| Logs |
2000-11-19
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Random Wanderings
The next day is clear, with high, hazy clouds that obscure the view of the peaks of the Tejado del Mundo -- the mountain ranges that the locals call the Roof of the World. The previous night's tour makes it easy to find Avenida de los Embajados (Embassy Row), near the Plaza de la Republica. The League embassy is built in the local style, as are most of them... only the Ha'Sheeran Embassy is easily distinguished by its crystal tower.
Alex glances up at the Ha'Sheeran tower and smiles, "Isn't it pretty, glowing in the sunlight?" She shades her eyes, adding amusedly, "Almost... blinding, in fact!" She grins and trots swiftly after her brothers, heading into the League embassy. Eyeing Horatio thoughtfully, Alex then straightens his collar a bit and grins at him, "You look good, Horry!" She also grins at Carroll, although she doesn't bother trying to tidy up her already immaculate oldest brother!
Iniesta
Iniesta is a typical tropical upland city, with
buildings made from whitewashed or naturally light-colored rock or
adobe. The main thoroughfares are broad and fairly straight, converging
like spokes on the main government buildings at Plaza de la Republica. A
steep hill -- a natural pillar of dark rock -- is capped by a massive
basalt citadel, La Fortaleza, which dominates the southwestern section
of the city. The city is cheerful in spite of that brooding presence
though, with numerous market plazas, taverns, and inns. Many of the
market plazas conduct business by day and at night are occupied by
musicians and dancers.
Horatio smiles a little to Alex as she fusses with his collar -- again! -- and wonders if he'll ever get court dress right. Sometimes he wonders if he ever would want to get it right. He follows his siblings into the building, his satchel a comfortable weight across his shoulders. Alex adds in a quiet whisper to Horatio, "By the way, Horry... wanna go shopping for something nice for Jessie later maybe? I think she likes the way you look all dressed up... maybe she'd like some dress-up stuff too?"
Horatio blinks to Alex, perking his ears. "Er... if you think that's right... that might be a good idea, actually...!"
Alex grins cheerfully at Horatio, "Excellent! Then I can look for nice new throwing daggers too!"
Carroll has been more interested in the people and things around him, only giving the large building a glance, and murring, "Yes, it is notable. I wonder why they did it that way?"
Alex looks up at Carroll and grins, "Maybe because they like being different? Maybe the same reason their uniforms have those eye-searingly colored shirts?" She checks with the receptionist in the League Embassy, "We're of House St. Genevieve, and we had an appointment with the ambassador, please?"
The outer area of the League Embassy could be any well-appointed business office. Various furrs are waiting to speak to the staff -- some are locals, others appear to be League citizens. The secretary that Alex approaches disappears into the back for a moment and then returns to usher them into a private office. "He'll be free in just a bit, milady." Alex nods politely to the departing receptionist... then looks curiously around the waiting room. Anyone else there? What does it tell them about the ambassador?
Carroll shakes his head a bit and replies with, "I don't fathom that, either."
Horatio glances around a little. "I'll have to defer to you both about that, I'm afraid. We didn't really study structure and architecture in the Academy.
Alex giggles at Horatio's comment, "No humors of rigorous methanius or anything used in their building, eh?"
Horatio blinks to Alex. "Oh, ill humors could invariably appear in any building, most notably of which would be odious humors, but what would be more interesting is if there was lime fulminate in the material that makes up the walls, or if vitae aquaeous was included...." And so on... and so on... and so on... Alex blinks at Horatio! -then grins. She whispers as an aside to Carroll, "I guess I asked for that, yes?"
The room is not particularly large, but there are comfortable seats and a window overlooking the inner courtyard of the embassy building, which turns out to be a hollow square with stables and a well in the center. It is only a few minutes before Dannings shows up. "How nice to see you all again. His Excellency had to finish a meeting with an important member of the government."
Alex is kneeling on the cushions on the window seat and eagerly pointing out the stables when the elk enters. She straightens hastily and smiles and nods with her brothers. She'll smooth down the frothy fluff of lace at her slender throat and rest her other paw on the worn pommel of her rapier, tidying up a bit... then can't help another fascinated glance towards the stables!
