Necessary introductions
It was finally over. He could have wept tears of joy when the ship had finally reached port. The trip had been ridiculously dull, the food was at best bland and the company was largely beneath notice. He could understand why his father had forbidden him from bringing his "pet" with him, he did not like it, but he understood. But that did not mean he could not bring some form of entertainment with him. It mattered little now, he was free from that ghastly boat, and by the time he had to sail home he would be able to purchase something to keep the boredom at bay.
This was his first time leaving WALO LANLA BEORYM
, if he knew that his punishment would be to explore foreign lands he would have disappointed his father much sooner. He would prefer it was somewhere warmer and more cultured, but this is the most exotic land he could experience without learning another tongue, an old imperial decree made his native tongue the only one worthy of consideration, and he was too well-bred to learn the speech of savages. It would be like learning the language of sheep, an amusing party trick perhaps, but a waste of valuable time.
Stepping off the boat his attention was drawn to a small group of well-built slaves with a strange litter, whilst the front was carried by slaves like normal the back was wheeled like a cart, he assumed the roof was to keep the pathetic sunlight off the passenger. One of the slaves came up to him, had the gall to look him in the eye, and ask if he was the young KLYISTARIM heir. He had always assumed the mercenaries from this island put on the accent to give themselves the veneer of barely controlled savagery, but if that was the case this slave would not have dared put it on. Masking his shock he nodded.
"Ўe've БЭ̄H taCКЭД ЎИΘҺ taКИҐ yoЮ to Θe toЎНҺОЮCЭ. ДО yoЮ ЎИШ to ҐО ΘҺЭРЭ ФИРCt Оr CЭ̄ Α ФЭЎ ЛΑНДМΑРКС ФИРCΘ?"
I took him a second to get his ear into the new accent, he was almost certain he was asked if he wanted to be taken straight to his destination or be amused by what these people considered worthy of visiting. The option was a puzzling one, etiquette demanded he greet his host immediately, exchange false compliments, and be led to the guestroom to freshen up before a welcoming meal. Surely these people knew something so basic.
"I was under the impression that I would be shown to your master straight away." he explained patiently, the slave snorted as if told a joke.
"ШИΘO kЭ̄ПС heР own tИme БЮt ΘҺe БoC caH't. ΘҺe noБles have Бeen КaЛed to voΘe, caН't Лeave 'tiЛ ΘҺey're counted. He СndС his apologies if it helПС. We'Лl take your things to the townhouse, Бut if you want a Бite to eat before dinner or Сee Сome sights without the Бoss own commentary now is the time. My own joБ is to make sure you don't get attacked or caught doing something emБarrassing." The slave replied carelessly.
The KLYISTARIM heir bristled at the insinuation, this slave was remarkably candid. He could not tell if this was some sort of trap or cultural differences. Does HEKAIM know how his slaves act when his back is turned? Do they not fear punishment?
"I think that it is best if I wait at the townhouse, I am sure your master would prefer to know I am safe on his property" he was not used to this sort of reception. Does this slave not know how important he is? Not sure what to expect, he climbed into the litter. It had not occurred to him that an imperial culture would be so informal. Well, he conceded to himself, he had hoped for exotic. It seemed to Gods granted this particular wish, just from the litter he could see that everyone wore wool or fur. The food smelled strange and leg coverings were incredibly common, every man he saw was wearing them. The few men he saw, women seemed over represented in the workforce. He was not a man to expect the women in his life to be barefoot and pregnant, but the sheer amount of work women here shouldered was absurd. He guessed the only places you could definitely find men would be the battlefield or the brothel. All men had a weapon at their belt, he suspected it was because it was too cold to display their cocks, he kept that thought to himself however, it was likely these people knew how to use those weapons and were looking for an excuse to play with them.
Perhaps, if this turns into an enriching experience, he could get a translator he can explore the savage wastes of the mainland. Bring home trinkets and strange clothing, their cloth patterns were becoming something of a fashion accessory among the counter culture, and staying ahead of the curve is always important. As was showing the savages how to make their work look good, it might even encourage them to finally civilise. He put that thought aside, his people had been trying to bring the light of civilisation to the savage lands for centuries and his immaculate fashion sense, impressive it may be, was not enough to succeed where so many spears had failed. But it was fun to imagine. Maybe they would build a statue in his honour.
