Hassan
```LADY CORNELIA BATTEN
RIVERBREAK HOLD```

They mounted the wide and shallow steps into Riverbreak hold, the cacophony of servants helping to unload the carriage behind them as they passed a row of neatly bowing heads from the _in-door_ servants.

The difference in temperature from outside to inside was noticable as the large doors shut behind them, sconces illuminating the walls lined with wood and tapestries hung across the stone to help keep the warmth inside.

"Why, yes, actually, I've taken an interest in hot housing," Cornelia spoke, pausing to shed her silver fur to reveal the stunning gown beneath. A servant also stepped forward to divest **Klaus** Of his own, while yet another took the flowers from Cornelia to put them in a vase somewhere.

"But I'm sure that passion is less than interesting. Plant husbandry and all that," Cornelia waved a hand, a large jewel glittering off one finger as that same hand lifted to wipe snow off the dark, dark strands of her glossy hair. Her playful hazel eyes aided in the warmth of her smile as she looked at the young man.

"How fairs the Iron Plains? Any gossip I might cut my teeth on, Councillor?" Her smile turned sly and humorous as she led him to a room off to the side; a smaller, more casual dining space than the great hall with food and yet _more_ servants standing at the ready. This room's temperature was clearly quite comfortable, as not even frost could stick to the windows outside.
Edith
**Treasury Councilor Klaus Paberly
Riverbreak Hold**

"Tragedy has struck the Barrmount house, I'm afraid. The sisters lost Rodrick to this new sickness. I believe the funeral is happening today. If the cause of death had been anything other than plague, more members of the council might have attended. Because that was not the case, we thought it best to keep our distance. Hopefully the service runs peacefully," Klaus responded wistfully after entering the dining room.

"I've also heard rumblings for a council of Marin in the South. I don't have any plans to attend, and I don't think anyone else on the Plains plans to attend either. Things have been relatively stable around here other than the plague. Better to just wait it out, I think. Though if the council learns something that would be helpful, that's great too. Does that fill your appetite for gossip?"
Hassan
```LADY CORNELIA BATTEN
RIVERBREAK HOLD```

"Oh, how awful. I hadn't heard," Cornelia said after a dramatic gasp at the news that **Plague** Had struck the Barrmounts, a hand fluttering up to her chest as she appeared sympathetic and concerned. "I must write them as soon as possible, dear things."

Seated at the table, servants stepped forward to pour wine and serve their plates to them of the gathered meal; deliciously seasoned pork, hearty grilled vegetables, delectably soft and hot bread, creamy butter, and a rice dish to fill the belly and keep it warm. 

In the centre of the table was a wide, flat gilded bowl, piled artfully with citrus fruits — a delicacy that was either grown in a local hothouse at great expense, or transported from softer, hotter climes.

"Mm, it does. I had heard of the Council of Marin, and was thinking of traveling myself," Cornelia stated, sipping wine and plucking at pork. "Riverbreak has taken to closing the walls at sundown and burning incense in the streets. They say it helps, but the bodies keep piling from the sickhouses down by the mudstacks," The brunette stated.

"If someone has an answer to this sickness, I'd prefer to know it." She lifted her goblet to salute **Klaus**, then took a sip. Languidly, she relaxed in her carved chair and those green-gold eyes ran over the young man. She was thinking of something... But it was hard to tell what it was.

"Do you plan to stay long? You are, of course, welcome in my home for as long as you like."