Royal Crown Commission: Cornering Erik

[Jim Roberts]

[Jan 30 PM -- Castle Sibley]

> But those were topics for tomorrow; they had covered everything that
> *needed* to be covered today, and it was time to break for the
> evening.

Quite naturally, a number of side-conversations were struck up as
everyone collected their things and headed out for the hospitality of
the Abbot’s evening table and the Castle Sibley kitchens. Balzac and the
Abbot were idly chatting with Colonel Sharpe clearing up a few details,
and several of the other members of the commission were either
exchanging information or sharing anecdotes with one or another of the
delegation from the settlements.

Had Erik been watching closely, he might have realized that it was not
an accident he had not been drawn into any of those social huddles.
Nearly everyone in the cheerful hubbub of concluding the meeting was
just as oblivious as the paladin lord. At least a couple of those more
attuned to social dynamics quickly noticed that both Tramma and Avril
were using their considerable charm, tact, and diplomacy to subtly steer
everyone else into one fascinating conversation or another.

Sister Erin noticed, because she was always alert to whatever the
Abbot’s adorably off-beat diplomat might get up to. Tramma herself
admitted she needed a minder, an assessment the Erish priestess heartily
endorsed. She had a few notions what the silver-haired temptress might
be up to, and decided she best be nearby in case it became prudent to
deftly curb youthful enthusiasm. With a ruler if necessary.

Vowsister Avril saw what was going on, mainly because she was attempting
the same subtle guidance of the crowd dynamics. Since their goals were
aligned, the statuesque beauty simply adjusted her own tactics. When she
was able to catch Tramma’s eye Avril shared a conspiratorial wink and a
subtle questioning expression and shift of her glance toward Erik. The
equally subtle slight nod and tilt of Tramma’s silver-maned head might
seem innocent to anyone else, but all that two so skilled at ‘working a
crowd’ needed to convey to each other that they both had the same goal,
and were willing to accept an alliance of convenience rather than risk
exposing their schemes to the people they were trying to steer away from
their target.

The only member of the visiting Crown Commission aware that there was a
concerted effort afoot to isolate Lord Erik for an intimate discussion
was the intelligence analyst Captain Ceana Gallach. Part of her job
here, after all, was to learn as much as she could about the leadership
of this far-distant colony suddenly thrust into prominence in the
thinking of the Kamyran government. The gorgeous analyst smiled to
herself; after some of the back and forth when the poor man was forced
by the circumstances of leadership into an uncomfortable airing of his
personal thoughts about his private life in front of several strangers
there was no surprise at all some of the local beauties who seemed to
have their eye on him might want to have a word. This was liable to be
good, but much as Captain Gallach wanted to be a fly on the wall for
THIS tête-à-tête, she couldn’t in good conscience spy on one of the
local lords she was here to help. Especially since she wanted to stay on
the good side of the ladies making the effort, too, they looked good
enough to cultivate as sources. Ceana reluctantly went with the general
flow out of the room, and mentally wished Lord Erik all the luck she
figured he would soon need.

The one ally Erik might have counted on to both notice and head off the
carefully socially engineered intrigue to usher everyone else out of the
room and leave Avril and Tramma alone with him for a vital few moments
was instead co-opted to help. Tramma by this point knew Sir Tregarth
quite well indeed, and they trusted each other implicitly. She could
convey her intentions with just an imploring glance, subtle expressions,
body language, and a minimum of words completely innocent to others but
crystal clear to the big knight who had become a lot more than a dear
friend. The bard’s efforts were aided by the fact that she and Fort
Resolute’s Seneschal “knew” each other on *multiple* levels.
Specifically, she knew that the huge knight was quite adept at reading
people. Coupled with their rather more intimate knowledge, this helped
Tramma craft a message that was both subtle and assured of being understood.

For all that Tregarth was skilled at “people reading”, bluff and
deception were entirely beyond him. No hint of prevarication could
escape his bright and sunny face. Fortunately, he was sufficiently
self-aware to understand this limitation, so he made no attempt to send
back a subtle reply. As really, no reply was needed. His best approach
for acknowledging receipt of her message and his agreement with her
overall plan was to simply do what he had already been inclined to do,
and simply not notice his Boss being effectively herded. So rather than
warning his liege lord, he helped clear the room, mentioning that he’d
sent forward some samples of their local Moonshiner’s tribe crafter’s
ale, and that he was curious to hear opinions on how it compared to the
nearer Trollkill station brew and the local brews around Fort Lucas.

