She has returned to the Silverglen compound, so to speak, with whirling thoughts and some emotional confusion. Gavin... Lord Fox... King Eavan... I don't even know what to think anymore. I do have feelings for Gavin. He was my childhood friend and confidante. But he seems content with - I do not know.
She bites her lip as she examines her reflection, touching an earring to adjust its positioning just so. She is in white silks, in a gown which would make Donna Karan cry with envy. Her hair is braided and worn up as her only crown, and her large blue eyes with their hint of purple iris are as clear as ever, despite the troubled expression. Why this sudden desire to love and be loved? Has the princess' quest changed something in me? Is it the influence of Balthazar in his new role? I can't even say; it confuses me, leaves me with dire misgivings which I must conquer. Lys takes a deep breath, letting it out again. It does not matter if any of them like me, are in love with me. If they are, if the gossip is true, then they will be capable of conveying their feelings to me themselves; and if it is not true, or if they are not capable of courting me, of winning me, then they are not the man for me. I am not a princess. But every woman has the right to be desired in such a fashion, and wooed; for now, I must concentrate on whatever duties I am assigned, and make the best impression that I may.
It helps, getting that sorted out in her mind. She leaves her suite and makes her way with careful footsteps to where she has been summoned, gaze again seemingly tranquil, seemingly placid. And - if Eavan chooses another, the thought is fleeting, I ... cannot blame him. He cannot choose with an eye to himself, and I hardly know him, to know what he would need, for his kingdom or for his own happiness. Perhaps it's time I looked to my own happiness instead...
For a small kingdom, Silverglen has some of the best chambers in the basilica. They have several suites, offices and a library to their own, reserved purposes. It is to the library that you have been summoned, which just happens to adjoin to the space used by Lord Fox as his office and then apartments.
Being seated does little to disguise the height of the man. Long legs are bent neatly at the knee, not stretched out in casual repose or crossed or folded in any fashion. His burgundy-red hair is straight and cascades over his shoulders, only occasionally veiling his deep black eyes as he reads. Lord Fox is in his royal court colors of silver (or in this case, dove grey wool trousers) and white (tunic coat over his white sweater. His features are fine, chiseled, his nose a bit sharp but not overly large.
There are books that are piled on the nearby table and a service of tea, neither of which are touched by him just now. He is busy reading correspondence. Crisply folded pieces of paper are a brilliant white, the favors and pleas, the pledges and requests are written boldly in black ink. Yes, the desires are black and white. The responses to those seldom are...
"Your lordship." Lys shows up and knocks politely before she enters, then moves forward, waiting to be addressed. She hates being interrupted in her reading, herself. She takes the opportunity to discreetly appraise and assess you while she is not herself under direct scrutiny.
Handsome. Tall! Clearly intelligent, Lys decides to herself. Not a man to be trifled with. Those girls who think he's a divine dancer are probably right, and probably gave away the store while virtuously guarding their knickers. Probably appreciates the beauty of women but finds he prefers the competence of men; although possibly not in the sense of preferring them for intimacy. Either way; best foot forward.
She waits, thus, patiently, without fidgeting or showing discomfiture or emotion in being here, in being 'the interruption'. And she is careful not to be seen to attempt to make out the information on those various sheets of paper, although she of course is doing just that. She probably won't be made to wait too long, after all. Unless he is irked at my being here, but I doubt that would be the case, unless this position had been existent before and he'd had someone in mind. But at that point, I'm just borrowing trouble.
A thought is finished before papers are put aside and Lord Fox rises -- he is, indeed, tall; one of the few who rival Balthazar and Gruffydd in that department. Though he is considerably leaner than Balthazar. He smiles easily and offers his hand to Lys. "Lady Lys, a pleasure. I have heard the name but have not had a face to put with it. Please, have a seat. If you would care for some tea and afternoon treats, please help yourself."
He gestures to the upholstered chair beside him, as he retakes his seat. "His Majesty has informed me of your interest in the diplomatic corps and has asked that I serve as mentor. I'm quite happy to do so. It's not everyday a woman of a court, any court, decides to serve in such a capacity. I salute you."
He smiles, lifting his cup of tea for a sip. "Primarily, today," he qualifies that, "I would like to take time to get to know you, your interests and educational background, and for you to become familiar with me as well." He smiles thoughtfully. "And my expectations for your education and training. And to begin to talk about next steps, certainly, though you may be tired of hearing me talk by that point," he teases.
