Messages in Chains

[Sighter Tnailog]

It wasn't a pretty arrival, but at least it was an arrival.

Upon his arrival in Etheria Port, he had immediately been accosted by a number of guards who wanted nothing more than to thoroughly search him, make rude comments, and generally denigrate him. But he bore it all, consistently showing his signet and insisting that his message was of the utmost import. After much grumbling, they grudgingly acquiesced. After all, they did have their orders: although no one cared how they roughed up the messengers, provided no blood was shed, messages were to be delivered when they came from the Bard Council. Even enemies had to talk.

And so he finally arrived in Ettermire, four days behind schedule, his hands bound and his feet in shackles. But he held onto his message, until after a long time he was finally permitted to deliver it, in person, to an Aleraran nobleman who promised to relay it to the King. The messenger knew it was beyond hope to see the King himself; but he had done his duty. Now all he had to do was hope that the King would return him safely with a response.

[Ashiakin]

When a small ship that flew the flag of Salvar docked in Etheria Port, few questions were raised. As it was not a trading vessels, most Etherians assumed it was some matter of the alliance between the two nations. They were prepared to treat the humans with cautious respect, but felt rebuffed when they discovered that was not what the Salvarans were seeking: They left the city on horseback as quickly as they had arrived, riding toward the capital without a word as to why.

They barely paused as they journeyed across the lonely Aleran plains. Many rural nobles sent greeting parties out to invite them in as they saw the riders approaching, but none could catch them to even extend an offer. They were riding as if this journey was the most important thing they'd ever do with their lives.

When they arrived amidst the smog and industry of Ettermire, the guards recognized their Salvic comrades and quickly ushered them into the innermost sanctums of their city. The riders were escorted straight to Valshath d' Isto to speak to the King of Alerar himself.