The day the group sets out from the town of Smallshire, following along the great road on horses or riding in a rugged but comfortable carriage, is as beautiful a day as one could ever wish to be in the Northlands. The sun shines down on the party - occasionally dappled by the leaves of birches, firs and pines, and the air is crisp and cool. Deer, rabbits and the occasional fox can be seen in the grasses of the woods, and the hawks cry in the branches overhead, as the column of Crovane axemen and women, and the travelers make their way toward the outpost of Dourglenn, where Lady Nerva Crackneck has agreed to meet with Emberly and her allies.

Emberly arrives in a small carriage she has offered to share her ride with any who needed. The small woman, looked a little nervous as she donned on some clothes and eventually she and whomever choose to rode with her reach the place they were supposed to meet with Lady Nerva, "do any of you have skills in trade negoiations?" she wonders if they have done this before.

Kritr often travels the Northlands on foot, but it being summer, he has his horse Keg, and a donkey as well. The donkey is laden down with common pelts from the Clearlake region. He is responding on behalf of House Clearlake to a message that Emberly sent out. He is eager to show that he is more than just a shaman or a warrior, but he hides those feelings as best he can behind a wild beard, thick furs and facial tattoos that have occasionally mistaken him for a shav instead of a prodigal. He has been trailing along in the wake of the carriage, but occasionally passes close enough to be addressed from one of the carriage windows. He is quiet at Emberly's question, shaking his head.

Princess Graziella has goals...

many of her goals entail fashion and the procurement of rare fur pelts and exotic leathers. The main reason for her to join this travelling party is to establish trade connections and perhaps eventually find a wool that can be spun into fabric softer than clouds. Cashmere. She doesn't know its name yet but she already has visions of something soft as silk but warm as wool... so she finds herself in the Northlands.

She is riding sidesaddle on a large black courser and wearing an intense gown made of steelsilk and lace, her slippered feet more suited to city walking that a northern trek. Her horse clops along at a slow deliberate pace and the Princess keeps her severe posture even in the saddle, thanks in large part to her corset and decorative dress pauldrons. Her large baby blues slide over the scene and she retains an aloof but polite plastic expression. Glancing aside to the question from Emberly, Graziella offers, "Some, I have done diplomatic work in the Saffron Chain for my family. I was part of the group who helped secure Hissah."

Zoey turns her head from the window where she has been watching the scenery roll by and gives Emberly a smile. "It is what I am best known for," she says. "Aside from a certain bottle trick Lord Ryder and I do."

Mikani looks curiously at Zoey. She is riding the largest horse anyone has seen. "A bottle trick?" She laughs as her curiosity over comes her. She is in her usual black on black. A combination of Thraxian and Northlands fashion. "I have some skill in negotiations and I hope to lend weight as Minister of Income."

Emberly smiles to Kritr and then her eyes move over to Mikani then oover to Zoey, a smile sent her way. "That is great, I am glad you could join us today." she also looks curious though she dose not ask about the trick, "I also know a bit in negotiations so I am sure, this will be intresting." she says as she takes a breath of the cooler air "its so nice here, look there is even snow." she says sounding surprised.

As the party travels, the sun climbs to his apex, and decends behind the trees, leaving a cool twilight, and a sky of twinkling stars. Some of the Crovane soldiers tried their hand a hunting game, and some of those proved sucessful enough to have a spirit of general excitement as the group approaches the wooden gate of the Dourglenn outpost.

"Halt!" comes a loud voice from the wall in the darkening gloam. "Who goes there!" The Crovane soldiers glance at each other, fairly annoyed by the question considering their livery. From a side door near the main gate, a pair of Crovane folk-at-arms come before the carriage and any near it, covered from above by archers.

"I said who goes there!" comes the gruff voice of a swollen redhead man, wearing a leather horned helmet and braided beard, who goes by the name Holgor. The armored woman standing beside him frowns and looks embarrassed, and seems content to let him bluster. For now.

