Missteps V.2

Chapter 26 – Storytime

If it wasn't so funny, Kerri would have felt sorry for Carric and Elaine. Carric and Elaine had been put to work from the minute they'd arrived at the guild that morning. Carric drove a covered wagon that people took shifts sleeping in, and Kerri had made the mistake of telling her new mentor, Master Xayoe Recklenton, that Elaine was amazing at sewing. Now the cleric sat in the back of a wagon with three other guild members as they tried to sew costumes.

Due to some incidents during rehearsal (drama between members), almost the entire schedule for the welcome party had to be redone. This was in addition to the destroyed props and stage materials by weird creatures that had scaled the wall during the night before. Trying to capture them had resulted in some injuries to performers and instruments. No one had gotten much sleep that night, and the resulting mess meant no one had gotten sleep since.

Kerri grinned as she relaxed in her seat at the head of Elaine's cart. Ahead of them, the young bard could hear Xayoe lead a few singers in practice. Before she'd left home, her father had told Kerri to go see Master Xayoe at the first opportunity. Back in the day, Xayoe had been part of the Lirathan entertainer's guild, and a good friend of her father's. The older woman had left the guild to become an adventurer, and settled down years later in Lorbridge at the guild.

When Kerri arrived, Xayoe was waiting for her, a letter for Kerri from her father in hand. Over the past three months, Kerri had learned a lot from Xayoe about the life of an adventurer, and about a Bard's role in the world.

Before, Kerri thought that a bard's only role was to entertain people through stories and songs. They just were another facet of the entertainer's guild like the actresses, singers, and acrobats. To a layman, any individual who could carry a tune and play an instrument might be considered a bard. However, to actually be able to call yourself a bard, required the ability to inject magic into their performances. A true bard, could hear the melodic beats of magic as it coursed through the air and thumped in the ground, or hear its soft whistle through the trees. Kerri herself could recall letting the rhythm of a room dictate the music she played as she felt the beat throughout her body. To be a bard, meant to take the magic within themselves, and then weave it out in such a way that the world at large could enjoy it.

That is only the beginning of a bard's role. Xayoe's greatest lesson was that a bard is a storyteller, first and foremost. They tell stories so they are not forgotten. Paper crumbles, memories fade, but a story and a song live on in each new person who hears it. The gods didn't create the world just for it to be forgotten, they are far too vain for that. They created it to show off their power, to prove that they deserve to be worshipped. Bards feed off that vanity and use to remind the world of itself. Every lesson Xayoe would regal Kerri and her other pupils with stories of her adventures. Tales of heroic deeds performed by her and her party members, deadly battles they fought. The stories that resonated the most with Kerri, were the ones of the lost settlements, villages, and people that their party encountered. Groups who stories were lost to the world either through design or time. It was a fate Kerri wished to avoid for herself.

Seeing that Kerri only had a few months, Xayoe set up special lessons for Kerri. These lessons weren't about music, these lessons were about survival. Kerri would spend days in different types of armor, as she trained with new and unfamiliar weapons. She was coached in how to cast a spell in the middle of combat, and how to use her magic to help her allies. If Kerri was going to travel to dangerous areas, then Xayoe was going to make sure she came back alive.

Before training could start, Xayoe had been adamant that Kerri tell her the truth. So, Kerri showed the mark on her back to Xayoe, and told her the same thing she'd told Ander. She saw something she shouldn't have, and that the mark forced her into silence.

Xayoe silently traced the mark, before she turned to Kerri around to face her. The half-elven woman's dark face was stone as her amber eyes narrowed and focused on Kerri. Involuntarily Kerri gulped.

"Kerri, I've been around a long time, long enough to know when even the greatest are lying to me. You are not one of the greats." Xayoe stood up and began the process of making tea. "Years ago, when I was still new to the world of adventuring, I met another bard, a gnome in the middle of his life. Even then he'd already lived longer than I could ever dream of. I bought him some drinks, and he told me a story about a book."

