[Location] Thane's Estate

[Amber Brightwing]

Amber noticed the raised eyebrow. She didn’t know how far the rumour had spread yet about her race, so she had been paying attention to the Vysstichi’s reaction. The sign of surprise was even smaller then she had expected it to be, going by what she already knew of those living under her city, almost disappointing.

“Duke Wladisyaw used to have quite a collection of wines, one of the finest in the whole empire. At least, so I’ve been told. It seems that nearly all of it has mysteriously disappeared during the thaneless period though. I’m sure our cook will be able to provide one of decent quality though. Do you prefer red or white?”

Once Eilantha had made her choice, Amanda left the office again and the Fae continued with what she wanted to say.

“I’m for one are glad you are willing to speak to me. I don’t overly mind if the other matrons choose to send someone to speak for them, but I do appreciate it you were willing to speak to me directly. And feel free to voice anything you want. I don’t mind suggestions or even complaints.”

“But returning to the topic at hand. As far as the governor is concerned however, the Vysstichi claim allegiance to the Thane of Vortex. Personally I’m not interested in claiming any power over anything that happens below the first plane though and I’d rather have the matrons as allies rather then a subordinates. There’s only one thing I would demand of the Vysstichi and that’s not to repeat the attacks on Silrosia or similar escapades. I would hardly consider that an unreasonable request though as the Empire is now watching Vortex and such an action would draw its forces to our city.”

“I’m not really looking to reprimand those responsible though as I don’t really care what happens in Silrosia – and according to what I’ve heard it wasn’t an action by the Second House anyway – but if you have any ideas on how similar things could be prevented in the future they are always welcome.”

Amber kept it at that for the moment and waited for a response. From what she had said, the dark elf seemed a reasonable person, so the Faerie expected this to be a rather pleasant conversation.

[Kalinda]

„Red wine“, the Esh’lahier answered. „It is curious that so much of the wine seems to have disappeared. Did you ever question your employees? Some of them might have taken an unhealthy interest in the Duke’s little collection. They probably thought it would be legitimate to take it after his death.”

“I think doing everything personally is the best. Even the most trusted of servants don’t remember every little piece of information correctly, and I consider it foolish for my fellow Matrons to trust their daughters so. Murder and deceit are a commonplace occurrence, and people strife to better their situation in this city. They don’t care who gets hurt in the process.”

“You seem to be a reasonable woman.” This was the first compliment she had made. “Only a fool would try to gain power over the undercity. As per the agreement with the Duke, your guards are allowed on the First Plane, but nowhere else. I too consider you a valuable ally to have. I believe it is necessary for us to take some kind of step, to make the Governor believe that we really do not intend to repeat the attack on Silrosia, some kind of public apology. It would have the greatest effect if one of us contacted the Governor, but I don’t see the First or the Third House agreeing with it.”

“And I – and I am sorry for bringing this up now – I don’t have any official position in this city yet. The old Matron died shortly after the attack on the High Collegium of the Dark Arts, and there are those that would oppose a woman as liberal and open minded towards the surface dwellers as I am. I have some contacts among your people, but that may not be enough. I would ask you for your support in return for mine.”

She smiled. From her gestures, from the way she talked and looked at Amber it was obvious that she was not telling everything. She seemed to be holding something back.

[Amber Brightwing]

Amanda had been waiting at the door for the Esh’lahier’s answer and disappeared to look for the wine as soon as she got it.

“From what I heard the guards used it to quench their thirst. I didn’t get any names though, and I’m not really looking either. I probably wouldn’t find them and as with most things that went wrong in I rather concentrate on avoiding similar events in the future.”

Her view on it was very similar to her stance towards the attack on Silrosia. She didn’t care in the least about the elves or what had happened in the past but only wanted to avoid trouble for her city in the future.

“And I feel pretty much the same about handling the important things in person. I find it tends to make things to be faster and easier when not talking through spokespeople. Still, with murder and deceit being a commonplace occurrence I don’t blame them for being cautious.”

“From what I’ve heard, only the First House was involved in the attack though, so it would be up to them to make an apology. I doubt they’d do such a thing though and I don’t really expect them to do so either. I’m not even sure if it would change the Governor’s mind much. It might, but he’s a strange fellow and not that fond of Vysstichi and he considers them to have broken their vows when they attacked Silrosia so he might not take words of apology seriously. Then again, he might.”

