Neighbors and Partners?

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Events in motion were making Carissa more convinced than ever that alliances between her House and that of her neighbor, de Winter, needed to be secured. She could not put her finger on precisely why she felt so uneasy, but between the occasional letters received from Rupert and her own observations, the sensation that trouble hovered in the air could not be dismissed. Recent word that Lord de Winter succumbed to illness suggested that now might be a good time to solicit a private meeting in the sanctuary of his pavilion.

Taking the initiative, she approached the pavilion flying the ducal flag of Oakdale, carrying flowers to cheer his recovery and looking deceptively casual. A social call intended to raise his spirits, if anyone halted her progress, not that such was likely. Wearing a gown of pale cream trimmed in gold and red, her chestnut hair was precisely twisted up and off her neck, twined with ribbons. It was her only sign of exalted rank, most jewelry eschewed as her skirts swept along sandaled feet. 

Reaching the pavilion, Carissa posed her request to enter to the guard, perfectly prepared for a refusal. She spoke softly, adding a cajoling smile, but understood if Lord de Winter was not feeling up to guests. It would likely prove to be quite the call, if she had her way, but the decision rested with Jasen. 

Lord Jasen de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Enforced rest assigned by his siblings, Jasen did so in the pavilion, the seeming pile of paperwork being a means of escape from otherwise inevitable boredom that could’ve proved to be. The haphazard pile was sorted by means that Chris swore only he could make sense of, and the promised plans for buildings in Oakdale spread in what space there was on the desk. More or less successfully finished pile of correspondence and papers was teetering by the leg of his chair. Wearing a casual outfit in his House’s colors, Jasen himself lounged in the chair looking through yet another of the papers when one of the guards from outside informed him of his unexpected visitor.

Instructing for the lady to be allowed inside, he placed the page – the progress of continually alarming silence at the western border, as a matter of fact – down for now, standing at her entrance. “My lady, good day,” he greeted, waiting a beat to assure the guard returned to his post and giving a quiet instruction for privacy unless it was one of his siblings. “To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure of your visit?” For Lady Carissa de Vere was, while they were on seemingly good terms, not precisely the person to wander through the grounds without purpose, at least it didn’t seem to be so.


Lady Carissa de Vere

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Admitted to the pavilion, Carissa thanked the guards and approached the desk where Jasen was attempting to organize himself. A slight smile greeted him, recognizing the signs of work in progress; no doubt her own desk resembled this, though she had appointed a personal secretary to keep it in some strange semblance of order. "Good day, Your Grace," came the greeting with an incline of her head to her equal. Blue eyes studied him for a moment, seeing the subtle signs of the aforementioned illness.

He was another who went directly to the point, an aspect Carissa appreciated as efficient. Her smile warmed as the guard excused himself to return to his duty, leaving them to speak in private. "I do apologize for arriving without invitation, but I wished an opportunity to speak with you regarding your brother, the Lord Sebastian, if I may? I had the occasion to speak with him recently, and it is my hope that you will permit to secure his services to assist me in improving Shalefort."

Lord Jasen de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

A mild wave to dismiss the apology given turned into the one indicating the empty chair in front of his desk, for ease of conversation while they spoke. “I admit to needing a distraction, my lady. Please, take a seat. Shall we disperse with formalities? I have a feeling our conversation shall be a curious one.” Listening quietly for the time being, Jasen gave a pleased, amused grin, knowing well his brother’s ability to fare with the fairer half of those at Court. “Indeed? How well did he manage, if you don’t mind my asking?” He was glad that his brother was making steps at the festival grounds, though natural curiosity about Sebastian’s success was making itself known. It seemed though that his youngest brother managed well enough if Shalefort’s Duchess decided a visit to him was in order.

As to the request placed plainly in front of him, which Jasen appreciated, he thoughtfully drummed his fingers on the desk before looking up again, this time wondering what really was going through the lady’s mind. “May I ask how long a service and what exactly are you expecting from this period of time?” He could share with her the plans in the making, as well, so his brother’s efforts would be appreciated – though it was possible the lady already was more than aware of such, if, as he suspected, Sebastian meandered through the newest ideas about festival’s grounds and how they could be used for later date. If he knew his brother well, that was precisely what happened, and Carissa’s presence seemed to had been a boon for articulation of those matters.


