Fire Emblem : Age of Renewal IC

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2nd of Summertide
City of Cielcanast
Former Domain of the Royal House Solana

The sun shined brightly and warm on an empty blue sky, the happy chirps of distant birds were carried far by soft rolling winds, and the waters of Lake Nimuen sparkled as if made of the finest gemstones. In the distance, heralded by ringing church bells and a bustle of excitement, small armies of dignitaries, nobles and bodyguards were amassing in and around the great city of Cielcanast, all gathered for a momentous occasion. Scheduled for the afternoon, the Summertide Council would be convened, one of the twin meetings organized each year by the Archduchies of Lotharia to resolve disputes, discuss matters and handle important foreign affairs, all under the watchful eyes of the neutral caretakers of the great city, the Lightbringer Church.

Yet despite the warm weather and barely-contained excitement amidst the crowds of urban dwellers and rural peasantry alike, an undercurrent of cold tension was snaking its way through the streets and fields in equal measure. It was no secret that the Grand Old Duke had scant few days left in his life, and already the confederacy he forged from the carcass of the old High Kingdom was fraying at the seams without his clear guidance and leadership at its helm. Something was bound to give once he died, and some may yet wish to hasten him into his grave...

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Cielcanast Outskirts

@Floom

With a huff, the pair finally arrived at the edge of the great forest. What awaited on the other side was unlike anything Arunal had ever seen, for upon what had been noted only as a lonely hill in that tales of the Heron now sat a grand construction of unrivalled size in all the lands. Glistening white walls fluttered with colorful banners, guarded by grim-faced Beorc with bows and spears, all protecting a veritable hive of stone, timber and glass. And to think none of it had been forged by Galdr, if one were to believe the tales...

"So, at last we made it. Was it worth it, Little One?" Came the gravely voice of her protector from behind.

The large from of Teagann stepped into view, the old Tiger taking in a deep breath of the surrounding air before continuing. "The Beorc are on guard today. It would be safer to not get any closer...but I assume you have already made up your mind?" He turned down to look at her, a knowing glint in his eyes, his functioning green and scarred white alike.

It still stung to think the elders did not trust her to protect herself, despite her years of training, yet...to have travelled so far without her present companions would have been a much less pleasant experience.

Further behind her still, she felt the great thuds of her other follower's mount. To her side, Teagann could not help but chuckle.

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@Ryumancer

With yet another light thrash and a deep grumble, her Wyvern made its great displeasure known to all. After all these years, it was a sound which Thalia was intimately familiar with, for despite their great size, strength and speed, Wyverns of all stripes tended to act more like spoiled horses or cats when they did not get their way. Her mount trusted her enough that it would bear this indignity, but the glint in its reptilian eyes demanded many belly rubs and snacks at a later date as recompense. The whole spectacle made it particularly difficult to maintain a straight face, and the distant half-supressed laughter of her friend's guardian almost broke her own floodgates.

At last, they had arrived at Cielcanast, and it was as magnificent as the books and tales told. The once-seat of the greatest realm Andural had seen, yet clearly now but a shadow of its former self. It was both humbling and oh-so-depressing to think about.

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Outside the City Walls

@BloodhailWyrm

The Church was pulling out all the stops it seems, given they were hiring every two-bit mercenary they could to augment their efforts to keep the peace for the duration of the meeting at the once-grandest city in all of Andoral. In the distance, surrounding the great southern gatehouse, with their black and white banners fluttering in the wind, sat the main encampment of the Tarnished Company. Deep down, something gnawed at Carmen's heart to see them again, but she was smart enough to also know any repeat encounter with her former comrades after her departure would not end well for anyone, even if it appeared as if the "Oathbreakers" were in ascendancy. She would have to make due with awaiting the call in the outer camps dispersed farther out from the city walls, and try to get her mind away from the past...

With a curious huff, Old Rusty shifted beneath her, at last drawing Carmen's attention towards a spear-wielding guardsman, clad in the colorless greys of a mercenary, with a Church badge hastily pressed upon his chestplate. Had he been watching the Tarnished too?

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@Revan4221X

He had not intended to come here, not until his ancient oath had been fulfilled, yet ideals and dreams can't keep a man fed, and the recruiter in Annastir had presented an irresistible sum for watching a bunch of blowhard nobles strut about and ensure none of them shanked eachother. So here he was, sitting in a veritable city of tents, in the shadow of the city which his forefathers had diligently guarded for generations, now forever barred from passing its gates. Something deep inside him writhed and raged at the injustice, but he had a job to do, and could not let this distract him from his task.

So he patrolled the camp, walking amidst the tents and great ocean of people, his Church-provided badge upon his chestplate for all to see. An errant glance towards the southern gatehouse allowed him to spot the familiar banners in the distance, each tug made by the wind upon the fabric feeling like a cold dagger in his chest.

A sudden huff of hot air at his side made Taren aware he had halted his patrol next to a young Wyvern, who's rider now squarely placed their attention upon him alongside that of their mount.

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@Iten

While her father's journals had on occasion mentioned Cielcanast and the burning of Royal Palace, alongside the clues which it may yet hold, Lyra's visit to her family's ancestral lands were more out of idle curiousity than anything. Strong as her blood was, if any were to see her without her cloak there may be a panic, even more so because the Church were out in force today, ensuring a fragile peace amongst House Solana's former vassals. Out here, beyond the walls, she could at least admire the glittering spires from a distance, and conclude what little business she had. While she hated to admit it, looking at the rows of hardened mercenaries, guards and protectors altogether made any solo attempt to infiltrate the ruins impossible...

A sudden crash behind her quickly drew her attention, to a curious band of what she could only assume to me more mercenaries, arguing with a clearly-agitated man, and what remained of a cart full of wares.

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@Blitztrain

Though the trail had led to Cielcanast, deep down, he knew it had gone cold by now. The men who took his sister were quick on horseback, and didn't seem all that bothered by the border patrols as he and his rag-tag band had been when they crossed over from Aulster. Now they were here, at the gates of Andoral's greatest city, and they couldn't even get inside the walls for their lack of proper identification or upbringing, whatever the latter meant. To say it was frustrating was a severe understatement, and maybe that was what ultimately clouded his mind when he bumped into that cart. To be fair, it must have been of pretty shoddy construction if it fell apart just like that...

