𝕿𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍「𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲」
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							<h1 class="p-title-value">𝕿𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍「𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲」
	
	

	

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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9605513" data-lb-caption-desc="jones573 · Apr 4, 2019 at 9:46 PM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper">It was a just godsdamned bird. He’d done a bird before- An eagle, with its wings spread. It had even balanced on its talons when set up right. But he was on his fourth attempt for this particular bird, not including the rough cuts he’d done to practice the shape.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
This was as far as he’d gotten on any of the attempts, and it didn’t look completely awful. It had the long neck and the slender, curling tail which he’d remembered to not make too slender, else it might break off.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Maybe it would be best not to detail it too much, Averett thought, as he brought his knife around the bird’s neck to shave down a lumpy spot into smoothness. The horses he made for Grace could get very detailed indeed, but he’d also made dozens of those by now.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“This is foolish, Avery,” his aunt said from behind him, and he startled suddenly, his knife slipping and lopping the bird's head clean off. He swore loudly at the interruption, and at the newest failed attempt.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“You have already expressed that sentiment in every possible combination of words,” Avery returned irritably, frowning at the older woman. “You are the one being foolish, if you hope to sway me by repeating your arguments.”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Roysa had strongly supported a marriage between Averett and Meera, back when it had been Elion’s idea. She insisted her change in position was not due to which nephew was suggesting it, but because the situation had changed. She had multitudes of reasons why it was no longer advisable, and could lecture for hours about why the marriage was a bad idea. Had lectured for hours, though at least mostly privately.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“Not the wedding,” the stern-looking woman snapped back, though she softened a bit. “I told you- I will not attempt to dissuade you on the matter any longer. What’s done is done, and I shall attempt to be gracious about it.”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
He was glad his aunt had kept her arguments mostly within his small circle of advisors- Lady Roysa was a respected noblewoman, and her opinions held considerable weight in the court. He doubted she would be particularly warm to Meera, but at least she would not be malicious towards her.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“I meant about this ‘going to Theren to fetch her’ business,” Roysa clarified. “It is a waste of time, you could be helping with planning the ceremony. And it could be dangerous- You are not exactly beloved by their people.”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“They are ‘our’ people, Auntie,” Averett corrected with a sigh. “I’m not planning on waving my banner and announcing myself- I just want to make sure she reaches the capitol safely. She has her own... Detractors, after all.”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Most of the men in the escort had been chosen by Avery himself, because he knew their loyalty to him was absolute, and those he didn’t know personally were known by those he did. If something went wrong and Meera was killed- Well.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“You are such a worrier,” Roysa sighed. “Always thinking up new and horrible outcomes.”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“I prefer to think I am just always very prepared,” Avery responded dryly. “And I’d only be in the way here at Redhill.”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
The castle had been busy during the war, of course, but it was nothing compared to the last month- The logistics of the army of servants that had descended on Redhill boggled Avery, who had organized an actual army.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
He’d woken up one morning to find half a dozen people emptying out his wardrobe- Apparently, he was moving to the other side of the castle. Again. The suite of rooms he’d been moved into when he’d become king were not suitable for a married king, he was told, though when’d he first been crowned he’d been reassured that wasn’t the case.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Everyday had been a series on unending meetings and discussions- Which temple should the ceremony be held in? Was he <i>sure </i>that’s where Lord Cromwell should have his offices? Open or covered carriage, between the temple and Redhill? Would he like to have a hunt before the feast? What did he want served? Was he <i>quite</i> sure he wanted to forgo some of the ancient Beleth marriage traditions, surely it would be best to adhere to the customs-<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
It was either completely trivial, an obvious ploy to humiliate the new queen, or both. The treaty negotiations had been frustrating, but at least they had been <i>important,</i> for the most part.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“Nonsense, it’s your wedding,” his aunt told him. “I’m sure your opinion is… Valued.”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
He held her gaze for a moment, and she eventually chuckled.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“Putting Grace in charge was a clever move,” she admitted. His younger sister was actually excited about the wedding, for one thing, and though they had very different tastes, she at least understood his wishes for the important matters. And it was very difficult to say no to her, which in this case worked to his advantage. She had been appalled to learn that some of the Barons were advocating to reinstate the witnessing ritual, pronouncing it ‘barbaric’ and announcing that as the groom’s next of kin, she would not be participating in any such nonsense. Her glare had been fearsome, and no one had suggested it since.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“Try not to let her get too carried away,” Avery asked his aunt, who nodded.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“You will not return to find the entire treasury wasted on fresh flowers,” she promised grimly, and Avery could only assume his aunt and sister had already had this argument, perhaps multiple times.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“We’re about ready to leave,” another voice announced, and Averett looked up to see his friend Emerson had joined them behind the stables. “Lady Roysa! Looking captivating as always,” he gushed, his red hair falling into his face as he bowed over the former princess’s hand.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
If he hadn’t known to look for it, he might have missed the scrap of paper Emerson passed to his aunt.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“We’ve barely spoken lately, my lady, my heart aches to hear your voice,” he continued on, and the lady in question rolled her eyes.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“You don’t need to be such a nuisance, in private,” she scolded the younger man.  “Take care of him, will you?” She was frowning down at the note, and Avery could tell his aunt was already planning her next task and the one after that- Her attempts at chastising him for the journey were really just a guise for seeing him off.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“I always do,” Emerson said with a grin, and Roysa pecked her nephew on the cheek absentmindedly before hurrying off.  “C’mon then, Vee- Let’s go get your girl!”<br>
<br>
<br>
_____<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
The journey had been pleasant. It had been a relief actually, to be away from court life, even if it meant a lack of comfortable beds and hot food. The men gave him plenty of grief, but he knew it was from affection and not cruelty, so it was much easier to bear than commentary from the nobility that he had no hope of parsing.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Even the ones that he hadn’t already been familiar with had fallen into the habits of their peers, calling him ‘Captain’ as though they were out on a border patrol, instead of fumbling over ‘Your Majesty’. He’d been wearing his hair down, so the dark waves were his natural ones and not the result of tight braids.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
The closer they got to their destination, though, the harder it was to deny this was not some standard patrol, and Avery could feel the tension he’d managed to escape beginning to creep back up on him.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“Relax, Vee,” Emerson said next to him, reaching over to clap him good naturedly on the shoulder- The right one, even though it was the farther. “She’s real pretty, I promise! Unless she’s done something to disfigure herself since I was last here, which she might have, now that I think about it, having to marry you an’ all, would be enough to drive any girl mad-“<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Averett gave his friend a very unimpressed look.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“Look: I’ll do all the talking with her folk, be the frivolous noble,” Emerson reminded him- He certainly had a lot of practice with the role. “You be the surly military man,” which Avery supposed he also had practice with, “Stalk paranoid circles around us the whole way home like you didn’t make us do godsdamned protection drills on the way here, deliver her to your sister to fawn over for a day or so, we go to temple, we do a feast, everyone pretends to be happy for you, the two of you have some fat little babies to unite the area, and we all live in peace for generations to come, all right?”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“Ah yes, so simple,” Avery told him with a note of obvious sarcasm.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“Well, I suppose there will be some trickier bits in between,” Emerson allowed. “But let’s just focus on getting her back to Beleth for now, hmm?”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
They’d arrived, Avery realized, and Emerson was reaching into his saddlebags to pull out the heavy scroll.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
“I am Lord Emerson,” he announced, loudly enough that probably even the Theren guards who had not left their post to come eye them warily could hear him. “By the order of King Averett of Beleth, myself and this squad of men are to escort Queen Meera to the city of Cokinos, and to her wedding.”<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
He presented the scroll, stamped with the seal of the king. The inside read much the same, though it also bore the signatures of those who had verified both Meera and Averett’s signatures on the treaty and marriage agreement.</div>
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9605665" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Apr 4, 2019 at 11:24 PM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/4b9435d3c1d421b867c9cae38d4c8d15/tumblr_ohgjahmHdm1thvu4co6_250.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Delphi, The Castle Gates| Interacting with: Lord Emerson </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">By the spirits what in the utter hell was she thinking. There was no going back on the decision now, her ladies could very well not be fetched all the way from Beleth and then back to her only to turn around and head towards Beleth again. Even if it would give her courage. Besides, she had made that particular decision because it was safer for them, had they been murdered, like there was every possibility of happening to her on her journey to Beleth, she would never be consolable. Her wretched death in the dirt with no one friendly around her was preferable to the harm of her ladies, and in some way it felt as though that was exactly what she deserved, was it not the fate of so many of her people in the war? There would be more war if she were to die. Theren would take up arms again, and lose. It would be a massacre. These thoughts and more swirled in her head as she stared at nothing in particular, worrying by herself and looking like a statue of misery in the corner of the stall. “At least you will be there with me.” She cooed to Reya, her dapple grey mare, trying to muster up a smile. But the thought of her mare dying with her too wiped that right off. <br>
<br>
Really it was no help envisioning her own death and hiding away in the corner of her mare’s stall, and frankly it was a bit childish. Lord Blackbird would know where she was, he always did, hiding from that man was impossible. But maybe he was just letting her steal away what few moments alone she could. Out of everyone he knew how frightened she was, had seen her attempt at dignified bravery waver. As annoying as his shadow was sometimes, a reminder of her duties, she was in the end grateful to him for being a source of strength. <br>
<br>
All of this new worry centered around the trip hadn’t been there initially, but Lord Blackbird had fought tooth and nail over the logistics of how she was to travel with the dignitaries. She hadn’t understood why it was so important to have that nailed down before signing anything until he informed her that there were people, specifically Belethans, who wanted her dead. She had never experienced that before, people hating her and wanting her dead. Meera was so accustomed to being loved. It was a shock, but it had made sense, of course they wanted her dead. She was considered their enemy, just as she considered them her’s. Meera had let him argue on her behalf from then on while processing the information. She had been so shell shocked over how fast everything had happened she had barely come to accept it by now, the day she was leaving for a place she was to call home until her death. Which would come sooner or later depending on her luck. How was she to make a place that hated her her home? Deep in her heart she knew what she had to do, she just hadn’t quite accepted it yet, nor could she muster the strength. How she wished her father were here. He always made her felt she was invincible when she was by his side. Like her smile could win the whole room. Then again, he had seemed so invincible himself…<br>
<br>
At some point she had contemplated revenge, somehow obtaining it. The thought had comforted her when she was most angry at the world and her situation. But that was childish, and frankly impossible without damning her people. No, she had to do something even more difficult, she had to walk into a den of her enemies, and make them love her. She had to be humble and take their glares with grace, take their humiliations and their ire with ease. All while being dignified and in charge somehow. How exactly was she supposed to manage that?<br>
<br>
<i>-outside the castle gates-</i><br>
<br>
The guards had seen the party of Belethans arriving from afar but no one had made any moves to usher them in or welcome them. The only person who needed to dirty his hands with that was Lord Cromwell, and he didn’t appear to be in any hurry to meet them either. The general consensus amongst the men was that this was all a bad idea. Their Queen belonged with them, in their country and in this castle. They did not fancy having her shipped off to enemy territory. Don’t get them wrong, they loved their regent dearly, but they loved their Princess too. She was supposed to rule as Queen here.<br>
<br>
Cromwell was well aware of all of this, but everyone’s feelings on the matter right now could not possibly have mattered less. He had resigned himself to the fact that he would have to drag everyone through this process kicking and screaming, and he was already annoyed by it. Why couldn’t everyone see? This was the only option, and frankly it was the best outcome of all of this. Would everyone prefer to be occupied and murdered in their beds?<br>
<br>
“Who the hell is this bloody jester?” One guard whispered to the other while stepping forward and flanking the quick paced Lord Cromwell, who approached Emerson without greeting and took the scroll, looking over it carefully as though he had not seen it about a thousand times. Enough to be able to recite it word for word and see the damned thing in his cursed dreams. It checked out. “Welcome my Lord, we are ready to depart of course, my men to accompany to the border, and then half to part ways. As agreed.” He reminded Lord Emerson, just in case there was to be any disagreement on that. His men, his best ones, would travel at the back of the party once in Beleth territory but they were still to be there, and were to stay on as his personal troop once in Beleth. And there wasn’t going to be any budging on that. <br>
<br>
He handed the scroll back and turned, giving the hand signal for the gates to open, the accompanying men came out but he knew something was amiss when the Queen did not lead them. He paused, thinking she might be behind them and though that was not decorum at least she would still be coming out of the gate likes she was supposed to…<br>
<br>
She wasn’t fucking there. He gritted his teeth, “A moment Lord Emerson.” He said cooly, doing his best to keep the annoyance out of his voice. He sighed and approached the captain of the guard. “Where the hell-”<br>
<br>
“We don’t know.” The captain deadpanned back.<br>
<br>
“The hell do you mean you don’t know.” He seethed quietly through his teeth, no, this wasn’t happening. He was not going to go looking through the whole gobsmacked castle looking for the Queen who was supposed to be ready to go.<br>
<br>
He was about to be furious at the thought of having to do that when the Queen herself came riding out, appearing in fine spirits and ready to go in full riding gear, tiara fastened to her head of curly hair. It wiped the fury off of his face. The last he had seen her she seemed near tears.<br>
<br>
“Whatever is the matter everyone? You all seem so dour, do you not know that you’re Queen is off to be married? There should be smiles on your faces shouldn’t there be?” She came to a stop, trotting around the captain and his men. The seemed to relieve some of the tension. Egged on by that small victory Meera turned Reya around and trotted up to meet the emissaries from Beleth. But before reaching them she noticed the balcony, just barely, her ladies, the ones she was leaving behind came out.<br>
<br>
“Long live the Queen!” They shouted, startling her. She huffed in surprise and cracked the first genuine smile she had all day, they rained some flowers down on her and she managed to catch one, just barely. She inclined her head. They had already said goodbye, not wanting to cry as she left, so this, this was a show of courage. And it worked. She waved at them, moving away slowly, but move she did, she had to.<br>
<br>
She approached the red haired Lord, eyeing the carriage, if he thought she was going to get in that he had another thing coming. She was going to ride while she was in Theren, she was going to say a proper goodbye to her people.<br>
<br>
That hadn’t been the plan but well, she didn’t care, she had decided to change that plan.<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>“Excellent!”</b> Emerson beamed in Lord Cromwell’s direction at the acknowledgement of the agreement, and his smile did not falter even at the obvious delay when Meera did not appear. <b>“Take your time.”</b><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Averett, gripping the reins to the carriage, would not have been able to keep up his own smile, had he been smiling in the first place. Maybe she had changed her mind, maybe something had happened to her, maybe this was a trap- He was scanning for threats when she appeared, riding out on a fine horse, and he forced himself to relax. Also, to acknowledge that there was very little chance they were getting her off that horse until it was absolutely necessary.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Fine.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
He gestured to one of his men on horseback, and they quickly switched places.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“Lord Chancellor Cromwell, was it?,”</b> Emerson confirmed, fairly certain he recognized the man. Emerson had not really been involved in the actually negotiating of anything, but he had gone between the Theren capital and the Beleth army’s encampment to ferry messages enough that he had become familiar with several faces. <br>
<br>
<b>“I seem to recall you always had something in hand- We have the carriage if you’ve papers to work on, and the cart if you’d prefer the open air.” </b> It might smell a bit like dried beef portions, Emerson supposed, but he reckoned the Lord Chancellor might be willing to put up with it if it meant he could get his work down and still keep the Queen in view. <b>“And of course, we have several spare mounts, if you wish to ride and aren’t bringing your own,”</b> he also offered.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Averett did not ride out to meet Meera, but allowed her and Reya to join up with his group of men, several of their own horses moving off the road a bit to give the newcomer a wider berth.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“Your Majesty,”</b> he said politely, dipping his head in her direction.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“Cap’n Vee, you want ‘er men flanking ‘er, then? Foot or mounted,”</b> one of the older men called out gruffly, sizing up the queen’s guard as though he were suspicious that they may not be able to understand such simple formations.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Averett stifled a sigh- that was what he had been intending to determine, before he’d been interrupted- and continued.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“If you’ll be riding, I’d like to be between you and the closest side of the road,” </b>he said in a way that indicated it wasn’t a preference that was up for discussion. <b>“But however you and your men usually travel, we can accommodate,”</b> he assured her. If the mare wasn’t used to moving with spearmen on either side of her, he didn’t want her spooked, and same if she would be uncomfortable with other horses, too. <b>“Though if you could spare a few men, I would like them to pair with mine on the perimeter patrol rotations, as they know the area better.”</b></div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/4b9435d3c1d421b867c9cae38d4c8d15/tumblr_ohgjahmHdm1thvu4co6_250.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Delphi, The Castle Gates| Interacting with: Lord Emerson &amp; "Captain Vee" </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Cromwell clasped his hands behind his back, returning to the side of Lord Emerson while observing the Queen very… carefully. He couldn’t tell if her bravado was genuine or not, which probably meant it didn’t matter if it was real or not and was good enough to pass as genuine. <br>
<br>
“Mmm.” Was his only acknowledgment of Lord Emerson until he mentioned work, at which Sebastion huffed a snort of air out of his nose at. “I am already accused of awful penmanship my Lord I believe a moving carriage would only serve to render the whole thing absolutely useless.” He turned to look at Emerson, really look at him for perhaps the first time since becoming aware of his existence. A redhead, a chirpy one. Had he been observing him? For what reason? Was he simply an observant individual? Sebastion didn’t trust it, whatever the motives were, but really it was more than likely that he was just giving Emerson too much credit. He tended to do that, overestimate people. Perhaps there was some truth to the accusations of paranoia laid towards his character.<br>
<br>
Cromwell only knew trying to work whilst in a moving carriage was useless because he’d attempted it before, the ink got everywhere, honestly he had to just give up at some point and resign himself strictly to reading. But while writing was next to impossible in a moving carriage and not even a concept while on horseback - Cromwell had actually mastered the art of reading casually while riding. Especially if it was in a group and he could trust his steed Merchant to just follow. If the Queen wasn’t going to ride in the carriage then he wasn’t going to bother either. No, better that he ride behind her, keeping himself her shadow as was his prerogative. <br>
<br>
“Unnecessary Lord Emerson thank you.” He motioned with his hand, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/801922277373663824/" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F801922277373663824%2F&amp;hash=f09f5a5ce9347091aa1fdc67ba372c85" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">Merchant</a>, who was originally just going to ride alongside one of the guard was brought to him. He mounted, reaching into his cloak to bring out a small book and maneuvering in line.<br>
<br>
<b>“Your Majesty,”</b> A soldier greeted Meera and inclined his head, which she returned, a little confused but smiling none the less. He was young, and very handsome, but he carried himself as though he were in charge. Which was odd because she would have pinned the next man to speak as the one in charge. He was certainly older, and gruffer. She stopped herself from rolling her eyes at his attitude and simply pretended that it had gone over her head entirely.<br>
<br>
“I think that’s a wonderful idea Captain Vee, I trust your judgement, and in any case I think we should force the men to work together instead of letting them compare whose sword is bigger!” She turned and winked at the offending party. “It’s mine, mine is bigger.” She joked.<br>
<br>
“Although, as we move through Theren there will be people, crowds possibly. I intend to greet them, and that means being closer to the side of the road than you anticipate Captain. But if you allow me that I promise I shall allow you whatever rules you see fit thereafter.” She smiled widely, certain that her tactic of first agreeing with him and then negotiating a later term would work. It usually did, and he seemed to be an agreeable man. Besides, he wasn’t going to be able to stop in anyhow. She was simply trying to get everyone on the same page so that he wasn’t too sour with her later. He was already inclined not to like her she didn’t need to go out of her way to give him more.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper">Emerson merely grinned wider when Cromwell turned to assess him, offering him no particular response other than to nod at the older man’s decision. One of the mounted men led a tall, copper gelding by the reins to where Emerson was standing, and he swung himself up into the saddle easily via the stirrups despite the height.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
He chuckled a bit when he heard Meera’s declaration.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“Ah, she is going to be trouble, isn’t she,”</b> he said mostly to himself, but he seemed pleased by the prospect instead of concerned and proceeded to make a series of faces in Avery’s direction, which went mostly ignored by the other man, or at least did not receive a response.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
If Averett were to guess, Emerson was attempting to communicate something along the lines of ‘See? I told you she was pretty,’ because… She was, he supposed. In a purely objective sort of way. Not that it mattered much. He wasn’t marrying her for her looks.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“Yes, well,” </b>he hedged, unsure of her winking and somewhat joking demeanor. <b>“Let us hope there is no need to draw our weapons.”</b><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
He couldn’t recall her weapons proficiency at the moment, but he would feel better if she had a dagger at least. He would speak to her about it when they took their first break, he decided, but for now he was too anxious to get moving that he was even willing to let her think he would let her greet her people.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“You musn’t mind our Captain, Your Majesty,”</b> Emerson said loudly from behind them, and Avery would have winced if he wasn’t already so practiced at concealing his reactions so as to deny his friend the satisfaction.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“He’s a suspicious sort of fellow, so I want you to know- He’s going to tell you ‘no’, and he’s absolutely going to make you sit in the carriage any time we pass through anything resembling a town, and I assure you it has everything to do with him and is no way a reflection on you and your delightfully charming personality and perfectly reasonable requests, in fact I’m surprised the brute hasn’t demanded you get rid of that flower yet,”</b> Emerson explained, obviously content to continue speaking if he wasn’t interrupted.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“You may keep as many flowers as you like,”</b> Averett cut him sharply off by addressing Meera instead. Why wouldn’t he let her keep a <i>flower</i>?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“You are being absurd,”</b> he snapped at Emerson, who grinned.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“Oh? That’s wonderful to hear,”</b> his friend said genially. <b>“As I’m sure her requests were perfectly reasonable indeed. Perhaps he has a heart beneath that armor, after all,” </b>he joked to Meera, and not for the first time, Avery regretted his friendship with the bastard.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“You… May greet your people if that is what you wish, Your Majesty,”</b> he allowed, dutifully ignoring Emerson. “<b>But if it slows our travel time, we will have to make up for it on other parts of the trip.” </b> Honestly he might feel safer camping in the woods as needed than in predetermined and exposed inns, but ladies tended to prefer the comfort of walls and beds over tents and dirt, he’d found.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>“And if you wish to pass through the cities at a rate that will allow you to greet the people, then guards on foot will have no issue keeping pace on either side of your horse,”</b> he added firmly. He could still stay between her and the nearest side of the road without blocking the people’s view of her if he walked, and could keep one hand on his sword and the other on her reins.</div>
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9620051" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Apr 12, 2019 at 1:37 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/4b9435d3c1d421b867c9cae38d4c8d15/tumblr_ohgjahmHdm1thvu4co6_250.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Theren - Corinth, near the border to Megara| Interacting with: Lord Emerson &amp; "Captain Vee" </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Meera wasn’t sure the Captain really understood her joke if his response was anything to go by. She gave him a funny look but let it be, in any case some people chuckled, she swore she heard SOME chuckling. This Captain sure was uptight, but bless his soul a lot of military men were.<br>
<br>
“Oh come now there won’t be.” She assured him, brushing the thought away, though entirely aware that her optimism would not guarantee a damn thing. <br>
<br>
Lord Emerson spoke from behind her and she turned as much as her mount would allow to regard him, her mouth opening in false shock at his words, she laughed, aghast.<br>
<br>
“What kind of man doesn’t like flowers?!” She teased, eyes wide and affronted, grin widening when he told Lord Emerson that he was being absurd. She decided right there and then that she quite liked Lord Emerson. She would have to ask her Lord Blackbird to find out more about him. He didn’t seem to dislike her in the least, and she needed every ally she could get in Beleth.<br>
<br>
She listened intently to the Captain’s terms and nodded, finding them agreeable for now, “Well don’t be slow on my account Captain Vee.” She clicked her tongue, signalling her horse who began to set a brisk pace.<br>
<br>
"I have nothing against flowers," Avery insisted, though he supposed he wouldn't exactly describe himself as 'liking' them either. His opinion of flowers was relatively neutral, and more importantly, had absolutely nothing to do with the safety of the queen and were only being discussed because Emerson had decided they should be. <br>
<br>
Meera found it amusing that the Captain would think it necessary to assure her that he wasn’t against them at all. So serious about such a simple thing.<br>
<br>
"Could be a poisoned flower," Emerson speculated, trying to come up with a valid reason why Avery might actually believe something as silly as a flower might be a threat to Meera. His suggestion made her frown. <br>
<br>
"A very small knife in the stem, meant to stab you while you hold it! At the very least," he suggested to Meera with a grin, "It could have a nefariously floral plot to make you sneeze."<br>
<br>
"I am sure Her Majesty can be trusted to know her own limitations when it comes to which plants might make her nose run," Avery told his friend with annoyance, and increased his own pace to keep up with Meera, who was chortling at Lord Emerson’s joke.<br>
<br>
"Do not feel obliged to trust anything Lord Emerson tells you," he advised her. "He seems to think that because the royal family tolerates his antics, he can behave however he pleases, regardless the company. He means no harm with his joking, but he is known for letting his tongue run him into trouble more often than not." <br>
<br>
“Oh if anyone is to hold Lord Emerson’s tongue against him I do not think it will be me. He makes me laugh, even if he did have the absolute <i>audacity</i> to suggest that my beloved ladies in waiting, whom I had to leave behind tearfully, would ever wish me any harm.” She turned a raised brow to the offending party, trying not to grin.<br>
<br>
_<br>
<br>
Avery knew Meera had meant to keep her word, when it came to the pace of their travels. But as she had predicted, crowds had gathered to see her off, in every city or village they passed through or even near- That, a washed out road they'd had to find a way around, and the increased size of their party made the journey much slower. Meera had seemed to enjoy giving her flower to an elderly man and slowed down to touch people’s hands, even stopping to talk at some points.<br>
<br>
They'd tried to make up the time, but it was no use- The horses were tired and the inn they'd planned to spend the night in still too far, and though one of the men had suggested the party split up so that Meera and a few others could take the freshest horses and ride on to the nearest town with an empty room... Well, no one from either country had responded to the idea with any amount of enthusiasm, and it had died before anyone could articulate why they disliked it, even though it was perfectly logical. Much to Meera’s chagrin.<br>
<br>
So, camping it was. At least the weather was nice, as was the spot- Trees offered privacy and some protection, but the greenery was not so dense that it blinded them to any approaching parties. It felt comfortable to Avery, the sound of the men setting up the field tents and cursing mildly at each other, the horses being led off to graze in groups under the eye of a watchful minder, Emerson shouting cheerily about something.<br>
<br>
"The carriage is not meant as sleeping quarters, but it is yours for the evening if you'd like it, Your Majesty," he informed Meera. "The tents are also... lacking in comforts," he admitted a tad shamefully, "But they are dark and private, and we can pull the cushions out of the carriage for you to sleep on."<br>
<br>
Meera’s brow furrowed in thought as she considered both possibilities. They had three tents, each just big enough for maybe two soldiers to share -three, if they were slighter than Avery and no taller than Emerson- and on the nights the party hadn't stopped at an inn on the way to Delphi, Avery and Emerson had shared one and let the men sleeping on the earliest and latest shifts use the others, so their sleep would be as dark as those who slept when the sun had no influence on the brightness of the sky.<br>
<br>
One for Meera and one for Cromwell left less flexibility in that regard, but they were soldiers and had slept in far worse conditions, and Avery knew none of his men would complain.<br>
<br>
Cromwell began to put his opinion on the matter in before being interrupted by a certain chirpy redhead.<br>
<br>
"I have much more exciting dilemmas to consider! Queen Meera, Lord Cromwell," Emerson greeted them enthusiastically, gesturing towards the far side of the clearing where a young soldier sat with two dead animals on his lap. "Rabbit, or duck? And/or the standard traveling provisions, of course," he added- They had dried meat and dried fruit, and bread that had been bought only in Delphi that was also probably dried now as well.<br>
<br>
"I promise we will feed you much better in Redhill," he added, with a wrinkle between his red eyebrows, as though he was worried that his new queen might think she would spend the rest of her life eating only what wild game could be found in the hour before a meal. "But for now you will have to accept my apologies for the substandard fare- I realize that what is an exciting meal to soldiers is perhaps not as enticing for you!"<br>
<br>
“I think…” Meera began, looking between the carriage and the Lord Emerson. “...That the soldiers who caught that game deserve it more than I do, split it amongst them Lord Emerson. And as for where I’ll sleep; The carriage should be fine, no need to take up a tent to myself.” Meera said diplomatically, thinking more for practicalities’ sake than anything else. As for her choice to surrender her fresh dinner, while the bickering and overall distrust between the men was wearing her patience thin she did appreciate them and wanted to show it. Also <i>screw</i> Lord Emerson for thinking she couldn’t handle eating travel provisions, as if she hadn’t spent time traveling abroad to every other court in the land.<br>
<br>
It didn’t show on his face but Lord Cromwell’s stomach plummeted at this, he had wanted that duck tonight. Soldiers be damned, they could have duck when they managed entire kingdoms how about that? Instead of voicing this however he simply moved to where a fire was being built near them.<br>
<br>
Emerson frowned slightly at Meera’s response, but Avery got there first.<br>
 <br>
“Ahh,” Avery said hesitantly, unsure how to explain. “The game was caught for you- It could be seen as rude, to refuse it. Have the duck, it was likely harder to catch.”<br>
 <br>
“And the duck should feed the four of us just fine,” Emerson added, eyeing the size of the waterfowl and estimating the appetites of the highest ranking members of the party. “The rabbit can be shared best by the rest of the men in a stew.”<br>
<br>
“Oh… I see, things are different in Beleth aren’t they. Yes then as you suggest.” Meera’s face fell, troubled. She hadn’t thought it might seem rude, and the concept had seemed strange to her but it took little to accept it. She’d found it was best to accept and apologize where necessary when it came to things like that. <br>
<br>
She moved towards where Lord Cromwell was sitting now, reading. “Be sure the ladies sent my way are prepared to inform me on Belethan etiquette Lord Blackbird. And that dance teacher I asked about.” She told him quietly, passing him and sitting a little ways away. <br>
<br>
He looked up and inclined his head in answer, which was enough for her. She was more tired than she had realized, though it had more to do with emotion than physical fatigue. They had rode past a few places where battle had been done today.<br>
<br>
“Not always so different,” Emerson hedged. “But with these men, at least- They’ve been instructed to treat you they way they might the Princess Graceling, and I trust they will. At Redhill, things will be more complicated, and niceties may have more hidden strings,” he admitted, unable to keep the slight edge of sourness from his usually genial tone as he took a seat as well, though the Captain had gone off to talk with the men about dinner and watch rotations.<br>
<br>
“But for the time being, at least, you will not be offered anything that you are not in good faith meant to enjoy,” he assured her. “And if it is within my power, I shall endeavor to alert you to anything in the future not offered in good faith.” <br>
<br>
The men would have found it odd for her to prefer travel provisions to game, but would likely have not been terribly offended, especially since Avery would have glared at anyone who seemed like they might have an attitude about it. But it had been caught with the intention to be fed to the new queen and lord, and dividing both pieces between the men might have caused some discomfort- It was easier for everyone, for the rarer meat to go to the nobility and for the soldiers to split the rabbit in a broth. <br>
<br>
This earned a smile that didn’t quite reach Meera’s eyes. She was positive he did not mean poison, but well, food offered in bad faith… she decided not to comment on it. There was no point in doing so for if his comment had truly meant ill will there would be little Meera could do about it right here and now given she was more or less at the mercy of everyone here. Her men wouldn’t allow anything to be said against her, and certainly no harm, but a skirmish was the very last thing she wanted. The object was to reach her destination in hopes to bring about peace after all.<br>
<br>
“The Princess Grace, do you know her well? What is she like?” Meera asked, immediately curious once she was mentioned. She knew only her name and age. Lord Emerson seemed very friendly to be sure, and his accounts might be a bit… exaggerated she had gathered, but he was entrusted with the task of fetching her. So that had to count for something. <br>
<br>
“I am fonder of Princess Grace than some of my own sisters,” Emerson freely admitted, though his relationship with some of those sisters was so contentious that it wasn’t saying much.<br>
 <br>
“And she is fond of nearly everyone she meets,” he continued. “I have met a great many people, but I think she has the most persistently cheerful disposition of the lot. She may be a bit… Sheltered,” he admitted, “But she has a sweet nature, and is tremendously excited to meet you, Your Majesty. I think the two of you shall get along well, if only because she very much hopes for it to be so, and has a way of making such things happen even without permission or invitation.”<br>
<br>
He had initially regarded her as a nuisance at best, a corresponding figure to Avery as his own sisters were to him, but his opinion had changed radically while spending time with the girl, without him ever being quite aware of it until one day he realized he was seeking her out just to speak with her as a friend, instead of as a means to communicate with her busy older brothers. Also, she was one of the only people who could appreciate just how thoroughly Averett needed to be mocked at times, and Grace and Emerson had spent many hours trading stories and laughing privately about his missteps.<br>
<br>
Meera found that by all accounts Lord Emerson’s rendition of the princess had been glowing. And she had to admit, “I have always wanted a little sister. A brother. Siblings in general Lord Emerson but I suppose it was simply not written in the stars…” Meera mused, staring off and thinking of princess Grace. “I confess I am very excited to meet her as well. And it sounds as though we will get along famously. I am very glad to hear that Lord Emerson thank you. This is the perhaps the best news I’ve heard in awhile.” Meera’s grin grew as she thought of the possibilities. It sounded as though out of everyone she was likely to meet, the princess she would have to least trouble winning over, given she was so young and predisposed towards optimism. <br>
<br>
If she was sheltered, perhaps she did not hold prejudices towards Theren, as others were like to do. That would be refreshing depending on the atmosphere of the castle. She wished she knew more of what to expect precisely and worried over it constantly these days. The anxiety of it prickling her mind especially at night.<br>
<br>
And besides, the princess could be Meera’s fantasy of spoiling a little sister come to life. She’d desperately wanted to do so growing up, picking out pretty silks for her dresses, dancing with her, getting her out of her lessons with her tutors and in general causing all sorts of mayhem. All in good fun. In fact, in good faith Meera had brought a bolt of Theren silk for the princess, to be made into whatever fashion she liked. <br>
<br>
“Now Lord Emerson, at the risk of sounding like I am interrogating you. It is my understanding that the King’s aunt is made Queen Regent currently? What is she like?” Meera inquired. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Not at all,” Emerson assured the queen happily. “I am always delighted to share my opinions, especially when those involved are not here to defend themselves,” he said with a laugh.<br>
 <br>
“The Lady Roysa,” he said more somberly, “Is… Difficult to describe in a way that is both accurate, and would be approved by the lady herself. She is… Stern in her demeanor, and demanding in her expectations,” he admitted. He wondered if Meera knew, that Roysa had been a vocal opponent of the marriage.<br>
<br>
She wasn’t in fact, aware of this, but as Lord Emerson went on she would suspect.<br>
 <br>
“But of all the King’s advisors, her opinions are likely the most valued. She has spent her life at court and counseled four kings of Beleth now, and I imagine her hard exterior has come about partially from necessity. She is a difficult woman to befriend, and dangerous to underestimate or disrespect,” he warned, knowing from his own disastrous experiences.<br>
 <br>
“Though- You are hardly a bastard fool known for your frivolity, claiming an unpayable debt with her thought-dead nephew,” he joked. “So you may have a much easier time with her than I did!”<br>
<br>
Meera was surprised at how Emerson’s tone could go from dark and serious and then lilt back into comedic. He was someone who knew how to manipulate tension in a conversation, a useful skill indeed. She allowed her emotions to go on the ride he took them on, listening intently with gravitas until cracking a smirk at the end of his prose.<br>
<br>
“Don’t do yourself a disservice Lord Emerson. I’ve found you to be very pleasant and nothing but accommodating.” She told him honestly. <br>
<br>
There was a lot to address in what he said, and his account left more questions than she had before. She wasn’t aware that Lord Emerson was a bastard, and if so how is it he has become so trusted by the King? What was this unpayable debt he spoke of and what did it have to do with Lady Roysa’s nephew, the King? Did this have something to do with the incident in which the King had been kidnapped by pirates? <br>
<br>
Meera was aware of that incident, news of it had spread far past her own Kingdom and home, another royal child dead. Beleth had lost a great many royal children in her lifetime. It happened from time to time, but Beleth especially seemed to get the worst of luck in this regard. By the spirits what of her own children? She would be expected to have them of course, in fact she had recalled during the contract negotiations they had at first demanded that she give birth to no less than two sons. Which had been particularly ridiculous given that Meera in no way had control of such a thing. They kept insisting that she did much to her abject horror but in the end Cromwell had his way and it was negotiated that she need only be sure to birth a healthy heir. Again not something entirely up to her but expected nonetheless.<br>
<br>
Meera realized that she was staring at the fire a little too intently and had gone silent. “And… her nephew you said… The King, what is he like?” She asked uncertainly. “You should hear what they say about him in Theren. All hogwash I’m sure, especially since the new accounts of him differ so greatly from the old.” Meera rolled her eyes and shook her head. <br>
<br>
“A bit like the Captain over there,” Emerson said, gesturing at Avery who was deep in conversation with several men, looking a piece of paper. A map, maybe. Probably deciding the details of the watch rotation and best lookout locations, Emerson figured. Or discussing the finer points of different sword and dagger handle styles, or something equally boring that Emerson pretended to care about when Avery seemed excited. “Except perhaps with a bigger stick up his ass, if I’m being perfectly honest.”<br>
<br>
Meer gasped audibly and covered her mouth to keep from laughing. “Lord Emerson!” She exclaimed in a hushed tone.<br>
<br>
Avery looked over at them with a slight frown, as if he had somehow developed an instinct to know whenever Emerson was talking shit about him. But Emerson offered a grin and a quick wave, and the Captain went back to what he was doing.<br>
<br>
“What do they say about him in Theren?”<br>
<br>
“<i>Well</i>.” Meera eyed the Captain, considering his personality while she gathered what to leave out in her account of him from her court. “They say he is hunchbacked and walks with a limp. On account of his peg leg, which he apparently acquired during his time as a pirate. As well as his eyepatch. He is apparently a cruel barbarian who takes all that he wants and damns anyone who tries to stop him. That he is unfair and crass and wishes nothing more than for the destruction of civilization as we know it in favor of a morally desolate pirate market where there is no justice or order… Oh and that he has a monkey which he keeps on his shoulder and bites anyone who comes near him, is notorious for stealing jewelry and makes nests with the hair of ladies that he just-” She motioned, “-plucks from their head.” Meera gave the account in as unserious and joking a tone as she could manage. “As I said, all entirely hogwash I’m sure. The Captain as I can see has no monkey on his shoulder at all.” She finished, trying not to crack up, as if the monkey were the worst of what she had just accounted.<br>
<br>
Emerson laughed loudly at the description, though he suspected Meera’s own amusement was a facade for her anxiety. Which was reasonable, all things considered.<br>
<br>
“He is only a little maimed for his time with the pirates, I can assure you on that account at least,” he promised. “And while the period did shape his views on justice and order, it was very much in the opposite direction, in favor of morality. As for the monkey,” Emerson said thoughtfully. “I have been described less favorably, though not often nor so creatively. But I am known to lurk over his shoulder, and to enjoy shiny things and the hair of beautiful women, so. Perhaps that part is true, if an exaggeration,” he joked with a wink.<br>
<br>
“You <i>are</i> chirpy.” Cromwell noted in a neutral tone, turning a page on his book.<br>
<br>
“That is as close to a compliment as you’ll probably hear from my Lord Blackbird.” Meera’s chuckling died down as she quickly explained, not wanting Lord Emerson to take offense to Cromwell’s particular brand of communicating.<br>
<br>
"Your Majesty, I would never have taken it for anything less than high praise," Emerson reassured Meera, offering an exaggerated wink to the woman and her Lord Blackbird. What an interesting nickname, Emerson decided.<br>
<br>
"Joking aside, I did find him a bit... Stiff, when we first met," Emerson allowed. "He takes his responsibilities quite seriously, and those responsibilities have only grown over time. He is a military man at heart, so his rougher edges could certainly be seen as crass in nature. Unlike mine, which are only ever seen as charming," he said in a tone of self-aware mocking. "And I suppose he is... Old fashioned, in a sense. Certainly more traditional than me, in many aspects."<br>
<br>
Emerson felt he was doing a rather poor job of describing his friend, and wished the man in question would just do it himself. But even if Avery weren't here, Emerson would have struggled with the topic- Of course, he very much wanted Meera to like Averett, if at all possible.  <br>
<br>
Which she was not prone to do, no matter how wonderful Emerson might make him sound. Especially because Averett would certainly disappoint if Emerson made him out to be something he wasn’t. Maybe he should undersell the King, so that Meera could only be pleasantly surprised.<br>
<br>
“My father was not unlike that.” She said before she could stop herself, too lax with the conversation and Lord Emerson’s ease of manner. She frowned when she realized what she had said, comparing the man who had slain her father with him. It was upsetting both to think about and to swallow down. It was akin to bile, something rotting in her that had to be present but never spoken about or acknowledged. Here she was sitting, having a pleasant evening and speaking with a man who was her enemy not too long ago, being delivered to another man who was certainly her enemy still by way of opinion of her court. And yet there was no use in thinking of him like that. No choice but to swallow her anger at the situation, no opportunity to seek recompense.<br>
<br>
“A military man he was indeed. Some did not think him charming, may he be at peace, but he too took the duties of a King with the utmost… I believe that is dinner.” Cromwell spoke up, snapping his book shut. He had been listening the entire time intently and realized quickly what had happened and intervened. He was saved from having to ramble thankfully by the roasted duck.<br>
<br>
Meera cleared her throat, forcing a smile, “Oh is it? How lovely duck has to be my favorite to tell you the truth.” She recovered.<br>
<br>
Captain Vee brought them their dinner and complemented Theren’s soldiers, which Meera was very grateful for. There was no duty assigned to the Captain to be thoughtful to their party and yet he was. He could simply do his duty and leave it at that, but instead she had noticed that he did his best to be fair, and did not seem to hold resentment towards her men. All things considered that was perhaps more gracious of him than most people. She had no doubt that he was unscathed by the war. But perhaps he was simply a practical minded person, rather than someone rash. She had a lot of respect for that, and spent the rest of dinner wondering if the King shared that characteristic with the Captain too while Emerson swooned over the duck and declared that proper cooking should be taught to soldiers. Meera had to agree with him, especially since Theren’s footmen did not dare deploy without being armed with proper seasoning. For it is said that a man should not suffer dying in battle <i>and</i> a poor dinner. One or the other is acceptable, but both?<br>
<br>
And the rest of dinner went along in this manner, Emerson joking, Captain Vee glaring when he went too far, Cromwell silent as ever and Meera playing along. Afterwards she retired early and left the men to their devices, the carriages offering a measure of solitude she found that she craved.<br>
<br>
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9628882" data-lb-caption-desc="jones573 · Apr 16, 2019 at 12:34 PM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper">It was the middle of the night when Meera startled awake, she had dozed off with a full stomach expecting to sleep all through the night. Instead she was groggily sitting up, feeling as though she had scarcely slept. It was a dream that had caused to her awaken, she could feel it, but she could not remember what the dream had been about. It was simply a silly dream and really had no right in frustrating or occupying her mind, and yet it did. <br>
<br>
<br>
She attempted to lay down and go back to sleep but she could not get comfortable. When she traveled as a Princess her party had included many more soldiers and escorts, and an entire team dedicated to setting up a lavish tent when necessary; the inside of which was not dissimilar to the the rooms she and her ladies were used to. This much smaller traveling team was in an effort to maximize speed and provide cover, she would appear as any other noble or official would on the road. Granted, they did not have cover when she greeted her people but really, Meera felt relatively safe within Theren’s borders. She wondered briefly if she would feel the same way in Beleth, and told herself she had already decided to make the effort to see some of its people. Even if it turned out they hated her. She had still wanted to make the effort.<br>
<br>
<br>
Meera stretched and pulled at her sore muscles, annoyed at not being able to go back to sleep. Was she so used to a plush bed that she could not make do in a carriage? There was no helping it, she would certainly not be the one to complain. It was a matter of pride as well as a desire to not appear demanding. She didn’t doubt the people here would accommodate her as best they could, but she was also keenly aware that first impressions were everything. She could send soldiers home to their wives at the end of this to complain about the new Queen, that she was a tyrant just as they had thought. The wives who would pass that information on to the merchants and the maids and the from there to the farmers and even the birds. The whole country could hate her in a matter of weeks if they didn’t already. The paranoia and weight of that gave her groggy mind a headache. Perhaps some air would do her good.<br>
<br>
<br>
Exiting the carriage with a blanket as a shawl Meera regarded her surroundings, it was still quite dark out. The grass beneath her was haloed by moonlight and the wind blew gently, russling the leaves of the trees. She breathed deep, taking it in, her home. Theren was so beautiful to her, how was she to leave it behind? Was the grass this soft and green in Beleth, was the air so crisp and hinted with the salt of the sea? It had to be, the two countries bordered each other, they could not be so different as to alienate her senses. It was not as if she was marrying the Prince of Ruhar to the northwest, where things were frigid and unkind. Beleth was north of Theren, but it was not so north that she could barely leave the furs of her bed.<br>
<br>
<br>
Thinking of warmth, Meera wandered over to the campfire, where she found Captain Vee stoking its embers and adding wood. <b>“Captain, how goes it? All is well?”</b> Meera greeted him, taking a seat near him close to the fire.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Having already completed his stationary and patrol segments of his watch, Avery was on his final and favorite part, where all he had to do was keep the fires going, have his sword available, and watch the hourglass so he knew when to wake the next men in the rotation.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
It was a calm night and the man before him had done a good job of building the fire up again, so Avery had little to do and had turned to whittling. He’d fished an unusually shaped branch from the stack of firewood and broken off the segment he wanted, a bit longer than his hand and twisting in a few different directions.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
It was beginning to resemble his idea for a horse in motion, with its head rearing up and to the side, though it still had two, bulky legs instead of four. It would take awhile yet, but it was soothing and repetitive, pushing his knife along the grain of the wood until it almost just met his gloved hand, and then repeating.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
The wildlife chattered a bit in the distance, not so quiet to be unsettling and dangerous, nor too loud that the sound signals the men had agreed on would be missed.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
There was movement from near the Queen’s carriage and Avery tensed immediately, but relaxed when he saw it was only Meera herself, and he offered her a smile as he poked at the fire to heat it up more, assuming she might be cold.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Yes, all is well,” he agreed quietly. “Some deer, and a single rider anxious to catch up to his caravan, but otherwise the road has been empty,” he explained.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
She looked tired, in a way that sleeping in even the softest bed might not cure.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Trouble sleeping?,” he guessed, then wished he hadn’t. A stupid question, with an obvious answer, and a personal one at that.<br>
<br>
<br>
Meera reflexively opened her mouth to answer something positive but no sound came out, she paused and then decided looking at the fire was easier than looking at the Captain. “Nervous I think. The more I say goodbye to my people the more I realize I’m leaving them. I’ve left Theren before but… I always knew I would come back to her. She is so very beautiful you know, at least to me she is.” She looked up, the moon and the stars were bright. “And now I do not think I will ever see her again.” She would be doomed to be a Queen split in two, she smiled wistfully, thinking that at least in Beleth, the stars would be the same ones that hung over Theren.<br>
<br>
<br>
Avery frowned as she spoke- She didn’t think she would be returning to Theren? Like, by herself, or ever?<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
It would certainly be easier in the short term- Aunt Roysa had made clear that the logistics of holding a summer court in Delphi instead of the usual estate on the coast would be an absolute nightmare, and he had been genuinely afraid of being shouted at since before he joined the military service. But it wouldn’t fix anything in the long game.<br>
<br>
<br>
“What-,” he started to clarify, until he was interrupted by the loud snore of a man turning over in his sleep. He didn’t think the Theren guards were a danger to him, but they would be a danger to Meera, if they distrusted the group’s commanding officer. “Well. Not even the gods can know for sure, what the future holds,” he tried instead, a weak placation but the best he could come up with.<br>
<br>
<br>
“What about you Captain Vee, are you married yet?” She turned and asked. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Ah,” Avery replied with a wry twist to his mouth, turning over the wood in his gloved hands to shave away from the other side. “Not yet, no. Almost was, once. But it didn’t work out in the end for either of our families. So.”<br>
<br>
<br>
“My condolences Captain. You seem like a good sort of man, one who deserves to be happily situated.” She shifted her blanket, “It was the same for me. Until things changed.” She sympathized quietly, peering over at the figure in his hand and becoming distracted by it rather than the subject at hand.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Yes, I had heard a little of that,” he admitted, uncomfortable. He was fairly certain the only reason her engagement with the General had ended was because he had proposed. And killed her father, so. “I am sorry it happened that way.”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Are you an artist Captain?” A genuine smile bloomed on her features. “What is that?”<br>
<br>
<br>
He was glad for the change in subject, and smiled back. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Hopefully, a horse. But it may not end up that way,” he allowed. “I started carving them as gifts for my sister, when she was young. She is a bit too old for toys now,” he acknowledged. “But it has become a habit, and a good way to keep my hands busy. I have been trying to expand my range of poses,” he explained.<br>
<br>
<br>
“That’s sweet of you.” It was truly touching, and felt keenly real of the Captain as a person. Here he was performing what was probably a thankless duty and he had a whole life, family that loved him and he loved back. <br>
<br>
<br>
“You are… not so different Captain Vee, from your counterparts in Theren. I have long wondered why it is that the two Kingdoms could not be reconciled before given this truth. People might have different customs, but they love their family all the same. They create with their hands and want toys for their little ones, want to live and be happy. We all ride horses and enjoy roast duck.” She shrugged, shaking her head and smiling bitterly, thinking of the field that had obviously seen battle they had ridden past today. She conjured the image of it in her mind.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I suspect you may be right,” Avery replied. He certainly hoped she was. “But it is that same love that creates fear, and hate, and the very things that drive us to fight.”<br>
<br>
<br>
He scoffed lightly.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I can become quite melancholic in my reflections, which I doubt you have need for, I apologize,” he told her, trying to strike a more hopeful note instead. “Perhaps you will be able to demonstrate to people, that we have more in common than not, and less to fear than we worry.”<br>
<br>
<br>
Yes that was her duty wasn’t it? There were degrees of success that could usher in an age of peace and degrees of failure that could mean anything from her own abject misery to another war, perhaps rebellion. What if she were to be so incompetent at her new station and home that she were to split Beleth in half as well, one side loyal to the crown and the other in disgust of it? She did not wish Beleth harm, not truly, even if there were times when it enraged her and made her fearful.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Spirits guide me that is what I hope to accomplish.” She assured him, a serious look on her face. “Or perhaps one of your gods can help me too, Beleth has many of those no?” She smirked, changing the topic out of danger of beginning to shed tears.<br>
<br>
<br>
Meera wasn’t versed on Beleth’s gods, she was just aware that there was a variety. Theren might not have anything to do with gods but it was interesting to think about and consider. Especially since while Theren was rigid in its own practice of spirituality Beleth’s apparently was ever changing, adopting what came from abroad through their ports.<br>
<br>
<br>
“This capital city has at least a dozen temples,” he confirmed, “And some serve more than one deity.”<br>
<br>
<br>
He considered for a moment, prodding at the fire for something to do and watching her face as the flames illuminated it.<br>
<br>
<br>
“There’s Bidti, goddess of changes and transitions,” he suggested. “Or Vetoc, who is looked to for his wisdom. Though I should warn you,” he said with a slight smile. “He is also the god of foolishness, and some of his priests seem to favor the second doctrine when offering advice.”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Do they?” Meera laughed a little, thinking of old priests in robes with twinkles in their eye.<br>
<br>
<br>
Complaining of the priests’ unhelpfulness never yielded results, as it only encouraged them to wax philosophically in whatever vein they could seize.<br>
<br>
<br>
“And the Great Goddess Herself, of course,” he said, nodding up towards the night sky above them, where the orange sparks of the fire flickered out to ash and drifted up into the white pinpricks of the stars. “The patron of the throne, and of all Beleth. She will look out for you, too.”<br>
<br>
<br>
“I shall be sure to pay her tribute too then…” she trailed off, wondering while admiring the night if she was responsible for painting the stars as well, and if she were what beautiful vision she had.<br>
<br>
<br>
Lord Cromwell stepped more purposefully as he came up to the campfire from behind ‘Captain Vee’, making his presence known and interrupting their mutual admiration for the night sky. Hands clasped behind his back and regarding the two as a school teacher might he rounded to his Queen’s side. There was a reason he did not object to the Queen speaking with the Captain in a candid manner too strongly, but that didn’t mean he did not have a vested interest in keeping up appearances. Not that he did not trust the Queen, but the perception of others mattered.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Your majesty it is late, you should rest while you can, we still have a ways ahead of us yet.” He said quietly.<br>
<br>
<br>
Meera nodded, “I suppose you’re right Lord Blackbird.” She did not argue, as his tone did not suggest it could be protested. He always seemed like that. Not that he wasn’t right, but the way he looked at them made her feel like a little girl that had been caught doing something she should not.<br>
<br>
<br>
Cromwell inclined his head as she brushed past him, going back to her carriage. He watched and waited till she was out of earshot to turn to the Captain and bow slightly, “Your Majesty…” And with that, walked away.</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/5b1829cd947d0fdfde9ed637632b15d5/tumblr_ohgjahmHdm1thvu4co1_250.png');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Theren - Megara| Interacting with: Lord Emerson &amp; "Captain Vee" </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">The last two days had been fairly uneventful. The men had a better feel for each other now and moved together more easily, and even slowing when they went through the towns and villages, they were back on the original timeline. It had been nice to sleep in a bed last night, even if Avery had still insisted on being part of the watch rotation.<br>
 <br>
Emerson had taught Meera some of the more popular moves and variants for the four step dance pattern that was common in his home of Freland, but his later attempt at also providing ‘the traditional flute music’ by alternately humming and singing nonsense sounds derailed the educational purpose of the exercise. Even the innkeeper- a stern woman whose face seemed to be majority forehead and was none too pleased to be hosting a Beleth squad who were stealing her queen- had laughed, though she still glared at Emerson and the troops over breakfast while unsubtly fawning over Meera and the Theren guards.<br>
 <br>
If any of Avery’s men noticed or cared, they didn’t say anything. They’d be in Beleth soon enough, and who was served the thickest, warmest slice of raisin nut bread would hardly be the least indication that Meera and her cohort weren’t welcome.<br>
<br>
As for Meera herself, she happily declared that this particular raisin nut bread had to be the best she’d ever had and that the nobles residing in Delphi hadn’t a clue what they were missing. Which left a very happy innkeeper indeed.<br>
 <br>
They still had at least another hour or so before they reached their destination for the night, but they were well into the foothills of the mountains by now, the ground rising steadily beneath the hooves of Avery’s mount as it walked along next to Reya. The road had begun to snake a while back, turning back and forth through the trees to manage the incline better.<br>
 <br>
“So each of the six dukes have three barons that report to them, and each of the nine barons report to two different dukes- Well, eight of them do, the exception being Merid, of course,” Emerson was telling Meera, trying to describe the rather confusing tangle of Beleth nobility. “Which angers the dukes, obviously, except even if they can all agree they want Merid to report to them, none of them agree who Merid should report to, because then two dukes would have four barons reporting to them and the other four would only have three, so-”<br>
 <br>
Avery felt… Uncomfortable. Not because of the dukes’ standoff over Merid, as that had been going on since Merid had joined the kingdom, and the debate had only increased as the Beleth nobility eyed the land in Theren and whispered about how to best divide it among themselves, each eager to come away better than their peers. He felt uncomfortable because it had been too quiet, too long, and shouldn’t the men on the scouting patrol have come back from now?<br>
 <br>
As soon as he thought that, a bird chirped to his left and took off, as if to prove he was only being paranoid. But still….<br>
 <br>
He swung off of his horse and passed the reins to the soldier who had been walking behind him, so that he could walk along next to Meera.<br>
 <br>
“Your majesty,” he said quietly enough that Emerson did not bother pausing his attempt at explaining how each duke was supposed to have oversight over a unique set of barons, but it didn’t always happen that way in practical terms-  <br>
<br>
“Hmmm?” Meera glanced at him, quite enthralled by the rundown of Belethen nobility and already think of ways to handle Merid. Perhaps as a reward to the duke who was quickest and most sincere to ally himself with her reign as Queen...<br>
<br>
“I think you should get in the carriage,” he told her.<br>
<br>
“What? I’m speaking to Lord Emerson right now Captain this is a little more important information than dancing though the dancing was fun wasn’t it?” She turned to Emerson, looking for backup. “Charmed the innkeeper didn’t you?” She laughed.<br>
<br>
“It’s my dulcet singing voice,” Emerson agreed, though Avery might choose other words to describe the sound Emerson was generously referring to as ‘singing’. “No one can resist!”<br>
<br>
Emerson’s smile dropped a bit though when he looked down at Avery’s furrowed brow, though, and did his own quick assessment of their environment- The graying sky, the quiet woods. The men riding on the front and back of the carriage had had arrows and bolts in easy reach for their respective weapons ever since the path had started turning, but at Avery’s signal they were scanning the forest for any movement, ready to pull their weapons into firing position at a moment’s notice.<br>
<br>
Though Meera felt no change in the environment and took no notice of the signs the trained men around her felt. She did take notice of the sudden tension felt by the people around her. She glanced at the Captain and looked around. The smile on her face froze, and then fell in confusion as she turned to Lord Emerson. Was something happening?<br>
<br>
“I assure you, I shall have no difficulties complaining about my betters from within the carriage,” he told Meera. “It will ease the Captain’s worries, and keep us both dry if those clouds gathering above us think to drop their wetness down on our path,” he said, reframing a stint in the carriage as a comfort rather than a confinement.<br>
<br>
“Well, if you insi- !” Meera began.<br>
<br>
It was not rain that fell on them in the next moment, though, but arrows- Avery heard them before he saw them, his ears trained from months on the battlefields, and grabbed Reya’s bridle to halt her next few steps. The space where Meera would have been in the next moment was empty when the several arrows aimed at her flew through, startling Reya who was held steady by Avery’s hand, but that hardly meant the danger was past.<br>
<br>
“Ambush!,” Avery bellowed loudly, in case anyone in the party had failed to notice. There were men on foot and horseback pouring down on the either side of the path from the hills in front of them- Too many to easily count, though the trees obscuring them might have made them seem more than they were.<br>
<br>
To Meera certainly they seemed like a horde, she stared wide-eyed at them, too frozen by the sight to know what to do. Her tension and panic fueled Reya’s, who stomped and huffed under her, ears drawn down.<br>
<br>
They had been probably hoping to wait a bit longer until at least half the party had rounded to corner, but had seen that the soldiers were growing wary and more alert, and seized their chance while they still thought they would have the advantage.<br>
<br>
They were perhaps a bit uncoordinated in the precise timing of their attack, but no less unprepared and certainly not not lacking in enthusiasm. There were a few shouts of what might have been ‘Death to the queen’, but Avery was sure he heard even less kind words as well.<br>
<br>
“Second position,” Avery shouted, in reference to the drills they had practiced and taught to the Theren soldiers- It had particulars, of course, but the basic concept was ‘defend the queen at all costs’. <br>
<br>
Avery had drawn his own sword at some point in the chaos, and was swinging it dangerously at any attacker who might get too close before the men could circle up around Meera. He saw one of their men at the back of the party fall from his horse with a spear through his chest, but he didn’t dwell on it- There was nothing he could do for the man now, or any of the others beyond his reach.     <br>
<br>
“Tighten up!” Barked Cromwell’s order, the men closing in on the gap their felled comrade left. He loosed an arrow in the eye of one of the front runners, another into the head of an armored man’s horse. Satisfyingly the horse flipped over onto him, not even his armor would save him from that crushing weight. And within moments the full brunt of the attack was on them.<br>
<br>
The men fell into position easily enough, and if Avery had been watching externally, he would have been pleased to see they worked together not quite seamlessly, but with little trouble. As it was, he was keeping two separate men at the length of his sword, until one found an arrow in his eye and staggered back in pain, and Avery seized the distraction to gain the advantage.<br>
<br>
Cromwell’s title was not just for show, it seemed, which was good- He had seemed to have a decent understanding of tactics and good authority with his men, but there were plenty of nobles who could say the same and didn’t have half the good aim Cromwell seemed to.<br>
<br>
Meera found herself flattening into Reya’s back, as if doing so would make her less conspicuous, less of a target. The dull drum of numb fear soon gave way to adrenaline induced panic. She didn’t know what to do, she felt helpless. What was it that her swordmaster had said? ‘It is all fun and games until you must use what I teach you to defend your life.’ She should have listened to him better, practiced more, she should’ve carried a blade. A blade! She reached into her boot and yanked out the dagger the Captain had made her carry. It was only a dagger, but it was something.<br>
<br>
Dancing, she had treated her lessons like dancing. This was no dancing, a man was dead behind her with a spear in his chest, another screamed, his voice gurgling as though he were choking on something. Her mouth opened in horror and helplessness, unable to do anything about it, that man had been kind to her.<br>
<br>
An arrow whizzed past her shoulder, almost toppling her over. Warm liquid began to ooze down her arm and she realized that the reason she almost fell was because <i>it had actually hit her</i>. Reya screamed, or did she? No it was Reya, she screamed and bucked up, taking off at a full gallop in hopes of escaping the chaos and taking Meera with her.<br>
<br>
The soldier on the other side of Meera fell to another onslaught of arrows, and the gap he created was open wide enough and long enough that a horse might slip in- Or out.<br>
<br>
“Reya stop! Stop! Halt!” Meera yelled, hoarse, pulling on the reigns and wincing at the sharp pang on her right shoulder. She looked back to check on it, grabbing it in hopes to stop the pang and found that now she was being pursued. They weren’t her men.<br>
<br>
She stopped trying to slow Reya down and instead kicked her heels in, urging her on. Stopping or slowing down now surely meant death.<br>
<br>
Avery let out an uncreative curse as Meera and her horse disappeared into the trees, made all the more genuine because several of their attackers were in pursuit of her.<br>
<br>
And he was pretty sure she’d been hit.<br>
<br>
“You and you,” he shouted at two of the Theren men who’d been on the last scouting patrol and hopefully knew the area best, and pointed in opposite directions, where a select few of the attackers riders had gone. “They may mean to cut her off- Catch them first,” he instructed, grabbing at the reins of a now riderless horse. One of their attackers, but it would serve him fine. <br>
<br>
He mounted the beast, and took an offered crossbow from the outreached hands of one of his men.  <br>
<br>
Cromwell shot a mountless man in the neck who charged the Captain loudly, as if to punish him for interrupting him hearing orders.<br>
<br>
“Two more follow me,” he shouted over the still-continuing battle, unsure if they would be able to immediately but trusting they would do what they could. “Cromwell has the charge,” he ordered loudly, “Show no mercy, but try to keep one alive,” he shouted over his shoulder as he spurred the horse onward.<br>
<br>
“Hear hear!” Cromwell barked, military code for acknowledging that he’d heard loud and clear and also a call to attention for the men around him. “Formation C. Blockade them off and provide cover fire for the Captain. MOVE.” He bellowed, the authority in his voice snapping the men into their training. He fired arrow after arrow along the line as they all formed a half moon against the direction the Captain was headed. The men, despite being in the middle of battle, quite nearly moved as one. As Cromwell expected from Theren and Beleth’s best. <br>
<br>
“Hold them, I want a prisoner!” He declared ferociously, reminding them that they had to keep at least one alive. But that didn’t mean they were going to show mercy. Moving back down the line and taking his own position he fired off his last arrow, taking out another man with precision. Looking forward and calling for more arrows he neglected his back.<br>
<br>
Emerson had previously been watching for any close attacks on the men firing from the carriage, but he leapt back down to the ground and tackled a man who had been trying to edge up behind Cromwell, burying his fists into the assailant’s face with gusto.<br>
<br>
Surprised, Cromwell looked back at the commotion behind him and smirked facing forward, “Lord Emerson has our prisoner kill the rest.” He commanded as he took aim.<br>
<br>
Reya sped on, wind ripping past Meera’s ears. She may not be a war horse, but Reya had been chosen for two particular and important reasons. The first was that she was a very beautiful horse, and the second, was that she was <i>fast</i>.<br>
<br>
Avery was grateful to have taken one of their attacker’s horses- It had been waiting in the woods most of the day instead of carrying a rider, and he knew it was much faster than the one he’d been using earlier would have been. But the men pursuing Meera had horses just as fresh as his, and he could tell the distance she’d put between them, though great, wouldn’t last.<br>
<br>
One of them had a crossbow of his own, and was aiming it at Reya’s retreating back, so Avery did similarly. He was not in the habit of firing while riding but at least the dense trees limited the paths the horses could take and he was directly behind his target- The horse and its rider fell with a crash, though the twisting path meant Avery had lost sight of Meera and Reya.<br>
<br>
The mare struggled with the turns, now in control by Meera but unable to turn as neatly while going as fast as she was going. The surge of adrenaline that had overcome them both was waning, though the danger was still very present. Reya huffed hard, and Meera’s breathing matched, they couldn’t keep this up, they had been riding all day.<br>
<br>
Reya audibly protested as she nearly ran into a tree, sidelining it instead with her hindquarters. It caused a stumble but Meera yanked her head up and steady, “We can’t stop now girl, we can’t!” She cried out. <br>
<br>
Recovery fatalistically lost them the precious headway they had gained thanks to Reya’s natural speed. In what Meera thought was a miracle the trees opened up into an open field, and hoping to use Reya’s speed again she tried to kick her into a gallop. She galloped, but it was not fast enough, not anymore. Meera felt it, she was slower. Fear and guilt spiked through her, Reya was in pain and exhausted when they could not afford to be.<br>
<br>
“Death to the bloody Queen!” Came a shout that was far too close behind them, she looked back just the man swung his broadsword downward, lodging it into Reya’s left thigh. Meera did not even have time to scream, but she did have the wherewithal to shove off of Reya to the right. That was what you were supposed to do when you fell off of a horse, shove away, so that you do not get crushed. They had taught her to fall before they’d taught her to ride. The response was automatic and the realization that she would probably not live out the day without Reya came somewhere in between flying off and hitting the ground in a roll. <br>
<br>
She was surprised at herself for being able to get up, and though slightly dazed she had not broken anything from the fall. Things were rushing again, a second strike of adrenaline. Her second realization was that more than one man was now in the open field, but so were her own soldiers, two of them, holding them off from reaching her but unable to get to her, which was both lucky and a problem.<br>
<br>
It was her own dumb luck that the man that had gained on her hadn’t been quick enough to stop his own steed becoming tangled with Reya, his horse was down as well. He had gone down harder than she had. <br>
<br>
Her dagger, where was her dagger? He was getting up. Her dagger must have flown out of her hand somewhere when she fell.<br>
<br>
The man cursed and threw his helmet off, hearing it before seeing it. The Queen, in lieu of finding her dagger, had decided instead to draw the spare shortsword from its place on his mount’s saddle. She stood in between him and his broadsword lodged in the crying mare’s thigh.<br>
<br>
“You don’t know how to use that, stop kidding yourself and I promise I’ll make it quick… your majesty.” He growled that last part, trying to intimidate her.<br>
<br>
“You must not know Theren women then.” Meera’s voice was braver than she had thought it would be.<br>
<br>
His response was to spit on Reya. <br>
<br>
Meera yelled and swung at his shoulder. He dodged and drew his dagger.<br>
<br>
Avery reached the clearing in time to see the Queen and her horse go down, and he dug his heels into his own steed, though he could hardly tell if it had much effect on their already reckless speed.<br>
 <br>
She’d taken his sword from him, which he applauded- She looked a bit unsure of its weight, but at least now her attacker did not have access to it. But she wasn’t backing up and putting distance between them the way he would have liked, and he wanted to shout at her to move, even if it would sound just like a wordless shout at this distance- <br>
<br>
And then she attacked him, of all foolish things, but he was clearly more comfortable with his weapon and Avery wasn’t going to reach them in time, he’d be just a few seconds too late-<br>
<br>
He didn’t think he had another bolt for the crossbow and even if he did, he knew he couldn’t load it in time as the man brought his dagger up, and what was even the point of Avery being here if he still couldn’t save her, from a dozen paces away-<br>
<br>
“Meera, duck,” he yelled, and heaved the crossbow with all his might at her attacker.<br>
<br>
It arrived only moments before he did, hitting the man in the side. Not exactly a fatal blow, but it had served its purpose of distraction, and Avery slid off his horse as it went by and wrestled the man to the ground, his own dagger already in his hand.<br>
<br>
Meera leapt away from them, the tip of the shortsword dropping to the ground as she let it fall loosely in her hold. It was the Captain, she was saved after all. Today would not be the day she joined her ancestors in eternity.<br>
<br>
They wrestled in the grass for a minute, each failing to get the upper hand at first.<br>
<br>
“Who paid you,” Avery demanded in a snarl, and the man grinned, bloody and near defeat as he was.<br>
<br>
“It is a honor to defend my country,” the man returned and he pried his hand out of Avery’s- Even pinned to the ground, he was trying to throw his blade in Meera’s direction, one last effort to take her life before his own ended. <br>
<br>
Meera watched him from a distance in mixed parts of fascination and horror. Not moving out of his aim as perhaps she should.<br>
<br>
He didn’t get the chance- Avery saw the movement, and neatly slit his throat before he could lift his wrist any further. Both the man and the knife fell to the ground without further struggle.<br>
<br>
Avery turned towards the Queen as he stood, trying to tuck his hair back behind his ears as he did so, but probably just smearing more blood across his face. It might have been his from the cuts he’d gotten in the woods, or belonged to the man on the ground.<br>
<br>
He kept one hand on the hilt of his sword, but held the other out in a placating gesture, his eyes scanning for any threats. On opposite ends of the field men were still fighting, but they would know if any of the ambushers came at them.<br>
<br>
“Meera- Your majesty,” he corrected, raising his free hand to touch his own shoulder where hers seemed to be particularly bloody. “I think you may be hurt- May I see?”<br>
<br>
She might have hit her head too in that fall, but for now he at least needed her to realize she wasn’t in danger in any longer. Or, immediate danger.<br>
<br>
Meera stared at the still bleeding man, red pouring from his throat. She couldn’t look away. Some part of her heard the Captain but she didn’t really absorb what he said. <br>
<br>
He was touching his arm, but he didn’t look injured, ah, she looked at her own. Shocked at examining for the first time how it really looked, and starting to really feel it too.<br>
<br>
She dropped the sword in her hand and clutched it, wincing at the pressure. Without any protest or hesitation she walked to his outstretched arm, glancing behind her to see that there was still fighting but that it was ending, their men victorious. Her eyes grazed over poor Reya next, who had gone quiet as she reached her savior. “Oh Reya. What can be done for her.” Her voice sounded strange and slurred to her, everything was slowing down, an unfamiliar numbness washing over her. Somewhere she knew what would happen to her, knew that there was nothing that could save her faithful mare.<br>
  <br>
Avery tugged at the clasp on his overcoat and pulled it from his own frame, reaching around her back to rest it firmly over her good shoulder but only place it gently on the side with the injured arm.<br>
<br>
“I’m not sure,” he told her honestly, using his arm draped across her shoulder to subtly steer her away from the sight of the dead man and her struggling horse. Probably very little could be done. “I will check on her in a minute and let you know, but I’d like you to sit down now- Do you think you can do that?”<br>
<br>
Meera allowed herself to be steered and did as she was told, too drained and in shock from coming down from a high to really do much else. And besides, it was over now. The Captain was there and she felt safe with him.<br>
<br>
Avery unwrapped the black sash he had been wearing around his waist quickly as he knelt down next to her, wadding it up into a pad.  “Here,” he said, taking off his left glove and pulling it on over her smaller fingers and placing the bundle of cloth in it, before bringing her hand up to her injured arm. “I want you to press down on the wound, very firmly, all right? Try to stem the bleeding,” he instructed.<br>
<br>
She nodded and pressed down, the pain was impossible to ignore now, it felt as though it were pulsing. She wondered, her thoughts dulled, if this was how Reya felt.<br>
<br>
He looked over at Reya with little hope. The mare’s breathing was labored, and he could tell the sword was lodged deep in her flesh. It had severed crucial muscles- Even if they could somehow remove the blade and treat her, she would be unable to stand. <br>
<br>
“I’m so sorry, Meera,” he said as gently as he could manage. “The only thing we can do for her is end her suffering.”   <br>
<br>
“She saved me…” Meera said, as if that could somehow cure the situation, as if it’d help if the Captain could only understand how precious Reya was. How she was the finest mare in all of Theren, how she’d been given to her as a gift from her father and if she had to lose Reya she would lose him all over again while having her home ripped from her. She wanted to explain all of that to him, but the words fell dead on her lips.<br>
<br>
“I don’t want her to be in pain.” She declared, nodding to him.<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Avery said solemnly. “I’ll take care of it.”<br>
<br>
Grace had found a kitten once, that had been trampled by a horse on accident, and she had brought it to Avery with tears magnifying her brown eyes. He’d felt like a monster, telling her the truth, but he hadn’t wanted to lie to her either. At least it had died quickly, warm in Grace’s shawl, and Avery had had to do very little to ease its passing. But he felt the same, now, bloodying his hands and calling it a mercy.<br>
<br>
He blocked his actions with his torso, so that even if Meera did turn to watch, she wouldn’t be able to see the blow itself, and he stroked his bare hand down the side of Reya’s face. Once, twice, and then a third time even after she could not feel it.<br>
<br>
“It’s done,” he announced after a moment, setting the knife aside and making sure there was no blood on his glove before he reentered her field of vision. <br>
<br>
Avery crouched back down in front of Meera and lifted her chin with one hand, passing the pointed finger of his other hand in front of her face a few times to make sure she was tracking it with her eyes.<br>
<br>
If she had hurt her head in the fall, it was not in a way he could easily identify.<br>
<br>
He turned the wad of fabric over in her hand so that the drier side faced the wound- The side that had been soaking up blood was wet enough it could have been wrung out red, but hopefully she wouldn't feel the damp beneath the leather glove.<br>
<br>
"Good, you're doing very well," he encouraged her. "The bleeding is already slowing down a bit, keep up that pressure."<br>
<br>
He unbuttoned his vest and ripped it down the back seam, and then began to tear it into strips. It was nice enough to have an interior lining in lighter color, but not so nice that he didn't have several similar ones at Redhill. Or he had, at least- It was likely they may have been forced out of his wardrobe by the recent influx of more elegant pieces.<br>
<br>
He removed the waterskin from his waist and poured a bit of water onto one of the cloth strips.<br>
<br>
"I'm going to clean up your face a bit while we wait for the bleeding from your arm to stop, all right," he told her, gently wiping away the streaks of dirt, blood, and tears on her cheeks. It all looked shallow enough. "How are you feeling- Any pain beyond the arm?"<br>
<br>
Meera cleared her throat, trying to blink away the feeling of breaking down into tears. The Captain was so gentle. She had to stop, this wasn’t the place, she was a Queen. The Captain wasn’t supposed to be dealing with a crying Queen. She mustered the same effort she exerted upon being told her father was dead and that the war was lost. <br>
<br>
“Nothing that can be helped beyond that Captain. You came just in time.” She answered honestly, her voice trying not to crack, trying to say something positive, trying to smile. It wasn’t really working very well. She ached in body, but it was her mind and heart that had taken the biggest blows. She glanced at her arm and looked away, surprised.<br>
<br>
“That is a lot…” Meera noted.<br>
<br>
<br>
‘Just in time’ was a funny way of saying ‘late’, Avery thought wryly- He should have been sooner. He shouldn’t have allowed it to happen at all.<br>
<br>
“That’s a natural reaction to have,” Avery assured her. “Your body prefers your blood inside of it, so it’s only reasonable for your brain to feel some alarm at seeing it outside- But you haven’t lost too much, I don’t think. And it seems to be slowing.”<br>
<br>
He was glad he had thought to give her his glove, to prevent her from getting any of her blood on her clean hand. He knew all too well how it could stain beneath your fingernails and catch you by surprise hours, and even days later, once you were supposed to be safe.<br>
<br>
He removed the wad of cloth pressed to the wound, and began to gently wipe the area with a clean, damp strip of linen. It was still bleeding some, but not as greatly, and slowly enough that he could inspect the area after rinsing it and see there was no arrow tip embedded still.<br>
<br>
Meera did her best to hold back her wincing and vocal protests at having her wound being touched, but knew he was doing what was necessary. That didn’t stop her grimacing in pain though. If there was one good thing about this it was that the pain in her arm was a good distraction to numb her emotions with.<br>
<br>
“Please don’t hold back tears on my account,” he said after a few minutes as he began to tightly bandage her arm, looking studiously not at her pained face. “I have shed more than my fair share, and been quite theatrical about far less battle wounds,” he confided.<br>
<br>
“You? No I don’t believe you Captain.” She half smiled, already successful at burying her tears for now, aware that they’d eventually come later, when she was alone, when she was finally allowed.<br>
<br>
“Sobbed for an hour nearly, when this sore got lanced,” he said with a slight smile, showing her a patch of discolored skin on the inside of his left wrist. “Even Emerson told me to stop being so dramatic about it.”<br>
<br>
She smiled crookedly, “...Queens aren’t supposed to cry Captain, not unless it is in an elegant manner and timed precisely. I know you don’t understand that. But it’s the truth.” She felt she could tell him this, could be honest about this with him. It was probably her exhaustion, but likely something else too. She cleared her throat again, feeling it tighten.<br>
<br>
Avery didn’t press the matter, and signaled to the other men in the clearing to come over. They did so, bringing their own saddled horses as well as two more they had captured from their attackers. The bodies of the dead men were thrown across the back of one of the mares, and Avery made a series of angry facial expressions until one of the soldiers took off his own overcloak and draped it across the corpses before they came into Meera’s view.<br>
<br>
The final horse had a simple unmolded saddle, and Avery made sure his cloak was fastened securely around Meera’s shoulders before helping her up into the stirrups. Once she was settled, he climbed up behind her and reached around her to take the reins.<br>
<br>
“It’s not a long distance back to the road,” he told her, “But we won’t go too fast, I don’t want to jostle your shoulder. Try to relax it against mine,” he advised, so that he could absorb the impact of any harsh steps the horse took.<br>
<br>
Meera let her back sink into the Captain’s embrace, she fit nicely there and made no attempt to direct the reigns or be willful. He was comfortable to lean against. What’s more she was much too forlorn now for any kind of struggle, and grateful somehow, and still afraid, anxious, all of it at once. She took one last look at Reya, her beautiful mangled steed, as they left her behind, to return to the earth in the same way they all must one day. She wondered how she would look laying next to her had the Captain not gotten to her on time.<br>
<br>
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			<h5 class="userTitle message-userTitle" dir="auto" itemprop="jobTitle">and a swift justice to those that got away with it</h5>
			

