Difference between revisions of "Unti Family/Nerta/A3S2"

From BattleMaster Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
m
Line 767: Line 767:
 
"I believe you invited me to your fair city of Ossmat, am I and my companions not welcome in Keffa?" Emilia asked Yxevarii
 
"I believe you invited me to your fair city of Ossmat, am I and my companions not welcome in Keffa?" Emilia asked Yxevarii
 
|Title= Dame of Pel Mark
 
|Title= Dame of Pel Mark
 +
}}
 +
|-
 +
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
|{{Message2
 +
|Width=
 +
|Type=Roleplay
 +
|Sender=Gustav Kuriga
 +
|Recipients=Everyone in Keffa
 +
|Content=Gustav could feel a burning sensation in his missing arm. The one he had sacrificed all those years ago in service to the Daimons. The folly of it still made him wince inside, but that was buried by a new sensation. His left eye, seeing the world veiled in a crimson red, saw the glows of thousands of souls in the city. But drowning that was a pitch black aura that seemed to swallow up any light that drew near it. He knew that the Portal would be there, and marched towards it as quickly as he could. He ignored the various nobles and passersby, focused on one thing, the flaming hawk only he could see perched securely on his shoulder. Unless stopped by someone, he would arrive at the portal.
 +
|Title= Ambassador of Vordul Sanguinis
 +
}}
 +
|-
 +
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
|{{Message2
 +
|Width=
 +
|Type=Roleplay
 +
|Sender=Yao Ling Pryde
 +
|Recipients=Everyone in Keffa
 +
|Content=Yao Ling looked up at the pillar of light that radiated out of Keffa.
 +
 +
She remembered a time when something similar had radiated out of Creasur.
 +
 +
She remembered harnessing that power to kill Daimons.
 +
 +
But that had been a long time ago, and such things were not always... the same when they returned.
 +
 +
She wondered what this one would be as she followed a family of ducks orderly making their way through the market.
 +
|Title= Sophos of Nothoi
 +
}}
 +
|-
 +
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
|{{Message2
 +
|Width=
 +
|Type=Roleplay
 +
|Sender=Gustav Kuriga
 +
|Recipients=Everyone in Keffa
 +
|Content=Looking to the passers by and shielding his face, Godfrey followed Gustav towards the portal, inquiring into the magical manifest.
 +
|Title= Ambassador of Vordul Sanguinis
 +
}}
 +
|-
 +
 +
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
|{{Message2
 +
|Width=
 +
|Type=Roleplay
 +
|Sender=Yao Ling Pryde
 +
|Recipients=Everyone in Keffa
 +
|Content=The ducks led Yao Ling to a man she remembered.  Then the ducks broke off to make their way to a market stall with plenty of food set aside for them.
 +
 +
Yao Ling followed the man and matched his stride.
 +
 +
"Gustav, old friend," she said quietly enough that others would not hear them.  Or that he could choose to not hear if he wished to.  "It has been some time since we have seen each other.  How do you do?"
 +
|Title= Sophos of Nothoi
 
}}
 
}}
 
|-
 
|-

Revision as of 20:48, 27 September 2020

KeffaCity.jpg


Colour Hues

The sparking, shimmering, liquid-like lightbeam began to transition from a light blue into a bright yellow.

Staying yellow for about fifteen minutes, it then transformed into a vivid red.

And remaining this red for another fifteen minutes, it then began to development into an impenetrably-pure black. The mysteries of black lights would be debated for years to come.

Another fifteen minutes remaining in this pitch black state, the beam of light began evolving into a bold green.

This green also lingered for fifteen minutes. What colour was to come next? As all watched the beam, it began to shift into a bright yellow once more. Continuing to observe the light hues, it was firmly noted that it continued to cycle through these colours.

Lighting the Clouds

The column of light is transitioning in colours, fifteen minutes at a time, from bright yellow to vivid red to impenetrably-pure black to bold green, back to bright yellow, vivid red, impenetrably-pure black, bold green, bright yellow...

Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
The brightly painted merchant cart creaks and groans as the wagon rolls from the Zwering road to clatter atop that famous Keffan masonry and join with the throng of merchants, peddlers and pilgrims. The ruddy-faced merchant with greying hair she’d saved in Ossmat had claimed the ‘Den of Whores’ was a painted beauty, but all the cobbles did was set her teeth clattering.

The man seemed quite pleased to be back atop the rumbling ground calling back, “We’re almost there bayan! Can you not smell it? I will take you to the market and feed you the finest of foods from my city. She is a treat to all the senses.”

With a firm grip on the doorframe Nerta rises to peer about, her cloak snapping in the wind. The thick forest was slowly giving way to small cots and waystations. They pass bustling taverns, the party goers spilling out into the woodlands to drink and sing in defiance of the growing throng of carts weaving between like fish in the sea.

She’d seen a few cities now. Big messy things with too many people, too close and too loud. But she could certainly smell this land: the lingering mix of the forest, of flowers, of spice and of sweat. It was, almost, pleasant.

“You are not wrong on that, peddler, though if the rest of your city is as garishly painted as your cart, I might be served better to keep my eyes closed when I visit.”

The man roars with laughter “Oh you northerners! So harsh, so severe. The whores are painted for you, bayan, do not hide yourself bashfully! Embrace what you desire and it will bring you the strength to fight on despite the harshness of the world.”

A flick of the reins sees the cart lurch ahead with speed, rolling around another garish wagon marked out as a cloth merchant whose driver shouts and shakes a fist at the recklessness. Her guide in this strange land dismisses the man with a wave of his hand and continues, “You shall feast bayan! The scents, the food, and the men! Anything less and I would be shamed for not paying the debts I owe you.”

Swaying through the ride, Nerta smirks and pulls her cloak tighter, “I won’t say no to the first two but I doubt any Keffan men will be of interest, present company included.”

“Ohffff an old man like me? Perish the thought bayan! No you need someone young and vibrant. But fine, no men, women aplenty! We will find you another bayan in silk so smooth you might think it a dream. After a night together my debts will be paid and you will have a new appreciation for the finer things!”

The towering spires of Keffa climb into view as the cart swerves away from another, though this time the exchange of shouts seems more pleasant. Perhaps the pair are old friends? Either way it gives Nerta time to admire the great walls of Keffa, adorned with painted reliefs. The mosaic pattern seems a trait of these people, though where they get such vibrant blues is a mystery. Blue dye was always hard to find in the mountains but given these walls you’d think they had a well of it.

Passing through the oaken gates, the scent of the city blossoms around her as the merchant turns down a side road toward the bazaar. He only barely slows, leaving Nerta to watch a few pedestrians blur by as they linger against trees and sip rich-smelling drinks. It set the woman’s stomach to rumble but before she could comment they had stopped by a sparkling fountain.

The merchant moves quickly for such a large man, climbing from his seat to wave over a scamp of a boy and pass him a coin. Errand concluded, the man hitches up his belt and waddles over to gesture with a sweeping wave of his hand, “You will eat the finest meal of your life now bayan. Go there tell them Ekrem sent you and be delighted all evening. Then tomorrow we will leave for Firbalt and this Agyrian Academy you are so enamoured about.”

“You know if you fought half as well as you bargain, you’d not have needed me to save you in the first place.” Hopping down with a puff of dust, a rumble in her stomach interjects, “Food sounds good but we don’t need to leave right away if you have business to attend. This place is doesn’t seem so bad to linger for a bit. Though I’m sure there will be work enough.”

Laughing with delight he nods, “We might make a civilized woman of you yet bayan! We shall stay the week, but you are too young to stay out of trouble! Go and live a little in the Den of Whores!”

With a lopsided grin Nerta feels a chilly breeze pulling her gaze up above the cafe to the odd pillar of light dancing through the clouds. Though it was yet one more thing of beauty in a city of scents and colour, the warmth of the day seems to drain slowly the longer she inspects it.

