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Post by Brian on Dec 24, 2023 21:32:43 GMT
Scilly is a city like many other in shadow. To one who has heard tales of Arthur, or the Avalon of Corwin it feels like a similar sort of place. The talk of the port is the Phantom Queen of Ayalos and her king arrived. Courtly business....trade agreements....that sort of thing.
Ard Ri Brian and his entourage went to the Golden Hind. A tavern near the port more the sort for aristocratic men of the sea. The High King gave the bartender a chest to cover food and drink for the evening. While he didnt kick anyone out of the bar he is sitting in a balcony. Holding moments with local merchants and nobles before delegating them to functionaries he has with him. Hes more interested in drink and entertainment and keeping his honor guard in good spirits. The talking white Raven certainly has drawn the attention of folks in the bar. As well as his unusual hairstyle...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2023 22:02:57 GMT
The skinny old man had seemingly been there for hours - at least, no one could say for certain when he had come in, but he'd made a decent enough impression. Amidst the merchant princes and local lords, Brian would catch sight of him at one table...and then another...and another. Very rarely speaking himself, but listening to the tales of Brian's guard with rapt interest. A few games of chance never seem to go the old man's way, but he accepts the losses with good grace and sincere congratulations to the victor.
It is while he's smoking a long-stemmed pipe that one of Brian's guard finally brings him before the Ard Ri, "Ri! You simply must hear this man. He's been riddling for the past hour and hasn't repeated himself yet!"
The old man, for his part, seemed somewhat chagrined by the attention, "Your Majesty, I must apologize. It's far more the result of age than skill - simply a long memory and a large number of friends to entertain."
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Post by Brian on Dec 24, 2023 22:17:53 GMT
I look slightly askance and the warrior and speak to him.
"Fergus, tá a fhios agam gurb é do chéad uair ag taisteal. Ach ní mór duit feasacht i dtír eachtrannach." I smile and nod to the old man "No harm done. Diplomacy requires some spectacle. And as my lady wife tells me the spectacle serves the message." The Raven laughs on his shoulder. I point to the Raven. "This is Hal, a prince of a Corvid." The bird bows a bit at that. "But no harm no foul as you said. Since I've made my name a spectacle would you be the sort to return the favor?" The Druid standing behind Brian looks slightly askance at this request.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2023 22:28:44 GMT
As Fergus steps back chagrined, Jacob looks around at the assembled group, an eyebrow slightly raised.
"Your Majesty, I am not normally given to spectacle, restricting myself to the odd small group of friends or acquaintances usually. Did you have something in particular in mind?"
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Post by Brian on Dec 24, 2023 22:37:05 GMT
" A name is good." I smirk and then motion for you to sit. I pull up a bottle of some sort and pull out a set of shot glasses. " Can't drink with a man if I dont know his name. "
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2023 23:26:14 GMT
Jacob smiles as he sits down, "My mother named me Jacob, Your Majesty, and I have never had cause to question her decision."
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Post by Brian on Dec 24, 2023 23:43:02 GMT
Jacob smiles as he sits down, "My mother named me Jacob, Your Majesty, and I have never had cause to question her decision."" I was named Brian. after an Ancient King in the land of the...of my Father." I correct myself "Which means High or Hill or Power in the old tongue of his ancestors. " I shake my head " Which makes my becoming High King a bit of amusing irony." |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2023 2:14:21 GMT
If Jacob noticed the correction he makes no outward sign of it. "A 'high king' named for high hills and power - I suppose it is well that you turned out of such great height as you are, lest people find the entire combination of your name and title ironic."
"Your Majesty has chosen..." he glances around the bar, "...a most unique locale from which to conduct diplomacy. I can't imagine many Scillian courtiers having experienced negotiations within its walls."
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Post by Brian on Dec 25, 2023 2:38:34 GMT
"We did the business with the King and Queen. I give my merchants some discretion in handling diplomatic affairs. As most of my people in Ayalos would rather we not deal with the world beyond our mist. And the Merchant Lords are not viewed highly by the lords of the land." I chuckle a bit and point to my guards. "My men should we have to deal with an external force coming into the mists of Ayalos, they should have some notions of what the people on the outside think and function." I pour out the Whiskey and slide the drink to Jacob. "sláinte!"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2023 3:26:43 GMT
Jacob takes the whiskey and gives it a sip, considering its flavor before smiling and nodding. But then he looks at Brian with a slightly puzzled expression. "Mists?"
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Post by Brian on Dec 25, 2023 3:31:18 GMT
"Outskirts of our shores have mists. Weather phenomena.....You also get mists in the more bogging parts of things."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2023 17:20:33 GMT
Jacob nods slowly, "Shores - are you primarily coastal, or even an island nation then?"
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Post by Brian on Dec 25, 2023 17:28:01 GMT
" Island." I nod " about half a billion acres....that's only a guess from cavalry experience." He points to the merchant captain and says something to him. " he says probably 3 quarters of a billion acres." I take a shot " some smaller islands about before we cross beyond our domain."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2023 14:22:02 GMT
Jacob sips his whiskey, "A horseman and a sailor. It is well and good for a king to know the length and breadth of his country. Do you have a favorite spot?"
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Post by Brian on Dec 26, 2023 14:41:51 GMT
" I'd not call myself a sailor. I get by on a boat. But I've fought for various lords until I ended up becoming lord of lords." He thinks for a moment " I was good at Hurling....no one would put me on a team since I was 25. I started Rugby....its a football game." I pause a bit...does footballing have an analog to this old man? " no one would play that with me since I've turned 30. Various military games...as high king I'm out of those. I still can enjoy hunting with the lads."
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