The Fall of Another House

[Chaqery 427]

With a frown, the Lord Inquisitor folds his arms across his chest. He tilts his head to the side, sighing softly.

"Zhen I believe it is time you speak to Duke Tarus about turning Stoneguard into your base of operations. Ozhervise, I vould suggest you return to your islands off zhe coast of the Holy Lands and undergo zhe proper constructions to operate from. Oren is full of vould-be soldiers ripe for zhe recruitment... perhaps a bit of campaigning for more soldiers vould do you quite a bit of good.

Emissaries ought to be sent to zhe nobility whom you might improve relations vith. If you end up reforming your realm on your islands, zhen I vould start vith zhe Vhite Rose un House Chivay, because zheir fortress Krak du Rhosven is zhe old fortress of Cerue. -On second zhought, go in person to zhe Rose if you vish to improve relations zhere. Seek out zhe Lords Chivay und Seneschal Velwyn Ashford. Be civil, but clear... zhey do not appreciate zhe shady tactics of most, und in your position you've no room to strain relations. I vould also suggest seeking out Elendil to at least seek civility vith one anozher. I can accompany you for zhat visit if you vish.

Finally, it vould do you no harm to go before zhe Emperor und admit your previous failures. His anger is a much kinder gift zhan his hatred. Vitnessing a newfound sense of character und humility in Lord Jon Norsem might soften his heart to you a bit. He von't offer you favors, of course... but zhe Emperor is zhe key to improved relations in Oren. If you vant more for your House, zhen vork for it.Zhese ozher nobles von't accept you until you are a decently strong force, und you've sought to help at least a few of zhem.

Zhese zhings I offer in advice because vitnessing anozher House fall prey to incompetency is a stain on Oren. You must be strong, but refined in your more militant leanings. Zhese are zhe first steps to your proper establishment as a noble. Do not let me... und especially do not let zhe Emperor down."

With a chuckle, Toov makes his way back to the bedside chair, and lowers into it slowly. The wood creaks a bit under his weight, and he rests his hand on his fist, waiting to continue the conversation.

[ayresalex 517]

Norsem huffs, slightly annoyed,

"The problem is," Norsem says while rubbing his forefingers and thumb together,

"Is coin. I have no serfs left to do my building for me... Now now, I am not afraid to build for myself, as I am of common born men. But I simply cannot build a keep for myself."

Norsem clenches his jaw, and continues,

"I shall have to ask for financial support from the Rose's and Chivays, I suppose... Damn me. I hate holding out my hand and being a beggar," he mumbles.

"And aye, I should offer my services and explain why this... ****... has fell upon me to the Emperor."

Norsem looks up, gazing directly into Toov's eyes,

"Will you accompany me to his court? I shall need to, "apologize" for my actions to his court members.."

Norsem leans back onto his pillow, feeling slightly better than he was when he woke up.

[Chaqery 427]

Leaning forward in his seat the Lord Inquisitor nods, matching Norsem's gaze. His amber eyes seem to study the Nobleman to his very core.

"I vill accompany you to zhe Emperor's court, as you desire. As far as money is concerned, I'm not sure zhe Rose has as much to spare as you might zhink. Before you decided to ask for money, remember zhat men can just as easily be bought vith titles. Perhaps you vould be villing to recognize zhose who stand forvard to build your fortress as zhe initial members of your army? I might not go as far as to suggest officer perks, but vorking partly for zheir own benefit is sure to influence a few to accompany you."

At the suggestion Toov leans back in his seat. He scratches his chin pensively, turning the predicament over in his mind.

"You are a military man, are you not? I don't notice zhe typical stench of a politician on you. You're not nearly as much of a snake as zhe upper circles of society tend to require. Perhaps you'd best be served to offer your military leadership services to his Divinity zhe Emperor. Oren's military is fractured into zhe Knight Orders... who are generally too elite to be regular soldiers... und zhe private armies of Nobles like yourself. It is hardly my place to advise zhe Emperor in matters of zhe state, but he is a vastly intelligent und noble man, und perhaps he vould see a need for a unified Oren army to better support zhe Order of zhe Red Dragon und it's chapters. If you apologize for your previous incompetencies, he might entertain zhe idea of zhis army, as you are going to suggest, und your leadership of it.

Who knows. It vould at least serve to show zhat you are truly trying to better yourself und zhe Empire."

With a shrug, the Lord Inquisitor falls silent again in contemplation. He gazes upon Norsem in bed, studying him behind softly lit amber eyes. Alight with the notion of bettering the Empire.

