by Treadwell » Tue Feb 24, 2015 9:45 am
"For leaving you alone to handle the aftermath of your being deposed as Governor? For not being able to find a way to get you out of this bothersome fix, mmph mmph, with your alleged beloved? For somehow making you feel that I have acted as I have merely out of self interest, mmph? For not making the time to pack everything up and heft myself down to Razasan to seek audience with someone closer to Chedwry, mmph, in the name of relieving some of the tension here?"
Shlurrrrp.
"For these things, I do make an apology. Of them, a couple, mmph, might be salvaged yet. For doing as I thought best for the continuation of Myrken Wood--for not openly railing, mmph, against the Baron at his announcement, for not passing on the appointment of Lord Steward to another from outside it--these I do not and cannot make apology for, Glenn, mmph. I would rather there be that slight bit of feather ruffling between us, if that is what it results in, hm hm, than for this town and land to have fallen under the hands of someone many, many miles distant who doesn't know or care a bit, mmph, of the people here--yes, including me and my family, but also you and every other person or family here, hm hm."
Shlurrrrrp.
"Mister Burnie. . . Glenn. . . I do care for you: your health, your clarity of mind and habit, your presentation among those in the town, mmph, your advice, your friendship. I have made enough enemies in my time; it's one reason I visit Westenford so rarely as of late. I would rather see a few more friends in my old age, mmph. So, all told, I fear, hm hm, that I simply cannot convince you by words alone that I don't have some ulterior, self-serving motive, some seedy plot to line my pockets and fat my belly, mmph. You've many reasons to think as much, after all; for much of my first, ooooh, sixty years or so, hm hm, I lived as such. It's how I built a fortune atop that of my father, mmph, held the head of a corrupt and bloated council for forty years, and ruined those sweaty and bulging bellies who thought themselves brash enough to waddle between me and what I wanted, mmph mmph. A man of my, hm hm, age and size and family and estate requires very much to stay comfortable, stable, and happy. And yet?"
Final shlurrrrp. Empty mug, at last.
"Glenn, in the last ten years, or thereabouts, I've done no such villainy. I've had no need to, mmph. Life has been comfortable, soft, welcoming, and pleasant. I've had no need, nor desire, mmph, to eliminate opponents, to throw my weight about, or to force others out of power or wedge my own men beneath to prop me up, mmph mmph. Now, I don't know that I can make you believe any of this,"
A lazy spinning about of pudgy finger in the air.
"But if spelling it all out, mmph, and saying that I'm truly sorry, hm, for having been thought a scoundrel or a mercenary means much. . . well, I am. I've no need for some charade, some masque, some dance 'round a floor with a smile on the face and a knife ready for the back, mmph mmph. Does any of that make a bit of sense to you, sir? You wanted an apology, and, I suppose, the truth to accompany it, and, well, here you have both."
"Looks like a table to me. Do you think it could hold up someone as bulbous as Treadwell?" -- Dr. Brennan, Myrken Wood Rememdium Edificium