Open Chronicles Bandits or Merchants

[Elise Virak]

Alliria - Streets Near Anirian Embassy

"There is an unpleasant smell in this city." Elise said as she peered out the window of her carriage, her nose wrinkling in disgust as she watched the unwashed masses pass her by.

"Piss, rotten fish, and whatever the peasants eat here."​

The Baroness head turned towards the Anirian Knight sitting opposite her, an eyebrow raising at the brazen words offered. A simple shrug was the only answer that came, and Elise let out a small scoff and then turned her attention back towards the window of the carriage.

Alliria, she supposed, was appealing in it's own way. There was a certain architectural freedom to the way this city had been created. Buildings often did not match each other in color, decoration, height, or...well in any way at all. It seemed that everyone had wanted their own style, and the city had simply allowed it for the fun of it.

It was different than Vel Anir, though she was not entirely sure that was a good thing. "How much further to the Council House?"

She asked.

"Just a few minutes."​

Her meeting there was with two of the members of the Merchant Council. They were as good as nobility here, though her father saw them as little more than peasants with some coin in their pocket. Elise had not yet formed her own opinion, though anyone with a mind to live in this place had to be of lesser blood.

That much she was sure of.

 

[Autumn Whispergrove]

Autumn was late. And hated being so. Trying to deliver a package to someone on the other side of Alliria was a constant struggle, but today was particularly busy in the city and getting anywhere was proving difficult. She had to head towards the Anirian embassy, a place that gave her grievous anxiety to just be around. Those who congregated there and the area itself were stressful entities, and something she gave a lot of thought on how to avoid.

Especially since any Dreadlords recognizing her almost certainly meant execution.

Thorne was on a different delivery job, or so he'd told her. She had a sneaking suspicion he was looking for Dreadlords. She couldn't let herself think about it too much as it just aided to her ever decreasing mental stability. Something that would be dangerous for anyone involved.

Her frantic movements caused her to run through public traffic without thinking. Her frame unwittingly slamming into the side of Elise Virak's carriage. She tumbled to the ground with a soft grunt and dropped the package to the ground. She stood back up and her and the driver met eyes.

"Please forgive me! I wasn't paying attention!" She called to him as she picked her package back up.

 

[Elise Virak]

"WATCH IT YOU LITTLE GIT!"​

Elise turned her head as Hector, her driver, yelled at one of the pedestrians who had crashed into the side of the carriage. Her gaze quickly swept to the person, noting a girl crawling to her feet and offering a quick apology.

The Anirian Knight half stood from her seat, peering at the girl for a moment and pursing her lips in consideration.

Under ordinary circumstances Elise would have had the girl taken and strung up by her heels for a day or two, a lesson to be more careful around ones betters. The truth was though here in Alliria she simply couldn't be bothered. "Nevermind the Rabble, Hector. I have a meeting to attend."

She called out to her driver, waving a hand dismissively as Hector let out a few more curses and then urged the carriage forward once more.

The Anirian Knight sat back, frowning for a brief moment and taking on an expression of contemplation. Elise half turned to her, raising an eyebrow.

"What's with you? It was just a peasant." A moment passed, and then the Knight shook her head.

"I'm not sure Ma'am. There's something familiar about her. Almost reminds me of..."​

The knight shook his head and Elise waved a hand. "Go and grab the little wretch then, you're no use to me distracted."

For a second hesitation crossed the womans face, then she nodded and grabbed her sword before opening the door and hopping out of the carriage.

"Why must I suffer these fools." Elise lamented as she continued towards the Merchant Palace.

 

[Acteon Cass]

The Cass family had seen better times. They had land, ships, and employees working under them once upon a time. But the schemes of political economics had seen it stripped from them. Some petty Merchant Lord lost out on a contract to Acteon's father Hector and so saw it as a personal slight against their "good reputation." It had just been business. Every Allirian knew not to take matters of coins personally. Well everyone but the Lords. A fancy title and a little authority went right to their heads making them think they deserved all the coins in the world. A sad fate.

Acteon and his father Hector strode down the streets of Alliria side by side. Both of them were dressed in their better looking clothes, although they would be mistake for decent merchants rather than the lessor lords they once had. A dagger was on Acteon's hip but his father had declined to wear one of his own. It was "unbefitting" of a man of his stature and would just be embarrassing. The sellsword did not argue after that. Where did the old man get such arrogance and self confidence from? A handsome and brilliant man such as Acteon just could not understand.

