RP:Aristocratic Diplomacy
Part of the Rest in Pieces: Vailkrin! Arc
Summary: In a rare show of friendliness on the part of Larewen, a conversation between the necromancer and the eldest sireling of House Trintus, Kaegan, hints at a potential alliance.
Hanging Corpse Tavern
This once-timber tavern has been rebuilt in sturdily vitrified blackstone and imbued with powerful protective magics that prevent occult fire and several other potentially harmful spells being cast within its walls. No effort has been spared to make what might otherwise be a bleak interior comfortable. The bar is made of polished stone with an oaken inlay, the space behind filled with a bustle of attractive barmaids, sundry barrels and a dazzling array of coloured bottles that glint in the light cast by a large wrought-iron candelabrum suspended from the ceiling overhead. Here, the one-eyed Steadman stands, ready to take orders for food or drink. Beyond the bar, stout tables are firmly bolted to the floor, though the high-backed chairs are freestanding. The hearth is a true feature, seeming to be cast from black lava into the shape of a colossal, laughing goblin's head, its maw gaping wide and deep, usually containing a merrily crackling fire. A delicious scent of roasting meats drifts in from the kitchens and a winding staircase leads to rooms upstairs. To the south are set cellar doors, usually kept locked unless a special event is taking place. The walls are hung with thick, richly woven tapestries depicting persons and events in the history of Vailkrin and the Vampiric race. There's also a notice-board near the entrance, where one may leave messages. Unobtrusive but ever-present are the security staff, staunch fighters ever ready to toss troublemakers out.
Kaegan enters the tavern his riding boots tapping out a marching cadence with each stride. His cool grey eyes scanned the room as he approached the bar. His black cloak, clasped with the Trintus seal at his right shoulder, swirled about him revealing the crimson silk shirt and the black hilted bastard sword that rested easily on his right hip. Running his fingers through his long raven hair he leaned on the bar and waited patiently for Steaman to notice his presence.
Larewen sat a few stools down from where Kaegan found his perch, seemingly occupying Steadmen with sharply whispered conversation throat was mostly inaudible. Her nose wrinkled and for a moment, the heavily scared necromancer nearly puffed out her cheeks - a habit of her ex-husband’s, of course. Instead the elf bit a sarcastic reply to the barkeep as he refilled her wine before raising a lit cigarette to her lips. A sharp inhale of breath flared its cherry a bright red. “Keep your opinion to yourself, Steadmen,” she concluded, waving him off to tend to Kaegan.
Kaegan cocks an eyebrow as he heard the lady's words but knowing it was none of his businees calmly ordered a glass of wine and lowered himself smoothly onto a barstool. Giving the tavern another cursory sweep he noted who was present, making mental notes of what Houses were represented and who would most likely cause trouble. He knew he didn't have much to worry about but his training made it all second nature.
Larewen | It was truly hit or miss as to whether or not House Dragana would be at the heart of a day’s troublemaking. Perhaps in part that was due to its Lady’s unstable temperament. Given whatever conversation she’d just carried out with the barkeep, it was clear that the elf was not in the best of moods. A scowl twisted her lips and she glowered after Steadmen with mismatched eyes. One was silver, the other brown. As a result, her bitter stare fell upon Kaegan. The seal was recognized and her lip curled again. All she offered was a curt lift of her chin.
Kaegan catches the woman's look and briefly locks eyes with the woman, noticing that she seemed...disgruntled...to say the least, he rose from his stool and moved towards the woman, lifting his glass as he did. "Greetings Lady Dragana," he says with all the courtly manners of a trained knight, "How fare you and your family this day?" He halts his approach just barely out of arms reach, not wishing to seem rude or to familiar with woman, and bows low to the her recognizing her as a superior even though his own house ranked above hers in the city hierarchy.
Larewen blinked at Kaegan. Once, twice, and then appeared completely dumbfounded at his greeting. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that it had been quite some time since she’d been approached, let alone greeted by a member of a House that wasn’t Azakhaer or Alnwick. She puffed on her cigarette and exhaled slowly after a moment. “Well enough, if Steadmen will quit badgering me about my ex-husband. What of you and yours?”
