A Good Man is Hard to Find [Audric]

[Audric Tania]

It was not the first time he had heard someone's opinion worded as she did. If anything it was a common notion. He knew his own ideals were considered mere ideals, and nothing more. Nonsensical hope and ideology which showed an excess of youth and abundance of naiveté. Perhaps that was where his frustration came in though. The red-headed youth sighed idly as he walked a few steps away from her, the small grating sounds of armor plates clashing as he slowly removed his spear from the spot holstered to his shoulder; the crimson thread which cascaded downwards coiling around his arm as he looped his forearm through it so the thread snaked around it with gravities consent. Buidhe felt right within his palm; the weight perfect and feeling it rest in his grip giving him the sense as if he a noble brandishing a sign of office. Though not as commonly known to others as well as the dark blade under house Tania's possession; it was a weapon traced through Tanian history. Buidhe the Sundering. Audric believed that the weapon had meaning behind it, to linger for so long in his houses possession. Lightly tapping the butt of the spear to the stone road Audric turned to face the woman as he spoke with raw conviction constructing each word of his tone.

"People shouldn't require a leader to know how to do the right thing, Milady. Lycian politics true, is conducted for a reason. However the day we let our neighbors die because we fear our other neighbor shall steal what is ours; and allow that to shape our future? That is the day Mankind damns it's self forever more in the textbooks of Elibe's history. "

He shook his head a bit and though he displayed a brief habit of his by pacing a few steps in-between phrases, he was quick to speak again. Unlike most lords, he did not take the time to construct eloquent forms of word play or verbally duel his conversational partners. He spoke directly that which he felt; and spoke honestly his intent. "Dark times are still ahead. Etruria grows in power, Bern in ruins of Civil war while Ilia snaps at their heels and Sacae reels from war. Lycia is tattered and broken. Should any of them ever set their sites on us..or monsters in the dark grow stronger we are doomed to fall. If someone must lead, let it not be by words in a court. Let it be by example. Did the great heroes need a lord to tell them to fight the dragons? Does a farmer need a lord to tell him to defend his land from brigands? The preservation of humanity in my opinion should supersede our squabbles. You are entirely correct to point out however that it does not. Had I the power..with all my heart I would change that. " Though he spoke with obvious passion, Audric was not blind to how the world truly worked. After a moment he paused, gazing back to the emerald spear before sliding it back over his shoulder and sighed a bit before continuing. "Forgive me for such boisterous expressions, Milady. Sometimes I forget that, though I wish it otherwise I am no great lord. Still but a lordling learning the ways of the world. How they truly are; despite my opinions of what they should be. "

[Charlotte]

Charlotte noticed how the man distanced himself from her with a few steps as she continued speaking, watching as he took his speak from his back and rested the butt of the spear on the cobblestone path they stood on. It was a beautiful spear, though not a weapon Charlotte recognized by any means. Still, it was ornamental enough that she assumed it to have some meaning or connection to his house and was likely an heirloom.

After she finished, Audric wasted no time breaking back into his idyllic worldview. Crossing her arms, Charlotte listened quietly to the lordling, rapping her fingers on her bicep. There really wasn’t a way she could disagree with the man’s overall sentiment - it would be foolish of her to wish doom and gloom over the land just to keep business booming - but still, being so optimistic could cloud one’s vision to the small steps that could be taken to achieve a greater good. That’s why people like Charlotte existed, though: so nobles like Audric could focus on leading and leave the crooked path to her.

“No need to apologize,” Charlotte smiled, switching the way her arms were crossed. “I’d rather future leaders be optimistic and passionate in the kind of change the League needs. It’s important to want positive change, even if it seems far off or uncertain because of everyone's attitudes towards it. Leave the skepticism to people like me,” she joked, uncrossing her arms and resting her hands on her hips.

For a moment the blonde’s eyes were drawn away from the young lord, following a few passing people on the crowded market path before focusing back to him. "It’s nice, though, being reminded that at least some who can influence the League in some respect is concerned about Lycia’s future, and not just his own territory’s. Too many nobles are only worried about hoarding their own assets and land - Marquess Ashby and the Santaruz court are just one example of many.”

