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[RP] Mercia's Trail Mix meets Aggnes

Aggnes
Alastair wrote:
Turning to Aggnes again he replied "We do not need an army raised by a non-Mercian, you have been terribly duped by Maggie and will of course request you file all evidence for her prosecution. he took off his hat and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand Now, we cant allow your army to remain, one way or other. I think we all he glanced at Richy over his shoulder want a peaceful outcome here. We can offer you the chance to disband, and leave the County borders peacefully with no further repercussions. I have the Count's authority to permit such.



Aggnes considered this, carefully. It didn't look to her as if everyone was happy for her to leave peacefully. "In pieces" seemed to be more what some of them had in mind.

"I'd want certain reassurances for my safety, you realise, and I don't mean protective custody. We agree that this wasn't my fault, and I'm happy to appear in court and explain how I was duped and by whom, though I'm afraid there's nothing in writing. She owes me for the army set-up costs, though - would the court make her pay? Or would the council pay me off, and claim it back in fines from her later? I see some people want to prosecute me for trying to help the county, too - admittedly it's only Sergitov, but some sort of guarantee that that won't happen would be good."

She still wasn't sure, though. This Alastair seemed like an honest, if harrassed, politician, but "honest politician" was a comparative term, rather like "slightly less crooked than the average corkscrew." Getting his word was all very well, but until the cash was in her hands, could she really risk giving up her protection?
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Vice Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, Royal Embassy, Keeper of the Privy Seal. Wiki entry
Deekay
Deekay felt a sense of relief when Jimmy appeared. Together, they might stop Al if he decided to be a hero, and he would certainly control Richy.

He looked at the Lady trying to judge her.


"Lady Aggnes - it seems there are three main strands to your request.

The first relates to immunity from prosecution. You will know from my dear brother's announcement that many think I should be in my office drafting indictments instead of standing around in a field. As it is I have a fine set of bears, as a souvenir of this day. While I haven't had time to look at the law, or check all my mail, there are in my mind some difficulties in pursuing a prosecution against you .. at present. Those circumstances might well change if you ignore the Captain's order. I see no obstacle to issuing a certificate that no prosecution will be taken against you and those who have provided you with support.

The second relates to your expenses. The concern of Councillors is that if the Council pays you it appears that we are giving an incentive to others who turn up to make similar demands. Mercia is not some petty Italian potentate at the call of any wandering band of mercenaries.

However, I do hold trust funds which were given in the name of the late Regent. The current balance is I think close to what you seek, and I may be able to top it up from my stipend. It would mean the end of the trust, so there would be no point in others beating their way to Lichfield.

As to trade - if there is a document we might consider, then it is something to work on. Though we hope you would not enter so naively into risky transactions as you have this time.

You will know that I am not only prosecutor but priest of Lichfield. I seem to be well thought of in the Church as Syrus has made public pronouncements about me being Bishop. I am Chaplain to the Order of St George. On the secular side, I am at present Royal Chancellor, and a former Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals. I say that not to impress you, as I don't think you are impressed by titles or high offices. Rather, I wonder whether there is anything there to allow you to trust me."

He hesitated, and then thought carefully.

"Perhaps you would accept an oath - in honour of my late son who needs to be found and buried."
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Earl of Duffield Frith-Lord Privy Seal-Chancellor Archdiocese of Canterbury thx Fia
Lordrichy
Alastair wrote:
Just short of taking Richy's hand for mounting on his wall he was about to raise his own in response, but Deekay intervened, probably best. Turning to call his manservant over who was holding his horse he saw the fanfare was arriving in force, cannons, another Lord, Salter, and two miscreants in the distance probably here to thieve over whatever remains from the battle.

He nodded to Princejohn and Salter, and waved to Jimmy his manservant.

As Jimmy arrived by his side he nodded Please keep the peace if certain people commit to interrupting outside of their remit. he offered his sword , hilt first and Jimmy nodded taking a step to the side understanding the full meaning.

