The Baker's girl - A tale of Gradzlata

[siobhancan99]

Ulricha turned to give the girl some privacy and then when she was ready she looked her over "you really do look like two different people." She stood and grinned "As for me, I can always use someone dangerous around." She laughed and moved to the edge of the roof. She started the slow climb down, then hit the alleyway "I mean, 20 gold a week is a lot of money. That pays the rent Ja?" Ulricha considered "I don't know where you can unload these gems but I will come along in case I think of something clever while you are fighting the people you liberated the gems from, my deadly friend." She laughed and gestured for Ziva to head out first, as she had no earthly idea where the girl had hidden the gems. She adjusted her Zweihander, making sure it was easy to draw in case of trouble. "glad I came outfitted for trouble."

At the first stash Ziva was able to retrieve the gems with no problem. She looked them over in the light of day. An amethyst set in silver, nearly as big as the end of her thumb. There were two raw emeralds as well, uncut and unimpressive without being polished, but of a weight that if they were of decent clarity Ziva knew would fetch an excellent price. lastly was a pendant in the shape of a lion's head, with garnets for eyes. The gems weren't big enough to be anything more than an interesting flourish, but the exquisite gold work would be worth something, more in the Sewochi community. Lions like this were the national symbol of Sewochan, and even exiles had pride in that nation.

At the second stash, however, Ziva caught the coppery flash of long hair curling out from under the hood of a cloaked man nearby. It was possible it was the bard, watching her stash to see who collected it.

 

[DramaNerdette]

Ziva walked past the stash, not even glancing at it. At the end of the street, after turning a corner, she sighed. "Yup. I think the bard was watching that one. I was hoping it'd take longer for them to find the things. Oh well. I was thinking maybe we hand these over to Yvginy, let HIM figure out how to turn the things into spending money while we give the other stashes a few days to cool off." With that, they dropped by the tower and handed off the little bag, with a thank you and a warning about the copper haired man who may be looking for it. Then Ziva turned them towards the expensive end of town. An hour later, she was back at the gate to the manor house, waving at a familiar looking armored fellow. "Hiya! I think I dropped my giant bags of gold when I was visiting last night, could I just hop in and look around a bit?" She asked brightly.

 

[siobhancan99]

"You think you're hilarious don't you. All you city folk think you're the next thing in comedy." She could feel the eye rolling more than see it, behind the closed helmet. He opened the gate "Banimir is expecting you inside."

The pair made their way up the flagstones to the house. In the light of day she could see there were some areas set aside for gardening, but in the chill of the unseasonably cold autumn, everything was dead. Still the sun was bright today and the sky blue and generally cheerful despite the lack of planting around the house. Inside, Jereni and Banimir were seated by a small fire to keep out the autumn chill.

The woman was reading something, which she put down when the pair entered. "I'm given to understand my husband has generously found me female bodyguards." her tone was polite, at least "I fear you shall largely be bored, as I mostly read in the study." She stood "My but aren't you a tall one" she looked up at Ulricha and then over to Ziva, a small amused smile perking at the corner of her mouth mostly from the dichotomy, Ulricha as tall as a man if not quite as broad, and Ziva, tiny and dark where her friend was blond. "You make quite the pair. I'm Jereni. Welcome to a light few weeks of duty. If you read there are books. Otherwise you can... do whatever you like in the house."

Banimir took out a letter and put a seal on it "My house colors are purple and green. There's a drawing of the family sigil in the letter. Get yourselves some clothes in the appropriate colors. They have to have the heraldry on them somewhere."


"I go armor" Ulricha gestured at her chain.

"A tabard will be sufficient then. Though you should have some clothes for around the house. You cant wear chain all the time it chafes. I know."

 

[DramaNerdette]

"Oh no! A few weeks of safety and relaxation! However shall we cope! Don't worry, we're not just bodyguards, we're also tour guides. Protecting you from boredom!" Ziva leaned down and looked Jereni in the eyes, "When we're done with you, you'll know why us city girls love the place so. Right Ulricha?" She stood up with a satisfied grin. "We also need incognito out on the town clothes. Our lady will go mad if she's stuck here for weeks on end." She smirked, enjoying it now, "I think something in a plunging neckline for me, slinky, with a long skirt and some frilly layers. Ulricha should have something that shows off her legs, because trust me, they are magnificent. Silks in the house colors, a brooch with the house symbol. I'm sure you've already got clothes to wear on the town, but if we have to dress pretty, you should also... Hmm, I know, let's get you fitted for some light armor! Just so you can say you have. A chain shirt or something light." Ziva grinned, turning on the charm while the back of her mind started listing other, less socially appropriate additions I'd be requesting for my dress. A garrote in the seam of the skirt waist. Weighted irons in the end of her skirt to whip someone with. A parasol with a thin sword hidden in the shaft. Hair sticks sharpened to stiletto points. She hoped her grin appeared more excited than maniacal.

