The future of the Anuirean nobility

[DM B]

A tall man of heavy build enters the chamber, his mane of striking red hair a sure indication as to his parentage; Brandon Boer, Archduke of Boerunie (or self-proclaimed King if you will), has finally arrived. He's quite an imposing figure, radiant in his fine Western garb and both handsome and militant, but not the demon you have all come to think of him as.

What is more important, perhaps, is his company, old Duchess Eriene Mierelen of Brosengae. They are clearly arriving together aboard Brandon's own ship, presumably directly from the capital of Brosengae. Now...the question is, why would a sworn vassal of Prince Darien Avan of Avanil, be touching Brandon Boer's shoulder and laughing at his unheard jokes?

[DM B]

Brandon speaks:

"Lords and Ladies of Anuire - I am late in the coming, and for that I offer you my apologies. It was never my intention to come at all, seeing as how there is a war, but my enemies have proven so weak and indecisive as to make it possible for me to pay my respects to the Chamberlain any my peers, if nothing else. Therefor, well-wishes and salutations to you all.

On a more serious note; I have defeated the Avanese army in battle - yet again, I lose track of mine victories, so numerous are they - and the good Duchess of Brosengae, the honorable Eriene Mierelen, has grown weary of her liege failing in his duties to her realm - yet again, she too has lost track of the number of times he's failed to meet his obligations, while Brosengae has fulfilled hers. And so, I have brought the Duchess here, so that she might speak her grievances before the Chamberlain and her peers, and let it be known that Brosengae is no longer a vassal of Avanil.

There is general commotion and chaos all around the Great Hall of the Imperial Cairn. The Avanese delegation is outraged, and Prince Avan needs to be physically restrained, lest he take to arms and rush to meet Brandon on the floor...

[X-DM Jon]

The Chamberlain rises up in his full height. A man well over two meters.

"ORDER! THERE WILL BE ORDER! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN; DIGNITY PLEASE!"

It creates some breathing space for the nobles of Anuire to react in...

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Patriarch Rashid, having been notified of the arrival by an aide, has hurried back to the grand hall, and taken a place, in the back, to observe this unexpected event.

[DM B]

A scream cuts through the hall; a scream originating from the lips of Prince Avan:

"You treasonous bitch; at the first sign of trouble and you show your true colors! A man and an army and you surrender your honor to this...this...savage from a lost age. Always you were the guilder 'Duchess'. Even Ghorien hiriele has more honor than you do, more right to call himself Duke! He is, at least, a self-made man, whereas you have been given everything. This is a dark day for Anuire - Haelyn and St. Roele both are looking down upon us, their faces dark with shame..."

[X-DM Jon]

The Chamberlain's face goes white at the Prince's outburst, but he doesn't say anything.
 The Imperial Legionnaires eye him nervously and it seems like a pall of tension has lowered itself over the room.

 He looks at Brandon Boer, then back at Prince Avan. Then pulls himself together visibly.

"Duchess Mierelen, you have something to say before this assembly?"

The general noble population have by now resumed their seats. It's quite obvious the S&C hasn't ended quite yet...

[DM B]

The old woman steps forth:

"What is there to say? That man there, this Darien Avan, who pretends at nobility, has no inkling as to the true meaning of the compact between liege and vassal. He think that the liege is akin to a tyrant, that may demand much, but offer but little. But he has forgotten - forgotten that the liege is there to protect, to nurture, to guide. Instead he calls upon more men for his war, more gold to fuel his ill-begotten adventures, and heaps abuse upon us when we do not- in his eyes - do well enough. Where was he when the longships came raiding, or Boer's army arrived, or before that...when the buccaneers harrowed our coasts, all he could think of was his Mieran holdings! Enough is enough - he is our liege no more."

She pauses a bit

"Besides, as my ally Brandon has made me realize, a Duke does not bow before another Duke. A Duke only bows before the Emperor...and in case you haven't noticed Darien, there IS no Emperor, nor will you ever BE Emperor."

[DM B]

Prince Darien Avan, Archduke of Avanil, has gone ashen. He stand up, quietly now, and addresses the treacherous duchess:

"Spin whatever excuses you will; Haelyn knows the truth. You are a traitor, and that is that. I'm sure your black soul can live wit that, if only the gold continues to flow. HE, won't be so easily placated...I shall send word to Archprelate Khárnmoin, I cannot see that he has any other choice but to censure your actions and excommunicate you. Especially considering your fornication with know worshipers of the so-called Old Gods...

Chamberlain. Peers of Anuire. Until next we meet, Haelyn's blessing upon You and your Houses."

With that he leaves the S&C to take up the sword and reap vengeance upon his treacherous vassal.

[X-DM Jon]

The Chamberlain bows deeply before Prince Avan.

"Haelyn's grace upon your Highness."

[X-Medoere & RCS/KE (Thorsten)]

Kaven sits on the edge of his seat. Although his face turned quite ashen at the Duchess words, and his fists clenches to the point where his knuckles are white, his eyes cling to Brandon Boer. To all appearances, it could seem like someone studying the movements of some unknown beast, trying to predict it's next move.

[X-Alamie (Alex)]

After a brief display of surprise crosses Lord Carilon's eyes, his face resumes an impassive display. After a few moments he whisper something to his Duchess, who nods in return. After having laid her hand on her husband's shoulder for a moment, the Duchess leaves quietly the Halls, escorted by most of the Alamien knights.

The Duke quietly sips a goblet of claret, waiting for more to be said, and eyeing throughtfully Lord Brandon.

[X-Diemed/Carvaloen Diem (Sheldon)]

Carvaloen, with furrowed brow, while not taking his eyes off of those on center stage, leans over to Kaven seated next to him and begins whispering... his right hand raised subconsciously to his chin.

[X-Mhoried/Droene Kavarra (Iasonas)]

The Mhor seems totally flabbergasted. He first looks at Archduke Beruine, next Duchess Eriene Mierelen, and last but not least Prince Darien Avan. After a few moments, his face becomes sober, and he raises.

Chamberlain. Lords and ladies. I will now leave the Halls of the City. I believe that there is nothing constructive to discuss any more. May Haelyn's blessing and Avani's reason be upon those who still value those Anuirean qualities.

He seems disappointed. With a nod he gathers his entourage, and proceeds towards the exit.

[DM B]

OOC. Seeing as the discussion has died out and the S&C is closing, I'm shutting down this thread.

IC:  As always partisan politics gain the upper hand; those that support Avan, or think that they might gain from doing so, denounced the Duchess' treachery. Those already pro-Boer applaud her courage. And those who are in no camp either keep their peace, or offer insignificant trivialities - such is the skill of Anuirean nobles at saying nothing, that they could shame even the greatest master of sayim.

A sad day for Anuirean nobility.