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Dynasty of Dovak	By : JohnDoe Category: +A through F > Exalted RPG Views: 4983 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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Chapter List
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Session 70 – End of Chapter 6 – Reya (230XP 184DX, 229/184 spent; 36GP 6SP), Melody (230XP 184DX, 228/183 spent), and Ganan (230XP 184DX, 227/184 spent; 20WhP 5GP 66SP)

1^st Day of Resplendent Water RY769
The Imperial City

The fanfare is deafening. Seventy-seven dīyīn laba are blown as Mnemon’s parade sweeps through the streets of the Imperial City. The triumphant matriarch is born aloft on a palanquin borne by half-a-dozen angyalkae: the harpist demons adding their music to the fanfare. The dread demon Octavian walks behind her, his beautiful agata demon flying overhead. Favored scions, including Mnemon Nanals and her brother Phanjain, march behind, followed by drummers and a parade of elite soldiers, led by Tepet Ejava – the Hero of the Brume Fields of Incas. Ragara Banoba walks in chains before Ejava, his head hung low: he has been stripped of his weapons and armor but is being marched in the clothing he was wearing when he was captured nearly a month ago.

The rebuilding of the Imperial City has only just begun – the demolitions caused by House Peleps and the ravages of Berit’s forces (including Shieldback Lizard smashed buildings) have been spackled over and partitioned off. Cainan’s re-established Deliberative has been ousted by the new garrison in Strix Tower – their last act was to formally offer the vacant throne to Mnemon, just in time for today’s celebrations.

Our heroes watch the proceedings from the steps of the Imperial Palace – Mnemon Alinos standing in high honor for her role against the Ragara forces throughout the war. Much of the Alinos household stands with her. Opposite them is Tepet Corino, with Tepet Agoram by her side.

A month has passed since the liberation of the Imperial City. The final battle between House Mnemon and House Ragara was supposedly legendary – but our heroes were ensconced in the capital when it took place. Thousand-Forged Dragons clashed. The timely intervention of Tepet Ejava swinging the battle in Mnemon’s favor. Tepet’s fortunes unexpectedly rising.

Things had begun to change weeks ago – the day after baby Iohan’s birth. Mnemon started to sit upon the throne, sign her correspondence “Heika” rather than “Denka”, and to stop correcting courtiers who addressed her as “Empress” instead of “Madame Matriarch”.

“Do you have to do that?” Mnemon Alinos Ferad hisses at Melody as Mnemon’s procession draws near.

Melody is breastfeeding baby Iohan on the steps of the palace, “He’s hungry. Hush, you’re making a scene.”

“But do you have to do that?” Ferad insists.

Melody has adopted the child-rearing advice of Reya and resolved to raise baby Iohan personally. She has refused to take a wet-nurse.

Ganan lays a hand on his brother-in-law’s shoulder, “Trust me, hush.”

Ferad bristles with indignation but says nothing. Baby Iohan doesn’t not look like him: but whilst Ferad and Tomonas are of similar builds, they do not look like one another. Ferad does not possess the snow-white skin of his sister, being sun-worn from years of hard toil with the legions, but his skin isn’t dark like the thunderbird’s. Melody wonders if her husband suspects her infidelity, or whether he is simply concerned with the impropriety of a Dynast raising their own child. The other Alinos have not fought her on her heterodox decision to follow Reya’s example.

Mnemon Nanals catches Melody’s eye as the procession approaches and she smiles at her. Ferad protectively puts his arm around his wife, standing by her side.

Mnemon walks up the steps to the palace. She stops before Tepet Corino and beckons the woman to her side. Mnemon turns to find Mnemon Alinos, whom she graces with a smile. Reya thinks she catches the Empress’s eye for just a moment before Mnemon glides into the Palace. The spectators on the steps allow the favored scions to enter, then sweep in behind as Tepet Ejava holds the parade at the palace steps. Aline takes baby Iohan and baby Lezabe as our heroes attend the Empress.

****

Our heroes follow the procession to witness the Mouth of Peace crown the new Empress. Representatives from all the Great Houses are held in attendance.

Reya sweeps looks over those assembled, who are arrayed in a rough semi-circle around the throne:

Berit and V’neef flank the throne on the Empress’s right and left hand. A small delegation in Berit’s colors stands nearby.

Cathak Garel represents House Cathak. She is dressed finely, but not ostentatiously: her outfit is something like a dress uniform, and it makes Reya wonder if Garel expects to be cashiered – and has chosen an outfit that would allow Mnemon to humiliate her, whilst retaining some dignity. The Cathak delegation is small, and Reya does not recognize any of the other Dynasts.

House Cynis is represented entirely by Dynasts Reya does not recognize. Nor does Ganan. In the middle of the delegation is a golden plinth set with a smoky glass ball – the likeness of Cynis Belar can be made out in the glass.

Ledaal Yasmet leads a grand delegation of her House. Ledaal Ludila stands at the Matriarch’s left-hand, and she exchanges smiles with her Hearth.

Rulinsei leads the Mnemon delegation. Much as Melody is just happy to be here and with a good view of the proceedings, Reya cannot help but note that the Alinos family are standing no-where near Rulinsei. Indeed, they are right on the far edge of the Mnemon delegation. She looks nervously to her father, himself of Rulinsei’s household before marriage, but Mnemon Johon is impassive.

Oban stands with Nellens Gazal. Reya and Melody recognize other Nellens’ scions standing with them. Reya also recognizes Sesus Raves and her husband, and Sesus Alon and her husband (Mnemon Barin) standing with the Nellens delegation. The more she looks, the more it seems that most of the Dragon-Blooded standing with the Nellens delegation are Sesus – several of them look deeply uncomfortable. Ganan catches Oban looking over to their delegation, where Sesus Raenyah Terel stands with Mnemon Nula.

House Ragara is represented by the chained Banoba. A young hansom Dynast stands behind him, carrying himself with a proud bearing, his jaw set against the indignity. Banoba maintains the proper poise of contrition.

Tepet Ejava and Corino lead the Tepet delegation. Tepet Agoram stands with them at Ejava’s right-hand side and the pair are whispering to each other. Ganan sets his jaw noting that Mnemon Muli is standing with them. Tepet Arada, one of the Realm’s most famed generals, stands with them.

V’neef’s delegation closes the circle, standing a short distance from their matriarch.

Patricians, representatives of the Immaculate Order and others press behind the Dynasts. Reya notes Peleps colors among the Patricians.

****

Mnemon gazes down over the assembled personages. A replica of her mother’s crown sits on her head. She speaks softly, the room going completely silent, carrying her words intimately to her listener’s ears as she makes her address.

“My assembled subjects,

“It is with a grateful heart that I assume the burdens of State. I make now no empty speeches: we have a long road ahead of us, so heed now my proclamations.

“My ascension to the throne this day is not my own victory, but a victory for the Realm. Fought by the Realm, fought for the Realm, won by the Realm. On the one hand, disaster for all Creation, on the other stable rule. I acknowledge now that I did not come to the Throne by mine own might alone, but by the strength of every legionnaire, every servant, every farmer who shed their sweat and blood to seat me here. I now honor two such servants”

She turns to look at Berit and V’neef in turn.

“Kneel.”

Berit and V’neef throw themselves prostrate before the Throne, their noses touching the ground. There is a gasp from those assembled as the Empress humbles her closest allies. Reya reaches for Ganan’s hand.

“My sister Berit,” Mnemon continues, “You had the honor of leading my forces, will you rise and claim your part in my ascension?”

Berit keeps her nose pressed to the ground, “I will not rise, my Empress, for I had no part in your ascension. Your victory is rightful and just, and I claim no credit. I am your unworthy servant and any gratitude owed to me is more than repaid by allowing me to kneel at your feet.”

Mnemon casts a steely eye around the hall, then she kneels by her sister’s side and takes her hand, “If you are my servant, then obey my command and rise.” Mnemon and Berit stand together, and Mnemon embraces her. The court relaxes at this display of magnanimity.

“My first proclamation as Empress, is that Great House Berit be now elevated to the rolls and ledgers of the Dynasty. Let the four Imperial Legions awarded to House Cathak be stripped from them and awarded to House Berit. Let the three legions of House Ragara be stripped from them and awarded to House Berit. And the three legions of House Cynis and the four legions of Peleps. House Berit shall be my sword. Fourteen legions united under one matriarch.

“We live in uncertain times. The Anathema grow bold and the barbarian threat to the Realm has never been greater. As such, I hereby reinstate the Imperial Legions. The last Empress, foolishly, entrusted House Cathak with the right to raise four legions of its own: I take these legions as the foundation of my Imperial force.

“Further I re-purpose the ancient title of our ancestors: Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force Against the Barbarians, Sei-i Taishōgun. This Shogun will serve as my chief military advisor, First of my Crown Marshals. Her task will be to bring the rebellious Threshold to heel and to quell the Anathema. With but the shattered remains of four Legions, this daunting task will be impossible for all but the greatest military general of all time. My sister Berit, do you accept this obligation – to pacify Creation in my name?”

Berit meets the Empress’s eye, “I do.”

Mnemon smiles at her, “Then such is your charge. I pardon my mother’s Crown Marshals and invite them to resume their service to the Realm.”

