Oh, What a Beautiful Morning (open)

[sheriff_vaizey]

Who: Open to Michaelmas partygoers
What: An after-party brunch
Where: Nottingham Castle, Great Hall
When: 30 September, late morning

Comments

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran skewered a slice of meat with his dagger and levered the food onto his plate. The bread looked tempting, but he'd decided to focus on heartier fare. His meal selected, he turned to find a place from which to devour his take while eyeing the hall's occupants.

He got as far two steps toward a likely looking location when he spotted Nicholas striding toward him. The blond obviously headed for Bran.

A smile lit the Cymry's face as Nicholas greeted him. Had the meeting occurred before the events of the previous night - the wonderful, spectacular events! - Bran would have simply offered a curt reply and nod. But this warrior had fought at Bran's side against Hood, and that would improve anyone's opinion of Nicholas. Well, anyone with more than half a functioning brain, of course.

"Sir Nicholas de Beaumont!" He balanced his wine goblet on his plate and extended a hand in welcome. "I may say the same of you. Have you tired permanently of your travels with our Good King Richard?" A sickly sweet smile tainted his tone as he uttered the tyrant's hated name. Then his expression smoothed though his right brow rose, "Or do you have plans to return in the near future?"

[nico_debeaumont]

God's eyes, it was welcome at last to be recieved with some pleasure. The majority of Nottingham he gave no shit for, but disinterest from certain parties had stung a little. Old friends grown distant could prove troublesome. He shook the offered hand warmly and returned Sir Brian's smile. "Our Dear Leader must needs conquer the Saracen without the aid of either myself or his precious Locksley, it seems. Of course, he has always believed himself capable of taking the entire nation single-handedly. With luck, in time we will find out if he was right. Phillipe is long gone, of course, and more French follow him home every day. It will be a cold day in Hell before I set foot in that filthy excuse for a nation a second time." He paused, curiosity striking him. "Forgive me, I do not recall from where you hail, but I know it is not here. Will you be residing in Nottingham long, or will you return home presently?" It seemed superflous to enquire if he knew the Sheriff. What else would bring him here?

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Nicholas looked pleased, even relieved, as he grasped Bran's hand and smiled. In fact, he looked far happier to see the Cymry than he had looked during most of the previous night. Apparently Nicholas possessed some sense! So, he valued a reunion with a comrade more highly than he did introductions to nobles? Bran had hardly spent extended periods of time with Nicholas in the Holy Land, but from what he knew of the man, the reaction seemed in character. Good.

The mercenary chuckled at Nicholas's comment regarding the devil of a king. True, Nicholas might claim Ffreinc blood, but like Gisborne he somehow had come to possess a strong grasp on reality. But unlike Guy, Nicholas had taken no action against the king while in the Holy Land, even though he claimed to hold a low view of the tyrant. Then again, few men possessed the courage to take such a bold stand against evil. At least Nicholas partly redeemed himself by trying to slaughter Hood.

"You are a wise man, then, Sir Nicholas. Indeed, our Beloved King is quite capable of taking entire armies single-handedly." He flashed his teeth in a sarcastic smile. "At least, that's what he claims. One's time is far better spent here in England than in that God-cursed sand pit anyway."

Pausing, he took a sip of his wine. Should he reveal his position here? Yes. If Nicholas lived nearby, he would discover it eventually. And if the knight intended to leave shortly, knowing would do no harm.

"I hail from Brecon," Bran continued after lowering his goblet. "But I have recently taken a position as training master for the sad bastards Nottingham considers soldiers. That, and I round up any stray dogs that cause trouble." He gave a wry smile at the thought of his true purpose in Nottinghamshire.

"But what of yourself?" he returned. Revealing so much about himself made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. "Are you settled in Nottinghamshire, or farther a field?" From what Bran remembered, Nicholas hailed from a wealthy family, so the Cymry need not ask what pursuits occupied the knight's time.

[nico_debeaumont]

Properly reaquainted and upon positive footing, Nico took the opportunity to sample a few select morsels from his plate as Sir Brian spoke. It was passable fare, acceptable for breaking of fast at least. No doubt the choicest cuts and fowl had been prepared for last night's festivities, but what remained for the guests this morning was no worse than he'd have expected his own servants to provide him.

