Baron Opal
First Post
Of course, you vetted Aunt Cecelia to ensure that she wasn't barking mad before she started giving out orders for summary executions...
I think I missed a part somewhere.
I think I missed a part somewhere.
Aphonion Tales (New posts 6/13, 6/15, 6/19)
- Thread starter Cerebral Paladin
- Start date
Cerebral Paladin
First Post
To the Baron: It's true, checking would have been a good thing to do. I think we mostly relied on what we had been told by the Skree and on the fact that she clearly had been able to defeat the assassin sent after her. As you'll see in a moment, her judgment was validated rather quickly. (I'm not sure that we had been planning for her to hand out summary execution orders, as opposed to identifying people for further investigation. She just did.)
Re: the disjointedness: that's partly a result of my efforts to reproduce a rather frenetic session. We had the feeling at this point of being totally overwhelmed with all the fires we had to put out, running from one to another at a breakneck pace. I may have also chosen less than ideal break points.
And now...
------
The man she gestured at leapt forward and a set of darts arched out from his elbows at Princess Cecilia. One of the guards reacted almost instantly, flinging himself in front of the princess. The darts embedded themselves in the guard; he twitched momentarily, and then his entire body dissolved into goo. Several other guards and one of the bone devils were killed bringing down the skaven assassin.
Alistair looked at the disintegrated guard. "For the rest of these, maybe you could be a little bit more subtle about pointing them out, Aunt Cecilia. I'd rather they not have the chance to do that."
"Oh... I suppose that makes sense, dear."
By the time the search through the palace was finished, a few additional spies had been apprehended, one more from Hanal and several more skaven agents. She noted in passing that while the various spies were evil, the sense of chaos from them was much greater.
Having dealt with the infiltrators, the group escorted Princess Cecilia back to her chambers.
"Thank you for your assistance, Aunt Cecilia," Alistair said. "We would have been doomed without you."
"I'm always happy to help, my dear. And don't worry, I'll go back to my chambers so I don't create any problems for you by being in public. I know that sometimes I say things that upset people..."
"No, Aunt Cecilia. You will always be welcome in public at my court. We need your skills, and those of those like you, and if we have to hear the occasional secret, so be it."
"Oh, thank you, dear."
"Are there other members of the family who have the sight? We need to preserve it."
"There are, although your line has none of it. But some of your cousins... The sight is not gone from us yet. A few more generations of those of us with it not marrying and it will be."
"We'll have to make sure that all of those who have the sight have the opportunity, at least, to marry, and if possible to others with similar abilities. Things are probably easiest when one member of a couple does not need to deal with the other's occasional over honesty."
Re: the disjointedness: that's partly a result of my efforts to reproduce a rather frenetic session. We had the feeling at this point of being totally overwhelmed with all the fires we had to put out, running from one to another at a breakneck pace. I may have also chosen less than ideal break points.
And now...
------
The man she gestured at leapt forward and a set of darts arched out from his elbows at Princess Cecilia. One of the guards reacted almost instantly, flinging himself in front of the princess. The darts embedded themselves in the guard; he twitched momentarily, and then his entire body dissolved into goo. Several other guards and one of the bone devils were killed bringing down the skaven assassin.
Alistair looked at the disintegrated guard. "For the rest of these, maybe you could be a little bit more subtle about pointing them out, Aunt Cecilia. I'd rather they not have the chance to do that."
"Oh... I suppose that makes sense, dear."
By the time the search through the palace was finished, a few additional spies had been apprehended, one more from Hanal and several more skaven agents. She noted in passing that while the various spies were evil, the sense of chaos from them was much greater.
Having dealt with the infiltrators, the group escorted Princess Cecilia back to her chambers.
"Thank you for your assistance, Aunt Cecilia," Alistair said. "We would have been doomed without you."
"I'm always happy to help, my dear. And don't worry, I'll go back to my chambers so I don't create any problems for you by being in public. I know that sometimes I say things that upset people..."
"No, Aunt Cecilia. You will always be welcome in public at my court. We need your skills, and those of those like you, and if we have to hear the occasional secret, so be it."
"Oh, thank you, dear."
"Are there other members of the family who have the sight? We need to preserve it."
