Invitations Are Coming

Mik -

I think I should be offended that you've decided that my effort to find a reasonable compromise is a sign of the apocalypse. Honestly; what do you think I've been doing up here all this time?

I am, of course, laughing as I write that.

Yes, we put in a better rug - last winter we had a serious problem with Winter Wolves. Something had to be done with the skins, and I figured it would amuse you. Yes, the household takes them out and beats them regularly, which amuses them, so I don't want to hear anything about allergies or dust.

As to your VileRune; I remind you that he wouldn't be completely orcless up here - there is Olga, after all, and Callous. Although I'm not sure how to count Laurie's children, since as a half-elf I was never seen as an elf nor as a human. That said, I'm sure it will be best that you don't bring - VeinGnawer, is it? - along. Both for your scheming and for the fact that I am not intending to invite more than family.

Speaking of which, I've always considered Misha a part of your family, and so of course he is invited.

I would have to ask Dmitri if he has been corresponding with Angel - I honestly don't know - but feel free to send the invitation yourself if that makes you more comfortable.

One of the first things I did upon being "installed" up here was to have Bicker find and hire me a reliable accountant; we lost the first one to old age and the second to the aforementioned Winter Wolves. I've a young DeathMoon - Symbol - at the moment, and he's quite brilliant if a little hard to understand at times. Dmitri has been working with him to learn the accounting portion of running the Keep, and I do go through the books myself once a quarter or so to make sure that everything's the way it should be.

Oh, and I can't invite any "handsome Elvish paladins" even if I should get it in my head to interfere with your (Huh. There's an Elvish word, but nothing equivalent in Orcish or Common for what I want) scheming toward your daughter's marriage. I don't know any; unless there's something I don't know about Simon and Fea's children. And that one of them should turn out to be a paladin strikes me as highly unlikely.

And all I have around the house is a relatively-attractive twenty-year-old half-elf who your daughter thinks of as a younger brother, and two twelve-year-old boys who still think girls - except their sister and their mother - are icky. Come to think of it, I'm not sure they've realized their sister is a girl.

That's a good idea about setting Tamsen to work in the Company when he's old enough. He'd probably be happy there. Of course, again, who knows? He may suddenly turn into a sweet-natured cherub in another couple of years - at which point I will be sure that something is going on.

I hope your budget meeting was enjoyable. I'll get on getting the invites together shortly.

If you do find the killer and work out a business arrangement, let me know. I haven't had my hand in magically much lately, but there are a handful of supplies I'm running low on that are blasted hard to get up here.

Nick

Your Menu, My Place

Mik -

First of all, I'm fairly certain I know why any discussion of Angel's future leads to an argument about youth potions. However, far be it from me to explain your spouse to you, particularly when I disagree with him, anyway. Potions that deal with aging are chancy things at best and downright dangerous at worst. If one could find or create a proper potion of youth - one that restores one's health and appearance - I might feel differently, but too many potions of longevity can lead to sudden death.

And I don't think anyone wants that.

On the subject of the gathering - If Daniel wants to head up this way, then I don't see any reason why it should be assumed that we're going to hold it at your mansion. In fact, I was hoping to have a smaller gathering than usual this year: Us, our spouses, and those children inclined to come. I have to admit, though, that the invitation of any VileRune to the gathering does incline me to acquiesce to your statement about location.

Speaking of that, from things Dmitri has said to me I'm not sure that a VileRune would be a particularly good match for Angel. Unless you can find one without the clan's proclivity toward...hm. No polite way to put that. Or one who would be willing to be completely ruled by his wife.

Remember, your daughter's best friend is a Paladin.

If there is to be a war, he'd better pick it with the Underdark. If he goes after the elves again my little multiracial community may have to secede or proclaim ourselves neutral or something. I have peace up here, Mik, as much as is possible. War is the last thing I want or need. Besides, the Underdark needs the drubbing far more than the elves do at this point.

The only reason I think of you for Tamsen is because I firmly believe that you would give him the sort of advice that will - if not keep him out of trouble - at least see that his proclivities are directed in a productive direction. That said, I'll probably send him to his grandmother in another couple of years; she is also a political creature and I suspect they'd understand each other.

I haven't heard anything from Callous in quite a while, no. However, I believe he's too busy with the temple to go on a crusade against the city's undead. His wife, perhaps. I mean, his wife might be on a crusade, not that he might be on a crusade against her. But, like you, I find it very difficult to care if someone is killing off Glenzor's undead; they were never anything but trouble for us, after all. I suppose if we (meaning the Scintillating Company) are asked to intervene something will come of it.

Don't become a lich, Mik. You'd hate the mess. Besides, I always figured you as going for Godhood as Zed did - if you were to go the immortal route.

As far as menu - how about a compromise? I'll let Brandon do the whole menu this year, if you'll agree that we should hold a smaller gathering up here this year.

Nick

Time to Argue

Mikhael,

Another year has passed, and it's time for our annual argument about the midwinter gathering. Assuming, of course, that you and yours are available for it; I know how busy the politicking has kept you.

Not that it's been much different for me, truth be told. The small town that's grown up around the keep and the garrison is, as it seems to be every year, a bit larger, but also a bit more self-sustaining. Harvest was good this year, and no trouble was had with taxation. There have been a few minor dustups, and a handful of times I've had to intervene directly, but after twenty years we seem to be at least somewhat peaceful up here. Fewer troubles with brigands of any race, in any event, and regular patrols seem to have driven off the most dangerous of the local monstrosities.

Dmitri is taking to leadership with much more grace and wisdom than I think I've ever had. I don't know what he learned in Sigil, but it seems to have been good for him; he was always quiet and thoughtful, but he now carries himself with a confidence I don't think I ever saw in him as a child.

I still have had no word from Anya; Tatianna tells me not to worry, that it's the way of her people for a child to leave and never return. I tell her that I can't help worrying. Their birthday was not that long ago; at twenty she should certainly be able to take care of herself, and I know I taught her what I could.

The triplets are doing well. None of them have shown any more or less inclination toward adventuring; I think Anais may take up magical research or alchemy however, given that she's more-or-less taken over my laboratory (I've not had much time to spend in there). Her brothers haven't shown any particular inclination to any path or trade other than being underfoot, at least lately. Galen went through a phase where I thought about sending him to Brandon and his dwarves to get training as an architect; he may still want to do that. Tamsen, on the other hand, I frequently think about sending to you. He's a politically-minded child and strong-willed (no idea where he gets that from). I dread the next couple of years, and his entry into his teens.

Who would have thought I'd look back on adventuring - or even on my current duties as border lord - as a relief from parenthood?

In any event. Would you like to start the argument this year, or shall I?

Do catch me up on your doings, and your family's.

Nick