Getting things shipshape

[Hector De Rochedar]

4th Cycle of Ponutis - Season of Spring

Aurora Palace - Office of the Thane

Hector de Rochedar held in his hand a piece of paper he felt would benefit the city of Daltina immesurably and he was off to deliver it with his ideas to the Thane of the fair city, ideas were troubling things and like meals often finished well before they had begun with more required and yet Hector was confident he had put a certain amount of thougt into it and unlike many of his ideas this one had real merit.

He tottered into he lobby of the Palace a building he admired greatly for its architecture and it magical properties, he had his mind set upon making a building of the same substance once day but that was for a different time. For now he tottered confidently up to the receptionist, "What ho my dear, I am Hector de Rochedar and I would like to see the Thane if that is possible? I asked my father the Count de Rochedar to mention it to him but he may have been sleeping when he was supposed to do it." He glanced about and nodded, "I have a very important set of plans for his lordship to consider." He paused again and considered, "And I dont suppose there is a....well....erm way to get some food around here, I had to leave my chef behind to make a lunch for my mother and well I am quite hungry." His cheeks flushed a scarlet red as he asked, but he felt he would not be at his intellectual best if he did not have any food within his extensive stomach.

[Azanael]

The receptionist nodded slowly, writing down the fellow’s name and association, she would have to see if the Thane was not busy before she could allow Hector in to see him. A slender brow did rise upward at the mention of the food, to which she cleared her throat and said as politely as possible. ”This is not a restaurant.” A pause, ”I shall see if the Thane is busy or not. Please wait here.” She then stood and moved to the doors behind her, opening them and moving inside. She returned a few moments later, holding the door open for Hector. ”Thane Harleyhorn is available to see you presently Mister de Rochedar.”

The Counts son would be motioned into the room before the door closed behind him rather abruptly. Sitting at the Thanes desk was a halfling who quickly stood and walked around the desk to shake Hector’s hand. ”Serale, Hector. You are quite correct, your father did not mention anything to me about your visit. However, that is of no consequence because we are here now and can discuss what you wish.” The enthusiastic halfling motioned to one of the seats available in front of the desk, and then he moved quickly behind it to sit in his chair again; a chair that had been suitably stocked up so that the halfling could see over the desk.

”Now, what is it that you wish to propose?”

[Hector De Rochedar]

Hector was preturbed he could get no food, jolly poor form to have no service for such matters in a palace, there must be a itchens somewhere and one day he would find it so he could snap back at women such as this that deprived poor hungry men of much needed nourishment. Still he sighed and nodded and moved into the Thane's room forcing a smile to his face.

He bobbed his head into a bow when they shook hands and lowered himself into one of the seats offered making sure he did not get stuck which had been an unfortunate event that had occured to him recently. Needed three strong men to pull a chair from the derriere leads to acute embarassment. Still he now composed himself and with a steely expression began, "My Lord Harleyhorn may I first extend my greetings from my entire family and hope this day finds you well. My business today is simple, as you know I have come of age, finished my education and so forth and have been looking to return something to Daltina." He paused and rolled out his peice of paper and scanned it, "I have considered what I know best, and as you know my family have long been involved with shipping and I consider it a shame that in a city with such wonderful architecture and class we leave our docklands in such a rundown state."

He puffed out his chest to epic proportions and continued, "I propose the establishment of a Department from Dockland rejuvenation with me at its head with the express goal to increase trading and rejuvenate the docklands turning that part of the city into a viable commercial intrest with a few seasons, after all we have much to export and shipping travels past us to reach Port Alexandrya so there is no reason we should not muscle in on their racket." He nodded gently again and continued deciding not to stop till he head reached the end of his prepared works. "To do this I feel we need to take drastic measures, under this new department would be put a number of guardsmen to once again begin patrolling the docklands and bring order back, the department should be given permission to use any abandoned buildings that wish, warehouses and the harbour masters quarters go to mind and to conduct the signing of maratime trading contract with our neighbours. If the department owns its own warehouses we can store goods of minor merchants for a reduced price as well as storing our own goods to be exported leading to increased trade." He nodded, "The department itself I feel would be fairly streamline also hopefully leading to little strain on the council, a meagre wage for me a few associates and payment to hire builders and guards and so forth it should be simple."

He paused and handed the paper over which contained generally what he had said, "Does the idea sound promising Lord Thane?"

