Willarc Family/GaliardReturnsToCathay

Royal returns (5 days, 16 hours ago)
Samuel Knowlton has unpaused the character Galiard and rejoined the game.

Roleplay from Galiard Scarlett

An older man, his hair starting to go gray, reclined on a comfy chair, the Lemanazielian sun dipping over the horizon as the evening set in. Crickets chirped.

The silence was broken as another man, about the same age but with the broad-shouldered and muscled bearing of a professional soldier, emerged from the side entrance to the small keep carrying two mugs, ostensibly for sharing -- but both men knew the ritual, and the slim likelihood of that.

"Remember that time you made me a lord?" The younger-but-not-young man asked wistfully.

"If I didn,t," replied the older man, "you would remind me every week. Oh, wait, you do."

"It wasn't bad," Ulwitt Dodd said wistfully, settling down in a much larger chair and placing one mug on either side of him.

"You hated it," accused the older one. "There's less room in politics for head bashing."

"Less," agreed Dodd, "not none."

"I suppose it's a matter of degree," agreed Galiard Scarlett. "Technically," he added, "Since you retired rather than having your lordship stripped from you, you are still a lord, just without a title; though that's only good for etiquette, one supposes."

Ulwitt Dodd pondered this. "Does that mean you have to do what I say?"

"About as much as you do what I say," said Galiard. "Besides, I'd be as much a not-King as you're a not-Lord, and then where would we be."

"Feeling even older than we are." Dodd snorted. "King ain't all it's cracked up to be. Who's King now, anyway?"

Galiard thought for a moment. He frowned. "That does seem the sort of thing one should be aware of," he admitted.

"I'm sure the Palace keeps you updated," Dodd suggested helpfully. "There's probably something in the mail about it."

Galiard wrinkled his nose. "The mailroom quit a while back."

"I was the mailroom," said Dodd flatly. "On your family's fortune you can hire a hundred mail-sorters. I'll not sort your missives for you like I did in Lasanar."

"And Cathay," Galiard added.

"And Cathay," Dodd sighed.

"And for a while after that," Galiard added again.

"And for a while ... oh, blast it, I'll go fetch your mail." Dodd got to his feet, his bones making all manner of you're-getting-old-now sounds, but he took one of the mugs with him. "Let's go see who's King these days. Any bets?"

"Depends on who's still alive," Galiard shrugged. "My money's on Percy."

Dodd scowled. "Percy quit a decade ago."

"Indeed," agreed Galiard, "so maybe he's gone and en-royaled himself."

Dodd shook his head. "I think we'd have been invaded by barbarians if that were the case."

"Maybe we have!" Galiard waved Dodd away. "Go fetch the missives and find out. And if barbarians are on the way, hide the China."

Dodd grumbled his way back into the manor as Galiard did as he had for several years: took in the sunset and thought of pleasant things.

Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Roleplay from Galiard Scarlett

"James Harker," announced Dodd, still quite evenly despite having dispatched one of the two mugs.

"Harker." Galiard tugged his now-bearded chin. "Name sounds familiar. Wasn't he a promising young Knight..."

"That doesn't narrow it down much," grunted Dodd. "You were a promising young Knight."

"Indeed," agreed Galiard. "What a let down."

"Could be worse," Dodd observed. "Could've been Conan."

Galiard shook his head. "I'd have felt it," he said, placing a hand on his midsection. "In my liver," he added, making what Dodd presumed was a liver-rupturing gesture.

"Speaking of Conan," said Dodd, reading Galiard's mail as usual, "Looks like Soliferum still exists but it's about the size of a fruit basket."

Galiard stood up at this news and walked over, snatching the map that was hastily produced by the ex-royal cartographer. "That's a big fruit basket," he scowled.

Dodd shrugged. "Much smaller than their previous fruit basket."

Galiard crackled his knuckles. "Enough with the Soliferum fruit analogies. Though they're not wholly inappropriate." He turned to look Dodd squarely in the face. "You sure you want to do this?"

Dodd's expression grew serious. "Much older and we won't be able to. It's time."

Galiard grunted. "They won't be happy to see us."

Dodd arched an eyebrow. "Of course they will!"

Galiard shook his head. "They will for a day. They'll SAY that they are. And then they'll start worrying what we want."