Xayoe poured water into two cups, her back turned to Kerri. "Long ago, the goddess of secrets, Kincinnal, kept a journal of the most dangerous and destructive magics she'd come across. It was filled with spells and rituals born out of the darkest hearts of the mortal realm. She kept this journal by her side always, so that no one else may ever see its contents. But then she was attacked by Zhagra, and forced into hiding. Her journal was secreted away by the goddess of the dead, Anawallane, deep in the depths of the Memoria Aula, the Library of the Gods. There it laid undisturbed, until an Attendant of the god of desire himself unearthed it."

Xayoe handed a cup to Kerri, and then settled down into a chair. "This Attendant had fallen in love with the Dwarven god Felarc. The problem was that Felarc was already in a relationship with Anabra, the goddess of time. By using the power contained within the journal, the Attendant tried to kill Anabra." The master bard chuckled. "Just imagine the sort of power that journal must contain for one to believe that they could kill a god, and one of the primordial gods at that." She shook her head and took a drink. Across from her, Kerri's cup still sat on the table untouched. She continued. "Of course Anabra easily killed the Attendant, and took the book for themselves. They held on to it for a time, but eventually showed it to their friend and fellow primordial god, Tissave. Tissave, being the god of magic, fate, and the cosmos, delighted in planting little seeds among the mortals that would bear fruit down the line and provide a good show for Anabra to view in time. So, he flung the book into the mortal realm."

A knot began to form in the pit of Kerri's stomach. "What happened to it next?"

The older woman gave a heavy sigh. "Exactly what Kincinnal had been afraid of: the mortal races used it to wreak havoc and pain on each other. Due to the book being in the hands of the gods for so long, it had developed its own sense of self in a way. It'd gained the ability to traverse worlds, always seeking new ways to add to itself. Those who possessed the book, were drawn deeper and deeper into the dark arts to discover its secrets."

Kerri had a gut feeling that she knew where this was going. "What does that have to do with me being a liar?"

"In certain circles, it's believed that the book is in our world. More specifically, Liratha." Xayoe looked up and locked eyes with Kerri. "In recent years, a necromancer has made himself useful enough to the Royal Family to be considered their friend. But of course, you would know more about him, seeing as you've met him."

Kerri couldn't meet Xayoe's eyes, but she felt herself give the tiniest of nods.

"Can I assume that you met through Maron?"

"Not directly." Kerri said hesitantly. She finally sat down her cup, took a large breath, and looked up. "I met him after I was approached by Maron's brother, Mervyn. He offered me a chance to marry Maron. While I was still thinking the offer over, I was approached by the man you're speaking of. He was human, and very handsome. He was dressed in a silk robe, and adorned with a multitude of jewelry. For all intents and purposes, he looked the part of a royal. There was an unsettling air about him, but he was kind."

Xayoe took a large drink of her tea. "Go on, what did he want?"

She sighed heavily and leaned back into the love seat. "I was upset about the offer. In order to marry Maron, I thought I'd have to give up my entire life. I loved Maron, but I didn't want to lose any more of myself than I already had. The man, Maccus Leigh, took me to his tower. I was so upset and confused, that I ignored the little voice in my head that told me to run away. He poured us some drinks, and we just sat there in silence in a little study. He didn't inquire as to what was wrong, he just sat in the chair across from me, sipping on his tea, and reading a piece of parchment that'd been lying on the table.

"We sat in silence for several minutes, but it didn't feel awkward or stressed. It was a relaxed silence, if that makes sense. I remember thinking that the tea was good. Finally, he looked up and asked me if I was feeling better. I shook my head and he kind of gave a sad smile." Kerri's gaze drifted away from Xayoe's. "I asked him why he'd brought me there, and he said he wanted to meet me. Wanted to meet the woman that made the Queen's veins pop. He gave a small chuckle as he said that, and then he explained that he was aware of the deal that the Prince had given me, and was curious as to my thoughts on it."

