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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2015 17:48:45 GMT -5
The Dusty Drapes had changed in the past few weeks. The dust was now completely gone from the establishment. The tables had linens, and the place looked like it had gained a level in class. Even the food turned for the healthier as Guinevere would eat little else than fresh and healthy foods. The Dusty Drapes had even managed to procure a set of decent glass and dinning ware. The only thing missing now were drapes...because the name of the establishment be damned. It was just far too iconic of a name to lose like that. Guinevere had called for Commander Pretty Boy to join her for some business, and lunch. She had quite enough for the two of them to discuss, and she was making an attempt to be a sociable host. Perhaps regain some footing after their first meeting, one that was a little more awkward and rough between them. Guin just wanted to be on even footing, as that meeting had left her feeling foolish. Besides, with the letter from Kable Voss she felt she might just have something interesting for him. The half-elkagr kept her hands busy with arranging the fourth sandwiches on the platter, the vegetables on their own platter she had already given up on. One of her cooks was busy with correcting the less than steady pile Guinevere had attempted to arrange. But the flowers positioned on the table were well arranged, tall spikes of purple sage and lavender. Rounding out the base of the arrangement was looked like white daisies from the front, but from the side the yellow center of the flower protruded to mark it as chamomile. But even the easily mistaken chamomile was placed with intention. The arrangement while smelling pleasant in this hot and unpleasant day, soothed and energized her in a quiet way. Her little secret. Her dress was a simple white, made out of thinner material to match the heat of the day. It was tailored tightly under her bosom but allowed to flare out for the rest of its length. Red hair was tucked into a low bun, but bangs allowed the frame her face and better hide sweat. Now done fidgeting with the meal Guinevere sat and fanned herself, allowing her fingers distraction with the fan she had provided for herself.. Glancing briefly at the papers on the table before her.
Guinevere Lyethe|STR:20 V:20 AG:20 CH:20 ST:20 T:20 D:20 EN:20 P:20 K:20| |400HP-80/80SM-240MP| wbHy_8nI Thought Grasp:
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Post by Azuloth on Jun 21, 2015 8:56:22 GMT -5
Commander Valenstride was not so much of an uptight person to arrive exactly on time, or declare anyone late for when they arrived. He arrived a few minutes before the proposed meeting time, which was for lunch. He had arrived so that he could set up security. Two of the five Ten Companions that had been assigned under his command were in the Dusty Drapes already. Baast and Rubina.  Baast  Rubina Iceblood They sat at a table together, getting their lunch together. Commander Valenstride joined Guinevere when he was ready. LaShar joined them of course, he was more or less permanently assigned to her person. Much like her own man Tom was it? Tom, Phil... some reliable name for a man. Valenstride would know him when he saw him. "This is quite the delectable arrangement, Lady Lyethe. Much appreciated. Are we meeting to discuss your ascension to Provincial Governor? Or did you have additional business. There are some things I'd like to bring up as well. But of course... ladies first."He enjoyed one of the sandwiches while he waited for her reply. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 13:51:11 GMT -5
Guinevere was set at a slight bit more ease when the Commander arrived just a little early. It was far better than forcing herself to think and wait. For a few moments her attention was drawn to the new companions securing the place. A few judgmental thoughts later, and they quickly filtered into the background. Adrian, though not admittedly, was starting to become somewhat of a comforting presence. Not that her life was quite fraught with danger by any means...but the Lady was used to having more than a single guard. Who was usually Tom. Tom was just fetching the forgotten tomatoes....again. It was a habitual thing. Because it made Tom get out of The Mayor's shadow, which was good for him. It just became annoying when Guinevere had to pretend to like the fruit far more than she preferred it. Acting as the gracious host, Guinevere passed out small white plates as Pretty Boy spoke. " I find meetings go much more smoothly when food is present. Especially for important guests." words toned sincerely. " But, yes, eventually on Governorship, as some of my concerns could easily be fixed if I had a stronger position," using the word 'power' seemed too harsh, " First I'll start with something more trifle and ask for permission well rather, or perhaps your advice on how to handle those magically inclinded. I have knowledge of at least three instances of children burning down homes in their sleep, they are in a safe place for now." Which sadly a stone cell for the moment. That didn't need to be mentioned, as Guinevere already regretted doing so. What she would really like to do was build them a school. She wasn't entirely sure of what her captors thought of magic, Baast was a mage, but she did not know the circumstances behind it.
