(1875-01-04) Another Meeting At Glenbrook
Another Meeting At Glenbrook
Summary: Thomas and Lillian meet at Glenbrook.
Date: 2019-01-04
Related: None
NPCs: None
Players:
Lillian  Thomas  

Study, Glenbrook
A study, small, but nicely appointed.
1875-01-04

It had only been a few days since the Brigadier of the East Viscount Thomas Chandus had arrived in the lands of House Glenbrook. Of Glenbrook themselves, they are well armed and prepared for any further penetration from the Parthians, though none had been forthcoming in the winter rains. The Brigadier had arrived with a very tiny escort of his cousin who Captained a company in one of his regiments, his Serjeant at Arms and standard bearer and the Captain's squire. Rumour had it that they'd traveled by dirigible, the much smaller cousin of airships of which each Duchy might own a few, but been blown of course.

Regardless of the rumours, he is being hosted at Lord Glenbrook's pleasure, and has filled the days with training alongside the Lord, his knights and garrison, as well as meeting with his southern counterpart, Brigadier Count Dertan Kaedon. He stands now in the study of this small castle, alone, arms crossed, part armed with light sword and dagger, and vested in his padded arming doublet. Something about rules in his theatre. His face is partly windburnt, hair neatly combed back. He looks contemplative.

-

Lillian had little cause to receive letters from those outside of her House or her Kingdom. Or those involved directly in the war they were fighting at Alnburg. And so, when a missive arrived at Alnburg from the Viscount Chandus, it had come as no small surprise. It had taken some negotiation and realignment of troops for her to make the journey, but she was more fortunate than most, as Cervantes had chosen to remain at Alnburg while she made the trip north to Glenbrook. She had been well-received there, and after some small time to refresh herself, had been lead to the study where the Viscount was waiting.

-

The sound of steps inside the study causes Thomas to pivot on his feet and about turn, a semi-parade ground move the he only holds back so much. He smiles slightly, and steps in to greet the Riktonian noble. "My lady, thank you for making the journey. I am Viscount Thomas Chandus, as you may know, and I have not had the pleasure of making your acquaintance." He very, very gingerly reaches out to take Lillian's hand and gives it a very chaste kiss - it more barely touches the edge of her skin before he pulls back. He dips his head, too.

-

Lillian's lips quirked into a smile at the about face, as she saw that almost impossible to miss sign of a military man, stepping forward to meet him, offering her hand in perfect time to the kiss, her own figure dipping into a polite curtsy, before her hand was released and she rose to her full height. "I have heard many tales of your deeds, Viscount Chandus, and I am honoured to make your acquaintance." As she settled herself, she continued, "I must say, I was surprised to receive your letter, but if there is something that you need from me and my House, or that of my husband, I will do what I can."

-

"Can you deliver this war from us, my Lady? I'm told that your Order is famed for its acts of mercy. Well, not told, simply - I have witnessed them." Thomas laughs, moving over to a couple of decanters. "Brandy, and wine, my lady, your pick. Both are quite good. I have briefly met your husband on a few occasions, and I have heard word of his deeds north of the border, against the savages. Impressive! As are your soldiery. And, I am most fortunate to be acquainted with your King Rollo. A most honourable man, and one I count as a friend. We fought at Goldhollow on opposing sides." He smiles tightly. "But, I'm certain that you did not come here to hear me boast of my knowledge of nobility."

-

"I can certainly try to offer a prayer, Viscount, but I am afraid that my prayers do not carry the weight of he who was once my cousin." Alas, that the High Priest no longer laid his fealty at the steps of Bordeaux. "Brandy, I think. I never acquired a taste for wine. Even those considered the best vintages always taste a bit sour to my palate." A dip of her head came in response to the comment on her husband, "I am certain that Cervantes will be pleased to hear that his actions have been so well received. As will my men." It was a pride thing, "What ill will existed between your kingdom and mine in the days of the war do not now exist. We are all united in our struggles for freedom an survival." The final comment drew a shake of Lillian's head, "I am at your disposal, Viscount."

-

"Prayers have power, my Lady, though perhaps not the power that we might always wish." Thomas ripostes, cryptically, as he pours two fine glasses of the amber liquid and hands one to her. "The demon spawn that caused the war is no longer in your Kingdom. Many were used. But that is not why I called upon you, my lady." He pauses for a moment, amused at something. "I am here to talk about other things. Your cousin, in particular."