His daydream was brought to an abrupt end when he arrived at the townhouse. A two-story building built to Imperial standards. The front of the building seemed to be a shop of some sort, did these people not own the whole building? The slaves led him to a woman, she was beautiful even by WAHIERBI(colonial) standards with a polite smile on her face. Her hair was uncovered, he knew it was the norm here, but knowing and seeing are different things. He could not help but equate uncovered hair with sexual promiscuity, it would have been less shocking if she had been introduced in the nude, as that would just show poverty or perhaps piety. He had seen more naked flesh in his life that uncovered hair. The dress was not a style he was familiar with, but a pretty shade of blue that complemented the silver jewellery. There was a slight roundness to her stomach, a pregnancy? Or perhaps plumpness was a signifier of wealth here, maybe she had let herself become lazy after marrying so far beneath her station. He hoped to find out before making an ass of himself. He was relying on the hospitality of these people after all, while there was likely to be a room at the embassy for him that would not bring him what he was after.
Remembering his lessons he deduces that the woman must be TROA(lady) KOTAE PIRSARBI MINOLY KYIDKIFE HEKAIM, sister to a HOO(he who advises the lawmakers) and wife of a much older TROO(hereditary military commander) why she married so far down was subject to many rumours or so he had been told. Officially he was here to be educated in politics by her in an effort to stop the Empires own children from straying too far from the old imperial standard. A fine claim, somebody might even believe it. Most would assume he had been caught doing something mildly embarrassing, as youths tend to do, and sent away until rumours about it became dull and something else happened to entertain the most noble of the surviving empire.
The bangles on her arm sang as she offered her hand in greeting. Odd, the official welcome is typically done by the head of the household. But he supposed her husband was away and women take up the lions share of the duties here, in her husbands absence it could be argued that she is the head of the household. His grandmother would love for such logic to rule back home. Deciding that gaining the official protections that the welcome brings was more important than traditional gender norms, he took her hand.
"One behalf of the HEKAIM household, with KIKAFYI as my witness, I welcome you, KOTO WAHIERBI PIORPAEGMOE KLYISTARIM, to my home. Would you like a tour, or just to be shown to your room to rest." He was not expecting her to shake the grasped hand as if to dislodge anything hidden up his non-existent sleeve. He was glad TROO HEKAIM was not the one to welcome him, a mercenaries strength could have done some damage to his arm.
"I, KOTO WAHIERBI PIORPAEGMOE KLYISTARIM, thank you for the hospitality, You may call me PIORPAEGMOE KLYISTARIM. I think it would be best to freshen up and rest, the ship I took to reach your homeland was not equipped for nobility.", an understatement, they did not even have a bath, hopefully, to smell was inoffensive to the host.
"Understood. The bathhouse is through the door on the left, water will be prepared while I take you to your room"
The house was built around a courtyard, with a well at the centre. Stairs were on the left, the office was on the right and the dining room was at the back. The house is... quaint. His bedroom was visually distinct from the rest of the house, wearing the blue associated with the KIFE family, rather than the HEKAIMs own red and yellow. Perhaps the young HOO was often a guest here, it would explain the colour scheme. It had soothed his bruised ego somewhat to know that these people realise how important he is. His luggage had already been bought upstairs, at home the slaves would have unpacked his clothes and put them away, but he was glad the slaves here had not. He had come to a strange place and he was not sure he wanted these people to touch his things, discretion didn't seem to be a virtue among the servile class here.
Remembering the promise of a bath and unwilling to further stand the stench of that SHITO damned boat he grabbed a change of clothes and his preferred bathing oil then marched himself to the bathhouse. Upon entering he noticed how small it was, with only enough room for two bathing pools, but they were large enough and the water was warm so he decided that he had more important things to complain about. Sinking into the water he let the warmth massage the stress from his limbs. He had missed this, he thought staring at the wall mural, maybe this could be tolerable; yes the culture, what little they had, was odd but it was infinitely better than having to take the boat home. Assuming his father would even let him come home until he had completed the job he was given.
The TROO knows far too much about the political climate of WALO LANLA BEORYM, someone must be feeding him this information. For sake of his family he needed to find out what the old man knows and who gave him the information. Mercenaries don't do espionage, it angers ESOPE, their patron God, so somebody must be making use of him. But who, and more importantly what do they have to gain from it?
First, he would need to create a list of suspects. To do this he would need to get to know the household. If he could trust the TROA she would be an asset, especially if she actually cares about her husband. But there is no guarantee she isn't the one doing the manipulation. He will have to watch how they interact with each other. His welcoming meal would be ideal for the purpose, and it is not as if he could avoid the event.
