Alric ate in the kitchens, as promised, spending some time listening to the gossip even once he was done, to ensure Mavi would be done with his meeting with the Dog Rose before he got his own in. His pace was unusually brisk as he headed to her rooms after that - not many men went to speak with that one without being the slightest bit nervous.
came a grim thought as he approached the guard at the door.
[12:32 PM] Iituem: Orzo shows you into the side room, where a serving girl is half-way through cleaning up a small feast. Baroness Gertasdottir eyes you up in mock lasciviousness. "Oh, Falbrand, you young scoundrel. Here to take advantage of me? The wine's mostly done, but I suppose we could get started with the serving girl and see where it goes from there."
[12:33 PM] Shootandrun: "Promises, promises," as Alric steps into the room, with a passing glance at the serving girl. "But I hear someone else has shown you their sword this morning already. Surely you must be getting tired, oh Rose?"
[12:37 PM] Iituem: "You might be the third young man I've had in here today, but don't think age has sapped me of vigour." Helga sniffs imperiously. "I doubt you could wield your blade to my satisfaction anyhow." She waves a hand at the serving girl. "Bertha, on your way for now. Leave a jug of the wine and one of the pies, I think the pork and pickle hasn't been touched. Pork and pickle good for you, boy, or are you more fond of a good sausage?" Helga has a truly malicious look to her eye now.
[12:40 PM] Shootandrun: "Go with your preference, baroness, I've eaten already," casually, as he sits in a chair at the table. "Diventrade ambushed me and forced me into the kitchens... Just before going to see you, I reckon."
[12:41 PM] Iituem: "So that's why he didn't have any of my food! Anyone would think he was a paranoid wretch who only prepares his own food in a locked room under a moonless sky. Knight of cooking knives, perhaps? Bah. Let's get to the point - are you putting yourself forward, lad? Short of Silfverstolpe showing up, you're one of the few actually qualified candidates."
[12:43 PM] Shootandrun: "Frankly, I would rather not," in a plain tone. "The Kingsmoot has two fanatics stepping up already, and Silfverstolpe has rather more wealth and allies than me; I don't fancy my life expectancy if I present myself and lose."
[12:44 PM] Shootandrun: "More pragmatically, getting involved in the debates would mean verbally tearing the Archmage and the sword holder a new one," he smiles, "which is going to make me look bad if they go on to win anyway, even if that would be an impressive deed after I get my say in."
[12:45 PM] Shootandrun: "That being said (...) if what I hear about them is true, perhaps I should step up anyway. For the good of the realm, and the people inside it," a trace of humor as he says this. "Tell me. Does the boy look like a zealot to you?"
[12:48 PM] Iituem: "He looks like a bloody madman. But he sounds like he could have a lot of pull with the commons, and people upset with the established church will like his stance on 'a new way of faith'. He's a natural candidate to oppose Archmage Luwal."
[12:50 PM] Iituem: "That said, he could swing the election simply because a lot of people won't want Luwal as king; that puts the crown firmly in the church's pocket in a more concrete way than we've ever had before. I certainly have my doubts about that sort of thing; we might end up back in the bad of days of the Empire, when the church made a happen of seizing noble lands 'for the good of the faith'."
[12:51 PM] Iituem: "Without a third candidate, preferably one who's not a murderous carouser, that puts us in a race between two uncomfortable candidates for the realm."
[12:52 PM] Shootandrun: "Hmmm." A thoughtful look in the young man's eyes, for a moment. "Where is the lad from, again?"
[12:54 PM] Iituem: "Oh, over the border somewhere. I have a girl looking over the records, seeing if she can't track him down. I think he might be a Risstaner baronet's son - between the sheets, of course. Not the strongest claim, but it's a possibility."
[12:56 PM] Shootandrun: "And what will you get if he wins?" Still casually.
[12:59 PM] Iituem: "A king with only the allies he can make here and now, without the existing support of the church or powerful existing families. I have no doubt that, were I to provide my voice in his favour, he would consider me for a seat on the new council. I might even accept. Unless, if we may be frank, a better offer comes along. Luwin isn't going to provide that, but a lady has to look out for herself and nobody is the safe choice in this game."
[1:07 PM] Shootandrun: "Hmmm. Well, I am matching his offer, for what it's worth," apparently ignoring the careful wording of the answer. "I would like a chance to talk to him before deciding with finality, but if I don't get that I will have to assume the worst about him and step forward." A long pause. "If I choose to back him, instead (...) send me the details of whatever your girl finds, will you? It would be good for him to have another Risstaner to confirm the truth of it. I think a potential claimant speaking for him will ring well, too."
[1:09 PM] Iituem: "If you choose to step forward, make it a seat and a claim on a good portion of either the next land the kingdom conquers or the next weregild we take in war, and I'll send you those details anyway. I've no doubt the word of another Risstaner would be useful one way or the other."
[1:10 PM] Iituem: "And I'll have another word with Mavi. If we choose to back you, we'll do it properly."
[1:11 PM] Shootandrun: "First name basis with the serving man? Here I expected you two wouldn't like each other." An appraising look. "I always thought you disliked cautious and well-informed men."
[1:12 PM] Iituem: "I can't stand them. I much prefer devilishly handsome, naive fools - you never did meet any of my husbands, did you? Oh, and don't tell Diventrade I spoke a word that might be construed kindly towards him. I always call him a vicious cur to his face."
[1:15 PM] Shootandrun: "I understand they were all rather dead by the time I came to court," sarcastically. "With that in mind, I think he has the right attitude about it."
[1:16 PM] Shootandrun: "Oh, in case it wasn't obvious: I reckon if the boy does become king with my help, I will have a seat on that council of his as well. You're not done seeing me either way, Helga." A pause, then, amused: "We're on first name basis as well, aren't we?"
[1:18 PM] Iituem: "Hah! You earn that after you've failed to kill me at least once, or the other way around, Falbrand. Although if you were behind that little attempt that took out my food taster last year, I suppose we might already be. Never did figure out who was behind that - could just have been off cheese."
[1:19 PM] Iituem: "Well, if you decide to back the boy I'll pass you those documents for, oh, support on a vote. A more concrete sort of favour. Seem fair?"
[1:21 PM] Shootandrun: "Sounds tempting, but it also sounds like I would be paying you to do something already in your interests," in an amused tone. "After all, if I don't step forward, you can either do everything you can to back the boy, or risk having the Archmage take the Crown."
[1:21 PM] Iituem: Helga shrugs unapologetically, taking a sip of wine.
[1:22 PM] Shootandrun: "Well, then, Rose," the nickname said in an exaggeratedly flirty tone, "I believe I will take my leave. Be certain that I am open to future... Offers," suggestively, "and whatever concrete favors you may wish for."
[1:22 PM] Shootandrun: Alric stands and bows. "Good day."
[1:24 PM] Iituem: The Dog Rose gestures vaguely in Falbrand's direction with her goblet and goes back to drinking. "Good day, Alric."
[1:24 PM] Shootandrun: And the young man departs.
Author
Topic: You are King! - Crown of the North [IC]: Year 353LL - Spring (Read 12240 times)