Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on Mar 24, 2008 22:21:08 GMT -5
I had been in the City for a fortnight, and now it was time to make myself known to the Duchesse d'Neige. My journey here was one of purpose and this was the first step I had to take.
I dressed in my finest, the Liatris crest blazon on the front of my tunic, my hair combed and braided. I rode my bay mare in the direction of the Liatris town home and upon reaching the gate I withdrew a letter.
"This is for the Duchesse d'Neige, I wish to speak with her grace." I said handing the missive to the guard at the front gate. "Please give this to her."
The letter read;
To the Duchesse d'Neige Jaiden Liatris- Durante;
My name is Marc Liatris and I hail from Camlach. I am your kin.
I hope to make the pleasure of your acquaintance.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Apr 6, 2008 13:19:09 GMT -5
I was in my office, as usual, when the guardsman found me and delivered a brief missive. Quickly I read the few lines and raised my eyes brows in surprise. Kin? I knew of no kin by that name. I had little enough kin that I thought I knew them all.
"Show him in. Inform His Grace as well." the man saluted crisply and left. Strange, most strange. No doubt he was some sort of vagrant wanting something from me. I'd dealt with enough of them over the years that it was more amusing than tedious.
I checked that my braid was neatly secured and smoothed the light linen of the gown I'd deigned to wear this morning. My breeches all felt too tight and the gowns where the only things in my wardrobe that still fit. Another irritation to go with this pregnancy. The pain in my lower back had faded to a dull roil, easy enough to ignore. I waited calmly for my 'kinsman' to arrive.
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Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on Apr 7, 2008 10:05:35 GMT -5
"The Duchesse will see you now." I was ushered into through the foyer and toward where presumably Jaiden was. We entered into the room and her servant said something as we did, though I was too concentrated on bowing apon entry. I could only imagine she was saying my name.
"Your grace." I said rising from my bow. My hands folded behind me and I looked at her catching her gaze and holding it.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Apr 14, 2008 19:49:11 GMT -5
His bow was perfunctory, as if he was thinking on it too hard. I ignored it and waited for him to rise. I wish I hadn't. Meeting his eyes... it was like looking into my father's face, twenty odd years younger. It hurt. And made me angry.
I found an icy composure with my next deep breath and kept his gaze. I didn't know who the hells he was or what he wanted, but by Blood and Stones I'd not show weakness.
"Well met, Messier. What brings you to my home?" I said coolly, well aware that he was flouting all rules of propriety by coming here, like this.
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Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on Apr 14, 2008 20:02:48 GMT -5
I stared her down, keeping her gaze and not flinching. "I think you know what brings me here." I said softly. "I am Marc Liatris, son of Eddard Liatris and rightfuly heir to the Duchy of Camlach." My tone was calm but strong and unending. "I've come for what's mine."
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Apr 14, 2008 20:52:38 GMT -5
I felt my palms itching, wanted cold steel to soothe them. He was lucky I wasn't armed, but something told me he was to push that luck to the breaking. I'd gladly gut him.
"Eddard had no sons, and no bastard born child can inherit. If by some... sorry accident you are the son of my father, what's mine, I keep." I'd fought this battle before, knew my place and knew that what was mine would always be so. I was my father's heir. By right of blood, birth and conquest.
Was he my bastard brother? My father had cleaved only to Tatiana since the death of his wife. And Sandor- they had not been lovers since their youth. My father had been a man of controlled passions, not one to couple lightly or carelessly.
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Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on Apr 14, 2008 21:03:39 GMT -5
"If I was a bastard of my father then you may have contention," I began looking around at the walls and the items the filled the room. "But I'm not, my mother was Eddard's first wife." I reached into my coat breast and retrieved a noterized parchment from it and stepped forward placing the item on her desk.
"Apparently it was told that I died in birth with my mother."
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Apr 14, 2008 21:52:30 GMT -5
I arched a thin brow at him, and did not deign to touch his flimsy paper. This was ridiculous, to base a claim to the Sovereign Duchy of Camlach, a duchy I had held fairly and prosperously for near twenty years, on a thin story that would hold no weight in court. He was mad, or dellusional.
"The child died. As did his wife. The bodies were shown to the priest and the documents signed. A scribbled slip of paper is hardly proof. Eddard Liatris has only one legal heir and that is I. What is it you really want? You must be after something to come to me with such a fantastic cock and bull story. Money? A retainer? You'll have nothing but your life to show for this folly, but I'll humor you by listening. Mayhap I'll even pay you a trifle if your mendecant's tale is even slightly amusing." I mocked him, a cold laugh rumbling in my throat.
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Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on Apr 18, 2008 16:23:23 GMT -5
I turned away from her. "A lie, my mother died yes. But my own death was false. It appeared that I had indeed died during birth, but instead I was silent and looked over. My adopted mother was the nurse maid Anastasie Lamont." I said looking over her things.
I kept myself calm knowing she would fight me in return. She wouldn't simply hand this over and I was sure of that. "And I only desire one thing, that's my Duchy." I turned back to her and smiled.
