Tam'nýer-a'

Watching the sweet light of the afternoon bathing the windows in a transparent glow, Zara was almost at peace, for the first time since she came back to ZàÞça. Everything here reminded her of Baldassar, but then again it was the same in Püertagœ. Not that she would ever want to escape his shadow, not in this lifetime. Not even getting older, face lined and hair white, was bothering her in truth. No, the angry flame in her heart was for not having gotten revenge for her husband’s death, not after all this time. She couldn’t even find out who the killer was, and she had bribed and cajoled and threatened. All for nothing.

In fact, it was exactly the frustration with everything legal which had inspired her moving back to ZàÞça, away from the too curious eyes and ears of the other Greater Families. Now, that Xandru finally had an heir and was truly standing on his own feet as the Head of the Family, his heritage assured, she could again move freely, and ZàÞça offered her the most freedom. The Zûtrani were the strongest here, with their merchant ties and their secret allies and she could finally dedicate what was left of her life to getting her revenge on the dishonorable enemy hiding in the shadows. Thinking of them made her blood boil and her hands clench in search of her daggers. But she could not let herself be clouded by anger, not today.

Advancing slowly on the deep burgundy carpet, she opened the window frame, breathing deeply and hungrily the air full of the scents of the sea. Colorful fishing boats were now anchored in the harbor, and one bigger ship was sailing away in the purple sky, a small fleck of glittery white in the distance. Her guest would be arriving any moment now, and Zara slowly recomposed her face into the calm and slightly superior expression she usually adopted when dealing with politics and the other Greater Families. Reza Ysfol Sumner, the second son of the Sumner Family, whom she had met per chance on her way to Bók-T'ak’s Temple exactly one Tam'nýer—a''n Week ago, was coming for a second visit in ZàÞça and he had accepted her invitation to come see her.

Zara had always kept tabs on important people, and therefore had been only slightly surprised to see Reza in ZàÞça. She had immediately grasped the implications, and the possibilities. The Sumner Family, despite being recently disgraced, was still standing powerful in Püertagœ. She had particularly admired the way the oldest son had handled the situation with his younger sister, and was intrigued by the potential of an alliance between the Families, something which Baldassar had also discussed with her when Marija was born. Not all Greater Families were alike, and alliances were precious things. If she could do this one last thing for the Zûtrani, they would become unassailable in Püertagœ in the same way they were in ZàÞça.

Upon meeting charming and scheming Reza, Zara had also recognized and been amused to find almost a kindred spirit in the young male, and had started a slow careful correspondence meant to half-convince and half-manipulate the younger Sumner. He was, quite obviously to her at least, doing much of the same. Today’s meeting would be decisive to determine the course of the events going forward, and Zara was waiting for her guest with quiet and joyful anticipation. She loved scheming, and when a good plan came together.

ZàÞça was beautiful, and he'd come here many times. The Sumner enjoyed travel, though he was always sure that every trip was for a purpose aside from simple pleasure. As much as may be thought of him taking advantage of his luxuries, he wasn't entirely useless. Quite the opposite, really, especially if this meeting panned out the way he suspected it just may.

Much as she had known him, Reza had known Zara the instant he'd seen her, and they'd hit it off quite well. Naturally, Reza was with her as he was with most people, though always respectful he was more bright and playful than others of his position. Since then, their communications had not been lost on him, and he found her to be refreshing and intriguing, because he knew that their batting back and forth was really getting a feeling for one another in a unique sort of way.

Now, he was about to arrive per her invitation, and ever since he had received it, he had pondered the implications. As much as Reza was perfectly happy for a social call, he knew that this would be more. Naturally, this had him deeply intrigued, and he was already smiling as he approached her door.

Per usual for Reza, he was dressed well and perfectly groomed, looking somehow caught between proper, dapper perfection, and complete ease. When he was shown in to find Zara, he opened his hands in front of him, palms turned up while he beamed. "And there she is, I have waited far too long to see you again." he told her as he approached, and bowed as he came near. When he rose again, he produced yet another smile, looking at her with the same warmth he would a young beauty in her prime, one of his many charms.