Now if only the irate merchant would just. Shut. Up. Restitutions or reparations were not words his emptying coin purse wanted to hear at all.

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@Carol

She met the others just outside Annastir, recognizing a budding swordsman in their young leader, and the smell of delicious alcohol in their supplies. While normally booze alone would not be enough to entice her into the service of another, there was something about this Lidor that piqued her curiosity. Now, barely a week later, they were seated amidst a sea of tents, with the white walls of the Lotharian capital in the distance, yet stuck dealing with what amounted to pocket change over a broken cartwheel and some squashed cabbages.

The fates truly were cruel, to leave them stuck so close yet so far from their objective. At the very least she could console herself with the improvements that Lindor had made since she joined his little group, and that alone might just be what tips the balance in their favor, when they make their move on the city.

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@Gespenst

The fates must be truly cruel, to have him come so close to potentially meeting the father he never knew, by pure chance no less, and yet be barred at the gates for lack of a noble upbringing. The guards scoffed at the Brand of Saint Edward so emblazoned on his person, and called him a charlatan! the absolute nerve of these Lotharians...

At least the journey under the employ of their young Aulsterite hadn't been all for naught. Garrett had made a new friend in the soft-spoken Duck, the pair bonding over their shared connection to the famed Spirit Forest and the unique venerating culture of those who grew in or near its great folds. Once this job concluded, they may strike up a proper partnership, wandering the continent making it rich in the mercenary trade together.

Of course, that is if they survived what was coming next. Lindor had not said anything yet, but the thoughtful gazes directed towards the walls of Cielcanast filled his stomach with an uncertain worry.

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@Nevis

This must have been the farthest point Duck had ever been from home. The southern seas which seperated the mainland from the isle of Arconia could not even be seen on the horizon, hidden behind an endless row of hills and mountains. The noise and commotion of the tent city they now found themselves in the middle of was equally overwhelming and strange. The city in the distance had room, but its rulers specifically kept most out and beyond its walls. for someone native to the lands of the Spirit Forest, it all seemed so strange, almost alien even, all these words used and yet so little was actually said. The gate guards turned their little troop away for no other reason than they didn't like them, and now Lindor had accidentally damaged that cart, and-!

Altogether, it almost made them wish they was back home. Almost.

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Within the Royal Palace

@CobaltCloyster

A part of her may never forgive her sister for her decision, for while the journey into the wild beauty of the Naril Vale was without compare, once she and her contingent had actually arrived at the vaunted city of Cielcanast, Emelina felt as though all she wished to do was lock herself in the tallest tower of the city and weep. Were there truly no one else with the authority and time to observe this political theater?

Apparently not, for why else would she be here? At least she did not have to make herself at home in that nauseating sprawl of tents growing by the hour outside the city walls.

Not that the interior of the great palace which once hosted the Solana Kings, and now served as a glorified meeting hall for the houses which had overthrown them. Attempt after attempt had been made by a seemingly-unending tide of lower nobles and dignitaries, but they had all thankfully been rebuffed before they could witness how quickly she was collapsing under the social strain. It had been by pure chance she had come across them on the road, but it was hard not to feel grateful for the mysterious Uther, with every petitioner he politely refused on her behalf.

Her wandering mind was however returned at last to the world of the living by the rustling of her assigned protector's armor. "My Lady." His voice was low for her sake, as if she was made of glass...


"It has been some time since your last meal. Shall I call for the servants?" One could not fault Louis' loyalty or devotion to House Luxor and herself personally, but at times, she really wished she wasn't treated as if she would break down at the lightest touch!

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@Birthday

What good fortune to run into not only a travelling priestess, but also a wandering Princess and her guard? The Gods clearly had a plan for him, so who was he to deny their request? The Princess thankfully proved understanding enough, and accepted him and his companion into her company. Now, after what felt like a mere blink of an eye, they were standing within the most opulent halls of Andoral's greatest city. It was indeed glorious, though a distant memory in the back of his mind gnawed at him greatly. The city's mood was more downtrodden and depressed, as if its peoples were but living one day to the next. Where was the pride and confidence he always associated with the people of Lotharia?

Regardless of such idle thoughts, his efforts to ensure the socially-awkward royal was left undisturbed at this particular hour had likely earned him a measure of goodwill. In the meantime however, the priestess, Olivia, had disappeared from his sight sometime after lunch, and she had not returned to the group's assigned quarters.

Mayhaps it was time for him to go searching for her, lest his worry overtake him.

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@Omida

Was it divine providence, some fated game, or blind luck which had brought her this far? Olivia could not honestly answer that question. Her journey out of Anciel, oh-so-long ago, nearly ended in disaster the moment she stepped out beyond its walls. Were it not for the timely intervention of the strange Ser Uther, she may have simply been cut down by those bandits, or taken away to a far worse fate. Though she was tempted at times to leave Uther behind, for there was something clearly wrong with him at times, she could not doubt his sincerity, when he wore his opinions and emotions so openly on his sleeve. From there, it would only be a matter of time until they ran into the wandering Princess of Anrain, which in turn had led her to Cielcanast...

While at first she had not planned for it, her curiosity led her to slip away from the group, to explore. Here, amongst the marble halls raised by her ancestors, Olivia could at last get a measure of that which the spiteful and cruel world she was born into had stolen from her. The sheer decadent opulence on display, of gold, and fineries and ornaments, all painted a lively image of a life without worries or wants in her head. It all could have been hers, had it not been for the greed and ambitions of lesser men and women.

A part of her wished to scream, to decry the injustice of it all, but she also knew it would be pointless...

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@ORE

Normally, Zandria would not care for the likes of Lotharia, with an impenetrable mountain range between the two of them, and the once-High Kingdom being far more concerned with internal matters to be of any help against hated Anrain, what purpose would there be in sending ambassadors?

Well, the Grand Secretary's calculus had certainly changed, or he would not be here now in the capacity he was. It was hard to decide whether this posting was a reward or a punishment, for the Grand Secretary, as always, keeps his thoughts and concerns close to his chest. Regardless of the reason, he had at least been provided with ample funds, fine lodgings within the Solana palace, and an able bodyguard in the form of the strange Pegasus Rider. All in all, if this was a punishment, it was one he could at least enjoy in comfort, for however-long it would take for the Lotharians to conclude their most recent bout of political grandstanding.

