[D2, LM, Court] Between Two Lions

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"If you are confident in your skills, or simply wish to help sponsor the Crusasde, yes. The entrance fee is intended to support King Richard's efforts to do Gods will on earth," he said with a nod.

Confidence. Certainly. You can try, you have to do this...

"Very well, I will endeavour to compete - at the very least, I will have contributed. Otherwise, how have you fared 'on this side of the pond', goes the Anglican saying?"

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

Confidence. Certainly. You can try, you have to do this...

"Very well, I will endeavour to compete - at the very least, I will have contributed. Otherwise, how have you fared 'on this side of the pond', goes the Anglican saying?"

"Not my first time," he says with a chuckle. "Been visiting London for years. I love sailing the southern coast from Cornwall to the capital. You'd think I'd have learned the language by now, but enough folks of London speak French that I haven't been pressured into it yet."

[Giles de Braose]

Matilda shook her head slowly. "The man is a flirt, and almost as incorrigible as my sister. He came upon is the Abbey gardens, and to make a long story short, he promises to take us into London."

GIles nods in thought as he considers how best to describe the lot a young woman might have to look forward to.

"Well, not to crush your hopes and dreams my dear, but your future is more than likely headed down one of a very few paths, you are aware of this, yes?" HE explains as gently as he can.

"You will be married to a man of your fathers choosing, unless the life of a lady of our Lord God is your preference? I doubt the patriarch of the esteemed d'Aubigny line would refute such a noble and blessed calling. So I assume the young lady's objection falls into the category of either the whom is doing the pursuing or the nature of the pursuit?"

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"Not my first time," he says with a chuckle. "Been visiting London for years. I love sailing the southern coast from Cornwall to the capital. You'd think I'd have learned the language by now, but enough folks of London speak French that I haven't been pressured into it yet."

"I see," nodded Simon, "Do you know the best eateries and drinking spots in the city, then?"

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

"I see," nodded Simon, "Do you know the best eateries and drinking spots in the city, then?"

"I know the ones I prefer and some others," he says with a nod. "A few gambling, smoking and underground boxing dens. Theaters, curiosities, soldiers hangs, brothels, sitting rooms, gentlemen's clubs, studios. Everything can be found."

[Llywelyn mab Iorwerth]

"How...well put. I tell you what let's do. I will not sponsor you myself, but I know someone who will, if I give the word. Take my token," she hands you a glass bauble with a little golden rose inside, "and show it to Bigod, the Lord of Norfolk. He needs friends, I think, and since charity brought you to me, it is right that you should show it to him."

"I..." Llwelyn pauses with this words, biting off his first impression ("I am not worthy"). But that would to make light of the gift, and of the person who is offering. "I offer my thanks Your Grace. I shall put it to good use." Llwelyn pockets the piece and bows to her. "Thank you for your time. And, Prince Arthur" Llwelyn holds out his hair again. "Just in case you need me quickly you know the beacon"

[Cearnach]

"I..." Llwelyn pauses with this words, biting off his first impression ("I am not worthy"). But that would to make light of the gift, and of the person who is offering. "I offer my thanks Your Grace. I shall put it to good use." Llwelyn pockets the piece and bows to her. "Thank you for your time. And, Prince Arthur" Llwelyn holds out his hair again. "Just in case you need me quickly you know the beacon"

Arthur smiles widely and claps his approval. Eleanor's smile is a kind one, but much less joyous. "Please take care of yourself, Lord Llywelyn," she says.

[Llywelyn mab Iorwerth]

Llwelyn steps back and begins to make his way around the Court, doing his best to not blindly rushing to the next person he has in mind.

He slowly begins to make his way toward the Scottish king, William, hoping to catch his eye.

[William the Lion]

Llwelyn steps back and begins to make his way around the Court, doing his best to not blindly rushing to the next person he has in mind.

He slowly begins to make his way toward the Scottish king, William, hoping to catch his eye.

He does after a moment. The King's coal-black eyes meet yours, and he raises a grey eyebrow before beckoning you forward.