[ayresalex 517]

Jon Norsem blinks, and laughs at the mention of him not having the 'politcal' stench.

"I'm no politician, no. But you are right. My father served Tarus before and after he was crowned in Galahar, a Pheonix revolutionary mind you, and taught me not the ways of schemeing and backstabbing. But of facing your foe, with hostile intentions or without. There are few men like that now-a-days.."

He sighs, getting back on the subject.

"I've been pushing for a unified Oren army since I was knighted. The system simply doesn't work."

Norsem meekly holds out a hand, counting his fingers out,

"One, two, three, four, five..."

He raises another hand, balling it up into a fist, and giving it a firm shake,

"One."

Norsem lowers his hands, resting them on his chest.

"The Emperor has yet to take into account that not all of his subjects are loyal... A single idea could be planted into a lords head, and he spreads it among his banners...

You've read my book no doubt? Here..."

Norsem tosses him a book, half properly written half filled with notes and lines.

[[http://www.lordofthecraft.net/forum/index.php?/topic/64533-a-dusty-tome/]]

"I haven't gotten on the politcal side of things.. but there you go.. Take a look."

[Chaqery 427]

The Lord Inquisitor catches the book, fumbling the pages open. He scans over it's contents, nodding at the long pages of treatises and notes. He continues to flip through it as he responds,

"Zhe Emperor is fully avare zhat zhe Nobility of Oren is less loyal zhan he vould like to imagine. Zhat is exactly vhy mein order vas founded. Zhe Inquisition serves him directly, in order to root out zhe corruption vithin zhe Church und Nobility..."

Toov closes the book, a soft thud echoing through the room as the leather-bound tome seals once more. Settling his gaze back on the Nobleman he chuckles, tapping his fist against his cuirass, the resulting sound of which is muffled by contact with the thick, purple and black tabard of the Inquisition.

"Zhe patterns und designs of standard soliders tend to be zhe symbols of zheir house, und darker aspects to keep zhem from standing out amongst zhe horde. Zhe ideology, of course, is zhat vhat zhe enemy cannot truly see, he cannot kill. Zhe Inquisition, unless operating anonymously for an investigation, adorns itself in Imperial issue armor, und vears zhe heavy purple und black colours of zhe Emperor. Zhe ideology is zhat vhat zhe enemy can see, he vill soon learn to fear. An interesting prospect, nein?"

A faint smirk breaks the otherwise neutral face of the veteran soldier, happy to be able to speak of warfare again. It quickly fades as he raises the book a bit in order to gesture with it as he speaks,

"Zhis tome vill serve as excellent evidence of your capabilities, Lord Norsem. I vill present it to zhe Emperor. He is not nearly as blind to zhe actions of zhe realm as people vould believe. Only better at masking his knowledge zhen zhey vould hope. I zhink he might listen to zhe notion of a unified army if present zhe correct vay, in private. Ozhervise, Nobles vill undoubtedly speak out to defend vhat zhey imagine to be zheir autonomy.

You needs must be careful about zhe Knightly Orders zhough. Zhis army must not hinder zhem, but razher provide zhe masses of common soldiers zhey vill require to combat zhe enemies of zhe Empire. You must make it clear zhey are to be a tool of zhe Empire. I vould, of course, hope to be able to use a detachment of zhem to enforce Inquisitorial verdicts, as zhe agents of zhe Emperor are elite, but few, und largely remain in zhe shadows.

Zhe Empire needs centralized forces to protect crown authority. To support zhe Inquisition, und in case any of zhe nobles decide to take up arms against his Divinity zhe Emperor. Zhat is zhe case you must make to Him."

[ayresalex 517]

"And it's a case I shall make."

Lord Norsem sweeped his legs off the bed, and quickly stands up, pushing away Toov's objections. Norsem stumbles a bit, and grabs hold of the night stand beside his bed, balancing himself. Ge grabs hold of a stick, a suitable cane for the time being.

"We ride to Arethor, Toov. To make our case to the court. The Empire is weakened because of this."

Norsem grunts, putting his weight on his make shift cane. Norsem reached the door, and said to his guard,

"Ready a wagon, we ride to Arethor."

Norsem looks back to Toov, jerking his head out the door, painfully grinning.