The young bard laughed. "I didn't have an answer for him. That was when he offered another deal. A deal that would allow me to marry Maron, and keep my life. I was naïve and confused enough to ask him what the deal was. He said all I had to do, was to do him a small favor. He'd had his eyes on me for a while, and believed that I was perfect for this job. I do this job, and I could marry Maron. I remember asking him why I should trust him. He grinned, and told me that he had the Queen wrapped around his finger, and that she'd honor the agreement. I didn't believe him, after all, he'd just told me about the Queen's veins popping. I told him as much, and he asked me to wait, and he left the room.

"When he returned about ten minutes later, the Queen was with him. She sneered when she saw me. Maccus walked over to me, took my arm, and gently guided me over to stand in front of her. He explained the offer he'd made me to her. Her eyes didn't lose their coldness, but she nodded." Kerri let out a shaky breath. "All I had to do was to deliver an artifact to him. It seemed like the answer to all of my problems. I wasn't aware of what kind of magic Maccus wielded, but he was powerful enough to sway the Queen. Agreeing to their terms was the worst decision of my life."

To her, Kerri wasn't in Xayoe's drawing room anymore. In her mind's eye, she was back in Liratha. "Maccus took me to the second floor of his tower, where a book sat on a pedestal in the middle of the room. It was covered in a black leather binding, and the aura it radiated made my skin crawl. Behind me he locked the trapdoor, and the only light came from the myriad of candles set into notches around the room. He pulled a chair from along the wall, and set it down next to the book. He instructed me to sit in it, backwards so that my back faced him. As soon as I sat down, I felt myself freeze. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, and my gaze was locked onto a single stone slab on the floor."

She took a shuddering breath as her hands wrung together in her lap. "Behind me, I felt him tear my shirt open. He exposed the full of my back, and started to wipe it. He explained that he was cleaning it, getting it ready. I had no idea what he was getting it ready for. His movements weren't sensual. They were methodical as he scrubbed and dried the area around my shoulder blades. I heard the book open, and the rustling of pages. He stopped, and I heard him walk away. He picked something up, and then walked back. He told me that it would hurt, but that it'd be over soon. He started chanting, and cut into my skin. The pain was intense, but I couldn't move, I couldn't scream, I couldn't react. I was stuck in my own body as he carved into me."

The mark on her back seared with pain. The more she talked, the worst the pain became. Xayoe moved so that she was kneeling on the ground next to the shaking girl. Kerri's brain screamed at her to stop talking, to stop the pain. Her heart on the other hand, urged her on, to finish telling the story. "I don't know how long it took for him to finish, but I didn't fall unconscious until after the chanting had stopped. When I woke up, I was lying in a lavish bad. Next to me, doing needlework was the Queen. When she saw that I was awake, a look of genuine surprise took over her face. She told me that I was the first one to survive the ceremony. I was too groggy to ask her how many had come before me. As I sat up, she went back to sewing, but continued talking. She told me that since I'd survived, I'd probably need to know the rest of what I'd signed up for. The mark is my key to finding the artifact, whatever it may be. She had no idea what it was, just that Maccus was desperate to get it. If I failed to get the artifact, then the mark would kill me. She had no idea how long I had to get it, after all no one had ever survived receiving it before. She did mention that she'd had Maccus add a spell to it. One that would bring me pain whenever I talked about it or the circumstances surrounding it. Every time I talked, the pain would get worse and worse. Too much and it'd kill me." Xayoe gasped.

Kerri shook her head and gave a weak smile. "This is only the second time I've talked about this, and I'm not sure if the first time counts since I mostly lied. The Queen informed me that she'd spread a rumor around that I'd been exiled, so that I could leave Liratha without anyone, especially Maron questioning me. In no uncertain terms, the Queen ordered me to leave Maron out of this. If I didn't, the agreement I'd just made would be null and void, and everything I'd signed up for would be for naught. After that, I was escorted home to pack quickly, and then put on a ship." Kerri sighed and ran a hand through her hair. The pain began to subside.

Xayoe reached out and grasped Kerri's shoulder. "Do you have any idea of where this artifact might be?"

