KingsDeadLogs

01[20:40] <Princess_Cilia> The King of Banteave is dead. As House Dillestone prepares to crown an infant, the other houses begin to move...
06[20:42] * Prince_Thain had been sent to train with the master warriors of House Luneste even before the death of the King. What was a cultural exchange becomes a matter of extreme import, to gain the skills and train the troops that might win the throne
[20:45] <Duchess_Tyriena> Those strange foreigners, with their strange ways of war, were more than happy to send some of their finest to help train the Antyres--at first, anyway. Tensions are rising, but honor--even strange, foreign honor such as theirs--demands that the deal be seen through. The noble sent along with the well-trained warmasters, Duchess Tyriena, has invited the representative of Antyre, Prince Thain,
[20:45] <Duchess_Tyriena> to dinner in her tent; there's only a few more days left in the training.
06[20:48] * Prince_Thain arrives in formal garb, kilt and sporran resplendent, watching Tyriena closely... Respectful, attentive and wary. He knows a good teacher when he sees one, and wishes to learn, but the change in the air has made her a potential enemy... He is frustrated, a desire to learn at risk from the wild winds of politics, as well as a bit unsettled. He had been planning to have finished his
06[20:48] * Prince_Thain training by the time the storm struck, rather than only beginning it.
06[20:49] * Duchess_Tyriena is shifting from side to side in her chair at the table (traditional Resshen food, such as can be done with the avaliable spices--a variety of sausages and hard breads, fragrant cheeses and strong soups), a look of concern on her face; she's trained for war and theatre, and while energetic, her head for politics--and her poker face, as the soldiery has well discovered--is somewhat
06[20:49] * Duchess_Tyriena lacking. The blonde, dark-skinned foreigner scratches at the scar that crosses diagonally across her face; another tic showing her nervousness. She is resplandant in traditional Resshen military garb; navy blues and whites, with a deep purple sash, missing only the traditional tricorn hat of her ducal rank.
03[20:55] * Feldi ([email protected]) has joined #kingsdead
[21:05] <Duchess_Tyriena> "Prince," she replies with an honest smile; taking a bottle of wine from her manservant (A loyal mute named Gustaven), the only other person in the tent, and pouring each of them a glass. "I hope things are going well? The last bout of training had your men fighting like true demons alongside my Warmasters. I can only imagine how terrifying it would be to face them from the other side of
[21:05] <Duchess_Tyriena> the field." It's not a very subtle lead, but she's not a very subtle person.
[21:07] <Prince_Thain> "I would not worry about that, Duchess." He offers slightly haltingly, his smile just a little forced, despite the pretty face wearing it. "Your lands are across the sea, and ours are far from the heart of the kingdom. No matter what storm brew up, I don't think we've got anything to gain from facing one another... The only people who would benefit are those who would declare themselves our
[21:07] <Prince_Thain> enemies."
[21:08] <Prince_Thain> "But even if there might be something we disagree on in such terms... I think we might both be happier with the other as a victory, given the other options. We're both outsiders, in our own ways."
06[21:12] * Duchess_Tyriena nods slowly. "Socially and physically," she says. "This... empty throne has a way of making people's differences all the starker; but at the same time, it can bring those who share common cause together, hm?" She notes. "I hear House Oake's lost scion, Harder, has returned from his travels. I met him once, back in Resshe, while he was there; a rather practical man, rather what I
06[21:12] * Duchess_Tyriena expected from a house of advisors. What do you think of him?"
[21:14] <Prince_Thain> He shrugs slightly. "...A caretaker, but a competent one. Then again, his people seem to have been the better part of Dillestone for some time... But they are still part of those who stole this country from us, long ago."
06[21:18] * Prince_Thain takes up his wine... And drinks a hefty measure of it, more of a quaff than a sip, some dripping into his braided red beard... Not how you are meant to treat such fine wine.
06[21:20] * Duchess_Tyriena has a slightly strained look on her face at that, and in an automatic response, very carefully nudges the bottle away from Thain. "You, ah, seem to be enjoying the food, at least," she notes. "How is it, to your local tastes?"
[21:21] <Duchess_Tyriena> Gustaven sees his owner's distress; having been with her since they were both children, he picks up on her tics very easily. The next wine that he chooses is a less fine vintage.
[21:22] <Prince_Thain> "It's very fine, although lacks a little kick... When I host you, I'll treat you to a haggis!" Thain, at least, seems to feel like the business is concluded, and pleasantries can be indulged in...
