Geoffrey showed up, having his word to keep. He hoped Giles and Mandeville would show too. It would be far easier with their support.

Giles was there. He had changed out of his hunting garb and into a more refined outfit, but he was still plucking the occasional twig from his hair.

"Earl Geoffrey." He greeted the other man. "Think you we can crack this nut this evening?"

the Earl is silent for a short time as he turned the idea over in his head. "It's possible. I'm sure the King won't be too pleased that the Sheriff wasn't pocketing the money."

"He's going to be annoyed. Possibly angry. During a time when money is supposed to be flowing to the crusade, spiking taxes for personal reasons is not a good look," he said, before seeking entry into Richard's office.

The group is allowed in. Richard looks a little tired today. The hunt must have taken something out of him.

"Hey!" he says gamely. "What's this, Northumberland and Essex and the Chancellor, huh? I bet this isn't good news."

"Probably not, my King," Geoffrey says, much more formally than when they were alone. "It has been brought to our attention that a discussion about activities of the sheriff here in London is needed."

"Huh." He straightens up a little in his seat. "Yeah?"

Giles bows low, keeping his hands folded before him as they are admitted to be received.

"Earl Geoffrey is right Your Majesty. There was nearly a riot at the regatta the other day and the underlying cause is...while not a direct concern for you now, if left unaddressed it could grow to become one swiftly. The Sheriff is stirring up the ire of the people due to his creative interpretations of taxation law and in the eyes of the people it is reflecting upon your new rule."

"Well, that's no good." He looks over at de Mandeville, who nods once to support your assertions. His fists tighten on the arms of his chair. "I might just have to have a chat with this Sheriff."

"Whatever you decide on, since the people were upset enough to drag a chain across the river and capture us, it's probably best if there is some publicly visible acknowledgement of their concerns," Geoffrey suggests. "Otherwise addressing the issue will do nothing to assuage them. A few of them seemed a bit more bloodthirsty than legitimately concerned with the issue."

"I hate to be the one to speak contrary my King, but do you not have a pressing appointment you must leave for in the morning? Perhaps this would be a matter best delegated due to the constraints of time." Giles suggests in a calm, soothing voice.

"Look, I get it. I don't like being ripped off, either. Anyway, this guy gets to be fired. He gets to pay me back. And he gets to get his stuff and come on Crusade. I don't need to be there to make that happen."

He smiles. "That's why I have guys."

"It certainly is," Geoffrey agrees with a nod.