abraxaslogs | audience with the king

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audience with the king

WHO: Kyle & King Brydan Galdwin III
WHAT: Who is this guy?
WHERE: Thorne
WHEN: Nebulous downtime between end of April and early May
WARNINGS: None to start. Kyle's usual content warnings can be found here!

~~oh my, a real cut!~~

[ Kahlil had hopes to leverage his newly acquired public attention to get an audience with the King but truthfully his expectations had remained low - the higher levels of court have remained inaccessible to them for some time. So, it's with surprise that he finds himself being escorted to this wing of the castle to finally meet the man who is, by his title at least, supposed to hold the power in the realm.

All signs, as far as he's aware, point to his wife holding the reins instead. It's important for him to understand if that's true, and why. If the king is simply aligned with his wife in most ways as everyone seems to say, if he simply prefers to let her be the face of the kingdom whenever violence enacted. If he's as much of a pushover as rumors make him out to be.

He told the official he first spoke with that he was requesting this audience because after his trip to Solvunn he had some questions and concerns he wanted to share with the king beyond what happened with Josselyn Creed. It's not a lie, only the other half of what he is concerned about that: Thorne's shared history with Solvunn, and the questions none of them are able to find answers to. ]

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[ King Brydan Galdwin III is a man of the people if he is anything. Busy as he is especially given the events over the past few months, a request from a Summoned who has proven his loyalty to Thorne on more than one occasion is not one that he would ignore. The Summoned in Thorne are as much his people as the citizens and residents of the castle.

The King sits upon his throne flanked by two guards behind him. The Queen's throne is empty. He extends his arms to either side and smiles as Kyle is led inside. ]

Welcome, Kyle! It is Kyle, isn't it? Back from that sordid business with the Commune.

It is. [ Kahlil steps into the space and nods at the name, lowering his eyes for a moment in a polite attempt at deference for the man in front of him. He doesn't know if he's expected to bow and doesn't attempt to kneel. ]

The execution was... more brutal than I could have expected, if that makes any sense. [ There are good deaths and bad deaths. This was the far end of bad. He looks up at the king again, studying this man none of them know and the empty throne beside him. ]

That's also part of what I hoped to speak to you about. There's so little in the North Wing's library about these gods, or even the old history between Thorne and Solvunn.

[ The absence of a bow does make the guards exchange glances but the King waves off their judgment with a flick of his wrist. Instead his face shifts to prominent concern with brows and mouth hanging noticeably low. ]

As is to be expected of the "Old Ways". That is now they still like to put it, if I recall.

[ Brydan glances to the guard at his right and receives a nod in confirmation. ]

Rightly so. Though Josselyn Creed would have faced a swift justice within our borders for the wrongs she committed against our Summoned and countrymen, it seemed only fitting that Solvunn deal with one of their own. A gesture of goodwill to our neighbors to the south.

[ He settles back onto his throne. With another glance at the guards to either side, they nod once again and leave the room. When the door shuts behind them, King Brydan raises both of his brows. ]

Superstitions born of old fears and wild devotion are the last things we need running rampant in the minds of astute young mages who are here to learn the ways of magic. But...you are one of our Summoned, not one of our students. What is it that you wish to know?

[ Kahlil regards the dismissal of the two guards with slight surprise, a gesture that could mean any number of things. He wonders about the wards in this room: both against eavesdropping, but also magic - and escape. He's constantly aware of the latter within the castle, like a pressure in the back of his head.

Superstitions, there's a small knot at his brow, but he answers the question first: ]

The Ninth High Mage of Thorne. What went wrong with the Summoning that caused his exile and the creation of Solvunn.

[ And why the gods seem to have left Thorne with him. ]

As you can imagine, the work that goes into these Summoning spells is delicate, taking years upon years of study, practice and mastery. For this and many other reasons the knowledge has been safeguarded by our best and brightest for countless centuries.

