Inquiry (Ramses)

[Cecelia Riddel]

The day had not started out well.  Waking up to find her hair utterly and completely blood red had been horrifying enough, not to mention the constant shampoo scrubs she'd spent at least an hour on to get it out -- only to find it wouldn't be removed.  Whatever it was, it wasn't the blood of the land.  Or, if it was, it was permanent.  Which meant tears.  Years and years of careful grooming, organic product, and now this.

But that was a couple of hours ago now, which meant she had to pick herself up and move on to other things.  The first concern of the day being summoning Ramses to the office she now presided in.  There were signs of her acceppting her situation in the room.  Feminine decor that matched her tastes, more diligent upkeep.  Currently, that also had curtains that blocked out sight from teh world outside, though she longed to see an actual sun with a red ring of death surrounding it.

She had two important things to discus with the man who considered himself the power behind an empty throne, one of which involved the parchment in hand.  A request for aid from her family, their territory damaged by the castle that fell from the sky.  If Ramses had the intel he implied, he would be the one to know.  As for teh other thing...

Well, she would have to wait and see.

[Sir Galahad]

Ramses would knock on the door to her office and wait to be called in. As soon as he was allowed he would open the door and walk in leaning heavily on his cane. Hos ever present smile still on his face. The smile was completely identical to the one he had when he was present the last time. It would make one wonder if he ever stopped smiling...

"How can I be of service, M'lady?"

Ramses would ask cordially.

[Cecelia Riddel]

"Good morning, Lord Ramses." Celia nodded and waited for the man to shut the door behind him, or the guard to do so if he would continue to enter on his own as she gestured to a seat. Her own smile was polite, the gesture welcoming, as if nothing were out of the ordinary just yet.

"I had a couple of questions for you. First, I would like an update on your part of the investigation you and the others were assigned to."

[Sir Galahad]

Ramses would nod.

"Ah, yes. I have found the wind user in my faction, and we... questioned him thoroughly. I can say with complete certainty that he was neither involved nor knows anything about the recent development of drugs on our streets."

He would matter-of-factly.

[Cecelia Riddel]

"I see. That's reassuring to hear." That statement raised a lot of red flags, but she trusted his statement to be true. There were, however, other things to consider. Her hand remained on the parchment as she considered him.

"I do hope that violence was not needed in your questioning." Her smile sweetened a little with the observation. "I understand that not everyone feels that way about the decision. I hope I did not offend you, as well, when I advised it.

"Who was it that joined you on your investigation? Dime, or Jericho?"

[Sir Galahad]

Ramses smile never wavered.

"We used the least amount of violence possible I assure you. And I am not bothered by your wish to keep violence to a minimum. I can respect your want to keep peace."

He would nod.

"As for who assisted me, it was neither miss Dime, nor young Jericho. It was an in house problem within my own group and having outside assistance would've made the situation more difficult than it needed to be."

[Cecelia Riddel]

Though she smiled, his responses were noted, including the denial of what she had asked of them all. Even though she would have agreed a house tends to its own troubles, and she trusted his response, it was not her opinion alone that mattered.

"Thank you. However, I would like you to heed my requirements next time." She actually looked disappointed for a moment, like a young girl who was experienced in society but not in holding back her thoughts when it came to ruling. The expression faded and the smile returned, softer now but still polite.

"I understand the needs of a house tending to its own name and troubles, but your house is part of a much larger whole now. I would like to be able to hold you all to the same standard if we are to help ease the constant second guessing of one another. This land has seen enough blood without tearing itself apart."

She uncovered the message she had received and presented it to Ramses to read over. It noted that Territory 127, Celia's home territory and also a part of Zekunft, was requesting medical and military aid if possible.

"I am also in need of your wisdom, my lord. Another territory has asked for aid, and the Crimson Kingdom has previously received it from Zekunft and its protectorates. I do not think we have the means to provide medical aid, but I would like to send some military assistance to help with the border skirmishes where the castle fell recently.

"What would you advise? How many? Would they be able to do so, or would they fight back to stay here, instead?"

[Sir Galahad]

Ramses would rub his chin in contemplation as he read the note.

"Hmmm... I agree with you, that we aren't really in a position to offer any kind of medical aid, and as for sending troops off to help in fighting..."

Ramses would set the note down and look Cecilia in the eye.

"Here, we come to a decision that you will need to make. My men aren't really soldiers or fighters, the exception being a few backyard brawlers. The Zells are good warriors, but they will not take to being told to leave their home to fight very well. However, the is the faction that was left leaderless after the Late King passed. They are probably our strongest fighters, and while they love their home they enjoy a good fight to keep their strength up. That being said... I doubt they see you as a ruler and are probably rooting the most and causing the most issues being leaderless. Even if you ordered them to go, I doubt any would. Not until you prove yourself their leader in the same fashion the Late King did."

[Cecelia Riddel]

Dear gods there was a leaderless faction in this mess as well? Her head suddenly felt five pounds heavier with the incoming headache.

"And what did the late king do that swayed them so?"

[Sir Galahad]

"He fought their strongest warrior, Miss Dimes older brother, in a one on one death match, winner takes all. He gave Quarter an honorable death."

[Cecelia Riddel]

"So they will see me as weak and unworthy unless I can present a show of raw strength and violence." A willingness to kill and provide more blood.

So be it.

[Sir Galahad]

Ramses shrugged.

"That is... one possibility. Yes..."

[Cecelia Riddel]

"It is," she agreed with a small nod.

"But you have other thoughts on the matter. Please, feel free to speak freely."

[Sir Galahad]

"Well, you could appoint someone to be you champion, to fight on your behalf. It would show them that you command a warrior with great strength. That might be enough for them."

He would say eyeballing one of the royal guards.

[Cecelia Riddel]

"True. It is something that came to mind with your suggestion." She nodded without looking directly at the guards or anyone else other than Ramses. A suggestion that might work, with more bloodshed. One faction on her side, maybe, that would be sent out while the rest continued to fight like rabid dogs over the same scrap of meat.

"And whose name would I seek among the leaderless for this?" She didn't know who these people were.