CH. 09 - A New Beginning

[Daos]

Ladonna
"Usually, the sponsor does so to improve their own family standing, if they are a relative," Rolan says.  "If not, then perhaps they expect some kind of favor or payment in return.  Like paying back the gold, or a marriage or something like that."

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna can't help but wince a little bit upon hearing the word marriage. "I'll speak to my father about what he wants to do. I thank you for your help," she says with a bow of her head. With that done, she takes her leave to seek out Ser Kellerman.

[Daos]

Ladonna
Ladonna returns to the manor, and asking directions, is pointed upstairs to the second floor, and down the hall, to reach the castellan's office.  Upon knocking, she hears Kellerman say, "Enter" from inside.  Stepping into the room, she finds it is richly decorated with red and silver.  The walls are hung with tapestries depicting famous lovers from history.  The bed and canopy are covered in red velvet with silver trim.  Everything is neat and organized.  There's a wash basin and bathtub with a black satin curtain that can be pulled around them for privacy.  In front of the fireplace is a bearskin rug and an overstuffed couch.  A table and chairs occupy an otherwise open space.  Shelves and cabinets line one wall.

Redna herself sits at the desk, apparently doing paperwork.  It seems her office and her bedroom are one in the same, oddly enough.  "Ah, Ser Marche," she says, looking up from her work.  "Is there something I can help you with?"

[GravityEmblem]

“So, what brings you to Hart?” Lillian asks the young explorer.

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, this might seem a little out of no where," Ladonna says. "But I am looking for a sponsor for my father."

[Daos]

Ladonna
"A sponsor for what?" asks Kellerman.

After Ladonna actually explains what she is talking about, the castellan then asks, "Well, who has your father spoken to so far?"

Lillian
"Nothing," the young man says.  "I live here.  Born and raised in town.  My father owns a smithy."

[GravityEmblem]

“And I suppose you’re seeking a life of adventure?” Lillian presumes.

[HorizonsDream]

"I'm not exactly sure, at the moment," Ladonna says. "I am just trying to help him out a little bit, but I have no idea who would want to sponsor a middle aged man that is out of shape."

[Daos]

Ladonna
"I'm not sure who would either," Redna admits.  "Your best bet is to speak with him about it.  This is an important decision, and you cannot make it without his input.  He may not even want a sponsor, or may have already found one himself.  But no one will take him very seriously if his own daughter goes behind his back to ask for help, I'm afraid."

Lillian
"Something like that," he admits.  "I'm hoping if I can make a name for myself as a warrior, I might get squired and have a chance to join the knighthood some day.  They say war is on the horizon, so they'll need as many as they can get, so this is a good chance for me."

[GravityEmblem]

“A war?” Lillian asks worriedly. “I haven’t heard about anything of the sort...”

[Daos]

Lillian
"Really?  People have been talking about it for a couple of years now," the would-be adventurer says.  "Remember when the king and a couple of the princes died a few years back?  The royals say it was sickness, but right after, the queen recalled all the Tardish Knights back to the capital.  People say they were assassinated.  But nobody knows by who.  Some say it was the Picardians, because if the queen's line is wiped out, then her sister who is half-Picardian will become the new queen.  Others say it was the Kalavans, still angry about the War of Drakes and seeking revenge for the death of one of their own.  Some say it's the Swadians, angry that the queen rejected one of their own to marry a Tardish man instead.  And others say it was the Calabrians, since most of 'em are thieves and pirates anyway, and are always looking to cause chaos so they can swoop in and profit.  And some say it was the Ruarans, who have spies everywhere and are always looking for ways to bring down the human nations."

[HorizonsDream]

"Why is it such a problem for his daughter to try to help him in this matter?" Ladonna asks.

[GravityEmblem]

“My gods...” she says. “I was really left out of the loop about that. Still, thanks for telling me.”

[Daos]

Ladonna
"Helping him is fine," Kellerman says.  "But it kind of sounds like you are going behind his back.  You claim you haven't spoken to him about any of this, right?  I know Rolan well, and he'll think twice about hiring a guard who needs his child to speak on his behalf instead of speaking for himself.  He'll see that as a weakness."

Lillian
The young man shrugs.  "No problem.  The nobles probably know more than any of us commoner folk do; we just get rumors that sometimes leak out of more importance places."

[HorizonsDream]

"Ah, I see," Ladonna says. "I'll speak with my father then, and see what he wants to do. Thank you for your time." With that, she leaves, and de idea to visit the young man that Helen is supposed to marry.