[fieldbox=Trevelyan Council - Part 2, royalblue]
In Tornburg Keep,
A collab between Espoir, QT, Gerontis and Oetje.
Summary:
Lady Amber of House Trevelyan holds council. She got some feedback from her councillors that were present as well from the hired retainer, Jorvan. Once the advice and questions are asked, Amber clears some things out.
[spoili]
Jorvan stared at the small pouch but didn't move to touch or inspect it. He was familiar that some manners of certain mercenaries were harsh. It had to do with reputation and in order to keep contractors from being serious, actions like these were used to reinforce to not slack on payment. Yet while he could reason what the motives were, he couldn't condone them. Listening to lady Trevelyan, Jorvan remained silent. He had to say that the daughter of Carron was quite good to voice what she didn't like or want. He could understand her reasons but he opted to stay out of the politics of the house. There was some doubt if his debt would be paid too but this hardly seemed like the time and place to bring that up or try to be witty. Still, Jorvan would nod slowly even though, to indicate that he listened and agreed.
"Then what will you have us do?! War with the Blood Brothers would be the fastest route to victory, but by doing this we put our men, the few we have in trust, at risk. Not only them, but the people who are chained against will out there by men your father promised to pay. These men aren't out there because of choice, their out there because of circumstance! If you speak to them, they WILL listen my Lady. They must be reassured that they hold the trust of House Trevelyan, despite their upbringing or profession. They are like every other commoner held in contract with this House. All they seek is their pay, taking action and barking loudly because we failed to honor that agreement. They fought on our side, on the side of Lord Carron Trevelyan. If we turn from them now, if we do not honor our agreements they will fight for others. They are mercenaries, I know this, the lot of you think they cannot be trusted. Believe me, I think the same, but we cannot go about this wrongfully. If you were in their position, would you not do the same?" he asked the table, looking at all three individuals equally.
Anderon perceived honor more valuable than coin - even though this situation particularly called for a balance of both. He stood from his chair, hands knotted to his tailbone. "If we do not honor your father's contract with the Blood Brothers, then we might as well not honor any of them. Is pride more precious than life? This is not weakness Ladyship, this is diplomacy. If we call for alliances, we can amount to all the coin we need. It does not have to be with the Marrics. House Foreland of Wealdstone, House Darkwater of Linemill, even House Woodhall of Woodhall Manor would stand by our side as our bannermen. It is a temporary solution to a much greater problem. From there we will regroup and start anew. We will not beg for help, help will be provided. If we strike them down like deer, everyone will turn against us. Do you wish to bring fear to all our patrons? Because killing the people we owe will surely bring forth that intuition."
Trying to reason with the younger heir was more difficult than presuppossed. Her first act as leader of House Trevelyan would initialize the future events of a reign. Allowing blood to be spilled at first zenith would be catastrophic. Anderon envisioned Amber Trevelyan to have the heart of her father. Maybe she blamed his death on that compassion. Despite being around for her formative years, Anderon knew very little of Lord Carron's child. He knew the difference between her and the other children - distinguishing her strengths from the others - but was too submerged by Lord Carron's side that he was absent much of her life. Now he is simply attempting to steer her in the direction her father would of wanted. Directed away from greed and wrath and focused on entitling House Treveylan as a righteous house.
"Yeah, sellswords are quite untrustworthy indeed. Vile lot, if you ask me." Jorvan said in a quite sarcastic tone, his right eyebrow perking up as Anderon stated that sellswords couldn't be trusted. While the man was aware that the advisor did mean in general, Jorvan wasn't so sure if he should be content by assuming that.
"If I may, I can answer your question, good ser. I would likely resort to some grim action cause while some might regard mercenaries as a greedy lot that only fight for gold, they will have the idea that nobility are nothing more than gold hoarders. And not to be trusted."
Zahara stood up, chest heavy. She hadn't said anything yet about Amber's decision, but Amber's advisor was something she needed to address. She'd never enjoyed the man's presence, but she didn't hate him. The way he handled things was simply frustrating at times.
"Ser Anderon," she began, her voice steady, though insinuating some sort of annoyance towards the older man.
