<div class="floatleft">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/54/29/2e/54292eda7aecbf7e8de1395949b4700a.jpg)<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Asher Bray</strong></span></div></div><strong>Ashburne - Amberthorne</strong><br/><br/>It wouldn’t have been the first time Lord Stanton attempted to add more weight to his argument by being dismissive, and it also wouldn’t have been the first time that he was called back to the room —whether to be chastised or to continue discussions after Graham reasserted himself.  It was understood that tempers would flair when debating on issues that would affect the entire duchy, but the advisors were still expected to maintain a level of decorum and respect for their lord.  As Stanton came back into the room, Asher watched him from his own seat, raising a brow to silently mock the man as he reclaimed his position opposite Meg.  He was too proud to appear embarrassed; in fact, he was every bit as arrogant as he normally projected.<br/><br/>Graham took his own seat at the head of the table, facing opposite his captain.  Asher looked from Stanton to his lord as he spoke, then turned to Meg as the question they’d all been waiting for was finally asked.  He was fully engaged on what she had to say by that point, though his posture was casual and relaxed.  Shoulder-length black hair was tamed by a cord at the nape of his neck, and his face was shaved clean just before breakfast was served.  It wouldn’t be long before the stubborn growth started to darken his jaw once more.  His habit was usually to let it grow for about a week before he sheared it again, but he made sacrifices when it was time to present himself in a formal setting.  Eyes shining with a clear vibrancy were set on their guest, and he listened as she gave them a tale that justified her sadness.<br/><br/>Her father’s name could have sounded familiar, but it hardly stood out from any other noble he’d heard of or met over the years.  What happened to him was regretful, though it wasn’t surprising to hear he died while being caught up in political intrigue.  A lot of men in the same position would have followed his exact course, especially when he wanted to do right by his family.  Unfortunately, putting one’s trust in the wrong hands and speaking freely when one should keep quiet was a lesson all of their fathers learned, only the men lost their patriarchs years prior, whereas her loss was still a fresh wound.<br/><br/>Asher wanted to offer her words of comfort and understanding, to let her know that she wasn’t exactly alone in her plight, but he and Stanton kept quiet as they turned their attention to Graham.  It was his reaction that they were waiting for, with Asher looking at him in askance.  What one knew the other often did as well, but it was possible that Graham had heard of her father when he personally couldn’t recall any details of the man.  His charge had been right when he said they couldn’t afford to get involved, and yet here they sat, delving deeper in her troubles.  He wasn’t going to object, however.  Her story was a familiar one, and he couldn’t help but wonder if certain events were related, at least partly, to each other...<br/>