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 returned Nicholas's grin. Saints, the more he spoke with the man, the more he found he enjoyed his company. He lacked Guy's severity and somber temperament, but he shared the lieutenant's love of combat and biting sarcasm. Why had Bran not seen Guy and Nicholas together more often before the ball? Nicholas apparently held no animosity toward Gisborne, which meant either preparations for the ball had absorbed Guy's attention, or...he held a grudge against the knight. Interesting. Bran would investigate that lead later.

"Very bad? Some would say the worst," he replied. In fact, most people who remained alive long enough in battle (or...other exploits) to realize how quickly their life drained from them called him evil. "It looked to me like the old Crusader had lost a bit of his holy fire, so to speak. I was merely trying to determine how many of the coals still glowed." He smirked.

At Nicholas's mention of using James's sword, the Cymry gave a snort of amusement. "At least he proved of some use, then. He should have simply gifted the blade to you. Being used by yourself in the pursuit of outlaws would be a far better fate for such a fine weapon than would rotting in a scabbard under the cot of a retired monk."

He frowned then as his gaze wandered to the nearest soldier's chunk of iron ore. "They really are terrible," he muttered. Both the guards and their weapons. "But if I saw them outfitted with better equipment, they would only kill each other and themselves faster, incompetent, untrainable fools that they are."

[nico_debeaumont]

Nicholas gave a shrug, and picked up another piece of meat from his plate. "Mere embers, at best, he remarked bluntly, "although I suspect with ample provocation they might blaze again." Putting the food in his mouth, he chewed as Brian spoke, mumbling a laugh through closed lips as the other man complained about Nottingham's guard force. "Egregious," he agreed. "It's all that can be expected of trying to train serfs. I would expect to be informed that they accidentally cut off their own toes more regularly than they expel or repel undesirables. Think about it; last night not only did Locksley gain entry to the ball, no doubt he was planning on leaving with full pockets. Who would break into an enemy's stronghold merely to thumb his nose at him? Half the rooms in the castle were likely ransacked. Somehow he got past them, explored a fortified building unchallenged and even made an appearance at the ball itself. Who knows how long he was mingling with guests? If the guards were mine, I would have them all slaughtered by their replacements."

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran smiled into his wine at Nicholas's suggestion of stirring the embers. "Perhaps I should pay old James a visit in Taversal someday. Now that I am residing in Nottingham town, I would so hate for him to think badly of me." He grinned, eyes shining with barely concealed ill intent. Mayhap Nicholas would want to join him...

Nicholas's view of the guards mirrored Bran's own. Bran would assume Nicholas knew that command of the soldiers resided in hands other than those of their drillmaster. The Cymry frowned and shook his head, jaw clenching in disgust as he swirled the remaining wine in his goblet. The liquid, dark and thick, resembled the blood he wished he could make spurt from the guards' throats. "I quite agree about the guards' fate. And knowing the Sheriff, I would have assumed he would be the first to order their execution as an example to all others against failing in their duties to him.

"Yet..." He trailed off, his gaze lifting to Nicholas's. "I cannot say it is entirely their fault. I questioned Gisborne regarding the guard patrols and stations before the ball. He seemed to think my interrogation odd, for he intimated that any servant could tell me the same information. The guards' assignments at the guest rooms were left to the guests themselves." Bran rubbed his chin in thought. "The entire arrangement of soldiers in the castle was..." Foolish. Odd. Suspicious. He left the sentence unfinished but gave Nicholas a slight smile. "It would almost seem as if the Sheriff wanted to use the ball as a trap. Considering the end result, it worked rather well, aside from the fact that the rat's companions stole the bait."

[nico_debeaumont]

Nicholas snorted. "Unless you wish to be received like the invading barbarian hordes I suggest that you bring along a companion to accompany you. Somebody he believes in full command of their faculties. I would otherwise suggest flying stricken colours, if I did not so keenly wish to avoid the same fate for my face. He does not merely think you eccentric; he imagines your appetite for his blood rampant and barely in check. Approach alone and I do not think you will be allowed close enough to count his eyes."

He listened with interest to what Brian had discovered about the haphazard security situation. "Incredible," he began, shaking his own head. Although...there was something pleasingly educational about leaving protection of personal effects up to the individual. Too many of the so-called noble class knew not the first thing about how best to safeguard their property efficiently. Perhaps this morning, a few of Nottingham's minor upper class would be incrementally better informed on the subject.

"Much was taken, then?" he enquired, more out of interest for news about the mysterious gaggle of outlaws Locksley had adopted than sympathy for the fools who'd left their knicknacks and keepsakes out for the delectation of criminals. "A fair enough price to be paid, I'd wager. From what I hear, Locksley's exploits have cost the shire enough already. Last night's thievery ought to be dismissed as a tax payable for the capture of such a vagabond." Yes, that was rather neat. "A moron tax, perhaps."

