Guilt Puppy
First Post
"Oh," Aesop responds, "Thedoric has never been above reproach -- nor has any mortal man. But especially when I knew him... He was no Knight of the Greater Kingdom, then, understand. Just a young man with good intentions, not much older than yourselves..." He glances at Oliver, as well as at those whose blood might age more slowly. "Than some of you, at least."
He seems to harden himself against reminiscence, but a smile cracks and his voice shows more color as you describe the other local recipients.
"...the Glades? Tiamen, ah, lo..." He pauses, shakes his head, then points a finger at Aerda, grinning. "You see what happens when you hide away in the woods? Your names get forgotten!"
He gives his head one last shake. "In my defense, I never knew her personally... She was my predecessor, so to speak, in Thedoric's company. They had something of a falling out... But all I can offer on that is speculation and hearsay, as it was before my time. Anders said I missed the best of him -- Anders is your inn-keeper, right?"
He takes a deep breath, then his amiably serious expression occurs.
"Well, if she's on your list, perhaps they've had a reconciliation... Unless... I mean, assuming we're talking about the same Princess of the Glades." He grins. "Now, if he were writing to one of her sisters..."
"Again, men can stand together... That says nothing of what cities ought to do!"
He bows his head apologetically. "I shouldn't lecture so quickly, though -- I know plenty of fine folk, even in this city, who would agree with you. It's a matter which is always controversial in these parts, even if it rarely manifests itself this significantly -- the balance of sovereignty and cooperation, I mean. Wherever people stand, they tend to have strong feelings about it. Which is why it is so significant, even if it is redundant, for one position to be endorsed by a man like Thedoric. He, even in name alone, has always had a rare gift for changing minds..."
He seems to harden himself against reminiscence, but a smile cracks and his voice shows more color as you describe the other local recipients.
"...the Glades? Tiamen, ah, lo..." He pauses, shakes his head, then points a finger at Aerda, grinning. "You see what happens when you hide away in the woods? Your names get forgotten!"
He gives his head one last shake. "In my defense, I never knew her personally... She was my predecessor, so to speak, in Thedoric's company. They had something of a falling out... But all I can offer on that is speculation and hearsay, as it was before my time. Anders said I missed the best of him -- Anders is your inn-keeper, right?"
He takes a deep breath, then his amiably serious expression occurs.
"Well, if she's on your list, perhaps they've had a reconciliation... Unless... I mean, assuming we're talking about the same Princess of the Glades." He grins. "Now, if he were writing to one of her sisters..."
"Men can stand together, or die separately." The common hope of the Free Cities would be that they remain Free, I suppose. That hope stands a better chance united than not."
"Again, men can stand together... That says nothing of what cities ought to do!"
He bows his head apologetically. "I shouldn't lecture so quickly, though -- I know plenty of fine folk, even in this city, who would agree with you. It's a matter which is always controversial in these parts, even if it rarely manifests itself this significantly -- the balance of sovereignty and cooperation, I mean. Wherever people stand, they tend to have strong feelings about it. Which is why it is so significant, even if it is redundant, for one position to be endorsed by a man like Thedoric. He, even in name alone, has always had a rare gift for changing minds..."