CH. 08 - Winter Solstice

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna looks at the others, and decides to speak up first. "Despite having not taken oaths, the three of us still care for Buho. It's our home," she says. "We should do what we can to keep it protected. Besides, nothing against Ser Walls or anything, the militia is trained for battle and not diplomacy."

[Ezeze]

Katya follows Ser Walls's lead and bows as well.

She laughs, once, at the Baron's question but then stops herself.

"Forgive me, Baron" she says. "It's just, no one has asked before, and honestly I'm not sure there is an answer."

"It was a thing that needed to be done-"



"-and we were not the only ones to do it."

[GravityEmblem]

After pondering on the question for a while, Lillian answers, "It was a way for me to find my place, in a fashion. I had always felt like an outsider, and I decided I...owed Buho a service or two."

[Daos]

Derica lets out a small gasp at Katya's laugh, but while it seems to startle the baron a bit, he does not appear offended.  He simply nods.  "I am glad to hear the three of you take your duty to home and community so seriously.  I have been looking for people who are good at diplomacy, but able to protect themselves and others should it fail.  People who are loyal to both church and state, and those willing to risk their own lives to aid others."  He looks over to the reeve.  "Ser Walls?"

Derica bows again, then quickly departs the room.  The baron turns his attention back to the three young women before him.  "In addition to meeting all of that criteria, the three of you also have little tying you down.  One without family, one with a shattered family, and one without legitimacy.  I have a job for you three, if you are willing to accept it.  It will require leaving Buho for a time.  There will be danger involved.  And also, a tremendous responsibility that cannot be taken lightly."

[Ezeze]

"What would this job entail?"

[Daos]

Before Escott can answer that question, Derica returns, and she isn't alone.  A young woman, perhaps around 16 years of age, accompanies her.  She has shoulder-length red hair, green eyes, and pale skin--very pale, almost like she's never stepped foot out into the sunlight before.  She is dressed in a fine gown and wears jewelry, showing she must be some kind of noble.

The baron gestures to the girl to come forward.  She approaches the throne and stands next to him, offering a shy smile to the party.  The baron then addresses the party, "Allow me to present my daughter, Helen Escott."  Much like with the baron himself, none of the party have ever laid eyes upon this person before.  She's likely not what one would expect.  Most of the portraits out in the hall portrayed the Escotts as having black hair and blue eyes.  Likely, Helen takes more after her mother than her father.

"It has been decided that my Helen will be married to Eowin Solan, son of Count Solan of Solanshire in Hart," Escott explains.  "Although the wedding will not be for another couple of years, Count Solan feels that my Helen should stay at his castle for a time to learn how to become a proper baroness."  He frowns.  "The count believes she has not had the proper upbringing expected of a lady here in my home, and this should be rectified before the marriage."  Helen lowers her head, as if embarrassed, but she's unable to keep the sparkle of excitement hidden from her eyes.

Here, the baron hesitates, as if struggling to find the right words.  "I am not...I have never been separated from my daughter since the day of her birth," he explains.  "This is...not easy for me.  I need people I can trust.  Those who have shown loyalty and piety to form an entourage, serving as her bodyguards, servants and confidants while she is away.  You will be paid a generous stipend, of course, to ensure you have what you need to carry out this job."  He sighs heavily, and suddenly looks very tired and old.  "Do you accept this tremendous responsibility, to protect that which I treasure most in the world?"

[Ezeze]

Katya considers the Baroness for a moment, and the Baron as well.

"Baron Escott" she begins. "Baronness" she inclines her head towards his daughter respectfully. How odd that he is requesting she take a role of guardianship over a woman not very much younger than herself. He truly must have no one else to ask.

"This is, as you have said, a tremendous responsibility. I beg your leave to discuss with my mother, and to pray on the matter, before I commit."

[HorizonsDream]

"It is an honor to be picked for such a mission," Ladonna says. "And I readily accept. I will need to make some arrangements for my father before we leave though."

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian contemplates on the question for quite a while, before answering, "Perhaps...how long will we be in Helen's services?"

[Daos]

"There will be plenty of time to put your affairs in order first," the baron clarifies.  "My Helen will not be departing for Hart until the snows melt and the roads clear in the spring.  Obviously, I wouldn't send her now, in the dead of winter."  In answer to Lillian's question, he answers, "At least until she has been married.  At that point, you can leave her service or seek to renegotiate your contracts, but with her instead of myself.  As I will be stepping down then anyway."

[Ezeze]

"Pardon, Baron. Stepping down?" Katya asks for clarification.

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian starts to ask if they could bring others along with them, but holds her tongue at the baron’s confession.

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna's eye widen in surprise. "...Stepping down? Why, if I may be so bold?"

[Daos]

"Yes.  Once my Helen marries, she will become the new Baroness of Buho and I will retire," he elaborates.  "It has been a long time coming."

[Ezeze]

How interesting.

Katya keeps quiet. She's in no position to give her opinion on the matter of the Baron stepping down.