Avril shot a questioning look toward Sister Erin still blandly refusing
to be steered toward the door. Another wordless nod and rueful grin from
Tramma acknowledged the presence of the priestess as the last holdout
was not a problem. Not only was she probably impossible to pry out of
the room without making a quite noticeable scene, the silver-haired
chanteuse was relieved she was there. Tramma had a healthy respect for
ANY Keeryte Vowsister, and she knew enough of Avril’s formidable
reputation to be glad to have a friend to both keep her in line and
carry the quivering remnants off the field of battle if she said
something stupid enough to annoy the woman with quite the reputation for
verbal dissection.

“I quite humbly apologize for helping put you on the spot, Lord Erik,”
Avril told him with a rueful smile. “The advice was I think quite sound,
but this was not really the proper setting. Alas, this sort of airing
your personal hopes, fears, and desires is part of the price of leadership.”

“On a personal level, I freely apologize, too,” Tramma agreed with warm
sincerity. “However, my lord Erik, if you will again forgive me for
speaking freely, this was a conversation that was long overdue. I wonder
sometimes if you realize just how much this concerns all our people? You
can tell me to butt out, but please don’t. We *do* want to help, you know.”

“I know,” Erik sighed sheepishly. “It's been overdue and lots of people
want to help. Still doesn't make it easier to ask for help. Hearing the
whispers and snide comments doesn’t help.”

“We are not the ones making those sort of nasty jokes,” Tramma insisted.
“Maybe in good fun with friends, I’ll grant you that. But out among your
people, I’ve been one of the ones insisting that there’s no way those
snide comments are true. Not that you guys HELP with things like the
rainbow flag, though in fairness I don’t think it means ‘gay pride’
outside Yeltanar and Kamyrie, and is a bit obscure outside college
campuses even there.”

“The Sisterhood has been doing what it can to dispel the doubts and
whispers, too,” Avril sighed. “But I can’t deny even among our students
there is a lot of speculation.”

“The church certainly has done what it can,” Sister Erin shook her head.
“I’ve not yet a personal apology, Lord Erik, only a general one,” the
red-headed Erish priestess told him sympathetically. “I am here mainly
cuz I have brothers, and know that drop-dead gorgeous ladies like these
two often forget just how tongue-tied any poor lad can get when even a
good-hearted beauty is speaking to him candidly. I’m doubtin’ I have t’
explain much to a handsome devil like you, sure’n the ladies get the
same way, not that it helps when the shoe is on the other foot.”

“Which is part of the reason I’m cautious about relationships,” Erik
nodded somberly. “I’ve seen more than a few hurt feelings when someone
uses their looks or conversational skills without thought. Especially
when the two sides have different expectations.”

“Well, yer lordship,” Sister Erin interjected quickly before either of
the other women could respond. “Tha’s not at issue here. I gave my life
to the church, and Avril, too, though her situation’s a tad more
complicated than mine. Strange as it may sound, I’ll speak up for Tramma
a bit here, because I think it’ll be more credible comin’ from me. Her
love life is so complex it makes my head spin, an’ she won’t be
surprised at all ta hear me say again I frown on how promiscuous she is.
But the one thing I *know* she is admirably careful about is using those
stunning looks and conversational skills to MINIMIZE hurt feelings.
She’s human, so I’m sure she’s made mistakes - but I know her well
enough to be just as sure she did all she could to make it right.”

“You got that right,” Tramma sighed with an obvious air of sincere
regret. “Far better to not upset anyone in the first place, but if I do,
it’s on ME to smooth things over. And you’re right, Erin, I am so
comfortable in my own skin I probably DO forget to allow enough for
terrifying a lot of people with how frank I can be about expressing
honest interest. I just wish I had remembered that with Lord Erik when I
threw myself at him, I really WOULD have showed him a good time and no
expectations or strings attached. I am not ashamed of my love life,
though I know there are some who think I should be.”

“Well, that part has been off the table most of my life,’ Vowsister
Avril sighed. “But I certainly have learned the hard way as a teacher
how easy it is for an intense personality and passion for what you
believe in to form a barrier between people who COULD form a satisfying
friendship.”

“Natural enough t’ feel gobsmacked, less yer a saint,” Sister Erin
rolled her eyes, and reminded them, “I especially want to remind you two
saucy wenches, who let’s not forget just embarrassed this poor man AND
shamelessly made fairly explicit offers in front of high Crown
officials. *I* thought it was funny, and I think so did the Colonel, an’
we Kamyrans are pretty easygoing when it comes to sexual matters; but
still. That mild critique aside, yes, by all means let’s offer any help
we might.” Avril and Tramma at least had the grace to share a guilty
look with each other and look contrite, but all three women set that
aside for later and turned expectant gazes to the paladin lord.