Chapter
43: The First Party The Spy
Soon after the interview ends, the carriage arrives to take them to their first event in the Orc-held lands.
The signficance of this first encounter with Orc nobility is not lost upon four of the five intrepid souls. Torana seems to have not taken notice of the others grim and nervous mood and seems as light and cheerful as normal.
Polite conversation, a bit of polite laughter, and a lot of flattery mark the relatively short trip to the party. They arrive in good time, neither too early nor too late.
Eventually the carriage stops in front of a large manor household that dwarfs the Inn’s they have been staying in. Surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and kept in impeccable condition the manor presents a strong statement of wealth, power and pomposity.
With the Squires in the lead, the Counts and their escorts make their appearance. Apparently having taken Sir Mag’nus advice to heart, each woman looks abosolutely stunning.
After a single glance in the room Jadir, stops his grumbling about Orc fashions, as it seems he is one of the fancier ones. As the Counts' are announced, almost all activity is stopped as everyone turns to get a first glance at the arrival of distant nobility.
After one good whiff, Magnus is glad Torana made him put on some cologne to mask his scent as the cologne goes a long way to blocking the near overpowering wave of perfume and cologne that permeates the room.
And just as Torana described in one of his last minute chats, they enter as the center of attention and proceed forward until they reach their host.
The Viscount looks to be a portly man, but then he has at least 3 layers of clothes that Magnus can see, so then again he may be just muscular under all those clothes.
He smiles and gives a small bow, the Counts return the bow, Nahabedian and Jadir taking their cue from Torana, with the squires bowing deeply, the ladies give a deep curtsy.
"Welcome good Counts. I am honored that you have taken up my offer to join” He waves toward the rest of the room, “my little party."
In a voice as smooth as silk and as clear as a bell Torana replies, "The road has been long and quiet. It was our pleasure indeed to know that all the comforts of civilization are here to greet us."
Shortly after the pleasantries are done, the Counts break off and mingle. Several other groups appear, including various lords, counts and barons. Unfortunately the Duke does not appear. The Viscount announces that dinner shall be served and the nobility sit around the table. The Counts from Noravia having a special treat near the Viscount, while the squires have been banished to somewhere between the landless lords and servants. There they sit with four other squires. Two of them looking distinctly female, but ignore any attempt at conversation and sit in frosty silence. Obviously something is going on between the two, but what it is Magnus has no clue.
Dinner proves to be a truly sumptuous feast of the familiar, the exotic and the bizarre. Torana, the symbol of ettiquete, is the lead for the behavior of the other two Counts as they mimic his behavior.
Having spent many years with their heads in the books or dealing with dangerous experiments, creatures, and foolish apprentices. They have learned the art of observing without actually looking directly at someone. Thus it is a curous sight to watch the three coordinate their eating habits without consulting one another or even glancing in the direction of each other for cues.
Magnus samples as much as he can, avoiding the truly bizarre stuff as well as the unappetizing looking exotic items. Even so he eats much more than Vel’im who barely picks at his food, while nervously eyeing the two cold squires.
The Viscount proves to be an entertaining host, more than willing to regale his audience with a tale or two. Unfortunately, the squires are far enough away that not every word is clear.
Other entertainment consists of jugglers, musicians, and a young singer who turns out to be the Viscount's younger sister. Her sweet voice raises up to sing a song of two people destined to be lovers.
After a time, dinner is cleared away and the nobility mingle in main hall.
Magnus and Vel'im remove themselves to the side of the main action, finding the other Squires in similar straits.
The Counts from Noravia find themselves the center of attention. Jadir seems slightly uncomfortable with the idea, Nahabedian stoically puts on a brave face and Torana seems to be eating it up and asking for thirds.
About halfway through the night Magnus finds himself drinking with the two grumpy squires who have yet to say a word to anyone, Vel'im having vanished a while back. The servants around them whispers amongst themselves or stand silently awaiting orders.
Trying to break the uneasy silence, Magnus attempts to start a conversation and is met with stony silence, eventually he decisdes that he will not get any information so he might as well enjoy the party.