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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/e3b7a29c44493cc22bf7ad949c45d6d8/tumblr_p3nr7sTuiy1uzr0u5o5_640.png');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Theren - Megara| Interacting with: Lord Emerson </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">‘Victory of the crown!’ Soldiers bellowed, they had felled their last opponent, who had not turned and retreated. Say what you will about these traitors to the crown but there were not cowards who intended to turn tale and run, they fought to the last. Cromwell could respect that, not that it did them any favors in the end.<br>
<br>
“Victory of the crown.” He agreed, his voice booming and prideful. “You four, follow that way and find your Queen.” He pointed to the mounted men and sent them off. He wasn’t particularly worried about his charge, especially since she was in the hands of an individual who had every earnest reason to ensure her survival. Especially with how well they seemed to be getting along, if this trip was any indication. He seriously doubted the warrior King would do anything less than defend his pretty young bride with every ounce of his might. Men’s convictions were so often stirred best when pretty young maidens were on the line.<br>
<br>
Cromwell slid down from Merchant’s saddle, and begun to stalk around the scene, bodies strewn out in the last vestiges of daylight, hands behind his back as he silently observed. <br>
<br>
“Stop. Do. Not. Touch. Anything. Not until I am finished. Retrieve our dead tend to wounds and rest, that is all.” Cromwell halted the Belethen soldiers that had begun to move bodies out of the road, the ones he chose from Theren knew better than to touch a ‘scene’ that Cromwell must piece together. When he had chosen the sigil of his lordship it was said he had chosen aptly, he appeared to have eyes everywhere, seeing what others missed and finding trails where often there was thought to be none. He latched his talons into details and heard whispers all around the kingdom. It was the work of a crow, a crow and his many eyed flock. <br>
<br>
His methods were creative and thorough, much to the chagrin of many, but there was nothing supernatural about what he did, despite what people said about him. He was just aware of how to retain loyal spies and knew things about common life that nobles did not. His experience in multiple levels of society combined with his keen mind offered a layered perspective. That was all. <br>
<br>
He found what he was looking for and bent down, beginning to undo clasps in the man’s armor. There was a man who appeared to be dressed differently than the rest, his sword much more expensive looking than any of the others around him. His attire didn’t necessarily give him away, but his weaponry definitely did. Who else but a leader could afford pretty blades? A dagger with a gold hilt, he put that to the side. Inspecting the breastplate he turned it over, looking for any distinctive marks, an imprint a blacksmith would sear into the inside corners of their work. He traced over what he found with his finger, committing it to memory. He placed that to the side and continued to inspect the dead man, even going so far as to rip open his shirt to look for any tattoos or brands, nothing. <br>
<br>
“You there, come here.” He called, gathering the sword, dagger and breastplate, “Take this and follow me, there’s more to gather.” Cromwell began doing much the same to every other fallen man there, they were markless and did not carry any direct indication of who they were loyal to thus far. However, their armor was made by one smithy from what he could tell, their leader’s weapons were distinctive as well. It wasn’t as much as Cromwell would’ve liked to have, but it was something to go on. He wanted as many of his questions answered as he could before he began interrogating their prisoner. <br>
<br>
“I have questions, put that evidence to the side and bring me Lord Emerson.” He nodded to the soldier and continued inspecting the dead, willing the body to tell him its secrets.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper">One of the older soldiers- the squad leader who Meera had initially taken to be in charge- frowned at Cromwell’s orders. This was a public road, and they could not just leave bodies strewn about it.<br>
<br>
<br>
Additionally… It was one thing to take orders from Cromwell in a fight, when haste and urgency was needed, and the King had said they should. But there was no more threat of immediate danger, and some of the soldiers from Beleth looked hesitantly at the squad leader and at Emerson, since Avery had yet to return. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Do as he says,” Emerson agreed, not looking up from where he was binding the hands of the unconscious prisoner. It was not exactly an order, but an allowance that Emerson would face the King’s anger in their stead if anything were to go wrong. One of the younger soldiers, the one with the cooking skills that Emerson had praised, was already following Cromwell around to help carry the evidence, and the rest stepped back from their attempts to clear the bodies. <br>
<br>
<br>
Their captive had a somewhat lined and weathered face- not nobility, it seemed- but beneath his thin gloves his hands were not gnarled, and his his fingernails much cleaner than those of some of the bodies on the road. Hopefully, he could tell them something.<br>
<br>
<br>
Emerson pointed to some of the soldiers milling about, two pairs. “Up the hill, then- See if they left anything from where they rode down and bring it back if they did,” he instructed, not envying a climb up the steep slopes. “Anything set up, though- Tents or a cookfire, anything to suggest they had been waiting there more than a few hours, leave it as it is and report back on it, all right?”<br>
<br>
<br>
The men nodded and departed quickly. If they were anxious about the absence of their Captain and their future Queen, they did a good job hiding it.<br>
<br>
<br>
Once the squad leader had helped Emerson lift the captive into one of the carts and secure him further with leather straps to the metal loops in the cart intended to harness heavy trunks, Emerson climbed further into the bed of the cart and retrieved a small wooden chest, to which he carried the key around his neck. It wasn’t the only source of coin they carried with them, but it was the most accessible at the moment.<br>
<br>
<br>
One of the men on horseback returned suddenly, sent back by his fellows to carry news. “The Queen is safe- She, the Captain, and two others survived. They should be back soon,” he reported, announcing it loudly enough that all could hear- And so he did not have to choose if he directed the information to Cromwell or Emerson.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Em- Lord Emerson,” the young cook/soldier corrected himself, having crossed the scene of the ambush on Cromwell’s request and loading the evidence onto the cart. “Lord Cromwell wishes to speak with you,” he said, motioning behind him with his head. Emerson nodded, as if this were expected, and gave a small bag of coins to the squad leader.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Ride on to the nearest town and- Well. You know the drill,” he said with a sigh. They would need another cart for the bodies, and shovels. The squad leader nodded, and mounted a horse and departed.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Make sure the interior of the carriage is… clean, would you,” he prompted the cook as he left, and the younger man nodded in understanding. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Lord Cromwell? You wanted a word?,” Emerson called out as he neared the other man. He seemed to realize that some of his hair had fallen into his face, and he grimaced as he pushed back a bright orange curl that was sticking to his forehead beneath a splash of dark red. “How can I be of assistance?”</div>
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9681533" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · May 16, 2019 at 1:14 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/e3b7a29c44493cc22bf7ad949c45d6d8/tumblr_p3nr7sTuiy1uzr0u5o5_640.png');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Theren - Megara| Interacting with: Lord Emerson </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Cromwell’s ears pricked as he heard the news of his Queen, that was good, expected but good to hear all the same. He gave no indication that he heard however, busy inspecting pockets and tossing ineffectual things to the side.<br>
<br>
“... They wear no sigil of whom they serve, no marks either on their clothing or person. The clothing they’re wearing do you recognize that it’s distinctive? Anything that might place them as from a certain region?” Cromwell asked, getting up and moving to the next man, unbothered by the carnage and focused on his task. “Their clothing is thicker than yours or the men…” He noted, rummaging in the dead man’s vest and finding a letter, how interesting.<br>
<br>
“I suspect they may have taken measures to be anonymous,” Emerson guessed. Even if they had succeeded in their goal- death to the bloody queen- they could not have hoped to kill all of the guard and suffer no casualties themselves. “If they did have something as obvious as a sigil, it would likely be to frame someone else for their deeds.”<br>
<br>
He paused, considering.<br>
<br>
“The one fellow- He referred to Her Majesty as ‘the bloody queen’,” Emerson noted. “The nobles of Beleth have other… creative monikers, that they prefer using. She is not generally considered a ‘queen’ in her own right, since her mother is alive and she is not yet wed to a king.”<br>
<br>
It was a small detail, and really only indicated that the man who’d shouted wasn’t a noble or from the capital city, not that he wasn’t acting on the orders of someone who might be. <br>
<br>
“Mm.” Was Crowell’s only response, the information was more interesting in the context of the sociability of the court, rather than the matter at hand. But he would file it under things that could possibly indicate region. <br>
<br>
He opened the letter, its seal broken but perhaps decipherable if he was careful with it, he opened it gingerly and studied its contents, it appeared to be a love letter, written prettily and signed by a woman with her full name. Now there was something. <br>
<br>
He huffed, amused, “Words of love my Lord Emerson, it appears that will be their undoing.” he folded the letter back, placing the wax carefully together, a tree in bloom. Hopefully the writer of this letter lived within the vicinity of the lord this dead man used to serve. He could scarcely imagine a noble lady writing to a soldier but stranger attachments had happened, she could also be an educated merchant’s daughter or some such. Whomever she was, the stupidity of she and her lover was much appreciated.<br>
  <br>
“How… fortunate for us,” Emerson allowed, though he wasn’t as optimistic about the letter as Cromwell. “We shall have to look it over carefully, then.” He suspected it may not be a love letter at all, but a set of coded instructions disguised as romantic prose. He would have to get a copy of it to Roysa and the spymaster. Well, maybe just Roysa. The current spymaster was perhaps not long for this world, if Lady Roysa had her way.<br>
<br>
“Ah, your book- Found it over there,” he said with a gesture behind him. “I’m afraid it suffered a bit in the dirt- You may have to find another way to entertain yourself.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell tucked the letter into his own pocket, deciding to keep his thoughts on the other traceable items to himself, not that he was necessarily hiding them, but the only people who really needed to know everything comprised of himself, his Queen, and his majesty the King of Beleth. It was perhaps only his amusement really that persuaded him to share the letter’s contents with Lord Emerson.<br>
<br>
“I manage to arrange amusement when I require it, one way or another.” He said casually, sighing, looking the pages over, it wasn’t so bad, pages a bit damp, probably stained with blood in some parts. That wouldn’t stop him really. It wasn’t ripped up or anything, he had tossed it closed when he had to trade the book for bow. As much as he hated when people carelessly damaged reading material and preferred treating books with respect, books were replaceable, lives and limbs were not. <br>
<br>
“How many men did we lose?” He inquired, folding his arms behind his back as he slowly began to walk towards a felled horse, it was dead, but the twitching underneath it indicated that perhaps it was on top of a person that was not. He bent over and yanked an arrow out of the ground as he circled around.<br>
<br>
“Three, I think,” Emerson reported perfunctorily. “And we may have to lose some as guards for the time being, so that they may live to fight again in the future,” he added. There were a few bad wounds already being tended to- Survivable, Emerson hoped, provided the wounded men stayed at the next town and recovered instead of completing the journey as planned.<br>
<br>
“Did you send men to find the encampment?” Cromwell noticed men sent over the hill, but didn’t pay them much heed. Any trace of a camp was probably not going to yield anything useful, had they been successful these men would have needed to make a fast retreat, no stopping to pack up. This was a suicidal mission to begin with. He nudged the man, who was staring at nothing, he gurgled, not dead but not able to speak either. Cromwell tossed the arrow to the side and kneeled down, taking his jaw and head carefully in his hands.<br>
<br>
“Two up each side of the hill,” Emerson confirmed, hardly acknowledging the scene in front of him.. “I doubt they’ll find much, but it would be foolish not to check.”<br>
<br>
“Indeed.” Cromwell agreed before snapping the man’s neck, and while the motion and sickening crack had been brutal, it was meant in small mercy. A snapped neck was much quicker than bleeding out or choking on your own fluids. <br>
<br>
“I sent another man up ahead, to ride on to the nearest town with news of what has happened,” Emerson added. “He’ll bring back a doctor if they have one, and help to bury the dead. There’s an inn I believe, so with any luck there will be a hot meal for Her Highness by the time we arrive.”<br>
<br>
Hmmm, he would have preferred to control the narrative, but Cromwell supposed it couldn’t be helped. He began rummaging into the horse’s saddle, supplies, they traveled light, very light. Perhaps whomever they were looking for was one of the lords of the border, that’d certainly explain the animosity but Cromwell didn’t want to assume.<br>
<br>
“I only have these few men left, cleanup may commence.” He gestured to a section off to the side, around only several men, of whom he expected to essentially come up empty.<br>
<br>
“Before I forget.” He paused, thinking. “The Queen, she’s not accustomed to this, perhaps your charms can better sooth her mind than mine. Safely inside the carriage of course.” He didn’t anticipate convincing her to stay shut in would be a problem anymore, but they could not show up to Beleth with a miserable and palid Queen. She was emotional, and that played to her advantage as much as it did to her detriment. Besides, he recalled how he’d hurled his stomach’s contents the first time he tasted battle, he was younger than she, but not nearly as spoiled.<br>
<br>
Emerson nodded agreeably. <br>
<br>
“I doubt Vee will even consider she might ride anywhere but inside the carriage,” he said with a snort. And likely men with loaded crossbows sitting on top. “But yes, I shall do what I can to make it less miserable,” he said. <br>
<br>
Cromwell glanced up, about to say something when he saw them arriving, speak of them and they shall appear as the saying goes. <br>
<br>
“She’s injured.” He frowned, clearly displeased. Tossing whatever he was holding to the side, Cromwell straightening up and made his way over to them. Abandoning his current task and conversation.<br>
<br>
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9683468" data-lb-caption-desc="jones573 · May 17, 2019 at 12:54 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper">“Yes,” Avery confirmed Lord Cromwell’s fears, sliding down from the horse but keeping his hand on the small of Meera’s back to steady her. “They nearly landed a shot, along her arm- I cleaned and wrapped it best I could for the time being, but she lost enough blood that she may be quite weak for the rest of the day.” <br>
<br>
<br>
“Meera, I’m going to help you down now,” he told her softly, making sure she hadn’t spaced out too much on the quiet ride back to the road. He checked his cloak was wrapped tightly around her, and then as if to emphasize what he had just said a moment earlier, he pulled her off of the horse and into his arms so that her uninjured side faced away from him. <br>
<br>
<br>
Meera found that her head had indeed become light, emphasized from the dizziness of being taken from the saddle. Her breath quickened and she held onto the Captain as best she could with her injured arm. Braving the sting if it meant feeling his steadiness. Whether to attribute that truly from the blood loss or the shock of events transpired she did not know. She found herself grateful at being held, sure now that she likely would not have been able to dismount and walk on her own.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Someone get the door,” he prompted brusquely, nodding towards the carriage as he carried Meera across the scene of the battle, trying to shield her from the chaos as best he could. “And a fresh waterskin, she needs to have something to drink. Cromwell? I expect a report of what has happened, but it can wait if need be.”<br>
<br>
<br>
He had enough trust in both Emerson and Cromwell’s judgement of the immediate concerns- If something couldn’t wait to be tended to, he didn’t want them wasting time explaining it to him when he would likely just approve whatever action they wished to take.  <br>
<br>
<br>
“I am almost done inspecting their personal effects, after which I will be better informed to interrogate the prisoner. The report forthcoming.” Cromwell spun around sharply and opened the carriage, a Theren soldier came with the waterskin and handed it to Cromwell. The soldier peered anxiously and looked to him, he nodded, letting him know she would be alright. She was wrapped up and pale and silent, it was unnerving to those who knew her for the lively Queen she was. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Send someone ahead to the nearest town to fetch a doctor and-”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Already done,” Emerson interrupted. They had been through ambushes together already, more times than they would have liked.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Good, good,” Avery nodded absently. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Water.” Cromwell handed the skin over to the Captain.<br>
<br>
<br>
“No. No.” Meera started shoving hands away from her and shaking her head, oh spirits, the smell, the horrid smell. The sight of bodies that she tried to not look at but couldn’t avoid was awful, but it was the smell of them that was doing her in. The tang of copper so thick she could taste it was making her gag. She sprang out of the carriage and was caught by the arms of someone from falling out of it, swung around to the side in time to heave out her breakfast and lunch.<br>
<br>
<br>
Cromwell had one arm hooked under her waist, and the other swept her hair out of the way. He had done this more than once under various circumstances, though right now his mind went back to the time when someone held him while he heaved as a young boy soldier. <br>
<br>
<br>
The Theren soldier standing by handed Cromwell a Handkerchief.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Thank you, a hair tie as well.” Cromwell was practically holding Meera up now, her legs were shaking as she was sat down at the entryway of the carriage, wiping away at her mouth while Cromwell quickly braided her hair out of the way of her face, his long practiced fingers making quick work of her curls.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I - I’m so sorry I…” Meera began, embarrassed as well as exhausted now.<br>
<br>
<br>
“There is no need to apologize,” Avery told her, a bit relieved that she had Cromwell to care for her now. He seemed far more certain of what to do. “If anything, we must apologize to you- Both for allowing this to happen, and for exposing you to such sights.”<br>
<br>
<br>
The last bit was said pointedly, and he gave a significant look at some of the soldiers near him. A few looked like they might protest- they had only been following Cromwell’s orders- but thought better of it, and jumped into action to move the bodies Cromwell had already inspected far away from Meera and the carriage.<br>
<br>
<br>
If anything this just served to embarrass Meera further, she was vaguely aware the words were meant in kindness but in her current state she only took them as as a nod to her delicacy. Her weakness in character. She sent men to die for her but could not stand the sight of it. Her father would never do such a thing. It also served to remind her why this was all happening. Beleth hated her. And how much they hated her was now painted very clear in sticky red.<br>
<br>
<br>
Cromwell tied her braid off and helped her inside the carriage, giving her the flask and telling her to only drink slowly when she was settled.<br>
<br>
<br>
Emerson stepped up and briefed Avery on what he knew- How many men they had lost, how many he had dispatched up the hill. Provided the men on the hill found as little as expected, they’d split the company once they returned. The larger portion would accompany the Queen and the wounded to the next town, and the smaller would chase down the loose horses and wait for the squad leader to arrive with help to bury the dead.  <br>
<br>
Afterward’s Cromwell explained he was gathering evidence from the bodies again and would let him know when he was finished, and that the men couldn’t touch what he had yet to inspect. His subtle way of letting his majesty know it was because of him cleanup had been halted. With this, the sun went down upon the bloody scene, enveloping the dead in darkness.</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ff/43/6c/ff436c5c56a78589b7ef29cb56100f63.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Beleth - Inn on the border| Interacting with: "Captain Vee" &amp; Lord Cromwell</div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Cromwell’s methods of interrogation were not often violent, he found he didn’t need to resort to such things when he could easily manipulate, lie, and cheat the truth out of people. It helped a great deal that those facing him were often not as educated as he was, but he was never one to dwell on feeling guilty about advantages he had when he was busy exploiting them.<br>
<br>
Violence wasn’t off the table, by any means, but especially in this case, he didn’t think it would be necessary. He’d start off easy, small pieces of information exchanged, find out what makes him tick. Inquire about his family, guess who they consisted of until his face gave him away. Then he’d simply inform the prisoner that Armin, the dead man addressed in the love letter he had found, had told them them the why but not the who, and simply put - whomever told them who their master was quickest would get the quicker death, and their family would be left alone. And that Armin was very fond of his precious lover. He didn’t want any harm coming to her.<br>
<br>
He didn’t think it’d take very long of mulling over that to decide.<br>
<br>
Imagine his irritation at finding that his plans were ash before he could even implement them. The prisoner, whom they had captured alive, was now dead. And due to his beaten condition it was unclear exactly how that had happened, whether incidentally or by some design of a traitor in the Belethen ranks. Which is why he personally was now guarding the door to Meera’s rooms and had been for three whole shifts, sending two men away who could have relieved him. The next person to take over would be her future husband, and to him he would finally abandon his watch. He had spent his time writing in detail a letter addressed to the Queen, both to inform her of all that had transpired and to request that his spymasters be sent to him post haste. As they now had work to do in Beleth earlier than expected. It took a while, using his book as a steady plate to write on the parchment, but finish his letter he did, and was blowing the ink dry by the time his Majesty the King arrived.<br>
<br>
“Lord Cromwell,” Avery greeted solemnly, offering a plate of hot food to the other man. “You will eat,” he insisted. “And hopefully, not argue when I tell you you must rest. You are no good to any of us in a state of exhaustion.”<br>
<br>
He held another plate, presumably for Meera. <br>
<br>
“The rest of the company has arrived,” he informed Cromwell, though the other man had likely heard the noise below. “We shall have enough men for several to stand guard each rotation.” <br>
<br>
He meant that he’d drawn up shifts so that soldiers from both Theren and Beleth would guard the Queen and patrol the perimeter, though he assumed Cromwell understood what he’d meant. Avery had agreed that it was bad luck indeed that their prisoner had died- And perhaps not luck at all.<br>
<br>
He also passed the other man a room key inscribed with a number and nodded down the hallway. “You are next to Lord Emerson.” He almost apologized for it, but didn’t.<br>
<br>
Emerson had held it together better than Avery had been expecting, if he was honest. He’d been all business with Avery, and all charm with Meera. Once the inn had been declared secure, though, and Meera safely shut away with a hot bath and a warm bed, his mood had turned somber.<br>
<br>
He’d found something strong to drink and someone pretty to bed, and disappeared with hardly any acknowledgement. Hopefully, he and his partner wouldn’t keep Cromwell up- Emerson had enjoyed enough furtive fucks to appreciate the need for at least an attempt at quiet, though he wasn’t always as discrete as Avery might have preferred.<br>
<br>
But the nightmares- If he had those tonight, Cromwell was almost certain to hear. Meera, too, and perhaps the whole of the inn. Avery hoped whatever his friend was drinking was strong indeed.<br>
<br>
“I suppose that’s an order isn’t it.” Cromwell had a bit of humor in his voice as he folded away his letter and stuffed it in his vest, taking the plate and key and wasting no time in digging in. He was actually pretty hungry, he had reached a point long ago where battle made him ravenous rather than nauseous. He got up from his chair, pocketing the quill and ink, as he chewed and continued.<br>
<br>
“If that’s the only way to get you to be sensible, then yes, consider it an order,” Avery agreed.<br>
<br>
“She’s been quiet, I’m not sure if she will eat anything, she often doesn’t when she is upset.” Cromwell informed him in a hushed tone, letting him know her habits in the hopes he would note them for the future.<br>
<br>
“That is… Good to know. Thank you,” Avery said. Perhaps he would just leave some of the food then, on the side table, for when she woke up. He assumed she had laid down to rest after her bath, and it wasn’t worth disturbing her if she was unlikely to do more than pick at her meal.<br>
<br>
He knocked very gently so as not to wake her if she was sleeping deeply but to alert her to someone’s presence if she was only resting, and balanced the tray with one hand as he opened the door.<br>
<br>
His posture went very stiff and his face very red, and he might have dropped the tray of food in surprise if he was a man less accompanied to shock.<br>
<br>
When the innkeeper had said he and his wife could provide Meera with a ‘private bath’, he had assumed they’d meant only that the washroom would be cleared of any other traffic besides the lady of the establishment bringing in pitchers of warm water, not…. That the room itself had a tub. A tub that faced the door. And was currently occupied. By Meera. Who was naked.<br>
<br>
Of course she was naked, Avery thought stupidly to himself- She was bathing, obviously. But beyond that context he could also see she was naked, any soap in the tub long since having lost its obscuring lather and the water line not so high enough to hide her breasts beneath it.  <br>
<br>
“Ah- Pardon me,” Avery barely managed to not stutter his apology, averting his eyes to the floor after a moment of open staring that had certainly gone on too long, and he was grateful she had not seen. He had seen naked women before, he reminded himself. It was only because he had not been expecting it, that he was so flustered. <br>
<br>
Meera lifted her head, broken from the spell of solitude and drowsy brooding.<br>
<br>
“Captain?” She sat up and realized she was in cold water and that she suddenly now minded it where she didn’t before. So she stood up and reached over to the chair nearby for her drying sheet, clearly entirely unabashed or concerned about the Captain or Cromwell seeing her naked.<br>
<br>
“Your majesty! Please, allow me to,” he fumbled for his words, even more shocked at seeing her stand up so thoughtlessly, “Excuse myself, before I intrude further on your privacy.” He managed to at least turn himself around as he spoke, and allow his feet to carry him back into the safety of the hall.<br>
<br>
“I did warn you, your grace, that the people of Beleth were much more modest than you are used to. “ Cromwell caught the door and leaned on it, eyeing the King’s hasty retreat and entirely unperturbed at seeing his Queen naked. He even knew her moon cycle, her body and its health weren’t a new subject to him. The mind and body of the crown was his business.<br>
<br>
“But why? It is just my body I am bathing.” Meera said defensively, taking it all as an offense to her looks. <br>
<br>
Avery was suddenly very grateful that he had decided to bring Meera her food, instead of one of the other soldiers. <br>
<br>
“Maybe you can ask your husband.” Cromwell looked over at Avery before taking another bite of bread, “Once you meet him of course.” He added pointedly.<br>
<br>
Any friendly inclinations he had been harboring towards the Theren advisor dissipated. Perhaps he needn’t have worried about one of the other soldiers seeing what he had just seen, as it seemed likely Cromwell would have been more hasty in preventing them from opening the door as he had done.<br>
<br>
“Is he going to be afraid of seeing me naked too?! And the ambassadors were so insistent I get pregnant immediately.” She scoffed, earning a chuckle from Cromwell.<br>
<br>
“Maybe he won’t take his clothes off, it isn’t entirely necessarily you know.” Cromwell closed the door almost all the way, leaving a crack so they could communicate and protect her ‘modesty’. Staring with an amused smirk at the King.<br>
<br>
The glare he gave Cromwell in response was closer to that of a displeased monarch than of a flustered guard, and his embarrassed flush turned to one of anger. This did not seem to worry or humble the Chancellor, who only straightened further with a roll of his shoulders.<br>
<br>
“I refuse to make love to my husband fully clothed as if we were sneaking around a feast behind the curtains absolutely not!” Meera gasped and retorted, hating the prospect. Bodies were not particularly scandalous in Theren, though people did cover up the important bits. Sneaking around sexually however, especially publically, was a taboo, and usually done quickly with the clothes on as stereotypically depicted in art and stories. That was indeed considered immodest. Not that people didn’t do it anyhow.<br>
<br>
“Best of luck your Majesty.” He called, meaning it to the both of them really as he walked off. It was the most Cromwell had heard her speak since the incident, and the liveliest too, which is why he dared to take the opportunity to tease the King to his face while he could.<br>
<br>
Perhaps it had been a mistake, to bring Emerson along- He allowed the bastard lord to get away with many jibes that would not be tolerated from others. He would have to speak with Lord Cromwell, and clarify they were not friends and that if Cromwell wanted to keep his position as a prominent advisor, he would be wise to cease his insolence. No one spoke to- or of - Lady Roysa this way, Avery thought bitterly. <br>
<br>
“I have brought food for you, Your Majesty,” Avery said, from the safety of the hallway. “So that you may eat once you are… Attired.”<br>
<br>
“That coward he took his opportunity to run away didn’t he?” Meera joked breathlessly while slipping on her nightgown, actually joked, and was surprised at herself for it. How odd, she did not feel she should be joking, not today. Or tonight as it were. Not when death had been certain only hours before. But joke she did, effortlessly.<br>
<br>
She pulled on her robe, and tied it secure, just for the Captain’s delicate sensibilities before opening the door. <br>
<br>
“I <i>am</i> sorry though Captain, I did not mean to offend your modesty. Truly.” She shrugged, “Our people’s ways are just different, I will learn them in time. I don’t regularly go about trying to scandalize the people who are responsible for rescuing me. I swear it.” Meera said in a more soft and sincere tone. She turned away from the door, expecting him to follow with the food.<br>
<br>
“But I <i>must</i> ask, why in Beleth the people would be disgusted by their own bodies. This does not make any sense to me. Even if I do need to accept it.” She asked, not really giving him any space to accept her apology before turning the whole thing around. She stood at the little table in her room, staring at him with a challenging look.<br>
<br>
Avery followed her into the room and set the food down on the table from her, doing his best to speak to her as he had previously and not allow himself to be distracted, either by looking or being too obvious in his attempts not to look. <br>
<br>
“I do not think it is ‘disgust’ exactly,” he tried to clarify. “You certainly don’t need to worry that-  I mean to say- There is nothing… Disgusting about you, Your Majesty,” he attempted to appease her, though he could feel the tips of his ears heating up.<br>
<br>
“But our coastal regions are not as warm as yours, and our outfits more suited to the change of seasons,” he attempted to explain. “To show too much skin to anyone besides a servant or a spouse is considered… Improper, as though you expect them to take on that role for you. The first implication can be disrespectful, and the second… Presumptive.”<br>
<br>
There was something, very endearing - cute even, about the Captain’s… difficulties. She studied him as he spoke, noticing his discomfort with the subject but his desire not to offend her and softened as he spoke. Though hardly because of his words, she still didn’t agree or understand why seeing someone’s body would suggest anything to do with spousal rights. <br>
<br>
Especially given they were so different in rank. She was betrothed anyway. “Goodness, so scary an implication over absolutely nothing. The most concerning of this being that it is too cold to swim? Truly?” She changed the subject out of pity for the Captain and sat down, taking to staring at a candle, thinking of the cold, things were going to be very different for her.<br>
<br>
Swimming was an activity she and her ladies did often, nearly every day during summertime especially. She was aware that the castle was not near the coast but she had hoped visiting the coast would not be difficult. She was aware she would not give birth as her mother did, in the waters of the birthing pool, but she thought perhaps she could travel to the coast for something similar. Spirits, all this thinking of birth, she did not know if she would even conceive with this union. <br>
<br>
Despite the marriage treaty and expectations of council members no one, not even herself, could force her body to do what it would not do. Her mother nearly died having her and had miscarried often before finally having success. It was lucky that she was born strong and did not die young, yet anyhow, because her father had refused to try again. Which would have left the Kingdom bereft of a successor.<br>
<br>
If she was like her mother she too would have difficulty.<br>
<br>
“There is a small lake on the castle grounds,” Avery told her. “But it is cool even on warm days, and will begin to ice over in the next few months. There are hot springs beneath the castle, but they are used for soaking than for swimming,” he clarified. They smelled of sulfur and the ones available for personal use were quite shallow, the deeper ones all being used to heat the castle. <br>
<br>
“The summer palace is near the coast, and some member of the court take day trips to the beach. But I do not know if the court will be traveling this year,” he admitted. “How is your shoulder feeling?,” he asked, more comfortable sticking to his preplanned list of things to check on than discussing life at court. Or her standards of nudity.<br>
<br>
“It’s fine so long as I don’t move it much, mostly just tender.” She turned to poke around around the flesh, puffy and sensitive. She was no longer riding so it had little chance to really bother her, only when the carriage lurched and she knocked it on something did she have reason to wince.<br>
<br>
“You are often at court Captain?” Her brow furrowed, he knew a lot of court for a military man, though perhaps he was invited there or it was common for him to be assigned to the castle’s protection. To tell the truth there was little she knew of him.<br>
<br>
“Ah- Yes, usually,” he told her. He was getting dangerously close to lying to her, instead of just neglecting to mention important details. She was outright asking about him and his life and he knew he ought to tell her. But she would hate him, if she knew. <br>
<br>
And her men might, too. They had leapt into action at his commands earlier that day, but if they resented him, they may not be so quick to do so again.<br>
<br>
“I find I spend much more time there than I might like,” he said truthfully. “Certainly much more, recently. But if the reason I am there is because I am no longer needed on a battlefield, then I am content to serve my country in whatever capacity is required.”<br>
<br>
“That’s a diplomatic answer.” Meera couldn’t help the amused smile, which the Captain returned, if slightly.<br>
<br>
“I don’t blame you for not liking it, court is…” she paused and considered, “- demanding, even for people born to it. If you are there you are under judgement, even someone like you. For however rough this road we’re traveling on might be, at least we don’t have the eyes of the entire ruling force of a country picking apart every move we make. Country life sounds more pleasant in comparison. Is that what you want Captain? A life in the country? Peaceful? Or would you get bored do you think.” She asked, suddenly desirous to learn more of Captain Vee.<br>
<br>
Avery looked noticeably uncomfortable with this line of questioning. It wasn’t that he had never considered what he might like in life, if given the choice. He had asked himself that same question, on more than one occasion. He had just always cut off the line of thinking before he could start coming up with answers.<br>
<br>
“I am an awful farmer,” he said instead, with a small chuckle, Meera joining him. “A life in the country would not be peaceful for me at all- I would only be at the whims of the seasons instead, and I cannot use my sword to dig irrigation channels or intimidate the weather. There are unique challenges in all walks of life, I reckon, so I must carry on with the ones I have been given and thank the gods I have at least some understanding of my own skills and tools with which to meet them.”<br>
<br>
“How noble of you Captain. I suppose then that you’re stationed at the castle? The royal guard or...? Is there a royal guard in the first place? We are like Ruhar in that we have one but they’re comprised of Knights not soldiers. Or rather Theren does, I suppose.” She had to get used to the idea that Theren was not a we so much as it was something she was allowed to keep sovereignty over while serving Beleth.<br>
<br>
“There is a royal guard, yes,” Avery told her. “Some of the men we have with us currently are regular members, ones more familiar with the region than those who stay cooped up in city. I am currently unassigned to any particular regiment or unit- Beleth has many men who change positions and duties frequently, and I am glad to be among their number. I suppose I may get bored easily,” he realized. “I like the change of pace the flexibility affords me.” <br>
<br>
“Mmm.” She nodded, “Regardless, it is likely I will not be able to speak so candidly with you ever again. You must go to your duty and I must do mine. I am glad I could meet you Captain Vee. Should you have any request a Queen can arrange for you in the future you need only ask. You did save my life after all.” Meera noted more seriously. They were all of them in a strange limbo right now. She was not performing as royalty yet. She was in part of course, as she was born to it and its manners and customs would always be etched into her, but her guard was not up. She was not thinking of courtly tactics or fake smiles, she was allowed to be more genuine here where she did not need to perform. Soon however, she’d be surrounded by people who hated her, if she wasn’t already.<br>
<br>
Avery’s discomfort deepened. There was nothing he could request of a Queen, after all, that he could not simply acquire in his own name.<br>
<br>
“I don’t think I ever even thanked you…” Meera realized.<br>
<br>
“There is no need to,” he told her. “You are to be my queen- It is my duty and my privilege to ensure your safety.” <br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/e3b7a29c44493cc22bf7ad949c45d6d8/tumblr_p3nr7sTuiy1uzr0u5o5_640.png');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Beleth - Innhouse on the border| Interacting with: Lord Emerson </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Lilia was no courtesan of any ranking, with a guild or a house madam to protect her and determine the costs of her time and services. But neither was she a fallen woman working on her own in the dirtier parts of a city, or under the exploitation of some greedy master. The husband and wife who owned the inn were good people, and they had come to an agreement years ago.<br>
<br>
She assisted with meals and serving and housekeeping as needed, and she received a small room and her meals and a meager stipend. If her pretty face and deep cleavage caught the attention of a guest- She could enjoy that attention as she wished. Their town was one of few places populated enough in this area to even be called a town, and it was good customer service, to have a pretty maid available to warm the bed of travelers.<br>
<br>
She could turn down guests if she pleased, and accept what payment she pleased, and she spoke of it a little with the wife and never with the husband. The husband, she suspected, had hoped she might one day marry their son when they had first hired her. But he had never come home from an early skirmish several years ago, so it was not meant to be.<br>
<br>
Lila liked Lord Emerson nearly as soon as she'd seen him- He'd been comfortable in his command of the room and with delegating the men who weren't scurrying about under the orders of the Captain or Lord Cromwell but not demanding. She was familiar with his reputation, but he seemed harmless enough. He'd mostly been paying attention to the Theren princess, trying to keep her entertained or at least distracted from the ordeal. It had almost endeared the princess to Lilia, to see someone so eager to be kind to her. It had at least made Lilia more sympathetic to the girl's recent trauma, even if she had thought a few, mean thoughts when they'd first learned what had happened.<br>
<br>
But after the princess had been escorted away by the innkeeper's wife, Emerson's grin had slipped like a loose tile from an old roof, and he'd grown sullen. The other men had avoided him altogether when they'd served the evening meal in the common room out of some unspoken knowledge, and he'd sulked near the fire, moody and silent.   <br>
<br>
It was... Sad, she thought. Lilia was aware of his reputation, of course, but he seemed harmless enough. He had a nice smile, she'd thought, and she wanted to see it again, see if she had imagined it or if he really did have one sharp tooth like a fang that could only be seen if he was grinning widely enough.<br>
<br>
When she approached him later that evening, she hadn't been planning on asking for payment. But he'd offered, even before she could escalate her flirtatious attempts, and it had been a very generous offer. Very generous indeed. He'd smiled at her once they'd gone to his room and undressed, a feral sort of grin that she'd found quite intoxicating. But it wasn't a very wide grin.<br>
<br>
He was an attentive lover, enough so that her concerns about his earlier moodiness were forgotten amidst her own enjoyment. If he seemed overly dedicated, as if he were trying to distract himself, she did not notice. He made it a point, to make sure she noticed very little.<br>
<br>
She'd had to excuse herself at one point, and she'd been surprised to run into the Captain. Perhaps a bit embarrassed as well, though Vee gave no indication that she should be. He'd given her very odd instructions, and said he'd hoped she wouldn't need them. <br>
<br>
It had been very strange, she thought. But, as the Captain said might happen, she'd woken to Lord Emerson turning about in his sleep. She'd spoken his name, softly and then a bit louder, and he hadn't roused. He'd started turning more violently, almost thrashing about, and as much as she had found the Captain's instructions overbearing, they had been very specific. She'd gathered her robe about her and slipped out of the bed, just as Lord Emerson said something unintelligible but very angry, and his fist came down right where she'd been lying.<br>
<br>
The Captain was on the room to the right of Lord Emerson's room, he'd said- Or maybe it was the left? No, she decided. It was the right, she was pretty sure.<br>
<br>
"Captain Vee," she said, knocking on the door, running one hand through her dark curls, listening to any sounds from the room she'd left. The walls weren't particularly thick and she was a little self conscious to remember how loud she might have been earlier in the night, and she could hear Lord Emerson whimpering and moaning and occasionally mumbling something harsh.  It wasn't loud enough yet to wake the hall if they were sleeping, but the Captain had said he might start shouting if he began to thrash, which she was pretty certain was how she would define what had been happening.<br>
<br>
It was not actually Captain Vee’s door she was knocking on as her luck would have it, but Lord Cromwell’s, a Lord Cromwell who had not an hour before hand finally gone to sleep. He wanted to remain that way frankly, but sat up nonetheless. <br>
<br>
"Captain Vee," Lilia repeated, knocking a bit more insistently. "He didn't wake when I called his name, he's started getting violent!"<br>
<br>
Cromwell quietly stood on the other end of the door with his hand on the nob, calm where Lilia was panicked. An onlooker might think he was listening quietly and thinking, but really he was just willing the grogginess swimming in his head away. He really was just a man after all, despite the insistence of many that he was a ghoul who needed neither sleep nor sustenance. Once he’d succeeded in gathering his wits he swung the door open and stepped into the hallway, careful to close his door behind him.<br>
<br>
“He’s getting violent?” He clarified to the pretty barmaid, noticing how pretty her curls looked after they’d been tossled in bed.<br>
<br>
Lilia looked confused to see Cromwell in the doorway, but she brushed it aside. She was pretty sure the Captain was sharing a room with the squad leader since they had alternate watch shifts. She might have recalled that the squad leader was an older man than Cromwell, but he’d answered her knocking with what seemed like confidence in the situation and not confusion over being called upon, so she assumed she had found someone who could help.<br>
<br>
“He swung at me,” she clarified. “The Captain, he said- That if he started turning over more than twice in a minute, he might start shouting soon after, and that I shouldn’t try to wake him and should just fetch the Captain instead,” she explained, taking the lamp hanging from a hook in the hall down and bringing it into the room she had just left, since she had extinguished the lamp in the room after she and Lord Emerson had worn themselves out.<br>
<br>
Cromwell followed her, since he was already awake anyhow there was little sense in waking up his majesty to deal with Lord Emerson. And maybe, just a little bit, he had some sort of sick curiosity in him about Emerson where there used to be none. Blame the thin walls for that.<br>
<br>
He didn’t look much like a lord now, bastard one or not- His face was crumpled with pain by the light of the small lamp, and the bedsheets were twisted around his body as he turned about. He snarled loudly, a guttural sound, and Lillia almost dropped the lamp in surprise at its ferocity. He was more similar to an animal caught in a trap than a charming gentleman, and Lillia found herself almost scared of him.  <br>
<br>
Cromwell tilted his head in observation for a moment before resolving to wake him up right around when the limited light started to become annoyingly unreliable. <br>
<br>
“Do try to hold it a bit more steady miss. If he swings at anyone this time it’ll just be me.” He told her in an effort to get her to calm down and hold the lamp. He didn’t really need to see Lord Emerson all that well he supposed, however, as he leaned over into the bed to grab his arm.<br>
<br>
Emerson went rigid the moment Cromwell’s hand touched his arm, and his opposite arm flew to the wooden plank that supported the mattress where he yanked out the knife he had stuck there hours ago. His eyes were open and wild with anger, as he slashed it across the air in front of him and towards the neck of his attacker and he growled out, “You fuckin’ coward, I’ll kill you-”<br>
<br>
“You’re in an Inn-house… Lord Emerson. And you’re frightening your pretty bed mate.” Cromwell said evenly but firmly, having dodged and caught Emerson’s wrist, holding his knife out of their way in case he persisted. Cromwell wasn’t entirely foreign to night terrors, but it’d been a long time since he’d dealt with anyone who had them. A long time indeed. The thing he most remembered helping was reminding the suffering party where they were.<br>
<br>
Emerson continued to struggle and kept up his curses though they were harder to understand- It sounded like more threats and a demand to know ‘what they’d done with him’, and possibly still more threats.<br>
Lilia had managed to hang the lantern on a hook in the wall before fleeing the room, but she’d done it in such a hurry that it still swung back and forth, and Emerson could conjure up any number of faces to fill the shifting shadows across his attacker’s face.<br>
<br>
He tried to drop the knife into his other hand but Cromwell had already seen to prevent that, and Emerson finally seemed to listen, and to look up at the person he’d been trying to fight.<br>
<br>
“Even out your breathing.” He suggested flatly, unable to go without noticing he was all but looming over the heaving man, both knees on the bed now.<br>
<br>
Emerson was still for a moment as his body and his brain finally worked together to place him in the present day, and then he fell back limply, pinned by Cromwell.<br>
<br>
‘<i>There we go,</i>’ Cromwell internally triumphed, satisfied that he’d succeeded in waking the man up with little harm to either person. Though perhaps Lord Emerson’s wrist might bruise if he was delicate enough. He studied his face, making out what he could be thinking, who was it who’d attacked him in his dream?<br>
<br>
“You’re not Vee,” he said flatly, though it sounded like it might be an accusation. Even with the shifting light, it was impossible to mistake Emerson’s expression as one of gratitude or even relief as he looked up at the other man. “Let go of me,” he demanded.<br>
<br>
“Your partner did not knock on his majesty’s door.” He informed Emerson as he let his knife wrist go, only to snatch away the blade and dig it back into the wood it was placed into before, the movement quick and sharp. <br>
<br>
It was fine, Emerson reminded himself quickly, that Cromwell knew that ‘Vee’ meant ‘His Majesty’. This was now, and not then. It was fine.<br>
<br>
It was less fine that Cromwell was still leaning over him. Usually he might enjoy the sight, but he didn’t have it in him at the moment to appreciate it, much less make crude commentary.<br>
<br>
“And I saw no need to wake him since I was already up.” He finished, pulling back and rolling his shoulders, looking back to confirm the woman had left. He’d heard her retreat but…<br>
<br>
Emerson relaxed a tiny bit more once the other man was out of his space.<br>
<br>
“Well. I shall try not to make a habit of disturbing your sleep,” Emerson said stiffly, aware he could not really be angry at the man for what had occured. He got out of the bed and did not look back in Cromwell’s direction as he collected his pants and overshirt and dressed himself perfunctorily. “But if it should happen again- I would appreciate it if you would just fetch Vee instead.”<br>
<br>
He had to go find the other man now anyways, to reassure himself that Avery was indeed alive and whole. <br>
<br>
Cromwell wondered if Lord Emerson’s annoyance stemmed from being caught in a vulnerable position, that made sense and seemed to fit. It did make him bash down any amused tone in his voice however, he wasn’t a heartless bastard all the time.<br>
<br>
“As you will.” He said neutrally, turning the heel and leaving the room himself, with the newfound knowledge that Lord Emerson had freckles on his ass as well as on his shoulders. He didn’t know if he really wanted to retain that, how annoying.<br>
<br>
</span></div><div style="text-align:right;font:Karla;font-size:0.5em;letter-spacing:0.3em;opacity:0.6;"><!--DO NOT REMOVE-->code by Ri.a</div></div></div>
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9717019" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Jun 3, 2019 at 1:05 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ff/43/6c/ff436c5c56a78589b7ef29cb56100f63.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Beleth - road to Redhill| Interacting with: Lord Cromwell &amp; Alexander</div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">In the end, cowardice had won out. Or as Captain Vee liked to phrase it ‘<i>being smart and safe</i>’. Meera didn’t need more convincing to that end but Lord Blackbird actually took the Captain’s side, which set the last the nail in the coffin so to speak. She was Queen and outranked all of them but she was also outnumbered and displaced, which left her feeling utterly useless and strangely powerless. Especially to her own Chancellor. She realized that she resented that feeling quite a bit. How different of a meaning her rank suddenly had outside of a castle, it left her feeling like a silly little girl. And the more she considered it the more she realized that was exactly as she had been treated since she was crowned. It was only really with her mother at her back supporting her that she had any real say. While that left a confidence in her mother’s authority as Queen Regent, as if there had ever been any doubt, it left her feeling inadequate and small. She had to rise to her position in a way she had yet to do in any real sense. <br>
<br>
Meera was excellent at waving at people who already loved her, saying pretty and clever things, dancing around a room and captivating onlookers. But authority, rule, the respect of a Queen she had only tasted by proxy as a negotiator. Always with her father’s will backing her wherever she went. She was still just a Princess wearing pretty dresses and glittering smiles. <br>
<br>
This and more left her brooding, staring outside the small slits in the drawn curtains of the carriage. The will to perform some semblance of perseverance sort of slipped away by the next day even though Lord Emerson did his utmost to engage her. She found herself apologizing one too many times for delayed responses and dry conversation. Eventually insisting that Lord Emerson should give up and go back to the company outside rather than persist at what was a losing battle. Besides, she wanted time to think. <br>
<br>
“<i>The excitement of seeing her ladies will make her forget about all of this. She is strong, she will be fine.</i>” - she thought she heard one night outside her door, Lord Cromwell reassuring someone stiffly, as if defending her. She didn’t know who, but she supposed it wasn’t that important. It made her ashamed but that shame did nothing to lift her spirits. If she was not in a carriage she was shut away in a room, and this quiet mood kept up until what was the last day of travel. She had changed from her riding clothes into a dress and finer cloak of velvety red material that morning, her tiara set above her curls again. She had to arrive looking her part.<br>
<br>
The carriage stopped, but they were still on a dirt road, the lining of trees still thick, were they already there? She had thought the castle was set in a city? She had been expecting to see that city long before the castle itself. She drew back the curtains and peaked her head outside, almost immediately Cromwell was at her side drawing the curtains back shut.<br>
<br>
“It is nothing your majesty, please stay inside the carriage, it isn’t safe.” He said brusquely. <br>
<br>
Ridiculous, if it were nothing then it would be safe wouldn’t it. Anger and defiance welled up in her immediately, though she did not not act on it. She was sure Lord Blackbird had his reasons but she really was growing tired of being treated like a child. She took a few deep breaths, calming down and deciding to be patient. For now.<br>
<br>
Lord Cromwell observed the wreckage before them from his place next to the royal carriage, a covered cart was flipped on its side, its cargo strewn about. It appeared to be food and hay. Too little to really be considered all of the cargo, whatever else valuable the cart had must have been taken, along with the horses driving it. The owners however, were clearly still with the wreckage. There they lay, out on the grass, bloody and dead. The wife’s clothes in particular ripped to shreds, he guessed they did not let her die quick. <br>
<br>
Those fucking slobs. He had instructed them to leave people alive, this was supposed to be a rescue on the Queen’s part. Something to show people that she was dedicated to protecting the people of Beleth. But this was nothing. This was just carnage. He ground his teeth and cursed inwardly. <br>
<br>
Cromwell was ruthless and unopposed to violence in order to get his way, but he did not do such things senselessly. These deaths did not serve anyone’s purpose, least of all his or his charge’s. What’s more this was not just useless death on his hands, but failure of a plan, which in his eyes was much worse. It was a good thing he had decided long ago when he first hired these mercenaries that they would be double crossed, killed and buried far underground instead of paid for their work. He could not risk the incident harming the crown in any way should someone find out, and he certainly didn’t trust the tongues of hired swords. Now he supposed their deaths would serve as their punishment for a botched job. No doubt they rode to their death now, in a few days time to meet their grave once in Theren. <br>
<br>
He gestured to two of his men to tend to the bodies of the dead, dismounting himself to make a show on inspecting the scene as the Captain ordered his men around.<br>
<br>
Meera, having gotten fed up, peaked her head out of the other side of the carriage, observing in horror and confusion at the scene. She kept her eyes off of the bodies once she realized they were dead, instead training them on the carriage. She didn’t really hear what everyone was saying, instead imagining her own attackers doing this for some reason. Her attackers were dead, they had to be different men. Bandits perhaps, the cart looked ravaged. Her brow furrowed as she looked at the fallen hay, seeing the torn tarp that had covered the cart at one time shift, was that the wind? No, whatever it was it had to be small. She looked at the bodies on the ground, covered in cloaks now. They had been a man and a woman, man and wife probably.<br>
<br>
She was out of the carriage before anyone could stop her, crossing the scene and ignoring everyone else in it. She had seen the tarp shift, it was something small. She crouched before it, peeling it back, hidden in a bale of hay, a child, a boy.<br>
<br>
“Are you hurt?” She asked softly, he had blood around his collar a little on his fingers and cheek, dry and dark by now. “It’s alright little one, it’s going to be alright, I know it doesn’t feel that way right now, but we’re here to help you.” She cooed, extending her hand towards him. He stared at her for a moment before taking her hand.<br>
<br>
“There we go, thank you for trusting me. I’m going to wrap you in my cloak, alright?” She said as she pulled at the strings of her thick velvet. It was the warmest cloak she owned, and it left her pretty bare in the cold but she wasn’t really considering that at the moment, focused on the boy. She successfully drew him out and wrapped him up, seeing a shallow cut on his throat, as if someone had held a blade there at one point. It wasn’t bleeding anymore but they could still clean it and wrap it loosely. She covered his head to obscure his sight, though it was unlikely he hadn’t seen his parents already. <br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper">They’d been moving more slowly, Avery’s caution preventing haste- He’d elected to go by land instead of sea, a decision he still stood by. But here in the winding trails of the mountain foothills, another ambush seemed all too likely, and Avery struggled with his paranoia.<br>
<br>
<br>
At least he’d been able to leverage his saving of Meera’s life into her helping him to preserve it further- If she really wanted to thank him, he’d pointed out, she could show it by not putting herself in any more danger. There were very few people to be waving at along this stretch of road after all, and they’d enter the city in privacy and go directly to the castle. <br>
<br>
<br>
(Avery was determined she would only meet the people once she was officially their queen, and it would be a criminal act to throw rotten food at her.)<br>
<br>
<br>
Everything about this current situation screamed ‘trap’, even without the paranoia of recent events, and Avery dispatched the men as such. Yes, men to search the woods for any sign of the attackers (likely long gone, based on the state of the scene), but also men to secure the area and check for archers hidden in the trees.<br>
<br>
<br>
“A robbery gone wrong, then?,” he asked, as the guards swarmed the scene and surrounding area.<br>
<br>
<br>
“An unusual target,” Emerson replied, having also gotten down from his horse to investigate with Avery and Cromwell. “Even if they carried jewels or gold with them- There’d be little to indicate it,” he said with a shrug. It was true- items of value might have been taken from the scene before they’d arrived, but the quality of the clothes and cart and what has left did not suggest the travelers had wealth to be stolen.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Have Silas sketch their faces best he can before we bury them,” Avery instructed. “We’ll have the next patrol coming back this way try to find out their identities-”<br>
<br>
<br>
He was distracted by a flash of pale blue from behind the carriage- Oh, godsdamn her!<br>
<br>
<br>
“Meera, get down,” he shouted, already rushing across the opening and pulling his shield from his back, sure he would hear the whistle of an arrow sailing towards her chest any minute now-<br>
<br>
<br>
It didn’t come, and when he saw the object of her attentions, his desire to yell at her for being so foolishly reckless waned.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Greetings, young sir,” he said softly, nodding his head slightly. “Let’s get you cleaned up inside the carriage, shall we?” <br>
<br>
<br>
He did not present the option to stay out in the open, but he noted Meera’s angle and echoed it as he guided the way to prevent the boy from seeing too much of the carnage- In that aspect, at least, they were in agreement.<br>
<br>
“Let’s go over here so that the Captain doesn’t yell our heads off shall we? Are you hurt <br>
<br>
anywhere else?” Meera asked, but received no answer, not even a head tilt at her joke, which was perhaps ill fated given what had happened today. The poor boy seemed pretty listless. Meera glanced at the Captain worriedly, grateful that he was now playing along. She covered the side of his face as she startled and noticed that they were passing a slaughtered hound, probably the loyal family dog. The bandits hadn’t even left the damn dog alive, the boy had to have been very lucky. How had he survived?<br>
<br>
<br>
“Water, bandages?” She mouthed, barely above a whisper as they reached the carriage and she lifted him in.<br>
<br>
<br>
“You aren’t in any trouble,” he reassured the boy. “You were very brave. But you don’t need to be brave anymore, we’ll be brave for you, all right?”<br>
<br>
<br>
He pulled off the cushion on the opposite bench to reveal a small handle, which he pulled up to expose the shallow cupboard beneath and took out a wax sealed flask and some spare bandages.<br>
<br>
<br>
He broke the seal and pulled the wax off, crumbling it into a ball and holding it up to the boy’s face. He made a show of twisting it about in his hand for the boy to see before he spread his fingers and revealed it to have vanished. He made a surprised face, as if he hadn’t been expecting that, and then reached behind Meera’s hair, and appeared to pull it back out from inside her ear. Meera grinned thankfully at this, surprised at the Captain’s ingenuity when it came to a child.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Why don’t you let… Miss Meera here clean up that cut, and make sure you aren’t injured too badly, and I can show you how I did that when I come back?”<br>
<br>
<br>
He had called her ‘Meera’ when he’d been worried she was in danger, same as he had when they’d first been attacked- Nobility didn’t always respond to their titles as quickly as their names, he’d found. Sometimes he still forgot that ‘Your Majesty’ meant him. But even without the specter of danger, he thought it might be best to refer to her informally. Introducing her as royalty would probably spook the boy into further silence. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Is that all right? Maybe you could nod, if it is, even if you don’t feel ready to talk?”<br>
<br>
<br>
The boy’s mouth moved, but he instead decided to nod once strongly, appearing to regret that when he clutched his neck.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Oooo you poor thing here we’ll make that feel better.” Meera winced at the sight, dampening a cloth she rummaged from the compartment with some water, “Here hold that to your neck right there, I’ll clean you face and hands.” He did as he was told, focused now instead of dead eyed, which was a remarkable improvement. Meera wondered if the allure of a slight of hand trick was truly that enticing. It must be, to a child who believed its illusion anyhow.<br>
<br>
<br>
“How in the world did he do that? And here I thought the Captain was just soldier…” She said, shaking her head as she worked, a truly confounded look on her face. “Maybe I just have too much wax in my ear do you think?”<br>
<br>
<br>
“He really pulled it from your ear?” he spoke, softly, incredulously. “Is he… a wizard?” he asked even quieter.<br>
<br>
<br>
Meera had to push down her triumphant smile with all her strength, to act alarmed of course. “You don’t think? Well he might be. He could be for all I know I only met him recently. But he must be one of those friendly wizards. You know?” <br>
<br>
<br>
He nodded gingerly, locking eyes with her. “I’m going to learn magic then.” he said, entirely serious.<br>
<br>
<br>
She couldn’t help but laugh, trying to muffle it with her arm.<br>
<br>
<br>
Lord Cromwell waited patiently for the King to step out of the carriage, eyeing the inside, face stoney and unreadable. But then again when was it not. “Not much to report, there was less than ten of them. The bo-”<br>
<br>
<br>
“There was a survivor,” Avery interrupted harshly, looking pointedly at the carriage. He gestured at a spot on the other side of the road, and led the road, expecting the Chancellor to follow. About halfway there though, he said, “Continue.”<br>
<br>
<br>
“The bodies can be buried here or wrapped up and taken with us I am not sure how you wish to handle the dead. They appeared to be modest traders, some chests maybe were taken but nothing much else. Perhaps they had land to tend to. One of your scouts came back and reported the tracks were old, more than a day, they can be followed if you wish. They all appeared to be on horseback, no arrows they must have melee weapons. Did you say there was a survivor?” Cromwell recited rather quickly.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Yes, a boy- Ten, maybe. He was hiding. Her Majesty found him,” Avery said, with a hint of accusation. He had thought he could trust Cromwell to make sure the Majesty in question stayed in the carriage.<br>
<br>
<br>
Which went promptly ignored.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I want to make it to Redhill before sundown,” Avery repeated the goal for the day, glancing up at the sky. It was still possible. And it looked unlikely to rain and wash the tracks away. “We’re unlikely to catch up with them, but it’s worth seeing where they were headed.”<br>
<br>
<br>
It might yield some insight into the identity of the attackers, or the cargo they had taken. <br>
<br>
<br>
But he was reluctant to split their men any further- They’d lost some in the attack to death and injury, and the necessity of extra patrolling as the group traveled meant fewer men in the main group.<br>
<br>
<br>
“At the next village, we will pay a runner to carry word to the fort on the coast. They will follow the tracks and perform the investigation, and I will speak with the Lord and Baron responsible for maintaining these roads about increasing patrols in the area.”  <br>
<br>
<br>
There was a survivor, and that’s all Cromwell had particularly focused on, the rest was just jargon, routine. He wasn’t concerned with the trail really, even if they failed to mask there’s like he had instructed there would be no evidence of their existence anywhere in a few days. Perhaps this wasn’t entirely a wash, a ten year old boy had been found by the Queen. But without the parents could it ever amount to anything? Children were notoriously ignored, as crass as that sounded it was the truth. Damn those filthy, incompetent, parasite ridden mercenaries.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Or perhaps that was on purpose too…” Cromwell leveled with the King, staring him in the eye, his hands moving behind his back to rest in the position that always made him to appear a disapproving tutor. <br>
<br>
<br>
As ballsy as this was, Cromwell was well within his rights to lay down the complaint, in fact it would look odd if he did not. He was well aware the attack was no threat to the Queen but it wouldn't look that way to anyone else. They were supposed to arrive in Beleth with a Queen intact, not looking like a pincushion.<br>
<br>
<br>
Avery looked alarmed. “He’s only a boy! What kind of monsters would-”<br>
<br>
<br>
“I do not think the Queen is any danger from the boy,” Emerson interrupted calmly, his hand on Avery’s arm to prevent him from heading back to the carriage in a rush. <br>
<br>
<br>
Emerson’s wrist was still bruised on the inside, and his stomach twisted up unfamiliarly whenever he thought of Cromwell pinning him to the bed and trying to reassure him - Not that Emerson had spent much time thinking on it, of course. <br>
<br>
<br>
But he had decided he neither liked nor trusted the Chancellor, and had expressed this opinion to Avery who had nodded his acknowledgment of hearing the concern, but otherwise not responded in a way Emerson would have liked.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Just because you do not care for the man, does not make him an enemy,” the King had said patiently. <br>
<br>
<br>
“He’s a shifty bastard, and he’s up to something,” Emerson had insisted, to which Avery had raised his eyebrow in amusement. He’d heard that sort of warning before, but usually about Emerson and not from him. <br>
<br>
<br>
Now he gave Cromwell a dry look from behind the shoulder of the King.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Chancellor,” he prompted, “Perhaps you could elaborate on your concerns….?”<br>
<br>
<br>
Cromwell really had to stop himself from rolling his eyes, <i>the boy</i>, truly. How was it that Theren had lost a war to this man? “Simply put that the obvious danger here appears to be either you, your nobility, or both. I can assure you that is how this is all going to look when a final report of the journey is made to the Queen Regent, who, perhaps I should enlighten you - vehemently opposed this entire attempt at a treaty. We are all very fortunate the crown no longer rested on her head. Two violent incidents in a short span of time the last of which could be because of neglect and carelessness at best and an attempt at intimidation at worst. The only thing missing here is an assassination attempt at the wedding. Which will, should such a thing actually come to pass make no doubt about it, spark <i>violence</i>.” Cromwell deadpanned, his speech speeding up as he went.<br>
<br>
<br>
He eyed Lord Emerson, “You recall the negotiating table. Half of our Lords of the council were there not because they were all who were necessary but because they were all whom I could convince to show up.”, he pressed.<br>
<br>
<br>
“It is lucky for both our countries that my Queen values the lives of her people more than she values her <i>head</i>. But despite all that if it does fly off of her shoulders we will have war once again. Something no one present wants <i>I assume</i> against better judgement.” Cromwell finished, his tone actually angry. Spirits he was actually so good at delivering tirades he fooled even himself sometimes. He took a deep breath and sighed.<br>
<br>
<br>
Avery’s face had turned stony, and Emerson crowed internally. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Do you really believe me to be so incompently stupid,” he spat,  “That I would place myself at the scene of a murder I arranged and would be the most obvious suspect for? If Queen Meera’s death was my goal,” he snarled, “I could have stayed in my castle. Gods above and below, why would I have even bothered with the treaty if I wanted her dead- I could have had both her and her mother executed once I’d taken your capitol.”<br>
<br>
<br>
 He hadn’t even advanced on the city, even though he’d already had the men and the strategy drafted to do so, before he’d killed King Gareth. <br>
<br>
<br>
“The <i>people</i> can think that and worse of you your majesty. The <i>people</i>, Lords and commoners alike, are stupid and prideful. You should know this as King your majesty.” He shifted his stance, “It doesn’t matter what <i>I</i> think. I am just one amongst an entire country. One who was <i>for</i> this treaty need I remind everyone.” Cromwell added, before he was dragged and quartered for his impertinence. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Vee,” Emerson warned, recognizing the anger in his friend’s voice and concerned it might boil over. He wanted the King to be suspicious of Cromwell, yes, not punch him in front of their shared men. “He’s only being honest with you- And he has a point. We all know this marriage is not… Popular, among either country. We’ve discussed the possibility of sabotage.”<br>
<br>
<br>
They had, at length- Even before the attack, they’d drawn up a list of nobility on either side who might prefer to see Meera dead rather than Queen of Beleth.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Your Queen Regent concern’s for her daughter are not without cause,” Avery admitted. “But they are concerns I share, and I will not have you insinuate that I am the cause. I gave the Princess Grace clear instructions on what she should do, should I return without Queen Meera,” he revealed. “Have me imprisoned for treason, and send me to Delphi in chains to endure whatever punishment will prevent further war.”<br>
<br>
<br>
He did what? Cromwell tilted his head, eyes narrowing. “Pardon?” <br>
<br>
<br>
Of all the thrice damned stupid things he’d heard, this one was terrifyingly new. Cromwell could say or think what he will about the King of Beleth but he had just succeeded in doing something eerily similar to what had happened on the battlefield not so long ago. He’d surprised him. He recalled in the war room pouring over <br>
<br>
maps being frustrated at his ability to blindside them.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I believe there was a bit more detail to it than that,” Emerson corrected. “And the Princess insisted she would like to at least attempt to find the true perpetrators before allowing anyone to execute you,” he added tightly. “And there may also have been something about, oh, I don’t know, not discussing this with others or within earshot of others?”<br>
<br>
<br>
If anything happened to Meera, the blame had to go to someone. And quickly, before the war started again, even bloodier than last time. It was all very just and noble for Avery to be willing to accept that blame- Except of course, it put an easy target on his back.<br>
<br>
<br>
If Cromwell’s hatred for Beleth was stronger than his love for Meera, he might knife the young queen and provided he didn’t do it too obviously, Avery would shoulder the guilt. And not shoulder his head for much longer after that, presumably. Depending on how reasonable Queen Regent Agora was feeling and how confidently the new Queen Grace would be able to negotiate with her, he might not even have to do it subtly. Avery had made clear to both Grace and Roysa that if Agora wanted his life in exchange for her daughter’s, they were to give it.<br>
<br>
<br>
“You do realize telling me this is dangerous do you not? They call me all sorts of things in Theren, most of them having to do with making and breaking men high and low using their own secrets against them. I could use this to put Theren at an advantage again.” Cromwell told Avery, carefully, incredulously, his voice lowering.<br>
<br>
<br>
Emerson looked pointedly at Avery. The ‘I told you so’ could have applied equally to ‘Cromwell shouldn’t be trusted’ or to ‘Don’t tell people this’, but Avery ignored it either way, staring down Cromwell instead. He had made a mistake, he knew, admitting that in his anger- But if it was truly the mistake Emerson thought it to be, he doubted Cromwell would be agreeing.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Lord Emerson is correct, it was very disadvantageous to tell me this.” He straightened, realizing he was leaning in, “Moreover it implicates me now should anything go wrong. Especially since there are two of you and one of me.” He stared at Emerson now, eyebrow arched. His own head was a small concern according to the scale of what could happen but this all just became impossibly more messy. <br>
<br>
<br>
He fiddled with his cuffs, thinking.<br>
<br>
<br>
“All the more reason to keep moving,” Emerson hissed. “And get to Redhill before sundown.”<br>
<br>
<br>
Cromwell grunted, giving a displeased nod.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Agreed,” Avery said. “Get the men formed up again,” he instructed. “Have anything that might be of value put in a chest for the boy, and use the canvas off the supply wagon to wrap the bodies. We’ll leave the rest for the men stationed at the fort to deal with.”<br>
<br>
<br>
Wild animals might come before the local patrol did, and the lack of clouds in the sky indicated the wagon wouldn’t need the canvas tarp to protect its contents from rainfall.</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/5b1829cd947d0fdfde9ed637632b15d5/tumblr_ohgjahmHdm1thvu4co1_250.png');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle | Interacting with: Alexander &amp; Captain Vee &amp; Princess Grace </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Meera had finished wrapping the boy’s neck up, careful not to secure anything too tightly, and learned his name as Alexander by the time the Captain came back and did what he had promised while the men worked outside. They didn’t have very long before they were on the move again, but it was enough to further endear both the Captain and Alexander to her. That shared moment of kindness had been more interaction than she’d had in a while, and did more to lift her mood and strengthen her resolve than any brooding she had done in the meantime. She actually had to keep from laughing when she informed him that she had lead Alexander to believe he was a wizard. Meera was going to miss the Captain’s company when the journey finally ended, she realized. She made sure to thank him again, as much with her eyes as with her words as she could, before he left to mount his horse. <br>
<br>
If her husband to be was half as kind as the Captain he sent to retrieve her, she did not think things would be too bad.<br>
<br>
Alexander fell asleep, resting his head on her lap, for most of the remainder of the trip. When he was awake and ate something she learned further that he had no other relatives, it was just his mother and father and him. He’d had an older brother, but he never came back from the war. Exhaustion hit the poor boy hard, she didn’t know how long he’d been hiding, or if he’d slept in the meantime, but something told her he hadn’t at all. And when they arrived she had to arouse him.<br>
<br>
“We’re here Alexander, at the Castle at Redhill.” She explained, combing through his hair with her fingers.<br>
<br>
“The castle? What am I going to doing here?” Alexander startled at that, looking out the window worriedly.<br>
<br>
“Oh no it’s ok Alexander, listen.” She pulled him back, “Don’t frighten yourself, I am sent here to marry the King. You know what that means don’t you?” Her words did not appear to clarify as much as she had hoped they would. In fact he seemed more confused than ever.<br>
<br>
“It means that I am going to be Queen of Beleth. And as Queen I have the means to see to it that you’re well looked after. You’ll stay here at the castle with me and we will see how best to do that alright?” She explained.<br>
<br>
“So… I’m not going back? I don’t have to make my own dinner?” Alexander asked, the implication of this, Meera took, was that he didn’t have to figure out a way to look after himself.<br>
<br>
“Nope, you’ll eat big ol’ dinners made by the palace cook.” She winked.<br>
<br>
“But, what will happen to the farm?” Alexander made a funny face, feeling guilty about not looking after his home properly as he’d been brought up to do.<br>
“It will be there for you, but first you have to grow up to manage it don’t you? You’re still very little the wolves will get to you if we leave you alone on a big ol’ farm.” Meera pointed out.<br>
<br>
Alexander huffed out an amused sound, “The farm isn’t big, but the wolves are.” He leaned on her side. “How come you aren’t fat and ugly?” He mused, bringing up the things he’d heard his parents say about the new Queen, he knew enough to know of nobles but not enough to know anything about appropriate etiquette.<br>
<br>
“What?” Meera had time to ask before the carriage doors swung open.<br>
<br>
Avery had to stifle his laughter as he helped Meera and Alexander out of the carriage.<br>
<br>
“I’m not sure that is a polite question to ask a lady, young sir,” Avery advised the young boy as he lifted him down to the cobbled pavement. “Perhaps Lord Emerson can explain further- He will make sure you get a hot meal and a nice comfortable bed to sleep in, and tomorrow you and the Queen can talk more about your future, all right?”<br>
<br>
He might have said more, but one of the women standing up on the steps had decided she was not in a mood to wait, and had come running down to greet them, shrieking slightly as her dark hair flew behind her. <br>
<br>
“Queen Meera! Oh, praise the gods,” Grace exclaimed- She nearly went in for a hug but thought better of it at the last minute, and instead grasped Meera’s hands in hers and and clung to them enthusiastically. “We heard about what happened, we were all so terribly worried! But I’m so glad you’re finally here! And you,” she said accusatorily, in the captain’s direction though her face was split in a grin, “Oh, bless you, Vee! Thank you for making sure she was safe, I was going to be ever so angry with you otherwise!”<br>
<br>
Grace let go of the Queen’s hand and threw her arms around the Captain, impeding his progress up the stairs and his unsubtle attempts to move the whole of the party inside. He seemed a tad irritated, but mostly fond when he chastised, “Princess, please.”<br>
<br>
Meera was handing Alexander off to Emerson when she suddenly straightened wide eyed at the shrieking noble girl coming towards her. Highly unusual of the behavior of a lady if she was who Meera assumed she was but though they were the same height the Princess seemed rather young, younger even than Lady Mercy. Meera was sure of it, she must be the Princess Graceling.<br>
<br>
“Thank you your grace.” Meera returned her smile widely, meeting her was like getting the wind knocked out of you but it was not at all unwelcome or unpleasant. It was leagues above what she had expected in fact, that the King’s sister might hate her and not give her a chance. It seemed that wasn’t going to be a problem at all.<br>
<br>
<br>
Grace released Avery, and he bowed slightly to the other women at the top of the steps. <br>
<br>
“Please excuse me ladies, I’m afraid the unfortunate events of the road must occupy my time at present,” he told them. He certainly had a mess of work to do. “Your Majesty,” he addressed Meera. “I trust your ladies and the Princess Grace can show you to your temporary accommodations and see you are ready for a private dinner-”<br>
<br>
“Dinner with Aunt Roysa has been cancelled,” Grace interrupted.  “Meeting with Roysa can often be a tiring affair,” she told Meera in an aside, though not so quietly that the comment was private. None of the Beleth men seemed to find her frankness unusual. “So I’ve postponed it until tomorrow- We can have our evening meal in my rooms, if you like, once you’re settled!” <br>
<br>
Meera restrained herself from saying anything to the tune of ‘oh my’ or ‘goodness’ when the Princess embraced the Captain. In fact it confused her quite a bit. The Princess embracing a Captain? Right where everyone can see? She looked around, slightly embarrassed for the Princess’s reputation. Too shell shocked from the sudden greeting and subsequent action to really do anything besides be led, Meera remembered to look over her shoulder to find Alexander, but he was already gone. <br>
<br>
Why in the world was the Captain telling them things that, by all accounts, were not really his concern? If anyone should announce such things it would probably be Lord Emerson wouldn’t it? But Meera chocked that up to a difference in how Beleth operated. There was much she did not understand. That did not stop her from eyeing the Captain uncertainly of course. What had the Princess asked? Oh ancestors help her dinner of course.<br>
<br>
Grace looked excited by the prospect, but then added, “Though of course, do not feel obligated- You have had a long and hard journey, food can just be sent to your suite directly. If you would prefer.” <br>
<br>
“On the contrary Princess, I would consider it an honor to dine with you, but more importantly I would consider it a pleasure.” Meera gave a dazzling smile, meaning it. She wanted to take the opportunity to meet the Princess now, and if it was alone all the better. Lady Roysa, from what she knew of her, was more likely someone to contend with than to become an ally. And Meera needed every ally she could get. It was just her luck that the Princess was also so very pleasant.<br>
<br>
Grace beamed at her. “I should let you catch up with your ladies, and get settled! But just send word once you are hungry- Or perhaps 10 minutes prior- and I shall be ready to receive you,” she said as they entered the hall. It was not the front hall through which guests might come and go and was not as grand, but it was for use by the permanent residents of the court to come and go without traveling into the city, and the two story chamber was paneled with brightly polished stone and dark wood.<br>
<br>
Avery was going to say something, but he wasn’t sure what- That she should enjoy her stay? How utterly stupid.<br>
<br>
But instead he let her ladies come between himself and Meera, their long skirts and elegant figures presenting a barrier more tangible than any mountain range, and held his tongue. He hadn’t been lying, when he said he had work to do. He supposed he ought to go do it.<br>
<br>
As if hearing his thoughts, the three elegant ladies turned their heads to glance back at him, each of them raising a brow, before turning forward. What was said with that look, seemed to confirm that he should go make himself busy.<br>
<br>
</span></div><div style="text-align:right;font:Karla;font-size:0.5em;letter-spacing:0.3em;opacity:0.6;"><!--DO NOT REMOVE-->code by Ri.a</div></div></div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/4b3400957b6d1312c4ab4b41bd3f26da/tumblr_ohgjahmHdm1thvu4co2_250.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle | Interacting with: Princess Grace &amp; The Ladies in Waiting </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">They made small talk until they reached her room, “Are these… the Queen’s chambers?” Meera asked carefully, not wanting to offend, but frankly it was obvious to her that these rooms could hardly be considered a Queen’s rooms. Everything about this castle was so dark, in stark contrast to the white castle of Delphi, who seemed to soak up the light. Her own rooms would be as darkly colored most likely.<br>
<br>
“For now, I’m afraid so,” Grace admitted shamefully. “They aren’t quite finished on remodeling the new chambers for the royal couple, and the rooms that are being converted were the guest rooms in which we would usually accommodate someone of your status. I apologize,” she told Meera. “But it’s only for a few days- You’ll stay in the marriage suite after the wedding of course, and they should be done with the new royal apartments by then.”  Her tone implied that men would lose their jobs- and possibly their heads - if that was not the case.<br>
<br>
“It is cozy your grace, <i>far</i> cozier than sleeping in a carriage I can tell you that. Though the fire was warm and the company pleasant, Lord Emerson and even the Captain kept me good company. I learned a new Belethan dance or two.” Meera smiled and directed the conversation elsewhere. Her room was indeed far better than a carriage and nothing to complain about if she is only staying there for a couple of days. She wanted to inquire as to why new rooms are being converted for the King and herself but she felt that was a question best left for her own ladies.<br>
<br>
“I got to ride until we crossed the border, and then became confined unfortunately, so I didn’t get to see as much of Beleth as I might have liked, but there’s time for that I suppose. The Captain was very insistent after all.” She motioned for them to sit over where there were cushions. They were big, fluffy ones from Theren. Her ladies had set up her room here where they could it seemed.<br>
<br>
“He can be a bit overbearing in his protection at times,” Grace admitted with an eyeroll. “But I’m glad you are safe, and that you didn’t allow his caution to sour your opinion of him too badly,” she noted, pleased that Meera spoke somewhat positively of Avery. She’d been so sure he’d make a complete ass of himself. “Vee can still be so terribly awkward at times, I’m awfully glad to hear you found him good company!”<br>
<br>
Meera was again confused as to why it was terribly important that she found him good company, why the Princess should be concerned with that specifically. Perhaps he was being assigned to her personal guard? In that case it would make more sense perhaps, but before she could ask anything Lady Nyme interjected.<br>
<br>
“By the way, they haven’t let us move anything in there or even see the rooms, which is annoying considering that is what we came here ahead of time to do in the first place.” Lady Nyme complained loudly pouting. “Specifically Lady Roysa, she stops us at every attempt as if it were her personal mission to keep us away. You probably won’t like <i>her</i> company very much. Not many do.”<br>
<br>
Grace gave no sign that she agreed nor disagreed with the criticism of her aunt- In face she acted as though she had simply not heard it at all, though she had been a moment before been nodding in agreement with Nyme’s frustration at not being allowed into the rooms. She was used to people finding Roysa abrasive, and she could not entirely fault them for it.<br>
<br>
“It is a strike of fortune that we came ahead of time, perhaps. Considering what happened…” Lady Veora moved up to her right side, to get a better view of her shoulder. “They cut you? They didn’t tell us you were hurt.” Her long fingers elegantly hovered over her stitches.<br>
<br>
“Were you in the carriage during the attack?! How did they get you.” Lady Mercy exclaimed.<br>
<br>
Meera’s mouth popped open and shut again a few times, feeling for some reason that it was difficult to speak up about what had happened.<br>
<br>
“Oh, how awful,” Grace exclaimed, equally horrified to see the Queen’s injury. “I will let one of our physicians know they should come check on you at your earliest convenience and ensure it continues to heal properly,” she declared. <br>
<br>
“Oh, I must excuse myself, forgive me,” she said, realizing she had yet to take a seat with the other ladies and remembering that had been intentional on her part- She had things to attend to before dinner, and also Roysa had chastised her for not giving the Theren ladies much space. <br>
<br>
“Do not hesitate to ask for anything that you and your ladies cannot find,” she said, though she thought the ladies in question would likely be fine. They were fast learners, and made Grace wish that Beleth nobility had similar counterparts.  <br>
<br>
“I look forward to seeing you again soon,” Grace told her future sister in law with a smile, taking the older woman’s hands in her own again and squeezing tightly before bowing her head and exiting the suite. <br>
<br>
Meera squeezed her hands back, the ladies all chirping their goodbyes, she was pleased to see that they all seemed to get along well. They all held their breath a moment until she was truly gone.<br>
<br>
“I like the Princess, a bit annoying, but so is Mercy and I like her now just fine.” Nyme teased, Mercy’s leg shot out to kick her skirts lightly.<br>
<br>
“Oh <i>you’re</i> annoying come here.” Meera looped one arm around Lady Veora and held her other open to hug her ladies properly. They popped up and hugged like their lives depended on it. As used to court manners as they all were they were grateful to let those slip away when in each other’s company. <br>
<br>
“I really am grateful that you were not with me. Truly, I don’t know what I would have done if any of you got hurt because of me… Reya is dead. A few men. It was awful I could barely…” Meera began once they all let go.<br>
<br>
“They killed Reya? Bastards.” <br>
<br>
“Mercy, language.” Veora corrected.<br>
<br>
“Sorry, those BLOODY bastards. Reya was such a good natured mare she didn’t deserve to be killed by awful traitors like that.” Mercy fumed.<br>
<br>
“Didn’t you have your sword with you?” Nyme asked carefully. “Did you have to…”<br>
<br>
“No, I didn’t… I chose not to because I was determined to say goodbye to the people without anything intimidating getting in the way. But… maybe that was foolish but I tell you Nyme that wouldn’t have helped me. It’s different than in the courtyard it’s… it’s different.” Meera tried to explain, not wanting to scandalize her ladies with the gorey truth. She felt strange now having experienced something they hadn’t, like her eyes were opened to an awful truth. One she wanted to protect them from.<br>
<br>
“Naturally, it would be. None of us has ever been on a battlefield before how could we possibly imagine. It’s all fun and games in the courtyard but real battle is going to be much dirtier and gruesome. Remember the fields we traveled past? Imagine that but filled with dead men.” Veora said, and perhaps Meera had not given her enough credit, of course Veora in all her thoughtful wisdom would understand better.<br>
<br>
“That’s really dark.” Mercy mentioned as they grew quiet.<br>
<br>
“Lovely way to kill the mood sister.” Nyme jokes, rewarded with some uneasy laughter.<br>
<br>
“Enough of that let us not talk of that anymore, it happened and it was gruesome and I still live. Happy that we are all well. Now; about the court.” Meera straightened her skirts, eyeing them all.<br>
<br>
“Lords and Ladies have arrived in droves. Since we couldn’t fix your rooms for you we decided instead to divide the court and begin making acquaintances.” Veora began.<br>
<br>
“We focused on Ladies, heads of houses, the men don’t seem too eager to hold a grudge against us mere Ladies in waiting, especially once we get them talking. But the Ladies are more difficult to win over. Except for my sister apparently.” Nyme winked.<br>
<br>
“That isn’t even true.” Veora countered quickly.<br>
<br>
“I don’t know Veora I think some of them really like you, you seem to draw ladies to you. I’ve told you that before haven’t I?” Mercy mentioned.<br>
<br>
“That’s because our Veora is as elegant as they come.” Meera made a kissy face at her blushing lady and tweaked her chin.<br>
<br>
“And much too good for any man anyway.” Nyme agreed.<br>
<br>
“Sing my praises all night if you like but shouldn’t we move on to specifics?” Veora changed the subject. Uncomfortable with the attention.<br>
<br>
“Well there aren’t really are there? We’ve been here about a week, enough to memorize names and a few facts. None of us has been invited to dine with anyone yet.” Nyme slumped back.<br>
<br>
“I went into the city, had to snag a maid’s dress for that but I explored-” <br>
<br>
“By yourself Mercy?! That’s dangerous this isn’t Delphi.” Meera exclaimed.<br>
<br>
“We told her that when she got back believe me.” Veora’s voice lowered.<br>
<br>
“I told Veora we should tan her hide for running off like that.” <br>
<br>
“Before everyone lobs my head off perhaps we can all recall that I am not a child anymore and that I am excellent and talented and clever and-” Mercy defended herself, gesturing wildly.<br>
<br>
“And in a country that you don’t know, in a city you’ve never been in before and without concerned guards we can trust to go look for you if anything should happen.” Meera interrupted her.<br>
<br>
“Yes well, I did find out that the merchants are all very excited at the prospect of opening trade to the south with Theren. So there.” She fired back.<br>
<br>
“The merchants… hm.” Meera smiled. “That is a good find. You are not under any circumstances going alone ever again but, that was excellent work.”<br>
<br>
“And there are many temples and gods here that you could pay homage to. People would like that I think.” Mercy added.<br>
<br>
“Yes the Captain told me of a few of them, we should all make a visit soon. The trouble will be in choosing which one.” Meera mused.<br>
<br>
“The Great Goddess, you have to go to her first, and we have to make an offering. She is the main one, apparently it would be improper to honor other without honoring her first.” Mercy explained, before grabbing her stomach, which made a noise they could all hear. “Oh spirits I’m going to die of hunger.”<br>
<br>
“No dying, I need all of you. Thank you all for your efforts, inform me as soon as any of you is formally invited to dine with anyone. Continue to be my eyes and ears, I should like a description of the heads of houses tomorrow. For now, order some food to be brought here while I freshen up for the Princess, and send word that I’ll be arriving in an hour’s time to meet her for dinner. That physician should be here soon too.” Meera got up.<br>
<br>
“We’re staying here tonight?” Mercy asked.<br>
<br>
“Of course we are, Lord Blackbird protected her honor on the trip, it is up to us to continue to do so before the wedding.” Veora explained while she helped her up off of the cushions.<br>
<br>
“Tomorrow we shall meet with Lord Blackbird to discuss strategy, you all might be sent into the city in the evening.” Meera mentioned as she began brushing her hair. Veora coming over to take over and braid it back in some elegant fashion.<br>
<br>
“Imagine his surprise when I tell him I already know the city like the back of my hand.” Mercy bragged, exaggerating heavily.<br>
<br>
“See if he doesn’t yell at you for doing such a bullheaded thing too.” Nyme scoffed, earned chuckles from everyone but an offended Mercy.<br>
<br>
"I'll just order food I like and damn the rest of you see how you like that." She threatened.<br>
<br>
</span></div><div style="text-align:right;font:Karla;font-size:0.5em;letter-spacing:0.3em;opacity:0.6;"><!--DO NOT REMOVE-->code by Ri.a</div></div></div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper">“And this is just the least of it, just one example,” Lady Roysa explained angrily, showing her nephew the plaster molding she had brought to his room, painted white with gold gilding along its raised edges. “The whole thing was a disaster!”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
As far as Avery could tell, the piece looked fine. Except for the fact that it wasn’t currently in place along the upper wall of his future wife’s public sitting room.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
He stared blankly between the and his aunt, waiting on an explanation, as one of his manservants, Maxwell, helped him into clothes more suited for life at the castle instead of on the road.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Oh, for the- It’s shoddy workmanship, Averett,” she told him, pointing with emphasis. “The edges are undefined, the gilding has been applied sloppily- One of your bannermen could have done better drunk off his ass, and at least he would have actually been trying! I realize you are not exactly an artisan, but even you would have been able to note the difference between your rooms and the queen’s, trust me.”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Then make the inferior rooms mine,” Avery said, the suggestion seeming obvious to him. “I hardly care what they look like!”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
If Roysa had seemed disappointed in him previously, she now looked appalled at his stupidity.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Maxwell,” she said impatiently. “How many clothes does His Majesty have?”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“A great many,” Maxwell replied evenly. “But not nearly as many as Her Majesty will have,” he added, aware of the answer Lady Roysa wanted. “Her dressing chambers will also house the wardrobe of the children, until they are moved out of the nursery, and so is larger for that reason as well.”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“The nursery which is connected to both her dressing chambers and her private sitting room,” Roysa continued.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Her rooms are specifically for her beyond just the decor, you cannot swap them, I understand,” Avery tried to abort the lecture.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“And moreover, what would be the point of having Theren design elements in your rooms, as you ‘hardly care what they look like’, as you have so tactfully pointed out-”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“That is not what I meant and you know it,” he corrected his aunt, and she pursed her lips. He appreciated the effort and oversight she put into things he would have no understanding of, and hadn’t meant to belittle her.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
She huffed slightly, but softened.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“I have been frustrated,” she admitted. “And quite worried,” she added, reaching up to place her palm along her nephew’s cheek. “And it will be some time, before I forgive you for scaring an old woman the way you have, just this last week alone.”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Understandable,” Avery allowed with a small smile, patting his aunt’s hand before she dropped it and resumed the more severe expression associated with presence. “And how much time will it be before the royal apartments are forgiven- Or at least, ready to be occupied?”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“A few days after the wedding, I think-”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Days after? We can’t move her back into some subpar guest suite once she’s queen, that would be insulting-”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Nonsense, she can stay in the marriage suite while we put on the finishing details-”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“No she can’t,” Avery corrected, like his aunt was now the one who wasn’t thinking things through. “If she’s in the marriage suite then I have to be too-”  <br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
Roysa turned a withering stare on him, and he balked.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“That is the general point of a marriage suite, yes,” she pointed out.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“A night and a day! That’s what I agreed to, that is what is traditional,” Avery protested, though it was true that some couples spent much longer in their marriage suite. There were not to be disturbed except by fresh food and little else until they emerged together, and many newlyweds took advantage of the chance to be sequestered for a variety of reasons. “I’m not locking her in there with me for a week like-”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Like you’re a recently wed couple who might like to enjoy each other’s company? Gods forbid that,” Roysa said dryly. “We could stand for a little speculation, that you can’t keep your hands off each other. We could also stand for it to be more than speculation,” she added somewhat crassly, and Avery flushed red.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
Avery might have thought his aunt had arranged this all to her likely to exactly this effect, except he knew her better- Roysa liked having a plan, and hated having it go awry. The plan was for the apartments to have been ready before Meera arrived so she could move directly in and get settle while Avery still lived in another wing, and Roysa would have been horrified to have had to alter that plan. Especially if it meant putting the future queen in relatively simple rooms, the more elaborate guest suites already gone to the nobility who’d arrived early in the week.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“I only wish I had caught it earlier,” Roysa sighed. “If I had been more careful in my oversight, we might have saved a lot of trouble- As it is, we are scaling down on the Theren decorative elements. I trust this new team more,” she allowed, and she was right to- The artisans who’d perfected the king’s rooms and been careless with the queen’s were unlikely to practice their chosen profession in Beleth ever again, whereas the men most recently hired had been promised future jobs at the castle if they performed to expectation. “But with the time and their unfamiliarity with some of the techniques, I’m afraid my original vision won’t be possible.”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Well, just get it done as quickly as it can be,” Avery conceded, and then added, “Without sacrificing quality, of course!,” before Roysa could chastise him.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Her ladies have been bleating at my skirts about it like a herd of goats, do not suppose I am unaware of the grief this has caused,” his aunt said. “They have raised as much stink about it as can be done politely, though I think they should like to do more.”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“You told them you fired the original crew?,” he asked in surprise. It was unlike his aunt to admit to anything going wrong, much less explaining it.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Of course not! I won’t have them knowing,” she warned him. “The disrespect on the part of the artisans was monumental, and it reflects poorly on us as well.” <br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
Avery shrugged, knowing better than to argue on this. <br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“Maxwell, could have dinner brought for my aunt and myself,” he prompted the servant. He’d had her summoned to find out why the royal apartments hadn’t been finished, but he knew they had enough to discuss to fill a meal, but his aunt shook her head. <br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“You’ve accepted an invitation to dine with Duke YetUnnamed and his family and some of their friends- Oh, don’t ‘tsk’ at me, the man could prove to be a very useful ally and he so rarely comes to court, we must take advantage of the opportunity! Turn, please,” she asked, and Avery turned his back to his aunt, crouching as he went. He’d been taller than her for years and years now, so it was habit at this point.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
His hair was still a bit damp from the cleaning Maxwell had given it earlier but not much, and Roysa combed her fingers through it a few times before braiding it neatly and tying it off with a short gold ribbon. She dropped a kiss to the top of his head- or really, several inches in the air above it- and he stood up again.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
“I am very glad to have you home, Avery,” she told him with the slightest hint of a smile. “Now do get going- The Duke is expecting you in the Maple Dining Hall before the end of the hour.”<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
Avery swore, throwing on his jacket as he hurried out the door, his attendant and the guards who’d been waiting just outside quickly falling into his wake.</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>Location: Redhill Castle<br>
Interacting: Queen Meera, Captain Davita &amp; Queensguard members</b><br>
<br>
The castle at Redhill had an abundance of many things, and one of those things was guards- The royal guard in particular, dominated the halls with their short black tunics over their outfits, a golden and white cross meeting over their chest. In addition to their general force, they had more specific divisions- The Redhill palace guard, for instance, which stayed at the castle even when the royal family did not. The family guard, which had as many sub units as there were members of the family to be protected, and whose coordinated approval was needed for all joint adventures outside the walls of Redhill. And of course, the Kingsguard and the Queensguard.<br>
<br>
<br>
The Kingsguard also work black tunics, though they had only one diagonal band in gold, running from their left shoulder to their right hip. The Queensguard tunics were similar, but with a white band running the opposite direction- And far less frequently used in recent years.<br>
<br>
<br>
The group that had escorted the Princess, Meera and her ladies to the guest suite had been compromised of 6 guards in a variety of uniforms, though Grace’s guards had left with her. But the four who had been in the suite’s guardroom when the ladies had passed through it into their chambers were not the ones waiting there when the exited.<br>
<br>
<br>
Instead there seven, and all of them wore the white band from the right shoulder, and stood crisply at attention when Meera entered.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Your Highness,” said the woman in the center of them, and all seven bowed in unison.<br>
<br>
<br>
The woman who’d spoken was tall, with skin as dark as Avery or Grace’s but in a different tone. She had glossy black hair, pulled atop her head in a bun. She was clearly in charge based on the way she held herself and in the way she was decorated, with golden ribbons pinned on her breast. Another man had one pin, but none of the others.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I am Davita Peirse,” she announced. “And I am to be Captain of your Queensguard until such a time as you release me from my oath. This is one of your lieutenants,” she said, gesturing at the man with the single ribbon. “My men and I are committed to your service and protection, which may also extend to any of your ladies, attendants, and servants,” she continued, though there was at least one other woman in the group. It was perhaps a coincidence that she looked in Mercy’s direction when she mentioned Meera’s ladies.<br>
<br>
<br>
Who had the personal wherewithal to at least divert her eyes to the ground, even if she did not look contrite.<br>
<br>
<br>
“My deepest apologies that I was not available to greet you upon your arrival, as I was in a meeting regarding security arrangements for your wedding. I have also been occupied with selecting guards for your unit, as it is not yet complete,” Davita admitted. “With Your Highness’s allowance, I would like to speak with the guards of Theren who have arrived with you so that I might offer them positions with the Queensguard.”<br>
<br>
<br>
Despite her speech, Davita did not seem to be a woman of many words- It seemed rehearsed, as though she had practiced what she might say. She had come to a point, though, where she could either finish talking or carry on, and she had still not decided which she would do even when she had bowed to Meera.<br>
<br>
<br>
She took a deep breath and continued.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I am unfamiliar with the relationship between guards and their charges in Theren,” Davita said hesitantly. “But your Queensguard is a physical protection- We are like a locked door, or an armored breastplate. You do not need to learn our names,” she told Meera. “Or concern yourself with our scheduling.”<br>
<br>
<br>
That was all Davita’s job.<br>
<br>
<br>
“And like a door or a breastplate, what you do and what you say is of little concern to us,” she said, which was the point she had wanted to make. If Meera wished to badmouth Beleth or the King, the Queensguard would not repeat it. If Meera took a lover, they would not report it. Unless she compromised her safety or that of the castle and its occupants, the members of the Queensguard would say nothing of what passed while they were on shift.<br>
<br>
<br>
If they did, Davita would have them released from their oaths, and publicly flogged. At minimum.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Thank you Captain Davita, may I call you by your first name? It’s a particularly pretty one, it’d be a shame not to use it.” Meera held her hands loosely in front of her while being presented her official guard. Patient with the speech until the Captain was fully finished.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Davita replied. <br>
<br>
<br>
“If you are all anything like the soldiers of Beleth I have already met then I am confident that you both mean what you say and will do your duty with pride. I accept your service and will endeavour to make your job as easy as I can. My Lord Cromwell will speak with you regarding the men brought with us from Theren, I have no objections and I am sure neither will he.” Although not precisely expecting this right now, she did know that eventually some sort of guard would be presented to her, and in contrast to the Captain her own words seemed to flow rather easily.</div>
				
