The Gathering Of Nobles.

[Agnub 605]

King James entered the tent and bowed to the Emperor respectfully. Dressed in his formal clothing but fashioning a piece from his recent journeys abroad, James began mingling with the various assembled nobility. He made certain to meet three young noblewomen he had never seen before (each of whom received an invitation to a special party).

James then continued his rounds around the tent greeting both friends new and old. After a few minutes the King decided to take his seat. He motioned for Lancel, Garth, and Ari to join him at the very prestigious royal table before feasting on the wonderful meal prepared for their enjoyment.

[mylimo7 409]

Throdo recieves the letter in his keep in Ager and sets off on a journey that took about 10 minutes to the Arethor Keep. He rides his horse to the enterance and then dismounts, allowing the peasant to take it and clean his horse. Throdo takes out his cane and slowly creeps into the main hall and then seats himself where he finds it appropiate.

[ayresalex 517]

*Lord Norsem rides to the palace, alone, on his destrier, pulling up short, and handing off the reigns to a stableboy*

*after flipping the stable boy a coin, he turns to the direction of the tent, walking over to the entrance, nodding to the Horen bannermen in turn. He slides down into the chair, with no particular choice in seating, and quietly studies the Lords in turn with his brilliant handsomeness.*

[Stevie 1598]

*Looking up from their throne, Thomas and Peter look out to the Imperial Messenger, listening as he reads from the scroll, calling all Nobles to the meeting. The messenger is waved off, and the few Order members look to the joint-Barons, Thomas scratching his beard and Peter adjusting the helmet he favors so greatly. Upon word from Peter, the members of the Order rise up, moving off to the barracks to prepare the necessary provisions, while the Squires and Pages of the two Knight Barons rush off to prepare their horses and armour.

"Time to 'ead to our first Noble meetin', aye?" Peter asks his brother as he rises from the throne.

"Mmm... 'opefully stop by a Brothel or Inn on the way. Whores jus' ain't as frequent in the cold." Thomas scoffs, chortling as he adjusts his Order tabard.

*The two Barons turn, exiting out separate passages, heading to their quarters; where they are dressed in their finest armour by their faithful Squires. Meanwhile, the remaining Men-at-arms and Footmen of the Order bustle about the tower barracks, stuffing provisions into their travelling packs and rushing outside to form ranks, fearful of their giant of a Confanonier.

*The Barons head out, mounting their horses, turning and trotting forward, waving a hand forward, the Confanonier calling the escort forward, following behind the Barons in marching cadence.

. . .

*Finally arriving, the escort is greeted to an already bustling arrangement of tents and men, all wearing the colors of their liege-houses. The Chivays wave a hand forward, and the Confanonier calls forward the men of the order, shouting towards them with a bellowing northern voice as they pitch up two tents: One colored of the Chivay House, and the other of the Order.

*Upon finishing, the Barons have a quick meal with their men, and then head off to the largest pavilion, pushing aside the flaps and heading to two available seats, glancing and greeting a few nobles along the way. Finally seated, the Chivay brothers find time to relax, still unaccustomed to the noble lifestyle, but managing to keep their charade alive for the meeting.

[Rusty7x 114]

Sitting high in his large office, Elessar sits sieving through numerous parchments and scrolls of various needs and importance. With his deep concentration focused on completing his work before the night sets in Elessar, is blissfully unaware of the raven clawing at the main gate. A guardsman opens the gate and quickly hurries out to grab the bird firmly in his grasp. Taking into the gatehouse, he closes shut the gate and locks the gears, to then focus back on the bird. He takes off the note attached and strokes the bird to comfort it. After releasing the raven back to the wilds, the guardsman takes the note and proceeds to walk up the countless stairs to Elessar’s office. He knocks loud and assertively on the door to which he hears an “Enter” come from within. He opens the door and walks over to the grand oak desk of Lord Elessar and rests the note on the table and looks up to Elessar. “Came attached to a bird m’lord. From first look, it seems like it’s from the emperor.” The guardsman steps back and nods to his lord and departs from the room closing shut the door behind him. Elessar picks up the scroll and opens it up to reveal its contents. Reading it, you can see Elessar mouth moving as if he is speaking the words on the parchment silently. Before no time had passed Elessar, had finished reading and had already decided on what to do. He stands from his chair behind his desk and shouts out to the guards by the door. “Captain, would ye come in for a moment. I need you for something.” Shortly after a man in diamond cladded armour briskly enters and stands to attention near the door look at Lord Elessar. “Aye sir, what is it you need.” Elessar looks up from the scroll still in his hands, “Fetch the horses and a group of the men. We’re off for a while. Oh and go and find my son.”

