OPEN: The Loyal Shield

[lifeofendurance]

WHO: Aleron and YOU
WHAT: General Catch All while the Seeker settles in
WHEN: Guardian 24-Drakonis 14
WHERE: Skyhold (varies)
NOTES: Prose or brackets fine. Can also use for any scenes wanted.

It barely takes any time since his arrival for Aleron to resume what has been his daily habits for years now. Being relocated inside the Inquisition fortress has made little difference, beyond a change of scenery. He knows of no other way than the one he's followed most his life. With everything outside the walls in sheer chaos, finding order within his personal habits provides a rock solid foundation to face those challenges.

Chapel
Every morning and evening, before he breaks his fast, before he commits himself to rest, Aleron can be found inside the Chapel, knelt in prayer. He is as earnest in his devotions as he is with the remainder of his life and spends no less than an hour each time praying through sections of the Chant of Light. It is familiar. It is the base of his faith. It is his faith that holds him up, and to neglect it would be unjust in his mind.

Courtyard
During the day, Aleron commits himself to practice and training his weapon skills, though he prefers light leathers to full armor for the exercise. A particularly sharp eye or veteran combatant will note something unusual. He executes moves with precision, clearly well studied, with years of practice. However, he does not excel with the sword, not like a true master or exceptional talent would. Still, every day, he is present in the yard, working on his form, his stance, his skills.

Stables
Most days, he finds his way to the stables, to check after the welfare of his horse he rode into Skyhold. Valiente is a lively mount, but not too aggressive, nor does he seem to mind being quartered with so many others. Weather permitting, Aleron saddles him for a short ride through the mountain passes, enough to keep the horse hale and hearty, but never so much as to risk his health or a broken limb on treacherous footing.

Library
Every afternoon, the Seeker abandons physical pursuits for academic ones. Anyone who's made note of his somber default expression will find him different when engaged in scholarly reading and research. His eyes light as he peruses the shelves, smiles and looks of surprise manifest when he stumbles across some new tidbit of fact or history of which he had previously been unaware. Peculiar to some that a man could become so animated reading titles such as Tales of the Destruction of Thedas or The Essays of Divine Ambrosia II, but his excitement over the material is present and palpable.

Tavern
Of an evening, there is a solitary man seated with a single ale which he nurses slowly. Aleron doesn't engage in games of chance, flirt with the servers, or join in any more raucous singing that happens once the patrons are well in their cups. He sits, listens to the bard, sometimes reads a book, other times a letter. The letters often sit on the table for a considerable length of time while he stares off into the distance, as if deliberating if he wants to open them or not. If the place is crowded, he makes no objections to others joining him.

Comments

[lifeofendurance]

To be fair, Aleron is as intent on his training as he is anything else he throws himself into. It holds his undivided attention. His livelihood depends on his ability to take note of all details and facts before him and sift them down into truth. Unfortunately he's not as skilled at maintaining positional awareness while wielding a weapon. He should, and in an outright fight he can hold his own well enough. But in a training ring, it allows for beautiful women to sneak up on him unawares.

He actually startles visibly when she clears her throat and he turns to find the source of it. Already he feels quite sheepish for being caught off his guard, and then for breaking his stoicism. There is no mistaking who waits for him to finish, however, and her presence demands he complete his session for the morning. Anything else would be beyond rude.

The sword is sheathed and laid to the side, so Josephine can command his undivided attention. He might not know her, but he certainly knows of her and recognizes her on sight, as well as her position within the Inquisition. She is afforded a formal bow before an address.

"Lady Montilyet. How might I be of service?"

[theproperglove]

If she was predisposed to blushing, she would find herself flushed at the extent of Aleron's attention. Fortunately, she is not, so instead she folds her hands one on top of the other before fixing him with a smile. "I hope I haven't disturbed you. You needn't stop on account of me."

She takes a step towards him nonetheless, then continues to speak. "However, now that you're here, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. It regards your family."

[lifeofendurance]

Maker, help me. Mention of his family immediately sends the Seeker's mind cringing, even if his face doesn't betray it. Specifically his twin, Ravonild. What has she done now? Does he worry that something has happened to his two more biddable sisters? Certainly. But almost without fail, if someone wants to talk about his family, it's something scandalous his twin has gotten up to. Sometimes some machination his mother has brewing which he's unaware of, but those moments are rare.

"You haven't disturbed me, my lady. I am glad for the break and the company." Aleron adopts a stance of a man bracing for the worst. It's only a shade off his perpetual expression of stoicism and betrayed by a tense posture. "What about my family interests you?"

