Tammy
The Ice Lord Marshall Carter
Grand Stead's Conference Room 

He let him speak his piece, bleed out some of the poison consuming him, whilst just standing there with his typical unmoved inclination. His nephew was tired. His men were tired. His army were tired. Marshall was *Exhausted.* The Witherlands, apropos in its name chipped away at the very fibre of one's being, slowly, but surely breaking them down until the wounded accepted their fate and were put out to pastures new. Perhaps that was what they were all really dreaming of deep down, somewhere... Other than there. It was always a battle of attrition, and Marshall was relentless. It was almost as if he couldn't stop all of this, the constant fighting, the endless struggles, but not within his Kingdom; within himself. Something routed deep beneath him seemed to yearn for it, to call out in the endless pit of blackness that was his soul and what echoed back to him were the drums of war. He wanted to stop it, he knew. Some part of him *Wanted* To give in, but he was completely unable to do so. He *Had* To fight. That was what Marshall Carter knew. For a moment when he gazed at his brash and tempered nephew, he almost envied him. Chaol wanted this all to end so he could live in peace with his family. But when you took the fighting away, what else was The Ice Lord?

"I understand your frustration," Marshall said plainly. "You need to channel it. Use it to our advantage," His words were laced with ambition, ambition he wanted Chaol to reach out and grab with him. "My own sister was held captive once, or so it seemed," He told him. "I had no love for your father, that's well known. But Gods he knew how to fire me up. Messages, threats, promises of what he was going to do my sweet innocent sister. But was as time surpassed, the veiled threats became more illuminated. It was apparent he wasn't going to do anything to your mother, because that was his only bargaining chip," Marshall recounted, his calloused hands coming together as he did so. "I wanted to act. I *Wanted* To charge up to Thunderbreak's gates sword in hand, for your father's head. But I waited, I listened to those around me and took a deliberate course, which irritated him and made him slip up," He relented for a moment, twisting his neck which led to it audibly cracking. After that, he seemed more at ease, more casual. "This, as much you might find it hard to believe, is no different," He moved closer to his nephew, disregarding the task at hand that lay on the conference table for once and focused on his grieving nephew. "Francais wanted to coax me out with an obvious ploy. Nathaniel wants the same thing for you," The Ice Lord sighed, before putting his hand on his nephew's shoulder. "You can't play in to this monster's game. Because if you do, even for a *Second...* We've already lost." He looked in to his nephew's eyes in his sorry attempt to comfort him. Marshall realised that he had avoided doing that ever since they had all showed up in Grand Stead, for the hatred he bore his father and the resentment for his mother. But when he did glance at him, he didn't feel his frozen heart surge with animosity because of the seed from whence he came, he felt something of a... Familiarity, which shocked him. He had Marshall's eyes, and that same lost forlorn look.

"Nathaniel realises the value in the lives of your family. For everything he is, he's not stupid. He will try to use their meaning to you to utter efficacy. The more he harms them, the more their value diminishes," He removed his hand from his nephew's shoulder. "I'm not here to educate you on the buyers-sellers market of hostages. What I'm saying is... We won't let any more torment befall them, or you," He then took Chaol's face in his hands, the harshness of his hands rubbing against his nephew's pretty features and sharp cheekbones. "But until then, I need you with your head screwed on, your chin held high and shoulders broad. I was wrong to refuse you and your sister when you arrived here, I see that now. You both are the future of our family, our dynasty. You are my kin. I will let *No* Other pretenders try to usurp us, cast us out or spit on our legacy. They will feel the full ferocity of our cold blood. But I can only do it if you are with me." He looked in to Chaol's reflective blue eyes and brought him closer. "Are you with me?"
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount Manor

Anna wasn't able to stay still for a second straight ever since the letter arrived.

"Lady Anna!" The poor woman trying to brush her hair started to lose her temper, as the young Barrmount had completely ruined her hairstyle three times already.

"I'm sorry... I'm- I don't know what's going to happen... Sybil always takes care of this kind of meetings, she's the one who knows about this!" The dark haired young woman looked at her reflection on the mirror, as her hair could finally be handled properly. She fidgeted with her fingers, nervously biting small bits of the inside of her mouth, which made her pout in a funny way. 

"It will be okay, miss..." 

"What if they end up wanting a war between our houses? Sybil will kill me..." 

"Take a deep breath, miss. Just be yourself and follow the instructions Lady Sybil told you" 

Anna closed her eyes for a moment, letting the warm air of her room fill her lungs. The chimney kept the room at a perfect temperature. 
The young woman felt a small relief invade her. Maybe she could do it. 

Her icy blue eyes reflected the nearby flames when she opened them again. She stared at her reflection, scruziating her face in the search of features of his father's and sister's face. They were the best at doing this job, at least the best she knew of. 

... 

Anna stood at the main entrance of the manor, wearing her best clothes and her best fur coat; she tried to keep the best posture possible, even though she was a nervous mess inside. Her hair was neatly groomed in an up-do, not even the cold wind that blowed could mess it. 
Lady Anna took a deep breath as she saw her visitor arriving, wishing Sybil could have been able to assist. 