When the young man was shown in, Zara was expecting him, and her face didn’t betray any of her thoughts at the sight of his perfect dress and appearance. It was important for the members of a Greater Family to take pride in how they looked, and the Zûtrani did as well, after their own fashion. But she had always thought Reza to be too smooth in his approach, too honey-tongued and full of compliments to be sincere, and to her full liking. In truth, she had always preferred her dear Baldassar’s approach to people – intense and fascinating and just a tad controlling. Powerful. Masterful. All the Zûtrani had it naturally, and she had tried to imitate it as well. It made people bow and obey, and want to obey. But the young Sumner had his uses, and she appreciated his casual wit and subtle grasp of situations and people. It was why she had invited him today of course.

“Welcome to my home, Reza Sumner. I have been waiting eagerly to see you as well. Your last correspondence was intriguing and I cannot wait to hear the end of the fascinating story you told me. We have more in common than I initially thought.” Her age allowed her to get away with a mere inclination of her head, and a smile, while her black eyes remained fixed on her guest. “May I offer you refreshments? The trip must have been tiring. You are a precious guest, and my maids are here to serve you should you wish for anything.”

She was welcoming in her own fashion, but Zara was past the age where Reza’s compliments would have been sweet to her ears. What she wanted to hear, was news of Püertagœ, and gossip about the Greater Families, and she said so, albeit politely, before cutting through the song and dance to the heart of the matter.

“And what of your brother, Reza, how is he doing? How is he coping? A family betrayal is the worst thing I could ever imagine. He is strong, of course, but I am so afraid this situation has been taking its toll.” She sat in an armchair by the window, as if weakened at the mere thought. After a pause, she continued. “You were not even born when I lost my husband. It was the hardest moment in my entire life. Losing family is … terrible.” For one brief moment, she weakened the iron grasp she had on her own heart and let her own pain and loss shine through and be seen. It served, after all, her purpose.

It was simply his manner, one that everyone who knew him was quite familiar with. And one that Reza was well aware was simply not to everyone's tastes. Of course, he could tone it down, and he did when he had a mind to when it was appropriate or more lucrative to do so. There was an intensity to Reza, but it wasn't for these social interactions, and he was quite alright with everyone underestimating his depth.

"Ahh, I am sure that it did." he remarked as she brought up their last communication, and inclined his head when she offered a drink. "Please, whatever you recommend, I will enjoy." he didn't decline hospitality, he thought it was a silly thing to do to constantly decline your host out of a need to seem polite and low maintenance. Though, when she brought up his brother and the rest he watched her face quietly, letting her get through all she had to say before he thought of his reply.

There was a furrow to his brow, a dutiful one that offered a slight honesty to the fact that he felt more emotion than the pleasantries he always offered. In truth, he was wrecked at the whole ordeal, but there weren't really any people close enough to him to know it. Other than perhaps Dryden, who suffered a loss as well. Who had suffered far more than Reza. Still, even in this, he held a dignity to him as slight darkness passed his bright eyes with a brief shadow. "As well as one could possibly expect." she wasn't the first to ask such a thing, and there was no good answer. "It is." Reza offered a simple agreement about the terrible nature of death and looked out the window beside her seat.

Reza allowed some moments of silence to pass while they thought of their dead, and she'd hear him take in a long, deep breath, shifting the topic back to life instead. To the topic of what she wanted him to discuss with her; gossip. "As I told you, I made a recent friend, the second heir to one of the families. And she has confided in me an outrageous affair." that more or less summed up what he'd told her in the last communication, though there'd been some more detail, it was missing many key facts, just enough to tease Zara. It wasn't a rumor of huge consequence, it was one he was willing to give her for free, simply to establish this relationship further.

"She is the second heir to Brièreþ." he had left out which family, so that was the first piece of the puzzle. As he told her this, he took a seat for himself, folding into it gracefully, hands resting on the cushions of the arms while he regarded her curiously. "They're considering marrying her elder sister into the Oßlässe family. It is uncertain and only an entertained thought at the moment, but she is... concerned about the man's manner." there were a few tidbits in there, none of it a common rumor, nothing that would have made its way to her yet, and likely never would unless it came to fruition. There were other pieces floating in the rumor mill about his 'manner,' as Reza had put it, which made it an even more interesting piece. Perhaps not the 'outragous affair,' but she'd know it had been to play for her intruige.

Zara smiled to herself, pleased with her guest. There had been a test, of sorts, asking about such painful events but only about his brother and ignoring his own loss, and he had risen to the occasion, proving to her he was not the immature and self-absorbed prat he projected outwardly. Or rather, that he was more than that. He also showed no indication that he blamed or resented his brother for the events, a true possibility which she had carefully considered. Had any inkling of jealousy been visible, Zara would have changed her plans. But the young Sumner seemed genuinely pained and honest.

