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Heard in Haven: May 2000
Title: Hounds Too Brutal? Man in the market place, "I saw it with my own eyes, I did. Tendin' my stand and watchin' my wares then there came the awfulest racket you ever saw. 'fore I even thought to look this pidgeon kid comes runnin' out'a the alley followed by these two big Hounds, dark 'uns too! The kid almost made it into the air 'fore he got harpoon'd by 'em. None'a us had much to say 'bout it, really. They just dragged 'im away after givin' us all evil glares." he shakes his head, "Hope I never see that sorta thing again, but you can bet that it'll be happenin' more."
Title: Another skirmish in the Rialto Yet again rumors begin to filter through the merchants of the Rialto. "Yeah! I 'spose we should expect it by now! They was right here in the middle of the market place." "Right here? Where were the Hounds?" "They were around, but it didn't look like it was gonna be trouble til it was too late! They was just talkin and all the sudden he hit her!" "That big Varati? The Messala Warlord?" "Yep! And that smaller bald one was behind him calling insults at her, all protected by the group of men the warlord had with him." chuckle. "Who was it he hit?" "The same one that Nayaka tried to kill a while back. Remember? She was standing on a roof and he told her that anybody who doesn't carry a weapon was against Khalid and would be easy to kill, remember? And then his friend stabbed the mongrel to start it all!" "Her? The winged one? Again?? What is wrong with her? She's always getting into things with the Varati!" "I know! But all she does is chatter at them! She don't do nothing aggressive or nothin'. Just seems to talk their ear off til they try to kill her!" "What was she saying? Could ya hear?" "Well, first he was talking to the bald guy and they were saying something about Empyreans with greasy wings and not talking to them while they kill 'em. Then she said something about not being smart enough for conversation, and he came over and said some more to her and she said some more back. I think it was the way she said stuff more than what she said cuz she was acting all big and haughty, but I dunno, who really understands the Varati anyway? I heard the smaller guy in the back say something about Varati taking to the sky to rule it, and then she acted all knowing and stuff and told them they were jealous and that they wanted wings so they could be like Empyreans. The big guy said soemthing about taking her wings for his pillow, and he threatened her, and spit on her, and told her to leave. But you know /that/ one, she /never/ leaves when she should! She stayed there and he hauled back and hit her full force in the chest! With all that armor on his hand and everything! I think she tried to block it, but wasn't able to, she fell like a sack of potatoes! All feathers and black, right to the ground! I heard bones snapping and everything! ...But then, the big guy just sorta froze into the position he was in from hitting her! I think he was just acting all tough and keeping that position. His men started to surround her, but she got up, said something I couldn't hear and then flew away! But by the look on her face, she was /not/ feeling well!" chuckle "You wouldn't be feeling well if you'd have been hit by somebody that big either, I bet!" "I prolly wouldn't have /lived/ through that! I don't know how that fragile looking thing could have survived!" "I thought things were starting to get back to normal! But looks like those Varati are still at it!" "Well, the Hounds were heading that way after they saw it, looked like they were gonna break it up, but she left before they could, so maybe things are getting better." Snort "I'll believe it when I see it!"
Title: Again in the Rialto A few women gabble over their laundrytubs: "So this Varati _drunk_ who's bleedin' all over--musta been a fight at the Siren--starts manhandlin' this Empyrean woman. The Chryseis widow--you know, the one with the hoity-toity art galah-ree. Pretty soon he's lyin' on the ground, and has her on top of him! She's tryin' to get away, wings flappin' and flappin'! I ran for the Hounds, but by the time I got back there was a mob...couldn't see anything..." "You didn't see _nothin_! She crashed right into him! Knocked him flat over; it was hilarious! Disgusting, though; she tried ta help him up. Something about damaged property, and he'd have ta pay for it. Because he had ta be alive ta pay her back, she decided ta keep an eye on him. What a Chryseis! She shoulda knifed him." "_I_ heard that she sent to the branded healer for help! Right outside of Delphi! What was the point in that?" "Oh, yeah, yeah! I almost forgot! The branded witch! Gorn started everyone throwin' tomatoes n' eggs at her and the Varati! Hit the Varati right in th'face, he did!" "Uh-huhhh...and Gorn was the first one ta run away when the witch started eyeing the crowd fer serious. I'm pretty sure I saw 'im getting his pantseat kicked in by one of the Tritonis gels. You know, the one who couldn't get into the guard. Guess she must be pretty frustrated, eh?"