Lady Carissa de Vere

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

So far so good, as far as Carissa was concerned. Accepting the chair to which she was invited, she settled into its confines, smoothing her skirts and folding her hands with a prim gesture. Blue eyes observed her fellow Duke calmly, noting the grin that adorned his features. A curious conversation indeed, if one chose to look at it so, but one that might see towards bridging the gap between neighbors and allies, especially when Jasen inquired as to how his brother's ability to converse with her. Amused in turn, she smiled inscrutably. "He spoke quite eloquently on the subject of city walls and other potential architectural improvements. I found him quite knowledgeable."

Aware that Jasen preferred plain speech, Carissa was content not to dance in diplomatic circles for once. She met his gaze intently but calmly, laying out her thoughts. "Shalefort is in need of both an open mind and a creative soul. The city walls are in need of fortification, and there are numerous other projects that could only benefit from Lord Sebastian's expertise. I'm aware that some of these projects are for the long-term, not immediately achievable, but if he was willing to divide his time, I am amenable to that. I am quite sure that he has plenty of plans and projects that will keep his attention in Oakdale, but if I may speak frankly," Carissa smiled ironically, "we both can stand to benefit from an exchange of services, so to speak?"

Lord Jasen de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

There, that was his brother’s better skills coming to the front and helping him out of what looked like a conversation of endurance. Amused grin still very much present, Jasen steepled his fingers in front of him, considering the possibilities that could be found there. “Of course he would, he knows the subject best and it is his comfort zone, so to speak.” Pausing, he returned the lady’s inscrutable and ironic smile, believing he could guess where Lady Carissa was planning to turn his attention.

“We could and we shall. As you can see, he will indeed be lending a hand with a project in Oakdale should there be time to do so.” A hand was waved over the plans of the city in question that he’d been studying in between revising papers that needed his attention. “But I do believe if we can coordinate, and my brother is willing, we could work something out.” His eyebrow lifted slightly in curiosity. “Do you mean services of creative means alone?” He was well aware that, like him, Lady Carissa had yet to wed, and unlike himself, there were no rumors yet sparked about her possible engagement. There was one good point about the rumors, even if it was annoying, it let them all know who seemed to be courting whom and which agreements were made. Still, clarifying this point didn’t hurt, and perhaps a beneficial conclusion could be made as well.


Lady Carissa de Vere

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Negotiation with the Duke of Oakdale was never dull. The man might appear amiable, but there was no doubt in Carissa's mind that he was every bit as sharp witted and shrewd as his sire had been. It only enhanced the potential of friendship (and perhaps familial ties) with Jasen de Winter. They were still testing each other out, she noticed, and eased back into a more comfortable physical position to allow herself greater room on a mental and political level.

Fortunately, she was prepared for the question posed and laughed softly, lowering her eyes. He was good indeed, but Carissa knew he would make such a searching effort into her intentions. "For the time being, yes. I am not one to... command or compel affection, nor to frighten someone off who is unaware of what I intend." She had not missed Sebastian's awkward ways around her, and did not want to crowd or corner him despite her potential interest. "Unless, of course, you have other arrangements?" Her brow raised inquiringly, despite gossip suggesting there was nothing romantically on the plates of the younger de Winters.


Lord Jasen de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Amused at the laugh himself, Jasen tipped his head to the side, considering everything. “Indeed, and perhaps it shall be for the best if we keep things as they have been between you for now. There is, as far as I’m aware, no arrangements yet, but you may have noticed my brother’s comfort zone for the moment.” Spreading his hand out, he hummed, eyes on the plans in front of him before he looked back up. “Thus, we shall consider what can be best for Shalefort and where my brother’s efforts would be directed best. What have you in mind for your city aside from fortification of its defenses, if you don’t mind my asking?”

Who was testing whom here remained to be seen and he had to admit Lady Carissa looked to be more ready for this form of negotiation than he was. Still, he supposed this was how one learned the ins and outs, and time would show whether the lessons learned in practice sunk in.


