Ora
Arin Cragton
Mizzen Market

Arin scratched the back of his head, thinking. 

"Last thing I remember them saying was they were on watch for the joust for the entire night. Maybe they are watching the stables, or somewhere nearby." He said, thinking. There was no way to know for certain. 

"If you can help, that would be much easier. I just don't know how you would." He said, stretching his legs out. The ache hadn't left his muscles yet, and as he rolled the coin again he could feel his fingers straining to keep up. 

He reached into his bag and pulled out a dagger and twirled it. "I have a blade, but the only thing I'm missing is a target." He said softly, before looking at Vik. 

"Forgot I had it until just then. Pays to be a pirate." He said with a grin.
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

Amusement bloomed on her face as she watched the tall men struggle, shocked by her statement when someone interjected in their conversation. Speaking of prostitutes... The woman did apparently nothing to hide her intentions, in a way that made her, in Calypso's opinion, look rather sleazy and desperate. But the Themerre lady kept her amused smile fixed on her face, a seemingly judgment-free expression, something that the other woman didn't even attempt to do, or was incapable of as she sent a cutting glare at Calypso with her pretty eyes. Was it just islander's culture to keep their feelings on their sleeves? 

Calypso didn't move when the woman ( she didn't even introduce herself, how rude.) started to drag a confused and defeated Bastian towards the dance floor. Not a huge loss honestly, since she and the Young lord were having quite the discussion, she really would not have intervened... If it wasn't for that smirk. That little detail didn't exactly sit right in Calypso's chest. Someone needed to be reminded of their place, when suddenly she noticed how conveniently long was the train of the woman's dress. 

Calypso turned her back to the couple waiting till the last moment and then stabbed her heel in the fabric. 
The temmerre woman didn't even need to turn around to know what the outcome was, a girlish yelp, followed by crushing glass and many gasps assuring her the success in her attempt. She swiftly disappeared between the crowd, and reappeared, like an elegant shadow, right beside Bastian, gently gripping his arm and pulling him away before he could lean down and help the girl. She was covered in dark red wine from the glasses she had hit when falling. Undoubtedly it was going to be a pain to clean. Calypso looked down at the other woman the same way a cat would look at a dead bug: Bored and unimpressed. "Careful where you walk dear..." Murmured Calypso at the tear-stained face of the woman as she pulled Bastian to a safe distance. Walking away, like she had not a single worry or fault.


Amusement pouring out of her "I think my debt is repaid. " Said her, not attempt to hide how pleased with herself she was. The Lady let go of Bastian's arm only once they were far enough from the commotion, sipping gracefully from her cristal glass. " Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find another dance partner pretty easily."
Cedric
Bastien de Lysse
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

Bastien's mind whirled to try to keep up with the rapid events that occurred. The woman whose name he did not know grabbed his arm and pulled him to dance. Then he watched as she tripped over, crashed into an attendant, and sent both herself and the attendant sprawling to the floor.

Before he could even try to help the two, he felt another feminine arm grab hold of him and pull him in another direction. *'Another Islander woman?'* He wondered numbly as he turned to see. No. It was Calypso, looking like the cat who got the cream. Perhaps she thought it was funny what happened to that poor woman. He supposed it might seem amusing to others, but it wasn't particularly to him. Especially because the woman was crying. A pretty woman's tears always muddled Bastien's mind, and his thoughts were already fogged by liquor.

After a few moments the shock of the situation wore off on Bastien. He turned to Calypso. She sipped out of her glass delicately, her expression amused. His mind was elsewhere for the fast few seconds, and he hadn't heard the dry remarks she had made. All he knew was that she quickly stepped in and took him from the grasp of another woman, then looked very satisfied with herself after doing so. It confused him. *She* Confused him.

