The Hollerman estate was an extravagant, albeit modest demense overlooking the Reik in the old quarter, penned in by a black iron fence resplendent with gilded finials. It was mostly for show, but it kept the vagabonds out, and any determined burglars would be repelled by the large guard dogs and household guard, both lazily patrolling the well manicured gardens and lawns of cut grass. Kayden himself was in the same carriage as Calliope, while his carefully picked troops kept in dual line formation outside the carriage, save for 3 of the women in his troop. Franscesca, as ordered, with her estalian dark hair in a fashionably wound bun, along with Ultinka, a slim and red headed kislevite border woman, her short hair styled and her icey eyes chilled like cold steel, accompanied by pear-shaped imperial mercenary named Gabrielle, her blonde hair in a luxurious ponytail. Each of them were dressed in the same rich amber taffeta, over a very full skirt with pleats at the waist, a scoop neck with piping, sported by a champagne brocade center panel with matching wide sleeves.  

Kayden looked at them, and wondered if Neil would not have been a better fit for being in this situation, but then he quickly dismissed that notion. He trusted himself more, and Neil could have his fun out in town. He did not know what the problem was, really. This was his bread and butter, when not on the battlefield. Speaking down to lords, eating their food, sleeping with their wives, and then enjoying some cathayan tea, freshly imported of course. He supposed that whenever he did so, he did it at his own behest and schemes and not for someone else. However, she did pay on time and continued to do so, though Calliope had not yet specified if he was supposed to sleep with the woman or simply distract her for some unspoken of purpose. 

For Kayden's part, he was very fashionable but he was not used to being showy. His crimson sleevless jerkin accentuated his shoulders and trim figure, and atop his head was a inky blue pleated cap with ostrich feathers from the distant southlands to give it some added value. By Calliope's behest, his tunic of linen was bronze and exceptionally poofy, though despite the gaudiness, he knew he looked rather handsome. Two things in the world Kayden was confident about. Strategy on the field of battle, and his frustratingly good looks. 

Speaking of frustratingly good looking, emphasis on the former, he sat beside the dark lady, resplendent in a gown of black velvet, with an ebon corset that hugged her curves. It was an older style of dress, but still fashionable in certain circles. Her garment was embroidered with amethyst silk, and she was veiled, but her eyes were always seeking. Lady Blackwood seemed to sink into the shadows of the cushions as the carriage jostled around them, and Kayden glanced outside just in time to see they passed the fence into Hollerman estate proper. 

The architecture was Dieterean; dramatic, full of grand stairways and intersecting domes and quadrata. Gargoyles with the heads of panthers clung to the flying buttresses of the west wing as they passed, leering at them with fanged maws. The sickly light of morrsleib drenched the cupolas and colonnades, the stone built to give a flair to the traditional light of mannsleib but could only weather the storm of the accursed moon that waxed this night. From the window, he could already see the warm light of the festivities just getting ready within the large windows. As they drew closer, his mind began to work. 

"Gabby?" He said suddenly, turning to the blonde. She jumped, placing a hand on her chest. 

"Hmmm?" 

"No stealing. You thieve, you don't get paid." He told her, and she cursed. Kayden knew she had been plotting as soon as he had turned to her. His eyes went left. "Ultinka? Three drinks. No more." 

"Vfine," she dismissed, though he could tell she was disappointed. 

"Franscesca?" 

"Si? Er, yes" She asked. 

"Be yourself and have fun." He said, but added: "Oh, but speak reikspiel." 

Now that they were taken care of, Kayden could relax a bit and focus where he needed to: On himself and the Lady Blackwood, as the other girls began to gripe amongst themselves. "In this theater, am I to reciprocate her...advances? And are we to be introduced together, or separately?"