Robert
Sir Heath Romanov
Vallen

Sir Heath did not expect to be leaving the dinner with his old flame, Duchess Anyanka, though there was a great deal that happened that night that far surpassed what he had initially expected. Lord Aleksandr Romanov's pointed look from across the room had not been lost on Heath. He was aware of how it looked; his wife, the mother of his two young children, was horribly ill back in the North Shore and yet here he was, lighting up a cigarette and offering it to Anyanka as soon as they exited Castle Grunewald. 

It was humid outside. The loud croaks of the bog toads and crickets made an intense racket and the moonlight was dimmed by passing clouds. Nonetheless, there was a specific chill that made the Taemarian night more bearable than the sticky daytime. In the distance, a crowd of people exiting the dinner spoke loudly, heading in the direction of the tavern. Heath found it almost pleasant. 

"What was it that you wanted to talk about?" Heath asked finally, "Is it about Mikhail?"
Rosa
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
The Castle Grunewald, Taemar

The vote being tallied, Kenmath crying out, The Hog King vacating the room. The dinner had ended just as soon as it had started. Bradai watched as Gitten pounded what remained of her blood wine and followed the rest of the mob out of the door, rambling on about the taverns in town. The Pirate King's brow furrowed as he stood from his spot at the dinner table. Bradai pocketed the hair pin and wiped his palms on his pants, grabbing his cane beside him. With he free hand, he rested his weight on the Araedian diplomat, his hairy hand wrapping around her thin wrist. He moved his face up next to hers and whispered harshly through his beard, his breath smelling of pork and stale wine. "Be fucking normal and get tha Prince. Deliver 'im tomorrow at tha Council and we'll discuss payment." He loosened his grip on Cecilia and stood, straightening his back. 

"My men know where your room is. Vhey searched for it during dinner. You should fix vhat" The Pirate King stared her down for a moment, before a smile began to creep across his bearded face. "And if you 'adn't noticed, _vhat's_ a fucking fhreat." He shook his head and walked away. 

On his way across the dining hall, he placed a heavy hand on Angelica's shoulder, patting it as he walked by. "It's nice to see a friendly face." He didn't bother to look at her as he passed, his men forming a protective barrier at his back as he began his meetings for the night.
Robert
Prince Nickles
The Castle Grunewald, Taemar

Eyes hungry, Prince Nickles watched the Pirate King walk out. "Kenmath!" Nickles barked, wiping the frothy saliva that had accumulated in the corners of his lips with the back of his hand, "Tell me where the Pirate King's chambers lie."

"West Wing, third door on the left," Kenmath answered. 

"Excellent."
Kathleen
Amicia de Blanc
The streets of Vallen 

Hearing that the man had been a while ago seemed to only make Amicia feel weary of him. She's never quite understood the workings of illness in life but the few times she had been sick left her terrified.

The salve was cold on her arm and the sharp pain of the cuts made her avoid rubbing it in. At his words, she quickly shook her head,"No tools." She murmured, and instead picked at the stones once more with her nail. She probably had surgical pliers in her bag if any caused her trouble.

"My name isss..." She seemed visibly annoyed at her inability to speak for a moment,"Amicia.

Viola Godwin
Vallen

The inn Viola was staying in was only a little ways away from the castle and an easy walk - though the night always made her anxious about walking alone. Even disguised.

Luckily, the walk was short and even shorter at the brisk pace she chose and she made it to her rooms as her eyelids became heavy. She would surely sleep tonight and tomorrow the council was to start. 

Weary of tardiness, she readied herself immediately for bed and fell into a restless sleep.
Heather
Cecilia Lyanah
Grunewald Castle

As the pirate king departed from the table, Cecilia's glare burned towards his back while scoffing at the audacity. Had he not listened to her when she warned him to not threaten her? Either way, she wasn't going to let him off without planning to deal with him in a petty manner. Peeling her gaze from Bradai once his guards began to shield him, Cecilia turned to face the disguised prince who was currently asking for the location of the Pirate King's sleeping chambers. 