Guinevere Lyethe
|STR:20 V:20 AG:20 CH:20 ST:20 T:20 D:20 EN:20 P:20 K:20|
|400HP-79/80SM-240MP|
N2qqnLC8Thought Grasp: Failure |
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Post by Azuloth on Jun 22, 2015 16:29:03 GMT -5
"Mmmm. Well I understand your position is delicate and not as strong as we would like it either. Elevating you to governorship would allow for smoother transitions all around."
Commander Valenstride did not interrupt her, he simply waited between her thoughts to interject his agreement. He was much more agreeable when there weren't people resisting his troops actively in the city. Like right now. There hadn't been an uprising, which was nice so far. He couldn't help but imagine, however, that there was going to be some strife in this city. His command would be terrible for those people. They would die terribly.
"The magically inclined. We have some mages that could take students. Really the best thing for them is to apprentice under a mage that isn't mentally deficient like those the Sorcerer-Tyrant employs. How many children are we talking about? A handful I hope? Or just those three? I can't imagine it's more than that."
Valenstride didn't want to imagine it was more than that. If it were, he had a real problem on his hands. Keeping the magically blessed children in line would be hard to do without the traditional programs that were in place. Controlling mages could be difficult if you didn't give them a reason to trust you. Know that he thought about it, he was sure there were some rogues in the city. Rogues that could cause trouble if things went the wrong way.
"Do you know of any rogues? Any malicious magical activity for example?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 17:29:38 GMT -5
So he was all for letting mages live in the open? Well, that was quite different. Not that she was appalled, of felt to argue the fact either. It took more effort not to smile to wide over the fact, sure the Lady Mayor looked a little pleased, but not overly effected. Guinevere wasn't going to start admitting something she had manged to keep secret for just over twenty or so years. Valenstride was not trusted. " Just that number is all I know of. Some try to hide their magically inclined children away, while some others aren't so lucky." Well, this was going very grim. Very quickly. Guinevere also did not interrupt, but interjecting in his pauses. " I would like to set up some sort of school for those children, perhaps for all children eventually." The last few words being a new thought while her mind was on the statement. But that required her to be able to tax a wider school, sure she could pay for it, just the maintenance long term couldn't be relied on her alone. " I-" His last question was one she needed to think about before she answered. Nothing much came to mind, of rogue mages tormenting the city on whole. Knowledge of one rogue mage, very dangerous to her own health she was quite aware of. He had managed to follow her to Fordeth. Guin honestly feared lying to the man, well the being caught in doing so. " I am not aware of a rogue mage in the city." Half a lie.
Guinevere Lyethe |STR:25 V:25 AG:25 CH:25 ST:25 T:25 D:25 EN:25 P:25 K:25|
|500HP-78/125SM-313MP|
putAcNPw Lying (Lying (5) Easy(? Half lie?) (15) Ch (25)): Success! Thought Grasp: Failure · |
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Post by Azuloth on Jun 29, 2015 16:17:49 GMT -5
A school for the children? That would certainly place the burden of teaching the children the proper way to treat magic on an institution, rather than individuals. Individuals could be dangerous, their thinking wasn't always known. Even Commander Valenstride did not fully trust Baast. He did not know what dark things, if any, lurked in her mind or soul.
"Hmmm. Perhaps a school of sorts would be a worthy effort, more research is required. We'd need someone to build such an institution, and then run it, and of course police it. In the meantime fostering those few children is still a problem. Do you have any temporary solutions to that issue?"
