What's in a Name? [Atl, private]

[Oracle]

OOC: Many thanks to Eren for the fancified description :P

Opening Timestamp: 21 Kalyndras, morning, Winter

Among the other letters stacked upon his desk that brightening was one standout. Hand-delivered that morning by a liveried messenger, the letter was written upon creamy smooth vellum and neatly tied with a red ribbon. The insignia upon the pale wax seal was that of the Lylles family. The message it bore was brief and to the point, written in an elegant feminine hand.

To His Grace Atl Myrsa,
Thane of Mystique,

Greetings.

In light of the things I have heard about you from your esteemed comrades and citizens, I have decided it is high time we spoke at length of things that concern you and your city. To that end, I have left the afternoon of Kalyndras 24 available to you. Your presence will be most appreciated at the Lylles Palace on that date.

With My Respects,
Countess Bridgitte de Lylles

---

Nestled within the sweet luscious hills of their Kingdom, the Palace of the de Lylles was all but a town within itself as it gleamed in the winter’s countryside. It was a long and winding road from Mystique that paved the way for those venturing Eastward, the Palace centered within the Kingdom to provide an adequate and suitable center of control for all. But at last the Palace drew within view, nestled atop a small swell in the land, allowing the battlements an uninterrupted view of the valley around it. It was a castle in any form of the word, with two thick stone walls encircling it and stout towers dressed down with pennants. The only thing it lacked was a moat and drawbridge. A short distance away to the south was the garrison of the 14th Allerian Imperial Legion, a structure built rather later, as was evident both in its design and in the weathering upon the stones. It, too, stood in clear sight of both roads headed towards the Palace, a median in which it could easily adapt and retard the progress of marching armies or troublesome caravans.

There was only one entry point, a great arch barred with a portcullis first and then a tremendous set of double doors on the other side of the gatehouse. A large tower stood as a sentinel to the right, boring down upon those who approached it with a wary eye that discerned trouble. A pair of guards stood just inside the portcullis, both armed with long spears as well as swords at their sides. They were dressed in lightweight armor covered with a red surcoat bearing the Lylles coat of arms. They were, for the majority of their tenure on duty, silent. A few rare conversations to each other, mostly pasting insults or curt sentences, and then the awkward lapse of nonchalance as they’d tend to their business of seeing to the acceptance of entry.

"State your name and business," one of them said in a somewhat haughty tone, oblivious to Atl’s station or purpose behind his arrival. Beyond the pair of young guards, the Nimalni could see a long tunnel with the great doors opening inward, and past that a wide expanse of green grass bordering a wide avenue paved with stone. In the distance the keep rose, squat and nondescript in exterior appearance, the windows almost like half-lidded eyes in the face of the building.

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl blinked as he pulled out the letter. He opened it and read of it a couple times. This was different. He was used to numerous letters, and even from the city nobles, but the de Lylles had never in all this time contacted him. He carefully broke the seal and after a moment of reading raised an eyebrow.

He carefully folded up the letter and then called for his secretary. Once Darian had stepped into the room the Thane looked at him and said. “I need you to make sure my brightening on the 24th is free.” He looked at the letter again. “I have an appointment at the de Lylles palace.” Darian raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Just nodded his head and left the room.

Atl pulled out a piece of parchment and in his simple but neat hand wrote.

To Her Grace Countess Bridgitte de Lylles

Greetings.

I am honored at the invite to meet with you. The 24th of Kalyndras is open and I will be more then happy to meet with you on that brightening.

Until then, may the Goddess watch over you.
Atl Myrsa, Lord Thane of Mystique

************

Atl rode the distance to the de Lylles palaces. It was a strangle places. One the Atl had passed several times on his travel around the provinces, but had up till this point had never had a reason to visit. And the only reasons to actually the places was because you were invited.

The Thane of Mystique, the Crystalium City was ridding Leopold his white mount towards the Palace. Dressed in his suit the thane paused and looked over the keep. He wondered about the world that lay beyond thoughts doors. What secrets it would hold. Not that he would really get to see them, but still.

Atl rode towards the gates, his body guards Sam ridding a short distances behind him. Atl had wondered about the reasons for the visit several times over the past couple days. His beloved had simple just laughed at his and said not to worry about, but that was the way she was. The elf smiled as he thought about his beloved, but despite her suggestion Atl had wondered. Not worried. He was not ashamed of anything he had done in his time as Thane.

