IC Scene - The Meeting

Alm, the huge Dragon with a rather thick skull, took a step forward from the other Dragons and tried to whisper in Aelos' ear. However, his thick skull and faceplate made him say it loud enough for everyone else to hear as well.

"Those Mystmountains stink. Shall I give them a bath?"

He tried to laugh silently as well, but the joy he felt couldn't be contained. A boast of laughter escaped him from behind the faceplate and once he finally noticed it, he retreated back into the Dragon company.

Lord Wulfred shook his head.

"It's -Lord- Wulfred, Sir. Greysword's accounts are her own affair. If the merchant traitor doesn't know, then perhaps he shouldn't be leading a rebellion!"

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Seleucia looked at each knight in turn, settling on Valdor.

"Windholm's fate is for Windholm to decide. An old tradition of Baccus will fit nicely here. Each man and woman with a stake in Windholm, the merchants, the nobles, this Barbarossa, shall meet inside the Church. The Dawn will bar the doors. They will decide the fate of this city and the Shadow Legion will enforce it if need be. You knights should join in support of this Old Wisdom."

Morek sat up in his seat.

"The Baccus Empire?! I knew the Shadow Legion desired a return to what you called the "old ways" but that is intolerable! The Baccus Empire was a corrupt and bloated thing, partly due to practices like that! It had no strong leadership and so it fell apart to outside influences and you suggest that we allow that to happen to one of the most important cities in Pendor?

Seleucia's eyes narrowed, her hand twitched as if she were about to draw her sword but caught herself.

"You know nothing of Baccus. I say that the wisemen of Windholm should decide their own fate, and you call them corrupt and bloated. What say you to that, Merchant Lord?"

Morek shook his head. "The Order of the Radiant Cross knows very well of what the Baccus Empire was and what happened to it. As an Amalan you should too. It fell and not to be replaced by something better."

Morek sat back in his chair again, crossing his arms.

"The Trierarch has proposed a sensible solution, Sir Morek. It's not a suggestion to reform the Baccus Empire. It seems to me that our current path is marching us to chaos and bloodshed; is this what you prefer?" the Astraean Knight asked, feigning ignorance.

"To the rest of you--" Lucius gestured to Lord Wulfred "--look at whom Lady Greysword chooses to represent her in Windholm's hour of need. Do you need any more evidence than this?" Lucius knew such a bold statement was a risk given Wulfred's reputation, but it was the truth. Astraea wouldn't stand for such arrogance or injustice.

A similar thought flickered through Morek's head, though it was how the Dawn's arrogance was just as colossal as Wulfred's in its own way.

"It's hardly sensible to repeat mistakes from the past. Though since the Dawn insists on repeating their own it makes sense that you would not know that saying. I would prefer to avoid bloodshed or foolhardy ideas from a dead Empire, but if the choice was between that and slaughtering commoners my hands are tied, Windholm has seen enough death."

Gilaver took a moment to enter his own two cents.

"Sir Knights, care to repeat why this meeting was held in the first palce?"

Gilaver's voice was its usual monotone. He crossed his arms and stared piercingly at every person in the room, waiting for someone to answer.

Rayvs laughed upon hearing Gilaver's words, a startling laugh that broke the tone of the meeting.

He had been quiet until now, but spoke up.

"We're here to speak to the Guildmaster. Not to decide the fate of Windholm. If that is a byproduct of this meeting, then you knights can bicker all you want."

Turning to Lucius, he scowled and said, "On the subject of divine guidance, that's blasphemy. Even I know more about your faith that you profess to, zealot. King Mordred the Mad didn't have 'divine guidance', unless Astraea is a madwoman. He had divine right; those are two different things."

Narrowing his eyes, he continued. "You seem to be keen on ensuring the Dawn control Windholm. All of us here have motives, but we respect the Duchess's hospitality and generosity. You, however, speak against her, commit near treason, and seek to force her abdication even when she has invited you inside her own city on good faith. As I said before; I shall raise no sword against the Duchess. Words will go a long way here, rather than your implication of force."

Rayvs nodded at Mattus.

