Visit her

Liandra decided she couldn't be so spoiled and not visit Lady Say in her own home, it felt too much like an insult. With the help of Analia, the ship´s weather witch, the princess braved the metropolitan stench and went towards the Say household. Thankfully it was just the port that was unbearable, the rest was merely bad.

The Say household was large and humble, there were a number of other houses that seemed richer from outside, marble nymph statues appeared very fashionable. The princess was welcomed inside, and guided towards a dinning hall decorated for her benefit. Again, decoration was light and tasteful. Lady Say came in soon after.

Lady Say was beautiful, but in a different way than the princess was used to. Her skin had a dusky tone, her hair was a rich ebony and her eyes were amber; she dressed conservatively but Liandra noticed the hourglass figure beneath. Her mother was certainly a foreign beauty, Liandra wondered if perhaps she was a pleasure ****?

Introductions were made and a little small talk. Liandra didn't want to waste too much of her time, so soon said she was looking for Lady Say´s opinion on current affairs, and what she though would be best for the future. She found Lady Say far more open with her opinions than she hoped for.

"We are all preparing for War, princess. In the next three years, maybe less." This shocked the princess, she had no idea it was already that widespread a notion. Say servants served dinner, and Liandra found herself tasting brews and spices that she didn't know before. It was hardly unpleasant, and enough to cloud the lingering distaste the metropolitan city gave her.

"It is all because of Prince Mortimer, really. He grew up hearing about his father´s Crusade, and the prick is a vain glory hound." Liandra laughed when she heard her fiance to be addressed as such, so good was the wine. Her handmaidens were less forgiving, but Say proved articulate in defending her points, quoting events in distant tournaments and the mistreatment he gave to free cities. Liandra was curious about more, of course.

"Nocternia? just a hogwash pit, it isn't going to last. It was born out of a good dream, freedom, but how long do they think humans can rule over demons and monsters? How can there be fairness when your nobility is composed of necromancers and demonologists? Fell creatures trade in soul and damnation, and that is that" She had strong opinions, but that was just what Liandra was looking for. Liandra tried to argue about how freedom really was important, and people could look beyond their differences, but Lady Say dismissed the naivety "You can of course argue yourself into just about anything, Princess. But it is silly to project your own values into other people."

Their arguments grew long, and Liandra asked Dani to go back to the ship, and say she was going to stay overnight. They had long stopped talking about business and moved to Lady Say´s terrace when Liandra asked "Is it true all that we hear about your father´s court?"

Lady Say laughed "Depends, what did you hear?"

"That morals are forbidden, and that the revelry never stops" Liandra was a tad drunk, but so was her company.

"It is true. Perhaps with some exaggeration, my rivals love to smear my name" Lady Say grew serious, but she was still **** "Truth is, my father and my family are cursed. Insatiable Lust, for every male son in his line. You see, my father double crossed a witch... promised to marry her, but he broke his word. So that is why I must be the one to run our business"