675-10-01 - A Secret Offer
A Secret Offer | |||||||
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Summary: Slider meets with Agostino in response to a request to speak, he ends up being given an interesting offer. | |||||||
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A guest room in the castle of House Brais, it had been only a day, maybe less since the Ningo women returned with the expedition that was bound north. Agostino had informed Slider to meet with him when the man felt he was able. Though no master of the common language of Felaguria he spoke it well enough for at least basic conversations. The ruler of the Ningo is in the guest room, studying things out the window in silence presently, dressed in the crimson tunic the Ningo soldiers wore, and has become a common enough sight for Slider.
It was a journey alright, from where they had been and captured to been released and brought back to Two Rivers. He had not heard much but from what he has heard alot has happened and perhaps to the good of things. Now he is been brought towards the King of the Ningo...Agostino. Now he comes to the man, presentign hismelf with his usual green and browns , the ones he wore when he was captured. Weapons were given to the guards if asked for and so now, waiting to be let inside to speak to the man, he enters. He knows he was promised certain parts of the creature he had killed, well almost killed in his mind but a cloak and a few other things come into mind with the claws and them teeth. He would have asked how one would present hismelf to the Ningo king before coming to him, so customes can be observed and not taken lightly.
The Ningo guards don't seem to understand, though they do gesture to any obvious weapons before he is allowed to enter. Strangely they offer Marcus the same respectful bow nod they give to Barbeta, Agostino, and Esther. Once inside Agostino looks to the man entering his chambers and offers a respectful boy, and gestures to a chair as the guards close the door and says, "Thanks to coming. Wanted to talk on your skill." His accent is obvious and he talks slowly, making sure he enunciates each word correctly. The room is as lavish as any other guest quarters in the castle, yet little of it seems to be used. Agostino's belonging seemingly just piled into one corner, a pile of metal that looks like a bunch of stacked plates, though closer examination would reveal it resembles the type of lamellar armor worn by the more elite members of the Ningo's soldiers at the war camp. There is also one of the Ningo's short swords, and 'normal' length swords. One of their tower shields which is curved, and the full metal helmets. "Understand why all Ningo nod, respect given?" in a curious tone.
Slider nods to the gaurd and then enters, nodding to the king and then taking a seat where indicated. Slider will speak both in Ningo and the common language, to show the king Agostino that he is willing to learn, listen and understand all that is needed of him. " I am Marcus and my skills are used in many different ways. Which skill are you refering too? Do you mena my abilities with my blades or the abilitity to learn your language...well as much as I can at the moment?" his tone is simple, no disrespect but he understands showing weakness is nto a good thing with the Ningo.
Agostino shakes his head and says, "You kill Smilodon Fatalis. Dangerous. Hard. SHow skill, survive. Skills of Ningo nobles." Then switching to the Ningo language says, "As Patrician I offer you the opportunity to become Ningo nobility. Change to our culture, embrace it, honor our traditions, and you will be seen and treated in all ways as nobility by the Ningo people." He still speaks slowly, and enunciating carefully, perhaps more to make sure Marcus understands him more then anything else as his tone is serious and professional, not condescending.
Marcus nods and understands it seems. In Ningo language he does speak slowly, making sure he pronounciates the words properly. " Many years I have used my skill, to kill and survive. The creature was a threat and it needed to be taken down before it harmed any of the people I was to protect, even if it meant I may not make it." he looks at his hands then, then back to Agostino. " I am seeking to travel and learn from as many places and cultures as possible. The ingo have shown me respect and honor, not many from other places have shown me such." he stops and look around. Obviously he is thinking alot. " I would and will accept the offer to be a noble within your culture. I will do alot for you and your Ningo society. I am a curious man but..." he stops and makes sure the man is listening to him, show that he is serious. " I do nto want to be stuck in Ningo lands. I will come back and protect, I will use my life to do so if need be but I can't be tide down. I have vowed till the day I die that I will travel as many places as possible. THis Two Rivers has been my home for more tiem than any other place and that has been for only four years of my life. Would you allow me to travel, to see other cultures, maybe perhaps as a representative as I can understand and learn other languages easily." it is nto a despreate man speaking, he has options, he can easily say no but he is giving the Patrician a option, if he wants Marcus .
Agostino nods and says in Ningo, "As a noble you will found your own Family, we do not say 'House'." The word House said in common instead of Ningo. "You also must ensure your Family continues. A marriage may be arranged to one of our noble Families, unless you are already wed in which case your wife will be recognized once married by our customs. To be treated as a noble she must prove worthy. Nobles earn title by surviving alone for days in what you call..." switching to common once more for a moment, "Dark Forest."
Slider thinks for a long time, marriage, that is soemthing he has not really wanted, he has been offered to many times but that ties him down and that makes it hard to travel. As he mentions if he has someone he thinks a bit more, obvious looking at him there is something brweing in his mind. Finaly he looks to the man. " There is someone, her name is Selia. For soem reason I care for her more than others but she will and may not accept a marriage and to be Ningo. I have not asked her and I may ask her but in the end, it is up to her. She may marry me but may want to stay in Two Rivers. I do not know but all I can say I will speak to her and see what is her decision. If she wants neither, I will partake in your custom but once again, I wish to travel, my family I will protect but know that I will not always be around." he says this sternly, he really has no clue how Selia really feels about him.