She shrugged.

“As long as history doesn’t repeat itself we should be fine. But you mentioned the First Plane and that’s another thing I’d like to speak about. Everything below that I don’t plan on involving myself with – as long as it does affect me – and for everything above I’m claiming full authority. The First Plane itself however I’d rather have as a place where both meet. Some tolerance from both sides towards one another and a place for trade and commerce for the benefit of both sides. It’s the second thing I’d liked to discuss with the different matrons.”

“But before we venture on that I wonder how you’d like my support. I said I wasn’t going to meddle with Vysstichi matters and I meant that. I can certainly see the advantage to having a reasonable woman as yourself as head of the Second House. However, I wonder what kind of support you were thinking of.”

She doubted open lobbying from her side would benefit the Esh’lahier’s position anyway, quite the opposite even. She also got the feeling there was more to the whole situation and she wondered what exactly. Dimitri’s claim on controlling the would-be matron of the Second House sprang to her mind and given this was probably the woman he was talking about she couldn’t help but wonder how much of it was true. Perhaps later on she would drop his name and see what kind of reaction that gave.

[Kalinda]

„True.“ Eilantha nodded. „In Har’oloth we have means and ways to find thieves and punish them, but of course it is better to make sure that such events will be avoided in the future.” She would not argue with the thane about such trivial matters. There were much more important matters to take care of. She shrugged as Amber told her that she did not blame the other Matrons for being cautious. “People that hide in their homes all brightening long never achieve anything”, she said. “You have to live with the dangers that surround you and make the best of it.”

“The First House can be convinced to change its stance, I’m sure of it. We only have to find the right incentives. As for the fact that your Governor is not fond of Vysstichi – not all of those that live in the undercity have black skin. Regarding the First Plane, it’s been the way you described it for a long time, and I hope it will stay this way. I think we could all benefit from it.”

She nodded as Amber called her a reasonable woman as if she took that for granted. “I do not want any financial support from you. Nor do I desire your soldiers. I already have somebody who is willing to help me in that regard. But you may have information that I don’t have. You have some influence on the first plane. If a crime takes place, your guards take care of it. I want to be able to turn to you if I need certain things. I want you to look at the happenings in Har’oloth with an open mind. Or do I ask too much of you?”

[Amber Brightwing]

“I’m not sure what the governor’s opinion is on the other inhabitants of Har’oloth. In any case, I was hoping to speak with the Fist House on a later date and see what they have to say on those matters.”

She considered Silrosian matters dealt with for now.

“Information or making good use of my influence are thing I can provide you – given the request stay within reason of course. And I do try to keep an open mind. I already told my new head of the guard that rooting out the filth in the upper city would be priority for now and keep the First Plane as it is for now. That doesn’t mean I intend to keep it as it is though. If any changes could be made to further promote trade or to avoid certain problems that would further benefit us both.”

“Are there any specific requests you have?”

The mention of a third person helping her with soldiers and finances seemed to point in Dimitri’s direction, but if she wanted to have the guards look the other way now and then he would be the most suited person to talk to at the moment, making her wonder if it was indeed him.

[Kalinda]

„Specific requests?“ She smiled. „What do you think of smugglers, Lady Thane? What do you think of people that are trying to underminde your authority? I have a problem with some clans that were allied to the Second House when Amarantha was Matron. They are questioning my claim to the throne. As far as I know they have also been harming businesses in the surface city with their trade. Of course I could take care of the matter myself, but I would insult other people with my actions. If we did it this way, both of us could benefit, and nobody would get mad at me.”

“You mentioned the new head of the guards, Lady Thane. I’ve met him before. I have heard that he is the Duke’s illegitimate son.” She looked at the fae with a most curious expression. “What do you think of him? How would you judge his character. I’m most interested. He is a complicated man, a dangerous man, and I would not underestimate him.” She looked away again. She did not consider it wise to betray too much of what she had discussed with him or her exact connections to him. She did not know this new thane as well as she would have preferred. There was no guessing what she would think of certain topics.

“I hope for you – for all of us – that the First House will send a messenger soon.”

[Amber Brightwing]

“Smugglers…”

She thought about it for a moment.

