In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 878):

"Apart from keeping your freedom, yet being part of something bigger? Probably not much. If keeping your freedom to maintain justice means that little to you, then maybe it is not for you."

He looks at Lilith, concerned that these folk were either not that smart, or did not realize what what at stake...

  I am sure you all understand that we have been holding off several nobles, all who want to claim these lands, and only their inability to work together has allowed us to survive. When one pressures us, another eases restrictions to cause the first noble to be weakened. If ever they choose to work together, we are done for; it may not be a quick end, but it is a pretty sure and painful end.
  Times are changing, it very much looks as if Malcolm will finish the King of Zenther's claims to the throne and likely hang him as well. A great many nobles will find themselves poorer or dead. A few, who like Baron Fauntleroy, have tried to care for their people, will be given a period to prove themselves, the rest will go like dead leaves in the autumn winds.
  Malcolm is not going to accept a large plot of land in his holdings, that is not loyal to him. That has been made quite clear. All the new or remaining Barons or Lords will owe their Fealty to Malcolm.  He has shown himself kind and generous, but also hard on those who abuse his trust.
  So think ... if our lands become a problem, he will have all the lords around us attack us at once. He has crushed the entire Army of Zenther in Catheran! It no longer exists , despite the lies we hear. There is a reward for the Marquis D'Astard and others. Soon enough "the King" is going to realize he has been lied to and is in peril. I would not expect much kindness from him. But the change means a change for us as well.
  I and Mustafa have entreated with the Duke and his wife on our lands behalf. Duke Malcolm has offered us the right to exist as we are, and it will cost us a guaranteed sum of taxes that is a bit less than what we gather now for our common welfare. He makes us HIS Lands, so every Baron and Lord will know that any attack on us is treason without the Duke's order to do so. Compared with what we have now, it is a far better promise for the future. Think upon that.  I have heard that he thinks to reform the Council of the People, to make known their concerns, instead of just having the various nobles act on our behalf. They will have a Council of Nobles too, but only the Duke may make decisions.
  It is time to decide our future. One course is reasonably clear, the other is not the least clear. Confer and make your feelings known.

In reply to Lileth (msg # 880):

His wife was much better at this diplomacy stuff that he was, so Mustafa said nothing more, and there was nothing really he could add...

There was some considerable discussion, and it didn't seem negative somuch as how various situatations and assorted fine points might be handled.

SO, if we need a deterrmination to solve a difference or provide some guidance, we need to deal with this Duke who is way across the waters?

Lileth nods That depends, the Duke was willing to make Mustafa his deputy for the Freelands, but Mustafa did not accept since he knows little of how things work here and because he is an unknown among our people. I, of course, go help him a lot, but he feels that he would be an imposition on the Freelands.

There are smiles, chuckles and nods all around. At least he thinks before he accepts such a task one of the men says.  Perhaps he would be a good choice, given his respect for us and our ways an older lady among the leaders says.  I could do that to, and I know our ways well  the man who originally saw no reason to join with the Duke, says. There are a few snorts and some limited laughter.  Good point Sila, and how well do you deal with Dukes and their Bureaucracies? another woman asks.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 882):

Mustafa listened carefully. The guy putting himself forward sounded a little like the nobles.

"Those that are reluctant to serve rarely make good leaders..." he commented, but stopped short of anything more direct.

Lileth takes your hand. I think we have told you all we know, if you will forgive us, we will leave you to your discussions.

She pulls you gently and heads to her home, people part to let you through.

In reply to Lileth (msg # 884):

Mustafa follows Lilith out, leaving them to their discussions.

Once they reach her home, he can be more frank.

"The guy who did not want to serve under anyone, but wanted to jump up to be leader concerns me. He seems to be similar to many nobles I have encountered, and not the good ones.

But you did very well, dear!"

Lileth laughs Oh they have his number, I am surprised he is still a leader myself.

In reply to Lileth (msg # 886):

"Ah, good to see. But such individuals could well take to treason if they find their path blocked by folk who recognize the threat he is.

Would you like some help with the meal? I can cook some meat..."

Help is welcome of course, but i was going to keep it fairly light.  I don't want your stomach bloated and you all sleepy after a big meal.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:24, Sun 06 June 2021.

In reply to Lileth (msg # 888):

He laughs.

"No dear. That does not mean we cannot have an early night, though, right?"

He gives a mischievous grin and helps with the meal, touching her a lot more than is needed.

So dinner is light and short followed by a long night.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 890):

Long and enjoyable...next morning?

You get up sort of late ... maybe 6 or 7 earthling time.  Have a good breakfast and finally wander out to see what may have been decided.

Basically, the Majority, vast majority felt the Dukes offer was a good deal and voted to take it, provided that the Nobles and Peoples deputies agreed to it formally. The concern is that right now it is between Freeland and the Duke; they wnt it to be between Freeland and Catheran.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 892):

Does the Duke not represent Catherine? Is that not the same thing?

He is the current Duke of Catheran,  What they are asking is that the Government acknowledge this as being fact, so a future Duke could not deny or vacate the agreement.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 894):

I thought he was the government. Who has not acknowledged him?

In reply to Mustafa Zephyr (msg # 895):

Well all of Zenther for one... several other groups support him, but aren't subject to his rulings (the tribal arabs), The wild folk in the hills and of course there are Nobles who do not want all their power usurped, een while they support Malcolm. At the moment the Freelanders don't acknowedge him, although you may  well have fixed that.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 896):

Well, all of Zenther is what the fighting is about, so obviously.

So what are they asking of me...to insist the nobles pledge fealty to Malcolm? Unclear about what they want...

No, Not at all... what they want is something that says this is writ in stone and some Duke or what ever down the road cannot change it on a whim.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 898):

Can I use my signet ring to write an agreement, or do they want something in writing from the Duke?

No, that wouldn't be binding. But getting their concerns to the Duke would be a good idea.
And perhaps they could do some things for the Duke too, as an action in good faith.
Perhaps do some scouting ... there are a lot o good scouts among these folk.

And then youneed to start checking on the Nobles around the area. Fauntleroy would be a good first stop, as you are prety sure neither Snidely or Frump is much of a concern.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 900):

Would one of them be willing to carry the message to the Duke? I can send a separate letter to vouch for the messenger, though I would suggest he be as discreet as possible.

Happy to do the rest of the requests, indeed checking on the nobles was the next item on my agenda...

Absolutely, indeed three or four volunteer to do it, both men and women.  Lileth suggest a specific couple, as it will serve other purposes as well.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 902):

He will ask about what is going on around them they know about, and summarize the information in a report.

Then Mustafa will write out a letter explaining who they are and the purpose of their visit, as well as waht assurances the group seek, before rolling it up with the report and sealing it with his signet ring. He will then put them in a leather scroll case, and seal that as well.

Selecting the couple Lilith selected, he will give directions regarding his boat and where to find him, as well as some coin for the passage and directions for how to find the Duke, and what to say and do when they ave found him, before sending them off.

Then Mustafa and Lilith will head over to investigate Fauntleroy...