Tea Time with the Snakes|Ekaitz

[Kender Bard]

Lady Raimi had decided to pay a social call to their leaders. After all, she didn't have anything else to do. She even dragged Pier with her, and the Lord of the house just fidgeted next to his wife, eclipsed by her in all ways.

[Northen Light36]

A slave with freashly blackened eye opens the door, bowing low to the Lady and Lord. "Welcome to Melissan M-manor Lord Pier, Lady Raimi. Please come in." When the pair are seated in the sitting room, the slave runs off to fetch his masters.

While he's gone, two small children totter into the room and stare up at Raimi and Pier - the Melissan children. "'Ello," says the little boy. The girl stays silent.

[Kender Bard]

"Well hello precious!" Raimi squeals at the boy. "Aren't you just the cutest thing? Ooh I think I might have a treat for such two lovely children." Rummaging in a pocket she took out a couple of sugar cubes that she usually carried with herself - her son was always asking for candy.

[Northen Light36]

The children's eyes light up at the sight of the sugar, each holding out a hand for the treat to be given to them. "T'ank you," they chorus before putting the sugar in their mouths and sucking on it happily as Sombra and Mathew walk in.

"Good morning," Mathew greets the guests.

"A pleasure to see you both," Sombra adds, then looks adoringly at her children. "I see you've already met Brendan and Sarah."

[Kender Bard]

"Aye," Raimi chirped brightly. "Such sweet children. You are both very blessed. May I inquire as to how the day fares for you both?"

Next to Raimi, Pier just fidgeted idly.

[Northen Light36]

"Oh, reasonably well," Mathew replies. "It's been quite quiet lately though. I was considering taking out some of the men for a slave hunt. Maybe see if we can find a few winds. We've got enough waters here at the moment." Mathew leans back in his chair. "Maybe you and your son would like to come along, Pier? The boy is old enough to start learning how the work is done."

[Kender Bard]

"Aye, that sounds agreeable," Pier said, wondering if Raimi would yell at him later for taking such initiative. She didn't seem to care though as she smiled pleasantly at Mathew.

"I've managed to procure a couple of Beasts," she announced proudly. "They're doing very well - they're chained up right now watching the fields for anything suspicious as we speak."

[Northen Light36]

"Wonderful," Mathew says. "And they've given you no trouble? What sort of beasts are they?"

[Kender Bard]

"Foxes," Raimi explained. "Not too terribly strong, but quick. More importantly, they're very observant. Superb sense of smell too. They make very good guards. Of course, being Beasts, they're still stronger than your average slave. I believe they're broken fairly well."

[Northen Light36]

Mathew nods thoughtfully. "Interresting," he murmurs. "I'll come by at some point to have a look at them." He leans back in his chair, picking up his son to place the boy in his lap. "Beast slaves may be even more useful soon. Lord Nissar has entered into an alliance with Ekaitz, he'll be bringing tamed young monsters for us."

[Kender Bard]

Raimi frowned thoughtfully at this bit of news. "Are they truly monsters, things we can unleash like your dogs, or are they exotic pets?"

[Northen Light36]

"He says monsters, but I'm waiting to see if he truly means it," Mathew replies smoothly. "In any case, he's asked for nearly nothing in return. Merely that we sell him any slave we find to unruly to break." Mathew chuckles at that, thinking egotistically that there'll never be many of those.

[Kender Bard]

Raimi frowned at the deal. "Sounds too good to be true. Either there's something going on or else these people are very stupid." She perked up a bit in thought of that. "If it's the latter, perhaps we could wrest their land away and really fortify Ekaitz."

[Northen Light36]

"It's always a possiblity," Mathew argees, cautiously. "But at the moment I intend to milk this alliance for all that it's worth." He smiles coldly. "With a little work, I have no doubt we can pit Nissar against Shadow and his queen bitch and let them destroy each other."

[Kender Bard]

Raimi clapped lightly at this, just the tip of her fingers, but it was evident she could have gotten down and worshipped Mathew for his brilliance. "Always a wise move, Lord Mathew," Raimi cooed. "Say, have you managed to procure any new or interesting slaves?"