Private Tales Every Day a Little Death

[Criseida]

The fortress city of Vel Anir loomed in the distance, promising safety and warmth. The road to the city was broad, but night was falling, and the young woman who rode side-saddle on the steed at the head of the procession was concerned that once the night fell, the brigands might try something. She had tried to pre-empt such a foolhardy action by bringing with her a cadre of two dozen men-at-arms wearing the Luana colors and bearing weapons. A dozen flanked the rest of the party: Criseida at the front, followed by two members of her retinue, who were in turn followed by the wagon bearing luggage and the casket containing her husband Diomedes' earthly remains.

Criseida was in black, from top to toe: a black veil covered her face and went down to the chest of her black traveling cloak, which in turn covered a black dress. Aside from her wedding ring, the jewelry she wore was jet and onyx and obsidian: a brooch pinning her veil to her hair, a necklace, a simple bracelet. She rode with her back straight and rigid so that anyone passing by would see that even in apparent grief, women of House Luana were proud and unbowed.

A messenger had ridden ahead from the country with news of Diomedes' death, but would only have arrived a few hours ahead of Criseida with instructions to put a letter into the hands of Ashur-Kan Luana himself. Criseida hoped that the messenger had made his way safely to the city; if for some reason he was somehow waylaid, it would come as rather a morbid shock for her to roll up with a wagon full of his dear departed cousin. In retrospect, Criseida thought with a small smirk tugging at her lips beneath the veil, if it was anyone but Ashur-Kan, that might have been worth it.

Luckily, fate was on Criseida's side that evening. They got to the city unmolested and made good time doing it. The last of the dusk was dissolving into night by the time the party arrived at the gates. Word of the arrival of a lady escorted by Luana colors spread, with members of the hoi-polloi crowding into walkways and alleys as she passed. They couldn't tell who she was, so shrouded in a veil was she, but they knew enough: she was a Luana, so there was a good chance they might come away with a coin for their troubles. Criseida didn't disappoint. She reached a hand out, long fingers in elegant black gloves, and one of her ladies urged her steed forward enough to place a pouch in her palm. The coins were scattered until the bag was empty, and soon she had maneuvered herself into the quarter where the Luana city headquarters was located, leaving the masses behind.

As much as she would have liked to offload Diomedes and set off to her own townhouse for a soak, there was a protocol to be observed, and it would have been uncouth to leave the coffin on the doorstep like some kind of macabre parcel delivery. No; her evening wasn't quite over yet. She lifted herself from the saddle and lowered herself to the street. Wordlessly, her ladies followed suit, then approached the massive doors, where they signaled their employer's arrival. Meanwhile, Criseida stayed behind, a hand placed protectively on the casket in the rear of the wagon, the other pressed to her chest.

After all, she still had to look the part of a grieving widow, even if she wasn't particularly bothered by Diomedes' sudden and tragic death. She even mustered a few appropriate tears; even if no one saw them now, they would see the tracks once her veil was lifted, and if Criseida knew anything, it was how to plan ahead.

 

[Ashur-Kan Luana]

A smile hung menacingly on his face as he sat alone in the inner sanctum. For the first time in a long while, this was not an act. Ashur-Kan was truly ecstatic. The question of how best to rid the family of his useless sibling had been lingering over the family for quite some time now, after all, there were only so many slip-ups they could cover up before people asked questions. Thankfully, he was gone now and Ashur didn't have to lift a single finger. The house was better for it, better still they had maintained good relations with Lady Criseida. Their marriage had been a thinly-veiled attempt to instil some competency into the blubbering idiot, but even she could not work miracles.

A deep breath followed, his face dropped into one of irrevocable sadness. Officially, he was morning the loss of his most beloved younger brother. Rising up from his seated position at the desk, he assessed himself in the nearby wall mirror. Good. He had neatened his hair but left patches untamed, and suitably ruffled his otherwise immaculate robe. His goal was to highlight to the world how distraught the death had left him, imperfections on an unusually perfect man, even the slightest details wouldn't go amiss.

Content with his appearance, his body folded. His shoulders fell while his head, simultaneously, hung low as he exited his sanctuary. Attendants were there to greet him, nodding solemnly at his arrival and walked in step with the grieving man. "Walton, the spare room has been prepared and the grieving plan has been implemented, yes?" He had asked the man these questions several times today, he knew the answer, but it paid to make the staff think his head was elsewhere - their talk would carry. The ageing figure nodded and quickly hurried away to triple check everything was in order for the arrival.

