Jarod
`Lei Linas | The Keep Sempiternal`

The young inventor was happy to meet all the different salesmen in the area, right after he finished setting up his mobile home, which came in the form of a large carriage, he jumped straight into mingling with the other shop keepers. He was more than eager to learn from them and to show them some of his own inventions that he believed might interest or benefit them.
Ronald
**Selène de Lysse - The Keep Sempiternal**

The guards guided Cornelius to the observation vault: a stone cold circular chamber, with a trio of glass windows arranged along one of it's sides.

Standing before the morning light was lady De Lysse, her gaze absorbed by the sight of the towns below.

Looking at Selène outside her divination bath, Cornelius could tell her aura had shifted. She wore no longer the airs of a pagan priestess, but that of Terresolian lady like any other. Only the crown of lilac twigs that rested on her head spoke to her former witch-like appearence.

"Or, Cornelius." She said. "You're finally here. Have you decided who will be your first target?"

**Jeanne de Lysse | town below the Keep Sempiternal**

"Halt!"

A female voice called to Linas from behind the carriage. He turned his head to see a young woman riding atop a white mare. She was an unusual sight: a weird mix of refined lady and tomboyish theatrical character.

Her hear, dirty white like the ashes of a recent fire, was cut below her ears and twisted in a series of soft curls. Her mullberry eyes shone with the rich depth of tourmaline and the luster of ancient wine.
By contrast, her clothing was simplistic and rugged: knee-high boots, riding trousers, and a white blouse with purple embroidery that didn't even match the color of her eyes.

"What is that, young serf?" She asked, pointing her finger at the mechanisms that slaved the wheels to Lei's carriage.
Jarod
`Lei Linas | Towns below the Keep Sempiternal `

Lei froze and stiffened in stature as soon as he heard the commanding voice call out to him. Was it him she was talking to? He wasnt sure but he did not want to anger anyone as he had just arrived here. 

He cautiously turned to look up at the strong woman a top her noble steed, raising his hands up just up to the level of his shoulders to show he meant no harm. 

"Oh, those? They're suspensions." He looked back towards the expertly crafted metal systems that composed the wheels. "They also store potential energy while on the move, it makes long trips easier for my hoarses. " He smiled proudly.
Ronald
**Jeanne de Lysse | Serpentown**

It was always good to see shitbloods show proper respect. Were it only for the way her family treated her, Jeanne would've forgotten by now that she was a breed above everyone else.

"Where do these wheels store the energy?"

Something about the way the young man described the contraption made Jeanne think he might be taking her for a fool.
Jarod
Lei Linas | Serpentown

He lowered his hands to his sides and pointed over towards some mechanisms in the wheel itself. "When the cart its moving the horse wont need to pull the weight of the cart as much. In a way the horse just gets the momentum started for the carriage to start. After that it will keep running forward as long as it's on a leveled surface. " 

He patted the golden brown fur of his steed happily and gave him a rub behind the ears. The horse wiggled his ears in response to Lei's touch and looked towards him. "Wouldn't want to put too much pressure on the horses to keep working so hard. That would just tire them out faster since my carriage is pretty heavy. " He looked back at her and smiled. 

"Its nice to meet you Ma'am. My name is Lei Linas. I'm a new inventor around these parts."
Ronald
**Jeanne de Lysse | Serpentown**

Ma'am...

This shitblood had called Ma'am. Jeanne had to muster all her willpower to avoid letting her rage slip trough her expressionless facade.

"Aah... Yes... So you turned your carriage into a rope machine?"

Now that was interesting. Jeanne was not blind to the concerns of her family, and she knew a war was coming. This invention could be adapted to move war machines to the battlefields, and House de Lysse loved war machines. If she could somehow take credit for this young man's idea...

"My name is Jeanne de Lysse. First daughter of Marquis Cyprien de Lysse, lord of the Keep Sempiternal you see above you," She pointed towards the castle sculpted on the mountainside. "And sworn protector of these lands. I'd be glad to invite such a brilliant craftsman to benefit from my patronage."
John
**Cornelius - The Keep Sempiternal**

Cornelius looked far more rested than he was just hours before. The lilac circles beneath his eyes had all but disappeared in their entirety, and he walked far straighter with far less effort. 
He'd pondered greatly who his first target would be. He was familiar with the house Kolgrim, even of only a little. Some archive or library would no doubt have record that he could further educate himself with. Going after the Koern was a sure way to have his head mounted neatly on a pike by sundown. John de Burgh, however, perplexed him. Reputations both precede one and deceive those affected by them. The thought of documenting a literal living legend was of no small allure to Cornelius.

It was only a second or two before Cornelius responded in kind to the Lady de Lysse.