Looks like trouble already found her.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Letter from Maurice
Message sent to Jacinda, Maximia, Moira, Nerta
Agyrian Foederati,

We must decide. Are we to begin the ritualistic work to welcome It to Ar Agyr or are we to kill the Others to stop them from completing the rituals before we have done so? We need at least Two Others alive to complete the rituals.

For Ar Agyr!
Maurice (Minstrel)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Nerta ignores the insistent chill of the Old Man trying to direct her to investigate the pillar of light and sits in the cafe with a warm mug of that spiced almond drink she’d spied along the road. Enjoying the nutty flavour on her tongue, her peace is disturbed by a letter carrying urchin. The same Ekrem had paid earlier.

Unrolling the scroll to allow the looming specter to look it over, she is surprised when the Old Man doesn’t try to use her illiteracy as leverage. Maybe they are starting to get along, or maybe the message is just useless.

Fishing out a coin for the urchin, Nerta pulls the silver back even as the boys eyes gleam, “If there are any more messages from this Maurice, get them to come here and talk to me. If you do, I’ll give you double.”

As the delicious aroma of spiced lamb crawls toward her table, Nerta’s stomach rumbles a new and she adds, “For that matter, if anyone is looking for me tell them to find me here.”

Let’s see who’d join her in the parlour.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Letter from Mulki Laraak
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Does an Adventurer's Guild exist on Belluaterra? If not, perhaps I can convince someone to create one for us!
Mulki Laraak (Commoner of Obia' Syela)
Letter from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
You mean the Agyrian Academy, Mulki? Because yes it does. You were there when we rebuild it....
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Letter from Varan
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
The Margrave of Firbalt established a branch of the Agyrian Academy recently. I believe it is the nearest branch.
Varan (Commoner of Obia'Syela)
Letter from Mulki Laraak
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Nerta! You've arrived! Welcome to Keffa, frand!
Mulki Laraak (Commoner of Obia' Syela)
Letter from Mulki Laraak
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Am Obian-born adventurer, we are allowed and respected. Its nice here, though Mulki only visit occasionally. Mulki would like to join Agyrian Academy properly though, am forgot to get membership last time I was there.

Does this academy plan to be continent-wide? We should bring it to Obia'syela and the Shattered Vales, too! Wonder if Nothoi would want to partimcipate too?

Be careful with Nova, though. Hear they are arresting adventurers and want to ban magick, and you can be arrested for being just suspected of having scrolls. Crazy.
Mulki Laraak (Commoner of Obia' Syela)
Letter from Elshon Geg
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
I have come following the words of Harbinger Esdalot in Peace and Hunger.
Elshon Geg (Count of Pomathim, Priest of the Order of Mordok)
Letter from Maurice
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Don't believe in Esdalot. He will lead you astray. Maurice knows the way!
Maurice (Minstrel)
Letter from Elshon Geg
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
And what are your fees for guidance Madam Maurice?
Elshon Geg (Count of Pomathim, Priest of the Order of Mordok)
Paid notices posted upon bulletinboards appear throughout Zwering and surrounding regions calling for adventuring commoners to follow Polli to Keffa.
Letter from Maurice
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Count Elshon Geg,

Loyalty to Ar Agyr.

For Ar Agyr!
Maurice (Adventurer)
The column of light is transitioning in colours, fifteen minutes at a time, from bright yellow to vivid red to impenetrably-pure black to bold green, back to bright yellow, vivid red, impenetrably-pure black, bold green, bright yellow...
Letter from Dolores
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Don't believe either of them.
Dolores (Adventurer)
Letter from Leyro
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Then what do we believe
Leyro (Commoner of Thalmarkin)
Letter from Skade
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
They should fight to the death, we will believe the winner.
Skade (Commoner of Irondale)
Letter from Kristina Chamberlain
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
We are all called here, it would seem, to bear witness. What we see with our eyes in the coming days will tell us far more of what is true and what is not than anything we are led to believe by the words of others.
Kristina Chamberlain (Baroness of Zwering, Priestess of Heralds of Obeah)
Letter from Jacinda the Driven
Message sent to Maximia, Moira, Nerta
Nerta, What do you make of this Maurice? And I don't know what this "It" is, but anything from outside this world...Sounds like the kind of thing we're trying to stop, isn't it?
Jacinda the Driven (Commoner of Ar Agyr)
Letter from Dolores
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Leyro,

You believe me, of course.

