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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 6, 2010 15:49:23 GMT -5
(Opening with Ashton Lewis Thornbury, his friend Cyrus and Baron Radnat Rathbone with accompanying NPCs) (This takes place about a week after the end of the Harvest Faire in Whitby in the fall of 656 under the city of Araluen)
Brother Ash was still healing up from the cuts he'd received at the hand of the mysterious third member at his father's tent during the faire.
It was now just a few days after the faire ended and Ash was trying to figure out his next move against his father without endangering his sisters.
He had found out from Cyrus during their meeting two nights ago that the third man was one Baron Radnat Rathbone from Gallica and that his father was doing business with the man, along with his undesirable brother-in-law, Duke Avignoned of Arendel.
Ash intended to take the Duke out of the picture just as soon as the man declared Ash’s elsdest newborn nephew his heir. He had received word this was so, but he was awaiting legal confirmation before acting. In the meantime he was working on the plan that would free his sister from the Duke’s clutches. The twins were not even two months old and already there were signs that he probably had gotten Arielle with child again. Her health was flagging a little under the strain. If the Duke were allowed to live, his sister would become the next in a long line of wives killed by the Duke in childbirth.
Ash found it amazing that with all the children the Duke had, all of his sons had died except the newest two born of his sister. He had plenty of daughters and each of them were going to want a piece of his estate so Ash had to make sure the succession was legal and binding to ensure Arielle was taken care of.
All of this was going through his mind as he rode to the rendezvous point to meet with this Baron and Cyrus. He had been angry with Cyrus at first, but after some consideration, he realized that the Baron’s offer was in the better interests of his childhood friend. Cyrus would never get out from under Ash’s father’s thumb otherwise. So he apologized to Cyrus and told him to accept the offer and wished him the best. They were working on the stable boy in his father’s house to keep Ash informed of what was going on. The boy was less than ideal, however, since he didn’t have the confidence of Ash’s father and could not read or write. Ash wasn’t so sure it was going to work out, but the lad had needed the extra revenue to work off his own debt.
Ash rode up to the little chapel of Saint Augustine in the heart of Araluen City and dismounted his fiery black horse. Stormy flapped her wings to keep her balance on his shoulder. He petted her neck soothingly and placed her on the saddle, leaving the reins looped over the horn. “Stand!” he ordered Raven and the horse nodded his head as if he understood and had decided to wait right there of his own accord. Raven nosed a white horse with black dapples, squealing and lashed out with a foreleg, getting aquainted with the other horse.
Ash straightened his white priest’s robes, adjusting the sword hidden in the back sheath by the cowl of his hood and stepped into the dimly lit chapel. It took him a moment to adjust his eyes, so he stepped to the basin of holy water and dipped his fingers in and crossed himself, bowing his head in prayer for a moment. When he could see, he looked around and spotted Cyrus in the door of an alcove off to the left on the sunnier side of the ancient stone building.
Ash walked forward, his booted feet with their chain spurs jangling with each step and several eyes followed his progress. Ash scowled, wishing they had picked a bit more private place. Still he didn’t recognize anyone so it was probably safe. Besides, who would suspect a priest in a chapel?
He stepped up beside Cyrus and said, “hello my friend.” He made the sign of the cross over Cyrus’s forhead and then they stepped into the alcove. Cyrus led him behind a pillar and pressed a nose on a carving of some shepherd in the stone. The nose pushed in and Ash heard a click and then a section of the stone wall slid open away from them and revealed a dark hole with stairs leading down. Ash smiled, the scene looked very similar to one he was infinitely familiar with. He followed Cyrus down a spiral stone staircase and into a moderately sized, brightly lit room that was furnished comfortably. A table was spread with some wine, cheese and wafers and in one of the cushioned armed chairs sat the man Ash had seen at his father’s tent in the fair, the man who had trounced him soundly with his sword. Ash nodded his head in greeting as he advanced into the room, pulling off his black riding gloves. He stood next to the table and surveyed the man before him as he picked up a piece of cheese.
“Good evening, Your Excellency. I would like to thank you for the kindness you have shown to my friend Cyrus here.” Ash said as he sat down across from the Baron, uninvited, as if he were his equal. He popped the cheese into his mouth nonchalantly and lay his gloves on the table. “I am sure you will treat him fairly and with respect as befits his station.” It was a statement, almost an implied threat, not a question.
Taking in every nuance of his advisory, Ash wondered just what this man wanted with him. Undoubtedly it had to do with his father, but Ash wasn’t sure what benefit he could be to a man like the one before him. He voiced his concerns. “While I appreciate you helping out my friend to get out of his debt, I am afraid I cannot fathom what you possibly could want with me.” He sat back and nibbled on a cracker.
Cyrus poured them all wine and stood beside Ash, waiting to be asked to be seated or to retreat. He looked a bit nervous, but not nearly so nervous as on his last meeting with the Baron.
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 6, 2010 17:03:49 GMT -5
“Good evening, Your Excellency. I would like to thank you for the kindness you have shown to my friend Cyrus here.” Ash said as he sat down across from the Baron, uninvited, as if he were his equal. He popped the cheese into his mouth nonchalantly and lay his gloves on the table. “I am sure you will treat him fairly and with respect as befits his station.” It was a statement, almost an implied threat, not a question.
The Barron gave a nod of courtesy to ash regarding his thanks "You are most welcome Ashton, as a man of the cloth you must be familiar with the words our Lord spoke about stewardship, there are many people and many things under my stewardship and I assure you, I take care of them all fervently. By the way I trust you are healed from our last encounter I do apologize for any discomfort I caused you.
The Barron was dressed in a dark burgundy robe with a black cloak and around his neck was a string of ebony beads at the end of which was a beautifully by simply carved ebony crucifix. It was also evident that he was not armed except with a silver dagger hung at his waist that was long, thin and formed a cross with all four ends ending in the same Florette design. An ebony staff with the same cross on top stood against the wall.
