Post by Malyk on Nov 21, 2018 7:13:20 GMT 1
Malyk had managed to get some sleep in the early hours of the morning after being relieved by some of the House Levalle guards who had finally wondered where their Lord had gone. He couldn't decide if it was a good or a bad thing that they had checked the Perfumed Lady first. Checking on his Lord before he left, he took a short nap followed by a flurry of (discrete) activity.
Today he was dressed downright ordinary. Just his worn leathers, his whip, a couple unobtrusive knives and a pair of steel knuckle-rings in his pocket. He hoped there would be little trouble, but given where he was going, it never hurt to be prepared.
Two hours later, he knelt in a disused building strategically chosen in the seedier part of Gardenton, starting a fire in the hearth. The large warped table behind him practically groaned under the weight of food upon it. Fruit, bread, butter, cheese, pastries, pickled eggs, fish, sausages, mutton, meat on sticks the seller swore was not rat or cat, most likely horse, porridge, pottage, meat pies and a large barrel of cider. Nothing was particularly grand or expensive, but it was nourishing, and there was a ton of it. As much as he could reasonably buy in the morning market. He had no idea how many he would be feeding, but suspected it would not go to waste once his business was finished.
The guard and two staff were reticent to be sent away after things had been set up, but there was some risk involved, albeit small, he did not want to share. Their presence might also scare way his intended guests, which defeated the purpose.
Sitting back in a the battered but solid chair before the hearth, he put his feet up on a large chest and waited for his guests, and Regyn's candidate to arrive.
The first was a little girl about eight who ran in, snatched an apple and a sausage and fled as quickly as she'd arrived. The next was a boy of seven. He struggled with the mutton leg, but a raised eyebrow from Malyk made him think better of it, instead opting to stuff his pockets with meat pies and his mouth with pastry before fleeing like the first.
Eventually, more began to arrive as word spread, all adolescents and children, careful from years of experience not to let those older know of the treasure trove, lest they take it. When one boy of twelve, braver than the others, spooned a large bowl of porridge, sliced some cheese and sat down to eat, some of the others started to stay and some of those who fled earlier began to return. Malyk did not speak to them unless spoken to, but returned their tentative smiles and largely left them in peace. Feeding them for one day was not much, but doing something was better than doing nothing.
There are so many of them. A flash of anger quickly squashed. Such things were not allowed in the Tear.
Thanks to Lord Alliser's generosity, Malyk was the largest patron of the orphanage on Levalle lands. The proprietress was probably one of the most stern women he'd ever met, but that was mitigated by her kindness, efficiency and a deep caring for young people. She would be deeply offended and disgusted by the situation in Gardenton, one of the wealthiest cities in the Reach.
Patiently, he waited for Regyn's recommendation to arrive, chatting softly and amiably with those of his 'guests' who wished. Many who had heard of the 'Mad Master of the Manor' and wanted their curiosity satisfied. Children were not nearly as judgemental as adults when it came to 'madmen'; especially when that madman was feeding them.
The intent of this thread was set up on D9 before 'Will of the People' was announced, but I also see it as a perfect RP opportunity for one of Malyk's rolls for that event.
Malyk's objective for that event is currently waiting approval. As per the event, I will state it and make rolls when it it is approved. This particular thread would be considered a 2 Action roll.