"Do you like me?" He heard himself asking her as he stared down at her with a perplexed expression. His cheeks were still a bit flushed, and his head tilted slightly to the side as he studied her. "Or don't you? At this point I honestly cannot say I know."
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

Calypso nearly choked, somehow managing to not simply spit the small sip of alcohol on her feet. The question came out of absolutely nowhere. She looked up at Bastian with wide eyes, as if he had grown another head. "What?" Spat her wiping her lower lip as lady-like as possible. 

She looked at the man up and down, she had the suspicion that Bastien might be tipsy but now she wondered if he wasn't outright drunk. 
She considered her options for a second. "I don't see how my feelings towards you are of any relevance " Answered with a small wicked smile that grows slowly on her lips. "Let's say that I don't have hard feelings towards you." And took another small sip, the glass never seeming to even slightly empty. "But I believe there is still plenty of time for me to decide." Teased her with a chuckle, shaking her head graciously, dark curls bouncing in the air.

"Do you like me?" Asked her straightforward, a dark eyebrow arced on her forehead "Is only fair for me to know as well... Although I have the feeling that I might already know the answer..." Spoke her enigmatic, looking at him from under her dark lashes
Cedric
Bastien de Lysse
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

The quiet chuckle that passed Bastien's lips as Calypso's impish smile was hard to hear at first, but as she returned the question and fluttered her eyelashes at him, the deep laugh became more audible as he raised a hand to cover his mouth in an attempt to muffle it. He found it quite funny, her elusive and vague response to his extremely direct question. And then she turned the question back around, all the while purposefully looking so feminine and charming. And she went so far as to say she believed she knew the answer. Even when drunk, Bastien still had a good deal of his wits about him. He knew Calypso, and he knew that she was an opportunist. She wanted to see what he would do.

"Ohh, that was good," He said as he finally toned down his laughter, wiping a teary eye with a ringed finger. "Ahh, I haven't laughed like that in quite a while. You never change, do you, Calypso?" The way he said her first name was not the normal, drawn out way he usually said it. This time, it was almost as if it came naturally to him. After a few more deep chuckles before he cleared his throat. He willed himself not to laugh again, but the entertained smile remained on his lips as he offered her his hand. "Dare I ask if you like me enough to dance with me? Or do you still hate me because of the exquisite and expensive, though admittedly... *Exotically* Cut, dress I bought you?"
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

Well... That was not the reaction she had expected. For a moment, Calypso's mind traveled back in time, thinking about all the interactions she and her employer had exchanged in the past month. And as she had suspected, not once she had seen Bastian laugh. Maybe smirk, letting out a breathy chuckle at best. But never had she seen an actual smile on his lips. A contagious one too, as she found herself snicker along, shaking her head. 

The invitation to dance was actually something she had predicted, it was probably the reason Bastian had approached her in the first place, although maybe not phrased like that. Another time, Calypso would have snapped back, or refused... But that smile stretched on usually frowning lips... Something in her wishes to see more of it. Dark eyes squinted playfully at the tall man "You are getting a little too comfortable with compliments my lord." Her voice lacking any bite or bitterness as she let her hand rest on his. "But Hate is a strong word, at least you and many others agree on the fact that it suits me. '' which, admittedly, did stroke her ego... Just a bit. " And I suppose that a dance is the least I can offer as my gift to the winner of The Tournament, oh noble Raven." Mocked her, giving his larger hand a little squeeze. 

She let him guide her towards the dance floor "Other than my protection against the far too willing young ladies that seem to never chase to surround you like bees around a flower. " A light giggle dancing on her lips as she spotted the many glares from the so-called Bees.
Elissa
Peraz Dumagne
The Ball, Maith Mansion

Peraz caught sight of Samsom going off with the king's Azaryan... Pet? She knew of her brother's struggle with his identity growing up and she feared a talk with that man might set his head spinning once more. Internally, she prayed for her brother's strength in mind. She had met precious few Azaryans but she knew they could be a tricksy people.