-

"Truer words have never been spoken. The One rarely accedes to our wishes, but to his Will." Lillian accepted the glass with a words of thanks, and a dip of her head before she settled comfortably, "No longer in Rikton, no, but I have heard that he is once again raising his head and turning his face towards the West." That last though, brought a frown to her face, "I beg your pardon? My cousin?" And then it clears, "Ah, you must mean Vemmorn. He wrote to tell me that he and his ship were at Duval."

-

Thomas loses his levity, lips pursing into a frown almost immediately. "Who has told you this, my lady? These are dire tidings indeed." He relaxes when the conversation turns, though not entirely. "Yes, Lord Vemmorn. I have not met him, but my cousin has, and there was a thought, perhaps. Is your cousin betrothed or otherwise affiliated?"

-

"Did you not hear of the attack on Viscount d'Korbina? I treated him in the aftermath of the vampire's attack. It was not long after he married his ex-wife, the Lady Imogen. They were attacked in their bed, and the Viscount was gravely injured." Lillian did not take a sip of her brandy, though she kept the glass warming between her hands. "No. Vemmorn is not betrothed, nor has anyone come forward to request such a contract with me."

-

"I did not." Thomas seems vexed at this information, but says little about it other than that. He too takes a sip of his brandy, and remains silent for a moment. "And what are your plans for your young cousin, my lady, if I may be so bold to ask?"

-

"At the present, for Vemmorn? To allow him the resources and freedom with which to grow the naval arm of our family. He has only recently retired from the Rikton Navy and is exploring the trade possibilities that that affords us." Thinking of her cousin did bring a smile to Lillian's lips, "He does still, on occasion hunt the odd pirate. I imagine old habits die hard, even in one as young as he still is."

-

"I ask this because my cousin, Captain Sir Scarlett Chandus of my Repton Highlanders, enquired as to him and his status. I have not had the opportunity to speak to the young man, and I would have not thought of this on my own." Young man - Thomas is no more than seven years older than the Riktonian sailor, but he appears to believe that this gives him great wisdom. Or, perhaps this is just his style. He awaits Lillian's response, watching her closely with watery blue eyes.

-

Lillian seemed to take pause at that, lowering her glass to rest, still held in both hands to her waist, "I see. I am afraid that as it stands, Vemmorn is not under consideration for a marriage match. While I have no doubt that your cousin is a fine example of the strength of your House, there is no political advantage to be gained by a marriage to Chandus. I mean that as no insult to you or yours, but our House is small, with few prospects of the marrying sort, and we must choose our alliances with care to strengthen ties between Rikton and the other Kingdoms of the West. I have done my own part, in marrying into the nobility of Galenthia, and my position as Viscountess of Arkanin has forged quite a strong alliance with your Kingdom. Adding another tie to Galenthia will only make it less likely that we could secure an alliance with a non-Galenthian House."

-

"This is true, my lady, but surely you do not think that a cousin of the main line of a Seigneurie would be likely to find a suit across border? Surely, marrying into a County which is on the cusp of the former border and which, given opportunity, could potentially aid in opening trade East down the Great Salt, whatever may be there, would be a boon?" Thomas sips his drink. "I am not committed to the idea either, incidentally, but I owe my cousin for her good deeds and service that I might bring it up. We lack naval inclination, but there is one spot in the County that could potentially push ships off. It is at present uninhabited. That could change, perchance, and it would be the eastern most point in the entirety of our Civilised realms."

-

"I did not mean to imply that I believed that my House would not be seen as a suitable alliance, but rather, that with only so many members of my House of marriageable age, we must be judicious in choosing which contracts to consider and which we must reject. We lost many of our men and women during the War. As well, I must also consider my cousin's own utility to my House. In the grand scheme of the West, my House is quite low in rank, and any marriage beyond my own, as being the Head of House allowed me to maintain my fealty to my own House, will be a marriage out to a greater House. And that will be a loss for Bordeaux that I am not yet prepared to make. I have need of my cousin's skill and expertise. If Vemmorn were to wed your Cousin, he would become a Chandus. Your cousin would not become a Bordeaux. As well, Bordeaux lies along the rivers of Rikton, and does not require the investment of time and labour to built both a holding and a fleet of ships with which to ply the seas for trade, as we already have both. No, I am afraid as it stands, Vemmorn is best able to serve his House as he is now." Lillian's tone was soft, polite, determined, "I appreciate that you take such consideration with your cousin's desires, but it simply is not a possibility."

