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Heard in Haven: June 2000
 Title: Birth, Death, and Everything in Between Word will soon travel through all of Haven that Okalani, the Atlantean Estrel and High Priestess of Pasiphae, has been reclaimed during a night not so long ago. A combined force of Pandions, Korallian Guards, and Hounds and Delphi healers (there were even whispers of Outcast involvement, but those have yet to find proof) were seen ghosting through the moonlit streets near Bordertown where they were then seen to storm a house in which Atlanteans of a strange sort had been seen coming and going. More then the Estrel had been found though, but her newborn child as well, which rumor says she was trying to kill with her own hands. Whether she was on drugs or did this of her own will has not be revealed. Apparently, these very same Atlanteans were responsible for the death of a priestess and it was with the stolen sacrificial knife that they hoped to have Okalani slay her own child. In the end, it seems that the most of the priests were slain, and Nashante, the crazed leader of the cult, took his own life while begging forgiveness. The ships which had become an omni-present threat within the harbors of Haven have begun to fade into the distant horizon, though a few vigilant ships remain within Ormani waters. Now that Delphi is whole once more, it is begining to put the events behind them and move onto other things, such as the choosing of a new Provost. It seems the matter of Okalani's death was a mistake created by the rampaging shark-shifter through the bodies that resulted from an attack by a secret Pasiphaean cult that blames her for the fungus that afflicted the Atlanteans not so long ago, and that the child she carried was the result of an unholy union. It was their intent to sacrifice the child to appease their goddess.
Title: A Most Scandalous Delivery Sallah al'Mufasa Khalida is a loyal sentry of the Clan Khalida guards who assist the Agni-Haidar in keeping vigilant watch over the gates of Atesh-Gah -- and thus a desirable catch to the young ladies-in-waiting and other kshatri maidens who serve the Maharani Thalia Tritonides Khalida. Though the noble young warrior is hardly one to gossip, his displeasure of events which unfolded within the Varati citadel this night soon makes itself readily known to the scribe Zarima, who has been enjoying the guardsman's courtships as of late. And once she hears of the shocking news, it does not take her long to relay it to the other maidens in Thalia's service... "In the name of the Most High, I cannot imagine why the Queen deems her fit for service -- she might be a healer, but do not the priests of the Amir-al suit her needs? And it is not as if she even heals our people very often; why, I hear the chit spends more time in the company of Mongrels and Sylvans than she does among the Children of Fire! But what can you expect from a halfbreed?" "Zarima," protests the scribe's best friend Yeyeen, as the two of them and other maidens in the Maharani's service spend their evening meal with one another, "this is nothing new to us -- we know you have been forced to share your room with the girl, and we sympathize, but what has brought on your ire tonight...?" Zarima leans in to confide to the other young women, "Hah! If you had but witnessed what Sallah has relayed to me, you would not need to ask! Do you know what he has told me? The halfbreed received a box tonight, and in it was a letter -- from a Mongrel! The shudra say that this man has sent her gifts in the past, flowers, trinkets -- and that he is her lover!" Shocked gasps fill the room. Bad enough that the healer is tainted herself -- but is she actually seeking to further pollute her blood, by consorting with a Mongrel man? Fiercely delighted at the way she has seized her audience, the young scribe continues, "And do you know what this so-called bard has sent her now? A sword! Sallah saw it with his own eyes, a fine blade, worthy of the hand of a warrior! The Seraskier of the Agni-Haidar took it, of course -- but by the Holy Hawk of Heaven, I for one cannot imagine what this Mongrel must have been thinking, to send the weapon here, to her!" More shocked cries escape the young women, and for the next several minutes, conversation over dinner is lively, full of speculation, full of gossip. For not one of them can fathom how a Mongrel man would think in general... And why, in particular, he would send his shudra paramour a sword.
Title: The Bells of St. Harvistor? Six tolls from a deep and heavy bell ring out across the city. Six tolls to mark the hour of dusk, perhaps, or to mark the hour at all. The source of the sound seems to be the interesting new feature atop the Rialto's largest Smithy: A clock and bell, the shell still being developed but working well, or at least working.
