Post by DM Cyphus on Apr 6, 2006 18:02:28 GMT -5
11 Alturiak 1372
It was raining outside. They had been riding in it to arrive at the Royal Palace. Once there, every man had been thoroughly searched for weapons. The clerics and the mage were asked to relinquish any spell components, something often overlooked by guards in Lantan...but not the Royal Guard. Even though they would not hold an audience with the King, every precaution was taken. The only weapons permitted were a single dagger each, a rapier or a single shot pistol. Jonathan Preten carried all three to the hearing.
The pistol, dagger and rapier were considered honorable weapons. It was possible to kill a man with any one of them, but you had to be good to succeed. The nobility carried them for tradition's sake, though rarely were they used as originally intended. Perhaps 200 years ago, 100 years ago at the earliest, one might have seen an honor duel amongst nobility once every other month or so. But now they were rare, as the diplomats and businessmen that the families had become preferred words and contracts. One was more likely to be brought before the Royal Court for a breech of contract rather than face a man in an honor duel to resolve a situation.
Today they were meeting before Richard Goodwest, arguably the second most powerful man in all of True Lantan. Richard Goodwest and King Rosman were very close, and the former served as a personal advisor to the latter on nearly every matter of importance. Likely Richard Goodwest knew of more secrets and treasures than even the great professors of the magic universities that were scattered about the lands. Richard was only, however, the second highest ranking Goodwest. Still, it seemed he was the most powerful. While his father may have overseen the family's business matters, Richard tended to the country's.
Richard Goodwest was a full mage of the Royal University of Magicks as well. As such, he held the highest public rank of any Mage in all the islands of Lantan. It was said that Richard occasionally used his powers to divine the truth in contract disputes, though no specific situations were ever presented and by the nobility it was largely regarded as a rumor.
Richard Goodwest was here for one reason, however. The Drachens and Pretens both had a token presence in the Royal Court, despite being more powerful than the Goodwests. Neither Drachen nor Preten could fairly oversee this matter, and as the possibility of a Blood War loomed over them all, King Rosman had sent his most trusted advisor to settle the matter. It was, after all, supposed to be the focus of King Rosman's reign...the end to all Blood Wars.
"We gather at this hearing to discuss matters brought to the attention of the Royal Court by Lord Richard Preten. Lord Preten, please state your concerns for the Court," Richard Goodwest began as everyone was seated.
The room looked much like the common court rooms of Lethtar and other cities where more trivial civilian matters were handled. Richard Preten sat on one side of the room with his brother Jonathan at his side. Both were finely dressed and armed with the weapons permitted in the Royal Court. Behind them sat the seven men they had brough with them: the group and Jaden Highbringer. On the other side of the room sat the Drachens, Gunner and Chresmil Drachen...Lurrin Drachen's father and brother, respectively. Both men eyed Lurrin with a bit of curiosity and rage. Behind them sat four men.
Richard Preten rose. "Lord Goodwest, it is the contention of the Preten family that the Drachens have been plotting a Blood War with us now for at least a tenday...if not more. We learned of this potential attack from Lord Lurrin Drachen, son to Lord Gunner Drachen. The claims of Lord Lurrin Drachen were that his brother had revealed plans to send men to Illul with the intent to burn several Preten warehouses to the ground,
"This warranted investigation by the Preten family, considering the source of the claim. We enlisted the aid of the six men you see with me and I permitted my brother, Lord Jonathan Preten, to oversee the investigation and take whatever means necessary to secure our holdings in Illul. Meanwhile, my brother and I petitioned the courts for a hearing. We were delayed because of Royal matters, which is understandable. Actions were taken however to secure our holdings, as previously stated, and the investigation was followed through with. One prisoner has been detained and interrogated regarding his involvement,
"By speaking with these men present, I believe you will find that the Drachens, not the Pretens, have been the aggressors in a potential Blood War that we are working ever vigilantly toward preventing. They have attempted to destroy our holdings in the city of Illul with malicious intent. Our men managed to verify the efforts to destroy our holdings and thwart the attack without bloodshed. They have determined the course of action the mercenaries intended to follow and secured a prisoner. Our testimonies would suggest that the Drachens intended to utilize Dark Elf contacts to arrange this attack. We will request the King's full support in defending the Preten family and their holdings in all of Lantan, the Drachen family be reprimanded for their actions and ordered to stand down all future efforts to work against the Preten family, and that this potential connection to the Drow be further investigated."
