675-04-06 - Istivean Arrival
| Istivean Arrival | |||||||
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| Summary: Urson arrives at Woodwatch with other Istiveans, and is greeted by Ralph and Alajos in the Courtyard. | |||||||
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A chilly breeze can be felt by all outside of the Castle on this late morning. It is spring after all, but the mornings tend to be cold still, even if the sky is blue with only a few clouds floating about here and there. Ralph Fennim has just ventured outside, his attire a sombre black, the cloak her wears above it of a greyish colour. He has heard the call from the Gatehouse, of a group of riders approaching, and now he stands there, arms crossed before him, his cheeks slightly rosy for whatever reason and waits.
A tall man approaches, and pulls his horn towards his mouth, " Make way for Urson Istiviean!" The common folk move away and glance towards the group that arrives. Flanked by several guardsmen, and a few men dressed in fine black robes. The grandest looking of them all, dressed in a dark red doublet and black trousers, dismounts and takes a look at the world.
"My lord." Ralph's lips curve into a polite smile as he takes a step towards Urson and offers a bow as is the custom here in the Woods of Woriscant. "Lord Urson. I am Lord Ralph Fennim, cousin to His Grace. He will be happy about your arrival. I trust your ride here was devoid of any unplesant surprises?" A hint at the danger of bandits roaming the woods. The famine and the plague have left the people of the Two Rivers in dire need, and a great many of them are said to have joined the bandits roaming the Dark Woods to the North, but also parts of Woriscant. The Fennim's tone is polite, his manner controlled. Urson may know Ralph has been married to his late cousin, Lady Oryana, who gave him two children before she died, in her childbed.
Urson turns and looks at the man, " I know very well who you are." He says, with a smile, " Not much escapes me... Especially not the husband of my late cousin, dear Oryana." He stays silent for a moment, " Bandits aren't out today." He says, glistening with knowledge, as he moves towards his servant who hands him a wineskin. " I assume all is well in this part of the woods?"
"I did not seek to escape you," Ralph replies with a bit of amusement breaking through that brooding facade. "And aye, Oryana, her widower." The Fennim lowers his gaze, the corners of his mouth twitching a touch at the question. "All is as well as it can be, my lord. I believe there are more troubles in the Duchy of Granville, presently, so in that regard, yes." The remark about the bandits is met with a nod. "Good. His Grace will be most pleased to hear that."
Urson looks at the man, "It's hard to escape the man who is your boss." Urson says with a grin, before he averts his gaze back to the woods. "These bandits are fickle people, very easily scared." He looks towards Ralph, his eyes glinting with some sort of knowledge, before he moves nearer to the man. "Will we spend more time out here in the cold, or will we move somewhere more comfortable? "
The new Duke is known for not showing himself unless he really has to. Apparently Ralph's message has been insistent enough for Alajos does appear in the courtyard, wearing fine clothes and a ducal cloak over his shoulders. He is accompanied by two guards and a servant and looks rather anxious until he spots his older cousin. He does not speak immediately, but stands, arms behind his back.
There is a flicker in those dark brooding eyes at Urson's remark and Ralph inclines his head, the expression in his gaze unreadable. About to reply at the request to move inside, he will relax visibly when he notices Alajos has followed his plea. "We will," he replies. "After you have greeted His Grace, the Duke of Woriscant." The tone of his voice a proud grumble, as he steps aside.
Urson nods his head, "My Duke" He says, "I hope all is well?" He inquires, as he takes another swig of his wineskin. "I am sorry to be so rude, but I do not enjoy standing outside. Even when I am standing next to a duke. Perhaps we shall move in?" He says waving his hand towards the castle.
Alajos inclines his head to Urson, someone he's vaguely familiar with and thus not too terribly scary. "Lord Urson, welcome to Woodwatch.", he says politely and points towards the entrance from which he has just come. "I have given order to have refreshments served in the Blue Salon. Your men will be catered for, too. Please follow me." He looks exhausted from so much talk and turns around to hurry back into the castle.
Ralph will offer a polite smile to Urson, choosing not to comment on Urson's rudeness, although he shoots Alajos a glance, one brow twitching ever so slightly. A reassuring smile is shot in the Duke's direction, a proud flicker showing in those dark eyes. "Very well, Your Grace," he comments, the tone a touch cheerful now. Possibly because someone mentioned refreshments? Following the Duke and the Master of Foreign Affairs at a respectful distance, as they enter Woodwatch Keep.