[Llywelyn mab Iorwerth]

"Your Grace" Llwelyn bows. "Your successes are a model to us all. I am pleased to hear that there is currently peace between North and South. I hope that someday we may have it in the West while we go...well, quite far East"

[William the Lion]

"Your Grace" Llwelyn bows. "Your successes are a model to us all. I am pleased to hear that there is currently peace between North and South. I hope that someday we may have it in the West while we go...well, quite far East"

The old king's expression remains impassive, but his eyes seem to twinkle. "A worthy goal, sir, but an expensive one. Freedom is costly. And difficult to hold on to."

[Cearnach]

GIles nods in thought as he considers how best to describe the lot a young woman might have to look forward to.

"Well, not to crush your hopes and dreams my dear, but your future is more than likely headed down one of a very few paths, you are aware of this, yes?" HE explains as gently as he can.

"You will be married to a man of your fathers choosing, unless the life of a lady of our Lord God is your preference? I doubt the patriarch of the esteemed d'Aubigny line would refute such a noble and blessed calling. So I assume the young lady's objection falls into the category of either the whom is doing the pursuing or the nature of the pursuit?"

Matilda frowns. "Yes, Mister de Braose, I am well aware. But even those of us who have no choice and no acknowledged ideas are aware that there are proprieties that must be observed."

[Giles de Braose]

Matilda frowns. "Yes, Mister de Braose, I am well aware. But even those of us who have no choice and no acknowledged ideas are aware that there are proprieties that must be observed."

GIles squeezed Matilda's hand gently. "There are people who recognize the wisdom a woman possesses," he whispers conspiratorially as he positions himself slightly to gaze upon the throne dais where Eleanor sat.

"You just have to be extremely careful where, when and with whom you try and exercise what power that you can cultivate. I know we're not strictly kin, but I find myself with no sisters of my own to dote on, so please do tell me if I need to arrange an accident to avenge your honor my dear."

[Llywelyn mab Iorwerth]

The old king's expression remains impassive, but his eyes seem to twinkle. "A worthy goal, sir, but an expensive one. Freedom is costly. And difficult to hold on to."

"Extremely so. I have seen it myself. In one generation, Owain Gynned's kingdom fractured and brothers feud over the pieces."

Llwelyn's expression turns grave at the thought. "But, as you pointed out, it is quite worthy. What else is worthy? God and Honor?"

[William the Lion]

"Extremely so. I have seen it myself. In one generation, Owain Gynned's kingdom fractured and brothers feud over the pieces."

Llwelyn's expression turns grave at the thought. "But, as you pointed out, it is quite worthy. What else is worthy? God and Honor?"

"Justice," William predictably ventures. "That's how I united my kingdom, and how Henry Beauclerc united his. If you dispense justice, and you can do it over the whole of your lands, you will find the people looking to you to lead of their own accord."

[Cearnach]

GIles squeezed Matilda's hand gently. "There are people who recognize the wisdom a woman possesses," he whispers conspiratorially as he positions himself slightly to gaze upon the throne dais where Eleanor sat.

"You just have to be extremely careful where, when and with whom you try and exercise what power that you can cultivate. I know we're not strictly kin, but I find myself with no sisters of my own to dote on, so please do tell me if I need to arrange an accident to avenge your honor my dear."

"I'll keep it in mind. We shall see how this London business plays out."

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"I see," nodded Simon, "Do you know the best eateries and drinking spots in the city, then?"

"I know the ones I prefer and some others," he says with a nod. "A few gambling, smoking and underground boxing dens. Theaters, curiosities, soldiers hangs, brothels, sitting rooms, gentlemen's clubs, studios. Everything can be found."

"I see," Simon continued, his usual voice of iron present but without emboldening everything. "I admit, I am new to this city - perchance, could I come to rely on your knowledge should I have an urgent need for something?"

[Llywelyn mab Iorwerth]

"Justice," William predictably ventures. "That's how I united my kingdom, and how Henry Beauclerc united his. If you dispense justice, and you can do it over the whole of your lands, you will find the people looking to you to lead of their own accord."

