Dearil Duke of Seacrest's page

"I don't think so. Have a nice day."

"There might be some nobles riding themselves. There might be some nobles who have jockeys riding for them on their horses. If you haven't thought about it you should make it clear to Lady Adelaide that you're riding under your own banner."

"Otherwise you might end up under mine or Lady Adelaide's. And I don't think either would be a good fit."

"You mean the high priest of the church of Abadar, who is like one of the three most important people in town wasn't waiting for you to show up unannounced? The audacity!" Dearil laughs.

"But thanks for the warning. I'll send him a note with an invitation before to avoid that fate."

Dearil then inquires about the passages that are up for discussion.

Once that is done he changes the topic. "How are your preparations for the rave going? Under which banner will you ride?"

"I see a certain lack of signatures. Care to elaborate?"

As Menan takes a seat and stares without even saying a greeting, Dearil sits up turns towards the elf and inquires "Are you trying to become creepy?"

Dearil signs the contracts. "Sitting on my ass here doing nothing is very unsettling. I guess I need a network of informants of my own if that shall be my role for the future."

"Our preferred priest of the House of Flames."

"No. I'm sitting here in this fancy room and don't get much about what's happening around."

"So, when are you checking if that contract is ready and get the Church of Abadar to sign it? Hopefully it will contain the dimensions of the castle grounds, so I can tell the carpenters where to put up a fence. And tell the lady my best regards and that I'd appreciate if she sends someone to have me updated on what's going on."

"That is good news. I think there is still the issue with the contract with the temple of Abadar open."

"Ah, the Variels. Nice to see you. How is taking over the world coming along?"

"Wow. I don't remember being there. But I guess at the moment I should be recognized as far away from an orphanage as possible."

"You bring them the money and keep me and Menan away from it." Dearil checks on a small wooden box and hands a pouch with ten gold to Persephone.

"Pay that and then check on the ghost. I got some meetings this morning about rebuilding the castle and I need to know for sure the ghost is gone."

"Someone is going to have a really bad day." Dearil comments as he sees the shipwreck from his hotel room.

"Then how about you see if you can find some dirt about the mayor and his family. Find out whom we are dealing with. But don't get caught and make sure your failures don't fall back on me."

"Dinner is a good idea. Salon, or here?" Dearen asks.

"What exactly would I hire you for? You don't like the armor of the guard, you don't respect me and you don't want to work. It looks like you're just here for the furniture."

"Might be worth it. If that is a helpful support of the orphanage. But if they are funded already I might make a joke of myself to show up and offer that amount. Someone's got to find out."

"But if you don't want, maybe one of the ladies can do?"

"I guess me. Or you from my funds. I hope it is good enough to start paying them the 10 gold per month now. If not we need to find a way to live with the ghost." Dearil jokes.

"Yes. Even if I assume that the money for the temple and me as the heir are kind of resolved, at least the point about the orphanage isn't. So better be safe than sorry. If one craftsman runs from the building site and spreads the word, we're screwed. I don't intend to become a mason myself at this age."

"What about the ghost. You insinuated that he'd be gone. Are you sure it is now? Don't want it to spook the carpenters."

"Do you know where and when the council meets? Does it meet at all? Maybe I should have clarified that before." Dearil thinks aloud.

"I meant the ladies. But yes, clearly you were open about that to the cleric. Bold even. Let's see how that goes down. Let's hope for the best."

"You straight away asked them about the seat?"

"Ah, finally, there you are." Dearil greets Menan and Arawyn. "We're brainstorming here if there is something we can do to influence the council members somehow. Lady Margaret didn't look too excited about me turning up on their turf."

As Persephone enters Dearil greets her. "Ah, you're back. Where is my seneschal. We need to talk about who is on the council, and how we could sway those that might not agree on me joining them."

"I think we've got it now. And please keep in mind: No modern styles. Everything should look like from the good old days. Not preposterous, not too thick that it would suggest royal attitudes. Just a reminiscence of the last duke."

"And make it quick. Magic is a nice make do to travel lightly, but I want to be able to attend the events I'm invited to in proper garb."

"The tailor, finally. I guess I'm busy then for the rest of the day." Dearil states.

"Stand to attention." he orders Persephone and Faerveren while he gets up to greet the man.

"Ah, William, wonderful. I've heard so much about your skill and I'm eager to finally see it myself."

"Sounds about right." Dearil concludes.

"It is stupid, but the common people look differently at you when you're of noble descent. And definitely nobles look different at you. They would never welcome anyone into their circles just because they are rich. You might be accepted if some noble is desperate enough so you can marry into the family."

"Best case I end up in a position of power. And power means more riches."

"Ouch." Dearil voices with his face twisted in pain. He walks over to another couch and sits down.

"I had the illusion, that being a duke would lead to people looking up to me, doing curtsies and such. Not laze about my room." Dearil comments with a raised brow.

