Ayln Shir,
It seems I have been landed in a troublesome situation again. I have discovered a new race of people in the Teeth of Nandos. They are called the Kollase, people made of stone, who stand at least twice as tall as I. Apparently they are kin of the Jotton and of the Ettin. Not only that, but they have a floating city! It is lovely, but Rathir's architecture is much more elegant.
Regardless, to the point I wished to address. An entity claiming to be Ethene spoke to me, claiming that I am to be its champion. It is terribly far fetched, but now the Kollase are convinced I am some sort of prophet. Now I must go with their leader- who has been in seclusion for decades- to find some feathers. What he wants to do with these feathers? Make a crown. I do not know what to think anymore. Perhaps he has gone mad. But I will go and collect these feathers, and hope that there is not some devious plot going on in the background.
-Eola, House Drynne
(THIRD PERSON POV SINCE I DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL I WAS HALFWAY DONE)
Eola observes the large wooden walls surrounding Cape Solace. As she steps closer to the gates, she runs her hand along the wood, checking for holes or any imperfections. Walls or not, a Niskaru Tyrant would rip them to shreds. If she still had contact with Adessa, she would have commissioned stone walls with enchantments. Unfortunately, that option is no longer available.
The Dokkalfar woman pushes off the wall and jogs to the front gates. She lifts her hand in greeting to Cadwallon Gwynedd, who is standing guard near the entrance to the village. "Hello, Eola. How do you do?" He asks, eyes glinting curiously. He continues speaking without waiting for a reply."I hear we have some unusual visitors. Shall you bring them down to the village at some point?"
She laughs. "Gossip mongering as ever, aren't you?"
Cadwallon rolls his eyes. "There isn't much to do around here. What else is there to do but to gossip?"
"I never knew that the townsfolk were suffering such. Should I do something scandalous to entertain? Maybe outlaw pants or ban the usage of utensils?" Eola offers, crossing her arms with an amused smirk.
He waves his hand, dismissing the idea. "This new game of intrigue you are playing is interesting enough. I mean, presenting yourself as an underling while having Myfa act as your stand in? Brilliant." His eyes narrow. "And don't think I didn't notice that evasion, dear."
Eola huffs. "Fine, fine. I'll probably bring them down sometime in the next few days. Maybe I'll leave them in Myfa's care. I cannot leave the Niskaru alone for too long. Should they populate too much..."
"You say that like it's a dull chore, Eola. I wish you'd take someone with you next time. Niskaru are incredibly dangerous." Cadwallon reprimands gently.
She bounces on the balls of her feet. "Ah, ah. Remember it was I who brought down the Niskaru Tyrant Horrinox, single handedly. "
"Mhm, I know. You are Eola Fate-Breaker, she who slayed Gadflow and all that other stuff. Just take it easy. The whole village relies on you to keep us safe. We can't have you dying anytime soon." Cadwallon speaks lightly.
Eola blinks at him and answers dryly. "Nice to see my efforts appreciated. Anyways, I want to do some shopping. I'll see you around."
As she walks past him into the gate he calls after her playfully. "Just ignoring people when you're done with a conversation is quite childish, my Lady!"
She spins around, a cheerful smile on her face as she lazily walks back to him. Eola leans forwards and flicks his nose. She then turns around and leaves Cadwallon baffled as she continues into the village.
In the past, Eola had taken great pains to ensure a stable economy on the island. This had resulted in a market filled to the brim with all the goods the island has to offer. Along with the items that came in from the nearby nations, it was previously one of Amalur's most exotic markets. Now however, there are no imports coming in, leaving it in a rather destitute state compared to its former glory.
She glances forlornly across the market- many of the stalls are empty. It had been one of her favourite things, to examine bolts of fabric, to buy foreign sweets, and to run her hands through imported spices. But none of these things could be found on Gallow's End any longer. Eola particularly missed fudge. She hadn't the slightest clue how to make it but gods be damned she would do anything for a piece of fudge.
Eola stands, musing in thought (Which seems to happen more often than not lately) when she feels a little hand tugging her shirt. The alfar looks down to see Milan, Cadwallon and Nesta's seven year old daughter pulling at her robes. The young Dokkalfar has chin length black hair cut in a bob, and is wearing a plum coloured dress with silvery grey slippers.
"Hello, Milan. Need something?" Eola asks the young girl with an indulgent smile as she crouches down.