It appeared that Locksley's vital status was less of a grievance to Sir Brian as it was to Nicholas himself, however. Nico had remembered the man dour, serious; today he was practically ebullient. And why shouldn't he be, Nicholas supposed. He'd enjoyed a night of middling hospitality finished with a chase, a confrontation, an altercation and a blooding. Sometimes Nico needed to remind himself that dislike of the King did not necessarily travel hand in glove with despising his pet underling. Sir Brian was unlikely to know anything of Locksley's inauspicious accession to his previous noble position, or have any reason to take issue should he discover it. Nicholas snorted in response to the knight's account of his business in Nottinghamshire. "There is plenty to occupy you here then, I can assure you," he added, a sneer on his lips and antipathy infecting his tone. "The leader of the pack might be no more, but to my knowledge a horde of curs infests the forest of Sherwood, no doubt eager to take up their master's mantle. My kitchen girl would have me believe that Locksley had rounded up a band of outlaws to support him in his madness. Perhaps one day soon a mounted hunt may be in order. There is little satisfaction in hunting small game when the local woodland offers more challenging prey."

"My own roots are in Clun, a village within the shire. It is far from my family's-" he paused, and corrected himself "-from my largest holding, and as a boy I could not fathom why my father chose to remain there in favour of Warwick, but after the...'God-cursed sand pit"...I can understand better his reasoning. The ties of home grow stronger with time away."

He paused, and laughed shortly. "Not that I find Nottingham unchanged upon my return. Have you heard of the madness that persists here? Aside from the peasant's deification of a man sent insane by war, local noblewomen thirst for blood and disrupt their own weddings with violence! And the men...the men allow it! I am torn between refusing to hear more on the subject and demanding a point-by-point explanation of exactly what in God's name has occurred during my absence, and the paramount why."

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran took a bite of meat and chewed thoughtfully as Nicholas spoke. The Cymry gave a half smile at the knight's comment about Bran finding enough to occupy his time. Too true. And Nicholas only knew a fraction of the business.

The other warrior seemed quite confident that Hood would remain in the Sheriff's clutches long enough to lose his head to the executioner's ax. "I would see his head on a pike before I grew too confident," Bran warned.

Nicholas's next words brought a grin from Bran. "We think alike, I see." Bran would like nothing more than to charge through the forest, outlaws scrambling before him like rats fleeing a hawk.

The mercenary dragged his mind from the lovely vision of running down and impaling outlaws. Nicholas had moved on to boast of his holdings. Ah, a rich ally never hurt. Especially when that wealthy ally hated Hood and Richard.

Bran gave a laugh and shook his head in agreement when Nicholas lamented about the mental state of Nottingham's residents. "It seems I am not the only one to notice the bizarre behavior in this place, then. I was beginning to wonder if I was the one who had lost my mind and not them. The leeches speak of madness spreading by contact with the insane, and while I once questioned the theory, I now believe it might have some merit." He shook his head as he glanced about at the other guests. "The residents here seem quite content with their state, however. Such is the way of madness, though, I suppose."

Now that he and Nicholas seemed on good terms, he might as well try to discover more information about Gisborne's ast. "Even Sir Guy seems touched by the madness, as you mentioned. I wonder if something is in the water? Or the wine, perhaps."

[nico_debeaumont]

Sir Brian clearly had respect enough for Locksley's abilities of escape, despite his opinions of the outlaw himself. Nico wondered briefly if the man had form on the matter. Much as it pained him to concede, Locksley was indeed a resourceful and creative fighter, but could he truly hope to defy the might of Nottingham's guard force and the security of its dungeons single-handed? Still, it was a satisfying thought, that of Locksley's disembodied head decorating a halberd, drooling his precious lifeblood across the uncaring dust of Nottingham's streets.

Sir Brian certainly seemed well-disposed to the idea of a mounted pursuit. Nico grinned back. Few prey offered more than the challenge of aiming an arrow. Hunting men...now there was a true test of skill. Even if they were mostly peasants. He wondered then what might become of young Much, surely directionless with no master. A pre-trained squire would certainly be a blessing. No doubt if caught he would welcome the chance to rejoin proper society. If Gisborne were of a suitable disposition, Nico would have resolved to discuss the subject with him, but there was little point whilst there still lay some conflict between them. If he and Guy did not make their peace soon, perhaps Sir Brian would be of a mood to abet such a scheme.

Nicholas grinned. "I take it you are well aware of the Knighton girl. I spoke with her earlier. She seems...less than mad. Unpredictable, but certainly sane. More so than most women - or at least that is the appearance of it. I cannot decide whether Guy sees something in her that I do not, or if it is her strangeness itself that pleases him. Or if it is merely her previous suitor that so excites his interest. You are aware she was once courted by one Robin of Locksley?"

