Now having regained his dignified posture befitting of nobility he turns to face his guests who both stand and walk towards him. Arriving in the foyer both Susanna and Orpheus approach the now calm and collected noble sporting a likable smile. With his upright posture, he readjusts his shoulders and calmly begins speaking. "Welcome, Sir Orpheus and umm..." Nodding slightly towards Orpheus's direction William passes his gaze to the left towards the woman beside him, his words quickly come to an abrupt halt. Sorting through his extensive names of many beautiful women he has met, not a single match can be found.
Susanna glares at the man with a cold expression before her lips arch up into a warm smile before she decides to speak up. "My name is Susanna; it is truly a pleasure Lord Dandridge." Speaking with a confident and graceful tone, she carefully grasps her dress and lowers down for a curtsy. William places his right fist into his chest and nods in acknowledgement of her considerate and proper greeting.
As both of them rise to meet each other's gazes, William grins genuinely causing his face to glow in an uncommon and warm light. Casting his gaze from the left to the right before planting his eyes upon Susanna's visage, pausing for a moment he begins to speak. "The pleasure is all mine Lady Susanna." Still smiling warmly as his gaze eventually turns back to Orpheus who is sporting a curious and concerned expression.
Squinting his eyes slightly, Orpheus glares directly at William before opening his mouth to ask a question. "Your quite hospitable Lord Dandridge?" His statement quickly displays its inquisitive intent towards William as Orpheus tilts his head slightly to the right as if confused over these current events.
Smirking slightly as his curvature lips lean to the right, William begins chuckling in an unnoticeable fashion before readjusting his posture to a more relaxed and slouched position. Lingering his gaze for a moment on Orpheus as if observing every facet of the man's visage, William speaks up confidently. "Please call me William, I loathe standing on ceremony." Raising his eyebrows high as his head jostles from side to side to reinforces his point, William continues glaring at the two sporting confused expressions and responds quickly. "Hmm, I understand your confusion, I have no doubt you have been exposed to my... brethren, who have little to no respect for talented individuals such as yourselves, beyond your bloodline." Speaking swiftly as he pauses in the middle before passing his gaze to the floor and then back towards Orpheus and Susanna.
Orpheus and Susanna's expression immediately morphs into surprise at the incredibly odd turn of events, Orpheus's expression remains for a few seconds before arching his eyebrows with a devious grin. "So, are you inferring that you're different?" Asking a poignant question as both Orpheus and Susanna glare at him with all-consuming eyes awaiting their next meal of information.
Strengthening his posture once more he speaks with utter dignity and confidence in his next statement. "I would never presume that Sir, I am like most seated upon my father's pedestal, but I believe what one does with such a position defines who they are." William speaks in a calm voice, smiling as a warm aura surrounds him.
Orpheus continues to glare back at him for a few moments before relaxing his facial features into a composed and welcoming visage. Still, with his inquisitive gaze selecting the man before him as a target, his mind swims with several possibilities. "Curious man, but words are meaningless in solemn contrast to one's actions." Thinking to himself for another moment before gazing back at Susanna beside him and then towards William as he speaks aloud. "A unique perspective... William, it is such a pleasure to meet you once again." Nodding politely as Susanna quickly follows suit.
William smirks positively at Orpheus's remark before speaking up once more. "And I, you, please follow me to my office and we can discuss further matters." Passing his right hand towards the small archway to the opposite side of the foyer leading to a double door exit. All four of them immediately begin moving through the hallway deeper into the manor, after only a few steps inwards they reach a small wooden door. Victoria swiftly moves towards the door, grasping the doorknob and opens it. Parting the door to the side she bows deeply to the three individuals as they all enter.
Closing the door behind her they enter a small study room, with two shelves on either side, two opposing lounges in the centre, a large desk towards the back, with two chairs positioned in front. William and Victoria make their way to the desk, William seats himself behind the desk as Victoria stands to the left side of him. Upon seating himself he shifts his chair for a moment before gesturing with his left hand for his guests to be seated. "Please, both of you have a seat." Upon stating those very words Susanna and Orpheus both seat themselves, Susanna to the left and Orpheus to the right.
