<Maximilian Lionheart> The man sighed deeply and looked at his wife, stroking her hand gently. "Of whom were you thinking of your family? I know you always wanted someone strong and I know you care a lot about the pure bloodline that Delphi and Xalia need to maintain, at least in your and your families' eyes. But...." He sighed deeper than before. "Neither of them are truly made for the north, if they truly find a husband, perhaps one of your family who suits them, then they also will disappear into the north. So far from all they have ever known... But if that is what our girls desire..." He looked at Delphi and Xalia (@lord-watchman ). The younger one nodding, a bit hesitating, but still determined. She indeed wanted the best there was for her, and if he was a Northener, then it would be a northener. "Though my dear lady, would they even make it here if we send out the news tonight?" His voice and gaze were mixed with hope, curiosity and concern.
Maximilian had presented Pythiaere with an unexpected hope spot, and so she scrambled to list names she'd already thought of, and began to excitedly stutter up an accented recount of marryable Kharonis at a nigh-incomprehensible speed. Spoiler: Comprehension "Well of course there is my cousin's son, Mord Phyrikos. Large man, pale-fleshed, more Skythex than Kharonis, but Kharonis nonetheless - the green eyes do not lie - he got knighted recently and is very much in love with romanticised visions of knights, even if he is not of high nobility. Then there is my cousin Horaz, too a knight but purebred Kharonis through and through. A sage and a very melancholic man but son of great Malleus and so in line for the Kharonis lordship - he is very wealthy." She decided to ignore Eurealos because he was a 'lover, not a fighter' as he described himself, and would likely not win in a straight-up fight. Spoiler: Part 2 "My youngest brother Damian, though a great merchant by trade, is a fighter by passion and has taken part in recent Skythex pacifications. The boy has licked blood and would be more than willing to prove it here - when he writes, he always asks me of life in the south, of the 'Too dark for Skythex, too bright for Kharonis'-skinned people, a really smart boy he is, and I think he would be a good fit for Delphi, though she is his senior by the odd two years. And that is without going into the Desciels!... who probably would not associate with them because they are quarter Glowstone and their blood feud still burns bright... Oh, and of course I would never think of marrying my little Delphi to a Skythex! Xalia might put one under her heel, by the Raven and the Throne, she may even become a warlord among them if she tried. If Kharybdiss had managed it, our little Xalia can do it a thousand times! ...at any rate", she finished, slowing down and becoming more glum but more in control of her voice and excitement, "I know two Kharonis sages of my immediate family who have mastered the skill of creating gateways of instant travels, and if these do refuse, knights of Kharonis could join a Skythex raiding party for a bit of money and use it to travel quickly through the northern part of Lykaion territory, taking the rest of the journey themselves and travelling back with a proper caravan." Relishing the feeling of having her hand held, the lady ceased smiling and looked to her husband as neutrally as she could manage, not wanting to seem to want to influence him. "But in the end, this is all your decision of course, milord."
<Maximilian Lionheart> "You obviously gave it much thought... Perhaps even too much. But that is proof enough for me that it would make you happy if we would at least give it a chance to also keep your family side tradition active. Also... It would make interest combat, although we should ensure that they get not in too much contact with the royalty of our vassals. Tournament excitement and rivalry is one thing, but political tension another. Whatever and whomever they bring most likely will have to be restricted to move only within our home and if they move through the streets to be escorted by the Royal Guard. It is not that I do not trust them to stay out of trouble. It is the reaction of our allies I fear about." He rose slowly and gave each of his daughters a hug and a kiss on their forehead. "Rest well, see you at breakfast." Maximilian said with a smile to the three women of his and headed for the bed. OOC: Wrapping up the day! pew pew movement! <Lionheart Breakfast Table> + @Xaphen + @Casavay + @lord-watchman Maximilian already sat there as first, since dawn, having various papers in front of him, signing various orders for the tournament setup already such as the contracts for cooks, stable boys and other things such as the constructors to get the tournament things ready. He was waiting for his family to arrive while getting as much work done as possible. <Delegation Breakfast> + @High_Adept_Zeth + @kanila (will be botted) + @Grall_Stonefist + @Colapse All those to whom the young Scholar wrote were to meet for breakfast in one of the more luxurious inns for royalties. The dining room was completely booked out for them only, Lionheart guards at all entrances making sure privacy was enforced, but they were far enough so that plans would be left unheard at their ears. <Heinrich Breakfast Table> + @Donairian Similar to Lord Lionheart, so Lord Heinrich had various orders writing up. Despite everyone else being here already, Oliver seemed to have yet to arrive.
