Indirik Family/Balkeese/Meeting Aram

The following story details the first meeting of Aram Stien and Balkeese. The material has been edited slightly for spelling and grammar. I'm sure there are probably still more than a few left...

Roleplay from Aram

A messenger arrives early in the morning at the camp of Countess Balkeese. "I must give these reports to the Countess immediately, they come from Lord Aram Stien." The guards allowed his passage and upon entering the encampment the message reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter from Aram to the Countess the true reason for his arrival beside the general reports and so forth. Once announced to the countess he properly addressed the lady and gave the usual reports of the unit and food supplies and so forth and then just as he was leaving he handed Lady Balkeese a Parchment with the Stine Family Crest impressed into a clump of Purple Wax as a seal for the letter from Lord Aram. My lady Balkeese and liege of my liege Lord, I present you with a letter from his Lordship Aram Stien. Lady Balkeese, I am writing you this letter in hopes that it finds you well and in good spirits. I have served our realm and its way of life to the best of my abilities and have long to find a place that I could call my own. I believed that I had found it when I entered this great realm from my homeland of Abington. The stories of great virtue and heroic men and women were astonishing to my ears and i came to find out for my self if it was all true. I was surprised to see for myself that in fact it was true in more ways than the story teller could produce with mere words. I have grown to love this land and have become proud to have my name and that of my family associated with its banners. But alas I still have been unable to solve my burden of longing to be. My search for home a some my say is still not quenched. Although it is far from the parched man I was when stepping off of that blasted ship so long ago. I have noticed that you also have the same compassion for Perdan and her survival as I believe I do. and I have seen your sprit in your work and dedication to our Armies and the Perdan ghost riders as well. You have a tireless and effective grasp on your duties and have deserved your many awards as payment for these efforts you have given to us all. In recognition to your tireless giving of your self to all of Perdan I would like to ask you to be my guest this evening in my command tent for a night of well deserved relaxation and fine diner as well. I hope you except this invitation as a opportunity for the two of us to get to know each other better personally and talk about the things that make our realm the right home to all honorable nobles of life. Respectfully Yours, Aram Stien Knight of Montauban The messenger watched as the lady read the letter and waited for her reply. upon her reply he immediately left the camp and headed towards the encampment of his liege.

Aram

Roleplay from Balkeese

After reading the newly arrived letter from Lord Aram, Lady Balkeese sat and looked thoughtful for a few moments. She looked up from the letter and addressed her company sergeant. "Take this messenger to the cooks. See that he is given some wine and food. Bring him back in 15 minutes. I will have a message for him to deliver to Lord Aram." "Yes, m'Lady", the sergeant replied, as he guide the messenger out of the tent. Dipping an elaborate feather quill into a small ink pot, she thought about what she should say to this man. In a strong, but definitely feminine hand, she began to write... Lord Aram, Your several years of loyal service to the realm of Perdan have definitely entitled you to call Perdan your home. I do certainly hope you would feel as though you belong here. I know that most of the nobles of the realm feel that way. I would be honored to accept your invitation to a dinner tonight. A good meal and some better conversation could be just the thing I need to take my mind off the war. I have been long in the field, and my visits to the city have been too brief, and too full of business to find any relaxation there. Please allow me some time to prepare myself. I will present myself at your camp an hour before sunset. I look forward to discussing Perdan, and in particular, my home of Montauban. If you have any sweet, red wine, that would be wonderful. Balkeese Indirik Countess of Monauban As the sergeant and the messenger returned, she was pouring the hot wax onto the rolled parchment. As it cooled she carefully pressed her seal into the wax. When it was dry she presented the letter to the messenger. "Thank you for waiting. Take this immediately to Lord Aram." The messenger bowed and hurried from the tent. "Sergeant, please find my maid and send her in. I must prepare for a meeting tonight with Lord Aram. Have a riding horse saddled and brought around in two hours, also. I do not want to be late." After the sergeant left she turned to chest that contained her dresses and lifted the lid. She anxiously rummaged through the contents. Damn! She had left all her good dresses back home in Montauban. Well, she would have to make do what she had. Surely Lord Aram would understand if she didn't look her best while out on campaign with the army. At the appointed time, Lady Balkeese emerged from her tent in the best riding dress she had with her. It was clean and pressed, with some embroidery on the sleeves and hem. Nothing too fancy, but then again, who brings fancy dresses to a battleground? Mounting the riding horse, she took the reins from the groom and, accompanied by her squire and sergeant, she headed off toward Lord Aram's camp.

