As the double doors opened to reveal a huge, open, auditorium-like space beyond, a man with a loud voice—probably the Master of Ceremonies—announced the arrival of Drake and his people. The announcement was as formal and pompous as he’d expected... but it was still somewhat interesting to hear how everyone was classified by the noble court.
“Now arriving! Lord Gloomwood, his steward and friend of the noble court, Lydia Estoria, his advisor Samuel Marcos, his advisor and friend of the noble court Lady Marissa Hughes, and his battle maids, Emily Russo, Valentia Vincano, and Nicole Mallus.”
After the well-dressed butler at the door made a grand motion implying they should enter, Drake led his people through the open doors. In the room were four lines of ornate tables stretching across the room, each already piled with snacks. Korrag was going to be thrilled when he showed up. The rest of the manor lords... not so much.
Samuel had questioned the wisdom of Drake inviting his zarovians to a formal banquet, but Drake had refused to be talked out of it. His zarovians (those that hadn’t died heroically saving his entire manor on the beach) had been through a hell of a lot on this journey. They were also members of his manor. If the other manor lords wanted to be offended because he’d invited a bunch of lizardmen to the party, they could all go fuck themselves.
Also, he couldn’t wait to see the expression on Lord Proudglade’s stupid face when Cresh and his zarovians showed up at the party. Nothing in the invitation had said he couldn’t invite demihumans, and it had clearly said everyone who served in his manor was invited. Only Sachi had refused, because, as she said “I do not eat rabbit food”.
As for the rest of the room, it remained relatively empty. Small pockets of people clustered in the corners or by the tables like clusters of shy kids at a high school prom. Drake immediately recognized the other manor lords with their entourages. It really was true that all the rest of the manor couldn’t show up until all the lords arrived first.
Lord Proudglade stood in the corner with a small group (including Orson, the golden pike knight, and Felix, his eldest son), along with Lord Mistvale and a bunch of his slim and athletic blood thralls. Drake hadn’t expected Hector to steer him wrong, but he was relieved to see they all wore clothes similar to his own. Drake also wore them better.
Lord Brightwater was here as well, chatting amiably with a group of men and women who looked more rough and ready than the rest of the people at the party. Even in their fine clothes, they stood apart. Their sun-browned skin, rugged muscles, and visibly calloused hands marked them as sailors and soldiers used to rough work.
Finally, Sky and her people were here as well, standing in another corner and talking quietly among themselves. He recognized Viktoria, Sky’s mother, as well as two of Sky’s three bodyguards, Ali (who shifted into a demon) and Mari (who made people bleed from their pores). Still no Kari (the woman whose rapier hit as hard as a greatsword) suggesting her injuries during the defense of the city had been bad. Or worse.
Karth was there as well, along with Head Ranger Cask. Both men were dressed in outfits similar to Drake’s own, though again, neither looked quite as slick as he did. Hector’s grasp of style and contacts in the Korhaurbauten fashion industry were second to none.
Marissa lightly touched his arm. “With your permission, I’ll make my rounds while the guests arrive. It’s been some time since I’ve attended a banquet. I’d like to familiarize myself with current lords and the state of their manors.”
“So you want to scout them out,” Drake said approvingly. “Go for it.”
Marissa glided away, though she didn’t seem to be headed to any particular manor’s group. Still, Drake suspected she was going to know them all very well by the end of the banquet. He was rapidly learning his mother had far more skills than she’d let on.
With Marissa occupied with her scouting/spying, Drake steered the rest of his entourage toward the group from Skybreak Manor. It seemed he was last the manor lord to arrive other than Lord Ashwind. He hoped the man would hurry it up. Making everyone wait until all the lords arrived was a dumb custom, but the noble court had a lot of those.
At least security seemed tight. He’d passed dozens of armed capital guards on the way to the auditorium, and those had just been the ones he’d seen on his route into the auditorium. More capital guards stood at attention along the walls, and others walked a set of raised walkways around the edge of the space, holding bows or crossbows. He was glad the noble court had no plans to kill him, because if they did, with this many soldiers, they obviously could.
