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i_read_what2024-06-21 07:12 pm
kalinara) wrote in i_read_what2024-06-21 07:12 pm
The Robin and the Kestrel - Chapter Twelve
Damn, I've been slow lately, my schedule is all out of whack. Gonna try to get more reliable. At least in theory.
Anyway, last time, our heroes went to church then took to the streets, and we've got a better idea of how the High Bishop's gotten his influence.
We rejoin our heroes as they go throughout the following day. They sell god-stars and attend another sermon. Jonny's our viewpoint character for now and he notes that this time, he's able to actually catch some of the tricks in action. Moreover, he's noticed that many of the new people getting healed had been there the day before - except this time, they have brand new ailments. He also thinks that at a lot of them look a bit similar in features, as though they're related.
No demon summoning today. Kestrel theorizes that Padrik probably uses his more showy tricks sparingly, so that they don't lose impact. Instead, his miracles are more of the "miraculous message" time. If you've ever seen one of those "channel ghost" type psychics, you'll know the deal.
Though it seems pretty shameless. Basically you have people who come to Padrik about misfortune. They're observed and cold-read, and told through the priests' visions that their problems come from inheriting "tainted money", and they can remedy this by donating it.
Apparently the "evil magic" of the non-humans even taint their money, so the only way to be safe is to give it to the church. Hah.
The messages are more specific this time, very detailed, and Kestrel knows why. Basically, he recognizes some of the priests as plain clothed folk who had hung around his wagon and made chit chat with the people who bought red and blue Stars. Those are meant for "help in adversity". Kestrel, because he's playing mute, was overlooked. He's pretty upset by this abuse of trust.
After the sermon, they check their inventory. They're actually almost out. Sales have been REALLY good. They'll need to make more.
We see some trouble in paradise as Kestrel finds himself frustrated by Robin's attitude. Except for her anger at the reveal of Roma secrets, she's seemed very callous and indifferent to the abuse of the populace. If anything, she's more focused by the money they're making. I think it's probably worth remembering that Gwyna is a Roma, and thus already separate from this kind of society to begin with. There aren't any Roma living openly in this city, it must be noted, and there really isn't any indication that this is new.
Kestrel's sent out to get some replacement materials (Gwyna rightly notes that he can't haggle or give prices if he's supposed to be playing mute.) He meets the silversmiths that they'd met with the day before. Apparently they'd been doing very well themselves and they're happy to sell them what they need at cost, out of gratitude.
The next stop is at the part of the city where the seamstresses, hat makers, lace makers and weavers work. Because of the current emphasis on asceticism, their business hasn't been great. But Kestrel's able to buy a LOT of thread, yarn, beads and so on. There's a cute bit where he's tempted by some of the fabrics in the back room - there's a scarlet linen that he can imagine Robin wearing. Aw.
-
We switch viewpoints to Robin. She's very quickly discovered the difficulty of doing business in this environment without her husband present. Basically, street preachers keep congregating in the vicinity of her wagon and loudly sermonizing about women.
Women, according to these so-wise philosophers, were by their very nature "primitive, lascivious, and lewd." This was as God had intended, they said. Their function as childbearers made them prone to look no further than the acts that resulted in children; after all, that was what God had created for them to do. Women's bodies were created for one glorious purpose: childbearing. Women were inferior to men in all other counts; in morals, in intelligence, in the ability to reason—just as their smaller, weaker bodies made them inferior physically.
Women were nearer to the state of the animal than the angel, said the preachers. And again, that was as it should be, God had created them to be dependent on their partners for the things they lacked. It was up to men, with their superior intellect and power of reason, to rule women, to keep their essentially corrupt natures from overcoming them.
Men should make all decisions for a woman, the preachers proclaimed, pitching their voices to be certain that she heard every word. Men should control their every action. Women were not fit to govern themselves, and would be seduced by any creature with a soft word and a clever tongue.
Ick.
It's pretty obvious that they're trying to get a rise on her, and Robin's realizing quickly why there aren't any other women doing business alone in the square. Fortunately, you can't out provoke a bard, and Gwyna's blatant, blithe disregard just makes them push harder. Truth be told, it's making her nervous.
And we see that, despite her outward callousness, Robin really isn't immune to what's going on in the city. She realizes it's probably only a matter of time before women end up forbidden to practice trades, hold property, or do anything else without the "consent and guidance" of a man. What's already happened to non-humans could easily happen to women. Or even to increasingly broader groups of men.
Padrik hasn't mentioned women yet, but Gwyna gets that it starts in the street and then works its way up.