Balkeese

Roleplay from Aram

As Aram waited in his command tent for what seemed hours on end for the return of his messenger he spoke with his servant and the cook about what his plans were. He also ordered them to start the preparations immediately as he was expecting to have company. It would not do for his guest to be served meal rations instead of a fine dinner as promised. He then called for his captain and instructed him to follow out with the orders he had given him the day before in Partora. With that done he sat in his tent and waited for the messenger to arrive. As the sun started to fall towards the horizon it seems inevitable that his guest would arrive and his messenger would not. Aram was throwing his knife into the main post of his command tent when the flaps opened up and the messenger stumbled into the tent. His clothes were tattered and ripped, not too mention barely there at all, and he was covered from head to toe in scratches and bite marks, he man was barely conscious and found it hard to speak, but managed with great difficulties to tell his story to Aram. "My Lord Aram, I was crossing the bridge over the river and a rattler snake lunged at my horse, causing it to rear up and throw me from his back into the river. I was swept down by the stout currents and managed to finally grab a hold of a fallen tree and climb my way out of the river only to be attacked by monsters. I managed to wound one seriously and the other attacked him instead of me, ripping it to shreds. It was in that time I managed to slip away and borrow a horse from a local farmer and rode as fast as I could to give you the reply from the Lady Balkeese. Though I fear it has been soaked and tattered a bit the seal is still intact. I hope you do find me out of place but I believe the Lady is to be expected shortly as I was coming into camp I heard the sound of a rider in the distance." Aram took the letter from the messenger and laid it on his desk at once and then picked up the man in front of him laying on the ground and carried him to the healer’s tent. "This man is has been wounded by monsters and need your immediate attention!" shouted Aram as he quickly burst into the tent and laid the man down on the fist open cot. He then quickly assisted the healers with out thought or second guessing of his actions. Aram was no stranger to the works of the healers and in some case knew more than they did on how to tend to the wounds. This was not the case here though and as they worked on they managed to get the man into a state of stability and stop his bleeding wounds. - 2 hours earlier, one hour before sunset. - Lady Balkeese rode into the camp of Lord Aram and was greeted by the captain of Mounts. "Lady Balkeese I am Bryant, captain of the Stien Busters. i will take you to Lord Aram’s tent as he is not at the moment available to meet you personally. Something of great importance has come up and he has gone to attend to the matter personally." "I have been instructed to make sure you are comfortable and well attended until he is able to return, which will be shortly, I am sure. He has been excited to finally meet with you in person and to spent time with you as well." "If you would be so kind as to follow me the lad there will see to your horse and your party is welcome to join with the rest of my men for a late dinner as well and some cards perhaps." He then held out his arm and led the Lady to the command tent where a not large, but very good size, table had been placed in the center of the tent with two large chairs that seemed to be carved of greatwood and cushioned with the finest tapestry. To the side was a carpet laid out with several dozen pillows and cushions of all sizes and shapes. A small table with a large bucket of ice cold spring water was holding three bottles of deep red wine. Upon further inspection they were imported from the region of Anacan in the Far East. There was also a basket of fresh fruits laid out as well. The tent was lit by candle lights and a brilliant view of the setting sun to the west. "If you require anything at all My Lady just ask and I will see to it that it is done. My Lord should be along in a few minutes I am sure." With that he nodded to her gracefully and left the tent to her and her maid. (ooc - The stories are a bit interleaved here. The entirety of the next RP from Balkeese goes here.) "I will check in on him later this evening and again in morning I suspect he will be restricted to light duties for some time as the poison from those foul beast is very stout and will take a toll on a young lad such as he is", stated Aram to the head healer as he was washing off the blood and preparing to leave the tent. "Lady Balkeese!" Shouted Aram as he quickly spun around and started to head out the tent when he noticed her in the corner of the tent watching his every move.

