Syrenrei

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

While she didn't know precisely how much Galt had overheard, Silke expected it was just enough to make him feel awkwardly uncomfortable. Internally she had predicted that the former thief would either feign ignorance, distract her with a joke, or be attempt to console her, though he wouldn't know how, as neither he nor anyone else knew why she avoided marriage. As he related he wished he could change the reality of the situation she gave a small smile. The count sympathized with her plight, and she wasn't certain if that made it better or worse. On one hand she was glad to have another ally that was respecting her choice, while on the hand she didn't relish the idea being seen in such a pitiable state, trapped between her agency and duty to her country.

"Lord Byrne wouldn't have rushed over here unless he was convinced it is a serious issue," she told him carefully. "He's not much of a gossip either, so if it's reached his ears, it has spread through a significant amount of the nobility. Truly I ought to be able to do more to repay him other than provide dinner and a chance for him to chastise my brother," Silke sighed. Had she been free to divulge why the nobleman was so loyal to her, and why she trusted him so thoroughly, she would have done so. Because they were not her secrets to keep, however, she couldn't explain to anything to Galt.

Galt proposed. His offer wasn't serious, was accompanied by a wink and smirk, and was delivered with a casual confidence, but the gravity of her predicament struck her at that moment. Since her mother and brother had died she had taken great pride in her independence. Without any fanfare, Silke had strode forward like a conqueror, refusing to allow herself to be restrained by societal norms. She had educated herself beyond what any lady was taught (or what was considered proper). She had taken on all her family's responsibilities, regardless of whether they were traditionally managed by men. She had manipulated and maneuvered her way through the courts, ignoring customs and traditions, and spent just as much or more time conversing with noblemen as noblewomen. She had entered into business ventures and signed contracts, despite questions about how much a member of her sex could understand the subject, and had flourished.

Yet, no matter how successful she had been, there was no simple solution to her current issue. The brighter she shone, and the more attention she brought to herself, the louder the questions about her marital status seemed. People were unsatisfied at the possibility of her remaining unwed and sooner or later, there was a possibility her hand would be forced politically, either by aristocrats of higher station or the prospective groom himself.

Silke became abruptly aware she had been staring at Galt silently. Her mouth opened and closed once as she tried to gather her thoughts and formulate an equally witty response. Typically when she dealt with the other gender she found some fault in their character or appearance, fixated on it, and allowed it to become large enough in her mind that she could reject them without difficulty. Instead of gazing upon her companion and finding such a fault, she had unconsciously admiring him- and there was quite a bit to admire. She liked how his eyes twinkled with mischief, how his smile made his entire face brighten with warmth, how his hair was never quite as coiffed as all his stuffy peers, how he had the slightest bit of swagger in his stride without being arrogant, how when he listened he turned his entire attention on her, and how he was respectful even when he was teasing. Count Harrowmark was a handsome man beyond the cut of his jaw and square of his shoulders.

"Are you already trying to find a way to escape your accounting homework?" she asked. She suspected he knew that she had paused because she was giving his joking proposal a very serious consideration, but she had her pride, and wasn't eager to capitalize on her foolishness. "Lord Byrne is correct that I would have run his house twice as well as he does. There's hope for you yet, though, to be almost as good as I am," she jested as a stablehand very tentatively approached, handing her reins for a large bay horse, and for him a chestnut, both of which were saddled and prepared for the ride.

Leading the bay away from the barn, she continued. "Imagine all the hearts you would break. The most attractive and charming bachelor in the kingdom suddenly snatched from the market." Silke made a tsking sound and shook her head dramatically. There wasn't any hint of deception in her statement because she was being honest and framing it within a joke. She was trying to act as if she wasn't tempted, as if she wasn't panicked at the prospect of being sent north, as if she didn't feel like her world was crumbling around her piece by piece. "An engagement announcement would have made for a very exciting dinner," she mused aloud sounding a little dejected to her own ears.

Looking for Long Term Partner(s)! (FxM, MxM, 20+)

Tentatively looking for a couple more stories as most of my partners have (understandably) slowed down to real life events. I'm specifically most interested in darker, less heroic male leads, and am open to a variety of plots not limited to what is on this interest check, which desperately needs updating.

Shoot me your idea and/or character concept and/or interests in a PM if you think we'd be a good match!

