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[SeriousConcentrate]

Chris sighed.

"I wonder if they would accept some personal favors as a bribe."

[Haspen]

"Gee, no need to get so angry."

"Yeah, our job is to question people thoroughly, not simply let any vagrant inside." The guard then turned and knocked on the gate. After few seconds, with loud metallic noise of chains, the main gate opened.

"Left pathway is toward stables, the one in front leads to the main keep. There should be a servant who would take you to Count's office." He looked at the wagon and riders.

"Your friends can wait outside the keep or at the stables."

[SeriousConcentrate]

Chris stepped back into the midst of the group so as to break line of sight with the guards, then moved into the shadows. He wasn't going to let Gregor go in alone, even if he had to find an alternate route to follow his leader. The man might need back-up.

[Sirus]

Gregor waved the rest of the group inside and explained the situation.

: "So, I'm heading up. The rest of you should make yourselves comfortable; I'll be back as soon as I can."

[Haspen]

The two guards watched Gregor enter, and then the rest of the group as well. There was almost no activity inside the walls; few guards were having a break near the door leading to a corner tower, and a servant was carrying some bags behind the right corner of the keep.

There was also another pair of the guards, at the keep's door.

[Sirus]

Gregor spoke to the next pair of guards, hoping that this time might go slightly smoother.

: "Gregor von Hexham, here to see Count Grummel. May I go inside?"

[Gamerboy4life]

Seyena sighed, ushering Ilya along to go rest in the stables.

"Nobles make things too complicated."

[Haspen]

"Allright. Do not talk too much, Lord Heinrich has problems with breathing lately." One of the guards opened the door and led Gregor through two corridors and one set of stairs.

Then, the guard opened the first door on the right, and Gregor found himself in small office. Behind the desk, a man in suit of armor and cape was sitting, the desk's surface fileld with paper and ink splotches. When he lifted his eyes to look at Gregor, he blinked and stood up with a smile.

"It's Gregor! My lad, I've seen you ten years ago but you're still the same boy from the face! Joachim! Call for Alexandra, her promised fiance have finally arrived!" The guard bowed a bit and then walked away.

"When I heard that Lady Prixima had your family executed, I thought that the marriage our families arranged was lost! I'm so relieved, Gregor, you have no idea!"

[CrimsonEon]

Coming in from the rear column, Olison remained on guard, watching the goings-on in the courtyard carefully.
: "So much trouble for this..."

[Sirus]

Wait, what.

: "...Beg your pardon? What was that last part again?"

[Haspen]

@Gregor:

The Count was momentarily confused himself.

"What do you mean, Gregor? When you were six and Alexandra was eight, your father and I decided that to strengthen the bonds between our families - we served together in one army for years! - we should arrange a marriage for our youngest kids. I thought that you-"

"Father?" A young lady in simple, cleric robe walked into the office.

"Why I was called out of the temple? Are you feeling sick again?" She then looked at Gregor and blinked, as if foggily remembering something, but she remained silent.

"Ah yes, Alexandra! This is Gregor von Hexham! Your arranged husband I told you about sometimes!" Alexandra looked at Gregor, and then at her father, and then at Gregor again.

"Um...

[Sirus]

Spoiler: Gregor's Internal Reaction (click to show/hide)

: "WHAT THE HELL KINDA PLOT TWIST IS THIS?!"

Gregor struggled to keep his initial reaction safely tucked away inside, where it would be less likely to result in his immediate execution.

: "Count Grummel, I'm afraid you have the advantage of me. I'm afraid I don't remember this at all; Father never mentioned it, and when Mother spoke of me getting married it was always in generic terms. I had no idea that I was...betrothed, so to speak. It's a lot to take in."

[Haspen]

"Well, of course! I too haven't visited Lady Prixima's castle so often and it was never with my dear Alexandra, nor I really had time to talk with your father, may he rest in peace. However-"

"Father!" Alexandra's voice was louder than before.

"Can you see that I and Sir Gregor are rather surprised? And don't you remember I've taken oath of chastity?" She glanced at Gregor, and tried to smile to him. Count Grummel, however, looked superbly dissappointed.

"But, but... it would be perfect match... then, but then, Gregor, if it is not this affair, then why did you come? As Lady Prixima's vassal, I can't really offer you shelter... for too long that's it."

[Sirus]

Gregor smiled back, but purely in a polite manner. At least she seemed exactly as enthused about the possible marriage as he was.

: "If I may be serious for a moment? It's somewhat of a sensitive matter, Count Grummel; you may wish to speak to me alone, but I won't force you to. It has something to do with a sealed box retrieved from Berebia..."

He left the words hanging, allowing Grummel to make his own decision regarding whether to keep his daughter in the room or not.

[freeformschooler]

Spoiler: Charlotte's Internal Reaction to hearing some this from outside (click to show/hide)

: "DID YOU KNOW? I kept my Killer Bow for JUST SUCH AN OCCASION."