Kritr reins his horse to a stop and shouts back. "Do you not recognize the crest of House CROVANE? Get your eyes out your ass man." Kritr should probably not be allowed to speak in diplomatic circumstances.

"Oh, Mika, you remember!" Zoey mimes tossing something in the air and then shooting it with an arrow and grins at her friend. "The crowd at the Spirits loves it." When she hears raised voices outside she glances out the window again. "I think you may have you first opportunity for diplomacy here, Lady Emberly."

Kritr's words cause the woman, the true captain of Dourglenn whose name is Eelia to burst out in laughter. Holgor seems taken aback. "Eh - there... there are bandits who might be posing as Crovane, gods damn it!" the man roars back at Kritr.

Graziella pulls her reigns to the side and stalls her horse near the gathering but just far enough away to be more of an observer, watching Lady Emberly and rolling her eyes at the snark from Kritr. She has a jaded listless expression on her face as she waits for things to play out and continues to hold her tongue until required to speak.

Kritr checks strength and intimidation at normal. Kritr is successful.

Mikani sits and waits for Emberly to prove her salt.

Kritr dismounts his horse, leaving his axe strapped to it's side. He one-arms the load of furs off his donkey and hoisting it above his head he throws it in the mud before the gate. "You will moderate your tone before Lords and Ladies of the Realm, or your liege will lay your tongue before me! We come bearing gifts and are met with this jackanapes?!" His voice is perfectly suited for roaring, and making first impressions, just not usually good ones.

Emberly looks over to Kritr before she can say much she slips out of her carriage and she touches Kritrs shoulder, "easy there, "we are not bandits we travel with Princess Grazilla, we are on our way to meet with a Lady Nerva Crackneck, please allow us to pass." she calls out to the others nearby. "Perhaps one of you knows who I speak of?"

Emberly checks charm and diplomacy at easy. Emberly is successful.

Holgor is not used to encountering lords of Kritr's size or spirit. "O-of course, M-m'lord," he manages, clearing his throat, and running a hand through his beard. When Emberly speaks, Eelia's eyes pass to Graziella and those in the carriage. She steps forward with a military bow. "Welcome to Dourglenn," she says in the tone of a professional solider, and with a signal, there is the sound of wood grating on earth and grass, and the great gates of the outpost are pulled open.

Holgor scowls.

Princess Graziella makes sure she is seen, she doesn't want to be known as one of those nobles who hides in carriages or covers her face, sitting tall in her saddle she lofts a slender hand and offers a wave accompanied by a vacant sort of smile. She look tired but on a spiritual level, more than travel weary there is a hungry glint to her hollow smiles as she intones, "Charmed, delighted, most welcome." Still sitting side saddle she offers the guards a polite inclination of her head as she clops past... her eyes never making eye contact with them.

Once Emberly returns to the carriage so that they can continue rolling along, Zoey grins to her and says, "You and Lord Clearlake pull off the hard and soft approach effectively." If she can catch Kritr's eye she gives him a little wave as well.

Mikani rides into Dourglenn. She smiles at Holger and Eelia nodding to them both. Mikani laughs quietly at Zoey's comment as she hears it. "Aye. Though we may want to play that game sparingly."

Emberly laughs a bit as she looks over to Zoey "well I suppose there is more than one way to sway someone, though he doubles my size." she laughs deeply and softly as she rides along. "I did not pack for the snow however. Would you mind if I laid one of those furs across my lap Lord clearlake?" she calls as they travel on

Kritr is the last to go through the gate. He nods to the watch commander as he stoops to collect the bundle of furs he brought. "Good to let the noisy one catch the first arrow if we were bandits." He comments, casting another glare at Holgor before following along. He might be a Lord now, but six years ago there was nothing to distinguish him from one of these men at the gate. Getting his horse and donkey in order, he mounts and catches up to the carriage. When he is addressed he shakes his head, but then doffs his cape holding it out for Emberly. "It's barely a chill to me." He boasts.