Lady Carissa de Vere

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

They had both been groomed for the roles they now occupied, but the methods each employed was vastly different. The de Winters were known as open and honest people, humble and modest. Few could accuse the de Veres of any of that, a fact that occasionally needled their Duchess. It was hard to gain trust when the mere mention of the name evoked distrust and suspicion. Despite that, Carissa did her best to deal as honestly, fairly and honorably with those she met as possible, hoping that at least one de Vere might be seen as trustworthy.

"I did notice it, but would you perhaps agree that such discomfort is the norm for a serious scholar?" She meant no insult by it, but in her observations she had certainly noticed that those who made study their lives seldom ventured out in search of society. Their studies were all the company they needed. "With time, more may come but I prefer to let such things unfold naturally."

Considering his question, Carissa replied carefully, "There are some public works projects regarding water collection and storage, and animal waste that I am hoping to involve your brother in. Lord Sebastian has some rather ingenious ideas that may require a testing ground. I am willing to offer up Shalefort as that testing ground."


Lord Jasen de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

“And the one not at all used to Court,” Jasen conceded with an incline of his head. That much was, perhaps, obvious at the first glance. In fact, the same could be said about each de Winter sibling, none of whom felt all too comfortable whenever Court functions were involved, even if it probably could be seen less so in his case. Still, he hoped with time and practice that would change. He was not, however, certain how to go about doing so, and perhaps enlisting some outside help on the matter was overdue.

But that could wait for later, as he ensured his siblings’ presence at one function to come at least, and the rest would manage itself. For the time being, he listened carefully to suggestion made on Lady Carissa’s part. “Indeed so, and having one more Duchy aside from de Winter being the testing ground for his ideas would only benefit him, both with the council and the University,” he ventured. He told his brother as much, and was pleased to see Sebastian taking steps necessary to ensure it was. Presuming that the projects were the same as those to be run in Oakdale, but with modifications unique to Shalefort was probably too early, but he'd allow Lady Carissa to expand if she wished to, despite already having suspicion on what the projects included. A slightly raised eyebrow and a glance toward the plans of Oakdale with said modifications was given, Jasen wondering how this would go.


Lady Carissa de Vere

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

That lack of Courtly experience made Sebastian all the more attractive in Carissa's mind, in addition to his skills of engineering, his forward-thinking intelligence and his general earnest manner. The family's proximity to her own lands notwithstanding, both Duke and Duchess were clear sighted enough to concede that it could prove a smart match if time and exposure proved compatibility. She was not asking for anything irrevocable, but the request for Sebastian's skills was a genuine one. She had a great deal of damage to undo in Shalefort, and the sooner she got to it, the better.

Observing his features as he spoke, she smiled pleasantly at Jasen, relieved that he saw her point, proving her confidence in her fellow neighbor as a capable and shrewd leader. "I'm pleased to know you think so, and that we are agreed in our confidence in your brother's abilities. What benefits one of us will only prove to benefit the other, and of course, you are welcome to come and inspect his work as well with an eye to modifications suiting Oakdale rather than my Shalefort." Invited to look, she shifted to the edge of her chair to glance over the plans, nodding thoughtfully. They were somewhat similar in nature to her own, though there was one item that especially caught her eye.

Touching the plan lightly, she glanced up, "An innovation of yours, Your Grace?" It looked to be some kind of watch or signal tower, if she was not mistaken.


Lord Jasen de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

It was a possible alliance Jasen could use, but he would not do so if his brother would not agree to it – thus the amiable exchange they were now discussing. Taking in what Lady Carissa had to say, he inclined his head in agreement, the words ringing true as to the benefits both cities may imply, and thus the invitation for Shalefort’s Duchess to take a look at Oakdale’s plans. While the cities were indeed similar, there were marked difference in their layout, not the least of which was the innovation that had not gone unnoticed.

