[hider]The James Conrad Saga begins courtesy of Zell[/hider]

[color=2E8B57][center][u][b]Offices of the Amrothan Prime Magistrate, Lalrial.[/b][/u][/center][/color]

The crisis, such as it was, that politics had become in the wake of the death of Emperor Taramyth had turned things upside down, particularly for those Prime Magistrates who made their lives in the capital. It hadn't taken long for Lothar to reach out to him, almost quicker than he expected, with the news he would be in the capital soon, and with Charlotte no less. He didn't question that too much, He knew his nephew Reimar was of his own mind. Consequently, he had spent far too much time arranging any information that could ever possibly be pertinent, though he fully expected most of it would never be looked at. At least it was arranged now, he reasoned, a small solace. 

He had caught a few moments to eat, drink and sadly not be merry, and glean any information he could from his friends, professional and personal. He was where he always seemed to be these days, though, back in the "Office" that he used that was not at all far enough away from the modest apartments in the capital he called a home, of sorts. He knew Lothar would arrive soon, and found that while he intended otherwise, all he was doing now was idly reshuffling the same inconsequential papers he had sorted through all but a few mark's ago.

It was, as if through providence, that the moment of self realisation that had dawned was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Roused to some form of action that wasn't more befitting of a forgotten bureaucrat, Deiter rose, approaching the door. No doubt another chapter in the ongoing Imperial drama. Taking a deep breath that evoked someone about to take a dive into the unknown, an irony somewhat lost on himself, Deiter manoeuvred his way around and opened the door.

Standing there was a man he knew well enough, James Conrad. James looked to Deiter in a somewhat suprised manner yet greeted him with a pleasant enough tone "Hello Deiter, I was hoping we could talk, May I come in?" He asked with a smile.

Deiter released the breath in a discreet a manner as possible, returning the smile of mild familiarity. "Ah James, You've caught me at a good enough time, please, come in. It's considerably more organized than usual, you might actually find somewhere to sit this time." He said, drawing back and extending an arm in a flourish of welcome.

James nodded as he walked in and saw the office looking tidy at least as far as it concerned Deiter's normal standard of organisation. He chuckled as he took his seat and then looked towards Deiter "Everyone's preparing for their family member's arrival it seems, putting off most of the meetings the estate had planned. Yet, I was wondering have you any idea who your brother may vote for in the election for the emperor?" James said leaning back and getting comfortable in the wooden chair.

"You and everyone else." Deiter responded quickly, returning to the seat that was now surrounded by stacks of papers that were at least, neat. "Though that goes without saying. Who will Lothar cast his vote for? As good a question for me as for you. You know how our interests have sometimes aligned, yet this card is held close to his own chest. If I had to guess, he likely will not decide until the last possible moment. There is always something to gain from these things, perhaps he will await a convincing offer." Deiter finished, shrugging slightly. "Right now your guess is as good as mine, and my advice will only go so far."

James nodded in agreement, "I believe you give yourself far too little credit. I'm sure if you were to speak to your brother about your own personnel views on one of the candidates he'd be more willing to side with them. Though, every lord want's their throne handed to them on a golden platter." James paused for a moment before continuing. "Though if you don't know who your brother is voting for, then may I ask who you believe would be the best candidate as concerns our next Emperor?" James said as he looked around the room and seeing how the room wasn't exactly neat just more piles that seemed to look more organized.

"Personally? In the interests of the status quo I'd be inclined to recommend Ralltene, more of the different kind of same, some would say, but the status quo would be mostly preserved. That said, it remains a fluid vote, and whatever would benefit the house the most will likely carry more weight at such a time." Deiter answered, despite all the information he had most of it had been of no relevance or worse, was just useless, not to mention how much credence was often given to idle rumour that proved nothing more than that. He was sure if he started a rumour this instant that was absurd enough yet simple it'd end up written down in every Prime Magistrate's plethora of personal information by the end of Gerna.

