[center][h3]Duke Alaric Gyre[i][/i][/h3]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/qbGtIvk.png[/img][/center]
Alaric Gyre had spent the morning within the royal gardens of Tythmas. Head bowed and knees bent, his sword lay in the damp grass before him under the shade of a willow tree which kept the worst of the assaulting rain away. Eyes closed, the young Duke found himself in prayer, he was a religious man yes, but a devout man, no. To him religion was not something which defined a man, but guided him, and that was what Alaric looked for under the willows. Guidance. Guidance in what was to come. The King and his father lay dead, the Ceremony was almost upon them and he found himself a Duke. Times were changing.

[i]And fast[/i]. Thought Alaric as his mind turned back to the present, to the council chambers, to the two claimants and to the platters of famed Marethian cuisine of pastries and delights which adorned every table. From his chair within the chamber, it was clear two aspirants has risen above the rest. Enough eager votes had been cast that should a new man put forward his name it would assure the victory of another if no vote could be turned. Part of him willed himself to put forth his own name regardless, could he serve the realm better than the two lords already vying for the throne? Or would it be a wasted endeavor which could only cut ties and burn bridges? A man surrounded in vile rumors of kinslaying and intrigue, or a warrior-lord past his prime boasting of the natural fertility of his lands? 

[i][color=thistle]"My Lords, my lady."[/color][/i] Duke Alaric Gyre spoke as he rose from his seat. [i][color=thistle]"I believe none here could question the courage and honour of my late lord father who was slain fighting alongside our beloved King. He was a just man, a good man, and it is with those values which he instilled upon me that I would pledge forth my own name for the honour of Kingship... I realize many among you will not know me, perhaps worry for my age or a lack of experience. I believe no-man is truly prepared for the responsibilities a King might bear, but I believe I might with your aid my lords do so. I have in mind the council I would assemble should you find me worthy of such an honour, a council formed not of bias or of how one voted, but of merit and for the betterment of the realm."[/color][/i]

Alaric allowed a pause as his eyes found those of whom he would speak.[i][color=thistle] "Lord Gerantius, you speak of the prosperity of your Duchy and I believe as you have said, that such a prosperity might be found within the entire realm under your administration. I would name you Royal Steward as my prominent advisor in matters of administration of the realm... Lord Stolt, you are perhaps the most experienced man in matters of war among us, your family has guarded the Southern Reaches for years and you are known to be a man of honour and fine ability. I would name you Marshal... Duke Conrad, I would have you serve as Spymaster of the realm. A position that will not be known beyond this room and council, but of great importance to the realm you serve and I believe, complimentary with your own ability... My Duchess Allard, I would name you Chancellor. Serving as advisor in matters of diplomacy and foreign affairs in our dealings with our neighbors in the Dwarves and Elves, with whom I would seek further diplomatic relations with you at the helm of this undertaking... Good Lord Demotoraius, you are a man of known military ability and a master of strategy, I would have you serve the realm as Master of the Order of Celeres, with a seat on the council, your charge would be to lead the Order and it's 7,000 knights. To bring back the days of glory and honour it once commanded and serve as a beacon to the realm."[/color][/i] The Duke paused for a moment as he reached the most delicate part of his promises.[i] [color=thistle]"And finally, good Baron Sforza. I have only once in my life bore witness to the great floodplains which you and your stout fellows protect the realm from. I have seen the importance of your presence there and I would have the Barony of Lussex, raised to the state of Dukedom to be henceforth dubbed the Duchy of Lussex in recognition of this fact with yourself being raised to my council as Lord Spiritual. Furthermore I would pledge to support this important province in the defense of the realm, financial aid from the crown so that it shan't stand alone against the monsters which threaten this realm."[/color][/i]

The Duke sensed he was talking a lot, but there lay another subject yet to be broached. [color=thistle][i]"In regards to the savage orcs of the south. I would follow noble Lord Gerantis. We should allow a short time of rearmament, of preparation and recruitment whilst seeking assurances from the Dwarves and Elves. We cannot however wait too long, to do so would allow the orc hordes to amass in greater numbers and strength than that which ambushed our most revered King. I say we allow a short time of rest, before we embark once more upon the Crusade good King Timault began. Honored lords and ladies, thank you."[/i][/color] With that, Alaric fell back into his seat. Silently, he steeled himself against whatever might follow. Wrathful words? Insults? Praises?