"You were serving Lady Bianca directly, yes?" He pauses, cup set aside and hands folded at his belly. "I do not need to know specifics of her various projects for you but would like some insight in the types of roles you served for her as ward. Any function, large or small. It will give me some idea as to how your skills were utilized and how or where I might improve upon that," he smiles again.
"Thank you, your lordship," Lys answers with a small smile. She gives her hand and then goes to take the offered seat, placing her hands composedly in her lap. "To be quite honest, it is less that I volunteered and more that I was volunteered. However, I do not feel the need to run, fleeing for the hills."
It's mild humor, but it's a new situation. She cants her head to the side, laughing quietly. "Well, my educational background has primarily been that of any other lady of adequate station within Avalon's borders, sir; I am fluent in two languages and can stumble by in a third, and my needlework is exceptional. My eavesdropping is passable, but I'm far better at getting people to talk to me about whatever current events they may know. I am," she smiles slightly again, "a good listener." She shrugs gently.
"The majority of what I have done has related to such social engagements. There were those who wished me to marry Prince Balthazar; I consider him a friend, and would not wish that upon either of us," Lys continues in a light tone. "For Lady Bianca herself, I primarily did aspects of research in matters mercantile, and some minor purchasing; and, of course, my weaving. I am able to weave water as if it were thread, you see, to varying results depending upon my method and the kind of water used. Beyond that, I was mostly a lady of the court, a lady-in-waiting, and then sent to the capitol to see what kind of gossip I could learn and what kind of husband I could earn. I have, I confess, tended more to the former than to the latter, primarily because I find it difficult to take most of the men of the court very seriously, and few of the ones I would take seriously are looking for such a courtship, and I am ... too detached, perhaps, to seek it, myself."
She spreads her hands out for a moment, then lets them drop. "It does not sound very promising when I say it like that," Lys says humorously. "However, as I imagine you have learned already, I am here largely because I told the Princess Tanira of some insights I had had for her. I am unsure if this is reward or punishment, from her perspective, but I hope to turn it to reward either way."
The grin of Lord Fox is, as Stephen of Rose would say, rather foxy. He chuckles, dark-red eyebrows lifting to the notion of reward and punishment. "Often when one is given something by royal hands, it is both reward and penance, I find. The universe of a diplomat can only be painted in greys. Being a good listener is the best skill you can have as a diplomat or attache, and I don't have to tell you that more of a kingdom is managed in the embroidery chambers and bed chambers than in any throne room. Gossip is the common currency of any culture. It can be bought, sold, bartered, sought after, desired, encouraged and condemned... all in the same day," he smiles.
"I will say," Lord Fox continues after a moment, "...that Princess Tanira likely has your best interests in mind. I know her well enough to know that she is quite ethical. Deliberate harm is not her style. Challenge? Yes. Deceit and cruelty? No. So," he grins, "...rest assured that you are in good hands. Which languages are you fluent in and what would you say is your proficiency at stumbling in the third? It will help me in knowing what language courses to arrange for you. And how are you at outdoor sports: hunting, riding and the like?" He pauses to smile that beautiful smile. "I know it seems an odd question, but business could be practiced in all sorts of situations. There are some courts who only handle diplomatic meetings on horseback. Red Castle is one such. I thought they were centaurs to hear of other people talk of them," he chuckles in thought, glancing down to the papers. He makes a few notes as he listens.
Lys smiles, inclining her head. "There are those who wished me to engage in more intimate methods of gaining information," she admits delicately. "Thus far I have preferred not to use such methods. I hope that will not be a difficulty."
Taking up the offered tea, Lys sniffs the scent delicately before she takes a miniscule sip. "Our common tongue, Latin, and Castilian. They had at one point thought to send me to Catalonia," she explains with a small smile. "My Latin is probably the weakest of the three. I ride well, and I am an excellent archer," she answers without braggadocio. "I am poor with sword and spear, but I have some ability with small knives, although I prefer to make my own. I am not sure of my capacity for wine and liqueurs; I have tended to err on the side of being abstemious. I dance passably well but I am not a Lady Elaine. I make acquaintances well but confess I am poor at opening up to others, as a rule; there are some few who have managed to surprise things from me, including His Majesty."