She paused, mulling over her words for a moment. “I think, though, as long as you’re willing to make hard decisions that don’t always present an immediate solution, I’d bet you’ll find the change you’re looking for.”

[Audric Tania]

Future leaders..haha..hard to think I'll have much influence someday.

The notion quieted a bit of the red-headed male's passion as an odd sensation akin to nostalgia but not quite so filled his thoughts and eased the roused flames that burned so easily. Shifting himself he propped himself back against the wall with arms crossed over the armored chest; small metallic scrapping accompanying it with him shrugging a bit. It was a true enough sentiment for him, and perhaps believably so. The title of Marquess was impressive to many..but sometimes it was a hollow phrase. The actual influence over territories based on that was fleeting if the aforementioned territory had little power. How many times had he seen his parents pouring over maps or tomes to find historical examples of what actions they should take just to keep Tania in existence of late?

He spoke a moment later after quiet thought.

"If the danger to their lives wasn't a constant..given their rivalries with other Lycian Lords I would say getting out into the land would do most of the old foxes some good. Having advisers is one thing, and no matter what essential...since well..if your not an expert on it you should have someone who is to give you council on it; but the knowledge of what's important to those you rule has a very real weight. Though what do you mean perchance by someone like you? Am I to believe you are a world famous skeptic?" He chuckled a bit before averting his gaze to the people passing by. They were so busy with their day to day ongoings that you might never suspect them to be aware of the dangers outside the walls of Santaruz. Enough within it to occupy their entire lives. Humans could be a strange creature sometimes. So much vast potential...limited to such a small space in the grand scheme.

"It's understandable to want to expand ones borders and power to a degree. I'd be a hypocrite and fool to be from Tania yet state otherwise. However things come with a limit. A time and place as well. The size and shape of the Lycian League expands or contracts at times sure..especially after a war, which history shows Bern will likely always provide from time to time; yet it's the timing that's poor on this feud between territories. Hopefully...I don't know, maybe my visit here will help remind them of that? I doubt it, but it's a hope. "

Hard decisions? Yeah. Those were a thing. Audric had a feeling though if he was able to see his territory ravaged by bandits and attacked by neighbors that he could handle most hard choices. He nodded in agreement to it though while he spoke up. "Aye. I don't think I'd like making them..but I believe I'm able to make the tough calls."

[Charlotte]

“You might say that, among many other things,” Charlotte grinned, eyes staying on the man as he looked out over the passersby. She could have said many things about her “profession” to the lordling, but his focus was razor sharp as he continued assessing what Charlotte had said to him alongside his own thoughts. While Audric didn’t speak like other nobles did - which as a welcome change - she could hear his years of training and schooling as he referenced Lycia’s historical trends.

But with as much confidence as the tall man seemed to exude, Audric doubting himself outwardly was not something she expected him to hear. Sure, he’d thrown a bit of humility into the mix earlier, and he’d seemed pretty genuine, but doubt? Charlotte would have shaken her head with a ‘tch’ if she was in a chiding mood. Maybe it was just because he was speaking with someone outside of the courts, but those men and women smelled doubt from a mile away, hell, they preyed on it.

“Well, you should already know that doubting yourself like that won’t help enforce that reminder in their mind,” Charlotte commented, though she attempted to do so in a way that wasn’t overly-critical. “From what you’ve said, you’ve shown me, at least, that you have a good head on your shoulders. If you relay that to the court and whoever else you’re visiting with while you’re here, I’m sure you can accomplish what you’ve set out to do.”

Charlotte smiled, though as she looked away from Audric for a moment she sighed. SHe didn’t mind talking politics, but she hadn’t expected it on a roadside with the son of a Marquess. “Well, it will be a few hours before I’m able to regain my purse from the guardhouse… until then I can’t do much. I’m sure you’re busy, but if you have time for a drink I know a tavern nearby with the best aged saison on this side of Elibe.”

[Audric Tania]

Audric laughed a bit as she commented upon his open doubt. Perhaps it might have been better to clarify. The Red-headed youth stood up a bit, shoulders squared and jaw set as he turned to look at the blonde. His gaze had taken on the conviction of a man that expected only the best of quality, or of any form of result while his poise shifted as he crossed his arms almost disapproving over his chest. Given his somewhat larger than average build from the large plates of armor adorning his body and a muscled build to compliment he struck a fairly imposing figure. He spoke with a tone that seemed unwavering. Who would question a Marquess?

