The Duke's Bride

[Lance Roidmet]

Dawn breaks.

Lance mounts his horse, which is freshly watered and rested, and sits up straight in the saddle, bringing his whole weight to bear. He's not a short man; he towers at over six feet tall, despite his usual slouch, and his hair is rugged and wild despite being tamed in a ponytail behind him. He rides to the head of the forces, waiting at the gate for someone to come out and meet him, to open the gate.

When the servant arrives, Lance addresses him boldly, loud enough for all to hear: "Get ye your master, for he has stolen something of mine, and I'll have it back in good condition or else I'll see him on the dueling grounds."

[NPCs]

The servant, eyes drifting over the group behind Lance, offers a bland, empty smile as he looks down his nose at the younger man-- no mean feat, given that Lance is on a horse, and clearly a sign of long practice. "I'm afraid that my master is far too busy to bother himself with the likes of you and yours," he intones pompously. "Now be about your way afore you're run off with a half yard of feathered yew."

[Lance Roidmet]

"I beg your pardon!" demands Lance. "Do you know who I am, boy?!"

[NPCs]

The servant sniffs disdainfully. "Some half-cocked half-man who thinks God loves him extra special like," he says, the sheer dismissiveness in his voice more insulting than ire or even disgust would have been. "Last warning, half-man, so be off with you!"

[Lance Roidmet]

"I am Duke Lancelot Roidmet, and you will admit me at once!" 

[NPCs]

Very obviously skimming his gaze up and down Lance, the servant scoffs soundlessly. He pointedly lets his gaze linger on the sweat stains on Lance's shirt from the hard ride, the scruff of a beard coming in, the wild, untamed nature of his hair, the lack of 'proper' noble attire.  "Of course you are," he drawls, unimpressed. 

[Lance Roidmet]

Lance holds up a hand, flashing the all-important signet ring. "Get your master at once, or I will be forced to cut you down where you stand and deal with someone with sense in their head."

[NPCs]

The servant's mouth works for a good twenty seconds before he manages to recover enough to actually speak. Drawing himself up with an air of, now fragile, dignity, he nods unevenly. "Very well, I shall bring this matter to the seneschal," he announces, spinning on his heel.

Lance's unusually keen hearing allows him to catch the man muttering, "I fooking hope he stole that thing," as he half jogs away. It's not overly long before two figures, one glad in eye-catching (just shy of eye-melting) and expensive clothing, the other in a good quality but practical outfit, appear at the end of the gate tunnel. At their deliberate, careful pace, it'll take them just under a minute to get in speaking distance. If Lance wants the initiative, however, one could raise their voice just shy of rude and be heard a few seconds earlier.

[Lance Roidmet]

"Duke Gamlen Amell," he calls, his voice ringing out with righteousness. "You have taken something that belongs to my household. Return it at once, or I shall be forced to challenge you to a duel."

[Gamlen Amell]

"You hypercrticial cunt," Gamlen explodes as he comes to an abrupt stop. He jabs a finger at Lance, face reddening. "Your so-called maid kidnapped my fiancé! I should have you cast in chains and whipped every hour until she's returned!" At his side, Harrod frowns slightly, but stays silent, watching this unfold for now.

[Lance Roidmet]

"I know nothing about your fiancée. Perhaps she ran off?" he says, sounding almost bored. "That's none of my concern."

[Gamlen Amell]

"Like fuck it ain't," Gamlen snaps back. "Got a dozen guards who can attest to your maid sneaking in and taking her. That's attempted line theft, it is, and I could petition the king to have you stripped of your title for it."

[Lance Roidmet]

"You have my maid. If she had kidnapped your girl, you would have her too. so where is she?"

[Gamlen Amell]

Gamlen sneers at him. "She sent Bethie on by--" He pauses, glancing at Harrod, then darting a swift look around at all the servants and soldiers in earshot. Right, can't be talking about magic with all these commonfolk about. "By herself. Stayed back to delay my boys from following. Right dangerous woman for a so-called maid, I might add. Wicked with a dagger."

[Lance Roidmet]

"Well we don't have your bride," he lies, bald-faced. "So she must have been lost along the way. I hear there's bandits about."