[Chaqery 427]

With a faint smirk, the Lord Inquisitor nods. Tome in hand, he scoops his helmet from the nightstand and makes his way out the door in pursuit of Lord Norsem. Outside the keep proper, the two Inquisitorial soldiers stiffen into a salute at the sight of the emerging giant of a man. He nods, and both fall in behind each of his shoulders as he accompanied the Nobleman.

In the courtyard, the soldiers bearing the colours of House Norsem (as few and ragged looking as they seem to be) are busy at work repairing and packing their equipment. Similarly, the Inquisition is tending to the last of the salvageable wounded and beginning to ready their supplies for displacement as well.

With a murmur, something of a prayer for good fortune, Toov clambers onto the wagon alongside Norsem.

This would be a longshot, at best. Emperor's blessing upon their endeavours.

With a whistle and the jingle of harnesses, the wagon jolted to a start (as they are prone to do). The journey soon settled into a bumpy, rocking rhythm matched by the "clack-clack" of horseshoes upon coblestone. Toov peared out onto the road and countryside as they ambled along. It was certainly a rocky road to Arethor.

[Sultan 3953]

In Arethor the streets seem to be as loud as ever, a small boy sits near the fountain throwing small pebbles inside as small fish swirl in the water, a paddler moving goods from shop to shop, the Tavern is seeing some noise as a man is thrown out of the Tavern by a couple of muscle men.

In the Emperors Court, a large crowd was gathered but slowly they thin, as the Emperor answers there pleas and petitions. Sitting on his throne the Emperor seems to be clam and collected as ever nothing seems to phase him even absurd petitions of peasantry clamming nobility. As the Butler walks in with a platter on it sits the Emperors favored wine, he pours and serves to the Emperor, as he waits for the next man to come-forth.

(Im guessing it is best to contain it in one thread.)

[Scipp3r 451]

Patrick stands next to the throne on the right side of Godfrey and inserts his finger into his ear. He twists and wipes his earwax on the side of the throne while no one looks. After a long day of approving papers and placing evicting notices on homes in Arethor he unprofessionally leans back on the wall and lets out a quiet yawn.

[ayresalex 517]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjdK2h0rfnw&feature=related

Lord Norsem, a trio of his finest men, and Toov and his company walk into the palace, Lord Norsem leaning the majority of his weight on his newly fashioned cane. His jaw clenches, wincing with every step, but not letting a single word of complaint escape from his lips.

Clack, clack, clack

The noise emitting from Norsems cane resounds throught Godfreys palace. With difficulty, he manages to climb the steps, and reach the lever the throne room resided on. Norsem brushes away the Dragon Guards as the herald calls,

"Lord Jon Oonfahr Norsem, first of his name, Knight of the Islands of Steel and Protecerate of Stoneguard."

Lord Norsem grins wryly as looks of disbelief settle over the court. He locks gazes with Elendil, Amador, and a few of the Silverblades each in turn.

Though you'd get rid of me easy, no doubt, he thinks with a huff of laughter. No... Men of the North are trickier than that...

Lord Norsem begins to walk down the plush carpets adourning the throne room. He looks down whilst he walks, feeling the Emperors eyes bore down on him like drills. When he reached an appropriate distance, he looked up, heavily leaning on the cane, and uttered,

"My Imperial Majesty... I come to you a slandered man, a broken man, a new man. I was beseiged at Stoneguard upon false accusations of heresy and treason.

When I was first knighted... I was tasked with conquesting two islands off the coast of the Holy Lands. No information was given to the matter, so I did my job. I raised a host of men, built a few small boats to take us over, and conquested the two islands. I will stress again. I was simply annexing the lands. I had no idea of what I was conquering, nor knew that they were considered of religious importance. I admit- I sold these, 'holy relics'. But with no reguard into harming the church or our glourious Empire!"

Lord Norsem takes a deep breath, and continues,

"When I saw the flyers, I garrisoned Stoneguard, hoping to wait out the seige. We were assaulted, and one of the Inquisitors kindly put an arrow through my neck"

He raises his jaw to show a severly scarred neckline, and lowers it down again, flexing it.

"Whilst I lay unconcious, Lord Toov here, called off the assault, and explained the misunderstanding between changes of relgious and Inquisitor matters.

My men... battered and broken, have left my service, and only a choice few remain. Alas, I have no worthy holdings, so I come to thee to best serve you, and the Empire."

[Chaqery 427]

Clasping his hands behind his back, Lord Inquisitor Toov stands over Norsem's shoulder, his hulking figure casting a shadow on the weakened Nobleman. Noting a lul in Norsem's explanation (and assuming it due to his injured state), he clears his throat a bit.