Her brow raised as she questioned why Nickles would need such information until she remembered the boy was a ramsalot and gathered it was most likely for his own perverted reasons. As she stood, she cocked her head and took a couple steps towards where the boy sat, her finger dragging along the wooden frame from her chair to Bradai's. Ignoring everyone else as they parted from the dining hall, Cecilia cleared her throat to gain Nickles attention. 

"What would a lovely young lady like you want with the Pirate King?"
Robert
Prince Nickles 
Castle Grunewald 

Prince Nickles jumped, startled by the intrusion. "Oh MY!" He screamed, adjusting his hat atop his misshapen dome. "Oh... Do forgive me. You gave me a horrendous fright. I nearly soiled my knickers," He said in a falsetto, "I am Dame Clarabella Cooch. I am here to strike a deal with the Pirate King over a matter most severe. You see, I own a small boating business and it seems that his vessels have reduced three of my boats to mere driftwood. He has yet to pay for damages. Though, I daresay I am not *Surprised*. I hear he hasn't a penny to spare. His coin purse is pinched tighter than Marshall Carter's bumhole." 

With that, Nickles performed a pretty curtesy and dashed away.
Heather
Cecilia Lyanah 
Grunewald Castle

The shifter's eyes widened in complete surprise towards his response and stifled her oncoming laughter with a cough as the so called Dame made a run for it. Unfortunately for the prince, he carried a strong foul smelling odour that made it too simple for Cecilia to follow.

She strode from the dining hall and down one of the corridors, keeping a steady pace while following the boy's scent. Using both her hands, Cecilia reached back awkwardly to unlaced the back of her dress and loosened it enough for her to slip out of. She paused for only a momentary second before giving up with the lace and began to rip apart the material instead. Once loose, Cecilia stripped from the gown which revealed an outfit beneath before discarding it into one of the passing rooms. She didn't fear others catching sight of her, knowing they would most likely mind their own business while stuck inside the castle of a mad king. Or she could simply silence them if they were to interrupt the shifter from her task. 

Nickles scent remained pungent as she continued to track the boy through the Grunewald castle. A painful ache rushed through her left index finger as the fingernail thickened into a claw, using it to cut the rope holding the dagger beneath her sternum. She gripped the handle tightly with her free hand as she continued after Nickles, keeping the other two daggers hidden on her thighs untouched for later use.
Edith
**Captain Retto Elbaroda**
**Vallen Taemar**

Elbaroda had taken to rolling a gold piece across his fingers as he waited for the dinner to conclude. He assumed it had as he watched a couple walk out of the dining room. A beautiful noble woman who he guessed was a queen or duchess of some sort and one of her knights, perhaps? It didn't matter to him, as there was only one person in that dining hall that he had any respect for, so he didn't pay them much mind. He then spied King Bradai Maith and his men exiting the hall, and pocketed the coin. "Right, there's King Bradai. Let's go." He stopped leaning on the wall and ushered the other pirate captain representatives who weren't allowed in the hall to follow suit and join the escort. "King Maith, 'ow was th' dinner?" He asked respectfully as he and the other captains caught up with them. Despite his apparently casual demeanor, the captain was alert, his eyes scanning for even the menial sign of a threat to his Lord, and a hand rested on the hilt of one of his sabres. If there was anything true in the world, it was that treachery could rear its hideous fangs at any moment, in any location, and he would not have it. "Is th' food 'ere jus' as bad as they say it is?"
Rosa
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
The Castle Grunewald, Taemar

Of all the men to join his retinue, Bradai Maith was not expecting Rhetto. The last time he had seen him, it had been from a balcony on the Maith Mansion. He watched the Singing Siren get loaded up with supplies and sent to the settlement of Sangeli, while his crew capered and danced for the entertainment of the smallfolk. There was something about him, most likely his cheery attitude and prowess with the hurdy-gurdy, that made Bradai fear for Rhetto's safety. It was his indominable sense of happiness that was the problem. From what he had heard, Rhetto was a stern Captain, a loyal servant to the crown, and a fine swordsman but there was something about that kind and smiling face that gave him the feeling that one day, a Scag would carve it off with a knife. 