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

A bark of laughter escaped Bran at the idea of James and his stalwart peasant filth sallying forth to repel the invading Cymry. "It may be more entertaining to be...welcomed as a madman bent on slaughter," Bran returned, cocking his head and grinning. "Then again, perhaps your words have wisdom. Perhaps I should be accompanied by someone who will guard my flank, so to speak. Mayhap someone whom the worthy knight trusts even to the point of lending his blade?"

He sobered, though, as he returned to Nicholas's question. "They relieved the castle of a fair amount. But I am unaware of the true amount of wealth that the bastards made off with last night." He spoke the truth. And...Nicholas did not need to know the exact amount. "We will likely never know, considering how reluctant the nobles are to report the true number of valuables they lost." He could hardly blame them. "Either they lower the amount for fear of looking the fool, or they raise it in hopes of receiving a higher return if Hood's mongrels are captured." The fools might have saved themselves the effort of exaggerating; Vaizey would return none of the gold. Nicholas hardly needed to know this, though.

Bran wore a half smile as he continued, "A moron tax indeed! But in Nottingham I fear such a tax would necessarily drain nearly every coffer in the shire. What was stolen last night is but a pittance compared to what is owed!" he laughed.

[nico_debeaumont]

Nicholas smiled wistfully. "That it would be." Perhaps with a little careful groundwork Sir James could be prodded into participating in a rather more gentle version of proceedings. A tourney would be poor consolation for any serious conflict, but consolation nonetheless. "I would happily accompany you. It could be with a more positive acquaintance present he would take heart, and present to you a little more steel. Of course, there is equal chance he will decide me as insane as you are."

He sniffed in response to Bran's comment upon the dishonesty of men's pride. And their greed. It was true enough. Nico detested liars. Some, anyway. Deceit for the sake of entertainment, now that was harmless. For concealing true intent - well, who would share their business with all and sundry? Simply good sense. But fraudulence in the sake of reputation, or financial gain? Either was unforgivable. If a man could not earn either in the usual course, neither was deserved.

"There are too many men in England today," he stated flatly "who hold far more than they could hope to have earned. Property one does not protect is property one has consented to lose. Too many fat little mother's boys staying comfortable upon the efforts of their ancestors." Oh yes, Stephane. He must write to his brother, Nico reminded himself.

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Nicholas's expression and words regarding James sent a thrill through Bran not unlike that which he felt before battle. Riding into Taversal and pushing the Ffreinc into combat would certainly prove excellent entertainment... But with Nicholas's help, Bran could extend the entertainment into a far more rewarding venture. The rush of adrenaline before battle of course enticed Bran, but the problem with such surges came in their departure. With Nicholas along, though, the reunion with James would more resemble a war of strategy than a flurry of blades. Besides, the look on the decrepit knight's face upon seeing the "madman" and Nicholas together would make the journey's value priceless. ...Hopefully Nicholas would not betray Bran in any way...

"Then it is decided," the mercenary replied with an amused smile as he clapped Nicholas on the shoulder. "We storm - ah, visit Sir James together. Does making the trip a few days after Hood's execution sound amenable to you, Sir Nicholas? I hate to keep the dear man waiting." He flashed his teeth in a grin at the last words. "He may not be a fat mother's boy still clinging to his parents' legs, but we shall still see how comfortable he is upon the ground of his ancestors." Ground his ancestors had stolen from its original owners. True, Saecsons held the land in the past, but Bran preferred their stench to that of the Ffreincs. And the Saecson dogs put up far less of a fight.

[nico_debeaumont]

"A time as good as any other," Nicholas answered, a sudden warmth suffusing him at the mention of Locksley's imminent and very public comeuppance. He would have to take care to find a good vantage point on that day. "I owe the man a visit of thanks anyway. I can repay my gratitude by protecting him from the fearsome Sir Brian of Brecon, Slayer of Saracens and Englishmen Alike. I think I may be named in his will for such a service, from the way he reacted the last he saw you. Or he shall swear a thousand biblical plagues upon my house for bringing the devil to his door." This, Nico decided, was going to be fun.
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OOC - ok maybe I am boring but I am running pretty low on light conversation, so unless you are still brimming with ideas for the two lovely gentlemen to snark over, I think I'm tapped. If so, let's roll right ahead and off to Teversal!

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran laughed at Nicholas's speculations, not to mention his new title for the mercenary. Ah, if the knight only knew! Saracens, Saecsons, Ffreincs... Generally whoever posed a threat or annoyance made fair game. "Be it with blessings or with curses, it will be an interesting visit! I only hope you are strong enough to restrain a madman such as myself," he added with a grin and chuckle.

"Now, if you will excuse me, I must refill my plate." He nodded to the almost-empty platter in his left hand. "I look forward to our visit with the utmost pleasure, Good Sir Nicholas." With a last smile and nod, Bran turned and headed back toward the refreshment tables. He could no doubt make off with a bit for Rhys.

((OOC: Sounds like a plan!))