Chara giggles a bit when Eadoin talks about Mergyon.  Then she smiles, remembering times gone by…

”I haven’t been to Lucimburic in years,” she says.  “It must be five years now.  I remember Mergyon… he’s on his third Duke, you know.  Mergyon struck me as the sort who considers himself the resident of the palace, and the Dukes, they just come and go.  But you need something like that, really.  Someone must take the palace oh-so-seriously, just so the Duke doesn’t have to.”

She shares with Eadoin and the others around some of the history.

”Barstow wasn’t born to be Duke, you know.  The last Werebear Duke died childless, because of the Werewolf who usurped the throne during the whole terrible incident last year.  Barstow was the old Duke’s nephew, and he was left unharmed because at the time, he was out in some forest retreat studying with some wise old Werebear sage.  Someone whom they said had been trained in the mystic ways of some distant land to the east.”*

”Anyway, Barstow became Duke after that, and Mergyon, from what I’ve heard, is still very much Mergyon.  But he’ll have far too much to do to be dressing Centaurs.”

Eadoin needs reinforcements, and reinforcements arrive.

Entherin appears, with several Elves of her household, including Lyrandol, who Eaodin recalls from several occasions, including leading Entherin’s troop contingent at the battle of Namaco.  A group of Hybsils accompanies them. They enter Raviniacum to much barking of dogs, and there is a general flurry of chaotic activity.




*Yes, an eastern Mystic Werebear.  He was a Yogi Werebear.  Smarter than the average Werebear.

Impish smile never leaving his face, Eadoin listens to Chara recount how the Duke came to be, as well as her explanations about Mergyon.  "A promise is a promise, ma'am.  Should the gentleman have other duties, then it will be my great pleasure to take Apple Blossom shopping in as lovely a town as Civitas Lucimburic."

So far, Eadoin's had a fairly enjoyable day of visiting the temple, of nibbling sweets, and of spending time with his family.  He's carried wonderful smelling things from the kitchen to racks and to tables.  No demons, no Huns, no freezing weather.

If it's reinforcements he needs, he's not positive why for, but the more the merrier!  He greets those arriving rather warmly.

In the last few months, Lyrandol has come to terms with the whole idea of Theoderic being recognized as Entherin's grandson.  It was the single most disruptive event to ever strike the Elven nobility, but he understood- there really were no good alternatives now.  Once, Lyrandol and some other Elves had held on to the idea that Theoderic was unmarried, with no heirs, living a very dangerous life.  It would only be a matter of time before the line of the Second Mark returned to a more... well, to an Elf.  Even the elves were not sure who it would be- there was some disagreement over the years of birth of Entherin's nearest surving Elven relatives.

But now... Lyrandol had to admit, momentum was clearly on Theoderic's side.  Opposing this would be pointless. Still, he was not in a good mood.

Blink Bunnies have a instinct for people who need Blink Bunny attention.  They start popping in around the Elven knight-musician.

The last members of the travel group arrive:  Marisol and Procyon.  The two Unicorns have appeared as if out of nowhwere, and walk up near the bunny-besieged Lyrandol.

“Do you like them, Lyrandol?” Marisol asks.

“They are amusing.  I'm not unfamiliar with them.  Theoderic's family received theirs from Entherin.  She keeps a few.”

“You are still not pleased with this?”  Procyon asks.

“Accepting, I can be. Pleased...  I have seen the war at Namaco.  Now I am seeing centuries of our culture come to an end.   It is not a good time.”

“But that does not mean the time ahead will not be good,” Marisol says.

Eadoin greets Lyrandol warmly, as well as Procyon and Marisol.  Once, not too long ago, the young Centaur had gone looking for Procyon, to speak bluntly about things.  Rather, he'd run into Spica, with whom he'd spoken about the importance of not snubbing Marisol.  Now, given Marisol's state, it's obvious they managed to work through any differences.  "Welcome, ma'am, sir.  It's good to see you both again."