"They had me sit through several lessons on how to interact with other Lycian Lords. Best to portray yourselves as Stern. Serious, and Always looking out for your country at the expense of others."

His words didn't match his serious expression in the slightest, nor had he intended them too. His posture and poise were contradicted by his very laughter a moment prior. The facade broke as the crimson haired youth laughed, no longer able to maintain a farce of the average pig-headed noble; turning instead to lean on the wooden post once more. This time his expression was far more genuine. More alive."Fear not milady. I wouldn't openly doubt myself in a room of those stubborn bastards. I'd be eaten by the old wolves in the blink of an eye. No, I know how to act around nobility atleast. It's just..irritating. Constantly having to mask yourself and bottle up any thoughts you might have until later. That's why I like being among the people so much though; that is far lessor. Albeit were I a twisted corrupt tyrant in the making it'd be ill-suited but as I am? I don't have to speak honeyed words of ballroom tongue because I'll offend the son of the cousin of the Marquess to Caelin. I can just..be me."

That was anywhere though he imagined; where you answered to others of equal or higher standing. He could't count it as some exceptional weight upon his shoulders. Ruling, maybe, but interactions under strained masks and half truths? He knew that transpired anywhere. He chuckled a bit as he turned to her with a half grin. "Your words are too king Milady. It does my ego good though, to know that at-least outside the realm of rulers I've decent ideals. Mayhaps a bit stretched, but none the less. "

With his eyes scanning the people, he heard her talk before he stood up straight. Extending one arm over his chest and the other to his shoulder he locked it in place while stretching, even twisting his torso in the process. Bones cracked and popped into place with rippling succession; though this was greatly muffled beneath armor. The weight of it even when used to it still strained the body. Audric chuckled as she proppsed they visit a tavern.

"I believe I shall take you up on that. My companions will not be gathering till later today, and the Audience I requested is not till far later in the day. I've most of the day to kill for time, so lead the way milady. I shall burden you with my presence a bit longer if you'd like. It will help me equally as I've seldom been to Santaruz, getting lost for me would be quite easy. "

Lowering his head a bit he extended an arm as if to indicate for her to lead.

[Charlotte]

Charlotte smiled cheekily as she watched the young man straighten up, and she swore for a moment she was in the midst of just another Lycian noble in the courts. It was like watching a younger, more handsome Balsam, which was just enough to draw a chuckle as he loosened back up, back into the much more relatable Audric. He was much too smart for his own good, though with a streak of brashness that wasn’t hard to miss as he explained his frustrations with the Court. Blandishments and doublespeak were most common in the courts, so it was unsurprising a noble as seemingly easygoing as him had issues with the system.

The consultant was glad he accepted her offer, and wasted no time leading them towards the tavern as soon as Audric motioned for her to lead. “No burden whatsoever, it’s nice to have someone to chat with. I’m here too often for business, so conversation tends to revolve around coordinating shipments, bartering goods, what have you. It can be dull after a week of doing only that.”

Walking them through the market crowd, Charlotte turned them down a back alley, which was the shortcut she always took to this particular tavern. It was a small hole-in-the-wall, just called itself Barrels and had just enough seating to accommodate one large family. Barrels really was a great little place, though; the barkeep was a hoot, and they never served spoiled drink. Besides, without her coinpurse, she needed a place she knew she could get a free drink to pass the time.

Turning a corner, Charlotte looked to her bulky companion, her cheeky grin back as she teased. “I have to ask: were you expecting a battle when you got dressed today, or is the armor look in with the nobles now?”

