Somebody's Getting Married, 1|Rivenway, Ronduin

[Deleted]

A beam of green light, and Locke touched down in Ronduin, swaying slightly before he collected himself. Sir River had asked him to start delivering invitations to the wedding, and Ronduin's leader, Cascata, was first on the list. Locke had warned the man it would probably take a couple of days, but River, ever relaxed, had waved that off.

The Mind took a moment to make sure he was presentable, and strode into the appropriate building. He could have teleported into it directly -Sir River's mental imagery had been very clear- but that was kind of rude.

"Excuse me," Locke said as he approached the front desk, "I'm a courier in the service of Sir River of Humontis; I have a message from him for Mother Cascata. Is she available?"

[Kender Bard]

"Yes, certainly," the secretary remarked crisply. Leaning over, she gave a wire near her desk a few hearty pulls. Somewhere not too far away a bell rang in succession with her pulls.

Moments later, Cascata came out of her little 'office' home, smiling at Locke. "Hello," she bubbled politely. "What can I do for my old friend?"

[Deleted]

Locke bowed, hair falling over his eyes as he did so; he hadn't had a chance to trim his bangs in some time. A subtle squeeze of his right fingers and it was smoothed back when he straightened. "Good day, Mother Cascata," he said, reaching into his mantle to bring out the envelope with tasteful designs in gold-tinted ink around the border. "Sir River of Humontis would like to cordially invite you to his wedding at the end of the month," he added with a slight smile.

[Kender Bard]

"Oh!" Cascata accepted the invitation as her eyes lit up. "River's getting married! The sweet man, I'm glad he found someone with whom he can share life's pleasures."

She trailed off a little, fingering the envelope with a melancholy gaze. Nearby her secretary cleared her throat pointedly. Cascata snapped out her reverie. "Thank you young man." Reaching into a pocket she fished out a coin and offered it to him. "Here you are, and do you need any food or rest?"

[Deleted]

Locke stared at the coin like it was something he had never seen before. Well, technically he hadn't: In the past, no one had ever tipped him on his message runs. It was a kind gesture, though, and manners prompted him to take the tip and pocket it. "Thank you, Mother Cascata," he stated. "But no, I am not in need of anything else. I am in a bit of a hurry, though, so I hope you won't think me too rude if I must depart right away."

[Kender Bard]

"No, of course, I understand," she remarked with a wave. She didn't open the envelope. "When you see River again, tell him that I will be there, short of a disaster striking."

[Deleted]

Locke smiled a bit wider, and bowed again. "Of course," he said, and disappeared.