All and sundry find themselves in Victoriana’s study as Currynt has the domestic staff placing chairs and tables. A low, oval table is set with its narrow face toward the hearth and fire with four plush chairs set around it. The table is set for tea and several more chairs are present facing the quartet and fire. Kerith stands by the seat closest to the fire on the left side of the table, offering Aria the seat next to him. Drusilia takes the seat opposite her husband and leaves Victoriana across from Aria in passing. Currynt motions for Aren to take the next chair closest to Victoriana.<br/><br/>Gareph takes Ted by shoulder and says quietly, “Stay by me, m’boy. You’re my second now, you need to hear this council, too.” A seat is left open for Knarr but he stands at the back. Currynt takes a place next to it and the lord mayor.<br/><br/>With Victoriana and Drusilia seated on plush chairs in the Count’s sitting room, Dora appears softly purring in her mistress’s lap. Kerith stands by the fireplace, his elbow on the mantle. He gazes at the fire and starts, “Ladies and gentlemen,” he turns from the fire, “I must thank my sister for her wise and even duty as guardian of the people in my absence. May she take this and give wise counsel for her own lord. It now seems we have a bit of trouble brewing. Father is gone and I a man I find despicable holds the only claim to her hand. So, how do we tell him to fuck off without starting a war?”<br/><br/>Drusilia pours a cup for Victoriana and whispers as if in a completely separate conversation. “How do you spice yours, draga?” She pours her own and holds the saucer as she sips.<br/><br/>“Dearest sister,” he continues, “I have no intention of giving you to Tiernly the Younger. I have no fear for myself what the war will cause, but those thousand souls down there,” he motions out the great windows toward Hammensend, “and the rest scattered about the county. But I’ll not let him do what he claims he will do. He insulted our hospitality and continues to insult our house. And I can do little about that but find you a better match willing to face whatever champion Tiernly elects.”<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Apologies to any native speaker for my mangling of your language to make Drusilia’s speech more exotic.</div></div>