Rats Among Nobility

This is considered proper? These pants? The eclipse rangers wait with Aroura who is donning a particularly lavish dress. Like usual, her scars are concealed by suffocating layers of paint. Despite that, her polite and gentle smile never leaves her face.
The rangers, on the other hand, are dressed only in the loose pants of a priest of Sol. They're comfortable, I'll give them that. But I can't help but think we look ridiculous.

Prince Killian decided it would be theatric if Aroura and her rangers would only appear once he introduced us during his speech. "Like unexpected heroes to save us from the terrors of Lunatic's Spires..." He said.
He's been addressing the attendants of his feast for some time now. He's not a bad public speaker. I even found myself entertained at times, even through all the useless prattle noble borne are so fond of spitting out.

After the polite laughter dies down, Killian adopts a more dire tone. "My friends. Just this week, our beloved city was beset by an unprecedented threat. The recent string of attacks carried out on our cargo was undertaken by no mere brigands or beasts. But by the vile beastmen."

He let's the gravity of the situation land on the attendants. I hear Nick call out from the crowd, "Ha! Just when I was itching for a fight! My prince, surely you'll allow our men to accompany you while exterminating these vermin?"
This must be how he's taking advantage of my information. He never did summon me yesterday during our patrol. He must have been busy with his soldiers or something.

Killian's voice booms with excitement. "Indeed lord Épicier! I am issuing a call-to-arms for all noble families! Together we shall reclaim peace for our great city and cast out the evil that has befallen us! Be ready my friends. The monstrous beastmen are notorious for their ambushes, traps, and evasiveness. We believe them to be hidden within the legendary Lunatic's Spires, where they surely believe themselves to be safe."
He gestures towards the door behind him. There's our que. As we walk out, Killian continues. "Not from our rangers. My dear sister's pets will carve their way through the corrupted forest, past ghoul and ghost, exposing the beastmen's fragile position."

Weapons in hand, we march onto the stone balcony of easily the largest room I've even been in. Despite the truly creative tapestries and art lining the walls, a long table of food, and provocative entertainers, the noble families somehow find a way to make the room feel small and empty. Like children, they group together hoping to avoid interacting with the other families. 
The rangers salute, a crisp clack echoing from the balcony. Various murmurs creep across the nobility. Nick and his many ladies look amused. The key members of the Hozfur and Vulpe families look largely doubtful. The members of the Guild appear mostly curious.

Aroura, smile still painted on her, spoke to defend us. "Fear not for their success. I am witness to skills; skills beyond what should be expected from prisoners and loyalty deeper than what should be possible from heretics."

Killian decides to retake the reigns. "Well said dear sister."
He closes out his speech by reminding his attendants that this is a gathering of kinship, not a war council. Then informs them when that meeting will be.

With our part in the speech over, we're now meant to mingle. We follow Aroura down the balcony steps into the party where we're quickly swarmed by noble ladies of every family, still distancing themselves from each other. They all fancy themselves friends of Aroura. Instantly, they begin to gossip about us as though we weren't standing right next to Aroura. Mostly compliments on how well behaved we are and how soft Maheed's fur is. Shortly after, they begin expressing concerns for our safety. "My princess, are you not concerned for their safety? I hear they barely survived their last encounter."

"I am concerned. Surely not as concerned as the beastmen, however. Kar'Desh, would you care to regale them?"

I don't see how conversing with these ladies won't benefit me in any way, and I'm slightly less familiar with what they find entertaining. No matter. They stare at me surprised and expectant. "By your request my liege."
Good thing I prepared for someone asking this exact question. I retell the story of our expedition with various embellishments ensuring to make the beastmen leader as imposing as possible. "I may not have been able to best him, but he would stand no chance against him."
I stick my thumb towards Wal, driving all attention towards him.

One of his icy eyes glances back to Aroura. She motions for him to speak and he nods. "By your request."
His eye swivels back to face the crowd of noble ladies. "I am no storyteller. But what the elf says is true."

The ladies ask specific questions to keep Wal's stories longer than five words and brag about their own favourite soldier where they can. While Wal does his best to entertain the ladies with recounts of his various journeys, Joan Épicier, takes my hand, but speaks to Aroura. "My princess, your pet is simply darling! Might I barrow him for some time? I so wish to hear more of his tales!"

Through the face paint, I can see Aroura's surprised expression. She waves her hand as though to say 'proceed.'

After thanking the princess. Joan drags me away to a mostly secluded spot in the party. Without wiping the polite expression off her face, she whispers. "This is a good chance. Speak with one of the guild councilors and aim them against the family head."