Richard Preten then sat down. Richard Goodwest looked to the Drachen's side of the room. "Lord Gunner Drachen, would you please state for the Court your contentions."
"Lord Goodwest, the Drachen family intends to prove through the verification of these men's testimonies that the Pretens have wrongfully identified the Drachen family as being responsible for this matter based on faulty information from a 'defector,' if you will, from the Drachen family. Lord Lurrin Drachen, my son, in an attempt to impress his fiancee', one Mistress Annine Kolendur, by leading an ill-advised and poorly planned attack against his own family. The Kolendurs of Sambar and the noble Drachens of Lethtar have been at odds for sometime due to a Blood War that took place two generations ago. The Drachens regret the actions of our ancestors before the reign of the benevolent King Rosman, but can do nothing to correct the matters without significantly harming ourselves in the process. This matter was forgiven the Drachens by the previous King, and should hold no weight in this Court. We will prove to you, Lord Goodwest, that the potential attacks were in no way linked to the Drachen family. We will then prove that, based on this faulty information, the Preten family employed mercenaries present here today, and no better than the prisoner they captured, to begin working against the Drachen family of Lethtar. They carried out a plan to destroy a single holding of the Drachen family here in Lethtar and were successful. We will identify one of the mercenaries by name and face here in the Court today. We will request the Pretens be reprimanded for their actions against the Drachens and that they call off all future efforts against the Drachens as well. We will also request that this matter of the Drow be further investigated by the Royal Court to determine if there is not a potential threat to all the noble families of Lantan from the Drow."
Richard Goodwest nodded to both men. "I am to speak first to Lord Jonathan Preten of Lethtar. Lord Preten, please approach."
As Jonathan rose and walked over to stand in the center of the aisle and before Richard Goodwest, Richard Preten turned to the men behind him and spoke briefly and quietly to them. "Approach as Jonathan has. Identify yourself as Jonathan will, but say nothing else. Wait for his questions, and respond only to him. Even as the Drachens speak to Lord Goodwest to make you look like liars, say nothing. Lord Goodwest will direct his questions to you. Remember...respond ONLY to him."
"I am Lord Jonathan Preten of Lethtar," Jonathan said as he stood before Richard Goodwest.
"Lord Preten," Richard Goodwest began, "Explain to me your involvement in this matter."
"Lord Goodwest, I handle many of my family's financial affairs. My brother, Lord Richard Preten, asked that I handle the investigation while he petitioned the Court for a hearing. Lord Lurrin Drachen sought me out and claimed that his brother, Lord Chresmil Drachen, had told him of a potential attack against Preten holdings in Illul that their father was planning on behalf of the Drachen family. The attack was to involve 40 men at least, so we expected the attack to be against multiple Preten holdings in Illul. I enlisted the aid of the men we have brought here today. Lord Lurrin Drachen offered his assistance as well, and has proven himself to be a worthy ally. My men proceeded to investigate this matter while my brother petitioned for the hearing. No information either confirming or denying the attacks could be uncovered. As King Rosman has requested these matters be brought before the Royal Court before confronting the potential offending family, we waited to notify the Drachens of our investigation, but could not sit by and allow these very important locations to be burned," Jonathan responded.
"And you hired mercenaries to protect your holdings?"
"No, Lord Goodwest, we did not. I enlisted the aid of five men: Master Arikias Kolendur, Wandering Flame Serol Kinspar, Mage Jervis Dench, Lord Thorgar Ironstar and," Jonathan paused a moment, "Master Jack."
"Master Jack?" Lord Goodwest asked.
"Yes, Lord Goodwest. That is his full name."
"I see," Goodwest looked slightly confused, "Believing these claims to possibly be true, you sent them to Illul to further investigate the matter and defend your holdings. They returned to you on Alturiak the 9th, is this correct?"
