Here Jevan paused with his glass part way to his lips. "Truthfully?"

"Not at all - until last night."

"You observed the Grand Melee. I embarrassed a few of the other houses on my climb to the top. The sons of Duskryn and Auvryndar in particular took exception. They tried to head me off on route to the ceremony, and they had three accomplices in Sorcere waiting at the gates."

"I gave them the slip of course," Jevan said, lifting his glass to his lips.

"But I can't help but wonder if I shall see them again."

"Duskryn and Auvryndar? Absoluetely. In one way or another, they're both practically our neighbors. As for the students of sorcere you slipped past? I doubt it. But mayhaps."


Xullin swirls the brandy around in his glass for a moment, looking into it and watching the liquid move. "There is a tradition among the graduating class of Sorcere. They're small classes usually, unlike Melee Magthere, so even the third or fourth ranked student often find themselves at the bottom of the totem pole. Those graduates will ire at their placement but have few options as to what to do about it; one way they make themselves feel better is by reminding themselves they are better than others. When the Grand Melee champion proves to be someone with skill in magic, they like to take them and put them through Sorcere's own rigorous graduation challenge, with some prize as promise to coerce them. If that was what they had in store for you it is better that you gave them the slip; such things while rarely deadly are stacked rather unfairly and designed to make the victim embarrass himself."

For some reason Jevan seemed to find this revelation uproariously funny. "Perhaps I should have let them corner me after all," he remarked. "Then I could have graduated at the top of two classes."

"I'm sure you're right though. Its only fun to play with a stacked deck when you're the dealer, not the mark. Ah well. They never got the chance to play."

Xullin shrugs; "They would have put you up against the worst in the class, so the best outcome would have made you look just as good as their worst, but yes they would have been playing with a stacked deck. Plus even if had succeeded you would have won foremost an enemy for a lifetime."

Still, Jevan's brother seems to likewise find the whole situation and Jevan's handling of it humorous, a mischievous smile tugging at the side of his mouth.

"But alast, you are out now. Free Freth once more. Tell me brother, what did you miss the most?"

"Competent servants," Jevan replied unhesitatingly. "One grows accustomed to good help and does not realize how invaluable their service is until it's stripped away."

Xullin frowned at the concept and nodded in agreement. "Well, if my predictions are right you should get a chance to fix that quickly..." Shurlae cut in, giving Jevan a sly wink.

"Yes, while at Sorcere I even had to refill my own inkpots... dreadful wasting of time." He said, shivering a bit performatively. He held his glass up to acknowledge a toast to better servants, then tipped it back for another sip. "What of the inverse?" he added, a somewhat more puzzling and interpretive question.

"Do you mean what do I miss most of Tier Breche now that I've returned?" Jevan inquired. "Or what did I miss the least in my time away?"

"To the former, I'm not sure that I know yet. I haven't been home all that long. There are some faces I will miss, certainly. Late night games of sava when I ought to have been in bed," he added with a wink. "But given the choice between home and Melee Magthere - well that's really no choice at all. I know where I'd rather be."

"And to the later, well," here he paused and took a sip. "When I left home I was a child. When I stepped onto the plateau of Tier Breche for the first time I was my own man. And all it took was one footstep. Such a strange thing."

He smiled and looked at Alystia. "Savor it while you can. There will be time enough for brandy when you're older."

Xullin raised his eyebrows, appraising Jevan's answers. "Well, I expect the fun was primarily being somewhere you shouldn't,  but let it be known my door is always available for an enterprising game of Sava. Dont play with Shurlae though, she cheats" he said, glancing over as the wizard who stuck her tongue out in response.

"Well then I'll either have to get better or play for stakes I can afford to lose," Jevan chuckled, eying Shurlae. "But you can be certain I will take you up on the offer, Xullin. Although perhaps not tonight. We still have much to prepare and Alystia and I must visit Kerrigan and Welverin next."

Xullin seemed to clock Jevan's demeanor and words towards Shurlae, then perked up as he caught Jevan's implication on his schedule. "Well if you must leave so soon, so be it. Please, take the bottle of brandy, consider it a gift to welcome you back home."

Jevan finished his drink and set the glass aside. "That's very generous of you, brother. Why don't I leave it here for now. I'll come back for it when we play sava."

"Mother has asked me to make the rounds. I wont be heading to my chambers for a while yet."

Xullin furrows his brow in thought for a moment, but nods at Jevan's proclamation. "Can't promise how much will remain in the bottle if you leave it within Shurlae's reach. But, good luck with the others. Come to think of it, I feel I haven't seen Bryndalyn around in quite some time; let her know I've missed her."

Xullin stood up, leaving his glass in front of Shurlae who put on an exaggerated pout towards Jevan. "Nice to see you again... Jevan! I'll remember it, promise, I'll have to if you're taking the brandy" Shurlae said teasingly, giving him a wink. "Hope things get to be more fun with you around."

Xullin paused at the door which led deeper into his suite, turning his head back; he seemed to be frowning at that. "Oh, and Jevan? Be sure to let me know if anything or anyone seems to be... out of place. House mage and all, I can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of our family."

"Of course," Jevan acquiesced with a bow of his head. "And I will be sure to give your love to Bryndalyn. Come along, Alystia! Lets go see your Aunt Kerri"

Alystia nodded and followed Jevan out; Shurlae blew her a kiss as she said farewell to both the battle captive and Xullin who only retreated deeper into his sanctum. Alystia began running as soon as the left, leading Jevan towards the house barracks and gymnasium.

