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Post by halonachos on Sept 30, 2015 15:52:07 GMT
"Excellent question Sandra, and to that I would say that I am rather keen on making sure everything is still in order." Timothy said, tucking away a handkerchief, "She might be curious, I guess it's her role to be curious as to what we're doing. But ultimately there was a stranger on the grounds and I wanted to be sure he wasn't some new member of the staff who was out of proper uniform. If she is further alarmed tell her that nobody in attendance is unknown to me and I plan to keep it that way, we mustn't tell lies to our new Empress."
"Although sometimes telling every truth must be avoided..." Timothy thought as he lead Sandra back inside the dining hall. "You know Sandra, make sure at least three members of staff clean the rooms together. It prevents carnal knowledge and I believe that to be in the best interest of everyone involved, some staff can't even clean up after some of the more promiscuous guests much less themselves."
"Pardon sir, but what do you intend with such an order?" Sandra asked "Wouldn't that delay the entire process by pulling staff from additional rooms?"
"It may but quality cleaned rooms are much better than a quantity of sloppy rooms, besides I know what can happen when a butler and a maid are alone... making messes." Timothy grinned, "Ahh, many hours of cleaning..." he finished with a sigh.
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Post by Lord Harrab on Oct 4, 2015 4:24:44 GMT
Fortunately for Crown Princess Elisabeth Eclipse Athehere, her introduction to the inner workings of the Empire wasn't completely unknown or intolerable to her, her life as Princess had been filled with tutors and sitting in on long and boring council sessions, so that while no force in the world could make it interesting to hear the rattle of long lists of figures and names, she could at least understand what he and the Minister of coin were talking about and cut through the waffle to the facts as she needed to hear them.
The Empire was doing fine, better than fine in fact, for her Father had renewed and refined several international treaties and legal cases outstanding before sickness had taken him, so major things like renewing alliances, or long standing trade agreements would become an issue only in a few years when they naturally expired, although she knew that some diplomats even now on their way here to attend the funeral would use this opportunity to try and weasel more favorable terms out of her.
She smiled to herself hand on chin as she outwardly appeared to be listening to her council attentively, but inside her own head was wondering about the little things and watchful of everything around her if only out of self-defense against the monotony.
This was an informal session, only those County representatives who had been in the Palace at the time were in attendance, and their were no pressing issues to be brought to attention, it was merely a time for the Empress to be to be briefed, something a five minute talk could have done, not this two hour droneathon.
She felt uneasy, the Silver Knight who traditionally stood behind her chair was not the Guard Captain, who had been called away by a messenger, but one of his Lieutenants, it shouldn't have bothered her as much as it did, all of her Knights were loyal and skilled, but she admitted to herself there was something comforting about having him in earshot, especially since of talk this morning with her inner circle.
Then with a flash of realization and guilt, she remembered the Blade had had given her, her promise to keep it close and the memory of leaving it on her desk to attend this meeting.
She glanced around for a servant, intending to have one run to her study and retrieve the blade for her, it certainly seemed like this meeting had no intention of finishing up soon, but aside from herself, her guard, and the five or six public officials, the room was empty.
"Your Grace?" came the voice of Walter Farragut into her private world of thought and worry, driving her back to the here and now. He must have seen something in her expression.
"It was nothing Chancellor," she said calmly, waving away his concern " Just a passing thought." please continue."
The portly little man, gave a polite cough, "I had, in fact finished my report, Your Grace, and awaited your thoughts." he promoted with a slight smile.
"Of course. Please forgive me" Elizabeth replied, inwardly she cringed, her mother would have given her a firm rap across the knuckles for that inattention, and she covered her confusion by glancing around at the other public officials gauging their reactions and outward expressions.
"I see no need to change things." she continued, her voice slipping into what she considered the "Regal" tone her mother had used when speaking to anyone outside the family. "My Father's edicts will stand for now and i will deal with any problems if they arise, which seems unlikely due to all your hard work for the Empire."
From the reactions of the councilors around her, she had hit the mark and even surprised a few. Inwardly she smirked, she might not know much, but she could at least manage her own council.
A few of the other Councilors, spoke of their own regions affairs, expected grain quotas, crime levels and so forth, but there wasn't much to discuss anyway with so few members here, and the meeting broke up shortly afterwards, the councilors standing as The princess swept from the room with her Silver Knight at her back.
Now with free time, at least until this evening, she headed back to her study to retrieve the blade, and then on to the gardens so she could clear her head.
Up in the veiwering gallery, a shadow moved away from the pillar it had been lurking under and hurried off into the Undercroft.
