Who is this noble

Emid knows he is not meant to be consorting with foreign nobles at the castle on business. However, this young noble is consorting with several from the court guard and his friend Jimso is among so he thinks he can ask for an introduction. He smiles at the blacksmith elf who returns the smile as he heads toward the small crowd. The young noble had just descended from a table top after dancing a Finfarian dance and eliciting a round of applause from the fellow revelers. Emid had seen nobles do bizarre things, more bizarre than commoners typically, but this lady seemed to be rowdy and having a night out much more consistent with what he would expect to see in the common pubs far from the castle or any noble mansion.

As he approached, he steered himself toward Jimso.

Jimso: Oh Emid, here grab a mug!

Jimso reached behind and seemed to pull a mug of ale from thin air since he was blacking the view of the barrel it was sitting on behind him.

Emid: Who's is this?

Jimso: It belongs to Hana, but she left with Fani just before you arrived. The noble from Finfar was stealing the show and you know how Fani and Hana feel about that.

Emid: May I assume that Fani brought this noble out for a drink after a diplomatic dinner of sorts?

Jimso: How did you know? That's what I like about you Emid, you are sharp as any court mage but you aren't afraid of a cut or a black eye.

Emid: We don't all have the strength of a healthy ox. Have you spoken to this lady? What is her name? It escapes me at the moment.

Jimso: Her name is Camiha. I spoke to her earlier. You know she is a noble so we need some decorum, but she seems a lot more like one of us than any of the other nobles I've met. She said it's because she has always lived at their modest manors in distant areas of Finfar rather than any of the major cities so all her friends were always commoners or the help and their children at their manors. I'm not learned so I don't really know about the regions of Finfar but my cousin lives in a village with one noble and I can imagine.

Emid: Oh wow! You really studied her words thoroughly. Perhaps she should teach the guard course on essential supply logistics in the castle and you would be promoted to lieutenant in no time.

Jimso laughed at Emid's joke. He was normally a little defensive about his low scores in the learning modules required of the guard, but Emid had always been willing to help him study whenever he asked, so he didn't suspect any malice.

Jimso: Have you seen her? How can one not pay attention to her?

Emid: Are you saying the lovely nobles of Banpa aren't also beautiful?

Jimso: Com'on Emid. You know they are, but have you ever seen any of them come out with the guard to dance a jig from a rural village on a table in the courtyard?

Emid: I'm kidding with you. I understand your meaning. Can you introduce me?

Jimso: Certainly, let's go!

They approached Camiha and Jimso began the introduction "Lady Camiha, allow me to introduce the newest member of the castle guard, Emid. May you find his company pleasing." Camiha smiled and grabbed Emid's hand for a hearty handshake. It was an abnormal way for noble women to greet common guards but based on what he had seen so far, Emid wasn't surprised and was able to return the gesture quickly.

Emid: It is a pleasure to meet you I hear you come from the remote region of Finfar and as I recall, you're family specializes in rural banking?

Camiha: Oh, well you have certainly studied for this conversation. Indeed, although I didn't expect that to be much more than background for this type of gathering. Do you have an interest on either of the topics?

Emid: I'm just wondering what brings a young noble to ditch her royal dinner companion and spend an evening with the guard instead.

Camiha: Well you may be a rookie guard, but I will say you seem to be one of the more inquisitive members I met so far.

Emid: So I heard you met our Captain and I assume our Commanders, so you know I'm just aspiring to measure up one day.

Camiha: Hahaha, well aren't you full of flattery for your superiors. I did meet with your Captain. In fact she brought me out here after our dinner. We had finished discussing matters over dinner and she just wanted to press for more favorable terms. I may be young but I know her game.

Emid: Wait, so you and Fani were negotiating some kind of deal? Isn't that a matter between your parents and hers? Are you here on your own?

Camiha: Oh my mother came as a royal guest, but do to the nature of our dealings, it is better if I deal with it without official scrutiny. Your royals also agree and since Fani is the head of one of your elite security groups, it made sense for her to lead these discussions.

Emid: What are you talking about? What kind of deal were you brokering?

Camiha looked around to see that the gathering is going on, but folks had broken into smaller group and were engaged in various games as guards do, but this conversation had escaped their interest. That suited her fine.

Camiha: Oh I have drank more than I thought. Perhaps I just shouldn't have mentioned it. I'm sure you will piece this together on your own. It's no secret Banpa has been seeking funds from Finfar. Even some of the common merchants have been talking about it from time to time.

Emid: Oh, so this is about financing the defense effort? But what about the major banks?

Camiha: The large banks aren't opposed to financing conflict, but openly financing Banpa may anger the Nantian royals and therefor the docking authority in Nantia.

Emid: Oh, so your family banks have good credit with the larger banks and can lend to Banpa military.

Camiha: Are you familiar with the rural regions of Finfar?

Emid: It's hard to navigate and have several isolated communities.

Camiha: True, but many communities are isolated from the capital and banks and have declared their own borders and many have very militaristic local leadership meant to protect their borders in conflicts with their neighboring communities. Our banks service communities in this delicate area. We also work with many of the smiths who can supply communities to secure our banks in these areas.

Emid: Oh, so you can cut out the middle men.

Camiha: You could say that. But I'm afraid it is time for me to get some rest. Goodnight Emid. It was lovely talking to you.

Emid: Goodnight. It was lovely to meet you and good luck on your negotiations.

Camiha: Thank you.

Emid also went to bed. He felt he learned some kind of great secret although he was sure it was business as usual for defense financing. between conflicting wealthy kingdoms. His mother was asleep but his sister was out. He presumed she may have been staying with Kari. His sister had mentioned Kari's manor has some guest rooms and a much more comfortable bed than the modest commoner quarters in the castle.