The Other Baron (RP)

'' We don't work for Childebert, sir. Three days is approximately the time we will be needing to set up the meeting and talk to the other parties. We thought it respectful to come to you first, you see. But that means we have to go all the way back to inform the other baron and the mayor.''

Roald wants to add something about the lost time waiting in the waiting room, but wisely keeps that to himself.

"Childebert doesn't matter. He would have nothing to say that is worth hearing. He is too stubborn to listen to reason." Chlodomer declares, he does not come out and say it, but you get the impression --from all you have heard-- that his lifelong rivalry with the other baron means he would not be willing to go to a meeting if he knew his enemy were to be there.

He seems quite content to broker a peace where the valley comes under one rule, just so long as Childebert is not involved. In his mind everything you have said so far leads to him ruling, which he agrees would be better. None of this seems to come as a surprise to him either, the way he is listening --and not listening to bits the don't fit his worldview-- suggests he may have known such plans were in action even before you came up with them.

The only thing the seemed to penetrate his armour-of-self-assurance was the mention of 'three days from now'. That is definitely a sore-point for some reason.

What do you do?

- Albert -

"You are not wrong." The baron agrees with your assessment of his rival's dimness. "But who cares if he 'accepts', we can make him accept." He sounds delighted by the prospect and seems to have included you in the 'we' that would do the making.

"Tell me all you plans." Chlodomer says suddenly leaning forward and sounding 'reasonable but forceful' in a way that suggests he is trying one of those 'negotiation techniques' you have heard bar patrons boasting about learning.

You don't get the feeling you will get too much out of him if you continue on the same track, he was visibly spooked by something about the date you guys proposed, but also has his own vision of how things are going and that does not quite fit with what you have presented so far. You get the feeling he came into this negotiation 'knowing what was going to be said' and is not actually listening to what is being said. He seems to know about most of your points, but his responses don't quite align with what you think is going on.

What do you do?

- Roald -

Chlodomer eyes you very suspiciously when you suggest that you have a schedule and that it aligns with his 'three day panic'.

"My wife..." He starts to say before changing his mind. "I need to talk to... my people." He settles on, though you don't get the impression he is one to listen to the people he surrounds himself with.

---

You have recently found your --previously unknown-- leadership skills being put to the test, and have been noticing human behaviour quirks. If you keep pushing on the baron with your own facts there is a fair chance he will break and this cooperative persona might vanish.

Something also nags at you about the timeline, but you can not put your finger on exactly what. Perhaps, if you can have a private word with both of your companions, you can decipher that quandary.

What do you do?

- Roald and Albert

"There is no inn around here." The baron says, making it sound like a boast. "I will have rooms made up... in the servants quarters." He adds this last almost as an afterthought, but his beady eyes watch for any reaction to this possible slight.

- Norbert -

"Anywhere out there is fine." Marisella says waving in the general direction of the stables or fields. But you get the feeling she does not care much about a mess in the courtyard either and is following your excuse to get some distance.

"What? How am I supposed to know?" She demands petulantly in reply to your first three questions. "They don't tell me anything." She sounds sulky about this fact.

"Oh, I am perfectly safe." She says, exaggerating her words. "No one would ever even consider that I could be a perfectly good sacrifice if it wasn't ..." She honestly sounds upset about this, probably (hopefully) she is after the adventure of being rescued.

"MARISELLA! I said it is time for bed!" She cook repeats as she fills the doorway, interrupting. Marisella, who was about to try to sneak off with you squeaks in panic, turns and runs back inside without another word.

What do you do?

- Norbert -

'Three days?' Being out last night and watching it set, and seeing it rise (slightly less) early again tonight reminds you that it will be full moon three nights from now.It is not much celebrated in this valley, but you have been reminded of stories the old people used to tell of 'Summer Solstice Festivals'... it is possible that that is in three days time as well.