Ashur-Kan, in the meantime, took in the sights of his manor. It was, after all, a long walk towards the entrance and he'd need something to keep his mind occupied while he kept up this facade. Located within the heart of Vel'Anir, the Luana ancestral home occupied a sizeable plot of land right within one of the more 'common' districts - although they quickly ensured that only the right sort of common remained. The interior itself was minimalist, yet each decoration was itself a simple unassuming masterpiece. They were not one for gaudy trinkets, paintings, tapestries, the ones they had were understated and elegant.

Word quickly reached the heir of Criseida's arrival and he swiftly picked up the pace. He enjoyed her company - she would do well for, and by, the family. Arriving quickly at the main entrance, the two ancient oaken doors swung open and Ashur-Kan was greeted with the sight of the carriage, Criseida and the coffin. A gentle waft of his hand directed to the staff to carry the coffin ahead of them, whilst dismissing everyone else and, within a moment, the two of them were alone.

"We always knew you'd impress us." His ruse dropped, the staff had been instructed to leave the two of them alone until called for, he had no need for his act anymore. "Now, tell me again Lady Criseida... How did he die, and how did he die?" His grin returned, two simple questions, but the first obstacle for her overcome. It was a simple test, there was no right or wrong answer, but Ashur wanted to coax out her brilliance and see what the next steps of her plan would entail. Whatever her response, he would use his skills to alter his late brother to best fit her story.

 

[Criseida]

Criseida's eyes flickered up when the massive oaken doors swung open, framing the heir of House Luana in the light from within. She inclined her head and glanced over her shoulder at her two ladies when Ashur-Kan Luana dismissed the staff. They followed the others away, presumably to the servants' hall. She hoped they would be offered food and wine for their trouble, but that was of limited concern to Criseida at that moment. The two women bobbed into curtsies and hurried away. Criseida watched the heir to House Luana approach, lifting her veil as he came closer, so that they could see each other clearly. Ashur-Kan, hale and hearty, confident. Criseida, angular and strained from travel but dignified in affected grief.

"My Lord," she said, lowering her gaze in a display of respect for her brother-in-law. She genuflected into a low curtsy and rose again. The niceties over now, she allowed her dark eyes to meet his without fear of being seen as disrespectful. Clearly they were beyond the optics now.

"I couldn't say," said Criseida lightly as she began the process of removing her gloves, tugging the leather away from one fingertip at a time. "The scullery maid woke me up screaming the house down when she found him at the foot of the stairs. His neck had been broken, and so had his..." She flushed, apparently embarrassed to be discussing it. "Well... you know. The poor girl he had in his bedroom was quite beside herself. She'd clearly gone 'round the bend and began raving. She'll recover in the disciplined silent order I sent her to. Or she won't."

By this time she had both gloves off and was examining her fingernails in the dim moonlight. "I'd have no way to know, you understand, because I wasn't there, but given the look of agony on his face when he was found, my belief is that he died... badly." Like he did everything else, she added silently. "It is a loss to the family, I'm afraid, but... there are worse things." Worse things than a dead brother, indeed, like a live brother making a mess of things and dirtying the family name.

 

[Ashur-Kan Luana]

Ashur-Kan couldn't help but look impressed. Despite his best estimations of his sister-in-law, even he couldn't predict how thorough she would turn out to be. Not only had she planned for this occasion, but she'd tied off every loose end he could possibly conceive of. Even her acting was superb. His services would not be required today and, instead, he could fritter away the night celebrating the death of his most abhorred sibling. "Indeed, a tragedy, but one we can surely overcome." He smiled.

"There are a few things I wish to discuss if you'll accompany me to the reception room. I've also had some aged-tawny port brought up. A year 250 vintage no less." Ashur paused, his smile slinking back across his face. House Luana enjoyed many gifts and offerings from those wishing to establish themselves in Anirian society, yet the constant flow of rare and ancient wine was always a personal favourite of his. He had no doubt that very few of the great houses could match the sheer variety and depth of their personal wine cellar.

Having ensured the two of them were to be left alone, there was no need for Ashur to resume his masquerade as a grieving brother any longer. Instead, he simply turned and strode into his manor, stepping into the adjacent reception room he had prepared for her arrival.