“While I appreciate you helping out my friend to get out of his debt, I am afraid I cannot fathom what you possibly could want with me.”
"That depends Ashton what do you want with yourself?" He said quietly, reasonably.
"You have a father that loathes you and is just about the most wicked man I know....and I have known my share. A sister who is in Sexual servitude to a gluttonous hog of a man that quite astounds me as to his longevity. You have cares and concerns for many around you of your fathers household that you fight a secret war for each day, what do you want? Whom do you rely on, who has your back? Now from your little escapade the other day I can see you are passionate, brave if a bit reckless, and a rather descent swordsman, all rather curious humors when considering your vocation. I can ascertain several things and project many others from this but I am curious, who is Ashton Lewis Thornbury, what moves him, what makes him the man he is?"
I had two purposes for this meeting, One that you realize that I am not your enemy, and two that I may suggest that many of our aspirations may run along very similar paths."
"If you were to trust me enough to enlighten me to your desires I might be able to offer you my aid or in other terms an alliance to help you reach them. I have these documents to give you to show my good faith. please take them with out fear of entanglement or reciprocity."
He hands Ash a document that when opened is recognized as a proclamation of emancipation of one Cyrus Everet.
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 6, 2010 21:05:58 GMT -5
Ash paid strict attention to not only every word the Baron said, but how he said it and his body language as well. As a scholar of human behavior, Ash found the Baron intriguing. He didn’t have much information about Rathbone and was trying to figure out just what the man’s game was.
“By the way I trust you are healed from our last encounter I do apologize for any discomfort I caused you.”
Ash shrugged, with only one shoulder, that movement of his other shoulder pulled on one of the wounds the Baron had inflicted. “Not completely, but I accept your apology. We both know you could have killed me had you wanted to. I trust you reached a favorable conclusion as to my swordsmanship, though I would have preferred a less painful test of my skill and I am certainly no match for you. You must have studied extensively to have reached that level of expertise.”
“While I appreciate you helping out my friend to get out of his debt, I am afraid I cannot fathom what you possibly could want with me.” Ash said.
"That depends Ashton what do you want with yourself?" He said quietly, reasonably.
Ash had not expected a straight answer, not this early in the game. He considered the question while the Baron continued with a few more all designed to glean information about Ash without giving up any information about himself, as far as Ash felt anyway.
"You have a father that loathes you and is just about the most wicked man I know....and I have known my share. A sister who is in Sexual servitude to a gluttonous hog of a man that quite astounds me as to his longevity. You have cares and concerns for many around you of your fathers household that you fight a secret war for each day, what do you want? Whom do you rely on, who has your back? Now from your little escapade the other day I can see you are passionate, brave if a bit reckless, and a rather descent swordsman, all rather curious humors when considering your vocation. I can ascertain several things and project many others from this but I am curious, who is Ashton Lewis Thornbury, what moves him, what makes him the man he is?
“Ah, so many questions you have about me and yet I know so little about you.” Ash countered. “I can tell that we have some common traits as I am sure you are already aware, but I am a simple man. My passion lies in my books and studies and my research on human behavior. My greatest desire is to form the largest library in the world full of all kinds of books, not just those approved as acceptable by the church,” he winked at the Baron, “Where people like myself can come and read them in peace and quiet. It is not a very lofty dream, I know, but that is what would make me happy.”
“Unfortunately there is too much evil in this world for me to sit idly by, reading to my heart’s content, as those who commit evil acts continue to prey on the innocent and helpless.” Ash continued, he absent-mindedly ran his long elegant fingers of his right hand over the midnight blue beads of his rosary hanging from his belt. “I believe that God has chosen me to be one of many of his servants to champion his light among the victims of those who do great evil. He puts a fire in my heart that does not allow me to rest for long before I must go out and do his bidding. Perhaps one day the evil in the world will be held at bay and then I will be able to retire to my library, or perhaps the cause will be taken up by someone younger when I am old and weary from the toil.”
Ash revealed a bit more about himself than he had intended, but he had not directly answered the Baron’s questions. He certainly couldn’t tell the Baron about his secret brothers whom he trusted more than any others in the world, nor of his true calling and vocation in the church. He didn’t want to give the Baron any information that the man could use against him, especially not when he knew so little about the Baron.
"I had two purposes for this meeting, One that you realize that I am not your enemy, and two that I may suggest that many of our aspirations may run along very similar paths." The Baron said.
“Truly?” Ash asked. “I have always been of the opinion that a friend of my father’s was my enemy. You are doing business with him, are you trying to tell me that you and he are not friends?” Ash looked at him skeptically. “And what might those aspirations be? What is it that you want, Baron? I am afraid that you have me at something of a disadvantage. I know so little about you. You seem to be fair and a decent fellow. If so, then why are you doing business with my father and the Duke?” Perhaps Ash could get some answers out of the Baron instead of giving up his own information. Ash figured that the Baron likely would not reveal a great deal about himself.
"If you were to trust me enough to enlighten me to your desires I might be able to offer you my aid or in other terms an alliance to help you reach them. I have these documents to give you to show my good faith. please take them with out fear of entanglement or reciprocity."
He hands Ash a document that when opened is recognized as a proclamation of emancipation of one Cyrus Everet.
“Just out of curiosity, what makes you think that I need your aid?” Ash countered again. “I am not in the habit of becoming beholding to any man, least of all an acquaintance of my father’s.”
Ash looked over the document for a full minute without saying a word. His mind was racing while he studied it. “No strings attached you say, none what-so-ever?” Ash handed the document to Cyrus. “I am glad of that, for the deal you made with Cyrus is between the two of you and it would be a waste of your time and efforts to think you could hold his freedom over my head. You seem to be a much more intelligent fellow than to stoop to that.” Ash ate another piece of cheese. “Still I fail to see how I can trust you when I do not know you. We both know that trust is built over time, based on ones actions. It is not an automatic or easy thing.”
Ash considered the Baron’s offer of aid and an alliance. “I might be tempted by an alliance, but I fail to see what tangible benefit to me you could bring.”
