Selling Bar

[Gandalfus]

Having arranged a meeting with Edward's cousin in Lorraine, Somerset rides into the current Ducal seat, royal arms held aloft, and announces himself. It seemed they would leave Bar for good, for the Duchy was to be sold for as much coin as possible.

[Oznerol]

The duke himself was rather unremarkable; not very tall, a prominent nose, thin. But René surrounded himself with all the pomp he was due, he was noneless the duke of Lorraine, and, thusly, one of the most powerful nobles in Europe. The duke looked dreamy, slightly aloof, like he was focused on his own mind than whatever happened around him: he was remarkably cultured and had wide interests, like geography. However, the duke had defeated the bold Charles of Burgundy, and now the spoils of the late duke adorned his palace of Nancy. The palace itself had been remodelated and restored in the previous years and it was the scenario of the audience granted to Somerset. Once pleasantries were exchanged, the long-nosed duke addressed Beaufort in latin.

"So, Lord Somerset, what has brought you here? I guess none but my cousin Lancaster could have sent you to Nancy"

[Gandalfus]

"You guess rightly, my Lord of Lorraine."

Somerset greeted Rene with a steep bow, his fingers clutching at the richly ordained livery collar round his throat.

"My King has come with an offer, for he now focuses on regaining his rightful patrimony of England."

[Oznerol]

"Yes, yes"

He clasps his hands.

"I am not simple-minded, so I guess my cousin wants me to purchase his dukedom"

René looked disgusted, as the very act of selling your own inheritance repulsed him, disturbed him even. He could easily claim it as soon as his cousin turned tails heading to England, but a peaceful solution was better for everyone.

"My grandfather would not be pleased, but I guess a kingdom is worth more than Bar"

If he even regains it. It seemed Edward had inherited their common grandfather's folly for royal titles, empty or not.

"Tell me, my Lord, how much does my cousin want?"

René was not a fool, so he cuts the conversation down to bussiness. His thin, dark hair frames the plain face, the nose protuding as the only remarkable trait on all its surface. A very regal nose.

[Gandalfus]

"Twenty five thousand livres, my lord, for the Dukedom of Bar and all the lands, vassals and privileges therein."

Lorraine's attitude was a little startling, though Beaufort was relieved that they could cut through the pleasantries.

[Oznerol]

"I bet my cousin has already fleeced the duchy, from one point to another"

Said Lorraine, deepening the frown on his brow.

"Your king will only leave me empty castles, empoverished subjects and discontent vassals. Things that I will have to take care off and the current will take few years before returning to its course"

He scratches his prominent nose.

"Sixteen thousand"

Haggling was below them, but someone had to do it.

[Gandalfus]

"Twenty, and all rights shall be renounced, my lord. The Duchy shall be yours entirely, with no future claims from England."

Offered Beaufort. That was his minimum price, anyway, so it was either twenty thousand or bust.

[Oznerol]

"Good, I find this agreeable. Your king, my cousin, shall leave the duchy in the shortest amount of time posible. By Christmas Bar must already be in my hands, fully"

Said Lorraine.

"I will dispatch the funds through a letter of exchange that shall be in your liege's hands as soon as he crosses the borders of the duchy, the sooner the better"

He craked his tongue.

"A document shall be redacted, signed and sealed by both. I am sure the lady of Bourbon will not be opposed to this deal"

With Louis dead now Anne of Beaujeu acted as regent of France.

[Gandalfus]

"Excellent. I'm sure my Lord's clerks shall be able to draw up somethin sufficient for you and Madam Le Grande."

Replied Beaufort, glad to have come to such a swift agreement with Rene.