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

It was roughly lunchtime when Lord Byrne arrived at the estate on his steed, a spirited young stallion named Endless, that they hoped to breed in the future to one of the Kasper's purebred mares. Silke knew immediately he had brought Endless specifically to help coax her into squeezing a meeting into her busy schedule. All the nobility knew how challenging it could be to make an appointment with her, not because she was unkind or unaccommodating, but because she over-committed herself. If it was a trick it was a successful one because she had gone outside to meet him, walking towards the stables. Little did the gentleman know what a fortunate coincidence it was since she was heading in that direction anyway to prepare for the afternoon ride.

On the way to the stables they casually chatted, the small talk that was always a prelude to a more serious topic. Silke quite liked Lord Byrne. He was a tall, handsome man, intelligent, articulate, a little more than ten years her senior, and thankfully not at all interested in women. Officially he was married, but his bride had just as little interest in men as he did in women, and so they had a quiet arrangement where neither expected any sort of romance. The person who had helped facilitate such an unusual match was none other than Lady Kasper herself.

Most importantly, Lord Byrne was fiercely loyal to Silke as a friend, even if they were not especially close. He respected her, he sympathized with her suspected lack of interest in marriage (though he didn't know the nature of her aversion), and he felt indebted to her for keeping his secret without his needing to ask her to do so. They were kindred spirits of a sort- movers and shakers in the court that didn't necessarily conform to its unspoken rules.

"I've come to tell you of a rumor I've heard," he admitted softly. "You're aware of the tension we have with our northern neighbors?" Lord Byrne paused in the grass near the stables, allowing Endless to graze as they spoke.

"Yes, of course. Are you all right?" Silke asked, furrowing her brows in concern. "You look flushed. Should I have someone fetch you some water at least?"

Lord Byrne waved off her question. "No, that's not necessary. Let me first tell you what brought me here. There's been increased discussion that there should be a marriage between the northern kingdom and our own to help improve relations. Since they have no royalty they either can offer or are willing to offer, there is an archduke that is yet unwed whose name has been floated as a candidate on their side."

Silke frowned. If Lord Byrne was here discussing this matter with her with such a sense of urgency, she had a sense she knew where this was going. The king wouldn't offer up any of his own relatives in exchange for anything other than a prince. Since an archduke's hand was what was being offered, that meant his eyes would be turned towards the nobility, of which she was a member. In fact, she was the most famously single female member of the aristocracy.

"You should prepare yourself. The rumor is that the North is interested in the 'sparkling jewel' of our kingdom's court, especially since they know you are unmatched. Silke..." he paused. It wasn't entirely proper to address her by her first name, but he stepped forward anyway, taking her hands in his own as he stared down into her face. He was worried. "Our noblemen aren't all opposed. Some argue we couldn't lose you, but others believe you should do what is best for the kingdom."

"I can't possibly!" Silke said, outraged at the idea of being traded to the northern kingdom as if she were a commodity, a prize, a reward for them not being quite so hostile. "Even if I were willing, we both know if I'm that far away my father and brother wouldn't be able to handle all the responsibilities I've taken on their behalf."

He paused. Lord Byrne squeezed her hand, preparing her for the worst case scenario, something that had not yet occurred to her because her head was spinning. "You should come up with a plan and quickly. If enough voices clamor for it, someone of higher station, even the king himself, could order you to accept the proposal. There's not much I can do for you except warn you of the whispers. Were I not already blissfully married," he remarked dryly, releasing her hand and stepping back, "you know I would take you for my own beloved and let you have the run of the house. The gods know you could run it twice as well as I do."

"Yes, well, that is true," Silke replied with a smirk. "I'm about to go on a ride," she said, noticing for the first time that Galt was nearby. She wasn't certain how long he had been there or how much he had heard. "Would you care to stay for dinner? You can explain to Vincent why he needs to attend all the events I just accepted for him this morning."

Despite himself, Lord Byrne grinned, amused at the idea of trying to persuade Vincent that any level of socialization was a worthy endeavor. There were wild hogs that were more friendly. "Yes, of course. I'll make myself scare. Three's a crowd after all. I'll make my introductions to the count after your ride," he offered, handing Endless off to a stable boy, bowing to Silke and Galt, and striding towards the house. The Kaspers were well-known for their generous meal sizes and cook who believed everything was better with butter.

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

The confidence that Galt displayed about their afternoon ride made Silke raise a brow. "Oh, I didn't realize you had become a master horseman since we last met. I'll keep that in mind when planning our outing," she replied with amusement. A mischievous smile alighted on her lips that offered no hint as to whether she was teasing or seriously plotting to test his limits. Truthfully she was undecided. The Kasper lands had more difficult trails that the family took when they were feeling adventurous. While the forests at the edges of the property were preserved partially for privacy, and because it would be costly to domesticate them, there was a beauty in the wilderness that everyone enjoyed. Only their finest, and most spirited, steeds were able to be taken on these barely-marked paths. If she wished to show the count the best sights of her home, he'd be challenged more than he had been with the older, calmer mare he had after the feast.

