Shiuske's Gifts

[Liqcrys]

"You fool! Your lord will hear of this mistreatment!", the elf-maid screeched at her. Marna tossed the tin plate and cup at Joff's retreating back. As the dinnerware bounced off her armor, not for the first time Joff considered using one of Shiuske's gifts to rid herself of the other. The Dagger of The Seven weighed heavy in her pack, but its burdens were often easier to bear than the burden of escorting Marna back to Shattered Bridge. The elf-maid's latest tirade was the result of the proffered evening meal. The warrior had gotten more provisions in Wolfsboro on their way back, but the burdens of feeding two had quickly drained her pack. The last few days as they drew nearer to Shattered Bridge had seen a diet of hard, dried salt-beef and nearly indelible biscuits (though calling the small rocks of dough in her pack "biscuits" seemed an offense to even the worst baker). Joff grimaced inwardly, but smiled with heavy kindness and deferral to the beautiful elf princess.

"My apologies my lady, " Joff said in her most formal elvish, "I am surely the greatest fool who ever lived, but regretfully we have nothing else left. And sadly my skill of finding forage is not the same as the great Lord Shiuske. Truly it was his great knowledge of the land that saw us through many a wilderness. I will see what else can be found, but I fear this is all we have. Please eat, so that you can reach the meagre comforts of Shattered Bridge. We will see the city walls by mid-morning tomorrow."

She turned away from the small, sheltered campfire and began setting the wards around their camp, the words to the spell of alarm coming automatically. At least she's not calling me human scum anymore. Joff had accepted the task of taking Marna back to Shattered Bridge reluctantly, but she saw the need for it. The idea of pretending to be Shiuske's servant grated on her nerves, but she had extracted a small revenge.

Marna had been more than willing to accept the fiction of Joff escorting her back to Shattered Bridge. There could be no question in her mind that Joff was her betrothed's servant, "his leal guard of the seraglio" Joff had explained discreetly the first night of their journey. Marna's disdain for Joff's status was only compounded by Joff's humanity, and the fighter had come to understand why Marna and her sisters had been cursed. Her cruel manner, cutting tongue, and unbounded arrogance were literally legendary. Marna did not seem to see anyone around her as anything but slaves to meet her whims. The elf's disdain hadn't kept her from peppering Joff with questions about her betrothed though, and the warrior had been more than happy to provide her with any number of tales about "The Great Lord Shiuske".

The Great Lord Shiuske Waits To Take His Place On The Council Of Mages had been a good story, though not nearly as successful as The Great Lord Shiuske Sets Out On A Quest To Uncurse Marna. That story had been a rollicking journey about one elf-lord's obsessive desire to find, rescue, and wed the fairest elven maiden to ever live. Marna had asked many questions that night by their campfire. Almost as popular was the tale, The Great Lord Shiuske Is Destined To Be The Next Emperor. Joff had had to dig deep into her memory of the elvish histories for that one, weaving a long complicated tale involving secret marriages, dark betrayals of the Dragon Clan, and great accomplishments in hidden places. When she combined it with some of the more unsavory elements of Oneshoe Rambler's famous story, The Gelded Prince, it had turned out to be quite entertaining to all parties (although Marna had expressed some disappointment on a very particular point of the tale).

Each evening Joff stoked the fires of ambition that burned behind the elf's eyes with words and tales. Tonight Joff would add a little more fuel to that.

"The Great Lord Shiuske asked me to give you this before we arrived in Shattered Bridge. 'Joff, you will make sure that my bride arrives to my family in the grandest style' he told me." The fighter slowly presented a soft package wrapped in paper.

