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Heard in Haven: March 2000
 Title: Crazed Naraki Slips Leash Among the varied stalls that dapple the Rialto sits one that has gained particular interest that very afternoon. Many a shopper chooses to stop by and observe the remains of a struggle. A few forlorn feathers stir in the fickle passing of hurried feet. Nestar, a cutlery merchant, sits behind the counter of said stall, enjoying the sudden plublicity. A florid-faced mongrel, he seems to always be sweating no matter the season or temperature. Samael, a tall lanky mongrel who tends to show more gaps than teeth when grinning, approaches. "Eh, Nestar, what is all this fuss about?" He kicks a few red-streaked feathers experimentally. "Bleeding purebloods had it out right in front of my stall." A slightly sullen expression is hidden by a sopping handkerchief that is passed across Nestar's face time and again. Then those wide, flushed features take on a self-important air. "Well, here is how it was. One of them Empyrean nobles, all haughty and so forth, came up to me and wanted to sell his knife. Well, I went back into me stall to get some coin, and when I peeked around of me curtain, I saw a mongrel girl yelling and giving it to this Empyrean. She was spittin' mad, she was, pulling at his feathers, and putting a knee where it counts, if you know what I mean." Samael urges his talkative friend on. "Was she touched? What happenened then?" Nestar continues on, lowering the volume and leaning forward. "She was touched and then some, all right. Well, then this Empyrean went all strange. Eerie, quiet-like. With a certain look in his eyes, like he was about to gut a fish. Reached for the knife, and I thought for sure she was in for it. Well, then this Varati arrives. Had some important title or another. Tough-looking son of a goat. But refined too. That's right, a refined Varati. He said she was property of the Queen no less. Never thought these eyes would see a berserking naraki. I've now seen everything. Well, he pulled her behind him and dismissed the noble, pretty as you please." At Samael's wince, Nestar chuckles. "Well we both know what I thought was goin' to happen. The noble lord threatened to break this Varati fellow down to naraki. They went back and forth a bit with threats and insults. Finally, this dignified demon offered the noble to stop by the Atesh-Gah if he wants to get his justice. The Hounds showed and everybody disappeared." A shake of his head, and then the explanation for his sullen expression finally comes out. "He took the bloody knife too, he did. Fine piece of metal, that." Samael throws back his head to cackle and slap his knee. "Ain't that always the way."
Title: New Hound Well, it seems Elanus of Jove has gotten himself sworn in as a Hound, of all things. Anyway, instead of wandering aimlessly about the streets and skyways of Haven, he'll now be patrolling them. Aimlessly.
Title: Provost Gone! Rumors circulate the city, the core of them confirmed openly by the Heralds: The mongrel Eric is no longer Provost of Haven, and those interested in the position are urged to contact Delphi. But the rumors say more than that:
If any of them are true, Delphi is not admitting. They say only what the Heralds pass on: The mongrel Eric is no longer Provost of Haven, and a person for the position is being sought.
Title: Rumors With the shocking resignation of the former Provost, rumor has it that his assistant, a mongrel woman by the name of Auvrey, has been behind the desk, keeping the menial affairs of the city in perfect order and running smoothly. Though quite accustomed to the work involved, nary a complaint has been voiced. Now, however, the rumors are taking on a different light. Somehow, the mongrel woman has taken it into her head to run, herself, for the position of Provost... "I tell you, I do not like it!" growls an Empyrean, deep in conversation upon one of the many corners of the Rialto. "She is a woman! A mongrel! That twit needs to be put out to pasture while a real man of pure blood takes up the task." A finger shoots into the air, "Do you see what Eric has done? He has made mongrels think that they are our betters! Yet he has PROVEN that mongrels are not to be trusted! That their poor, filthy breeding makes them untrustworthy! Unclean and unfit to handle the affairs of Haven!" His counterpart, a short, plump, winged man, remains slightly more calm. Perhaps thoughtful even. "Still, she has been managing successfully thus far. She may be a mongrel playing dress-up with Varati clothes, but she is even-tempered and happens to know the job inside and out.."
