The Crucible Campaign

28: the Devil's Politics

.^^ Dragon-Turtle ^^

— Caroline —

As we neared the bottom of the elevator, I stopped playing with Teagan, stepping back a bit, and simply crossed my arms, staring calmly at the people who stepped forward as soon as the grate opened. Sariel wandered over to one side of the elevator, staying well out of the way, wisely.

We strode forward, stepping through the crowd in a beeline, as they simply moved out of our way, until we reached the back. The apparent leader, a tall Human man with English facial features and their standard Poise, smiled and bowed a little. "Lord Skøll, it is a pleasure to meet you again."

Teagan raised an eyebrow. "Have we met? I confess, you do not look familiar to me."

The man twitched. "Ah... yes, perhaps it slipped your mind, but we met when I was but a boy, two decades ago."

"Ahh, Yes... no, I don't remember, but you look very different from your boyish image, I would assume. Your name?" He asked calmly.

"I suppose you are correct. I am Lord Hastings, Lord George Dearborn-Hastings IV, of both of the Noble Houses of St.George's Island." He announced proudly.

"Indeed? Wonderful. Greetings, Lord Hastings, and Goodbye. We are on something of a schedule, and as much as I'd like to sit and have tea, catch up, it will have to wait." Teagan sighed.

The man blinked. "Pardon?"

"Yes, it's terribly rude, I am aware, but, you see, my daughters were recently attacked, by the cowardly peons that call themselves the Thieves Guild. I have discovered their purpose, and the person so set them to that purpose. I go to deliver justice to them who think they can threaten my Clan, and live to tell the tale. As such, I am well assured that my purpose is more pressing than Noble Manners." He nodded, and I caught a small glimmer of magic in his voice, to my surprise.

The tall man hummed. "That is disturbing news... but surely they do not live on St.George's Island? We would never allow such insult to a noble Family within our walls!"

"No, a bit to the north. This was as far as the AirShip was going." Teagan sighed.

"Ah, I see, that does explain a bit... but I must insist on the proper manners, Lord Skøll." He said solidly, unfazed.

I frowned. "You would demand that we sit and have tea, and talk about nothing that could possibly be important, instead of chasing down the people who attacked us in broad daylight?"

He didn't even glance at me. "And speaking of manners, do remind your servants that speaking to their betters-"

He halted, as Teagan backhanded him full across the face, hard enough that his lip split. "Speaking of Manners... let me belatedly introduce you to my WIFE, the Honorable Lady-Knight Skøll... if you disrespect her in any way EVER again, those same manners you Crow about with such vigor will demand that I Challenge you to a Mortal Duel." Teagan growled darkly.

Hastings stumbled back, into the chest of one of his accompaniment, who immediately drew their weapons. He held up a hand, and shook his head, bowing deeply to Teagan and I. "Let it be known that it was not my intention to bring Insult to you, Lord Skøll, or to you, Lady Skøll. I accept your reaction as just, and hold no grudge for the slight. Please do forgive me."

Teagan hummed. "Insults have been exchanged and negated, it would seem... let us move on, then. Tea would be lovely, I suppose. And that Teahouse looks particularly nice." He nodded at a cafe-like structure, which did, in fact, look very fancy.