 

[siobhancan99]

The woman offered her a cool look at the suggestion of armor, and arched an eyebrow. Banimir cleared his throat "maybe... you should stick to bodyguarding." He laughed "and not uh... sartorial advice." Ulricha nudged Ziva and rolled her eyes at her playfully, then took her in hand "I reign her in"
The pair were ushered off to seamstresses, and given largely men's clothing that would be easy to move in. The billowy knee length trousers favored in the day, and doublets to go over armor. For Ulricha, a tabard with the house colors and sigil. A few dresses as well, Bell sleeved, tight in the bodice with a plunging neckline. Ulricha looked at that askance, as she was a bit busty "I feel like I will pop out of this thing" but fortunately it was laced across.

They were outfitted with wrist sheathes for daggers to hide in the bell sleeves for easy drawing, and given fashionable ankle boots to wear as well, with a low heel for ease of movement. Everything was undertaken with an eye towards presenting the image of belonging to the house, but also not restricting them should push come to shove. Ordinarily, it was explained, the men's style clothing would be fine. They were, after all, to be visibly bodyguards. Much of being one was the deterrent of being seen and so they didn't necessarily have to blend in anywhere. The point was exactly the opposite.

 

[DramaNerdette]

Ziva throws up her hands in mock surrender, "I was expecting to be allowed to play a LITTLE!" But she consented to the seamstresses, and was largely pleased with the results. "If you do pop out they'll be too busy staring to defend themselves." She said, patting the blond's shoulder consolingly. With all their new outfits purchased, they eventually found themselves seated in the library of the manor house, the staff having largely finished their work and gone to their rooms. Ziva looked at Ulricha, worried. "This seems like a lot for a simple bodyguard gig. Is that just me? And I'm assuming we've got a room here somewhere or are we just resting outside her bedroom door like a pair of guard dogs?"

 

[siobhancan99]

"It's mostly sitting around" Ulricha let her know "honestly at home we probably read and play cards and leave her alone. Bodyguarding is about when you're out and about. When she's at the salon, or out shopping. We're there to first present a face of danger to potential idiots, and second to be dangerous. Looking the part is important. You have to swagger like your dick is as big as Yvginy's." She grinned and leaned in, whispering "and I know you know how big it is." She laughed and reached out to toussle the shorter woman's hair "but you have to have an eye for trouble. You have a good eye for the crowd, so mostly I'll swagger, and you watch. You keep an eye out not just for crazy folks that want to stab her, or grab her, but pickpockets and the like too. Rich people hate being robbed as much or more than anyone else."

One of the servants arrived "your rooms" the two had a single room, next to their employers. Banimir was in for the evening as was his wife and the house was quiet. The room itself was simple, with a chest with their new clothes in it at the foot of each small bed. the servant explained "the owner of the house that rents it out had two small boys. Sorry for how small the beds are"

There was an iron grate radiating heat without a fire. Probably magical. "Don't touch that its hot" the servant warned.

After that she left and the big Volk stripped down to nothing, tugging the comforter down "we have a busy day of doing nothing tomorrow."

 

[DramaNerdette]

Ziva blushed and turned around after she noticed she was staring. She began stripping off her own clothes, feeling almost boyish next to Ulricha's curves. When she finished, she pulled back the comforter of the other bed and climbed in, covering back up. She laughed softly, "You know, this is both larger and softer than my bed at home. I think I like the larger part. Jury is still out on softer." She was quiet for a few moments before asking, "How did you hear about Yvginy? Not that I mind or anything, but I am curious. He didn't seem like the type to get chatty on the subject of women, but I don't... I'm not always great at reading people on that subject, you know?" Ziva hugged the comforter tight to her chest.

 

[siobhancan99]

Ulricha grins and sits on the bed, maybe intentionally making Ziva look at her a moment, then she rolls under her own blankets. "I didn't actually know until just now" She grinned at the girl "I guessed. Then I threw a shot in the dark and you confirmed." She winks "Sorry, it was mean of me." She rolled onto her side, looking over at the diminutive Ziva in the dim light of the candle "you're adorable. Also this bed is amazing. If small."