Title: Crazy Fish Stalks Haven A couple of mongrel women gather for gossip as they do their usual veggie shopping: "Oh, you gonna buy some fish, too? I need to go see the monger." "Oh, fish, yes. Speaking of which, did you hear about that crazy Atlantean?" "Which one? Aren't they all going nuts?" "Yeah, but this one in particular was way off his rocker. He came up through one of the alleys, wearing these huge knickers on his head! Started ranting and raving at some young Sylvan man, called the boy his son." "Knickers, Ruth?" "I thought I recognized them as Jezebel's. Y'know, she's so heavy." "Eh... where'd the Atlantean go?" "Well, I think the Hounds tried to follow him, but he went back to the water. That kind of worried them." "Seems natural to me." "Well... rumor has it that the guy was that Delphic Seneschal. The Water Elemental. What if he decides to bring in a tidal wave or wreck a ship? Think of the price of spices!" Both women cringe, then begin talking of Avalon and its lack of mages.
Title: Rialto Gossip... One food vendor to another, "I tell you, Aias, I was there. She was sweet as you please, till that sneak thief, the one who's wings are all broken, you know the one who runs around with the mongrel and that Varati? Anyway, that Atalanta Tritonides was being nice. I even saw her smile!" He gets distracted from his story, nodding vigorously at the amazement of his friend. "She did. She can be awfully pretty when she does, but," he mock-shivers, "what an icicle in bed, eh?" He prattles on, "So, the little Empyrean was rude as anything and called the Domina a commoner, so you know that started the fight right there. Well, first the Domina called the girl a 'ganika,' you can imagine how that went over. So the fighting started." He takes his pipe out, tapping it against something as he complains, "There wasn't even any betting, we all knew who'd win. Still, it was something to watch since it was sleetin' and we didn't have any customers no how. So, the girl was lying in the mud, an' suddenly the Domina goes over and picks up a cloak, with not so much as a pretty please or thank you, then offers a hand to the girl. Took her back to that stall of hers. Paris, ya know, the guy that has to work with the 'noblewoman,'" he spits after the word, "well, anyway, he says that she made him go buy new clothes for the girl and fix her up with food, drink, schooling, not just for her, but that mongrel friend of hers, and a job." His companion goes back to be poleaxed in his amazement, so much that he doesn't notice the toothpick that falls out of his mouth. "Naw, Telamon, now I know yer havin' me over." He snorts and gets up, shaking his head as he walks away. Telamon calls out, "It's all true, I tell ya, I saw it, I talked to Paris..." He goes chasing the man to prove the veracity of the claims.
Title: Empyrean Gallery Re-opens Word is passed around the city that the Empyrean gallery, Poecile, across from the Palladium, has re-opened, coinciding with the week-long celebration by House Acesius for the upcoming naming of the Deus and Dea's daughter. The gallery, which had been damaged during the earthquake, has been rebuilt and filled with new works of art, free for all in the city to come and view. There are the few that hear the news and rub their hands with glee, imagining the treasures put forth by the Acesian household, only to be warned by those in the know that the place is well-guarded and one might lose their hand for such an offence.
Title: A Stalemate A sudden, violent exodus of birds from the old city garden disturbed an afternoon already ruined by the downpour of rain. In the wake of the frightened fowl, citizens of Haven followed, also excited. They brought with them a myriad of stories concerning a ferocious encounter between the Nayaka of the Agni-Haidar and a banished healer. It seems that during the torrential downpour, the Nayaka decided to visit the garden. However, the visit was interrupted by the presence of the banished Empyrean healer. After a brief moment of indifferent conversation, vicious insults were hurled by both. It is said that the healer made horribly disparaging remarks about the God-King and his wife, the Maharani. The Nayaka responded by slandering the Empyrean race as a whole. The argument degenerated into violence when the Nayaka shot the Empyrean woman with a dart. Rather than succumb to the weapon, the dart was pulled free and the wound healed in just a few moments. The Healer leapt from the tree only to find the Nayaka waiting for her. He cut her cruelly before she bounded to the safety of a nearby tree, bleeding profusely. Yet that wound, too, was healed rapidly. Rather than pursue the Empyrean only to have her retreat even further, the Nayaka stowed his weapon and left the garden, chased by the insults of the Healer and her young Empyrean charge.
