"Excuse me, Sir Keighvyn," Kelia says with an apologetic air that somehow seems insincere, "but I asked you what sort of experience, not if you had experience."
"Some," Keighvyn returns quietly. "Just enough to be able to do so at work."
"Hmm, well, then," Kelia says, "how 'bout we 'face off' with PCs, laptops perhaps, with an unfiltered Internet connection. As for the challenge," Kelia muses, smiling prettily, "how about we see who can uncover the most information regarding a specific person and that person's business interests in, say, an hour. Let's see... Oh, how about you, Baron?" Kelia asks, her expression innocent. "I'm sure there's a lot of fascinating information out there."
The Baron stands with open mouth, obviously taken aback.
The Countess speaks, a smile in her voice, "That is a fair challenge fully within the rules of the Fior-righ. We shall have two laptops brought at once. However, it would not be just to have the Baron's personal information displayed for all to see. Therefore, only the two duelists, and the judges, shall see the results of the searches."
The Baron recovers his composure, and bows slightly to the Countess, "Thank you, Your Excellency." He smiles slightly at Kelia, "Well done."
Kelia performs a very slight curtsey, smiling prettily at the Baron.
Nutiket grins broadly at this pronouncement and mutters to himself "Wish I could see what they were turning up..."
Two laptops are produced, as are a table and two chairs. Both are battery operated, with cell-phone modems. Kelia and Keighvyn sit before them.
Mianderr as quietly as he can, Oooh's and Ahhh's the laptops as they are produced and setup while quietly whispering, "Ms. Tess do you think I can have one of those when they are done?"
Tess looks a bit startled by the question as she turns to look at Andy. "Umm, well, probably not," she says, her voice a little off. "'Course, maybe if you get a job this summer, you can have a nice computer by next school year. Otherwise, you'll have to see what your family would do for you."
The Countess steps forward, "The conditions of the duel are set, and the weapons chosen. You have one hour to discover as much as you can about Baron Lorewick and his business interests. The one who discovers the most correct information, as determined by the judges, shall be declare the winner. We shall then announce the results of the Fior-righ. Begin."
Jubair leans over to Nutiket. "I don't know about you, but I think Kev's screwed on this one," he whispers.
Nutiket does his impression of a quiet stormcloud again as he replies "Don't ask me. Is she that good at computers? I don't have much experience with them at all." He considers for a sec, then adds "Besides, isn't it the idea that Kevin be screwed?"
"Yeah, that's what I just said," Jubair replies. "Also, given that she works in the computing department of OSU, I'm not surprised that she's good at computers."
Sylvana looks slightly amused at the dueling methods. She muses quietly to those in her vicinity "Damn. When she mentioned computers, I was hopin' for a first-person shooter deathmatch. They link the computers, show it on a big screen, everyone cheers at the flippin' excessive blood and gore. Extra points for creative kills, sniping, that kinda stuff. We can see how much Glamour we can get out of a video game. Net-Doom in the Dreaming." She turns her head and grins from ear to ear. "Okay, so maybe not the best duel conditions. Still entertaining!"
When the Countess begins the duel, Kelia smiles at Keighvyn. "Draw!" she says impishly, then turns her attention to the laptop, typing rapidly. She hums to herself for a bit as she types, then hits a key with a flourish. "Go forth," she giggles softly.
Keighvyn takes a deep breath, starts the modem and the browser, and accesses a search engine. Catching his lower lip between his teeth, he types in "Avalon, Incorporated," and waits for the results to appear.
Kelia then slows down in her typing, peering closely at the screen as she sifts through information. "Oh, my," she laughs, glancing over at Lorewick. "We'll have to talk later, Baron. I definitely need a raise." She grins and hits a few more keys, still chuckling softly. After a period of silent work, she snort with obvious disdain, "Secure, my ass." Chris types quickly then mutters melodramatically, "I laugh at your passwords." A couple of times, she glances over at the Baron, eyebrows raised and a smirk playing across her lips. As the contest moves into the latter half of the hour, Kelia becomes more serious, dropping her teasing entirely as she becomes fully engrossed in her task.
Finally, the hour is up. The three judges come over and look first at Keighvyn's screen. He's managed to find the Baron's police file (simply some background checks noted, no arrests), and some basic biography from the official Avalon, Inc website.
Then, they look at Lady Kelia's screen. She starts scrolling her screen through large amounts of information: tax returns, investments, blind trusts, silent partnerships, Corporation memos, donations to large universities, quarterly earnings reports, the list goes on and on.
