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Message: <blockquote data-quote="doghead" data-source="post: 2043444" data-attributes="member: 8243">Xavier Roces, Servant of Hieroneous.Xavier does what he can to direct them back to the castle along the most direct route, although Jt'trialiala seems quite determined to do otherwise. It is, he supposes, an opportunity to get the layout of the city.Xavier listens to his companion's tale. Xavier, like many nobles, has mixed feelings about the rise of the merchantile classes. The extent of their wealth is, in some cases, hard to imagine. Many nobles resent it. And many seek to profit from it, selling favours for gold. And some seek to curtail it with draconian taxes or other dubious means. Fear and greed. A corrosive combination. That the Baron chose to spend it decorating his throne room and private rooms is disappointing. But he keeps these thoughts to himself. INstead, he focuses his comments and questions on drawing out Jt'trialiala's tale in order to try and get a better insight into a life he knows very little about. Back at the castle, Xavier bows low to the Baron, and Councellor Udar. The Councellor's magnetism is palpable. Xavier feels himself flush with pride at the Councellor's praise. He bows again to gain himself time to compose himself. He thanks the Councellor for his kind words, and the Baron for his interest in restoring the faith. He marks the Barons words. But he realises that they were probably ment largely as pleasantries, not as a statement of intent. But it is a good start.Xavier confirms his interest in joining the Baron's men on their trip to Pruman. He asks if the baron would be able to send someone to his chambers tomorrow to wake him. And with that, he excuses himself, explaining that there are a few things he would like to get done today so that he will be free to join the expedition tomorrow. Xavier also takes the opportunity to excuse himself from Jt'trialiala. On his way back to his chambers, Xavier is thoughtful. The Baron's deference to the Councellor jogs a memory. When he met the Baron, he remembered that the man did not resemble the descriptions he had heard. At the time Xavier had wondered if somehow the baron had been replaced by someone else. And then he had dismissed the thought as rediculious. Who would have the power to replace a Arch-Baron without anyone noticing? Xavier had thought. The Councellor, Xavier suspects, would be one if there was such a person. But the whole idea is so fanciful as to be absurd. Isn't it?Back in his room, Xavier changes back into his more functional travelling clothes and heads back out and to the church. As before, he leaves his armour in his room. Stomping around dressed for war is not going to help any.</blockquote>

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