Holgor snorts at Kritr, as the column and the carriage pass through the gates. The outpost is not large, but there are buildings for barracks, a smithy, tanning station, with a number of hides stretched to dry, and some wooden sheds set aside for storing provisions. In the outpost's center, however, there is a large hall built in the Crovane fashion, and on the steps a rather corpulent fellow with dark hair sits on the steps, chuckling merrily with a number of survivalist and trappers.

The fellow, whose name is Fedichi Guzman, raises and eyebrow and utters a quiet word to a trapper beside him. He rises to his feet with considerable effort, and breathes out, before shouting in a Lycene accented voice, "Ey! Holgor, I told you to send word before you let them in, you fool! Half pay for this month!"

Eelia, who has also entered, waits for Mikani to dismount before speaking to her and Emberly. We have made accomdations for you to refresh yourselves before dinner. Men may bathe in the barracks and women in the east end of the hall. Lady Nerva will meet you for dinner in the hall in a short while."

"And clean yourself up," says Holgor to Kritr. He spits on the ground, but cannot bring himself to make eye contact.

"We appreciate the chance to refresh ourselves before the meeting. Thank you," Zoey says with a nod and a smile as she takes in the place around them.

Emberly nods her head to Elia as she is greeted, she snorts a little as she looks to Holgor "please do not talk to him like that, he has done nothing to you to deserve such hostility." says the charming small woman. She looks over to Kritr then back "we dont want him mad yah?"

Princess Graziella dismounts and hands her horse off to someone before saying her thanks to Eelia with a somber smile on her face, "Greatly appreciated." She collects a single bag from her saddle and heads off down the hall to freshen up for the meeting without waiting for anyone else.

The Princess shoots a shrewd side eye at Fedichi but she doesn't say anything, letting her gaze linger a moment longer than polite as she walks past him on her way down the hall. In response to the comment of, 'We don't want him mad' the Princess can be heard quietly cackling in the distance.

"If there is a half decent bath here, I will take advantage of it!" Kritr beams, he loves a good bath. But first he has to see to his horse and donkey. The stables, or wherever they put their horses, the furs, a season's worth of work for a good trapper, he carries with him into the barracks to refresh himself. "Phew! I DO stink! I smell like horse!"

Holgor frowns, but has no response to Emberly, and seems more annoyed, if anything by the glee of the Pravosi Princess and the carless nature of the Clearlake lord.

Fedichi's dark eyes narrow, and trail after Graziella as she passes. He offers a few coins to two of the trappers by his side, who accept them with some excitement, as he turns to take some heavy steps up the short flight of stairs leading into the hall.

"You are most welcome," says Eelia to Zoey, as the Crovane soldiers begin to setup up a makeshift camp near the barracks, and start fires to cook the came they found on the road.

Zoey holds her head at a high, proud angle as she exits the carriage and makes her way to the east end of the hall to wash and dress for dinner. Travel is tiring, and her aide, Ruslana, helps her prepare so that she can re-emerge later in honeysilk and seatouched wool, smelling faintly of lilac.

Emberly laughs a little looking back to Kritr, he did stink but she was not going to be the one to tell him that. She laughs a little and she makes her way into the hall, more directly, she moves aside Lady Zoey and she smiles to the Lady "thank you for coming along" she tells Zoey before she dresses in whatever nice dress she can for dinner leaving her toolbelt upstairs, she dose however keep the cloke Kritr gave to her to help keep her warmth. She pauses to talk a moment with the trapper "would you do me the honors of being my dinner companion?" she asks to Fedichi.

Graziella takes an umbra cloak with a silver ouroboros clasp from a simple cloth bag embroidered with the phases of the moon.

Emberly checks charm and seduction at normal. Emberly is successful.