Later that day a group of around 10 men, both Elessar and his son, Maethirion, were there. All men were dressed in the shining armour and mounted on great stallions. The guard captain and another man were positioned near each other discussing the route with a large map in hand. Both were pointing and offering their opinions and before long, the captain turned to look to Lord Elessar “Sir, we have our route and destination ready. We are ready to depart on your command m’lord." Elessar looks up from stroking his stallion and quickly nods to his son to then look up to the captain. “Aye, we’re ready so let’s get going.” Without hesitation, all members of the group push their horses off into a quick gallop with their hooves like lightening on the cobbled paths. Their cloaks fluttering in the wind as they ride and the horse’s mains searing like flames, as they gallop over the land.

After a day’s riding the posy of men arrive at the location of the gathering. The horses slowly coming to a slow walk as the near the tent with the guards outside. Once in an ample position to dismount and enter the group stop where the horse of Lord Elessar is in line with the entrance. He slowly lowers himself from the horse to stable ground and pats his horse firmly and nods to the captain. “Whilst we’re in here look after the horses and keep out of trouble.” Elessar then turns and walks closer to the tent opening whilst the group of guards trot off to wait with their horses. There were two men guarding the tent entrance and as they drew near Lord Elessar nodded to both and presents his son “I am Elessar Silverblade and this is my most honourable of sons.” Quickly following the two guards lift up the main cloth leading to the tent and allow for Elessar and Maethirion to pass through. Once in, Elessar leaves his son and begins to walk off into the crowd. Whilst doing so, he runs his hand through his hair allowing it to flow in the slight breeze. After quickly nodding to other Silverblades, Elessar begins to mingle.

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

*Imperial Prince Alexander Duke of Pruvia wonders for a moment why he and his uncle's titles were switched, but smiles it off. He drinks with his friends, twirling his crown on his finger and laughing.

He greets each noble of worth and Throdo personally, making his rounds. He stands with Patrick Denims mostly, speaking of Alexander and Patrick's School for Gifted Youngsters and joking

As Patrick departs Alexander drops the forced smile from his face, and sits in his chair, stone faced, holding his wife's hand and looking invincible as always.

[lugarthecougar 57]

*Duke Balian Guivret sits next to his wife the Duchess Helaine Guivret shifting slightly to get comfortable in his chair. He looks around at the gathering of nobles and lets a small smile run across his face. Noticing Aerios he respectfully nods a greeting and turns slightly to Helaine and is children smiling, amazed and impressed with their composure. He then returns his attention to the Emperor awaiting his word.*

[Hobolympic 1093]

Count Jordan Stilwell enters the tent. He graceously bows down to the Majesty, before he silently sinks down into the comfortable chair. The butler approaches Jordan and hands over a glass of the finest wine. He takes a sip of the tasteful wine, rolling the liquid around on his tongue, up beneath his upper lip, before he swallows the red liquid down. "Mm, round body, with a slight hint of... Oak? My, an excellent wine Sire, as always."

He leans back into his chair, placing his elbows at the support, smiling slightly as he awaits the other nobles to arrive.

((On phone, sorry for typos))

[Aelu / Rel (Combustionary) 1540]

*Count Relgard Gracchi Sintel notices the letter as it arrives at his manor, contemplating for a moment before deciding to gather Ariana and their bannermen, and depart.

Taking the carriage that would usually bridge Carcassone and Sanctum, the group travels to the site, making few stops along the way for supplies. Finally arriving, the bannermen staying back at the cart, the two enter the crowd to see what will happen.*

[Myoni 56]

As always, the ride from Riven had been short for the couple and their bannermen. Into the clearing they came upon the hastily fashioned walls and defenses and at the gate, the Blue and grey dressed soldiers broke away from their charges as the two passed into the compound, relieving themselves of their saddles and mounts, their guards taking them as they departed to their waiting grounds for the moot's conclusion.

