Elane's Dining Hall

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The high, marble dining chamber, with its vaulted ceiling and shining pale walls, is elegant and the table is heavily laid during meals.

[The Smith]

Magister Qarro is shown in and admires the table, "It looks strong. Is it oak?"

[Deleted]

"It is," Elane said, sitting down. "Your eye is most perceptive, my lord. And allow me to congratulate you on your election back into the Magistrate. I trust the Prince is pleased with you."

[The Smith]

Looking back at Elane he smiled weakly, "The Prince does not oppose me, that is the strongest that can be said about that situation. You have a truly lovely home, and so artfully arranged. I love the colors of paint you have chosen. It inspires warmth and comfort."

[Deleted]

"Thank you," Elane said. "I wanted it to have a homey feeling. I have two children, and one more on the way. I want it to look like a family home. Warmth and comfort suit my profession, Qarro. And compassion for others as well. There are many who deserve compassion.

"I have met many people in the city who are Andals and who follow the Seven, as I do. They are not very happy, I'm afraid, Qarro. They feel like they are treated like second-class citizens here. They say their septs are often targeted, their children called names, and they often do not find work because Pentoshi businesses prefer to hire Pentoshi workers."

[The Smith]

Qarro looked at Elane, and played with the tip of his goatee, "And I suppose you want me to do something about it?"

[Deleted]

"I wouldn't ask that of you," Elane said warmly as they were served a white swan in her plumage. "I was merely speaking of the compassion a healer must feel, the compassion that must come with warmth and comfort. I am blood of the First Men, but we are descended from the Arryns too, the purest Andal nobility. These "second-class" citizens are my brethren. Therefore I should do something about it, not you."

The swan was carved and served.

[The Smith]

Looking at the swan Qarro asked, "Swan looks delicous. Are their any mice? I would love some mice right now."

[Deleted]

Elane smiled, a little mischievously. She spoke to Colloquo, who stood behind her chair, in Braavosi. Colloquo bowed and left the room. A few moments later, he opened the door. An immense black shadowcat slipped past him like a silk shadow, and prowled around Elane's chair, its silvery eyes gleaming. Then Elane murmured, "This is one of my trained guardians, and quite a hunter." She murmured to the cat, making a strange movement with her fingers, and it bounded away noiselessly.

"Fresh mouse on its way," Elane smiled.

[The Smith]

Qarro nodded pleasantly as he ate some swan, "I prefer field mice... but I hear you Westerosi eat strang things."

[Deleted]

"We do enjoy boar now and then, which I've noticed you don't have a taste for over here. But I have tasted field mice. They can be quite delicious when marinated in yogurt and spiced."

She leaned back as creamed herring and quails drowned in butter were served, and their wine glasses refilled. "So, what do you think, Magister? I think that your Andal citizens could be useful additions to Pentos, but they lack a voice."

[The Smith]

"Elane, the ones who give up their past do. If they become a true citizen of Pentos they are welcome." Qarro replied, "We do not exclude any who are loyal to our city."

[Deleted]

"You know as well as I that the Free Cities have had mixed populations for a long time. There are few true Valyrian families left. You are the bastards of Valyria, and you have coupled with others over the centuries. I think these Andals can become true citizens of Pentos, and rejoice in their past as well. They only need someone to help them, to be their voice.

"I know Andal culture well; I grew up in it, and I read extensively on the Andal Crusades in the Dawn Age and the Age of Heroes, and their wars since. Train them and put them in your armies, so that they might defend your walls. I can tell you, there are few so faithful as a religious Andal warrior. Paint the Seven-Pointed Star on his back and send him forth to meet your enemies, and none will stand againt him. And we will have need of strong arms to defend us, I think, Qarro. You know what happened to the Sealord."

[The Smith]

"We are well defended, and the crumbs of Andals will hardly affect our defense at all. I understand why you feel their plight so dearly, but it is not a large problem for us in this city." Qarro replied.

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"Then let me speak with their voice," Elane said. "Grant me the authority to organize housing and shelter for those of them who don't have it, to argue their case when they cannot find work, to empower them to be worthy citizens of Pentos with equal rights."