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Aphonion Tales (New posts 6/13, 6/15, 6/19)
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<blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 4253911" data-attributes="member: 3448"><p>Kit continued the Council briefings. “I have several new reports. First, things are going well with setting up the Naughty Bits.”</p><p></p><p>Dame Brionna replied somewhat coldly, “I’m sure that will… help our intelligence.” She did not seem to see the same humor in gathering intelligence through prostitutes as Alistair and Kit.</p><p></p><p>“But the major report is with regard to Hanal. The Queen-Empress has been going through public mourning for Princess Anastasia. If Anastasia is not returned within eight months and declared healthy by the Temple of Paranswarm, her claims will be terminated.”</p><p></p><p>“Public mourning,” echoed Dame Brionna. “I suppose that the only mourning she is capable of is a political display.”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know. I think she may actually be upset about this. She apparently slaughtered thirty of her favorite servants to show how upset she is. It’s one of her two daughters, after all.”</p><p></p><p>“Maybe,” said Alistair. “But it’s also Queen-Empress Thyasistis. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t care at all. And for her, killing a group of servants would be a small price for a public display-- she probably enjoyed picking out the ones that would die. We certainly haven’t seen her trying very hard to bring Princess Anastasia home.”</p><p></p><p>“Still, how could she not care about her daughter? But regardless, it puts a lot more pressure on to restore Anastasia’s mind. We can’t have her older sister inheriting. The announcement may also mean that the Queen-Empress doesn’t know about Anastasia having been recovered. I doubt she would be moving forward if she knew that Anastasia would be returned soon. In a related matter, the Queen-Empress’s elder daughter has a suitor, the Kov of Wannez, who has impressed her.”</p><p></p><p>“A brave man, given the track record of the princess’s prior paramours,” commented Alistair.</p><p></p><p>“That’s one way of putting it, m’lord. But he may also think that he knows something more. Also, I think we can safely say that anyone who might impress Princess Anastasia’s sister is no one we want anywhere near the throne of Hanal. The other important thing here is that one of the reasons why Princess Anastasia is the preferred possible heir is that her older sister’s children have all been demonstrably insane, died young, or otherwise been deemed unsuitable to inherit by the Temple of Paranswarm, so Princess Anastasia and the Hiercov of Snatterkaz offer the best possibility of a smooth succession for the next generation. If the older princess were to have healthy children with the Kov of Wannez, she would gain some meaningful support in any claim for the throne.”</p><p></p><p>“Just what we need. A missing sane heir while her crazy older sister has the possibility of becoming more qualified as an heir.”</p><p></p><p>“Which is why we need to make sure that Snatterkaz makes it back with Princess Anastasia.”</p><p></p><p>“Have they made it back yet? I assume we would have heard. We should check on the status of the gate.”</p><p></p><p>Dame Brionna sent a page to ask a representative of the Coven to report on the situation.</p><p></p><p>“One last matter about Hanal, m’lord. One of the stroms-- Chuktar Strom Esztercari,” Kit carefully sounded out the strange words, harder even then normal reading, “has raised a field army of Chulik mercenaries and launched an assault on the city-state of Delphond. It’s widely viewed as doomed-- Delphond has a powerful navy, Esztercari hasn’t raised a navy of his own, and strange updrafts mean that attack by voller is unlikely to succeed. The other noble houses of Hanal are betting on the likely outcome of the attack, and the betting is running nine to one against its success.”</p><p></p><p>“So either he has some secret plan, or he is crazy, or both.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, m’lord. Since this is Hanal, those are all about equally likely. But he certainly has a great deal of confidence-- in addition to risking his military assets and the money he is spending on the Chuliks, he has also bet heavily on his attack succeeding. His house will likely be bankrupted if he fails.”</p><p></p><p>“Which suggests that he may know something no one else does. Just what we need-- a rogue strom expanding Hanal even beyond the reach of the imperial forces. Well, I doubt we can do much from this far away, so let’s just keep an eye on it as it develops.”</p><p></p><p>As Kit finished her report, Dame Agatha of the Archducal Coven knocked and then respectfully entered. “You wished to speak with a representative of the Coven, your eminent grace?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes. What’s the situation with the gate? I take it Duke Snatterkaz has not been able to cross back yet?”</p><p></p><p>“We hold both sides of the gate itself, your grace, but there is ratman activity to the south of it. Mostly Gutterrunners, some rat-ogres, and many, many wolf-rats. We have not been able to maintain contact with the Duke. He is maneuvering to the south of the force. Our last contact was three days ago. There is a significant force obscuring our efforts to maintain contact-- a ratlord, we think.”</p><p></p><p>“Can you create an opening for him to return to the gate through?”</p><p></p><p>“We could, your grace, but we have been hesitant to send in our greatest asset. We might need it for the Molydeus.”</p><p></p><p>“What is our greatest asset?” asked Kit curiously.</p><p></p><p>“A Duke of Hell, Dame Katherine.”</p><p></p><p>“We have a Duke of Hell in our service?” Kit’s voice mixed equal parts of incredulity and horror. It was one thing to know that Lady Constance summoned devils-- she was personally nice, and could be fun, and Kit liked her enough to overlook any objections to dealing with devils. But summoning a Duke of Hell was another matter entirely.</p><p></p><p>“Oh, yes, Dame Katherine.” Dame Agatha’s voice had a slightly smug tone to it. “He owes us absolute service until disincarnated or for one-hundred years, whichever comes first. He is not a particularly powerful Duke of Hell, but even so, he is greater than most covens could bind. So we are reluctant to commit him to action unless we are sure that either he will not be disincarnated or the advantage would be worth the cost. Or, of course, if his eminent grace orders us to deploy him.”