Chorale__

Charles of Montresor, Baron of Artois and Patriarch of the House of Halcourt prepared to go and cast a vote for his beloved ambitious nephew. “Halcourt for Mayor!” the aging Lord reverberated through Elizabeth’s bustling streets.

The Baron of Artois Charles of Montresor laced his fingers together and nodded approvingly at his son Olivier’s plans— particularly impressed with his inclusion of the family’s culture. “See to it a basket of fruits is sent up to the growing Lord’s study in the morning before sunrise. A reward for his diligent work!” he proudly tutted to a nearby serviteur of the household.

The Baron of Artois Charles of Montresor looks unto the missive with great joy in the refuge of the Château de Murveiel. The little Lord’s grandfather rubbed his lips together and ushered “I’m.. a.. grand-pere?!” the Halcourt jumped from the cushioned seat below him and inquired with serviteurs of their household on a celebratory drink.

Charles of Montresor, Baron of Artois and Patriarch of House Halcourt patted his eldest son Henri on the back in an effort to console him, “C’est la vie, mon fils. Time will heal this pain.” and for his daughter he picked roses in the gardens of Murviel to deliver to her on the day of her union. “Mon amour- they’re growing up..” he lamented to the Lady Halcourt Luciana. @ErosTea @Kholibrii

The Baron of Artois smiled toward his beloved and reached for his coin-purse, “Only the best for mon fille!” Charles of Montresor extended to her. Named after his long gone aunt Winifred whom he endeared, the Halcourt patriarch would provide this budding rose whatever she wished for.

Flocks of birds were heard and seen above the Halcourt family’s holding in the Duchy of Alba in the early morning hours as letters dispatch from the aviary frantically. It reads as follows. To the Extended Family and Friends of Édouard Phillipe Halcourt d’Avigny, It is with deep sorrow that the House of Halcourt announces the passing of Lord Édouard Phillipe on the 14th of Malin’s Welcome. Édouard devoted much of his life to service, standing as an Officer in the Honourable Free Company of the Lowlands under the Duchy of Alba. He fought with unwavering resolve in numerous battles and wars, and later served with grace as the Lord Mayor of Elizabeth for six years. Édouard was a devoted husband and a loving father to four beautiful children, each of whom he cherished deeply. His warmth, guidance, and love shaped the hearts of his family, and his memory lives on in those he held most dear. May his legacy endure in the hearts of those he served and of whom he impressed. Ave Halcourt. An artist’s depiction of the clan celebrating, c. unknown To honor the late Halcourt’s memory, the family extends invitations to the Kingdom of Burgundy and their allies to attend his funeral which will be held at the Cathedral of St. Raguel in Elizabeth, Duchy of Alba and followed by a celebration of life in the town’s tavern. [12:00pm EST — Thursday, May 22nd] SIGNED AND NOTARIZED BY His Lordship, Charles of Montresor, Baron of Artois, Patriarch of the House of Halcourt OOC:

The Baron of Artois read the contents of the missive as he nestled into his family’s new arrangement, opting to descend upon a moving crate with sweat beading his brows from the day they’d endured. ”Diu protège le Roi,” Charles tutted with patriotism for his Burgundian counterparts. “God save the King,” he clarified for his young children and proclaims further, “Long may he reign. Tiberias— the Iron Surgeon.” a military salute rendered.

The Baron of Artois eyes welled up as the proclamation was made— a future secured once more for his family. A crying man he never had been, though memories of all of those that helped the House in their endeavors took over. Charles made several copies of the missive and attached to them a letter delivered my courier to each living Halcourt, ”I have no words, only merci. Our Father will always find a way.”

The Baron of Artois Charles of Montresor made the rally call to the banners of the House of Halcourt, “Let’s finish this.” he proclaimed heartily— pride and confidence exuding from the Alban patriarch.

The Baron of Artois was delivered the correspondence from the Ducal Coronet and had been sitting next to his hearth taking small drinks of herbal tea. Charles of Montresor did bob his head along with the words as he spoke it aloud to his children— “Alba is a great home for the Halcourt family, perhaps others will choose to prosper with us.”

wow i almost fell for it .. *looks at the date* .. (i actually did)

The Patriarch of the House of Halcourt gleamed upon this correspondence from his aging father, hoping it would enable him to fulfill his goal of becoming a Monsatic Knight. Charles of Montresor contentedly placed it then in the Relourian Archives for the House to view and began to pen a letter.

