#fenixtj

(Sorry, did not see that last post light up 😞 )

The Duke is definitely a Wilder now, a young one to be sure, a scrawny teen transformed by the Dreaming with shining perfection. That said, it is clear he came here in a rush. His voile is plain liam colors with a chain shirt on. His boots are made for travel. Food is waiting before him but he seems more focused on looking about

"Your Grace." Jessica greets him; she's never been one for standing on formality and is dressed just as casually if not moreso. "Welcome to Renaissance. Have you been made comfortable?"

"I am not comfortable, your excellency," the Liam rises from his table, "But it is no fault of your hospitality or your fine people. I fear it is the dark news I've received and I am sure you are similarly uncomfortable. Is the peace holding?"

"So far. I have just come from counsel with our Nunnehi allies Otem and Johnny Longfeather. They are still allies and are working to keep us that way."

"Your Grace, do we have a Daireanne ally who might intercede?"

"The good news is that the Daireann tend to see a personal matter so won't necessarily support him. THe bad news? THey tend to see it as a personal matter and won't work against him or intercede either. At least most won't. Remember, the house GLORIFIES revenge"

"Damn." she says uncharacteristicly "Pardon." more in character. She thinks. "What if... what if.... what if I call him out?"

"That, might work. Personal honor involved and all" The young man says "But to what stakes do you offer? If you lose, he might demand the peace be broken as his prize"

"I think both Your Grace and myself would deem that a non-starter."

"He thought he might be heir here. That is a non-starter too. Ellie has laid the groundwork to continue what I have started; to lose her is to lose the peace."

"Then what would you offer him that would make him see it as worth his time? Even for Daireann just going 'neener neener' may not be enough"

"Your Grace, let me ask you..." she pauses and then makes sure they are unobserved. If needed they will move to a secure location, the ritual room perhaps.

"... Your Grace, if I were to call him out, and he responded and we met to discuss terms... could we not apprehend him at that time?"

He follows her to a private area, hears her out, then looks intrigued, and .. yes, surprised, "Your own good name and honor might take a blow from such tactics, Countess. It's clever, but are you sure you want to consider that option?"

"For the sake of peace, yes. And... why not say that this landless lordling threatened a Countess and a peace you value without your consent to satisfy his hurt feelings
? Assumig that's the case?"

"It is the case that I value the peace, but some would see this as treachery regardless..." A pause "Ah, I see ... you call the meeting. I arrest him and you play as if you did not know. THat might work on levels"

"Um. Yes. That could work." maybe it wasn't -exactly- what she was thinking but ... close enough.

"I was thinking it might keep you your respect here. We don't know how the Nunnehi allies you have will feel about such tactics. Don't want to lose them"

"We can ask."

"Would Your Grace go so far as to say Lord Alejandro is attempting treason?"

"He's not sworn to me" A frown "Nor to you. I could say it, but when it comes to a Liam's word against a Dairann well, you know how my House is labeled. How would you rationalize treason?"

She shrugs, a little at-sea "He's trying to damage your demense. Kill one who -is- sworn to you, in your own lands. I thought maybe it would be a strong foundation."

Well, at least she's not non-plussed

"Has he tried to kill you? Or is he merely hoping to destroy the peace?" Curious "I know he's spying"

"The operatives we overheard spoke of a 'red wedding.' I think it's a reference to a mass murder in popular fiction."

A nod "It is. And that's possible, but ... if I were seeking revenge on you, I think I would kill your nunehi guests, then frame you for it making it look like you did the red wedding. In the book the lord who did the red wedding, at the suggestion of a greater politiicans I think, became hated and distrusted before his demise. That maybe the fate Alejandro has for you. Not that you die, that your peace is broken for good and none trust you"

"... which -would- kill me." she mutters.

"Yes, but not directly ...which may not seem important to you, but politically it allows an out of sorts. I don't think Duke Topaz supports him, refuse to believe it, but I do think many lords who SUPPORT The war would certainly paint it as a failure of leadership on your part rather than treason. A lie, of course, but a useful one to them"

A frown "But you're my Vassal, a countess who has served her people with love and diligence. If you think something is best, then I won't dismiss it."

"Have you been in contact with Lord Alejandro, Your Grace? Do you know where he's been since he left here?"

"On the mainland, outside my Duchy, where he was taken in by another lord.. I'll have to contact that one. "

She nods. "If he's sworn to that Lord, it could add an element to consider."

"I'll have to verify. I'm not very popular with the main land nobles. They see me as an interloper who usurped a whole pensuala to make my own duchy. Which I suppose I did. " He considers "I may have to ask your fellow Counts of Bajah for aid. Work through them"

OOC While I have no idea what the landscape is, politically, I assume Jessica does.

OOC Sure

"And if nothing else, they'll have eyes where your borders end and theirs begin"

"What would you have me do, Your Grace?"

"Unfortunately, your plan is the best one I know. See if Dame Mitra can backwards glance this place and look about to see who might be spying on it perhaps? who planted the collar?"

"I had thought to let Dame Mitra and Lord Tidemarch know the situation at the same time."

"mmm" A nod "Anyone else in your hold have Chronos?"

She thinks......
OOC ???

As far as Jessica knows only Mitra has the art .

"No." she says.

"THen may I?" He asks

"I'll need to look at the cat in question, of course"

"Yes, Your Grace... I'll need to get Constance and... um, find the cat."

The difficulties therein obvious.

"Ah... perhaps I should return to my meal while you do? " Almost apologetic

"Please!" she encourages. "I'll be back as quickly as I can." and off she goes to find either Constance or Mamacita.

(Perception plus Animal Ken)