The room itself was vast, decorated with portraits of current, and former, Luana family members. In the centre of it all was a large inglenook fireplace, currently burning some beautifully scented logs that served to ward off the cold night's chill whilst providing some delightful hints of cinnamon. He took a seat in front of the fire and poured two glasses of port from a dusty archaic-looking bottle. Beside him, carefully dotted around the ancient bottle of port, were silver platters of Criseida's favourite foodstuffs.

He paused, waiting a couple of moments for his guest to settle and, equally, allowing him some time to savour the beautiful beverage he had chosen.

"So, are we thinking of a state funeral or a more private affair?"

 

[Criseida]

Criseida kept her face straight, though close observers would be able to note a certain twinkle in her dark eyes. "House Luana has suffered far worse and come out on top," she agreed, bowing her head in a show of humility. She followed him into the manor, carefully lifting her skirts to mount the steps to enter the house. Eventually, they settled in the reception room; she knew it well, having attended some functions there over the years of her marriage. She took a seat opposite Ashur-Kan and took a glass of tawny port when offered.

"Charming," she said, leaning in to take a whiff from the glass. She licked her lips instinctively and smiled. "Do you know, a wine merchant tried to sell me a two-hundred-year-old vintage Allirian iverna. He wanted something like six hundred gold pieces for it. He was clever; dinged up the bottle, covered it with dirt and dust. It made for quite the production when he produced it from his crate and blew the dust away. What he didn't realize is that they had only started growing iverna grapes in Alliria twenty years ago. I sent them down the road to the Prendals, who are stupid enough to fall for a scam like that."

She sipped the port and made an appreciative humming sound. She allowed herself a moment to savor the wine, then nodded her head and rendered her judgment: "Very nice," she said, smiling primly before lowering her gaze to the port as if she could scry using its surface.

"I think my husband should experience death as he experienced life, my lord," said Criseida, her voice quiet but firm. "Quietly and without fuss. We can, at an appropriate time, hold a festival of thanksgiving for his life and distribute alms and food to the people. Maybe we can put a park somewhere in his memory." She didn't feel it needed to be said that the park should be in a part of the city that Criseida never had to visit.

"I apologize if this sounds... inappropriate," she said delicately, her eyes flicking up to Ashur-Kan's from her port. Apparently it had offered no answers. "I have a care - understandably, I hope - for what will happen to me. Am I to be buried alongside Diomedes, either literally or metaphorically?"

 

[Ashur-Kan Luana]

Ashur-Kan paused for a moment as he considered his companion's story. He laughed a full-on belly laugh. Gods, he hated the Prendals. She wasn't far off in her assumption of them, they were part of the wave of new money families that was slowly washing over Anirian society. Unfortunately, that meant they always tried to impress Luana with extravagant - tacky - gifts. "Funny story... We had to bin a gift from the Prendal's because they made a similar claim." He grinned an amused grin, ingested a large swig of the port, and turned to pour himself a second glass. "Please tell me you managed to con some commission from that charlatan - so that one of us at least benefited from their foolishness." He was joking, of course, but the thought was amusing to consider.

He sat thoughtfully as she spoke, swirling his port around in its crystal. A more private affair would be good, the family could more easily mask their disdain for the man too. "You know, I was thinking of opening a new hospital... We could honour it with his name." His grin dropped into a wry side-smile. His brother had openly avoided hospital visits, he was a sickly figure and, ironically, had a phobia of illness. It would be a fitting tribute for the pig-man the family had just lost.

Carefully, Ashur placed his crystal on the table between them. His eyes wandering from the flame and turning to look Lady Criseida directly in the eyes. "It is a fair question, one I would ask in your position." He mused silently, his head mulling over the possible answers. His father had not dictated a familial stance, as of yet, but Ashur-Kan already had his mind set on the next steps.

"I want to apologise to you, personally." He paused, letting the words linger. For once, it seemed, the man truly was displaying sympathy and regret. "You were dealt... a bad hand by the family. We had hoped your prodigious skill in politicking would shape my brother, but that was not the case. Instead, we sent you away and we lost a great talent." Countless discussions he had had with his father of this matter. The damage his brother could do within the city was far less than the benefits Criseida would bring, however, hindsight was perfect after all.