"Your Divinity, I came upon a Lord Norsem in zhe clutches of death. In such a state, und at zhe total mercy of myself und your authority in zhe Inquisition, he denied any truths to zhe charges placed upon him. I believe his denial, largely on account of zhe near-death situation upon vhich it vas obtained. I beg your pardon for adding more to your already busy day, but I advised zhat he repent for his uncouth vays, und seek out your forgiveness, not forgetting to offer his services to your Divinity zhe Emperor.

Zhis, as God vould have it, sparked a passionate fire vithin him zhe likes of vhich I've rarely seen in your subjects of Noble birth. I vould plead zhat you hear him out, in zhe hopes zhat your Imperial Authority might prosper, und your elements zhe Inquisition und Order of zhe Red Dragon both grow stronger."

At these words, the Lord Inquisitor slowly lumbers towards the thrown, averting his gaze to avoid making eye contact with the Divine Godfrey. Kneeling, he offers a large, leatherbound tome for the Emperor to recieve. One of the stewards takes it from Toov's hands, and transports it the short distance to the Emperor. Nodding solemnly, Toov rises, and steps back to his original spot.

"I vould offer zhis book as evidence of Lord Norsem's capabilities in military leadership... furzher proof zhat he is up to carrying out zhe task he is proposing to your Divinity. I fully believe in his motivations, passion, und most of all, abilities for such a task."

Silence. He awaits Norsem to proceed, hoping to have given him enough time to muster his strength and thoughts.

[Sultan 3953]

Godfrey looks on, at the two and hears there words. Godfrey raised his head, higher, and raised his hand and with his Index finger he did point towards Norsem. ''Tell me Lord John what is this squabble ye have with the House of Elendi? And as thee confused o defiling the creators Holy Light Stones, shall you repent and work for there recovery?'' Godfrey looks at Toov for a moment ''What do thee have of the details of Lord Johns feuds?''

[ayresalex 517]

Norsem raises his head slightly,

"Your Imperial Majesty, I come to you a new man. I have forgotten these old and foolish fueds. I've grown in time. I am no longer the irrational knight I was. I am older, and wiser in turn. As for the stones..."

Lord Norsem again looks down, trying not to make eye contact with Godfrey.

"It will be a difficult task.. I sold them to one of Elendils knights.. His name I remember not. But I will try to the fullest extent of my abilities to retrieve the Holy Relics of the Islands of Steel."

Lord Norsem raises his eyes, but keeps his head bowed, then turns to Toov for his input.

[Chaqery 427]

The Lord Inquisitor chuckles a bit, nodding as he steps forward to answer the Emperor,

"I know mostly of zhe most recent dealings vith Elendil, as I vas present for zhem. I vas patrolling soldiers of zhe Vhite Rose zhrough Ildon during zhat time. To be honest it vas razher confusing for both sides. Lord Norsem vas, for all I could tell, just visiting Ildon. Perhaps he vished ill upon Elendil, but he never acted upon it. He merely commented upon how veak Elendil's guard seemed at zhe time... a matter of fact, really. Zhis comment vas overheard by one of zhe commonfolk who proceeded to post flyers zhroughout zhe Empire claiming zhe two vere at var.

Neizher of zhem openly declared it, and zhroughout all zhe time I spent in Ildon as Captain of zhe Rose aftervards I never vitnessed any fighting between zhe two. Zhe whole of zhe Empire believed zhey vere at var... and since enough people believed it, zhey seemed to go along vith zhe tale as vell. A true example of zhe power of propoganda.

I have made it very clear to Lord Norsem zhat I believe zhe actions on both his and Lord Elendil's accounts vere childish und arrogant. Zhey allowed zhemselves to be put at odds over zhe actions of an onlooker. A shame, but not purely zhe fault of Lord Norsem. I made zhe errors of his vays very clear to him.

It is not often you find a Nobleman as villing to reform und repent as Lord Norsem here. One might say it speaks vell of his intentions.

[Braehn Elendil An'Hiraeth 474]

*Artorus looks down at Norsem, grimacing. He says in a cold, gruff tone."Your actions and words were treasonous and destructive to the emperor's peace. You were fully intent on declaring war and bringing chaos to the Westfall, as well as the empire. You have gotten what ye have deserved, Lord Norsem."

He sighs and lowers his shoulders "Be that as it may, all men must receive second chances, to prove that they have learned. I believe Jon should receive a chance to redeem himself, yet only one..."