“It’s not flattery, dear,” Galaden corrected. “It’s acknowledgement. Which brings me to one of the topics I wanted to discuss. We touched on it a tad the other night; how you took the initiative of inviting yourself to the Season. I want to encourage more people to do the same. And not just for the entertainment of new faces, and certainly not for contemptuous motives. However you were in a unique position to take advantage of your cousins’ unused invitation and I doubt that many others could do similar.”

“No, I don’t think they could,” he said, and tried to relax against the chair. He could do this. He had to. But he’d never had to be Darling so thoroughly before, and it daunted him. Galaden and Kelnry were intelligent women, if he stumbled over something they would notice. If he was lucky it might be taken for nerves, but he wouldn’t count on luck. “Not only are there more minor nobles than there are invitations, but who would invite a gaggle of country bumbkins to their estate except to laugh at them?” 

“A fair question, one Gala and I have been puzzling through. The first choices would be to host the gatherings ourselves, but that would only change the venue, not the attitudes of the Old Blood. We do have an impressive list of guests we believe would embrace the spirit of the gathering however. Some of our peers, Merchant Lords and Guild Masters and the like,” Kel said.

Yirel quirked a brow. “Merchant Lords? Guild Masters? What is the spirit of these gatherings you’re planning?” How did Darling fit in with that crowd? How would real country folk? 

“Oh, yes. So you see; I have noticed a lack of enthusiasm for the seasons entertainments. There is a jaded malaise too common in the peerage these days. The balls that you’ve found to be a break in the tedium are just a continuation of it to them. With a few bright exceptions, you see. For instance, the events you made an appearance at have been some of the best received. As were the events that invited those who were not as used to the spectacle.” Gala frowned and set her cup down, tracing the rim with a finger. “I’m not talking of the utterly rude practice of inviting the less fortunate or destitute for the purpose of bragging on how gracious one is. Though I will admit it strays closer to that than I’d like, unfortunately. The fact of the matter is this; Those who have not spent their lives mired in the social requirements of the nobility express more enjoyment and encourage others to do the same.”

“That’s just one point. Another is that the Old Blood is old. We need a way to inject new life into the peerage. There are numerous people such as us who want to move past the traditional ways of thinking and the best way to do that is to speak with those who are not in your immediate sphere of influence. Branching out. Finding inquisitive and curious minds that aren’t afraid to ask questions and bend the rules,” Kel smiled and nodded, Galaden nodding enthusiastically with her. 

Yirel felt his cheeks heating a bit. “And you think I am one such person?”

“We don’t think, we know! Darling, you’ve taken the biggest leap of faith I’ve seen in ages. We need more fearless pioneers such as yourself to come in and shake things up. And that brings me back to the party, and your part.” Galaden said.

Yirel nibbled the inside of his lip. Fearless? More like stupid. An automaton arrived with the promised tea cakes, a plate of bite sized confections in bright colors being set in the middle of the table. The conversation paused as Galaden and Kelnry picked a few out, and filled Darling’s plate with ones they wanted her to try. Yirel made himself smile, and told himself he had to relax. He nibbled a lemon and berry cake, and sipped tea as he centered himself. There would be time for worry later. Now he had to act. 

“Let me guess, you wish for me to put out my own inquiries to people I know that might be interested in this new social club?”

Kel laughed as Gala floundered. “Well, yes, but it’s not really a club. Or not yet but I want it to be. For now it’s just a few gatherings of intrepid minds.”

“That’s it exactly Darling. There are plenty of intelligent and masterful people that only lack a bit of luck to be noticed. Like our discussion about enchanting, and how that illuminated the possibility of reclaiming old techniques and making new, it’s the conversation between differing points of view that make such things viable.”

He nodded along, getting caught up in the idea. “Between your social circle, Guild Masters and merchants there is almost endless possibility for innovation and invention to occur.”

“Just so! And who better to furnish new ideas than those whose needs have long been pushed aside?” Galaden leaned forward, her passion shining in her eyes. “Those without fortunes to spend to fix their problems deserve more recognition and help.”

It was the culmination of every egalitarian dream Galaden had championed thus far. She could bring investors and sponsors looking for new ventures, while Darling could reach out to those who would otherwise be overlooked. Supposedly. There were some people he could think of off the top of his head, but not nearly the number that Galaden seemed to think would be at his disposal. And then there was the fact they were not country folk; it was a small matter but one that he’d have to keep mind of. Details were paramount to the success of any plan, and the keeping of secrets. It was just another thing to keep track of, and Yirel was starting to feel the weight of his charade.

At least he had some small luck. He smiled as Kelnry added another cake to his plate, and settled more comfortably in the chair as Galaden raved on. To be part of her ideals, and perhaps instrumental in making them come true was more than he could have hoped for as Yirel. He could imagine this group growing, changing the world and embracing all the possibilities. Gala was waving her hands around excitedly, explaining her reasoning for inviting the Fallish traders.

“-fell in love with the rugs. So of course I inquired their origins and how they’re made. Would you believe they harvest the fur from little dogs? Whole packs of them like we keep sheep! Then after that she asked me about the enchanted messenger birds and I have no affinity for understanding those. So it was only logical that I reached out to Kel and her brother since they are the resident tinkers of our circle. And the next thing I knew they were talking about allies?”

“Alloys,” Kel corrected, shaking her head. “Different mixes of metals. And then we were talking about taking time to visit during the High Market and it just evolved from there.”

“I’ve heard of the High Market,” Yirel said, “The traders that include that in their rounds are some of my favorites to visit come year’s gate.”