For Shattered Vales,
Dolores (Adventurer)
Letter from Maurice
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Leyro,

You believe me, of course.

For Ar Agyr!
Maurice (Minstrel)
Letter from Varan
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
What is this nonsense?

This is the revered home of Obia’Syela, and the events that are occurring are only through the efforts of OS.

I do not believe any of these foreigners and their espousing of “For so-and-so!”...

For Obia’Syela!
Varan (Commoner of Obia'Syela)
Letter from Kristina Chamberlain
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Good Varan,

These lands are but the garden of Obeah, there are many rooms in her house and many who would serve in those rooms.

For Obeah
Kristina Chamberlain (Baroness of Zwering, Priestess of Heralds of Obeah)
Letter from Leyro
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Maurice, Dolores, I don't know yall well enough to believe you. Though I do know these monsters keep kicking my butt cause I'm so new to this land. And now weird stuff is going on.
Leyro (Commoner of Thalmarkin)
Roleplay from Mulki Laraak
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
"Wait... Is yellow to red to black, then to green, yellow, red, black, green, yello-

Mulki has idea! What if colors mean something else... A place?

Do any of the various color sequences correspond to the flag of any realm, dead or living?"
Mulki Laraak (Commoner of Obia'Syela)
Magic in the Air

The ravens fly and the sky is changed. Someone has cast a magic spell in the vicinity.

Wild Affair

With so many in Keffa from across the continent, and with most of the various travellers having arrived, Keffa had become both a zoo and cosmopolitan city seemingly overnight, with every manner of animal and human alike populating the city, having either felt the pull themselves or followed a traveller. Domestic beasts of burden and leisure, wild beasts, from all quarters, climates, and habitats populated the city just as much as humanity from all walks of life, class, trade, and origin.

Each hour was now marked by the 15-minute increments of bright yellow, vivid red, impenetrably-pure black, and bold green coloured hues casting their shifting lights over the city, day and night.

Letter from Luto
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Leyro,

They lie to you.

For Nothoi,
Luto (Adventurer)
Letter from Luto
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Varan,

It is not only through the efforts of Obia'Syela that anything is happening here. Nothoi has done much throughout Beluaterra's history and has every right to be here just as much as Obia'Syela.

For Nothoi,
Luto (Adventurer)
Letter from Saoirse MacArbin
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Luto, I have no quarrel with any being here in Keffa at this time, so long as they respect that this is, foremost, a rite of the Heralds of Obeah.
Saoirse MacArbin (Grandmistress of Obia'Syela, Duchess of Amen Obeah)
Letter from Polli
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Baroness Kristina Chamberlain,

A garden, you say? That seems a fine place to milk my snakes. My travels have impeded the regularly-scheduled milkings. Where may I find this garden?

For Vordul Sanguinis,
Polli (Adventurer)
Letter from Maurice
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Leyro,

What's weird?

For Ar Agyr!
Maurice (Minstrel)
Letter from Polli
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
For Vordul Sanguinis, for the Eternal Emperor Xlair Silverblade, and for Blood Eternal!
Polli (Adventurer)
Roleplay Event

Playing the trumpet in a classic Vordulist tune as she approached the column of light, Polli stopped outside Obeah's temple where the stones lay inside and from which the light emanated.

At a short distance from the temple walls, in an open square, she concluded her trumpet playing and began to incant and draw symbols upon the ground with chalk.

Letter from Aelanta Peregrine
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Greetings to all the good people of Obiya'Syela and pilgrims from all over the continent. I have arrived to witness a historic event I have heard various rumours about. Hopefully someone can explain what is actually happening.
Aelanta Peregrine (Dame of Firbalt)
Letter from Leyro
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Maurice, Why has so many gathered, what is going on with this city, magic flows yo freely. Something is coming but what.
Leyro (Commoner of Thalmarkin)
Letter from Dolores
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Leyro,

I don't feel any magic here.