01[21:25] <Princess_Cilia> Elsewhere: Redehall Castle, Dillestone's Seat of Power. A meeting long coming has arrived. A meeting between two nobles who haven't seen the other since they were children.
06[21:27] * Princess_Cilia is dressed in all of her noble finery, not quite wear for a coronation or a wedding, but fine tailored clothing in long cuts, an ornate dress of deep maroon, pearls on her neck. She waits impatiently for her guest to arrive. It feels awful that it takes a death and the threat of civil war to do these things, but...
[21:28] <Feldi> Duke Oake, currently last of his line, is a tall man, and he is definitely a man, barely a year off his 30s.  His travels have tanned and begun the process of leathering his skin, though the harsh desert sands smoothed the edges.  His rough-cut nature seems oddly caught in his formal clothing, and such clothing don't quite fit him, or rather he doesn't seem comfortable in them. He has become too accustomed to riding leathers, and hasn't
[21:28] <Feldi> had the time to adjust.
01[21:29] <Princess_Cilia> "Lord Oake." She smiles as she spots him, half-running to greet him. "It's been too long, when was the last time we were together?"
[21:31] <Feldi> "Princess Cilia-" He half-reaches out to her, but falters when she stops a few too many steps away in the front hall. "I believe...it was the ball hosted by your great aunt, Lady Maxilian, three years back. I can remember it like it was yesterday."
[21:34] <Feldi> "But it has been several years, much has changed while I've been gone." He assesses her. "You seemed surprised when you first saw me, were you? Is my face that much different than you remember?"
01[21:35] <Princess_Cilia> "Ah, no, not your face, just..." She sizes him up. "At the ball you were a splendid figure, tall and dashing, covered in finery. Now you look more like a horse courier than a man of nobility!" She catches herself. "Ah, forgive me, I did not mean offense..."
01[21:37] <Princess_Cilia> The two spend some time catching up, but soon they're called apart for House business. The realm needs them, after all.
[21:37] <Feldi> "No offense taken. It has been many long years on the road. If you have an hour or two, I could tell you some tales..."
01[21:38] <Princess_Cilia> "I'd like that, we need to catch up."
[21:41] <Feldi> The Ball hosted by House Dillestone is *the* social event of the season.  All the Houses, despite the tensions, send their young princesses and princes to attend; some in hopes of alliances, others in hopes of loose lips.  The ball itself is perfect.  The dance hall is decked out in finery that speaks of Dillestone's wealth, and reach.
06[21:43] * Prince_Thain arrives, sticking out like a sore thumb, but what's new for Antyre? Resistant to the changing fashions of the time, his ancient clan dress is still technically appropriate, if rather out of vogue, quite possibly being seen as an affront to the more conventional houses, a reaffirmed statement of the independent spirit of the northerners and the untamed tribes.
06[21:43] * Princess_Cilia arrives to the dance on the arm of Lord Oake, a different dress than yesterday for this evening, much nicer. It's cut long, still the deep red of Dillestone's crest, with a gold necklace and a brooch with the seal of the house on her breast.
[21:43] <Prince_Thain> ...For all of that, though, he does look rather dashing in it.
[21:44] <Feldi> Duke Oake is dressed in clothing that perhaps needed slight adjustment before his attendance at the ball, though he carries it off with a cheerful smile and hopefully unseen fidgetting with his collar and cuffs.  It's fine clothing, though in a style two years old.
06[21:45] * Princess_Cilia is excited to be there, she loves these events, it's a chance to catch up with so many people.
[21:46] <Feldi> Duke Oake is nervous; between the Princess on his arm and faces that he might not remember, and commit faux pas with...still, he puts up a confident front.
06[21:46] * Duchess_Tyriena is sent on behalf of Luneste; celebrating the house's right to be here. She, too, sticks out, much as Thain does; she wears the common dress-robes of Resshe (not so commonly made, of course). Many yards of fine silks in her house's blues and whites wrap her body, forming a perfect robe that manages to leave enough room in the limbs to fight with, should a duel happen--as they often
06[21:46] * Duchess_Tyriena do in Resshe. She wears her cap-of-rank, a tricorn with a large navy feather in it, and in the manner of her people, wears two swords to any dance--one that is her own, the ancestral family blade that is more dear to her than her own life, and an orantely decorated wooden one, dull, to make it harder to kill a rival in an inevitable duel. She actually seems rather excited; she keeps casting
06[21:46] * Duchess_Tyriena her eyes towards the musicians, as if ranking them by some internal measure.
06[21:50] * Prince_Thain leans on the Duchess for support, a bit out of sorts for the events... But despite trying to retain a familial dourness to the proceedings, he seems to be enjoying himself.
