The Ballad of Tailte - {IC)

[Crazywolf]

Bodi nodded slightly with approval at Keeva's words then took another sip of mead. "Very well you are dismissed" he said to her.

* * *

To Nadiyya the first part of the test didn't seem too bad, certainly nothing she couldn't handle. She gave a slight shake of the reigns. "Fly" she ordered. Obediently Topaz spread his wings then leant back on his haunches slightly before springing lightly up into the air. Although his weight was several times that of the largest mountain eagle he was able to glide upwards almost effortlessly.

Once up and air-borne she checked back over her shoulder to see that Albin was following then as instructed she guided Topaz in a simple lap around the edge of the city. As they whizzed round over the rooftops she was struck once again by the size and magnificence of it, noting the different islands that made it up and how they were all connected. After the palace itself the other most impressive sight was the fleet of ships nestled down in the harbour. As they came round to the west her eyes soon picked out the crescent island to the west that Albin had mentioned and she steered Topaz towards it. The island had on it a single watch tower. She reached the island then brought him down gently to land in an open glade of grass overlooking the shore.

[AngelDellaNotte]

Amane watched the pair of women exchange their banter out of the corner of her eye wondering if she wold be able to get anything useful from the Lady Doitean or if it would be better to attempt to befriend her to get closer to the Duchess and royal family of Saibhreas. She figured the latter would be the better option as with now and her time watching her aboard the ship she had gotten the impression that she didn't get involved much with the affairs of state.

Amane noticed that the Lady Doitean suddenly became distracted and leapt to her feet startling her friend and annoying her pet before running from the room. She wasn't sure why at first until she heard a strange sound that she couldn't quite place. She finished off her drink in one swig shuddering a little at first as she forgot how strong Saib spirits could be then followed the Lady and her friend being careful to stay out of sight.

[Megilwen]

"That's cause Aran's her baby." said Kyrie with a smile as they walked outside toward the gate. "Do you think she would have had as much of a problem if you would have decided you wanted to keep a Tiger for a pet? Well it might be a combination of the youngest child as well as that Aran tends to get into enough trouble on her own that she doesn't NEED a tiger to help with that."

Brennan chuckled from where he walked beside Calder. "Has she always been so...wild?" He asked.

---

Keeva hurried to leave worried that she'd give something of her thoughts away even more. She walked back to the place where she'd hid the fruit and collected it to go to her father's chambers where she knew he would be sleeping. Thankfully no one had come looking for him yet. Who knows what they would do with a sick old man who couldn't work. Finding him asleep and unable to stay for long, she hid the fruit in her own bed to give to him later, before leaving to find Lord Bodi's scribe for her new work assignment.

[BumblingBee]

Aran stood a little way always from the musician as the crowd started to separate and disperse. Habibi eventually reached his ladies side. With a groan, he butted his head into the back of her knees. Aran scowled, yet didn't take her eyes away from her target.
"kes şunu Habibi!"
The tiger moaned in a rather self sorry way, before flopping at Arans feet. She was far too focused on the Lute played that had just finished his set. For a decent while she simply stood analysing the man. Then, confidently, she stepped forwards. From the sight of Habibi alone, the crowd parted completely to let her through. A excited type of silence drifted down and through the audience.

Aran was stood directly in front of the Lute player, her gaze overly focused. Most would find it intimidating.
"How long have you played the lute"
It was more of a demand than a question.

[AvisCrown]

Calder laughed. "As far as I can remember but it's no doubt she's really father's favorite. He's always spoilt her." There was no jealousy in Calder's voice. In fact he found it rather amusing. No one knew how to manipulate his father like Aran. It was the only thing he could recall his father and his mother ever fighting over was the things his father let her get away with. "Father jokes that she's just like her mother, just mother refuses to admit it."

________________________________________________

Albin gave Nidiyya a few seconds to pick up speed before taking off himself and following far enough behind to give her room to move freely but close enough to be able to be able to watch her technique. First thing he noticed was though she had bonded well with her griffon and followed her command, her technique was sloppy. His own trainer would have stopped those habits the second he spotted them. He didn't however believe she was completely hopeless. He believed if he brought her attention to these issues they'd be easily fixed in training.

He landed a little ways away from her in the grass. A guard came down from the tower near by. The crescent shaped island was one of five small islands that bordered the eastern side of the city. Unlike the other islands they weren't connected by the bridge system around the city. Only a guard tower stood on this island and really there wasn't much room for anything else.

"Lord Doitean." The guard saluted then looked over to Nidiyya. "A new recruit."

"Possibly. Can you signal the other towers for a training exercises?" The guard nodded and returned to the tower. Albin turned to Nadiyya. "This is the last part of the test I can give you as of right now. On our way here you've no doubt noticed the towers laced throughout the city? There is one on each island and on the islands surrounding the city. The outer ones are guard towers. The ones located in the city are parts of the old temples. I'll be able to watch you from there." He pointed to the guard tower. "This time you'll go through the city as we did before but you'll need to work your way through and around the towers. "

[Crazywolf]

Nadiyya frowned slightly as she listened to the instructions and looked back at the city. Having learnt to fly out in the countryside she was more used to open skies and wide mountain valleys. Still though she was determined to prove herself and show him what she was able to do.

