Earl
He opened his mouth to answer. He was caught off guard that he was actually given such an opportunity. An opportunity most men would die for. "A lordship? It wasn't my intention to shoot that far, your grace... I don't seek such power that other men or women can use more wisely."
Joseph
She gave a bemused smile, and leaned back in her chair. "I'm sorry then, Drake. I must have misunderstood you somewhere in our conversation. You're looking for permission to establish a hunting lodge in South Feyshore. But you wish to do it on someone elses lands? Why bother asking me? If you're looking for a recommendation as a place to settle, then I won't be able to help you in that regard. You'd need to contact the lord of the area you and your son decide to settle upon." She glanced to Ivor. 

"Though it is strange to me you'd turn down the opportunity, considering your talk of a legacy with this one." She nodded to Ivor, and glanced back at Drake. "But if a lodge is all you're hoping for, the permits are to be given based upon the city in South Feyshore you occupy. If you're looking for patronage from Astoria, you might find it when you start to show promise in your own providence."
Earl
Drake thought over silently long enough that he wouldn't become a nuisance. His eyes staring at his hands. He could give his son a better life. He was being a selfish old fool. "Excuse my doubt... Im not being sensible." His eyes lifted, his blue irises staring forward. "If you are still willing to give me that chance at a lordship... I'd take it."
Joseph
Anyanka let him think on it, and in turn, contemplated the two men before her. When Drake spoke again, asking for the chance at a lordship, she pressed her lips together.

"I'm afraid I believe you're right, Drake. Other men and women could use the position for better." She mused, and stood. Pinned to the wall, a map of Astoria and South Feyshore rested. There were notes jotted down, as well as dozens of ledgers and journals on the table beneath it with more notes when she realized she wouldn't be able to keep them contained to the map. Her finger lifted, landing on Zahrada. She paused and dragged her nail along the parchment until it landed on Alsher.

"Lord Syric Vignola runs Alsher. He's a newly appointed lord, and his territory could use the help of a man like you, Drake. A hunting lodge would be useful for the booming population. It's fairly forested, so the game should be abundant." The redhead paused and looked over her shoulder, silver eyes landing on Ivor as her finger moved a few inches to the left. 

"The territory next to his is in need of a lordship. And Ivor, should the idea of being a part of my council suit you more than your father: it's yours."
Earl
"Very well, that is fair your grace." Drake nodded. "Thank you. I look forward to working with Lord Vignola."

Ivor couldn't offer much of an expression. His mind had a plethora of new things to now think on. Like his father, he gave a nod. "I'll think on it." He replied.
Joseph
Once more, Anyanka nodded. She moved to the door, pulling it open and gesturing the way through the throne room. Guards shifted as the door opened, standing at attention. 

"Your weapons and other belongings will be returned upon your departure. And gentleman," She glanced between them both, "Return when you've found a passion for the positions been offered to you. Otherwise don't return at all." She let her eyes linger a but on Drake then turned for the door herself. 

"Enjoy Alsher."
Earl
The duo offered one last bow and saw themselves out, collecting their equipment as they left. From there, they headed to the markets and sold their pelts so they had money for the road. Drake, in the end, left feeling he hadn't left the best impression in their meeting. 

Ivor mounted his horse and trodded with his father down the path towards their next destination. Still he was unsure of the entire situation before them. The sun had, by this time, started to sink in the east. Within a few hours they'd need to camp for the night, or if the gods were kind, they'd get to enjoy the luxury of an inn tonight.
Edward
Eric woke up well before the morning sun began to rise in a cold sweat and his heart pounding, it was becoming a common occurence with winter nights. Something about winter left him uneasy and prone to memories. He rolled out of bed and began to dress in some clothes he wore for trainning. They were looser in fitting, and were not warm; he refused to dress warm when training. It had been days since Eric had last trained, and he was growing antsy. With this early wake-up, he might be able to find his schedule again and eturn to a somewhat normal routine. Of course without the work, birds flew slower in the cold and soldiers often didn't like trainning in freezing temperatures. Winter logistics were a nightmare, and were slow, so, Eric wasn't that busy. Eric walked through the empty halls alone, his footsteps echoed. A coal boy was going through and relighting the torches for the last few hours of night. Eric saw him every morning.

