Houses and Heraldry

[Raven]

"Not that I've noticed," Cyrus said.

"Very well." Rowan went to fetch Cedric. "He will see you now."

[Gifted]

Brian nodded. "In that case, the most important factor to keep in mind is that a marriage is a unity of your family and the family she marries into. It's an alliance much stronger than anything on paper or between men. The family of the suitor you choose is something you ought to consider very carefully. Binding your family to another in this way is not a light prospect."

[Raven]

"Yes, Richard has lectured me already," Cyrus muttered. It seemed Brian's absence had put the boy in a poor mood.

[Gifted]

He smiled and put a hand on Cyrus's shoulder affectionately. "I apologize, your Majesty, I'm not trying to lecture you." he told him. "I just want to know what families you would feel comfortable allying with in this way. No one can tell you who to tie your family to. Not Duke Richard and certainly not me."

[Raven]

Cyrus sighed. "Well, none of the major houses have eligible sons," he said, as though he was simply going over something he'd gone over already.

[Gifted]

"Not sons, no, but if you have a major house in mind you could look into some of the prominent knights or advisors if you chose." Brian pointed out. "Or else we could begin looking at minor houses."

[Raven]

Cyrus pulled a face at the first bit. "My sister deserves the best," he said. "I've been thinking of minor lords but perhaps I need to go over them again..."
For a brief second, it seemed that was not what Richard wanted him to say, but then his face was a mask again.

[Gifted]

"I would be happy to sit down with you at some point and help if you wish, Your Grace." Brian smiled. He hated to admit it, but he had been neglecting the poor kid a little in hiss mad rush to help his son. He'd make it up to Cyrus when Anderson was safe.

[Raven]

"I would appreciate that," Cyrus agreed

[Gifted]

"Any time you're ready, I'd be more than happy too." He told the child.

Cedric entered the building and came up to the chamber that Anderson was usually in. He found the boy waiting for him with an anxious expression, still - thank god - looking perfectly healthy. Cedric smiled in relief when he saw his old friend standing there. "Andy! I'm so sorry it took me so long to get here, I should have come sooner."
"Huh?" Anderson frowned. "We're in the middle of a plague, Cedric, I don't understand why you didn't run as far away from here as possible! It's dangerous, you really shouldn't be here."
"What? No, Anderson, I told you all about what happened when I left home, right?"
"Yeah, you-" He got what Cedric was saying then. "You managed the last plague while your brother was away!"
Cedric nodded. "I'm not going to claim to be an expert or anything, and I know Arlyn land is bigger than Summer Forge, but... you're always worried about not knowing what to do at the best of times so... since I have experience..."
"You'd subject yourself to all this for me?"
"Well yeah. That's why I'm here. I didn't want to leave you on your own."
Andy ran over and hugged Cedric tightly. "Thank you, Cedric. You're the best friend I could ask for."
"Hey, you've helped me out dozens of times. Figured I owe you a favour." Cedric smiled, hugging the boy.

[Raven]

Merrick smiled thinly. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance. The crown has been doing what they can to lend support to Lord Arlyn," he said

[Gifted]

"Oh! This is a physician the crown had sent for me. His name's Merrick." Anderson told Cedric gleefully.
"Oh well that's good. I'm glad your dad got them to send you somebody. Hey! Cedric Cardon." He held a hand out for Merrick to shake.

[Raven]

Merrick shook his hand. "Merrick Baldor. It's a pleasure."

[Gifted]

"Can I see what you two have done so far?" Cedric asked.
"Sure!" Anderson agreed.

[Raven]

"I don't see why not. We've been using the war room to chart the spread," merrick said.