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[Dwarmin]

Admiral Sevirius looked at the orders he had just been handed by the 'Queen'-and the names of the captains that would serve under his command. Not a whit of combat experience among them, but they were decent enough at sailing, he supposed. Probably better at trading too.

It was a routine run-stinking pigs from Aching and back-yeah Gods, did they ever stink after a few days at sea, and the smell stayed for years. His first naval appointment had been as a pig stabler on merchant ship, after all, so he had intimate knowledge. He pitied the boys who would get the job this time. At least they wouldn't be keeping the things on his ship-nay, he would resign rather than be forced to endure that once again.

Then...dyes to Shola, silk on the way back...Silk to Ligoria. Unescorted, for obvious reasons. Hmm, he hoped that didn't backfire-the 'Twin Tyrants' would love for an excuse to seize cargo that valuable.

He would instruct the merchants to be quick with their business, keeping their crews from shore leave-unless they wanted to get executed or imprisoned...

He wrote a fairly informal letter to Queen Laythe. In fact, the informal friendliness that had developed between them over the last weeks was something he enjoyed-and he think she enjoyed it as well. The disaster had done nothing if not made her a bit more humble, open to people...and she was a very beautiful woman, after all. What was the harm in trying to break her facade, bit by bit?

My Queen

I have received your orders and will endeavor to undertake this mission as soon as possible.

One thing, though. Please tell me I don't have to store the pigs on my ship. If so, I fear I must requisition additional barrels of Galam Honey Ale to survive the journey with my mind intact.

   Serving you without complaint, Admiral Sevirius

[Taricus]

A letter was sent in reply to Sevirius, as informal as the letter sent to the queen.

Sevirius

That depends on how much the traders charge. The request for extra honey ale has been noted though. Any other requests you have, Please be sure to inform me, and I'll see what I can do about them.

And don't worry about the ships heading to Ligoria without an escort, They'll be fine. Besides, I can't risk having them realize that those ships are under our command, something they may suspect if your ship was present. I'll look into hiring another escort once we get some additional funds though.

 Queen Laythe Ralia.

Later that morning, Laythe and her bodyguards left the Castle/Palace, garbed in thick, woollen cloaks heading towards the markets...

Laythe heads towards the markets, looking to buy a suitable guard dog.

[Ardas]

Summer finally left, last cloudless days already gone. Nikephoros busied himself with the army arrangements and thd thought of the wedding. Another big ceremony , with Tala in the centre and Niko was about to bust the entire thing with another campaign.... No. This time round he does things properly. First Tala, then the business. He remembered his nighttime horror all to well, and as such he preferred to relax and spare some time for proper human interaction. Unlike Laythe, Nikephoros tired quickly of the tough attitude and longed for normal conversation or a calm evening, without frantic running around the barracks, checking every detail or worrying about tomorrow.

Still in the middle of his work, he was informed of a person requesting an audience with "king" of Ligoria. Heh, Kathos was buried under a mountain of papers, and Niko wanted to take a break form his work. He told the guard to usher the man inside into his office.

Yes, my good man? How can I help you?

[Ghazkull]

Ortwin had been quickly ushered in by the guard and now stood before someone who looked of importance.

I figure you...are the King? I'm Ortwin Bloodoak, my family has been in service of Ligoria...well nobody remembers for how long but it has to be long as nobody remembers anymore. My brother Jorreg Bloodoak has died about half a year ago and his wife had sent me a letter that it is now my turn to take over the family fief. Here is the letter...and here the signet ring of our family.

he laid both before Nikephoros.

I would like to request to take over my heirloom and renew of course the ancient fealty we swore to the Kingdom of Ligoria.

Ortwin wasn't sure who this man was and he wasn't steady anymore on the customs of the Mirish Coast, whether they allowed to swear fealty to a representative of the king, but he knelt anyway holding his axe with both hands outstretched to Nikephoros...

[Ardas]

"Well, I am not the "king" per say, but I am a man in charge, yes. Nikephoros Vandire, Lord Protector of the Ligorian Republic and the Marshal of its armies. Chief executor of law and so on.
But do not worry, we rule for good of everyone. The peasants are still peasants and nobles are still nobles; everyone of wealth and power gets their say according to their station. "

He pulled the man from the ground to make him stand straight. He shook his hand once they were face to face.

"There is no need for you to swear any oaths or place yourself beneath anyone; the only oath would be that of fealty to the common cause of Ligoria. I will be glad to restore your lands to you as soon as possible. Lord Chancellor Thunderblade is the man in charge of bookeeping, but we are equal and I can speak in his name if the need arises."

Nikephoros paused for a moment.
 
"But before any of this happens, we are about to partake in wedding ceremony of the Alanis family and few other things. Not to worry though, you can always see me if anything happens."
Nikephoros smiled.

[filiusenox]

William disembarked off of Rectyl's boat with a small frown. It wasn't one of anger or sadness or even boredom. It was distaste, pure and simple. The town and the inhabitants there of were smelly, brutish and stupid. He looked it over before muttering under his breath.
"God this place still stinks."

William was wearing the thick leather coat that knights of Lonemine wore, it had far too many spikes on one of the shoulder pads and was studded with black deep steel in the shape of a rose on the breast. Under this he wore his standard leather and chain mail armor. His arm was in a sling, wrapped with gauze but with a thin, long dagger under the bandages, when he ran his hand over it he could barely feel it.

He limped his way to Tala's residence, guards in tow.