The judges murmur together for a moment, chuckle, and return to the podium. Thunder growls in the distance and the air is thick with the expectancy of the storm. Kelia stands before the trio.
The Countess raise her arms, "We find that Lady Kelia has demonstrated her worth by besting a foe in a worthy duel. We find that her house is manifestly Eiluned. How finds the Dreaming?"
Kelia smiles and nods to the judges, then to the Baron.
A bolt of lightening suddenly shoots down from the sky and strikes the earth directly before Kelia's feet. The crack of thunder still echoes through the air as everyone realizes they are still alive and unharmed. The smell of ozone drifts on the hot summer air.
Kelia emits an 'eep!' and jumps, startled.
As the lightening strikes, Nutiket immediately draws his tomahawk, alert for treachery and... sees that everyone else seems to think lightning is normal. He pauses...
Lying on the ground at Kelia's feet is a large, black leather book with brass fittings. Emblazoned on the cover are the silver moons and pentagram of the House Eiluned coat of arms. Embossed just below the coat of arms is the phrase 'Ex Libris: Kelia fer Eiluned'.
The countess lets out a loud breath, and everyone realizes they too have been holding their breath. "The Dreaming agrees. Welcome, Lady Kelia fer Eiluned." She walks forward to give Kelia a hug, followed by the other two as the formal ceremony dissipates.
Kelia returns the Countess' hug and thanks the other judges. She murmurs apologetically to the Baron, "I hope you weren't too embarrassed. One does what one must." She gives him the same sort of social hug she'd given the Countess and, under the guise of kissing him on the cheek, whispers into his ear, "I wasn't kidding about the raise." She separates, grinning devilishly.
The Baron smiles, "Welcome to House Eiluned. I understand you are oathbound on this foolish quest, you may have a paid leave of absence until it is completed. Reeve Schmidt here," he gestures to the gnarled old nocker standing beside him, clearly Dr. Schmidt in his fae seeming, "Tells me that in fact your work has reached a natural ending point anyway. Come and see me when you have completed this obligation, and we can discuss a position within my household, if you like."
"Thank you, Baron," Kelia replies with a beaming smile, "I'd like that very much." She turns slightly to nod respectfully to the knocker. "Dr. Schmidt," she says politely, "so nice to see you, sir." Kelia explains to Lorewick, "Since I knew I might be gone, Sir, I made sure I'd finished that last section of code. I'm planning to use part of it in my dissertation, assuming I stay on at OSU."
Meanwhile, Nutiket blushes slightly and puts the weapon away carefully, hoping that nobody is staring at him. He whispers embarrassedly to Jubair "I thought it was an attack..."
"That's understandable," Jubair replies. "The Dreaming works in mysterious ways."
Keighvyn comes up to Kelia and sweeps a formal bow. "Welcome, milady." Then the formality seems to fall away from him as he gives her a grin that is half admiring and half embarrassed. "How /did/ you find out all that? If you don't mind, maybe you could show me sometime?"
Kelia replies with an embarrassed smile, "I just wrote a 'bot to do all the hard work is all. A trick, really. But I couldn't have done it without you. Your advice is really what made all the difference, you know." She gave Keighvyn a hug too, and bestowed an actual kiss on his cheek. "You're welcome to kick my ass at target shooting any time you'd like, Handsome."
As the kiss lands, a flush creeps along the tips of Keighvyn's pointed ears, slowly deepening in color to a hot pink. He looks down at his feet for a second or two, then seems to relax a little more and smiles. "You're very welcome, milady."
Brighteyes frowns at Kelia's display and glances at Tess. She then impulsively gives Kelia a hug and says "Congrats! I knew you'd do it!" As they hug she whispers to Kelia, "Bet the Baron's sweet on you!"
Kelia laughs and whispers quietly back to Brighteyes, "Nah, he's just being gracious." She smiles and adds in a more normal voice, "Thank you for coming." She glances over at Keighvyn and with a serious, conspiratorial look whispers, "I'm worried that Keighvyn feels bad for losing. It wasn't really fair, but then, I don't think it was supposed to be. Still, I don't want him to feel bad. Will you help cheer him up?"
"I'll get Tess to help too!" Brighteyes says with a dimpled smile.
Jubair moves over to Kelia with the others. "Congratulations on your success Kelia," he says with a smile. "It seems that Eiluned was... um..."
"An inspired choice!" Rajabal offers with as much of a smile as a barn owl is capable of.
"Yes, an inspired choice!" Jubair echoes jovially.
"Count yourself privileged Lady Kelia," Rajabal continues. "It is rare to see an Eshu lost for words like that."