"There are, although your line has none of it. But some of your cousins... The sight is not gone from us yet. A few more generations of those of us with it not marrying and it will be."
"We'll have to make sure that all of those who have the sight have the opportunity, at least, to marry, and if possible to others with similar abilities. Things are probably easiest when one member of a couple does not need to deal with the other's occasional over honesty."
Cerebral Paladin
First Post
The group returned to Alistair's chambers, where the bone devil had disarmed and bound the skaven assassin that Princess Cecilia had trapped.
Alistair stood before the assassin. "Since you have failed in your mission, the best that you can do is to terrify us by explaining your plans," he said, invoking a spell of suggestion.
The ratman hissed. "Terror indeed. Your destruction is at hand."
"How many assassins were sent? Who are their targets?"
"Six made the long march north. One targets Alistair at the time of ascension; one targets the Archbishop of the Sun; and one targets the leader of the Hidden Faith, the Faith of the Fields, the Little People. They are fat and will make good meals. One targets the righteous son of an unrighteous man; one is sent for the head of the Royal Coven; and one for the ruler's aunt."
"Who was your target? Did you have a secondary target?"
"I was sent after the ruler's aunt. After I had slain her, or if she escaped, I was to turn after the Seneschal or the Ambassador from Hanal."
"We slew the rat-ogre, but the other great monsters are still at large. Why did they not attack?"
"The rat-wolves will be released for the final target, the Prince, coming with the dogs of the Earl of Caldra."
"We know that some of the assassins look like humans, but some like you match the true form of ratmen. How many of each are there?"
"Three have taken the long walk. The others move unseen in the shadows, even by the half-breed spies. One was placed here..." The ratman stopped talking and its beady eyes narrowed. "You have ensorcelled me! I betray the Horned Rat!"
Alistair stood before the assassin. "Since you have failed in your mission, the best that you can do is to terrify us by explaining your plans," he said, invoking a spell of suggestion.
The ratman hissed. "Terror indeed. Your destruction is at hand."
"How many assassins were sent? Who are their targets?"
"Six made the long march north. One targets Alistair at the time of ascension; one targets the Archbishop of the Sun; and one targets the leader of the Hidden Faith, the Faith of the Fields, the Little People. They are fat and will make good meals. One targets the righteous son of an unrighteous man; one is sent for the head of the Royal Coven; and one for the ruler's aunt."
"Who was your target? Did you have a secondary target?"
"I was sent after the ruler's aunt. After I had slain her, or if she escaped, I was to turn after the Seneschal or the Ambassador from Hanal."
"We slew the rat-ogre, but the other great monsters are still at large. Why did they not attack?"
"The rat-wolves will be released for the final target, the Prince, coming with the dogs of the Earl of Caldra."
"We know that some of the assassins look like humans, but some like you match the true form of ratmen. How many of each are there?"
"Three have taken the long walk. The others move unseen in the shadows, even by the half-breed spies. One was placed here..." The ratman stopped talking and its beady eyes narrowed. "You have ensorcelled me! I betray the Horned Rat!"
Cerebral Paladin
First Post
Alistair cast a new suggestion, "With what you have said, there is no harm in you continuing."
The ratman glared at him for a second and then at long last nodded again. "One of the others on the long walk was placed close to the leader of the Farm Faith, and has a secondary target. If it fails, it is to seek out and kill the ranking priest of Dain who has entered the city, made to look like an act of treason by the Archduchy. The final one has been insinuated in as a priest in the Archbishop's household. We had to kill an existing priest and then use the stone to absorb his memories. He will strike once the old woman dies, to prevent the Prince from being crowned."
"How could we recognize him?" Dame Brionna asked.
The ratman shrugged. "He has fat cheeks."
"How does the ratman targetting the head of the coven plan to strike?"
"Following two routes. First by releasing the devils through warpstone in the meat supply, but if the devils fail, then the assassin will try directly, or switch to targetting the Prince."
"Are there other skaven besides the assassins in the City?"