Without any rogue mages to acquire these children there wouldn't be many issues other than accidents. It was only rare that a child could become maligned on their own. Terrible accidents would occur, and those could be devastating.
"Perhaps securing them in a prison-like situation would be best. Of course, a situation where they don't know they're prisoners."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2015 16:57:17 GMT -5
"They actually are in a prison cell. I did as I could to provide them a hospitable place to be. It protects them from themselves, and outsiders both." Words just a little sadder than they needed to sound. The entire mage issue was dredging up old ghosts. It was hard to not get involved in something she was so personally a part of. Hiding her own gifts felt wrong, and watching others suffer for it was more wrong. It was wrong of her to hide. Not while others died, or became monsters.
" I could try to reach out to any willing to teach, though I doubt much success. I do not trust any mage warped by Julgrava. Any rogue would likely not trust us either." Guinevere could of made herself the solution, but would being exposed help anything? Would that just put her under more scrutiny? Maybe even get her killed? If not Pretty Boy here, it could be her own people to do it. A small head of cauliflower popped pensively into her mouth. " I could have more answers at a later time. I was merely curious about what you wanted done."
Guinevere Lyethe
|STR:25 V:25 AG:25 CH:25 ST:25 T:25 D:25 EN:25 P:25 K:25|
|500HP-77/125SM-313MP|
y_cXj5FH Thought Grasp: Failure
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Post by Azuloth on Jul 14, 2015 16:34:25 GMT -5
"Nor should you trust those types. Usually I would extend that to all mages as well. Such an unnatural talent."
The commander said putting aside his tea. He wondered about those children though. They didn't choose to be mages. They were simply born with the talent, and unwittingly practiced it. He wondered if there was a way to reform them so that they wouldn't draw on those powers. So that they could just be members of society like everyone else. Instead of a menace.
"Our efforts to use Viktoria as a staging area have proven fruitful. Your cooperation has been noted with High Command. More freedom could be in your future. We'll need some start up money for venturing into that old ruin just north of here. I mentioned it in passing at the last commander's meeting, and there was some interest in perhaps using it as a base for future endeavors. If that is done, we'll be more or less out of your city. A presence will still be here of course. To maintain order."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2015 15:55:35 GMT -5
" I would have a solution to your issue of needing money, though one that comes at me needing a little aide from you." The affliction of his help more meant help from the RJG. It was all money she stood to use on either side, she figured letting it go to the side that held her city by the throat might lessen the grip on it. Further freedom was an enticing offer. " As you are likely aware Julgrava has called for a high tax on all in Cruinthe. Rather than loosing the money to him, I could have that money put in your coffers instead." Swirling the next green headed vegetable against the small porcelain plate before her. " I have been slow to give them the money, but I can only delay for so long. Out right refusal would require some assistance so I come out with a head still on my shoulders." The offer was simple, though she hardly thought if he said no that she couldn't be forced into giving up money. It was better her, than trying to tax it out of the still crippled city.
Guinevere Lyethe
|STR:25 V:25 AG:25 CH:25 ST:25 T:25 D:25 EN:25 P:25 K:25|
|500HP-76/125SM-313MP|
ojomIYnTThought Grasp: Failure |
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Post by Azuloth on Aug 16, 2015 11:42:34 GMT -5
"Lovely. We weren't planning on letting those tax collectors into the city to begin with. They'll be dealt with. Harshly. There will be no link to you of course. It will all appear to be Royal Justean Guard. You're a captive remember? Once you have deposited the amount with us, we'll begin our endeavor to take explore and take control of that ruin to the north. Perhaps we'll even be able to fix it."
He said picking up his tea. When he was finished he took a long sip. As far as he was concerned the hard business was done with. Killing a few of Julgrava's dogs would be no issue at all. He hardly thought it was worth mentioning it to her that they had planned on doing it in the first place. Of course, he was an honorable sort. He wasn't going to just screw with her and make her deal with some other trouble, she was going to freely give them the money.