"Yes, Lord Goodwest it is. They had confirmed the attacks and thwarted them without blood being shed or breaking any laws. They apprehended a prisoner and brought him to us after delivering a personal shipment to Stagart, the Dwarven city."
Goodwest looked confused. "They took the time to tend to a personal venture rather than return directly to Lethtar?" he asked.
"It could not be avoided, sir. The shipment consisted of goods retrieved from the Featherale Ruins. The shipment likely boosted relations with Human cities and the Dwarves, and rightfully the items retrieved belonged to the Dwarves. The men that retrieved them were on hand for any questions the Dwarves might have, and then were compensated for their delivery."
"I see," Richard Goodwest said after a moment. He seemed slightly bothered by this, but soon dismissed it.
"Lord Drachen," Richard Goodwest looked to the elder Drachen, "Do you have any contentions with this testimony?"
"I would ask the Court if the relationship my son had with Mistress Kolendur ever factored into the thoughts of Lord Preten," the elder Drachen responded and then sat down.
"Lord Preten, did the relationship Lord Lurrin Drachen has with Mistress Kolendur play into your thoughts regarding this information?" Goodwest asked Jonathan.
"Yes, Lord Goodwest, it did. Still, considering the source, we had to respond properly. We did not do so outside of the law, nor did we take any agressive actions toward the Drachens."
"Lord Drachen, do you have any further contentions?"
The elder Drachen rose once again. "Only one, Lord Goodwest. We are curious to know if Lord Preten had any involvement in the destruction of the Drachen warehouse located in the northwestern cemetery of Lethtar."
"Lord Preten," Richard began to ask the question everyone knew was coming, "Did you have any involvement in the destruction of any Drachen holdings?"
"No, Lord Goodwest, I did not. Master Jack was asked to investigate potential Drachen holdings in Lethtar to stir caution in the Drachens and in case any retaliation was deemed necessary. No action would have been taken by the Pretens against the Drachens without first having a hearing."
"You are dismissed, Lord Jonathan Preten of Lethtar."
Jonathan then sat down, smiling just a touch to Arik and Jack.
"I am to speak next with Lord Lurrin Drachen of Lethtar."
"You're up," Jonathan whispered softly to Lurrin.
It was raining outside. They had been riding in it to arrive at the Royal Palace. Once there, every man had been thoroughly searched for weapons. The clerics and the mage were asked to relinquish any spell components, something often overlooked by guards in Lantan...but not the Royal Guard. Even though they would not hold an audience with the King, every precaution was taken. The only weapons permitted were a single dagger each, a rapier or a single shot pistol. Jonathan Preten carried all three to the hearing.
The pistol, dagger and rapier were considered honorable weapons. It was possible to kill a man with any one of them, but you had to be good to succeed. The nobility carried them for tradition's sake, though rarely were they used as originally intended. Perhaps 200 years ago, 100 years ago at the earliest, one might have seen an honor duel amongst nobility once every other month or so. But now they were rare, as the diplomats and businessmen that the families had become preferred words and contracts. One was more likely to be brought before the Royal Court for a breech of contract rather than face a man in an honor duel to resolve a situation.
Today they were meeting before Richard Goodwest, arguably the second most powerful man in all of True Lantan. Richard Goodwest and King Rosman were very close, and the former served as a personal advisor to the latter on nearly every matter of importance. Likely Richard Goodwest knew of more secrets and treasures than even the great professors of the magic universities that were scattered about the lands. Richard was only, however, the second highest ranking Goodwest. Still, it seemed he was the most powerful. While his father may have overseen the family's business matters, Richard tended to the country's.
Richard Goodwest was a full mage of the Royal University of Magicks as well. As such, he held the highest public rank of any Mage in all the islands of Lantan. It was said that Richard occasionally used his powers to divine the truth in contract disputes, though no specific situations were ever presented and by the nobility it was largely regarded as a rumor.
Richard Goodwest was here for one reason, however. The Drachens and Pretens both had a token presence in the Royal Court, despite being more powerful than the Goodwests. Neither Drachen nor Preten could fairly oversee this matter, and as the possibility of a Blood War loomed over them all, King Rosman had sent his most trusted advisor to settle the matter. It was, after all, supposed to be the focus of King Rosman's reign...the end to all Blood Wars.
