A Message from the Roof of the World

[Yuri Morokoth]

Yuri looked down from his high vantage at the man approaching them. He had years behind him it seemed, but there was certainly a hardness still within his set features. The Northern mage pulled his mount to a halt, the animal letting out a deep bass growl.

For long moments Yuri said nothing, simply staring down at the Necian. He weighed his option - he and his men had traveled far, resting only when the need arose. They would not be put off by something so simple as this.

The leather of his saddle creaked as he dismounted, and he slowly handed the reins to the companion at his side - a level gaze was shared between the two, and with little ceremony Yuri turned about. He stepped in front of the one who had spoken, towering over the man like some monolith carved in scarred steel and adorned with exotic yet obviously hardy furs. The talismans he wore on his armor seemed to almost radiate power, and the foreign writing etched into the metal plates gave off a faint silvery blue glow.

When he spoke, his voice was a low rumble, his accent thick.

"Then call for them."

[Regulus Varo]

Varo's natural scowl seemed to deepen at this. These strange riders were certainly from some far-flung land, and he felt chastisement for their ignorance of Law to be premature.

"It is the Thanes of Idria. Astria Judix consecrates this day. No legal body shall meet in the Capital."

He looked at the riders, having some inkling that these may not merely be passing rabble with a notion to see powerful Satraps as simply a spectacle.

"You have the look of hard-ridden men. The Satrapy convenes on the morrow. If you permit it, my slaves will tend your mounts, and give to you of my food and wine."

[Yuri Morokoth]

The giant seemed to consider this, his chilling blue eyes still upon the Necian before him. A scowl of his own spread across his features. That this day was considered a holy day was something of a setback, as the Northerners had only come to deliver their message and then leave. Aza-Ruuhl it seemed had alternate plans.

A look over his shoulder to his men, and he turned back.

"Very well."

[Csephion Draxus]

By this time, Draxus's litter, bearing not only himself but also Ariadne and Erifa, arrived on the main concourse. The Phressian Satrap gestured for his slaves to halt the vehicle, and looked across at Varo and the spectacle assembled before him.

"Doesn't Regulus Varo entertain some of the most interesting company?"

He asked aloud in a manner quite rhetorical.

[Yuri Morokoth]

By now the entire group had dismounted, and Yuri shared private words with his second. They were quiet murmers as the others hovered about them, occasionally offering their own hushed input.

It was the voice of another however, that cause them to look at the new arrivals, and with a frown, each Northerner swept emotionless glances at the man, woman, and child. Yuri was not so blind as to understand the raised voice of the man who'd spoken, and allowing his eyes to linger for a few more moments, he gave a discontented rumble before turning his attentions back to the one apparently called Regulus Varo.

He had no time for what seemed initially to be petty in-squabbles.

"Take us to your home."

[Regulus Varo]

He put the demand on hold for a while. He would not suffer Draxus to sling barbs from afar.

"I did not fathom Csephion Draxus as a gossip. One wonders were I to invite him as a guest, if he would find the fruits of my table as toothsome as the quality of my company?"

His eyes fixed on Ariadne momentarily to regard her, then, back to Draxus, and again to the Northman.

"If the company of Satraps is what you seek, foreigner, the Gods show you favor."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

From her spot beside Draxus, Ariadne gave Varo a gracious nod. Angling her head to the Phressian Satrap, the Glaucan murmured to him.

"Will your curiosity allow you to endure such company?"

To her it meant little.

[Csephion Draxus]

Draxus smirked.

"I have built a resistance to this irritant, on account of constant exposure. Suffering Varo is as much reflex as it is chore. You have nothing to worry for."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

A pat to his cheek, and Fyrian eased herself to the ground without another word. Erifa was soon to follow, the girl's eyes locked upward at the Northern strangers.

Unlike Draxus' feigned good nature towards Varo, the Glaucan woman favored him with an honest and genial smile.

"If the noble Satrap is willing to open his home, then I can assure you we would be most happy to accept his offer."

[Regulus Varo]

Varo looked to Ariadne, glancing back briefly at Draxus.

"A Satrap represents his people. His door must be open to hear them."

No doubt he expected trouble from his nemesis, but that was to be expected. Better to have an eye on him now than to let Draxus work out of sight.

