The Grand Feast (Open for all nobles)

[stephan]

It was the day before the Grand Tourney and in the heart of Cumberland, within the Sun Dome a great feast for royalty`s and nobles would be held. Every person of importance who was going to attend at the grand tourney as either a spectator or a contestant had been invited. The place which once had been used as the Collage of Magi, had now been redecorated to a place for feast and dancing. The main hall within the dome, which was prepared to be used as the ballroom were just as wide on all sides as it was oval shaped, whereas along its end tall decorated pillars stood around, carved out as champions of Nevarra who seemed to hold the roof up. Between the pillars and the wall a pathway lead around the oval ballroom, which allowed people to move around easily as they entered the main door that were made of solid thick bronze.

The roof stretched high above and if one looked up one could see paintings about Nevarra`s founding, which explained in detail how the Kingdom came to be during the reign of King Tylus Von Markham. In the opposite end from the main door stood the seats of the royal family, and against the wall all around one could see some statues, paintings and book shelf`s, as well a few tables decorated with food and drinks for the taking, even though there were servants around. The dome is a magnificent sight for all those who have not experienced anything like it, and it has a west, east and north wing which leads to other rooms such as kitchen, personal quarters and so on. The floor itself is a marble floor, shaped in patterns after different colors that forms a dragon.

The evening had arrived and by now the Sun Dome was almost full of royalties, nobles, champions and alike, all from different parts of the world that looked forward to the tournament that would begin tomorrow. People were dancing in the ballroom and those who didn`t dance was either watching with a glass of wine or talking business between each other. As expected, the royal family sat on their seats and watched the people enjoy themselves. King Stephan was sitting on the highest seat and next to him on the left sat his wife Edeline, while at the right sat his sister Ariadne. As Stephan gazed across the room he spotted Jenna who was the Captain of the royal guard and he knew she had made sure the security was as it should be, none would get the chance to assassinate the king this day, nor any other nobles who had arrived or would later come.

Stephan was dressed in his finest clothes of white, which clearly showed he was the King of Nevarra and that he had the taken bold steps to actually show up this year. Normally he would have stayed home and let the tournament pass by, but since Nevarra now were having problems with their money, Stephan had thought to put all his money into this tournament to bust the economy of the land, at least for another year. As Stephan looked across the crowd of people he spotted new and old faces, but what surprised him the most was that so many royalties had chosen to attend this year. He knew as soon the dance was over; there would be a time for the nobility to proclaim their champions who would attend the tourney and often would they put bets on those who they thought had the best chances of winning.

[Elissa Vuronia]

It was not an easy task to learn about life itself. Especially when challenges cross your path, from powerful fighters to creatures of pure evil and strangers who are faster then the wind. Throughout her travels nature's greatest creations revealed its eternal splendour before her very eyes, and each one was just breathtaking. From the untouchable might of the Frostback mountains, to the serene peace of waterfalls and even a field of fresh flowers, which unleashed there, quiet but gentle tranquillity. But nothing could prepare her for what was to come, because a breathtaking challenge now was around the corner.

It was a bold move for her to enlist in two events of Nevarra City’s grand tournament. Still it was a great chance for her to take a break from her long journey and just have fun out there, besides the grand prize for the archery competition sounded quite promising, and the throwing contest? Well it would make a great gift for her brother. Although this prize sounded a bit unpleasant, Elissa decided to go of it. However after both events she decided that it no longer matters if she won or lost, it did matter that she just have fun.

Although she still preferred to spar with her brother. Either way it was going to be a fun day when the tournament starts, however now hear she was standing inside a rather exquisite hall dressed in a fine but shiny green gown which flowed quite nicely over her feet. As expected from the biggest and most glamorous city that she had ever seen, the hall was magnificent to look at while it was filled to the brim with other nobles and other people. Jewellery also was part of her garments, from a jewelled necklace to the ring, which bore the symbol of her family.