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 6, 2010 21:52:56 GMT -5
“Ah, so many questions you have about me and yet I know so little about you.” Ash countered. “I can tell that we have some common traits as I am sure you are already aware, but I am a simple man. My passion lies in my books and studies and my research on human behavior. My greatest desire is to form the largest library in the world full of all kinds of books, not just those approved as acceptable by the church,” he winked at the Baron, “Where people like myself can come and read them in peace and quiet. It is not a very lofty dream, I know, but that is what would make me happy.”
"OH I don't know Ashton, illuminating minds and purging the world of sin are in my mind some of the loftiest ideals and very much commanded of us by God himself. But your questions are fair, you suspicions valid. Ask of me what you will and I will answer you as openly as possible."
“I have always been of the opinion that a friend of my father’s was my enemy. You are doing business with him, are you trying to tell me that you and he are not friends?” Ash looked at him skeptically. “And what might those aspirations be? What is it that you want, Baron? I am afraid that you have me at something of a disadvantage. I know so little about you. You seem to be fair and a decent fellow. If so, then why are you doing business with my father and the Duke?”
"Do you always and only do buisiness with your freinds? I would think not, since your buisiness is that of saving the world from sin and darkness. Why would you look among the good and familiar rather than the sinful and depraved? Even Christ himself said that the healthy were not in need of the physician?
Is your Father my freind...No, emphatically not we just have common buisiness at times.
My Aspirations are many and diverse, it comes with the rank and privalage of my position, but I too desire to make this a better world and use my influence to try and bring that about as I understand it. I do believe God calls men for many purposes as is said in the good book I believe that leadership is one of them and is my particular gift. One can not lead without power or should I say influence, nor can it be ill funded and if God owns the catle on a thousand hills and sees fit for me to tend them in order to lead his people so be it. Why do I do buisness with your father? He has what I want and in order for me to follow my path. But my motives do not have to be his even though our trade in the same merchandise. One can use a sword to enslave men or to liberate them, it is not the sword that is evil or good but the hand that weilds it don't you agree?
Ash looked over the document for a full minute without saying a word. His mind was racing while he studied it. “No strings attached you say, none what-so-ever?” Ash handed the document to Cyrus. “I am glad of that, for the deal you made with Cyrus is between the two of you and it would be a waste of your time and efforts to think you could hold his freedom over my head. You seem to be a much more intelligent fellow than to stoop to that.” Ash ate another piece of cheese. “Still I fail to see how I can trust you when I do not know you. We both know that trust is built over time, based on ones actions. It is not an automatic or easy thing.”
" I made a covenant with your freind Cyrus to introduce us and he has upheld his part of the bargain thus far. I give that document to you as a token, so that while Cyrus upholds his service to me he will know that I have kept my word.
You will find I am a man of my word Ashton and my words are not wonton, each word I speak is a carefully selected Oath, I let my yes be yes and my no be no.
I hold nothing over your head, if I ask for anything I will not shroud it in mystery or veil the truth. If you decide of your own volition to give it, you will do so freely. As you said trust is earned but every journey has a starting step.
I have made mine what will yours be?
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 7, 2010 23:16:01 GMT -5
“Is your Father my friend...No, emphatically not we just have common business at times.” The Baron said.
Ash considered his words. He didn’t know of any truly legitimate business that his father conducted, therefore it seemed to him that any business that the Baron was doing with him was likely not on the up-and-up. This brought up another question; how could the Baron be a Baron and also be a priest? Usually, at least in Araluen and as far as Ash knew, when one joined the church, one gave up secular titles. Was the Baron leading a double life just as Ash was? If so, perhaps they had a lot more in common than Ash had originally surmised. The realization made him uncomfortable.
“Why do I do business with your father? He has what I want and in order for me to follow my path. But my motives do not have to be his even though our trade in the same merchandise. One can use a sword to enslave men or to liberate them, it is not the sword that is evil or good but the hand that wields it don't you agree?”
“In most cases,” Ash conceded, though he had run across a knife one time that had been used for human sacrifice and the touch of the pommel in his hand had sent shivers of revulsion through him. He had felt that the knife itself was evil, but then it could have been his imagination.
As to the trade in merchandise, Ash knew that his father’s main business was dealing in weapons and outfitting armies and mercenary groups. He was fairly certain his father had supplied weapons to the Scotti that were used against Araluen soldiers as well as to the Grizzlies right before the war broke out last year. He had no proof of course and therein lay his problem. The Baron might be able to provide that proof, but Ash wasn’t terribly interested in it anyway. His father would not go before a traditional judge and jury. No, Ash had other plans when the time came.
“You will find I am a man of my word Ashton and my words are not wonton, each word I speak is a carefully selected Oath, I let my yes be yes and my no be no.” The Baron continued.
That Ash believed. He could tell the Baron was very careful in the use of language and that he thought out every word and phrase and all of its possible meanings. Would the Baron lie to suit his own ends? Possibly, but something told Ash that he would not, he would just twist his words cleverly to get what he wanted out of Ash or anyone else he encountered.
Still the Baron had not told Ash much about his motives. He had expertly danced around the meat of the subject as any good politician was adept at doing. Ash laughed and grabbed another bit of cheese. “You are very good, my friend.” He chuckled. “You talk smoothly and everything you say makes perfect sense, and yet you really have not told me much of anything at all.” Ash looked the Baron straight in the eye, all signs of mirth now gone. “I still haven’t heard what it is you expect me to help you with. I hear that you feel you can assist me and I must confess that I can see where you may be able to manipulate my father into doing certain things, but I do not really need a partner and I wonder just what you want from me.
“I hold nothing over your head, if I ask for anything I will not shroud it in mystery or veil the truth. If you decide of your own volition to give it, you will do so freely. As you said trust is earned but every journey has a starting step.
I have made mine what will yours be?” The Baron asked.