[Azanael]

”It does indeed young man,” Said the Halfling, nodding enthusiastically as he took notes on the parchment in front of him with a small quill, his writing quite small and unable to be read from even as close as Hector was. ”The docks have indeed been on my mind of late and I will admit that their rejuvenation was on my list of things to do. Thus my list of things to do is reaching almost…” He quickly checked a large pile on his desk, ”seventy-three… and a half… pages long.” A brilliant smile was directed toward Hector and for some strange reason the plump man could sense that the Halfling was actually happy to have such a large amount of work to do. Halflings were strange though.

”But since you are keen to head such a venture I am more than happy to cross one more matter from my list and put it into your capable hands. Though, with one obvious condition. You are young and as such, whilst you will be the head of the venture, you will not be in complete control of everything. Order must be maintained and you must be monitored so that your deeds can be recorded by infallible personages. I shall appoint,” He sat back for a moment, looking almost comically small in the large chair that had once been occupied by a half-giant Thane of Daltina, thinking of whom would be best to put in a supervisory role, and then it hit him and he chuckled. ”Earl Nethnal Menvas as the supervisor of the venture, with you leading the restoration and his two sons assisting you. This will give you a voice on the council and thus ensure what you ask for and do is approved.”

He pushed himself upward so that he could put his feet on the chair and then he stood up and lent over to take a piece of parchment from a far corner of the desk. After looking at it for a few moments he looked back to Hector. ”Funding wise. You will receive the meager sum of fifty thousand crowns initially, though it will be in a special account that can only be accessed via bank vouchers. To stop potential thieves.” A smile and nod, ”If you require more funding then that then you shall have to come and ask me for it. I will most probably give it to you but it is a good way for me to monitor your expenditure and progress.”

He wrote something on the piece of parchment he had taken from the corner of the desk and then returned it to its place before sitting back down. ”I will not give the department such dramatic means of rejuvenation, the simple reason being that even if those buildings appear abandoned, they are still owned by somebody. I can ensure that your department is sequestered a warehouse that is free, though you will need to check with the Harbour Master to find which warehouse that would be. I’m sure Earl Menves will give you a portion of his armsmen to see to the security and patrolling of the docks, our militia is already stretched thin at this point in time due to the defeat at Narim.” That was a bitter thing to bring up, but something he seemed to take in his stride. Most Daltinans didn’t feel very happy that they had lost a large portion of their army in Narim, though that army had been made up of mostly commoners, so it wasn’t too much of a loss...

”So,” He said finally, standing on his chair again so that he could eventually lean over and shake Hector’s hand. ”you should probably firstly head to the Earl Menves’ estates and inform him, and his sons, of his new role to play in Daltina. Thus allowing you to be given some of his armsmen, and then you can head to the Harbour Master and find where your warehouse can be located. Oh, and wait one moment.” He sat back down quickly, drew out a new piece of parchment and quickly wrote on it, ensuring that his letters on this particular document were larger than his normal. When he had finished he folded it neatly and pressed two wax seals onto it; one of the Thanal Crest of Daltina, the other of House Barleyhorn. ”Here,” He presented the letter to Hector and stood on the chair again. ”present this to Menves, it is your official documentation.” Then he extended his hand for a shake. ”Was there anything else?”

[Hector De Rochedar]

Hector nodded politely through the entire little speech, he was privately thinking of how he was going to secure some food. "I was unware that the harbour master still existed as a role, last I heard his offices had been looted terribly." He smiled gently as he imagined a nice rump steak before him ready to be cut into but he restrained himself and continued. "And I am sure the entire council will support my reforms, after all they are men of commerce at heart and a small outlay now will make huge returns if properly managed, and I dont intend to squander my political internship." he smiled and nodded his head gently to affirm his point, he did view this as the first step on the ladder. From here he could further emerge into Daltinan politics and advance his family from there. Perhaps one day he would realise his dream of owning his own ship, and it could dock in the docks he developed. Glorious foresight.

"Where is my overseers estate and currently what are the patrols like in our coastal waters? My family run their two ships along Daltinan waters I know that much to see off piracy but what of the Imperials, is there a person I should contact to arrange for increased protection in our waterways? And perhaps the loan of an Imperial boat to guar our docklands? After all it is Imperial business to protect its loyal nobility, the way they tax us these days anyway." He chuckled gently and then spoke again, "And briefly my Lord sorry for taking your time, am I allowed to conduct maratime trading deals? We did not agree on that point." He smiled and gently took the hand that was offered and bowed his head awaiting answers to his questions, then he could be on his way.

