House Elioth :: Elmora, Tarabon (Seanchan Open RP)

[Jagen Sedai]

Anyone can reply to this if they're around!

 

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Cura looked up as a shadow quickly passed over her, a shadow that covered the sun itself very briefly. Gray, leathery wings beat against the wind as a raken slowed and came to land in a grassy area marked off by a recently built fence. The morat'raken handed down a scroll to a man waiting nearby, who passed it off to a waiting officer. The officer glanced at it before turning and walking away. The watching woman only hesitated briefly before straightening from where she had been casually observing handlers with their corlm. The females were laying eggs this time of year, and so the handlers were all very busy tending them and keeping the corlm happy.

Cura straightened her black hair and smoothed out her dress. Her ankle-length dress being her uniform. It was dark blue with panels on the chest and down the sides of the skirt. On her shoulder was the embroidery of a flame, showing her to be a der'sul'dam. She was young for one, but it did not come easily, and the position was very new for her. However, the High Lady Retamin Elioth favored her.

 

It was to the high lady she needed to go now, but she knew an audience would be called soon. The morat'raken was expected back, though it came back a bit later than they expected. Nonetheless, it should have orders from Tanchico, and Cura needed to be there properly. She veered to a grand, large house where the High Lady was staying in this city of Elmora, yet moved around the grounds to a small building behind it, one that had been a barracks before. It still was, but not for soldiers; it was for sul'dam and damane. Cura barely stepped in when she encountered one of her charges. "Lurane," she called to the sul'dam, who came before her immediately.  "Fetch Mya and come with me. We will be going to the High Lady's hall."

"Of course, der'sul'dam," Lurane said, turning away. Cura liked her, because she gave her no trouble at all. While rank was important as anywhere, some of the older sul'dam did not care to be working under her. Yet Lurane was new, and years younger than she. Cura herself moved to the second floor and walked a few doors down, pushing open the door of another damane's room.

 

Suri stood quickly from her bed and knelt, hands folded at her waist. She had only recently stopped the habit of spreading her skirts, one of many behaviors that needed to be conditioned out of her. She was of the Empress' Empire now, may she live forever, Cura thought to herself. Suri's dark, pretty eyes on her neutral face went to Cura's feet, then back down to her own. Cura did not admonish this. "You will have standing duty today, Suri."

The damane dipped another bow. "Suri is honored." She did not say anything else. Cura grabbed the a'dam bracelet from the peg and the wall and snapped it on her left wrist, glancing around. Suri kept her room clean, now, and had Cura just been checking up on her, she would have given her a hard candy as a reward. She rewarded the damane sparingly, though. After all, one could not be too careful in spoiling a damane from this side of the ocean. A damane that called herself Aes Sedai.

Suri had been captured here, by Cura and another sul'dam, Shaula, who conducted most of Suri's personal training as her captor. Her capture had been almost five months ago, now. It had only been a few weeks ago that Suri had begun finally giving in, and that was with extra training from Cura herself, too.

 

The der'sul'dam lead her out of the kennel, meeting with Lurane and Mya, and together they went downstairs to the main floors. Here there were beautiful green tiles on the floors and colorful tapestries along white stone hallways. Cura liked looking at them in her own time, but not she had duty to concentrate on. She followed the hall down to another, which lead to an arched white door. Through this she entered the High Lady's audience chamber, and quickly knelt with Lurane, with Suri and Mya pressing their faces close to the floor. "High Lady," the sul'dam greeted.

 

High Lady Retamin Elioth sat with a commanding presence, her light brown hair shaved on both sides and falling in a crest to her waist. Wearing a pleated light dress with a silken green robe, her head shook slightly as she read the message from the courier, who was still kneeling a few paces away. Cura and Lurane rose smoothly and took their places by another sul'dam, Antila, who lead Kora, a native Seanchan damane. Also present was the young High Lord Leranse, who had just had his fourteenth naming day, and sat as regally as his mother as he sipped an offered glass from a kneeling da'covale. Next to him, and looking less regal and more nervous, was a fat Taraboner lord with a bowl-shaped, shaven haircut and thick dark mustache under a transparent veil. Lord Adran had sworn the oaths when the Ever Victorious Army showed up at Elmora's gate, and had consequently been raised to the Low Blood and allowed to stay in his house—now the high lady's house.