Title: Gravid Graisha *...throwing up and absolutely thrilled about it!* Lukija exclaims, his mind yellowing slightly in the equivalent of a chuckle. *Granted, nothing she does or thinks surprises me anymore. But I thought Melei was barren?* His white-tressed companion snorts. *You've certainly tested the barrier enough to know. Actually, I heard from Zi that she was Healed a few months ago, before the Seneschal knocked her flat with his waves. Pasiphae willing, you might even be the one...* Lukija's response is unfazed: *No, I got a picture of the father out of her, though not the name. It's like she was trying to block out the thought from her head... Believe it or not, it's an Empyrean.* Xalassa shakes her head with a sigh. *Figures, poor thing. At least she's back in the Korallion now. Haven might be a 'neutral city,' but there's still no place in the world where it's safe to bring up halfbreeds.* Idle minds transfer the news to idle tongues, and it's only a matter of time before everyone knows: Amaris Melei is with child.
Title: Blood on the Waves "Where in the water is Koshe? He promised he'd spend the afternoon with me after attending a lesson with that shark shapeshifter." an Atlantean saleswoman complains to a friend about her relationship with a wellknown Korallion guard. Two poor Mongrel fishermen from Bordertown are pulling in their nets with last night's capture, joking around when one suddenly gasp and almost drops the net. His mate lends a hand but he too finds himself willing to throw up. Inside the net the remains of several Atlanteans can be seen. Or what's left on them anyway, gruesome marks are left upon the body. Late at night two Delphites are seen walking on the beach. The woman goes hysterical and is carried back to the Citadel. In the morning two playful children discover some unfamiliar forms near the shore. They enter the water. Screams can be heard. Later their parents find a female torso, the rest of her body torn apart by sharp teeth. More and more bodies are found. How many is unsure, limbs detached, limbs missing. Identities unknown, apart from the one whose uniform proves him to be a member of Pandion's royal guard. Over a dozen total so wild gossipers claim, all Atlanteans. All bearing the bitemarks of a Great White. Soon heads turn towards Delphi as people begin to count the facts, coming to a conclusion.
Title: Rumours from Palladium In response to the recent rumours regarding the poor health of House Tritonis - now it is official word that comes from Palladium. Kalypso is pregnant. Rumours still abound, however, concerning the young matriarch's still delicate health. She's still experiencing the sickness that plague so many women with child, early in the morning. And the servants report that while her stomach might be growing in size, their Dea's not put on any weight. Though perhaps this one piece of good news - she's now accepting business appointments again in the afternoon hours, though many of the appointments are kept short.
Title: The Shark is Found! As with most such things, word travels fast through the city - Rohan Garret, the Shark Feralis who is said to have killed Priestess Lehuan Okalani, has been found! Rumours vary, but the most common seems to state that the man was seen walking naked through the city with a Hound Commander that escorted him to and within the gates of Delphi. Most that speak on it are fairly certain that it was the half-breed woman Hound that had the 'honor' of quickly ushering the 'guilty' man into Delphi, away from those who would have seen to his punishment. It is said that the man is being held in Delphi, under guard from the Hounds. Some grumble, though, demanding justice /now/.
