Niklos supposed that it was time to begin the Game of Houses in earnest. He had given his word, and that meant finding allies…or at least finding those who would not oppose the current play for politics. And where better to start than the Hall of Games? People’s tongues were surprisingly loose when they sat around a card table or throwing dice. And if you added alcohol to the mix, well, more the better. So Niklos found himself in the Palace, and he wandered through the Hall, his eyes examining the tables. He nodded to those he recognized, sometimes stopping to exchange a word or two or a greeting with the few Shahrizai cousins he spotted. He was certain he would receive information from them at some point. This was a concerted effort, and the younger cousins had been on his side for some time. He spotted a table that appeared to be just settling down and made his way toward it, shooting glares at a couple of young nobles who looked to be angling towards one of the last empty chairs.
A noble lady gestured to him to sit in the empty chair next to her, a smile on her face.
“Good evening my lord,” she said politely then offered her hand and said, “Corrian de Borlean.”
Niklos smiled faintly. He had heard stories about Corrian de Borlean, a young woman of a relatively minor house who had come to The City to play the game of courting. He was surprised she had welcomed him so warmly, but then perhaps she either didn’t realize who she had welcomed and he smirked, taking her hand and kissing the back of it lightly. “A pleasure, my Lady de Borlean…Niklos Shahrizai. I am looking forward to an interesting game tonight, aren’t you?”
Correan coughed and pulled her hand back almost too quickly. Shahrizai! Oh no, she had heard rumors about them. Why, any child in the nation grew up hearing the tale of how Melisande Shahrizai had betrayed the nation to the Skaldi and started a war. And the rumor was that the whole family was quite clannish and would support each other no matter the crime.
Niklos barely reacted as Corrian jerked her hand away. She could have had a worse reaction, he supposed. She hadn’t fled in haste or slapped him. At least he had something there. He motioned to one of the servers wandering the hall and had the man bring a bottle of wine and two glasses, offering one to Corrian. He sipped at his glass as the game progressed, attempting to engage Corrian in conversation, but she was practically mute, and she hurried away from the table as soon as was prudent. Well, that would be an interesting game to play. He continued for a half hour or so, winning just enough to make it a worthwhile evening. He hadn’t heard much in the way of rumors, aside from some derisive comments about a Night Court adept on the throne, but those might soon change as well.
As he wandered away from the table, the wine having been left, he pondered. Corrian was attractive and might just be to the King’s preference. He would have to learn more about her. Perhaps there was potential there after all. And her reaction was nowhere near the worst he had received at points.
~
The invitation from the lord d’Essoms was surprising to say the least. He was a mid level lord whom she had been indirectly acquainted with for some years, but she still never expected to be invited to a private fete at his palace apartments. Nonetheless, Corrian chose to attend in style. If she hoped to someday be Queen, she would have to get used to politicking.
It was a warm fall evening, and the lord d’Essems apartments had a lovely veranda where he chose to entertain his guests. Corrian was beginning to regret the gown of bronze velvet she had chosen to wear.
The party was intimate, only a dozen or so people in attendance. The meal of roasted pheasant and autumn vegetables had been most delicious, and everyone was sitting about the veranda enjoying sherry.
Corrian had been taking pains to avoid a certain Lord Shahrizai all evening. For his part, he had been making his presence felt while not forcing himself into her path, quite the courtier’s skill.
Nik had been…amused…when he received the invitation for a dinner at d’Essoms’ palace quarters. It wasn’t that he was displeased with the request, but he thought d’Essoms was still a creature of the L’Envers, and there was enough there. He had accepted after a delay of a day, still well within a proper time, but sending a signal to d’Essoms as well. Upon his arrival, he was surprised that Lady de Borlean was also a guest of the event. He spent a good portion of the event eavesdropping on conversations and allowing himself to be drawn into certain ones where he could discuss the goings on in court and the current status of the King. He didn’t dance attendance on the man, a privilege of his family’s position, but he had met the King more than once and was quietly impressed by the fact that it appeared the King knew what he needed to look for in a partner.
As evening deepened into night the view from d’Essom’s balcony became less interesting, though the balcony remained well-lit and a number of courtiers remained out there. Niklos was passing some pleasant words with the d’Essom Lord when a gasp rose from the crowd on the balcony.
The servants were refilling half empty glasses when an owl hooted in the trees. The guests exclaimed in delight, but the newest servant who hailed from the provinces was startled. He jumped and spun, trying to make his way back inside. He never saw Corrian until the pitcher was on the floor and a stain of deep purple was spreading down the front of her gown.
Niklos moved toward Corrian with alacrity, having broken off mid-sentence with d’Essoms, pulling his cape from around his shoulders and offering it to the noblewoman with a smile. “You might avail yourself of this, my Lady, at least for the time being.” His eyes caught a surprised look on d’Essom’s face before it faded into patient curiosity.
“My gown!” Corrian said in a soft voice, both upset but trying to not make a scene.
“It does look like it might be ruined, and it’s a pity, as the color was so fetching on you. Still, perhaps, aside from my cape, I might be able to provide some assistance?” He smiled lightly, gesturing her away from the balcony door and the prying eyes of nobles who were all too interested in her reaction to such an error.
“How could you help?” She asked, more rudely than she intended.
He chuckled. “You apparently don’t know the Shahrizai too well, for all you’ve certainly heard of our exploits. First, we need to get you something to drink. Something that might relax you. Do you have a preference? I’m certain the Lord d’Essoms has an appropriate variety of beverages to be enjoyed. And then…well then we send for your maid and something you can change into. And if you don’t have something suitable, I’m certain there is something in the Shahrizai apartments that you could fit into. A number of my cousins leave all manner of effects here at the palace. If necessary, I’ll send you to the Shahrizai apartments with my valet for you to choose something.”
She looked at him with surprise, “Why would you do that for me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” He responded with mock shock. “You have a need, and I’m fairly certain the Lord d’Essoms doesn’t have the capability to replace your gown immediately. I don’t have that capability either, I don’t have an Eglantine adept on call. But at least I can manage to figure out a solution for the evening.”
While they awaited the arrival of a new gown and maid, the two of them began to talk. Corrian learned that the Lord Sharizai was a lover of literature, which surprised her for some reason. And she learned that he frequented the Night Court not only for its pleasures but because he was good friends with several Dowaynes and adepts. By the time the two returned to the party for the kottabos, they had planned a trip to Bryony House the next week.