Dodd paused. "Do we want something?"

Galiard laughed. "Of course not. But they won't believe that. You don't go through life being three-times King of someplace and not have people get suspicious when you start showing up at parties with your nice hat on."

Dodd pondered this. "You could borrow my hat," he suggested.

"I may have to." Galiard turned to head inside. "Let's see what kind of reception we get. Send a rider ahead to announce us to the palace in Anacan. Then see how well his head remains attached to his body on his return trip."

Dodd's smile broke into a grin and waved a servant who had appeared in the doorframe to see to Galiard's instructions. "Aye, m'lord. I'll have your sword brought up from the cellar and polished, too. You never know."

Galiard frowned. "I don't think I'll be winning many duels at my age, my friend, but I suppose I ought to bring it along."

The servant popped his head back in the door. "The rider wants to know how you'd like to be announced, m'lord?"

Dodd piped up. "Oh, can I pick which title to use? Please please please? His Most Royal Has-Been--"

Galiard cut him off. "Just Lord Scarlett, I think, will do nicely."

The servant vanished back into the house and Galiard took one last look out over the water. "It's been a good life," he said, mostly to himself, though Dodd glanced at him. "Let's see if we've got one more chapter in it."

Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Roleplay from James Blazeral Harker

"Lord Scarlett..." James pondered this while the courier stood sweating his fate out in his private quarters, in the palace in Anacan "Well. What are we to do about this then? It must be old Galiard, -finally- returned from wherever he decided to disappear to."

He leveled his gaze then on the rider, feigning seriousness a moment before letting a smile break "Go tell your lord to come to the Palace as soon as he finds himself able. I should like to see him again. Does he still travel with that Dodd fellow?"

"He does, my Lord"

"Then tell Sir Dodd to ensure a healer comes along with them with medicines for a headache. I intend to give your lord a solid thwacking in the back of the head for disappearing like that." He gives a grin and motions the courier out, then rises and heads to his window, looking out over the city.

"Galiard, back again. And just when I thought life was going to calm down a little. This should be interesting."

James Blazeral Harker
King of Cathay

Roleplay from Galiard Scarlett

"You're wanted at the palace, m'lord," said the messenger.

Galiard smiled. "I'll lay five silvers on 'tentative warmth followed by guilt for my retirement," he asided to Ser Ulwitt Dodd, who shook his head.

"Ten silvers on 'clap you in irons for doing as you bloody well please for your entire life with little regard for others,'" Dodd answered.

Galiard frowned. "That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"

Dodd shrugged. "That's not how -I- would put it, but in the absence of m'lord's frequent speeches and letter-writing campaigns, the truth might be twisted just so."

Galiard raised an eyebrow. "And how would you put it?"

"Clap you in irons for doing as you bloody well please for your entire life along with full regard, respect, and awareness of others," said Dodd.

Galiard stared for a moment. "I don't know if that's an improvement," he said warily.

"Let's go see the King and find out!" Dodd exclaimed, as the two men handed their horses to the waiting palace attendant, brushed the lint off their clothes, and made for the audience chamber.

---------

LATER THAT DAY, after any PREVIOUS ENCOUNERS which may FOR TEMPORAL REASONS be reported AFTER THIS ONE. . .

"Ser Ulwitt Dodd, head of the noble House of Dodd," intoned the Royal Herald as the two men entered the chamber.

"Lord Galiard Scarlett, First of That Name. . ." the herald trailed off as he read the instructions to just stop there and not announce any other combination of titles, slanders, or name-calling that the palace staff might have snuck in.

"...whose titles are only outnumbered by the number of times he's relinquished them," completed Ulwitt Dodd, not quite under his breath enough for Galiard's taste.

"They'd have to be equal, if you think about it," muttered Galiard annoyedly as he shot Dodd a look. The two men approached the throne.

Both men knelt, side-by-side rather than one ahead of the other -- it seemed the years had mellowed if not nullified the difference in rank between the two men in practice, whether or not the formality of their rank had ever caught up with them.