Title: A different Kronian sighting A young Empyrean man goes running through the Rialto as fast as he can, heading for the stall of his friend and employer. When he gets there he immediately shuts everything down and closes himself inside with the other man who appears completely confused by the actions. Rumor begins to leak out from the surrounding stalls, "Did you here?" ..."No, what?" ... "*another* marking of the Kronian!" ... "But this one is different!" ... "Different how?" ..."Its not the image of the Kronian, but the sigil of the God instead." ..."Sigil?" ..."Yeah, the eagle in flight with a thunderbolt in its claw, ya know?"... "Oh yeah, that. Where is it? Its probably just another trick." ..."Is *on* him!" ..."Who?" ..."That boy that works for Yualo!" ..."He has that mark on his body? Where?" ..."I dunno, he says last he remembers he was on his way for a meal and then all the sudden he was in his bed the next morning with this thing on him!" ..."The sign of the Kronian? What do you suppose it means?"... "I think its just a joke. A hoax of some kind!." ..."A hoax? You think? But what sort of hoax would it be? For what purpose? ...Don't you think it could be that he was chosen by Jove for a purpose? Perhaps he's special?"... "Nah! He's barely more than a street rat! How special could he be? Get back to work, Nagan, I've got my own stuff to do!" And more of the same filters through the streets. Just as it seemed all the Kronian sightings were beginning to die down, yet another strange happening...
Title: Sylvan Beauty and Fright Rumor spreads quickly of the beautiful Sylvan girl with hair like a waterfall of liquid flame which falls between her pointed ears. Such raw Sylvan beauty is a very rare sight within Haven, and she can sometimes be seen in the shadier parts of Bordertown. There is even a story of her antics in outrunning the Hounds, jumping onto stalls and running like a cat across the tops, jumping from small roof to roof and swinging across the rialto on the banner of some house, only to end up in a heap upon the known Sylvan smith BroadShoulders. But what's new, other than this teenager's stunning looks, is the fact that she's gone insane. She was seen running from the smith's home screaming one afternoon, her normally jade eyes gone jet black, her pupils dialated completely to hide the irises. She screams of blood and feathers, and ran about the Rialto scaring people not just with her presence, but with her words. She had been seen before in minor incidences in the rialto, scaring the wits out of an unknown Empyrean man one day with words of his dark past, but now she seems to panic, as though surrounded in flames and smoke. The hounds have been alerted, but the girl still runs free, and no one knows where.
Title: The Thunder and the Lightning Dappled specks across the darkening horizon they might first have been seen. Great ships knifing through foamy swells in fanciful sprays that merge with the echoes that boom from the resounding crash of wood and water meeting. Rising and falling over great mobile hills. A hundred ships. Maybe more. As darkness fell there would be little doubt of their destination. Haven. Things of sound and bobbing flecks of lamp light they became under the moonless night, the glow of the skies hidden by a cover of clouds. With the revelation of dawn it became apparent that a dozen of those ships had arrayed themselves within the coastal bay in typical blockade fashion. Any entreaty or questions flung at those great hulls would be rebuffed. Silence is returned for curiosity. Small quick cutters would be seen to chase down any ship heading for the open ocean, flitting shadows flinging themselves into the sea, grappling hooks flung out of the water like claws of some great sea beast, before a flurry of dark shapes scurried up and over the railing. After the ship had been searched it was apparently let free to go on its way. The land too seems no safe haven from suspicious eyes, despite the city's name. Packs of trident wheeling Atlanteans with frigid unfriendly gazes eye large carts and bundles that are pushed through the streets. Some even whisper that they do more then look when no Hounds are to be found. Always a group rests with feigned idleness outside the Delphic courtyard. Searching for .....something.
Title: Hound Reactions With tensions in the city high already from the death of the Pasiphaean High Priestess, the Hounds seem to be unwilling to put up with the trident weilding Pandions that are regarding everyone with suspicion. Though the Hounds are generally landbound and unable to do anything about the ships accosting trade arrivals, they have taken action against the city interlopers. When the Pandion 'patrols' have been spotted, they've been ordered on their way by the Hounds. A few have resisted and have found themselves immediately rounded up and tossed into the Bastion's Gaole. One incident turned violent with several Hounds being wounded, as well as the objecting Pandions. It has also been noted that the number of patrols have increased in the city, especially in areas traffiked heavily by the merchants that seem to be targets of the Pandion searches.
Title: Empyrean Merchant Ships Seems that Empyrean merchant vessels leaving or entering the Haven area begin to have extra crewmembers aboard: soldiers, by the looks of it, and two scouts each. They're ensuring that the ships aren't searched or siezed by anyone, especially Atlanteans. One scout remains in the crow's nest (appropriately enough), ready to fly for land should the ship be overwhelmed by searchers who cannot be turned back. Rumor has it that this occured in reaction to an explosion in the Haven harbor during the wedding of the Orman Decemvir. "Ayup," says one old sea salt to a curious Haven native. "The ship t'were Empyrean. Things are tense."
