Talavaria stood and raised her arms. "Spirits above us, spirits below us," she began, using the traditional phrasing. "We pause now to seek your blessings on us and this court. We thank you for your aid in times past, and we ask you to keep us all safe in mind and body, and protect us all as we walk here between."
She made a gesture of blessing over those gathered, and took her seat once more.
Many of the initial petitioners were simply well-wishes from various quarters. Some were foreign diplomats from the kingdoms to the north, while others represented prominent citizens and wealthy families who were not of the status of the noble houses, but still had their own games of prestige to play among their circles. The King received these graciously, but moved them along with a practiced efficiency. There were a few legal disputes brought before the King in the first morning. In most of these cases, the King simply let stand the decision of the lower court of law that was being appealed
( ... )
More routine court business follows, and the noon hour soon approaches. In the back of the hall, petitioners begin to look worried; only a few more will get the chance to approach the King before he calls a break for the noon meal.
One woman looks particularly anxious as she watches the proceedings, occasionally asking those around her if they think there is a chance she will get her turn today. She's pretty far back in the line, although she must have been waiting early to have made it this far.
She is young, though clearly not a girl, and her clothes are worn and frayed, but she carries herself with an quiet dignity that catches the attention of those around here.
She is clearly disappointed when the King calls for an end to the morning session before getting to her, but she remains in place hoping her chance might come later in the afternoon.
(From Chat)shaharazadFebruary 18 2006, 23:22:05 UTC
Emily started wandering over towards the lady, curious. Most of the people around her had wandered off toward the tables where food had been set out for court visitors. At the other end of the hall, the last of the royal party are exiting. The woman remained where she was, as if afraid of losing her place in line
( ... )
Petition Day was notorious around the palace for its tediousness. Petitioners filled the courtyard, fidgeting and fretting as they waited for hours on and and dwelled on all the things in their lives they ought to be doing with their time. Spackle, of course, was obliged to go out amid the masses and provide some brevity.
First priority was to entertain the nobles. The commoners had to wait their turn, but they'd be waiting longer anyhow. Spackle always got a warmer reception from them; probably because they'd been watching in envy as he gradually made his way over to them.
People welcomed a joke, a song, or a poem to take their minds off their anxiety, but mostly what they wanted from him was a sympathetic ear. Spackle provided that. He cracked a joke now and then, but never at the expense of his audience if he could help it. All requests for help were answered with, "You think I have leverage with the King? All he does is laugh at me. I doubt your case will be helped much if he mistakes it for a joke."
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She made a gesture of blessing over those gathered, and took her seat once more.
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One woman looks particularly anxious as she watches the proceedings, occasionally asking those around her if they think there is a chance she will get her turn today. She's pretty far back in the line, although she must have been waiting early to have made it this far.
She is young, though clearly not a girl, and her clothes are worn and frayed, but she carries herself with an quiet dignity that catches the attention of those around here.
She is clearly disappointed when the King calls for an end to the morning session before getting to her, but she remains in place hoping her chance might come later in the afternoon.
Reply
Reply
First priority was to entertain the nobles. The commoners had to wait their turn, but they'd be waiting longer anyhow. Spackle always got a warmer reception from them; probably because they'd been watching in envy as he gradually made his way over to them.
People welcomed a joke, a song, or a poem to take their minds off their anxiety, but mostly what they wanted from him was a sympathetic ear. Spackle provided that. He cracked a joke now and then, but never at the expense of his audience if he could help it. All requests for help were answered with, "You think I have leverage with the King? All he does is laugh at me. I doubt your case will be helped much if he mistakes it for a joke."
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