Xalia joined her farther at the breakfast table, wearing the outfit of a leuitenant she saluted her farther and spoke "i am back from my morning drill with the unit lord farther" as she spoke she took her usal seet to his left "how are the preperations coming"
<Lionheart Breakfast Table> "Fine fine. It was good that last year was rather profitable and that Heinrich and Hohenzollern took care of the armies and weapon production on their own, rather than us needing to pay for it. Harvest was also good so that we don't have to fear the small folk will hunger while we feed all the guests." He looked up at her from his table but did not rose, simply giving a salute back once putting feather and ink aside. "It will be your first war to actually serve. Are you sure you are ready for it? I know you have the blood of a Kharonis and the fighting spirit of mine. But to put a blade through the throats of many is something that requires true courage. And believe me, it is not just heroism and happy songs about your deeds. You have to deal with the dark sides of war. And due to you being a Lionheart many will jump in front of you to take an arrow gladly for you. And each sacrifice will hurt. Men you don't even know by name, willing to die just because you tell them to attack the enemy. The power can be overwhelming. So never forget to respect and honor an every soldier, because the next morning they could be dead." Maximilian sounded more serious than usual, even for his standards. Truth be told, he was scared to death about his daughters life. Not because she was a woman, she is a talented fighter he knew so himself. But he simply didn't want to make arrangements for her funeral. A parent wasn't supposed to watch their children thrive and die, but only thrive.
When Samuel had woken up that morning nothing much had changed he was unsure of what to make of his strange encounter but he felt sure that considering no assurance could be made of its intentions he could draw significant doubt upon if it could deliver on its promise at the tournament. Weighing up the potential consequences a loss at the tournament could reflect just as badly on Samuel as it could to Oliver, Ser Roland and everyone in charge of the delegation would know that he had changed his mind in the same day he offered to help. He could not shake the feeling that this could be some sort of espionage maybe even behalf of his own brother, this could be his perfect plan to humiliate Samuel. He wasn't sure of anything and even as he sat there at the breakfast table to the rest of the family present it was plain on his face that there was a lot on his mind, he didn't talk much nor did he eat much instead trying to make a decision on what he thought he should do. Where was his brother he wondered? and where was that Lord Glowstone? he still had the responsibility of his aunt's honor to to pay that man back for.
<Heinrich Breakfast - Helga Heinrich> Helga Heinrich, mother of Samuel and Oliver sat next to her husband and to Samuel, eating happily her apricot turnover, but her motherly instinct picked up that something was wrong with her secondborn. "Is something amiss, Samuel?" At least she had the manners to not directly ask after his brother, she knew about the tension between the two of them. Everyone, or at least most did. Probably only their grandmother and Erich were totally delusional toward the brotherly feud.
Samuel looked up, he wondered if he should tell the whole story it would be nice to get some outside help regarding the many events of last night, Samuel had little desire to do so however but he felt like he should do something to at least ease the burden of thoughts currently plaguing him. 'Yes, last night among some other things my aunt Hildegard told me that she had her honor sullied by the Lord Marshal Glowstone, apparently Oliver was too busy to help so she came to me Emperor knows how she knew where to find me but that is beside the point. The thing is mother I could not find that Marshal Glowstone last night, instead I had a run in with a stranger that said some nonsensical things and then disappeared into the night it was quite the baffling experience and I am still trying to figure it out'
Having been the first one to come to this inn, Lin took the meal meant for her but ate while standing on her feet, nor really liking this fancy establishment. Her standards were much lower, or in better words - much different, since she had enough money to buy the room for her and her men in places like this, but she still opted against it. Simply put, clientele got on her nerves. Stabber and Lambert remained outside but alert, ready to barge in, in case something goes wrong like last night although the girl had plenty of skill to take care of herself if needed. Keeping her position closer to the edge of the dining room, Lin carefully listened to the proceedings, more into gathering information than really offering any advice or even asking questions, since at this moment, all of that was secondary to her.
(OOC: bot me if I don't respond fast enough @Uriel1339 but here is a post for now. Also I'm gone for a short time and come back to a new nickname AND some little pup wants a piece of me!) Marshal arrived at the designated meeting place, he was surprisingly well rested. Sitting down with his meal he started eating, out of the corner of his eye he noticed an odd character. She seemed out of place, but with all of the security he was sure she belonged here. He nodded to her and continued his meal. After all if she wanted to talk she wouldn't lurk in the shadows.