"You too will be guests."

[Yuri Morokoth]

It was plainly obvious to Yuri that the two Necian men were rivals, but he allowed his meticulous gaze to not rest upon them, but the two Glaucan women. His people knew of their existence, but none had seen any of the water-dwellers before, and the curiosity of it all made him draw himself up higher... if such a thing was possible. Likewise, those in his party also favored the Glaucans with looks of interest.

Whatever the remainder of this day brought them, there was no doubt in his mind that it would be Aza'Ruuhl's will.

[Csephion Draxus]

"Splendid. I look forward to the Satrap's hospitality. We shall all break bread and have interesting conversations."

Draxus' gaze lingered upon the queer foreigners, and their imposing height. Not quite demi-divine if he were to guess, but perhaps some whelp of a demigod who took fancy to a blonde-haired north woman.

The Satrap's entourage was received by Varo's own attendees, and the entire party was ushered into Varo's home.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Mindful of the Northerner's eye upon both herself and Erifa, Ariadne did not stray far from Draxus' side as they were lead inside. Taking Erifa's hand in a firm grip, the elder Glaucan made sure that the girl remained silent for now.

[Regulus Varo]

The triclinia were assembled in the dining room with special care to note the party size. Slaves brought in extra couches and arranged them in a fashion best fitting the occasion. Varo at the head of the procession, the lead Northman to his right hand, then Draxus, the other Northmen, and finally the Glaucan women. His left hand side was populated by guests of lesser note, and on such short notice their number was few.

The meal was begun with wine, figs, melon, and bread, which would no doubt be followed by things more ponderous.

[Yuri Morokoth]

Unlike those more accustomed to such surroundings and normal customs, Yuri only allowed himself to sit. He did not recline, and neither did any of the others in his party. Each one sat up straight, and took of the food they were offered with a casual sort of curiosity mixed with cautious treatment. They had come here simply to speak their warning, and had instead found themselves as guests in a Satrap's home. Not entirely unsatisfactory, but it was still cause enough for hesitation all the same.

Chewing thoughtfully upon a piece of bread, the young mage swallowed as his eyes took in his surroundings, and eventually his gaze fell to the one called Varo.

Again, his deep voice; it cut through whatever idle chatter there was.

"Your generosity is appreciated."

[Regulus Varo]

Varo noted the strange way the foreigners composed themselves at the triclinia but dismissed it as nothing but barbarian ignorance.

"You have traveled a great way, Northman. You and your people will be heard in a venue that respects the hardship you've taken to meet with us."

Varo broke a loaf of bread, dipping it into a wine and honey mixture while glancing upward at the figure towering to his right.

"My hospitality is yours. Make yourselves as guests. It makes good bedfellows with earnest dealings and candor."

[Csephion Draxus]

Draxus drank of a cup of wine as he glanced to his left at the strange Northman.

"How long a journey has it been from the desolate north? Did you travel by way of the Dalriadan kingdoms, or throught he forests of the Jarnvid?"

[Yuri Morokoth]

"It was long enough," was his only answer for the moment. Eyes going to stare at Draxus, Yuri studied the man's face with a sharp gaze. Desolate north... a curious choice of words, but the mage supposed that these Necians were so content on their shores and temperate lands to consider the high mountains to be anything but an unfortunate place to exist.

One of his men gave a grunt; a hard, weathered warrior with craggy features and eyes of such a pale blue that at first glance they almost appeared white.

"Our lands are just as desolate to you as yours are to us."

A smirk passed over Yuri's features, and he settled the full brunt of his gaze upon Draxus.

"We passed through the Jarnvid. It is much different than from when I was a boy. It is no longer appealing."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Ariadne remained quiet, knowing it best to allow Draxus and Varo to satisfy their own curiosities. While there was no doubt that she too was drawn to the northerners, but there would be time in the future to make conversations of her own.

It was true that she'd sailed north, but where these men were from, even her father had not sailed.

[Regulus Varo]

"No doubt Satrap Draxus is keen to know of your thoughts of the Jarnvid as he too was once a frequent traveller at the head of Necian armies."

Varo smirked as he nibbled a piece of cheese, using his opponent's own bellicose history as a barb against him.