Oaths of Vassalage: Enter Tereza de Villanova

Devante and Tereza, in Devante's office on the day after her arrival to Vargo. Oaths are exchanged and people discussed.

It's evening, with the Hazat Viscounts ship pulling in and landing on the pad about an hour ago. A few minutes ago, Sir Shin Yodama, Devante's man at arms, would have sought out Lady Tereza and brought her news that the Viscount would see her at her leasure. He would be in his office most of the evening, taking his meal there while he worked.

Wearing the colors of the Villanova of Aragon, Tereza enters with a murmured word to the escort who just brought her inside his door. She curtsies, a rather precisely measured affair due to a Viscount from a Lady of her rank then rises proudly. "Excellency. I am delighted to make your acquaintance at last. I bring a letter of introduction." And she steps forward to offer a wax sealed parchment, then waiting in something almost like a parade rest with her hands clasped behind her.

Devante rises when she enters. A set of simple reading glasses are on his features, giving him a slightly older cast than he might otherwise enjoy. Strong features offset it however, as he turns his gaze to her. A young gaze. Not a man stuck in his path or rut. "Dame De Villanova... I'm sorry for having put you off so long. Please, forgive me." he steps around the desk, taking the parchment. "Please... have a seat. At ease. This isn't a military command, not here."

Smiling a little, she settles easily into the seat, arranging herself neatly with ankles crossed under her. "I have had an interesting time wandering about the streets near the compound, and the Agora. There are some interesting folk here, and some even more curious stories. Toads, antimonists, ancient evil. Quite a bit more exciting than I had imagined for an out of the way planet." The letter is standard of introductions, declaring the Dowager's desire not to stand as regent for her young daughter, convey her to Vargo with respects and the hope of a suitable place in the household, yadda yadda. It's as wordy as anything that ever came out of Prince Juan's secretarial pen.

Which is a wordy implement indeed. He chews through it, a look of annoyance crossing his features as the overly circumlocutious nature of the document. He settles back down, not behind the desk, but in the chair next to her. "I am sorry for your loss, Dame De Villanova.. and I welcome you vargo. Our planet has long been a backwater, but I think it is where the future of our house and family lies. Hira comes to a close... all advances we are to make, come here, on this soil, under this sun. You are welcome here, in my home, in my lands. What can I do to make your stay more pleasent?"

"Thank you, Excellency," she inclines her head briefly again. "I would hope most of all to be useful in some fashion. To be blunt, and I fear it's one of my besetting sins, I have not the funds to live in any wildly extravagant lifestyle. Nor really the inclination, as I am many years past the prime of the ballroom ideal. And so I hope there may be some minor functionary position I might do for you or one of the fiefs here. I...have some minor experience in managing lands and people."

Devante raises an eyebrow. That catches his attention, clearly, but he tries to still the reaction. "I see. Our lands, I hope very much to expand soon. I need capable people who can grow what we have, to be true. I make no promises, Dame De Villanova... but Serve the Hazat, and I am unfortunately going to clarify that to serving -me- well.. and within a few months, lands of your own will be available. I need capable, educated people who can run lands. Warriors aplenty I have... but few people skilled in the more mundane realities of what rulership brings."

Her gaze studies him thoughtfully. "You are, as I have been informed by his Highness' steward, the living will of his Highness here on Vargo and in the direct line of those serving the will of the Emperor. I am a loyal subject of both." A briefly mirthless smile. "I am something of a rebel I suppose, in being nothing of a warrior. But I am not completely ignorant in the tactics of siege and defense where it might be required."

Devante shakes his head. "TO be truthful to you, Our house would fair quite a bit better if we had more rebels and less warriors. An Army marches on its stomach, it has been said... and were our lands better managed... we would find our armies march better and stronger for it."

Tereza laughs softly. "Well. I understand I have come to a doomed planet, though I know not all the details. Something of imminent destruction. I'll ask then for the caveat not to be forgotten if there's a sudden exodus required?"

Devante glances at his fingertips then, inspecting his nails... "Well now. I don't know about that. THere is so little space on my yacht." A chuckle bleeds through his 'serious face' expression.. "I do not think an exodus will be required.. At least, this is my hope. Why I am here. I do not make a practice of investing my time and energy in to doomed causes."

Briefly a wry look flitters across her expression. "Well, good. Because I've been warned of giant poison toads, antimonists, and something so evil even the Vau are afraid of it somewhere under the soil. If I were the sort to have the vapors I might, but it may curtail my preferences for hunting."

Devante snorts.. "There are strange things afoot on this world. I will not lie nor beat around the bush on this, Dame de Villanova. to be clear, this world is a nexus of many things. Antinomy, but also great holy places... I have seen them. I have seen miracles here. If you seek a crash course in the nature of the universe... This is the world for it."

"My Lord, it would please me endlessly if you would accept an oath of fealty now, this very night," she rises gracefully to settle down on one knee. "And I welcome the chance to prove my competency to you."

The Viscount startles... he hadn't intended -that-... "My lady.." he says, rising as would be customary... "I do not seek to force you in to actions you do not wish to take.... or feel obligated to take. When you come to me, I will have it be of your will and desire..."

"It is my will and desire at this moment, upon this night to offer you my fealty formally," her voice and eyes are clear, though there's a trace of amusement to have discomfitted the Viscount. "I pledge you my life, my fortune, and my sacred honor in defense and support of your own. I pledge to be your vassal in all things, our fates tied together. If I should fail in my oath may the Pancreator strike me down, and may my name be stricken forever from the rolls of honor in our House. So I will it, so mote it be."

Devante exhales, listening to her words. He recovers from his unsettlement quickly. He's not currently armed, but he does not need a blade for this. When she finishes her words, he reaches a hand down (a rough hand, one that has known toil and strife, no easy hand it is) to slide under her chin, tilting it up to his taller frame. "Blood for blood and bone for bone, Life for life, in harvest and in strife. My shield to your sword, You shall support me as I in turn support you, until our family strides the Blessed web of the heavens in mastery and beyond. No shame upon either house, together in the light. I accept your vassalage and accept you in to my home, my house and my life. May the Pancreator bless these oaths and may his blessed prophet be always in our hearts."

"Blessed be," the Lady murmurs, putting her hand under his before she rises again. "And thus we have a formal arrangement. Though as I said, I still accept your offer to prove myself on a very small scale first, while your lady is away."

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