The Count of Riven, Grand Knight Uthor Silverblade was bedecked in his formal armor, brilliant golden plates over rings of silver, all of this underneath a Tabard of Red and Gold adorned with the emblem of the Order of the Red Dragon. A golden greatsword strapped to a red baldric with golden embroidery. A Navy blue and silver cloak draped over his shoulder, and about his right arm was Lady Winter.

The lady was radiant, complemented by her white-laced, navy blue silk dress that fell softly about her figure and the swollen belly holding her unborn child. Clinging to Uthor's left arm, their matching navy blue riding cloaks billowed softly in the wind as they made their way through the hastily decorated courtyard towards the Emperor's grand tent that rose like a circus high-top above the palisades enclosing the oaken fortress.

As the Emperor's servants and retainers, bowed and parted the tent's silken doors for the late-arriving nobles, the crimson-haired elf was bombarded with compliments and congratulatory introduction from the other Nobility who stood around the long, carpeted halls, gossiping and speaking in whispers while they wait for the meeting commence. Before long Uthor had to rescue his wife from the mob of overly polite men and women with a brush of the arm, and pulling the overrun Countess from her place. He uttered an apology and nothing more as he pulled Winter tight and escorted her to table set aside for their house.

Winter let out a sigh as she took a seat upon a pillow at the shallow and long table, taking Uthor's hand in hers as he sat down beside her. Taking a look around she could hardly recognize a single person save for Nicolas, sitting at the head of the table. Beside her the two nearest pillows her empty, likely belonging to the other two elders of the family that stood with her husband.

She took a cup of tea from a passing servant and takes a sip as she settles in waiting for the gathering to begin.

[Chikachu 402]

Imperial Princess Kali takes an extra moment after Alexander left the guards to instruct Ramdir Soulblade, her faithful guard, in the protection of Patrick, kissing the young child on the head and leaving him rather nervously in the care of her already semi-incompetent guard, at least in the case of children, and instructs a second guard on the way out, "Make sure Ramdir is careful, he should be fine, but I'd rather there were a second pair of eyes on him." The guard nods with a small smirk he attempts to hide, and Kali proceeds into the tent, quickly moving to sit in the small chair beside Alexander's.

Once she is seated, she takes a moment to glance around the room, smiling at each of the nobles in turn, but paying particular attention to some few, including Patrick Denims, after whom her son was named after and who is at that moment speaking to Alexander, as well as Ari and Lancel Hightower, equally glad to see both of them recovering so well since the last she saw of them. She also takes notices of Lord Norsem, and his recoveries, as well as smiling to the Butler as he goes out again, thanking him warmly for the meal prepared.

Alexander settles back in the seat beside her, and she studies his stone-cold face with a hint of worry, though she is careful to make sure it is as unnoticed as she can make it, and she squeezes his hand in hers with a small smile in his direction as he looks at her. There is little reaction that she can tell, but she pretends to herself that nothing was different as she looks back at the room, trying to keep her spirits up.

[Senda 472]

"One-two.. Heave!" - Shouted Ser Gerrard

With a final grunt of effort, the wooden beam reached the required height.

Waiting there, harnass strapped to the towerside to keep him from falling, was Howard Semp, with hammer and nails in hand.

Quickly securing the beam, then hammering in the long nails, a cheer erupted from below as the workforce, both Orcs and Men, took note that the tower was now completed.

Shaking hands with some of them, Gerrard shared the moment of excitement and relief before a tap on his shoulder broke him from the moment.

Turning around, he found Skylen facing him, flanked by an Orc.. who seemed to have some feathers stuck to his face, one precariously dangling from his tusks.

Quickly handing over the piece of parchment, Skylen looked slightly embarrassed at being stood side by side with the Orc, who proceeded to burp out a few feathers, then excused himself and walked off.

Raising an eyebrow as he slowly unfurled the message, Ser Gerrard asked:

"Those feathers seemed familiar.."

Bowing his head in shame, Skylen did not reply.

"The Orc got to the bird before you did and had a nice meal did he?" - Gerrard spoke as he mentioned for Skylen to see to the charts.

"Good thing you pried the message from him before he could eat that too, this seems important." - He finished, as Skylen hurried about his next task.