"We gather at this hearing to discuss matters brought to the attention of the Royal Court by Lord Richard Preten. Lord Preten, please state your concerns for the Court," Richard Goodwest began as everyone was seated.
The room looked much like the common court rooms of Lethtar and other cities where more trivial civilian matters were handled. Richard Preten sat on one side of the room with his brother Jonathan at his side. Both were finely dressed and armed with the weapons permitted in the Royal Court. Behind them sat the seven men they had brough with them: the group and Jaden Highbringer. On the other side of the room sat the Drachens, Gunner and Chresmil Drachen...Lurrin Drachen's father and brother, respectively. Both men eyed Lurrin with a bit of curiosity and rage. Behind them sat four men.
Richard Preten rose. "Lord Goodwest, it is the contention of the Preten family that the Drachens have been plotting a Blood War with us now for at least a tenday...if not more. We learned of this potential attack from Lord Lurrin Drachen, son to Lord Gunner Drachen. The claims of Lord Lurrin Drachen were that his brother had revealed plans to send men to Illul with the intent to burn several Preten warehouses to the ground,
"This warranted investigation by the Preten family, considering the source of the claim. We enlisted the aid of the six men you see with me and I permitted my brother, Lord Jonathan Preten, to oversee the investigation and take whatever means necessary to secure our holdings in Illul. Meanwhile, my brother and I petitioned the courts for a hearing. We were delayed because of Royal matters, which is understandable. Actions were taken however to secure our holdings, as previously stated, and the investigation was followed through with. One prisoner has been detained and interrogated regarding his involvement,
"By speaking with these men present, I believe you will find that the Drachens, not the Pretens, have been the aggressors in a potential Blood War that we are working ever vigilantly toward preventing. They have attempted to destroy our holdings in the city of Illul with malicious intent. Our men managed to verify the efforts to destroy our holdings and thwart the attack without bloodshed. They have determined the course of action the mercenaries intended to follow and secured a prisoner. Our testimonies would suggest that the Drachens intended to utilize Dark Elf contacts to arrange this attack. We will request the King's full support in defending the Preten family and their holdings in all of Lantan, the Drachen family be reprimanded for their actions and ordered to stand down all future efforts to work against the Preten family, and that this potential connection to the Drow be further investigated."
Richard Preten then sat down. Richard Goodwest looked to the Drachen's side of the room. "Lord Gunner Drachen, would you please state for the Court your contentions."
"Lord Goodwest, the Drachen family intends to prove through the verification of these men's testimonies that the Pretens have wrongfully identified the Drachen family as being responsible for this matter based on faulty information from a 'defector,' if you will, from the Drachen family. Lord Lurrin Drachen, my son, in an attempt to impress his fiancee', one Mistress Annine Kolendur, by leading an ill-advised and poorly planned attack against his own family. The Kolendurs of Sambar and the noble Drachens of Lethtar have been at odds for sometime due to a Blood War that took place two generations ago. The Drachens regret the actions of our ancestors before the reign of the benevolent King Rosman, but can do nothing to correct the matters without significantly harming ourselves in the process. This matter was forgiven the Drachens by the previous King, and should hold no weight in this Court. We will prove to you, Lord Goodwest, that the potential attacks were in no way linked to the Drachen family. We will then prove that, based on this faulty information, the Preten family employed mercenaries present here today, and no better than the prisoner they captured, to begin working against the Drachen family of Lethtar. They carried out a plan to destroy a single holding of the Drachen family here in Lethtar and were successful. We will identify one of the mercenaries by name and face here in the Court today. We will request the Pretens be reprimanded for their actions against the Drachens and that they call off all future efforts against the Drachens as well. We will also request that this matter of the Drow be further investigated by the Royal Court to determine if there is not a potential threat to all the noble families of Lantan from the Drow."
Richard Goodwest nodded to both men. "I am to speak first to Lord Jonathan Preten of Lethtar. Lord Preten, please approach."
