This game shines upon a duo that travel the road of adventure to find their fortune, women, and a whole lot of fun!
In his nobleman outfit he walks slowly to the Lucan Estate. He quickly checked with the guards at the front door and was likely let in as he had been by them many times before. With or without an escort he finds his way to the main mansion. Once let in he makes himself known by playing on his lute, even though his main performances are his word play.
Lord Cyril Lucan looks up from his cluttered desk. The young noble had three books open before him. One looked like a treatise on herbs, a second open to a illustration of various thrusting exercises with a rapier, and another open to a history of Camelot after King Arthur.
"Oh, Arthur. You are here. Oow. And please put the lute down, you sound dreadful. If you would only let me teach you a few choice chords.."
He replies a bit sardonically, "Sorry dear friend, yes that sounds like a good idea." Then he perks up back into his merry attitude asking, "You up for some excitement? We have several options: we could crash Lady Earthwell's tea party, it starts at noon; there is a gala going on before dinner at Sir Olaf's estate; finally there is a ball to celebrate Lady Dafne's birthday. What do you want to do, and until that you could teach me a thing or two about these darn string instruments."
Cyril thought about what Stavian said. "Sir Olaf is having a lunch gala, while Lady Dafne is hosting an evening ball on the same day? Why would two nobles attempt the similar events on the same day? Do they mean to split the nobility among them? I wonder if they are feuding."
He happily jests with you, "Oh yes their fued is famous almost as much as Romeo and Juliette." Still happy but talking simply he offers, "I would say it is a slow day, as a dozen of events would be a very busy day. Enough that I may not get to them all. You remember the last solstice day celebration, it was crazy. But in all seriousness, which if any do you want to attend with me? Or shall I leave you to your musty old books?"
Cyril folded his arms in thought. "No.The Cordyceps Militaris will be waiting for my return." The young noble flit a backward glance at the herbal treatise.
"If we deprive ourselves of Sir Olaf's company, we can get some good practice time in for you with the lyre. Speaking from experience, the ladies do love a man who can produce music. In that way, I 'll have time to figure out what to bring for Lady Dafne as a gift."
He quickly replies, "Who?"
"I have us both covered." He pulls out two elegant bottles, one of wine and the other of champagne, both high quality brands. "Gifts from us but our performances are the true gifts."
Once that is dealt with he asks, "Maestro teach me!"
Cyril smiles. "Splendid." The investigator spends a few hours teaching Stavian some simple chords and finger placements.
"Those calluses on the tips of your fingers is prove of your dedication. The music you make is proof of your work."
He takes the lessons to heart and with a bit of luck he perfectly replicates what you taught him! He chuckles quietly to himself.
Cyril is so pleased he was able to teach his friend so successfully. The young noble applauded his pupil. "Wonderful, Stavian! Just wonderful!!"
He looks as enthused as Cyril but a bit of fatigue is hinted in his face, "Well those hours were well spent. I am peckish what's for lunch?"
"Good question, Stavian", Cyril says after donning is jacket. "Let us go and see."
The duo wander their way through the mansion.
Cyril and Arthur wander down to the solarium on the main floor. There the duo are met by Lady Willow Lucan at the luncheon table.
"Afternoon, Mother", Cyril smiles as both young nobles sit down at the table.
The stern and calculating mother smiles seeing one of her sons enter the room. Then seeing the playboy Arthur Stavian behind her the smile vanished. Ignoring the obnoxious guest she states to her son, "Good afternoon, will you be joining us for tea time or just passing through for a bite?"
Cyril smiles at the luncheon served before him. "Yes, please. We'd love to have tea with you. Oh! Later, Stavian and I shall be attending Lady Dafne's Birthday dinner. So please do not count on us to show in the dinning hall this evening."
The young noble begins to fill his plate with roasted rabbit and a small salad.
"How was your morning, Mother?"
"Oh, good to know. I do like to know where you run off to!" With a side look she sees her headmistress nod her head and continues to delicately eat. "Do send my best regards to Lady Dafne. I have a card with a small token attached for you to take. Otherwise I will send it off later with the messenger."
"As I was working in my study I hear some wonderful music, thank you Cyril. I took a break today and cleared my agenda. So I have been taking it easy and taking some time to read. How was your morning?"
"Well, instead of gallivanting over Avalon hills and dales, Stavain showed some interest in the lute. And I did my best to show him various chords and finger positions, and quite honesty, Stavain played extremely well", Cyril beamed.
"I will be more than happy deliver your regards to Lady Dafne. Working on anything of note in your study this morning?" The young Lucan pried.
