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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4093577" data-attributes="member: 3285">Herald of the Yellow King: ProloguePallidus settled over the Duchy of Moratavia, as it had all of Milandir.  Harvest was over weeks before, provisions stored and the yuletide was only a fortnight away.  It should have been a time of rest in the castle of Duke Adolphos val’Tensen.  Some surely were enjoy a restful morning…unfortunately, not Vlad.Vlad greeted Ilmarė and Kham at the front gate.  They had rode hard from Naeraanth to the Duke’s castle.  “I don’t get it,” said Kham.  “Why did the Duke summon you all the hell away from Freeport?  Doesn’t he have someone else to boss around?”“I’m his bailiff.”  Vlad suppressed a yawn. It had been a long trip. “He only calls me in when he wants something discreetly handled in Milandir.”“You mean, when he wishes to jerk your strings,” said the elorii with a sneer.  “I find it odd that whenever you are involved in the politics of another country, the Duke calls you back.”“I noticed it too.” Vlad frowned. “I think he does it just to vex the Coryani nobility.”“Which is strange,” said Kham, “because he’s from Coryan, isn’t he?”Vlad nodded. “Duke Adolphos has ruled over the lands for almost a decade, but he still clings to most of his native Coryani ways.  The court speaks Low Coryan, the fashions are Coryan, and even the food served most times is Coryan.”“Well, we needed an excuse to get out of Freeport anyway,” said Kham.  “I wonder how the big lizard is doing.”“We can visit Sulfurmarsh right after we finish here,” said Vlad.  “At least Beldin was willing to go on ahead to let Sebastian know we’re coming.”They were ushered into the great hall of the Duke’s castle.  Ilmarė and Kham stood back while Vlad was allowed to approach the throne.“Good morning, Vlad,” the middle-aged baron greeted.  “Good morning, your grace.”  Vlad bowed low. “How may I be of service?”“It seems there has been another problem with the locals. One of my villages, Derek’s Holding I think, has sent a delegation voicing a complaint from its oldest member. The Moratavia lords who ruled these lands before me had promised this man that a certain tree was not to be cut down until after that man died.  That particular tree was harvested this summer when we were enlarging the feast hall.”“Stupid human nobility,” said Ilmarė to Kham.  “No respect for Osalian’s creatures.”“The delegation reminded me that I swore to uphold this proclamation when I took possession of these lands.” The Duke shrugged.  “I have no memory of such a thing, but it seems they have my signature on a document stating just this.” He sipped his goblet for a moment, obviously annoyed.  “The old man is very respected in the village.  In fact, he is the oldest man in all of Milandir.  He has seen more than a hundred winters, if you believe his claims.  Some sort of pagan mystic or poet, claiming the tree—an oak I think—was sacred.” Duke Adolphos rolled his eyes.  “It’s drivel, I know, but he’s demanding and apology and it seems the whole of the village is behind him. That is why I summoned you here.”“He summoned Vlad all the way from Freeport to plant a tree?” asked Kham.Adolphos steepled his fingers.  “I am concerned.  There is a persistent rumor about a civil war brewing.  In fact, I believe you discovered evidence of just such a prophecy in the Forsaken Wastes.” Vlad was about to say something, but Adolphos cut him off.  “I’m sure you had good reasons for not sharing that information with me.  But nevertheless, the peasants do so love their superstitions.  And we can’t have Moratavia be the center of a rebellion.  At least, not yet anyway.  I don’t need this old man to be a martyr to their cause. Do you understand me, Vlad?”Vlad nodded. “I do, your grace.”“Good.” Adolphos gestured to his steward, who stepped forward and handed Vlad a scroll sealed in wax and stamped with the emblem of val’Tensen.“I command you to journey to Derek’s Holding and visit with this man.  Cael Grebyard, I believe he is called.  I am told he can no longer walk, sees poorly, and hears very little.  Give him this official apology for cutting down his precious tree before his death.  Inform him that come spring a new oak will be planted in its place.  It’s a simple matter really, as his health is failing; I doubt he will survive the winter.”Vlad took the scroll from the steward. “Yes, your grace.”Adolphos rose with a sigh.  “Now I am off for a fitting.  My lady wife wishes me to have new clothes for the holiday celebration.  Have a safe journey and a speedy return.” He leaned forward in his throne.  “And remember, you speak in my name; see that all goes smoothly Vlad.”And with that, Vlad was dismissed.“He was as unpleasant as I expected,” said Ilmarė.Kham nodded in agreement.  “Maybe he’s upset that his son Rurik nearly ended up marrying Elandre val’Assante.”“But they didn’t get married,” said Vlad.  “The marriage was called off.”“It’s a long story,” said Ilmarė.“So we traveled over a week by ship just so you could deliver an apology?” Kham skipped ahead of Vlad as they exited the great hall.  “I mean, we all had to get out of Freeport anyway until the investigation over the death of Drac is over, but still…this is a little extreme, don’t you think?”Vlad sighed. “Well, right after this we can visit Calactyte, Sebastian and Bijoux in Sulfurmarsh. It’s not too far from here.  I’m glad you both made the trip, but you don’t have to come with me if you don’t want to.”“Don’t be fooled,” said Ilmarė to Kham.  “Like all good masters, the Duke has just smacked his dog on his nose for not barking at the right time.” Kham rolled his eyes.  “The only thing I hate more than Coryani nobility is bitter exiled Coryani nobility.”</blockquote>

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