Narrator:
It's been about an hour and a half since the party broke up, and the Stanley women are sitting disconsolately in Tabytha's tent. Hesketh is loitering about the front of the tent, looking for something useful to do and generally feeling like a third leg. A large shape looms into the torchlight, and Hesketh snaps to alertness.
Sir Hesketh:
Halt, sir, and...
Narrator:
Richard comes forward far enough into the light for Hesketh to recognize his features. Hesketh's challenge is about to turn into a greeting when he sees that Richard is slightly flushed and walking with a slight limp.
Sir Hesketh:
Baron, art thou well?
Sir Richard: [waving his hand]
Yes, yes, just a bruise on this shin. That's what I get for sparring with a very short man in the dark. Although I don't think he'll be sleeping on his chest tonight.
[shakes with silent laughter]
Narrator:
This takes Hesketh but a moment to digest.
Sir Hesketh:
Thou hast been sparring with Sir Luther??!
Sir Richard:
Yes, well, it was better then challenging the entire off-duty crew of the Royals to a bar fight.
[Face turning serious]
Or the Heir of Tudor to a duel. It's been a bad week, Hesketh, and I needed to do something.
Sir Hesketh: [nodding in understanding]
Aye, Sir Richard. You did leave so suddenly that I did not have a chance to extend my condolences. His Grace was a good man, one of honor and valor, whose name will be remembered.
Narrator:
Richard grasps Hesketh's forearm and Hesketh notices for the first time the smell of alcohol. Richard seems unaffected, but the smell is... noticeable.
Sir Richard:
Thank you, Hesketh. Are Her Grace and my sisters within?
Sir Hesketh:
Aye, they have been waiting upon your return. Methinks Her Grace is torn betwixt sorrow, anger, and concern. Thy sister, Gloriana, hath calmed her somewhat, however - on the surface at least.
Narrator:
Richard nods his understanding and steps into the tent, walking slowly so as to conceal the limp. Tabytha's eyes flash slightly as he enters, but Gloriana is the first to react. She swiftly crosses the room and embraces Richard, whispering in his ear.
Gloriana: [softly]
I hope that helped, because Taby's not happy with you right now.
[louder]
When do you leave, Richi?
Narrator:
Richard starts to answer when Tabytha interrupts.
Tabytha:
I'd like to talk to you, if I may, Richard.
Narrator:
Richard crosses to her, forgetting to move cautiously and with a slight but noticeable limp, and literally kneels before Tabytha, taking her hand.
Sir Richard:
I'm sorry, Taby. I forgot myself. I don't agree with your actions, but that is another matter. I was wrong.
Narrator:
Tabytha stands speechless for a moment, looking down at Richard's head. She waves her free hand ineffectually in the air for a moment before resting it on Richard's head with a light slap.
Tabytha:
Ducal politics was never to your liking. But your destiny allows you to opt out of them now and then, and mine does not.
It is not very satisfying to be angry with someone who makes apologies like that. But what have you done to yourself now? You didn't get into a fight with another guard, did you?
Sir Richard: [wincing at the memory]
Nay... I mean, no, Taby. Geesh, I've been talking to Hesketh too long. No, I was... well, it's a long story. I was sparring.
Tabytha:
Get up, Richard, sit and be comfortable. I want to tell you the rest of what didn't get said earlier. If you had gone off with Freidrich of Tudor to talk, no one would have said more than, "Nobility talking politics." If this had happened in Devonshire, most reactions would have been the same. But others will interpret things as they would. I am a Duchess, and ducal level politics are my destiny. Reg's concentration is turned inward, on Devonshire, mine is outward, on our neighbors. I can not negotiate or communicate with other duchies if my best friends in high places all scream scandal when I talk privately with a man. You said nothing, but to all who looked your face screamed displeasure.
I'm not a man, but I am tasked with work men think of as their own - anything important. Please don't make it harder is all I ask. When you leave tomorrow for Chesterton, do put in word with Reg that I am trying to make new friends for Devonshire.
Sir Richard:
I have at least a month before I must leave, perhaps more. I intend to see what it is has dragged all of us halfway across the realm before I go back. There is little we can do now, Taby. I need to convene the Regency Council in order to abdicate as Baron and resign as chair, but those are matters of formality.
Narrator:
Taby pauses briefly and stares at Richard, thinking through what she knows of Chesterton's laws and customs.
Tabytha:
I understand that you cannot continue as Baron of Arundel, but surely you would be titled in some other part of the Duchy...?
Sir Richard: [shaking his head]
No, I'd have to decline it. I need to be near a Chapterhouse to fulfill my duties to the Order. It will be better this way, since it will give Andrew more leeway in the event of a schism in the Church. And I could not do justice to another county now, anyway. I may wind up moving to Lethbridge, for that matter. I need to talk to Ariana and Agnes first. I'll have the banner of Arundel taken down in the morning. The pageboy Jhereg assigned will probably appreciate having only two crests to deal with.