She simply replies, "Oh nothing specific, just a bit of recreational reading. A fairy tale loosely based on Sir Lanceleot's exploits after Arthur's demise. Oh that reminds me, your father left specific instructions in his will and today you are to retrieve the magical map tomorrow. Then go to the family burial grounds and find the scroll. Once you have it, there should be a note of where and who you should see next."
Cyril drops his fork one the lunch plate with a loud clatter. "Well, Mother. That is certainly a major development to drop upom an otherwise normal luncheon!"
The young noble sighed. "You've always kept father's will under lock and key. Does this mean I can look at it before I leave tomorrow?"
She quickly replies not skipping a beat, "No, as by orders of his will, only I am to see it until you return from your quest. Enjoy your last night here to your hearts content my boy. May you return with much experience under your belt."
Cyril regained his composure and returned to eating his lunch. "Stavian, have any plans tomorrow? Would you wish to assist me in my father's wild treasure hunt? Of course, I would implore you to keep this venture out of other people's attention. Especially tonight", the young noble asked.
He casually states, "I do have several events planned... though this sounds more interesting. As you request my lips will be sealed on the subject for now."
Cyril politely bows slightly to his friend at the luncheon table. The young noble continues to eat and make small talk around the table.
Arthur flashes a smile in response but seems his personality seems a bit subdued. He doesn't say much doing his best to be civil. He takes from the bountiful meal before him. Eating sparingly making choice decisions. Soon enough he is full and stops. He takes his fair share of the offered drinks that are non alcoholic.
Lunch passes by with simple chit chat on each others doings. Cyril's mother excuses herself and smiles as she wishes Cyril best regards, "Good luck on your events tonight and your beginning of an adventure tomorrow. Make sure to get plenty of sleep to be well rested before taking on the quest."
"Yes, Mother. Have a pleasant afternoon", Cyril says, as he stands as Lady Lucan makes her exit.
"So, Stavian. Do you need to go back home and change for the party or do you wish to borrow one of my ill-fitting suits again?" Cyril said with a smirk.
The young investigator's mind recalls a memory when Stavian had an wine glass spill on him before a gala event. Arthur borrowed one of Cyril's spare suits only to look ridiculous on the bard's more muscular frame.
He quickly retorts with mock disbelief, "What are you talking about these are my fine, duds. I hadn't planned on playing the fool, though my jester's outfit is stowed in case I should need it. Wait did I spill again and not notice it?" Though he does chuckle at the memory of that ill fitted suit!
"So when should we leave?" Cyril asked his friend. "Sundown sounds like the best time, although there is the option to be 'fashionable late"."
He quips, "I would say, the sooner the better. It will help us get the lay of the land and such."
Cyril rolled his eyes. "That's all fine for you, Stavian. But I have the ready resources to look presentable."
The young investigator stood from the table. "I shall be ready in a hour. I shall bathe, shave, and put on my best evening wear. You, of course, are more than likely take an after-lunch doze. In such case, I shall wake you when I'm ready, giving you some time to no doubt, splash some water on your face to wake you."
Lord Cyril called to one of the nearby housemaids. Please get a bath ready for me."
"That sounds wonderful!" He says cheekily and finds a comfortable couch before doing just that.
The housemaid curtsies before leaving to prepare the hot bath.
Cyril waits in his bedroom for about ten minutes before the housemaid tells him his bath is ready. The young noble takes a refreshing bath. Cyril then grooms his appearance in a mirror, then chooses a smart outfit, crisp and clean, well-made shoes and some tasteful jewelry. After about nearly an hour and a half, Cyril finds Stavian asleep on his couch, and gently stirs him.
He quickly states and then asks, "Ah what a dream! That was a good nap! Are we ready to head to Dafne's?" He double checks his pockets and nods to himself looking around to make sure nothing was left behind.
As the duo set out, within the entry room one of the butlers waits in attention, "Lord Cyril, here is your mother's gift for Lady Dafne please deliver this message with it. Should you need an escort or assistance merely let me know."
On the way to Dafne's residence you see the busy market place and most of Camelot, as her place is on the other side of the city.
Upon reaching the estate, servants open the gates after receiving your invite. They return it to you and look to the next guest. On the way in a servant asks, "Would you like me to take the gift and put it with the others?"
The Galla was mostly being held in the massive garden. Pavilions had been erected to give shade and a common place to sit and eat. White decorations were strewn about the garden.
Once past the gate he states, "I am going to take a quick look around, you good with that? Let's meet at the bar in about a half hour."
