John
**Kirk Pinewood and Queen Lucrezia Scheer
Throne Room**

Kirk sat up in his seat when Anna approached. He was at a loss for what he could say and remained silent for several seconds before managing, "Well, I-"

Lucrezia stood up again and cut off her bargaining chip from speaking. "Lady Anna, I understand that you are in a very difficult position, but we have no intention of jumping through hoops for you. It costs money even to organize the armed forces you will need and supply them for the journey with provisions, especially in a cold Northern winter. If all that were to be done, but you backed out of the engagement either out of fear or for another suitor, those are resources and money that will have gone to waste. An immediate wedding will be the assurance we require to proceed. Even if we were willing to wait, which we are not, it seems to be the wish of our gracious hosts that the wedding happen tonight. If you agree right now to marry *Lord* Pinewood this evening, I will go to the castle aviary immediately at the conclusion of this council meeting and order the mobilization of the forces needed. I would also need to confirm with the wisdom attending when to expect the Red Guard provided by the Southern Pantheon. Perhaps they won't be marching tomorrow, but they will be as soon as possible. If the paladins truly can solve the plague soon, perhaps when the Council of Marin is over, we will see your promised soldiers marching North as you ride with us South to Ibethiel, where you can stay with your new husband until the military incursion is over."
** **

"You have other assurances. Besides my word as the Queen of Ibethiel, the Southern Pantheon is also offering support. All of this has been witnessed by those in attendance of the council, so we have reason not to back out on our end of the bargain. In many ways, this is a better deal than any you could have wished for, but these are the terms to which you must agree. You must marry Kirk Pinewood today. If this is a commitment you cannot make for the benefit of your people, you could try your luck with the mystery boy that was also offered, but I would find that to be a shaky arrangement at best, and our offer may not be available tomorrow. It is your choice." Lucrezia concluded.
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle, Valen

The young Barrmount hesitated. Lucrezia was right, preparing a southern army to march to the Iron Plaines was costly, and the path there was rough and challenging, as she herself had experienced on her way to the council.

Anna took a deep breath as she pondered her words, trying to remain as calm as possible and control her temper. 

"Your majesty, " She turned to Lucrezia "Every second I waste is a second closer to my people dying, so I am too in fear of the other end of the deal not committing to their part. Nonetheless, you are giving me your word as queen, in front of this council and your gods..." She paused for a moment, a chill running through her spine as she decided "If Lord Pinewood gives his word too, then let the wedding be by your standards"

A wedding with a stranger, by southern gods and celebrations... Scared couldn't begin to describe how she felt in that moment. *Dear gods, let this be the best decision for our people. Let this be their help and salvation...* She silently prayed.

"I will just ask for you to let me advise the troops. The Witherlands is my home, no one can warn and prepare them better for the harsh conditions and routes. They could perish otherwise"
Lawrence
Lady Adelhayd Wrencrest
The Council Room

Having strained to hear the conversation between Lady Anna and Queen Lucrezia, Adelhayd decided it was the right moment to leave her seat and walk over to the two. It was questionable whether or not she was stepping out of line in doing so, but she was confident she at least had some contribution to this matter.

She gave the Queen of Ibethiel a courteous curtsy, smiling. "Your Royal Highness. To add to my lady's words, let me assure you that House Wrencrest will be fully supportive of both this marriage and the endeavour to intervene and put an end to Lord Nathaniel's rampage. We provide an adept cavalry force, as well as having many speedy, discreet scouts in our ranks. It is also within our means to employ a small assortment of mercenaries from Terresol."
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle, Valen

Upon hearing Adelhayd's voice, Anna turned around. Cavalry, scouts, even spending money on mercenaries... The Lady sniffed and swiftly dried the tears that formed in her eyes, dedicating a huge smile at Adelhayd.

"Lady Adelhayd, your loyalty and dedication to our lands, specially in such times, are very much appreciated. House Barrmount will never forget about this" She said as she bowed her head to the Wrencrest woman.
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald, Vallen

Serfina watched the exchange between the woman, nodding when Lady Barrmount accepted the proposal. What a fortunate turn of events. She had come to the council with many purposes to fulfill, but certainly had not expected the opening of a route to integrate the Southern Pantheon in the Witherlands. Her doubts of expansion had been alleviated by the will of the gods once more - followed by a gentle rebuke of her lack of faith. "Your people are fortunate to have a ruler with strong will and a kind heart speak on their behalf today, Lady Barrmount." The woman let her gaze catch Kirk Pinewood's before motioning between the newly engaged couple. "At the conclusion of the Council, please meet me in the library to disccuss the marriage, rites, and celebration." She smiled warmly before taking her seat to wait for the purpose of this council to be discussed.
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle, Valen

Anna did a curtsy at Serafina, after the Wisdom spoke.