[Azanael]

The Thane shrugged, he hadn’t been aware of the looting of the Harbour Master’s office but there was indeed a Harbour Master and the fellow was a high standing member of Daltinian nobility, thus it would be unseemly, and almost impossible, to try and perform this rejuvenation matter without his assistance. ”You would be amazed what lies within the heart of the Councilmen, Mister de Rochedar, your father is, after all, one of the Councilmen. They each have their own goals, wants and needs; and money, for most of them, is of little to no concern. However what will profit the most was a rejuvenated dockyard is the city of Daltina itself; which, I suppose, is in everyone’s best interests.”

”Earlderman Menves has his estates on the southern border with Sherian Province and it butts up against the coast. He has his own port and ships there, much the same as your own father and the Earlderman Aladis, in Mossgrow. Daltina also has its own ships, and they are under the command of our Commodore. Suffice to say though, Hector, you should not be interested in these ships as they are of no consequence to the rejuvenation of the docks and Harbour. As for the Imperials?” He shrugged, ”Daltina would prefer to see to its own devices without the interference of the Imperials.”

Then he moved on to the matter of maritime trading deals, the prospect was confusing for the Halfling. ”Of course, any trader is able to make maritime trading deals, so long as you have the goods to make deals with. If you have something you are able to sell or supply then by all means make deals.” He was still a bit confused as to what Hector was really get at with regards to the maritime trading deals...

[Hector De Rochedar]

A nice big cup of coffee is what Hector needed after dealing with this pint-sized nuisance, he was unaware what job he had no so diluted had his plans been. He seemed to be working under at least three different people with different ships, buildings, sons, responsibilities and so forth. Knowing his luck the council would appoint someone to do his very job before long. After all Daltina was nothing if not a disorganised place thriving on Nepotism. But he sighed gently and rubbed his face with his hands, he was in no mood to explain anything else to this pipsqueak, he would just assume from now on in and no-one could blame him, his job had not been agreed upon hence he had no barriers.

"I suppose I shall go and see this Earl, although I dont think form dictates that is it vital for me to travel all that way to met him personally, no doubt he knows my family as well as I dont know his, I might retire to my family house and write a letter from there instead." He smiled and stood, "I hope you dont mind me saying this my Lord Thane, not in the best intrests of our class and all that but drastic times call for drastic measures. This harbourmaster has been performing very poorly and I would have a word with him yourself, for we will get nowhere unless he wants to move forward, it is hard to reform anything with so many superiors moving in other ways after all." He chuckled gently to himself and patted his stomach, "Was here anything else my Lord?" He reached down and carefully took his Imperial writ, this was vital to his plans and would secure his job for the time being at least.

[Azanael]

Many had underestimated the power of Kiri Barleyhorn in the past; many had assumed he was merely the enthusiastic and eccentric Halfling that happened to be of noble decent. Though those people soon found out that he was not a man to trifle with; and when someone decided they would step on his toes, he was sure to find a giant sized foot to step upon them… and not just their toes. He had been more than generous to the second son of the Count de Rachedar, a grant of some fifty-thousand crowns was no small amount and the almost assurance that more would be granted if asked put the man’s resources at a considerable height above a normal man’s. If Hector had thought his task would be an easy one he was surely mistaken, life was not easy, and Daltinian life, the young noble would find out soon enough, was even harder.

The Thane rose a bushy brow as Hector mentioned he would not see the Earl in person and that a letter would be sufficient, and it was at this point in time that the Thane would need to remind the young noble that this grant, if it failed, would need to be repaid in some form. ”You may go about this business as you see fit given the restrictions and supervising individuals placed upon you, however I must warn you, Young Hector, that this grant is given with the assumption that in spending it a return shall be seen. If this grant should be squandered or used inappropriately then the Government will be forced to act accordingly in order to replace lost funds.” He had gone deadly serious, and a halfling gone deadly serious was not a halfling to trifle with. What he had said was, in a nice way, a threat. Should Hector fail his family would be paying back every crown, with interest. Failure would cost Hector more than reputation, it would cost his family a great deal also.

It would seem that this business was becoming more and more dangerous as time passed and it begged the question of whether Hector was made of the stuff needed to see his plans through. If he succeeded then he would no doubt rise up in the social scale, respect would be accorded to him; if he failed, he and his family would suffer, though they could, if they persevered, survive and rise upward with time. Such was the Game of Houses, the Game of Nobility. Daltina was the nobility, and the sooner the system of nobles had been learnt by these young men and women, the sooner they would learn to survive in this harsh world.

