Lord Warden Faren Markelhay stood as his daughter and her guest entered the dining room. While he liked to run a more relaxed household than many of the nobles that came from the more metropolitan south, he still observed the niceties of polite society. Standing when a lady joined the table was still required. However, his relaxed atmosphere meant that there was only one serving man in attendance so Lord Markelhay stepped from his spot to help the Lady Shyleen into her seat while he let the serving man perform the same function for his daughter.
“Good evening, ladies.” Lord Markelhay said, regaining his own seat at the head of the table. “Thank you for accepting my invitation to dinner. I trust your afternoon has been less… eventful than your morning ride?”
Bowing her head slightly to the servant helping her sit, with a quiet, “Thank you” offered. Turning to her father she smiled brightly and replied, “Good evening Father! The afternoon has been quite routine, no where near as stimulating as our morning, much to our Sergeant’s relief! How has your day been? Have you heard anything on the condition of our new guest? Can you imagine being left for dead so near the King’s Road?!”
“Thank you, my Lord” Shyleen smiled as she was aided to her seat. “I should be the one thanking you for invitation.” She bowed her head at the man. Her attention was turned to Gavinia whose excitement made the paladin smirk briefly. She allowed the Lady speak on their behalf.
“Ladies never have to proffer thanks for an invitation to dinner by a gentleman.” Lord Markelhay said. “It is always the gentleman’s privilege. Your rescued Rider is recovering well. He’s resting a bit but doesn’t look as if he will have any lingering affects.”
The Moonstone Keep’s cook opened the door and gave Lord Markelhay an inquiring look and Lord Markelhay waved him in with a nod. The cook held the door as a couple of the kitchen staff began placing plates of food on the table. There was a roasted turkey that must have been the result of one of the huntmaster’s recent forays, several baked trout from the Nentir River and a variety of vegetables and breads. Wine was poured and the table set with a minimum of fuss and quick as halfling wit. The door closed softly as the kitchen staff departed, leaving the Lord Warden and his guests with the lone serving man to look after their needs.
Lord Markelhay gestured to the ladies to begin, “The Rider, his name is Tristan, had news from the south. It seems there is significant goblin activity in the Harken Forest. They are putting real pressure on the forest giants that live there and are in large enough numbers to be a threat to Harkenwold in Tristan’s opinion.”
Shyleen nodded to the man. She looked at the plates of food come with an eager smile, but inside she was filled with child like glee, which she was cautious not to show to keep up her exemplar presences for the lady.
Before she got to begun feasting, she listened to the bad news with a frown. “Is there reason for them to be that aggressive? I know they are chaotic by nature, but are they really this suicidal?”
Gavinia didn’t seem to miss a beat during her dining as her father shared his dramatic news, but she tensed slightly and her brow furrowed as she considered what he and Shyleen had to say.
She commented, perhaps too casually, as she carved a succulent piece of pork on her plate, “Goblins are little more than a pack of animals, if left to their own devices. Some one or something must be leading them. There is sentience behind such actions. I am sure you have ideas on whom or what, father?” she queried, delicately removing a morsel of fine meat from her fork with her lips. She chewed her food, savoured it.
Lord Markelhay shook his head, “Actually, I have no idea who or what is behind the goblins. Does this surprise you? I probably have always seemed to have had a good idea of what was going on when we discussed these things before but this time is different. Care to venture a guess as to why?”
The serving man noticed the Lord Warden was out of wine and quietly refilled his glass. Lord Markelhay paid the man little attention as he scooped food onto his plate.
“And while you ladies are pondering such unladylike subjects as goblins and the near omniscience of the Lord Warden, spare a moment to consider that all the trade caravans for the last several to the Tigerclaw Tribe in the Winterbole have gone missing. Amara Azaer is most unhappy.”
“Unlady like or not, it is my duty. If anything has even the slightest chance to be a threat to the city, I must heed the call.” Shyleen stood her ground, rubbing her chin as she looked thoughtful. “Goblins rarely take orders from other creatures, but I would not cancel out that option. Maybe something is driving them out of their normal environment?”