Basically.
"Did you have other concerns?"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 14:46:58 GMT -5
During his small anecdote, Guinevere had reached for her own cup of tea. Nodding along where she felt it would be needed. Not to say she wasn't listening to his speech, she just didn't think that making her seem a captive was important. Maybe it was just continuing to believe the worst, in the worst people, but she didn't feel the label of 'captive' made much a difference if or when this city came back under the command of King Julgrava. Some still held her a traitor for keeping her head, a move any of the cowards under Julgrava might have done, and she didn't expect mercy for being a captive. Guinevere was likely going to high tail it out of Viktoria if trouble was on the wind. " That can be done very shortly." Speaking of the depositing of coin of course. Her interest was piqued in his project, not that she could go and fight off any invader in the area but reading any old left behind texts or any history left behind in such an old place. That was well within her range of acceptable sensibilities. " If you need any help with that project up north, I will be happy to help." Revealing her thoughts in a small way. Some small part of her did lust after adventure. " Yes, the next request I have is perhaps a deal you might be interested in." Or one could be drafted, maybe this was taking Kable's words too loosely, or giving him too much of a voice into this. " Kable's Caravan is asking for help in receiving goods from our southern neighbors, while limiting trade has it's own advantage in attrition. I believe you could stand to benefit from making some trading deals with him. High markup on goods means more money for the RJG." Her hands moved from the tea to Kable's letter. " If you wish to read the letter you may, it has some information about the unfortunate tax Karligar is enforcing over his lands. If that is something you are interested in." Otherwise it was something Guinevere was planning to deal with herself.
Guinevere Lyethe|STR:25 V:25 AG:25 CH:25 ST:25 T:25 D:25 EN:25 P:25 K:25| |500HP-75/125SM-313MP| 3p8FiVAyThought Grasp: Failure
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Post by Azuloth on Aug 25, 2015 17:10:05 GMT -5
"Mmmmm. Finally, a nobleman taking control of his land. Refreshing. Kable is a parasite it sounds. Traveling merchants. So hard to locate. Could be smuggling weapons for all we know. To us, to our enemies. No, we can't help him from here. Sounds like a problem for Helkorth, if it's a problem at all. I'll forward the letter. Not my jurisidiction."
The commander was done with everything. His meal and the meeting. He couldn't see any other need for this conversation to continue. Unless his charge needed something. Adrian could accommodate most requests. Not a hundred percent of them though. He was a warrior first, a true born Cruinthian warrior.
"Could I interest you in a break from the meeting? A longer leash perhaps?"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 19:00:24 GMT -5
" Well, not for him much longer." More muttering under her breath, Elkagr used in a reflex of not wanting him to really hear or understand what she was saying. She doubted it was that important, and if he wanted clarity someone could likely easily translate. " Yes?" Meaning that it would be a pleasant thing. After all she had been very good. Hadn't tried to do anything frustrating yet. Well, not to Pretty Boy here, though she assumed Adrian sometimes got a little sick of her dramatic and flared ways. But that was the life of a noble woman, and one prone to socializing and schmoozing where she found the chance to do so.
Guinevere Lyethe
|STR:25 V:25 AG:25 CH:25 ST:25 T:25 D:25 EN:25 P:25 K:25|
|500HP-124/125SM-313MP|
bo_O6oOAThought Grasp: Failure |
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Post by Azuloth on Aug 26, 2015 15:28:13 GMT -5
"So long as you go with Adrian, I don't care where you go. I don't want to lose track of my investor."
Valenstride smiled and gestured that they were dismissed. He had other matters to attend to. Like how to distribute the money that had just been invested in the cause. He would of course hoard it here under his command. Central didn't need to know where it went. Or if it even hit their books. That ruin was his. It was his and his alone.
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