ehmygirl
Five Thousand Club
L’amnia Silverlight
“I would prefer to tell the tale below decks, Captain, if that’s all right?”
Once they were below and safe from prying eyes and ears, spoke. “Until we actually got there, I had the expectation that we would be warmly received, seeing as I am who I say I am. I also had the expectation of at least nominal politeness, and the silly games of the elite. I had not expected that there would be any danger to my person, and had told Llorn the very same.
“Things changed when we entered the throne room. We spoke in the Language of the Clouds so neither Llorn nor Urral could understand the first part of our conversation. I paid my respects to the Prince, and introduced myself, though I did not abase myself, meaning I didn’t bow my head, which would indicate I find him my social superior. I then complimented him on the Spire.
“The old prince was unable to speak and so his son spoke for him, he was less than… how should I put it, complimentary in his tone. He said welcome, but his tone said otherwise. I responded by using lofty language to tell him I am sorry to hear his father is unwell but that he must be proud to have a father who does not give up his responsibility for the mere sake of age and illness and that I’d be willing to wait around for his sister, the heir, to arrive. And then I asked him what he knew of my and I quote here, ‘known travails and asked him if he referred to the fact that my uncle killed his entire family. I then thanked him kindly for the hospitality of the Spire and said I’d humbly take him up on it.
“I think, though, that I already knew we wouldn’t stay. His words were a bit too poisonous to remain healthy. He then mentioned my assassins and suggested that because they have yet to be apprehended, he feared for the security of the people of the Spire. This is when he started to speak in Trade. He also tried to demonstrate that he had some power.
“I replied by suggesting that I was the only person in danger of the assassin and that, because I was bred to rule, and I am directly connected to five ruling Spires, I wouldn’t ever put his people at risk, and he’s an idiot for even suggesting such a thing as he ought to know better. I didn’t use the word idiot though. And then the insults started. This is when he acknowledged who I am then tried to suggest I could be an imposter.
“I believe my exact words were, “Thou, thou, who hast offered me not the honours that ought to be accorded my rank wilt stand before me and question the validity of my words when thou knowest full well what hath occurred in Silverlight but recently. Thou hath the temerity to look me in the eyes and speak words to suggest that mine own understanding of my uncle's court is, perhaps, one of delusion and that I know not the cause of the murders, nay, the assassinations of mine own kinsmen. And yet, My Lord, it doth seem to me as if thou art fully aware that an assassin hath attempted to end my own breath on many occasions, only to have failed. And, if thou art not in accord with my uncle then I would call thee feeble minded but if thou art, then thou art much worse. So stand not before me and accuse me of being daft, accuse me not of performing an action that would take the lives of my people, for all people of all Spires are as dear to me as those who I shall rule as is my birthright, a right granted to me by the great dragon himself. And stand down thy winds lest my friends and companions mistake them for a declaration of hostilities.”
She paused then shrugged. “I guess I did call him an idiot.”
She closed her eyes then opened them and continued. His response was most insulting and he said, and I quote: Is this a declaration of hostilities? You speak so proudly of your rank and courtesies due, but note; there is no formal recognition of these claims. The sitting lord of Silverlight is legitimate, and I see no reason he would stain himself with assassins to be rid of you," he sneers. "I cannot slight the honour of a presumptuous and exiled usurper - and I cannot imagine a family of our august conclave who would entertain your claims without a respected member to vouch for them, nor the proper writs. If you feel so offended by accordance by common law, perhaps you would care to settle this in a more traditional manner? A trial by combat. If you are victorious, Puddleglum Spire will recognize your claim to Silverlight and support your cause. But, more likely, when I strike down you or your champion, you will abandon this pretension and return to whatever den of pirates from whence you came.”