"Thank you, I will." She then turned to Kirk and Lucrezia, doing a curtsy once again before walking back to her seat "Let's go back Lady Adelhayd"
Lawrence
Lady Adelhayd Wrencrest
Castle Grunewald, Vallen

Adelhayd nodded. "Of course, my lady. Adieu, Your Majesty."

Adelhayd followed Anna, taking Bennard's empty seat beside her liege's sister. The moment they were sat, her facade crumbled, and Anna could see the deep consternation in her face. With a hushed voice, she said, "Anna, you do realise the gravity of this decision, don't you? You're marrying into *Heathenry*. Southern heathenry. You'll be wedded to that man under a foreign god, by a foreign cleric. I fear not only the response of our people, but the ... The retribution of the *Gods*, Anna. Winter is upon us, and this hour is dire for us. If the gods are not on our side, I fear for our lives. And if they are so displeased as to work *Against* Us ..."
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle, Valen

Anna kept her gaze foward as she rested her hand on top of Adelhayd's, to soothe her worries.

"Adelhayd, I don't care about the after effects that will affect myself..." She looked at the Wrencrest, a sad but bright smile on her face "Our people will be safe. If the gods decide to abandon me for this, then so be it..." Her smile stayed, but tears came back to her icy eyes "... But the Iron Plaines will get help and be safe, that's all I want. Maybe even Sibyl will be saved..." Her voice slightly cracked.

She sniffed and dried her tears with the back of her hand, looking back to the front.
William
Nikita Valacar
Taemish Wilderness

There beyond the thickett, stood a large boar, thrice the size of any creature seen in this weary country. It was a beastly thing to behold, waylaying a fearsome stature upon those taking sight of it. It's hide revealed scars scattered across its body, yet its appearance undermined the thickness of its skin. One can tell of its appearance that this beast of a boar has vanquished creatures far past the foresights of Man.

Valacar wasted no further time in charging the giant beast head on, thrusting his spear in its very direction. With one quick move, the spear managed to pierce through its skin, however it fractured into two as he rode past the boar. In return, the creature made a brutish rush towards the young knight.

In the blurry confusion, Valacar toppled onto ground, groveling in his pain. The boar managed to kill his mare in a quickened instant, stabbing deep its sharp jagged tusks. The knight quickly hastened himself before the beast could pull itself out from his kill. The moment waned in this wild rush of provocation, with every move lingering some weary sense of fatality. There was tingling joy relinquishing within Valacar, indulging himself in this strange masochistic tendency. *If all else fails, the joy of death awaits him.*

Right then and there, the two stood before each other, locking weary eyes onto the other. The boar heaved heavily in its aggression as the young knight afforded himself nothing but the use of a tethered rope. The ground rumbled from the three hulking stomps the beast made. All was still in that moment, nothing but the soft beating sound of their weary breathes remained.

...

The beast was restless, as Valacar rode atop him, wrangling it with all his might. The young knight was thrown back and forth as he rode, struggling himself to break such a hulking creature. They continued on fiercely, battling along the tall waning woods. It screeched and it roared, echoing loudly all throughout the wilderness. Yet with each passing struggle, the beast and the knight continued on in a hurried manner, assailing themselves in this sore endeavor.

Out of sheer willful luck, the two pulled themselves out of the woods and ventured out into the main road. With one fell swoop, Valacar was thrown off the beast, submitting to his long held exhaustion. He fell back against the roadside, bruising himself heavily against his backside. The boar attempted to charge its way atop the young knight, but with some assured luck, he pulled himself aside, escaping death's fate.

Valacar stood once more, unsheathing his dagger. This was the last push, this was the knights last chance to vanquish this giant boar— It charged again, beating fiercely towards his direction, but with all the strength that was left in him, Valacar stood his ground. And in that sudden rush, the beast found himself floundering a deep stab wound in between its eyes, as the young knight is thrown far past the roadside and onto the side of a tree.

