Court Gossip|Neo'anar, New Anarlina

[Kender Bard]

"Did you hear? Mistress Tres of Sensatia is here! She was half naked and raving when they found her. Master Thelon's here to take her back. Probably for treatment or something. It would appear madness is catching amongst Queens of this land. Let's pray to Love that Her Majesty does not fall ill!"

[Darastrix]

"King Lucifer's young Mind servant is back again. Do you think he's pursuing an alliance?"

"Or maybe the boy is pursuing the priestess Nalani instead. What do you think the royal seer would say to that?"

[Darastrix]

"Did you hear? A Morilantan refugee is the one who brought Mistress Tres to the temple. Did the Mistress of Sensatia run afoul of the black land?"

"I hear that Master Thelon is planning swift retribution!"

[Darastrix]

"Why was the court bard of all people seated at the recent dinner? And so close to the royal family, too!"

"Don't you know? He and the new Lord are lovers."

"Lovers they may be, but I heard that Zachriel left him quite alone that night while he pursued Mother Cascata. And the bard always seemed so nice, too."

"Twilight must be rubbing off on him. Let us hope the Dark Prince doesn't spread his influence to the new nobility as well."

[Kender Bard]

"Oh no, I'd heard the new lord is quite more keen on our splendid King. Though perhaps he's interested in more than simple noble servitude if you catch my drift. I wonder how the Queen feels about that."

[Kender Bard]

Estella says, "It appears that the young priestess Nalani has chosen a different man. That Ryder fellow... What does he do again? Well, no matter, I think Priestess Snowflake should have arranged something for her successor with a foreigner to strengthen relationships with other lands. Though maybe someone more prestigious."

[Darastrix]

"Oh, he's a fortune-teller or some such," Winifred sniffs. "How quaint. He is a foreigner, but where in the world is he from? No connections, no family anyone knows of...hmph. But did you hear the news about the other court bard? Lord Wintersong's lover? One of the Soahcian priestesses is claiming that he's the father of her child! And he's gone off with his lover on some pleasure trip! These Talen'sul bards are a disreputable bunch indeed. Next we'll be hearing that that guild they started doubles as a brothel at night."

[Kender Bard]

"I certainly wouldn't be surprised," Estella huffed slightly. "First this Zack goes about littering Anarlina with his bastards. Next, that Marion fellow will soil the royal bloodline by siring some filthy get on the General. Next thing you know, Anarlina's reputation becomes ruined and whores and bawds from all over will be swarming our beautiful city. What's to separate us from the heathen Morilantans then?"

[Kender Bard]

"Oh my, how very intriguing. It would appear that the former successor to the high priesthood has become pregnant. Not only that, she can't be sure who the father is. One might be that fortune-telling lover of hers and the other is some Soahcian. No wonder she's disappeared, she's fled with shame of course. And right she should. Who knew such a seemingly innocent girl was such a little whore? Well you never can tell of course. Probably if she hadn't run off, Snowflake would have had to cast her aside anyway. I wonder who the new successor will be."

[Kender Bard]

Estella latched onto the first courtier she could find. "What could this possibly mean? A three-sign Wind marrying the Lord Wintersong? Our poor Queen; she's been spurned in favor of her own noble!"

[Darastrix]

"Spurned her, or is he just biding his time?" Winifred speculated. "It would be base to court the poor woman so soon after such a scandalous divorce, and the young lord has shown to be quite generous with his lover. Mayhaps the bard means to have them both before long. Then he will be both noble and King. The question then becomes...what rank will that place Lord Wintersong? King consort? Regent?"

[Kender Bard]

"Well not regent as that's our Dark Prince's title," Estella replied dismissively. "I daresay he'd fight to keep it. That dog's just gotten his bone, I doubt he'll give up so soon. My, wouldn't that be interesting to see? Lord Wintersong and Prince Twilight fighting over the regency; all the while the Queen and our new King would be wooing one another. Hmm, I wonder if Prince Sunlight and the bard's daughter would get along..."

[Darastrix]

"Do you think Prince Sunlight will remain the crown prince if the bard and Queen have a child of their own? I mean, you really couldn't blame them to want to raise their own child to be the heir. Though if they take a liking to one another, the daughter and Prince Sunlight could become the future lord and lady of Widor."

[Kender Bard]

"The latter would certainly be the happy ending for all, wouldn't it? And who knows, perhaps Lord Wintersong will instead take pity on the Prince and invite him to his bed instead."

[Darastrix]

"IF the bard is as generous as his lord. I'm not sure he is, which is a terrible shame since Lord Wintersong seems to allow him to do as he likes. But surely you've seen Lord Winterdong looking in Lord Brandt's direction before. And he hardly speaks to the royal cousin. I fear the bard keeps his lover on a most tight leash."