[Audric Tania]

It was slightly ironic. She said she was always in Santaruz for business far too often? Though he still partly questioned the precise nature of her business, he also knew better than to gauge something as personal as that. Not to mention it being rude to ply a woman with questions as such. His noble status had come with certain resolute. Knowing how a gentleman interacted with women was one of these. He chuckled a bit as they moved through side streets and back-paths. The crimson haired youth wore an amused expression as he walked aside the woman; his bulky form greatly contrasting her smaller one. The sound of plates clanking together with each foot-step was almost rhythmic. "It's funny. I'm here on business as well..but it's the only time I'll likely be in another territory. Unfortunately, being a lord..or son of one..leaves you with far less freedom than others might imagine. Your days are planned for you and your left with a choice of less hours to slumber or less hours to your own personal ongoings. Haha..well you can technically sneak out..but as I've learned it gets you scolded A LOT..not even by your family. By the advisers, retainers, and other individuals who are supposed to take care of you. So it's..enjoy a day around other people and spend the next day being verbally mauled or enjoy the tedium of lessons. And lessons...and more lessons... "

Turning to gaze at her with a cocked half grin he chuckled before continuing, in a shift of subjects before he began to ramble. "Ahh...haha well..I wasn't exactly expecting a battle. Merio was. With Tania recently expanding as it has to reclaim lost land, we've earned more than a few in the league now looking to us with distaste. New found Ire being what it is, Merio doesn't put it past them to attempt something unsavory through hired means. Nor for that matter did my mother. They insist I'm armored and armed at almost every waking moment. It's probably also why Merio has so many veins within his forehead throbbing when ever I am out of his sight. " With a slight shrug of his shoulders he turned to look down the corner they traversed before questioning her.

"And yourself, Milady? Do men often steal from you in Santaruz? I'm glad that my presence was fortuitous enough in timing, but can't help but wonder how common this theft might be."

[Charlotte]

Money and power brought many things, but guarantee freedom it did not. Charlotte had heard the complaints of too many thieves and criminals, crying how if they’d had more coin, more influence, that they’d be able to do whatever they pleased. Sure, a bit of extra coin helped in a pinch, but the life they usually pined for was that of the nobles who hired them. What Audric described was the reality of being a noble - confined to your district, duchy, territory, a slave to the scheduled days and short, restless nights wondering how you would keep the power you had. Charlotte couldn’t imagine a life like that, preferring being a little poorer and a lot freer.

Charlotte chuckled as the man told her of the reason he’d had to be armored on his excursion into the market. “Well, it seems to have served you well today; I know I’m certainly glad a knight in shining armor stepped forward to help.”

His question was one the blond had to take a moment, considering her answer. She shrugged, turning them down the alley Barrels was at the end of. “Oh, not too often, but often enough that I’m considering hiring on an armed guard,” she mused, crossing her arms with a shake of her head. “It’s an unfortunate fact that many men would rather use a forceful hand to get what they want rather than consider agreeable arrangements for both parties. Being a woman also doesn’t help when those men decide they want what you have.”

She sighed. “But business is business. I have coin to make, so that’s the risk I take. Luckily the town guard here is usually on their toes or I’d lose a lot more from scuffles like that.”

Just as she finished, the pair approached the door of the small little tavern; with only one window in the front underneath a barrel-shaped sign and next to the wood door, Charlotte couldn’t help but smile. She loved this place, even if it did look like the grimiest tavern on this side of Elibe. It strangely reminded her of home, of the tavern she’d apprenticed at before absconding with the Lycian smugglers. "Here it is," the blonde said, looking up to her fiery-haired companion. "Shall we?"

[Audric Tania]

As they strode through the alley further, Audric felt the inkling of a realization dawn upon him. Despite having just met the woman today, and this being his first time in Santaruz? This was appreciable. Petty squabbles of nobility buzzing about like angry hornets while the tethers of day to day stress bound him further and further into the ground seemed like a madness of suffocating proportions. Though he dearly loved his parents, were he home at this very moment of the day he'd be listening to the rambling lectures of his teacher as the man sat in the musty room where time found it's self in an absolute stillness. Where the light showed every particle of dust floating within the air through the large windows only for him to realize he'd sooner count those very particles then continue his lecture.

However he was here. He'd gotten into a fight, from which a small part of his body still felt the slightly quickened heartbeat and pumping adrenaline. The faint flashes through his mind with absolute vibrancy as to the two men turning to impede him. When he thought about it, the weight of their bodies offering small vestiges of resistance to his already built up force as he crashed into and through them; it literally caused him to shed a half grin just from the remembrance. The looks upon their faces, as they had been picked from the crowd like the rusty needles they were from that haystack of bystanders. Audric wasn't smug, but he did enjoy seeing people get what was coming to them.

