The seedier part of Silver Trailings became the setting for the chapter. The city is a trade town, so I figured there'd not just be a rough part but one where the thieves' guilds would use, a neighbourhood the watch avoids. Wildwood doesn't have a similar neighbourhood; the dynamics are different there. Kazi has travelled to other cities, including in the Seven Dominions, and is aware of such places but doesn't spend time there. Wren has been kept sheltered since her village was destroyed. Leo has snuck off to visit such quarters while travelling with Nyssa, who did the same when she was a squire. Jyslyn has more experience than Kazi, but not that much more; instead, she knows the mindsets involved. She won't say it, but Jyslyn was relieved that Leo was around to help explain what Wren saw.
The streetwalker discussion let me throw in the differences between Silver Trailings and Wildwood, the big one being the latter's matriarchy. Wildwood is very much a place where the women are allowed to express their sexuality without reproach. Silver Trailings, under the watch of the patriarchal dwarves, aren't as open. Add Silver Trailings' role as a trade town, and the nature of sexual relations changes. It's not quite night and day; Silver Trailings gets influences from cultures that trade with it.
Wren still has the fuzzy memory of Kazi and Jyslyn hugging the night before, though not the full context. Jyslyn managed to distract Wren's thoughts, at least for now. Wren might think over what she saw, but Jyslyn's non-explanation works for now. And if anyone used a spell to detect falsehoods there, none would be found. Jyslyn deftly avoided the question.
Wondering who the body is? He's Sessarine's victim back in Chapter 22. She doesn't believe in wasting resources. Much like Space Mutiny, no one is allowed to call in dead if they work for Sessarine. I had gone back to make sure that she killed him by breaking his neck. Normally, going back to edit is not recommended during NaNoWriMo, but this was needed.
The third interregnum was more for me. I wanted to get Sessarine's reaction and to make sure she knew what was going on. Our heroes are now known, though not with great details. Sessarine knows she has opposition actively working against her. This should set up the middle, as the heroes and Sessarine try to outmaneuver each other.
Friday, communicating, in The Elf's Prisoner Chapter 31.
Also Friday, over at Psycho Drive-In, hiatus week.
Saturday, over at The Seventh Sanctum, Playstation Productions.
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