The bed was like much in the house. It was not at all ostentatious. The sheets were not silk but a very high quality Sewochi cotton. The mattress itself was soft, but supportive and the pillows were fresh stuffed with down. The blankets were thick and warm, local and well made. Ziva, having an eye for quality could tell that everything was expensive, without drawing attention to itself. There was a careful eye in everything. As she thought back on Jereni's clothes, that aesthetic probably came from her. Banimir was a little more showy. A proud peacock in the way that a beautiful man can be. At least he had the good sense to listen to his wife.

As Ziva thought about it, she could hear the tall Volk snoring in the next bed. The candle sputtered out, and she was left in the dark with her thoughts. They didn't last long though, as the comfort of the bed took her.

In the morning, Banimir was gone. He'd set out before dawn to meet his party and head into the underdark. Jereni seemed tense, but not as tense as one might expect with a husband who could reasonably never return. After a long morning. She announced that she was ready to see the town. First, she wanted to see the harbor up close. During the day, this was not a big ask though as the day wore on it would be dangerous there. Still, Ziva knew that at noon one could see people from all lands and ships from far flung ports and it was a bit of a spectacle. There were also some excellent eateries down that way.

Ulricha shrugged into her chain, then her tabard. "I'll go get the carriage"

 

[DramaNerdette]

"Ok ma'am, your husband gave us his orders, but you're the one we're actually watching. What do you want out of the next few weeks? The noonday rush at the docks is a sight to behold, some of the best people-watching in the city, and I know a few really good places to eat down there that split the difference between classy and authentic, so today will be a good time but... I'd like to keep your mind off your troubles, if I can. So anything you want to ask for that won't get you hurt, I'll see what we can do, alright?"

 

[siobhancan99]

Jereni smiled "well. I have a household to run. So I'll need to go around and ensure deliveries of groceries for the cooks and such, I'll need to hire some people to clean the place... all very humdrum I'm afraid. I shan't really need much protection. Banimir is sweet and all but the City is hardly the wicked cesspool that we've been brought up to believe in the countryside. I'm sure I'll have a very dull week while he's off being a hero."

The trio took the carriage down to the harbor, and despite the bone chill in the air (rare at the seaside this time of year) the sun was shining and the sky was clear. The dock was a motley of colors as sailors and merchants from all lands arrived in massive galleys laden with goods or coin. The ships of the Gradzlata were heavy with gold taken from selling grain to famine-stricken Sewochan.

Jereni took time to look around, standing down at the docks and staring up at the two great forts that overlooked the entrance to the protected harbor. The trio also passed the heavy gun emplacements. "I don't understand why mages don't just destroy the powder?" Jereni asked. Ulricha looked like she wanted to say and was struggling with how to keep up appearances. Figuring there were no men about she pointed "That stone there. it makes magic dead. It is rare and expensive."

Ziva knew as well that the powder stores were in a magic dead zone, that kept fireballs and such from turning the harbor into a crater.

Much of the day was spent as decribed, tending to a million little household chores. That night, however, they went to the salon. It was being held in the home of a wealthy shipping magnate, in the western rise. near the top of the rise, but overlooking the harbor the house had majestic views. It sat on a piece of mountain that had been carved away , and was set apart from its neighbors. about 15 carriages were present, and when they stepped into the palatial manor, the trio were confronted with pockets of folk similarly dressed. here everyone in black and gold, there everyone in crimson and azure. Jereni explained that the wealthy affected the style of peers by adopting a color scheme without flaunting the law by having a crest. "Only the peers can have heraldry."

Through the crowd, accompanying a tall blond woman in nearly all black with a hint of scarlet here and there, was Kasia.

 

[DramaNerdette]

"Not a wicked cesspool? Well... for some reason now I feel offended."

---

"Ahhh hells." Ziva nudges Ulricha and flicks her eyes over to Kasia. Then she turns to speak quietly to Jereni, "So, I don't think we've discussed it yet, and I don't mention it due to any urgency, but if Ulricha happens to grab you and starts dragging you to a side door while I make a big distracting ruckus, just keep up with her as well as you can, I'll be along as soon as I am able. In the meantime, do the colors black, with a hint of scarlet, mean anything to you?" she asks, before picking up her mug and pretending to drink, an eye on Kasia's companion.