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				<center>Roleplay Availability</center>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>Location: Redhill Castle<br>
Interacting: Queen Meera, Princess Grace</b><br>
<br>
Meera was led through the palace halls by her guard, attempting to make note of the winding halls in order to learn the layout. It had been quite a number of years since she’d had to learn the layout of a new palace, comfortable with knowing Delphi’s castle intimately. She’d chosen a shawl to wear, as it was cold and she was beginning to realize that her wardrobe was most likely not going to be sufficient here. As much as she loved the feel of silk it did little to guard someone from chill. <br>
<br>
<br>
She told herself that this was fine, that a change of wardrobe was expected of her, but the more she thought of it the more she found herself forlorn. Her home was gone, Reya was gone, and now her clothes would be too. Perhaps modifications could be made or her clothes could be repurposed or any number of alternatives. There was a purple dress in particular that she would be loathe to give up, another in blue yet another in gold that she would probably keep. Perhaps to wear in summertime. Or perhaps she was being too hasty altogether, she’d keep her clothes out of spite if she became miserable and hopeless. So that was an option. Though not one she should be entertaining while on her way to meet the Princess for dinner.<br>
<br>
<br>
She shouldn’t be entertaining failure when she had to nurture an alliance, and ancestors help her, produce heirs. Unless thing were going to get particularly ugly she had to come to terms with seducing a King, even if only temporarily. She knew how to seduce, and she knew how to do it well. Meera wasn’t under any impression that she was not attractive, accustomed to praises of the opposite effect actually, and had not actually ever been told no. Perhaps once, or maybe twice, but that was when she was very young and flirting with boys too young to know how to tangle in the sheets anyhow. Her Theren dresses in contrast to Belethan ones would help her a great deal in her endeavors to that end at least. How complicated could this King be anyhow?<br>
<br>
<br>
Grace’s apartments were relatively small- The guardroom, a public sitting room, her more private study, her bathing and dressing chamber, and her bedroom. But her sitting room was quite large and splendid with a private terrace overlooking the city, and the room was big enough for low tables to be set next to the couches and loaded with food and amphoras of watered wine. Her walls were panels of light wood with minimal carving, set in with shelves at frequent intervals. Which Meera admired, as it was in contrast to the dark surroundings she’d seen in the castle thus far.<br>
<br>
<br>
She had filled the space of the walls with beautiful tapestries and canvases from artisans she patroned, and the shelves with all manner of things. A few books, of course- Classic poetry and plays that she had been fond of as a child, enough so that she had gotten her own copies. These days she read much less, especially for pleasure, and she had only two tomes borrowed from the castle’s enormous library, both of which were lying under scrolls in her study. <br>
<br>
<br>
To make up for the lack of books, there were vases of fresh flowers and vases of dried flowers, carved wooden horses and cats of all sizes and shapes, smooth stones and shells she’d found at low tide, unusual trinkets from across Beleth and the region that loved ones had brought her from travels, and small sketches and paintings of a more amateur nature compared to the art on the walls. It was a bit eclectic, but not so distracting as to be overwhelming. <br>
<br>
Her windows overlooked the city below, and in one windowsill was a sleek gray cat, napping peacefully opposite the crudest of the wooden horses in the room.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Come in, come in! Do make yourself comfortable,” Grace told Meera and her retinue. “Would you care for some wine?”<br>
<br>
<br>
“I would be delighted.” Meera looked around the room as she approached Princess Grace, holding out her hands to squeeze her’s affectionately. “Your rooms are quite beautiful if I do say so myself, you’re a fan of the arts I noticed? Ah, that one in particular is… are those?” Meera began to comment on her room’s decoration when she focused on the wooden figures.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Wooden horses?” She felt her heart freeze as she said it, looking at the herd of crafted steeds dotting her room, “That’s... such a coincidence, Captain Vee told me he carved wooden horses for his younger sister. He showed me one he was working on while on the road.” Meera felt the bitter hollowness of her own words as she said them, any semblance of a smile beginning to fall from her face as she said it.<br>
<br>
<br>
The Princess Grace hugging him so familiarly, the closeness of him to their party once they reached the castle, even the way Lord Cromwell listened to him without question during their trip. His manners, his eloquence of speaking, his words, his command. She’d written all of that off in favor of trusting what she had been told, and moreover trusting that her Chancellor knew what was going on and would have informed her if there was deceit at play. She had written all of the suspicious queues off so easily. <br>
<br>
<br>
She had opened up to him! Shared with him her anxieties and fears at one point. It all clicked in place in her mind without confirmation from the Princess, but Meera needed that confirmation nonetheless. She looked to the young girl’s face, searching for it there.<br>
<br>
<br>
Grace was pouring cups of wine for them and had been facing away- Perhaps she hadn’t heard exactly what Meera had said, but she certainly didn’t seem to find it odd. She chuckled lightly.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Another one? I must have told him a dozen times, I’m not exactly his baby sister anymore- I’ve no more use for them as toys, and I’m running out of space for them as decoration,” she laughed. <br>
<br>
<br>
Meera straightened and nodded, sucking in air from her nose and calming herself down, suddenly very grateful to be drinking wine soon.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I think Ave’y just does it out of habit, to give himself something to do while he’s on the road,” she allowed, passing the a cup to Meera. Tutors had eventually corrected her tendency to leave out her ‘R’ sounds and she could enunciate beautifully when speaking in front of the courtiers, but she still swallowed it a bit on her brother’s nickname, revealing where the further derivative ‘Vee’ had come from. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Aunt Roysa nearly fainted in anger, when he informed her he would be leading the guard unit responsible for your journey,” she admitted with an amused huff. “I’ll confess I wasn’t too pleased on the idea either, but I didn’t waste my breath arguing- Avery takes his times with his decisions, but once it’s made he’s almost impossible to budge. His stubbornness can be endearing, but it can also be very annoying,” she advised her future sister in law. The budget for freshly cut flowers being one example.<br>
<br>
<br>
<i>’Yes…’</i> Meera thought to herself, that certainly checked out in consistency.<br>
<br>
<br>
“But I suppose in this case it worked out for the best,” Grace continued with a hand wave, still oblivious to any distressing realizations. “You’re safe, and the flower vendors got to speak with me, instead of being offended by the obvious disinterest of their king. And you got to speak with each other without the whole court breathing down your neck,” Grace smiled. “That must have been nice!”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Mm! Mhm, yes, our conversations were very… illuminating. Though to be sure my Lord Blackbird was certainly watching like a hawk. He does that. He notices things. A stickler for propriety.” Meera nodded thoughtfully, looking down at her now empty cup. “But I trust him. So… flower vendors? I <i>do</i> love flowers. Even if I did not want to marry I think I would consent just to drown in flowers as I walked.” She chuckled, changing the conversation sharply before she became angry, helping herself to more wine. <br>
<br>
<br>
Grace’s smile faltered for a second, but it resolved itself quickly enough, and she nodded in amusement in all the right places as Meera continued.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I take it then that it’s you that I have to thank for a beautiful wedding? All the better, men never seem have a good eye for ceremony. I went to a royal wedding in Ruhar once and the King had planned it, it was awfully gaudy. I think he thought he could substitute style with sheer gold.” Meera rolled her eyes comically, “Oh spirits I thought I was going to go blind from it, <i>but</i> the feast afterwards was rancorous so it hardly mattered. They sure do know how to have a feast in Ruhar, too well one could say. I should probably not tell you the specifics you’re much too young.” Meera shook her head and covered her mouth with her cup, figuring she’d said enough to warrant handing the conversation over.<br>
<br>
<br>
Tonight was going to be difficult.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I suspect my brother has enough of an eye to appreciate beauty, if he lets himself,” Grace said, somewhat knowingly. “But creating it is far beyond his patience! Here, let me show you some of the plans,” she said, spreading sheets of parchment across one of the low tables for them to peruse as they ate. There was everything from flower arrangements to menu plans to travel routes from the castle to the temple for the ceremony and back again for the feasting and celebrating.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I’ve spoken with your ladies to get their approval, and incorporate some traditions from Theren as well,” Grace explained. It wouldn’t do for the couple’s wedding to be viewed as illegitimate in the eyes of Theren’s people.<br>
<br>
<br>
“But if anything is truly not to your liking, we still have a bit of time to alter it,” Grace reassured her.<br>
<br>
<br>
Grateful to have something to focus of Meera peered over the plans. “How interesting, you get married in temples in Beleth? In the presence of Gods and Goddesses?” It was indeed different from marriage in Theren, which consisted of a ceremony done in each own’s respective home. For a royal that meant in the castle’s union hall. Nobles could also hold ceremony there but they weren’t expected to like members of the royal family were.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Any excuse to go to temple and have a feast,” Grace said with a smile. Among the populace, the gods and goddesses of Beleth were generally a matter of tradition and culture, rather than one of faith and firm beliefs. “Especially in smaller villages, the temple- or whatever they use as one- is the largest space for the community to gather. It was suggested that the ceremony be held here at the castle instead, with an alter instead of the full temple, but tradition won out. Especially for the royal family.”<br>
<br>
<br>
It was said that Belmys of legend had made the first unpayable debt to the Great Goddess, to defend her people and her land, and she had made him the first King of Beleth, from which all further monarchs were descended.<br>
<br>
<br>
“It seems to be different altogether in Beleth but I think that is to be expected and I do not anticipate there being much to do about that. Nor does it really matter, as my place is here now. We Princesses current and former must naturally come to expect to marry in a different way than our parents.” Something caught Meera’s eye and she pointed to it, panicking internally.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Ah there, I see what my ladies did, how clever, the ribbon binding.” Meera didn’t let it show but her heart was racing at this point. “You know I don’t think it really necessary, I appreciate what my ladies are trying to do but I don’t think the nobles are going to understand what the ribbon binding means. It’s unnecessary, we should remove it.” She said casually. “It is better for the people to see I am married the Belethan way. Proudly.”<br>
<br>
<br>
She didn’t fancy having her wrist tied to her lying husband all night. Being married in Beleth would at least prevent that, silver linings?<br>
<br>
<br>
Grace nodded in agreement and made a notation. “I had been a bit concerned about how you might eat and dance and such, so I suppose it is for the best.” Presumably the style of entertainment at Theren weddings accommodated for the hand-tying, but not so in Beleth.<br>
<br>
<br>
“To tell you the truth Princess Graceling, I am nervous. I’m not simply getting married to your… brother, I am being married to Beleth’s people. And right now I am confident that they all but despise me. Which I am unaccustomed to, in Theren I’ve been loved by my people since I was a small child. Here they see me as their enemy. I would like to do here what I’ve done in Beleth to improve the common people’s condition and ensure people prosper. But that can be difficult to do when the common person is against you.” Meera confessed, drawing close and lowering her voice as if someone might hear.<br>
<br>
<br>
Grace’s expression grew more somber.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I’m afraid I have no good solution for that,” she admitted. “It may be that one does not exists, except the progress of time. Many people are… Not excited, at the prospect of you being our queen.”<br>
<br>
<br>
The nobility had wanted one of their own on the throne for their own power, and the smallfolk thought much the same for their pride. To have a foreigner- and one that they had so recently been at war with- hold power over their lives rankled them. And the fact that Avery had offered a treaty and a marriage instead of overruning Theren was also a sore spot, one they could not take out on their king.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I have had difficulty, thinking of ways you might win people over that they will not see as calculated efforts and only serve to make them distrustful,” Grace said with a frown. “But I can warn you that most believe you will try to use your position to aide Theren in unscrupulous ways, and to whittle away at Avery’s authority. If you avoid the appearance of such things, it may make people less wary of you.”<br>
<br>
<br>
Meera sighed and looked away a moment, “You mean to say I can not be seen as acting as Queen. I’m to be a dutiful little wife or I’ll be thought of as a snake in the garden… yes I had thought I might run into that problem. The question of how to avoid that has crossed my mind with no perfect answer. Perhaps I am doomed to sit in my rooms and do nothing all day lest I anger one person or another.” Meera joked, rolling her eyes, “Would you keep me company occasionally if it came to that?” She hadn’t, actually, thought of that in particular, but realized she would need to scramble to find a way to still be effective while not overtly seemed as though she were pulling strings. The Princess’s description of what people would think of her were not entirely wrong, Meera was here to benefit Theren, and Beleth, she didn’t see why the two needed to be mutually exclusive. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Of course I would keep you company!” Grace seemed horrified to think otherwise. “But I do not think it will come to that,” she added. “I agree it will be a tricky balancing act, especially at first, but I do not think you are expected to do nothing.”<br>
<br>
<br>
That her brother might only want a trophy of his victory and not a true queen had apparently never occurred to the young girl.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
There were things Beleth needed right now that Theren had, and could trade for things they needed. Currency, was one of those things, while Theren had not suffered in terms of money Beleth must have. No instead Theren had been starved out and cage in on all sides, bereft of trade or the ability to buy grain when they needed it the most. Meaning this year’s crop was sure to be poor. Perhaps the difference would best be bought from Beleth instead of Ruhar, their usual go to when grain was necessary. Yes, she would have Cromwell write up the particulars for such a proposal.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I don’t suppose going into the city often might be a good idea? Your city here is in very close proximity to the castle, it isn’t so in Delphi, there’s woods that separate us and our capital. I thought it might be a good idea to pay homage to various temples, perhaps if people become accustomed to my presence they’ll like me a little better?”<br>
<br>
<br>
“... There would security concerns,” Grace hedged, clearly not in a position to say if it would be allowed. “A royal visit can be a disruptive presence, which may not be viewed favorably,” she reasoned. Any goodwill the Queen might gain by speaking with shop owners in their stores might be lost to the hassle of having their store closed and searched through by the guard.<br>
<br>
<br>
Security concerns, the Captain and she were truly related weren’t they. “Members of the royal family do not simply walk amongst the cityfolk of their capital? But how do they come to know you?” Meera’s brow furrowed, confused, “Must it be a disruptive affair every time I want to go into the city? Can I not simply choose to go out?” She pressed, a little alarmed at the prospect of truly living in a room, however nice that room might be.<br>
<br>
<br>
“There is at least one petitioner's court day every week, so that the common people can bring their complaints and disagreements to the throne,” Grace explained. Though such things were usually settled at more local levels, and the only the more extreme situations arrived at Redhill for review. She seemed a bit confused by Meera’s own confusion- The people knew their monarchs by the state of the bridges and roads, and the efficiency with which land disputes were settled, and if taxes on grain were lowered to reflect a drought. Not by speaking with them personally.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Queen Meera,” Grace said hesitantly, struggling with what to say. “I do not mean to be rude and imply you are naive, but… Beleth is a large country, and it is dangerous. Even the most beloved of monarchs have enemies, from within our borders and outside them. Whole branches of our family line have been cut short by the machinations of others,” she advised. Her great uncle, who’d been killed by a duke scheming to marry his son to the princess. An aunt she’d never met. Her eldest brother.<br>
<br>
<br>
“There was an attempt on my life, even, when I was young,” Grace confessed. “And I was still the younger child of a second wife,” she explained. She’d been fourth in line for the throne, and hardly important in terms of her influence among the other nobles. “Your security detail exists because the danger does.”<br>
<br>
<br>
Meera reached over and touched Grace’s hand gently, “You must forgive me Princess, I am not accustomed to Beleth. I forget that you and your brother have lost many mothers and siblings, though I did not ever know the details there were rumors… in Delphi, it was very different. My mother and I were in the city at least once a week with little issue. I’ll learn the ways of Beleth in due time.” She felt badly for the Princess, both for having a knife constantly over her head and for having lost so much.<br>
<br>
<br>
Beleth’s numerous Queens of the past, Meera wondered if she would be dispensed of as quickly as they were.</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>Location: Redhill Castle<br>
Interacting: Avery, Emerson, Maxwell the manservant</b><br>
<br>
<br>
"Lord Emerson, Your Majesty," Maxwell announced and Avery's posture went from rigid and formal, to much more relaxed as he slumped back in his chair.<br>
<br>
Thanks the gods.<br>
<br>
"Good afternoon, my esteemed and beloved king. Blessings to you in celebration of this most auspicious occasion," Emerson said with a measure of mocking ceremony, before sprawling himself across one of the chaises in the chamber. Avery stood instead, and began pacing the length and width of the small parlor with long strides.<br>
<br>
He'd been cooped in the sitting room for hours now, receiving guests and well wishers and exchanging nearly identical pleasantries with each appointment.<br>
<br>
They were honored to be in attendance for the momentous occasion of his wedding. He was honored they were able to attend.<br>
<br>
If they had come from far away, he might ask how their travels had been. If they were more local, they instead might comment that it seemed the nice weather would hold for the ceremony.<br>
<br>
How terrible, they all agreed, that the new Queen had been attacked. How fortunate Avery had been there to ensure no harm came to her. Some of his nobles he watched more suspiciously during this particular exchange, but he could no discern any ingenuity that was not normally present.<br>
<br>
They had gifts for the Queen and for the couple which required his approval, which he gave almost unilaterally. Maxwell took careful notes on all of it- This evening he would need to go through it with Roysa to confirm which sheaths of grain and fine livestock would be incorporated into the sacrifice at the temple and then the feast, and other such decisions.<br>
<br>
"I've been in here for hours," Avery groaned. "I'm almost looking forward to meeting with the ministers- At least it will be a break!"<br>
<br>
"Oh, you know what else you could do to give yourself a break, that no one would fault you for," Avery suggested coyly, feeding himself some grapes. "Visit with Queen Meera!"<br>
<br>
"She's as busy as I am," Avery replied quickly. "She has to go through the details of the ceremony, and the tailors insist on making sure the things they've made for her wardrobe fit perfectly."<br>
<br>
"The tailors are accustomed to doing fittings even when their model's attention is elsewhere," Emerson pointed out. "And I seem to recall you being King- You could order them to stand down for a bit. She might appreciate the break."<br>
<br>
Avery had stopped his pacing, and was looking out the window onto the city's harbor, the last point in the river wide and deep enough to travel by a ship that might also be used at sea.<br>
<br>
"She's angry at me," he finally said.<br>
<br>
Emerson rolled his eyes, though his friend didn't see. What. An. Idiot.<br>
<br>
"Oh, and avoiding her is your clever strategy to somehow make her <i>less </i>angry with you? What a novel tactic," Emerson said dryly, continuing to help himself to Avery's food.<br>
<br>
Avery didn't respond, so Emerson eventually continued.<br>
<br>
"You don't really know how angry she is with you, because you haven't actually talked to her. Do you really want the next time you are able to speak with her privately to be when the door the marriage suite is locked behind you and you have no one else to talk to and no where else to go?"<br>
<br>
"The royal couple gets to meet with an advisor as needed," Avery pointed out. It wasn't like there would be truly no escape from each other.<br>
<br>
"I believe that's usually phrased as 'has to'," Emerson pointed out. "And even so, they won't offer any relief until at least early afternoon. Go talk to her, Avery."<br>
<br>
"Maxwell, what am I doing after this," Avery asked his manservant. He looked annoyed to be called upon but not surprised.<br>
<br>
"You are to be receiving guests until two, Your Majesty, and then you have a meeting with the ministers. Dinner will be followed by a review of the guard and security arrangements for tomorrow's ceremony, and then the Lady Roysa is going to go over final details of the sacrifices. You've also requested to speak with the physician who saw to the boy Alexander- We could do that after your meeting with Lady Roysa, but then you will likely not be able to make it down to the stables before the horses are put away, so perhaps could join you for dinner-"<br>
<br>
"Maxwell, I know you to be talented enough to find ten minutes of spare time for the King to visit his bride, and I'm sure you agree with me that he <i>should</i> go visit her-"<br>
<br>
"Don't bring Maxwell into this," Avery warned and Emerson stuck out his tongue.<br>
<br>
"You brought him into it first, making him recite a schedule you made yourself-"<br>
<br>
A guard entered and spoke softly to Maxwell, who nodded.<br>
<br>
"Your Majesty, Baroness Ellini of Merid has arrived," the manservant announced, and both the king and the bastard lord flinched.<br>
<br>
"Well, that's my cue to leave if I ever heard one," Emerson said hastily, gathering himself up and clasping his friend's shoulder. Ellini terrified him, and he didn't think Avery was much braver.<br>
<br>
"Talk to her," Emerson advised again. "While it's still something you chose to do, instead of have to."</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://images.8tracks.com/cover/i/009/741/045/queen-1808.jpg?rect=0,0,500,500&amp;q=98&amp;fm=jpg&amp;fit=max');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; King Avarett</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle | Interacting with: King Averett  </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">She did not tell anyone.<br>
<br>
Not a soul.<br>
<br>
Normally she would have fumed to her ladies, her confidantes, there was little she did not tell them. But she was mortified, and angry, and felt robbed of whatever advantages she thought she might have over the King. The later part being the most egregious of offenses. That was perhaps chiefly why she refused to disclose her grievances, a part of her knew she was justified in her anger and a part of her knew she was being a sore loser. Especially when she took into account how the King had saved her life. Then again he was the reason it was in danger anyway.<br>
<br>
Granted, just because you save someone’s life doesn’t mean you should put up with their appalling behavior, and the more time passed between her arrival and lack of audience with the King the more appalling it became. She simply ask for it. But her pride refused such a thing. He had to know she would find out eventually. She did not detect cruelty in his manner when she was speaking with him before but then again she did not know him, not really. So who could be sure that this wasn’t all just an elaborate act? The thought of it all made her emotionally exhausted and in order to deal with it she decided to compartmentalize it. She had things to do, things to learn, despite what she was here for or maybe because of it the King himself mattered little in the next few days.<br>
<br>
And then there was Alexander, who she and her ladies had fallen quickly for. Mercy was quick to point out that as Queen, Meera did not necessarily need to part ways with him. Perhaps she was waiting for permission or simply had too much to think about, but it became clear in that moment that she wouldn’t. The boy had little to inherit, and he did not know his neighbors terribly well, he could be raised next to her, by her, to become something beyond what his parents had hoped for him. Her own Lord Blackbird was common born, an orphan himself, and look what he had become. <br>
<br>
With that in mind she had him moved to her already crowded chambers, his injuries were healing well and he ate well too, there was little need for him to stay with the palace physician. The castle was much too busy for anyone to really take notice of the move. And that was exactly what Meera had hoped for.<br>
<br>
Much tutelage by way of Belethan weddings and many fittings later Meera found herself in a heavy dress of black and gold, her soon to be husband’s family colors, a veil of gold and tiara on top of her pulled back curls. They rode into the city in open topped carriages, separate, this was easily her favorite part. She waved to the people she passed and accepted flowers from children, aware that the people’s happiness was likely due to the King, but happy to accept it nonetheless. <br>
<br>
All too soon the ride was over and she stood next to King Avery as a priestess of the great goddess’s temple spoke to them and a crowd of people behind them, did everything she was taught, and was married. All while managing to barely look in her husband’s direction, a picture of serene regality she had practiced in the mirror countless times even before coming to Beleth. Meera, after resigning herself to her fate months ago, had decided that at the very least she would be a dignified and perfect Queen. She would have one chance at a first impression, and say what they may, she would not let whatever slander whispered behind her back ring with truth. No, if they wanted to slander her they would have to lie about it.<br>
<br>
The ceremony was long, and her dress had many layers, something she had been ill prepared for considered her usual attire of thin silky fabrics that felt weightless compared to all of this, but she endeavored to be still through it despite all of that. There was still a feast to get through, and then she could collapse in a bed, undisturbed if she had anything to say about it.<br>
<br>
Finally it all ended, and they rode back to the castle for the feast, this time together. The open casket ensured that Meera did not need to speak to Avery, and just as well since she had nothing to say to him.<br>
<br>
When they got to the castle Meera was livened up, responding to her cooing ladies and and saying a quick word to Alexander before leaving him with Veora to take back to her room for a nap and dinner, he was forced to sit quietly in the crowd through that whole ceremony poor boy. He deserved a break. Besides, he didn’t officially really have a place at the feast, even if the addition of one quiet boy would hardly be noticable. <br>
<br>
The royal couple were rushed off to the feast, where toasts were given infrequently amongst the eating for a while before the mingling and dancing finally began. Which was when Meera really needed to shine. <br>
<br>
Ignoring the King and only speaking to him formally when he addressed her came extremely easily as it turned out. She needed only to pretend she did not know him, which was accurate, and the ice in her veins helped that notion along. <br>
<br>
It wasn't that Avery was uncomfortable with finery. He wasn't new to being King, and he'd been a prince his whole life. He'd been wearing suits of black and gold since he was old enough to wear breeches. <br>
<br>
The jacket he wore to the wedding, he'd worn before- To his coronation. Gold embroidery in the laurel pattern ringed the collar, a decorative embellishment to be worn only by the royal family. Some might dare to wear a laurel pattern in gold at the shoulders or above, but they were always careful that the leaves pointed away from the face, and even that was quite presumptuous. <br>
<br>
The pants were new- The previous ones had been black with minimal decoration, and he'd circulated them amongst his other nice pants, and they were less nice now. These had embroidery to match the coat, and he couldn't imagine wearing them for even the most formal of every day wear. <br>
<br>
The shirt he wore beneath was definitely new. It was rather thin white linen, and designed with no buttons or clasps. Meant to be easily removed. Underclothes and nightthings worn by and given to Belethan newlyweds- hell, even parts of an outer outfit, gifted by someone pushing for an heir- were often designed in a similar fashion, with the same goal. Especially for the men. Clothing for the women often had more fabric than was necessary, to be pulled tight and tied back as was needed to accommodate a growing waist in the months following the wedding- And in many cases, prior to the event as well.<br>
<br>
Avery appreciated the tactical advantages of these strategies, even if he had no interest in their practical application.<br>
<br>
Avery was, he reminded himself more than once, accustomed to finery. All these clothes had been tailored to him, so he had no need to worry he might tear something if he stood or sat too quickly, and he knew how to hold his wine cup and lift his food so as to minimize the risk of staining the clothes. He was used to having his hair pulled back in a much more stylish braid than what he usually wore, and the golden crown being rested on his brow. He was only being self conscious. <br>
<br>
But it was so incredibly easy for him to be self-conscious. His aunt and his sister wore their dresses with an ease he doubted he’d ever be able to replicate, and looked like they belonged anywhere they chose to go, despite their very different demeanors. <br>
<br>
Emerson, too, looked completely comfortable with himself, wearing a long belted tunic in green and throwing his arms in laughter around anyone who stood still long enough to allow it. He was colorful in his appearance and his personality, alternating between joyous dances with a variety of partners, bawdy jokes (primarily regarding the various ways in which Avery’s ‘evening performance’ might disappoint the new queen), tricks to entertain the children and elderly, and much more heated dances meant to give gossiping tongues something to wag over. He juggled all of these- and some apples- with apparent ease, and looked completely in his element.<br>
<br>
And Meera. Meera looked…. Well.<br>
<br>
Beautiful was not quite appropriate, though it was undoubtedly true. Dangerous might be a good addition to start with, though he suspected that danger was limited to him, and seen mostly by him as well.<br>
<br>
She was flawless in her role as a bride and a new queen- She smiled like she was happy to be among them, had said her oaths at the temple as though she'd always known them, and participated in the feasting as though the dishes and dances were ones she had spent years enjoying. She hadn't recoiled when he'd pressed his lips to hers after they'd drunk from the ceremonial wine the priestess had given them- She might even have seemed happy to do it, if he didn't know better.<br>
<br>
But. He did know better.<br>
<br>
There was something in the smile she gave to her ladies and even to Grace, that she did not give to most of the nobility. She gave even less of it when she smiled at him. He couldn't say what it was, except that he was certain it wasn't just his self-conscious nature getting to him.<br>
<br>
The sea was beautiful when it was stretched out to one side of you with the low light of the evening, with the sun setting behind the cliffs to the opposite side, the array of colors highlighting the facets of the stones and reflecting across the water. Beautiful and calm and breathtaking, and dangerous.<br>
<br>
Avery had been in such a situation before, high in the crow's nest with the scope, where he could see the storm gathering in the eastern dusk- They risked death to sail back out towards the open sea, but risked certain death if they could not make it beyond the cliffs and to safety in time.<br>
<br>
It was not a feeling Avery had thought he would experience again, and he did not relish it.<br>
<br>
It was unfortunate, Avery thought, how often Emerson was right. He should have talked to her before they’d met at the temple. He could hardly say anything now, even if he could think of anything beyond polite introductions and comments on what course or dance would be next. Most of what he said got equally polite responses and little more. His attempts had generally petered out easily, and he’d let her roam the feast with her ladies, which she was clearly much more comfortable about, only intruding on her presence when it was necessary and trying to make conversation then.<br>
<br>
But the day had come and was nearly gone, and he was almost out of chances to speak with her while they both had an easy out- Just a final dance that they shared before they would be escorted to their marriage suite and the festivities would continue on without them. Or, supposedly, they would begin their own festivities, without the presence of their court.<br>
<br>
She gave praises on him to others easily, and commented on specific people’s gifts as well. Nyme and Veora reminded her where necessary with a quick whisper who was who. They had greeted quite nearly everyone by now, there was maybe two Lords left, or rather a Duke and a Baroness. <br>
<br>
“He’s Lord Yetun, he can eat a potato raw.” Nyme leaned in and said as the Lord drew near, causing Meera to double take in confusion. Why in the world would that be useful information…<br>
<br>
“It’s true I’ve seen him do it.” Mercy whispered, as though fascinated.<br>
<br>
“The boar spears and pearls.” Veora whispered at the last minute, the only one who said anything remotely useful to the situation.<br>
<br>
“Lord Yetun, I’ve heard so much of you.” Meera greeted, “I must thank you for the lovely pearls, and I am sure the King will enjoy the spears, even I admired that they were engraved with such artistic care. Even though I have no hand for hunting.” She noted, cheerfully.<br>
<br>
“I am sure your Majesty need not trouble yourself with such a violent sport, otherwise I might have gotten you a set as well.” He joked gruffly.<br>
<br>
Meera chuckled and did not show her offense at his obvious dismissal, “They told me you were dignified but they did not tell me you were also of such good humor my Lord, for shame.” She bantered back. <br>
<br>
“Your Majesty. Duke Named.” The interruption- and subtle correction of the Duke’s title- came from Lady Roysa, who had appeared without much warning, as she often did. She ducked her head towards Meera and dropped slightly, the nearest approximation of a bow Roysa ever gave to anyone. “I am to escort you to King Averett and present you to the court for your final presentation and dance,” she told Meera.<br>
<br>
Cheering went up when Roysa place Meera’s hand in Avery’s and they stepped onto the mostly empty dance floor. Other couples could join the dance later in the song, once Roysa did. People were drunk enough and well fed enough that they did not particularly care what it was they were cheering for at this point in the night- Mostly that the King and Queen would leave soon, and they could dispense with their more formal etiquette.<br>
<br>
The music was slower but the volume still loud enough that Meera and Avery could speak without being overheard- Not so loud as to prevent them from overhearing any shouts or jeers from the court, though, including a rather rude one from Emerson about Avery’s dancing being ‘stiff’.<br>
<br>
He wasn’t a bad dancer, really, though he lacked the style and finesse of his friend, who was currently grinning widely as he emptied yet another wine cup and was getting perhaps a bit too overly friendly with the son of baron.<br>
<br>
Avery tried to glare at him over Meera’s shoulder, though he gave up- Emerson wasn’t paying attention to him, and it would only draw attention.<br>
<br>
“I apologize,” Avery said after a moment of silent dancing, Meera’s skirts swinging over his feet with each movement. “For Lord Emerson’s behavior. I’m afraid he can be quite a different character, when exposed to enough wine and certain company.”<br>
<br>
What a joke, for a minute she thought he might be taking the opportunity to apologize for his actions then and there. Though this certainly couldn’t be the time or place for such a thing. Admittedly, even if he had her answer would have been the same.<br>
<br>
“Unnecessary your Majesty.” Meera said quietly, unconcerned, she focused on her movements, she couldn’t dwell on his words, especially not now. This was the final dance. She had to be perfect.<br>
<br>
Why in the world would she give a fig what Lord Emerson was doing? She wasn’t married to Lord Emerson. She had to focus, she reminded herself.<br>
<br>
They turned about the floor, and Avery’s mind turned itself over looking for something else to say.<br>
<br>
“Did you try the eggplant dish? How was it?” <br>
<br>
He’d thought it good, if a bit unusual- It wasn’t a commonly well cultivated vegetable in Beleth.<br>
<br>
“Fine your Majesty.” She answered readily, was that all? She didn’t know why she found his comment laughable now when all he’d been able to say to her all night were minor comments about things she already knew or perhaps and introduction or two. At least those had been eventful. A comment about eggplant… <br>
<br>
She noticed Lady Roysa take to the floor with her partner, and she smiled, they were almost done, now couples would be joining them and they would be allowed to leave. Why was this perhaps the longest dance she’d ever had? Ridiculous.<br>
<br>
“... How have your ladies been enjoying yourself,” he tried. She lit up around her ladies- Surely that was a topic she might have a bit more to say about. <br>
<br>
Meera tried to find them on the dance floor discretely but refocused, it wasn’t necessary at the moment, “Well your Majesty.” Her answer sounded a bit too high pitched, she cleared her throat. Glancing at his face for the first time since the dance had started, she had been careful to avoid eye contact she realised. She found now she preferred avoiding it, and went back to doing so. His forehead or shoulder made excellent focal points. Wasn’t this dance almost over?<br>
<br>
He had had more productive conversations with a wall, he though, as they lapsed into continued silence. At least he had tried.<br>
<br>
“The song will be over soon,” he said, which was obvious enough. The music was already slowing, as was the circling of their rotations. The crowd was once again leaving the dance floor, clearing the way for the couple. At one end of the hall, a group waited to escort them to their marriage suite- At least one member of each of the greater noble families. <br>
<br>
Emerson was not among them, but Avery wasn’t overly worried- His friend had done a good job, setting a consistent level of bawdiness to his jokes that others were likely not to cross, as well as establishing the content. All humor was to be at the expense of the King, and not the Queen. <br>
<br>
“Shall we, then?”<br>
<br>
</span></div><div style="text-align:right;font:Karla;font-size:0.5em;letter-spacing:0.3em;opacity:0.6;"><!--DO NOT REMOVE-->code by Ri.a</div></div></div>
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9737501" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Jun 14, 2019 at 12:02 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/110b3f09383a10d9f3b6387188f56260/939ec315e740e962-78/s250x400/8a80012a031a226829c33181b7b05840e30686e3.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; King Avarett</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle | Interacting with: King Averett  </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">The feeling of being led to the marriage suit, finally, felt akin to marching to a prison cell. At least she would spend her night asleep, as far as she knew they needn’t spend longer than a single night together in it. As far as she knew.<br>
<br>
A priestess of the fertility goddess blessed them both, something Meera found humorous if nothing else, and the doors to the room finally shut. And as if holding in a breath, Meera finally allowed her shoulders to slump, sighing deeply and turning around wordlessly, reaching for the nightgown and fumbling with laces behind her back as she moved behind a screen that a few garments had been draped over, which would serve as a barrier between her and Avery. She felt the need to hide her body from him now where she would not usually, the fact that he was her husband making her more self conscious, not less. <br>
<br>
The door locked behind them, and Avery threw the lock on their side as well, and listened as the crowd made a crude toast and departed with laughter, waiting until he could no longer hear them to relax. Or relax slightly.<br>
<br>
He hadn’t exactly escaped the source of his tension.<br>
<br>
He took off his jacket, a bit self conscious of the thin shirt but unwilling to be so godsdamned warm anymore.<br>
<br>
“Would you mind if I opened a window, to let a breeze in,” he asked hesitantly, aiming the question in the direction of the changing screen but not quite looking over, in case Meera’s views on modesty were unchanged.  <br>
<br>
Why were there so many laces, and <i>layers</i>, Meera could not even get through the first one. She became increasingly frustrated, the King’s voice doing absolutely nothing to quell it, quite the opposite. She opened her mouth to snap at him but chose instead to ignore him outright. She had to be more careful with her words.<br>
<br>
She’d cut herself out of the damn thing if she could, as beautiful as the dress was she was she was quickly becoming resentful of it. It didn’t represent anything good to her anyhow. At least she could take off her hair ornaments, which she did none too gently, tossing them to a chair near her.<br>
<br>
He decided her lack of answer was all the approval he was going to get, and unlatched a shutter to breathe in the fresh night air. He pulled of his boots after a moment’s relief.<br>
<br>
After a moment filled with the pings of her hair ornaments dropping, Avery realized she hadn’t neglected to answer because she was angry with him- Or at least, that wasn’t the only reason. She’d been distracted.<br>
<br>
“You can’t get out of the dress, can you,” Avery said aloud with a sigh. “Here, let me-”<br>
He turned towards the privacy screen before he could lose his nerve- He’d done this for Grace before, he reminded himself.<br>
<br>
Besides, he wanted her to go to bed and fall asleep and stop simmering at him from across the room, and that wasn’t going to happen while she still wore her gown.<br>
<br>
“I am perfectly able to get out of the dress myself.” Meera almost shouted, instead sounding stern and offended. The thought of him undressing her scared her more than she thought it would. Where was her courage and boldness now? Was she actually frightened of him? She had slept with men before and she would be doing nothing of the sort tonight. Unless… She couldn’t exactly refuse him if he asked could she. It was required of her, that realization started to make her eyes water. She felt like… like a deer that had been cornered. Absolutely helpless to her fate. She was here, in Beleth, married to the man who had killed her father, annexed her country and was unable to refuse his bed. The realization started to settle in with her in a way it hadn’t before, suddenly feeling much heavier than before. <br>
<br>
“Well, let me help you anyways,” he said firmly, startled by her sharpness but already nearly touching her. He swiftly stuck two fingers between the laces of the dressback, one on either side of a crossed point, and wiggled them back and forth to loosen the laces, their short ends getting shorter as he did so. Probably not the best practice for the care and keeping of the dress, but at least it should be easier to get out of.<br>
<br>
Meera became stiff as she felt him undo the laces and loosen the bodice, eyes widened in mortification, cheeks an angry red.<br>
<br>
“Your bed will be more comfortable without a bodice to disrupt your sleep,” he said by way of apology, turning away as soon as he had determined it to be loose enough for her to manage on her own. He turned his attention instead to his dropped boots, and put them near to the hearth of the fire. <br>
<br>
“So I may not even tell you no.” She choked out, shaking, yanking at the dress’s outermost layer to get it off, “Or is it that you think you know what is best.” Anger reared its ugly head, and it gave her boldness, she’d already been shamed tonight it was his turn. All thoughts and consideration of caution had left her by now.<br>
<br>
Meera stormed out from behind the screen and chucked the heavy material at Avery, muttering something about having it to wear if he thought he could handle it so well. She retreated back behind the screen to finish undressing. <br>
<br>
Wiping at her cheeks she realized there were hot tears rolling down them. As if this situation could not get worse.<br>
<br>
Avery caught the corset in surprise. What was he supposed to do with it?<br>
<br>
“No! I mean- No, of course you can say no,” he tried to clarify, a bit shocked by her sudden reaction. At least she was reacting, he supposed. “I just thought-”<br>
<br>
Well, yes. He had thought he knew what was best. But they would have been standing around for hours otherwise, waiting for her to admit she was being too stubborn!<br>
<br>
He sighed, running his hand across his face as he collapsed into one of the chairs in the room. “Listen,” he said cautiously. “I think- Well. We should talk,” he finally said.<br>
<br>
Meera scoffed, “Oh <b>now</b> you think we should talk. As opposed to <i>before</i>, when you fed me <i>lies</i> about who you were. And <i>then</i>...” She rounded around the screen again, down to her last layer, one of her shoes in hand, pointing it at him.<br>
<br>
“I didn’t-” Well, he did lie, he supposed. “I was not intentionally trying to deceive you, it’s just that announcing myself as King ran contrary to the very purpose of my presence-”<br>
<br>
 “You have the nerve to never mention once before the wedding that you were King Avarett. What if I had not figured it out by then huh? What do you think would have happened, what do you think people would have thought having your soon to be wife and Queen gaping at you at the temple in front of everyone. It would have humiliated me, and <i>you</i>.” She chucked her shoe at him but it missed him by quite a bit.<br>
<br>
He ducked away regardless, looking at her in shock. No one had ever thrown a shoe at him- People did not usually express their anger to him, at least not so physically. Or if they did, they chose a deadlier projectile than a shoe.<br>
<br>
“But I suppose that was your aim wasn’t it. Well too bad, my mother raised me to be a Queen and no matter what any of your nobles say no one can claim that I was anything but perfect today. <i>No one</i>.” She finished, her vision blurring with fresh tears. <br>
<br>
“Why would I want to humiliate you,” he asked indignantly. “I have been busy,” he insisted, feeling this was a perfectly valid excuse, despite what Emerson may have said. “I apologize that being king gives me little time to sit about and walk you through everything! Your Lord Cromwell knew full well who I was,” he pointed out, a bit vindictively. “As did your ladies- You mean to tell me they cannot be relied upon to keep you informed? I shall have to remember that!” <br>
<br>
“How <i>d a r e</i> you insult my ladies like this, they were here, where they needed to be, and can’t be expected to know your charade can they. As for my Lord Chancellor, whether he did or did not know does not then make you innocent <i>honestly</i> I hear better excuses from children not Kings!” The indignation clear in her voice.<br>
<br>
“As for your precious <i>time</i>, you forget that I know what it means to run a country and that I know it would have taken a mere MOMENT to explain yourself, even through a thrice damned note for spirit’s sake! You had an entire journey, and two days to do so, it was <b>you</b> who chose not to.” Her hand gestures became increasingly pointed and wild as she flared at him.<br>
<br>
“I greeted you as a guard captain because that was the role I was undertaking,” Avery shot back. “And the role I needed your men to see me as- Do you really think they would have taken my orders, if they had known me as a king? I could not afford to give them any reason to doubt me, even for a moment’s hesitation- Nor could you!”<br>
<br>
When the party had been attacked, they had rallied as a group, and moved together smoothly and rescued Meera as swiftly as was possible- If her soldiers had known him as King Averrett, their enemy, they would have second guessed all of his actions, and cost them precious time.<br>
<br>
“That took you less than a moment to explain was that so difficult for you your <i>majesty</i>.” She practically sneered.<br>
<br>
“Was it humiliating, then, to have peace offered to you and your country? To have your life saved? Perhaps you and I understand embarrassment very differently,” he said, shaking his head in annoyance at her theatrics.<br>
<br>
“It matters very little why you would want to humiliate me, the result is the same isn’t it?” She huffed, “And for the record, just so that you know, it was your sister, your aunt and the maids and the staff who have helped me since I got here. You have only impeded me. You don’t get to sit there and claim I’m being unreasonable to make yourself better. All it would have taken is a damn note.” She panted slightly, finally finished rambling.<br>
<br>
“And if I had sent you a note,” he accused, “Would your pride have allowed you read it? Even if you had, would we not be having this same argument, that I was rude and deceitful for not apologizing in person? A ‘mere moment to explain myself’,” he laughed, not sounding very amused. “As if you would have been satisfied with a mere moment to shout at me!”<br>
<br>
She would have been unhappy no matter what he did, he told himself, even if he knew he was being petty about it. <br>
<br>
And for that she took off her other shoe and threw it at him, this time aiming for his chest. Partially because he was entirely correct and she knew it on some level, even if she was righteously justified because he hadn’t even tried.<br>
<br>
“Well we can’t possibly know that now can we?!” Meera threw her hands up in the air and turned away from him, pulling off her last layer as she retreated behind the screen, throwing it to the floor and pulling on her nightgown, which was impossibly thin she realized, rolling her eyes. What was the point of it in the first place then. Honestly these people.<br>
<br>
She glared at Avery as she made her way to the bed, getting under the covers on the side farthest from him.<br>
<br>
“Fine,” he snapped, pulling off his belt and pants with an anger he didn’t realize was possible to feel towards his belt. He was wearing his nice braires beneath his pants already and he nearly tripped over her shoes when he went to hang the items up on the hooks on the wall.<br>
<br>
He cursed under his breath and picked them up, putting them down in front of the fire next to his own, but with much less care.<br>
<br>
He stalked back towards the bed and knelt down on the floor with a huff, searching under the bed frame.<br>
<br>
…. It wasn’t there? He was going to strangle Emerson. Or at least punch him. He knelt further and looked- It was on the other side, too far away to reach from where he was. He sighed.<br>
<br>
“Pardon me,” he said stiffly as he circled back around the bed to Meera’s side and knelt again- More quickly this time, since he knew where it was now, and because he wanted to avoid his wife’s wrath.<br>
<br>
With the bed roll now in hand, he grabbed one of the thinner blankets folded at the end of the bed, and went back to the fireplace, where he unrolled the mat and opened the blanket.<br>
<br>
“The maids will bring breakfast around 8, and leave it in the adjoining parlor after they unlock the door,” he told her. Just in case she had been hoping to accuse him of neglecting information about breakfast or something equally absurd. <br>
<br>
Meera realized what he was doing and scoffed, he had a bedroll under the bed, bastard. Not that she was hoping he would sleep next to her at all, now that would be absurd indeed, but the fact that it had been pre-planned that he would still offended her. Just when she didn’t think she could have anything left to be offended over.<br>
<br>
“No, I’ll be taking breakfast with my ladies. There isn’t any need to keep up this charade for longer than a night, despite how long you’re used to keeping up charades.” She said spitefully, knowing it was petty but not caring at this point.<br>
<br>
Avery sighed. <br>
<br>
“No,” he said, as firmly as he could. “You will take breakfast with me. You can have breakfast with your ladies the day after next. We’ll be staying here at least one more night,” he warned her. “People in two countries- and more, I suspect- are relying on this ‘charade’ to give them some measure of peace and stability,” he reminded her. <br>
<br>
If he told her ‘no’ one more time she was going to throw something worse than a shoe at him. Instead rolling her eyes for the millionth time would have to do for present.<br>
<br>
“We’ve already ruffled feathers by ignoring ‘traditions’,” he said with annoyance, though it was not aimed at her this time. “I will not give them anymore cause to fuss by meeting with anyone other than our advisors.”<br>
<br>
She sat up sharply, “You say that as though I can not leave. This room. For… at least another night.” No no no no no no, she had work to do, she was busy, there were letters to write to other countries Theren had treaties with, supplies to purchase, an economy and market system she had to learn, inquiries to be made, she could not be wasting time stuck in a room with this horrible man.<br>
<br>
He turned to look at her, his expression somewhat blank and not very reassuring.<br>
<br>
“That’s the general idea, yes,” he confirmed. “Trust me- I don’t like it any more than you do,” he said dryly. “I don’t snore, if that’s any consolation.”<br>
<br>
It wasn’t.<br>
<br>
 “I had Emerson hide some reading materials up here for us,” he said vaguely. That was… Somewhat true. He hadn’t thought to ask anything specific for her, but she might have an interest in the same things she did. Damn. He really should have thought of that. “So you can suffer my company in silence.”<br>
<br>
A corner of her upper lip turned upward in distaste, she’s never hated anyone quite like she hates her husband, “Despite what you and men like you may presume your majesty, Queens don’t laze about all day reading or brushing their hair. We have work that needs doing. You’re aware, that <i>peace and stability</i> you were speaking of takes work.” She shifted, grabbing her blanket and wrapping it around her so she could turn away from him, “Work I’m sure my Lord Blackbird can bring me anyhow.” She said, more to herself than to Avery as she burrowed in.<br>
<br>
“I wouldn’t- You know what,” Avery said bitterly. “Fine.”<br>
<br>
“Fine!” She chirped back pettily, mocking him a little in a way she’d probably look back on and regret for childishness.<br>
<br>
He poked at the fire for a moment to ensure it would keep going, and settled down on the bed roll. He should have grabbed a pillow.<br>
<br>
“Sleep well, Your Majesty,” he said formally, turning over so that his back faced the bed.<br>
<br>
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							<h1 class="p-title-value">𝕿𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍「𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲」
	
	

	

