Introduction

ONE YEAR LATER

After the cataclysmic events on the Elven Isles, life slowly found a semblance of normal for Scarlett fairly easily. Sagacious and she headed back to the mainland, given a small apartment in Valais, Jewel of the Western Coast and famed City of Lights. Three hundred thousand souls packed into a sprawling metropolis of art and culture that was the envy of the rest of Arbre. Sagacious seemed to know the city and within a month he'd found work as an advisor to the guards of the city, known as Gendarmes.

"Inspector Pleasant" was written in flowing script on the frosted glass door of his office, Scarlett chuckled to remember how inordinately proud he'd been of it. Since the 'birth' (?) of Everon, the new God (or Goddess?) of The Cycle, Scarlett tried to stay quiet and rest for most of her time. Valais was too loud, full of too many people for her now. Sagacious, on the other hand, seemed to dive into his newfound work here, Scarlett would awaken to find the apartment empty most mornings, he seemed to hardly live there at all, which suited her just fine.

Sharing the trauma of what had happened bonded the two of them, no doubt, but to call them friends would stretch the definition of the word perilously thin. Scarlett awoke on this particular morning with a bleary yawn as the sun lanced through the white lace curtains of her room. A cursory call gave no reply, and she was again unsurprised to find Sagacious not present, it didn't even look like he'd come home last night.

She made a pot of black tea and sat on the balcony sipping it in the morning sunshine. A worn and well loved brochure sat on the side table, it's brightly colored cover bearing the image of an ornate cathedral. Garish lettering across the upper third proclaimed: A Tourist's Guide to Valais in bold letters. Sagacious had given this to her when they'd first moved here and Scarlett had read through it many times over the months, it was like an old friend to her by this point.

Her thumb found her favorite page, a crude and brightly colored map of the city, separated into brightly colored quadrants. She took a sip of tea and read the words, affecting a terrible tourist's accent as she read them out loud.

"Bonjour et Beinvennue to La Belle Dame, The Famed City State of Valais! My name is Pierre Turenne, and I have the distinct honour of welcoming you to my home, and to explain to you just what makes Valais the jewel of the West! First, please allow me to explain the Quarters (districts)  to you, and perhaps to explain some of the local laws and how they may affect you during your stay here."

Beside her on the balcony, a red plumed bird with a bright green flume around its neck squawked happily along with her. "Bonjour! Awwk! Bonjour!" Scarlett smiled and made a kissing noise towards the bird, who obligingly fluttered onto her shoulder.

"Good morning, Charlie. How are you today?" Charlie trilled happily and nuzzled Scarlett's neck making cute smooching noises. Scarlett smiled again and scritched the back of his neck, continuing to read.

"The Law

The law and its enforcement are the duty of the City Guard, called "Gendarmes" (Jenn-Darms). The head of the Gendarmes is the "Chatelet", a position currently held by Captain Jean Miron. Valais is an orderly city, of course, and her law enforcement is the envy of Arbre's cities. One may inquire with any guard as to the particulars of the laws, but if you are someone who uses common sense, you should be okay. That said, here are the more important rules:

No drawn blades or offensive magics in the streets! Most Quarters have duelling arenas, and those are legal.

Theft of any kind, outside of that condoned by the Guild of Thieves, will be met with a zero tolerance policy.

Any visiting merchants must acquire a license to operate within the City-State. These may be purchased at the Guildmaster's offices, located in several convenient locations.

Those found in violation of any of those laws, among other lesser crimes, are subject to the justice of the Gendarmes."

Scarlett made a serious face and lifted Charlie's face to look him in the eyes. "Like Mister Sagacious, Charlie! And you know what that makes him?" Charlie flapped his wings and made a raucous laughing sound as he stomped from foot to foot.

"Nofun! Nofun!" Charlie proclaimed happily to a delighted Scarlett. She poured another cup of tea and continued on with her reading.