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Warrender
Rising Legend
Currently suffering longterm absence from the site
Posts: 698
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Post by Warrender on Oct 8, 2015 12:41:35 GMT
Gerald Wicksworth Church Graveyard
Gerald was walking back up the path away from the church doors and watching the man being led away by the guards, he wished they didn't have to jeer so much and he had half a mind to report the matter to their superiors if time allowed, but for now if was not important as he let them distance themselves from him.
He glanced an eye around the gravestones either side of the path and noticed a man running in the distance. Gerald continued his course until he stepped through the gate back into the hustle and bustle of town life and waited patiently for the man to arrive. He had already seen the man make eye contact from across the square so knew it was he that he sought.
As the man arrived, panting profusely and dusty from his travels he wordlessly reached out his arm, displaying a parchment which Gerald duely accepted, breaking the seal and ravelling it out to read. His eyes criss crossed the page quickly and he ravelled it back up just as quickly. Gerald looked at the man sternly uttering only one sentence "Take me to her"
It didn't take long for him to reach Dania, the man in the church now a forgotten memory. The man who had escorted him quickly vanished, presumably to attend to his duties and left Gerald alone to knock on the door, entering through the door into her office as soon as he heard who call him in, a hand gesture to Tim signalled him to remain outside, it was not polite to allow wolf hair to float around peoples residencies.
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Post by Lord Harrab on Oct 20, 2015 4:32:24 GMT
Inquisitor Vinters cast his own eye across the servants as they formed up and then dispersed, his expression one of mild curiosity as to not unsettle any potential agent in the ranks. The Scenishal seemed to be confident none were imposers and he would have to take his word for it.
In a swirl of his long coat he strode away, pondering the report of the kitchen staff. Spies and assassins were to be expected during this troubled time, but the speed of their involvement was suspicious, the Emperor, Eclipse rest his soul, was dead scant days and already showy figures were making hostile movements towards the princess already, without even the dignity to allow her to grieve her beloved father.
He nodded to a pair of Silver Knights that marched past him through the outer corridors, then returned to his thoughts, The Empress to be was important, not just to the stability of her people, but to the Church of the Night. Elisabeth Eclipse Athehere was the first Church aligned monarch in the Empire's history and with her support and the guidance of Inquisitors like himself, perhaps they could change the public opinion of his faith and work together to battle the evils in the night.
"Excuse me, my lord?"
A voice intruded into his musings and he half turned, a servant boy, wearing the livery of a messenger, was hovering uncertainly behind him.
"The First enchanter requests your presence, urgently lord." he said, not meeting the older man's eyes, that little hint of fear and uncertainty, something he hoped would fade in time.
"Very well," he said , giving the boy a reassuring smile, "lead the way."
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Post by halonachos on Oct 20, 2015 19:18:18 GMT
Timothy sighed and felt a tiny bit of something that he hadn't felt in awhile, he believed it was calm, yes he hadn't felt calm in a long time and watched as Sandra walked away, his eyes glancing slightly towards her bottom. "That takes me back." he said quietly, almost as if he had been day dreaming.
"Excuse me Seneschel?" a maid asked, and just as she wiped away every bit of grime from the palace's many corridors she wiped away any sense of calm that Timothy had been feeling.
With a clearing of his throat, Timothy said "We need to get back.". He regained his Seneschel posture of a straight spine and cornered shoulders, "We need to get back to work. It's going to be a busy day, and by the Empress it's almost time for lunch to be done! Get to it, with haste!"
"Yes Seneschel!" the maid replied quickly and began her way to the kitchen. Timothy had a sudden bit of inspiration and quickly caught up with the young woman, showing his surprising spryness. He tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention, she nervously stopped and turned around.
"On second thought, I have a very special task for you." Timothy said with an uneasy grin, the maid simply stared at the expression on his face, her heart began to beat quickly and she was sure the task wasn't wholesome in the least. "I need you..." Timothy began, "to deliver a message to Sir Althaus, to meet with me at his earliest convenience. If you also happen upon the Game Warden then make sure he isn't trailing dirt, leaves, or other 'earthly' items around the palace grounds. Be sure to let me know if he is and I will deal with it personally."
"Th-that's all Seneschel?" she asked with surprise and relief in her voice.
"Yes, unless you want to scrub the baseboards on the second floor as well." Timothy replied sternly.
"I will relay your messages to Sir Althaus and the Game Warden." she replied dutifully. Timothy's eyes watching her scurry around the corner of the hall.
"That should teach her to eavesdrop." Timothy said with a grin as he began to walk to the chamber the Empress and Councilors had been using for their session, he knew the Councilors would want a meal as they always did, and more importantly he wanted to make sure the Empress was following her schedule and would be available for her own lunch. "She might be the Empress to be, but that doesn't mean she can skip out on her meals... there's a damned schedule for a reason." he said with a huff as he made his way through the halls, simultaneously inspecting the floors and walls for any sign of defect.
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