As Ziva's logic would have it, keeping an eye on Kasia was pointless. What would you possibly find out? That she had hidden weapons? Of course she had hidden weapons, the woman always had hidden weapons on her as a matter of course, and she had more than you would likely spot. That she was up to no good? Again, being up to no good was practically a profession with the lady. If she was honest with herself, Ziva's initial dislike for the woman had transformed into something like guarded respect. She swam in some truly dangerous waters. The problem was that, at the moment, she was also swimming in the same salon as her client. The same salon where someone had already caused her an immense amount of trouble with their scheming and blackmail.

 

[siobhancan99]

Jereni looked over and waved at the blond woman in scarlet and black "Karolina Simic. Jozep Simic's wife. She's a leading mind at the salon. Her husband might not be the richest man in Gradzlata but he's got the greatest confluence of wealth and political power. He predicted the grain shortage in Sewochan, and started buying up Ludowy grain futures during a real glut when they were cheap as grain was rotting over half of the north there was such a surplus. Heavily leveraged his winery but he's tripled his wealth and the wealth of his friends in the past year. One of those friends is Duke Kazimir. Karolina is a Ludowy. They have a decentralized monarchy there. There's a parliament of nobles that can declare war without the King, or end one. They also choose from a pool of successors. There's no primogeniture for the king there. They can make recommendations on taxation and other matters as well. I suspect she has republican sentiments, but mostly she's just been pushing peerages for the wealthy of Gradzlata. A lot of the others here view it as a good way to get what they want without deposing Kazimir and going full on republican. Some here at the salon think she's too moderate, but her husband's made them all richer than they ever thought they'd be so honestly, they tend to fall in line when she demands something. The little half elf I don't know. Some sort of bodyguard."

 

[DramaNerdette]

Ziva looks over at Jereni, a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "Ok, I'm curious, and you obviously don't have to tell me, but as a card carry poor person, I've got no skin in this game... why are you here, of all places? You talk politics like you were born to it, but you seem to play the disenchanted housewife whenever Banimir is within earshot. Are you, like, a secret republican or something?" She looks away, scanning the crowd for anyone else that I've seen working with, for, or near Kasia, especially among the servant staff. "Also... and this might be totally off base, feel free to tell me to shut up if it is...but you know Banimir likes you, right? I'm not sure he trusts you yet, but he does seem to like you. LIKES you, likes you, I mean."

Ziva tenses a little, half expecting to get yelled at or fired, but she's been invisibly in the middle of this couple's dance for months and it was starting to feel like if she didn't figure out where these two were going to land soon, she'd end up getting crushed.

 

[siobhancan99]

Jereni arched an eyebrow "and what does that have to do with marriage I wonder" though she looked troubled by the news a little. She shifted "as for my republican leanings... these gatherings are full of people that are screaming for change. We're entering an age where the ability to encase yourself in steel determines your political power are coming to an end. The world is more connected than ever and all that wealth and power flows through this city. The men who control that wealth will eventually have political power. They can have it because we give it to them, or they can have it because our heads are on pikes adorning the new people's palace. The masses will congratulate themselves on their newfound rights, until they find out that feudalism and oligarchy are just different sides of the same coin."

She turned "but the thing that interests me, is that as we switch from strength of arm to labor and intellect as the source of power, as we move towards the creation of wealth as the basis for control of society... it will necessarily open new opportunities for women. Maybe not for me, but my daughters will not have to be brood mares for someone whose qualifications are largely based on his ability to summon other men to die. A decade ago, Kazimir changed inheritance laws in the city so that women had equal shares of the estates of their fathers. He did it to break the power of the burghers and distribute their wealth but it doesn't matter. Women will accumulate capital. They will invest, they will grow...they will have a seat at the table. That's what fascinates me. That's what draws me here."

 

[DramaNerdette]

Ziva stares at her silently for a long time, thoughts churning. Thoughts of her father's pressures, and how heavy they weighed, even without any threat that she might lose his love or her livelihood should she choose other than how he wished. She shook her head, and went back to scanning the crowd. "Funny, hearing that from you. Your husband said something quite similar when we met. I think he hadn't really considered this overmuch before his brother's suicide thrust it upon him. I could just be reading into things too much though. One of the benefits of just being a poor little anonymous knife for hire. I can be a sounding board without judgement, and make guesses that don't really matter to much of anyone. The part that annoys me though? That REALLY galls?" She sighs, "I really have made a lot of money for my neighborhood robbing folks like the ones in this room. Like you. Not a ton, never so much as might bring anyone to their knees or anything. Just a set of silverware here, a cut purse there. Enough to fix a roof, or replace a broken stove, or buy the services of a particularly charitable cleric for an afternoon. And it took, what, three conversations for you and your annoying husband to suborn me? He even STABBED me during one of the conversations."