The lovely gossip he brought to her almost had her cackling, and her black eyes flickered with unbidden amusement. Beyond the Brièreþ and Oßlässe shenanigans, however, it gave her the perfect opening to turn the discussion towards what interested her most – alliances among the Greater Families. “Oh? And what manner would that be? Don’t withhold that information from me now.” She smiled as she rang one of the maids and ordered some Mët-L'ak for both of them. After all, what else could she have served to a fellow worshiper of Bók-T'ak?

“Beyond that, I am afraid that marriages make the strongest alliances.” She mused, suddenly serious. “I imagine that should this go through, the Brièreþ and Oßlässe Families would both stand strengthened, which is not necessarily to my liking, as you well know.” She raised an eyebrow and regarded him carefully. She suspected already that, much the same as her, Reza Sumner kept tabs on the Greater Families for his own purposes. What she did not know, however, or at least not yet, was if Reza had any political ambitions for himself, or only sought to serve his family. It would be the determining factor for their discussions.

Zara would not ally herself with the Sumner Family if more infighting was to follow among the children, it was simply bad business. A united family, however, weakened as it was by recent events and therefore potentially more receptive to an alliance, would be a worthwhile target.

Reza was far more earnest than people realized and far more heartfelt than he got credit for. While yes, much of what he put on was a 'show,' much of it was simply just... him. There were hidden layers to the man, but he was a naturally social creature, who enjoyed others, the complexities of relationships, and felt quite deeply. As well, he wasn't dumb, and he gauged everything Zara said, just as she did him.

A grin tugged at his lips as she pressed for a few more details, inclining his head in silent thanks when she ordered the sweet tea. "He is said to be... crude. And it is hard to know if he will be an oaf to their daughter. If so, it will never happen. I imagine they will try to investigate these rumors about him." they all had their rumors about them, and they were all usually rooted in some distant truth at least. Reza was one who always had rumors running about him, and he was even pleased to start them himself in the name of maintaining the way he was viewed.

The suddenly serious tone that she took on didn't seem to phase Reza in the slightest, he only continued to gaze at her with his passive, friendly features as she went on. She raised an eyebrow at him, and he mirrored her, raising his own as if she looked into an equally regarding reflection. "That I do know, yes." he replied simply, but betrayed nothing of what he might think of this shift in the topic of hers. To all others, he looked perhaps a bit, well, daft, in his easy way, letting them be uncertain about whether or not he might grasp the serious nature of things, or if he was all about the shallow interests he upheld publically and nothing else.

Zara, though, was wiser than that, and he recognized this, strumming his fingers lightly on the arms of the chair where he sat. "I am sure that you are not proposing to me, my sweet." Again, that charming smile of his punctuated his light hearted words. It was a playful tease, while she might not appreciate the teasing, she would know the meaning of it. It told her that Reza knew where she was going with this conversation.

As Zara laughed as she hadn’t done in months, the maid from earlier popped her head in carefully at first, and then with a smile came back with the tea. She hadn’t seen her mistress so joyful in a very long while, and offered a shy thankful smile to the man. When the laughter ended, Zara’s eyes were still shining with mirth. “You scamp. Careful, I may just decide to keep you around; you are certainly more entertaining than my son would ever hope to be. But no, I am not proposing to you. Rather, as you are aware, I have two marriageable daughters.”

She grimaced at the thought of telling Xanadia she had to marry for political purposes and corrected herself immediately. “One marriageable daughter. I wouldn’t impose my heathen of middle child on your family, lest the whole thing turn to tragedy.”

She served the tea to both of them, and continued more sedately. “Marija, on the other hand, is of proper age for your brother, and very beautiful. You may not remember her well, she came to ZàÞça for her studies a long ago, and she doesn’t travel to Püertagœ very often. She is a good healer, and of a suitable disposition. For a Zûtran of course. But your brother is a strong man, I am certain there is nothing he couldn’t really handle.” She looked at Reza with a challenging smile, which reached her eyes and made her look much younger.

“She would, of course, receive a dowry commensurate with the Zûtrani wealth, which I can reassure you has not diminished in the slightest. Unlike the Sumner’s, if one should believe the rumors?” Her voice gained a higher tilt. She was curious, but not wishing to pry.