Title: Strange Happenings Two merchants chat in the Rialto, about the odd events of the day... Cleo: Hey Jerva, did you hear about that Priestess murdered out back of the Siren? Jerva: I've been too busy dealing with that fleet searching my goods and stealing my precious time... What happened? Cleo: Well, what I heard, it sounded like she was murdered as part of a botched robbery. Only stole the traditional dagger they're always carrying about. Left the jewels. That Empyrean Commander was right on the scene, but couldn't do a thing. Too late. Jerva: Hmmm? You mean that Chryseis kid? How'd he get there so fast? Cleo: That's something else entirely! An Atlantean went to seek help from the temple for the priestess, and there he was, praying at the altar! Not the first time, either! Even heard from a friend of a friend of a parishoner that he even cried there! Jerva: Cried at the Temple of Pasiphae?? An Empyrean?? You're joshin' me! I think someone's put something in your water. Cleo: No way! Said he was real close to that High Priestess. You know, Okalani? Hey... You don't think... That baby and all...? Jerva: Now you're going too far! The man's married! And if anything is true about what they say of that Commander, he's straight as an arrow. Some think he points the wrong way, but he's true none the less. Cleo: Well, maybe you're right... Say, what news have you from outside Haven? Jerva: Oy! Don't ask me. I've been so angry since that fleet arrived. You should'a seen...
Title: Wedding Revelations Like sparks upon dry tender the distant ship turned fireball that served as a backdrop to the joyous union of Riva and Rhys set a momentary blaze among those who had gathered to view the event. The man responsible for that sad tragedy was in attendance, as was the Emperor of the slain. Explanations were demanded and given. Heated words coated in ice. Among the revelations was that Okalani had been with child, and not just any child, but the heir to the Pandion people. It was she that is the object of the frenetic searches that have started to slow as resistance has strengthened. Hounds and soldiers alike have stemmed the flow for the time, but things remain ever tense. Clearly Sarojin does not believe in Okalani's demise. If that be the grief stricken delusion of a madman or if he has more substantial proof to base his accusations is not clear. What is apparent though is the fact that he holds Delphi responsible for the chaos. All that was explained and then he departed, oblivious to the blood of the groom that stained the sands. That at least was not his doing. Not directly.
Title: Aeneas Returns Some of Haven's residents, especially those who linger in the Rialto, might remember the arrogant Praetorian noble who scoffed and scowled his way through the mob to frequent Empyrean merchants. Many who inhabit the Palladium know this fellow as Aeneas Titus Acesian, an Optio who had served with the Praetorian contingent in Haven since before the most recent war with the Varati before being transfered abruptly a year ago. No one is exactly sure why he left (though some think the Imperator, known for his lack of fondness for Aeneas, had the Acesian transferred to a backwater garrison), and no one's sure why he has returned, but apparently Imperator Marcellus has called him back.
Title: An Empyrean ship's captain... "Jaas, I just don't like it." Septus eyed the two Atlanteans who came aboard the /Swiftsail/. They were dressed in Orman livery and normally that would be fine, but the events of late were liable to make Septus distrustful of /any/ Atlantean, not that he exactly trusted them when things were normal... His bosun was more pragmatic. "All they's doin' is guardin' 'gainst searches by them other fishes. What's the harm in that? Least we ain't gettin' stopped no more. An' we got them, don't we?" Jaas hooked a thumb in the direction of the Praetorians who were holding onto mast and rail at the fore and aft of the sailing ship. Septus let out a snort. "And what good will /they/ do, do you think? They'll probably be puking their guts the second we cast off. Landlubbers." Jaas spread his salt-burned hands. "But at least t'searches are stoppin' and we payin' half tarrif to boot. D'you t'ink your House'll be putting more goods through Haven, then?" "I don't know. It's cheaper than some of the Empyrean ports now," said Septus. "They might want to take advantage of it. But I just don't like this at all. Those fish better get off my ship when we're out of Haven waters, by the Kronian." Muttering, the captain took to the wheel.