Dannings smiles. "If you'll follow me, then?" He leads the three foxes down a short hallway and into a rather opulent inner office, then introduces them to a rather plump badger. "His Excellency, Ambassador Stefan MacDonnell... Ambassador, this is Captain Carroll St. Genevieve, Dame Alexandra St. Genevieve QC, and Horatio St. Genevieve." The ambassador greets them warmly. "Welcome to Iniesta."
Horatio straightens as well, as Alex does -- remembering to straighten his collar before Alex looks at it! -- and follows Dannings down the corridor. As they are introduced, he bows politely to the ambassador. Alex covers a small grin behind her small paw as Horatio remembers to straighten his collar -- good for him, yay! -- then follows Carroll's lead in a smile and a graceful bow to the ambassador.
The ambassador waves everyone to seats. "Please, be seated." He settles himself behind his desk and smiles at the three. "What can we do for you today?"
Alex smiles at the ambassador and presents the letters of introduction from the Maidstone and the Starfall Councils on their behalf, and waits politely with her brothers as he reads them. Horatio waits patiently as the ambassador reads the letters, an idle part of his mind wondering what would happen if someone ever tampered with those letters of introduction... which of course gets him thinking as to how to make such a letter tamper-proof, and also ways to defeat said tampering -- all innocently academic, since this is Horatio, after all.
MacDonnell reads the letters quickly, almost as though he's merely going through an unnecessary formality. He nods and hands them back when he's finished. "I'll send back word this morning that you've arrived. There were requests sent out by Starfall and Maidstone both to keep our eyes open for you down this way."
Horatio tilts his head to the side, managing a little grin. "It's always good to know that people are concerned about us...."
Alex nods, "Thank you, ambassador. We were all hoping we could send a message to our father also, if that would not be a problem?" She smiles, "And I admit to some curiosity, I must say, as to what the worry was on the part of Starfall and Maidstone... is pirate activity up or something?" Horatio glances to his sister. I hope it isn't, he thinks wryly. We were more or less the last major "scourge of the seas." It wouldn't do for our image for another major spate of piracy to hit so soon after we stop....
The badger looks around and lowers his voice. "Not pirates -- but your father sent a message to pass on to you. Said that according to an unnamed source, the three of you are targets."
Alex's eyebrows and ears go up a bit... then she simply nods, "I see. So it's been confirmed then? Was there any other information he sent?" Horatio's ears perk up straightaway. Oh, no. Coming from Father, that could only mean Pravinchandra's supporters. What happened? How did he find out? And would going back to Starfall right now be unwise?
MacDonnell shakes his head. "That was the only message from Starfall. Queen Arianna sent her best wishes and says that they've made progress on their investigation."
Alex brightens, "Really?! Oh, that's excellent news from the queen -- thank you, ambassador!" She smiles, "Incidentally, might we see our father's message, sir?"
Horatio blinks again. "Yes, thank you, Ambassador! I don't suppose she provided any further information?"
The badger shrugs. "I gather that the matter is sensitive. No details." He hands Alex the original messages from a folder on his desk.
Alex nods at the ambassador's words, then opens the messages and holds the papers so her brothers can read over her shoulder as well. She scans the one from their father quickly, searching for any family codes. Horatio nods quietly to the Ambassador -- Well, it was worth a try. -- shifting his position to Alex as he reads the message from Father over Alex's arm. The message is straightforward, the only family coding being one of the phrases that confirms it is from the Count. Alex nods once she's done (and made sure her brothers are done reading too) and hands the papers back to the ambassador with a smile, "Thank you, ambassador, you're too kind! Could we trouble you to send a message back home for us as well?"
MacDonnell smiles back. "No problem at all. Dannings will take you down to see the mage if you want. He tells me you already have an interpreter, so unless there's something else you need, I'll let you be on your way."
Horatio nods quietly, and inclines his head. "Thank you, Ambassador...." Alex beams and thanks the ambassador also. The note the siblings send to their father is similarly straightforward to the one they received. A simple code to reassure him that it is indeed from them and they received his warning, tucked inconspicuously within a note that lets him know they've arrived safely and think they've found some potential trade goods of some value.
