[center]Roman Benedikt[/center]

With order among the assembly restored, thanks to Shamgar's intervention and diplomatic gesture, Roman eased his hand from his sword hilt. He could feel the tension among the gathered lords running through his bones; his too, as though House Benedikt was a friend to some, it was certainly an adversary to others. The heathens on House Conrad came to mind, and it took a great deal of Roman's concentration to keep from grimacing at Lord James when he had arrived. Instead, he opted to distract himself from his hate by positioning himself next to Lord Barad Anselm, a longtime friend in the Weald. 

When the guards came to him for his weapons, Roman complied without incident, as would be proper. Though he had no quarrel with the Khitani, their brazen refusal to remove their arms gave Roman the impression of a disobedient child, and Shamgar, acting as a father, had found a compromise to keep his boy under control. It amused him; the terms Shamgar must have contemplated when taking the diversity of the Houses into account. Had it been himself in the Paragon's shoes, he wasn't sure he'd be so tolerant. Roman's entourage of knightly orderlies complied with their own arms, flanking their lord with watchful gazes at the men of other Houses.

As the atmosphere in the room fell to a gentler spirit, Roman stepped forward, folding his waist in a respectful bow. "Lord Shamgar, my friend," he started as his torso came back up, "It pleases me to see you again. I applaud your tactfulness in dealing with the... more [i]foreign[/i] of the Houses." At that point, his words were a whisper, spoken through a wry smile. "I look forward to what the consensus of the Lords holds for Elyden. All's well in the Capital?"