Ian has joined the small circular table.

Balian, a Templar squire, Guy, a hunting kestrel, 1 Templar Knight guards arrive, following Preston.

Demura has joined the small circular table.

Several servants and moving around the green, offering trays of snacks and wine to the attendees, Daniella is bustling amongst them, trying to ensure that everything is in place and offering brief, distracted smiles to any of the notable arrivals as they mingle or find their places.

5 House Mazetti Guardians, Possum arrive, following Cambria.

Danvir comes in looking around the green and heads to a clear spot to pull up a peice of grass and take a seat.

Ian sits somewhere off to the side, his cane leaning against the table close to him. He slips a flask out of an inner pocket and takes a sip. It's hard to tell if he's here to listen to the speech, or just here.

Demetria Arcuri arrives, following Josephine.

Cambria arrives, trailed by an assistant and some guards. She takes a seat at one of the benches, crossing one leg over the other.

Cambria has joined the long bench.

2 House Velenosa Guards, Galiana, a meticulous and mysterious lady-in-waiting, Andry arrive, following Isobella.

Danvir sits on a clear peice of grass taking a sip from is flask.

"We begin with the story of Arina and Harcon." Daniella states warmly as she steps up to the podium to speak. "Arina and her husband were not born into the compact, they were born to a wild and fierce tribe of prodigals, but when their lord bent the knee they converted so enthusiastically that they encouraged their only daughter, Gabrina to join the Mercies of Lagoma." The princess pauses for a few seconds before continuing. "In fact before Gabrina was to leave, they made for her a dress, a white dress. Although truth be told it wasn't really perfectly white, and the stitching was rather obvious, there was a hole near one of the ankles and the cloth was somewhat coarse." Daniella explains in a faintly amused tone.
"I'm sure Gabrina knew that the Shrine would provide far nicer clothes, but she didn't want to tell her parents this and instead proudly wore that dress as she and a hundred others like her set out across the land to join the Mercies, defended by the ever-valiant Templars."
A few seconds of silence stretch before Daniella starts to speak again, "Of course many of us know that they never made it, that Gabrina's not quite white dress was stained a deep crimson on the road. Her whole party was murdered by those who proudly declared 'Suffer no shav to live.'” The lyceum woman speaks darkly, "And Arina and Harcon will never again see their daughter..."

Among the incoming guests, Demura makes her way into the Green walking besides by Marquis Ruslan. The Marquessa studies carefully the area, glancing to see who has arrived already and whether they're both late, "Seems like it has just started." She says, gesturing for a seat "Shall we watch from that table?"

Preston steps into the area, accompanied by a pair of other Templars as he moves to a place where he can watch the speech. His arms fold over his chestplate and under the wolf's head of his cloak he looks darkly at the podium, certainly not a story he is looking forward to hearing.

Daniella checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

2 Redrain Guards arrives, following Artur.

Arriving with Demura, Ruslan arrives just as Daniella begins her speech. The hands of the man gather together in small angry balls - and he gives a stiff nod to Demura. "It sounds fine, my Lady. But I doubt I will just be sitting for long." he offers quietly to his companion as he moves to pull out a chair for the Marquessa, before he takes his own seat.

Isobella has joined the small circular table.

Arya has joined the small circular table.

Frostbite, a Paladin's wolf arrives, following Arianna.

After another few seconds Daniella starts to speak again. "Now it could have been the case that these murderers could have easily got away with this foul deed. The victims were newly sworn members of the compact, and the crime a long way from the heart of civilization. But Marquessa Magdalena Daveiga, whose brother died defending Gabrina and her kin would not let it be so, she called her banners and marches to war even now." The Lycene woman states forcefully, "The murderers try to stop her, they say that it was prodigals that did the deed, not them." She adds with an ironic twist of her lips, "yes, prodigals that declared 'Suffer no Shav to live'" She adds with open contempt.
"And I will tell you what happens when that does not work, they will instead ask for patience while they conduct an investigation. I am sure this investigation will take some time, all the while House Rivincia's soldiers will be dying, I am also sure this investigation will turn up some group or another who were responsible but unfortunately all died during the attempt to apprehend them, maybe even a coincidentally badly bruised and battered individual will even confess." She states with heavy sarcasm. "We all know this is what will happen, they will protect their own as we've seen before but their mistake is to think that we will not care that it is so obviously a ruse, they think us cowards who will turn from a cause as soon as we are given an excuse to do so, no matter how flimsy, no matter how obviously false." Daniella pauses for a few seconds, letting her dark gaze travel over the audience. "Well I say no. I say enough. I say Sentinel has had his fill of lies, that Lagoma’s mercies will have justice and that Gloria will have her day!" She declares, banging her fist down on the podium.

