Olimpia

I shoved something that involved half an egg into my mouth and chewed on it, pleasantly surprised by the silky texture and tangy kick. The thought of grabbing another crossed my mind, but Franklin had tasted the snack at the same time as I had, and reaching for another would put my arm in danger of being torn apart.

Moving to another table that looked to be serving bite-sized pieces of sausage wrapped in bread, I grabbed a handful before the badger could appear and claim the rest. I suppose someone else in this party of hundreds, if not thousands, if you counted the staff, could appear to sample the delicacies, and my actions could be considered rude, but that was as unlikely as a merchant opening his purse and handing out coins.

In a strange turn of events, I found myself not being at the center of the nobles' hostility and aversion. Sure, I was a step away, but it was still novel. Some of them even made eye contact with me, as they wanted to ensure we didn't approach them. After all, I had been given the unenviable task of guiding Franklin around to the different food tables as he ate his fill. Or so it appeared to them.

Really, I was using Franklin as more of a shield than anything. With his uncouth behavior and the overall misunderstanding that he was a bodyguard to Kanieta, none of the nobles wanted to approach him. Which was great for me, as I got to sample everything being offered, without having to fight my way through crowds that were attempting to skewer me with their eyes.

Popping one of the sausages into my mouth, I looked around, idly taking in the crowds milling about all around me. The women were dressed in gowns of flowing fabric that reached down to their calves in every color I could imagine, which hugged their bodies around their curves and showed flashes of skin through the folds, but didn't reveal any intimate parts. Some were definitely pushing the general agreed-upon standard more than others, but they were the older ones. Women who were giving off the distinct air of desperation as they endeavored to draw a male's eyes.

In contrast, the men were dressed in tailored, buttoned tunics and vests, most of which were white and black, with the odd senators wearing a light, nearly transparent toga over roughly identical outfits. A few, however, were dressed similarly to me, choosing to distance themselves from the average noble with their association with the legion. I wasn't aware of the politics between the two groups, but I could see a clear divide between them.

"Are you enjoying the pigs in a blanket? What am I saying? Of course you are, no one stockpiles them like that otherwise," Said a jovial voice to my side, causing me to twitch and turn and face the man, seeing one of the men in a formal military uniform. Either I was losing my edge, or he was someone to be wary of, and I knew what my senses were telling me on that matter. "I am not one to judge others' tastes, but I find that dipping them into mustard makes them far better. Then again, it could be that I just enjoy the spice. It is something I wish I possessed in my youth while in the legion. Would make some of the slop I ate back then almost palatable."

"I wouldn't say stockpiling, so much as ensuring I get a share," I said, glancing a couple of tables down to where Franklin was pillaging the contents of another table, earning a good-natured chuckle from the man. Looking down, I noticed that there were indeed small bowls of substances. He was dipping his sausage into a brownish-yellow before popping it into his mouth. Shrugging and following suit, I managed to chew on it twice before almost coughing it back out a moment later when an intense warmth blasted through my mouth and nose.

Unwilling to spit out the food, I forced it down before I started hacking and coughing in an attempt to ease the burn. "Ha, sorry about that, lad." Said the older man, clapping me on the shoulder and shoving a drink into my hands. "I couldn't help myself. I admit that particular spice has a kick like an ornery horse and takes some getting used to. Not to mention you took a rather healthy helping, but I stand by what I said, on a long campaign, men would kill for such a novelty."

I wanted to be irritated with the older man, but his friendly attitude and wide smile swept away my emotions. It wasn't that he was laughing at me, but laughing with me. And if I were being honest, it would probably become amusing… Maybe in a month or two. Right now, I was still mildly irritated as I was busy coughing my lungs out and the world blurred from my watery eyes, so it wasn't all that funny.

"The names Domitri, Domitri Scipio." As the man spoke, he stuck his right arm in front of me, and I awkwardly reached out and grabbed it, giving it a pump.

"Scout Green of the Fourteenth Legion. And I can see the appeal that some might have toward… mustard, so why isn't it in the legions?" I asked once I got myself mostly under control.

"Oh, I know who you are, Scout Green. Everyone here does. While these Kin are a novelty that overshadows you, it isn't by much. An elf being part of an official political delegation? Not sure an event like that has happened in mine, or even my great-grandfather's lifetime. As for why mustard isn't widely available, it comes down to cost, like most things. Depending on who you ask, either it requires a lot of attention to grow or the farmers want to keep the cost high, so they don't expand their fields as much as they could. My opinion? I lean toward the latter as being the correct answer. Though it could be a mixture of both, I suppose, I never looked into it."

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"So greed," I said, my voice neutral.

"Quite so. However, in my life experience, it is rare that you find anyone who does something purely from a place of selflessness. We all have our own agendas. Especially in this city. Knowing a person's goals will help determine whether you can trust them not to put a knife into your back out of convenience."