Atl nodded to the guard. “I am Atl Myrsa, Lord Thane of Mystique. I am here to meet with the Countess Bridgitte de Lylles, as she requested.” Atl pulled out the letter that had invited him to the palace. “This is my bodyguard Sam.” Not that it was hard to tell, Sam was dressed in the uniform of a mystique militia, except for the surecoat which marked his as the personal body guard to the Lord Thane.

[Oracle]

The guard stepped forward to read the letter, then looked up at him. Given the isolated area, it wasn't surprising that he did not know Atl by appearance. "If I could check your visas, please?" He glanced from Atl to Sam, who shrugged and reached into his surcoat for the papers.

Once their identities had been satisfied and the visas returned, the guard gestured for his companion to open the portcullis. It took a few minutes for it to creak up and stop where they could ride through, and he waved them on in and past him. "If you'll go up to the keep, the doorman will take your horses to the stable and take care of them. The man you'll want to talk to is master Benjamin." It was a clean sweep of road up to the door of the keep, where an elderly man with silvery hair stood waiting for those who might visit. Seeing Atl and Sam approaching, he descended the wide stone steps.

"Serale, gentlemen. May I take your horses?"

Once the horses had been turned over to him, he trundled off to the left, where other buildings were now visible. The town wrapped around the keep, crammed in between the surrounding double walls, and so they could not see everything, but they could see the cluster of buildings and pens that served as the stables. Trees began to appear here and there, and on the steps of the keep they could hear running water somewhere, not fast, but running nevertheless.

Upon entering, a small silver bell above the lintel rang, summoning someone from the depths of the keep. He appeared out of a side door a moment later -- a smartly dressed, black-haired elf of moderate stature. A watch chain could be seen across his vest, and he bowed politely to the pair. "Atl Myrsa, I presume? The Countess has been awaiting you."

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl followed the directions of guard at the gate. After pulling the visa’s and showing them to the man at the gate Atl lead his horse towards the keep that marked the ceneter of the de Lylles residences.

Atl nodded to the gentle man who took there horses. Atl looked at his Sam who just shrugged his shoulders. What could you say. The de Lylles were a symbol of absolute proficiency. Atl had rarely seen a group that proficient and herding people throught the various level of security.

Atl arrived at the door, his silen green cloack keeping him warm as he stood before the entrance and latest in arrivals of servants. Atl bowed back to the servant, and replied. “In deed I am Atl Myrsa, and I am honored to meet with the Countess.”

[Oracle]

The elf nodded with a smile. "If you would care to follow me..." His gaze flicked once to Sam, but he said nothing, and instead turned on his heel and went back the way he had come. The hallways he passed through were decorated with various small treasures -- vases, paintings, tapestries. A few of them depicted histories of the province, including a long tapestry showing an artist's concept of Diana's descent upon the western front.

The pair were escorted into a small greenhouse of sorts, with glass on three walls and a few wide glass panels in the ceiling, buttressed by wide beams of wood. Small plants grew in pots about the room, interspersed with wide ferns and other vegetation. In the center of the long wall was a small arrangement of an iron table and chairs with padding upon them. A cart stood nearby with a tea set and an attendant maid, who perked up a bit as the trio of men entered the room.

The woman seated at the table turned and smiled. "Ah, doila lle, Benjamin." Rising from her chair, she gestured for Atl to come closer. "Thank for coming," she said, "your Grace." Bridgitte was three-quarters Elvish, and looked and sounded like it. Her hair and eyes were dark brown in color, but the eyes held a green shimmer to them, hinting at deeper bloodlines. The green brocade dress she wore was a suitably expensive one for a woman of her stature and power, and so were the small but tasteful earrings and pendant she wore. Upon her hand was a slender gold band with an emerald mounted upon it, bracketed by four tiny, curved diamonds.

"Your journey was a safe one, I trust?"

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl and Sam followed the servant towards the Countess. Atl paid the treasure scant attention. He could admire beauty when it was there and often did, but he was not sure as to the purpose of visit and so wanted to keep his focus. Sam just didn’t care. It was expensive and probable should not be touched. So he didn’t.

Atl gave Sam a sign, and then stepped into the room alone. Atl himself had receive the invite and it would be rude not to just his host with his safety. Sam waited outside of the room allowing his master to go in alone. Atl walked towards the Countess. As he came closer he bowed his head towards here. “Thank you for inviting me you Grace.” Atl said.