"Well, since I am outnumbered on the matter of my exercise," she said with a sigh and unladylike roll of the eyes, "I have no choice. Franz, may I rely on you to pass word to the stables?" Silke inquired, smiling gently as he nodded his head in acknowledgment. It was easy to see why she was reluctant to leave her desk. With so many administrative matters awaiting her review, approval, and response, there was no shortage of work. Noblemen would delegate tasks they couldn't complete, or prioritize time for themselves, but over the years the youngest Kasper's identity had been nothing more the pillar that supported her family. She lived and breathed her duties, be they social or tangible.

Vincent watched the exchange quietly. He was terrible at reading a room, and even worse at making small talk, but he knew his sister. Using Galt to get her to leave the office irritated him, the little tour could easily become romantic, and he didn't entirely trust any man who wasn't dumb, deaf, and blind around Silke. Despite his reservations, and the former thief's wandering gaze, there wasn't anything objectionable to the man... yet. He was serving a purpose, not an idiot, and wasn't arrogant about his fighting capabilities. This was someone he could work with.

"Let's go before she finds a way to talk herself out her commitment," he mumbled to Galt.

"What's that, elder brother? You think I'm the one trying to escape commitments? I can always reply to these invitations with promises of your attendance instead," she threatened, waving one folded piece of parchment for effect. Franz kept his composure as Vincent retreated out of the room, roughly tugging Galt along, all too afraid that Silke would carry through on her threat. The tips of his ears burned in a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.

Once they were down the hall a bit (and Silke's laughter that immediately followed their departure had faded away), Vincent slowed his gait. Clearing his throat to regain his composure, and squaring his shoulders, he soldiered on verbally. He had never been an eloquent man for most topics. When it came to athletic endeavors, however, he was well-spoken and confidant, without being overbearing. There wasn't as much ambiguity to weapons training as there was to dealing with cunning courtiers and coy maidens. "There isn't anything shameful about handling a crossbow," he said pragmatically, "but it has its flaws. Bows come in a variety of draw weights to capitalize on the strength of the wielder. In addition they are quieter, which is why they are used for hunting, and have a greater range."

Vincent shrugged to himself as he led Galt down the corridor and towards a different set of stairs that were in the rear of the building. "Pompous, lazy fools call them a coward's weapon, but in a real war, the enemy won't care about your sense of honor. I'll teach you any weapon you want to learn," he said, genuinely passionate about empowering others to defend themselves.

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

"It's not really an interruption if it's a conversation we've had before," Silke replied with a gregarious smile. There was no use denying that she and her brother had been in the midst of a debate when Galt was announced. She was familiar enough with Franz and how far voices carried in the house that she was reasonably certain that they had been overheard. Regardless, it hadn't been a sensitive topic or secret either. With a few more weeks of court under his belt, the new count would hear all sorts of stories about Vincent Kasper, including how he had the uncanny ability to stick his foot in his mouth any time there was an attractive lady nearby.

The office was just as cozy as the rest of the house, though twice as cluttered. Silke sat in a tall chair behind a large desk, both of which were in front of a window that took up the majority of one wall. Heavy velvet curtains were drawn to the left and right, bound back by thick cord, creating an image of antiquated elegance. Warmth was lent to the room through plush upholstered chairs for visitors, a few oversized rugs in saturated jewel tones, and wooden furniture that had a dark stain. The entire wall to the right was a bookcase filled with texts, papers, scrolls, and decorations befitting a nobleman. To the left were side tables, a small liquor cupboard, and portraits of not Kasper ancestors, but legendary heroes with artistic license.

"Since you're Silke's friend," Vincent said, sticking out his hand, "just call me Vincent. If it's all right by you, I'd rather avoid the titles." He was, as his sister so often described him, a little more gruff than most people willingly tolerated. Despite being a bit abrasive, as well as a touch awkward, he was sincere in his invitation to be addressed by his first name. Unlike his fellow aristocrats, he also didn't look at Galt with any condescension or judgment; rather, his rough disposition was the same as it would be for anyone else. "I've heard you have a little combat experience?" he asked with interest.

Before Galt could hope to reply for himself, Silke interjected. "You've promised to focus on the bow, Vincent." She had pushed some of her paperwork to the side. There were stacks of parchment piled up on her desk, all neatly and organized and arranged, though the sheer volume of work was overwhelming. At a glance it was evident that she did, in fact, handle all the administrative work that was typically the responsibility of the count. Accounting ledgers, staff records, tax receipts, other assorted documents were completed or reviewed by her rather than the elder Johann Kasper.

