Mariam's skin turned bright red noticing Marik. She grabbed a mug of ale and downed it trying to stay calm. Focusing on Cyrus once more she listened intently to him. "You're a lucky man. I, well, I was once betrothed to someone myself, if you want to speak of brutes then I can say he was one, you are miles from a brute sir. " she smiled.

In reply to DM (msg # 25):

"Milord, that looks a quality ale I must say!"

Tansy, sticking close to Lex, steps forward to grab a mug and quaff some ale with the brother of the groom

In reply to Mariam doZima Wolfeater (msg # 27):

Cyrus smiled at the large half-orc and said, "Indeed I am. Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment, I owe a few additional words of gratitude to others in the room. I hope I can return and hear stories of your exploration and findings from the field, but perhaps we can sit down over an ale at one of the taverns in town on another occasion for that."

Cyrus bowed his head as a sign of honor to them both and then moved away, headed first to greet and thank the Lady Luna Cartan. Approaching the matron he said, "My bride and I are honored both by your presence and your generosity. I have much to thank you for and find myself lacking the words to do justice to it. You have my word that I will protect your granddaughter, her name and will come to your house's side should the need ever present itself. My blade is yours, as it were."

"Not quite a Caydenbrew, but certainly not bad." Ajax responds to Tansy as he chugs his beer and then asks,  "Have you known my brother long?"

Lady Luna greets Cyrus as he comes over and listens  attentively to his words, and when she replies there is a hint of a smile and a glint in her eye, "Oh yes.  I am sure you will. ....  After all we had you checked out as soon as Valoria sent her message."  She pauses for a moment before she continues, "As for generosity, well we wouldn't want to see Valoria living in some caves under a hill, even if her new husband is well equipped to defend her." Again there is a hint of a smile before her face is schooled into the stern look that a noble dowager lady is expected to display before the younger generations.

Lex follows Tansy over to find a draft and nods in acknowledgement of Cyrus's brother.

"I met Cyrus when he first arrived at Oleg's. It wasn't under the best of circumstances for me, but he was kind when I didn't deserve it. He's a good man, a strong one and that blade of his cuts deep."

He pauses for a second and then adds, "You see, I was a bandit, one of those corrupting the land that Cyrus went out to tame. I'd only been one a few months when Henry's men came to the land, but I was caught among those trying to rob Oleg. Henry and the others showed me mercy, branding me for my crimes, but allowing me to live. I proved myself reformed and have been traveling about, helping Henry's other officers in taming the lands myself."

Adoven scans the crowd, looking to see if any bards are plying their trade and providing music. If so, he bows to the lady he is escorting and asks "Lady Viktoria, might I ask the pleasure of a dance with you?

Cyrus bowed his head in gratitude once more and then took his leave of the matron.

He wanted to stop in and say something to his brother but the man looked to have his hands full with the young reformed bandit and a young woman he knew to be one of Henry’s new crop of officers but whom he hadn’t met. Turning instead he found himself face to face with the Swordlord Lebeda-Berain. Bowing his head in greeting, Cyrus says, "You are quite generous to attend our wedding festivities! I am honored you would attend. I am curious, do any of your students or teachers fight with a blade and a shield or do they all specialize in the Aldori dueling sword?"

"Family, you know.  My wife is Valoria's aunt.  Two or three times removed of course, but a Lebeda by blood.  Anyway, Victoria was always going to put on a good spread and with Luna here as  well ..."  He pauses and smiles broadly as Cyrus asks about duelling.

"Not perhaps in the sense that you mean.  My students are followers of the Rondolero duelling style, originally brought here from Taldor, using the Falcata and Buckler. Halbane Court, just across the road from me,  host a general weapons training school, a minor Aldori school and an introductory Rondolero school." The older sword lord replies.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:34, Thu 12 Oct 2017.

Andalon quickly seemed to be right at home among the wedding guests. He made a point of speaking with Banker Russino as soon as he could (discussing the reasons for and merits of the slightly different format of the wedding service performed here in Restov compared to the way he had been taught in New Stetven).

Then he sought out each of the Lebeda relatives, including those that he had never met before. He chatted with each of them briefly to find out how closely they were each related to him and to his own parents, where they lived and their business interests and role within the extended family.

He introduced himself to Cyrus's brother Ajax and joined him in a toast to the happy couple with a very welcome tankard of ale. He also made a point of saying hello to each of the other guests who were fellow members of Henry's troop and getting to know the newcomers a bit better.