"Oh gods, guard me today I beg..."
Ashli
Taedra Westbrook
Barrmount Manor

So far, the journey inwards had been quiet. Thierou had decided to accompany her on her journey to the Barrmount house, for reasons he'd not let on but she figured most likely had to do with wanting to get out of the clouds for a while. The life they were used to among the peaks always made being on solid ground euphoric. The air felt thicker, their bodies weighted with a new sensation in the same way a man's lungs grew heavy in the steam of a well tended bathhouse. 

Thierou spent the majority of their carriage ride to the manor with his head pressed against the window, having slid the small glass pane back to allow the fresh, heavy air into the carriage. His eyes were closed and he breathed deeply as the carriage rocked on. 

Taedra, on the other hand, spent the trip with her mind back home. Before they'd left their father had taken a meeting with Lord Rhoderick. It didn't sit well with her, but it was hardly her place to comment on the man. As they moved through Witherland territory north of their own borders, she couldn't help by wonder what spiral they'd fall into if they ran into trouble. 

Perhaps that was why Thierou insisted on accompanying her. 

When they finally arrived, Thierou stepped out first, the tall man adjusting the heavy Wolff's fur on his back. Taedra wore one of the families furs as well, a lighter, warmer rust color that supposedly Alexandria Wolff had personally made for her. He helped her from the carriage, and they turned together towards the Barrmount home, heading up the stairs together.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount Manor

As she saw the two Westbrook siblings get down the carriage, her heart started pounding her chest, fighting its way out of it. She blinked a couple times, quickly, as she gulped, trying to untie the knot in her throath.
She noticed her breath was slightly heavier than usual and took a deep breath, right before she drew her best smile on her face.

The dimples in her cheeks were as prominent as ever, and her eyes had a warm and welcoming look.

She prayed her voice didn't tremble.

"Lady Taedra, lord Thierou..." She said in her kindest tone as she elegantly bowed "... I welcome you to the Barrmount Manor. I hope your journey has been pleasant."

She walked towards them as she spoke, feeling intimidated by the eldest brother. Her small frame seemed to be even smaller next to the siblings. "An ant would be more intimidating than me right now" She tought to herself.

"My sister is very sorry for not being able to attend, but wishes you a pleasant stay and hopes you will be able to meet in the future. May we head inside?"

Not even the harsh and sharp freezing cold of the Iron Planes had ever made her shiver like she was at that moment under the thick coat. She hoped they wouldn't notice. Sybil would be so disappointed right now of her weakness, or so thought the young woman.
Ashli
**
Taedra Westbrook
Barrmount Manor**

Thierou let Taedra speak first, and her voice was soft and even as she gave a greeting for the both of them. "Lady Barrmount, thank you for having us." She said simply, and at the explanation for why Sybil Barrmount wasn't in attendance, she nodded, though Thierou spoke. 

"Next time you see her let her know she was missed. Another opportunity will arise, I'm sure." He did his best to assuage her fears, though by the way she looked at them both, he wasn't going to do so easily. She suggested they move inside and he nodded, ushering his sister in first as he was technically just here as an escort.
Angel
Lady Anna Barrmount
Barrmount Manor

Their friendly manners made her feel slightly better. She guided them, making a small tour of the place. The manor was designed to keep the heat inside, with fireplaces in every room, fur rugs of different animals that had been hunted by the late Lord, pinewood furniture with more animal furs on them, low ceilings and chandeliers made with pinewood and imported metals.

"Are you liking the Iron Planes? I know it's not like your cloud surrounded home, but our forest have some stunning hidden views to offer..." She had read about the Westbrook house, everything she could find at the manor's library, to avoid being completely clueless at the meeting.
She guided them to a fairly big room, which had a long pinewood table fit for 20 people, with 20 chairs around it. One of the walls was replaced by a balcony with a roof. Fortunately, the balcony had two huge doors that would remain closed when a reunion took place, so people wouldn't feel uncomfortable because of the cold. Fire was cracking inside the big fireplace, which warmed the place.

A maid was awaiting when they came in. The maid bowed before speaking to Anna. 

"Lady Anna, dinner will be served right after the sun sets. Our finest liquors and fresh water is already served"

Anna bowed her head.

"Thank you Suzanne, you can retire" She said with a kind tone. Everyone at the manor had been working without rest prior to the visit.

The maid left and closed the doors. Anna took off her black and brown fur coat and put it on a nearby couch. The table was indeed full with bottles and globets.

"Well..." She wasn't sure how to start the conversation. How does one even ask people to be their allies in future battles? She doesn't even like battles. She cleared her throat, trying to hide how lost she was.

"Uhm... W-we're honoured by your presence, Lord and Lady Westbrook. What's the nature of your visit? The letter only said you wanted a meeting"

*"Was that a good start? Oh gods, please..."* She thought as she served herself a bit of wine.