Previous Jhereg, Gallilei file links below in mid text.
Narrator:
The next day's travel takes them to and through the village of Westend, McMannon. The encampment is not hard to find, with soldiers, mercenaries, and all sorts of ne'er do wells floating around. One of the encounters is much less than satisfactory to Sir Richard.
Yasgar: [mailed pikeman, leading a troop of soldiers]
I am required to ask your name Sir Knight, and the names of your party that my captain may know who passed, and that I might direct you to the proper place. I am Yasgar, of Her Grace's Royal Army, and these are my men, also of Her Grace's Royal Army.
Sir Richard:
I am Baron Sir Richard Stanley d'Arundel, Knight-Commander of the Order of the Helm, and I am escorting Her Grace, Grand Duchess Tabytha Wellington. Our other companions are Sir Hesketh, Jack Brennan, Maia, my sisters Glorianna and Elisabeth, one Sir Raymond, Hesketh's man, and Her Grace's entourage.
Sgt. Yasgar: [brightens instantly]
Sir Richard d'Arundel? The man who fell into a cesspit his first day off the boat here in McMannon? You're looking much better than rumor would have it, milord.
[Richard's eyebrow twitches ever so slightly, and Glorianna suppresses a giggle]
Jhereg's encampment is that-a-way.
[points]
[puts two fingers in his mouth and gives a whistle that brings whinnies out of the horses, whimpers from the dogs, and grimaces from anyone within ten feet]
Yohan! Lead these gentlefolk to Jhereg and announce them properly!
[said to his men as the group makes to go]
This'l bring some order to the damn riff-raff, mark my words. I'll bet that besides p'raps the Baron hisself, there aint a man in the camp able take bullet-haid outta the saddle with a lance. Tho they may have their hands full protecting the dignity o' the ladies.
Narrator:
At this word, Richard loosens his sword and catches Hesketh's and Brennan's eyes in turn. Hesketh slaps a huge mailed paw against the flat of his sword that expresses his feelings with wordless eloquence. They keep to a tight group as they proceed into the camp to find Jhereg.
...
Jhereg and Gallilei came from here
Narrator:
In the center of the activity, squinting in the sun, they find Jhereg. Sir Richard instantly recognizes what is going on; a staff meeting has just ended. Why an albino would hold a staff meeting in the noonday sun is beyond Richard. Jhereg recognizes Richard, and the women near him must be his sisters, along with more flunkies than you can shake a stick at, and an ox of a knight in armour. On the other side of Richard is Jack Brennan, and a red haired women Jhereg has not seen before. One of the Royals is leading them.
Yohan:
Lord Jhereg!
I present to you Her Grace, The Duchess of Devonshire,
Baron Sir Richard d' Arundel,
His sisters, Lady Elisabeth and Glorianna,
Sir Hesketh, son of Lord Hesketh of McKitrick
[the big guy]
and their friends, retinue and retainers of various stations.
Narrator:
At the words "retinue and retainers", Brennan glances at Maia and is amused to see her stiffen. However her reticence around strangers wins out, and she remains silent. He stifles a laugh by turning it into a cough. She glares at him and he prepares to dodge a scorching, but she restrains herself and turns away to study Jhereg.
It's hard to tell, but while no words came out, Lord Jhereg may have been seen to mouth the words, "it's about time". Armsmen hasten to hold the horses so the group can dismount while Jhereg approaches.
Tabytha: [Sizing up the situation quickly]
My Lord, we have ridden far and have yet to have luncheon. If you might show us where we can set up our tents, we would like to retire to wash off the road dust and refresh ourselves. Perhaps you would be so good as to explain the situation to Our Cousin [indicating Richard] while we do so.
Jhereg: [with a bow]
Certainly, milady.
Narrator:
Jhereg assigns all the guards within sight to escort Tabytha and the rest of the party to a spot within the camp. Sir Raymond follows his Duchess, while Richard, Hesketh, Brennan, and Maia remain. Richard speaks first, but Brennan, Hesketh, and Maia are struck by the cool reserve in his voice.
Jhereg:
Richard, it is good to see you at last. I was beginning to fear some harm had met you on the road. Please introduce me properly to the lovely ladies that accompany you when you get a chance.