Kelia smiles wryly. "I'm not sure I actually had any choice in the matter, but thank you. One is what one is, after all." She looks at the owl and says with an odd expression, "But then, I think you already knew my House, didn't you?"
Rajabal adjusts himself on Jubair's shoulder. "Perhaps I did, Lady Kelia. But the Fior-Righ was Necessary." he replies politely.
Jubair smiles as he strokes the barn owl's feathers.
Nutiket, his weapon safely back inside his jacket, walks up to face Kelia. He makes a small formal bow and says respectfully "Congratulations, my Lady."
"Thank you," Kelia replies with a completely insincere smile. She lowers her voice to a whisper and adds, "I trust you'll keep in mind that the Baron is a leader of my House. I shall be forced to take continued insults and affronts to him rather personally. I suggest you abandon your feud. You're the only one participating in it, after all." Frosty smile still in place, she nods to Nutiket and moves away, the picture of sidhe dignity.
Nutiket opens his mouth to reply, but finds himself unable to come up with anything suitably witty as Kelia moves away without giving him scarce seconds to prepare a reply. With a near silent "Harumph," Nutiket looks at her back with a nod and an expression on his face that indicates a newfound respect for this Sidhe Lady.
Jubair moves next to Nutiket. "I have to say it, she's got a point. I know it's probably part of what makes you what you are, but it's going to affect any sort of friendship between you and Kelia if you keep it on your sleeve," he says. "Mind you, I don't think much of the Baron either," Jubair adds quietly.
Nutiket sighs. "I know, you're right." he whispers back to Jubair. "I have no wish to jeopardize a friendship with her, or any of you. But that... that MAN..." Nutiket looks over to wherever the Baron happens to be and growls slightly in his throat, so low that only Jubair can hear it. "He irks me... and after what he did..." Nutiket shakes his head and regains his composure. "I will... try to keep my outward displays of... anger... at a minimum." He seems to choke on even those words as he glares death at the Baron.
Rajabal snorts and hoots softly, "What you did was nothing to be proud of, young warrior. You allowed him to goad you into being rude and uncouth. Were the Countess not a forgiving Lady you might have failed then and there on the mission Ursa Major set you. Where would the honor be in that?"
Nutiket looks down at the floor in silence, unable to meet the eyes of either his new friend or the chimerical owl.
"I think he's listened to us, Rajabal," Jubair replies when he sees Nutiket's face. "Maybe if you redirect your anger into something more useful or constructive. I've seen an emotional 'slow burn' before, and you have to do something about it before it gets ugly. Find something to do that will help you take your mind off it."
Meanwhile, Mianderr leans back still eyeing the laptops with visible interest and waits for others to give there congratulations and hugs. Finding an opening, he runs up and holds out his right hand to Kelia, "I would have to say that was the most outrageous and depressing contest and example of computer work that I have ever seen. When I grow up I want to be just like you. Do you think I could and still be a knight for the countess." Looking off in a dreamy clouded vision Mianderr says in a near whisper, "Yeah, a cyber knight that would be really cool." Shaking his head to clear it and returning to the present, "Seriously that was awesome, I wonder what a laptop runs like in the dreaming?"
Kelia shook the boy's hand with grave politeness. "Thank you, Mianderr. I'm not sure you'd want to be just like me; I'm really very boring. Perhaps we'll have an opportunity soon to find out what a laptop will do in the Dreaming."
Sebastian moves in next to Keighvyn to speak to Kelia. He bows his head formally and respectfully, rising to look her in the face with his earthen-colored eyes. "Milady Kelia, I compliment your performance in this event, and congratulate you in your success. I was wondering if, perhaps, sometime on this journey, you and I could work together on Magic. Your house is clearly one of sorcerous ability. I think it might benefit both of us in the coming months. If milady were so inclined." He smiles quietly, and bows.
"Why, thank you," Kelia replies with a delighted smile. "That would be lovely," she agrees. "The one time I've actually done anything, well, magical was by accident."
Tethran stays back for a moment, letting the others congratulate Kelia, before stepping forward herself. Taking Kelia's hand, she gives it a shake, and with a smile says, "Clever Chris, to clever by half. Remind me to call you when I need someone to do my thinking for me."
Kelia, still holding Tess' hand, laughs softly. "You don't need any help thinking. But if you ever get pissed off at your bank, let me know." She grins, the same devilish grin she'd thrown at the Baron, and mouths, "Just kidding." She releases Tess' hand and hugs her, much as she'd hugged Keighvyn, including the kiss on the cheek. She releases Tess and sighs with relief. "I'm glad that's over with," she admits. "I haven't been stared at so much since I was Homecoming Queen in high school," she laughs.