Galiard began. "From the House of Scarlett to His Royal Majesty, King James, I bring greetings, and of course my love and respect for the Crown and lands of Cathay; if it please His Majesty, I pray we consider that I have already made some inappropriate joke wherein you might be considered to have been keeping my chair warm, you have already firmly rebuked me and established that you will have nothing less than respect for Your Majesty's throne and his right to it, and I have agreed, finding the dungeon just beneath my preference to Ser Ulwitt's company, and confessing here before this Chamber as none but myself would be like to that I have no pretensions, designs, curiosity, or passing interest in the Crown, and here attend only to renew my fealty to Cathay, and, now in the twilight of my life, Purpose what yet remains of it in some fashion pleasing to His Majesty and the Realm, if it should please you."

Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Roleplay from James Blazeral Harker

James listens to the entirety of the speech with one eyebrow raised and a half-smile of amusement the while, and when Galiard finishes he responds with a grin "I find myself in agreement. Consider yourself rebuked and put in your place, with Sir Dodd lashed ten or twelve times for your insolence. And now, get the hell up. Of all people here, I don't expect you to have to kneel before my throne, primarily because of your advanced age of course"

He rises, approaching both and offering a hand to each to help them up to their feet "It's truly a pleasure to see you once again, my old mentor. And the ever-present Ulwitt, always there to keep Galiard just enough out of trouble to scrape by. Come, sit, have a bite to eat, and tell us of where you've been. I'm quite interested to hear this story." With a nod to one of the palace servants, tables appear, chairs accompanying, and then of course Larbster and ale imported from Ortedail for all in attendance.

James Blazeral Harker
King of Cathay

Roleplay from Brian Hawkeye

Brian watched as the King greeted his guest, old lord Galiard, returned at last. He remembered him, though whether his previous superiour did the same for Brian was another question.

The King seemed happy, as many of the minor nobles fawned over their long lost leader, maybe hoping that this new arrival would spell something of a boost for their fortunes in the endless games of court.

As the King finished his greeting and called for tables to be brought forward, Brian turned and moved out of the hall without a word, his guard dressed in their usual Emerald colours following obediently behind him.

A frown crossed Brian's scarred face as he walked.

Brian Hawkeye
Duke of Anacan

Roleplay from Galiard Scarlett

"There is far less to tell than Your Majesty might imagine," explained Galiard, looking pained as the tables began appearing. "It will not surprise Your Majesty to learn that my life operates on a tidal basis -- it is always coming or going, rarely remaining. And it has been 'going' for some time now. I am not quite fifty, and so I figure that I have perhaps one good episode left in me so that I might have an honorable death, rather than simply fading into the annals of history."

Dodd snorted at 'annals of history.' His face was full of mutton.

"The only explanation I can give Your Majesty is that, for the first half of my life, I was lucky to sleep four hours a night. From the day Milan von Krondor made me the Baron Semon and then Lasanar's finance minister, I have felt the weight of nations on my shoulders, and, I daresay, acquitted myself passably of all the responsibility lain on me; Lasanar was built up as high as ever it was under my watch, Antoza brought low, and Cathay born. Never has the Far East seen as large an army as I led in those days, and while history records many of my achievements, it often does a poorer job of my mis-steps; allowing Nighthelm to wither under Soliferum's advances, for one, and it was in part due to my negligence that my brother, King Septimus of Ethiala, was killed in a minor and pointless battle with Lasanar."

Galiard paused to take a glass of wine, conscious of the eyes on him. He noticed the Duke slip out, though if he recognized his former Knight, he gave no indication of it.

"In any event, to say I was tired would be an excuse. The fact is that it was the challenges which drove me, and the subsequent peace -- and even sometimes wars -- did not stir me to the same level of action, of dedication. This is my failing; I know that. But I have had the most excellent of lifetimes, and I would not have had it otherwise. My only regret is that I do not see many familiar faces when I look upon Cathay's knighthood -- so many gone, dead or retired. But that is the way of things."

"So if half my life has been in pursuit of the stuff of which history writes, the other half has been spent recuperating from it and wanting no news of it. I have resolved that this last chapter, however long it may be, shall be the former. Thus I ask you: what of the world? Our friends and allies? Our enemies? Have I returned to a quiet country, or is there some service I might provide? If not, that is well; I am content to find some quiet service for the time being. I do not fancy myself Cathay's emergency valve, at any rate."

Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Roleplay from Anatole Brandon

The feast went on and the guests were enjoying themselves with every bit of frivolity and entertainment that moment allowed. King James did not hold back to the riches of the feast, for an old member of Cathay and an old friend of his had returned. Sir Galiard Scarlett, once a ruler in these lands, now a prodigal son returning to Cathay's folds.

Anatole did not care for his titles here, did not care for his past and he did not care either for the large ape of a man that was accompanying him. Word had reached him that he was once a lord of Lasanar and power had been invested unto him my Anatole oldest and greatest friend; Milan von Krondor. This fact only was enough for Anatole to rise and disregard proper protocol approaching the king's table.

Galiard was old, at least a decade older than Anatole. His black beard had small patches of grey but otherwiise, that raven black haired lord of old was a majestic presence within the hall. His composure, manners and speech were refined and as it seemed, trained in the arts of diplomacy. He could bear himself as a man who has passed through a lot and gained the gift of experience.

That bodyguard of his though, for such was the only title Anatole could give the larger man, was an emotional giant. Big moustache, red cheeks and easygoing manners.. Dodd, if Anatole had caught that name correctly, was a man not to be disregarded easily though.

Anatole approached with firm and steady paces. His crimson cloak followed like a red river. Blond hair tightly kept with a cord behind his back and icy blue eyes fixed upon Sir Galiard, Anatole was the archetype of a northern warrior descented from Isular at the time Highland Empire's people had streched to the south.

Discussions stopped as Anatole made his presence to the table and Dodd lookep upon the viscount with both curiosity and the discerning look of a predator. Galiard on the other hand finished his joke, sipped a little wine and then with a merry face turned to Anatole.

"I hear you descend from Lasanar." Anatole said and made a small nod due to respect for the other man's station " I hear you mention the name of my greatest friend, Milan von Krondor. I hear you were once the Baron of Semon, a neighboring region to my homeland; Isular. I am Anatole Malkavian of House Brandon, once the count of Isular, then the Duke of Colasan and General of Lasanar through the wars with the Highland Empire and the difficult times of Colasan's siege. I was given those titles by the people and my king; Daran Hawk. I was entrusted the safekeeping of these after Daran's resignation by my friend Milan von Krondor and even my political rival Duke Draban of Ossaet could not call me wanting on my duties. If you are indeed one of Lasanar's last nobles, then you have my sword and a promise of eternal friendship and brotherhood. If not then I challenge you to a duel right now, for the honour of Lasanar and its honoured dead." Anatole said proudly and with hints of arrogance as he pronnounce each and every one of his old titles.

Dodd made a move to rise, but Galiard's steady hand grabbed his sleeve and stopped him on the move, even as Galiard's eyes were fixed upon Anatole and his smile had never faded. Apparently Sir Galiard had things to say....

Anatole Brandon
Viscount of Isular

Roleplay from Galiard Scarlett

Galiard's jovial expression faded somewhat at Viscount Brandon's approach, and he studied the man intently as Anatole recited his pedigree. "Well do I know Isular," he replied, not a little surprised. "And Colasan. Indeed I was the Baron Semon -- it was the first title my family ever received in these lands; though I was better known then as the Grand Justiciar and the Duke of Ossaet, and of course the General of the Armies of the North that three times crashed upon the walls of Anacan before the end of the Antozan conflict. My brother, who later became the King of Ethiala, was Duke of Colasan for a time as well. I may have years on you, sir, but they were spent in the East Continent before I came to this land; you speak of names and places I have not heard in many long years. Though I know that Milan would have smiled to hear his name spoken with favor in Anacan's halls, after all the trouble we took getting here."

Galiard gestured for Anatole to sit with a sidelong glance at the King for permission; Galiard's manners, though refined, showed the unpracticed fashion of someone used to having his way, whether from authority or solitude.

"I arrived after the Highland Wars, shortly before the colonial effort in Palnasos that failed and became the Sanctum of Casshern, for whatever became of them; but surely I recognize a Northman when I see one. I never met King Daran, though of course we all heard stories back then -- truthfully you belong to a generation before mine, for I could tell tales for hours of Milan or Kestrelle or Aethius Kain, but there are few yet stirring in these lands who even remember that Lasanar was a Kingdom. It is to my shame that in my first absence, after Cathay was founded, that Lasanar fell to the depths it did; and my return then was too late to prevent its fall. So much effort invested, and so much blood spilled, but the cycle ever continues, does it not?"

