[ Perhaps he should have informed Strohl ahead of time about his intentions. On the other hand, putting Strohl on notice would only permit him to drum up more rationalizations against the proposal. It's an ambush, so to speak, but Will justifies it by reassuring himself that telling Strohl in advance would only give him more time to agonize over a proper response.
Strohl is right though, that it's somewhat surprising that none have attempted to challenge Strohl's claim to Halia. Typically it only takes the whiff of instability for distant relatives, unheard of until that particular point, to come crawling out of the woodwork. There'd been little to stop those without any threads of lineage from usurping his title too. After all, the fact that all of Halia's buildings, its homes, its establishments, were burned to the ground, meant less upfront work for whoever wished to lay something else on top of it. Depending on who was assessing the shadows of that carnage, the ruins of Halia could be a blessing in disguise.
A pensive expression makes its way across Will's face at the mention of Strohl's father. Both of Strohl's parents seemed to be exceptionally sharp with a significant amount of faith in their son. Based on the stories alone that Strohl has shared with him, it seems crystal clear to Will where Strohl inherited both his mind and his heart. And perhaps it's because of that very heart Will knows his good friend is dodging the essence of the matter. He's prepared to cut through the fog of Strohl's doubts, to reassure Strohl that it's no trouble, no burden at all, until Strohl interrupts his line of attack with that old title. It's a masterful counter, spoken with a warmth saved for the moments spent solely within the company of each other.
And so, Will's eyes widen at the sound of it. He exhales slow, a relieved smile on his face as Strohl is the first to release him temporarily from the trappings of their roles.
Deep down, there'd been a part of him that fretted Strohl might be upset with him for bringing any of this up at all. ]
...right. It's better to have the current conversation like this, isn't it, Strohl?
[ They speak as old comrades now. Thus, where Strohl falters, Will takes the empty book into his hands and holds it out to bridge the distance. If Strohl won't take it with his own hands, Will will meet him partway. ]
It's not a burden. It's something I need to do anyways, and I'm just... getting advice from the person who'd know best what to do with Halia's land.
[ He points again at Strohl's name in the second book with his free hand. ]
It says so right here, see?
[ Still, his friend isn't one to be easily swayed. It's not like Strohl hasn't made some reasonable points. Halia's former residents had taken quite well to Grand Trad after being given their own homes by their lord. Having one's own home certainly facilitated that. It's much easier to build a life once a person knows where they will lay their head each night.
There's a fine line Will needs to walk. He doesn't want to hold Strohl hostage, to force him into a task he has no interest in performing even if there's nothing stopping him from pulling rank. But this exchange isn't taking place between King and General, and instead, between two friends who'd gone to the ends of the world for each other. ]
Besides, it... wouldn't feel right for me to delegate this task to anyone else. But I'd like for this to be on your own terms, so you should take as much time as you need to think things over.
[ His smile turns apologetic now. ]
I... know I sprung this on you out of nowhere. Sorry about that.
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Date: 2024-11-30 03:38 am (UTC)Strohl is right though, that it's somewhat surprising that none have attempted to challenge Strohl's claim to Halia. Typically it only takes the whiff of instability for distant relatives, unheard of until that particular point, to come crawling out of the woodwork. There'd been little to stop those without any threads of lineage from usurping his title too. After all, the fact that all of Halia's buildings, its homes, its establishments, were burned to the ground, meant less upfront work for whoever wished to lay something else on top of it. Depending on who was assessing the shadows of that carnage, the ruins of Halia could be a blessing in disguise.
A pensive expression makes its way across Will's face at the mention of Strohl's father. Both of Strohl's parents seemed to be exceptionally sharp with a significant amount of faith in their son. Based on the stories alone that Strohl has shared with him, it seems crystal clear to Will where Strohl inherited both his mind and his heart. And perhaps it's because of that very heart Will knows his good friend is dodging the essence of the matter. He's prepared to cut through the fog of Strohl's doubts, to reassure Strohl that it's no trouble, no burden at all, until Strohl interrupts his line of attack with that old title. It's a masterful counter, spoken with a warmth saved for the moments spent solely within the company of each other.
And so, Will's eyes widen at the sound of it. He exhales slow, a relieved smile on his face as Strohl is the first to release him temporarily from the trappings of their roles.
Deep down, there'd been a part of him that fretted Strohl might be upset with him for bringing any of this up at all. ]
...right. It's better to have the current conversation like this, isn't it, Strohl?
[ They speak as old comrades now. Thus, where Strohl falters, Will takes the empty book into his hands and holds it out to bridge the distance. If Strohl won't take it with his own hands, Will will meet him partway. ]
It's not a burden. It's something I need to do anyways, and I'm just... getting advice from the person who'd know best what to do with Halia's land.
[ He points again at Strohl's name in the second book with his free hand. ]
It says so right here, see?
[ Still, his friend isn't one to be easily swayed. It's not like Strohl hasn't made some reasonable points. Halia's former residents had taken quite well to Grand Trad after being given their own homes by their lord. Having one's own home certainly facilitated that. It's much easier to build a life once a person knows where they will lay their head each night.
There's a fine line Will needs to walk. He doesn't want to hold Strohl hostage, to force him into a task he has no interest in performing even if there's nothing stopping him from pulling rank. But this exchange isn't taking place between King and General, and instead, between two friends who'd gone to the ends of the world for each other. ]
Besides, it... wouldn't feel right for me to delegate this task to anyone else. But I'd like for this to be on your own terms, so you should take as much time as you need to think things over.
[ His smile turns apologetic now. ]
I... know I sprung this on you out of nowhere. Sorry about that.