Print

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

[micelus]

"Poor man... But enough about this talk of the past, there are more immediate concerns. I believe we can be allies in a plan of mine. I plan to influence the queen into expanding this nation, and in doing so accrue myself in resources of certain kinds. I'm sure if you agreed with me the queen would see the merits of the plan. You would probably gain glory and land once the wars start...Which will happen after part one of my plan is completed. So, alliance man of Lonemine?"

[filiusenox]

((Well, Waiting for te jokes or should I write what happens myself?.))

William's voice drops to a whisper.
"The queen is stubborn, I can tell, we'll lose both our heads, and i'm sorta attached to mine...What is you are trying to gain? Land for your empire? Or a Trade base for it? Or gold from the city?

[micelus]

((No idea, but I'm introducing the waitress in this post. Perhaps Nuke is?))

Retcyl began to whisper too, although even at normal levels it took some time for some humans to understand.

"Honestly? Her trust. If we get her to trust her this one time, win the war, and make her a more prestigious queen, she will count us her trusted courtiers and so allow us more freedom to enact our own plans. After that, well I would need to establish a power base here and then...I do the Emperor's will."

As the two talked, a waitress came up and brought them their drinks. She didn't leave however...

Retycl took the new drink and gulped some wine.

[filiusenox]

Kain took another glass of wine from the waitress and put his glass back on it. He didn't even pay her any heed. Until he realized she looked pretty nice. Blond krinkly hair, red lips and red fingertips. Nice face, bit too much makeup, but still pretty.
I wonder what her sweat would tast- like dirt. You know that. Keep a mind on Business.
"Shes too clever to really trust us you know...and what country are we going to war with?"

[Dwarmin]

"Hmm? House Alanis? I don't think I've heard of them, must be a new lot. At any rate, I assume you're enjoying your quarters?"

Laythe was intrigued by this newcomer, fairly mysterious, but she had the credentials to prove it...

'Tala' drew her best beguiling look.

"Indeed-I've found the palace guest rooms and staff to be more sufficent for my means.

And, I must admit, House Alanis has recently made attempts to shun the public eye recently-a combination of bad fortune in business and my mothers ill health forcing us to make do with somewhat lower station than we would have perhaps otherwise enjoyed. Hopefully with a new, wiser ruler such as yourself in charge, we may earn the honors we once did again.

But, I am not here to trouble the Queen with my personal family affairs-nor can I conduct business on our behalf, as of yet-I am merely content to make the acquaintance of important and powerful people in the Palace, and enjoying the many...varied intricacies and pleasures of court life-and, perhaps seek a suitor, before I am called to my own duty running the household."

[micelus]

"Think on this: she killed her family and took the throne. Why? To rule. Why did she want to rule? She's not one for riches else her palace would be of gold and marble. She is not one for pleasures else she would have had a lover. She is one for blood for she wears armour and killed her kin with no regret. As for the country, well which ever country she seems to hate or dislike...or the one directly north of us. Actually, we don't even need to invade a country, just take the unclaimed lands ruled by no great city. There is always risks in life and I'am willing to risk what I have for a chance of greater life ahead. "

"And perhaps we don't even need to lie about our intentions; she might actually agree to going to war."

The woman still had not left...

[filiusenox]

((By the way, William whispered into Hugo's ear in a soft and slightly honeyed voice))
The Barmaid sits down next to William, who scoots over instinctively. When the Herald raises an objection she simply states that she's on break and it's still the only table left.

Then she begins to tell raunchy jokes to William and flirts with him, he ignores her until she gets to the joke about the rhino, the priest and the old woman.
Then to much surprise, William laughs. He speaks in spitfire Northlandish to his herald who translates.
"Uh...he says that's the funniest joke he heard in a while, and that he'll be sure to tip you extra before he leaves," the herald blushes when William says something else. "He also says that he would like to tip you forwards unto the table, but the place is too busy," his herald frowns for a moment, and then says "He says that, 'That poppet is a corrupting influence on you. It'll do you good to steer clear of him'."
"Oh and having any obvious empire building around the Storm Coast is a bad idea, the city-states don't like that much. Across the gulf is another matter."

[Taricus]

"I'm glad you like them, took a large piece of the royal income to refubish the palace to be an actual palace"

"Well, if you're interested I may be able to help there, if you're willing to swear fealty to me. You'll get the same as the others, two parcels worth of land and a noble title."

The last part of Tala's statement stirred Laythe with a mixture of rage and conviction.

"Bah! You don't need a suitor, nor a household. Take a look out the window, and see the world that you can take while they haven't dominated you. All a man want to do is lock you into his own house and treat you like your his private whore!

