Cutting to the Chase

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

Time ticked away steadily, taunting him with each drop of the water-clock, each flicker of a time candle. Time taunted him with its inexorable passage, reminding him every other minute that slipped by that he stared into the vast abyss of mortality. He was in the twilight of his life, and decisions needed to be made before night fell.

His talk with Tristan had assured him of several points - the boy was a thorough Carlisle, much like he himself had been at that age, that he was fiercely loyal to his family and the roles they filled. Tristan was loyal in his way to his siblings, supportive and seeking his place in the scheme of things. It also meant he was ill qualified to reign. Sedrick was not surprised by this realisation, accepting it; Tristan would find his way sure enough but with the luxury of time that his sire did not have.

He had kept a close watch over his eldest son since hearing of the confrontations with Emmaline and Fiona. Sedrick was well-informed despite his illness, largely thanks to his Master of Intelligence, his Physician and other members of the Council. They had as much interest in Riordan's apparent reformation as he himself did; all were cautiously optimistic on the potential of the Crown Prince. Now the King wanted to have a serious talk with his eldest son about the future and based on the young man's answers, would begin to make those final decisions hanging over his head like a sword of Damocles.

Requesting Riordan's presence rather than demanding or ordering his son to attend him, the King awaited the Crown Prince in the private study reserved for the Crown Regnant. A bottle of Rose reserve wine and a pair of goblets awaited their pleasure as it would likely prove a lengthy discussion, as did two comfortable chairs. Sedrick was already seated, casually dressed and with what he intended as an approachable expression on his aging face.

It was time to cut to the chase.


Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

The two of them had put off the discussion long enough. The relationship between them had not been the easiest by a long shot. During childhood, Riordan had been the perfect little prince and then upon entering puberty, the rebellion began. Sedrick had not been a particularly abusive father, but he wasn't exactly affectionate either. Everything had to be exactly according to his demands and standards. Some standards had been impossible to meet. The boy had decided that enough was enough. The relationship between father and son had not been the same since.

It was sad that drastic measures often had to occur to inspire one to change. The prospect losing his place in the family and the future of the kingdom had been the reminder he needed for the last ten years. Playing around had been fun. The women had been beautiful, soft and enjoyable, but it was time to put such things behind him. Riordan was still struggling, however. The Court still held a bevy of attractive women. It was impossible to ignore them all and the urge to act on his impulses was strong. Still, he resisted. He felt stronger for doing so.

The fact that Sedrick requested his presence was a good sign. The two of them had not spoken very much since revealing Emma's betrothal to Nikolai. Nonetheless, Riordan was still a touch nervous about the encounter, but he did not let that stop him. He walked into the study, approached his father and offered a respectful bow. The bottle was spotted. The expression of his father's face was also noted. "Father," he decided to say on a whim rather than any formal title.

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

As rebellions went, Sedrick admitted Riordan's could have been worse. It was bad enough, that was certain, but there was always worse. Deeming it time to make peace with his eldest son and intended heir, he strove to put what was past in the past, the better to focus on the future. The realm of Demeria required a strong hand to guide it, and Sedrick determined that right now, Tristan's hand was not yet suited to do so. Further encouraged by Riordan's outward reformation, he studied the younger man upon his entry. There was little trace or sign of the rebellious, impetuous youth he'd been, no lingering signals of the sybarite, granting Sedrick some relief.

"Come in, Riordan. Be comfortable, please." As he'd humbled himself with Fiona, a necessary function, so he strove to appear and sound calm, approachable and reasonable. Sedrick was well aware that his own erratic behaviours of late left his children questioning their father's rationale and abilities, a harsh lesson indeed. "I thought it time we spoke of the future and your place in it." He nodded towards the chair and the waiting wine; the belief that one or both would need such fortification was strong in light of the topics, each more sombre than the other, awaiting discussion. "You have been well, I hope?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Glad to hear that titles had been dropped for the discussion, Riordan eased into his seat with a light breath and eyed the wine bottle for a moment. It was one of the reserves, which meant that it was a fine vintage, indeed. A small smile formed as he leaned forward to pick it up for closer inspection. "1488," he read the year with raised eyebrows. "I don't know if I've ever sampled this year." He poured for the two of them, setting the bottle down and picking up his own goblet to sniff at it lightly. It was heavenly. A sip was savored.

"I have been well," Riordan said quietly, looking over to the man. "Rather busy, understandably, but I have been doing rather well for myself." He had just had the conversation with Emma the previous day, but he did not bring that up just yet. He preferred to let the conversation drift where it may. "How are you?" It was a simple, but important question.

