A Request to Claim or to Make a Claim?

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

They'd exhausted the one topic, though Carissa was not surprised to hear him broach the subject of Arton. It was a topic of concern to all who held land in trust to the Crown, she knew, and one she could presumably turn back on him in light of the rumors that reached her ears. "Not as yet, but there are rumblings that the Empire is growing desperate and looking to the west to distract itself from its troubles." The prospect was not an enticing one in the slightest. Peveril and Kendall were but two of the lands flanking the border, both of which had a pass-gate for her to worry about.

She tilted her head, curiosity lighting her eyes. "What of your own troubles, Your Grace? I've heard tell that there is trouble with piracy around Twinport, and that one of your own liegemen is involved up to his ears."

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

"Mmph," Daven grumbled, dropping his more charismatic mien for a sour one. Damn that Empire. "They've been too quiet for my own liking as of late. I cannot shake the suspicion that they are up to no good, which is why I posed the question." He did not dispute Carissa's information, but it didn't trouble him any less. "Should probably arrangements be made, I'd be willing to lend my support to keep the border tightly secure."

Which led him to the other problem. He couldn't help the border duchies until he had his own issues under control. The mention that his own liegeman was involved produced a black look for her. "Bah." Was his first answer, "We're still investigating, but we're going to put a stop to it, mark my words. They're an elusive lot, however."

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Her brows rose in some surprise at his offer of support. "That is generous of you, Lord St. Claire. If you are agreeable, I would not mind discussing that support and how we can return the favor some time. Friendship between our duchies is my fervent hope, after all." Especially if Marisa was to become the new Duchess; it wouldn't hurt to have Daven St. Claire on her side when the fur began to fly. "I share your apprehension, though. I do not trust the quiet and have requested that the Kendalls and Peverils heighten their patrols. If the Empire begins to move, I want to know." She couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming... something dreadful.

Receiving the black look with a hint of a smile, she'd expected no less. The Dragon of St. Claire seldom altered, and in this, Carissa took some small comfort. She knew precisely with whom and what she was dealing. "If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to call on me. What affects Twinport can ultimately affect us all."

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

"If your Duchy or the de Winter's duchy were to fall, that gives the Artonians a considerable foothold within our home. It is only sensible that we all participate in the defense of it, wouldn't you agree? The Dukes and Duchesses may disagree on matters of kingdom management, trade, and appointments on the King's Council, but I think we can all agree that to defend the realm, all must participate." The only Duchy he was concerned about was damned Rosewine. Lady Rose was notorious for remaining neutral, damn that woman's hide.

"The return offer his appreciated. I have a feeling that once we have exposed the traitors, they may attempt to flee the country. I am hoping to impress upon Lady Rose to keep an eye out for fugitives and the same to you, though I imagine the trek through the mountains into Arton would be quite difficult."

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Much as she wished Lord St. Claire was incorrect, Carissa knew the truth he spoke. "I agree, and to that end, I have proposed to the Jardiniers that seeing as we are all present in Triadon, it would be a good idea to meet and put some of these matters on the table for discussion and agreements. I hope you will be amenable to such an idea - these opportunities are so few, it would be best to seize the advantage while we have it." She watched his face for reaction to the proposal, trusting to his good sense to see the wisdom in it.

"Lady Rose will be joining us. It's my intention to impress upon her the weight of these matters and that the time for neutrality is largely at an end if we are to stand strong against those who threaten our way of life." A fine speech, Carissa knew, but how would it be received by the Lady Rose remained to be seen.

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

A meeting of all the heads of the Duchies? Could be interesting. Could be annoying. Regardless of what the end result was on his general state of mind, it as a necessary get together. Daven sighed and then nodded. "Yes, I suppose you are correct in that regard. Just make certain there is plenty to drink and perhaps some food to shove into people's mouths to keep them from talking too much." Some people chattered too much. Hmph.

"Can you even predict how she would respond to such a suggestion?" He arched a brow at her, curious as to her answer.

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Amused by his response, Carissa smiled. She doubted he intended it to be funny, though it had a definite ring of truth to it as well. "Sage advice, Your Grace, I believe I'll follow it. Though I planned to be organized about it and present a proposed agenda to keep everyone on topic. Prevent that needless chatter you dread, you might say."

Trying to anticipate or predict the Rosewine duchess's actions and responses, however, threatened to trip her up. Considering for several minutes, she phrased her response with care. "I cannot predict with any real accuracy, but I feel confident in saying that Lady Rose is an intelligent and sensible woman, as well as a capable Duchess. She will hopefully see the wisdom in this action."

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

Daven had asked the question out of curiosity more than anything else. A small smile formed as a result. "Hm, that is a nicer prediction than one I would have offered." Fortunately, Carissa probably knew Daven well enough to figure out just what his thoughts were on the matter. Lady Rose, like him, probably just did not like people. While he had his daughters to roust him out of his hoard, he wandered what did the same to Lady Rose.

"Good. We'll see how well you can shepherd us, so to speak." Granted, none of the Dukes were sheep so it was probably going to be akin to herding cats. "Do we have any other business?" It was not really a rude way of ending the meeting, in his opinion. However, when topics were exhausted, why protract the discussion? Daven, as Carissa quickly figured out, was not one for idle chitchat with just anyone.

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Aware that they had exhausted the majority of topics to be discussed at this time, she shook her head and rose, offering him her hand. Carissa saw no reason to take offense to Daven's manner; if anything, she appreciated its brusque efficiency. "Not that I am aware of. My thanks for meeting me on such short notice, Your Grace. I look forward to seeing how matters progress on a number of levels." She added a bland smile, trusting he would grasp her meaning all too plainly. "Until we meet again?"

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

"Indeed," the hand was grasped and a gentlemanly kiss was placed. "Thank you for meeting with me. Until the next time we meet." The meeting had been a successful one, and for that, Daven was pleased. Perhaps he had a knack for diplomatic negotiation after all. ... No. He still didn't much care for it. He had gotten what he wanted from it the encounter. Thus, he turned and made good his departure.