Rodrigo, the Surprisingly Large Flautist, 2 Ivory Shields, Romeo, a love sick bird who wouldn't be free arrive, following Nina.

It's a very warm spring evening in the city, the sun has long set and the night sky is clear. The sound though of flutes playing discordant notes and the beat of drums can be heard mixed with boots striking the ground at a cadence. The sounds and triumphal exotic music get louder until the source can be seen, a small group of southerners dressed in classic hoplite armour with some holding torches while others are pushing and pulling a very large wagon piled high with all sorts of objects.

Behind the procession is the figure of Titus dressed in exotic leather armour, in one of the pale hands of the Warmonger he holds a palm branch and in the other a golden goblet that has an interesting design. The procession makes their way to the holy encampment of Gloria and Titus bows before the great fire pit.

The far too pale and gaunt face can be seen with a bit more life due to the fire's glow, the blood red eyes on the serious face. His voice isn't loud, it's more a ragged whisper that seems to come from dead or decayed lungs as the discordant song is silenced.

Nina has arrived to watch the ritual. It's clear she's here to observe only, but she wants to hear more stories of glory. Not being a combatant herself, these things pique her interest just to hear about. As solemn as the procession is, she remains to the outskirts to watch it, too delicate in pink shoes to resemble a warrior.

1 Thrax Elite Guards, 3 Thrax Guards arrive, following Raimon.

Titus says, "All of the gods are worthy of thanks but tonight I honour you, Gloria, goddess of war. While we might lose ourselves in bloody conflict and fall in the temptation for wanton destruction, you challenge us and guide our hands and strategies to strive for honour in war so that peace might be paid for, and earned.""

Titus says, "Pieros was a key place to protect against the invasion forces of the Skal'Daja and my noble allies went there to wage war with them. I took the opportunity to build allies and supplies, and to Sangris did I return to defend it. But not only defend, I laid the trap against the Skal'Daja and their Shav allies and they fell for my intrepid plans. For two days did I and the combined armies of the Red City and it's allies wage war against the invaders who sought to greedily consume and destroy us. And on the second day, victory was earned and Sangris has stood firm yet again.""

Titus says, "As I have done before such as at the Temple of Pyros, I offer you from the vanquished the best of what the invaders had. As each burns, may the sight of fire purifying what was made to destroy us be pleasing in your eyes. May you remember those at Sangris that gave their lives willingly, who followed orders, who acted with honour and did the bloody business in which they were commanded. Their sacrifice can't be forgotten, and so their stories and names will be lifted up in prayer so you too might remember them. Remember when you might the help the Pravus, Graysons and Proscipi sent to the Vaevici. Remember that our enemies were destroyed who came with the intention of laying waste to Sangris in greed. As others across the world hear the victories of the Compact, may they understand that we never pray for victory. Instead, we pray for strength to hold on to honour at our last breath which never can be taken or conquered even if our physical bodies perish.""

Titus drops Trophies from the Siege of Sangris.

Not given to religious displays, it's likely a surprise when Lucrezia stalks up. She listens as Titus speaks, eyes sharp upon him.

Once more, discordant triumphal music plays as the Sangrinites begin to unload shields, helms, breastplates, spears, swords and more that come from Skal'Daja and Calderan Shav forces as the fire in the fire pit begins to roar with higher flames. A broken pole carrying the frayed standard of the Skal'Daja leaders is also placed in the fire pit as fire begins to consume it all. There's no doubt that these are spoils from the vanquished as the telltale signs of a vicious battle are evident: crumpled where perhaps a mace slammed, the diamond puncture mark of a spear point, the slash of a sword or crushing blow of an axe. Each piece tells the story of a vicious and very brutal battle. A grim collection of trophies from the Siege of Sangris.

As the pieces burn, a stand holding what appears to be a full set of Sangrinite hoplite armour with spear and short sword is placed near others honouring past deeds. A horizontal spear resting on two poles behind it has the Vaevici standard in the center prominent while other standards of Grayson, Pravus and the Proscipi are also placed in honour surrounding the main standard.

And Titus pours a dark red liquid out of the golden chalice on the fire as it sizzles, an interesting perhaps floral scent.

"We've drank deeply from the wine of war which has filled our cups and may our desires be sated and not as gluttons ask for more. I offer the victory at the Siege of Sangris in which I, Titus of the Vaevici, Warmonger of the Red City, successfully defended against a large invading force of Skal'Daja and Calderan Shav armies and protected Sangris and the Caldera from being used to further destroy. The songs of woe the vanquished sang out as they cried to their false gods and spirits faded as they paid with their lives for the choice they made, the crows and ravens that circled above feasted with glee. May my pyros be strengthened so that when I die, it might strengthen others. Look upon my tribute and offerings, that they might please you and you send your blessing to us for a little while."

He lastly places the palm branch on the fire, and as the smoke of it rises and mixes with the cinders from the other tributes, he prays while that Sangrinite music begins to fill the encampment in an exotic display of praise and adoration of the Goddess of War.