She's already ordering me around? We've had one true interaction and she just expects me to bow at her every word? But I need Nick gone. If I have to sell my pride to do that, I will. Instead of telling her I was already planning to turn a councilor to our cause, I simply nod and say, "As you wish my lady. What will you do?"

She fake laughs and acts like we're making conversation while whispering, "Once the other ladies disperse, I'll mingle into conversations, planting seeds."
She then lists off various councilmen she suggests I speak with and exactly what I should say. Seems as though she doesn't trust my persuasion skills. I'd be surprised if I was an idiot. None of her suggestions reach my ears however. I already have a target, a goal, and a plan. I don't need her help with this. Once she's finished trying to order me around like a puppet, she takes a step closer suffocating me with her scent that reminds me of too many flowers. She places a hand on my arm and leans in. "Understand?"

Is she... Flirting with me?

I smile to fool any observers and whisper, "Yes my lady. But I have unrelated questions."

She purrs and sways in front of me, acting as though our conversation turned raunchy. "While we've time. Proceed elf."

I'd ask about her intentions, but it's a little late to choose my allies. If she turns out to be another Nick, I'll just find a way to kill her too, no matter how long I remain trapped in this city. For now, I'll start with the most pressing issue. "Will turning the councilmen be enough? Do you have other methods to instigate a conflict?"

"You needn't concern yourself with matters of intrigue. Do as I order and the family head will be no more."

This bitch. "I know you can't trust my skills. So understand when I say, I can't trust yours either.  If we can't work together in all areas, we shouldn't work together at all."

She laughs and caresses my shoulder. She intensely whispers, "You can't bear any further burden. I doubt you can handle what I've given you."

I lean in. "We are preforming a dangerous dance. Tell me what you have planned or you will trip on my toes."

"Do not forget your place elf."

"Do not forget who came to who for help. I do not need you. My lady."
The flirty smile remains trapped on her face as her eyes blaze in a gray fury, desperate to reduce me to ashes. I wink at her. "Dance with me Joan. We can accomplish so much more together."

She blinks and any sign of her previous ire is washed away like leaves in the Skeggi. "Very well elf. We'll sway to your tune."
Good. I'll be damned before I let her plan everything Our feigned flirting continues as she briefly and quietly lays out various parts of her plan. Minor things like spreading rumors among her friends in the guild and hiring elven thugs to harass members of the guild. I nod along until she illustrates a part of her plan I can assist with. Instigating border disputes and sabotaging the trade between Épicier and the guild. "I've nothing else for you."

That's it? None of that will be enough to tip them over the edge. Especially if they're still at each other's throats. "What of the brewing tensions between the factions in the guild?"

"What of it? When they have a common foe, tensions will wash away."

I don't believe that for a second. "If they're at each other's throats, it will take something more than border disputes to turn their attention else where."
The party has become significantly more rowdy. I glance around at the attendees who have mostly broken away from Aroura and Killian and have ceased their childish separation. To many people linger closer to Joan and I for our conversation to continue. "Seems we're out of time my lady. Let's meet up on my next patrol."

She wraps her hand around my head and pulls me down, silently moaning on my lips before kissing me. What, why? I spare a quick glance around the room to the disgusted stares before allowing my full attention on Joan, her eyes mocking me and fulling enjoying my reaction. I stand awkwardly with spear and shield in hand to show I'm not the one who initiated this. Finally she moves from my lips to my ear. "If you survive your expedition my dear ranger."

She winks and saunters off into the party through confused glances and jeers. I don't... I don't what she was thinking there. That makes my next job slightly harder since I am now notorious for seducing a noble woman. A small obstacle, but an unnecessary one.

I stand around for a second preparing myself for the upcoming rejection and eventual return to captivity, enjoying the taste of free air for the few moments I can indulge in such a commodity. I make my way through the light crowds, smiling and greeting each of the greedy fucks who notices me. They are initially surprised and offended by my freedom, but make no comment on it. I'm certain I pass a few guild councilors, but they likely won't speak to me. No, that elf has been my target since I saw him on the balcony.
He lurks far from any human peers, accompanied only by his two ladies who stay attached to his side. Clearly he has an eye for fashion. He's seamlessly mixed traditional elven styles with the standard noblemen garb. Certainly not an easy or common style since the only other person who wore anything remotely elven in this city was my father. The patterns on his vest are subtle enough to not draw attention away from his face, but intricate enough to get lost in the details with dazkrid stalks sewn in to make him illuminous. His bare muscled arms, faintly painted with matching designs.
Only as I get closer do I notice that the veiled women on either side of him wear slightly devolved versions of his outfit, not because the outfitter was lazy. But because, put together they match him perfectly. Clearly, someone put some thought into this.

