Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[filiusenox]

A wry, pained grin arises on Rusty's lips, he gives another bow, his eye flashing to Kylila, who remained respectfully quiet and close to his side.

"The bandit lord is of no worry. I've long since killed him and threw his men into disarray, with the help of Li- Kylila, here, who freed me after that bastard Elric's tortures and gave me back my blade." a hand comes up to the bandages, wistfully, hovering a few inches above the cloth, "I only wish she'd have come sooner, but I would never hold it against her."

Then the steel-grey of his eye found Albert's, a certain dullness echoed within it, but there wasn't a single shift of tone.
"I'd rather keep the story of my family to myself and Kylila. Tales have a way of being twisted by time, and the fable of a vagabond family isn't very glorious or wonderful, as I'm sure yours will be, your majesty."

[Ardas]

"Interesting way of thinking, my dear Marquis. Your concern with my lineage and ways to protect it are clear signs to me though."

He drank form his goblet.

"I would like to invite you into a little... project of mine. Will you consider pledging yourself to me as my vassal? You are a crown vassal now, but the gap between a marquis and a king is rather unfitting for a monarch to maintain. And you seem rather... eager to enter such agreement. But if you decide otherwise, I would still would like to count on you as my political ally. As I understand, there are other ways of sealing a contract, apart form you pledge of service to me."

Sly grin appeared on Edgard's face.

"I will be honest with you here though: I will not give my blood away to a nobody. I want to see my allies as strong and loyal men, who can lift the sword and can show their wealth. I will expect you to be leading the fight against our enemies, and to secure a proper demense for yourself and for me."

Edgard was wary of speaking straightforward to anybody, but since Harald saw it fit to be blunt, it was perhaps better if Edgard returned the favour. The man is hungry for prestige and recognition, and Conrichts weren't really forthcoming with goodies, and Edgard was willing to give as well as take.

[Dragor23]

Theor looked confused at Renart.
"You really want to subjugate under another liege than the king himself?"
He found that there's no  honor in it to be the servant of a servant. By the blessed Ways, maybe his house lost lot of their prestige, so low he had not fallen.
" I refuse to be your vassal, Prince of Windheath. I am your ally, but not your vassal."
he said, suppressed anger in his voice. But with a sigh he calmed down and gave his statement for the other matters.
"But yes. The stability of the realm got flimsy. With the right push there will be another civil war... Some southern noble houses still have a grudge, but they were opressed by the Iron Queen. But now the sovereignty has shifted... Hmm."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"There must be a war to stabilizise and corroborate the claim of the crown for Albert. But not against the Haegar, that's for sure."

[Tiruin]

Renart grinned at Theor's reaction and leaned to address him.

"I did say that I accepted his offer, and by that, I meant his offer on our military goal - the coalition. Calm yourself, you're taking my words too straightforward, but let me clarify myself."

He relaxed on his seat, musing on what Theor had said. He only knew snippets of the man's history, being a southener - the victims of the War of the Hounds, and understood why he thought such. Though, he did realize his err in speaking.

"Lord Richard, know that I stand for the betterment of the realm, and my heart stands with it's ruler foremost. I accept your offer of servitude but under the grounds that we are united in our cause.

"While Theor does make a point, I would prefer to see our lands and our people regain what they've lost under the Iron Queen's reign. The realm must be united if it is to grow and expand. If they will not listen to reason and words, and though I despise resorting to warfare to settle qualms between fellowmen, I think we should settle in uniting the Aldranic lands under Albert's banner before anything else."

[Dwarmin]

Then the steel-grey of his eye found Albert's, a certain dullness echoed within it, but there wasn't a single shift of tone.
"I'd rather keep the story of my family to myself and Kylila. Tales have a way of being twisted by time, and the fable of a vagabond family isn't very glorious or wonderful, as I'm sure yours will be, your majesty."

"That is your right.

Nevetheless, I would have you and your companion as my guests of honor, for tonights feast. There is much more I would ask you in a less formal setting. Might you be able to attend?" The King enquired.

