The Gilded Lily

Wrote 4.1 — 51m21s — 2023/09/28

Reworking 4.1 so its more show than tell… but now I have to go to work — 57m54s — 2023/10/03

Worked on 4.1 — 27m28s — 2023/10/04

Worked on 4.1 — 1h47m48s — 2023/10/06

Polished 4.1 and worked on 4.2 — 2h10m59s — 2023/10/08

Polished about half of 4.1. Crea now suffers from an overbearing regard for a woman’s virtue — 32m38s — 2023/10/22

Polished 4.1 and 4.2 — 33m50s — 2023/10/23

Polished and extended 4.2 — 1h07m21s — 2023/10/23

Andrus doesn’t know about Meu’s venom until they’re about to go to High Plains. Before they shift for flight, Meu bites him so they can keep in touch.

Tahoran smiled as he stared at Crea. Thanks to a bath, a haircut, and a new dress, she looked like a different person. “—even if your hair is still the same color,” he continued as he glanced at Methys.

“Her hair is the same mousey brown that dominates this land,” Methys retorted. “If I was to dye it, a good eye would see that, and one might wonder why one of the servants was dying her hair,” she continued. “It is a minor point anyway. We will go nowhere unobserved, so long as that phoenix is with us!”

Celesi was unconcerned. “So long as they are looking for a stable hand and an urchin with a sword above her price, no one will look at us twice,” she answered.

“Oh, but they will,” Tahoran replied. “But it shall solve one problem rather neatly. You will get us into the House of the Gilded Lily quite easily.”

“What is this house?” Crea asked.

“It is the most expensive and exclusive brothel in all of Land’s End,” Tahoran said. “I have a contact there that I must meet.”

Crea flinched. To think of being around such people! She meant to say something, to protest, but she was not the first to speak.

“Oh, of course you do!” Methys scoffed.

With a roll of his eyes, Tahoran turned to his aged lover. “I’d normally go to the the Dunkel’s Keep to speak with this particular lady, but I cannot, since returning to work would surely see me arrested,” he said. “We will go where we must to do the job we must do.”

Methys did not like this, but she conceded, saying, “Despite the dubious honor of their work, the ladies of your Gilded Lily are usually quite good at gathering intel.”

Crea turned on the woman, surprised that she should give up so easily. “Are you not bothered?” she asked.

“Of course I’m bothered!” Methys glared at the girl—then softened her look. “But I too am a professional, and suspicion lies at the heart of sneaking,” she continued. “Besides, Tahoran appreciates a touch of suspicion. If I were not a little jealous of some of his contacts, he might think I no longer care,” she answered with a sly smile.

Crea didn’t know what to make of this. She felt it was wrong to to go to a house where women sold such intimacies—and yet, what was she to say? She no longer maintained her purity. A vicious stranger had defiled her. And as she escaped the growing war, she’d allowed Malcolm to have his fill. Non. that wasn’t the way of it. After he saved her life, she’d thrown herself at him! Still, she had no interest in such a house. “I cannot,” she began. “Such people are touched by the devil.”

“If I could not talk to anyone that has been touched by the devil, I could not talk even to myself,” Tahoran noted. “We go as a matter of strictest business. And when we are done, we continue on our way. We shall not return, as returning here is imprudent, especially if it is simply a matter of scruples. Would you not train to be a sneak after all?”

Crea didn’t want to be alone. These people had listened to her story, and judged her not. They fed her and clothed her, and she liked these people more and more. They were all so cool, collected, and confident. It seemed nothing could trouble them. Still, she didn’t get the plan—not that her part wouldn’t be easy enough. They were setting her up to play a minor role in whatever it was that they were up to. Indeed, she was more than happy to be in the background of this little cadre, to act at being nothing but a servant. Indeed, Tahoran had promised her a wage as an apprentice sneak, and she wouldn’t have to do anything if she didn’t agree! Indeed, for the first time in a long time, she felt quite safe—and since Tahoran had also bathed and shed the persona of Horsewind, he looked quite regal and strong. But why must they all go in and put on such a show? Why not simply have the man step in by himself and deliver the letter?

