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Post by Tobias Lysand on Oct 23, 2010 20:27:31 GMT -5
Rules:
1. This is pretty much only for people that would be in the castle. So... Yeah.
2. Um. That's all I have for rules really.
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A breath was taken before it was released, slowly. It was his least favorite time of the month; his meeting with the ambassador. Lysand had always wondered how it was that they both managed to make it out alive. He stood, facing the door, taking a step backwards so his back touched the wall. He knew it probably wasn't necessary, but he always had a slight fear that Brenthor would find a way to get a knife into his back. He folded his arms over his chest, wondering if he should have Bane mediate these meetings instead of going one on one with the other politician. He just hoped that if something did happen, the captain's 'Lysand is in danger!' senses would activate. ... If he had any. Hopefully he did.
His fingers tapped impatiently, and he allowed a hint of irritation to show on his face now that he was alone. Brenthor was late, and he was probably late on purpose.
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Post by Alerick Brenthor on Oct 23, 2010 20:46:50 GMT -5
Brenthor's scowl would have alerted all to what day of the month it was had not everyone seemed to flee before him as he stomped toward Lysand's chambers. Late, as he had planned. Irritating little fly. He was no fool. He knew why the advisor had demanded these monthly meetings from him. He thought he could keep himself safe by keeping tabs on his movements. Well he was a fool then. It was only a matter of time...
Everyone knew that it was he, Brenthor, that deserved the position of high advisor! Not that little twerp Lysand! Well it was only a matter of time before that error was righted. That idiotic king was dying, and it would be his more malleable son that would take over. One that would be less likely to connect the dots if Lysand was to have an unfortunate "accident".
He strolled in through the door without knocking, a thin smile coming to his lips. "Advisor Lysand," he purred. "I should apologize for my lateness. I had pressing matters to attend to."
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Post by Tobias Lysand on Oct 23, 2010 21:03:57 GMT -5
Pressing matters to... Damn it. Lysand's eyes narrowed at the sleight the ambassador had handed him. Meeting the high advisor should always be the more pressing matter. He forced the irritation from his face. "I should expect that you make more of an effort in the future, Ambassador." He clasped his hands behind his back, watching the other man closely. His eyes flickered to his rapier for a moment, to make sure it was still there. Captain Gladpath had taught him how to wield it, but his skill was no where near that of a master. He just hoped it was better than Brenthor's. "I would have thought you of all people would take responsibility for themselves."
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Post by Alerick Brenthor on Oct 23, 2010 21:16:46 GMT -5
Brenthor closed the door behind him with a quick 'snap'. His hand hovered on the door knob an instant, eyes narrowing. His hand lowered, strategically leaving it by his rapier, which he had chosen to display more prominently for this occasion. He strode toward the other man, eyes snapping to the other's. He spoke in a low voice as he stopped mere inches from him. "Do not treat me as one of your underlings. I think we both now that you're doing nothing but pretending. We're too old to play make believe my dear Lysand."
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Post by Tobias Lysand on Oct 23, 2010 21:24:14 GMT -5
Lysand was careful to keep his back straight, and he didn't even bat an eye as Brenthor approached him. He could not afford to look intimidated by the man's large size. The fact that his back was against the wall now tipped things into Brenthor's favor as there was the slight illusion of the advisor being cornered. "Strange, I always thought that you were the one constantly pretending. When we were younger I remember that you played quite the convincing Svengali." His eyes narrowed. "It's just a shame that I grew up and started seeing through your deceit, isn't it, Alerick?"
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Post by Alerick Brenthor on Oct 23, 2010 21:39:04 GMT -5
"Toby, Toby, Toby..." Brenthor shook his head slowly, a small grin working its way onto his face. "Why did you have to go making things harder on yourself? You sang quite well when it was my tune. But now that you're on your own..." His eyes narrowed. "I'm afraid you've fallen a bit flat." He leaned toward the advisor, grin widening a hair. "I'm watching you. Watching every move. It's only a matter of time before you take a misstep. It'll take only a few moments for me to rip you down from where you stand! You've built yourself your ivory towers. Now it's my turn to tear them back down."
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Post by Tobias Lysand on Oct 23, 2010 21:55:08 GMT -5
That nickname had always grated on his nerves, but what grated on his nerves even more was the lack of personal space he had right now. He kept his face neutral however, forcing his voice to remain cool. "Ivory towers? My dear Ambassador, I do believe you have things confused. It was I who tore down your ivory towers, was it not? Let me tell you something. I'm only going to say this once, so listen closely." His chin raised slightly. "You will never outsmart me. I will always be one step ahead of you. Just like our old chess matches. Do you remember those, Alerick?"