“I guess it would depend. Generally speaking I’d rather see all trade happen in the open as that would mean taxes could be collected on them, but I don’t think they’re really a priority right now. Unless of course, they are harming businesses on the surface in which case that would be sufficient reason to put some effort behind ending their dealings. As for people undermining my authority, they would do well to make sure I don’t know where to find them. I’m sure that if you can provide information on whereabouts and illegal activities something could be arranged.”

She smiled at the Shadow Elf in front of her. There were no longer Bloodravens displayed on the lawn of the mansion, but by no means that meant she was opposed to such treatments.

“As far as I’m aware, Dimitri is indeed the Duke’s illegitimate son, not that that matters much. From my first impression he seems greedy and vain, but at least he’s driven to change things, which more then can be said of the previous head of the guards. I don’t know him for that long yet though, so I have yet to see how good he does his task.”

She would be keeping a close eye on his doings where possible as didn’t truly trust him and if he would at some point persistently deviate too much from what she wanted there would be no hesitation to permanently put an end to the trouble. She didn’t see any reason to tell Eilantha that though as Dimitri’s claim regarding the second house seemed to bear some truth and she felt no need to make him feel threatened. At least not yet.

“And yes, I would like to receive some word from the First House as well, but unfortunately things have been silent so far.”

She waited to see if the Esh’lahier had anything more to say.

[Harle Quinn]

Summer 25th brightening

And so the journey had began from Nexus Prime into Vortex, it was here that her dreams and darkest desires would be realized or crushed. Her ingenious schemes and plans had already amassed her a small work force in prime, and a foundation for her empire to rise. But now she needed money and boats to ship her products out, she had aspirations of becoming a crime lord and it was just within her grasp. She wanted to get her hand into smuggling narcotics and building a gang, but it was here at the thane’s manor that would ultimately decide whether or not she was going to be able to progress.

She had the licenses to sell and make narcotics in prime legally, and if she had the money she could start expansive narcotic factories in Nexus drug depots if you will. Ranging from grow rooms, too chemical laboratories to pour out natural and synthetic contraband of illicit nature.

The only thing that was stopping her was simply a good chunk of change to make these things start moving.

Harle already had 20 odd people at her disposal for her botanical garden.

She had ambition, her darkest most sinister dreams were now only stopped by a gate that adamantly stood before her destiny and future. Harle had a scheme to make a lot of money in this racket, it was now up to Amber to decide if she was willing to reap the dark harvest and the rewards that would ultimately come with it.

[Amber Brightwing]

The two guards standing in front of the mansion were just looking around a bit at the people passing by, both looking rather bored with their uneventful job. When Harle Quinn approached the gates however their heads promptly turned towards her, their eyes observing her attentively (she might even notice one of them examining her a bit more thoroughly then was strictly needed) and their attitude quickly became more professional. The woman would find her way barred by two crossed spears, each one held by a grim looking guard.

“Halt. State your name and your business.”

They made no further movements and awaited her reply.

[Harle Quinn]

I am Harle Quinn
I have come here to discuss some business ventures with the thane.
I am with the sales guild in Nexus Prime.

Harle didn't really care if the guard was staring at her, she just wanted to go inside and have a conversation with the thane. If anybody in this city had the power to make things possible, it was her.

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

A small boy ran up to the Thane's estate and delivered a folded peice of paper into the hand of the one of the guards, no doubt it would reach the eyes of the Thane eventually, it was sealed with the Wladisyaw signet of two bears and was written in an even elegant hand.

To her Grace Amber Brightwing Thane of Vortex,

My early role in this job has been that of consolidation, meeting my peers and enforcing a strict discipline on the men. I beleive I have rooted out the weeds from the garden and as such can count on the force below me to restore order. My top pririties are guarding thw wealthy areas of the city and ensuring trade runs smoothly, as such I have been acting to curtail smuggling and reducing the rate of petty crime.

The alterations to the gaol you requested are complete, we have eight fine cells where a well mannered visitor may feel secure for a time, I feel it rather defeats the purpose of a gaol, but my Lady Thane knows best.

As for the Southern quarter, I will soon begin to push some of my best men to retake the fringes of the district and restore law and order, you understand only the most able and those free from greed and vice can be used for this role, it is difficult but I imagine I shall accomplish it.