“It’s all a show,” Tahoran had tried to explain. “We’re not begging a favor, or paying for a simple service. We’re recruiting an ally. We want this woman on our side, so when she suffers a crisis, she’ll be resolved to keep our secrets.”

“Are we so sure she’ll suffer such a crisis?” Crea had asked.

“Every sneak must suffer such crises,” Tahoran continued. “It is human nature to do things in a proud manner, in the light of the sun. Sneaking is antithetical to what we are.”

Crea felt there was truth in this, so she refrained from any more questions, and simply sat with her uneasiness.

After his bath and haircut, Tahoran affected a haughty air. Crea figured his new mask was that of a royal, but when she commented on it, Tahoran just laughed. “To be a lord with nothing but female attendants…” he shook his head. “Among the brothels, such an entourage would be quite strange,” he said. “Indeed, what man would go to the brothels with four women?”

“Perhaps if he was trying to plant you there, so you might work with the clientele,” Methys teased. “No, it is I that will play the lady. He will simply be my capable and honored bodyguard.”

“Don’t fret,” Tahoran continued. “All you have to do is smile and be yourself, since nobody knows you here anyway.”

“That is all?” Crea asked.

“That, and curb your drinking,” Tahoran told her. “You can take the first one since it will take the edge off, but as the hours pass, I ask you not to finish the second, no matter how long the night goes.”

“And how long is the night like to go?”

“As long as all nights go,” Tahoran smiled. “Until morning.”

Yet, it wasn’t Methys that played the head of their little group. Celesi argued that she should play the lady for the fact that Andrus was perched on her shoulder. It was hard to argue with the girl. Still, Tahoran and Methys had doubts that she could carry off the role—especially since she couldn’t speak the language. “You mean to tell me not everyone here speaks Ministrian and Trohl?” Celesi teased the two, then shrugged aside the complaint. “Meu will handle the matter,” she continued in her native tongue. This confused the Saots, but Celesi insisted, then kissed Meu.

If that wasn’t strange enough, Meu licked her lips, then turned on Methys and attempted to take her face in her hands.

“Whoa!” Methys backed away and instinctively reached for her blade.

Druss Meu, the strange redhead said with nothing but her eyes, then slowly approached, and kissed Methys full on the lips.

Methys didn’t know what to think, especially when nothing happened. She blinked and stared at the old redhead with no shoes.

Lick your lips, Meu told her.

Methys did as she asked. Seconds later, she stared between Meu and Celesi, as if her heart was on fire. Wide-eyed, she swore that she could hear them in her head—which Tahoran and Crea thought was impossible, until Celesi started speaking fluent Saot.

“How is this possible?!” Tahoran stared between Meu and Celesi.

Meu put a finger to her lips, and stared into his eyes. Shhh, she smiled. Secrets.

“It is a touch distracting, but I translate for her easy enough,” she noted. “Where has our duke found such friends?!”

“Can she do this to all of us?” Tahoran asked.

Methys gave a nod, “But she can only do this so often. Perhaps it is best if she uses it sparingly.”

Tahoran agreed. If he had any lingering doubts, about whether or not Celesi should play the royal, they were dispelled as soon as the group stepped into the House of the Gilded Lily. Celesi commanded the room’s attention as soon as she entered—and she did it so naturally that the old couple wondered if she might indeed be highborn.