Perhaps he will have time to see the city itself, and investigate why the common citizens and noble alike could not help but stare at him when he passed them by...

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@Shebe Zuu

She still didn't quite know how someone as important as the Grand Secretary of Zandria managed to be recommended her services, but it had been quite the windfall after Aquileia. Who knew merchants could be so vindictive over a contract of all things?!

In any case, the job didn't end up being anything spectacular. Just escort a Secretariat functionary to Cielcanast and keep the scrawny bureaucrat alive for the duration of the Summertide Council meeting. When she first got those details, for a moment she feared she'd be stuck with a palace drone who had their sense of humor surgically removed, but Athas proved surprisingly amicable, if reserved. There was something more about him that Heidi could not exactly place, but it hadn't caused issue so far, so though she was curious, she had let the matter lie.

Now at last they had reached their destination. Cielcanast was a city without compare, unlike anything she could remember seeing back in Nordras, and as the bodyguard of a participating official, she even got some lodgings in the Royal Palace itself! With how soft her bed was, a small part of her wondered if she could ever sleep comfortably out in the wild ever again.

Her thoughts drifted again, and a thought struck. With the sun bound to set soon, it may be time to run down to the market one last time for some fresh apples. Her Pegasus would likely need some additional bribes to stay penned into that stable in the lower castle courtyard.

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@Archon of Ghosts

These Lotharians were a strange people, there was no doubt about that, but at least they recognized greatness when they saw it personified. It was a mere curiosity which brought him to the gates of their vaunted capital city, and immediately he was welcomed inside its walls with grand and opulant displays worthy of a scion of House Miang.

The grand lodgings were greatly welcomed, for the rigours of the road had not quite been as he had expected. Even with the faithful services of his loyal retainer, the trek through the muddy fields of Aulster had been a great pain both physically and mentally, not helped by the atrocious weather which had hounded them since they left Grunder. Here, he may recover in the lap of luxury, before again setting out on a grand adventure across the continent!

Now, the question simply remained on how exactly to amuse himself while the Lotharians conducted their ceremonial meeting. It wasn't as if he could conjure forth a band of entertainers here in the palace.

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@Todorius

Upon their arrival in Cielcanast, she feared it would be an uphill battle to convince her lord to settle for an inn which wouldn't cost them the last of their travelling money, yet the strangest of circumstances had instead propelled them into a set of quarters in the Royal Palace itself. When those guardsmen had first approached the pair, her first thought was that they had somehow attracted the ire of the local elite, yet their respectful greeting put pause to such thoughts.

From what she could gather in the aftermath, the official ambassador of Xianshi had not arrived in the city at the expected date, yet no word had been sent to the local authorities regarding this. The guards at the gate in turn simply assumed that her lord, dressed in his fineries and carrying an air of respectful nobility around himself, must have been the ambassador. While for the time it had been fortuitous, they couldn't keep such a charade up forever.

How to broach the subject with her lord, without him charging off again to get them both killed? Truly, the life of a retainer was much less glamorous than the tales made it out to be.

Outside the City Walls

Lindor had taken to holding the bridge of his nose in an attempt to hold his composure as the merchant prattled on, but when combined with the urgent need to get inside the city before his quarry could escape and take all signs of his sister with them, he finally snapped.

"You're not fooling anyone old man, I've seen better wheels on a rickety garden wheelbarrow! That cart of yours would have broken down if even a crow landed on it, had you spared a moment maintaining your own property this wouldn't be a problem in the first place!"

That said Lindor had to recognize his carelessness was still a factor, if he wanted to avoid becoming the very sort of person he despised it was prudent to pay his dues even if the situation was insignificant. So in desperation Lindor pulled out a purse and counted out a rough estimate of coin to shove into the merchant's hand and grumbled:

"There, the full price of your damaged cabbages. At the rate you would have charged for them in market I'm sure you can get someone to do something about your cart for this much"

Somewhere else, outside the City Walls.


Carmen and Rusty had just touched down from a slow, lazy flight over the stretches of grassland so graciously hosting the horde of 'mercs and their tents outside the city walls, and she hadn't just yet dismounted to set her own two boots back on the ground. She'd made sure to veer far, far away from the Southern gatehouse just in case someone with working eyes and a brain worth anything spotted the big orange lizard in the sky and decided to start trouble, though realistically...Well, realistically Carmen knows they probably wouldn't remember her, much less care. (And if anyone in their great order had a brain worth anything, she wouldn't have left in the first place-- agh. Doesn't matter.)

Still. Can't help looking, right?

Maybe sitting atop wyvern-back whilst lazing about the outer camps was unnecessary. Hells, it was almost definitely unnecessary. But there's something about being up there, able to tower even over the mercs on horseback, that helps Carmen feel much, much less bound by the constraints of thoughts and feelings that should've been long laid to rest. Makes the tension in her shoulders more bearable, too, the one that's always there when faced by a throng of far too many people; sometimes it reminds her of the old flock, except less well-behaved, less fluffy, less comforting. Hm.

"Easy, friend, easy," Carmen soothes as Rusty chuffs and fixes his gaze on the man who'd unwittingly drawn his attention. She pats the restless drake's neck with a lazy, gauntlet-clad hand, until his agitation eases off into a wyvern's more usual surly state. Perhaps he'd picked up on the mood of his rider; perhaps he was simply hungry. Either way, it's no excuse to frighten the poor sod, though by the generally unimpressed, hard look on the mercenary's face, maybe she shouldn't be too worried.



"Hail, stranger. Don't mind the big grump, he's just...Pissy that treats have to wait 'till wages start coming in," she says, trying to -- how do folks say it? -- break the ice, as it were. Aiming for lighthearted, although probably just coming off forced. She sighs. "Can I help you?"

Duck felt lost in this strange forest of tents and market stalls, this alien landscape was pressing in on all sides and was even a little claustrophobic. Still, they weren't alone and so decided to take their cue from Lindor pushing past the angry merchant. They plastered a dopey look on their face and meandered past the merchant.