Joff watched Marna's eyes widen as she unwrapped the package, lifting a fine dress of dark purple silk and golden velvet to catch the firelight. You better enjoy it bitch, it cost me enough silver. Joff had altered the dress, approximating Marna's measurements as she slept near the fire each night. Joff hoped that the gift would make the vain elf more amenable to her plans. It was the height of fashion, or at least what passed for style in the backwater of Wyverndale. The dressmaker had served in Krys years past and had sworn that it was in the style of all the greatest elven ladies. It was beautiful, all fine lace and brocade highlights with a plunging neckline and long flowing skirt. Gods damn it's beautiful, never even got to wear the damn thing. I'll be finding its like or better to replace it, and I'll present that damn wizard the bill.

"My lord Shiuske asks that you wait to wear it until you meet his family. Until then, he asks that you allow me to keep you safe and hidden through Shattered Bridge and out of Wyverndale. As you know, the lord's enemies are all around. Your presence must be kept quiet until you can take your rightful place with the Lotus Clan. I will take you to a friend, an old comrade of mine who will help to arrange travel for you out of the city."

In the morning Joff would apply makeup "in the latest style" to dampen the elf's appearance. She was definitely noticeable. The legend stated that she and her sisters had been cursed for their vanity, but Joff could see why they had held such pride. The princess' beauty was otherworldly almost, and it was sure to stick in the memory of whatever eyes watched the city gates. Marna's beauty stood out even in the plain traveling clothes and hooded cloak Joff had purchased for her in Wolfsboro.

Once past the gates she would go visit Ritoruhansamuman at his townhouse off of the centerhall in town. The little gnome had been quite successful in the last few years. Joff had worked for him many times before, guarding the little jeweler's inventory as it moved through the city and caravan routes. On more than one occasion the work had required a more discrete, quiet hand, and Rito knew that Joff could be trusted with such tasks. Rito did more trade with the great cities of the north than anyone else she knew, and he ran in the highest social circles. If anyone knew how to arrange transport for the princess out of Wyverndale he would. He could be a tough bargainer, all gnomes were when it came down to it, but Joff had helped him out of a few scrapes. She hoped that the balance of owed favors would be enough. A few marks might settle the difference if nothing else.

[Admin]

The Centerhall of Shattered bridge is less secretive than most any other in Wyverndale. Even the Imperial elves know its entrances (though they regard them more as sewers and few highborn would dare stoop so low as to enter the gnome's quarters regardless of the tales of splendor. Luckily, Jenn's charge was too distracted by the silk shop near the market entrance to notice she had passed the barrier into what was a less prestigious part of the city. The center-hall was nearly barren. Far too much space with far fewer people than usual. Numerous shops and even the money lenders were boarded up. "Thank heaven for small favors,." Jenn wasn't sure who it was but someone owed the twins some coin. It didnt even occur to her until she saw the shop. It wasnt very much, pocket change really but loose ends sometimes come back to haunt you and she couldnt afford to attract too much attention.

Rito's place was mostly packed up but he was still open for business. After a warm welcome and an inquiry if any gems needed to be moved "at the usual rates" Rito looked at Marna.

"Sure, I can get her to Brix, even in style! One more carriage wont be noticed. They'll be plenty of company along the way. The fair folk (gnomes) have streamed out since the bridge is almost completed. The centerhall will be sealed up in a couple days. We've got a better handle on the concept that just cause you cant see it doesnt mean its not there.
If the Whitehall truly is reborn, we'll come back if not well, we'll just wait till the dust settles.

With men from the Hilderbrant streaming in to reclaim the city, there's coin to be made but its odd times. The elven enclave is mostly emptied out off to Escandoor to throw their lives away. Not much left but a few servants per house and the enchanter hasn't left his tower in a month. Maybe Raff would like to lay claim to the old district but I'll doubt even he has the guts. Facing off against the undead, that's one thing quite another to take things from the elven clans. They long remember a slight and have the patience to collect their debts. "

Marna safely off to Brix, Jenn quickly finds a connection able to gain her access to the old docks to ferry her across to the ruins. Sure Rito might have been able to arrange something but no sense in letting Rito know what she was up to. The fewer pieces of the puzzle on the table the less likely anyone could guess the picture.