"I'd be lying if I said I liked the cold over Sol's relatively temperate weather. As per your recommendation, I am more than thrilled to begin with the Kolgrim. Might I inquire as to where you keep your library? I did read something of the house, but I know little else besides the name."
Ronald
**Selene de Lysse | The Keep Sempiternal**

"I'm surprised that you aren't already familiar with the aristocracy of Sol," Selene frowned in disapproval. "And I'm afraid that since our library belongs to my husband, the archives are tightly sealed in his absence to prevent espionnage. Under normal circumstances you would've been granted access, but with the threat of Northwind's invasion looming over the horizon, I'm afraid you'll have to aquire information in the city of Sol itself."
Jarod
Lei Linas | Serpentown

Lei nodded in response to her comparison. It wasn't much of something to do with ropes since he used a much more durable material in place of the falamable fibers of rope.

When he learned of her blood line he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh! My apologies, my Lady. " He bowed respectfully. He was absolutely thrilled to hear that she was interested in his innovations. He couldnt help but smile joyously. "I would be so honored, I'm so happy to hear that you like my work."
John
**Cornelius - The Keep Sempiternal**

"This is a rare moment of embarrassment for me, and I do hope you forgive me for my state of unpreparedness, but I've aquatinted myself quite well with Sol's libraries."

The man kept a hand on the serpent coin in his pocket, fiddling with it as he paced about in front of the doorway.

"Is this the part where I ask boldly for a horse and some furs for my trip back south, lest I freeze to death on the way?"
Ronald
**Jeanne de Lysse | The Keep Sempiternal**

"Follow me then, I'd be glad to have you as _my_ guest."

Jeanne rode alongside Lei's carriage until they reached the fortress' drawbridge. Once there, they dismounted, and the young lady led the blacksmith into the ornate halls of the Keep Sempiternal.

Like Cornelius before him, Linas got to admire the wide halls and tunnels, the marbled walls and columns, the paintings, the sculptures, the chandeliers, and other ornaments. Eventually, Jeanne led him to a small chamber, and told him to make himself comfortable.

"You wish to apply for my patronage, but an evaluation is first required. As such, make yourself comfortable in this room and await our seneschal. If you need anything, just slide this trough the door."

She gave Linas a silver mirror-coin. Like the one she had given cornelius before, it bore the symbol of a snake underneath it's polished facade.

**Selene de Lysse | The Keep Sempiternal**

Lady de Lysse chuckled.

"Of course," She whispered. Selene swept the silver coin from Cornelius' fingers. "No matter your desires... _the master provides._"

Aand indeed... A black stallion and a fur cloak, made from strange Nordish animal, were provided to Cornelius. As the sentiels from the Keep Sempiternal sent off the young man, Lady de Lysse threw her lilac crown to the freezing waters under the drawbridge.
Lilacs... How could she have a crown of lilacs before the end of winter?

It didn't matter, in any case, his hunt had begun.
John
**Cornelius - The Keep Sempiternal**

He was slightly weirded out by the Lady's rhetoric, but Cornelius payed it little mind. He performed a perfect bow before exiting.

"I must beg my leave," He said.

Upon navigating his way out of the keep, he was surprised to see that a horse and furs were prepared for him in such short time, literally in between his speaking to Lady Selene and walking outside. Cornelius was going to inquire about this later. With a *Hyah!* Cornelius left the keep behind on the horseback, and in due time, he'd arrive in Sol.
Jarod
Lei Linas | Serpentown

Lei could hardly contain his excitement at this moment. He was doing his best not to let any flames leave him but it was proving to be difficult since he has never been personally invited by a noble house before. Today must have been his lucky day. Unfortunately, the innocent inventor had no clue of her true intentions. 

He was quick to pack in his carriage and depart with her towards her home. The sheer size alone of the towers of brick and stone up close made The young man grin from ear to ear. The castle interiors were just as grand as soon as he stepped foot inside. He took in as much of the royal interiors, taking metal notes of the intricate designs and styles of the architecture, as well as the knights armor. 

"Yes, of course." He nodded eagerly. "I will not disappoint you." He responded ecstatically. 

He looked down at the coin curiously and studied it carefully, feeling his index finger over the fine engravings on the metal face of the small token. 

"Thank you, Madam."
Ronald
**The Keep Sempiternal, and it's seneschal.**

Not long after Jeanne left, a man in black came into the room. He was tall and slender, but carried an aura of inconspicousness whenever he went. Like Jeanne, he had white hair, but unlike the young woman's, his was the clear and unsophisticated product of age. The only grey was in his eyes, yet they managed to be just as piercing as the young lady's, if not more.

"Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Jeaques Renart l' Hivert, seneschal of the Keep Sempiternal."

He bowed gracefully to Linas.

"I am here to carry out a short examination, with your permission, of course."