 

Cura's eyes moved to the woman standing just next to the high lady's plump chair. Meissa had only just become a full so'jhin herself, after the previous so'jhin, Itela, was sacked after the High Lady Sera Othela Elioth's death, and she now knelt in transparent da'covale robes along the wall. She had been blamed for failing to prevent Retamin's sister's recent death, and Meissa was the only one qualified to take her place, having been apprenticing under Itela. Now Meissa stood there proud, green eyes gleaming, her head shaved save for a golden-blonde braid going down the right side of her head.

There was one more person who arrived, General Neteus, an older man with heavy gray streaking his brown hair; he knelt and gave his proper greeting. Finally, the high lady gestured to her so'jhin.
"General Neteus, you are to resume your normal duties around Elmora, by order of High Lady Ruan," Meissa announced, speaking for her mistress. "The standby has been canceled until further notice."
"Yes, High Lady," was the general's only response.

It was a bit of a surprise, however. Everyone had been preparing to move forth toward the land called Amadicia, ready to take the other nation, but suddenly it was halted. Why? It is not your place to question the Blood, Cura dutifully reminded herself.  Especially of the High Lady Ruan. The Daughter of the Nine Moons, though she had not revealed herself as such to the public, not yet.
The general stayed long enough to give updates to the high lady, and then was dismissed.
 

Cura stayed until the High Lady Retamin left, dismissing the audience. She led the sul'dam out and to the clearing and garden where the damane were walked for their exercise and otherwise trained. She reminded them of their schedule and dismissed them, then turned to face Suri, whose eyes flickered down. Cura looked to where she had been looking, to a back gate that lead to the city beyond. "Come, Suri," she said with a smile. "We must make our rounds to the city gates. Suri would like that, wouldn't she?"

The damane did not verbally respond, but bowed low. Cura knew she could not lie—that had been a very curious and useful piece of knowledge to learn!—and so accepted the bow without reprimand. After all, one could not force a damane's feelings. Not immediately, anyway.

 

Edited February 13, 2018 by Jagen Sedai

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Caidin Tomagura entered the house with his head held he. He was da'covale, but as a Seeker of Truth, those of the blood wouldn't touch him. They had to obey him.  He was owned by the Empress, may she live forever, and harming him would not be good for anyone's health.  A few stopped him, but a quick show of the placard turned them aside. Caidin was short of stature, with dark hair tied in a short ponytail, dark skin, and dark tilted eyes. He wore all black and despite his height, could be intimidating.

 

As he entered the main area of the house, he noticed a Sul'dam with a damane. One thing he couldn't stand was those that could channel. He approached the Sul'dam and showed his placard, and then it quickly disappeared into his clothing. "Who's in charge here?" He asked.  He wanted to get straight to business.  It was important that his investigation get under way now.

[Jagen Sedai]

Cura closed a small door behind her, a new a'dam looped over her shoulder, Suri following on her own a'dam. She always took an extra to the gates, though the sul'dam stationed there already had a couple at hand, just in case. One of their first days here they had caught ten women before first supper! She relished at the thought of every marath'damane she could catch; how House Elioth would have many damane to call their own and to give more to the Empress, raising their status even more. It was mutually beneficial to Cura and the House, and in perfect service to the Empire.

 

She walked down the marble steps and through a hall, into the main reception area. There she saw a man she did not know, a few house guards watching him. "Who's in charge here?" he asked.

Cura blinked in surprise. "Surely you know this is the House Elioth, lead by High Lady Retamin Elioth?" She raised her eyebrows. "What is your station?" she asked, unable to discern anything of him--his head was not shaved at all, but moreso, he was alone. "Have you come to petition?" She was feeling wary, and she felt Suri's own wariness rise, too.

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Caidin sighed in frustration.  He didn't want to have to deal with this today.  Cain pulled out his placard identifying him as a Seeker and made sure the sul'dam saw it.

 

"My station should be clear to you," he said. "I'm a direct servant of the Empress, may she live forever."

 

He met the gaze of the sul'dam, and completely ignored the damage she held captive with a'dam.