"The Quarters

As you enter Valais, you will be emerging into the "Port Suur" or Safe Harbour Quarter. Here you will find many guild offices, many travellers and business folk and many potentially unsavory types. Guard your purse here, for skilled guild-thieves patrol the area regularly. There are many shops for those of less discriminating tastes, as well as cheap food and lodgings to be had. From The Port Quarter, the city lays arrayed like a wheel.

Clockwise, we have "Les Cour des Miracles", or the Cathedral district. Many faiths are represented here, as the City's well known reputation for religious tolerance is on full display. Famous architects and builders from as far off as Caer Ashwynn and New Vael are employed by Patrons to build wonders of masonry and stained glass. Almost every faith across Arbe is represented here, although there are fewer homes and businesses to be found here.

The Parliament Quarter is next, and as the name suggests, one will find the beating heart of Valais' bureaucracy, as well as some of the finer Hotels and lodgings. Many higher-end shops and eateries are to be found in this Quarter as well. Many of the 'Personnes d'Qualite' or Nobles have private estates in this Quarter.

Continuing clockwise, we have le Grande Marche, as we call the Great Market. Foods and wares from across Arbe can be found here day and night, for it is said that the Quarter never sleeps. The original Vaelian aqueducts remain here, several older estates have become housing for families, or apartments.

Lastly, we have Le Vieux Quarter, or the old heart of Valais. The "Old Home" has preserved as much of the old Empire's architecture and facades, and is also home to a smaller University of Wizardry. Le Grande Library, several museums, and other schools for the wealthy are to be found here as well." 

She sighed and looked out from the balcony across the sprawling city. She knew the city very well by now, could identify each Quarter from here. Not for the first time, she resolved to explore the metropolis, knowing full well she didn't intend to leave the apartment when push came to shove. She scowled and shook her head sadly, thinking for the fiftieth time that depression would be easier to handle if she were blissfully unaware of it.

"It's perfectly normal, Scarlett," Sagacious had said to her, "You underwent an extreme trauma. There is nothing to be ashamed of," Gods, how she wanted to hit him. So earnest. So… so… nice! She'd ignored him and sulked in her room for a day or two each time he tried to broach the subject.

But she knew it was right. She'd gone through such change, and had felt connected to everything. Every blade of grass, every raindrop. To lose that connection, to lose that power… she simply didn't know what to do with herself anymore. Some of the gifts she'd learned remained, she could still speak with and understand most animals. 'Shifting' was possible too, but it was extremely taxing and left her so exhausted she could barely move for hours after. None of the healing gifts remained, seemingly. "Everon", or whatever it called itself, had left her feeling empty and lost.

She stared at the large swath of green that ran through Valais' center in the Vieux Quarter and made the conscious decision to *really* try this time, even as she poured herself another full cup of tea. A movement near the door of the apartment grabbed Scarlett's eye and she felt her heart swell into her throat, immediately chastising herself for foolish anxiety, it was simply the mail being slid under their door. She walked over and grabbed the pile of papers full of flyers and today's news, along with a thicker envelope of yellowed and expensive looking parchment bearing the seal of Queen Thia'anthalas of Caer Ashwynn. The writing that adorned the front of the envelope was blocky and crude, as if written by someone just learning the craft, and upon recognizing it, Scarlett smiled broadly as she opened the envelope, reading softly.

"Deer Scar-Lett and Birdy Man," it began, "Its Darruk. How are you both, I am good." Scarlett touched the paper lovingly, shaking her head in awe. He was learning so fast! "Queen Thee-ah is coming to see other fancy people in Valay. I want to see you both. We will arrive four weeks from now aboard Thee-ah's new ship. It is very fancy." Beneath that was a seal bearing Queen Thia's personal heraldry, and an actual arrival date added in a flowing post script. Next week!

Scarlet began to clean the apartment, dancing happily! She'd wanted to speak with the Elven Queen about what she'd been dealing with, but how did someone just write a personal letter to a head of state? The thought of Thia's spymaster reading her inner fears and insecurities made her shudder. She made herself put away the darker thoughts and focused on happy news, whistling to herself along with Charlie and she continued to clean.