Title: Rialto Raiment Two platinum-tressed Empyrean lovelies gossip in the Baths, trying to impress a young Adonis who reclines languidly in the steam nearby. "Well, Chloe and I saw something rather strange yesterday," one-ups Cordelia. "An Empyrean woman in the Rialto, letting a Varati wrap her up in a... sari, I think they're called. She probably couldn't manage it herself, with wings. I overheard that the Varati girl was wearing the colors of Clan Khalida." "What, does our Empyrean fancy herself the next winged sacrifice--er--Queen of the Varati?" drawls Cecilia. "How should I know? All I can say is that she had red hair, and was quite nicely dressed. Well, until she got mummified in the sari. Chloe says she's seen the woman in the Palladium at various points." Cecilia rolls ice blue eyes. "The narrows the field somewhat, but not enough."
Title: Call For A Provost First, it began with words. Then with leaflets, adding written confirmation. Should one of Haven's citizens accost a Hound for confirmation, they would be given it. The post of Provost, after long standing open after the departure of Eric, is now open and accepting applicants. Now that the Estrella are freed of the Pandion business, they can turn their gaze inward. The words spreads that the position is open to one and all comers: Mongrel or Pureblood or anything in between. The procedure will be much the same as the last one. A vote will be taken of the populace along with an interview by the Estrella of all applicants.
Title: Unlikely King, Ain't He? Enterprising traders have seen the potential of ferrying goods back and forth between Haven and the blossoming Mongrel city-state of Avalon -- and a couple of such traders, bringing a wagon in through Haven's north gates, might perchance be overheard idly gossiping about the scruffy young fellow they've given a ride to after finding him trudging down the road towards the city. "I'm tellin' ye, Betsy, th' lad's prob'ly got sunstroke and we durned well shoulda pointed 'im at Delphi! What damnfool puppy without a dinar in 'is pocket's gonna sit on th' back of a wagon singin' at the top of 'is damnfool lungs, anyhow?" "Hold yer tongue, man, ye want 'im t' hear ye?!" "Ow! Lares, woman, dinnae hafta smack me -- ah, 'e's gone anyway, ain't he?" "Hmph. Ye got a tin ear an' that's a fact, Zeke! Why, th' boy dem near sung th' birds outta the trees an' I f'r one was likin' listenin' t' 'im!" "Ye were likin' lookin' at his pretty young -- ow! -- face, y'mean! Hmph. 'King o' th' whole wide world,' me arse. Dinnae see what bein' dirty an' skinny an' hungry makes ye king of, 'cept bein' dirty, skinny, an' hungry, even if 'king', 'thing', an' 'sing' all rhyme. Hrmph." "Well, we could ha' done somethin' 'bout his bein' hungry iffin ye hadn't pitched 'im off the wagon soon's we got into the walls, ye great ox!" Nobody gives the old traders much attention, though. Zeke and Betsy have argued day in and day out for years now, every time they come into Haven, and it's merely a matter of what the comfortably married pair choose to spend their morning arguing about this time. Soon enough, they've vanished off about their business, like their grubby young passenger...
Title: By Jove! All through haven, the rumor mill is ablaze! In the Empyreal section, a pair of servants sums the rumors up: Servant One: Are you serious?! Servant Two: Yeah! One of the Nobles was dead drunk!: S1: Who? The whole bunch are too uptight to drink like that! S2: It was that one Jove woman, Aelia. Selene's cousin. S1 snickers: I'd've loved to see that! How drunk was she? S2 laughs: Poor Selene had to cancel an audition for that one harper, Madelyne, you know, the one the oathbreaker chased out of the Panteon the other day, and take the most noble domina Aelia to bed before she fell into the fountain. S1: No! You're Lying! S2 shakes his head: I was the one filling and refilling the Domina's cup. Poor Madelyne bolted out of the gardens and refuses to go there again. S1 sighs: Not that I blame her. These Empyreans are crazy! 'I must have this this and this in this order...!' The conversation drifts to different areas as the servants descuss the odd needs and wants of House Jove...