Her hair gently was shaped to the point where it gently flowed down the left-hand side of her head and stopped at the same height of her breasts. A glass of the finest wine was gripped into her left hand while her right hand gently held her left arm, she sipped the wine and felt the fruitiness of the wine slide down her throat and felt a soothing sensation on her lips. Elissa stood to one side and watched a handful of the nobles dancing with joy; her heart was once again on Amity.

Luckily he was well taken off within the royal stable. He deserved a rest, feed and a good brushing. But as she sipped more from the wineglass, she began to feel nervous. All Elissa could do now was enjoy the evening and then get a good nights sleep until the start of the tournament. She hardly knew anyone within the ballroom, her eyes noticed the royal family of Nevarra sitting upon their thrones and watching everyone from afar.

Elissa realised that they were the reason behind the tournament. And right now she was going to do her very best, and as her brother once said "The flames of life burns forever in your heart. Do your best little sister and no one can expect anything more", with that in mind her eyes turned back to the ball room and simply smiled while silently thanking her Alex for not only being a friend but also being the big brother she loved.

[ari]

This was already boring. Her brother sat to her right and on the other side of him sat her sister in law. Jenna was close by and it annoyed her. Something about Jenna made her cringe on the inside. Tonight she was dressed extravagantly to make sure everyone knew her station. Her gown was made of a silver colored fabric, which shimmered even in the dim light. It made her eyes look bluer oddly enough instead of the stormy grey that they could shift to. The bodice clung to her curves and was decorated with little pieced of silver and diamonds that made it sparkle all the more. Ariadne had always liked to dress in finery, and tonight was the perfect time to show it all off.

Tonight she was supposed to meet Claudio, though the thought infuriated her. She wouldn’t marry him not matter what her brother said. To marry him wouldn’t elevate her position any so it didn’t seem to have a purpose. She wondered if Stephan just wanted a tie to Antiva but she refused to be his anchor there. Claudio may be a prince, but as leader of the crows his royal blood meant nothing. It was almost insulting but there was nothing that could be done at this moment.

Absently Ariadne wondered if Torin would make his appearance here this night. She felt as if she needed to see his face to steady her. She needed air; she needed to get away for a moment. Gracefully she stood, and walked off the dais away from her brother. Her slender hand reached out to pull a goblet filled with the finest of wine from a tray. Without stopping her walk she took a deep drink, smiling as the warmth of the wine filled her. Stephan thought he knew what was best but Ariadne would show him who was right and who was wrong. She found a little alcove to stand in away from the others, maybe someone would keep her company though she had a feeling it wouldn’t be the company she desired.

[Gespard de Chalons]

Since it was announced that the Grand Tourney was going to be held in Cumberland this year, it had caught the attention of the new Emperor of Orlais. Being so close to the border he thought he should not miss such an opportunity, but to take part and gain what allies and friends he could as he also wanted to spy on his neighboring country. It had been many years since any chosen Champion of Orlais had attended the Tourney, but this year Gespard wanted to bring back a well-known champion; Ser Forsard Malecot, one of Orlesian`s best chevaliers who had met Jenna in the final herself when King Stephan was merely sixteen years old.

Gespard had high hopes in his champion, but he would not bet on him as he was just a pawn in a greater game. The Emperor of Orlais had also heard that Queen Lucretia of Antiva was going to attend with her brother and as he had traveled to Cumberland, he had hoped to get the chance to speak with her once again. He knew however that her brother Claudio did not appreciate that he seduced the young and naïve Queen, but Gespard cared not. What he cared about was the future of Orlais and if he could get an alliance with the Antivan Queen by marrying her then he and his country would become very rich and able to prepare a long term campaign which he so far had kept a secret from the public.

Having arrived early, Gespard was already within the Sun Dome of Cumberland as he stood by and watched the nobles do their dance. In his hand he kept a glass of wine and hoped he soon would be able to spot the Antivan Queen, but so far he had not seen her as she yet had to arrive with her brother. Being an Emperor was no easy task as it was recommended he always had to dress nicely and behave in a certain way, which was the typical Orlesian way. Around where he stood he had his own guards with him and close nearby he had his nervous elven servants, who would do everything he asked, and it was obvious for everyone that they feared the Emperor. Today Emperor Gespard de Chalons was dressed in black and red, along with his hat which had a large red feather.

