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| Claims; Part 2: The City of Four | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 11 2012, 07:47 PM (1,042 Views) | |
| Volksgeist | Jul 29 2012, 09:24 PM Post #31 |
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There was, in Nathanial's company, a guard who was naught but a young man. His father had been in the service of Nathanial's father and had been taken by sickness much at the same time as Nathanial's parents. The boy's name Folke, and he was nineteen years old. Where many of the other guards had had ample time to fill out and grow strong, much as walls of flesh as proper guards should be, Folke's youth and high metabolism had locked him in a state of being gaunt, almost to the point of looking emaciated. The thinness was not without reward, however, as he was much faster than the rest of the guards, and probably much less likely to be seen. As Nathanial searched for who would take the message to the Black Roots for him, Folke stepped up. "Milord, I will deliver your message for you. I have with me a black hooded cloak and lighter armor, and in the time we have been here I have learned the ways less traveled in The City. Should you wish for me to be your messenger, I would happily oblige. Furthermore, if you so wish an ambassador in your name to accompany those who are to do what your message says, I will also oblige." Folke bent double in a profound bow. |
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| Damon | Jul 29 2012, 10:15 PM Post #32 |
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Nathanial pulled Folke aside from the other guards, seeing him as quite suitable for the task. "I like your initiative, Folke. Perhaps you ought to go with them to see that the job is done right. But these people may be less than savory. You must take it upon my word that though these mercenaries might not seem honorable, and this task is not entirely legal, it is for the good of the Realm. If you trust that, Folke, then take that message to the Black Dog Inn, and deliver it to the hand of a woman named Vardis, and no other. You are to tell no one who sent you except the owner of the Black Dog, and if you are to fail, destroy the letter at all costs rather than let it fall into unwanted hands. If you wish, I shall amend the letter insisting that you should join them in their task." |
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| Volksgeist | Jul 29 2012, 10:58 PM Post #33 |
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Folke looked Nathanial in the eyes as he spoke and seemed more than determined to do as his liege lord wished. When Nathanial finished what he was saying, Folke spoke once again: "I believe that this task is as you say it is, for the good of the realm. I wish to accompany them on the task as it is too important to simply put in their hands. I can be your eyes, milord, and I will meet with this Valdis woman and deliver the letter only unto her hands. I would much prefer that you amend the letter to say that you wish for me to go along with them. I would rather not have an unnecessary argument." Folke smiled, though it was more of a mischievous grin. After the letter was amended, Folke pulled the black hood up around his head and made sure that his sword and dagger were in place. With a nod to the other guards and a bow to Nathanial, he slipped out the door into the tavern and then out into the night. With Folke gone, Nathanial had time to do as he wished within the confines of the inn. Of course, he could always leave, as he was his own lord after all, but if he did and it was found out... he may have to answer to Lord Addam. |
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| Damon | Jul 29 2012, 11:14 PM Post #34 |
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There was something of himself that he saw in Folke. Nathanial liked that. He was more than content to let things play out as they would. If there was anything he had learned from the fortold deaths, it was you had to let the future come, and one can only be so prepared for it. He wandered about, and thought perhaps to seek Addam's council on current events. |
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| Volksgeist | Jul 30 2012, 02:33 AM Post #35 |
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Nathanial moved out into the main tavern area and then climbed the stairs of the inn slowly. He made his way to the third floor where Lord Addam was in his quarters. He entered and found Lord Addam sitting at a small table in the corner of the room near the hearth, the orange glow cast over his face, his hands supporting his chin. When Nathanial entered, Lord Addam turned, and the smallest of smiles spread itself across his face. "Come on in, Nathanial. I must admit, I didn't expect to see you so soon. You have been busy while in The City, no doubt trying to find the foothold we spoke of months ago. But surely, you must be here fore some reason." Lord Addam rose and crossed to a chest in the corner of the room. From it, he produced a bottle of Pepperfog and two glassed. He moved back to the table and poured a little of the liquor in each of the glasses. "Lizbeth is with the children now, so we have some time. Please, sit and drink with me. I feel as if we both need it in these dark times. A little Pepperfog will put a fire in your heart. And, there must be something you wanted of me. Please, ask anything." |
