>Sir Robert Gilbern, the calculating Second Herald of the Ordo Reginate<span class="mu-s">Sendag, 14th Day of Bacrimun, 883 A.C.E., Afternoon – Port Bounty</span>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMbbbopeVfc – Queensmen theme (kudos to the anon that remembered)Sir Robert Gilbern was tired. The black sheep of the powerful House Pascae and Second Herald to Her Majesty the Queen had seldom experienced such sleepless nights throughout his years of intrigue both at Court and abroad. He regarded his fellow Heralds seated around the table in this cloistered sideroom with patient, albeit slightly sunken, eyes.
<span class="mu-i">“I have spoken with specialists in this area, lawyers and academics of the like. Bookish men but experts on such legal quandaries as this. They have advised that the privileges awarded to our Order under Church Law grant us extensive exemptions to the rule of law both domestic and country-wide across Cantôn. However, it does not go so far as to granting us explicit authority over other Church organisations.”</span> Sir Gilbern paused at the snort of derision from Sir Montesquieu, First Herald and most favoured of the Queen. While Sir Gilbern understood him as a creature, a man that would rarely opt for subtlety where brutal simplicity might suffice, his position as first among equals in the Queen’s Heralds did sometimes give Sir Gilbern pause. Doubtless the Queen understood a man like Montesquieu was sometimes what the realm needed. It was hardly as though Sir Gilbern’s own hands were without blemish, that they were measures of last resort afforded scant exoneration. Sir Gilbern continued. <span class="mu-i">“The Praetors themselves have no hold over us, except in the most specific of circumstances. But, alas, we ourselves have no legal authority to demand Primus Holt turn over the investigation and its findings thus far to us. Even a writ from the Queen purporting to authorise as much would be bogged down in this Duchy’s legal system, perhaps for years if our opponents were to fund it’s opposition. Which they would be mad not to.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“Damn this. That foppish ninny of a Duke has been content to play coy with his allegiances for years now. At least this will get him off his cushioned arse.”</span> Sir Montesquieu's distaste for the Duke Pascae and his preferences was well known among the Heralds, although he was nothing but the friendliest of friends when meeting the nobleman in person. <span class="mu-i">“This disruption of the local power base could serve us still. Taking over the investigation would have let us root out the disloyal as we see fit, and position our own supporters in the Duke’s circle accordingly. Now… Might as well predict where a leaf will fall in a maelstrom. And the fool knight who helped start this whole mess… He’s long gone, is he?”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“Cathagi. On pilgrimage, in fact.”</span> Sir Gilbern keeps his voice carefully neutral. It never served to let personal feelings leak out in these discussions.
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