"Out of convenience? Wouldn't it be better to not have to add the qualifier"

"If only life were that simple…" The man sighed, regret flashing over his face, "But no one is static. Everyone's goals morph and twist given enough time. In a high-stakes environment, emotions can often interfere with logical thinking. So no, I would never say an absolute where a person will never betray you… I also wouldn't say that it will always happen. I am just saying to keep your eyes open and ears sharp while you interact with others. That you must be cautious."

"I think I understand, and I thank you for the advice. With that in mind, I hope you will forgive my forwardness, but what are your intentions in approaching me, given that the only person I have interacted with all evening is the single Kin within Olimpia that no one wants to talk to?"

"Ha! I like your attitude. It's so refreshing compared to the people I'm usually forced to associate with. So I will tell you honestly," as he spoke, I felt my ears pop as all other sounds were cut off from us. "That will make them whisper for hours. Anyway, where was I? Ahh, yes. First off, I am speaking to you, and offering my potentially dubious help, because you are an elf."

I glanced to the side at him, unable to hide my incredulous shock. "I know, I know," He continued, smirking at me as he swiped another of the wrapped sausages, dipping it into mustard. "You probably haven't heard that before, and I'm not surprised. I doubt you have interacted with the higher nobility often, if at all. Just know that there are those among us who do not harbor hostility toward you and your people for existing. Pity is the most common emotion, I would say, although my personal reason originates from a sense of guilt. In my youth… well, as a child, really, an elf saved my life, and died for it. I am just trying to pass on the favor."

"If that is truly your intention, then I can only thank you," I said, saluting the noble, as he was, after all, wearing the markings of a legatus on his formal legion uniform.

At my serious response and actions, his jovial mood vanished, and he slouched slightly before straightening, "At ease, scout. I have long since left my office."

"Once a legionary, always a legionary, Domine," I responded.

"Hmm…" He sighed, rubbing the back of his head, "I really have been here too long. As for my second reason for approaching you, I am here to convey a message to the Kin."

Blinking in surprise, I glanced to the side, where Franklin was literally a dozen feet away, poking at a salad that had been scooped onto his plate with a fork. The badger looked as if he were in physical pain, his face contorted into a stoic expression of self-sacrifice, as if he were embarking on a harrowing journey without a clear ending.

Unable to stop myself, I spent a moment longer watching his antics, and I saw him finally stab something and lift it to his mouth. The closer it drew, the more his head began to violently shake… Okay, I couldn't really judge the senator for Franklin not being his first choice, but if you were going to deliver a message to the Kin, I still felt he would be better than me.

"I see your confusion. Let me just say this. Most of the nobles look at that Kin and see a savage beast barely civilized enough to be within their presence without attacking them. I see a warrior that can, and should, be respected. However, he is not a politician. While information can flow through him if necessary, he is suboptimal as an intermediary. For whatever reason, the Kin want you as their ambassador and are keeping you close. I honestly do not care about the reasons why, but passing along messages from groups within the Republic to the Kin is the essence of your position. Or it is what people will view you as, once they overcome the distaste of interacting with you. Now, if you would, please convey to Ambassador Kanieta that Senator Scipio would like to have a more private meeting to discuss their miraculous devices."

"I see…" I said, blinking as I processed the senator's observation of my position. "And it will be my pleasure to convey the message."

"Good lad!" The overly friendly man said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Now to ensure that you are able to convey the message, as well as to placate my conscience," he motioned to a stately woman off to the side, who waved while giving us a fond smile… or to the man who I assumed was her husband, when she was acknowledged. "I will give you a warning. You are in a compromising position not only for the Kin but also for Senator Ponpti. A weakness they seemed to have overlooked. Given a chance, you will be forced into a duel tonight. You can hide from it or face it head-on, though each has its risks and benefits. I leave the choice up to you, just be sure to deliver my message before you decide, just in case it ends badly."

With that, the man turned and started walking, his Silencing Casting vanishing, "Darling, I thought you would be enjoying the fire dancers longer?"

"I was planning to," The woman responded, then a slight frown graced her face. "Then Penelapi Fricklan appeared and decided to ruin the mood. Some people just don't have any class."

"Well, what can we do but endure. Let us go watch the Clackers, I hear that their routine has grown popular of late."

"If you insist, dear," The woman said, taking the senator's offered arm.

"What did he want?" Munched Franklin as he walked up next to me. I don't know where the salad he was poking at disappeared to, other than it wasn't his stomach, but the sausages I was snacking on were now on his plate.

"Wanted me to deliver a message to Kanieta. And warn me that I was going to be challenged to a duel tonight."

"Hmm," Rumbled Franklin. "Who's the bastard we're fighting? I wondered when the real party was going to start."

I snorted and glanced to the side at the badger, pleased that he immediately assumed he would be fighting with me. Then again, he did steal all my food… "I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I don't think it's going to be that kind of fight, and I have no idea who. Anyway, that's a concern for later. You know that mustard goes well with those."