“And speaking of rumors, maybe this delightful story about the crudeness of the man could be encouraged, subtly? One would not want after all the daughter of a Greater Family to suffer?” Zara herself was well acquainted with using rumors, some against her or the Zûtrani themselves, which could later be dispelled thus undermining the credibility of the people foolish enough to spread them openly, some against the other Greater Families. Other than in small and select company, Zara was above gossip herself, but her maids were more than able to tell tales with the blessing of their mistress. In the market or to the fishermen, stories spread and gained proportions, and old Zara delighted at the mayhem.

As she laughed, Reza smiled broadly, watching her face light up as she did. He caught the look of the maid and inclined his head to her shy smile. He was still smiling at her when she finally got her wits to be able to reply to him and winked at her words, even a slight wiggle when she thought she might keep him around. "I have my uses." and true to his meaning, he was not surprised when she brought up her daughters.

Reza knew of her daughters, and he nodded as he accepted his tea and she spoke of Marija. "Of course he could handle it. Though, my brother will..." he motioned vaguely with a roll of his wrist while his other hand took the tea. "... not so easily be arranged into a union. Gods know if he were, then he'd already be married several times over." No, and even when not for marriage at all, he struggled to set Dry up with women a number of times. "He would have to genuinely like the idea for himself." Damned bastard wouldn't bed the best matches that Reza had found for him. He truly wanted his elder brother to be happy, damn him.

When she brought up the rumor of Sumner wealth, she received just a little laugh and a shake of his head. "Our pains lie not in our wealth." Not entirely a confirmation nor denial, but half-truths were a habit of his, even if he liked someone as he likes Zara, he'd let her decide for herself what it meant. Reza leaned back in his seat, sipping the tea and crossed one of his legs loosely. "Though, it would not be hard to encourage the unfortunate Oßlässe rumors." his eyes twinkled with mischief of his own.

"I quite like you, Zara." he admitted freely, rather than just with his nature. Perhaps it was their kindred spirits, perhaps it was because he knew exactly what she wanted from him, and she knew what he wanted from her, or because he didn't think he'd need to bed her or someone close to her to get into the graces he so desired. Dry might, but not Reza on this particular occasion. "Do you think Marija would be agreeable?" while Zara said so at first, it didn't necessarily mean she'd be so thrilled at the prospect if it was brought up. At least with his brother, he knew that even if it fell apart, he knew Reza acted more out of love than politics.

Zara considered the possibilities, sipping her tea in silence. Would Marija be agreeable? Her youngest daughter was sweeter in disposition than the serious Xandru or the rebellious Xanadia, but no less stubborn and determined to have her way. But Zara rather thought Marija may like the oldest Sumner son for real.

There were, however, several significant obstacles to the union she so desired. First, Marija herself had developed a bit of a reputation as an unruly mischievous child when she was younger, and after she moved to ZàÞça as well, albeit in a different way. Zara was not unaware that her daughter had had more than her share of lovers, but in a true mother’s fashion thought that the problem lay with the men. Weak men had no business loving a Zûtrani, Marija simply hadn’t found a match, one who would be stronger than she was.

The more serious concern was if Marija herself did not want to leave ZàÞça. She was a healer and a talented one; she had studied long and hard for it, and would not consent becoming a housewife or a political animal in Püertagœ. But, Zara thought, the Zûtrani fortune could be used to give Marija what she wanted, while consolidating the goodwill the family held with the people of Püertagœ. What if, for example, as a wedding gift, Zara could arrange for a clinic or a medical research facility to be built in Püertagœ, for her daughter to continue doing what she loved? That could be a solution, maybe.

She raised her head, and nodded to Reza. “There are good chances I think, although of course Marija would have to decide for herself. As for your brother …” she drew breath and then slowly exhaled. She had thought a lot about the oldest Sumner son, and what he must have gone through. She remembered only too well those difficult weeks after the murder of her Baldassar, and what she had lived. It was only because of her children that she had managed to stay sane. She looked at her guest, dropping all masks and letting herself be seen as she was. A hardened lonely survivor.

“My dear Reza, if the Zûtrani have something going for them, it’s loyalty to the family. An alliance between the Sumner and the Zûtrani, sealed through marriage, would be for us sacred. We are faithful to our ideals but more importantly to family. The unfortunate situation with your sister has hit both of you hard. I believe this would be good for D'rÿden. Think about it.” Her hands shook a little on the teacup.

