Meeting the Landers: Serjiad Corwen

Getting to Maihama is quite the trek from the root city. It's not as bad as getting to Susaki, even further south, but Maihama is none-the-less a place one wants ot get a Peko for. Even when arriving in front of the city, it still takes a hefty trek up the steep hill that helps protect Maihama.

Once in the city, Baroness Wake and her retinue are welcomed into the massive inner court of Serjiad Corwen, the older Duke of one of the Fourland's Dukedoms. With the missive that had been sent out by Baroness Wake, it seems they are expecting her. And eventually, she and her team are welcomed. Not into the throne room, but into the sizable and beautiful green gardens of the Corwen estate.

She and her team are led to a nice pale table, with a few fruits available for snacking, as well as some drinks. The Duke is already there, waiting to be joined. Guards remaining nearby however - and Baroness Wake and her team have had to remove their weapons and armor in favor of casual wear. It seems that the Landers are at least familiar with the 'time' it takes Adventurers to don items. And their inability to change gear in-combat.

    Merek walks along with Baroness Wake, his own attire the beltcape about that waist along with what looks to be a sheath on the back which keeps the sword in it. There's a nod to the woman, he had come to be here a bit as a formality, he had assisted in finding the Castle Eas. When the weapon was asked for, he places that to the side, his armor not so much since he was wearing that attire which was meant for Magi and not protection. He doesn't seem to mind being unarmed.

    "I want to be very clear," begins Wake, speaking to the small group of friends who accompany her just before they enter the castle. She is carefully adjusting her hair and seeing to the most perfect possible arrangement of her dress.

    She is ready to meet royalty. The Right Clothes today are simply the very best of the best, a gown of pale blue, decorated with pearls of white and black, and on her feet are slippers of crystal, heeled, but modestly so. As is usually the way with the Baroness, her clothes fit like a glove, and yet the skirts and the cut are modest.

    When all is to her liking, she continues. "We are here as supplicants. Yes, we have much to offer the Duke and the people of the Fourland Dukedom, but we are outsiders. Even those of us who love this land and call it home are not as tightly bound to this world as the Landers. We are here to ask not just for privilege, but responsibility. I ask that everyone remember this. If I should be doubted or even insulted, we shall all bear it, and bear it humbly. The Landers have every reason to question our motives. The Castle Eas is the property of Duke Corwen and his family by right. We do not deny that right."

    Once Wake is assured that she is understood, she leads the group to the guards and allows herself to be guided to meet the Duke.

    Her curtsey, always graceful, is deeper, and held longer than usual. "Duke Corwen," she calls out calmly, "It is an honor to be meet you. I am Baroness Wake. I am deeply grateful for this meeting." She rises smoothly, meeting the eyes of the Duke and studying his expression. She has heard much and seen much that is good from a distance. Meeting the man himself is something she has been looking forward to.

The Duke rises to attention when Baroness Wake steps close enough, and offers out his hand. Something that might still be inborn enough with Baroness wake that she'll take his hand automatically. Unlike most of the Japanese Adventurers around here, it seems that this Lander takes a more western approach. "Thank you. Please, sit." He offers to her, and then settles down. "We were just finishing up second breakfast. Please, sit. Have some." As soon as he's seated, be lays one of his hands over the other on the table - as if he were leaning on a cane. He's incredibly soft spoken, but there's a power behind his voice. That kind of age old wisdom that begets respect.

"I am indeed Duke Corwen. I am to understand that you have found one of my forefathers' old holdings." He inquires with her. "I'm curious. A place so forgotten by even my grandfather has drawn the attention of an Adventurer of all people. Please, if you would explain yourself."

    "I am sure you will do fine, I will do as you ask," Merek notes then to Wake, smiling. The man nods a little bit, then when approaching the Duke he seems to content in waiting. The man bows to the Duke, then he finds a place to settle in. He accepts food gracefully, while he smiles to the Duke, then he would let Wake speak. He was here only in case he was needed, along with supporting a friend also as well.

