Completed The Shadows, They Speak

[Estrellir Konrath]

Fall 75-79, 514 AV


Light was falling in large chunks through the opened windows and the chilly breeze brought the smell of flowers and fresh water into the room. Of the residents of Boldvine, one Konti was sitting on the bed and one towering over her in the chair. It was the suite of the latter, but the former had initiated the meeting.

Estrellir crossed her arms in front of her chest, observing her sister with narrow violet eyes. When she spoke, her tone was flat. “So you’re interested in him. You want to get to know him privately.”

The other nodded.

“I assume you haven’t said a thing to mother or father. You think they won’t approve.”

Another nod.

Estrellir mulled it over silently. Usually she wouldn’t have given the job a second thought. Coin was coin, after all. She would have kept a professional distance from the matter and she would’ve done what had to be done carefully and promptly. This case, however, was infinitely complicated by the simple fact that it was her little sister whom it concerned. Her shy little sister Escanis who shone with the suvai, but withered in polite society. Oh, she could see why the girl was asking for her help. First, a match for one of Lorenzo’s daughters had to bring political advantage. Second, the daughter in question usually had little say in which handsome Dynast was placed by her side. If she took lovers as a wife, it’d be tolerated. Rejecting her father’s decisions or ruining his political machinations, however, wouldn’t be forgiven.

Suddenly Escanis interrupted her thoughts in a decidedly unladylike outburst. “Please, sister! You know how much father dotes on us, you even more than me. You know how thorough mother is in her marriage plans for us. They do what’s best for us, I know. But I want to experience something for myself. He’s a good man, I can feel it, but how can I know if I want to marry him?”

Estrellir shook her head at such confused ramblings. “Enough, I get it. You want to know more about him. You want to spend a few bells in bliss far and so on. But you also need to keep your options open, no, more than that.”

Escanis was pleading silently with wide blue eyes. In her gaze Estrellir saw the hopes and wishes she’d had when she had been her age, all that and more. Had she ever been so naïve? No. But for all that, she didn’t want to hurt her sister.

“Fine.”

“Oh, thank you! I’ll never forget it.” And the girl hugged her with fierce gratitude.

[Estrellir Konrath]

Escanis knew that the man in question was attending the rum festival his family hosted in the city proper in a few days. Formulating a rough plan was a matter of bells.

After that, Estrellir met with her cousin on the terraces just outside the common room. Neol Konrath was a handsome specimen of his race, more collected than many due to strict education and discipline. Born to Lorenzo’s younger brother, he had no political heritage to speak of, but carved out a place for himself in the household guard. He also seemed to have a hand in trade relations with Riverfall, traveling frequently between cities.

He’d just returned from his last journey and would stay until spring. When Estrellir stepped into broad daylight, he turned and gave a respectful nod. “It is a pleasure to see you, cousin Estrellir. I trust you are well.”

Estrellir returned the greeting before leading him through the gardens towards a secluded bamboo platform with seats and cushions. Whenever the wind picked up, they were sprayed by droplets from a nearby waterfall. Sitting down, she quickly explained her request and appealed to his sense of loyalty. “Seeing your cousin married to an honorable man and treated well by her husband certainly lies in your interest, no? I will not occupy you long.”

Neol shook her hand with a wink. Despite his calm disposition, he was still young for an Akalak. Rolling up sleeves, they got down to work. Despite her promise, they worked well into the late bells and only parted ways when Leth stood high in the dark sky.

The next day, they got together at nightfall to resume training. Neol showed her how to walk on the balls of her feet in order to create as little noise as possible. While she lost balance a few times at first, Estrellir learned to walk quiet as a cat quickly. That night she returned to the bureau to observe Whimsy and Poppy, practicing some more. He also made her sneak up to him as silently as possible. Once she got past her prejudice against child games, she relished the challenge. Together they slunk from shadow to shadow, covering the terraces and most of the gardens before Neol’s elder brother told them off. Estrellir welcomed the shadows as old friends and so that particular lesson came easy to her.