Her reputation would be something to contend with, but the first obstacle would truly be whether or not they even hit it off. Both Reza and Zara were on the same page in that sense at least, knowing that each of their parts would have to be wholly willing to let this match unfold naturally. That wasn't to say, of course, that they couldn't help it along a little. While they both pondered over the possibilities, he sipped the tea and looked as relaxed there as he did anywhere.

Zara's face shifted, and he tilted his head at her, his own face relaxing from the slight smile that was almost perpetually curled into his handsome lips. Instead, he met her with quiet pacificity as she spoke. A brief silence answered her before he nodded slightly. "You are not wrong. I want D'rÿden to be happy, and I think that the right person would help to make that so." Not that he thought his brother was drowning in depression, but he wanted love for him. Little else could be expected of the little brother, who lived so passionately.

"It will have to fall to them, ultimately, if they are a good match. We cannot push them together too hard. I am sure you have already thought of some mechanisms by which we might introduce them and the idea of love." he smile returned, but it was gentle, and his eyes kind. "Marriage or not, I am quite certain this is the start to a good friendship between our families." friendship could wax and wane, though, they both knew this, marriage was a bond.

Zara gestured vaguely with her right hand, half to manifest her agreement and half her skepticism. She would not manipulate her daughter or the Sumner son, at least not directly. Engineering circumstances which had a high chance of working in her favor, however, was one of her specialties. She cleared her throat after finishing her tea, and looked at the man in front of her. “You may not be aware of this, but I married at the Bûsta-gr'tîš'sk. Baldassar and I discussed it, and we both agreed that the Zûtrani needed an increase in popularity in Püertagœ and there is nothing more appealing to the people than a love story which they can watch unfold.”

Every year after, the Zûtrani had financed and supported the Bûsta-gr'tîš'sk and Zara went to celebrate with the people, even after Baldassar was killed. It felt fitting to her, that her joy or suffering be useful to the Zûtran Family somehow and not wasted in solitude. Weak moments could be had in private; passions should be seen. “I always go, and this year is no exception. For once, I shall convince Marija to accompany me for the trip to Püertagœ. Your brother, I believe, is due to preside due to his newest position in the Senate. We already have the perfect circumstances to talk of love and loss and family; D'rÿden and I are very vaguely acquainted. Between the both of us, we can bring them together I think.”

She paused, smiled wryly, and ran a hand through her almost-white hair, sighing in remembrance of youth. Her long dark beautiful hair had been much prized, and she still took pride in it, even if the color had changed. After the marriage, she had become the darling of Püertagœ for quite a long while, and her story of marrying into wealth and power had fascinated many young girls. They had made a good team, Baldassar and her, well suited to one another and very much in love. If at least one of her daughters could have that as well, it would be wonderful. If this worked to the advantage of the Zûtrani, even better.

Reza, pointedly, did not offer himself as a second option to Dryden, but his mind went instead to the alignment of mutual benefit by other means. At least so long as they stayed in one another's favor. His gaze followed the motion of her hand through her hair, smiling softly as she finished up her brief summation of love and Bûsta-gr'tîš'sk. If he had any inkling of her love story, it did not show either way on his face. It was the obvious choice, an easy way to begin this play at matchmaking.

"An excellent choice." he lifted his tea to her as he inclined his head, then sipped it again, savoring the taste before it was sent down to his warmed belly. Unsurprisingly, Reza was fond of this holiday as well, and he'd be in attendance even if it were not required of him. His face was a known one at such celebrations, and he joyed in its many facets. Tea soon drained, he leaned forward to set the cup aside, and settled his elbows on his knees, grinning over at her, light dancing in his silvery-green eyes. It for naught else, this would be a fun scheme with his new friend and potential ally.

For a short while, they exchanged a few more small details. Where they would meet first, some ideas about when amidst Bûsta-gr'tîš'sk they might put them together, and other such minute matters. His tea had been refilled, and again he drained it over the course of their well-natured scheming. When all that could be discussed on the matter was done, Reza rose with her, and he kissed her softly. Surely, not something he did with every acquaintance if they weren't meant for his bed, but another supplicant of Bók-T'ak was afforded different pleasantries, no matter the nature of their relationship. And his next stop would be their shared temple.