Wallace Calder
Background
Career
Roleplays
Wallace Meets Theodora Komnenos
Wallace sits at the large rosewood desk in his study. Having just completed a letter, he proofreads it while the ink dries.
Dame Theodora,
It has come to my attention that you are in Firbalt. As I stated in my previous letter, I would like the opportunity to meet you. The page bearing this letter has been instructed to escort you back to my estate should you accept my invitation.
Strong as Iron,
Wallace Calder Margrave of Firbalt Marshal of the Velvet Glove
Finding the contents satisfactory and the ink dry, Wallace places the letter in an envelope that he seals with the winged stag of his family crest upon blue wax.
"Boy," Wallace gestures at the older and more capable of the two pages at his door. The lad's tunic is also embroidered with the Calder family crest marking him as one in Wallace's employ. "You are to find Dame Theodora and deliver this to her. You are then to offer your services as a guide back to my estate." "Yes, sa'," responds the page quickly. He tucks the letter into a pocket within his short, grey cloak, gives a sloppy bow, and rushes out the door with the flapping of grey cloth. "As for you," Wallace looks to the other boy, "Go tell the cooks to gather up some food for our guest. Bread, cheese, meat, and the like. Nothing that needs to stay warm. Make sure they send up some wine as well." With only an even less coordinated bow than his companion as acknowledgement the young boy runs to complete his lords orders.
Wallace cannot help but smile as he walks to sit in one of the room's comfortable chairs in front of the stone fireplace, the contents of which warm the otherwise cold stone of the room. As he busies himself packing a pipe, Wallace reminisces about his time spent as a page. Much like them, he was born to a house of minor nobility, yet here he sat as Lord of Irondale's capital. Taking the first, satisfying pull from his pipe, Wallace wonders if he will see any of the boys in his employ rise above their birth as he has. He smokes alone in silence, realizing that thoughts such as these make him feel old before his time. With a twinge of disappointment, it occurs that he should have instructed the boy to bring a bottle of wine before Thoedora's potential visit as well.
“This is life”, said Theodora with a sigh as she soaked in the heat of a warm public bath amongst two other ladies-in-waiting that kept her company. The voyage from the East Continent to the port of Heen in Beluaterra had been dreadful amidst storms and dangerous waves, though the ride from Hirzmet, where she had sworn fealty to the Lady Yasmine Elevendale had been swift. It still did not make her less tired by the time the walls and gates of Firbalt could be seen by the distance.
She suddenly woke up from her daydreaming and looked around the almost empty steamy halls as she heard footsteps approaching from the entrance. “Oh, where were we”?, she asked in a slow tone, which was followed by a yawn. The other women giggled at their lady-mistress’s almost lack of manners, something they both knew she would never be seen doing where she could be truly recognized. She was, or at least tried to be, after all, a perfect dame. “You were about to say you will not live in Hirzmet, but rather in the capital”, replied one.
“Yes, yes…”
However, before she could explain, the footsteps grew louder and she stopped, eyeing the figure suspiciously through the steam, but the voice was unmistakable. She fell at ease as her servant approached.
“Dame Theodora”, a feminine voice called out to her, “please forgive me for disturbing your peace."
“Speak”, replied the dame, rising from the marble bench just as the slow tone of her voice became suddenly quicker. One of her companions took a towel and covered her immaculate frame as if she was paying her respects to an idol.
“A boy was found… trying to enter the baths, and when questioned, he said he had a letter for you, my dame”, she said cautiously, noticing Theodora’s blue eyes flaring up as if it was trying to match her flame-red hair. “From the margrave, my dame. It has the margrave’s seal”.
The beginnings of a scowl and a hint of annoyance in her face by the idea that someone was trying to peek on her disappeared into a puzzled look as she led the women towards the dressing halls. “Very well, let us see what the good margrave wishes of me.”
-
“Quite a man of gentle manners, from the way his letter was penned”, said Theodora to the ladies that accompanied her, as the carriage that led the group through streets of cobblestones suddenly stopped. As she stepped out and into the margrave’s estate, assisted by the coachman, from the distance she could see some of the aqueducts that supplied water to public baths such as the one she had been to earlier in the day, as well as fountains and houses.
Escorted by the two ladies-in-waiting, she made her way through the main entrance, dressed in an austere and shapeless gown that would be mostly unremarkable, save for the golden embroidery in the fringes and cuffs.
“The Dame of Hirzmet, Theodora, daughter of House Komnenos”, she was announced.
Wallace is once again at his desk. After finishing his pipe he had returned to the work required for the management of Firbalt. Wallace's estate is spartan in nature, having once served as a fortified keep before the city grew to what it is now. It has thick stone walls with small windows to compliment the lantern light within. This is true throughout the building save Wallace's study. The room is rectangular, with the entrance being situated in the center of one of the long sides. Wallace had instructed his craftsmen to expand the size of the windows on the external wall opposite the door. The four tall windows of cloudy glass reenforced with iron now provide enough light that there need only be lanterns when it is night. To the right of the door sits the heavy rosewood desk with trees skillfully carved across the front. Behind it are shelves with the many scrolls and few books required for Wallace's work as a bureaucrat. To the left is a large fireplace with two cushioned chairs before it. Between the chairs sits a small table. Above the fireplace is a large painting of the Dark Mistress of the Old Gods.
“The Dame of Hirzmet, Theodora, daughter of House Komnenos” the voice rings out into the room. At once Wallace stands to his feet and steps from behind his desk. When Theodora enters the room with her retinue respectfully in tow, Wallace respectfully dips his head and greets his guest.
"Lady Theodora, I am happy that you have accepted my invitation." As Wallace speaks, he takes in the appearance of the woman before him seeking for indications of her character. He notes her simple yet respectful dress with approval. In his opinion, extravagant dress is best saved for when an occasion demands it. He himself wears a simple woolen tunic. Looking past Theodora Wallace give a sharp nod with a short, "Ladies" as acknowledgment for Theodora's companions. Wallace gestures to the chairs before the fire. "Please, have a seat. The cooks have prepared food and drink for us, I shall send to have a kitchen lass bring it to us. Shall I have my boys bring in chairs for your guests?"