Dearil retreats into his chambers.

"That wasn't bad for a start." Dearil comments. "I think we should see if we can make Lady Eleanor happy. She was the most positive."

"I'm prepared to discuss a wide range of topics. Each one with the adequate seriousness. If you'd prefer a topic with more relevance in the long term, I'd like to talk about the council." Dearil comments.

"But for getting to know each other a social event with some entertainment is an easier environment. It's a pity I can't offer something yet. Or are you into haunted houses? I could offer that."

"It's actually an interesting story, you might have heard of it. The ghost of the last duke is haunting the castle."

"How about a dinner party to get to know everyone?" Lady Eleanor suggests.

"A man has to eat. Then why not do it in pleasant company." Dearil replies.

"But I thought the kind of event wasn't settled yet? Though I have to admit that I'm not good at horse racing, and I don't have any large hats either."

Dearil takes Lady Eleanor's hand and performs a hand kiss - insinuated, a gesture. After releasing Lady Eleanor's hand he answers Lady Margaret.

"There will be time for that. I'm have not decided yet what it will be. I'd like to get to know you and your peers, to see what my role might be in this wonderful town."

Dearil finishes his coffee. "Might as well."

He gets up, walks over and with a slight bow greets them "M'ladies. May I introduce myself? I'm Dearil Duke of Seacrest, scion of Fallon Duke of Seacrest, the last duke to rule over this beautiful little town."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you officially."

"I see you have the knack of it. Don't worry too much. But keep an eye on whose toes we step in the process. I don't believe there is anyone in town who would dare to make an attempt on my life. But I wouldn't put it past some to try to kill my reputation, or try ruining me financially."

Dearil takes up his cup and toasts by gesture to Lady Eleanore.

"You seem to worry about security a lot. Why is that?"

I can answer your posts before you post them.

"Let us see how we do financially once the castle is restored." Dearil comments.

"Are you suggesting piracy? Or what would I need an armed ship for?"

"It is a nice looking horse. A little nervous for my taste. But I'm no expert on horses."

A short time later his coffee is served and he enjoys it. He winks at Arawyn.

Seeing Menan with that questioning look, he whispers "I'm not going to invite myself over. Let's check them out."

"Maybe I see something in you, that you don't see yet. And I can offer you even something better than money. I'm your easiest way into the circles of high society. Whatever you plan to do, that is where the real money is."

"And talking about high society, let's meet the ladies downstairs."

Dearil walks down and voices his desire for some coffee and some sweets and asks for a seat at a table of his own. Basically setting up the same scene as at Burston's restaurant.

"I think I'm going to enjoy that for a while. I hope we don't get too much intrigue."

Daeril chuckles at Persephone's comment. "Only the role changed. And the audience. But I'd like to discuss how it will go the next days. You can play the guard as long as you want, but I assume that there will be more important tasks for you. So far no one volunteered to become my personal assistant and bodyguard for example."

"Wonderful. I see your tea party took the bait. And I guess we'll be the talk of town for a while. What do you say?"

The four companions from the temple form a lane for the duke to pass and once he, Menan, Arawyn, Faerveren and Persephone walked in, they do a little formation march to close the lane and follow in.

Dearil let's Menan or Arawyn walk first to check everything out as they please.

To the butler he replies "I need William Fioravanti here, for some new clothes, that is most urgent. For tomorrow I can receive a carpenter and a mason to plan the rebuilding of my castle."

"Tonight I will take a light dinner on my room. But tomorrow I intend to dine properly. For a dozen guests."

"What? You could have suggested that yesterday. Also we try to use as little fake stuff as possible. I don't want to sit on a pumpkin when the clock strikes noon."

"Also you riding in the parade looks much more impressive than only having foot soldiers."

Dearil takes off his hat of disguise and changes his garments to something appropriate with the sleeves of many garments. The jewellery he uses is real though. As is the crimson cloak.

"That is a pity. I need a lot of stuff once we're settled in. Fake it, til you make it. But right now even the faking is lacking."

Looking behind him and back forward he concludes "But it is a nice start. Let us see where it goes from there."

"That's good to hear. It's going ok here." Dearil replies.

The an idea comes to his mind. "You can do magic. Can you do a magical cleaning of that cloak, so it looks and smells less like someone shat on it and a little more like royal garb?"

"Riding summoned mounts is a walk in the park. And on the way back it will be walking. Also it is only for decoration. If you can walk in a straight line without toppling over that is enough." Dearil encourages the girls.

"Pink eyes? Interesting. Much catchier than 'The one whose name shall not be spoken'" Dearil jokes.

"But onto the further planning. Are you two coming along? We're going to ride to the next village, stay a night, and return tomorrow at noon as a parade of me with the Variels and up to a dozen guards wearing the armor with the crest. It depends on how many we find to hire there."