1629, Sea Season, Harmony Week, Godday
Context
The party have been out by the Six Sisters, but with everyone depleted and Berra needing to race off to Boldhome, they decide to head back to the Nunnery for a few days. Session S4.8?
Events
On the morning of Godday, as the party ride toward the Nunnery from the Six Sisters, Lenta joins Varanis at the front of the group. The Vingan has been riding point, with the three Humakti taking rear and flanking positions. It’s been drizzling steadily for hours when rides up.
“Rain’s going to get worse,” Varanis says by way of greeting. “A lot worse.”
The Ernaldan nods. “It is good season for it.” She looks at the Vingan for a while. “I can’t read you, Varanis. Did you have a decent sleep last night?”
There’s a shrug. “For a bit, but I woke too soon and couldn’t get back to sleep.”1Curse you, dice! Rolled on Truth and passed.
Lenta nods quietly. “Will you go to Nunnery with Mellia?”
“Isn’t that where we are all going?” Varanis points out. “Or did you have other plans?”
Lenta shrugs. “Maybe. I have a vague feeling… But are you going to stay with Mellia at the Nunnery?”
“What do you mean by stay? Lenta, I feel like there’s another question you aren’t asking.” Varanis scowls. “I told Berra that she has six days to get back. Then, I go after the Chaos with or without her. Until then, I will do what is needed to prepare in case we are dealing with a budding Chaos Nest. So, if you are asking if I’ll go after the Chaos on my own after taking Mellia to the Nunnery, the answer is no. At least not for six days.”
Manasa, responding to her rider’s irritation perhaps, snorts and gives Lenta’s mount a side-eye glance.
“That was not what I was asking, Varanis. Or thinking. Should I have? “The Ernaldan looks forward, her back rigid. “I was wondering if you plan to rest there those six days. Or if you have some other plans.”
“Well, what are my options? I can’t go after the Chaos because I’m waiting on others. I won’t go back to Beasts Gather anytime soon or I might find myself calling out the chief and creating problems I’m supposed to be solving. I suppose I could ride south and see what I can learn… but…” She flings up her hands in frustration. “But everybody and their shadow cat is nagging me to rest. So I’ll rest, for whatever that’s worth.”
Lenta nods. “Nunnery is not a bad place to do that… Mellia suggested temple of Uleria… Jonstown is not too far…” She glances sideways at the Vingan and returns her gaze quickly forward.2L: Do a scan? V: Oh! A 2 on scan. That is a lovely shade of pink bordering on crimson on her ear…3V: Wait… are you suggesting an Ernaldan would be shy about Uleria? And Esrolian Ernaldan? L: Not about Uleria on its own, no. Suggesting the temple to someone she has had a crush on otoh… V: She’s not very pragmatic or earthy sometimes… clearly a sign of her youth. L: It might get better when/if she gets some practical experience…
“It’s too far. Besides, I think the dreams would get worse if I left the area, not better. I’m already taking a chance by delaying.” Right after the words come out, Varanis looks like she might regret having said so much.4Lenta passes insight
The little Ernaldan shrugs. “Berra suggested there might be time to get there and back. But you probably know better what is good for your sleep.” Lenta turns to look forward and changes the subject. “I have thought about your offer Varanis.”
“Yes?” The Vingan twists in the saddle to direct an expectant look at the younger woman. Manasa flicks an ear in annoyance, but does not act out.
“It is an honour. I appreciate it.” She turns to look at the Vingan. “I do wonder if you have thought it through, Varanis?”
“What do you mean?”5Are you asking if she made an impulsive decision? shocked
“For one, I am not sure what you expect me to do if I accept.” Lenta looks at Varanis with a tilted head. “Household – yes with proper help I could run one. Would you have me waiting in the Praxian house while you are away? “
“If you are there when I am gone, certainly. But I’m not asking you to stay while I leave. Make arrangements for when you are not there. But, the Prince, Lord Tennebris, and the temple demand much of me these days. I have very little time I can call my own and too many people who rely on me. There are also hides in Esrolia and various parts of Sartar. It’s too much to manage and still fulfill my other duties.” The proud Vingan scowls. “I need help. That’s what I’m trying to ask for. Alright? I can’t do all of this on my own and do it right.”
Lenta nods. Her hand twirls one of her curls. It almost goes to her mouth before she drops it. “I could do that, I think… But…”
“But?”