    There's a temptation to simply lower her guard entirely with the Duke. There's an inherent warmth and goodness about him. Still, Wake isn't going to lower her guard utterly. That being said, she's not interested in giving him anything but the truth.

    The Baroness settles into her seat, looking over the food with admiration. It's quite kind, really, to offer it, and while she's focused on the work, she will enjoy what is offered. "You are most kind, Duke Corwen, to share with us, and we are grateful to break our fast in your company."

    "The holding is called Castle Eas. It is something I saw a long time ago, and though so much of the world has changed, I felt in my heart a place so remarkable must still exist. I remembered it as it was: a beautiful castle and city, built across a vast waterfall in the mountain, with a grand tower and lovely domes that shimmered in the light of the moon and stars." Her words are not simply spoken, but nearly chanted out. If there was any doubt of how she felt about that place, it is surely dispelled. She speaks of it like one might a beloved friend or lover.

    "I will not hide my intent, Duke Corwen. After the event that so many call the Apocalypse, I spent time to reflect. I was away for months. It gave me time to realize that I had previously been utterly devoted to, quite frankly, my own image. I wanted to achieve impossible things simply for my own good. The Castle Eas came to me as a vision, a way that I might do something nearly impossible that could help others. So many of the people wander now, afraid and vulnerable. Castle Eas itself stands as a ruin, overrun by monsters of considerable power. A lingering threat that lies near our very hearts. I would reclaim that castle, and make it a bulwark against the darkness and a safe place for the people once more."

The Duke tilts his head just a bit to the side, adjusting his posture, giving her a curious look. "You must understand my confusion though. You talk about seeing it far in the past. So I assume it's not through the most recent presence of Adventurers." He pauses, letting some silence hang in the air for a moment, while raising his hand just enough to let her know that more is coming.

He leans forward, in that bemused old man way, and conspiratorially whispers; "And you certainly do not look like you are old enough to be of the former generation of Adventurers. We humans do not age that slowly." Grinning at her, before he leans back again and lets out a bemused little old laughter.

The man taps his cheek for a moment, leaning aside. "A vision..." He remarks. "I admit, it is a bit hard to believe this. But... I admit, Adventurers are much a mystery for me. So when you say you've managed to visit Castle Eas, I will believe you." The man notes warmly. "You are looking to reclaim a castle for my family then?" He inquires. "You are of course aware that in order to make such a matter work... you would need to be part of this family, are you not?"

    Merek looks then to Wake, nodding a bit to the woman. He then places a hand to her shoulder, while he smiles. Then he speaks to the person who was preparing food, "I appreciate it, offer compliments to the chef for me," he notes. Then he's listening to the conversation, while he takes a drink.

    "We adventurers find our situation at least as confusing the People of the Land do," replies the Baroness. "When I saw Castle Eas, it was not where it stands now. But then, perhaps my memory was simply wrong? And yet I found it, standing just as I remember. One thing I have learned in my short life is that I must accept that my mind and memory are most fallible." She laughs softly at herself, sighing at this apparent shortcoming of her mind. She turns to one of her companions and nods to her. She draws out a piece of paper and unrolls it. On it is a rendering-admittedly far from fine art-of the Castle Eas as it stands today. "As you can see, it's a truly amazing place. I hope you might understand why the vision of it was so moving."

    When the Duke comes to the very heart of the matter, she smiles, but her eyes are downcast for a moment. It's hard not to feel a bit embarassed about the audacity of her request. Still, the Baroness has come this far. There's too much riding on this for her to not even try.

    "I do wish to reclaim that Castle for your family. And I am aware of the boldness of this proposal." Wake holds her posture carefully, not letting any of her doubt show. "I pray you take no offense, for I hold you and your family in the highest regard, Duke Corwen."

The Duke leans in as she offers the paper, looking at it, and then rises up - taking a quick last bite from a yam. "Follow me, miss Wake." He remarks, and begins to guide her out of the garden and into the castle. His pace is slow, but measured. His age is showing, but he manages to remain even-paced regardless of his old body.

