesn't try to explain, remaining partly hidden for comfort.
Sian moves over to them once his business with the spirit is concluded, offering a concerned look at the Wood before addressing Cassia. "Do we go to the inn, or straight up to the palace?"
Cassia nods her head a little to Venia before looking to Sian, "Straight up to the palace," she says, after thinking for a bit.
Sian nods slightly, and sets off down the gangplank, clearing a way through the crowd for them.
Venia closes her eyes, staying pressed close to Cassia and thinking of things very far away, in some place she wouldn't feel quite so... vulnerable.
Sian enlists a couple of the aforementioned dockhands to guard the ship, with stern warnings not to so much as look inside.
Cassia puts an arm round her reassuringly.
The crowd parts, chattering amongst themselves, whispering and gossiping, as the trio walk slowly up the main avenue and towards the Iceflower Palace, it's looming construction somehow less friendly than before. The guards let them through, with a nod of recognition from the captain. Doors are opened, and slaves are ready to guide them to Asura.
Venia mumbles words under her breath, nervously rehearsing what she's going to say, minor half-heard witticisms and flat out lies about where she's been.
Sian would offer her reassuring words, but doubts they would work. He just nods slightly to the slave waiting for them.
The mistress of the Iceflower Palace stands and smiles, walking up quickly, "Sian, Cassia, how nice to..." she stops when she sees Venia, and her face hardens, "Get that whore out of my home!"
Sian just stops, right there, and stares at her.
Venia doesn't even really react, just shrinks and wishes she could disappear, vanish into a hole and pull it closed over herself.
Cassia stops and stares, looking aghast.
"Oh, yes, I heard about her," Asura says, "I've heard where she's been, we all have. A common whore, that's all you are, Venia. Pathetic and weak," she steps up, slaps Venia's cheek hard. "I'm serious, Sian, get her out of her, right now."
Sian's hand snaps up to grab Asura's wrist, not fast enough to prevent the slap, but quite firmly (almost excessively) tight enough to prevent another. He grits his teeth for a moment, hard words at the ready, before he seems to calm. His stare doesn't waver, though, as he speaks to Cassia. "Take her to the inn, Cassia. I'll be there soon."
Venias head rings from the slap, but she just mumbles a vague apology, not really having the strength to contest this.
"...Asura!!" she exclaims at the slap, something between anger and betrayal in her voice. She nods to Sian almost by reflex, a little too shocked to argue... starting to back away from Asura, leading Venia out.
Sian keeps Asura's gaze pinned while the other two leave, full of cold anger.
Asura yanks her arm out of Sian's gaze, not even caring about the bruises, "What?" she glares back. "She's shown just how weak she is, Sian. You must be able to see how that changes things?"
"No, I musn't." He doesn't move, but to let his hand fall. It takes another few moments of calming himself before he can speak again. "I will collect Diamond now. You asked a favor for her protection; I suggest you name it now also, as I don't expect to be back in Tideholme any time soon."
Asura stands up straight, confusion momentarily apparent on her face, "Of course," she nods and gestures to a servant, "As for the favour, forget it. I didn't mean anything by it at the time except as a means of getting you into bed, and I suspect that that wouldn't work now."
"No, it wouldn't. But I repay my debts, and though I am doing you enough of a favour by allowing you to walk away with only a bruise, a message will reach me in Whitewall if you think of something else."
"You'd better leave, then," Asura says, "Tell Cassia," she sighs, "... something nice." She stalks off, leaving Sian alone bar Diamond, who has just been brought into the room.
Sian takes her single arm carefully, and exits the premises.
Diamond walks with him, and they are ushered out of the Palace by a slave. When the door closes, there is a ring of finality to the *clunk!* of the bar.
Sian cares not. He walks back to the inn, careful of Diamond's generally weakened self.
"I'm sorry Asura was like that." Cassia says softly, when they are well away from the Iceflower Palace and entering the inn.
Venia shrugs, "She's right."
"She isn't." Cassia says firmly. She wasn't, right?
"She is. I'm of the blood of the Dragons, I'm supposed to be strong. I am out of favor with the Dragons, I made my mistakes, I must have deserved whatever happened to me. It is the way of life." The words ring out hollowly.
The Hearth's Song is as it always is, Fallen Descant at the door, "Hello, Sian. Your friends are waiting for you in your room. I'll send some food and drink up for you."
"Thank you, Descant." He nods to him, before heading upstairs.
Sian knocks quietly on the door as he arrives at it, waiting patiently.