Reading the message, he pauzed for a moment to consider his actions.

Calling over Howard Semp, he outlined the details of what he was about to do:

"I have been summoned to a meeting. Take charge of matters here and see to it this bridge is done by the time I return.. And if I am not back by the time you finish.. Skylen has the charts, keep at it."

Howard Semp gave a simple nod, then walked off to inform the others.

Days later, the weary and exhausted form of Ser Gerrard Lane arrived at the camp.

Taking the time to clean the dust off his garments, he walked up to the main tent, gave a nod to the guards at the entrance and walked inside.

Taking a moment to stand still and scan the room, he saw many a familiar face, as well as many more he had never met before, taking mental notes to ascertain their identities at a later point.

Sharing a few looks of familiarity with some, him nodding to each in turn, he walked over to an empty seat next to Lord Norsem, who's hand he shakes, then sits down slowly.

Taking a cup of wine and sipping it carefully, he shares some details of his recent work with Lord Norsem, before they settle down in anticipation of the meeting to come.

[ayresalex 517]

*Jon Norsem slightly shifts himself in his chair, his chain restricting his movement as Ser Gerrard Lane greets him, he grips his hand, and gives a firm shake, smiling warmly. After Ser Gerrard shared some of his building plans, he looks up and says,*

"So you're getting married? How 'bout that? Heh. Good on you."

[Beneh 227]

Elroy stands around a rather small , oak table , discussing plans for his Barony in the Duchy of Norjun with several architects and a few builders. The meeting is interrupted as one of Elroy's few guardsmen enters the room , holding out a letter from the Capital.

Elroy begins to read the note and orders the Architects to carry on without him and begin whenever they see fit. The guardsman informs him that his liege , Duke of Norjun , Aerios de Vallark I has already arrived.

Elroy quickly walks through his hall , instructing a few of his small number of guardsmen to accompany them. He leaves most of the guardsman in his Barony , to protect his only son and his new lands. Elroy then proceeds to prepare himself as this will be the first time he has truly let all the nobles of Oren know that House Sheffield has returned and he wishes for them to know that House Sheffield is still strong , first impressions are important.

Elroy and his guardsmen mount their horses , along with a few flag bearers , bearing the sigil of House Sheffield. After a few days , Elroy and his men reach the rather grand looking meeting place. The Imperial Tent is easily distinguishable , so Elroy quickly sets up a tent with his men and stations them there before heading to the Imperial Tent to meet with the other nobles.

Elroy proceeds to take a seat close to his liege and sits , studying the other various nobles around him with one flag bearer holding the sigil of House Sheffield behind him.

[The Lion 736]

Crack crack crack crack Lion finishes nailing a heretic to a crucifix as an imperial messenger rides up on his pony with the letter from The Emperor. Lion lifts his visor and wipes the sweat of his brow as the man screams in pain behind him, he chuckles to himself as he accidentally wipes blood on his forehead. The small messenger boy cowers beneath him as he hands him the letter and quickly gets back on his pony and rides away. Lion takes a knee and unravels the letter and reads it over twice. He stands and looks over to the now dead man and cracks his knuckles as he picks up his tools. He readies his black Shire horse Rupert and makes way to his keep.

As he arrives to The Black Keep he spots Ser Wilfred building his home and he stops by. After saying hello they begin drinking bottles of assorted liquor and get pretty wild. The night was spent drinking and partying for no real reason and the following morning Lion wakes up in the middle of nowhere. He realizes he is lost and walks about in a forest that seemed so familiar. As he stumbles around he happens upon an old man who tries to beg for money and touches Lion's arm. Out of self defense Lion draws his blade and hacks the old man down.

An hour goes by and Lion finds himself in Mireton and chuckles as he walks home. He greets his wife and sees how she is handling Godfrey Lazarus Lion and eats breakfast. He then remembers the meeting and hurries to get Emmeline and himself ready. After taking a bath and cleaning his armor he gets his belt on and ensures he has all his tools. He takes Emma's hand and they leave the keep to get Rupert ready for the trip. As soon as Lion sits on top of his horse he goes into serious mode as they make way to the tents.

They reach The Emperors tent and Lion dismounts taking his wife's hand and helping her down. They are shown to their seats and Lion takes position standing behind The Emperor in case he needs to squash a "rat".