Introduction to Aeson

The elf sitting across from you, the only non-human at the table, as always was trying very hard to look mysterious and impressive while putting up a front of cool indifference as if he wasn't trying at all. Captain Aeson was his name, and he found a new languid pose to slouch into every time he sat down - you never once had seen him use a chair the way it was intended.

Right now he had it turned sideways to the table and was leaning forward to rest his chin on one hand, elbow shoving his uneaten breakfast to the side. His flowing blonde hair and delicate features gave him an almost androgynous appearance that some found charming but others were unsettled by. Every season he had a new flatteringly tailored suit of custom leather armor - currently he was in a bit of a 'bad boy' phase and it was black and riveted together with silver studs.

Captain Aeson was a sell-sword who'd been on the retainer of the Countess of Undrek for so long that he was practically an honorary baron. Indeed, he had an actual fighting **** worthy of the name under him, which was more than the other subordinate nobles under you could say. He'd been a trusted confidante of your mother - and nothing more, or so you fervently hoped.

Aeson's company, the Brown Marmots, was the closest thing the county of Undrek had to a standing army. The hundred or so members of said company, mostly elves and humans from Gaelica, were not particularly known for their bravery or skill, but rather, were famous for always knowing how to pick the winning side. Though you were sure he knew how to fight - he'd been doing this for at least 50 years, after all, meeting your mother when she was your age - Aeson was less interested in going on long, muddy, bloody campaigns or besieging castles, and more interested in the salons-and-gossip side of military strategy.

Of course that wasn't the only reason you kept him around, you noted with a smirk as you addressed him. "It seems Aeson is playing at being king again," you teased, "so let us indulge him. More about Duke Magus's troubles, I hope?" One of your favorite idle fantasies was somehow taking advantage of a convenient power vacuum and climbing to the position of Duchess.

"Ah, no, we are still awaiting word from my scouts about if the Duke's forces will be brought to battle in the Frostpeaks proper." Aeson said. "For the record, I still think the previous countess ought to have been a bit bolder in adding kindling to that fire. Sending trained goblin advisors was a good start, but I feel that the matter would have already been a fait accompli if the Brown Marmots had been allowed to go the extra mile, as it were, and start delivering the goblins proper armor and steel arms. Even worked bronze would've been an improvement - that wouldn't be too suspicious for goblins to suddenly possess, would it? Ah, but we've already fought that particular battle, so allow me to look forward..."

He reached forward and placed his hand tantalizingly near yours as he gave you a winning smile. "You know the whisperings about your fellow vassal, Count Mace of Aldergrove, that I had briefly mentioned? Well - that particular seed of rumor has blossomed into a beautiful flower of a valuable fact: Aldergrove is secretly amassing a **** of mercenaries from across the seas. It's possible it is to chase down someone who bedded his sister - she's quite the easy lay, my man also reported - but more likely it is a vote of no confidence in King Bryce. Preparation for a power struggle if he chooses a queen poorly or immediately begets a whole crop of bastards."

"OR," the severe black-clad woman to your right interjects, "Undrek's incessant encouragement of the worst tendencies of southern Itheria's goblin population has convinced Aldergrove that they're in danger of an imminent attack and the mercenaries have been brought in to deal with the problem that you've nurtured, Aeson."

The elf chuckled musically and fluttered his eyes at her. "I did not mention that possibility because I knew you would gain so very much pleasure from pointing it out yourself, my beauty."

Of course, Aeson being one of your subordinates and advisors had other advantages. He was a practiced charmer of women from all over the known world, and he was a convincing enough actor to adjust his persona to appeal to whomever he was with at the time. He could be a gentle, poetic soul or a calloused and confident warlord. Quite bluntly, he was useful as a piece of eye-candy to influence or distract other noblewomen you had dealings with. Your mother had warned you at length to keep him at arms length and not let him get too close to you, for Aeson was an ambitious elf and he'd gladly manipulate you too given the chance. Then she'd caught herself and said something very self-aware about the futility of mothers telling their daughters to beware of dangerous men and resorted to blackmailing Aeson instead.

Your other advisor cleared her throat and called attention to herself. "I have my own thoughts on that, but the matters that you need to discuss with the visitors arriving in Undrek this eve are more urgent. To be blunt, Countess, you should keep Marzena and Aeson on a rather short leash. It would be terrible if a chance at rapproachment was squandered before we could not only secure some badly needed trade agreements but finally start achieving respectability and understanding of our order's philosophies."

Restraining yourself, you bit down on a sigh as you turned to face her. Necromancers loved to go into topics in such excruciating detail, you resolved to cut her short when need be...