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Lena cast a sidelong glance at Cattia, but did not immediately volunteer said Jarenberg. This was, overall, rather an interesting development, though also one in which Lena did not have an immediate stake.
Gudyf Solak wrote:“Yes, Freyer Isfahani, it is fortunate that we run into you, since my--our business is in service to our master, the Isfahani. I — we have been tasked with recovering a matter of import from the Jarenberg's employ, and I would like to continue on, but Gudman here thinks we will be beset with bandits and beasts. If you could not assist us, Freyer, for surely as cousin your word has some weight in this matter…"
“And, graced as I am with service to this Isfahani and all others, you shall have my aid as well.” Avram smiled, quite sincere. “It is a pleasure, Goodman; Gudyf. I am Avram ben Mansur, hetman of the village of Damar, and retainer to the worthy Freiherr here. I cannot promise any great strength of arms, on my part, but—“ a why shrug “—one does what one can. As you tell Freiherr Isfahani, tell me as well; I am curious to know more.”Freiherr Isfahani wrote:"Very well, if my uncle insists, I will aid you in your task. Shall we sit and talk?"
Avram kept silent, his face studiously neutral — it being one thing to refrain from forcing the Light and the Law on those who were not yet ready to receive it, and another to go haring off after heathen relics without a rather good reason. Interesting to see how this would shake out, though.Gudyf Kolyana wrote:“I believe I may know where the fifth can be found, and that I will need help to retrieve it. Will you help me?”
Richard sat up straight the moment the priestess entered the room, uisguebadh and merriment placed aside. She hardly needed any effort to catch his eyes, for they were locked on her now, his cheeks already slightly flushed from liquor. Whatever had vexed him about the woman earlier in the day, it had not abated upon second viewing.Nathan of the FoS wrote:She pauses, then continues slowly, “I believe I may know where the fifth can be found, and that I will need help to retrieve it. Will you help me?”
As she speaks she raises her gaze to meet Richard’s, then looks around the room at each of you.
Preparing to leave, Cattia glanced disapprovingly at the newcomer, and showed little interest in the conversation. She was halfway to the door when her family name was mentioned, and she turned on her heel. She listens to the rest of Nuray's words, and speaks: "May I enquire what you are referring to, with the Jarenberg? What is this matter of import?"Nerit wrote:"we have been tasked with recovering a matter of import from the Jarenberg's employ,
After a toast to "A brother who remembers his sister's totem day when her parents did not," Cattia presents her brother with an envelope containing her gift.Nathan of the FoS wrote:There is a storytelling contest, and at some point in the proceedings Cattia and Lena return, Ushka in tow, and the festivities become general, with toasts (many involving Renhalt and Vasili's totem day) going round the table.
Nathan of the FoS wrote: “I have a request to make of you. Most especially of you, Freiherr Blackwood, and you, the Jarenbergs, but I would be glad of as much assistance as I can get.”
Cattia exchanges glances with Renhalt, then surveys Tara with caution, even skepticism. "Why do you want our help? What do you want from the Jarenberg?"She pauses, then continues slowly, “I believe I may know where the fifth can be found, and that I will need help to retrieve it. Will you help me?”
As she speaks she raises her gaze to meet Richard’s, then looks around the room at each of you.
"Yes--" Vasili blurts instantly, then looks at the others, especially Cattia and Renhalt. "Yes, I've heard that story as well, especially in correspondence with my family. The other shards being found caused quite a stir in their respective regions, and I imagine the discovery of the mythical fifth shard would draw even more attention than any of the others, perhaps even combined." He exchanged a quick look with Renhalt.Nathan of the FoS wrote:“I believe I may know where the fifth can be found, and that I will need help to retrieve it. Will you help me?”
"Yes, you did mention the Jarenberg specifically," Vasili said, trying to appear like he was still dubious. "Why do you need their help above that of the Isfahani, or even the Baroness von Zarovich? Is it on Jarenberg land?" He looked askance at Cattia. "Now that would be something to write home about."*Revka et al wrote:Cattia exchanges glances with Renhalt, then surveys Tara with caution, even skepticism. "Why do you want our help? What do you want from the Jarenberg?"
Avram made significant glances back, to the effect of: <The artifacts are probably only ‘holy’ in the subjective sense of the word, but you know how foreigners get, right? The Lawgiver must’ve put all those people on the world for some reason. Still, she seems a nice enough sort, so let’s try not to offend her too badly.>Gudyf Solak wrote:She leaned toward Avram and made significant glances. What kind of holy artifacts were these, exactly? Not claimed of the Iron Lord? She kept her brow raised, curious.
“Respectfully, Gudyf…some among our number may be entrusted with a task on behalf of the Isfahanis.” Avram spoke slowly, measuring his words — something in the anchorite’s description had sparked an interest. “Yet, still, it is good to know more of this. Who is this outlander, and in what way did he find the sigil? And where, on Jarenberg lands — if indeed you can say at this time?” He glanced around indicatively; they were in public, after all.Gudyf Kolyana wrote:"Freiherren Jarenbergs, it is to be found on land your family may claim now, and probably has claimed at some point in the past, although your writ must run very thin so far west. That is one reason I want your help. Another is that this thing is supremely valuable, to me and to others, and there are any number of people who would be willing to steal it or kill for it if they knew of its location. Your uncle the Jarenberg is the only legitimate authority I can reach who I trust to have both the power to secure it and the honor not to simply steal it once it comes into his power, if he has promised to give it up."
"Divine providence must have brought us together," Vasili agrees. "I have no doubt of that. It's possible we need you as much as you need us."*I took my thoughts and prayers to Holy Ezra, and she...she assured me I should seek it, and that she would send me aid."
Vasili's eyes widen. "How far west?" he asks no one in particular.She looks at Marcel, then at Richard, and then at Cattia, Renhalt and Vasili. "Freiherren Jarenbergs, it is to be found on land your family may claim now, and probably has claimed at some point in the past, although your writ must run very thin so far west. That is one reason I want your help.
Vasili exchanges another round of looks with Renhalt and Cattia, willing them to see this the same way he did.Your uncle the Jarenberg is the only legitimate authority I can reach who I trust to have both the power to secure it and the honor not to simply steal it once it comes into his power, if he has promised to give it up."
"I have thought on that, Baroness," Tara says politely but coolly. "But such plans will take some time to realize, and I wish to act as soon as possible."
Vasili stops short, and his eyes bulge. "That's...ah..." He looks at Renhalt. "Well, that's...more north than west....That's more, ah, whose territory would that be, Renhalt? Would that be the Thott? The Warrowdine? Yeah, the Warrowdine would be the ones to claim ownership. Nowhere near as trustworthy, but then there's always that...ambush...stratagem...." He trails off lamely and his eyes drop to the ground. His countenance sags, and he looks around the room again. Tara, Altan, Richard. Three divine spellcasters. That might just be enough to get them inside the castle. How many would it take to get them out again?She pauses, draws a steadying breath, and then says, "He told me that he saw the Shield of Ezra in a catacombs while searching for a portal back to his own land. By all he told me, it must have been the catacombs beneath Castle Tristenoira."