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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 18, 2012 18:10:55 GMT
Home of King Hoel. The castle is tall with rounded towers and conical roofs.
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Jun 20, 2012 12:43:15 GMT
King Mark and his entourage arrive at King Hoel's castle of Kemper. Mark's standard bearer flies the standard of Cornwall three gold lions heads on a field of red.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 20, 2012 13:06:59 GMT
Since Mark is known to King Hoel, the guards recognise the standard and show him in at once, where he is met by the King's steward, a portly man with greying hair, dressed in the King's colours.
"Your Grace," he says. "I will have the best guest chamber prepared for you. Would you like to rest or shall I ask if the King will see you now?"
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Jun 24, 2012 10:47:07 GMT
"There's no time like the present." declared Mark. "I am most anxious to meet King Hoel."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 24, 2012 13:19:50 GMT
"One moment, my lord."
The steward disappears for a moment then, when he reappears, escorts Mark to the king's solar. Hoel is a broad man in his forties. Age has started to take its toll upon him with a receding hairline and a developing paunch. And yet his expression is warm as he looks upon Mark.
"Greetings, old friend," he says from his ornate, thronelike chair. "Please have a seat."
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Jun 27, 2012 4:21:19 GMT
Mark took a seat and smiled at King Hoel.
"It has been some years since we have been in each other's presence. You look well. I trust Queen Alma is also well. My informants tell me you have five children...four strong sons and a daughter. The eldest is....now let me think... Thierry? And your daughter is.....Isolde?"
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 12:57:03 GMT
King Hoel nodded.
"The queen is well, and the children also. Thank you for asking after them. I have been blessed with my children, it is true. You are correct, Isolde is my beloved daughter. A beautiful girl. I did not know you kept so well abreast of my family's doings."
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Jun 28, 2012 5:00:29 GMT
"I make it my business to know everything I can." replied Mark. "Especially those I consider my friends and allies."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 28, 2012 12:30:47 GMT
"That is most dutiful of you," Hoel observed. "But I am sure this is no mere social visit. We kings have little time for such matters. Here, take a drink and tell me why you are here."
A servant came forward offering ale, wine and mead.
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Jul 3, 2012 8:28:00 GMT
"I came to discuss a marital alliance between our two houses." replied Mark. "It seems to me that that Cornwall and Brittany should be good friends and allies against our respective enemies. The Irish plague me and I have heard that the Franks plague your eastern borders."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jul 3, 2012 18:03:37 GMT
"So they do," Hoel agreed. "I have tried to seek peace with them, of course, but they are not willing to listen to reason. So I must continue to fight them. I am happy to consider an alliance between our houses, certainly. You may be right that we can aid one another. But tell me more of your proposal, if you will. And what of Arthur Pendragon, have you not approached him for aid against the Irish?"
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Jul 5, 2012 23:16:15 GMT
"Arthur is busy with other matters concerning the realm." replied Mark. "He is my liege, but I prefer to exhaust all other options before I ask him."
He twirled the goblet between his fingers. "In any case, often the best form of defence is attack and Arthur would be unlikely to countenance an attack on the Irish over the western sea, especially as the Saxons to the east threaten him."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jul 5, 2012 23:27:48 GMT
"AH yes. That is a fair point," Hoel agreed. "However, I am less sure that attack is the best defence. For myself, I would prefer to be the one defending. If we attack, it will be seen as a declaration of war. If they attack, they are in the wrong."
He took a drink.
"Do you intend a conquest of Ireland then?"
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Post by King Mark of Cornwall on Jul 5, 2012 23:31:40 GMT
Mark shook his head.
"No. What I intend is to end the Irish threat to Cornwall. And I'm willing to make it known far and wide that Cornwall and Brittany stand together in defending our lands against incursions whether that be the Irish or the Franks."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jul 5, 2012 23:39:45 GMT
"I see. Well, you have my support, but I am a cautious man, Mark. I do not seek to do violence upon my fellow man, only to defend what is mine. So, it will be raids along the coast, then?"
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