Lawrence
Kallophon
The Council Room

Kallophon's eyes dimmed. "I'm sure that this wedding is a very frustrating transition for the Barrmount girl, and probably for the Ibbish courtier as well. But that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable as a celebration. A bit of sweet and jaunty music could do much good for the poor lady's heart, no? I'm sure she'd delight to see you Islanders up and dancing to your queer little jigs, and perhaps I'll join in with you just for the absurdity. I'm sure I'll trip over my or someone else's foot, but, well, more the entertainment."
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle library

"Oh?" Her curiosity grew as he spoke. She loved those shops that would sell rare objects, and now she would have the possibility to lurk around one as she pleased. Well, one positive thing at last.

The question caught her off guard.

"Oh uhm... Well I-" She thought for a moment and snapped her fingers "Oh yes! Uhm, I like to have a ride around the forest, and visiting the town! And... Play! Rodrick and I spent hours running around the castle, and playing chess. He always won though" She recalled with a bittersweet smile on her face "And books, I like books. Do you like books?"

Curiosity kept her mind distracted from the situation.
John
**Lord Kirk Pinewood
Castle Grunewald Library**

"Books are good," Kirk said, struck by the broadness of the question. "My father is a historian. He's spent much of his life looking through old texts and researching. Growing up, I ended reading a lot of it too. However, he seemed content spending his days in dark rooms with old documents. It wasn't enough for me. I didn't want to merely read about the mighty shield of a long-dead king. I wanted to hold it in my own hands. So while those old books weren't enough to satisfy me themselves, I suppose I do thank them for the inspiration and for being helpful tools in figuring out where to find certain old artifacts, despite some of the unpleasant roads I've travelled as a result."

Kirk paused as he thought more about his father. "I wish he could have been here. I'd have sent word if I hadn't heard about the wedding only a few hours before it's supposed to happen. A raven probably wouldn't even be halfway there by the time the ceremony ends. At least my uncle and cousin live in Vallen. I do feel terrible about you though. Not only is your sister absent, her being in danger was the reason this is being done in the first place. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better during all of this?"
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle library

She rested her head on her hand, listening closely to his voice. He was a traveler! An explorer! Oh how exciting of a life he must have had... Would she be able to have a taste of that life too? Anna had always dreamed of exploring the map, although she preferred it to be done under happier circumstances.

"Yes, it's not exactly how I imagined my wedding, but well... You're already giving me a way to send help back home, that's more than enough! You have been dragged into this marriage, is there something I can make to make this less unpleasant for you?" There was genuine concern in her words. The poor man had been visibly hoping for the engagement to not happen, which made the young Barrmount feel bad for him.
John
**Lord Kirk Pinewood
Grunewald Castle Library**

Kirk shook his head. "I can't think of anything at the moment, but I'll let you know if I do." He felt as though there was so much that he should ask about to get to know Anna, but it probably still wouldn't be enough to change how he felt before the wedding, and their remaining time to ready themselves for the evening was dwindling. "If there was nothing else you wanted to know before the ceremony, perhaps we should part ways and prepare. I should probably find some other clothes fit for a wedding. I'm sure there are things you'd like to do as well. Perhaps asking the Wrencrests about arrangements for the Northern ceremony."
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle library

"O-oh! Yes, of course uhm..." She glanced at the floor awkwardly as she fidgeted with her fingers "I have to speak with them... And the clothes! A mourning gown won't be good for a wedding..." She looked at him and did a curtsy "See- see you later then..."

She didn't know how to say goodbye to him. He was a stranger, but also her soon-to-be husband... She didn't even have a first kiss yet, how were you supposed to act with a husband?
John
**Lord Kirk Pinewood
Castle Grunewald Library**

Kirk nodded at Anna's curtsy. "See you then." He walked to the library door and held it open for her as one last gesture before they parted ways.
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle library

She thanked him the gesture and exited the room, searching for the Wrencrests.
Lawrence
Lord Bennard Wrencrest
Great hall, Castle Grunewald, Vallen, Taemar

The four Wrencrests and their manservant had settled at a table in the great hall. They spoke nothing to each other, only nibbled at bog bread and sipped on ale. Bennard was finding comfort in a particularly strong drink, and gave a sigh of profound calm. With a softer brain, his pale eyes distilled the colours and shapes from his surroundings. Was this not the room where the infamous *Birth of Walburga* Mural embellished the ceiling? Bennard looked up, and saw nothing but garlands and darkness. Oh well, perhaps it was elsewhere in the castle.

He looked down at the table. The ale's dumbing effect seemed to have faltered; he was thinking once more of his *Own* Children. Looking to Adelhayd, he said, "Dell, what are we to do about home?"

Adelhayd rested her cup on the table, but kept both hands clasped around it. There was a straining look on her pale, square face. "I'm not sure," She said with a faint breath. "They'll keep Wrencrest safe. Baldur, Rominald."

"And Lackner," Bennard added, raising an eyebrow.

Adelhayd didn't look at him, silent for a moment. She continued, "I know you want to go back, to be with them, and so do I. More than anything, love. But ..." She glanced at the two girls, and leaned closer to his ear. "I fear doing so would only put more of our children in danger. Besides, Anna would be alone amidst all this nonsense they're walking her into, and the Witherlands wouldn't have the representation it needs in a time like this. I can't remember any precedent for a Southern army crossing the wall. Likewise, our people need faces and voices on *This* Side. Gods know where Marshall is."

Bennard nodded. "I suppose we can send one of the pigeons." He deflated a little, staring into his cup. "I'm just worried about them."

"Lackner and Hull?" She asked, putting a gentle hand on his back.

"And Cleina. Everyone, Dell. When is the nonsense going to end? When do we get our chance to heal? To have something better? There's no justice in it. Look at what poor Anna's getting for making a call for help."

"Mother," Said Ivagneth, her face uneasy as she interrupted their weighty exchange. Adelhayd turned, and the couple met eyes with their liege's sister.

"Anna, my dear." Adelhayd reached out for her hand. "I trust the cleric and your husband-to-be treated you well?"