For Shattered Vales,
Dolores (Adventurer)
Letter from Dolores
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Dolores, And don't see any beer in my mug, none the less something is up. I just hope its nothing to terrible
Dolores (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Maurice
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
When after paying for the delivery of another letter, the urchin insists to Maurice that Nerta wishes to talk in person rather than via epistle, he relents and heads towards the parlour she is inhabiting. Approaching the cafe instructed, he enters, seeking out a recognizable badge to identify Nerta.
Maurice (Minstrel)
Letter from Maurice
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Leyro,

They must feel the pull. Do you not? As to the magic, perhaps its the song in the air. What's coming is It.

For Ar Agyr!
Maurice (Minstrel)
Letter from Bernard
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Bernard is heard somewhere in Keffa shouting, "Keep the snakes out of the garden! Snakes don't belong in gardens!"
Bernard (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Saoirse MacArbin
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Saoirse's lancers had been patrolling the immediate environs of the temple for most of each day, looking for subtle signs of trouble, assassins, infiltrators, and the like.

They had not expected someone to march up playing a trumpet and begin doing some ritual. But, as that definitely fit what their Lady had been worrying about, Captain Alberic shook his head and led them toward whomever this was. He recognized the tune, though, and his teeth grit at hearing Vordulian music in Keffa again. The last time he had heard those trumpets...

"By order of the Grandmistress, and in the name of the Veiled Goddess, stand back from the temple and cease whatever ritual you are conducting."

His voice, used to calling commands over the din of a battlefield, rang out across the square, and the Lancers Radiant had hands on the sabers they used for close work. They were still sheathed, but it was clear that could change in a moment, and their horses kept advancing, clearly ready to run down this person if they did not move.
Saoirse MacArbin (Grandmistress of Obia'Syela, Duchess of Amen Obeah)
Roleplay from Saoirse MacArbin
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
As the lancers began to close in on Polli, Shadow's Blight, a regiment of trained archers under command of Lady Emilia spread out, encircling Polli protectively. "Make Way!" Shouted captain Brictilda.
Saoirse MacArbin (Dame of Pel Mark)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Jacinda grinned as she made her way in to the cafe. Two scrolls, and an item all repaired, she should be able to get some serious coin in short order. This city had been good, as long as she could make it out again at the end of it.

"Nerta! Should have some more resources for the Academy soon enough."

She flagged down a server to pay better attention by the simple expedient of flashing a handful of silvers rather than the usual coppers, and ordered drinks and double-helping of the lamb.

"This city is a madhouse, my friend, but that's working for me right now. How's the Old Man feeling about it all?"
Jacinda the Driven (Commoner of Ar Agyr)
Roleplay from Dolores
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Dolores, along with small groups of Vales humanity, were looking for gardens throughout Keffa and taking cuttings of flowers, digging up roots and bulbs, harvesting vegetables, fruits, and nuts, digging up bushes, and felling the rare tree. These they added to the wagonloads of various flora they had collected from their trek originating in Drinilla.
Dolores (Commoner of Ar Agyr)
Letter from Viviane
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Polli,

May I have some of your snakes to breed?

For Obia'Syela,
Viviane (Adventurer)
Letter from Bernard
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
For Irondale! For Daishi! For Mankind!
Bernard (Adventurer)
Letter from Dolores
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Herbert,

Stones are good.

