Have a Talk

"You've heard of me, Almain?" Miguel smirks as he seats back with his tankard in hand.

You give one nod to him, "Indeed, you fight good and you lead men into battle and into victory. A general in the army of the Kingdom of Asturias!" You boast loud and proud. But then you grew a little silent, "Unless I am mistaken and you are not that man," Then you boast again, "at which I will have to rescind these mugs of ale!"

Miguel snickered, "Oh my good man, you have the right man." He stopped laughing, "I just did not expect an Almain would know of me. What gave it away?" You explain it was there looks, the language spoke while they were by themselves and the crests they bore. You're Iberian is pretty rusty but so was Miguel's Almain but you understood each other just fine.

Now time to perhaps extract some information from this man. "So what brings up and such fine gentlemen into Toscana? The beautiful beaches, the Godsend women or is it a simple adventure between friends?"

"If only either of those were the case." Miguel sadly shakes his head.

"We were on a diplomatic mission sent by the King of Asturias himself." One of Miguel's men said. Miguel mildly pushes the man by his upper arm to get him to stay quiet. "He is correct," Miguel verifies his man's words, "I was sent here to try and secure a marriage between myself and the Duchess of Toscana." He takes a large gulp of his ale, "As was several other men of noble rank."

You feign a level of ignorance, "Yes, I heard of that. But I never bothered figuring out who all those foreigners were and why they travel here."

"Aren't you a foreigner too?" One of the men shoots back at you.

"Indeed I am but foreigners being seen by foreigners in a foreign land are still foreigners. Never claimed to be a local." You take a drink as well.

"Ha!" Miguel quickly lets out, "Fine choice of words. So what are you doing here? Only fair you tell us since we told you."

"I'm here to see the wonder of Toscana." The words roll off your tongue so smoothly. "Who knows maybe I'll find myself a good woman here to marry."

Miguel raises his mug to you, "And good luck to you, my friend." You tap your mug to his, "Thank you." You both drink the down your respective mugs. You weren't use to drinking such liquids so you determine not to do such a thing in the next moments. "So I take it you didn't get the marriage you sought?"

"Sadly, no." You looks downcast, "The Duchess proved to be a creature who is hard to impress."

"That there is an understatement, Senor Miguel." says another of his men, "The Duchess made our brave commander here do some rather questionable tasks. At first, it was some kind of test of chastity. Miguel passed with flying colors. He still has his cherry un-popped." That cause the rest of the men to laugh. But you resisted and Miguel wasn't happy. "I am a religious man." The Moorslayer says.

Miguel goes on the explain the other tasks the Duchess made them go through. The Duchess had made it clear to them from the start and at the beginning to each task that they were welcome to refuse and leave anytime they wished. The number of noblemen who came in the hopes of marrying Duchess Eliza left essentially empty handed. Miguel was no different. He and his men would leave in a few days. They weren't to eager to travel through Frankia and were waiting for a ship to take them back straight to Asturian lands.

"But we're proud of him" One of the men slapped Miguel's back. "He lasted longer than most of those so-called noblemen. It was only at the fifth trial where he had **** but to back down. Damn that Duchess!

"I hear that," spats another man, "She treated them like they weren't even worth a second of her time. Dismissing them, condescending them, coldly responds when politely greeted. Doesn't even take the effort of being courteous enough to meet her guest when they arrive. Then she has the gall to make them do such humiliating things." He spats. You take note of everything he says.

Miguel quickly silenced his man, "Easy now. Her maltreatment of me and those other men are true but we are still in the Duchess's land. Such words could be considered as a threat to the Duchess."

"Forgive me, Sir. The ale has loosen my tongue." The man slumps down into his seat.

"If you don't mind me asking, Moorslayer-"

"Please call me Miguel." The Iberian hero insists.

"Very well, Miguel then. What is her fifth trial? The first to fourth were chastity, humility, cleverness and strength." Miguel answers you with one word, "Courage." You dawn a bewildered look. That doesn't sound too terrible. But Miguel soon adds, "She had this pool crafted by the sea. We had to swim and stay in it for half an hour. What made it such a challenge is that she filled it with poisonous sea snakes! I was not about to risk my life for such a thing! Never!" He snarls. It is actually the first time you've seen him dawn an angered look while you were talking.

"Sorry to hear that." You say sincerely. "Another round for these gentlemen!" You order the tavern maid. "If you men are ever in Ostgrenze, go to the King's castle. I work there." You say specifically to Miguel and you add, "You are an okay man, Miguel. Not what I had expected from the Moorslayer. I am glad all those battles have not soured you."

"I thank the Almighty in Heaven that I have retained my cheery nature." You both give each a nod in respect and in farewell.

You and your men leave the tavern and you rendezvous with the rest of your soldiers at the gate of the Eliza's castle.