”As for the Harbour Master, your criticism is duly noted, and matters shall be left in my hands. Regardless, the Harbour Master is someone whom you must make your acquaintances with in order to proceed with your plans and thus a healthy respect should be accorded to him in that regard.”

Hector, upon inspecting the apparent Imperial writ would see that it was exactly as the Halfling had said it was, which was not an imperial writ, but rather orders for the Earl Menves to become the supervisor for the venture. The Earl Menves was, essentially, Hector’s living Imperial Writ. He held clout on the Daltina Council, and the Nobility Council, and no doubt a hand or two in the Guilds of the city. A man not to be taken lightly, though Hector was unaware of that fact given his attitude to the situation.

[Hector De Rochedar]

Hector nodded gently, "Alright I understand, I will not squander this opporunity, give me a few seasons and the dockland of Daltina will once again bristle with Imperial trade and the undesirables that languish their and conduct unsavoury business will be ejected and moved on somewhere where they are welcome." He took up his writ and stood before dropping into a deep bow, "Thank you for this opportunity to serve the glorious city of Daltina Lord Thane I shall not let you down." He remained bowed as he left the office cradling his writ that sadly put him under the command of someone of a lower station than his father, in a way it was a bit of an insult, Hector had always envisoned being apprenticed to at least a count and learning his ways there, this Earl would no doubt make him run around muddy fields and train his sword arm and so forth.

Still as his mind worked he slowly assumed he should go to see this fellow, Earl or not he was going to hopefully lend some soldiers and he needed to let that pipsqueak Thane sort things out anyway, what a silly idea it was to let halflings be noblemen anyway Hector mused as he left the building, they were far too small just as giants were too tall, humans and the occasional elves were the suitable noble classes, the only races that could properly understand form and etiquette. He chuckled at his private musings as he found himself outside the Palace again. Now the question was how to get to this Earl's bally estate, he normally waited around in the townhouse and stole a lift with his fathers carriage to get to his own estate now however he needed his own means of transport. This would prove a tricky business indeed. Clutching his writ and with generous dreams of luncheon on his mind he began to totter the short distance home not quite content and no quite upset, the fates had been generous to allow his plan to pass but not as easily as he would have liked, there was a lot of reliance upon others and if one of them slipped up it would send him tumbling down the social ladder also. Thus was the game of nobles he supposed as he trampled along the street keeping a beady eye out for any passing ducks.

[Hector De Rochedar]

*Some time later*

Hector de Rochedar lay on his back in a field by the side of a road leading to the estate of a man he had never met paralyzed by a pain he could well explain. Stomach ulcers were vile things and Hector had a violent one that liked to tweak his stomach and twirl it around and render him physically and mentally exhausted. He had felt the twinges early and retreated into a field where he was chased by a rather obtuse goat into a safer field. Now he slumped down sullying his clothes with grass stains and feeling overly depressed with life. While he was being made to visit Earls no doubt some opportunist was eyeing his patch, namely the harbour. He needed that place to make his name and his fortune and show those girls who walked about that he was worth talking to and not just someone to be put up with because of his family. A worthy family was often sadly a great weight to carry.

He had left Sebastien at home and walked by himself which was unfortunate as he often needed help getting up when he was on his back but thankfully with a good bit of time gone he managed it. He had lost his wig in a hedge and as such was rendered somewhat dishevlled for his later meeting, still he kept trotting along the road to meet this benefactor not feeling overly kind to this man, the amount of trouble he had already gone through to reach him.

[Azanael]

As Hector lay upon the soft field of dewy grass, his body reeling from the cramps that plagued him, his mind pondering the many facets of his mission and the injustice of it all.

This pondering and reeling was soon interrupted by a prod against his more than substantial stomach. The offending instrument was a stick, or rather a gnarled staff that was being held by an old man. Another prod, this one more forceful and rivaling the cramps in the pain that it caused. ”Young gentleman! Get up, get up. You have much work to do. A great road ahead of you and this is no time to rest by the wayside.” The old man with his long white-grey beard grunted and shook his head, giving Hector another prod for effect.

”I don’t have all brightening so let’s get a move on!” With that the old man moved out of Hector’s vision and began his trek down the road toward Earl Menves’ estates.