"There is a Skree lord, but he is a traitor. He wishes to meet with the Prince, but we have not been able to find him to kill him. We but hope that the Prince's people will kill him for us. Of the Eshen warbands, two of the bands did not survive the crossing, but were killed by Brightspan. We would have had fifty warriors and two more assassins if they had made it. Only two warbands made it, providing about twenty-five warriors. It may have been a mistake to approach the Duke directly, but we knew he was disloyal and thought we could enlist his support."
"What of Dridall's family? Are they still human? Where are they held?"
"Dridall's family is still human; Muldar has odd ideas of honor. There is a Muldar compound with Eshen guards. Nearly at the border, in what used to be the city of Gettings, where they alter the slaves for infiltration. Most die; few can be changed, even though Muldar can change anything."
"Infiltration? Infiltration where?"
"Most were sent east to convince the barbarian tribes to attack."
"What of the other human lands around here? Did you target them as well?"
The ratman nodded. "We have our plans to take the Twin Cities of the Gates. We intended to take that pass by force, using the skaven warriors and slaverats. We must expand to avoid stripping the land. We have starved before and do not wish to starve again. We were going to start by taking one of the cities, which we could do with ease, but now that they have pulled back their troops and started purging rats, it may be a losing call. We have some agents there, but their rulers will not listen to reason."
The questioning continued but produced little additional information.
The ratman glared at him for a second and then at long last nodded again. "One of the others on the long walk was placed close to the leader of the Farm Faith, and has a secondary target. If it fails, it is to seek out and kill the ranking priest of Dain who has entered the city, made to look like an act of treason by the Archduchy. The final one has been insinuated in as a priest in the Archbishop's household. We had to kill an existing priest and then use the stone to absorb his memories. He will strike once the old woman dies, to prevent the Prince from being crowned."
"How could we recognize him?" Dame Brionna asked.
The ratman shrugged. "He has fat cheeks."
"How does the ratman targetting the head of the coven plan to strike?"
"Following two routes. First by releasing the devils through warpstone in the meat supply, but if the devils fail, then the assassin will try directly, or switch to targetting the Prince."
"Are there other skaven besides the assassins in the City?"
"There is a Skree lord, but he is a traitor. He wishes to meet with the Prince, but we have not been able to find him to kill him. We but hope that the Prince's people will kill him for us. Of the Eshen warbands, two of the bands did not survive the crossing, but were killed by Brightspan. We would have had fifty warriors and two more assassins if they had made it. Only two warbands made it, providing about twenty-five warriors. It may have been a mistake to approach the Duke directly, but we knew he was disloyal and thought we could enlist his support."
"What of Dridall's family? Are they still human? Where are they held?"
"Dridall's family is still human; Muldar has odd ideas of honor. There is a Muldar compound with Eshen guards. Nearly at the border, in what used to be the city of Gettings, where they alter the slaves for infiltration. Most die; few can be changed, even though Muldar can change anything."
"Infiltration? Infiltration where?"
"Most were sent east to convince the barbarian tribes to attack."
"What of the other human lands around here? Did you target them as well?"
The ratman nodded. "We have our plans to take the Twin Cities of the Gates. We intended to take that pass by force, using the skaven warriors and slaverats. We must expand to avoid stripping the land. We have starved before and do not wish to starve again. We were going to start by taking one of the cities, which we could do with ease, but now that they have pulled back their troops and started purging rats, it may be a losing call. We have some agents there, but their rulers will not listen to reason."
The questioning continued but produced little additional information.
Cerebral Paladin
First Post
Dame Brionna looked at her comrades. "Since the other two assassins disguised as humans are targetting the high priests, we should make them our next priority. Saving the Archbishop of the Sun should be our first task. After all, he is the highest representative of the state church, and also if he died, a coronation would be impossible until the consecration of his successor."
Kit shook her head. "But the skaven said they would time the attack on him for after Alistair's grandmothers death. The halfling priestess may be in danger before then."
"I agree with Kit," said Alistair. "Besides, if the Archbishop of the Sun were killed, the people would probably rally around the House of Canberry. But if the high priestess of Gunnora were murdered and it was blamed on us, it might turn the people against us. Based on what we've heard, the assassin in the Archbishop's entourage is probably this Father Giorgio. So let's send some guards to seize him and to defend the Archbishop while we go with Aunt Cecilia to find the assassin lurking near Midwife Burry."
