War for the Crown Gameplay Part 2

"I would think it already more than enough," Sarina remarks. "If he is to leave soon, then perhaps I should take my chance now to get one over him? It rankles me to think of him thinking he was our equal, and I was toying with the idea of a little demonstration of my magic," Sarina says, with a mischevious half smile.

"Enchantment? If you can convince him to agree, that could be a spot of fun," Bartelby agrees. "Only if he agrees, of course."

"Of course," Sarina agrees. "I think I'll be seeing if he's amendable to such a demonstration after this game."

Once the game wraps up, Sarina stands from her seat to where Titus is sulking. "A finely fought game at the Dance of the Phalanx, Lord Casava-Lotheed," she says with a curtsey.

"We would have had you, were it not for your coordination with another team," Titus retorts bitterly, not rising from his seat.

"Coordination?" Sarina says, raising an eyebrow. "I would think if we were coordinating with them, they would not have forced us out along with you."

"Not if your goal was our defeat, first and foremost," Titus counters, furrowing his brow. "Did you come to gloat? If so, leave and continue seducing my cousin."

"No, I came to offer congratulations for a well played game, not be insulted with accusations of cheating," Sarina declares indignantly. "Had I wanted to cheat, it would have only taken a snap of my fingers for you to lose."

Titus scoffs at that notion and rolls his eyes. "I doubt that," he snarks, shaking his head.

"Really. Then would you care to put that to the test?" Sarina asks, with a gesture towards the stage.

"You'll try to enspell me? Fine, be my guest, a Lotheed's natural magical talent will surely resist your magic," Titus agrees, rising to his feet and running a hand back through his hair.

Sarina and Titus take the stage once it is free. "Our very own Lord Titus Casava-Lotheed has most graciously agreed to allow me to demonstrate my enchantment magic on him," Sarina announces to the crowd. "The very same magic that helped to bring down the Iron Lash of Meratt! Of course, Lord Casava-Lotheed has his faith in his family's natural magical talent, so we shall see which proves to be the victor," Sarina declares, before casting her spell upon Titus.

Titus blinks twice when the spell hits him, then laughs, shaking his head. "It seems the Lotheed bloodline is superior to whatever trickery Dame Karthis has attempted after all!"

"Superior remains to be seen," Sarina counters. "The Iron Lash resisted the first, but fell to the second. Surely if the Lotheed bloodline is truly superior, you'll have no issue with withstanding a second spell of mine?"

"Well, no mere beast's will shall best mine," Titus boasts, nodding his agreement.

Sarina casts the spell once more, and this time, Titus falls victim to it, finding himself in a bored stupor, unable to do anything as Sarina demonstrates how helpless he has become by having Derea crawl up and down his arm, even poise herself to sting, all with no reaction from Titus. "As you can see, with the Iron Lash in this state, it was as feeble as a kitten," she says to the crowd. Calling Derea back before the spell ends, she says "The spell will wear off Lord Casava-Lotheed in less than a minute, so fear not for his state. Thank you all for indulging me in this demonstration."

As the spell breaks, Titus's face turns beet-red with anger and he stalks off, out of the room without saying a word.

At the end of the night, Bartelby thanks all the guests for attending and ushers everyone to their rooms, where Alista makes sure the group has everything they need.

The following morning, people get up and linger around a light breakfast, slowly filing their way out on carriages once their farewells have been said. Bartelby himself stands near the gates, being sure to offer parting words to all his guests, while most of the major nobles wait for the last couple members of their entourages.

As Corey is on the way out, he stops in front of Bartleby. "M'lord, Ah just wanted ta thank ya fer bein' such a gracious host. This Jubilee's been the most enjoyable time Ah've had in a long while."

"Oh, well, it was a pleasure to have you, Mr. Crawford," Bartelby replies in a smooth, polite tone. "Congratulations again on your win in the joust, that was quite impressive. Additionally, I am reminded that I had collected taxes from Stachys on behalf of the Betony heirs before you claimed the land. I will be sure to send those to your estate posthaste."

"Much obliged, sir, that'll be helpful in gettin' the farmlands and vineyards around the town up and runnin' again," Corey smiles. "On a related note, Ah also wanted ta thank ya fer assigning Al- Purple Finch ta us, she was a real delight. Ah was wonderin', would ya be willin' ta sell her contract ta us? Ah think she'd be useful ta have around, especially if morale's as low in Stachys as it sounds."

"Of course. In fact, consider it a gift. Repayment for removing the manticore from my lands and for Dame Novius preventing the attempt on my life. I am pleased to hear that she served you well, hopefully she can continue to do so in the future," Count Lotheed smiles and nods readily.

"Fantastic. Ah'll let her and the others know. Thanks again, m'lord. Ah look forward ta our next meetin'." With that business handled, Corey heads over to the carriage, where Alista is helping load the party's luggage, and steps in to help as well. "So, Alista, Ah, uh, Ah was plannin' on askin' ya before goin' ahead with it, but Ah asked Count Lotheed if he'd be willin' ta discuss buyin' yer contract from him and he sorta, uh, gave it to us. So... ya work fer us now. Is that okay with ya?"

Alista's face splits into a wide grin when she hears that. "A little more than okay, Mr. Crawford," she laughs. "What'll you want me to be doing most of the time? With all due respect, you don't seem the types that have a pressing need for a court jester."

"Hey, a good laugh's awful useful," Corey chuckles. "Ah was more concerned with makin' sure ya had an employer who respected ya rather than thinkin' ahead on that, so that's somethin' Ah'll have ta discuss with ya and the others. Ah'll admit Ah don't know much about bein' on this side of the contract though."

”Well, for when my entertainment abilities aren’t needed, I could always do the minutiae of managing the rest of your staff for you,” Alista suggests. ”But you’re right, probably a conversation best had with everyone in the carriage.”

A still quite subdued Momo emerges from her quarters, a haggard look on her face as she goes about the minutiae of leaving the jubilee. She clears her throat close to Corey, and asks, blunt as can be, ”Did you have a nightmare last night too?”