Vincent cast a glance towards Silke as his lips tugged downwards in a frown. "I keep my promises, Silke, but it does make a difference. It'll be easier to teach anyone who has some level of coordination, agility, and sense about them. My sister didn't volunteer what experience you have," he said with a shrug as he carefully appraised the younger count, "and I won't pry. We'll practice half a day. Any more would be too much even for a knight," he decided. "You should be fine to go on a hunt without making a fool of yourself."

Franz cleared his throat. "My lady, since Count Harrowmark's arms will be tired after spending so much time with the bow, perhaps you could take him riding. It is my understanding that some skill with horses may help on the lord's first hunt," the chamberlain offered hopefully. "And, if I may, it would do my lady some good to spend time in the sun," he more gently suggested. There was obvious reason for the servant's concern. Well-dressed and composed as she was, Silke's complexion was poorer than the last time Galt had seen her, and she seemed worn. It wasn't difficult to imagine she had slept little as she toiled over all the little tasks she handled on a daily basis.

For her part, Silke hesitated, looking between the three men, and then at all the things still waiting for attention on the desk. Her long, delicate fingers were stained with black ink from spending the early hours of the morning toiling away responding to countless correspondence addressed to her father, her brother, and herself, as well, including some of the aforementioned invitations. "I'm sure Count Harrowmark would prefer to take a rest after spending so much time practicing archery..," she said uncertainly.

This put Vincent in an awkward position. On one hand, he didn't want to encourage his sister to spend time alone with a man, one who might actually have the charm and means to win her over romantically. On the other hand, he was concerned about his only sibling, and the former thief was an excellent excuse to get her out of the house for a breath of fresh air. He carefully weighed his options for a mere second or two before deciding Silke's well-being trumped all his fears about her being stolen away. Though he wasn't the best older brother she could ask for, and he caused her grief constantly, he fiercely loved her more than he'd admit. "You should take him on a ride to see the grounds, as hostess," he announced. "He is your guest."

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

The Kasper Estate was nestled on what had once been a meadow a very, very long time ago. The house faced east, to embrace the sunrise. A dense forest lay to the north and and west, and to the south was a river- or at least it was called one, though arguments were occasionally raised as to whether it was large enough to be considered such. It was the most desirable real estate in the countdom which was why the location had been chosen. Though the Kasper family had, for generations, been elegant lords and ladies that dressed in the latest fashions and could always be found at court, they greatly valued their privacy as well. For them it was not just a home, it was a retreat, a sanctuary of tranquility where they could recharge after long days of politicking.

Since the death of the late Countess Kasper, there was less attention paid to decorating the estate for the seasons. There was no festive adornment wound around banisters, porch railings columns, or the like; however, there were small elegant planters bursting with brightly colored roses at the edge of every step. It was the one costly indulgence the family had year round, rotating the blooms into their greenhouse when necessary, because it had been the matriarch's favorite flower. Silke spared no expensive in the respectful reminder of their beloved departed.

"Count Harrowmark," the chamberlain intoned as he bowed. He looked to be in his late forties or early fifties, which was not itself unusual, but his use of a cane was given that he was not that elderly. Since it was a time of relative peace, and he was not the sort that would be called to serve in battle, any physical disability he suffered likely preceded or occurred during his tenure at the estate. Many nobles- most truly- would have been worried about their images if they had a lame head of staff and would have dismissed him rather than have him greet their guests.

"I am Franz. Please follow me," he further greeted before pivoting on his heel and climbing the steps. He was surprisingly agile; he couldn't ascend as quickly as an athletic Galt, but his ailment didn't have an overly large impact on his speed. "Lady Silke and Lord Vincent have been expecting you." At the top of the stairs he opened the door and led the young count inside, his pace quickening slightly now that he was on firm ground.

The interior of the estate was cozy. Elaborate woven carpets were carefully placed on the floor to give a warmth to the building and there were portraits and tapestries displayed both in the foyer and on the walls of the central hallway that they strode along. A grand staircase curved towards the second floor and there too were many different decorations tastefully placed but leaving very little of it feeling cold and barren. All the furniture was a rich, dark stain of wood, closer to black than white, and the upholstery was in various shades of either a dark blue or green. Blown glass vases were on many tabletops they passed, filled with various types of flowers in all sizes and colors.