Kaegan places an elbow on the bar and leans into it, setting his glass down, his body still turned in Larewen's direction as a sign of respect. "House Trintus is doing as well as can be expected." He replies, "My father keeps the troops drilling and training non stop and our commanders are constantly planning strategies, throwing them out, and starting over." He shrugs, "That in of itself is nothing new but my father seems to have take precaution to a whole new level."
Larewen dipped her head to Kaegan. “At least someone is,” she remarked, a bit more sourly than was intended. “The lack of preparation can easily spell a death sentence, and there are far too many things this city is lax about. Destroyed twice in one year, even!” Granted, Larewen had played a hand in at least one of those. She finished her smoke, crushed it into an obsidian bowl, and reached for her drink. “Your father is wise.”
Kaegan takes note of the sour tone in her voice, "Many say that." he concedes, "He even wants to start setting Trintus knights to patrol the city. As a force on top of the regular watch." Absently he runs his fingers along the wine glass in front of him, "I guess that comes with age and dealing with the many troubles this city has seen."
Larewen clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “The patrols have lessened, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. It’s not a bad step to take. There have been times when I’ve wondered if I’ve provided the forest with more protection than the city seems to have. It is something that needs to be changed, but without true leadership…” she trailed off. Another mouthful of wine and the glass was empty. “Steadmen,” she called, lifting it to catch his attention. “Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t know your name.”
Kaegan pulls himself tall and offers the woman another bow, "My apologies my lady," he offers, "I am
Kaegan Trintus, eldest of Lord Marcus' children." Straightening once more he finished off his own glass of wine and waves for another. "The only reason my father has not put the patrols into action is that he feared the other Houses would object." He continues, "and while we could survive, even prove victorious against two or three houses working in concert more would be a true threat to us."
Larewen curled her lip slightly at Kaegan’s words and tsked softly. She withdrew another cigarette from a small silver case and even deigned to offer Kaegan one. “Then your father is aware of the limits of his strength. Whether or not he could be considered weak would have to be determined by whether or not he intends to remedy that problem,” she said, studying the male carefully. “But then, I cannot speak for the worth of my own opinion, can I?”
Kaegan politely declines the offered cigarette and sits in silence for a moment contemplating the woman's words. "I have no doubt my father will bring Trintus back to it's full strength, we still haven't recovered from helping His Majesty reclaim the city." a shrug, "The only thing I know for certain is that he plans to call a council of all the different families to present his patrols and win everybody over." he smiles slightly, "Though he is a warrior first, he is also quite a skilled politician."
Larewen placed her own in her mouth and held it betwixt her lips as she returned the second to the case. A wave of her hand saw its tip lit and she inhaled deeply. When she spoke again, her nose wrinkled slightly. “Politics will be of little use if Vailkrin were to fall under siege. Your father means well, I am certain, but the mere fact that this city’s protection is limited to a scantily armed guard and the occasional hero that passes through? The corruption that tainted Jarith, and one of the reasons this city was nearly leveled, could very well have obliterated Vailkrin from the map had Kasyr not happened to be present, had Lionel not been here, or even Shishi or myself. Vailkrin deserves to be fortified. Don’t you think?”
Kaegan nods, "I concur wholeheartedly." he agrees instantly, "When we of our House take our Knightly Vows we swear to defend the city against all threats with regardless of the risk. I understand where my father is coming from he doesn't want to over reach and be beaten back for it, which would further weaken Vailkrin if the House that is the core of our military were to be decimated by other houses fearing our actions." a resigned sigh escapes his lips, "You know Lady Dragana, there was a time when we took action, didn't ask permission, and acted in the way that would best defend our homeland. The other Houses knew that was our duty, and they accepted that we did as we must. My father seems to have either forgotten that or he is scared of the reprisal. I know not which, and it irks me. We are a House of action we don't sit for centuries cooking things in labs or recording history. When the city is unstable we act, when there is a whisper of possible danger we take it as Vakmatharas' word and ready for it, but my father doesn't think that way anymore. That's why we train and plan but never put those plans into action." He pauses for a minute, and if vampires could blush he would be, "Forgive me my Lady, I let my tongue run wild."