Crown Marshals Sesus Raijin Vers, Black Spire Cloud, and Ivory Knife appear from behind a partition to stand at Berit’s side, and the four of them withdraw to the rest of the Berit delegation.

“Dragons-teeth what I wouldn’t give for some popcorn.” Melody whispers to Reya, bringing a smile to her face.

“After my mother’s abandonment of the Throne,” Mnemon goes on, “House Cathak dared to rise to seize the throne for themselves. What was touted as a miracle turned out to be the dark manipulations of the Anathema. The dread power of the Anathema cannot be underestimated, and as the Princes of the Earth, we have an obligation to all of Creation to stand forth against it. Approach Cathak Garel.”

Cathak Garel approaches the throne, cognizant of the fact that V’neef still kneels prostrate before Mnemon.

“Cathak Garel, do you denounce the traitor Cathak Cainan and renounce all claims to the throne?”

Cathak Garel holds her head high, “I do. And I apologize to every woman in Creation for failing in my holy duty to recognize the threat-”

Mnemon cuts her off, raising her hand, “A Great House that has been suborned by the Anathema cannot be allowed to stand. No gradual weakening of the House: House Cathak is hereby stricken from the Imperial Rolls and expelled from the Dynasty.” She lets the words hang in the air for a moment, “But I am not without mercy. Let my judgment stand as the supreme judgment upon Patrician House Cathak. They shall hold neither Prefecture nor Satrapy nor legion: but my proclamation shall be the only justice levied upon them. Let the scions of Patrician House Cathak live in peace, in accordance with the just laws of the Blessed Isle. Let them serve, as Patricians serve, in my Realm.” She dismisses Cathak Garel with a wave of her hand and looks meaningfully at Berit, “The exact appointments of the former Cathak holdings will be released by my scribes in the coming days. As shall arrangements for the collection of assets inappropriate for Patricians to hold.”

Garel withdraws, and Mnemon continues.

“Now I must address the matter of House ‘Mnemon’.”

Rulinsei comes forward. She takes a knee beside the prostrate V’neef.

“It is unseemly for a Great House to bear the name of the Empress, and I have no intention of changing my name. Thus, I hear-by strike House Mnemon from the Imperial Ledger and raise in its place House Rulinsei. None shall bear the name ‘Mnemon’ but I: let my children and the Found Eggs be of House Scarlet, out of respect to the memory of my mother.

“Ragara Banoba, approach the throne.”

Rulinsei withdraws and Banoba approaches.

“Rulinsei Melody.” Melody turns over in her mouth, “Rulinsei Alinos Gracious Pealing Melody. I mean, I can live with it, but it doesn’t exactly fall off the tongue…”

“House Cathak was led into an improper usurpation by the machinations of the Anathema. House Ragara, however, was motivated solely by their own foolish ambition. I hereby strike House Ragara from the Imperial Ledgers. From Patrician House Ragara I take, in full, their entire jade reserve, all lands, all debts, and all other assets that may be deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the empire. All Ragara held debts inherited from former Great House Mnemon are forgiven. Ragara Banoba, you are banished from the Realm. My soldiers shall immediately drag you from this place and sail you across the Inland Sea. You shall be taken beyond the borders of the Realm and there have your irons removed. Should you ever return to my Realm, you shall be put to death.”

Burly palace guards come forward and drag Ragara Banoba from the Imperial Palace, as Mnemon smiles openly. Her eyes settle on Ledaal Yasmet, who approaches the throne. Yasmet does not kneel.

“House Ledaal supported the throne from the off. And further they have not turned their gaze from the edges of the Realm, where the Anathema prowl. The throne forgives all formerly held Ragara debts incurred by House Ledaal. Further, it is known that House Ragara dabbled in dangerous sorceries – in due course I foresee the most dangerous of these artifacts being entrusted to House Ledaal, my shield against the darkness. The throne relieves House Ledaal from the burden of Incas Prefecture, so ravaged by war. It would ill-behoove the Empress to reward House Ledaal’s loyal service by forcing them into poverty in the name of honor. I am desirous that House Ledaal turn its attention to the Wyld Hunt. House Cynis…”

One of the unfamiliar Cynis Dynasts approaches the throne.

“For your treachery against the throne, in support of the Usurper Cathak Cainan, House Cynis is hereby stricken from the Imperial Ledgers.”

“What!?” Cynis Ganan cries, elbowing his way forward.

“Gan!” Reya hisses, physically wrapping her arms around him and pulling him back into ranks.

Mnemon continues as if she had not been interrupted.

“Further, as House Cynis fled from the Blessed Isle to the Threshold, I see no reason to revoke their self-imposed banishment. The scions of Cadet House Cynis are forbidden to returning to the shores of the Blessed Isle. Indeed, the Cadet House Cynis seems to have congregated the greatest part of its strength in Greyfalls: as Empress, I thus charge Matriarch Cynis Belar with the defense of this vital war-manse.

“There shall be no exceptions to my judgment for those husbands who bear the name ‘Cynis’ who fought to place me upon the throne. But I recognize the great deeds performed in my name by men present here today, such as Cynis Nesil.” Mnemon gestures at Sesus Raves’s husband, “As such I offer a path to remaining on the Blessed Isle.” She dismisses the Cynis delegation and waves forward Tepet Ejava.

“Cynis was born of my mother and her consort Tepet. Firstly, I award leadership of House Tepet to its greatest living champion. Great House Matriarch Tepet Ejava. To House Tepet, I award the Cynis lands, deeds, and titles, such as are held on the Blessed Isle itself. Secondly, I award Matriarch Ejava My Imperial Leave to adopt into House Tepet any scions of House Cynis that she sees fit. These Tepet Cynis shall be allowed to remain upon the Blessed Isle.”

Ejava bows and returns to her ranks. Tepet Corino bows to her as she approaches.

“Do we have a delegation from former Great House Peleps?” Mnemon exaggeratedly stands on tip toe and cranes her neck to look among the Patricians. Three women in naval uniforms approach. Reya recognizes Peleps Lundaer, carrying a chest. Mnemon smiles warmly at them as Lundaer lays the chest at Mnemon’s feet and opens it, revealing it full of jade obols. She picks the coins up and lets them fall into the chest with a clatter.

“House Peleps is stricken from the Imperial Ledgers. Cadet House Peleps is charged by the Throne with establishing a Western Imperial Protectorate – standing against the barbarians of the West where our legions may not march. The Imperial Navy is, of course, stripped from them. Regular tribute is expected from the Imperial Protectorate, and it is my expectation that no member of House Peleps be found upon the shores of the Blessed Isle unless they are married to a Dynast or delivering to me my tribute. As such, it stands to reason that House Peleps no longer requires any holdings upon the Blessed Isle.”

Mnemon dismisses the Peleps delegation who force their way back through the assembled Dynasts.

“Would the delegations from House Sesus and House Nellens approach.”

Oban and Nellens Gazal approach, flanked by various Sesus scions and mortal Nellens members of their Most August Conclave.

“I am given to understand that there is glad news. Though the holdings of House Sesus have been razed and their legions utterly destroyed, the House survives. My sister Sesus was a blessed and beloved daughter of the former Empress and her consort Nellens, and it appears that House Sesus survives thanks to the quick action of my brother, Oban, in joining the remains of House Sesus to House Nellens. Allow me then to formally amalgamate these houses. House Nellens shall absorb House Sesus. Our new Imperial Bank shall be permitted to raise up to seven House Legions. It shall keep the combined holdings of both former House Sesus and House Nellens, in full. There is much construction that requires finance to rebuild the Realm, and it is my hope that House Nellens shall open its coffers and revenue streams in order to rebuild.”

Neither Oban nor Nellens Gazal look shocked by this announcement. But as Reya scans the room, it becomes clear that they are the only two who are not. A ripple of gossip passes through the audience chamber. Mnemon raises a hand for silence and turns to V’neef. She does not bid her sister to rise, but speaks with a cool, clear voice.

“To House V’neef I award the Imperial Navy. Such as it is, being much diminished by the actions of House Peleps. To that end, I divide the Merchant Fleet into thirds, and assign two thirds to Imperial Navy – in addition to what ships we still hold. House V’neef is the Realm’s power upon the waves. Letters of Marque from the Western Imperial Protectorate guarantee the safe passage of V’neef ships through Peleps waters. My sister V’neef shall be the Realms new Grand Admiral, the Mistress of the Sea, foremost authority upon the waves – her commands superseded only by my own. She shall be responsible for ferrying the Imperial Legions and defending our shores. Her charge is with expanding our boarders. It is one of exploration and discovery. Her mission: to enrich our shores with the bounty of the Threshold, and V’neef shall sit in a place of high honor in courtly matters: The Voice of the Empress, my personal confidant and handmaiden, my greatest advisor, favored among all Matriarchs. Rise my most faithful sister.”

V’neef rises and stands at Mnemon’s left hand. Mnemon reclines back in the throne. The coiled likenesses of the Elemental Dragons seem to embrace her. For a moment, it seems like there might be no more announcements. Someone clears their throat. A low bubble of voices starts to rise from those assembled. Courtiers deftly slip to through the crowd starting to wheedle deals.

“Banished?” Ganan gripes to Reya.

“Don’t worry,” Melody pats his chest, “We’ll get you adopted. It’s not like everyone in House Tepet hates you or anything.”