The councilor notices my approach and prepares for when I eventually reach him. His voice is haughty and authoritative. "Her majesty's pet. Did she let you off your leash to bother me specifically? Or are you here to make a pass at my carrahs?"

He's already pissing me off. The trick here is to remain friendly no matter what they throw at you. I laugh and defend my image. "You have exquisite taste, but no. I was looking to bother any councilor of the Artisan's Guild."

He nods like he understands. "Ah. And you chose me because you believe we have a sort of kinship?"

"It was a fleeting hope, not a reason. Primarily, you were otherwise unoccupied, unlike your peers. And being significant taller and more stylish didn't hurt."

He remains unmoved. Personal flattery doesn't seem to work on him. "And what would our princess have of me?"

"Forgive me, I forgot to clarify. I'm not on any business for my liege."

He turns to leave. "Then I believe we've naught to discuss. Good day."

Calmly, I say, "You're certain? Despite my position, I'm sure I can pull favours with my liege. She is quite fond of me."

He scoffs. "I've no need for 'favours.' My craft can win over any who lay their eyes upon it. Evidently, it won over you."

Like a puppet to his strings. I act confused before saying, "You crafted your clothes? Impressive. Are you perhaps a tailor or weaver?"
Complimenting his trade is what can grab his attention.

He stays to brag. "You didn't know even that much? A weaver, yes. Only I am trusted to weave tapestries for those that can afford them."
He points to the far wall at a large tapestry depicting the late duchess in her victory over dissidents. "Crafted by my hand alone."

I act impressed. "I didn't know I was in the presence of one so skilled. Did that piece secure your spot on the guild's council?"

He swirls his wine. "If it were, the council would be over run with fools with no sense for business or diplomacy."

"Impressive. I've only ever lived under Épicier rule, so I'm glad to see the guild is a shinning example of what a properly governed organization can be."

He shoots me a confused look before saying, "You act as though you've always known meritocracy is the only proper way to run a business."

I shrug and act slightly bashful. "Well. It's always been a hypothesis of mine."
One of Aroura's words is sure to impress him. I continue. "Although, I can understand why the noble families operate the way they do, I've always thought it a tad short-sighted."

With his attention fully fixed on me, I can now steer the conversation as I see fit. Only once the councilor realized he was speaking with an intellectual equal, would he stay. He seems much too high and mighty to speak with those he deems lower than himself.
He scoffs again. " 'A tad,' is underselling it. How long can a business foundationed on inheritance last? How many generations before a moron is the heir and brings the whole house down?"

I agree with him, but let's play the opponent for now. Give him a new perspective. "Well, how many generations do you need to be happy? Using lord Épicier as an example, I'm not sure he has an heir. He's not building his business on longevity, but desire."
He offers an inquisitive look. I continue. "For what he's building, peers or even an heir could jeopardize everything he's toiled for."
Although, I doubt Épicier realizes that having no loyal friends, will be his downfall.

Realizing I've said my piece, the councilor begins. "Peers perhaps, but how would an heir damage his empire of food?"

"If they decide they'd rather not wait for their inheritance, who would come to his recuse? His guards? They'll be getting paid either way. And as I have just discovered, there doesn't seem to be any love between him and his carrahs."

He nods. "Indeed. What a pitiful life debauchery and self-indulgence leads to."

With this branch of conversation nearing its end, I decide to get a proper introduction. "I don't believe I ever caught your name?"

He smiles and offers his hand. "Because I never threw it. Toross of Carnoin."

I shuffle with my weapon and shake his hand. "Kar'Desh. A pleasure to make your acquaintance councilor."

"Much to my surprise, the feeling is mutual. Your conversations are more stimulating than I would have ever expected."
I certainly don't appreciate being told I look like a fucking idiot, but it's always best to act unbothered by backhanded compliments.

This is as good an opportunity as I'll get. I laugh sheepishly before saying, "Believe it or not, I'm actually not the smartest in my family."
I lose my smile and face him with sincerity. "Would you consider allowing me a favour? My younger brother is currently stuck in Épicier territory where his potential will never be realized. Is it possible that he could take an apprenticeship under one of the guild's disciplines?"

"That would largely depend on him."
He proceeds to list out the list of requirements for an apprentice and the few teachers who would actually accept an elven apprentice. This is the real reason I approached him. Only another elf would help my brother and give me useful advice.

I bow to show my genuine gratitude. "Thank you councilor. It would break my heart to find my brother following my footsteps."

He nods. "My thoughts exactly."

With that out of the way, I can turn Toross against Nick. "Forgive me for holding out on you, but I believe I can trust you with this. I'm not certain, but-"

"Heretic."
For fuck's sake, why is Stoler here?