"He seems to be the one who understands the full extent and consequence of what you're doing here."

Turning back to Valdor, he said "However, I too am curious about this debt. And these increases in Vanskerry raids. Might they be connected?"

"I fail to see how letting those with an interest in Windholm's future decide who shall lead them is a 'mistake'. That wasn't what failed the Baccus Empire," Lucius stated, truly not comprehending the objection from Morek.

The Knight-Brother looked to Gilaver, neatly adjusting his white surcoat as he sat, but he was distracted when Rayvs spoke up. A moment later, his harsh laugh filled the air. "Forgive me Guildmaster, but this heretic is spewing utter absurdities. Of course King Mordred didn't have divine guidance, but we're not discussing him," he said. "I'm only speaking for what is just here. I'm not blindly suggesting we follow the Duchess as she starves and slaughters innocents. It suits the Eventide to support that."

"I've said my piece. I support those who actually have a stake in Windholm deciding its fate, not a collection of Orders foreign to the Fierdsvain," he said with a nod to Valdor.

Seleucia smiled at Sir Lucius and gave him a small nod.

"It seems that the Astraean will support a council. What of the rest of you?"

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Lord Wulfred stared coldly at Seleucia for a long moment.

"I'll attend. As for Greysword's debt, it seems that the Vanskerry have been attacking in greater numbers and the King has done nothing. Valdor, your parents were Vanskerry, weren't they?"

Javier sat back as the meeting took precedence over idle conversation. Of course, it degraded into simple bickering on who should accomplish what. In almost all meetings Javier attended, the meeting would open with the basic plan, then degrade to how each individual noble is better than the other and how their idea is superior. After a while, the only sane person will speak to restore order, and maybe something is finally accomplished or its back to bickering again...

Javier recalled what he has learned thus far, keeping his thoughts to himself.

(So, the Duchess has raised taxes against the peasantry and merchants. The Guildmaster wouldn't mind, but it was raised to ridiculous levels and without apparent reason. In response, they revolted, and that action is what led to the issues of the present day...
The orders argue amongst themselves per usual. They throw around ideas on how to handle this Windholm problem, perhaps as an attempt to gain some sort of power here. However, the lady there does have a point on...

Wait, there's a lady here!?

Ah, sightseeing can wait. Now, she suggested that Windholm elect a council to handle its problems, based on traditions of the old Baccus empire. Alternatively, Lord Wulfred's wife can rule instead as she eligible to take over Windholm.

As for explanation of taxes, it was simply stated that the Duchess is in a lot of debt. Wulfred's only goal is to restore order, or so he says.

The Eventide is here to speak with the Guildmaster and perhaps maintain neutrality? Perhaps that is best in this affair, let everyone involved beat each other to a pulp and then the Eventide sweeps in and takes care of the stragglers...

The exact issues of the taxes, the source of conflict between the nobles and the revolt, has not yet been stated. It would be wise for me to remain silent until the truth of the matter is unveiled.)

Javier continues to attend the meeting, listening intently.

[Edit: Fixed conflicting information regarding Wulfred's wife]

Morek was rolling his eyes under his helmet after the Dawn practically leaped at the chance to establish themselves as a major power in Windholm.

"Before you all start trying to depose the Duchess again, let the blasted Guildmaster speak. For the person calling the meeting he has said little enough."

"Which I would have done in response to Lord Wulfred's question," said Valdor to Morek, smiling wryly. Turning to the Lion, he said, "My parents were, however, that has no bearing on the current situation. They were traders, not raiders.

"At any rate, I believe I concur with the legionnaire's solution. Don't be so hasty to believe it will result in an overthrow of the Duchess. It could very well just result in a resumption of normal taxes and everything is back to the way it was."

"It is true," said a voice...from somewhere. Shortly, several men walked through a gap the bushes to the left of Valdor. A group of younger men flanked an older, plain-looking man, but they seemed very defensive of him. The older man nodded at Valdor, who returned the greeting.

One of the older man's escorts stepped forward. "You started the meeting without the Captain, Valdor! What is--" He stopped short as a calloused hand rested on his shoulder.

