Laurens of Rocque: a dark man with a dark past. Father Zachary blesses himself when passing Laurens. Laurens always says, “Thank you.”
Thomas Gray: none as yet
Gwynedd: a young Welsh lass of 19, tall, blond, colored by the sun, and has a very remarkable voice.a singer. She is singing her way up the quality of taverns in York.
Sir Martin Neville: 18 years old with dark hair and blue eyes. Stories say he is just back from the siege of Orleans in France. The Neville family is large, from Durham and occupies Raby Castle.
Gabriel of Brittany: Grey green eyes. Short brown hair. Average size. Looks as if he could be of noble birth England, France or Spain.
Donal Rourke: young
Vivienne Avondale: Dark hair, pale skin, exotic cast to her features. Large dark eyes. Mid to late teens.
Richard, Duke of York: He is 20 years old. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He is strong and capable. He fought to regain the dukedom after it was lost in disgrace by his father who attempted a coup against Henry V. He may be drafted into service.
Gwynedd: a singer.
Donal Rourke: a functionary for the Duke’s accountant, Nicholas Bayly. He has a talent for turning a profit where there should be none.
Nicholas Bayly: Duke’s accountant, in his forties, beard, thinning brown/grey hair, a family man.
Gabriel of Brittany: a courier for the Duke’s Chancellor.
Rodger Carter: Chancellor for the Duke. Intelligent, above court politics, short and plump, conversational, but not loose lipped.
Thomas Gray: new artist in residence.
Vivienne Avondale: in service to Quillius as copyist and archivist.
Quillius: Duke’s advisor. Rumored to have been in service of York family for a very long time. Quiet, ancient, wrinkled, pale. Wears concealing grey robes with tight hoods.
Sir Martin Neville: Neville family representative.
Laurens of Rocque: A sword for hire working for the Duke. Reports to the Marshall, Lord Samuel of Kirkham.
Arthur and Sarah Smith: blacksmith and cook. Arthur is large and reputed to have giant’s blood. Sarah is strong and stout, queen of her domain.
James: fowler. His father was the previous fowler. James grew up getting in to trouble with the Duke.
Jeffery Butler: Chamberlain. Thin, hawkish, brown hair and eyes. Suspicious and diligent.
Denise: housekeeper. Stern and sour, dark eyes, black and grey hair. Is in constant battles with the chamberlain.
Sir Andrew of Durham: Master of the stables.
Philip Wood: Master of the hounds. He is a master tracker. He has dark hair, green eyes with yellow flecks.
Garret, the Olitor: manages the gardens. Is considered deaf, blind and stupid.
Father Zachary: late thirties, short cropped grey hair. He is good natured and pious.
Currently, York is a center for trade. It has a booming economy based on textiles and materials. The peasants are doing okay. The Sheriff of Yorkshire is rumored to be mistreating them.
Peter Watts: city manager
John Richards: alderman
Leonard Sadler: sheriff
Captain Edmond the Quick: Captain of the guard
Charles Dean: Archbishop of York.
Richard Latham: dock master.
Edith the Stout: Master of Wolf’s Head inn. The inn is considered safe and for the upper middle class. Edith is a large, middle aged and wonderful woman.
All our actors are in the city of York.
The day is cold. there is no snow. Spring festivals are beginning. The Duke is having a smallish party to which all the retinue are invited.
Gwynedd while playing at the Wolf’s Head is approached to play at the Duke’s party. She accepts graciously.
Donal is out walking the market district with a spring in his step. He sees a gorgeous woman with another fine woman. They are speaking to a merchant he knows. Donal approaches the merchant, Douglas, and asks for an introduction to the gorgeous woman. Douglas introduces Donal to the young lady, but does not know her name. She introduces herself as Marguerite. She has green eyes and auburn hair. She speaks with a French accent. She appear to be of good birth. She is wearing traveling clothes. She’s in York on “potential business” with the Duke on a “trifling matter.” Donal says he keeps the Duke’s purse filled and invites her to wine. He asks about her accommodations while in York. Marguerite agrees to meet Donal after the 3rd bell past dusk and asks for a good place to stay. Donal suggests the Wolf’s Head. He gives direction to the inn to Florence, the fine woman who is Marguerite’s hand maiden. Florence is blond, blue eyed, flirtatious, but pales in beauty next to her mistress.
Donal plays nice and then circles back to the merchant to find out more about Marguerite. Douglas says she was just window shopping. Donal returns to the offices of the accountant and casually inquires about matters in France. He asks about allies across the pond and gets a no-comment from Nicholas, the accountant.
Gabriel makes rounds about the castle gathering gossip especially with the gardener who isn’t so blind nor so deaf as is commonly believed. Garret says the Duke seems anxious, but the reason is hard to hear.
Sir Martin arrived at court on a battered horse only 2 days before. He is unhappy at being punished by dressing up. He wonders if his brother is mad that he survived.
Vivienne, is interrupted. she takes Quillius’s cue to dress simply(in robes).
Thomas is eagerly dressing for this opportunity. He is eager to draw Vivienne, having met Quillius.
Laurens is quizzing the kitchen staff. He finds out it is a meal for 30. His quizzing is annoying the cook, Sarah. He also finds out that the nicest room in the castle is being prepped for someone. He goes to the stables and sees Gabriel talking to one of the grooms. Laurens terrorizes the grooms to find out who is in or out.
Dinner comes. Minor nobles, local lords and ladies including Sir Andrew attend. Sir Martin is glad to see Sir Andrew, joyful at the reunion with one of his family members. Sir Martin is invited to hunt with the Duke, but perhaps not tomorrow morning. He drinks!
After everyone is seated, the Duke stands and make an announcement. He is engaged. He introduces his fiance, Lady Marguerite de Reenx(sp?). The meal is wonderful. She seems to be acting more impressed than she is, but plays the part well. She excures herself between 2 and 3 bells saying she is tired from her journey and needs to rest.
The music for the evening is performed by Gwynedd, a wonderful Welsh singer.
Donal makes his excuses and goes to attend to some “paperwork.” His “paperwork” takes him to the Wolf’s Head. He takes a discreet table. The Lady arrives. Donal says. “Congratulations” and offers her a glass. She responds, “The goods are not yet paid for. I am still entertaining other offers.”