"As you say, your Grace." de Clare bowed, tuning out John's sputtering cry of indignation and promise to sic his mother on Richard. Who responded with the heaviest of shrugs. Then de Clare beat feet as smoothly and quickly as he could, slipping out the door and away from the palace before the tyrant...

de Clare fell silent instantly. This might be easier than he thought.

de Clare assumed an expression of innocence, his eyebrows rising. "Poli--?"

Not for the first time in his life, Richard de Clare wondered just how expensive his cousin's ambition was going to be. Strongbow had been a great man, but subjugating a massive portion of the British Isles without regal sanction had been a move for a man with more friends, or at least against a les...

"Perhaps." He nodded. "As for me, I will be looking forward to my King and his brother asking me for my time in the near future. We might have a chance, provided John comes to see me in public."

"My vassal is cryptic," de Clare chuckles. "There is nothing in this that is easy. Had it been, we would have done it long ago. But there will not be a greater opportunity than now."

Richard pondered to himself why they had switched to Welsh, but chose not to tip his hand. Did Andre not want to go after John? An interesting point. It would seem that someone else would need to back Llywelyn's play, particularly if it was the only one on offer. He resolved to hold himself in readi...

"Sir Robert Faulconbridge is entrusted with his care and development, and has been doing a good job. No, I merely wished you to be armed with the knowledge if it became necessary to achieve our aims. It may be that he will produce the effect we need to expose the fault-lines between the Plantagenets...

"The King is not the only player in the field," the Earl replies. "And he has no heir named as of yet. It would be galling to some men to have a brother or nephew on the throne when one of their own is in play. I suspect, but cannot be completely certain, that King Richard is one of these." "As for ...

"You may need to, in the end, but do not use it except out of deepest need." He hesitated, then shook his head and plowed on. "Philip, Sir Robert Faulconbridge's second son, is the natural son of King Richard. We have been keeping him safe at the request of King Henry. I am not altogether certain th...

"Or should it be created." de Clare smiles. "One seldom has the privilege of fate opening the door." He considers for another moment. "There is another matter which may have some bearing on this, but it should not be our first recourse. There is some danger involved. I have trusted you men with much...

"Perhaps Richard might consider that line of reasoning. He's not a very subtle man, but he's no fool. And he did not agree with many of his father's decisions. He can sometimes resent interference, however."

"It seems that very few people do." Llwelyn paused to think. "The might be the key to Gloucester. How tightly do you believe the Prince would cling to it if his pride dictated that he object elsewhere?" "He'll cling to it for his wife's sake as well as his own. Isabella of Gloucester should never h...

"I do have an understanding with some of the Marcher lords, not all of which owe fealty to me," de Clare offers. "And I think the Archbishop has no love of John, so we may well have a friend there."

"Very well. My principle rival is Prince John. By himself, he would not be a problem, as he is hated by his mother and brother. However, he is supported by the actions Henry II took during his life, which won him Gloucester and Ireland at the expense of my wife's claims. These lands are not stricly ...

"Ruling a united Gwynedd?" de Clare considers for a moment. "Alright. You sign a truce with me for the duration of the Crusade +5 years. I promise not to expand at your expense, you promise not to expand at mine. I warn you, though, Llywelyn, the enemies of my house are strong. If we have an agreeme...

"I think I understand." de Clare is quiet for a moment. "Well, it is no secret that our allies are not as thick on the ground as once they were. But I confess that I am curious that a Welshman would offer his services to the rightful lord of all southern Wales. What precisely are you looking for in ...

Richard de Clare is silent for a long time. "What an interesting proposition. How is it that you can make a person lose, Llywelyn?"

Testing Trusting, tn 11: 1d20 17

Sir Robert Faulconbridge comes out of the tent looking a little upset. Moments later the guards usher you inside, where Lord de Clare sits on his camp stool. He nods kindly enough to each of you, though there is a certain tenseness to his expression.

"Agnatu, good to see you. Who's this?"

Much like his brother Earl, Richard de Clare flubbed his line. Unlike de Mandeville, he was not so much dull as tipsy, lisping an important word and so marring his performance.

"The firsht Conquerour of Angle-land;"

Critical Success, Success, Fail.

Just now entering the church is another Earl, middle aged, with thinning dark hair. Broad of shoulder and of obviously prodigious strength, there is a force even to the way he genuflects in the direction of the tabernacle. He nods to Waleran, seems pleased at the return nod, and sits down just behin...

To l'Ecrivain the Loquacious, Richard, Earl of Hertford, sends greetings, I appreciated your reply, as I am sure Ridel's soul appreciated your prayers, and acknowledge that some handle on the law may well be in our interest. If you could particularly lay your hands on and bring as much material as y...

To Andre l'Ecrivain, called Dwym Bwydo by some we know, Richard, Earl of Hertford, sends an invitation. I hope that this letter finds you well and fit to travel. Word may well have reached the Marches by now of the death of Henry Curtmantle and the imminent accession of his son, Richard, Duke of Aqu...