(Part 1 - The start. Note that I'm using real names until I remember your character ones )
Conner pushes back from the desk, rubbing his temple as he stretches out his cramped back and fingers. He slumps against the back of the chair, letting out an oh-so-silent sigh, as not to alert the other just next door that he'd completed the latest round of letters, proclamations and other correspondence that had been piling up the last six months or so that Lord Morgrymn had been dominated.
Briefly Conner had a vision of the piles of papers in front of him exploding into beautiful flame, along with Balthazar's beard. A grim smile touches his lips as his imagination was quite adequate to alleviate his mood, lucky for his 'personal assistant'.
"Personal Assistant? More like head torturer." he mutters to himself as he shuffles the papers around as if still working in the automatic way he's picked up these past two weeks to gain him a little more private time for his own thoughts. He KNEW he wasn't being fair to Balthazar, his personal assistant and head scribe of the tower, but the man seemed to have a sixth sense that told him when Conner had completed one task, to set another before him without delay.
As if summoned by his thoughts, a firm knock at the door and the scraggly bearded face of Balthazar appeared from around it, without waiting for acknowledgement.
"Sire, are you complete with those treaties yet? There are several townsfolk waiting to speak with you and... oh, you are, how wonderful.`&" he gleefully starts to gather up the various piles as he gestures to the door.
"If you please, sire. They are waiting in the Great Hall." he shoos Conner out the door, two guards coming to attention and following a few steps behind as Conner starts down the hallway, laughing to the guards, not having gotten in a word edgewise, as usual. He shrugs rolling his eyes.
"If either of you ever comes before me in trouble, make sure you have Balthazar to speak for you. He'll wear me down in no time with all his prattling. " Conner speaks softly, despite being a good ten yards down the hall already, the old, grizzled sergeant joining his laughter, the other, a young, serious officer, not sure what to do with his new liege. He settles on mumbling, "Aye, Sire." gravely.
Conner just rolls his eyes again with another laugh, stepping lively and covering the distance to the Great Hall quickly. Everything he does these days seems to go so fast, he sighs to himself.
Getting to the Great Hall, he enters, moving a little slower, as he passes the deputation from the town, nodding with a smile to each, the smile broadening at the sight of a pretty half-elf with fiery red hair. She gets a soft wink as he finishes walking up the steps to his 'Throne' and sitting beckons them forward. He smiles inwardly to see the red-head flushing, despite the coolness of the room.
"Welcome. What do we owe the honor of your presence today?" Conner states with a bit of pomp. Not much, but just enough to settle down his own sense of humor, so he doesn't laugh outright before hearing the townsfolk out. In the back, he notices Balthazar entering and sitting in his usual corner to take notes.
An older, greying, but stout man steps forward, his face set in a bit of a grimace. "Forgive us the hasty nature of our visit, your majesty, but it has come to our attention that you have declined to levy taxes on the town to rebuild. While this is appreciated, we have come to find out how we are to rebuild without assistance.`&" The mans voice is steady, though his he can't help a small quiver in his legs as he stands facing this new, powerful and unknown ruler.
Conner leans on the arm of the throne as he appraises the deputation. Evidently this was quite a concern, as he notices quite a few of the prominent citizens of Shadowdale in the small party. The red-headed half-elf, having regained some control, eyed him warily, though not unfriendly.
"It's a simple matter of supply and demand.", Conner begins matter-of-factually. "We've confiscated the properties of those who collaborated willingly with the Zhents and Drow. Guilt was determined in a zone of truth cast by my good friend, Jaren. It turned out to be quite... substantial. You will all be receiving a share of those monies to assist you in your own rebuilding." Conner gives them all a very grim smile, "Besides, those traitors will be doing most of the labor for you as well, before being shipped off to the sword coast to be sold."
The silence was deafening as Conner's smile softens a little, an eyebrow raising in question. "Was there anything else you wished to discuss?".
The older man and his deputation recovered and started backing away, bowing, "No Sire. You are most generous. Thanks you." Conner nods, waving his permission to retire and they all flee the room.
Conner allows himself a soft chuckle as looks at Balthazar, "So what is next on the docket?" he inquires a little wearily. Balthazar just stands and hands him a piece of parchment. "Seems you've been summoned to appear before the Coronal at Myth Drannor, Sire." his voice cracks slightly as most people never come back from that cursed spot.
Conner laughs happily and waves over a soldier, "Captain Stubbens, I am about to start on a journey of indeterminate length, would you be so kind as to make sure you and Balthazar keep things in one piece while I'm gone." The Captain bowing nods, "You can trust us, sire."
Conner claps Stubbens on the shoulder with a smile, "I know I can." then excitedly, he bounds out the door to get ready to go, much like a puppy finally having been released from it's leash.
Stubbins and Balthazar give each other side looks, then with a shared smile, move to start preparing for their lords absence.