(1875-11-02) A Tactical Mind
A Tactical Mind
Summary: Elian and Rowena converse on a variety of subjects as they stroll through Coningsburg.
Date: 2019-11-02
Related: Follows immediately after The Coningsburg Ranged Event.
NPCs: None
Players:
Elian  Rowena  

Coningsburg
Tourney ground and gardens, all very fine.
I1875-11-02

Elian follows Rowena as she starts winding her way from the popinjay area and into the steep paths of the town proper. "How long have you lived here?"

-

Rowena glanced across to Elian, as he fell into step with her, meandering her way through the collection of merchants and hawkers who tended to collect in such places, bringing with them the smells of good food and the sounds of merriment, "Only a few months, as it happened. I had spent most of my life in Dalcen, when I served in the Red Sails, the naval fleet of House Sokar. But my cousin offered me the Admiralty of the COning Navy and I accepted his offer. So…since the beginning of the summer? Have you spent much time in Galenthia?"

-

"Almost none." Elian says to Rowena. "I have been working my way up into a position of command and between the westwar, the Bitralund conflict and now the rebellions of al'Mordran and al'Arran there has not been much time for fun." He reaches up to remove his hat. "I must say that the climate down here is pleasant. It is almost as if the autumn has not yet begun."

-

"I have been to the norths of Aequor only rarely, though I have spent a good amount of time in Four Corners. I imagine one must become accustomed to the cold, but I am afraid I never have. So far south as we are, we do not even see snow, except rsrely. It is a pleasant place to escape to." Rowena slowed, as she reached a stall that was selling some sort of roasted meat on a stick. The slightly rich, slightly gamey odor identified it as mutton, "May I?" Clearly, she intended to buy an order for both of them.

-

Elian nods his permission, tucking his hat away so that he can instead take the stick. "My family have run a fortress up near the northern border of al'Callenta from before even my father was born. There will be snow close by, even now. The world is always a tiny bit magical when it is wreathed in snow. It almost seems another world and it is quiet, oh so very quiet. I would suggest you visit but Coalscore does not offer much in the way of entertainment. It is always more interesting to ride another day or so north to Benide or visit with the Duke and his court in Murnod."

-

"Of course." Elian adds. "Benide is the front line in the war between Gendiel and Aequor these days. I would not recommend it."

-

Rowena's eyes sparkled with merriment as she handed over one of the meat sticks, claiming one for herself, "I have been a sailor all of my life, I am supremely adept at entertaining myself when there is nothing at all around. But it sound a beautiful place. perhaps one day I might see it." The caution she accepted with a cant of her head in thanks, "I have no wish to engage in the wars of the north. We have quite enough trouble on our doorstep as it is."

-

Elian takes a careful bite from his meat on a stick before attempting to answer. "Ah. Partharia right? I read some of the reports on the battles that took place. It is one of my interests. Strategy and tactics." Another bite and he adds. "The last time I was on a ship the vessel was over-run and captured. Luckily Jasmina took a liking to me, or perhaps my companion Ivo d'Armaz, and allowed us both to go free without ransom. A close thing though I think you will agree? It would have been so easy for her to simply recognise me as a significant threat and see me put under house arrest for the rest of the war."

-

Rowena, clearly no stranger to such fare, nibbled as she returned to her walk, clearly intending to take in the beauty of the city, still ripe as it was with flowers and green, growing things. "You would d well to study here, then." She did frown, as she heard the accounting, "She did not ransom you to al'Callenta? That seems a very poor choice. To hold members of two such valuable Houses and not to use them for political gain is…an odd choice. Perhaps she took to you and all."

-

"Galenthia does have some great commanders." Elian agrees. "I would like to test myself against them one day. I had hoped to one day meet Gauvain on the field. It was a tragedy that he was lost how he was." He gives her a nod at her words of it being unusual. "We were involved in an urgent task at the time. I was worried she would not understand the urgency. Yet she did. So that was likely the reason." He walks with her without comment. Aware that they are taking a longer route than necessary but fine with it. "Or it was simply because of my inherent charm." He smiles across at her. "Tell me. Does this new scar enhance or diminish it?"