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

"It was an excellent year," he agreed quietly. "One of the finest vintages. My father made a point of collecting as many bottles as he could obtain. I still have quite a few in the cellars; only six have been opened since his death. Once, when I married your mother. One when each of you were born, and one was given to Mariana on her wedding night. Tonight is a rare occasion, but life, as they say, is meant to be savoured like a fine wine." The smile was a little tired but sincere. Lady Katalin had cautioned him to consume no more than two glasses during the course of the night. Any more might wield an unwelcome effect with his medicines.

A nod greeted his son's reply, aware of what Riordan had been up to. His quiet means of stepping up to the bar of power had not gone unnoticed, yet Sedrick was also aware Riordan took care that he did so strictly in his father's name rather than appear a usurper. It gave him further hope for the future and in his son's role as the heir apparent. "I am.. weary." Seeing no reason to conceal the truth from his son, the King sighed. "My good days still outnumber the ill, but I cannot be sure how much longer. There has been minimal progress made in discovering what brought on my illness, and the medicine is slowly losing its effecacy. That is part of why I asked you to come."

He shifted to ease the pressure on his hip, his gaze steady and calm on his son's face. "Lady Katalin and your aunt Fiona have suggested that I appoint a regency so that I can focus on my health. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Listening to his father speak of the vintage was interesting and he ticked off the bottles in his mind as he did so. His father's math abilities and memory were still very much in check. That gave him some relief. "Ah, good. I'm glad there will be a few more remaining. I should like to give one of these as a gift during my wedding night," but he did not elaborate on that just yet. It was nice hint, though. Riordan certainly had someone in mind that he should like to marry. Again, he savored a sip. It was a pity such a fine vintage could only be enjoyed a limited amount of times.

"I'm glad to hear that," he responded genuinely with a faint smile. "You're a strong and surprising man. I believe I received such traits from yourself when it comes to certain things, particularly those things that we feel matter the most." The smile matched his own; amused but somewhat concerned. The mention of the lack of progress in terms of finding a cure made him more concerned, but he concealed such thoughts from his face.

"Regency?" Riordan echoed almost immediately. He had been tempted to make efforts at assuring him that such things were not truly necessary, but he knew it was the truth. That and it would gravely insult his father. He would not have brought it up if it weren't necessary to do so. "I can do it," he said quietly, looking at his father. "I've been attending the council meetings and meeting with as many as the dukes as I can. I'm making myself more known to them as a royal rather than just a son of a king."

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

He did not immediately avail himself of the bottle's contents, preferring to continue his wits sharply honed. Hearing his son speak of a wedding night, Sedrick's eyes narrowed subtly. "Does this mean there will be a wedding night sometime in the relatively near future, son?" Aware of the rumours circulating regarding Riordan's purported choice of bride, the King preferred confirmation from the direct source. Riordan, he knew, could be circumspect when he chose. Rather like him himself had once been, a wry smile coming to rest on his aging features. "Perhaps you are right, and that we do share more traits in common than I initially thought."

The echo urged him to lean forward, splashing a little of the wine into a glass, though he did not sip just yet. Swirling the richly red vintage in its crystal vessel, he took a moment to appreciate the ruby lights cast by the flickering candles. Only a Rose vintage held such hues, and this was unquestionably one of their finest. "That's a relief to my mind. I do not know how much longer my strength and frankly, my sanity will hold up. Especially as I suspect that whomever has perpetrated this will begin to take steps against those who seek to stop him. It may be to our benefit to divide and conquer, so to speak." Bringing the glass to his lips, Sedrick first inhaled the wine's bouquet, then sampled minutely with a sigh of genuine pleasure. "You tend to the day to day matters of rulership with the Council, while I work to unearth the plot against me and see how deeply it goes."

Glancing back to his son, he halted his words, the better to hear Riordan's response to what might be a dangerous game indeed.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Perhaps there will be a wedding, but..." He frowned upon hearing his father's suggestion. There was no need to talk about the wedding just yet if his father was venturing down a rabbit hole that may very well lead to a badger's den. He didn't like it. The first reaction was to immediate chastise his father for his thinking and strongly urge him against that course of action. However, he held back. Speaking in such a manner with his father would not go well for Sedrick had his great pride just like Riordan did.

"I shan't lie. I do not like it." He looked over to his father, "The danger behind doing such a thing is great. Whomever is doing this, they are willing to attempt murder on a King. I have no doubt that the same individual will eliminate whomever gets in his, her or their way to do it." That meant that the Lady Katalin was sure to be in danger. "Yet, I know they have to exposed to the light if they are to be stopped." A sigh escaped him, and then he looked down. "I know we can't change anything in your security, else they may know. But what if the Lady Katalin? What can we do keep her safe?"

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

Torn between pride in the cool, logical thinker his son was becoming and the irrational irritation that the young whelp was objecting, Sedrick forced himself to quiet and think past the surge of emotion, knowing it was the poison that drove him to emote. The challenge was great, making him bear down as his hands gripped the arms of his chair with the effort, but he slowly nodded. Regardless of the danger to himself, it was the danger to others he had to consider. "If she is in danger, then chances are that the danger will extend to members of her family. You raise a good question, but if I can be gotten to, so too can they."

