Diplomats For A Day

[Vortigern]

-------Well this was just wonderful. Positively brilliant. This was the best idea his father had since he decided to lower the people's taxes. Nothing but bitterness and sarcasm filled the prince's thoughts. This was ridiculous. He could not believe his father was sending him to Lothian, before anything had even happened. It was widely recognized that there was tension building between the two kingdoms, but that was what Vortigern had been hoping for. Hell, he would have even found a way to administer the first attack to poke and provoke the Lothian royal family. Vortigern wanted a war! And now with this whole arrangement, it was diminishing that very possibility. He had no choice but to comply with the king, his father's commands, but one day when Vortigern took the throne, he would make sure he re-evaluated their allies. Perhaps even go as far as to dishonor this very peace treaty he was being sent to sign. But that was all in due time. For now, he would have to suck it up, put on a happy face, and pretend like he wanted peace for Sorelia and Lothian.

-------But it was not only these thoughts of peace treaties that his father had sent him for. Every word of the conversation as it replayed in his head, made the young prince cringe. "It would be an excellent way to solidify the peace." His father had told him. "Please father. I would much prefer to make this visit as short as possible." "You will have to marry eventually my son. And he has four daughters. Discover which are not committed to another and choose one of your liking." Vortigern's expression had been one of disgust. Not because he knew the women, but because he didn't want to know them. "I doubt any of them will be to my liking." Yes. Vortigern had high standards when it came to his future wife. And now the fact that his father had been insistent on him to explore this possibility, made Vortigern dread this trip even more.

-------But alas. Here he was. Moving towards the gates of the castle. He had his large army of escorts and councilmen behind and in front of him. Vortigern was void of any armor. Instead, he wore an attire with silver work, and highly expensive black material. Yes; black. A color of mourning. How appropriate he thought to himself. Or he could just make up another excuse and say that black was a color of sophistication; slimming. He pulled his mind out of thoughts of what he was clad in and looked towards the gates, slowly pulling his horse to a halt. He dismounted and barley watched one of the servants take the reigns and lead his horse elsewhere. The knight who greeted them told him that they were waiting for his arrival in the grand hall. Vortigern said nothing, and just silently followed. He had to put on his respectful face. A subtle smile, a proud stride, and could do nothing but endure his time here; until his visit to hell came at an end.

-------He didn't bother looking around at the intricacies of the castle and he walked through it. He just quietly followed their guide, his line of knights and nobles behind him. When they reached the doors, the Lothian man entered first and as soon as Vortigern heard his name announced, he entered, his gaze focused on the king and his son. "King Lot," he greeted in a formal voice, as he lowered his head in a respectful bow. "Prince Viktor," he also acknowledged. He might as well. His father had told him to be as respectful as possible. He had come here as the sole representative of the royal family of Soleria; he had to make a good impression, for now. When Vortigern was king, everything would be different. He anticipated that his meeting with King Lot and his son would be of a very different pace and mood. However for now, this is what it was, and for now, he had to honor that...unfortunately.

Tag: Prince Viktor Lot

[Ḻℴт]

This was the part of politics that Lot wasn't as fond of. Once this man was the son of the his kingdom's foe. How he walked it's halls as if he was always a friend. Granted there was nothing personal between the men--no deep reason for Lot to hate him--but nor was there a reason as of yet to like him. It was this unknown that displeased the prince. He liked to know a man's character and nature before inviting him to dine at his table. He knew nothing of this prince's anything other then his father's politics. "Prince Vortigern," Lot greeted with a regal nod of his head. His father did the same before dismissing himself to attend 'more pressing matters.'

Lot took a few slow and calculated steps toward Vortigern before coming to stand a few feet before him. He had donned a causal attire for the mornings greetings; pant pants and a white shirt with his large over coat that fell to the ground with out sweeping it. "Welcome to Lothian. I trust your travels were undisturbed." Meaning no villains meet him along the road to slow his travels with the goal of making quick coin. Lot cared not if his travels for of comfort or not.

[Vortigern]

-------Vortigern looked a the man. Silently judging him. From the way he carried himself to the tone of voice he spoke to him in. His father's words kept ringing in his head: "Be respectful; be courteous; be polite." Vortigern was not known for any of these traits in Soleria, but he would have to play this more, amicable side of him. If such a word could ever be used to describe the young prince. He wanted to ask to meet Viktor's sisters, have them lined up, pick one or determine that he disliked them, and then move past that part of his reason for being here. But even Vortigern knew that this was a bit too direct. And he was well aware of how much King Gildas would disapprove of such haste.

-------Did he have good travels? No. It was long, boring, and he did not want to be here. "Yes. It was quite uneventful," he replied politely, making that sound like a good thing. He wished he'd been attacked by Lothians. It would have been a just cause for war! "It was gracious of your father to extend an invitation for me to come. My father sends his regards and regrets in his inability to be present." When all else fails, talk about his father. For those words came with great ease, as they were not ones of falsehood. Everything else that Vorigern said to Lot, was questionable.