675-06-21 - A Royal Offer of Recruitment
A Royal Offer of Recruitment | |||||||
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Summary: Marcus visits the king, and makes a new acquaintance | |||||||
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It is another of those early afternoons in Castle Equitaine, where one can indulge in the tranquility that follows the meal in the Grand Hall. King Barret Brais has retreated to the Solar once again, to receive visitors and those with special requests. He sits in a comfortable chair behind a table, a glass of Athereyne Red before him. Any visitor will find the king seemingly in good spirits and enjoying a bit of leisure at the moment, as he leans back in his chair. He wears a casual version of his courtly attire, breeches and doublet in red and black, the heavy crown, for once deposited on the table before him.
Marcus is of course introduced some how so not to disturb the King if he is busy. Marcus is wearing his Golden Lion attire, it's his only good attire he has, specially in his poor state. Now he enters and he follows along and eventually he is kneeling down to one knee towards the King, he says nothing until spoken to, still waiting and keeping his head down, making sure he is not looking at the man until told to other wise.
When Marcus is shown in, the king will look up, the expression in his eyes friendly and a bit curious too. He will remain seated, of course, and swiftly gesture for the man to rise.
"Master Marcus. Please. No need to kneel before me. Why won't you come over here and have a seat." He points to a chair opposite to his at the table." His voice is a low but good-natured grumble, the tone definitely freindly. Barret will wait till Marcus is seated before he will address him again.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Well, I remember, you were among those that were picked for the delegation to the Isles." A gesture is made to one of the servants, and this young lad bows and moves to the door, probably to perform some errand. "And now a noble lady has spoken to me, about the heroic deed you performed in saving her. Won't you tell me what happened, Master Marcus?"
Marcus does stand up and gives the king another bow before approaching. " Thank you King Barret, you honor me by taking time from your precious time to see me." then he takes a seat and bows again before doing so and then smiles and speaks pleasantly to him. " Yes, I was one of the people sent over to head to the Isles and a interpritor if required. It was a experience and would go again if required to do so."
Then the question of the lady that approached the king about him and he smiles. " Oh Lady Livessa. Yes, she had either lost her way or had issues and lost her way in the process. I had become a friend and adviser to her, she seemed to think that no one listened to her and was feeling lonely. So after talking to her a bit, I told her I would be around to help her and talk." he pauses a moment, licks his lips and smiles. " It wsa around the time that the Two Rivers got the boot in not so many terms off the Isles. I went to speak to her again and she was gone, after talking to her guards , they mentioned she went into the woods. So, I have some tracking skills, I have lived in the woods for a bit of my time and can survive, I told them I would go find her and so I did. She was in the river and I helped her out. She was scared and afraid and she felt no one wanted her around. I told her that we were leaving and convinced her that she should get on the ship to go back home to Two Rivers and only because she made me promise I see her, so I did." he sighs and then smiles. " I want to keep my promise to her but alas, I cannot. I have been told by her father that I am not to see her again. I do not know why and so I am here, breaking a promise and I do not feel that great in doing so."
Then he pulls out a small pendant, with a gold chain around it and he shows the king. " She gave me this, a token that she trusts me , friendship. I was going to give it back to her when I returned, to show her that I did keep my promise . I am but a common man , I have no real ambitions and all I do want is to keep my promises. I do not give them easily." then he puts it away and looks to the king.
"I was also one of the men that ended up in that palce where one of your knights came along to help. I stood well, took a few bruises in that confrontation but in the end, I am a survivor and will do anything to survive and help others."
Barret Brais nods and smiles when Marcus approaches, then listens to what the man has to say, leaning back in his chair, nodding here and there. Somewhere in the middle of the account the door opens and a noble enters, a long slim lad in his mid-thirties, his face rather unremarkable, and as unobtrusive as his bearing, when he takes a seat somewhere close by, just to listen.
The King meanwhile will offer the man a brief nod, nothing more, before his attention shifts back to Marcus. "I see.", he says with a smile. "It seems you have already proven your worth for our realm, Master Marcus. I wonder,... would you be interested in serving US is a manner that would even benefit US more? Do you seek a position in our service? Or are you the kind of man that prefers to persue his own goals?" The question is brought forth in a friendly tone, the smile suggesting either reply would be in order for the king.