He takes your requests not to engage in more courtesan diplomacy with ease and grace. "I would not ask that of you, particularly not at so young an age and if you have a mind to marry at some point in the future. That, and I find that ... while effective... there are more effective ways of getting more meaningful information. Smart men do not moan secrets and contracts in lusty tones," he chuckles. "Business and... recreation," he decides to say, "...can ....and I think should...remain separate whenever possible. You mentioned courtship before. Are you looking for a match yourself? Most young ladies are," he smiles, "...so it's not a ...detriment to your career if so. But certainly the types of diplomacy or travel demands would be different for a single versus a married diplomat. If you are not sure, that's fine of course. You are... eighteen?" he wonders, guesses really.
He makes a note of the languages as he waits. "The language of Silverglen is a variant of Gaelic. I think the primary languages that will be needed are Gaelic, French, you already have Castilian, and additional work in Latin. Latin will take you far. Are you able to read, would you say, better than speak Latin?" he asks. "Or is the proficiency about the same?"
There is a smile. "And His Majesty is quietly quite persuasive. He is also a good listener. He did speak highly of you. I think you will find that Silverglen is a place where you can flourish. Individual hard work is respected, far more than the class to which one was born. We are a small kingdom, but very prosperous. Dancing, archery. Excellent. Are there any other talents or skills that you would like to discuss?"
"Thank you," Lys murmurs. "I ... have not yet ruled out marriage, although it is somewhat to my surprise that I must admit that it is only recently that I have begun to seriously rule it in. And yes; I am eighteen." A little younger than Balthazar, a little older than Sabira. Not the worst age to be.
"Gaelic and French and Latin. I read Latin better, yes; there are a great many books in Latin in Avalon's libraries," Lys agrees. "I do know a smattering of Gaelic. It is unavoidable, in Avalon, really." She smiles suddenly, and it wakes up her features, making the quiet prettiness of them briefly flare into liveliness, almost vivacity. "I learned enough to learn what I wasn't supposed to be overhearing when the knights passed beneath the windows."
She blushes slightly at the mention of Eavan's praise. "I am flattered to have made an impression," Lys says lightly, features again returning to their sleepy demureness. "Other talents... I can swim like a seal, although I doubt it would be of very much use. I can play the lute, although I am not a very confident singer. I cannot think of anything else at present, I am afraid."
"It is more than adequate," Lord Fox smiles, making a few additional notes before setting the pen aside. "You have a broad range of talents, skills and proficiencies, which is what we look for in the diplomatic corps. You are clearly intelligent, you are lovely," yes, he noticed, "... and quick-witted. I think you will go far. Certainly as far as you wish to go."
"...As for marriage," his look softens and warms, "...His Majesty has set up a dowry for you, commensurate with what we believe your status to be. Certainly equal to that of a Marquesa. If we determine from our research into your family that you are due a much larger dowry, His Majesty will gladly increase the amount. Regardless of the happenstance of your birth, let me assure you that you will not have that dowry less than a Marquesa. If you wish to be matched formally, please do let us know."
He takes up the cup of tea for a last sip -- it has gone tepid -- and his dark eyes return their attention to you. "So, a little about my position and what our next steps are. I am the Royal Ambassador to the crown of Silverglen. I have been assigned to the Capitol City on behalf of the kingdom for the past two years, preceding the current king's crowning. I negotiate major contracts to benefit Silverglen's trade and financial position as well as its overall status in the name of the king. One job of an ambassador is to be a representative for one's nation or crown; another is to generate goodwill, income, and overall prosperity in the name of one's kingdom. The most important role is to be the eyes and ears of the kingdom and to defend it by being present to speak for it. Because Silverglen is a small kingdom, we do not have many diplomatic outposts. We have concentrated our efforts where we expect to have the most benefit: the Capitol, and the neighboring kingdoms of Rose, Rosewood, Avalon and Dale. Situations and relationships between people and countries can -- and do -- change overnight, so the job requires listening, attunement, and above all flexibility. I think you will make a good diplomat. I'm here to help you get to the point where you can be assigned to a kingdom as ambassador, overseeing several emissaries. We may place you as distantly as the Sun King's new abode, whenever its exact location is revealed. We may have you float between all current embassies, to serve as backup. The next step is really to teach you about Silverglen, its policies, culture, structure, so you can adequately champion its cause no matter where you are stationed."
