Oh, he’d misunderstood somewhere – she was referring to a private gallery. That was curious too, though. Gossip like that should have never made it out of House Tilani. It indicated holes, either in their security or in the loyalty of their slaves. On the other hand, it might have been spread deliberately. (And that seemed quite likely, since the heir’s wife was telling him all about it.)
Either way … One could not assume the same flaws were still there – either for shoring up or for exploiting – interesting as it all was.
“I’ll let Lyric know we’ve been invited. Perhaps my mother can spare us from wedding planning for a few days. She’s an absolute tyrant.” Tiberius shrugged, leaving them firmly uncommitted for the moment. He wasn’t sure he trusted this mysterious new power in House Tilani. At least, not enough to put his bride in her curiously rough hands. If Ella’s prior suggestion – that of House Tilani training her for this role – were remotely true …
Well. They had odd ideas of what a noble lady should do. Those calluses didn’t come from dinner knives.
“Oh, well. I suppose Orlais was alright at first. I’d even go so far as to say that they have somewhat better wine.” He did not like the way her aspect sharpened at that, a pricking of the ears. Malachai had already interviewed him, poking and prodding at his loyalty in a way that could have been considerably worse, if he were to be perfectly honest. Friendship was still worth something, even if he couldn’t have saved Tiberius six years of his life.
“I wouldn’t want to malign my fiancée's homeland, but I wouldn’t say it compares. Not after an ogre nearly killed me on the road. Fortunately, Lyric is a mage of considerable talent – she saved my life.” He wouldn’t mind that rumor spreading, the sooner the better. “The country’s still overrun with Darkspawn and the Emperor is barely out of short pants. They’re fucked.”
Tiberius sat back in his chair, regarding Novella, curiosity more or less sated. She was quite the odd duck, but this visit had probably run its course. He glanced back, toward the doorway.
“Petras? Bring it in, please.”
His footman entered, carrying a tray loaded with three items. A dish of green tea leaves, harvested and processed mere weeks ago from an old arbor farm that Tiberius owned outright. A snifter of fine Orleisan brandy, a sample from several quarter casks carted all the way home to be given as gifts.
Finally, something that appeared to be a music box, lacquered wood framed by gilded wings.
“Grandfather started this as a gift for your wife’s wedding. Due to his illness, well, I had to put the finishing touches on myself." Tiberius leaned forward and lifted open the top. The light in the room dimmed, turning sunrise pink and blue. A dawn chorus of native bird calls rose softly in the air.
"Since Kaczor isn’t here, I give this to you on behalf of my House. I hope it pleases you both.”
@Novella Tilani
Either way … One could not assume the same flaws were still there – either for shoring up or for exploiting – interesting as it all was.
“I’ll let Lyric know we’ve been invited. Perhaps my mother can spare us from wedding planning for a few days. She’s an absolute tyrant.” Tiberius shrugged, leaving them firmly uncommitted for the moment. He wasn’t sure he trusted this mysterious new power in House Tilani. At least, not enough to put his bride in her curiously rough hands. If Ella’s prior suggestion – that of House Tilani training her for this role – were remotely true …
Well. They had odd ideas of what a noble lady should do. Those calluses didn’t come from dinner knives.
“Oh, well. I suppose Orlais was alright at first. I’d even go so far as to say that they have somewhat better wine.” He did not like the way her aspect sharpened at that, a pricking of the ears. Malachai had already interviewed him, poking and prodding at his loyalty in a way that could have been considerably worse, if he were to be perfectly honest. Friendship was still worth something, even if he couldn’t have saved Tiberius six years of his life.
“I wouldn’t want to malign my fiancée's homeland, but I wouldn’t say it compares. Not after an ogre nearly killed me on the road. Fortunately, Lyric is a mage of considerable talent – she saved my life.” He wouldn’t mind that rumor spreading, the sooner the better. “The country’s still overrun with Darkspawn and the Emperor is barely out of short pants. They’re fucked.”
Tiberius sat back in his chair, regarding Novella, curiosity more or less sated. She was quite the odd duck, but this visit had probably run its course. He glanced back, toward the doorway.
“Petras? Bring it in, please.”
His footman entered, carrying a tray loaded with three items. A dish of green tea leaves, harvested and processed mere weeks ago from an old arbor farm that Tiberius owned outright. A snifter of fine Orleisan brandy, a sample from several quarter casks carted all the way home to be given as gifts.
Finally, something that appeared to be a music box, lacquered wood framed by gilded wings.
“Grandfather started this as a gift for your wife’s wedding. Due to his illness, well, I had to put the finishing touches on myself." Tiberius leaned forward and lifted open the top. The light in the room dimmed, turning sunrise pink and blue. A dawn chorus of native bird calls rose softly in the air.
"Since Kaczor isn’t here, I give this to you on behalf of my House. I hope it pleases you both.”
@Novella Tilani
05-29-2024, 05:01 PM