“Melody!” Reya reprimands sharply before addressing her husband, “You’re one of the finest warriors in the Realm. You took down the Usurpers Cainan and Ragara. We’ll get you adopted… just maybe don’t talk too much. We just need to-”

Mnemon speaks, “One final matter.”

A sudden hush falls on the crowd. The Legion of Silence march into the hall, ready to clear the crowd away.

“There is a bloodline of House Rulinsei which provided truly exceptional service to me during the war. This major house defended us from House Ragara, brokered our earliest alliances, and provided sorcerous aide that was necessary to overcoming our enemies.”

Mnemon locks eyes with Reya.

“Would my daughter, Nanals, and my grand-daughter, Alinos, approach the throne.”

Reya sways back as if she has been punched. Ganan stands behind her and holds her steady. Alinos approaches with Nanals walking behind her. When they reach the throne, Alinos kneels and Nanals curtsies. Mnemon gestures for Alinos to rise, and only once she is standing does she look away from Reya.

“I strip the Merchant Fleet from House V’neef. And I award it to the newly elevated Great House Alinos. Let any scion of Great House Rulinsei who wishes, transfer their allegiance to Great House Alinos, and let them take their holdings with them. I strip no legions from Great House Rulinsei, but I grant Great House Alinos the right to raise two house legions.

“Two new Great Houses have been formed this day. Patrician Houses of good breeding and Outcastes alike are given the opportunity to subordinate their bloodlines to the Dynasty. Should both Great Houses lay claim to the same bloodline, I, as Empress, wield my prerogative to favor the Shogun’s House. I also, as Empress, withhold my right to veto any household whom I feel do not meet the standards required of the Dynasty or whose elevation to the Dynasty would represent a destabilization of the Realm.

“Your Empress has spoken.”

And with that the Legion of Silence close ranks and begin to force the Dynasts from the room.

“Alinos Melody.” Melody shrugs, “Yeah, that’s much better.”

Reya rolls her eyes, “Come on, we need to speak to Ejava.”

One of the massive, sorcerously enhanced soldiers of the Legion of Silence accosts them, and points towards Mnemon and the Throne. Another is escorting Ledaal Ludila before Mnemon.

“Or we can go talk to the Empress. Also good.”

Soon the room is empty but for the Empress, our heroes’ hearth, the Mouth of Peace, and her secretary.

Reya kneels, and the others follow her lead. Mnemon watches them coolly for a minute and does not speak.

“You wished us to attend you, Your Imperial Majesty?” Reya says, looking up at Mnemon.

“I intend to grant Great House Alinos Incas Prefecture.” Mnemon begins, gesturing for them to rise, “Your mother’s house shall be paid for the upkeep of numerous Immaculate Shrines and granted the lease on the House of Black Waters. You will not be required to surrender your holdings in Mnemon-Darjilis, but you may find that properties owned in the heart of Rulinsei’s home prefecture do not serve your interests.”

“Thank you, my Empress. Your generosity-”

“Of course, Incas Prefecture is a war-ravaged money pit. It was inefficient to force House Ledaal to continue to hold it, and whilst your fledgling House can make some economies, the remnants of House Iselsi would make your government untenable. Given the destruction of the Palace Sublime, I anticipate these difficulties to be lessened.”

The Mouth of Peace interjects, “Empress, you cannot have the Palace Sublime destroyed.”

Mnemon smiles, “I have no intention of having anything destroyed. I want only to rebuild the Realm. Unfortunately, the news came this morning – the surviving Thousand-Forged Dragon was Ragara’s. It fell upon the Palace Sublime this morning and most thoroughly destroyed it. The Paragon of Pasiap, with the aid of a few high-ranking monks, was able to save some treasures, but the towers themselves, and the catacombs beneath… are gone. It is fortunate that you were here in the Imperial City. I would be delighted to offer the Immaculate Order a permanent home within the capital, but, of course, Juche would also be an ideal location to relocate the Order to.”

“This is outrageous!” Chejop Kejak blusters.

“Outrageous would be a Sidereal coup that shelters the assassins of Fallen House Iselsi!” Melody jumps in. She turns to the Empress, “My Empress, this man-!”

Mnemon interrupts her, “I am quite aware of who and what Chejop Kejak is.” The Mouth of Peace looks bewildered, “But as Cynis Ganan will attest, the Sidereals have their uses.”

They turn to Ganan, “Ylva’s alive,” He blurts out and looks at the ground, “She helped us bring House Cynis to heel.”

“Indeed.” Mnemon continues, “I find it highly doubtful that Ragara Banoba could have wrested control of one of my Thousand-Forged Dragons without Sidereal aid and I am not in the least bit surprised that your treachery came home to roost. The question remains: should you relocate her to the political center of the Blessed Isle, or to Juche and the physical center? What do you think Danireya?”

Reya weighs the options and turns to the Mouth of Peace, “I’d relocate to Juche. Given the devastation caused by the civil war and the fact that space here is at a premium, relocating to the old center of the Order makes sense. Some distance might also help insulate the Order from Realm politics.”

Mnemon very slightly purses her lips, apparently displeased with Reya’s advice. The Mouth of Peace seems to read Mnemon’s reaction and she nods.

“Yes, I believe Juche will be the appropriate place to relocate the Order. Thank you, come Chejop.” She bows and turns to leave.

Mnemon stops Chejop, “I will require a full and proper briefing. I expect we shall be working very closely together.”

Chejop Kejak grimaces, bows, and leaves. Mnemon claps her hands together with glee, then turns her attention to the hearth.

“I have an empire to rebuild. Don’t you have something productive to be doing?” She looks at Ganan, “Passage off my island to book, perhaps?”

Ganan grits his teeth and forces a stiff bow.

“By your leave, Empress.” Reya bows and leads them out.

****

As soon as they are outside of the Imperial Palace, a runner in ostentatious Tepet Blue and White offers to lead them to Tepet Ejava.

The Roseblack has taken over a fine residence near the palace. Streams of peasants seem to be flocking before Tepet Corino peddling goods in a confused mill. The runner leads them to a private study where Ejava is pouring over maps, ledgers, and charts.

“Just a moment. Please sit.” She says offhandedly, without looking up, “Fetch the others.”

The runner disappears, then returns shortly with Muli and Tepet Agoram.

Tepet Ejava sets her work down and turns to embrace Tepet Agoram. Muli salutes her, and she nods at him.

“Alinos Danireya, you’ve got a fine boy here. I want to discuss marriage.”

Reya smiles playfully, “You want to marry my son.”

Ejava doesn’t find Reya’s joke funny, she looks sternly at her, “Tepet Agoram here would like to marry your son. And frankly, I think he’d be an asset to House Tepet.”

“You mean, of course, that Tepet Agoram would be an asset to House Mnemon.” Ganan says gruffly, folding his arms over his chest, fogetting that House Mnemon no longer exists.

Ejava turns her attention to him, “Agoram is older. It would be my expectation that Muli join my House. Especially given the relative political clout between House Tepet (the Saviors of the Realm), and House Alinos… which has… how many Exalted? Thirty? I do recognize Alinos Muli’s refined pedigree. His military accomplishments. His numerous sorcerous connections who could no doubt help with the conception of children.” She seems to find the last point personally distasteful, but covers it well, “House Tepet would be… well inclined towards House Alinos were you to approve this match.” She looks pointedly at Cynis Ganan, “And I would take it as a personal insult, were you to refuse.”

Melody rises shakes Muli’s hand, “Congratulations!”

Muli smiles back at her, “Thank you auntie.”

“I have terms. Firstly, I expect a commission, Winglord or better.” Reya demands.

“Commissions in the Tepet Legions are by merit only.” Ejava folds her arms over her chest.

“I’m sorry,” Reya smiles, mirthlessly, “I thought you said you were familiar with Muli’s military record. I took you as an honest woman, but, if you are simply a flatterer, I’ll have a team of scribes enumerate the dozens of reasons why he deserves such a commission.” She watches the Roseblack squirm, “And besides, you said ‘legions’ plural. You are going to need officers to fill out a second legion, and whilst I appreciate you have no shortage of willing Cynis candidates, I do not believe that you have thirty-one candidates better than my son. Frankly, I’m surprised you’re willing to pretend you have enough candidates to pretend he’s not a consideration for Dragonlord.”

“Alright,” Ejava raises her hand, “It won’t be in the Vermilion Legion, but I can make him a Winglord.”

“Secondly, House Sesus offered him a generous stipend. I assume that House Tepet will match that?”

Ejava nods, “Given our new Cynis holdings, I think we can afford that.”

Reya looks to Muli, who just seems happy to be getting married, she looks back at Ejava, “And I’d like an adoption, for my husband.”

Ejava smiles predatorily, “Then it seems we have a deal.” She turns to Agoram, “Why don’t you go celebrate? Alinos Danireya and I just have a few adoption details to wrap up.”

Udi, Muli and Agoram leave. Melody sits back down next to Ganan.

Ejava tents her fingers, “I want a year.”

“You what what?” Ganan says.

“I want you. To serve in the Vermilion Legion. For a year.” Ejava lays out slowly.

“You’re getting Muli!” Ganan objects.

