"Salve, sodalis Mathius... labs, eh? Then am I correct in surmising that Loch Caillte is short on labs, compared to those of us newly arrived? Hmmm... awkward..."
He frowns a bit, brows knitting over his darkest blue eyes, and works his jaw while considering the implications, but interupts his musings to nod and acknowledge Fabrica and Rhiannon as they are introduced.
Daggin raises one eyebrow in mild surprise.
"Amici novi? I am afraid that I hold the term 'amicus' in higher esteem than can be achieved at first meeting, tho' I likewise hold high hopes that time will prove the worth of this gathering to that title. If by 'one of us' you mean of the Order of Hermes, sodales we are, and with time amici we may well become, but for now, perforce of habit, I must withhold that judgement, and expect nothing more of any other in return.
"But well met, sodalis Corvus- I would certainly at the least hope for an alliance of convenience for now, as we are to be under the same roof, until we prove our worth each to the other."
Daggin turns, and an expression of pleasant surprise comes over his features, and his cobalt eyes twinkle with pleasure. His dialect is that of Northern France, but inland, near the Rhine.
[i]"Ah, a good day indeed, certainly! A pleasure and relief to know that there are at least two among us educated in more than Hermetic studies. I look forward to discussing what news has traveled with me. Are you from that area as well, or merely familiar with the more civilized lands of the continent?"[/i]
He pauses, and his eyes dance across all those assembled.
"How many labs are we then short? That seems to be a salient point that we must address before we much proceed."
As Rhiannon accounts for those assembled not yet accounted for, and those not present, Daggin offers and trades the appropriate nods and greetings.
"Praecones, Sodales and one esteemed Custos- excellent! A roster to boast of for any covenant."
Once that last speaks to some additonal issues, Daggin responds to Angus' assessment of the local politics with a wry grin.
"There are some lands where any with a few hydes of land and the mule to plow them can call themselves 'king', if none are near enough to make challenge. But neither are we ourselves in a position to make that opposition, so 'King Cathal' it is, and if he promotes scholarship and the welfare of his every peasaant over strife and war, long life to him!"
To Praeco Diedre he turns more solemn attention, making no comment until she is well done and asks for questions.
"Silver in surplus, regiones, an amicable ear of the church, solid relations with the local fae- my compliments and respect to your efforts and success up to this point, and may we only improve upon it! It seems that our only threat would be from ourselves, should be find excuse in abundance to turn each on each.
"I would ask as to the availability of vis for new members, and likewise what options we have for creating enough labs for all. It seems obvious to me that should we squabble for space, some will win, and others lose, and that results in nothing good for the covenant as a whole. I might suggest that we all agree to create a sufficiency of labs for all, as a group, but I have seen such ill accepted in the past, and so hold only faint hope for such reasonable cooperation.
"But I suppose that can be discussed in our upcoming council."
He looks duly polite but not overly engaged while the native tongue is spoken, and then, once Angus has left, he stands, and raises a cup. As he does so, the long sleeve falls back, and any who had not noticed before see his hands are webbed to the first knuckle.
"A toast, to Loch Caillte, and the collected magi therein- may all prosper here as much as those before have thus far, and all add to their own prestige and knowledge, for the Order of Hermes. Salute!"