On the way back through town Carroll decides he needs to do some serious searching for more trade goods, and wishes to talk further to Dannings. Alex teases Horatio into accompanying her riding -- somewhat to his trepidation, since he knows her taste in horses! Unfortunately Dannings knows no one to recommend as a friend of a friend on whose estate they might ride. Also, the embassy horses are either coach horses or cavalry chargers. Admittedly, Alex's eyes light up at the idea of the chargers... but then she looks at Horatio's startled and slightly worried look and relents, "Oh... okay, we'll just go rent some, how's that, Horry? I'll let MacKenzie know we're going riding and to send riders with us... is that okay with you?"
Horatio blinks. "Ahh... erm, well, certainly, Alex...." He tries to sound sincere, really he does. It's something he'll need to learn how to do if he's ever to function outside of the workshop as a noble's son, after all.
MacKenzie comes along himself, being the best rider among the guards. The villagers have never had any practice at riding, so the wolverine takes Jessie along as well, as the most likely not to fall off. Rosita is needed for translation, but has never been on a horse in her life and looks quite nervous at the prospect. Nonetheless, she leads the little group fairly quickly to a livery stable and translates while Alex negotiates for three gentle and two spirited horses. Alex also makes sure everyone has a carrot to feed their horse and knows how to do so without getting accidentally nipped... gets good directions to where the open areas for riding are... checks the tack as the horses are tacked up... and quietly makes sure she's got 2 leadropes along as well... just in case! Never hurts to be prepared, she knows.
Horatio is himself a little nervous around any animal that is taller than him while standing on all fours. Still, he tries to keep calm. Alex certainly knows what she's doing, and she and MacKenzie wouldn't do anything to endanger them... MacKenzie and Alex are soon ready to go, and then have to help Jessie and Rosita with the basics. Still it isn't too long before the five are headed for the nearest gate. Alex will give one leadrope to Mac, and keep one for herself. Riding through town, when there are more startling things around, she'll keep Rosita on leadrope, and let Mac take Jessie... Horatio already knows how to ride, of course, so she won't worry about him. Once they get out of town, of course, the leadropes will come off.
The directions are easy to follow, and soon the five are outside the city walls, near the same gate that they had entered the day before. Alex looks around happily, taking a deep breath, "Ahh! Isn't it lovely out here today? and quiet... thanks for coming, Horry!"
Horatio actually begins to enjoy the slow, steady pace, watching the scenery go by... it's so much different from the ship, or from anywhere else the family's been in the past several months. "I'm glad I did -- erp!" This last as his mount steps on a stone, setting him a little off balance for a moment. "It's... relaxing, actually."
It is quiet beyond the city walls, the noise and bustle replaced by the wind through the fields and the distant noises of livestock. There is a riding trail around the city walls, possibly a military trail but open to the public, as a group of young furrs is coming down towards the gate as the Starfallers emerge from it. Horatio perks his ears a little at the approaching furs, still mindful of the ambush in their last port-of-call. He tries to relax, though. There's nothing here that they have to worry about. Except us being targets.... The uncomfortable reminder, no matter how paranoid it makes him, and the memory of who he had almost lost in that ambush, makes him, well, admittedly a little suspicious, which he fights to restrain.
Alex grins cheerfully at Horatio over her shoulder, then follows the trail. She'll keep an eye on the new riders as well. Maybe later they'll find a nice, big, open field where she can let her horse stretch out and race along a bit, without spooking the other horses -- she doesn't want to give the new riders any trouble handling their horses, after all. Jessie seems to be a natural at this, rapidly gaining enough confidence to direct her horse up near Horatio's. MacKenzie is scouting in front, a little way out of earshot. Rosita is... not a good rider, but at least she hasn't fallen off, and after a while she seems to be enjoying things. She does comment that now she understands why cavalryfurrs wear uncomfortable trousers rather than skirts. Alex laughs, then points out that the trousers are actually quite comfortable on horseback... like the boots, they were designed for riding, not walking!