Ash tapped his fingers on the table for a moment, still studying Rathbone. He had a myriad of questions but he was loath to let the Baron know of his curiosities. He was trying to figure out how an alliance with this man could backfire on him and cause conflict with his own mission and his sworn oaths to his Brothers. “…a starting step…” Ash repeated the Baron’s words. “Yes, all relationships must begin someplace.” Ash picked up the emancipation paper again and glanced at it. He looked up at Cyrus hovering over them and handed him the paper agan.
“Do sit down, Cyrus” Ash glanced at the Baron and raise and eyebrow, “unless the Baron objects?” Ash turned back to Cyrus. “You have always been my friend and staunchest supporter and I have always thought of us as equals. I hate to see you standing there like a servant. Join us.”
Cyrus hesitated just a moment, and resisted the urge to glance at the Baron for approval before he sat and began to read the document in his hands. It was his freedom, bought with a year of his service that he still had to pay. He turned to Ash with a pleading look in his eye, though he didn’t voice his plea, he wanted to say, ‘please don’t mess this up for me.’
Ash caught the look and it wasn’t lost on him. He decided to take the Baron up on his offer. “I was curious, what order are you in? I am sure Cyrus has already told you that I am a Benedictine.” The Order of the Benedictines was a rather harsh order when it came to creature comforts. Their rooms were sparse, the food scarce and the prayers strictly adhered to. The fact that Ash was able to get out of the monastery on a regular basis was remarkable and a testament to his own manipulative skills. The fact he had some rather interesting knowledge about some members of his order in key positions could have something to do with his apparent freedom.
Ash was not familiar with the darkly rich robes the Baron was wearing, however, and intended to do some research of his own on the Baron and his Order at his earliest convenience. He pondered for a moment and then asked another question that was close to his heart, though it took him a bit to get to the question.
“You asked me what makes me tick, what my desires are and I already told you what I want for myself, but it is common knowledge that I want my sisters to have a life they deserve in the nobility where they do not have to toil to survive, nor where they are enslaved to a pig of a husband such as that lecherous, base, brother-in-law of mine.” Ash’s face clouded in anger at Duke Avingnon’s treatment of his sister. “That situation will be remedied very soon and with the right application of force, Arielle will be fine. However I need to keep track of what is going on in my father’s household right now and in particular what he is doing with Anya. Cyrus has been instrumental in that.” Ash finally rolled around to his question, “Are you intending to leave Cyrus in place in my father’s house for a while, or are you taking him overseas with you?”
“Just to be sure I am clear, what you are proposing is an alliance between equals, with no strings attached. We would offer each other’s talents to help the other as requested and if mutually agreeable?” Ash also was a man who chose his words carefully.
He was impressed with the Baron’s intellect. There were very few men that could impress Ash with their brains, especially when one knew that Ash considered himself smarter than pretty much all other men, thus the source of his arrogance and impatience with the human race in general. The Baron fascinated him. He seemed to be a walking contradiction. Ash wanted to pull out his journal and do a profile and character sketch right there in front of the Baron, but he resisted the urge. Ash also could tell that he was going to have to tread very, very carefully with the Baron, or he would become ensnared in the man’s net.
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 8, 2010 0:07:23 GMT -5
“Do sit down, Cyrus” Ash glanced at the Baron and raise and eyebrow, “unless the Baron objects?” Ash turned back to Cyrus. “You have always been my friend and staunchest supporter and I have always thought of us as equals. I hate to see you standing there like a servant. Join us.”
The Barron nodded his acquiescence. "Not that you need my permission or approval, does it not say in proverbs that a man of skill can stand before kings? He works for me he is not my slave and most importantly he is a child of God. Social structures not withstanding the proprieties I am not bothered by it."
“I was curious, what order are you in? I am sure Cyrus has already told you that I am a Benedictine.”
"No, actually he did not, it was your father that told me, albeit rather contemptuously, of your affiliations. The Benedictines are pious and devout men of God with noble aspirations. I am of the Order of the Baton Noir it is a brotherhood established originally in Toskano but was reformed in Gaulica and is specifically focused on the preparation for Godly leadership. It enforces the values of wisdom, knowledge and justice. and prepares its initiates to benevolently rule and manage the powers and principalities that we feel God has entrusted us with."
“You asked me what makes me tick, what my desires are and I already told you what I want for myself, but it is common knowledge that I want my sisters to have a life they deserve in the nobility where they do not have to toil to survive, nor where they are enslaved to a pig of a husband such as that lecherous, base, brother-in-law of mine.” Ash’s face clouded in anger at Duke Avingnon’s treatment of his sister. “That situation will be remedied very soon and with the right application of force, Arielle will be fine."
"I agree with you and I don't believe it would be very difficult to achieve by either of us...and?...." said the Baron evenly
However I need to keep track of what is going on in my father’s household right now and in particular what he is doing with Anya. Cyrus has been instrumental in that.” Ash finally rolled around to his question, “Are you intending to leave Cyrus in place in my father’s house for a while, or are you taking him overseas with you?”
Actually that is part of the arrangements I wanted to discuss with you after we solidified our relationship and formulated our goals but be relieved in knowing that if you wished that to be the case and Cyrus himself agreed to subject himself to the danger of the position, I would agree, however think about Cyrus's position. I would offer an alternative solution, I have had a recent vacancy in my staff here in Araluen, my Villa which is very close to your father's for business purposes is in need of an overseer and I need someone to handle my affairs here in my absence. it would be a significant raise in position and salary and not without it's dangers, but Cyrus could have his fingers on the pulse of the Thornbury estate without being subject to your father's whims. and it will alter Cyrus's arrangements completely."
But I believe we are putting the proverbial car before it's horse are we not?
“Just to be sure I am clear, what you are proposing is an alliance between equals, with no strings attached. We would offer each other’s talents to help the other as requested and if mutually agreeable?”
"Yes, Ashton that is what I am proposing."
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 8, 2010 13:29:12 GMT -5
“I was curious, what order are you in? I am sure Cyrus has already told you that I am a Benedictine.” Ash asked.