"If I were you, I'd watch the way you speak. You are my sister's advisor, are you not? I may not agree with her, but I will support her and the last thing I want to see in this house is a man raising his voice at our leader." She turned to her elder sister.
"If you allow me the chance to go with someone of your choosing, I will abide by your wishes. The last thing I'd ever aim to do is bend my knee to House Marric. You have my word."
Anderon lowered his head at Lady Zahara's rejoinder. He bit his lower lip, vexating against the response of those who've never dealt with statecraft. He was stripped of revile remarks as his place held no voice against the sister of Lady Trevelyan - blood was thicker than water. "Apologies Lady Zahara, I meant no disrespect," he expressed, making an effort to refrain from dealing further insult to injury. Taking his seat again, Anderon used body language to repeal his actions. He placed his hands before him, forearms resting on the tabletop and fingers interlocked. Turning to face his Ladyship, he would once again attempt to provide a more pacific resolution than the one the table was reaching for.
"I simply wish to deal with the Blood Brothers without spilling more blood. I'm sure than can be understood," he stated, then turning towards the sellsword who's face irritated with mistrust. "They do not trust us because we have failed to make payment, but we are all they have. If they kill our civilians then they get nothing. It is in their best interest to keep those men, women and children alive. And like you said, you'd be partaking in this revolt if you were in their shoes......which you are. So what's stopped you?"
Amber listened briefly to what was being said between the three present people. She would let them talk and react to her words. They all had different views and ideas on the problems that were troubling House Trevelyan but Amber was assured that both Zahara and Anderon were having the best of heart for the survival of the house. She hoped the same counted for Jorvan but she reckoned that he was more concerned with his own troubles. When Anderon was done speaking, Amber was at the ready to speak up but Zahara rose up and spoke. Amber's blue eyes briefly turned her gaze towards her younger sibling. No hint or ghost of a smile dawned on the thin lips of Amber but she felt a bit confident with her sibling still supporting her.
"Good. If you desire to go then I will give you a small entourage. It will be a few days riding from here to Frosthold. You will go there as a guest, partaking in the events. But you will do no more than trying to learn what is going on there. I still don't want any alliances settled until I have sorted the current mess." Amber gained an idea but she would keep it for herself for now. Her attention turned towards Anderon.
"Good ser, I understand your points and concern. But they did threaten and harm subjects of House Trevelyan." Gesturing to the small pouch that still resided on the table, remaining untouched by everybody, Amber continued.
"I rather not see blood spilled for money but I can't just abide or even pay those who have harmed children who I should have protected. It is my duty to uphold the laws and order in these lands as leader of House Trevelyan. That means I can't just negotiate with some damned lot in order to just preserve my own hide. What will our bannermen say when they hear how we approached this situation? What is stopping them from entirely seeing themselves as our vassals, seeing we just reward those who do terrible things to our people? No."
Tapping the table with her right index finger Amber shot a look at all three present people.
"I will assemble a force. We still got more than enough to deal with the Blood Brothers. It won't be a straight out attack. As I said, I rather avoid more innocent blood to flow. But I will make it clear that everybody that dares to harm children under my protection will pay a heavy price. And to answer your question, ser, no. I won't. I will never harm a child because I desire to see some money. I fear that my father will turn in his grave if I will ever consider such a vile act."
Straightening her back Amber would place her hands behind her back.
"We will do it as I say. Zahara will travel towards Frosthold, resembling House Trevelyan in my absence. I will rally a force and prepare a plan. One that I will need you to help me lead, ser Anderon. Together with my uncle and master at arms, Lionel, I am certain we can bring the Blood Brothers down. Once we have dealt with them, our bannermen will be next. I have not yet forgotten how they openly laughed and mocked my father's rule. Regardless how much I despise to invoke or rule with fear, I will do so to preserve my house and father's honour. For now, this is my decision and you as Zahara are dismissed," nodding towards Anderon and Zahara, Amber settled her gaze on Jorvan.
"I would like to speak with you, ser, if you would not mind."