Dodd had stopped eating for a moment towards the end of Anatole's introduction. "Been here but an hour yet and already dueling," he commented wryly. "I'd say that's a record, but ... it probably isn't."

Galiard ignored him. "I hope, my lord of Isular, that you do not challenge everyone who is not a noble of Lasanar to a duel; your arms should be quite tired, and more every passing year that Lasanar becomes a memory just as the Highland Empire has. But if I have a birthplace in this land, Lasanar is it -- enough to rid me forever of any Republican ideals, certainly, for that is not a formula we chose to repeat when Cathay's crown was minted. But many of the best knights on life came from Lasanar's ranks, and never have I seen more heroism and chivalry than I did under Lasanar's banner during our war with Antoza to claim this place." Galiard gestured around him and smiled knowingly. "Though I daresay those were the seeds of Cathay; I hope it has remained so. Tell me: when did Isular fly Cathay's colors? It was Lasanar's and Papania's when last I took notice of worldly affairs."

Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Roleplay from Anatole Brandon

Obliging Galiard with a smile, Anatole took a seat after taking a deep bow to the king.

"I hope his majesty forgives my manners for approaching his table without invitation and fro possibly disrupting his jovial occasion with my trivialities. I am grateful for the seat though Sir Galiard."

Anatole said and motioned to the far corner of the hall to his commander of Guard, Bertold Il-Vec to be seated as there was no need to arouse more that merry atmosphere.

"I have spilt blood for the foundation of Lasanar and I have seen its transformation from kingdom to Republic. I was one of the first to stand next to Milan von Krondor and I was one of the first to take arms against the people of my mother's side, the Highlanders, when they grew too weary with their provinces in the north and marched towards a seemingly endless campaing to the south. This is when I led the armies of Lasanar in coordination with those of Ethila and Taeth Aenil's. You, Galiard of House Scarlett have found a friend here. One whose years have been kind enough to gift him with a young man's appearance. But I have my northern blood to thank for it I guess. As for the duel, I apologize and stand humbled before you, but the honour and tennets of Lasanar are dear within my heart and I have witnessed quite a few impostors masquereding as lost Lasanarians. You understand know my suspicions."

Anatole's eyes travelled across the hall only to gaze upon a figure half hidden behin a tapestry depicting King James' heraldry. The man was dressed in white robes, carrying a familiar olive staff. Raven black beard and clean shaved head, Unmada stood leering with a mocking grin on his face. In his hands was a banner, the banner of Lasanar in flames!

Anatole stood up, his hand on the hilt of his blade, the Widowmaker.

"-...when did Isular fly Cathay's colors? It was Lasanar's and Papania's when last I took notice of worldly affairs." Galiard's words brought him back to reality and Anatole resumed his seated position though cold sweat had started to flow upon the viscount's temple.

"Forgive me my quaint manners sir Galiard. I am troubled by some ailments, for which I am afraid there is no remedy." snatching a silver vial from his pouch he poured it into a cup of crystal water, giving the colourless liquid a dark purple shadow "Sometimes, I swear, I can see Milan, Daran and the others still walking.. I can see the faces of old comrades and enemies' at the faces of those surrounding me, even though I know very well they are dead. There are days, when the moon is still new, that I lose my touch of reality..." Anatole whispered relieved to confide his secret to a man of honour.

"To answer to your questions, I have been absent for many years from these lands, seeking remedies for my personal problems, and seeking answers to riddles and conundrums long lost. My arrival in these lands were courtesy of the House of Brandon, to adopt the last of the Malkavian within their family. I arrived in Isular to find that people I knew are no more and many of the realms of my time were ashes, including my beloved Lasanar. King James and my liege, his grace the Duke Henri de Bardt of Colasan, were kind enough to let me be the lord of my ancestral hmeland and birthplace; Isular. I have been recently informed that my region was a claim of Arcaea, one from which they backed off in favor of their ally state; Cathay. Lord RAuffe de Grenefeld, Baron of Ansopen is the one we have to thank for the joy of Isular's glades and plains. More wine, sir Galiard?"

