The Sealord's Palace

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Temilade Xho and his entourage arrive from the Summer Isles packed with gifts and rare objects to meet with the Sealord of Braavos.

[The Smith]

They are welcomed to Braavos and put in extravagant quarters.

[Horas]

Hoping to establish favorable trade relations with the Summer Islands, Ollo Tregario makes sure he is present when Temilade Xho visits the Sealord. He bears extravagant gifts for both the Sealord and the Summer Island Prince.

[Deleted]

Elane returns to Braavos and takes her seat after bowing to the Summer Island Prince. She hands over the signed treaty with Lys and Tyrosh to the Sealord.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Temilade Xho gestures haughtily at his two servants to bring forth the gifts for the Sealord.
One is a beautiful Summer Islander girl who's looks bring appreciative murmers from the male members of the throngs to each side, the other is a young boy who's pale complexion is even more startling besides the ebony skins of the rest of the party. Temilade grins widely as he attracts more whispers.
As they open the chest, those close to the throne can see it is filled to the brim with bales of colourful silks, exotic looking sea-shell ornaments, feathers from rare and unusual birds and, in the middle, an ornate golden bowl embossed with images from the Summer Islands. The bowl itself contains a sizeable number of gemstones. Emeralds, Sapphires, Rubies and Pearls are seen.
The murmering increases at the size of such a gift. Temilade performs a complicated, sinuous bow to the Sealord saying, "Oh, great Sealord of Braavos! I, Temilade Xho, am your most humble servant and wish to bless your magnificent reign with such tawdry trinkets as I have in my possession. I ask only that you publicly endorse my rule over the Summer Islands and greet me as your friend, as you are mine. I am sure there are other matters to converse upon, trade agreements, treaties and the minutae of rule." He sighed melodramatically and the thought of it "By such little things can be discussed later, in private? I pray that our continued friendship shall prosper us both equally". He performed another intricate bow and knelt on one knee, awaiting the Sealord's response.

[Deleted]

OOC: I can't speak for the Sealord, but I'm allowed to kind of control the others.

The High Lady was very taken with the Summer Prince. Her husband was silly and disloyal, and the High Lady was always eyeing other courtiers and princes...but sadly, she had never been able to do more than that. They were too wary, and she was too wary herself.

"Of course, Prince Temilade," she said. She signalled to the heralds, who emptied the court, until it was just the Sealord, his wife and his council in the glittering court. The First Sword had not left the Sealord's side.

"Tall Tree Town is a long way from Braavos," Elane spoke up. "How is it you came to be here?" She glanced at the merchant prince who was at Temilade's side, recognizing him.

[sabastiangreyjoy]

The young boy the summer islanders called Mashudu bowed deep and set the gifts before the Sealord, before he reatreated as instructed by Xalobar. He stood back in the shadows along with the girl which had been sent here with her. He listened quietly to the prince's praises to the sealord, wishing he was somewhere else at the moment. Besides glancing at the girl beside him, which he found extremely attractive, his thoughts kept going back to the voyage to Braavos.

The winds touching his skin gave him feelings he couldn't explain, like he had felt the winds of the sea before. He knew he had been found on the beach, but how he had gotten there was still a mystery to him. While some of the people on board had been feeling sick when the barge kept swaying from side to side, he had quickly found his feet like the crew of the barge.

He had just taken his eyes of the beautiful girl, when he saw a woman, reminding him of himself, at least when it came to the color of her skin, but before getting a better look at her, they were all ordered to leave the courtroom.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

ooc: It was the rest of the court who was asked to leave, Temilade's servants would have stayed. Partly to cater to his every whim and partly because he doesn't view them as people, merely his property.

Temilade's eyes flashed at the woman's presumption to speak for her husband but was silently amused to realise that he did not stop her. He shrugged to himself. If it was a woman he had to deal with then so be it. Perhaps he should bed the wench to sweeten the deal, he smiled broadly at the thought and used this smile as a welcoming start to his response. Bowing extravagently to the Sealord's wife he began again "Of course, my queen. Surely the heavens are missing a star this evening, as your luminous beauty blesses my humble presence. I have come to deal with tawdry matters of trade and boring details of treaties", he sighed theatrically. "Such is the curse of our lofty positions which fate has granted us, no?" he flashed a beaming, yet knowing smile at the High Lady, imagining her in a somewhat less lofty position in his bedchambers. "I have come to praise the sons and daughters of Braavos and salute their bravery in the recent messy conflicts with the other upstart cities. As you know, I have even given some minor military assistance to help crush those unwise enough to stand against the Titan's wrath!" He gestured with his arms to encompass the chamber and city beyond, to emphasise his point. "So I have come to give thanks for a swift and sure victory and ask for your, ah, recognition of my humble station. With a mere word, you could help cement my rule over the Islands, to both our benefit." As he said that, his hand casually gestured to the chests full of silk & gems, apparently unintentionally.

