Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"She has other children?" Kate asked, slightly confused as she thought that Marianne had simply only had the triplets. "What happened to them?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Two daughters. She kept them away from the court. She and Brian agreed they didn't want suitors haunting them. You're not the only one who doesn't know about them. But they haven't come around in a long time. They married small lords in Normandy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then, instead of a garden, I would like to send Marianne to visit them." Kate said softly, looking at Warwick as he explained that there had been two daughters.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I can certainly run it by her," Warwick nodded. "But that wouldn't cost much, dear. The most expensive aspect would be wages for the guards going along. You must remember that Edinburgh sports a treasury at least a hundred times larger than Inverness even in lean years. Frugality is admirable, but you don't have to be so careful." He piled together a few documents and rose, glancing toward the closed door.

"I believe you have company," he murmured a few seconds before a knock sounded on the thick wooden portal.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate looked up at the door as the knock sounded, a slight look of confusion on her face as to how Warwick had known that someone was there before they knocked.

“Come in.” She called, waiting to see who was looking for her.

 

[KieranSoares]

The door opened and a man in a highly decorated dress uniform with decorative armor stepped in, a jeweled blade at his hip and a barbute helm under his arm.

"General Tyco," Warwick said with mild surprise as the man bowed as is embarrassed. "You are incredibly late."

"I apologize sir, Your Majesty. I was informed of the wrong date..."

"That explains the way you're dressed." Warwick turned back to Kate as the man kept his head bowed. "Milady, may I introduce General Claudius Tyco, representative of His Highness Prince Olfen Ragnarsson of the newly-independent country of Finland. His Majesty is deep in setting up his own government and could not attend. But it seems the messenger we sent for his representative was... mistaken."

"I'm so sorry, Your Ladyship. If I'd left earlier it wouldn't have mattered what day your coronation was... I won't make excuses for my tardiness."

 

[heartofcourage]

"General, there is nothing to apologize for. In fact, that you for brightening my day greatly." Kate said as she stood and greeted him properly. "If you would care to, my husband and I are about to meet for lunch. You are welcome to join us."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wouldn't want to impose-"

"The Lord Protector will want to meet you as well, Tyco," Warwick interrupted, and it seemed he and Tyco knew each other well.

"... Of course. Thank you, milady," the general bowed his head once more.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Shall we head for the private dining room then?" Kate asked, taking Warwick's arm as it was offered.

Warwick had stepped in like a doting grandfather. It seemed that acting as her adviser was no different than when he had acted as Marianne's adviser. He had advice to give and she was more than willing to work hard to prove herself to him.

"My husband might be a little late, General. He was going to oversee my stables with my uncle this morning. He should be along shortly." Kate explained as they walked with Tyco down the hallway until Warwick opened a small portal that led into a small dining room just for Kate and Kell to use.

 

[KieranSoares]

To Warwick and Tyco's surprise, Kell was already there. As they entered, Kate saw him speaking quietly with her guardian. The great Panther was listening silently, only glancing up as Kate and her small entourage entered. Kell turned with a trained, calm expression in the presence of a stranger.

"Milady," he greeted. "Who is this?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"General Tyco from Finland. He has arrived late for the coronation, but no matter. We'll still show him all the hospitality that's possible." Kate said with a small smile towards her husband, moving to take her seat as Qira silently disappeared.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell pulled her chair out for her, doing the same for Warwick before offering Tyco a seat as well. "I wondered where the Finnish representative was. The new king seemed set on showing his support as a new ally to the Triad."

"I apologize, sir... I had the wrong date and didn't set out as early as I would've liked," the general explained quietly. "I won't trouble you long, but I did bring a declaration of support and friendship from His Majesty, with support from the Triad as well."

 

[heartofcourage]

“General, there is no need to rush back. We will be having one last ball before my family heads back. There are still quite a few other dignitaries that have remained as well.” Kate said as servants began to serve their meal.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I appreciate the hospitality, Your Majesty... I didn't expect it, to be honest with you. Very few people take my country seriously yet, save the Triad and Prince Monomakh who made our independence possible."

 

[heartofcourage]

“From one young ruler to a young country, please know that I understand where you are coming from.” Kate said simply. “If you are willing to talk friendship and trade, I am willing to listen.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"My prince would certainly appreciate that... he's only a few years older than yourself. His father was supposed to take the throne, but it was decided that his father would instead serve as a governor of the capital and Prince Olfen would be crowned king with his wedding in winter."

"And despite his age, young Olfen has far more experience in court than his father. He grew up in the Swedish court for most of the year while his father was a traveling knight and ambassador," Warwick added.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Kell and so were only recently wed as well.” Kate said as she took her silverware and started to eat. “Perhaps we have more similarities than we realized.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"King Olfen will of course visit in person when he makes a circuit of his allies outside the Triad and the Rus. He wants to make a good impression on the network of allies in the north. The isles, Scandinavia, the Rus, and Mongolia are his first real supporters thanks to the Triad's support in our independence. We of course won't assume anyone is our ally until it's discussed and put into writing, but thus far the north seems to be completely supportive."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We can only hope that everything comes together for a stronger alliance than we had before." Kate said as everything was explained to her about what Olfen had been doing. "And I suppose I will have to plan for my own royal tour before too long."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You can start thinking about that after everything here is settled," Warwick reminded. "Olfen has about six months on you, I believe."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You say that, but I see that as a challenge. I can do in one what he can’t do in six.” Kate said with a small grin towards her adviser.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It isn't a race, milady," Warwick reminded. If not for the company of General Tyco, Warwick'll tone might've been more stern and more of an old man scolding a youth. Kell cracked a smile at that.

"Well, we do have an existing kingdom, a previous ruler, and plenty of clan royalty allies to learn and build upon. It isn't fair to compare our situation to Olfen's," Kell offered, making Tyco smile.

"Not to belittle your cause, of course, but I'd agree. His Majesty is facing a different set of challenges. But what matters is that both kingdoms seem to have fallen into willing and able hands this generation."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You can all scold me however you like, but at the end of the day the decisions are mine." Kate said as Warwick's tone hinted as a scolding as she saw Kell smile at the moment. "We'll start planning a tour of our allies in the next few months. I feel it best to meet everyone in person as soon as possible."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Most of them came here to see you," Warwick reminded again, but Kell just gave him a shake of his head. He knew Kate saw it as required and polite for the most part. I would also give her an excuse to visit some people the Ghis had always considered family.

 

[heartofcourage]

"They came here for me and I can certainly return the favor. There's a difference between welcoming someone to your home and being welcomed to their home." Kate answered, looking over at Warwick. "I am looking for someone to take over my social engagements and planning. You don't have to worry, Warwick. It won't fall to you to plan."