Ups and downs

Kael is **** to endure a bit of teasing regarding Petra in the next few days. Gabby and Ria in particular give him no end of trouble, constantly asking if he’s made a move on her. It doesn’t help that Petra seems to gravitate towards him any time he’s around her. Though Kael does not, in fact, make a move, there’s definitely an obvious infatuation in the way she looks at him. For now, though, that’s as far as it goes.

Orin takes note of this as well, but here the changes wrought in him by his lamia companion shine through. The old Orin would have never let up with the teasing, but instead, he lets this go with only a couple choice barbs, all said in good humor. He also does a commendable job in showing Petra the ropes, even going so far as to helping her find furniture for her new home. Koa chips in here as well, the big man readily accepting the new champion into their ranks.

Meanwhile, Lord Greyheart’s condition is rapidly deteriorating. He has reached the point where he can no longer walk without assistance, and Bernal is always at his side. The old champion’s ever present smile seems very ****, it he maintains the pleasant facade as best he can. As for Lord Greyheart, although his body is failing, his mind is as sharp as ever. He does everything he can to maintain the machinery of state, and instructs Kael and Ria in any way he can.

Part of his efforts are devoted towards finding out more about this cult, though little surfaces initially. Some reports come in that the flaming fist symbol has been found in various cities, though none in the capital, thankfully. Wherever this Order of the Burnt Hand is based, they’re keeping a low profile for now.

Kael is finding himself pushed forward more and more as Lord Greyheart’s health fails. For the moment, he is a figurehead and a mouthpiece for the ailing king, but he knows that soon, the burden of leadership will fall to him and Ria. The people have always adored Lord Greyheart, which would make it difficult for anyone to step into his place. Thankfully, it seems like Kael and Ria, already well liked, have been quickly accepted. More than that, it seems that Lord Greyheart selecting them has made them nearly as beloved as he is.

More surprising, however, is the attitudes about Evie. Kael caught a glimpse of it when they showed Petra to her new home, but he didn’t catch the full scope of what was happening. The worries that the people wouldn’t accept an elven woman as royalty were, it seems, completely unfounded. Likely helped by the fact that she is Lord Greyheart’s daughter, Evie has become a figure of adoration by the people of the city. Though she rarely appears in public, her shyness only endears her further, and crowds are delighted to see ‘Princess Evie’ at Kael’s side.

And then there’s Gabby. The big holstaur stays out of the limelight, but she’s not without her admirers as well. Mostly, though, she spends her time in the palace gardens, either sunbathing (clothed, as not to cause scandals and rioting), or giving a helping hand to the gardeners. The senior gardener, an older lady named Doris, takes Gabby under her wing almost immediately. The two of them can be seen most days, happily tending to the plants.

All in all, things are going as smoothly as could possibly be expected. Even so, both Kael and Ria agree that it’s more exhausting than combat ever was. Kael is glad to go home at the end of each day, and doubly glad at who he’s coming home to. Especially when Ria has the sort of glint in her eyes that he sees today.