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Post by Diocles on Dec 7, 2020 3:20:06 GMT
Prince Shak-amen takes you by the hand and leads you to his quarters amidship to offer you a sugary lemon-drink refreshment. "I do not know this Khafra, but his name is Zenji. Is he here in Nirrion?"
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 7, 2020 3:23:54 GMT
I love the drink. Something so sour and sweet at once!
"Forgive me, Your Highness," I say. "Yes, he is Zenji. He was a schoolfellow of mine at Ravenwood, and I had thought that, upon your arrival, he would doubtless call on you. So I had assumed you would know. Forgive me."
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Post by Diocles on Dec 7, 2020 3:25:24 GMT
"What kind of magic does he practice?"
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 7, 2020 3:26:36 GMT
"Necromancy," I say, with a little shake of my head. "I confess I find it offputting, Your Highness, but no mage can choose his gifts. So lay his powers."
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Post by Diocles on Dec 7, 2020 3:30:07 GMT
Shak-amen nods. "The Skenje have long burned their dead, but recently some richer men of Nirrion have taken to building catacombs, having learned embalming techniques from us. Perhaps he is working there?"
How does a non-mage know so much about wizardry?"
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 7, 2020 3:32:40 GMT
"You are knowledgeable indeed, Your Highness," I say. "Are all the Zenji Princes so well-educated in magery? Or is it only ... you?"
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Post by Diocles on Dec 7, 2020 3:33:39 GMT
"Just me, and not so much education. Experience. My little sister is a graduate."
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 7, 2020 4:31:38 GMT
"Oh, what is her name, Your Highness?" I ask. "Did she graduate at any time in the past ten years? Perhaps I know her!"
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Post by Diocles on Dec 7, 2020 4:34:38 GMT
"She is my little sister, but I am old enough that she graduated some 15 years ago. Her name is Princess Anta." You have heard of her, since the number of graduates is always so small. She is a Summoner, and she loved nothing more than summoning devils into her circle and getting them to have their way with her. Quite dangerous, but she lived for the thrill.
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 7, 2020 4:36:42 GMT
"Ah, the Abjurations of Princess Anta are still spoken of with admiration at the Academy," I say. I do not specify, for it is hardly appropriate to speak of such things with her brother, especially since, for all I know he and she might be betrothed or mated.
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Post by Diocles on Dec 7, 2020 4:43:21 GMT
"I'm glad to hear she made an impression. So, about your friend?"
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 7, 2020 4:50:06 GMT
"Ah, Khafra of Ravenwood," I say. "He and I were not so close that I would call us friends. He was two years ahead of me, but it is the correct protocol for one graduate to call upon another, should they be in the same city. I had assumed that he would be coming to speak to you, Your Highness, for Khafra of Ravenwood always seemed an ambitious man, and Your Highness is the highest-ranked Zenji at the festival."
I know this because I know that the Helor House is related to the royal family, and that to outrank them would require an actual royal envoy, and I saw no such ship in the harbor.
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Post by Diocles on Dec 7, 2020 4:55:19 GMT
Shak-amen spreads his hands wide and smiles. "Well, I have just arrived, and it is festival time. Perhaps he will visit me soon. Will you stay here and wait to see? Or will you go to the catacombs?"
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 7, 2020 5:02:01 GMT
"Well," I say, with a smile. "I would love another glass of this delicious drink first! But I suppose will have to make my way to the catacombs before the day is out..."
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Post by Diocles on Dec 7, 2020 5:03:04 GMT
The prince entertains you, gives you drink, and listens to whatever you will tell him about Ravenwood. He is a gracious host.
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