War for the Crown Gameplay Part 1

"Oh? Where did you attend school?" Lady Clement asks Adelaide curiously, "I received private tutelage, myself."

Meanwhile, Sarina discovers that Landgrave Jarlbjorn tends to appreciate people approaching him speaking as equals, regardless of station, Momo learns more about Earl Varima from people chatting in the courtyard, and Josie learns quite a bit about phantom armours.

Sarina approaches the Landgrave where he sits at a small table off to the side, holding a plate of food for herself with one hand, as she gestures to the other with her free hand, notably, the one she wears the ring from Judge Mercenian on. "May I have this seat, or would you rather sit alone?" she asks politely.

Jarlbjorn's eyes linger very briefly on that ring, then he nods with a small smile. "Be my guest," he replies, his deep voice tinged by an Ulfen accent.

Sarina sits down next to him. "Thank you," she says, taking a few small bites of her food, and watching the people around them. "It's very nice to have a little quiet corner like this one," she comments. "One can certainly learn a lot from being unnoticed and watching others."

"It's only quiet because I'm not particularly popular," Landgrave Jarlbjorn jokes. "Not that I mind. All these games are meaningless."

"Too much posturing about," Sarina agrees. "Some strut around like peacocks, only concerned about status and rank. Too few are interested in taking action and making good results come from them."

"Aye. Rank is only worth what you do with it. A politician's success ought not be measured in how much power they accumulate, but what policies they drive forwards, just as a soldier's success is measured in what battles they win," Jarlbjorn agrees. "And yet there seem to be some here who do not care about the two real decisions to come out of tonight: the rewarding of a talented young man, and a fundamental change to how our society functions."

"Perhaps the change, if it comes, will bring about more changes," Sarina notes. "When something stagnates, it tends to stay that way, but once it moves, it will keep moving, hmm?"

"Well said," the Landgrave nods, taking a piece of cured meat and popping it into his mouth. After a pause, he adds, "And Taldor has been stagnant for far too long while the rest of the world has marched forwards. Not allowing half our population to contribute to their fullest potential certainly doesn't help with that."

"With tonight's vote, perhaps that'll be changed for the better," Sarina says with a smile. "Perhaps it's just the company I keep, but I feel these are times of change and opportunity. May the most talented among us rise to the top to bring Taldor back to it's former glory."

"Aye. Say, I do not believe we were properly introduced," Landgrave Jarlbjorn remarks. "I am sure you're aware, but I am Ogvai Jarlbjorn," he introduces himself.

"Sarina Karthis, a pleasure to make your aquaintance," Sarina says.

After looking around for a bit, Corey finds Earl Varima walking away from a few other nobles, seemingly in a very good mood. "Scuse me, Earl Varima? Ah don't mean ta bother ya, but Ah heard ya were here and Ah wanted ta say hi. Ah'm from yer uncle Alec's county, used ta work fer him as a matter o' fact."

"Oh, hello," Earl Varima blinks in surprise and offers Corey a warm smile. "It seems you have me at a disadvantage, sir, might I have your name?"

"It's good to meet you, Mr. Crawford," Earl Varima chuckles while offering his hand to shake. "And just how is my uncle? It's been a while since we last spoke."

"Count Varima's well, sir," Corey replies, shaking the Earl's hand. "Last Ah saw him he was a bit stressed over some noble stuff or other, but that's nothin' strange."

"Aren't we all?" Earl Varima laughs. "I've had late nights worrying about grain shortages, and I've lost sleep stressing about cataclysmic war. There's plenty to be concerned about, especially when we have the power to change it."

"Ain't much different fer us common folks," Corey nods. "Ah can't count the number a times mah daddy's nearly pulled his hair out over a broken hoe or a bad week at the market."

"Exactly, the only difference is the specifics," Gahez Varima agrees. "So, Mr. Crawford, what's it that you spend your days doing? You said you used to work for my uncle?"

"I'm sure there are quite a few people here who would want to talk you down that path," Earl Varima chuckles. "Have you done any travel in your time fighting?"

"Not much," Corey shrugs. "Obviously Ah had to travel from Kallen ta Oppara, but that's all Ah've done so far. This is the only time Ah've ever been away from home."

Earl Varima raises an eyebrow when he hears that. "Quite the first trip away from home," he comments. "From farming to sport fighting to attending the biggest gala of the year over what? A few months?"

"It's been a hell of a few months," Corey chuckles. "If you'd asked me where Ah'd be right now a year ago, Ah'da told ya Ah would still be muckin' out the stables."