"Aye." The Pirate King turned to face Rhetto, "Be fankful you weren't vhere. I can't see anyone remembering vhat feast fondly. But if it's honesty you want, vhat might just be one of tha better 'ogs I've ever eaten. Tha Taemarians may not be fans of us, but vhey do love vheir 'ogs." He thought about making a jab at Gregor, that the King was a hog, or that he laid with hogs, but as he passed by a tapestry of a traditional Taemarian mudbirth, he held his tongue. 

"I can only assume vhat tha packages you transported to Sangeli are safe and dry? I don't suppose you'd be 'ere, talking to me, if you failed in your task."
Edith
**Captain Retto Elbaroda**
**The castle Grunewald, Taemar**

Elbaroda nodded his head in affirmation to his king. "Aye, that's par' of why I'm here. All of th' cargo made it safe an' soun'. There were no issues a' all. 'Twas a quiet voyage." Elbaroda couldn't stand the thought of failing Bradai at all. The idea of it made him ill to the stomach. At any rate, the comment that the hog was good took him aback slightly. "I'm surprised tha' anythin' good came out of this country, M' king. It's too far from th' sea here for my likin'." He commented as he looked around the castle's halls as they walked. Perhaps it was bias, or the stench of the country had permeated his brain, but he found Castle Grunewald just as drab and awful as the rest of Taemar. The whole place reeked of deception and malice, particularly towards the islanders, he had found when the *Siren* Docked at the port of Sturm.
Rosa
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
Castle Grunewald, Vallen

"Watch your tongue, we're guests 'ere. Gregor might seem like 'e respects guestright, but I'm not sure vhat any uff 'is guards do." 

The Pirate King continued down the hall and straightened his overcoat. He had taken the time to have his men navigate through the corridors and check the locations of everyone's rooms. The Islander guards had fashioned a crude map of parchment and ink, and two of them guided the group to what they could only assume was a library.

While Kenmath and the Grunewald children had done an excellent job of cleaning the foyer, their cleaning of the library was less than adequate. Large tapestries, detailing the sordid history of their ancient house, hung from hooks built into the tall, sloping ceilings. The thick swaths of weaved cloth made sure that sound didn't carry or echo at all. Built into the corner of the room was an impressive stonework hearth, it's crooked chimney snaking up the corner of the room. With a point of his cane, the Islander guards began shifting around the furniture, placing two chairs and a table in front of the hearth and moving the remaining furniture to create a makeshift social area, complete with a cask of bloodwine they had taken from the feast. 

As his guards dispersed to check the area for any unseen dangers, Bradai milled around quietly. The shelves, he was disappointed to find, were more dust than books. _Gregor probably uses vhese tomes as kindling._ He thought to himself. _What a waste of ink, parchment and time on a man who probably can't even read._ 

"Dust vhese shelves, Captain Elbaroda. Vhis is fucking sad." Bradai pursed his lips, a finger hooking into the spine of a lone manuscript, pulling it from the shelf. Probably the work of one of Gregor's ancestors. He tucked it carefully under his arm and made his way to the hearth, where two of his men were checking the flue and attempting to start a fire.

The Pirate King inspected the manuscript intently, finding no title on either side of the thick leather bindings. Gently, he cracked open the book and ran his fingers over the pages. Although they had grown flimsy with age and the humidity of the daytime, the parchment seemed far from rot. He ran his hands over the dried ink, probably decades old. The penmanship was gorgeous, as were the illustrations. He began to search for the author, suspecting it was more likely that one of Hog King's ancestors had stolen it.