When Kestrel gets back, she greets him loudly and enthusiastically, calling him "husband" and immediately embarrassing her preachers. She's aware of course that they'll probably resent her for that too.
They both realize that they need to make more Stars. Jonny'd focused his shopping on materials for jewelry, since while other merchants are likely to mimic the bigger Stars, it'll be a while before they figure out the trick to the jewelry.
There's some trouble in paradise from Robin's side too, when Jonny confesses that he's not sure he likes the idea of working in a brothel. Gwyna is exasperated, thinking that a Guild Hall upbringing must have made him prudish. But she holds her tongue.
Instead, they discuss the preachers. Both realize that women are the next target. Gwyna admits to being torn: they're making an obscene amount of money, but they've found out pretty much everything they need. At least enough to inform Harperus and warn off the Free Bards. The Deliambren's can protect the other non-humans. And she's genuinely scared.
Kestrel points out though that they still don't know who's helping Padrik and why. He thinks they have responsibilities. And the reminder of renegade Roma pisses Gwyna enough to forget her fear. She DOES need more information, so she can report to the Clan Leaders and they can order punishment.
Kestrel asks about the punishment, but she's not able to disclose. She does mention that Peregrine, that mage that we met in the Lark and the Wren, would probably handle it. Kestrel can read between the lines easy enough. Don't piss off mages.
And then there's this:
"At any rate, we can't do anything about it all now," she continued, and sighed. "I guess we should be trying to stay focused on the things we can do, and not worry about the things we have no control over. I'm going to take things as lightly as I can. Otherwise I'd fret myself to pieces in this town."
She sensed his sudden relaxation, as if she had answered some question in his mind that he hadn't even articulated. Well, whatever it was, there were enough mysteries to solve without trying to figure out what was going on in his mind!
Um, maybe you should ask. Either one of you. It does seem like you two REALLY need to work on communication here.
I like it because it's a clear relationship issue, and pretty consistent. And while it's an ongoing problem, I have no doubts that the characters WILL work it out. Eventually.
In the meantime, they decide to do the hot young people thing and bang before making more religious iconography. Good for them!
-
We do skip ahead, and learn that making Godstars is easier the second time around. The tips from the jeweler/silversmith friend like chaining them together or putting pretty beads in them really do make them even more like jewelry. And thus they keep their monopoly, which makes Robin happy as "no Roma worth the name would ever have turned down such a golden opportunity".
Again, not really sure about the stereotyping. I mean, it's HER doing it. But her author, AFAIK, isn't Roma. So...
Anyway, they get the message from their contact, and are directed toward a shopkeeper named "Ardana Bodkin", where they will order an alabaster alb and ivory altar cloth. They're told NOT to bring instruments.
We also see pretty quickly that at least some of Jonny's distaste for the idea of going to a brothel is alleviated by the fact that it's NOT in the warren. His reaction seems less prudish and more worried about their physical safety. Which Gwyna doesn't disagree with.
So where are they going?
The place was a feast for the eye after the browns and grays of the drab clothing outside. The crimson satin robes of a Justiciar sparkled with rich gold bullion embroidery; the vivid blue silk robes of an Intercessor boasted cutwork of impossible intricacy. Next to that, the emerald green robes for the Service of Vernal Equinox shone with lacework dyed to match. And there were, of course, dozens of the white robes favored by High Bishop Padrik and his Order, all brilliant with embroidery, lace, cutwork, and gems.
Shiny. Robin's particularly drawn to the colors. They give the pass code and are led inside to...a convent?
The room held about five or six lovely young women dressed in the robes of the Sisters and Novices of a religious Order; she didn't recognize the pearl gray and white of their habits, but they were clearly religious robes. The room itself was as stark as any in a convent; a few benches, plain white walls, a single bookcase full of books. The young ladies all turned to stare at the intruders.
Not exactly. Sister-Mother Ardana introduces herself and the "House of Penitents", and Robin realizes that all the nun habits are cut to fit very closely to the torso. They're definitely erotic takes on the concept.
Basically, Ardana's kind of doing the same thing that Robin and Kestrel are: she's using religious trappings to give folks what they want, and business is very very good.
It's also good protection for women and a loophole to the prejudice against women in business. A CONVENT is perfectly respectable, and charitable Orders have every right to support themselves by trade or craft.
Interestingly, per Ardana, you actually don't need Church permission to make an Order - As long as the Order can support themselves and don't appoint/ordain priests, collect alms, or otherwise usurp Church privilege. So the women of Gradford have found some ways to protect themselves and even made the Church structure work for them.