"Remember boy that we need to be careful. I heard there is Anirian lords here for a meeting." Hector replied as his walking cane clicked against stone.

"And why does that concern us? I am a single sellsword, not an entire company, and the only coin you have is what I give you." Acteon replied as he just casually kept an eye out for possible muggers.

"It concerns us because we could run into them and the impression we leave could be our ruin or our salvation."

"Ah then no need to worry old man. There is no possible way for them to have a bad impression of me, so you are the only one who can blow it." Acteon said as he flipped a strand of hair away from his face.

"Such lies. I did not raise a liar. And I have years of experience making favorable impressions. You should just keep your mouth shut and try to smile pretty. If you even can with those pointy teeth of yours. Who did you even inherit those from? Certainly not me or your mother."

The pair of Cass ended up walking out into the street distracted by their conversation and didn't pay attention to who might be coming their way.

Elise Virak Autumn Whispergrove

 

[Autumn Whispergrove]

stupid. stupid. stupid.

Her thoughts racing as she turned her back to the carriage and tried to ignore the driver's cruel words. She didn't need to let this bother her. Rich folk were assholes, that was all there was to it. She made an honest mistake.

all you make is mistakes.

She shook her head trying to stave off these thoughts and kept moving towards the oncoming crowd. She fought with all her might to not think about what had occurred as it would only lead to devastation if it boiled further. I don't want to destroy anymore I can beat this.

Even still. Her curiosity got the better of her and she turned her head backwards to see the carriage was moving away, but someone had gotten out of it. A woman was now walking towards her sword in hand. Her eyes widened and heart began to pound out of rhythm and at an alarming pace. dreadlords. dreadlords. DREADLORDS.

She turned and started walking briskly. Trying get her breathing run run run run under control. She didn't care about if she was late anymore the only thing they're going to kill you why aren't you running that was on her mind was getting away. Not paying attention to her surroundings she bumped right into Acteon Cass. this is twice now and now you're going to die for it. She stood up again and looked at Acteon and his father, her eyes filled with fear and sweat beginning to form. She said nothing. She just hoped some good would come of this.

Elise Virak Acteon Cass

 

[Elise Virak]

The Anirian Knight moved quickly through the crowd, still holding her sword in it's scabbard and now bothering putting it on her belt.

She wore simple leather armor, the symbol of the great Fortress City above her chest and the sigil of an Anirian Knight on her shoulder. Her steps through the crowd were quick and lithe, eyes scanning after the fleeing girl as she moved.

Behind her Elise's carriage slowly disappeared into the crowd, moving on to it's destination.

As Autumn bumped into Acteon and his Father the Anirian Knight caught sight of the girl once more. With a deadly casualness the woman moved through the crowd, raising her hand and calling out. "Hello there!"

Her voice sounded chipper, almost friendly.

"Could you hold on a second?" She asked as she approached the trio.

 

[Acteon Cass]

The Cass duo was still on about their bickering, which didn't even draw a single eye from the crowd. This was Alliria after all and no one had time for anything that didn't involve coin and profit. Such a perfect city if you asked Acteon and Hector. But as they were trying to cross the street some little bird suddenly bumped into the handsome and hairy man.

Acteon looked down at Autumn Whispergrove and raised a brow. Hector got a grumpy look on his face as he looked at the girl. The look in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by either of them. Acteon figured the girl either had nearly been mugged or had gotten caught pickpocketing someone. Either way he wasn't sure it was worth his time to investigate and was about to send the girl on her way when someone called out. As he looked up he instantly recognized the symbols on this woman's clothing. An Anirian guard. Seemed his father had been correct. This had possibilities and the girl might be worth something. A smirk crept over his face that instantly bothered Hector.

"Old man why don't you take my sister with you? So shameful of us to let her wander around unescorted." Acteon said not taking his eyes off of the woman approaching him. A predatory glint had come over the ambers, but faded quickly.

Hector grabbed Autumn's arm roughly like an annoyed parent. He said in a scolding voice, easy for him given who his son was, "Girl how many times must we tell you not to wander off? I have been so worried. What would this father do if something happened to his favorite daughter?"