He crossed his leg over the other, trying to find any words of High Hogtongue he knew. "I know a little uff tha language 'ere, but not like vhis, it looks like poetry. I did not know Taemarians 'ad art." He chuckled to himself. 

"Are you literate, Captain Elbaroda?"
Edith
**Captain Retto Elbaroda**
**The castle Grunewald, Taemar**

Elbaroda straightened up at King Bradai's reproach. "Aye, M'lord. I will work on me manners in th' future". He walked with his hands in his pockets until the group reached the library. It truly was a sorry sight, and looked as if it hadn't been used in a few years. It likely was magnificent at one point, alas, that had to have been years ago. He was watching Bradai's guards move the furniture about to make a sitting area when he was ordered to dust the shelves. "Aye, me lord." He walked over to the shelves, and he did indeed feel a bit of sorrow at the neglect of the books. "These poor thin's don' look like they've been read in years. A damn shame, indeed." He mused, wiping a finger across the shelf, leaving a clear line in the fine dust that had settled upon it. He began to wipe off the dust the best he could when his king asked him if he could read. "Aye, jus' a bit, enough t' know 'ow t' write a letter, I suppose." He responded as he continued about his task of wiping off the thick layer of dust from the bookshelves. He had seen collections of books on captured Scag ships that were in better condition than the ones he was tending to. "Makes ye wonder if there be any poin' t' 'avin' a library if ye jus' goin' t' be leavin' it in a sorry state like this. They migh' 'ave art, bu' they certainly ain't appreciatin' it."
Rosa
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
The Castle Grunwald Library, Taemar

The Pirate King absentmindedly flipped through the pages of the manuscript, admiring the art within. "Most uff tha Isles is too 'umid to keep books safely. It's one uff tha reasons my castle is built upon tha Redwall 'ills. It's more brisk up vhere." 

The Islander guards had sparked a small fire within the hearth, and Bradai motioned for one of them to come closer. He whispered something in his ear, and the man was off down the hall. The others began to make themselves comfortable, tapping into the bloodwine and playing dice. 

"Where _does_ a pirate learn to read? Or play music, for vhat matter?" The Pirate King closed the book and set it on an end table as it was placed beside him. A man poured the King a stiff cup of rum they had brought in with the provisions, and he gingerly took it from his grasp, thanking him with a nod. "What isle do ye 'ail from, Captain?"
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald, Vallen
*To Ollie, colleague of the Pirate King of Tonate Proper, King Bradai-Daran Maith.

You and the Pirate King have friends in high and influential positions in Terresol. Should you wish to do something about your plight, the King will take a moment of respite upon the highest turret before the council meeting. I will be waiting. 

Regards,
A friend*

With a sigh, Serafina let the quill gently drop from her hand, a sphere of ink falling from the tip onto the wood of the ornate desk in her room. She had formulated her plan to meet with the Pirate King, but it had taken her long than usual to compose the intriguingly vague message. She preferred being straightforward and had the letter not run the risk of being delivered to the wrong hands she would have simply spoken her mind on the parchment. Her plan was bold. The way she was going about it would fully depend on the cooperation of a man who did nothing selflessly. She was counting on that last trait and praying to Saris she wasn't making a huge mistake. Yet, despite her qualms, Serafina felt the comforting heat from the embers of Xolile's eternal flame flow through her veins, giving her the confidence to move forward.

The Wisdom stood up and pulled the pearl-encrusted pin that held her hair into its standard updo when she needed to focus. The waves of strawberry blonde hair cascaded down her back and the women folded the parchment and stuck it into a well-concealed fold of her clothes. Fearful her mind would change, she quickly left her room and began her stroll back towards the dining room. She passed a Grunewald servant moments into her journey and politely stopped him to ask directions. "I'm afraid I'm a bit lost." She smiled gently. "Could you direct me to the library and tell me where the Islander rooms are located?" She held up the folded note. "I have a message for the Pirate King." The servant gave her directions and Serafina made sure to note and repeat those to him for confirmation before thanking him and resuming her journey. She knew sleep would be the last greeting she would receive after she delivered the letter as her mind would be far too restless with what ifs or playing the conversation possibilities through her mind. 'No, I'll need a distraction.' If she was going to stay up all night, the least she could do would be to peruse the royal library to save her sanity.

