Castamir pays a visit.

["Ben Stansberry" <britishben@hotmail.com>]

OOC: What follows is a meeting between Cromwell and the new Bajazet Mentat 
Castamir Ecthgow in which they discuss the incident at that Imperial Hotel 
in light of the recent Harko-Bajazet conflict. The log is from Cromwell’s 
point of view.

Office of the Imperial Chancellor -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
The Lord Chancellor's office serves as the nerve center of the Imperium. All 
communications and orders to the various departments of the Imperial 
government pass through here on their way toward their destination. As 
befits the magnitude of the work carried on here, no expense has been spared 
in its appointments. A plush Gamont rug covers the teak flooring. The walls 
are of finely embossed marble. Recessed wall sconces display priceless 
portraits of great Chancellors of the past and other works of art.

A massive mahogany desk dominates the interior of the room with a 
high-backed leather chair behind. Two smaller leather chairs stand before 
the desk and in one corner is a sitting area made up of a settee and two 
chairs. A priceless antique coffee service decorates the sitting area. 
Bookshelves on the north wall store display a series of hundreds of 
identical red-bound leather volumes--the Great Convention and its countless 
commentaries from the millennia.

All in all the room conveys a sense of quiet dignity, and efficiency 
reflecting its current occupant and the tradition he serves.
Exits:
Wooden Door <W> leads to The Imperial Embassies and High Imperial Offices -- 
Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

Castamir walks in from The Imperial Embassies and High Imperial Offices 
through the Wooden Door.
Castamir has arrived.

Cromwell sits at his desk going over some reports. As the Bajazet Mentat 
enters he stands, "Ah Master Ecthgow, come in please. Have a seat. It is a 
pleasure to finally meet you."

The robed figure passes through the wooden door after being inspected by the 
Sardaukar guards. Castamir pauses for a few seconds, glancing at the room, 
noting any changed, which were made in the past hundred years. He then hears 
the Corrino Mentat, bowing his head, "Thank you" he says curtly, sliding 
into the indicated seat.

Castamir sends both of his hands over to his lap as he faces you, "Lord 
Chancellor, it is a pleasure to ahh ... " He pauses for a few seconds, 
searching for the word, "Come back to the service of my master and the 
Empire as a whole"

Cromwell returns to his seat, and closes the reports he was looking at. 
Smiling, He then gives you his undivided attention "I can imagine, I can 
imagine. I trust you are finding that not to many things have changed?"

Castamir's lips slowly trail his sapho stained lips, shaking his head, only 
to say afterwards, "Luckily the Guild Peace keeps the apparent world very 
... " He pauses once more, allowing only a slight wink as he continues, 
"stable world"

Cromwell chuckles, "Yes outward appearances seldom change. However, we both 
know what goes on underneath the facade isn't always so placid. Ah well, 
such is the nature of the life we lead."

Castamir's lips are only touched by a smile as he nods from his seat, "Yes, 
in a way ... that is what brings me to the Lord Chancellor's office" He 
pauses, waiting for your reaction.

Cromwell nods but betrays little, "Oh, I there something I can do for you 
Master Ecthgow?"

Castamir nods once more, as he begins, "Well ... " he begins, leaning 
forward, "I am saddened by the events which brought to the injury of the 
Princess Jenaa" He then tilts his head aside, "One must be troubled as to 
why the Harkonnen soldiers were so trigger happy on Kaitain"

Cromwell nods curtly, "I thank you for your concern however trust me when I 
say, his Majesty and I are investigating the actions of the Harkonnens in 
this mater /very/ carefully and they will be punished as the Emperor deems 
just."

Castamir allows a slight smile, "I would imagine that His Majesty will not 
let the Harkonnen go unpunished, however, one should try and find the reason 
for their actions ... " And he trails off his words.

