Cauldron Festival

[Anastasia]

"How about we talk about this over a meal?" Mia suggests, "Somewhere private?"

[Corwin]

"Sure, lead the way?"

[Anastasia]

It's a nice place in the Old City, private and near the docks. The seafood is so fresh that you swear it's still twitching, laid out before you along with fresh bread and a salad. The two of you are in a private room after Mia throws a few gold coins down to a waitstaff that knows her by name.

Oraga just stands protectively behind Seira as Mia smiles, "So! Where were we? Talking about gossip, hm?"

[Corwin]

"Gossip's good! And who better to know it all than you?"

[Anastasia]

"Well, the biggest story is news Commander Oberuth's starting to seriously decline," Mia says, "Which I have fairly good intelligence is false, but everyone's talking about it. He's had a hell of a run, people think it's his time. It is a human in the end, or at least once was. Who can tell these things anymore?"

[Corwin]

"Who can indeed?" Seira asks with a sly grin. "How's the Guard? I've tried to stay hands off, but I'm curious about the current generation."

[Anastasia]

"Oh, they're doing fine overall. It's expanded as Balmuria and the United Baronies have," Mia waves a hand, then pauses for a bite of her food. "We're a strong bulwark, and the Commander believes on keeping us hungry. We have local peace. Malmuth has dissolved, Pallanth is an ally, the Fiefdoms aren't an immediate threat. He worries that a generation brought up in peace will become a dull blade, so he's making sure that new, strong generations are forged.""

[Corwin]

"Anyone in particular making a name for themselves? Or any candidates for the leader slot once Oberuth has decided to pass on the torch?"

[Anastasia]

"Probably Eudard, he's capable," Mia says, "That's where the smart money lies. Oberuth himself is playing it close to his vest." A pause there, another bite and then a coy smile, "There's a few others mentioned, but all of them don't quite fit for one reason or another. Now, as for the newer generation? Are you familiar with any of them?"

[Corwin]

"Like I said, I've been trying to give them their space, so no. I just kept abreast of the candy group."

[Anastasia]

"Oh, Whimsical Sweets!" Mia says, "I've used them a few times, they're fairly reliable." A pause as a waitress comes, freshening your wine and bread. Once gone Mia continues, "Cormac with a last name I can never remember shows promise. He's paired with Kema and Alice Aluth, a warrior and a healer, respectively.  They make a fine team and report to Captain Annalee Mailuth, who's an up and comer herself. They're probably the brightest stars right now, but early going. They need time, seasoning."

A long sip of wine, "Sammas Masterson's from Tauret, came this way to find fortune and ended up joining the Crimson Guard. He has potential but he's strictly a lone wolf. Too good at doing his own thing, too good at moving fast for most others to keep up. I don't think he has high leadership in him, he doesn't have the social tools for it, but he's a dagger that's getting sharper and sharper. He dispatched a troublesome cult of Beshaba that was causing problems in Valandia. The word I've heard used for it is surgical. Like a healer purging the tumor and leaving the healthy flesh beyond it untouched. I think his real problem is that he grew up alone, never developed the ability to talk to others. He has all the social graces of an annoyed dire bear."

[Corwin]

"An interesting diversion from our original path," Seira muses. "Does the Guard need to call on you at times, or have they remained self-sufficient?"

[Anastasia]

"Oberuth's become even more pragmatic as he gets older," Mia remarks, pausing for more wine, then to dab her lips clean with her napkin. With a coy smile, "He's made the Guard largely self-sufficient, though with links all about the city. Virtually every group or temple of note has ties to the Guard, even if it's just a liaison and an ear willing to listen if trouble comes. You can teach an old dog new tricks, at least that dog - or bear, as it is." Chuckling to herself and having a larger drink of wine, "Have you seen him recently?"

[Corwin]

"Yes, actually," Seira responds, dipping the octopus slice in the sauce before chewing on it. "He might be angling to retire soon."

[Anastasia]

"Mm," Mia considers, "That would fit into everything else. He get a job offer higher up?"