Tess smiles a little, her eyes seem to show the tiniest spark of confusion as she replies. "I'm sure you did wonderful then too Chris. Seems like you do well at anything you put your hand to."
Chris blushes prettily. "Not really," she murmurs, "the evening was an unmitigated disaster. I'll have to tell you the story sometime." She smiles, but it comes off as slightly pained. "Anyway, tonight I owe strictly to my fantastic coaches."
"Well, since none of them are here right now," Tess says, her smile broadening, "You'll have celebrate with me and the gang."
Chris laughs and grins impishly. "I'll have to take you and Handsome to dinner one night to celebrate further," she declares. "Or if y'all're really brave, maybe I'll cook. Bring the kids and we'll have a barbeque."
Once the more immediate congratulations are concluded, Kelia, still blushing with a combination of embarrassment and excitement, picks up the book from the table she'd set it on and began to examine it curiously, first the cover and then opening it.
As the baron and his entourage make their exits, more thunder echoes through night sky and sound of approaching heavy rains can be heard. The Countess and her Guard head for the Castellum, motioning for the others to follow if they wish. The shrubberlings shuffle about taking down the various accouterments of the fior-righ, and taking everything, including the laptops, back inside.
"Alright guys, lets get inside before the rains start. It may be just fine for the fauna, but its as likely to give you a cold, and nothings worse than traveling sick," says Tess, gesturing the oathmates into the Castellum. Walking over to where Chris is busily devouring her new possession, Tess looms over the sidhe and says, "You too Milady, you're not immune to the weather either." A soft smile eases any sting in the words, and her eyes shine.
Chris grins and says with patently phony meekness, "Yes, ma'am!" She catches Tess' eyes and her smile becomes warm. "Thanks," she says almost soundlessly.
Mianderr glances at the table and chairs used for the duel then follows the Countess and her Guards. Getting right behind a guard he attempts to mimic the guards march but shows signs of difficulty due to his short legs and constant looking up at the dark sky.
Tess and Kelia pause for a few moments outside and talk softly, then come in themselves.
After ushering everyone inside, Tess looks over to Sylvana and Sebastian. "So, since you guys have got that contraption ready, I guess we'll be leaving in a day or so, right?"
Sylvana and Sebastian nod.
"Good, tomorrow I'll be going over to visit Boreas, and see about securing some passage aboard his ship," says Tethran. "I've heard sometimes he's willing to give lessons for some of you folks that want to learn."
"I'm more than willing!" Jubair replies enthusiastically as Rajabal sprays Jubair with water from his wings. "If you could pick me up from Iain's house before you go there, that'd be great," he continues as he wipes the water off his face.
Tess glances at the number of people that are going on the quest, and with a sigh, says, "I don't suppose any of you have any dross you can part with? I'm sure that we'll need to pay something, and I don't have much. Maybe a donation to the museum...." The last is said nearly under her breath.
"I don't suppose I could just write a check?" Chris asks, looking a mite uncomfortable. "
Afraid not," Jubair replies. "If it's any consolation, I'm quite willing to share a few stories for visitors. It mightn't be much, but it's better than nothing at all."
"I left to come here in such a hurry, I didn't think to bring any." replies Nutiket. "Sorry."
Gwalchamai walks up and says softly, "the Countess would like to see you all in private now." He leads the group again through the back hallways into the Countess' potting room, where she sits sipping tea and talking with Hecataeus.
"Ah, good come in. Sit, have some tea." Her broad, boggan face is covered in a smile she waves everyone into one of the assorted chairs scattered around the room. The smell of topsoil and tea drifts about.
"This Quest is of obvious importance to the Freehold, and so we have taken the liberty of speeding you on your way. Under the Countess' orders I have arranged for your passage aboard the Saint Mary. Tomorrow eve you set sail." Hecataeus says.
"I am not yet certain what the great danger you face in your quest will be, but I think you shall find it soon enough. The Dreaming is dangerous in and of itself, follow its rules, but clean to your own humanity while you are there. Boreas, captain of the Saint Mary knows more of the Dreaming then anyone else in the County, aside from Hecataeus. Be sure to weigh any advice he gives you very carefully." The dumpy little Countess smiles, "Good luck to you all!" After saying their goodbyes, the company scatters to get some sleep and prepare for the next evening's departure.
Time: 10:00 pm Saturday, 29 August 1998
Current Weather: Thunderstorms Expected Weather: Sunny
Original summary by Paul Westermeyer; converted to HTML by Midori Hirtzel-Church