Sunday Morning, Fireseek 2, 591 Common Year

Fingol and Gar follow Prince Prospero and Lady Sedara up to the solar. On the way, the castle staff smile and bow to them, saying, “Good morning your graces,” as they pass by. The prince and lady are very gracious themselves, smiling and wishing all a good morning. Their manner seems very sincere, not forced or condescending, and indeed there seems to be a genuine conviviality between everyone in the castle, though at the same time there is earnestness in the way they go about their tasks. At one point, a lady-in-waiting even comes up to Lady Sedara and says, “Beg your pardon milady, but the night shift wish to convey their thanks to you for the spices you sent them the other day for their stewpot.” Lady Sedara says, “Please tell them that it is always my pleasure, and that I will gladly send them more when I can.” And so it goes until they reach the solar.

The solar is the prince’s private chambers, located in the upper reaches of the palace away from the hustle and bustle of the lower chambers and halls. It has windows and a balcony facing south to take best advantage of the daylight. Expensive tapestries cover the walls that show the activities of Pelor the sun god, or Heironeous dispensing mercy and wisdom to the masses. A fireplace is built into the north side of the room, and the chamber is also furnished with comfortable upholstered chairs, a writing desk, and even some bookshelves. The prince bids Fingol and Gar make themselves comfortable. Lady Sedara then excuses herself in order to see that some chicory coffee and powdered beignets are brought up while they converse.

“Well gentlemen,” begins the prince cheerily, “you are probably wondering why I brought you up here. I thank you for coming to my court to bring my attention to the problems with the lizardfolk and the fishermen of Westkeep. As you may have heard at the feast last night, we have more than our share of problems to deal with, and we are not getting anywhere near the support we had hoped from back home.” The prince chuckles wryly and says, “If it weren’t so damned wet and humid here I’d even say we’d been hung out to dry. But in any case we must do the best we can with the resources we have.” Now he takes on a sterner expression, “I am hoping that I can look to you two to assist with this problem that you have so kindly brought to my attention.” He turns to Fingol, “You I know I can count on, as a matter of duty, but that doesn’t mean I take your assistance for granted.” Then he turns to Gar, “You of course are under no obligation to help me or any of us, but I hope that if you sincerely hope for a peaceful resolution to this problem you will agree to help.”

At this point, a servant comes in bearing the chicory coffee and beignets, and then departs. The prince says, “Please, help yourselves.” He too partakes of the refreshments, which gives Fingol and Gar a moment to consider his request for help. 

Gar, sipping his coffee with a look of delight, says, “Mmm, nice chicory. Sir Prince, if your plan will help bring peace and happiness to all beings in the marsh, especially for the lizardfolk and fisherman, then I would be happy to lend my meager talents to a quest.”

Fingol immediately adds, “And I will not have it said that Ragnbjorn’s son lacks the courage to do his lord’s will. And yet, I would like to know just what you would ask.”

The Prince says, “To begin with I would like to ask for your patience, because I would like you both to stay here in the palace for a few days as my guests until I can put together a proper team to deal with this crisis. I would prefer to avoid antagonizing the lizardfolk as we already have more enemies than we need. Unfortunately, telling the fisherman, crabbers, and shrimpers that they must stay out of the marsh is not an option. Westkeep depends on the food that they bring in. So that means that we must find a way to negotiate some kind of understanding between the fishermen of Westkeep and the lizardfolk of the Hool Marshes. So I will need to get representatives from the fisherman and fishmongers of Westkeep so that their interests and concerns are addressed. That means I need a liaison from the Fishmonger’s Guild, and I need an alderman or two from among the fishermen. These must be people who are able to go out and speak with the lizardfolk face to face. I have already sent councilors out to find these representatives. Then I will need someone who is able to find the lizardfolk and speak with them. I have already sent for that person. He and his companions should be arriving in a few days time. Now the marshes are a dangerous place, and the lizardfolk may not respect the Banner of Rao [flag of truce], so I will be sending out one of Sir Gorman’s squads. In fact, I believe they are scheduled to be on the parade grounds this afternoon for drill and weapons practice. Now, I also need for my team people who I can trust as intermediaries, people who are interested in finding a way where everyone can win, or at least share burdens more equably. I need people who won’t just take the lizardfolk point of view or just the fisherman’s point of view, but will look for a way to bring the two sides together to find the common good. Now I believe that I may have found those whom I am looking for in the two of you.”

Prince Prospero turns to Gar, “You are already here on behalf of the Great Druidess as a servant of the Balance. Could I dare hope to find a better intermediary that even the lizardfolk will respect?”