Title: Rumors... Amid rumors of a vicious fight happening a few days prior in the Rialto, Eric (ex-Provost of Haven) turned himself over to Estrel Lehuan today. He walked into the Bastion free of chains, walked into the holding cells, handed his sword to the Hound, Lyranthe, and strode into a cell and sat down. Some say they did not bother to lock the cell, as it was obvious that the man had turned himself in and was cooperating one hundred percent. Others say they threw him in chains and locked the cell and posted a constant squad to guard him. The truth probably lies somewhere between. This apparently all goes back to a fight in the Rialto a few days ago. Witnesses say that harsh words were exchanged between Eric and a certain Delphic healer named Starfang. Whether she was provoked or merely attacked out of viciousness is unknown, but almost every witness has so far stated that Starfang viciously bit a chunk of the Provost's neck out. A near fatal bite by most people's accounts. Eric, either out of anger, malice, or defense ran the girl through after she tore the chunk of flesh from his neck. Some witnesses say she was merely gut-stabbed (a nasty and usually fatal wound without the healing of Delphi at hand) while others say she had her spine broken by the savage blade of the ex-mercenary. All in all, several questions remain. What were they fighting about? Why were two former allies (though never really friends, some say Eric had agreed to teach Starfang to fight) so viciously harming one another? Some say one, if not both, had a death wish. After all, hasn't she always been over the top and angry about her situation? Hadn't he just been kicked out of his position? Or did he leave it, as others say? And where is the Delphite known as Starfang? Is she exempt from the rules of the city? Does Eric sit in jail while she wanders free and continues to learn magic? Is he truly a vicious killer that merely provoked her so that he could claim self-defense? Rumor amongst the Atlantean quarter has it that Eric told Estrel Lehaun that she could feel free to read his mind; something he has never before agreed to, say some.
Title: Tragedy at the Beach It happened while the rain was falling and the eastern beach was especially treacherous. Having found the crazed Seneschal of Delphi, the Korallion Guard attempted to bring him back to safety, where he would no longer be a threat to himself or others. After numerous tries, which ended in being thwarted by his magic, the Mender, Thalassa and the High Priestess, Okalani were summoned. It was hoped they would be able to retrieve him with gentler means, namely by piercing his thoughts with Okalani's stronger telepathy. It had begun strangely, and it ended in catastrophe. Perhaps no one realized how depraved the Seneschal had become, or perhaps many had forgotten how truly dangerous an Elemental could be. Regardless, believing the guards to be a return of the immense, mythological Kraken that threatened Okalani, Raijin attacked the shores with a miniature tidal wave. Two lives had been taken before his error could be realized, and the life of Amaris Melei was put into severe jeopardy. Even the Elementalist fell victim to his own power. In the calm after the storm, the Seneschal and Melei were taken to Delphi's infirmary. Okalani, unharmed by the event but in tremendous grief, had been carried to her chambers by the Korallion guard. And as for the bodies of the two men -- one a Pandion and the other a Korallion guard, they were taken to the Atlantean embassy so that final respects may be paid to them.
