Mercer Manor

[Lord William]

This manor was purchased by William Mercer 1st Earl of Worcester in 1473 to establish a London residence for the Mercer family. The home is welcome to all friends and family of the Mercer house, guests are welcomed to stay the night.

[Dirty Chai]

The Duke of Buckingham arrives to dine under Lord Mercer's hospitality, as invited, after Lent has finished, freeing up good Christians to eat as they please once again. He brings a cadre of followers and servants, with as many as ten retainers signified by their trailing him on horses of their own. A few wards and a squire follow at his heel closely, including one Harold Kyriell, the Earl of Cambridge's son.

[Lord William]

His Grace the Duke of Buckingham was welcomed and greeted by various Mercer house staff assisting the guests with their belongings and horses.
Your Grace if you would follow me I shall take you to his Lordship in his study, your men will be taken to the servants quarters where they will be dining.
William was with Edward when the Duke arrived in the study, they had been talking about Edward's non-existing home life. As the Duke walked in both Mercer men gently bowed in greeting his Grace. Edward stayed quiet as William spoke
Welcome your Grace to my home, I'm glad you were able to attend.
William turned to the young Squire
And who are you young boy
William motioned for his Grace to sit, as he offered a drink
Your Grace may I interest you in a drink before dinner is served? how about harold?

[Dirty Chai]

The duke moved to take a seat as bid, nodding as he did so, and removing his cap, revealing the tousled top of his tawny hair.

"Thank you, my lord of Worcester, and yes, you may interest me."

[Barry Goldwater]

Harold was about to reply when their host asked him who he was, only for that to turn out to be unnecessary - because Mercer apparently already knew his name. Nonplussed, and as Worcester had only motioned for his superior to take a seat, he remained standing, quickly covering up his confusion with a look of practiced and modest courtesy.

[Lord William]

William sends for drinks
they will be here shortly, your Grace. What is your opinion on the days to come? what does the future hold for England and her people?

[Dirty Chai]

"Prosperity and peace," Buckingham said drily. He didn't believe that of course. "Why do you ask?"

[Lord William]

Yes, yes and what do you really think Lord Buckingham? If history is any indication I suspect this year will end bloody. The death of kings always brings forward challengers to the throne, people who either want to sit on the throne or pull the strings from behind it.

[Dirty Chai]

"That's a morbid expectation to will onto our young king."

Stafford glanced at the wine curiously.

"I believe his uncles of Clarence and Gloucester to be more than capable of preventing such."

[Lord William]

Morbid or not, I doubt King Edward's reign will go uncontested. He is a young king who people will try to control or worse try to depose. perhap my thoughts are a bit negative but we must be prepared for the worst for I feel these coming months will be trying to say the least. I do have faith in Clarence's leadership though his privy council is filled with Woodvilles and her supporters whom have been given prominent positions. If the Queen wished to seek the regency, I am doubtful Clarence will have any power to stop her.

[Dirty Chai]

"Lord Mercer, and where do you think this leads?" Buckingham asked pointedly.

[Lord William]

At best the regency remains unaltered or changes without bloodshed. The worst case could be anything from a French invasion into Aquitaine and Normandy and/or a Lancaster invasion of England. Factured and splintered we would most likely lose on both fronts, even if we could united could our worn torn armies stand up to the might of France and Lancaster armies?

[Dirty Chai]

"War torn applies to France, as well. And I would not concern thyself with the exiled princeling."

He hated saying that last, for his father and grandfather had spent their final breaths in the service of Henry VI. And what he was about to say was even worse, but the king was now Edward of Grafton, so thus was the opinion of the loyal and virtuous..

"He's widely thought to be not even old Henry's son, in truth."

[Lord William]

William's right eyebrow raised as Buckingham dismissed the threat of France and the young princeling's claim to the throne. Buckingham's denial seemed odd, the dismissal of the French and Lancaster threat was careless and ignorant at best. the possibility of deception did cross William's mind, could the Duke of Buckingham be a Lancaster supporter? It was definitely possible, his father and grandfather both supporters of the Lancaster line, what wisdom did he have over his forefathers to denounce the Lancaster spawn. The questions were endless, the truth of the matter was that William didn't care what side he was on not like his John Tiptoft the butcher of England. Old John was an adamant supporter of King Edward the IV, he probably would have enjoyed routing out Buckingham and watching the axe fall. William was a bit more uncertain though he never showed it, his allegiance was to the stability of the realm and not a specific faction of Plantagenet. If William truly showed his cards he's worried for the future of the realm, Woodville's claws were dug deep into King Edward IV and he knows Edward V will be no different.

Your Grace, France may have seen war but their forces still double ours and a disorganized England is all that it would take to defeat us. As for Edward, we may sully his claims all we like but so long as mainland Europe recognizes his claims and continues to support him he remains a threat to say anything to the contrary is just folly.

[Dirty Chai]

And...? The duke sipped on his wine.

"Did you invite me here, my lord, to lecture me on basic politics, or..? Of course I think the current situation is less than perfect, since you insist on discussing it."

[Lord William]

William laughed
I don't mean to put you on the spot your Grace, I merely think that as noblemen it is our obligation to discuss politics and to try and reshape the realm for the better wherever we can.
William butler arrived and whispered in William's ear before calling everyone to the dinner table.
Dinner is served
As all got up to walk to the dinning room William turned to Buckingham
Your Grace I hope your appetite is large, there will be many courses tonight.
They both entered the dining hall together, everything looked pristine. Everything was measured and placed properly starting from the chairs all the way to the napkins on the table. On each plate was a handwritten menu artistically written that reads as follows

Garden Salad

Lobster Bisque

Roasted Chicken on Rice

Glazed Ham & Garlic Butter Potatoes

Filet served with Vegetables

Variety of Sweet Fruits

[General Brewster]

Very late at night, John Talbot, third earl of Shrewsbury arrived at the manor. He informed he wished to speak to Lord Mercer and he had no time to waste.

[Lord William]

William was asleep when he heard the loud banging on his front door.
Bang, Bang, Bang......
Confused and disgruntled by the noise, William woke up rubbing his eyes whilst looking for his candle. The candle was difficult to find in the darkness, and William stubbed his smallest toe in the process. After several minutes and a quick yell of pain William was finally ready to open his door wearing his nightshirt, cap, and his candle in his left hand. William opened the door uncertain who exactly was at his door.
John is that you???

[General Brewster]

John looked absolutely shocked. Where the hell were the servants? Surely Lord Mercer had money enough to have some... "William? what in gods name is this, where are your servants? An earl has no business opening his own door!" John said, still shocked. Not really waiting to be invited in John walked in, it had been unusually cold for the time he felt.

[Lord William]

I gave my servants the night off, I'm sure they are in the city somewhere. They've worked hard these past few weeks with the move to London and all the dinners, I wanted to reward them for their service so I gave them each a crown and sent them on their way.
William shut the door and guided John to the study, where he lit some more candles.
Don't take this the wrong way John, you're always welcome in my home but what possessed you to come at this ungodly hour?