[54] Left Hand of the Salstars

[54] Left Hand of the Salstars

Tanisha sat facing Joha, who was explaining different salesman tactics in one of the common areas. Æsa interrupted to retrieve Tanisha, to prepare her for the banquet. It would be starting in a few hours, and they wanted to make sure she was properly dressed and prepared. They returned to Tanisha’s room where three other servants were waiting.

Tanisha used her Identify on the group of ladies.

Identify

Name: Roskva Yulu

Race: Wendigo

Level: 6

Vocation: Noncombatant

Identify

Name: Hervor Faas

Race: Wendigo

Level: 5

Vocation: Noncombatant

Identify

Name: Ranveig Kole

Race: Wendigo

Level: 10

Vocation: Mystic Swordswoman

“Ah, and there she is,” Hervor said with a wide smile. “She looks as cute as a flower. What a gorgeous tiara as well.”

The women were all snowfallen wendigo, and all introduced themselves. Shortly after, Tanisha was embarrassed as they stripped her down and took her to the bath to wash and scrub her down. They worked on her hair, and Tanisha found she was not alone. Helina was getting the same treatment and loving every minute of it.

When they returned to the room they measured and fit her for a new formal outfit. A montage of trying on various dresses, robes and accessories ensued. Tanisha could not help but think of her life before she was kicked out and lived in the academy. As a little girl the Salstar servants would dress her for events, and her older sister would always put on her accessories. A pang of sadness washed over her, knowing that her sister was gone and she was now a shai.Gét latest novel chapters on nov(e)lbj/n(.)c/om

She also remembered her mother’s Right Hand Thyra; a mean lady that would always discipline her and her siblings. Thyra believed in etiquette and manners above all else; as a lady of the Salstars, Tanisha, or as she was known then Freja, needed to exude class at all times. Tanisha remembered hearing that the woman was actually a powerful mage, although Tanisha didn’t remember ever seeing her use magic.

Once the toast was over servants rolled out large haunches of meats in various stages of cooked, from raw to well-done. They walked around and cut directly from the haunch onto the waiting plate of whomever they passed. They served the Isi family first, then the merchant table before everyone else. After them came more and more courses of meat, from beef to poultry and seafood. Tanisha saw some of the non-wendigo being served salad and vegetables.

The banquet became lively as food and drinks flowed and people conversed. Tanisha talked cheerily with her companions, really feeling like she could let her guard down. It was nice to be amongst people that she could trust again. She felt they truly had her back.

After a while people from other tables came over to speak with them. Many of the villagers paid their respects, and the other, obviously more influential guests inquired about their goods and services for networking. More than a few wendigo asked about Tanisha’s mage status and if she was a noble. She waved off any talks of nobility.

“No-no, I am an alchemist potion maker. Joha is my arcanist teacher and Helina my magic instructor,” Tanisha responded.

At some point into the evening Tyr came over and requested a dance. Tanisha was nervous but accepted, and the two danced to the music along with several other couples, including Helina and Owen who were both very tipsy.

They weren’t able to dance for long before the sound of wings flapping overhead arrested everyone’s attention. A wyvern familiar landed in an adjacent field; worst of all Tanisha swore she recognized it. The orange and red scales were a rarity amongst wyvern, and unmistakable as a familiar.

Two figures hopped down off the back of the Wyvern; both women in the veiled uniform of a Right or Left Hand. The first woman Tanisha recognized even before her Identify confirmed it. Her uniform had the navy blue of the Salstar domain.

Identify

Name: Thyra Ilsori

Race: Wendigo

Level: ??

Vocation: Sanguine Mage

Tanisha didn’t know what she wanted to do; why was Thyra here? She was the Left hand of Ingrid, Tanisha’s mother, and a mage that had served their family for decades. The Hands were sent out to neighboring domains for various reasons; usually negotiation, trade or other political needs. So the fact she was there didn’t mean her mother was, thankfully. Still this was a tenuous situation, and Tanisha wanted to get as far away from her as possible.

The second woman had on the green, red and white associated with the Nazem noble house. Tanisha could guess that she was one of the Hands of Nazem.

Identify

Name: Isgeror Dal

Race: Wendigo

Level: 4

Vocation: Noncombatant