01[21:52] <Princess_Cilia> During the first dance, she dances with the man who brought her to the ball. She tosses her head, smiling, but her hair strays out of place, falling over her ear.
[21:52] <Feldi> Duke Oake carefully tucks her hair back behind her ear, though he is careful not to touch her bare skin with his own.
[21:54] <Feldi> As he does so, his eyes look over the ball and catches the eye, and the figure, of Duchess Tyriena.
01[21:54] <Princess_Cilia> The nobles are all wearing colors or other pins of their heraldry. Dillestone and Oake themselves make up about half of the dancers by themselves. Sandoreale, Luneste, and Antyre are present to a lesser extent, but still filling up enough of the party to have their own obvious cliques.
[21:55] <Duchess_Tyriena> Tyriena, looking around, notices Duke Oake; a soft blush crosses her dark face. She's actually fairly short; as most from her nation and house are. Someone of Harder's height is something of a... desirable trait in Resshe, and the energetic woman notices that easily enough.
[21:57] <Feldi> He flashes her a shy smile across the floor, losing track of where he is walking (and leading the Princess) for a moment...
06[21:58] * Prince_Thain slowly gains confidence, dancing with his partner and then others, the revelry more refined than he's used to, but acclimatising to it... Even if there's a certain tension at dancing with Princess Cilia, leading his own attention to be distracted... A slight bump is all it takes to lead into a stumble, threatening worse...
06[21:58] * Princess_Cilia grabs, maybe a little harder than is comfortable, but keeps Thain from falling over. Nobody seems to notice the misstep. "Are you okay?"
[21:59] <Prince_Thain> The beard hides the blush somewhat, but he nods his gratitude to her. "...Thank you, Lady Cilia." The smile that shows is more genuine, the austere air he'd tried to hold failing completely.
[22:01] <Duchess_Tyriena> Along in the dance, the Duchess finds herself dancing with the Princess; the short foreign woman smiling broadly as she dances; the dance has transitioned just now from an energetic tune (much more her style) to a slower, almost intimate one; which requires a change of stance in the partners.
06[22:02] * Princess_Cilia puts her hand on the slightly shorter woman's shoulder, keeping her close by, but not an especially intimate pose.
06[22:03] * Princess_Cilia continues the dance as the music plays, but turns as the Luneste woman laughs.
[22:06] <Duchess_Tyriena> Looking over Cilia's shoulder as she does; following her gaze, it's rather obvious what she's laughing at... a member of House Sandoreal, looking rather deep in his cups, has apparently spoken something to a member of Hosue Luneste that the latter found worth drawing for; a wooden blade is out and it looks like a duel may be soon to start unless interrupted. "Ah, I'm sorry, Princess," she
[22:06] <Duchess_Tyriena> apologizes; "It's just always entertaining to see how long it takes one of your parties to actually start." Referencing an old idiom of Resshe; that a gathering is not truly begun until someone's honor is on the line.
01[22:07] <Princess_Cilia> "I don't quite understand, I'm afraid."
[22:08] <Duchess_Tyriena> She clicks her tongue slightly. "Perhaps I can explain, if you're interested--though later, ti seems we're changing partners..."
06[22:08] * Princess_Cilia nods. "A pleasure."
[22:09] <Feldi> The Duchess's new partner is the same tall gentleman that she saw near the Princess before.  He smiles at her, though says nothing as the music picks up...
[22:11] <Duchess_Tyriena> She blushes softly as she twirls to him, placing a hand on his waist--she would have to stand on toes to comfortably reach his shoulder, and she seems adverse to touching other's elbows. The waist works, even though it does draw her rathe rclose to him.
06[22:13] * Prince_Thain continues the dance, partner after partner... Slightly less tense than before, although still just a little on edge around the Dillestone noblewoman, movements just a little stiff and inelegant. During a moment of pause, her lips find his ear, a chance for words just between them...
[22:13] <Feldi> He seems to have no complaints about that, his own hand dipping dangerously close to breaking the line of decorum.
06[22:13] * Princess_Cilia says, almost a whisper. "How long are you staying?"
[22:14] <Prince_Thain> He looks surprised at that. "I... Am not entirely certain, Lady. We journeyed here for the ball, but I do not have any pressing commitments in the near future."
06[22:14] * Princess_Cilia nods.
[22:16] <Duchess_Tyriena> The Duchess continues her dance; she glances over at Thain and Cilia, dancing very close indeed, one blonde eyebrow arching on her dark face...