“Mine as well! Just this last winter I acquired a precious set of tiny ceramic songbirds. They are some of my favorite novelties. Though the upcoming summer festivals are just as likely to have hidden treasures,” Gala said. “Speaking of..! I have it on good authority that the Unicorn Fest is pulling out all the stops this year to impress some visiting dignitaries.” She leaned forward on the table, lacing her fingers together. “So not only are our cities craftmasters going above and beyond their usual exhibitions, there are going to be more invited from across the continent too!”

“Really?” He and Kelnry were both hooked.

“Yes! Look around next time you stroll the streets; items that would have been the cream of the crop are the basic wares they are setting aside this year. The show pieces are almost all hidden and being kept secret for now, but the buzz of industry has been growing. Apprentices are running around everywhere collecting things for their masters, at all hours it seems! Rumor has it that the fairgrounds are already being sectioned off and that the bidding for lots nearly caused a feud.”

“Now that is exciting,” Kel said with a grin. “The last time there was such a fuss over a summer fest, we had glassblowers from Trosha and Fallish! One of the flowers they made on the last day is still hanging in Master Graveth’s window.”

“Do you think those sweets will be made again? The honey and nut ones, oh Kel what were they called-”

“The korran nuts? I hope so, those were delicious,” she said and then leaned over to Yirel. “Also one of Rhin’s favorites. Just in case.” 

“Really? I didn’t imagine him as having much of a sweet tooth,” he said with a giggle. 

“I promise it’s true! Those and candied plums.” Galaden poured herself another cup of tea. “But the korran nuts are harder to get a hold of here.”

“What are they? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“It’s a treat from Trosha. They take a treenut and somehow encase it with honey and a pastry shell. It must be done with magic I swear.”

“Goodness, that sounds divine! I’ll have to hope they make an appearance this year, for my own sake!” 

“Rightly so!”

“Here, here!” 

They all laughed, and as the giggles trailed off Yirel set his cup down to press his hands into his lap as he leaned forward. “What else can you tell me about Rhindov? He keeps a reserved manner most times and, well I can understand that perfectly.” He laughed and reached up to tuck a loose curl behind his ear. “We are both so used to keeping to ourselves that it’s often difficult for us to break habits and share as we might wish.” He sighed and shook his head, looking at both the ladies sitting with him. “And to be perfectly frank; I am not at all accustomed to the level of sophistication Rhin grew up in. That you, have grown in. I know my manners. And I’m not ignorant in the ways that the Old Blood function and amuse themselves. But that is still a far cry from being at ease in the places he would be.”

Kel nodded her agreement. “Fret not, Darling. I for one am more than glad to guide you through the briars.”

“Of course I am as well. I’ve been dying for an excuse to bring you into the fold. But I won’t bother you overmuch, I promise,” Gala said putting her hands together with a smile. “Where should we start? Oh, yes, do you know how to play at chits?”

Of course he did. But Darling might not. If he recalled rightly, his mother had written to him about a game that was very similar though. “Perhaps? Is it anything like Tinkers Hand?” 

Galaden clapped and nodded. “Yes, well mostly. There are a few different rules and an additional two sets. So you have foxes, hounds, rabbits, then raptors and bulls. If you know one then you can play the other without much issue. It’s not just Rhin’s passtime either. Most of us like to gather and play a few rounds at least once a month.”

“I’m sure I can brush up on my skills enough to stand with you,” he said as he grinned. 

“I hope so, else if you play with us Romin might clean you out,” Kel said with a smirk. “He’s the best at bluffing, so be warned.”

“Thank you, I will be.” He took a sip of his tea. “What other games do you play? Dice are ubiquitous I would hope. Star-Thousand perhaps?”

“You’re right on the mark.” Kel leaned on the arm rest. “Though I must confess I find chance games only mildly appealing.”

“I love them. You’re just too wound up to enjoy the random nature,” Galaden teased. “Rather like a certain someone, right Darling?”

He giggled. “Right.” 

“The racing tracks are a good compromise,” Kel added. “I’m sure there are races that happen in the country as well?”

“Yes, though not as grand as I’ve heard the ones staged here in the city,” he said with a shake of his head. “I’d love to go to a venue.” That was true for both him and Darling. The last time he’d gone to a race, he’d been a child, but the memory of the glamor and excitement had stayed with him. Since his childhood however, it had become one of the favored entertainments of the Old Blood and lesser lines had been slowly pushed out. 

“I’m sure Rhin would oblige. He’s got a fondness for the horse racing and despite what he says, he’s rather fascinated with the chimera as well.”

Yirel tittered and smiled. “I would imagine so, they are unique and lovely creatures, even if he doesn’t have a hand for directing them from a saddle.”

The rest of the afternoon buzzed by without a hitch. So much so that Yirel wondered at the ease of it. Could it really be this easy and natural to blend in? The games were enjoyable and both the women seemed to be as sincere as they’d claimed to be. Then again, if he gave no hint to his true nature so could they with just as much if not more skill. Still. By the time it came to say goodbye and take his leave, he felt that it was with the gift of true connection between them all. Settling into the seat of his carriage as it drove away, he sighed and let his head fall back. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t give to make it all real. And the truth of his deception lay heavy on his conscience, even as he laid more plans for the same. What they proposed was thrilling; openly inviting change to the tradition-bound ways of the city. And he had to admit that their inroads for that undertaking already held great promise. 

He had his own ideas of who he’d like to invite into their midst, but knew he would have to dig much deeper to find the types they were hoping for, and from areas they were expecting. All in all, he was genuinely excited for their plans. He was in just as much danger as he’d been before, but now he had something to lift his spirits as well.