"That's not true." Cassia says, before glancing round at the door.She leaves Venia on the bed briefly, opening the door for Sian.
Sian thanks her, settling Diamond onto a bed. "Can I speak with you for a minute, Cassia?"
Cassia nods.
Sian steps back outside, waiting for her to follow.
Cassia steps outside, pushing the door too behind her.
"I guess it would be stupid of me to ask how she's taking this."
Cassia's expression probably lets Sian see everything he needs to know "...She thinks she deserves it somehow!"
Sian is actually rather surprised by this. "What? How?"
"She is. I'm of the Blood of the Dragons, I'm supposed to be strong. I am out of favor with the Dragons, I made my mistakes, I must have deserved whatever happened to me. It is the way of life." she says, in the same hollow tone Venia used.
Sian grimaces. "Hopefully, we can do something about that."
Cassia nods.
Sian sighs slightly regardless, and brushes back his hair. "Do you have anything against leaving for Whitewall today? I don't really feel the need to stay any longer than needed."
"Not at all."
"Mm, good. Then I had better make arrangements to leave. Just look after Venia until I get back, or ask Aia to if you need to go out at all." He turns away, then pauses, remembering. "Oh, yes. Asura said to tell you something nice, but I can't really think of anything. This 'understanding of mutual interest' is over, at least my part in it, but I'll leave you to make up your own mind about it."
Cassia just looks angry at the mention of Asura. She nods.
Sian nods back, and does exit this time.
Cassia goes back into the room "Aia, we're leaving ... today if Sian can manage it."
Aia nods, "OK," she looks around, "I'm going to miss this place."
Cassia looks like she isn't sure she's going to miss it at all. "Do you need help to pack things?"
Aia nods, "Please. We've stayed here a few times now, so I've left some stuff here."
Cassia helps Aia pack things, looking at one of the dresses she packed rather oddly, as though something had occured to her.
"Can you look after them?" she says after they've mostly finished, "I need to pack some things myself."
"Of course," Aia nods, "Venia, do you have anything you want to pack?"
Cassia slips out of the room, and to her small apartment in the city.
Venia flinches away from the surprise, but collects herself, shaking her head. "No. Nothing I want."
Aia nods, a concerned look on her face. "You'd should lie down, Venia. Sian will be back soon."
Cassia starts to pack her few possessions, until she finds what she's looking for. She leaves her packing half done, wrapping the fabric up in a bundle and making her unobrusive way through the streets and to the Palace, which she enters via her usual method.
Venia does as Aia says, laying out and unconsciously spreading her arms and legs, staring blankly at the ceiling for a moment before remembering to close her eyes.
Cassia moves carefully through the corridors of the palace, careful to avoid places where Asura might be, until she reaches Asura's bedchamber. She places the dress that Asura had made for her "coming out" party on the bed and then disappears, ghostlike.
The Guild enclave at the northern edge of the city is a collection of plain buildings opposite a large cobbled square. Several caravan wagons lie open on the square, burly workers hauling crates and packages up into the expansive holds of these mobile houses.
Sian walks around and tries to appear unobtrusive, looking for someone in charge.
A short man with sallow skin, wearing brightly coloured robes and carrying a large tally slate, walks up to Sian, "Can I help you, honoured customer?" He makes another mark on the slate.
Sian just nods slightly, still somewhat looking around. "Looking to purchase caravans, maybe four."
"Purchase?" the man blinks, "You mean hire, of course?"
"No, purchase. I have my own animals, own drivers. I will need to buy supplies from you, also."
"Four wagons and supplies?" an abacus emerges from beneath his robes and after several seconds of rapid-fire clicking, "Two talents, in silver obviously."
Sian just nods slightly. "Give me until this evening, and I'll have the money."
The merchant nods, "I'll be here." He turns to the workers, "Time to start unloading, men! We're selling the wagons!"
There is a general grumble from from the workers, as they set about undoing a days work.
Sian ticks off an item on his mental list, and works his way back through the city, towards Cora'Esh's dwelling.
Ushered into the sorceress' home by her child servant, Sian is once again led to the small garden that Cora'Esh keeps. It is, if anything, even more riotously outgrown than before, the light from above dappled and shaded green.
Waiting for him, she nods her head and smiles slightly, "Greetings, Sian Nerivus. To what does one owe the pleasure of your company?"
Sian gives her a small bow before replying. "Cora'Esh. I must speak with you about the tutoring you proposed."
She nods, "One was wondering what had happened to you. The events of the Calibration left one... discomforted, to say the least." The sorceress shudders slightly in memory.