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				<center>Roleplay Type(s)</center>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://i.postimg.cc/nrbR1wLJ/veora.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Baroness Elleni &amp; Lady Veora</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle | Interacting with: Baroness Elleni  </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Elleni may have said rather rude things to the King just the day before when she’d presented him with bolts of finely spun wool, but in public she was likely one of his tamer nobles,<br>
<br>
She didn’t jeer at opportunities to embarrass the new Queen, or insult her snidely, or gossip about the royal couple. Not that she didn’t have the opportunity to, of course.<br>
<br>
The tall blonde was approached numerous times, by those fishing to know if she would support the new monarch or might be counted on the side against her instead. Elleni gave neutral answers each time, focused on ending the conversation instead of revealing any motivation. It was tiring, she found, and distracted her from her careful observation of Meera and her ladies. She’d been studying them intently and unashamedly, not looking away if one of them caught her looking.<br>
<br>
“The dress would have suited Gilda better,” said a voice next to her. Lady Vienna. “Her hair is more yellow than yours, isn’t it?”<br>
<br>
All four of the daughters of Merid had fine blonde hair, but it was true that the hues varied between the seasons and between the sisters- Elleni’s was the most white, and Gilda’s the most golden. With the exception of their sister who’d shaved her head when she’d become a priestess, the sisters all had long hair as well. Elleni’s fine straight hair was woven into a styled braid that reached half way down her back, and would have been longer if let down.<br>
<br>
“Perhaps it is too bold of me to say, Baroness Elleni,” the younger woman continued, “But your sister would have made a fine queen, I think. I know we all laud our King as some noble warrior,” she said more privately, “But his treatment of Lady Gilda was anything but. If there is ever anything-”<br>
<br>
“It is too bold, Lady Vienna,” Elleni said firmly, the steel of her voice edging towards anger and interrupting whatever overture . “Find someone else to gossip about my sister with,” she said icily. “And pray to the goddess I do not happen to overhear.” She turned away sharply, the tails of her coat slicing through the air as she did so.<br>
<br>
Elleni had worn pants and a fitted jacket in dark blue, that made the green blue of her eyes distinctly more the latter. She could have worn a dress, but she had not wanted to waste coin on having a dress made that would be fine enough for a royal wedding when she already had an appropriate suit. It had been made a few years ago but was in a classic style so as not to suddenly become unfashionable, and was worn infrequently enough that it saw very little damage from use. The tailors had altered it to keep up with her body instead of her wear of it, as she’d put on more muscle in the years of the war. She was still fairly lean, but even with the extra seam allowance, the fabric did nothing to hide the definition of her arms.<br>
<br>
So determined in her storming off was she that she nearly ran into one of the new Queen’s ladies- The oldest one. The prettiest one, as well, as Elleni had suspected during her staring and now was able to confirm.<br>
<br>
“Lady Veora, please excuse my haste,” she apologized, bowing to the Theren woman, her braid slipping off her back as she did so but swing back into place as she righted herself and kissed the lady’s hand. “I’m Baroness Elleni of Merid,” she introduced herself. She had not arrived earlier in the week and been able to meet the ladies then, nor had she been terribly social since getting to the city, and she imagined the poor woman had been juggling a cacophony of names and faces more important than her own.<br>
<br>
Recovering quickly Veora curtsied, “A pleasure Baroness.”<br>
<br>
It wasn’t lost upon her that the Baroness of Merid had been staring pointedly but not approaching, and it took little effort to put herself in the powerful woman’s way in order to suss her out. She dressed in formal wear meant for men, and women, like a Shieldmaiden in Theren might be dressed. She supposed a head of the house Merid had to either step up to the role with strength or wither under the pressure. Especially given how contested her territory was. Merid’s long lived independence couldn’t have been solely favor with the King, credit probably belonged to the Baroness as well.<br>
<br>
“I was so eager to catch this dance,” Elleni said with a slight hint of a smile. “That I nearly forgot to secure a partner.” She had been moving in the direction of the dance floor, and a new song had started with music she enjoyed. “I don’t suppose you would do me the honor….?”<br>
<br>
“Me? The honor would be all mine Baroness.” The small flush that came to her cheeks at unexpected invitation was real, and she tried to will it away.<br>
<br>
Veora accepted Elleni’s hand as she was led, and once placed deigned to ask mysteriously, “How do you manage to do it Baroness?”<br>
<br>
“Dance either part? Practice,” Elleni answered, assuming the topic of the question to be the one most easily at hand. Some dances in Beleth were group dances, but most were partnered and one person took the lead role and the other the follower- Usually gender or height determined which partner was to be which, depending on the nature and origin of the dance. “Sisters who were shorter than me and also wanted to practice,” she added, “And an admittedly limited selection.”<br>
<br>
The dances Elleni knew she could dance as either role, but she knew fewer dances than most, and the ones she did were the older ones- As she’d gotten older, her responsibilities had lessened the time spent laughing with her sisters as they stepped on her toes. She’d been asked to dance and done the asking a few times this evening, but only for songs she was confident with.<br>
<br>
“You just have to know what your opponent is going to do, and counter it,” she said evenly, spinning Veora away from her as the music crested, and back in again, her hand firmly on Veora’s hip on the return. “Like sparring. But with a much prettier partner,” she said. <br>
<br>
“Unless you were referring to something else,” Elleni asked, raising her eyebrow in question as she continued to steer the other woman through the steps of the dance.<br>
<br>
She had been, referring to something else, but the vagueness of the question offered room for the conversation to grow and that’s what she liked about it. Besides, she liked the answer, and gave a small smile, looking down briefly before answering. The baroness had such a stare.<br>
<br>
“You must sparr as gracefully as you dance then.” She complimented. “I only have the one sister to practice with, and I heard you have many? Is your household ever at peace?” Veora joked, knowing from experience that while women were not necessarily more boisterous then men sisters were often in each other’s business with little restraint or personal consideration. Her own especially, though she wasn’t entirely blameless and could become petty in return. Still, she loved her sister fiercely.<br>
<br>
“I am the oldest of four,” Elleni confirmed, perhaps a degree colder than she had been before. “You are correct to assume we rarely have peace, but wrong to think it because of my sisters.”<br>
<br>
“Who could possibly dare stand against a woman with a stare like yours Baroness? Surely your foes are all cowering in some corner?” Veora spun out again, following Elleni’s lead, and drew back in. Were they closer now? “I mean that in jest Baroness, for I think it might be too bold of me to ask what ails you, despite wanting to offer my sympathies.” She said, a little more serious now.<br>
<br>
Elleni softed a bit. Not everything that could be an insult was meant as one, she reminded herself.<br>
<br>
“Your sympathies are appreciated,” Elleni allowed. <br>
<br>
“Are you often at court Baroness? It would be a shame to make your acquaintance and then never see you again.” Veora recognized a subject too personal when she came across it.<br>
<br>
“Not terribly often,” Elleni admitted. “Merid is a bit of a journey, and I prefer to be among my own people,” she said, which was perhaps odd phrasing. “I hear there may be a tournament in the coming year, though, which I would likely attend and partake in,” she considered. “You could see how I treat my sparring partners, then. I could win you a crown.”<br>
<br>
Courtiers often gave tokens of affection to the competing fighters, who would repay the favor by winning tourney crowns and giving them to their benefactor instead of wearing it themselves.<br>
<br>
Veora was ready for an insult after the comment of preferring to be amongst her own people, but was relieved, perhaps too much, to find that she had assumed the worst of the Baroness’s words.<br>
<br>
“Should I be fortunate enough to be allowed to compete, I would return that favor.” Lady Veora tried to hide her smile. Even though it was commentary on an event a whole year away, she was flattered and the Baroness was a beautiful woman to be flattered by.<br>
<br>
Elleni smiled in surprise. <br>
<br>
“What events would you compete in,” she asked. She chastised herself for her pre-judgement, though in truth she would have to see the Lady Veora swinging a sword before she believed it, even if told it was commonplace.<br>
<br>
“Archery. It is my sister who is the talent with the sword I’m afraid. Though I try my best to test her acumen. She gets a big head about her talents sometimes.” Lady Veora refrained from bragging. She was much better at showing than telling, as people for some reason tended to doubt her until she had embedded all of her arrows into the bullseye. “I am sure Nyme thinks she is capable of besting anyone. Perhaps you will have to face her then? If the sword is your preference.”<br>
<br>
Whether or not Nyme would compete was a question she actually didn’t know the answer to however. Her sister’s chief concern in Beleth was to find a powerful and rich husband, and those did not usually appreciate their prospective match to compete in a tourney. They especially did not like losing to them. It was true in Theren, and most likely true here.<br>
<br>
“Sword,” Elleni confirmed. “And javelin toss. At home I have participated in hand combat events,” she added. “But here on the continent, women are not allowed to compete in those.”<br>
<br>
Which was a pity. She had once managed to body slam Avery, when he was still a young Prince. But they had gotten along then, and she had not been able to appreciate the pain that had blossomed across his face. <br>
<br>
“There are a great many things not allowed to us.” Veora lamented, “I suppose we will have to make due with humiliating their expectations in what ways we are permitted. Leaving the rest to imagination. Though I suppose I would not care so much to compete were I not jeered on. I think I prefer reading to tell you the truth.” They had started a second song, and Veora had hardly noticed.<br>
<br>
“A preference shared by many wise souls,” Elleni said agreeably. “When I was younger, I admit I found pursuits of the mind to be inferior to those of the body, but I believe that was foolish of me. I have been in many situations in which I needed the counsel of those better read than myself, and have been very fortunate to have such individuals on hand. Though- I think I will still prefer pursuits of the body,” she said, with an arch to her brow.<br>
<br>
“Wherever one may find pleasure, they should pursue it.” Veora said boldly, daring to meet the Baroness’s gaze as she did. “I am glad that you might not find me foolish Baroness.”<br>
<br>
It was the wine, Veora would blame the wine.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>Location: Redhill Castle, Marriage Suite<br>
Interacting: Avery and Meera, Mathilde the maid</b><br>
<br>
Sleeping on a bedroll with a thin blanket next to a fire was commonplace for Avery. It's just that usually he wasn't indoors, with a fine bed only paces away. Inhabited by his sleeping wife.<br>
<br>
<br>
He woke every couple hours, an old habit from the war and the watch rotation that had come up again since the trip to Theren and back. He would poke at the fire and add a few logs as needed, and then pace back and forth a few minutes to stretch his legs.<br>
<br>
<br>
The first time he woke, he closed the window he'd opened. Meera might have been shivering a bit, though he wasn't sure- He didn't want to investigate too closely, for fear she might wake up. He'd done it for himself, he insisted internally. He had been getting a bit chilled. (He hadn't.)<br>
<br>
<br>
Eventually he woke up and could not fall back asleep again, so instead he laid there on his bedroll and considered the night before. By the time the sun had risen properly, he'd managed to convince himself first that Meera had been completely out of line, then that she been completely correct in all her accusations, and back and forth between the two extremes a dozen times over.<br>
<br>
<br>
The problem, he supposed, was not whether or not she had been in the right. It was what he was going to do next, regardless. A soft knock at the door remedied the immediate ‘next’, at least.<br>
<br>
<br>
He scrambled to his feet, checking himself in the mirror as he went. Well, his hair was a mess at least.<br>
<br>
<br>
He pulled his shirt over his head with a wince- gods his shoulder hurt- and untied his braires a bit so they would hang loose. He didn’t have to interact with the maid- she would just leave the food out in the parlor- but if he was going to do this, he might as well do it right.<br>
<br>
<br>
He undid the locks on their side of the door, careful to be quiet as he did so- If Meera was still sleeping, he would like to keep it that way. The maid had unlocked it from her side, and Avery opened the door just enough to slip through. He needn’t have worried about the maid seeing anything she shouldn’t have, as she was already half way across the room.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Oh! Your Majesty,” she said when she heard him, turning around and curtseying quickly. “I’ve brought breakfast. For Your Majesties,” she said, gesturing at the tray. Like there was anything else she might have been doing.<br>
<br>
<br>
It was funny, Avery thought- Mathilde had seen him shirtless before, and had never blushed so much. It probably had something to do with the fact that he was tying up his underthings as though he’d only just put them on.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Excellent,” he told her, evenly. “We’re quite hungry, you know.”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Of course, sir,” Mathilde squeaked. “I’ll be back for the dishes in an hour or so, sir,” she told him. <br>
<br>
<br>
“All right,” he said agreeably, examining the tray. There was an abundance of food, and a paper listing those who had requested to meet with either the King or Queen, despite their seclusion.<br>
<br>
<br>
“See you same time tomorrow, then,” he told her, and Mathilde’s eyes widened. She might even have smiled, though she was trying to keep up a professional demeanor.<br>
<br>
<br>
“You’ll be staying here another night, then,” she asked. Embarrassed as she was by the idea of her boss’s sexual activity, she was clearly pleased that it seemed to be going well.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Oh, at least,” he said with a casual reassurance he didn’t feel. “We can have up to a week, can’t we?”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Of course, sir! Though I hardly think normal convention ought to apply to Your Majesties,” she said in a private whisper. Perhaps he was overdoing it, Avery thought- Mathilde would keep them in here a month if she had her way.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Well, there is a country to run,” he allowed. “But I appreciate your support, Mathilde.”<br>
<br>
<br>
She beamed again. “Enjoy breakfast, Your Majesty. And… Other things,” she said, blushing even more spectacularly when she couldn’t help herself from glancing down at his crotch.<br>
<br>
<br>
Gods above and below.<br>
<br>
<br>
He dismissed her with a slight glare and a wave of his hand, and she hurried away, eager to either stop embarrassing herself or to let him get back to his new Queen. Knowing Mathilde, probably a mixture of both.<br>
<br>
<br>
Avery sighed. That had gone quite well, all things considered. Mathilde was loyal enough that she would never in ill faith describe the private life of her monarchs, but she would certainly be asked, and be reduced to a very red face and a stammered statement about how that was private business and no concern of hers, and folks could infer the rest.<br>
<br>
<br>
He brought the tray of food back into the bedroom and set it on the small table, then hurried to pick up his shirt again and pull it back on before he work Meera.<br>
<br>
<br>
Though he supposed maybe he ought not to wake Meera? Was it ruder to interrupt her sleep, or to start eating without her?<br>
<br>
<br>
The bowls of porridge lids on them to keep them warm, and it wasn’t like they couldn’t get more food for her if she woke later, he supposed.<br>
<br>
He tried to make some noise as he set the dishes down on the table- Enough to be heard, but not enough to be accused of intentionally trying to disturb her.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty,” he said, at a speaking level from the foot of the bed. “Breakfast is here. If you would like some.”<br>
<br>
<br>
He didn’t think he really wanted her to wake up and join him, in case she threw the porridge, but he knew at least that he didn’t want to tell her later that he had tried to wake her up and have that be another lie.<br>
<br>
<br>
Surprisingly, Meera had slept like a rock. She thought she might end up restless, but the entire affair of a Belethan marriage ceremony and then yelling at your husband was a lot of hard work.<br>
<br>
<br>
She woke up pretty groggy, upset still but over what she didn’t know. Till she sleepily located the source of the voice waking her up. She huffed and rolled over, She wasn’t awake enough to deal with the bastard.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Mnghmphine.” Was her reply as she began stretching and yawning, willing life and energy into her bones. Once she was done with the sometimes lengthy process of waking herself up she slipped out of bed and located a robe, red with spun gold thread, she’d admire how pretty it was if she was more awake. But as of now her singular thought was of food, which was beginning to reach her nose.<br>
<br>
<br>
She plucked a strawberry from a bowl in the middle of the table before settling in her seat, the table was smaller and more intimate than regular dining tables in royal suits, made for two people. But she didn’t focus on that as much as she focused on her food.<br>
<br>
<br>
She spotted the list as she moved to pluck more fruit into her porridge. “When can they be received?”<br>
<br>
<br>
She didn’t seem interested in throwing the strawberry at him, so that was something.<br>
<br>
<br>
He started cautiously on his own porridge.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Uh- In about an hour I suppose,” he said. “After the maid returns for the breakfast things, we can ask her to let them know we would like to see them.”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Hm.” And a nod was her only answer, she ate quickly, wanting to freshen up before that happened, she was probably looking bedraggled right about now. And she didn’t really want to sit with her husband longer than necessary. She preferred the expanse of the room separating them.<br>
<br>
<br>
They ate breakfast in silence. Once Avery had finished was not so hungry- how had he managed to eat so little at the feast?- he refolded the blanket and replaced the bedroll, so there was little sign they had not slept in the same bed.<br>
<br>
<br>
Time passed in a quiet manner as Meera did her utmost to pretend Avery didn’t exist, the washroom had basins of water waiting but the bath lacked any. She supposed that was as needed but it wasn’t as though she had time before the maid arrived to take one either.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Oh hello there!” She greeted the maid first, fresh faced. “I understand our advisors asked to see us, you can send them up now that I’m somewhat put together.” Meera gestured offhandedly in the direction of Avery.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Of course, Your Majesties,” Mathilde said.. She’d brought another maid who replaced the chamber pot and water basins, as she loaded her cart with the used dishes. ““They’ll be along in a few hours,” she told them pleasantly.<br>
<br>
<br>
Meera almost died on the inside.<br>
<br>
<br>
“They aren’t available… Now?,” Avery asked.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I’m afraid they have other appointments this morning,” Mathilde said, unconcerned at the fact that her monarchs were going to continue being unsupervised. “Lady Roysa won’t be available until after lunch at least, and I’m unsure of Lord Cromwell’s schedule,” she admitted. “But don’t you worry! I’ll make sure they send attendants well ahead of their arrivals- Would half an hour be enough time?”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Yes. That should be... sufficient,” Avery replied, trying not to let his voice strain. It wasn’t like there would be anything to interrupt. “Mathilde, please leave the fruit,” he added. He was going to need something to do with his mouth that wasn’t saying something stupid.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Of course,” she said cheerily, putting it back on the table. “You two enjoy yourselves now,” she beamed, winking at them as she backed the cart out the door of the bedroom.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Thank you Mathilde.” Meera looked down and allowed herself to blush, which was an act worthy of praise in her opinion. She could’ve been a theatre girl in a troupe if she had not been born a royal.<br>
<br>
<br>
Until the door closed.<br>
<br>
<br>
And her face fell.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Damn you Blackbird.” She said under her breath before retreating to the bed, to ruminate for hours till their advisors arrived. Which proved to be bearable for a little while since she was able to fall asleep once more, but even that didn’t pass the time for long.</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/3154f1d273e2519ad2136766f34710da/tumblr_pxvsdnvbWI1qazlk1o4_r1_400.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; King Averrett</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Marriage Suite - Redhill Castle | Interacting with: Lady Roysa &amp; Lord Cromwell  </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">It had been years since Avery had written letters to the next of kin of his fallen men. That task usually fell to their most direct superior- But Avery had assumed command of the mission to Theren and back, which made him their direct superior. The old unit leader had offered to do it on his behalf, but Avery had declined. It was his fault they had died, and he could damn well let <br>
their families know of their passing.<br>
<br>
He only had a few to write, but it was taking him much longer than he’d remembered- It was what he was working on when the guard knocked on the sitting room’s door to tell him Lady Roysa would be arriving soon, and what he was still working on them when she was announced.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty,” she said curtly, dropping into a slight curtsey before taking a seat opposite him. She looked around the room. “Her Majesty is not joining us?”<br>
<br>
“She’s sleeping,” he explained. “I told her she could have breakfast with her ladies tomorrow morning,” he said, and Roysa frowned.<br>
<br>
“It would be… Unconventional, to allow them to take a meal here with her,” she replied, and he groaned. So, no- The royal apartments were not yet ready.  “Well, don’t promise things you can’t deliver,” she chided her nephew.<br>
<br>
“And when can she and her ladies enjoy breakfast in her rooms, then?”<br>
<br>
“Your father and mother spent five nights in their wedding suite,” Roysa said. “I think it would be good, for you to do the same,” she continued, answering the question indirectly.<br>
<br>
“Which I’m sure was the foundation of their successful and happy marriage,” Avery said, a dry note in his tone. He had no desire to emulate his parent’s relationship, even in such a small way.<br>
<br>
“Well it certainly put to rest any rumors that they did not enjoy each other’s company,” she said smoothly. “And led to the birth of their first child,” she reminded him. “So I think five nights is perfectly adequate.”<br>
<br>
“Adequate for what?” Meera chimed in, opening the doors fully and striding in, annoyed that she had not been awaken upon the arrival of advisors, even if this one in particular was not her own. But acknowledging that really it was partially her own fault since she very well couldn’t rely on her husband for single damn thing, it would be considered ‘<i>holding her hand through every little thing</i>’ by his majesty. <br>
<br>
She settled in a chair adjacent to the both of them, further annoyed that she wasn’t fully dressed like Lady Roysa, as this felt like a meeting of sorts. It gave the impression of a lack of preparedness, forced because it was purpose but still. Meera was quickly becoming acquainted with little comforts she hadn’t realized she required as they were being taken away.<br>
Roysa stood when Meera entered the sitting room, and dipped into a slight curtsy. “Your Majesty. How kind of you to join us,” she said cooly.<br>
<br>
Avery gestured at his aunt to repeat what she had said, but she only turned her cool gaze towards him instead.<br>
<br>
She was more of a bastard than Emerson was sometimes, he thought bitterly. Fine then. <br>
<br>
Meera inclined her head slightly, “I would’ve loved to have been informed of your arrival Lady Roysa but it appears that was simply too much trouble. Now where were we here?” <br>
<br>
“We’re going to spend four more nights in this suite,” Avery said, gritting his teeth slightly but doing what he could to seem confident in this declaration. “Though I’m sure we will be alerted if anything needs our attention,” he said pointedly at his aunt, and she inclined her head in agreement.<br>
<br>
It might very well be only three more nights, but better to plan for four.<br>
<br>
Meera’s jaw tightened as well before she shifted in her seat to physically attempt to loosen herself up, “That is… unacceptable, things already require my attention.” she said slowly and evenly, but as pleasantly as she could muster in her state of irritation. She had never before been so cooped up in her lifetime. This was maddening. It could not be true that people truly lived like this or enjoyed doing things like this.<br>
<br>
Roysa turned to look at Meera with obvious displeasure, as though she were a misbehaving child. <br>
<br>
“The King has made a decision,” she said flatly. “Your interests can be accommodated around it, if need be. Your marriage is what requires your attention.” <br>
<br>
“The King can force himself on me later Lady Roysa, but while he is entitled to do <i>that</i> he is not entitled, according to the treaty between our two Kingdoms, to keep me from performing my necessary duties to Theren where my mother can not.” Meera recited nonchalantly, unconcerned by the crassness of some of the language she used. Lady Roysa had been part of negotiations, she shouldn’t be under any illusions of the general feelings surrounding their arrangement.<br>
<br>
Avery visibly winced. <br>
<br>
“Your work shall be brought to you,” Roysa said firmly. “And seeing as it is so important to you, I shall be sure to let your ladies know not to join you here for breakfast tomorrow, as you shall be every so busy performing your… Necessary duties to Theren. If you would like, I can take my leave and go fetch you some reports now-”<br>
<br>
<br>
“No,” Avery interrupted loudly. “Please stay,” he added somewhat more smoothly, unsure if he was more scared of his wife’s temper or his aunt’s. “Anything…. Unusual in the arrest reports for last evening?,” he fished, desperate to move to some safer topic.<br>
<br>
“An abnormally high amount of public drunkeness in the city,” Roysa reported dryly. “But nothing unexpected or suspicious.” People got rowdy during feasts and festivals and big celebrations. “It is my understanding that Lord Chancellor Cromwell is in charge of the investigation into the earlier attack on your persons, so if there are any updates, he will provide them.”<br>
<br>
She was clearly unimpressed by the lack of her own involvement. <br>
<br>
“I’m sure he’ll be along briefly. Now about those reports?” Meera tilted her head and smiled sickly sweet, feeling downright petty and uninterested in letting Lady Roysa know anything more about what she clearly wanted to know about. Despite the fact that she’d probably fish it out of her nephew the minute she could have a moment alone with him. Which would apparently be four whole days from now.<br>
<br>
Besides, she really did want something to do other than absolutely nothing in this thrice damned suite.<br>
<br>
“Is there any topic you are particularly interested in, Your Majesty,” Roysa asked Meera. “I’m not sure when Lord Cromwell will be available to meet with you, but I can pass on to him or to an attendant your requests, so as to mitigate delay.”<br>
<br>
“As long as it happens without delay.” Meera twiddled her thumbs, looking back and forth between Avery and Lady Roysa, wondering if that was all.<br>
<br>
There was a knock on the door and Avery said loudly, “Come in!”<br>
<br>
The guard poked his head in.<br>
<br>
“Lord Chancellor Cromwell is here,” he announced.<br>
<br>
“Very well, show him in,” Avery nodded, and the guard opened the door further to admit the Chancellor.<br>
<br>
“I shall leave you to it then, Your Majesties,” Roysa said as she stood, nodding briefly before heading towards the door.<br>
<br>
“Lady Roysa.” Cromwell inclined his head briefly as he passed her, they had already interacted before. <br>
<br>
“Your Majesties.” Lord Cromwell unfolded the stacks under his arms, including a leather bound portfolio holding yet more parchment and set it on the table before them. <br>
<br>
“Good news, as far as I can tell within the court right now, the general consensus amongst the castle is that the both of you are busy consummating your marriage. Thanks to the maids. Even though that has clearly not transpired.” Cromwell looked pointedly at Meera, sweeping over her general form, which was far more stiff and irritated than he had ever seen her, even when negotiating the treaty. Clearly she was not at all pleased with her husband. That didn’t surprise Cromwell considering certain choices by said husband, but he figured they might work it out eventually.<br>
<br>
 Avery went bright red. <br>
<br>
“What we do privately is hardly any of your business,” he told Cromwell.<br>
<br>
“On the contrary, it is exactly my business your majesty. The Queen can not bare you any issue threw miraculous conception I can assure you. And her monthlies are due to start any day now so your chances-”<br>
<br>
“Thank you my lord, that is enough, you’re fully aware of my irritations already clearly, and I think you are merely having fun at the King’s expense.” Meera couldn’t stop her amused smile, though she did stop Cromwell in his ministrations. They were appreciated and had made her smile though.<br>
<br>
“I was curious to see if his majesty was capable of turning an even deeper shade of red, but there are more important things on the itinerary. I have an update on the investigation into the attack, which is as of now, fully underway.” Cromwell’s tone darkened into something more serious as he mentioned the attack.<br>
<br>
Avery was not impressed.<br>
<br>
“Theren’s spymaster arrived last night on horseback. He was briefed on the situation and sent with doubles of the evidence we have, a piece of armor with the mark of a blacksmith somewhere in Beleth, a copy of the love letter, and a drawn reference to the unique sword of the leader. It isn’t much to go on but I trust that answers can be had from these clues and so does he. In order to keep the investigation as tightly secured as possible he was sent with members from the troupe who fought with us during the attack. A few from Beleth, a few from ours. The rest sworn to secrecy. A guide was also sent with them but he is being kept in the dark on details mostly. This part of the investigation can be over quickly if we are lucky, or may take months upon months if we are particularly unlucky. They left post haste, I think it was some time around breakfast the preparations were finished.” Cromwell remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back as he ran through the particulars.<br>
<br>
Avery nodded as Cromwell spoke- This was all in line with what he had expected. <br>
<br>
“Very good,” Avery agreed. “I’ve spoken with my own spymaster about the matter- For now he’s reviewing travel and expenditure among our nobles who may have had… Motive to arrange such an attack, but I imagine results are more likely to be yielded from the field work end of things. If your man finds anything that leads him towards Beleth or one of our citizens,” Avery said, though privately he thought it was more of an ‘if’ than a ‘when’. “He will of course have the full cooperation of our network,” he promised. <br>
<br>
Beleth’s web of spies and informants was not to the standard Avery would have liked, but they did an admirable job with the limited amount of resources they had compared to the wide range of duties and geography they needed to cover. They’d lost several of both official ‘spymasters’ who held the title, and the actual spymasters who did the work behind the scenes in the last five or so years, and the fact that this attack had happened with little warning several days ago and they still had little to show for it was proof enough that the network had yet to structurally recover.  <br>
<br>
“Forgive me if I gave the wrong impression or mislead your Majesty…” Cromwell corrected, “But we are exclusively traversing Beleth territory. It is quite clear given the evidence that these men were not Theren warriors. Your spymaster is already aware of this of course. I have his written report here.” Cromwell shuffled through his stack, somehow knowing precisely where the report papers were despite the lack of physical organization between the parchment.<br>
<br>
“No, not at all, I suspected this would be the case,” Avery admitted with a sigh.  <br>
<br>
“To read at your leisure.” Cromwell handed the report to Avery.<br>
<br>
“As for the second attack, the one on the farmer tradesmen family, the Becketts as we’ve identified, no further information has been had about the attackers. After a while their trail became visibly covered, and disappeared altogether.” Cromwell separated that written report as well, which was short and only consisted of one paper.<br>
<br>
“How is Alexander?” Meera asked, plucking the report from him. Avery, who had been reaching for it, let his hand fall.<br>
<br>
“Preparations for his care and livelihood have been arranged, he’ll go to a neighbor in-”<br>
<br>
“Oh of course not, I instructed my ladies not to leave him out of their sight.” Meera grinned, looking up. “Not until I am there.”<br>
<br>
“Ah… yes, that is why I can not seem to pry the boy from their presence.” Cromwell sighed. “Nor can Lady Roysa apparently. Who arranged for his transport this morning.” He almost sounded like he was chiding.<br>
<br>
“No I can imagine not, I gave express instructions.” came Meera’s nonchalant reply.<br>
<br>
Avery’s frown, initially brought on as he considered the unusual nature of the attack on the Beckett family, deepened as he attempted to follow the conversation of Meera and her advisor. <br>
<br>
“There’s no reason he can’t stay here for another week or so,” Avery offered, hoping to make Meera happy at little cost. “The winter snows won’t make the paths difficult for a few months still, and it will give the neighbors time to prepare,” he pointed out. <br>
<br>
“Very well your majesties.” Cromwell rolled his shoulders, not sure that this was the best course of action. He didn’t like the idea of the boy staying longer than necessary, at this rate he’d be staying indefinitely. <br>
<br>
“That is all as far as pressing matters go, though your mother did send a letter.” Cromwell fished out a letter and handed it to Meera.<br>
<br>
“She was informed that you are well and now married, but I am sure the Queen Regent would prefer to hear from you.” <br>
<br>
“Thank you Cromwell, I have many letters to write as of now actually. Could you mind leaving me whatever you can? I’ll go mad if I’m not given something to do while stuck in here for the next four days.” Meera broke the seal of her mother’s letter.<br>
<br>
“I will see to it that proper supply and reports are brought to you, for now I do not have any blank parchment. Were you thinking of writing to Ruhar?” Cromwell pressed.<br>
<br>
“Yes, them first. Our other allies and those who sent well wishes too, but we must sort out trade once more.” Meera said, “Are the pirates still a problem?”<br>
<br>
“Yes… unfortunately. They have not ceased attacking whatever ships we send out, we are still unable to safely import or export overseas.” Cromwell turned to Avery, as it was he who had first set them upon Theren’s ships. Cease fire had been months ago, and the treaty signed a fortnight passed. He understood things didn’t happen immediately but it was certainly time sensitive that Theren’s economy be able to function, people’s bellies needed filling.<br>
<br>
“It has been difficult,” Avery admitted, “For our patrols to identify pirates, unless they are actively attacking another ship.”<br>
<br>
That was the problem with pirates- They didn’t tend to fly their more ominous colors unless they had a reason to. Stopping every merchant ship and having them prove their identity wasn’t the most effective, either. Many pirates that operated in the gulf were traders legitimately recognized by nations far into the reaches of the ocean, and though they almost certainly were pirates- very rarely did they have receipts to prove they had just made or accepted a delivery- a crew of foreign traders could not be unilaterally arrested on suspicion alone.<br>
<br>
The best thing to do, of course, was to patrol along the opening of the gulf and turn away anyone who could not prove a valid reason to pass- Except that Avery had done away with that practice during the war. They did not have enough ships to keep watch for attacks and keep an eye on pirates trying to get goods out of the gulf, and so both jobs were being done poorly.<br>
<br>
“We believe the raiding efforts are primarily directed by a few key players,” Avery told them. “And all efforts are being made to apprehend them. In the meantime, heavy fines have been imposed on all merchants in Beleth found to be dealing in suspect goods.”<br>
<br>
It was hardly a perfect solution, but it had helped to dry up the market for pirated merchandise in Beleth, forcing the pirates out of the gulf and into the loose barricade where it might be caught. The goods could then be returned to their original destination in Theren, but that process could take weeks- Even longer if it was successful, because the large Beleth ships could catch multiple pirates, and need to drop off cargo at several places in Theren.<br>
<br>
Avery’s sailors were sailors- Not experts in determining the original, planned destination for a shipment, nor in deciding which shipments were to be given highest priority. The man in charge of the ships along the gulf’s opening wrote him very lengthy, unhappy letters about the whole business. <br>
<br>
“The Duke of Yetun has been persuaded to lend some of his own ships to provide protection to the Theren merchants, but he has been…. Fickle about just how many he is willing to commit,” Avery revealed. <br>
<br>
“And our own navy…” Meera began.<br>
<br>
“Is weak.” Cromwell nodded.<br>
<br>
“I’ll think on this. We can expand but we would need to import supply in order to do so.” Meera noted.<br>
<br>
“That is the primary problem and solution yes.” He cleared his throat, “Is there anything else you would like to discuss?” Cromwell looked to them both.<br>
<br>
“I think that will be all.” Meera said.<br>
<br>
“Then I shall be on my way, your work should be along post haste, along with reading material I should think.” Cromwell gathered his things and bowed out of the room.<br>
<br>
Meera opened her mother’s letter and began reading.<br>
<br>
Avery sat quietly for a moment, reviewing the information Cromwell had given him briefly to determine nothing needed immediate attention that the advisor might have missed. He’d look at it more closely later, after he had finished his own letter writing- He’d been starting to make progress and he didn’t want to lose it again. <br>
<br>
They sat like that for a while, quiet.<br>
<br>
</span></div><div style="text-align:right;font:Karla;font-size:0.5em;letter-spacing:0.3em;opacity:0.6;"><!--DO NOT REMOVE-->code by Ri.a</div></div></div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/2c5b53b85ec47412e5bb125c66bae38b/tumblr_pn8jrwZuC21shawdho4_400.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; King Averrett</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Marriage Suite - Redhill Castle | Interacting with: eachother  </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">“My ladies were never going to be able to join me for breakfast here were they…” Meera sighed as she got up, retreating into the suite. She didn’t really want to fight, she was just stating a truth.<br>
<br>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
It was now the second day, and the married couple had taken to quietly working, a stalemate of sorts. It was peaceful at least. Ignoring each other was effective, they both focused on their tasks at hand and did not bicker, which was better than before at least. <br>
<br>
Or worse. At least when they fought they acknowledged each other’s existence.<br>
<br>
Lady Roysa had been entirely correct in lording the King’s decisions over Meera, though Meera highly suspected they were less his decisions and more Lady Roysa’s. That was a problem. A big problem. In effect it meant Lady Roysa had power of her, and she wasn’t comfortable with that in the slightest. It was bad enough her husband had that power, and that she had to comply. But the way she chided her and took away something she wanted, or seemed to in any case, shocked her. She would not spend her life cowed to a woman who hadn’t the rank to be cowing her. Her mother would scoff at the idea, she raised her to be Queen in act not just in name. <br>
<br>
She had to find a way to shut Lady Roysa out of the decision making.<br>
<br>
This was why it was so troublesome that the King had hidden his identity from her so early on. Or perhaps she should not have gotten so angry at having that detail hidden from her. After all, he had seemed to like her well enough on the journey. It mattered little now though, this marriage was a mess before it began and she had to find some way to correct its course. <br>
<br>
Her mother and father had ruled as equals. <br>
<br>
Perhaps the path to that was first accepting where you are, and being willing to be humble even when it hurts your pride. It wasn’t as though her pride and that of her countrymen wasn’t already in shambles. All she had now was false pride. She may as well let that go too if it was impeding her progress. She had to make progress, and before they finally left this room. If she lost him before they left this room they’d have an entire castle with which to avoid one another and that would make things impossibly hopeless. <br>
<br>
So she had to make progress with the King who tossed away a crippled betrothed before she ever came here, murdered her father, and annexed her country. It was difficult to believe, looking at him, he seemed an uncomfortable and stiff man who hadn’t the backbone for such cut throat atrocities. Though at least, perhaps, she was being unfair in labeling him a murderer, her father did die honorably in battle. Meera never cared for warrior’s pride and thought it foolish to consider death honorable when you still left behind a family who loved you. But as she considered it, it was a comfort that her father had died on his own two feet, as a warrior, as Theren’s King, and not executed on some scaffold on his knees. There was comfort in that. Even though he was still dead.<br>
<br>
Meera stopped her pacing, she had her letter to Ruhar in hand, staring at it without really reading it, chewing on her thumbnail in thought.<br>
<br>
“Grain.” Meera said suddenly. Turning to Avery.<br>
<br>
Avery looked taken aback by a noise other than the sound of paper and quills.<br>
<br>
“Does Beleth have grain to sell? No doubt the war was expensive for Beleth, the treasury needs filling, those are taxes you’re looking over. What if instead of taxing your already heavily taxed people you were to sell grain to Theren? Its treasury can more than afford it, especially since your advisors neglected to negotiate a dowery.” Meera moved over to his table, taking a seat next to him.<br>
<br>
“Oh,” Avery said, catching up with the conversation and rummaging through his papers in search of something.  He was a little offended to hear she thought he was overtaxing his people, though his nobles no doubt agreed with that assessment.<br>
<br>
“And lumber, you know our villages are severely damaged, and we need to expand our navy, we could buy that from Beleth too.” She folded her hands on the table, keeping eye contact.<br>
<br>
“Moise has agreed to sell one third of their extra grain surplus at a subsidized rate through the Beleth crown,” Avery told her, showing her the letter he’d exchanged with the leader of one of the agrarian baronies. Though the war had not starved Beleth the way it had Theren, production was done across the nation and Moise could have sold their surplus to many of the other regions in Beleth at a higher price. <br>
<br>
“The issue is in how to transport it,” he explained, revisiting the earlier topic of sea transport. Spare ships were not easily available, for the cargo space or the protection needed. And wagon trains were slow- The grain from Moise had been bought nearly a month ago and had only arrived in the capitol recently. <br>
<br>
“And with getting other lords to do the same- They claim that because that grain is no longer on the market, the price has increased higher. Which is true,” he admitted, “But not nearly by the amounts they are now asking for,” he explained, showing her the inflated figures. <br>
<br>
“We usually buy from Ruhar, we could leverage that. In good faith Theren is willing to buy at an inflated rate but not by <i>this</i> much.” She tapped the papers, “This would be the first trade deal with our two countries since anyone can remember, if we can pull this off it can open opportunity for more. And countries who do business together aren’t very inclined to break out in war, not when there’s money to be made.”<br>
Avery nodded agreeably. <br>
<br>
“My trade minister has people doing working to find out what the grain is actually going for throughout Beleth,” he said, because the landowners sold their surplus crops who sold it to other merchants who sold it to others who sold it at open markets, and it was a lot of transactions and numbers that were rarely compiled and presented in a way that was easily understood. “We could use that information to make an initial offer.”<br>
<br>
She nodded, “What about lumber?” She pressed.<br>
<br>
“Lumber I haven’t made much progress on,” he admitted. The landowners with forests owned the lumber, but it was rarely their own people who cut and transported the logs. “Most just cut what is needed, and to clear an area for farming,” he considered. Some of his nobility considered taking an axe to their old forests more trouble than it was worth, unless they had a locked buyer. Which he supposed they would. “Perhaps if Theren could provide or pay for the labor to fell and move the trees, a discounted rate could be negotiated? And clearing some areas would allow for further crop development, which would be of benefit to all.”<br>
<br>
Avery was aware that his tactics had not just destroyed the season’s harvest for Theren farmers, but perhaps the next few seasons as well.<br>
<br>
“It depends on what would make your Lord’s happier, we are willing to this, it would be little trouble. But… Averett.” Meera used his name for the first time, shifting in her seat to face him better, “I keep trying to tell you that money isn’t really the issue. It was the siege tactics and burning of our supply that we were mostly troubled with.” Meera severely understated this, she wasn’t trying to nettle him or make him feel guilty so she tread carefully, “Theren’s coffers were quite full before the war and stayed that way because there was no one to buy from. So you understand what I’m offering? Don’t you?” Meera looked him over a moment.<br>
<br>
“I’m offering a trade deal specifically beneficial to Beleth to open our trade negotiations on the favorable foot, as far as Beleth’s Lord’s are concerned.” She would need to convince her mother, but she did have reason on her side so that shouldn’t be impossible.<br>
<br>
“... I am unused to straightforward dealing,” Avery allowed after a moment’s thought. He was rather accustomed to needing an angle for everything he proposed. <br>
<br>
“I suppose that is a benefit here then, we can be straightforward with one another. I am not one of your Lords after all.” Meera pointed out tentatively.<br>
<br>
The corner of Avery’s lip almost twitched upwards. No, she certainly wasn’t- She had the haughty and entitled demeanor and the snide comments down, he supposed. But she had yet to imply his rule was invalid, or that he was a fool for making a treaty, or suggested he marry his sister to one of her relatives. Conversely, none of his nobles had thrown anything at him. (Excepting Elleni, of course.)<br>
<br>
Well. He could be straightforward, he supposed. <br>
<br>
“I will trust in your judgement of what Theren can and cannot afford,” he decided, since she certainly knew better than him. “And I won’t deny that it would be… Beneficial, to reduce any appearance of partiality in dealings.” He’d already been accused of favoring Theren when he’d bought the grain from Moise, and made suggestions for further trade in the future. “I think it would lessen the chance of resentment, and encourage future dealings.”<br>
<br>
Avery had learned that his nobles balanced their desire to be petty against their desire to increase their own wealth, and he assumed that once a few put aside their grudges and found it profitable, the others would rush to do the same for fear the others would be more successful.<br>
<br>
“But,” he said slowly. “I am… Reluctant, to establish trade between our countries as business between ‘foreign countries’.” He was careful to try and articulate his thoughts. “I married you, but I also married your people- I have just as much responsibility to their hunger as I do to my own. I do not wish to make any deals that will disadvantage them, now or in the future.”<br>
<br>
Meera listened carefully, nodding but unable to hide a small chuckle once he’d expressed his thoughts. “That is very noble of you, to be sure, but our countries <i>are</i> separate, and what is beneficial to all is if Theren and Beleth can open trade between one another freely. Not only for the crown but for the common folk as well. That’s how a relationship is established, and myths about each other dispelled. Theren’s laws prevent any trade amongst the commons across the border right now, but a trade deal made by the crown would be enough to strike down that law. A one time trade is all it would take for our people to begin to mingle, to share their cultures, and buy grain more directly as needed. For a long time now Ruhar has more or less been able to charge whatever they so please because they did not have any competition. It would benefit Theren to have alternatives. So paying more now, can ensure we pay less later, and help change trade policy. Meanwhile here in Beleth your Lord’s see you making a very beneficial trade deal that puts gold in the economy when it needs it most, and as you say, they see you are not being soft or playing favorites but attempting to line the pockets of your people as they believe a good King should do.”<br>
<br>
This all- or at least- mostly, sounded good to Avery, and he nodded his assent. <br>
<br>
“Very well, then,” he said. “Let us do that. Are the terms something you will need to discuss with your mother? Otherwise I can have my trade minister draft some preliminary language.”<br>
<br>
“A draft from your trade minister to send along with my letter would help me convince her of the merits.” She was sure that her mother did not think that trade could remain closed between the two forever, not rationally at least, and her mother could not override her decision ultimately. That still didn’t stop Meera from desiring her mother’s support and approval though.<br>
<br>
She took a deep breath, thinking a moment, “Your sentiments almost remind me of your brother, the late King. We almost met once. Before the war. I don’t know if you knew that. But I respected him a great deal, his letters were very idealistic, but practical. I consider sometimes what we could have accomplished had… well, you know the rest.” Meera said softly, playing with her fingers.<br>
<br>
When discussing trade and other official matters, Avery tended to wear his public persona, even in private. So his change in demeanor was more subtle than it might have been, but it changed nonetheless.<br>
<br>
“My brother… Wrote to you of his plans?”<br>
<br>
He did know the rest, unfortunately, and was not particularly happy to be reminded of it.<br>
<br>
She looked up, “You don’t know? I suppose not, he expressed the importance of secrecy to me. The only people I ever told were my parents, I had gotten them to agree to allow me to meet him in person. The date and location had been set and everything. He said he had a few plans to implement a relationship between our countries. I imagine a trade deal must have been one of them as I was to bring our trades minister and a few other dignitaries.”<br>
<br>
That meeting had never happened thanks to what took place next, the spark of a war.<br>
<br>
“I knew of his plans,” Avery said. “Just not that he had already been in contact with you about them so directly. Or that he’d made such firm plans to meet with you…”<br>
<br>
Avery trailed off, thinking. This information could be interpreted in a variety of ways, none of which provided great clarity.<br>
<br>
On the one hand, that Elion had written directly to Meera and bypassed others in favor of secrecy certainly implied that he had concerns about who in her court could be trusted.  Perhaps telling her father had been the act that doomed Elion, if King Gaius had taken great offense at the idea of having Avery as a son-in-law.<br>
<br>
But it didn’t sound as though Meera had been aware of that detail in order to pass it on to her father. Though he might have assumed such an arrangement would be proposed or heard it from some other source, it would have been reckless to have Elion killed for such a slight that he had yet to officially commit. <br>
<br>
Especially because on the other hand, King Gaius had little to lose by following through on peace talks. It had been Avery’s father who had escalated the long-held tension into hostility and outright fighting along the border, and Gaius would presumably be content to end it. And Theren had still been winning battles then, so they would have had a much stronger negotiating position than they later had. They might have refused a marriage proposal outright, or renegotiated it so that more distant relatives of each royal family were wed instead.<br>
<br>
The only thing this information really clarified, he supposed, was that his brother’s death was indeed a very suspicious business. <br>
<br>
“And your parents and your ministers seemed…. Optimistic about the meeting?,” he asked cautiously.<br>
<br>
Averett seemed, pensive, as if considering things, so Meera just let him think and answered his questions, “My parents didn’t know what to make of it, and at first of course they thought it to be a trap. But I convinced them that he was worth hearing out, I think at the time they were open to the idea of peace because everything was going so well. Especially our economy, the unnecessary expenses of skirmishes at the border were… well, unnecessary. At the very least a grudging stalemate would’ve benefitted everybody.” She straightened, thinking back, “As for my ministers, they didn’t know. They just knew they were coming with me somewhere on an important matter of sensitivity and I needed them there. It was only two or three of them who were to come along anyway.”<br>
<br>
“It was Elion who cautioned me on secrecy.” She finished, as an afterthought.<br>
<br>
“Well,” Avery said tightly, unsure what he was supposed to say, but feeling like he’d been caught in this conversation and sorely wishing for a way out. <br>
<br>
He supposed he could just invent one.<br>
<br>
“I’m afraid I didn’t sleep as well as I would have liked last night,” he said after a moment. It wasn’t technically a lie- He’d been sleeping very poorly every night since they’d arrived back at Redhill. He continued stiffly, “Please excuse me, I think I shall go lie down for a bit.”<br>
<br>
She must have said something wrong, or perhaps the subject of his brother was just too unpleasant for him, whatever the case she could at least get him to stop sleeping on that ridiculous bedroll. She watched him bend down to fish it out and stopped him.<br>
<br>
“You should just take the bed, it isn’t as though I’m using it anyhow. I’ll wake you when dinner arrives.” Meera insisted.<br>
<br>
Avery paused, unsure for a moment. It seemed rude to do so, but he couldn’t deny the bed would be more comfortable. And she had offered, perhaps in an attempt to show kindness. It would be rude to refuse her as well.<br>
<br>
“...Thank you,” he finally decided, straightening up again and pulling the blankets back on the side of the bed she hadn’t been using. <br>
<br>
It felt a little bit ridiculous to have him thank her for use of the bed, this was his technically, all of it was. Including herself. But that he wasn’t inclined to step on that fact pleased her, she gave a forced grin and nodded. Turning back around to omit the letter she had written to Ruhar. They didn’t need to be pandered to so much for selling something essential to them when Theren had another supplier now.<br>
<br>
Meera continued to work quietly, until dinner arrived, quicker than she had expected. She considered waking her husband up but he seemed as asleep as a baby, and recalled that he’d mentioned he hadn’t been sleeping well. She felt a pang of guilt at that, having denied him a bed, and let him be. She left food on their work table for him instead if he woke up later.<br>
<br>
But later never really came, and soon Meera was getting drowsy herself. <br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>Location: Redhill Castle, Lady Roysa's Suite<br>
Interacting: Roysa and Emerson</b><br>
<br>
If Roysa was surprised to find Lord Emerson lounging in her private office, she certainly didn't look it. <br>
<br>
"Well," the young man asked. "How are the blissfully wedded couple?"<br>
<br>
"He isn't pleased at the timeline I gave him," Roysa admitted. "But I didn't expect him to be. You were right- It might have gone over better if I hadn't mentioned his parents' wedding as a benchmark comparison."<br>
<br>
Emerson raised an eyebrow. "'Course I was right," he said smugly. "Mind writing that down for me?"<br>
<br>
She ignored him. <br>
<br>
"I'm satisfied enough with the first floor, so I'm thinking I'll allow her ladies to see it tomorrow and confirm the positioning of the furniture and art. Assuming I can pry them away from their recent fascination," she said with an eye roll.<br>
<br>
"He needs to not be here anymore," Emerson said darkly. "Once the other children get wind of him, they'll tear him apart." The bastard noble had quite a lot of experience with the cruelty of children who perceived a peer as being unworthy or unequal.<br>
<br>
"I am aware," Roysa returned sharply. "But our new queen and her ladies seem to think he ought to stay until he is completely healed from not only the attack, but every malady he has ever suffered in his lifetime, no matter how slight."<br>
<br>
"I'm sure once you let them see the royal apartments, they won't be so bothered about him," Emerson proposed, and the look Roysa gave him was withering.<br>
<br>
"Gods! Not because women are simple minded creatures who can only focus on one thing at a time," he said with exasperation. "But because you've been preventing from doing what they think is their duty- If I was shipped off to a foreign land with little to do, I'd fixate on whatever I could get ahold of, too," he reasoned. "Let them fawn over Her Majesty and their concerns about her, and they'll be less interested in the boy."<br>
<br>
Roysa made a humming noise that might have been agreement.<br>
<br>
"There's still work to be done in the upper level though," Roysa said, thinking of how she could schedule it so the ladies would never see the workers pass through. "The bedroom and the nursery are fine, but-"<br>
<br>
"Just have them take the paneling down from the nursery and put it in Her Majesty's sitting room," Emerson suggested, looking quite pleased with himself.<br>
<br>
"The rooms are different dimensions," Roysa shot back, looking at Emerson like he was utterly daft. "And then the nursery would be unfinished."<br>
<br>
"So? They aren't going to need it for awhile. A year, <i>at least</i>. Personally, I'm betting two and a half years before there's even a need to get the nursery aired out and ready to be used," Emerson said.<br>
<br>
"I will remind you," Roysa said icily. "That the validity of a marriage in Beleth is inherently tied to its consummation, and to have a close associate of the king placing wagers on the matter would be disastrous in a multitude of ways-"<br>
<br>
"You'll be relieved to know I gave quite long odds on them waiting until even the second day after the wedding," Emerson interrupted.  "No one in the pool even implied they'd leave the suite... Not validated. I think the concept is too absurd to have even crossed their minds."<br>
<br>
Roysa was unsure if he was joking about a betting pool or not, and even more unsure if she wanted to actually know.<br>
<br>
"I was speaking figuratively," Emerson continued. "If there's any betting on the arrival of an heir, I've yet to hear of it. I'm sure you will have ample time to complete the nursery, at any rate. Your nephew's interest in his bride is presumably secondary to his well ingrained habit of ignoring such interests."<br>
<br>
"I prefer to be prepared," she informed the young man. "A marriage is a different sort of relationship altogether from whatever sort of nonsense you have been trying to get him to indulge in. Duty and obligation are of more import than things like interest."<br>
<br>
"If you'd seen the things I have, you'd feel differently," Emerson told her, pleased at the chance to embarrass the usually imperturbable woman. "I've never met a man so steadfastly determined to be unaware- Once we were at an early morning meeting with his generals and he was standing too close to the map table when-"<br>
<br>
"Enough," Roysa scolded. "Have you anything to actually speak with me about, or are you just here to be a nuisance?"<br>
<br>
"The second one, mostly," Emerson retorted, though he reached into his pocket and pulled out a few folded sheets of paper to hand over to her, which she took without looking at. "And I thought you should know, it seems the Baroness has elected to stay in the capitol a few more days than expected," he reported casually.<br>
<br>
Roysa frowned at that. "I assume you mean the one we would expect to spend as little time here as possible?"<br>
<br>
"That's the one."<br>
<br>
"What is she playing at," Roysa muttered in annoyance.<br>
<br>
"She's scheduled a few visits with merchants in the city over the next few days," Emerson said, which wasn't inherently suspicious. "I'll see what else I can find out, though," he promised.<br>
<br>
"Anything else of note?"<br>
<br>
"...I don't think we should trust Cromwell," Emerson said after a moment of consideration, and Roysa looked concerned.<br>
<br>
"Why? What has he done," she demanded.<br>
<br>
"Nothing, yet. That I know of," Emerson admitted with a shrug. "But he's hiding something. He gives me... A bad sort of feeling. But His Majesty is determined to trust him, it seems. I think he feels that to do otherwise would be a slight to Her Majesty."<br>
<br>
"Hmm," Roysa said. "As evidenced by your presence in his life, I think we can both agree that His Majesty is not the best judge of character," she said, and Emerson grinned sharply. "You may investigate further if it is convenient, but do not expect my assistance if you do something stupid," she warned, and Emerson laughed as he stood.<br>
<br>
"What has possibly given you the belief that I am prone to doing stupid things," he asked rhetorically, and she affected an impressive glare that softened only slightly when he bowed to kiss her hand in farewell.</div>
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9757914" data-lb-caption-desc="jones573 · Jun 26, 2019 at 12:36 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>Location: Redhill Castle, Wedding Suite<br>
Interacting: Meera and Avery</b><br>
<br>
Avery hadn’t really meant to sleep that long. He hadn’t really meant to sleep at all- He’d been tired, of course, but the nap was mostly an excuse to get out of the conversation. <br>
<br>
<br>
He’d woken slightly sometime in the evening to the sound of someone moving about, and he’d remembered something about dinner- But his body had decided he wasn’t hungry enough to be bothered, and his brain had decided there was no threat, and he’d promptly turned over and fallen back asleep.<br>
<br>
<br>
He woke in the morning in much the same way, slowly and in pieces, with his senses becoming aware before his brain did. <br>
<br>
<br>
He was warm, but not unpleasantly so, most of it body heat from where he lay alongside his partner, his arm across her waist. He wasn’t awake enough yet to feel self conscious that he’d been pressing himself up against her in his sleep, though he slowed the rutting movement when he became aware of it.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Need that hand back, darling,” he mumbled, using his nose to part her hair and place open kisses along her neck as he carefully tried to extract his arm from the tangle of hers.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Mmmmm.” Meera groaned, shifting, dreamily starting to wake up to the pleasant sensation.<br>
<br>
<br>
She smelled like roses which was nice, if… Unusual. He breathed in deeply through his nose as his kisses went further down towards her collar, his mind starting to add up the information from his senses into a picture that didn’t quite make sense. <br>
<br>
<br>
She usually tended to smell like the juniper Merid used in its soap production, for instance. And instead of fine silken strands, his face was against something much denser and took up far more space.<br>
<br>
<br>
He realized his mistake too quickly, and yanked his hand away as he scrambled to get out of the bed. But he’d turned too much in the night and the blankets had tangled about his feet, and he somehow tripped over himself in his efforts, and pulled one of the blankets with him to the <br>
<br>
ground.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Godsdamn,” he swore quietly to himself from the floor, afraid to move any further. Maybe she had slept through that.<br>
<br>
<br>
Meera shot up at the sudden commotion, startled, no longer in the slow and languid process of waking up the nice way. She looked around for the source of this rude awakening and her body more than her brain realized what had happened.<br>
<br>
<br>
“What.” Meera crawled over to the edge of the bed, “Was that all about?... And were you… never mind. You’re fine aren’t you.” Meera’s fingers traced her neck but stopped once she thought better of it. For a bit there she had thought it was someone else in bed with her, but that was impossible.<br>
<br>
<br>
She extended her hand to help him up, her face still scrunched up from the grogginess, she was never going to be a morning person.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Yes! I’m fine,” Avery agreed quickly.  “No need, I’m fine,” he reiterated, untangling his legs from the treacherous blanket and righting himself as elegantly as he could. Standing on his feet while she was still on the bed put her eyeline exactly where he didn’t want it though, he realized after a moment, and he snatched up the blanket again quickly to wrap around himself. “Um. Sorry. About that.”<br>
<br>
<br>
She leaned back and turned her head, but sadly was unable to avert her eyes, her brain was still slow. <br>
<br>
<br>
“It’s only natural, men get like that in the morning. Though I suppose a congratulations are in order.” She unceremoniously choked on her own humor. <br>
<br>
<br>
“That was a rude awakening but I suppose it is time to get up.” She flopped back over, stretching, “Is breakfast here?” she wondered aloud, yawning.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Uh- Why don’t I go check,” he said, happy to have an excuse to leave.<br>
<br>
<br>
He was grateful that Mathilde had left the tray in the sitting room and not stuck around to chat- She would have had something to say about him sleeping in his clothes, doubtless, and perhaps made a few well-meaning suggestions about how he could better spend his time with his wife instead of eating breakfast, once she’d appraised his situation. <br>
<br>
<br>
It was, as Meera had pointed out, perfectly natural. Though according to Emerson, Avery’s morning routine represented ‘a consistency in both frequency and persistence that most men would find enviable, provided they did not also possess your inconveniently puritanical values’. Which was an exaggeration on all accounts, Avery was sure, and probably supposed to be funny. Natural or not, though, he did adjust himself so it was hopefully a bit less obvious before heading back into the room with the tray of food, which he placed on the small table. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Breakfast is here,” he announced, in case she had been avoiding looking in his direction as much as he had been avoiding looking in hers.<br>
<br>
<br>
She hadn’t, in fact she’d rolled over and watched him the entire time, thinking. Now that the crust in her eyes was gone and her head was clear she realized what had been going on. She had felt <i>kisses</i> on her neck earlier and they most certainly had not come from Brutus, her long lost fiance. No, that’d been Averett waking up, and then he’d become startled, because he was next to someone he didn’t expect. So who was it he’d been expecting? Meera was aware of Gilda, a Lady from a Barony called Merid, but that engagement had ended long before the one between her and Averett had began. Could it be someone else? <br>
<br>
<br>
Meera crawled off of the bed, retrieving her robe and doing her best to pat down her hair in the mirror, “Oh good, they make excellent breakfast here you know. In Theren breakfast tends to be light, fruit and some bread perhaps. But in Beleth you eat all sorts of things for breakfast and I’m beginning to quite like it.” Meera mused as she came over, looking like the cat who had gotten its creme.<br>
<br>
<br>
“So, who’s darling?” She asked, smiling a little as she popped a piece of sausage in her mouth, filling her plate. “It couldn’t have been me. You were startled. And I thought you were someone else too. But at least for me it’s obvious who. You on the other hand?” She looked at him, amused.<br>
<br>
<br>
Avery had been intent on doing the polite thing, which was to steadfastly ignore the entire debacle and never mention it again. Meera, unfortunately, seemed to have other ideas. She almost seemed to be amused by it, which Avery was obviously reading incorrectly. <br>
<br>
<br>
“No one,” he replied too quickly. “It’s nothing. It won’t happen again- The bed in our apartment will be much larger. Or I can sleep in my study if you would prefer.”<br>
<br>
<br>
He was angry at himself for having slept so long- Had he been expecting her to take the bed roll? Instead she’d forced herself to lay down next to a man she hated, and he’d done very little to prove she shouldn’t feel that way.<br>
<br>
<br>
“She watched him as she chewed, only growing more amused.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I will make sure the kitchen continues to supply you with a range of choices,” he said in an obvious bid to change the subject before he could find something to put in his own mouth and therefore prevent himself for saying anything else stupid.<br>
<br>
<br>
She swallowed and languidly took a drink of the juice, which also tasted fantastic despite not being alcoholic. “Oh come on, don’t be like that. It was just a simple confusion. I’m sorry. There, all better now?” She made fun of him a little with her voice.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I didn’t wake you last night because you were sleeping like a babe, I felt bad that you’d been sleeping on the floor all this time. And then it got late so…” She shrugged, “You were right, you don’t snore.”<br>
<br>
<br>
She took a few more bites, rolling her eyes at how good the damned food was, “It really is good.” She said before she took another sip.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Please don’t sleep on any more floors or desks or studies on my behalf, just sleep in the bed already if I have to see you unroll that bedroll one more time I’m going to wince in pain.” She exaggerated, though meaning the sentiment.<br>
<br>
<br>
Avery’s eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke. Had she been… Making fun of him?<br>
<br>
<br>
“I’ve slept on much worse, many times before,” Avery replied evenly. <br>
<br>
<br>
“Then sleep on better.” Meera chirped back, grinning despite herself.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I am accustomed to seeing humor used as a defensive mechanism,” Avery said slowly. “And I think I should clarify that- despite what you might think of me,” he said, perhaps a touch bitterly.  “I have little interest in ‘forcing myself’ on my partners. Even if I may have briefly confused them for someone else.”<br>
<br>
<br>
The grin was quickly wiped off of Meera’s face, “Oh. That.”, she cleared her throat. <br>
<br>
<br>
“I said that in anger to tell you the truth. I mean… I had been prepared for that, more or less, I figured if I pretended to like it the King couldn’t really be forcing himself on me could he? But you, I suppose I didn’t really consider to have that notion necessarily. Just that I was angry and frustrated. I’m used to a certain amount of freedom. I could walk freely in Delphi’s city, I was outside quite a bit, the rooms in Delphi Keep are very open and the windows almost as big as a wall. Being so angry and shut inside a room with nothing to do... I felt cornered. I apologize for that.” She said levelly, licking her lips.<br>
<br>
<br>
Avery supposed that made sense- He could understand her anger.<br>
<br>
<br>
“After I could at least occupy my mind I began to feel much better, and then last night we were able to work out an agreement, a momentous one, which is surely progress. And when I think back on it, you can’t be an especially skillful actor you’re much too serious for that, so my first impression of you has to be more correct than the second one.” She didn’t quite know her string of thoughts would lead her to that conclusion, but here she was, saying what she was thinking quite plainly and surprising even herself in where that took her.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I suppose that’s a long winded way of saying you can sleep in the bed, I don’t think you’ll force yourself on me.” She rounded back to the point, shrugging and shaking her head.<br>
<br>
<br>
“Well. That’s… Good,” Avery said, somewhat lamely. He didn’t really know what else to say- He had sort of thought she might be mad at him again. He might even have been hoping for it, since it would get him out of further conversation and allow him to feel indignant about it.<br>
<br>
<br>
“You have the tact of a poet.” She chuckled lightly at Avery’s expense.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I have not had much need for poetry,” he allowed. Elion had been a confident speaker, and even shy Novius had often been more eloquent, his scholarly endeavors enriching his language. <br>
<br>
<br>
He paused for a moment, considering her earlier comments and the way he had avoided them. Perhaps it would be a gesture of good will to answer them? <br>
<br>
<br>
“My engagement to Lady Gilda has been my most serious relationship,” he eventually admitted. It seemed too rude to Meera - and too painful for him- to plainly admit he’d hoped it had been Gilda in his arms this morning, instead of his wife.  <br>
<br>
<br>
“She’s darling?” Meera asked carefully, feeling very sympathetic, and it showed on her face. “I had heard… an awful account of why you two never wed but I would be terribly confused about your character if it were the truth. Not that I’m not… confused in any case.” Her mind wandered to Brutus, he’d always have to have her in the morning. She loved that about him, he called it their ‘morning delight’. She missed his comfort still.<br>
<br>
<br>
“She felt… That she was no longer suited to be my wife,” Avery said, and then rushed to clarify, “Because of my increased duties in my brother’s court. I attempted to convince her otherwise, but it is difficult to maintain a relationship when both your intended and your king wish for you to break it off,” he said wryly.<br>
<br>
<br>
She nodded slowly, “How sad…” It had been a similar event for Brutus and herself, though it was her council that had wanted to break them apart. And Brutus had wanted to rage against them as well. It was she who had ultimately broken it off. Giving permission to Lord Blackbird to do what was necessary, in the end resulting in guards throwing him out of the castle. She’d had to sign a letter of banishment from court. It had made her feel monstrous.<br>
<br>
<br>
“To lost loves.” She held her cup up to Avery, who raised his as well, and drank deeply.</div>
				
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			<h4 class="message-name"><a href="/members/the-witch-son.23761/" class="username " dir="auto" data-user-id="23761" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" id="js-XFUniqueId34"><span itemprop="name">The Witch Son</span></a></h4>
			<h5 class="userTitle message-userTitle" dir="auto" itemprop="jobTitle">and a swift justice to those that got away with it</h5>
			

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				<center>Roleplay Type(s)</center>
<center><ol class="listInline listInline--customField" data-field="roleplaytype"><li><svg class="svg-inline--fa fa-user rptypeonexone" aria-labelledby="svg-inline--fa-title-FaK3wCRbqQPj" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="user" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><title id="svg-inline--fa-title-FaK3wCRbqQPj">One on One</title><path fill="currentColor" d="M224 256A128 128 0 1 0 224 0a128 128 0 1 0 0 256zm-45.7 48C79.8 304 0 383.8 0 482.3C0 498.7 13.3 512 29.7 512l388.6 0c16.4 0 29.7-13.3 29.7-29.7C448 383.8 368.2 304 269.7 304l-91.4 0z"></path></svg><!-- <i class="fa-solid fa-user rptypeonexone" title="One on One"></i> --></li></ol></center>
			
		
	
		
	

						
					