Sky had her back to him as he approached. Her sky-blue (of course it was sky-blue) top looked more like a set of light armor than anything else, with thick shoulderpads. She wore blue pants in place of a dress, and knee-high boots similar to those she’d worn when they first met.
She’d also done her hair up in even more blond braids than she normally managed. Her slim braids were like a nest of snakes arranged on top of her head, except these were attractive snakes. They interlaced in hard to follow ways, but it was fun to try.
As Viktoria’s gaze met Drake’s from the other side of her daughter, she said something Drake couldn’t make out. Sky turned to glance at him sidelong. Whether she intended to impress him or not, her profile, in that outfit, absolutely impressed. The way one eyebrow rose as she looked him over suggested she might be impressed as well... or he hoped she was.
Once Drake reached them, he offered his allies a curt nod. “Good evening.” He said it like he’d imagine an old-timey vampire might, even though he knew they wouldn’t get the joke.
Sky watched him with a curious expression. “New tailor?”
Drake chuckled at her implication. “Is it that obvious?”
“Whoever they are, they’re good at their job.”
“I only recruit the best.” He decided to open tonight’s negotiations by checking up on Sky’s missing people. “How’s Kari doing? Is she recovering?”
Sky’s faint smile faded. “We lost her late last night.”
Drake felt like he’d just stepped on a rake. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
That was one more person and one more rarity gone from the world, thanks to the fucking kromians. If Kari had died despite how good these people were at healing, her injuries must have been grievous indeed. For Sky, losing Kari must be like it would be for him to lose one of his battle maids. He didn’t want to even think about that.
“Kari fought bravely and saved many during the attack,” Mary put in calmly from Sky’s left. “Other than falling in defense of one’s lord, that is all a warrior can ask for in this life.”
“Thank you for asking about her, Lord Gloomwood,” Sky confirmed. “Your concern is appreciated, especially given I know you lost people as well.”
So they were being formal at the banquet. Drake mentally adjusted. “It would have been far worse without my zarovians. I hope they enjoy the spread tonight. They’ve earned it.”
Both Viktoria’s eyebrows rose. “You invited your zarovians to this banquet?” The way her features went placid suggested she didn’t approve.
“The noble court invited my zarovians,” Drake corrected evenly. “They said their invitation was open to everyone in my manor, and if not for my zarovians engaging the kromian attackers five to one on that beach, I wouldn’t be here to enjoy this delicious feast.”
Sky chuckled quietly. “This will certainly make the night more interesting.”
Lydia stepped up to Drake’s side. “Lady Skybreak? If you have a moment before the banquet gets into full swing, I’d like to discuss a few logistical matters with you regarding our journey back to our respective manors. If that’s not an imposition.”
Was Lydia already doing what she could to get him alone with Sky? She continued to be awesome. He couldn’t ask for a better wingman for tonight’s banquet.
“Do that,” Sky agreed before Viktoria could answer. “We should get all that sorted before we have to negotiate with the other manor lords to handle the noble court’s tasks tonight.” She glanced at her head ranger. “Cask, I want you to coordinate with Samuel as to the arrangement of our scouts for the trip home. We don’t need any more surprises.”
Drake glanced at Samuel. “Think you can handle that, old man?”
Samuel’s calm face registered none of the annoyance Drake had hoped for. “I will see to it, lord.” He remained more respectful in formal settings, likely for the sake of impressions.
Sky turned her gaze back to him. “As for you, I’d like to borrow you for a moment. There are some matters I’d like to sort out before tonight’s negotiations, between us.”
“I’m down,” Drake agreed. It sounded like he was going to get some alone with Sky, which was even better.” He looked to his battle maids. “You three go get some grub.”
“I don’t feel comfortable leaving your side,” Valentia said.
“I do!” Emily poked Val’s side. “Lord Skybreak’s with him. He’ll be fine.”
“I’ll keep him safe,” Sky assured Valentia. “You don’t need to worry about him.”
Valentia held Sky’s gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you.”
Before Valentia could say anything else, Nicole grabbed her forearm and pulled. “Food time!” She tugged Valentia a few steps backward. “They have strawberries. You must feed me.”