Turning to Aggnes again he replied "We do not need an army raised by a non-Mercian, you have been terribly duped by Maggie and will of course request you file all evidence for her prosecution. he took off his hat and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand Now, we cant allow your army to remain, one way or other. I think we all he glanced at Richy over his shoulder want a peaceful outcome here. We can offer you the chance to disband, and leave the County borders peacefully with no further repercussions. I have the Count's authority to permit such.


Richy took a breath then finally nodded to Alastair, though still not acknowledging Alastair's superiority. He would never be under that man. Even though Richy always thought of him as a great Count. It was quite contradicting, really. But, he held his grudge against soldiers.

As he saw the manservant to Alastair, 'Jimmy' his name was, approached him he firmly gripped his sword. He may not like war, but self-defence is much different. Besides, if Jimmy dared to assault a Judge he'd be tried with High Treason. But Richy supposed Al didn't care about those who served him.


Aggnes wrote:
"I'd want certain reassurances for my safety, you realise, and I don't mean protective custody. We agree that this wasn't my fault, and I'm happy to appear in court and explain how I was duped and by whom, though I'm afraid there's nothing in writing. She owes me for the army set-up costs, though - would the court make her pay? Or would the council pay me off, and claim it back in fines from her later? I see some people want to prosecute me for trying to help the county, too - admittedly it's only Sergitov, but some sort of guarantee that that won't happen would be good."


Richy sighed and laid a hand upon Aggnes's shoulder. It was highly out of custom, but this could symbolize the Council's trust in Aggnes.
"My Lady, we have all been there. Unfortunately..errh...my son, Sergitov as you know him, bumped his head quite a few times during his youth. Who knows what's going on up there nowadays. I just pray to Jah my disowned child learns not to stick his nose in where it doth not belong." Shuffling through the bag on his horse, Richy took out a long bottle of French Red Wine. It was the finest in the lands. He managed to save some at the Embassy from his past journeys to his old home, France.

"Perhaps, this can be an offering of peace?" Richy handed Aggnes the bottle of red wine, a very rare type in the British Isles.
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Lord Justice: Court of Appeals | Chancellor of England | Archdeacon of Canterbury | Deacon of Derby | Baron of Brockhampton | President: Law Society
Aggnes
Deekay wrote:

"Lady Aggnes - it seems there are three main strands to your request.

The first relates to immunity from prosecution. You will know from my dear brother's announcement that many think I should be in my office drafting indictments instead of standing around in a field. As it is I have a fine set of bears, as a souvenir of this day. While I haven't had time to look at the law, or check all my mail, there are in my mind some difficulties in pursuing a prosecution against you .. at present. Those circumstances might well change if you ignore the Captain's order. I see no obstacle to issuing a certificate that no prosecution will be taken against you and those who have provided you with support.

The second relates to your expenses. The concern of Councillors is that if the Council pays you it appears that we are giving an incentive to others who turn up to make similar demands. Mercia is not some petty Italian potentate at the call of any wandering band of mercenaries.

However, I do hold trust funds which were given in the name of the late Regent. The current balance is I think close to what you seek, and I may be able to top it up from my stipend. It would mean the end of the trust, so there would be no point in others beating their way to Lichfield.

As to trade - if there is a document we might consider, then it is something to work on. Though we hope you would not enter so naively into risky transactions as you have this time.

You will know that I am not only prosecutor but priest of Lichfield. I seem to be well thought of in the Church as Syrus has made public pronouncements about me being Bishop. I am Chaplain to the Order of St George. On the secular side, I am at present Royal Chancellor, and a former Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals. I say that not to impress you, as I don't think you are impressed by titles or high offices. Rather, I wonder whether there is anything there to allow you to trust me."

He hesitated, and then thought carefully.

"Perhaps you would accept an oath - in honour of my late son who needs to be found and buried."


Again, Aggnes listened carefully - the fine legal mind she had admired before was doing an excellent analysis of the situation, though she noticed a few points being missed. Her analysis of the situation, both financial and legal, matched his, the intellectual challenge was a delight - and then the last words hit her, bypassing rational thought and hitting straight at emotions she'd kept locked away where not even she could acknowledge them.