Llwelyn ponders it and slowly begins to nod. "You do not take pains to show yourself as the better man, the wiser man...the more just man. You be it, and pray the others notice. "

He offers a grimace. "I do fear that it may take a while for someone of that caliber to be noticed"

[William the Lion]

Llwelyn ponders it and slowly begins to nod. "You do not take pains to show yourself as the better man, the wiser man...the more just man. You be it, and pray the others notice. "

He offers a grimace. "I do fear that it may take a while for someone of that caliber to be noticed"

"Light is more readily noticed in the deepest darkness," the King of Scotland replies. "I think it may well be the same with other things. They are seen when looked for, and they are looked for when people have need of them. You need to find honest men that you can trust, or who understand that working for justice is in their self-interest. These will be your Justiciars, and they will extend your reach, acting on your behalf. Just like Ranulf de Glanville did for King Henry, and just like William Longchamp claims he will do for Richard."

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

"I see," Simon continued, his usual voice of iron present but without emboldening everything. "I admit, I am new to this city - perchance, could I come to rely on your knowledge should I have an urgent need for something?"

"Better than that, I would be open to joining you in the city sometime. Tomorrow I am engaged to do so with others, but in future days maybe?" he offers.

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"Better than that, I would be open to joining you in the city sometime. Tomorrow I am engaged to do so with others, but in future days maybe?" he offers.

The (presumably) smaller man smiles.

"I would like that, I think. To learn a city you must live a city, and who better with than one who has lived here a long time?"

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

The (presumably) smaller man smiles.

"I would like that, I think. To learn a city you must live a city, and who better with than one who has lived here a long time?"

"Well, I've only stayed regularly, not lived. But I can definitely be a guide," he says confidently.

[Giles de Braose]

"I'll keep it in mind. We shall see how this London business plays out."

"So I shouldn't ask him to watch over you and Nichole when I approach the dais?" He teases gently as he starts to rise to his feet.

[Cearnach]

"Certainly not!" she huffs at your back, her arms folded.

[Giles de Braose]

"Then I'll try not to be too long." He answers with a cheeky grin.

Giles takes a few deep calming breaths before unpacking a small portable book and hefting its weight in his hands. Rising from his seat, he walks slowly towards the royal throne and prostrates himself before it at an appropriate distance as he waits upon the pleasure of King Richard.

[King Richard Lionheart]

The people on the dais certainly notice you when you lay down flat on the floor of the Hall. You are quickly bidden to rise by...it sounds like both Eleanor and Richard at the same time, the latter with a hint of a chuckle in his voice.

"I have seldom been so honored! Why aren't you all coming up here like this?" He laughs. "You've earned my ear twice over. What business do you bring?"

[Giles de Braose]

"I am not a warrior, nor a great man of wealth Your Majesty." Giles explained as ge held forth a small token offering as he switched to Richards home language.

"Iam but a simple younger son to one of your loyal vassals, Giles de Braose, son of William Lord of Bramber. I cannot offer your noble endeavour to reclaim the Holy City funding, nor brave soldiers. I hope that this will provide some small measure of onspiration when times are darkest on your campaign. I transcribed this account of the siege of Jerusalem during the First Crusade into your native tongue."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanson ... %A9rusalem

[King Richard Lionheart]

"I am not a warrior, nor a great man of wealth Your Majesty." Giles explained as ge held forth a small token offering as he switched to Richards home language.

"Iam but a simple younger son to one of your loyal vassals, Giles de Braose, son of William Lord of Bramber. I cannot offer your noble endeavour to reclaim the Holy City funding, nor brave soldiers. I hope that this will provide some small measure of inspiration when times are darkest on your campaign. I transcribed this account of the siege of Jerusalem during the First Crusade into your native tongue."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanson ... %A9rusalem

The King's eyebrows rise an inch or so as he considers your gift. He has a page fetch it up to him and begins to flip through it. "Excellent work, Giles de Braose. I shall enjoy this, and study the works of Robert Curthose, Tancred and Bohemond, great Normans who gave their strength to this holy act. May all true Norman knights follow their example, as we intend to do."

+10 Glory to Giles de Braose for public praise from the King and promoting the Crusade.

[Giles de Braose]

"If his Majesty appreciates the skills and literacy displayed in this work, then I am honored beyond words. I only hope that the future may provide an opportunity to serve you again." Giles replies before withdrawing.

((Investing glory into Lord Chancellor Office))