"They were not particularly pleasant for me, either."
Cora'Esh smiles appreciatively, then gestures, "Please, be seated," she claps and the servant arrives a few seconds later, bearing a tray with cups and a steaming pot of tea. "You were discussing one's offer of tutelage?"
Sian nods slightly, taking a cup to be polite. "I was. It appears that I may not be able to accept it, after all."
"Oh? One is saddened to hear this. Might one ask as to the reason why?" She takes a sip from her own cup, delicately drinking the hot tea.
"I will be leaving the city again, soon, and I do not think I will be returning in the near future. I no longer feel comfortable here."
"Your absence will be deeply felt. One rarely has the opportunity to speak with others who share one's interests and abilities, even if only starting out along the path," Cora'Esh takes another sip of her tea, "Might one inquire as to why your feelings for this city have changed so?"
"It is not so much the city itself. More that I do not wish to be near the one who controls it."
"Ah..." she pauses for a moment, "One has heard rumours from from farther east along the coast. One assumes that your change of heart is related to those and our Satrap's reaction?"
"One is perceptive." He offers a half-smile. "Yes, that is the reason."
"One understands," Cora'Esh nods sympathetically, "One's knowledge of Dynastic politics was not gained purely through study."
"You are yourself a Dynast?" He seems curious.
"One was born on the Blessed Isle, but long ago left that world behind," she delivers a barely perceptible shrug, "The internecine world of the Realm did not suit one."
Sian just nods slightly. "If it produces situations like the one I witnessed at the palace, I can understand why."
"One does not regret the decision, but it was not taken lightly," Cora'Esh closes her eyes for a moment, "If you wish to seek alternate avenues of tutelage one will not hold you to our agreement."
"I would prefer to study under you, but it would be rude of me to ask you to leave your home so that I may do so. So, I will teach myself as best I am able."
"One understands," she turns away for a few moments, apparently lost in thought. "One would be remiss in one's responsibilities if one did not at least provide a beginning to your studies," the door opens and the child-servant enters bearing two books - one bound in black leather, the other in white. "Please accept these as a gift, they are the basic Treatises on which all sorcery is built."
Sian puts down his drink, and takes them very carefully from the servant. "I... I thank you, Cora'Esh. These will help greatly."
"You are most welcome, Sian Nerivus," she inclines her head gently in his direction, "They belonged to a friend who has since joined the Dragons. He wished that one have them, to pass on to a student at some future time."
Sian nods again, and holds them as if they were precious relics. "Again, thank you."
Cora'Esh smiles in response, "One hopes that you will, from time to time, apprise one of your situation. One's own studies leave little time for travel and one doesn't hear much of the outside world beyond gossip and rumour."
"I will, of course. And my offer to perform tasks for you is still open."
"One looks forward to your correspondence."
Sian nods again. "One more thing... I understand that many sorcerors have a ritual space set out for summonings. Is this true?"
She nods slowly, "It is true, although it is not something one widely advertises, for reasons one is sure you can understand."
"I do. Do you have one that I may make use of?"
"One does, although it is little used. What do you wish to call forth?"
"An elemental to serve as messenger."
Cora'Esh smiles, "Ah. Well, one is sure that one's circle will suffice for that purpose. One shall have it prepared for you."
"Thank you, yet again." He bows to her.
She turns to her flowers and clips a few of the blooms, lush roses and orchids, forming them into a small bunch, "A gift for your fiancee. One must depart to prepare the circle for you. One's servant will arrive shortly when it is ready."
Sian accepts these gratefully.
Cora'Esh leaves through a greenery-shrouded door, leaving Sian alone in the garden, surrounded by flowers from all over Creation, climbing the pillars and spilling over the boxes of this room buried within the complexities of the sorceress' home.
Sian drinks the remains of his tea, and starts on the White Treatise to pass the time.
After some minutes the child emerges, "The mistress says that she is ready now. Follow me, please?"
Sian does so, remembering his page.
The summoning chamber is a large, octagonal room with a circle precisely etched into the floor and filled with silver. Cases and shelves filled with summoning paraphenalia line the walls, and several thin, windows high up on the wall provide shafts of light that centre on the circle. Cora'Esh waits just outside its boundaries, "One hopes that this will serve your needs."
Sian spends a few moments taking it in. "I am used to scratching ritual circles into the dirt. This is more than enough." He smiles.
"One will leave you to your summoning. Having multiple sorcerers present for such is rarely a good thing, one has noticed."
"Then I thank you for taking the time to see me."
