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Allir Keep; Central Forum
It had taken no small amount of persuading to Petrus to convince his fellow members of the Merchant's Council, save perhaps Beatrice, to briefly reignite a shadow of the original intent behind Allir Keep's central courtyard. With the recent threats made at the Tournament of Tides, the loss of their Lord Commander to a journey unknown and reports of cult activity on the rise he had impressed on them that they could not afford to appear weak. So it came to pass that the largest dais a speaker may claim in the Allir Keep courtyard was set up with a great table akin to those in the Great Hall was placed for the Council, enchantments levied onto the stone afore the dais as simple geomancy created a raised platform for those vetted to speak. Of course not just any local drunk could hobble up to speak but, as for being within the forum itself? That original purpose was put to full use.
Each and every Merchant House had received an invitation, the commonfolk allow nearly unrestricted into the forum for the first time in only the gods know how long, and even notable nobility and persons of renown from Elbion, Vel Anir and elsewhere could have received an invitation. This display of strength was, after all, not just solely for their own people but a statement of intent to wider Arethil. Both those things and more. In truth it was also bait, a trap, disguised as a discussion. If not also a gamble. For it was unthinkable to believe that these antagonistic forces would not see this as a prime opportunity to strike.
But of course like with any trap you always ran the risk of your intended prey seizing their prize from the jaws awaiting them. So it was without informing his fellow Councilors, nor anyone but his own assistant, that along private channels contracts had begun to be discreetly offered. Any mercenary, be they of reputable value and hold no conflicting allegiances, could find their pockets growing substantially heavier here should they assist in snaring the intended quarry. Under that same auspice any who had accepted the contract would be given associate status with House Iskandar and put to work aiding the plethora of guards, troops, knights and more from the privacy of their own identity and not bearing House colors openly. Left to their own devices, for today only, to aid House Iskandar's agents in rooting out subterfuge and confronting interlopers with as absolute prejudice as was possible.
Now all that remained to be seen was when the trap would snap shut and if the ploy would work or, perhaps, if the Council's quarry even attempted to take the bait. The faint possibility those disparate forces chose caution today would also be a victory for the Council. Their show of strength allowed to go unimpeded..... Petrus did not count on this.
So it was that as the first of the commonfolk began to funnel into the forum, guards, knights and more of every Council House brimming along vantage points, alleyways and every single shadowed nook and cranny to dissuade meetings in the shadows; that Petrus would steeple his hands before himself from the central seat behind the table set up for the Council. His amber eyes burning with ambition and determination as they swept over his fellow Councilors, the commonfolk, the guards, the plain-clothe agents in attendance, the mercenaries, and he felt... dissatisfied. But only just. He much preferred success to be guaranteed, for fate to be firmly in his hands, and for chance to play no part in his life, but for now he would abide. For now he would weave his net, set his trap, and do all he could to tip the odds ever in his favor. For only a fool did not place his hand upon the scales when his reputation and life could be on the line.
From behind Petrus his assistant and messenger, Drystan, would lean down to whisper into his ear.
"I shall be amongst the crowd today My Lord, of course, if it please you I shall seek our your Moon and appraise her of the gravity of the situation?"
Petrus gave a nod and Drystan would return the gesture, vanishing off into the crowd in a way that should have been impossible given his black and gold uniform. But vanish he did to seek out his Pneria personally. His little flame, of course, bore her own special seat behind the table, kept close and secure as any prize like Srivani should be. Only for Petrus to address Tel'Vore as the old elf still sat at his side.
"I trust you are keeping an eye as ably as I, Councilor?"
Petrus did not take his eyes off the crowd as he spoke. All he did was sit.... and wait.
Meanwhile......
Out in the crowd throngs of people buzzed and chattered like a hive of bees stuffed with too many drones. Street performers lingered just outside the forum proper to take advantage of the opportunity to earn a bevy of tips and coin from musical performances to more physical feats there was plenty of glamor and polish to disguise the waiting crossbows and blades that the guards kept a waiting hand upon in anticipation, every single one on high alert and briefed to be prepared for duplicity. As well as being offered a substantial bonus if they personally saw to the apprehension of an enemy of Alliria.
All in all?
An Open Forum clenched in a closed fist.
