1875-04-05: A Ducal Meeting
A Ducal Meeting
Summary: Evae and Jarret sit down to talk about their Duchy's relationship among other things.
Date: 1875-04-05
Related: None really.
NPCs: None
Players:
Evae  Jarret  

Bellmoore Castle

Once past the courtyard and through the large, wooden double-doors one will find themselves inside the grand foyer. Expansive, the walls tower, placing the ceiling fifty feet above the floor, the supports of which are made by perfectly-formed timbers made of a local wood. Windows are spaced evenly along the walls that face the exterior grounds, each paned with a clear glass that affords quite a bit of light as well as a lovely view of the gardens. When the sun sets numerous candles are lit, each waxy pillar set in sconces, giving off a glow that is golden and warm. Tapestries and paintings have been hung, each depicting historical events and people, all serving as good reminders of times of hardship as well as those of great victory.

The stone floor has a long, well-made runner rug that runs along its center, perhaps guiding one to the throne room, the entryway from which the castle proper was entered. Corridors, stairways and other doors also lead to other locations within the building.

1875-04-05

It had been a little while since the Duchess of Wayston had sent the letter out to the other Dukes, requesting assistance against the Qatunax. She had only heard back from the Duke Sokar and his reply was not laden with specifics or any answers to what she had sought; just a request to meet in person. She was not one to deny such a request, thus the Duke was invited to Bellmoore to discuss whatever it was he desired to discuss. Of course, if the conversation was not about what the Duchess desired, she was intent on seeing that it did.

Upon his arrival to Bellmoore, the Duke would be escorted into the Duchess' sitting room on the second floor, adjacent to her suite. It was a sitting room reserved for more quaint meetings and those in which the Duchess desired more privacy. The Duke would be allowed to have as many guards as he deemed necessary, but when he reached the sitting room he would see that nobody but the Duchess was in the room with her own guards outside the door. The door opened slowly, and the Duchess' handmaiden, Kaelyn, stepped aside and offered a proper curtsy. "Right this way Your Grace. She is expecting you."

Seated in a chair by a warm fire is the Duchess, proper postured and wearing a flowered crown of wolfsbane and roses. However, as soon as the Duke appears in the doorway she moves to rise, inclining her head. "Welcome Your Grace. I do nope your trip was without incident. Do come in and make yourself comfortable."

Not one to bring many guards along with him, just one or two at the most, Jarret nods to the guards as they're escorting him. He glances around as they walk, expression a bit distant for a few moments, before they reach the sitting room. Nodding at the handmaiden's words, he offers her a brief smile. "Thank you." Stepping inside, he offers a polite nod to the Duchess as he sees her, along with a smile. "Thank you. The trip was completely without incident." Moving towards one of the chairs, he smiles, "Thank you for agreeing to meet me," he says, before he glances around the room very briefly. "I hope you are well."

Evae will not sit until he is seated, and then settled down into the chair opposite his before the warming flame. She notions to a small table before the two of them. "Please help yourself. There is no need to ask." The table has upon it two goblets and pitcher of wine, as well as an assortment of cheeses, bread and fruit. "I am well. I could be better. However, I am sure there is not a day that goes by that you do not feel the same. There is always something on our minds, is there not?" She leans forward and pours herself a half goblet of the wine, leaning back and taking a sip. "I suppose I know whey you requested this meeting, but entertain me with the reason?" She offers a small smile and raises a brow. "I know with the High Court but a few days away there must be much on both our minds."

Nodding as he hears that, Jarret offers a smile at the words. "Ah, yes. The 'could be better', I know that feeling far too well. There's always something, and if that something is not about the future, it's probably about the past." Waiting until she's poured herself the wine, before he does the same thing. "There are actually a few things on my mind, but while I have been thinking about some of them for a while, the letter you sent made me finally decide that a meeting was in order. Especially with the High Court approaching."

She obviously is trying to study the man before her. It was seldom that they were face to face in a private conversation, and to be honest she felt like she hardly knew him. However, she did feel he was mthe most approachable of the Dukes in the Duchy. "I will get to the point then. It is no secret that the Qatunax on my border are a constant pain in my ass." Such words seldom heard from the Duchess. "They laid waste to Rogers and my people and although they have not ventured further into my lands…I want them gone. Now, I believe I can do this, but I want to be sure. Where do you stand on the Quatunax occupation and invasion?"

The studying of the other person is something that's works both ways. Taking a sip from his wine, Jarret nods a bit as he listens. "From what I have heard, the Qatunax seems to qualify as a pain in the ass. I don't know too much about them, though. We've had our own problems back south, although I have tried to keep up with information about your troubles as well." Another brief pause, and a sigh, before he adds, "Galenthia means much to me, and there are few things I would not do to keep it safe." Evidence of that how he inherited the title. "And aside from that, Viscount Cervantes came to help us in our need during the invasion, which also counts for something." He looks about to say something more, but pauses, taking another sip of wine instead.