It is then that he hears a voice to one side, "May I get you anything sir." Magnus looks down realizes his drink is almost empty and holds it out. A moment later he realizes that he recognizes the voice. He turns and sees Jerpip pouring him another drink. "I thought you looked a little parched my Lord", the young orc says with a smirk.
Magnus smiles. "Another drink is exactly what I needed. "If you can keep this glass from every becoming empty the whole night, there will be a reward in it for you."
In a lower voice Magnus grins and says, "So I see this is how you get your information on the current gossip."
"The lower your rank is, the less they notice you... at least up to a point. So I move around, they don't pay attention to me and I get all the good information." Jerpip gives Magnus a sly wink. "Little tid-bits like the Duke actually did show up to this little party. He's meeting with the Viscount in private a short time from now. Apparently he isn't happy with the state of the war. We're still crushing those barbs that are still around, but with that barrier of theirs in place, fervor for the war effort is dying."
Seeing Magnus interest in the news, Jerpip continues. "One of the main factions on the war, the peace coalition, gained big strides in council today with the argument that if we keep the barrier up we don't have to worry about another barb attack. It was countered with the argument that there are two armies of barbs still in our territory. But it is generally known that they were here before the barrier. The Duke is trying to gather support to continue efforts to break down the barrier and hunt down every last barb."
Magnus quietly takes in this information finding it encouraging and reminds himself to tell Torana about this later. He gives a little nod towards the two grumpy squires, "know anything about these two bastions of mirth?"
Jerpip eyes dart quickly in the direction of the two squires, "Lord Pepinger s daughters. You wouldn't know it but they are supposed to be twins. They wanted to become knights and save the kingdom. Their father refused to let them join the Home Guard. What a scandal that would have been. So they apprenticed themselves off to Baron Gar' ott (pronounced Gare-o). Lord Pepinger s was fit to be tied and disinherited the both of them almost a year ago. They blame each other for being disinherited. And they spend most of the time trying to one-up the other."
Magnus asks Jerpip about the other guests and gets a run-down similar to what to he's already heard before with one new bit of information. Most attendees of the party are apparently pro-war.
Torana and Jadir seem to be quite popular with the ladies and their escorts seem be quite popular with some of the lesser nobility as minor Lords trip over themselves to gain their attentions. The women commoners by nature are quite overwhelmed with the attention and lap it up enthusiastically. At least one has set her sights on a more permenant arrangement with her would-be suitors.
Magnus warns, "Keep your eyes and ears open for any interesting bits of information."
"Always my Lord." Jerpip smiles as he tops off Magnus drink. His smile quickly vanishes, "uh oh. Be on your guard my Lord." Jerpip whispers as he bows and backs away, "you've just been nominated the play toy of the moment. They shall try their best to make a fool of you."
Out of the corner of his eye, Magnus watches the two squires. Their attitude is no longer frosty. Even though not a single word has passed between them. He gets the impression that they have just agreed on something. One thing he does know is that both sets of eyes have locked on to him.
He gets looks that range from friendly to very interested. And when he doesn’t immediately respond they decide stronger measures are in order as the range of looks change from sultry to `you are going to be my midnight snack.'
Finally one of them has decided to up the ante again and she gets up and walks over. She makes some attempt at what is supposed to be a sexy walk, but fails badly.
In a deep sultry voice she says, "Mmmmm...Hello handsome." She looks over at Jerpip, who seems to be finding the party quite amusing. "A personal servant for a squire, your Count must be quite wealthy for such a luxury."
The other squire approaches, she walks over light and bouncy. With a light girlish giggle she says, "Of course he is silly. But you two can talk about the Count some other time I want to find out more about you. I mean here you are so far from home? It must be so hard on you. I mean with all the extra work that we have to do with just one master, and you having to work with three of them, it must be just overwhelming." She looks at Magnus wide-eyed and innocent looking.