Agostino listens and says, "Selia would only be allowed if you are already married by the customs of the Two Rivers. If you are and I misunderstand that is fine. As to her not embracing our culture, that is fine as she is not a native, as long s you and your children live by it." in Ningo. "By the terms of the alliance if you convert publicly you'll have to live in our territory, though if you are not public about such a conversion then i would imagine you could still travel. Your travels might help to dissuade suspicions you have converted so that could work. As long as you return regularly to produce as many children as possible, also provide for our people. It sounds as though you would make a skilled hunter for our people. Our hunters travel in groups of five for protection. They are tasked with going out, gathering food and bringing it back to our settlements for the betterment of all.As you know our language, or at least learning it, acting as a translator could also help explain your travels. A similar agreement to Translator Esther, who has also proven herself worthy of nobility, yet declined in favor of service to my future wife."
Slider nods then, understanding. " I see, so as logn as myself and my children abide by Ningo customs then it should be alright, I understand now." then as he mentions the travelling, hunting and been possibly a translater he nods. " Yes, then best not make it public then. I will abide by them rules as you have established. I am not a wealthy man and have no real home, other than a small shack near the docks of Two Rivers city." he stands up then and looks to the much bigger man. " Will you require me to go to Ningo lands for a bit of time and learn customs and if so, would you allow me to speak to a few friends before departing?"
Agostino says, "A city is being built near the border, I believe it is near where your group had your camp from what I am told. A district will be built for nobility, a villa will be built for you there to your designs, though the style and decor will be that of our people. As part of the alliance there will be some from here, mostly merchants and a few representatives. Acting as a translator and the traveler you sound to be, I don't think it will be hard to hide the truth from them." Still speaking in Ningo. If your Selia will not agree to move, or marry by our customs she may remain and hold no status, and you will need to marry one of our nobles to produce your heirs. Colors and symbols of noble Families is a new concept for us, we are currently working on these, you may design your own once you are recognized as a noble."
Slider looks to the man and nods once again. " Well, if I am not reconginzed as a noble from other countries, do I need to do so or just when I go to Ningo lands then? Just curious as I am not to sure about this. So, picking colors and I myself have not had a surname in all my life. I have travelled to many places, using fake names." then he pauses and looks to the man, can he trust him. " So, I do not know my real name. I gave myself the name Slider, a name to survive with and to be a hunter. Though all around know me as Marcus, no other name....do I need to come up with another name to represent my line?"
Agostino nods and says, "You may choose whatever name suits, We can even suggest Ningo names if you feel its needed." Aside from those first few statements, he's been speaking Ningo the entire time.
Slider nods then, allowing himself to think. " If I am to become one of your nobles, I would prefer to have a Ningo name to be known as as well as a name that can be past on to my children. I do not know many Ningo names but that creature you mentioned I killed, would that be a common name in Ningo?"
Agostino says, "It is the name of the animal, it would be odd for a Family name. I am Family Cornelia for example. My first wife was of Family Valentina, my second wife Family Orsini. MY father was Family Furia. These are examples."
Slider looks at the man and then nods, seeming to understand. Though from the ways the NIngo words are said and how they are pronounced. " Would a family name like Tigressa be something sutiable if not already taken?" obviously now the terms of him been a noble in Ningo culture has been accepted.
Agostino says, "It would be an odd name, you may think on it and what you know of our language. I will also provide advice where I can if you wish. As examples of given names. I am Agostino as you know. I have a few brothers as well, Egnatius, Domitianus is my eldest son... There are others."
Slider is defintiely confused but at least the man infront of him is at least helping him to smooth things through. " I am going to try my best to do you well as well as the Ningo. I will come up with a name and a family name that Ningo will know me and my family to be, I will not disssapoint, I hope not to dissapoint." then he looks to the door anf back to the man. "THank you for your generosity and your kindness. Now, I best get going and see what I need to do before heading where ever you need me to be."
Agostino says, "I will be here until the wedding at least. Know also a full conversion would involve the belief in the Old Gods as well. Nocte, Ignis, Mortuus, Caelum, and Aquae. I understand your gods have been left, would this be an issue for you?"
Slider looks to the man and then shakes his head. " I have come to believe in anything i can see and what I can do. MY skills and that of others, to me gods are what people require to live on, then good, let them. I am nto a religious man and I will not lie to you or Ningo. Though if I do have children, they will learn of your Ningo gods and may beleave. I will learn of Ningo Gods and if I end up beleaving, I will..if not I will not lie to you."
Agostino smiles and nods saying, "An honest man, and pragmatic. We value the ability to survive, why nobles must prove they can. Do you have any further questions?" still in the Ningo language.
Slider thinks a bit and then shakes his head at him. " I do not, thank you for listening and within a months time, I should have a name and colors for the family that you rerquire. Do you require anything from me now?"
Agostino simply shakes his head and gestures to the door, likely dismissing him, though he does offer another respectful nod of the head and says, "A respectful nod of the head is the gesture given to nobility and royalty of the Ningo, or those deserving of such status."