Aram

Roleplay from Balkeese

As lady Balkeese entered the camp of Lord Aram, her small party was greeted by a man mounted on a warhorse. From the various badges and paraphernalia on his person, it was obvious that he held some rank in this company of warriors. He approached her and introduced himself as Captain Bryant, of the Stien Busters, Lord Aram's company. Captain Bryant led the small party to a large tent in the center of the encampment. He then dismounted, and helped Lady Balkeese down from her palfrey. After directing the escort to be taken care of, and the horses cared for, Captain Bryant led Lady Balkeese into the tent. At first glance the tent seemed well furnished for a command post. A well laid out table with two rather nice chairs was placed in the center of the room, next to a blanket in the floor, with a stack of pillows. A small table held three bottles of wine, chilled in spring water and accompanied by a bowl of fruit. Candles throughout the tent added some light to that coming through the open tent flap on the opposite side, which opened onto a spectacular sunset. Captain Bryant spoke up one more time. "If you require anything at all My Lady just ask and I will see to it that it is done. My Lord should be along in a few minutes I am sure." With that, he let himself out, closing the flap behind himself. For several minutes Lady Balkeese wandered around the tent. The dinner table, for that is what it surely was, was nicely laid out. Dinner had obviously been well planned. She looked forward to it, as her meals had mostly been quick affairs between planning sessions with the senate. A glance at the blanket and pillows on the floor made her feel a bit... awkward. What was Lord Aram planning here? Surely it was nothing more than a bit of discussion, a distraction from the long war. Some good food, good wine, and reminiscing about Montauban, where Lord Aram had held the lordship for a time before stepping down to attend to some personal matters. Maybe they would even discuss his travels in far away lands. Balkeese knew that Aram had come from the far away lands of Abington on Atamara. That would surely be an awkward topic. Her own younger brother, Kende, eager to make a name for himself, had taken command of a mercenary company fighting for Darka. Even now she had a suspicion that Kende's company, indeed, the entire Darkan army, was on the march toward Abington, although she did not know what they planned to do once they arrived. Well, she had best steer the conversation away from that until she had a better idea of how Aram felt about his former home. It had, after all, been several years since he had left. After about 15 minutes of browsing among the various tables and maps, she began to get rather impatient. Well, Captain Bryant did say to ask... Lifting the tent flap aside, she spotted Captain Bryant a short distance away, talking to some of the men. Catching his attention she waited for him to approach. "Captain Bryant" she said, "Has Lord Aram been informed of my arrival?" "Yes, m'Lady", he responded. "Unfortunately, he has been detained on urgent business. He will come to see you as soon as he is able. Is there anything I can do, anything you require in the meantime?" "No, Captain Bryant. Thank you. Just let Lord Aram know that I am awaiting him in his tent." "As you wish, m'Lady." Well, as long as she was waiting, she might as well be comfortable. And there were those bottles of that dark, red wine... Its his own fault for being late. He'll just have to catch up when he gets here. Retreating into the tent, she picked up one of the bottles and inspected it. Anacan, from the far eastern isles. Although she was unfamiliar with this particular vintage, the region of Anacan was known for sweet wines. Excellent. She poured herself a glass, picked up a book off of one of the side tables, and settled down among the pillows to wait for Aram's arrival. ... An hour later, after many pages, and two glasses of the excellent wine, Aram had still not arrived. The sunset was gone, and it was dark out. Checking with Captain