"Good morning, Sir." The boy said, timid as usual.

"Good morning." Eric said, pleasantly enough, the tiredness present in his voice. 

It was never hard for Eric to find someone to train with, most guards jumped at the opportunity to have something to do. He never took someone from their post, he always pulled a guard who was about to go off duty and only ever volunteers. The courtyard was covered in a fresh cover of snow, only disturbed by the changing of the guard. The sight created a lightness in Eric's chest, it was pretty. Then the blast of frigid air struck him and he shuddered. Eric removed his sword belt and the guardsman did the same. They'd agreed to do some hand-to-hand spars. No fists or hitting, grappling. Just grappling and subduing an opponent. 

"Are you sure you do not want something warmer, Sir?" The guard asked, wearing a coat and some wool pants. 

"I am sure, it's about to get warm enough." Eric responded.

The two moved off to the side, away from the center of the courtyard and stood with their backs against each other. Eric was taller than the man, with broader shoulders and an overall larger build, but the guard wasn't meek looking, built small by nature of being mostly a sword and shield-man. The two counted down from three, when they'd counted off one, Eric started to turn around, moving quickly on his feet, but the guard took an unexpected initiative and threw his back into Eric as he turned. This knocked Eric off balance and stumbled him. The next thing Eric knew, he was facedown in the snow with the guard on Eric's back, trying to take control of his hands. 

Eric wasn't losing in the first few seconds, and he kept his chin tucked to his neck to prevent him from getting choked, and Eric pushed his right side up and tried to throw his whole body so he'd roll onto his back. The guard hadn't achieved a stable mount on Eric's back, so he'd rolled over and Eric sat up as much as he could and reached out to grab the guard. In the moment, Eric's chin untucked and the guard grabbed Eric's neck with one hand, and his shoulder with the other. Eric found both shoulders, not and ideal position but the clothes gave it a stable grip. Then, the two were rolling in the snow, trying to throw each other off balance. Trying to break each other's grip, their legs shifted to push each other away to get some distance while whoever was in a better position tried to get closer.

The spar went on for what felt like forever, going back and forth in the matter of second in a match that had only been going for about five minutes. It came to and end when Eric finally achieved a secure place on top of the guard, and without seeking to control the guard's hands, Eric grabbed the guard's collar, crossing his hands to the right hand held the guard's left side of his clothes' collar and Eric left went for the guard's right collar. He then brought the collar tight, the strong fabric of the coat didn't tear, instead it was brought tightly on the back and sides of the guard's neck. The guard started to turn red and his breathes turned labored. The choke didn't restrict air flow, it restricted blood flow. Eric saw the confusion of being able to breathe, but the guard was clearly becoming light headed. He fought, trying to pry Eric's hands away, but the guard was getting weaker and his head fell back into the snow. The fighting got weak, and turned from prying to a three light taps which led to Eric releasing and rolling off of the guard.

The guard started to cough and breathe heavily while laying in the snow. Eric was just starting to realize how cold the snow was with the adreniline fading. His clothes were soaked all the way through, and he doubted the guard felt much better. Eric got up and offered a hand out to the guard. The guard took Eric's hand and Eric pulled him up out of the snow. Eric gave him a half smile. 

"Everything good?" Eric asked, hoping he hadn't gone too far.

"Yeah... Sir, I'm good. What was that? It was awful."

"A blood choke," Eric explained, "It restricts blood to your head. So you can breathe, but you will still pass out."

The guard nodded. "Fuck. It was awful, thank you for the session, sir, but it's cold and I'm exhausted. Could use breakfast and some more sleep." Eric nodded and allowed him to return to the guard barracks. He didn't feel so great himself, his throat burned and the rest of him was freezing and wet. With his short training session done for the day, Eric went back into the castle to change into more proper attire and to eat breakfast.