Then he turns to Fingol, “And you cousin Fingol, what better choice could I make to look out for the interests of Westkeep than the very ranger who came to share his observations and concerns about what is happening out there? Since you have come this far, please see it through to the end on my behalf. There are few here that I can spare for such a mission, and too many of those that I do have are either too idealistic or inflexible or both! So you, I think, may be able to provide a more reasonable voice in the proceedings – esp. if it is made clear that I have entrusted you as my councilor.”

“So, what do you say? Will you two go on my behalf with the others and try to find a way to establish a lasting peace with the lizardfolk? I will, of course, reward you generously for any efforts you can make on my behalf, and on behalf of all who live in Westkeep.”  

“Yes, sir prince,” says Gar, “I would also be happy to join the expedition to serve as your intermediary along with Sir Fingol. The Great Druidess would be pleased with your ideas to restore balance in the Hool Marshes.”

“Prince Prospero, I would be honored to accompany the delegation, replies Fingol uneasily. “However, I think I would better serve as a guide or scout. Surely, there are more able negotiators in the market square. But if I am to serve, I will do so without thought of reward; the better that I would be impartial, and the better that the resources go to the sick of the town and the defense of its entire people.”

The Prince laughs lightly, “You underestimate yourself I think cousin Fingol. I trust your judgment. Don’t think I entirely missed your discussion with the others last night. I am a good judge of character, or so I’ve been told, and I think I can entrust you with this. Also, I would indeed hope you’d lend your abilities as a ranger to this mission. Now let me be clear about this, I am appointing the two of you as my temporary councilors in this matter. So in this you will have some authority to broker a deal between the two sides, the fishermen and the lizardfolk. As my representatives I ask you to please try to do justice to both sides. But remember: we need to eat, but not at the expense of a war with the lizardfolk. If I could, I would ask both sides to appear in the great hall, and I would decide the matter there. I certainly cannot call in the chieftain of the lizardfolk however, and so I must entrust the two of you to act on my behalf. If you do well in this, you will certainly have my favor and gratitude.

“Still, I have some questions,” Fingol dares to go on, “I wonder if sending troops would set the right tone. And who is this person you are sending for? Surely there are people here who know the language of the lizardfolk. My father has in the past, come to know several of them, perhaps he can be called for service?”

The Prince answers, “I am only sending out enough troops to ensure that the mission actually survives to speak with the lizardfolk. As you must know, the marshes are not exactly safe. You will of course be traveling under a flag of truce – the Banner of Rao. And if things don’t go well, then you’ll need the backup. As for whom I have sent for, that is my business,” Prince Prospero says this with a smile, “but since you mentioned your father I will tell you that it is indeed Sir Ragnbjorn that I have sent for. That is all the more reason that I want you to be present as well. He sometimes can be a bit overzealous in looking out for royal interests. In this case, I want a councilor who I can trust to be fair to all sides and not just eager to please myself. Don’t tell him I said that,” he finishes with a wink.

“Now, unless you have any further questions or concerns, until the rest of the team is ready to go, please enjoy the hospitality of the palace. And if you go out into the city, please be careful. These people are not like the people of Keoland. They have known nothing but terror and brutality for the last seven years; in the case of the former slaves of the Sea Princes for generations. Do not abuse them, but do not trust them either. Always be wary and do not go into the alleyways or too deeply into the downriver side of town. I look forward to speaking with you again when all is ready. Ah, here is Lady Sedara. She will take you down to dinner.”

Fingol and Gar see that Lady Sedara has come back in again. She takes them back down to the great hall, where dinner, the main meal of the day when it is not a feast day, is being served. It is around 10 am. On the way down to the great hall Lady Sedara says to them quietly, “The prince likes and trusts you both, or he would not have entrusted you with such a delicate mission. So he didn’t want to embarrass you by pointing out that you have been addressing him in the wrong manner. It is quite forgivable, the rules of court are not well known to those who live outside of it. Still, for the future, please remember to address the prince as ‘Highness’ or ‘Your Highness.’ Now for everyone else here, ‘lord’ or ‘lady’ will suffice if they are nobles. Only with the landless knights will you use the term ‘sir’, though often we will say ‘cousin’ among one another instead. There are other titles for certain ranks, but no one is here of those ranks so they need not concern you at present. As for priests you may address them as, ‘good priest’ as that will work with the clergy of various gods and goddesses. Here in the palace it is only the priests of Heironeous and St. Cuthbert that you will run into, and you may address them as ‘father’ if you wish, or ‘father so-and-so’ if you know their names. Perhaps later, if you wish, I can have someone instruct you in more detail on their titles of address. I’m sorry if this sounds like so much bother,” she smiles warmly, “but it is how we do things here.”