Her mind was brought back to the present conversation with the introduction of the young De Lysse girl. Peraz smiled at her and bowed her head, the pearl chains of her kemenike clinking together as she did.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lady De Lysse. My lord-brother is tired from travel, I do hope you forgive his unfortunate disposition." She said to the young girl. The lady saw a lot of Bastien in his sister.

Peraz found her fingers fiddling with a thread of undone embroidery under the table as she contemplated her brother and Cyprien's talk of reinforcements.

"Brother, perhaps sending some small amounts of reinforcements could not hurt? If only to bring some ease to De Lysse's anxiety?"
Rhonda
A Few Dwyer Men in a Row Boat
Off the Coast of Tardide

Goodine-Wallaice picked at his teeth with his pinky nail, watching as another raven was loosed from the clearing on the far side of the island. Scouts had reported that a group of Northerners had set up camp on the side of the island. Molly sat across from him, cranking his instrument and clicking the keys to create a somber, salty tune. 

"Would you be quiet?" He said, narrowing his eyes as the black bird stood out against the bright white sky. "They'll 'ear us." 

"No," Molly said, curtly. "Music 'elps the boy relax, be_sides_ you 'ear 'em singin'? It's not exactly a _secret_ 'ideout, issit? The Fat Lord 'ad reports of it, but 'e dismissed it as folly. But then they started trading with the forest clans and landlovers. Reports came in then, too. That's why we're 'ere, to see if they're a fhreat. Now look..."

As if by reflex the boy, a skinny Janai named Pail, notched and fired a a pale cedar arrow, sinking deep into the breast of the bird. It squawked loudly and burst into a puff of inky feathers before falling to the water. 

"Good job, lad." Molly said, reaching into his pouch to grab an orange. He tossed it over to the boy, who snatched it out of the air with one hand and began to unpeel it. 

Molly set the hurdy gurdy on the ground beneath his seat and took up the oars, bobbing across the waves to collect it. When he plucked it from the brine, it was dripping pink water. Goodwine Grasped for the bird, squeezing it in a scarred brown hand, before unrolling the parchment attached to it's skinny black leg.

"But everyone's already _seen_ them." Goodwine rasped, annoyed. "And they do is sing, and pound together log cabins, send incomprehensible Northern..." The seadog's eyes scanned over the writing and rolled his eyes, "Gah!" He shouted, crumpling the letter up into a ball and tossing it across the rowboat.

It looked like the rest, and he was illiterate besides.

But before it could reach Molly, a skinny arm snatched the ball from the air, unrolling it in the same way he did the orange.

