It's Good To Be Nobility

Posted on 31 Oct 2022 @ 3:53am by Townsfolk The Scholar & Warrior Katya Charbonnet (Shar-bon-ay)

2,645 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Hall of the Phantom Shadow
Location: Lady Seryl's Mansion
Timeline: Bloomingtide 5th

Lady Seryl's home was not only the largest but also the grandest mansion in Jader, and occupied the highest point in Jader's hightown, overlooking the town and the harbor. Soon after the banquet incident, Katya had received a formal invitation, handwritten by Seryl herself, to a private dinner. Even though it was not a long walk, a carriage arrived at Miss Caroline's orphanage to collect Katya and her mother, known by most as Miss Caroline, and bring her to Lady Seryl's home.

Katya had left her armor at home. This was not an occasion for armor and weapons. This was an occasion to dress up and look nice. Which both of them did. Katya had her hair back and had tied it with an ornate hair clasp her mother had given her.

Caroline was beaming at how radiant her daughter looked. She felt so proud of Katya!

On arrival in front of the mansion, a butler opened the carriage door and politely offered his hand first to Katya and then to Caroline to help them out of the carriage. "Please follow me, Lady Charbonnet and Lady Charbonnet. Lady Seryl is expecting you."

That was one thing Katya was still getting used to. She was nobility now. After growing up thinking she was an orphan, to suddenly find out her true identity was rather disconcerting.

The butler escorted Katya and Caroline through the front door, down a hall, and into a sitting room where Lady Seryl sat on a sofa with her hands folded. The butler started to announce Katya and her mother, but Seryl waved him off and reached out a hand. "Now, now. No need to stand on ceremony," said Seryl. "It is good to see you, Katya. And this must be your mother?"

"Lady Seryl! It is so good to see you again! " She clasped the woman's hands in her own.

"Lady Seryl! We meet at last!" Caroline said.

"Miss Caroline, it is indeed an honor to meet you. For many years now, your orphanage has provided an essential service to the people of Jader, especially our children, and I regret that I did not invite you to my home before now." Lady Seryl took Caroline's hands in hers. "But I'm afraid your father was quite influential, and he forbade recognition of you as nobility or a family member. I feared that challenging him would only make your burden more difficult to bear. Please accept my humble apology for this slight."

"Don't worry about it. Unlike my father, I do not worry about such things, I have an orphanage to run and many children to take care of. I don't have the time to worry about such things!"

The butler returned, and said, "Lady Seryl, dinner is ready to be served." To Caroline and Katya he added, "My ladies, the dining room is this way."

Both women thanked the butler and followed him to the dining room

The butler led them to a large formal dining room, featuring a long table, but with only three prepared place settings. Lady Seryl at the head of the table, and gestured for Katya and Caroline to sit at her right and left. Before they'd even noticed he'd gone, the butler returned with the first course. "Carrot and parsnip soup, my ladies," said the butler.

Lady Seryl sipped bright orange soup from her spoon and said, "Katya, my dear, tell me more about yourself. I understand you help your mother with running the orphanage, and you worked for the city guard for a time."

"Well, yes both are true. I help out when I can at the orphanage as it is still my home. As for the city watch, well I was never truly happy there. You know what happened to the captain. I have always been a protector. I have always stuck up for people who were unable to defend themselves. I hate bullies and whenever I saw kids bullying other kids, I stepped in and gave them what for! One thing about me is I never stop fighting until I can't fight anymore or I have won.

When I grew up I knew I had to support myself. So I joined the city guard. I learned about wielding a sword and wearing armor. That last for the 4 years as I said. Then I struck out on my own as a mercenary, trying to take jobs where I could help people and protect them. At first it was a lot of Guarding caravan type thing but eventually my reputation grew and I became rather well known and more lucrative jobs came in. I like the idea of protecting people. So I help out at the orphanage when I'm not on a job. "

"She gets that from her father." Caroline said. "He was always like that! Katya takes after her father in many ways! Sometimes when I look into her eyes I see him. He left behind the greatest legacy of all! A daughter who has a big heart and the strength and skill to fight for what's right!"