The grounds around the city walls are clear of brush, so that the city wall commands a field of fire sufficient for heavy missile weapons. From the southwestern side, the bulk of La Fortaleza can be seen over the top of the wall. Alex lets the horses amble casually along at their own pace, and gazes around interestedly when she's not watching the new riders... she sighs happily as she rides, inhaling the fondly remembered scents of horse and well-cared-for leather. Sure is nice to be on a horse again! Horatio glances around a bit, looking up at the large structure high above. He starts to consider the makeup of the walls... but then stops, smiling, and turns his attention back to the riding and to Jessie.
Alex is glancing around curiously when a pheasant is flushed out right under her horse! The sudden, heart-stopping thunder of wings causes the horse to spook frantically, but Alex rides out the sudden drop (even though she also was startled), and with quick movements gathers the reins up, hauling the horse back to a walk. Once it's calm again she whews softly to herself, relaxing... although her tail's still quite fluffed up in reaction! Horatio blinks in surprise, almost but not quite standing. "Alex! Are you all right?"
Alex grins reassuringly at Horatio, "Oh, sure, Horry... we were just startled." She glances back over her shoulder a bit regretfully, "Pity we weren't hunting though... pheasant tonight would have been quite tasty!"
Jessie's horse, having been chosen for steadiness rather than spirit, barely reacts to the pheasant. She even manages to bring off a shot at the pheasant, dropping it even as Alex is wishing for fresh game. "Your wish is my command, Sir Alex."
Alex blinks startledly at Jessie -- then breaks out into a delighted cheer, "Yeah! Fresh pheasant tonight -- thank you so much, Jessie!" She happily and hastily knees the horse around, trotting back to get the pheasant and retrieve Jessie's arrow. She tosses a grin over her shoulder at Jessie, her voice frankly admiring, "Damn, but you're a good shot!"
Horatio lets out the breath he'd been holding. "Do they always try to preemptively knock the hunter off their horse?"
Alex giggles at Horatio's comment! then swings down to scoop up the pheasant. She'll return the arrow to Jessie, then tie the pheasant to her pommel. Her grin is mischievous, "Oh yes, pheasants are cunning strategists, Horry, didn't you know?"
Jessie chuckles. "I don't suppose it's a bad thing to try if you're a pheasant. I've never seen one quite like this, though." The bird is something like a pheasant, but the details are different when viewed more closely.
Alex examines it curiously now she's holding it... what is it? Horatio says wryly, "They certainly seem to be.... odd, I've never seen that bird before...."
Alex says, "Really? I was just going to ask you what it was, Horry..." She glances up curiously at Rosita, "Do you know what kind it is, Rosita?"
Rosita shrugs, too. "Ees not a bird I know, senyorita. Thees ees not like the lowlands where I grow up."
Alex nods and smiles, "Well, whatever it is, perhaps our cook at the inn will prepare a tasty dish out of it tonight for us!"
Horatio chuckles softly, "If it's edible, but... well, I'm sure they'll know at the inn." Alex will happily continue the ride, enjoying tremendously being out riding in a lovely area with friends. She'd missed horseback riding, she realizes, although she'd not known it until now. She grins quietly to herself -- she'll have to do more riding during the times she's in port at Starfall, obviously! -and maybe if she's lucky someone in Maidstone will let her ride too.
Alex is ambling along on the ride back into town when her ears flick slightly, making the earring glitter in the afternoon sunlight -- is someone following them? She glances towards MacKenzie to see if he's noticed it too? Horatio is far too preoccupied talking with Jessie to notice whatever it is that Rosita and Alex have noticed.
MacKenzie is watching toward the front. It's Rosita who nudges her horse inexpertly toward Alex's to confirm her suspicions. "Senyorita? I theenk we are being followed. Eet ees an ocelot I keep seeing behind us."
Alex nods quietly to Rosita, but her voice is casual and normally pitched as she replies to Rosita's quieter whisper, "Just tighten up the reins a little, Rosita, and sit very straight... and if he continues to give you trouble we can always snap on the leadrope, if you want." She calls equally casually, "Mac? Could you ride back here please, next to Rosita?" Alex will quietly let MacKenzie know what's up when he's back next to Rosita and her, then ask him if he'd like to try grabbing the ocelot after they ride around the next corner, and she can take the reins? Her body language, however, is still calm and casual, with a few gestures towards Rosita, as if she were explaining the problems Rosita's having with her riding.