In that moment, a giant boar lay slain in the middle of the road as Valacar lay unconscious beyond the roadside...

Half of an hour had passed, and the knight arose from his weakened state. The painful soreness panged all throughout his body, feeling the rush of sharpened agony stretched between his chest and back. He vanquished the beast, but he was left heaving in painful lamentation.

Despite this however, he persevered, pushing himself to limp his way back to the dead beast. He dislodged his dagger and began eyeing the contents of his actions. No feelings came into his mind, nothing at all, nothing but the cold emptiness exuding from it all.

Valacar began skinning the dead boar, proceeding on to obtain what he had been intending to seek out for his would-be-companions' dire quest.
Lawrence
Lady Adelhayd Wrencrest
Castle Grunewald, Vallen

Adelhayd contemplated for a moment, chewing her cheek. "Anna, I'm more concerned about our people as a whole with regards to the wrath of the gods. Additionally, an upset amongst the people over your spiritual conduct—it being intimately tied, of course, to the spiritual health of your house, and to all of your subjects—cause trouble for my own, and for all of the Barrmount vassals." She put her arm around Anna's shoulders. "I'll be forthright, Anna. Do you promise that you will do everything you can to have a second ceremony in the Iron Plaines? Wholly according to our own traditions? We could see it as a cleansing of the stain of the Southern rituals, even if we don't tell the Southerners that." She glanced at Kirk.
Rosa
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
The Council Room

The Pirate King watched as Lady Barrmount and the Queen of Ibethiel bartered back and forth for her hand. The girl had put up more of a fight than he had been expecting, but expectedly caved the moment it seemed the deal was about to fall through. House Scheer rarely lost a business deal, especially when their sellswords were on the table. The Wisdom spoke a few words when the deal was done and the room settled into a hush. For the first time since the Council had began, no one seemed to have anything to say. 

Bradai looked up briefly at Gregor, who had remained mostly silent. His eyes were glazed over in thought or in boredom, and when an errant fly fell onto his cheek, it took a few steps without provocation. For a brief instant, the Pirate King had considered that Gregor had up and died in his chair, but as the room grew quieter, he could hear his labored, wheezing breaths. 

"If no one 'as anyfing more to say, I'd be 'appy to adjourn vhis meeting until after tha wedding. I assume tha parties need time to prepare and for tha Paladins to 'ead souff. All uff vhis business 'as made me 'ungry. I'll be in tha Great 'all." 

The Pirate King stood from his chair and straightened out his notes into a neat pile, tucking them beneath his arm. The man took a step over the writhing Dame, who had impaled herself on the edge of his chair, and left the room. His retinue followed after him.
Lawrence
Lord Bennard Wrencrest
The Council Room

"Good day to you, Your Majesty," Said Bennard with a smile as the Pirate King departed. He then looked down at the scroll in his lap, while dabbing his forehead with his sleeve. "Crumbs, what a queer fellow."

Feineth seemed to materialise next to his right ear. "Uncle?"

Bennard blanched and smacked the back of his head off of his chair. Swearing sharply, he turned and gave her an exasperated look. "By the gods, Feineth, what? What is it?"

"Did the Pirate King's breath smell of rum?"

"I ... I wasn't of sufficiently intimate distance to notice, no."

"Alright." She looked down and pinched her dress. "Don't tell Ivva, but I lost Jade."

"You *What*?!" He gasped, and his frantic eyes started darting around the room. He gave his oblivious daughter one look, then grabbed Feineth by the shoulders. "Run down the tower and ask every bloody servant you see. I'll check around the tables. Go!"

Feineth nodded quickly and went off in a scurry to the stairway. Bennard stood up, and with a rather stiff gait, began to wander around the room. He glanced about at legs and underneath chairs and tables, trying to maintain the appearance that he was simply inspecting the walls and window views.
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle, Valen

"I would love to bring our traditions to the south, and maybe we can enjoy some traditions of them!" She tried to cheer Adelhayd up "I'm sure that, after everything has passed, Lord Pinewood won't mind to have a proper celebration. I mean, who doesn't enjoy a good Witherlander wedding?"

She dedicated a smile to Adelhayd once more, not wanting to upset her. Bradai's voice boomed in the hall, ending the council for the day, which made Anna sigh with a slight relief.