A knock on the door brought the boy who was to act as his valet, freeborn and exotic featured, but far too young for anything more personal than the job. Probably for the best, many a man has been undone by pillow talk and he could not afford scandal. The boy was a useful source of information about the local culture and some surface information about his hosts. The TROA is indeed pregnant, believed to be carrying a son; her brother spends more time here than his own home; the LAAHEKAIM was tasked with making something for him with the hope of winning his admiration, this is not the girl's own idea; HYPI FLYFO was thinking of adopting LAAHEKAIM and having her married off to someone of his choosing; and the household is hosting the heir to a chiefdom in the western continent in the room next to him.
He was unsure what claim the FLYFO family had on the girl or what HEKAIM thought about it, but it would provide a rare chance to improve the bastard's status. It would also remove any competition for the soon to be born son. Bastards raised without a true born heir can be a danger to their newly born superior, daughters typically less so than sons as property cannot be passed to girls. But they could be passed on to her husband and a girl without a household's head could marry anyone she chose or name any bastard of her bloodline her familial superior, a rare opportunity for anyone. He would have a chance to get a measure of the girl at the welcoming meal.
The meal was to begin at sundown, at least an hour away if the slave boy had the right of it. He could hardly remain in the bath for that long.
He endeavoured to write to his family. Any letter sent to his father would likely be intercepted and read by every LYBO looking to improve their station, as letters to the head of major households rarely lack information of great importance, so he decided to write to his grandmother. Most people would assume such a letter would be a personal missive, and the first one would be. It would also double as a test to see if the HEKAIM household would try to intercept his letters, and if they do he needs to trick them into thinking that he has no mind for subterfuge.
The makings of a plan in hand, he made his way to his new quarters. No doubt his grandmother would be pleased to hear from him, hopefully his father would not take it as a slight.
With the letter completed and sealed in wax he began to contemplate his next move. Should he request the TROA send his letter to the embassy or wait until her husband returns home? Traditionally it would be an insult not to wait for the head of the household, but traditionally he would have to wait for him to return for the official welcoming. It seems the rules are more relaxed here, but would him relaxing decorum in return be seen as an insult. Dealing with foreigners would be less of a headache. The commotion outside could only mean the return of HEKAIM. It was time for him to make an appearance. Making his way downstairs it became clear that HEKAIM had not in fact returned to his domain. Instead there appeared to be two young men engaged in an arm wrestling match over the corner of the impluvium. The one with his back facing PIO was positioned in a way that his tunic was pulled taut over the young mans shapely backside, a lovely view in his esteemed opinion. He was not the only one who had stopped to watch the commotion. Several of the KORRYNTA(free born) staff and even a few WARSE(household slaves) had stopped to enjoy the entertainment. Bets were being taken, apparently this competition was between the KRYPS(wild) and the OMEO(stone). It seems this would be entertaining indeed. Or it would have been if not for the expected arrival of one old man. "What the fuck do you two think you're doing? The atrium is no place for horseplay." Bellowed the newly arrived FYMI HEKAIM, the foulness of his language a contrast to the formality of his garments. A polished wood walking stick in one hand, his crimson edged toga in the other. As the WARSE scattered both KRYPS and OMEO lept to their feet and turned to face the entrance. Face to HEKAIM's sneering face. "Ah, it seems as if my sisters student has arrived. We have not been formally introduced. My name is EKO PIRSARBI MIQEIM KIFE, My good-brother here is KOTO PIRSARBI FYMI SPAEO HEKAIM". The young man interrupted after noticing PIO. Tension evaporating, TROA KIFE materialised to offer proper introduction. "Of course, your family will want to know of your safe arrival, no doubt the embassy has been watching the docks for at least a week." "Do not worry husband, I sent a runner not long after welcoming him to the property. No doubt the KESOOD(head ambassador) has invited himself to the welcoming feast." the TROA interjected. "Wonderful" HEKAIM responded tiredly, "I thought I was done with the prancing peacocks for tonight." The old man took a deep breath to calm himself down, before continuing "Young KLYISTARIM, I hope you do not think less of us due to my granddaughters idea of entertaining guests". So the LAAHEKAIM enjoys watching young men show off their muscles. He was sure they would get along well, even if not well enough to sign a marriage contract as any right-minded grandfather might hope. "Of course not TROO HEKAIM, no doubt with your line of work, there are many young men to hand who are looking to show off their prowess. She would be a fool to not make use of them, lest they make their own trouble." HOO KIFE raised his eyebrow in amusement before adding to the conversation. "Your guest has a point good-brother, SHINA is many things but wasteful is not one of them." So HOO KIFE is on personal name terms with the LAAHEKAIM, a familiar closeness or a crush? It was worth keeping an eye on. She is legally his grandniece so marriage is off the table, but incestuous liaisons were not unheard of amongst those of noble blood. "I did task my granddaughter with entertaining our guests while I am gone, and I suppose you technically are. I will have to be more precise with my words in the future." HEKAIM responded grumpily.