Title: The Face in the Fence The Rialto is buzzing. People gather in a corner near the eastern entrance around a piece of fence. Just an ordinary fence. Or is it? Candles are lit before it. Fresh flowers cover the ground all around it. What is going on? "Ah, it's the Kronian!" people can be heard exclaiming. "Nonsense, it's just a silly crack in the wood," others disagree. Discussions arise everywhere, sometimes growing fanatical even, when enough alcohol has been passed around. And what is it all about? A pattern in the wooden board, left by a branch long gone. Just a silly pattern. But when looked upon from a certain angle, viewed in a certain light... "It's the Kronian I tell you!" Is it? Judge for yourself.
Title: Mob in the Rialto Monday, March 13, 3906. That was an evening the people of Haven will not soon forget. Rumors fly wild, the words spreading like fire, about a mob, in the Rialto. People are not certain, but it is said it all started with the face of in the fence. The Maharani herself, surrounded by Agni-Haidar under command of Amipal, came to see the image in the wood. And after that, things happened more quickly then any can remember. That seamstress, Mairi, shouting at the top of her lungs that the Kronian really would pick a better place to show himself then in a wooden board, while she was poking everyone with that needle of hers. BroadShoulders and Wanderer, caught in the crowd, only wanting to get out, but constantly being pushed and shoved. Thieves, working their evil magic in the press of people. Children losing their parents and screaming for help as they were threatened to get crunched. The arrival of Helena Jove, bringing a hush to the crowd. Then what must have been rebels, shouting for the Varati to go home. The crowd turning into a mob, pushing the royal Varati party back north, the Agni-Haidar taking the Empyrean with them as they went. Tomatoes flying. More vegetables flying. Chaos... Plunder. The Hounds! Under command of Lyranthe, the mob was spread out; of Thalia, Amipal, Helena or her guard not a sign, safe behind the Hounds' lines. Have the people of Haven gone mad? And over what? A face in a fence. As if! And yet... People can be seen openly glaring at any Varati passing by. Some not even interested in the possibility of a deity returning, but willing to take up every chance for revolt. Others perhaps seeing a chance to finally get even for the losses taken in the war. Who can tell? One thing is certain though. Haven hasn't seen the last of the unrest.
Title: Visit to Starfang Rumors spread among the students of Delphi. What happened? A young novice in clairvoyance, Yoshiko, was seen leaving the tower with a grim face, and some say that tears were in her eyes, but that last thing isn't confirmed. Now, from among the Hounds, the rumor is made even worse. The Atlantean girl visited the imprisoned Starfang and there was a quarrel about things the guard is very vague about in his words. Obviously, he was a little embarassed to tell his colleagues about it, and he just called it 'girl talk.' Not much was clear and the man himself seemed confused by what happened, too. The novice went straight to the beach after this incident and is reported to have been sitting on the sand for hours, just staring at the waves.
Title: Servants of Kronian? While the odd sightings of the Kronian seem to be enthralling most of Haven, some cower in fear, some rejoice as if it were a sign from the god heralding his imminent return. And in the midst of this, a few more odd occurences begin to come to light... Rumors, accompanied by occassional proof, seem to be spreading the fire of whispered wonderings even further. It seems as if a few people of Haven have, themselves, been marked by the god! There have only been a two or three, and there seems no logical connection between any of them, save that two are Empyrean. One a merchant, another a Herald and a Sylvan artisan. All now bear an odd blemish upon their skin that distinctly resembles that of the figure of Kronian! It appears as a darkened patch of skin, perhaps even a light-colored mole, but the image within is quite clear. When asked about it, the only response they can give is that they were about their normal business and the next thing they knew, they were lying in their beds, waking to a new day, with a slight throbbing around the area of the mark. All seemed to happen on different days, and each mark is in a unique place upon the body and of its own size. Murmured opinions on what this could mean run rampant! Are these the chosen ones of Kronian? That could not be! One is a Sylvan! Have these people brought a curse upon themselves somehow? Could they have angered the Empyrean god? What does this mean?