The paladin sighed, taking sip of her wine. “Trade caravans? Do you suspect the goblins might have something to do with this as well?”
“It is doubtful that the goblins are the problem in both places.” The Lord Warden said. “Unless they have learned to travel completely undetected across miles of open plains and hills. If that is the case, then we might be in serious trouble given the sheer number of goblins it would take to threaten both the forest giants and the barbarian tribes.”
The Lord Warden took a sip of wine and shivered at the thought. “Let’s hope the explanation is something more… palatable.”
Gavinia smiled over her fork, politely emptying her mouth before replying to her friend, “He was teasing Shyleen. Or mostly. He would much prefer we hang up our swords and focus our interest on gardening and perhaps finding a suitable suitor.” she laughed merrily, completely unaware that she wrinkled her nose a little in distaste at the suggestion.
She took a few more thoughtful bites then continued, “Which should we investigate, do you think m’Lady? I really detest those beastly goblins, so my first choice would be to see what brigands are bothering the caravans. Though perhaps we should do the more distasteful first.”
“I have long since given up on the notion of gardening, my dear. Suitors, well, that still remains a pleasant dream.” The Lord Warden said. “I had originally intended to put all your training to good use and send you as my envoy to the Tigerclaws. I’ve promised House Azaer that I would send an ambassador and an escort with the next caravan.”
He rolled his eyes heavenward, “Of course, that was before you lovely ladies decided to take a ride and complicate my life. With the information provided by our infirm Rider I now have another serious problem. Since you can only be in one place at a time perhaps you’d like to indicate which you feel most appropriate for your talents?”
“Goblins are bothersome, but I do not think dealing with them first is worth losing an ally. If we are to escort the caravan, we should at least have someone keeping look out for Goblins. Are you able to spare capable men for that?”
Gavinia’s eyes were alight and she dropped her hands a little too hard on the table, making a rather loud clatter as she exclaimed, “Excellent!” before looking a little sheepish, having the grace to blush a little and became suddenly very focused on her dinner, a smile on her lips.
A moment passed, and she looked up at Shyleen, still smiling, “Of course he does! We shall head off to the Tigerclaws first light for you, father!”
“Well, I think I’d rather you wait on the caravan. You can hardly command the escort if you’re a day ahead of them.” The Lord Warden said. “Lady Shyleen, you’ll be in command of the guard contingent. I’ll draft an order making you an acting Knight-Lieutenant in the Fallcrest Guards for the duration of this mission.”
The Lord Warden glanced over at his daughter, “Gavinia, you’ll be my ambassador. I have documents already drawn up giving you the authority to make any trade agreements you deem necessary with the Tigerclaws. My primary concern is to avoid conflict with them and appease House Azaer with a favorable trading arrangement. If you find brigands along the way who are raiding our trade route, you have the authority to execute whatever justice you see fit. You will be in overall command. My suggestion is to listen to your caravan master and your military commander.” He pointed a fork at Gavinia with a smile. “They might be able to keep you out of too much trouble, young lady.”
Gavinia laughed merrily. “That is…possible But more often I get myself in and out of trouble for the most part. Do you wish me dressed the Lady for this, or can I dress in formal cavalier dress? And more importantly, is there desert tonight?”
“Understood, my Lord. It is an honor and I will see to that everyone will return safely.” Shyleen nodded at the man in acknowledgment, giving a small smile. She sighed heavily at the girl’s giggles. The paladin wished Gavinia would take the situation with little more concern. “If you think of desert that much, you end up not fitting in to your Cavalier dress.” The paladin smirked.
Gavinia grinned at her friend, “Never fear, I get plenty of exercise! And desert is usually only at proper dinner and I don’t get those too often.” She pretended to frown slightly, “…or are you trying to tell me something only a good friend would?”
The Lord Warden laughed. “Daughter, I doubt the barbarians will be impressed with your formal gowns. They might respond better to a show of martial strength but I’ll leave that to your discretion. And of course there is dessert…” He nodded for the serving man to go fetch the sweets.
War in the Vale 