 

[siobhancan99]

Jerini gives a wry grin "well I assumed he put something in you. Guess it was his blade." She looked around "Look, it isn't magic. We're alright people who have lots of money. You like money, you like the things that go with money, and you have found that we are basically decent so you don't have to have any qualms about accepting it. We pay our servants enough to live on, we try to take care of ourselves and that which is ours. At the end of the day we're just people and it's not really different taking our money than it is your local grocer's money... except...we have a lot more of it. and responsibilites and titles and so on and so forth. But really.."

 

[DramaNerdette]

Ziva gives her a funny look, "You... you think I'm doing this because you're paying me? Um. I might be doing it this WAY because you are paying me, but I can promise you, I've been poor long enough to not trust a rich man's... person's coin. I'll take it. It spends. But it NEVER buys trust or loyalty. Not with me. If I want lots of money, I can get that without dealing with all... this. I'm here because a good friend of mine almost lost his family because we did a job for a rich man, and he decided it would be easier to get rid of us than to pay us. I wanted to know if all that... complication was to be worthwhile in the end. So here I am, following you to a republican salon, finding out that you've got an eye towards the future that any seer would envy and you SEEM to be trying to ride the whirlwind to bring that future to pass. You interest me, but more to the point, your goals are important. So I'll tell you the same thing I once told Banimir, if you need a hand with something quiet, and you don't want anyone to know about it... let me know. Heck, I won't even charge." She returns her attention to the crowd, still concerned that Kasia is here, but it would make sense for her to be given the clientele. Didn't make her less worried that her client might be dragged off without warning to get a knife between the ribs for some piece of intrigue or other.

 

[siobhancan99]

It made sense for Kasia to be among the rich and powerful, as she was a card cheat largely by trade. At least until recently. Murmurs on the street said she was mixed up with someone big, wealthy, and powerful. It could be the Simics, given what Jerina had to say about them. The half-elf stood out, with her shock of actually red and not coppery hair. Also she was puzzlingly short. Most half-elves had at least some of their elven parent's height, but not her. Still, there were lots of interesting folks about, poeple with expensive jewelry and bulging purses that nearly screamed out to be stolen. The crowd was split into various groups, some around the host for the evening, some around the Simic woman. Others still by the food. Finally, a man entered and his appearance caused a stir. Jerina herself caught her breath a moment, then cleared her throat. A beautiful half-elven man, dressed in the fashion of the City Elves, with tight breeches and a long coat over a simple linen shirt. He wore spectacles too low on his nose to be of any use, and piercing blue eyes swept the crowd. His long blond hair was perfectly coiffured and everything about him screamed careful attention to detail. He made his way from group to group, and Jerina watched him the whole time. Finally he approached, and his almost too perfect features broke out into a small smile "Well, if it isn't my favorite of the landed aristocracy, come to slum it with the poor merchants and republicans." He bowed, taking her hand and kissing it. "Charmed as always."

She for her part nodded "Master Trinthalas, the pleasure as always is mine."

 

[DramaNerdette]

Ziva looked over the people around him, checking to see if he had bodyguards, trying to keep the impulse to bury her dagger in his throat WELL below the surface. This man, he was poison in the well of this little cause. Maybe he was a fake, or maybe he was just an opportunist, or maybe he was even a true believer who would be happy to step on the necks of anyone who happened by if it brought his vision to pass. To Ziva, it didn't really matter. He wasn't to be trusted, and it was blatantly clear that Jerina was just the right combination of intelligent and naive to end up used and scraped off his boot one day, and she'd never even see it coming. The small woman looked everywhere but at Trinthalas, and began thinking in baking recipes. Her father had said that elves could read your thoughts and intent, so better to not have any for the moment. Then she looked over at Ulricha, trying to to see if her partner was picking up on anything.

 

[siobhancan99]

Ulricha was looking right at the man with a semi-amused smile.

"I see you've picked up some guards" the man said, looking the two of them over. "This one... tall. blond. One would assume Ludowy but... She looks like of of Der Krieger's Valkyries. I'll bet you're from the north Ja?"