"Your son - my daughter - yes." The usual precision was gone, her voice choked on what can't possibly have been tears. "They never found her head, you know? We buried most of her..." She drew a deep breath, wondering what was happening to her.

"Yes. Your word as a lawyer will do me." She pushed out of her mind any other reasons she might have for "trust" - a strange, alien concept, like "grief" and "love", that left you open to attack. Think, woman! The cold hard, facts of the law were what mattered.

"I think you'll find the main difficulty in prosecuting me for raising an army at the Mayor's request was that she was within her rights to make that request. Book 4, military law, section 3.2, second sentence. There may well be some potential quibbles, but the basic principle is sound."

"The expenses.... yes, I do see your point. Really, it should be the city funds footing the bill, but I doubt if they can afford it. Regent Gabrielle solving problems even after her death - I suppose it shouldn't surprise me." There were perhaps half a dozen people in the Kingdoms who Aggnes genuinely respected, and Gabby had been one of them.

"The trade agreements are something we can work out between us in slightly quieter surroundings, perhaps? I can see possible benefits to Mercia as well as to myself, if we handle it correctly."

"By the way, there's also this, which I understand I'm legally obliged to produce if requested. It hasn't been requested, but have it anyway." She hands him a scroll.



2nd Mercian Regiment status report

General: Aggnes
Organisational rating: organised
Treasury: zero
Inventory: zero
Status: recruitment

First platoon - Aggnes (empty)
Second platoon - Aravis d'Arnoncourt

Paymaster: none
Logistics officer: Aravis d'Arnoncourt

Inter-army politics: friend
List of friendly armies : All the armies of Mercia
List of enemy armies: No enemies.


She watches him read it. "Of course, if you'd like anyone on the kill list before I dismiss the troops..?"
_________________

Vice Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, Royal Embassy, Keeper of the Privy Seal. Wiki entry
Fleetfoot, played by Hezlog
Fleetfoot stood on the crest of a small hill, his breath a little shallow, but not uncomfortably so. Rather, it was the breath of a champion sprinter who had just succeeded in chasing a group of birds away from his vegetable patch, not that he was keen on blowing his own trumpet or anything. Although, that could be handy, when General Neutrino was looking at the next round of promotions, and this little excursion was just the sort of exercise that might enable a trainee Scout to work his way up the pecking order, provided he could distinguish himself; and really, he was good at his job. His clothing was light, the thin rings of metal covering his chest made purposefully for their manouverability. His weapons were sleek, and sharp, a curved short sword at his side, more a specialised dagger than a hefty broadsword, and several small knives hung at his belt, ready to throw, if required. In his boots, sturdy, but light, a final defence was sheathed. A heavy bag hung on his back, carrying the essential supplies, but as for its weight, he was used to it. Dark dye, in greens and browns, covered his clothes, and if he wished, he could blend into the trees, a ghost of a shadow of a whisper. General Neutrino and the 1st Legion only took the best.

His excursion had led him South, towards the capital, and he had slipped into a crouch as he caught side of the rumoured unauthorised Camp. Neat rows of tents stood within wooden fences, a well organised outpost for certain. A green flag flew above the camp, and he confirmed that with the information he had received from his talks in a Tavern with a local boy. Far too young to be drinking, but useful enough in filling him in on the situation. He stayed where he was for a moment, and watched, his eyes bright and sharp enough to see that a meeting of sorts was taking place, people he recognised from the descriptions in his briefing as members of the Mercian Council, headed by the Captain, Alastair. Just across from him stood the Commander of the new Army, Lady Aggnes, a fellow Westmorlander. He crouched low, assessing the situation, and watching to see if events might unfold.

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Deekay
Deekay felt a sharp pain as Aggnes mentioned her daughter's lost head. He looked in sympathy, wondering if he should offer a hug. Perhaps, when all this was over, they could talk one day.