As Jonathan rose and walked over to stand in the center of the aisle and before Richard Goodwest, Richard Preten turned to the men behind him and spoke briefly and quietly to them. "Approach as Jonathan has. Identify yourself as Jonathan will, but say nothing else. Wait for his questions, and respond only to him. Even as the Drachens speak to Lord Goodwest to make you look like liars, say nothing. Lord Goodwest will direct his questions to you. Remember...respond ONLY to him."
"I am Lord Jonathan Preten of Lethtar," Jonathan said as he stood before Richard Goodwest.
"Lord Preten," Richard Goodwest began, "Explain to me your involvement in this matter."
"Lord Goodwest, I handle many of my family's financial affairs. My brother, Lord Richard Preten, asked that I handle the investigation while he petitioned the Court for a hearing. Lord Lurrin Drachen sought me out and claimed that his brother, Lord Chresmil Drachen, had told him of a potential attack against Preten holdings in Illul that their father was planning on behalf of the Drachen family. The attack was to involve 40 men at least, so we expected the attack to be against multiple Preten holdings in Illul. I enlisted the aid of the men we have brought here today. Lord Lurrin Drachen offered his assistance as well, and has proven himself to be a worthy ally. My men proceeded to investigate this matter while my brother petitioned for the hearing. No information either confirming or denying the attacks could be uncovered. As King Rosman has requested these matters be brought before the Royal Court before confronting the potential offending family, we waited to notify the Drachens of our investigation, but could not sit by and allow these very important locations to be burned," Jonathan responded.
"And you hired mercenaries to protect your holdings?"
"No, Lord Goodwest, we did not. I enlisted the aid of five men: Master Arikias Kolendur, Wandering Flame Serol Kinspar, Mage Jervis Dench, Lord Thorgar Ironstar and," Jonathan paused a moment, "Master Jack."
"Master Jack?" Lord Goodwest asked.
"Yes, Lord Goodwest. That is his full name."
"I see," Goodwest looked slightly confused, "Believing these claims to possibly be true, you sent them to Illul to further investigate the matter and defend your holdings. They returned to you on Alturiak the 9th, is this correct?"
"Yes, Lord Goodwest it is. They had confirmed the attacks and thwarted them without blood being shed or breaking any laws. They apprehended a prisoner and brought him to us after delivering a personal shipment to Stagart, the Dwarven city."
Goodwest looked confused. "They took the time to tend to a personal venture rather than return directly to Lethtar?" he asked.
"It could not be avoided, sir. The shipment consisted of goods retrieved from the Featherale Ruins. The shipment likely boosted relations with Human cities and the Dwarves, and rightfully the items retrieved belonged to the Dwarves. The men that retrieved them were on hand for any questions the Dwarves might have, and then were compensated for their delivery."
"I see," Richard Goodwest said after a moment. He seemed slightly bothered by this, but soon dismissed it.
"Lord Drachen," Richard Goodwest looked to the elder Drachen, "Do you have any contentions with this testimony?"
"I would ask the Court if the relationship my son had with Mistress Kolendur ever factored into the thoughts of Lord Preten," the elder Drachen responded and then sat down.
"Lord Preten, did the relationship Lord Lurrin Drachen has with Mistress Kolendur play into your thoughts regarding this information?" Goodwest asked Jonathan.
"Yes, Lord Goodwest, it did. Still, considering the source, we had to respond properly. We did not do so outside of the law, nor did we take any agressive actions toward the Drachens."
"Lord Drachen, do you have any further contentions?"
The elder Drachen rose once again. "Only one, Lord Goodwest. We are curious to know if Lord Preten had any involvement in the destruction of the Drachen warehouse located in the northwestern cemetery of Lethtar."
"Lord Preten," Richard began to ask the question everyone knew was coming, "Did you have any involvement in the destruction of any Drachen holdings?"
"No, Lord Goodwest, I did not. Master Jack was asked to investigate potential Drachen holdings in Lethtar to stir caution in the Drachens and in case any retaliation was deemed necessary. No action would have been taken by the Pretens against the Drachens without first having a hearing."
"You are dismissed, Lord Jonathan Preten of Lethtar."
Jonathan then sat down, smiling just a touch to Arik and Jack.
"I am to speak next with Lord Lurrin Drachen of Lethtar."
"You're up," Jonathan whispered softly to Lurrin.