Kerri shook her head. "No, and honestly I'm looking for anything that will help free me from this mark. If this mark did come from that book you were talking about, then I can't imagine that the artifact is anything good." She looked up into her mentor's eyes. "I want my life back."

Xayoe didn't say anything for a few minutes as she sat there and just processed everything she'd been told. Kerri paced around the room, filled with happy energy. It felt so good to finally be able to tell someone all of this. Finally the bard master answered. "You're determined to do this?"

Kerri shrugged. "Don't really have much of a choice, so I might as well make the best of it. Will you help?"

The older woman nodded. "As much as I can."

In the present, Xayoe made it abundantly clear that Kerri was not to interact with anyone from Liratha during the welcome party. As such, she'd been relegated to various behind-the-scenes jobs for the festivities.

The sun was already below the horizon as the caravan made its way into the capital city. Before the civil war, Silverbank had held the distinction of being the seat of power for the royals of old. Once upon a time the land underneath it could have been classified as a mountain, but so much stone had been carved out of it to build the city proper, that it was barely more than a glorified hill now. They'd left enough elevation so that a palace sat in the center and lorded over all below it.

Once the city had been separated by three rings of walls. Nobility and those of royal blood resided within the first ring that sat just below the palace. The second was relegated to the merchant classes and their shops. The final ring was where everyone else lived. During the course of the civil war, the third and second rings had been completely obliterated. The peasant and merchant classes had joined forces and rained their hatred down upon the nobility who'd kept them at bay. The first ring was never completely demolished, partly due to the still-active magic spells upon it, and partly to serve as a reminder. Even so, the ring's gaps became part of the streets over the past hundred years or so.

The palace itself still stands. Any damage it took during the war was fixed up afterwards, and now functions as the seat of the power for the Council of Six. The Council is made up of representatives from the six main cities in Marblebrooke: Lorbridge, Aleton, Esterwill, Osthom, Winter Horn, and Dayur. Silverbank itself has a representative, but that person is obligated to stay neutral on all matters, unless a tie needs breaking. This lack of representation is a topic of constant consternation for its citizens.

Another topic, is the town's lack of industry. Silverbank is very much a city of luxury and commerce. If you're looking for something particular, it'll probably be found there. There's a lot of craftsmen, but no raw materials. Places of industry were destroyed during the war, and instead of fixing or finding new locations, Silverbank relies on the cities under its watch to supply them with the raw materials; particularly Lorbridge and Aleton.

For the majority of the year, over half of the palace remains unoccupied. Only the audience chamber, guardhouse, kitchen, and first-floor guest rooms are in regular use. The audience chamber functions as a meeting room for the Council, and Silverbank affairs. The rest of the palace is locked up and considered off-limits. No official reason has ever been given for this. Many people say that the palace is haunted by the spirits of the slain nobles, while others think the Council just doesn't want to bother with maintaining an entire castle.

The welcome party for the Lirathan nobles was to be held in the main courtyard of the palace the following night. The caravan carried right on through town and set up camp in the guard's training field.

The next morning, everyone was up at the crack of dawn. Kerri headed out with a crew to help set up the stage and props. Elaine and the other seamstresses did final fittings for the performers, and Carric managed to sneak away. Before she was allowed to leave camp, Kerri had a very large wig and cloak thrust upon her by Xayoe. Luckily Kerri's group weren't the only ones bustling around the large courtyard getting everything ready for that night. They were called back later that afternoon so that they could dress for the occasion. That's when Kerri found out that she'd been drafted for the position of server. Xayoe personally did her makeup for her, making it heavier than Kerri preferred. The wig from before was exchanged for a new blonde one that was styled so as to give her heavy bangs. Kerri dressed in a simple black skirt, and white blouse. A blue sash was tied around her waist, to mark as a member of the guild if the need should arise.

Carric showed up right as Kerri and Elaine were about to leave for the palace. He wore neatly pressed dark blue trousers, shined boots, a dark red silk shirt, and a black leather jerkin that was tied at the waist with a black belt and golden clasp. His red hair had been combed back.

"Where did this come from?" Kerri asked as she circled the Ranger.

