Practiced Parlay

JP with Winteroak & Esimed

The Lord Commander walked back into the Great Hall looking around at his guests. He pulled some snuff from a small pouch on his belt and inhaled a pinch sharply up his nostril; the smell and taste of the Arbiter still fresh on his lips. The woman had been voracious in her appetites; their congress fast and rough. As he walked across the room nodding and smiling politely, he scanned the room for Melandra Avalloc. Although his escapade with the nimble Arbiter had proved a delightful distraction, he had business to attend; business that could not wait much longer. He saw a group of people surrounding the mysterious and beautiful figure of the tutor, hanging on her every word. Their eyes full of wonder at her stories and lust.

"My dear guests, you will have to excuse me, but I have need for our dear Melandra," he said, excusing himself and offering his arm to her. The others nod as they departed. The Duke leads them to a balcony overlooking the dark city punctured by fires here and there. "One year since your arrival my dear. I hope you have been enjoying your new life in Ostiarium..." He started offering her another glass of wine from a passing servant.

"The usefulness of life is severely diminished if one does not make time for fun," she admitted, accepting the wine - as if there had ever been any doubt that she would. "And on this celebratory day in particular fun and responsibility go hand in hand." Melandra leaned against the balcony and took in the view of the boom town - at any rate those parts of it visible from her perch. "I hope you've made time from your busy schedule to engage in one or two diverting escapades. Because I sense it is work and not pleasure for which you have sequestered my company?"

The Lord Commander grinned. He did have a soft spot for Melandra Avalloc. She was as shrewd as she was beautiful. "Business always before pleasure, my dear." He told her with a smile as an image of hers and the Arbiter's naked intertwined forms flashed across his mind. He pulled some more snuff from his pouch and offered her a pinch directly from his fingers.

"None for me," she said with a subtle wave of her hand. "But I would not say not to something to smoke?" The Lady turned Pirate turned Duelists turned Tutor quickly tipped back her wine and set it aside before loosening the silk ribbon of her bodice, deftly sliding three fingers amidst her bosom and retrieving an ivory-white smoking pipe. It wasn't actually ivory, but a soft white mineral composed of the fossilised remains of microscopic sea creatures that died and came to rest on the sea floor before eventually, after millions of years of compression, were finally pushed upwards by the unbelievable forces of plate tectonics and turbulent seas. Of course Melandra knew nothing of these forces, and the science that would put anyone on the track to such discoveries of the natural world hadn't even been fathomed; not remotely. Melandra knew the ocean-faring folks called the material 'Sea Foam' and she knew that it meant more to her than all the unexplored wealth of Arcadia - and thus she kept it near her heart. Or exposed and in her mouth.

He took the pinch while gazing unashamedly at her cleavage. It was little wonder so many people were courting her; men and women alike. "The city is in need of your services," he told her bluntly. "Dangerous and likely bloody work. But work that will not only secure the prosperity of Ostiarium in the years to come but might mean you achieve yours a bit quicker." He sipped at his wine looking for her reaction.

"I cannot service an entire city, try as I may, but dangerous and bloody work on the part of her Lord Commander - in the name of Ostiarium of course - that does sound fascinating." She once more hooked her arm through his and tapped the amber lip of her pipe to her cherry red lips. "I would love to hear what it is you have in mind."

The Duke chuckled at her sharp humour as he led them walking slowly through the Great Hall terraces making sure they kept away from privy eyes and ears. "Well my dear, I am in need of those blade skills you are so famous for." He smiled at her sensing her curiosity rise.

"Not too famous, I hope. If the meek and unskilled cower away from a bout with my blades, I'll be left only to duel those truly seasoned with the sword, and that bodes poorly for my presumptions at surviving to swing another day."

"In a week or so, I would like you to join a small group of my soldiers in a diplomatic expedition to the north."

Diplomacy. Melandra's chest sank at the notion. If words alone, or encouraged with the exchange of gifts, could secure peace and cooperation from the native inhabitants of Arcadia, well then why hadn't it been secured already? And words could be so tedious, especially when neither party spoke the same tongue. Melandra gave the Duke one of her most bundled pouts, as if to ask 'Why me?'

He smiled. "We have reason to believe that those that we are trying to deal with prize duels highly among their society." He started. "So I would like you to join as my ace in the hole of sorts." He concluded grinning.

"How delightful!" She cheered up immediately. "Does this speaks to the native's advanced culture and appreciation for the finer points of dueling? Or are we merely going in to slaughter them one at a time until they acquiesce?" Melandra looked to be as at ease with either outcome.

"I was hopeful this would peek your interest, my dear," the Lord Commander said. "As you can imagine, the information we have about the natives is still lacking in many ways. Among those in the North it seems blood duels can be a way to sort a wide range of divergences. As I said, if you decide to join you are to be insurance. A back up to our plans. If we can agree to you helping that is," he told her, facing her and taking her hand to his lips.

"You know me; I'm easy. It takes very little convincing to drive home your point with me." The back of her hand at the Duke's lips, Melandra's other hand underscored her words with a firm throttle of Stoneshade's nether reins. "As your ace in the hole…" - and there was something almost obscene in the way she uttered those words - "…does that mean you've assigned someone else to lead this expedition?" She gave another squeeze before suspicion of those details slowly crept across her face. "Tell me you didn't." Melandra let go of the Duke and stepped back; sullen.

"Of course I have, my dear," he smiled. "Diplomacy and politics are not your arenas, or at least you have never shown the least interest in them before. Now don't pout. It doesn't suit you," he told her, licking his lips suggestively. "Sir Zane will lead the party. Four or five of you leaving in a week's time. He knows what it is we are trying to secure with the natives. You know he respects your counsel and your skills."

"Sir Zane," she repeated, coming around to the idea. "Well that isn't so bad. He and I get on well. I thought for a moment you had asked the militant triumphant zealot to lead this pivotal patrol." Melandra stepped back in close and used both hands to adjust the Duke's collars. "So who else have you invited to join Sir Zane and his men?"

"No one else. All others joining are Sir Zane's responsibility." His left hand moved to her face pulling a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I don't have to tell you our conversation is not to be shared with anyone else..." His face turning serious.

"You needn't, but you have…just to cover all basis. I understand. Should I refrain from probing Sir Zane for additional details as well? I wouldn't want to cross either of you, though I am almost desperate to know what it is you are trying to secure from the natives. Almost as desperate as I am to discuss my restitution for future services rendered."

"Feel free to probe. Although I would prefer that your probing be directed at me," he told her, back to flirting once more assured that he could trust her discretion. "Now, shall we dance? Best if we do not stay away for too long. We can discuss your 'restituition' as we dance..." He told her grabbing her by her waist and directing her to the main Hall again.