Anatole Brandon Viscount of Isular

Roleplay from Galiard Scarlett

Galiard listens to Anatole's history. "I thank you for the history lesson, my lord of Isular. It is rare that I receive one at all, much less from a period so far in the past as that. I welcome your offer of friendship, and am sure that Cathay is grateful for your fealty."

Dodd observes Anatole's medicinal interlude with a little less discretion than does Galiard, but neither man says anything in front of the whole court. Galiard had long since learned not to provoke tall Northmen with gigantic swords and mental issues.

"Rest easy," Galiard says after a moment's pause, in response to the other's coment on old ghosts. "I know at least some of what ails you; one cannot fight as many wars as we have and go without them. The only remedy I have for it is to do as I have just explained to His Majesty, and spend half my life on vacation to make up for the half that isn't. Even so, I am not untroubled by such things, but simply have as many pleasant memories of time with my wife and family as I have unpleasant ones of lost comrades, of rebellion and famine. But I am glad that Cathay sees none of those things for the time being."

Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Roleplay from Anatole Brandon

Anatole took a breath of relief. Sir Galiard's words were more than soothing and it was quite a respite to join in conversation with a seasoned warrior and an old noble such as he. But the days of Lasanar and its allies or enemies were long gone. The days of Cathay and the other realms of the Far East was at hand.

"Perhaps I have spent too much time on the battlefields.. More than I'd wish for at any rate.." Anatole whispered and gazed into the contents of his goblet.

"Your arrival is most appreciated sir Galiard. And I was in need of a friend and confidant who could understand the shadows of the past.. I am at your disposal at any time and know that Anatole Malkavian will always stand next to you and guard your back" Anatole declared but his eyes travelled on Dodd's red face "Of course Dodd's doing a fine job already and I would not hope to step in his shoes." and with that he made a small bow with the head as a smile cracked on Anatole's face for the first time in years.

Bertold Il-Vec saw his lord smiling from the other corner of the hall, where he was seated alongside other minor officials. He saw his lord having a good time, relieved for the first time in years. Even at this time of the month, were the new moon had only three days, Anatole was resisting the ebb of madness.

"I wish you would consider Isular as your home, Sir Galiard, as humble as it may be, for surely the royal palaces will be more to your liking, Isular is a good place to settle in. Cold enough to my taste, not as cold as I'd like, but it's my birthplace and the place where I was raised. And it is always open to you as is my estate." Anatole said and offered his hand to Sir Galiard of House Scarlett

Anatole Brandon
Viscount of Isular

Roleplay from Galiard Scarlett

Galiard accepted the man's hand with ease. "I thank you for the offer, Viscount Isular. To be frank, I have not yet considered where to settle; it depends in part, I suppose, on what responsibliity lies here for me, if any at all. It may be that gold is of no concern, and indeed my family is well-appointed as far as that goes anyway; but before I swear fealty to any, I must take stock of the world. For instance, only this morning did I learn of the long war between Soliferum and Arcaea, and its favorable ending. When such old news is new to me, it were difficult to make an informed decision about the manner of my service."

"I prefer the palace," Dodd volunteered helpfully.

"I do not," Galiard was quick to add. "I have spent enough of my life in palaces. I will do as a man must and go where I am needed; no more, and no less. I look forward to more contemporary challenges, Lord Brandon; let us see what mark we may leave upon this generation other than standing about and carping for ones long gone, perhaps!"

Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Roleplay from Anatole Brandon

Anatole heard the name Brandon and flinched instictively. He was not used to it still after all this time. The House of Malkavians was dying and he was a relic himself..

"I agree with you sir Galiard. We must make our mark at the era as we did when we were at our peak. Let our knowledge and experience fill us with skills needed and the memories of the past gift us with wisdom. My offer was more than an offer for service. I would not dream of having an oldtimer such as myself as a vassal, for surely that would be unjust. My offer was sincere and exactly what it said; a home. A place to rest, to ease your weary soul and to take shelter when the storm erupts. I was not seeking for knights, I was seeking for a comrade in the path of honour.. To memories of the past and to the deeds to come!" Anatole said raising his goblet in a toast "Let wisdom and honour guide our paths."