Ejava addresses Reya, “I want your son to be happy in my House. I want to forge alliances. Your demands for marriage are all very reasonable – I am happy to meet them. But this is a separate issue, and you know it. Muli and Agoram have other options. You don’t.”

Reya looks at Ejava levelly, “A year is a long time.”

Ejava gestures at Melody, “The Imperial Legions ask fifty years from Outcastes.”

Reya sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose, “Trust me, you don’t want to give Ganan a command.”

Ejava bursts out into laughter, “Oh, Dragons, no!”

Ganan folds his arms across his chest, “What’s that supposed to mean? I just defeated the greatest warrior in the Realm!”

Melody squeezes Ganan’s hand, “Babe, no.” She shakes her head.

“No-one is doubting that you’re a formidable warrior. But the Imperial Legions-”

“Fight as a unit.” Ganan interrupts, “Sure, but I can do that now!”

(Melody squints at Ganan, “Can you though?”)

“There’s a difference between ‘fighting in a unit’ and a ‘command’.” Reya says simply, “Then what do you want him for?”

Ejava tents her fingers, “He’s an architect. And I’ve seen his carpentry. I need camps designed, latrines dug, fortifications.”

“Wait… you don’t want me to fight?” Ganan says, bewildered.

Ejava shakes her head, “No: I want you to dig privies and bury bodies for a year.”

“You could get anyone on the Blessed Isle to do that!” Ganan rages.

“Yes,” Ejava smiles, “I could. And I want you.”

Ganan stands up, outraged. Reya sits him back down.

“To be clear: you get Cynis Ganan for a year and Alinos Muli married into your house. We get an adoption for Ganan, a commission and a generous stipend for Muli. Correct?” Reya asks.

Ejava rises, walks over to a cabinet, and returns with four glasses an expensive bottle of whiskey. She pours, “And… an alliance. Between your emergent house and my resurgent house.”

Melody and Reya take a glass.

“Gan?” Reya says, she leans in close to him, “It’s up to you.” She whispers.

Ganan reaches out and takes a glass.

“Welcome aboard, son.” She tosses the finely aged spirit back in a single gulp, “Pack your things, we are shipping out tomorrow.”

The others follow suit.

****

Tepet Ganan walks back to the Palace to pack and spend some time with his daughter.

“Damn that’s harsh.” Melody shakes her head, “What are you going to do?”

Reya sighs, “I suppose I’d better pack too.”

Melody looks shocked, “You’re joining the Red Piss Legion?”

Reya looks confused, “I’m going back to Dovak.”

“Seriously?” Melody is now the one who looks confused.

“Melody, I’m the Satrap. How many Satrapies do you think House Alinos has? We need the income, and Tinkara isn’t just going to send the silver if we ask nicely.”

Melody folds her arms, “Well I’m not going.”

Reya looks hard at her sister, “That’s fine. I’ll take Nula and Terel.”

“I’m serious Rey, I’m not going!”

Reya nods tightly, “I hear you. What will you do?”

Melody sighs and drops her arms to her side, “I don’t know… Maybe… Maybe I’ll join the Merchant Fleet.”

Reya chuckles, “I didn’t know you could sail!”

Melody grins back at her, “How hard can it be?”

****

Reya returns to the Mnemon wing of the Imperial Palace to find Ganan bouncing baby Lezabe in his arms. A single back-pack of things has been packed.

She folds her arms in mock indignation, “I thought you were packing?”

Ganan blows a raspberry without taking his eyes from the baby, “The Legions will provide everything I need for the next year, I’m sure. I’ve packed some materials for jade carving.”

Reya slips her arms around his middle, “You just wanted to spend time with the baby, you big softy.”

“You’re going to need to get a wing in the Palace. The Cynis wing is best – Tepet won’t need the space, Berit will take the Cathak, Nellens will move into Sesus. You don’t want to get stuck with the Peleps wing.”

Reya starts to pack, her things being moved up from Noble or down from Dragonsmouth over the past few weeks.

Ganan breaks the silence, “What are you going to do, whilst I’m away?”

Reya stops and turns to him. She does not insult his intelligence by asking for clarity, and instead says simply, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

Ganan makes a grunting noise and goes back to playing with the baby.

Alinos, Matriarch of the Great House Alinos, knocks on the door and lets herself in, “Ah packing, good. I have your next assignment. We need you on the Threshold Satrap.”

“You should secure the Cynis Wing for your Great House, matriarch.” Ganan looks up from the baby to talk and he bows as respectfully as holding a six-week-old will allow.

Alinos approaches Ganan, and baby Lezabe turns towards grandma and coos. Despite herself, Alinos smiles at the baby, who smiles back.

“Of course, mother. I’ll be ready to return to Dovak in the morning. I’m hoping to take Nula and Terel with me.”

“Dovak?” Alinos shakes her head, “No, I’ve traded that Satrapy with Rulinsei. I expect Tepet might have designs there – oh, can I assume that you have arranged the adoption already? Good. I saw Muli standing with their delegation: it is a good match and we need the alliance. No, not Dovak.”

Reya inhales and holds the breath in her lungs she forces her mouth to turn upwards into a smile, “Where would you have me then, my matriarch?”

Alinos smiles genuinely at Reya, eager to bring her in on her victory, “Oh, a small Southern Satrapy… Paragon.”

Reya blinks in a double-take, “You traded Dovak for Paragon?”

“I trust we stripped everything of value out of Dovak last time we were there?”

Reya nods mutely.

“Good.”

Reya shakes her head in disbelief, “Paragon must be worth three, maybe four times, more than Dovak.”

“And it has traditionally been an easy state to govern – so long as the Satrap is not overly ambitious, the Perfect can be trusted to handle his affairs himself. Paragon is orderly and prosperous. The Perfect is aware, no doubt, that the Realm doesn’t hold the Realm Defense Grid over his head anymore, and that the Imperial Legions have been reduced on paper from forty to four, and in practice to barely one. Further his insolence and willfulness are well known. Despite the city’s wealth, it is not traditionally viewed as a desirable Satrapy. Add to this the demonic cultists who have taken over Chiaroscuro, disrupting the entire region, and it is perhaps understandable why Rulinsei wants to consolidate her territories. Paragon cannot be a failure for our House. It requires my best Satrap. Your name has been mentioned for Satrap of Paragon before: the Perfect thinks highly of you.” Alinos stops, leaving the rest unsaid.

“I won’t let you down, mother.” Reya curtsies, “We need to capitalize on the Merchant Fleet. We should find Outcastes dumped by Peleps, and their closest Patrician allies – V’neef is sure to be awarded the Peleps holdings to support the Imperial Navy, but we need the man-power to take your name.”

Alinos holds up a hand, “And I’ll remember to breathe, and not to eat strange sweets handed out by the Iselsi, and to look both ways before crossing the road, and never to trust an Anathema, and that swords are sharp and not for running with.”

Reya curtsies again, “Yes, mother. Sorry, mother. I only mean to say that Melody has expressed interest in helping with the navy.”

Alinos nods thoughtfully, “Yes, she would be valuable. I’ll have her briefed.”

Mother and daughter politely chat for a moment or two more, but nothing meaningful is said. When Alinos departs, Ganan speaks again:

“I don’t mind, you know. I mean, I won’t be. But if you had a woman in mind… I don’t mind.”

Reya kisses him on the cheek, “You can too. If you want to.”

****

The next day

Ganan works through the night repairing Cainan’s blades (-5SP, -14GP: 4WP, 1SP), which he leaves on the bedside for Reya to find. He gives Lezabe a quick kiss, and his nightshirt, before shucking his cleansing pearls back on, and heading down to the port with his traveling trunk. He takes a moment to check his Stone of the Ram’s Horn – it no longer funnels essence to him but appears to have retained its magic beyond the destruction of its parent manse.

The sun is rising as he reaches the docks. Tepet Ejava gives him a salute.

“Engineer Ganan,” She calls, “One trunk. Traveling light. Good.”

“Yes, general.”

She hands Ganan a copy of the Thousand Correct Actions and waves up a mortal, “Fanglord Sparrow, show engineer Ganan here to his bunk. We sail with the tide.”

The mortal Fanglord looks Ganan over, “Okay sapper, this way.” When Ganan nods at him, he continues in an irritated tone, “That’s ‘yes, sir’!”

Ganan grinds his back teeth together and chokes out, “Yes, sir.”

Sparrow leads Ganan to a cramped bunk on a crowded galley. Ganan goes through his supplies, fishes out some materials and starts to build (-2GP: Superior 2 project slot created).

****

Ganan’s journey by sea takes just over a fortnight. During this time, he shapes the wood and the jade, creating small disks of red and blue jade the exact width of the Ghostglass wood. The waves are rough, and the bellow-decks stink of too many people cramped in too small a space.

They make landfall in a blasted plain. Ganan staggers out blinking into the light. The troop carriers have sailed into a wide, natural cove – the bulk of the cove is shallows, but a vast sea wall shelters a wide area (far wider than any Realm port). Ganan examines the cove more closely: it actually was once an artificial harbor, blasted clean by some tremendous force. Ganan looks out over the plain: it has been leveled by some kind of First Age weapon.

“Where are we?” Ganan asks the enlisted men. They just shrug at him and set to work unloading the ship.

Fanglord Sparrow approaches, “Welcome to Lookshy, we’re camping here – build a trench and wall here, sapper.”