Anyway, her last set of musicians got themselves arrested and exiled for street busking. She knows that they're really here for information, but she's happy to give them an audition to play in the chapel. It's win/win.
--
We switch viewpoints to Kestrel and, well, it seems like the accusations of prudishness weren't entirely off base:
It was worse still when Ardana led them to what she referred to as "the chapel," a room furnished with soft couches and cushions in jewel-bright satins and velvets, and tiny marble tables, where the "Sisters" lounged about in semi-transparent or very abbreviated versions of their "habits." This was where customers came when they wished some entertainment before or after the—main event.
Kestrel had never been in a House before, and he frankly did not know where to look. Or not look. And the ladies obviously noticed; they whispered to each other behind their hands, and cast measuring glances at him that made him flush uncomfortably.
He's not judgmental so much as shy. But definitely shyness might be a problem.
He and Robin stick with instrumental music - the instruments provided as mentioned, and they wear robes that match what the ladies in the receiving room wore - less tight though. And Kestrel, being small and clean-shaven, might even pass for a very plain, flat chested girl. (He notes it's only fair, since Rune dressed like a boy to play...Heh.)
So the performance goes well. Kestrel zones out as always (which is, again, a rather interesting trait. It's implied a few times that he's got the more natural talent toward Bardic magic of the two, and possibly even compared to Rune or Talaysen, but he tends to get lost in it.)
When he comes back, he and Robin are offered juice by a friendly sex worker. It's a bit embarrassing.
She chuckled, and he burned an even deeper and more painful red. But then she put one hand on his arm, and he raised his eyes to her face, to see that her expression was one of sympathy and not mockery.
"We assumed that this is the first time you've ever been in a House, Kestrel," she said, using his Free Bard name. "It's perfectly fine to feel out-of-place, embarrassed, in fact. I did, the first time I came here. We would much rather see a charming blush than a knowing smirk. You assume the best of us, and you blush for our sakes as much as your own. The man with the smirk assumes the worst of us, and can't wait to prove it."
Hm. I wonder if that's a common viewpoint for sex workers. It seems reasonable, certainly.
Anyway, the girl introduces herself as Sister Tera and leaves. Kestrel had been zoned, but Robin had been eavesdropping her heart out, and reveals that many of the men present are connected with the High Bishop or Cathedral.
So Kestrel's a bit more comfortable, and Robin's happy he's more comfortable, and they're ready to get to spying in earnest. And the chapter ends here.
Anyway, last time, our heroes went to church then took to the streets, and we've got a better idea of how the High Bishop's gotten his influence.
We rejoin our heroes as they go throughout the following day. They sell god-stars and attend another sermon. Jonny's our viewpoint character for now and he notes that this time, he's able to actually catch some of the tricks in action. Moreover, he's noticed that many of the new people getting healed had been there the day before - except this time, they have brand new ailments. He also thinks that at a lot of them look a bit similar in features, as though they're related.
No demon summoning today. Kestrel theorizes that Padrik probably uses his more showy tricks sparingly, so that they don't lose impact. Instead, his miracles are more of the "miraculous message" time. If you've ever seen one of those "channel ghost" type psychics, you'll know the deal.
Though it seems pretty shameless. Basically you have people who come to Padrik about misfortune. They're observed and cold-read, and told through the priests' visions that their problems come from inheriting "tainted money", and they can remedy this by donating it.
Apparently the "evil magic" of the non-humans even taint their money, so the only way to be safe is to give it to the church. Hah.
The messages are more specific this time, very detailed, and Kestrel knows why. Basically, he recognizes some of the priests as plain clothed folk who had hung around his wagon and made chit chat with the people who bought red and blue Stars. Those are meant for "help in adversity". Kestrel, because he's playing mute, was overlooked. He's pretty upset by this abuse of trust.
After the sermon, they check their inventory. They're actually almost out. Sales have been REALLY good. They'll need to make more.
We see some trouble in paradise as Kestrel finds himself frustrated by Robin's attitude. Except for her anger at the reveal of Roma secrets, she's seemed very callous and indifferent to the abuse of the populace. If anything, she's more focused by the money they're making. I think it's probably worth remembering that Gwyna is a Roma, and thus already separate from this kind of society to begin with. There aren't any Roma living openly in this city, it must be noted, and there really isn't any indication that this is new.
Kestrel's sent out to get some replacement materials (Gwyna rightly notes that he can't haggle or give prices if he's supposed to be playing mute.) He meets the silversmiths that they'd met with the day before. Apparently they'd been doing very well themselves and they're happy to sell them what they need at cost, out of gratitude.