The Blink Bunnies he leaves to their own devices, unless there seems to be some unmet demand for attention and affection.  He approaches Lyrandol to see whether he can interest him in a cup of mulled cider and a game of Latrunculi.  Perhaps a few moments of distraction would help his mood.

The two Unicorns reunite with Eadoin.

Unicorns and Epona have an interesting relation, Eadoin has learned.  Unicorns, for all that they represent, do not have a patron deity to call their own.  Yes, there are Celestial Unicorns, but no Unicorn God.  And they certainly cannot claim Epona.  Epona is the goddess of horses, ponies... animals!... Unicorns would be too proud to claim to be among Epona's beloved.

And yet.. they know they are.  They know that somewhere up there, Epona looks at the Unicorns and says, "close enough, they're mine".

So there is a strange, unstated respect.

"It is good to see you too," Marisol says.  "Procyon told me of the things you did at the battle.  It is brave, especially for someone so young.  I think we are all here now?  Has Chara finished her work?  So much to do.. I have never seen anything like it."

Indeed, Chara has lots of work.  Even with help... a lot of work.  With Apple Blossom and Entherin as lieutenants she supervises a baking, sewing, decorating army.  Among the people of Raviniacum, no one feels they are missing anything by not going to Lucimburic... because what is happening here... Elves, Unicorns, Hybsils, Centaurs... is already far more than they have ever seen.

Eventually, pack horses are packed, and the carriage prepared for the winter roads.

"One day," Apple Blossom says, "Maybe there will be carriages for Centaurs.   I guess for now we walk."

Given Lyrandol's silence on the topic, Eadoin guesses to skip the strategy game.  Perhaps another time…

---

Eadoin, somehow, becomes more connected and understanding of the relationship between Epona and unicorns.  Another of his daydreams, perhaps.  It's been some time since he's drifted away to gather wool, but whatever inner paths his goddess leads, he's happy to follow.

"No more than others, far less than some," Eadoin answers quietly, momentarily embarrassed by the praise.  Still, he smiles a little, then offers each a bit of the honey cakes, no less than he'd have done for any of Epona's beloved.

"I think they're about done, yes…and this thing is…something special.  A joining of a royal Human house with…hmmm…"  Eadoin rubs the back of his neck easily, guessing they know all that, since Marisol's really good friends with Aelasuria.  "Anyhow, that a noble family from Geneva is joining with royalty from the Ardennes is really something.  Something kinda big."

Quietly, almost circumspectly, he adds, "That m'lord Theoderic is kinda the line to an Elven mark is…something else."  The young Centaur sighs, then shrugs.  "Anyhow, I don't get what it all means, but even I know it's real important."  He shares more honeycake.

---

At the discussion of a carriage for Centaurs, Eadoin bites his tongue.  Having been on boats, he doesn't much care for the world moving underneath his feet.  Who'd pull them along better than they can walk themselves?  Certainly a cart or wagon'd be nice for hauling the injured, but…for everyday?  Just going?  Eadoin doesn't quite visibly shudder with the thought.

Lyrandol, who had stood aside when the Unicorns made appearance, eventually accepts the cider offer.  But he looks displeased when Eadoin brings up the Elven Mark lineage.

”This is heavy drink,” he says.  “For hearty creatures like Centaurs.  Sweet, strong… I do not see it having much of a following amongst Elves.*  The Marks, young Eadoin, are not mere dynasties like the Humans are used to.  Let me tell you of Marks.  Human nobles own the land, and command the wealth of it.  There are great hordes of Humans growing food, and crafting, and trading, and the lords take a piece of this, and at least in theory see to the protection of the people.  Elves do not have this.  A Marquis and Marquessa do not command the wealth  of their land.  They cannot pay armies, or order peasants to dig a road.  These lineages are set apart not by wealth and authority but by magic.”

”Elves, I am sure you know, have more of it than Humans.  The noble houses have more of it than most Elves.  Aelasuria is from a noble house; her skill with magic is not a coincidence.  So a strong magical affinity will pass to Theoderic.  Maybe he already has it.  Each Mark has one.  The Second Mark’s affinity is to the magic of water.”