The first one gives a low deep purr in Magnus ear as she gets quite familiar. "Getting to know him is exactly what I'm here for, but lets not talk about work, it's so...boring, lets talk about something a bit more exciting. She slowly runs a finger over the outside of his ear, sending tingles down his spine.
Vel’im having decided that the parties were not exactly his scene decides to check around. After wandering away from the party and getting nervous looks from some of the passing servants, he decides that he is too conspicuous. After finding a room with an open door he checks to see if it’s empty then dash in and almost closes the door.
“Thank goodness I found a way to hide this cloak otherwise I don’t think I could do this” he mutters to himself as he pulls out the nearly folded cloak from underneath his shirt. Like the rest of his clothes this item has also changed to match his original outfit, now a jet black cloak made of a strange light, slick and shiny material. He puts it own and drops the cloak over his head and promptly vanishes with the exception of a bit of an outline.
After making sure the hall is empty he re-enters it and wanders around trying to keep close to the walls and avoid servants as they pass by. He makes sure not to move when people are nearby so that even his fuzzy outline vanishes into the background.
After scanning most of the manor and finding nothing of interest he eventually spots several important looking men entering a small private room with two guards flanking the doorway.
Vel’im considers trying to sneak in, but errors on the side of caution.
Instead he decides to spy on a group of servants down the hall. Except that when he gets there they turn out not to be servants. There is tall orc dressed in finery that mark him as a noble with a strange design on his left arm that looks like a winged hydra, except it only has one head. He is givng some kind of orders to two others dressed as peasants. Despite being obviously poor these two must have some kind of money because they have huge red gems on the clasp of their tattered cloaks.
“...it must be done soon, we will start with those two to send a message.” The nobleman says.
The other two nod and the shorter of the two says, “We will relay the message it shall be done.”
Magnus smiles at the attention from the two sisters and motions for the second twin to come to his other side.
She flashes him a sweet shy smile and comes closer.
Rising up he motions to chairs on either side of him. "Greetings ladies. I do not believe that we have been properly introduced. I am Mag'nus and you are?"
The wide-eyed one says, "Sey `Pep..." She looks downcast for a moment then says, "SeyPepinger ."
Squire Mag' nus takes her hand and says, "My Pleasure Lady SeyPepinger ." SeyPepinger sits up straight and proper in her chair
Her sister flashes her twin an irritated look and says, "I am Fey `Pepinger ." She puts special emphasis on her family name."
Mag' nus takes her hand and says, "My Pleasure Lady Fey `Pepinger ."
As he says the name, SeyPepinger looks around nervously to see if anyone overheard, Fey however looks as if she dares someone to say something.
After sitting them down he arranges himself so that he can keep both in view. Much to the disappointment of Fey `Pepinger who has switched tactics to having her feet rub up against his ankles.
"I am delighted to make your acquaintance.” Magnus starts off, “I was afraid that my status as a newcomer would leave me to my own devices. I am somewhat surprised that two lovely visions such as yourselves have not joined the mingling nobles."
The ladies blush at the complements and Fey `Pepinger gives him a sly knowing smile. He asks gently, "Perhaps it is a story you would care to share?"
SeyPepinger bites her lower lip and looks troubled almost as if she is ready to cry.
Fey `Pepinger leans closer and says, "Why should I bother with such shallow, small minded little twits out there when there is an obviously well groomed intelligent man here. One who doesn't look down on us just because we're also squires." She leans forward seductively.
The other twin agrees, "Yes. I can tell you're a really nice sweet young man who comes from a good family. Not at all like the people who we normally meet." She shakes her head emphatically.
Jerpip shows up with a tray carrying two mugs. "Would you ladies like a drink?"
"Thank you very much." SeyPepinger takes one of the mugs and says to Mag`nus "You have a very polite and attentive young man here. He must treat you very well."
"That he does my lady”, Jerpip admits as hew gives her a polite bow.
"That must mean you really are a good man." She takes Magnus’ hand.
Fey 'Pepinger says, "I could have told you that sister." As she moves her chair closer placing her hand on his leg. She casually reaches over and takes the drink from Jerpip.
