An Audience with Duke Barnabas

From the outside the mansion was impressive, immense and thoroughly imposing. From the inside it was all that and much, much more. The Duchy of Collins was the most powerful of Allaria's Dukedoms and there was no better symbol of this then the Great House. And Lady Rowena, born and raised within the grand environs of Bannock though she was, could not help but feel intimidated, even dwarfed, by the wealth that now surrounded her. But the grand staircases and marble floors and mahogany ballrooms also filled her with a feeling of bitterness. It was not base avarice or envy though that filled her heart, however much she desired all of the fine things that she saw, but rather it was a clear understanding of what all this wealth truly signified.

Power and strength.

And that was why she was bitter; the grand displays of the strength and power of the House Collins only served to remind her of how weak and impotent the House D'Honaire had become.

These feelings though were put in check as Rowena strode down the halls of the Great House on her way to her audience with Duke Barnabas. She could ill afford to look troubled or weak in front of the Duke. She had to be strong, and now more than ever considering how precarious her position within the Kingdom was.

But as she turned into the main hall of the Great House her resolve suddenly faltered and she was beset once more by her doubts and her gloom. For it was within this long and majestic hall that the huge, gilded portraits of the Family Collins were hung. These were the images of the scions of the first Duke Collins, and through the years many heirs had been born to him. It was a long history that the Great House celebrated. And the sight of these triumphal paintings, more than anything else in the house, most poignantly reminded her of what her own House was not. In the Chamber of the Duke at Bannock there were but two paintings which hung from the wall; one of her father, Charles, and the other of her mother, Morgwen. Rowena could not help but wonder if the portraits of any future D'Honaires would ever hang upon those walls.

Her melancholy lasted but a moment though and then her demeanor changed into one of steely determination. "I will not fail my family" she whispered to herself, "Your House will live on, father." And with that she abruptly left the hall and hurried on to the Duke.

When the servant admitted her into the Duke's chamber, she found Barnabas sitting behind his large desk waiting for her. He smiled pleasantly as he rose from his seat. "Good morn, Lady D'Honaire." Rowena curtsied, "And to you, milord." Taking her place before the large oaken desk she noted the many papers, reports and maps arranged upon it. Barnabas' responsibilities were many and diverse, and the current Hespan affair obviously only added to his duties. Rowena recognized that Barnabas had many concerns and that she was but one of them and, perhaps, the least important. This did not sit well with her. Barnabas' support would do much in aiding her cause of keeping Suffex in her family's hands. She had attempted to enlist his aid the night before, but Barnabas hadn't seemed interested and had moved on to other subjects. At the time she hadn't pressed the issue. Today would be different.

"So, are you ready to meet with what is left of the people of Smuggler's Cove?" Barnabas asked her. "Yes, milord," Rowena answered. The Duke then slid a folded letter across the table toward her. "A carriage waits outside, it will take you to Collinsport," he told her. "Give this letter to the Portmaster. You will be able to speak with anyone you wish."

Rowena thanked the Duke and took the letter. "Your assistance in this matter is most appreciated, Duke Collins," she said. "It is but a small thing," Barnabas replied. Rowena gave a small shrug, "Still, it is a good thing and I would hope that in the future we can assist each other on even greater things, milord." A light smile played upon Rowena's lips but her eyes were keen and serious.

Barnabas regarded those eyes for a moment and then said, "Lady D'Honaire, you speak of Suffex, do you not? You seek my support then?" This was the moment that Rowena had been waiting for. Leaning in close she said, "Yes." In contrast to the restrained excitement of Rowena's answer, Barnabas' response was calm and unemotional. "Well milady, you have come late in the day. Too late. I will not waste words with you on this matter, my decision is simple. I will not help you. If you are to keep Bannock as your seat then you will have to do it on your own."

The Duke's response and the candor with which he gave it to her shocked Rowena. She had come here expecting to make a deal. She had come here expecting the Duke to listen to her and then to set his terms. She had not expected Duke Barnabas to simply dismiss her proposal without even hearing it. And that was simply not acceptable to Rowena.

"I did not come here to be treated like some beggar supplicant!" Rowena exclaimed, barely hiding her anger. "I am the daughter of a Noble House and I shall be given my due." The Duke's face darkened but he did not raise his voice as he replied, "Daughter of a Duke you may be but the Duke is dead and it seems to me that his House is on the brink of ruin. As I said, you have come late in the day. Perhaps if you had approached me earlier..."