Franz didn't tarry or explain the rich history of the estate. He wasn't an impolite man, he was merely following directions to escort Galt promptly to 'the' office, which ought to have been Count Johann Kasper's office. Even before they reached the room it was very clear this was not the case. Out of the slightly ajar door drifted the voices of the siblings who were, by the sound of it, bickering over something both unrelated to and directly related to their guest.

"Vincent, I am not declining all your social invitations," Silke said firmly in a tone that brokered no argument. "Curse me all you like. I've enough to do without coddling your inability to hold a conversation with an eligible lady your age."

"I'm doing you a favor teaching your friend archery! A friend, I might add, is a man. The least you could do is decline those absurd invitations on my behalf," Vincent proudly rebutted, purposefully ignoring the fact his sister sounded as if she could conjure his murder out of thin air a second prior. "Besides, I know how to talk to any woman I meet."

"All I do for you are favors. Perhaps you should ask my man friend how he manages to talk to women without making an absolute mess of himself. Did I hear correctly that you told young Lady Helene that she had a wonderfully small head? And that you thought that was a compliment?"

At this the edges of Franz's lips twitched in amusement that he couldn't conceal. He shrugged and gestured towards the door as if to indicate to Galt he could elect the moment he wanted to be announced and join the brother and sister. The chamberlain would make the decision himself, of course, if the young man before him was reluctant, but he saw no harm in letting him eavesdrop for a bit either if he so chose.

There was a blustering noise as Vincent 'harumphed,' snorted contemptuously, and made a squeak of embarrassment all in the same instant. "It is true, and who would like a woman with a large head?" the young lord of the house countered, though he was much more subdued than he had been, realizing he had been bested despite not wanting to conded the point.

"It's truly shocking you haven't managed to wed, Vincent, absolutely beyond my comprehension," Silke mumbled to herself as she scratched her quill on parchment, writing a response to an invitation agreeing that yes, her dearest brother would be delighted to join a dinner party happening in the next couple days. It was fine. He didn't know his schedule well enough to object in advance, and once she sent the response he would be obligated to attend if he wanted to save face, which he would.

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

Relieved as she was to hear his understanding, agreement, and even approval of her plan, her smile faltered slightly at the decided lack of enthusiasm he had towards her brother. She genuinely wanted them to get along. Galt would make an excellent friend and ally for Vincent, since he was clever and charming, and though the heir to her family was very intelligent in his own right, it was not in the same ways as the former thief. They'd be able to compliment and support one another's strengths. There was also the fact that she thought they were two of the finest men of the court and, because of her fondness, she had an honest desire to see them get along. Still, she couldn't blame either of them for being apprehensive of the other as an unknown quantity and stranger.

"If it helps to know, he's not great with people," she offered so that anything Vincent said to Galt wasn't taken personally. "I'm sure you've met someone like that before," Silke remarked, since she had the sense he had spent a great deal of time around a wide variety of people and thus a spectrum of different personalities. "Since we were little he had a difficult time connecting with people, especially on an emotional level, and it became worse after..." she took a deep breath and paused, finding the strength to forge on ahead despite the pain the subject normally caused, "the death of our mother and brother, Alistair. Rather than keeping your mouth shut completely, you might try talking about what martial experience you do have, which he'll probably find interesting." It was the most helpful suggestion she could think of at the time, though there might be other topics on which they could connect in a positive way.

At the question of what she'd be doing the next couple weeks she couldn't help but laugh, one that was amused, weary, frustrated, content, and carried the tiniest amount of bitterness as well. Nothing he had asked was wrong, but she was reminded just how short a period of time he'd been in the courts to ask. Every member of the nobility (or nearly all) had come to understand the scope of her involvement in family affairs and duties. Had she been any other young female aristocrat, her time would be filled with learning 'gentle' arts, ordering fashionable gowns from the nearest dressmaker, enjoying the gentle serenity of a sitting room, and basking in the attentions of suitors who were eager for her dowry and reciprocated affections. At times she yearned for such an idle existence. It wouldn't have suited her or put her skills to use, yet she was enchanted by the idea of resting, of being able to relax in the knowledge that she didn't have responsibilities that she was the only one capable enough to handle.