[ There is pride in his voice as he speaks fondly of Thorne's accomplishments. ]

Thorne has ever hoped rather than to sit stagnant in the past or to throw hallowed traditions away, but to improve upon a solid foundation. One built on knowledge with our duty in mind. That has always been the job of the High Mage in regards to our magic. Surely there is to be some leeway for experimentation...

[ He pauses with a look of disappointment as he continues. ]

...However, I am assured that the results of Ninth High Mage's Summonings were far from the perfected method we have now. The specifics are unknown but the results speak for themselves, Kyle.

[ Brydan leans forward and rests his elbow one of the large arms of his throne. ]

Rather than a conversation between two civilized minds as we have now, the Summoned of that time became...unhinged and dangerous. They became something unlike themselves. No matter how valuable the presence of a Summoned is to us, we take the safety and security of our citizens as paramount.

[ While Kahlil frowns slightly at that explanation, there's little of surprise in his expression this time. He thinks of Lucifer, his divine siblings Summoned to other factions.

Perfected also seems an overstatement, given what he's heard from those that were first Summoned by Ambrose. ]

What became of those Summoned, after? [ He can read between the lines: contained and executed, as the Payshmura would do to the Rifter time and time again when their purpose was served?

But - could they have also lingered? He comes from a world where life can be bound to bones, and dead oracles wear dogskins. ]

[ Brydan leans back into his throne once again. He nods once sharply, his tone with a sense of finality. ]

Those unfortunate few were beyond help and therefore dealt with as a threat to Thorne. I can only imagine the weight of levying such a decision, but it is as I said: the safety of Thorne's citizens is and has always been of utmost importance.

[ He shakes his head as he brings a knuckle to his chin and looks off into the distance. ]

Such a tragedy is one we had hoped to avoid sullying the pages of Thorne's history. But those responsible for the egregious mistake were held accountable.

[ He lowers his gaze slightly, understanding that this is probably as much as he'll get on the topic from the king. A pause, his head tilting slightly as he starts slowly: ]

My own world was badly damaged by past wars and powers that couldn't fully be contained. There are lands where nothing can live anymore. The ones who held that power were destroyed completely, and their names are taboo now.

[ Another pause. He lifts his eyes, questioning. ]

Here, with the tensions between factions, the ill omens that struck the land, now Josselyn Creed's cult... you Summon us, but - what would you ask of us? What are we to you? [ A beat. ] This isn't my home. But I believe I was brought here with a purpose.

[ The King does listen, nodding at all the appropriate moments as someone who is well-versed in keeping up appearances. ]

The Ninth High Mage was cast out of the Kingdom of Thorne so that his legacy of failure would not be repeated. We refuse to safely harbor those who pose a threat to our lives and responsibilities.

[ He steeples his fingers. ]

War may be unavoidable. But war is not something to fear if it's for the right purpose. Our purpose is great, both your and mine, in a way that neither Solvunn nor the Free Cities are willing to comprehend. They turned their backs on what was once a united effort of all citizens of Abraxas, a mantle that Thorne bravely carries to this day.

[ Brydan motions to himself and then to Kyle as he speaks. ]

Our duty is to serve the Singularity and as Summoned you are the special few who can approach it unfalteringly. It is with your help that we can secure it's power and offer stability to the realm! You see it now, the world that we are in is unstable. Solvunn would let it stay this way. And the Free Cities? Pah! They would destroy the Singularity and all that goes with it! What they fail to see is what has been in front of them the entire time: that the Singularity is the answer we have all been searching for.

[ Brydan straightens in his seat and extends his arms wide with a bright smile. ]

That is what we are willing to wage war for! For Thorne and for all of Abraxas. And with you and your friends we can make that happen. The steps may be small at times, but the path we walk together is that towards a bright future. That is why we are so fortunate to have you, Kyle, and Ambrose. The mistakes of the Ninth will not be repeated. Exile and execution is reserved for those that deserve it. You are safe in his hands and all of ours. Follow his guidance and our requests and we all only benefit from our cooperation.