"I am honoured that you will accept my word, m'Lady. Let's not get involved in points of law, now. I will make my decisions and defend them to the County."

He took the scroll and read it before before passing it to Alastair. No names on the kill list?

For a moment he allowed his mind to drift. If Richy were to accidentally fall, there was that fortune he would inherit. And the Cardinal Bishop. A space for a new bishop. He snapped his mind back. Such thoughts were not worthy of a man of the Church. He nodded formally to Aggnes and waited for Al's comments.

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Earl of Duffield Frith-Lord Privy Seal-Chancellor Archdiocese of Canterbury thx Fia
Jihb
Regulus wrote:
Regulus had been riding peacefully enough for some time until Jihb had suddenly stopped his horse. Before he could protest, he heard his brother grumble and listened to what he said.

"Spying". The thought left a bitter taste. Regulus preferred to adhere to his interpretations of chivalric standards, which did not include espionage. But then he also knew that he was typically a mere man-at-arms, not a knight. Despite his chivalric preferences, he often would succumb to practicalism and occasionally, even barbarism. Besides, discretion was the better part of valour and as he was not a Councillor or mayor at present, he figured he had no authority to take part in any negotiations anyway.

Also he was hungry and could use a meal.

Regulus sighed and begrudgingly conceded,
"You are, as usual, correct brother. This is why you are the brains and I am the brawn."

He put on the blankets and scarves and continued, "Let us proceed then. As hungry and weary travelers. Eurgh, I'm not used to appearing so bloody humble. Bah, go on, lead the way."


As his brother worked with outiftting himself with his new attire, Jihb also wrapped himself in a few blankets and scarves. They finished at around the same time. His eyes scanned Regulus's outfit. Although their disguises were hastily rushed, the two portrayed the roles of weathered travelers quite well. Of course, appearance was important. However, the act was what sold the play. At the moment, their act was solid. Haggard, tired, and most importantly, hungry; the men were the perfect travelers.

Satisfied that his brother's appearance was up to par, he turned Geromaine back towards the direction of the camp. He kicked his horse into action and bounded for the camp. Hopefully, none of the councilors would recognize them. This was supposed to be a meeting between them and the enemy, after all. Jihb pondered on the likeliness that Reg and he would be reprimanded by Captain Alastair upon their discovery. It was one thing to barge in announced and another to conceal one's identity to sneak in. Regardless, the events that would take place ahead of them were bound to be quite interesting.
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Thanks Kenna! | Former Count of Mercia | Baron of Whitchurch | Royal Treasurer of England
Maggie
Maggie had gone home to Deerwood to take a break from everything. Lex ran out of the back door and over to her calling, "Mommy, mommy, mommy." After she dismounts, he grabs as much of her as his little arms could hold at about knee level. He squeezes Maggie so tightly he almost knocks her off her feet. She bends over and picks Lex up, letting him wrap his legs around her waist as he hugs her neck. "Lex!!! Oh Mommy has missed you very much." She hugs him and kisses him on his little rosy cheek. "Do you want to come with mommy for a ride?" she asks him, knowing what his answer will be. He nods his little blonde head at her. "Alright, let's take the cart, it's easier for both of us." Maggie goes into the stable and finds the cart was still attached to Jester from a short ride earlier that morning. She leads Jester out of the stable and motions to Lex to come join her. After they both get in, Maggie gently flips the reins and Jester takes off at a purposeful walk.

After several minutes along the road and answering scores of Lex's "What's that?" questions usually accompanied by pointing, they arrive at the back of the mostly empty encampment. Maggie decides to tie Jester to a bush and picks up Lex to carry him through the rows of empty tents, if you could call them that. Maggie realizes, It seemed like this cost so much. I can't imagine what a well outfitted army would cost. We're so lucky it's not winter. She's sees a small group of people at the other end of the campsite. Maggie's heart freezes as she thinks she recognizes that absurd hat that Alastair wore. Frightened and angry thoughts swirl through her mind What are they doing here? How did they find out? Who could have told them? Maggie kisses Lex as she digs down to summon all the courage she has. She walks up behind Aggnes, smiles at the other councilors and says, "Good afternoon, gentlemen and lady. I was taking Lex out for a ride and noticed this encampment. What brings you out this way?"