Jorvan had a most fitting answer at the ready to the address of Anderon. But before any sound could leave his lips, Amber spoke up. Keeping himself silent, Jorvan would simply wait till Amber was done speaking. He wondered briefly how many rulers would be so angry on hearing that children of their subjects got abused. Perhaps it was his own pessimistic viewpoint and bad experience that made this a rather a surprise but it was somewhat touching if he had to describe his feeling about it. When Amber dismissed Zahara and Anderon, Jorvan was slightly confused but would not show it. Instead, he nodded and remained further silent, waiting for what Amber wanted to speak about.
As both Anderon as Zahara took their leave, Amber waited patiently for them to leave the room. The door would close after them, leaving her alone with the sell sword.
"I am sorry that you got dragged into this all," Amber said as she would flashed an apologizing smile while sitting on the other side, across the table from Jorvan,
"I must thank you for your idea. I think that I will certainly use the concept of it. May I ask you for a favour though?"
Jorvan simply returned a smile, more wry than polite.
"It is no trouble, m'lady. I found it somewhat interesting," he answered back.
"And I am glad that I was able to suggest an idea to your liking." The question if she could ask a favour made Jorvan slightly hesitant. He knew that Arthur was likely done with not being paid for their services. Probably wanting to pack their stuff and head out. The thing was that Jorvan found his interest piqued by the current state of affairs and the shown attitude of Lady Trevelyan. She seemed strict and harsh but Jorvan was curious if she could fix the troubles that her father left behind. Besides, where else could he and Arthur go? The chances that they would find their trade exploited was not in any way smaller in the service of other Houses and nobility.
"Certainly, m'lady. Though I must sadly state that I can't already commit myself to any requests."
"I completely understand, ser. I am already most grateful for that you and your brother are still present." Amber's eyes briefly lowered before she spoke up and looked back at Jorvan.
"I promise you, good ser, that your debts will be paid and more. This campaign against the Blood Brothers is bound to finance some needs and the requirements to pay some debts. Unless mercenary companies don't keep their hoard with them, then I will find another way. As for my request," The blue eyes locked on those of Jorvan.
"I was hoping that you could escort my younger sibling towards Frosthold with a small entourage. Seeing the lack of children to serve as my heirs, she is the current heir of House Trevelyan. She means well and I would entrust her my own life. But," this time a wry smile found its way towards Amber's lips as she slightly looked away.
"I fear that she will try to aid my cause in her own way. And I just don't want to become dependent on any outside force. It will make the point of my bannermen only painfully truthful."
A silence followed Amber's words as Jorvan hadn't expected that as the request. He had seen it coming if she would ask him to help fight against the Blood Brothers. Or continue to train and instruct her men-at-arms as serving as a retainer. The concept to be a glorified bodyguard for a noble lady wasn't really high on his bucket list. It, at least, didn't sound as a heavy task. How hard could it be to just guard one person?
"I will. Though I can't say if my brother will be glad to continue his service for much longer."
"I can't thank you enough. I should add, though, that I desire you to go under an alias. The banquet won't be open for commoners if you pardon me. For that reason, I want you to go underneath the name of Ser Jorick of the Last River. A simple knight that was recently knighted before my father's death. I need you to watch over Zahara even if there won't be much of a threat and more," Amber continued in a most casual tone as if she wasn't revealing a scheme but just talking about the bees and birds.
"It might serve me well in future causes and expeditions to know of the political climates in other courts. Whatever you can discover about the other Houses during your visit will be quite welcome as being financed. Though I was hoping that I could have your brother with me in the campaign against the Blood Brothers."
Jorvan considered it all. He wasn't a fan of scheming and political intrigue. But if he had just to be on the watch for one person and try to pick up some information, then it shouldn't be that hard? It wasn't probably that difficult as he imagined it to be if he would just play it cool. Slowly nodding that he understood it, he found it slightly amusing that Amber wanted Arthur with her in the fight against the Blood Brothers.
"Arthur is a free man. You will have to request it himself, m'lady. But I will be willing to follow your plan. Just as long as you will keep your word."
"You got my word, ser."
"Good. To future businesses then, m'lady."
[/spoili][/fieldbox]
"Oh, Ida!" 