Isobella arrives in time to hear Daniella speak, slipping onto a seat a table near the front, her expression holding a subtle amusement as people filter in. "We made it just in time," she mentions aside to Andry, before speaking more quietly at the table as she gestures for him to sit as well.

Daniella checked command + propaganda at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Ruslan has joined the small circular table.

Amari spots Demura and moves from where she thought to stand and listen to claim for herself a seat nearer the Marquessa. There's a murmur of greeting to her and a polite nod to Ruslan, but otherwise she's more focused on Daniella and her speech.

Amari has joined the small circular table.

Andry has joined the small circular table.

Ian takes another drink and, slipping the flask back into an inner pocket of his coat, shakes his head.

Josephine stands near the fringes, the much older woman with the light cloak about her shoulders and her hand resting on the cane. There is a glance to others on the green, the back to the emotional speaker.

"I'm rather well, your highness. Your cousin is quite the orator," Arya murmurs, settling down while keeping some of her attention on Daniella. "And yourself? Recovered from being one large wrinkle, I presume?"

Lady Arianna walks onto the judgement green and finds a seat at one of the small circular tables. She seems in good spirits and has a quiet grace about her as she takes her seat. Clearly she's all eyes for Princess Daniella, brow furrowing and head nodding in agreement on some of her points. All the while sipping wine.

"You might ask if war could still be avoided?" Daniella continues after a few moments in a calmer tone of voice, "And of course it can, House Fournier's Valardin liege lords could order the house to immediately surrender and cede all its territories to House Rivincita and House Volkov and no more blood would need be spilled." She suggests before continuing a moment later, "And I am no one so important, I am not a Voice, nor General or Minister, but every second that passes that this does not occur I will give all that I have to support Marquessa Magdalena and her righteous cause. Until my purse runs dry I will personally pay the salary of every sellsword who fights for House Rivincita." The Princess offers before starting to look out at the crowd, meeting everyone's eyes one by one as she speaks, "and if any of you have ever been tended to by a Mercy of Lagoma, ever had a family member tended to, ever seen one of those white clad paragons running across a dangerous battlefield for just a chance to bring an honorable son home to his family I call upon you to do the same, whether you wield silver or steel, use it to support the Marquessa, to support House Rivincita, to stand for the Pantheon and to show the villains of House Fournier that honor still beats in the heart of the compact!" She concludes before stepping abruptly back away from the podium, letting the shadow of the overhanging branches fall over her as the speech ends.

Daniella checked charm + propaganda at difficulty 15, rolling 56 higher.

Ruslan has joined the line.

Guillermo the Setarcian Captain arrives, delivering a message to Arianna before departing.

Merek has come to listen to the speech, having been here a bit. He seems content to listen with cloak about him and also his hood up.

Merek is overheard praising Daniella.

Guillermo the Setarcian Captain arrives, delivering a message to Arianna before departing.

Danvir sits in the grass watching the speach and those who arrive leaning back and taking it all in

Isobella is overheard praising Daniella.

Josephine has joined the long bench.

Cambria rests her hands upon one upraised knee as she listens to Daniella, her expression neutral.

Ian looks a little bit puzzled at the tail end of the speech. He opens his mouth, almost as if to say something, then shuts it again.

After the speech had concluded Arianna took a breath and looked as if she were going to say something but seemed to hesitate to do so. When she closed her mouth the corners of her lips curled up into the beginnings of a smile and only then did she finally speak up,"So this is a fundraiser for House Rivincita?"

Josephine makes her way to a bench, a softly murmured apology to Cambria and bow of her head before taking up a spot on the bench, but not crowding the Lycene Marquessa.

Isobella claps once the speech is concluded, her expression one of contemplation, but not surprise. "She is a good speaker," she agrees with someone at her table, speaking up over the sound of others commenting. "Lawyers," she adds, as if that explains everything.

Is Amari meant to clap? Is this the applause portion of the show? She holds her hands up and slightly apart as if she might as Daniella steps back, but ultimately she lets them just settle back into her lap. "Well, no terribly boorish call for unity at least." She tilts her head and peers off towards the edge of the green, asking her tablemates idly, "I wonder where the Cardian agent with the bag of silver is. Is that them there?"

Guillermo the Setarcian Captain arrives, delivering a message to Arianna before departing.

Speech concluded Daniella makes her way back around the tree before nodding at Ruslan, "Marquis Volkov, did you also want to say something?" She asks, circling back around to the audience side of the green.

