by SFI » Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:19 pm
“Waes?” Ke’noz watched as the Imperial Overseer talked to the three ambassadors, now seated on the luxurious couch of the Ill’haress’ quarters.
“Yes?” She was still standing at the portal, looking at the swirling mass of darkness and light. Now she turned to look at him. “Shouldn’t you be paying attention to what the Sharen tells them, my wolf?”
“This Sharen is moderately trustworthy regarding being ‘objective’. I believe you did tell me about her questions regarding the former Val’Sharess.” He joined her, looking from the ambassadors to her. “You promised me something, my dear.”
“Sharess, they are here just a few moments.” She chuckled lightly, regarding their guests briefly before turning to him. “Very well, I did promise you information…” She sighed softly. “Though some people are late.”
“Last words with their father.” Grace had overheard her statement, leaning back a bit to talk behind her family’s back. “I was assured it wouldn’t be long.”
“More guests?” Chrys’tel Vel’Sharen asked with a small frown. “I thought it would only be you three?”
“Not guests, Overseer.” Waes’soloth stated sharply. “Val of Beldrobbaen.” She was answered with narrowed eyes. “I am Val’Beldrobbaen still, Sharen, even if I have renounced any claim to the title of Ill’haress. My children are likewise.” The former Ill’haress towered beside the portal, even as the light moved from the darkness once more.
Two bodies formed in the light; young girls, twins identical even to the feel of their aura. They are followed almost immediately by a young man, bound to a wheelchair. All three looked like surface-born Beldrobbaen, auras stunted and misshapen, but with eyes that were pools of silver. The man was cloaked in black, almost hiding in what was clearly heavy and expensive fabric.
“My children.” Waes’soloth rested one hand on her crippled son’s shoulder, the other on one of the two girls. “Cousins to our three ambassadors over there.”
“Indeed.” Grace rose from her seat, walking over to the two young girls. “Children of my dearest uncle.” She smiled warmly at them, a smile that was returned in kind. “I am surprised he did not send guards.”
Her sister joined her, standing beside the wheelchair of the young man.
“Not to deny your claim, my love…” Kel’noz only hesitantly joined them, feeling the gaze of Waes’soloth’s eldest on him. “But… how? Does time move faster?” The young male looked far too old to have been born in the last twenty years.
“We age faster.” The male’s voice was as raw as that of his mother, suppressed pain shining through. “Maturity at 18 years.” Mirrored eyes looked at the Imperial Overseer.
“My son, Eurynome, was born 17 years ago, almost to the day.” Waes’soloth stated, briefly letting go of him. “And my daughters, Nergal and Deumos, who are currently ten.” She leaned closer to the Sarghress, whispering only for his ears. “He was the reason.”
Returning to her full stature, she returned her hand to the backrest of the wheelchair. “I will ensure their familiarity with the city and its’ peoples for the next week, and after that week, we will arrange a gathering.”
“I will see to it.” Chrys’tel bowed lightly. “I will ensure you will receive free travel through Chel’el’sussoloth and any assistance necessary.”
“As will I.” Kel’noz answered.
“We are grateful for your assistance.” Grace returned the gesture, giving a low bow as well. “May we visit you as well?”
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The following week, Waes’soloth did indeed travel to all Val-clans of Chel’el’sussoloth with the three ambassadors, even to the Vloz’ress, though her children instead stayed in the Beldrobbaen-fortress for that particular visit.
Halfway through said week, word spread from the Beldrobbaen-fortress that the old Val-clan was opening public kitchens… where the food would be for free. According to the rumours, the people behind the ambassadors produced such excessive amounts of agricultural produce that the rich clan could afford immense amounts of food for proverbial ‘random rocks’. Opinions on that were mixed; the commoners were ecstatic that they could eat their fill thrice over out of a Val’s pockets… the Val-clans looked on the act with suspicion. Were the Beldrobbaen – and the foreigners – trying to buy the goodwill of the people through their stomachs!?
Another blow to pride of the other nobles was Quain’tana’s support of the move, offering even her own soldiers to guard and escort the mobile kitchens to secure this source of food for the people. At first these stayed near the Beldrobbaen-district, but later even passed out into the city.
“So…” Kel’noz looked at the woman who had held his heart for a long time. “How much exactly did this cost?” They had driven out in one of the Beldrobbaen-carriages to visit several of the public kitchens. In the crowd waiting for their share were even several soldiers.
“Did you not hear the rumours?” Waes’soloth stopped looking at the crowd to turn to him. “Random rocks.”
“From what I saw, they did not strike me as people for charity to such a scale.” He gestured outside where people upon emptying their bowls got immediately back into line for a next portion and were not stopped by anyone. It seemed as if the kitchen had bottomless reserves.
“Of course not. But the people that answer to them have vast stores, these amounts barely make a dent to them.” The black-haired female absent-mindedly traced one of her scars. “And certain types of rocks around here, which carry no weight for us, carry great weight for them. In short, we are trading two things that are of high worth and yet worthless.” The Beldrobbaen chuckled softly. “In turn, we gain some really good PR.”