kushiel's scions

[marrinikari]

Deep in the wilds of Camlach, a horse is picking its way through the forest trails. The rider is wrapped in his cloak, long and luxurious and well-made, to protect him and his satchel as they brave the mountains to Skaldia. The road from Kusheth is long indeed, and they are tired; they will be glad enough to stop for the night. But not just yet. Ahead is the river, and the little wooden bridge that spans it. It is but a few leagues past the bridge to the clearing he is seeking, and there they can rest.

Comments

[marrinikari]

"You could not possibly get an army past the Master of the Straits," Gaspar Trevalion objects. "None have ever managed it."

"Not an army, no," Thelesis de Mornay agrees softly. "But a ship- you might get a ship across. It has been done."

Gaspar inclines his head to her. "One ship then, mayhaps. But how? And even so, that is scant help, to a prince without an army. Maelcon the Usurper still holds Bryn Gorrydum."

[sicaria]

"How did you cross?" asks Sarafiel of Thelesis.

[marrinikari]

"When I returned from my exile there? He let me pass for the price of a song," she says reminiscently, rich voice resonant. "Once thence, and once back. As best I can tell, he is governed by whim. To what whim did the Cruarch of Alba cater, when he visited our fair land for the purpose of your betrothal?"

[sicaria]

"A very good question," says Sarafiel. She looks at Ysandre. "Do you know the answer?"

[children_of_elua]

"They came following a dream," Ysandre says. "A vision, of the King's sister, of a black boar and a silver swan." She smiles, a little. "Drustan told of mermaids who arose from the sea to hear their tale, and grant them passage; I know not how much truth lies in that tale."

[marrinikari]

"There are mermaids, right enough," Thelesis says. "They are the face of the Master of the Straits as he passes over the waters. If he was intrigued by their vision- that might have done it, truly."

[sicaria]

"Mermaids?" inquires Sarafiel.

[marrinikari]

"Not people, or their like. Their bodies are made entire out of the water, and they drift alongside the ship as a fish might. For the most part they are female, girlish and playful; there was a larger one, with a male form, who spoke to us in thanks as we passed. His voice-" she shivers slightly. "It cannot be described, not truly. But he was the avatar of the Master of the Straits, right enough." She smiles then, fondly. "He came to listen to me sing, he said."

[sicaria]

"Interesting," she murmurs. "I wonder how—? I suppose it isn't all that relevant." At a more conversational volume, she adds, "He spoke to you directly? What did he say?"

[marrinikari]

"The female ones, first. They are his servants, or very like; they asked us our purpose, and accepted my offer of song. And then he appeared, rising from the waters to listen. He said-" she thinks, very briefly, then quotes, "You have a lovely voice, my lady. I thank you for the song. My waters will carry you safely."

[sicaria]

"I see," says Sarafiel. "And did they? I would assume so."

[marrinikari]

"They did," she agrees. "We were carried along on his winds safely to the shores of Alba."

[sicaria]

"These tales of yours make him seem... friendlier than rumour would have it," she says. "I wonder why that is. I will make it my business to find out."

[children_of_elua]

"One almost pities the Master of the Straits. I look forward to reading the resulting books," Barquiel says with a dry smile.

[sicaria]

Sarafiel also smiles.

"I cannot imagine where you believe I will find the time to write them. If you want my conclusions, it would be faster to ask."

[children_of_elua]

"There has been word from Quintilius Rousse," Ysandre continues. "He has begged crossing of the Master of the Straits, and it has been granted. Should our delegation to Alba succeed, they are promised safe return."

[children_of_elua]

"All this for the blue boy?" Barquiel asks, disbelieving. "You really want to wed the blue boy?"

[children_of_elua]

Ysandre's eyes blaze. "I want to wed the rightful Cruarch of Alba, to whom I am betrothed! Yes, Uncle. And it is to that end that we are meeting."

[marrinikari]

"Even if it cost you the kingdom?" Gaspar Trevalion asks gently.

"And what of Drustan himself? Mayhap we are trading one foreign ruler for another," de Somerville adds sourly.

[children_of_elua]

"Drustan mab Necthana does not desire rulership of Terre d'Ange," Ysandre says firmly. "We spoke of it, laughing, in broken tongues; a dream of the two of us grown, ruling our kingdoms in tandem. The idle dreams of romantic youth, yes, but there was truth in it. I am not prepared to abandon this alliance for mere political expediency."

[children_of_elua]

"The House of Aragon-"

[children_of_elua]

"Enough. Lady Fortier. What do you require for your expedition to Alba? My lords, what course do we follow, either with Alban support and without?"

[sicaria]

"I require some means by which to inform Admiral Rousse that I travel under your authority, and I have not yet found a translator I judge can be brought along without alerting anyone to my purpose. People fluent in Cruithne are rare, and therefore usually notable."

[children_of_elua]

Ysandre hands her her ring. "I can use my father's," she murmurs. "...or perhaps, soon, my grandfather's," she adds sadly.

[marrinikari]

"You might inquire of Mierette nó Orchis," Thelesis contributes. "You mentioned an entertainer, did you not? I am sure she could find someone suitable in Orchis or Eglantine."