Rowena stared at the Duke and fought to steady herself, to reign in her temper. Offending Barnabas was the last thing she could afford to do and dukes were offended most by a disregard for their station and authority. He was her superior and she could not forget that. But she would not stop pressing for her cause either. "I am here now, milord," she said, her voice calm once more. "And I do not come empty handed. Certainly you know that the House D'Honaire is not without merit or resource. And an alliance between our two families would benefit us both."

"Would it?" Barnabas cocked his brow. "Should I ally my House with Duke Fareth as well? The Duchy of Anfang was stripped from his family long ago, it is simply a matter of time until his title is stripped as well. It would seem that the same fate awaits you. And I must wonder if that is such a bad thing. Perhaps your family is better off losing the Dukedom and returning to the simple fief from which it came. Waldryn Keep, was that not your family's home before Duke Charles rose to his prominence? Why don't you return there, life will be easier for you." Barnabas paused and then added, "It is said by some that it was only a fluke that brought your family to Bannock, that this boon raised your family above its true station. And certainly events since have not persuaded many people to change their minds about that. Perhaps your House was not meant for such greatness."

Rowena's face flushed and she rose from her chair, her self-restraint suddenly forgotten. "How dare you! My father was the one of the greatest heroes that the Kingdom has ever known! And my family has served Allaria faithfully and bravely for as many generations as has yours! And even now, even as we speak, my brother hunts down a foul beast which is a greater threat to the Kingdom then all of the armadas of Hespan! And you have the audacity to question my family's worthiness!?"

"SILENCE!" Barnabas ordered, slamming his fists against the tabletop. "You overstep your bounds Lady Rowena!" Rowena glared at the man but then composed herself and returned to her seat. But she sat stiffly and defiantly. "I knew your father when he was alive," Barnabas spoke after a moment. "Do not think for an instant that I would belittle him. He was a mighty man and mighty were his deeds. Let me tell you something of your father. The Shreken Mountains have ever been a place of dark things and danger. And when your father became Duke of Suffex, instead of ruling his lands from the comfort and safety of his castle, he sought these dark things out and he subdued them. That took much bravery and the bards still sing of his courage. But there came a day when he encountered something that even he trembled at; the Dragon. But he did not let his fear overtake him. Rather, he returned to us with his tale and raised a force with which to slay the vile monster. Oh, what a glorious day when those men set out for the Dragon's caves. Who could have believed how much sorrow would come of it. For almost none of the men returned home alive. It was a bloody massacre. I should know, for I was there."

Rowena was visibly surprised at the Duke's last statement. While she knew the general story of her father's battle against the Dragon she did not know the details. She had never traveled much from Bannock and in her city no one ever spoke of Duke Charles' final journey into the Shreken.

Barnabas' countenance softened and he said, almost chidingly, "Do not think that courage is the sole province of the D'Honaire Family. But, however brave we were, we were still powerless to stop the creature. And then your father came up with a most daring plan, although a most perilous one. It's success depended on the hope that where an army had failed a single man might prevail. All alone he returned to those evil caves and the rest of us perforce had to wait. And while we waited we wondered if Duke Charles would succeed. Of course he did, but at a terrible cost. He returned to us bloody, battered and covered in black ash. But that was not the worst of it. There was something in his eyes. No; there was something missing from his eyes. When we saw him again some of us feared that he was a ghost. And perhaps, in a way, he was. We of course asked him if he'd succeeded, if the Dragon was dead. But he said not a word about what had happened to him in those dark caves. All he said was that he was going home. It was not until a band of us ventured once more into the Dragon's caves that we saw the proof of the monster's demise. Duke Charles had killed the beast. But few of us felt like celebrating."

Despite herself Rowena's eyes were bright with tears. She had never heard this part of the story told quite this way.

"Yes, your father was a great man, Rowena," Barnabas continued. "A true hero. But to be a duke one must be more than just a hero, however great. And a Great House cannot stand unless the men and women born into it can bear the burden of lordship."

