Author Topic: Ghieste in Autumn  (Read 2240 times)

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Offline X-Ghieste & HOT/GH (Matt)

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Ghieste in Autumn
« on: February 28, 2012, 12:30:43 AM »
The light has started to fade earlier in the evenings, just a little each day it is true, but it means the first colours of Autumn have started to appear. Those golds, russets and browns show the harvest is to come in the fields and swell the store rooms and granaries all over the Duchy - history says that it was Ghieste and Torniien that served as the bread basket of the Empire for the provision of the Legions and still the bounty of all those years of cultivation are plain to see.

Within the Iron Citadel, placed on a bluff that stands proud of the city of Ghieste at the southern end of the walls that protect the hub of trade within, sits the Duke with his council. A collection of men and women, all armed to some greater or lesser extent sit and lounge around in a comfortable chamber with no shortage of soft cushions to assure their relaxation. Piles of papers lie around and at one end of the room stands a carefully crafted sand table cut and smoothed into the shape of Anuire. Counters, flags and even little figures are scattered across it, seemingly happenstance.

Sat in a high backed chair, with a goblet in his hand, is Duke Ghorien. He watches the conversation before him carefully, considering the frank exchanges of views and sometimes nodding or shaking his head but not speaking. When at last he places his goblet on the small table next to him the discussion ends instantly.

"Thank you for your comments. The Steel and Iron Legions will be redeployed for the coming conflicts and the Ducal Guard and New Steel folded into them as we have agreed for some time. The Guild Guard will remain in position, as you will all expect. Kourmaen - you will take charge of the Marches forces and move to intercept the raids. You will have the Iron Legion at your disposal. Merry - grab the Brigade of the Black Lion and hold its position - you know the agreed actions if required. Ser Silvestre will command the Steel Legion for the rapid deployment we have discussed now at some length, but only once we know how she will move - it seems likely we have the right of her thoughts on the matter but we will know once the retinue has arrived with her. We will send a message as soon as we know. Other matters can wait; it looks like we are going to be busy. Now to your posts, go!"

Within a few moments all have gone except his Grace and he moves across to the table. With a measured movement he places some of pieces again from where they once were and takes a large black flag and pushes it deep into the sand in a place it will no doubt be unexpected. The smile spreads across his face.

"Now let us see how you handle this turn of the cards."
His Grace Ghorien Hiriele,
Duke of Ghieste,
Grand-Maester of the Highland/Overland Traders,
Viscount of Whyrthe.
Down Right Evil Bastard!

Offline X-Ghieste & HOT/GH (Matt)

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Re: Ghieste in Autumn
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2012, 01:03:15 PM »
The ugly scar that marrs her once pretty face still feels cold to her, even in the warm sunshine, like it is detached in some way from her herself, but with the view she has she still cannot stop smiling. She watches the drilling of soldiers and it thrills her inside to be back with troops again and no longer bed bound recovering from the wounds she suffered far in the west. The Brigade of the Black Lion is not the prestigious post amongst the ranks of the Duchy, but she knows it is a crucial one for that which his Grace has planned and because he trusts her he has given her command. Trust is important in Ghieste, it is never easily won, but quick to be lost; a precious commodity indeed.

She steps forward and barks a command to the Captain who has so far stood off to one side and he in turn signals for her horse and guard. Mounting quickly she nods to those who have formed around her and without another look they all kick their steeds forward. To the Brigade of the Black Lion and to the plan ahead!
His Grace Ghorien Hiriele,
Duke of Ghieste,
Grand-Maester of the Highland/Overland Traders,
Viscount of Whyrthe.
Down Right Evil Bastard!

Offline X-Ghieste & HOT/GH (Matt)

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Re: Ghieste in Autumn
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2012, 04:18:05 PM »
The streets of the city are humming now, the constant bustle of commerce and preparation meaning that every hour of daylight has value now, has a price to the right person. It is said the Duke has gone to the West now, having returned with a satisfied look from the court of the Sword Mage and all know that makes it bad news for someone else. In the west it is said he intends to return with bigger news; the gossips rum wild as to whether it will include the details of a wife, some fine woman on whom he might sire many an heir for the secure future of the duchy.

But in the meantime the supplies are gathered in, the armour polished and the swords honed. Talk of raids and activity from within the fell mean all know why threats might come but there is a confidence there has not been in previous years - the armies that the Duchy maintains now dwarf what they once had and the feeling is that this time it will be different.

A wiser man, whom it is said the Duke likes to quote once understood the truth of it, that everything is always the same, that history is the same story being retold through different actors. The only way to alter it is to change which story is being told.
His Grace Ghorien Hiriele,
Duke of Ghieste,
Grand-Maester of the Highland/Overland Traders,
Viscount of Whyrthe.
Down Right Evil Bastard!

Offline X-Ghieste & HOT/GH (Matt)

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Re: Ghieste in Autumn
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2012, 11:50:50 PM »
Ghieste in the last of the summer sun?

His Grace Ghorien Hiriele,
Duke of Ghieste,
Grand-Maester of the Highland/Overland Traders,
Viscount of Whyrthe.
Down Right Evil Bastard!