Lord Charles Phillip of the House of Halcourt, Envoy for the Duchy of Alba was sat in his chambers nearing the clouds as the missive reached him- he'd been telling his wife the Lady Mayor how concerned he'd felt over the missive that reached their people earlier that eve from the Kingdom of Balian. A quaint, humble city named Elizabeth was the Oracle which the Albans all sought after and found community. It angered him to his core that any would come in the way to jeopardize the jewel that the Halcourt dynasty had stumbled upon, "We will not be bullied, mon amour." the young Patriarch pledged, a proud regard plastering his countenance. @Kholibrii

"I believe it speaks volumes to their faith that they deliberately excluded the Pontifical States and Numendil from their pact... I wonder how the See will respond-- I pray they show them true mercy." commented Lord Charles Halcourt to his close relative within the Blessed Heart. @Virelie

Our dynasty has recently been informed of the displacement of our dear uncle Victor and aunt Marusya's offspring. After much deliberation and established communication with the couple's children, it has been decided unanimously that custodianship of the three will be transferred legally and immediately to Lord Charles Phillip and Lady Luciana Marie of the House of Halcourt. The ambitious Lord and Lady will raise their cousins and bear responsibility for their proper upbringings, a gesture to welcome them back into the warm grasp of our esteemed family’s arms. We pray that our uncle Victor is safe, and that he writes to us soon. Ave Halcourt. A gathering of the Halcourts enjoying the company of their pets and colleagues in the humble City of Elizabeth, Duchy of Alba. Where it concerns the identities of the three additional members we introduce to the Realm, Edouard Phillipe | Edward Philip Halcourt Born in the Year of our Lord 2007 @Virelie Yolande Charlotte | Yolande Charlotte Halcourt Born in the Year of our Lord 2006 @Komnena_ Lucille Margaux | Lucille Margaux Halcourt Born in the Year of our Lord 2005 @Mai Inheritance remains untampered with the release of this bulletin in the year of two thousand eighteen, reserved solely for the children of the Lord and Lady. SIGNED AND NOTARIZED BY

The teenaged Baron of Artois was delivered the missive, the Lord Charles Phillip of the House of Halcourt bringing his work at the Smithy to a halt as he read over the writings of his friend and Elizabeth's local librarian Lady Octavia. He forwarded it to his brother Louis Auguste and his aunt Winifred to hopefully help gather the Halcourt's in support of the Library and the Galbraith family's measures. @Orphvius@nunlover

Below is a list provided of the living Members of the House of Halcourt* in no particular order as of the year of our Lord 2010 to be copied and kept in the family archives for moot roll-call. *The line of Halcourt af Brasca not listed. Princeps In Omnibvs. First In All Things, His Lordship, Charles Phillip Halcourt, Baron of Artois, Patriarch of the House of Halcourt [UPDATED 2018 -CPH]

The First Associate Justice of the Court of Salvo, Mr. Karl Valfleur, read the transcript from the point that his departure was made. He was excited to have been unanimously approved by the Senate and continued to pencil notes on his notepad in the community’s saloon.

The Justice to be confirmed, Mr. Karl Valfleur took one of these missives off of the printing press and smiled, “I’m excited to meet the Senators.” He speaks, moving toward the saloon to meet the townspeople and have a stiff drink.

The eleven-year old Baron of Artois, Charles Phillip, almost fell to the floor with a heart attack in Castle Montresor’s Hall of Glass as he instructed a handmaiden to forward a copy of these revisions to his Aunt and Lady Regent. @Orphvius

Charles Phillip was nestled in his chambers at Castle Montresor as a handmaiden drew back the curtains and plopped the announcement in front of him, “From the Crown, my Lord!” they announced and clasped hands together excitedly. The young Baron of Artois responded by hissing briefly at the sun which had enveloped the room, rubbing at his eyes and taking lean over his bedside to read the missive. “Bien times! Do post this somewhere up front so the other Halcourt’s know of our invitation.” he spoke, and the handmaiden quickly dismissed themselves.

First cousin to the Crown Prince, Francis Leopold Alstion of Enswerp wrote a letter to Godwin upon his arrival. He’d eagerly awaited his return and shuffled through catalogs for a new blade to be commissioned, one he’d use someday soon to reaffirm his fealty to the bloodline after the Apostolic King’s coronation. Aaunic Lord Marshal Karl Audemar Valfleur began to reform the Apostolic Guard to resecure the borders of the Crownlands, issuing orders to those brigadiers remaining for arrangements to meet their young King Godwin.

“Somehow, I doubt the Church’s ability to forgive, especially so with the leadership they’ve politically elected for themselves. They used to be good people, and oh how the mighty fall.” An ever-aging older man comments by the comfort of a fireplace as he saw the missive, “Good on the Lurinites. If I were to meet this Lubba though, I’d advise him not to trust the High Pontiff as far as he can throw him. There will be some other excuse for him to take your land and people, they will not stop. Conquest. It is all this boy knows.” A prayer was said for Callahan’s soul after he spoke. He finished finally- his rantings unfortunately being overheard heard by none else than the fly on the wall.

The young man’s father, Charles Edward the Baron-Consort looked upon the announcement with a joyful demeanor, excited about the future of their House.