 

"You will take me to the High Lady Retamin Elioth, and you will do so immediately."

[Jagen Sedai]

Cura's eyes widened at seeing the Seeker's symbol; the ivory plaque worked with a Raven and Tower. She did not even question his identity, for no one would pose as a Seeker. As if by instinct she flicked her wrist, tugging the a'dam so Suri would make her bow. Cura herself bowed deep. "My apologies, Seeker. In this land, we can never be too careful, with the foreigners who do not know our ways." She straightened and offered him a smile, though it was tight-lipped in her nervousness. Why a Seeker was here, she had no idea, but neither was it her place to ask or to know.

 

"Please, right this way. The High Lady is in audience with Lord Andran, and her son, High Lord Leranse. It is casual, of course, so there will be no problem or delay in announcing your arrival." She knew she had to be as cooperative as possible and would never have dreamed of being anything else. Cura worked for High Lady Retamin, but it was the Empress, May She Live Forever, who always received loyalty above all others. Anything less would be blasphemy. Serving her Seekers was a way to serve the Empress more directly than even through her High Lady!

 

Cura approached the open doors of the audience room and quickly knelt; Suri, who'd finally got used to when to perform certain actions, went face-down on the floor. The High Lady Retamin had gone, but High Lord Leranse was still in the room. Lord Ardan had removed that curious veil from his face, and Leranse was informing him of why he should shave the facial hair, too.

As appropriate, Cura stayed kneeling until Leranse addressed her. "Yes, der'sul'dam?"

"Forgiveness, High Lord, for disturbing you, but a Seeker requests the High Lady Retamin's presence." She could not delay this information.

Leranse stood up, in surprise, looking over the Seeker. "Ah, y-yes, of course, Seeker. Let me locate my mother immediately. Ardan! Come with me." The young High Lord would not trust Ardan by himself with a Seeker; nor would he leave him to try to request his mother to return to the audience chamber. He immediately moved off the dias as a short da'covale rushed forward and presented the Seeker with a tray to chose a drink, and light snack if he wished, her dark eyes never leaving the floor.

 

Cura wanted to make sure the Seeker was pleased with his visit, and she wanted to fill the quietness of the room. "These lands do bring forth many good things for the Empire and the Empress, May She Live Forever," she began pleasantly. "Such as this one," she gestured to the da'covale with the tray. "A Sea Folk; do you see her hand tattoos? She is quite the dancer. Would you care to see?"

******

 

OOC: Feel free to have the High Lady return in your post ^-^
 

Edited May 6, 2017 by Jagen Sedai

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Caidin followed as the der'sul'dam led him to a different room.  The frustration eased a bit.  It would be bows and scrapes from here on out, so he could get to the matter at hand quickly. There were two men in the room.  One the son of the High Lady, the other a native Lord.  The mustache on his face looked ridiculous, and Caidin could only agree with the Seanchan that it should be removed. Caidin didn't kneel as the der'sul'dam and the damane did.  He bowed to no one but the Empress, May She Live Forever.

 

The der'sul'dam quickly got to the point and excused the two to go get the High Lady.  The look of surprise on the Seanchan's face almost brought a smirk to Caidin's mouth.  Thankfully he took the local man too.  Caidin had no interest in dealing with the foreigners. A da'covale approached him with a tray.  Caidin waved took only a glass of water.  He didn't drink alcohol much, and he never did when he was on official business. 

 

The da'covale was well trained.  She didn't look at Caidin, whether that was because of fear or because she just knew better, he didn't know, but it meant she knew her place.  Most outside of the Seanchan Empire didn't know that much.  Caidin walked around the room, examining it with his dark eyes.  

 

The der'sul'dam sought to fill the silence.  Silence didn't bother the Seeker, but he knew most felt uncomfortable with it.  He turned to face the woman as she spoke, his face betraying no emotions. She gestured towards the da'covale who hadn't moved. 

 

Good, he thought. She wasn't dismissed so she didn't leave.

 

Of course, Caidin himself was da'covale.  All seekers were, but he had a different station.

 

"Stand," he told the Sea Folk woman. 