Title: House Orphea Robbed! "Phineas! _PHINEAS_!" Generally, Cora Doranius Orpheides might be described as having a dulcet voice, but this morning her cry of outrage screeches through the Haven mansion of House Orphea with all the sweetness of an angry hawk. The Dea's commotion brings servants running, along with her husband, snapped out of sleep and stumbling groggily towards his bride's personal chambers, breathing curses under his breath. Cora might have a dulcet voice -- but she has the temper of a Mongrel fishwife, and all of House Orphea knows it. Today, however, it seems that the august lady has reason for it. Orphea's plans to hold a party upon their property have taken a blow that cannot be attributed to mere misplacement of the heirloom necklace that has been handed down through her family for three generations, meant to be the showpiece of the lady's attire this evening. In that necklace's place within the jewelry box upon her bedside table rests instead a scrap of parchment upon which is drawn the figure of a black bird in flight -- and with it, a black feather. The Rook, it seems, has struck again.
Title: Wyvern Queen in the Air For reasons known only to the Varati, the Wyvern Queen belong to the Queen-Maharani was seen winging northwards this afternoon. Officially, it is known that the Queen-Maharani has left for Masada. No date has been given for her return to Haven. The Queen-Maharani took with her a sizeable retinue, but many of her Ladies in Waiting were left at Atesh-Gah. It is also rumored that the Queen-Maharani will be spending some time at her country estate, Callisar's Eyrie.
Title: Free money! Empyrean merchants converse excitedly after their stall close for the evening about the odd occurances that left them with a few more coins in their pockets for doing nothing more than agreeing to read something and consider an offer. It seems that the Acesian Dea was wandering through the Rialto, stopping at Empyreans stalls to speak a while and then hand over a scroll as well as a few gold coins, "For their trouble." There were very few who refused the offer, making then the laughing stock of their fellow merchants. "Heck, I'm not turning down some money if all I have to do is read something," one man was heard to comment to his friend. "It's about time those nobles started sharing the wealth." Are you an Empyrean merchant or craftsman who has always dreamed of owning your own shop, or perhaps you've been eyeing a better stall in the busier section of the Rialto? Contact Selene if you'd like to set up a scene and learn more, and more importantly, how you can get your hands on some noble's money.
Title: Timely rescue Rumours fly wild and differ with every time words cross lips. A venomous slave tried to poison her evil mistress! The Varati wanted to rid themselves of that little lying bitch! A jealous Empyrean sought to teach Helena a lesson when she found her in a private pool with Cepheus Tritonides in quite a state of undress! An unbeliever tried to murder the Profet! The good and benevolent Helena brought home a stray puppy and as a result she nearly died when she turned out to be allergic! And more versions circulate. One thing most rumours agree on however. That Cepheus Tritonides, a good friend of the Domina and come to her chambers on a matter of the upcoming inventions competition, sought to save her from whatever happened. Helena has been heard saying it herself. The hero...
Title: Argument or Anticlimax? "It was that mongrel woman who started it!" "No, Rilla, it was the graisha, I tell you! Her and her screeching!" "Nita, you know very well it couldn't have been! Melei wouldn't hurt a fly!" "Well, Rilla, she'd hurt a mongrel, apparently. She bit Mairi's finger half off!" "Oh, it couldn't have been _that_ bad, Nita. That healer girl, Starsong, was there, and she would have done something if it was." "Her? She was fussing over Lady Jasmine's baby half the time! Didn't notice a thing." "Well, it was a good thing the Hounds noticed, that's all _I_ can say. Who knows what would have happened if they hadn't? With Melei and Mairi at each other's throats like that, and nobody but Starsong and Jasmine to try to break it up - and poor Jasmine with her baby to deal with as well..." "*sniff* Poor Jasmine? Poor Melei! Everyone says she was crying buckets after that mongrel woman shouted at her!" "And was that any reason to try to bite Mairi's finger off? Poor Mairi, _I_ say!" "Good day, ladies...what's all this?" "You haven't heard about the argument in the food stalls last night? Melei threw her drink at Mairi - " "She did not! She tripped!" " - and Mairi got angry and started yelling at Melei, and then _Melei_ got angry and bit Mairi - " "It wasn't that bad!" "It was _too_, Rilla, I don't care what you say! And then Starsong and Jasmine tried to break it up, and Jasmine fainted and Melei fainted and the Hounds had to come in!" "And so what happened? Did they get arrested?" "Um. Well. No. Not really." "Hmph. You see, Nita! I told you it wasn't anything!" "Hmph."