Ganan blinks in confusion. There isn’t a city, not even a ruin. There isn’t even a crater. Just a clean, empty field – sand and blasted glass. He goes where Sparrow indicates, takes up a spade and starts to shift the earth into a defensive perimeter (10SP). Other sappers create other sections of wall, and latrines, and the enlisted men pitch tents. By nightfall, the Realm camp is erected.

Tepet Agoram finds Ganan, “It’s hard to believe isn’t it?”

Ganan buries his spade in the ground and looks at his son-in-law, “Is this really Lookshy… sir?”

Agoram clasps Ganan by the shoulder, “Winglord. But never-mind that. Yes, it’s Lookshy. The Mask of Winters attacked over winter. They held him off for months. Eventually… this.”

Ganan pauses, “On the 12^th Day of Ascending Water?”

Agoram looks at him, puzzled, “Yes. We think they did this. Meet an honorable end rather than succumb. It’s not a shadowland, and it looks as if they took down the Mask’s army and his Juggernaut with them. No-one really understands what happened, or how the Mask of Winters was able to overcome the Seventh Legion. To be honest… it doesn’t add up: talk of demons in the Mask of Winter’s army, bolstering the dead. Rumors have spread, of course, but it takes a week to cross the inland sea and so far, the Empress has managed to keep the news relatively contained. By the time the small-folk hear of this, Ejava hopes that we will have taken Thorns.”

“We’re marching on Thorns?” Ganan asks, stupidly.

Agoram looks at him, “She didn’t tell you… anything?” He gives a low whistle, “Yes, we’re marching on Thorns. It’ll take a month to march from here to there. But we have to start here so the remnants of his army don’t get away. Plus, it’s the only safe harbor large enough to disembark a Legion.”

Ganan nods dumbly and gives a salute. Agoram nods at him and lets him rest.

In morning, the march begins. The Vermilion Legion keeps a vicious pace, marching for eight hours in a day before making camp. Each camp is laid out as per the instructions in the Thousand Correct Actions: perimeter walls are raised, latrines are dug, tents erected. Ganan gets a chewing out for digging latrines uphill and upwind one time, but otherwise the digging goes well. He sees Agoram and Ejava about camp, but otherwise does not speak with them. His time is taken up almost entirely by marching and digging fortifications. His work is not praised by the officers, and the enlisted men remain wary of the Dragon-Blooded working in their midst, but they appreciate his work (-10SP: 9GP 3SP).

In the evenings, Ganan continues with his work. By the time Thorns looms into view, he has completed his Ultimately Useful Tube (-11GP: 1SP, 1GP; 11 successes) (-11GP: 12 successes)(-11GP: 1SP; 13 successes; 4WP, 4GP)(-11GP: 1SP; 14 successes).

****

Meanwhile

Reya awakes to find Ganan gone. The immediate surge of anger is not dulled in the slightest by finding Cathak Cainan’s swords restored and presented to her as a gift, but it cools instantly when she hears baby Lezabe gurgling and finds her playing with Ganan’s shirt.

She packs her things into several traveling trunks, checking the excess artifacts won during the campaign, including Cainan’s swords, into her fledgling Great House’s armory. Whilst packing she finds Ganan’s manuals on jade carving and firewand creation, which she also packs. She sends a servant out to buy supplies and goes to find Aline. She explains that she will be traveling to Paragon but understands if the girl would rather stay on the Blessed Isle. Aline readily agrees to accompany her. Together with the baby, they go to find Nula.

Nula and Terel are staying outside of the palace in accommodation suitable for a Dynast. They’ve taken on new servants who are familiar enough with the Dragon-Blooded to act haughty when Reya shows up carrying her baby in a sling. Reya hands the baby over to Aline, who is ushered into a less distinguished waiting room, and is taken to a reception room. Nula and Terel arrive separately.

The young Dynasts are a harder sell than the wet-nurse. Neither are keen to leave the Blessed Isle, and Nula hopes for a Satrapy of her own. But the promise of appointment as garrison commander and the chance of being the next Satrap of Paragon overcome their initial misgivings. Reya makes the inquires needed to book them passage on a ship – she’d prefer to Stormwind them across the sea, but Nula and Terel both want to bring a large amount of luggage. Commissioning a ship to sail directly is not a viable expense and the splitting of the merchant fleet will take time. In the end she books passage on a merchant vessel to Jiara in three days with a promissory for a ship to Paragon from there.

She returns to the Mnemon wing of the palace to find Udi waiting for her. She is carrying a qipao: purple fabric with a gold trim.

“House Rulinsei is keeping white and purple. House Alinos gets purple and gold. Ganan will be pleased – he won’t have to change his wardrobe.” Udi hands Reya the qipao.

Reya laughs, “Ganan won’t even notice.”

Udi smiles back at her, “So… when do we sail for Paragon, Satrap?”

Reya grins, “‘We’?”

“Apparently Rulinsei wants to assign all new advisors to Dovak. And the Empress doesn’t trust you to have four advisors of your own pick. The new Deliberative has approved a Sesus Garrison Commander, one Mnemon advisor, one V’neef, one Berit, and one Ledaal – the Empress has decided it’s easier to just appoint Houses, and have the Houses pick the individuals. House Ledaal picked me.”

Reya embraces her hearth-mate, “And no-one thought that was a conflict of interest?”

“Fuck ’em. We’re gods-damned war-heroes: they need to either step-up or get the hell out of our way.”

“Udi!” Reya laughs, “Well it’ll be good to have you with me. We sail in three days.”

****

Melody visits Reya on the day of her departure to see her off. She is wearing an ostentatious tricorn hat.

Udi gives Melody a short bow, and they exchange a smile.

Melody pulls Reya in for a hug, “Enjoy Paragon. Make lots of money.”

Reya nods and breaks the embrace, “Learn to sail. Seriously, get lessons.”

Melody opens her mouth to protest.

“Don’t you dare tell me that you ‘got the hat’ and will work out the rest on the job.” Reya warns, wagging a finger at her.

Melody folds her arms across her chest in mock indignation, “Just for that, no friends and family discount when it comes time to collect your tribute.”

In an uncharacteristic public display of affection, Reya pulls Melody in again for another hug and kisses her cheek, “Come visit. Bring the baby.”

Baby Iohan is lying in a perambulator; Aline is feeding Lezabe.

Melody’s smile falters for a moment, and she leans in, dropping her voice low, “Do they ever stop crying? When do they start sleeping at night? Don’t leave me!”

Reya braces her by the arms, “You’ll be fine. He’ll be Exalting before you know it.” She looks at the calmly sleeping baby and wrinkles her nose a little as she catches the all too familiar scent of poo, “Get some help. Don’t go ‘Full Dynast’ about it, but you need someone to help and support you. Get a wet-nurse.”

Melody nods.

“Isn’t Jorod a naval man?” Reya prompts, “I’m sure he’d like to spend some time with his… brother.”

“You mean his ‘cousin’.” Melody rolls her eyes.

“We’re a new Great House and we’re gods-damned war-heroes. You are Alinos Jorod’s mother. That makes Alinos Iohan his brother. And if anyone has a problem with that…”

Udi jumps in, “Fuck ’em.”

Melody looks askance at the woman she’s only ever seen as a prim Dynast, “I’m going to assume you don’t mean that literally.”

“Well…” Udi gives it serious thought, “I mean it couldn’t hurt…”

****

It takes eight days to sail to Jiara. The Dynasts travel in individual cabins, but they are cramped and only basically appointed. Aline sleeps on the floor in Reya’s room, cramped against Lezabe’s perambulator. Terel complains bitterly the entire journey. As does Lezabe – to the consternation of the ship’s crew (though they do not dare raise a complaint to the Exalted). Reya takes the opportunity to manufacture herself a firewand from the instructions in the Ganan’s book (-10SP: 6GP, 3SP). Satisfied with her work, she carves herself a flame piece from ironwood (-10SP: 6GP, 2SP).

When they finally reach Jiara their chartered yacht is waiting for them.

A dashingly dressed rogue meets them on the docks, “Welcome, bienvenue, recibimiento,” He bows, “I am Captain Tepet-Cynis Parda. The ‘Wind Dragon’s Bite’ is at your service.”

Hired hands remove the Dynast’s luggage from the merchant vessel and load it onto the Wind Dragon’s Bite. It is a sleek, if small, vessel, sitting high on the water. They’re shown to two generously appointed cabins furnished with double beds; Terel and Nula in one, Reya and Udi in the other (with Lezabe and Aline).

Reya takes the captain aside, “I think there may have been a miscommunication from the Blessed Isle. We need three rooms.”

Nula appears unbidden as if from nowhere, “Actually four rooms wouldn’t be remiss.”

Parda smiles devilishly. He presses his palms together and bends at the waist, “Unfortunately the Bite only has three rooms. Either or both of you are more than welcome to bunk with me.”

“Pass.” Reya stares at him, “Fine, I’ll bunk with Udi. Come on Nula.”

“Give me a minute; I’m thinking about it.” Nula waves her mother off.

Reya opens her mouth then thinks the better of it.

