(1866-08-31) A Task for the Grieving
A Task for the Grieving
Summary: … Cassius Volstak is what Viscount Henric Cassomir has, which transpires through an informal breakfast before holding court, at Castle Roseguard, with Henric's wife Elaine in attendance.
Date: 31/08/2015
Related: Recent Jaelynn and Arkanin/d'Armaz troubles.
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Henric  Cassius  Elaine  

Cassomir Dining Hall - Castle Roseguard - Ironhold - Galenthia
In the scene
Aout 31st, 1866

Ironhold was buzzing with activity of late, especially with the visiting Viscountess and Baron in attendance, both with matters that hadn't been entirely seen too or resolved. However, in the morning, Henric was at least allowed a bit of time to himself before the daily grind needed him, sort to speak. He was in the much smaller and quieter dining hall, only big enough to seat the family that once lived here, an intimate setting. He sat not at the head of the table that his father used to once head up, even if at the other castle, nor the seats reserved for each of his siblings in order. He sat at the sixth chair from the head of the table, with invitations made for the Volstaks to eat with him. In fact, especially Cassius if not his wife. He was in relaxed wear, not yet fitted into some rich tunic or doublet for the day’s court. The food was simple, eggs with some sort of wild bird and a garnish of veggies.

Cassius had behaved politely around the guests, when he came across them, but he hasn't really been out and about much. Apparently the assassination was still bearing him down badly and he's often excused himself with his duties as a squire or training. But he's around for the breakfast now, dressed in plain clothes as if readying for another day of practise. Nodding a greeting to Henric and Elaine before he takes a seat.

Elaine who is sitting on her chair beside Henric, a smile given to her brother as he joins them. She wearing a dress of dark green, high waisted, long sleeved, her blonde hair done in a braid. Her complexion looking somewhat healthy and rosy, she was rather quiet so far on this morning. Thoughtful almost, as if all those visitors from abroad were making her nervous. Well… visitors meant provisions had be replenished for the kitchens, menus adjusted. For the moment she eats a simple meal of bread and cheese, with and a glass of watered wine to sip from beside her plate.

Henric regards Cassius with a concerned mien, gauging the young man's mood from the way he carries himself to the table, "Cassius, my brother…" he uses the last in a tentative trial of the word, for how strange it sounds to have a brother again indeed, even if by marriage it has been made, "I hear you have been as black as I, these days." He looks carefully toward Elaine, then back to Cassius, "If there anything that I can do, do speak it? The loss you bear is as great and I do share it with you." There is a beat in that before he offers with a shrug, "Have you seen the Viscountess Kaedon yet? Perhaps her company can lighten you a little while she is here." Henric steals a glance to Elaine, before he turns back to Cassius, observing how the squire would handle this subtle request.

Cassius shakes his head in response to Henric. "I appreciate it, but … you know there's nothing to be done… brother" The word just as odd to him but feeling like a honour coming from this man, "Only time… maybe.", he adds sombrely and fills a cup with watered-down wine for a half-heated sip. Shaking his head. "I… I have not. I have enough to deal with as it is."

Elaine's gaze darts from Henric to Cassius, the corners of her lips twitching slightly before she extends her hand to place it on her brother's. "It is a great tragedy," she remarks softly. "Lady Jaelynn…", she bites her lip, her grey-blue eyes going distant for a moment. "She was a friend of the family. She was kind, as I hear, and I regret that I have not had the opportunity to get to know her better." When Henric mentions the Viscountess she shoots him a glance, her eyes shifting to Cassius again, as she pulls back her hand. "You know we are here for you, Cassius. To help you, if there is anything we can do."

Henric glances down to his plate, food not appetizing currently, for many matters trouble him, this as much as most others. The Viscount considers the response with a slow acceptance of a nod, "It was not a tragedy dear wife," Henric murmured quietly, "but a murder. One I shall repeat in time, given the chance and the right measure of pieces to put on the board to sequence the events. For treachery deserves neither kindness or mercy." His fingers grow tense around the goblet at the conversation of the woman now gone from them, another young lady lost to the ravages of violence and war. "Better they had given her a trial than kill her on the road," he looks to Cassius, "How well do you know the Charing family? Or the remaining Lady Arkanin? You did spend time in their company, didn't you Cassius?" Elaine's additional sentiments earn a slight tug of his lips into something not quite a smile, an attempt, a faint approval perhaps.

