"Well, quickly, then. Put them away before..." Fondo smiles and readies himself to volunteer for bondage.
Barael first hands the Fangs to Dandi, then turns to Fondo as he holds out the portable hole. He takes the hole, then lets Dandi return them to it once she's done ruminating about their fate. Once returned to the hole, Barael tucks it away as he hears Neolandus and Vencarlo approach. He watches Fondo ready himself, and wonders how this will go.
Neolandus and Vencarlo, still chatting, enter the throne room casually. They smile and stop their chattering. Neolandus goes for the wine and Vencarlo walks to the group.
"So what's up? What are the heroes of Korvosa going to do next?"
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Dandi turns to face Neolandus and Vencarlo, forcing a smile she in no way feels at the continued weight of the world.
"Welcome back! there are several things on the agenda, not the least of which is seeing indestructable evil safely separated once more. But before that, Korvosa must be stabilized. Such unrest it has survived. It is time for Peace, and a Peace for all of its inhabitants. Not one peace for the Chelish and another for the Varisians, not One for the nobles and another for the common folk. One for all."
Dandi's hair smooths, as if with the decision made, it could now rest. She eases, and continues.
"Korvosa needs a ruler, one that can unite the people. And, having thought about it, perhaps we need not one, but two. for balance. A couple, One Varisian, one Chelish. One Noble, one common borne." She smiles, this one warming her heart, at least a little.
"I submit our friend and champion of Korvosa, Fondo Barrondo as future liege of Korvosa. " She raises her hand at the first whimper of dissent.
"Wait... I submit him for this life long Avocation, but not alone. Fondo should serve as King, but within a year and a day take a Noble Chel as his wedded spouse and Coruler."
"Finally, should they have no progeny..." She sighs once more, clasping her hand tightly until the stone bites, then continues... "then the final Arabasti heir will retake the throne."
Barael thought he was tired. That was before Dandi begins to speak. As she elaborates the announcement, he at first tries to stay on top of the her argument. Noble Chel?! Spouse?!?! Coru... His eyes widen, as if seeing Dandi for the first time.
That is... quite the regal pronouncement. A decree. She just decreed. She looks at ease doing so. She looks good doing it, too. Barael smiles, his eyes relaxing, as he takes it all in.
When she bring about the third prong of her decree, Barael bites his tongue reflexively, his lips almost pulling away from his teeth, words bubbling to the front of his skull. What are you...?! Barael leaves his gaze on her, but allows part of his attention to wander to the sound of answers yet to come.
Neolandus quaffs his wine and looks at Dandilion with a measured slow examination. He takes his time and though his body sways a little, the eyes do not.
He clears his throat and walks over to the group, "Well then. This raises a few issues doesn't it?"
"So, er, exactly how do you draw your lineage to the Queen? Am I right? We're talking of you aren't we?"
Dandi watches as Neolandus drinks his wine, wondering just how into his cups the man is, and how that might work for -or against- them.
"I believe we were talking about Fondo." She says, her back stiffening. For a second, panic flares in her eyes. How did he get to there from what I said? That is only for later, only if... to secure the throne in the future....
Blinking, she returns to her steadied pose, "It is him we should be discussing. He will need a spouse, of course. But I am sure there are many amongst the Nobility that might do. It is better served to finalize the first plan before worrying overmuch about the contingency plan only applicable in some unlikely and distant future."
Her eyes flick quickly to Barrie, searching for understanding in his face. Please understand....please please please....
Briar puts down his drink...after hearing Dandi's speech, he is now convinced he's had too much.
Oh man...I think I'm done for the night. I think I've heard everything...
Barael receives Dandi's look, and smiles gently.
You are a beautiful enigma, Dandi. I will stand by you through every dark corridor, and be your breath when you feel suffocated. Speak your mind, and know that I share it.
Fondo's attempts to maintain his composure, and mostly fails—well, by his standards.
Well said, if you indeed would see me free of this dour castle's walls.
He gives the smile he always gives when attempting to cast of uncertainty or surprise—a charming tell and crutch. "These are strange times. We six all come from far below the station where we stand today. We stopped a plague and slew a genocidal queen, that all Korvosans and their neighbors might be well and free."
He looks at Neolandus. "What cause had we to seek you out, within Arkona's labyrinth? Some vanity? Your gratitude? I say you, no. We came for it was right."
He looks at Vencarlo, then at the throne. "Korvosa's throne's the same. I do not seek to be your king for power or great wealth. I've seen enough of crowns to know their weight and their constraints."
He circles the throne again, judging it's contours. "And yet I see a thing undone, with none who're better placed to lead this city forth—to give the smallfolk hope and calm the quahs that lie outside our gates. I have no love of rubies, nor expensive furs. And yet I'd see this city shine, a gleam in each Korvosan's eye. A beacon for Varisians who pass its gates. A bastion for those who'd find hope where fear and pain once dwelt."
Looking to Dandi, he smiles. "If there should truly be a sister to the Queen, or daughter to our sadly fallen King, perhaps she'd bring hope too. If such a one should want it so, today's the day to lay her claim. I'd see she has what help she needs. If such an Arabasti lives, that is." He pivots his gaze back to Neolandus. "But failing that, I pledge to do my utter best to forge a lasting, prosperous new peace."
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Neolandus frowns at Dandilion after Fondo's speech, "So you're not an Arabasti, but you know an Arabasti who may or may not take the throne. Surely you understand this is a PROBLEM for the succession of any King or Queen now."
"There will forever be a shadow over whoever is crowned - a shadow over their rulership. A shadow over their authority."
He waits a moment for Dandilion to continue, then presses on.
"We must discuss this, discuss it at length, and work out all the angles."
So begins a loooong night of politicking. Plans are made and unmade, proposals - some of them bordering on the ridiculous, are considered and gathered, or put aside. Neolandus, drunk as he is, still leads the conversation and hones in on exactly what makes Fondo... kingly.
As the edge of dawn begins to creep over the horizon, the party, some of whom are awakened, is escorted to a large meeting hall where many of the nobles for that days meeting sit in discussions of their own - many also all night long. They've been debating the benefits and dangers of various nobles on the throne.
Vencarlo calls out in a booming voice, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you our next ruler of Korvosa!"
- - -
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Vencarlo calls out in a booming voice, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you our next ruler of Korvosa!"
Briar stands with is arms crossed, his eyes smirking as much as his mouth.
I am not surprised they choose him. I suspect it will mean the end of my time in Korvosa, save for rare visits to the craftorium.
Briar ponders staying for the coronation, but realizes the press of Varisanity would like push well past his elven patience for them.
He thinks about Serithial and what he shall do with it. He thinks about the Fangs and what to do with them. He ponders the coins in his 'sack and the bow at his back.
There is so much to ponder...now that I have no future anymore.
Briar thinks to make his goodbyes to companions, but instead saunters out the back...silently padding upon air out of sight.
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I read this whole thing over the last week, first post to the last.
Bravo to all of you, enjoyed every bit of it. Like a really good book with great characters. Nice RP.
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Me want more.