She shook her head. “He was putting me into a box, Captain, and he knew it. I really wanted to slap the smirk off his face. And then I responded with: Now then, let's look at the realities of the situation. You have, by your own words, acknowledge that I am L'ámnia of Silverlight. My uncle is paying you, of course, so you are in his pocket and therefore you think you are brave enough to insult me. And so you do. I am insulted, congratulations Lucius, you have done a proper job in insulting someone of my station. Do you wish for your demerits now or later? I am sure that your father's court are all very impressed with you. You know how to insult people, smear their good name, and show how utterly classless you are by suggesting that you ought to duel a woman. Notice I didn't say a lady. No one of any class could suggest it is any way shape or form the height of civilized behavior to challenge a woman to a duel. And, as a woman, I do have the right to be outraged. What you suggest is that I have taken up with pirates I shall be more than happy to inform Lenore of the Infernal House of Olimak that you have called her a pirate. I don't think she will take that very well. The Infernals are not known for their tolerance of being insulted."
L’amnia smiled. “I think he paled at that one captain, especially when I asked Urral what she thought you’d do if you found out he had called you a pirate. You should have seen her, Captain, she was beautiful and terrifying. I responded by saying that I do know the rules of civilized behavior and I can decide whether or not to take him up on his offer of a duel. But before I could decide, he gave me two days to prepare and that he would meet my champion. Or I could refuse, leave the Spire and face paying fines.”
She snorted.
“He is not allowed to appropriate fees or fines for anything, and he knows that. He has to get the commission from the Privy Council and the only person who can order them to convene is the Prince or his heir. As he is neither, he is only trying to frighten me. He is trying to show that he is the rattus in charge and if he can get me to leave Puddlegum, then he has gained something. And if I stay and challenge him, then he will gain position if he is able to defeat me- or my champion, or he will lose face if he loses. Now, the L’amnia of old, if it’s my uncle telling him about me, would have held her head high, retreated and remembered the insult for when she was either in a position of greater power, or had married into greater power. But I am not that girl. I want to destroy him. And then I want to destroy everyone who has made an allegiance with my uncle. And then I want to find the heir and determine whether or not she is with me or against me and if she is against me, then I will have no pity for her.”
She then neatly folded her hands and waited for the Captain to say something.
“I would prefer to tell the tale below decks, Captain, if that’s all right?”
Once they were below and safe from prying eyes and ears, spoke. “Until we actually got there, I had the expectation that we would be warmly received, seeing as I am who I say I am. I also had the expectation of at least nominal politeness, and the silly games of the elite. I had not expected that there would be any danger to my person, and had told Llorn the very same.
“Things changed when we entered the throne room. We spoke in the Language of the Clouds so neither Llorn nor Urral could understand the first part of our conversation. I paid my respects to the Prince, and introduced myself, though I did not abase myself, meaning I didn’t bow my head, which would indicate I find him my social superior. I then complimented him on the Spire.
“The old prince was unable to speak and so his son spoke for him, he was less than… how should I put it, complimentary in his tone. He said welcome, but his tone said otherwise. I responded by using lofty language to tell him I am sorry to hear his father is unwell but that he must be proud to have a father who does not give up his responsibility for the mere sake of age and illness and that I’d be willing to wait around for his sister, the heir, to arrive. And then I asked him what he knew of my and I quote here, ‘known travails and asked him if he referred to the fact that my uncle killed his entire family. I then thanked him kindly for the hospitality of the Spire and said I’d humbly take him up on it.
“I think, though, that I already knew we wouldn’t stay. His words were a bit too poisonous to remain healthy. He then mentioned my assassins and suggested that because they have yet to be apprehended, he feared for the security of the people of the Spire. This is when he started to speak in Trade. He also tried to demonstrate that he had some power.
“I replied by suggesting that I was the only person in danger of the assassin and that, because I was bred to rule, and I am directly connected to five ruling Spires, I wouldn’t ever put his people at risk, and he’s an idiot for even suggesting such a thing as he ought to know better. I didn’t use the word idiot though. And then the insults started. This is when he acknowledged who I am then tried to suggest I could be an imposter.