[22:17] <Prince_Thain> Catching his eye... Seeing a fencing masters footwork in her dancing, poised and precise, looking elegant as anything... And yet subtly deadly, the skill she carries not something she feels any need to hide. Although he's nowhere near that level, he's got the wits and knowledge to see it... It sets her apart from all the room, even more than the blades upon her gown.
[22:18] <Feldi> The ball carries on until nearly the witching hour, but soon the hour, and fading oil, send everyone to their beds...
06[22:21] * Prince_Thain does linger after the ball for some days, growing relaxed... Relaxed enough, when drinking in the lounge one evening and having opened a bottle of fine whiskey, to wax lyrical about the origins of right to rule. Of the theories and practices, whether divine right or legal claim or heritage or simple strength and might. His own position seems to sit firmly in the heritage camp,
06[22:21] * Prince_Thain doubtless because it favours his house, but others may well disagree...
[22:24] <Feldi> In the lounge as well sits the Duke, cutting a much more handsome figure, still wearing clothing from his earlier riding around the Dillestone estate. Relaxed, and several glasses in to the whiskey that Thain has shared, he is in a good mood, despite the topic.
[22:24] <Feldi> He takes the position that surely it has to be strength and might.
[22:29] <Feldi> Obviously, this would seem to not be noble or honourable, but without strength and might how would a Houses be able to be noble or honourable? Strength and might is necessary to protect the realm from invaders, and keep safe the motherland.  Heritage can be just so many words when there's a sword pointed at one's chest.
[22:30] <Prince_Thain> "Do we reward a skilled thief with the ownership of what he pilfers? Nay! We take his ill gotten gains and return them to their rightful owners, or put them to the public good. And so do we also take the ill gotten gains of a thiefs children, or grandchildren, if the crime is discovered. So it is with rule and title- Honour demands that they be returned to their true owners, or their kin."
[22:32] <Feldi> The Duke replies that 'without might, nothing can be put right.'
[22:33] <Prince_Thain> "The country remembers its true king."
[22:36] <Feldi> "The true king? Was this not an exercise then? Are you speaking of treason here?!" The Duke gets to his feet.
[22:38] <Prince_Thain> "Treason? I don't think y'kenned my point, Sir. Talking of right and philosophy of rule is just that, and nothing more."
[22:42] <Duchess_Tyriena> Elsewhere in the castle, the Duchess has sought out the Princess; she's been about the area for awhile now, and knows the princess well enough to know she's absolutely working herself to death. She has a bottle of wine and her manservant is preparing a room for the pair to have some time alone in, if all goes well; just simple womanly entertainments. She's humming to herself and smiling,
[22:42] <Duchess_Tyriena> obviously in a good mood on her own.
06[22:43] * Princess_Cilia is indeed working, penning some letters at a desk in her own quarters.
[22:44] <Duchess_Tyriena> "My dear princess Cilia!" She says, offering a sweeping bow as she spots the girl. "Working hard as always, I see! I haven't seen a spot of you since the ball; surely that's just pure chance, and isn't a showing that you've not slowed down an owt since then?"
01[22:45] <Princess_Cilia> "Lady Tyriena? Why are you out so late? I'm just finishing up some missives."
[22:47] <Duchess_Tyriena> "I was looking for you, Princess," she says with a smile. "Because we've known each other long enough for me to know you've not taken a break.... and with all the troubles going on, chances to take one may be swiftly closing for all of us," she says, voice getting seriously. "I've had my manservant prepare a comfortable room, and broken out my finer wines. You need the distraction."
06[22:47] * Princess_Cilia thinks for a moment, then sighs. "Perhaps I have been working too much. Alright, lead the way."
06[22:49] * Duchess_Tyriena smiles, taking Cilia by hte hand and leading her on to the room in question; cushions, good wines, candles and fine books. "I'm glad! It has been too long since we've had a chance to just sit and talk like women... and besides, I do owe you an explanation for what I meant at the dance, hmm?"
01[22:50] <Princess_Cilia> "Oh? I hadn't thought much of it." She sits down, taking a glass.
06[22:54] * Duchess_Tyriena sits across from her. "Resshe takes... well," she says, taking her glass. "A certain point of pride in violence. And we of House Luneste are the same--you've seen the swords we carry, even in times of peace. THere is an old saying, that a gathering hasn't started until someone's honor is on the line--because the quickest way we have to settle a manner of honor is by the blade." She
06[22:54] * Duchess_Tyriena takes a drink of wine and sighs; it's a good vintage. "It solves many problems, and quite quickly, and then everyone can get back to enjoying themselves--or, well, that's the thought, anwyay. Things aren't always so cut and dry, of course, but there you go."