Nicole, at least, seemed utterly unconcerned about leaving Drake alone with Sky, which would help with Valentia’s overprotectiveness. As the two of them hurried off, Emily pivoted and walked after them. “Hey, wait for me! I want someone to feed me strawberries!”
Lydia offered an encouraging nod from where she was already speaking with Viktoria. Samuel and Cask seemed taken care of as well. Drake turned back to Sky. “I suppose that leaves me in your capable hands, Lord Skybreak.”
She smiled warmly. “Not the worst place to be, I hope.”
Drake grinned back. “Not at all.”
She led him away from the others to an alcove against the wall. It was far enough away from the capital guards they could speak without being overheard and near enough to the rest of their entourages that everyone could keep them in sight. Drake knew that given the gossip around the capital, Sky wouldn’t want to disappear anywhere alone with him.
That was fine. It also gave him the opportunity to see how she was doing after the attack without any worries about making her look weak in front of her people.
“So how are you holding up?” Drake asked once they were alone.
She quirked an eyebrow. “How do you mean?”
“Losing Kari must have been hard, as well as the rest of it. All I know about what you went through was what I heard at the cabal. Do you want to tell me how it all went down?”
“You lost people too.”
“You can comfort me later. I asked you first.”
“We were already on the way to attend a tour of the docks when the kromians attacked,” Sky said quietly. “Once we realized their main goal was to slaughter civilians, we had no choice but to engage the enemy at once. Fortunately, there were also some capital guards already stationed in the outer crescent that assisted us with the initial push. They provided enough support that we were able to blunt the kromian attack on the main gate.”
So the kromian attack strategy hadn’t been as haphazard as Drake had thought. Instead, they’d had the bad luck of running into Lord Skybreak and her forces as they attempted to rush through the main gate in the first wall. More proof that no matter how clever your plan for attacking an enemy city was, a few instances of bad luck could shred your plans like paper.
And more evidence Prince Varnath actually knew what he was doing.
As the double doors opened to reveal a huge, open, auditorium-like space beyond, a man with a loud voice—probably the Master of Ceremonies—announced the arrival of Drake and his people. The announcement was as formal and pompous as he’d expected... but it was still somewhat interesting to hear how everyone was classified by the noble court.
“Now arriving! Lord Gloomwood, his steward and friend of the noble court, Lydia Estoria, his advisor Samuel Marcos, his advisor and friend of the noble court Lady Marissa Hughes, and his battle maids, Emily Russo, Valentia Vincano, and Nicole Mallus.”
After the well-dressed butler at the door made a grand motion implying they should enter, Drake led his people through the open doors. In the room were four lines of ornate tables stretching across the room, each already piled with snacks. Korrag was going to be thrilled when he showed up. The rest of the manor lords... not so much.
Samuel had questioned the wisdom of Drake inviting his zarovians to a formal banquet, but Drake had refused to be talked out of it. His zarovians (those that hadn’t died heroically saving his entire manor on the beach) had been through a hell of a lot on this journey. They were also members of his manor. If the other manor lords wanted to be offended because he’d invited a bunch of lizardmen to the party, they could all go fuck themselves.
Also, he couldn’t wait to see the expression on Lord Proudglade’s stupid face when Cresh and his zarovians showed up at the party. Nothing in the invitation had said he couldn’t invite demihumans, and it had clearly said everyone who served in his manor was invited. Only Sachi had refused, because, as she said “I do not eat rabbit food”.
As for the rest of the room, it remained relatively empty. Small pockets of people clustered in the corners or by the tables like clusters of shy kids at a high school prom. Drake immediately recognized the other manor lords with their entourages. It really was true that all the rest of the manor couldn’t show up until all the lords arrived first.
Lord Proudglade stood in the corner with a small group (including Orson, the golden pike knight, and Felix, his eldest son), along with Lord Mistvale and a bunch of his slim and athletic blood thralls. Drake hadn’t expected Hector to steer him wrong, but he was relieved to see they all wore clothes similar to his own. Drake also wore them better.