"It's in Common," Pail said.
Felicia
```Cyprien de Lysse
Maith Mansion```

"With all due respect my lady, I do not believe 'some' reinforcements will be enough. De Burgh's has amassed an army that surpasses in number that of two thirds of Terresol combined. The forces of House Lane cannot hope to stop them, let alone our own. Even if you were to lend every single soldier at the service of House Dumagne, we'd still be at a disadvantage."

Cyprien kept his gaze fixed on Peraz. Lutur might take offense, but necessity forced him to appeal to the Dragon of Falsa.

"We need to call the Archons. The northern tyrant is not mustering for a mere raid or invasion. He's preparing for conquest. If he triumphs here, it won't make a difference who sits on the Throne of Terresol."

Cyprien paused.

"I do not ask to leave your lands undefended. All I ask of you is to send enough troops to prompt the other Archonates to do the same... More than half, perhaps. We need to muster as a nation, not as coalition of Houses."
Dustin
Striðsfaæddur encampment

It was late. The civillian half of the clans had gone to sleep and the air was as quiet as you could getnin the tropics. The warriors, however... Many were still awake. They were anxious, Dagstygg Jarl suddenly threw the announcement upon them that the wise woman had visions of war fast approaching. Some where eager to begin the bloodshed, other were less enthuseastic. A small group of Berserkir were somewhat in sight, eating something. What that may be was uncertain, but they were eating from a hollowed out bear skull. These men were positively strange, they were clean, but strangely unshaven. They wore bear pelts, and had missing teeth in a few cases. The shields they sat with bore bite marks around the edges. They could be heard speaking amoungst themselves in their strange native tongue.

"Jarlinn trúir því að stríð sé yfir okkur. Eða meira, Völva gerir þa."

"Myndir þú telja þig tilbúinn?"

"Kallar þú mig hugleysingja?"



Do you consider yourself ready?



*The two men both stop and stare at eachother with a piercing gaze as if about to spill blood, before suddenly beginning to laugh*
Rhonda
The Few Dwyer Men in the Rowboat
Off the Coast of Tardide

Under the cover of darkness, the three men sail out further into sea.

"If they're sending everything away on ships, can't we just burn 'em?" Molly said.

Goodwine Wallace shrugged, "Someone should."
Dustin
*The third Berserkir seemed less impressed, an expression crossed his face as he gripped his axe. He grabbed the two other warriors and launched himself onto his feet. Splash... Splash... Splash...*

"Þögn, fífl! Heyrirðu það?..."


"Örur?"


*The three suddenly remembered not a single Drakkar ship has left yet. There should be no oarsmen at work. 

The totem warriors rushed from the woodland out towards the shore. They tie a small cloth around an arrow and light it ablaze, launching it in the direction of the noise... Briefly illuminating the row boat.

One of the Berserkir pull out a Gjallarhorn and blow into it, the war horn rattling through the men at sea*
Terence
Tiny Vik
The Mizzer Market, Tonate Proper

"How did I help your bones heal?  How did I travel to Tonate from Terresol in a day?  *Magic*,  my dear boy."  Vik finished his stew, placing his spoon down on one side before letting out a quiet burp.

"In fact, I could find these men quite easily, however there is a price."  The immortal words flowed out automatically.

"It's a rule I can't defy, unfortunately.  In order to find these men, it will cost you a year of your life."  He stopped talking completely after that, not even giggling, wanting the news to sink in fully for Arin.
Cedric
Bastien de Lysse
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

"Me? Comfortable?" Bastien was pleased to see that she was no longer irritated at him. He didn't know if laughing at her antics would make her more angry with him, but it seemed to have made her mood lighten. "You forget to whom you speak, Lady Kolgrim." In fact, Bastien did seem a good deal comfortable, much more so than he did when he was sullen and sober.

The music in the Isles was different than it was in the North, but Bastien didn't take much notice of it. As little as he was seen dancing at balls or other events (much less attending them), his steps were light and elegant as he began to lead the waltz. He then seemed to register her comment about the women, and the faint smile on his face turned into a forced one showing irritation. "It's not new, I'm afraid," He told her as he glanced around. Women were watching him from every angle, it seemed. Eyes and eyes and eyes and more eyes. Alert and waiting. Oh, how he hated the eyes. He felt a cold chill run down his back, and turned back to Calypso. "Though the 'buzzing' of said bees seems to be greatly amplified at the moment."

He stared down at her and noticed that her dress was rather revealing from this angle. His eyes trailed away from her, as if he was trying not to draw attention to his subconscious staring, as he asked, "I've been curious to know this, but for some reason I haven't asked you: Where do you want yourself to be in the future?" He looked back at her, this time at her face. "I'm aware you don't want to be my sister's lady-in-waiting for the rest of your life, nor should you. But I feel that you have a goal in mind. I know you're a woman with big aspirations."