Kritr appears from the baths, grumbly about the scanty availability of hot water, but clean and respectably attired. He has a clean outfit to wear, deerskin vest that shows off his arms, and matching trousers tooled with mountains around the cuffs. He makes no other preparations, other than cleaning the mud off the furs he brought to offer.

Graziella checks charm and seduction at normal. Graziella marginally fails.

Fedichi, completely charmed by Emberly, nods, saying "It would be a high honor. You are Emberly, the Duchess of Stormwall's protege, is that not so?"

Emberly checks composure and etiquette at normal. Emberly marginally fails.

Graziella returns before dinner begins and she is wearing the same steelsilk dress... because when you own steelsilk, it just feels safe to wear it away from home on diplomatic excursions... even during dinner. She is refreshed and wearing an umbra cloak with a silver ouroboros clasp at the base of her throat, the light silk just enough to wrap around her arms but nothing like the heavy leathers and furs of the North lords style. She looks alluring but when she speaks she still sounds a bit bored and spying Emberly with Fedichi she makes her way over slowly, seeming too obvious about the way she decides to plant herself in a seat near them.

Emberly tilts her head a little as she looks to Fedichi, "The Duchess of Stormwall I am not, no M'lord." she tries to keep a good composure despite the fact, her lips were gentle and she had all the teachings of a Duchess however. She allows "You do have my name correct however, I am Emberly." she laughs softly "Professor of Metals." she adds just to sound important.

Emberly tilts her head as she looks to Fedichi, she nods her head "The Duchess is my Patron, yes." she says to the Lord, "tell me how the trade has been around here?" she asks him as she takes his arm to be seated at the table. She looks over to Graziella and she smiles kindly "Hello Highness, what lovely steelsilk you have there, do you like it?"

Simple but delicious scents begin to fill the hall, as Emberly and the travelers enter and find before them cooked venison, pork, fowl, bread and butter, carrots, potatoes and a great deal of ale, available in horns or mugs. At the head of the table, a woman sits with elegant poise. Her long, straight black hair stands in stark contrast to her pale blue eyes. Her composure is aloof, and her fine gown of crimson silk accented with ermine fur connotes wealth and power, and beside her rests two large bottles of Coastside Whiskey.

To her right sits a boy, her son, Lord Conan Crackneck, who is dressed in the summer cloak of a Northlands lord. He is tall and slim like his mother, with dark brown hair and her pale blue eyes. Beside Emberly sits Fedichi, who wastes no time grabbing a leg of turkey, and munches on it, saying between mouthfulls of food, "Business has been excellent. The furs were particularly luxurious this winter, and demand is high in spite of the war."

Also in the hall are other tables, where Captain Eelia sits with some of Lady Nerva's staff, and Crackneck servants move food and drinks to those who request them. "I hope you had a pleasant journey," says Nerva, once everyone is seated. "Please enjoy yourselves, and afterwards we shall talk business." Her blue eyes shift to Graziella. "Is that steelsilk, Your Highness?" she asks with a slow smile.

"Mother!" interjects Lord Conan. "I should like to entertain the company with a poem." Nerva tries to smile, but a vein in her forehead throbs. "I'm not sure..."

Kritr has left the furs in the antechamber, if there was one. He has nothing to say about poems, steelsilk or his journey. He does know how to keep his mouth shut though, which he proves by saying nothing while he eats.

"Art is meant to be experienced," Zoey says to Nerva, giving the young Crackneck a warm smile. "I think it is lovely that he wishes to share."