As Hector began to lead the girl off somewhere deeper into the crowd, Acteon moved himself to being right in front of the woman who had called out to them. He held a rather smug smirk on his face and made sure to very slowly and methodically study her over.

"My, my, my. I know I am handsome but to call out to me so boldly. You must have it bad." Acteon said in that over confident and smug tone the son of a prince would use. He gave her a little wink to just to take this little act from dramatic to overdramatic. "Acteon my dear. Such a pleasure you get to meet me. So what did you have in mind to do to me?"

Elise Virak

 

[Autumn Whispergrove]

Autumn's frantic state made it difficult to comprehend what was happening at first. Her fear made her confused when the man took her by the wrist. His words did help though. She caught on quickly even if she glanced back at the Anirian woman who'd pursued her. Once they were further into the crowd her heart began to steady again. A relieved breath escaped her lips.

"Thank you," She said towards Hector without glancing his way. Her eyes locked forward from shock. "I don't have any money as a reward, I'm afraid." She was speaking almost inaudibly and bashfully. this isn't over. Her thoughts jolted her a little back towards reality. Just because she'd escaped the first encounter didn't mean it was over. She felt like she was forgetting something.

"Shit!" She cried. "My parcel!" She looked back and saw the package she meant to deliver at the feet of Acteon and the guard. What was she to do? She couldn't risk turning back but she feared what Thorne may think if she didn't prove herself worthy of attending the city alone. fuck up fuck up fuck up fuck up.

"Sir," She pleaded. "I need to secure that delivery."

 

[Elise Virak]

A flash of disgust flickered over the Anirian Knight's features, her gaze flickering behind the man that had stood in front of her and then past him.

Lips thinned as she briefly considered cutting the man down, but she was quickly deterred by the Half Dozen men of the City Watch that stood at a nearby market stall. After a moment she half turned, her food nudging the fallen parcel.

Without a word she scooped it up, then waved the man off. "Nothing, pardon me."

The Anirian said as she turned and began to walk away.

She knew that things had to be played more carefully here. Vel Anir had power, even here in Alliria, but not so much that she could do whatever she wished. Plus, killing a man on the street for just a hunch wouldn't end up well even in her native land,

Her gaze cast down to the parcel, she was sure the girl had dropped it. Whatever it was it, either the girl would come for it or perhaps it would provide some clue for her identity.

 

[Acteon Cass]

The woman just ignored Acteon and then left. She picked something up off the ground as well, but he wasn't going to bother with it. The important part was the girl. With how things were going, Acteon decided it would be best to keep up the act.

As the woman left Acteon called out to her, "Shy I see. Do not worry. If our paths cross again I will gladly embrace you!" He even held his arms out wide as he kept a smug smirk on his face.

While his son was playing the fool, Hector looked down at Autumn Whispergrove . A frown was deep set on his face, but it didn't seem to be entirely because of her. If the man was honest with himself it was because he had been wearing one so much for years that it had sort of stuck. He got a good look into the girl's eyes though and sighed.

"No need for coin or for thanks. You do not even know your fate yet." Hector responded rather tartly. "We do not know your fate yet either."

At the mention of the parcel, the older man scowled. Hector looked over where they had been as best as he could, but saw the woman pick the package up and leave. If he called out to his son now about it though it would just end up with them getting noticed. So he just kept his mouth shut until the woman was clear of being able to hear them. "Girl, your parcel is gone. Just be happy you have your life right now."

Acteon easily found his old man and the girl after the woman was well and gone. He knew his father's scent well by this point after all and could hear his words over the crowd. It was moments like this he was glad for his enhanced senses. Walking up he smiled to Autumn.

"And how is she?" Acteon asked not even looking at his father.

"How do you think? Shaken up, poorer than us, and even lost that package to that woman."

Acteon raised a brow as he glanced at his father. Shifting it back to Autumn he said, "Is this package worth something to you? Is it worth enough to deal with Anirian nobility again?"

Elise Virak

 

[Autumn Whispergrove]

Autumn watched with terrified eyes as the Anirian knight turned tail to the conversation. She was damn lucky that they didn't have jurisdiction in Alliria or it could have been a lot messier. The problem was that if she didn't deliver this package, she'd likely lose her customer. If she lost her customer, she'd be that much closer to causing real damage to the home that Thorne had procured for the both of them.