Bryant again yielded no information. Back to the book and the wine... ... After nearly another hour of waiting, she had finally had enough. This was highly unusual behavior, and not what she had expected at all. Leaving the tent, she approached the nearest guard. "Bring me Captain Bryant, immediately!" The guard stammered an acknowledgment, and hurried off to find the captain. The other guard looked intently the other way, trying to avoid her obviously irate gaze. She was pleased when, rather quickly, Captain Bryant arrived with the guardsman in tow. "m'Lady, can I help you?" "Captain Bryant, where is Lord Aram? I have had enough of this waiting." Looking confused, Captain Bryant responded: "m'Lady, has Lord Aram not attended you yet?" "If he had, would I be here demanding to know where he is? Take me to him, at once!" "m'Lady, I don't think that would be wise. He is... indisposed right now." "Captain Bryant, either take me to Lord Aram at this very moment, or bring me my horse. In either case, I will wait no longer." Caught between conflicting priorities, Captain Bryant was looking very uncomfortable. After a moment, he made up his mind, and swept an arm to the left. "As you request, m'Lady. This way please." Balkeese followed the captain a short way, past several tents, ending in front of a largish tent with a staff in front flying the mark of the healers. Was something wrong? Was Lord Aram injured? Why would he be in the healer's tent. Captain Bryant opened the flap for her, and stood aside. Inside the tent was a table, on which lay a young man clad in torn and dirty rags that had once been the livery of a messenger in Lord Aram's service. She thought the young man looked familiar but couldn't quite place his face. No surprise, as it was bruised in several places, and blood had oozed from several scrapes and scratches. What she could see of his skin was markedly ashen. A most unhealthy color. Standing over the poor man were three older men. Two were dressed in the robes of healers, but the third... The third man was Lord Aram himself. His clothes were blood stained, and his face was haggard. They had obviously been working on the young man for quite some time already. Not wanting to disturb their work, she stayed back from the men, waiting at the side of the tent, out of the way. Besides, even after all her battles in the past years, she was not quite comfortable attending to the wounded. Too much blood... The men were too absorbed in their work to notice her entrance, and she let them work. Her annoyance and indignation at being made to wait faded as she watched. A few minutes later the men put down the various implements of the healer's trade, and sighed. Aram addressed the healers. "I will check in on him later this evening and again in morning. I suspect he will be restricted to light duties for some time as the poison from those foul beast is very stout and will take a toll on a young lad such as he is." Aram moved to a side table and began to wash his hands, rinsing away the young man's blood. Balkeese could see in his profile of his face that he had begun to relax as his tension drained away. She took this to mean that the young man would live. Good. Perdan had need of all the brave young men it could find. Suddenly Aram looked up, startled. Sudden realization sprang into his eyes as he remembered the scroll this young man had been delivering. "Lady Balkeese!" Aram turned and began to hurry toward the tent flap. Then he saw the lady standing next to the opening, watching him. "Lady, I... I did not know you were there. Pardon me, I have not yet read your message. This messenger arrived late, and sorely wounded. I am somewhat skilled at the healing arts, and with the poison... I surmised that he needed all the help the gods could give him." Balkeese moved forward to meet Aram. Her indignation at being made to wait was gone. What was two hours compared to the life of this brave young man? "It is quite alright. Is that the messenger you sent to me? The one who was to deliver my reply? What happened, will he recover?"