As the situation becomes more relaxed, William speaks up first with his gaze cast upon both his guests equally. "So, what do you wish to discuss with me?" Leaning slightly back on his chair with a comfortable posture he casts his gaze left and then to the right as he asks a simple question.
Smirking softly, Orpheus turns his gaze to Susanna for a moment and lingers there until she nods in silent agreement. Turning his gaze back to William he leans forward and begins to explain the reason he requested this meeting. "Well as you know the sorcerer known as Mavrath is a threat to not only the kingdom but potentially to the surrounding countries, his control over the goblin tribes is but the beginning of his dominion of demi-humans." Speaking in a serious tone completely free of sarcasm, Orpheus begins to recount a shocking set of circumstances to the humble Lord. "The reason I have come to you is to discuss the recent carriage raids perpetrated by the remnant members of the goblin army, my speculation is this may be a ploy by Mavrath to replenish their resources." Clasping his hands together, Orpheus leans slightly forward as both Susanna and himself watch with anticipation.
William leans forward and places both his hands upon the desk, with his left covering his right, positioned directly in front of him. His eyes grow wide for a short moment, before quickly returning to their original size, his right-hand slightly gyrates and then clenches into a tight fist. Releasing the tension from his hands quickly, his expression suddenly turns sour as he spoke. "I can't but agree, it seems this... Mavrath is staging attacks on our trade routes, he may be responsible for the prior attacks as well." Paring his hands to the side, he filmy plants them on the table and raises his chin in confidence.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Leaning back on his seat, Orpheus lifts his right hand to his chin and ponders the situation for a moment within his mind. "A truly interesting response Lord Dandridge." Lifting his gaze from the void he was staring into; he locks gazes with William and speaks to him directly. "Indeed, there is a definite possibility that Mavrath may be behind those attacks as well." Nodding his head several times to acknowledge his statement he turns to the left to speak to Susanna. "What do you think Susanna?" Gazing directly at her cold and objective expression devoid of emotion.
Turning to Orpheus, Susanna speaks almost immediately as if her thoughts move like lightning within her mind. "It is indeed a possibility, but nothing more than speculation, evidence is needed to prove a theory." Halfway through her statement, she turns her gaze to William, she begins to glare towards him before continuing. "Do you have a map of the incidents?" Tilting her head, a little to the left she asks him a question as her eyebrows slightly curve with squinting eyes.
Responding to her question, William nods his head in acknowledgement and quickly turns to the right and faces Victoria quietly standing by. With his gaze fell upon her, she suddenly turns her body into his direction and calmly awaits his words. "Victoria please can you pass me the trade route maps, there just on the third shelf behind you." Directing his right hand with an outstretched index finger towards the shelves, Victoria quickly turns and grabs the parchment. Moving towards the desk she places it neatly in front of him and unwraps the document, spreading the large map across the desk.
Victoria moves back to the corner, folds her hands to her lap and stands ramrod straight. William then places his hands upon the map and caresses the parchment to smooth out the crinkles. Spurned by the sudden appearance of the map, Orpheus and Susanna rise from their seats and step forward with both their gazes fixed to the map.
William rises from his seat and glares down, the map depicts the large section of a continent, in the centre is the capital city of the Theavalon Kingdom, Crisus. To the west near the shoreline are two towns called Towershore and Carnigsby, to the north is the Dread Forest, to the east is the territory of the Atrasal Society and South are several smaller kingdoms, with the Dreburg Empire further South. Several lines a drawn like a spider's web from the Capitol City of Crisus, connecting several provinces surrounding the area.
As all three begin inspecting the map, William places his right index finger on a route extending from the City of Crisus towards the province of Towershore. Passing his finger towards the middle between Towershore and the Capitol City his finger stops, he turns his dipped gaze to the two present and speaks. "Here, this was the earliest incident that occurred several days ago, a carriage of weapons bound for a ship to Valintiya." With his eyes affixed to them both, he continues moving his finger to several other locations. "Here is also an attack on a carriage from Sparrington, ferrying unrefined gold to the capitol and here on the route directly from the Atrasal Society, alchemic ingredients were also stolen." Setting aside his hands to the left and right to support his body, he stares back at Orpheus and Susanna while waiting.
