2. Wyrm's Rock

Belt is immediately on his feet. "The best part of meetings like this!"

He eagerly makes his way to the other room, propping the doors open as he goes.

As the council members make their way to the other room, Aldous isn't ready to leave yet. He moves to stand in front of his father. His voice isn't so emotionally charged as before, but he appears adamant about getting answers. "What is going on, Father? The Knights of the Shield? What do 'information dealers' and 'political manipulators' have to do with you?"

Entar doesn't look up at Aldous. "I said 'not here', boy. That's final. Now go, leave me be. Please."

Aldous leans down. "It's about Mother, isn't it?" he says softly. When he gets no answer, he shakes his head in frustration and leaves the duke to his thoughts.

Xan makes his way down the rows of benches, but instead of moving into the refreshment room he begins a quiet conversation with Duke Jannath.

(Perception: "Well done thus far, Liia..." He seems to be encouraging her.)

Aiwë approaches Duke Entar. "Do the Zhentarim also hold conflict for you," she asks quietly, "or just the Knights of the Shield? We already have Zhentarim agents on hand, we don't need to strain where it's unnecessary."

Entar shakes his head without looking up at Aiwe. "The Zhents could likely handle the job. But the Knights of the Shield... conceivably have more to offer. And we need every advantage we can get against Anchev..."

The man is obviously distraught. He could likely be swayed either way with some persuasion.

"Aldous has a lot of hard lessons to learn. He's been watching you to learn them. What do you want him to learn, here?"

Entar nods after a long moment. "He must know my mistakes, in order to not repeat them. My shame may be his salvation." He looks up at Aiwe. "Thank you. I know my decision."

Aiwë nods. "He thinks highly of you, and he's trying to please you. I don't think that's about to change, not really."

She leaves to go get a snack, relieved that she apparently has a knack for calming stubborn men.

In the refreshment room she claps Aldous on the shoulder. "You're welcome, probably."

Aldous, apparently lost in his thoughts, jumps at Aiwe's touch and nearly drops his bagel. "Erm. Thanks? Probably?"

In the refreshment room, Khalid looks forlornly at his sandwich. "No... It's f-fine..."

Jaheira sighs and turns to one of the servants. "Hey! My husband said no pickles!"

The servant jumps and quickly prepares Khalid another sandwich.

Belt's arms are full of snacks of all sorts, with several more in his mouth. "Mmgrrooo'd!"

The council members file back in and take their seats, the sound of small chatter like a buzz in the air.

Duke Jannath brings the map illusion back up, and the room quiets expectantly. "We decided that Stella, Aiwe, Dieter, and Koveras will make up the infiltration team. Now let's move on to-"

Aldous straightens in his seat. "Oh, well I'm going too!" He looks around at the party members for support. "A little extra arcane support never hurt, right?"

"Aldous, I think this would be good opportunity to learn grand strategy and command. Small unit tactics would be wasted on a noble of your caliber. We need the future of House silvershield leading the organization effort" Dieter says

Please please please please

Aldous frowns at that. "But I... Hmm..." He looks around. "There are plenty of capable and proven leaders in this room..."

He eyes Dieter suspiciously.

Aiwë looks at Dieter with a raised eyebrow. "Small unit tactics are necessary to understand grand strategy and command." She turns to Aldous. "I do think that Dukes need your support on the large-scale plan though. More likely than not you'll be sitting in their seat one day."

"My apologies, what I meant to say was you have already learned so much and these opportunities need to be taken advantage of" Dieter apologized "like you said there are plenty of mentors here. You should take advantage of this opportunity"