((This is in no way stand-alone. The background to this thread can be found here: http://rdi.dragonsmark.com/forums/viewtopic.php"t= 9851)
It's not as though there weren't any flying ships in the Empire. The Emperor used one whenever he wanted to take a trip, and he had a few others he used to send around his top representatives, and the warmages used them extensively. Some people, some very very rich people, actually owned private ones, and a Tablet for flying vehicles was supposedly in the works. Actually, you saw quite a lot of them when you lived in the Capital. Funny thing is, nobody ever expected to see one here.
Dorji Koazluria stood on the jetty, flanked by his secretary and his head researcher. Just watching it land made his throat itch. He had been informed a week ago that he was going to have a new "Spiritual Adviser" to spy on him and make his life difficult. He had no idea that he'd have one this soon, and certainly no idea that he'd be traveling on an Albatross Ship.
Of course, once he got the second letter, it all made sense. The Albatross wasn't for the priest. It was for Teerna Vrinurvaktal Yaj, the Privy Minister of Finance. The priest was just hitching a ride on it. Said Minister was currently descending the gangplank, surrounded by Skirra White Claw guards. He look, dressed, and carried himself like the kind of person who was allowed to remain standing when the Emperor walked in the room and had the sense of easy, confidant power that went with it.
The three on the pier made their respective obiesences - Dorji and Azek, the researcher, steepled their hands in front of their foreheads and sunk down as low as their ankles would let them. Olika the secretary, as a Vuri, had to go into full kowtow on her knees and elbows.
"Observer! Dorji Koazluria! I'm so excited to finally meet you in person. I've been reading all your reports; they've been fascinating. And I definitely want to see your home."
He called out in Low Veloth, which was astoundingly refreshing. There was a pause in his speech, which Dorji was lucky enough to realize was a chance for him to speak.
"It is a tremendous pleasure to meet you, Your Wisdom. My house trembles at the foundations with the honor of your presence." The Privy Minister came right up to the edge of his personal space and waved the gesture aside.
"Your performance has been excellent, Observer. Work has begun on the Lexicon; we have discovered the names of both humans and elves. We are pleased." He turned to Azek, the researcher.
"Azek Tashkarkairuk, isn't it' I can see why the Chief Academician spoke so highly of you. I have been reading through your reports personally. It would be my pleasure later if you would tell me more about these 'potatoes' you've found here." Azek, being a shy, antisocial little man, kept his obedient pose.
"I wish only to do my best for the Library, Your Wisdom, and am ever at your disposal." Teerna then moved straight on to the secretary, who kept in her rigid kowtow. It was odd to see Olika that submissive; normally she reminded everyone that she was a Free Vuri and didn't owe anything to anyone.
"You're Olika, aren't you? Yes, yes, good. I'm sure you're a great help to the Observer. Keep up the good work." When you're talking to a Veloth, especially one as important as this one, and you happen to not be a Veloth, it's best to err on the side of caution. She mumbled something vaguely reverential and he moved on. Well, he laughed a little bit.
"Alright, enough with the bent backs. You'll throw your spinal chords out. You're an important man now, Dorji, you can look me in the eye. Your Temperence." Dorji righted himself just in time to be shocked.
"Your Wisdom, does this mean . . ?"
"It does indeed. You've been given a style to go with your title. Henceforth, you are His Temperence the Observer Dorji Koazluria Vei Ni Lya. I've even printed you up some business cards." Filled with sudden gravitas, Dorji stood up straight. His followers mimicked him.
"Well, then, Privy Min - Teerna, it would be my pleasure to show you into my home."
"Maybe that's a little too friendly . . . no, of course I'm joking. Let's be off, then. Standing in my shadow is Orig Shelnarqlaisen, but you'll get used to it once he starts standing in yours. 12th degree, Theology. He's from Dolna, but you'll get used to the accent, too. Say hello, Orig."
Dorji legitimately hadn't noticed the man in the shadows there. He was much younger than the others, dressed in the black of the clergy. His face was dour, but he made the effort to put on a happy face, if only for propriety's sake, and bowed down to greet him the same way Dorji had just bowed down to greet Teerna.
"It is a tremendous honor to enter your service, Your Temperance." Teerna cleared his throat.
