The Other Baron (RP)

- Norbert -

While you are out exploring you notice, more than once, that a young lady seems to be following you, or at least improbably appearing wherever you are. If you look at her she pretends to be doing something else and not noticing you, but maybe she wants to say something to you?

If you spend too much time out here, you might miss the talking with the baron, and 'talking' is apparently what adventuring is all about.

- Roald -

Chlodomer smiles knowingly at the mention of 'rebel attack' but does not say anything. His smile vanishes, though, when you suggest that his people are doing anything less than their best for the 'poor farmers' or that his taxes are unfair.

"I am a good leader." He declares. "Nothing happens here that I am unaware of."

You can tell that you are treading on thin ice. He does not like being criticised, but is still listening.

A servant knocks politely on the door and indicates that food is ready. The baron looks annoyed that it was not brought here, but he did not specify in his instructions so the table has been set. He rallies and pretends it was his intent to show you such hospitality, and is pleased with the clean white cloth and fancy silverware being on show.After Roald has spoken the baron nods in polite agreement with the general idea of what was said, but clearly misses the point of the parable and does not much care if the local butcher and grocer lose their customers --they have to go somewhere, and it is all the same to him.

"Speaking terms would be good." The baron agrees, but you hear the undertone of 'but I am still building both a wall and an army, which can also solve the problem'. "Get the workers back to working and the village back to trading. Yes." He does not mention speaking with the other baron, in his mind that would be too crazy an idea to even think about. His father and his father's father 'fought' the Childeberts. That is just the way it has always been.

- Norbert -

The girls looks nervously at the large, hungry-looking dog and backs away into an open doorway. You get the feeling from how your dog is sitting that she is still just on the other side, though.

If you are going to talk to her, it appears you will have to make the next move.

What do you do?

- Norbert -

"Can I?" The girl asks, crouching down to reach out a hesitant hand to the dog, but becoming more comfortable as she sees it is safe. "What's his name?" She asks, though that might be out of not knowing if it will be polite to ask you what your name is. "My name is Marisella."

"Are you visiting my... baron?" She asks with only a brief hesitation as she thinks who. "There is food left over in the kitchen." Says, sounding like the idea of inviting you in is a little scandalous and loving it.

If you follow her into the kitchen the cook harrumphs and looks disproving, but Marisella shoos her away. "It's OK, cookie." She says, introducing you and saying you are guests of the baron according to whatever you told her.

The cook turns her back on you two, but does not leave. Marisella stands awkwardly near the food, apparently not sure how or what to serve you and the dog. You can help yourself or give instruction.

What do you do?

- Roald -

The baron sits back, not reaching for food nor telling you to help yourselves. The servants hover at the back of the room, unsure and waiting for orders from someone.

The baron showed no reaction at all to the news of his apparent kidnapping actions. No sign of surprise, outrage, or denial.

What do you do?

- Norbert -

Marisella holds her hand far away from the scraps. "Oh, no. I couldn't." She claims. She has joined you outside, but hovers in the doorway looking around nervously before taking a deep breath and speaking quickly, in a conspiratorial whisper.

"You --or your friends-- are 'adventuring heroes', right?" She asks to confirm. "You rescue 'damsels in distress', right?"

There is a creak from inside the nearby kitchen, and you can see the cook through the window. she is not so close as to definitely be able to hear what you are saying if you keep your voice low, but she is keeping a watch on the conversation, possibly just to make sure strange men are not behaving untowardly to the local women.

What do you do? How do you answer?

- Albert -

The baron gives every appearance of not noticing what you are eating, but you get the impression that he is taking note of the sorts of things you take so as to judge you on what you are worth.

"Yes. Childish Bert would be blind to the advantages of bringing the valley under one rule. I am glad you have recognised the value in that." This seems to be the first thing that has actually gotten his attention. "And that's your job? Bringing about such a peace?

"You say you were hired by...?"

If he thinks you were hired by the other baron he will suspect your motives, but if he things you were hired by the mayor --or some 'interested third party'-- he might embrace any ideas you bring in the hope they further his power.

- Roald -

"Three days!?" The baron demands, sitting up straight and suddenly suspicious. "Why 'three days'? What are you up to? You're working with Childebert, aren't you?"

- Norbert -

"I am not supposed to talk about it." Marisella says very quietly. "Though, really, I am not supposed to know about it. They say I am 'too young'." She pouts moodily at this last bit.

"But people overlook me --they don't take me seriously-- but I hear things." She sounds angry at the way she is treated, like she is wanting to stick it to them. "They have got a girl, and are planning on sacrifice her so the gods will 'bless the crops' or something silly." She says all in one breath, then her defiance wanes a bit and she looks down, embarrassed, and mutters --mainly to herself. "I don't know what's so special about her anyone can be virgin, I'm a virgin..."

"Marisella. What are you gossiping about out there?" The cook demands, looming over the washing up and looking out the window at you two. "It is time for bed, young lady."

Marisella glares over her shoulder at the cook, opens her mouth to say something, but then closes it and does not talk back. She gives you an apologetic shrug and starts to turn to go inside.

What do you do?