Urson follows the Duke into the comfortable castle, he glances around as he enters, and makes a signal towards one of his men who pulls out some parchment and furiously writes down something or the other. "So, how are things in this duchy at the moment? Any trouble other than the bandits roaming about?"
Ralph arches a brow when he sees notes are being taken. "My lord, do you mistake Woriscant with the Isles?" The attempt of a joke. "Our duchy is doing well, compared to yours, as I hear. The border to Estoria is stable, the bandits,... we are handling the problem. But it is the North we need to worry about, according to what I heard. The Dark Forest and the Scales." Namedropping in a casual tone the two areas that have been breached by barbarians recently, both located in the Duchy of Granville.
"Notes must be taken about everything and everyone." Urson spits out like a gun, but he smiles slightly. " Our duchy is indeed not very strong, though I believe in Solinus." He opens his mouth as to continue, but a man runs up to him. And whispers something into his ear, Urson looks alarmed. "I must go immediately, excuse me, Lord." He nods his head towards both men as he practically runs away.
Once Urson has departed with his entourage to get comfortable, Alajos looks at Ralph with a faint smile. "Thank you for your help, cousin. That man has always been a little scary, don't you think?"
"I should better not speak my opinion of him," Ralph replies with a low chuckle. "He may have his spies hiding somewhere behind the drapes." His gaze though speaks volumes. "And no, not scary,... just a bit pompous. Not a typical Istivean trait if you ask me, as such behaviour is more usual for a Lenouvi. You must be on your guard though. He is clever, he didn't get where he is for naught." He smiles at Alajos' words of gratitude. "You did just fine, Your Grace."
"He is my sister's brother-in-law after all and I do not wish for her to get into trouble on my account.", Alajos explains with a sigh, "I do not know why he is choosing to stay here though. Is he to travel to the isles with us?", he asks, his look betraying how he feels about that.
"It may be the intention, yes." Ralph remarks pensively. "He will accompany us with the rest of the Istiveans that are bound for Equis. No need to worry, cousin, you will remain in charge. And you have me to make sure noone puts your authority into question. Interesting that the King should choose to involve that many... possibly conflicting egos." The Fennim looks up and smiles. "I heard of the possibility that even Oskar Lenouvi should join us. The Advisor to the Duke of Athereyne. An odd fellow, that one."
"Odd how?", Alajos asks curious and sighs. "I do understand that a large group lessens the risk of attacks, but I am still wary of the whole endeavour. I have given order to have a coach arranged for myself only with curtains I can draw shut. Could you arrange for me to have a separate cabin on a ship as well? Ideally a separate ship, too.", he adds.
Ralph's smile turns into a smirk. "He collects bugs - insects. He must be most eager to add more specimen to his collection. But I hear he is quite a knowledgable man." That smile fades however when Ralph hears the Duke's thoughts and preferences for the voyage. "The seperate cabin,... I suppose that can be done, but not a seperate ship, Your Grace. How odd it must look to the people of the Isles if the delegation does not arrive as a union. As for the coach with curtains,..." He rolls his eyes faintly. "I thought we would go on horseback, Your Grace. The fresh air as well as the exercise will be of benefit to you."
"Oh, I do not mind to ride from time to time.", Alajos assures him, "You know I like to ride. But it's a long journey, is it not? It will be nice to rest sometimes, enjoy a book or just lie down. There'll be a baggage train anyway, so it's not like my coach would slow us down." He starts looking a little sulky.
Ralph looks a bit perplexed for a moment, when he is faced with the demands of the Duke. "There will be inns by the road, Your Grace.", he finally replies with a weary sigh. "But very well then, you'll get your coach. But from Equis onwards, you will follow my advice in this. Promise this to me, by the name of your father. Promise you'll make him proud." At least attempt to do so.
Alajos stares for a moment, as if he's considering pulling the duke card on his cousin. Then he shrugs. "Yes, we will arrive on horse back, of course. The last few hours will be an interesting ride, no doubt." He then looks like he has lost interest in conversation and rises to his feet. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I am meeting my tutor to make some music on the lyre. I will see you later for our dinner with Lord Urson no doubt."
