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Title: Come Rain, Sleet and Devanu Post by: Lost Egg on May 21, 2012, 06:49:47 pm Come Rain, Sleet and Devanu
The ragged stranger rode deeper into town ignoring the intense stares of suspicion that followed from every door and window. The weight of her long journey hung heavy upon her shoulders yet still she drove on, unrelenting until her task is accomplished. Never wavering from her path she rode up to a lavish building in an exclusive district; lesser nobles bustled about the street toing and froing from the restaurant on innumerable errands for their masters. Such ‘high-borns’ barely register the stranger in their midst even as she hitches her exhausted Erelai by a drinking trough, its lithe and noble bearing yet road weary appearance ensuring it stood out amongst the richly decorated enuk and baruk of the patrons. The hooded stranger stepped up into the restaurant, finally eliciting stares of disbelief from the noble patrons; her faded blue uniform dusty and bedraggled from her time on the road, her hat long since lost. Across her chest a simple hide satchel hung, her hand held it to her protectively. She looked about the tables and, spotting who she was looking for, made her way across the room. The disgruntled owner dispatched his minions to cast out this wayward Fubarnii but with one grim look they recoiled from her. Enraged at his staff the restaurateur bowled up to the interloper, his accusations lost on his lips as he spied the mud splattered symbols on her uniform and the heavy fresh scar that ran from her eye down her neck. Doting, he simply bowed and fell in behind her as she continued to her destination. As she neared her destination her hand reached into the satchel and drew forth a soft silken bag, entirely at odds with the rugged character who bore it. The restaurant fell silent as all recognised what they saw, though none had ever seen one before. Ignoring the attention the stranger simply placed the dispatch into the hands of a stunned noble, turned and left. The Emperors Imperial Postal Service The members of the Emperors Imperial Postal Service, or Posties for short, are charged with the safe guarding and delivery of his Imperial Majesties personal correspondence. Their arrival within a settlement is seen as both a boon and an ill omen for only dark tidings or great joy require the personal pen of his Majesty. Posties are often recruited from noble families, for theirs is a job of great honour, one that should not be entrusted to low-borns. Fubarnii noble families are very large and more than one young noble finds themselves with little to do or trapped by the formality of court. Craving freedom or a greater purpose in their lives some take the oath, forever bound to their new role. The Posties roam far and wide across Anyaral baring their messages wherever the Emperor needs them. Riding their swift erelai they are far faster than enuks and some say they are even able to outrun Devanu. Their mission is not without its dangers, political intrigue can see Posties killed or go “missing” so they are a hardy, independent breed. Though rare, it has been known for Devanu to chase down Posties, for they are unable to resist such a swift moving target, like a PreePree chasing a thrown ball. Elakiim, The Postie They say she is the first-born of a house that fell out of favour, its long honour roll lost and forsaken. Taken from her family many moons ago she, like many belonging to the other great houses, was fostered in the capital. Strictly speaking this fosterage is an ancient custom that bound families together but now it has devolved into an insurance policy of compliance. Some great tragedy befell her house, rumoured to be at the instigation of its Head-Kopa, and they were cast out. Elakiim had grown up in the court and felt a terrible shame for the foul deeds of her clan and so she took the oath in an attempt to reclaim her honour. For many years she was barely trusted by her superior but she proved to be a resolute and dedicated courier, never once failing in her mission. Been planning this little story for a while so when Mike posted about the comp I thought why not. HN Title: Re: Come Rain, Sleet and Devanu Post by: Megatron0 on May 21, 2012, 07:16:02 pm yeah a postie is cool. Throws newspapers and letters at Devanu? ;)
It reminds me of 'going postal' Title: Re: Come Rain, Sleet and Devanu Post by: Lost Egg on May 21, 2012, 09:14:54 pm Cheers :)
Going Postal is an awesome book, the TV series was fairly good too. HN Title: Re: Come Rain, Sleet and Devanu Post by: Megatron0 on May 21, 2012, 09:21:08 pm I quite like the idea actually of a almost military-esque union of some sort.
Interesting concept indeed |