First Impressions

[Corialaris Lucius]

Of course he was mad. It was madness to be in Demeria, but sometimes a little madness brought long overdue sanity to bear. He met Marcus's eyes with a light shrug. It was only a suggestion; the implementation and strategy was Marcus's to decide. "So make it a formal invitation. Send a note, requesting a meeting with her. A private meeting. If she sends no answer or refuses, then we know our time here is done. But if she accepts?" Lucius smiled faintly. "Then you have an opportunity I think you should seize on without fear."

Resuming his meal, he grinned over at his friend. He had every intention of continuing to enjoy himself with Natalie as long as she remained interested. "Maybe we'll both come back with prizes, hm?"


Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

Lucius did make a fair point there, he had to concede. Damn the man's hide at times. "I'll have to ponder it," was all he promised for the time being. For certain, it was a very interesting idea, but Marcus still wondered if it could be pulled off. The practical part of him was cautioning him against it. But the more manly, the more adventurous side of him was reminding that fortune sometimes favored the bold.

The statement from his friend drew him out of his thoughts. "Both of us, hm? Planning on stealing her back all the way to the capital? She sounds like the type of woman that would put up quite a fight. She might know just where to bite and scratch." Nonetheless, Marcus was amused at the idea.

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

His hide was fortunately thick and accustomed to Marcus's silent damnation of it. Lucius made an effort not to press his point, all too well aware of how his friend received such matters. The best thing to do was leave Marcus alone and let him think unbadgered. He would likely reach the same conclusion in time, and from there a plan could be conceived. A nod acknowledged the response, but nothing more was said on it, as was Lucius's typical manner. When Marcus had finished pondering, he would raise the subject again.

Watching his face, a wicked grin split his features. "I've always liked the feisty ones, wouldn't you say? I might enjoy being bitten and scratched... and she might enjoy the adventure. Who knows what will come? Besides," Lucius added, "you've been on me to consider settling down."

Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

"That is true," he conceded with a spread of his hands and then he lifted them. "Fair point. You have me there. Still, I look forward to seeing how she handles being stolen away like some fair maiden." Though, from the sound of it, this Natalie was no mere maiden.

He let out a breath and glanced about the inn. "Have you seen any sign of our shadowy host? The man is rather elusive." There was something that man that set Marcus's teeth on edge. His father assured him that the man could be trusted, but Marcus wasn't so sure. After all, the man was technically committing treasonous acts. How could anyone, no matter who benefited, trust a man like that?

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

His brows admittedly wiggled at the prospect of stealing Natalie away. Fair she was without doubt, but there was nothing maiden-in-a-tale like about her. It was part of what drew Lucius to her, without question. Still, what they discussed wasn't precisely prudent and Lucius did have to take some time to consider other approaches and plans of attack.

The question regained his attention, a frown replacing the jovial look on his face. Come to think of it, the man had been rather scarce lately. Too silent by half. His gaze slid back to Marcus. "As a matter of fact, I haven't. And that should tell me that we're not dealing with someone we want to get too close with. I have to wonder if exposing him might not earn you some points in the process."

Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

Leaning back, Marcus rose his eyebrows at him and then chuckled. "I should you get on the Assembly, Lucius. You know exactly what kind of political manipulation needs to be done. But, you're right, it would. However, we'll have to be careful when we make the reveal. That man has killed. I can see it in his eyes and his demeanor. Now, I realize that is no grand feat in our homeland..." He leaned forward again to better make his point.

"You and I, however, have been affected by it. It changes a man. I don't think it changed our host. I don't think he's affected by it."

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

Lucius's features hardened as he leaned closer, lowering his voice. "He is not the only one who has killed, my lord. If I think for a single moment that he means to expose you or worse, try to manipulate you, he can be disposed of. There is an emptiness in him I don't like and his usefulness is about at its end." He did not like the Peveril lord from the start and made no secret of it. Men like that were snakes at their best, and ruinous at their worst. Too much was at stake for him to risk Marcus in any form or fashion.

Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

"Mm," he toned in answer to his friend's cold words. "No, I have a feeling he is going to be very useful, indeed. He is my father's agent, as such ... " he leaned back and thought for a long moment. "My father is a traditionalist and we cannot blame him for being such. That mentality is to be expected so that he could maintain his rule and influence. Yet, that influence is waning. The Empire is at risk of being weak."

Marcus toyed with his food as he continued. "I propose that we expose him. He brought us here to cause mayhem in the Kingdom. If we expose him, we prove ourselves friends and work to build a lasting relationship with Demeria rather than one based on war."

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

Lucius snorted but offered neither contradiction nor commentary. Of the two, Marcus was admittedly the more politically savvy, though Lucius was far from ignorant or oblivious to the ebb and flow of power within the Empire. "The Empire, my friend, is in dire need of gross revitalization if it isn't to crumble within the next four generations." The possibility of that was far too real for both of their likings, and precisely why they looked to their eastern neighbors as a means of preventing that, albeit not through the war of conquest desired by His Imperial Majesty.

He blinked as Marcus spoke, but stopped to consider the ramifications of that plan. It had potential, though Lucius admitted it was a risk. Still, he was honest enough to admit that it granted them a little leverage where they'd previously had none. "Go on... you've obviously been thinking about this for a while."


Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

"The downside of this plan is that we will be in danger when we expose our host. He will expose us in turn. Whether or not we deny his accusations, the people will be suspicious of us ... so I believe we will have to be honest. There in lies the danger: it will not take much for King Sedrick to take me as a hostage and dangle me in front of my father." He spread his hands for a moment.

"But, that would only serve to incite a war. We know my father. Such an insult would not be answered with money or diplomacy, but with spears and shields. It would be a horrid affair. I will make certain to impress that upon King Sedrick. My survival and well-being are in his best interests, and thus ... I should have a captive audience to present my case."

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

Lucius told himself not to react, to think first and to think slow before fast words came out that couldn't be taken back. It was not an easy task for him, being a man primed for action rather than thought, but they were in a precarious position here. He frowned, bringing his ale to his lips for a sip, his eyes growing distant as he considered it. "There's talk of a tourney coming up to the east of here. Some duke or other wants to barter off his daughters, but he's got high standards. You're skilled in the joust and with the sword. Is that enough of a captive audience for you? If you win it, you may get stuck with one of the duke's get but you'll have the King's attention."

The more he considered it, the more the idea had some merit. "You'll have to stay helmed the entire time, though. No one can know you're there until you've claimed victory in at least one of the events."


Jovianus Marcus