Bearer of Ill Tidings

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"I'm sure he will," Rupert supplied in a speculative manner, "The man may be gruff, but I can tell he depends on his daughters a great deal more than he lets on, especially his youngest and eldest for different reasons." Julia was more of the emotional, steady rock of the family while Cecelia was the gentle and sweet one. She took the edge off of Daven's harsh nature.

"Is she? No doubt to finally join court and offer her condolences over my apparent loss," he offered a tight smile at that, and then frowned. "It's been some time since I've last seen or communicated with her. Have you heard from her aside from the announcement of her arrival?"

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Amused at his perception regarding the influence of the daughters on their father, Marisa nodded. "That is why I wish to befriend them. Lady Julia will be a challenge, though I am more confident of the Ladies Cecelia and Rosalie." Lynesse was something of a cipher to her right now, being the least known of the four. She intended to gain more information on all of them before the meeting of Daven's arranging.

At the return of discussion to Carissa, she sobered for a moment. "On the surface, perhaps, but I highly doubt Carissa will lament the loss any more than you or I will. Still, with the conflicts mounting and all of our new-found foreign friends, she will want some of the action as well." Her cousin was somewhat ambitious, though Marisa privately harbored some concerns for how Carissa would navigate the increasingly murky waters of court these days.

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"I wish you luck in that regard, then," he nodded, and then opted to focus on Carissa for the remainder of the conversation. "I'm quite curious to know what her goals are now. She's been duchess for a few years and she's done well, thus far. But what now? What will come next?" Rupert was admittedly ignorant when it came to such things. Carissa was good at keeping things close to her chest if she needed to.

He also idly wondered if she was going to be taking on a husband. The de Vere line needed to continue, though Gregor was well on his way to producing a few heirs himself. Not to mention, he wanted to find another wife for himself. It was a pity the de Lacs harbored such anger against him. "A little bird tells me that the de Lacs are thinking of coming down here, too."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

"Power." She shrugged insouciantly. "What else has Carissa ever wanted? Ever since Uncle Anton decided she wasn't just his princess but the spitting image of him in feminine form, he infected her with grandiose ideas. I imagine we'll see her start to put those ideas into action." Marisa was not overly concerned about it; the Court was full of powermongers and schemers. Carissa would fit in admirably.

The mention of the de Lacs distracted her into a dark scowl. "That can't be good. What's bringing them out of their northern waters to the south? They know you're here... I hope it isn't to cause trouble."

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"Mm," Rupert toned quietly, and then arched a brow, "We'll see. I'm going to be watching her closely all the same. If you need to me intercede on your behalf to secure your marriage, let me know. I may not be the Lord of de Vere, but surely she will listen to her dear uncle." A tight smile formed. The de Veres were a pack of wolves at their finest, but even wolves could have spats amongst themselves.

"They're probably coming for the same reason you suggested for Carissa's arrival. And if they give me trouble, I'll throw them a bone and encourage them to find my son. It's to them they should direct their ire. I've offered my apologies on the matter." Rupert winced, "Actually, I'm wondering if it still can be salvaged. It was a good marriage arrangement."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Marisa lifted her brows at Rupert and his assessment of his potential influence over Carissa. She highly doubted anyone could influence Carissa, but prudently refrained from issuing a verbal objection. Making a moue for a moment, she merely nodded before replying blandly, "I have no qualms in wedding without her blessing, though naturally I prefer to have it."

That said, she frowned at the mention of the de Lacs and their reason for arriving, though there was no argument she could pose against it. However, his mention of salvaging it had her straightening to regard him with unrestrained astonishment. "Salvaging it? With a House that declared blood feud against ours? Are you mad, Uncle?"

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

Oh, Rupert was well aware that Marisa doubted Rupert's influence over the woman, but he had his particular set of charms and ability to make persuasive arguments if need be. Granted, he hoped that would never actually be the case, but ...regardless. Instead, he shifted the topics entirely onto the de Lacs.

