Slowly recouperating

[Midnight]

Quietly walking up to Lady Dream my massive black body moving with a fluid grace but yet a keen alertness is also there in the constant flicker of my ears and the twitching of my black nose. I seat myself at the Ladies feet purring softly. The purr sounding somewhat like distant thunder. Keen eyes ever watchful as I protect those of this home. Sitting quietly at the Ladies feet I watch but my attention is turned mainly towards Lady Dream as I nudge her leg softly with the top of my head asking her for attention.

[Dream Loxley]

*She watched the great cat walk through the Hall.....each paw placed with an ease of motion...muscles rippling with every stride. She seemed to look at the men and the Guards, taking in the scene before her...alert as ever and yet not seeming a threat to any.

Dream smiled......first to Midnight and then glancing to both men to show them all was well. She reached out and placed her hand upon the cat's head as it nudged her....speaking softly as she stroked the sleek black fur.*

"'tis alright girl.....I am safe now.......nae fret."

*Absently she continued to stroke and scratch behind soft ears as she listened to the men talking....all the while a contented purring could be heard.*

[Midnight]

Purring ever so happily at the attention I am recieving I stay by the Lady Dream purring loudly and happily not pay much attention to the men other than the ocasional flick of an ear in their direction. Softly I lick at Lady Dream's hand in my own way trying to say I am here if she needs me.

[SighehelmofKent]

-Sighehelm turned, looked at the man. The Francs were in point of fact brilliant strategists, yet they were known for their profound blind eye to qualities of others………..or rather their king was. The man before him did not seem like one to make mistakes. Yet this man choses his words carefully, and as such he hides an ugly truth.

Yet Sighehelm knows he will never elude to the fact that Kent knows much of the frolics and frills of the Franc court. For now it will suffice that tall man has a proposition that will halt this conflict-

Monsieur de Sennis, were you seek justice to punish a man who attacked one of your own, so Windstorm seeks justice to punish a man who harmed one of it own. Kent justice would lash any man or woman 30 times for the crime committed by your man, likewise so would Goodman Sinold would receive 30 lashes for his crime committed…………

-He halts and inhales, the fragrant leaf fills his head, and only after a few minutes does he continue, only marginally aware of the lady, the cat. His next offer is one his mother begrudgingly has agreed to-

We understand your concern, and how King of France wishes to protect Windstorm and Lune. Yet the king and queen of Kent would wish to propose the following. Kent wishes to set up a trading contract with France; as such we would allow a contingent of 200 men on Kent lands, the coastal area to the east. This would serve the king of France well, we believe. An outpost to allow King Charles of France to protect English lands from marauding barbarians. This would mean no longer need France send out troops to far away English soil such as Windstorm. Your men can leave and would be welcomed in Kent, were a trading treaty will be discussed.

Remains one request………..a personal request by my brother King Righarde. He would wish you to allow him to protect Lune; franc men leave to be replaced by Kent men.

-Sighehelm of Kent leans closer, his voice lowered-

His eye is upon the lady Beren, and it would please him much if he could prove his dedication to the lady by the strength of his sword. You have my word and that of my brother Lune will befall no evil………

-He straightens and looks at the man, his eyes on Lady Dream a moment, he grow tired. He has in all the time he has been here not spoken as many words as he has now. And so he merely looks at the Franc man, allowing him time to digest the proposal.

[Dream Loxley]

*She continued to stroke the large black cat....as she listened to the Tall Lord speak.....she nodded her head as if to clarify her thoughts. It was done...her task complete....they were speaking now of compromise.....a way forward.

With one last scratch behind a large ear....she smiled down to Midnight and stood up, absently brushing down her skirts. It was time for her to leave the men to discuss terms and conditions......she was not required to witness such, for eventually all would be made proper by their own people.

She looked first at the French man and smiled.....something still pulled at her when she looked deeply to his eyes......she felt his pain and sorrow but could only silently wish him well. Turning then to the tall man who had taken upon himself the challenge of peace talks....she smiled warmly and nodded her head in acknowledgement.

Moving towards the doors, she spoke gently to a servant and asked for refreshments to be fetched for both men. She was tired, drained both by emotion and physical strength........some time in her chambers was needed now......time to reflect and find her own path towards the future.*

[Vinzelles de Sennis]

With calm Vinzelles had listened to the words of the Kent Lord, and most of what he heard was pleasing him. Yet, he pondered the suggestions for a long moment – Frank should give up controle over Lhun, the only pawn they had right now to exert any pressure upon the king of Windstorm? Granted, Kent was trustworthy, and if this Lord told Vinzelles that Kent would look after the interests of the Frankian realm while helping Lhun, so it would be. But to leave entirely?

The councilor studied the Kent man intensely. There was a keen mind behind those shaded eyes, a good and Christian heart; no deception he expected from him, nor from his brother, King Righehard. And was not having a foothold in Kent even better than occupying the lands of Lady Beren?

He nodded, slowly, laying aside his pipe for the moment. “30 lashes… in public…by someone who has no interest in the matter … Darek, he already has suffered in the dungeons here for a good 3 months! Would you burden him further with the lashings as well?”