These city folks seemed to take Duck for an idiot a lot of the time. By playing into the expectations of others they could often reduce the ire of these outsiders, or at least re-direct it a bit onto other members of their cohort. People also tended to speak more freely than they should when they thought you were an idiot.

In the distance stone walls towered like artificial cliffs. The gate through them was impassible, the guards presenting arguments about needing some kind of blood to get in (but apparently not the wrong kind?). Perhaps there was another way in however? Water didn't go in through the gate, and shit did not come out of it. They resolved to look out for other ways through the walls for the sake of their companions, assuming that something else didn't come up. Who knows, perhaps some friendly soul with the right kind of blood would come along and let them in the normal way?

In his capacity as a civil servant of Zandria, Athas has traveled many places and played many roles. Ambassador was a new one, and Lotharia was a new place. Oh well a wise man learned quickly that trying to understand the twists and turns of the secretary's mind was a fools-game. He was always 5 plans ahead of everyone else.
"I can get used to the cold, but I wish I understood why everyone stares so. Is it really so unusual to see a Zandrian?" Athas pondered aloud as he finished his journaling of events so far- Eventually it would all be used to write a report.

@Shebe Zuu
He rose and put away his writing implements, took off his reading classes and put on his more formal outer cloak.
Turning to address the bodyguard that had been contracted for this mission (Itself somewhat odd, really the only possible threat to his life was not something a bodyguard could save him from. Well maybe if that bodyguard was a personal physician.
"Heidi" he began, before being interrupted by a cough
"I am going to find the palace's library and peruse its collection. I don't believe there will be any possible danger there, so if you have any business to settle in town, be at your leisure, I don't believe you need to stand and watch me read."

Cielcanast City, (former) Royal Palace
Truth be told, opulence wasn't a completely foreign concept to Olivia.

The holy city, after all, certainly did not lack for magnificence and wealth, much as she was barred from the heart of it on account of her blood. But that was Anciel, to which gifts and donations of the faithful flowed like a river and this... This was different. This was magnificence build for mortals, meant for mortal life, no matter how holy the blood within its inhabitants' veins has been. To walk these halls has been a strange feeling, truth be told. Unlike her mother, she had not even the faintest of memories of this place, no attachment to it, and yet an indiscernible feeling swelled within her breast all the same as she slowly walked the corridors and stepped onto the balconies to catch a breath of fresh air., And all of it with her back bent, with her head bowed, and the hood of her robes pulled over her head to hide her hair.

How the guards inspecting all attempting to enter Cielcanast left her alone and thus did not expose her so-called 'cursed blood', Olivia truthfully couldn't tell. Or perhaps the Lightbringer Church's hold was so great in Lotharia that even a young woman wearing a mere initiate's robes like she did was beyond suspicion and reproach. Such theory didn't sit well within Olivia's breast, much as it benefitted her, for it further confirmed her quiet misgivings and critiques of the clergy she harboured since her days studying in Anciel.

For now, she felt the need to get out of the palace itself, its atmosphere steadily growing unbearable. For all that she silently protested her family's (her) situation, she was raised in a modest manner, as one of the commons and the concentration of politicking and intrigue involved in the gathering for Summertide Council wore on her. She needed to blend back with the people, listen to what they truly said and simply immerse herself, with none of the concerns for greater things for now, or the watchful eye of sir Uther.

The knight meant well, she knew, and she was thankful for his aid, even as she wondered on the quiet evenings why and how bandits managed to operate so close to Anciel as to threaten her...

Olivia shook her head. This time, she would watch out better for the possible dangers.

Omida said:

She needed to blend back with the people, listen to what they truly said and simply immerse herself, with none of the concerns for greater things for now, or the watchful eye of sir Uther.

Click to expand...

Click to shrink...

Olivia's solitude would unfortunately be broken by a loud and energetic voice as Uther enthusiastically announced his presence, oblivious to the attention his actions attracted from those around him. "What ho, Priestess Olivia! How fare ye?" The white-clad knight says as he strode forward to join his travelling companion, arm wildly waving, his cheerful grin somehow audible through his greeting.

"It has been many an hour since our luncheon, and as I returned from my valiant charge of Politely Prohibiting Petitioners from Pestering the Princess, I failed to notice that you had not returned to our quarters! Pray tell, what has seized your attention?" Uther looks around the room curiously as if to the answer would avail itself to him from inspecting the walls of the lavishly decorated castle, a finger idly twirling a lock of his freely flowing maroon hair.

"Don't tell me... Have the hallowed walls of this storied palace struck thee with some sort of grand revelation!" The one eye that peeked out from behind his bangs sparkled with childish excitement. "An Adventure perhaps? Nay, a Quest! One filled with valor and for virtue! Grandfather always loved those." After all, it could not have been mere coincidence for him to have met both a priestess of the Goddess and a Princess of Anrain shortly one after another!

Within the Royal Palace


Jiang was acutely aware of the misunderstanding that had taken place in the royal palace, unlike the young master Jiang was under no illusion that the foreign nobility would be familiar with the great houses of Xianxi. Still, perhaps there was a way to spin this to their advantage. Afterall, neither Jiang nor her charge, Meng Huhai, had actually claimed to be the Xianxi ambassador. She could work with this, she could make this work. She always had, its what got her here afterall.

Full diplomatic mission were rarely, if ever, composed of only a single group. Invariably, a large diplomatic expedition would involve many myriad moving parts from merchants procuring supplies and provisions suitable to the sensibilities of foreign dignataries. To porters and carriagemen ferrying expensive gifts, tributes and sensitive scrolls. Moreover, adventurous noble scions eager to learn of the wider world often tagged along such missions where they could simultaneously represent their family while contributing to the splendour of any ambassadorial entourage.

The young master Huhai could easily be folded under the last catergory, she simply needed to make sure they played their part. Afterall over such distances messages were prone to get lost, no ambassador worth their salt would question the late addition of a single noble scion. More likely than not, the message would simply have been lost enroute. Especially so, when the person in question hailed from house Miang (albeit a lesser branch, not that she had to stress this too much).

Jiang Hongle just needed to convince the young master to start entertaining their generous hosts, to ply them with gifts and show them the splendour of Xianxi. Meanwhile, Jiang would ply coin she had left towards preparing the ambassodorial suites to suit the tastes of any high official.