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion


It didn't take long for them to fall into the rhythm of the music, as both of them seemed quite experienced, Calypso movements, at least, were for sure. Her mother had made sure that the social life of her only daughter was full of events and balls, making it in her best efforts to make sure that Calypso would be accepted in the higher circles. Now that she thought about it, Calypso had Never seen Bastian in Sol, not even when she was younger. 

The lady opened her mouth wanting to ask about it, where the elusive young lord had been hiding during their youth? But Bastien beat her to it, expressing his own curiosity towards her. But where calypso was curious about his past, Bastian wanted to know about her future, her aspirations. Not many had asked her this. 

She chuckled, playing off her surprise "Is that so?" Playfulness ringing in her voice "What gave me away? The fact that I offered you blackmailing materials when first met, or was it my attempt to get in the king's grace with my gifts?" She was still a bit upset that he had not been present to see it, wondering what his reaction might have been. "I don't think your father will ever forgive me that one." Laughed her remembering the offending face on the lord's face, serves him right for calling her a maid.

"My goal..." Murmured her, looking up at the sky as if thinking about it "I want to secure myself a place in life and society. Put the Kolgrim name back on its feet and do it with my own hands. " There was a firmer undertone in her voice now. 

A sigh escaped her lips. " After my father's death, The natural course of action would have been to marry rich, to secure myself a good life." Her eyes dropped down between them for a moment " But that would leave me with the eternal handicap of a husband and the duty to give him children... Which doesn't excite me." She groaned the last words "I like my independence too much..." 

She looked up at him with a smile, a gentle one, absent of the usual sharpness that decorated her features "I suppose I have to thank you for having saved me from such fate. " It was hard to admit but she owed the man a lot more than just the money for the dress.
Cedric
Bastien de Lysse
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

Calypso's slender fingers moved slightly in his hand as they danced, the music in the background growing a bit dim as Bastien focused on what she was saying. Her hand, he had noticed immediately, was pleasantly warm in his. He usually had cold hands.

An amused exhale escaped him at the reminder of her offer of blackmail, and he saw a flicker of disappointment cross her face after she mentioned giving the Pirate King her gifts. He hadn't been there to witness it, so he was unsure as to why she would be disappointed over such a well-received offering. He heard her thanks, but didn't acknowledge it with words. He only gave her a small smile. He knew that he hadn't saved her from such a fate: she was more than capable of saving herself.

"Ah yes, the defect of marriage," He said with a sigh. "It seems to be troublesome for both parties involved. The man is pressured to have an heir, and the woman is pressured to give him one." He thought for a moment as they turned in their waltz. "However, I do agree a woman does have more expectations put on her from societal pressure, to find a husband. And normally, she doesn't have much say in the matter." A dry chuckle passed his lips as he smiled at her with little humor. "My father both wants me to wed while simultaneously not believing anyone to be a suitable match."

He lowered his voice and stepped slightly closer to her, as if he was disclosing a secret. "Not that he could ever make me marry, in the event he somehow did find a woman he deemed worthy. I'm set on being a bachelor for the rest of my life, thank you."
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

Calypso couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth curl up in a smile, Her chuckle was light, and laced with a hum of amusement at the matter. "Who knows, maybe your father is having a hard time finding someone, not so much as worth it, but who would actually be capable of tolerating your presence for more than an hour!" Commented her but the little jab lacked any venom. "I don't know if you realized that my lord but you aren't the easiest person to get along with ." Inquired her with a quirk of her eyebrows. 

The newfound closeness didn't bother her as much as it might have had some time ago, She had learned by now that the young lord was far from being a threat. Actually, she leaned forward as well, mischief dancing in her eyes " Is that why I have never seen you in Sol during my youth?" Asked her, finally voicing her curiosity, murmuring her words as if they were exchanging some important secret "Was your father hiding you away in fear that some lovely bright-eyed lady might steal you away?" The suggestion didn't sound too crazy.