Marisol, who has been listening, says, “I think he already has it.  He might not know it, but it is there.”

Eadoin hmmms.  He'd not have discussed lines of Elvish succession with Lyrandol, as it's something that makes most Elves quite upset.  They have long memories and project things so far into the future that their thinking on a topic is often incomprehensible to races of lesser lifepan.  It's thin philosopical ice and, for Centaurs, thin ice doesn't bode well.

The young druid listens as someone he suspects is many centuries his elder explains.  After Marisol chimes in, Eadoin nods easily.  "Ummm...I guess I mean to say, this...joining of a Human royal house and an Elven house...well, it's a new thing.  Now, I know sometimes there have been times where couples came together, but it's nothing like this."

Quietly, he adds, "Aelasuria'll...live far longer than m'lord Theoderic.  I don't know what that means for Belgica nor their children nor the Marks, sir.  Their children'll...be more Elf than Human, with...a certain magic that's of both the Ardennes and Geneva.  It's just something new, like hasn't ever happened before."

He's quiet a while after that, thinking about the charge normally given a druid, to make sure a Land and its leaders are in accord, to speak for some parts that can't speak for themselves.  Eadoin's particular path leads him to ensure the crops grow well, that there is abundance, that the next generation occurs.  There are others of his faith who pay equal court to asterity, to times of lack, and to decay.

"They will have magic," Procyon says, "and what's more they will have Unicorns to teach them.  They will have a kingdom which will never fall into the ways that made the Elves and the Fey fearful of Humankind in the old days.  There will be better times for all than any they have known."

"I have been there for individuals," Marisol adds. "But here, we will be there for a people.  I cannot see the future, but this will not be like anything in the past.  I am sure of it."

When everything and everyone is packed and ready, and dozens of solstice honey cakes delivered from the D'Meuse ovens, the procession is ready to move out...and here, at least, Marisol is quite accurate:  it is nothing like anything seen before.  Elves, Humans, (and one half Elf), Hybsils, Centaurs, and Unicorns... along with Chara's cart and a half dozen pack horses.

They set out along the route that has become familiar to Eadoin- a string of little villages in the forested hills, along the Meuse and Chiers rivers.  But to the people in the villages, such a procession is entirely new.  They are not entirely sure what it all means (what's with the Hybsils, anyway?) but it's clear that this is something very, very important.  The automatic assumption on everyone's part is that this must involve Chara.

Chara, after all, has been in the role of "reigning monarch", doing the day to day managing of things while Theoderic has gone hither and yon- in her own way, by earnest moral suasion where the authority of the mother of the prince, or king, didn't seem to carry.  And her association with Unicorns has been long known, and that added a lot to moral suasion.

So she is the one who recieves most of the attention, most of the cheer as the group passes the villages.

For the Hybsils and Centaurs, each village is a place of interest.  Each is something they haven't seen before, with a new crop of wonders to explore.  And when the reach Sedanensis, with its craftsmen and market and timber mill, they are amazed at the "busyness" of it all.

Eadoin offers nothing more on his expectations about the future.  It's not really his place to cast his own expectations about how things should be, only to work to keep balance.  While at times, it deeply frustrates the young Centaur, he never questions whether it's the right one.  He knows a calling when he sees it.

It's quite a cavalcade that leaves the little village of Raviniacum and heads along the river road through larger settlements.  This time, at least, he doesn't stand out as much as he did the previous time he came through, practically holding a sign that said "Buy War Bonds!"  Still, though, it's plain he and others are entourage and symbol to the region's ruling family.

At each pause, Eadoin seeks those he recalls from his earlier passage this way, taking the time to introduce his family, immediate and extended, to those he's met in Mons Hermes, Castricum, and Sedanensis.  Since he still has money, he'll spend a small amount on the little ones, a bit of ribbon or a piece of candied fruit.  It is the solstice-tide, after all.