Title: Empyrean Noble Attacked! Some news takes time to spread the length and breadth of Haven; this news is different. It spreads like wildfire. "Ya heard the news about Bordertown, Philip?" "'Course I have! How often does an Empyrean noblewoman get attacked round here? I heard she was walkin' around handing out food for nothin... and with just one Guard." "Not just one guard -- he was a bloody Praetor... the big one with the colored wings. Damnation, he KILLED four of them 'fore the rest ran." "What? I didnt hear that part!" "Aye, four folk dead... ye can still see the blood in the street! Smashed old William's cart to splinters, too. Then the Hounds showed up... carried the Wingy, nearly dead hisself, and one of the thugs off to the Bastion." "One of the dead ones?? And what happened to the noblewoman?" "No, not one of the dead ones, ya eedjit! One that got knocked out durin' the fight... and the lady, Eranthe Acesian it was, she made it through without a scratch... ain't that always the way?"
Title: Major Rialto Disaster! In the midst of the night, a loud sound erupts through the Rialto. The Smithy on the northern end seems to suffer a tragic fate -- the new addition, the clock, has collapsed through the roof due to its own weight. Is there anyone hurt? Will the Smithy reopen? Rumors fly, but truths are hard to come by.
Title: In Dark Places "What were they doing there? TELL ME WHAT THEY WERE DOING THERE?" "Sirdar, I don't--" "They were supposed to be protecting Ahrman's flank!" "I know, Sirdar, but--" "I've explained it a thousand times; we need that strength -- those idiots! Out in the open. And weakening my left! What, do they think we'll be attacking Vaisya? We're up against Agni-Haidar, by Masad! How dare they march off to that blasted mongrel land?" "It really was to be expected, Sirdar, they've been bitter about the loss of that province ever since--" "It's just land. IT'S JUST LAND. And now they've tipped our hand. Stupid, arrogant, feeble-headed, slack-jawed, knock-kneed, impulsive, tunnel-visioned--" "Sirdar, we will have to shift the schedule up." "Don't you know I know that? Damn fools will be the death of us all. Send the word." "Yes, Sirdar."
Title: Terrible News A rider comes tearing through the North Gate at midnight, his horse's hooves clattering on the streets' cobblestones. His clothing marks him as an Atarvani shudra: a red tunic flaps against his back as he urges his sweat-lathered mount to a final burst of speed through the gate of the Varati embassy. Few are awake at this hour except the Agni-Haidar. But this will change as the messenger's message spreads through Atesh-Gah: the train of pilgrims was attacked on its way back from Mount Lycenae. The attackers were Varati. There are casualties. The shudra is given a fresh mount and, in the company of five Agni-Haidar on wyverns and two Atarvani on horses, rushes back out into the darkness, to the north. Although it is not officially broadcast, this is the news that is readily to hand for anyone who pays attention. There are no other details for those who do not specifically seek out such.
Title: Noble Departure The servants started loading the chariots in the early morning hours, moving bags and a few boxes. Hitched to each of these chariots were the great golden Gryphons of the Dea Tritonides -- two men each holding the reins to the fractious beasts, so restless were they. Until, of course, the extremely well-rounded Dea and her handsome husband arrived. With but a few pats, and a couple of snacks for her 'pets,' the small envoy was on its way. Escorting the Princeps and his wife were two handfuls of the Tritonis House Guard, armed -- strange as that might seem. For rare is the occasion that the Tritonis guardsmen carry any weapons. Some wonder why the Dea travels, when she's so close to giving birth to their first child. Others wish to know why the Princeps is letting her. But at any rate, Leonidas and Kalypso have both left the city of Haven for the great golden city in the sky.
Title: Wyvern Queen over Atesh-Gah In the late September afternoon, the dark shape of a wyvern Queen was seen entering the gates of Atesh-Gah. A huge train of Agni-Haidar followed, as well as many poor shudra burdened with the heavy loads. Though gone for many weeks, the fair figure of the Queen-Maharani was astride the wyvern queen, and with the large train in tow, it would appear that she has come to Haven for an extended stay.