[adwarf]

Thickets of trees, patches of farmland, and thatched roof houses pass by as the bay warhorse trotted along down the worn dirt path, in the distance the walls of Stormstead stand steadfast and the bridge into the city is a buzz with traffic. As the horse gets closer its rider pull his dark green hood down further and places his hand on a cloth bag tied to the saddle. The sound of fabric moving about seems to calm the man as his tense stance relaxes slightly, but returns just as fast as people and cart begin to move about around him heading for various places in and outside the city. Following the flow of people into the city the man quickly passes the gates and enters into the city proper, houses, shops, marketplaces all around. He had only been to this city twice, the first was a ceremony to become commander of the Ranger Guard and pledge his loyalty to the Iron Queen less then a year ago, and the second was to search for new recruits amongst the people of the city.

He steered the horse towards the palace, and began scanning the around the various marketplaces and alleyways he passed what he saw was sadly nothing, no potential recruits to scout. He sighed as the horse bared him onward, at least he could still achieve the two real reasons he had came here, and as he thought that he found himself before the palace gates. Guards stood off to either side and moved to bar his way as he approached, in answer the man opened the bag at his side and pulled a large piece of cloth from within. Unfurling it he revealed a flag bearing a wolf on a green background, he spoke to the men, "I am Trent Nethal, Commander of the Ranger Guard here to pledge my allegiance to the new King. Please send a messenger and tell him I am here, I'd rather not show up unannounced." The men nod and move out of Trent's way as he spurs the horse into a trot and leads him to the palace stables. Jumping down from the horse he hands a stable-boy the reins and heads for the throne room of the palace with a cloth bundle in hand, inside was the flag he had used to enter the palace.

(I'll leave it up to you Dwarmin whether I enter the throne room as the same time as Fili and Deep or not)

[Dwarmin]

"The King is accepting all visitors at the moment-if you're looking for an audience, head right on in and wait till he speaks to you." The guard comments, going back to his position.

[adwarf]

Trent weaved his way through corridor after corridor, he constantly glanced around watching doorways, and tunnels as if something was about to jump out at him. After several minutes he finds himself entering the throne room through a side door, as he enters and takes a look around the room he finds the new King already has an audience. He observes them for a second, a man of noble stature, and a woman knight who stands silent at the man's side, an odd pair to him. Seeing it will be a bit before the King gets to him Trent walks into the shadow of a nearby pillar and leans against it observing the on goings. 

[filiusenox]

"That is your right.

Nevetheless, I would have you and your companion as my guests of honor, for tonights feast. There is much more I would ask you in a less formal setting. Might you be able to attend?" The King enquired.

The man gave a shrug, his eye finding the floor in front of the king's feet.
"If you wish it so I will come, your highness and Kylila will be attending as well."

His tone turned joking, and he rubbed the back of his bandage laden face. A worn smile appearing on his thin lips, his eye still fixed on that patch of floor, and some part in the back of his head was taking in every detail.
"Me and her aren't very good at talking, though, sir. So your table make lack salt."

[Yoink]

Habarre listened in silence to "Witless" John, lounging back in his seat and stroking his moustache.
"Fraud and burglary? I assure you, as an honest businessman I would have no part in such underhanded endeavours," He said, his voice stern despite the slight smile on his lips as he spoke, "But I suppose, to cement our new partnership I could point you in the right direction..." His dark eyes slid across to Geoff, the latter's face a mask of concentration as he fought to make sense of all these long words.

"I hear young Geoff here gets up to all sorts of mischief when not at work. I'm certain he could help you. In the meantime, what do you propose to do regarding this jousting champion? Would it be safe to approach them directly, or would that lead to unpleasant consequences? You know this city, I do not."

>Send Geoff out with Witless John when required.

>Later on, Habarre will head out and track down one of those suppliers of narcotic plants, trying to barter with them for a good price. He'll try and buy just a small batch to experiment with.

[kingfisher1112]

Tiakath was walking up to the main gate of the castle. She had come up here before to gain an audience, but a pickpocket had tried to make off with a few hounds. He managed to, sadly. Still, she talked to the guard.
"Hello, I would like an audience with the king. When could such a meeting be arranged?