Lord Brightwater was here as well, chatting amiably with a group of men and women who looked more rough and ready than the rest of the people at the party. Even in their fine clothes, they stood apart. Their sun-browned skin, rugged muscles, and visibly calloused hands marked them as sailors and soldiers used to rough work.
Finally, Sky and her people were here as well, standing in another corner and talking quietly among themselves. He recognized Viktoria, Sky’s mother, as well as two of Sky’s three bodyguards, Ali (who shifted into a demon) and Mari (who made people bleed from their pores). Still no Kari (the woman whose rapier hit as hard as a greatsword) suggesting her injuries during the defense of the city had been bad. Or worse.
Karth was there as well, along with Head Ranger Cask. Both men were dressed in outfits similar to Drake’s own, though again, neither looked quite as slick as he did. Hector’s grasp of style and contacts in the Korhaurbauten fashion industry were second to none.
Marissa lightly touched his arm. “With your permission, I’ll make my rounds while the guests arrive. It’s been some time since I’ve attended a banquet. I’d like to familiarize myself with current lords and the state of their manors.”
“So you want to scout them out,” Drake said approvingly. “Go for it.”
Marissa glided away, though she didn’t seem to be headed to any particular manor’s group. Still, Drake suspected she was going to know them all very well by the end of the banquet. He was rapidly learning his mother had far more skills than she’d let on.
With Marissa occupied with her scouting/spying, Drake steered the rest of his entourage toward the group from Skybreak Manor. It seemed he was last the manor lord to arrive other than Lord Ashwind. He hoped the man would hurry it up. Making everyone wait until all the lords arrived was a dumb custom, but the noble court had a lot of those.
At least security seemed tight. He’d passed dozens of armed capital guards on the way to the auditorium, and those had just been the ones he’d seen on his route into the auditorium. More capital guards stood at attention along the walls, and others walked a set of raised walkways around the edge of the space, holding bows or crossbows. He was glad the noble court had no plans to kill him, because if they did, with this many soldiers, they obviously could.
Sky had her back to him as he approached. Her sky-blue (of course it was sky-blue) top looked more like a set of light armor than anything else, with thick shoulderpads. She wore blue pants in place of a dress, and knee-high boots similar to those she’d worn when they first met.
She’d also done her hair up in even more blond braids than she normally managed. Her slim braids were like a nest of snakes arranged on top of her head, except these were attractive snakes. They interlaced in hard to follow ways, but it was fun to try.
As Viktoria’s gaze met Drake’s from the other side of her daughter, she said something Drake couldn’t make out. Sky turned to glance at him sidelong. Whether she intended to impress him or not, her profile, in that outfit, absolutely impressed. The way one eyebrow rose as she looked him over suggested she might be impressed as well... or he hoped she was.
Once Drake reached them, he offered his allies a curt nod. “Good evening.” He said it like he’d imagine an old-timey vampire might, even though he knew they wouldn’t get the joke.
Sky watched him with a curious expression. “New tailor?”
Drake chuckled at her implication. “Is it that obvious?”
“Whoever they are, they’re good at their job.”
“I only recruit the best.” He decided to open tonight’s negotiations by checking up on Sky’s missing people. “How’s Kari doing? Is she recovering?”
Sky’s faint smile faded. “We lost her late last night.”
Drake felt like he’d just stepped on a rake. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
That was one more person and one more rarity gone from the world, thanks to the fucking kromians. If Kari had died despite how good these people were at healing, her injuries must have been grievous indeed. For Sky, losing Kari must be like it would be for him to lose one of his battle maids. He didn’t want to even think about that.
“Kari fought bravely and saved many during the attack,” Mary put in calmly from Sky’s left. “Other than falling in defense of one’s lord, that is all a warrior can ask for in this life.”
“Thank you for asking about her, Lord Gloomwood,” Sky confirmed. “Your concern is appreciated, especially given I know you lost people as well.”
So they were being formal at the banquet. Drake mentally adjusted. “It would have been far worse without my zarovians. I hope they enjoy the spread tonight. They’ve earned it.”