In the end, Nula decides to bunk with her husband. Terel is far more pleased with the Bite – satin sheets, goose-down pillows, and finely carved oak furniture graces cabins three times the size of the merchant vessel, yet merged into the hull of the ship in such a way as to maintain perfect ballast. Parda is a charming host – the Dragons sail by day, feast of fruits grown from the very limbs of the ship as Parda regales them with tales of adventure on the seas in the evenings, and sleep at night. The first eight days of their journey see them anchor near the coast, then they are out on the open sea.

At first Reya refuses to undress at night, sleeping fully clothed, but by their first night on the open ocean, Udi corners her.

“I really don’t think he’d mind.” She says quietly, “Not that anything is going to happen. But, if it did, I don’t think he’d mind.”

Before Reya can respond, Udi walks away and busies herself in conversation with Terel and the captain. She doesn’t speak to Udi about it but strips down to her underwear at night. Though nothing happens with them, Aline joins them in the bed before the end of the voyage.

Reya carves a second flame piece for herself. Parda is deeply impressed with her skill, and Reya makes a gift of it for him – which greatly moves the captain, who presents her with a bottle of frozen lightning in gratitude (-10SP: 9GP, 3SP). Having the time and the wood, Reya makes a replacement flame piece (-10SP; 6GP, 2SP).

****

After the better part of a month, they finally arrive in Paragon. Reya announces their arrival on the wind, and a delegation awaits them at the pier. The Perfect’s Minister of the Arts, Scarlet Whisper (a woman of impossible grace and beauty), and a full wing of firewand armed troops line the docks waiting for them.

Reya waves to them from the deck of the boat, “Ho there!” She strikes a perfect pose as she tries to take the measure of the ‘welcome’ party.

Scarlet Whisper makes a swirling motion with her finger, “You might want to turn around and sail away Dynast.”

Unperturbed Reya launches into an impassioned speech extolling the virtues of Paragon, and how she has missed the city. The troops on the dock shift uncomfortably, as Reya’s words move them. Scarlet Whisper seems unimpressed.

Not a good sign. Reya thinks, realizing that they are clearly there to stop her entering the city. She starts to glow with power as she suffuses herself with Wood Essence, affecting an effortlessly seductive bearing.

“The Realm and Paragon do have a treaty.” She says, addressing Scarlet Whisper directly.

“Actually,” Whisper replies, smiling from ear-to-ear, “The Perfect and the Scarlet Empress have a treaty. If she wants to press her claim, she knows where to find us.”

Reya sits on the edge of the yacht and dangles her legs over the side, “I note that you haven’t fired on us. Or threatened, directly, to fire on us. So, I assume I’m safe so long as I don’t come ashore?” Scarlet Whisper doesn’t respond, but Reya easily reads the mortals behind her confirming her suspicions, “Good. The Perfect knows me. I won’t enter his city without an invitation, but I have no intention of leaving either.” Reya shrugs apologetically, “You’re going to have to go back to him for orders – might be quicker just to bring him here.” She gently kicks the side of the ship with her heels, and she smiles pleasantly down at Scarlet Whisper.

The Minister of Arts considers for a moment, before scowling, “Fine. Come ashore.”

Reya leaps gracefully from the side of the ship, landing on the docks. Parda mores The Bite and flags over dock workers to unload the ship. Nula and Aline carefully unload baby Lezabe’s carriage, and Udi races to Reya’s side as Scarlet Whisper brings them into the office of the harbor master. She motions for them to sit and gets straight to business:

“As you know, House Mnemon withdrew all but a Scale of troops. Your predecessor fled back to the Blessed Isle as soon as word reached us of the war. With the Scarlet Empress… no longer ruling, and a new Emperor, and a newer Empress, the Perfect considers his prior agreements null and void.”

Reya smiles politely, “We do not, a tricky impasse.”

“Not necessarily,” Scarlet Whisper responds, pushing a contract across the table, “I am permitted by the Perfect to negotiate new terms between the Realm and Paragon. I believe this document would represent a suitable, continuation of friendship between our peoples.”

Reya takes the paper and rips it in half without reading it. Scarlet Whisper’s eyes narrow. “If the Perfect wishes to renegotiate, he can do it in person. I’m not a busy woman, I can find my way to the Satrap’s quarters and attend him at his leisure. But we shan’t be agreeing to anything via an intermediary.”

“You realize of course, the Perfect could say the same thing. Insist on discussing terms with Empress Mnemon?”

“Of course,” Reya says quickly, “And he’s welcome to sail to the Imperial City to attend her. I have no objection.”

Scarlet Whisper reclines back, casually, “Very well, no need for that. Attend the Perfect for dinner tonight and you can discuss the matter in person.” She waves dismissively at Udi, “Bring your honored companions, of course.”

“A most gracious offer, I’d be delighted to accept.” Reya nods.

“Well then, I’ll leave you to find your own way to the Satrap’s quarters.” Scarlet Whisper pointedly turns to look out of the window.

Udi is beetroot with rage, but Reya simply rises, and leads her by the hand out of the room. They rendezvous with the others and move their things into the Realm quarters by the mostly empty garrison. Terel sees about his meager troops whilst the women oversee the important task of move their things in and establishing their household.

****

That evening, the Dynasts dress up in their finery. Reya leaves her bows, flame pieces and axe behind, but she takes her shield and her iron knife, and she wears her chain shirt under her quippo. Terel dresses in full battle armor. Udi and Nula know better than to complain, and their own weapons hidden with a great deal more discretion. Reya kisses her daughter goodbye (leaving her with Aline).

The Perfect does not send carriages for them, but the Satrap’s quarters are close enough for the Dynasts to walk.

“We could Stormwind in.” Nula jokes, smiling devilishly.

“Let’s not.” Reya laughs casually.

The Perfect’s guards admit them without incident, and they are shown to the Perfect’s private dining room. The Perfect is waiting for them, sat at the head of the table, his scepter in hand. The table is set for six, with Reya at the Perfect’s right-hand side, Terel on his left and Nula and Udi adjacent to their escorts. Once the Dynasts are seated, Scarlet Whisper is shown in and seated opposite the Perfect.

“Mnemon Alinos Danireya,” The Perfect begins, “It is a pleasure to host you once more.”

Servants enter the room and pour wine for the dinners.

Reya nods courteously, “It’s just ‘Alinos Danireya’ now. My mother has been awarded her own Great House by the Empress.”

The Perfect takes a sip of wine, “Yes, I believe my wife has informed me of there being some changes in the Realm.”

“You wife?” Reya begins, noting that the Perfect is gazing pointedly at Scarlet Whisper, “Well best wishes.” She turns to Scarlet Whisper, “And congratulations.”

Scarlet Whisper signals for the servants to bring the first course, “In Paragon it is traditional to offer the bride best wishes and the groom congratulations.”

Reya nods graciously, “Of course. Our customs are different in the Realm. I mean no disrespect.”

“Nor I,” Assures the Perfect as he raises his glass as a Salade Royale is brought, “But I suppose it’s matters of culture and change which bring us together today.”

“And tradition and friendship, I hope.” Reya offers.

The salad is consumed almost in silence. Udi ventures some praise for the appetizer and Nula comments on how the city appears to be flourishing. The Perfect responds with one-word answers; Scarlet Whisper doesn’t respond at all.

Toward the end of the entree, Jambon et Langue dècoupe à l’Aspic, Reya broaches the topic of business, “Perfect, let us be frank with one another. Paragon has always been a loyal Satrapy of the Realm. I harbor no illusions as to the nature of that loyalty: Paragon is unconquerable, but the Scarlet Empress possessed the power to annihilate your city, so you paid a ransom to stay her hand. It is mercenary but there it is. Fundamentally, the situation has not changed.”

The Perfect regards her carefully and chews thoughtfully, “I disagree.” He responds at last, “It is known that Mnemon does not command the Realm Defense Grid. If you marched your legions on Paragon, I would simply order every man and woman of Paragon to fight you to the death. You would, at best, inherit an empty city.”

Reya sets her cutlery down and tents her fingers, “An empty city might be worth the price, even now. You’d be better served ordering your citizens to burn Paragon to the ground, salt the earth and THEN fight us to the death.”

“Hear hear!” Scarlet Whisper raises a glass in a mirthless toast.

“Consider, for a moment, if the Realm was ruled by a rational leader, such as yourself,” Reya continues, “We’d be foolish to attack Paragon now. But equally, we would be foolish to let the insult of Paragon stand. What better state to make an example of? Make an enemy of the Realm now and be burned to ash in five years’ time.”

“Unless, of course,” Scarlet Whisper says carelessly, “The Realm were to fall in the next five years.”

Reya gives a mock salute, “If you’ve suddenly gained the ability to topple the Realm, then I’ll happily pay you tribute to leave us in peace. But I think you mean that you hope someone else will destroy the Realm for you. Consider then, why not pay your tribute? If the Realm falls, then it is only an extra five years of expenses. To buy insurance against your total destruction, that seems a bargain price. Especially if the Realm does not fall. You risk nothing from paying us and you ensure your survival. Or you can gamble on a future that might be better or which might destroy you. I’d take guaranteed survival.”

“Spoken like a coward.” Scarlet Whisper says coolly.

“Spoken like a survivor, girl.” Reya quickly shoots back, “Paragon has not endured these decades by acting rashly. I don’t think you had been born the first time I set foot in this city. And, compared to the Perfect, I am but a babe in swaddling clothes. I wouldn’t pretend to know what it takes to shepherd a city like Paragon through the centuries, but I sincerely doubt it involves taking unnecessary risks to one’s people.”