“I believe my exact words were, “Thou, thou, who hast offered me not the honours that ought to be accorded my rank wilt stand before me and question the validity of my words when thou knowest full well what hath occurred in Silverlight but recently. Thou hath the temerity to look me in the eyes and speak words to suggest that mine own understanding of my uncle's court is, perhaps, one of delusion and that I know not the cause of the murders, nay, the assassinations of mine own kinsmen. And yet, My Lord, it doth seem to me as if thou art fully aware that an assassin hath attempted to end my own breath on many occasions, only to have failed. And, if thou art not in accord with my uncle then I would call thee feeble minded but if thou art, then thou art much worse. So stand not before me and accuse me of being daft, accuse me not of performing an action that would take the lives of my people, for all people of all Spires are as dear to me as those who I shall rule as is my birthright, a right granted to me by the great dragon himself. And stand down thy winds lest my friends and companions mistake them for a declaration of hostilities.”
She paused then shrugged. “I guess I did call him an idiot.”
She closed her eyes then opened them and continued. His response was most insulting and he said, and I quote: Is this a declaration of hostilities? You speak so proudly of your rank and courtesies due, but note; there is no formal recognition of these claims. The sitting lord of Silverlight is legitimate, and I see no reason he would stain himself with assassins to be rid of you," he sneers. "I cannot slight the honour of a presumptuous and exiled usurper - and I cannot imagine a family of our august conclave who would entertain your claims without a respected member to vouch for them, nor the proper writs. If you feel so offended by accordance by common law, perhaps you would care to settle this in a more traditional manner? A trial by combat. If you are victorious, Puddleglum Spire will recognize your claim to Silverlight and support your cause. But, more likely, when I strike down you or your champion, you will abandon this pretension and return to whatever den of pirates from whence you came.”
She shook her head. “He was putting me into a box, Captain, and he knew it. I really wanted to slap the smirk off his face. And then I responded with: Now then, let's look at the realities of the situation. You have, by your own words, acknowledge that I am L'ámnia of Silverlight. My uncle is paying you, of course, so you are in his pocket and therefore you think you are brave enough to insult me. And so you do. I am insulted, congratulations Lucius, you have done a proper job in insulting someone of my station. Do you wish for your demerits now or later? I am sure that your father's court are all very impressed with you. You know how to insult people, smear their good name, and show how utterly classless you are by suggesting that you ought to duel a woman. Notice I didn't say a lady. No one of any class could suggest it is any way shape or form the height of civilized behavior to challenge a woman to a duel. And, as a woman, I do have the right to be outraged. What you suggest is that I have taken up with pirates I shall be more than happy to inform Lenore of the Infernal House of Olimak that you have called her a pirate. I don't think she will take that very well. The Infernals are not known for their tolerance of being insulted."
L’amnia smiled. “I think he paled at that one captain, especially when I asked Urral what she thought you’d do if you found out he had called you a pirate. You should have seen her, Captain, she was beautiful and terrifying. I responded by saying that I do know the rules of civilized behavior and I can decide whether or not to take him up on his offer of a duel. But before I could decide, he gave me two days to prepare and that he would meet my champion. Or I could refuse, leave the Spire and face paying fines.”
She snorted.
“He is not allowed to appropriate fees or fines for anything, and he knows that. He has to get the commission from the Privy Council and the only person who can order them to convene is the Prince or his heir. As he is neither, he is only trying to frighten me. He is trying to show that he is the rattus in charge and if he can get me to leave Puddlegum, then he has gained something. And if I stay and challenge him, then he will gain position if he is able to defeat me- or my champion, or he will lose face if he loses. Now, the L’amnia of old, if it’s my uncle telling him about me, would have held her head high, retreated and remembered the insult for when she was either in a position of greater power, or had married into greater power. But I am not that girl. I want to destroy him. And then I want to destroy everyone who has made an allegiance with my uncle. And then I want to find the heir and determine whether or not she is with me or against me and if she is against me, then I will have no pity for her.”
She then neatly folded her hands and waited for the Captain to say something.