Larewen shook her head in lieu of Kaegan’s words. “You are fine,” she said, taking another drag. “And you are right. Tell me, what do you know of my House?” It was a simple question, meant to be answered honestly. More because the elf was curious as to what the noble knew of her ambitions, her prowess, than anything else.
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Kaegan thinks for a minute, "All I really know is that your House is young, new to the political and social game of Vailkrins society and that it has some skill with magic." The answer was honest, especially considering that the proud knight knew he couldn't lie or bluff to save his own unlife.
Larewen chuckled, but whether it was amusement or not was hard to tell. Likely, it was. “I think that’s about right. I take it then that you’ve not taken to wandering the Dark Forest?” Her lips twisted into a grin at this as she turned upon her stool to face him. “If you had, then you’d know that the term “some skill with magic” is a gross understatement.”
Kaegan tilts his head to the side curiously, "Sadly I haven't really been permitted outside of the city proper in quite some time." he answers solemnly. Lifting his glass he gestures with it in a toasting fashion before taking a drink. "Though perhaps I should make it a point to try and get out there and see what your family has done...assuming whatever it is won't try to kill me of course." a slight half smile spreads across his face at those words.
Larewen smirked at Kaegan’s words, studying him in drawn out silence. “Permitted? Forgive me if I have made a poor assumption, but your body does not appear that of a child’s and, if you are in fact the eldest of Lord Trintus’s children, I would like to think you’re hardly a fledgling. Whose permission do you need, to leave the city?” There was almost a mocking lilt to the elf’s voice, as if she were giving him a decidedly difficult time.
Kaegan rolls his eyes, "Do you even have to ask?" he says with an exxagerated sigh, "Father doesn't think that it would be a good idea for his direct line to be alone in the forest and he's ordered that our retinue's are not to leave the city...because of the 'risk'" The knight flexes his fingers in quotation marks when he said the word risk.
Larewen arched a brow upward and then laughed. It was a silvery sound, tinkling and lovely for such a scarred face. “I’m fairly certain that presently, the Abyssal Forest is safer than Vailkrin. Though I may be biased, as they are my own constructs. Tell me, you are aware, at least, that I am master of the Necromancer’s guild?”
Kaegan nods "That much I do know. Father even broke out the old tomes on fighting undead constructs should your creations turn rogue." He does lean closer to her though, "What kind of creatures do you have? I don't expect any secrets, or weaknesses, being revealed." He asks, his eyes sparkling with sincere interest.
Larewen found herself stunned into silence for a moment and perhaps a bit miffed by the lack of faith from another House. Then again, House Dragana wasn’t on the best terms with House Mahara, either. After a moment, the elf appeared to gather herself and sipped from her glass of wine. “If my creatures go rogue, I do hope someone has the idea to at least set up a concession stand for spectators. I would love to see that play out,” she retorted, somewhat affronted. “I have in my possession a golem that serves as a vessel for Jarith’s corruption, if that gives you some idea of what is under my control.”
Kaegan flinches for a split second at her obvious ire before snapping into the calm collected impassivity of a knight, "I meant no affront My Lady." he says apologetically with a bow of his head, "It is our duty to be prepared. Though it is odd, you think when the Lady Tenebrae was conducting her experiments my father never even touched the tomes. Perhaps he's just being paranoid since he does not know you as well."
Larewen rolled her shoulders upward. “Or your father has simply grown too comfortable with the way things are now, and fears that change is on the horizon. I have known Tenebrae longer than I’ve been involved in Vailkrin’s politics. I doubt she would be concerned with my experiments going too terribly awry.”
Kaegan straightens up, "Well why don't you tell that to my father?" he asks, "And while you're at it see if you can get him to finally set out those patrols or do something to remind the city that we are here to protect them." Another bow, "I must be off, things to do." Turning to walk away he pauses and looks over his shoulder pointing to the cigarette, "You know..." he says with a half smile, "...those things will kill you." With that the young knight goes to leave.
Larewen allowed laughter to choke her until she was coughing on the smoke from her cigarette as Kaegan departed. He had a point, though Larewen’s mind was working beyond his suggestion of her giving council to his father. With a click of her tongue, she turned back to her drink.