On the way to Whitewall, Mellia had a talk with Venlar about his future. He was amazed to find what life was like without thralls, and how when you put things down they didn’t get tidied away, but he was doing his best to be a guard and a warrior. They wanted to talk to Silor about whether Venlar was still part of the clan and the family, and about adopting Yamia’s child, when it arrived.
At Whitewall, the caravan made camp. Suuraki and Valseena stayed with the caravan to “guard” (and thankfully, there were others on duty). Irillo went trading and acquired a mule and some new horses for a steal (he thinks). Xenofos and Nala went to what passes for a Library, albeit for different reasons. Xenofos went to pray, and then left to find himself a Ulerian initiate to worship with. Nala, on the other hand, had enquiries to make. She asked for information about the Goddess of Salt and Teeth and for the measly sum of 5L learned that the Goddess of Teeth and Salt was an obsolete name for Maran Gor. Nala argued with this, saying she had been talking to both and they were not the same person, but the scribe simply assumed there had been a schism or the goddess had split, rather than considering he might be wrong. Berra went off to the Temple to Divine a question to the holy Lord Eril. She came out, did a lot of undignified giggling, and went off back to the caravan.
Rajar’s duty was to check the upper city for Vampires and things of Chaos, and having done that successfully he went to the local inn - there was, to his delight, now one at the top of the hill. Inside, people greeted him as the famous hero he was, and were delighted because they had heard he was a follower of Vareena, lover of Kallyr, and several other titles… and Queen Vareena of Heortland. He led the cheering.
Varanis visited the local Storm Temple and asked to worship at the shrines for Orlanth Rex and Vinga. She was met with disconcerting deference, but proceeded to worship anyway. She thanked the Storm Voice and left to head back to the caravan. En route, she happened to overhear someone yell something about Queen Vareena from a hut that looked vaguely tavern-like. Stepping inside to work out what was going on, she spotted Rajar with his cup raised in a toast. Much to Varanis’ shock, when she was recognised, some of the folks dropped to one knee. Rajar explained that they were confused and thought she was a queen and also mentioned that they thought she was having sex with Kallyr and/or Argrath, which led to further discussions. Discussions became animated, as happens when you mix Storm Bulls with beer, and Rajar threw a cup. Somehow, Varanis got Rajar out the door when fists started flying and then yelled at the people inside to stop fighting immediately. Terrifyingly, it worked.
Mellia went to talk to Jaldis about the offer from the trolls, for teaching. Jaldis said that while a spell that harmed others would be inappropriate, it would certainly be… self-sacrificing to find a variant that would let the mother pass agony onto the healer, keeping the mother herself safe. Jaldis also offered to help with the ‘little shrine’, even offering to go there, and Mellia said she would ask for help if she needed it.
Varanis dragged the disappointed Rajar back to the caravan so that they could try to round up the others. She pointed out that he could always go back to fight later, which mollified him. As they drew near, Berra overheard Rajar mention Queen Vareena and she leapt onto a wagon to demand explanation. There was a lot of loudness, drawing attention from those nearby; much of the group.
Between them, Varanis and Rajar explained what was going on and Irillo said that Ahmed had very few horses because he had sold a lot of remounts - a group of about 100-200 people had come through. Deciding that everyone would have spotted this, Berra grabbed a local to demand more information. Yes, a lot of Esrolians had come through. Then Berra mentioned Varanis and he seemed to recognise the Thane, with his eyes lighting up. Berra got carried away, threatening him with terrible consequences if he ever called Varanis the Queen. The man wet himself and promised to join Chalana Arroy to get away without getting drafted and then challenged. Varanis asked Berra to let him go because he had nothing of further use to offer. Berra grabbed the next nearest local, who turned out to be Ahmed the honest horse merchant. Ahmed confirmed what the other man had said and added a few extra details, such as the names of some of the Esrolians. The group was two days ahead, meaning that at this point, they had probably just arrived in Boldhome. Varanis did a lot of sagging, swearing, cursing, and swearing more.
The group held a quick conversation, and then left in a hurry, for Boldhome, leaving the majority of the guards with the caravan. Although Mellia wanted to be in Wilmskirk, she and Venlar decided to go to Boldhome to help Varanis, as Venlar felt he might be able to take some of the ordinary conversations away from Varanis, as she was about to have to deal with complicated ones. In two days’ time, as they drew closer to Boldhome, some of the party heard the sound of hoofbeats approaching. The Luminous Stallion King, hair streaming behind him like a shining golden banner, road up, accompanied by his retinue. Among the guards were some young Vingans Varanis recognised from the temple in Nochet. The Luminous Stallion King pranced about, made uncomfortable suggestions about marriage, and then informed Varanis that Kallyr was expecting her. He kept calling Kallyr his bride, his love, and many other things, noting that once he had wooed Kallyr, her cousin would also be overcome.
They finished their journey and were allowed through the city gates, where they were met with an honour guard, including several local Vingans and D’Val. Lord D’Val said he was sure there was a reasonable explanation for all this. Berra said there were lots of stupid Esrolians, and D’Val said that this was being sorted out, and they were up where there had been the engagement with the Lunar cavalry.
Varanis and her companions were invited to the palace right this instant. Varanis tried to ascertain whether or not they were under arrest, but short of asking it openly, couldn’t be certain. Together, they climbed and climbed and climbed the stairs.
Prince Kallyr waited for them at the top. As Varanis arrived, she immediately took a knee, while Kallyr demanded to know if she’d come to try to take the throne. Suuraki wondered if that was what they were actually there for and exchanged a meaningful glance with Rajar. Rajar contrived to look relaxed, though his hand rested near to his axe. The Esrolian Vingan reminded Kallyr that Varanis was her servant. The prince asked about the Queen of Heortland thing and Varanis said she had no desire to be queen. Kallyr pressed the issue - what would Varanis do if the Clan Chiefs forced her to accept? Varanis said if she had to accept, she’d bend the knee to Kallyr, King of Dragon Pass. Tennebris stepped forward, but Kallyr did not let him speak, saying that she did not want calculations; she wanted Air and Spirit.
Kallyr asked if there was anyone in the band who would raise a hand to her, making an exception for Mellia, who pointed out that she would never raise a hand to anyone. Everyone got a hard stare and the chance to challenge her, but nobody took her up on it, although Suurraki checked whether raiding counted. Satisfied that Varanis was not making a bid for the throne, Kallyr invited them all into the palace.
As they went in, Eril detached himself from a shadow. Nala saw him and puked in a corner.
Varanis was invited to stay in the palace, with an anteroom for a servant, but the others were not offered rooms.