FYMI HEKAIM was many things, but a poor host was not one of them. Honeyed wine flowed freely from glass goblets. A personal preference on HEKAIM's part, he seems to think metal goblets pollute the taste of the wine. If his family owned a glass-works PIO would have assumed it was a sales pitch. The old man took his host duty seriously as he introduced PIO to everyone at the meal, first the noble EKO PIRSARBI MIQEIM KIFE, sat at his sisters left. KRYPS sat next to him, whose true name was apparently TROA SHINA LAAHEKAIM, the granddaughter. Finally and less confusingly the foreigners sat in the corner with an unpronounceable jumble of sounds that pass for names. "Call me ESTE" the one earlier referred to as OMEO replied in passable SYLWO "one can only listen to you own name be butchered so many times before you choose a nickname, it is always those who are the worst at me own tongue that criticise me own skill at their own" he added sardonically. "Careful young one" HEKAIM counseled "In days gone by, those sort of folk would have taken the tongue from your mouth for as little as a stutter in it. I am sure many of them dream of regaining that power again." "And what stops the fools from trying?" Questioned the palest of the three, in an accent so thick it almost sounded like a barbarian tongue. "Those capable of even basic diplomacy and foresight." HEKAIM responded candidly "From what I have been told, they believe you to be a fosterling like our new guest here." He gestured to him. "No doubt they dream of your BARO, i believe you call it HIGY(ᚸᛁᚷᚢ)," the look on the trios faces implied that they did not call it that "bringing Imperial influence with him when he take his father's own seat of power." "Speaking of diplomacy", TROA KYIDKIFE HEKAIM interrupted gently "it seems the KESOOD has arrived. He will expect to be introduced to KROMYI KLYISTARIM, so let us get it over with before he becomes insufferable" she continued with an air of frank politeness. KESOOD LAALYOIMYNO was a LAAKROMYI born man in his forties, with a bright smile that did not reach his tired eyes. A wine dark over tunic in last years fashion hung from brass broaches on his shoulders. He was no kin of PIO's but acted as if they were old friends, bound by an unwavering bond of being born in roughly the same area. This man clearly intended to monopolise as much of his time as possible. It must have stung his pride that PIO would not be staying with him, but a young man's duty is to obey his father. It was fortunate the KESOOD arrived late, whether by ignorance or a desire to insult the host, there was no chance he would be seated by the man. With a bell the first course was wheeled in, great beast he had never seen before roasting over a purpose-built charcoal fire, all on a great stone trolley. TROO HEKAIM gave his guests what might have been a wry grin on his scarred face. "I hope you forgive me for the unconventional fish course" he gestured to the beast "but after our new guest's long journey the kitchen staff suspected he may be sick of seeing scales for a while. And what is the point of traveling across the world just to eat the same food you do at home?" While that may be a kindness, today was SHITO's day and the temples are very insistent on what can be eaten then. "How does the temple of SHITO consider that thing a fish?" The ambassador questioned sharply. No doubt thinking that PIO would have to stay at the embassy, and under their tutelage, if they could get the TROO in trouble with the temple authority. "The beast was hunted just off the coast, they often swim there to eat the sea grass. If a seal, a creature that breathes air and gives birth to live young on land, is considered a fish then why not this beast?" replied smugly "The ESSOEGOD himself has witnessed them swimming gracefully through the water. You need not worry for my piety KESOOD for I was raised better than that." So the TROO was clever, that is useful to know. PIO was not sure why the TROO felt the need to mention how he was raised but surely this information will become known soon enough. The KESOOD pointed indignantly at the main course, "That thing has legs, how can anything with legs be considered a fish?" KESOOD LAALYOIMYNO demanded, almost losing his veneer of politeness. The TROO allowed a frustrated sigh to escape him before retorting "KESOOD, do you remember last year when the University of LORSA PRANSA opened an exhibit on the creatures under SHITO's domain. I'm sure you do, it was quite an event, the FLOKEIE for SHITO's temple got so drunk he fell in the river. Well if you had actually looked at the exhibit you might have seen-" "I will not be lectured too by a barbarian blooded mercenary, I do not know why the venerable KLYISTARIM family would lower themselves to foster their heir with a man like you." "Technically the boy is to be educated by myself-" the TROA attempted to inform the KESOOD. "Do not interrupt me woman!" the KESOOD spat, getting truly angry now, "Something is amiss with this situation, when I find out what you have done, and I will find it, with ABANY as my witness I will personally throw the full weight of the law upon you." "I think you've had enough to drink KESOOD, for I cannot think of any other reason why a pious man such as you would risk the ire of KIKAFYI by insulting your host." HEKAIM stated with a strange calm, lifting the KESOOD to his feet, with surprising strength for a man his age. "I think it would be best if one of my men take you home so you can sleep off WAWOYI's influence".