In Sedanensis, he introduces his folk around to those craftsmen he's met before.  Here's summer work for some of the tribe, for the learning of how other folk do things, for getting money.  Though barter is fine for a forest folk, for those semi-settled and moving on a route with the seasons, coinage is medium of exchange.

Along the way, in fine fettle, he finds himself wondering about Geirfic, Luccien, and Riordeg, wondering what's become of the new young warriors he'd met just before coming this way the last time.

After a few days of traveling, Eadoin's strange procession reaches Lucimburic.  The change in culture is obvious as soon as they enter the Duchy- the folk of Lucimburic, used to seeing were-this and were-that and accepting that the same individual might appear in several forms, never pay much heed to shape.  A person is a person to them, whether given fur or feathers, tail or hooves.  Centaurs and Hybsils give them only momentary interest.

"So that's a Hybsil, you say?  Oh."

Unicorns elicit a little more interest but not nearly as much as they did in Human and Elven lands.

Procyon explains:  "The Were-folk consider themselves the special creations of Arduinna, goddess of the forest.  What is a Unicorn, if you are a divine expression yourself?"

In a way, even to the Unicorns who are used to wonder and awe in every mortal eye who sees them, it is a welcome rest.  To just...  be.

There is politeness, and even joy, at the gates of the city, but no mob scene.  Guards of the Lucimburic Militia politely direct the group to the palace, where "Mergyon will sort it all out".

They are crossing the town when there is the call of a herald trumpet.  People begin to file towards the Clear Fountain Plaza.  Evidently, the sound means impending announcement, so Chara and Eadoin and the group follow along.

It is an announcement.  They see the Duke and Duchess on a balcony.  After another introductory trumpet blast, the Duke speaks.  He hits the important part quickly.

 The Werebear's deep voice carries over the plaza:  "And so I am pleased to announce that the war is over, victory is at hand, and this very day, within hours, Theoderic will return here with the heroic troops that defeated the Hun invasion of the Ardennes."

The Duke and Duchess hurry to the Clear Fountain Plaza to greet the arriving procession.

They've never met Entherin, but Aelasuria has taught them that with Elves, it is best not to use the enthusiastic "whole body" greetings favored by Werebears.  Barstow and Babette are as gentle as they can be.  With the Centuars, though, they are a little more "themselves".  Centaurs look like they can take it.

They had some advance warning of the size of the delegation from Raviniacum.  But they've seen to accomodations.  Friends and family of the groom, after all, right?  Can't not make arrangements for them.

"Things may be a little tight, but we've got a good place in the palace for the Centaurs," Lady Babette, a husky, healthy looking woman says.  "Though, we don't have much for staff, these days.  Not in a while."

"That's quite alright," Chara says politely.  "I am sure whatever we have is fine."

The Centaurs, collectively, have that expression that says "wait, what?"

"We're going in there?"  Mayez says, pointing to the palace.

It is the biggest building they've ever seen.  The palace of Lucimburic isn't a single simple building.  Centuries old, generations of Werebears have added to it, sometimes with dramatic changes in style.  No one ever credited Wearebears with an instinct for architectural continuity.

"For our hooved guests, we are prepared," the Duke says.  "Quarters on the ground floor, in the Beolas wing, close to the gardens."

"And the gardens are for the Unicorns," the Duchess adds.  "And... goodness, who are you?"

She is looking at the Hybsils.  The Werefolk do not normally consider a person's outward shape to be that important, not compared to inner nature, but... Barstow and Babette have  never seen Hybsils before.


With the amount of activitity that will be going on in Lucimburic, the town will be broken up into different threads.  Using our usual "Parallel time" system, characters can post in more than one, but please not more than two at a time, it will get too confusing otherwise.  Please don't try to do it all at once!

The first sub-threads I am creating are:

The Gardens at the Duke's Palace.  In the middle of the Palace, the Unicorns find refuge in the palace gardens.  Find some peace and tranquility here.  If it's okay with the Unicorns.