He sighed, passing a hand wearily over his face as he contemplated the options. "Even sending them to Oakdale won't keep them safe. I am open to suggestions, if you have any. Precautions must also be taken with our guests, I fear. Anyone bold enough to attempt murder of his King will not scruple to scheme against foreign ambassadors."

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

How very interesting. Riordan was watching his father, noticing how he gripped the arms of the chair, but he said nothing. A small nod of approval followed. The fact that his father was still fighting was a very good sign. "Honestly, I am not all that certain anything can be done to keep them completely safe other than to warn them of the possibility. Lady Katalin can keep a supply of possible antidotes and medicines close at hand for such an event to stave the effects of any possible poisons."

A hand came up to rub at his face, a sigh escaped him shortly after. "Your plan is a good one, Father, I just ... hate to see you in any kind of danger."

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

He was not prepared to surrender to treachery under any circumstances, though Sedrick was poignantly aware that it was proving a losing battle. The sooner he arranged the obvious transfer of power to his son, the safer Demeria might be. "I do not think whomever perpetrates this plan would use poison against them; he would try another method of chaos and discredit, I believe." A long, slow breath was taken in and released, some of the pain passing with it. "I believe it is time I called your siblings and your aunt together. We need to discuss the transfer of power to you, and I wish to hear what they have to say on the situations at hand. Perhaps they know or suspect something that we haven't considered."

He paused, then frowned. "What do you know of the situation between Emmaline and the Sarkozsy prince?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"A good point," he conceded on Sedrick's idea regarding poisoning those who were helping him. "I agree with you. We need to put our heads together. Aunt Fiona, as frustrating as she can be, does have the ability for some astute observations." The smile was a wry one as he glanced toward his father. Another sip of wine was savored. He had been about to address the issue of Selena when he brought up Nikolai and Emma.

A sigh exploded out of him. "Oh, father," he groaned quietly and took a deeper sip of wine. "I ... do not know. Prince Nikolai is a good man. Emmaline is a good woman, as you well know. But ... something has gone wrong with the whole thing. Nikolai is not as open as he could be about it, and Emmaline is getting hurt. She is not looking for love, but she is, at the very least, looking for companionship and a place in the relationship. So far, she feels she has neither."

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

He grimaced, aware that he was largely responsible for some of the strain. Averting his eyes, Sedrick did not immediately reply, absently rubbing a finger under his chin as he thought for a few minutes. "I confess, in our initial meetings to discuss the matter of alliance, I wondered if I'd erred in betrothing her to him. He made some grave errors I did not take advantage of, though I feel I could have. His demand for her presence not the least of them." Pale blue eyes returned to his son, somber and concerned. "Tell me what you really think of the matter, Riordan. I would have you speak your mind without fear of consequence. You know the young man better than I do, and obviously you're far closer to your sister than I ever have been. Is this a wise marriage, or would it be better to pursue the alliance in a different fashion?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Honestly, I don't know. I don't think it's really all that prudent to chance the circumstances of the arrangement since it would lead to a considerable shift of power. It is to our advantage to have a queen in Sarkozsy than it is for them to have a queen here in Demeria," not that Riordan was suggesting they would take advantage of it, but Riordan appreciated that Emma could have some influence over the Court in the other country. It would make future relations easier.

"I mean, the thought of Tristan and Katya has crossed my mind, but wouldn't that weaken the conditions of the potential treaty and relations between our two kingdoms?" Still, Riordan was frowning, "But on the other hand, I do not know if Nikolai is the man we want to marry Emmaline. The man may be a Crown Prince, but he does not behave as one should." A wry smile broke on his face, "Not that I am one to truly talk just yet."

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

Sedrick regarded his son solemnly for a moment, considering before his reply was given. "Sarkozsy sought us for the treaty, rather than the other way around. They have a serious need for some of the surplus crops we produce, along with other various resources. While it would be wise to put one of our blood on the throne of that land, I have to question the capability of the man beside whom my daughter would sit. If he cannot handle this negotiation, what manner of King will he be?" A tired sigh whispered free as he reached to rub his forehead. "I am willing to settle for a marriage between Tristan and Princess Katya, if he is amenable. Emma... I am not so inclined to sacrifice her so swiftly yet. There are other options we might wish to explore."

Linten, Ixo and Treniata all had options that were viable options for his Emmaline. He'd had the girl schooled and prepared to be a Queen, rather than a mere bartered bride of royal blood. "I would however like to see you wedded and settled soon, Riordan. It would lend some further legitimacy to your role as Crown Prince redeemed."