((OK, so I wasn't dreaming that. So Rotgiers saw his champion, Valerian, lose then. So he got the point that Alexei was making, but I guess it wasn't that instructional...I'll try harder ))
((Before they arrive at the hall))
"I know what you mean, I'd especially feel that way if I were you. Valerian's lovers and subordinates seem to keep meeting with botches. But fortunately he left once I took over as Chief Hoplite and then beat him at the joust. No need to thank me though."
Alexei's smile could not be larger nor more genuine.
Once in the hall Alexei does a quick survey of the room to try and get a count of the fighting men in the place as well as the different exits. When presented to the Baron he struggles to mask his contempt at this unseemly show before giving a brief bow to him. "It is my privilege to meet you Lord Baron, thank you for this great honour." When it is appropriate to sit Alexei will sit and continue his quick survey, looking for a balcony that affords archers a good angle.
((Are the grogs and Mufarrj present, perhaps at a further guest table?))
((Valerian was Rotgier's champion. Rotgiers is the loser of record.))
"Yes, he left, onwards to bigger and better things. And left his lessers to handle the peaceful job of Chief Hoplite of the Normandy Tribunal." Rotgiers makes the title sound like a booby prize, and to some extend he's right, there's very little that has demanded Alexei's time...
[hr][/hr]
The baron doesn't respond to Alexei, except with drool...
((What about the hall? Entrances, balconies, fighting men? Are the grogs present? Are any of the others attending recognized as magi by Alexei or do they all seem to be knights?))
Alexei's grogs? No, they were escorted to another location to dine, under the guise that Alexei is being given an honor to eat with the lord of the manor. As to the knights present, Alexei can recognize Santiago and Rotgiers, but the others he doesn't recognize at first blush. ((You can roll when you're able, or continue regardless.))
A reminder, all the knights did laugh when the baron went back to sleep and Rotgiers cracked his joke.
((Yep, got it, Alexei is on his own and the 'knights' are all in on it. He'll roll later, it won't influence more than what's going on already))
Alexei will take the seat he's offered and nod in greeting to those nearest to him and say nothing for right now, just keeping as neutral expression as he can, but he finds this disgusting and ignoble in the extreme.
Rotgiers needles Alexei, "So, my lord, what brings you to Montverte? Tell us of your quest, and my brothers will share it with the baron when he is better rested." All of the knights laugh, but some seem to be laughing more out of form than any general mirth.
Alexei quirks an eyebrow at the snarky question and response. "More likely travelling actually, quest is not quite accurate. I recalled though from some acquaintances that Sir Rotgiers dwelt here and thought I'd pay a visit. I can't imagine the details of it would rouse the baron though, it's not terribly exciting."
"Not much rouses the baron from his busy schedule." Again the chorus erupts in laughter, although this one seems to engender a few more laughs. "So, come, disclose what it is you are here to look for. Those of us here, who are still coherent and conscious are all aware of who and what I am. And now, by the way I've said it, they know who and what you are." As he says this, four men at the table stop eating and begin paying extremely close attention. Santiago is not one of these four.
Santiago stands, "Rotgiers, I am retiring for the evening." Hey eyes Alexei as he gets up and walks out of the room.
"Very well, Santiago, run to Maris and tell her what's going on. Your days as her spy are numbered here, anyway."
"Rotgiers, I haven't told her half of what you've done. Don't push me. You're a Flambeau because the House allows you to be. Maris hasn't declared a Wizard's War against you, yet. What would happen should I leave? All bets are off then. So, you allow me to spy for her, and she lets you live. If you have a problem with that arrangement, I suggest you take it up with her. I bid you good night."
Rotgiers grunts. "Well, Alexei, there you have it, you've seen a family squabble. Now what shall we be about?"
((Any info on Maris or Santiago that Alexei would know?))
Alexei watches the brief argument with interest and stands briefly when Santiago gets up to leave and takes his seat again. Alexei gives a brief smile to Rotgiers. "So now you would like to discuss my visit. Very well. Alaire is a Redcap that makes his rounds in this area, including Montvert, yes? I received a letter delivered by him from our Prima Ariel, with passage paid to Val Negra, for a visit on official business. A bit outside of his normal route. Imagine our surprise to find she was not expecting me, nor sent any such letter. Ariel and myself were both quite vexxed by this unmanly tactic and has put it upon me to find the scoundrel who would do such a thing. Waste the Chief Hoplite's time, confound the Prima Ariel at her own Covenant, have us tilt at shadows looking for the backstabbing attack that was likely to fall after this despicable distraction was perpetrated. Oh she is quite cross about this." he pauses and reaches for his cup. "So...here I am...looking for answers and finding still more than what I sought. So, Rotgiers...has Alaire been here recently? I'd very much like to speak with him."
