de Mowbray estates, Warwickshire

[Gandalfus]

Mowbray fained a smile. The woman spoke the truth but this should not have been the way affairs should have moved forward.
"The almighty works in mysterious ways your Grace. "

Mowbray slowly spun around and overlooked the gigantic entourage of the royals.
"My wife, god have her soul used to tell me something. She said that when our boy Robert went missing, which he did often the little rowdy kid. She would always feel what happened, if he were hurt or not. This one time I told her to calm down and it turned out he had fallen from a tree and hurt his arms." Mowbray brought little conciliation he himself was still troubled by the fact his wife had died. "My words do not bring comfort your Grace, I know it. Losing a loved one and having no contact with those whom remain burden the soul. This is hard but how we let the tests of the lord define us, that's the real test your Grace." This was not Mowbray's forte...

For a time, Matilda remained silent, left to her own thoughts. Richard and William were safe, at least, in the lands of her kin. Robert, however, was lost to her. And she desperately wanted to find him, more than anything, whatever the cost.

"Lord forgive me, Lord Mowbray, but I want vengeance for the son that was robbed from me."

The quiet voice finally broke the silence. William's queen had been weathered by the hardships of the last few years. Grief and pain had slowly turned to bitter anger.

"I want to find out who did this to me, and make them pay."

She didn't care if Robert returned to her as a landless beggar. Only that he was alive.

[General Brewster]

For a time, Matilda remained silent, left to her own thoughts. Richard and William were safe, at least, in the lands of her kin. Robert, however, was lost to her. And she desperately wanted to find him, more than anything, whatever the cost.

"Lord forgive me, Lord Mowbray, but I want vengeance for the son that was robbed from me."

The quiet voice finally broke the silence. William's queen had been weathered by the hardships of the last few years. Grief and pain had slowly turned to bitter anger.

"I want to find out who did this to me, and make them pay."

She didn't care if Robert returned to her as a landless beggar. Only that he was alive.

Mowbray frowned at the notion of vengeance. Whom should it be directed at? Mowbray was sure that either the King or one of his advisors had made Robert fall of the face of the earth but how would he get definitive prove without poking a hornets nest?

"Your grace I feel a sense of pride that you wish to share this with me however I do not know how to proceed. How would you inquire for the matter if it has been continuously ignored at court so far?" Mowbray wondered. He did not have the connections to inquire about the matter himself he thought. He added. "Nor do I know anyone at court that could help us in the matter, frankly I have not been at court since King William's coronation your Grace."

[Gandalfus]

"We must find ourselves some friends then, Lord Mowbray. I for one trust less than half of the men my husband ennobled after Hastings."

Electing Edgar had been an unforeseen outcome, and she could appreciate why they did so in such a time of crisis. But to dispossess her sons and send them into exile had been shameful.

[General Brewster]

"We must find ourselves some friends then, Lord Mowbray. I for one trust less than half of the men my husband ennobled after Hastings."

Electing Edgar had been an unforeseen outcome, and she could appreciate why they did so in such a time of crisis. But to dispossess her sons and send them into exile had been shameful.

Mowbray nodded as he looked at the sun that was setting. Was this some prolific scene showing the decline of his house and power? Mowbray was by no means the most powerful lord in the land. Not even the closest yet his power projection couldn't be denied with England's first fortified castle and a second one on it's way in Norfolk. What could Mowbray do to help the family that he had sworn fealty too at first? The family that was so rudely put aside by power hungry nobles who seemed to stop at nothing just so they could project their power on the new King.. Even worse, Mowbray was now openly discussing treason whilst the King was in his very home.. albeit not the King he hated but surely not the King he chose.. even though it's lineage..

"Your Grace.. Perhaps.. I have an idea." He said somewhat usering his words very slowly, as if he was picking them on the fly. "I have been invited to a campaign against the Welsh, perhaps not unknown to yourself too." Mowbray paused so the Queen-dowager could catch up. "Perhaps I can convince the King to take on young Roger in his personal guard or at least his house hold. That way Roger can make some quiet inquiries whilst we seek people who are of the .. same mind my Queen."