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-9758329" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Jun 26, 2019 at 4:40 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://i.postimg.cc/SKXRD7QZ/cromwell.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Lord Chancellor Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill Castle | Interacting with: The Queen's Ladies  </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Cromwell’s long strides echoed on the tall walls as he swiftly made his way towards the many stairs that led to the rooms that had been allotted for the Queen’s ladies. Having come back from the city he was still with his riding coat and gloves.<br>
<br>
He spun around and paused, staring at a passing servant, who noticed and immediately slowed to a stop and began to look nervous under the sudden scrutiny. <br>
<br>
“My lord?” He asked uncertainly.<br>
<br>
“That pup you’re holding, it’s young, where are you taking it?” Cromwell inquired.<br>
<br>
“It’s… a runt my lord, generally…” He trailed off, gesturing and attempting to convey without outright saying it. Litters were generally culled of runts and weaker pups when they were large and especially in the case of palace hounds who were expected to be the cream of the crop in terms of breeding and training.<br>
<br>
“Mm.” Cromwell grunted, he strode forward and scooped the pup out of the servant’s hands. “Send a basket and warm goat’s milk to my office. There’ll be coin in it for your trouble.” <br>
<br>
“Yes my lord straight away.” The servant had seemed unsure for a moment but the mention of coin certainly put that sense of cooperation in his demeanor. It wasn’t as though anyone was going to miss a runt anyway, the visiting Chancellor could do as he pleased.<br>
<br>
Cromwell tucked the small creature inside his coat, in between the leather bound folder so his tucked arm held him firmly in place, the folder pretty much hid the bulge unless you were looking for it. The pup was quiet as a mouse, not protesting in the slightest.<br>
<br>
Situated, Cromwell resumed the long walk up to the rooms. It was interesting if a little perturbing that the Redhill Keep was taller than Delphi’s, though Delphi’s was bigger in terms of surface area. Besides the tower the castle in Delphi was barely three stories. An excess of stairs weren’t on the architect’s mind when building it. Considering that Redhill’s city was right outside the gates he wondered which was built first, the city or the castle. <br>
<br>
Finally at his destination Cromwell nodded at the guards, who knocked and informed the ladies he was there to see them. Lady Nyme was the one who greeted him.<br>
<br>
“Lord Blackbird, so nice to see you again as always, do come in. Veora was reading to us, we’ve just come back from the gardens, I’ve decided Alexander is going to be an expert duelist by the time I’m done with him.” Nyme lead Cromwell into their midst, plopping down tiredly next to the boy in question and ruffling his hair. <br>
<br>
He seemed tuckered out as well.<br>
<br>
“Far be it from me to disrupt your pleasures ladies, I am simply here to inform you that you are invited to dine along with Lady Roysa and Princess Grace in the marriage suite.” Cromwell said, inclining his head to all of them.<br>
<br>
“Finally, how long do they need to consummate their marriage anyway?” Mercy said exasperatedly.<br>
<br>
“Mercy.” Veora chided.<br>
<br>
“I heard they could take up to a month, but there’s no way Meera’s going to want to be cooped up in a room for that long. Even if the maids want to titter about how taken the King seems with her.” Lady Nyme said in a not quite ladylike manner.<br>
<br>
“Nyme!” Veora chided more forcefully.<br>
<br>
“<i>Veora</i>.” Nyme fired back.<br>
<br>
“So who’s going to stay behind with Alexander?” Mercy cut off their bickering.<br>
<br>
Cromwell ceased his patient silence, “There isn’t any need for that anymore. I’ve also come to tell you that the Queen has expressly ordered that the boy is to stay at least until she is back, and definitely till he is healed. You may cease guarding him as though I aim to kidnap him under your noses.” <br>
<br>
“Oh don’t pretend that isn’t exactly what you were going to do Lord Blackbird, you forget that we know you too well.” Lady Nyme fixed him with a knowing, teasing look. <br>
<br>
The other two ladies agreed. Which was fair, as they were entirely correct. Cromwell had been having the boy doggedly watched for a moment alone so that he could stuff him on that carriage still waiting for his departure and send him off. <br>
<br>
Cromwell was none too fond of having a loose end so close to him.<br>
<br>
He inclined his head. “Regardless, I obey the Queen in all things. So you may all attend without concern, as I am sure the Queen desires. She is bound to miss your colorful company.”<br>
<br>
“We will be delighted.” Lady Veora answered.<br>
<br>
“What is that moving in your coat Lord Blackbird?” Mercy inquired, shifting to peak at him.<br>
<br>
Much to Cromwell’s dread, the next fifteen minutes were spent with three ladies and a boy fawning over the tiny creature in his coat. To which he attempted to come up with several excuses for having. And when he finally disentangled himself from the cooing mob he hurried to his office for some damn peace. He was not going soft, as the ladies insisted, no, simply put he saw use in the investment of a hound. That was all.<br>
<br>
A basket with a pillow and small blanket were waiting next to the roaring fire in Cromwell’s office, which was being freshly stoked by the servant from earlier. <br>
<br>
“The uh, the pup has to keep warm my lord or it won’t make it.” He explained.<br>
<br>
“Good initiative, here.” Cromwell reached into his pocket to draw out a gold coin, “See to it that the milk is brought to my office regularly, I’m sure the kitchen’s can manage.” He said as he flipped the coin up in the air, the servant catching it and nodding.<br>
<br>
“It’ll be done my lord.” He bowed and left Cromwell to the task of tucking the pup into its new bed.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/1fdf45ef8d6cd20e0d46704b6c00c234/tumblr_par4wsh2KL1r0hmulo4_r1_250.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; King Avarett</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle | Interacting with: King Averett, Queen Meera &amp; Her Ladies Veora, Nyme, and Mercidea  </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">For the first time in forever, it had only been three days but it had certainly felt like forever, Meera had been brought <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/755127062500789566/" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F755127062500789566%2F&amp;hash=d427e28516ddffe64f50c152c1d52796" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">proper clothes</a>. They were informed that dinner was being arranged for the family and Meera’s ladies, which put Meera in an extremely happy mood. She couldn’t stop grinning and humming as she spent time primping herself. She wasn’t out of her wretched prison. But it was something.<br>
<br>
The vague noises of servants setting the table in the other room could be heard as Meera worked on her hair.<br>
<br>
“I wonder what changed Lady Roysa’s mind? She doesn’t seem like the type to budge…” Meera wondered aloud to Avery.<br>
<br>
“She doesn’t much care for surprises,” Avery admitted. “But given enough forewarning, she is amiable to suggestions,” he said. He’d been the one to insist that Meera’s ladies be allowed to take a meal with her- Of course he’d hoped they might do a breakfast as originally planned, and he could feign sleep in the other room. But Roysa had agreed only on the condition that Avery also have guests, so she and Grace would be joining them as well.<br>
<br>
The chances of the evening not becoming a complete and utter disaster were quite slim in Avery’s opinion, though at least Meera seemed excited at the prospect.<br>
<br>
For the servants, this meal was something of a challenge- The wedding suite was infrequently used and was the smallest suite in the castle, at least in terms of number of rooms. Only the bedroom and the sitting room, and not even a guard room, as it had been built in the castle earlier periods, when it had not yet been the practice to ensure each suite was self contained and had a designated space for security to stand so they didn’t clutter up the halls. There was at least a dumbwaiter on the same level not too far off, but it was smaller than others in the castle, and not particularly near to any of the kitchens currently in use.<br>
<br>
This was a bit annoying, of course, but the meals for couples in the wedding suite were generally not the sort that needed to be consumed immediately before going cold, so they could eat at their leisure between rounds of newlywed activities. And of course, those meals were only ever for two people, even if they were generous servings. A proper dinner with courses and seven diners was another matter altogether.<br>
<br>
The seven diners was another issue. A square table had been found along with a third couch to match the two already in the sitting room, and once the furniture had been heaved up the many stairs and into the room, the space seemed much smaller than it previously had. Unfortunately, the single chairs that matched the low sofas were all in suites still housing wedding guests, and could not be acquisitioned. Instead a different one had been brought for the King to sit in on his side of the table, slightly taller than it perhaps should have been. The servants very much hoped he would not have to slouch too much to eat, and that if did, he wouldn’t be too angry about it.<br>
<br>
There was a certain amount of notice that Meera paid to all of this fuss, and she’d be lying if there wasn’t a certain amount of vindictive pleasure she gained from watching the servants struggle to make do with the space they had. But as unfair and cruel such as such pleasure was, she was reminded minute by minute that this was hardly her responsibility. Had she had her way, she wouldn’t be confined here and they wouldn’t need to struggle to accomodate guests. Had she had her way, she’d be out riding to decompress instead of building odd tension in these intimate apartments. Had she had her way, there would be a very different man sharing apartments with her to begin with. A handsome Captain who - wait no, <i>champion</i>, who...<br>
<br>
She lost her train of thought, her shoulder stung as she strained it too much, a waterfall braid was already a complicated matter to do yourself, but her arm was making it impossible.<br>
<br>
Meera stopped humming and let her arms slump down. Staring at the bandage on her right shoulder for a moment she decided that it was perhaps time to take it off and let it air out. The skin around the bandage felt raw and puffy too, once she finished unwrapping it.  She studied how it was healing, there were a few stitches put in by the castle’s physician but he warned her that it was most likely to scar. She wasn’t put off by the prospect personally, in Theren warriors wore their scars proudly. She was no warrior but the sentiment to her was the same, but in Beleth there appeared to be a different approach to scars. Or at least when it came to scars on women. A few people had, despite doing her best to hide the bandage under cloth, noticed at the feast following her wedding. Concern for her perfect skin was noted.<br>
<br>
She traced the cut with her fingers lightly, thinking back to the attack and Captain Vee… how safe he’d made her feel, how grateful she had been to him and how she had thought him so kind and honorable… his arms had been so warm and his blushes so cute.<br>
<br>
She wished he were here.<br>
<br>
Well, he sort of was here wasn’t he? He just turned out to be a lying cad. - Perhaps that was unfair. But spirits was she still angry about it sometimes. Normally she could do something about her anger, she could cool off in various ways, but this imprisonment sidelined any of those methods. Was she even really still actually angry or was she just feeling stubborn about it? She couldn’t be stubborn forever. She’d already chosen to move past it hadn’t she?<br>
<br>
“I miss Captain Vee.” She said aloud, surprising herself, she stiffened.<br>
<br>
Avery had been on the other side of the room, fiddling with his buttons and racking his brain for safe conversation topics that everyone might be able to contribute to and also would not start some sort of pass aggressive holding pattern between his wife and her ladies against his aunt, and coming up with very few. He looked up when he heard Meera speak.<br>
<br>
“Hmm? Did you say something,” he said absently. He thought he’d heard his nickname, but that seemed unlikely, considering it was only him and Meera still. His eyes narrowed in concern when he saw she’d undone the the bandage around her arm.<br>
<br>
She didn’t respond.<br>
<br>
“Is it hurting you,” he asked, crossing the room in a few long strides. “It’s not unusual for it to cause you some pain still, but if it persists we may need to worry about an infection-”<br>
<br>
He’d raised his hand to inspect the wound and then seemed to think better of it, and just stood there hovering just outside her personal space instead.<br>
<br>
Meera recalled how not too long ago, it had been him who had dressed her wound, they had been far closer and more intimate then. Her instinct was to pretend that she hadn’t said anything important, to protect her feelings from a possible rejection. But… she really did miss her Captain, and relationships were never built by being a coward. She closed her mouth and turned to him, taking a breath.<br>
<br>
“I suppose no more than is normal, but that isn’t what I said.” She felt a flush begin to kreep up her cheeks, her voice small.<br>
<br>
“To tell you the truth… I was just lamenting…” She averted her eyes back to the mirror.<br>
<br>
“That I miss the Captain Vee, he was… very sweet. We used to talk.” She finished, shrugging and looking up to study his expression.<br>
<br>
Avery looked confused for a moment, and then very unsure. He knew that she knew who he was- They had had quite a fight about it only a few nights before. He didn’t understand why she would say that, especially in such an odd way, but it seemed important that he respond and she was watching him intently.<br>
<br>
“I- I imagine he enjoyed being able to talk to you as well,” Avery hedged, waiting for her to roll her eyes at the pretense. “Especially as he was very in his element when you met him, with a goal he knew his talents might actually achieve. But keeping a queen safe is very different from keeping her happy,” he said hesitantly, by way of explanation.<br>
<br>
He wasn’t surprised that she’d liked him better on the road- He’d liked himself better, too. It was easier, when he’d known what he wanted and how to get it, and the obstacles had been clear. Court and relationships and political dynamics and everything that went along with being King- Those were not his forte.<br>
<br>
“But maybe,” he suggested, even more hesitantly, “If he knew what it was you had appreciated from him- He could… be sweet for you again?”<br>
<br>
He winced as he said it, immensely aware of how stupid he must sound. At least Emerson wasn’t here to file it away in that near-perfect memory of his, and use it to mock Avery with for weeks to come.<br>
<br>
Meera’s chest tightened as a smile, an actually genuine one that came so very easy, bloomed on her face. Her hand reached out towards his.<br>
<br>
“See there he is, he is thoughtful and honest with how he fee-” A bang startled her, so engrossed in Avery’s microexpressions was she that it made her jump, her fingers had almost closed on his own. Almost.<br>
<br>
“Oh your Majestiiiiiiieeeeeessss! Are you decent? Or are you too busy tumbling in the sheets like the whole castle thinks you are. It’s all anyone has been talking about for days. They say you’re <i>passionately</i> in - oh hi.” Lady Nyme ceased her verbal assault on the door separating the sollar from the bedroom as soon as it opened to an irritated Meera.<br>
<br>
Meera stared Nyme down for about a half a second before breaking into a grin and pulling her into a hug, both laughing.<br>
<br>
“Sorry, Nyme insisted on being a pest.” Lady Veora politely waited behind them.<br>
<br>
“Doesn’t she always…” Mercy didn’t wait, sweeping into the bedroom and looking around unabashedly, curious to see where they had been kept away from for days on end. She’d heard it called a private lover’s paradise by the pretty kitchen maid she’d made friends with before. She thought the reality was anticlimactic if she was being honest with herself.<br>
<br>
“Mercy, for your ancestor’s sake.” Veora came in after her and immediately noticed the King.<br>
<br>
“Your grace.” She grabbed Mercy to her side and forced her to curtsy with her, which Mercy did but was still too busy regarding to room to demurely tilt her head and give the King the attention he was due.<br>
<br>
“Ladies, King Avery, who you have met before.” Meera pulled Nyme in and shut the door.<br>
<br>
If Avery had been feeling not particularly sure-footed before, he was absolutely stumbling now.<br>
<br>
“Uh- Welcome,” he said, with what he hoped was a smile but was almost certainly a grimace.<br>
<br>
Why were they in the room? With the door shut? Didn’t Meera know better?<br>
<br>
He was trapped, and his aunt would be along any moment and have his head on a platter, he was sure of it. Her lecture would be scathing, and he was unsure if he or the ladies would get the worst of it. Likely Meera, he supposed, as Roysa would deem the girls as either too ignorant or too inappropriate to continue serving a Beleth queen.<br>
<br>
He stepped away from Meera hastily to reopen the door, and gestured out into the sitting room with a wave of his arms.<br>
<br>
“Ladies, please do take a seat,” he said as genially as possible, moving his hand a bit further to indicate the couches placed around the table. “I’m sure refreshments will be along shortly.”<br>
<br>
Thank the gods they weren’t here already- He trusted most of his personal staff, but he didn’t know who all might be serving tonight. And even worse than his aunt knowing, would be anyone else in the castle knowing the King had had other women in his marriage suite. As Nyme had noted, people in castles did love to talk.<br>
<br>
Meera eyed him like he was crazy. Not at all understanding why she couldn’t have her ladies with her. Not at all understanding that in Beleth, with her married, there might have to be boundaries where there were none before.<br>
<br>
“And leave her hair like this?! Your grace surely you jest.” Nyme, quick as she was, twisted a strand on her Queen’s hair around a finger.<br>
<br>
“Are you good at hair?” Mercy chipped in an innocent voice, knowing full well she was piling on.<br>
<br>
“Uh- Her hair looks very nice,” Avery attempted to protest- Some sort of intricate braid that seemed perfectly serviceable, in his opinion, for what was essentially a family dinner.<br>
<br>
Veora diplomatically kept her mouth shut, though kept Mercy’s skirts still in her grip, ready to pull her away and out of the room if necessary. Out of the four of them it was perhaps she who best understood that things were different now. Though she’d be lying if she didn’t still desire to greedily hang on to the precious moments that they could remain as they were. Audaciously abusing the privileges being a Queen’s lady gave them. Well behaved and mature as she was, she too enjoyed her station to its fullest.<br>
<br>
“I need them.” Meera stated simply, nailing the coffin shut.<br>
<br>
“Then I shall leave you to it,” he decided, anxious to be out of the room but not willing to command Meera to leave it as well. He retreated into the anteroom with as much grace as he could summon- very little- and then promptly considered if he had simply put himself in an even worse position.<br>
<br>
To have four women in your marriage suite with you was very improper, of course, but to have four women in your marriage suite without you seemed also… Not great.<br>
<br>
Hopefully, they would finish fixing her hair quickly and be out momentarily- Roysa was only ever prompt and wouldn’t arrive for a few minutes still, dragging Grace in her wake, and perhaps they could all be seated by then.<br>
<br>
------<br>
<br>
“Did we just kick the King out of his own marriage suite?” Lady Veora had the wherewithal to ask.<br>
<br>
“No. I just needed help with my hair.” Meera countered.<br>
<br>
“Yes, all three of us, she has a lot of it you know.” Mercy added<br>
<br>
“Precisely.” Nyme assured her sister, utterly shameless.<br>
<br>
“Yes, well, let me finish that waterfall braid for you, seeing as how no one else here is any good at waterfalls.” Lady Veora concluded, much to everyone’s relief. If anyone could have thwarted them it would be her, and besides, despite her simple hairstyles anyone in the Queen’s service was half so good as Veora’s deft fingers were at braids.<br>
<br>
“None of you have to worry anyway, it’s not as though he’ll deny me.” Meera offered, as they all situated themselves in front of her vanity.<br>
<br>
“Lady Roysa would, you know she <i>finally</i> let us see part of your rooms?” Nyme cut off Veora from saying anything else, believing her complaint to be more important than whatever wisdom her older sister was about to impart on them.<br>
<br>
“Oh yes we finally saw them! And you know I found out why we’ve been kept from seeing it all this time too. Not that you couldn’t tell if you saw them when you entered anyway. It’s all brand new.” Mercy began explaining as Meera lifted an eyebrow at her, head held tilted to the side as Veora worked on her hair.<br>
<br>
“It even smells new, I have to say I didn’t really believe Mercy when she told us this theory of hers but I think she’s right. We’re raising her clever after all.” Nyme said.<br>
<br>
“It isn’t a theory Nyme I’ve confirmed it with my sources and it’s obvious anyway.” Mercy fired back, offended.<br>
<br>
“Sources? Our Mercy has sources now? Colour me surprised.” Nyme turned away from her.<br>
<br>
“I suppose that explains why we’ve had to stay in these rooms all this time. I thought it was simply custom. But in truth…” Meera realized.<br>
<br>
“You mean, you haven’t been consummating your marriage this whole time?”<br>
<br>
All three of Meera’s ladies froze, staring at her through the mirror.<br>
<br>
</span></div><div style="text-align:right;font:Karla;font-size:0.5em;letter-spacing:0.3em;opacity:0.6;"><!--DO NOT REMOVE-->code by Ri.a</div></div></div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/45944b923ce493df2afd23657edb6543/tumblr_p9vloe0QbE1r0hmulo9_250.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; King Avarett</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle | Interacting with: King Averett, Queen Meera &amp; Her Ladies Veora, Nyme, and Mercidea &amp; Princess Graceling, Lady Roysa  </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><br>
“The Princess Graceling held petitioner’s court yesterday, apparently she’s been doing it for quite some time. Whomsoever marries into the crown, namely you now, or a family member would do it. It’s held monthly at least, but lately has been held more often, due to the number of cases.” Nyme explained.<br>
<br>
“Apparently she quite likes it, and the people like her, she’s considered very fair and just. You have big slippers to fill, but…” Nyme leveled with her.<br>
<br>
“It’s an opportunity. That’s what I need, perhaps she can hold it with me for a while, it’d be a good way to work more closely with the Princess too.” Meera did not particularly fancy kicking the Princess Grace out of a position she enjoyed, but at the moment Meera was quite hated throughout the Kingdom, and desperately needed the opportunity to prove herself. It would help to have the Princess next to her for multiple reasons though, to siphon off her popularity, legitimize her decisions, and soften any criticism of the job she was doing. To insult her judgement would be to also insult the Princess Graceling’s. <br>
<br>
“How many times was it held this month?” She asked.<br>
<br>
“Twice.” Nyme concluded.<br>
<br>
Meera would hold it at least thrice for a while, if not more. She was eager to ensure the line to petition the court would not be long, there were many things that could be said about her but lazy would not be one of them. The question now would be whether she should have Nyme or Mercy keep an eye on the comings and going of it and the capital.<br>
<br>
“Mercy. You’ve already been in the thick of Cokinos’s streets correct?”<br>
<br>
“Did it yesterday too.” Lady Mercy confirmed. <br>
<br>
“You’ll be my eyes and ears in the city. Nyme, Veora, I need you focused on the court, Mercy can keep an eye on Alexander when she’s not busy. Cromwell may have backed off of him but you know how he strikes when your guard is down. Hopefully I’ll be out of here myself soon. I have a bone to pick with that man.” She huffed.<br>
<br>
“What did he do?” Nyme asked in a tone of voice that was far too high to be innocent.<br>
<br>
“You’d laugh at me if I told you, better I don’t, and we should go out to dinner my hair has been done for a while too long to justify this much time.” Meera stood up and brushed off her skirt.<br>
<br>
---<br>
<br>
Whatever else Meera and her ladies might be discussing, Avery was unaware- The stone walls and the heavy door, once shut, did not allow for conversation to carry through into the anteroom. <br>
<br>
He sat down in what he knew to be his own chair- The side of the table with only one plate setting on it. It was a bit tall but he would manage. It would be odd, he thought, to have Meera on his right instead of his aunt, whose steady presence he had come to rely on since he had become King. Banquets and meetings and dinners and pretty much any time he was in Redhill, he knew where to find her, surveying the situation as Regent Queen.<br>
<br>
But it was not a role she enjoyed, he knew, and not the best use of her either. She’d only served as such because he’d needed her guidance. He was grateful that anytime she’d argued against his marrying Meera, she’d never implied that it was because she thought he still needed her own oversight. Her issues with him taking a proper queen had been with the queen in question, and not doubts that he was ready for it.<br>
<br>
Grace would sit on his left- Admittedly she could usually get away with whatever she pleased and few would take offense, but it was traditional for the monarch’s heir to be seated on their other side.<br>
<br>
He heard her voice in the hall, talking excitedly with a low murmur that was certainly Roysa’s, and stood before they arrived.<br>
<br>
Grace beamed at him, and hugged him, though Roysa’s face wore a slight frown.<br>
<br>
“I would expect her ladies to be more prompt, considering,” Roysa said.<br>
<br>
“They’re already here,” Avery told her. “They’re… In the room. Helping Her Majesty prepare for dinner,” he explained.<br>
<br>
Grace’s hand flew to her lips to contain a surprised laugh, and Roysa’s frown deepened.<br>
<br>
“How… Unusual,” she said.<br>
<br>
“I’m sure they just don’t realize,” Grace said quickly, once she had recovered. “It’s only a misunderstanding, Auntie- They seem so very used to having access to her at all times. The way our servants would… But more so.”<br>
<br>
Even servants would not enter a marriage suite unless they had been specifically requested to, and only for hurried tasks. <br>
<br>
“I’ll explain it to them later, privately,” Grace offered, putting her hand on Roysa’s folded arms. “So they know to keep it to themselves. And not do it in the future.”<br>
<br>
Roysa did not look appeased.<br>
<br>
“The servers will be here with the first course momentarily,” she pointed out, and Grace patted her hand on her aunt’s arm again.<br>
<br>
“This dining staff has been serving our family for years, I think we can trust them to understand that mistakes happen. And to be discrete regardless,” she reassured her.<br>
<br>
“Longevity of service is not an indicator of tight lips,” Roysa pointed out, and Grace’s eyes narrowed, and she stomped a foot before wagging her finger at her aunt in indignation.<br>
<br>
“Don’t bring Mathilde into this! You were the one who put her in an uncomfortable position in the first place,” Grace accused, “And she behaved exactly as you hoped she would! So you don’t get to pretend to be offended,” she finished pointedly, and Avery couldn’t help but grin a bit.<br>
<br>
The old woman had been a maid to both Grace and Avery growing up and served them for years, and they were both quite fond of her- Avery completely understood why Roysa had selected her to bring them their first post-marriage breakfast, but he agreed it was unfair of his aunt to pretend that she hadn’t been relying on Mathilde’s inability to tell a lie and her habit of going red in the face and blurting out something she shouldn’t have when discussing the private lives of her monarchs.<br>
<br>
“Fine,” Roysa relented, aware she was outnumbered and the fight wasn’t worth picking anyways- Presumably there would be other things she’d prefer to get her way with tonight. <br>
<br>
“The royal apartments will be ready to move into tomorrow afternoon,” Roysa said, and Avery breathed a sigh of relief. He’d told Meera five, but tonight being their fourth and final night in the marriage suite was more than all right with him, and he guessed she would not be upset to leave either.<br>
<br>
“That’s wonderful news, thank you,” he said.<br>
<br>
“What’s wonderful news husband?” Meera asked, the doors opening to allow her and her ladies to file in. Veora the last, who shut it just as quietly as she opened it<br>
<br>
“That your apartments will be ready to move into tomorrow afternoon! And it’s supposed to be nice out,” Grace said excitedly, “So you can see your gardens! We had a new staircase built on the exterior of the tower for private access, but I’ve had the gardners hold off on planting any of the arrangements from the wedding since I wasn’t sure which were your favorites,” she continued, oblivious to her aunt’s exasperation.<br>
<br>
“How Wonderful!” Meera’s smile was wide, it’s true that she partially knew about her apartments and why she was being cooped up here but to be able to organize the gardens afterward was almost entirely worth the horrid ordeal.<br>
<br>
Had her ladies heard her thoughts they would’ve thought that a bit dramatic. But none of <i>them</i> had to be cooped up in a bedroom for three days.<br>
<br>
“The food will be here shortly,” Avery said, “Let us be seated before Grace begins listing every flowering shrub she knows,” he said with a hint of a smile, and Grace grinned at him.<br>
<br>
“Just because you do not know the difference between a rose and a dandelion, Vee, honestly,” she teased back, going to stand behind where she would sit but not waiting to do so until her monarchs did. She also became aware of her aunt’s gaze on the back of her head.<br>
<br>
“Well I should expect that the Princess Grace will be there to help me nonetheless, given we both properly appreciate the importance of such shrubs.” Meera added in, winking at the Princess.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesties,” Roysa said demurely, bowing slightly. “Thank you for having us for dinner.”<br>
<br>
“Oh! Yes, Your Majesties,” Grace said hurriedly, echoing the bow, “The invitation is much appreciated.”<br>
<br>
“We’re…” Meera made her way over to Avery’s right hand side, “Pleased to have you of course. Lady Roysa I believe it is you I have to thank for looking after my ladies all this time. I trust they weren’t too much of a handful. I know they can be.” <br>
<br>
Mercy was the only one of the three who could not stifle her smirk.<br>
<br>
“Not at all,” Roysa replied evenly. “They seem to be taking to life at Redhill quite... Adeptly.”<br>
<br>
Avery took his seat, (and the rest of the party followed suit.) The knock on the door signaled the arrival of the food and servants bustled in with bowls of soup and small salads, and pitchers of watered wine to pour into the goblets. <br>
<br>
“I believe Lady Veora has even been invited down into the city by Baroness Ellini, to see some sort of dance troupe perform next week,” Roysa said speculatively, as though she was not aware of all the details. “Do you plan to accept the invitation, Lady Veora?” <br>
<br>
The heads of several ladies snapped to Veora, some smiling knowingly, other’s, Meera’s, surprised. Her ladies had conveniently not mentioned anything about this invitation.<br>
<br>
Roysa looked at Veora expectantly with dark eyes, though what answer she was hoping to hear was unknown. Grace reached for her goblet and took a large swallow of wine.<br>
<br>
“The Baroness has been so kind to me, I wouldn’t dream of turning down her offer of course. I accepted her invitation Lady Roysa.” Veora replied demurely, sweetly, recovering quickly to the sudden attention. Truth be told she did not think she would get any of it tonight, and had been happy to simply play her part in silence, a quiet and calm presence. The sudden question from Lady Roysa was extremely unexpected, but that would be life at this court it seemed. Veora had been playing this game for a while now, she wouldn’t shrink to its challenge.<br>
<br>
“I had worried that my ladies would not make friends as easily in a foreign kingdom, but I’m glad to hear otherwise. Though who could resist making a friend of Lady Veora, she is all elegance and thoughtfulness, we love her dearly.” Meera tipped her goblet to her before taking a sip.<br>
<br>
And because she apparently could not resist, Lady Nyme added, “Hopefully the Baroness does not steal her away from us.” <br>
<br>
Her sister silenced her with an even look.<br>
<br>
“Hmm,” said Roysa neutrally, before continuing. “I do not think you need to worry too much over that fear, Lady Nyme. And perhaps focus your friend-making efforts elsewhere,” she advised.  “Baroness Elleni tends to socialize in very short bursts, and only ever enough so that she cannot be said to be a hermit. She will be back to Merid soon enough, I am sure.”<br>
<br>
“Of course Lady Roysa, if I can serve the Baroness’s purposes towards warding off such a reputation I am happy to help. Thank you for your advice.” Veora replied in that sincere way her pleasantries always sounded.<br>
<br>
“Actually,” Grace volunteered. “I heard she was inquiring with the guard about their training schedules in the next few months. Perhaps she plans to stay at Redhill, to serve out her sentence.”<br>
<br>
It was Avery’s turn to drink from his goblet to hide his wince. Of the very few suitable conversation topics he’d been able to come up with, Baroness Elleni’s yet-unserved punishment for abandoning her military posting was certainly not among them.<br>
<br>
“Oh, a happy coincidence! Perhaps it is so.” Nyme directed her comment at Lady Roysa. It was a good thing the Princess innocently interjected with this information, so that Nyme wouldn’t have to and risk appearing impertinent. Not that she really feared the repercussions of doing so.<br>
<br>
“I thought you were worried about me being stolen away sister.” Veora reminded her.<br>
<br>
“I was just teasing my dearest sister. I do want you to make friends.” Nyme clarified.<br>
<br>
“The Baroness Elleni’s sentence for what?” Meera directed away from the dangerous slope her ladies were taking.<br>
<br>
“She abandoned her troops during a military campaign,” Roysa said.<br>
<br>
That wasn’t- Well, it was somewhat accurate, Avery supposed. But they’d had other officers and she’d made her departure known, it wasn’t like she’d just left her men sitting there on a ridge mid-battle.<br>
<br>
“Because her home was in danger,” Grace insisted to her aunt, and it was clear the young princess felt it was a noble cause. “El- King Elion cleared her of most charges, given the circumstances,” she explained. “And it was decided that she would serve her remaining sentence by training new military recruits.”<br>
<br>
“Which she could do at a fort much closer to Merid,” Roysa pointed out. “As she has indicated is her desire. Despite not yet doing so, several years since.”<br>
<br>
Lady Nyme caught Meera’s eye knowingly, silently making her aware that there was more to the story and that she would fill her in on the details later.<br>
<br>
“There has been much work needed to rebuild the isle,” Avery reminded his aunt. “If I felt she was truly just using her duties as Baroness as an excuse to postpone the sentence, I would press the issue with her,” he said confidently. The look Roysa gave him indicated she felt otherwise.<br>
<br>
Avery seemed to feel very strongly on the topic, and Meera, knowing nothing about nor caring particularly much if this noble served her sentence or not used this as an opportunity, “I’m sure you know best on this, whether she stays to serve her sentence or not.” Meera reassured her King, placing her hand on his wrist, giving it a squeeze and shrugging. <br>
<br>
Avery was startled at this admission, and did a poor job of hiding it. He supposed it was true- Of the two of them, he was the only one who had served in Beleth’s military. But it was odd for her to defer to him so obviously. He returned to his soup for lack of anything to say in response.<br>
<br>
“The Princess held petitioner’s court yesterday did she not? I hear you’re thought of as very just and fair Princess. We know you are fair because we have eyes, but I hope to join you soon to confirm the rest.” Meera would have to be forgiven the pun, because the Princess was indeed very pretty, “When do you next hold petitioner’s court?” She finally paid attention to her salad, as so far this dinner had been so… eventful that she hadn’t eaten anything.<br>
<br>
“Two weeks time,” Grace answered. “It would be wonderful to have you! It would traditionally be your role, of course, if you wanted it,” she said, in case Meera didn’t know. “But you can delegate it as you wish- Aunt Roysa usually held it when our own mother was queen,” she said as an example. “And Vee joins sometimes, too, especially if there’s to be a matter involving military affairs.”  Not so much these days, but Grace had fond memories of watching her aunt direct her brothers about to the people lined up to see them, like some sort of squad captain in the guard.<br>
<br>
Meera smiled widely, “I quite enjoyed it as my role in Theren, I think I shall like it just as well here. All the better to get to know the people and their concerns. Will you be there with me? I should love to have you there to advise me where necessary.” She took a sip of wine, “And perhaps I just like your company too.” Meera admitted.<br>
<br>
“Of course, I would be delighted to join you,” Grace agreed. “In any of your ventures! Though I must admit, it is Aunt Roysa’s advice that tends to be most helpful at the petitioner’s court, perhaps she could attend as well-”<br>
<br>
“Nonsense,” Roysa interrupted. “I’m sure you and Your Majesty shall be more than adequate in meeting any challenges that arise.”<br>
<br>
Though it hardly sounded like one, it was a compliment from the older woman, and Grace smiled slightly into her soup. <br>
<br>
Meera would be lying if she did not rejoice a little bit at the news. She certainly didn’t have the opinion that her ladies had of Roysa but the woman did have a way of interceding in plans. She hadn’t forgotten the slight of being refused the company of her ladies. <br>
<br>
She would have to find a way to build a better relationship with her, but in a more private capacity.<br>
<br>
“Lady Roysa, I understand you’ve been at our King’s side since his reign began and at the helm of your family’s since before that. Everyone tells me that the family’s successes are often thanks to you in some capacity.” Meera paused and let the compliment sink in, “Such a reputation must have come with tireless work. The funny thing is, people can tell me all about what you do but nothing of what you <i>like</i>. Are the two one and the same or…?”<br>
<br>
Roysa paused in her meal to look up at the inquiry. <br>
<br>
“Yes, generally,” she replied, and returned to her soup.<br>
<br>
“Perhaps you could elaborate, Aunt,” Avery prompted, when he anticipated she was not going to say more. For a woman who lectured on impertinence, she was dangerously close to embodying it herself, he thought dryly.<br>
<br>
“Ah- Of course,” Roysa said, a bit more friendly this time. “Apologies, Your Majesty,” she told Meera, “I am unused to speaking of myself.”<br>
<br>
It was a true enough statement, and Roysa did not tend to be descriptive in most things, unless she had found reason to scold. So perhaps she had merely been taciturn out of habit, and not rudeness.<br>
<br>
Or, Avery thought, knowing his aunt- It had been a test, to see if Avery would protect his wife from the slights of his nobles. <br>
<br>
“I like hunting dogs,” she said after a moment, having had to think for a moment about something she genuinely liked for her own enjoyment. “Though I’ll admit I rarely go on hunts- Horseback was never my favorite way to travel, and my dislike has increased with my age.”<br>
<br>
Somehow that sort of amusement suited the lady very precisely, “Do you train them instead?” She asked.<br>
<br>
“Yes,” Roysa replied. “With decoys and the assistance of some archers. And in a variety of other tasks as well- They are remarkably smart animals.”<br>
<br>
That was more like it. Meera couldn’t for the life of her tell if that was truly all that Lady Roysa did for the sake of enjoyment or if she was choosing to closely guard what she considered personal information but Meera suspected that this was all she was going to hear of the subject tonight. It was something.<br>
<br>
“Speaking of amusements…” Meera turned towards Avery, “I would’ve thought Lord Emerson would be here, is he well?” Of anyone that could keep the conversation lively, a task which Meera was used to but would love help with, Emerson could have been some help tonight.<br>
<br>
Avery frowned, realizing he had no idea how his friend was doing- It was an usual situation to be in.<br>
<br>
“I imagine Lord Emerson is still recouping from several days of excessive indulgence,” Roysa answered. “But history indicates he will recover in due time.”<br>
<br>
“Emerson is a good friend, to whom I owe my life,” Avery added, feeling he ought to explain Emerson’s absence more thoroughly. “I am in the habit of including him when I dine with my family, but- In the formal sense, at least…”<br>
<br>
At banquets and when they received important foreign guests and when they sat for portraits- Emerson did not count as family.<br>
<br>
“We have already bent tradition quite a bit this week,” Grace said. “Having a family dinner in a royal marriage suite is already unheard of- To invite Emerson would be… Inappropriate.”<br>
<br>
<i>’And so was inviting your ladies.’</i>, was the implication. <br>
<br>
That… was a problem, and her worry would be more noticable had the servants not entered with the second course. The silence during this transition was tensely felt by Meera and her ladies as they glanced at one another. Not for the first time their place next to her was being questioned.<br>
<br>
</span></div><div style="text-align:right;font:Karla;font-size:0.5em;letter-spacing:0.3em;opacity:0.6;"><!--DO NOT REMOVE-->code by Ri.a</div></div></div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://i.pinimg.com/originals/65/58/33/655833c72e0e3694b92eaf5db561eae7.gif');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; King Avarett</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle | Interacting with: King Averett &amp; Queen Meera</div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><br>
<br>
Dinner came to a close and as it did Meera sent for a maid to fill the tub in their bedroom so that she could have a bath. The wash bin in their room had been fine for the morning and day before but she was eager to finally bathe properly, and given that she wasn’t particularly upset with Avarett anymore there was little reason to avoid it. Now that she was sure that truly, her husband’s farces had been a symptom of his dimness rather than his malice, which was more forgivable in her mind. Even if he refused to actually apologize.<br>
<br>
The suite they were staying in had no partition between the sizable tub clearly meant for two and the rest of the room. She had figured the handles on the sides of it had been meant for the servants. To have an easier time carrying the thing when needed. But the positioning of these handles, upon closer inspection, were actually probably for the bather’s benefit. There would only be one occupant tonight, but she still asked for petals to be brought to sprinkle in the water. They told her that her ladies had also told them of her preference for rose oil in her bath, and that some had been acquired. She was pleased to hear it; having had brought several vials herself in her trunks somewhere it was good to know they had some in the castle too. <br>
<br>
Her ladies tried to hang back as everyone was leaving, and Meera had to commend their effort, but Lady Roysa had seemed determined to see them out with her. Meera smiled tensely at them and bid them farewell, not liking the feeling of them torn away. She wondered momentarily if she had always been so attached to them, and the answer was a resounding yes, but perhaps more so in Beleth because they were what little bits of home she had left. A safety blanket that she kept being given only to have snatched away. She might’ve been Queen of Theren in name, but she lived in Beleth now. It hadn’t been enough, the travel here, to say goodbye. But would any length of time have been enough? <br>
<br>
How pathetic of her, didn’t every Princess to be married off to another Kingdom go through the same thing?<br>
<br>
Well, how many of them were marrying into a country that hated them...<br>
<br>
She retreated into the bedroom after her ladies left and wordlessly began undoing her hair as she sat before her vanity, becoming pensive.<br>
<br>
Avery stayed in the anteroom for a bit longer, to finish reviewing the reports he’d been looking at earlier, and pen a letter of his own. He noted the coming and going of the servants, though not with much focus- They’d leave the furniture, but there were dishes to clear and he heard Mathilde cautioning someone to be careful with the hot water, so Meera must intend to wash her hair.<br>
<br>
“Mathilde,” he called, not looking up from his missive when she came near. “Could you bring some medicinal salve?”<br>
<br>
The old woman frowned.<br>
“It’s acting up again already, sir?,” she asked with quiet concern, but he shook his head.<br>
<br>
“Ah- No. For Her Majesty’s injury,” he corrected. “Clean wraps, too, please. And when you return, I’ll have something for you to deliver to Maxwell, please.”<br>
<br>
She nodded, and continued in her tasks.<br>
<br>
----------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
A knock on the door signalled that the servants had come with the water for Meera’s bath. <br>
<br>
She let them in, and due to the size of the tub there were several carrying large buckets. She let them do their work and retreated behind her screen to take off her dress. It was clear with the changing of the seasons and the finishing of her apartments that she would have to wear the type of dress she wore on her wedding day soon. The kind that she couldn’t slip in and out of so easily. The kind that choked your waist and was tight.<br>
<br>
There was an elaborate beauty to them to be sure, an elegance in their silhouette and artistry in their embroidery. She would have to get used to them, somehow. Meera sighed as she tied her robe close and made her way to Mathilde. <br>
<br>
“White and pink petals, how pretty, thank you Mathilde.” Meera tested the water with her hand, mixing it around. <br>
<br>
“Of course your majesty, have a good night.” She curtsied sweetly and scurried off, blushing.<br>
<br>
Meera wondered why till she remembered that the assumption was that the King was going to be taking a bath as well. With <i>her</i>.<br>
<br>
She almost snorted to herself as she undid her robe, waiting till the click of the door being shut to let it fall to the floor. The water was still hot, or at least it was compared to her chilly skin, so she eased herself in slowly. It was quite a bit colder here than in Theren somehow, despite not being too far. She closed her eyes and sighed as the warmth relaxed her muscles.<br>
<br>
In the anteroom, Mathilde reached into her apron for the fresh bandages and small pot of salve and fumbled to hand them to Avery.<br>
<br>
“There you are, sir, good night-”<br>
<br>
“Wait, the note,” Avery interrupted, catching her as she was fleeing to the door. “To Maxwell, without delay, please.”  She seemed to be in an awful hurry to leave the suite.<br>
“Of course,” she squeaked, taking it quickly and bowing her way out of the anteroom with haste.<br>
<br>
Odd.<br>
<br>
Avery rose and headed back to the bedchamber, opening the door as he said, “Well, I think that could have gone- Oh.”<br>
<br>
In retrospect, they had really been bringing up quite a bit of water to wash only hair.<br>
<br>
And it probably explained Mathilde’s rush to leave them alone.<br>
<br>
Meera was lounging in the oversized tub, arms draped around the handles, eyes closed as if intending to take a nap.<br>
<br>
“Ah- I should have… Knocked,” he said after a long moment. “Apologies.”<br>
<br>
“Hm?” She was too relaxed for words, and didn’t open her eyes.<br>
<br>
What had he come in here to do, he tried to recall.<br>
<br>
Undress and get ready for bed. Yes. He could do that. <br>
<br>
He forced his gaze away and made his way behind the partition to at least remove his jacket and unlace his boots.<br>
<br>
Meera woke herself up fully and sat up straighter as she got no response, and heard her husband rustling about the room. Ah, he was behind the partition. <br>
<br>
“Are you hiding? Ah yes, you’d told me it wasn’t appropriate for others to see me naked and bare. Because…” She elongated the words, “That was how my husband was supposed to see me.” Her purred voice carried and echoed a little in the careful silence of the room.<br>
<br>
Well, she had him cornered on this one, he had to admit, he thought wryly, as he stripped to his braies and began to loosen the ties of his undershirt.<br>
<br>
“But funny that, Captain Vee, it seems that I find myself married to y- oh ow! OW f-uck!” Meera cursed none too gracefully as she shifted to her side, allowing her injured arm to fall into the perfumed water. She had intended to tease him a little, and be smug about it, all in good playful fun before her arm started to sting something <i>fierce</i>. She clutched at the wound, and tried to splash more water on it, but it was doing nothing to assuage the hurt, in fact it seemed to be making it red and worse. <br>
<br>
“What’s happened-,” Avery said, out from behind the partition in a moment. It was obvious with a glance though, and he grabbed at the supplies Mathilde had brought him, and the pitcher of drinking water from the table which spilled a bit against his chest in his haste.<br>
Damnit, he should have thought of this- Too distracted to think of the obvious-<br>
<br>
“Here, stop moving, let me rinse it out,” he insisted quietly as he hurriedly knelt beside the tub, dunking the bandage in the clean water. He held her arm up gently out of the water with one hand, and squeezed the soaking cloth in the other so the fresh water ran over the wound and sent the perfumed oils back into the tub. She cooperated demurely, face scrunched up in pain and indignation. <br>
<br>
“Sorry, I should have realized- I’ve got a salve we can put on it as a sort of water-proofing, but it’s really only good for a bit of splash. You’ll just have to try not to submerge it,” he cautioned, dipping the bandage in the pitcher again and wringing it out over the wound again, his shirtsleeve dripping a bit now too.<br>
<br>
“You know, this is probably my ancestors putting me in my place for being cheeky.” She shook her head and sighed, “That’s what I get.” Typical that in her attempt to be salacious when it really mattered and with <i>whom</i> it really mattered that she’d be taken down a peg or two.<br>
<br>
“Was it something about the water? The petals or the rose oil?” She asked, shifting on her knees to be more comfortable and give him better control of her arm.<br>
<br>
“Probably the oils,” he confirmed. “Bathwater tends to get perfumed heavily here, to help hide the scent from the springs. It can be irritating to some people’s skin, even when you don’t have an open wound,” he explained. “But especially then.”<br>
<br>
She reached over and gave his shirt a tug, “I guess the servant’s gossip tomorrow won’t be <i>entirely</i> incorrect, you did get wet tonight… sorry.” She scrunched her face again, feeling embarrassed. <br>
<br>
He followed her direction, leaning in so he could look closer at her arm. He looked up at her comment, and then let out a stifled laugh.<br>
<br>
“Really?,” he scoffed in amusement, though there was a hint of a smile on his face. “Does it still sting?”<br>
<br>
The area looked red and angry still, but didn’t sting so much as it throbbed, dully. “No, seems like your prompt attentions were successful… thank you for tending to me again.” She said softly.<br>
<br>
Meera took the time to peak at him, his wet undershirt doing little to hide him now, when he wasn’t looking. He wasn’t as big and broad as her previous man but his leaner beauty suited him; he was well muscled and handsome, and his dark tanned skin was prettier than her own in her opinion. She gave a small smile to herself.<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Avery answered. He used the dry end of the cloth to pat the area dry, and then opened the pot of salve. He smeared some on his fingers, then gently rubbed it across the wound. “There. Should be all right for the rest of the bath if you leave it be. And I’ve got more bandages, if you want to wrap it up again before you go to sleep.”<br>
<br>
After a moment, he became acutely aware that he was leaning over into her bath, and moved back a bit. He should probably get up now. His cheeks felt very warm, but that was probably the heat of the bath water.<br>
<br>
A tense pause impregnated the room, and Meera felt it keenly even as she shifted with her arm raised carefully above the water. The red in her cheeks was due to the <i>excitement</i> not… the excitement, she reasoned to herself, before stifling a laugh to herself. Who was she kidding? There was something there. Best to leave it alone though, she didn’t want to risk the tender moment becoming sour. No, she wanted to hoard it for what it was instead.<br>
<br>
Besides, they needed to talk, “Dinner.” She stated, leaning back once more, propping her bad arm up and letting the other stir the flowers.<br>
<br>
“How do you think it went?” She asked, plucking a petal and running it along her jawline, enjoying the softness.<br>
<br>
“Ah,” Avery considered, a tad distracted by… Whatever it was she was doing with that flower. “Could have gone better,” he admitted. “But certainly could have gone worse. One of the first times Emerson joined my family for dinner, for instance,” he said, “He got incredibly drunk, said some very insulting things about my father to his face, and nearly ended the night in jail for his impertinence.”<br>
<br>
A slight furrow appeared between his eyebrows- He’d meant it as a comical example, but it really wasn’t a happy memory. <br>
<br>
“Was it what you were… Expecting,” he asked. Not what she’d been hoping for, of course, but she’d probably known that going in.<br>
<br>
“Thank goodness it wasn’t.” Meera had been expecting reproachfulness and lectures to be honest, a list of what was expected of her and an abrasive prodding into personal details that Lord Blackbird probably had on a chart somewhere amongst his paper. Which, while irritating, was at least handled more delicately than Roysa was like to handle them. <br>
<br>
Or maybe Meera was just more used to her Lord Blackbird’s type of abrasive. He probably had more in common with her than anyone else at that table to be sure. They both were accomplished and busy individuals dedicated to the crown.<br>
<br>
“Though Lady Roysa does seem to take great amusement in delving into the personal intricacies of others, while loathing delving into her own… speaking of which.” Meera reached for the soap, giving it a sniff. “You do know that when your Queen makes a show of supporting you in your stance, you should probably stand strong and settle the topic being discussed instead of looking surprised and hiding your face in your soup?” She said delicately.<br>
<br>
Avery frowned, thinking back to what she was referring to. <br>
<br>
“About Elleni? The topic was settled,” he pointed out. Regardless if the topic had been if the baroness was skirting her sentence or if it had been whether Lady Nyme should put time into befriending her, it hadn’t come up again. <br>
<br>
“I believe you said something about me ‘knowing best’,” Avery pointed out with a raised eyebrow and an air of skeptical amusement. “Forgive me for needing a moment to recover myself.”<br>
<br>
“Did I really shock you so much?” She found his eyes and locked in on them, wondering how she managed to get him to think so little of her.<br>
<br>
Avery felt a bit trapped- Not just by her gaze, but by her question. He paused for a moment, trying to come up with an answer that was both true and not rude.<br>
<br>
“You are very surprising, yes,” he admitted. “But at the same time- I am not shocked that is the case. You are new to me, and marriage is new to me. I would have been foolish, to not expect surprises.”<br>
<br>
“True. But still, you should know that I am heavily invested in ensuring the crown looks confident and strong. I may fight with you behind doors but it will never be my intention to-” She chuckled, “-throw shoes at you in public.” She splashed the water a little in his direction for emphasis, her chuckle turning into a laugh.<br>
<br>
“Good to know,” Avery said lightly. <br>
<br>
“In all seriousness, I do think we should establish how we conduct ourselves as monarchs. We’re not always going to agree and sometimes we may be having a fight of a more personal nature, but I don’t think that’s an excuse for us to have people doubt our leadership. That’s best done by appearing unified and supportive of one another’s decisions. And there is the potential in promising this to abuse each other’s trust and spring positions on one another that have not been discussed yet but I think so long as we do our best to communicate with one another and respect one another that we can avoid such follies.” Meera moved to the side of the tub closest to him and folded her arms over the handles of the edge, resting her chin there.<br>
<br>
Her mother and father hadn’t ruled quite like that, with her mother mostly handling the affairs of state and her father more focused on military matters, but when they fought over something it was a mighty clash of titans that left everyone quaking and unsure. Especially since technically speaking her mother did not hold much legal power, it was only power and influence given to her by the King. It was his choice to allow her take care of the affairs of state, and he could take it away. Of course that would have been an immensely stupid decision as he was not as good at it as she was, and he knew it and suffered for it the one time he did. <br>
<br>
She wanted to avoid that, and in any case Meera was beginning to understand that in Beleth she was still a ruling Queen, only of two countries now, and this division of power was the legal norm, not an anomaly of her marriage.<br>
<br>
“Sounds… Sensible,” Avery agreed. “Though I would caution against being too in accordance- If I only ever agree with you, it shall be decided you are some shrewd witch using me for your own agenda,” he joked. “And if you only ever agree with me, it shall be decided you are a dullard, and I only married you for your pretty face.”<br>
<br>
It did not escape his notice that it was Meera who would be slandered in either case.<br>
<br>
“<i>Ugh</i>, sounds about correct.” She rolled her eyes, “Perhaps if we took turns in announcing or speaking on certain topics?” <br>
<br>
“Speaking for myself I intend to leave most things to do with the military to you, I confess there isn’t anything I know of such matters. Well, nothing besides the basics anyhow, and that was just in Theren your military here is different.” Meera noted.<br>
<br>
Yes, it would probably be best if Meera did not speak much on military matters- Seeing as hers had been defeated.<br>
 <br>
“That sounds fine,” Avery said. “Elion and his wife, when they would announce their rulings, he would often introduce the topic, and Ysmena would outline the details. I recall she often used the phrase ‘The Ministers and I have concluded…’, especially in the first few months.”<br>
<br>
It had reminded everyone that all though Ysmena’s authority was derived from her marriage to the King, she was very much active in the decision-making process, and that the Council was beholden to her just as much as her husband.<br>
<br>
Meera nodded, “Speaking of the military though, Baroness Elleni… is she... “ Meera considered her words carefully, “My ladies have come here to serve me it’s true, but they also are expected to make matches here in Beleth. And my Lady Veora, her situation is very unusual. All things considered really she should have been long married by now with children of her own but… her proclivities don’t really lie with… men.” Meera didn’t know how much Beleth did or didn’t mind that. In Theren no one much cared so long as you married well and had proper heirs. “At all. She really finds them charmless and I’ve protected her from being forced by her family to accept any matches so far. But the situation has become considerably more precarious, they’ve threatened to disown her if she does not make a match soon. I know the Baroness Elleni is a head of house in her own right and never has to marry if she does not want to. But Veora is not the same, and if the Baroness is of the same proclivities as she is perhaps I should interfere.” <br>
<br>
Hearing that at dinner had surprised her and she needed to know if it was likely that the Baroness had taken a romantic interest in her lady.<br>
<br>
“Baroness Elleni prefers women, yes,” Avery said. “And on Merid, her union with another woman would be considered as valid as one with a man. If she ever does marry, I imagine even the more uptight of the Beleth nobles would refer to her wife as ‘Baroness’, as well.”<br>
<br>
“<i>Really</i>?” Meera was very taken aback by that, perhaps this was an opportunity unlike any other for her lady.<br>
<br>
But there was a strong note of apprehension in his voice.<br>
<br>
“However,” he cautioned, unsure of what connections Meera had already made. He didn’t want to insult her by suggesting she was ignorant, but it was unfair not to make sure she understood.<br>
<br>
“Baroness Elleni has always been quite protective of her sisters, Gilda included,” he said. “She has communicated… That she does not think well of me. And by association, you and Theren. I am unsure if her interest in any woman could be strong enough to overcome that in the longterm.”<br>
<br>
Meera paused, fiddling with a few petals as she thought. “I thought I was going to have to ask you to send the Baroness away in truth, if it’s a matter of gaining her heart I don’t think Lady Veora really needs any help in that matter. She’s never liked anyone interfering in that in the first place and since it would likely only do her harm I’ll be sure to give them a wide berth then… best to keep this conversation to ourselves if you don’t mind. Or at least from your aunt, who seems to have taken a special notice of the situation.” She concluded, pursing her lips and going back to scrubbing her legs one handed. Bathing with one arm out of the tub was more troublesome than it seemed.<br>
<br>
She seemed so hopeful, and Avery didn’t have the heart to voice his concerns that Elleni might just be using Veora. He was being paranoid, probably. Overthinking again, he could hear Emerson’s accusation. <br>
<br>
“Yes, Roysa tends to notice most things with great scrutiny,” he said with a sigh. “If it’s any consolation, it isn’t about you- That’s just how she is. She would be just as critical of any woman I had married.”<br>
<br>
“She gives a new meaning to tough love I’m sure.” Meera dipped her head back, getting her scalp wet enough to wash, “I’m sure she’s mild compared to other nobles, I shall just have to do my utmost to never make any mistakes.” She shrugged, smiling, though not entirely joking.<br>
<br>
“... What’s next. Tomorrow we leave this suite, yes? Finally.” She asked.<br>
<br>
The relative peacefulness that had been settling into the corners of his mind retreated. Of course. He could hardly blame her for wanting to be rid of him.<br>
<br>
“I think the tailors want to meet with you about preparing your winter wardrobe,” he said, unbending his legs to stand. “And I probably will need to tend to some military duties. But other than that it should hopefully be a light schedule, and you can just take the time to settle in.”<br>
<br>
An advantage of overestimating how long they would be staying in the marriage suite was that the Council had no expectation of being entitled to their time. <br>
<br>
He made a show of stretching into a yawn as he disappeared back behind the partition to finish changing. “I think I’m headed to sleep- You can leave the water in the tub. The servants will get it in the morning,” he told her.<br>
<br>
“Well if the servants came in and your hair was dry they’d get suspicious wouldn’t they?” Meera’s lilting voice teased.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>Interacting: Emerson and Lady Vienna<br>
Location: Redhill Castle, Emerson's suite</b><br>
<br>
<br>
Emerson was <i>exhausted</i>. <br>
<br>
Also, sore and hungover and more than a little hungry. He wished he would have known how much work it was, being an incurable reprobate. Not that his efforts had been in vain, of course.<br>
<br>
In addition to having some spectacularly enjoyable escapades, he’d made some valuable connections. And learned quite a good deal. <br>
<br>
Like, he thought as he rubbed at the side of his jaw, that Lord Keaton had not been annoyed that Emerson had been flirting with his son. No- He had been <i>jealous</i>. And Emerson was nothing if not... Flexible.<br>
<br>
Though he sort of wished he’d stuck with the original plan on that one- Keaton was a fair bit more senior than he was usually willing to go, and a bit handsier than he appreciated without a warning. And the involvement of the Lady Keaton had been… Well, Emerson wasn’t one to judge and he didn’t normally object to a voyeur or two, but that whole night had been a bit weird if he was being honest.<br>
<br>
The night immediately following the wedding had been great fun, though, and the day after it, and then the night in the city, and then the garden party the next day that had been rained on halfway through so they’d had to rush inside with sopping wet clothes and the very pretty maid who’d helped him warm up- Plus, he had several nobles who could probably be ruled out from involvement in the attack on Meera and a few that might warrant closer inspection, solid leads on which merchants were selling black market goods and where they were storing them, and the very interesting contents of dozens of pieces of correspondence, all filed in his head to be shared with Lady Roysa at her earliest convenience.<br>
<br>
But first- He was going to sleep for a little bit, and then have a bath and eat something, and then sleep for a longer bit. Then a shave, and then meet with Roysa, and then he had several other invites for the evening to juggle depending on what Roysa wanted prioritized, and he’d throw himself back into being an incurable reprobate- It was a good plan.<br>
<br>
He’d dragged himself into his rooms and was pulling off his shoes when his plans were rudely interrupted.<br>
<br>
“Louis, if you interrupt me for any reason in the next 12 hours besides my bed being on fire, I shall have you sacked-”<br>
<br>
“Sir,” Louis tried to intervene.<br>
<br>
“And I shall be ever so sad to see you go-”<br>
<br>
“Sir. Lady Vienna to see you,” his manservant gestured at one of the couches, where Emerson’s viper of a cousin sat with a pointed smile.<br>
<br>
<i>Why, goddess, do you hate me so</i>, Emerson pleaded.<br>
<br>
He dismissed his manservant with a wave of his hand, and Louis wisely fled.<br>
<br>
“Vienna,” he said, with an obviously ingenuine warmth. “How absolutely horrible to see you. What crime did I commit to suffer such a punishment?”<br>
<br>
“Your penchant for theatrics is neverending,” Vienna told him, standing to embrace him. Instead of a hug though, she merely held his shoulders and assessed his debauched state, wrinkling her nose and peering into his eyes.<br>
<br>
“Well, that’s one question I needn’t ask then,” she said primly, affecting a concerned judgement but clearly pleased with the results of her inspection. “I’m disappointed to see how easily you fall back into old habits,” she tsked. “I’m sure uncle will feel the same.”<br>
<br>
He looked uncomfortable at the prospect, and she grinned.<br>
<br>
“Oh, don’t you worry, I won’t tell His Majesty you’ve been using again,” she told him. “Not unless I feel it’s truly… Unavoidable.”<br>
<br>
“And how do I go about making sure it’s <i>avoidable</i>,” he asked with a weary sigh. <br>
<br>
It was a familiar game, and one he was used to playing, especially with Vienna. Let her think she had something on him, and wait for her to play her own hand once she thought he was cornered. “Your usual goal is now out of reach, after all,” he observed.<br>
<br>
“Well, it always was a bit too lofty, wasn’t it,” she said with a laugh. “But second wife of the king is fine, too-”<br>
<br>
Tired as he was, and as accustomed to playing the fool as he was, there were some things even Emerson could not let stand. His face darkened and he grabbed at her shoulder.<br>
<br>
“Vienna! You- The attack on the queen will be treated as attempted regicide, I cannot believe even you would be so stupid-”<br>
<br>
“Gods, no! I only meant- In jest, I rather doubt he would do as his father did,” she explained hurriedly. She’d merely been suggesting that Avery might take multiple wives, and Emerson relaxed a little bit.<br>
<br>
“I was sorry- To hear that you were attacked,” she said softly, and Emerson raised an eyebrow.<br>
<br>
“I’m sure you were. And what else did you hear?”<br>
<br>
“As far as I can tell,” she said, lowering her voice, though there was no one else in the room. “Our family wasn’t involved.”<br>
<br>
Privately, Emerson couldn’t decide if he was relieved or not.<br>
<br>
“They seem as shaken as everyone else, and it doesn’t make much sense- I can’t think of any of our cousins with the guts or the resources to even try to pull that off.”<br>
<br>
Emerson had to admit she was likely right, but-<br>
<br>
“And uncle?”<br>
<br>
“There’s money to be made in Theren. He’s smart enough to see that, and I don’t think willful enough to let his pride stop him.”<br>
<br>
“You would tell me, if you learned otherwise?”<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Vienna said, a bit offended at his doubt. <br>
<br>
This, at least, he knew was true. Vienna played the dutiful daughter and niece and was supposedly at court to advance the interests of Fremont,  but he knew that she was ultimately only loyal to herself. If she could throw the rest of the family beneath the wagon wheels and be rewarded for it, she would. It made her both his favorite and most-hated cousin- Knowing how similar they were.<br>
<br>
“Well, maybe I wouldn’t tell you,” Vienna amended. “Information like that, I might just go straight to Lady Roysa to ask for an audience with His Majesty. I imagine he would be very grateful for any details regarding the business, and I would hate to have you try and take any credit.”<br>
<br>
Emerson rolled his eyes, and relaxed into a settee.<br>
<br>
“Do please let your retinue of hangers-ons know the math you’ve worked out,” he encouraged. “Whatever reward their families can buy for their silence, the King will more than recompense.”<br>
<br>
“I hope they’ve worked that out for themselves,” she said dryly, with an eye roll of her own as she sat down on the opposing couch. “Everyone saw the way he kept looking at her during the wedding celebrations. It was practically<i> obscene</i>.”<br>
<br>
Emerson kept his grin to himself, glad of his success. He’d been sure to draw Avery’s attention to Meera- or at least, in Meera’s direction- as often as possible. Was that a new tapestry they’d hung in the western alcove of the hall? Who was that Lady Nyme was introducing the Queen to? Who designed the brocade for Meera’s dress, it was so intricate, especially around the chest- That one, admittedly, had gotten him a reproachful glare from Avery, which Emerson had interpreted as ‘stop ogling my new wife’s chest’ and not an indication that the King had realized what Emerson was up to.<br>
<br>
It had been an incredibly easy gambit, all things considered- Any time he’d directed his friend’s gaze in even the hint of her direction, Avery’s eyes had landed on Meera, and lingered much longer and with much more intensity than was normal for him, or perhaps for anyone. And the various young ladies of the court that had tried and failed to capture any facet of Avery’s attention interpreted what Emerson knew to be a stare of consideration and consternation as glimpses of barely-concealed passion. It had been an excellent idea on Emerson’s part, and he was pleased to hear its execution had come off well.<br>
<br>
“Yes, well- She is very pretty,” Emerson said off-handedly. “And you know what they say about girls from Theren…”<br>
<br>
Vienna kicked lazily at his shin in annoyance.<br>
<br>
“They’ll say that about girls from <i>anywhere,</i> and you are hardly one to judge when it comes to reputations,” she pointed out, and Emerson shrugged a shoulder in agreement with half a smile.<br>
<br>
“Well, at least the poor girl will get some reprieve from his pent-up passions- I hear they’re having a little family dinner,” she revealed, which was actually new and somewhat helpful information to Emerson, so he supposed this conversation had some use. “You weren’t invited, of course,” Vienna said pointedly.<br>
<br>
“I rarely am,” he returned.<br>
<br>
“That’s something you can work on,” his cousin advised shrewdly. “She’s young enough to still be soft hearted- Regale her with your tales of bravery and cunning on the Wider Sea and how hard you worked to keep him alive, and now he won’t even seat you by his side on feasting days. She might budge where Lady Roysa would not.”<br>
<br>
“I’ll do what I can,” Emerson promised with a tired sigh. He would do no such thing, of course. Favor from the crown only meant Emerson’s family would tear him apart to get at it, like hungry animals at a marrow-filled bone.  “But I don’t think uncle should get his hopes up.”<br>
<br>
“And I want to know about the Lord Chancellor,” Vienna added, which was something of a surprise.<br>
<br>
“Cromwell? Anything in particular?”<br>
<br>
He wasn’t opposed to telling her what he knew of the man, but he certainly did not volunteer his thoughts the way he had to Avery or Roysa.<br>
<br>
“Is he single?”<br>
<br>
“Can’t say it came up while we were trying to keep Their Majesties alive,” he replied.<br>
<br>
“Yes, yes, I’m sure you were very heroic,” Vienna said dryly. “Well, he’s new and he’s interesting and people want to know about him, so be a dear and rack that empty head of yours to figure out what sort of invitations he might be inclined to accept. We can’t have ruggedly handsome men sitting in their offices all day, which seems to be his tendency thus far.”<br>
<br>
“He isn’t that good-looking,” Emerson scoffed. Just because he was tall with a determined gait and had a strong, well defined jaw and dark, piercing eyes-<br>
<br>
“It’s the air of mystery, I think,” Vienna admitted with a dreamy sigh, only because she could tell it would annoy him. <br>
<br>
“I hope you aren’t interested on your own behalf,” Emerson said with irritation, though he knew she probably wasn’t. For as much as she talked about marriage, her interest in it seemed minimal- Her pursuit of Avery had been more about the challenge of it, and the power.  “He isn’t even a noble, you know. Not by our standards. Not really.”<br>
<br>
“Neither are you,” Vienna laughed, standing up and ruffling at his hair like he was a small child, even though he was older by several years. “Oh, by the way- Uncle is hosting dinner tonight, for all the Fremont family. Six o’clock.”<br>
<br>
He swore- There went his lazy day of relaxation.<br>
<br>
“And do clean up a bit,” she added, pulling up on his collar to hide the exposed bruises. She picked at something on his skin that he was pretty sure was dried candle wax, and he glared at her. “Since Grandmama hates to see you like this.”<br>
<br>
His eyes widened. “What- She isn’t here!”<br>
<br>
“You danced with her at the wedding feast, despite uncle’s insistence that she was too frail- Don’t tell me you were already too far gone to remember that?”<br>
<br>
Of course he remembered that. It was just-<br>
<br>
“But she said she would be going back to Fremont the next morning!”<br>
<br>
“Yes, well, plans change,” Vienna said airily. “She’s been here at Redhill. And I must say- I think she’s a bit disappointed that you haven’t been arsed to visit her. It’s bad enough that you rarely come back to Fremont, but when she’s staying in the same wing of the castle, well. It’s just <i>rude</i>, Emerson,” she chided with a smirk.<br>
<br>
Vienna was still, Emerson thought, for all the different dimensions he had come to discover within her personality over the past few years, an utter bitch.</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>Interacting: Lord Emerson and Lord Chancellor Cromwell<br>
Location: Redhill Castle, Cromwell's suite</b><br>
<br>
Dinner with the Fremont family had not gone well. Not that he’d anticipated that it would, of course.<br>
<br>
It might have gone better, if he’d watered down his wine a bit more. Or alternatively, it might also have gone better if he’d watered down his wine substantially less. With his family, it was often hard to know.<br>
<br>
Regardless, he was still sober enough to remember the evening, and he planned to not be by the time he made it to bed- Hence, the wineskin he’d ‘liberated’ from his uncle. It was… Incredibly strong stuff. The old man had been holding out on them.<br>
<br>
It was a long walk across the castle though, so he still had time to reflect a bit more- Vienna had been even more atrocious with the support of others, and had reminded him of her interest in the Lord Chancellor. Among other things, of which she had seemed just as keen to remind him of.<br>
<br>
Actually, now that he thought about it- The man’s rooms were nearby, weren’t they? If he had just taken that last staircase… Emerson had barely finished the thought, but his feet had already turned to take him in that direction. <br>
<br>
“Helloooo,” Emerson called, knocking on the man’s doorframe in an inane pattern. “Anyone home?” <br>
<br>
“Lucky for you-” Cromwell drawled from behind Emerson, “-I am just now returning to my chambers.”<br>
<br>
It was late, very late, and the leather bound folder in one of his hands was bursting full of correspondence he still had to read. On top of the work he already had to get done it appeared the Queen had ample time to add to the stack. Which directly contradicted the castle’s current gossip of the royal couple’s current… activities. <br>
<br>
Still, the deals his Queen had managed to hash out with Beleth thus far were quite impressive. So while he had complaints about the failure to consummate the marriage they were more than assuaged by the current running success of the couple’s ability to work together and his Queen’s ingenuity towards opening trade. She wanted connections and lists of merchants and nobles with resources now. There was plenty of work to do. Work that didn’t necessarily include indulging in a drunk Lord.<br>
<br>
Lord Cromwell set down the basket he was carrying in his other hand and opened his door.<br>
<br>
“What can I do for you Lord Emerson?” He left it open for Emerson to follow him in. <br>
<br>
Emerson has absolutely not startled when Cromwell had appeared behind him like some sort of ominous apparition. Well. Maybe a little.<br>
<br>
“I was passing through,” Emerson explained, following the man inside and letting the door close behind him. “And thought I should see how you are settling in. Things are to your liking?,” he asked with a thrown hand, which might encompass his rooms, his duties, Beleth in general. Rather than specify, Emerson drank from his wine skin instead.<br>
<br>
“My accomodations are perfectly adequate.” Cromwell wasn’t in the habit of complaining, and wouldn’t have even if he’d been put up in a space no bigger than a cupboard. He’d slept in much worse. But his accomodations in Redhill were anything but, by all accounts they went out of their way to ensure he was given appropriate accommodations that befit his station. Were he anyone else he’d be very happy with his multiple rooms and go about decorating it to his liking but he was not just any man. He’d hardly spent any time at all in his suite in truth. <br>
<br>
In Theren, where he was well established and free to get things his way, his accommodations were converted to his office and his office space was converted to his room. This placed him nearer to his responsibilities anyhow, and something about sleeping in a large space that he never used while being cramped in an office with not enough surface area for his stacks of parchment and books seemed like a highly inefficient use of space. Besides, the use of an antechamber as a waiting room for the various important people that had appointments with him throughout the day had proven to be a surprising success. His clerk made sure they had wine to sip on and any annoyance of being kept waiting was asauged, or perhaps he’d just make them wait on purpose so his clerk could ply them with enough wine to make them amenable.<br>
<br>
He’d be lying to say he wished he had taken his clerk with him, used as he was to having someone else take care of menial tasks and grunt work like finalizing letter drafts or running letters back and forth. He’d dismissed the one offered to him by the staff of Redhill, preferring to keep who was likely meant to be a spy out of his office space. <br>
<br>
Which was why the manservant provided for him here did not have much to do either. Relegated mostly to bringing him food.<br>
<br>
There was something about starting from scratch in a place where he had little influence that was a bit thrilling though, he’d begun to really enjoy it.<br>
<br>
“Was that all you came here for or were you looking for someone to amuse you.” Cromwell deadpanned while he began starting a fire to warm the room, the candle he brought with him doing little to provide much light in the dead of night.<br>
<br>
Seeing as most of the castle were either too intimidated by Cromwell or too disdainful of him, Emerson thought he might be a bit more appreciative of the company and gesture of goodwill, but noooo.<br>
<br>
“I’m supposed to find out your thoughts: Do you think Her Majesty would prefer to have her next horse quickly,” he asked, “Or would she like to wait for some to arrive from Theren to choose from?”<br>
<br>
<i>Yeeees</i>, Cromwell was sure Emerson wanted to find out his thoughts, shrewd and all knowing as the man was. The little fox seemed to have his fingers in all of the pies in the castle.<br>
<br>
“I think that should be left for her majesty to decide. Reya was not just any mare to her. She was a coming of age gift.” Cromwell began lighting the wood, crouching low and cupping his hand to the small flame, “From her father, the late King Gaius.” <i>May he rest in peace</i>, he thought to himself reflexively.<br>
<br>
He stood up and placed the candle back in its handle, picking up the blanketed basket to set a safe distance from the growing fire. “I’m sure you can work out the emotional significance of having one of the last pieces of your dead father slaughtered in front of you.” He straightened, hands behind his back, eyebrow raised at Emerson.<br>
<br>
“Well, His Majesty wants to get her a new horse, and he wasn’t sure if it would be more or less painful to be given the option,” Emerson explained. “He feels awfully guilty, what with having killed the last one and all.” He wrinkled his nose and took another swig. “And the horse is much easier to replace than the father.”<br>
<br>
“If she wanted to select a horse then she would. If he wants to extend a gesture then it should come from him. I’m not so sure she’ll take it as a <i>thoughtful</i> gift if she’s the one doing the choosing though.” He moved to the folder on his bed, flipping it open, “Those are my thoughts on the matter.” Cromwell wasn’t sure if Lord Emerson’s crass boldness was due to the wine or the privacy of his company but it didn’t phase him. Well, it didn’t make him think worse of the man in any case.<br>
“Thank you! I’ve said very similarly,” Emerson said. “He should just ask her what she wants.”<br>
<br>
“Then again…” Cromwell smirked to himself as he found the letter from the Queen Regent he had yet to read, “It could be that an effort to prematurely replace that which is irreplaceable won’t be taken all that well.” It’s not that Cromwell <i>wanted</i> to be unhelpful, it was just that perhaps he’d be more inclined to if certain parties had put more respect on his dead monarch’s memory.<br>
<br>
“Ah, now you are sounding more like Vee than like me- Overthinking everything,” he drawled. “But she likes riding, so- Oh!”<br>
<br>
He emphasized the exclamation with a sudden turn and wide gesture with the hand holding the wine.<br>
<br>
“I have to warn you! My cousin wants to ride you,” he cautioned. “Or invite you riding. Or find someone for you to ride or go riding with. Dangerous business, regardless of which one.”<br>
<br>
“Does she have red hair?” Was what came out of his mouth as he cracked open the letter’s seal and unfolded it, but what he had <i>meant</i> to say was ‘I’m busy’. He paused at his sudden… mistake, stiffening, but perhaps he could blame that on the letter. <br>
<br>
“Maybe if you set her on fire,” Emerson said, looking at the fire wistfully.<br>
<br>
He cleared his throat, “She’d find better company elsewhere I don’t have much free time and I’ve been told I’m singularly boring anyhow.” Cromwell locked eyes with the intrusive fool in his room, his face stoney despite what was supposed to be construed as a jest at his expense.<br>
<br>
“Nonsense, I’m sure you could be interesting, given the right prompting,” Emerson said airly. He became uncomfortable after a moment under the other man’s stare, and glanced behind him to make sure there wasn’t someone over his shoulder who had captured Cromwell’s attention. But it was still just himself and the Chancellor and the things the latter man had brought with him. “What’s in the basket?”<br>
<br>
Curious… Cromwell blinked breathing in deep. Turning to the basket by the fire he crouched down and lifted the blanket, revealing a sleeping pup. “A runt.” Cromwell clarified, “Since he was going to be culled I figured it was of little matter if I interceded. No one was going to miss him. Save his mother.” Cromwell studied the little sleeping creature. <br>
<br>
The pup’s mother would see him again once he was big enough to play. One day. His own mother never got that chance.<br>
<br>
Emerson recoiled from the sight, something like fear in his eyes- Which would be silly, as he was a grown man, and the little monster was sleeping. And also tiny, and could probably do minimal damage even if it was awake and snarling at him with its miniature teeth. <br>
<br>
“Dogs are disgusting animals,” Emerson said, both appalled and confused as to why Cromwell would do such a thing. “I can’t imagine what you would want with one!”<br>
<br>
The castle had a pack of hunting dogs, maintained primarily by Lady Roysa, but she rarely had objection to others using them as desired. He supposed they had their uses on farms, herding animals and deterring predators and vermin. But Cromwell did not have sheep that needed tending, and the castle had well-trained cats working as mousers to catch pests within the walls. <br>
<br>
Emerson’s reaction was quite unfiltered, and Cromwell honed in on it, took note. He left the blanket open as he stood, “The same thing one would normally want with one I suppose.” That wasn’t amusement in his voice.<br>
<br>
Was it?<br>
<br>
“To terrorize people? Charming,” Emerson snorted.<br>
<br>
Cromwell wondered if Lord Emerson knew he was being so open and vulnerable. If he knew being that way in front of a man like himself was desperately unsafe. Cromwell did things with secrets and fears like that, unkind things.<br>
<br>
“Or to stave off the loneliness of your workaholic tendencies, maybe? Because I could help you with that,” he pointed out archly.<br>
<br>
Cromwell cocked an eyebrow.<br>
<br>
“I know several discrete consorts I could refer you to,” he explained. “And they don’t tend to shit on the floor if you fail to give them attention.”<br>
<br>
‘<i>But consorts weren’t loyal, were they.</i>’ Thinking for a moment, the Lord Chancellor unclasped his hands and slowly stalked over to Emerson, coming close enough to tower over him.<br>
<br>
“I did warn you that I was boring my Lord…” <br>
<br>
“Now that is sounding like a challenge,” Emerson complained. They were not of such different heights, but Emerson rather felt the other man was somehow much bigger, some great looming shadow over him. “And so I shall become determined to see you enjoy yourself! If I remember this later,” he added with a frown, because he was getting to the point in the evening where things tended not to be so-recollectable the next day. <br>
<br>
Cromwell lifted Emerson’s wrist, the one holding the wineskin. “... Now, I think it’s time you went off to bed, considering how empty this is.” He gave his wrist a loose shake, what little wine was left sloshed around.<br>
<br>
“Noooo, that’s mine,” Emerson pouted, pulling the wine and his hand away and cradling them to his chest. In the distance, the bells in the city chimed the change of watch rotations.<br>
<br>
“Ah shit, you’re right,” the younger man startled. “I’ve got to get back or the girls will start without me! And give me plenty of grief about it, too, when I know those mouths have other, far superior talents,” he said with a dreamy but glassy-eyed look.<br>
<br>
He shook himself out of his reverie and headed towards the door, less steady on his feet than he’d been coming in. Perhaps he shouldn’t have been drinking so much, so quickly, but what was done was done, and besides- The ‘girls’ in question wouldn’t expect him to do anything other than sleep it off in the next room. He’d met the servant couple a few years ago, and they had a delightful arrangement in which they enjoyed a night together in lavish quarters and he got to boost his scandalous reputation with minimal effort. <br>
<br>
He supposed it didn’t really matter if he was ‘late’ either, as they hadn’t even planned to enjoy dinner and cards before retiring. He’d invited them to his rooms for the night only shortly after Vienna had left early that morning - She’d denied him both his afternoon of relaxation and his evening of rumor-mongering, so it was a revenge of sorts. It was one thing to tumble with a servant, she would insist, but quite inappropriate to be inviting them into your home on the regular and carrying on some sort of relationship.<br>
<br>
But he’d bothered Lord Cromwell long enough, for the time being at least.<br>
<br>
“I’ll be seeing you then,” he told the other man before taking another chug at his wine. It was, as Cromwell had pointed out, nearly empty, so he tipped it upside down and let the last of it splash into his open mouth. He gave the Lord Chancellor a cheery but very tipsy wave, and was off.</div>
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-10147239" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Feb 18, 2020 at 1:07 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/98a8c3e9a8497d47a16e337beb302d3f/tumblr_paht9j7Zbi1r0hmulo7_250.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; King Avarett</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle | Interacting with: King Averett &amp; Queen Meera</div></span></div><br>
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<i>Black and gold ribbons fell from the ceiling in the grand room, she watched them wave around as if the wind were blowing. But they were inside. How could the wind be blowing? Where was she? She looked around her, flowers and petals on the floor, food and drink and cakes stacked tall were on tables, decorated fruits and meats with cheeses on platters. She looked at the floor, she was wearing her wedding dress, she was at her wedding reception. It was beautiful, the music loud but not as loud as the murmur of people, people everywhere. The more Meera turned around the more people appeared, all different and all with faces she couldn’t put names to. Things became dense and tightly packed, the murmur grew louder. Music was still playing but it didn’t sound like music anymore it sounded like something else. Something twisted and hurting.<br>
<br>
“Your grace you’re not fast enough.” Someone said. <br>
<br>
She whipped around, “Fast enough for what?”, but got no answer and couldn’t tell who in the crowd was addressing her.<br>
<br>
“Your grace go down easy, if you don’t make it hard it’ll be quick.” The sound came from over her shoulder.<br>
<br>
“I am Queen of Theren and you won’t!-” Meera indignantly whipped around again, still unable to pinpoint anyone specific, she stopped her demand once she realized. Everyone was standing still. Stock still. Staring at her.<br>
<br>
“You lost everything and you will lose more. I will take it.” This time they all said it in unison. The music wasn’t music at all it was a horse’s dying screams, a mare’s.</i><br>
<br>
Meera jerked awake in a panic, breathing hard and crying. <br>
<br>
Avery had been sleeping relatively well, but even his subconscious efforts to keep to his side of the bed could not prevent him from the feeling of someone tossing and turning next to him.<br>
<br>
Emerson had enough nightmares for it to be a familiar cue to Avery, and he woke up quickly, using his arm to prop himself up.<br>
<br>
He reached over to put his hand against Em’s neck but had woken up enough at that point to realize it wasn’t his friend at all. <br>
<br>
“Hey,” he said softly, going for her hand instead and running circles over her palm with his thumb. “Hey- You’re okay. You’re awake. Meera? You here with me?”<br>
<br>
After Meera realized who she was next to and where she was, she attempted to control her breathing by closing her mouth, the horrid whimpers by clearing her throat. <br>
<br>
She looked everywhere but where the comforting sounds of her husband came from, as if she had to check - to make sure that no one else was here. She even looked behind herself, but nothing but the headboard and pillows were there. <br>
<br>
“Reya was screaming and everyo-” She stopped. She couldn’t tell him could she. What would he think if her nightmares included their wedding? She took deep breaths and wiped her cheeks with her free hand, her other was clutching Avery’s for dear life.<br>
<br>
She gulped, “The sound. It’s impossible to forget.” She glanced over to his face.<br>
<br>
Avery knew what she meant- Horses screamed as loud as any man, and had not chosen to fight for their country.<br>
<br>
“It’s all right,” he said, “It was only a nightmare. You’re safe now,” he said. Gods, she had a strong grip. “Good, keep breathing like that,” he told her, “Deep and even.”<br>
<br>
He pulled his sleeve down past his fingers and reached over to wipe at her cheeks a bit better, brushing her dark hair behind her ear and out of her face. <br>
<br>
He didn’t really know what to say- He could hardly say that Reya was going to be alright. <br>
<br>
“You’re safe now,” he repeated. “...Do you want to talk about it?”<br>
<br>
No, she didn’t. “It’s just a stupid nightmare. I don’t know why I would be having one now it’s been weeks since…” She took a big gulp of air. <br>
<br>
“Just a stupid nightmare. I shouldn’t be acting like this I can’t afford it. Neither can others.” A cold numbness settled in to her bones as panic and fear left her.<br>
<br>
“There’s no one here to see,” he reassured her. <br>
<br>
“No you don’t understand you can’t show weakness even in private they will know they can <i>smell</i> it on you. It’s… It’s like. They’re <i>always</i> watching every little thing and I <i>can’t</i> afford that <i>here</i>.” She ranted at him, panic rising in her again momentarily. <br>
<br>
She looked down at her hand clutching Avery’s, she was clutching it so tight his fingers were turning red, “Sorry. I’m sorry. Ancestors help, me my mother was right.” She let him go and rubbed at her eyes. “The time for princesses is over.” She finished quietly. “I’m sorry.” She couldn’t stop apologizing. Avery knew what she meant but perhaps not to the extent she meant it. She was raised for rule. He wasn’t, despite being a royal. All eyes weren’t always on him. He wasn’t in a Kingdom where he was hated.<br>
<br>
Avery knew how to calm Emerson after a nightmare, but Meera was a different matter altogether, and he didn’t resist when she relinquished his hand. She didn’t seem to want physical comfort, the reassure of safety that Emerson always sought out- Though, Avery supposed, maybe he just wasn’t the person to offer it. She probably took no solace in knowing that he was safe, and he doubted she thought of him as someone who could protect her. <br>
<br>
“It’s fine,” Avery said, turning away and straightening himself up to bury his feet in the warmth of the rug on the floor. He was the reason her horse was dead, after all. Why would she want comfort from him? He’d give her a moment to compose herself, he decided, and then act as if nothing was amiss.<br>
<br>
He got up and threw on his overrobe. “I’ll go check to see if breakfast’s been brought up,” he announced.<br>
<br>
“I’m not hungry…” Meera slumped down, she had to get up, it was barely daybreak but it was no matter. She did still have work to do, letters to write, strategy to plan with Lord Blackbird. She couldn’t even run to her ladies for comfort. Not for this. Her eyes fluttered shut and she wondered if she could go back to sleep for a little while longer, but she didn’t feel tired. Well, she did. But not the kind of tired that sleep fixes.<br>
<br>
She got up and decided it was time for work after all. <br>
<br>
“Has Ruhar sent you any letters?” She called as she made her way to the wash basin to clean her face. <br>
<br>
Her husband must think her some wilting flower, some weakling. She had only a taste of the violence that he and his siblings had experienced at the hands of assassins in this Kingdom, that her people of either country had experienced in wretched war. She had no right to be fretting over <i>dreams</i>. It was Reya who died and suffered not her. <br>
<br>
The splash of water hid her fresh tears. She had to stop being so weak. The time for princesses was over, her mother wasn’t here to solve everything. For the second time in her life Meera had the thought that she should have taken her swordsmanship lessons seriously instead of dancing around like a fool with her ladies.<br>
<br>
That would have to change, immediately.<br>
<br>
Breakfast had been brought up, and Avery put the tray inside, glad for something to do with his hands.<br>
<br>
“Ruhar?,” he asked, thinking for a moment. “A few, but nothing I would not expect from them. Congratulations on… The wedding,” he said. There had also been a form-letter of congratulations on securing a surrender from Theren, but that seemed rude to bring up. “I believe they agreed to send another ambassador to Redhill, but Roysa doesn’t think it will be the one she’d been used to working with.”<br>
<br>
There hadn’t really been a need to withdraw their ambassador in the first place, as Redhill was hardly in much danger even at the war’s peak. But it had been an excuse to summon the man back home and send back someone else in his place without directly saying the first’s performance had come under scrutiny. <br>
<br>
The Beleth crown had paid Ruhar for the trade blockage, of course, but it had been a flat rate, and Avery knew the compensation did not match what Ruhar might have made instead. But they hadn’t reneged on the agreement, even as the cost they could have charged Theren rose rapidly- As the more Theren was willing to pay had a direct relationship with how well Avery’s military was performing, and Ruhar was not foolish enough to anger a king whose already mobilized forces might soon end their current conflict.<br>
<br>
Meera chuckled darkly, “Do you know why you were so successful in negotiations with them?” She wiped her face clean and watched him as she went to retrieve something to wear. <br>
<br>
“Roysa would know better than I,” Avery admitted. She’d been the one to handle most of those negotiations, as he’d been on and off the field of battle at the time. “A variety of reasons, I imagine.”<br>
<br>
 He thought one of them might have been because he had just invited pirates to raid any ships coming and going from Theren, which certainly meant that trading beyond Theren would be much less lucrative. But again it seemed rude to bring that up and Meera seemed to have some inkling as to the other reasons, so Avery paid attention. He was not too proud to admit his aunt often knew more than he did, and he wasn’t going to be too proud to recognize the same would be true of his wife.<br>
<br>
“My mother is a Princess of Ruhar, did you know that? She hails from there, and as such she’s always had a finger on Ruhar’s pulse. I don’t know who her sources are but I trust she knows what she’s doing. And while her older brother was King, Theren’s relationship with Ruhar was strong. She was close with her older brother, and my uncle treated me very well whenever I went to visit. But when he died he left no heirs between him and his wife, so the crown fell on the head of a cousin. A boy of sixteen.” Meera explained, choosing a dress and sauntering over to Avery at the table, she got close.<br>
<br>
“Yes, I recall,” Avery mused. His father had been war-mongering with Theren at the time and Avery had let Elion worry about foreign transitions of power, but even when he’d been only a second prince Avery had paid at least some attention to current events. He had also known that Queen Agora originally hailed from Ruhar royalty, though he’d forgotten the specifics of the relationship.<br>
<br>
<br>
“My mother never met him personally, but his mother was what my mother describes as a ‘I'm uncultured’ and his closest advisors are made up of the patriarchs of his family. So there’s no particular inclination for this new King to keep the steady alliance between Ruhar and Theren besides money. But…” Meera emphasized this new point, “Ruhar’s boy King was never interested in money. He wanted glory. He sought to make his mark in history through the glory of battle and expansion of his Kingdom. <i>Apparently</i> his plan was to let our Kingdoms fight, watch as both sides clashed, and then battle the victor whose forces were weakened by war. What he hoped to gain was land on the coast. That way Ruhar doesn’t have to answer to either of our Kingdoms when it comes to trade from over the sea.” She let that sink in.<br>
<br>
Avery scoffed at the idea- Either that Ruhar’s military could defeat his own, or that he would surrender coastal lands, he didn’t say.<br>
<br>
“Theren attempted to appease Ruhar’s desires with money and the promise of far better trade rates, we even offered <i>me</i> at one point. But Ruhar didn’t want any of it. Its King, he’s what seventeen or eighteen now, wanted glory.” Meera gave him a moment to think, stealing something off his plate and wondering if he understood the implications as she chewed slowly.<br>
<br>
For a brief moment Avery was angry, but he didn’t know why. So he swallowed down the feeling and focused on what she had said instead.<br>
<br>
“You think he might try something?,” Avery asked.<br>
<br>
“You foiled his plans.” She grinned wide, “You acted in a way that no one expected least of all him!” She gave his cheek a few good pats.<br>
<br>
For a moment Avery thought she was going to slap him- Though the patting was almost more confusing. At least he managed not to flinch.<br>
<br>
“You pissed him off my King. And I’m going to piss him off even more by cutting off all trade with Ruhar.” She grabbed his shoulders, “Theren is going to invest heavily in our new ally, Beleth, and in one swoop, Ruhar finds itself on the losing side of a war it never even fought in.” <br>
<br>
“Hmmm,” Avery said, considering. She seemed very excited at the prospect. He was a bit more concerned at the reminder that it wasn’t just enemies from within their countries that wanted their partnership to fail, but outside of it as well. It seemed almost too bold for Ruhar to have organized the attack on Meera, but if they wanted to keep both countries at war- Now he was just following conjecture and his own sense of paranoia. Cromwell would let them know once there was anything resembling a lead. But certainly something to be aware of in the future. <br>
<br>
“I’m trying to tell you that Theren is about to offer Beleth a deal to cut off Ruhar as well. Which means yes Ruhar might try something but frankly…” Meera let him go, a bit disappointed that he didn’t seem excited at the fact that Beleth was about to fill those coffers it had depleted during the war in a very short amount of time. <br>
<br>
Meera brushed past him to dress behind the partition. “After King Arthur made it clear to his entire council he just intended to take whatever he wanted from Theren, myself included <i>if i survived your wrath</i>, when he boxed Beleth off in some glorious manner- I think they need to be taken down a peg or two. Ruhar’s King is young and arrogant, and thirsty to make his lasting mark in history. Let that be on some other Kingdom not ours.” Meera reasoned distractedly, pausing here and there to tie something in place or adjust.<br>
<br>
Avery was glad Meera had gone to change, so she couldn’t see the particularly vicious way he stabbed at his breakfast- Once when she mentioned herself as Arthur’s prize, and a second time at the idea that some boy hoped to outwit him on a battlefield.<br>
<br>
Avery hadn’t seen anything of the deal Meera had been working on, but when it was done she saw little reason he wouldn’t accept it. Why side with Ruhar when it plotted against you and you have Theren, whose Queen you married and are about to make a lot of money from.<br>
<br>
“I agree with that assessment,” Avery said evenly, after a minute of angry chewing. The King of Ruhar could turn his greedy eye elsewhere, and hopefully get his ass handed to him regardless. “But all the same- Let us not slight him too harshly. In case his desire for vengeance is stronger than his interest in achievable conquests, and the advice of whatever commonsense remains in his councilors.” <br>
<br>
“At least be <i>open</i> to the deal Avery. Or do you think it’s a good idea for Ruhar to get the impression that Beleth doesn’t actually value its new ally and is too weak to stop Ruhar from doing whatever it wants. And I don’t just mean to Theren. You do know how it looked to abruptly stop a war you were winning don’t you? It’s not likely Ruhar saw that as mercy. Cutting off trade is <i>hardly</i> an act of violence deserving of a revenge fueled war. They wouldn’t have any excuse besides conquest to attack.” Meera’s bone to pick with Ruhar was personal, despite all the reasons she put behind it.<br>
<br>
Avery was very open to a deal that increased trade between Beleth and Theren. Supportive, even- He felt he had been clear about that? He just wasn’t too keen to cut Ruhar out of the equation altogether, and was even less keen to be discussing this so early in the morning and without any of the trade advisors present. He put his fork down.<br>
<br>
“No,” he said cooly. “Please, explain to me ‘how it looked’,” Avery challenged.<br>
<br>
She froze. He was actually going to make her say it, she was grateful for the partition now and chose to stay behind it. The distinct feeling of threat crept up her spine, hairs on the back of her neck standing up. Paranoia set in, her nightmare of herself surrounded coming to mind again.<br>
<br>
“Apparently he said something to the effect of you being too weak to avenge your brother properly.” Meera replied carefully, she glanced at the door, she could leave quickly if need be, it was close enough.<br>
<br>
Avery’s dark eyes narrowed. “He can say what he likes, he sounds like a foolish young boy. I am more interested to know if you agree with his assessment.”<br>
<br>
She huffed, doubling over in disbelief, taking a deep breath and stepping out. “So you <i>do</i> believe it. That it was Theren who killed your brother and his wife and their poor little child!?” She couldn’t stop her eyes becoming glassy or her voice shaking. <br>
<br>
Well- That was hardly an answer! And Avery felt completely unprepared for the accusation she levelled at him! Were all women this absurd when upset?<br>
<br>
“I don’t need any more lessons on your strength you beat them into my head well enough.” She replied bitterly, hovering next to the door.<br>
<br>
“Well, please, Your Majesty,” he sneered, gesturing sharply at the door and the world beyond it. “Don’t let me continue to bore you. I have plenty of other things to do today than listen to your nonsense!”<br>
<br>
That stung, and before she knew it and was flinging the door open and rushing out. The door to the anteroom was heavier, it slowed her some. It was enough to make sure her wordless stomp out of the room wasn’t a sprint.<br>
<br>
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-10161527" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Feb 26, 2020 at 5:39 PM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/7d51ac44a2380e912e824779d60316ec/tumblr_pbf66u7ATY1r0hmulo6_r2_250.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; Lord Chancellor Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle &amp; The Forest | Interacting with: Lord Cromwell  </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Queen Meera’s determined stomping slowed and became less confident the more turns she took.<br>
<br>
She didn’t know where she was heading. <br>
<br>
And wasn’t that just poetic. <br>
<br>
Her breathing and pace slowed in tandem with one another until she finally stopped at an intersection of hallways. She had so many choices to take, so many paths to follow, and she couldn’t see where any of them led. So where should she go?<br>
<br>
She looked right, her first instincts were to see her ladies, but she wanted to take her frustrations out on something. Perhaps she could goad Nyme into a serious sparring match with metal, she could almost hear the clanging of swords and see the worried looks of indignation and confusion at their Queen’s sudden desire to take the play out of swordplay all of the sudden.<br>
<br>
She looked left, would Lord Blackbird be awake by now? She did have work to do, more now that her hus- the King was not cooperating with her vision for Ruhar. She would have her way, Lord Blackbird would make sure of it. But she was so restlessly desperate. Practically crawling out of her skin to run, to hit something, to be free. She wanted to escape her confines.<br>
<br>
The clink of metal behind her told her that guards had followed her, she hadn’t noticed them till now. Of course she was being followed, she was always being followed. A reminder that she wasn’t safe here, another in the long list of differences between Beleth and Theren. Instead of a general guard that protected the castle and its inhabitants near every noble in Beleth had personal guards dogging their every step. For a land that had so ardently accused others of assassins they seemed crawling with them. <br>
<br>
Assassins were lowly, cowardly, and dishonorable creatures of filth in Theren, the mere notion of them were treated as such. If you wanted a noble killed, you dueled them where the whole court could see. Blood spilled the honorable way was still blood spilled though, she supposed.<br>
<br>
“My trunks were moved to the royal chambers weren’t they?” She looked straight ahead.<br>
<br>
A pause, “Yes, your Majesty, but I believe they aren’t finished with them yet. Later this afternoon-”<br>
<br>
“Lead me there, I’m not visiting to inspect them. I just need to change into riding clothes, and send for Lord Blackbird, tell him to catch up to me.” Meera squared her shoulders, a good hard ride would soothe the wild unease of her heart.<br>
<br>
--------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
Cromwell, willing his tired eyes to open, stumbled, no <i>stomped</i>, his way to the door of his chambers. A grunt was all his scrunched up face could muster at the fool who dared wake him before he was well and ready.<br>
<br>
“Her Majesty the Queen summons you to ride with her this morning.” One of the royal guard informed him. Darius? Markus? Edward… Cromwell couldn’t remember his name for the life of him.<br>
<br>
He grunted in reply and shut the door. Shuffling off but not getting very far before indignant raps on the door brought him back.<br>
<br>
“Lord Cromwell. Her Majesty the Queen <i>summoned</i> you.” The guard was aghast. <br>
<br>
Cromwell fixed him with a look, “Yes… did you need to watch me get dressed or do you expect that I should go see her like this? Perhaps ride out on my horse without any shoes. Scandalize the whole castle and my Queen by looking like a beggar that has somehow acquired a steed?” <br>
<br>
The guard’s face turned red at Cromwell’s less than cordial tone, and had the door shut in his face a second time. <br>
<br>
--------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
Cromwell frowned as he brought Merchant out of his stall, his Queen had not waited for him, which was unusual. It hadn’t really taken him all that long to get dressed, drop his pup off down in the kitchens with someone suitable to feed and watch over him, and get to the stables. Especially since apparently she had to go dress for riding herself when he had been summoned. She must have been in a hurry.<br>
<br>
Or perhaps upset.<br>
<br>
He had an inkling that the latter was most likely as he saddled up and rode off in the direction she had apparently gone.<br>
<br>
--------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
He found her, finally, sitting by a tree in a pretty patch of flowers. Her training sword lay next to her, she was staring off into the distance, looking haunted. What had happened between last night and this morning? Last report he had gotten from Nyme stated that she was in good spirits and that she seemed to be getting along with her new husband.<br>
<br>
Then again they weren’t exactly consummating their marriage. Perhaps Nyme’s report was more optimistic than he gave it credit for.<br>
<br>
“Your grace.” Cromwell approached and bowed.<br>
<br>
“Our plans for Ruhar are going to fall through.” She monotoned.<br>
<br>
“How do you mean?” He rose slowly, unsure how those particular plans could already be unraveling, barely in their infancy.<br>
<br>
“He doesn’t want to antagonize Ruhar.” The Queen clarified.<br>
<br>
“Well. Certainly not when you put it like that. I’m sure he doesn’t.” Cromwell knew she had probably put it with more tact than that, probably… most likely… but so early? When they hadn’t even had most of it on paper? Regardless his sarcasm did its job, she rolled her eyes and finally regarded him. <br>
<br>
“Whether officially as economic policy or unofficially by undercutting any deal Ruhar and its nobles make in Beleth we can effectively have our way. Or mostly our way. It doesn’t matter. Nobody but minor merchants will be able to do business across the border by the time we’re done.” Cromwell shrugged. “King Arthur will be antagonized one way or another. Our point will be made. He will be punished for his arrogance.”<br>
<br>
“I should’ve had confidence that you would see little obstacle in a monarch’s will.” She smiled bitterly. Giving the two of them pause.<br>
<br>
After an uncomfortable moment Cromwell cleared his throat, “The boy, you gave your orders as to what was to be done with him and now…”<br>
<br>
“Now?” She cocked an eyebrow.<br>
<br>
“You mentioned you would make a decision about what was to be done with him once you were out.” He sensed that this conversation was going to go nowhere positive as he elaborated. She was being purposefully clipped with him. This wasn’t just general frustration. <br>
<br>
“No, I don’t believe that’s what I said.” She reminded him, rising, tossing aside picked flowers to pick up her sword.<br>
<br>
“He can not stay much longer, your grace. Your wedding and the consummation thereafter has been considered a success but that is a small victory and giving your new nobles a fresh reason to mock you behind your back is not advisable.” His sword was sheathed over on Merchant’s saddle; his dagger was at his waist. Neither of these blades were dull training weapons however. <br>
<br>
He saw her eyes flash with anger and hurt but he pressed on, “Any longer is past a period of kindness befitting the Queen’s mercy. Send him back to his proper station and let this be a credit to you, not a smear.” He reasoned.<br>
<br>
“I have a better idea. I think I’ll make him my ward.” The casually flippant tone she used was emphasized by a twirl of her sword.<br>
<br>
“Then I suppose your grace that you expect to gather all of the unfortunate orphans of Beleth and keep them in the castle as your wards?” He deadpanned, noting that she was beginning to circle him.<br>
<br>
“Now there’s an idea Lord Blackbird, see to it immediately.” She fired back angrily, cheeks flushed in anger and embarrassment at being spoken to like a child for the second time that morning.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty…” he said reproachfully.<br>
<br>
“You seem to have forgotten my Lord, that it is not you who wears the crown! I am your Queen and you may not overstep yourself!” She fumed at him, realizing with quelled rage that in the past, his tone would have worked with her and she would have yielded. She had been making a mistake allowing him to take the reins for so long in her decision making.<br>
<br>
Cromwell straightened, choosing to ignore the dull blade pointed at his throat. “I am merely your Majesty’s humble servant. I only advise the best course of action.” He defended himself evenly, trying for a humble dignity, unused to being on the receiving end of his Queen’s anger.<br>
<br>
“You <i>advise</i> my Lord Blackbird. And when I have made a decision you will do your utmost to carry that out. I am surrounded by enemies and married to a disappointed and cold King. The time for Princesses is <i>over</i>. I need you to do your duty and <b>support</b> your Queen’s decisions, even if they are not ones you would advise me to make.” Had her voice sounded strong and sure, it would’ve been quite the statement to make. A rallying cry for support, but it shook, and quaked. It sounded paranoid. She did not feel strong and she did not look it.<br>
<br>
“And when you have information that is pertinent to me, you would be wise to deliver it to me instead of letting your Queen look like a fool.” She hissed, prodding forward, forcing Cromwell to take steps back, so as not to choke.<br>
<br>
That… what could she possibly mean? Cromwell kneeled slowly, dropping his gaze respectfully, “If I have failed my Queen in any way, please your grace, know that it was unconsciously done and that I am prepared to give my head most willingly should you demand it.” He meant every word.<br>
<br>
The point of Meera’s sword fell away after tense consideration, “You knew he was lying to me. And after all that careful coaching to be amenable and in control of how he saw me, was it not you and my mother who expressed that the very first impression was the most important. That I had to dazzle him from the start?” A fresh tear fell down her cheek, she felt suddenly very tired.<br>
<br>
Cromwell looked up, his brow furrowed, “Your majesty I did not know until it was too late, and I did not tell you to cause you pain or embarrassment. You were already dazzling him, being your natural self. You could not have done better had you known. In fact, I thought it would have given you unnecessary pause. Nor did I think it would cause you embarrassment, that the King would tell you himself.” <br>
<br>
Meera closed her eyes and took a deep breath, sighing, “That is not for you to decide my Lord Blackbird. You do not make those decisions for me from now on. You are never to keep such things from me ever again simply because you think you know what is best.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell nodded, bowing his head in acknowledgement as she made herself clear. He rose when she gestured for him to rise.<br>
<br>
“I have allowed you and my mother to take care of matters in a way that is not befitting a Queen and now I suffer for it. I have not been dazzling the King, anything but in fact. Everytime I think I am connecting to him the next moment the chasm between us gets ever wider. Sometimes I think I know what to make of him and others…” She turned away, letting the point of her sword drag through the grass and flowers.<br>
<br>
“Angry as you are with me, your grace, the King perhaps does not deserve so much distrust or ire... - He made a plan that he made me aware of after the attempt on your life, should you not arrive safely.” It was another thing that he had not told her, but something she needed to hear while he could still both clear his own name and reassure her. Her distress worried him, it mirrored the same kind of distress that plagued her after her father, <i>spirits guide him in his eternal peace</i>, died.<br>
<br>
That got her to turn around, “Should you not survive the journey to Redhill, he was to be taken into custody by the Princess Grace, and sent to Delphi to await the judgement of your mother, the Queen Regent herself.” It sounded ridiculous as he said it out loud, but the truth often was. <br>
<br>
“I don’t believe that, what kind of fool…” Confusion and even a spark of happiness broke Meera’s dark mood. Her mother would have never let him live, nor would should let him die quick, or with dignity. He had to have known that. <br>
<br>
“He is honorable. To the point of foolishness yes. But you like that in a man, as I recall.” Cromwell joked.<br>
<br>
It was true, her previous engagement had been to a foolishly honorable man, and it made her laugh softly in remembrance of it. “The sweet Captain… to keep the peace he would have done it too.” Some small part of her wanted to believe it was in care for her life too, but it was unlikely the plan was put in place for that given they hadn’t even met yet. Despite that, it did warm her a bit.<br>
<br>
“I believe he would have.” Cromwell confirmed, though he was not sure that his advisors, his aunt, or his sister the Princess would have let him though. The thought was nice, but thoughts and plans often could be noble where reality was not.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/5cfcbbec729819361937782648921d81/tumblr_p9troksOUE1r0hmulo2_250.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; Lord Emerson</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Castle - Queen's Solar | Interacting with: Her Ladies &amp; Lord Emerson &amp; Lord Cromwell  </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Meera remembered the savage ruthlessness with which her very first ruling was passed as Queen apparent. An important one. The ruling to accept peace and negotiations for a marriage alliance with Beleth.<br>
<br>
It would not come to pass without her approval, but neither would it pass without a majority approval by her noble council. The two needed to be in agreeance, and given that she was already for the treaty, the onus was on her council. In the end it was decided in favor of, by five votes.<br>
<br>
Because five noblemen had been locked in the dungeon on offenses ranging from minor to treasonous by her Lord Chancellor.<br>
<br>
At first glance, choosing a wardrobe was not quite so cutthroat, but that was only at first glance.<br>
<br>
“Yes I agree I like that silhouette, the sleek quarter sleeves are very different from what I’ve seen. The bell sleeves are in fashion here, so this winter I’ll stand out. But that fabric, it’s fabric from Merid isn’t it?” Meera circled the wooden mannequin, several in various silhouettes and styles with varying sleeves stood sentry in the room, the dresses in plain white but with pieces of suggested fabrics pinned here and there. <br>
<br>
“It is your majesty.” The royal tailor, newly hired and though he was old, had two younger sons known for their talents in embroidery who apprenticed under him, spoke up.<br>
<br>
“The neckline is so high though!” Nyme complained, speaking up from her very comfortable position lounging in the pillows and snacking on a small raspberry tart.<br>
<br>
“Your majesty will be very glad for that when the snow comes, um, your grace.” One of the tailor’s sons spoke up. He received a reproachful look from his father for his trouble.<br>
<br>
“It is true, your majesty. I am told it does not snow in Delphi, we must dress your majesty so that she does not need to walk around the castle in her fur cloak through the halls all day.” The tailor confirmed.<br>
<br>
“Oh spirits are we going to freeze in our beds?” Mercy said through a mouth full of food.<br>
<br>
“Yes yes the neckline is fine, it’ll work with my gold and pearl drapery, perhaps better than even Theren dresses do. That’s not what I asked.” She paced around the mannequins and tailors alike, voice deceptively light.<br>
<br>
“The fabric over here is from Merid yes. Fine textiles suited well for-” <br>
<br>
“I won’t be using that fabric. Show me others.” Merid was blatant, dangerously blatant in their desire to undermine her. Baroness Elleni was fearless according to Nyme’s reports on her and though she had no desire to stop her ladies from… befriending her should they choose she had no desire to show Merid favor either. They would have to do better, be cooperative if they wanted that. So Meera made up her mind to not wear any textiles from there. <br>
<br>
“When you embroider these overcoats though, use those pearls the Duke of Yehtun gifted me. The Duke’s land is known for their pearls apparently. We will see about supporting their enterprises.” Meera ran her pointer finger across the shoulder of a mannequin featuring a tight overcoat silhouette. The Duke was one of the Dukes contesting for the barony of Merid, a subtle slap in the face. A subtle show of favor. Perhaps the barony had to worry about its independence. All much too subtle to really be accusatory or brought up, but this right here, this matter of fashion and fabric and the showing of gifts and textiles and style from here and there meant something. Queens and Ladies were not dressed without careful consideration.<br>
<br>
“Ah Lord Emerson! You finally got here, we thought you might never show, had you taken any longer we’d have eaten all the snacks.” Nyme waved as a familiar redhead entered the Queen’s rooms. “We were just deciding the fate of fashion this winter. Merid and bell sleeves are out of favor, Yehtun and sleek sleeves are in.”<br>
<br>
“White fur. I like the cloak I was gifted but not everything can be in black, use white fur for the others, it’ll contrast my hair.” Meera made note to the tailor as she pet the sleek pitch black cloak that had been gifted by a minor Lord, it was quite pretty and finely made, she’d never worn anything like it.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty,” Emerson greeted Meera with a sweeping bow, but righting himself quickly enough. “I apologize for the delay.”<br>
<br>
He did not offer an excuse, as he did not have a good one that was truthful and he could not come up with a false one that worked either- He’d been sleeping. First on the couch in his small and mostly empty library, though the girls had woken him with news of the queens summons. The problem was that he had then gone to change and caught sight of his bed and- Well. <br>
<br>
He looked a tad rumpled, but no more than might be expected from a man who spent the last several days over. He had cleaned himself up enough so as not to smell of alcohol, though he imagined they all could guess he was supremely hungover. <br>
<br>
“Being mocked by a beautiful woman so early in the day,” Emerson told Nyme with false affront. “Truly, I am wounded! But not to worry- My ego shall recover, and we can always have more snacks brought up if it becomes necessary,” he said with a wink.<br>
<br>
“You could’ve been mocked by beautiful women last night Lord Emerson. But I think you were busy with <i>other</i> beautiful women weren’t you?” Nyme handed him a goblet of wine, winking back.<br>
<br>
He would rather be anywhere than here- all right, not anywhere, only in his bed- but acting otherwise was second nature.<br>
<br>
“Excellent to hear,” Emerson said approvingly as he took his seat, and some food. “I’ve always said bell sleeves are more trouble than they’re worth- They add a nice effect when dancing, but one is liable to drag them through one’s dinner by accident, or worse, a candle.”<br>
<br>
“Especially when it comes to heavy fabric I agree. Good eye my Lord.” Meera nodded, agreeing. “Though we do wonder how it is you are so well versed in women’s dresses.” She teased.<br>
<br>
“No we don’t.” Mercy piped up, smirking before taking a sip out of her own goblet.<br>
<br>
“What we mean to say Lord Emerson, is that the Queen didn’t summon you for fashion advice.” Veora, having abstained from the snacks and wine, explained evenly, putting her book down.<br>
<br>
“She summoned you to show you favor, and ask a different sort of advice.” Mercy clarified.<br>
<br>
“My ladies have told me about why you are so close to the King Lord Emerson, besides your charming personality of course.” Meera pointed to the blue fabric and nodded, the tailor making note.<br>
<br>
“<i>Of course</i>.” Nyme mimicked, it was her who had found out about the vow, she pointed to the scar on his hand and smiled.<br>
<br>
Oh goddess, they wanted to talk about that. Emerson steeled himself.<br>
<br>
“I don’t know the particulars, but it seems to me to be a silly thing that so trusted a man isn’t invited to family dinner. Meanwhile my ladies are.” Meera mentioned as she considered the table of jewels, taking a necklace and bringing it over to Nyme to try on. “That’s pretty.” She mouthed to her.<br>
<br>
“<i>So</i>, I wanted to extend the invitation for the future. This might anger your aunt I’m sure but she’ll get over it in time. And the King needs people he can trust shown the proper favor. As I do.” She regarded her ladies, taking a sip of wine. <br>
<br>
“Besides, they can’t take my ladies from me if you attend too.” This was the major and real reason she wanted to extend the invitation to be entirely honest, and as she fixed him with a look she trusted he understood that.<br>
<br>
Well, it hadn’t been a barrage of uncomfortable questions about their time on the Wider Sea, so Emerson supposed he should be happy, and he gave a smile to indicate he was. Internally, he was swearing- Vienna would be thrilled to have finally gotten her way.<br>
<br>
“How gracious of you,” he said genially. “I would be honored to dine with the royal family. Though I do not think you need to worry too much about access to your ladies- As you have no blood family of your own here at Redhill, I believe Lady Roysa views them as the closest substitutes. You could dine with them as frequently as the King does with Princess Grace with little fuss.” <br>
<br>
“They gave us rooms very far from her you know.” Nyme mentioned as she fixed the jewel necklace on Emerson as though he were a mannequin himself.<br>
<br>
“That looks pretty on you.” Mercy and Veora both nodded in agreement. <br>
<br>
Emerson glanced down at the jewels, laid in silver metal. “I don’t know, I’ve always considered myself to look better in warmer colors,” he said conversationally. “Though I imagine I look good in anything,” he preened with a wink.<br>
<br>
Meera gave pause, “It <i>does</i>... Anyhow, the second thing I wanted to ask, given your proclivities for sociable behavior, is your opinion on ladies I might invite to make acquaintance with.”<br>
<br>
“And, any young ladies that might make good Queen’s ladies.” Veora added, “They would be tutored in languages and dance and other things, clothed in the latest fashions, and become a close confidante to the Queen.”<br>
<br>
“And when the time comes, introduced to excellent matches.” They all rolled their eyes at Nyme’s singular mind.<br>
<br>
“All my past ladies have married very well. Well. One married for love, but I raised him in station so technically she did marry well in the end.” Meera fixed one of her silver cuffs on Emerson’s wrist.<br>
<br>
“Hmm,” Emerson considered, inspecting the bangle and thinking. “I suppose it depends- Are you interested in ladies who you might personally enjoy spending time with, or ladies who spending time with would be politically beneficial? Or some mixture of both?”<br>
<br>
“A mixture of both to make acquaintance with, it’d be helpful to know which is which going in.” Meera went over to the table and started to look through the tiaras.<br>
<br>
“But a Queen’s lady must be very... malleable to our purpose.” Veora clarified.<br>
<br>
“Someone whose loyalty can be gained and kept. We don’t just keep the Queen company you know.” Mercy’s bluntness was more helpful here, and Veora nodded in agreement. “I started when I was 14. Older ladies probably already have agendas of their own.” She mentioned. <br>
<br>
“We’ll probably end up dismissing the little tarts anyway but it’s a nice thought.” Nyme shrugged unkindly.<br>
<br>
Emerson snorted.<br>
<br>
“That’s not a very generous attitude Nyme. The object isn’t to disgrace ladies, it's to create allies.” Meera chided, choosing a tiara with pale moonstones that matched the jewels in the necklace Emerson was wearing nicely and placed it on his head carefully. “Perhaps families that would be grateful for that kind of recognition…”<br>
<br>
“Ugh, stop being so pretty Lord Emerson it’s audacious.” Meera put her hands on her hips and she considered her work thus far.<br>
<br>
“He should wear <i>green</i>.” Nyme got up suddenly, to go look for fabric in the shade she had in mind.<br>
<br>
“Yes, green.” Meera took Nyme’s seat next to Lord Emerson, making herself comfortable while they spoke and continued to acost the man with pretty things like a doll.<br>
<br>
“Ladies, please,” Emerson protested. “I cannot allow you to dress me up so. Let me stand so as not to wrinkle anything,” he decided, standing and adjusting the tiara to sit at a more rakish angle.<br>
<br>
“We don’t really have a comparable position, to that of Theren’s ladies in waiting,” Emerson admitted thoughtfully. “And I worry that anything seen as an attempt to initiate a Belethan noblewoman into your ranks would be taken… Poorly.”<br>
<br>
The idea that a lady would ‘work’ for another was rare in formal practice, though he knew it happened often enough- Grace’s friends were always eager to help her any projects she came up with and even those she was less close to would likely jump at the chance if asked. <br>
<br>
But Meera wasn’t Grace, of course. Even those who were not inclined to dislike her might well be cautious of the new queen.<br>
<br>
“I think it’s a bad idea. Just so you know.” Nyme called over her shoulder.<br>
<br>
“But if you attend court functions with the other ladies, I do not think you will find they are opposed to making friends,” he said. Even those inclined to dislike her might want to try and win her trust. “My cousin Vienna often organizes little events that ladies at court are all invited to, once a week or so- Riding about the grounds, or going sailing down the river when the weather is better.”<br>
<br>
He swallowed down the urge to say something rude about his cousin- Meera was friendly and Emerson hoped that they might one day be genuine friends, but they weren’t there yet. <br>
<br>
“There is generally good attendance, across a broad spectrum of the court- If you were to attend one, I think you would able to have more intimate introduction to some of the ladies and begin to take stock of which might suit your needs.”<br>
<br>
“We’ll do that, but you really don’t have any pointed directions? Any little suggestions? Any hints?” Meera looked over his shoulder as Nyme found what she was looking for.<br>
<br>
“I’ll be honest,” Emerson said. “The things you are looking for in a lady’s company are not the qualifiers I tend to give attention to,” he admitted.<br>
<br>
“Any warnings?” Nyme dropped a pale green over Emerson’s shoulder.<br>
<br>
Well, she had asked. Emerson could hardly be faulted for answering, could he?<br>
<br>
“In my experience, my cousin Vienna is a wretched woman with a poisoned heart,” he declared, somewhat theatrically. “But I did once shove her down a well as a child, so we have never been fated for friendship.”<br>
<br>
The women in her close circle certainly seemed to consider Vienna to be a good friend at least.<br>
<br>
“Some of the older girls in Princess Grace’s cohort, maybe,” he suggested. They were of noble families already, and the age difference that had made it more difficult for them to become part of Grace’s inner circle might predispose them towards Meera and her ladies. “Lady Alis is supposedly at Redhill so that her younger sister has some family here, but she has never seemed to be much interested in tailing after her sister and the Princess.”<br>
<br>
The girl seemed uninterested in many things, if Emerson was being honest- She had a serious expression on her face most of the time, and was rarely seen without a book. But she’d also grown up in the shadow of her outgoing sister and her sister’s best friends, always just a few years too old to enjoy the things they did. And she was smart, and her uncle was a duke and her other uncle a general, and did not seem particularly malicious.<br>
<br>
Meera looked at each of her ladies, who were looking at each other and her as well. <br>
<br>
“We… haven’t looked there to be honest.” Nyme read the room, she hadn’t taken notice of any Lady Alis either.<br>
<br>
“Well there we have it, our hint. Thank you Lord Emerson. Now give us a twirl!” Meera smiled.<br>
<br>
Lord Cromwell entered quietly, regarding the scene with some amusement as his Queen and her ladies cheered Lord Emerson on as he… twirled.<br>
<br>
Emerson spun about as instructed, the green fabric trailing off his spread arms. He made his circle wider, twirling not in just one spot but about the room, and might have continued until he made himself dizzy if he hadn’t collided with something. Or, someone.<br>
<br>
“I’m interrupting aren’t I.” Cromwell announced, though more directly to Lord Emerson himself.<br>
<br>
“Ah- A bit,” Emerson admitted, his hands tightening where they had landed on the other man’s shirt for a moment before he withdrew them quickly and straightened the tiara, brushing his hair out his eyes.<br>
<br>
He was worried for a moment, about how unhealthy and unattractive he must look when so exhausted, and then quickly discarded the notion. If Queen Meera could handle the dark circles under his eyes, then her chancellor certainly could. And if he didn’t care enough to spend time worrying about it for Meera’s sake, then he of course didn’t care what Cromwell thought either. <br>
<br>
Curiously the room became quiet, eyes trained on them. Cromwell dropped his arms abruptly, as Lord Emerson no longer needed steadying. If he perhaps had held them out for slightly longer than necessary it went unnoticed until it was too late to not draw notice.<br>
<br>
“I do hope you all haven’t been exhausting Lord Emerson, he seems as though he needs a nap.” Lord Cromwell saved himself by noting Lord Emerson’s unsteadiness as excuse for what probably amounted to absolutely nothing of scrutiny on his part, paranoid as he was of showing favor to anyone in Beleth. Especially anyone with the foxish shrewdness Lord Emerson possessed. <br>
<br>
“Fatigue from fun is hardly anything like fatigue from work Lord Blackbird.” Nyme rolled her eyes and faced forward as Cromwell approached.<br>
<br>
“And yet they are both fatigue. A letter.” Cromwell handed the folded parchment, unsealed, to his Queen. He trusted no one else but himself to deliver letters of this kind to her as of yet.<br>
<br>
She thanked him and set to reading it immediately.<br>
<br>
“Green is your colour, Lord Emerson, though perhaps gold would suit you better than silver.” Cromwell noted as he passed the redhead, leaving them to their fabrics and jewels and machinations.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><i>Location: Grounds of Redhill Castle, up on a bluff overlooking the castle and the city<br>
Interacting: King Avery and Lord Emerson<br>
Timing: Next day from last post</i><br>
<br>
"-And then she brings up Elion's assassination, like that has <i>anything</i> to do with whether I'm weak or I'm merciful or really anything else we've been talking about, and it's suddenly somehow <i>my fault</i> that Theren had him killed- And- Ugh," Avery exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "I don't understand what I'm supposed to do!"<br>
<br>
"Try kicking that rock again, maybe it'll help this time," Emerson suggested brightly, and Avery shot him a dark look. His foot still hurt from earlier, and Emerson had laughed uproariously at the King's swearing.<br>
<br>
"It's just- It had been going so well," Avery sighed, and then paused. He didn't need to look behind him to know Emerson was making a skeptical face. "All right, fine. Not 'well' maybe, but not so badly as I'd feared. And certainly not as terribly as it somehow became."<br>
<br>
"Yes, you did seem to be heading on a decent enough trajectory before yesterday morning," Emerson conceded, ripping off a piece from a loaf of bread. They were sitting up on an outlook that overlooked the castle and the city, the trees blocking the worst of the breeze without compromising the view. It was a favored spot of nobles who were willing to make the somewhat arduous hike for picnic lunches and the like- So, really not too many of them. But Avery came often, usually with Emerson behind him, griping about the slope the whole way and complaining they should have gone somewhere their horses could carry them.<br>
<br>
"But clearly something went awry- Nothing horrible happened the night before?," Emerson prompted.  <br>
<br>
"Not that I noticed! I mean- It wasn't any more uncomfortable than the rest of it had been," he insisted. "It must have been her nightmare," he decided. "Making her act all... Irrational."<br>
<br>
"Are you sure she really said she wanted there to be no more trade between Beleth and Ruhar? At all?"<br>
<br>
Avery looked annoyed to have his word doubted. "My memory is reliable enough that it does not need to be questioned when the events in question have occurred within the week," he said.<br>
<br>
"No, I mean- Maybe she just meant she didn't want for Beleth to make any new deals with Ruhar for direct trading, crown to crown," Emerson suggested. "Or maybe she really did mean that you as king should no longer trade with Ruhar, and fail to renew your deals with them, and instead turn to Theren for goods and let Arthur stew... Not that the individual merchants couldn't trade across the border. Which would be very hard to enforce."<br>
<br>
"Exactly my point!," Avery said, apparently unaware or uncaring that Emerson's agreement with him on this was contingent on disagreeing with him about what he recalled Meera having said in the first place. "It would be a waste of money to try and enforce, and a waste of goodwill besides! And people would starve," he added.<br>
<br>
"Your people," Emerson said astutely, which Avery did not appreciate.<br>
<br>
"They are <i>all </i>my people," he said automatically, but there was some truth to what Emerson said. Beleth shared a rocky border with Theren, but an even more mountainous border with Ruhar. The people who lived there had technically been part of Beleth longer than Merid had, but the region had a history of rebellion. The most recent had been put down by King Garret, who had executed the leader- And taken the man's bride as his second wife.<br>
<br>
They were arguably the poorest community in Beleth, and Avery knew it was more practical- and more affordable- for them to trade for food products with their neighbors down the other side of the mountain in Ruhar than wait to pay for a trade caravan from someplace like Fremont, who charged extra for the hassle of the winding trails.<br>
<br>
"At any rate, she was being completely unreasonable," Avery reiterated with annoyance.<br>
<br>
"Vee- when I say something, how often do you know what I actually mean?"<br>
<br>
The king frowned at him.<br>
<br>
"Depends on the context, I suppose- Much more often than I used to at least," he said wryly, and Emerson snapped his fingers at him, glad his friend had picked up the point without even meaning to.<br>
<br>
"You know me, and you know how I communicate," Emerson told him. "Or, mostly you do. You've known Meera- A week? You absolutely do not know how she communicates. Maybe the entirety of what she meant, was not conveyed in what she said," he suggested. "And maybe what she said is not entirely what you heard. Especially if you were cutting her off-"<br>
<br>
"I was not cutting her off," Avery insisted, cutting off Emerson as he did so, and the lounging man smiled up at the king like a particularly pleased cat.<br>
<br>
"Just admit it, Vee," Emerson teased. "You have been reduced to taking relationship advice from me. How does it feel?"<br>
<br>
"I do not come to you for relationship advice," Avery scoffed. "Just for... Perspective."<br>
<br>
"I am a wealth of perspective," Emerson crowed, and Avery flopped down next to him on the blanket the guards had spread over the grass, and snatched the bread out of the redhead's hands in petty vengeance. Emerson was unperturbed, and merely helped himself to rest of the food still sitting next to him in the basket.<br>
<br>
"Yes, well, do share," Avery told him. "You spent time with her and her ladies yesterday, yes? What did she say?"<br>
<br>
Emerson turned to Avery and gave him a withering look.<br>
<br>
"Do you want me to tell her about this conversation I'm having with you?"<br>
<br>
"Of course not!"<br>
<br>
"And, do you want her to trust me and see me as a friend?"<br>
<br>
"That would be good, yes," Avery said hesitantly, sensing a trap.<br>
<br>
"So, do you think that telling <i>you</i> what I talk about with<i> her</i>- and not returning the favor- would encourage that goal?"<br>
<br>
Avery had no immediate reply to that, which was probably for the best, and they sat in silence for a moment as the clouds crossed the sky.<br>
<br>
"Could you at least- Give me a general impression? If you think it would be appropriate? Maybe just a warning, if she’s still very upset with me," Avery tried.<br>
<br>
"We really didn't talk about you all that much," Emerson said honestly after considering for a beat. "I was a tad disappointed- This was before I knew of your boorish behavior regarding trade deals, so I was hoping I might catch some reviews of your husbandly performances," he teased.<br>
<br>
Avery made a dismissive noise. "There weren't any to review," he said shortly.<br>
<br>
"Oh all right, perhaps not of the proper 'husbandly' variety," Emerson agreed, since he was aware of Avery's concerns regarding the timing of any potential conception. "But those ladies of hers are <i>concerningly</i> inquisitive. I'm sure before I got there, they were pressing her about the more… interesting activities of the week," he said with a wink, parting the fingers on one hand and putting them to his mouth. He wiggled his tongue obscenely, and Avery looked away.<br>
<br>
"There weren't any of those sorts of... activities, either," Avery clarified, and Emerson gaped at him, and slightly regretted having brought this up. What had started as a chance to distract his friend with slight embarrassment had instead turned uncomfortable. But Emerson was hardly one to avoid discomfort.<br>
<br>
"I thought you said it had been going relatively well!"<br>
<br>
"It <i>was</i>," Avery insisted. "We don't have to have been... It could have been going ‘relatively well’ without that!"<br>
<br>
Emerson looked around, making sure the guards were well out of ear shot before they took this conversation any further.<br>
<br>
"Vee! You are two young, attractive adults who recently got married who are expected to maintain <i>something</i> resembling a positive physical connection for at least long enough to reap the rewards in the form of a few heirs! Are you really telling me you did nothing- <i>the entire week</i>- to facilitate such a future relationship?"<br>
<br>
"Um-"<br>
<br>
"Something with the hands? Above the waist maybe? At least some heavy petting?"<br>
<br>
Emerson clearly knew the answer, but couldn't stop himself from asking anyways.<br>
<br>
"Wait- You took a bath together," Emerson said, half in a tone of triumphant recollection and half accusatory. <br>
<br>
"No," Avery corrected. "<i>She</i> took a bath."<br>
<br>
"But you were there! You were talking with her, you said," Emerson insisted.<br>
<br>
"I was just sitting there! Not in the tub," Avery clarified. "Outside the tub."<br>
<br>
"You were just... Sitting next to her while she bathed? With your clothes on?"<br>
<br>
"Yes," Avery said, not really sure why Emerson needed to make such a big deal of this.<br>
<br>
"And she let you? You really are an idiot, Vee," Emerson said with exasperation, hitting Avery lightly on his side. "Women don't take long soaks while their husbands sit on the edge of the tub fully clothed unless they have <i>some</i> sort of interest in him becoming <i>less clothed</i>."<br>
<br>
Avery was silent for a long moment, not looking over at his friend.<br>
<br>
"I'm not going to... Assume anything," he said eventually. "After everything with...." He trailed off. <br>
<br>
Regardless of whose name he said next, he was rapidly approaching the territory of things they avoided talking about.<br>
<br>
"Well. I'd just rather- Not," Avery said instead.<br>
<br>
Emerson hit him again, though much more gently.<br>
<br>
"It is somewhat different, you know," he told Avery.<br>
<br>
"Not different enough," Avery replied bitterly, and Emerson had no clever return for that.<br>
<br>
"She may not have chosen you, but she's here now," Emerson finally said. "And she probably has some expectations for what that looks like. Your noble intentions might be coming across as… Dismissive and rude. Unless you’ve already communicated all of this to her?”<br>
<br>
Avery did not give a rapid and affirmative answer, so Emerson guessed that was a ‘no’ then. <br>
<br>
“It’s not just that you don’t know each other,” Emerson reiterated. “You come from different cultures. What may seem like an obvious cue to you, could be something she won’t even pick up on. And vice versa,” he mused. “I mean- Don’t they prefer to give birth in water in Theren?Maybe they prefer to conceive there, too,” he said suddenly, as though he had made some great connection. “Goddess, Vee! She might have been trying to seduce you and you couldn’t even be arsed to notice!”<br>
<br>
The look Avery gave him was baleful. “I think I would notice if someone was trying to seduce me,” he said.<br>
<br>
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Emerson muttered darkly.<br>
<br>
“Hmm?,” Avery asked.<br>
<br>
“Just complaining to myself- They didn’t give us that cheesy bread I like,” Emerson replied, and Avery rolled his eyes.<br>
<br>
“I’m just saying- You have to talk to her,” Emerson repeated firmly. “About- All of it, really.”<br>
<br>
“I’ve tried! She’s just so-”<br>
<br>
“Try. Harder,” Emerson said, and Avery sighed.<br>
<br>
“I’ll do what I can,” he reluctantly agreed. “I think I’m going to have to apologize for the fight as it is, so. <i>She</i> certainly isn’t going to do so,” he said with a hint of annoyance.<br>
<br>
“You haven’t talked about it at all?”<br>
<br>
“Ah. Well. I was busy most of the day, and- By the time I was ready to go to bed she was already asleep so-”<br>
<br>
“So you’ve been avoiding her,” Emerson surmised. Correctly.<br>
<br>
“She’s been avoiding me too!”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Maybe she's been ‘busy’,” Emerson suggested. “But yes, you should apologize. If not for what you said, at least for how you said it.” <br>
<br>
He knew Avery well enough to know his friend wasn’t going to recant his statements simply for the sake of keeping the peace. <br>
<br>
“And give her the godsdamned horse, too. That’ll probably help to get you back in her better graces.”<br>
<br>
“I have to pick one first,” Avery pointed out.<br>
<br>
“You spent the better part of yesterday afternoon examining some of the best horses available from several countries, and none of them met your standards?”<br>
<br>
“Several of them met <i>my</i> standards,” Avery protested. “The problem is I don’t know what her standards are- I’m thinking I should maybe just ask her?”<br>
<br>
<br>
Emerson chuckled. “There may be hope for you yet, Your Majesty.”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Really? You don’t think it will ruin the surprise?”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Oh, it will totally ruin the surprise- Especially if you just ask her what she likes in a horse and then vanish off to the stables. But if you present it appropriately- as a chance for her to pick her own steed- I think it could go over quite well.”<br>
<br>
<br>
Avery made a contemplative sound as he considered how to proceed, and they were quiet for a bit.<br>
<br>
<br>
“I swear I was going to let this go, but actually I can’t,” Emerson said abruptly, looking over at his friend. “You’ve kissed her, right?”<br>
<br>
<br>
Avery’s exasperated sigh indicated that he would have really preferred if Emerson had indeed let it go. <br>
<br>
“Yes. Multiple times. You were there, remember?”<br>
<br>
<br>
“Gods, Vee, your wedding celebrations don’t count,” Emerson retorted. “Those were… Formal. Expected. But you two have to look comfortable with each other. And comfortable with affection between each other.”<br>
<br>
<br>
“I’m a fairly private person,” Avery reminded his friend. It wasn’t like he went around showering even his sister with affection in public. He figured his court would be much more alarmed if he started kissing Meera all over Redhill than if he didn’t.<br>
<br>
“Her Majesty can’t afford for you to be too private of a person, not until she’s more established here. Neither can you,” Emerson chided. “Look- Being queen makes her a social target as it is. Being someone with the affection of a king, also makes her a social target.”<br>
<br>
Avery nodded slowly. He only had to look at the way the other nobles circled Emerson and his other few close companions like sharks smelling blood in the water to know that his friendship could be more of a curse than a blessing.<br>
<br>
“But,” Emerson continued. “Being a queen who does not have the affection of her king- That is much worse.”<br>
<br>
Avery thought of his mother and her time as queen, and knew Emerson was right.<br>
<br>
“Now, I have done a truly spectacular job of seeding this court with the knowledge that you are quite fond of Her Majesty,” the redhead bragged. Some of his best work, really.<br>
<br>
“And now people will think I hate her if I don’t live up to that,” Avery surmised with a heavy sigh.<br>
<br>
“No, no, don’t worry, we aren’t expecting you to live up to it,” Emerson clarified, and Avery could only assume the ‘we’ meant Emerson and Roysa. He'd almost liked it better when they'd been at odds with each other. “Actually, it would be awful if you did.”<br>
<br>
Avery was reminded of his conversation with Meera- She would lose respect if she was seen as a pretty face just manipulating him, or she would lose authority if seen as a pretty face just entertaining him.<br>
<br>
“But people need to see that you like her and respect her if they are ever going to be convinced to do the same- And if they don’t have any evidence of that, they’ll start undermining her power before she can even build it first. Or do you want the greater houses to start throwing potential mistresses in your path again?”<br>
<br>
That would hardly be the least of it, Avery supposed, but it would certainly be very unpleasant for him. Some of those girls- and a few boys, too- had been so unsubtle that he hadn’t even needed Emerson or one of his spymasters to tell him that they were probably informants.<br>
<br>
“... I’ll work on being more affectionate,” Avery conceded, and Emerson laughed.<br>
<br>
“Don’t strain yourself, Vee! It doesn’t have to be big- Just hold her hand at breakfast in front of the servants. Kiss her on the cheek when you greet her before a meeting. Take her for a spin on the dance floor during a banquet more than just the opening dance that is required. It does have to be <i>soon</i>, though. I don’t think anyone knows you are currently at odds, but that’s not going to last much longer, now that you are both out and about.”<br>
<br>
Avery sighed. “Apologize- for something that was still not my fault, discuss our intimate life, get her a horse, and start kissing her around other people,” he listed. “Anything else you’d like to request?”<br>
<br>
“I’m thinking five displays of affection a day,” Emerson said with glee at being able to order Avery around. “I’ll be generous, and say that mouth kisses will count for two, provided someone outside your immediate circle sees it, even if chaste and brief,” he continued. “In two weeks, I shall assess your progress and we will set further goals, though of course I may intervene before then if I feel it is required-”<br>
<br>
It was Avery who hit Emerson this time, and the latter dropped his pompous tone and made a far more dramatic cry than was really necessary.<br>
<br>
“You are the worst,” Avery informed him. “I don’t know why I spend time with you.”<br>
<br>
“My charming personality and sparkling good looks?”<br>
<br>
“Definitely not,” Avery retorted with a chuckle. “Seeing as you have neither.”<br>
<br>
Emerson fell over, clutching his chest as though he had been inflicted with a mortal strike to the heart.<br>
<br>
“Well, your new wife seems keen to keep me around, so you better get used to my ugly face,” Emerson told him. “I’ll have you know- She’s invited me to attend dinners with you as ‘family’.”<br>
<br>
Avery winced. “Shit, I’m sorry- I’ll get you out of it somehow-”<br>
<br>
“Don’t bother,” Emerson said with a shrug. He didn’t want for Avery to counteract one of the first decisions Meera had made. And besides- “You don’t really have ‘family dinners’ more than once a week as it is. And even if you set an official place for me at the high table for court functions, Goddess knows I rarely sit still at parties.”<br>
<br>
“Your uncle won’t appreciate that,” Avery frowned.<br>
<br>
“Let me worry about my family and their interests in my utility,” Emerson said airly. He’d figure something out if they got too pushy. <br>
<br>
“I’m more concerned about Her Majesty’s interest in such matters- She seems to consider finding her ladies ‘a good match’ to be of importance. I hate to think I might have led her to believe I could be such a man, but,” Emerson continued in a tone of mock seriousness. “I don’t know how to dissuade her of such a notion without demonstrating my unsuitability in ways that might forever mar our blossoming friendship and show her that I am in fact a cad and a blemish upon polite society-”<br>
<br>
Avery snorted.<br>
<br>
“She does have brains, Emerson. And her ladies seem to have them too. Even if any were to think of you as a potential suitor, I’m sure she would know to encourage them otherwise.”<br>
<br>
“Again, you underestimate my fine features and singular charm! Any member of the Theren retinue might- at this very moment- be imagining a passionate romance with yours truly,” he declared theatrically. “And I fret over the hearts I shall have to break!”<br>
<br>
“Temper your worries, then,” Avery told him with a slight smile. “I’ll add ‘remind Meera that you are a bastard in both birth and personality’ to the list, and advise her that your gentlemanly airs are all fakery, and her ladies should look elsewhere for good matches.”<br>
<br>
“Excellent! I simply could not eat at your table with a clear conscience, if I feared I was being assessed as marriage material under false pretenses.”<br>
<br>
“Of course not,” Avery agreed, amused at Emerson’s antics even if he might have found them annoying or confusing in someone else. “We cannot have our new Theren allies thinking of you as a decent man and a good friend.”<br>
<br>
“No,” Emerson said with a smile that would likely have come across as false to even those who didn’t know him, “No, we can’t have that at all.”</div>
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-10198466" data-lb-caption-desc="jones573 · Mar 21, 2020 at 1:32 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><i>Location: Redhill Castle, Stableyard- Royal Stables<br>
Interacting: King Avery &amp; Queen Meera, various stablehands<br>
Timing: Next day from last post</i><br>
<br>
This was stupid. What had Avery been thinking? He should have apologized to her at breakfast, he thought, and gotten it out of the way. Instead of sitting there awkwardly and rehearsing it in his head until she had finally stood and left and they’d barely said anything at all besides ‘good morning’.<br>
<br>
It had seemed like a fine plan when he’d made it- He would send Maxwell with a message that he wanted to meet her at the stables after he was done with the afternoon guard review for the day, and he would apologize and present her with the different horses and everything would be fine, or at least not quite so bad.<br>
<br>
Except now there was dirt on his sleeves and his hair wouldn’t return to its tie in a nice orderly manner and he was still a bit sweaty and there was a scrape on his cheek where one of the new guards from Theren had managed to hit him and maybe sending Maxwell with a message would come across like he was just summoning her with no respect for her own schedule - Well. He could hardly get the message back now, so.<br>
<br>
He ducked back into the private stable stall to review the items inside. Reya’s saddle blanket, which had been cleaned of blood and sewn back together with such fine stitches that you could barely see where it had been sliced through. The newly molded saddle, made with an attachment so that she could hang a picnic basket from it and have lunch out in the grounds. A selection of fine leathers she could pick from to finish the saddle in, and bridles to match each. <br>
<br>
A pair of new black riding boots, with gold detailing along the sides- Feathers instead of the laurel leaves they might be assumed to be at first glance. A set of grooming brushes with matched handles hung along one wall, and a narrow table held a collection of other supplies, a bowl of sugar cubes and a small bound book that folded out into a map showing what he considered the best riding trails of the vast Redhill grounds, with occasional details about rough terrain or particularly nice views. <br>
<br>
He tested the hinges and latches of the doors and the shutters over the upper grills and found them to be squeak free. One door led into the royal stable and the other into a private grazing yard. The large stall and the yard had technically been his last week, but he wasn’t hurt to give them up. Llamrei preferred the oats and hay given to her fresh each day by the stablehands, and seemed to find the idea of standing out in the sun to eat grass of little interest. <br>
<br>
He left the freshly scrubbed and polished stall and shut its door, and went to stand at the stall to the left, where the large brown mare looked at him plaintively. <br>
<br>
“Oh, you’re fine,” he chided gently, reaching through the bars of the grill to stroke along her nose. “We went riding with Emerson yesterday, and I know for a fact that my guards spoiled you with apples. We’ll go out again later this week,” he promised, as if the stablehands didn’t ensure she got her exercise regardless of Avery’s own schedule, and the dark brown mare huffed and began snuffling at his sleeve as though there might be a treat for her hidden against his wrist.<br>
<br>
There was movement at the far entrance to the royal stables and Avery straightened instantly, but it was only a young stablehand holding a pitchfork and looking surprised to see Avery standing there.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty! I didn’t- I’m sorry, no one conveyed to us that you were taking Llamrei out,” he apologized. “We’ll have her ready for you momentarily-”<br>
<br>
“No need,” Avery said curtly. “I’m just meeting Her Majesty here. We will not be going out today.”<br>
<br>
The more senior stable staff knew what he was doing of course- they had helped out with a good portion of it, after all- but apparently no one had thought to tell the young shoveler to stay out of the way.<br>
<br>
The boy stared at him uncertainly, until Avery snapped, “You can leave now,” and he bowed hurriedly and scuttled away, quite nearly spearing the Queen through as he did so.<br>
<br>
She squealed unceremoniously in surprise as she jumped back to avoid the prongs.<br>
<br>
“Oh gods!! your Majesty I am <b><i>so</i></b> very sorry <i>please</i>-” The beet red stable boy stammered hurriedly.<br>
<br>
“That’s alright, no harm done. Goodness that gave me a fright is all.” Meera laughed, clutching her chest and stepping away, trying to reassure the poor shoveler before he passed out in grief as he looked about to do.<br>
<br>
“Don’t let me interrupt you, be on your way, I’m fine.” She scrunched her nose and waved him off as he tried to bow and gave him the excuse he needed to escape.<br>
<br>
“<i>Phew</i>.” She let out a deep breath and approached where her husband was standing, clearing her throat and trying to school her expression back from amusement.<br>
<br>
“And close that door,” Avery shouted after the boy, who hurried back again to shut the large door to the stable’s entrance. It thudded closed, and Avery and Meera were alone.<br>
<br>
Avery cleared his throat uncomfortably. <br>
<br>
“Queen Meera,” he greeted her with a slight bow once she was near, and she returned with a small cursty. “I trust-”<br>
<br>
He didn’t trust she had been well, actually. It seemed a presumptive thing to say. <br>
<br>
“I shall be straightforward,” he said, deciding to forgo asking how her day had been going. He dreaded getting trapped in small talk when he had a purpose. “I have asked you to join me here for two reasons.”<br>
<br>
He took a deep breath.<br>
<br>
“First, I should like to apologize for my earlier behavior. I regret that our discussion turned argumentative,” he said, which was true enough. “I am afraid you caught me on poor footing, as I am unused to having entirely new trade initiatives sprung at me while still in my sleep clothes. It seems likely we misunderstood each other,” he offered as a neutral way to absolve them both of blame. “And in the future I shall try to make sure I fully comprehend what you are proposing before I pass judgement on it.”<br>
<br>
He was apologizing? In the <i>stables</i>? Perhaps that was why both ends were shuttered, she looked around, realizing they were actually alone save for the horses inside. Well it was smart of him to make sure that they were alone, thoughtful too, but this could’ve been easier to do in their rooms. This was all very planned and careful, and for some reason seemed uncharacteristic of him despite the fact that she didn’t know him well. Though in her anger the past few days she admitted to herself that she’d been thinking of him as undeservedly stupid.<br>
<br>
She prickled slightly when she realized that his apology was as careful as his location of choice, very formal and worded in a way that didn’t absolve herself of blame and made excuses for them both. Still, he was apologizing, and before she had too. It saved her the need to choke on her dignity and be diplomatic, a thing much harder to do here and for him than it had ever been in her lifetime. Perhaps because with him it really did feel like choking down her dignity, rather than advantageously playing to her strengths as a facilitator. <br>
<br>
Meera really despised how complicated everything was between them, and how helpless she seemed to be around him.<br>
<br>
Still. He was apologizing. <br>
<br>
She rubbed her arms and took a breath, pausing before beginning, “I’m sorry too.” She gulped. “I acted so rashly.” She shook her head, glancing at her feet and stepping closer, “I was unfair and I think my fears are starting to get the better of me. These past few days I’ve missed being able to even speak to you. Convinced you must have started to hate me.” She searched his eyes with her own, speaking softly, so he had to lean in a little closer.<br>
<br>
He clearly wanted to clear things between them and cared about their peace if he was willing to apologize first. It went a good deal towards calming her fears. Even if he couldn’t apologize properly, she could and would, and lay it on thick while she was at it too.<br>
<br>
Avery frowned. Why would he possibly hate her?<br>
“... I missed you, too,” he admitted after a beat, surprised to find it was true. “I suppose I should also apologize for having been avoiding you,” he added. “I could say I have been busy and had things to work on, and that would be true, but it is also true that I was unsure of how to… Overcome our stumble and was afraid of how to address it.”<br>
<br>
Though she seemed to be handling it quite well- He had certainly hoped she might apologize in turn, but he hadn’t really been expecting it. He should have done it much earlier.<br>
<br>
“You were busy, I know, of course you were. A King is always busy. Well. A good one is in any case, it means he cares about his work.” A slow smile crept onto Meera’s cheeks as she artfully let him off the hook for taking his time in speaking with her.<br>
<br>
“I only hope in the future that you can share more of that burden with me. I’d be happy to carry it with you.” She rocked on the balls of her feet, her arms lowering to clasp loosely in front of her. Right now, if he would be so inclined, would be the perfect moment to kiss her. But Meera had a feeling that he was much too awkward to do such a thing. Perhaps she should kiss him? No. She could do that later, she found herself flushing a little at the thought.<br>
<br>
Avery smiled slightly. “Well, some of it needed to be kept secret from you,” he admitted. “Since usually I try not to tell people about the gifts I am planning for them until they are ready.” He gestured to the door of the large stall and then opened it so she could step inside.<br>
<br>
Her eyes widened, she drew in a sharp breath. “I wondered why the stables were the place you chose to speak to me in private. That was sneaky, and well done. Consider me surprised and charm-” As she entered she noticed the table of things her gift would include, her eyes zeroing in on what was unmistakably Reya’s blanket. She rushed over to it, feeling and inspecting it, noticing where it had been stitched together only by squinting, confirming that it must have been Reya’s. <br>
<br>
Meera had assumed that it had been left behind, she teared up a little as she smiled. “<i>Oh Avery</i> it’s Reya’s blanket, that’s so thoughtful. It’s as if nothing had ever happened to it.” <i>Or Reya</i>, was left unsaid. But that even Avery could never fix, no one could. Meera turned around and wiped her eyes, pulling him into a hug by his shoulders. “Thank you.”<br>
<br>
Avery startled a bit at the hug, but after a moment he stiffly returned it with a pat on her back.<br>
<br>
“I thought- My saddle blanket from my first pony was turned into a little stuffed dog, when I was a boy,” he said. “And Grace has taken parts from some of hers and worked them into tapestries. We could do something similar, if you’d like. Or you can keep using it for its intended purpose,” he added. <br>
<br>
Meera released him but kept a light hold on his arms, willing them to relax in her hands as she nodded along. She wasn’t going to let the stoic in him win against her.<br>
<br>
“I want to get you a horse,” he clarified, in case she had somehow missed that. “And I have a few I think would be good choices, but I couldn’t decide because I wasn’t sure what it was you valued in your steeds,” he began to ramble. “So we can go look at those, but if you don’t like any of them, that’s fine- There’s a horse fair in the spring that will have horses from all over, and some from Theren too, if that’s what you’d prefer. And you can use any of the castle’s horses until then, or my mare Llamrei,” who knickered in the next stall over at the sound of her name, “Whatever you’d like.”<br>
<br>
Charmed by Llamrei the Queen smiled in her direction, “Well she is a beautiful mare but before I steal her from you let’s see if we can’t find one that suits me.” She linked her arm into the crook of his to be led out, glancing back at her new stall. “Those boots are beautiful, did you pick them out?” She’d been so preoccupied with Reya’s blanket that she hadn’t really taken a very good look at the other things neatly laid out in the stall.<br>
<br>
“I had them made,” he replied. There was a cobbler in the city that he often commissioned for any shoes that were going to see more than formal use and ballrooms. “They may look a tad too large, but they are lined for warmth and to keep out water, so the inside measurements will match those of the shoes you already own.”<br>
<br>
He led her to the far end of the stable and opened the door there, where half a dozen stablehands waited with the horses he had decreed to be acceptable. He was uncomfortably aware of her hand wound through his elbow and reminded himself to stop being so aware of it and just let it be. <br>
<br>
“Don’t feel you have to choose immediately,” he reassured her. “You can have plenty of time with any of them.”<br>
<br>
He pointed first to a lithe black stallion with a large patch of white across his back, interrupted by a spray of black spots. <br>
<br>
“I know you like speed, and this fellow was bred for it,” Avery explained. “But we do have fewer open fields here in Redhill, and more unwieldy terrains,” he warned.<br>
<br>
“One of the finest specimens I’ve seen of the sure-footed mountain horses,” he said, nodding next to the bay mare. “She won’t let you stumble over rocks or stream.”<br>
<br>
“But if you are looking for a challenge, or at least a bit of a project,” he continued with a gesture at the golden palomino, “This gelding is still young- He’s from fine stock, but he will need further training if you are up to it.”<br>
<br>
The selection was impressive, handsome as well as varied in type and skill. Apparently Avery was taking special care to cover his bases. The thoughtfulness of the gesture pleased her just as much, if not more, than they thought of receiving a new riding friend. She was no expert in breeding but she had a healthy appreciation for it. There was certainly a beautiful array before her now, and she nodded along as he listed off the horses lined up.<br>
<br>
A stallion’s angry scream to their far left, around the corner of the stables, caught Meera’s attention, and for a reason that could only be described later as fate, she felt she should leave her hold of Avery and investigate the ruckus. <br>
<br>
A senior stablehand she recognized as Ronan struggled with a large dapple grey stallion whose white mane reminded her of Reya’s, long and luxurious. He landed from his buck with a huff, stomping angrily at the man who dared to try to pull him along. Meera watched as the horse tugged sharply at his reins, causing the stablehand to surge forward so he could bite him. It was only thanks to Ronan’s quick reflexes and experience that he was saved. Meera gasped and laughed as the stablehand danced out of the way, unperturbed by the abuse the steed leveled against him.<br>
<br>
“Sorry for the disturbance your Majesties, we’re just passing by.” He bowed, careful to keep both wary eye and a certain distance from the dapple, who took one look at Meera and whinnied.<br>
<br>
“Or trying to, I should think.” Meera smirked as she gazed back at the dapple steed.<br>
<br>
“Trying is the key there yeah. Beggin’ your pardon your Majesty, but- you should probably give this guy a wide berth. This one’s been givin’ us a lot of trouble, would’ve sent him away if he weren’t such a fine specimen.” Ronan tried to move him again but the dapple just shook his head, making the man give him more rope.<br>
<br>
Avery frowned at the sudden lack of Meera at his side and quickly followed after her, reaching out for her arm- Not to pull her back from the angry stallion, but so that he might at least stop her if she tried to get any closer.<br>
<br>
The horse flared its nostrils in his direction, and Avery dropped his hand and stepped back again, concerned for Ronan’s safety.<br>
<br>
“I thought Iyen was in charge of him, did you send her home early,” Avery said, asking after the female trainer. She wasn’t the only woman who worked in the stables, but she was one of the few who had made it to the rank of trainer and was trusted with the royal steeds.<br>
<br>
“Fractured her arm in a fall just yesterday, Your Majesty,” Ronan reported. “Looks like she’ll recover just fine, but a poor shake for me! I’ll be dealin’ with ‘im for now, least ‘til I can convince one of the younger lasses to take him on!”<br>
<br>
“He seems to react badly to men,” Avery told Meera to fill her in on why Ronan was so sorry to see Iyena on leave. He doubted any of the younger lasses wanted to take the stallion on and the men who worked in the stables had been kicked enough to keep well clear. <br>
<br>
“He’s beautiful…” Meera couldn’t take her eyes off of him, he was simultaneously just like Reya and the direct opposite of her.<br>
<br>
Where Reya was a lithe and small mare this stallion was large and sturdy, but both were dapple greys with that luxurious pretty mane. He seemed equally as focused on her as she was on him, his head and ears pointed at her, suddenly uninterested in bucking and stomping at Ronan.<br>
<br>
“Seeing as how I am not a man Ronan perhaps I can get him to cooperate, I’m sure I can bribe him with a sugar cube at least.” Meera moved towards where Ronan was, he seemed unsure about the idea, looking towards the King but in truth the dapple <i>was</i> cooperating at the moment.<br>
<br>
“Here.” Ronan handed his Queen the lead rope and fished in his pocket, “I think I’m out of sugar, damn beast swindled me out of ‘em.” He wagged his finger at the dapple, whose ears went back, as if indignant at the accusation.<br>
<br>
“I’ve got some,” Avery said against his better judgement, pulling a few from his pocket. He held them out in his hand for Meera to come retrieve, wary of getting any closer to the horse. “Be careful,” he warned, but it was more of a wish than a chastisement. <br>
<br>
Meera licked her lips as she carefully took the sugar cubes from Avery, excited. A realization was on the brink of dawning on her.<br>
<br>
“No need to worry my King, a little sweetness goes a long way towards quelling any angry man.” She jested, eyes twinkling as she gazed at her new charge, closing the distance between them slowly.<br>
<br>
He sniffed, knowing full well what she was holding, she caved and gave him one, stroking his neck as he enjoyed his treat.<br>
<br>
“I know just where you need to go, come with me.” Meera led him with little trouble, keeping his head close to hers. She led him all the way to her new stall and continued to lead him inside, where she let him loose.<br>
<br>
“He’s perfect.” Meera declared, meeting Avery at the door, “Him, definitely him.” The faint sound of her new steed raiding the bowl of sugar at the workbench could be heard to the backdrop of Ronan starting to laugh his head off.<br>
<br>
Avery’s mouth settled back into his frequent frown. Really? She had to pick that horse?<br>
<br>
“Ronan,” he snapped. “Has he ever thrown Iyen?”<br>
<br>
“No, Your Majesty,” Ronan reported, clearing his throat.<br>
<br>
“She tested riding him in different conditions?”<br>
<br>
“Ay, Your Majesty- He did fine on the rock path tests, even in the rain. Does jumps and turns well, too. Excellent reflexes.”<br>
<br>
Avery sighed. He supposed he couldn’t really object.<br>
<br>
“He’ll probably do a good job of protecting me against any strange men.” Meera added, though conveniently did not mention that he was just as likely to bite or kick at friendly ones too.<br>
<br>
“He’s yours, my queen,” he told Meera. To Ronan he added, “Have someone copy down for Her Majesty any notes on his training and progress that Iyena might have made when she was working with him, would you? And review the rotation so there’s always at least one female hand working in the royal stables.”<br>
<br>
He didn’t want some poor boy scared shitless when he came to refill the oats or shovel out the stalls.<br>
<br>
“Aye your Majesty.” Ronan nodded<br>
<br>
“Does he have a name?” Meera asked.<br>
<br>
“Uhhhh, well we’ve been calling him something your Majesty but it isn’t really his name no.” Ronan put it diplomatically, shuffling his feet.<br>
<br>
“Arion.” She declared. Her father’s horse had been named Arion as well, he died in battle with him.<br>
<br>
“Arion.” He parroted back.<br>
<br>
“It’s a fine name! Fits him, he’s Arion now- did you eat all that sugar?! Your dinner is utterly ruined now you naughty man.” Meera became distracted from the two and tended to her now very spoiled new steed, letting him out into his adjoining yard, which he took to happily.<br>
<br>
“I know he might cause some trouble but he’s so beautiful and perfect and I’m in <i>love</i> with him.” Meera sighed wistfully as she came back.<br>
<br>
“Then that’s all that matters,” Avery said with a soft smile. “I’m afraid I promised I would check in with one of Grace’s tutors before the afternoon was out, so I must take my leave,” he apologized. “But you are welcome to stay longer. Though- I hope I will see you at dinner?,” he asked tentatively.<br>
<br>
“I’ll meet you there.” Meera promised.<br>
<br>
“I look forward to it,” Avery said, taking her hand in both of his and pressing his lips to it in farewell.</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/c0d7cd2172b778ea53e159391239b40b/tumblr_pbf66u7ATY1r0hmulo5_r2_250.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - Lord Cromwell's Office | Interacting with: Lord Chancellor Cromwell  </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Meera yawned, it was a long day of planning, though much of the castle’s nobles were preparing for the days of rest and festivities ahead, a lot of work had to go into the amusement they would be enjoying.<br>
<br>
“I still think the taxes are much too high, I told him as much but there isn’t much to be done about it until trade with us has opened. My mother is prepared to strike down the trade sanction law and has sent informants to the merchant’s league. Once the coin starts flowing then there can be good reason to lower taxes.” She thought aloud.<br>
<br>
“In any case, it would be good for people to associate the taxes lowering with the opening of trade with Theren.” Cromwell pointed out from where he sat, gently feeding his pup, whose eyes had now opened.<br>
<br>
“Good point.” She watched him treat the small creature with soft care in bemusement, having never seen him quite like this, brow furrowed in his focus to the little thing.<br>
<br>
“Did you get anywhere with the lumber?” <br>
<br>
“Lord Fremont, along with a few other Barons are prepared to sell to us as soon as the grain deal goes through. I even got Lord Fremont to begin hiring laborers to get a head start. He’s eager to make money with us I think, despite his proudness.” Cromwell hadn’t expected to be dealing with Lord Fremont, but somehow the man had gotten word that he was looking to deal with regions that had the lumber to spare.<br>
<br>
Meera nodded, thinking, “Mercy has spread the rumor here and there in the capital, that trade will open up soon. But she got caught sneaking her way back in apparently.” She chuckled. “The guards weren’t happy about it, she promised never to do it again.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell tsked, “Better that she should promise not to get caught again.” Though to be sure, these guards were much more difficult to evade than any she had dealt with before. Even he had to adjust to the discomfort of being watched constantly. It wasn’t so much that the castle’s security measures were so extensive that bothered him, but that they were necessary. He did not take the royal family’s history of dead relatives lightly.<br>
<br>
“I think she welcomes the fresh challenge.” Meera nodded, becoming quiet as she watched Cromwell finish up his task and clean up. The pup settled down in his basket to sleep with little fuss, his full belly lulling him to sleep.<br>
<br>
“Alekxander can’t seem to sleep on his own anymore, though Veora hardly discourages him. I think she’s taken to him, she seems happy to attend his lessons and help him along.” Meera had meant to spend more time with the boy, but she always seemed to be needed elsewhere. He’d begun attending private lessons with various tutors, he was uneducated and didn’t know how to read or write so he couldn’t attend lessons with any boys his own age yet. She thought that might be a good thing though, as he seemed sensitive and much too delicate to handle roughing around with the other boys. <br>
<br>
Veora had his parent’s likeness, not exact unfortunately because the bodies were already buried, made to add to her own family shrine. Alekxander seemed to take comfort in praying to them in this way. He was talking more and seemed animated enough to banter with Nyme while they traded blows with wooden swords in any case. <br>
<br>
Cromwell didn’t answer, didn’t even nod, he seemed utterly uninterested in the boy in a deliberate way. Perhaps his apathy would have fooled someone else but Meera had known him for too long to not suspect something when he didn’t try to manage every detail of something. He didn’t like the boy, didn’t like that he was here. But true to his station he had come up with a way for the boy to stay indefinitely. The boy had become her ward through Theren law, and was now considered part of her household and thus entitled to whatever care she saw fit. As technically a subject of Theren he was now no longer subject to the scrutiny of Belethan custom, mostly.<br>
<br>
It was all very clever.<br>
<br>
“You’re still not with child?” Cromwell knew full well that she wasn’t, but it was a less crude way to inquire as to why the royal marriage had yet to be consummated.<br>
<br>
“Well… no.” Meera turned her head towards the crackling fire, adjusting her shawl for warmth.<br>
<br>
“You’re sure?” He pressed.<br>
<br>
“Spirits… Just ask what you mean to ask, as if you don’t know. Nyme probably told you.” Meera sighed, annoyed.<br>
<br>
“It isn’t to work against you my Queen, you know that. We are all invested in the success of your Majesty’s marriage and your reign. It will never be more secure than if you produce an heir.” He reminded her, voice gentler than before.<br>
<br>
“Two.” Meera rose from her seat, beginning to wander. “I have to make two, one for Beleth and one for Theren. And Beleth wants a male issue to be secure in.” She remembered this particular part of their peace treaty very clearly. If she failed to produce an heir for Beleth, he was free to take another wife. Another Queen to threaten her influence.<br>
<br>
Meera had been enjoying his attentions more and more this past month, this week especially. She loved it most when he kissed her on her brow after breakfast, before they parted ways in the morning to their respective duties. She would steal sweet little kisses herself, whenever their heads were close, or they sat in bed and read something before falling asleep. One such kiss he pulled her back into last night, and it became a little heated before he stopped. She had gone to bed a little dizzy from it.<br>
<br>
“But I don’t think you have to worry about it for much longer. I’m planning something. And besides, things have been going well between us.” Meera smiled to herself, stopping in front of the fire. She felt she was beginning to understand his nature now, “He’s very sweet to me, and thoughtful. I think he’s just waiting for me to be comfortable. I mean to show him tomorrow after the festivities that I am.” <br>
<br>
The day of the Hunt, though minor, was a day much looked forward to by most of the castle’s men and a number of women who enjoyed the sport or just riding along. In truth, any old day could be a day of hunt, but on hunting day the whole affair seemed that much more special. After all, it was to honor one of their many goddesses, what better excuse to dedicate your time to amusement?<br>
<br>
It did however, seem to leave a number of people behind, those who had no interest in hunting as a sport and those who were not very good riders. The day’s catches tended to be rare too, as the day was neither enough time to catch much of any worth and the party usually much too big to lend stealth as an advantage. It all ended up being a lot of riding around and heavy drinking mostly. Something Meera thought she could improve upon a great deal and had discussed only in part with Cromwell.<br>
<br>
“I’ve organized <a href="https://i.etsystatic.com/15977495/r/il/d7aa0c/1908490860/il_794xN.1908490860_hzk4.jpg" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fi.etsystatic.com%2F15977495%2Fr%2Fil%2Fd7aa0c%2F1908490860%2Fil_794xN.1908490860_hzk4.jpg&amp;hash=74b69edba6307c3bd40bf747c3a22c6d" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">plain masks</a> and toy bows and arrows to be made for the ladies.”<br>
<br>
“How considerate of you, lest all the men in the castle end up looking like pincushions.” Cromwell interrupted.<br>
<br>
“They’ve all been instructed to wear feathers in their hair and dress in their furs. While the men…” Meera pulled out a wrapped parcel and handed it to Cromwell, smiling widely and clearly pleased with herself.<br>
<br>
Cromwell looked at the parcel suspiciously as he took it, it was much bigger than the parcels he had seen sent out to the other nobles, so what was this? He carefully unwrapped it, raising a brow at her.<br>
<br>
“I am not wearing this.” Cromwell posthumously declared.<br>
<br>
“You have to!” Meera whined, “It’ll look so good Lord Blackbird it’s perfect for you and what’s more I am your Queen and you have to do what I say!” She shrugged, amused at her infallible logic.<br>
<br>
Cromwell heaved a great sigh, “If I wear this I will not participate in the hunt.” He bargained.<br>
<br>
“I accept the terms of our negotiation Lord Blackbird. I don’t want you ruining your feathered capelet by running around anyway. You’ll look much too stately for such silliness.” Meera revelled in her success. The <a href="https://i.etsystatic.com/6868054/r/il/e4f82d/1152125358/il_794xN.1152125358_apk4.jpg" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fi.etsystatic.com%2F6868054%2Fr%2Fil%2Fe4f82d%2F1152125358%2Fil_794xN.1152125358_apk4.jpg&amp;hash=e218072138df75023863bf8ad83a2a08" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">blackbird mask</a> and <a href="https://i.etsystatic.com/5868359/r/il/c8b84e/2264767435/il_794xN.2264767435_kp3m.jpg" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fi.etsystatic.com%2F5868359%2Fr%2Fil%2Fc8b84e%2F2264767435%2Fil_794xN.2264767435_kp3m.jpg&amp;hash=afc1497faa97ddbd4f1fc93724ab2d87" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">matching capelet</a> were made with him specifically in mind after all, as was Lord Emerson’s <a href="https://i.etsystatic.com/8074928/r/il/6639cd/2006374582/il_794xN.2006374582_7bdh.jpg" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fi.etsystatic.com%2F8074928%2Fr%2Fil%2F6639cd%2F2006374582%2Fil_794xN.2006374582_7bdh.jpg&amp;hash=d05c3cabcb14874b761db9d5e62de78e" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">fox mask</a> and new fur collar she sent him. The emerald on the clasp of the collar reminded her of the green in his hazel eyes. The fur would hold up much better for the running around involved in the hunting game they were going to play, and it wasn’t difficult at all to imagine Lord Emerson running around enjoying himself. The two, save for <a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/047/0/7530413/il_fullxfull.721150820_p4za.jpg" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fimg0.etsystatic.com%2F047%2F0%2F7530413%2Fil_fullxfull.721150820_p4za.jpg&amp;hash=b46a832b4f4dafda52cc4b62b19b8b15" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">the King</a> and herself, would be the best dressed for the event there, even if one of them couldn’t be persuaded to participate in half of the day’s activities.<br>
<br>
“You’ll at least participate in the archery competition won’t you?” Meera had considered holding a javelin toss competition as well, but archery competitions were simple to set up and she didn’t want the day to turn into an expensive tourney. <br>
<br>
“No.” He deadpanned.<br>
<br>
Or perhaps her Chancellor wasn’t going to participate in <i>any</i> of the day’s activities. “But you’re the only one who has any hope of beating Veora.” It usually came down to a competition between the two of them, as others simply did not compare.<br>
<br>
“I wouldn’t dream of outshining our gentle Lady when she has a Baroness to impress.” Cromwell’s eyes twinkled with his smirk, they had all been giving Lady Veora the space and privacy she desired in spending time with Baroness Elleni. Though they still all hoped the best from the sidelines, as the Baroness was the best situation of marriage she could hope for. “In any case, you’re forgetting that there may be others with a sharp aim to contend with in the castle.”<br>
<br>
“And you don’t engage unless you know what you’re dealing with do you? Not if you can help it. Well, at the very least you can’t get out of the dinner. My Chancellor has to be there.” She reminded him.<br>
<br>
“That, I can’t seem to avoid, though to be sure I shall enjoy watching the day’s activities even if I do not participate.” He clarified, not wanting her to think he intended to hide away in his office on her first organized event.<br>
<br>
“Oh good you won’t play with everyone you’ll just be busy looming over them.” She joked.<br>
<br>
“As one does.” He confirmed.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/e3b7a29c44493cc22bf7ad949c45d6d8/tumblr_p3nr7sTuiy1uzr0u5o5_640.png');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Hunting Festival| Interacting with: Lady Vienna </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">The first day of festivities was going extremely well, everyone had woken up excited, sensing this year would be different, interesting, and dramatic. Everywhere Cromwell went people were smiling and twirling around, the masks, a thing popularly used in Theren parties, seemed to be doing their jobs well. Masquerades offered people a sort of plausible deniability with their actions, it offered a mischievous facade with which to act out in. When the masks went on the inhibitions went down, and it was as much true here as it was back home. <br>
<br>
Cromwell stood, a silent sentry, at the entrance to the wooded area they were using as their running ground for the hunting game. Whereby the men ran away, wearing their various masks of creatures commonly hunted, and the women had to catch one in order to secure her first dance at the dinner later. He was joined by lounging and meandering elder nobles who didn’t participate in the game for obvious reasons.<br>
<br>
The ladies of the court had been having fun all morning testing their toy bows and arrows, harmless blunted things that didn’t seem to have very much range or impact but offered their necessary amusement. He personally thought they were the genius touch to the whole thing, that and the masks, and perhaps the freeflowing wine. He hadn’t had much of a hand in the planning, if he had it wouldn’t have turned out so well. Parties were never his area of expertise. Dazzling people was his Queen’s talent. Blackmailing them was his.<br>
<br>
His thoughts were interrupted by a dull thump on his back, he turned his head and cocked his brow. A triumphant redhead he supposed was Lady Vienna circled him, stringing another arrow. Most all of the Fremonts were blessed with those fire kissed locks, and picking them out tended to be easy, even in a mask.<br>
<br>
“Lord Chancellor Cromwell,” Vienna greeted with a smile. “I do hope you didn’t think that failing to run meant you weren’t playing the game,” she chided. “All you’ve done is make yourself an easy target!”<br>
<br>
Cromwell snorted, her conniving talent with courtly manners impressed him somewhat, though he appreciated being on the receiving end of them less.<br>
<br>
“I’m a terrible dance partner Lady Vienna, I’m not sure your target of choice is the wisest.” In truth, Cromwell had actually managed to go his entire time here without dancing, publicly at least. The Queen and her ladies had roped him in to their dance lessons while they all learned popular belethan sets. He wasn’t actually terrible at it but he also had little interest in indulging people he simply did not care about and had nothing to do with.<br>
<br>
“No need to be modest, I’m sure you have many other talents,” Vienna said pleasantly. “I shall make sure we keep on step for us both,” she told him. “I think I’ve made an excellent choice and I won’t hear otherwise- Neither myself nor my dance partner will have mud on our hems, after all!”<br>
<br>
Cromwell was interrupted by another dull thump on his shoulder, he turned slightly to see that Lady Veora had found them. <br>
<br>
“Oh, don’t tell me you’re already taken my Lord?” Veora feigned airheaded surprise well.<br>
<br>
“As it is, I’m afraid I’ve already been caught.” Or trapped was more like it. He didn’t know what he’d done to annoy her but Lady Veora had succeeded in forcing him to accept his courtly duties.<br>
<br>
“Apologies, Lady Veora,” Vienna said. “You may be the superior archer, but this time I was faster on the draw!”<br>
<br>
“I concede my defeat.” Lady Veora gave a small curtsy and hurried off, triumphant. He doubted that she was seriously pursuing any target today. Perhaps accidentally ending up without one would give a certain Baroness opportunity to swoop in and save her from embarrassment. The thought made him smile a little<br>
<br>
“Wine?” Cromwell saw little else to do but accept his fate as he held out his arm for Lady Vienna to take.<br>
<br>
“If you think it will help your feet move more smoothly,” she teased, winding her hand around his elbow.<br>
<br>
___________________________________<br>
<br>
The King had seemed to become fed up with having his face covered, and had lifted his mask to the side as he led the Queen out onto the dance floor. Perhaps if Cromwell watched from this dark corner Lady Vienna would forget that she had secured him for tonight. He gulped down his wine, feeling absurdly hunted. She had sought him out practically all day. There was something to admire about her tenacity but there was something exceedingly annoying about searching through the crowd and thinking you had been found by one person only to find out it is actually their cousin.<br>
<br>
He thought for sure Lord Emerson would have sought him out today, but he hadn’t seen him at all.<br>
<br>
“There you are,” Vienna’s voice said brightly from Cromwell’s left. “I’m afraid we’ve missed the first dance, but I’m sure you had something important to attend to,” she allowed. “But I trust Her Majesty will still feel we have followed the rules she set forth, so long as we dance the next.”<br>
<br>
“Often it is so that I am busy. Allow me to make it up to you Lady Vienna.” He set his goblet down and twirled her around out towards the dance floor, melding them seamlessly in with the others. Resigned that he would be dancing after all, and determined not to make a poor show of it, lest he embarrass his station.<br>
<br>
Vienna laughed in delight at the sudden show of confidence.<br>
<br>
“I think you were quite exaggerating your failures on the dance floor, Lord Cromwell,” she said with a smile. “What else you consider yourself to be ‘terrible’ at, I wonder?”<br>
<br>
“I’ve been advised being humble is a virtue.” Cromwell deadpanned, deciding to add on a whim, “Besides, I prefer keeping a certain reputation. So as not to mistakenly give any ladies hope.”<br>
<br>
“I think you would have to emerge from your rooms more often if any hope was to be fostered in the first place,” she told him with an amiable smile. “You seem to be cultivating the lifestyle of a cave troll! You are lucky that I am not put off by such things,” she told him, “I fear too much avoidance of court life might give the impression you do not enjoy Beleth,” she advised. “Even our most dour of nobles have fun on occasion,” she said with a wink and a look over her shoulder, where Lady Roysa was playing a hand of cards with some other older women.<br>
<br>
That was interesting. He hadn’t known that. He would have to look into Lady Roysa more deeply. Or perhaps Lady Vienna’s reveal had been innocent minded. He doubted it.<br>
<br>
He huffed a soft laugh, “I do not avoid court Lady Vienna, much of my work is done in it. No doubt you’ve heard your uncle and I recently came to an understanding.” ‘And no doubt that’s why you’re here.’ Was left unsaid. “My duties are vast, and of my most paramount concern.”<br>
<br>
Vienna looked confused for a moment, but understanding dawned after a moment.<br>
<br>
“Oh, with the grain trading,” she said. “Yes, I’m glad that worked out- Fremont is the largest agricultural supplier for the kingdom,” she said with a note of obvious pride. “It might have been difficult to find enough other sellers if Uncle had decided to be stubborn about it. And I know you are a very busy man,” she conceded with a lightly teasing tone. “But I just think you ought to consider that your duties might be easier to accomplish if people found you… More approachable,” she suggested. “My uncle, for instance, is far less likely to drag his heels on business dealings when he thinks of the other man as someone he might have a drink with instead of…”<br>
<br>
She trailed off. “Well, an antisocial cave troll!,” she laughed. “I would hate for your cultivated surly reputation to impede your success.”<br>
<br>
“No not the grain.” She was right just as much as she was wrong. He did not have a relationship cultivated over time with any of the nobles at Beleth, like he did in Theren. He was going to have to work for it from the ground up, but not in the way she was suggesting. Being friendly and open surely made dealings easier, but not when you required a healthy amount of fear in your abilities. He would let others be smiling fools for him.<br>
<br>
“Lumber, actually.” The dance ended, he led her to the edge of the crowd, intending to leave her now that his obligation had been finally fulfilled. <br>
<br>
“Then you have been busy,” she said, somewhat impressed. “My uncle tends to be protective of our forests. No wonder my cousin has spent so much time writing to him this week, I was almost worried he’d suffer hand cramps!”<br>
<br>
That gave him pause, setting off alarms in his head. He felt he knew which cousin she meant. And how did he know anything about it? Damn her he couldn’t walk away now.<br>
<br>
“Your cousin?” Cromwell stepped closer back in, not letting go of her hand.<br>
<br>
“My proper cousin. Lord Chester,” she clarified. “Emerson’s involvement in Fremont’s affairs is… Minimal, for obvious reasons.”<br>
<br>
“I hadn’t meant Lord Emerson.” He was quick to clarify. “Though he seems to be on your mind.” So Lord Emerson did know, as had she.<br>
<br>
“I do tend to worry over him,” she admitted with a sigh, looking over to a group of people playing some sort of game with small flat coin-like pieces. Emerson was among the crowd watching, occasionally offering a critique of someone’s move but mostly enjoying his wine- despite the difficulty of getting into his mouth without removing his mask- and talking to the other onlookers. <br>
<br>
“Though he has yet to cause any significant disturbance or embarrassment tonight- Perhaps he really is trying to behave better this time. I don’t know how much of a difference it can really make at this point, though.”  She sounded a touch sad, but gracefully resigned. <br>
<br>
For some reason, his mood prickled, but he was careful not to show it. “Surely no more embarrassment or scandal than your typical young nobleman?” He inquired.<br>
<br>
“I suppose you met him on your journey from Theren,” Vienna recalled. “He can be quite charming at times, I’ll admit. But he has a bad habit of letting his vices get the better of him,” she admitted wistfully. “He wouldn’t even be here if the King didn’t have such a soft spot for him. And now that His Majesty is married and starting his own family- Well. I worry Emerson may finally found he’s run out of second and third chances. King Averett could waste time trying to rehabilitate a bastard alcoholic when he was only a prince, but I imagine even he does not have infinite patience.”<br>
<br>
And there it was, the sneering arrogance Lady Vienna shared with everyone here. He had been waiting for it, he realized. Waiting for her to show her true colors. Despite her pestering Cromwell had more in common with her cousin than he did with her, and he knew that she knew that. <br>
<br>
“Let me assuage your fears Lady Vienna, as I so happen to know that Lord Emerson is now considered a friend to the Queen as well. I think he has secured himself at court just fine.” He said offhandedly, inclining his head slightly before excusing himself.<br>
<br>
“I’m happy to hear it,” Vienna said, and she did sound somewhat relieved. “Though do I hope Her Majesty plans to expand her social circle a bit further. A pleasure, Lord Cromwell,” she said with a slight curtsey, determined that she would at least give a polite farewell even if he couldn’t be bothered.<br>
<br>
After he’d left, she looked across the room to meet her cousin’s eyes. She couldn’t quite tell, but she thought Emerson looked a bit annoyed under his mask. She smiled slightly at him, and he turned his attention back to the game he’d been watching.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/2362431e6fee8047f7c51a6bee3c478d/tumblr_nn2di4KoYU1qbb552o1_400.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; King Avarett</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - The Royal Chambers | Interacting with: King Avarett  </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Meera’s heart thumped loudly, absurdly nervous and excited as her ladies fussed about her appearance. They were putting finishing touches on her in her private solar. Speaking in unnecessary hushed tones. The famed <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/755127062495717606/" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F755127062495717606%2F&amp;hash=8630e3efd4db8255022a6c2fac51e301" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">purple dress</a> she brought with her from Theren left little to be imagined, and though the exposure left her chilly they’d taken great care to set the fire in the bedroom and strew petals on the bed. <br>
<br>
“Stop worrying your lip and drink the rest of that wine.” Nyme instructed, pushing her goblet to her lips.<br>
<br>
“I think there’s little else to do. You’re… perfect.” Lady Veora stepped back, a slight flush to her cheeks too. Sharing in the nervous feeling of the room.<br>
<br>
“You look so dazzling Meera there’s no man in Beleth or Theren who would tell you no.” Mercy sighed, dreamy look in her eyes. “Not when you look like this.” She clasped her hands together, looking like she might cry.<br>
<br>
“Oh Mercy, come now.” Meera chuckled, bringing her into a side hug. “Wish me luck alright? Your Queen goes to do her duty.” She said in a mock serious tone.<br>
<br>
“He’s coming up he’s coming shhhh.” Lady Nyme hushed them, rushing to the wall to listen.<br>
<br>
Avery rolled his shoulders as he ascended the stairs- He had to admit, Emerson had been right that he’d been neglecting himself. But there just always seemed to be something to do, these days. At least it all seemed to be going well. They were on their final drafts of the grain trading agreement with Theren, just waiting to be sent back to Queen Agora to alert her of recent revisions. A merchant in the city had been busted for dealing with pirates, so there had been a lot of black market goods to sort out. He’d finally wheedled Grace’s fighting tutor into agreeing to train Meera as well, despite the man’s continued grumbling about how he was meant to be enjoying his old age. And then, there was Meera herself.<br>
<br>
He had to admit, he had gotten used to having her around much more easily than he’d thought. It was nice, to have her sitting at his side while his ministers clamored at them both about the kingdom’s affairs. It was nice to enjoy a meal with her and listen to what she thought of the food or the weather or if the assistant to the minister of the exchequer had known about that rather unfortunate stain on his pants.  It was nice to visit her in her solar in the evening- for some invented reason that he didn’t examine too closely- and find her sitting with the cat Grace had given her curled at her feet, talking and laughing with her ladies and wearing an easy smile that he thought maybe he’d seen directed at himself a few times. <br>
<br>
Even this afternoon’s festivities with the full court had been remarkably bearable- Avery hadn’t realized how exhausting it had been to constantly pay attention to how much favor he paid attention to one lady or the other until he didn’t have to anymore. He could simply dance with his wife, so he had. Quite a few more times than was ‘the minimum requirement’, much to Emerson’s delight. The redhead had been watching with keen eyes, and had been positively beaming when Avery had lifted his mask to kiss Meera closelipped but on the mouth when she’d arrived in the dining hall.<br>
<br>
He was really a most annoying friend, Avery mused as he hung up his jacket in his changing room. Strong hands, though. Even if he had spent half of the massage complaining that he still thought Cromwell shouldn’t be trusted. Avery, however, was not in the habit of discrediting his wife’s most trusted advisor simply because he gave Emerson ‘a funny sort of feeling’.<br>
<br>
Avery had begged off joining the hunt tonight, though he thought if he listened closely he could hear some of the other nobles gathering in the courtyards on the other side of the castle. Traditionally speaking, you weren’t supposed to catch anything on the first night as it was, so it wasn’t all that exciting unless you were into the social aspect, or were drunk. And besides, he’d socialized enough during the festivities. Meera had done an excellent job of respecting the existing traditions around the holiday but presenting them in a way that neither Grace nor Roysa would have. The masks had certainly been more fun than the usual deer antler or pheasant feathered headbands the gentlemen usually wore.<br>
<br>
“I’m back,” he called as he went from his changing room and into their bedroom, mostly out of politeness sake. Honestly, she might still be in her solar with her ladies for another few hours- She’d had a very conspiratorial look about her this evening, he’d noted, likely because Baroness Elleni was still at court and had asked only Lady Veora to dance after dinner had finished, and declined the few invitations she had received herself.<br>
<br>
“I think that went over quite well,” Avery said, putting his mask down on a side table next to some food and drink the servants had put out for them if they’d come back late. “Would you like any more wine,” he asked to the room at large, pouring himself a goblet. Avery had had a bit more at dinner than he usually did, but the effects had worn off in the hour or so since he’d left the dining hall and it was a holiday, so. He wondered if Meera would be amiable to learning a Belethan card game that was considerably funnier when tipsy.<br>
<br>
“Who in the world are you speaking to?” Meera giggled at Avery’s antics as she entered the room, empty goblet in hand. She did in fact, want more wine, and held it out as she studied his reaction.<br>
<br>
“You, of course,” Avery replied as he took the cup from her without looking and poured more wine. “Figured you were at least within hearing… Distance,” Avery finished. He’d turned halfway through the sentence and found a very unexpected sight, and he hoped his surprise wasn’t too noticeable. At least he hadn’t spilled the cup.<br>
<br>
She smiled wide, amused, and pleased.<br>
<br>
“And if you weren’t, then there would be no one to make fun of me for it, so,” he continued with a slight smile. Most of the servants had the night off for the holiday, he supposed, so if he was making himself look stupid it was only in front of Meera. “You’ve changed your outfit,” he noted and then regretted it. Why had he said that? Like she had somehow failed to notice? Goddess, that was a lot of skin.<br>
<br>
“I did…” She took a drink, circling around to his other side, “There’s just something about this dress that I like.” She traced her finger around the hem at her waste, “And it’s warm enough in here to wear it even now.” She finished simply, leaning to the side on the table.<br>
<br>
“It’s… Very nice,” he said after a moment and a hurried swallow of wine. How was her chest even staying covered by the fabric?  “Though the weather does usually start to change in earnest after the festival. Which, uh, seems to be going well. You should be proud.”<br>
<br>
“Oh I’ve already started to feel the chill I assure you.” She laughed lightly and ran her hand over his shoulder, deciding to lean into him and rub and his shoulder. “But I’m sure my King will keep me warm anyhow.” She leaned her head on him too, “I’m glad it’s going so well, I want our people to know what kind of Queen to expect.”<br>
<br>
She set her goblet down, “You know I’m not tired enough to go to sleep quite yet, do you want to play?” She turned her head, spotting the cards, or perhaps they could read, that’d put them close together, but perhaps cards would be more fun.<br>
<br>
“Uh- Sure,” Avery agreed. “What did you have in mind?”<br>
<br>
“Teach me a Belethan game.” Let him go and snatched up the cards in question, “I bet you I can beat you at it. I'm <i>very</i> good at card games.” She teased, spreading and flaring the deck like a hand fan to raise to her face and wink at him over.<br>
<br>
“Then I won’t go easy on you,” Avery returned with a smile. “Now, the object of the game…”<br>
<br>
True to her promise, Meera did win the first round, though she suspected that was because Avery let her win. It was the second round that became competitive, and narrowly he did beat her, though it mattered little when both of them were in fits of giggles.<br>
<br>
“Alright alright!” Meera tossed the cards into the middle, conceding.<br>
<br>
“Alright you’ve won, so that means you’re supposed to get a prize right?” She rose from her seat, boldly settling herself on his lap. “Would you be satisfied with a kiss?” She asked, innocent as could be.<br>
<br>
Avery stiffened a bit at the new seating arrangement, not quite sure where to put his hands. “That would be… Fine,” he agreed.<br>
<br>
“<i>Fine</i>?” She teased softly, leaning into the side of his jaw and running her lips along its edge, her hands snaking their way up his chest, to cup his neck. “Well maybe if that’s just <i>fine</i> then I shouldn’t give you a kiss after all.” She turned her head away, smiling slyly, right before her lips met his mouth.<br>
<br>
“It’s… More-” Avery was cut off, though he found he didn’t mind too much.  Without much conscious input his hands settled tentatively on her waist. “Certainly more than fine,” Avery amended, speaking against her cheek.<br>
<br>
Her smile widened as she felt his hands settle on the bare skin of her waist, “That’s more like it.” And rewarded him finally by capturing his mouth in hers, her fingers trailed through his hair, finding the pleasant warmth wasn’t leaving either of them, but building.<br>
<br>
Avery let out a soft hum and let Meera do as she pleased, one of his hands moving up her back as the kiss deepened and the thumb of the other tracing small circles on the small of her back.<br>
<br>
She quite liked that and let him know as much by closing whatever little space there was between their bodies and giving him a pleased whine, deepening their kiss. He was surprisingly good with tongue, and she wondered at not doing this sooner.<br>
<br>
Avery leaned back and tried to adjust his hips to be further from hers, though there didn’t seem to be much space for it. They continued like that for a few minutes more- or perhaps many minutes more, Avery wasn’t paying much attention- until Avery realized his wandering hand had been wandering along her side, and getting closer to the front of her dress. He broke the rhythm of their kiss, and paused with a small sigh, as though deciding something.<br>
<br>
This had been… Very nice. But he could wait.<br>
<br>
“I think- That’s enough,” he said after a moment.<br>
<br>
Meera pulled back in confusion and surprise. Never in all her years had she heard a halt of intimacy so plaintively direct. And with her brain still dizzy from what she thought had been escalating passion she couldn’t think of what to do with that. <br>
<br>
Dumb compliance ended up being what she went with, obediently slipping off of his lap and feeling the sting of… rejection? Was this rejection? Was he just tired? No this was definitely rejection.<br>
<br>
Avery stood and crossed the room, glad she had taken that well. He unbuttoned his vest- he had been pretty sure more buttons had been done when he’d come into the room- and ducked behind his privacy screen to pull on his sleepwear.<br>
<br>
Meera took the opportunity to quietly rush into her own changing room, hurriedly pulling out her hair ornaments and convincing herself that the water threatening to spring from her eyes was from the sting of having her hair pulled and nothing else. She took deep breaths and pressed her cold hands to her cheeks to calm the angry flush of embarrassment on them.<br>
<br>
“I was thinking we could go riding sometime this weekend, if you have time,” he conceded as he got into bed. She’d been a whirlwind of activity with coordinating activities for the festival, and he really wasn’t sure if she was in a position to step back at this point, or even willing to. “I promise I’ll keep my distance,” he joked.<br>
<br>
She scoffed softly to herself as she pulled on her nightgown, they could have been going for a ride right now and there wouldn’t have been any need to keep a distance at all. But distance seemed to be something the King needed. And she was too scared to push.<br>
<br>
“Y-yes.” Was her ungraceful and awkward reply as she came out of hiding and climbed into bed, turning her back to him as she got comfortable underneath the covers.<br>
<br>
She felt she should elaborate or say something else but found she couldn’t when she finally settled, and instead stared at the wall. Feeling a bit lost.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/67c27d563b056ca87682dad349784fa2/tumblr_pc81b51tTa1r0hmulo8_250.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - Lady Nyme's Room | Interacting with: Ladies Nyme, Mercy, and Veora  </div></span></div><br>
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<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">The second morning of the goddess of the hunt was considerably more difficult than the first, at least for Meera. Everyone else would watch the men compete in archery today and later go for a real hunt in the woods. Well, those sober enough would.<br>
<br>
Breakfast was quiet and pleasant, she spent it by herself. Grateful, in a way, that she did not have to fake a smile and find some small talk to struggle through with her husband.<br>
<br>
Later in Lady Nyme’s room where they picked out feathers and ribbons to wear in their hair, the catalyst for the day’s drama set off.<br>
<br>
“It’s never going to stay, just pick another one it doesn’t matter, it’s not like the Duke was terribly interested in my hair.” She adjusted her bosom in what was perhaps the tightest dress they’d ever seen her wear. <br>
<br>
“He’s not a Duke yet.” Meera reminded her.<br>
<br>
“Yes but he stands to inherit a Duchy so it’s the same thing.” Nyme countered. “Now, stop trying to make a nest in my hair and tell us how it went!” <br>
<br>
“Veora isn’t even here yet.” Mercy swatted at her shoulder.<br>
<br>
“As if we aren’t going to tell her thesuspenseiskillingme pleaseputmeoutofmymisery.” Nyme whined, stomping her foot a little and making the spotted feather they were trying to secure to the braided bun on her head fall out for perhaps the fifth time.<br>
<br>
Mercy shot Meera an apprehensive look, feeling dread and guilt the more silent their Queen was. Praying to whomever was listening that things went well despite all the odds stacked against her. Mercy couldn’t be responsible for the failure of a royal marriage, the fall of an entire lineage, and the misery of her dearest friend and Queen. She just couldn’t.<br>
<br>
“...Well.” Was all Meera could seem to articulate, opening and closing her mouth in an attempt to either lie or tell the truth or say something in between the two.<br>
<br>
Nyme stilled, her smile falling as she looked between Mercy and Meera, “What happened?” She asked Mercy.<br>
<br>
Meera looked at the blonde in confusion, unsurprised that Nyme caught her fumbling as suspicious but confounded as to how and why Mercy also looked apprehensive. As though she’d been caught.<br>
<br>
“I was going to say something. I swear it! But…” Mercy looked between them, terrified that she had breached the trust built between them all, had betrayed her Queen in a treasonous way.<br>
<br>
“Mercy, calm yourself it’s alright.” Meera reached out but the girl pulled away, beginning to sob. Nyme and Meera looked at one another in bemusement, both trying to reach out with steadying hands to calm the girl.<br>
<br>
“I didn’t want to ruin your special night and I couldn’t be sure of what I saw anyway but still it was unmistakable, Lord Emerson was on top of him and everything!” Mercy’s voice was muffled by her hand as she began to break down.<br>
<br>
“WHAT?!” Nyme cut off her own screech with her hand.<br>
<br>
Meera paled, ice water seeping from the top of her head down her spine, the implication clear. Her shoulders slackened, as if defeated. Her arms encircled the blonde girl as they both sank to the floor, alarming Nyme.<br>
<br>
“What?! Mercy it’s alright calm down oh spirits do I need to fetch the- the physician or? Should. Mercy calm down you have to calm down sweet girl we can’t understand you.” Nyme panicked, unsure of what to do, her Queen looked so pale and distant all of the sudden and Mercy’s words were unintelligible behind her sobbing which was sure to ruin the Queen’s dress and spirits help her where was Veora when you needed her!?<br>
<br>
All three of them ended up on the floor by the time Lady Veora came to the rescue, shocked by what she saw but springing to action nonetheless.<br>
<br>
“Nyme?” She demanded as she kneeled behind Mercy, one hand rubbing at Mercy’s back and the other cupping the Queen’s pale cheek, checking her temperature with the back of it.<br>
<br>
“I can’t get her to explain properly but last night didn’t go well and something about… LordEmersonbeingontopoftheKingmaybe.” Nyme explained, frazzled and throwing her hands up in defeat at her sister’s arrival.<br>
<br>
Lady Veora pulled back Mercy sharply, forcing her to face her, “Mercy, listen to me. Breathe in.” Veora breathed in herself, getting Mercy to follow, “And breathe out.” <br>
<br>
Five more steady breathes later Veora dabbed away the tears on Mercy’s cheeks, “Now tell us what you know. It’s important that we sort through what we <i>know</i> and what we <i>don’t</i>. This is how best we can judge what to do next.” <br>
<br>
Mercy nodded and sniffed, starting from the beginning, “I went down- remember, to find a comb? I used the servant’s staircase so I wouldn’t run into anyone, and on my way down I noticed the door to the King’s solar was open but didn’t think anything of it until I came back out and heard…” Mercy flushed a deep red.<br>
<br>
Meera’s eyes shut tight against the pain that shot through her, she cupped her mouth and turned away, beginning to cry.<br>
<br>
“Oh Meera I’m so-” Mercy tried to turn her way but Veora kept her chin in a vice grip.<br>
<br>
“Continue.” She urged.<br>
<br>
“It sounded like a pained moan, so I peaked in and saw the silhouette of someone on top of someone else, two men. I heard the King say Lord Emerson’s name and realized who they were, so I left in a hurry.” Mercy finished.<br>
<br>
“Their silhouette? You only saw their silhouette?” Veora pressed.<br>
<br>
“They were behind a screen.” Mercy nodded. “I debated saying something but… Everyone was so excited and happy. And I thought if last night went well then we could do something about the competition later.”<br>
<br>
“I don’t know of anyone else that would be in the King’s solar with Lord Emerson, not unless he was so bold as to take a liaison there.” Nyme said slowly, thinking. “Then again, those rumors… I didn’t take them seriously at first, but maybe they’re true. He could be the King’s special friend after all.”<br>
<br>
“I was really starting to like him.” Meera choked out, crying freely now.<br>
<br>
“If anyone were bold enough to do that it would be Lord Emerson though wouldn’t it?” Veora got up, bringing Mercy with her and sitting her down on a proper chair.<br>
<br>
“Go get Lord Blackbird.” Veora sent Nyme away on her errand and turned to Mercy, “Clean and set your face first, and then bring the basin over to the bed so we may make the Queen presentable.” She instructed. The paint on Mercy’s lashes was well ruined by now and the Queen’s own lined eyes were likely to be a mess before she calmed down as well. They couldn’t let others see her like this.<br>
<br>
With those two taken care of and busy, Veora could lift her Queen from the ground and get her settled in Nyme’s bed, hugging her for comfort as the Queen tried to settle herself down. “Don’t think the worst, I beg of you my Queen do not unnecessarily upset yourself. This could all be nothing. Your King is not cold towards you. You won’t end up…” Veora trailed off, knowing her Queen’s greatest fears.<br>
<br>
“Like the Queen of Dorelith? Or the previous one of Ruhar, or Ruthenia? Or how about King Garrot’s <i>many</i> Queens.” Meera shook her head, “We used to think them so brave, but we’ve seen first hand how unloved Queens live.” Meera smacked the bed, feeling defeated. <br>
<br>
“They were alone and miserable, even if their people loved them. A Queen can not take comfort in the arms of anyone else but their husbands just <i>openly</i>-” Meera stopped herself, her head was starting to pound, she could hear the wringing of a cloth to her right, Mercy had come to clean her face. It was time to stop crying and reorient herself. <br>
<br>
She took a deep breath, “I won’t end up like them, I have to find another way…” She closed her eyes and allowed Mercy to work. <br>
<br>
“But you do not know for sure if-” Veora began.<br>
<br>
“I do… It makes sense. It all makes sense now. I always thought he was being sweet but his lack of passion for me makes better sense now. Last night I practically threw myself at him but never got farther than kissing. He all but rejected me.” She said as matter of factly as she could.<br>
<br>
They became silent after that.<br>
<br>
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-10204820" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Mar 24, 2020 at 2:16 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://66.media.tumblr.com/16fd052d36e46ca54490eeadb853a46c/tumblr_p9troksOUE1r0hmulo5_r2_250.gifv');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Queen Meera &amp; Lord Cromwell</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Redhill - Lady Nyme's Room | Interacting with: The Queen's Ladies &amp; Lord Emerson </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">Emerson had barely closed the door to his sitting room when his manservant pounced on him.<br>
<br>
“Sir- The Lord Chancellor has come by,” Louis told him hurriedly and with obvious concern. <br>
<br>
“Cromwell? I’m surprised he even knows where I live, much less that he would deign to visit himself,” Emerson said with a scoff. “I’ll seek him out later, right now I want a bath-”<br>
<br>
“He came by because Her Majesty has requested an audience with you, sir. An immediate audience,” Louis clarified. “He did not seem pleased that the earlier summons had gone unanswered, nor that you were not here when he stopped by, nor that I could not give him hint as to where you might be-”<br>
<br>
“Don’t feel badly, Louis, it’s hardly your fault-”<br>
<br>
“No, sir, I daresay it is <i>yours</i>,” Louis hissed. There was a sharp knocking at the door.<br>
<br>
“No, because he’s never pleased about anything-”<br>
<br>
Louis cleared his throat loudly and opened the door to admit their guest.<br>
<br>
Cromwell stalked in, brushing past Louis, “<i>Where</i>- nevermind, get ready for the day, make yourself presentable. There is an urgent matter…” He turned back around and paused next to Louis, “Be sure he hurries, there is already little time before the Queen must attend the Archery Competition.”<br>
<br>
And he was gone as quickly as he’d come.<br>
<br>
“See? Like he’s been sitting on a goat’s horns and has forgotten how to get off,” Emerson told Louis ruefully, but he complied with Cromwell’s haste and marched into his bedroom. It was small and dark, dominated by his wardrobe and with having hangings to block the light from the only window in his suite. Certainly not grand, but Emerson could have had other rooms if he wanted. He just didn’t want.<br>
<br>
He washed his face quickly in the basin as Louis pulled out clothes for his perusal.<br>
<br>
“Why am I always supremely hungover when the Queen wishes to see me?,” he pouted, picking out a rather tight pair of black pants and a green tunic with black embroidery that would bring out his eyes but still hide his bruises.<br>
<br>
“Perhaps if you drank less often, sir-”<br>
<br>
“It was a rhetorical question, Louis,” Emerson said with a sigh. In fact, he had been trying to lighten the atmosphere- they both knew that an urgent matter with the Queen, important enough for Cromwell to be knocking down his door, could hardly be good news- but Louis was not in a joking mood it seemed.<br>
<br>
Cromwell paced outside of the door, still taking in the information he’d been told and struggling with it. He doubted strongly that this all could be true, yet Lady Mercidea of Argos was no liar. She had seen and heard <i>something</i>, and the most likely answer was likely also the simplest. He couldn’t even think of what else Lord Emerson might be doing on top of the King, making noises like that. Giving him a massage? Unlikely. There was little reason Lord Emerson would be performing such a task for the King when he had a wife and servants and everyone else in the castle at his beck and call. Besides, it was obvious even now that Emerson was not the sort to stay faithful to one person’s bed. He went wherever pleased him, and pleasing a King was… dedicated work. Then again it could just be that they slept together on occasion for no other reason than fun.<br>
<br>
Something he could be doing with his new beautiful wife. Why wasn’t the King interested in her? Or rather, how was it that he seemed interested in her to any observer but was dragging his feet in terms of the actual deed? It made absolutely no sense. The King was capable of ruses, more so than one would think...<br>
<br>
He paused and looked at the door, Lord Emerson was taking so long, he considered knocking on it once more, but resumed his pacing. He did tell the man he needed to be presentable to the Queen.<br>
<br>
Curse the King for being the one variable in this equation he couldn’t control or help along. He could circle the situation all he liked but ultimately he could not force the King to get the Queen pregnant any more than he could force him to actually like her, infuriatingly enough.<br>
<br>
“All right, I await your direction,” Emerson instructed Cromwell as he left his suite, having deemed himself as presentable as he was likely to become. His hair was loose and he began to fix it into a short braid as they walked, the tie dangling from his mouth.<br>
<br>
Cromwell led a brisk and determined pace, quiet in his dark thoughts as they sped down the halls, avoiding people who had come out and begun to make their way outside for the festivities. People jumped out of their way for virtue of their brisk pace, everything about Cromwell’s gate told them he was on the crown’s business. But if that was so, then what was Emerson doing following him?<br>
<br>
Instead of the royal chambers he led them to Lady Nyme’s door, where the Queen still was. By now they’d had more than enough time to fix her face and made sure she did not appear as though she had been crying. Hopefully anyway. <br>
<br>
He paused before opening the door, looking back at Lord Emerson he sighed and lifted his mask, leaning into his ear. One could claim his expression was even worried, “The Queen is not a cruel person, be honest with her and you’ll find her very reasonable, and open to negotiation… if need be.”<br>
<br>
Well, <i>that</i> was ominous. And a little weird, to have the taller man leaning into his space like that. <br>
<br>
Cromwell quickly secured his mask back on, not giving Emerson the time to respond before swinging the door open, motioning him inside. The image of the man’s half open shirt and the kissing marks lining his chest from earlier came to mind. Cromwell did not like the thought of what he would have to do should all of this turn out to be true, or, spirits forbid, if this meeting did not go well. The free spirited Lord Emerson didn’t deserve to be the object of his schemes just because he was everything desirable and amiable. He ran through scenarios in his head as he shut the door behind Lord Emerson. Resigned to standing guard outside.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty,” Emerson greeted with a bow. “Lady Nyme, Lady Mercy, Lady Veora,” he nodded to them each in turn. They were all sitting so… Formally. It was very unlike any of the other times they’d shared company- Goddess, he hoped no one had <i>died</i>. No- If Vee had died, Grace and Roysa would be here. And they wouldn’t bother telling him if someone else had.<br>
<br>
“Lord Emerson, thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I hope I didn’t disturb your sleep.” Meera greeted and turned to Lady Veora, giving a small nod.<br>
<br>
In unison all three of her ladies rose and gave Lord Emerson a curtsy, filing out, leaving them alone.<br>
<br>
“Please, come speak with me.” She motioned for him to join her.<br>
<br>
Emerson did not miss the lack of smiles from the usually warm ladies- Mercy had almost seemed… Worried about him. He was starting to get the impression that the problem he had been summoned to address might be <i>him</i>- At the very least, Meera was doing a fabulous impression of the way Roysa used to look at him. He was almost positive he remembered all of last night… But he supposed perhaps he was wrong and had done something to terribly embarrass the monarchy, and now was going to have to face the consequences.<br>
<br>
He sat as instructed, and smiled at Meera.<br>
<br>
“Is something wrong, Your Majesty,” he asked her, deciding to end his suspense if he was able.<br>
<br>
Meera opened her mouth, and then closed it; having been about to deny it, but thought better of it, as it wouldn’t have been true. Her schooled expression started to break a little the more she looked at Lord Emerson. He had become such a fast friend to her and her ladies, had fit right in as though he had come from Theren himself as part of her retinue. He had such a sparkling personality. Perhaps that was why Avery loved him.<br>
<br>
“I don’t want you to worry Lord Emerson...” She looked at her hands, they were clammy, she was already struggling to speak.<br>
<br>
She reached out and took one of his to hold, “When I was young, I was sent to various courts on tour, to make acquaintances with other Kingdoms. To form important relationships I would need later, and to see how other monarchs ruled. And often… especially in Dorelith. I could see that being a Queen was miserable work. My mother was fortunate to be so loved, as it turns out, because there are others who have to fight in their own home for scraps of affection or respect. The Queen of Dorelith directs all of her rage at the King’s mistresses, whomever they so happen to be. This in turn makes the King miserable, and he makes her miserable, and the cycle continues.”  She looked up at him.<br>
<br>
This sounded reasonable, though Emerson couldn’t imagine what it had to do with him.<br>
<br>
“I don’t want to live like that Lord Emerson.” She could hear herself sounding pitiful, but felt, at the same time, that she could be honest with him, and he would hear her out.<br>
<br>
“One of my ladies saw the two of you, so I know now. And I think his love for you might be why he will barely touch me. It makes sense… but still, I was wondering if there might not be a way we could have peace between us. For <i>everyone’s</i> sake… I still want to be your friend…”<br>
<br>
Emerson looked confused. His love for Emerson…? Was she talking about Vee? Saw them… What? If Emerson had been any more flirtatious with the King recently, it didn’t compare to how flirtatious he might have been being with other members of the court- And besides, the King certainly never responded to such overtures other than to give heavy, resigned sighs.<br>
<br>
“I’m sorry, but you’ve utterly lost me,” he admitted. “You think… The king is in love with me? Because I can assure you that is not the case,” he scoffed.<br>
<br>
She closed her eyes for a beat before responding, “My Lady saw the two of you last night Lord Emerson, she had gone down to fetch a comb and apparently the two of you had left the door open to the solar.” She cleared her throat, “Please don’t lie to me Lord Emerson it’ll make everything so much more difficult. I have a contractual duty to not one but two kingdoms. I needn’t get in the way of the King’s pleasure after that duty is fulfilled.”<br>
<br>
What was she talking about-<br>
<br>
“Oh, shit,” Emerson swore loudly, his face going a bit red. Yes, he could see how that might have been… Misinterpreted. <br>
<br>
“Your Majesty,” Emerson said with a sigh. “I was giving the King a shoulder massage.”<br>
<br>
Well, that sounded like a weak excuse even as the words left his mouth.<br>
<br>
Meera’s brow furrowed at his continual denial, just when she thought they were getting somewhere.<br>
<br>
“Lord Emerson I can promise you I have no intention of… any sort of retribution or whatever it is you’re afraid of but you can not seriously think you can pull such a wool over my eyes. I am not some little naive girl, I am your Queen.” She reminded him levelly.<br>
<br>
“And you are hardly the first to suggest that His Majesty keeps me around as a convenient piece of ass, and I doubt you’ll be the last,” Emerson spat as he stood, with a bit more frustration and volume than he had intended, and he reminded himself that it was quite likely the ladies and Lord Cromwell had their ears pressed to the door. He let out a long sigh and tried to collect himself. This was hardly Meera’s fault.<br>
<br>
She straightened, taken aback. “Well you do apparently <i>massage</i> my husband as it were. So I can’t imagine why anyone would think that my Lord.” She countered, slowly and icily.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty, I am going to assume the King has not completely removed his shirt in front of you,” he said. “That when he changes, he is either behind something or facing towards you. So you have never seen his bare back. Am I correct?”<br>
<br>
“... I am aware Belethens are more modest than I’m used to.” It was Meera’s turn to look confused.<br>
<br>
“I only make that conjecture because if you knew what his back looked like, you might find it more believable that he needs actual massaging- Everything on the upper left is a fucking ruin,” Emerson said, not mincing words and gesturing to the general area in question. “He might remove his shirt in training, if it is a particularly hot day- But all the men know, to warn him if anyone approaches the yard. Princess Grace and Lady Roysa, they do not know the extent of the scarring. And the people who know how much it still regularly pains him- Myself, Maxwell, and one of His Majesty’s physicians.” Three people. Four now.<br>
<br>
Her eyes widened, she stood up slowly, realizing her horrible mistake as Emerson continued.<br>
<br>
“He doesn’t talk about it, because it’s <i>my</i> fault,” Emerson said angrily, though it was clear the anger was directed at himself, even turned away from the queen. “So, yes. I give your husband regular massages. It is, all things considered, the least I can do. And that was really all I was doing last night,” he told her when he turned back in her direction.<br>
<br>
Feeling like an utter ass, Meera blinked back the tears threatening to ruin her carefully primped face for the second time that morning. “At least, Lord Emerson, I think we can call this entire situation, well and truly <i>my</i> fault… I’m so sorry. I just… I didn’t know what else to think.”<br>
<br>
A knock on the door told her they were out of time, that they, or she at least, needed to be out on the grounds by now.<br>
<br>
“Don’t be silly, I think it’s obviously His Majesty’s fault,” Emerson said, with a tone that implied he would very much like to hit the king over the head with something suitably heavy. “I <i>told</i> him to talk to you about his… Intimacy issues, and he told me he was going to but <i>apparently</i> that was a lie,” he said with annoyance. “I don’t know what’s going on with the two of you,” except ‘nothing’ if Meera was to be believed, “But he definitely likes women and he definitely likes you.”<br>
<br>
Emerson needed to get drunk as soon as possible. Actually, he needed something more than that- He could probably slip his guard if he needed to go into town, right? They’d find him eventually. They always did.<br>
<br>
Another insistent knock interrupted whatever Meera was going to say. “I have to go, I’m probably late.” She looked at him apologetically as she made to go, “I… again I’m sorry, I hope I didn’t frighten you shitless when you came in.” Meera dropped her courtesies momentarily and snorted softly, lifting the mood a little. “Please try to have fun for the rest of the day Lord Emerson.” <br>
<br>
“You as well, Your Majesty,” he told her. “I hope you are able to… Solve your problem.”<br>
<br>
She opened the door and slipped out, nodding to Lord Cromwell as she passed, her ladies flanking her as they left to the Archery competition.<br>
<br>
Cromwell watched them leave before he slipped into the room himself, taking off his mask, suddenly very annoyed with it and the infernal capelet he was wearing. The feathers tickled unpleasantly the longer he wore the thing. He threw it to the side as well.<br>
<br>
“... Did things work out?” He asked carefully, none of the earlier harshness in his voice.<br>
<br>
Emerson’s smile fell once he no longer needed to maintain it for the Queen, and all the emotions he’d been trying to keep at bay came crashing over him.<br>
<br>
“I am not a threat to your Queen,” Emerson snapped. “I doubt you care for little else. Can I be excused now, I’m afraid my plans for the day have been altered and I really would like to get them underway post-haste,” he said dryly.<br>
<br>
“I am happy to hear that.” Cromwell confessed, rolling his shoulders and adjusting his jerkin now that he no longer was forced to wear feathers. “About the threat, not your plans. I would hate to ruin them any further… Let me make it up to you?” Cromwell straightened, walking over, his tone lighter than he’d probably ever used with Emerson.<br>
Emerson scoffed. “Don’t strain yourself on my account, Lord Cromwell,” he said bitterly, but then amended, “I am in a mood foul enough to match your usual disposition, any efforts you might deign to make would likely be wasted.” He reminded himself not to waste all the effort he had been putting into drawing Cromwell out of his shell, however satisfying it might be to tell the other man what he really thought of him and storm off. <br>
<br>
“Many people do mistake my… lack of expression as a foul mood. I am not as free and expressful as you are, but I’d be remiss to have you think that of me Lord Emerson.” He bowed and took his leave.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 60%;"><div style="height:auto;display:flex;overflow:hidden;align-items:center;justify-content:space-evenly;"><div style="width:150px;height:150px;background:url('https://i.pinimg.com/originals/62/a6/54/62a654d5c65ed7bef2294fca08ec2c2d.jpg');background-size:100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-radius:100px;"></div><div style="flex:1;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:center;"><div style="font-size:2em;"><span style="font-family: 'gerogia';">Lord Brutus</span></div><br>
<span style="font-family: 'Lato';"><div style="font-size:0.8em;opacity:0.5;">Location: Theren - Delphi - The Queen's Balcony | Interacting with: Queen Regent Agora </div></span></div><br>
</div></div><div class="bbcode-centerblock" style="width: 80%;"><br>
<div style="height:40vh;overflow-y:scroll;font-size:0.9em;padding:0.7em;"><span style="font-family: 'Lato';">He was led, roughly, into the Queen’s chambers, to his great confusion. Whereby she stared at him as he entered, expression as if she were examining a particularly rotten piece of fruit. <br>
<br>
“Kneel.” She sighed, and reached for her drink.<br>
<br>
Before he could oblige however he felt sharp jabs at the back of either knee, and he was forced to comply.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty? Have I done something to offend? Why am I treated this way?” He began to demand but settled into pinning incredulity once her eyes flashed towards him.<br>
<br>
“Lords get to stand in my presence. Strong, noble and loyal, they earn that privilege. But you…” She rose slowly, stalking closer and closer, till she was close enough for his nose to touch her skirts. <br>
<br>
He had to strain his neck to look up at her. <br>
<br>
“...Have not been acting the part of a lord have you?” She sighed and stepped away, beginning to circle her prey, taking her time as she spoke.<br>
<br>
“Public drunkenness, whoring, brawls, making an ass of yourself and your entire family name. Your poor mother left in tears because she can not stop you and must deal with the shame... There was a time when I would have dearly loved to call you my son in law, I compared you to my own husband. Temperamental to be sure, but passionate, made of the same ilk of Kings.” She stopped in front of her seat and sat down, disappointed.<br>
<br>
“And yet at the first sign of complication, you shriveled into a whimpering fool. Content to spend your nights crying into a comfort girl’s breasts for months on end.” Agora turned her head is disgust.<br>
<br>
“Your majesty I am bereft of your daughter’s love! I… what am I supposed to <i>do</i> without her.” He held his hands out, trying to explain, he didn’t understand why he was being treated like a stranger when it was not too long ago that she would embrace him and fawn over him, calling him the champion of Theren. Could he really have fallen out of favor so quickly?<br>
<br>
“You men always need someone to tell you what to do don’t you.” Agora took a bite of candied fruit. “Stand up.”<br>
<br>
He attempted to do as she commanded, but the guards on either side of him prevented it with their spears. He looked to the Queen Regent once more in confusion. Who looked at him with a bored expression on her face before smiling slowly and taking another bite of her fruit.<br>
<br>
“I said, stand up.” She all but whispered.<br>
<br>
He looked at the guards, it took a moment longer for him to understand what she wanted from him, and she waited patiently to see it.<br>
<br>
With a roar he grabbed the butts of the guards spears and spun them around as he rose up, a scuffle ensued. Queen Regent Agora watched, pleased at the show. In the end he overpowered her guards, victorious. This was exactly what he needed. A little push. A reminder of who and what he was.<br>
<br>
“Excellent Lord Brutus, now that you are back to us once more we will see if there can not be retribution for us yet. You are not the only one bereft. My sources tell me my daughter is miserable as well. We must beat you back into shape, clean you up, so you may ride into Beleth and see if their so called King can measure up to you.” Queen Regent Agora of House Delphi smiled.<br>
<br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b><i>Location: Redhill Castle</i></b><br>
<i><b>Interacting: Emerson and Louis, Emerson and Cara, Emerson and Cromwell</b></i><br>
<b><i>Timing: Evening following the last post in Redhill</i></b><br>
<br>
“It is a holiday, sir, and you have done <i>nothing</i> but mope in your rooms all day, I will not enable you any further,” Louis said curtly, pulling at Emerson’s bedsheets. “If you want food, you shall have to get it yourself.”<br>
<br>
“Then I shall just starve,” Emerson decided, yanking his covers back with annoyance.<br>
<br>
“Sir! If you are going to spend the whole day, curled in your bed, in a drug induced stupor-,” Louis started.<br>
<br>
“I was hardly in a stupor and I’m certainly not anymore!”<br>
<br>
“-Then I shall have no choice but to disclose your actions today to a higher authority,” Louis finished.<br>
<br>
“Oh, what is His Majesty going to do about it,” Emerson sulked. “Give me a stern talking to and then run back to his wife and his responsibilities,” he said bitterly. “And that’s assuming he can actually muster the nerve to say anything at all, as he does seem to prefer to avoid such things-”<br>
<br>
“Actually, I was thinking I would tell Her Highness,” Louis said casually, and Emerson sat up to glare at him.<br>
<br>
“You wouldn’t,” he said reproachfully. Grace was the <i>worst</i>. She would hover over him for weeks if she thought there was cause, and she was near-impossible to be rid of. “She’d make your life just as miserable as mine!”<br>
<br>
“And is that a bet you are prepared to make?”<br>
<br>
“I should have you sacked,” Emerson told his manservant. It was a familiar argument, though usually more jokingly conducted.<br>
<br>
“You could try, sir,” Louis told him evenly. “But I’ll remind you that the Lady Roysa pays my wages, and she has been quite satisfied with my performance.”<br>
<br>
“Yes, you are a most excellent bastard wrangler,” Emerson said with annoyance, but he threw his blankets at Louis and put his feet on the floor.<br>
<br>
“You will be satisfied so long as I leave my rooms?,” Emerson confirmed with his manservant, and Louis eyes narrowed.<br>
<br>
“I want you to have a destination, sir, not just pace the hallway for five minutes and then return to your sulking,” the older man clarified.<br>
<br>
“I was planning to go to the nearest kitchen to fetch the sustenance which you have denied me,” Emerson shot back, and Louis nodded.<br>
<br>
Apparently that would meet his standards well enough not to tattle to the Princess, though more and more Emerson suspected that had just been a gambit to get Emerson annoyed enough to leave his bed.<br>
<br>
“And don’t bother searching the room for the rest of the stash,” Emerson told him. “I finished what little I had,” he said with irritation.<br>
<br>
Louis pursed his lips, and Emerson knew he was going to return to an overturned suite regardless.<br>
<br>
“And do try to be polite to those with the misfortune to interact with you, sir,” Louis said mildly, always determined to have the last word. “Ever since the Lord Chancellor’s arrival this morning, your social skills have been positively <i>dismal</i>.”<br>
<br>
Emerson rolled his eyes and let the door to his suite bang shut behind him. Yes, the Lord Chancellor- He seemed to be an omen of bad fortune, didn’t he? Except he wasn’t. He was just a man- An annoying, uppity man, who ignored all of Emerson’s attempts to befriend him and then had the gall to act almost<i> concerned </i>about him this morning. With that stupid feathered cape framing the angles of his chin and blending into his dark hair and… Something needed to be done about that man or he was going to be a real pain in his ass, Emerson concluded.<br>
<br>
<br>
---<br>
<br>
It really was amazing, what some food and the chance to stretch your legs could do for your mood. Even just entering the kitchen had made him feel better- The warmth of the ovens and the smell of the breads, and the general cheerful attitude of the staff. There was a kitchen just a few floors below him and he stopped by often enough that those who worked there were accustomed to his odd hours. He’d sat and ate and chatted with them about how the second day of festivities had gone- fairly well, it sounded like, and he was a bit annoyed at himself for having missed it- and flirted a bit with one of the pantrymaids, who was married and had told him she’d hit him with her spoon if he kept it up, and he was generally feeling much more like himself.<br>
<br>
Especially because he had a mission.<br>
<br>
He was stalking down the halls of the upper offices when he caught sight of someone and almost ducked to hide when he realized he knew the maid in question.<br>
<br>
“Cara,” he beamed through a mouth full of cheesey bread roll. “You don’t have the night off?”<br>
<br>
“Klara worked the dinner feast, so there wasn’t much point,” she told him. “Someone’s got to keep things tidy in this wing, since it is being used so much,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “And I just swept this hall, don’t be tracking crumbs about!”<br>
<br>
“Cara, my dear girl, every tiny morsel of this blessed roll has landed in my mouth, I assure you,” he said with a laugh, and the maid’s inspection of the path behind him seemed to indicate he was correct.<br>
“Speaking of people who sit in their offices constantly,” he said in a lower voice. “Has the Lord Chancellor retired for the night yet?”<br>
<br>
“I’m not sure,” she admitted. “Last I saw him he was leaving, but he might have just gone to fetch something. He keeps terrible hours, you know- I could try to track him down for you and let him know you’re here,” she offered, and Emerson shook his head.<br>
<br>
“No, no, I was hoping to… Surprise him,” Emerson said, and Cara’s smile twitched.<br>
<br>
“I think you’d have more luck with me, mylord,” she said with a flirty wink, and Emerson nearly laughed.<br>
<br>
“Yes, well, you’re hardly a challenge are you, dear girl,” he returned conspiratorially and Cara gave him a playful shove.<br>
<br>
“Be gone with you then, if you are going to be rude,” she told him, and they continued walking their separate ways.<br>
<br>
He approached Cromwell’s office carefully, but it seemed empty. If he was truly gone for the night, Emerson figured the candles would be snuffed and the door shut up tight, so he probably didn’t have too much time to investigate. He poked his head back into the hall to make sure no one was approaching before looking at the massive desk and the things piled on it and wondering where the hell to even start. At least the empty halls would alert him to any footsteps headed his way, and then he could… Claim he was here to apologize for his earlier rudeness? He’d come up with something, he was sure.<br>
<br>
---<br>
<br>
Cromwell's pup was developing fast, and he supposed soon he should actually come up with a name, something other than ‘pup’, as he walked back from putting said pup to bed. He had to be strict with the schedule he put the young thing on now that he could move around. Cromwell himself took to odd hours so he’d have to make sure he was paying attention to his young charge’s needs. At least till the pup was old enough to-<br>
<br>
The door to his office was open.<br>
<br>
He glowered, rolling his shoulders and steeling himself for a confrontation. By now even servants knew not to go into his office if he wasn’t there, usually he had the thing locked, but tonight he was only gone a short while and saw little reason to lock it when everyone else in the castle was busy partying. He mentally berated himself as his hand pushed the door wider, slowly.<br>
<br>
Wouldn’t you know it, color him surprised. He cocked an eyebrow at the sight of Lord Emerson sitting on top of his desk, innocently enough, but somehow looking like a treat that had been delivered just for him. He imagined he had that effect often, whenever he sat on whomsoever’s bed he was blessing next.<br>
<br>
Cromwell indulged in letting his eye sweep over the redhead, tilting his head and considering for a moment, before finally speaking. “People aren’t permitted in my office unless I am here, and I <i>loathe</i> when people touch my desk... Lord Emerson.” He said stonily, stepping in and shutting the door behind him.<br>
<br>
Cromwell seemed almost… Angry? Which wasn’t exactly what Emerson had been expecting, but he wasn’t entirely sure what he <i>had</i> been expecting, so. He also wasn’t entirely sure why he’d decided to sit on Cromwell’s desk instead of the chair opposite- It wasn’t like a spur of the moment panic. He’d heard the other man’s confident stride with more than enough time to ensure everything looked exactly as it had when he’d arrived, and had been about to plop himself down in the chair when his body had suddenly altered course. But he was here now, so he might as well make the most of it.<br>
<br>
“Apologies, Lord Cromwell, I hadn’t known you were so particular about it,” Emerson said genially, though he made no signal that he would remove himself. “But you are a man with such... Singular dedication to your work,” he mused, his fingers brushing over a stack of neatly organized scrolls and prodding one so that its edge hung a few inches over that of the others. “I thought I might have to interrupt such work if I were to have any hope of getting your attention.”<br>
<br>
How laughable, Emerson usually had his attention these days. He’d made a habit of watching him out of the corner of his eye whenever the redhead orbited his world. Cromwell had, in his observations, become acutely aware of Emerson and every little detail about him. Despite his excuses of work and his pretense to be otherwise only mildly interested in the man’s antics… Emerson had scratched and gnawed his way into an occupying space of Cromwell’s mind. Interrupting the disquiet of it.<br>
<br>
At first he’d found this particularly irritating, but he soon recognized the old, dusty and long forgotten feeling for what it was. Desire.<br>
<br>
“Getting my attention?” He clasped his hands behind his back as he meandered over, looking around the room, looking- for anything out of place, “Or searching for something?”<br>
<br>
He stopped in front of Emerson, “Maybe I can help you <i>find</i> it.” he heard his voice lower an octave as he sat down on the chair across from him, spread out as though he were a King sitting on a throne, waiting and watching every move Emerson made like a hawk.<br>
<br>
Emerson shifted, a bit uncomfortable under Cromwell’s rather… Intense gaze. Was he suspicious of him?<br>
<br>
“Searching for you, yes,” Emerson replied with a laugh. “I felt I ought to apologize for my behavior, earlier,” he said. “It was unfair of me to be so short with you, especially when you seemed to be trying to be… Kind.”<br>
<br>
“You were upset, and I was the bearer of bad news. I often am.” Cromwell excused Emerson from his earlier attitude easily.<br>
<br>
“I was worried for you, I confess… did you find solace elsewhere afterward? For your plans.” His brow twitched as he spoke, trying for courtesy even under the tense atmosphere of the room.<br>
<br>
“My plans went more or less accordingly,” Emerson said airly. “Though I’ll admit I did not find them quite as fulfilling as I’d hoped,” he confessed. He trailed off for a moment and then said with a direct match to Cromwell’s gaze, “But I seem to recall you had offered to… Make it up to me?”<br>
<br>
“I did.” Cromwell confirmed, going still, considering his actions in his head, weighing options against each other, and deciding that none of it really mattered next to what he wanted. He had already decided what he wanted when he closed the door behind him earlier, all of this had just been about seeing if that interest was genuinely reciprocated and then convincing himself that he could partake.<br>
<br>
Cromwell stood up, pushing Lord Emerson’s ankles apart so he could invade the redhead’s space further. Emerson seemed to be letting him, and Cromwell gave him time to protest, but when none came he grasped the redhead’s chin, gently but firmly.<br>
<br>
“That offer still stands.” He promised intently, the other hand lightly touching Emerson’s knee, which widened further at the prompting.<br>
<br>
This was… Unexpected, thought Emerson. But he didn’t seem to mind when Cromwell kissed him hotly. In fact, Emerson decided as he scooted closer, he didn’t mind at all.</div>
				