Her teacher wasn’t finished though. The next day, he introduced her into the art of walking among people while staying all but invisible. The secret seemed to be a casual air rather than effort, pretending to be busy enough to be left alone. Needless to say, Estrellir was astonished at the things Neol had stored in his head.

[Estrellir Konrath]

Two days later, Estrellir had three lessons with Neol under her belt and felt ready for a challenge. Kenash would be alight with thousands of lanterns, but she trusted in Akajia’s shadows to aid her endeavors. Escanis, too timid to attend the festival, came and bid her goodbye at the carriage.

She rode into town with her sisters and followed them towards Blade Island before falling behind. That night, she was wearing her black silk cloak, hood pulled up over braided white locks, and high leather boots over a blouse and pants. Not the proper dress for a social gathering, but she didn’t plan to socialize… a lot.

Instead she remembered what Neol had taught her: how to stay at the edge of the light, and how to place her steps. As the festival commenced, she thanked Avalis for the blessing of her Konti gift. Due to that sixth sense, she could avoid people she knew as well as identify the Morealis she was looking for. Using family members as sign posts, she eventually found her target.

Isaac Morealis was talking to a mesmerizing woman with elaborate dark braids, laughing and clinking glasses. The Konti gift identified her as his elder sister. Tumbler in hand, Estrellir placed herself in the shadow of a magnolia tree not far from his bench and pretended to watch the people flitting about. Turning on her finely tuned ears, she caught bits and pieces of his conversation.

At first a few names were dropped, but none rang a bell with her. Apparently they were trading gossip about acquaintances from their social circle, people they both knew. Isaac told his sister about the recent business success of a mutual friend and she insisted to congratulate him in person soon.

The rum was burning in her throat by the time the pair got around to more interesting topics. The sister started teasing Isaac about a girl he’d been seeing recently. Estrellir hoped it wasn’t Escanis, but after some consideration she sincerely doubted it. He didn’t drop any hints as to what she looked like, although Konti were quite exotic in Kenash. It was something else that made Estrellir shudder though.

“She was good, but nothing compared to Selen. I haven’t paid her visit in a long time.”

The sister playfully slapped his arm. “You should! I’m sure she’s been waiting for you in her little gilded cage. Nobody can entertain them like you do and it’s obvious she’s got fire in her.”

Isaac nodded, smiling. “I shall visit the Caged Sun tomorrow evening.”

[Estrellir Konrath]

That moment Isaac got up to hail a slave for more liquid and snacks. Estrellir took a long sip to hide her face before wandering off. Standing under that tree by herself was beginning to look suspicious, so she took a stroll around Lantern Square. Keeping to the dim space between lanterns and darkness, she succeeded in avoiding conversation, simply observing. A silent nod was given to Neol as his methods proved to be everything she’d hoped for.

The walk also helped her process what she’d just heard. The Caged Sun, the place that embodied the sinful nature of Kenash better than any other. The place where people took their darkest and most twisted desires. Where they devoured warm flesh (if only in a metaphorical sense).

If that establishment lived up to its reputation, Estrellir wouldn’t want her younger sister involved with Isaac and neither would their father. However, she’d only heard him mention it once. It could’ve been a mistake, a misunderstanding. As far as the investigation went, one conversation wasn’t nearly enough to go by. Snatching a fresh tumbler from a silver plate, the Konti resumed to track down Isaac once again.

He was standing by the buffet, an impressive arrangement of plates and bowls holding fruit and sweets in a bed of cooling ice. His sister by his side, he was surrounded by a few men and women his age, locked in animated conversation.

Estrellir inched a little closer, sipping her drink, pretending to have trouble deciding between the delicacies on the table. By then she was blinking to see clearly and her thoughts were rolling in her head like coconuts. Still, she overheard scraps of their conversation.

“You need to be a member,” Isaac was explaining, “but I recommend paying a trial visit prior to joining.”

“I heard they don’t always offer the same girls,” someone interjected.

“That’s true. They changed about twenty days ago. They likely rotate on a regular basis, but I’m only frequenting the Caged Sun since last season.”

There. He’d mentioned it again. Estrellir kept her hands from shaking through sheer force of will as she piled some candied apples, a pear and grapes on her plate.