Title: Hero and Husband? Neighbors in the Palisade and Primoris area try to piece together just *what* happened last night after the Galleria Apelles closed: Muriel: Well, the burglars sure had been roughed up! It took some four Hounds to carry 'em out; they couldn't walk by themselves! Vina: Well, she did have Cepheus Tritonides in there with her. Lucky that. What did the thieves want, anyway? Melissa wouldn't tell me; just says she'd already sold the things that morning. Davos: Some of us followed 'em to the Bastion. Got conscious enough on the way to start arguing. Something about, they'd been casing the place for months. One of 'em, the mongrel, says "How was I supposed to know the b*tch was married to a Praetor?" The other one, the halfbreed, says "Idiot. He was probably lying, calling her his wife. Just defending her honor or something. She's just his favorite little piece." Muriel: The gallery guard was out of it for a while, but I chatted him up this morning on that. Says he's a new hire, and doesn't know anything about Melissa's...situation. I'm thinking he does, but knows his job's on the line as it is after last night.
Title: Oddities in the Rialto Perhaps the soft morning drizzle played tricks on the eyes of some in the Rialto in the early hours of the morning, but with so many re-telling the story, perhaps it is true? "I tell ya, That Acesian Dea was passing out more money to Empyrean merchants when out of nowhere this Varati man walked up to her and actaully spoke her name." "You were seein' things, Varati don't talk to Empyrean nobility." "I'm telling ya, she actually acknowledged him by name, Ashai was what she called him, and you know what he did? He knelt before her and kissed her foot, calling her a 'Master of her way' or some such silly nonsense." "You think they're friends?" "I dunno, she was pretty sharp-tongued with him, none too friendly, but then that's their way isn't it? Told him not to forget his promise and *then* dragged him into that alley over there. Couldn't see what happened, stupid guards blocked my view. But they parted a short time later and she flew off." "Silly purebloods."
Title: Changes in the wind? What is heard from the Atesh-Gah is often little, if any at all, in the way of information. But what seeps from the obsidian walls is this, courtesy of two shudras chatting in the Rialto: A newborn child, a son named Rutajit Jehan al-Ranjeet Khalida, resides in the rooms of Ranjeet Khalida, Foreign Minister, and his wife Shahar, Shakir of Khalida. Much gossip may be heard as to the child's origin - after all, the kshatri woman never looked pregnant, though with those saris it is difficult to tell - and rumor has it that the Amir-al himself, Khalid Atar, is responsible for the baby. Perhaps directly so. Furthermore, the shudra women let it be known, in their nattering on, that the woman called the Lioness of Khalida, she who stepped into a man's role in a man's society, has been removed as Pasha of Haven. Asked to step down, volunteered to step aside...it is not known which. But she is now Shakir of Khalida only, and mother to a newborn. But...was Shahar not known to be barren? Just how direct *was* Khalid's intervention? These things remain a mystery and fodder for future gossip, one may presume.
Title: High Class Indulgence Word spreads quickly among upper-class Empyrean society, and those who strive to be such. It seems that there is a new indulgence in town, and he's soon becoming a status symbol of the wealthy. The indulgence comes in the form of expert massage, and it seems to be all the rave of uppercrust women and men. But who's hands are to blame? The skilled young hearthrob Morgan, that's who. Empyrean nobility of all sorts seem simply aglow after partaking of the young man's skills. Though with his devilish good looks and the slightly scandalous nature of his wealthy clientele, people wonder as to just how far he relaxes those who seek out his services. He's become a bit of a forbidden pleasure among uppercrust Empyreal society, for who would want to be the last to taste of his delicate touch, and emerge from his services with that rosy glow of utter relaxation?
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