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Nicholas seemed to have reached the same conclusion regarding Guy's calculating...girl as had Bran. The Cymry nodded as his eyes unfocused for a moment at the thought of Gisborne and the ast marrying. "I had heard word of her relationship with Hood." He still could not understand her fascination with the fool, though. From what Bran understood of women's taste in men, Hood lacked any sort of attractiveness as far as his appearance, and his personality would certainly only repulse any sane female. Sane female...that seemed a creature as rare as a unicorn in this shire! "One wonders how far from madness she is if she sides with that wolfshead, however. I can hardly see any traits a well bred woman would value in him."

He paused to take a bite of meat, then continued, "Bedding the woman who was to wed Hood would certainly be a fine cut against the outlaw. But," he glanced at Nicholas with a grin, "it seems a painful amount of inconvenience to tolerate in order to inflict such an insult."

Bran almost added that killing the woman seemed a far easier and rewarding approach, but he stopped himself. Putting the witch out of her misery would likely only give Hood more of a passion for victory. However, this still provided no good answer for Guy's willingness to suffer the girl's antics.

[nico_debeaumont]

Nicholas cocked his head, intruiged by Brian's words. "Side with him? Surely not. He hardly offers any prospect of marriage. What would she do, join his merry band of reprobates and begin living wild in the forest? The girl would be unable to walk in a straight line after one night in their company. Can you imagine Locksley siring a new line of bastard thieves, whelped in Sherwood?" He laughed. It was a diverting enough prospect to entertain, but surely impossible.

He picked at his plate, not particularly hungry but because it was there; Nico found that absent the challenges and struggles of war that comparitively little was required to sustain him. He had seen his father grow from a battle-ready knight to a fat and lazy Earl. He did not intend the same fate for himself.

"Bedding her, perhaps," Nico agreed. "Wedding her seems...rather excessive. Surely Gisborne must see something of worth in her, other than her romantic history. Do you know she punched him on their wedding day? In the church? And still he pursues her Perhaps he likes his women...unpredictable. Or perhaps he is as mad as she, I cannot discount it. Surely he can seduce a woman who is attractive and stable...or at least what passes for that among their kind."

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran shook his head. "No, I use the term side loosely. If she has not completely sworn off her former lover and worked to have him apprehended, then I consider her a sympathizer. Women like her can hardly be trusted anyway." Life on the battlefield and in occupied lands ingrained in Bran a deep understanding of the verse, "If you are not for me, you are against me." In combat, trusting one's fate to someone whose loyalty belonged even partially to the enemy led to a swift death or at least capture. From what Bran had seen, life in Nottinghamshire differed little from this.

Whelping more outlaws... Bran snorted then in amusement as a thought occurred. "Let us hope Gisborne has taken this opportunity to castrate the dog. At least then if he escapes, we won't have to worry about him siring more bastards." The absolute last thing the Isles needed was more fools like Hood.

Well now, the assault the Lady launched on Guy came as an interesting bit of news. "Punched him, you say?" Bran cocked a brow, careful to conceal his rising anger. That ast dared to strike the Sheriff's man, a knight, in his own church? "Tell me he punished her sufficiently, else I will be inclined to believe this place's rampant madness has also afflicted Gisborne!" A hanging would have done the crime justice, but that obviously had yet to occur. Perhaps she had spent a week in the stocks or received a flogging. Vaizey seemed the sort to mete out suitable punishments...

[nico_debeaumont]

Ah, now sympathise was a different matter. Nico nodded. "I have spoken with her this morning. She is certainly preoccupied with something. I wondered if former attatchments might be contributing to her melancholy." Of course, knowing women, it could just have easily been caused by breaking her favourite fingernail. Nicholas knew it was unwise to attempt to apply logic to female minds.

Nico saw Brian's face twitch. He smiled, tightly but with genuine amusement. He knew roughly what must be going through the other man's thoughts. He did so love exchanging scandalous news. "To the best of my knowledge, she remains unmolested by his displeasure. Did you see them last night? Hardly the air of a couple disconcerted. Of course, even the best of my knowledge on this affair...let us say to call it patchy would be a kindness. I do not present Gospel truth, nor do I pretend to. Neither can I attest to Gisborne's madness. He was...less than overjoyed to see me home from war. It has been-" more than a decade, he realised, "- a long time since I saw him before that. I know nothing of the man he grew into." That was...bordering on understatement.

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran shook his head, his brows raised in disbelief. Why on earth did Gisborne tolerate this woman and her machinations? For that matter, why did the Sheriff not take matter into his own hands? Having the former lover of the current chief outlaw roaming the castle bordered on madness. Then again, perhaps Vaizey knew more than he appeared to. Perhaps he waited for her to hang herself with her own rope, a cord she wove from misguided love and idealism.