"Shall we go have some dinner?"
John
**Queen Lucrezia Scheer, Kirk Pinewood, and King Dennon Bigsby
Throne Room**

Lucrezia gave the Islanders a wide berth before standing up and moving to exit the throne room for dinner. Kirk and Dennon followed quickly behind her. The former began tugging at her sleeve down the stairs. "That was rich. 'Dear friend.' If I hadn't been crippled with panic I might have laughed. You've been wanting to kill me ever since you thought I tried to kill Dennon, which wasn't true by the way."

"And now you're finally more useful to me alive. Also, he's a pretty girl. This is a win-win for both of us. I don't see what you're complaining about." Lucrezia said, not looking at him.

"Perhaps I didn't *Want* To get married." Kirk seethed.

"Kirk, it's a wedding. No one cares what the groom wants."

"I feel like this is the one, very important exception!"

"What were you going to do instead, sneak off to a brothel on those long, lonely nights for the rest of your days? Married life is much more dignified." Lucrezia led them around a corner and down a hallway as they reached the first floor. Going down the stairs was much easier than it had been going up.

"I have nothing to offer this girl. My only assets are an antique shop and a made-up title of Royal Antiquities Dealer." Kirk said hopelessly.

"As of today, it's *Lord* Kirk Pinewood in addition to that other nonsense."

"Lord of what, exactly?" Kirk asked dubiously.
** **

Lucrezia came to a stop in the hallway and turned to Kirk to give him a smile. "Don't worry about that. Your queen will provide. Surely someone with land has been wiped out by the plague. We can make you Lord of that. Then again, should we not reach Sibyl in time, you might become the new Lord of the Iron Plaines. We shall have to wait and see. Whether or not I give you land, the army is not your concern. This union will be beneficial for both me and the Southern Pantheon. All you need to do is marry her and get to work on producing the next generation. I'll even offer you two the honeymoon suite at the castle when we get back until you get new furniture in that dusty attic above your shop that you call a home. She'll need a residence fit for a lady while this military incursion is taking place in the North. Somewhere near the castle too so that she can offer her advice about navigating the North."

"The castle has a honeymoon suite?" Dennon asked.

"I can have one ready when we get home." Lucrezia clarified. "Are either of you two hungry?"

"I think this ordeal has made me lose my appetite." Kirk muttered miserably. Dennon shrugged.

"Well then, you can wait in the library for your future bride and the wisdom." Lucrezia pointed to the door they had stopped next to. When Kirk realized where they were, he backed away from the door. "Perhaps you'd like to get dinner first. Maybe help you collect your thoughts."

Kirk nodded. "Alright."

The queen grinned. "Good. Let's go, then. I'm starving."
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald Library

Serafina did not wait for Charity as the other nobles rose and began the descent towards the dining room. Though she was officially the advisor to the royal house, the last thing she would do is serve at the pleasure of a woman who cared nothing for the Gods. Upon reaching the landing, Serafina scanned the crowd for Kirk and Anna, hoping to catch them prior to dinner. She spotted Lord Pinewood speaking with the Ibethiel Queen and moved through the crowd to their side. "My apologies for the interruption, Your Majesties, Lord Pinewood." She began with a warm smile. "We need to prepare for the wedding, my Lord. If you would follow me to the library?" It had ended as a question, but the Wisdom wasn't asking. "I won't keep you long as I'm sure you are just as hungry as I am." She finished with a quiet chuckle.
John
**Kirk Pinewood
Near the Castle Grunewald Library**

Kirk forced a laugh and looked to Lucrezia who, while also smiling, gave him a look with her eyes that fully conveyed her intention to end his life painfully if he ruined the arrangement. "Certainly. Lead the way."
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald Library 

"Please make yourself comfortable in the library. Lady Anna and I will join you shortly." Serafina pointed toward the library doors before turning to find Anna. Her eyes found the woman attached to Lady Wrencrest's arm a few steps behind the Islander soldiers. Serafina approached with a determined step and stopped just beside the Wrencrest woman. "Lady Barrmount, I requested a meeting in the library following the conclusion of the council. If you'll follow me, please." She smiled warmly, gesturing towards the library doors behind them. "Lord Pinewood is already waiting for us."
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle, Valen

She got startled by the sudden approach of the Wisdom.

"O-of course, I'll go immediately. If you excuse me Lady Adelhayd" She did a small curtsy as she excused herself before going to the library doors.

As she entered the library she spotted her soon to be husband, awaiting between shelves and shelves of forgotten dusty books. Yeah, his majesty the hog wrestler didn't quite look like the bookworm type...