The group quickly reached Midwife Burry's large, but not ostentatious, home. The halfling matron herself answered the knock on the door. "Oh! I had hoped to meet with you, Lord Alistair, but I hadn't expected you to come here unannounced. Come in, come in..."
"This isn't a social call," Dame Brionna informed the halfling, as a group of guards established a defensive perimeter around the high priestess. Because of the difference in size between the little priestess and the guards, any attack would literally have to have gone through them to reach her. "One of your attendants has been replaced with a skaven assassin."
The remainder of the guard swept through Midwife Burry's house, which was fortunately scaled for humans for the occasions when she assists in the difficult birth of a human child. After a few moments, Princess Cecilia gestured at an unusually thin halfling. "She's the one!"
The guards rushed forward, tackling the midwife to the floor in an effort to take the skaven alive. But before they could knock it unconscious, it simply exploded. Several guards, as well as two other halflings who simply had the misfortune of being too close, died in the blast.
"We regret having to bring such pain to a house of healing, Midwife Burry," said Alistair. "Still, it would be best if you came with us. They may send another assassin to replace the one that failed."
"Yes... I probably should. I never would have thought that the ratmen would have realized that we were a threat to them..."
As they made their way back to the palace, Dame Brionna approached the Gunnoran high priestess. "Do you do matchmaking, as well as midwifery?"
"Of course. Are you seeking a husband, Dame Knight?"
"No. My fiance was taken by slavers, but I still hope he will return. I was thinking of Lord Alistair. The main candidates for his hand that we have heard discussed are the Duke of Brightspan's daughter and the daughter of Queen Thyastis of Hanal. Do you have any thoughts?"
"Oh, my. I often act as a matchmaker, but rarely for such a lofty marriage." The halfling priestess paused in thought. "Neither of those matches is at all suitable. They would kill him as soon as a child was born to the marriage. Queen Thyastis's daughter has been through six lovers, none of them still alive. As for Brightspan, while he would welcome the marriage, he would count the days until he could be regent for an infant grandson.
"I think either a daughter of one of the Kings of the Cities of Gates or maybe the daughter of King Erich of Stormwall. King Erich was the last surviving monarch of the Confederacy of the South Kingdoms; he acted as a ruler for all of the refugees, and tried to defend them, until the slavers killed him a few years ago. None of his children have been crowned as his successor, but his elder daughter is of marriageable age and would have a good claim to rule over all the refugees. But the best match is probably with the Princess from the Cities of the Gates. Her family is very wealthy and would get Canberry control of another pass. They also have eight Field Armies, more than a little reason for a marriage of state in troubled times. And she's supposed to be a nice girl, for all that she's very young; they say she's as quiet as a mouse."
Kit shook her head. "But the skaven said they would time the attack on him for after Alistair's grandmothers death. The halfling priestess may be in danger before then."
"I agree with Kit," said Alistair. "Besides, if the Archbishop of the Sun were killed, the people would probably rally around the House of Canberry. But if the high priestess of Gunnora were murdered and it was blamed on us, it might turn the people against us. Based on what we've heard, the assassin in the Archbishop's entourage is probably this Father Giorgio. So let's send some guards to seize him and to defend the Archbishop while we go with Aunt Cecilia to find the assassin lurking near Midwife Burry."
The group quickly reached Midwife Burry's large, but not ostentatious, home. The halfling matron herself answered the knock on the door. "Oh! I had hoped to meet with you, Lord Alistair, but I hadn't expected you to come here unannounced. Come in, come in..."
"This isn't a social call," Dame Brionna informed the halfling, as a group of guards established a defensive perimeter around the high priestess. Because of the difference in size between the little priestess and the guards, any attack would literally have to have gone through them to reach her. "One of your attendants has been replaced with a skaven assassin."
The remainder of the guard swept through Midwife Burry's house, which was fortunately scaled for humans for the occasions when she assists in the difficult birth of a human child. After a few moments, Princess Cecilia gestured at an unusually thin halfling. "She's the one!"