MacKenzie slips off his horse right behind a corner, waving Jessie on as she starts to look concerned. The mink's eyes narrow and she nods, gesturing to Horatio to ride up next to his sister. Alex easily scoops up the reins of Mac's horse and nods to Jessie, then murmurs to Horry, "Make sure Jessie's horse doesn't spook, Horry, 'kay?" She continues riding forward so the sound of hoofbeats doesn't change at all, still chatting amiably in a calm tone of voice. Horatio blinks to Alex concerned, and then manages to comprehend that this is not on the schedule. He nods quietly and edges his horse close to Jessie's, ready to take hold of her reins if need be.
The horses clip-clop their way down the street -- after a short wait, MacKenzie is rewarded by the sight of an ocelot who comes around the corner obviously looking for something. If it's the party though, he hides it well, ignoring MacKenzie and popping into a shop halfway down the block as the wolverine follows him. Alex nods quietly, watching... then turns to the others. "I think maybe we might just mosey on back a bit nearer to that shop, yes?"
Horatio blinks to Alex. "Are you sure that's wise? We could easily loose him right now...."
Alex smiles at Horatio, "We'll be backing Mac up, Horry, that's all."
Horatio says, "Erp... good point. We should be backing him up anyway, so... erm, lead the way...!"
Alex lets the horses amble casually back a bit nearer the store, and leans down from the saddle to buy some nibbles from a street-side vendor. It's as good an excuse as any to pause a bit and let Mac have some time to catch up to the ocelot... and then they can ride on a bit and see what the ocelot does. The ocelot has entered a bootmaker's shop -- after a short wait he emerges again and heads back up the street the way he came. Alex glances at Mac to see what he wants to do. The wolverine shrugs. "If he was following us, he knows we noticed and is giving up for now. It might have been a coincidence, too."
Alex nods and knees her horse to walk over to the wolverine, so she can give him his horse's reins. "Okay... let's head on back then."
Horatio nods quietly, gathering up the reins to his horse. "We should tell Carroll, of course... I don't know if this is grounds for talking to the authorities, though."
Alex says, "Don't think so yet, Horry." Her voice is a touch concerned as she adds, "Although... I find it disturbing that we've just arrived -- and yet we're being followed already..."
Horatio says, "Not really, Alex. We actually arrived a week ago. Mage-messages can go across a country as easily as across continents. Though... that means they have mages to spare for their own network."
MacKenzie nods. "A bit faster would be good. If he was following us, he can't keep up with a trot." He does just that, moving ahead of the rest for a moment before he realizes that the novice riders and their lazy horses won't be keeping that pace. Alex tailgates the little party, keeping the lazier horses moving. They'll figure it out quickly enough... and as soon as they realize they're heading swiftly back towards the barn the problem will be more keeping them from being barn rats.
Alex is unsurprised to notice nothing untoward on the way back to the stables... she knows were she a tracker she'd wait at the barn for everyone to return the horses, and then follow them. She'll be watching quite closely and warily, however, for 'tails' on the way back from the barn to the inn. She gives the dead pheasant-like bird to Rosita to carry... she thinks it might be wise to keep her hands free -- just in case. Horatio tries his best to be wary and alert as well -- another pair of eyes can't hurt, after all -- and while he's remained unarmed even after the ambush so long ago which saw him agonize about it, he's still ready. Theocloditus's Musings on the Essences in his satchel would leave a nice impression -- approximately ten inches by fourteen inches -- on any potential ruffian they encounter, he hopes.
The walk back to the Hacienda del Sol is uneventful, and no one spots any followers. Either they were lost, or they were never really there in the first place. Alex will cheerfully hand over the sort-of pheasant to the inn's cook and ask if it might be prepared for the St. Genevieve party tonight? The concierge takes the bird with some surprise and more than a little distaste, but a tip sends him off to find a chef to roast it. It eventually arrives via room service as the centerpiece of a quite tasty meal, complete with stuffing, corn bread, and yams. Alex is, of course, the suspicious type, as well as gleeful at a chance to try out her new spell for poison detection -- she happily does so before they all dig in!