The house was quite as Tahoran had described it, old and crumbling, but having a thin veneer of gloss that made it look luxurious. It wasn’t a crowded night at the Gilded Lily, nor was the place empty. Several high officers of the watch lounged about, and a number of court officials were scattered among the ladies of the room—when Celesi swept in, followed closely by Meu, Methys, Tahoran, and Crea. The uncommon beauty of Celesi might have turned a fair number of heads all on its own, but the spectacle of the bird on Celesi’s shoulder guaranteed attention. One after another, the entire room turned and stared at the entrancing girl in her regal dress. They might even give a glance to her entourage before they inevitably turned back to the phoenix and stared. For most, it was the first time they’d seen such a rare creature. For her part, Celesi acted as if everyone was always staring, as she silently thanked Acad for the time she’d spent in Meriona’s tutelage.

“Excuse me,” the matron of the Gilded Lily stepped toward the party and blocked their way forward. “There are no pets allowed.”

“Quite right,” Celesi glanced at the woman and absently stroked the feathers of the bird. “And lets make no mistake, Andrus is no pet. He is no mere crow, enticed with bits and baubles, and you’d prove wise not to provoke him,” her stare was cold and challenging—and the bird seemed to wear a matching demeanor. Then Celesi smiled, and it was as if the sun had broke from behind the clouds. “I hear you offer the finest in entertainments, and we would be entertained! Have we come to the right place, or would you recommend us another establishment?” she asked as she offered a large gold sol to the older lady.

For a long second, the matron considered Celesi, the phoenix on her shoulder, and the massive gold coin in her hand. She glanced about the room, then came to her senses and allowed herself to smile. “Yes, you have come to the right place! We would be honored to entertain!” She began as she bowed, took the coin, and ushered Celesi to a large table in the middle of the room. “Indeed, if elves, dwarves, or even dragons came to my door with such poise and grace, I would welcome them—and I would thank the soul that recommended them—for such creatures are not beasts, and never pets!” she continued to beam. “Come, come! What can we do for you?”

“I hear that Land’s End is renowned for it’s cherry cordial, and I must confess that I feel rather peckish. Are we not hungry?” Celesi said, and almost glanced at her friends attending, as they nodded and sat about the large comfortable table. “And music!” Celesi continued. “We hear several of your ladies play instruments and a number are excellent singers!”

With a smile and a nod, the matorn turned and began looking about the room. She snapped her fingers and called several names. The girls jumped to attend her. Soon, the guests had drinks in front of them, while a trio of ladies sang, and played lutes and pipes. Before long, a large board of meats, cheese, fruits, and breads was brought to them, with a number of intriguing sauces for dipping and spreading.

“Do any of your ladies dance?” Celesi asked the matron, and a space was hastily cleared. The girls danced, and to their surprise, Celesi and Meu joined them, followed by Methys, Tahoran, and eventually Crea. Nobody cared that she couldn’t dance.

A young judge of Dunkel’s court stood and approached the group. He introduced himself to Celesi, who seemed quite happy to meet him. Then the young judge showed her a step popular in the area, which brought several others to join them.

The room became more and more crowded and the party only increased. Celesi introduced herself as a young heiress of Hearthstone that had come to Land’s end on family business, and after a week of travel, snags, and hassles; had decided to find some entertainment. She bought drinks for the young judge and other officials she found interesting—but they bristled when she wouldn’t match them drink for drink, and so she quickly accommodated them. For the rest of the night, Celesi drank without reserve, since she was being watched so closely. Crea whispered to her about it, and Celesi kissed her for the concern, but assured her that she would maintain the ruse without any issue. She could not know that Celesi had been trained by the Jays how to act when inebriated. For the others, it was easy to hold back. Although the cherry cordial was delicious and the alcohol had taken the edge off her anxiety, Crea realized Tahoran, Methys, and Meu barely touched their drinks—though they poured liquor freely for the rest of the house.

Celesi told the locals of her home in Trohl lands, and spun tales of Hearthstone as if she was born to the place. Loose with liquor and the sheer spectacle of it all, some of the officials told her more than they should. She kissed a number of them on the cheek, and accepted a good number of kisses to her own cheeks and hands—and so it went into the wee hours of the night.