Marcus did notice the man earlier but had decided to ignore him because the king needed the story and so he told it. Now as he finishes his words he does glance to the noble and nods in his direction and then looks towards the king again, listening to him, with a raised brow. It takes him a bit of time to answer but he does in his words and in a respectful manner. " King Barret. I have not ever sought out a position in any place I have stayed at. My abilities tend to make others weary of what I am. I will not lie, most of my life has been of a man who sells his services." then pauses a moment, licking his lips a bit. " I am sure you may have heard already what I am from others and wish not to make myself a liar. So to answer truthfully, I am seeking a job, let it be titles or positions, call it as it may. If the pay is well, I am your man but I do things in ways some may not like. " he frowns a bit, thinking to explain further how he operates. " I will do as told, my loyalty is yours until the contract is done. I will abide by your rules and will keep on doing so until other wise told to do other ways." then he takes a deep breath and smiles, bowing his head. " I do not beleave in gods or goddess , I am a survivor and will survive in what ever needs to do so, that is my true goal, even in my age, I want to stay alive as long as possible." With that he smiles and then looks to the king, seeing if there is judgment of death on him now.
The King listens again, this time his own bushy brows rise a tad, and an amused flicker may be visible in his gaze, then the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepen and he smiles. "Indeed. I am grateful for your honesty, Master Marcus. This will of course not be about titles, nor about prestigious positions - at least not yet. The latter being a possibility of course, if you should decide this will be your goal in life. No,... your reply shows me you are a man of many talents, driven by the needs life imposes upon him." He pauses, as one hand moves to scratch his chin pensively.
"I understand, however, that you would be grateful for a well-paid occupation. The plague has not been gentle on us, Master Marcus. It has taken many capable men and women from us, even from less exposed positions." And here the king pauses again. "I am not sure you are aware of the current situation in Granville, Master Marcus?"
The other man shifts in his seat, one elbow on the armrest, the hand supporting his chin, as he studies Marcus most attentively. The movement draws the king's attention towards him briefly, and Barret clears his throat. "Ah, I almost forgot...", he says with an apologetic smile, "to introduce you to Lord Jarvis Bainsworth. He serves me in many ways, as he is in charge of gathering intelligence throughout the kingdom. Especially..." and here he shoots Marcus a pointed glance, "towards the North, where the Barbarians continue to raid and plunder."
Marcus listens to the king and at hearing a few things Marcus only nods slowly, understanding this would not benefit him to much financially, though at this time he really has nothing to gain coins with. So he listens some more and then leans back, relaxing a bit and then slowly licks the front of his lips, contemplating it all. As the Lord is introduced, Marcus bows his head in respect and then replies. " Lord Jarvis Bainsworth, pleasure." Then the words final words and Marcus nods, nearly smiling as there is a slight grin on his lips.
After a moments pause he looks to the king, then to the Lord and then back to the King. " King Barret, I think I understand what your getting at but you must understand this may be dangerous to my personal life and my standards of living are, low to none." then there is a smile, obviously already made up his mind . " I will comply with your request and help you and the kingdom as best that my abilities will give." then he sits up and looks at both. " I do not know how long I will serve you but if my standard living is brought up a bit more, I may be inclined to help you for a long as need be." then looking at the lord he smiles. " I will help as best I can, work in the shadows and no one need know what I do, it is up to both of you to show me and I will do what is needed, in my ways."
Lord Jarvis will incline his head, the corners of his lips twicthing into a brief smile. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Master Marcus," he says, speaking for the first time now. The tone is friendly, but his gaze shows the attentive curiosity of a man that still is in the process of assessing Marcus.
King Barret meanwhile lets out a good-natured chuckle when he hears Marcus reply. "Oh, certainly. I assure you any efforts to serve this kingdom will be rewarded, of course. But don't expect any riches, we are after all still dealing with the consequences of the famine and the plague." This meant as a jest, maybe. "No, in all sincerity, I give you my word that this offer is only a first means to allow us to see what you are capable of. If you prove your worth, which I am in a way convinced you will do, I might reward you with a more prestigious position."
"Also," Lord Jarvis interjects now, "this may depend on the degree of loyalty you are capable of." A bit of doubt showing there in his glance he shoots Marcus. "But, I am willing to give it a try."
A remark to which the king can only raise a brow, "Especially since this is a royal request, Lord Jarvis. If Master Marcus should agree to this, I will be most eager for your reports."
A gesture to a servant is given, and two more glasses of wine are poured. "So,... can we settle this then, Master Marcus, or would you prefer to have some time to think over the matter?", the King of Two Rivers inquires with a friendly smile.
