Michael
Serafina - Magistrate Wisdom to House Terresol
Castle Grunewald, Vallen amidst the hog chaos

The flicker of disgust flashing across her jaded eyes was the only betrayal of how Serafina felt as she witnessed the barbaric scene in front of her. Though, had you not been paying attention, the flicker may have been nothing more than the reflection of a torch blazing nearby. The Wisdom stood in the back corner, her silk, olive green dress cascading from her waist to flatter her petite curves, strawberry blonde hair flowing down her back in loose, elegant curls from the simple bun on the crown of her head, two tendrils of hair framing her face and the intimidating gaze that followed those she recognised at the council.

'A castle full of fools.' She thought to herself as her gaze passed over King Gregor and the other Taemarian nobles in attendance. While she would never openly admit it, Serafina had a intense disdain for Taemarian nobles. Their obsession with hogs stemmed from a misguided belief in the Hog God, a religion built entirely on maintaining control by selectively choosing which villages would survive the winters by selling them hogs at exorbitant prices. She inwardly scoffed at the thought. 'Calling it a religion alone is laughable. A stain upon the gods.' 

Given the choice, Serafina would have been studying in the royal library back at Terresol, but where Queen Charity went, she did as well. Officially as a royal advisor, unofficially to learn, benefit, and perhaps even manipulate the political climate to the benefit of the Southern Pantheon. A sly smile flickered across her face as she watched the hysteria ensue, the hog charging with renewed fury toward those who had done it harm. No action was too far removed from the hand of Saris and the members of the Taemarian court would be wise to heed it. Though, of course, they were likely too ignorant to recognize a lesson even if Saris herself slapped them across the face.

As the nobles raced away from the hog, Serafina held her hand out as a man from the table in front of her stepped backwards to avoid being crushed by the fleeing mob. Moving back a few paces, she let her scarred hand fall and glanced curiously at the unfamiliar man before her. He had a mask on, one that covered the lower portion of his face, which Serafina found odd given the purpose of this meeting. It would be difficult to enjoy the festivities if you could not eat or drink. "Watch your step, my Lord. Scurrying nobility are not known for caring about those they step on in the process of saving their own neck." Her voice was quiet, not one that echoed, but it held an undeniable air of wisdom, authority, and experience.
Robert
King Gregor Grunewald
Castle Grunewald. Taemar

"You had no intention to deal me any harm? Well you ruined our Hog Dangle and you've frightened all of my damn guests within a matter of minutes!" Gregor said, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. Gregor snatched the jar from Judas and brought it up to his nose, inspecting the flower. "Take your fucking seat for dinner. We are done speaking," He said gruffly. He stalked off to the table and swallowed another goblet of wine. He looked to the lady who was now covered in hog blood. 

"My apologies, I did not realize you were in the line of fire," Gregor slurred, motioning to her ruined gown, "Yes, yes. We're about to start the bloody feast."

"Everyone please take your seats and we shall begin the first course!" Kenmath squealed happily from the doorway. His eyes gleamed in anticipation as the royals settled themselves. "Ah, yes, wonderful!" He said, wheeling a cart of soups and Bog Bread, "Gray and bouncy, Bog Bread pairs excellent with nettle soups!"

The musicians resumed their music, though their droning was less lively and more suitable for a funeral procession. 

"Bog Bread is one of the 12 wonders of dining in Marin," Prince Nickles whispered from under his pink hat to the Pirate King. His legs shook under the table, delighted that Bradai Maith was his dinner companion for the evening.
Wyatt
**Judas Merrilweather

Grunewald Castle, Vallen**

"Yes, my king. Please be careful with the flower - it's extremely rare and deadly. Moonlit Whitecaps only grow in select places of the selerine, and their petals make for an odorless and virtually tasteless poison when dissolved in liquid. Think of it as a gift of a blade, however, this is much more fit for royalty. No blood, no mess." Judas stepped away from Grunewald with a slight bow, leaving the tension in the air from earlier with the gift he bestowed upon the king, as the gift had been a result of the earlier problem. Making his way back to the table, Judas looked at where he was going and avoided the glances of royalty. He wasn't a brawny man, so in order to get anything done, he had to use his intellect - which probably got him out of the stupid scenario he was blamed on in the first place. But one thing came to mind: Who *Did* Alter the hog? One thing was for certain, this meeting of royalty and nobility had a traitor in its mix or liars and violent folk, not to say Judas was exempt from these sins, but he was not to blame for the hog. Now that the event was concluded, it gave Judas something to think about. Who in the castle committed such an act?