[Ghazkull]

Harald disliked the idea of selling himself under price. House Stonetree had been a great Name once after all.

Swearing Vassalage? House Stonetree had never been the Vassal to anyone else than the Monarch. And besides, what would the people think if a Lord Arborvent would marry his daughter to a Vassal? No,no. You can have me as Supporter and i would even acknowledge you as my superior in terms of an Alliance, but i will not hand away the Name Stonetree under price.

[Ardas]

Edgard looked carefully at the main again. His intentions weren't so clear anymore. Selling his name under a price? All nobles were of ancient blood, but War of the hounds cleary changed the terms of the game. Especially for Stonetrees. But he knew full well that loyalty to Conrichts extended only so far as the memory of Iron Queen would go. And it won't be long before that is gone.

"Interesting paradox, my dear marquis, if I may say so. I thought that a noble blood such as yours will be worth a marriage with a duke, yet at the same time you speak of dishonour to me and yourself, as if we were to be dragged though mud together."

He took anothe sip form the cup.

"But I shall respect your decision and count on your confidentiality in the matters we spoke about. I look forward to a day when you earn a ducal title, and hope we can rely on each other. I will back your plans and petitions to higher lords, whereas you shall back my proposals and projects before His Majesty. It is only fitting that the Houses of the South stand together."

[Ghazkull]

A paradox? What paradox?

You seem to have understood me wrong Duke Arborvent. If i would swear fealty to you, i would bar all my chances to rise further than you do. Or have you ever seen a duc swearing vassalage to another Duc? What i want to say is that if i swear fealty to you, i confine my House to you. House Stonetree's rise and fall would be dependant on the Arborvents. To put it economically, although my House could gain a faster growth in short term by swearing fealty to you,
in the long term it's growth potential would be curbed by the Growth potential of yours. But in all other matters you can count on my support

Harald. Downed the Glass and stood up.

If this is everything Duc Arborvent, i would thank you for hospitality and bid you farewell.

[Dwarmin]

The man gave a shrug, his eye finding the floor in front of the king's feet.
"If you wish it so I will come, your highness and Kylila will be attending as well."

His tone turned joking, and he rubbed the back of his bandage laden face. A worn smile appearing on his thin lips, his eye still fixed on that patch of floor, and some part in the back of his head was taking in every detail.
"Me and her aren't very good at talking, though, sir. So your table make lack salt."

"My friend, I sincerely doubt you ever lack of tales to tell." The King says with an easy smile.

So invited, is the pair...

Trent weaved his way through corridor after corridor, he constantly glanced around watching doorways, and tunnels as if something was about to jump out at him. After several minutes he finds himself entering the throne room through a side door, as he enters and takes a look around the room he finds the new King already has an audience. He observes them for a second, a man of noble stature, and a woman knight who stands silent at the man's side, an odd pair to him. Seeing it will be a bit before the King gets to him Trent walks into the shadow of a nearby pillar and leans against it observing the on goings. 

The King nodded toward Trent to come from the shadows.

"It has been too long since we have received the Commander of the Ranger Guard-and I see you're trail worn, sir. I do not blame you for missing my coronation, though.

Tell me, what brings you to me? News to report?"

Tiakath was walking up to the main gate of the castle. She had come up here before to gain an audience, but a pickpocket had tried to make off with a few hounds. He managed to, sadly. Still, she talked to the guard.
"Hello, I would like an audience with the king. When could such a meeting be arranged?

The Guard checks his list, and seems a bit mollified.

"Madam, the King is accepting Courtiers and Petitioners on this throne, at this time. I've seen your credentials, anyway-friends in high places, hmm?

Head right on in. The guards inside will check you for weapons. Not that I think you've got anything on you. Just precaution ma'am." He smiles.

...

Tiakath is escorted into the throne-right as a scrappy looking Ranger is escorted out. The King is still on his throne-he yawns a bit, then catches your eye. You notice him straighten up in his seat a bit for you. His guards sit in their shadows, a bit on alert.

"Welcome, welcome. I don't think I know you...and it is truly a shame for that.

Announce yourself, Mi'lady, for I would know your name, and why you bless my hall with your presence today."