My family connections and natural influence in this city give me a unique advantage in meeting many foreign diplomats and envoys, I wonder if her Lady Thane would consider splitting the office of Aedile and minister for Trade apart and giving me the latter role, I can assure her I would boost trade considerably with this responsibility and it would reflect well on the Lady Thane with the Govenor.

Signed and from the desk of,

His Grace Dimitri Wladisyaw of the Northern Stars, Lion of Vortex.

[Amber Brightwing]

The guard to her left nodded.

“Please hand over any weapons you might be carrying and follow me. You will receive them back when you leave.”

Once she had handed over her arms to the other guard she would be lead inside the mansion. Inside she would find a hall with white marble walls, richly decorated with paintings of exotic places, of beaches, snow covered mountains, jungles and swamps, of vysstichi, humans and halflings. Two staircases on each side went up to the next floor. At the end of the hall, two more guards were standing each on one side of a door. They were Human and looked very alike due to being twins. They had short black hair, black eyes and skin so pale that they almost looked as if they were dead ... or undead. They wore identical uniforms of black and purple, the colours of Vortex. They were muscular and the armour underneath their uniform made them look even bulkier.

She was lead the office on the left of the guarded doors though, which belonged to the thane’s secretary’s. When the doors were opened, a woman with curly blond hair at shoulder length looked up from behind an oaken desk with a friendly smile.

“Serale, I am Amanda, how can I help you?”

[Harle Quinn]

As she walked through the manor nothing had struck her as out of the ordinary, fancy pictures and guards should have been common place in a facility such as this. It was a ornate and beautiful, and mesmerizing in its own little way. But for now she did not have the luxury of time to fully enjoy the art.

Yes you may, I am looking for an audience with the Thane.
I need to discuss some business ventures.
I am with the sales guild in Nexus Prime.
Oh by the way the names Harle Quinn, honey.
My time is money can we make this quick and move this along please.

Harle seemed impatient at this point maybe even a bit flustered, though she was not rude and was genuinly sincere as she spoke gently and calmly to the thanes secretary

She did not have time to play games, she needed to talk business as soon as possible and the prospect of doing it immediately was certainly better. She hated to wait, and the sooner she had her answers the quicker she could work with or around whatever was about to take place with the Thane. There were opportunities around her everywhere but if she stood still for nay but a moment most of them would elude her grasp and that thought put her on edge just a bit.

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

*First cycle of Summer*


She had wanted to meet him, it was of course easier if he came to meet her. She was Thane her position justified a little respect, he would feel awkward having him sit in the nicer chair in his residence, it was perhaps prudent instead to come and grovel to her, let her arrogance mask her perception.

Dimitri of course by now knew Protocol, he had with him a rather simpering human by the name of Sergei, a son of a merchant (Dimitri's favoured pawns) and an able lawyer, Dimitri felt it was justified to bring him along, just in case the Thane decided to throw anything at him. Both handed their weapons over, Dimitri his bladed gauntlets and Sergei a small dagger than hung from his belt.

"Good day Gentlemen" Dimitri would say as he walked past them, he wore his statesmans clothing today, a fine tailored suit of silks topped with an elegant hat sporting a number of feathers. A silk cravat was wrapped snugly about his throat, Sergei was more austere in a merchants outfit, a blue suit of sorts, with a large overcoat and a cane.

As he walked past he smiled gently, "Are we to see the Thane or Amanda?" Dimitri had taken rather a fancy to Amanda the last time they had met and would not have been adverse to seeing her again, but alas he was usually important enough to be hustled in to see the Thane.

[Amber Brightwing]

“An audience with the thane…”

After a short search through the several papers scattered on her desk Amanda dug up a piece of paper she studied attentively for a moment.

“Let’s see… Well, the thane will be available in about a candle mark. Or would you like to make an appointment tomorrow if you still have other businesses today?”

Harle may dislike waiting, but it seems that there was no other option at the moment. Even though the thane liked to make time for anyone wanting to see her she was currently unavailable for appointments.

“You can wait here if you like.”

Closer inspection of the room would reveal a few comfortable chairs standing against the wall, put there exactly for that purpose. A candlemark was a long time to do nothing though.