"Attachments..." Bran rubbed his chin in thought, his thumbnail scratching along his stubble. "A possibility, indeed. After all, seeing the person she was promised to dragged to the dungeons after the disgrace of the murder and capture would hardly be comforting if she still harbors feelings for him. Women," he snorted, "even heinous crimes are not enough to make them come to their senses when they are lovestruck. If that is indeed the case," he added.

Nicholas had a point about Gisborne and the ast's interaction at the ball. The fact mystified Bran all the more. "You know more than I." Which irked Bran. "True, they hardly seemed at odds. One can only speculate how such a...truce can be possible after all that has transpired. Guy should harbor some animosity for the dishonor she brought him. As for her..." he shook his head, "I will not even venture to understand that creature." That ast. "How can she strike a man and leave him at the altar one moment, then hang on his arm at a ball the next?"

He paused. Should he mention his former acquaintance with Gisborne? "I did not know Gisborne when he was younger," he said with care, "but I did not believe him to be a man who tolerates such disrespect from a woman."

[nico_debeaumont]

Nico laughed shortly. "And I do not know much," he added to the other man's comment. But he still had a morsel or two to mete out. Speaking of which...as Brian began speaking anew he chose a slice of what looked like pork from his plate - he had missed it on Crusade - folded it two and ate it in a single bite. "Mmhmph," he replied, raising a finger. Once he had finally chewed it into submission and swallowed, he added: "Perhaps the attatchment is stronger for him than for her. I know Gisborne hates him - that is one thing that has not changed, I'd lay my family's entire wealth on, without pause or fear. Did you know Locksley well, at Crusade? His poor heart apparently wept blood at the parting from young Marian. If Guy has heard Locksley still loves her, the knowledge of his heartache might well be balm enough for his wounded pride; and reputation. But women, their minds cannot be fathomed. Who knows what possesses her. We were not well acquainted before I left and I spoke little with her today. She is as much a stranger to me as the Sheriff, almost." And where had Guy and the Sheriff crossed paths, exactly? After his father had refused to take in the young Gisborne orphans, Nicholas had steeled his heart against never setting eyes on his friend again. Guy had...exceeded everybody's expectations. With a mild jolt, Nico realised that Guy's return had been prior to his father's death. Regardless of the deep and profound respect he had for Papa, Nico would have sacrificed a lot to witness the reaquaintance between the two. He wondered if Guy would have thought, or cared, about the fact he'd been denied shelter as barely a child by the man. Almost certainly, if Nicholas still knew him. He might have changed, but...that much? Impossible.

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Nicholas appeared rather pleased with the meal. Bran gave an inward smile. A good thing the Black Knights had decided to assassinate Richard when the did, else Bran would have languished in the scorching sands just as had Nicholas.

So Hood's pathetic, sickening sentimentality made him miserable at the Crusade's outset. That hadn't lasted long. Betrothed lover? What betrothed lover? Bran could hardly remember any times when Hood spoke of her. The wolfshead cared more for his King and the insane idea of winning back the scorpion-infested Holy Land than he did about his woman. Yes, how endearing women must find such loyalty. Bran snorted. Women and their inverted emotions!

"We were not what I would call Brothers in Arms," Bran replied. "I maintained a civil tone toward him, but his...attitude toward our illustrious leader made him a difficult man with which to keep company for long." As did his insistence on saving the devil's life. "He knew me well enough that he would likely recognize me should we meet again. Assuming I am not wearing a mask, of course." The Cymry smirked. Costume balls had always seemed an extravagance, but Bran had to admit that the ridiculous masks had made his work far easier.

With a glance toward Guy's girl, Bran thought of Nicholas's comment regarding Guy's hatred for Hood. Why not gather some information on Nicholas and Gisborne while the chance presented itself? "You seem to know both Locksley and Sir Guy well, however. I assume they grew up together in Nottinghamshire, but why does Gisborne hate Hood so? Any fool can see it goes well beyond the fact that Hood is an outlaw." How much did Nicholas know about Guy? And for that matter, did the lieutenant have another reason - other than Hood's hatred of law and order and his love for Richard - for despising Hood?

[nico_debeaumont]

Nico nodded. "Well enough. Guy I considered a close friend. Locksley somewhat less so. He was a superior little shit when we were young. The best with bow even then, a natural talent, and he knew it. By God, would he not be silent about it for a second. Only child, mother gone; you know the type. He was...well indulged by his father."

He paused, considered and decided. He would leave the affliction out of it. Swapping fresh gossip about Guy was one thing. Dredging up long-forgotten humiliation was poor form in the extreme. It was not yet outside the realms of possibility that his friendship with Guy might be rekindled. He would sooner see it so than destroyed completely.