It was sad. Her inability to differentiate the idea of her physical life and to pay her way. Some might say it's a common tale, yet one of lachrymose make regardless.

"I-it just..." She couldn't take her eyes off of it. "It's what feeds me. It's what feeds us..." She said, downtrodden.

Now she weighed this risk. Thorne would likely not be angry with her had she left it. Maybe displeased at it but happy she had her life. He may also not let her do these deliveries alone again. She was an adult now, dammit. Why couldn't she make this simple task happen?

"No." She spoke, seemingly to no one. "I will get it quickly." Autumn with alerts in her brain and eyes set forth towards where the package was.

 

[Elise Virak]

The Anirian Knight proceeded to walk through the crowd, most people avoiding her completely as she made her way.

Elise's carriage had long since carried on without her, but she knew exactly where she needed to go. She clutched the package at her side and moved swiftly, one hand on her sword unconsciously. As she walked she considered what she'd seen.

The two men she did not recognize at all, but the girl...

Every Knight was presented with a litany of wanted posters and artistic depictions of escaped criminals. The girl that had dropped this picture bore a striking resemblance to one, though she did appear much older than what she'd been shown.

That would only make sense after so much time.

Could it be? Or was she just imagining things to fight against the boredom?

The Anirian Knight considered as she turned a corner and headed into the Inner-City of Alliria. There were more guards here than before, and she could see the Palace Elise had been heading towards just on the corner.

 

[Acteon Cass]

As Autumn Whispergrove responded to what Acteon had to say, he began to grow bored. Saying things about feeding them meant coin was involved but it also meant the girl hadn't kept her options open for potential profit. The package was worthless and only thing she would lose is some trust from her client. That could be easily fixed by a change in job.

What did get Acteon's attention however was when she mentioned going to get it. Great. She was going to be stupid. He snapped his fingers a bit then said, "Hey, look at me. Look at me girl."

If she looked at him or not Acteon would slap her face. Not in any hard way just firm enough it would get her full attention onto him. After he would say, "Are you looking at me? Good. Forget that package. It isn't worth your life. There are other ways to feed yourself, trust me. Just focus on what is profitable. That thing was, but not it is not. The moment that Anirian guard picked it up it lost all profitability."

Acteon paused. He couldn't be sure if she was following him or had processed what he said or not. A bit of time would give her enough hopefully. With a smile he continued on. "But you know what is? Telling us, who you got dragged into this mess with you, why Anirians are so concerned with you is. Do we have an understanding girl?"

Elise Virak

 

[Autumn Whispergrove]

Her eyes stared blankly at Acteon as he interrupted her march back to her delivery. She knew he was right. She couldn't fathom what had come over her. This straight to the point conversation warped her back to reality. Her violent thoughts subsiding once more. She let a deep breath out of her mouth.

He looked like a man that understood the Anirian's danger. She would have to trust that he knew the way she did. She couldn't tell him who she was exactly, that would be far too compromising but... She didn't have to lie.

"My name is Autumn." She said, stepping back and extending a hand to him with her back straight. "Over a decade ago I killed three Dreadlords."

She said completely deadpan to him as if it was nothing. Because to her, now it wasn't. She couldn't even guess as to how many her godfather had killed. It would be apparent with her age that she'd have to be a child when she'd done such a thing.

"Thank you for your intervention. I must be going. I have to figure out what to do now that I've gone and messed this up."

Acteon Cass

 

[Elise Virak]

The Anirian Knight carried the package do the Palace while maintaining her oddly brisk pace.

She was lucky that she had paid attention to the morning briefing, otherwise she likely wouldn't have been able to find her way.

After some time though she managed to catch sight of the edge of Elise's carriage having come to a stop behind a large sandstone wall. A gate stood before it, two guards out front. The Knight approached them, offering her sigil and a quick word of who she was.

The guards nodded, then opened the gate to allow her inside.

 

[Acteon Cass]

As Autumn Whispergrove began to speak, Hector scowled when the girl mentioned the Dreadlords and cursed a bit under his breath. Acteon just raised a brow at the girl, but did nothing else. When she mentioned that she was going to leave he smiled at her in what would be a very friendly way if not for the sharpness of his teeth.

"Now there is no need to run off so soon. You have not messed up yet.... Well not too badly." Acteon responded to her as he placed his hands on her shoulders in a comforting, reassuring, and somewhat trapping her kind of way.