-

"The late Duke was a brilliant Commander, that is true, but he lacked a certain amount of finesse. Should you truly wish to study a man who has both skill on the field and in court and who has managed to make a greater name for himself than nearly anyone I know, you should seek out Viscount Thomas Chandus of Repton March, the Firebrand, as he is sometimes called. He has been newly elevated to Knight Marshal of Galenthia. You will find him a man of singular skill and experience." At the question, Rowena turned to consider Elian's face, "I quite like it. It adds a certan ruggedness to your features."

-

Elian lifts his fingers to touch the still-pink mark. "Rugged. I am not sure that is something I ever thought I needed." he drops his hand away from his face. Instead letting his hand rest on the pommel of his sword. "I have heard of Thomas." he agrees. "But Gauvain was personal." he purses his lips for a moment. "It might sound foolish but he was responsible for ruining my grandfathers reputation." He glances to her. "You have heard about General Andre al'Callenta? He was my grandfather."

-

"I think, Elian, that it is not always what you think you need, but what those who might have cause to admire you might need." She dipped her head, in answer to the comment about Gauvain, turning to lead them into one of the gardens, "Perhaps so, but while you might have been able to see the face of the man who did much injustive to your family, it would not have made you a better person or made you more capable of becoming greater than those in whose footsteps you walk."

-

"Perhaps your right." Elian says "Yet I would have found it extremely satisfying to know that I had defeated the man that did so much damage to Aequor." He looks at her. "Gauvain didnt commit any injustices against Knight-General Andre. Not unless you consider beating him repeatedly to be an injustice. I just wanted to. I don't know. Prove myself I guess? Without Gauvain I no longer have that same post to measure myself again." He smiles at her. "There will be other opportunities. As you say." He pauses to nibble at his meat for a bit. "I've shared more than I probably should have. What of you Rowena?"

-

Rowena looked aside at Elian, "And yet you did not say so in broad terms, you mentioned your grandfather specifically. So, in a way, it is personal." Rowena paused, beneath the boughs of a sprawling willow, taking a bite more of her skewer before she considered. "What of me? I am the youngest daughter of the Sokar main line, I took to the seas when it became clear that my mother had no use for me, for she had already used my brothers as pawns in her political games. I commanded a ship of the line, but found myself always passed over for promotion. When my brother slew her to save Galenthia and our House and became the new Duke, he too passed me over, until my cousin saw more potential in my than my own close kin."

-

"It sounds like you are restless." Elian says after a long moment. "And still seeking your place in the world." He smiles at her. "Don't worry. I can only see that because I feel much the same. I have actually been considering leaving my role as Knight-Tribune and starting a mercenary company."

-

"Is that not the trait that all who wish to make their mark in the world share? Restlessness in their position? A desire to be more than they are and greater than people believe them capable of?" Rowena turned, looking for a place to dispose of the stick, now that she had finished with her meat. Thanksfully, there were baskets set aside just for that sort of thing, and she soon had her hands free, "That would certainly allow you the autonomy that serving under some else's command does not."

-

Elian chuckles at her first question before nodding at her comment about the mercenary. "Countess d'Juliano once said that she would fund an expedition to white hall. I am sorrowful it did not happen. Can you think of anything more appealing than taking a host of mercenaries to white hall and carving our your own kingdom." He purses his lips again. "A vassal kingdom to d'Juliano but a kingdom none the less." a smile for her. "Alas. I do not have the funds for such a thing. I doubt you do either." He drops his stick in the same container Rowena's went into and then takes the gamble of touching her upper arm. Looking up at her as he asks. "It seems all my dreams involve battles and wars. How about yours?"