Gazing across the crowd, Gespard spotted the Nevarran royalties who sat high above the rest. What a neat and easy prey Gespard thought as he noticed how strange Stephan looked in his white clothes, but when his gaze hit Ariadne, his sister, he spotted an opportunity. She was young and beautiful and for sure someone he could use his charm on, perhaps if they got close he would find a way behind the curtains of the King.

Choosing to approach the Grand Duchess of Nevarra, Gespard stepped carefully and elegantly across the floor with his head held high, holding his glass of wine while he hoped to get a chance to speak with her. Once he stood close he stopped and bowed like a gentleman, taking her hand as he kissed it gently, before he looked up at her and spoke calmly with an Orlesian accent. “Greetings mademoiselle, I am Emperor Gespard de Chalons of Orlais and I was wondering, could I have a moment with you? I have proposition to suggest.”

[jenna]

Security was well in order today, with guards posted at every entrance and several dressed in finery to keep an eye on the crowd from within. Jenna herself had refused to attend as a guest despite Stephan's quiet invitation, opting instead to polish her armour and weapons to a high shine and keep her place at his side as his bodyguard. No attack would reach him tonight, even if it meant she stopped a blade with her chest. Stephan would be safe, as she had always promised.

The thought of remembering so many names, however, made her head reel. How did Stephan ever keep them all straight? Maker's balls, it was harder than keeping sums! She could only count her lucky stars that names weren't her problem - she needed only to keep close by Stephan's side. And much to her relief she was spared having to see him far out of reach on the dance floor. Whether it was his illness or his fear that held him back she neither knew nor cared, so long as he stayed close.

The presence of Tevinters and Orlesians in particular made her wary. It was no secret that both countries had designs on Nevarra and by extension it's king, and as for the Grand Duchess... Well. She and Jenna had little love for each other and that was a fact well known, but Stephan didn't believe that the girl might have designs against him. Whether she did or she didn't, there was something about her Jenna didn't trust, and Ariadne's anger over her imminent marriage to Claudio Valisti could very well be the last nudge to push her into something rash.

What Jenna really wanted was some air, wishing that they could return to the palace and take a walk on the ramparts as they had done so often when they were young and Jenna needed his help with her lessons. She had yet to learn to write an elegant hand, she thought with a barely suppressed smile. It was only a matter of time before the queen arrived, however, and then Jenna's nerves would truly begin to fray. Queen Edeline would likely insist on a dance or three, and Jenna wasn't completely sure she could stand to be so far from the king in such an open setting for so long. Tonight would be best when over.

[reihotd]

As Edeline sat next to her husband, she could not help but feel less into the festivities than others. She sat wearing a vibrant orange in order to show that she was not afraid, and in hopes to liven up the other nobles. Many people had come from all around Thedas. It was nice to see such a gathering, but Lina had too much on her mind today. The first was, of course, the upcoming tourney. It had kept her up for nights. She had only had nightmare of what could happened, and dare not tell Stephan about them. It seemed that only bad things would come from this event, that or Edeline was just being paranoid. She tried to stifle the worry on her face as she smiled at guests and tried her hardest to socialize. The other thing that was bothering her was her poor sister in law, Ariadne. The fact that she was now being thrust into an arranged marriage and during this time of the year, made Lina’s heart hurt. Arranged marriages at all made Edeline sad. Love and marriage should go hand to hand, in her mind. And on top of everything, the poor girl would be meeting her future husband tonight. If it were up to Lina, the Valistis would not even have been invited to this feast. She was not a hateful person, but she knew when she would not get along with others. It was just a sixth sense she had picked up throughout the years.