Vinzelles pursed his lips, thinking over the next few points of the Kentish man’s proposal. “As far as a trade agreement between Kent and the Frankian realm is concerned, I am sure my King will welcome such. Kent and Frankia will flourish through our agreement! As will he welcome the stationing of 200 men in your lands. I must thank you for your gracious offer to guard Lhun as well … a shared responsibility would be acceptable for us, although we do not doubt that Kent will be able to keep Lhun save from harm. My sovereign, however will be reluctant to abandon his good neighborly duties to Lhun. Entirely.”

Vinzelles rubbed his face then, the talks had tired him as much as the Kentish man. “I will agree to your proposals, under the conditions I just told you. My men will leave Windstorm, a trade agreement will be worked out and some men will be send to your realm, while you will send men to help protect Lhun.” He stood and walked over to where Sighehelm stood watching. “Will you then propose this to king Agustin, on my behalf?” He held out his hand towards Sighehelm, a furtive glance cast towards the door where Lady Dream had vanished out of.

“I hope this will please the Lady If it hadn't been for her…she is an exquisite creature, and wiser than many men I know!” It was all he said before fixing the Kent Lord with his gaze again.

[Lamont Duchesne]

A fleeting thought, that someone else would convey what was his alone to do, flitted through the hazed mind as he deliberately set one foot before the other . . . There was, of course, yet a sense of unreality in the news. If he had not seen, not witnessed for himself . . if he had been anyone else, Vinzelles would not believe the report . .

He stopped and stood . . again. Surely it could not be. But he shook his head . . again. It could, and it was. And it needed to be told. He needed to tell.

Grinding his molars with an indelicate balance of disbelief and blind, unmitigated fury, Lamont continued his foreward motion. Back to the Counsellor . . back to his friend. Back with some of the worst news he could possibly bear.

He'd not taken their word, had demanded to see for himself, their smirking and condescension ignored. He'd steeled himself against their protests, a lion standing firm . . .

He moved to the castle's Great Hall, intending to pass through it to the Counsellor's chambers, where last he left him . . but upon entering, amidst a bristle of alert guards, he paused and surveyed the room. Vinzelles gaze locked with another's, his last words hanging in the air . . Lamont surmised it was some sort of bargaining, the extended hand still hovering between them . .

Discretely, Lamont cleared his throat to gain their attention, not realizing the ashen mask he wore would perhaps speak volumes before his tongue could . . the news he bore would surely change the dynamics of whatever de Sennis was intending to offer . .

[SighehelmofKent]

-Sighehelm smiled as the Lady Dream withdrew, by now is pipe dead, the leaf cold. He listens to the words spoken, and does not move.

For the man before him has much ground to barter on, and the tall Lord would have been allowed to discuss any of the points that Kent would furnish but one. It was his pride, and respect for the Lady Beren that would not allow him to barter on the freedom of Lune. For he desires but one thing from these negotions foremost..................freedom for Lune, a gift for the Lady Beren. Yet as he almost commences to speak, a man walks in.

One he has seen afore, one who carries word of importance it seems. Word important enough to disturb his Captain.......... Sighehelm decides to stay his words for now. Instead turns to the man and graciously greets.-

Bonjour Monsieur.............

[Midnight]

Lazing quietly on the floor black ears flickering lightly. I lift my head up long enough to watch the man that enters the Great Hall and then lay back down upon the floor purring contentedly as I enjoy the coolness of the floors.

[Vinzelles de Sennis]

His hand still extended, Vinzelles was about to shake the Kent man’s hand to finalize their agreement of what would be relayed to King Agustin about the conditions under which the Frankish troops would leave Windstorm, when the councilor saw his friend Lamont enter.

“Lamont! You just came at the right time to…” Vinzelles stopped in the middle of his sentence, seeing the grave expression on his face. “What is it? What news do you bring?”

For s moment, Vinzelles looked back Lord Sighehelm, retracting his hand, then turning fully to face Lamont. “What is it, Lamont? Speak!” he pulled his friend to the side with him … after a few minutes the extend of the news was clear to him.

“Our ships sunk or boarded by Vikings? Our men…how many dead? … Where is my nephew, where is Remard?”

Lamont didn’t have time to answer all those questions before Lord de Sennis began walking towards the entrance to the hall. “If you will excuse me for a moment, I’ll be back shortly!” With those words, Vinzelles ran out of the hall, demanding that a guard directed him to the Ramparts. At first the guard balked, only after he had called for two more of his comrades did he agree to lead the Frankish Lord to the battlements overlooking the area around the castle, also overlooking the habor of Windstorm.

What he saw made his stomach twist into a knot – Franks, and castle guards, lay slain on the ground, the remainders of the Frankish troops surrounded by an overwhelming contingent. He could see Manassier and Josserand, surrounded by about a dozen men – was that all that was left of the 300 men who had landed at the southern coast of Cornwall originally?

Another look over to the harbor confirmed what Lamont had told him about the happenings in the harbor – columns of smoke were visible, specks of still lingering flames were discernable, the Frankish ships vastly outnumbered by the easily distinguishable Longships of the Viking forces.