Hector banged his cane on the street stones hard and said in a very firm voice, "No. No. No. No. No. She leaves. We are done with her. I do not know if she really killed any Dreadlords or is just lying about that but either way that is not the kind of person you want to be involved with."

Acteon looked over at his father and said in a too calm way, "Relax. I remember mother's stories too. But this is Alliria not Vel Anir. She married you to get out of that forsaken city and to get away from the Dreadlords in the first place. They can not take any actions against us, at least not openly, and we are not exactly on their list of notable people. We Cass might be very old blood but our current standing is rather terrible."

Hector just stood there speechless at his son's words. It was part due to the idiocy of his lack of fear for those who rightfully had earned it and partly due to that his moron of a son had somewhat of a point. While the older man just contemplated the risks and rewards of things, Acteon turned back to Autumn with that same smile from before.

"Now do you know what was in that package? I might need to know when I go get it back for you. Alone. You will be keeping my father company and making sure he does not die from over emotions on me." Acteon said to her. The smile shifted into a smirk. "I will even pay you if you will do this for me."

Elise Virak

 

[Autumn Whispergrove]

The hand on her shoulder made her feel a bit uneasy, as his intentions weren't clear to her at that moment. She felt indebted to them and the number of ways she may be made to pay them back were frightening and overwhelming. Yet the older gentleman seemed to want her gone as soon as possible, which she was completely okay with. Lingering in this scenario could prove problematic.

But as it turned out, this man wanted to aid her. Even if for ulterior motives. She didn't trust him, not entirely. But his offer of bonus money on top of retrieving what she'd lost would be quite the reprieve. No, better than that. She couldn't figure him out from this interaction and his smile was utterly unnerving. She took a deep breath its going to be okay its going to be okay and nodded sternly with her fists clenched.

"Okay, if you say you can be of assistance to me than I will be of assistance to you." She turned to Hector,

"Please do not view as a threat. That circumstance was a long time ago and out of my control. I will not be of any danger to you." She was a terrible liar. Autumn couldn't make that promise. She had no idea when her magic might erupt again but she couldn't let them know about it. As long as she avoided the gaze of the Anirian party she would be okay.

If not, this entire district may be naught but rubble this day.

"I believe it was silverware." She said, her head cocking towards Acteon again. "I can't say for sure but it clanked like it and was rather heavy."

 

[Elise Virak]

"Councilor, my family has never been much for Trade." Elise spoke softly, grasping a small cup of tea as she sat at the table with two of Allirians Merchant Councilors.

Both men were young, only slightly older than she. From what Elise understood they had recently inherited their positions from their respective fathers. Both were ambitious, and both were looking to broaden the horizons of their companies.

"We make weapons." She smiled. "Mine the ore for them and smelt it ourselves."

"Of course madam, but the sale of those weapons has been a long standing tradition. We only ask that you...expand those sales to Alliria."​

Her father had always been loathe to sell arms outside of Anirian Lands, preferring to keep what Virak produced in the hands of allies and not what one day might become enemies.

"My father had a Sword from Vel Anir, the quality was absolutely superb."​

Elise smiled. "Flattery won't get you anywhere here."

A soft laughed echoed from the three of them, though as Elise chuckled she spotted her Knight standing in the corner of the Garden a small package in her hand.

 

[Acteon Cass]

Acteon patted Autumn Whispergrove on the shoulders then released her. He kept that smile on his face. "Excellent. Now do keep a close eye on our dear old dad. He is rather frail you know."

"This frail old man will beat you bloody with his cane you miserable excuse for a son." Hector responded to Acteon with a frown. He then looked to Autumn. "Alright, daughter, let us be off to a tea shop. Have a nice drink, some pastries, and chat a bit more."

Hector did not give her much of a chance to respond before he just started to walk towards his new destination. It was up to her to keep up with him now. Acteon just watched them leave with a little wave, as if he was actually sending off his sister, then headed over to where he had spoken with the guard.

There were scents all over the place, but he had practice sorting out locals. It did not take long to pick up the guard's scent as it also was mixed with the girl's scent off the package. That predatory smile came across his face for a brief second when he did manage to sort it out. He moved at a quick as he continued to follow it through the crowd to find his target.