</p><p></p><p>“I think we will find a different way to deal with the ratlord. Thank you for the report.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cerebral Paladin, post: 4253911, member: 3448"] Kit continued the Council briefings. “I have several new reports. First, things are going well with setting up the Naughty Bits.” Dame Brionna replied somewhat coldly, “I’m sure that will… help our intelligence.” She did not seem to see the same humor in gathering intelligence through prostitutes as Alistair and Kit. “But the major report is with regard to Hanal. The Queen-Empress has been going through public mourning for Princess Anastasia. If Anastasia is not returned within eight months and declared healthy by the Temple of Paranswarm, her claims will be terminated.” “Public mourning,” echoed Dame Brionna. “I suppose that the only mourning she is capable of is a political display.” “I don’t know. I think she may actually be upset about this. She apparently slaughtered thirty of her favorite servants to show how upset she is. It’s one of her two daughters, after all.” “Maybe,” said Alistair. “But it’s also Queen-Empress Thyasistis. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t care at all. And for her, killing a group of servants would be a small price for a public display-- she probably enjoyed picking out the ones that would die. We certainly haven’t seen her trying very hard to bring Princess Anastasia home.” “Still, how could she not care about her daughter? But regardless, it puts a lot more pressure on to restore Anastasia’s mind. We can’t have her older sister inheriting. The announcement may also mean that the Queen-Empress doesn’t know about Anastasia having been recovered. I doubt she would be moving forward if she knew that Anastasia would be returned soon. In a related matter, the Queen-Empress’s elder daughter has a suitor, the Kov of Wannez, who has impressed her.” “A brave man, given the track record of the princess’s prior paramours,” commented Alistair. “That’s one way of putting it, m’lord. But he may also think that he knows something more. Also, I think we can safely say that anyone who might impress Princess Anastasia’s sister is no one we want anywhere near the throne of Hanal. The other important thing here is that one of the reasons why Princess Anastasia is the preferred possible heir is that her older sister’s children have all been demonstrably insane, died young, or otherwise been deemed unsuitable to inherit by the Temple of Paranswarm, so Princess Anastasia and the Hiercov of Snatterkaz offer the best possibility of a smooth succession for the next generation. If the older princess were to have healthy children with the Kov of Wannez, she would gain some meaningful support in any claim for the throne.” “Just what we need. A missing sane heir while her crazy older sister has the possibility of becoming more qualified as an heir.” “Which is why we need to make sure that Snatterkaz makes it back with Princess Anastasia.” “Have they made it back yet? I assume we would have heard. We should check on the status of the gate.” Dame Brionna sent a page to ask a representative of the Coven to report on the situation. “One last matter about Hanal, m’lord. One of the stroms-- Chuktar Strom Esztercari,” Kit carefully sounded out the strange words, harder even then normal reading, “has raised a field army of Chulik mercenaries and launched an assault on the city-state of Delphond. It’s widely viewed as doomed-- Delphond has a powerful navy, Esztercari hasn’t raised a navy of his own, and strange updrafts mean that attack by voller is unlikely to succeed. The other noble houses of Hanal are betting on the likely outcome of the attack, and the betting is running nine to one against its success.” “So either he has some secret plan, or he is crazy, or both.” “Yes, m’lord. Since this is Hanal, those are all about equally likely. But he certainly has a great deal of confidence-- in addition to risking his military assets and the money he is spending on the Chuliks, he has also bet heavily on his attack succeeding. His house will likely be bankrupted if he fails.” “Which suggests that he may know something no one else does. Just what we need-- a rogue strom expanding Hanal even beyond the reach of the imperial forces. Well, I doubt we can do much from this far away, so let’s just keep an eye on it as it develops.” As Kit finished her report, Dame Agatha of the Archducal Coven knocked and then respectfully entered. “You wished to speak with a representative of the Coven, your eminent grace?” “Yes. What’s the situation with the gate? I take it Duke Snatterkaz has not been able to cross back yet?” “We hold both sides of the gate itself, your grace, but there is ratman activity to the south of it. Mostly Gutterrunners, some rat-ogres, and many, many wolf-rats. We have not been able to maintain contact with the Duke. He is maneuvering to the south of the force. Our last contact was three days ago. There is a significant force obscuring our efforts to maintain contact-- a ratlord, we think.” “Can you create an opening for him to return to the gate through?” “We could, your grace, but we have been hesitant to send in our greatest asset. We might need it for the Molydeus.” “What is our greatest asset?” asked Kit curiously. “A Duke of Hell, Dame Katherine.” “We have a Duke of Hell in our service?” Kit’s voice mixed equal parts of incredulity and horror. It was one thing to know that Lady Constance summoned devils-- she was personally nice, and could be fun, and Kit liked her enough to overlook any objections to dealing with devils. But summoning a Duke of Hell was another matter entirely. “Oh, yes, Dame Katherine.” Dame Agatha’s voice had a slightly smug tone to it. “He owes us absolute service until disincarnated or for one-hundred years, whichever comes first. He is not a particularly powerful Duke of Hell, but even so, he is greater than most covens could bind. So we are reluctant to commit him to action unless we are sure that either he will not be disincarnated or the advantage would be worth the cost. Or, of course, if his eminent grace orders us to deploy him.” “I think we will find a different way to deal with the ratlord. Thank you for the report.” [/QUOTE]
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