 

She obeyed, but kept her eyes down.  She was well trained indeed.  Caidin approached and picked up one of her hands, examining the tattoos.  They were well done, and Caidin found himself impressed with the artistry. Dropping her hand, he turned and took a seat.  His posture showed that he would be ready to rise at a moments notice.  Seekers could sometimes be paranoid.

 

"Dance," he said, curious as to what he would see.

 

****

 

OOC: I hope my modding of the Sea Folk didn't step on your toes at all.  I figured I'd let you write that part though.

[Jagen Sedai]

OOC: Not at all, she's just an NPC :D

 

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Cura's eyes went to the da'covale. "You do as you are told!" she snapped. The Sea Folk woman, who did not know who the Seeker was obviously, gave her tray to another, and swept to the center of the room. She began to dance, no music needed. It was sensual, watching her. Cura smiled, though inside she was nervous. Thoughts of the High Lady Retamin, of her late sister, and her former so'jhin crossed her mind... surely he couldn't be here about that?

The der'sul'dam took her place by the other sul'dam, with Suri silently kneeling beside her. "Antila," she instructed the other sul'dam, "take this a'dam and go with Kora to the gate. You must take our standing duty."
"Of course, der'sul'dam," she replied. Cura did not watch them go; instead, her attention focused on the doors that opened as they left.

 

Meissa walked in and moved aside, the High Lady Retamin following with her son and the local lord. Cura lowered her gaze as appropriate.

The da'covale had stopped dancing immediately, near slamming to the floor.

Meissa announced, "The High Lady Retamin of House Elioth hopes your journey went well, Seeker." The High Lady watched the man carefully as she sat in her appointed chair. Her son and the local lord sat to either side of her, where they faced the Seeker. Another servant approached with drinks as the so'jhin went on, "And we do so hope the Empress, May She Live Forever, is moving forward with the Ever Victorious Army."

 

Edited February 25, 2018 by Jagen Sedai

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Caidin watched as the damane chastised the da'covale for her lack of response.  The woman moved gracefully and sensually.  A hint of a smile touched the Seeker's lips.  She was beautiful and exotic.  Perhaps he would have more uses for the Sea Folk woman.

 

The dance was halted when the High Lady entered with her son and the local Lord. Caidin withheld a cringe from that.  He'd rather not have to deal with the local "Lord."  He did however, stand as the woman entered the hall and gave her a nod of respect as the so'jhin spoke.  

 

Caidin could feel the High Lady's eyes on him and he met her gaze.  He had no fear of her and likely she knew it.

 

"My journey went very well, High Lady," Caidin spoke, once again, giving a nod of his head. "And I thank you for your hospitable welcome."  Even though she would be a fool to refuse him, it would be better for him to have the High Lady on his side. "The entertainment has been...more than adequate." His eyes moved briefly to the Sea Folk woman, and then turned back to the High Lady.

 

"Duty, however, calls me here.  Are these...cleared?" Caidin worried little about the Seanchan, but he'd rather not have the local lord with his grotesque mustache in the room.

[Jagen Sedai]

It did not take more than a moment for High Lady Retamin Elioth to sign to Meissa. The so'jhin read a sign she rarely saw, but knew its meaning. "The High Lady wishes privacy. Clear out!" she announced. The da'covale immediately began to leave. Retamin's fingers moved more. "Not you, der'sul'dam," she told Cura. The black-haired woman stayed in place, eyeing her damane and whispering to her. Meissa paid them no mind.

 

"Leranse," Retamin addressed her son, "Take Lord Adran to the gardens," and after a brief pause added, "or perhaps to lunch." At that, the local lord gave a small chuckle, in a poor attempt to hide his relief.

"Ah yes, Lady Retamin, you know me well, thank you. I'm parched!" He stood up quickly. "Good day... ah.. .sir." He walked out ahead of the young Lord Leranse, who followed with tightened lips.

 

Now, it was only the High Lady Retamin, Meissa, and Cura who knelt with her damane along the wall. All three women watched him warily.

"Seeker, you may speak what you need to, now," the High Lady told him. Meissa shifted slightly to better balance herself. Perhaps the Seeker posed no threat, and indeed Meissa was sure she should not try to stop him if that was the case. After all, Seekers worked for the Empress, and they sought and brought justice for the Crystal Throne.