Gar notices that Lady Sedara’s gentle rebuke causes Fingol to blush. “Please assure Prince Prospero, I am deeply sorry and grateful for his patience. I’ll be sure to do better in the future. And if my questions at our meeting were impertinent, please assure his Highness that I thought too much of my desire to bring success to the mission. I’m afraid I am more at home in swamps and forests. Court manners are as comfortable to me as a nettle bush.”

Lady Sedara laughs and says, “You’re doing just fine Fingol.”

Bowing at the waist, Gar says, “Milady, please convey my apologies to His Highness as well. I really am a country bumpkin with no courtly training. I can only hope that I do not blunder so with the fishermen and lizardfolk.”

As they continue towards the great hall Fingol starts to feel faint as he considers what Prince Prospero has just requested of him. Am I supposed to act as arbiter when my father is going to be one of the negotiators? I don’t think I’ll have much appetite for this dinner.

And so they are brought back to the great hall, where dinner is indeed in progress. As with the meal the night before there are different courses, but it is much plainer fare. After awhile the Prince also comes down, and the ushers help people find their proper seats, roughly in the same arrangement as the night before. Sir Gorman is there as well, and asks, “Sir Fingol, were you going to join us on the parade grounds this afternoon? Maybe show us your skills in archery, engage in a little swordplay? You are welcome too Good Priest Gar.”

Fingol, who has barely eaten anything, looks up from his brooding to say, “Show my skills in archery? Well, I suppose if the jesters are busy elsewhere I could play the clown for the men. I’ll see you on the parade grounds, but really, I have far more to learn than to teach.”

Gar chimes in, “Me too. I can definitely use some martial arts practice and exercise; though I am far more comfortable chatting with the gods than in archery or swordsmanship.”

After the dinner, Fingol pulls Gar aside and asks him, “What do you think of the Prince’s plans? Are we truly the best people to serve in this capacity?”

“The best people for the job? Oh I doubt it,” says Gar with a wink. “But we two are the ones who felt strongly enough about the issue to go to the Prince to ask his assistance on the matter. Surely what we lack in experience, we make up with our passion to restore some semblance of balance in the marshes. I have some small gift in reading a person and, like his Highness, I know your heart is true, even if overwhelmed at the prospects.

“I am curious, Sir Fingol, what kind of experience does your father have with the lizardfolk? What is his relationship with them?”

After a pause, Fingol answers with a bit of a tight expression on his face. Gar might think of this as concern for his dad, and that may be true, but in truth, Fingol wonders what things he should say about how things are between him and his family. “My father served as a scout and guide through the Hool Marshes when King Skotti led his army here. He learned Draconian, the lizardfolk’s language before that mission. So I immediately thought of him when another expedition into the marsh was discussed. Last I heard he was still patrolling the marsh in the company of two half-elves. I have heard no word since then.”

“So, it must be a bit awkward to have your father coming to town to help the Prince, but with you in the chief negotiator position? How is your relationship with him? What kind of a man is he?” asks Gar.

Fingol answers, tensely, “My father? My father will no doubt be a great help to the Prince. He has always shown both bravery and resourcefulness in fulfilling his duties. He pleases all whom he has served, and commands the respect of those he leads.”

“No doubt, no doubt,” Gar responds, “especially since the Prince is calling upon his services once again.” Seeing that it is obviously such a sensitive topic for Fingol, Gar lets the subject drop.

“Gar, I want to buy some supplies in town, if they can be found. And of course, I wonder if all that we have heard is true. Would you care to accompany me?”

“Yes, I’d love to check out the town more as well.”

Fingol says, somewhat wistfully, “Good, there are so many strong opinions about the local people; I really feel the need to test them. I think the keep has walls higher and stronger than those of stone. Why and whom do they benefit are the questions bothering me.”

Gar ponders out loud, “Hmm… Do you think magic is guarding the keep? Though I suppose we all use what we have. Magic guardians of an ancient keep would not be surprising. What have you heard?

“No, I don’t suspect magic. Something much more powerful and banal – rumors and lies. I don’t believe all that has been said about the local people – or I won’t until I see it for myself.” Fingol says this with great determination, for he has resolved to find a way to bridge the division between the people of the palace and the common people of Westkeep.
“Speaking of rumors, it seems you had an adventure last night, or at least some interesting discussions. Do pray tell!” Gar says cocking his head with a big grin and a twinkle in his eye.

“Adventure? Not me.” Fingol is genuinely confused on this point.

“Oh, sorry, Sir Fingol, when the Prince referred to ‘your discussion with the others last night’ this morning, I suppose he was talking about our dinner chatter at the feast? Dizzy me. So where would you like to go in town? I too would like to see if the rumors are true and you have some shopping to do. Where to now good sir?”

“Well, I’d like to get some supplies for the trip into the marsh. And that would give us the opportunity to feel out how the locals are taking to their liberators.”