Title: Blood, Gore, Tomatoes? Jons walked into the Siren's Song, a large cloth wrapped around his arm. Blood had soaked through part of the makeshift bandage, but the mongrel appears to be uncaring. He sought a seat for himself and his attempts at gaining a mug of ale achieved conversation with one of the servitors. "Yer a big ole man," said the servitor maid admiringly. "How did ya get that nasty scratch there?" "This?" asked Jons with a show of bravado. "I got meself stuck by one of dem Varati potstickers in the Rialto. They wuz tryin' to flee the tomatos, they wuz. I gots in the way." His face fell slightly, unable to keep the bravado at the fore. "Some of me chums weren't so lucky. Varati scum ran dem right thru, like they wuz cheese." The servitor maid looked quite sympathetic. "Eh, I heard about that. I hear that they is so mad about the tomatoes, they is taking back Avalon." She lowered her voice. "My source saiz, they is callin' us an ungrateful lot an' we don't deserve no country." "Bah," said Jons. "Avalon, Arelate, who wants the demmed thing. It's got a demmed volcano and earth sown with salt. Worthless." The servitor maid was not as convinced as Jons, but kept her mouth shut and took his order for the drink. After she had left, another mongrel leaned over to Jons to share another juicy tidbit. "Dem Varati bastards got theirs. Hear tell, some of them monsters iz gettin' whipped. Dem commander iz all upset dat they protected Helena Jove." "Nah," said the second mongrel's table companion. "Dey iz getting castrated. Whippin's too good for protectin' an bird brain." "That jumped-up bird, Thalia," said Jons. "Ain't it somthin' that she went to look at a stupid ole fence?" "Strange bird," agreed the others. "Dem dark wings in the family. Bad blood will always tell."
Title: A Punishment in the Rialto How painful the loss of power can be was demonstrated in the Rialto today. In the morning, the prisoner, Eric, also known as Haven's former Provost, was hauled from the Bastion's cells in which he had been locked up for almost a week now. He was brought to the Rialto where a Herald declared that, "For near-fatal use of force in a brawl with an unarmed student of Delphi, Haven's Estrella have decided this man will be given a public flogging of ten lashes." The Hounds then proceeded with the declaration's execution. The Mongrel's shirt was rudely torn apart, baring his back to the gathering bystanders, and the ten lashes were delivered upon his unprotected skin. Once finished, the Sentires released him while the Herald declared, "Let it be known to all that Delphi's peace should not be broken." With that, the entertainment was over and people scattered over the market-place. And Eric? He must have slipped away in the crowd somehow.
Title: Varati Rule Delphi? Rumors begin to filter into the masses about the incident that occured in the Rialto recently. That big scary Varati, the mean ugly one, Faisal and that other guy, Amipal! There was some big argument between the big one and that Empyrean branded healer! She wouldn't come down off the top of a stall, and the Varati nearly broke it down! When she still wouldn't come down, he told her he was going to kill everybody who wasn't armed because they didn't believe in Khalid, and then his buddy, that other guy, threw a knife right into the neck of a mongrel guy who wasn't even doing anything but watching! That creepy healer went to save the mongrel's life and the big guy tried to kill her, but she got away, just barely. But ya know what?? The Hounds just stood there! Even the Commander! They didn't do nothin'!! They tole the Varati they were under arrest, but those big guys just walked right on by and the Hounds didn't even try to stop 'em!! Aren't the Hounds sposed to protect us though? What about that guy who used to be the Provost? He got flogged when he attacked somebody in public like that! Yeah, but that was an Estrel, they are more important than us regular people! Them Varati don't have to answer to the Delphi like the rest of us do! That ain't fair! Why do they get special treatment?? More and more grumbling begins to spread among the nervous merchants and the rest of the citizens of Haven. Do the Varati rule the Delphi? Are any of us safe if the Hounds don't protect us any more? Ah, so what! It was just a mongrel and a branded healer, world's better off without 'em!