She nodded slightly to indicate that she understood the instructions. "Ok sure" she replied. She then waited for him to go and take his position on the tower before she set off.

[AngelDellaNotte]

As she walked out of the tavern Amane grabbed a cloak that was sitting on an unattended table. She draped it over her being sure to cover her leather tunic and don the hood. Lady Aran was standing not far from the tavern watching the same lute player that had been inside. She moved closer to Lady Aran and her friend coming up behind her quietly with a dagger in her hand. With a quick flick of her wrist she cut the string holding Lady Aran's coin purse onto her belt and caught the bag before disappearing into the crowd.

Amane ducked into an alley but still able to keep an eye on Lady Aran. She looked down at the bag in her hand noticing that the serrated blade she had used made the string look like it had broke rather than been cut. The trick was one she had learned several years ago in the Rainic Capital. The bag had a fair amount of coin in it, not enough to seem like much to a noble but to a commoner it could easily keep a family feed for a month or two.

She tossed the cloak off dropping it on several crates that were in the alley before walking back into the crowd. She noticed that it was smaller now that the musician had stopped playing. When she was a short distance away from Lady Aran she broke into a jog making it seem like she had been running to catch up with her.

"Forgive me Milady, I couldn't help but notice you dropped this inside the tavern." Amane said being sure to use a thick Atoni accent that was mostly used by those that lived in the far North deep in the woods. An accent that even some Atonians found difficult to understand. Amane held up the bag of coins then jumped back a little when she heard the tiger growl. She watched as Lady Aran looked down where her coin purse should have been seeing the 'broken' string.

Amane smiled at Aran then said, "Níos fearr a bheith acu beag, ná a bheith saibhir agus mímhacánta" an old Atoni proverb meaning, "Better to have little, than to be rich and dishonest". She handed the bag back then respectfully bowed her head.

[AngelDellaNotte]

.

[BumblingBee]

Aran was frowning. Most might have questioned why, but for those who knew her, they understand exactly why such a expression sat with her. For put at its best, Aran was a complete and utter perfectionist. At her worse, she was a overly obsessive person. Once she discovered a new skill, talent or hobby, she literally wouldn't rest or stop, until the occupation was at least mastered. Her behaviour in her youth, had been at times so worrying, that her mother had called the advice of (in her mind) some arty farts doctors to observe her and perhaps find the reasoning for such obsession. Their conclusions had been universally agreed, that Aran simply had far too much energy for her own good, and said energy better be spent obsessing over something worthwhile, than put to other 'activities'.

However this also gave Aran a particularly unwelcome habit of becoming almost u characteristically grumpy or sour at the sight or even thought, of another person daring to be better than her at something. Hence her particular coldness to the lute player before her. The fact that she was quickly interuppted in her investigation, did not help matters.

She turned swiftly to face the other young woman. Skin was pale, Atonian or Rainc, the first was more likely from the accent. Aran took her pouch with a scowl and proceeded to check its contents as the woman dribbled on in her mother's tongue. Aran had never bothered to learn it fully, Saib sounded far more exotic anyway. The woman bowed her head and it seemed Aran was expected to say something. instead of talking to her presumed rescuer however, she turned to face Devi. Holding her pouch up, she simply asked.
"Did you see anything?"

- - - Updated - - -

Aran was frowning. Most might have questioned why, but for those who knew her, they understand exactly why such a expression sat with her. For put at its best, Aran was a complete and utter perfectionist. At her worse, she was a overly obsessive person. Once she discovered a new skill, talent or hobby, she literally wouldn't rest or stop, until the occupation was at least mastered. Her behaviour in her youth, had been at times so worrying, that her mother had called the advice of (in her mind) some arty farts doctors to observe her and perhaps find the reasoning for such obsession. Their conclusions had been universally agreed, that Aran simply had far too much energy for her own good, and said energy better be spent obsessing over something worthwhile, than put to other 'activities'.

However this also gave Aran a particularly unwelcome habit of becoming almost u characteristically grumpy or sour at the sight or even thought, of another person daring to be better than her at something. Hence her particular coldness to the lute player before her. The fact that she was quickly interuppted in her investigation, did not help matters.

She turned swiftly to face the other young woman. Skin was pale, Atonian or Rainc, the first was more likely from the accent. Aran took her pouch with a scowl and proceeded to check its contents as the woman dribbled on in her mother's tongue. Aran had never bothered to learn it fully, Saib sounded far more exotic anyway. The woman bowed her head and it seemed Aran was expected to say something. instead of talking to her presumed rescuer however, she turned to face Devi. Holding her pouch up, she simply asked.
"Did you see anything?"

[AvisCrown]

After giving Nidiyya her instructions he headed up the guard tower. Once at the top he signaled down below with a large yellow flag, the flag also signally the other towers to expect a rider to fly close by. From his position he'd easily be able to see her move over the city, though he'd lose sight of any technic she uses as she moves in towards the city. Though his first lap around with her gave him a. good insight of her skills.

__________________________________________

Devi frowned and shrugged. "I was chancing after you." She put her had on her hips, giving Aran a look that usually meant she was being rude.