"I think she must get that from both her parents, Miss Caroline. You may not wield a sword, but to care for so many orphans over the years, you also have the strength and skills to fight for what's right," said Seryl in a tone that was both serious and amused. "Forgive me if this is an indelicate question, but if I may ask, who was Katya's father?"

"Her father was a handsome, caring man named Thomas. A warrior with a big heart. Unfortunately, he died before Katya was born. One of my greatest regrets is that she never knew her father."

"What will you do now that the elder Monsieur Charbonnet has passed?" asked Seryl. "If there is any controversy over his estate, please do not hesitate to call upon me to arbitrate."

"Thank you Lady Seryl. Right now just continue on as always. We will see what happens with his estate. I hope Katya is provided for." Caroline said.

"What about you Mother?"

Caroline shook her head. "I don't care about myself. You are my daughter and the one that I love more than anything. I want you to have something. You deserve it sweetheart!"

Turning to Katya, Lady Seryl said, "With your experience as a member of the city guard and a working citizen of Jader, and your position among the noble families of Jader, I would very much like to call upon you as an adviser. I have a trusted solicitor looking through our ex-Guard Captain's records, and in a few days I hope to have assembled a roster of potential replacement candidates. Corrupt though she was, Landry managed to keep the peace in Jader. Now that the city guard is short-handed, and we've no captain to hire more, I have received some disturbing reports of criminal activity."

Katya's eyes went wide. "I..um ..wow! I accept! How can I say no?"

"Thank you, Katya. It is such a relief to know that I can call upon your knowledge and experience when I need advice," said Seryl. "I expect to make a decision about the next Guard Captain in a week or two, and I do look forward to your help reviewing the candidates."

"It would be an honor Lady Seryl! I think there maybe some worthy candidates in there and perhaps some might deserve some advancements. "

"As I was saying.., I received news of criminals preying upon travelers on the Imperial Highway. As I'm sure you are aware, it is an ongoing problem of our times, unfortunately. The city guard always recommends that traders hire mercenary guards, and those who can't afford guards travel in groups. It seems there is a new group of bandits who were preying on Summerday visitors as they arrived, and presumably as they return home. The last wagon of would-be victims successfully fought off the criminals and gave chase, but claimed the bandits disappeared into a fog."

"Now that is intriguing. Hmm smell of magic to me. Highwaymen and magic. A bad combination. I take it you'd like somebody to investigate and deal with the problem?" Katya said with a knowing grin

"Katya dear don't be rude!" Her mother said.

"Oh please mother. It's obvious she needs help in this matter and I am glad to offer my services and talk to my friends and see if they will help!" Katya replied.

"Miss Caroline your sense of propriety is impeccable, but let us not stand on formalities," said Seryl. "Now Katya, you must not put yourself in danger, of course. It seems very wise of you to enlist the help of your, shall we say, unconventional band of associates, to investigate. I must confess that I am rather curious. Landry referred to them in one of her reports in quite scathing terms, though she has proven to be quite disreputable." Seryl smiled at Katya expectantly, hoping to hear more about her friends.

"Ahh well never been very good at formal niceties. Anyway, Yes they are rather unconventional. Kalian I've known the longest and best. We met during the last blight. He helped me get the children to the orphanage. Most were pretty scared! All of the ones we rescued had lost family to the blight and were all alone."

"Kalian is an interesting guy. He is a mage. I don't see any point and denying that anymore. He has a big heart and is quite brave. His sister own's the Raven's Roost! I guess you could call it out hangout." Katya said with a chuckle. "He is also an excellent hunter. We've gone hunting many times together."

"Then we have Rhiannon. A dwarf and a valiant ally and friend. Daughter of the Captain of the Night's Kiss. One of the foremost trading ships around. She and Kalian are definitely in a romantic relationship although they have yet to admit it. It's pretty obvious. She is an extremely capable woman. She is a cunning warrior. We really hit it off. She's a good friend."

"Then we have Elinowy." Her face seemed to light up when she started talking about Elinowy. "Easily the most beautiful of the bunch. A sister of the Chantry, much to my dismay. Oh well. Still she is quite charming and is devoted to the Chantry. She is smart and such a beautiful spirit. She is truly amazing. She is patient and knowledgeable about many things. She lights up a room just by being in it!"

