Try to charm the count and his entourage

A well-appointed hall, sometimes used for events or feasts, takes up the second floor of the Crooked Tower (so named because it was very gradually sinking into the marshy ground and had been 'bent' upwards halfway through its construction to try and compensate). The atmosphere as you, Count Lamar, and his knights sit and await the results of Marzena's "search" is extremely tense and uncomfortable.

You make the first move, leaning forward and smiling pleasantly, letting the metal ring holding together the short braid at the end of your long straight hair to drape over your left shoulder a bit, drawing attention down towards your plunging neckline. "Since this may take some time I would be remiss if I did not offer you... and those pledged to you... the tower's hospitality in the meantime. There are good reasons so many travelers, especially those of noble blood, pass through my lovely county." you say, adding a hint of a double entendre to your words.

A couple of the knights look at their lord expectantly, clearly intrigued.

Count Lamar is a bit on the short and scrawny side, and has a nebbish air about him. He was older than you but not by much, still in the latter part of his youth. Still, he'd shown some impressive competence tracking down this witch friend of Marzena's so long a way. He gave you a disapproving look, an expression that was all but permanently etched on his face. "You trust witches to serve your food? That strikes me as terribly imprudent. I think I shall have more of an interest in food and rest once the fugitive has been clapped in irons."

You smile nervously, and throw a glance at a few of his entourage that promises much. Fortunately, just then Johari arrives, bowing respectfully to the Count (she knew to swallow her pride when dealing with other nobles.

"Greetings my lord," the prim black-clad necromantrix says, bowing politely to him. "A moment of your time - this is important for our county's reputation and adherence to longstanding treaties. While the person you are seeking is readied to be brought before you, I'd like to ask you a few questions so we can prepare an accommodation to your liking, for both you and your direct vassals. You are a direct vassal of the King, if I am not mistaken, which means that you ever so slightly outrank Countess Zoe there, at least as far as the laws are concerned. That means we'll provide you the most luxurious room we can free up in the town inn or in the Countess's estate as you prefer - though the latter is much better furnished. And, of course, you may exercise your other rights..."

"I am a married man, you realize." Count Lamar said bluntly. "Do keep that in mind with whatever you are driving at with this."

One of the knights began fidgeting and coughing with frustration. He stepped forward and spoke. "Forgive me, my liege, but might I at least ask a question just for curiosity's sake?" Lamar nodded, looking a little curious despite himself.

"Is it true that members of the King's Own and those who are direct vassals of the King, such as, for example, a baron in the Crownlands such as myself - name's Sir Giles, by the way - are entitled to bed any woman in this county?"

"No," Johari replied matter-of-factly. "You are misinformed on two counts."

They looked disappointed, until she continued, and their lecherous curiosity returned; "The right of prostration, which I believe you are referring to," she said, adjusting her glasses, "only allows such nobles as yourself and your count to request sexual hospitality from those between the ages of 18 and 60 years, and who are in good physical and mental health. Any measurable harm or **** to the Countess's subjects would, of course, be punished. Secondly," Johari continued in a flawlessly academic tone, "the agreement does not mention 'women', only 'subjects'. Prostration has been invoked upon men in Undrek more often than I think you'd expect."

"I suspect that wasn't what you were driving at, however." Johari said with a smug little chuckle and a flutter of her eyes at the knights.

"Indeed, miss..." a different knight said, taking a step closer to her too. "I think neither of those clarifications you enlightened us of will be a problem for me or my fellows here. Just as an example... could I strip your dress off and bed you right here?" He advanced on her, flexing his hands.

"I'd rather you didn't." Johari said, smiling nervously and trying to play it off casually. "I have many responsibilities this eve, so I hope that is a rhetorical question. But yes, you could."

"And... and he would be allowed to do anything with you? Within the confines of sex, of course..?" Sir Giles said, starting to unconsciously bounce on his heels with excitement. Instead of Johari, he seemed to be looking quite intently at you.

You crossed your arms and gave the knight a challenging look, cocking your head to the side and raising an eyebrow. "My, but you are getting ideas, aren't you sir knight? I think perhaps I should remind you that while this right does apply to the reigning Countess - me - as well, it does not change the expectations of etiquette. Invoking such a right upon me and overriding any objections I might have is quite an insult, and it could get you banished from the town or worse. You wouldn't get drunk and throw a punch at a duke in his own feasthall, would you?"

The knights spent the next half hour chatting among themselves, while the Count remained impassive. They ate the expensive and luxurious turtle soup and fresh loaves of bread that your servants brought in, though Lamar did not.

Eventually, with a cup of wine in him, Sir Giles grabbed his liege's shoulder and begged him loud enough for most of the room to hear; "Please Count, please! You said you intended to expand my landholdings as a reward for apprehending that bandit? This is what I want instead! Give us, your humble servants, your blessing and your leave to take some of these ladies to bed. We've been carrying so much... stress, in all these cold and lonely weeks on the road.

Lamar shrugged, seeing that all six of his vassals were eyeing him with a tense hope in their eyes. "Very well," he sighed. "But only three at a time - I want enough men ready to give chase to the diabolist if she tries to flee."

Sir Giles glanced over at Johari, who had tried to discretely slip out of the room but was grabbed around the waist by that knight who'd showed an interest in her before first, and then took a few steps towards you, clearly weighing his chances and considering the odds. Though it would be better for Lamar himself to show an interest, this Crownlands baron was better than nothing if that's what it came down to for leverage.

"Perhaps a compromise?" you said, standing up with a swish of your cape and slitted white dress. "Why don't I take Sir Giles and his other... unoccupied friend... up to the higher levels of the tower. There perhaps we can find them some good company, and one never knows - perhaps they can help keep an eye out for this criminal you are hunting."

They followed - and Sir Giles was following you very closely indeed. He was about the lowest-ranked noble, aside from a common soldier in the King's Own, who could theoretically demand your 'company'. Your mother, scheming as always, had taught you that it was the Dukes of the land you should seek to captivate, given the opportunity. But a knight was young, strong and handsome, unlike most of the dukes you knew. Lamar Loon might be useful, but he was no prize himself, and didn't seem interested in you regardless.

In any case, no one but Giles and this one other knight needed suspect a thing. Perhaps if you were to make friends with Giles then he and the other vassals could pressure Count Lamar to let this Flora person go free? No count wanted to face a potential rebellion by his underlings. Of course, you could always just fob him off on someone else and go seek out Marzena immediately instead to see if her divinations had borne any fruit.