Rowena bowed her head, seemingly in defeat. The Duke's story had touched her and his point had been made very clear. "So, my father, the hero, did not have what it takes to be a duke," Rowena whispered, almost to herself. "And I am my father's daughter, is that what you are saying?" Barnabas nodded dispassionately, "And, like your father before you, in matters of your lordship and in the ways of the Court you have done poorly."

"Yes," she agreed quietly. "But what of your family?" Rowena looked up then at Barnabas and her face was grim but steadfast. Her question startled Barnabas. "The House Collins?" he said, and then smiled, "my girl, look about you. What do you see?" His arm swept the breadth of the room, a room filled with all those things which signified power and strength. But Rowena now saw something else. "I see a House under siege, milord," she answered. This was not the answer Duke Barnabas had expected. "What foolishness is this you say, child?"

"Foolishness?" Rowena repeated. "Yes, you're right, for we have all been fools. Look about you, Duke Collins. You pronounce my House fallen and yours strong and hale. But it is lies. Lies spun by jackals who conspire within the Royal Court itself. Their lies have slandered my House, my brother, and myself. Even now they whisper into the King's ear that my dear Frederigo is a coward and a deserter. But they spin even more devious lies then that, I think. And you have fallen into their silky web just as surely as have I. I see now that you fear nothing and are secure in your power. And I am sure that is exactly how the jackals want it."

Whatever goodwill Barnabas had felt toward Rowena was now gone. All he saw before him was an arrogant and presumptuous girl. "I grow tired of your tone, Lady Rowena, but I will humor you a while yet, out of respect for your father's memory. But take care how you speak to me. Now once again you bring up Sarlo, Zular and Lady Constance, the Jackals of the Court that you seem to think are so formidable. I thought I had explained this last night but obviously you were not paying attention. So let me be quite frank; the three of them are a joke. Sarlo is the leader of the trio and yet he does not have even enough ability to claim his own inheritance. His two brothers still vie for the dukedom and it is yet unclear who it is that the King shall name Duke. As for Lady Constance, she is a noble of minor consequence. She is allowed what access she has only because the Queen finds her entertaining. She is, I'm sure you know, an accomplished gadfly and gossip. But that is all she is or ever will be. And then there is Duke Zular. You think that I don't know how 'powerful' he is? But that is only because he does not know how to use power. The King has granted him such considerable boons because everyone knows that it is safe to do so. The Royal Court would tear itself apart if one of their own received such high honors and responsibility. The factions there are relentless in their pursuit of power and the gain of one side against another could possibly tip the whole thing into chaos, even war. But Zular is an ineffectual and effete playboy, more interested in the latest fashion than in fashioning a claim for the throne. Oh, he can strut about as if he were a true lord, but he is nothing to be concerned about. And I do not say all this without some justification. I have watched Duke Zular, I have watched them all. I know what kind of people they are and they do not impress me."

"No, I am sure that they do not, milord," Rowena answered, "but I fear that is because they have played their game with considerable guile." Barnabas' face grew red with anger and he was about to speak but Rowena pressed on. "I beg you to be patient with me but a while longer Duke Collins. And please consider what I'm saying. You brand the Three Jackals as clowns and yet, look at how they have positioned themselves. Lord Sarlo has the strongest claim for his father's dukedom and will eventually, I'm sure, take control. Not only that, but through his marriage to Lady Emelie he has secured for his son a direct claim on the throne of the King. Lady Constance, minor though she be, has obtained for her own son permission to wage a campaign against the Fool's Court in Anfang. If he is successful Lady Constance may well find herself the center of her own court instead of dancing around the Queen's. And as for Duke Zular, he already controls a Duchy and vast wealth. But now he has control, even if just temporarily, over Suffex as well. And let us not forget that he is the King's regent in case our liege should ever be unable to perform his duty. For three clowns they have certainly managed quite a feat, to be in a position to take command of four of the five duchies of Allaria; Suffex, Trescent, Sarlo and Anfang. And to hold sway over the Royal Court as well. And where would that leave you? As I said, your's is a House under siege."

When Rowena was finished Duke Barnabas shook his head and leaned back in his chair. "You are building castles in the air, my dear. I know all these things already and they do not trouble me for I also know your Jackals far better than you do. They are not the all-powerful conspirators you make them out to be. Oh, they do skulk about, meeting together in out of the way places at odd hours of the day and night. But if they really were such masters of deception and intrigue I think they would be a little... less incompetent. You give them far too much credit. They are not a threat, to me or to anyone else. Nothing you have said changes my mind on that."