“Our families are less than friendly. I am not sure how Grandmother will react if I tell her I am accepting this position.” The little Ernaldan looks at Varanis “Can you afford to retain a noblewoman? Have you thought of that? “
Varanis looked like she was about to puff up, but then deflates. “Truthfully? No. I probably can’t. There are too many other people who depend on me.” She sighs heavily. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made the offer given that.”6In theory, V has enough hides. But in practice, she spends way too much on others to be able to support someone else at that amount.
The curl reappears in Lenta’s hand. “I did not say I refuse. But I want to know what you are offering. And I want you to think of it. The decision will have to wait until other things are resolved anyway.” She points with now slightly wet curl, sees it and drops it again.
The Vingan nods reluctantly. “I will consider.”
“Mellia’s quest takes precedence, after that I need to make sure her shrine gets paid by what ever means I can muster. I may be wayward daughter of the Hulta, but I will not get family name stained by that not getting done.” She looks at Varanis “After that I am free to take the decision. Until that – I can help if you want. And give advice – if you want. Both still as your guest.”
Varanis nods again. “That is kind of you. Thank you,” she says politely. “Will you offer service to the Nunnery while we wait there?” Varanis asks, grasping at the chance for a change of topic.
“I think I will veer off to Beasts gather and tell what is going on right now. They need to know. I will not talk with the chief so it remains informal.” Her curl is again dangerously close to getting into her mouth “But it might be better to first go to Nunnery together. And the Aranwyth need the information, too. Potential trouble proved to be pretty immediate and it is area they claim is theirs.”
“Then I suppose I’ll go with you. I’m not sending you off to Aranwyth on your own!”
The Ernaldan looks Vingan up and down. “You are not sending me anywhere, Varanis. I am choosing to go of my own volition. You are welcome to join me if you want to. But may I suggest that to placate Mellia, you stay at Nunnery as you intended and, if you can spare Bleujen, she could escort me?”
“You’re not going off into unfamiliar territory with a single Humakti who doesn’t know you well at all to protect you!” Varanis roars. Manasa takes offence, flattening her ears and baring her teeth.
“Are you telling me what to do or not to do Varanis Saiciae?” Lenta asks with her green eyes narrowing. “Since when do I owe you obedience?”
“You died, Lenta Hulta!” Varanis shouts. “You died and then you almost didn’t come back! And now you want to go wandering off into danger while I take a nap?!” Her face has flushed bright red and her plaits have become even more frizzy, crackling just a bit.
“Yes. I died. And I came back thanks to your cousin. And I will not stop living to make you feel safe.” She crosses her arms. “I will listen to suggestions on precautions, but I will not be ordered around, not even by you.”
“You… are… not… my… Grandmother… Varanis,” the smaller woman hisses.
“I… argh!” Varanis makes an inarticulate sound of fury, at which point Manasa’s head snakes around to try bite her rider’s leg. “Demon horse!” the Vingan snaps, though it seems to also shut down the storm that was brewing. “I’ll give you to the Gors one of these days. Lenta, I can’t think of anything nice to say right now. Nor anything politick either. Fall back so I can deal with my horse.”
Lenta rides to the point, past Manasa and the Vingan without looking back.7V: Bahahaha! Rebellion! L: Just who does she thinks she is, ordering another noblewoman. Quite rude. V: She’s a Wind Lord. And a scion of Sartar. And older and therefore more mature. And….rawr!
- 1Curse you, dice! Rolled on Truth and passed.
- 2L: Do a scan? V: Oh! A 2 on scan.
- 3V: Wait… are you suggesting an Ernaldan would be shy about Uleria? And Esrolian Ernaldan? L: Not about Uleria on its own, no. Suggesting the temple to someone she has had a crush on otoh… V: She’s not very pragmatic or earthy sometimes… clearly a sign of her youth. L: It might get better when/if she gets some practical experience…
- 4Lenta passes insight
- 5Are you asking if she made an impulsive decision? shocked
- 6In theory, V has enough hides. But in practice, she spends way too much on others to be able to support someone else at that amount.
- 7V: Bahahaha! Rebellion! L: Just who does she thinks she is, ordering another noblewoman. Quite rude. V: She’s a Wind Lord. And a scion of Sartar. And older and therefore more mature. And….rawr!