Yes. As they say the best place to hide a leaf was the forest.

Truly the peoples of the continent were amusing. Showering his august person with gifts, inviting him to feasts and celebrations, even the priests had approached him, and invited him to pursue their discussion on the doctrines of Xianshi's Lightbringer cult. Still, if they were going to be such good hosts, it would be dishonourable to be anything but an amenable guest. While something was a bit off in how eagerly they seemed to treat a wandering sword like himself, something he couldn't fully write off as a cultural attitude.

As such, he would reciprocate their appreciation. A few gifts here and there, displaying some of the flashier katas to those martially inclined, explaining the customs and culture of the Sunrise Kingdom. But with all the invitations and his quarters, he would have to actually hire some additional servants to maintain his dignified appearance. While he may be a mere kinsmen of House Miang, he was now a representative of his lord. It would reflect poorly upon him if he left a bad impression abroad before his return.

His calligraphy was not as refined as would be ideal, yet it would suffice to give that extra flourish he knew nobles enjoyed and excuse his absence. For the invitations he would accept, for he was forced by convention to appear to at least a few of them, he would play it by ear and be both a good guest and enjoy himself. The main part was making sure he wasn't drawn into anything binding.

Cielcanast Outskirts

The world she had left, and the world she found herself in now... were they truly the same?

That was what Arunal thought as she gazed on the white walls of Cielcanast, the city named for a girl who changed the face of Ado'Hal forever...

The girl who called down Gods to strike down her Ancestor...

Only to be felled by a stray arrow cast by her own people.

This was the city that bore that girl's name. Arunal could not help but wonder what that girl would think if she saw it now.

It was magnificent... but it did so in defense. It sat upon the land not to embrace it or to magnify it, but almost to defy it. To scream to the mountains that it was taller. To shout to the forests that it grew on these lands. To bluster at the rivers that they flowed through it.

There is an ugliness in it's beauty. One that Arunal cannot help but sympathize with, despite her own Ancestry. Defiance was a feeling the line of Arinet knew well, after all.

Arunal hummed, wanting to break out into Galdr. To compose a song or a poem to capture her feelings, to sing to this scarred land and hear of what it had witnessed with the rise of the Beorc and the fall of the Laguz.

But, she could not. She was firmly in Beorc lands now.

She would like to think these weeks on the road in this grim simmering land had taught her that much.

She stretches her great black wings behind her, knowing she would spend many hours folding them around her body to hide them, and turns to her watchful guardian, and her two companions who had chosen to travel alongside a stranger. Though perhaps one of them was simply along for the ride. Which one was which? Who could say?

She was thankful for their company regardless.

"... I am not so starry-eyed as to rush headlong into the great stone hives of the Beorc, Elder."

A lilting smile graced Arunal's lips as she not-so-subtly poked fun at her minder.

"... though I will not lie and say I plan to stay away either. For now, I believe we should journey about the edges of the city. See what other travelers say of this fateful Summertide, perhaps see if the Sky-Father reveals a path into the city of Ciel. And I would listen to the song that these people yearn to sing in these troubled times. And of course, we must find a place willing to accommodate our scaly friend for a time. What say you Thalia?"

Arunal was well aware of the fact that they could not simply stride into the city. That didn't mean she wouldn't be looking for a way in regardless.

@Ryumancer

ORE said:

@Shebe Zuu
He rose and put away his writing implements, took off his reading classes and put on his more formal outer cloak.
Turning to address the bodyguard that had been contracted for this mission (Itself somewhat odd, really the only possible threat to his life was not something a bodyguard could save him from. Well maybe if that bodyguard was a personal physician.
"Heidi" he began, before being interrupted by a cough
"I am going to find the palace's library and peruse its collection. I don't believe there will be any possible danger there, so if you have any business to settle in town, be at your leisure, I don't believe you need to stand and watch me read."

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Heidi paused briefly as her charge gave a hacking cough - he really did seem to do that quite often - before shrugging and tossing him a two-fingered salute.

"You got it, Boss. I'll be heading out to the Market, see what's up around here. Watch out for papercuts."

It was probably for the best. Heidi had found through experience that scholarly types tended to appreciate her conversational skills a lot less when they were reading. Unless you were asking them about their area of study, of course, a desperation move Heidi had only ever deployed once while bored out of her mind. The subsequent lecture hadn't helped.

She had wanted to get the chance to go out anyway. Besides wanting to placate Katrin, Heidi could almost feel the city vibrating with energy, packed full to bursting and then some. The forest of tents outside the walls, the mingling of innumerable sounds and smells she had never experienced before - whatever doubts she may have had about her path in life were banished for the moment, as she lost herself in the thrill of exploration. Cielcanast was far too big to be covered in a day, so after a while Heidi settled for perusing the main thoroughfares of the city before heading towards the gates, munching on a delicious pastry with an unpronounceable name she'd purchased on a whim. At least back in Galve, you could often find fresh produce being sold a short distance outside the walls by farmers who didn't want to have to pay market fees or gate taxes, and with the throngs of people encamped outside the opportunity seemed ripe (heh) to pick up a few apples.

As she approached, the sounds of a commotion - or possibly several commotions - could be heard. Not necessarily unusual given the number of people travelling in and out of the city, but having spotted several seemingly armed figures about made her ever so slightly wary.

Birthday said:

Olivia's solitude would unfortunately be broken by a loud and energetic voice as Uther enthusiastically announced his presence, oblivious to the attention his actions attracted from those around him. "What ho, Priestess Olivia! How fare ye?" The white-clad knight says as he strode forward to join his travelling companion, arm wildly waving, his cheerful grin somehow audible through his greeting.

"It has been many an hour since our luncheon, and as I returned from my valiant charge of Politely Prohibiting Petitioners from Pestering the Princess, I failed to notice that you had not returned to our quarters! Pray tell, what has seized your attention?" Uther looks around the room curiously as if to the answer would avail itself to him from inspecting the walls of the lavishly decorated castle, a finger idly twirling a lock of his freely flowing maroon hair.