 

[WolfbrotherKronos]

The Seeker didn't smile as they left, but he waited until all had left the room completely before doing anything.   Caidin walked, centering himself in the room.  The women watched him warily.  Caidin never understood that.  He was a Seeker of Truth.  If they weren't guilty, there was nothing to fear from him. Caidin hiimself had no ulterior motive here.  He was her to perform his duties to the Empress, may she live forever.

 

As always he addressed the High Lady directly.  "High Lady Retamin," he said, with a bowed head. "You have my sincerest condolences on the loss of your sister and her so'jhin. The Empress, may she live forever, also expresses her condolences."

 

Caidin lifted his head and met the eyes of the High Lady. "Unfortunately, my visit may open more wounds.  The circumstances around her death are...questionable.  I am hear to investigate." Caiden showed sympathy on his face, where in reality, he didn't care whether or not his visit hurt her feelings.

 

"I trust that you'll do your best to aid my investigation.  After all, I seek nothing more than the truth and the justice that comes with it."

[Jagen Sedai]

The High Lady only gave a small upturning of her lips and a small inclination of her head in reply. Cura carefully moved her eyes from the Seeker to the High Lady and her so'jhin. To the sul'dam, the tension seemed to rise, though there was nothing to indicate it had. As it was, Retamin only announced, "Of course, Seeker. I will do whatever I need to do, as you work in the name of the Empress, May She Live Forever."

 

She wraggled her finger, and Meissa clapped her hands loudly. At the so'jhin's beckoning, a side door opened and a da'covale returned with a tray of snacks and more drink. "Would you like some kaf, Seeker?" Retamin asked. She leaned back slightly in her chair, running a hand over her shaved crest, seeming more relaxed than ever. Through the a'dam, Cura felt Suri's interest pique ever so slightly. The der'sul'dam did not bother to send any sort of feelings through the bond, though she would advise Suri--again--to pretend she never heard a thing in the High Lady's chambers.

 

"We shall also have to get you a room," High Lady Retamin went on. "Meissa, tell the da'covale to go find a room suitable for the Seeker." The so'jhin moved away from the dias and stuck her head out into the hallway. "In the meantime, of course, I can answer what questions you may have." As the high lady raised her hand, Meissa was right back at her side, handing her the kaf from the tray.

[WolfbrotherKronos]

The High Lady relaxed.  A strange thing to do given the circumstances. Of course, perhaps she had nothing to do with the killing, but she could also be plotting.  Seeker's often had a healthy amount of paranoia to go about.  It kept themselves safe.

 

"Water, please," Caidin said with regards to kaf.  He hated the stuff.

 

Caidin took a glass from the tray and sipped at it, pacing as he formulated some questions to ask.  He was worried about having a damane in the room, but then again, she wouldn't say a word if she was well trained.  If she did, Caidin would have harsh words with the der'sul'dam.  She was responsible for the damane.

 

"To start, High Lady," Caidin said, turning to face her. "I'd like to hear what happened, in your own words."

[WolfbrotherKronos]

(ooc: sorry about the delay - I started a summer job and have been busy - I'll respond asap))

(ooc: sorry about the delay - I started a summer job and have been busy - I'll respond asap))

[Jagen Sedai]

The High Lady sighed softly, almost regrettably. She sipped her kaf and then gestured behind her. "Meissa, my so'jhin, can tell you more, Seeker. I was not there directly, and so she would be better able to provide you details." The so'jhin had stiffened ever so slightly at the attention put on her. She lowered her gaze and kept it there, on her mistress's hands, waiting as proper for any signal.

 

"If you would like, Seeker," Retamin went on, "Why not take her to my gardens, where you can talk privately? No one goes there, of course, without permission, and so you will have a quiet area... or I can offer my receiving room?" Her oice instantly became harder as she turned slightly, "Meissa, assist the Seeker in any way."

 

Meissa's training kept her from pursing her lips, though her frustration was rising. Yet, Retamin had no choice but to put her on the spot, and Meissa had known this could happen one day. "Yes, High Lady." She moved quickly to the Seeker, her hands folded at her waist. "Where would you like to go, Seeker?"

 

(ooc: Sorry for the delay, too! RL and all that!)