Anna cleared her throat and did a proper curtsy at Kirk.

"Lord Pinewood" She greeted him
John
**Lord Kirk Pinewood
The seldom-used Grunewald Library**

With butterflies flying around his empty stomach, Kirk walked to the library, surprised at his own compliance with Lucrezia's schemes. He shut the door behind him as he entered the book-filled space. Kirk stood near the wall on the opposite side of the room from the door. Every step that passed by made him tense up as he wondered if it might be the people he was told to wait for.

Eventually, the door opened, and his wife-to-be greeted him first. "Lady Barrmount," Kirk reciprocated. He glanced to the wisdom of the Southern Pantheon who had summoned them to this private meeting, waiting for what was to come next.
Michael
Wisdom Serafina 
Castle Grunewald Library

Serafina glanced between the two, sensing the awkwardness and discomfort. "Do you both need wine to relax?" She chuckled with a smile, moving between them to a series of chairs near the fireplace. "You can touch each other too. Perhaps start with a hug? You are engaged after all." Serafina lowered herself into one of the plush green chairs and motioned the two nobles to take a seat in the others.
Lawrence
Lady Adelhayd Wrencrest
Castle Grunewald, Vallen

Adelhayd watched Anna follow the Wisdom into the library. Is this how it would feel the day she and Bennard gave away Ivagneth? She was so consumed by the desire to give more help, more succour, more listening to the young woman. In the end, however, Anna was a noblewoman, and today she was the representative of the Barrmounts. Adelhayd could only serve when she was called upon, and watch powerlessly when she was not.

She folded one arm over her chest and rubbed her eyes, sighing weakly. Adelhayd felt utterly detached from the world around her until a delicate hand touched her shoulder. With an exhausted expression, she turned to face Bennard, clutching Jade in his arms. "We found our fifth Wrencrest," He said with a beam.

"And the other two?" Adelhayd asked, frowning. Her tone was almost sardonic.

He pursed his lips and looked off. "Still at home. But safe. You know they're safe, love."

"Father, give her over," Ivagneth demanded. Bennard gave a rueful look and handed the cat to his daughter, who took a step aside from them to stroke and croon to her pet.

Adelhayd crossed her arms. She saw the recognition in her husband's eyes. She knew she hadn't had this shade of her face since they'd passed through Snowhall. "This isn't right, Bennard. We tried to make them give the plague due regard, and that failed. Lost amidst all the other nonsense. Now Anna's marrying a foreigner with no consent from her king nor her matriarch, under that whore-god and her smiling." She glanced at the library door. "I know that 'a wedding is a wedding', but it's the sense of*Disrespect* That enrages me. Darling, do you still care as much about appeasing them? About making them recognise you? They want you to hand over your soul like Anna, or go back. They don't care. I ... I just don't understand Benn." She frowned, deep in pity. "They don't care at all."

Bennard nodded, looking down at his boots. "I know. No one does." He glanced around, then settled a bittersweet gaze upon her. "I don't know, Dell. We try. Many don't." He took her hand softly into his and clasped it. "I think that that makes us good people. The gods won't punish us for trying." He contemplated the floor for a moment, then shrugged. "We certainly can't punish ourselves for it."

Adelhayd fixed a loose lock of his platinum hair, nodding her understanding. With a tired sigh, she eased him into an embrace. Over his shoulder, she could see Feineth and Ivagneth squirming. Feineth was bright-red as she half-turned her face, and Ivagneth was giving them a furtive eye. She could feel the energy of her daughter's ever-complicated emotions radiating from that look, and snorted with some grey amusement. Stepping back, she nodded in the direction of the great hall. "Come, let's see if we can get some food."

"And mingle?" Bennard asked, his eyes brightening.

Adelhayd rolled her eyes, her smile deeply knowing. "Gods know I'll be handling the awkward introductions."

"Oh, as ever, my dear," He chuckled. He turned to bid their manservant and the two girls follow them to the great hall.
John
**Lord Kirk Pinewood
Grunewald Library**

"The wedding is soon, perhaps I shouldn't start with the wine yet." Kirk walked to the chairs the wisdom had indicated before her. Instead of sitting down, he waited for Anna to join them. He lifted his arms slightly if she was interested in the suggested hug, but if she did not want one, he planned to pass it off as a stretch.