Cromwell nods again, "We have the incident report from Major Lochinvar 
Alexander, and I have been in contact with Master Nestor in that regards. To 
be honest, Master Nestor implied that the criminal involved might be in some 
way tied to your house. Perhaps you may want to address that accusation."

Castamir allows a smile, nodding, "I am not sure of the origins of the man. 
However, he might have been from House Bajazet. " He pauses for a few 
seconds, "From what I gathered, he received some sort of vital information. 
Perhaps on unlawful deeds made by the Harkonnen on Malarca, which defy the 
laws which are the base for our society"

You say, "I am sure the Harkonnens would be most anxious to retrieve such 
papers. Might you know what became of them following the incident or were 
you merely speculating?"

Castamir allows a slight grin, "Sadly, I do not know of such paper" He 
allows a sigh, rolling his eyes elsewhere when he says, "Perhaps House 
Bajazet can serve the Empire's interest and with joint forces finding the 
said papers?"

Cromwell raises an eyebrow, "Are you suggesting that the Emperor condone 
espionage against a Great House of the Landsraad?"

Castamir blinks his eyes, trying to find how the Mentat interpreted his 
words as such.

Castamir allows a sigh and clarifies, "I merely offered His Majesty the help 
of House Bajazet in the investigation of what may seem as a threat to our 
society, no espionage should b involved"

Cromwell provides his own dose of clarification, "Of course the Emperor and, 
perhaps more properly, the Landsraad would be very interesting in any papers 
which could show violations of the forms by the Harkonnens or any other 
House. The Emperor's own Sardaukar are at this very moment collecting 
evidence of the manner in which the war on Malarca Secundus is being waged. 
When the time comes for such evidence to be displayed his Majesty will be 
happy to comply. However until such time, any investigation must remain 
strictly with in the boundaries dictated by the Great Convention. If in the 
course of our investigation of the Hotel incident we should find information 
which pertains to this matter we will include it in the information 
presented before the Landsraad."

Castamir bows his head from his seat, "Thank you Lord Chancellor, it pleases 
me that one will punish those who commit crimes against our society. " He 
then leans back to his seat, "I just found it odd that the Harkonnen used 
great firepower and indiscretion in the matter. Perhaps is because the 
punishment for what they hide is much worse for what they committed in the 
Hotel"

Cromwell smiles slightly, "I have already considered that. Again let me 
assure you, we will get to the bottom of this. However it may seem 
inappropriate to accept Bajazet aide in this investigation. I am sure you 
see the uses that the Harkonnens could make of this when this matter is 
presented to the Landsraad."

Castamir allows a slight chuckle, "Indeed, however, as obedient citizens of 
the Empire, my House felt it needed to offer aide" His features seem to be 
somewhat calmer at the moment.

You say, "How are things among the Bajazet? I hear there was some sort of 
incident between the Lady Ornia and Lady Amara."

Castamir allows only a slight chuckle as he hears the rumor, "Ahh, I believe 
that rumors fly abound on Kaitain with no real basis" He shakes his head, 
"However, I have not been on the scene, from what I understand a slight 
argument occurred, which was settled by now"

Cromwell smiles and nods, "Of course, of course. Well is there anything else 
I can do for you today Master Ecthgow?"

Castamir shakes his head and bows his head, "No my lord, however, I must say 
that the Empire's obedient citizens are always at your disposal"

You say, "A fact of which he is very much aware. On his behalf I thank you 
for your visit, and welcome you back to Kaitain."

Castamir allows a slight smile and rises from his seat, getting ready to 
leave the room.

Cromwell rises from his seat, "It was a pleasure to meet you Master Ecthgow, 
perhaps some day soon we will be able to meet under slightly less formal 
circumstances."

Castamir presses his palms against each other, as his hands are before him. 
"Indeed ... The Lord is always invited to the more informal sections of the 
Bajazet embassy for such meetings"

Castamir bows once more and turns about to leave.

Cromwell bows

Castamir walks to the west and passes through the Wooden Door.
Castamir has left.

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