"Do you want the blood feud to continue? It's because of my idiot son that we're in the damned feud to start with and I have no interest in seeing it continued. Those de Lacs can be surprisingly crafty and I believe it behooves us to have as few enemies as possible. I haven't decided what I am going to do to rectify the issue. I'll have to observe them for a while first."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

"Blood feuds are largely a waste of time, Uncle. And it does the de Vere no good to harbor such enemies, you have to admit." Marisa shook her head slowly. "Personally, I'd have drowned your son at birth, but that's strictly my opinion." There was no love lost between Rupert II and Marisa; the young man was a lecherous fool who let his lustful inclinations carry off what little good sense he possessed. "I think for the time being, it's best that we meet with Carissa, see what her agenda is, if it coincides with our own and go from there."

Her cousin had become, to Marisa's perception, unpredictable in the last few years. She altered directions, courses and plans like the wind, without seeming rhyme or reason. Whether that was the case now or something else remained to be seen but Marisa intended to protect the House, Carissa or not.

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"Exactly so," he nodded at Marisa and then let out a breath. "As much as I dislike the following saying, what's done is done. He has done the damage and now we have to have do what we can repair it. I don't think we'll be hearing from him anytime soon, or if ever. If he does show his face in Demeria, I am going to have him killed." It was said with calm determination. "I cannot afford to do anything else." There was not a trace of remorse or regret in Rupert's voice. Rupert the Younger had brought his ruin upon himself.

"Indeed. Perhaps we should have a dinner? It's been a while since we've all done such. That way, we can get everything on the table ... and perhaps allow ourselves to become inebriated if it helps." The last statement was mostly a joke. Mostly.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

A sly smile tugged at the corners of her mouth when he spoke of having his son killed. Marisa was of a similar mind with her uncle's, though she intended to see the deed done first if at all possible. The boy was a blight on the family name, and required disposal. "I agree completely, and naturally, if there is any possible manner in which I can offer assistance, you know you have only to ask it of me. I will be all too pleased to see it done." Especially if it meant stain eradication.

The mention of a dinner drew a thoughtful nod. "A good idea, though not within the castle. I'd like to speak with Carissa before the Duke does so she's not taken off-guard or ill-prepared, and she deserves to be brought up to date as best as possible. Shall I see to the arrangements?"

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"Given that he's already come to me with diplomatic aplomb, indeed," the statement was a rather dry one, "We should not waste much time. Daven is not likely to seek either of our permissions to speak with the Duchess. Well, he might listen to you. You seem to be one of the few outside the family that can actually influence him," which was a very good thing in Rupert's book. Daven could prove to be a useful ally for so long as he could be ... guided, so to speak.

"I have some sway with a few of the tavern keepers in the city," leaning forward, he grabbed his pen and a small piece of parchment to write the name of one such tavern, as well as the man who ran it. "Speak with him and mention my name. We'll gain an entirely private dining room."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

"Seeing as I think it will take some intercession on my part regarding the deLacs, it's a good time to test what influence I currently have." Marisa made a face, thinking over her intended husband. Daven was known to be a stubborn, hidebound man; if she was to hold any sway over him as his wife, she needed to begin laying the groundwork for it now. "I think it is the method with which I broach the subjects. He has a logical mind and if I remain calm in the face of his heightened emotions, it compels him to think past his emotion." That could only be a good thing, she felt sure.

A nod acknowledged his words regarding the tavernkeeper, accepting the slip of parchment. "I'll see to it as soon as possible. Carissa has a lot to catch up on and less time in which to do it."

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"That will be a sight to see in person," Rupert's lips quirked into a smile of amusement, but it was brief. On the one hand, Rupert was pleased that Marisa was reaching some tangible goals and that she was on the right track to becoming a Duchess herself. On the other, it would mean less time with his precious niece. Rupert had known it would eventually happen, but that didn't mean he had to entirely enjoy it, either.

"Very good. I look forward to it." It would be nice to have all of the de Veres in the same room and hopefully working together.