“What happened here? This was not … this shouldn’t have happened! What did these idiots DO; mon dieu?” By now his friend had joined him on the battlements, also starring down at the defeated, bleeding troops spilling their blood onto the ground before them. He only could stand by helplessly, Vinzelles grabbing the cold stones of the study castle walls, looking down, then closing his eyes. “This changes everything, Lamont. We were so close to an amiable agreement! So CLOSE!” His fist hit the stone wall, hard, and he looked at his friend. “MERDE!” Vinzelles began to pace, back and forth, casting glances over to his defeated troops every so often. “We are in a bad situation now, a very bad situation. I had worked out an agreement with the Kent man…we can forget about that now. We cold have stayed in Lhun, even would have had men in Kent itself!” Again Vinzelle’s eyes wandered over to his fallen men. “Likely Agustin will take us as prisoners, for ransom, now. Us and our men.” He looked at Lamont, bitterness and defeat written all over his face. “We have lost, my friend! … None of these men had need to die… I will not sacrifice those still living for my good-for-nothing king and nephew! Come!”

Without another word, Vinzelles made his way back to the great hall, knowing Lamont would follow him. They disregarded the sneers and jibes they heard the guards walking with them utter …

Back in the Hall, Vinzelles was glad the Kent man was still present when he returned. His expression was almost void of any emotion when he drew his dagger, and placed it in front of Lord Sighehelm.

“I don’t know if you knew already and just played me a fool, but… the men I have led here, they have been slaughtered almost entirely. Our ships are either laying on the bottom of the sea or are in the hands of the Vikings. Our situation has changed… King Agustin has won. He will have us,” his head indicated Lamont with a nod, “as hostages, for the freedom of the men he now holds as prisoners.”

Vinzelles looked down, yet there was a spark of hope in his heart. For as long as the Frankish king held Lhun, as long there was still a bargaining chip on the table he could use.

[SighehelmofKent]

-The tall pensive Lord had watched the Franc strategist leave; the fragmented sentences pieced together told him how fate had dealt him a dark card. Sighehelm ran a hand along his brow, fatigue not that easily brushed away and waited, moving from his seat to the window and back again, lighting another pipe, smoking, and thinking.

If indeed the Francs had been hit hard by those loyal to King Agustin, it would change the context of their talks, but for one thing..........Lune would be free of Franc occupation.

As the Franc leader walked in, Sighehelm stands, his face does not show much of his emotions, which as ever mix various deep within, like ingredients in the giant cauldron of his heart; elation, sadness, worry, despair, respect, admiration.........but above all relief.-

Monsieur de Sennis, you are mistaken. I would not play you a fool.........nor would I advise the King of Windstorm to take prisoners for ransom.

I believe justice still needs be served, upon both men, or the wound will fester and at a later date flare up and cost Windstorm and France more men.

Your safe return can easily be facilitated if you accept my offer that Lune will be safe, and allow your men to return home from Lady Beren's land. Both Windstorm and Kent will be committed to that end. Another confrontation between Windstorm and France thus averted.

-He smiles congenial, for in no way does he wish to allow this man to mistake his words for condescension. There is the need to end what hurts so many within Windstorm, so the women can tend to the weak, the wounded, the weary.........and all can breathe easy again. But it is also a warning, the man confronted with the promise that Kent will join forces with Windstorm to ensure France removes itself from Lune...........never to return.-

As such I will inform the King of Windstorm, and I hope he will find my words wise indeed..........and accept. You have my word I will try all I can to ensure him it is best for Windstorm, Monsieur de Sennis.

-He offers his hand, and smiles, purposely leaving the fate of France and his men to be decided on by the man before him.-

[Vinzelles de Sennis]

His defeat is a complete one, there is no way of mincing words about this, and Vinzelles knows he is in no position to bargain any longer.

Looking at the hand extended towards him, a small if saddened smile breaks out on his lips, and he looks back up at the man standing in front of him. “I would have shook that hand only a few moments ago and I would have gained so much more. How quickly fate turns against one … our troops shall leave Lhun, there can be no way around it. But grand me this last request – an observer here, in Windstorm, or Sommersville. To keep us abreast of movements by the Norse here. It will be for the king of Windstorm to decide, yet I trust you will bring him this request, from a beaten man!”

Only slowly, reluctantly Vinzelles grabs the hand, and squeezes it only lightly, his eyes never leaving the ones of Lord Sighehelm. “anyone dealing with kent would make a grave mistake to underestimate your determination, Milord!”

His hand leave the one of the Kent man, the frank now clasping both his hands behind his back, standing stiffly, as if trying to decide his next move and not knowing what that should be.

[SighehelmofKent]

The Rock of Kent has proven his name, and hes shakes the hand of the Franc before him, in no way fooled into believing this man before him is in any way weak-

Then it shall be so. I hope you do understand untill such a time that an agreement has been signed, the guards will not allow you to leave Monsieur de Sennis. Please join me in a drink while I pen my advice to King Agustin?

[A fly on the wall]

(*several rounds of applause to the players of this roleplay! It was/is soooooo captivating ! *)