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Fred, Of The R.G.E., played by Regulus
(OOC: Aggnes has allowed me to godmod Fred. Guess I'll give it a try. It's assuming Reg and Jihb already entered the camp.)

"Well hello lads"! Fred exlaimed rather gleefully as he saw Regulus and Jihb arrive. He always liked meeting potentially new customers. Naturally he had some of the typical intuitiveness of a merchant and continued, "You both look hungry! Got some nice warm soup and sausage-inna-bun for ya- just a shilling for both! How about it, then?"
Princejohn
John looks on, his expression slowly changing from one of being ready for war to one of curiosity. Whereas he expected some great degree of threat based upon all the ballyhoo and cry he had heard all the way to Evsham, this seemed to have more the appearance of a camp out, what hostilities he noted seemed petty and minor, not at all what he expected. He steps away from the group and produces his flag, giving a signal to the guns to that they can stand down from their current state of readiness. He hasn't given them leave to 'stand easy' as of yet, just to stand by.

Returning to the group he notes the one carrying a drawn blade and seeing no real cause that he can discern well, the business end of his aquebus tends to stay in his general direction.

He does his best to catch as much as the conversation as he can, as he does so he finds that perhaps there is not as much purpose to being here as he thought, and so uses the time to observe and make up his mind about those here he doesn't know so well, that being most everyone save Aggnes. Doing his best to discern whatever he can about their natures and character.

Thus far other than his greeting he has said nothing, and for now keeps it that way.

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King's Hospitaler (Abayed)/ Order of Nordicorn
Alastair
Alastair accepts the scroll taking a quick skim, his assessment leads to a different avenue of thought Kill lists please, they are required as part of the army relations.
Reading a little further something else caught his eye No mention of those following Aravis, quite clearly not marked empty. Can we highlight those names please or should we scour these tents confiscating and arresting as we go? he held the scroll having wound it up again.

We can assure safe travel by Deekays honour, and we can discuss trade once our trade minister is not at deaths door he briefly wondered which side of it she was on remembering the look the soldiers had when they saw her en route. Then as he heard Maggie arrive But that all relies on you disbanding with full haste and this he said waving at the camp Is gone before armies are rallied here. Oh and your testimony that pointing at maggie she asked you to raise the army, as you said she was the sheriff with the... ear of the Count and had promised to pay you from the County funds. he didn't look at Maggie, he had been close enough to hurting Richy let alone deal with Maggie.
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End of my journey....
Aggnes
Alastair wrote:
Alastair accepts the scroll taking a quick skim, his assessment leads to a different avenue of thought Kill lists please, they are required as part of the army relations.

Aggnes points at the appropriate section. "See there, where it says "List of enemy armies: No enemies"? That's the kill list. Nobody. I wasn't asked to kill list anyone, so I didn't."

Privately she wondered if he was genuinely ignorant of how easy it was to destroy a small army that had a kill list set, or if he assumed she was. It hardly mattered now.

Quote:

Reading a little further something else caught his eye No mention of those following Aravis, quite clearly not marked empty. Can we highlight those names please or should we scour these tents confiscating and arresting as we go? he held the scroll having wound it up again.


"There we'll have to ask my platoon leader - we're operating by standard military procedure, I don't get reports on details like that."

OOC for those who don't know: no, the army screen really doesn't say any more than the name of the platoon leader.

She looks round for the other red-head, and her borrowed coronet. "Flame? If you could drag yourself over to talk to a different gentleman for a moment, he'd like to know who's in your platoon - so he can reward them, I assume. I wouldn't mind knowing myself, come to think of it. They looked very impressive in those matching cloaks, but I couldn't even see the faces."