"Koe," Carric fidgeted with his pants. "Figured that since Koe does a lot of official work due to their job, they'd have something I could borrow. It was either this or the dress."

Elaine grinned. "I would have liked to the see the dress. Where's Shomma?"

"With Koe. We agreed that pets probably weren't allowed." He stowed his gear alongside the girls in a large trunk that was locked up.

"Good call." Elaine hugged her arms closer to her, feeling the cool night breeze on her skin. She wore a floor-length green linen dress, covered with a sheer skirt that had small beads sewn into it. The bodice was tightly laced in the back, showing off her figure, but not showing skin. The sleeves went down to just past her elbows, and a silver pin fastened a sheer white cape around her shoulders. The braids in her hair had been redone, and were gathered up in a ponytail that ended at her shoulder-blades. The only piece of jewelry she wore was her holy symbol. In her hands she was carried a small wrapped package with a letter attached to it.

Carric took the package from Elaine and gave it a soft squeeze as the three of them left the tent. "What did you end up going with?"

The cleric smiled mischievously. "A tablecloth, some mint and chamomile tea leaves, and an invitation to tea at the Lirathan Church."

Kerri laughed as they joined the rest of the guild procession to the palace. "Think they'll accept?"

Elaine shrugged. "Don't know, but now I've put the ball in their court."

Kerri separated from her friends shortly before they reached the main entrance of the palace, and instead entered through the servant's entrance. A tray laden with pork bites was thrust into her hands, and she was pushed out into the crowd.

As she circled the large courtyard, she had to admire the decorations. The courtyard itself was surrounded by a large wall, but care had been taken to ensure that the three large pine trees that were littered about the courtyard were untouched and healthy. Flowerbeds and benches were set up next to a large marble staircase that led up to the main entrance of the palace itself. Above the tall wooden double doors, a six-pointed shield with a blazing torch in the center was etched into the stonework.

Streamers of bright aqua and dark maroon, the colors of the Lirathan Royal Family, hung suspended against the gray outside of the palace. Little baubles of the same color scheme had been arranged on the pine trees. Standing tables covered with dark fabrics outlined a dance floor in the middle of the courtyard, above the crowd, small glass beads of light were strung overhead. Kerri recognized the light as being similar to one Elaine's light spells.

A six-piece band had been set up near the front. They mostly played light music, but did occasionally transition into more jaunty tunes as people started to occupy the dance floor. Later on in the night would be when the performances from the entertainment guild would take place.

Judging by the bits of conversation she was able to pick up as she glided from one group of hungry guests to another, most of the attendees were merchants. They were eager to speak with the Crown Prince and get certain trade deals that had expired and fallen to the wayside back up to snuff. Apparently taking care of their citizens was not the only thing the Royal Family was bad at.

Kerri pointedly stayed away from Maron and his brother. The last thing she wanted to do was cause trouble. She was successful, with some help from Elaine, in avoiding Maron, but less successful with his brother.

"So, you gave up a life of luxury, to serve food to your former lover?" The man had shoulder-length blonde hair that was white at the tips. His clean-shaven face was pinched and narrow, a contrast to his slightly bulging physique. He was dressed in white trousers, over which he layered a dark maroon silk jacket. Across his chest was an aqua sash. He reached out and took a lettuce cup from her tray.

"I have nothing to say to you, Mervyn." Kerri tucked her now empty tray under her arm and turned to leave. Mervyn gracefully slid into her path.

"I do believe you meant to say 'Prince Mervyn', or 'Your Majesty'. I'll accept both." He smiled sweetly at her. He was only an inch taller than her.

Kerri took a moment to consider her next words. "From what I hear, even goats are acceptable as long as they follow orders." Kerri grinned as her words registered.

"That is a lie!" Mervyn spat out through gritted teeth. He reached out and grabbed Kerri's arm, pulling her closer to him. "Who did you hear that from? Who started that nasty rumor?" Mervyn's eyes were narrowed as his face started to redden. Apparently the joke had gotten out of hand since she'd left home.