========

The place Acteon found himself at got a bit of a frown from him. It was one of the palaces of the merchant lords. Thankfully it was not one of the ones who had decided to tear his family's properties from them. Alliria might be a less than strict place when it came to upholding all the laws, but walking into the private estate of one of the lord definitely was one of the ones they upheld. There was no sign of the woman though, so he decided it would be best not to risk things too much.

Taking advantage of his enhanced senses, Acteon watched the palace from further out than any normal human possibly could. He was waiting for sign of the Anirians leaving and decided it would be best to follow them back to their residence. He had started up a ruse earlier after all and figured it would be best to uphold it. It also would give him time to sort out a better plan to trying to sneak into a palace or confront them too early. Anirians were suspicious after all and Alliria didn't exactly inspire trust.

Elise Virak

 

[Autumn Whispergrove]

She waved back to Acteon in confusion but was in zero position to argue at this moment. If he was to keep his word then it meant splendor for her and her godfather. Then again, if this was but a ruse she and everyone in the vicinity was in grave, grave danger. The hope was to keep that from happening.

A tea shop was a good start. She had barely noticed until Hector had mentioned food exactly how lacking in energy she actually was from all of this. A bit of sugar and food would go a long way right now. She did a short burst of sprint up to Hector as he'd gotten a bit passed her. Not far, mind you, considering his condition. Autumn felt the need to drive the conversation if she could just manage to figure out what to say.

"Um." She started, still startled from the nature of this predicament. "You and your son... Are you nobles?" stupid stupid stupid. She was immediately recognizable as terrible at talking to people. Her tone, her posture, everything. Autumn was a nervous wreck, and now off to have tea with a strange older gentleman from who knows where?

This day kept getting stranger.

 

[Elise Virak]

The meeting quickly came to an end, with Elise offering some small guarantees that Alliria would see the deliverance of at least a few Anirian Weapons by the end of the current season.

She could not yet offer the two Counselors the full volume they desired, but once her father was dealt with things would change. Of course, that was if things went according to her current plans. As the meeting came to an end Elise stood, bidding the two men goodbye and wandering towards her Knight. "Did you find what you needed?"

"In a way my lady, I believe this belonged to the girl."​

Elise raised an eyebrow. "You're in the business of stealing packages from Peasants now?"

The Knight bit her bottom lip, clearly trying to stifle a bit of laughter as she shook her head and quickly answered.

"The girl resembled Daria Whispergrove. I suspect it might be her daughter."​

Elise blinked, clearly having no idea who that was.

"A minor Noble, my Lady. Killed several Dreadlords and fled Vel Anir years ago."​

The Baroness shook her head and motioned for the Anirian Knight to follow. They quickly made their way back towards the carriage, winding through the Garden path and climbing aboard. "What evidence do you have of this besides a hunch?"

Elise asked, clearly disbelieving.

"None, Baroness, but I have her package, if she wants it back she'll have to come for it and then I can get a closer look."
​

A loud sigh escaped the Baroness, but she simply shook her head and called to Hector to return to the Anirian Embassy.

 

[Acteon Cass]

It would be difficult for Autumn Whispergrove to judge exactly what Hector thought from his face alone. Acteon had learned the skill of hiding his true intentions from someone after all. The older man still had good legs and knees and walked with a cane out of a sense of style and to establish a social position. Although he had to admit he couldn't move as fast as he use to. But it didn't take the girl long to catch up to him.

After her words there was only a brief pause before Hector graced her with a response. "Sort of. Not in the traditional sense. My late wife was and I suppose that does make the boy one in a way...." The older man stopped and seemed to adjust himself as they continued on towards the tea shop. It was hard to say if the adjustment was physical or emotional. Soon enough he went on. "Alliria does not operate like most of the known world socially. Where in other lands you have nobles, commoners, and slaves Alliria has coins. In other lands it is a priest or king or chief that determines the letter of the law but in Alliria it is whoever has the most coins."

The older man stopped and looked to the girl for the first time since they began to walk. "Do you understand my point girl?" He just looked back ahead quickly and began to walk once again. "My point is that here in Alliria your status is based on your assets. The more your assets are worth the higher up you are. Me and the boy are in a sort of lower position at the moment, but our family also exists in a more unique position as well here in Alliria. The Cass family is old girl. It is as old as Alliria herself. People know our name. It has value simply from the history of coins behind it. In that regard we are like nobility from other countries. No matter how low our physical assets currently are our family name is worth as much as a fancy estate. And it is something you can not buy."