[ His smile softens as he lowers his hands. ]

This may not be the town you were born in, but this can be your home away from home. The fate of your world will not be this one if I have any say in it. But what is it I can do for you to make you feel more at home?

[ He tries to keep his expression neutral through all of that, lowering his eyes deferentially: the parts he craves hear validated about the Singularity's nature and their purpose to serve it's will, the parts that remind him of why he doesn't trust in mortal men to rule in place of the divine. The king is handsome and well spoken, but what yet proves that he won't make the same mistakes as the Payshmura Usho? He's still seeking that answer, and some of his hopes have been replaced with doubt.

A large amount of that doubt also remains in the form of the lady shaped elephant in the room.

He continues to watch the king curiously now, waiting a second before replying: ]

I've been working as a courier for the castle for months now. Though I rely on portals to get between cities, this wouldn't be necessary in my world. I have the ability to move swiftly between great distances, but with the wards set all around the countryside, that ability is hampered. If there was a way to allow me to pass through those inner wards, it would mean a great deal to me. And could possibly prove useful in other ways.

[ He takes a deep breath - ]

And there is another thing. The attack on the Nocwich delegation happened not long after I arrived, followed by the retaliation against the Free Cities - and then Nott's farmlands. War might be an inevitability, but the ones who suffer the most won't see it that way.

[ He winces. ]

Women aren't allowed to rule, let alone make such major decisions where I come from. It was you who also approved of the retribution?

[ The first part is the truth. Better he seem like a misogynist than anything else during this conversation. ]

[ The King takes a moment to consider Kyle's request. He taps his fingers on the arm of his throne in the beat of a waltz until he comes to a decision and lays all flat on the ornate rest. ]

As an official courier on the behalf of the King, I will gift you with a brooch of my sigil. Wear it and none shall question your presence as you carry out your duties. Would that suit your needs?

[ Though uncommon, Kyle may have seen one or two individuals sporting a highly decorative pin in collecting their parcels for distribution.

While Kyle winces, Brydan actually chuckles. ]

My Queen Ellya carries her families knowledge of the arts of war from generations past. I trust her to know when best to strike.

[ The mirth fades as Brydan leans forward. ]

All delegates were under attack, but do not forget that Thorne was the only one to suffer loses. They threatened our Summoned and our court. Sometimes we must take a stand to show that we will not be so easily bullied should the urge to target the Kingdom of Thorne rear its ugly head again.

[ Another unguarded flicker of genuine surprise at the counter-offer, and he nods. ]

It would.

[ He's reached the limits of his skulking abilities in certain places, especially Borrel where he's discouraged from lingering for too long on his deliveries.

The king continues and Kahlil remembers Geralt's brief, harsh assessment of the man. His own hope to find larger disagreement between wife and husband had ultimately been a longshot, and for the moment he can only take him at his word. ]

I understand.

[ It's all he can say to bite his tongue, reminding himself of the precarious position he's just put himself in as the itch beneath his skin threatens to become a clawing after that. ]

[ Brydan claps his hands together. ]

Then it shall be done! The brooch will be delivered to your room by sunset this evening.

[ The brooch will be large and in good condition, attachable by two pins. It is clearly meant to draw the eye. ]

Take heart, Kyle. Thorne has been victorious in the past and shall continue to work for its people and for all of Abraxas.

[ He rests his hands once again on the arms of his throne. ]

Now, was there anything else you wanted to ask?

[ There's a lot more he wants to ask, but with the surprise acceptance of his travel request, he feels like anything further right now would be pushing it. So he shakes his head slowly. ]

Thank you. I hope to continue learn more about your world's history. And that we might see more of you again in the future, King Galdwin.

[ He finally uses the title name, because he still can't get my lord or sire to roll off his tongue properly. He gives a half bow along with it. ]

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audience with the king

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