A Royal Summons

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

Spencer made no move to intervene at first; his rival presented a number of valid points that required acknowledgment if not consideration. Prince Tristan waxed passionate, but the more the young man spoke, the greater the reactions from those seated, he noted. The apology was noted with a mere nod as he rose, taking a moment to interpose himself as well. If he was any judge, Daven's temper was sorely tried and in grave danger of lashing out in physical retaliation. Fortunately, he was calmer than Daven and believed he grasped the points the Prince strove to make.

"Thank you, Prince Tristan, for your words. I believe I have taken your meanings, but I fear I must respectfully object to your implications that neither Lord St. Claire, nor Lady Rose, nor I would rally to the aid of our fellow Dukes. No one is more cognizant of the threat that the Empire poses than we six," Spencer indicated his fellow dukes and councillors, "and we take that into account each day when we plan how to resolve our own issues. You have little practical experience in the day to day life of a Duke, a situation I will be all too pleased to help remedy when this crisis is past us."

He spoke with diplomatic care. "I believe we can all agree this is not a question easily resolved or decided. It cannot be approached on a single level in light of what has occurred, the moreso because it affects not only those of royal blood but all of Demeria. I would like to hear what Lord Rupert and our Crown Prince have to say on the matter, as they have yet to speak. Gentlemen?" In the hopes that tempers might settle, Spencer called upon the two with a polite nod.

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

It seemed that the Prince was really interested in getting punched. The fist tightened even further and he was about to shove Rupert out of the way to deliver what he felt was right when he heard Spencer speak. Damn him again. Daven shot an evil look toward his counterpart but then took the time to listen to his words. The man... was right. He exactly addressed his concerns. The urge to deck the young man faded away. Instead, he simply shot Tristan a glare and skulked back to his seat.

He then to proceeded to fume. If it were possible, smoke would have drifted up from his nostrils.

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

Rupert waited until Daven was seated before he offered Spencer a dim smile. "My opinion on the matter? It's simple. I agree that Princess Emmaline has been insulted and I am infuriated that it has happened. Unfortunately, we do have a kingdom to run in addition." He spread his hands while sitting down and then briefly tugged his tunic down into a more comfortable resting position. "Thus, my opinion is blunt." He paused.

"I want to tell Sarkozsy to pack their bags and leave immediately. Yet, we have to think what is best for the Kingdom. My utmost concern is its security. Arton has been entirely too quiet for its own good. I have no doubt in my mind that they are up to something. We need to be prepared. For that, we will need allies. I see two choices before us. We either find a way to make a military alliance with Sarkozsy work. Or we abandon the process and turn our attention to the kingdoms of Linten and Treniata. We have small inroads to both kingdoms. We can easily expand them if we apply the right kind of pressure."

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

The tension in the room was thick. He had been silent while listening to his brother share his thoughts on the matter. He refrained from wincing at the poor choice of words with Daven St. Claire, but Spencer wisely called Tristan on them. How his brother would respond to them was up to him. Riordan sighed a tired sigh, contemplating his thoughts and words on the matter.

"I concur with some of you in here. I believe before any progress can be made with them, apologies must be made to my sister first and foremost. I would also like to hear what they plan to offer in retribution for Prince Nikolai's actions. While we cannot condemn an entire nation for his actions, he was going to be their leader. I want to know what His Majesty the Tsar is going to do. I want to know how serious he is about maintaining relations before we make any progress, backward or forward."

He glanced toward his father, "I agree with Lord Rupert in part. I think we should extend diplomatic talks with Treniata and Linten. In short, I want us to have as many allies as possible for three reasons." He extended a finger, "One, to improve all of our economies. Two, to expand our military might. Three, to present a unified front against the Empire." The hand lowered, "But I would not proceed until the Sarkozsans make acts to rectify the situation." He paused, "Princess Anastasia has stated she will offer both a public and private apology."

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

The discussion had been largely as he anticipated, various and sundry opinions offered by those who had much to lose or to gain by the potential alliance, and the expected heated response from Lord St. Claire. Sedrick intended private discussions with several of those present, but wanted to observe the interaction amongst each other in his presence with such an incendiary topic. He watched with veiled amusement and wariness when his younger son spoke, a nod subtly thanking Lord Rupert and Lord Lancaster for their assistance. Tristan had youth and passion on his side, but not a great deal of experience to temper his opinions, an oversight Sedrick was reminded to remedy.

Once Riordan's words faded into silence, he shifted on the thronelike chair, his gaze pinning each Duke in place. "Thank you for your candour. Mariana," Sedrick addressed his elder daughter, who had chosen to remain silent thus far, "have you anything you wish to add?" He enquired of her not as the Duchess of Fairfield, but the Princess Royal. Married she might be, but she would ever be a Carlisle and the right to speak was hers.

Lady Mariana Jardinier

[Lady Mariana Jardinier]

Having indeed chosen to remain silent thus far, Mariana listened to the ongoing discussion, a slightest frown marring her brows at the resulting dispute. She could find no fault with the opinions of others so far, but she would have chosen a different route had not the speakers already expressed majority of what she would’ve said had she chosen to speak until called upon.

Mildly surprised that she had been so, Mariana nonetheless recalled the previous arguments even as she collected herself to speak. “I would agree that we need all the allies we can get in whichever way we can get them, and I would also agree that we can afford a delay in these negotiations, yet I do not have it in me to refuse to continue them when both ourselves and Sarkozsy can benefit if they are successfully concluded. Let us allow Sarkozsy to make their amends as they plan on, and let us make friends with Linten and Treinata, of whom we are fortunate to have representatives here, then it shall be clearer for us how to proceed next.” A slight bow of her head toward her father to indicate she was done in stating her opinion, Mariana lightly folded her hands in her lap, having remained seated and watching this particular group of lords and ladies with a warm, slightly curious expression to see what would follow.

[King Sedrick Carlisle]

She said nothing he had not anticipated, but she had the right to speak and Sedrick wished to ensure Mariana understood he respected that right. He had been a poor father, knew it, and hoped that the Triad would give him some time to mend the breaches with each of his children. The breach with Emma was the gravest at the moment and in danger of widening, depending on how he handled this. Lord St. Claire had raised more than a few valid points, but so too had Lord de Winter, Lady Rose and his cousin Edward. Time was needed to think on all of it.

Shifting once more, the King spoke into the lingering silence, deeming it time to bring the discussion to an end. "I thank you all for speaking your minds and for answering my summons so promptly. I will take all that has been said here into consideration before I render a decision regarding the potential alliance. For now, the Fyodorovs will continue as our guests, afforded the courtesy due them as foreign ambassadors." Sedrick bent a stern look on his dukes, the further to impress upon them his will. "I will also let you know that Sir Darton de Lac is presently tracking Prince Nikolai with the intention of returning him to his family. Once that occurs, we will meet again to discuss the next step. Until then, please continue to enjoy the Festival." A nod to each granted them the brief courtesy of his regard before a hand rose in a wave of dismissal. They were done here, though the King had other business to tend.

[ Thread End ]