James nodded, "While Rall may be the candidate that was most like his father is that really the best thing we need currently? I mean his father wasn't the best now was he and his council was doing half the work if not more. Now, as for Jakinius, he's the first born and was given anything and everything. He seems like a strong leader but if you look at him he's more or less a brute and a soldier, he'd want to tighten the kingdom under the Emperor's hold and he hasn't done much ruling in his life. The last of the main contenders, Allianna of course, while she did argue vigorously to get her own title it's not like she's done a horrible job at it. She at least knows how to rule but she maybe just as forceful as her brother, though I believe her to be the best of the main contenders. Wouldn't you agree Deiter?" James said leaning closer somewhat.

"Perhaps, but to rock the boat, if you'll forgive the somewhat unbecoming joke given the circumstances of the late Emperor, now? I'd expect that my house would seek more from such support than the good feeling of electing an Emperor, or Empress. What invests you in such an outcome? Surely not an act of selflessness?" Deiter asked, chuckling slightly. Very little in politics was selfless, but he was never normally so direct in approaching the subject, this was not a normal time, however, so it was what it was.

James raised his eyebrow and then nodded. "Oh come now Deiter, I can't give my own thoughts on the matter. I am basically the voice for Lord Cragmore after all. Though I don't expect to gain much after all, I am but a landless noble. With no alliances,no family and no loyal men. But I do wish to speak to you as I believe friends should. We must get a concise and coherent Emperor put into power, if for no other reason then to make our jobs a little easier." James laughed while thinking Deiter may be useful for the vote in the future so long as they could get on the same side.

"Perhaps, it would be akin to "selling a sinking boat" as one of those Veletian merchants would put it." Deiter took a moment, mulling over the matter. "I can make a suggestion but I cannot guarantee the outcome. It may, after all, all be for naught if another contender makes an offer that it would be foolish to refuse, of course. We may even see half of the remaining Valariens kill each other off for all we know, dangerous times, James. I think the Prime Estate's concerns will remain junior for some time. I didn't think I would miss them, but, jokes on me this time." Deiter said, casting a glance at the offices numerous piles of parchment and ruffled papers.

James gave a chuckle "You keep saying you could make a suggestion, yet you only spoke of Ralltene, would your mind be open to another perhaps. Though let's be honest you are right, the Valariens may end up making themselves extinct by the time this thing ends, yet until that time we need a central leadership. I do believe if you spoke to your brother about whom you'd prefer, he could begin making arrangements while I work on the side lines, speaking to our colleagues and what not we may see the Emperor or Empress chosen sooner then expected." James said, looking to the piles that pervaded the room. "Yet even when this is all done, I may have to help you get these things in order." He added.

"Ralltene is a choice of simplicity, anyone else will demand something more, though it would be upon Lothar himself to see what rewards could be reaped. That said, the thought of such things would not be a negative. We Amrothan will bide our time all the same, regardless of how quick our minds are set. I could promise you the suggestion of the candidate you prefer, but I could not promise you any more than that." Deiter looked to the morass of papers. "As for those, I'm probably planning a bonfire sometime soon, you're welcome to contribute." He added, smiling.

James nodded "If you truly gave your brother my suggestion I'd already be humbled, though as I said choosing Allianna would be the best choice at least from the current contenders. If you'd allow me, I'd love to join you when you meet with your brother as I've always heard he was a good man. It might be nice to finally meet him." James said, looking as though he was about to stand up.

"I'll see what I can do on both counts, though I have no doubt there will be much occupying him it will cost nothing, at the very least, to present the latter. Off to court more of the Magistrates, then?" Deiter asked, though the curiosity was largely false, of course he would be, Deiter knew.

"Oh Deiter, stop, you know me, I get around. This was a nice chat though and I do hope to hear more from you especially when your brother stops by. But for now I supposed I must be off." James then stood up and headed for the door.

"Do try and keep your head on your shoulders, some of our colleagues are no doubt going to be.. highly invested in their recommendations." Deiter said, rising to provide a modest escort. "And do pass on my good wishes for whatever current hell they may be experiencing politically, let alone their social calendars, I'm hard pressed to do so myself with my new career as paper pusher." Dieter finished, finally ushering his visitor out of the door, offering a simple farewell and letting it close itself with a dull thud. He turned around and perused the scene.

"Yes, a bonfire. I'm sure the local church will love that."