As the duo set out, within the entry room one of the butlers waits in attention, "Lord Cyril, here is your mother's gift for Lady Dafne please deliver this message with it. Should you need an escort or assistance merely let me know."
The young Lucan smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Rupert. We should be able to safely get to Lady dafne's residence one our own."
Upon reaching the estate, servants open the gates after receiving your invite. They return it to you and look to the next guest. On the way in a servant asks, "Would you like me to take the gift and put it with the others?"
"Yes. Thank you." Lord Cyril hands the servant the two wine bottles and the his mother's gift. "Please note the gifts are from Lady Willow Lucan, Lord Cyril Lucan, and Lord Arthur Stavian."
The Galla was mostly being held in the massive garden. Pavilions had been erected to give shade and a common place to sit and eat. White decorations were strewn about the garden.
Once past the gate he states, "I am going to take a quick look around, you good with that? Let's meet at the bar in about a half hour."
Before he can protest, Arthur Stavian walks out of civil earshot. Wonder where's he's off to? The young investigator thought.
Lord Cyril shakes his head slightly and decides to make his way start to Lady Dafne to wish his birthday greetings. If there is a line, the young lord patiently waits for his opportunity.
It takes a few minutes to wait in line to greet Lady Dafne. The young lady of her family has a pretty face but the innocence clings to her features. She greets you as any noble man, offering her hand for you to kiss it. She thanks you for attending her gala and quickly moves on to the next in line unless you make yourself interesting.
After the half hour Arthur is waiting at the bar with a glass in hand. Sipping thoughtfully.
Lord Cyril takes the offered hand and kisses it. Once out of the greeting line, the young investigator moves about the nobility there, greeting them, making small talk, and getting caught up on gossip and rumors about the various nobility, Camelot, and King Joseph.
While hobnobbing, Cyril nibbles on various hors d'oeuvres, finding the dire wolf patte' particularly bold and tasty.
Once he sees Arthur sitting at the bar, Lord Cyril joins him and shares his findings.
With charismatic charm he states, "Ah yes the rumor mill! Do tell. Yes... mmmmmhmm... I have wondered what King Joseph has been up to." He relays some other gossip he had collected but nothing worthy of taking note of. Then he continues, "What shall we do next? Not enough people to put on a show. Maybe give some of them a thrill on the dance yard?"
"Why not", Cyril responds. "Let us see whom we can sweep off their feet." Both friends walk to the dancing pavilion.
He walks to the dance field with Cyril and walks up to one of the handsome beauties. Whisking her to the field with his quick wits and grace. The charisma seems to practically ooze from him.
---
He switches between the most handsome maidens to give them a boost to their confidence and cause some jealousy for his real targets.
Not to be outdone by his stalwart friend, Lord Cyril takes to the dance field, asking Lady Alannis Bedivere to dance. Despite the investigator's showing was quiet impressive, only Lady Bedivere wish to continue to dance with Cyril. The two nobles spent close to an hour performing the various courtly dances of the day.
The night goes along quietly. The most boisterous event was a drunk uncle knocking over a table.
After dancing to his heart's content, he pulls off to the side and waits for Cyril, with lutes in hand. With the accompiant of the band and Cyril, Arthur orates an epic tale of love, might and sorcery. Catching everyone's attention and throwing in a few sings between the three chapters.
His last verse is espcially tailored to Dafne, "...and the somber lady Dafne in all her marvelous beauty celebrated her birthday on one such night! Happy Birthday Dafne!"
Cyril clearly thinks Arthur is trying to seduce the birthday girl, and gives his bro a hand.
After the dance, the young scion of House Lucan thanks Lady Bedivere for being his dance partner.
Lady Bedivere has platinum blonde short hair and has a fair but simple complexion. Her green eyes are piercing and intelligent of which she seems to be wary even as the two of you danced. You think Lady Bedivere has a surprisingly toned body and is very graceful.
Lady Dafne then had to dance with Arthur. After the dance they separated with a simple kiss upon each other's rings. A sign of deference for a noble to royalty on her end, then appreciation for the dance on Arthur's side. She then went and giggled with her friends obviously gossiping.
Lady Bedivere thanks Cyril for the dances and soon leaves the gala. In fact it was late and many of the guests were already leaving the gala.
Once he gets free of the interested ladies he separates from them to give himself some time alone. Cyril finds him lounging on a couch in the garden. As Cyril approaches he sits up and states, "What shall we do next, friend? Shall we chase some skirts or get a good night's sleep to be ready to take on the hurtles that we will find tomorrow?"
"'Chasing skirts' sounds fine. If you need more assistance with Lady Dafne, I'd be happy to help", Cyril smiled knowlingly.