Title: A Priest of the Kronian? A priest of the Kronian? Is there such a thing? Apparently there is! And it seems that yesterday, he arrived from Civitas Dei all eager to have a look at these many sightings that people are seeing in all the strange places. Did he find anything? Well, he's looked at the fence, stood there staring at it nearly two hours! I don't know if he's seen the rest, or what he thinks of all of this. I didn't wanna ask. I want to ask! I'd like to know just who is playing with our minds here and punish 'em! You don't think they might be real? Something saying he's coming back? Nah, do you? Well... maybe...
Title: Desecration "I hope that priest didn't inspect that Kronian fence-post too closely." "Why wouldn't he?" "That vicious bastard Varati urinated all over the rotten thing. Just the other day. No doubt the Varati scum did it to shame all those Kronian followers that threw tomatoes at the Maharani woman." "Delphi deliver us! Why don't the Hounds do something about him? He can just walk wherever he wants to and kill anybody who angers him. I get sent to that stinkhole prison just for getting a little lively when I'm drunk!"
Title: He Still Walks Free?? Discontent continues to grow among the people of Haven. Merchants, sailors, any who occupy the status of less than noble... "Didja hear? They still haven't done nothing to them Varati who tried to kill the mongrel!" "Still? Shouldn't Delphi have said something by now?" "No, I think it's all right with them! Varati get special treatment cuz Delphi's scared of Khalid!" "If you'd ever seen the Amir-al, you wouldn't blame them..." Fights have begun to break out more frequently within the town limits, people growing more and more bold in light the uselessness that is now being cast upon the image of the Hounds. Some who are carted off by the authorities are heard to yell, "But, I'm Varati! You can't do nothin' to me!" despite the obviousness that they are not Varati. Thieves have begun to hit the market-place in full force, striking when least expected and taking everything they can get their hands on, rather than their usual manner of leaving some things behind. They terrorize the merchant booths and have taken quite a few unprecedented risks of late. It has resulted in several being caught, but not enough to curb the trend. And all the while, dark looks are thrown at the Varati and sneers and jeers are sent toward the Hounds. "Delphi's just a Varati puppet!" "No wonder the Varati won the war..." "And now they are taking back Avalon?? They have no honor!" "All over a funny-shaped piece of wood??" "Hounds can't do nothing, might as well take it..." "...wish I were Varati. <smirk>"
Title: Forum Annorum An announcement is made: [at some future time equivalent to 2 months RL but really more like a year IC] the year's great Forum will be held in the city of Philos in the province of Illium, directly across the Flumen Polaris from Haven. It will be more than an ordinary Forum, however, which is why it is referred to as 'Forum of the Years.' The Emperor makes it known that there will be held competitions, but not sporting ones; instead, Houses will present innovations in the fields of agriculture, transporation, messaging, storage and preservation, and the arts, to be judged by experts in those fields. The winner of each will be crowned in glory (in addition to a lesser prize of money and land grants) and will, of course, stand to benefit much from being the origination of a prize-winning innovation. The innovations must be non-magical; mages will be present to ensure that magic is not involved. Winning entries which involve a factor of time (for example, agricultural techniques whose benefit cannot be proven until a crop has been grown) will be winners on probation until their efficacy is proven. Should they fail, the runners-up in their field will receive the prize. Entry is open to any Empyrean House of any caste. Their chosen inventor(s) may be of any race. There is a substantial entry fee involved, such that very rich Houses would probably be able to field several inventors, while poorer Houses would probably have to band together to present just one.