As the party continued, and while the others were mostly distracted, Tahoran cornered one of the working girls.

“Excuse me,” the girl tried to brush passed him, but Tahoran blocked her way. She glared at him as he leaned in close.

“Leena,” he said. “I have work for you.”

The girl stared back with a fire in her eyes. “I don’t know how you know my name, but if you know the way of it, then you know you must buy me a drink to start,” she began.

“That’s not the sort of work I require,” Tahoran said as he smiled all the more. “Look close. Who do you see?”

Leena stared at the man, suddenly convinced that she knew him —somehow—but unable to remember.

Tahoran affected a stupid demeanor, bent over a bit, and said with thick words, “Well, yes Leena. I suppose the beasts like me more than most…”

Leena let out a gasp. “Horsewind?!” she asked. “But you look nothing like you look!” She said as she caressed the fine fabric of his shirt.

“See there! I knew you were bright girl! I knew you’d see me for me,” Tahoran smiled. “Now, you still remember that favor you owe me?”

With narrow eyes, Leena gulped. “I never thought you would aske me here. But didn’t you say you have a woman?” she said, even though she realized she liked the look of him. “Is this really what you want?” she asked, and as the words slipped her lips, she silently hoped it was.

“I apologize if I’ve misled you, but I do not ask for the goods of this house,” he shook his head. “Instead, I would have you get word to the Dunkels. I would have you leave them a letter.”

“Why not just do as anyone else, and put it in the post?” Leena replied.

Tahoran shook his head. “This letter must be delivered to their bed chambers. Indeed, I want you to put it under Duke Dunkel’s pillow.”

“And why would you have me do that?” Leena asked, confused.

“Because this is not a nice letter, and in the coming days, I want the Dunkels looking over their shoulders,” Tahoran grinned.

Leena realized the gravity of the request. “This is far more than I owe,” she stared. “Do you know what they’d do to me if I were to get caught?!”

“I know it would not be pleasant—but I doubt you’ll be caught. There are dozens of servants that work in their private rooms, and I’ve always known you to take great care. Yet, I admit that I ask far more than you owe—so I am more than happy to offer you a bit more compensation,” with that, Tahoran took her hand and pressed a small coin into her palm.

Leena glanced at it, noticed it’s golden hue, and stared with wide eyes. “What if I am caught? If this letter is so incendiary, I would break before any torture,” she noted.

“Tell them who gave it to you,” Tahoran said with a shrug. “Have you not heard that I am already wanted?”

“What have you done?!” Leena stared.

Tahoran shook his head, “I would not make you an accessory to other crimes—but why do you think I had to visit you here, with such a troop in such lively finery?”

“I had not thought of that,” Leena noted. “You know Horsewind, I always thought you were a fair bit smarter than you were letting on.”

“Of course you did, because you’re a fair bit smarter yourself,” Tahoran winked, then turned her head and kissed her cheek. “Goodbye, Leena. I hope someday our paths cross again.”

“And where do you go?” she asked. “Shall I never see you?”

“That is up to the fates, and I dare not tell you more than that I go home,” he answered. “Should I tell you more than that—well—what if you’re tortured?”

“Will they not already know?” Leena wondered.

“Oh they will,” Tahoran smiled. “I go for Gaurring.”

With a nod, Leena stared at the letter in her hand. “This is really going to piss them off, isn’t it?”

“Like nothing you would believe,” Tahoran said with a grave nod.

A wicked smile broke across Leena’s lips. A fire caught in her eyes, and there was iron in her stance. “I think I shall rather enjoy this,” she noted, gave the man a soft kiss, then turned and walked down the hall.

~!@#$%^&*()_+ 4.2 +_)(*&^%$#@!~

The party continued into the wee hours. Many of the other guests took rooms for the night, some with company, and some on their own. As the sky began to light, Celesi offered a second gold sol to the matron. The owner of the house took the coin as a smile split her tipsy face. “You must come see us again!” she said as she shook hands with the party, then proceeded to hug and kiss the entire group profusely. “I shall count the days until we are reunited!”