Balkeese

Roleplay from Aram

Aram looked at Lady Balkeese and was completely surprised that she was even still standing there. After all he had completely forgotten about her presence, as the will to save the young lad over took him as he worked. "My Lady please forgive me for my stupidity. I did not mean to mislead you into a evening of comfort and conversation and a fine dinner as well. Instead you find me here in the healers tent soaked in blood of a young lad." "Yes it was him that has your letter. I set it down and have not had time to read it though, as this poor lad collapsed after telling me of his horrible trip back to deliver it." "Seems he was thrown from his horse and into the river washed down river where he almost drown. Only to climb out of the river and into a den of the foul beasts that were deserting from Dimwood it seems. He managed to wound one of them and the rest attacked the wounded one and gave him a escape route. He borrowed a horse from the local farmer and head to my tent." Aram waited for a response from the lady as he finished trying to clean him self off a bit. "Well I do hope that he recovers and I am very glad that he was able to return to such a master as yourself. I am deeply impressed by your knowledge of the healing arts as it was very interesting to watch you and your healers work so intense and sure of your every move." Then she noticed that Lord Aram was trying to look more presentable and quickly changed the topic to a more suitable one. "Shall we continue this conversation in your tent Lord Aram, I am starving and I am sure you are as well." She said with a knowing smile in her eyes as she watched his fidgeting and movements trying to look interested in her concerns and her approval of his not being able to attend to her promptly. "Yes. Yes that will be fine just let me rush over and clean up a bit and I will meet you back in the tent. I’ll have Captain Bryant escort you back immediately." The Captain snapped to attention promptly and held out his left arm. The Countess took his arm a followed as Aram quickly retired to his personal tent for a quick change of clothes and clean up. After a few minuets Aram had cleaned up and changed to his clothes of the evening he had originally planned. He entered the tent wear one of his favorite outfits a well but not overly done embroidered shirt white in color, of fine cloth, and a deep purple double breasted vest with the embroidery of a banner that was unfamiliar to the Lady Balkeese. His pants were of the same purple as that of the vest and he wore a golden laced sash for a belt it too had the embroidery of the same banner. He walked in and looked at the table with a intent look of satisfaction on his face and then over to the area of the fine rug and the pillows. He noticed that the one of the wine bottles had been opened and the fruit was in need of replacement. He clapped his hands and a servant enter the room. "Tell the cook to begin the dinner we shall eat as soon a it is ready. Also instruct him that we need fresh glasses for the wine and freshly chilled wine as well not too mention the fruit needs replacement." He then looked to Lady Balkeese and walked over to her and said "Shall we have a seat here on the discussion rug and talk before the dinner arrives. This is a favorite spot of mine. I acquired this rug in a land north of my home land it is custom in their realm to sit and drink wine and discuss thins of great importance before eating their dinner." "I have grown to appreciate this tactic as it seems to clear your mind and the dinner is very much more enjoyable. I hope you find it is appealing as well." As they took their seats Aram lending a hand to Lady Balkeese and then moving over to the right of her position he sat down and stretched out in a upright but very relaxing position. The servant returned just about that time with a fresh bucket of wine bottles and a bowl of freshly cut fruit. "Ahhh perfect." Taking the new glasses from him and reaching for a bottle he quickly opened the bottle and poured in a small amount of wine in a glass, sniffing it first and then gulped it in. He sloshed if from side to side several times and then spit it out into a container nearby. "Very good year it was so I am told by my grandfather. And the taste is exceptional if I do say so myself." Pouring two glasses and handing one to his guest Aram turned and asked. "So my Lady tell me of your self and how it is that you come to Perdan. It seems I am ignorant to most of our good Nobles and their heritage with our realm. I am eager to learn who you are and all about you and your family. I will in turn give full details of mine as well."

Aram

Roleplay from Balkeese

Lady Balkeese arranged her skirts around her, as she sat down on the carpet in the center of the tent. She accepted the proffered wine glass from Aram and took a small sip. She could still feel the two glasses she'd had while waiting and didn't want to get drunk so quickly. Aram spoke up and started the pre-dinner conversation. "So my Lady tell me of yourself and how it is that you come to Perdan. It seems I am ignorant to most of our good Nobles and their heritage with our realm. I am eager to learn who you are and all about you and your family. I will in turn give full details of mine as well." "Well" she replied "I was born in Perdan, in the forested western reaches of Montauban. My family still lives there. I'm not sure how far back our family has been there, but it's been quite some time. I would have to check the family records to speak with any real authority on that." "My younger brother Dimian, who you may have met, left home a little over three years ago to take up military service in Perdan's Crimson Wing. About a month later I followed him. We have served side by side for most of that time. Really, it's all been military campaigns, wars, sieges. I was lucky enough to attract the attention of Duke Screndt several months ago, and he honored me with an appointment as his Marshal." "But you've been in the service of Perdan for, well, nearly half a year longer than I. I suppose I may know more of local history, but my knowledge of events outside the Montauban area before I joined the army are rather limited." "But what of you, sir? You have traveled the world, and must have stories and experiences far beyond my own. I believe that your family is from Abington, is it not? What prompted you to leave your home for a far off land?" "And what of that banner embroidered on your breast and sash, is that your family crest? I am embarrassed to admit that I cannot recall the details of the design of the seal on your message."

