SwanTheTowerIISwan the Tower IISwan gives the woman a sly smile, “I don’t know if to be insulted or encouraged.” "Khalan laughs musically. "Now, then." [Khalan] says, gesturing to the table. "Let us eat, and the first question is yours." “Sounds like a plan.” Swan settles in and picks up her chopsticks. With dexterous speed, she plucks pieces of intriguing meat and vegetables from the bowls to create a plate for herself. She adds some fragrant rice to the mix, smiling at her companion. “I guess my first question would be, ‘what’s the skinny on Chaos and Amber?’ We kiss and make up recently?” Khalan smiles, doing much the same. The meat is probably not chicken, or turkey or a poultry that Swan recognizes, but it seems like poultry. Similarly, the vegetables are somewhat not quite what she would normally eat, but they appear to be mostly pieces of root vegetables of some kind as well as kernels and seeds and beans. Swan finds her palate – hardened by a century of Bête Noire cuisine – adjusts well to the exotic nature of Chaosian dining. When it isn’t moving, the food is pretty darn good. She could get used to this. "You have revealed much in your first question." [Khalan] says with satisfaction. "Doubtless you know of the Patternfall treaty at the conclusion of the War, which ended hostilities between us. Perhaps it is news to you that since the ascension of Merlin the first son of the Queen Mother and my employer, long may he reign, 7 years ago, The Emperor has endeavored to improve relations between the Court of Thelbane and the Court of Amber." "I understand that he wishes to formally exchange Ambassadors with Amber at some date." Khalan adds. "No doubt given the prestige of the position that Amber would send one of their Royal Family to such a post. I do not know who the Emperor would send although many would wish such a position." Swan jerks a nod to this, “Yay. I’ve been wandering between the Arden and the Beast the last couple decades, so missed the whole war.” She pauses, thinking for a moment. A laugh escapes her. “Yeah, I think my card game with Ingy was the last I saw of Amber.” "So you are non-aligned." Khalan concludes. "And now." Khalan gestures with the chopsticks after devouring a bite. "it is my turn." "If you are not formally part of the Court of Amber, what is your profession? I have my guesses but would like to know." Swan shrugs to this, “Problem-solver. When people have a bee in their bonnet, I swat it. Usually with a lotta lead.” She spears some more food, “Because I stroll in the grey, most of the Family gives me the cold shoulder. Fine by me really.” "Ah, you are a Chiteng?" Khalan says. "Not a professional duelist, but rather one who engages in vendetta on behalf of a client." Khalan continues to speak, working things out aloud, studying Swan. " Lead. You prefer firearms. Perhaps you are a Magus Fulminata instead?" she asks. "A Gun Sorceress?" Swan shrugs, “I work magic with my shooters, so good a name as any, I guess.” She nods. "I thought you did." "But not all of your family, you imply, shuns you, be you a Chiteng or a Gun Sorceress." Khalan switches gears. "I would wager that someone like yourself would aside from your value as a Chiteng would be valuable to know, or even as a trangressive act to befriend." "It is your turn." Khalan says, taking a large hunk of vegetable that looks like a piece of broccoli mated with a wax bean. “What kinda highbinders are we dealing on this side of the pond?” Swan asks. “Merlin seems to be the head honcho, but it ever that easy. You’ve got Families of some kind vying for territory, far as I can glom. And what are they gonna think of the new arrivals?” Khalan considers Swan's words for a few moments. She eats a piece of meat in deep thought. "A complicated question to present to an outsider." she replies. "But let us begin with the large." "There are indeed Families, as you call them, vying for power, territory and influence. And the Throne of course." Khalan says. "There are thirteen among them that stand above the rest. There are always thirteen Great Houses, Swan. If a Great House should fall, or be pushed." she smiles a razor smile "the greatest of the rest would rise up and take its place. There are hundreds of Houses in all." "We are in House Sawall, and since the Emperor, long may he reign, is from our House, it is the current House Royal. It will remain House Royal until an Emperor or Empress from another House takes the throne." "I myself, and the Queen Mother Dara herself, are originally from another Great House, House Hendrake. I followed her when she came to marry the head of Sawall, Duke Gramble. Each of the Houses has its strengths and weaknesses, but all of the Great Houses are alike in one important regard. "As you might guess" Khalan says. "While the Houses play a Game of Thrones to be the next Emperor, in turn, each House has its internal dynamics to see who will lead that House. Thus, your friend, the Queen Mother's daughter, will be seen as a threat to those who seek the Throne, and those who seek to unseat Gramble. "And you, primarily, Swan, will be courted by factions in Sawall, since it is not true I have heard you have found the favor of several members of the Queen Mother's family, and are to be given a Ways here?" Backlinks |
