32nd of Ash, Year 120
Only a night ago, a Kindred had been spotted flying overhead, headed towards Brandt's south from Lugen, though it had passed by Branderbren without any sort of hitch -- causing alert to move across the realm as a sort of gradient, fluctuating with the flap of its wings. Taelian had learned -- and so had others -- that the Kindred did this to invoke terror, to keep people worried and afraid, and to force House Galbrecht to commit their resources to chasing shadows.
Yet, with the firing of the Aether Cannon's cold steel mouth, he was certain the bird was silenced -- perhaps it had fallen into the sea, or somewhere else upon Brandt's coast, even Breven. The shadowy crows quickly learned that showing themselves to it, even once, was often a lethal mistake.
Still, with the raven traveling south, Taelian and some others from his same retinue had been sent to Branderbren to hold post and ensure no harm came to the locals, and particularly the Nobility. They were given no chance to idle or investigate, as any breach into Count Friedrich's palace would have meant a rapid death for him and his family. Instead, Taelian was urged to open the Lychgate and portal himself and others through with haste, arriving within the city of Branderbren - the seat of a county of the same name - by night.
As the Kindred passed by, the man decided to stay, at least for the coming few days. This was the place from where Riven's family descended, according to Regis, and so it was of interest to him. If he were to formalize his marriage to the Velsign, he would be one of the region's local Nobility, instituting orders and running estates here. He found himself far from opposed to the idea: it only took a moment to recognize how utterly quaint Branderbren was, from the comely pine forests to the warm springs, to the finely-kept cobbled streets and red brick buildings. It was... somewhat enchanting, even in the moments where it was obscured by snowfall, or by a retreating sun.
The Argent had decided he would meet with the Count of Branderbren while present. Meeting with local power provided him further avenues to pursue his ambitions, such as acquiring full Knighthood, or having his requests petitioned to the Duchess. He was aware of his importance to their aims in the war, though he was also aware of the resistance from the powers-that-be to shift and alter tradition merely for practicality, even if it was to ensure the loyalties of their more murderously-capable subjects.
Taelian -- whose legal name in Lorien was Stephan Lange -- called on Regis through a Window portal, asking the older man to prepare a meeting between himself and Aldur, the Lord of the area. Much to his dismay, however, Lord von Graditz informed him that unlike in Atinaw, the Covenant did not have the influence to simply call upon Lorien's most influential Lords. In this land, they were relative strangers, only known to House Galbrecht and their closest inner circle. Even then, there were layers of bureaucracy before any meeting could be arranged.
He could attend court as a subject, if he managed to acquire an approved request for petition. Or, he could simply lurk around the Count's castle interior until he managed to persuade one of his courtiers to bring his request forward. Taelian opted for the latter, as the former took too much time for his interest to keep.
When morning came, he flashed his Argent emblem, being allowed into the castle courtyard with that alone. Countless courtiers gathered around with drink in hand and thick, furred attire. The courtyard was -- like most places in Lorien -- insulated, surrounded by walls, with its ceiling a dense layer of thick glass panes that allowed view of the sun and the snow. Few people approached him, though he managed to overhear a few commenting on his Rune: the visible one, at least, a dark sigil upon the back of his neck, though greatly concealed by his hair and collar. He supposed the courtiers of Branderbren had a discerning eye.
Finally, he thought to approach one, only to be stopped in his place by his own nerves. There was a pit in his stomach. He had never been particularly good at managing himself in the setting of the court.