Despite herself, and the compulsion to present a front of complete confidence and contentedness, she sighed. "I'm always busy. I manage the household estate- all the expenses, oversight of the men performing repairs, all the updates and replacements of furniture and necessities, all the servants, hosting events, approval of seasonal decor and landscaping, the menus, anything you could think of. The staff keeps records of our supplies, needs, and what our garden and livestock produce, but a member of the house must remain in charge and aware. I also manage my father and brother, to some extent; helping them solicit invitations to events of interest, assisting them in replies, corresponding with people to whom we are connected including distant relatives, and aiding them in calendars and carriages for their schedules. The count's duties fall to me more often than not as well- ensuring the tithes are collected, tax is calculated and paid to the king, tracking revenue, receiving reports of any issues with the lands or conflicts between the people, endorsing marriages, requesting relief from the crown if unavoidable disaster strikes, visiting problematic areas. There is always much to do," she said, which was a gross understatement. Although her father and brother had attended the father's feast, it had been abundantly clear that she also maintained much of the image and social presence for her family as well.

It was all too much for one person. In an ideal situation, most of it would fall upon the count and his wife, or the count and his heir, and in a worse situation it would be delegated to a trustworthy servant of high pedigree. For the Kaspers, almost everything was handled by Silke, even personal matters that the men ought to have done themselves. Perhaps she was coddling them. She couldn't deny it, that she hadn't let them struggle much before they intervened- though she was acutely aware that they could have dragged down their name and title if their failure was too great.

Galt's offer took her by surprise. He done so before, just not to the degree he had now, and she was knocked so off-balanced that she didn't think before she spoke. "I don't need to..." Silke began before she stopped herself. The appearance of the dagger didn't startle her and, the absolute lack of reaction to a source of harm and danger, was either an endorsement of her trust in her male companion or a sign she didn't have instincts to flinch away from a weapon. Given that she was not a warrior, she knew if he deduced the latter, he could and would be alarmed. That she had been intrigued, curious even, at the prospect of learning the knife, only to reject it hadn't done her any favors.

For a split second she started to panic he'd discover her awful secret- that she wasn't afraid of death at all, that she planned for it, that she expected it lurking around each and every corner. "No, I mean to say I'm not going to..." words failed her again. She took a deep breath and forced herself to not impulsively articulate the thoughts he brought to bear that ought never to be voiced aloud. Silke wasn't certain how to reject his offer without divulging or hinting towards the fact she didn't want to fight for her life. Archery, though a fun distraction and passion, was something she had picked up before she had been swallowed up in grief by tragic loss.

"I doubt I'd have the aptitude," she said then, trying to smile her way through the flimsy excuse. "People don't take me seriously enough to want to harm me," she added truthfully, "and if they did, I don't think anyone prefers Vincent being all the power behind the Kasper name."

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

There was a small pang of guilt as Galt declared he believed her if she thought he could learn the bow in that short a period of time. Making him a master of archery (or even halfway decent) within a week had honestly not been part of her plan. Hearing that he had such faith in her made her felt a touch undeserving. The understanding was clearly her fault for being so vague and coy about what she had in mind, and so she could see how he arrived at the conclusion he had. It was a habit of hers to keep all her figurative cards close to the chest. At home her brother and father were sincerely better of remaining ignorant, and when she was in court it was all a game, one she was required to play. Internally she sighed at her foolishness. She needed to be more direct.

"You needn't put such pressure on yourself. Archery is a skill that takes a while to develop," she began so it did not seem she was condescending him in any way. "I thought we might use a bit of subterfuge. On hunts it is understandably a challenge to know whose arrow struck the target if there are multiple shooters. For this reason the fletching or the shaft is distinctive so that they can be told apart. Since you will be new to the bow, you'll use a lower draw weight to start until you build up experience, and that lower draw weight will be similar to what I use. With a bit of misdirection and slight of hand, and you knowing the basics, you will be a very impressive and convincing hero, not that you aren't already." Silke flashed him a confidant smile. It was easier in concept than in execution, of that she was aware, but would be playing to their strengths of being able to mislead others for their benefit.

The smile on her lips faltered when Galt requested her attendance at his future lessons. Though the compliment brought a twinge of colors to her cheeks, her reaction was otherwise subdued, muted in comparison to his other flattery. "It was my brother Alistair that taught me how to use a bow. When I was younger I wanted to be able to do anything my big brothers could do. I'm not sure if Alistair took pity on me or couldn't tolerate any more of my whining, but he taught me in secret. Vincent would never approve. He loves and worries about me," she elaborated in a soft tone, "and though he has hardly any social aptitude, he knows how hard it is to change the mind of traditionalists like the nobility. My marriage prospects would dry up if it was revealed I had such a 'violent' and 'unladylike' talent, and he wouldn't want that to happen me, no matter how much he relies on me at home."

