675-07-30 - The Prince and the Mistress
The Prince and the Mistress | |||||||
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Summary: Adara visits Nathan where they talk about other lands and marriage. | |||||||
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Having gained some time away from other duties, Lady Adara Zorich makes her way to the private chambers of Prince Nathan. Once there and flanked by a bodyguard and handmaiden she knocks on the prince's door announcing, "Prince Nathan, it is Lady Adara, I need to speak with you about something."
Nathan was busy..in a manner of speaking, well, a small chaos of maps and journals. "Enter Lady Adara." He says in an even tone, neither annoyed, nor excited. It's just a game, she's the Mistress of Whispers..and coming here? What ever can go wrong for poor Nathan?
Adara enters the room and casually looks around as her entourage take up positions by the inside of the door, the guard closing and locking the door as Adara moves closer to look over the maps, "What has your attention now? I would not have judged you much for an interest in lands and maps." in a soft, polite tone.
Nathan crosses his arms over his chest, watching the guard briefly. "Oh, am I to be an uneducated fool like my drunken brother?" He asks her, in a pointed tone, testing her to see if she thinks he was. "I am allowed to consider the sea and what lies beyond the horizon. There is always some thing new to see."
Adara nods and says, "True indeed, coming for one that has visited many lands. I simply expected you to favor tomes to maps is all. So you seek knowledge of what no others know then?"
Nathan doesn't relax at all around Adara, that would be unwise. "Some one -always- knows, it is a matter of discerning how much of the truth is yet remembered by them, or those who heard them." He says and steps forwards towards Adara. "Tell me, why is the Mistress of slit throats here?"
Adara says, "Whispers are more spies then assassins, we are here to ensure nothing is unknown to the Queen. As to why I am here, well. Before your mother retired to her quarters we spoke about you, she feels it is time you be married off to one of the noble women of the Isles. As she is out of sorts, I have come on her behalf. Mostly I'd like to ask if there are any you have any personal interest in so I can relay that information?"
Nathan quirks an eyebrow at her words, again, this? "Marry my older brother, perhaps you can find a wife for him that will sober him up. I am young, and I have yet to gain any fame of note to make me suitable for marriage." He says, eyes narrowing a bit.
Adara says, "You are a Prince, renowned or not. Also you are the superior choice over your brother, for the reasons you have said among others. Would you deny those facts?"
Nathan raises an eyebrow at her words. "No, I won't deny it. I suppose I'll need to consult mother, I am sure she has some notion of whom I am to marry."
Adara says, "You can make the attempt I'm sure. I was simply seeking if there were any that had your interest so I might suggest them. The way things are progressing you might not have the option of remaining unbetrothed too much longer. You may ask your mother if you wish, though she might simply order you to marry someone specifically in such an event."
Nathan rolls his shoulders at the question. "My placei s onot to dote on polite society, it had been to make sure my sister did not cause to many problems for the Kingdom. Now it seems this task is no longer required, and I turn my mind to other matters. The acqusition of new wealth for the Kingdom."
Adara nods and says, "Your marriage could potentially benefit the Kingdom with the right circumstances. Much is to be decided, that is part of the reason the Council will be meeting soon."
Nathan out right scowls a bit, he's not afraid of letting people know he dislikes arranged marriages! "Then I suggest, you arrange a meeting between me and Leah Landos. I do not believe I will find any enjoyable."
Adara says, "An interesting choice, in my experience younger men tend not to favor women that are older, or have been married previously. It is refreshing when a man proves not to be a cliche fool." in a casual tone, though she seems to have some actual respect in her tone as well. She then looks to the maps and says, "I will send word to your mother unless you'd rather do so personally." Scanning the maps with her gray eyes she asks, "So why so intent on these maps, is it simple knowledge and understanding, or something more?" in a casual tone still. Her guard and handmaiden seem intent on making sure Adara is safe and otherwise don't seem to give much regard to Nathan at all.
Adara isn't safe, Nathan is a trained swordsman, but he hasn't detected Adara being out to do some thing to him. "You arrange for me to meet Leah, if she can be dragged away from military duties. I will inform my mother I am -considering- this situation." He says and then gestures at the maps and charts. "If unknown Traders, and corsairs arrive from unknown lands, we can do the same and conquer them."
Adara says, "Pirates are hardly an issue for the Isles, though the only traders I am aware of are from the other Kingdoms. Are you seeking to try and conquer the other Kingdoms?"
Nathan shakes his head at her question. "That would prove to be easy, not a challenge. I seek to conquer the unknown."