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b><i>Location: Redhill Castle, Lady Roysa's Office</i></b><br>
<i><b>Interacting: Roysa and Emerson</b></i><br>
<b><i>Timing: Evening of the third day of the festival</i></b><br>
<br>
<br>
Roysa was sitting at her desk when there was a quiet knock- Not from the door, but from behind the elaborate tapestry on the other wall. She rapped her knuckles sharply against her desk three times to indicate she was alone, and there was the sound of a key in a lock and the tapestry moved aside. <br>
<br>
When Redhill had first been built- or at least, the first layer of it- hallways had been built between the rooms to allow for servants to pass unnoticed, carrying laundry and food and fresh water. Few of them were functional these days- Bricked over from the inside, turned into narrow storage closets, or knocked out on one wall to expand a suite. <br>
<br>
When the King had hit young Emerson across the face and thrown him from the dining room, Roysa had thought she’d finally seen the last of Fremont’s bastard. But he’d still showed up the next day tailing Prince Averett, his face purple on one side. And the day after that he’d come to her office and presented his evidence about his uncle’s grain storage scheme. She’d conceded that he might be useful, and that he wasn’t going anywhere. <br>
<br>
And if he was going to keep going to the Prince’s room at odd hours of the night, she might as well make sure he did so more discreetly.<br>
<br>
“Where have you been,” Roysa asked, sitting her quill down once he’d appeared.<br>
<br>
“In the hall,” Emerson answered obliquely, inspecting his doublet for dust. “I was thinking we should get a maid-”<br>
<br>
“No, where have you been these last few days? I didn’t see you at <i>all</i> on the second day of the festivities,” Roysa clarified with annoyance, getting up from her chair. “And you only attended the closing banquet today.”<br>
<br>
“Aww, were you worried about me?,” Emerson teased. “Lady Roysa, I am flattered, but you know I don’t like hunting-”<br>
<br>
“Yes,” Roysa said flatly, reaching out and grabbing his chin. She tilted his face back and forth, and pressed the back of her other hand against his cheek and then his forehead. “I <i>was</i> worried.”<br>
<br>
Emerson squirmed, uncomfortable with the attention.<br>
<br>
“I’m fine,” he assured her. “I was having- A bit of a bad time, I’ll admit it. But I’m feeling much better now.”<br>
<br>
“Hmm,” Roysa allowed, letting his chin drop and turning to take a chair. “I assume Lord Chancellor Cromwell is responsible?”<br>
<br>
Emerson went a little red around the ears, grateful Roysa was no longer inspecting him so thoroughly.<br>
<br>
“I’m sure I don’t know wha-” <br>
<br>
“For your ‘bit of a bad time’? Seeing as it followed directly after he summoned you to one of Her Majesty’s lady’s rooms- I can only predict whatever you discussed is what upset you.”<br>
<br>
Emerson’s first instinct, as always, was to lie. But he also knew Roysa was a lot more likely to listen to him if he at least attempted to be honest.<br>
<br>
“Somewhat, yes. The topic was not... Pleasant, but it was more… The reminder that this is my life now,” he said with a touch of bitterness and only a bit of a lie.  “Rumors and court intrigue and appearances, and having to keep all of it up- And no, I’m not going to tell you what it was about,” he warned. “It doesn’t concern you, it was a personal matter.”<br>
<br>
“Personal does not mean the same thing as private when it comes to nobility,” she reminded him, and Emerson chuckled.<br>
<br>
“There was a misunderstanding,” Emerson said, settling himself onto a window ledge. “I cleared up my part in it. I believe the whole thing shall be resolved shortly. If it is not- I shall resolve it myself,” he said with a tone of reproach. <br>
<br>
Roysa looked at him with narrow eyes.<br>
<br>
“And you will tell me if I need to be made aware?”<br>
<br>
“If you needed to be made aware, I would have come to you immediately. But if anything changes in that regard- I will tell you,” Emerson replied and after a beat, Roysa nodded curtly. <br>
<br>
It was a testament to how far their odd relationship had come- That she not only trusted he would tell her if it was the sort of thing she should know, but that she thought he had a good enough grasp on what sort of things she wanted to know. <br>
<br>
When it became clear she was going to accept his word, Emerson moved on.<br>
<br>
“The discrepancies in Baron Tihos of Icolta’s finances,” he said, pulling a piece of paper out and crossing the room to hand it to her before returning to his seat. Roysa unfolded it and looked over the series of numbers with interest. One column was long, the other much shorter but with greater quantities. Emerson never labelled any of his notes, which was probably safest.<br>
<br>
“Amounts unaccounted for in two ledgers, actually- We only caught on to the more recent ones because of the larger amounts. And because we were looking for it.”<br>
<br>
Tihos had been one of the nobles to contest Avery’s claim to the throne and petition in favor of Grace, and though he hadn’t vocally opposed the treaty and marriage, he had not exactly been supportive. It wasn’t a difficult leap, to suppose he might have had reason to organize the attack on Meera.<br>
<br>
“Now, I can’t be positive because I don’t exactly have full access to everything, and there’s only so much mathematics I can reasonably be expected to do in a short time period and in the dark,” Emerson began, and the sides of Roysa’s mouth lifted slightly.<br>
<br>
“Yes, Lord Emerson, you have a brain like no other- You dazzle me with your near-perfect memory and your speed at calculations,” she flattered flatly. “Do get to the point.”<br>
<br>
“I would guess the smaller payments go back about six years,” he said. “Because the larger payments- They match the tuition amounts and schedule of an educational establishment in Icolta, that molds the minds of those young offspring of the wealthy merchants and lesser nobles and occasional celebrated artisan,” he explained. <br>
<br>
<br>
“They’ll take pupils as young as even 6 or 7, I hear. And right before those larger payments started accumulating into the amount I first noticed missing- He’d made a sizeable contribution in recognition of the ‘public good’.”<br>
<br>
“You think he has a bastard son,” Roysa said in understanding.<br>
<br>
“Bastard grandson seems more likely, considering,” Emerson said, though he nodded in agreement. <br>
<br>
“It should definitely be looked into more,” Emerson suggested, because he would never have imagine Baron Tihos to be financially supportive out of sentimentality. There was definitely something going on there- At the very least, the mother had blackmail material. And if the baron was going to continue being a pest, it would be good to have leverage.<br>
<br>
“But he hasn’t been hiring mercenaries to ambush Their Majesties,” Roysa surmised, and Emerson nodded.<br>
<br>
“If he has- Then I can’t figure where the money went. Or came from in the first place.”<br>
<br>
Roysa nodded with a sigh. <br>
<br>
“I should be pleased, and yet-”<br>
<br>
“Our other leads aren’t panning out either then?,” Emerson asked, crossing his arms across his chest with a frown.<br>
<br>
“Not exactly,” she admitted. “Though most of the time when I’ve spoken to the Lord Chancellor recently, it’s been about the trade deal, so perhaps I’m out of date- Though I assume he would inform me, or at least His Majesty, if there was anything new to report.”<br>
<br>
“Would he?,” Emerson asked with a raised brow, and Roysa turned to him.<br>
<br>
“You were the one who thought we ought to be suspicious of him,” Roysa pointed out. “So perhaps I should yield to your impression of him. What have you uncovered on him?”<br>
<br>
<i>Not nearly as much as I would have liked</i>, Emerson thought, with some annoyance.<br>
<br>
He should have- Well, there was a lot of things he <i>should</i> have done, in retrospect. Like left, as soon as he’d realized that he had Cromwell’s interest, instead of just his annoyance.<br>
<br>
“He keeps some of the drawers and cabinets of his desk locked,” Emerson said, but that was hardly suspicious in of itself. Several of the compartments of Roysa’s desk were locked. It would be more suspicious if the Lord Chancellor <i>didn’t</i> have locks. “But of the things I went through,” Emerson admitted, “Nothing caught my eye.”<br>
<br>
Emerson was good at patterns, at looking at a whole picture and realizing where the puzzle pieces might be missing. The papers he had rifled through didn’t indicate that Cromwell was keeping secrets- At least beyond what was to be expected of a high ranking royal advisor. <br>
<br>
Of course, if Emerson had dragged their fliration out the way he <i>ought</i> to have, he would have had more time to investigate. He would have had a ready made excuse to be hanging about Cromwell’s office or even his suite perhaps, and the Chancellor would have thought he was just playing hard to get. Emerson should have been thinking about his long term goals, instead of being distracted by Cromwell’s hand on his neck, creeping beneath his loose braid-<br>
<br>
“He does seem to be loyal to Her Majesty,” Roysa mused. “I think- so long as we continue to align our goals with hers- he will not be too much trouble.”<br>
<br>
“You are only considering him in a friendlier light because of that dog,” Emerson groused, and Roysa’s eyes sparked with a hint of mirth.<br>
<br>
“I’m not suggesting we <i>trust</i> him,” Rosya said. “Only that we don’t waste too much energy on not trusting him. He could prove to be a valuable asset.”<br>
<br>
“Not if he continues the way he has been,” Emerson pointed out. “There’s value in being private- generates a little intrigue, a little mystery- but being standoffish is going to make it difficult to integrate him with the rest of the court.” <br>
<br>
“Yes, things would be easier if he would be a bit more... Social,” Roysa agreed. “But that is because you are trying to make him fit into a role you have in mind. Not coming up with a use that serves his current role,” she pointed out. “I made the same mistake with you, if you recall.”<br>
<br>
Emerson looked away from his view of the city to flash her a grin. They had clashed quite a bit, in the beginning. <br>
<br>
“He seems to be a fine enough gentleman,” Roysa concluded. <i>Fine enough indeed</i>, Emerson thought. It really was a shame there wasn’t going to a repeat of the other night’s activities. Men like Cromwell got what they wanted and were satisfied to move on once they’d had it. Emerson should have been smarter in his approach.<br>
<br>
“Well, don’t go trying to match him up with anyone- He isn’t interested in such things,” Emerson advised her, and even as he said it, he felt an uncomfortable twinge at the reminder. <br>
<br>
“Ah yes- I hear his childhood fiancee lives secluded on his lands in Theren, on account that she abhors court life, and they are to be wed once he returns. Apparently, he writes to her each day,” Roysa revealed, and Emerson leaned forward despite himself.<br>
<br>
“I didn’t see anything like a love letter-”<br>
<br>
“I also hear that he’s been in love with Her Majesty for <i>years</i> but is content to pine away so long as he can just be near to her,” Roysa continued. “Or that he is a eunuch monk who left his monastery to seek his fortune,” she added with a raised brow, and the sides of Emerson’s mouth twitched upward.<br>
<br>
Well. That one <i>certainly</i> wasn’t true.<br>
<br>
“That last one come from Vienna?,” he asked with a laugh, and Roysa shook her head. <br>
<br>
“I doubt it- Your cousin is usually more believable,” Roysa allowed. “And smarter, too.”<br>
<br>
Emerson had seen his cousin dancing with Cromwell, but it hadn’t been clear how the encounter had gone. Roysa was right, though- Vienna would never risk alienating or humiliating someone, until doing so actually served her goals.<br>
<br>
“But you seemed to be having success in drawing him out a bit,” Roysa observed. <br>
<br>
“A bit,” Emerson agreed hesitantly. He tried not to think about the other night and how… Nice, it had been. Usually he had a plan, an angle, or at the very least he knew he had certain expectations to meet when it came to his performance. <br>
<br>
But Cromwell had seemed confident in what he wanted and what he wanted Emerson to want, and Emerson wasn’t quite sure why he’d gone along with it. Maybe because it had been enjoyable, and Emerson hadn’t had any other goals to distract him. Maybe because Cromwell had kissed him first, or met his eyes with that dark stare before he’d put his hand on Emerson’s waist, or-<br>
<br>
Maybe it was because Emerson had gotten high earlier in the afternoon. That was probably it.<br>
<br>
He shifted uncomfortably in his window seat.<br>
<br>
“Well, I think at this point he knows I’m available. If he needs a friend!,” Emerson clarified. “And I’ll certainly still keep an eye on him. But for now- Give him space and see what he does with it?”<br>
<br>
“I agree,” Roysa nodded, and Emerson couldn’t decide if he was relieved or not. It was for the best, though. And gods knew he would prefer to avoid Cromwell for at least the next week.<br>
<br>
“Let me know if you find out any more on Baron Tihos,” Roysa said. “And could you look into Baroness Elleni’s plans? I hear she may be leaving us within a few days- But that she has arranged for several months lodging come spring.”<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Emerson agreed, standing up and crossing to where Roysa was seated. “Anything else?”<br>
<br>
“I don’t think so,” Roysa said, but she caught his hand as he turned to go. <br>
<br>
“Emerson,” she said softly. “This doesn’t <i>have</i> to be your life. Rumors and court intrigue and appearances,” she said, echoing his complaints. <br>
<br>
“Nonsense,” he scoffed automatically. “What would you do without me?”<br>
<br>
“I managed just fine before you,” she said primly. “And I’ll manage just fine after you.”<br>
<br>
“I’d get bored, sitting around an estate in the country,” Emerson protested. He’d had this argument with Avery before- and with Roysa multiple times, though usually under a different context- and he knew each article of the debate.<br>
<br>
Roysa only looked at him, her lips pursed and her dark eyes sympathetic. <br>
<br>
“You are not prey, my boy, no matter what mask you might wear. And being hunted is <i>not</i> a good way to entertain yourself,” she said with the sort of finality that Emerson was familiar with. If he kept attending their meetings with dark circles under his eyes, they would have this talk again.<br>
<br>
“I know, I know,” he reassured her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze and leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I’ll do better,” he offered, and she made a doubtful but optimistic humming noise. Neither was satisfied, but it was about as much as either was going to get.<br>
<br>
Emerson went back to the tapestry he had come from, sweeping it aside and pushing open the hidden door. <br>
<br>
“Oh! A maid,” he said, his usual cheer back in force. “That’s what I was saying earlier! We should get a maid to sweep these passages, because they get <i>awful</i> dusty and-”<br>
<br>
“We aren’t telling anyone else about them,” Roysa said sternly. There were already too many in the know, in her opinion.<br>
<br>
“I’ve got a gal I trust, she’s discreet-”<br>
<br>
“Yes, the woman you have threesomes with? And when you stop sleeping with her, how discreet will she continue to be?”<br>
<br>
Emerson frowned. She had a point- Except of course, that Emerson’s relationship with Cara and Klara was entirely platonic. That was the trouble with lying. <br>
<br>
“Well, then I shall track dust into your office,” Emerson warned brightly as he shut the door and locked it behind him. As it closed, he thought he heard something like, “I’m sure you know how to use a broom-”<br>
<br>
He decided to ignore it.</div>
				