She shrugged as if it didn't matter, as if she didn't care at all about her ability to wed, as if she had given up on that part of her future. Silke had deliberately avoided the topic with him. Though they had danced around the subject of her single status, she hadn't divulged the real reason she had distanced herself from eligible men, or rejected romantic overtures. Undoubtedly Galt was curious, but she was afraid he would pity her- which was the last thing she wanted.

After nodding to his thoughts he would like learn to the way of the sword, she raised a brow as he choked on his food. For such a self-proclaimed flirt he certainly wasn't eager to enter into a dalliance with anyone. She had rather expected he might try to meet all the beautiful ladies the noble houses had to offer and then have difficulty settling on just one to officially woo. "And here I thought men preferred a woman in the 'prime of her youth,'" she gently teased coyly. The phrase was not her invention, but rather something she had heard on occasion, once even as a comment on her age.

"Ah, and that reminds me. You should... exercise caution when we are in the presence of my brother or you are talking to him about me. He is extremely," she paused, trying to find the correct word that didn't have too negative a connotation, "protective." Zealous, overbearing, and suffocating would have also applied in this context. "If he thinks you have the slightest bit of interest in me," Silke continued with a blush, "he'll be an absolute bear about it. Not that I need his saving, and you've made your intentions clear, but he is a little... paranoid."

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

"No, no, not a spear," Silke quickly countered, "that wouldn't work. It has to be a bow- at least for now. I can find you someone to tutor you in other weapons at your leisure. The sword is the most practical melee weapon," she commented thoughtfully as bit her lower lip in contemplation. Since he had the reputation of being a hero, she hadn't considered whether or not he might need further education on combat and self-defense. No one truly expected the country to go to war anytime soon, so it was incredibly unlikely he'd ever need to do anything more than friendly duels and exercises with some of the more athletically-inclined noblemen, but it wouldn't hurt to expand his skill set. Internally she chastised herself. Elevating Galt was a project for which she had taken full responsibility and she had overlooked securing a martial teacher.

Sitting back in her chair, she poked at her food with her fork. That she had such an oversight bothered her and, with one perceived 'wrong' in her planning, she was twice as anxious the rest. Silke was not afraid of defeat or setbacks; she had experienced many in her political career, if one could call it that. What bothered her was adding another party to the equation and potentially causing their failure. Galt still saw himself as a thief, a rogue, and a trickster to some degree. If he had been lacking in moral fiber and character, if he had been a true scoundrel, she wouldn't mind if her aspirations for him went unrealized. Because he was considerate and charming there was increased pressure that she placed on herself to succeed.

Her lips twisted upwards in amusement when Galt queried whether he'd be going hunting in a few months after he'd been schooled on the art of archery. The clever ruse she had in mind had escaped him through no fault of his own. He was a breath of fresh air that didn't hold to the biases and stereotypes of the aristocracy, who enforced dogmatic nonsense in the name of culture upon the wealthy. Patiently she waited for him to agree and finish making his questions. The time it took for him to speak gave her an opportunity to eat a few small bites of food.

"Vincent is..," she drifted off for a moment, trying to find the right words. "He's an honorable man, so he'll judge you through your actions, and not by your past, not that I've said anything about it myself. It's not my secret to tell. I've told him I have a good impression of you and I wanted to help you learn about being a nobleman. He doesn't need to know anything more than that," Silke said with a soft sigh. "If he knew I was helping you to climb higher instead of him he'd only be hurt. I adore him dearly, but he just... it wouldn't work with him. Being a count is almost more than he can handle honestly." For several long seconds she was completely quiet. Whenever she talked about her family, truly talked about them, she couldn't help but feel emotionally raw and vulnerable.

The melancholy hadn't quite left her gaze by the time she composed herself enough mentally to continue. "All you need is you need is to learn how to hold it properly. Accuracy isn't an issue. I'd imagine a week should be sufficient. Vincent is my first choice to tutor you, though I can secure someone else if you prefer. I can't teach you myself since of course ladies are inferior at such things," she explained in a light tone. "I attend hunts more as a companion than a competitor. Most of them are decent with an arrow but shoddy at tracking, so I point them in the right direction." Servants traditionally went with their employers, gathering arrows, securing the haul, and performing other menial tasks, so it was not unusual that there would be other people in the hunt than just the nobleman doing the hunting itself.

By the coy way she spoke and phrased herself, never outright saying how good she was personally with a bow, it was increasingly obvious that she wasn't as awful as she had fooled everyone into believing through their misogynistic assumptions.