"Let go of me." Kerri wrenched her arm out of his grasp. "I don't have to tell you anything." She walked past him.

"I'm not done-" Mervyn started, but Kerri didn't hear the rest. As he'd turned to once again grapple her, another server had attempted to walk past the two of them. Kerri wasn't sure how it happened, but somehow the server's full drink tray ended up all over her back.

"Rightfully deserved." Mervyn gave a scathing laugh and walked away. The now-flustered server tried to pat Kerri's back dry.

"That's not going to help." Xayoe said as she swept over. She gently instructed the server to pick up the spilled mugs, while catching the attention of another one to bring some rags for the mess on the floor. After the orders had been given, Xayoe pulled Kerri back towards the kitchen.

"The party's only been going on for an hour and a half, and already you've disobeyed orders." Xayoe clicked her tongue as she led Kerri past the kitchens and up the servant stairs.

The young woman's face darkened. "Mervyn talked to me first."

"Prince Mervyn," Xayoe corrected.

She scoffed. "Turd Mervyn is more like it." They came out into the main hall.

Xayoe continued down it. "From what I hear, the second eldest wasn't much better. What was his name again? Merril?"

"Mirdale." Kerri supplied. "I only ever met him once, and I can't say I was too surprised to hear he ended up dead."

"How did he die?" Xayoe opened a door and ushered Kerri into a simply appointed room consisting of a couch, a coffee table, two bookshelves, and a full-length mirror.

"Maron said something about him being murdered." Kerri's train of thought floated away as she spied the large wooden chest on the table. "What is that?"

"Why don't you go find out?" Xayoe laughed as Kerri practically ran over and flung the chest open. The younger bard's eyes widened as she removed the dark, rich red velvet dress.

"I knew it was going to be impossible for you to stay away from the Prince, it just hadn't been the Prince I was thinking of." Xayoe took the dress out of Kerri's arms and began to arrange it on the couch.

Kerri's eyes widened. "Wait, am I putting that on?"

"Of course you are." Xayoe started undoing the bodice of the dress.

"I thought I wasn't supposed to draw attention to myself? Stay behind the scenes?"

The master bard sent her mentee a bemused look. "Attention's already been drawn, so we might as well make sure you come out looking good."

"You were just waiting for this, weren't you?" Kerri started to undress.

The older woman shrugged. "I am a Master of a highly respected guild, it wouldn't do for me to not be prepared for any situation. Also, we're bards, we thrive off of causing controversy."

The dress fit Kerri well. They'd had to pull the bodice waist in quite a bit, but Xayoe explained that the original owner was a bit bigger than Kerri. She couldn't remember if the dress had been made for a man or a woman, but it ultimately didn't matter. There weren't any shoes, but since the hem lightly kissed the floor it didn't really matter. Underneath, the dress had several layers that helped it to fan out and flow around her, without getting tangled up in her legs. The sleeves hugged her upper arms tightly, before they billowed out and fell loose. Around her waist, a silver cord was wrapped around several times. The wrapping started several inches above and crisscrossed down, the tails left lying down the front. The bodice was tight around Kerri's chest and showed her cleavage, but no more than she was used to.

On her back, Xayoe covered the mark with heavy stage make-up. Kerri had waited with bated breath to see if it'd even work. Even if it didn't, only the very top portion of the Mark would have been exposed, but Kerri didn't want to risk it. The make-up worked.

Her hair was styled over her right ear, concealing the missing tip. The last thing, after a bit of make-up, was strapping Kerri's dagger along her inner thigh. Originally she'd had it tucked into the small of her back while in the server's uniform.

"I want you to go out the main doors." Xayoe explained as the two of them finally left the room. "If we time it right, you should walk out just as the dancers are finishing their performance."

Kerri shook her head and nervously smoothed out a few wrinkles. It'd been a while since she'd attended a fancy party. "You have this way too planned out."

Xayoe smiled. "Count slowly to one hundred before you walk out. Breathe, you got this." She gave the younger woman a small hug, before she bustled back towards the servants' stairs.