The Winter Merchant Faire.  Shops of every description are crowded into the town's two commercial plazas.  Shop for stuff here.

The Grand Hall of the Palace of Lucimburic.  Meeting, Reception, Mingling place in the palace.


More will follow.

At first, the young Centaur is surprised at the numbers and sorts of people present, those who've come to see the wedding. It'll sure make for a grand spectacle!

He's further surprised to hear about "The End of the War".  It's only here in Civitas Lucimburic that news is come that the Hum attacks on the Ardennes have failed!  At once the young Centaur is elated and worried.  The Emperor holds both cities and vast populations of people under his control.  Until the last Hun is chased from Gaul, what's been won is hard to measure.  Further, Eadoin worries about the efforts the Huns might make to strike, even here to prevent the union of Geneva and Ardennes in Clovis' line.  For now, he keeps his worries to himself.

---

Eadoin has stayed briefly with the Duchess and Duke before, so he's prepared for the whole-body hugs that pass for a welcoming snug with the Werebears.  He hugs back in kind, and introduces his family and such of his folks as are present.

He smiles a little, having stayed near that very same garden some months past.  "It's a good space, especially thinking about all the people who are here."  Though Eadoin would freely admit, what he'd like to do is find some others his own age, maybe Jaquen or Ali'Cor, unfortunately this isn't the time.  He'd love to find a bath in the Roman style.

When Babette spots the Hybsils, Eadoin offers, "Hybsils, ma'am.  Fair Folk from near Lake Flevo.  They've settled with us near Raviniacum, in the Ardennes."  He introduces each briefly, Zhoton and each of the others as he knows them.

Eadoin and his group are welcomed quite warmly.  Not so many were expected, but the Duchess has a bubbly "oh, we'll make do" attitude that never seems to admit to logistical problems, and simply passes it off to Eadoin- showing him the three rooms on the ground floor that have been prepared for Centaurs, and leaving it to Eadoin to work out who fits where.

She has spaces for the Human and Elven members of the party upstairs.  The palace has many rooms that aren't often used- some not in decades.

As Eadoin learns, or perhaps already knows, there are limited possibilities for bath taking in Lucimburic.  Sadly, the palace baths are at the basement level and while the Duke and Duchess have gone out of their way to provide access to the ground floor for hoofed guests, accessing the basement is hazardous for a Centuar.  (Not so for the Hybils.  They are much smaller than the Centaurs, and very agile, and handle stairs sideways, like mountain goats on cliffs.)

The town has only two public bathhouses.  The “Upper Town” bathhouse is on the north side, a little west of the Tower of Higher Arts.  They charge a modest fee for the “basic” services, and more expensive supplementals (soap) are available.  Down in the Grund, “Uncle Gus’s Bathhouse” is along the Alzette River, on a narrow semi-island all its own, and like some of the other establishments in the Grund, is very cheap, at least at the outset, and makes money selling goods and services of a somewhat shadier nature.  In particular, rumor has it that the side businesses of Uncle Gus’s Bathhouse are not the sort of things that someone of Eadoin’s age ought to be exposed to.

The palace has its own baths, and so do some of the more upscale buildings of the town, but most of the town’s bathing is simply done in the river, as the Alzette river is close by and clean- although the astute local never bathes downstream of the Grund.

Many of Eadoin's folk haven't ever lived indoors, much less seen things like a Roman hypocaust used for heating a house, or a bath.  He sorts out space as best he can, though admittedly, his folk don't all have the same expectations of private, personal space that some others have, perhaps a remnant of still living as hunter-gatherers.  Rooms indoors and the Centaurs' ever-present tents will have to make do.

Lucimburic isn't Lutetia Parisiorum, but neither has it been occupied and plundered by the Huns.  Still, bathing in the frigid river in the depths of a northern European winter isn't something anyone's ever likely to call a treat.  Eadoin's no fan of going down steps, up being orders of magnitude easier, but it can be done, even if it isn't particularly graceful or dignified.