Luckily Lina had a bit of a trump card up her sleeve to help out Ariadne any way she could. A very close friend of Lina’s had sent her two mabari pups as a gift from Fereldan. It was her friends way of saying, ”Be safe and sorry I can’t be there”. Lina had no use for two mabari pups and had thought to give one to the guard, but then all this craziness had happened with Ariadne and her decision was clear. Lina would be gifting Ari a mabari puppy to keep her safe in the years to come. It was not much, but it was all that Lina could do for the girl. Lina truly liked Ariadne and wished that her relationship with her real sister could be as pleasant.

Just as Lina was about to announce her gift to Ari, she saw the Duke of Orlais, Gespard de Chalons, creep his way over to the girl. Lina knew men, and she knew their urges, but it was said that Gespard’s were particularly insatiable. That was the nice way of putting it, anyway. Lina found him to remind her of a god, begging away at any scraps he could find, and the fact that his paws were near her dear sister, made her queasy. She would not be surprised to see the man be a bachelor for the rest of his life. Lina sat patiently and waited for Ari to dismiss the man, so that she would have her turn to speak. She watched carefully as they conversed and sat intently waiting for the duchesses attention.

[Myles]

A storm blew in from the Waking Sea. It threw itself against Cumberland’s docks, howling like a banshee and surging into the city in roiling, pregnant purple clouds, dark as bruises and just as ominous. The sudden fury of wind and rain sent the folk of Cumberland scrambling: sailors rushed to tie down their ships; peasant and noble alike fled the streets, scurrying off into any number of small taverns and hovels, cursing the freak weather. The guards at the entrance to the Sun Dome spat and cursed as the gale winds grew and the rain grew heavier, falling in nearly horizontal sheets that assaulted them as violently as any fist. In a matter of moments the storm intensified and grew teeth, hail joining the chaos of wind and rain, striking against the ceremonial plate armor of the guards at the door, beating out a musical tattoo as it drove them to and fro.

And they didn’t notice....

The guards cursed as hastily as the other denizens of Cumberland, shielding vulnerable faces and wondering why their honor had turned so quickly into a burden. This was an important duty, guarding the feasting hall of kings, queens, dukes, and duchesses of a half dozen nations. Such work, successfully completed, would see them bathed in commendations and good will. If they could keep things orderly for just a single night, they would rise through the ranks at lightning speed. It wasn’t too difficult a task after all, searching the nobs when they’d arrived had put them on edge a bit, but it was wise to be a bit edgy when patting down the bodies of nobility. Yet they’d done it. They’d searched each guest while allowing them to keep their dignity, with no major breaks in decorum, a rousing success! Now all that remained, was to wait out the evening by the front entrance, a dull duty, but a steadfast one, no? After all, this was a high class affair, who would dare crash it? And if someone plotted trouble, who’d be fool enough to use the front door? No, no, this was a make work guard assignment at best, but it kept them plenty visible, and visible service damn near ensured a promotion. Everything was going well, everything was peachy... until the Maker decided to piss down the the sky. Guardsmen careened into one another as they struggled to find shelter from the unseasonable and horridly sudden storm.

And they didn’t notice....