Still holding the paper, he lets her speak, until finally they step into a hall she'd not been led through. He takes a moment to show her portraits of former generations of the Duke's family. Including the portrait of his younger daughter. Finally, near the end of the long hall, he shows her something. A picture of Castle Eas.

He then holds up the sketch. "There she stands." The portrait is almost exactly as she remembers it from her memories. A beautiful waterfall. The sun over the castle, illuminating it further. A rainbow stretched along the waterfall itself.

"You wish to reclaim Castle Eas from the Monsters, who overran this Dukedom many years ago. But know the original purpose of this castle first, miss Wake." He remarks. "That castle stands on the north-eastern parts of this Dukedom, because we had border disputes with the Sumeragi Clan. If you take that castle, and this is noticed by the Sumeragi Clan, you will find pressure on their side. Military Pressure. And we do not wish for an open war with them."

The Duke turns towards her. "So I will make you this offer. You will take this Castle by force. You will find a way to hold it. And only when you have reinforced it enough that the Sumeragi Clan can not easily take it out of your hands... will we make efforts to marry you into our clan - and reinforce our own holdings there. That will avoid the most dangerous situation in this matter. In return, you will see the benefit of being part of the Corwen family."

    Merek stands up, while he follows along with Wake. The Magic Knight seems to be the part well, while he follows the woman. When the proposal would be offered, well he doesn't add anything to it all, he does know well about the situation with the woman though. He's already formulating things within that mind, to see if he can assist Wake without taking away anything from the woman's wish.

    The Baroness follows, curious indeed what the Duke means to show her. When she sees the painting of the Castle Eas in all its glory she cannot help but gasp. It's like her vision has returned to her. "It does much," she says softly, "to have the vision validated this way. I will dedicate myself to making this place live again, in peace and strength."

    "I accept your proposal as an order, Duke Corwen. I shall take it and hold that Castle. We will make it powerful once more, and the Corwen claim to that land will be unassaible."

    But there is one matter that Wake has to discuss. "There is one thing. Rather than a marriage, I would prefer to be adopted. I marry for my heart, and it already is laying at the feet of someone who is more valuable to me than any other dream that lives in my heart."

    Wake's smile is gentle, and there's a shift in her posture. It's a subtle change, that manages to make her seem smaller and slightly fragile. She raises her hands and folds them together as if to pray. "Please say this unreasonable is acceptable, Duke Corwen."

@emit The man's expression turns into the mildest of frown as she denies the marriage, and offers adoption. "Adoption does not prolong the family bloodline, miss Wake." He answers her. "And Adventurers seem unable to perish. That places you as the most likely person to survive were my castle to be attacked, or my family to be killed." He explains to Baroness Wake. "Adoption means that Adventurers were to inherit my holdings. Where-as marriage will ensure a True bloodline." Serjiad Corwen explains to Baroness Wake.

"We all have to give up much to take what we desire." He remarks to her, touching the back of his index finger against the frame of the portrait. With that gesture completed, he motions his head and begins to walk back to the garden.

"And I am too old to consider complicated political matters such as an autonomous commonwealth." He remarks to her, calmly moving his arms as he explains this to her. "If I permit other more transparent methods, the other Dukedoms will see my judgement as weak. As will my people."

    Merek looks then to Wake, while he seems to think about. Then he nods a bit, "If you would," he notes to the two, then he waits if permission to speak would be granted. He would present an idea, "It has long been tradition in the place we are from that... Trade agreements are seen as sustainable to countries, nations even. What if we could present before you, an opportunity that would bring the Dukedom good trade? I am working with a Trade Company in the Ninetails Dominion, and I can extend it, at the Baroness' request if she wishes, to you all. She is after all an investor, in it. It is resources for her own use as much as anyone else's."

    That of course is an interesting take on things. The Baroness isn't sure she could even get pregnant in this world. She's certain she has no interest! On the other hand, this issue need not be resolved today.