-

"I feel I would be conflicted on such a point, for their are those of White Hall who have bound themselves to Galenthia, and to the service of the Queen, and they have been an invaluable asset to our kingdom, and have done much to aid the country during this conflict with Partharia. As well, I have heard something of their skill and worth, for they took a great swathe of the lands along your coasts and in s doing proved themselves formidable enemy." Rowena did not seem to mind the touch to her arm, though there was some wryness in the amusemrnt that now coloured her expression, "What other dreams can I have? To tie myself to some noble lord? To earn my power and my position on my back, counting on the value of what lies between my legs rather than what lies between my ears? I think I dream of the only road left for me."

-

"I don't particularly care to kill them." Elian points out to Rowena. "It is the challenge and the prize that interests me. I am no crusader." He tilts his head a little at her question. "I don't know why something loses its value just because you earned it in the bedroom. A favor, or a service, is much the same no matter if it came from promises to give another the benefit of your bloodline or your skill as an admiral. Why lock off such a powerful option?"

-

"I did not imply that you were. But my point is, that we ahve found that they are a useful ally, and as you have likely seen a terrible enemy. Were I faced with such a choice, I would prefer the ally than the kingdom, for I would have to diminish their power to claim it. And should I fail, I would lose the possibility of an alliance altogether." Rowena looked over to Elian at the question, "Because I am selfish, Elian. As an admiral I can earn renown for myself. I can advance. Should I take the route of childbearing then any success that comes from that will never be mine, but will be only for those whom I bear."

-

"Mm." Elian says "I guess I can see that to some level. Surely you could have any husband you wanted though? Why not turn it around and make it him that adds to your house and not you that adds to his?"

-

"It is not as simple as that. Who could I add to my family who would give the Sokar more power than they already possess? I count two of my brothers, Jarret and Davon as Dukes in their own right. My cousin is the new Duke Tarris. The Duke Romante is already married to my cousin's aunt by marriage. Perhaps if I were a lady of a lesser House, I could find some way to make an alliance for more power or influence, but my mother did her job too well, I fear."

-

"I didn't mean the house of Sokar." Elian says to Rowena. "I meant the house of Rowena." he gives a slow nod. "But you may be right about it not being so simple. I forgot that you were the sister and daughter of a duke and duchess." he lifts his hand to rub his thumb thoughtfully along the line of his lips. "Hmm. Well. Perhaps not everything needs to be focused on marriages." he touches her arm again. "Or perhaps you should look to the north instead of Galenthia. I have a dozen cousins who would be pleased to join you or at least." He gives her a bemused smile. "they would not complain about it. Would you like to show me your ship?"

-

"There is no House of Rowena. It will always be overshadowed by Sokar. The most that I can hope for, is to make a name for myself through my own efforts. But perhaps you are right, and there may one day come a time when such an alliance between kingdoms would be a benefit to us. Perhaps that is why I am very nearly grown to old for the comfortable bearing of children with no prospects." Whatever consternation had been in Rowena's expression soon faded at the request, "Of course, Elian. I would be glad to show you my ship."

-

"Then perhaps there should be." Elian tells her. "Just as I intend to move out of the shadow cast by al'Callenta. Work out what you want and then pick a spouse who helps you achieve it. You don't have to do things for the benefit of Sokar. You are Sokar. So whatever makes you more powerful also benefits them. If they try to tell you otherwise, or stop you, then they are trying to protect their own position and not that of your lineage." another of those mildly amused smiles. "Perhaps I should apologise. I am not the most favored al'Callenta. Clearly I do not know everything."

-

Rowena took her leave of the place she had been taking up, turning to find her way back along the path, one that would lead them back towards the docks, allowing Elian to fall into step with her so that they could continue the conversation, "There is no need to apologize. What is the good in having a tactical mind if you do not offer your insights? I am grateful for your perspective. Though i wonder if that is what you did when you chose your own wife."

-

Elian just gives a little laugh at that. "You thought I was married? I guess I see where that was coming from." he spreads his fingers to better display some of his rings and tilts his head up towards her again. "I am talking as if I am some kind of expert." He shakes his head slightly. "It is not something that I feel is particularly likely although I suppose that it may happen if I inherit the stewardship of Coalscore instead of Bessa." he glances across at her again. "My sister."