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Post by Alerick Brenthor on Oct 23, 2010 22:05:02 GMT -5
"You always were a fool, weren't you?" Brenthor smirked. "Politics isn't a game about smarts. It's a game of power and who wields it better. We both know who's going to end up on top in the end. We both know who's stronger." He pushed Lysand's chest until his back hit the wall. "You... You are weak, and we both know that in politics, the weak fall to the strong." His hand clutched the velvet of the advisor's shirt before he abruptly let go and stepped back. "Now, I believe that you wanted my report?"
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Post by Tobias Lysand on Oct 24, 2010 6:09:49 GMT -5
When Brenthor pushed him against the wall, Lysand's hand fell to the hilt of his rapier. He drew a breath, keeping his gaze cold. He couldn't show his discomfort; it's what the ambassador wanted. It seemed that every time he had one of these meetings with the ambassador it turned into a game of 'who's bigger'. Unfortunately for him, the ambassador was much, much, much bigger. In the literal sense that is.
The sound of his rapier coming out of its sheath echoed with a grating 'schling' sound when the ambassador grabbed his shirt. Then the man abruptly stepped back. "Yes, I didn't call the meeting to hear you whining about you wanting my position."
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Post by Alerick Brenthor on Oct 24, 2010 6:16:13 GMT -5
At the sound of the rapier beginning to leave its sheath, Brenthor's hand went to his own, drawing it smoothly. He held it in front of him, a small smirk coming to his face. "The rapier. So subtle and deadly. Just like the game of politics." He turned his blade in his hand, as if admiring its craftsmanship. "I heard that you only learned to wield yours recently. I wonder. If we were to take up our blades like men should, how long would you last against me?" He backed up a step, staring at the other man intently before abruptly changing topics again.
"There's nothing to report. The werewolves and the werecats remain quiet, as usual."
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Post by Tobias Lysand on Oct 24, 2010 15:31:43 GMT -5
"You're always underestimating others," Lysand replied, eyes narrowing. His rapier cleared the sheath the rest of the way. He flicked his wrist, causing the blade to make a swishing sound as it cut through the air. "Your biggest mistake was underestimating me."
He found the abrupt switching of topics somewhat unsettling, but he did not let it show. He just gave a small nod of acknowledgment at the report.
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Post by Alerick Brenthor on Oct 24, 2010 15:39:55 GMT -5
"My biggest mistake was not crushing you from the very beginning!" Brenthor snapped. When Lysand drew the blade the rest of the way from his sheath, he took a few steps back to give himself space, keeping his blade level with the advisor's. "Your biggest mistake was, and continues to be your trust in others." His lips drew upwards in a smirk. "It's been what, sixteen years now?"
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Post by Tobias Lysand on Oct 24, 2010 16:08:01 GMT -5
"My trust in others? If you mean the fact that I have allies and you don't..." Lysand's eyes narrowed as he took steps forward away from the wall. The tension was usually thick enough between he and Brenthor to cut with a knife, but this was almost stifling. Why was he so set on bringing up the past now? "Sixteen years ago... Yes, I suppose it was about that."
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Sixteen Years Ago...
"They say it was the consumption."
"So sudden too..."
"I heard it was such a violent case that they wouldn't even allow his son by his deathbed."
"The son? What's going to happen to him after the funeral?"
"I heard Brenthor's taken him in."
"That old dog Hurm?"
"No, the son. Alerick."
Tobias drew his black cloak tighter around himself as he made his way toward the chapel, his eyes glued to the ground. Everywhere he went, he was followed by the whispers of his father's death. No one took notice of him, however. He moved through them like a ghost, silently and without life. His father... Dead. He couldn't believe it. He just... Couldn't.
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Post by Alerick Brenthor on Oct 24, 2010 16:32:22 GMT -5
"How long, Lysand? How long before your supposed friend Gladpath abandons you? I'm surprised that you didn't learn from last time. No one is your friend. They only want to use you." Brenthor smirked at him. "You really are quite the fool, aren't you?"
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Alerick reached over, putting a hand on Tobias' shoulder. There were really no words of comfort he could give to the boy. After all, his father had just passed. He had taken him in, despite the fact that he was technically of age. After all, the political world was harsh; there was no doubt the boy would flounder without some sort of guidance. Tobias had the Lysand name and would be well respected in the world of politics.It would be good to keep the boy under his thumb...
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Post by Tobias Lysand on Oct 24, 2010 16:39:16 GMT -5
Lysand raised his eyebrows. "Brenthor, I hope you know better than to compare the rest of the world's population to yourself. I don't think there's quite anyone as low as you." His lips twitched downward. "My father and yours. They were friends. There was no reason that you needed to back stab me like you did."
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"Alerick..." Tobias' voice was quiet and unsure as the man put a hand on his shoulder. As they left the warmth of the castle to make their way to the cathedral, he allowed himself to drift closer, using the larger man as a shield from the chill winter wind. "I have to thank you, for all you've done for me. I never expected that anyone would be so kind as to take me in."
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