"Yah. I want a mango, but my allowance is all gone. Get me one?" Milan asks, her violet eyes blinking up at the older alfar.
"You usually get your allowance on the night of the half moon. That was only two days ago. What did you spend it all on?" Eola questions curiously.
"Mangoes." Is the simply reply the girl gives.
Eola blinks. "Ah."
"Mango?" Milan asks, tugging Eola's robes again.
The older alfar sighs. "Alright, alright. Let's go get you a mango."
The child simply takes Eola's hand and pulls her through the village, until they reach Elwa Brond's merchant stand. The blonde woman smirks. "Found another person to fuel your sweet tooth, kiddo? I'm impressed by your drive."
Milan only stares at her blankly as she stretches out her hand. "Mango."
The merchant tosses her one from the basket and looks up at Eola. "I'll send the bill up to the Keep. I know you don't usually carry coins on you."
"I am a Shadowcaster after all. Coins jingle too much to keep on me. Especially with my blink abilities." The Dokkalfar woman replies.
"Yeah, that's fair. So, anything else you'd like to get?" Elwa asks, gesturing at her wares.
Eola looks over the table. "Do you have any silk from Cannaroc left? I'd like to have the inside of my robes lined with it."
Elwa snorts. "As much as you claim to not be a noble, your taste is similar to theirs. I'll send the silk and the bill up to the Keep later. Is that all?"
"Yes, that's all. I'll see you another time if there isn't anything else?" Eola questions as Milan tugs her robes again.
"Don't let the little one get away with too much. She's a demanding little thing." Elwa advises before shooing the two away from her stall.
Milan pulls Eola away with one hand, the other clutching the mango as she takes small bites out of it. Eola raises an eyebrow. "Where are we going?"
"Away." Is all the child states as Eola allows herself to be tugged along.
They make their way through the wooden cabins towards the docks. A group of the other children from the village seem to have converged around the area. Looking rather shifty, in Eola's humble opinion.
Milan leads her to the grouping of children, where Linara, the oldest child, at eleven years old steps forwards. The blonde Ljosalfar girl shoves a basket towards Milan. "Your payment, as promised."
The seven year old steps forward to receive the basket. She draws back the blue and white cloth covering it to reveal that the basket holds… Mangoes. "Good doing business with you." Is all she says as she walks away with the basket.
"That girl is going places." Eola mutters as she watches the girl amble lazily away.
"Eola Fate-Breaker! The Council of the Logical Awesome Superior People (CLASP) summons you to discuss our terms in a more formal setting!" Linara declares loudly, pointing her finger at the dokkalfar woman.
Said woman blinks. "Wait… you made a union?!"
"It was Milan's idea! If you don't agree to our terms, we'll tell the Watchers about your favourite hiding spots." Tha almain child, Umir Arding exclaims with a smirk. He crosses his arms smugly.
"Is Milan a member of this?" Eola asks, feeling a slight headache forming.
"Nope!" Eriken Brond states nonchalantly. The Varani boy grins. "She's more of a con-sul-tont. Whatever that means."
Eola blinks again, before shifting uncomfortably. "Alright. What do you all want to talk about?"
Janic, a varani boy, hisses at her. "Not in the open, dummy. We gotta go to the Council Chambers."
A sigh escapes her. "Very well, CLASP. Lead the way."
The four children and Eola climb down the docks onto an overhanging cliff. A shallow cave comes into sight. Small rocks painted various colours litter the ground, and a large of amount of pillows and blankets are scattered about. A few baskets are shoved against the walls. Upon closer examination, Eola finds they are filled with various candied fruits and sweets. Thin strips of various cloths are strung across the ceiling. The walls of the caves have messy paintings of vague shapes in an assortment of colours.
Linara sits down on a pillow, crossing her legs. She reaches over to a basket and pops a candy into her mouth. "Welcome to CLASP's secret base!"
Eola gapes at her surroundings. "So it was you guys stealing all of those pillows. I had to replace those out of pocket!" She adds, sulkingly.
"Grownup problems! Don't care. What we do care about is our pay for distracting the Watchers." Janic says as he drops onto a blanket, lounging back. "It's getting hard to keep their attention."
The dokkalfar woman still isn't sure if she is hallucinating or not.
"Anyway, we just want to make sure we get stuff in return! Like maybe some new furniture for the hideout?" Eriken suggests easily.
Eola protests. "How am I even supposed to get furniture down here, especially without people noticing?!"