"Count Thrule is my first choice for a host," she said, crossing her arms over her chest as she nibbled on her lower lip in concentration. "He has a woodsman of some sort working for him that keeps his forest healthy, ensuring there is neither too few nor too many of any game. Of all the places to hunt, he's the best, and he isn't haughty. Everyone would understand if you accepted an invitation from Count Thrule, and it wouldn't look as if you were chasing after the dukes for better stature." Silke paused. "Ah, he has a daughter that just turned seventeen if you'd like me to make introductions. Like any other noblewoman, they'd expect courtship with at least a possibility of marriage. It wouldn't offend me at all if you would like me to help you make a match."

Silke was lying. It was not intentional nor overt. She lied in the way she held herself with confidence and strength, while her skin still had a unhealthy pallor and there was a flash of resigned weariness across her features intermittently. She lied in the way she reassured him she'd help him find a lovely girl, but the edges of her mouth subtlety tightened as if the sentence was sour in her mouth. She lied in pretending she didn't care that she could manipulate everything in his favor to make him crowned a duke, when she couldn't even show her competence with a bow.

Rise to The Top: Medieval Intrigue RP

Silke hadn't expected him to pull the chair out for her. She nodded her thanks as she sat and listened attentively as he responded to her question. Archery was a skill she had honestly anticipated he wouldn't possess; still, it didn't hurt to inquire. A plan was forming in her mind of how she might be able to ease him into society without losing the momentum of his current reputation. Were he able to fire a bow competently it would have admittedly been more advantageous, though it was by no means critical. She would need to employ a little more figurative cloak and daggers, and she'd have to budget a touch more time to involve her brother to help train Galt on the basics, but she was confident about the general viability of what she was about to propose. The most unpalatable part of the endeavor would be that she might be cornered into revealing a secret she had no desire to expose.

Her fingers rapped thoughtfully on the wooden surface of the table. It was easy to forget how different a bustling metropolis was to the estates in which the nobility lived. There were aristocrats that lived in the cities, some as second homes, some because they didn't actually bother to live on the lands granted to them by the crown, and yet others because they had lost their holdings but retained their title. Regardless of the reasoning, those who stayed in the 'countryside' often scoffed at those whose primary home was in the city proper. They enjoyed gloating about the superiority of their sprawling mansions that were drowning in luxury. Silke wasn't invested in either side, but she was starting to realize her lack of familiarity with city life made her blind to important differences.

The subject would require more study later when she was alone and could afford to dwell upon it.

Galt's breach of etiquette- wiping his mouth with the back of his hand- earned him an amused smile. She wasn't the sort to stand on formality for the sake of it. There was a time and place for impeccable manners. Meeting an eligible bachelor in secret, to teach him finance and accounting, discussing using an ambush on bandits to gain him status, and ignoring the polite lines drawn in societal gender roles, was not the time to worry about protocol. To see him dabbing the edges of his mouth was somehow more humorous to watch then when he was behaving like a commoner in a tavern.

"Hunting is not an uncommon past time for noblemen," she explained briefly. Most (though not all) male members of the aristocracy learned various forms of combat. The sword was what most were taught, with axes, maces, and polearms being popular in their own right, and the bow being less favored. In times of peace, however, some had a yearning for the unique rush that could be found in combat, and hunting was the closest they could come to simulating that thrill. It was a convenient physical outlet as well for the athletically inclined.

Food was placed in front of them and she waited until the servants were out of the room before she continued. "You can't avoid social engagements forever, not if you want to make useful connections and have higher ambitions. It seems to me you want to avoid dinner dates where you are obviously paired with young ladies angling for marriage. Rest assured, any duke that invites you to a meal would likely seize the opportunity to match you to someone to whom they are connected, so going to dinner with a childless widower does not mean you'd avoid someone's daughter, niece, cousin, or the like. Hunting is a sport, however, so that is a different matter altogether. Women aren't expressly forbidden from going on hunts, but it is exceedingly rare," she said, flashing a smile. The coy expression communicated that of everyone he met that she was one of the exceptions to this unspoken rule.

She picked up her fork and knife and started to dissect her potato into delicate sizes. Silke was methodical. Potato was much less appetizing when it was cold, so she started with it, and would work her way around the plate from what was most critical to eat warm to least. "I can have my brother teach you the basics of the bow. I'll get us an invitation to a hunt and, once you perform well, it will bolster your image while avoiding the pesky topic of your being single," she concluded with a wink.

Precisely how he'd perform so well in the aforementioned hunt was not explained. Silke popped a piece of potato into her mouth and chewed. If he wanted her to divulge more of her plan, or give further detail, he was going to have to directly pose those questions himself. She was perfectly content to be quite vague on how she'd accomplish such a feat.