Magnus places his hand over Lady Fey's hand and gives her a smile. He then turns to her sister, "Lady SeyPepinger , perhaps you would care to inform me of some of the duties that is required of a Squire in the grand capitol of Davarona. I'm sure many of the more mundane duties are similar, but the politics and intrigue must be quite exhausting."
Lady SeyPepinger blushes briefly and takes a moment to compose herself.
"I don't know what your duties must be," she begins, "but it's probably the same as ours. I mean we take care of the equipment, clothes, and make sure the servants haven't ruined anything. If he wants to do something, we make sure that the carriages are ready. Basically all the little details to make what they want happen. Occasionally we get to train, but mostly its just...its..."
"Just say it", her sister spits out bitterly. “Except for the little stuff, this position is mostly ceremonial. That's why father's pissed at us. Thanks to you we ended up in a worse position than before and we're still not going to see any action."
Lady SeyPepinger takes offense at this and shoots back sharply, "That's not true, it was your idea. And we will see action soon. The Baron is a good man. We are getting training and we travel and... "
"All the stuff we were doing before, except for the training. I could train myself better than the training that we get here."
She takes a drink and turns from her sister, giving Magnus a knowing smile. "But you my young lad. You've had real training. I can tell by this", she gives his leg a squeeze.
"That's real muscle not that the flab covered bone that most squires have." She moves closer placing her other hand on his arm. She looks into his eyes, given him a look that says, ‘Kiss me.’
Magnus reminds himself that this is probably a game to them and turns to Lady SeyPepinger , "Really is this true?"
She nods and says, "These days most squires squeeze off a bit or two off of their masters and give it some kid to deliver their messages for them. Unless it's really important. Then they get on their horse."
Not in the least put off, Lady Fey 'Peppinger says, "All flab and no muscle, you however have a dangerous look about you, as if you've seen fights, you've seen action. You've seen the war haven't you?"
Magnus can't tell how but he is fairly certain something passed between the women as Lady Fey `Pepinger has a sly smile of victory, while SeyPepinger looks almost defeated.
That is until Magnus reaches out and takes her hand, then the looks switch owners.
Lady SeyPepinger blushes furiously as she dares to moves closer. But she seems unwilling to get closer than a certain point and never once taking her eyes off of Magnus through at one point she lowers them seeming demurely then realizing her line of sight is about waist level on Magnus she blushes even further as she quickly raises them.
Casually looking about the room, Magnus asks to no one in particular, "I wonder which are the braggarts and dullards one should avoid at these events to keep from being bored to tears?"
"Well..", SeyPepinger begins.
"All of them..." Fey ‘Pepinger finishes. "All they talk about are the latest fashions and who has the most inane complaints from the commoners and how well their provinces are doing." She snorts, "like any of them have even been to their provinces in a long time. They take credit for their peasants doing well and when things are bad they send guards with blanket edicts that generally make things worse. But the reports say things are fine so then the guards go away and everyone is back where they started."
SeyPepinger attempts to defend them, "Some of what they say is interesting. Many talk about current events. Like the Duke's visit, the war, and the Verada incident. And Tokha's children are still making the news."
"Mmmmm..."Fey `Pepinger purrs, "Latok is such a hunk!” She quickly cathes her self, “I mean he's not as good as you, but I mean look at what he does. I think if it weren't for his efforts and that sister of his... What's her name? The barbs would have truly conquered us. Even after he lost the hammer, nothing could stop him. He must be your inspiration. Most of the guys I know joined the Home Guard just for a chance to serve around him."
A bitter note enters her voice, "Quite unlike him." Both women nod as if everyone knows who him is.
After a few moments of silence Magnus ventures, "So Lady Sey 'Pepinger , why did you seem hesitant to tell me your full name? I am sure that whatever bit of gossip or scandal has been exaggerated fully beyond the full measure of it's worth. It seems that in these times the smallest of things can label anyone most undeservedly."
"Go ahead and tell him." Her sister taunts more than a little glee is in her voice. SeyPepinger removes her hand, looking embarrased and distraught. She stares at the ground as her hands tear at a handkerchief saying nothing.