Both Viktoria’s eyebrows rose. “You invited your zarovians to this banquet?” The way her features went placid suggested she didn’t approve.
“The noble court invited my zarovians,” Drake corrected evenly. “They said their invitation was open to everyone in my manor, and if not for my zarovians engaging the kromian attackers five to one on that beach, I wouldn’t be here to enjoy this delicious feast.”
Sky chuckled quietly. “This will certainly make the night more interesting.”
Lydia stepped up to Drake’s side. “Lady Skybreak? If you have a moment before the banquet gets into full swing, I’d like to discuss a few logistical matters with you regarding our journey back to our respective manors. If that’s not an imposition.”
Was Lydia already doing what she could to get him alone with Sky? She continued to be awesome. He couldn’t ask for a better wingman for tonight’s banquet.
“Do that,” Sky agreed before Viktoria could answer. “We should get all that sorted before we have to negotiate with the other manor lords to handle the noble court’s tasks tonight.” She glanced at her head ranger. “Cask, I want you to coordinate with Samuel as to the arrangement of our scouts for the trip home. We don’t need any more surprises.”
Drake glanced at Samuel. “Think you can handle that, old man?”
Samuel’s calm face registered none of the annoyance Drake had hoped for. “I will see to it, lord.” He remained more respectful in formal settings, likely for the sake of impressions.
Sky turned her gaze back to him. “As for you, I’d like to borrow you for a moment. There are some matters I’d like to sort out before tonight’s negotiations, between us.”
“I’m down,” Drake agreed. It sounded like he was going to get some alone with Sky, which was even better.” He looked to his battle maids. “You three go get some grub.”
“I don’t feel comfortable leaving your side,” Valentia said.
“I do!” Emily poked Val’s side. “Lord Skybreak’s with him. He’ll be fine.”
“I’ll keep him safe,” Sky assured Valentia. “You don’t need to worry about him.”
Valentia held Sky’s gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you.”
Before Valentia could say anything else, Nicole grabbed her forearm and pulled. “Food time!” She tugged Valentia a few steps backward. “They have strawberries. You must feed me.”
Nicole, at least, seemed utterly unconcerned about leaving Drake alone with Sky, which would help with Valentia’s overprotectiveness. As the two of them hurried off, Emily pivoted and walked after them. “Hey, wait for me! I want someone to feed me strawberries!”
Lydia offered an encouraging nod from where she was already speaking with Viktoria. Samuel and Cask seemed taken care of as well. Drake turned back to Sky. “I suppose that leaves me in your capable hands, Lord Skybreak.”
She smiled warmly. “Not the worst place to be, I hope.”
Drake grinned back. “Not at all.”
She led him away from the others to an alcove against the wall. It was far enough away from the capital guards they could speak without being overheard and near enough to the rest of their entourages that everyone could keep them in sight. Drake knew that given the gossip around the capital, Sky wouldn’t want to disappear anywhere alone with him.
That was fine. It also gave him the opportunity to see how she was doing after the attack without any worries about making her look weak in front of her people.
“So how are you holding up?” Drake asked once they were alone.
She quirked an eyebrow. “How do you mean?”
“Losing Kari must have been hard, as well as the rest of it. All I know about what you went through was what I heard at the cabal. Do you want to tell me how it all went down?”
“You lost people too.”
“You can comfort me later. I asked you first.”
“We were already on the way to attend a tour of the docks when the kromians attacked,” Sky said quietly. “Once we realized their main goal was to slaughter civilians, we had no choice but to engage the enemy at once. Fortunately, there were also some capital guards already stationed in the outer crescent that assisted us with the initial push. They provided enough support that we were able to blunt the kromian attack on the main gate.”
So the kromian attack strategy hadn’t been as haphazard as Drake had thought. Instead, they’d had the bad luck of running into Lord Skybreak and her forces as they attempted to rush through the main gate in the first wall. More proof that no matter how clever your plan for attacking an enemy city was, a few instances of bad luck could shred your plans like paper.
And more evidence Prince Varnath actually knew what he was doing.