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| Damon | Jul 30 2012, 03:16 AM Post #36 |
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Nathanial returned the smile, and sat down across from his Lord Uncle. "I thank you for the kind offer. And yes, I just wanted to know your thoughts on these events. These are fast becoming troubled times. I wonder what should befall the realm without two of its leaders, with one replaced by a child. I feel a responsibility to the realm, that I should see this crisis through. But I also have a responsibility in the North. I seek your council, as an elder, as my Liege Lord, and as my family." |
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| Volksgeist | Jul 30 2012, 03:57 AM Post #37 |
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"Well, one must look at what has been done to attempt to predict the fate of Peleras," to Nathanial, it sounded as if his uncle had promptly began drinking as soon as they had arrived some time ago... still, there would be merit to his word, if not moreso. "Rodrik is dead. His son, Edrik, has been ruling the Alary for some time. He seems like a bright enough lordling. There was a bandit problem there and he took care of it... at least for a while. Rumor is it has had a resurgence. Regardless, if he were to ascend to his father's place, I feel as though he would be much the same... though perhaps more cut-and-dry. He seems humorless, though that is not a bad thing. He seems earthbound with his endeavors, and that would prove helpful. Meanwhile, you have the Setons. The cowardly Seton ran off and his eldest son, Aryn, is more invested in wielding and wenching and drinking than he is in anything else. In other words, I highly doubt there will be much of them seen anytime soon. Not much one can do about that, I suppose. He is rightfully a tetrarch... As an elder, I would tell you you are too young to dabble in something such as this. It is too dangerous, too fruitless at this point. As your Liege Lord, I would say it is a great standpoint to be in, because when times of crisis arise, people look to leaders, sung or not. If one were to amass a following, well, political power would certainly fall into their lap! As a family member, I would like to see your ambitions be met with reality, or rather, to see you realize your dreams. I would say that, despite the dangers, you should seek for a means to help the tetrarchs. Perhaps become part of their council... It would certainly give you a chance to shine among your peers, especially in this dark hour. Does that suffice?" Lord Addam drowned his third cup of Pepperfog and exhaled slowly, savoring the spicy bite of the liquor and waiting to hear Nathanial's thoughts. |
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| Damon | Jul 30 2012, 04:45 AM Post #38 |
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Nathanial smiled and sipped his own drink. The spiced alcohol had more of a bite than Nathanial liked, but the aftertaste and after effects were much worth it with this brew. His uncle had always been one to offer sage advice, and give Nathanial more than just one point of view. It had helped him become who he was. "Yes Uncle, as always, you come through with a wise word for me. What is the plan of House Knygrove after the funeral? How soon will you return. I should make my own plan accordingly, although, I know not if I'll return with you right away. The foothold I spoke of is beginning to take shape, and I shouldn't leave it before the mortar sets." |
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| Volksgeist | Jul 30 2012, 05:46 AM Post #39 |
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Addam Knygrove poured another drink and drank it down in one fell swoop. "After the funeral this evening, I intend to start making plans to return to Snowhaven. I think at the most it will take about two weeks to make our way to port and charter a craft to carry us. I am hoping to do it in less. If there is one thing about the situation that makes me wary, it is that the suspected kingslayer has still yet to be caught. That bodes ill for everyone of noble blood, including you, myself, and my family. I will not have my family put in harms way. If you wish to stay, I would like to leave behind a few guards of our house along with you, if you do not mind. You have been like a son to me, Nathanial, and as such I would hate to see harm come to you but, even more so, I would hate to dampen your dreams." Lord Addam poured Nathanial one last drink of Pepperfog and capped the bottle, which was now nearly half gone. He placed his cup and the bottle back into the chest he had taken it from and returned to his seat. |
