07.01g: The Seventh Winter (Fireside Table)

[colomon]

That catches Renny's attention. "What would you have us do to earn it?" she asks, honestly curious. She glances at Ruben, thinking that he, at least, has been earning his keep here...

[Brian C]

At the statement from the noble Eretria starts talking without looking up. Her voice is low and contains none of her pleasant demeanor. "I was nobility and more before I came here. Yes we were given land and title in this kingdom. We were given it by it's creator and it was Dworkin's to give. Before you assume I've earned nothing ask the people of Tir-na Nog'th what I do there. Find out if I look out for their welfare or not.

If you have a problem with Dworkin's choices, instead of drawing a weapon, put your money where your mouth is and ask Dworkin to have you walk the pattern. If you have the courage or stupidity I'll sponsor you. I've heard people draw weapons at slight's before. I've heard them talk about their rights and new nobility not earning them. I've seen where that leads and lived through the consequences. I will NOT watch that happen here. If you feel disrespected, feel free to voice it. If you threaten another person at the party I will handle the issue quickly, efficiently and before the guards do. Do you understand?"

[Wyvern]

"To be fair," comments Alys, "From what I've heard, some of us have given, shall we say, less than obvious attention to the responsibilities of rulership. And I, of course, have been here too short a time to busy myself in anything beyond learning the lay of the land. Though it seems I may have missed a few subtleties; perhaps," she drums a finger on the young man's shoulder, "you'll be able to help with that tomorrow?" Though phrased as a friendly question, that last comes through fairly clearly as an order - translating to "You will show me around the city tomorrow, if you haven't gotten yourself killed first."

"As for why Dworkin chose to grant us 'royal' status... I can give you an answer to that. Not the answer, mind you, and, I'm sure, not even the most important answer... But - consider your skill at swordsmanship. I'd be willing to bet that, on a good day, you could match some of the weaker castle guards at one-on-one combat. By contrast, on a bad day, I'd only be able to take out maybe a third of them... and that's assuming it was me against all of them at once."

"Oh, certainly, I'd have to employ some tricks and tactics - even I can't take an army head-on - but, barring intervention by other royals, I'd emerge from that day unharmed and perfectly capable of finishing off the rest over the next few days. And here's the thing: Every. Single. One. of us royalty is capable of similar feats. Not necessarily the same feat, but, acts on a similar scale. Some by force of arms; some by sorcery; some, I'm sure, by powers I'm not yet familiar with. And, if and when the day comes that Odin's forces, or some other Power we don't even know about yet, comes to tear this place down - well. Any royalty that hasn't earned their place already, will more than earn it then."

"Not," Alys adds after a moment's thought, "that I intend to wait that long myself, of course."

[Joshua]

The young man nods slowly. "Tomorrow then."

As he tries to get up, the third course arrives. Grilled fruit over grilled lettuce, drizzled with honey. Defeated, the man stays for now...

[colomon]

Renny takes advantage of the young man's "captivity" to learn more. "What do you do?"

[Joshua]

The young man swallows, "I- uh... my father imports silk. I've been overseeing the accounting..." He looks between Renny and Alys. "The fencing is something I've had to do to avoid ruffians."

Meanwhile,Osmund eyes the plate of fruits (he has not eaten yet), and finally grabs a plate and fork and ducks under the table.

[Ruben]

Ruben stifles a laugh at the nervous diner's departure, and turns to Renny and Alys.

"Well, I have to say that this evening has already been worth my while. It's always worthwhile to remember that one has to earn his place in a court and that the best leaders achieve respect through empathy and learning, not seizing a title. To have the lesson delivered in an entertaining way is a bonus. Not to minimize your quick reflexes and skill, Alys -- I deeply admire your work in "defusing" what could have been a very unhappy development."

[colomon]

Nodding at Ruben's comment, Renny continues speaking to the young interloper. "Ruffians? And oh, I'm Renny." She offers her hand to shake.

[Joshua]

"There is resistance, as well as simply rival merchants and thieves." The young man explains. "Pickpockets, thugs, gang leaders. It's a full city down there."

[Wyvern]

Alys inclines her head in gracious acceptance of Ruben's compliment. "I'm sure you could have accomplished similar if you'd been watching for it; after all, it merely required moving faster than..." She trails off, listens to Renny for a moment, nods, and turns back to the merchant's son. "Ah, yes, introductions. I am Lady Alystrakos Obsidia Sybaris. And you are?"

OOC: It may be worth noting that, unlike the other royals here (plus Osmund) the young man has not been given permission to shorten her name to "Alys"; if he wishes to be polite, the most he can reduce it to is something like "Lady Sybaris", or just "milady", or, etc.