The Royal Apartments were seeing a lot of traffic today, but after the outburst in court today that was really no surprise. For himself, Giles had a small investment in the situation, Geoffrey was an acquaintance, maybe a potential friend, and other friends had invested heavily in his bid for Northumberland.

Perhaps the words of a minor child of the Lord of Bramber would carry no weight, but then perhaps the opportunity to try and display to the King the mind and skill in thought that Giles possessed was worthwhile in itself. For one aspiring to lay claim to the opportunities laid out here, every chance must be siezed.

So Giles waited in the outer chambers to see if he was even worthy to be called into the King's presence.

It was not long before a guard opened the door and ushered Giles into the chamber.

Richard was seated at table, a large hunk of bread in one hand and a bowl of soup in the other. He regards Giles with a curious expression.

"You're de Braose's kid, right? What's this all about?"

"Yes," Giles confirms as he bows deeply before the King. "His second son, Your Majesty." He adds before moving on swiftly.

"And if you'll forgive my bluntness, sire, I hoped to be blessed with a few minutes of your time to speak about how a son not expected to inherit much may work to secure a brighter future and maybe even a grand legacy." Giles explains, hoping that Richard's personal path to inheritance might lend his approach some emotional weight.

The giant blinks. "Well, I can't say that I've given your prospects much thought. I've heard of your father; if you've got even one-tenth of his grit, you're not going to need my advice to make your own opportunities. Unless..you had something specific in mind?"

"I don't expect you have Sire, nor would i ask you to. It is on me to make my own destiny, and I plan to be your next Lord Chancellor." He states easily, with no emotion as if it were as simple as a foregone conclusion. "The Queen Mother all but dared me to make something of myself to prove my worth to her, so I've decided this will be the way, inject some fresh young blood on your council of advisors."

"Okay. Well, I did say my offices would go to the most devoted, and mother seems to have lit a fire under your ass. Maybe it'll happen."

"Yes, she is an exceptional woman, although from court this morning, one who can read between the lines would interpret some discomfort between herself and King William of Scotland. She disagrees with your plan for Northumberland my King?"

"She does," the King replied. "And she's not alone, but a man gives his word that a deal's made, what else can he do?"

"You are King, what can't you do?" Giles offers as counterpoint. "I am sure that your personal code plays a large part in your honest dealings with King William, but at what price does any Lord put himself above those who look to him for protection and succor?"

"The decision is yours of course, but your Earls and Barons see portions of the Realm being sold to foreigners. It is to raise funds for a most worthy cause that none can dispute, but how long until they fear for their own lands that you so generously allow them to oversee. If they start to fear for their own way of life, the lands of their families? Well, how long until that fear grows into something else?"


D7 LE Intrigue v Richard TN15: 1d20 9

The king opens his mouth to speak, then closes it. He thinks for a few moments. "That's a good point, de Braose. That's a pretty good point. Of course, I'd just have to grind them under my heel, but who needs the hassle? Yeah, the fight's in Outremer, and later it'll be in France. The island needs to be quiet. Yeah..." he gets lost in thought for a moment.

"Right, well, I'll take it under advisement. Got anything else for me, Chancellor-to-be?"

"No my King, I thank you for your time and hope to see you at Mass tomorrow, and not in the healers tent after the Melee. I'll leave you to your thoughts and your repast."

"Ha! Healer's tent. Don't you worry about that! Take care of yourself, de Braose. See you tomorrow."

"Good Fortune tomorrow Your Highness." Giles responded with a bow before he left to find his sleeping mat.

/exit