[Deleted]

The High Lady blushed. She was a daughter of Volantis, although not blessed with the beauty of the Volantene. Her father, the ruler of that city, had been relieved when she was married to the Sealord.

"Luminous beauty?" she exclaimed. "Oh, you are too sweet, my prince!"

Elane came very close to laughing. She glanced at the prime counsel, who nodded, and then she spoke. "Thank you for the beautiful gifts, Prince Temilade, but the Summer Islands are far south, and much stands between Braavos and the Summer Sea."

"Braavos has gold enough," the Lord Treasurer added. "Especially now, as the Prince of Lys has paid us ample reparations."

"Oh pooh to the Prince of Lys!" the High Lady said impatiently. "Tell us about the Summer Islands and the wicked men who took it from you, dear Prince Temilade."

[Deleted]

Elane's eyes fell on the pale boy by the tall Prince, focusing on the boy's eyes...and for a moment, she didn't speak.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

ooc: All he's after here is 'diplomatic recognition' of his title as "Prince of the Summer Islands". He is the richest and most powerful of his peers but hopes to 'create' a monarchy of sorts in his homeland and international standing and links would be a big step forward in dominating the other, not quite so powerful 'lords' in the Islands.

"Taken it from me? Oh no, my exquisite creature. No-one has taken it from me" Temilade laughed. It was a loud, rich booming laugh as if the very concept was so unthinkable that it was the greatest jest imaginable. For those watching however, the laughter did not reach the eyes. "No, no my nymph of Braavos, I am here merely to gain better relations with your mighty company. These trinkets I bring are of no consequence when put next to your august presence. I am here only to gain recognition for the title I already hold". He placed his hand immodestly on his bare chest and continued "On my own humble lands I am the richest, mightest and wisest of rulers. There are some....troublesome elements, jealous at my success", he appeared shocked at the thought of it "And seek to undermine me at home and abroad. These fleas, these parasites are so meaningless as to be not worth mentioning but if so mighty a lord such as yourself would but recognise my name and position, these gnats, these peasants!", a flash of genuine anger slips through his facade before he quickly recovers, "Would fade away into nothingness and peace and prosperity would gain sway and we would both benefit greatly".

He spots Elane's eyes as they linger on Mashuda. "I see my lady has fine taste in the unusual, as do I. This humble slave pleases you? It would be my pleasure to have him warm your bed? He is young and vigorous, I have no doubt. Though my tastes are no so broad as to have tried him myself" he smiles warmly at his attempted jest.

[Deleted]

OOC: Since the Smith is here I'll stop playing the High Lady.

Elane met the prince's eyes, and then made a decision, though her cheeks were warm. "As a priestess of the Moonsingers, I am not to marry. But I do like young boys, I must admit, especially ones with such lovely eyes. Will you sell him to me?" Nobody even raised an eyebrow. The Braavosi court, under the present Sealord, was almost as hedonistic as Lys.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

"Oh, my lovely lady. It breaks my heart to deny you but, alas, I myself have only recently come into possession of the young lad" gesturing for the boy to come forth he grabs his arms and squeezes the muscle "As you can see, the lad may yet be a boy but is strong, young, fit and is most unusual in my kingdom" he quickly brushes over the last word before anyone objects "He is a quiet, odd child but he has fast become a favourite in my household. How can I replace such a fine piece?" He looks crestfallen at being unable to grant your request, indeed tears look to be forming in his eyes.

[Deleted]

Elane smiled, pretending her cheeks were not flushing. "Have you not seen the wonders of the Free Cities, my prince? We have the most interesting and extraordinary young boys here, all of which will be as skilled and strong as yours. I have had them all though, I confess, and long for something new. At least let me rent your boy while you stay in Braavos, and you may enjoy the many the city has to offer. I will give him back to you when you depart."

Elane wanted to die. She could not believe she was saying what she was saying. If Aranya saw me now... her cheeks flamed at the thought.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Temilade Xho stroked his chin as he studied Elane under lidded eyes. He was in a quandry. He did not trust this pale lady but had come to Braavos seeking help and it seemed she sat high in his court though in what capacity he had no idea. He came to an awkward conclusion. He did not want to lose the boy, and this seemed the only way out of his predicament.
He broke into a sudden, wide smile and placed his hand on his right breast. "You have melted my heart with your kind words, oh sweet maid. I can no more deny you than deny myself the pleasure of your company. I will agree to your conditions, with but one of my own. The boy is a bit, ah, addled at present and most assuredly does not understand our civilised tongue so my man Xalobar will accompany you. He is versed in many languages but is a eunuch and so will not provide you with any other distractions" his smiles became more lavicious at that "He is most discreet, madam. You will barely know he is there. And I will dine with you at the end of my stay and see whether my slave has pleased you"