As they shuffled outside, Andrus perched on Meu and pressed his head to hers. After several seconds, he hopped to Methys and startled the lady, yet she was quite happy when he proceeded to do the same with her. Next, he pressed heads with Tahoran, then hopped onto Crea’s shoulder. She thought this was strange, and thought it was even more strange when the exhaustion of a rawkus party and the fog of a couple drinks lifted from her entirely. Suddenly, she felt strong and vibrant, as if she wanted to go for a run! She stared at the strange bird as it returned to Celesi’s shoulder.

Unlike the others, Celesi was drunk and could barely keep her head up, as she leaned heavily on Tahoran. She blinked as the bird approached. “Oh, hey! There you are! Oohhh, I missed you!” she slurred, though he’d been on her shoulder most the night, and had barely visited with the others at all. Like all the rest, the bird pressed its tiny head against hers, and Celesi gave a soft moan as it worked its magic on her.

Crea watched intently, trying to see what it was doing, and realized the bird was no longer its bright vibrant self, but had taken on a dull and affected quality. She wondered, was the beast okay?

Wide awake and stone sober, Celesi settled the sick-looking bird into her arms. She turned to Tahoran. “So we deliver the letter to Yurand next?”

Tahoran scratched his head. “I’m still working on how to do that,” he confessed.

“We’ll have the bird do it,” Celesi smiled. “But first you must get us away from here. Take us someplace close to the border. Get us a carriage and let us be off.”

Tahoran took them to a stable and hired a coach and driver. They all piled in, and were on their way before the sun rose. Inside, Crea couldn’t stop staring at the bird. “Is he okay?” she asked when Celesi caught her staring.

“Yes,” she said. “I think,” she added with a hint of worry in her eyes.

The carriage was large and spacious. Methys and Tahoran had a few bags they refused to leave at the house, and Celesi had a large bag of her own, and also a horse to carry it. Still, they put the bag on the roof of the carriage and tied the horse to the back. Crea had nothing but the sword which was wrapped among Tahoran’s things.

“What did you see on the border of your county?” Tahoran asked of Crea.

“Not much,” Crea shrugged. “We came across the border somewhere in the wilds north of Oberlin.”

“You saw no signs of a blackade?”

“If we saw people at all, we avoided them,” Crea shrugged. “The people we did see—who knows what they were doing? Do you really think the Dunkels have blocked the roads?”

“That is the rumor,” Tahoran shrugged. “Word is the road is blocked. Nobody crosses into or out of Yurand’s county.”

“And why is that?” Crea asked. “Why should our duke keep anyone out?”

“Because whatever is happening, he doesn’t want people to know about it,” Tahoran said.

“But I can tell you what is happening,” Crea huffed. “The land is invaded!”

“Yes. But by whom, and for what reason?” Tahoran stared.

Crea shook her head. She couldn’t give a good answer. Ministrians, or Trohls, or both? What were they to her? ‘Who am I to know of such things?” she asked.

“Who are any of us?” Tahoran said, waxing a bit philosophical. “Yet, you said the man that attacked you was dressed in the uniform of my home,” he continued. “Don’t you see? They implicate my master in these atrocities. They mean to bring war to my home,” he glared.

For several hours, they rode in the carriage. Crea napped for a time, resting her head on Celesi’s shoulder. Suddenly, she felt the Trohl shift beneath her as the young beauty gave a hiss. “Stop the carriage!” she cried. “Something is wrong!”

Tahoran opened the door of the carriage and leaned out so he could talk with the driver. Before the tehy’d come to a full stop, Celesi was out of the box on wheels, and crouched in the ditch over the sick-looking bird.

“What is it?!” Crea asked as she too stared at the beast.