Daniella has joined the large bench.

Artur only arrived partway into the speech, though he listens attentively as it goes on, appearing to carefully consider Daniella and her words. The prince's brow knots together thoughtfully as he considers all that is said and a glance is cast about the rest of the crowd, perhaps to judge their reactions to the speech. Once it's done however, Artur doesn't linger to socialize. A polite amount of applause is offered, before Artur continues on his way, the stop appearing to have been more of a detour on the way to something else.

6 House Velenosa Guards, Ibasia, the Velenosa Lady-in-Waiting arrive, following Jaenelle.

Preston looks over towards the podium, starting to stalk forward. As he nears and the last words of the speech echo, his jaw sets before he calls out after the speech ends - because it doesn't do to heckle "The man that died /was/ the brother of the Marquessa, but he was no longer. He was a Templar. One of my people. He renounced that name of Rivincita to take on a greater call. Those that died were under the protection of my order. They were mercies under the auspices of Blessed Roran. You wish to kill, you wish to fight, you wish to wage war, that is noble's business." Preston gives a small sigh, reaching up to pull his cloak hood back "It was a good speech, Princess, but the Templars, the Faith, can exact its own justice. And will do so. But, it is not your right nor the Marquessa's to claim justice on our behalf."

Gilroy comes in moving faster than he usually would and looks around. "Is the speech still happening? Did I miss it?" He stops short when Preston addresses the princess and nods firmly. "Whew! Good!" Checking on the line he moves over and gets on in.

Demura has joined the line.

Gilroy has joined the line.

2 Grayson House Guards, Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, Clark, an exasperated guard arrive, following Sabella.

Sabella has joined the small circular table.

Another message arrived with a man who looked like he belonged on a ship. Lady Pravus accepts this and nods to it before finishing the wine in her glass and rising to her feet. Polite smiles are given to the Velenosan princess before the Pravosi walks across the judgement green to the Redrain prince's side. "Ah, you seem to be on the way out and I was hoping to speak with you, your highness. I'll accompany you, hm?" Arianna smiles again, a record for the Lycene sellsword.

Frostbite, a Paladin's wolf leaves, following Arianna.

2 Redrain Guards, Arianna leave, following Artur.

Ian's electric blue eyes fix on Preston as he speaks. He's the kind of person who listens with his gaze as much as his ears.

Danvir once the speaches are done gets up from the grass and heads out

Andry who was just about to shake hands with Arya when Preston starts speaking stops practically frozen over the table while he listens to what the Grandmaster has to say. He looks like he's considering saying something before deciding the better of it and getting back into his seat with grey eyes resting on Preston.

Evangelina makes her way onto the Green, skimming between the tables and people gathered to take up a position somewhere near the front. "I missed the speech," she regrets dramatically, but she settles in to see what there is still ahead to see.

With Daniella finishing up her speech, Ruslan rises to his feet. The Marquis gives a sharp nod towards his table before he moves to stand before the assembled. "I am Ruslan Volkov, the Horselord of Volkov Woods and it's Marquis - as recently appointed." His hands settle on the sides of the dias, and his fingers bend against it. "When the Great Road was first suggested to me by Lord Kaldur Seliki of Grayson, I was apprehensive. For generations, my house held no banner - bent no knee." he rumbles. "But I was convinced that this was a fair and just idea and would be a boon to my lands."

"Indeed, I even provided protection on the road from Volkov during it's constrution. When I was told of the pilgrimage of one of my houses, the Kalslov, I felt that perhaps things would be changed. They had decided to become fully embroiled in the Mercies and were the start of the walk to Blancbier." Ruslan glances aside towards Daniella. "You heard the story of Arina and Harcon when you arrived. Of their slaughter on the one to Blancbier. I have no need or reason to go through the details again. That the loses in Malvici are great - and even now have called forth their banners."

"A few short years ago - I would already be at war. We were prodigals. Unbent. Volkov Woods would have whole-heartedly come against the Oathlands and blindly lashed out on the attack. Those from the Brasswalker Tribe would be the first to come to our aid." Then his hand slams down forcefully on the dias. "But the Brasswalkers are no more. Nor is Brass Harbor. Bother were obliterated. NOT from the Oathlands. But from the skies itself. And now I am told to accept what has happened as a reason to raise banner. I have talked to the Duchess Calista. She has urged restraint. She has urged justice. But justice done in rage is just war. And as war has come again between our lands, Marquessa Demura and myself find ourselves in the unevniable of being border lands that will be forced to stand against the other."

