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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 6.5, The Brightest Blossom

The talk had been over an hour long and it felt like they had barely even scratched the surface. There were two distinctive schools of thought over how everyone should proceed so it was becoming increasingly obvious that the group was going to split. That, of course, suited Brody just fine.

Although the young Doberman was definitely a "people person" he always found that a more intimate setting suited him better. It was well and good to be traveling with a large group but he always ended up feeling lost in the crowd when too many people got put together. True, sometimes that was a useful position in which to be... but he was in Vallara, and right now he needed attention.

Leaning over to quietly address Sir Umberto, the Doberman also idly rested a paw on the Wolverine's thigh, "This really doesn't concern us... maybe we should step aside and let them figure things out."

The Templar was obviously receptive to the touch but, unfortunately, less-so with the suggestion. Sir Umberto gingerly took hold of Brody's paw and moved it from his leg, "This is important, and they are both valid viewpoints."

The Doberman sighed, "You plan on helping... don't you? What about the Prince Regent?"

The Wolverine whispered back, "He will understand. This is for the betterment of his kingdom and the protection of his reign."

Brody smirked, "By undermining the Church and/or subverting a nationalist Wyranese plot against the Tribals?"

Sir Umberto didn't have a chance to respond as the group's attention was suddenly on the two of them. It was Tobias who asked the question, "And the two of you? Where do your loyalties lay?"

The Wolverine was very good at evading the Pronghorn's inferred question, "With the Prince Reagent. Always."

Aodhan clarified, "What he meant was, are you willing to speak out against the Church's treatment of the Sisters Divine, or would you rather help Prince Malcom?"

Sister Aurelie spoke up from beside the Wolf, "The Sisters Divine need all the Champions we can muster for them, Sir Umberto... surely you cannot turn your back on the suffering of fellow servants to God."

Brody raised an eyebrow, "Or maybe we'll just be on our way back to Graddin?"

Cruffington, the young Raccoon Dog who had been injured before Brody's arrival had been transferred out into the main room to join everyone. Even from his position at the armchair he was still able to give the Doberman the stink-eye, "Yea... nobody said running away from things wasn't an option."

The Dog didn't miss the way the patient's gaze often drifted back to the Tribal Mare that had arrived that day; Brody knew that kind of look since he'd been the target of it often enough. He had little doubt that the Raccoon Dog was smitten... and by a horse no less. Oh well, he reasoned, everyone had their own tastes. Shrugging, the Doberman provided a very non-comittal response, "I'll follow Sir Umberto in whatever he decides."

Brother Rhys, the Rat Priest that sat beside Friar Arlowe and his convalescing son didn't say a word. Brody could tell that the Priest was having a crisis of conscience-- on one side of him sat a fellow clergyman who seemed intent on making a difference in the Church while on the other side of him stood a young Yew Tribe buck who, as far as the Dog could guess, was probably much more than 'a close friend'.

The Doberman sighed, glancing to the Templar next to him, "As always, Sir Umberto, I'll leave this up to your best judgment."

With little more to be said, Brody stood up and exited the house. Nobody tried to stop him, which was just fine; everyone saw him as an add-on... a man-servant... a "plus one"-- and that's what helped him the most. He greatly enjoyed the spotlight but there were times when it worked best to blend into the background, and his most recent assignment was definitely one of those times.

When Princess Noriene assigned him to Sir Umberto's care in being transferred to her brother, the Prince Regent, she couldn't have known that the path they took back to Graddin would lead them through Vallara to Prince Malcom... or that Vallara was precisely the location where someone else of great importance would just happen to be visiting. That was, of course, assuming Brody's time-table was accurate.

"Why did you step out?"

The question was straight-forward rather than accusatory-- not at all abnormal for Sir Umberto. The Doberman turned around to address his escort, stepping up so he could press his body against the large Wolverine's, paw going to the man's chest, "I hate conflict... and right now nobody in there can seem to agree about what to do. I just needed some fresh air, Sir Templar."

He could tell that the Wolverine was receptive to his touch but, at the same time he wasn't about to push his luck; when Sir Umberto removed the Doberman's paw from his chest Brody wasn't about to place it there again. He took the gentle shove back as a command and composed himself as the Templar cleared his throat, "It is confirmed... the party is splitting into two groups: one will go with Prince Malcom and the other will head back to Newport."

The announcement was precisely what Brody was expecting, "And which group will we be joining, Sir Umberto? I cannot imagine my Lady will be pleased if we return to Newport but, at the same time I am certain she wouldn't want a loyal servant sent into the Tribelands..."

The Templar nodded, "Which is why I am still considering my options. Prince Malcom will leave tomorrow morning... which gives me many hours to decide on which course it is I wish to take."

Brody nodded with theatrical thoughtfulness, "I can see your dillema, Sir Umberto. We are suddenly caught in the triangle of royal heirs and, while I do not doubt your loyalty to the Prince Regent, it is also important to take into consideration all lines of the royal family... as is the duty of any true servant of Lehsunia."

The Wolverine snorted in a dismissive way, "And I assume you won't waste any time on considering what you will do... is that it?"

The Doberman reached out and brushed his fingertips along the Wolverine's arm, "That answer is obvious, Sir Templar-- I will accompany you in any of your undertakings. My Lady bid me follow you until I was safely delivered to Graddin, and that is precisely what I have planned."

The Wolverine reached up and grabbed hold of Brody's wrist, "I see... and you have no other motives aside from doing as Princess Noriene commanded?"

Putting on his best endearing smile, the Dog did as well as he could to hide his discomfort of the situation; the Templar's grip actually hurt, "Of course not, Sir Umberto... I am loyal to the Princess, and she has directed me to provide service to Prince Regent Thaddius. I would not dare act against her wishes."

The Templar let go of his wrist, "Then tell me about the man who sent someone to collect you."

Brody's heart jumped up into his throat, "Excuse me? My pardon, Sir Umberto, but I do not know of whom you--"

The Wolverine leveled a glare at him, "A man came in through the back door after you left... he said he was looking to bring you back to your brother."

The Doberman swallowed, "...Brother?"

Sir Umberto's gaze did not waver in the slightest, "So... what can you tell me about why he wants you? What can you tell me about this 'Bartholomeu'?"