She remembered, back in her forming years, how the De Lysse name was on the mouth of everyone. At each large event, her mother would excitedly ask her father Lord Kolgrim if the famous family would be present. To which, every time, he would simply shrug and say "We will see." But if they did appear, The Heir of the house was always absent, to the Point that Calypso had started wondering if he was even real. And now, she was dancing with him in the Southern Isles. Oh, how proud her mother would be.
Cedric
Bastien de Lysse
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

An eyebrow rose at her jab at his personality. *'You seem to enjoy yourself when you're around me,'* He wanted to dryly remark. But he kept that comment to himself, and instead replied with a flat, though rather agreeable, "Damn." He squeezed her hands as he gave her a slight squint with no real malice. "And you say *I'm* The one getting too comfortable."

His gaze changed as he heard her murmured question, seeing the interest in her eyes. He was quiet for a few moments as they continued to waltz, studying her. Was it for the gossip of knowing where he was, or was it due to a genuine curiosity of his childhood? He couldn't tell. With a shrug of the shoulders and a faint smile, he replied in a nonchalant manner, "Perhaps."
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
On the grand balcony of Maith mansion

Another laugh danced out of her red lips at the little comment, feeling her hand getting lightly squeezed in his, between those cold fingers, helped bring her back "I'm just trying to have a good time my lord and you still have to reprimand me about my attitude but have no worry you are never too late!" Chuckled her following his steps, matching his speed with every twist. *" Back straight and chin up."* She heard the voice of her mother in her head correcting her posture, making sure that her daughter could look effortlessly elegant.

 "Although if my way of talking is bothering you, I can try to keep my voice for myself and let you enjoy how the... How was it that you described it." Her eyes wandered for a moment pondering on how to best express it "Ah yes the exotic and expensive, though admittedly exquisitely cut of my dress decorates me." A smug smile creeping up on her lips. 

And for a long moment, it seemed like she was actually going to do it. Shut her mouth and let the conversation die. Like when she had stepped away, at the market, when Bastian had insinuated that she enjoyed their exchange of brief physical touch. Only to see his face crumble when she distanced from him. It was a cruel little game but it amused her to see the young man being so transparent about his feelings. 

"My father would do the same thing." Her eyes did not meet Those of Bastien this time, staring at an empty spot in space " Whenever he had something he wanted to conceal but not deny he would simply shrug " And raised his shoulders imitating the movement " And said something diplomatic like Perhaps or We will see. " Chuckled her, despite everything the thought of the man still brought fondness to her. "So maybe your father didn't lock you away... Does that mean that you actively choose to isolate yourself?" Asked her with a quirk of an eyebrow.

The temerre lady's mind provided her with the image of a younger Bastian, wandering in the cold, stone corridors of the Keep, bearing that usual bored and unimpressed expression. "Was the idea of meeting other people outside of your family so painful to you?" Teased her, she highly doubted that the answer would be yes.
Dean
Fleur De Lysse
The Maith Mansion

Fleur sucked in a breath, jaw clenching in the presence of the unpleasant man. It felt as if her blood had began to boil, her face growing hotter as the anger welled. Fleur didn't really know the importance of the man, but it hadn't mattered much to her at that moment either. Someone's importance does not warrant a nasty disposition, Fleur had learned early on from her books. Those who were callous and cold to their people often ended up hated or alone. It made Fleur wonder if the boy was either. 

The only thing that allowed herself to simmer was the calm voice of the other woman as she was addressed. Fleur let out a held in breath, jaw softening as her features did. Though, it was short lived, as the man continued to insult her family. 

"Do you like to read, Lady Peraz? I enjoy it very much. Bastien always brings me back a new book from his travels, I basically have my own library at the keep. A lot of them have some really great leaders, who are exceptionally kind as well as strong. The ones who are not don't seem to fare very well, I'm afraid." 

Fleur's eyes shifted momentarily towards the cold man. Although it wasn't quite an insult, more of the child expressing her thoughts in a way that wouldn't get her as harshly scolded from her father. She, of course, was trying to avoid any tantrum or problem to cause her father to not want to bring her away from the keep again.

As Lutur had told Lady Peraz to go away, Fleur quietly and politely excused herself away from her father, moving to instead go to find Bastien or Calypso to express her boiling discontent, in an attempt to calm herself down. Perhaps she would be able to speak to Lady Peraz again later on. Fleur thought she was quite pretty.