I pull out the one belt dagger I had brought and hand it over.

Travis, smiles at the guards before he answers. "I didn't bring any weapons with me this time." He gives them a polite bow.

After you all leave your weapons you are escorted into the house an into a parlor.  In the parlor is a small stage to the side that is occupied by four people playing some soft music on stringed instruments.  next to the small stage is platter with cups two jugs and a selection of meats and cheeses.  You are told to make yourself comfortable as you wait for the councilwoman to join you.   There are plenty of comfortable seats for you all and even a large pillow that Cesaer can sit upon.

Moving casually, I pick up a cup and fill it halfway with one jug, get a plate and put about a dozen assorted food stuff pieces on it, and find a chair with the rest of the party. Waiting patiently, I study the musicians and their playing, curious to see if there are any similarities to the styles I know from Earth. 

I'll find a space for me and Thalica, taking a cup of whatever is offered as we wait.

  I sit down next to Caesar as he plops down on the large cushion.  " Caesar, be on your best behavior now. " He stares at me looking slightly annoyed.    I grab some fruit and cheese for us and a cup of wine.  Swirling it in my mouth, I grin.  " That is quality wine. " 

OOC: I am assuming there is wine. 

Looks like I'm waiting outside.

OOC: Feel free to come on in.  You asked to be my bodyguard for this.  

Ooc: I'm not any finery and I don't want to give up my blessed weapon. Waiting outside should be pretty acceptable for the circumstance.

Travis, looks at the cheese platter and provided jug. He, pours himself some ale or wine? into the mug while grabbing a few cheeses and meats before taking a seat with the others. "Well, looks like a good custom from earth what a good host," he says nibbling on the cheeses and meats.

After about twenty minutes the councilwoman appears at the door.  She is a human woman and apprears to be around 35 with long brown hair falling down to her waist.  She is of medium build and appears to be in good shape.  She stops and stares at Rachel and Cesear for a moment before entering into the room and greeting you all.  As she greets Rachel Rachel can tell that she is not happy that Rachel is here.  Once she takes her seat across the room the thanks Jorel for his time and bringing your group to her house.  After Jorel sits down she addresses you.

"Jorel told me there was Druid with you but I was hoping that he was mistaken.  I know that many in this city cater to the presence of a druid but they also have short memories and do not remember how the druids declared war upon this land.  While that war has ended and peace is once more upon us all many people start to forget about what happened.  There are others in the kingdom and here in the city remember all too well though.  But let us forget about that as you tell me about this Kingdom that you are here to represent."

  I keep my face blank as I listen.  " I had nothing to do with the war that you mention.  Your generalization is frankly very insulting.  I will not trouble your presence any longer.  " I glance at Caesar.  " Come, my friend.  We are not welcome here.  " Caesar follows me from the room with an angry look visible.  We will head outside and rejoin Jonathan. 

I look after Rachel, somewhat surprised at her reaction. Well then... Setting aside the cup I had held, I'll address the councilwoman after Rachel has departed. "Please forgive my companion, we have gone through a great deal of trouble to get here, and the respect she has been shown in this place was a welcome thing. If it helps, she spoke the truth, she not only had nothing to do with this war, but is neither descended from nor trained by the druids who were involved."

"In regards to the kingdom in question. I'm sure it seemed to your informants as if we sprang up from nowhere. That is not very far from the truth. The stronghold, along with the vast majority of people occupying it, were transported here from another world. Our Lord is known as Douglas, his scryers predicted that the land in question would be unsettled and ripe for harvest. It has been, and in spite of Merkin's efforts to cause us trouble, we're growing fast. A growing number of our people now include refugees from Merkin's brutality, people of this world that managed to escape or were rescued."

"Thus far, we've beaten back every incursion on his part, and recently forced him to pull well out of the lands we hope to claim in the forseeable future. I would not expect him to respect that tentative border for any length of time, but we are prepared to remind him of it."

"My companions and I serve as something of a vanguard for these efforts, we scout the land and deal with most of the problems in the region, both those proffered by Merkin and the land's more endemic threats. If we seem a little rough around the edges, I do apologize, our current service as a delegation is not something we are used to. At the time we recognized that there was an opportunity to make contact with your nation, it would have taken as much as an additional month to arrange more formal representatives, and it was decided that a measure of haste would be prudent."

"Is there anything in particular you wish to know?"