Marik nods in response to Cyrus, "Of course, you have many people to greet. Thank you for inviting us." Once Cyrs leaves them Marik turns to Mariam, "Well, I see you have a drink, but my hands are still quite empty. I think I'm going to go get a glass of wine over there, and maybe some food. Care to join me?"

Mariam nodded "yes of course I'd be happy to" she spook as Cyrus headed to greet the other guests.

Turning back to Marik, Mariam smiled nervously, "Yes, food, that sounds lovely." she declared, hesitating a moment to decide if she should take his are or not, deciding it would just be uncomfortable. She walked over to the bar with Marik. "So how are you since we got back? " she asked ordering a second drink.

In reply to DM (msg # 34):

Cyrus is quite sure he's heard of the Falcata but can't quite place it and he acknowledges that saying, "Interesting sir, or should I call you Uncle now?" He doesn't pause for the man to answer his question instead, continuing on saying, "I don't know that I've ever seen a Falcata in use. You pair it with a buckler for mobility, I presume?" Cyrus had often wondered if he wouldn't be better off with lighter shields and armor but the protection his chain and heavy shield offer are too precious.

He then added, "I'd be honored if you would let me attend a lesson, even only as a spectator, I pride myself on my ability with my blade and my shield, but I am always curious at how others fight. The Lady Viktoria d'Lodovka might also be interested. She fights with two shorter blades to great effect. Her blades lash out in a frenzy that leave her opponents little hope of defending themselves."

Adoven interjects "The falcata is a heavy blade, much like a scimitar. But it has a heavier backing to the blade, conveying more momentum when a stroke manages to hit in a vital spot, thus making it more devastating than usual."

Ajax’s eyebrows raise slightly at Lex’s admission that he was a bandit, but he shrugs slightly raises his tankard to the young man  ”Well here is to your future then, may the Lucky Drunk look  on you favorably.” he says completing the toast, before continuing with light conversation. 

-

Further around the hall, the Senior Sword Lord frowns slightly at the thought of being called uncle, but responds cheerfully to Cyrus.  ”Of course you are welcome to come along and watch if you want to, and bring your friend with you.  I am sure that some of the boys and girls will benefit from meeting someone who is out in the field at the moment.  They think it is all soft beds, warm baths and formal duels.”

”Lady Viktoria, might well benefit from visiting one of my colleagues in the Southern Schools, among other dueling styles they teach the modern rapier and dagger style, that is favored among the sons of some of the city houses.  Indeed it is.” the Sword Lord Continues as Adoven joins them, ”but well balanced and light enough in the hand to make it a dueling weapon that can match the best.”

-

Andalon moves around the room making small conversation with many of the guests, clearly comfortable in this sort of environment.   It probably has something to do with a combination of his family background and the practice of dealing with congregation members after church services.

-

Marik and Mariam stroll towards the tables at the back of the room, where there are plenty of servants to hand out glasses of wine, mugs of ale and small plates filled with delicacies.  And they don’t seem to mind how often you come back either.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:05, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

Cass found out that not only were quail eggs exceptional light fare, but that they also paired well with the golden ale that had seduced him into refilling his mug at least once. Light was the way he preferred to keep it in regards to conversation as well. Oh, he would politely engage anyone from commoner to king on about any subject, but he didn't monopolize anyone with weighty discourse.

In passing, he did hear a conversation in regards to the dueling styles and his ears perked up just a smidgen.

"The falcata duelist, especially in the Rondolero style, is equivalent to a charging lancer for those who have the strength and stamina to really excel with the style. Less skilled or hearty opponents are quickly overwhelmed. Opponents of equal footing are often beleaguered by the need to maintain both attack and defense moves at a blistering pace. Even opponents of higher regard can be lost to a well executed maneuver."

Perhaps the quail eggs could prove a bit dry on the throat or maybe he had spoken more than he intended. Cass sipped at his ale once more before adding. "Definitely not an area of best pursuit for me, however."

It would be interesting to see how the others performed on the dueling mat. Maybe even to spar with at some point.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:15, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

Tansy laughed when asked if she'd known Cyrus long

"I believe the first words I heard from him were at the door to this hall"

Lolli kept a distance from Lady Viktoria, sneaking towards some food, feeling rather hungry after the morning's ceremonies.

In reply to Adoven (msg # 32):

Viktoria smiled at Adoven, doing a curtsy and taking his hand

"I could be persuaded."

Viktoria had learned to dance when she was younger, but not more than basic courtly moves, and would likely be outclassed by the skilled bard.