"I have a proposition, from me that is. The family will agree once I nudge them. I offer you two options." He took another swig and returned his gaze back to the fire. "I grant you land, a good pension, and whatever else you would like for your services babysitting my brother." This was genuine, his brother was an ape and whoever had to put up with him was a saint - he did not envy her the past few years. "Or, you stay associated with the main family and help us consolidate our power... Either way, I will support your decision."

 

[Criseida]

Criseida's exquisite eyebrows knitted together in what might have been surprise at her countryman's words. In actuality, it was affront. She had been dealt a bad hand, but as far as she was concerned she had acquitted herself masterfully. She had turned a high-card hand -- the high card being a six, if that -- into at least a straight. Maybe not a winning hand, but certainly not the worst hand at the table, she thought. Still, she tried to keep her face more surprised than offended.

"You are very kind to say so," said the Widow Luana. "And your offer is most generous. I must confess that the country life is not for me... not in the long term, at any rate. Some repose in the countryside is nice every so often, but as a lifestyle? It's not for me. I would much prefer to stay in the city, where things happen. I should even like to marry again after a suitable time has passed. Have children. All the things." She waved an airy hand, as if it was all encapsulated in that phrase.

"I would be pleased to continue to serve this family," she said cautiously. "My father may have something to say about my dowry, but I'm sure he'll be mollified if he can think of the Luana fortune as a rising tide lifting all boats." Lady Criseida lifted her glass for another sip and then dabbed her lips with a napkin. "I'm sure we can produce a reason for him to think that, between the two of us. No?"

Ashur-Kan Luana

 

[Ashur-Kan Luana]

Ashur swirled his chalice around in his hand, watching the scarlet liquid produce gentle waves and currents. Perhaps, he considered, his turn of phrase had been poor, but there was no use dwelling on his mistakes now that they had happened. He turned to study Criseida and nodded at her surprise. That was good, he had not meant any offence and she had taken none. He smiled as she continued, a genuinely warm smile that reached his eyes. Ashur had expected no less from her, he knew she would not resign herself to the country, yet it was still a relief to hear her say so.

"Funny you should say that..." He paused. Considering his words for a few moments, another sip from his chalice and he continued. "I believe the Virak's will be making a bid for power soon. Elise is increasingly active within the Dreadlords, she decimated a city and a new Archon has been elected - a Virak controlled one no less - putting them at twice the amount of any other house. He shuddered, Elise was a dangerous woman and she was making things happen within the confines of the city. Thankfully, she wasn't the only one.

"Furthermore, I believe house Bannick to be aligning themselves with the Virak." His words were venomous and he spat the last sentence from his mouth as if he were eager for the filth to leave him. House Bannick, currently, sat on the ruling alliance with Luana, but should they move now the precarious 4 to 3 balance would shift in Virak's favour.

"I intend to smooth out relations with House Pirian, but I would like you to improve our standing with the King. He is yet another figurehead, but if we bring him closer to our side we stand in much better shape to weather this storm." He breathed, finishing the last few mouthfuls of his port. His attention shifted back towards Criseida, interested to hear her input on the matter.

"Regarding your father... I was thinking about placing him on one of the exclusive - and newly created - noble quarter councils, dealing with residence issues and the like." He smiled. It would, of course, include a nice salary and allow her father to get his nose in many of the lesser noble's businesses.

 

[Criseida]

Criseida's eyebrows furrowed together anxiously, her eyes flickering from one side to the other as she absorbed the information that Ashur-Kan Luana was giving her. She didn't look surprised, because in fact she was not surprised; it made sense that the Viraks would be looking to push the advantage; it was really always a matter of when rather than if. "So," she mused thoughtfully, her dark eyes flickering up to Ashur-Kan's, her jaw set. "The Viraks are making their opening gambit. I suppose it was inevitable."

She sipped her wine thoughtfully as she listened to the rest of what her liege lord had to say. "Do we know what's behind Bannick's change of heart?" she asked, setting the glass down on the table. She stood and paced away from the settee towards the fireplace. "Perhaps there's something that can be done to get them back on side." She paused at the fireplace, peering into the flames as if the solution could be found there. After a few long moments, she turned and paced back.

The Widow Luana was somewhat surprised but pleased at having an assignment already. "Me? Well of course I'll do whatever I can," she promised. "I suppose this means there is room for new courtiers in the royal household. What will I be doing?"