The next stop is at the part of the city where the seamstresses, hat makers, lace makers and weavers work. Because of the current emphasis on asceticism, their business hasn't been great. But Kestrel's able to buy a LOT of thread, yarn, beads and so on. There's a cute bit where he's tempted by some of the fabrics in the back room - there's a scarlet linen that he can imagine Robin wearing. Aw.
-
We switch viewpoints to Robin. She's very quickly discovered the difficulty of doing business in this environment without her husband present. Basically, street preachers keep congregating in the vicinity of her wagon and loudly sermonizing about women.
Women, according to these so-wise philosophers, were by their very nature "primitive, lascivious, and lewd." This was as God had intended, they said. Their function as childbearers made them prone to look no further than the acts that resulted in children; after all, that was what God had created for them to do. Women's bodies were created for one glorious purpose: childbearing. Women were inferior to men in all other counts; in morals, in intelligence, in the ability to reason—just as their smaller, weaker bodies made them inferior physically.
Women were nearer to the state of the animal than the angel, said the preachers. And again, that was as it should be, God had created them to be dependent on their partners for the things they lacked. It was up to men, with their superior intellect and power of reason, to rule women, to keep their essentially corrupt natures from overcoming them.
Men should make all decisions for a woman, the preachers proclaimed, pitching their voices to be certain that she heard every word. Men should control their every action. Women were not fit to govern themselves, and would be seduced by any creature with a soft word and a clever tongue.
Ick.
It's pretty obvious that they're trying to get a rise on her, and Robin's realizing quickly why there aren't any other women doing business alone in the square. Fortunately, you can't out provoke a bard, and Gwyna's blatant, blithe disregard just makes them push harder. Truth be told, it's making her nervous.
And we see that, despite her outward callousness, Robin really isn't immune to what's going on in the city. She realizes it's probably only a matter of time before women end up forbidden to practice trades, hold property, or do anything else without the "consent and guidance" of a man. What's already happened to non-humans could easily happen to women. Or even to increasingly broader groups of men.
Padrik hasn't mentioned women yet, but Gwyna gets that it starts in the street and then works its way up.
When Kestrel gets back, she greets him loudly and enthusiastically, calling him "husband" and immediately embarrassing her preachers. She's aware of course that they'll probably resent her for that too.
They both realize that they need to make more Stars. Jonny'd focused his shopping on materials for jewelry, since while other merchants are likely to mimic the bigger Stars, it'll be a while before they figure out the trick to the jewelry.
There's some trouble in paradise from Robin's side too, when Jonny confesses that he's not sure he likes the idea of working in a brothel. Gwyna is exasperated, thinking that a Guild Hall upbringing must have made him prudish. But she holds her tongue.
Instead, they discuss the preachers. Both realize that women are the next target. Gwyna admits to being torn: they're making an obscene amount of money, but they've found out pretty much everything they need. At least enough to inform Harperus and warn off the Free Bards. The Deliambren's can protect the other non-humans. And she's genuinely scared.
Kestrel points out though that they still don't know who's helping Padrik and why. He thinks they have responsibilities. And the reminder of renegade Roma pisses Gwyna enough to forget her fear. She DOES need more information, so she can report to the Clan Leaders and they can order punishment.
Kestrel asks about the punishment, but she's not able to disclose. She does mention that Peregrine, that mage that we met in the Lark and the Wren, would probably handle it. Kestrel can read between the lines easy enough. Don't piss off mages.
And then there's this:
"At any rate, we can't do anything about it all now," she continued, and sighed. "I guess we should be trying to stay focused on the things we can do, and not worry about the things we have no control over. I'm going to take things as lightly as I can. Otherwise I'd fret myself to pieces in this town."
She sensed his sudden relaxation, as if she had answered some question in his mind that he hadn't even articulated. Well, whatever it was, there were enough mysteries to solve without trying to figure out what was going on in his mind!
Um, maybe you should ask. Either one of you. It does seem like you two REALLY need to work on communication here.
I like it because it's a clear relationship issue, and pretty consistent. And while it's an ongoing problem, I have no doubts that the characters WILL work it out. Eventually.
In the meantime, they decide to do the hot young people thing and bang before making more religious iconography. Good for them!
-
We do skip ahead, and learn that making Godstars is easier the second time around. The tips from the jeweler/silversmith friend like chaining them together or putting pretty beads in them really do make them even more like jewelry. And thus they keep their monopoly, which makes Robin happy as "no Roma worth the name would ever have turned down such a golden opportunity".