Eadoin's got no business in the Grund at all.  He'd have to be dragged kicking and screaming to take Apple Blossom and the little ones there.  That's just not going to happen.  Still, the wedding's no place for a herd of muddy Centaurs.  For now, he'll just get everyone settled as best he can.  Eventually, he appeals to Apple Blossom and Mayez for help.  They're far better at thinking about such things than he is, anyhow.

Everyone assigned a place to sleep and store their things, Eadoin heads with Apple Blossom to the Winter Merchant Faire.

When he reaches the festival market with Apple Blossom, there will be some familiar faces here and there.  Rita, Riordeg, and Aelasuria, for example.

(Feel free to contact any, it might help to pm to establish which thread they should meet on.)

Eadoin should move to “The Winter Merchants' Faire.”

 Apple Blossom has been observing the locals, and learning about them.

She notices something:  The Lycanthrops come in many forms, but none represent any Domestic animals.  She notices that the people of Lucimburic pay very  little attention to appearances.  No one stares at Centaurs.  Nothing seems strange to them.  But on the other hand.. appearances must mean something, since there is a clear caste-like structure to society.  It isn't rigid, but it's there- Werewolves tend to be soldiers, Werehares are farmers, Wereturtles fish in the rivers, and Werebears are leaders.

She makes some inquiries, and finds a few Were-folk willing to talk about their society, and she begins to piece together the strange social structure that is Lucimburic.

It isn't that they pay no mind to appearances.  What you are, according to the Lycanthropes, helps define your nature.  It's just that all natures have a place.  If there was no need for Centaurs the gods would not have created them, thus “Centaur” is as perfectly normal a thing to be as “Werehedgehog.”  Or “Human”.  If their nature is one that fits in with the whole, Centaurs have a place.

“Do we have a nature?” Apple Blossom asks Eadoin, who has a reputation for dealing with philosophical questions, whether he likes it or not.  “Is there a thing that Centaurs are, the way that Werewolves are fierce and Werehares cautious and diligent?  That's what they believe here- the nature within is what's really important, so there's no reason to look at the outside."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:33, Mon 08 Apr 2013.

Back from the market, the wedding, the endless public festivities and displays, Eadoin circulates in Apple Blossom's wake.  He's always amazed and a bit thunderstruck at how she moves through layers of society, negotiates fiercely, plans for the future, yet is her ever present-in-the-moment, practical self.  She's a striking contrast to Eadoin's mystical, philosophic approach to life.  The young Centaur is at once awed and enthralled.  Despite all that's happening around them, he's largely oblivious, lost for a time in the daily happenings of the band of Centaurs he's gathered, of his family, and in the simple grace of Apple Blossom's smile.

When she asks him about the Centaurs' nature, he's not certain how to reply at first, but take some time to think about it before answering.  "Everything has a nature, I think, sort of a thing it best does in the order of things.  Some of though, the gods gave thoughts and words that mean we're more than just being, I think.  Just like simple things, though, like rocks and animals around us, though, we live within the same order of things; Humans, Huns, Elves, Centaurs, and all the rest of us have those things in common."

As to the nature of Centaurs, though, Eadoin's less specific.  She's smarter than he is, about figures and the best way to do a thing given a set of circumstances.  He sidesteps what he thinks might be a contentious question, but does take the chance to take Apple Blossom's hand as they walk.  "It's tough to put a name to exactly what we are.  And it's always tough surrounding someone in a hedge of expectations that say what people ought to be, or even to let folks fence us in with their ideas about what we are.".

He shrugs, then smirks flirtingly.  "Could be I'm just not old enough to know much about those things.  Ask me again in when our little ones have little ones of their own, when we're both old and grey, after you've taught our granddaughter's children how to raise the best marigolds and I take the little ones fishing in the Meuse.  Maybe by then I'll know better."

The Centaurs and Hybsils (which have been unofficially adopted by the Centaurs as "our weird little Fey flower-hugging cousins") have an advantage the two legged folk do not in this season.