With the letter completed and sealed in wax he began to contemplate his next move. Should he request the TROA send his letter to the embassy or wait until her husband returns home? Traditionally it would be an insult not to wait for the head of the household, but traditionally he would have to wait for him to return for the official welcoming. It seems the rules are more relaxed here, but would him relaxing decorum in return be seen as an insult. Dealing with foreigners would be less of a headache. The commotion outside could only mean the return of HEKAIM. It was time for him to make an appearance. Making his way downstairs it became clear that HEKAIM had not in fact returned to his domain. Instead there appeared to be two young men engaged in an arm wrestling match over the corner of the impluvium. The one with his back facing PIO was positioned in a way that his tunic was pulled taut over the young mans shapely backside, a lovely view in his esteemed opinion. He was not the only one who had stopped to watch the commotion. Several of the KORRYNTA(free born) staff and even a few WARSE(household slaves) had stopped to enjoy the entertainment. Bets were being taken, apparently this competition was between the KRYPS(wild) and the OMEO(stone). It seems this would be entertaining indeed. Or it would have been if not for the expected arrival of one old man. "What the fuck do you two think you're doing? The atrium is no place for horseplay." Bellowed the newly arrived FYMI HEKAIM, the foulness of his language a contrast to the formality of his garments. A polished wood walking stick in one hand, his crimson edged toga in the other. As the WARSE scattered both KRYPS and OMEO lept to their feet and turned to face the entrance. Face to HEKAIM's sneering face. "Ah, it seems as if my sisters student has arrived. We have not been formally introduced. My name is EKO PIRSARBI MIQEIM KIFE, My good-brother here is KOTO PIRSARBI FYMI SPAEO HEKAIM". The young man interrupted after noticing PIO. Tension evaporating, TROA KIFE materialised to offer proper introduction. "Of course, your family will want to know of your safe arrival, no doubt the embassy has been watching the docks for at least a week." "Do not worry husband, I sent a runner not long after welcoming him to the property. No doubt the KESOOD(head ambassador) has invited himself to the welcoming feast." the TROA interjected. "Wonderful" HEKAIM responded tiredly, "I thought I was done with the prancing peacocks for tonight." The old man took a deep breath to calm himself down, before continuing "Young KLYISTARIM, I hope you do not think less of us due to my granddaughters idea of entertaining guests". So the LAAHEKAIM enjoys watching young men show off their muscles. He was sure they would get along well, even if not well enough to sign a marriage contract as any right-minded grandfather might hope. "Of course not TROO HEKAIM, no doubt with your line of work, there are many young men to hand who are looking to show off their prowess. She would be a fool to not make use of them, lest they make their own trouble." HOO KIFE raised his eyebrow in amusement before adding to the conversation. "Your guest has a point good-brother, SHINA is many things but wasteful is not one of them." So HOO KIFE is on personal name terms with the LAAHEKAIM, a familiar closeness or a crush? It was worth keeping an eye on. She is legally his grandniece so marriage is off the table, but incestuous liaisons were not unheard of amongst those of noble blood. "I did task my granddaughter with entertaining our guests while I am gone, and I suppose you technically are. I will have to be more precise with my words in the future." HEKAIM responded grumpily.