-

Thomas doesn't seem particularly disappointed by this; rather, he smiles faintly and nods at Lillian. "I understand completely, my lady. My house was absolutely gutted by the wars of the last thirty years or so, but even still, I still have many cousins. You, I imagine, do not. And your cousin is a valuable asset as a sailor, trader and traveller. But, as I said, I owed my cousin enough to bring this idea up."

-

"It is a sad thing to consider, but that is so. I, myself, never expected to ever be Head of House. And then we lost my father and both of my brothers. I have been fortunate, in that my eldest brother left behind a son, who is now my heir, so that I am burdened," but that brought a faint smile to her lips, "Only with the immediate task of providing an heir for Arkanin. But we have been hit hard, and I must do all that I can to ensure that Bordeaux survives. We grow much of what we require for our healers on our lands, but in many ways, we do so at the cost of being able to provide the staples that our people and our army require. Without our fleet and without skilled men like my Cousin, we would not be able to provide the healing services we do to Rikton and to the Western Kingdoms." Lillian finally lifted the glass to her lips, taking a polite sip, before she continued, "I hope that my refusal will not sour what relations might have been possible between your House and my own."

-

"Neither did I, my lady, but that is the song of our generation. I, fourth child of an ancient Lord. And now, a Marcher Viscount married to the Crown Princess of Navali; my children will inherit the Ergonian march and the Island Kingdom. God preserve my luck, for I do not deserve it. The world turns, but the madness is not over. More will perish." Thomas says, gravely. He shakes his head. "Of course not - and we have gained something, too, which is familiarity. I had the acquaintance of a Reliant years ago, in truth one of your chaplains of the Order of Saint Sarah, Viola. But as my brother says, in the Holy City you may trust a Templar to do justice, but you may always simply trust a Reliant. No mean praise - my brother is a Templar Knight Commander." He chuckles, and rises from his seat. "I thank you for riding north in these times. I hope to stand shoulder to shoulder with you and your husband, or perhaps even better, in a great hall in times of peace." He smiles.

-

"I do not believe in such luck, Viscount, and certainly not in your case. If even half of the stories that I have heard of you are true, you have sacrificed more than most and saved more than most. You have earned, by your own blood and resolve, all the good grace that the One, or the Many, if they are to whom you look, might grant a living soul." Thomas' praise of her order brought another smile, and a dip of her head, "It is rare…so far to the south, to find those who do not view the knights of Rikton," for such they were, templar or reliant, "with anything other than suspicion and ill-will. Your words are both a compliment and a balm, and I thank you for them." As Thomas rose from his seat, Lillian set down her glass, "And I thank you for the invitation, whatever the reason behind it. It has been…too long since I have seen a land at peace. In truth…I long for my home. But Cervantes and I have tied our fortunes and perhaps the fortunes of our Houses to the Duke Sokar and we will see our duty through to the end. May that be a peaceful one." She paused for a moment, "If you have been of my healers, you have only to ask. We will send them to your aid." Fielding healing troupes was a Bordeaux specialty.

-

"I am a faithful servant of the Almighty One, my lady, and, as such, it is to him that I lay thanks for my great fortune. Whether it is for the gifts he gave me at birth or the steady hand in my life, he is the source of fortune, I believe, and deserving of praise. And yet, I thank you, because you do not flatter - you speak with an honest tongue that is sorely lacking in these days. And as for your Order and your Kingdom, such is the way. War can be an ugly thing, but it is a necessity, and we do well to fight for our country. The virtues of courage, honour and diligence." Thomas nods at her, one final time. "We shall speak of healers perhaps at another time. I mean to honour a promise I made to Priestess Viola and donate land for a hospital. In time. God bless, my lady. Perhaps tomorrow, if you do not need to leave immediately, we shall train in the field. If not, may the Saints keep you on your road. We shall surely have more ahead."

-

"And yet, the hand of the One is often visible only in the works which his servants manifest. And your hand has been a fair one in service to him, and in service to your House, and Kingdom." Lillian accepted the putting off of talk of healers for another time. "I think it will be a fruitful conversation. Our healing troupes have served well, on the field of battle and off. But that is, as you say, for another day." The offer to train was received with a dip of her head, "I am not due back immediately. I would be honoured to train with you, to learn from you. For now, I will bid you a fair evening." Lillian offered a final curtsy, before she made her departure.

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