When the blonde brought up the knight and shining armor, he laughed without restraint. His voice boomed in a surprisingly baritone laugh as it rumbled through his chest. He wasn't a full fledged man yet, but he was certainly on his way. The lordling lifted a hand to carefully comb the gauntlet through crimson locks of hair as he quieted his amusements boisterous tone. "I would be that technically I suppose...lords know I'd be murdered in my sleep if I didn't take the best of care for this armor. Though It's merely a pity I was the only one to step in. A beautiful woman calls for help and the lordling has to run in to save the day? Bah, knights are supposed to be all over the place for this type of thing!"

His grin still present as they turned the corner. Though she was leaving him curious enough to feel the prying tug of almost nosy thoughts enter his mind; he knew better. Inquiring as to her affairs when she obvious to leave it's nondescript name of just that. Business. Oh well. His curiosity would have to linger. It would not be the first time. However the armor clad male did not keep quiet while they approached what he suspected to be the tavern. "Perhaps, the world has lost much of it's faith in one another. However THAT sounds like a reasonable and philosophically deep answer which would invariably prompt a soul searching conversation between us. Having just met you, I clearly should delve into a more insightful opinion. Find a very large friend, who simply wants to look out for your well being and bring him everywhere. A tall fellow named Hobbes perhaps. I'd be afraid of a huge angry looking fellow named Hobbes. "

He would have said more, but here they had arrived. The lordling let his armored hand fall to his side as the brown traveling cloak enveloped it once more. In the mixture of the alley's shadow and the light from over the roof top of the building behind him, he felt as if he was in a fantasy Esq moment. Of his own conjuring that was. These types of opportunities were ones he'd often dreamed over. Amber eyes that were shaded as if made of honey lingered over barrel which was clearly it's mascot. He then turned his gaze to the blonde once more with a full grin and a nod. Moving to the side and opening the door for her, he tilted himself forwards. Extending his free arm over his chest with a forward bow and downward tilt of his head he spoke in response. "After you, Milady."

[Charlotte]

Charlotte couldn’t help but erupt into her own honeyed laugh as the young lord laughed out loud himself. It was an amusing fact that he had been the only person who had stepped forward in her time of need, but to Charlotte it wasn’t all that surprising. Most in the Santaruz markets were too involved with themselves to really care when a theft happened, especially when the perpetrators were as menacing as the men she’d been dealing with. Also, most people had just learned not to be heroes, to let the town guard handle things when they went awry. There was too much to be lost nowadays to stick your neck out for someone else, Charlotte was all too familiar with that.

Hobbes, hmm? The blonde found herself laughing again, though this time it seemed to have caught her more off-guard than the first, with her even bringing her hand to cover her mouth. Even though she laughed, the idea wasn’t a bad one - and it was one she’d considered before. The problem with hiring a bodyguard was you had to have the coin to keep the good ones around, and Charlotte’s income was never that steady, unfortunately. But she could certainly see how a towering brute of a man bearing a name like Hobbes would strike fear into the hearts of the goons she usually associated, there was no doubt about that.

Her laugh subsided into a contented smile as she stepped back, allowing the man to open the door for her. “Well thank you sir,” she replied, walking through the door and into the tiny little place. Always empty at this time of day, the small place felt like a mess-hall in the belly of some sort of ship. The wood floors, tables, bar, even the barrels were all similarly dark-stained. Only two things brought any contrast to the place - the candles lit all around, and large, wall-sized etchings of local flora drawn with chalks in a myriad of colors. One young woman stood behind the counter, who waved at Charlotte with a smile after eyeing the young lordling.

“Good to see you Mary!” Charlotte greeted her in return before taking Audric to one of the five small tables in the place. Sitting down, she leaned back and watched for a moment as Mary scurried into the back, likely to pour their saison fresh. Mary always remembered how picky Charlotte was with her drink, which was why the woman kept coming back. That and the good conversation; Mary always had the strangest stories to tell.

“It’s a shame I can’t keep you along with me as my ‘Hobbes,’” Charlotte teased, looking back to Audric. “I’m sure it’d be more entertaining than your lessons.”

[END THREAD]