They are Tremere, you've faced Santiago in the Joust. Also, you've interacted with Maris previously, she told you about Rotgiers methods in the Joust.
"Redcaps are free to deliver letters wherever they go. But yes, Alaire visits here regularly, and I've just sent him off to deliver a number of messages to covenants diverse and distant from us. But if this miscreant actually wasted the Chief Hoplite's time, I seriously doubted it. For you see, there is a different between the Office and the person. Were you visiting Ariel as the Chief Hoplite? I think not. So no time of the Chief Hoplite was wasted." He smiles warmly at Alexei, "But, I again must remind you that you are in my house. Are you intimating that I am somehow responsible for this occurrence. Ariel has made numerous enemies, but inside and without the House. So it could have come from anywhere, and poor Alaire may have been duped into sending it. If only there was a way to contact him..."
((I knew I'd seen them, so many of the pages with the joust are closed off for me right now, thanks))
Alexei nods his head sagely as Rotgiers expounds on his theory. "Am I intimating that you sent the letter? Accusing you? Why...on what authority would I? So...you have used Alaire in the past, recently sent him to deliver various messages, diverse and distant I believe you said. And provided me with some excellent advice on how I should proceed, and I thank you for that. I believe I have what I quested for." Alexei pauses and smiles. "One thing though Rotgiers...I said the letter was on official business, but I never said what business that was. Just now you said that I was not there as Chief Hoplite, which is true. Yet how would you know or assume that? It is almost as if you knew the reason why I was there, as only the writer and reader of the letter would know."
An assumption based on reasonable facts. The Chief Hoplite of the Notmandy Tribunal shouldn't have any official business with the Prima of a House when her covenant is outside said Tribunal. I can't imagine what official business would exist."
Alexei nods his head at Rotgiers explanation. "Well, I think you've cleared that up quite nicely for me Rotgiers, I knew I wasn't wasting my time coming here. My business is concluded Rotgiers, I do hope I haven't put you out. You had mentioned earlier about tales and other diversions?" Alexei nods to the other knights that are waiting at the table. "Sorry, if this was terribly boring to all of you."
"Truly? And here I thought you might get sentimental on me. I wouldn't exit without leave from my host though, you have gone through some trouble for this surprise visit."
"Very well, Alexei, you may take your leave. But if you require temporal power to give you permission...
Rotgiers snaps his fingers and the Baron comes awake. "Yes? You were saying, a new knight has come to rest here while on a quest?" He appears confused and befuddled.
Most of Alexei's recent mirth drains away as the old Baron is roused again for these 'knights' amusement. He turns to the Baron and bows. "My thanks for your hospitality Lord Baron. I shan't keep you any longer and bid you a good evening."
Alexei turns and bows slightly to Rotgiers. "Adieu sodalis. You hospitality leaves quite an impression." to the other knights he offers a similar bow and will take his leave, looking for a servant or page to help him.
"As does your unannounced visit, sodalis. I have extended you far more courtesy than I am required to."
Alexei is escorted out of the hall by a page, and his grogs join him, as they are directed and escorted out of the castle. It's rather late, sun will be down in about one hour.
((Alexei will try to have a moment to speak with the page alone, but if he can't he'll say it right in front of Rotgiers.))
"My good man, please tell Sir Santiago that I have left, but would speak with him if he has the time and would meet me i' the road to Montvert." as they leave he'll address Rotgiers.
"I'm sure you went through a lot of trouble to host me in this fashion. I will keep that in mind when I host a special event for you Sodalis, at some point in the future. Until then, adieu."
((I'm hoping Santiago is watching or interested enough to know I'd like to speak with him in the first place, I'd just rather not goad Rotgiers any more))
What are the plans otherwise... The sun is setting, how far does Alexei plan to go before setting up a camp? Or are is he going to try and find an inn?
))