The guards didn’t notice the figure that slipped casually in between them, walking along at a leisurely pace. They didn’t notice the soaking wet figure in the fine but equally drenched clothes. They didn’t notice the calm simper on his features, the sly smile that didn’t boast but did so delight in playing with its food. They never saw the figure open the Sun Dome’s massive doors a crack, and casually slither through. Yet when the doors closed once more with a resounding thud, the violent storm ceased. It didn’t wane, it didn’t taper off, it ended abruptly, as though the switch of some arcane mechanism had been flipped. As sunlight washed over the city through suddenly nonexistent clouds, the guards and doormen regained their composure, and another man entered a party, without relinquishing his teeth....

~~~~~

Kathleen did her very best not to fidget. Of course, it wasn’t precisely easy to fidget plate armor, though it certainly was a great deal more noisy (though with that great mother of a storm howling outside, who would notice? She would, and it would drive her mad...), and that drew the wrong kind of attention. Besides, fidgeting wouldn’t have been proper, nor would it have done her boss proper credit. As painfully boring as guard duty could be, one still did it to the utmost of one’s abilities. Captain Karalis expected as much, and the thought of disappointing that iron lady turned Kathleen’s bones to jelly. In her mind, the Queen could be damned, and what was Ser Aveline but some old Orlesian story? No, the only woman who came close to Jenna Karalis’ glory was Andraste herself, and Andraste had never run through a holocaust to save a young, frightened prince. Yes, perhaps Kathleen’s adoration did border on the idolatrous, but every girl had to have her heroes, her role models, her saints, and Kathleen only had the one. That made this job all the more important. The Captain had entrusted her with this duty, recognized her drive and skill in spite of her relative youth, and Kathleen would not disappoint her, she would not fidget! But dear Maker, did she have the fiercest itch on her left buttock!

The young guardswoman heard the distinct thud of main entrance closing, and suddenly forgot her anxieties and the annoying itch. Her hand lowered to the hilt of the longsword at her waist and her mind cleared. Now the real reason that Captain Karalis had chosen her, came to the fore. Kathleen’s senses seemed to heighten at the presence of the unknown, and a half dozen facts and summations blazed through her mind in half a heartbeat. All guests have been accounted for, either presence or with excuses for absence, who is this? Intruder? Through the front gate? Madness, Kelsey’s squad would’ve dealt with it. Messenger? Why not use the servants entrance? An emergency then. If it’s large enough I”ll have to break protocol and report to the Captain directly, if-

All of the thoughts running through Kathleen’s head evaporated, morning dew cast before a raging fire, a fire that walked on two legs. The young man who approached her, and the entrance to the Sun Dome’s main hall, was no common messenger. He wore an odd doublet, one with an oddly low cut to the neck, and a length that made it nearly a long coat. Wrought of a rich black velvet and edged in a deep crimson eerily reminiscent of dried blood, the garment remained simple yet remarkably elegant. Coupled with equally plain yet finely crafted black trousers and polished yet unadorned black boots, the man offered a look of almost military austerity. And yet that was a lie. Kathleen could see it, could just make it out as the young man drew closer, passing through beams of sunlight. Woven into the fabric of that rich black coat were images, flickering things only betrayed by slight changes in the texture of the fabric or light striking at just the right angle. The images swam before Kathleen’s eyes, at once a great snarling bear, then a coiled serpent, then a massive hawk in mid-flight, then a graceful wolf. The images wove in and out of one another, only discernible to the highly observant eye, and even then, utterly dizzying and disorienting. Kathleen wondered if one could spend a lifetime hypnotized by those subtle, dancing images. She spared a glance up, away from the clothes and towards the face, and lost herself there.

The young man grinning back at her so coyly had nearly boyish features, fair enough (though why shouldn’t nobs be fair, after all that rich food and easy living?) Such a knowing, rapacious sort of smile on those lips, utterly wanton, unchaste and raunchy. Kathleen felt a blush rising on her cheeks and hated herself for it, just a tiny bit. She opened her mouth to call a warning, and the words froze in her throat. Her mouth dried, and it seemed harder to breath. Kathleen locked eyes with the man and gasped. The gaze was pale, ivory, and penetrating in the worst and best possible ways. Kathleen could feel it, and electric tingle that coursed through her chest, snaked down her back, and lingered in her thighs. She could feel it, trembling fingers unfastening the catches of her armor, steadier hands tugging away the padding and clothes beneath, a hungry caress that explored every inch of her and hunted after all the secret places. She shuddered and writhed, the most shameful sort of moan passing her lips. The grinding, twisting, pulse in the depths of her intensified and if felt... if felt a little bit like dying, but sweet Maker was it a glorious death!