Again, not really sure about the stereotyping. I mean, it's HER doing it. But her author, AFAIK, isn't Roma. So...
Anyway, they get the message from their contact, and are directed toward a shopkeeper named "Ardana Bodkin", where they will order an alabaster alb and ivory altar cloth. They're told NOT to bring instruments.
We also see pretty quickly that at least some of Jonny's distaste for the idea of going to a brothel is alleviated by the fact that it's NOT in the warren. His reaction seems less prudish and more worried about their physical safety. Which Gwyna doesn't disagree with.
So where are they going?
The place was a feast for the eye after the browns and grays of the drab clothing outside. The crimson satin robes of a Justiciar sparkled with rich gold bullion embroidery; the vivid blue silk robes of an Intercessor boasted cutwork of impossible intricacy. Next to that, the emerald green robes for the Service of Vernal Equinox shone with lacework dyed to match. And there were, of course, dozens of the white robes favored by High Bishop Padrik and his Order, all brilliant with embroidery, lace, cutwork, and gems.
Shiny. Robin's particularly drawn to the colors. They give the pass code and are led inside to...a convent?
The room held about five or six lovely young women dressed in the robes of the Sisters and Novices of a religious Order; she didn't recognize the pearl gray and white of their habits, but they were clearly religious robes. The room itself was as stark as any in a convent; a few benches, plain white walls, a single bookcase full of books. The young ladies all turned to stare at the intruders.
Not exactly. Sister-Mother Ardana introduces herself and the "House of Penitents", and Robin realizes that all the nun habits are cut to fit very closely to the torso. They're definitely erotic takes on the concept.
Basically, Ardana's kind of doing the same thing that Robin and Kestrel are: she's using religious trappings to give folks what they want, and business is very very good.
It's also good protection for women and a loophole to the prejudice against women in business. A CONVENT is perfectly respectable, and charitable Orders have every right to support themselves by trade or craft.
Interestingly, per Ardana, you actually don't need Church permission to make an Order - As long as the Order can support themselves and don't appoint/ordain priests, collect alms, or otherwise usurp Church privilege. So the women of Gradford have found some ways to protect themselves and even made the Church structure work for them.
Anyway, her last set of musicians got themselves arrested and exiled for street busking. She knows that they're really here for information, but she's happy to give them an audition to play in the chapel. It's win/win.
--
We switch viewpoints to Kestrel and, well, it seems like the accusations of prudishness weren't entirely off base:
It was worse still when Ardana led them to what she referred to as "the chapel," a room furnished with soft couches and cushions in jewel-bright satins and velvets, and tiny marble tables, where the "Sisters" lounged about in semi-transparent or very abbreviated versions of their "habits." This was where customers came when they wished some entertainment before or after the—main event.
Kestrel had never been in a House before, and he frankly did not know where to look. Or not look. And the ladies obviously noticed; they whispered to each other behind their hands, and cast measuring glances at him that made him flush uncomfortably.
He's not judgmental so much as shy. But definitely shyness might be a problem.
He and Robin stick with instrumental music - the instruments provided as mentioned, and they wear robes that match what the ladies in the receiving room wore - less tight though. And Kestrel, being small and clean-shaven, might even pass for a very plain, flat chested girl. (He notes it's only fair, since Rune dressed like a boy to play...Heh.)
So the performance goes well. Kestrel zones out as always (which is, again, a rather interesting trait. It's implied a few times that he's got the more natural talent toward Bardic magic of the two, and possibly even compared to Rune or Talaysen, but he tends to get lost in it.)
When he comes back, he and Robin are offered juice by a friendly sex worker. It's a bit embarrassing.
She chuckled, and he burned an even deeper and more painful red. But then she put one hand on his arm, and he raised his eyes to her face, to see that her expression was one of sympathy and not mockery.
"We assumed that this is the first time you've ever been in a House, Kestrel," she said, using his Free Bard name. "It's perfectly fine to feel out-of-place, embarrassed, in fact. I did, the first time I came here. We would much rather see a charming blush than a knowing smirk. You assume the best of us, and you blush for our sakes as much as your own. The man with the smirk assumes the worst of us, and can't wait to prove it."
Hm. I wonder if that's a common viewpoint for sex workers. It seems reasonable, certainly.
Anyway, the girl introduces herself as Sister Tera and leaves. Kestrel had been zoned, but Robin had been eavesdropping her heart out, and reveals that many of the men present are connected with the High Bishop or Cathedral.
So Kestrel's a bit more comfortable, and Robin's happy he's more comfortable, and they're ready to get to spying in earnest. And the chapter ends here.