“I dunno!” she cried. “He’s hot to the touch! He’s burning up!”

Indeed, there was smoke rising off the bird. With a surge of flame the beast caught fire, and Celesi tried to beat it back. “No, no, no!” she cried.

Meu grabbed her and held her back. They all stood aside and watched the small corpse of the creature as a fire consumed it.

“What is happening?!” Crea cried. “Have you ever heard of such a thing?!”

The stood around, stunned by the sudden inferno. They all stared at each other and shook their heads.

After several minutes, the fire died down. There was nothing but ash on the ground. Celesi was inconsolable. With her face in her hands, she climbed back into the carriage. Meu was equally struck, though she simply stared at the small pile of ash.

“We should go,” Tahoran told the silent woman. “We should go,” he repeated a minute later.

After being told a third time, Meu turned, gave a slight nod and climbed back into the carriage, where she wrapped her arms around Celesi.

On they drove. Crea didn’t know what to think. Worry gnawed at her. What had killed the beast? Did it use too much of its magic in curing their hangovers? How could it be so stupid?

She was beginning to think she should leave these people and go her own way. Either she was cursed, or they were, and either way it was best if she went on her own. Then, the carriage began to jerk and the driver began yelling. “Hey! What in Oblarra?!” he called.

Tahoran poked his head out the window. “Good man, what is it?!” he called.

“Your blasted bird!” the man roared. “There!” Sure enough, there was Andrus, flying about the carriage, and occasionally diving at the horses or the driver. “Calm the beast down!”

Celesi let out something between a bark and a squeal, popped open the door, and half dove into the road. The bird dropped and settled into her arms as she cooed and cried at the strangely recovered beast.

“How the devil…?” Tahoran scratched his head.

“It’s magic!” Celesi beamed. “Magic, I say!”

Crea couldn’t stop smiling, though she didn’t know what to make of it. She’d watched the bird burn up to nothing but ash—and yet here it was, right as rain! She turned to the others and shook her head. Wide-eyed and with their mouths hanging open, the others shrugged.

“Well, let’s go, I guess,” Tahoran said as he sctached his head. “Unless we’re waiting for some other miracle…” With that, they all piled back into the carriage and returned to their travels.

~!@#$%^&*()_+ 4.2 +_)(*&^%$#@!~

The siege and defeat of High Plains

High Plains is destroyed, but not before the people escape north into Trohl lands. Maligno helps the people of High Plains excape, using the Deep—but while underground, they are attacked by a hulud (a giant blind worm that is attracted to the sound of their passage).

The war in the south escalates. Doidge reaches Danya.

Duboha, Aim, and Homoth finally reach Ebertin. Once there, they are introduced to the Gray Sons and eventually Eikyale, as the naga is attempting to bring in a peace between the humans and naga. Upset that any naga should sue for peace, Golifett murders Eikyale.

Aim and Duboha go back to Ebertin. Duboha has sold his house by proxy, so when he gets back, he signs papers and buys another house. They investigate what has happened in their absence, and find that the Degorouth have a tentative hold on the city.

Through Squirrel and their other Pan Iskaer contacts, Duboha is invited to meet some of the Grey Sons. The Grey Sons confirm their suspicions about Solveny, and also tell them about Rynth Falls and the Ministrians operations in the western Bunderhilt. They also want to show Duboha and the Pan Iskaer leadership something in the tunnels near the lake. Indeed, they are quite nervous to even speak of strange developments concerning the naga. Duboha and Aim meet with several old men of esteem and position, then are finally introduced to Eikyale and emissaries from Beletrain that are hoping to establish a lasting peace. They claim to want peace as they believe a great evil is stirring in the world.

Doidge makes it to Danya, where he reports to the Holy Schrivnah. He tells of the sacking of Solveny and the attack on the Post’s Keep. Told that he can go to any post he wishes, Doidge asks to go to Kelm—where there are no wars.

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