The guards rushed forward, tackling the midwife to the floor in an effort to take the skaven alive. But before they could knock it unconscious, it simply exploded. Several guards, as well as two other halflings who simply had the misfortune of being too close, died in the blast.
"We regret having to bring such pain to a house of healing, Midwife Burry," said Alistair. "Still, it would be best if you came with us. They may send another assassin to replace the one that failed."
"Yes... I probably should. I never would have thought that the ratmen would have realized that we were a threat to them..."
As they made their way back to the palace, Dame Brionna approached the Gunnoran high priestess. "Do you do matchmaking, as well as midwifery?"
"Of course. Are you seeking a husband, Dame Knight?"
"No. My fiance was taken by slavers, but I still hope he will return. I was thinking of Lord Alistair. The main candidates for his hand that we have heard discussed are the Duke of Brightspan's daughter and the daughter of Queen Thyastis of Hanal. Do you have any thoughts?"
"Oh, my. I often act as a matchmaker, but rarely for such a lofty marriage." The halfling priestess paused in thought. "Neither of those matches is at all suitable. They would kill him as soon as a child was born to the marriage. Queen Thyastis's daughter has been through six lovers, none of them still alive. As for Brightspan, while he would welcome the marriage, he would count the days until he could be regent for an infant grandson.
"I think either a daughter of one of the Kings of the Cities of Gates or maybe the daughter of King Erich of Stormwall. King Erich was the last surviving monarch of the Confederacy of the South Kingdoms; he acted as a ruler for all of the refugees, and tried to defend them, until the slavers killed him a few years ago. None of his children have been crowned as his successor, but his elder daughter is of marriageable age and would have a good claim to rule over all the refugees. But the best match is probably with the Princess from the Cities of the Gates. Her family is very wealthy and would get Canberry control of another pass. They also have eight Field Armies, more than a little reason for a marriage of state in troubled times. And she's supposed to be a nice girl, for all that she's very young; they say she's as quiet as a mouse."
Baron Opal
First Post
Well, well.
I think Lord Alistair should marry a daughter of King Erich. Yes, that would be most suitable, I think.
I think Lord Alistair should marry a daughter of King Erich. Yes, that would be most suitable, I think.
Cerebral Paladin
First Post
King Erich's daughter definitely looks like a strong possibility. We haven't actually gotten to meet her yet, though, so for all we know she's an insane Borsh'tro worshipper. But it does have such good political possibilities...
-------
A wounded young guard met the group at the palace gates. "Dame Brionna! We attacked Father Giorgio in the Archbishop's entourage, and he was indeed a ratman assassin. We slew the assassin, but not before several guards and a few of the priests were slain. The Archbishop is safe."
"Good work," replied Dame Brionna. "Have your wounds attended to. You've done well. You've surely saved the Archbishop's life and may have saved the Archduchy."
"Thank you, Captain." Her words brightened him up. He never noticed the grimace on Alistair's face as he thought about the terrible butcher's bill of the last few days.
Back in Alistair's chambers, the group discussed what to do about the Duke of Brightspan.
"You can't possibly marry his daughter now," said Kit. "It won't do much good, and it might get you killed." Dame Brionna nodded vigorously as well.
"I know. From what we know, he's turned his heir-apparent against us already, but we don't think his grandsons are hostile yet, right?" asked Alistair. When the others nodded, he continued. "I think it's time we honored the boys with positions as my pages. We'll give similar positions to the future heirs of the other duchies as well. They won't be able to refuse the honor, but it will still mean that the future Duke of Brightspan will grow up in our household, not theirs, and will end up loyal to Canberry."
"An excellent idea, Lord Alistair," said Dame Brionna. "And Kit, you might suggest that Abigail make friends with the Brightspan pages."
Kit nodded. "I like it. If anything fishy starts happening, Abigail would let me know right off."
The Chancellor entered and interrupted. "Your highness. The Archduchess has slipped into sleep. The priests do not expect her to awaken."
Alistair slumped in his chair, the weight of both his sorrow and the heavy burdens he would soon assume pressing on his shoulders.
Kit squeezed his hand, drawing a slight smile. "I'm sorry. She was a very special lady, and I wish I had known her better."