Anatole Brandon
Viscount of Isular

Roleplay from Henri de Bardt

Within the court, where a convivial atmosphere reigned at the welcoming of an old comrade, a nobleman of stalwart bearing seated at the left hand of the king regarded the newcomer with a measuring gaze.

Though the man was rather quiet and reserved, those who observed him could perceive that little escaped his notice. When Viscount Anatole confronted the newcomer, it could be seen that the noble's eyes narrowed and his hand dropped to his waist as he nodded to a man-at-arms standing attentively behind his shoulder.

When the confrontation seemed to relax, the nobleman gestured for his man to stand down and returned to his own repast.

It was clear that he continued to listen to the exchange, for when the Sanctum of Casshern was mentioned, his head shot up and he regarded the newcomer with sharp interest. Excusing himself from the King's side, the nobleman stood and approached the newcomer and Viscount Anatole.

Standing at his full height, the pale complexion and bookish habits of the nobleman paled next to his heroic stature and full bushy red beard. With a twinkle in his eye, he clapped Anatole on the shoulder with camaraderie, "You must introduce me to your new acquaintance Isular!"

Standing beside Anatole with a bearish grin, the surcoat of the nobleman was now apparent to the newcomer -- upon it was a blazon per chevron azure and gules, in base a boar passant or, three fleur-de-lys, two and one or.

Sir Henri de Bardt
Royal Treasurer of Cathay, Duke of Colasan, Marshal of the Royal Engineering Corps

Roleplay from Anatole Brandon

The man who was approaching Anatole was more than a friend to him. It was his liege; Henri de Bardt, the Duke of Colasan and Royal Treasurer of Cathay. Pale and elegantly dressed Henri stood but a ehad shorter than the northman Anatole. Anatole's blond hair and icy blue eyes, remnants of an age when the north sported highlanders, in contrast with the southern, refined characteristics of his liege, were noticeable to everyone.

"You must introduce me to your new acquaintance Isular!" Henri said with a bearish grin

Anatole accepted his Duke's hand upon his shoulder with joviality and was at least glad that he had some people to accompany his path these days. He stood up towering above his lord and made a courtly nod.

"Of course my lord. Sir Galiard, meet his grace, the Duke of Colasan and Royal Treasurer of Cathay; Henri de Bardt. In turn my lord meet Sir Galiard of Cathay, erstwhile traveller, warrior, king and my new friend. I may be out of line here and overstepping the hospitality of the royal table but my liege, it would be an outmost joy if you would join us.." Anatole said and quickly pulled a massive oaken chair next to his, nodding at the same time to a servant to pour some Isularian wine within a cup.

Anatole Brandon
Viscount of Isular

Roleplay from Galiard Scarlett

Dodd was enjoying himself far more than Galiard, whose brief mission to present himself to the King had turned into a minor circus of old war stories and feasting. Nonetheless, Galiard did not look uncomfortable so much as he reserved, careful not to betray much more than faint recognition as he introduced and was introduced to many nobles of the court. To many of the younger nobles, the elder Scarlett was an amusing curiosity, an old man from a storybook made flesh; a handful of the older men-at-arms and sergeants at court had a different estimation of their former lord, however, but did not speak of it, contnet with their silence and shared scars.

The approach of the Duke of Colasan caught Galiard's attention and he regarded the man's crest for a moment. "You'll forgive me," allowed Galiard, "I feel as if I should recognize your face; I have seen your crest before, I know it. Under Nighthelm's banner, if my memory is not mistaken, but I do not think we were ever directly introduced." He paused as Anatole introduced him. "I am indeed called Galiard, of House Scarlett, though as to my rank, our friend the Viscount Isular here is too gracious: you may see the extent of my present influence in the furniture selection around the palace."

Galiard looked between the two men. "I wonder if you will indulge me: who is the present Duke of Anacan? When I have spent a chapter of my life in Cathay's service in more recent years, it has been in service to Anacan; I thought I saw Anacan's Ducal crest on a gentleman who ducked out some while ago, whose face was familiar to me. I should not like to miss paying my respects."

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Roleplay from Anatole Brandon

The musci changed to a merry ballad from Lasanar's days. It was about a young noble who fell in love with an Ethialan princess, he hero of her people. They were promised to each other but the tides of war swept upon the lands fo the Far East and war erupted. The Highland Empire charged southwards and massacred people in their thousands. Along with the dead, the young princess fell. Such was the tragic fate of many heroes. His heart broken, the young noble took up his sword and burned down a fortress of highlanders with only a handful of men, only to be met i single duel by Sadi SaDiabloe, Highland Empire's leader.

