Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald Library

Serafina smiled, watching the two embrace before directing her gaze towards the fire to give them some privacy. Her official title drew her attention back to the woman who had taken a seat across from her. "Lady Barrmount, I'm not sure how familiar you are with the southern customs, but involving a foreign god in the marriage rites is unheard of. Some may say treacherous." She paused for a moment, thinking about the girls request. It had no doubt taken great courage for the child to come to the Council alone and offer her hand in marriage. Serafina admired that. Even moreso, she admired the faith the child had in her gods who had all but abandoned the Barrmounts if the stories she told were true. "I cannot publicly change the vows." Serafina paused and took a breath, closing her eyes to pray her soul be spared from an eternal mourning for what she was about to do. "However, if you would like to perform a small ceremony in accordance to one northern tradition... I will allow it to be done in private." Her questioning gaze moved toward Lord Pinewood for his input. "That is, of course, if you agree Lord Pinewood.
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle library

She expected a negative answer to her request, but hearing it still disappointed her, the everlasting smile slowly falling from her face. It was reasonable, the guests could get *Even more* Offended.

The Wisdom's words, forgive the redundancy, were wise. Nonetheless, when she offered a small private celebration Anna's face lit up like freshly snowed mountains under the sun. The Barrmount gasped as she held her hands together and to her chest.

"Really?" The question came out like a squeak, suddenly full of joy "Well, a northern wedding is complex and long and-" She spoke rushedly "We could do a prayer! That would suffice. Please? Please please please Lord Pinewood" She jumped slightly with every 'please', holding Kirk's hands with excitement.
John
**Lord Kirk Pinewood
Castle Library**

"I'd like to do whatever would make you happiest." Kirk agreed with a smile. The idea of two weddings sounded even more difficult than one, but crushing the hope in Anna's eyes likely would have broken him.
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Castle Grunewald Library

The Wisdom nodded after Lord Pinewood gave his approval before turning back to the lady. "I cannot perform the prayer. It goes against my own vows to Saris." She replied calmly, the thought of saying a Northern prayer to the monsters they called god making her stomach curdle. Serafina paused, growing solemn, before continuing. "You must understand, Lady Barrmount, that I do this as a courtesy, but it holds no power in the Southern Pantheon. You will be wed under Auryn and the vows you make to each other under her watchful eyes are binding and cannot be broken without drastic consequence to yourself and Lord Pinewood. You are marrying into the Southern Pantheon as much as you are Ibethiel. Our beliefs, rules, and rituals will be expected to be maintained throughout your lifetime." 

She let the requirements hang in the air for a few moments. "I understand this will be uncomfortable for you, but I will do what I can to ease you into the transition. There will come a time when you will have to denounce your gods, Lady Barrmount, and put your belief in Saris." The Wisdoms eyes closed for a moment, but in that moment a wealth of emotions began to flow. Her words were true, it was what the gods expected, but she felt a pang of guilt forcing the woman into this. Serafina knew Lady Barrmount would face ridicule upon returning to the Witherlands with a new religion.

She took Lady Barrmount's hands in her own and squeezed them reassuringly. "Despite your faith, my lady, the Frozen Gods have abandoned you in your deepest time of need. Instead, backing Lord Nathanial Vivayn, a man determined to destroy the home you seek to protect. I assure you that the Southern Gods are not so cruel. They will guide you and protect you no matter where you may be. The South thrives under their watchful eyes and the North may thrive once more. During your time in Ibethiel seek to know them more and their blessings will overflow. I do, caution, however, that a lack of faith may result in a war you cannot win. The Gods do not reward those who do not believe."
Charles
Lady Anna Barrmount
Grunewald Castle library

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

After her happiness outburst, Anna turned back to the Wisdom once more as she spoke to her.

"Oh no! No need for you to go against your beliefs, I can do a brief talk, to present Kirk and our marriage to them. And-"

Once again, Serafina was right. The Frozen Gods held no power under southern lands, but her home was her home.

"Wisdom, I will respect the south's religion and customs, as we are taught gods must always be respected, but I'm from the north as much as Kirk is from the south, and the north will never leave me." She stated before Serafina resumed her talk.

The Wisdom hands were soft and warm, giving her an unexpected comfort.

"The Frozen Gods are not cruel..." She said as she softly shook her head, smiling "I also thought they abandoned us at first, and that they favored Vyvain. But the gods sometimes make the road difficult for us to learn and grow, as my father said. I will accept and honor the southern gods *And* The northern gods, equally, as much as I will honor my husband." She gave a squeeze to Serafina's hands as a thank you, along with a grateful smile "I do not seek a reward from any god, just wish for them to be merciful with the people under their protection"

Anna then directed her eyes to the floor, thinking about the Wisdom's words, processing how different everything would be from that moment on. If all those changes were necessary to keep her people and her sister safe, then so be it.

She went to Kirk and took his hands between hers, scared but ready to face whatever that could come her way.

"Shall we? It will take barely a moment"
John
** Lord Kirk Pinewood
Castle Grunewald Library**

Kirk did not have a strong leaning on the religious procedures of his wedding as the women argued about their desires and plans. Much like the council, part of him hoped that staying silent might make all of this go away. He was just glad that they seemed to come to a somewhat agreeable arrangement. "We could organize something when this meeting has concluded before the larger wedding. The Wrencrests are Northerners and you seem close with them. Perhaps you'd like them to join us and witness it."

The groom wondered what his soon-to-be-wife really thought about what they were doing. Was she as cheery as she seemed to be? It must be quite a relief knowing that help was coming for her people, but is this how she would feel once the present conflict was over? Kirk had not been in a position of great need. He went to the council perfectly content with his life, but he was going to be leaving it with a lifetime commitment that his queen had forced upon him. This was the price he paid for hanging out with royalty. He was little more than a pawn.
Kari
The Paladins
A tiny cabin in the Taemish wilderness

The three hours of travel went by differently for each of the Paladins. Vex, who was used to the wilderness, felt the passage of time rather quickly, being in his environment; Ian was complaining about his feet after 20 minutes. To the rest of the party it probably sounded like some philosophical discussion in the ancient language of Voxdei, however the absurdity of the conversation was annoying.

Vex nearly laughed with glee when they arrived at the destination. Vex raised a fist and squatted down before turning back to the ones who had followed him. They were deep in the swamp, and the sun was setting, he could barely see their faces but he knew they were there.

"The cabin is about 100 meters in that direction." Vex jabbed a thumb behind him.

"You're up first shifter, earn your freedom. Everyone else follow after it, and eliminate the threat of the plague in the chaos."

Both Ian and Vex nodded, tying scarves around their mouth and nose, before Vex grabbed his spear and melted into the surrounding brush. Ian simply drew his sword and took a deep breath, waiting for the first sounds of combat.