Susanna peers at the information placed before her and ponders for a moment, her mind begins to swim with several possibilities before refining to a razor's edge. Her eyes arch to an extreme degree before she finally speaks. "These attacks are far too distant from each other, what makes you believe goblins were involved in all three incidents?" Placing her right index finger upon the map she points out a simple question and directs it towards William.
Reacting to her abrupt question, William responds with a calm voice devoid of nervousness or stuttering. "You are correct, normally goblin raids occur in areas nearest to their territory such as the Dread Forest, so the attack on the road to Towershore is the most logical candidate." Placing his finger on a line connecting Towershore and Crisus, William continues with his explanation. "But from the reports from the two other attacks, the survivors have all sworn that it was Goblin attackers at both incidents, normally this would be unbelievable, but the emergence of Mavrath a Sorcerer who can command Goblins has surely given evidence to their claims." Lifting his serious expression as he gazes directly at both their faces as if inspecting there very features, he waits patiently for their reply.
Orpheus crosses his arms as he shifts his gaze to Susanna, watching her inspect the map, he smiles softly as a small semblance of pride seeps out from his calm expression. Still gazing at the map with complete and utter fascination, Susanna lifts her gaze once more and speaks. "Really, then when did these two incidents occur?" She draws a line with her right index finger from the route to the Atrasal Society and the province of Sparrington, before rising to a straight posture.
Williams's eyes widen at her second question before his irises flicker to the top right corner, after a few seconds of thought he answers her question calmly. "I believe both happened roughly a week ago." Answering calmly, he reasserts his gaze back towards Susanna and waits for her reply.
After his reply she immediately sighs while furrowing her eyebrows as if disappointed, she then quickly smiles before opening her mouth to speak. "These raids occurred before Mavrath's attack on Carningsby, these previous raids were most likely his initial attacks." Tapping her fingers on the map she continues with her explanation. "After his army's defeat, their remnants either acted on their own or his forces are still being commanded, perhaps the five hundred does not comprise his entire army." Stating firmly, she gazes towards William and then back at Orpheus before leaving her head downwards towards the map.
Looking back at Susanna with a nervous expression, William finally calms down and lets out a refreshing sigh before stating. "I agree with your astute observation, this Mavrath is a threat to this great Kingdom." With his proud voice, he stands up straight as the patriotism emanates from his stern posture. William then turns to Orpheus and strikes up a conversation with a serious expression as his facial features tense. "Sir Orpheus can you please tell me everything you can about this Mavrath?"
Orpheus paused for a moment as a thin smile appeared on his face as if anticipating this very question, he quickly eradicates this jovial sensation and sports a calm manner before answering. "Well, I first became aware of him in the Dread Forest." Placing his right index finger upon the area on the map depicting a large woodland area to the north of the Theavalon Kingdom. Both Susanna and William lean forward to inspect his action as he continues. "I went to the forest after taking a guild job to deal with some goblins stirring up trouble, when I found some of them, they began preaching about their Lord Mavrath." Lifting his finger from the map he looks directly at William before speaking more upon this topic. "After interrogating them I discovered the movements of a large goblin force heading towards Carningsby, I tried to reach the town to warn them, but I was too late and I believe you know the rest."
Witnessing Orpheus lower his head in a slight dip, William immediately states with a bold and sure of himself type manner. "What you did is nothing to scoff at, you are a true hero, this country owes you such a debt, it is an honour to have you as my guest." All present smile sincerely at his kind words creating an easy-going atmosphere putting everyone present at ease. With a sudden mood, William gestures his right hand forward and bows his head slightly forward before making a request. "With that in mind, I would be honoured to invite you to lunch with me."
Both Orpheus and Susanna turn to each other and linger their gazes before turning back with smiling and warm expressions as Orpheus answers. "Thank you, we would be delighted."