Quote:

We can assure safe travel by Deekays honour, and we can discuss trade once our trade minister is not at deaths door he briefly wondered which side of it she was on remembering the look the soldiers had when they saw her en route. Then as he heard Maggie arrive But that all relies on you disbanding with full haste and this he said waving at the camp Is gone before armies are rallied here. Oh and your testimony that pointing at maggie she asked you to raise the army, as you said she was the sheriff with the... ear of the Count and had promised to pay you from the County funds. he didn't look at Maggie, he had been close enough to hurting Richy let alone deal with Maggie.


Aggnes nods. "Trade discussions and legal testimony can wait until we're in a location more conducive to paper-work, I agree. I should point out, though, that while I was promised repayment, it was never specified that it would be from County funds."
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Vice Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, Royal Embassy, Keeper of the Privy Seal. Wiki entry
--Flame
The rude behaviour of the baron - who had managed to ignore her completely, despite her generous attempts at idle chitchat - sobered her up completely. She had even made the man a compliment, for Jah's sake! She pulled her hand back and shot him a hateful glare, the kind that usually made her men want to crawl in their hammocks and hide under their blankets. Of course, they probably knew a lot better what she was capable of, but she still hoped the sorry excuse for a noble would feel a fraction of her disdain for him and his lack of manners.

Sobering up also meant she was suddenly very aware of what was happening around her. With a sharp turn of her head - her curls bouncing around her face - she focussed her green eyes on Alastair. "I beg your pardon? Why do you want to know, so you can secretly prosecute them after all? Or so you can put them on watch and kill lists so they will be the target of the Mercian guard the next time they pass these grounds? Are you asking me to sell my people out? Is that what honour is about with the Mercian Guard? Would you do that to your men, who loyally follow you through wind and weather?" She took a step forward, and raised to her full length. It wasn't that she was tall, but somehow she seemed to gain in posture nonetheless. "I don't think so Al. The events from two years ago should have already told you that I would never do that. If you want to pay my men, please do so. There were seven in my platoon besides myself. Their payments can go through me."

((OOC. Sorry for the late post.))

Alastair
Al stood still unwavering,, he realised she probably wasnt as inviting as he first thought - it didnt matter. No proof of anyone then he turned to Aggnes and this is a disciplined army? I thought you said the army was being raised to work for the Council, or does she know something you don't? he tilted his head slightly or won't admit to us. he gestured to the camp Again I do ask, will you disband and disperse from Worcester and Mercia, in return for the money wasted by Maggie? he was getting a little bored of the delays and interuptions, he hoped Aggnes was truly the person in charge of this army else this was a bigger waste of time than possibly imagined.
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End of my journey....
Aggnes
Alastair wrote:
Al stood still unwavering,, he realised she probably wasnt as inviting as he first thought - it didnt matter. No proof of anyone then he turned to Aggnes and this is a disciplined army? I thought you said the army was being raised to work for the Council, or does she know something you don't? he tilted his head slightly or won't admit to us. he gestured to the camp Again I do ask, will you disband and disperse from Worcester and Mercia, in return for the money wasted by Maggie? he was getting a little bored of the delays and interuptions, he hoped Aggnes was truly the person in charge of this army else this was a bigger waste of time than possibly imagined.


"It's a disciplined army. Disciplining Flame is quite hard, as I'm sure you know, and she does seem to get some ideas stuck in her head at times. This time, though, it's quite simple."

She reaches out to the slightly tacky brass badge pinned to Flame's left shoulder, and pulls it out - the pin bends, rather than tearing the cloth. "Platoon leader d'Arnoncourt, you're fired." She does the same with the similar badge on the right shoulder. "Logistics officer d'Arnoncourt, you're fired too. I'd consider having you both courtmartialled for insubordination, but there's no troops left to do it."

She looks behind at the neat, orderly, if somewhat shabby camp. "Bob! Lower the flag!"
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Vice Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, Royal Embassy, Keeper of the Privy Seal. Wiki entry
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