“Wouldn’t you?” The Perfect asks quietly.

It takes Reya a moment to realize what he’s responding to, “Do you remember the first time I was here? I offered you honest and proper counsel on whether you should betray Mnemon to V’neef. I listed the benefits to Paragon for both options and let you decide. I believe I called you the ‘Patriarch of Civilization’. Paragon is your city. If you would have me as an advisor, I will advise you to the best of my ability. We live in uncertain times, but I could help you grow your fortune. But if you do not trust me, then I won’t object to spending my days drinking coffee and eating sugared dates – so long as you pay your tribute, I won’t interfere with you running Paragon as you see fit.”

“And what exactly is it that you want?” The Perfect asks, his eyes narrowing.

“I want to reform the Satrapy system. I want nations to see the many benefits that allying under the Realm’s banner can bring and I want them to welcome civilization with open arms. But what I want is irrelevant. The Realm wants a token. House Alinos needs your jade.”

“‘Need’ is a dirty word at the bargaining table, Dynast.” Scarlet Whisper mocks.

“But it’s true. House Alinos is a new house. The Realm will survive without Paragon’s tribute – I don’t even think the treasury will notice the difference – but my House will not. If the Perfect denies us, our rivals will crush us. Do not think that the loss of two-score Dragons will weaken the Ten Thousand: the destruction of House Alinos will in no way weaken the Realm. But consider this, we are a favored House of the Empress’s blood. A new and disruptive influence in Realm politics; one highly motivated to see Paragon succeed and expand its power. Here and now, we can offer you enthusiastic partnership, but think how much more influential we will be in a decade or two?” Reya locks eyes with the Perfect, “But it is your decision to make.”

Scarlet Whisper scoffs, “You can’t seriously be entertaining this?”

“Silence!” The Perfect roars. His scepter is suddenly in hand. Scarlet Whisper immediately stops talking and clenches her jaw, “And what benefit would this ‘enthusiastic partnership’ bring?”

“In addition to stately and tactical advice? You’d get a Satrap who understands that Paragon is yours: I won’t fight you for power, as I said, all I need from you is to pay. Ultimately, I am replaceable: kill me or force me to betray the Realm, and Mnemon will just send someone new at the head of an army. Someone who won’t want to do things your way. But I’ll do things your way. If you pay, then I’ll use my position as Satrap to shelter you from Realm interference: if you want to make war, my reports will say it is necessary; if the Immaculate Order accuses your bride of being Anathema, I will inform them that she is merely a mortal sorcerer; should a pious zealot attack your cult, I shall have them removed and discredited.”

“Because your House needs money?”

“Because that is the way the Realm’s alliance with Paragon has always worked. When it has worked. House Alinos could crush any petty Threshold kingdom and steal their treasury, but partnership with Paragon stands to be far more profitable in the long term. Though, yes, I admit it: without funds we will not survive.”

The Perfect toys with his scepter, “You make a convincing case. I am prepared to pay half the rate of tribute. As insurance against the Realm not falling.”

Reya drums her fingers on the table, “And I’m supposed to make a counteroffer and we bargain back and forth and arrive at three-quarters of the old tribute? No. You will pay in full. The only question is whether you’ll force me to say it explicitly in front of my fellow Dynasts.”

The Perfect smiles innocently, “Say what, exactly?”

“You can afford to pay the tribute in full, and more. And you realize that with my help and Chiaroscuro’s fall we can expand your influence to unprecedented levels: and who knows what artifacts you might unearth with three Heptagram trained sorcerers in service to Paragon? But most of all, you believe me when I say that I can stop the rest of the Realm from interfering in the affairs of your city and you dearly want that because…”

“Because?”

“Because you know that you’re not dealing with a rational leader like yourself. You know that Mnemon will take it as a personal slight if you betray the Realm and that she will stop at nothing to crush you. Everything you’ve built, not undone in five years, but undone now – no matter what it might cost the Realm. And neither of us want that.”

Terel flashes crimson but says nothing. Scarlet Whisper rises and walks round to stand behind Reya.

The Perfect speaks, slow and measured, “To be clear, the offer this thus: I will pay the full portion of Paragon’s income in tribute as agreed upon in tribute to the Realm through House Alinos. I believe the payment due is,” He names an eye-watering number that’s higher even than Reya suspected, “And in return, you will not only abstain from meddling in the affairs of Paragon, but you will also use your position of Satrap to block any interference on my sovereignty from the Realm – including from the Immaculate Order? So long as I pay tribute, Paragon is mine to rule as I see fit – beyond the laws of the Realm. You agree to these terms?”

Reya nods slowly, “I do.” Scarlet Whisper brushes against her as she speaks.

“And your companions? They will use their positions to support you in this?”

Scarlet Whisper rounds the table in silence. Her hand finds Udi’s shoulder.

“Sure.”

Whisper strokes Nula’s arm.

“Agreed: so long as you pay.”

She clasps Terel’s hand. He looks at her, as if trying to read her face, but it is inscrutable. He gives up.

“Aye.”

Scarlet Whisper stands behind the Perfect and lays her hands on both of his shoulders.

“Then it is agreed.” The Perfect intones solemnly, “Let heaven bear witness.”

The room erupts into golden light. Old Realm runes asserting the laws of the gods swirl into being around the Dragon-Blooded. The mark of the Deceivers shines on Scarlet Whisper’s forehead. A terrible sense of foreboding settles on the Dynasts.

“Anathema!” Terel roars. He is suddenly on his feet weapon in hand.

The other Dragon-Blooded do not rise. Reya pushes her plate away. Scarlet Whisper smiles wryly and withdraws from the room. Reya cocks an eyebrow at Terel’s foolishness and addresses the Perfect:

“What’s for pudding?”

****

Meanwhile

“Not bad, let out the outhaul.” Jorod instructs.

Melody reaches for the sheet.

“That’s the sheet.”

She reaches for various other items around the small sailing boat.

“That’s the mast. That’s the boom. That’s the downhaul.”

Melody throws her arms in the air, “You’re killing me here.”

Jorod takes the outhaul, “The outhaul controls the camber of the lower-part of the mainsail.”

“Which determines how much wind the sails catch. It increases lift… but also drag? So, if we have adequate lift we need to decrease camber to minimize drag, otherwise we need to let out the outhaul to increase camber to increase lift.”

“By Daana’d, we’ll make a sailor of you yet.”

“Okay, sure, but this is… a raft. When do I graduate to a trireme? Or a corbita at least?” Melody pouts.

“You need to remember what the different parts of the ship are called, so that you can give orders to the crew.”

“Hmm.” Melody looks at the sun in the sky over-head, “How long to sail to Paragon in this thing?”

“Well,” Jorod considers, “Given a favorable wind… I’d say we could sail out into the open ocean for about a week… then we’d run out of water and die. Then a month or so after that, the boat might wash into Paragon with our corpses on it.”

Melody chuckles, “Okay, so not going to Paragon today.”

Jorod gives it a moment, “Can I ask you about my baby brother?” He says seriously.

Melody smiles weakly at him, “I’d really rather you didn’t.”

****

Ascending Fire
The House of Black Waters

“Trierarch Melody, we have tribute to collect from both Cherak and The Lap. The tribute from Cherak is worth more but…” Alinos Tereya Josyp, a fat, balding man, born a Patrician and elevated to the Dynasty by House Alinos’s adoption of house Tereya, dabs the sweat from his brow.

“But,” Melody presupposes, “The tribute from the Lap consists of perishables that we have to take in and distribute. I don’t suppose the Imperial Navy can be convinced to help us with this? Pick up the grain ‘for the good of the Realm’?”

Josyp swallows hard, “Unfortunately, Grand Admiral V’neef Ririon has declined. But Admiral V’neef Celtis has approached us to ask if we require the aid of the Air Fleet in retrieving tribute from Cherak. House Margard has been doing particularly brisk business lately: pirate activity is at an all-time-high.”

“Of course it is,” Melody sighs, “And of course Celtis would deny us the larger profits of the choicer cargo. What if we went behind Ririon’s back?”

Josyp nods slowly, “We could go straight to Fire Admiral V’neef Odessa. A direct appeal might-”

Melody shakes her head, cutting the Patrician off, “What about Wood Admiral V’neef Aliset?”

Josyp twitches nervously, “It’s not technically in her jurisdiction, Trierarch.” It's about three thousand miles outside of her jurisdiction, nothing technical about it.

Melody grins at him, “No, it’s not is it. Contact Admiral Jorod, have him entreat Admiral Aliset to lend us some ships – for the good of the Realm.”

House Alinos does not have enough ships to collect tribute from all the nations of the Threshold – the Merchant Fleet being less than a third of the size it should be. Fortunate, then, that most nations of the Threshold still refuse to pay tribute. Each of the Imperial Navy’s directional fleets should be the same size as the Merchant Fleet, but each of those is running at about a seventh of full strength. House Peleps surrendered very few vessels at the end of the war – no more than a token gesture – and though the shipyards of the Blessed Isle toil day-and-night, rebuilding the navy is a slow process.