"I am Barbarossa, leader of the citizen's militia. Conrad Valdor speaks truthfully of the possible outcome of such a meeting."

Sir Lucius nodded enthusiastically as Guildmaster Valdor spoke up and announced his support for a council as well. These other orders simply had no business interfering in Windholm's affairs. At least, he thought, the Church of Astraea maintained a strong presence in the Fierdsvain and had a logical reason to exert their influence.

When the new group suddenly arrived, Lucius was quite pleased. Before Barbarossa finished his sentence, he knew that they would support a council too. "Captain Barbarossa," the Astraean Knight said with a nod. He refrained from saying more for the moment, but it was increasingly clear that those who had a stake in Windholm supported the same solution.

"Captain." This must have been the one in charge of the commoner militia. It is good that he made an appearance at last.

"If there is to be a council, I want the Radiant Cross a part of it then. We may have been sent here to find a missing Order member, but if this situation gets any worse that would be intolerable. I request that each party has equal representation however, no favorites must be played if the....." He glanced at teh Shadow Legionaire, "Old Ways are to be followed."

He looked back at Valdor. "Why did you start this without the Captain present though?"

"Such loyalty we encountered last night as well. Captain Barbarossa, it is a true honor." Aelos said with a respectful nod.

He looked at him and wondered what kind of a man he'd be. Not just anyone can instill such loyalty in the common folk....

Mattus listened intently and after each comment he shook his head. All these petty disputes made his head hurt. When Captain Barbarossa appeared he took his chance. He leaned over to Morek and whispered something in his ear before standing up.

"Greetings Captain, I hope this meeting will lead to a common goal."

He bowed a little and then left the table. He walked past a new face, he looked like a Knight of the Eventide which just arrived. As he passed him a strange feeling overcame him. Even though he never saw this men before it seemed that they already met before somewhere in Pendor, but it felt like it was over a century ago.

"I thought he had matters to attend to," answered Valdor to Morek, glancing up at the self-styled captain.

"I did." Barbarossa's answer was abrupt. "However, I felt the meeting was more important and left my matters to another."

"Very well, then." Valdor turned back to the knights. "I don't see any issue with allowing your orders to attend, invasive though you are. I suppose what happens here could have an effect on all of Pendor. We shall return at midday. I hope the Duchess is willing to come."

Behind the assembled knights, Captain Jorm whispered something to one of his subordinates, who ran off onto the path.

Rayvs stayed silent while the rest of the knights spoke, and when Valdor finally adjourned the meeting, he stood up and walked over to Valdor, outreaching his hand as a gesture of politeness, while leaning in close.

"A pleasure meeting you, Guildmaster," Rayvs said.

He tottered and leaned in close, seemingly out of dizziness or exhaustion.

Gilaver felt immensely relieved after the first part of the meeting was over. He hated politics but often found himself observing the process, much to his annoyance. Unfortunately, there was other business to attend to, later. To find some relief to the boredom here, Gilaver approached Aelos and spoke to him in a low voice.

"If I recall correctly, I owe you a duel. Would you like to have it after this mess, or some other time?"

"Whenever you are ready, Sir Windsword. After our last duel I've spend some time with Sarleon merchants, they told me about the legendary swordsman you are."

Aelos smiled, he was eager to have his revenge on Gilaver.

"I am ready, but I'm more concerned if Dragons have something else to do at the moment. The time is really up to your preferences..."

Gilaver fell silent for a second before adding the next part.

"And I doubt any merchant would have heard of me. They most likely referred to someone else, Wulfric perhaps? I wouldn't discount the possibility of them being drunk at that moment."

"Then let's do this now."

Aelos unsheathed his longsword and Wulven immediatly stepped forward to give him a shield.

"choose your weapon, Windsword. Let's deny Windholm a break from the clash of weaponry for a few moments more."

As he donned the faceplate helmet, he added a few words that were partly muffled by movement.

"They don't call you Windsword for nothing."

Gilaver raised his eyebrow.

"I suggest we move away from this particular spot. Wouldn't want to damage the furniture or other people present after all."

He didn't reach for the weapon yet, instead pointing toward a free spot in the grounds.