"No, actually he did not, it was your father that told me, albeit rather contemptuously, of your affiliations. The Benedictines are pious and devout men of God with noble aspirations. I am of the Order of the Baton Noir it is a brotherhood established originally in Toskano but was reformed in Gaulica and is specifically focused on the preparation for Godly leadership. It enforces the values of wisdom, knowledge and justice. and prepares its initiates to benevolently rule and manage the powers and principalities that we feel God has entrusted us with."
“How very intriguing.” Ash replied. “I would be very interested in studying your cannons, if of course it is not a violation of your Order’s rules to share such information.” Another of his past times was studying the various orders and their differences. He had never heard of the Order of the Baton Noir, which was not surprising since he had had little opportunity to study non-Araluen religious orders. The chance to learn about this mysterious order was quite a temptation.
“Are you intending to leave Cyrus in place in my father’s house for a while, or are you taking him overseas with you?” Ash asked.
Actually that is part of the arrangements I wanted to discuss with you after we solidified our relationship and formulated our goals but be relieved in knowing that if you wished that to be the case and Cyrus himself agreed to subject himself to the danger of the position, I would agree, however think about Cyrus's position. I would offer an alternative solution, I have had a recent vacancy in my staff here in Araluen, my Villa which is very close to your father's for business purposes is in need of an overseer and I need someone to handle my affairs here in my absence. it would be a significant raise in position and salary and not without its dangers, but Cyrus could have his fingers on the pulse of the Thornbury estate without being subject to your father's whims. and it will alter Cyrus's arrangements completely." The Baron replied.
Ash and Cyrus exchanged a long look, the gleam in Cyrus’s eye at the proposal unmistakable. Ash’s face was unreadable however.
“I know you want me to keep tabs on your father, Ash, but you also know that he is becoming more unstable with every blow you deal to his finances. Since your little meeting at the faire, he has discovered that you were behind a great many of his deals gone awry and he has been in a right foul mood.
“Really?” Ash chuckled. “Good…Although that must make it even worse on you and Anyia and the others in the house.” His gloating was short-lived as he realized that he was likely causing innocent people undue pain, albeit indirectly.
“I take it you would like to take the Baron up on his offer?” Cyrus nodded in answer to Ash’s question. Ash thought about the advantages and disadvantages, but in the end what really mattered to him was that his friend’s lot in life appeared to be taking a turn for the better. Thanks to the Baron. Would he hold that over Ash as some future date? Ash looked at the Baron sitting there so calmly and serene. The man was definitely hiding something – many things quite likely, but then so was Ash. It was uncanny how much alike they appeared on the surface. Again the thought made Ash uncomfortable.
But I believe we are putting the proverbial car before its horse are we not?” The Baron asked.
“Just to be sure I am clear, what you are proposing is an alliance between equals, with no strings attached. We would offer each other’s talents to help the other as requested and if mutually agreeable?”
"Yes, Ashton that is what I am proposing." The Baron answered.
Ash returned to the line of thought concerning Cyrus now that he had reached a decision. He had a feeling his Brethren were not going to like it, but he would deal with that when the time came.
“If that is your wish, then I won’t stand in your way.” Ash told Cyrus. “The details are for the two of you to work out.” He said to the Baron.
“Perhaps we can give this arrangement a test run, see how things work out.” Ash said thoughtfully to the Baron. “I would be interested in hearing what your goals are, as you mentioned a bit ago.” Ash picked out another phrase the Baron had casually uttered, “exactly what do you mean by ‘solidify our relationship’? I don’t believe we need any documents to govern us, do you? We are both men of our word and that should suffice?” Ash wasn’t about to sign any documents, even if he couldn’t find anything wrong with them. Documents were traceable and he didn’t want to have any links to his father that the authorities might use against him.
He was wary of the Baron, however. He didn’t trust him, but he could read people and he had gleaned a great deal about the Baron’s character from this conversation. He could trust the Baron to act within his nature and for now that was enough to work with.
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 8, 2010 13:56:02 GMT -5
“If that is your wish, then I won’t stand in your way.” Ash told Cyrus. “The details are for the two of you to work out.” He said to the Baron.
“Perhaps we can give this arrangement a test run, see how things work out.” Ash said thoughtfully to the Baron. “I would be interested in hearing what your goals are, as you mentioned a bit ago.” Ash picked out another phrase the Baron had casually uttered, “exactly what do you mean by ‘solidify our relationship’? I don’t believe we need any documents to govern us, do you? We are both men of our word and that should suffice?”
All in good time Ashton, as far as solidification goes, your word is sufficient for me, I would not bind you to any agreement at this point nor would I fore swear myself without our testing the waters so to speak however, I will work out with Cyrus his new avenue of gainful employ. It may feel strange to you Cyrus to work for wages as a free man, but I assure you you will get used to it! As far as you and I Brother Ashton, feel free to arrange a meeting with me at anytime through our mutual friend. I do not foresee my returning to Gualica before the Spring and will be making preparations to travel to Norgate for the festival. I have procured a rather elegant cabin or so I am told, at least by comparison to most in that remote location, there will be more than enough room if you choose to visit the event, please come as my guest. Your father, as you know will be staying in the palace, so you will not be harried by his presence and it may give us time to "Get to know each other better man" he snickered as he did when quoting literature.
"As to the tenants of my order, I am afraid it is a closed bretheran and only those fully dedicated can view it in it's entirety. One must be sponsored to become a supplicant which could be arranged, however, I do think we are again at the positioning of horse and cart."
He rose from the cushioned chair and took up his staff, then he bowed to Ash and Cyrus.
"I will take my leave now, please let me know of your decision Ashton and I will see you Cyrus as soon as you wish to get started, we have much work to do before Yule mas and my departure for the North."
With this he left out the main door of the chapel and mounted a large white horse with black dappling and fine black tack.