Please, for the love of Andraste, do not tell him that his sister has been doing something openly immoral.

[theproperglove]

She plants a hand on a flared hip, cocking her head to the side as though she might actually consider asking Aleron to confirm some of the more salacious rumours she has heard about Ravonild in recent times. In the end, she decides against it mostly because she is almost certain he will know less than she does.

"I am to understand your family owns considerable land out in Endridge. Your sister is the head of the house now, is she not?"

[lifeofendurance]

Clear relief floods Aleron's face. An indication he perhaps knows some of what his sister gets up to, though mercifully never the whole of it. He knows enough. But to have a discussion about the family's holdings? That's a topic he's pleased with and still takes pride in, despite having not lived there since he was young.

"She is. She inherited the titles when we were seventeen." Granted, her very well chosen spouse had administered the lands for her, efficiently and with exceptional productivity. Now the steward makes decisions for her while she squanders the fortune built by their forebears. But there's little point in boring the lady ambassador with those particulars.

There is marked pride in his tone, as he enthusiastically launches into talk of Endridge. "The land is used almost entirely in sheep herding, save what's set aside for the recreational and edible gardens. The wool is our point of pride and you will not find finer anywhere. The creation of a sheep milk cheese was a pet project of my grandmother. I think she'd be pleased with how well that has done over the years."

And only then does he realize he's been well... babbling. He reigns it in, sheepishly. She had asked after Ravonild's status as head of house.

[theproperglove]

Despite Aleron's own reservations, Josephine appears to take delight in his answer. She had expected the Seeker to be more reticent, but she is glad that she has answered get question in such depth. It not only makes her own job easier, but also it is a delight to hear him speak. The man's enthusiasm (for sheep, nonetheless) is infectious, and she cannot help but smile as he listens to him, eyes glittering.

"I must admit it pleases me to hear that her lands are doing well. In troubling times such as these, good news can be so hard to come by." There is one particular item in the list of things he has mentioned that has piqued Josephine's attention and she decides to enquire further before getting to the main thrust of her conversation. "I have to say I've heard little about sheep milk cheese before."

She hopes he takes the hint and talks about it some more.

[lifeofendurance]

Ah Josephine. She likely has no idea what small miracle she has worked here. Aleron's had little opportunity to talk about his family. The larger part of the family which he still feels beholden to. He's been separated from the seat of their holdings for nearly three decades now and yet he still follows the successes of Endridge, still knows the particulars of the family history and growth. So very seldom can he be drawn out of his reticence; that she's not only managed to engage him, but allowed him a chance to feel part of his estranged family again is astounding.

"It's not a venture that's spread outside the Free Marches, to my understanding. When Grandmother arrived from Antiva, the family titles were still exceptionally new, and she the daughter of a successful merchant. In fact, she had a remarkable mind for business in her own right. It was her intention to solidify Grandfather's wealth and respect in his new position. She wanted to establish Endridge as the producer of the finest goods available. The wool took off. She also dabbled in establishing lines of luxury soaps and the famous Endridge cheese." He quirks a goofy sort of grin and adds, "They also produced a large family. You can't go anywhere in the Free Marches without tripping over a Darton or one of the Endridge products."

Hmm. That might be well... too familiar a topic. Moving away from his large family back to the topic the lady encouraged him into. He rubs the back of his neck and glances away for a moment before continuing. "There's not a large market for the soap or the cheese, but Grandmother wanted it that way, I understand. She wanted to push the value of them both up by limiting the quantities produced and the quality of buyers allowed to purchase. It's still how those particular commodities are managed by the steward."

He makes himself stop short, realizing that he's going on and on again. "I'm sorry. I'm probably boring you." He has to be boring her. He's dull and he knows it. Maker knows Ravonild taunted him with as much enough when they were children.

[theproperglove]

Why is the handsome ones that are often so shy? Josephine finds herself wondering if Aleron has had the chance to meet the Commander yet. If not, she hopes she can be in the room once they do. "You're not boring me at all," she assures him, doing her very best to sound soothing. "If I did not wish to know, I wouldn't have asked!" She punctuates the sentence with a little laugh, her smile widening to accentuate the dimples in her cheeks. "This is all very useful information, so really, I should be thanking you, not discouraging you."

She finds herself wanting to pursue the conversation in several different directions, but ultimately decides to get to the point. Perhaps if he would indulge her later, she could continue to ask him further questions, but she really shouldn't waste more of his time than strictly necessary. "The reason I wanted to speak to you today is because I am considering writing your sister a letter, and was wondering if you could help me. That is, only if it does not impose on you overly much. You wouldn't happen to know of her views on the Inquisition, would you?"