Emberly enjoys the meal, she eats well enough a bit of everything the table has to offer she shall sample and try, she grins to Zoey and she smiles to the Lord, "oh please do, I love poetry." she encourages before she looks to her companion with a small smile. Her blue orbs shimmering under red locks of thick hair. "The food is great." she says quietly

Graziella listens on attentively as she begins to study the fare with a distracted roving of her eyes over the table, partially distracted as others settle in around and the pleasant dinner party conversation commences. Swimming out of her reverie at the sound of her title she looks over to Lady Nerva with a blissful series of blinks and perfectly performed smiles as she states, "It is, how sharp of you notice... you've a clever eye for fashion and fabric Lady Nerva." Nodding once the Princess pauses in her speech to demurely eat a bite of food from her plate before speaking, her speech patterns consist of emotionless monotones that lilt along with an airy quality that could only be called eerie, effortless, she looks to Fedichi when she asks, "Do you have a favorite fur? I hear mink is hard to find but quite lovely..."

"I consider myself a counissuer of things soft and elegant," preens Nerva to Graziella, dipping her head politely to princess. Zoey's words to Conan cause Nerva to clear her throat. "If Lady Zoey Kennex wishes to hear it..." she hears herself say, "then please, Conan, by all means." Her 'smile' is really just her teeth held tightly together. At Emberly's encouragement, a great light shines in the eyes of the young Crackneck lord. He rises from his seat and clears his throat.

"O lovely, lovely nature,
I write my verse for you!
I'll love you now and also later,
Forever and be true!"

"That's excellent, Lord Conan, thank you," says Nerva, clapping and laughing nervously. "He very much enjoys poetry," she offers as a sort of apology.

"I shall be as famous as Princess Helena one day," says Lord Conan, carefully watching the expressions of the guests.

Graziella checks composure and etiquette at easy. Graziella is successful.

Kritr does not and did not expect to understand poetry, however nothing Lord Conan says confused him in the slightest. Which makes him wonder if that was poetry at all. His confusion is concealed somewhat by his wild beard and his gusto for eating.

Emberly smiles to the young Lord "perhaps after dinner I can have you see my own poetry and see what you think" she offers to the young lord, "yours was truely passionate." she says quietly before she looks to the trapper "any Chinchilla?" she wonders her eyes bright and curious. "have you ever touched one of them? I have never ever felt anything quite as soft."

Zoey checks charm and diplomacy at easy. Zoey is successful.

Kritr checks composure at easy. Kritr is marginally successful.

Graziella smiles, sincere for the first time this evening, keenly proud of a young artist no matter the medium. Pravus has a healthy respect for artistry and her praise is purely from the heart when she comments, "You've a bright future ahead of you Lord Conan, I'll make sure to sing your praises in the arthouses and salons of Arx." A smart little nod and she adds, "You've got something there, perhaps a poem to Petrichor? Might I tell the Scholars of Vellichor your poem when we return to Arx? I will give you full credit in the Whites but I think they may enjoy recording a fine Lord's work."

"Those are some very large shoes to fill, metaphorically speaking. I imagine you have many years of study and practice ahead of you, should you choose to pursue it," Zoey replies to Conan before sipping from a cup of water. She looks to Nerva again. "Arts of many forms should be encouraged. Like any skill, it can be developed over time."

Kritr grunts over a bite of his food. "So do trees."

Conan smiles and says to Emberly, "I would love that, My Lady." There is a loud snort from somewhere in the back, and Holgor says, "She's not a lady anymore. Gwa ha ha ha!" Eelia stares daggers at the redhaired warrior.

At Graziella's words, the sensitive young Crackneck's eyes grow glassy, and a deep crimson flushes his cheeks. "You are too kind, Your Highness! Yes! I have several poems for you to choose from. Gods and spirits, Mother - can you believe it? My poems submitted to the journals of Vellichor in Arx!" His voice reaches a high pitch, but something in his mother's gaze causes him to sit, but does not seem to dampen his enthusiasm. "Thank you, Your Highness," Conan says again to Graziella, bowing his head from his seat. "And thank you, Lady Zoey. Princess Helena has practiced many years, I'm sure. I study all of her work and -"

"Would anyone care for some whiskey?" asks Nerva, signaling a server.