"Not. Our. Problem." Janic says airily as he stretches out. "Not unless you want to lose all your hidey spots!"
"Blackmailed by children… This is truly a new low." Eola mutters. She looks back up at the four. "Fine, fine I'll get you furniture. Just keep my places to yourself. Or you'll suddenly find yourself without a secret base." She threatens sternly. "And do not venture any further down the cliff. There are dangerous creatures and I don't want you getting hurt."
"Mean!" Linara exclaims, sticking her tongue out. "But we accept! CLASP is happy to be general mischief makers once again."
Eola sighs as she steps back towards the docks. "Come up to the Keep for breakfast tomorrow, alright? It's on me. We can talk about what sort of stuff you need then."
Janic gives her a lazy thumbs up as he drops onto his back.
Umir nods, "We'll be there. See you tomorrow, Lady."
The dokkalfar woman gives a lazy salute to the children and starts climbing up to the docks. Tired, and somewhat amused, she winds through Cape Solace. As she exits the gate, Eola says off handedly to Cadwallon. "You should teach your daughter about budgeting. I think it'll help her in the long run."
"What?" He questions briefly, confusion on his face as she breezes past him towards Gravehal Keep. She turns, gives him the faintest of grins, and then continues on her way.
Eola uses the underground tunnels to re-enter the Keep stealthily, preferring to keep away from the gates. The gates, after all, are likely where the Watchers are waiting for her. Eola wants none of that. She walks lightly through the torch-lit pathways until she comes to the ladder which leads into the keep itself. She climbs the ladder, and opens the trap door that opens up into her room. She startles Sunhilda as the cover thumps open.
She smiles sheepishly. "Sorry, Sunhilda. Would you mind getting Myfa for me?" Eola asks as she pulls herself up.
The Ljosalfar nods. "Of course, Scion."
The Dokkalfar shuts the trapdoor and quickly steps to her desk. She hastily stacks papers in somewhat neat stacks, trying to create some illusion of organization. She collects her quills and pushes them all onto the side of the desk. Then she hears a light knock on the door. "Scion Eola?"
Eola withdraws her hands from the desk and turns to the door. "Come in!"
The red headed dokkalfar woman enters the room, a pleasant smile on her face. She closes the door behind her. "My lady, what can I do for you?"
Eola paces. "The day of the three-quarter moon will be coming up soon, and I wanted to discuss which policies I wish for you to announce."
"Ah, yes. The hearings, where people may come to tell the ruler their concerns. I hope Zefwyn does not ask for a race through the Tidal Pools. I will not partake in that particular tradition." Myfa states, waving her hand dismissively as she takes a seat in one of the two plush chairs in front of the desk.
Eola rounds the desk and sits opposite to Myfa. "As you know, I prefer diplomatic solutions." The brunette runs a pale hand through her hair. "Try to keep things fairly neutral. Make sure to be firm, but kind. I will make it known to you if I disapprove." She states to the diplomat.
Said alfar looks at her calculatingly. "As you will, my Lady. I am quite enjoying this farce, so do feel free to continue as long as you wish. After, I look forwards to forging bonds with new potential allies. Let us hope your efforts will be fruitful." Myfa speaks confidently, sweeping up from her seat and heading towards the door. She pauses and looks back. "Do not forget that your deception could be considered betrayal if you do not tell them eventually."
"I'll get there eventually, Myfa. Thank you for your insight." Eola replies with a slight smile.
Myfa bows her head in acknowledgement, and vanishes out of the room. A sigh escapes Eola's lips, and she sinks down into her seat. "Ugh. Politics."
Tielore takes a moment, and just stares at the ceiling.
She stares blankly.
"How is this my life?"
Eola manages to regain some dregs of her sanity and exits her room. She leans on the railing, glancing around the hall. She then hops the railing, landing with a loud thud on the floor below.
Mahanon, Varric, Dorian, and Solas all turn around to look at the source of the noise from the bar. With a crooked grin, she salutes the four, before hopping up on a bar seat and ordering a round of drinks.
Varric gives her a questioning look. "Why… go?"
Instead of replying, Eola drains the mug Toomy sets in front of her. She then turns to the four and smiles. "Because I do what I want."
This was the beginning of a night of drunken debauchery.
Alright firstly, Happy Holidays everyone! I sincerely hope you all have excellent holidays with your family friends, or even just by yourself.
Secondly, I bought a new laptop, so I hope I'll be able to get chapters out more frequently.