2.19 Men's Rights: Lady Magnus

Out of the carriage stepped forth a statuesque high-elven woman of unparalleled beauty. She was wearing a silk gown of exquisite craftsmanship, featuring intricate patterns and the most delicately embroidered adornments. Despite the material and the care that went into the work, anyone familiar with the craft or simply of the same sex could have deduced that the dress was surprisingly functional and tailored for comfort. It lacked many of the 'enhancements' popular in the previous generation that made women look prettier in the eyes of some, while sacrificing their well-being and ability to move. But this high-elven lady did not need any such augmentation to increase her elegance. Her birthright as Liriel Everbloom, former princess of Sylvanor, already gave her a pedigree that most nobles would kill to possess. And as the wife of the Great Mage Kyros Magnus, she commanded respect that even monarchs could not often match. But Lady Liriel Magnus was not a woman who could be defined merely by her birth or marriage. What truly set her apart was her immense business empire, spanning multiple kingdoms and covering investments as diverse as shipping, mining, magi-tech, transportation, publication, and many others. Lady Magnus did not need to follow trends; she set them. If she wore it, it was, by definition, the height of fashion, and would be all the rage among the noble ladies of the capital, many of whom would have been very surprised to learn that the dress was made not by a designer of great renown but by a twenty-two-year-old woman running a tailor shop in the market district.

The women bowed respectfully as Lady Magnus walked towards them. Master Stonebottom, Thomas, and Valdek did the same, but Thokk was staring at her open-mouthed. He only came to his senses when Naru thwacked him on the head and told him to bow to the great lady.

Lady Liriel acknowledged them all with a warm smile, but her eyes immediately came to rest on her husband. "Kyros, are you all right?" she asked. Her face remained impassive, but her tone showed a great deal of worry and concern.

The Great Mage gave his wife a small smile and said, "I am alright, Liri."

She let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief. "And the others?"

"Thokk has a serious injury. He needs to see a physician ASAP. Thomas also needs to get his wounds checked. Master Stonebottom has a few rat bites. He needs to get them looked at."

"I see." Lady Magnus thought for a second. "Okay, let's do this," she said. "Naru, you take your boyfriend and get in my carriage. Mildred, you and your husband better join them too." She then turned to Valeria. "Val, tell Reggie to take them to Dr. Stillwater. I'll cover their bill."

Valeria nodded.

"My lady, you don't have to cover the cost of the treatment," Naru said. Mildred echoed the orc's sentiment.

"No, Naru, Mildred, I insist upon it. I must do this as a way of apologizing to you all for this incident. And that goes for you too, Helga. I am sorry about this mess."

"My lady, please don't apologize," Helga immediately replied. "It's just some stupidity on my Fred's part. You are not to blame for any of this."

Naru and Mildred agreed with Mrs. Stonebottom.

"Liri is not to blame, but I am," said the Great Mage Kyros Magnus. "Mrs. Stonebottom, Mildred, Naru, I am sorry. I apologize to all of you for putting the lives of your loved ones in danger." He turned to his fellow members of the Meridian Men's Rights Group. "And guys, I am sorry for dragging you into that ridiculous protest with me."

Everyone except Lady Liriel looked utterly shocked. Mildred seemed like she was about to faint. Being apologized to by the Great Mage was too much for her system.

"My lord, please don't say that," Thomas pleaded. "We came with you because we wanted to. Meeting your old TA was just an accident."

"Aye, milord. We were the ones who egged you on. We are sorry."

"Please don't apologize, my lord," Valdek added.

"Great Mage, I sorry for worrying Naru, but I not sorry for hanging with you."

Kyros smiled. "If you all feel this way, then Thomas, Thokk, please go to the physician. Let us cover the cost. It will at least make me feel a little less terrible."

"We will do that, my lord," Mildred meekly replied. Thomas, Thokk, and Naru also agreed quickly lest the Great Mage start apologizing again.

Lady Liriel once again called for the Captain of her guard. "Val, get another cab for Bonnie and little Bertie. Esme, can you stay with them at Bertie's place until your parents are back? Mildred, is that okay with you?"

"Yes, my lady," Esmeralda answered. Her mother also accepted this proposal.

Valeria bowed to Lady Magnus and went to talk to the driver and tell one of her men to order a cab.

After offering proper greetings to their friends and to the Lord and the Lady, Naru and Thokk, along with Mildred and Thomas, briskly walked towards the carriage. Bonnie, Bertie, and Esmeralda followed Valeria.

Lady Liriel then turned to Mrs. Stonebottom. "Helga, I think you better get going too, and don't forget to remind Master Stonebottom to get those bites checked."

"Don't worry, my lady. We are visiting our personal physician right now. I will make sure that this old dwarf doesn't ignore it."

"It's only a rat bite," Master Stonebottom grumbled as his wife ushered him and her daughter towards their own carriage, after once again paying her respects to Lord and Lady Magnus, and confirming Valdek's attendance for next week's party.

When the Stonebottom family had left, Lady Liriel asked Valdek, "Should I get a cab to take you home, Young Master Moonshade?"

"No, my lady, I am staying with some relatives in the palace district. I can walk there from here."

Lady Liriel nodded.

Valdek apologized to Lady Magnus for meeting her under such circumstances and then took off after bowing deeply to the Great Mage and his wife.

Once everyone had left, Liriel dismissed Valeria and the rest of the guards, leaving herself alone with her husband.