"Thank you. I wish so, too." Alistair faced the Chancellor. "Thank you for telling me. Inform me immediately if she awakens. Otherwise, just let me know when it's finished."
"Of course, your highness. I will leave you to your mourning, while I prepare for my own."
-------
A wounded young guard met the group at the palace gates. "Dame Brionna! We attacked Father Giorgio in the Archbishop's entourage, and he was indeed a ratman assassin. We slew the assassin, but not before several guards and a few of the priests were slain. The Archbishop is safe."
"Good work," replied Dame Brionna. "Have your wounds attended to. You've done well. You've surely saved the Archbishop's life and may have saved the Archduchy."
"Thank you, Captain." Her words brightened him up. He never noticed the grimace on Alistair's face as he thought about the terrible butcher's bill of the last few days.
Back in Alistair's chambers, the group discussed what to do about the Duke of Brightspan.
"You can't possibly marry his daughter now," said Kit. "It won't do much good, and it might get you killed." Dame Brionna nodded vigorously as well.
"I know. From what we know, he's turned his heir-apparent against us already, but we don't think his grandsons are hostile yet, right?" asked Alistair. When the others nodded, he continued. "I think it's time we honored the boys with positions as my pages. We'll give similar positions to the future heirs of the other duchies as well. They won't be able to refuse the honor, but it will still mean that the future Duke of Brightspan will grow up in our household, not theirs, and will end up loyal to Canberry."
"An excellent idea, Lord Alistair," said Dame Brionna. "And Kit, you might suggest that Abigail make friends with the Brightspan pages."
Kit nodded. "I like it. If anything fishy starts happening, Abigail would let me know right off."
The Chancellor entered and interrupted. "Your highness. The Archduchess has slipped into sleep. The priests do not expect her to awaken."
Alistair slumped in his chair, the weight of both his sorrow and the heavy burdens he would soon assume pressing on his shoulders.
Kit squeezed his hand, drawing a slight smile. "I'm sorry. She was a very special lady, and I wish I had known her better."
"Thank you. I wish so, too." Alistair faced the Chancellor. "Thank you for telling me. Inform me immediately if she awakens. Otherwise, just let me know when it's finished."
"Of course, your highness. I will leave you to your mourning, while I prepare for my own."
Cerebral Paladin
First Post
I'm actually a little vague on the answer to that, Quartz. I certainly agree with you, although raising people isn't cheap (in either magic or in components). I don't recall any specific comments about it in this case, although "raise those you can" is a fairly common request from Alistair to the high church people. Also, of course, many people choose to stay in heaven rather than wanting to come back, so...
-----
Before the Chancellor left, the Seneschal entered. "Your highness. A messenger from the Duke of Brightspan has arrived. His Grace the Duke has entered the city. Also, His Grace wishes to inform you that a small force of skaven have attempted to pass surreptitiously into Canberry City."
"Nice," said Kit bitterly. "He sends us a message once he arrives, so he can claim that he did his duty, but doesn't send it magically or by a fast courier to give the skaven as much chance to succeed before he arrives as possible. Real nice."
Alistair held up a hand as the Chancellor and the Seneschal began to leave. "Wait. Tell me, do you and the other high officers intend to follow the old tradition?"
The Seneschal looked at, or because of his poor eyesight near, the Chancellor, who squared his shoulders and faced Alistair. "We do, your highness. It is the last duty that we owe to the Archduchess we served so long."
"I suppose that pointing out that the Church condemns it, and that neither my grandmother nor I approve, won't make a difference?"
"This duty is older than the Church in Canberry. We can but hope that Glor'diadel will forgive us for attending to our duty to the Archduchess before we attend to His teachings."
"Then let me ask a boon of you. I merely ask, because I know that you would disobey me if I tried to order you. These are troubled times for Canberry, and a civil war may still be fought over the succession. It would be much easier if you helped through the succession. Can I ask you to serve at least six months and until it is clear that there will not be a civil war before you follow your duty?"
The Chancellor and the Seneschal conferred privately. Finally, the Chancellor answered. "Very well, your highness. We will delay until it is clear that the threat of civil war has passed, but not longer than six months. And we will ask the other high officers who will follow the old tradition to do the same."
"Thank you."