Balkeese

Roleplay from Aram

As Aram Listened to the Countess talk of her family and her up coming he refilled his glass and pick a piece of fruit out of the bowl in-between the two as the talked. She was a very good speaker and was very intriguing to Aram to finally have a bit of time to spend with someone other than his men and the other nobles in this realm. Oh how he missed the conversations that he and BlackKnight had back in the old days when fighting the Ibladeshians and Itorunts. And this seemed to be something that he has been missing: intelligent talks of all matters not just politics and war plans, thought Aram as he listened to the Countess. "But you've been in the service of Perdan for, well, nearly half a year longer than I. I suppose I may know more of local history, but my knowledge of events outside the Montauban area before I joined the army is rather limited." "But what of you, sir? You have traveled the world, and must have stories and experiences far beyond my own. I believe that your family is from Abington, is it not? What prompted you to leave your home for a far off land?" Aram looked down at the crest on his sash and then smiled as he looked back up to the Countess. "Oh this is the Pride of my convictions my Lady besides the right to cal my self a Warrior of the great Perdan armies, and the right to call this place my home, this crest is one of the most important honors in my life it is because of this crest and what it stands for that I fight so furiously and hold such high esteem for all Perdanites no matter their class or walk in life." "This is not my family crest my dear Lady but the crest of an elite group of nobles that belong to a very well kept secret and hold themselves to a high walk of life in this land. I am honored to be in the midst of these great men and women in this exclusive club. I am sorry but I am not allowed to speak more of this group until I am granted permission to do so, nor am I allowed to reveal the names of the nobles that also wear this crest." "I have worn it tonight because I believe that you my Lady with your intense dedication and loyalty to Perdan would notice it and ask just that question. I would like to invite you to visit our group and to consider joining it as well." As her eyes and facial expression grew more and more concerned with the words that followed from his mouth about this group Aram spoke of she grew more and more concerned about that nature of it purpose and started to wonder if Aram was really the man that he seemed to be she was beginning to doubt her trust in her former Lord and now was starting to feel a bit awkward with her company. Aram, seeing that the countess was looking and feeling a bit overwhelmed with this information, stopped abruptly and paused for a moment and then smiled as the cook and his helpers entered the room with the first course of the evening meal. "Splendid, perfect timing." Aram said, standing and offering his hand to the Countess. "Shall we eat my lady, seems time is flying by so fast and I have so much more I wish to speak with you about. I haven’t even started telling you about how I came here to Perdan or of my travels often world outside Perdan and the East Island." The tale was set quickly and efficiently and Aram helped the Countess to her feet and pulled a seat out for her to be seated. Then taking his spot at the other end of the table he paused for a few seconds and then asked for the food to be served. The first course was an amazing mixture of greens and vegetables with a splash of spices and oils topped with a small amount of what looked like meat but was completely unknown to the countess. "Lord Aram what is this that we are eating it is like nothing I have ever seen or heard of before." Aram smiled. “Do you like it”? It is one my favorite delicately it is a small sea animal that live as far as I know only in the Ashthelian Sea in Atamara, they called it Ash Sea Fish. It is a very small animal and very hard to acquire.” "I had it brought in as My twin Brother Brakus lives in Abington still and has access to this special treat." As they ate their meal Aram began speaking about his Life in Abington, "I was born in a small but well known region in Abington Known as Chasnoff. My family has a great history in Atamara as they were one of the first to arrive in this Inland but were of a lesser noble class for a great time so their name has been withdrawn from the records of nobles on the Island until My Brother and myself graduated from the Swordsman academy in Abington." "We began our fighting career in Abington together and fought along side each other for a great many battles and tournaments of skills as well. My brother became know for his ability to fight with the sword and with his tongue as well and took to politics early as I had a taste for Ale and fine liquors my self I ignored the politics at first. We fought and battled and became known for many victories together along with other friends as well." "Then the city of Ash’rily we managed to help secede this city and eventually take the islands back from the snakes of ASI. It was a grand war and it seemed we were destined to become heroes and grand fixtures with in the realm." "Then I meet Lord Bryce’s brother Lord Altmon he too live in Abington and he told me of the grand life his brother lived here in Perdan and that he was in need of help with a personal matter as well and thought I fit the bill for this need. I spoke with hi for days and even wrote to Lord Bryce many times and decided to come and see this land they called Perdan." "That is how I came to this wonderful place I now call home. The only thing is I have found that I have no one to share it with and no close friends as of yet. Yes I have friends and I have many in fact but not friends of the caliber that I had with my Brother and that I believe is the reason for my feeling that way I do. So I decided to start a campaign to find the thing that I am missing and you my Lady are the first one I have asked over for a dinner and night or evening of conversation in order to dissolve this void in my life." Aram paused as the servants brought in the second Course of the evenings meal, Roasted Cashew Lamb with a side of red Potatoes basted on a garlic butter. A small dish of mint jelly and a loaf of oven bake steaming hot Bread, it was placed carefully and the first course was removed and carried out. Their glasses were filled with fresh wine and then the servants left the tent just as quickly as they entered. "I hope you like the lamb as it was a favorite recipe of my great Aunt. I especially love the garlic potatoes and found that Lord remorse had a very good supply of fresh potatoes." Aram paused for a few minutes and then started eating his lamb. "I have talked on and on all of my self and must give way for you to have a bit of the lime light please tell me of your brother and this younger sibling that you spoke of."

