Send a Royal Commission under Count Holly

Count Holly, or Holly Silvertongue, as he was known, is at Court, so it's easy to arrange for him to join your Council to plan his trip as Royal Commissioner to the northeastern marches. A handsome man in his fifties, well-spoken, and often called upon by your former regent Lord Gilbert to smooth over matters when needful. His own island domain mostly runs itself, so aside from the rare calls of duty and ceremony, Count Holly is usually at Itheria's capital seeking refined amusements or attending Court. Count Holly owes his position and his very life to your father's protection and patronage, and since that time he's made himself conspicuously useful to the Crown whenever needed.

The Count seems less than enthusiastic at a trip to the wilder fringes of Itheria, but he agrees with grace. "Some fresh air, some riding, and a change of pace are welcome," he says.

The Count reviews his letters of commission, asks questions about the limits of his discretion, and nods. "I see your Chancellor's hand here."

Lord Garret says, "Right. You're the Friendly Watchman here, you want to hear their story and get it right. I'm the Angry Watchman, who they'll have to answer to if it comes to anything." Your Marshal looks to you. "Your majesty."

You nod assent. "It's unusual that the bunch of them are absent, but it may not be a matter vital to the kingdom. And as Lord Garret said..." you nod to him.

"Pack of useless hedge-lords, without Duke Hightree," Lord Garret says. "We need to take their measure, more than hammer them, unless they're in active revolt or treason, or completely derelict of their keeping of the borders."

Count Holly nods. "News from the borders, stories from the Forest, rumors from the elves. Fresh faces. Fresh young faces." Holly inclines his head. "The duchy is vacant?"

"Ruined, belike," Lord Garret says. "We've a garrison at the old ducal castle, but the domain is lordless, near lawless. Any new Duke will find his work cut out for him. And so the counts and barons squabble and posture."

You say, "And find reasons they can't come to swear to me. Two Counts, three Barons."

The Count strokes his chin. "Your majesty, it would seem to me that they would swear through Duke Hightree, were his seat occupied?"

You look to the recording secretary, who is a herald and knows precedence. "Lady Annette?"

"Yes, your majesty," she says. "The Counts and the Barons would swear through Hightree, were it occupied. The Duke's coronet fallen, they must needs swear to the Crown." Recently created a dame, for her amiability and patience as your tutor in history and heraldry, you're pleased Annette can serve you now that you're King.

Her eyes look to you, to Lord Garret and Count Holly.

"Lady Annette, did you have something else?" you say.

"Hightree has an heir," she says.

Lord Garret raises his eyebrows. "An heir to Hightree could help rally the border lords," he says. "If, that is, their problem is mere disaffection and distance."

Count Holly adds. "And if the lad is well-spoken, clean-limbed and favors the old Duke. The heir's a lad, is he not? Of age?"

"Yes, what manner of heir does Hightree have?" you ask. "And would it be suitable for the heir to accompany the commission?"

• Send Count Holly and the royal commission. Don't complicate things.
• Find out more about the heir and decide whether or not to send them.
• Something else?