"I didn't think it would, milord, but perhaps this will," Rowena replied and pulled an envelope from her pocket. She handed it to Barnabas and said, "I too believed as you do, that the Jackals were nothing to be concerned about. That is, after all, what everyone told me. But when the fitness of my brother to inherit the rule of Suffex was put into doubt who was it that I discovered at every turn was raising their voices against him? The Jackals. Theirs was not the only voice to be sure, but it was certainly the loudest. And was it not Lord Sarlo who championed the idea of the Quest to slay the Dragon as a means of testing Fred? I wonder who suggested it in the first place, no one seems to recall. But I think I know. And was it such a surprise that Duke Zular was appointed stewardship of Suffex until Fred returned from his quest? I think not. You say that it was because of the rivalries within the Court that Zular was placed over Suffex; as if he was somehow a neutral party. But I think it was Zular who used the Court, not the other way around. Last night I must admit you almost had me convinced that I was wrong about him, but no. Whatever part he plays he is playing a part. He is just as much a jackal as the others and the Jackals are more dangerous than anyone knows. I certainly didn't know until I saw the letter in that envelope."

Barnabas raised his eyes from the letter and gazed at Rowena. "This... is most suggestive."

"Do you think I wanted to come here and plead for your help?" Rowena asked in a tired voice. "It was not until my recent visit to the Royal Court that I chose this course of action. Up until then I fully expected that my brother would save our House by fulfilling the quest the King had charged him with. But then I saw the letter and for the first time realized just what kind of people it is that have set themselves against the House D'Honaire. It was then that I knew that I needed allies. And that is why I came here, among other reasons."

"But this proves nothing," Barnabas said plainly as he returned the envelope to Rowena. Rowena nodded, "I know, and yet it tells me everything. You have no idea how much gold that letter cost me. Was I cheated do you think, for what advantage has it brought me? You are the first to have seen it since I acquired it, you know. I didn't even intend to show it to you. I was afraid. If what that letter implies is true, and I have no doubt that it is, then the Jackals wield more power than... I don't know. Perhaps, if Zular is just a pawn, then maybe he is the key to breaking that power."

"If this is true then he will be executed along with the rest of them," Barnabas stated coldly.

"Do you believe it is true?" Rowena asked.

Barnabas stared at her, his face hard and unyielding but she saw the struggle in his eyes. The struggle to believe. "The Jackals are buffoons I tell you!" Barnabas finally growled. "But you would have me believe that they have manipulated us all. That they plotted against the Queen, and used poisons to strip her of her womanhood, to make her barren and childless, and then that they covered it all up without a trace. And all without anyone, not me nor anyone else, suspecting a damn thing. How can I believe such a tale!? And especially coming from one such as you!"

"What does that mean?" Rowena bristled.

"I have been patient with you, Lady D'Honaire, and kind too," Barnabas told her. "For you are under a great strain and I did not wish to make matters worse. So when your messenger came to me and then you arrived I welcomed you as I would any other. And I stepped lightly, as it were, even though you had come here on a most fantastical mission. You came because of the pirates and their stories of a blind beggar man, a madman, who had visited them and given his name as Jarlath. You came here looking for news of your brother. But it is clearly you who are mad for your brother is dead! He died five years ago. Are you so addled that you've forgotten this? And from you I should believe this story about the Jackals? It is just as mad!"

Rowena looked at the Duke, her face now pale and somber. She knew that she had failed. Nothing she could say would convince the Duke to aid her now. Standing up from her chair she said, "My brother was only ten years old when the Tower of Ilxior burned to the ground. His body was never found." Barnabas looked at her and pity filled his eyes. "His bones were burned to ash along with all the others in that infernal fire," he replied. Rowena shook her head, "I did not believe it then and I do not believe it now." And then she bowed her head to the Duke. "Thank you for listening, milord," she said, "and thank you for your permission to speak with the pirates." Barnabas tilted his head in return and Rowena turned toward the door. But then she paused and over her should said, "I am not without reason, Duke Barnabas, believe what you will."

1. As for what happened next...

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