“A watch and signal tower,” he nodded his agreement, glancing to confirm its location. “With its position by the main gates of Oakdale, as well as several others to cover main vantage points of the city and the Duchy, it is but a part of my network across my lands, helping me to know whether any of the points are threatened or harbor unknown visitors.” He gestured at the sketch next to it. “We use both metal to reflect sunlight and signal fires for days that lack sunshine. A bit slower than messengers, but it works well as warning signs within my lands.” He paused, a slight smile on his face. “You are welcome to visit Oakdale to see for yourself, the plans and sketches only can tell you this much.”


Lady Carissa de Vere

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Rising slightly to better survey the plans he invited her to peruse, Carissa was intrigued by the idea. A series of towers where light could be reflected to indicate potential troubles or signal that all was well. As he said, it was somewhat slower, yet just as effective. The invitation made her smile, however, a gentle dip of her head thanking him tacitly for the generosity he displayed. "I would enjoy seeing them work, but..." Her finger traced over the western border of his duchy, which like hers butted against the Empire. "Have you considered putting one or two on the border itself to warn of activity that nears the borders?" Carissa looked up at her fellow Duke to gauge his opinion as she hastened to explain.

"If these towers of yours prove effective, Your Grace, they could be very useful along all of the western border, not limited strictly to your duchy. The news of any incursion or military activity on the Empire's part could be more swiftly sent to Triadon from anywhere. Perhaps even a network of these towers could be instituted not only in my duchy, but perhaps Lady Rose's as well?" A good idea was meant to be shared, after all, and this was an idea that could protect hundreds if not thousands of people under their leadership. Her eyes sought his, curious to hear his thoughts on the matter.



Lord Jasen de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

He had a small smile on his face as Lady Carissa took in the plans and saw the chances he had taken early on. “The borders had seen this idea’s development, and they already had,” he explained, noting the symbols representing the watch towers along the side. “It is how I know of continued rest upon them. One glaring disadvantage of any watch, though, is an ability of a single traveler to slip by when ‘tis unattended.” Jasen continued to worry over the ongoing silence, and with distraction on the seas, he suspected it was a high time for the borders of his Duchy and rest of the borders to be tested. “I had recently increased the watch there, a precaution.” And one he was intending to check on while in the Duchy’s borders. Perhaps, he was worried for nothing, but it was better to be on the safe side.

As to her suggestion, Jasen gave her a thoughtful look. There was some good potential to that, and de Winters were not new to introducing plans that would be of benefit to the kingdom – one just had to look at the road network that spread throughout Demeria to see it. “I will be glad to see if these towers will work for you and Lady Rose, my lady, and perhaps installing a pair on your lands it will be allowed will show their effectiveness. I would keep the messengers, though. There is only so much that can be passed safely by the metal mirrors and fires.” He spoke lightly, silently making a note to consult his siblings later. The support of Lady Carissa and Lady Rose would be of benefit, and there was potential they could not miss. “I will bring this up to Sebastian, my lady,” he continued thoughtfully. “All of this is something worth looking into.”


Lady Carissa de Vere

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Hearing that he had increased the number of watches, Carissa's head lifted to better study him. Jasen de Winter was not a man easily read, yet she wondered if he was giving her a subtle suggestion regarding her own borders. "The problem as I see it, Your Grace, is that there are far too many miles and not enough eyes. An army is easily spotted, as is a group, but sending over a single man or a pair, even a trio?" She frowned and shook her head slowly. "We cannot be everywhere and watch everyone. Yet there must be something we can do. Watchtowers are a beginning, but I must ask, is there something you know that you might be inclined to share?" If they were to be friends, if they were to be allies, then perhaps the time had come to cooperate beyond the surface.

Seeing his thoughtful look, she smiled gently, pleased to see that first step in the direction of true friendship. It was a positive sign that the noxious reputation surrounding House De Vere might be overcome thanks to her hard work. Rather than waste her time in patting herself on the back, she nodded quietly to his words. "Agreed, and perhaps we might find a way of swapping information as it comes in? Or perhaps Lord Sebastian would consent to serve as our go-between. If you will speak with him, I would be grateful." Carissa straightened, meeting Jasen's eyes calmly. "I hope this is only the beginning of a true friendship between us, Your Grace."



Lord Jasen de Winter