The notorious Iron Monk Lawrence Ferency... or Lala as he preferred to be called... seems to have a new playmate? Companion? Partner in crime? in the straight laced Ulric Treny. Uly, as Lala has taken to calling him, seems to be quite comfortable in the other nobleman's presence leading some to wonder.... is there more going on beneath the facade the two have going on? Surely two house guard captains from different houses can't be just talking business all the time in the Golden Lion Tavern.

Can they?

It seems that there is trouble brewing between the Iron Monk and the less experienced Treny House Captain. They were seen in the Arena, practicing against each other with Bows - where the Treny Captain all but dropped his Bow twice, eliciting a guffaw from others... shut down first by Lala, the second time by Ulric with nothing more than a hard look. Then they moved to a spar and if Ulric thought he might get the better, the floor was wiped with him by Lala.

Was the monk proving a point? Or was it something more sinister?

Whatever had been the cause of the contest in the Arena seems to have been settled between Ulric and Lala as they were seen talking comfortably in the Tavern once more. Some distance was apparently maintained between the two of them so maybe all hostilities aren't over completely?

But they were both talking about going to the ball and once more the question arises - are they going together as a couple? Will there be a new chapter for the sordid life of Lala Ferency? Will he try and corrupt this young scion of the house Treny to his way of life? Or is this a last chance of redemption cooked up by his elders to change his ways?

A futile effort some concede, but the house elders do like their games of subtle politics.

Ulric was seen discussing matters with Thagg Zolrander Kraken recently, though no-one seemed to be able to learn what they were talking about. Was this the end of the relationship between Lala and Ulric? Had there been some lovers spat? Or was Ulric seeking consolation in the affairs of another man?

The gossip mongers are clearly working overtime to find out what is happening and when they do not know, they are filling the void with their own rumors and speculations.

More level heads are suggesting that Ulric and Thagg were simply talking, but once more, there are suspicions of the partner preferences of the Young House Treny Captain.

So it seems that the preferences of Ulric were confirmed... reliable gossip spreaders have been telling whomever will listen (and in noble circles, that's a lot of ears) that Ulric Treny formally asked Lawrence Ferency to be his partner to the ball.

All that is needed now is a formal declaration of love between the two. This is expected to happen at the ball itself, because why else would the two men appear together there?

Things seem to becoming more serious between Ulric and Lala - Ulric was seen travelling to the Ferency estate in a Treny carriage where the impeccably dressed Lala was collected and the pair travelled to the ball in style.

What happened in the carriage away from prying eyes? No-one knows but the gossip mongers are all too willing to share their thoughts. Some say there will be professions of affection. Others say it will be professions of undying love. the occasional voice says they will simply discuss what might happen at the ball, but these are laughed at. After all, Ulric did invite Lala to be his partner...

So what was discussed really? Lala and Ulric aren't speaking on the matter.

Things have heated up in the Treny household with Ulric now being told that he needs to marry due to the kiss from Lala at the ball, according to a servant who wishes to remain anonymous so they may speak candidly on the matter. As such, word has spread through the gossip grapevine and offers from all quarters are being sent to the Magent household. Lala and Ulric were recently seen discussing some of the offers, but what came of the discussion, none know except the pair.

According to the rumour mill, it seems that Lala has a new rival.

While contemplating the offers of marriage, Ulric was seen talking with a young man who was partly surrounded by ash. The Ashen Wolf paid for his drinks, touched Ulric on his shoulder.... then both just..... vanished.

To where? No one was quite sure. Only what the Ashen wolf had said gives any clue... "A warm tropic night on a beach with the moon bright, tiki torches, music, dances, fresh air...."

Just as suddenly, they had returned... and went their separate ways.

So what happened while they were gone? Who knows? But the rumormongers are ready to fill in the gaps...

And yet another rival emerges! Though this one is a puzzle for the rumor mill.

Lady Vanessa Kraken, the notorious sea witch, has been seen with Sir Ulric multiple times now, even accompanying him to the arena to 'watch' him train. Some say this was simply because he invited her. But WHY did he invite her is the question on the tips of the gossip mongers tongues.

He was also seen whispering something into her ear while at the Golden Lion that no-one else overheard. A tryst? A secret? or something else?

Of course, Vanessa is denying any romantic intentions. "You know me" she purrs "I'm so far out of the closet I may as well be in the next street. Mind you ... if he ever wants to come skinny dipping with me, I wouldn't say no"

It seems that Lala's Intentions are being made even more clear if what is said that happened in the Golden Lion a couple of days ago are true!

On the same day that Vanessa was seen travelling with Ulric to the arena, he received a Bow from the Iron Monk. A masterworked item, it clearly had cost Lala a fair amount of coin to pay for such a lavish gift.

Now the gossipers amongst the Nobility are waiting... how will the young noble Treny respond?

The rumour mill, never quiet for long, has Ulric at the centre of a new feud between the Atianna and the Kraken. The former were made to back down, apparently, when outnumbered outside the Port Authority.

Not to be outdone, the latter were seen backing away from a group of Atianna Sailors who were 'not looking for trouble'.

There's a bridge for sale in the centre of the city if you believe that one...

And yet another rival appears for Lala Ferency's affection!

Gossip rumours will have others who listen to such tidbits believe that this is a member of the Church of Eccles, who is seeking to redeem the souls of both Ulric (by self sacrifice) and of Lala (by showing him the light of the one true god).

Is this a powerplay or a new dynamic between Lala and his chosen conquests?

Now that does peak Vanessa's interest and ire.

"If this guy is trying to turn Lala straight. I should give him a piece of my mind about accepting other people as they are .... and if that doesn't work I'll show him my fist - as it heads for his face"

It seems that there is definitely a new relationship brewing between the priest of Eccles and Lala - gossip has that Ulric has been kicked to the curb and Lala has found comfort in the arms of the priest... but exactly what sort of 'comfort' is being offered?

Tongues are starting to wag even as Ulric steadfastly refuses to participate in the rumouring.

One of the Fiancées of Ulric has made a power move apparently... visiting the Golden Lion without a chaperone, Lady Bethany Merout turned up, draped herself over Ulric and kissed him!

Scandal!

Where was her chaperone?

Why did Ulric allow the kiss?

What will Lala do in return?

Is it a power play by the Silverite Sailor?

And it seems that the other contender has heard the rumours and upped the game! Lady Herrita Xueris, also without a chaperone, was seen wining and dining Ulric (and two Kraken - Baele and Byrony - were they the chaperones?) and the Dwavern arrival Mystnia Dankil at The Dune Manor following what was reportedly a snowball fight in the streets.

The contest has indeed begun in earnest!

Lady Herrita Xueris has upped the stakes indeed - Kissing Ulric not once but twice in the Golden Lion, again, without a chaperone present! And Infront of Lala no less!

Has the die been cast? Has a decision been made? The gossipers are wagging their tongues eagerly.