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-10267465" data-lb-caption-desc="jones573 · Apr 22, 2020 at 12:16 AM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b><i>Location: Redhill Castle, Royal Apartments</i></b><br>
<i><b>Interacting: Meera and Avery, Avery and Maxwell</b></i><br>
<b><i>Timing: (Time passes w/in post but majority happens the evening of the day after the hunt festival has ended)</i></b><br>
<br>
She was late, despite her best and most reasonable efforts, given that she could not very well <i>run</i>; what a scandal that would be, to see the Queen hiking up her skirts and running out into the yard. The Archery competition however did not suffer overmuch for it and the festivities continued. On the third day, it had been Lady Veora who had won the prize after all, Meera had never seen her so determined to win; and perhaps that had been in effort to impress a certain Baroness she had danced with the night before? Who could really know but Veora?<br>
<br>
Meera was successful in compartmentalizing the earlier fiasco to be dealt with later while she attended to the festivities with vigor, and in avoiding moments alone with the king in the meantime. If it was curious that they never got to go riding like Avery wanted, as she just seemed to be much too occupied, well, she could easily deny that it had been by careful design couldn’t she? She was a Queen, with a Queen’s duties to the… um. To the festival. Which was now… over.<br>
<br>
Perhaps late into the third night when she finally went to their room to promptly fall asleep it had not been quite, technically, over. Or the next morning when she woke up late and a little bit hung over, having drunk quite heavily for the closing of the festival and to avoid feeling anything ridiculous like anxiety about sleeping in the same bed with her own husband. Perhaps that morning in particular there was an excuse not to talk very much. A small extension to the festival’s ending. But now it was evening time and Meera was quite sure her relative unease and quiet contemplation had been noticed, or something indeed had been noticed. Her husband was squirming in his seat while she barely touched her food. The diner was getting uncomfortable for her, and it must be for him. <br>
<br>
She wanted to go back to when they were having a good time with each other, back to when they were getting close and kissing and beginning to understand one another. That hardly seemed like a thing they could do unless she resolved what was going on in their bedroom however. Or the lack of what was going on. So far her best guess was that he hadn’t wanted to show her his back, that he was self conscious of it, and so he didn’t feel he could be intimate with her without her seeing it. Whatever the reason, they needed to talk about it. To move forward. Without, hopefully, mortifying and insulting any more of his close friends and family. She couldn’t let something like that happen again. The disastrous morning that had been had cost her a few years off of her life, and surely that of her lady’s too.<br>
<br>
“I… spoke with Lord Emerson.” Meera began carefully, putting down her fork and giving up on eating, instead reaching for her goblet and taking a gulp of wine. A long gulp. <br>
<br>
“Two days ago, in the morning. And I think…” She stared at the stable space between them, seemingly transfixed by the pretty designs in the wood, “I think that I may have upset him a great deal.” <br>
<br>
Avery looked up from his picked-over plate, surprised. He had suspected something was bothering her, but he’d no idea what it might be. At first he’d thought it was about the festival- But it had gone quite well, and he’d told her so. Perhaps he should have been more public with his praise? But he had participated in all the ways a king ought to and enjoyed himself, without being overbearing about it- As though he had every confidence in his wife’s ability to entertain their court (which he did) and did not need to coerce anyone into pretending to have fun.<br>
<br>
Maybe someone had said or done something that had upset her? He was a little hurt that she hadn’t brought it to his attention, but he supposed he often liked to think on things before he brought them up, so perhaps she was much the same. Which was fine.<br>
<br>
It occurred to him that he might also be reading too much into it- That his recent hyperawareness of Meera and her happiness (or lack of) was causing him to second-guess every observation. But he was fairly certain that something had changed. She seemed distracted, and didn’t return his smiles. Or his kisses. When he’d gone to kiss her cheek in greeting before they’d started dinner, she hadn’t even tilted her head to give him better access.<br>
<br>
There was of course the possibility that no one was to blame at all. The recent mismatch of her public and private personas reminded him of how Grace behaved during her monthlies- She claimed it became so uncomfortably draining to be nice to courtiers that she wasn’t going to put any effort into being kind to her brother. Avery supposed he should be flattered, then, that Meera considered him someone she did not need to expand effort on. <br>
<br>
(He was absolutely not hurt, to think that the casual affection they’d been developing was a performance, the way Grace sometimes laughed at jokes that weren’t all that funny. He’d been the one to start that performance, he’d reminded himself.) <br>
<br>
So after all the work he’d put into overthinking her behavior, and his decision to simply ride it out until it passed or she decided to share, it was somewhat of a surprise to hear her bring up Emerson of all people. And that she had upset him, instead of the other way around.<br>
<br>
“I’m sure-” - That isn’t the case, was what he had been about to say. He had asked Emerson to be a friend to Meera, and even if he hadn’t, he couldn’t imagine Meera doing something that would really have offended the easy-going redhead.<br>
<br>
But he didn’t want to be dismissive of her concerns. And he supposed he might see where she had gotten them.<br>
<br>
“Because he did not make many appearances at the celebrations? That is not a reflection on you,” Avery tried to assure her. “Emerson has never cared for hunting, he rarely attends them. And he often finds… Other ways to entertain himself during festivities.”<br>
<br>
“No…” Meera looked around, trying to think how to best put it delicately or spare him the details altogether. But then again, if she did spare him the details and swept it under the rug perhaps he wouldn’t take the rest of what she had to say with enough weight, or misunderstand it as something that his friend betrayed his confidence over rather than something his friend saw as necessary. As embarrassing as the fiasco had been, it pointed to a lack of forthcoming that Meera was a bit resentful of. <br>
<br>
Bad things were inevitably going to happen when he kept things from her, she needed him to understand that. She also needed him to work with her rather than attempt to manage her, as she suspected he was doing.<br>
<br>
He had been expecting to see the bastard lord a bit more on the third day, but it wasn’t worrying that he hadn’t- Avery assumed that whatever Emerson had gotten up to on the second day had proven interesting and enjoyable enough to continue. His guards or his manservant would have reported to Roysa and to Avery if Emerson had gone into town, so Avery was not overly concerned.<br>
<br>
“But I will talk to him nonetheless, if you would like,” Avery offered, relieved that whatever was bothering Meera had a clear solution. Patching things up between his friend and his queen was not only a clear solution, but likely an easy one too. “Whatever may have passed- I know you were not malevolent in your intent,” he said kindly. “Emerson will realize that, too.”<br>
<br>
“Well, I wasn’t malevolent in my intent no.” She gave a half hearted smile at him, tilting her head and finally looking at him, “But that doesn’t mean that I did not cause him pain… you can have the best of intentions, but still end up causing a lot of pain to someone… Avery.” She said pointedly.<br>
<br>
Avery took a sip from his wine. She seemed… Displeased at him? Which seemed wrong, if she was the one who had offended Emerson. <br>
<br>
“That is... True,” he allowed with a nod. “I’m sure he will forgive you, though. Can I ask… What is it you discussed, that you think so upset him?” <br>
<br>
He was never going to get it was he? Why were men so thick headed? Very well, Meera acquiesced, “We spoke about your supposed affair with him, and I attempted to negotiate terms to live peaceably with your mistress of choice in a vain attempt to save myself from ending up like Queens that have come before me.” She put it bluntly, smiling bitterly.<br>
<br>
Avery nearly dropped his cup.<br>
<br>
“I’m- I’m not having an affair with Emerson!,” he protested in shock. “I’m not having an affair with anyone! Why would I- Why would you even think that?”<br>
<br>
He regretted that as soon as he said it- Half the court had thought it at one point or another, and though those rumors had died down, he supposed spreading them to Meera was too juicy of a prospect to pass up for some courtier or another.<br>
<br>
“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, his hand making an abortive gesture as he drew it into a fist and tapped it on his chin. “People like to gossip, I suppose. But I can assure you- regardless of what you might hear- Emerson and I are extremely platonic.”<br>
<br>
Meera blinked and patiently allowed him to sputter and exclaim. Taking a deep breath and letting it out in a long sigh, glancing at the rug as if it held the answer to all their troubles.<br>
<br>
“I know better than to pay credence to rumors, and as entertaining as they can be I hadn’t thought anything of that particular one until one of my ladies saw Lord Emerson on top of you in a rather compromising position.” She looked to him once more, “Leading her to believe that you were sleeping with him. All things considered, with my practically throwing myself at you and being rebuffed that very night, what exactly was I supposed to think? I thought you had promised your lover to put off sleeping with your wife or something of the sort.” She heard herself sounding more irritated the more she spoke.<br>
<br>
“That doesn’t even-”<br>
<br>
“Let me finish.” She held up her hand, stopping Avery from interrupting her.<br>
<br>
“So my lady, in tears, had to tell me what she saw, and I thought the worst. It was quite painful you should know, to have to come to terms with that sort of thing when I was becoming very fond of you. It left me feeling like a hopeless fool.” Was her voice getting louder? She didn’t care.<br>
<br>
Avery was staring at her, confusion growing to shock.<br>
<br>
“And then poor Lord Emerson, who I mortified, had to explain to me about your back. Which is something I am sure you were going to tell me on your own time but now has been made known to me because I wouldn’t take his word for it that you weren’t lovers after all.” <br>
<br>
The shock gave way to a flash of anger, and he abruptly got out of his chair.<br>
<br>
“All because you won’t communicate with me Avery. You <i>know</i> what is in the contract. You know I am under pressure to produce heirs as soon as possible. If you had just told me that you were uncomfortable or <i>something</i> I wouldn’t have pressed the issue…” She finished, chest tight and flushed, clearly frustrated and venting.<br>
<br>
“I was born early,” he snapped, pacing away from her. “Only by a few weeks, but it was enough for accusations to delay my coronation. So you’ll forgive me for not wanting <i>‘as soon as possible’</i>.”<br>
<br>
He could hardly decide what he was most upset about, but that at least he had an easy reply for.<br>
<br>
Ah, that made sense, the implication that she could be with child while marrying another. <br>
<br>
“Brutus…” She closed her eyes, willing the sting away. It was for appearances sake, and he was smart to do it all things considered.<br>
<br>
Avery’s eyes widened. “No! Not- Nothing to do with him! I didn’t think <i>that</i>,” he said hurriedly. “I just don’t want our heirs to encounter any... Difficulties in that regard. With someone else thinking it.”<br>
<br>
She nodded, though the sting didn’t go away. It clung to her.<br>
<br>
“Instead of an entire fiasco involving my ladies, my chancellor, Lord Emerson, and your closely guarded secret you could have just told me this. As much as it offends me I see it for the smart decision that it is.” Meera replied evenly, tilting her chin up, daring him to disagree with her assessment.<br>
<br>
Avery couldn’t think of an immediate reply to that- It wasn’t a <i>secret</i>. (It was.) It was just… Something he didn’t want to discuss or think about or have other people know about. And it was <i>her</i> choice to involve all those people, he thought bitterly.<br>
<br>
“You could have just <i>asked</i>,” he pointed out in turn.<br>
<br>
“Ask a King who I now think keeps a mistress behind my back?” Meera deadpanned, wondering if he’d thought that one through. “I have no leverage there.” <br>
<br>
“But I <i>don’t</i> have a mistress,” Avery tried to protest, though he supposed that was hardly a good point, since she hadn’t known it.<br>
<br>
“My next step in that case is an attempt to reach a parley with your mistress, since I very much do not wish to end up like the Last Queen of Ruhar, powerless to do anything but yell at others who do not deserve it because she can not command her husband’s mistress away and can not get him to be faithful. All the while chipping away at her own power and influence. Which is something I can not afford. And given I am called the peacemaker, a celebrated diplomat across the land…” She gave him another pointed look, letting him infer the rest.<br>
<br>
“Well, I’m glad my ‘mistress’ was able to clarify things for you,” he said bitterly. “How fortunate he was feeling so honest.”<br>
<br>
“You don’t get to blame your ‘mistress’ for not communicating with your wife.” She scoffed, finding her own joke funny and hiding her smirk behind her goblet.<br>
<br>
He supposed he didn’t get to credit his mistress for doing the communication then, either.<br>
<br>
“Lord Emerson would’ve laughed.” She narrowed her eyes at his expression, sighing and sitting back, wondering if she should just drink until she can’t fuss anymore like yesterday. She drained her cup, how many cups had she had? Was this her third? She couldn’t remember.<br>
<br>
“I am not Lord Emerson,” he snarled angrily. “I am King Averett, and if in the future you would like to discuss the details of our physical relationship, you should direct your concerns to <i>me</i>.” <br>
<br>
“Oh I don’t think there’s anything to discuss my <i>King</i>.” She drawled slowly, deliberately, standing up to grab the wine pitcher, goblet in hand, and walked out. Making sure to slam the door behind her.<br>
<br>
“Wait-,” Avery began to call out, but he didn’t finish. Even if he’d been able to come up with something to say, he doubted she was interested in listening. <br>
<br>
Emerson had laughed, when Avery had ranted about the nobles trying to block his succession. ‘If they don’t think you are your father’s son,’ he said dryly, looking idly at the remains of the vase Avery had thrown against the wall. ‘Then they haven’t seen you angry.”<br>
<br>
Well, shit.<br>
<br>
How had he managed to botch that up so spectacularly? Emerson had been right- Meera had been right, too. He should have talked to her about this before… Well, before it became an issue. But even so- His reasoning had been sound. How had he managed not to express <i>any</i> of it?<br>
<br>
He’d gotten so much better at speaking and controlling himself and the conversation since he’d become Elion’s heir and- And as soon as Meera was unhappy, it all went out the window. <br>
<br>
He ran through the conversation in his head once, then a second time. He had been… Well, it had been a little unfair of her to spring that all at him, but he had responded like an ass, so. <br>
<br>
Maybe if he went into his study, got some ink and wrote things down- And how long would that take? How much longer would he postpone it, if he let himself? It had been more than half a dozen minutes now, and she was probably growing more angry with him. Better to do it now.<br>
<br>
His footfalls were heavy on his way upstairs, but their bedroom was empty. He crossed to her solar and knocked on the door.<br>
<br>
“May I come in,” he asked quietly. “...I would like to apologize. And explain if you will let me, what little amounts to my thoughts,” he said with a self deprecating smile.<br>
<br>
No response came.<br>
<br>
“Meera?” He tried a little louder this time, but he was pretty sure the lack of answer wasn’t because she hadn’t heard him.<br>
<br>
“Meera, I <i>am</i> sorry,” he said, resting his forehead against the doorframe. “I reacted… Poorly. I was upset, but I should have heard you out. You deserve that.”<br>
<br>
She deserved more than that, he knew, but he wasn’t even sure if she was listening.<br>
<br>
“I’ll sleep downstairs tonight, all right,” he said. “... We can talk in the morning?”<br>
<br>
Again, no answer, though little to his knowledge this time it was because the listener was crying silently, messily. And she didn’t want him to see that, she simply felt too vulnerable for it. So sniffing and drinking more seemed to be the only answer she could give.<br>
<br>
Avery sighed and ran a hand over his face, then set off to find a servant.<br>
<br>
By the time he returned to the dining room, Maxwell was already clearing the table.<br>
<br>
“Ah- Wait,” Avery said, grabbing a plate and filling it with fruit and crackers and other things that would keep if left out, before allowing the manservant to continue.<br>
<br>
“I was getting up early to watch the Queensguard practice tomorrow, wasn’t I?”<br>
<br>
Maxwell nodded. “And then Lady Roysa was going to join you both for a late breakfast.”<br>
<br>
“Cancel breakfast with my aunt,” Avery said. “And tell Captain Harpe I trust her judgement of her team- If she wants my advice on anything, she knows where to find me.”<br>
<br>
Maxwell nodded, waiting further instruction or for his King to leave.<br>
<br>
Avery frowned, thinking. “Have the kitchens made any sort of dessert with citrus lately? Orange curd maybe?”<br>
<br>
Maxwell thought for a moment. “I’m not sure, but I believe I saw some of those lemon cookies, with the blueberries? But I’m sure orange curd could be made if you would like-”<br>
<br>
“No, no, that’s fine,” Avery said. He wasn’t actually sure what Meera liked best, but he’d noted that when it came to sweets- and other things- she seemed to go for citrus more often than not. “If you could have a maid fetch some of those cookies, and then bring them and this plate to Her Majesty in an hour or so? And a pitcher of ice water,” he added. Hopefully it might still be cold by the time she drank it.<br>
<br>
Maxwell nodded. If he found any of this odd, he did not say so. “Anything else, Your Majesty?”<br>
<br>
“Could you get a note to Emerson- Just to say that he was right, but I will be handling it,” Avery said, and Maxwell’s eyebrow rose with the left corner of his lips. “And if we could have a hearty breakfast tomorrow- if there’s anything the cooks have noticed that Her Majesty particularly likes- that would be wonderful,” he added.<br>
<br>
He had admittedly not noted much about her breakfast habits, on account of the fact that he was not very observant until he had finished his own.<br>
<br>
“That will be all, I think. Thank you,” Avery told Maxwell, and the servant bowed slightly at the dismissal.<br>
<br>
“Have a pleasant night, Your Majesty,” he said, as Avery crossed the dining room to his own study.<br>
<br>
Not likely, he thought.</div>
				
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<div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin: auto; min-width:400px; max-width:900px; font-size: 50px; padding: 0px 30px 30px 30px;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"><span style="color: #D05228"><span style="font-family: 'garamond';">Prince Nuri</span></span><br>
<div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin-top:-10px; padding-left: 53px; border-bottom: 1px solid #D05228; font-size: 13px;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"><span style="color: #CAC6AB"><span style="font-family: 'lato';">“I see you’re wearing a mask, your majesty. I half presumed you’d be hunting the King, with your own bow and arrow.” Came a silken voice, a Lady Magdalene, from Nuri’s right hand side.<br>
<br>
“I need not hunt him down my Lady, we run side by side…” He offered his arm without turning to her, so she may walk beside him, “Besides, I am a man, and it’s my understanding the role of the huntress must fall to the ladies of the court during this festival.” His mask was <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/665688388648555810/" target="_blank" class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F665688388648555810%2F&amp;hash=9b17b8d3e8c295cd15c67b8f459a0692" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">silver</a>, in contrast to his husband's gold. King and Prince. The both of them wolves.<br>
<br>
Nuri was aware of what she was doing, it was hard to miss the condescension that they dared sprinkle in their interactions with him. Always when he was alone, never around their Belethan King. Nuri never paid it any heed, letting the barbs clink against his armor. He supposed that they were fishing for his reactions, ways to poke holes in it. They’d get bored of it soon enough, once they figured out that he didn’t much care what they thought about his proclivities.<br>
<br>
“Right you are your Majesty, I have to admit, these new games and masks for the festival are a great deal of fun. You’ve breathed new life into our festival.” Lady Magdalene fluttered her eyes about. “These garlands are absolutely divine.”<br>
<br>
“I’m happy to bring joy to my subjects, and hopefully can continue to do so. Though I can’t presume to claim credit for all of it. I had the help of certain ladies with a good eye for this sort of thing.” Nuri responded diplomatically. Leading them across the courtyard, towards others playing by some tents.<br>
<br>
“Of course, there always seems to be a great lady behind every great man.”<br>
<br>
That was so snidely clever of her Nuri had to marvel at it, “Or several, as it were. The Princess Grace was so excited for the festival this year, apparently there was some complaint that previous years had been a bit lackluster. She wanted to bring a bit more joy to it this year.” He parried.<br>
<br>
“Wise as she is, we’d be the <i>most</i> joyful if we had some young royals running around the castle soon, if you don’t mind me saying your majesty.” Lady Magdalene boldly proclaimed, it almost made Nuri laugh, all of her other barbs had been so subtle in comparison. He realised readily that she could pivot to mean the Princess and not him if he took offense to her statement.<br>
<br>
“I’m sure nothing would make us all more joyful my Lady…” He gave her no confirmation one way or another, and was saved from placating anything more by the approach of Lady Mercy. “... You’ll have to excuse me, I leave you to capable hands.” Nuri passed her off to the group, and turned away to attend to Lady Mercy, who seemed very uncharacteristically serious.<br>
<br>
“We have to talk somewhere private, your majesty.” Mercy whispered to him. He nodded and led her away from people, but that didn’t seem to be enough for her and they soon found themselves inside a sitting room instead, where Lord Cromwell met them. <br>
<br>
Nuri’s exasperation rose from curiosity to severe suspicion.</span><u><u><br>
</u></u></span></div></div></div></div><span style="color: #D05228"><u><u><div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin:auto; max-width: 800px; text-align: right; height: 5px; font-size:10px;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"><span style="color: #D05228">code by RI.a</span></div></div></u></u></span></div>
				
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Lord Emerson &amp; Prince Nuri<br>
<br>
Have a confrontation</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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transparent; flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: justify; overflow: hidden;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 200%; height: 100%; padding: 0; overflow: auto;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 50%; padding: 0 0 0 10px;;">Cromwell paused before he opened the door, breathing in deep, hand on the handle, before sighing heavily. He fixed his gaze on Lord Emerson and took off his mask.<br>
<br>
“I took away his sword… but if I tell you to get out then get out.” He warned, before swinging open the door and ushering Lord Emerson in, closing the door behind them both, to hear the sound of pacing in the room. The Prince definitely paced when he was agitated, preceded by throwing things.<br>
<br>
Emerson frowned- He was about to point out that he didn’t really take orders from Cromwell, but what the other man had said was so odd that the retort died out in favor of confusion. <br>
<br>
“Well it’s <i>about time</i> Cromwell, now <i>get out.</i>” Nuri whirled on them, hands behind his back, which gave Cromwell the suspicion that he might be hiding a knife, but then again Nuri tended to do that with his hands anyway. It made him look like an old school teacher (hypocritical of him he was aware) and was amusing when he wasn’t so angry. <br>
<br>
“Mercy come here...” Cromwell mouthed, grabbing for a very frightened looking Lady Mercy and pulling her away towards the door, ushering her out but staying behind.<br>
<br>
She didn’t smile at Emerson as she went, which was also unusual. He hadn’t befriended Nuri the way he would have liked yet, but he was pretty sure he’d made a strong ally of the prince’s Theren ladies. At least a friend. Or at least someone who met his eye when they passed.<br>
<br>
To be honest Nuri had forgotten she was still in the room and glared after her, she should have left earlier. She didn’t need to be here for this. He shook his head and rolled his eyes, squaring off his shoulders and stepping towards Lord Emerson.<br>
<br>
“Well? What do you have to say for yourself?” He demanded.<br>
<br>
Emerson frowned at the question, unsure what exactly he was supposed to be answering for. He’d gotten a bit drunk at last night’s feasting, sure, but nowhere near to the point that he didn’t recall the dinner and he was certain he hadn’t acted out of turn. And if he had- Well, Roysa would have been standing at his footboard with a glare almost as fierce as Nuri’s current expression.<br>
<br>
“Uh,” he started, trying to rack his mind to think of what might have gone wrong recently, and what it would have to do with him.<br>
<br>
“...Has my uncle withdrawn from the grain trade deal? Because I assure you, I had no idea and would have tried to stop him,” Emerson promised. “I don’t know why he would have, but I can talk to my cousins and try to find out more-”<br>
<br>
“Trade deal?! I didn’t drag you here in the middle of a festival I’m supposed to be overseeing to talk about a trade deal Emerson I’m talking about the nerve of some bastard upstart securing his position at court by becoming my husband’s mistress. Or were you already?” <br>
<br>
Ah. This business again, Emerson thought morosely. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised- If anything he should only be surprised it hadn’t come up earlier. But last night Nuri had been exposed to more of the court all together than he had since his wedding, so of course they would take their chance to gossip. And Vienna had danced with Lord Cromwell. It had only been a matter of time.<br>
<br>
“Belmys,” he said soothingly. “I apologize- Similar rumors have followed me for years, I’m afraid. I regret they are now being used against you as well. But gossip such things can be ignored,” he assured the prince. “Especially if it comes from my cousin,” he said with a somewhat pointed glance in Cromwell’s direction, assuming the source.<br>
Cromwell shook his head at him slightly, from the side, but only because Nuri wasn’t paying attention to him and what he was doing. Locking on Lord Emerson as though he were the only one in the room.<br>
<br>
“Don’t you dare call me <i>that</i>, you haven’t the right.” Nuri only became angrier and got in Emerson’s face, “And don’t try to deny it either, you made the mistake of leaving the door to his sitting room open last night during your little <i>tryst</i>, and had I been there I would’ve dragged you out by your ludicrously colored hair and dealt you with you then.”<br>
<br>
Wait, <i>what</i>? “This is my natural color,” Emerson said reflexively, trying to catalogue the night prior. <br>
<br>
He and Vee had shared a few drinks and toasted to the success of the festival, Vee had tried to persuade him into joining the hunt, Emerson had tried to persuade the King into also skipping the hunt since it was obvious his shoulder was starting to get to him and- And after much badgering, Avery had agreed to a massage. <br>
<br>
Emerson’s freckled face went a bit pinker as he considered what that might have looked like- sounded like- to a passerby. It certainly explained why Nuri was so… Adamant in his belief.<br>
<br>
“Ah,” Emerson sighed. He could still fix this. Hopefully. “That was- Not what it appeared to be,” he hedged, not keen on divulging information Avery himself was unlikely to have shared.<br>
<br>
As Emerson blushed Nuri paled, damning evidence in his eyes. He didn’t know if he wanted to attack Lord Emerson or throw up the contents of his stomach.<br>
<br>
“Tell me is cowardice and deceit inherent in a bastard or is that just something you learn along the way.” He seethed, the fists at his side tightening.<br>
<br>
Emerson had tried to befriend this prickly young prince, to no avail. Which was fine. They didn’t need to be friends. But Nuri seemed to be determined to make them enemies, and it was quickly exhausting the extra allotment of patience that Emerson had afforded the younger man on Avery’s behalf. <br>
<br>
“I have been His Majesty’s friend and ally long before he even knew your name,” Emerson said, a note of obvious irritation tainting his previous patience. “You do not need to paint me as your enemy, just because you are…. Having problems.”<br>
<br>
Oh no, this prick, “Know your place <i>kur</i>, you might fancy my husband but it isn’t <i>you</i> he married. I imagine my <i>problem</i> is standing right here before me. Don’t presume I’ll let some upstart outdo me as his rightful husband.” Nuri hissed. It made sense now why Avery hadn’t taken him already, as Nuri’d been waiting patiently for him to do. He’d not jumped at the chance as Brutus had but he’d also been someone kinder, he just assumed he was taking his time. But perhaps Nuri needed to be more forward in his approach, like Lord Emerson was clearly doing. <br>
<br>
He wasn’t going to lose to him. On his honor as a Prince of Theren and Beleth.<br>
<br>
“His ‘rightful husband’? Is that what you’ve been,” Emerson asked indignantly. “Because as far as I can tell, you’ve been doing an excellent job of avoiding your marriage- Both the man and the responsibilities associated with him,” Emerson accused. “This obsession with who V- who King Averett,” he corrected himself, “Is fucking, seems to avoid the issue of why you <i>aren’t</i>.”<br>
<br>
“If some low born whoreish <i>bastard</i> wasn’t busy riding him maybe I’d get a chance to!” He fired back, knowing Lord Emerson’s words rang true, they stung. Of course the truth stung.<br>
<br>
“That wasn’t what happened last night-,” Emerson tried to protest. <br>
<br>
“One would think you’d be exhausted from all the cavorting you seemingly do with the whole court and castle staff that you’d be too tired but really I applaud your stamina.” He clapped mockingly, smug. “Tell me if you can get to the King to make you his official mistress will your family finally claim you as one of their own? Or are the Fremonts just too embarrassed by your person?”<br>
<br>
Emerson’s scowl deepened even further, his green eyes dark. “You don’t know shit about my family, Your Majesty,” he warned. “I’ve earned my king’s trust through challenges you cannot imagine,” he said, holding up his hand to show the debtor and debtee scars carved on the back side. He ranked higher than any extramarital affair. “But I can’t imagine <i>this</i> little tantrum you insist on throwing will earn you anything at all.”<br>
<br>
Nuri wanted to cut that hand off, his upper lip curled in hate. But Emerson was all but daring him to strike at him now, <i>go ahead and strike at your husband’s favorite. You’ll never be forgiven</i>, and it left Nuri rigid and glaring and silent.<br>
<br>
Cromwell finally stepped in between them, holding an arm out to make the prince back up. <br>
<br>
Nuri shoved at Cromwell violently in response and backed away, turning his back to them both.<br>
<br>
“It’s time for you to go.” He straightened, nodding at Lord Emerson, satisfied that this wasn’t going to come to blows.<br>
<br>
“I agree,” Emerson said sharply, turning on his heels. “Thank you for the… Enlightening conversation,” he said as he let the door shut behind him. His estimation of Nuri was… Greatly reduced. <br>
<br>
The sound of a vase hitting something could be heard as he left.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; max-width: 350px; padding: 0; margin: auto; box-sizing: border-box;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><i>Interacting: Emerson, Lord Chancellor Cromwell and Louis<br>
Location: Redhill Castle, Lord Emerson's rooms<br>
Timing: Immediately after last scene - A few hours later</i><br>
<br>
<br>
Emerson stalked back through the castle’s halls, grateful for the early hour. He didn’t have the energy to play at his usual demeanor right now for anyone unfortunate enough to run into him.<br>
<br>
He was angry- Angry at the petulant prince and his unflappable chancellor, angry at his friend for having been so uncommunicative that the situation had even come up in the first place, and angry at himself. <br>
<br>
He wasn’t supposed to be affected by this sort of thing anymore. He wasn’t the boy he’d been when he’d first come to court after his years on the Wider Sea, trading in one set of weapons for another- Knives and swords and fists had been more familiar to him, but secrets and carefully chosen words had come more naturally.  <br>
<br>
He didn’t care what people thought about his relationship with Vee. He hadn’t in years, he reminded himself. Vee loved him, but not like that, and it was fine. He’d struggled with it for awhile, longer than he’d care to admit. A dimming hope he’d tried futilely to squash, that had flickered on rarer and rarer occasions until eventually it had gone out without his noticing.<br>
<br>
He wanted his friend to be happy, or something close to it- And he knew an arranged marriage for the sake of a treaty was hardly the backdrop to lasting happiness, but all the same. Vee liked the prince well enough and wanted them to be successful, and the spoiled brat seemed determined to have it otherwise. And now he wanted to make Emerson the party to blame.<br>
<br>
There were enough things in Vee’s life that were Emerson’s fault, he thought bitterly as he let the doors to his quarters slam shut behind him.<br>
<br>
“Sir,” Louis said hurriedly, rising from a chair where he’d been perusing an old book. “I assumed you would go directly to the hall for breakfast-”<br>
<br>
“I’m not going,” Emerson said shortly.<br>
<br>
“But sir-”<br>
<br>
“I rarely join hunts as it is, no one will miss me,” he snapped. “You’re dismissed for the day.”<br>
<br>
Louis looked surprised, then annoyed. “I do not think that would be appropriate-”<br>
<br>
“You were just grousing the other day about how I don’t give you enough time off,” Emerson pointed out shrewdly. “Go visit your cousin in town,” he suggested. “Or- Well. I don’t care. Just leave me alone.”<br>
<br>
“You do not get ‘left alone’,” Louis said calmly, and Emerson whirled on him. <br>
<br>
“Fine! Send for one of my guards then! Have them stand at my door. Their instructions are to not let anyone in,” he ordered, then considered as he left the sitting room towards his bedroom. “Two guards, so that one of them can go fetch me food if I want it.”<br>
<br>
Louis was about to remind him that that was not the role of his guards, but Emerson shut the bedroom door in his face. Louis gave the sigh of the long suffering.<br>
<br>
---<br>
<br>
Several hours later, Louis knocked rapidly on the door to Emerson’s bedroom. <br>
<br>
“Sir? The Lord Chancellor is here to see you,” Louis reported.<br>
<br>
“Why are you still here,” Emerson asked, his shouted annoyance muffled by the heavy door. “Have the guards send him away.”<br>
<br>
“The guards are not here, because I never summoned them,” Louis said. <br>
<br>
They could have been here, of course, if Louis had insisted. But he hadn’t. He didn’t think his cousin would appreciate an unannounced guest, even if it was a festival. And he wanted to keep an eye on Emerson. It hadn’t sounded like anything in the room had been destroyed, and Emerson’s voice still sounded clear and uninhibited by anything other than anger. Though he had great practice at disguising such effects.<br>
<br>
“Well, then <i>you</i> send him away,” Emerson snapped.<br>
<br>
“I’m afraid he’s very insistent,” Louis said. Which was an understatement. <br>
<br>
Cromwell had been patient enough, in his opinion, and Lord Emerson had been given sufficient warning that he was there to see him. So without further ado, he pushed passed Louis, even giving a small ‘pardon’ and pat on the shoulder as the servant really wasn’t to blame for the capricious nature of his ward or Cromwell himself, and left himself in.<br>
<br>
“All in all, it was smart of you to dare him to strike at you like that. It left him unable to act. Though I do wonder… if that’s really going to last.” Cromwell strode in, getting right to it as he made his way to the moping and irritated redhead.<br>
<br>
“I brought fresh bread and butter. Left it with Louis.” He mentioned offhandedly. “The cooks here really are fantastic.”<br>
<br>
Emerson had been laying maudlin on his bed with a flask he’d retrieved from inside a pair of boots he didn’t wear often, having traded his green doublet for a simple black robe he hadn’t bothered to fasten. He sat up and gaped at the intruder. Who really didn’t seem at all apologetic.<br>
<br>
Eventually he got over the incredible breach of etiquette, and closed his mouth slightly.<br>
<br>
“I’m not going to<i> tell </i>anyone,” Emerson told the older man with some exasperation, having decided why the chancellor had come . “Despite what the prince believes, I’m <i>not</i> trying to undermine him. His little tantrum will stay between us,” he said, raising his hands slightly in a small ‘I surrender’ gesture. “Now go away.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell quirked a brow, “Well that’s certainly a convenient thing I can tell him to stop him from trying to get rid of you immediately. He’s not immune to the human tendency to do stupid and cruel things when he feels threatened and backed into a corner. And though at a disadvantage currently, I came to warn you that if you continue to let him see you as a threat… well, threats back home just didn’t last very long. Not that, I assure you, I desire to insist upon who you spend your time with… I understand better than most games people like you and I must play.” He alluded to their lowborn beginnings.<br>
<br>
Cromwell doubted that Emerson was trying to do anything like undermine the Prince on purpose. He was just everything that was amiable and desirable in a companion, and as such his company was often sought out. It could hardly be called his fault.<br>
<br>
Emerson narrowed his eyes at Cromwell. Was he being threatened? He was pretty sure he was.<br>
<br>
“You and your prince are not the first to imply I’m only kept around as a convenient ass and pair of pretty lips for His Majesty,” Emerson sneered. Nor even the most dangerous. <br>
<br>
“I always assumed you enjoyed the implication. Is that not what you’d prefer I think of you?”<br>
<br>
A small crease appeared between Emerson’s eyebrows. Was it? ...He wasn’t sure for a moment, before he remembered that it didn’t matter. He would prefer Cromwell to like him- at least enough to make a possible ally of him- But it didn’t matter <i>why</i>.<br>
<br>
“Well, you won’t be the last, either. I’m sure I’ll get over it <i>somehow</i>. I’ll try not to flaunt my ‘relationship’ with the King if it’ll help,” he offered, taking a swig from his flask. “But the Prince is going to have bigger problems than me if he insists on these type of… Overreactions,” he continued. “So. Why are you <i>here</i> instead of teaching him your ‘games’?”<br>
<br>
His request for Cromwell to leave had gone completely ignored, and he doubted the man had come all this way to give him some bread. He wanted the Chancellor to get to the point- or the specifics of the threat- and leave him alone already.<br>
<br>
Cromwell paused, thinkingly carefully, he tried to soften his tone a bit.<br>
<br>
“I confess I’m not artful when it comes to comfort. But I can at least assure you I meant no harm. I don’t work for your Prince. I work for my Queen, so I’m not obligated to interfere as much as you might presume.” He reminded Lord Emerson that Nuri was a Prince of Beleth now, and didn’t hold nearly as much authority over Cromwell as he liked to act like he did.<br>
<br>
Emerson snorted. “So if I find you standing at the edge of my bed in the dark of night, I shouldn’t assume you’re here to kill me?,” he said dryly. “Well- Unless you are, I don’t want to see you in my room again. At risk of repeating himself,” he snarled. “Get. Out.”<br>
<br>
“Enjoy the bread.” He gave a small bow, seemingly unaffected, and turned away sharply.<br>
<br>
He stopped by Louis before he left the room, and whispered something to him before he left.</div>
				
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<div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin: auto; min-width:400px; max-width:900px; font-size: 50px; padding: 0px 30px 30px 30px;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"><span style="color: #D05228"><span style="font-family: 'garamond';">Prince Nuri</span></span><br>
<div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin-top:-10px; padding-left: 53px; border-bottom: 1px solid #D05228; font-size: 13px;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"><span style="color: #CAC6AB"><span style="font-family: 'lato';"><b><i>This is easily the most difficult task I’ve ever been given. And I am terribly ashamed to say, I am failing.<br>
<br>
I did not know marriage would be so complicated, it had seemed an easy matter when I was engaged to Lord Brutus. I knew what he wanted, what was expected of me, and how to manage his desires. Here, I find myself faced with a man who's rules I do not know and who is not so easily figured out or forward with what he wants. What’s more, there are others</i></b>-<br>
<br>
Nuri paused in his writing. He debated being so honest in this letter, but if he wanted advice then he’d better be plain about what he was asking advice for.<br>
<br>
-<b><i>there are others that he prefers to my company in bed. I know of at least one other he is very attached to, someone devoted to him and tied to him in something called the unpayable debt. Matching scars on their hands bind them for life in a similar way that marriage binds, those in this unpayable debt are even sworn before their gods by a priest or priestess. Just as I was to the King in a temple.<br>
<br>
I can not get rid of this third party, and what’s worse is that he knows I can’t, and lords that fact over me. If I were to send him away or slay him in a duel the King would never forgive me.<br>
<br>
So you see my dilemma, mother, I am not sure I have the chance to succeed here in Beleth when there is already somebody by his side. Was it this way when you first arrived in Theren, all those years ago? Did you have to vie for father’s attention with others? We all know he worshipped the ground you walked on but was it always so? You seemed equally in love and took no offense to the many trysts you had to share him with. <br>
<br>
This was not so difficult with Brutus, I did not care who he took pleasure in. I don’t know why in this case it is so difficult for me to accept.</i></b><br>
<br>
A teardrop morphed the ink, and Nuri hurriedly attempted to dab it away and fix the sentence. Frustrated with his own eyes for betraying him. Once he was dry eyed again he continued…<br>
<br>
<b><i>I feel my position here is precarious. Like I’m dancing on the edge of a knife. The courtiers are bold as they are clever in their barbs, and never around the King of course. I need your guidance.<br>
<br>
Love,<br>
Prince Nuri</i></b><br>
<br>
He blew the ink dry in his letter and sealed it in wax, setting it aside to hand over to Cromwell later. He’d get it to Queen Regent Agora’s hands with as few middle men and more surety than any other method letters were normally delivered.<br>
<br>
His confrontation with Lord Emerson had been a devastating blow; he wasn’t composed or fit enough to oversee the festival for the rest of the day, and had to give some excuse of being unwell. Which would no doubt lead to rumors and critical judgement about the festival. But it was little use, as Nuri did not possess the flawless demeanor his sister did. Who, even devastated on the inside, could dazzle a room. <br>
<br>
Nuri wasn’t dazzling.<br>
<br>
And now that he was done being angry he wasn’t even fierce anymore. He was just hopelessly sad. The fight drained out of him as he catastrophized and lamented his predicament. The best he could do was avoid the public eye. Especially since it was likely that Lord Emerson would use this situation to his advantage and divulge everything into his lover’s ear the moment he got the chance.<br>
<br>
Drained, tired, and self pitying, Nuri made his bed in his sitting room and decided to sleep there. He could make the excuse that he didn’t want to make the King sick if he was asked. He just… couldn’t stomach sleeping in their bed at the moment. He was disgusted with himself.<br>
<br>
If he were the King he’d probably be disgusted with him too.</span><u><u><br>
</u></u></span></div></div></div></div><span style="color: #D05228"><u><u><div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin:auto; max-width: 800px; text-align: right; height: 5px; font-size:10px;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"><span style="color: #D05228">code by RI.a</span></div></div></u></u></span></div>
				