Beatrice Orabela Pneria Srivani Carmelea Nosfir Orchid Lazarus Jeager Zora Irman Harefoot Arturo
It had taken no small amount of persuading to Petrus to convince his fellow members of the Merchant's Council, save perhaps Beatrice, to briefly reignite a shadow of the original intent behind Allir Keep's central courtyard. With the recent threats made at the Tournament of Tides, the loss of their Lord Commander to a journey unknown and reports of cult activity on the rise he had impressed on them that they could not afford to appear weak. So it came to pass that the largest dais a speaker may claim in the Allir Keep courtyard was set up with a great table akin to those in the Great Hall was placed for the Council, enchantments levied onto the stone afore the dais as simple geomancy created a raised platform for those vetted to speak. Of course not just any local drunk could hobble up to speak but, as for being within the forum itself? That original purpose was put to full use.
Each and every Merchant House had received an invitation, the commonfolk allow nearly unrestricted into the forum for the first time in only the gods know how long, and even notable nobility and persons of renown from Elbion, Vel Anir and elsewhere could have received an invitation. This display of strength was, after all, not just solely for their own people but a statement of intent to wider Arethil. Both those things and more. In truth it was also bait, a trap, disguised as a discussion. If not also a gamble. For it was unthinkable to believe that these antagonistic forces would not see this as a prime opportunity to strike.
But of course like with any trap you always ran the risk of your intended prey seizing their prize from the jaws awaiting them. So it was without informing his fellow Councilors, nor anyone but his own assistant, that along private channels contracts had begun to be discreetly offered. Any mercenary, be they of reputable value and hold no conflicting allegiances, could find their pockets growing substantially heavier here should they assist in snaring the intended quarry. Under that same auspice any who had accepted the contract would be given associate status with House Iskandar and put to work aiding the plethora of guards, troops, knights and more from the privacy of their own identity and not bearing House colors openly. Left to their own devices, for today only, to aid House Iskandar's agents in rooting out subterfuge and confronting interlopers with as absolute prejudice as was possible.
Now all that remained to be seen was when the trap would snap shut and if the ploy would work or, perhaps, if the Council's quarry even attempted to take the bait. The faint possibility those disparate forces chose caution today would also be a victory for the Council. Their show of strength allowed to go unimpeded..... Petrus did not count on this.
So it was that as the first of the commonfolk began to funnel into the forum, guards, knights and more of every Council House brimming along vantage points, alleyways and every single shadowed nook and cranny to dissuade meetings in the shadows; that Petrus would steeple his hands before himself from the central seat behind the table set up for the Council. His amber eyes burning with ambition and determination as they swept over his fellow Councilors, the commonfolk, the guards, the plain-clothe agents in attendance, the mercenaries, and he felt... dissatisfied. But only just. He much preferred success to be guaranteed, for fate to be firmly in his hands, and for chance to play no part in his life, but for now he would abide. For now he would weave his net, set his trap, and do all he could to tip the odds ever in his favor. For only a fool did not place his hand upon the scales when his reputation and life could be on the line.
From behind Petrus his assistant and messenger, Drystan, would lean down to whisper into his ear.
"I shall be amongst the crowd today My Lord, of course, if it please you I shall seek our your Moon and appraise her of the gravity of the situation?"
Petrus gave a nod and Drystan would return the gesture, vanishing off into the crowd in a way that should have been impossible given his black and gold uniform. But vanish he did to seek out his Pneria personally. His little flame, of course, bore her own special seat behind the table, kept close and secure as any prize like Srivani should be. Only for Petrus to address Tel'Vore as the old elf still sat at his side.
"I trust you are keeping an eye as ably as I, Councilor?"
Petrus did not take his eyes off the crowd as he spoke. All he did was sit.... and wait.
Meanwhile......
Out in the crowd throngs of people buzzed and chattered like a hive of bees stuffed with too many drones. Street performers lingered just outside the forum proper to take advantage of the opportunity to earn a bevy of tips and coin from musical performances to more physical feats there was plenty of glamor and polish to disguise the waiting crossbows and blades that the guards kept a waiting hand upon in anticipation, every single one on high alert and briefed to be prepared for duplicity. As well as being offered a substantial bonus if they personally saw to the apprehension of an enemy of Alliria.
All in all?
An Open Forum clenched in a closed fist.
Beatrice Orabela Pneria Srivani Carmelea Nosfir Orchid Lazarus Jeager Zora Irman Harefoot Arturo