After delivering the letter, sliding it under the door to Ollie's suite inconspicuously, Serafina stood and adjusted her dress before turning to continue towards the library. 'Was it a right or left at the corner?' She mused, glancing down the corridor. Confident it has been a left, she turned and continued her leisurely stroll to the library, wondering if she would feel when Ollie picked the letter up. Caught up in her own contemplation, Serafina pushed open one of the doors and strode inside before coming to a screeching halt as she noticed the scene before her. A number of guards from the Southern Isles were playing dice near the warmth of the hearth, no doubt to protect their leader who was sitting directly in front of the fire, a large book in his hands. Serafina's surprise quickly morphed into a gentle smile as she spoke calmly. "My apologies for the intrusion. I wasn't expecting the library to have such life at this hour."
Edith
**Captain Retto Elbaroda**
**The castle Grunewald, Taemar**

After he had finished his task of dusting the shelf, he poured himself a flask of the bloodwine. Elbaroda had never had the stuff himself, and was curious to its taste. He took a sip of it and decided it wasn't bad, but he preferred rum. "I hail from th' Isle of Cloverhol', me king." He responded, a smile forming on his lips as he took another sip of the wine. "'Twas me father who taugh' me t' read and play. A good man, he was, and a bette' father. Durin' th' War, he was murdered by Scags. I didn' fine out about i' 'till I returned 'ome." His grip tightened on his flask. He had never forgiven the Scags for their betrayal of Bradai, but even less so did he forgive them for murdering his father in cold blood. "Forgive me, my king. I didn' mean t' somber th' mood." 

As the strange woman walked in, his hand flew to the hilt of his saber, watching for any form of malice against the King.
Rosa
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
The Grunewald Castle Library, Vallen

"Your favher seems like a good and learned man, it's only natural vhat tha Scags would kill 'im. Vhey were probably afraid of 'im. Tides preserve 'im." He took another sip of white rum. Cloverhold made sense. "Did you come from wealff? 'ow much did vhat cranking instrument cost you?" 

It was only when the door opened and the sounds of swords being jostled did the Pirate King set down his glass. He placed a hand on the back of his chair, leaning over the side to see a Wisdom. She served under Charity Lane and had spoken up in the defense of the bard at dinner. 

" 'ello, vhere." Bradai smiled, watching as the Wisdom went from surprised to composed. "I'm sure you were expecting to study vhese dusty manuscripts alone. You look nervous, Mainlander. We can read, us Islanders, we don't just come to burn the books."
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald Library

"Surprised, King Bradai, nothing more." She chuckled, forcing muscles to relax, as her gaze fell on the others who were staring at her as if she had a desire to kill the man. "I had anticipated time to study alone, but this is a welcome surprise." She took a few strides forward, hands raised to indicate her goodwill before falling to her sides and gesturing to other chair in front of the fireplace. "May I?"
Rosa
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
Castle Grunewald Library

Bradai pursed his lips, settling down into his chair and finishing off the rest of his rum. His cupbearer was in tow, refilling his glass. It had been a while since anyone had simply called him a King. Flattery. 

