Huntsong Chapter 18 — Seraphel

Chapter 18 — Seraphel
Chapter 17 — Cara, Haeight	Chapter 19 — Cara
Chapter List
	Huntsong

Huntsong Chapter 18 — Seraphel is the 18th chapter of Huntsong.

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While Seraphel is elated by responses from Culin and Sasi, her good mood is abruptly obliterated when she receives a decoded letter from her father, which contains news of Ovela being pushed back by an offensive from Ailendamus led by Baron Digneral. Seraphel’s father also divulges that the [Necromancer] that attacked Afiele was most likely hired by Ailendamus, shocking the [Princess] to the point of almost fainting. Filled with rage, Seraphel swears to gather support at the royal palace. Naming the major powers of Noelictus, Dalimont cites Noelictus’s parliament of nobles, the Landsreight, as mostly self-interested. He names Marquis Seelthru of Havens and Duke Fiskren as the ones who will need convincing. Aside from the King, the third power of Noelictus is the Hunter’s Guild, led by Guildmistress Delifec and Huntress Agshiga of the Deathhunt. However, Dalimont is doubtful that the Hunter’s Guild would approve Ovelian aid, as they receive a large share of the crown’s finances for slaying undead and their Hunters’ Cards.

Seraphel’s first appearance with the Court of Dusk is at the Palace of Shadows. Redesigned after the Creler Wars, the palace is completely pitch black in color, not even reflecting the moonlight. The servants wear black-and-white cloth, and are covered in spiderweb-like designs. Seraphel and her retinue are greeted by [Keeper of the Royal House] Liletrec, a seven-foot tall woman wearing a crow-like mask. Liletrec rebukes the Thronebearers’ ostentatious appearance, and notes that Seraphel seems unnerved by Noelictus’s style. The [Princess] denies it, giving her best [False Smile], but is startled when Liletrec calls her a “liar.” Directly invoking Seraphel’s epiphet of “Cursed Princess of Calanfer,” the [Keeper] claims that she will most likely have an unpleasant time at court. She departs by leaping in the air to a balcony on the second floor. Completely bewildered, Seraphel is taken to the Court of Dusk by a [Maid], though she has trouble navigating the pitch-black hallways.

Noelictus stands out among the most eccentric of Terandrian kingdoms, ranging from its thme of black and white for decor, clothing, and even food, and the servants’ standard uniform of masks and Shadowcloth woven in the style of cobwebs. However, its most anomalous feature are the multitude of spiders and cobwebs that hang on the ceiling of the royal court. They were a recent feature, adopted by King Allorev, also known as the King of Hosts. A former [Prince] of Kaaz, he was famous for flirting with countless women until he married into Noelictus. Befitting his reputation of a king of parties and love, he is personable, greeting both Itreimedes and Seraphel like close friends. The [Princess] is flattered, though her admiration of Allorev is offset by his pet and companion, Toxivichere, a fourteen-foot long Dreamcatcher Spider. Much to Seraphel’s shock, Allorev seems to have an amorous connection to Toxivichere, embracing the spider and kissing it on the mandibles. Dalimont quietly tells Seraphel about rumours of Allorev’s infidelities, and also to say nothing about his daughter, Princess Kadane, but does not elaborate on the latter.

The spiders freak everyone out, with Mariel being escorted out after she faints in hysterics. Allorev is complimentary to Seraphel's conduct, noting that her father Reclis avoids the Court of Dusks, though her mother Ielane is more unshakeable. He personally apologizes to her for the Hunters’ slow response to Afiele’s crisis, claiming they were busy evacuating nearby towns in fear of a massive horde. Allorev is seemingly discontent when mentioning Seraphel’s fiance, Lord Fallien, but invites her to join the Landsreight as they convene on the subjects of Afiele and Ovela. While Queen Nicterise is unable to attend due to being under “a poor season,” Seraphel is introduced to their youngest son, the four-year old Prince Gedal who has a giant pet spider.