Title: Naraki Sale The Queen-Maharani had barely returned to Haven when a plot against her life was revealed before a full court by the God-King himself. The head of the minor kshatri clan, Tumdari, and his children were dragged before the God-King in chains. Proof of the clan's infamy was displayed to the entire court with the production of a naraki dressed in a gown intended for the Queen-Maharani. The naraki was at death's door, having been severely poisoned by gown. The head of the clan protested his innocence, and in a strange turn of events, the Queen-Maharani spoke to delay immediate execution until the truth could be fully uncovered. In the course of events, it was proven that Hassam, son of Talim, had conspired with a clan member, called Haruman, to kill the Queen-Maharani. Execution of Hassam was swift, leaving the throne room bathed in blood, but the God-King was merciful. Rather than putting to death the wives and children of Hassam, the women and female children were proclaimed ganika, the youngest males given to the Agni-Haidar, and the older males made into naraki to only be sold to Empyreans. Thus, the call goes out to Empyreans desiring Varati slaves. Fine young Varati men are currently available for Empyreans to purchase. Of the traitor, Haruman, his fate and that of his family was handed to Seraskier Zuhayr -- to become an example to others who would venture upon the traitor's path. Yet, even as these events occurred, the God-King made a final proclamation. His wife, the target of these malcontents, is the new Pasha of Haven and would be respected and obeyed.
Title: Will He Answer the Questions? "How did he die, Suji?" "One of the Atarvani turned into a monster and ripped him to pieces." "How, Suji?" "With teeth and claws. Fatima said so. She said she saw it. They made a bunch of the other slaves clean it all up. He was in all little bits and pieces, she said." "All because he wanted to kill the Queen, eh?" "I don't think it was that. I think it was because he asked questions that the Khalid didn't want asked. But I hear everyone's asking 'em." "What questions?" "Why'd he go to war with the Empyreans and stop? He could've conquered them. Why didn't he? The Clans fought hard, Nomora. They fought hard. And he gave the land they fought over to mongrels, just like us." "I'm glad he did." "Well, I am too. Only it was the Empyrean mongrels who got the land, not us. We're still slaves. He didn't want to free anyone. He just wanted to inconvenience the Empyreans." "Why didn't he just kill 'em all instead of... uh... incon--inconveniencin' them?" "I don't know. I hear they're afraid he's choosing them now instead of the Varati. That's why he got rid of all his harem and married one of 'em. And he's made her Pasha of Haven. What next? That's what the boy was asking. But he didn't answer. He just had the monster kill him."
Title: An Ancient Evil... Varati denizens of Haven newly visited to Atesh-Gah return to the streets, horrified and shocked. Hundreds of years ago, when the God of Fire and War slept, the Clans forged secret alliances, marshalled their armies, and struck at the seat of power. The boy Vizir was slain, and the storied Agni-Haidar slaughtered to a man. Now, rumors of Clan armies marching on Masada flow from the lips of the faithful. Guesses ranging from a paltry few thousand to hundreds of thousands of warriors are voiced, but none with any measure of certainty. News from the mountains in the north has stopped reaching Haven by way of vaisya wagons, for those wagons no longer come. The only news recently reached Haven concerning the Varati are that the Shakir of Clan Khalida was taken on her trek to the Kingdom's capital, and that pilgrims visiting the shrine to the Amir-al in Avalon were slaughtered. The mountains groan and stir. The ancient treachery has visited the faithful again.
Title: Slave Auction Word slowly filters onto the streets of Haven; three sons of the traitor Hassam will be offered for sale via auction to the highest Empyrean bidder. A tentative date of four weeks hence has been set for the auction. The merchandise will be on display in Atesh-Gah's courtyard for the next several weeks. It would appear that several shudra and naraki belonging to the Queen-Maharani have been placed in charge of exhibiting the merchandise -- the most notable of these being the one called Lailah, who has in the past attempted to knife an Empyrean in the Rialto.
Title: House Jove "Hey, did you hear? Dominus Martinian's been named Deus of House Jove!" "About time -- hasn't he been campaigning for it forever?" "Yes; looks like all the fine politicking has finally paid off." "It'll be interesting to see where the family goes now..." "Oh yes. That it will be. That it will be."
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