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 8, 2010 22:24:12 GMT -5
Ash stood as well, picking up his gloves with his left hand, “I will be at the Winter festival. I am hoping Arielle will be able to travel by then and be there with her sons so that I may meet them, so I may take you up on your kind offer. I would like to get to know you better.” Ash wasn’t interested in making friends, but the Baron fascinated him and Ash was a scholar of human behavior. He really wanted to know what the man’s motives were and what made him tick.
Ash debated for a moment and then decided to give up another nugget of information. “Might I suggest that if you have any unfinished business with Duke Avingoned you wrap it up? I fear that God may be calling him soon to atone for his sins.” Ash figured he would give the warning to the Baron, call it an act of good faith as well as a test. Ash was curious to see how the Baron would utilize the bit of information especially since Ash just all but admitted outright that he was planning to kill the Duke. If Rathbone was inclined to betray him, this would be the perfect opportunity.
"As to the tenants of my order, I am afraid it is a closed brethren and only those fully dedicated can view it in its entirety. One must be sponsored to become a supplicant which could be arranged, however, I do think we are again at the positioning of horse and cart."
Ash’s face fell at this. “That is too bad.” He said wistfully. “Oh I do not wish to switch Orders. I have some distinct – benefits in my current location. No, I am just curious about other Orders beliefs and the variations and similarities between different Orders. Call it a hobby of mine.”
Cyrus nodded in answer to the Baron’s comment, wanting to get started right away. He carefully folded the document declaring him a free man and placed it into a scroll tube from his satchel. Then he placed it in his tunic front, next to his heart rather than in the satchel with a half dozen other scroll cases.
Ash finished pulling on his riding gloves and shook the Baron’s hand. “I rather enjoyed this meeting,” he said. “I have a feeling this will be a very … ah … illuminating.... arrangement.” Ash gave the Baron one of his rare smiles, though his eyes were still cold and calculating. But for Ash, that was normally as much of a smile as anyone besides his sisters got.
Ash waited five minutes after the Baron left, picking Cyrus for information about the man and then he too exited the way he came in, noticing that the white horse with black dappling was now gone from the front of the chapel. Raven glared at Ash out of the corner of his eye as the priest approached. Ash mounted, ever on the alert for a swipe of Raven’s teeth, and rode back toward his monastery on the outskirts of Araluen City. He had much to think about and decide what he was going to tell his Brethren about his latest venture. He had a feeling at least one of them was not going to like the arrangement he had just made with the Baron, but he would tell them none-the-less. He formulated his arguments on the ride back to St. Benedict’s. Tonight, after Vigils Ash would make his way to The Temple and fill in his Brothers.
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 8, 2010 23:28:18 GMT -5
Ash debated for a moment and then decided to give up another nugget of information. “Might I suggest that if you have any unfinished business with Duke Avingnoned you wrap it up? I fear that God may be calling him soon to atone for his sins.”
"Heh Heh Heh," The Baron snickered as he held out his hand to shake, "God works in mysterious ways my freind!.....and sometimes he is very strait forward!" He said with a grin.
"I have nothing to do with the elderly boar and I am sure that there won't be many weeping at that wake."
Then the Baron mentioned his order.
Ash’s face fell at this. “That is too bad.” He said wistfully. “Oh I do not wish to switch Orders. I have some distinct – benefits in my current location. No, I am just curious about other Orders beliefs and the variations and similarities between different Orders. Call it a hobby of mine.”
"Well, take heart brother, there are many things we may enlighten each other to once we establish mutual trust, as I said, none are allowed to view the canon in it's entirety....but again, all in good time."
Ash finished pulling on his riding gloves and shook the Baron’s hand. “I rather enjoyed this meeting,” he said. “I have a feeling this will be a very … ah … illuminating.... arrangement.”
'Hah! I do believe you are correct young man! Do be careful in your future endeavors," Then in a conspiratorial whisper he put his head close to Ash's face and said I don't know if you were aware of the fact that some boars are deathly allergic to...Hazelnuts, of all things, oh and mind the guard with the patch over his left eye he is a deadly knife thrower...." then back in a normal voice, "Farewell my Friends Godspeed to you both!"
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 10, 2010 13:30:55 GMT -5
The hour was quite late, sometime between vespers and matins. Ash had waited until nearly all of the brothers in the monastery were asleep. Some seemed to never sleep, but Ash easily avoided them.
He slipped out of the dormitory in which he was one of the few with his own, rather ample-sized room which was furnished a bit less sparsely than the majority of his brothers, and down to the small chapel that was available for them to pray in when not involved in other organized activity. Ash slipped past like a ghost in his white robes and soft midnight blue leather boots. He entered the courtyard by a side door and froze for a moment, assessing his environment. A glance to the walls above did not reveal any watchers, but just in case, he stepped out from the building and strode purposefully toward the privy.
In short order he was outside the monastery walls through a little used side gate behind the gardens. He doubted anyone had seen him, but he would need to be back inside by the first bell for Matins which was close to 3 am so that he could be seen with all of the others at prayer.
Quickly he pulled off his white robes and stuffed them under a bush in a dark corner where the wall jutted out into the street. Under the robes he was wearing all blue, his normal nobleman’s attire. He had his katana strapped to his back, hanging low so the hilt would be covered when he donned his robes again.
Swiftly he ran through the nearly silent streets to the location of his rendezvous. Ash entered the building at street level and then descended to the cozy apartments below ground he knew as The Temple. The other three were already waiting for him.
“Sorry for the delay, but I was unable to get away unnoticed earlier.” He said, pulling off his gloves and dropping into the empty, cushioned arm chair, adjusting his katana as he did so. “I have had a very interesting evening, however and I must tell you about it, my Brothers.” Ash’s eyes gleamed as he looked at the other three in turn, trying to assess their mood.
These men were his closest confidants. They knew pretty much everything about him. They were comrades in arms as well as close friends. He trusted each of them completely for they knew his darkest secrets just as he knew theirs. He hoped they would not be upset by the decision he made today.
