Wait, I want to come with you. Siofra tried to keep up with the chancellor. Since I heard, sorry, read that I am the new Seansailear of the Foreign Affairs, I want to try to restore the relation between our countries. If I am right, you are the person to talk with about the matter. And this isn't only an issue of my nation but also a personal one, since it was my mother who was the one that broke it. Plus if I must turn to the Queen with it, I can also see my old friend. And about a lost Irish knight, I know nothing but I shall ask around when I leave the city.

Edward was in charge of the peasant militia keeping the palace gates. However, after a hard nights of calming down the peasantry for weeks and keeping rioters away from the palace, they was all asleep and drunk after the riots finally calmed down. Edward thought they deserved to have a small quiet party last night and now they're all unconscious and heavily drunk. Including Edward. Of course, he wasn't allowed to do such a thing the Queen and the Dukes have been gone for months, so he couldn't get in trouble for it since all the Knights was inside the Palace or out on the streets. Little did he know the Duchess was heading for the palace.

"Wait" Bella heard Lady Tara call behind her after she had just gone a few steps and upon once again turning around saw Lady Tara hurrying up behind her.

Upon hearing the proposition Bella said: "Restoring relations between England and Ireland?

Well that certainly bears further discussion. In that case come with me to the palace, where we can deliberate the matter in private."

Upon reaching the palace gates with Lady Tara in tow, Bella found that the soldiers, who were supposed to stand guard, were missing. After a quick look around Bella discovered them all lying snoring in a corner smelling of drink.

But Bella had the Irish Chancellor with her. So Bella led Lady Tara to a chamber, ordered refreshments and told the lady "I'll be back in just a few minutes, if you will excuse me."

Then Bella went back to the derelict guards, gathering up the captain of the guards on her way. She left the common guards for him to deal with, while she turned to the young knight who had been in charge. She shook him awake, then dragged him straight off to one of the elderly knights in charge of the youngsters:

"Here I found this one asleep on duty," she told the trainer. "Sober him up, give him a proper workout and make sure this does not happen again. This youngster's training has clearly been sorely neglected, please make sure he understands his duties in future."

Then Bella returned to her guest Lady Tara.

The future relations between England and Ireland were discussed at length. Finally an old treaty was found in the archives. After further discussions it was sent off to all the monarchs it concerned, for their deliberation, amendation and ratification, if it pleased them.

This matter being satisfactorily concluded, Bella commended Lady Tara to the care of the Chamberlain, who would see to the Irish Chancellor's accommodations or facilitate her departure, whatever the lady might desire.

While Bella proceeded on through the palace, her thoughts once more turned to internal matters of England and particularly the training of the young English knights, which in some cases seemed sadly deficient, as evidenced by the drunk gate guards.

"Perhaps we should simply ban Alcohol for any knights on duty? While some people say that drinking water causes indigestion, at least no one ever got drunk from imbibing water." Bella mused aloud.

Then she noticed a group of young knights standing by, half of whom were watching her with appalled looks, while the other half looked downright mutinous.

"You Sirs might take those looks right off your faces," Bella said huffily, then continued her progress down the corridor.

Well, ok, perhaps the young knights on duty might be permitted small beer, as long as they abstained from distilled liquors; it would not do to cause a general mutiny over the matter, Bella reflected. And once they had achieved a bit more maturity they might hopefully be trusted to judge such matters for themselves.

And any foreign guests could of course be served liquors in quantity. Why the concessions that might be wrought from visiting dignitaries - particularly from hostile nations, if one got them drunk, Bella thought gleefully.... If ever a diplomat from an enemy nation came visiting, she would have to try this idea out.

Bella, involved in the tourney in London, received a letter from Chancellor James congratulating her on the melee win.

She promptly wrote back:

QUOTE:

To His Grace, the Duke of Kent, Chancellor of England

thank you for your well wishes. And how are you faring? I hear that under our queen's banner and leadership, you set out to test your strength against the Croatians, how are matters progressing?

And please give my regards to King Borna, when you see him.

Bella
Baroness of North Haven and Chancellor of England

James was surprised how quick Chancellor Bella reply to his message, knowing how busy she is with the tournament and restoring England to a normal life after the peasants rebellion.
After the battle, he took a moment to show King Borna the letter from Bella and give him the regards.

To Bella, Baroness of North Haven and Chancellor of England

QUOTE:
Dear Bella,

I pass away your regards to King Borna, I hope that will remove the bitter taste of the defeat. Still it's not the strength of our knights, but the numbers that gives us the victory. I think this is not fair towards the brave Croatians. If they will be interested, I'm planning a more balanced one.
The news about your victory against Italian knight Tuvok reach our camp and I must confess that you're very popular amongst our knights these days. The entire army salute your victory.
Let's hope our friend Richard of Wessex won't spoil your glory in the final and remember, I put all my money on you!

Best regards,
James

QUOTE:

To Bella, Baroness of North Haven, Chancellor of England and shiniest star of England


My Lady,

First of all I'd like to cogratulate you for your victory on tournament. I had enough time after battle to speak a bit with Duke James after battle, and he told me about presures you're dealing with and I must confess that I admire you. I am sure that if you continue this way you will succed in every possible aspect.


Sincerly,
Borna
King of Croatia
Knez of Arlberg and Salzburg

Bella had been busily engaged in organizing show-fights, to entertain those foreign guests, who still remained in London after the tourney and in helping to find lodgings for some knights newly arrived in London, when she received a number of letters.

She sent in reply

QUOTE:
To Borna King of Croatia, Knez of Arlberg and Salzburg

Thank you for your well wishes your Majesty. Chancellor James told me that since the English knights somewhat outnumbered the Croatians in the recent engagement, England carried off the victory. Perhaps we might try that again at some future date and keep careful count of the numbers of knights and their protectors and retainers on both sides, so we that pure skill and not numbers will decide the outcome of battle.

Sincerely, I am

Bella, Baroness of North Haven, Chancellor of England

QUOTE:
To His Grace, the Duke of Kent, Chancellor of England

congratulations on the victory in the engagement with the Croatians. Even if it was somewhat influenced by superior numbers, it shows that our knights have not forgotten their skills in recent months and retain their full prowess in battle.

And you will no doubt be pleased to know that your money is safe, I won the last duel-round in the tourney. Even though I am not quite sure, whether I can claim bragging rights, seeing that I had the most fighting experience of those knights present at the event.

Yours truly,

Bella
Baroness of North Haven and Chancellor of England

To Bella, Baroness of North Haven and Chancellor of England

QUOTE:
Dear Bella,

You're an example and a source of inspiration (not only because of your name) for all of us, who use to fight more with the glasses and tankards than with swords and spears on the training ground. Your victory in the tournament is well deserved and make every English knight proud.
As far as I remember, you're the first English knight winning in the young knights Queen's tournaments. Until now foreign knights always took the glory (and the prize).

I must apologize that I have left you alone to handle the tournament and accommodation for the guests. You had to take care of everything instead concentrating on the duels. Still, you show what you're made of and handle both on superlative.

I bow before your organizational skill and understand why the Queen keeps you in high regard and praise your advices so much.
But what would I know, Gregory's bastard raised by the monks in a monastery, not much a nobleman.. when knights children learn from tutors and hone their skills with a weapon master, I use to serve in the kitchen or copy holy books at the candle's light.
The Queen was so kind to make the Duke of Kent, but I'm still the monks pupil.

Be blessed, Bella, Baroness of North Haven, Chancellor of England!

Your humble servant,
James