"Don't tell me... Have the hallowed walls of this storied palace struck thee with some sort of grand revelation!" The one eye that peeked out from behind his bangs sparkled with childish excitement. "An Adventure perhaps? Nay, a Quest! One filled with valor and for virtue! Grandfather always loved those." After all, it could not have been mere coincidence for him to have met both a priestess of the Goddess and a Princess of Anrain shortly one after another!

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Olivia did not jump at sir Uther's voice calling out from behind. She did not. How a man so boisterous as he, and in his armour no less, could be so stealthy if he so desired, she had no idea. How did he recognise her from behind, when her robes lacked much in the way of distinguishing features, just another low ranking member of the clergy scurrying around, she also could only guess at.

Still, she turned around all the same, hand tugging at the edge of her hood as she gave the knight a nervous smile. "I am well, sir Uther, thank you for asking." She returned his greetings with a quick bow. A small giggle escaped her lips at his alliteration. "I have simply felt the need to stretch my legs, idleness simply doesn't suit me, and unlike lady Emelina, my station leaves me plenty unoccupied within these exalted halls." She explained politely.

Another short laugh fled her at the man's continued, exuberant enthusiasm, one which she was loathe to douse, and yet did all the same with a shake of her head. "Nothing so grand, I'm afraid. I have simply found that all this majesty ill agrees with my peace of mind, so I sought to venture into the town. Listen to people's lives, mayhaps perform an act of charity or two."

Why, why, why?

The matter of Garrett's father hadn't even entered his mind until very recently. And now at the first place he'd been with a chance to find answers, he and the others he traveled with had been denied entry. Staring at the back of his right hand, which carried his proof of Holy Blood and had since been re-covered by the leather glove he wore, he hadn't spoken at all since they'd been turned away. And for what? Because he grew up in a tavern, rather than a palace? Surely these noble-types must have had SOME way to prove who was one of them.

It was only Lindor bumping into the cart that made him start paying attention to his surroundings again. Upon the argument's resolution, he joined the rest of the group in pushing their way ahead. It was at this moment he caught sight of Mo Yan's death glare directed at the merchant.

Carol said:

She was all smiles behind Lindor just the same as she had been with the guards. But at the completion of his exchange with the merchant, she fixed the latter with a fearsome glare. It was a clap of thunderous rage—one that warned the cabbage-monger to leave. She returned to the merry look that was her trademark after.​

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"Wow. If looks could kill, he wouldn't even live long enough to see his cart repaired," he said to the Xianese sword-wielder with a smirk on his face, before directing his gaze back towards the white walls of the capital that seemed so close, yet at the same time a world away.

Within the Palace Library


The library, Emelina hopes, is somewhere she will not be bothered. As grateful as she is to Uther, the strange knight with an oddly familiar mien who joined her in her travels, he is sadly indisposed tracking down Olivia. Without his skill in fending off ne'er-do-wells and idle prattlers, Emelina is quite certain that she would have gone mad, fled the city, or otherwise have made a nuisance of herself upon the powers that be in Cielcanast and her family both.

She slipped away from Sir Louis an hour past. Her knight is nearly old enough to be her father, and frequently to her vexation, acts rather like one regarding her. He has been a part of her life and a role model for her since she was a child, but he can be ever so frustratingly doting and protective.

Emelina is jolted from her wandering wonderings by a dreadful sounding cough. She realizes that she has been skimming over the same paragraph without actually trying to read it at least four or five times in a row. Against the part of her urging to hide, she peeks out from her protective stacks of books shielding her from the rest of the library. The cough, after all, may have been directed at her to catch her attention; perhaps a librarian upset at the number of books she had stacked to conceal herself, or someone simply wishing to borrow one. Both potential confrontations seem, to Emelina, quite unpleasant.

She finds neither. Instead, the cough came from a young white haired man with fine features. He does not seem to be looking at Emelina. That is, until he glances towards her and notices her looking directly at him. Emelina suppresses a frightened squeak and hides behind her paper and leather bastion.

By Naga, he caught her staring at him. He is going to assume that she is strange or even has nefarious intentions! She was not staring, but she knows he has no way of knowing that. Emelina quietly pleads that he not come confront her for her transgressions, perceived or real.

@ORE

Floom said:

"... though I will not lie and say I plan to stay away either. For now, I believe we should journey about the edges of the city. See what other travelers say of this fateful Summertide, perhaps see if the Sky-Father reveals a path into the city of Ciel. And I would listen to the song that these people yearn to sing in these troubled times. And of course, we must find a place willing to accommodate our scaly friend for a time. What say you Thalia?"

Arunal was well aware of the fact that they could not simply stride into the city. That didn't mean she wouldn't be looking for a way in regardless.

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Thalia sighs as she soothes her wyvern, as much as she is able to do so. "In truth, I'm skeptical that any such place exists. Wyverns are not something the commonfolk typically have access to, and so Inns have little reason to construct a Wyvern's accommodations. Even during my time as a mercenary, we'd simply set up camp instead of using an inn, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see other small mercenary encampments doing similarly. It is less comfortable, certainly, but also far less stressful to our scaly friend, and saves some money, too... Even when employed by nobles with their own accommodations for Wyvern riders, well... Better to avoid the risks of an unfamiliar environment filled with strangers and unknown Wyverns alike, you know? And, if nothing else, setting up camp a reasonable distance away will provide us a backup option should we find ourselves unable to enter the city today."

Lindor turned toward the gates again. Blonde ponytail settling against the collar of his best green coat, simple compared to the clothes of those being permitted entry but well made to survive hard work and made of material that dried easily in the wake of rain, both features highly valued among the working class of the Tinninor moors.

It was far from the first time he'd wished they could simply fly or otherwise vault the obstacles between him and his sister, but a handful of hastily formed mercenaries breaking into the city would just cause chaos that would make it easier for the riders to escape again should they desire... Particularly if they were given passage through the gates just as they were unharried at the border. The presence of a pegasus rider in the sky at this time seemed to further illustrate how the odds were stacked against them.

"Augh, what kind of bandits can simply ride into the city at a time like this?" He thought aloud, what possible purpose could they have for taking his sister, a simple hard working common girl in the first place? Was this their destination or just a way to obscure their trail? Could they possibly be acting under orders of a noble, or the Lightbringer Church that their parents had warned them away from ever since their infancy? The whole situation gave Lindor a sense of foreboding...