Emberly looks over to Holgor then back to her companions before she lowers her eyes a moment. She takes a breath and she looks up to the others at the talk of poetry and just keeps her attention there. "I will still show them ot you young Lord if you like." she says sweetly.

Zoey smiles and shakes her head. She sighs, "Sadly I may not partake for a few months, but the offer is appreciated. I do love northern whiskeys."

Graziella nods patiently, seeming almost to feed off the artistic enthusiasm of the boy with her sincere smile growing more broad and darkly amused, when his mother calls for the whiskey she pivots her attention to the Lady with a polite loft of both brows, "I'll have a glass, if you like whiskey I should send you some Setarcan Fire, we infuse it with chilis... I'm sure it can keep even the dead of winter warm." After a beat she glances to Lord Conan and adds, "Think nothing of it, we all start somewhere and the true evidence of any skill is effort and dedication. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve it." Glancing back to his mother she adds softly, "Don't you agree, Lady Nerva?" Testing those waters.

Kritr shows no interest in the whiskey, satisfied with whatever beer or ale they have already served.

"I would like that very much," says Conan. "Holgor," he adds, "come here." Holgor looks at his companions, warily, but rises as he's bid and comes to stand before the lordling. "I want you to apologize to Emberly right now."

"But..."

"A Lord of Coastside has issued you a direct command, Holgor," says Nerva. Holgor lowers his head. "As you wish, m'lord. 'm sry," he mutters quickly to Emberly, and trudges back to his seat.

"Oh," says Nerva to Zoey. "Are congratulations in order, My Lady?" she asks with a reason for a sincere smile for once. A server pours a glass of whiskey for Graziella. "Yes, Your Highness," replies Nerva to Graziella. When the princess speaks of the Setaran whiskey, Nerva says, "I have heard tales of Setarcan Fire even in Coastside. I would be delighted to try some - some very little perhaps."

"As would I," says Conan. The party is given time to eat and drink, and when all seem content, Nerva says, "Now to business, I think? Fedichi tells me that Crovane is seeking higher payments for its firs, and lower costs for transporting them - is that not so, Fedichi?"

The corpulent Lycene trader sits more upright. "Uh, yes, My Lady, that's correct. I have some figures here," he says, reaching into a satchel to bring out a leather-bound folio with some records in them. "As you can see, we are giving Crovane the best of all possible deals."

Emberly checks perception and empathy at easy. Emberly is marginally successful.

"Indeed," Zoey replies, her eyes twinkling. "My third, I am happy to say." She eyes the leather folio. "Would you mind if I take a look?" she asks Nerva.

Emberly looks over the folio as it is brought to the table, she looks over the papers if she can. Her eyes though move from the papers to Fedichi, she touches her companions arm lightly "are you certian of what you are saying good Man?" she asks before she looks to Zoey then the Princess a little conserned about something

Graziella glances to Zoey to offer her congratualtions but otherwise she's quietly and politely listening as the talk turns to business, waiting to see how she can help.

"Then I shall drink for you! Congratulations to you and House Kennex!" says Nerva to Zoey, taking a long drink. When Zoey asks to look over the documents, Nerva nods. "Of course, Lady Zoey. Fedichi," she says, turning to her trade advisor. Fedichi glances from Emberly to to Nerva to the legendary market maven. He swallows. "Yes, My Lady," says Fedici handing the folio to a servant who delivers it to Zoey. Fedeici says to Emberly, "There maybe a /very/ little room to see some more coin to Crovane, but I'm sure Lady Zoey will see that everything's in order."

Zoey checks intellect and economics at normal. Zoey is successful.

Kritr doesn't have enough knowledge of trade and math to contribute to this conversation. He will wait until he is addressed by the host to properly introduce himself and present his gift to her.