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[center][color=2E8B57][u][b]Apartments of the Amrothan Prime Magistrate, Lalrial, One Day Later.[/b][/u][/color][/center]

It had been near twilight when the Amrothan delegation had arrived, Lothar Amrothan and his daughter, Charlotte, as well as a handful of the Bannerguard, making little in the way of fanfare as they entered Lalrial. Lothar had kept two of his Bannerguard, now dismounted and forming a guard, with their mounts tended to at an Amrothan owned stable as close to the gate they had entered had offered. The others were given their free time with an understanding of where they were to be in the coming days.

Deiter had welcomed them into his home as only family could, even at such a late mark. The hospitality had been tempered by the need to discuss pressing matters, and as perceptive as ever, Charlotte had hurried them and their escorts through their refreshments and Imperial sourced approximations of homely Dreibene meals before Lothar had set the guard and she herself had retired to sleep. They had come to find themselves in the lounge-come-study-come-entertainment room. Deiter was known for being a fan of clutter, and so Lothar found it difficult to discern just exactly which of those he had favoured, nonetheless, after such a time in the saddle, he welcomed the comfort of soft furnishings whilst simultaneously admonishing himself for such enjoyment. As Deiter joined him, he refocused his thoughts and began to speak.

"With pleasantries satisfied, speak to me of this election. We find ourselves predisposed to no candidate, and our marriage ties do not promise our own vote to the support of the candidates my fair sister-in-law or the Valian's may favour. You have done all that you have been asked and more in your capacity as Prime Magistrate, and you know more of this than I. Speak, and you shall have my ear." He fully focused his gaze on Deiter now, it was not unfriendly, just that of liege lord and valued advisor, more than simple brothers.

"I have spent many a mark looking through everything myself or old Siegmund had thought pertinent to the Valerians, and even beyond. I must admit, much of what has been written is difficult to verify at best, pure fantasy at worst. I know you well enough that without some not inconsiderable extension of Imperial favour, you have most likely ruled Jakinius out as an option." Lothar nodded, so Deiter continued. "It leaves us with Ralltene and Allianna. Ralltene would be, while no doubt a different variety, more of the same kind of ruler ship we have experienced under Taramyth. Such would incline you, no doubt, to favour a form of the status quo." Deiter shuffled himself in the seat, re-adjusting his positioning.

"You are uncertain?" Lothar posed the question, an immediate response to the understanding of body language learned over a lifetime of kinship.

"Perhaps.. Times become dangerous, uncertain, in these kinds of environments. Ralltene has his own reputation and is largely untested at least in the rule that he would be expected to undertake, at least, some of the time. In so far that is what I can gather from what I have learned." Deiter responded, letting a hand ruffle through his short red hair.

"I see. You would suggest considering Allianna, then? She is at the very least an able administrator, or so I'm told?" Lothar asked, posing a largely false question that they both knew he had an answer to.

Deiter offered it up anyway. "At the very least. She used words to get her way, a laudable trait for the holder of a Throne, of course. She has not yet found love or a suitable political match, either, from what I am aware of, so it means no House stands to gain in the immediacy of her election. It too, offers some form of opportunity. There is no reason, of course, to offer our loyalty with a corresponding reward un-promised." Lothar noted he placed some emphasis on the latter.

House Amrothan was hardly above the politicking that all the nobility engaged in, and he was right. It offered a chance at something more than simple adherence to the status quo. There was much more that Deiter would need to tell him, that much was sure.

"Ideally I would meet with them all, for courtesy's sake alone. The measure of a man or woman can only really be decided in the saddle, but I very much doubt I'd convince them of that. I am also of some doubt that they will find time for all the people who wish to meet them, but you will spread the word, will you not? In fact, given that I am in the capital at a time of such activity, I would most likely be wise to offer at least some of my time to those who would find time for some conversation." Lothar watched Deiter as he rose, nodding an affirmation.

"Deiter, in the morning, of course, the mark is late and we have not spoken at length in person for nearly two years. I assume you still have the favoured blend?" Lothar asked, a smile now upon his face.

"Blend?" Deiter asked, faking his uncertainty. "Oh, of course. I keep the stocks of wine varied and numerous, it comes in handy more often than you'd think. Of course, Brother, I save only the finest Purpurveil Rein for myself.. And you, of course." He quickly appended. Both men laughed a genuine hearty laugh. 

It was good to be amongst family.