    "I understand your position, Duke Corwen," she says quietly. It takes all of a few seconds for Wake to figure out her approach. For now, it doesn't matter. She will retake the castle and defend it. It can still do all the good she intends.

    "And certainly, I would hope to use the trading company to benefit Duke Corwen and his family, Merek. Thank you for bringing that up. Indeed, I'm not sure the trade route would make much sense without focusing on the more populous cities first."

    Wake turns her attention back to the matter at hand. "What is clear is what must be done next. And that, for now, is enough. The Castle Eas will be retaken from the Goblin hordes. It will be held and made strong once more. When this is done, it shall ready to be properly restored to the Corwen Family."

"Traderoutes are born out of necessity and use. They are not 'given' to someone." The Duke remarks to Merek. "Today's trading company, might be tomorrow's ditch. But Lineage does not waver." He explains to Merek. "I am to understand that things are different in your world, from the bards that have passed my home. But here, with the Monster Threat eternal, lineage is key. It is the thread that holds power in this region." Duke Corwen explains, as if this were of the greatest importance.

He nods to Wake. "An agreement is made them." He answers Baroness Wake. "I will await your favorable report. And know, if you need it. I have strings to pull with the two Heroes of this area. I am sure the boy and girl would be glad to help you out on such a quest." The Duke turns and halting a few meters into the garden, and touches his hands near his belly for a moment, before offering his hand out to Baroness Wake. A readied tactic to ensure that she's 'helped' into agreeing that the decision has been made.

"Send me a letter, if you wish for aid. I can set up the meetings." The man notes, before looking to Merek for but a moment, and then turns back to the Baroness. "And perhaps we can make your first name - True."

    Merek would look to Wake then to the Duke, nodding to his words, "You make a point," he would note. He then would of course simply watch and wait, it was all on Wake to make decisions like that.

    Baroness Wake smiles and says carefully, "It is agreed: The Castle Eas will be taken and restored, and it will be made powerful enough to discourage any action from the Sumeragi Clan. When the time is right, you will appoint a member of your family to oversee its ongoing administration."

    What Wake clearly will not promise is the marriage itself. She cannot make that promise when she is already promised to another. The Castle Eas can serve its ultimate purpose, even if it is not hers. Indeed, she's been very intentional with her wording to make such a choice available to the Duke.

There's a sly little smile on the duke's face as she phrases it that way. "Very well." He simply answers her, and then motions for one of the butlers nearby. "Please offer miss Wake some fresh fruit on her way out." Before he returns to his table.

    Merek nods a bit when Wake words that, then he looks to the Duke. "She will keep her word, of that I am sure," he would note. He knows the woman well enough to know she wouldn't go back on it, and to know that she would do a lot for the castle, all except sacrifice the moral. Which to him, would be pretty admirable.

    Wake offers the Duke another of her deep curtseys. If anything, this one is somehow even more elegant than the first. "Thank you for the audience, Duke Corwen."

    She smiles at the butler and says, "Your Lord is most kind, and I appreciate this offer. There is much to do." Honestly, too much to do. Defeat an Undead Army and address this considerable orc threat. Not a light load for her to carry.

    Outside the castle, Wake lets out a wistful sigh. She raises a hand and smiles at those who are with her, forestalling the arguments she can read on their faces.

    "I have said, many times, that this isn't about me. I have said that I wanted to help the Landers and the Adventurers. To build a marvel, both beautiful and strong. And whenever any of you have come to me for counsel, I have always challenged you to remember your goals." Wake laughs softly at herself, but she has to wipe at her eyes as she speaks. It's not easy what she has to say.

    "My goals. My really important ones, do not require that I rule Castle Eas. If at it is held by another, then that is what must be. Tae is my greatest dream. My wonder and blessing, both in this world and in every other. I'll just have to find another castle to marry her in. Even if I must build it with my own two hands alone."

    Wake turns away and gets on her Peko. "But enough talk. We have work to do, my friends. There's an undead army for dinner and orc for dessert. Frankly, I'm /starving/."

    She digs in her heels then, driving her peko off. There is much to be done.