Title: Neighbour Back It's been quite some time ago since the three kids saw their neighbour and his unofficial housmate leave Haven, but now it seems that Abdullah al'Samar has sent that girlfriend/adopted sister/servant or whatever she is of him back to his house in the Delphic city. And soon enough, the trouble-seeking young woman becomes the subject of discussion of the three youths again.. "I bet Abdullah got tired of that shrew and sent her home to clean up and stuff," eldest brother Kadir says, with a contempted nod to the woman. Fatimah, the middle sister, sighs. "How do you know? I like her. She's so independent.." "We can have fun with her," ten-year-old Salim adds. "I saw her beat up some Empy girl last week. It almost turned into a riot." "Yeah smally, we know that. You've told as forty times. And if it wasn't for that SunHawk guy, she would have ripped that street-rat apart," Kadir says. "Or be ripped apart herself." Salim sticks out his tongue, with a gaze that challenges his brother to start a fight right here. Fatimah turns away, with a grimace. " Is that all what you boys think of? Fighting? Is that what you like her for?" "She's a fool Fatimah," Kadir explains his opinion. "And I won't allow my sister to become like that."
Title: In the Attic... "All I can say is, good thing she's up in the attic," says Ilonde. "I've never heard babies wail so much, and girl-childs even." Maryas shakes her head in wonder. "Twins. But you know what? She doesn't seem to mind it. Hajim says she says it's a sign of health and -- get this -- that they'll be good hunters. Girls, hunters! He says she says it's good the babies get all the noise out of themselves now; it means they'll be quiet when they're older." It's Ilonde's turn to shake her head. "I don't understand that girl. Half the time she says things no one can understand, and Opal had to make her promise not to climb rooftops when she was pregnant. I think she just doesn't have a lick of sense." Maryas laughs. "Opal did that? Oh aye, the girl's funny that way. Just when you think she's a normal person, she comes at you with some barbarian idea or does something barbarian and acts surprised when you tell her it's barbarian. I think she can't decide whether she's Varati or Sylvan." "One day that Janizar of hers is going to be promoted and he'll set her straight." "Or he'll forget her." Ilonde looks northwards towards the Atesh-Gah. "She's got a mate in that man." She lowers her voice. "Those Agni-Haidar are half barbarian themselves. I mean, did you hear what that Nayaka of theirs did..."
Title: Cat Fight in the Rialto! Though a minor incident in the light of recent events in the Rialto, it was still enough of a newsworthy item to make it through the rumor mill. Apparently, two young women -- an Empyrean and a Varati -- decided to settle their differences in a fight taking place in the middle of the square. No one's sure quite who started it, but the Empyrean girl seemed to gain the upper hand, and was only prevented from strangling the other girl by the intervention from several other people and the Hounds. Amazingly, some say, the Hounds were there and were able to stop the fight before anyone could get hurt. Others say that the Hounds couldn't have missed it since they seemed to have stepped up their patrols in recent days. How could they possibly let two 'little' girls slip through their hands? Several points of interest about the story talk of the Kaimakam Amipal being present with Maat al'Samar. Another twist on the story is that some darkling Empyrean swept down out of the sky and tried to carry the Empyrean girl off, but they were stopped by one of the Empyrean Hounds. The darkling got away from the Hounds while the girl was recaptured, but there are vague rumors of a minor reward for information on the dark- winged man. The names of those involved? They say the Varati was named Surija and the Empyrean called Sebastienne. The Hound that arrested them both? That half-breed Commander, Amaris Caioma al'Shirfa.
Title: News from Afar Slowly, news from places outside of Haven trickles into the town. It would seem that Callisar's Eyrie, of little interest to most in Haven, is accepting Empyrean families. It is rumored that as much as twenty-five percent of the original families have returned there to live under Varati rule. Not much is know about Callisar's Eyrie by the commoners due to its distance from Haven, yet it is rumored that the Maharani of the Varati has claimed Callisar's Eyrie as her own, and is offering generous benefits of some sort to those who move there and make it their home. Artists, and craftsmen goes the word on the street. Those are the ones the Maharani seeks.
Title: News from Near The Empyre, it seems, has little reaction to the prospect of a small number of families returning to Callisar's Eyrie; unofficial word is that they're pleased that the valley and its roosts will be occupied by Empyreans and not Varati, although most might look askance at families willing to forsake the Empyre's protection.
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