"The last time I broke bread wiff a member uff your faiff, you all tried to convert me." He glanced over to the seat beside him. "You may."
Edith
**Captain Retto Elbaroda**
**The Castle Grunewald**

Reluctantly, Elbaroda released his grip on the hilt of his saber, as his king seemed to be fine with her presence. "Forgive me for me prior suspicions, me lady. Usually when someone comes in t' where the king be unannounced, they 'ave I'll will in min'." He turned back to where his king sat. "Me family weren' tha' well off. We did okay, though." He unstrapped his hurdy gurdy from his back, and held it in front of him, showing the king. "My instrumen' 'ere is me pride an' joy. Set me back two years of savin's back when I was no more than fifteen. 'Ad it ever since"
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald Library, Vallen

Serafina nodded graciously toward the guard. "No apology necessary. I'm sure King Bradai is grateful for your vigilance." The Wisdom glanced over the shelves to her right for a book while the guard showed his instrument to Bradai. A red leather bound book caught her eye and she pulled it from the shelf, dusting it off with her hands before glancing back toward the Pirate King. At his mention of conversion she smiled and made her way over to the chair before lowering herself into it gracefully. 

"If your eyes are to be opened they will do so on timing outside of my hands." She paused for a moment to open the book and read the title. 'Royal Bloodlines of Marin. Fascinating.' Ignoring her own sarcasm, the woman turned back to the Pirate King with a knowing smile. "I have something of more consequence to discuss with you. Your disdain for the Queen is no secret. I'm here to offer my assistance."
Rosa
The Pirate King 
The Castle Grunewald Library, Vallen

Bradai cocked his head, giving the hurdy gurdy a twice over. "What kind uff wood is 'at fing made uf? Since your fiffteenf year? Aye, it's in gorgeous shape." He did not reach out and touch it, for fear that he would damage the delicate instrument. Although he couldn't see it clearly, a series of complicated cranks, pullies and gears flickered within the wooden hull. He longed for his accordion. 

He turned to the Wisdom, "Aye, see? A real Islander bard, playing real Islander music. Not whatever lute and lyre fair you teach vhose Mainlander children." He pursed his lips when she picked up a book and began to talk politics. 

"I—" _His disdain for the Queen is well known. There was something to be said about the confidence of Mainlanders._ He turned towards Rhetto, cutting the Wisdom off midsentence. "Aye, Captain Elbaroda, do you mind playing a song for us, per'aps by my men? Vhis uh..." He gestured to Serafina, "_Wise Woman_ wants to talk wiff me privately, and you understand vhat I'm a busy man. I don't mean to dismiss you so early in tha night, but I need you tomorrow for tha Council, awake and ready to rally my men, aye?"
Edith
**Captain Elbaroda**
**The castle Grunewald**

"It's made of rosewood." He answered honestly. It was partially why the instrument was so expensive to begin with. The composition of the instrument was rather exotic. As for the request for him to play a song for Bradai's men, Elbaroda knew a conspiracy when he heard one, and it sounded like a very serious matter. "Aye, sir. I understan'. Are ye pinin' fer somethin' upbeat, or more mellow, me lord?" He asked as he moved closer to Bradai's guards, and placed one hand on the crank, and the other on the neck as he waited for a song request.
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald Library, Vallen

Serafina studied the instrument and compared it to what she was familiar with. It was... Interesting. At the mention of rosewood her eyebrows rose in surprise and she smiled. She didn't know why she expected their instruments to be crude and ill-though out, but it was a surprising difference to see the instrument so masterfully crafted and with a feminine wood nonetheless.

When Bradai cut her off and asked for a song, she leaned back into the cushions hiding a victorious smile. 'I have his attention. That's more than I was hoping for to begin with.' When the guard asked what song to play, she made her own suggestion. "I'd love to hear some of your folk tunes from the Southern Isles. Something upbeat, perhaps?" She turned to the Pirate King expectantly, waiting for him to make the final decision so they could continue their discussion privately.
Rosa
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
The Castle Grunewald Library, Vallen

"Somefing mellow, Captain Elbaroda. Wait until I get into my rum and vhis Wisdom 'ere gives your King what 'e wants. You'll get your chance to play celebratory ballad vhen." The Pirate King smiled at him, holding his open palm out to his cupbearer for the bottle of rum. The Islander boy nodded, and quickly came back with another glass for his partner before joining the bard and the rest of the guards at the dicing table. 