"The families Gisborne and Locksley were not unfriendly with one another. There was a fire at Locksley manor one night soon after Guy's father returned from the war. Both Robin and Guy were orphaned the same day. Robin became lord of Locksley before his first shave, and the Gisborne lands reverted to his ownership. They had been awarded as reward for Roger Gisborne's military service; with him gone, apparently they were to be returned to the Locksley title. I do not fully understand why Robin was allowed to keep his lands and yet Guy and Isabella were turned away - did you know he had a sister? Robin would not even take them in. Neither would my own father, much to my chagrin." Perhaps Guy held a grudge against the entire de Beaumont line in response. It was far from unthinkable, Nico acknowledged, despite the fact that rarely did boys of a mere fourteen summers hold sway over their father's business.

"I didn't see Guy or his sister again, after the day their parents died. At least, I did not meet him again until the day I returned to Nottingham from Crusade. I burn to learn of the intervening years, but I fear it will be a long time before Guy invites me to Locksley manor for a cup of wine and an evening of reminiscence. Sometimes we must be content with knowing as much as we do. I doubt there is another who could tell me. Isabella herself, of course, but I have not heard her name spoken in Nottingham. I assume she either married or died. I do not think Guy would abandon his sister to the wilds."

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Hood had stolen Gisborne's land? And...good God, Guy had a sister?! At that moment, Bran was eternally grateful that he had not chosen to take a drink of wine or bite of meat when Nicholas spoke. The knight should have felt equal relief, for his face would have sported a spray of said comestibles. Or perhaps the food would have just lodged in Bran's windpipe. Either way, luck had smiled on the Cymry.

Bran coughed into his sleeve to hide his surprise, but couldn't disguise it entirely. Cach, he'd rather take a punch in he stomach than have new catch him so offguard.

A sister... And Hood had seen to it that Guy departed the Gisborne lands at the point of an arrow. Basdun! At least Gisborne had recovered his lands. Still, to suffer such disgrace and dishonor at the hands of the mongrel... Bran's eyes sought the door to the corridor that eventually led to the dungeons. He should march down to the cells that instant and gut the disgusting wolfshead. For the good of all mankind. Only a supreme act of will stopped Bran. The muscles on his jaw stood out as he clenched his teeth. Guy possessed every right to the joy of torturing Hood, alone, to within an inch of the outlaw's filthy life.

"Saints blood," Bran said after composing himself. Frowning, he shook his head in disbelief and disapproval. "It seems Sir Guy is justified in every bit of hatred he feels toward Hood. Stealing lands and driving off its true owners - that is an irreprehensible act, especially when the owners are but children." Ah yes, an act the Ffreincs performed daily. No wonder Hood loved the devil king so dearly! With behavior such as that, they got on beautifully. "He will take great joy in seeing Hood meet death, then." Bran smiled. Why bother hide his own joy at that event?

Then he sobered at the thought of...Bella? "Odd that I have not heard news of Gisborne's sister. But perhaps she has married and moved from the Isles, returned to the Gisborne's relatives or ancestral home."

Once, during the trip back from the Holy Land, Bran had mentioned his family and made a passing inquiry regarding Guy's kin. The lieutenant stated in no uncertain terms that he possessed no family. Did he not trust the Cymry? Or... Denial of that level could mean only one thing: disownment. The siblings must have squabbled and then one of them had distanced themselves. Since Gisborne remained in Nottinghamshire, the sister must have instigated the falling out. Interesting.

"I must ask Gisborne about the subject sometime," Bran murmured, almost to himself.

((OOC Yes, don't worry, Imma discuss the night's "fun" w/Nico in a minute.))

[nico_debeaumont]

Nico smiled at Sir Brian's shock. He did so love being the bearer of scandalous news. "Justified indeed," he replied softly. Perhaps as word of Locksley's past form spread around Nottinghamshire it might jolt the memories of those who had witnessed it and deified the man regardless. As Elizabeth had told it, not only did every maid swoon at his name, but every man clawed at his breast in agony that he could not join his intrepid gang of criminals. And yet Guy, dispossessed and banished from his home was treated with nothing but emnity. Of course, he did not appear eager to grant himself any favour on that matter; perhaps Guy might be better loved if he could bear to attempt cordiality with those who offered it. He had never been the most...sociable of people.

"As will we all," he agreed, smile becoming harder, fiercer. "Few have taken more and received less punishment for it." He cocked an eyebrow. "No news at all? Somewhat strange, yes, although I do not doubt that Guy is unwilling to speak much of his past."