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Apr 19, 2008 15:05:51 GMT -5
Equal parts incredulous and furious, I listened to him speak, watched him survey my study as if it were his, only a matter of time. I felt my blood spike with killing desire. Carving his eyes from his sockets was a start.
"A servant? You are the son of a commoner, and you think coming to me with this ridiculous story is going to make me quail in fear and hand over my birthright, my heritage as a scion of House D'Niege and Camael himself, to a common, low-born, unimaginative servant? Seek a mind healer at Eisheth's temple for your delusions. Stop waisting my time.The only way anyone but the child in my belly will gain control of my Duchy is over my cold, dead body. You are too soft to be that man, let alone the son of Eddard Liatris. " I said coldly, biting off each word and staring him down.
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Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on Apr 19, 2008 16:15:43 GMT -5
I chuckled and looked to her. "You don't have to believe me, I had the proof at my home and I thoroughly intend to go through the right chanels." I said moving to stand near the door once more.
"I simply came to tell you face to face, so you know who I am." I bowed once more to her.
"Have a good evening my lady."
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Post by Jaiden Liatris-Durante (D) on Apr 19, 2008 22:48:37 GMT -5
I stood, drawing myself up to my full height. It struck me then, that we were built the same. Same lean body, same thick hair. And he was the ghost of my dead father. If, by some freak chance, his story was true, he was my half brother, and my elder by five years...
No. It was not possible. I was the Duchesse D'Neige. Now and for the rest of my years. This peasant was nothing but a liar and a thief, no matter his 'proof'. My child would inherit, and I would destroy this man in the process.
"I will not forget you until you are dead and buried. Be sure of that. If I see you here again, I will kill you. As for your claim, do your best, for I will wreak my worst upon you and yours. Leave." I felt the killing silence fill my heart, that still place inside that washed over me and left bodies in my wake. A sharp flair of pain lanced through my skull and my lower back, but I showed no sign of weakness.
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Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on Apr 19, 2008 23:08:29 GMT -5
"I wouldn't expect anything less." I said finally before bowing once more. I gave a raised brow and turned on my heal moving to the door and then out.
Closing it behind me I stood for a moment and smiled to myself. I had gotten what I need, I had gotten the reaction that I had expected, and I could now proceed forward with my official claim.
Moving I took steady steps through the hall and back towards my waiting mount.
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Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on Apr 29, 2008 16:04:28 GMT -5
A guardsman had found me and issued a summons from my wife. I sighed, putting aside my book and going to her office. She was always there, even when nothing specific occupied her. Le Clerc had forbidden her the salle and she was chaffing at the inactivity. I backed the man, and the midwife tending Jaid. All of them said she needed rest, especially after her fall during the hunt. She was...less than pleasant about it.
Coming down the hall, I noted the stranger coming toward me, heading for the front hall. Automatically I assessed him for a threat, looking at his face last.
"Dear gods..." I breathed in disbelief. He was the ghost of Eddard Liatris, the liege lord I had failed so many years ago. I made a sign against the Evil Eye and haunting spirits.
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Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on Apr 29, 2008 23:15:04 GMT -5
I jumped back, spooked by the man as he appeared before me. The look on his face surprised me and I turned back slightly, my hand going across my chest. "Camael," I said furrowing my brow. "You frightened me."
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Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on May 2, 2008 13:15:14 GMT -5
"No more than you have I. Who are you?" I said intensely, once the realization hit that he was indeed flesh and blood, not the shade of my former liege. Looking at him closer, I could see the differences. He was not as tall as Eddard, his hair more blond than dark. His face was different too, but I'd bet good money he was kin, if not Eddard's bastard son.
A son. How...shocking. Eddard had been a controlled man, and any offspring he may have had were dead save Jaiden. It was disturbing. No wonder Jaiden had summoned me.
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Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on May 2, 2008 13:21:30 GMT -5
"I'm Marc Liatris." I said firmly. "And you are?" I wondered if this was Jaiden's lover.
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Post by Elton Tulare-Durante (D) on May 2, 2008 13:34:27 GMT -5
Liatris. He was here for only one thing then. The sheer brashness of bearding her in her den was either monumentally stupid or a very cunning ploy. He didn't look stupid.
I was bursting with curiosity and rapidly picking than discarding scenarios. But the only person I'd ask was my wife. He was, for all intents and purposes, the enemy right now. I greeted him formally, unbowing,and kept my face grim. " I am Duc-Consort to Her Grace. If you have just come from a meeting with my Lady Wife, than you had best be on your way."
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Marc Liatris
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Camlach; Duc d'Neige-House Liatris
Son of Eddard Liatris. Husband to Veronique Liatris
Posts: 207
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Post by Marc Liatris on May 2, 2008 13:49:26 GMT -5
I bowed to him politely, though the bow was only slight and I tipped my head only the smallest amount. "Its been a pleasure." I said shortly. "Good evening." I nodded my head and then brushed past him, my eyes staying on his as I did.
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