Laythe got off the throne, walked up to Tala and put an arm around her shoulders.

"Look around you. I never got this by acting as a whore for some bloody nobleman, I damn well took it by force. And if anyone wants to complain about that, they can do it right to my face. If you're willing to swear fealty, I'm more than happy to help you to become someone who'll mark your houses name into history, even if they don't approve of what you do!"

Laythe removed her arm and went back to the throne.

"So, what say you? Are you willing to accept greatness by swearing fealty to me?"

[micelus]

((Ah, and now I see the mistake in my plan. Well time to get back to the drawing board...))

"True...I'll have to adjust my plans then. Perhaps a scouting mission around the country will do...Well, I best be leaving now, I'll let you enjoy your night."

Retcyl winked at William, gulped down some wine and got up. He went up to Hugo and Kawakai.

(In proper/Northlandish)

"Hugo, Kawakai I'll be leaving for camp now, remember your tasks and don't get too drunk."

Retcyl left the inn and went off into the night. The streets were sparsely traveled this night but there were people on the streets. Beggars, guards, peddlers, and perhaps a few thieves. After some walking, he got to the camp and slept in his tent.

Some days passed, and Retcyl once again went to the palace.

"Is the queen accepting visitors today?"

"She's busy at the moment but you can wait in her ante-chamber if you wish."

"Yes I shall...Please go tell her that I'm waiting on her...Once she's done with her current guest."

[filiusenox]

William watched the Barmaid leave with a grin.
Hah...that poppet is funny, sending a barmaid-shes cute too-over...He was a Bit cute too.Business first!
"Goodbye Retcyl, where are you staying for future reference?"

[Dwarmin]

Being embraced by the Queen, what a shock...not completely. They had drilled her relentlessly-how to say, what to say, when to say it-so, the spies words had the intended effect on the Queen. Appeal to her..Warrior Blood, they said. She has fire in her Heart-stoke these flames, they told her.

Funnily enough-, 'Tala' completely agreed with the Queens ideals about womanhood-too bad the Dragon Empire wasn't the same way, and probably wouldn't be for a long time. They tolerated Women like her out of need, rather than want. But, they we're the ones paying her, so she did what she was ordered to do.

What did she say then....

'Tala' smiled at the Queen, daring to raise her chin. Her face, the perfect mask of awe and relief.

"Your words honor me, my Queen...I realize now, things are much different under you than previous rulers...indeed-I have long kept private reservations concerning my lot in life-to be a housekeeper, and a wife and no more-but I could not speak out of respect for decorum I believed to be true. I thank the Queen for saying the things I was not brave enough to do myself.

And, If the Queen herself has declared that I am to be more than I hoped-than any woman could have hoped for up till now-I will not shirk this duty. I will take the mantle of a Noble by birthright.

So, I here-do declare fealty to Queen Laythe-on my honor, and my life, I serve her and the realm.



Now the game got interesting.

[NUKE9.13]

"He says that, 'That poppet is a corrupting influence on you. It'll do you good to steer clear of him'."

Upon hearing this, Hugo grins.
"Ah, was it so obvious? Forgive my little joke, your lordship. What can I say? I'm a corrupt man."
He gets up, and guides away the flustered barmaid. A peck on the lips and a handful of coins, and he sends her away. Then he returns to his seat, and in a lowered voice, speaks to William
"So tell me. Pretending not to speak the language, guards in cloaks, no faces remembered, this nervous moron"-he gestures at the herald-"Why all the subterfuge? What secret lies heavy on your chest, which plans must never be unveiled? You can tell me, I don't share my secrets- just collect them."

[micelus]

((I'm guessing time doesn't matter much.))

"Oh the ruins of an old inn...I'm not sure what it was called, but just ask for the Hatcuri Camp, and you'll find my 'abode.'"

[Taricus]

"Very well then, You'll have your parcels. And as a gift, I'm allowing you to take what funds are left in the treasury from this year's spending. It's only half a ducat though so don't try getting anything too extravagant. You're also more than welcome to use your quarters here while you're staying in Talama. In any case, I now pronounce you Baroness Tala!"

Laythe took a second to have a good chuckle, then got back into the usual bored looking demeanour.

"Now, unless you hand anything else to say, you can leave. I have more people wanting to see me."

[Dwarmin]

"At your pleasure, my Queen..." Baroness 'Tala' said, making sure to sound as thankful as possible. The Queens varying moods and tempers we're not something she wanted to try and test.

She took to her feet and retreated from the room-she lingered outside, though to see who would enter after her...