[Gandalfus]

“Good. I am no fool, so I hold my suspicions already, but I wish them confirmed.”

Edgar had apparently insisted to his wife that he knew nothing. So who else had something to gain? There could only be a few men. Privately, she thanked God for rewarding her instinct to trust this man who now provided her with an opportunity to find her son.

[General Brewster]

“Good. I am no fool, so I hold my suspicions already, but I wish them confirmed.”

Edgar had apparently insisted to his wife that he knew nothing. So who else had something to gain? There could only be a few men. Privately, she thanked God for rewarding her instinct to trust this man who now provided her with an opportunity to find her son.

Mowbray smiled. "We shall get to the bottom of it your Grace." As Mowbray said that a servent came to inform them that dinner was being served.

"Shall we go towards dinner my lady?"

[Lord William]

Richard de Clare’s bannerman arrives with a chest of £7,000 to be delivered to Sir Roger Mowbray in payment of his debt

[General Brewster]

De Clare's man are given a signed, waxed and sealed document from Mowbray's clerk describing he has fulfilled his obligations.

OOC: (this goes through depending on the other threads progression."

[chesser2538]

Some time after the events of York have been settled...

Lord Gerald d'Avranches has traveled to Warwickshire to visit with Lord Mowbray. Having been hosted at a number of castles along the way he is quite impressed by the state of the fortifications, and their number.

[General Brewster]

Lord d'Avranches is granted permission into Castle Warwick. The grandest, largest, most prestigious and oldest castle of its kind within the Kingdom of England. The courtyard was brimming with activity as the youg sir Roger was always one to keep his people busy. Stacking the stores with ample supplies even in peace time but also giving out what wasn't needed to the poor. Roger rather shared in the riches he had than spoil the supplies he wasn't using anyway. Lord d'Avranches is escorted by a honor guard into the main hall of the keep where Roger was found discussing the state of his latest fortification project. Before the end of the year all the provinces under the care of Mowbray would have at least basic fortifications. Lord d'Avranches notices he should address Sir Roger first as he is far to focused on the little scale models of his fortifications to notice the man coming in.

[chesser2538]

Entering the room, Gerald eyes the older Mowbray leaning over a table where little scale models were arranged, a childish glee on his face. On the other side of the room the younger Mowbray stood discussing business with an aide. Choosing to forgo talking with the elder man until he was free he approaches the younger. As he nears the aide notices him and quiets; both men looking up. "Hello Sir Mowbray," giving the man an appraising look "I had planned to talk with your father, but I suppose you will do, considering you are the reason for my visit." Bearing a good resemblance to his father, the younger man had a healthy look and a sturdy physique, likely gained from long hours in the yard.

[General Brewster]

Entering the room, Gerald eyes the older Mowbray leaning over a table where little scale models were arranged, a childish glee on his face. On the other side of the room the younger Mowbray stood discussing business with an aide. Choosing to forgo talking with the elder man until he was free he approaches the younger. As he nears the aide notices him and quiets; both men looking up. "Hello Sir Mowbray," giving the man an appraising look "I had planned to talk with your father, but I suppose you will do, considering you are the reason for my visit." Bearing a good resemblance to his father, the younger man had a healthy look and a sturdy physique, likely gained from long hours in the yard.

Roger looked up and was surprised to see a visitor, nonetheless he knew who he was because of a careful whisper by his court chancellor. "Ah Lord d'Avranches welcome to Warwick Castle." Roger dismissed the others, grabbed two cups and offered one to Lord d'Avranches. "Well it surely would be hard to talk to my father now, considering his banishment." Casually taking a sip of his beverage Roger asked "Forgive me Lord d'Avranches but what business could you possible have for me? Is there something my father had previously talked about with you?" Roger had no clue what could bring d'Avranches here today.