Lady Seryl listened with rapt attention to Katya talk about her friends. It was clear that Katya had romantic feelings for the Chantry sister that were perhaps unrequited. Seryl was comfortable with the years she had lived, but just at that moment regretted she was closer in age to Katya's mother Caroline. She patted Katya's hand sympathetically. "My dear, you have all of those qualities you see in your friends and more. Plus you are yourself quite lovely."

Katya blushed. "Thank you Lady Seryl. I appreciate that! I try! Mother raised me to be a good person and protecting the weak, well from what Mother says, that comes from my father! I keep hoping to meet the right woman. I try to be patient but I admit, I get lonely sometimes. Still, all in all my life is pretty darn good. I do have friends and family and I like what I do. All in all not too bad!" She had always thought lady seryl a beautiful woman for her age.

"Sweetheart, I know there is someone out there for you! You have so many wonderful qualities! You will find the right lady! I know you will!" Caroline said.

"I'm sure the right person will come along when you least expect her," said Seryl confidently. "And I will expect you to introduce me."

The butler cleared their soup bowls away, and served the main course, slices of roast pork and baked potato with gravy and butter served on the side.
"I do hope you're hungry," said Lady Seryl, "bon appétit!"

Caroline looked at her daughter. "Well Lady Seryl, if you really wanted to curry Katya's favor, you served the perfect thing. She loves pork roast!"

"Oh boy do I ever!" Katya said as she tried not to drool. "Especially when you make it mother but this smells almost as good."

Caroline was glad her daughter was enjoying herself. Katya was a little rough on the social graces but she had never really had to use them until now. Still all in all she was doing alright. "So you know a lot about us but what about you Lady Seryl? I'm afraid neither one of us has been keeping up with politics or anything like that so why don't you tell us a little about you?" Caroline said.

"Oh yes please. I really don't know much about you and well since we are going to be working together, I'd like to know the woman behind the title."

"You want to know about me?" Seryl gave an amused, self-deprecating laugh. "Well, dear, let me think. I was born right here in Jader, in this very house. Jader is my home, and I would do whatever it takes to care for her people."

"Back when Ferelden won its independence from Orlais and cast Orlesians out, I was a girl of only eleven summers, but it made an impression on me. Many wealthy Orlesian families who moved to Ferelden lost their fortunes, and their noble status. We hosted some of them for a time, my father called them refugees." Seryl shook her head. "Spoiled and entitled. Nothing like the refugees from the Blight, as you will remember. It was such a difficult time, I don't know what Jader would have done without Mother Giselle. And still the Ferelden refugee encampment persists, though the situation is better now with the silverite mine in operation."

"Empress Celene has stayed here, you know. Before she was empress. She accompanied her father on hunting trips. Such an intelligent and witty young woman. She has brought civility and enlightenment to Orlais, and I have always been deeply loyal to her." Seryl smiled, conspiratorially. "Which could be why I still govern Jader."

"I understand. I too love Jader. This where my friends and family are. I would not want to leave her permanently. I have traveled for jobs but this,,," she made a sweeping gesture with her hand, "This city is my heart and I will do everything in my power to protect it!" Katya said

"So when do you want to get started on the selection of the new Guard captain? Maybe within the next few days we can meet and start things moving?"

"The sooner the better, although of course first we must have suitable applicants to choose from, and that may take some time. Perhaps after you look into that bandit issue." Lady Seryl smiled at Katya and her mother. "My dear, I am so looking forward to working with you, and having an honest and trustworthy young person to rely upon."

Katya smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate the compliment. I am looking forward to working with you as well. I will ask my friends tomorrow if they will help with the bandits. The sooner the better. I hate those that prey upon the weak and helpless. One way or another they will be dealt with!"

"Excellent, my dear," said Lady Seryl. "After our meal I'll fetch a map for you from my office. The approximate locations of the bandit attacks are marked, so you'll have an idea of where to look. It does appear the bandits have targeted a region around the Imperial Highway about half-a-day's walk northwest of Jader."

"Excellent. That sounds like a great way to start!" Katya.

-----

 

RSS Feed