Turn 41 -- Beleg's Audience with the Count

Beleg takes a final sip of his wine before placing the empty glass on the table, "If you all will excuse me, I will leave to talk with the Count." He then bows to the assembled company before asking a servant to show him to his quaters. Once there, Beleg removes his armor and pulls out a clean tunic and breeches to wear to his meeting with the Count. Leaving all his weapons behind, save his main-guache, Beleg exits the room to find a guard posted outside his door.

"Greetings," says the surprised Beleg to the guard who simply nods to the paladin. "Am I under arrest?" asks Beleg.

"Of course not, sir," replies the guard rather sheepishly, "The Count felt it best to have a guard posted at the door to your rooms. A precaution considering all the attempts that have been made to kidnap you and your fellows lately. You understand?"

"Yes, I understand quite well," answers Beleg.

"If you would though, I have an urgent matter that I must speak with the Count about. Could you please lead me to him and ask for an audience for me?"

"I will have to run it by Captain Dalaes first," says the guard.

"I would have it no other way," answers Beleg as he sweaps his hand out in front of him for the guard to lead the way.

After getting approval from Captain Dalaes, the guard leads Beleg to the private rooms of the Count. The guard tells the waiting servant there that the paladin has urgent business with the Count. The servant enters a side door and after a few minutes returns to lead Beleg into the room. Beleg is lead to a beautifully appointed library where he finds the Count seated at a small fire-side desk, talking with Anderon. "The Paladin Beleg, my lord," says the servant.

"Thank you Beckman, that will be all." The servant bows to the count and departs, closing the door behind him. "Now," says the Count a bit impatiently, "what is so important that you felt the need to disturb me?"

"Your Lordship," says Beleg with a bow, "I have a matter to discuss with you that is somewhat delicate. I beg your forebearance and ask that we might be permitted to speak privately?"

"Nonsense!" answers the Count. "Anderon has been a family friend for many decades. His family has served mine in this capacity for many centuries. He is my most trusted advisor. Anything you can say to me can be said to him as well."

"My Lord is too kind," answers Anderon with a bow.

"Very well," answers Beleg. "I'm sure your lordship is aware that your son has expressed, how shall I say this...a naive desire to become an adventurer. What you may not know is that he has expressed this desire to our company and begged us to take him with us. Please, your Lordship, hear me out before you react." The Count nods his head for Beleg to continue.

"My companions and I are concerned that the young lord may do something rash and we have a suggestion that might help purge him of some of his youthful exhuberance. Several of my companions will not be accepting your generous offer of hospitality, since they have pressing business in Thurmaster. It is our suggestion that you allow the young lord to accompany them. During the journey, my companions plan to introduce him to the monotony and discomfort that, as I'm sure your lordship is aware, makes up the majority of an adventurer's life. They also plan a mock attack that might help to change his mind about an adventuring life."

"What say you to this? We feel that the risk is negligible, especially compared to the risk we might face if he were to sneak out on his own. We are prepared to leave within the hour, but of course we will defer to your wishes."

"Sorry, good knight," begins the Count, "but this is totally unacceptable! I cannot allow my son to go out galavanting with the likes of your company. He's my only son and I will not lose him to some marauding band of orcs who may be only after your band!"

"But sir," begins Beleg.

"But sir, nothing," interrupts the Count. "How could you even imagine that I would agree to such a plan. How am I to believe that you do not intend to capture my son and hold him for ransom?!"

"Because you have my word as a Paladin of Forseti." states Beleg matter of factly.

"Yes, of course," answers the Count, matching the stare of the noble paladin.

"If I might interrupt?" asks Anderon to the Count.

"Yes, of course. What say you, Anderon?"

Anderon bends down to whisper something into the ear of the Count. The Count shakes his head vehemently at first but then after further persuading by Anderon, he finally holds up his hand to silence his counselor.

"It appears that my wise councilor, Anderon, has come to your aid, good knight. I will allow my son to along with your group to Thurmaster but only on the condition that Captain Dalaes and ten of my finest cavalrymen follow along the band. Out of sight, but near enough to offer any aid to my son. If you will agree to this, I will allow my son to go on this little adventure and hopefully purge his system of this unhealthy desire."

"Will you agree to this condition?" asks the Count.

"Your Lordship, the question is not whether my companions and I agree to your conditions but whether your son will. We made this offer to you in an earnest attempt to dissuade your son from some foolish decision. Certainly you know better than I whether this is just some passing fancy or if you will need a constant watch upon your son to keep him from running off with the next band of adventurers that pass through. I doubt very much that we would be able to discourage him from choosing the life of an adventurer, and I believe the lad is serious about this, if he finds out that it is all a ruse," Beleg pauses as he looks straight at the Count, "Are you sure this is your desire?"

The Count slowly rises to his feet after Beleg finishes speaking, "You have a lot to learn about the ways of royalty," begins the Count. "I would not offer that solution if it was not what I wanted to do. You have my terms. Captain Dalaes will follow along behind your group, undetected, only interfeering if absolutely necessary. You can accept those terms or you and your band can leave in the morning, my son left behind. What say you?"

"I beg your pardon, your Lordship," says Beleg with a slight, mocking bow. "It seems that the time I spent as a guest friend to the Paladins of Tyr in the court of His Royal Majesty, King Azoun IV and my youth spent in the court of Thorngrim, Arch-Prelate of Thor, has me ill prepared for dealing with royalty." Beleg is obviously offended by the Count's comments but he tries hard not to show it. "It shall be as you desire. Our party shall be prepared to leave within the hour." Beleg bows to the Count, nods to Anderon, and then moves out of the chamber to join his companions once again.