She smiles, "One enjoyed your company, as always," and leaves through the door.
Sian gets to summoning! He discovers it is remarkably easy to summon in a chamber such as this, and resolves to find one for himself in the future. A few hours of ritual, and he has his messenger elemental; a floating, limbless fox-spirit, with numerous tails that leave clouds of mist in its wake. It has two messages to send; one, to the Syndics, requesting silver to finance the trip. And two, to a nearby spirit court, requesting aid in moving the wagons.
The elemental swirls in the air as the messages are given to it, spiralling ever faster upon itself until it disappears with an audible snap of shocked air, vanishing through one of the open windows with blinding speed.
Sian shields his eyes from the blast of air, and brushes a few drops of cold water off his shirt, before retrieving his books and flowers, and exiting. He does ask the servant to say goodbye to Cora'Esh for him, though.
Aia's eyes had lit up when Sian presented her with the bunch of flowers from the sorceress, giving him a long, if quiet, kiss with snuggles as payment. "Venia's asleep," explained her silence in a whisper, before she breathed deeply of their potent scent.
Sian just smiles faintly at her expression. "That's good... she probably needs the rest."
Aia nods, "Getting away from here, going somewhere new, will be good for her." She sniffs the flowers again, smiling, "Are you getting everything ready?"
"Yeah. Been to see Cora'Esh, she understands. Sent a messenger off to the Syndics so we can afford the wagons... just waiting for it to return."
"I was helping Venia pack earlier, and we don't have much here really. So we should be done soon," Aia looks around, "Shame about the flowers, though. We can't really take a vase with us."
"Mrm, there's plenty of space on the wagons, if you want to."
"Mmm..." Aia smiles, "It would be a shame to leave them." She nods and pulls away slightly from Sian, "I'll get back to packing, you should get to the wagons."
"See you later, then." He gives her a kiss on the forehead, before heading out.
The Guild enclave is busier than it was before, with four wagons standing to one side of the remainder, unattended beyond a handful of guards. The Guildsman from before waits by them, also his eyes a little wild. "Ah! You are here!" he speaks rapidly, his Southern accent coming to the fore.
Sian lifts his eyebrows a little at this behaviour. "Yes, I am. I imagine the silver has arrived?"
"Yes! Over there!" the small merchant points towards several small metallic chests, of a type Sian has seen in the Whitewall treasury before, and above them hovers, or rather whirls, a small flock of icehawks, their shrill cries just at the edge of hearing, frost falling from their wings.
Sian just nods, as if he was expecting this, walking over and speaking with the birds in their own language. He waits for them to move away from the chests, before opening one and reaching inside, finding a couple of smaller coins and tossing them to the birds for their trouble.
The icehawks squabble over the silver for a few moments before it is gone and, with that, the elementals disappear soon after, leaving five chests stamped with the Whitewall treasury seal and coated with a thin layer of rime.
"Two talents, you said?" He turns to the guildsman.
"Yes! Um... yes, two talents," the short man checks his tally slate and nods.
Sian finds the total silver count in one of the chests, and starts dividing up the chests.
Four chests end up in front of the Guildsman, each one filled to the brim with good silver coin. The fifth, Sian realises, is for him, atop the coins within is a sealed note with his name written on it in Old Realm, Sliding Joy's impeccable brushwork instantly recognisable.
Sian pockets that for later reading. "Now, I have some other purchases..."
"Oh?" mercantile interest peaks again, "What are you interested in?"
"Heroin. A month's supply, or maybe more, for one person."
A series of rapid blinks give way to sheer greed, "Heroin, you say? That is... a not insubstantial amount..."
"I have money, as you've noted."
"600 dinars," the merchant says, his eyes calculating.
"400." Sian is unmoved by this ridiculous price.
The hagging begins in earnest at that point, the two arguing price and quality for several minutes before a final value on the large package of narcotics is reached.
"450 it is, and a set of syringes, too..." the merchant looks defeated and sweaty.
Sian is gracious in victory, and so thanks him politely. "All the supplies are already loaded onto the wagons?"
"They are. The only things missing are the drovers and animals."
"I have those handled. Thank you for your time." He bows slightly.
"And you for the lesson on the correct way to haggle," the bow in return is deeper, with a slightly nervous smile.
Sian smiles a little in return. "You're welcome."
The merchant departs, his guards carrying the money back to the main Guild building, leaving Sian with four cottage-sized wagons at his side.
Sian just nods to himself, satisfied, before departing to the outskirts of the city, to await the arrival of the elementals.
