Envoy's Passage
Second Day of the First Month 294 AC
For a city that had been around since before the Valyrian Freehold was a gleam in a rebellious slave's eye, Vialesk had truly absurd restrictions and regulations regarding who could and could not swim its waters, learned Hermetia Aerebalys, Imperial governor of Lys and current envoy to the City of Splendid Waves. "Why would my guards be under any more scrutiny for who they once served than any other visitor to this fair realm?" she asked the jewel-shelled trojana imperiously, fixing its gaze with hers... or at least as much of its gaze as a mere two eyes could capture. "Are you trully willing to argue that a Fury's word is not finer than adamant?"
The Erinyes in question were standing back respectfully their black wings half-extended in the water to help keep them suspended in place. Though their expressions were as carved from stone, Hermetia could feel their rage at the implication that they might be counted too untrustworthy to enter the city along with the rest of the embassy staff.
"They are baatezu, forged of malice from the souls of the damned to be the instruments of tyranny," the Keeper of the Lower Gates replied mulishly.
Was there some kind of sea-mule she would liken him to? Hermetia wondered. "Their presence would be upsetting to traders, it would imply unsavory dealings the likes of which this city has not and will never allow. Perhaps in other realms the presence of devils might..."
"Do you hand out little prizes for those of celestial kindred who entert he city? For making it look better, I mean?" Hermetia asked sweetly. "I ask because I can get a few archons here, or perhaps an azata, though she really is rather busy and all the fire might clash with the local aesthetic somewhat."
Although she was not the best at reading the body language of beings that fell somewhere between turtle and crab, she guessed from the small eddy of water spun by his twitching fins that he knew enough about azata to understand precisely which sort was wreathed in flame. Bloom was no petty spirit to be easily dismissed.
"She whom the Lady speaks of fought valiantly and with skill against the Brazen Throne when we raided one of their supply convoys," Azirah interjected solemnly. "Though I fell in that battle she helped carry the day."
Hopefully he won't ask me to produce Bloom, Heremtia thought.
It really is not the done thing to drag a baroness away from her realm and her own duties to prove a point, though the lady of Skane probably wouldn't resent me too much for it.
"I do not have the authority to admit baatezu, my lady," the Keeper of the Gate finally said at last.
Ah there it was, the whine of an official looking for a way to cover his ass. Did Trojana even have asses? Heremetia shook the thought away. "What definition of baatezu does the city use?" she asked instead. "Surely it cannot be every being born of the Hells. There are the mortals and tieflings to consider."
It took half an hour to find the requisite text etched on fine hardened limestone that must have been at least a few centuries old if not more. The definition was 'a soldier or agent of the Hosts of Hell.'
Part of Heremetia, the part of her that had gotten her in a lot of trouble in her youth, wanted to turn to her guards and ask formally if any of them served the hosts of hell. She was not that girl anymore, however, so managed to refrain. With a smile that was still more genuine than the one she wore when she finished an audience back in Lys, she simply replied, "I am happy that is settled then, we should be going. We have many orders to give to the fine merchants and craftsmen of this city."
What do you buy from extra-planar markets this turn?
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OOC: And here we are the first of Hermetia's challenges as ambassador. It will not be the last and certainly not the hardest but she has acquitted herself well so far. I can't really help the write in here, I need to know what you guys want to buy in full for this month. Not yet edited.