4 Redoubt Buccaneers, Luna, the Darkwater Assistant arrive, following Carita.

Lucrezia mouths appropriate responses at various points, but it's probably debatable how much she actually believes. She isn't one to fake devotion to anything. She nods to Titus when it is clear he has come to an end.

Nina applauds... but only after the ceremony seems to be done. It might not be the entirely appropriate thing to do. But then when it's all over, she finds a spot a bit closer to the fire. "I'm only here to hear war stories," she says, aside. "I don't really have any of my own."

Titus bows towards Lucrezia his head, and he gives a welcoming nod towards Nina he recognises. "There's quite a few stories I've heard regarding the victory at Pieros, and the stand made at Tremorus. But I'm not a witness to either of those battles."

Raimon stands quietly, respectfully, in the back of the audience. None of his upbringing had been particularly religious. And he hadn't been either. It has only been the very most recent events that have suggested to him, in no uncertain terms, that he might be well - served to broaden his worldview. Raimon's offering is . . . a chunk of a boat. A thick piece of timber, well - weathered by Sea. He's not sure if The Goddess will like it? He's not sure how all of this works really. But, he reasons, at least it will burn well. It does. He watches. Memories of battles fast can be seen as shadows crossing his face as he gazes into the flickering flames. Pensive.

Titus is overheard praising Raimon: Offerings to the Goddess of War gilded with memories of strife, challenge and hopefully learning.

Carita's arrival, wrapped in forest green lace and seasilk, the Countess of Darkwater looks like the epitome of spring. It might be puzzling to see her here as she enters and watches in silence as the music plays, her oceanic eye lit on the blazing fire.

A flock of ladies-in-waiting arrives, following Alarissa.

Raimon stands quietly, respectfully, in the back of the audience. None of his upbringing had been particularly religious. And he hadn't been either. It has only been the very most recent events that have suggested to him, in no uncertain terms, that he might be well - served to broaden his worldview. Raimon's offering is . . . a chunk of a boat. A thick piece of timber, well - weathered by Sea. He's not sure if The Goddess will like it? He's not sure how all of this works really. But, he reasons, at least it will burn well. It does. He watches. Memories of battles fast can be seen as shadows crossing his face as he gazes into the flickering flames. Pensive.

Lucrezia smiles tightly at Titus. "Depends on how much of the supernatural you believe. At one point there was a gargantuan beaver fishing people out of the water and tossing them to safety. Until things got too intense and it fled the water, too. It gets worse from there."

Caprice is a later arrival, carrying no obvious sacrifices and indeed, wearing nothing to suggest she's got anything to do with war. But the pastel silks-clad woman can bear witness; how silent an observer she'll be remains to be seen.

Titus still has that serious look across his face, but what Lucrezia says earns a nod. "I heard stories of a an animal called a beaver, something as big as two bears, tusks larger than a hand. But the stories tend to get more and more amazing the farther from the event they get. What did you see?"

"That large?" Nina isn't sure she's ever seen a beaver, or if she is, not one like that. The mind reels. She wonders how she could fit beaver into a song.

She's late, but that's not a surprise. Sometimes she's early, sometimes she's late, it all depends on whether there's something that's taken higher priority for the princess Consort of Thrax. But she's come none the less, a blonde haired child walking beside her who looks far too tall for six years of age. Guards follow and ladies in waiting as she makes her way in, a small boat in her hand that would likely seem to be the offering she brings.

Lucrezia nods to Nina. "It had no difficulty plucking fully armored people out of the sea." Cocking her head, she considers possibilities to Titus' question before she says, "The dead rose from the sea and dragged the unwary under the waves." No one could miss that, right?

Titus hears about the dead, and this has the Warmonger tilt his head. The blood red eyes look around at the gathering nearby, before that decayed voice says "That reminds me of the Sea of Skulls although I'm sure there's many sites or stories that are similar with guardians. But the Sea of Skulls is far to the southeast, at least a month of travel to get there. A place where the Vaevici dead who never were taken back to Sangris to be burned at the Temple of Pyros are lost at sea on the site of a great naval battle. They're doomed now to forever wage war against the enemies that went down with them, and we stay clear from that area whenever we can as the dead have a desire to war whatever comes their way." He speaks of a story from the desolate Caldera, any nearby could hear it.

"Wow. If I could get even one of those stories all in order, it'd make a tremendous ballad," Nina says to Lucrezia. "Please tell me all the details some time, if not today, so they can all be in order and it can make the best possible song!" Her eyes turn to Titus as he then tells the tale of this strange place. She's going to absorb all of it, for the future, certainly.

"It sounds like tales we tell our children so when they are of age to take to ships, they avoid dangerous area's where pirate roam or nautical anomalies might wrest them from our loving embrace." Alarissa offers as she draws near. "Told around the inn's by those who have imbibed too much or wish to one up another who has spoken before them." The smile on her face is soft, the corners turned up and she looks down to Danse. "Pray you never sail towards the sea of skulls my dearest boy. I would be saddened to be bereft of you" The tired looking woman states to child.