The Chancellor nodded gravely, and they both left.
A few minutes later the Seneschal returned. "His Grace the Duke of Furrows sends word that he approaches, along with the Sheriff of Cogswood."
"The Duke of Furrows? The Earldom of Caldra is in that duchy," said Dame Brionna.
"Ask his grace to attend on us in my main audience chamber upon his arrival, along with the sheriff," said Alistair.
"Yes, your highness. You may also wish to know that his other principal vassals, the Earls of Caldra and Caligshire, arrived in Canberry City last night, but did not see fit to announce their arrivals to the palace."
"All the more reason to meet with the Duke," said Kit.
Before the Duke of Furrows reached the palace, the Seneschal returned twice, to announce the arrivals of the Duke of Furthings, with his entourage and major vassals, and the Duke of Westmarch, along with his entourage and vassals.
After a few minutes, the Seneschal escorted a trio into the audience chamber. "Your highness, I present His Grace the Duke of Furrows, His Grace's sister, Lady Susan of Furrows, and the Sheriff of Cogswood."
The Duke, an extremely elderly man, bowed formally to Alistair who returned the bow appropriately. "Your highness... Marquis Belconnen. I'm so sorry about your mother. But my, you look in astonishingly good health... I had so thought that you would look older by now."
-----
Before the Chancellor left, the Seneschal entered. "Your highness. A messenger from the Duke of Brightspan has arrived. His Grace the Duke has entered the city. Also, His Grace wishes to inform you that a small force of skaven have attempted to pass surreptitiously into Canberry City."
"Nice," said Kit bitterly. "He sends us a message once he arrives, so he can claim that he did his duty, but doesn't send it magically or by a fast courier to give the skaven as much chance to succeed before he arrives as possible. Real nice."
Alistair held up a hand as the Chancellor and the Seneschal began to leave. "Wait. Tell me, do you and the other high officers intend to follow the old tradition?"
The Seneschal looked at, or because of his poor eyesight near, the Chancellor, who squared his shoulders and faced Alistair. "We do, your highness. It is the last duty that we owe to the Archduchess we served so long."
"I suppose that pointing out that the Church condemns it, and that neither my grandmother nor I approve, won't make a difference?"
"This duty is older than the Church in Canberry. We can but hope that Glor'diadel will forgive us for attending to our duty to the Archduchess before we attend to His teachings."
"Then let me ask a boon of you. I merely ask, because I know that you would disobey me if I tried to order you. These are troubled times for Canberry, and a civil war may still be fought over the succession. It would be much easier if you helped through the succession. Can I ask you to serve at least six months and until it is clear that there will not be a civil war before you follow your duty?"
The Chancellor and the Seneschal conferred privately. Finally, the Chancellor answered. "Very well, your highness. We will delay until it is clear that the threat of civil war has passed, but not longer than six months. And we will ask the other high officers who will follow the old tradition to do the same."
"Thank you."
The Chancellor nodded gravely, and they both left.
A few minutes later the Seneschal returned. "His Grace the Duke of Furrows sends word that he approaches, along with the Sheriff of Cogswood."
"The Duke of Furrows? The Earldom of Caldra is in that duchy," said Dame Brionna.
"Ask his grace to attend on us in my main audience chamber upon his arrival, along with the sheriff," said Alistair.
"Yes, your highness. You may also wish to know that his other principal vassals, the Earls of Caldra and Caligshire, arrived in Canberry City last night, but did not see fit to announce their arrivals to the palace."
"All the more reason to meet with the Duke," said Kit.
Before the Duke of Furrows reached the palace, the Seneschal returned twice, to announce the arrivals of the Duke of Furthings, with his entourage and major vassals, and the Duke of Westmarch, along with his entourage and vassals.
After a few minutes, the Seneschal escorted a trio into the audience chamber. "Your highness, I present His Grace the Duke of Furrows, His Grace's sister, Lady Susan of Furrows, and the Sheriff of Cogswood."
The Duke, an extremely elderly man, bowed formally to Alistair who returned the bow appropriately. "Your highness... Marquis Belconnen. I'm so sorry about your mother. But my, you look in astonishingly good health... I had so thought that you would look older by now."
