Noble's Life, issue 4151

TEA WITH BARONESS NIHLA RHINEHART!

Interviewer: So I'll bet you get this a lot... but your House doesn't actually field troops very often. Why is that?

Nihla Rhinehart: Oh, that's quite alright, dear. You're not the first to ask, nor will you be the last. My family is tasked with military affairs that require a more delicate touch.

Interviewer: It's said that your House handles the majority of Volencia's covert operations and espionage... Is there any truth to that?

Nihla: Oh! Goodness me, if there *was* any truth to that, then that would mean that this House's work would be chiefly done outside of the public eye then! We're no more clandestine than the other three Military Houses.

Interviewer: I beg your pardon, milady, but... don't you mean other *two* Military Houses...?

Nihla: Did I stutter?

Interviewer: I um...

Nihla: Though the DeLaVega bloodline has been hunted down by cowardly assassins, the ones who performed those dark deeds were seen to justice by the heroes of House Rhinehart, whose deeds will never be engraved in stone, inscribed upon paper, cast into data on obelisks or spoken of in fine publications such as yours. And perished though the DeLaVega line may be, the House itself remains. A testament to the enduring spirit of any of the Arsraad Houses.

Interviewer: I apologize, milady. I spoke out of ignorance.

Nihla: Fret not. Know that the tragedy of House DeLaVega will not be repeated for a very, very long time... Not as long as House Valkris stands like a wall of living steel, not as long as the DeLaVega troopers are ready to swarm, not as long as House Galifain dominates the air... and most assuredly... not as long as House Rhinehart's finest make the shadows the *last* place that wickedness wishes to hide in.

Interviewer: You heard it all here, Volencia! The Houses may suffer setbacks, but they are ever vigilant against threats!


[Artwork by  dragonfoxadopts from whom I purchased the likeness!]