"Well, that's that, then. Let's be off! I can't wait to see your home."
It's not as though there weren't any flying ships in the Empire. The Emperor used one whenever he wanted to take a trip, and he had a few others he used to send around his top representatives, and the warmages used them extensively. Some people, some very very rich people, actually owned private ones, and a Tablet for flying vehicles was supposedly in the works. Actually, you saw quite a lot of them when you lived in the Capital. Funny thing is, nobody ever expected to see one here.
Dorji Koazluria stood on the jetty, flanked by his secretary and his head researcher. Just watching it land made his throat itch. He had been informed a week ago that he was going to have a new "Spiritual Adviser" to spy on him and make his life difficult. He had no idea that he'd have one this soon, and certainly no idea that he'd be traveling on an Albatross Ship.
Of course, once he got the second letter, it all made sense. The Albatross wasn't for the priest. It was for Teerna Vrinurvaktal Yaj, the Privy Minister of Finance. The priest was just hitching a ride on it. Said Minister was currently descending the gangplank, surrounded by Skirra White Claw guards. He look, dressed, and carried himself like the kind of person who was allowed to remain standing when the Emperor walked in the room and had the sense of easy, confidant power that went with it.
The three on the pier made their respective obiesences - Dorji and Azek, the researcher, steepled their hands in front of their foreheads and sunk down as low as their ankles would let them. Olika the secretary, as a Vuri, had to go into full kowtow on her knees and elbows.
"Observer! Dorji Koazluria! I'm so excited to finally meet you in person. I've been reading all your reports; they've been fascinating. And I definitely want to see your home."
He called out in Low Veloth, which was astoundingly refreshing. There was a pause in his speech, which Dorji was lucky enough to realize was a chance for him to speak.
"It is a tremendous pleasure to meet you, Your Wisdom. My house trembles at the foundations with the honor of your presence." The Privy Minister came right up to the edge of his personal space and waved the gesture aside.
"Your performance has been excellent, Observer. Work has begun on the Lexicon; we have discovered the names of both humans and elves. We are pleased." He turned to Azek, the researcher.
"Azek Tashkarkairuk, isn't it' I can see why the Chief Academician spoke so highly of you. I have been reading through your reports personally. It would be my pleasure later if you would tell me more about these 'potatoes' you've found here." Azek, being a shy, antisocial little man, kept his obedient pose.
"I wish only to do my best for the Library, Your Wisdom, and am ever at your disposal." Teerna then moved straight on to the secretary, who kept in her rigid kowtow. It was odd to see Olika that submissive; normally she reminded everyone that she was a Free Vuri and didn't owe anything to anyone.
"You're Olika, aren't you? Yes, yes, good. I'm sure you're a great help to the Observer. Keep up the good work." When you're talking to a Veloth, especially one as important as this one, and you happen to not be a Veloth, it's best to err on the side of caution. She mumbled something vaguely reverential and he moved on. Well, he laughed a little bit.
"Alright, enough with the bent backs. You'll throw your spinal chords out. You're an important man now, Dorji, you can look me in the eye. Your Temperence." Dorji righted himself just in time to be shocked.
"Your Wisdom, does this mean . . ?"
"It does indeed. You've been given a style to go with your title. Henceforth, you are His Temperence the Observer Dorji Koazluria Vei Ni Lya. I've even printed you up some business cards." Filled with sudden gravitas, Dorji stood up straight. His followers mimicked him.
"Well, then, Privy Min - Teerna, it would be my pleasure to show you into my home."
"Maybe that's a little too friendly . . . no, of course I'm joking. Let's be off, then. Standing in my shadow is Orig Shelnarqlaisen, but you'll get used to it once he starts standing in yours. 12th degree, Theology. He's from Dolna, but you'll get used to the accent, too. Say hello, Orig."
Dorji legitimately hadn't noticed the man in the shadows there. He was much younger than the others, dressed in the black of the clergy. His face was dour, but he made the effort to put on a happy face, if only for propriety's sake, and bowed down to greet him the same way Dorji had just bowed down to greet Teerna.
"It is a tremendous honor to enter your service, Your Temperance." Teerna cleared his throat.
"Well, that's that, then. Let's be off! I can't wait to see your home."