Emberly leans into whisper to Graziella her body leans in to speak to the princess before she takes a cup of her whiskey and she sips upon it. Her eyes move back to the young Lord and she smiles gently his way before she lets her eyes move to Kritr "are you enjoying the food Sir?" she asks him

Zoey smiles to Fedichi as she accepts the folio from him and starts to leaf through it. Now and then there is a hmm or a lofted eyebrow. She looks at Fedichi again, then Nerva. "Lady Crackneck, I think I have found a... discrepancy," she says. She glances toward Emberly. "One that I imagine your patron would also be interested in hearing about."

Kritr says, "This is what I like. Food, not too spicy, not too sweet. Just meat, fruit and greens."

Graziella checks charm and diplomacy at normal. Graziella fails.

Fedichi shifts in his seat. Beads of sweat form on his brow. "A discrepancy?" says Nerva. She too, for the first time since her son's poetry, seems to show some discomfort. "Can you explain, My Lady? Fedichi has brought us enormous profits. They say he was a genius with coin in Caith." That seems to make Fedici even more nervous, and he swallows a lot of ale.

Conan, meanwhile, turns his attention to Kritr and Emberly. "I am Lord Conan, My Lord," he says with a warm, if somewhat innocent smile to Kritr. "I did not catch your name."

Graziella hears the whispers from Emberly but she doesn't manage to fix her face in time, sending a scathing look to Fedichi accompanied by the words, "A shame, math is so important to tradework... numbers don't lie."

"Krit Clearlake, of House Clearlake." Krit greets. "Do you swing an axe as well as you write your poems Lord Conan?" Unsophisticated in his upbringing, he has no idea that his words could be taken as an insult, they are just a clumsy attempt to turn the conversation to something he understands better than poetry.

Emberly looks to her companion and then her eyes follow between Kriter and the young lord. She smiles slightly at the topic returning to poetry and she smiles brightly. That smile shifts "but my friend" she says to Fedichi "you do know of this dont you?" she asks him softly

"Well if you look here," Zoey says, turning the book and pointing to some of the figures on the page. "You see it lists the prices for storage and security, but these prices are even higher than they would have been before the building of the great road." She glances at Emberly then her eyes slide to Fedichi. "These amounts are not correct, are they, Mister Fedichi? Perhaps you should have a word with whomever keeps your books for you. You would not want there to be any appearance of impropriety or misappropriation of funds, now would you?"

There is a lot of attention on Fedichi now. "Of course, Your Highness," says the trader, turning then and nodding to Emberly. "I assure you, I can explain whatever, uh, discrepancies might be imagined to exist."

Lord Conan laughs lightly and shakes his head. "No, but my cousin Ergil is quite skilled with the axe. I have seen him fight off a shav raiding party once a year ago."

"That was a horrid experience," says Nerva, overhearing her son, but her eyes turn to Kritr. "Lord Krit," she says slowly. "I am very pleased to meet you. House Clearlake has some of the finest furs in Arvum."

Zoey's words strike Fedichi like lighting. He winces. "T-those costs, yes, well - security and s-storage are priorities, are they not?" Nerva's eyes pass from Zoey as she speaks to Fedichi as he responds. "This wouldn't have anything to do with all the new traders you've said it's been necessary to hire, would it, Fedichi? My husband disagreed with you, and I took your side." She does not look pleased.

"Most of which we ship to Arx." Kritr admits. "But I have brought a sample of some of the warmer furs we keep for ourselves in the North." The implication is that the furs are warm, not pretty. He gestures to the entrance. "A gift from House Clearlake. If you find that marmot pairs well with ermine, well... something might come of that." He doesn't sound comfortable with delivering such formal words, and he's overly loud in doing so, voice filling the hall.

"You are most kind, My Lord," says Nerva, who seems very pleased to be receiving a gift from the sort of Northlands lord with which she is most familiar. "I hope you shall have cause to visit Coastside some day soon. If you favor the axe, Lord Ergil would be delighted to train with you."

Emberly checks charm and seduction at normal. Emberly is successful.