01[22:55] <Princess_Cilia> "I see. That must keep things lively in Resshe."
01[22:55] <Princess_Cilia> She's clearly trying to be nice about it, but there's conflict on her face about it.
[22:58] <Duchess_Tyriena> "Mmm. Not always in the way we'd like," she says, acknowledging the conflict. "The way it's handled here does make things... boil over a bit sometimes, though, surely?" She smiles, stretching and loosening her top a bit; which being fair, the fashion of her house is rather tight, so it may just be for comfort. Surely?
01[22:59] <Princess_Cilia> Surely. She stares for a moment, before fixing her eyes on the woman's face. She takes a drink. "Well, I do need to thank you for this. I didn't realize how much I needed a break."
[23:02] <Duchess_Tyriena> She smiles at the princess. "It's fortunate that you have friends like me then, hmm, Princess?" she asks, taking a drink her own; she adjusts to sit next to the princess, leaning back and placing a hand gently on the other woman's thigh. "You've always been such a hard worker, and so generous. You're a good person, Cilia."
06[23:03] * Princess_Cilia looks into Tyriena's eyes...then snaps out of it, scooting over just a bit, enough to be out of arm's reach of the woman. She looks away, a little flustered. "Thank you, that means a lot to me."
[23:05] <Duchess_Tyriena> She inclines her head slightly, smiling. "You're welcome. I wish I could offer more, really, but..." She trails off, swirling her wine and sighing. "Times as they are... I don't know, really. Everything is so tense..."
01[23:05] <Princess_Cilia> "They are, it's all I can do to help try to keep the realm together..."
[23:05] <Feldi> There comes a hard knock on the door.
[23:06] <Duchess_Tyriena> "Mmm. I wonder if there might be a b--" She whips her head around, blinking at the knock. "... Ah, yes? Who is there?"
[23:07] <Feldi> "...Duchess? I heard that the Princess was in this room? I need to speak with her."
01[23:07] <Princess_Cilia> "Oh, Yes, I'm here Lord Oake. I'll be right there."
[23:07] <Duchess_Tyriena> "Ah, well..." She inclines her head. "Please, take the rest of the bottle, Princess. YOu need it more than I."
01[23:11] <Princess_Cilia> Some days later, it seems that the disagreement between Harder and Thain has led to tension between Oake and Antyre. Antyre has withdrawn its ancient permission for Oake to hunt and fish in its lands. The repercussions of this incident would be seen soon enough...

[15:51] <Feldi> Upon the realization of this fact, the Duke of Oake seeks out Prince Thain, cornering him on the Dillestone estate, and draws a sword upon him. His mood is furious and he is obviously dressed for a scuffle. "You saw to it that our hunting and fishing rights were revoked over an argument?!"
[15:53] <Prince_Thain> "...You'd accuse me of that?" He glares in response, grabbing his own sword from his pack- A long, heavy northern blade, held in two hands and without a shield. "You took my words far too personally... And now you use them as justification for madness."
06[15:56] * Prince_Thain draws his blade and makes ready- His strikes are heavy, his strong build and large blade giving them greater weight than the blows of a more ordinary sword, their clashes ringing out through the halls.
[15:59] <Feldi> The Duke only barely throws aside Thain's blade upon a heavy stroke, the near brush with death serving only to intensify the beating of his heart in his ears.  He throws himself forward with an abandon that doesn't befit a knight, no less a prince, anger lending strength to his less weighty sword.  However, it also leads him to overreach himself...
06[16:02] * Prince_Thain doesn't take advantage of it- Stepping back and allowing Harder to regain his posture, giving him a slow nod before striking again- Which ends up to his detriment. After a few exchanges, he finds a blade pressed to his clothes, not dressed for battle, gasping as blood begins to flow.
[16:04] <Feldi> The Duke steps back upon the sight of blood, not pressing his advantage. "Do you yield?"
[16:05] <Feldi> He has his sword up, the bloodied point aimed at Thain's throat.  A swift stab would end things with a finality...
[16:07] <Prince_Thain> He grins wearily at that, pressing a hand to his side. "...I wasn't aware we'd called a duel, sir. But if we did... I'd be glad to call it at first blood and be on my way." He tries to sound jovial... But he still holds his sword, even as his fine clothes are stained red.
[16:08] <Feldi> The Duke eyes the spreading crimson and the point of his sword lowers. "Go."