Thread: Setting out my shingle - the Requests of Methos

Here's a bit of a writing sample...post from a pm game hi if you've seen this already! I did get a bit carried away. Richard sat at a table with several of his generals studying a map of the surrounding countryside. Small statues were placed upon it to represent divisions of the army and several mugs of ale had been place upon it to represent enemy fortresses. As the young king looked around the room, spirits had never been higher. While they had lost not a few of their number everyone could seemingly feel that unlike years of campaigning where battles had gone back and forth, and territory had been gained and lost. This time was different. Hence as the king leaned in his fingers tracing along one road as he noted We take the north road to their capital. Only one castle lines between us and them and the route is flat. Little chance they can stage and ambush. Were leave a garrison here. Well beside Whelther Castle here along the road and upon taking it, proceed to their capital which we shall besiege, conqueror, sack and claim. He grinned I only wish my father was here to see it. As he stood there encircled by his closest military advisors in the drafty hall of this seized provincial castle a guard pushed in through the door. My king - I think you should see this. The Garethians have sent theirdelegation. The King looked up from his map and nodded What Ive never seen an ambassador before? The guard shook his head and then responded No sire, its just I dont think thats an ambassador it looks like the King sent his daughter. The guard offered a slightly sheepish smile as he noted Or at least thats how Ive seen her described. His daughter? Why is he sending herahh by god he is desperate then eh? Isnt she married? He turned to his advisors and after they conferred a moment they all mumbled their agreement. Richard shrugged and then remarked Send in the messenger. Then after Im finished reading their missive show in the princess. He stated rather simply, he took a seat, although for the moment he wasnt clad particularly regally. He could easily have been taken for any well to do knight aside from his demeanour and how the others differed to him. But as he pulled out a chair and others fanned out behind him, he was clearly the centre and focal point of the room. Thus as his elbow propped up on the arm of the chair he waited. The messenger was escorted in and indeed went through a rather exhaustive amount of honorifics and flattery before he produced a rather lengthy scroll with the Garethian Kings seal upon it. Richard slouched back in his chair and broke the seal from the scroll. Thereafter he unfurled it before him and rather casually read it aloud Dear most valiant royal cousin. The King paused as he muttered Really? He claims a distant kinship from five generations ago now? His eyes trailed down the scroll as he snorted Oh well he offers me land that Ive seized from him that he has no way of taking back from me. Generous of him isnt it? And some land I could bloody well take from him tomorrow if I had a mind to. Despite his evident scepticism he read onwards 5,000 pounds of gold to be paid to me to compensate me for any past losses of my kin and people. He smiled faintly He ransoms himself even before hes captured. Ah and Im offered the hand of his daughter, now his sole heir. Upon his death we would jointly take the crown of his kingdom with the kingdoms being passed on as one realm to our eldest son. He looked over to his advisors Didnt we just discuss this Winston? I swear I thought his daughter was married at least a half a dozen years ago. It was news at the time. The courtier in question inclined his head slightly and his hand rose to stroke through a coppery beard as he noted Your Majestys memory has not failed him. That was indeed what transpired. The King remarked Well how the devil am I supposed to marry her if shes already married - what did he do have the man executed? This received a shrug from his advisor as though to suggest it wasnt outside the realms of possibility. He glanced down at the paper once more and remarked Ah alright, apparently her marriage has been annulled. He smiled faintly I doubt she liked that much. And apparently his physicians claim she remains capable of providing me heirs and has previously produced children but they were claimed by the pestilence which swept through their lands three years ago. He shook his head slightly And naturally shes beautiful, charming, the apple of his eye etc, etc, etc, the fellow is laying it on a bit thick her. He mused and then idly remarked I doubt she much liked having his doctors poking and prodding at the more delicate parts of her anatomy before or after her marriage was annulled. He chuckled softly as he leaned back in his chair and his feet stretched out. He turned to the same advisor hes spoken to a moment past And what say you my Lord Westwick? The King grinned slightly as he rather jokingly stated My enemy sends me what under other circumstances would be a humiliating peace treaty, advise me Winston. The rotund and coppery haired lord grinned rather broadly and remarked Ah my lord but is it not under even these circumstances humiliating? He cedes to you immediately a good third of his kingdom. He gives you his daughter, five thousand pounds of gold and wills you his kingdom. Short of cutting open his own veins and throwing open the doors of his city can you really expect more? You could not have realistically expected them to offer more. The King nodded slightly as he murmured A fair point, I suppose I cannot expect him to do more than that. But he turned towards another lord And George, my lord Angavine what say you of this matter? The more slender and blonde hair lord offered a shrug of his shoulders. His blue eyes turned and met those of the king as he responded stated rather simply We have our boot across their throat milord. My inclination is to crush their windpipe not to negotiate. Ah so you would have me send more of my brave men to die. But perhaps we would end all wars in the near future no? Slay out enemies and wreck such havoc that who else would are to triffle with us? On the other hand I may bleed my armies of their strength and another may come against while we are weakened, beating us like a weakened giant ravaged by disease. He seemed to weigh the two possibilities in his mind before he shrugged. He turned to the guard as he remarked Send in the princess. She is here to see me so I shall speak with her and see what she has to say of these matters. Thus the broad doors of the hallway were thrown open and light poured in from the hallway leading from the courtyard beyond. The princess was allowed to approach along the steps and a smile graced Richards lips as he caught his first glance at her as he murmured Perhaps not laying it on so thick after all