Ulricha tilted her head and Jerina cleared her throat "I don't think she speaks much Gradzlatan. Maybe stick to Homines."

He nodded, dismissing the tall Volk "And this one must be local. The dark coloring gives it away. Charmed. I am Trinthalas. And who might you be?" He laughed "you can look at me. I promise you you don't have to search this crowd for vipers. Some of the wealthiest people of your City are here tonight. It's very exclusive company. I think you can relax. Have a canape. Talk to some people. Honestly, nothing will happen to your lady. Not while she is in MY company."

Jerina nodded "he's quite brave. He spent a few years in the navy, fighting Keshvian pirates."

"oh that was 30 years ago" He waved his hand "such an old tale. I'm shocked it even made it to you Jerina. It feels like a lifetime ago. Hardly worth mentioning" Though his tone indicated he was quite pleased indeed that she had heard it "Seriously how do these things stay in circulation?"

 

[DramaNerdette]

Ziva looks at him, and briefly considered the problem of cutting his throat. This many rich idiots in one place, someone's going to have a cleric on call in case someone stubs a toe. She'd have to stick around and keep stabbing him while people tried to pull her off to make sure the job was done. Ulricha wouldn't either. Heck even Jerina might be in deep shit over it. Besides, if she went around stabbing every sleezebag she met in this town, she'd never get anything done. It was a slight comfort to know that rich people came with their own brand of parasites. It was oddly humanizing. "Trinthalas. I think I've heard of you from somewhere before. Apologies if it seems like I'm not enjoying things, but relaxing and trusting that no one is abusing my lady's good nature is explicitly what I'm being paid not to do. I'm sure YOU understand." She held out her hand to shake his, wanting to know if he had the calluses of a fighter, or if the whole thing was a pack of lies. "Besides, you pegged me right. I'm 100% everyday Gradzlata street rat. I only ever truly feel like I'm in danger around the wealthy, because if another poor person draws on me, I can fight back. If I manage to insult someone here? They could complicate things in any number of other, annoying ways without even lifting a dinner fork." She smiles brightly, trying to turn it into a joke, but the smile just isn't reaching her eyes.

 

[siobhancan99]

The hand was properly calloused for someone acquainted with a sword, but most gentlemen at least were acquainted. It was soft everywhere else though. The man had clearly not done any real work in a considerable amount of time. The grip was firm, and the arm well muscled beneath the billowy sleeves of his blousy shirt. She could see as well with his tight breeches that he was toned, though elves and half elves were never, as a rule "muscular" in the way a human was. He looked more like a dancer than a warrior, but their bodies could be deceptively strong. As she got close as well she could see the platinum blonde was a dye job. The very deepest roots were a shocking white.

"You're wise to understand" He said with an air of nonchalance "that there are people in this room that could ruin your life in so many more terrible ways than a blade in the dark. Fortunately, at this salon we are all friends. We argue! Oh we definitely argue, but we all argue from the perspective of making the world a better place. Some here want to be elevated to peer. Some want a municipal government that reports to the Duke instead of him ruling directly. Some are straight republicans. Still, its all said over a glass of the wonderful wine of Mr. Simic, and depending on the season a bit of fish or fowl. You can relax here, I promise you that."

 

[DramaNerdette]

Ziva nods, and takes a step back, scanning the room once more and clearly, utterly ignoring his advice to relax. Instead, she looks for Kasia, wanting to make sure the sly half-elf was still in sight. Her impression of Trinthalas as a conman was unchanged, but that didn't mean he wasn't still dangerous. What interested her more, however, was Jerina covering for Ulricha. The wealthy woman had covered for Ulricha, hadn't revealed her command of Gradzlatan. Perhaps she was not as smitten as Ziva had first assumed. She waited for the fake to leave before asking quietly, "Could I trouble you for your honest opinion of that man?"

 

[siobhancan99]

Jerina arches an eyebrow "Trinthalas? He's a great man. He's been alive a century and he's seen and done so much! He's been in the royal navy. He led an expedition to the jungles south of Sewochan. He studied under the Patriarchs in Akaethera. He knows so much and he's been so many places!' Her face lit up. She was definitely in deep. "And he's so committed to the cause of advancing society and the role of women in it in general. Really, truly." She sighed and looked after him as he mingled "It is rare to find a commoner so well read. It helps he is the age he is of course, not that you... not that you'd know it by uh... looking." She cleared her throat and covered a blush "anyway we should have a glass of wine."