She blushes a bit. "It is very kind of his majesty," Lys answers in a low voice, keeping her thoughts to herself. It is tumultuous, after all. "I hope that you succeed where I have failed, but I fear I know nothing of my own antecedents."
Lys listens, then nods intently, putting her hands daintily into her lap. "Of course," she answers. "I am very interested to learn about Silverglen; I confess that I know less than I ought, with it being so close a neighbor to Avalon. I suppose there is no sort of primer, but I will certainly need to work on my Gaelic. Are the cultural traditions very different from here in the capitol, or in Avalon?"
"We are going to make formal requests for records of the surrounding kingdoms. I understand from Her Ladyship that it is thought your parents perished in a flood." His black eyes look to you with the slightest nook upward of an eyebrow, seeking confirmation of his understanding. "The only real downside to being surrounded by rivers and streams is the cyclical floods. We have had our issues with that and so that might be where we start. Has anyone told you how old you were when they were lost?"
Lord Fox smiles. "Actually, there are primers. I have some annals of our history I can give you. I think you will find that there are similarities of a sort with Avalon and Camelot more than here. We are a culture very in tune with the cyclical nature of, well, nature," he grins. "We have moon festivals, once a lunar cycle. Along with festivals celebrating heroes of our past. We are a relatively celebratory bunch," he smiles again. "Because a great many of us, not all but many, have animal forms as well as human, that bond with nature is very close and one we celebrate, honor and cherish. I will provide you with a primer on our history and origins as well as a book of the myths of Silverglen and our spiritual practices. Are you a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Nature Practitioner or Pantheistic?"
"That is what I have been told," Lys agrees. It's the only confirmation that she can give. "I was quite small; only a year or so old. I am afraid I do not remember my parents." She folds her hands neatly on her thigh. "Lady Bianca may know more, of course, or her son might; he is older, so he may remember when I came to the court and perhaps some details."
You give information, and she notes it all, filing it away in the back of her head, nodding slowly. "I was raised in both Christian and Pantheistic traditions, to be familiar with both; however, I am not a follower of either religion," Lys answers quietly. "It would be foolish to espouse an atheist form of belief; however, my own belief merely is that whatever god or gods there are have better and bigger things to do than to interfere with lives such as mine. Self-reliance, rather than miracles; it is more consistent."
There is a look of warmth across the features of his face. "I am sorry for your loss. We will do our best to see if we cannot give you their story. It won't be the same as having parents," Lord Fox notes gently, "...but at least you will have your own myth. And I agree on the topic of religion. Silverglen is populated by general pantheists, nature practitioners and Christians. We have a few followers of the Judaic faith. We welcome all faiths equally. We practice acceptance, rather than tolerance. Tolerance is really more negative than it is positive."
He smiles more broadly. "I think we have a good beginning. Until we get to Silverglen, please do not feel pressured to study. I will have the books delivered to your chambers, so if you wish to read now you can. I would suggest enjoying your time, spending it with your friends. We will be leaving promptly upon the swearing in of the new High King. King Eavan is anxious to return home and to his people. Ah, that reminds me, I need to give you a primer on the Who's Who at the Silverglen court. I will send that as well. For now, I think that takes care of the business, Lys. Do you have any questions for now?"
"Nothing, sir, but thank you." Lys gracefully rises to her feet. "I will take your advice as read, and I appreciate your assistance." She curtseys gracefully, a sign of respect, then quietly moves to withdraw.
I think I may safely assume that whatever else, this has not been a romantic ploy on the part of Lord Fox... politics, and his work, for him, bring him more satisfaction than any lover, and intimate relations are a form of relaxation, I would guess, rather than either a part of his job or an entire escape. The girls who think he could be wooed thus are foolish to think so.
For the rest... I will need to think on it. If Gavin has an interest in me strong enough for my leaving to make so large a difference, he will say so, likely while adding that he would not stand in the way of my happiness or my opportunities. However, I think it more likely that he will wish me luck, and tell me that he will miss me, and wait and see what the future brings; his personal ambition is not so intimately tied, I suspect, to me or the idea of me as all that.
And as for King Eavan...
She pauses in the doorway, just short of departure. "If there is any effort you would have me make on the kingdom's behalf, your lordship," Lys says without quite turning her head, "you or of course his majesty, please do send word. I would be glad not to sit entirely idle." She bows her head and then quickly makes her departure.
Posted by rowan at May 07, 2010 11:19 AM