Adding to the dialogue, I add to Jason's statement about Rachel "Unfortunately, when we first arrived here, she had the worst encounter with the natives of any of us.  For her to be treated like royalty here in town, and then your surprising attitude towards her, after such an introduction, has shaken things up. Please realize that we are more than simply strangers to your city, but to your whole world. It's history is a mystery, it's magic is a revelation. So please forgive any faux pas we may commit in our education."

"Our mutual foe Merklin has found us a serious and unexpected threat and has chosen to be unabashedly aggressive and evil towards our innocent arrival. We have had to respond in kind, and our cooperative abilities have so far exceeded his attempts. We are well aware that isn't sustainable without allies outside of our forces, and our Lord Douglas has given us some freedom to negotiate and at least begin the process."

The council woman watches Rachel leave the room and the house.  She looks satisfied with her departure.    As the rest of you try to make it seem less a issue she calmly looks at you as you speak.  Once you are done she speaks.  

"I have nothing against her but she is a druid. It does not matter where she came from but I can tell you that this city is very divided about druids.  The king himself allows them to be in the city but he will not meet with one. As long as they do not show any aggressive tendencies towards those in power or those who reside here in the city they are tolerated.  I just wanted her to understand that and for you to understand that the king nor the council will meet with diplomats or groups that include a druid.   I am sure she has nothing to do with the war that happened as you say but I am not one to cater to a druid of any kind.    If you wish to continue with the diplomatic approach then she will need to understand that she will not be welcome and could cause extra strain on any diplomatic mission.   She may have gotten some good receptions so far in the city but she needs to be aware that there are some here in the city that will try to kill her just for being a druid.   I hope that you understand the strain on any diplomatic mission with her being present.   Now what can you tell me about the Lord Douglas and what assistance he needs with Merklin."

I frown, "If you do not mind a little unsolicited advice, I would suggest pushing to end that. If you do not seek understanding of one another, the odds of further conflict only improve. I do not think we are in a position to we are in a position to change that attitude however, so I thank you for the information, we will adjust accordingly."

I go on to describe the major personalities at the stronghold. I deliberately stay away from mentioning details that might be considered sensitive from a political or security nature.

"In any case, in regards to what we hope to gain from this, much of that depends upon details that have yet to be confirmed. In the long run I suspect we will seek to discuss an offensive alliance to deal with merklin once and for all, an objective that would be beneficial to both of us. But it could be some time before that is a real possibility. In the shorter term, what we could use the most right now would be people. Merchants, laborers, tradesmen, farmers, and soldiers. Lord Douglas came prepared to build a nation in the middle of nowhere, but this threat has inspired a certain degree of urgency, and we are a little short on free hands. An announcement to your people that anyone seeking an opportunity for gainful employment can find it with us would help a great deal."

"I also have a trade proposal in mind, one that could benefit both of our nations greatly. Ask your trade Minister how interested he would be in getting access to bolts of decent quality cotton cloth for as little as half the price of roughspun linen. It will take us some time to get a factory set up to deliver on that, and even longer to get to where we could Supply as much cloth as I suspect you will be wanting, but if there is interest in such a deal, there's no point in waiting to speak about it."

"You say that I should be tolerant of people who attacked us for no reason?  You young man have a lot to learn in life.  As far as your small group meeting with the full council I can arrange that but like I said I will not bring you forth if the Druid is going to be in that group.  As far as the trade negotiations that is something you can bring up to the full council as the person you would want to talk to will be there.  The Lord Douglas sounds like a capable man.  I would think that a diplomat could be sent with you back to him so that we can really negotiate between our two countries.  As far as any settlers heading out to your rulers land that would be something the king has to decide.  Is there any other question you have for me?"

 I walk outside with a stone visage.  I fight back tears of anger. Seeing Jonathan i say, " Have fun with this witch.  I will not tolerate being treated like this.   " Walking past him i gesture to Caesar. " Come my friend. We aren't welcome here. Stay close. They might try to hurt one of us.  If anyone attacks us Caesar, show no mercy.  " He grunts and beats his chest and quickly catches up to me.  

Outside the Guards do not say anything and watch Rachel storm off with Caesar folling behind her while on guard for any trouble.  Does Jonathan go with her as her protector too or stay at the councilwomans manor?

"What if she wasn't obviously a Druidess? Would that help? It's a bit broad-sweeping to lump an innocent in with the guilty, but if a disguise or another way of concealing her ability would help, we have many options. Perhaps if you knew that she wasn't even a Druid until a few months past?"