[Dwarmin]

William makes his way across town. A directions to Tala Alanis's new residence are not hard to find-she's moved out of the palace and bought a townhouse on the outskirts of Talama.

Upon sighting the somewhat ragged band, the guards on the wall respond with the ease of men who do not expect any trouble. Greetings are exchanged, words are passed. The gates clatter open...

Tala Alanis is standing in the courtyard waiting-wearing a long blue dress today with a shallow slip up the left leg, and her red hair is down. She seems very happy.

She responds cheerfully enough upon seeing him and his entourage, leaning on her hips and smiling.

"William Vararum? A sight to behold.

You're alive, after all...and a little worse for wear. Why don't you come inside, dear, where we can get that looked at?"

[filiusenox]

William smiled at Tala, he shifted slightly and stood up straighter.
"It's a pleasure to see you too. And may I say, you are looking quite lovely, although that's hardly a change from you usual state..."
He glanced at his arm and leg.
"As for my...injuries, they've already been looked at by my Chapter Medic. They'll be quite fine. But indeed, lets go inside, its starting to get a bit chilly out these days..."

[Dwarmin]

Tala nodded.

"Quite so...the people say it's going to be a hard winter. We had a good summer, so I can't say they're wrong."

She led William and his entourage to her living room, where a small fire was already being tended. Tala spoke to one of her tenders.

"Put a kettle of tea on, would you? Or maybe a something a bit stronger if the gentleman I am entertaining requests it."

Tala went and rested in an overlarge armchair, crossing her legs and leaning forward, speaking...

"It's a joy to have you back William, truly. In the flesh, so to speak.

To what reason do I owe the pleasure of your visit, darling?"

She smiled, leaning back and crossing her fingers.

[filiusenox]

William sat and leaned back lazily while his guards stood stiffly, eying the room for any threat or danger to their lord.
"Why your letter of course, the one informing me of your birthday. Events in... the place that I was visiting...forced me to stay longer then I had wished...so I hope you forgive my lateness with delivering your birthday presents."

William slides a silver tube out of a hidden pocket in his coat. Contained therein was a black rose in a bit of water. This he handed too her, purposely letting his fingers slid against the back of her hand, and then making eye contact with her.

He gestured to his men.
A thin, black-haired Crimson slipped a wrapped box from her coat and put it down upon the table, this was followed by a smaller equally wrapped box.

"Oh and I've another present for you, but my men forgot it back on the boat."

[Dwarmin]

Tala smiled warmly, accepting the touch gracefully, and meeting his gaze evenly.

"A rose for a rose. You didn't miss much a birthday anyway, it was interrupted by a war..."

She brought the rose up and took in the scent.

"Exquisite."

She motioned to the other box.

"What other surprises do you have for me in there?"

[filiusenox]

In the first wrapped box is a slim, curved dagger, forged from Lonemine steel. The hilt is custom carved jade, it curves downward at the end into the faint shape of dragons head, with cut sapphires set into the positions of eyes and a single ruby inset into the mouth.

The other box contained two slim gold earstuds in velvet, each set with a minutely carved emerald in the shape of rose.

"That handle is apparently real Dragon Empire Jade, as are the Emeralds...Hope you enjoy them...Or at least use them."

William watches for a reaction to the mention of Dragon Empire. ((Dwarmin can roll this))

[filiusenox]

Laythe heads towards the markets, looking to buy a suitable guard dog.

[1] Your search of the market district turns up nothing. However a stray puppy bites you hard enough to draw blood, before fleeing.

Laythe decides to continue her search.

[2] You instead of approaching another dog you see, you instead send your men to do it for you. This one doesn't bite, but instead lets itself be pet.
[4]The dog's fur is a pleasing reddish-brown, but is matted, tangled and it frequently itches itself.[4] It seems to enjoy the attention, but tries to get away.

[3] A stall owner has several puppies for sale. [2] But they are so mangy and flea bitten that you can't even tell what color or what breed they are anymore. [1] They try and bite anyone who isn't a brother or their mother and playfully romp around in the meantime.

However you notice a dark kennel in a shadowy recess.
"Like to buy a Lonemine wardog, Masteri? Only 1d for a male or 2d for a female."

Taking a look at the dogs, you notice something isn't right about them. Two are brutally fighting with one another, biting and scratching, each drawing blood from other in senseless violence. Most of the others are watching the fight. Some are flinging themselves against the cage to growl or nip at you. A few bite the bars of the cage in an attempt to rend  you limb from limb.
You've never seen a puppy six weeks old this big or mean. If you were to compare your leg against these dogs, you would say they would be about as tall as your knee, but of course, putting any part of your body near these beasts is the last thing on your mind. Something about these dogs makes you think want to back away and get out of here.
They resemble thickset, dusty grey wolves, with blunted faces made for biting and rending. The ones not trying to attack you through the cage, stare at you with dark intent while licking their chops.
You notice they watch your every move and are tensed up, ready for action.
"So'z you gonna buy, Masteri? Gotta close up soon."

[Taricus]

Laythe coughed a bit, before speaking in a deeper tone of voice.

"No thank you. I can't afford that kind of price right now. Thanks for the offer though."

And with that, Laythe headed off back to the Castle, dejected, but no discouraged. She would return in a seasons time to check if the stock had improved, but for now, She needed to prepare for what would happen in the future...

[filiusenox]

"And I care, why, Cheapskate?"
He closes up the kennels as you leave and enters a tent to the side of it.