Upon arrival, Jevan could hear shouts of orders echoing through the hall; Welverin's raspy deep voice calling out drill instructions. A group of the house soldiers stood at attention, awaiting inspection as Welverin walked the line with Kerrigan observing over his shoulder; the house guard was in full dress uniform, a sharp outfit of dark leathers but little in the way of practical armor, and with no weapons visible on any display. Welverin himself wore a similar outfit though more decorated and with a long saber hanging off his hip; one of his pant legs was tucked into his high boots as customary, but the other was cut short and tapered off as Welverin proudly displayed his artificial silver prosthetic. Besides that, the drow was a tightly wound mass of leathery skin an knotted muscles; his hair was shorn nearly entirely and a myriad of scars from previous conflicts adorned his pockmarked flesh.

Behind the weapons master, Kerrigan still wore her dark leather armor and a sophisticated crossbow on her back. Her hair was shaven on both sides and braided tight through the middle and along the back of her head. Neither she or Welverin, focused on the soldiers at attention, turned to notice Jevan or Alystia as they approached.

"I'm sure the house guard had weapons when I left. Have we fallen on hard times?" Jevan asked with a grin as he approached. "Hello, Kerrigan. Hello, Welverin. I have returned, and I have young Alystia with me."

The two turned to look at Jevan, Welverin nodding to him in greeting while Kerrigan scowled. "No visible weapons when we have guests Jevan, we are civilized."

"Arms!" Welverin shouted, prompting the line of soldiers to each produce a short, slender blade and a hand crossbow from the hidden folds of their uniforms; holding them out for inspection.

Kerrigan didn't look directly at Jevan when she spoke; "Why did you bring Alystia? The barracks have been cleaned."
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"Alystia is assisting me on special instruction from her mother," Jevan replied. "I'm afraid you can't have her."

"Very clever," Jevan remarked, stopping beside Welverin to take stock of the first guard in line. "And a smart looking uniform. It will show well tonight."

Kerrigan scowled at Jevan's tone while he looked over the first soldier in line. His short blade was lender and slightly curved at the tip, well sharpened and oiled as to not make a sound entering or leaving the sheath while his crossbow remained unloaded and slack. Altogether meticulously well cared for; however this did not save him from the sharp crack of a riding whip smarting him right on the forehead. Jevan caught only the slightest wavering of the male's focus--eyes turning to meet his own--before Kerrigan dealt the punishing blow. The soldier winced only slightly, returning to a perfect emotionless and presenting state immediately.

"I do not envy your babysitting Jevan, though I did not expect you to need help finding your quarters, or is she to help you pick out an outfit?" Kerrigan remarked casually, not addressing the swift punishment that had just played out; however she still held the riding crop, a thick but short leather whip meant for the giant lizards often used as mounts that Jevan knew Kerrigan did enjoy riding. "Perhaps you too should report for inspection prior to the Baenre's arrival, we can't risk embarrassment on the behalf of a child."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

"I've been enjoying her company," Jevan said sincerely. He turned a fond smile towards his niece. "She's actually rather like you, Kerri, and I mean that as a compliment. Welverin here could do great things with her one day if her mother will allow it but that's hardly my place to say."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:04, Wed 02 Mar 2022.

"Dismissed!" the old weapons master called, after finishing his inspection and getting a nod of approval from mistress Kerrigan. However, she immediately snapped her fingers at the reprimanded soldier from beforehand clucked her tongue in a manner that suggested not you, and he immediately halted any attempt to leave and returned to attention.

As the other soldiers filed away, giving the nobles the privacy appropriate for such a reunion, Kerrigan finally turned directly towards Jevan, not meeting his eyes but studying him up and down as if in appraisal. "What sort of compliment should I take from being compared to a whelp? Welverin taught me nothing, what I learned I did so on my own. Regardless, she destined for priesthood first and foremost and you would do well to remember that."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

"You mistake my meaning, sister," Jevan replied. "The compliment is to Alystia for emulating the strong qualities of her aunt."

"As for Welverin, I at least credit him with my earliest education and it has taken me to the very top of Melee Magthere. All the more credit to you, sister, for accomplishing what you have without a tutor, but there is no shame in seeking out a mentor."

"Its why Tier Breche exists, after all."

Alystia nodded vigorously, seeming eager to please her aunt along with Jevan. Kerrigan however, only scowled deeper. "Is that what you say to convince yourself that your championship was a worthwhile endeavor? Cute, Jevan. We will have to see if your 'mentor' can keep us alive for another year, right Welverin?"

Welverin seemed to be doing his best not to engage the conversation and replied with a low "Mmmm," before adding "Worthwhile endeavor."

Kerrigan shrugged. "I don't like the sort of attention that this Baenre visit brings, Jevan. I'd prefer to be forgotten about until the time is right."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

"I suppose we'll just have to disagree, Kerri. I for one prefer to not be forgotten at all," he smiled disarmingly though he knew in advance that Kerrigan had dug her heels in and it was unlikely to have the desired outcome.

"I can see I've caught the two of you in the midst of important house business and I fear I've detained you long enough. Unless of course you have further need of us?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, Jevan" Kerrigan sounded off, shaking her head as if in disappointment. "So eager to run off, fawning over your little niece. You haven't even acknowledged your nephew" she said, tipping her head and pointing with her eyes at the 'soldier' who was still obediently standing at attention.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:15, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

Jevan squinted at the soldier. "Spirdor? My, but I never would have guessed. I can see it now though. You were just a boy last I laid eyes upon you, and look at you now."