Narrator:
Jhereg momentarily squints as he shakes Richard's hand. Richard can't tell if he smelled something unpleasant, or maybe the sun shining off Hesketh's head was too bright for the albino elf. Richard tries valiantly to keep it from irritating the hell out of him, but vows to check his chain (or maybe the leather straps this time?) *again*. Paladin, Knight of The Realm, Commander of the Helm or no, he is getting damn tired of the smell of shit.
Sir Richard:
Jhereg, you've met Brennan before
[both nod amicably],
but perhaps not Maia, who is riding with him. You may not know Sir Hesketh of McKitrick. A Knight of good reputation, as the heralds say, who is paying court to my sister, Elisabeth. The ladies, of course, are my sisters, Elisabeth and Gloriana. I didn't realize that I was expected...
Narrator:
Jhereg leads the group to his tent where they might be comfortable while their own quarters are erected. Present are Richard, Sir Hesketh, Kel, James, Jhereg, Brennen, Maia.
Kel is a retainer of Jhereg's. James Ridenour is a landless McMannon noble commanding some of the troops deployed [those that aren't Royal Army].
Jhereg has never met Maia before, but the resemblance to Baroness Houston is remarkable.
Narrator:
Hesketh looks slightly embarrassed by this introduction, but salutes smartly.
Sir Hesketh:
Lord Jhereg. 'Tis nice to meet you in person, my Lord, since so much has been said of you.
Narrator:
There is a brief pause while the many fine ambiguities in this statement percolate through everyone's consciousness.
Jhereg: [thinking]
Ah, yes, definitely from McKitrick.
[Spoken]
As much is said about your prowess with the lance, Sir Hesketh.
Narrator:
At this moment, an elf shows up. Once again, the introductions are repeated.
Jhereg: [look says he gets weary of protocol quickly]
Baron Stanley, Sir Hesketh [and so forth], let me present the Elder, Gallilei.
Narrator:
People familiar with Elven protocol will recognize that as a title. Other folks, will likely see it as little more than distinguishing him from a younger elf also named Gallilei.
Gallilei, as is the custom, takes a moment to greet and speak to each of them in turn. He takes but a moment with each. With most, it is but a recitation of their name, a shaken (or kissed) hand, and a couple of friendly sentences.
Gallilei: [to Sir Richard]
Baron, I am glad to meet you again. It seems such a short time ago that we met with your original party. I hope you have been well in the meantime.
Narrator:
Gallilei pauses a moment. It is clear that Richard does not place him.
Gallilei:
I remember well the day my daughter, Lelulia, left with you and your friend Reginal.
Narrator:
NOW, Richard places him. It was his family that Reginal had stayed with during his first trip to meet the elves. That was the trip that he co-led with Rabban. And the daughter, oh yes.
Richard: [thinking]
His daug.....FAWN.
[Speaking]
Elder, please accept my apologies for my lapse of memory. This last decade has clearly worn more heavily on my shoulders than yours. I had no idea you had traveled into York, sir. I hope that you will do me the honor of returning your hospitality by visiting me in Arundel?
Gallilei:
We worried something terrible when she left. Later, I shall have to ask what you have heard from the two of them lately.
[moving on]
Sir Hesketh, it is good to meet you. The men here think quite highly of you.
[moving on]
Mr. Brennan
Bill:
I can't remember if Brennan knows of Gallilei thru Fawn or not, so...
Brennan: [looking uncomfortable]
Just Brennan if you please, sir.
Gallilei:
[nods, moving on]
Maia, is it? That's a most unusual name, very pleasant. Tuath, isn't it?
Maia: [smiles, for the first time and answers quietly]
Yes, it is Tuath. I'm called by the name of one of the Seven Sisters in the Winter Sky.
Narrator:
Gallilei smiles at this.
Maia:
I'm honored to meet you, Elder Gallilei. The melody of your name fits you well.
Gallilei:
Why, thank you. It is my people's name for the bright star that sits just over the horizon at during the dawn hours of fall and winter. We, too, tend to name ourselves for the things we see around us.
Narrator:
When the intros are done, Jhereg resumes conversation.
Jhereg:
Now, please tell me of your journey. I was somewhat surprised to see your sisters and the Lady Tabytha here in the wilds of McMannon.