Isaac’s sister gave a pretty laugh. “Just keep your hands off Selen or my sweet brother will haunt you for the next season or two. He’s got dibs.”

The group erupted into laughter. Just then Isaac turned around with a grunt to inspect the food. Estrellir jumped back, murmuring an apology, and escaped past two hissing Rajors. She’d heard it twice. Surely that was enough. The rum was starting to do questionable things to her judgment – high time for an early night.

[Estrellir Konrath]

Estrellir woke with a dull thumping behind her temples and a sour taste on her tongue. Despite that, she only got a glass of water before calling Escanis into her suite. The things she had to discuss could hardly wait.

Ten chimes later they were sitting on the floor of her suite, a plate of grapes between them. It felt like a secret gathering, the way they sat and how Escanis leaned forward, before Estrellir gathered her words to report.

After, the younger girl was staring at her, dumbfounded. “Are you sure?”

Estrellir resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “I heard him mention the Caged Sun twice and the girl multiple times. His sister too, so yes, I’m sure.”

The girl sighed. “I never would’ve thought… He seemed so gallant and polite…”

Estrellir bit her lip. “They know how to play the game, most Dynasts do. It’s required of them at soirees and parties, but it’s just business. You can’t trust their public faces. That’s why people come to me, after all.”

At that, Escanis lightened up slightly. “You’re right. That’s why I came to you and I’m glad I did it. At first I felt silly wanting to get to know a man who obviously has a knack for socializing and politics.”

Estrellir nodded. “Mother didn’t choose him for nothing. She must’ve thought he could handle the pressure and complications of a position between two families.”

Despite the bad tidings, her sister seemed relieved. She hadn’t worried herself over nothing, her doubts had been justified. That in itself calmed her considerably, although the corner of her mouth also held a hint of disappointment.

Eventually she shrugged. “I guess that’s it. Mother wouldn’t want a womanizer with multiple flings to marry me. I’ll tell her what we’ve found.”

That snapped Estrellir out of her thoughts. “Don’t tell her I investigated Isaac for you. Just say that one of your sisters overheard his conversation at the party. I came with Atia and a few others, so it makes sense.”

Escanis gave her a strange look, biting back questions, before she agreed.

After the girl had left, she was still sitting on the floor, mechanically popping one grape after another into her mouth. Chewing, she tried to hold on to that feeling she’d had earlier. You can’t trust their public faces. So why would Isaac Morealis flaunt his relationship with a Caged Sun prostitute in a place where he could expect to be overheard?


To be continued here.

[Dravite]

Estrellir Konrath

XP Award:

• Planning: 2
• Persuasion: 1
• Observation: 3
• Rhetoric: 2
• Stealth: 3
• Socialisation: 2
• Investigation: 1

Lore:

• Escanis: Is a shy girl
• Escanis: Prone to sudden outbursts
• Mother knows best!
• Estrellir: Cares very much for her younger sister
• Estrellir: The favourite child!
• Neol Konrath: A very handsome man
• Neol Konrath: Related to Lorenzo
• Neol Konrath: Travels frequently
• Neol Konrath: Is still young for an Akalak
• Stealth: Walking on the balls of your feet makes less noise
• Estrellir: Feels comfortable in the shadows
• Stealth: Moving from shadow to shadow to avoid detection
• Stealth: Moving with the crowd
• Isaac Morealis: Has a beautiful, older sister
• Eavesdropping and the ugly truth
• The Caged Sun: Has a sinful reputation
• Stealth: Making yourself look busy helps
• Rum impairs a person’s judgement
• Sisters and their secrets
  

Notes: Great start to a very interesting story. I especially enjoy the way you have set up the character in a line of work that integrates and builds on her current skillset nicely. I'm fine with you changing Lore titled with Estrellir to 'Self' if you prefer. I'm having trouble finding anything about NPCs on your CS, just keep in mind that if you're using these NPCs regularly they may need to be supported (depending on the type of NPC), or described somewhere on your CS. Let me know if you think I have missed anything here and be sure to edit your grading request! As this is one of the first threads I have ever graded, any feedback via PM would be greatly appreciated.

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