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| Damon | Jul 30 2012, 06:19 AM Post #40 |
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Nathanial sipped his drink politely. He didn't have the stomach, nor liver that his cousins were famous for in the North, but that had its advantages. "Do not worry so much, Uncle. I'm not painting a target on myself down here. To assassinate a Tetrarch is not the work of some anarchist out to kill any noble they can, but one with a set goal in mind. They won't be coming after me so long as I don't make myself too conspicuous, and I'm quite good at being inconspicuous." He finished his drink, faster than he normally would, and set his glass down to punctuate himself. He smiled at his uncle. |
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| Volksgeist | Aug 3 2012, 03:58 PM Post #41 |
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Lord Addam smiled and shook his head in agreement. "Very well, very well! Now, is there anything else you may have needed my council for, Nathanial?" |
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| Damon | Aug 4 2012, 05:26 AM Post #42 |
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Nathanial thought for a moment. He was young, and yet unsure of himself, but he could not directly ask for council on his more delicate matters. He kept his smile up, and thought of another thing that somewhat troubled him. "You say our new Tetrarch is fit to task. Yet he jails a Templar of the High Pantheon for offering to help find his father's killer. There is cut and dry, but that is something else. He isn't gaining any fans with that move. Do not take this the wrong way, and I hope that I am wrong, but I fear for the realm when one of its rulers will not listen to reason after making up his mind." Edited by Damon, Aug 4 2012, 05:27 AM.
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| Volksgeist | Aug 28 2012, 06:02 PM Post #43 |
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Lord Addam's face became grim as he listened to Nathanial's words. "Nathanial, your doubt only adds to the problematic situation that our kingdom is in. The young Lord Greford needs not chastisement, but support. He has lost his father and has been brash because of it. Emotion will do that, even to a prince. The murderer also still lurks, and so justice has made its absence quite visible. He did not want a Templar meddling within the affairs of his family for the same reason that I am sure he wants no one else meddling within the affairs. He does not want them to find the murderer... he wants to find him himself. To Lord Greford, this is personal. He wants to take the man's life as the man took his father's. It is revenge. Blood begets blood... do you see?" It was clear Lord Addam was drunk but there was, perhaps, some merit to his words. |
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| Damon | Aug 29 2012, 05:40 PM Post #44 |
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Nathanial had never known the feeling of vengeance. His parents were both taken by a winter fever, and he had no one to blame but the Host for taking them. He had never felt it wise to try to fight the gods. He hadn't thought of his uncle's explaination, but it seemed to ring true, considering. "I understand, Uncle. Perhaps we all would act in such ways if we found a personal stake in it. Time will tell better of the boy-- of our new Tetrarch's ability." Nathanial stood, and stepped lightly to the window, to see where the sun hung in the sky. "How long until the Funeral, Uncle?" |
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| Volksgeist | Aug 31 2012, 05:47 PM Post #45 |
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"Not long, Nathanial. When it grows darker and, hopefully, the rain subsides, the procession throughout the streets of The City of Four will begin." A graveness had entered Lord Addam's face as he spoke of the funeral. "From there, they will head to The High Temple of St. Ambriel. The procession will end at Bahi's Altar, where the fire will have been stoked and will be ready to consume the body of Rodrik Greford. Before Bahi's Kiss is bestowed, I believe that the two remaining Tetrarchs plan on drawing the suspected forth and shackling them. After The Kiss is bestowed on our beloved, deceased Tetrarch; the suspect will be lead off in shackles to some end and the ashes will be set to urn and sent in capable hands to be brought to Greyglass Hollow far to the north, where they will remain forever in the company of the legends and kings. Then, shortly after, I would imagine there will be a coronation of Edrik Greford and his acceptance of the throne..." Lord Addam gulped and stared with glazed eyes at the rainy landscape outside of the window. The fire shifted as a slight chill entered the room. |
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