“I wonder, do any of you know of a man called Baron Falastir R. Rathbone from Gallica, here as a guest of King Duncan?” Ash asked, pouring himself a glass of wine from the decanter on the low table between them.
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Post by Tandar on Jan 13, 2011 16:24:55 GMT -5
Hidden deep within the heart of the city, the Temple was once an abandoned mine, but since its renovation by the Triad of Four, it served as a hideout and headquarters for the group. Gill, Murphy, and Rip were sitting in the common room when Ashton arrived. Gill looked up from a stack of parchment he was reading and smiled.
“Hey, Brother Ash.”
Rip, who had been slouching in an armchair, attempting to pick a large, iron padlock with a quill, sat up straighter in his seat as Ashton began to relate his interesting evening. “Rathbone? I’ve only heard a few things about him.” Setting the lock and quill aside, Rip walked over to a bookcase and retrieved a small, leather bound volume. He returned to the armchair and flipped through the pages.
“I have no idea what his business in Araluen is, but the word on the street is that he’s going to the winter celebration in Norgate.” Rip finally settled on a page and his eyes flicked back and forth as he quickly scanned it. “Apparently Rathbone is also a priest, though of what order, I couldn’t say. Get this: He is originally from Araluen, but fled to Gallica after his father was executed for undermining the court. He has also had formal military training, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary. I’m not sure why, but Rathbone isn’t exactly popular with the Gallican people. The last thing I have on him is his coat of arms.”
Rip passed the open book around to let his brothers see the simple sketch of a two-headed eagle. “How do you know he is Duncan’s guest?” he asked Ashton.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 17, 2011 22:36:45 GMT -5
“I have no idea what his business in Araluen is, but the word on the street is that he’s going to the winter celebration in Norgate.” Rip said.
“That he is and I have been invited to stay with him there during the revel. I haven’t decided if I am going to or not though.” Ash said as he picked up a pack of grapes from the bowl of fruit. He wondered who had managed to import out of season fruit and where they got it from. “There are advantages and possibly some disadvantages to taking him up on his offer. I want to avoid becoming indebted to him.” Ash wondered if he may already be starting down that path with the whole matter of Cyrus’s freedom.
“Apparently Rathbone is also a priest, though of what order, I couldn’t say.” Rip continued looking through the book. Ash wondered how it was that the Baron was even recorded in an Araluen history. He thought the man was from Gallica, not Araluen.
“I can, he said he was in the Order of the Baton Noir.” Ash told his brothers. “Apparently they focus on preparing their brothers for “Godly leadership’, whatever that means exactly I am not sure.” Ash said thoughtfully, trying to remember if he had ever read anything about the Order. “They enforce the values of wisdom, knowledge and justice and prepare their initiates to; and I quote: ‘benevolently rule and manage the powers and principalities God has entrusted them with’. Again I am not certain of what that means exactly, but it sounds to me almost as if they are working toward taking over and ruling certain countries.” Ash wasn’t all that sure and hadn’t really had time to sort out exactly what the Baron had meant, but his initial reaction was that they were priests that liked to meddle in the affairs of politics and influence leaders in key spots in government. Ash was intrigued by the idea and didn’t think it would be an altogether bad thing, though he could see the potential for abuse. There were many in ‘The Church’ that already abused their power, little though it was.
“I asked to see his tenants, but he said that only initiates were allowed to view them in their entirety. I got the feeling though, that he might share bits and pieces of them – probably just enough to keep me interested, like dangling a carrot under a rabbit’s nose.” Ash shook his head. “I think he may try to recruit me for his order. After our conversation earlier tonight I get the sense that he is making plans on how I can be useful to him.” Ash looked solemnly at the other three. “I must admit I find him quite fascinating. I am going to have to be very careful and wary of his ‘assistance’, I can see that.”
Rip shared some more information from his book. “Get this: He is originally from Araluen, but fled to Gallica after his father was executed for undermining the court. He has also had formal military training, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Really? Interesting,” Ash looked thoughtful again. “I would say his military training is quite good, from what I have seen. I can definitely say he is an expert swordsman, as you all know from my first encounter with him.” Ash still wasn’t healed up completely. “He is good enough that if he had wanted to kill me, he would have succeeded.” Ash still felt bad that the Baron had bested him so easily. Sure, the sword or katana wasn’t his first weapon of choice, preferring the garrote instead for most of his operations when he went out as ‘Alex Carpenter’, but he was no slouch with a sword either. In fact Ash was quite good and the fact that the Baron had sliced him up so effortlessly bothered Ash immensely. Of course there always was someone that knew more or had more talent than you, but when you are used to being one of the best it was disconcerting to say the least.
“I’m not sure why, but Rathbone isn’t exactly popular with the Gallican people.” Rip said.
“What makes you say that?” Ash asked him, not having heard that himself. “The men in his service seem to think he is harsh but fair. Cyrus knows him a bit better than I, and he said that the Baron’s men are very loyal to him. I suppose that could be out of fear though, possibly, not out of any love they have for him. I wonder what he did that would set the Gallican people against him.”
“The last thing I have on him is his coat of arms.” Rip passed the open book around to let his brothers see the simple sketch of a two-headed eagle.
“Yep, that is it. His men were wearing that device back there at the faire when I went to visit my father.” Ash nodded, glancing at the coat of arms. “I wonder if he took up his father’s or if that is his own coat of arms or a combination of his mother’s and fathers. He was wearing priest robes though when I met with him tonight.”
“How do you know he is Duncan’s guest?” Rip asked Ashton.
Ash shrugged, “You know, I am not exactly sure that he is, now that you question me on it. He never said he was Duncan’s guest, but Cyrus had said something about it a couple weeks ago. Apparently it was some comment my father made about the Baron that Cy overheard. It could have been taken out of context.” Ash wracked his memory, but couldn’t quite remember all the details of that conversation with Cyrus. “Seems strange he would be a guest of Duncan if Fallister’s father was a traitor to the Araluen Crown.”