“Guardswoman?”

Kathleen blinked, a blurry world coming slowly into focus. Had her eyes been closed, squeezed shut? Hard to tell, hard to think, hard to function, and... and... why was she still dressed? Things began to make sense again. She was dressed, her armor still in place, her sanity still intact. Perhaps... Still, cold sweat ran through every crevice of her body, and down the side of her neck, trailing down and down and down, sweet Maker she could nearly feel them, tender kisses, loving bites, a treasure trail of red marks.... No, no, she was not some sultry ‘maiden’ fresh out of some sordid Rivani romance novel, she was a Nevarran guardswoman, pressed up against a corner, writhing and mewling, but a guardswoman none the less! The voice seemed to know this, and Kathleen could sense the playful jocularity in those tones. Her blush deepened, and she thanked Andraste for her helmet with its closed visor. She turned slightly towards the owner of the voice, and found paradise once again in unsettlingly pale eyes. The man... again, here, but closer! Was he real? A demon, a stress induced vision, (a blessing from the Maker after a dry spell?)

“Ah yes, there is indeed a woman beneath all that metal. Your helmet, if you please. I would see who I am speaking to,” Some part of Kathleen’s psyche chafed against those words. What sort of guard removed her helmet for an intruder? The utter gall of him! The arrogance wrapped up in all the rutting sensuality of that voice. She should be the one giving orders, asking questions, drawing steel if those questions were ill answered! There were a great many things Kathleen would’ve been doing, if her body was preoccupied with an almost mechanical sort of obedience, removing her helmet without hesitation. One small, miniscule part of Kathleen’s mind remained incensed at the man’s brazen behavior, and the rest of her mind begged him to continue, knowing damn well that she would gladly take off much more than a simple helmet. The man crooned genially as Kathleen’s helmet dropped to the floor, and the gaurdswoman felt that rumbling, low growl slither into her veins and double the pace of her heart, “Nice, I find conversation ill suited to such unsightly barriers. Why bear armor? Are we not friends of the most... intimate nature?”

Kathleen didn’t risk speaking, still cornered, trapped, and shuddering, yet loving every moment of it. Some keen part of her awareness noted droplets of water on the man’s clothing and hair, and a keener part of her still noted how quickly those droplets evaporated, burned away by some immense heat that rippled from the man, seeping through his clothing and making it all the more difficult for her to function properly. The man drew slightly closer, and Kathleen chuckled, reveling in the scent of mint and pine on his breath. She recalled a dream she’d once had.... In a forest, beside a river, in the cool half light of early dawn. Naked in the grass, the cold thrill of dew on her back, the heat of a lover, the lover, in her grasp. The feel of muscle rippling beneath skin, the feel of heat atop cold, spiraling and spiraling and spiraling- A warm touch tossed Kathleen out of her delusions and back into the presence, fingers on her forehead, sweeping sweat matted strands of dirty blonde hair out of her eyes. All of Kathleen’s existence seemed to hang on the tips of those fingers....

“Ha, you nearly left us there... for a moment. Indulge later, for now, I’d ask a favor of you. Go to your armored mistress, and give her a message. Tell her it’s from a friend, and nothing more. Speak these words exactly:

Once within his home, and thrice within his Dome,
A merry dance of daggers, a game before a throne,
One blade from a rookery, one from his kin,
One from the low born, one from within,
A viper’s in the henhouse, yet he’s the farmer’s friend,
The White hand holds the dagger, while the Black defends.”

The man’s smile grew warmer, as the queer words sunk into Kathleen’s mind, all her thoughts still bound up in the hand that stroked her head so gently.

“You’ll do this for me, yes?” Kathleen nodded dumbly, still mute for the moment, but well aware that she would pledge her soul to this fey creature if he would only ask, that she would give of her blood and gold if he would only ask, that she would be his if he would only ask,”Perhaps....”

The single word shook the young guardswoman to her core, her body limp yet aflame with a yearning she couldn’t properly put into words.

“Do this well... and perhaps, one day... we shall meet in a forest, by a river, and dance your dance of ice and fire...,” Kathleen groaned in some odd mixture of longing and despair, even as he eyes grew wide with awe. He knew! Dear sweet Maker, he knew! But how? She hadn’t spoken it aloud, hadn’t breathed a word of those fanciful dreams from her youth. And yet he knew! And now he... he was gone. The young noble was gone, gone into the hall proper, to the rest of his kind, and Kathleen... Kathleen had a message to deliver to Captain Karalis....