For Shattered Vales,
Dolores (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Maurice
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Hearing Nerta's name called out in the cafe from someone who had entered behind him, Maurice watched a moment before approaching just as mention of an old man was made. "Pardon me, I am looking for a Nerta, Foederati of Ar Agyr?"
Maurice (Minstrel)
Roleplay from Kristina Chamberlain
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
She had spent hours in mesmeric silence watching the pillar pulse through its light array. The noise from within of the strands of the various castings was at times cacophonous as serrated strands even yet tried to unravel from the primal fire of the pilar. Prime magic was the magic of creation, the most basic form from which all things could be built, or indeed be destroyed... over these past days she journeyed between panic and calm, trusting the Goddess to see and be what men and women could not.... to craft intent into purpose. More than once she had had to resist the urge to step into the pillar, though at times the pull was almost overwhelming...
Kristina Chamberlain (Baroness of Zwering, Priestess of Heralds of Obeah)
Roleplay from Yxevarii Auru'in
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
A shadow swept across the square; its silhouette framed by Pillar's Light.

Absent a writ, a spark was lit; and a piper was in for a hell of a fright.

A trip to the dungeon? A hell of a night. Goddess-demanding, a hell of a fight!

---

A shadow approached opposite the Lancers Radiant, sauntering casual and silent. All eyes lay upon captain Alberic and the offending Polli.

Coming in at an angle, and from all sides, none saw nor expected the storm to come - as other shadows coalesced upon the square in turn.

Echoing Captain Alberic's proclamation, the first shadow intoned - as each apparition dropped its cloak to become Human once more.

From bows to daggers, bolas and kusarigama, each shadow held its ground. None would pass without running a deadly gauntlet.

Behind sight of a crossbow aimed squarely at Polli's head, Grand Inquisitor Yxevarii glanced at Polli's chalkwork with interest.

"By order of the Holy Inquisition of Obya'siela, cease or be ceased."
Yxevarii Auru'in (Grand Inquisitor of Obia'Syela)
Roleplay from Emilia Delamoire
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Twenty soldiers of Shadow's Blight edge their way in a defensive square around Polli, standing in the face of the crossbow without hesitation.

"I see we meet again Lady Yxevarii," began Lady Emilia as she approached the priestess, "I request that you have this Captain lower his weapons. We've come in peacefully enough, as have all the others gathered here."

The 5'5" woman stood with her arms crossed over her chest, the platinum blonde hair resting over her shoulders nearly as the people around her stood much taller than she.

"I believe you invited me to your fair city of Ossmat, am I and my companions not welcome in Keffa?" Emilia asked Yxevarii
Emilia Delamoire (Dame of Pel Mark)
Roleplay from Gustav Kuriga
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Gustav could feel a burning sensation in his missing arm. The one he had sacrificed all those years ago in service to the Daimons. The folly of it still made him wince inside, but that was buried by a new sensation. His left eye, seeing the world veiled in a crimson red, saw the glows of thousands of souls in the city. But drowning that was a pitch black aura that seemed to swallow up any light that drew near it. He knew that the Portal would be there, and marched towards it as quickly as he could. He ignored the various nobles and passersby, focused on one thing, the flaming hawk only he could see perched securely on his shoulder. Unless stopped by someone, he would arrive at the portal.
Gustav Kuriga (Ambassador of Vordul Sanguinis)
Roleplay from Yao Ling Pryde
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Yao Ling looked up at the pillar of light that radiated out of Keffa.

She remembered a time when something similar had radiated out of Creasur.

She remembered harnessing that power to kill Daimons.

But that had been a long time ago, and such things were not always... the same when they returned.

She wondered what this one would be as she followed a family of ducks orderly making their way through the market.
Yao Ling Pryde (Sophos of Nothoi)
Roleplay from Gustav Kuriga
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Looking to the passers by and shielding his face, Godfrey followed Gustav towards the portal, inquiring into the magical manifest.
Gustav Kuriga (Ambassador of Vordul Sanguinis)
Roleplay from Yao Ling Pryde
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
The ducks led Yao Ling to a man she remembered. Then the ducks broke off to make their way to a market stall with plenty of food set aside for them.

Yao Ling followed the man and matched his stride.

"Gustav, old friend," she said quietly enough that others would not hear them. Or that he could choose to not hear if he wished to. "It has been some time since we have seen each other. How do you do?"
Yao Ling Pryde (Sophos of Nothoi)