"...We'll need to find work soon, even if we're sleeping outside again tonight" I finally admit to the group, forcing my thoughts back to present and practical matters. "Any chance one of you heard about someone needing a bodyguard today?"

ORE said:

Athas was not entirely unused to life in a palace, he'd spent most of his youth in varying forms of royal halls but he'd never quite grown fully comfortable in them. Of course he hadn't been entirely comfortable in the seminary, nor as a functionary. The truth may be that its hard to be comfortable anywhere when you're not fully comfortable in your own skin. Still he had always liked libraries. Scripture and magic, both had been great sources of solace and companionship in his life. The library of Cielcanast clearly had been neglected in recent years but its collection was still impressive. Not having any goal in particular, he hadn't selected any volumes yet as he paced the stacks. The silence of a library only magnified the sound when he had another of his coughs.
Unfortunate. But it couldn't be helped. He'd always been this way. He checked his handkerchief, no blood so it wasn't one of the worst days.
He turned to see someone staring at him.
A young woman, clearly some sort of noble, trying desperately to hide herself in books.
Oh dear. He'd frightened someone. Perhaps someone important. As an ambassador he really needed to make a good impression, and so far all he'd gotten was concerned stares.
This situation needed salvaging, and fast. Well she's clearly a scholar, and so are you, surely you can something to say.

"I beg your pardon if I frightened you Madam" Best to start with formality when dealing with real nobles.
"Pray do not be concerned on my account, my cough is chronic but entirely manageable."
He quickly scanned the stacks of books and spotting something interesting.
"I say would you mind if I took that book, the third from the bottom. I believe that might be a copy of Parmion's "Three Principles of Magic". I've never been able to lay eyes on an original copy rather than the revised, or perhaps redacted editions. Why- oh goodness me I beg your pardon again for my manners. My name is Athas, I'm the Ambassador from Zandria."

​

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The man started speaking with Emelina, which is bad, but he does not seem upset with her, which is good. Emelina scrambles for a response. He introduced himself, so she settled on answering in kind.

"Emelina. Emelina Luxor. I am Emelina Luxor, which is my name," she manages. Then she remembers her title, and that she is, unfortunately, supposed to be acting in an official capacity, so she continues, "Princess Emelina Luxor of Anrain, Ambassador Athas. It is a pleasure to meet you." The last bit sounds, to Emelina's ears at least, rather strained. However, she recalls the rest of his request before she can dwell on her social ineptitude overlong.

"The book! Yes, the book." She carefully extricates the tome from the stack she placed it in, as to avoid the entire edifice tumbling to the table, or worse yet, the floor. "I've read it before. Do you know which scholars edited the revised editions you read? Some parse it down a bit to much, I know, but Parmion's work unrevised, I find, tends to be a touch frantic and hard to follow, so some revisions are improvements on the original, in my opinion. Some also update and annotate rather well in portions where research has outpaced the original writing, but some, like Yarolus, tend to editorialize without making it clear that they are diverging from the original text."

Having successfully retrieved the book from the foundation of her barricade, Emelina proffers it to the white-haired man. She then realizes her mistake.

"Ah," she almost squeaks, "I apologize for speaking too much. Here. Please take it."

Ryumancer said:

Thalia sighs as she soothes her wyvern, as much as she is able to do so. "In truth, I'm skeptical that any such place exists. Wyverns are not something the commonfolk typically have access to, and so Inns have little reason to construct a Wyvern's accommodations. Even during my time as a mercenary, we'd simply set up camp instead of using an inn, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see other small mercenary encampments doing similarly. It is less comfortable, certainly, but also far less stressful to our scaly friend, and saves some money, too... Even when employed by nobles with their own accommodations for Wyvern riders, well... Better to avoid the risks of an unfamiliar environment filled with strangers and unknown Wyverns alike, you know? And, if nothing else, setting up camp a reasonable distance away will provide us a backup option should we find ourselves unable to enter the city today."

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Arunal giggles a bit at her companion's rather serious answer. Thalia was ever a serious one. Quite the contrast to her scaly friend, who could be quite fussy. But, perhaps that was simply a sign that there was a side to her that appreciated a finer life.

"Well, you are the expert, my ever serious companion. We'll camp further out tonight, for both your sakes. Perhaps we might even find some friends to sing campfire songs alongside. But, enough talk of tonight! We must now make the most of Today!"

And with that, Arunal folds her wings and conceals them beneath her cloak.

"Onwards, to adventure my friends!"

She points towards the city on the horizon, and boldly begins walking off towards it, humming a cheery tune all the while.

Though the Hawks may boast of having the sharpest vision amongst the Laguz, the Sky-Father had blessed all who traverse his airs with acuity of vision.

The young heron spots a small commotion occurring just outside the Gates to the grand city. A cabbage merchant suffering the fate of many a cabbage merchant, and some unfortunate travelers whom the poor merchant had quarrel with. This would simply not do!

Arunal strides forth gracefully, drawing forth a lyre from beneath her robes. A humble looking instrument, yet strange in it's right, for it was still covered in the bark of the tree that it grew from, as if the tree itself had simply grown the lye itself. It's strings were fine and smooth, made of spider's silk...

And with a strum, Arunal began to play a song...

Arunal allows the song itself to announce her arrival onto the scene, before gradually letting the notes fade away as she closes the distance.

"Hail fellow travelers! I see there is some trouble here... and yet, I also see a solution as well! But first, may I have your names fine fellows of the road? I am Arunal, a humble musician! And I do believe all of you fine folks seek to enter the City of Ciel! And so, perhaps you may help each other! For why can you not carry this humble purveyer of Cabbage's cart into the city, where he has business he surely must conduct? The people of the city surely deserve this fine merchant's impeccable produce!"

@Blitztrain @Carol @Gespenst @Nevis

Floom said:

Arunal giggles a bit at her companion's rather serious answer. Thalia was ever a serious one. Quite the contrast to her scaly friend, who could be quite fussy. But, perhaps that was simply a sign that there was a side to her that appreciated a finer life.

"Well, you are the expert, my ever serious companion. We'll camp further out tonight, for both your sakes. Perhaps we might even find some friends to sing campfire songs alongside. But, enough talk of tonight! We must now make the most of Today!"