Marcus looks towards Lord Jarvis and then back to the king, his eyes not leaving the man for now. After hearing the proposal he leans back a bit, looking both at the king and then finally the Lord. At hearing the Lords words he smiles and nods to the man. " Like I have told King Barret. I am a survivor but if payed, I will continue to support King Barret and the kingdom if need be. My loyalties lay with the ones that pay me at that time. If a bigger offer comes along, I will not take it up until my contract with who ever is done, not before."
Now as the wine comes along and is poured, he does take a glass, he is thirsty and then looks to both men. " My question is, what is the job that your going to test me with. I can't really agree until I have heard of it. I mean I like the thrill but I also enjoy the planning of it, always seek a escape, no matter how things are." then leans back and picks up the glass and waits for their reply, if any.
A faint smile curls the lips of the Bainsworth at the reply of the commoner. "Fair enough, Master Marcus. A survivor may just be what we may need," he replies evenly, with what could appear like an intrigued sparkle in his eyes. "I believe you could be very well of use for us, and of course, the assignment will mean you have to deal with dangerous situations, which will be reflected in the payment you will receive." A quick glance shot towards the king, as if seeking affirmation there.
"Of course!", Barret agrees, after a moment. "And I understand your help for Lady Livessa was offered /without/ any sort of payment received in advance. So I suspect your attitude may be less mercenary than what you would want us to believe." A bit of amusement flickers in his brown eyes. "As for the /job/, as you call it,... Lord Jarvis will certainly enlighten you more on the subject."
"Indeed," the Bainworth lord concedes, inclining his head to the king. "I am gathering a small group to send to Granville, and beyond, into the Dark Forest. We need to know more about the enemy. Their leaders, their structures. As you have a high affinity to linguistics you may be able to learn bits of their language. The main intention will be to gather intelligence, with the barbarians noticing as little as possible."
There is a glitter of excitement in Marcus's eyes, the thought od possibly been captured or even dying, testing his abilities and gathering information. There is a slight grin on his lips then as he looks to both men now. Then he looks to the king again. " I did help, she needed help and I helped. She is a kind girl, one who is lost and needed guidance. Though as for payment, your right, I never asked but I had to keep my promise." he pauses a moment and tilts his head slightly. " King Barret, I do ask, if I am to go and gather this information. That I get to see Lady Livessa once more time, to explain things to her and to pass on a message from a friend." he looks at the King, since he is the only one that can say yes to this.
Then looking to Bainsworth he nods to the man. " A challenge for my skills, that I accept and will do. You have a man at your disposal and need not worry. If I don't come back, no one is around to mourn my loss." he states in a matter of fact, one such as him should have no ties, any time. " So when ever you are ready to send me, I shall head out or go with who ever you require me to go with."
Those bushy eyebrows furrow a touch when Marcus brings forth his request, as the King studies the commoner with a thoughtful gaze. "I am not her father, but... if you feel this would help, I can speak with Lord Errek to grant you this one conversation. But as I feel he may worry for her reputation, you should not speak to her when she is alone, better in the presence of her handmaiden. Lord Erek might insist even on guards." Barret Brais lets out a soft sigh, and leans back in his seat. "He will have the final say in this. I will not order him to allow you to have that talk with his daughter." Taking a sip from his wine now as he falls silent, his gaze drifts then to the Bainsworth.
"Very well," Lord Jarvis concedes with a wry grin. "You sound like the right man for this task. Give me a few days, and I will let you know when I have more details for you, Master Marcus." The glance he shoots the king shows confidence, with some of the doubt from before already fading. "Your majesty, I thank you for recommending this man, I feel we can put him to good use. There is no time to be lost. While we are speaking, the barbarians are raiding the villages of Granville. It is only a question of weeks before they will proceed further to the other duchies."
Marcus knows that it was a hard pressed reason to ask this from the king but Marcus nods to him. " I need no privacy to say what is needed to say but I will abide to what ever restrictions are needed." then he smiles, still not drinking from the wine, his eyes look towards Jarvis then. " As you wish, you have me until you do not need me." though of course pending on the rewards as well. There is a hint of amusement, though the further conversation about the barbarians really do perk a brow up, curious but he is sure he will hear more and soon. " If you like, I can leave you to your business." he speaks politely to both, ready to stand up and go if so required.
A benevolent nod comes from King Barret Brais, nothing more, when Marcus makes his statement, and he raises his goblet in a silent toast. His gaze shifting to Jarvis next, as the two of them exchange a glance. "Certainly. I believe there is nothing to add, at this point," says the king with a light shrug, and Lord Jarvis Bainsworth agrees: "i will send for you, Master Marcus." Said as he has some more wine as well, and his lips curl into a polite smile. The words a statement as well as a dismissal.