More studying. There is always studying before words spoke. "You words lead me to speculate. You and I are not as different as one may think. A sense of honor and obligation to repay what they feel is a debt. I am no fool Your Grace, I know that many are not willing to give anything for nothing in return. Those times are few and far between and cannot be relied on." Another sip of the wine is taken and she lowers it to her lap. "I may be young Your Grace, but I am no fool. I think it is far time for the Dukes of Galenthia to put their personal vendettas aside and realize that there is something bigger than a personal agenda. Do you not agree?"

"Speculate?" Jarret offers another smile as he listens. "You speak words of wisdom, Your Grace," he replies, offering her another smile. "And while you may be younger, I can't help but feel that when it comes to our current positions, you are the veteran." Another brief pause, before he adds, "You know, in a way, it was in this castle my old life ended…" Taking a sip from the wine, expression distant for a few brief seconds, before he speaks again. "And I agree that while there are some personal vendettas, there is something far greater, and more important." Another brief pause, before he adds, "At times it feels like our counterpart in the east may not agree, though."

"One thing I have learned is that it is very difficult to control the actions of others. You can do your best to convince them, you can even bribe them, but in the end they ultimately choose on their own. That is why we can never truly rely on someone else. Include them in your plans, but always have a back up plan." She watches him a moment and then turns her eyes to the fire. "Life changes whether we like it or not, success is found in our ability to react. So tell me Your Grace, where do your ambitions lie for Sokar?"

"True," Jarret replies, nodding a bit as he hears her words. "For good and for bad, their choices are their own. I feel the most we can do is try to influence the choice, but in the end…" He takes another sip from his wine as he considers the question. "Well, peace and prosperity is always high on the list," he replies, before he looks a bit thoughtful again. "I know your House are strong followers of the One, but in my Duchy, there are also many followers of the Many. I've always believed in making sure the people know that first and foremost, they are a part of the whole that is Riverwatch. Their actions are more important than their faith. I know not everyone would agree with it, but I find it important." There's another pause as he considers his words, before he smiles. "After all, like you said in regards to personal vendettas, we are all part of something bigger."

The Duchess reaches for a piece of cheese and places it her mouth chewing it and swallowing before replying in her always soft tone. "We exist to serve our people. The prosperity of our people ultimately lives and dies by our own hand. A good ruler is only as powerful as their people deem them to be. Those who are despised by their people rule by fear and punishment." She runs a hand over the back of her neck and exhales slowly. "Whether you follow The One or The Many, it does not matter. Faith is what many rely on for hope. I have failed my people Your Grace. At least those in Rogers. I have failed to protect them and in doing so have failed in my duty as their ruler. How am I to be judged if I am to do nothing? "

"We have all failed someone," Jarret replies, quietly, before he nods once more, listening with a thoughtful expression. "One of the few things that are certain about any kind of leadership is that sooner or later, you will fail someone." It's said a bit slowly, before he adds, "But as someone once told me, one of the most important things about failure is how you deal with it. You could let it break you, or you can be determined to learn from it and make it so you will not fail the next time." There's another sip of his wine, before he adds, "But the worst is if you do nothing. Then whatever caused you to fail has beaten you."

She seemingly seems very at ease with the Duke before her, leaning forward in the chair, and placing her hands on the arm of it before replying, her tone not changing, always that dulcet voice just above a whisper. "I shall do something about it. This is a decision I have come to and will not change my mind. Rogers must be obtained by Arkanin once more and before anyone else claims it for themselves." She studies the man once more, seemingly trying to decide if she should say what she wishes, but then simply does. "May I speak open and honest? She does not wait for him to answer. "If either of us becomes the Archduke or Archduchess, let us promise one another that Galenthia is first and foremost. We must secure our borders and then look to the Ironhold situation."

"I agree," Jarret replies, before he adds, "Rogers must be reclaimed, not only for the sake of Arkanin, but for all of Galenthia. We have let too much be taken already, both here and a certain part that broke away." He pauses as he hears the rest of what's said, nodding. "Agreed. Let us make that promise."

"And if it should fall to one of them. So be it. That does not mean that Arkanin and Sokar cannot work together to achieve what we both know our people need. These are trying times for Galenthia and our respective Duchies. Our people are looking now more than ever for leadership and safety. It is up to us to provide such." She reaches for her wine and takes a long sip, lowering it just enough to speak over the rim. "It would please me greatly to know that my neighbor to the south was a valuable ally that I could depend on and reciprocate in kind. We speak of speculation and follow through…of this I can offer my promise."

Jarret smiles as he takes a sip from his own wine. "As would it please me to know my northern neighbor would be such an ally. May we bring both the leadership, safety and stability the people need in these times."

The Duchess of Wayston raises her glass to the Duke and offers a warm and welcoming smile. "To our unofficial alliance. Mya it be just what Galenthia needs in these trying times. Please, stay as long as you wish. I had our finest guest suite prepared for you. However, I feel you may be anxious to return to your homeland before the High Court." She slowly rises and inclines her head once more. "My door is always open Your Grace. Please know this. "

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License