And with that, Arunal folds her wings and conceals them beneath her cloak.

"Onwards, to adventure my friends!"

She points towards the city on the horizon, and boldly begins walking off towards it, humming a cheery tune all the while.

Though the Hawks may boast of having the sharpest vision amongst the Laguz, the Sky-Father had blessed all who traverse his airs with acuity of vision.

The young heron spots a small commotion occurring just outside the Gates to the grand city. A cabbage merchant suffering the fate of many a cabbage merchant, and some unfortunate travelers whom the poor merchant had quarrel with. This would simply not do!

Arunal strides forth gracefully, drawing forth a lyre from beneath her robes. A humble looking instrument, yet strange in it's right, for it was still covered in the bark of the tree that it grew from, as if the tree itself had simply grown the lye itself. It's strings were fine and smooth, made of spider's silk...

And with a strum, Arunal began to play a song...

Arunal allows the song itself to announce her arrival onto the scene, before gradually letting the notes fade away as she closes the distance.

"Hail fellow travelers! I see there is some trouble here... and yet, I also see a solution as well! But first, may I have your names fine fellows of the road? I am Arunal, a humble musician! And I do believe all of you fine folks seek to enter the City of Ciel! And so, perhaps you may help each other! For why can you not carry this humble purveyer of Cabbage's cart into the city, where he has business he surely must conduct? The people of the city surely deserve this fine merchant's impeccable produce!"

@Blitztrain @Carol @Gespenst @Nevis

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Just as he had asked the question the strum of music made itself known as a figure drew closer, filling the air with an unknown tune that yet held the faint traces of familiarity, like something nostalgic that had been forgotten. The song calmed Lindor's anxieties as he turned to see the bard, and he took stock of the situation anew. To his's embarrassment the musician's suggestion seemed almost perfectly suitable for their immediate and mutual difficulties, but lost in the earlier frustration and desire to distance himself from the situation he'd entirely neglected the possibility that helping the merchant bring the damaged wagon into the city might be valid enough business for the guards to let them through.
His quest had only gone on for a week, but clearly he had much to learn if he was to be a leader

"...That seems like an excellent suggestion. My name is Lindor of Tininor, the sturdy one here is Garret, this is the well traveled Mo Yan, and over there is Duck. I assure you those eyes are sharper than they sometimes appear." Lindor said, gesturing to each member of his party as he introduced them in turn. "We are mercenaries looking for information in the city"
With the introductions made, Lindor took a moment to take in the strange musician. "That is a very unique instrument, Arunal, hard to imagine where it comes from... What brings you here?"

Old ideals and oaths can't keep a man fend. That's what Taren told himself when he had been forced to take this dammed job. The morbid irony of that line of thinking being the exact same for how the Tarnished Company became what is now didn't escape him either.

But actually being here now? Outside the city his ancestors, his house, his father once stood guard at and unable to step a foot within grated at him. And the waving banners of his former company at the Southern Gatehouse didn't help either. A part of him wanting so desperately to return there, if only for a moment. He knew there was still those within that held their ideals deep in their heart. Old friends and allies that he could once more share words with. But he knew he couldn't. It would open too many old wounds and he can't be sure of how the others would react.

He made sure to give it a wide birth on his patrol. Always keeping an extra eye over his shoulder for any who might recognize him. Which he was damn sure that many would if they saw him.

The sudden breath of hot air that washed over him as he stopped this caused his blood to run cold…

Taren's mind raced as he turned to face what he could only assume to be a threat. He knew what standing next to a Wyvern felt like and didn't even need to see it to know the beast was at his side the moment he felt the air wash over him. Turning to face them however he saw…someone else?

Keeping a blank hard expression, Taren looked over the Wyvern and it's rider. The helmet and armor making it hard to make out their features or face. They were young however. Riding atop a Wyvern that was clearly well cared for. The lack of identifiable markers or colors on their armor identified them as not from the company. That sent him for a loop for a moment. He could count the number of people he knew that were not affiliated with the Tarnished and had a Wyvern on one hand.

The rider's words pulled him from his thoughts and he loosened his shoulders and softened his expression. "No." He said. "He merely caught me while I was deep in thought. A guard's mind is often their sole company on a patrol. We oft lose ourselves in it. A habit I've yet to break I'm afraid."

Taren looked over Rusty for a few moments after he spoke. Eyeing the Wyvern carefully, not even paying attention to Carmen as he did so. "He's quite well taken care of miss." He noted as he moved around Rusty. "That's a rarity, your mount and the quality at which you train and keep him. I'd take you for one company at the south gate were it not for your lack of colors. That lot always loves to show themselves off. Wouldn't catch themselves dead without their greys and blacks." His gaze turning to the fluttering banners still visible in the distance.

"You've gotten me curious. Who are you stranger?"

"Hah! Me? With them? No, no -- I'd sooner be caught naked in a barrel than stuck all those dreary greys," Carmen snorts. "Too much grandstanding and high, noble oaths for my blood, I'd think."

She shakes her head, still fighting off a chuckle as Taren continues inspecting Rusty. A little rude, maybe, but honestly a comfort. Carmen's not exactly the best at being a sociable creature, but if there's something she can talk about, it's wyverns. Wyverns and sheep. She can ramble a bit while he's thankfully not looking at her.

"For what it's worth, even if they're still rare, you see more wyverns back in Grunder. Especially once you get closer to Elisburg," she says, her tone breezy as her gaze, too, goes toward the fluttering banners. "The Tarnished might have the most storied riders outside of the kingdom's Wyvern Knights, but they don't have the only ones. Not by a long shot..."

"Bah, excuse me. It's nice to meet you -- hopefully, having some company besides your own mind might help you avoid colliding with any more big, toothy beasts, else I'd recommend a strong drink to get you out of your thoughts." She then gives the man another once-over, her appraising eyes hidden beneath her visor, before she shrugs and lifts it up just a bit. Purple eyes on a youthful face, lined with freckles and a nose evidently still crooked from being set one too many times, with an attempt at an easygoing smile. "Carmen. Mercenary, traveller, minder for this old grump," she pats Rusty's neck again for emphasis, earning a huff of hot air once more. "Could I get your name now, my curious fellow?"