Seraphel is greeted by Duke Fiskren and Marquis Seelthru of Havens. While Fiskren is friendly and polite to the [Princess], Seelthru is more blatant and aggressive. The two are against the crown giving gold to the Hunter’s Guild for their indulgences and Hunter’s Cards. Seelthru is in favor of the Landsreight taking back the gold, while Fiskren prefers to fund local Hunter’s Guilds and the army. Seraphel is taken slightly aback by how both men are airing their grievances within earshot of the throne, even moreso when another [Lady], Rizetine of Sovetn, steps up and outright insults her for marrying Lord Fallien, which she believes to be Calanfer’s way of interfering with the Twins’ succession to Earl of Ovela. Seraphel tries retreating from Rizetine’s diatribe, but accidentally backs into Princess Kadane. She is flabbergasted that the [Princess] of Noelictus has a pair of spider mandibles jutting from her cheeks. Calling Rizetine a “bitch,” Kadane throws her drink on the [Lady] and threatens to do the same to Seraphel, who was staring at her spider parts. Instead of being politely lying, Seraphel takes a gamble and reverts to her usual snappish self. Rather than be insulted, Kadane is pleased, claiming that she had wanted to see the “legendary Seraphel.” Realizing that the custom in Noelictus was to be direct and pithy, the two [Princesses] trade banter, with Seraphel finally feeling like in her element.

Kadane is a “typical princess,” as in someone whose royal duties mainly consists of insulting people and throwing wine at them. Bored with her life, she is curious about anything new. Thistel and Dame Neranthei show her several items, including a perfume made by Saliss of Lights and the new chess game endorsed by the Titan of Baleros. Kadane is pleased, claiming that Seraphel and her escort were far more accommodating than Liletrec and the other Shade Servants. While she thinks the events at Afiele are tragic, and annoyed at the “troublemakers” in Ovela, Kadane is unwilling to show support, claiming that half the Landsreight would vote against her on principle.

Seraphel steps aside to talk to her father via [Communication] spell. He is pleased with her performance in court, and briefs her on the situation in Ovela, which is not going well, with Baron Digneral leading eight battalions. After being given instructions on which noble of Noelictus to lean on, Seraphel approaches the members of the Landsreight, informing them on what is happening in Ovela. The Landsreight are united in their issues against the Hunter’s Guild and their practice of indulgences, funding the Hunters for rest, relaxation, and comforts in return for their hard work. The nobility are also sick of paying for the Hunter’s Cards, which can run up to hundreds of gold for a single Veteran Hunter. Prince Seratoito then enters the conversation.

The younger brother of Princess Kadane, Seratoito makes Seraphel uneasy, mostly by how he treats his wife - Huntress Aghiga, one of the most highest-level [Hunters] in Noelictus - like a mere servant. He is an open book and poor at masking his emotions, already revealing a rift between him and his father within seconds of introducing himself to Seraphel. Having expensive tastes, he gets along well with Seelthru, with whom he makes a lewd joke about Aghiga within her earshot. Seratoito is also against sending [Hunters] to the frontline of Ovela, professing that they make for poor [Soldiers].

The rest of the Landsreight make an argument to Allorev to cut the Hunter’s Cards and support Ovela, but the [King] refuses to send the army or any [Hunters] to the Twins for their recklessness. Instead, he proposes to send forces to Afiele to stand by until the Ailendamus army arrive at the Ovelian Keep, which would put them in a vulnerable position where the army of Noelictus can fall on them from all sides. While Seraphel is relieved that Afiele might be defended, she knows her father will not be pleased, and is also concerned about the delicate political state of Noelictus and its dysfunctional royal family.

Having a week in Merenome before her marriage to Lord Fallien, Seraphel is given a permanent invitation to the Court of Dusk during that period. Between that, she meets with King Itreimedes again, who is on vacation and utterly disinterested in the war. She also meets two other members of royalty. Princess Telleis of Samal and Duchess Greina of Noelictus. As the second- and third- most eligible bachelorettes of Terandria and Gold-rank adventurers to boot, both women are “terribly intimidating” to Seraphel. Greina is allowed to carry her crossbow in court, thanks to special dispensation from Queen Nicterise, who had been taken with the weapon. The [Queen] has yet to make an appearance in the Court of Dusks, apparently undergoing a “bad season.” Telleis bored with Noelictus's entertianment, being accustomed to the comforts of her home - Samal, the Kingdom of Keys, a reclusive but powerful paradise nation. Seraphel recommends the Synphasia Theatre and Cara to them. Interested, the two adventurers decide to check it out later.