 

Edited June 12, 2017 by Jagen Sedai

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Caidin frowned.  He didn't like working with underlings.  His own paranoia rose at the idea.  The High lady's logic, of course, was sound, but Caidin got the feeling she was hiding something.  The seeker sensed this situation wouldn't be resolved quickly.

 

Caidin's own training kept his thoughts to himself.  The so'jihn moved towards him and spoke with politeness.

 

The receiving room would be ideal.  It was enclosed, and therefore less likely to be eavesdropped, but Caidin's instincts said otherwise.  Yes, the gardens could contain spies or the ears of random interlopers, but the darkness itself could be intimidating if needed.  Caidin gave the so'jihn a light smile.

 

"The gardens," he said. "Please lead the way."

[Jagen Sedai]

Meissa bowed slightly and walked ahead of him, just so. Her walk was stately and formal, and she opened the door that lead to an outside walkway along the garden's edge. It was a large place with several winding paths and two small ponds. Birds chirped away, but nothing else was in the garden except the Seeker and so'jhin.

 

"It was regretful what happened," Meissa stated. "I was a soldier before, a guard of High Lady Retamin. I was also in training under Itela to become a so'jhin like her. She served High Lady Sera Othela." She walked up a path that lead to an arching bridge over one of the ponds; below, big, colorful fish swam in the clear water. "The High Lady Sera enjoyed taking rides in this newly conquered land. We headed south on the fateful day you have come to speak to us about. While it was a mostly peaceful journey, it would not remain so once we found a large farmhouse and stopped to speak to the local people. The High Lady Sera wanted to get to know them, you see, and ask if they have spoken their Oaths."

 

Meissa sighed softly. "I was ordered to stand guard outside with one of the sul'dam. High Lady Sera went inside with another, and Itela as well. The soldiers stayed outside; we thought she would be safe." Her head shook slightly. "It was a man, his grown son and wife, and their two young children. They invited the High Lady inside... then, we soon heard a commotion. I ran inside; I was the second-highest ranked soldier that day--it was the captain, myself, and those below us--as the General stayed with High Lady Retamin. High Lady Sera did not like too many people accompanying her on her rides, Seeker, so there was only a few of us."

 

"Somehow, the men of this farm tricked our soldiers. Once I got inside, High Lady Sera was on the floor. Itela looked dead, but she was only knocked out. Apparently the farmer and his son attacked, but they did not know what Cura and her damane were; they were not expecting channeling. We subdued them, and later killed them under High Lady Retamin's orders, to serve justice for her sister, High Lady Sera. The farmer's wife was also killed, and her children now serve High Lady Retamin."

 

There, Meissa fell silent, waiting on the Seeker's own words, ready to answer his questions.

 

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Caidin followed, listening as the so'jhin told her story. The story could have been the truth, or some version of it.  Random farmers attacking wasn't unheard of.  He stopped to contemplate the words.  "Indeed," he said. "Regretful."

 

Caidin moved into more silence.  His eyes closed in thought. She could be lying, but Caidin knew that paranoia had it's limits.  Seeing backstabbing everywhere was a great way to get nowhere.

 

"The sul'dam and damane with you  they were the two that I saw earlier?" he asked. "And these children - any signs of hostility or resistance from them?"

[Jagen Sedai]

Meissa paused along the stone railing, looking down into the garden. "The fight was sudden and bloody, Seeker. When we entered, the High Lady was on the ground. Those fool oathbreakers, those uncultured, ungrateful commoners dared to attack her. We attacked all who stood against us." She finally turned to look at him. "But as I said before, it was too late. The farmer had a weapon he used. Even the wife had a knife," she added in a regretful tone.

 

She continued their walk along the raised path. "As for the sul'dam, yes; der'sul'dam Cura was there. As for which damane, I do not remember; you'd have to ask her." It was not unusual to see damane as little more than useful furniture, so many Seanchan did not look at them; most did not want to, Meissa included. Sul'dam could be admired for handling them so well.

 

Meissa waited for the Seeker to continue. She did not wish to push him at all, or offer any more information than he asked for; she was hoping he would end the questioning and go back to High Lady Retamin.

 

Edited February 13, 2018 by Jagen Sedai