Lady Fey ‘Pepinger is more than happy to fill the silence, "Our wonderful and benevolent father didn't like us wanting to help out in the war. When I followed her plan and we apprenticed ourselves to the Baron. The bastard disowned us. So technically we're supposed to be commoners not worth of the surname `Pepinger . But he can shove it, because I will not change my name just because we've become inconvenient for him. My name is Fey `Pepinger and there is nothing he can do about it."
Her sister tries to shush her as several others nearby take note of the conversation and begin whispering amongst themselves.
Fey 'Pepinger gives the group a defiant glare and they turn away pretending to ignore her. The noblemen unwilling to admit they had been rudely listening to the gossip of a lowly squire.
Magnus gives her hand a squeeze and says, "Never fear, I can tell that the two of you have much potential and will soon prove to all your worthiness.
I would think that there are more ways to see action than joining the Home Guard."
The young squire gestures for the SeyPepinger and gestures for her to come closer. "The Baron must have been proud to acquire two noble ladies such as yourselves to be his squires, but it seems perhaps that with the passage of time he has come to take your exceptional services for granted?"
Fey `Pepinger nods, "Exactly!"
SeyPepinger looks at the floor, "But isn't it part of the job that we chose? That is our position in life and it is what we must live with."
Her sister rolls her eyes and gives her a look of disgust.
Eagle-eyed Jerpip moves toward Magnus as he finishes his drink. Delaying any response she may have had. As Jerpip arrives, Magnus says defferentialy to the ladies, "Excuse me for a moment."
"Jerpip be a good chap and show me where the privies are." He places his glass on the tray and follows him out of the room. A glance back toward the ladies shows the two glaring at each other with what could only be described as intense hatred.
Once out of the room, Jerpip crows, "Well done Sir. You seem to be surviving longer than most men do."
Magnus asks him, "So what can you tell me about Lord Pepinger and about Baron Gar 'ott?"
"Ah, well Lord Pepinger is from the Province of Teceria. Teceria's primary commodity is lumber. He has twin daughters (disinherited), one baby son, and his wife is pregnant with another. Though I don't think either of the daughters has seen their province as Lord Pepinger and his wife prefer the city. While in Council he has continually voted for extending the war, he is deemed one of the fence sitters that may go either way since his daughters... disgraced themselves for the sake of the war. Up until the incident with his daughters he was a good friend of the Baron, but since then he has only spoken to him at formal occasions and only for brief amounts of time. He is very strict about the laws and traditions and has been known to vote contrary to his own well being, because of such."
The two stop in front of a door. Nothing about the door distinguishes itself from any other door, except the smell of heavy perfume coming from inside. Magnus assumes that they have reached their destination.
"Baron Gar `ott, I don't have as much information on him, up until recently he was only seen with Lord Pepinger at formal occasions and the Council. He is very security conscious and secretive. And of course staunch pro-war advocate. He'd have to be considering he has been a high-ranking commander in the Home Guard for many many years. After the Troll Wars, he joined the council and pushed for a larger standing Home Guard. He only got that wish when the barbarians started their tactical slaughters."
"No children to speak of, he thinks that this would be a weak link in his armor. He doesn't want to give the enemy a target to use against him. His brother has two sons. The youngest of which is expected to take over his estates when the Baron passes on. He is a good friend with The Duke for a long time. Though the two have rarely been seen in public together, he always backs The Duke in council and vice versa. I don't know why he took Lord Pepinger s daughters as squires. It pretty much ruined their friendship and I don't think they have really trained for war. He has an odd relationship with the Tokha clan. He was the first to support Latok's application to join the Elite Guard. In fact he sponsored him and has never had a reason to regret it. On the other hand he was also first to vote for the exile of Tokhas' older brother. There was a rumor for a while that he believed that women should not be in the war, which would explain how he avoided sponsoring Tokha's daughter. But then he went and took on not one but two women as his squires to train them for battle."
Jerpip pauses and says, "If there is something specific you're looking for I could probably find out more."
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