Snow does not slow them down so much.  Four legs are pretty stable on the snow.  (Yes, they still have problems with ice.)  So they have no great reason to stay in Lucimburic after the wedding and winter festival.

Eadoin is a special case, of course.  He and Apple Blossom might stay longer, but the others want to leave.  There is work to do.

But they also know Eadoin is their link to the King, and they have concerns- does Theoderic want anything else out of them?  The battle at Namaco was a tough one, and they are not exactly looking forward to another one like that.

And on the other hand... they don't want to be seen as not doing their best.  If Theoderic is going to fight the Huns, there needs to be Centaurs involved.

Eadoin gets two visitors.

One is Melissa. She has a simple problem.  Theoderic has no assigned both of her "overseers" to missions.  She can't not have one, that would make a mockery of the legal system.

But Titus is gone.  Rita is leaving.  She has to stay with Scolo, because she feels she keeps him stable.

She's hoping that Eadoin, being sort of responsible for her current situation, might volunteer for this duty.

* * * * **

And then there is the more puzzling visit.  Puzzling because the two traveling show impresarios that visit him didn't seem to have anything to do with the various plans that bold adventurers were now setting out on.  Puzzling also because they seemed to know an awful lot.

They want to borrow his staff.

Not for themselves, of course.  As Hylensia, a mature, silver haired Human woman explains, "It's for our dear Julia.  She's going on this mission to rid the Dwarf Kingdom of a Demon.  But the Demon has corrupted Dwarves and from what we've heard, you have a tool that can uncorrupt them."

They offer a "loaner", something they can "borrow from a friend."

Phileas, Hylensia's husband, is evasive if Eadoin wonders "borrow from who?".  He explains that in show business, you run across a lot of interesting people and things.  "We can obtain for you an shirt of armor made from a dragon's scales, if you approve.  It's excellent magical protection."

In speaking to the Hybsils and the other Centaurs, Eadoin gets the answer he'd expect.  There's work to be done for the first settlement near Raviniacum, as well as in the empty portions of Belgica the king had offered them to roam.  Rather than gather the Centaurs, he just circulates amongst them and lets on that he's looking for volunteers, good archers and scouts.  He's looking for about a fifth of those remaining, releasing others to return to Raviniacum.

He's torn at parting from Apple Blossom, again, though they knew the day would come in the wake of the wedding.  He's to follow Theoderic and Aelasuria east, Apple Blossom to return to Raviniacum.  "It won't be long, I think," he says in the quiet of an evening together.

---

Eadoin is quite surprised to see Melissa again, but he welcomes her warmly and invites her to tea.  He sweetens his with honey, kneeling on a mat.  "Hello, Melissa.  It's good to see you again.  I trust you've been well."

He listens to her a while, sipping his tea thoughtfully.  "Are…you asking me to come with you and Scolo?"  As far as the legal system is concerned, there's only the king's word and Melissa's oath.   He's thoughtful for a time, before responding.  "I'll think about it, ma'am.  While I don't think you need a sponsor to help you see the right way, it was the king's word.  He didn't set me that task, though, he set it to others."


As for the others asking after the staff to support Julia in her efforts in the Dwarven kingdom and their offer of a trade intrigues the young Centaur.  When they explain about the dragon scales, Eadoin's inability to disguise he his emotions is readily apparent as he nearly shivers.  "It's not…like...a dragon's skin, is it?  I couldn't possibly…of a dragon?"  He's a little less shocked, possibly amenable if it's the crafted, cast off scales, but he's horrified at the thought of wearing "dragon hide".

If the latter, he tries to negotiate it into a quality iron plough for Apple Blossom, even one of the magical ones and a little seed cash.  At the same time, he's really up front.  "It isn't really mine to trade, to loan, or to keep.  It's Lord Apollo's.  Where he wills it, it should go.  I'll go see her straight away."

