The Hand's Solar at Runestone

[Deleted]

Where Lord Valrus Manderly does business.

[The Smith]

There is a knock on the door of Lord Manderly's room.

[Deleted]

"Enter." Valrus says casually, he was hoping it was the visitor he was anxiously awaiting.

[The Smith]

A young boy walked into the room with an older gray haired man walking behind him with a hand on the boy's shoulder. There was a rough leather cloth tied around the man's eyes.

The boy chirped, "Lord Manderly?"

The blind man, spoke first thought, "Acorn stop being such a fool, of course that is lord Manderly, Can you not sense his presence, I can through this blindfold."

[Deleted]

"Iden." Valrus said, his smile wide, though partially hidden by his facial hair. " I trust it was not too much of a hardship to be received?"

He stood and walked near the man.

"Tell me again, old friend, how my presence appears to you."

[The Smith]

"Valrus you radiate power, and fill an empty room. I can understand why so many love you, and wish to serve the Hand of the King." Iden jerked on the boy's shoulder and he came to a halt, and then Iden offered a hand directly to Valrus.

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Valrus took it, and led the man to a chair.

"You called this one Acorn?" He asked with mirth, glancing at the boy. "He seems the squirrely enough sort, it is an apt monicker." He went to the cabinet.

"I have wine here, but I could call for something if you need it. I am feeling somewhat peckish."

[The Smith]

"Acorn go down to the Kitchens and fetch some wine, and food for the Lord." Iden moved his head to follow Valrus, "What did you want your lordship?"

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Valrus twisted the corners of his moustache lightly, choosing his words carefully.

"I have needs of your talents once again, Iden, as I did in times past. There are matters of the Crown at stake here, and those are very important matters to be believed. You are the best, and you have always been kind to me, and I you. I would ask a favor of your skills."

[The Smith]

Iden laughed, and patted Acorn on the head, "I meant from the Kitchens my lord." He smiled and waved his hand, "Go Acorn, and fetch what they think best."

He waited until the boy had left before removing the blind fold and rubbing at his eyes, "I thought the rodent would never leave. I am sorry, Valrus, what do you need me to do." Iden stood and walked over to the door, and locked it. Turning he covered a yawn as he made his way back to his seat. "The whole blind act really throws off your enemies, but it takes a lot of concentration to pull off."

[Deleted]

"I've learned that no matter what manifestation of Iden I encountered after so long, I had best not draw attention to it, lest it ruin his cover." He laughed. "Though I cannot imagine what you gain from such a routine as blind mummery."

He flicked his eyes to the door, a habit, and then back to his old friend.

"A man close to the King has been slain, and it is not the first. Nor, I feel, will it be the last unless we stop it. I need you to gather as much information as you can pertaining to the whereabouts of one Jon Royce's murderers. They also killed a man named Lucas Templeton. The King demands that they be found, questioned, and extinguished. Think you have the temerity?"

[The Smith]

"Not quite sure what the last word means, but I am your man Lord Walrus." He bowed to Manderly.

[Deleted]

"I would expect no less of the Mistwalker. How much of a hindrance will this Chestnut lad be?"

[The Smith]

"None, I got him well trained." He offered a smile, "Is there anything else boss?"

[Deleted]

"None, unless you wish to know where you will be staying. In which case, I've already prepared some space for you. A room will be made available for you wherever Court deigns to be."