[lifeofendurance]

It's the laugh, or maybe the dimples, that distracts Aleron from his enthusiastic engagement in the conversation. So very rare for a beautiful woman to truly be interested in his interest and Lady Montilyet is remarkably so. Not that he's oblivious to the aesthetic charms of the ladies in his acquaintance, nor thoroughly deprived of witty conversational partners. But both in the same woman is unusual and a pleasure. Even the soothing tone of her assurances doesn't quite prevent the growing heat under his collar and a growing desire not to make a complete fool of himself. Typically he's unflappable, not quite so at the moment.

"Oh, yes of course. It would be no imposition whatsoever. I'm pleased to help however I can." Which is not mere polite acquiescence. He truly does enjoy feeling as if he can somehow be useful. He pauses, however, before responding. He is no diplomat and frankly he's convinced his sister has no further knowledge about the Inquisition or its importance beyond it's the new gossip at parties and somewhat fashionable in some circles. That seems remarkably rude to give voice to, however. The betrayal of Ravonild's shallowness doesn't trouble him as much as giving the impression that the whole of the Darton clan could be so flip.

"To be frank, I'm not certain she has many opinions beyond attempting to determine if Inquisition regalia added to clothing is in or out of fashion." There is a lopsided uncomfortable smile. It's a known fact (to him) that his sister hasn't a head for the management of the estates and thank the Maker the steward has taken over since her husband's passing. "She has asked that I keep her apprised of the news from Skyhold, but I couldn't say if that is a sudden interest in matters of faith or a way of ensuring I'm not somehow making trouble for the family."

[theproperglove]

"Well, in that case I'm certain she will not be opposed to a few more letters." She is not sure if Aleron truly requires an explanation, but she goes on to provide one anyway. "At this current point in time, much of my work is focused on reaching out to the nobility to solidify the Inquisition's political ties." For a fleeting moment, Josephine's own smile matches the lopsidedness of Aleron's before she quickly corrects herself.

"Of course, it is much easier when said nobles have familial ties to the Inquisition." She inclines her head at Aleron. "Easier still, when said ties are so willing to lend their assistance." She has to pause as she considers his remark about clothing, eyebrows furrowing as she appears to think it over very carefully. "Have they begun stitching the Inquisition insignia to their clothing?"

[lifeofendurance]

Herein is the proof that Aleron is not the diplomat in the family: it had not occurred to him until Josephine mentioned it that he would be a tie to a potential noble supporter for the Inquisition. Now that she has drawn that connection for him, he can see it in the letters his mother and sisters have sent him. He has no idea how any of them, including the lady before him, manages to keep it all straight. Despite his lack of knowledge or skill in how to wrest an alliance into place, he has given his word to help as he might, and he will to the best of his ability.

"In that case, I'll write to Ravonild myself stressing how important her support is to the work being done here." That should lay groundwork for any correspondence sent to her from the ambassador. The quirky grin crops up again. "I'm certain she'll be flattered to be asked. Though, if you're seeking more supporters, you might wish to contact my mother as well. My Uncle Edouard and both his sons have become casualties of the civil war in Orlais this past year. Mother is next in line for her brother's titles, though I understand that is under some sort of contention by a Great Aunt of hers. ...I wouldn't blame you if that is more questionable bother than you wish to undertake."

Maker knows, he wants no part of his mother's ambitions, no matter how hard she pushes. His opinion is that the family chose to ship him off to get him out of the way as a child, and he sees no reason why he should suddenly feel obligated to be a useful pawn for them now.

"I hadn't thought much of it when my sisters wrote to me of it. I don't follow the latest fashions, much to their dismay. But it seems they were friendly with the Trevelyans of Ostwick and the Herald was a relation of theirs?" Poor man. Fashion and politics. He's lost. "But the insignia seems to be all the rage across the Free Marches."

[theproperglove]

Josephine's expression now is nothing short of delighted. Her brow, previously furrowed, shoots up in amazement as she considers the ramifications of Aleron's words. "Truly? I must thank you deeply for this information. I am sure that there is some way I can use it to our advantage." Before she can become too distracted with thoughts of which garments of clothing in particular Inquisition regalia could be attached to, she forces herself to consider the other points he has brought up.

"I do appreciate your assistance in these matters. It would be no bother to me at all to contact your mother as well. Perhaps this great aunt of hers, as well." The wheels are already turning in her head as to how she can maneuver the situation so that whoever ends up with the most power is the party most loyal to the cause of the Inquisition. "Do you have any advice you wish to impart on me currently, for when I make contact?"