------------- Tales of the SG - Opal

"Its come to my attention that you've not met all the Silver Gryphon. How careless of me."

Martin took another sip of brandy and smiled at the guests crowding in to the main dining hall at the Calladonian Arms hotel. Fallon moved beside him, bedecked in velvet that clung tightly to her skin and barely had enough lace to cover her more interesting curves. Rowan was close by, wearing a green and gold dress so shiny, it must have painted on. Each took one of Martin's arms and fixed their gaze on the guests with their most evocative smiles.

"Yes, Martin. I've met the most beauteous Fallon and Rowan. Very impressive, as I've said before. And certainly no insult to the ladies, but the one I really want to meet is the Drow."

Hardin Danforth had never been a patient man. He was more at home negotiating cut throat deals than charming young ladies. But Martin knew an opportunity when he saw one. He turned and bowed to Fallon and Rowan. Fallon knew immediately what was about to happen. She smiled and nodded at her sister for them to leave. There was other prey to stalk just now.

Across the room, a lone figure sat in a dark corner, not so much sad as she was reflecting on the night. Opal could be accused of many things, but not moodiness. Still, there was a certain repetition to her life in Carellon. It always seemed to be the same thing. Years ago, when all she knew of her life and her birthright was that she had been abandoned on Mount Drovmyr and adopted by General Honglathor, she had raised a stink by falling madly for her adopted brother, getting pregnant, and upon the loss of the baby in childbirth, had been sent off to the Drowlands to be trained in warfare. Her natural proclivities had led her into the worship of Sehanine, and she trained for a time as an Erotic, but her father soon found out and had her sequestered with the warmages at the Temple of Treallar. There she learned her true profession, the art of arms and magical combat. But her heart had never changed. Her real interest was not in adventure and fighting and gaining power, but in simply having fun. Then she met Fallon, and learned there were ways to do both.

Martin was crossing the room, with another stuffed shirt businessman. A plump and overstuffed toad, she thought. Not exactly her idea of a companion for the evening. She would have been better off staying at Silverhaven. With luck, she might have found herself in Kheldar's bed tonight. Now, it was time to put on the show for the locals, for the humans who thought she was little more than a trollop, a Drovik camp follower. Well, she had something else in mind.

"Lady Honglathor. Allow me to introduce Hardin Danforth, of the Danforth stables and shipping line. Hardin, this is Opalina Honglathor of the Silver Gryphon."

"Belabra."

Hardin looked at Martin, confusion in his eyes, "Excuse me?"

"Belabra, rivvil. My name iz Belabra, Opalina Belabra, granddaughter of ze last Matron Mother of ze Splinter Kingdom. You vould be vise to remember dis."

Opal stood and strolled right past both men, both stunned into silence. Her pearl white eyes suddenly locking on Fallon from across the room. Fallon smiled. Rowan giggled. Yes, this was going to be an interesting evening after all.

------------- Credits

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