The thought that the armor offered might actually be made of Dragon skin brings a brief flicker of disgust to the faces of Hylensia and Phileas, but they recover quickly.  Phileas explains.

“Oh, no, one would not defame a Dragon to use its body so.. the very idea, no, never.  But… through their lives, Dragons cast off scales.*  Some Dragons… knowing that these scales, even though cast off from the body with no more of a thought than you losing a hair or two, have some of the Dragon’s great strength and magic, have the scales preserved, by magic.  Otherwise, they become weak and brittle with time.  They give these scales as tokens and rewards, or have them made into works of greater magic, to serve the Dragon’s causes.  And thus I know… there is at least one Dragon whose cause is consistent with your own.”

* * * * *

Likewise, Melissa has some clarification for the young Centaur.

“We’re not going with Byron,” she says.  “We’re going.. I think we’re going with Theoderic.  I’m not supposed to stray, and I have to keep Scolo with me.  He’ll help, whatever it is.  He’s got a good heart, it’s just confused sometimes, I think by the magic he’s conjured up in his life.  It has… effects.  But also, we’re going to look for a good place for him to settle down, along the way.  I like Belgica.  It’s got the look of a peaceful land, I think we’re both looking for that.”


*Like alligators.  Dragons do not shed skin like snakes or lizards.  They lose individual scales like alligators.   

Eadoin doesn't really know Hylensia and Phileas, but they apparently know him.  How they know of his individual goals in life, hope for the future, his particular spiritual path of generation and renewal he's uncertain.  Maybe he's overthinking things again, but that's part of his makeup.  He nods quietly, thinking a few moments before responding.

Someone who knows things he only shares with Apple Blossom or his mentor and who speaks as if they know dragons personally, yet appears to be a performer is more than they would seem at a casual glance.  The young Centaur chooses his words carefully.  "If you were to know someone who'd...be willing, then I'd be honored, sir...ma'am.  But, I'll give over the staff freely to Mater Julia, as it would best aid her in her tasks.

* * * * *

While Melissa explains, Eadoin listens intently.  He expected they were off to do something about trying move Scolo's village folk to somewhere safe.  Apparently, he's confused.  He understands about Scolo and his magic, nods easily in agreement.  "It's...quite a lovely land, all flat fields and little rolling hills, rivers and forests.  I'm sure you could find a place to settle there."

"We would like to," Melissa explains.  Then she back tracks.  "I mean I would like to, and I hope Scolo would see Belgica as a good place.  But there's more.  I know Theoderic wants Scolo to help in the campaign against the Huns.  Somehow, we'll fit that in and help Scolo find a home.  But... I need to stay with him.  Really.  I understand him, and he trusts me, and he's, well, fragile inside.  But I can't go around on my own.  I am under a sentence, to be a servant to the crown of Belgica. I cannot have freedom.  Theoderic needs to have someone watch over me, officially.  But Titus and Rita are both away.  Can you do it, Eadoin?  Please?  It's the best way we can bring Scolo's power to bear against the Huns."

While he's no priest of Venus, Eadoin can't help but catch Melissa's double-take on plans to settle in Belgica, "we" to "I".  Still, he listens while she lists out the things concerning her.  "Ma'am...Melissa...I think the King's sentence is much a way to...relieve everybody else as it is a punishment.  He needs time to think about things.  M'lord Theoderic doesn't seem like somebody who decides things with his passions."

Eadoin offers Melissa a refill of her tea as a way of pausing to collect his thoughts.  He sips his own before continuing.  "It's good that you've found a way to help, ma'am, one that's meaningful to you.  Scolo's...I dunno, maybe taunted by the things he's called, but he's...elsewhere and sees things differently than other folk, that's fair to say."  Again, Eadoin sips his tea thoughtfully.  "He's lucky you and he came together, ma'am."

The young Centaur smiles easily.  "Of course I'll, ma'am; it's enough that you ask.  It'd be an honor to help however I can."

OOC: Should I consider going to "The Northern Front" thread?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:45, Thu 09 May 2013.