Adara nods and asks, "You seek the unknown World and the Rumorous Island then? Unfortunately my knowledge into those areas isn't of much benefit as I've not studied them in-depth. My apologies for that. You seek to challenge yourself then?" in a curious tone.
Nathan is going to regret this day, he knows it. "I intend to map part of them, and discern a colony spot, and establish one. Other kingdoms will not have this advantage, we will have access to what ever wealth the Unknown Lands provide, and they shall not. We will forge new alliances, where they will not. Of course, marriage certainly ruins this plan."
Adara nods and says, "Marriage doesn't have to, it depends on how one goes about it. I agree if such a plan were possible it would benefit the Kingdom well, the question is if you have thought it through enough to make the risk worth considering. Feel free to approach the Council on the matter. If you make your case well enough you may well obtain what you seek." in a casual, though helpful tone.
Nathan is a bit used to being a prince, and not having some one question his plans. "I'm all to aware of the resources required. I will only require a single vessel for mapping, if we discover things, we will be able to arrange a proper expedition."
Adara nods and says, "Perhaps you have thought this out well enough, I look forward to hearing the details with the rest of the Council then. I will also speak with Leah, as I do not know her personal plans as she may not seek to marry again, or may already have another in mind.”
Nathan inclines his head at her words. "Of course..or she'll resent one so young with no military campaigns to his name." He murmurs.
Adara smiles softly and says, "Perhaps, I do not know her well personally so I do not know what standards she holds in men. Of course I mostly know of my own husband so I cannot judge the interests of another woman that well in any case. The foolish notions of your younger sister I still cannot fathom as an example."
Nathan cocks his head a bit at Adara. "I have intentions to ensure she won't -ruin- the Kingdom concerning my plans. She can govern any wayward colonies along with me. Then she can't possibly ruin things as easily." Or Nathan wants to keep her safe from being in trouble again.
Adara nods and says, "The Queen mentioned possibly making her a Duchess of her own island, if you are able to make a successful colony that may work well enough. I am not sure if such would be overly wise however given your sister's lack of experience in administrative matters and such a potentially hostile location might require more experience then your sister is capable of. That said she has been restored to heir until the birth of your baby sister, so we will have to see."
Nathan inclines his head a bit at Adara. "Yes, but I will be there also, and I will choose an appropriate person of skill in adminstrative duties to attend to things. She will be closely watched to avoid ruination."
Adara nods stiffly and says, "We shall see. You still must gain approval for the expedition, you must find a suitable colony site, and you must find resources to make the expedition worth the expense, all of which are uncertainties at best at this point in time."
Nathan snorts a bit at her words. "You have no faith do you?" He says. "I should visit mother..Perhaps some of the honeyed fruits I am fond of will be to her liking in her condition." He says with a snicker at it.
Adara says, "Know this, I am a pragmatic woman driven by logic. I believe in the Patrons, but this is a matter of mortals not of faith. I have nothing against you on this matter, I simply seek a well-made argument. Depending on your plans and arguments you may well gain my approval. As to your mother, I would suggest speaking with the Four to ensure the safety of any foods given her weakened state.”
Nathan's eyes dance in amusement at Adara's words. "I find it hard to believe my mother can not enjoy fruits and honey. Is she truly that sick?”
Adara says, "I may have given birth to two daughters, but I am far from an expert in matters of healing or the skills of a midwife. I simply express concern over how fatigued she is and the health of the child. I do not believe there would be an issue, but again I am no expect in the matter." offering a kind smile.
Nathan will need to simply see his mother, that is all there is to it. "It does make me question whom the father of the child is."
Adara's expression shifts to one very serious indeed, "You doubt the story of the Patrons granting your mother a child?" in a nearly challenging tone. She may be a woman of logic and practicality, seems she still has some faith in her as well.
Nathan gestures at Adara when she asks that. "Logic dictates, a man is always needed for a woman to be with child. Tell me Adara of Logic...do you know draw the same conclusion?" Taste of her own medicine!
Adara says, "I also said I am a woman of faith, though perhaps not as devoted as some. Do you think the Patrons could not make her pregnant without the need of a man, such as by the changing of fate for example? Or that Lotingus himself might not have played a role in some form? If you seek details I would say to ask your mother or one of the Four as they would know far more then I." in a more casual tone.
Nathan's eyes go back to their stoic, uninterested expression. "I will speak to her, I am sure seeing her favoured son will do wonders for her mood."
ADara smiles and says, "Better then her embarrassment of a son for certain." She then bows her head and says, "I shall leave you to prepare for the Council meeting then, unless you have something more to say.”
Nathan inclines his head to Adara as she does. "Yes, council meetings." He agrees.