Private Tales Firekeeper

A facet of life ne'er talked about when one possessed influence, eyes and ears throughout several civilizations was that this web could sometimes result in entirely novel, unexpected meetings taking place. Strands of fate bound and coiled in the web of his reach before being pulled, inexorably, toward it's center. Which was, of course, Petrus himself. The most recent creature to be brought to him was most certainly a novelty. A smoldering butterfly with crimson wings fit to light his web alight and this, unfortunately, was far from pure metaphor.

Standing from the throne in his court Petrus would walk down scant few steps to the kneeling woman who had been brought before him. The associate of his that brought her forth being a spell sword with no small degree of skill with frost magics. Having several dozen such agents and assets spread from here to Ragash was something of a secret but the fact that the spellsword brought before him a woman with flaming red hair and had, evidently, put up quite a fight, showed that maintaining such a network was still useful.

The genasi woman was pushed down to her knees before the throne but Petrus would hold up a hand as he stalked closer. Burning amber that would look almost more natural on Srivani herself would meet the burnished gold of her own gaze for only a moment before he murmured.

"You will receive your compensation via our usual channels, that will be all."

A wave of the hand and the sell sword departed, a job well done and paycheck collected, the magic-suppressing manacles that currently shackled Srivani were left to ensure she didn't try to immolate the agent's employer, and Petrus would address the genasi woman in a tone remarkedly casual for such an occasion.

"I suppose the first step to take in this meeting of ours is to inquire why a woman wanted for a princely sum from the royalty of Oban now finds herself in my court?"

He did not give her the chance to speak before continuing.

"While I am quite aware of the Obanish's cultural peculiarities involving women I find it highly unlikely that a valuable prize such as yourself escaped with anything resembling ease."

A brief pause, a flurry of footsteps, and if Srivani's eyes were not downcast she would see a servant scurry over with a tray, Petrus retrieve a cup of water, and then glance at her with mild curiosity.

"It must be quite the tale. Now let us see how well you tell it....."​

Petrus noticed the fragile confidence and strength in the genasi's tone. She was showing no small amount of courage, fighting for a freedom she had barely known, barely possessed, and yet he recognized the spark in her eyes all too well. With this one the fire seemed to be both within and without, from heart to hands, and Petrus would nod with a fledgling speck of respect. Though his words remained hard, aloof, and neutral.

"Must I?"

The servant would supply two pieces of paper now. The first Petrus would take, study for a long moment, before kneeling down to place the WANTED poster of Srivani on the floor in front of her so she could read it. The likeness was undeniable, the sum offered exorbitant, and as he took up the second paper he instead read from it aloud for her to hear.

".... the target has put up quite the fierce resistance. Flames burning hot as the finest forge and movement like a feather upon the wind. You will find, my Lord, she is worth a sum worthy of even your notice. I will be bring her in forthwith....."

He did not read more from the report his agent had sent ahead and instead folded the paper over his thumb and looked down at Srivani.

"This report seems to indicate you were quite capable of giving one in my employ a chase worthy of note. Is this true?"

Turning back to the servant he would instruct them.

"Summon Virdalia Deuxstrom to my presence at once."

An order that was carried out immediately. If not a desire sensed by Virdalia herself already.​

Petrus would sigh softly at the girl's breathe catching. He supposed she was not the kind of woman to understand a rhetorical question, let alone one he posed purely to reassert his authority and not HAVING to do anything she told him. It was, in the end, a pedantic thing that set the naive little genasi on such an edge and Petrus would close his eyes as he steeled his patience. Allowing him to speak in a tone much more level, quiet and steady than he truly felt.

"Calm yourself."

A rough hand would, with surprising gentleness, wipe away the tear she let fall and he would hold up the cup between them.

"First, drink something, it is not poisoned or anything so crude. I am more than willing to remove the bindings if you can assure me you will harm none here and listen to what I wish to say. Hmm?"

He would move the cup a scant inch closer to Srivani and his weathered features would maintain a stoic, not necessarily friendly, countenance as he added.

"You are hardly the first slave I have aided in acquiring freedom but I can hardly do that if you char me down to my bones now can I?"

Having no sooner let the last word tumble from his lips Petrus would then hear the door open and feel the approach of his aide. Turning to regard Virdalia Deuxstrom with a knowing glance he would back to Srivani slowly.

"Does all of this sound amenable to you, little flame?"

In truth he was being deceptive. Kinder, softer, quieter, than he would otherwise because of Virdalia's presence. But of course it was worth the falsity. He knew what Virdalia would vouch and how, like a gentle breeze that would tenderly blow the smoldering crimson butterfly right into his web. A breeze he, of course, controlled.​