~~~~~

“Consul Miloatrix Nikator Lycaon, Magister and Senator of Tevinter, Lord of Asariel, Ambassador to the Hinterlands, Emissary to Thedas!” Darren’s voice rang out, booming throughout the Sun Dome’s grand hall. The herald and doorman beamed with pride, even as his insides roiled with heat and the queerest feelings, a heady, stupid giddiness that threatened to grease his trousers if he didn’t keep his head on straight. He’d never... felt like this, hell, he’d never even heard stories of feelings like this, and his mates down at the Twisted Sister’s Tavern had all sorts of stories. Had he known the young guardswoman Kathleen, he might’ve found a soul who could empathize with his plight. Darren had never really cared for fellas in ‘that’ way, but this one... Andraste’s flaming tits, being near him was damn near as good as getting that Antivan Kiss from Gelda, one of the scullery maids at the palace. Darren didn’t even mind the fact, that this... odd chap’s name wasn’t on his list. He didn’t even care that he didn’t quite know how he knew the man’s name and title, that saying the words aloud, words he shouldn’t know, made him feel like a mummer’s puppet dancing on threads. What did it matter? This man pulled good string....

Myles offered the crowd of royalty, both local and foreign, his usual small smile, the simper that spoke of so many secrets unspoken, and a slight nod, the only bow any proper Tevinter politician would offer the rabble of foreign nobility assembled here today as a group. Myles didn’t suffer from an overabundance of pride, but he knew how to play this day’s role well enough. Myles addressed the crowd in a voice just loud enough to command attention, but quite enough,” I come in the stead of Archon Wallerius. Inclimate weather has confined him to Nevarra City for the present, though he hopes to join you at the Tourney proper. In the meantime, may this unworthy substitute suffice.”

The crowd offered wane smiles and slight chuckles in response, and returned to the endless mill of pleasantries and intrigue that was noble life. Myles smiled in turn, and without further ado, the viper descended the steps, and slithered into the henhouse.


((Serpent Rising, shift from baseline stats to Serpent (will: 3, mag: 1, cun: 6) in 2 posts.
Glamour dependent on Willpower or Cunning, and proximity. Check either stat against Myles’ cunning and determine effect appropriately. Not specific to gender or sexuality.))

[claudio]

Slowly the large bronze doors to the Sun Dome reopened and the Antivan royalties finally arrived, behind them lightning stroke and the skies opened up for even more rain, the sound of thunder came shortly after and it echoed far across the land. One could see the awe on the faces of the people who stood by as Prince Claudio and Queen Lucretia stepped further into the room, and as they were inside the doors slammed shut again. Prince Claudio had dressed himself nicely for the occasion, but the rain which had ravished outside had almost ruined his evening and it had made him wet and cold. Still he did not care, rain was common in Antiva and one had to endure such things if one lived so close to the sea, and traveling through the rain was nothing knew, even though the travel across the Waking Sea in a storm had been terrible.

As Claudio`s gaze hit the crowd, he could see the Nevarran King and Queen sitting on their seat in the end of the room and the people stood around in a crowd listening to the Tevinter man who just had been presented before them. Then just as Consul Miloatrix Nikator Lycaon had spoken, the crier who stood close to the entrance tapped his wooden staff two times at the floor and as he did he spoke out loud for everyone to hear: “Queen Lucretia and Prince Claudio Valisti of Antiva.”

With his head held high, Claudio walked forward with his sister and as they stopped in front of King Stephan he bowed his head, but not all way down as a commoner would do. His gaze remained on the royalties, yet his attention was more drawn toward the Queen. Standing up straight, he smiled and in a calm and gentle voice, he spoke in an Antivan accent. “An honour to finally meet you, your Majesty, we apologize for the late arrival, but the weather has not been kind…” He paused and then took a moment to look around, scouting to see if he could see Stephan`s sister who Claudio had promised to meet. “I hope not our timing has deluded my future wife away from me, as I would very much like to see her.”