[IRP] And a Toast to Our Victors

[Lavi]

"Ah," she responded to Urai's admittance to having other names.

So he had not spoken with Silri after all. Cecily's psyche was squealing with glee at having a chance exploit her favorite pastimes: deduction and manipulation. But her face only showed a veiled smile.

Cecily never heard of a Lord Tyber Fen, though she had heard of Arretium in passing. The thought that he had a former identity, especially one that is still in play by an imposter, would be interesting in the future.

At the mention of Laus' family history, her smile turned tight-lipped and her welcoming eyes steeled. Laus may have betrayed Lycia twice over a century before, but her ancestors worked hard to overcome that tarnished part of history.

"You obviously have not been briefed on Lycian politics in regards to House Laus, Marquess Urai," she told him sternly, intentionally addressing him in a means he did not suggest that she do. She emptied her glass of wine.

"But I'll let it slide this one time only because of the circumstances. House Laus acknowledges that it had traitorous marquesses in the past, but we do not appreciate being treated as though another betrayal is about to occur," Cecily explained, thrusting an accusing finger at Urai.

"Even if history is written by the victors, the defeated also writes theirs; to only be discovered by chroniclers many years after the events transpired," she said, placing her empty glass on a passing waiter's plate.

Cecily clapped her hands together. The air seemed gloomy and serious. She didn't want him to be focused on that: especially since it would make him more acutely aware of her game.

"But we've spoken enough of depressing things. Before I forget: I am the Lady Laus, of course," Cecily curtsied, remembering her manners, "you may also refer to me as Lady Cecily."

"I can tell you're quite eager to step onto the stage of Lycia, like many other of the new marquesses. It's not hard to discern that: your guard is an imposing figure, to say the least, and I'm sure the bishop back in the crowd is from your entourage, representing the Church of Sanctity in the place of the former church. Both represent what you stand for among your peers: power and faith."

"House Thria has faith, but no power," she said, holding out one hand in representation of her words.

"And House Pherae has power, but no faith," she held out her other hand.

"House Ostia may have both, but attaching yourselves to them will make it difficult for you to get what you want for your march, as the Emperor can overrule the rest of us," she clasped her hands.

"Laus has both power and faith, and more. It was the Lausian army, led by my father Lord Reynert, that swept north of Aquleia to stand against the northern Etrurian armies. We have also followed the Sanctity laws against the black mages since their implementation; our proximity to Thria also means that their clerics have a large presence within our borders. We are also among the wealthiest of the marches because of our location in Lycia is attractive to merchants, so money is of no concern to us."

"Laus is a powerful figure to approach for political allies in the Imperial court, but what can you offer me if we extend our hand in friendship, Marquess Aquleia? After all, we have no need for power or faith," she finished.