"New traders?" Zoey asks Fedichi. "I think you can probably dismiss them. I will be more than happy to help you hash out a new trade deal," she offers to Nerva and Emberly. After a gesture to Ruslana the Kennex lady is given paper and quill, then begins to write.

Zoey checks intellect and economics at normal. Zoey is marginally successful.

"I don't think -" begins Fedichi, but Nerva raises her hand. "Silence, Fidichi. Let us see what Lady Zoey proposes. She is among the most renown economists in the Compact, and a peer of the realm. Can you say the same?" Fedichi looks very, very nervous.

Kritr says, "Do you have much trouble with shavs? Once in a year seems not too much."

"After the battle against the Undrowned Sons it's been quieter," replies Conan to Kritr. "I didn't get to see the actual battle at Greywater, but they say that Princess Marian slew at least fifteen shavs herself."

Emberly nods her head a little as she pats Fedichi's arm, "I am sure it will be alright... you did not mean to loose coin I am sure." she says trying to be helpful. She looks back to Zoey to hear what she has in mind her eyes drawn that way for the moment.

"Yes, yes - of course," says Fedichi making a face that looks like someone really scared trying really hard to smile. "I would never lose coin. My soul purpose is to enrich House Crackneck."

"Let us hope so," says Nerva. Holgor's eyes shift to Fedichi, and Fedichi gulps.

It takes only a few minutes for Zoey to draft a new trade contract, and it is one that offers both reduced costs to Crackneck and greater profits to Crovane. She gives Fedichi one last glance -- a warning, perhaps? -- and then presents it for review by Lady Nerva and Emberly.

"I wasn't there for that one. I was in the Everwinter." Kritr grunts.

Nerva's eyes pass over the document, and she listens as the Voice of Stormward explains the benefits. He mouth grows taught and she glances at Fedichi look the opposite of pleased. She turns to Emberly. "...It seems my cousilor was not as trustworthy as I'd hoped. Do you believe the Duchess will find this agreement suitable - and the previous no fault of ours? The benefits for House Crackneck seem... substantial." The terseness seems to fade as she realizes how this might play out, but her pale blue eyes rest on Emberly.

"The Everwinter?" asks Conan. The young lord rises from his seat and comes to find a seat beside Kritr, sending its original occupant elsewhere. "What in the name of the gods and spirits were you doing there?" he asks, as he takes a sip of ale. The color remaining in his cheeks suggest he's feeling its effects keenly.

Emberly mmmms a little as she looks over the contract and then Zoey before she looks to her dinner companion before she looks back. "Perhaps you should give him the chance to explain himself if he is willing to speak in truths to you." she says "All things have sides and before you pass judgment on him you should give him the chance to tell you his truth of the matter." she pauses looking back over the papers, and she nods her head a little "I am sure the Duchess will find this new agreement quite sutible, M'lady, I will bring it back to her, and I thank Lady Zoey for her skill in such things."

"Clearing my head." Kritr answers. "It's very beautiful. You like nature. You should go. I could take you. As long as you didn't talk too much."

For his part, Kritr is dead sober, having only drunk one and a half beers, and filling his stomach with plenty of plain bread.

A look of relief and satisfaction passes over the face of Nerva. "Thank you, Emberly. You are a boon to Crovane and to Crackneck. The Duchess shall hear of it. And as for you," she says, turning on Fedichi. "We will speak, and go over each of our previous arrangements in /excruciating/ detail."

Conan laughs merrily. "I do talk a lot, My Lord - but I will bring a journal. I could not turn down the opportunity to see the Evernwinter with one who has lived there."

Zoey dips her head in acknowledgement of Emberly's words, then watches Fedichi as she sips her water.

Princess Graziella is a passive watcher and her shrewd sideglances to those around her are enough to share opinions unvoiced, a smile here or a nod there and a curious inclination of her head at the talk of Everwinter.