Lucrezia smiles grimly to Nina's request, but inclines her head. "Those that died deserve to be memorialized in song, I'll help share what I saw." Hearing Titus' story, she squints, but shakes her head. "I am sure it is not the same phenomenon. There was also a gallant charge on fire ships which we survived to finish the battle after. We are fortunate they weren't able to bring as much of their magic fire against us this time."

Raimon watches the flickering flames, as they lick and crackle and spit forth their embers. Fire ships, aye. A Sea of Skulls? Walking Trees? It seems to as if the world itself has cast off its moorings, and now drifts, unanchored from one nightmare to the next. Raimon shakes his head once, then lifts his gaze to where the smoke rises. Thin traceries of their victory soar up toward where the miss cloak the Moon . . . .

Carita's quiet as she listens, ever respectful, until she hears a few familiar voices and shifts her attention from the fire to those speaking. There's a ghost of a smile for Alariisa before she dips her head respectfully. There's a glance then to Lucrezia, then Titas before she clears her throat but says nothing.

Caprice takes a seat within conversational range though she doesn't contribute just yet. Content to listen, absorb. Her gaze flits to each speaker, attentive.

Titus says, "Fire ships. Deadly to both enemy and self I recall, a wager that sometimes pays off big dividends and sometimes winds up being a problem. But hearing that there was a charge directly to them and potentially took them out? Selfless sacrifice, honourable to the end given the extreme danger. Heroes, I'd call them."

3 Thrax Guards have been dismissed.

1 Thrax Elite Guards have been dismissed.

Lucrezia shakes her head to Titus. "No. It was Shavs, for the large part, in the fireships. It was an act of desperation to break us so their masters could flee our trap. Those that faced their fire and stopped them are heroes for certain."

Nina seems excited to hear this but not in a way that is shocked or disbelieving. You could probably tell her anything and she'd believe it, if it was a good enough story. "So it was magical, or simply fire and oil?"

"It sounds like Arvani fire." One of the ladies with her takes Danse forward to go offer up the little ship, Alarissa joining the group. "Was the water lit with fire too? If the water burned, Arvani fire. If just the ships, Thraxian fire."

"It was normal fire, as far as I heard and saw. Arvani fire would have been too dangerous since it would have blocked them in, so even if they did have it, they didn't use it. There wasn't even the fires produced by their lightnings...but I think they did try. It got confusing at that point. Something was stopping them before we got to them." Lucrezia shrugs.

Raimon looks up from his own experience of flame, breaking his gaze off from the burning offerings and the smoke of the fire to look toward Alarissa as she speaks. Water set aflame? Fai! Mangata - Forbid! When Lucrezia confirms the existence of such a thing, Raimon is shocked into action. "Please, if you would, Your Highness of Pravus, could you explain this . . . 'Arvani Fire' . . . and how it is that -water- could -burn-?" Raimon wonders. And then he amends: "In terms, if you would, that a soldier could understand?"

Titus listens to the explanation of the fire and fireships, the actions that happened. The blood red eyes though capture Danse heading to take a little ship to offer to the fire pit. His attention currently is there, studying the child.

"Oh! This is alchemy lessons, but I'm no expert in this, so I'll listen in too," says Nina, smiling. She knows a little, apparently.

Danse is moving, hands clutching the little ship and under the guidance and assistance of the noble who went with him, he consigns the little wooden ship with Thrax's sails on it to the offering fire, whispering to the noblewoman and looking like he's pleased with himself for a job well done, he turns and runs back to Alarissa's side, thumping into her skirts. She drops her right hand to press a hand to his back and murmurs softly to him, then looks to Raimon then Lucrezia as Raimon asks for an explanation.

Carita's been silent since her arrival, but when Raimon speaks up she glances Luna's way, who then offers up a folio to the Countess. With a smile for her assistant and quiet thank you, she offers the small bundle of knowledge Raimon's way. "It's an alchemical mixture, Your Highness. This tells something about it."

Lucrezia stares at Raimon along moment, incredulous like she's wondering if she looks like someone who'd understand anything about how such things happen. Her eyes rake over the area, perhaps hoping someone else will speak on her behalf. There is relief when Carita answers technically what it is. Layman's terms for the horrors of Arvani fire? She cuts an edged grin and laughs ruefully. "It fucking burns on water because the shit doesn't stop burning. Period."

"I hope I never have to face something like that," Nina says. "But... I stay out of warfare. I just like hearing the stories!" She clasps her hands together. "Let's talk about more of them later. I should come to this shrine more often. It has a nice atmosphere."

Carita's head dips in Lucrezia's direction before she quiets again, a silent acknowledgment of her distress before the Countess' attention shifts toward the flames again as a smile curls crookedly at Nina's words.

After Danse offers the ship and it's consumed by the fire, Titus looks to those gathered. "There's something about fire, a duality of destruction and yet opportunity to cleanse and make things better than what they were before. And I hope after war, the Compact too can become better than before. May it not gorge on destroying and thereby consuming itself like a greedy serpent." As the discordant music continues, the Warmonger gives a bow to those here that worship or have been sharing stories. The pale figure then steps out and the Sangrinite myrmidons follow him with their triumphal music that's played fervently. Slowly, the sound and music dies out as the Warmonger's group moves through the city.