"Before I bent the knee, I was visited by a shaman. One of flaming red hair and a limp that told me that if I did not bend the knee, Volkov was next to be destroyed. Would this be from my neighbors - or from above. I am not sure of. But I did not join the Compact just to be thrust into the bloodlust of a Princess who has called for war. I //mourn// for my people. I //stand// with Malvici. But the price of war will not be those that are already gone, their blood spilled - our vengance is blind. It is guided by signs we are not sure of. Marquessa Demura. Myself and Duchess Calista have asked for restraint until we are /sure/ of this course - and if it is - then yes, we shall raise our banners and we will come onto the attack. But until that time - we have agreed to allow Marquessa Demura to lay out her plans to handle this tragedy - and if it is the fault of her lands, then we will find the proper cost to extract in turn for what has occurred."

Ruslan checked command + propaganda at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

"And if it should come to war - I have no House Sword to stand. I will stand for myself should it prevent the bloodshed of those that are already numbering few as well." Ruslan concludes.

There's no applause from Isobella after Ruslan's monologue, instead she exchanges quiet words at her own table.

Ian braces himself on the table and pushes to his feet. He watches his own feet as he makes his way over the uneven grassy ground, which makes it hard to tell exactly where he's going at first. But he's definitely angling Preston-ward. He says a few words in a low voice.

Wearing black, Jaenelle has arrived too late to hear the actual speech. She does hear Preston though, nodding in his direction to indicate his words were heard and noted before she approaches the man to speak quietly so she doesn't interrupt.

Domonico strides into the park, a serious look on his face as he stands back, attired, as always for war. One hand rests on the pommell of Wavecutter as he stands stiffly, listening, chin raised at the back.

Ian eyes the people who stand up to orate and speaks to Preston in a low voice. Whatever he says is enough words to count as an oration of his own, although of course he's not speaking loud enough for his voice to carry. And he's not speaking with passion, either; his eyes, as they always do, radiate a serene calm.

Demura nods to Amari on her way out of the table, "This is exactly what I expected." She says, adjusting the metal plates of her dress before she looks at the crowd gathered there. Clearing her throat, the Marquessa begins, "Let it be known that House Lyonesse will not tolerate an act of war based on suppositions, we only care about the truth. You might say that no shav would kill a prodigal and then shift the blame to an Oathland House, but then some tribes are known to use Arvani tactics against ourselves.

I do not doubt that the Velenosa coffers run deeper than the Lyonesse and there will be no shortage of sellswords coming against my vassals. Should this happen, we will protect them and we will fight to the last sword.

Now, this is part of the treatment I reserve for the warmongers. As Marquis Ruslan said, we have been working together to make sure that the real justice, the kind that Gloria would be proud, is brought upon the Compact. Should my vassals be found guilty of such barbaric act, then they will be brought to justice. You might say that the investigation might be compromised, but we never denied that a Lycene agent could be among the investigators, in fact, my original suggestion was to have a Lyonesse agent, a Volkov agent and then a disinterested third party, which I suggested to be the Society of Explorers as they are best acquainted with wild lands and their people.

So let it be known that House Lyonesse is willing to cooperate within reasonable terms, but we do not look forward to a war that will cater to the interests of those waiting by the docks. The foreign powers that would profit from a fragmented alliance, desperate for safety."

Demura has rolled a critical success!
Demura checked command + propaganda at difficulty 15, rolling 57 higher.

2 House Velenosa Guards, Dreya, an older woman in Velenosan livery, Ailfryd, a tall, thin man with a haugty air arrive, following Saoirse.

Saoirse has joined the small circular table.

Gilroy has joined the small circular table.

Ruslan moves from his smaller table over to the bench to have a discussion with Cambria, his voice pitched low.

Ruslan has left the small circular table.

Ruslan has joined the long bench.

Cambria leans towards Ruslan, who has joined her at the long bench, and shares a few quietly spoken words.

As he steps up behind Demura, Gilroy waves to everyone like he's some kind of damn celebrity. "Gilroy Grayhope. Of the Lenosian Grayhopes." then he look to Daniella. "Princess Daniella, you know that I'm a fan of of yours. Your candor is both humorous and vicious. So I say this with absolutely no intent at offense, which is good as I'm not sure I could offend you, but why are you making this address? You are, to be blunt, a landless, positionless, mostly ornamental member of House Velenosa. Where is Duchess Calypso to speak for her immediate vassals? This is kind of her job, isn't it?" He steps back and says, "I'll go ahead and sit."

