The River King Part 3

## Episode 55 - The FeyWild West

The throne room of the River King’s Waterborne Palace, the feywild. Harmon is announced first and then James Wilde captain of the Dead Man's promise, both to applause. Talia is announced as the Iron Reaper. No one claps except for the River King and... The Broker. Lastly, Seline is announced as Mistress of the Silken Weave, Lady of the Shadow Realm, Slayer of Lord Longfellow, and The Wanderer in White to many applause. The courtiers are still here, their attachments to the ship move around with them as they walk. The Hag of the Evermarsh is also here along with many others. Half of the room is walking talking and getting refreshments while the other half is dancing. The music here is similar to what Seline remembers in the Moonlit King's Palace. James and Seline are almost drawn to the dance before Talia takes them over to a less populated area in the room. The Broker takes the opportunity to talk to them. He's wearing a pinstripe purple suit that has flickers of shadow dancing through it. It looks like a pinstripe twilight sky that has dark birds fluttering across. The Broker claims he wanted to wish them good luck, but also says that the River King was the near equal of Longfellow in a duel. He bids them farewell before moving on. They're approached by 9 ft tall person in bearskins with masses of dark black hair and beard.

    The Bear King introduces himself to Seline. He wishes Seline good luck in her duel before addressing the Iron Reaper. He's honored to meet the Iron Reaper and threatens to send bears after her if she enters his lands. She counters don't steal kids and torture them and we'll be fine. He bows before making his exit. The River King approaches and after speaking about those dancing, he says to Seline that it is tradition that they dance before the duel. Seline instinctually follows along with the dance while receiving mixed looks from those around her. Water or river fey that are part of the River King’s Court are attending. Other fey dressed in forms of crystal and metal are also here. Some are dressed in leaves and trees and their skin appears to be bark-like. The few have dresses or suits that are completely made of blue leaves are shadow fey who arrived with the Broker. These fey look at Seline with a weird sense of pride. Meanwhile, Talia’s approached by a woman with the head of a cat, Khastiri, Queen of Cats, Shadow Guardian and Herald of the Moon. She wanted to thank Seline for opening the doors before she was swept away by the River King. She observes that Talia isn't happy with the title Iron Reaper. She asserts that the Iron Reaper title is one of respect and acknowledges that Talia is not only a power but a threat. It is a high honor to be acknowledged like that, especially by someone like the Bear King. The only higher honor he could give would be to name Talia his heir. While Talia was keeping an eye on Seline, Khastiri points out the Broker has run off with James to dance. The River King tells Seline the Broker and the Queen of Night and Magic are engaged to be wed. Their marriage would unite a significant portion of the nighttime realms which hasn't been done since the Moonlit King went mad. Eons ago the current Queen of Night and Magic killed the previous Queen of Night and Magic. The daughter killed the mother inheriting her titles and taking half of her father's kingdom. It is said that the death of his wife drove him to insanity. He attempted to kill his daughter and take back his wife's mantle which might also have driven him mad. The queen’s mantle is one of absolute Night and Shadow, the new moon. Whereas the Moonlit King has the full moon. No one has had both mantles. It is known that she exiled him, but if few know where but it is said that he still dances every night in his castle. Hordes and hordes of treasures disappeared with it. All sorts of mysterious artifacts are buried deep in those treasure vaults. James has a glazed look and a smile as he dances with the Broker. Talia with Harmon's help trades places with James and is immediately caught up with the dance. Seline sees Talia has been caught up in the dance by the Broker but is unable to leave her dance without forfeiting her guest right. Seline tries to dispel the charm on Talia but the Broker counterspells it. The dance continues and Seline tries divine divine intervention but the Undertaker does not answer. The dance ends and Seline wrests Talia from the Broker but Talia is still in the thrall of the dance. Seline moves Talia off the dance floor before the spell is broken. James and Harmon return. James is also exhausted by the dance but Talia removes a point of exhaustion with lesser restoration. Harmon informs them that 10 hours have passed during the dance and they get ready to wait. The dance ends, a clearing is made on the dance floor and a fanfare is blown before one individual steps out to the center.

## Characters

### Players

* Seline Argent-Grey
* Talia Argent-Grey

### NPCs

* Jareth Argent-Grey
* Adrienne Argent-Grey
* Harmon
* Captain James Wilde
* The River King
* The Bear King
* Khastiri, Queen of Cats