Sorry about that, guys. The King was indeed sleeping, I decided to lay down for a quick powernap and then woke up around 2am. Such is life.
I might not get to everything in one post. In such a situation, just wait and I'll either edit this post to encompass a reply to your own or I'll make a new post shortly after this one.
At the moment, I'm not entirely certain the King will regard Ashton's work as anything more than a petty crime.
The King scratched his chin as he listened to Aulan yl Marchis' appeal. At the end, he fell to silence for a moment before raising a hand, hushing the crowded court room.
"I welcome you to our Kingdom and our Courts, Aulan yl Marchis. It has been long since we have had a visitor from the Swordcoast, though I do still recall meeting with a Marquise in my early youth. Quarters, I shall provide you with. Your men may stay in the barracks alongside mine own, and you shall be provided with a room within my keep. Money however, is another issue." The King paused, looking about the room for a moment before his eyes set on a heavily armored man. Looking back to yl Marchis, the King continued,
"Our Kingdom has recently been forced to pay off the debts of a lowly fallen merchant, and for the time every gold is precious. I will gladly provide you with the means to pay for your men's trip, but I am afraid that first you must earn it. As Commander Kaguro, there are lawless lands which lay to the north of here. If you would take your men and restore order to...we shall say four parcels of it, then I shall gladly recompense you and your men. Commander Kaguro shall accompany you, along with the second regiment of the royal army."With that said, the King turned his attention to the others in the room. First, was a Terenos d'Avistral. He listened to the man, and then gave a smile and a nod.
"It is a pleasure to have one such as yourself in my court, d'Avistral. I have heard of your House, small as it may be. I would gladly have you act as my advisor, and I shall leave it up to you to find a suitable diplomat, and also to gather any information that might be found on Miring, Preston, or Suul."With some thought, the King next listened to and studied Hubris Pontmercy from atop his throne. When the request was made, a smile spread across the monarch's face.
"As luck would have it, the royal chef has recently passed away. If you will see one of my regiment Commanders for basic screening, you may gladly take up charge in the kitchen."
At the back of the room, the servants are quick to explain to the young man that a position as a court jester is, indeed, open.
At the castle door, a guard soon returns with the message that the King would gladly take her own as his personal herbalist. She need only introduce herself.
Naturally, the outcome of this little mission will decide whether or not you're raised to the rank of general.