That ballad was knwon to Anatole. It was written for him. And as the inkling of a tear made its appearance, Anatole brushed it away to answer Sir Galiard's question.

"The current Duke of Anacan is his grace, Brian Hawkeye. A personal friend if I may call him such and a valiant and brave defender of Cathay" he said and drank the last of his medication.

Anatole Brandon
Viscount of Isular

Roleplay from Henri de Bardt

Taking the seat proffered by his vassal, the Viscount Anatole, Henri settled in opposite Ser Galiard and gestured for a serving wench to refill his intricately graven pewter tankard, this time with Isular red.

Pausing to take a deep draught before speaking, the deceptively large and heavy man winked to his similarly sized vassal Anatole before addressing Galiard.

"Indeed, you would have seen me in the train of the Duchess Melpomene when I served Nighthelm. I was her steward and appointed heir to the duchy of Haul. I served Nighthelm loyally 'til the end, when the rapists and pillagers of Soliferum hacked their way through our fields and folk, like a scythe through chaff."

With a pained expression, the heavy-set man wiped his brow, "Forgive me -- it is a set of hard memories of hard times. One of many since my arrival on these bloodstained shores. My youth was spent on the family estates in fair Melias of Eston, on the Isle of Atamara... when I gained my majority, as the youngest son, I sought my fortune here on the Far East Isle and made landfall in the Sanctum of Casshern, before the city fell to madness and dissolution. For a time, I was judge there until the revolution... and before the streets ran with blood."

His glazed and troubled expression focused once more, "Mark my words -- republics are a plague. Mob rule and insanity."

"I left the terror-filled cannibalistic streets of Palnosos in the past when I sought my fortune in Svunnetland, becoming the right hand of Baron Caesar of Ansopen -- inheriting lordship of the land when the mad witch Hoshi banished my liege. Her twisted evil designs were never satisfied however -- her thirst for blood being nearly that of the monster Viracocha. In time, I fell afoul of her plots and found myself hunted by her bloodseekers and banished from the realm. The good duchess Melpomene took me as her own and for many years I served Nighthelm until its fall, whereupon I found my true home here in Cathay, once again becoming lord to my beloved folk of Ansopen."

Sir Henri de Bardt
Royal Treasurer of Cathay, Duke of Colasan, Marshal of the Royal Engineering Corps

Roleplay from Galiard Scarlett

Dodd was packing as much dried meat as he could into the saddlebags while Galiard was seated at a small table in one of Taop's finer inns, reading from a large stack of formal-looking papers.

"If m'lud will pardon my saying so," Dodd began...

"Mm-hmm," said Galiard, knowing that he wasn't going to like whatever came next.

Dodd tightened the leather strap on the bags. "We did just get here. Do we need to be on the road so soon?"

Galiard looked up. "The King doesn't need an expensive excuse to throw more feasts by having me stick around Anacan, and our new estates in Anacan have been seen to. It's time to go see what's become of old friends. Besides which, the King asked me to review Cathay's treaties--"

"He did not," interrupted Dodd. "He said he wouldn't necessarily mind if you invited yourself to review Cathay's treaties. Which you did."

Galiard looked defensive. "I like treaties," he said wistfully.

Dodd grunted. "Do you still have that ridiculous pen you used to use to write WHEREAS in front of everything, like people wouldn't know what you were trying to say unless you began it with WHEREAS?"

Galiard shuffled uncomfortably, snatching a fine-looking pen from his table and tucking it away in a satchel.

Dodd hefted the saddlebags over his shoulder. "I figured. Where to, then, m'lud?"

Galiard folded up the treaty copies he'd acquired in Anacan. "C'thonia, NeoSartania, Zonasa, Aenilia, Arcaea, Ohnar West, and then back to Anacan."

Dodd did the mental calculations on when he might see his warm bed in Anacan again. "And what answers does m'lud expect to find in all these places?"

Galiard threw the satchel over his shoulder and made for the door. "Answers take time," he replied. "I expect to find the questions."

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)