Still, not everything about the past few months has been bad. House V’neef and House Alinos both have had to try to recruit Patrician sailors as well as re-purpose their scions as ship’s captains and admirals. Alinos Jorod has been made-up to a flight Admiral based in the eastern waters, which is where he met V’neef Aliset – newly appointed admiral of the Wood Fleet and perhaps the most eligible woman in the Dynasty. With Incas being a perfectly serviceable port Jorod and Aliset have certainly been spending a lot of time together – Alinos Sahar’s appointment as Satrap of Cherak not in the least hurting this burgeoning relationship. V’neef herself has called in at the House of Black Waters, encouraging the idea of alliance between the two Great Houses.

Several seafaring Patrician houses have been looped into the Alinos family – none of which of particularly strong-blood, but all of which with strong ties of mercantile peasants. Combined with a slice of all the tributes collected by the Merchant Fleet, grants from the Empress to maintain the shrines in Incas, and the write-off of their Ragara debts, House Alinos’s financial position is considerably better than that of many of the war-torn Great Houses. The drop-off of tributes combined by the damage caused by the war and increased belligerence from the Threshold has devastated the Realm economy – food from the Lap is not about sating appetites for the exotic – it’s a matter of warding off famine.

****

2^nd Day of Resplendent Water
Realm Year 770
Realm Occupied Thorns

“I’ll have the new salt-lines drawn up for you by noon, General.” Ganan says without looking up from his work as Tepet Ejava enters his chambers. Before him is an overhead map of Thorns, traced through with lines demarcating where the Dynasts have laid down salt wards cutting off the Shadowlands that plague the city like sores.

Taking Thorns had been a challenge. The destruction of Lookshy had wiped out the Mask of Winter’s Juggernaut, most of his undead army, and his most powerful Deathknight servants. It did nothing to remove the Shadowlands through-out Thorns, oust the Mask’s army of ghosts, or win the loyalty of Thorn’s citizens. The Mask’s spectral forces seemed inexhaustible and commanded with an inhuman precision that seemed to counter every strategy the Tepet force could think to employ. But the Vermilion Legion is tenacious: the loyalty of Thorn’s living citizens was not hard to win and tons of salt imported with the aid of the Lookshy remnants and their allies in the Confederacy of Rivers left the Deathlord with precious few options but to withdraw.

The Mask of Winter’s Nephwrack lieutenants wage guerrilla war against the occupying Realm forces, as the Vermilion Legion oversees the evacuation of the Shadowland.

“Your indenture is over, you’re a free man my boy.” Tepet Ejava places a hand on Ganan’s back.

Ganan does not look up as he continues to work, “Then I want a commission.”

“You and every commander on the Blessed Isle. I don’t have any commissions for a raw recruit who’s never held a command.”

“Never held a-” Ganan starts to object, having commanded troops during the siege of Thorns. He turns and faces Ejava, “Very well, General, then I’d like to enlist.”

“Then do it in your wife’s legions.” Ejava says firmly, “Or sign-up with the Shogun’s legions.”

“General!”

“Actually, the proper address is ‘Matriarch’, as you are no longer a member of the Vermilion Legion’s support staff but you are a member of my House.” She smiles and punches him playfully in the arm, “I’d also accept ‘mom’. But my mind is made-up: I don’t want you here. In any event, Tepet Ganan, you have a visitor outside.” She waves in a mortal engineer to take over Ganan’s work.

Ganan salutes and staggers out – completely shell shocked. He comes face-to-face with The Wanderer.

****

2^nd Day of Resplendent Water
Realm Year 770
The House of Black Waters

“Admiral Melody, you have a caller.”

V’neef Aliset’s marriage to Alinos Jorod has proved tedious. V’neef herself insisted on giving Jorod a commission in the Imperial Navy, which meant House Alinos immediately lost one of their most capable naval commanders. Survivable then, if it put an ally in the Imperial Navy and helped forge ties with House V’neef. But those ties are like anchors – weekly meetings and consultations with minor cousins in and Patrician allies of House V’neef. Aid tied to obligations. All of which all but took Melody off the sea as well. At least now Aliset was pregnant, and with Ferad’s impeccable pedigree the odds would be good for adding another Dragon-Blooded in the ranks of House V’neef in a decade or so.

Melody excuses gratefully herself from her meeting with V’neef… Whoever and she follows the servant – a freed slave – to a reception room. There she comes face-to-face with The Wanderer.

****

2^nd Day of Resplendent Water
Realm Year 770
Paragon

Lezabe plays in the corner of the Perfect’s war-room. Reya, Terel, and the Perfect’s top generals plan the next move against the Delazhn. When Chiaroscuro fell to the demonic cultists of Sondok, it was House Peleps who threw themselves into the breach. They would have put down the rebellion, were it not for betrayal within their own ranks. Then their admiralty board sued for peace with Mnemon, their fleets withdrew – all but the demonic traitors, of course – and Chiaroscuro once more fell to anarchy.

Which, of course, meant the lands east of Paragon were ripe for conquest.

Through propaganda, trade and open warfare, the boarders of Paragon have been vastly expanded to both the South and the East. The nomads and outlying settlements within four hundred miles of the city all swearing loyalty to the Perfect. But the nomadic Delazhn, the mercenaries of Gem, and Sondok’s demonic cultists constantly test the boarders of the Perfect’s growing kingdom.

Terel is making an impassioned speech for attacking Chiaroscuro directly. It’s foolish, and the Perfect’s generals know it – but none of them want to be run through for insulting the Garrison Commander.

“Satrap, you have a visitor.” Aline announces, as she enters the war-room and picks up Lezabe, who greets her with a kiss.

“I don’t have any appointments Aline; tell them they’ll have to wait until after the war council.”

“With respect, mistress,” Aline says as she shakes her head, “You are going to have to tell them that yourself, they were quite insistent. And Exalted, ma'am.”

“Gentlemen, let’s table this idea of attacking Chiaroscuro for now, and take a break?” Reya says pleasantly. She leaves the room, and Aline follows behind with Lezabe at a safe distance. At Aline’s urging, Reya goes outside.

There she sees a powerfully built warrior: enormously tall, well over seven feet, and muscular. A mane of wild, dirty blonde hair spills out from the warrior’s head. They carry the largest sword Reya has ever seen – though, of course, she saw this same sword twenty-six years ago, in the Lap, being used in a duel against Cathak Letal. The Fire Aspected warrior before her is clearly female, but despite herself Reya finds herself asking:

“Aharon?”

Dragonsgift Saber Edge sneers at Reya, “You took my father from me,” She spits on the ground and hefts the enormous sword into the air, “Prepare to die.”

****

Reya spends 12DX to train Intelligence 4, 12DX to train Dexterity 4, 16DX to train Dexterity 5. She spends 8XP to train Thicker Than Stone, 8XP to train Poisoned Tongue Technique, and 8XP to train Dragon’s Voice Mastery. She spends 2DX and 1XP on an Integrity Specialty in “vs Anathema”.

Melody spends 12DX to train Intelligence 4, 16DX to train Manipulation 5, 3DX to train Sail 1, 2DX to train Sail 2, and 4DX to train Sail 3. She spends 10XP to train Dragon Mariner Attitude and 10XP to train Fine Passage-Negotiating Style.

Ganan spends 19DX to train War 5. He spends 8XP to train Ramparts of Obedient Earth, 8XP to train Tactics Mean Everything, 8XP to train Five-Dragon Arsenal and 3DX to train a War Specialty in Ramparts of Obedient Earth. He spends 3DX to train a Craft Specialty in Jade Artifacts. He spends 8XP to train Cloud of Ebon Devils and 8XP to train Soul-Fire Cremation Technique. He spends 3DX to train Dodge 1 and 3DX to learn Low Realm.

Ganan spends 10SP to create Thorns fortifications as a Major Project, gaining 9GP 3SP. He then spends 2GP to make a Superior 2 Project Slot to construct a Traveler’s staff by binding his bough of enchanted wood in green jade. He finishes his project in four rolls, using Masterful Dragon-Artisan Expertise, Flawless Facet Realization, Strike the Dragon-Anvil and Blazing Dragon-Smith Arete at a cost of 44GP (and earning 1GP and 2SP from re-rolls). The project earns (3+1) 4WP and (2x2) 4GP.

****

Bonus Scene
2^nd Day of Resplendent Water
Realm Year 770
Imperial Residence for Greeting the Dawn, Greyfalls

Cynis Jinabar surrounds herself with swirling flames. She extends a palm and sends a blast of fire screaming at the intruder.

Greeting the Dawn was once the Empress’s own residence in Greyfalls. Though the Satrapy changed hands many times, the Imperial Residence was a constant – unused by the Empress herself but a redoubt for her loyal servants. It was supposed to be secure. Jinabar was supposed to have it to herself.

The cloaked figure avoids her fireball, darting into cover. Jinabar takes careful aim again. The figure breaks cover, charging at her. She lets loose with another elemental bolt – this time the cloaked figure extends his own hand, and mist envelopes the flames, absorbing the blow harmlessly. Then the figure is upon her, pinning her to the ground.

“Cynis Jinabar,” The Wanderer announces, “I did not come here to fight. In fact, I need your help – and the help of your companions.”

****

Alinos Danireya retired as a player character.
Cynis Jinabar returned to play.
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Dynasty of Dovak