The Tea Time of Discord

The busy interior of The Golden Flower

The interior of the Golden Flower was cozy yet elegant, cutting the fine line between being an upper class drinking establishment, and a local pub.  You could see it in the small details, like the intricate carvings on the banisters, local work from the look of it, to glossy finish on the polished oak bartop.  Yet for all that, there was the usual assortment of denziens scattered about the place, a merchant recent arrived to town, a trio of out of work mercenaries, and what looked to be a  dwarven barfly parked permanently on the end barstool.

Geniven nodded to the solid looking barman behind the counter who smiled in return as we came in the front doors.  A pretty serving wench curtseyed as she went past, carrying a tray laden with steins.  I was pleased to see she was well respected by her employees.  Father always said, "Judge a merchant not by the quality of his wares, but by the nature of his business, and the respect of those who work for them".  In this respect, I think Father would be quite pleased with the proprietor of this fine establishment.  I knew I was, as I watched her slip into one of the back booths and motion for us to join her.  Mikisai rolled his eyes at me and shook his head slightly.  As strong and quick as he was, he had never once batted an eye at such a beauty as far as I could tell. Mind you, the blacksmith's apprentice across the road...  but that is another matter.

We soon found ourselves seated around the small table in the far corner of the establishment, just secluded enough to avoid being casually overheard but still out in the open.  I also noticed it had a commanding view of the front door, and was within paces of the discrete side exit the staff used.  My already considerable estimation of Geniven went up a notch, especially after the first pitcher of ale arrived.

Looking around the table, I had to smile at the unlikely group seated with me.  There was my brother Mikisai, his dark hair hanging in front of his face and obscuring him from vision, my half-brother Belaron with his practical clothes and wary eyes, Geniven in her low cut red leather, and Cillyra the Brewer with her mischievous grin and easy laugh.  As good a crew as fate could randomly throw together for a few pints on a sunny, lazy afternoon.  Little did I know at the time that fate, fickle as always, had much larger plans in store for us.

"Thank you for taking the time to join me for a pint.  I appreciate it deeply" Geniven said as she finished expertly pouring the last glass and setting down the now empty pitcher.

"It is no great burden upon us to do so, especially with a woman as beautiful as yourself" I said with my most winning smile.

Mikisai snorted and replied, "My brother is a bore, but the ale is good."


"Free beer!"  Cillyra put in, raising her half pint in salute.

Geniven smiled good naturedly and raised her own stein in salute, "To the honorable Master Hanzo, whom we all owe a debt of gratitude.  May he live a thousand lifetimes in happiness."  With that everyone raised their glasses and knocked them together in salute, an age old past time as old as drinking.

Once the glasses were back on the table, Belaron surprised the group by speaking, his voice pitched just above a whisper so it would not carry.  "Nice speech.  Now, mind telling us why we are really here?"


"Now Belaron, it won't do to be so rude to our host, why she..." I began, leaping to defend her honor in this matter.  She cut me off before I could truly get rolling, however, much to my chagrin once I heard what she had to say.

"Most perceptive, as usual Belaron.  I see your skills have improved while upon the road.  Yes, I have indeed asked you all to met with me for a deeper reason than the sharing of a pint.  Let me now to that address you directly"  She smiled as she said these words, and I had a chance to regain my composure.

"As I am sure you all know, our fair city is ruled over by a Council, most noble and wise, the Council of Thuran..."  she began.

"Our mother Selena is on the council in fact..." I put in, quieting again after a quelling look from both brothers.

Lady Oliana Boriar

"Indeed she is, a fact that is not lost to me... or the Resistance.  For you see, she stands near alone in a small minority of nobles and representatives that act nobly and with the thought of the people in mind, not their own self aggrandizement and power mongering.  And the worst of all is none other than Oliana Boriar herself, and her crony of a henchman Lord Borean..."  She looked around the table, holding each of our gaze for a moment as she laid down these deadly accusations.  Men had been killed for less, as to say as such was treason.

I took another long draught of ale as I digested the news, watching the reaction on my companions faces.  Belaron's face was impassive as always, Mikisai scowled, and Cillyra's was an enigmatic smile.  In other words, I had no idea what they were thinking.

"But to say so is treason, punishable by death my lady..." I said in a low voice as I leaned forward.  "And with so many Hell Knights on the streets these days, dangerous to say even in the confines of ones own establishment.  Why tell us these things?"


"I thought it should be obvious, younger brother.  She means to recruit us" Belaron stated as a matter of fact.

"Once again, correct.  If this city is to survive, its people prosper, someone must act.  We must act!  Families and dissenters disappear all of the time, for the mere crime of disagreeing with her policies.  Armed thugs patrol the streets, not to keep it safe, but to enforce the will of a tyrannical ruler.  We can not let this happen any longer!"  Passion crept into her voice as she spoke, her face flushed with excitement.  "Will you join the Cause, and take up arms against this injustice?"


I looked at my two brothers, suddenly caught between warring desires.  Helping Geniven felt like the right thing to do, but we were honor bound to our father, and to the ruler of the city in which we dwelt. I saw the same thoughts work themselves across my brother's faces, although far more rapidly than they did my own.  It was Mikisai that spoke first, "You speak true, but we are bound by honor and duty to our father.  Without his word of assent, we can not do this thing that you ask."


Belaron arched an eyebrow at the wording, he himself having always made it a point that Master Hanzo was no father of his, but still the point held true.  He nodded in curt agreement.  I sighed and let out a breath I hadn't been aware I was holding before chiming in, "I am afraid my brothers are right.  We simply can not betray our word to our father, no matter how great the cause.  I am deeply sorry..."


Geniven would not give up, however, and continued, "Those packages you delivered...  Know here they are headed?  To the Resistance!  He has been supplying us with arms, willingly and with his full knowledge.  Clearly he would support such an action!"


She looked at each of us, and for a moment my resolve wavered, until Belaron spoke, "I am sorry mistress, but we can not..."


It was then that the front door to the tavern burst open.  Hands went to weapons and muscles tensed, Belaron was already half way out of his seat when we saw it was a young lass, not the Hell Knights we had expected.

Geniven stood and called to the girl, "Larissa, what ever is the matter?"


The young girl stammered as she said, "Oh Geniven...  T-t-they killed him.  It was horrible!"


"There there girl, it'll be alright.  Now, who are you talking about dear?"


The young girl took a couple calming breaths, then looked up at Geniven who held her for comfort.  "They killed him Genny.  They killed Master Hanzo!"