Kerri turned to face the door, took in a large breath, and started to count softly to herself.

100, 99, 98. What would she do when got to the bottom of the staircase? Had Xayoe set it up for someone to be waiting for her? An escort? Would Carric be there? Or would Maron be there like all the other times?

56, 55, 54. Did she want Maron to be there? She couldn't lie to herself and say that she didn't still have feelings for him. Hell, she'd agreed to Maccus' terms on the chance that she could be with him.

22, 21, 20. How was she supposed to explain to him all the soul-searching she'd done on the boat and after? How could she describe the weight that had lifted off her shoulders as she'd watched the Lirathan coast fade from view? How was she supposed to explain something she was still figuring out?

3, 2, 1. She took another deep breath, let it out slowly, and walked forward. As she did, the doors swung open without her touching them. As he stepped to the side quickly, Kerri made eye contact with a Lirathan Royal Guard named Nimin, a one-time boyfriend turned friend. Nimin sent her a smile and inclined his head towards the stairs.

Below, Kerri could the last of the guild dance troupe disappearing out the main gates. No one seemed to notice her arrival, and Kerri was both happy and disappointed. As soon as she reached the edge of the landing however, that changed.

There was a loud clang of metal meeting stone. Halfway down the steps, stood a short, scrawny figure with black dreadlocks. They wore a white skirt that reached to the ends of their knees with flower patterns embroidered up the sides, with a pale yellow shirt made out of a flowy sheer material. It was hard to tell whether it was a man or a woman.

Around their neck was a familiar white weasel, and in their hands was a long metal rod that was capped in gold.

"It is my honor as Nakrackoe Rapper, Official Representative of Silverbank, so decided upon by the Council of Six, to officially welcome to our fair city the Princes Mervyn and Maron of Liratha." The person gestured towards the Princes in the crowd and it elicited some polite applause. While they'd been talking, Kerri had kept walking. As soon as she was level with the Representative, they stuck out a hand and halted her progress.

"I would also like to take this time, to offer sanctuary within Marblebrooke's borders, to exiled Lirathan native, Kerri Evenwood. This is upon the recommendation of Master Xayoe Recklenton, Master Bard within the Uthain Guildhouse." Nakrackoe Rapper turned to Kerri and extended their hand. "Do you accept this offer of sanctuary?"

Awestruck, Kerri nodded and accepted the hand.

"I do need you to verbally agree." They grinned at her.

"Yes." Kerri said loudly.

"Kerri Evenwood is now under the protection of the Kingdom of Marblebrooke. You may go back to your dancing now." The representative offered their arm and escorted Kerri down the rest of the steps. At the bottom was Carric and Elaine.

"I thought you said pets weren't allowed?" Carric reached out and took Shomma from around the representative's neck.

"Pets, no. Ranger animal companions, certain exceptions can be made." The representative stuck out a hand to Kerri again. "Nice to meet you, Kerri. I'm Koe. Carric's told me a lot about you and Elaine."

"I didn't realize you were Silverbank's Representative." Elaine fed some pork to Shomma.

Koe smiled sheepishly. "Recent title, I assure you. I usually try to stay out of politics, but the job came with a house."

Kerri crossed her arms. "Did Xayoe put you up to this?" Even standing next to Koe Kerri couldn't tell if they were male or female, and according to Carric that was how Koe liked it.

"All she asked was if I could do anything to make sure that the Lirathan's at the party didn't arrest you." Koe's attention was caught then by a passing server with a tray of food. "If you'll excuse me."

Carric smiled and turned to the young bard. "Nice dress. We were wondering whether we'd be seeing you again or not tonight after the run with that Prince."

Kerri returned the smile. "Turns out that Xayoe already had a plan B in place."

"Well, speaking of Princes, you've got incoming." He nodded behind Kerri. Looking over her shoulder, she spotted Maron walking towards her.

"Need me to block?" Elaine straightened up. Somehow Shomma had ended up cradled in her arms.

"No, it's probably time that this played out." Kerri took a deep breath, and with a thumbs up from her friends, headed to meet Maron.