Ash glanced at the hourglass on the table by the wine that he had flipped over upon his arrival. He was going to have to get back soon. The restrictions placed on him by the Order grated on his nerves, but he had better not risk missing the next bell back in the monastery. Too much was at stake and he was too close to humiliating his father to get caught now and have all his freedom taken away.
“I don’t know if Rathbone is an evil person or not. He seemed quite charming, but we all know that personalities can be manufactured and we have to judge him by his actions.” Ash mused. “I just thought that if he is up to something I could keep a closer eye on him if I go along with what he wants – up to a point.” Ash wasn’t sure if he was trying to justify his deal with the Baron to his brothers in the Triad, or if it was actually to convince himself that he was doing the right thing. “If he is up to something, and being associated with my father makes him suspect in my book, then I should be able to find out what it is if I go along with him.” Ash hoped that made sense. “Do any of you object to my ‘working’ for him?” He hoped they didn’t. It would be hard to turn the Baron down now, but he would if that is what his Brothers decided.
“When I let slip the suggestion that my despicable brother-in-law, Duke Avignoned, was going to be executed he didn’t seem all that surprised or upset about it. He even warned me about the Duke’s bodyguard and that the Duke was allergic to hazelnuts.” Ash thought back to the Baron’s rather surprising reaction. “In fact, I get the distinct impression he wants me to eliminate not only Avignoned, but my father as well. I do wish I could find out exactly what business dealings he is doing with my father though.” Ash sighed and downed the last of the wine, popped a large chunk of cheese in his mouth and stretched. “I suppose I should head back soon.” He said regretfully. He was comfortable here. He could be himself here and he missed the company of his friends when he had to return to the monastery where he kept everyone there at arm’s length. He made no further move to get out of the comfortable chair.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 18, 2011 14:02:01 GMT -5
He enjoyed his brother’s company for a few minutes and then sighed and slowly stood up, looking at the chair regretfully. “I do wish my order was not so harsh in the area of creature comforts.” He grinned at the others. “Duty calls. I will keep you posted on how things go with this Baron.”
He put on his gloves and started for the stairs. “Don’t forget, we need to work out the details for our mission at the Winter Revel. As soon as I get the information on where my father’s meeting is and when, I will pass it along and we can start planning. One thing, though, if Rathbone is in attendance, he is off-limits, as is my father, correct? I have special plans for dear old Dad.” Ash looked at each of them in turn, “And Avignoned is mine.”
“I hear Cardinal Winlow and the Araluen hospital director, Fistan Dobarton, are planning to attend Father’s meeting. I am certain both of them are guilty of a vast array of crimes, but proving it has been difficult. Winlow, as you know, is very high up in my Order and as a Benedictine Cardinal, he has managed to build up quite a few layers of protection around him. I am not sure what information I am going to have tying him to the crimes I know he is directing by the Revel, so we might have to wait on his trial and punishment. Fistan is a bit more slippery than Winlow however and I could use some help in digging up more dirt on him. I suspect he has been importing illegal goods and using the hospital as a front to launder them and move them out into the Kingdom. Exactly what goods, I have yet to discover and I have no proof of his direct involvement. All I am going by is some rumors that I gathered here and there.”
Ash rubbed his chin with his gloved hand, “There are supposed to be some others at the Revel in the meeting but I am still trying to find out who and what their roles are. Anyway, if they are doing business with my father, and attending this supposedly secret meeting, then they have got to have their fingers in the pot and there is bound to be evidence someplace. Be diligent, my Brothers, we are going to have to work hard to bring this circle of evil to justice and righteousness.” He winked at them and then bounded up the stairs and disappeared into the darkness.
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Post by Brandwyn on Feb 20, 2012 8:50:57 GMT -5
(jumping ahead to the Winter Revel:)
*** RATHBONE *** POSTED BY RINGULF ON "WINTER REVEL" ***
A large black sleigh sliced through the frosty air over a moderately deep cushion of new fallen snow.
The sleigh was pulled by a team of large white and draft type horses with black dappling. Three passengers rested comfortably in the seats, a large,powerful man dressed in black bear fur with a matching hat and a beautiful woman curled up on the bench next to him reclining on his lap. Across from him was a middle aged man in a thick woolen tunic and cloak. He seemed a bit nervous or at least unfamiliar with this particular mode of travel and in all honesty was included along with the sleigh's driver in a party he was just beginning to get any familiarity with.
The sleigh came over a ridge and and as it did it's occupants could see a town stretched out before it and a castle looming beyond it.
"Splendid it seems as if we are nearing our destination, Driver stop at the first tavern you see and inquire about the location of the Amberbright Chalet."
"Very good your excellency I shall do so at once." The driver replied.
"I hope you have selected a proper lodging for us Cyrus, I expect to be entertaining as well as having some other guests." The Barron said.
"I have been very pleased with your performance so far, so it will not be a surprise to me to find exactly what I am expecting."
The fur clad redhead squirmed in his lap and he looked down and chuckled as Maureena tickled him suggestively beneath the fur throw that covered them.
"Patience My Dear we will soon be before a fire warming ourselves with glasses of buttered rum and some cakes!" The Barron looked down lasciviously at his concubine.
After a brief stop in Norgate village and getting directions to the chalet they pulled up to a large set of gates that opened on a large circular driveway. The apex of the circle was the beautiful a framed cabin with many smaller steep roofs in and around it making what almost looked like a forest of evergreen tree shapes as an architectural theme. in the front the main doors were covered by a large portico that shielded the driveway and let carriages or in this season sleighs drop off their passengers under its roof out of the elements.
The Barron, Maureena and Cyrus exited the sled and the driver along with several pages removed their luggage and ushered them into the cabin.
The building was sumptuous and opulent but with a very woodsy charm. The center of the room was taken up with a large circular fire pit that had a hammered copper umbrella like flu that found it's way out of the high peaked roof. many doors opened to other rooms and other high peaked roofs. And the staff were lined up to greet Barron Rathbone.
A small man came to the party and bowed in welcome the Barron made some requests and they were shown up to his room.
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