"Not if I get there before you.", Cassius grumbles at Henric, but shakes his head at Elaine's words. "I just need people to leave me alone.", he says sourly without meeting anyone's eyes. He does seem grateful for Henric's questions that help to change the subject at least a tiny little bit. "The Lady Evae Arkanin? She seemed… alright. I think she should have stood by Jaelynn more, of course. I mean blood's thicker than water and all that, right?" He seems to get hot under the collar for a bit, but takes a sip of wine and calms down quickly. "But I know it wasn't easy. She was worried for her family, her lands and all those who depended on her…"

Elaine draws a breath, noting some anger boiling beneath Henric's facade of a countenance. "I do not know any details, I heard of bandits attacking her and her retinue that were to bring her home," she attempts a faint counter. Her hand moves to Henric's arm, as she tries to catch his gaze. "Don't do anything rash, Henric. If this is a ploy, caution would be well advised. Perhaps… such a matter needs be addressed before the Queen, as Lady Jaelynn is a lady of one of her vassal houses. Especially…" And here she leans a touch towards Henric, "if this is a matter that could be viewed as a move against Galenthia." She falls silent then, leaning back again as her hand reaches for her goblet and she takes a sip from it. Content to listen for a moment, her gaze flickering towards Cassius as a faint line appears between her brows - sensing his current state. And hearing his request to be left alone.

That grumble takes Henric by surprise, showing as such as he straightens in his chair and gives Cassius a dubious stare, then, "Oh really? Hrm," he pushes his plate ahead of himself and settles for drinking the mulled wine, "Then you should, get there before me." He settles his wine glass down and considers Cassius, the lad in obvious need of a duty other than the practice of a squire, listening to Cassius' mention of Evae and the insight there between. "I know becoming a messenger is not the glory that you seek Cassius, but my trust does not extend far these days, and so in you I would - trust. You've already established lines of communication with them that I haven't had the opportunity to," he glances aside to Elaine, which her words do bring his to a halt, long enough to accept her advice with a simple nod. But he carries on, "If your knight agrees to it, I would have you go to Lady Evae, offer your service to her to reclaim Jaelynn's body if it has not been so already, for you should be there when they give her the rights to the One." He sighs, "It would have been your rightful place."

This actually does make Cassius' gloomy face brighten - a bit. "That… that would be great, bb—-bbrother.", he says eagerly, before he turns sober again. "I should be there, yes. And if it's… the last… the only thing I can do for her, I shall do so. When would you have me depart?", he asks, the knight's permission apparently not in doubt.

"When you are ready to," Henric responds to Cassius, "And bring the House Arkanin our deepest condolences, as Elaine has said, we cannot currently engage in anything more than our sympathy. When the time is right, our enemies will see their end, but not at the cost of another war." His hand did slip to Elaine to squeeze her thigh, before he offers to Cassius, "Though, if you find out anything, anything at all that we can do… discreetly, to aid, write to me. I have no ciphers yet, so be vague. Speak to me of their movements as weather changes and moves." However, Alexander walks in and nods to the Viscount and Viscountess, it was time yet again for court.

Elaine's countenance warms decidedly, when she overhears the exchange between her husband and her brother. Especially noting the eagerness of the latter. The glance she gives the Viscount holds gratitude, and acknowledgement for his gesture, and sense to give her brother a task, when his heart is heavy with grief. Alas, her attention is soon distracted, when a servant arrives, her presence obviously being required elsewhere. "This sounds like a good idea," she remarks softly to the both of them as she rises to her feet, "But for now, pray excuse me." The keen eye may notice that formerly so pronounced waist may be not as lean as it used to be. It seems she departs just in the moment when Alexander returns, she offering him a nod as she leaves.

As the grown ups make their departure, Cassius looks at his breakfast for a moment, then leaps to his feet and bolts out of the room to find his knight.

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