Bradai poured both he and the Wisdom a small cup of white rum on the table between them. "I know a lot uff people, Wisdom, but I 'ave never met you." He took a sip from his glass. "What do you know of me?"
Edith
**Captain Retto Elbaroda**
**The castle Grunewald, Taemar**
"Aye sir. Mellow it is." He began to slowly crank the instrument, a somber drawl echoing throughout the room. He then began to hit the keys, and the melody splayed forth for his King and the visitor.
Katherine
Anyanka Durkhan
Grunewald Castle

Anya lead Heath from the dining room only a step ahead, not wanting it to appear to anyone else like a scandal but a conversation. As that's what it was to be. 

They stepped out of the Halls and out into the night, watching others leave the castle for the town. She hadn't realised the heat inside the castle until it was absent, and the woman inhaled deeply on the night air that offered reprieve. 

"No, actually I wanted to talk about you." She started, turning as he offered the cigarette. She took it, pulling a long drag from it, before passing it back to the man. "I heard about Gabriella. How's she holding up, are the kids alright? They haven't caught it, have they?" A beat passed. "Or you?"

Angelica Stafford
Grunewald Castle

The dinner concluded without any more excitement, even Zane and her managed not to claw each other's eyes out for the duration of dinner. But he had definitely made an enemy of her husband for the night. She was certain she would hear about it from Eric before the night was over. 

But before that, there was a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up from her glass of wine as The Pirate King passed her. The words exchanged were brief, but she gave a small smile at them. 

"Have a good night, King Maith." She called, raising her glass to his back.
Michael
Wisdom Serafina 
Castle Grunewald Library, Vallen

Serafina pursed her lips and inwardly rolled her eyes at Bradai's suggestion. Her eyes turned towards the cup of rum being poured for her, causing her to politely declined, leaving the cup where is sat on the table. "I'm afraid I've reached my limit for the evening." 

At the mention of knowing a lot of people she chuckled with a smile and watched him take a drink. Her forearms rested on the cover of the leather book in her lap as her gaze focused on his own. "Enough to know that you and I have a common goal. There are powerful people working in the shadows who are open to assisting you with your Terresolian problem."
Rosa
The Pirate King
The Castle Grunewald Library, Vallen

"Oh?" The Pirate King hid a smile in his glass, taking a light sip. "I wasn't aware I _'ad_ a Terresolian problem. Your Queen sits tha frone, a Shitblooded Islander who fhreatens to open up public academies for the smallfolk outside tha reach uff your Panfeon." He set the glass back on the end table.

"And 'oo, if you don't mind me asking, are vhese shadowy figures you're talking about? Surely tha honorable Souvhern Panfeon is above such back 'anded tactics." He reached across his armrest and nudged the untouched glass towards her with his fingertips. "Where exactly _do_ the ambitions of your religion and my empire connect? Because I don't even know your name. When did you join tha Queen's retinue? Was it before or after she boldly married tha Usurper and took your city from you?"
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald Library, Vallen 

Serafina ignored his mention of the academies, though she certainly held strong opinions on the validity and necessity of them. "Queen Charity is not a friend to you or your trade, King Bradai, and the people of Terresol are not pleased with her leadership." She raised an eyebrow as he nudged the glass towards her and reached over to gently slide it back towards him with a smile. 

"The Southern Pantheon is concerned with the souls lives of its followers. A ruler with no guidance from the divine is ill-suited to make the best decisions for the kingdom." Her eyes traveled to the guard who was still strumming away and she let the music flow through her for a moment before returning to the conversation. "My name is Serafina, Magistrate and Religious Advisor to the Royal House of Terresol. You want to extend your legacy, King Bradai, I want to fulfill the wishes of the gods and put the proper heir on the throne." She paused, watching him for his reaction.