Hector was rambling. He had taught his son that lesson long ago and the boy had taken it too much to heart. But the older man could never blame his son for that. They were proud of their ancestry and by holding it in so much regard it forced others to as well.... And here he was trying to teach this foreign girl about the city of his birth and how it functioned. It was something he missed. When he had made Acteon leave all those years ago, for the boy's own good, it had left him without someone to teach and pass his wisdom down to. Now here he was just rambling those lessons on to some strange girl he was going to be calling his daughter until this whole scheme of his son's was over.

========

It was a surprise to Acteon how quickly the exit of the Anirians was after his arrival. Seemed those pompous council members were not as skilled of diplomats and merchants as they thought they were. Nothing good ever came from a quick meeting after all. But he could revel in the potential lose of their pride later. He had to focus on following that carriage back to where the Anirians were staying. He was going to need to keep a safe distance back from them and rely more on scent than sight. Hopefully they would arrive quickly. He planned to give them time for it not feel as if he had followed them when he came knocking on their door. He did not want to waste most of the day on this after all.

Elise Virak

 

[Autumn Whispergrove]

Rambling or not, Autumn listened intently. She had not known of him or his son. She had also not taken any time to learn about Alliria in any regard. She was here because she and Thorne thought it necessary to be. Somewhere far enough from Vel Anir to feel safe yet not far away from civilization as she'd grown up in it. The young woman did acknowledge what he said as truth though, as she'd found herself living as a peasant ever since she came here. It did not bother her though. What bothered her was the constant fear she lived in.

"It was strange." She responded. "Having come from a youth of anything and everything I wanted in Vel Anir at the glance of a servant, and now living in borderline destitution. As abundant as coin seems it feels as if it is a difficult thing to hold onto in this city. Either your swindled out of it or someone kills you for it."

She had to wonder what it was like. To lose your estate and have your name still mean something. The Whispergrove name was slandered into infamy from what she'd heard. Harsh things said about her late parents, and salacious rumors about why Thorne had ran off with her. While she knew people talked, she was never used to it.

They arrived at the tea house not long after and went inside, she following right behind the man as they did so. When they took their seats she let a small laugh escape;

"I must admit, I've never drank much tea."

 

[Elise Virak]

"She killed Dreadlords as a child?" Her lips pursed as the Carriage wound its way through the inner city and towards the walled Anirian Embassy.

The Anirian Knight opposite her nodded emphatically.

"Her magic was quite strong, at least so it was said."

Interesting. Someone that powerful would be valuable, though at this point she very much doubted anyone of that age could be brought correctly into the fold. No, far more likely this girl would need to be executed for the safety of Vel Anir.

"Well." Elise began. "If she is a criminal, we should alert the authorities."

The Baroness mused. "Alliria should be weary of such a danger wandering around it's streets."

 

[Acteon Cass]

Hector was sure to hold the door open for the young woman when they arrived at the tea shop, which was only proper. He had not deemed it worth giving her a reply until they were sat down at their table, but once there he looked at her.

"The world has always worked that way girl. Those with little coin struggle to survive. They are pushed around by those with more and bare with it while gaining more themselves. Some try to go about it honestly but just as many resort to swindling and stabbing. You just had the coin to pay others to keep this reality at a distance until now." Hector said to her as he settled his cane against the table.

The waitress arrived shortly after Hector had finished speaking. He ordered the both of them mint tea and simple finger cakes. The woman left with a smile after having her bosom in his view the entire order. Once she was out of ear shot the older man spoke up once again.

"Did you notice what she was doing? She kept her feminine assets in my view. She smiled at me as well and was being friendly. It was an attempt to get more coins in the end. Some call it immoral, but it is no less valid a tactic than any other. If she has the assets for it and is willing to use them to earn coin then who are we to judge?"

========

This was the part Acteon hated most about tailing a target. All of this gods forsaken waiting. Why did it always feel like it took them hours to get where they were going? Yes he was still going to have to wait once they got there but he could at least distract himself for a bit to waste time then. Right now he had to keep his eyes on the moving carriage, or his nose rather. It was tedious and boring. But he had to silently keep on their trail until he could go knocking on their door for his package.

Autumn Whispergrove Elise Virak