Once he has grabbed a glass of wine and a small plate of various  delicacies he has never seen, or even heard of, before, he motions for Marian to follow him over to an area out of the way of the tables lined with food and drink. "I'm  doing well. I'm  quite fond of the bracers that we found and I've  asked PekWik to stay around for a while; he's promised to teach me how to speak Draconic. I'm still a ways away from my ultimate goal, but they say patience is a virtue, yes? How about you?"

In reply to Cass Mordane (msg # 41):

Thrilled that Adoven and the young man who'd so "slyly" dropped a mirror in the chest of gifts had chosen to join the conversation about the dueling techniques, Cyrus listened to him intently and found his dismissal of his own prowess rather interesting.

"Well, in that case, I must attend one of these sessions quite soon. Cass, Adoven, you both seem to understand the nuances of the technique, perhaps you can accompany me and point out the subtleties as we watch? It would be a great honor to me if you would do so."

"I too fight with a blade and a shield, though my shield is heavier and my blade is straight. I rely on form and discipline, along with my own trained strength and speed to keep my body protected and my enemy on the defensive. Tell me Cass, how do you know so much about the techniques, but claim that you are not equipped to pursue it?"

Cyrus was clearly enjoying this opportunity to meet new members of his extended family and new members of his extended commitment to Henry.

"Oh, I followed the young Aldori bravos straight from the street skirmishes to the school yards." Cass admitted, his fingers lingering against his own Aldori sword as if somehow recapturing memories.

"They were such prigs," he laughed. "True performers in their own right. Any young would-be bard would have watched them to mimic an expression or a phrase. And they were right there on the streets where I lived and learned."

The soft cast to his eyes returned to the here and now. "I spent more coin than I should ever care to admit learning the basics at the Aldori schools. And every free moment watching each style, teacher, and student in the art of swordsmanship and even other weapons. The Rondolero style, while just as complex and elegant as the others, is a strong man's game. Neither of my parents equipped me for that. And while my logical mind tells me that having something in my off hand is just good, common sense, it has never managed to feel quite right."

Cass looked down at his mug as if just remembering it was there and took a long sip. "If you are truly inclined, I could accompany you and offer whatever commentary I might, such as it is."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Sat 14 Oct 2017.

"Cass, you will quickly learn that I rarely express interest that isn't sincere. As a fellow officer of Midmarch, and as an expert in the art of dueling, I would be honored to have you at my side when I watch the training." Cyrus clapped Cass on his shoulder as he spoke making sure the bard understood he was quite sincere.

"So you are saying you actively trained but you feel as though that training was in vain? I doubt you will feel that way when we return to Midmarch. We are sure to need all of your skills to survive and make Midmarch live up to it's true potential."

In reply to Marik (msg # 45):

Mariam looked at Marik intrigued, " It is one of the best. " she smiled. "I'm enjoying some time off. Getting used to that new glaive. It is quite well made. Also its nice to find the time to curl up with a nice book though I've noticed its quite difficult to find a new one here." she thought for a moment "May I ask what this ultimate goal is?"

Pipre had tried her best not to make a scene during the wedding, even going so far as to limit her liquid breakfast to low alcohol content wines and ale rather than spirits. The outfit she wore is something of a dressed up version of her usual look. A short, modern coat cropped to extend almost past her bust, a fine red with a standing collar, small tails in the back, and a luxurious quilted inner lining that keeps the fabric firm and soft against her slender torso. The black gown underneath has a plunging neckline shored up by silver chains that run like a texture down her front. Legs emerge from slits in the otherwise form-hugging sheath of a gown and the heels on her delicate shoes have small carved designs plated in silver. Her hair is perhaps the biggest transformation, in a large, ornate up-style with braids and a crown of fresh, pink flowers.

Most importantly she had gotten any acrid scent of chemicals off of her. Or perhaps it was just the lack of that old noble jacket, the one with the arrow holes in it and chemical stains greying its surface.

She seems hesitant to put her gift in, really not sure if they are going to appreciate it, but in the end she smiles and slips in an expensive bottle of absinthe with a fancy little tag that just says, "not a bomb". She then moves over to congratulate the couple. She approaches Valoria first. "Congratulations," she says in her usual sultry, mellow voice with just a bit of fraying and cracking for flavor.

In reply to Cyrus Lebeda-Ondari (msg # 46):

Adoven is unable to respond as he is dancing with Viktoria. His attention seems split between trying not to misstep, and paying attention to the woman with him. Although not trained in dance, he has a ready feel for rhythm and music, blending his movements in time with the beat.