Aram

Roleplay from Balkeese

Lady Balkeese sat and listened as Lord Aram explained the significance of the crest he wore upon his chest. This was news to her. She had never heard of such a society. Well, that would make sense, after all, he had said the were a secret society, after all. But why her? Had she given some indications in the senate that she was interested in this kind of thing. She was interested of course, but how to say so without seeming too eager... As she pondered what to say, a several people entered the tent. The meal had arrived! It's about time, she thought. I'm damned hungry after all this waiting. Taking Aram's hand she smiled and rose. He helped her to her seat, pulling out and pushing in the chair for her, very properly and with all due courtesy. A gentleman, indeed. As they ate the lavish meal, Aram regaled her with tales of his family, and the far-off lands of Atamara. As the cooks presented the next course, of lamb and garlic potatoes, Aram picked up his wine glass and addressed her. "I have talked on and on all of myself and must give way for you to have a bit of the lime light. Please, tell me of your brother and this younger sibling that you spoke of." Well, it was bound to come about eventually. Aram had lead the conversation with tales of his family, it would now be her turn to tell the tales. Since it appeared that Aram still had a great love for his former home, she would have to be sparse on the details. "As you know, my family home is in Montauban. There are but three children of my generation, two of which you know: Myself, of course, and my younger brother Dimian, both of us serve Perdan. Dimian is an accomplished archer, and has led the Red Fletchers for several years now. They have traveled extensively across the southern end of the East Island, all the way from Venas, to Westmoor, Zawr, and even the walls of Ibladesh itself. I fear he has a bit of wanderlust in him. Although he loves Perdan, he yearns to travel. He has been talking recently of his desire to visit the new lands that are being settled on the continent of Belauterra. Apparently there is a group of people there that follow what they call the Path of the Dragon, or something like that. With the war possibly coming to an end soon, he may be taking the opportunity to visit there." "As for my youngest brother... His name is Kende. He is somewhat of the black sheep of the family. No, he has not been disowned by our father. But he does not like to discuss Kende much. He left home a few months ago and took ship for the shores of Atamara. He apparently had some fool notion of seeking fame and fortune by selling his services as a swordsman, or some such other folly. I think he feels that war is but a game to be played. Perhaps with time he will learn that war is indeed not a game, but something that is quite serious indeed. Since he has been gone, he has not witnessed the devastation that this war has brought to our homeland." Sooner than she realized, the meal was coming close to an end. They had talked for a long time, and they had gotten a late start. Taking a last sip of wine, she addressed Aram again. "Lord Aram, it is getting late. With our late start, I fear that we missed the opportunity to talk quite as much as we should. However, I think I should take the opportunity to take my leave of you soon. Your meal was most excellent, and the company quite pleasurable. We are marching in the morning, though. I must ensure that preparations have been made, and my men are ready to start out at first light." Rising from her seat, she continued. "I hope your messenger makes a speedy recovery. He has shown much devotion to your service, and I would like the opportunity to thank him personally once he recovers. Perhaps next time we meet, you can tell me more of this... group... you mentioned. I must admit that I am intrigued, and would like the opportunity to discuss it further."

Balkeese