-

Rowena turned, tilting her head to the side as a bird might do, "What was it that you said to me? Find a husband who could add to my House? f you are not married, have you not considered where you might be the husband to increase another's House and thereby gain some greater power for yourself?"

-

A smile plays across his lips. "I walked right into that one didn't I?"

-

Rowena's laughter was warm and merry, as they turned the lane and began to make their way down along the docks, "Indeed. But I imagine that is because, in our worlds, generally, it is the women who are used to bargain for power and position and not usually the men."

-

"Countess d'Juliano once asked that I marry her." Elian confesses. "And I turned her down. So I can safely say that I do not want to be a spouses pawn and plaything any more than you do. I am not saying that I would turn down any proposal. The Countess d'Juliano is.. hmm.. how might I put this delicately. Predatory and selfish." he glances to her occasionally as they walk. Seeming comfortable enough merely to follow her path towards the ship. "But I am sure there are other women who would work. If I felt as if the marriage made me greater for having it than I am without." He gives her a mildly wry look. "If as you claim it is the women who are used to bargain why have all your brothers been matched up but not you? Has it occurred to you that you might be unmarried because your mother considered you the most valuable of all her children? You are to valuable. I am not valuable enough."

-

"And." This offered already as if sharing a terrible secret. "I am only four and twenty years old."

-

"It would seem that many women in power become so. Though I cannot say if that is by necessity or desire." As for the question of herself, Rowena shook her head, "The reasons for my brothers are easy enough. Jarret she bound to House March, when he was the spare, and she found a match in the daughter of your own king, for the heir to Sokar, my brother Thaddeus, dead now almost a decade." Rowena frowned. "I could not marry Xavier, for he was already married, and he refused to remarry after the death of his wife. And when he abdicated for his daughter, I was unsuitable, as you can imagine, so went Davor. Cousin Brennart she negotiated to Tarris, though I suppose she might have considered me for Corwyn, but Corwyn would never have been the heir to Tarris. That was always Bethany. So, again, a male was needed. I think it had nothing to do with my mother's care for me. I think it was only that males were needed, and I was not born with the requisite parts." Her lips curved into a smile, "You are only four years younger than I."

-

"I guessed you were about that. Perhaps a little younger." Elian tells her sincerely. "The only reason I bring it up is that there are a lot of men in my family who are older than I am, and still unmarried. Duke Cesare's own son Gabriel for example. Then four nephews and even another cousin older than I, a younger nephew, younger cousins. I think, if marriage is something I wish for, I will be waiting a long time. I just always knew it was not really likely so I don't typically consider it." He does however nod at her description of not having the right parts. "Perhaps you are right about there not having been a good opportunity. I don't know all that much about Galenthian politics. And I certainly would think twice about engaging in such a contract with an Aequorian house right now." He gives her a small wry smile. "You must be disappointing there is no convenient king available. Although I have heard that Princess Atreis prefers women."

-

"Or you simply find one for yourself and have your bride's family negotiate for you. But that does not seem your style, for you would have no more autonomy than you do not, as a soldier in another man's army." Rowena actually looked amused at the the comment, "I am not disappointed at all. I am no noble virgin, sworn to keep myself for my husband and only my husband. I have lived a sailor's life, had men bought and paid for, so as to minimize the possibility that they might become too attached, or that I might start some inter-house incident."

-

"True." Elian says "If I presented a willing wife and a half finished contract to my cousin he would probably acquiesce." he nods. "I've never kept a lover for long either. It is never long before certain demands start being made and the problems start cropping up." He stops and turns to face her when they reach the ship. "So?" a knowing smile. "What now?"

-

"It would certainly show initiative." The ship they had finally arrived at was a grand thing, a gargant class warship, new and polished, clearly the pride of the fleet. "Now, I introduce you to the ship, and teach you the basics of rigging." Rowena slipped around Elian, flashing a grin, before heading up along the gangway onto the deck of the ship.

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