FYMI HEKAIM was many things, but a poor host was not one of them. Honeyed wine flowed freely from glass goblets. A personal preference on HEKAIM's part, he seems to think metal goblets pollute the taste of the wine. If his family owned a glass-works PIO would have assumed it was a sales pitch. The old man took his host duty seriously as he introduced PIO to everyone at the meal, first the noble EKO PIRSARBI MIQEIM KIFE, sat at his sisters left. KRYPS sat next to him, whose true name was apparently TROA SHINA LAAHEKAIM, the granddaughter. Finally and less confusingly the foreigners sat in the corner with an unpronounceable jumble of sounds that pass for names. "Call me ESTE" the one earlier referred to as OMEO replied in passable SYLWO "one can only listen to you own name be butchered so many times before you choose a nickname, it is always those who are the worst at me own tongue that criticise me own skill at their own" he added sardonically. "Careful young one" HEKAIM counseled "In days gone by, those sort of folk would have taken the tongue from your mouth for as little as a stutter in it. I am sure many of them dream of regaining that power again." "And what stops the fools from trying?" Questioned the palest of the three, in an accent so thick it almost sounded like a barbarian tongue. "Those capable of even basic diplomacy and foresight." HEKAIM responded candidly "From what I have been told, they believe you to be a fosterling like our new guest here." He gestured to him. "No doubt they dream of your BARO, i believe you call it HIGY(ᚸᛁᚷᚢ)," the look on the trios faces implied that they did not call it that "bringing Imperial influence with him when he take his father's own seat of power." "Speaking of diplomacy", TROA KYIDKIFE HEKAIM interrupted gently "it seems the KESOOD has arrived. He will expect to be introduced to KROMYI KLYISTARIM, so let us get it over with before he becomes insufferable" she continued with an air of frank politeness. KESOOD LAALYOIMYNO was a LAAKROMYI born man in his forties, with a bright smile that did not reach his tired eyes. A wine dark over tunic in last years fashion hung from brass broaches on his shoulders. He was no kin of PIO's but acted as if they were old friends, bound by an unwavering bond of being born in roughly the same area. This man clearly intended to monopolise as much of his time as possible. It must have stung his pride that PIO would not be staying with him, but a young man's duty is to obey his father. It was fortunate the KESOOD arrived late, whether by ignorance or a desire to insult the host, there was no chance he would be seated by the man. With a bell the first course was wheeled in, great beast he had never seen before roasting over a purpose-built charcoal fire, all on a great stone trolley. TROO HEKAIM gave his guests what might have been a wry grin on his scarred face. "I hope you forgive me for the unconventional fish course" he gestured to the beast "but after our new guest's long journey the kitchen staff suspected he may be sick of seeing scales for a while. And what is the point of traveling across the world just to eat the same food you do at home?" While that may be a kindness, today was SHITO's day and the temples are very insistent on what can be eaten then. "How does the temple of SHITO consider that thing a fish?" The ambassador questioned sharply. No doubt thinking that PIO would have to stay at the embassy, and under their tutelage, if they could get the TROO in trouble with the temple authority. "The beast was hunted just off the coast, they often swim there to eat the sea grass. If a seal, a creature that breathes air and gives birth to live young on land, is considered a fish then why not this beast?" replied smugly "The ESSOEGOD himself has witnessed them swimming gracefully through the water. You need not worry for my piety KESOOD for I was raised better than that." So the TROO was clever, that is useful to know. PIO was not sure why the TROO felt the need to mention how he was raised but surely this information will become known soon enough. The KESOOD pointed indignantly at the main course, "That thing has legs, how can anything with legs be considered a fish?" KESOOD LAALYOIMYNO demanded, almost losing his veneer of politeness. The TROO allowed a frustrated sigh to escape him before retorting "KESOOD, do you remember last year when the University of LORSA PRANSA opened an exhibit on the creatures under SHITO's domain. I'm sure you do, it was quite an event, the FLOKEIE for SHITO's temple got so drunk he fell in the river. Well if you had actually looked at the exhibit you might have seen-" "I will not be lectured too by a barbarian blooded mercenary, I do not know why the venerable KLYISTARIM family would lower themselves to foster their heir with a man like you." "Technically the boy is to be educated by myself-" the TROA attempted to inform the KESOOD. "Do not interrupt me woman!" the KESOOD spat, getting truly angry now, "Something is amiss with this situation, when I find out what you have done, and I will find it, with ABANY as my witness I will personally throw the full weight of the law upon you." "I think you've had enough to drink KESOOD, for I cannot think of any other reason why a pious man such as you would risk the ire of KIKAFYI by insulting your host." HEKAIM stated with a strange calm, lifting the KESOOD to his feet, with surprising strength for a man his age. "I think it would be best if one of my men take you home so you can sleep off WAWOYI's influence".