Soon enough he made his way back to the table, of which had his name poorly scribbled on a folded note at one of the four corners, as it seemed it was a last-minute effort when one of the members had not shown up. Judas was uncomfortably close to the table of royalty but due to his mask, the expression of disgust was unseen. He would sit down in the chair, looking at the other places around him as he awaited the first course - which happened to be a delicacy that he was somewhat familiar with! Bog Bread was not a common thing for him to eat, in the Selerine they had their own variant that was nicknamed "Melbine Mud" Due to its unsavory flavor and unusual softness, almost as if it was unbaked. However, the soup was new.
Heather
Cecilia Lyanah
Castle Grunewald, Vallen

It was difficult to contain her smirk when she felt Bradai's stare burn into her, using her peripheral vision to keep an eye on his movements as he placed an object between the two. Her suspicion towards the object was confirmed when the shifter quickly glanced towards the makeshift knife before rolling her eyes dramatically. Reaching for the dagger that had been given to her like all the other guests for the slaughtering of the hog, she held a tight grip against the handle before slamming the pointed end towards the side of her left leg, missing her flesh by a mere centimeter as it embedded into her chair. 

"Who said I am here for hire? Perhaps I simply wanted to enjoy the feast as well as the entertainment provided." She did her best to conceal her amusement at her own joke, however it didn't last when she broke it with laughter. "But yes you are correct about my death, some bitch managed to kill me when I let my guard down. It wouldn't surprise me if she was one of your *Poppies*. But thanks to a certain someone, I've risen from the dead. Who knew THAT could happen?"

She made sure to avoid giving him answers as to who hired her. It was bad business to give away names and even though she may not be the smartest person, she wasn't a complete idiot. As the music resumed, Cecilia gripped the knife she had stabbed the poor furniture with and placed it back on the table in front of her in hopes to make the pirate king doubt himself. "There are many worthy kills in this dining hall with a hit on their head, you're not special King Bradai. So I agree, let's enjoy the feast because I am starved."
John
**King Dennon Bigsby, Queen Lucrezia Scheer, Kirk Pinewood, Leah Pinewood, and James Pinewood
Vallen, Taemar**

"Did I miss anything?" Lucrezia asked, returning from the privy.

Kirk was the first to find the words. "The pig was killed, but then it-"

"And then they cut it up," Dennon spoke up quickly, interrupting Kirk.

"Did Gregor take a bath in it's blood?" Lucrezia asked, slightly shocked at the state of their host.

"Oh, you know... Taemarian dinner customs," Dennon explained vaguely.

Leah and James returned from scoping where everyone would sit. "Father, I don't know how you didn't get a seat at the main tables. You can have my place."

"No, enjoy it. Find a nice rich boy to marry," James joked.

"But it means so much to you," Leah said kindly.

"Are we not sitting together?" Lucrezia asked.

"No. Everyone is split up, and it's not just our group either," Leah answered, prompting Lucrezia to go look for her place.

Kirk pulled Dennon aside while his family argued if they should or shouldn't trade. "What was that?"

"What was what?" Asked Dennon.

"Is there a reason why you didn't want to acknowledge the undead pig in the room?"

"It's not undead anymore. It's dead... Dead."

"I think you're missing the point." Kirk continued, not letting it go.

"Look..." Dennon glanced around to make sure no one was listening before leaning closer and saying quietly, "I know things have been slow with the plague and all, but do you know how hard it would be to do what we do in Ibethiel if Lucrezia thought magic was real?"

Kirk stared at Dennon in disbelief. "...What?"

"Did I say it too quietly?" Dennon asked.

"No... It's just... How does she think magic isn't real? She's the queen of Ibethiel."

"It's precisely because she's the queen of Ibethiel. When was the last time the kingdom had a magical event?" The question made Kirk think, and he began to count them silently in his head on his fingers. "A magical event that was public knowledge." The king added. "Magic isn't a thing in Ibethiel. It's hard to say why. Maybe mages just don't like walking over mountains. Maybe most know to stay out of sight."

"Doesn't she have spies? Certainly, some of them would have tipped her off. I can't take a piss without them reporting it."

"If they wish to keep their credibility, that's probably the one thing they don't report. Do you think she would have let me outside again without a padded coat and helmet if she knew I had been attacked by a shifter? Do you think she would have let you or that sword you found at my request get anywhere near me if she knew it blew the stone wall of my office to bits after the muttering of an incantation? She doesn't know. She doesn't need to know, and I intend to keep it that way for the foreseeable future. Now, let's have a nice dinner." Dennon patted Kirk's back before they parted ways to look for their seats.