Brother Chester arrives, following Jeffeth.

Amari offers both Ruslan and Demura a small, respectful round of applause for their fair and measured words. For Gilroy's impromptu addition to the debate she allows a ghost of a smile. Otherwise, she's just being quiet and observant now.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Amari before departing.

Isobella has joined the line.

Jaenelle dips her head quietly in thanks for whatever was shared between the two, taking a step back from Preston to indicate the conversation has ended. She seems to appreciate both Ruslan's words as well as Demura's, but still does not take over the stage to correct, add, or answer anything that might be spoken aloud. Instead, with her chin raised and back straght the woman does her best not to show just how tired she might be as she continues moving away.

Turn in line: Isobella

Anyone near Domonico may have noticed a stiffening in the Malvici's stance at Gilroy's words. His jaw works a little as he thinks.

Domonico has joined the line.

The large form of Jeffeth Bayweather appears on the green, the hulking figure moving to join one of the benches. But when his eyes fall on his patron, moving away his brows crease with concern and the knight is immediately making his way over to her. Jeffeth walk-jogs his way over to Jaenelle to catch up.

"The Order of Solace and the Templars of Gloria were not founded to protect Arx." Andry explains to Sabella, letting enough passion slip into his voice he's heard beyond the table. "They were founded to protect the shrines and the faithful, travelers, the sick and the healers. This is exactly the kind of time most of us should be out there protecting those we're sworn to protect."

Ruslan finishes speaking to Cambria, rising to offer her a bow and a smile of agreement before he's moving to join Demura at her table again.

Ruslan has left the long bench.

Ruslan has joined the small circular table.

Isobella doesn't move to the podium to speak, remaining at her table and trusting her voice to carry. "Princess Daniella had something to say, and she said it. She's called for support, and she's called for justice. One doesn't need to be a Voice or a landholder to call for support or justice any more than one needs to be a Voice or a landholder to hold a charity auction for support or justice. It is a neat trick, I think, to claim to not intend offense when being offensive. But it is a transparent trick all the same. Surely the Lenosian Grayhopes embrace Lenosian subtlety."

Ian has joined the line.

Turn in line: Domonico

Jaenelle doesn't seem startled when a man suddenly towers over her, the smile forming is genuine and warm as she lays her hand lightly in the crook of his elbow. Her pace doesn't stop, though the poor man has had to adjust his own to make up for short legs. "There is news" she states softly, moving away with her escort.

Brother Chester leaves, following Jeffeth.

6 House Velenosa Guards, Ibasia, the Velenosa Lady-in-Waiting, Jeffeth leave, following Jaenelle.

Dreya, an older woman in Velenosan livery arrives, delivering a message to Isobella before departing.

Domonico clears his throat from the back where he is standing in his full military garb. "Lord Domonico Malvici, Commodore in Southport's Navy. In response to Gilroy Grayhope's words about Duchess Calypso. I do not speak for Malvici but I assure you that Duchess Calypso will be not be sitting idle during all this." A beat, "Thank you."

Turn in line: Ian

From where he stands near Preston, Ian takes a moment of silence between speeches as an opportunity, and clears his throat. "I, uh, don't want -- Look, this might be beside the point, but the justice Lady Daniella called for isn't possible." His thick Isles accent carries pretty well over the space, even though he's not shouting. There's volume behind what he says, and a certain amount of compelling command, the ability of an experienced general to speak in such a way that they can hold a crowd's attention, but no passion. In fact, he sounds the tiniest bit apologetic, at least in the beginning. "The only power a vassal's oath gives to their liege is the power for the liege to demand they fight for them. If Fournier's liege wanted to hand their lands over to someone else, they'd have to take them by force, first, and unless the King put them under attainder first, there'd be the risk their liege would be declared Oathbroken themselves, if they tried. Depending on how the Faith felt about it."

Ian checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 78 higher.

Merek seems to be content to listen, there with some of the Guards to keep the peace. He looks to the others from under his hood while he takes a drink from the flask of his, sighing.

Dandy, the red fox, 1 Templar Knight guards arrive, following Etienne.

Dandy, the red fox, 1 Templar Knight guards leave, following Etienne.

Once all the speeches are done Daniella stands and smiles, "Thank you all for coming, and for those of you who've shared your thoughts." She states, "As we depart, and I think of the poor disciples of the Thirteenth who were so recently assassinated in the Oathlands, I admit I can't help but wonder if there's quite any atrocity one couldn't get away with at the moment by pointing to the harbor." She remarks before shrugging, "But perhaps that's just me." She adds before taking her leave.