He was wondering what this woman wanted to talk with him about. Atl took note of her costume wondering about it. The Lord Thane had learned the ranking of nobles in the Empire, and while the count and countess were there they tended towards the middle of the ranking. That did not always mean that they did not hold more power. Which is one of the questions that came into the thanes mind. How much power did this woman have over this the Imperial house.

“Thank you for asking. My journey had no problems.”

[Oracle]

The Countess inclined her head following his answer, and seated herself. Gesturing for him to take one of the available seats, she said, "Some tea, perhaps, to warm you? The air is colder here than in Mystique, I am told." She picked up her own teacup and sipped from it for a moment. There was a sort of silence between them as the maid moved forward expectantly, her hand hovering over the teapot.

"I brought you here because I have a proposition for you." A warm twinkle leapt up in her eyes, softening the edge of them as she regarded him frankly. "You are in a position of some power as the Thane of this province's capital city. It would, of course, be mutually beneficial for us both to form a political alliance. There are a few things I wish to ask of you... but of course I would not do so without offering some recompense."

Reaching forward, she picked up a small piece of rolled parchment. Releasing the ribbon, she unrolled it and passed the document to him. It was a map of sorts, delineating a number of properties to the north and northwest of the Lylles Palace. A fair bit seemed to be covered by forest, though immediately to the north there were patches of open land. She let him skim the document for a moment, then said, "Those are the Marchonburg holdings, those that I have direct control over. I am fully prepared to offer you a quarter of what I own, to be placed into conservation under your direction... and the associated title that comes with that property."

She fell silent now, allowing the full meaning of what she had just said to sink in. A title, and land, offered to him on a silver plate. What price would she ask of him for that kind of a gift -- and did he want to trust her just yet?

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl took the cup of tea and sipping at it listened to the young ladies proposal. This was a political meeting, but Atl had learned that such were the way of his life now. He listened as she talked about a political alliances. Atl once upon a time would have preferred to stay neutral in all affairs, and done what was best for his city and the provinces, but with the emergency of both the Pale Children and the Tyrant Ric he was realizing that he might need support.

Atl had not expected the offer of lands and nobility. The Thane of Mystique realized that this was more then a minor political alliances. This was a full fledge alliances, he would be allying himself fully with the house de Lylles. While Atl did not object to that, he was not stupid and wanted to know what it was that he would offer in return.

“I am intrigued, I can not deny that. I wonder though what would be my obligation for the honor of being appoint to the ranks of the nobles.” Atl sipped and smiled.

[Oracle]

"Information." She smiled faintly. "Loyalty." He was in a unique position as the Thane and a druid of elevated power. He had the respect and support of the city populace, and a fair number of those outside of it. By buffering her activities behind others, the Countess could move almost silently through the province, gathering her information and setting up the chess pieces. It was a tricky business, running a near monopoly upon a province -- almost like playing with a set of very delicate harp strings.

"You are in a position of power as the Thane of the province's capital city. You have the Governor's ear beyond what I am capable of asking for, and you are a druid of some status. These are all things that I would like to share as I begin to bring the Lylles back into power." Bridgitte leaned back and frowned, just a touch. "This province, like every other place in the Empire, has need of good strong people in power. I have no inclination, at this time, of inserting myself into the Government. So my plan involves taking into confidence people like yourselves."

She smiled, cheerfully sipping at her tea. "This title I'm offering you would give you that much more power and certain opportunities that you perhaps might not have had in the past. I don't intend on asking anything from you that you aren't comfortable giving."

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl listened. He had lived in the empire all of his life, and the province of lauryl and its capital for many patterns. He had watch as war and chaos had fallen upon the empire. He understood to some extent the game she played. She demanded the two things that were the highest value in any political field.

Atl was also not short sighted the de Lylles owned most of the provinces, they were the provinces in many ways and would out last ric, Anda, or Malkaer. Atl sipped as he thought for a moment. Atl tended to forget how valuable he was. A border line master, all he lacked was the needed ceremonies and he would walk among the rank of master. The Archmages were scary but the master still help power in other ways, and add to that his title as thane. He realized that he was an ally that would be of value, and that made him pause and have to rethink his own self worth.

Atl looked at the Countess. “With the understand of that I will not do anything that goes against thoughts ethics I hold. I would be honored to serve you.” He paused. “I do this for more then just the land and title, even though they intrigue me, I am patriot to the empire, the province and my city. I see the de Lylles restoration to power in the provinces and the union between the provinces governments and the house as the best path for this sacred land.” He said with a bow.