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/*text*/
transparent; flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: justify; overflow: hidden;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 200%; height: 100%; padding: 0; overflow: auto;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 50%; padding: 0 0 0 10px;;"> The festival… went ok. At least in terms of Nuri’s participation on day three of it. Knowing he couldn’t possibly shirk his duties for a second day he fixed his expression and made excuses as to his health. Joining very little in conversation and mostly taking an observational role. His saving grace was the drink and distraction everyone took to, but no doubt his lackluster performance was noticed, and that only set his depressive spiralling further down.<br>
<br>
As for now, this afternoon, the day after the festival, Nuri found himself on the training grounds with the soldiers. Facing off Captain Davita, who would’ve been difficult on a good day, and getting his ass thoroughly handed to him.<br>
<br>
<i>Damn him, damn him and his handsome, pretty face and the serious furrow of his brow and his warm hands and his stiff, strong shoulders and his hair that’s so nice it makes him jealous. Damn him.</i> He thought as he took a sharp hit to his side and grimaced.<br>
<br>
Nuri swept under a blow, grazing Davita’s blade with his own to make a nice <i>shing</i> sound before twirling around going for her feet - then her knees. It was his favorite thing to do. Strike low on people taller than him, as most were. It threw them off, as in swordplay most blows were directed at your top half. <br>
<br>
That was Nuri’s philosophy in fighting, to be as difficult and tricky as possible. And don’t get hit. Like just now, <i>ow</i>. Normally he was far better at it.<br>
<br>
<i>Mostly</i>, Nuri thought... damn himself for being so easily effected by Lord Emerson and his stupid smug bastard ass. He was distracted today, and mopey, and his lackluster performance was making him get hit, which made him <i>more</i> mopey. And he got the feeling that Captain Davita didn’t much appreciate him being so distracted during a spar, and was hitting extra hard to punish him for it.<br>
<br>
It was turning out to be a vicious and bruising cycle. To Nuri’s own shame he realized that he was possessive of his husband. More possessive of him than he’d ever had been with Brutus. Really it shouldn’t be any issue that Avery takes lovers, expected really. Even his father, who worshipped the ground his mother walked on, slept frequently with other women, as he found himself reminding his own mind lately. Nuri had presumed his own marriage would be something like that. It <i>was</i> set up to be something like that with Brutus, and Nuri guarded his heart against expectations of anything different. <br>
<br>
Brutus used to joke that he loved Nuri more than Nuri loved him. And Nuri took satisfaction in that ‘joke’ being the truth. Maybe it was punishment for not being Brutus’ one and only, maybe it was his way of dealing with his own distaste towards sharing him? So perhaps the inclination towards possessiveness had always been part of the fabric in how Nuri loved. <i>How ugly</i>, Nuri thought, to have a heart so demanding.<br>
<br>
<i>OUCH</i>, and how unfortunate that Captain Davita hit so damn hard. Nuri grunted as his back hit the ground. Taking a moment to huff before getting back up slowly.<br>
<br>
Davita frowned at her Prince. Of course she’d heard he’d been feeling unwell, but she’d assumed he wouldn’t come to train with her if he wasn’t up to it. <br>
<br>
“You are distracted,” she said simply- The statement was not a judgement, just a fact. “It suits neither of us to train if you cannot give it your full attention.” She sheathed her practice sword. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Your Majesty,” the guard captain said with a curt nod and a bow. It was a polite dismissal, but a dismissal nonetheless. <br>
<br>
Nuri inwardly grimaced but did not complain. Fixing his lips in a thin line.<br>
<br>
She turned towards her men. “First squad- Sprints,” she ordered. “Third squad, continue swordplay.” The second squad was currently on guard, stationed around the training area and would follow Nuri back to his rooms or his next destination, and fourth had the day off from both guarding and training. “Your Majesty,” she said again, but this time addressed not to Nuri in front of her, but to the King standing along the fence.<br>
<br>
Nuri’s eyes widened when he realized who she was speaking to, embarrassed that he’d been observed performing so poorly by his husband, the very person he was moping over.<br>
<br>
Avery hadn’t meant to linger out on the grounds, but he’d paused when he’d noticed Nuri sparring with Davita. His pause evolved into him leaning up against the fence, watching with a frown. He’d seen Nuri fight- Both in training and on the road. He was usually better than this. <br>
<br>
Avery felt a bit uncomfortable to be caught watching, and he waved awkwardly at his husband.<br>
<br>
“I was just- Passing by,” he said to explain his presence as he hopped over the fence and came closer. “I can… Walk with you,” he offered, because he felt weird not doing so. Plus, it would be nice to speak with Nuri- He felt he hadn’t really gotten a chance to check in with the younger man about the festival, or make sure he was feeling better. “If you are heading back to the apartments, we could go through the gardens,” he suggested. He always enjoyed seeing the things the gardeners did to prepare the grounds for the coming winter, and they could ditch their guards within the walls, which he thought Nuri might appreciate.<br>
<br>
Nuri considered for a moment, stiff and a little worried. His heart pounding in his chest, he wondered if Lord Emerson had ratted him out after all. He personally wouldn’t have hesitated to do so and scarcely believed Lord Cromwell when he was told Lord Emerson didn’t have intentions of doing so.<br>
<br>
But whether he did or didn’t, Nuri wasn’t about to hide from the repercussions. He wouldn’t let Lord’s Emerson’s threat hang over his head a day more.<br>
<br>
“I… would like that.” He answered awkwardly, more awkwardly that he’d ever been before with Avery. He dusted himself off and sheathed his practice sword.<br>
<br>
“How has your day been?” He attempted to ask candidly.<br>
<br>
“Well,” Avery answered, offering Nuri his arm. “I have been receiving many compliments to pass along to you about the festival,” he said. “The masks were a particular highlight, I think- Everyone adored them,” he said with a smile. “I’ve also had inquiries about your health,” he continued. “Are you feeling better?”<br>
<br>
Nuri recalled that other times his husband had offered his arm, he more often did not take it. Socially, the offer was towards women and Nuri was no woman, he’d taken offense at first. But since being here he’d seen men walking arm in arm this way. Men who were just drunken friends wandering around, and perhaps this was more of an affection thing than a lady or lord thing. He took it this time, a little thrill of enjoyment at the attention and closeness shivering up his spine. Welcomed to offset an otherwise disappointing few days. Being this close wasn’t so bad.<br>
<br>
“I thought I might have ruined things, what with my absence and inattention, but I’m glad the court had their fun regardless. Did the city enjoy the barrels of wine I sent?” He wasn’t popular with the people, and didn’t expect to be, but bribery went a long way towards fixing that and with time and diligence Nuri was certain he’d at least be accepted by them. In particular, he’d had wine and salted game sent to Avery’s mother’s home. It was far, but he hoped it reached them in time. Besides, talk of the kingdom was a good way to avoid getting into the real reason for his absence anyway.<br>
<br>
“Very much so, I believe,” Avery said. “Wine is the sort of things that is always enjoyed, I imagine,” he said with a smile. They nodded farewell to their company as they reached the gardens and passed through the gated wall.<br>
<br>
The preparations for winter had begun, though not quite yet in earnest. The large potted plants had been moved indoors for the season, and a gardner they passed by was spreading a thin layer of mulch across a bed. <br>
<br>
“Some of the trees and bushes get wrapped up in big stretches of burlap canvas,” Avery said, pointing to one such tree that had rope ties holding the burlap in place. “Like blankets to keep them warm while they slumber, my aunt explained. But when I was younger, I thought they should have pillows, too,” he admitted with a grin at the memory. “I asked my brother Novius about it, and we couldn’t figure out where you would put the pillow, and decided the gardeners must not know either!”<br>
<br>
Nuri stifled laughter, turning away and suddenly overcome with how…<br>
<br>
“That’s <i>adorable</i>.” he huffed out, looking at Avery as though he’d grown a second head.<br>
<br>
“It’s hard to imagine you so little and innocent minded. Well, not that hard I suppose. You <i>are</i> surprisingly innocent minded.” Nuri couldn’t count how many times he’d been taken aback by his husband’s genuine goodness. <br>
<br>
Avery made a noise of affront, though it was clearly meant in jest. “Lord Emerson has often said the same,” he admitted with an eyeroll.<br>
<br>
But just like a threat looming over one’s head tends to do, Nuri was reminded with sudden gloom, of his husband’s attachments and what he wanted to say, his expression fell...<br>
<br>
“I…” he looked away and dropped Avery’s arm, folding his own behind his back, “Haven’t… been the most adept or attentive spouse. I apologize for that, I confess I’m a bit lost at times at what I should do or how to act. I’ve only ever been with one person and the two of you are like opposites. I wish I had more experience with this sort of thing. Others make it seem so easy… my mother did it effortlessly.”<br>
<br>
Avery frowned slightly. “There is no need to apologize,” he said. “And I do not know your mother, of course but- Even at your earliest memories of her, she had many years practice of marriage and ruling,” he pointed out. <br>
<br>
“Just because it seems easy- or even is easy- to someone else, is no reason to think it will always be difficult for us,” he said. He wished Nuri hadn’t dropped his arm, so he could reach over and squeeze his hand without it seeming so odd. “We’ll just have to learn as we go- Together. This is new to me, as well,” he observed, thought it felt as much like a confession as a reminder. “And I am sure there are many areas in which I need improvement.”<br>
<br>
It was less new to him than to Nuri surely? Or worse, Nuri thought, perhaps Lord Emerson was truly an exception to the rule and so important to him that he took no other lovers. And Nuri would have to contest with this forever. This was all so much worse than how it was with Brutus… but so be it. Nuri had the disadvantage here but he wasn’t going to shirk away from this challenge. <br>
<br>
What would Meera do in this situation? Endlessly sweet as she was? <br>
<br>
Nuri leveraged Avery’s shoulder and stood on his toes to give his cheek a kiss, an action which was both impulsive and led to a heavy blush he could feel burning on his scowling face. <br>
<br>
The blush was mirrored on Avery’s own face- He could count on one hand the number of times Nuri had initiated affection. It was unexpected, but nice. Not nearly as unexpected as what Nuri said next, though.<br>
<br>
“Not as many as me surely, but to begin with I’ll not quarrel with your favorite again. As I did a few days ago, that was why I was ‘unwell’, not for my health as I led everyone else to believe. We had quite a row I’m afraid.” He confessed.<br>
<br>
The frown on Avery’s face was one of confusion, but might certainly read as frustration to someone who did not know him well. His favorite? He must mean Emerson, Avery decided after a moment’s consideration. ‘Favored’ was a common, if not entirely accurate, translation for the archaic term for those who had taken the debt.<br>
<br>
“You fought with Lord Emerson?,” he clarified, the confused furrow in his brow still present. About what? “I am sorry to hear it affected you so,” he said cautiously, unsure of what follow up questions he was meant to ask. Presumably Nuri would say more if he wanted to share the details?<br>
<br>
Gods above and below, he thought with some exasperation, he had specifically instructed Emerson to be <i>kind</i> to Nuri. He and Grace liked his barbed wit and Roysa might tolerate it, but it could certainly come off harsh to someone unused to it. “I may enjoy the cleverness of his tongue, but I can appreciate that he is not always the easiest person to get along with,” he admitted with a sigh. “I shall remind him to watch his words more carefully in the future.”<br>
<br>
Nuri patiently waited to be admonished, or… something. But it almost seemed like Avery was going to deny the news, or was only alluding to it lightly. That was right, he’d kept the nature of his relationship with Lord Emerson secret hadn’t he? So it must be his worry now. Or was it that Lord Emerson’s ‘tongue’ was clever with more than words. <br>
<br>
Nuri’s cheeks reddened and he looked away, pretending to be interested in the infernal plants. He had that skill too, Brutus had always complimented the way he could… he was getting side tracked.<br>
<br>
“They were my words, actually. Though his actions… irritated me, I understand better now and will not make a fuss about it. It isn’t my place, my King.” Was Nuri’s way of casually letting his husband know that he knew, but would not trouble him over it. He smirked and noticed his hand was still on his arm and moved to link it with his once more, drawing them closer.<br>
<br>
Avery wasn’t so sure about that- Nuri was royalty, and his husband. If he felt Emerson’s actions were out of line, he could certainly say something. But maybe he felt that because of the debt, it was Avery’s responsibility to do so? That would make sense. <br>
<br>
“I understand,” Avery said, though he wasn’t sure he did. “But you are my husband. If you have any further problems, please let me know and I will be sure to speak with him.”<br>
<br>
Well and satisfied with that answer, and his place confirmed, Nuri agreed and gave his arm an appreciative squeeze. <br>
<br>
<i>Take that! Lord Emerson.</i> Nuri thought.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; max-width: 350px; padding: 0; margin: auto; box-sizing: border-box;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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King Averett &amp; Prince Nuri<br>
<br>
take two of coming to an understanding</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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<br>
<br>
Avery woke slowly, a warm weight curled onto his side. It took him a moment to realize it was Nuri, and his lips twitched upwards in a slight smile. It was… Nice.<br>
<br>
Nuri tended to keep to his side of the bed, so Avery could only guess the cold had driven him over. The windows and shutters of the bedroom had been shut tightly for sleep since the past week, but Avery supposed the heavier blankets would have to appear in the next few days as well. He thought he could hear maybe a few birds in the distance of the garden, but they were certainly much fewer with every day and if this morning’s dew hadn’t turned to frost, tomorrow’s would.<br>
<br>
He laid in bed for a few minutes more, too comfortable to extract himself quite yet when he had nowhere pressing to be. But Nuri made a soft noise, and Avery was reminded that his husband would pull away quickly once he was fully awake, and might well be grumpy at him for the affection. Avery felt they might finally be making progress, and he had no desire to ruin that by making Nuri uncomfortable with unwanted cuddling and the resultant… Situation. So he moved Nuri’s arm as gently as he could, and turned his body towards the edge of the bed.<br>
<br>
Nuri, who had woken up a bit earlier and made sure to fall back asleep with an arm slung over his husband’s chest, woke up again. Though this time not nearly as quickly nor gracefully aware as before. His eyes fought him and his voice came out groggy and whiny sounding as his brain slowly realised that his plan was being foiled.<br>
<br>
“Mhmphf<i>wait</i>.” He sat up slightly only succeeding in opening his eyes to slits, enough to acquire a death grip on Avery’s shirt and attempt to pull him back.<br>
<br>
Avery chuckled a bit, but didn’t go any further. “But if you let me get up, I can go get you more blankets,” he pointed out teasingly. “A fair trade, I think.”<br>
<br>
“But you’re so <i>warm</i>.” He complained, rubbing his face on the pillow, which wasn’t all anything like the seductive line that he’d decided on the day before, but it was a pertinent point in his opinion.<br>
<br>
“It’s my understanding that blankets are also warm,” Avery said with mock seriousness. “I imagine… Three blankets will more than counteract the loss,” he suggested, wrapping his fingers around Nuri’s to loosen his grip.<br>
<br>
Avery’s insistence on leaving irritated something in Nuri, and his mind went to places that were jealousy fueled. These sobering thoughts helped wake him the rest of the way up fairly quickly.<br>
<br>
“But if you leave, how am I supposed to take care of your rather consistent morning problem?” Nuri’s voice matched the suggestivity of the phrase, that was more like it, he arm retreated to brush his hair back in order to properly fix his husband with a <i>look</i>.<br>
<br>
Avery frowned slightly through his blush. “Um,” he said. He’d known Nuri was probably aware of that, but he’d sort of assumed they had silently agreed not to mention it. Apparently not. “That’s not- That’s not your responsibility to take care of,” he said with as much polite definitiveness as he could muster.<br>
<br>
The sting of rejection burned, and Nuri hadn’t actually thought he’d be feeling it when he offered himself so openly. His cheeks burned and his words poured out as he backed up to the other side of the bed.<br>
<br>
“Is Lord Emerson’s embrace really so good that you can’t bare to be with anyone else?!” He huffed hotly, exasperated. He really hadn’t been expecting this, thinking, mistakenly apparently, that Avery did consider him his spouse in every way despite his muse on the side.<br>
<br>
“Emerson?,” Avery asked in confusion, not following Nuri’s line of thinking.<br>
<br>
“Or better yet, is it really just that I’m entirely…” He scowled, his mouth twisting, he couldn’t say it, and instead flung his blanket off and hopped off the bed with a thump, so thoroughly mortified that he didn’t even care that the cold was biting. He welcomed the bite, it hurt the way his entire chest hurt. “Nevermind, just go to your favorite already, do as you will.” He said bitterly as he made to retreat to the wardrobe.<br>
<br>
Wait- “Wait,” Avery said, putting the pieces together. Or at least he hoped he was. “I’m sorry- When you say ‘favorite’,” he clarified. “You mean like… You think I’m having sex with <i>Emerson</i>?” He sounded both unsure and dismayed at the idea.<br>
<br>
Nuri turned to look over his shoulder in disbelief mixed with disgust.<br>
<br>
“Don’t start treating me like I’m stupid <i>now</i> we talked about this yesterday and agreed. I wouldn’t quarrel with your favorite… I just didn’t know you would deign to refuse to so much as use my mouth while you were at it.” He mocked and rolled his eyes, already very tired of this conversation.<br>
<br>
Avery’s frown of confusion turned to one of revulsion. “I’m not going to <i>use</i> you, I- I’m <b>not</b> sleeping with Lord Emerson,” he said firmly, deciding it would be best to start there. “Yesterday- I just assumed you had mixed up a term, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were implying… That,” he explained calmly. This was salvageable, right? “It’s been a popular rumor among some of the nobles, I’ll admit, but there isn’t any truth to it,” he said.<br>
<br>
Nuri looked at Avery like he was stupid, “You should’ve checked your story with your <i>favorite</i> because he tried denying it to. I might’ve believed him, or you, except that the only reason I had any notion of this at all is because a couple of days ago Lady Mercy saw you two.” He aggressively pointed at Avery, hyper focusing on the important parts of what he said instead of the revulsion.<br>
<br>
“You left the fucking door to your study open and apparently Lord Emerson had you <i>moaning</i>. Which I thought was where I had gone wrong, instead of waiting around for you to finally do what you ‘wanted’-” He added air quotes, since it was obvious to him now that his husband had no physical interest in him whatsoever. “You needed a more direct approach, <i>like Lord Emerson</i>, but clearly the problem here has nothing to do with approach and I wish you’d just be plain and honest about that instead of this giant headache and tip toeing around the subject!” Nuri was shouting now, and quite animated.<br>
<br>
Avery’s expression had gone considerably darker. “I believe Lady Mercy was mistaken in her interpretation-”<br>
<br>
“I don’t need you to lie or treat me like I’m delicate I’m not, for fuck’s sake I’m a man I can take it. Just tell the god damn truth already so we can move on and I can stop acting like a god damn fool already.” He finally stopped, his voice beginning to lose itself and trailing off, that familiar tired and hopeless feeling back in full force. He could handle not being liked, but he wasn’t sure he could handle any more of this guessing game and lying. His hands were shaking.<br>
<br>
“I am telling you the godsdamned truth,” Avery snarled. “I’ll admit to ‘moaning’ under Lord Emerson’s hands,” he confessed wryly. “As it had been several weeks since I had had anyone work on my shoulders. ...I tend to get rather tense if I go too long without a massage,” he explained, though he seemed upset by the admission.<br>
<br>
Unfortunately, Nuri could only interpret this upsetedness as irritation at having his farce challenged. Because a massage sure as hell didn’t explain how and why their marriage hadn’t been consummated yet. How and why Avery very clearly had no interest in doing so.<br>
<br>
“A fucking massage…” He mumbled, rolling his eyes and his whole head while he turned away, quite done listening to these thinly weaved tales. He had to go get dressed anyway, and retreated into their wardrobe. Never mind that he had nowhere to be for the next few hours, he’d find a place. Yes, he had things to do, surely?! There were taxes today, big things going on with taxes, a plan he’d made. He could focus on that.<br>
<br>
It was clear that Nuri didn’t believe him, which shouldn’t frustrate Avery as much as it did- Why should Nuri believe him? They’d known each other barely a month, and the explanation <i>did</i> sound like a flimsy excuse. But it was true and it suddenly became very important that Nuri realize that Avery <i>wasn’t</i> lying to him-<br>
<br>
He stalked after the younger man before he even realized what he was doing, pulling at the hem of his sleep shirt. It was loose and overlarge, and he pulled it up on the back to his neck but didn’t take it off. “See,” he demanded of Nuri, turning around to speak to the wall so that Nuri could see the exposed shoulder, and the tangle of scars that congregated around it.<br>
<br>
With his head tilted down, his hair fell around his face but it didn’t muffle the sharp edge to his words. “It… Acts up occasionally,” he said, which was hardly an adequate way to describe the pain that radiated from the ruined skin. “My physician makes a salve for it- Emerson is one of the few people who knows,” he finished, letting his shirt fall again.<br>
<br>
The garment in Nuri’s hand fell to the floor as his brain shut off, and slowly realized his own horrid mistake as he registered what he was seeing. He didn’t know what he’d expected when he heard the footsteps of Avery coming after him. Maybe to be grabbed and shook a little, that was a familiar action, not from Avery but familiar nonetheless.<br>
<br>
He hadn’t been expecting to be entirely proven dead wrong. He thinks he would’ve far preferred the rough manhandling.<br>
<br>
“You… weren’t lying… Oh shit…” He leaned back, his back hitting a hard surface mercifully. “I almost attacked Lord Emerson, <i><b>shit</b></i>.” He closed his eyes and covered them with a shaking palm as he realized the full extent of his jackassery. “And he wouldn’t tell me because… because he’s your friend, and a fucking loyal one at that.” Nuri’s hand dragged down to his mouth as things clicked into place, the interactions he’d had were suddenly flipped on their head. He’d been taking everything wrong.<br>
<br>
“I’m not in the habit of being dishonest,” Avery said, turning back around to face Nuri. “I guess I’m just not in the habit of being… Forthcoming, either.”<br>
<br>
“No, you’re not.” Nuri deadpanned. “So if you’re not otherwise entangled with Lord Emerson, then why has it been six weeks and this marriage isn’t consummated yet? I thought it was so odd that you were waiting and then it made me nervous how long you were waiting. I almost wished you’d get it over with and then I thought that you were satisfied elsewhere and now… now I don’t know again. I don’t understand. Brutus had me often and I know he was abnormally… abnormal, but you won’t have me at all?” He shrugged, laying out the facts as they were at the moment, deciding to be forthcoming while they were both being honest and raw with each other.<br>
<br>
“I’m not really…. Interested in ‘having you’ only for the sake of having you,” Avery said with a wince. He wasn’t going to force Nuri to pretend an interest in his father’s killer just for pleasure. “And I thought it would be… best, to put a slight delay on the birth of any children,” he explained. “My own early arrival put both my mother and myself under undue scrutiny, which I would not want to subject you to.”<br>
<br>
Nuri’s eyes widened as it clicked.<br>
<br>
“Ah, you mean to say any heirs would need to be legitimate and their legitimacy unquestionable. That makes sense. That’s smart actually.” He had to commend Avery for that one. It was a tactical decision. Especially given that marrying Nuri came through the breaking of a prior engagement.<br>
<br>
“I wish you would’ve told me, it’s not as though strategy is beyond me, and as Prince it is my duty to support your reign… I don’t know what you mean ‘having me for the sake of having me’ though.” He rolled his eyes, “I’m not delicate, I’m perfectly used to what men with pricks do, even if I don’t have one.” He flushed and looked away, annoyed at the thought that his husband had been holding back on behalf of delicacy. There were certainly ways for his husband to take care of his pleasure without getting Nuri pregnant.<br>
<br>
“I didn’t bring it up because it never seemed relevant,” Avery said after a moment. “You didn’t seem to be… Interested in addressing such things, much less partaking of them.”<br>
<br>
“Am I supposed to be? It’s not exactly pleasant you know, I mean…” He looked down at his feet, which suddenly became very interesting, “Sometimes it is, a little, I recall this one thing Cromwell did - never mind. It just isn’t very pleasant getting pinned down and receiving I can assure you.” Nuri insisted, as though it were perfectly normal and understandable to not enjoy the act if you were on the receiving end nearly as much as if you were on the giving end. It was one of those things that made Nuri spitting mad occasionally about the body he was born in but it was little use wishing for things that would never be.<br>
<br>
Avery’s face went from uncomfortable at the conversation topic to enraged in a matter of seconds. “What,” he spat. “No- It’s <i>supposed</i> to be pleasant, at the very least not <i>un</i>pleasant,” he said angrily. Admittedly a few of his fumbling attempts at physical intimacy with Gilda had started out a bit uncomfortable and awkward, but he’d known she’d enjoyed herself regardless. “They used to pin you down,” he asked, thinking angrily of Nuri’s past partners, who he’d never given too much thought towards previously. “This Brutus and- Cromwell?”<br>
<br>
At first Nuri thought Avery was angry at <i>him</i> but instead he seemed furious at what was an entirely natural thing. Nuri crossed his arms and looked at him as though he’d grown a second head.<br>
<br>
“Wh-” Nuri began but lost his words when he saw how angry Avery got.<br>
<br>
Avery’s eyes flashed with fury. He should have trusted Emerson’s wariness of the chancellor. “He’ll not hurt you again,” Avery swore. It would probably be detrimental to their country’s fledgling alliance if he had the man’s hands cut off, and he snarled in irritation. “I will have him banished-”<br>
<br>
“Cromwell? Cromwell wasn’t even allowed to…” Nuri flushed, interrupting, “I don’t remember most of it anyway Brutus would get us both drunk because I’d argue when he wanted us both at the same time it’s not that big of a deal! Brutus was just a very demanding man that’s all. Stop being mad, especially at Cromwell he was much more rough with him than with me anyway. He was only doing what comes naturally; you don’t need to get all worked up about this!” Nuri felt a sudden surge of protectiveness over Brutus, defending his actions not just to Avery but to himself.<br>
<br>
He’d always hated that little dance Brutus would do, acting like none of them knew why he wanted to play drinking games with just the two of them, alone. Cromwell and he weren’t stupid, they knew perfectly well, and somehow Brutus always got his way… It was just his appetite though, it was perfectly natural.<br>
<br>
“You. Don’t. Remember,” Avery fumed, enciating each word as he stormed out of the wardrobe and back into the large bedroom, feeling suffocated by the small space. Was there no one in his life he could shield from the cruelty of others?<br>
<br>
Nuri paused for a moment, gripping at his arms nervously before tearing after him, skidding to a stop just as he saw Avery.<br>
<br>
Avery picked up the nearest item- a vase of dried flowers- and hurled it against the wall. The satisfaction of its shattering lasted only a fleeting moment, and he scrubbed his hand over his face in shame, recalling the trail of broken ceramics his father had always left in his wake.<br>
<br>
Nuri flinched, somehow feeling that this was punishment for him and his own actions, that he deserved that vase hitting the wall. After all, hadn’t he gotten Avery angry? Hadn’t Nuri done the same when he was angry not two days ago?<br>
<br>
“He was doing what came ‘naturally’ to a <i>bully</i>,” Avery allowed in disgust. “He should never have treated you in such a way. I am sorry to hear you have had such… Unpleasant experiences,” he said, the angry set of his shoulders giving way to something more defeated.<br>
<br>
“Brutus wasn’t…” Nuri began, “He told me it was just natural…” The word ‘natural’ suddenly felt very <i>unnatural</i> as he said it. It was Brutus who’d had told him that what he was doing was fine and normal, and Nuri had believed him, had wanted to find a way to please him. Had even felt proud that he could deal with a level of pain in the beginning. And hadn’t Brutus always commended him for it? Nuri absolutely preened under his praise.<br>
<br>
Even though what he was doing <i>hurt</i> in more ways than one. Hurt until it didn’t and he was just numbly indifferent to it.<br>
<br>
He stared ahead listlessly, thinking back, <i>had he been taken advantage of that whole time</i>? And the worst part of it was that in the back of Nuri’s mind he knew something was wrong, but he was too eager to please and too undeserving of anything different to change anything.<br>
<br>
“No I… He...” Nuri weakly attempted to come up with another excuse. He moved to the bed and plopped down onto it, tired of standing and feeling that he’d aged a thousand years in the span of a single morning.<br>
<br>
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have lost my temper,” Avery said as he crossed the room to kneel at Nuri’s side. You and your righteous anger, he reminded himself with Emerson’s words. “It isn’t your fault,” he said firmly, reaching out to cup the side of Nuri’s face. But he had barely stroked his thumb from the younger man’s ear and down towards his jaw when he snatched his hand away.<br>
<br>
Nuri didn’t know him and Nuri didn’t like him. Avery had no right to comfort him, he reminded himself.<br>
<br>
Instead he took one of Nuri’s listless hands as loosely as he could- If Nuri wanted fingers to squeeze they would be there, but he could easily draw away.<br>
<br>
“I shouldn’t- These were your experiences, not mine. Your judgements have more value,” he told Nuri as evenly as possible. He didn’t think he was misunderstanding, but Avery knew he tended to react… Strongly. And assume the worst.<br>
<br>
“But it sounds like… Even if you were fine with what happened, you took no enjoyment from it. And perhaps even disliked it,” he continued cautiously, hoping he was not speaking out of turn. “I have no intention for our own intimacy- obligated as it may be- to mimic that pattern.”<br>
<br>
The numbness, so familiar a feeling, washed over Nuri and it took him a minute to realize that he had wants but few thoughts at the moment. He could barely think. He gently stroked at the fingers holding his and wished for that comfort back.<br>
<br>
“Can we just… I’m so tired all over again. Can we go back under the covers and just sleep a little more… you don’t have to…” He didn’t want to bother Avery with his own feelings but he just <i>liked</i> and appreciated the way his hands made him feel warm. Gave life back to his listless nerves. He just wanted to sleep next to that warmth for a little bit.<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Avery said hurriedly. “Of course, Belmys. Whatever you want.” He breathed the words against Nuri’s hand, having brought the younger man’s fingers to his lips. “Give me a moment,” he instructed, rising to his feet and towards the door.<br>
<br>
“Gregor,” he called into the hall, and the burly manservant appeared a moment later. “Lady Roysa will handle the morning schedule, at her discretion,” he instructed. “We will take breakfast in our room. Not immediately- An hour and a half,” he decided. That should be enough time for a nice nap, Avery thought and if it wasn’t- Well, they could always have more food brought up. “I will ring for you if anything else is needed,” he said, and Gregor bowed his head at the spoken and unspoken commands. Their Majesties were not to be disturbed.<br>
<br>
Back inside the room, Avery tilted the shutters on the eastern windows so lines of sunlight slanted across the floor, illuminating the room more without making it intolerably bright. He pulled the first blanket from the chest, and frowned at it. It was large and thick, colored black with gold embroidery along the edges. He dug further and found a smaller blanket in light blue, enough to wrap cozily around one person and still have a little extra.<br>
<br>
“Here,” he said, bringing it over and draping it across Nuri. “So you can stay warm like a tree in winter,” he suggested with a slight smile, trying to recapture some of the lightness from the day before. “This time I think I can even figure out what end the pillow goes on,” he joked.<br>
<br>
Nuri, who had by this time gotten back into bed, snorted out a puff of air that served as a sound of amusement. The extra layer doing its job of collecting more warmth and adding more comfortable weight, so his body loosened up from it scrunched up rigidness and spread out slowly. His limbs stretched their creaking muscles as he nestled in, eyes closing and a long yawn following as<br>
he felt the bed shift, Avery joining beneath the covers.<br>
<br>
He glanced over and caught sight of a small tendril of scarring that reached out from under the collar of his shirt as Avery maneuvered himself. He waited patiently until Avery was settled to ask.<br>
<br>
“Is that why you’re careful not to dress in front of me? You don’t like people seeing your back.” He said softly, as though it were a secret. It was. It was Avery’s secret.<br>
<br>
Avery looked up at the canopy of the bed, unsure of what to say.<br>
<br>
“.... I’m not ashamed of my scars,” Avery said eventually. “But it’s… Easier, if people don’t know about them. Especially when I was more active in the field- You don’t want to advertise a weakness.”<br>
<br>
And he didn’t like talking about how he got them.<br>
<br>
“I understand.” Nuri nodded, his eyes drooping. He understood hiding weaknesses, the world was a cruel place sometimes, a lot of the time really. But at least right now, he was in good company.<br>
<br>
Avery rolled onto his side so he could watch Nuri’s face slip towards slumber. Tentatively, he slipped his arm from beneath the covers and laid it out between them.<br>
<br>
Nuri’s fingers found his and loosely entangled themselves there. Neither said a word.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-10410051" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Jun 29, 2020 at 6:18 PM">

		

		
	


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					<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin:auto;center; width: 400px; height:400px; border-radius: 50%; background-image: url('https://s7.postimg.cc/5z54zsuyj/18729_46.jpg');background-size:cover;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"></div></div><br>
<div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin: auto; min-width:400px; max-width:900px; font-size: 50px; padding: 0px 30px 30px 30px;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'garamond';">Lord Chancellor Cromwell</span></span><br>
<div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin-top:-10px; padding-left: 53px; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 13px;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"><span style="color: #CAC6AB"><span style="font-family: 'lato';">Cromwell stacked away his papers, setting his notes inside his binder now that Prince Nuri had everything he needed and they’d triple checked the numbers. Honestly, this was a considerably light task and his work here in Beleth had overall been lighter than he’d presumed it’d be. And told the Prince as much.<br>
<br>
“And yet you still find a way to work too much.” Nuri huffed. <br>
<br>
“I don’t know, recently I’ve found a relaxing diversion.” He defended himself, recalling the third day of the festival, after the ball, when he went back to his room and found temptation himself had followed him there. Lord Emerson had felt the need to apologize for his surly temper earlier, and Cromwell was quite receptive to it. They had a diverting and pleasant <i>talk</i> afterwards, and Lord Emerson found out that Cromwell’s vocabulary included some very filthy words.<br>
<br>
He straightened up, “Will that be all?”<br>
<br>
Prince Nuri paused, looking out of a window pensively, he was far more subdued today then he had been previously, Cromwell wondered what could have happened to prompt this change in mood. He’d been absent from his duties all morning, shut in his chambers with the King. Cromwell could not for the life of him tell if this was a good thing or not, the situation unclear.<br>
<br>
“Brutus wasn’t a good person. Was he.” He finally voiced.<br>
<br>
Cromwell frowned, and considered his words carefully, the two of them might have a large difference in station between them but this they had in common; Lord Brutus of House Virgina had misused them both. Cromwell had come to terms with this fact and hardened himself to it a long time ago, Prince Nuri it appeared, was only just.<br>
<br>
“No. He was not.” Cromwell’s voice sounded more strained than he’d meant it to.<br>
<br>
“He hurt you didn’t he.” <br>
<br>
“...He did.”<br>
<br>
“He had this way of getting things that he wanted from you, and making you think you were obligated to do as he wanted.” Prince Nuri was still staring listlessly out of the window, his expression even stonier than Cromwell’s own. It always worried him when the Prince was like this, though he’d only seen it a handful of times. It was as though he went somewhere else entirely and was no longer in the room.<br>
<br>
“He was a very selfish man, yes.” Cromwell agreed.<br>
<br>
“My husband is a hundred times the better man.” Nuri nodded, seemingly coming back.<br>
<br>
“Are you happy with him?” <br>
<br>
“I like him. He treats me… kindly. Like I’m important to him, like my comfort is important to him.” Nuri flushed a little and looked at his hands, messing with them and smiling lightly.<br>
<br>
Cromwell couldn’t help the smile coming to his face. This was a highly unexpected turn of events. Whatever had happened this morning, despite the past couple of days, must have been affirming for the royal marriage. King Averett was the far better man in his opinion, honorable to a foolish degree, and just the sort of person to value the second heir that was important enough to be raised to great responsibility but not valuable enough to ever warrant priority from anyone in his life. Prince Nuri had always been in an odd and difficult position, but it appeared that now he’d have an opportunity to grow into his own, if he didn’t get in his own way that is.<br>
<br>
“You should toss Lord Brutus from your heart and mind my Prince, I did, and I’ve felt much lighter ever since.” It hadn’t always been so, he used to hold resentment towards Prince Nuri for taking his lover from him. But once he realized who was actually to blame for the change in heart and how freeing it was to be out of Lord Brutus’s demanding grip he’d begun feeling sympathy for the Prince. Who was even less experienced than he and more malleable to Brutus’s domineering will. And worse yet, desperate for love in a way that Cromwell himself simply was not. All of which probably played a factor in Brutus’s interest in him.<br>
<br>
“Like you tossed him out of the castle?” Nuri smirked.<br>
<br>
“Like I tossed him out of the castle.” Lord Cromwell bowed.</span><u><u><br>
</u></u></span></div></div></div></div><span style="color: #000000"><u><u><div class="bbcode-background" style="background-color: transparent; margin:auto; max-width: 800px; text-align: right; height: 5px; font-size:10px;;"><div class="bbcode-background-text"><span style="color: #000000">code by RI.a</span></div></div></u></u></span></div>
				
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King Avery &amp; Prince Nuri &amp; Lady Roysa &amp; Chancellor Cromwell<br>
Go Over A Tax Proposal With Minister Brennan</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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transparent; height: auto; width: 100%; line-height: 85%; padding: 0; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; font-size: 200%; font-weight: bold; color: #CDA783; box-sizing: border-box;;">Prince Nuri</div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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transparent; width: 100%; height: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0;;"></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
/*text*/
transparent; flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: justify; overflow: hidden;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 200%; height: 100%; padding: 0; overflow: auto;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 50%; padding: 0 0 0 10px;;">The previous duke of Pendaire was a fairly unremarkable man, perhaps in his sixties. Older than Lady Roysa, but not so old that anyone worried he might not be qualified for his current position. Not that anyone would voice such a concern to Lord Brennan's face.<br>
<br>
He was the sort of man who had probably been handsome and fit in his youth, and still retained some of it. His shoulders and neck were straight-backed and still muscular, though his middle had grown enough through the decades to spill over his belt. His hair had retreated from the top of his head and only grew in a gray curve between his ears, and though the skin under his eyes had sagged, his strong jaw was still prominent above the emerging double chin.<br>
<br>
The trade minister dressed in well made clothes, tunics and doublets that kept up with fashion but never set it. Several rings adorned the fingers trailing along the lines of Prince Nuri's proposal. One was particularly large, set with a blue stone and engraved with the dolphin seal of his family.<br>
<br>
When he finished his perusal, he set the papers back down on the table and pushed his half-moon spectacles back up the ridge of his long nose.<br>
<br>
"You know, you do not need my approval to enact this," he told Avery and Nuri, and the advisor that flanked that each of them. <br>
<br>
The corner of Roysa's lip twitched from where she stood by the window, watching the sky. There would be snow tonight.<br>
<br>
Cromwell stood much closer, in his typical looming manner, in his typical stony expression. You’d never guess he was pleased.<br>
<br>
Strictly speaking, there were very few things for which the King needed explicit approval from a minister. But with a majority vote, the ministers could overrule a monarch's decision. And if a minister was respected in their field, and their expertise trusted by more than just the royal they served, their blessing usually made things much smoother. <br>
<br>
This effect was mitigated, of course, if the minister was seen as an inept yea-man. But Minister Brennan was certainly not.<br>
<br>
Which was all the better in Nuri’s opinion, though it certainly raised the stakes in some ways, once met those stakes were as good as cleared.<br>
<br>
He had stepped down as Duke of Pendaire a few years ago, when King Elion has asked him to fill the position of Minister of Trade. No one was particularly surprised that he had given up his title- He had never married, and had no children. His sister and her children had been named as his heirs for decades, and everyone knew his sights were set higher than just one duchy. What he now lacked in formal title, he more than made up for in power and reach.<br>
<br>
"Just because your approval is not needed, does not mean your input is not valued," Roysa said, turning back to the table. She and Brennan had fought often enough on trade matters to know that, despite their disagreements, he did actually have some brains.<br>
<br>
“It serves the Kingdom very little to enact proposals that would be shot down by its ministers Lord Brennan.” Or rather, Nuri thought, it served the crown very little. Details, details...<br>
<br>
“Do you predict as it stands now that there would be objections to it? And if so what kind?” Nuri folded his hands in his lap and leaned forward, giving the minister his full and undivided attention. He was very good at that, looking at people as though they were the only one in the room, his sharp smile making people feel as though they were in on his private joke. However serious the topic.<br>
<br>
“Oh, I imagine there will be many objections to it,” Brennan said mildly, and Avery steeled himself. <br>
<br>
If he was being honest, he didn’t much care for Brennan, but that had little to do with the man’s service as a minister and far more to do with his past- and occasionally recurring- relationship with Emerson. Emerson had laughed at Avery’s concerns when he’d first voiced them, told him that Prince or no, he didn’t get to dictate who Emerson spent time with, and worn the blue gemmed hair pins and sapphire rings to dinner for a straight week to annoy Avery.<br>
<br>
Even though Brennan had been Minister of Trade for the duration of Avery’s rule and Avery knew him from sitting in on Elion’s council meetings, they didn’t really interact that much. Brennan tended to take his concerns directly to Roysa, as she had held the role prior to his appointment, and if Brennan was prone to throwing fits when he didn’t get his way- like a certain Minister of War- it wasn’t something Roysa had ever told him about. Avery very much hoped he wasn’t about to see such a side from the older man now.<br>
<br>
“But none that are... Actionable, by the nobles who will raise them,” Brennan continued, and Avery felt a bit relieved. “You have very cleverly- and somewhat dangerously- allied yourself with the common people against their nobility,” Brennan pointed out. “If the people of Moise want to know why the people of Icolta have lower taxes than themselves,” he suggested as a hypothetical. <br>
<br>
“The fault will be on their baron, for not accepting this deal. There are many lords and ladies who will not appreciate you putting them in this position,” he warned. “It may engender poor sentiments in the long run.”<br>
<br>
“On the contrary my Lord, I am only doing my best to ensure that since trade has opened with Theren, money from people high and low is freed up and encouraged to be spent. We would all benefit in the long run from that. There is more money to be made through trade than through taxes.” Nuri lied easily, buttering the truth with honeyed promises. They weren’t entirely lies, he did have a point, but the purpose of this proposal was as the intelligent minister had pointed out. <br>
<br>
If the nobles were busy appeasing their peasantry they were both doing as they should and had less freedom to be busy antagonizing the crown.<br>
<br>
Brennan gave a bemused sigh at this explanation, obviously not entirely believing it or that Nuri believed it either. He carried on regardless. <br>
<br>
“But you might be able to temper those sentiments if you are willing to be a bit flexible,” he advised. “This is a bit vague on some of the particulars,” he said gesturing with the document in front of him. <br>
<br>
“It’s a first draft,” Avery said defensively and the corner of Brennan’s mouth rose incrementally.<br>
<br>
“It’s not a bad thing,” he clarified. “Would you be willing to negotiate the finer details with the interested nobles on an individual basis?”<br>
<br>
“Of course. I would encourage it.” Nuri smiled a toothy grin. Having the nobles vying for favors and better deals and asking the crown for things was another way to keep nobility in check. It was as his mother had always said <i>‘keep them beholden to you, nothing is more dangerous than nobility becoming too independent minded.’</i> And one thing Nuri had definitely observed about Belethan nobility was their prideful and high minded <i>independence</i>.<br>
<br>
It was no wonder there were so many assassination plots here.<br>
<br>
Brennan nodded. “Do you plan for it to be a direct ratio? They lower their land tax one percent, we lower ours one percent?,” he asked. “There should be a limit,” he advised. <br>
<br>
Ah, here’s the real tricky part. Nuri had no idea what he could get away with here. This was his first time working with Lord Brennan. Asking the Lord to support a limit too low may undercut the effectiveness of the proposal here, too much would prove unacceptable.<br>
<br>
 According to the crown’s own books they certainly couldn’t go higher than fifty, that number was ludicrous and the crown did need a steady influx of funds to work with. Not scraps. Nuri would look incompetent if he went with the highest possible number. There was little else Nuri hated than looking incompetent.<br>
<br>
“I was thinking twenty percent.” Nuri said cooly, leaning in further and beginning the negotiations by swinging reasonably high, his fingers playing with each other.<br>
<br>
Roysa visibly tensed, feeling serious regret that she had trusted Avery when he’d said he and Nuri were ready for this meeting. She’d had similar questions to what Brennan was asking, and she wouldn’t have let the young couple into the room if she known this was how they were going to answer. <br>
<br>
Or how Nuri was going to answer at least. Based on the slight furrow of her nephew’s brow, he hadn’t anticipated that either. <br>
<br>
“And I was thinking you might have had a decent proposal here,” Brennan said, not bothering to hide his surprise or dislike of the idea.<br>
<br>
“It’s just an upper limit, not what we’d expect them to go for-,” Avery started, though he also thought it too high. But if it was important to Nuri, he could keep his criticisms to their private conversations.<br>
<br>
Nuri tried to stifle his smirk, this was more or less the reaction he wanted from the rest of the nobility. He needed them to feel a sense of urgency and panic, they needed to start competing with one another instead of feeling so comfortable in their spots.<br>
<br>
“And it leads directly into my next concern,” Brennan continued, as though the King hadn’t spoken. “What will you do when the crown needs money? We are still paying off a war. Financially, we are more stable than under your late father,” he said, uninterested in softening his thoughts on the previous king’s spending or taxing habits. “But we do have expenses. As do the nobles. And unexpected costs, too. If an irrigation channel in Fremont fails- They will have less money to repair it. They will claim their fields serve all the country, on our tables and through our trading, and ask for money from the crown. And the crown will have less money with which to support them.”<br>
<br>
“And we would simply give it without stipulation? Without so much as a glance at their books? Curious considering Fremont’s taxes to the crown have been supposedly steeply cut and they’ve been the very recent beneficiaries of a very generous and inflated sale to Theren, not only in terms of crop but in lumber. Not to mention I’d be <i>severely</i> disappointed in them if all they did with <i>all</i> of that extra profit was sit on it instead of <i>multiplying</i> it.”<br>
<br>
Brennan looked angry, then annoyed. <br>
<br>
“Which brings me to another concern about the crown’s only income relying on taxes it receives when it could be maximizing profits in other industrious ways. But I’m sure that’s a conversation for another meeting.<br>
<br>
Now you can be shocked all you like at the steep number I’ve asked for as a cap but I’ve actually been calculating expenses these past few weeks and numbers man to numbers man... I could ask for higher my lord, but I ask for you to put your vocal support behind…” Nuri leaned back and considered momentarily.<br>
<br>
“<i>Seventeen</i>.” He shaved off a few percentages, expecting Lord Brennan to start taking this negotiation seriously.<br>
<br>
“No,” Brennan said flatly. “I can’t imagine any of the families going for anything above ten percent. And I do not appreciate the suggestion that I do not carefully audit the records of Fremont- Or any of the families. Lady Roysa can attest that I was crucial in proving that Fremont grain merchants were intentionally tampering with the market only a few years ago,” he said, irked to have to provide his credentials.<br>
<br>
Roysa nodded in confirmation of this, as it was certainly true. In reality, it had been Emerson’s information that had been the most useful in untangling that convoluted plot, but that particular detail was known only by Roysa and Emerson- And of course, likely suspected by the Duke of Fremont. <br>
<br>
Nuri had to do his utmost not to outwardly groan at the direction this was taking, this was hardly anything to do with Lord Brennan’s credibility. But he was going to go on about it anyway… <br>
<br>
“And it was through my efforts that King Elion was able to pass laws imposing stricter regulations and higher fines for nobles who might ‘miscalculate’ their income,” he continued, and Avery echoed his aunt’s nod.<br>
<br>
Nuri was about to attempt to soothe Lord Brennan’s ego over when his husband stepped in, and did the job better.<br>
<br>
“You have been an excellent ally and advisor to the crown and to this family,” Avery said, trying to soothe the minister’s ruffled feathers. “And I have always appreciated your frankness. So. Why do you feel that setting an upper limit of seventeen percent is unreasonable, especially if most of the families wouldn’t go that far? Could we really not afford even one or two of the nobles doing so?”<br>
<br>
Brennan steepled his hands and leaned forward. “My concerns about what the crown can afford financially are secondary to what my concerns about the crown can afford… personally. You specifically, Prince Nuri,” he said, addressing the younger man. “If you offer this deal with the stipulation that it cannot exceed a seventeen percent cut, when almost none of your nobles would ever concede to dropping taxes on their common people by that much…. I worry you are going to look foolish. Like you do not understand this country, or its people.”<br>
<br>
“I need enough cushion for them to negotiate <i>down</i> from, and I expect most of them will fall somewhere around the 9 to 12 percent range. I also need the number to be high enough to shock them into wanting to negotiate a better deal than the others. With the implications being that those quickest to come to the table will receive better outcomes.” Nuri hadn’t wanted to be so honest with the Minister, but everything so far was indicating that he was a frank man. <br>
<br>
He decided to deliberately ignore the pang of offense he felt at Lord Brennan’s words in favor of pressing on calmly.<br>
<br>
“Fifteen percent, be reasonable Minister, the numbers check out. And perhaps if things don’t go well, as you’ve ingeniously pointed out Lord Brennan we have my being a foreigner who foolishly doesn’t know anything about the country or its people to blame and fall back on if things don’t turn out how I’ve predicted. I am the perfect scapegoat, as I could care less what people think of me so long as they take the bai-proposal.” Nuri cleared his throat and folded his hands.<br>
<br>
Roysa was glaring, not at Nuri, but at her nephew. If he was aware of it, he ignored it.<br>
<br>
“And as you said- They aren’t likely to take it that far,” Avery pointed out. “The few regions who would be willing to cut taxes on their common folk by fifteen percent… Well, I think the crown’s treasury wouldn’t be much poorer if we collected fifteen percent less from Trisvona.”<br>
<br>
Brennan made a thoughtful noise that might have been assent. “I would also suggest a limit on the duration of this arrangement,” he said, apparently satisfied with a fifteen percent and ready to move on. “If the deal they agree to locks the rate at which they can tax and the rate at which they will be taxed for say, three years, that stability might be an incentive. And the prospect that it may not be renewed at the end of that period if the crown does not like the effects, will encourage the nobles to make sure their common folk are actually benefiting from the arrangement.”<br>
<br>
This suggestion also does the work of continuing the necessity for the nobles to continue to curry favor and negotiate with the crown, which would increase with more poking and prodding from Nuri’s various ideas. Nuri decided he quite liked this Minister, best one he’s met so far.<br>
<br>
“That’s a sensible and wise suggestion Minister Brennan, it’s precisely the kind of thing we need.” Nuri grinned and adjusted, leaning back in and looking from Avery to the Minister.<br>
<br>
“Are we to take this to mean you will back the proposal?”<br>
<br>
“I will be involved in any final negotiations with the interested nobility,” Brennan said with a nod, which Avery had already assumed. He wasn’t about to sign off on a tax cut for anyone without having his Trade Minister, his aunt, and at least a few other people look over it quite carefully. But he supposed Brennan wanted to make sure Nuri knew. “Announcements of court are scheduled in a few days time, I believe- I suggest you include this proposal with them. And then prepare for a lot of traffic through your doors,” he advised. <br>
<br>
“Sounds like a plan in motion.” Nuri clapped his hands together in victory, unaware of the ever looming disapproval of the Lady Roysa behind him…</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; max-width: 350px; padding: 0; margin: auto; box-sizing: border-box;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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Prince Nuri &amp; Lady Roysa<br>
argue while King Avery tries to pretend he's part of the furniture</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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transparent; flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: justify; overflow: hidden;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 200%; height: 100%; padding: 0; overflow: auto;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 50%; padding: 0 0 0 10px;;">Nuri waited until Lord Brennan arose from his seat and left to heave a sigh of relief.<br>
<br>
“I didn’t even have to dangle giving Pendaire the first go as bribe to get him to accept fifteen. That went better than expected, and thank the spirits he didn’t just roll over and give me twenty could you <i>imagine</i>. That man doesn’t know how to barter but we arrived at an agreeable end anyhow.” The Prince relaxed his shoulders and leaned over towards Avery.<br>
<br>
“I did get a good laugh at your faces though.” He mischievously quipped.<br>
<br>
“I’m glad to provide amusement,” Avery said, also relieved to have cleared this first hurdle. <br>
<br>
“I think it went about as well as it could have,” Roysa agreed with a nod. “Though I would appreciate some warning in the future, if you plan to propose so radically reducing the crown’s income,” she said dryly.  <br>
<br>
“I’ll keep that in mind, but again I don’t expect anyone to accept the fifteen. In fact the whole proposal’s biggest purpose would be failing if they did.” <br>
<br>
Roysa’s eyebrow rose incrementally.<br>
<br>
“Indeed. We need them to bite, start playing your game rather than theirs.” Cromwell folded his arms, no longer standing so straight but leaning on one foot rather than the other, he was quite tired.<br>
<br>
“I was under the impression the proposal’s purpose was stimulating economic growth among the common folk,” Roysa said evenly.<br>
<br>
“It shall! The peasantry will be singing my King’s praises for his generosity and industry…” Nuri reached over and tweaked his husband’s chin, <i>his</i> King.<br>
<br>
Avery looked surprised at the gesture and ducked his head, blushing slightly.<br>
<br>
“...But mostly it’ll help stem this abominable <i>independence</i> your nobles have. Honestly it’s a wonder you haven’t dealt with more insurrection. With this they’re more inclined to scramble to curry favor with the crown and plot against each other rather than <i>with</i> each other.” He eyed Lady Roysa, noting how strangely enough, she didn’t seem pleased by the idea.<br>
<br>
“Oh, they plot against each other <i>plenty</i>, don’t you worry,” Avery said with a sigh, shuffling his papers together. <br>
<br>
“You are setting yourself up for disappointment if you expect subservience from Beleth nobility,” Roysa cautioned slowly. “This ‘independence’ you find so abhorrent is a long tradition in our culture, and I would advise you not to go about repeating that sentiment you just so freely shared.”<br>
 <br>
Was that pride Nuri detected in Lady Roysa’s tone? As if the foreigner had just insulted her people’s ways and she must defend them. To be fair he was criticizing them, but for very good reason.<br>
<br>
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire. I’ll find ways to make them bend. We can’t keep up this <i>tradition</i> of assassins and kidnappers, I refuse to bring heirs into this world, only to suffer their loss at the hands of an unruly court.” He stated pointedly.<br>
<br>
“Lord Chancellor,” Roysa said coolly. “Thank you for your assistance in today’s meeting. As the conversation seems to have drifted to matters exclusively regarding Beleth, your assistance is no longer needed.”<br>
<br>
She nodded towards the door, in case the dismissal was not clear enough.<br>
<br>
Cromwell bowed wordlessly and retrieved his binder, exiting as directed.<br>
<br>
“King Elion and his family died at the hands of foreign agitators,” Roysa said icily, and Avery winced.<br>
<br>
“Aunt-,” he began, but she pressed on. <br>
<br>
“It is possible, to earn the respect of the families,” she said. “And I intend to do everything in my power to ensure you will do so. But please understand- Trying to limit the nobility, expecting them to grovel instead of bow…. Take that too far and then you will see what insurrection in Beleth really looks like,” she warned.<br>
<br>
“Tch- You prideful Belethans, thinking that having to answer to your King first is some kind of groveling instead of your duty as honored subjects. Are all of your egos so inflated that you’re still too deluded to understand that it couldn’t have been Theren that assassinated your late King, even if we ignored that Theren honor doesn’t condone assassins or their uses King Elion was negotiating a marriage between my husband and my sister. And those negotiations <i>were</i> going well.” Nuri crossed his arms and stood, clearly challenging Lady Roysa’s assessment, though made uncomfortable at the reveal of that last bit of information. It was a strange thought now where it hadn’t been then, his husband marrying his sister…<br>
<br>
Roysa rolled her eyes in either disbelief, annoyance, or some combination of the two.<br>
<br>
“I’m Belethan now, if Theren were responsible for that I would take no issue in admitting it. I don’t begrudge what enemies do between lines but Theren and Beleth were not positioned as enemies at that time. Meera, my mother, and even my father were interested in peace. I wasn’t.” He shrugged, taking little shame in the admission.<br>
<br>
“Nuri,” Avery said gently. “Initially…. We suspected it might be a frame job. We did investigate. Quite thoroughly,” he admitted. He remembered the sleepless nights after Elion had died, as they desperately chased any lead they could find. “For longer than many found appropriate.” <br>
<br>
He hadn’t wanted to go to war in his brother’s name. But he also couldn’t let a king’s death go unanswered. “All of the evidence led back to the Theren throne, even when we tried to take it elsewhere.”<br>
<br>
“It <i>couldn’t</i> have been the crown.” Nuri scrowled and insisted to Avery. The only person who’d have dared was his mother or Cromwell, and it had taken their combined efforts to convince father. It made little sense to go through all that trouble only to turn around and foil your own plans. And he had personally heard mother wish many times that she’d actually been responsible for the assassination, at least then father’s death would have made diplomatic sense.<br>
<br>
Sometimes, Avery still wondered- As Nuri said, it was out of character for a Theren noble to use a knife for hire. And the timing was odd. And convenient. But. He couldn’t stay awake rethinking every decision he’d made since the first night he’d learned his brother had been killed.<br>
<br>
If it had been a frame up job, it had been a very good one indeed.<br>
<br>
“You weren’t interested in peace,” Roysa repeated with shocked annoyance, ruining whatever soft tone Avery had been trying to set. “How good to know! You claim you are Belethan now, but you still think as a Theren! That weakening those whose support you will rely on will make you strong,” she said, shaking her head. <br>
<br>
“Avery,” she scolded her nephew. “You disappoint me,” she said, and he looked up in surprise at the abdomishment. “Why does your husband not understand our culture? Have you neglected to tell him how Belmys became king- Not through any edict of the Goddess, but through the actions and will of men?”<br>
<br>
“I’m afraid we do not have an abundance of time to devote to story-telling,” Avery tried to point out, and Roysa pursed her lips.<br>
<br>
“Well, you are certainly not doing anything of note with your nights,” she observed shrewdly.<br>
<br>
“We do <b>plenty<b>, <i>dear aunt<i>, not that it would be much use if I produced an heir in the environment we have now. For if you had forgotten the assassination of King Elion is not the most recent incident. If whomever is angry that I’m here now isn’t found, they aren’t going to show mercy to any children of mine, they certainly didn’t to our King.” Nuri’s tone became angrier, embarrassed that she’d dare admonish what his husband and he did in private. Which had admittedly only amounted to a few heated stolen kisses. Avery was very red.<br>
<br>
“I believe your Lord Chancellor is responsible for that investigation,” Roysa returned. “You are welcome to assign someone else to it, if you feel he is not doing an adequate job-”<br>
<br>
“<i>When</i> he has determined who is responsible, they will face justice for their crime against you and our country,” Avery cut in, his voice even and steady even if his cheeks were still quite pink. <br>
<br>
“I will not pretend there is no danger in being a royal of Beleth,” Avery admitted to Nuri with a sigh. “But I cannot assure you that having more docile nobles would lessen that danger- We are a large country, with many resources. While our internal allies may not be the kind you are comfortable with, our external foes are…. More dangerous.”<br>
<br>
Pests in your home could cause their share of trouble, but it was the predators beyond that were the bigger threat.<br>
<br>
This wasn’t nearly as comforting to Prince Nuri as Avery might presume.<br>
<br>
Roysa pinched her nose, annoyed the conversation had gotten so far away from her. <br>
<br>
“What I intended to convey was that our people- common and nobles alike- tend to have a strong regional pride. If you wish to see that as an obstacle, I cannot change your mind,” she said sourly. “But please, at least, do not go announcing your intentions that the families should be forced to bend to you- Your position is still precarious enough as it is, without saying things that will quickly earn you unnecessary detractors. <br>
<br>
“You take me for a simpleton Lady Roysa. I’ll prove you wrong on that account.” Nuri huffed, ignoring Avery’s attempt at calming the situation. He was aware that it was most likely that he and Lady Roysa weren’t communicating very well and misunderstanding each other, but he was also starting to second guess his own already approved proposal. It wasn’t a bad proposal was it? And did Lady Roysa really think him so dim?<br>
<br>
“I said I’d see Princess Graceling this morning. I’d better go.” He sighed and decided to end this meeting, making for the door but stopping himself before he left in a total huff and turning around. He gave the nod that was appropriate to Lady Roysa’s station, thinking that at least he should maintain her and his dignity, as despite their differences, he still needed to respect her, and left.<br>
<br>
Roysa frowned after the prince.<br>
<br>
“What a temper-”<br>
<br>
“As if you had nothing to do with it?”<br>
<br>
Roysa frowned at her nephew. “I am only trying to help-”<br>
<br>
“I know,” Avery allowed. “But your advice often comes across as criticism, especially to those who are unused to it. And as you said- His situation is still precarious. You cannot fault him for being defensive.”<br>
<br>
“You know what would secure his position- It’s been long enough that rumors would have little hold-”<br>
<br>
“I know,” Avery said sharply. “We’re… Working on it,” he said, his cheeks a bit pink. He was far less red than he had been when the subject had been discussed in front of Nuri. <br>
<br>
“You can tell me, if you are experiencing any… Problems,” Roysa prompted. “Or if it embarasses you, at least discuss it with your physician. I know your husband is not entirely… What you expected, and if you are struggling in that regard-”<br>
<br>
“Enough,” Avery said angrily. “You are out of line,” he said coolly. “To speak of my husband and our relationship in such a way. I tell you this as your family, and your King.”<br>
<br>
Roysa ducked her head. “Of course,” she demured. If there was a hint of a smile on her lips, Avery did not see it from where he was gathering his papers. “I’ll see myself out,” she said with a slight bow. “Good day, Your Majesty.”</i></i></b></b></div></div></div></div></div></div><b><b><i><i><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; max-width: 350px; padding: 0; margin: auto; box-sizing: border-box;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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<br>
Lord Emerson &amp; Chancellor Cromwell<br>
<br>
discuss beauty tips</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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transparent; flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: justify; overflow: hidden;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 200%; height: 100%; padding: 0; overflow: auto;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 50%; padding: 0 0 0 10px;;">Cromwell was intruding, it was a family matter they now had to discuss and Cromwell certainly didn’t think he deserved to have to sit around and listen to Nuri put his foot in his mouth and then try to wiggle out of it with an angry Lady Roysa. Who’s professionalism he appreciated but stern temperament he did not. Was there anyone’s temperament he did truly appreciate? He felt he knew too much about people to ever really like them, or perhaps his mood was just sour right now because he was tired.<br>
<br>
It was probably because he was tired.<br>
<br>
Eager to rectify that Cromwell promptly took Lady Roysa’s queue to leave and bowed out. Finding himself an intruder once more upon another scene in the antechamber; Lord Brennan at much more ease and laughing at something a lounging redhead was saying to him.<br>
<br>
At Cromwell’s intrusion he stiffened and nodded at him, excusing himself and mentioning something about dinner as he made to leave.<br>
<br>
“I look forward to it,” Emerson called after Brennan as the minister exited the royal apartments.<br>
<br>
The redhead in question was lounging on a plush armchair in the antechamber, a slim tome in one hand with which to entertain himself while he waited for the King. Two guards stood stone faced and silent at the door to the King’s sitting room, and a few other members of the Kingsguard and the Prince’s guard sat in the far corner of the room on much simpler furniture, playing a game of dice.<br>
<br>
Emerson didn’t usually have a formal spot on Avery’s calendar, and he supposed this was the danger of sulking about in your rooms and avoiding people (or at least one specific person, and any who they might be near) for a week- Your friend got worried and invited you to go out riding and you couldn’t refuse, because your friend was the king.<br>
<br>
Or perhaps- more likely- your friend’s aunt suggested he invite you to go out riding on a timetable that would conveniently place you in proximity to the Minister of Trade. <br>
<br>
He should probably mention to Roysa that he did not appreciate this, as he had been lying when he’d told Lord Brennan- He wasn’t really looking forward to it.<br>
<br>
The grin he’d levelled at the minister fell as the door to the antechamber shut, and Emerson picked up his book to return to his reading- Or he would have.<br>
<br>
“Lord Chancellor Cromwell,” he greeted with a tight smile and a small nod. Great. He’d been planning on avoiding the man until he could decide what to do about him, and now here he was. “Good morning.”<br>
<br>
He opened his book again, assuming Cromwell had places to be and would be on his way in short order.<br>
<br>
Cromwell grunted in reply and plopped down on a loveseat opposite him, staring off at the door Lord Brennan left through, a smirk slowly creeping upon on his mouth as he thought more and more of the situation. <br>
<br>
He should’ve just left, he mused as a small puff of air left his nose, his version of outward amusement. But something about the rather uncharacteristically cold greeting from Lord Emerson annoyed Lord Cromwell, and he felt like being a little bit cruel in return. It certainly wasn’t Emerson’s fault that he’d chosen to stay in his office at even more ungodly hours than he usually kept, but he’d certainly been the <i>reason</i>. And hadn’t he pleased him well enough during the festival? Cromwell’d certainly presumed so given the noises he’d made Lord Emerson make and how many times he…<br>
<br>
Well, maybe the old man had experience on him or perhaps it was just a combination of familiarity and history between them, but something competitive in Cromwell thought meanly that Lord Brennan didn’t have the stamina to please Lord Emerson. He wanted another go at the task, but he’d throw himself off of a cliff before he’d voice such a thing. If Lord Emerson truly hadn’t enjoyed himself then who was Cromwell to ask for a second go?<br>
<br>
Emerson was really trying to ignore the man, but he was making it rather hard to do so. Sitting there and smirking and breathing and whatnot.<br>
<br>
“It was a funny meeting, then?,” he asked of Cromwell’s laugh, before he realized he was doing so.<br>
<br>
“You seem rather stiff for someone who has dinner with Lord Brennan to look forward to.” Cromwell ignored the inquiry about the meeting, crossing his legs and opening his messy binder, as he might as well attempt to organize it and look busy. He attempted to wipe the amusement off of his face, but was so far only succeeding in hiding his growing smirk with his hand.<br>
<br>
Emerson blinked slowly, turning his head a bit to look at Cromwell better. He looked like he wasn’t sleeping the best.<br>
<br>
“...I have a few days to make sure I’m plenty relaxed by then,” he told Cromwell flatly. “You look like you could use some relaxation yourself,” he pointed out. “Been pulling late nights in service to the Crown?”<br>
<br>
That wiped the smirk off his face pretty well, “I didn’t think it was that obvious…” Cromwell shifted and sighed, glancing at the door to where no doubt arguing was going on.<br>
<br>
“I’m very observant,” Emerson shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable to realize he was familiar enough with Cromwell’s face to notice subtle changes. “Hold ice slivers against your undereyes in the morning,” he suggested. “Or a cold spoon.”<br>
<br>
“A cold spoon? Is that why the ladies do it?” He had observed Lady Nyme doing that before, and she’d looked ridiculous, but apparently there was a method to the madness.<br>
<br>
“I suppose it doesn’t matter however, my job doesn’t require me to look well rested. So long as the work is done.” He was much more talkative than usual, and suddenly keenly aware of that fact. Altogether he’d probably said more than Lord Emerson had, and for some reason he found that embarrassing. He stopped himself from saying anything else.<br>
<br>
“It’s been my understanding that the work is never done,” Emerson pointed out. “And when you look well-rested, you give the impression that you are more formidable than your work, and not the other way around,” he advised. “So. Stop staying up so late.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell looked to Lord Emerson, surprised. “Do you prefer when I look more formidable?” He blurted out without thinking, but wasted little time in regretting, instead smirking. He doubted Lord Emerson would be worrying over his health like this if he knew that Cromwell only buried himself in his work in the hopes he’d visit him again. As per usual, Cromwell’s intentions were far from noble.<br>
<br>
Emerson laughed.<br>
<br>
“‘Formidable?’ Is that what you hope you usually look like?”<br>
<br>
“So I’m told.” He answered easily, is that not what they whispered about him? Lord Chancellor the many headed snake, chop one off and another will appear in its place. Lord Chancellor the crow, looming over the court like a changing wind, promising stormy clouds. Lord Chancellor of the shadows, he hears your whispers and your secrets. Already he’d increased the number of spies in Beleth tenfold. Where there’d been sparse opportunity for information before the treaty there was now ample opportunity, especially with him physically here. <br>
<br>
“Sour, miserable, irritable, lonely, I could go on,” Emerson suggested with a hint of a grin, forgetting he was annoyed at Cromwell in favor of the chance to rib the older man a bit. “Like you get all your quills from ravens who roost outside your windows to provide you with ambience and whatever you think passes for conversation. Honestly, I might find you scarier when I think you’re tired,” he teased. “If only because I dread to imagine what schemes you’ve been staying up to plan.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell chuckled lightly, Lord Emerson’s cutting commentary flayed him open but somehow remained charming all the same. He could probably listen to him describe his poor opinion of him in a melodramatic way for hours.<br>
<br>
They were interrupted however, by a Prince Nuri barging in and quickly making his way past them, without so much as a greeting or sideway glance. Cromwell watched his supposed excuse for being there leave with a hint of disappointment. <br>
<br>
“I concede, ravens are messy, and not nearly as good company as foxes might be.” He said, stony expression back on as he stood up, “Lord Emerson.” He bowed, and left, giving him one last intense glance to hold his eyes before he turned away.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; max-width: 350px; padding: 0; margin: auto; box-sizing: border-box;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b><span style="font-size: 22px">Post Order Edits/Clarity:</span></b><br>
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<span style="font-size: 15px">Main character change to Nuri takes effect in Post #53, which would go after Post #43 in the ret-conned storyline.</span><br>
<br>
Post #49 (with presumed retcons) takes place the evening after Nuri's confrontation with Emerson and Emerson and Cromwell's subsequent conversation in Post #55.<br>
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Post #50 (with presumed retcons) takes a few place after those events, presumably around the same time as Post #57, or perhaps a bit earlier.</div>
				
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Sparring Practice<br>
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Training Yard, Redhill<br>
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<br>
By the time Nuri had changed into training clothes his temper had cooled into disappointment, mostly in himself. Why was it that everything he said always seemed to be wrong? Meera enchanted people with every word, and mother ensnared them, but he always seemed to be putting his foot in his mouth. It worked out well for him sometimes, or maybe it was that he was clever enough that his conversational skills mattered very little and he succeeded despite them. He knew not. But it certainly made his life more difficult as of recent.<br>
<br>
Things were much more simple and worked out in his favor more often when he wasn’t the consort of a monarch. All these eyes on him. All of these pressures and expectations. No wonder Meera was always thought to be better suited for the position, she thrived in these elements and he was struggling. Even when he got a win he was still struggling. It was barely a season into his marriage no less!<br>
<br>
He twirled his practice sword artfully, using the curved Theren blade today, as he came upon Grace, finding a grin came easily at seeing her. Soon after meeting his young sister by marriage Nuri had learned that she was being tutored in swordsmanship and had offered his company and expertise. In particular he was eager to show her a thing or two about fighting dirty with your opponent. Something her instructor eagerly participated in, as apparently Avery cared little if his sister fought honorably so long as she was alive at the end of it. The extent of his husband’s paranoia involving the safety of his loved ones was an ever present bitter sweetness.<br>
<br>
Grace and he had fallen into a routine, and often talked privately during these times. He appreciated her advice a great deal, and found she was more insightful than she seemed. Grace was also very talented at making a person have a good time, even if their morning thus far had royally sucked.<br>
<br>
“Have your warrior face on today Princess?” He called, already feeling better.<br>
<br>
“Prince Nuri!,” Grace exclaimed excitedly, looking over her shoulder towards her brother in law, at the same time as her instructor gave a bow and said “Your Majesty.”<br>
<br>
Their combined movements meant that the paintbrush- tied to the end of Grace’s sword, which was held out to the full reach of her arm, which was draped at several points with strips of heavy cloth with lead weights tied to their ends- moved along the piece of burlap the old man had been holding out. He made a noise of triumphant exclamation.<br>
<br>
“At least ten laps worth,” Pol said of the long black streak, with what might have been a wicked gleam in his eyes.<br>
<br>
“But you moved the parchment!,” Grace said, askance.<br>
<br>
“And you should have moved with it!,” he said in his heavy accent, with the gusto of a man who was both annoyed at his student for disappointing him, and looking forward to punishing said student. For each unit of measurement the brush strayed from its starting point, additional exercises were demanded.<br>
<br>
Grace supposed she should be grateful it was only running today, and let out a long sigh.<br>
<br>
“You keep His Majesty waiting,” Pol accused irritably, gesturing between Grace and Nuri and clapping one hand against his thigh to indicate she should hurry. “Your practice sword, where is it?”<br>
<br>
“Oh, are we sparring today,” Grace asked Nuri with a tone of excitement, though her brow soon furrowed. “But I’ve already been out here for hours, I’m tired,” she told her teacher in confusion.<br>
<br>
“You sweat a little and think that means no more?,” Pol scoffed. “I will tell those who mean you harm- ‘No, no, only attack when Princess is well rested, when she has eaten, when she is comfortable-” For such a stoic seeming man, he did an excellent job of contorting both his face and voice in mockery and Grace might have laughed if the mockery did not involve her.<br>
<br>
Luckily Nuri was free to snort at her expense.<br>
<br>
“Yes, Master Pol,” she relented quickly, having discarded the weights and the genuine sword for something with a dulled edge instead. Turned away from the old man, she contorted her own face into one of long-suffering exasperation to give Nuri an indication of how her morning had gone.<br>
<br>
“I can’t imagine Vee having been a particularly mouthy boy,” she whispered to her brother in law as they made their way towards the center of the sparring ring. “But he must have talked back to Pol an awful lot, and now the old man takes out his revenge through me,” she joked.<br>
<br>
Avery had reassured his sister that his weapons instructor had always been ‘a bit of a character’ and his demeanor was unchanged since Avery’s time as his student… Though he had recently admitted that perhaps the man was slightly more crotchety in his older age.<br>
<br>
“Who else is going to ensure that your character develops a distinguished air through hardship and toil Grace.” Nuri said seriously, disguising his free hand reaching up behind her head and roughly mussing up her hair, “The rest of us spoil you far too much!” He gave the sword at her side a harsh clang as he twirled away sharply while she recovered. Trying to rile her up with his challenging smirk, daring her to get revenge.<br>
<br>
Grace sighed, having jumped at the sudden attack. “The rest of you lot having been toiling since childhood,” she pointed out, drawing her wooden sword. “I only started in the last year!”<br>
<br>
She had improved greatly in that time period, but it didn’t really feel that way from her perspective.<br>
<br>
Nuri was personally of the opinion that she’d prove herself to be a talent.<br>
<br>
“What are your opponent’s advantages?,” shouted Pol.<br>
<br>
“He hasn’t been doing agility and strength training exercises all morning?”<br>
<br>
“She has a point.” Nuri shrugged, amusedly taking her side.<br>
<br>
Pol looked unimpressed by this answer.<br>
<br>
“Uh- More experienced,” she said, which was true of most of her opponents. “Longer limbs, so wider steps and further sword reach,” she added, which was again true of most of her opponents. At least with Nuri it wasn’t quite so great a gap.<br>
<br>
“And your advantages?”<br>
<br>
Grace paused a little too long. Against Pol or the guards, she was at least a smaller target, and sometimes even a faster one.<br>
<br>
“Correct,” roared Pol, shaking an emphatic finger. “You have none!” He sat on a rickety wooden stool and steepled his fingers to watch, and no doubt create an impressive list of things to offer critique on later.<br>
<br>
With her practice sword now drawn, Grace gestured it in Nuri’s direction with a grin. “Well! C’mon then- Teach me about distinguished airs!”<br>
<br>
Nuri understood why Grace’s lessons focused on her using a sword ill suited to her but that didn’t stop it from bothering him. She wasn’t being trained for battle, she was being trained for survival, which meant using common broadswords and the like, the kind her guard would use.<br>
<br>
“Your sword is longer and heavier than mine. Use it to keep me at a distance from you-“ Nuri began trading blows with her at a challenging but not impossible pace.<br>
<br>
She blocked them each in turn, though her reactions were always a hair too exuberant and not the tight control of someone who knew exactly where the other blade was going to meet theirs.<br>
<br>
“If you swing for my feet you can cripple me and prevent me from getting close enough for my blade to reach you!” He advised, parrying and giving a sharp twirl to suddenly find himself nose to nose with his little sister, blade resting on her shoulder.<br>
<br>
Grace grumbled to have been caught off guard, though there was no malice in it.<br>
<br>
“I have to work to get close to you with this particular blade, so make me work for it.”<br>
<br>
Grace considered Nuri’s unusual weapon as she darted back, trying to look at it with Avery’s eyes instead of her own. She didn’t trip over her own feet while skittering away, and if someone had been looking very closely, they might have seen an imperceptible nod of approval from Pol.<br>
<br>
The next time Nuri swung at her, she tried for strength in her block instead of speed, using her sword’s larger size to push back at the prince’s. He didn’t stumble back with the force of it or anything dramatic, but she thought she’d maybe gained a half second or two more to retreat between attacks that she’d hadn’t been getting before.<br>
<br>
She sprinted away suddenly and ducked to the left behind a hay bale, hoping Nuri would follow- But maybe in just a moment, after she caught her breath, her fingers clutching the side of the bale.<br>
<br>
“Good! But careful hiding behind hay Princess, much harder to avoid or block blind stabbing…” he straightened up and sauntered over, giving her time and letting his voice trail off, disappearing from view on the right should she peak out, and sneaking around silently to try and get the jump on her.<br>
<br>
With her fist clutching a heaping of hay, Grace waited with bated breath for Nuri to round the corner, visualizing the way her feet and hands would move as she recalled the many times she had practiced such a maneuver.<br>
<br>
She realized her mistake too late too correct it- She’d been thinking of her environment as the layout of the castle, that hiding behind the bale was like turning the corner at the end of a long hall and waiting for her opponent to catch up to her. But there were no stone walls here to prevent shortcuts, and nothing to stop her opponent from just going the other way around.<br>
<br>
Luckily, she realized her mistake soon enough to at least react to it, and she whirled to her left just as Nuri came around the corner. She screeched at him, somewhat surprised to see him there and also a bit indignant that he would ruin her plan, and stepped forward before he could. She threw the hay at his eyes, and brought her own sword down hard against the outside of his right knee.<br>
<br>
The satisfactory glee Nuri got from Grace’s screeching was short lived as he found himself having to spit hay out of his mouth and hop around from his smarting knee.<br>
<br>
Which was all the same given the sharp jab he delivered to her middle as she’d turned around, he found his glee returning though as they quickly got back to trading blows.<br>
<br>
This is why he loved sparring with Grace, it was a lot of fun.<br>
<br>
“On your left!” He deliberately struck right, “On your right!” He deliberately struck left, playing more mind games with her, she was much less distracted by his trickery this time around.<br>
<br>
“Your feet!” He struck at her shoulder.<br>
<br>
“You- Are- Being- Very- Rude,” Grace grunted between blows. Keep your eyes on your opponent’s arms and feet, not your ears on their words. Pol had scolded her many times for conversing during sparring, and letting herself get distracted. She did tend to be easily distracted-<br>
<br>
She broke into a grin after a dodging turn had allowed her look to their side, and see who had come down from the castle to watch them practice. “Vee! He’s being rude to me,” she shouted in jesting indignation.<br>
<br>
A sharp barb of anxiety struck him harder than Grace’s next blow came down upon him, punishment for falling for her own fiendishly clever distraction ploy. [/i]There was no Avery[/i], much to Nuri’s relief and disappointment all at once.<br>
<br>
“You scoundrel!” Nuri’s voice raised a good few octaves as he blushed furiously, indignant and embarrassed. Grace grinned widely, forgetting to continue to press the advantage she had won.<br>
<br>
He got back at her by locking her sword over her head in an upswing in an attempt to kick her feet out from under her, a move he also frequently liked to pull with Grace and inevitably turned into a who-can-stomp-on-whose-feet-successfully match. Which just looked like a bunch of giggling and grumbling and dancing around until Master Pol told them to knock it off.<br>
<br>
“VeEeEeE hE’s bEiNg RuDe tO mE.” He mocked back at her as he tried to stomp on the royal toes.<br>
<br>
“Enough,” barked Pol, having gotten tired of the hay bale blocking his line of sight and suspecting the two’s fighting may have gotten derailed. He looked displeased to be proven right. “I will have you drilling position exercises if you cannot be trusted to spar with composure!”<br>
<br>
“Sorry master Pol, my fault.” Nuri huffed before sighing and directing them back towards the open space.<br>
<br>
Grace straightened and returned to a defensive pose, her face looking completely calm and innocent.<br>
<br>
He considered her for a moment before dropping into a low stance and getting serious, it was time to up the ante on technique. His next blows were not so kind or considerate as they had been earlier in their spar, and Grace had to respond in kind.<br>
<br>
<i><span style="font-size: 12px">Coding notes: Changes made to font size and color</span></i><br>
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A Relaxing Respite<br>
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The Hot Springs, Redhill<br>
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<br>
“I can’t believe Vee hasn’t taken you down here,” Grace exclaimed as they descended the winding stone steps carved into lower levels of the castle. “Wait, no- I can totally believe it,” Grace amended. “He doesn’t actually take much time to relax, does he,” she sighed. “Most people don’t usually use the springs until after the Huntress’ festival,” she explained. “But you can come down whenever you like! We have our own set of pools,” she said.<br>
<br>
Nuri looked around with the care he afforded any new terrain, it felt odd, going into a part of the castle he’d never been in before just when he’d thought he’d become familiar with it.<br>
<br>
The stairs ended in a circular room, illuminated by a shaft of light from far, far above. “Those are the pools for the other nobles,” Grace said, gesturing to the left and leading Nuri to the right instead. It led into a dark hallway, illuminated by braziers on the wall. Their guards stayed behind in the circular room.<br>
<br>
“Is it considered inappropriate for us to use those?” He asked, not knowing the etiquette of such matters in Beleth.<br>
<br>
“Of course! You can use either,” Grace explained. “But the private ones are more… Well, private. And you can bring people to these ones, too- I’ll bring my friends sometimes. But if there’s a party down here or I’ve come with a big group, we use the public ones.”<br>
<br>
That was good to know, thought Nuri, that Beleth’s culture was not wholly different in this matter to Theren’s.<br>
<br>
The hall wasn’t long, and ended in an oblong cave. There were multiple pools of various sizes, steam rising off their surfaces. On the far end, there was a thick door built into the rock, slightly hidden from view. On the end they had entered, there were alcoves carved into the cave wall, each covered in a curtain.<br>
<br>
Grace ducked behind one, stripping off her training clothes and reaching into the carved shelves of the alcoves to grab a thin linen robe.<br>
<br>
Nuri stepped into one himself, less sure as he observed everything and scrunched his nose at the smell. He reached for the linen robe on the shelves and smelled then linen, expecting it to smell of sulfur like the water, but a freshened lavender smell pleasantly greeted him instead.<br>
<br>
“Lavender, thank goodness, I’m still not used to the smell of the water here. I suppose that’s why so much perfume is put into the bath water…” He mused aloud as he undressed, thinking back to the smell of salt in the air, a smell he found he deeply missed. “I’m starting to feel like Meera, she always had things like orange slices and flower petals put in her baths.”<br>
<br>
He carefully unwrapped the thin cloth that helped flatten his chest, flexing his torso by raising his arms over his head and relaxing. There wasn’t much to flatten, but he still insisted upon doing it as it bothered him. It only became an issue of comfort when physical activity was involved, he was long used to it by now though.<br>
<br>
Grace laughed. “I hardly notice it anymore,” she admitted as she emerged, “But yes- Lots of options down here!” Along the side of each pool was a row of small containers, labeled as different scents. “I usually go for eucalyptus,” she said. “But I’m fine to try something new if you like! Or we can use separate pools, and each do our own,” she offered. Most of the small pools were clumped together with only thin walls of rock separating them, allowing individuals to enjoy their own water while still being within talking distance. “Don’t worry about how much you dump in- It gets strained out with nets after we leave,” she said.<br>
<br>
Nuri sifted through the scents but only to find the rose one and point it out, “Oh no I’m not Meera Princess, if I were her she’d insist upon rose, would have nothing else. A lady must have her signature scent you know.” He imitated her voice poorly by raising his own and rolling his eyes, opening the cap of the rose scent just to smell it and remember her before putting it back.<br>
<br>
The way Grace guided him in these matters was similarly polite and accommodating to how he’d imagine Meera would’ve been to a new comer. A real lady’s manners, the kind that came from being raised a Princess.<br>
<br>
“Whichever you like is good with me, I trust your tastes better than mine in such pursuits. If I had my way my doublets would still be plain.” He stepped in after her.<br>
<br>
“Eucalyptus it is,” Grace declared, pouring out a generous amount of the oil and the small leaves mixed in with it. “I like to imagine it helps with the muscle stiffness, in addition to smelling nice,” she said, sitting down on the stone bench carved into the pool and leaning back, her robe billowing out a bit in the water before stilling. “Which I surely need after I was so cruelly beaten about today!”<br>
<br>
That earned her a splash in the face.<br>
<br>
“Bruises today save you cuts tomorrow.” He repeated master Pol, who had a point.<br>
<br>
Grace rolled her eyes an impressive rotation and sighed, sinking further into the water and stretching her legs out to wiggle her toes.<br>
<br>
“When Vee said he wanted me to learn to defend myself, I was determined I would make an adventure out of it,” she said. The alternative to enjoying it was remembering why it was necessary- The days between Elion’s death and Avery’s return from the summer palace, when every noise and dark corner had held danger, even with her full guard escorting her between the throne room where she’d made her stone-faced announcements, and her quarters where she’d wept into her aunt’s lap.<br>
<br>
“My friends and I were going to make a game of it,” she continued, but her friends had attended fewer and fewer lessons as the months went on, and she couldn’t really blame them. “But I think Master Pol is thus far winning,” she grumbled. “Vee should order him to take embroidery lessons from me,” she groused, pleased at the image of the old instructor stabbing himself with a needle.<br>
<br>
Nuri snorted, “Revenge of the accutest kind.” He refrained from letting her mind wander to getting revenge on him, as he didn’t hardly remember a thing about embroidery. Having stopped lessons of that nature when he was young.<br>
<br>
“Speaking of dark matters like revenge… I’m pretty sure I’ve earned Lady Roysa’s ire.” He heaved out a sigh, letting his head fall back lazily as he slumped against the carved stone.<br>
<br>
“Everything was going so well this morning, Minister Brennan is going to back my tax proposal, but… Besides the obvious benefits of the proposal I had meant it as a way to engage the nobles further. To get them to curry favor from the crown and negotiate better rates for themselves in exchange for key things we want. A court engaged and competing with each other is a safer and more secure court for the crown. Nobles are less likely to speak against you if they’re trying to curry favor you know. But Lady Roysa took this as an insult to regional pride when I told her I thought the nobles were far too independent minded. Telling me I don’t understand Beleth’s people.”<br>
<br>
Grace beamed to hear this, as though such bickering were a positive sign.<br>
<br>
“I’ve not been here long so I suppose that’s a fair assessment, but I still disagree at the state of the nobility from what I’ve seen thus far. And then she got angry when the topic turned to the negotiations between my parents and the late King. I was honest with her and told her there was no possible way anyone in my family could have done what they’re accused of. As I was the only one not in favor of peace with Beleth, and besides, assassins are not the Theren Warrior way. Maybe my mother could have done such a thing, being from Ruhar, but she too was in favor of peace and convinced my father to her side. Much to my chagrin at the time.”<br>
<br>
He tried to be as vague as possible while still allowing her to understand what had transpired, not wanting to upset her around the subject of her late brother.<br>
<br>
Grace’s grin had fallen, and she shifted uncomfortably.<br>
<br>
“... I think,” Grace said cautiously, “That the matter of Elion’s death is not something you and Roysa are likely to ever agree on. She has drawn her conclusions based on the evidence that was collected in the aftermath and she- and Avery, and most of the court and the common folk,” Grace warned, “Found that evidence strong enough to overrule what is known of Theren culture and custom. Unless you have discovered something previously unknown, you are just fighting a pointless, tiring struggle.”<br>
<br>
“That’s wise council.” Nuri peaked over at her, “If only I’d been so wise at the time. Now I think I’ve given her and Avery to think poorly of me. More than usual anyway.”<br>
<br>
“They don’t think poorly of you,” Grace said immediately. “Or well- Avery certainly doesn’t. And I rather doubt Roysa does,” she amended with a slight smile. “When Roysa seemed upset with you- Was it similar to ‘dear child, please do refrain from speaking in front of company’,” she intoned piously in an excellent imitation of her aunt. “Or more of a ‘I must urge you to reconsider the wisdom of vocalizing such notions’?,” she asked. She was either very good at imitations, or had a particular wealth of practice with this one in particular.<br>
<br>
Nuri straightened, his brow furrowing, he couldn’t tell which. Ah wait, he snapped his fingers, “She did specifically say something along the lines of the latter. I thought at the time she must think me stupid for even considering indulging anyone outside of present company would be appropriate.”<br>
<br>
“Roysa rarely offers actual criticism to people she dislikes,” Grace said with a small smile. “Or to those she thinks to be a hopeless cause. If she tells you she believes you were wrong, it’s because she believes you can do better. If she tells you what she thinks you should have done instead, it’s because she’s trying to help you achieve that better. It’s not the most conventional way to show affection,” Grace allowed with a shrug. “But she’s never been much for tight embraces.”<br>
<br>
“She gives her time and criticism to those she’s invested in…” Nuri parroted back, thinking, he’d have to not be so defensive in that case. If her criticism would come often and with the intention of helping. That’d be an adjustment for him, as he smarted every time his mother criticized him. Lady Roysa was not his mother, and he’d have to keep that in mind.<br>
<br>
“Ugh and then she got on my case about… about the heir problem.” Nuri shifted uncomfortably, thinking the heat in his cheeks must be from the steaming pool.<br>
<br>
“Oh?,” she asked. Grace’s face was already pink from the water, so if she was embarrassed by the mention of her brother’s intimate life- or surprised to hear it was ‘a problem’- she didn’t show it.<br>
<br>
“Frankly I quite like that Avery and I are going slow, so she and the rest of the kingdom are just going to have to wait. I expected him to be much worse than this but he’s… very sweet to me. I want to be sweet to him back. You know, court him properly. Is there anything in particular you know your brother loves?” Nuri quickly found a productive direction the subject could take instead of talking about his embarrassing feelings.<br>
<br>
“He’s the most irritatingly practical man I’ve ever known,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “I wish I could blame it on his coronation, but he’s been like that for awhile. You know he used to be the one to take me down here, when we were young?,” she said with a pout. “I don’t even bother suggesting it anymore.”<br>
<br>
Nuri scoffed, mayhaps he could suggest to Avery later that they all three of them should relax in these baths more often. The waters were quite pleasant once you got the smells.<br>
<br>
She hummed, considering Nuri’s question as her hand trailed circles on the surface of the pool.<br>
<br>
“He’s partial to almonds, and sweets that use them for flavoring,” she said. “He likes being outside- I’d think he’d spend all day tramping about the grounds and sleep there too, if he could. As it is, he can usually only get Em to go walking the trails with him, through either a great deal of coercion or an offer of abundant alcohol. Though I might be more inclined to join if he had a more reasonable idea of what constitutes a ‘walk’, rather than a ‘climb’,” she sighed.<br>
<br>
A vague idea started to form in Nuri’s head.<br>
<br>
Grace enjoyed the time she spent with her brother, riding their horses about their home, enjoying the fresh air and the occasional picnic. But she wasn’t going to spend half an hour or more, hiking up a nearly vertical path, no matter how spectacular he promised the view to be.<br>
<br>
“He and Gilda mostly wrote letters to each other,” she revealed. “I think he liked being able to… Take his time, with his words. And she would illustrate hers, sometimes- Drawings and little sketches, of life in Merid.”<br>
<br>
“Oh. I think I would find it pretty embarrassing if Avery found out that I’d sketched his likeness more than once…” He confessed.<br>
<br>
The grin that spread across Grace’s face was wide with delight, and a hint of mischief.<br>
<br>
“Really,” she exclaimed. “I did not realize you were an artist! You’ll have to show me sometime- Or him,” she teased. She contemplated Nuri’s quandary a bit more.<br>
<br>
Nuri grimaced.<br>
<br>
“I used to think he didn’t like surprises,” she said. “But that’s not quite true- He just doesn’t like being put on the spot, for words or some specific reaction. Emerson seems to be the most successful at finding things he’ll like, I’m sure he’d be happy to help you,” she suggested.<br>
<br>
His grimace deepened. Even if Lord Emerson were so inclined Nuri'd rather cut his hand off than ask him for help.<br>
<br>
“But I’m sure he would be happy enough to spend time with you,” she said, with a secretive smile that she didn’t manage to hide very well at all. “Like our aunt, he is not always the most effusive with his emotions,” she admitted. “But I think he does like you rather a lot.”<br>
<br>
“Well…” He began contemplatively, “I’ve never been allowed to show off what I can do in the arts, so maybe now that there's no Meera to defer to, I can do as I please and see if he appreciates what I can do.” He thought out loud, comfortable enough around Grace to be more honest than he tended to be with anyone. Save Avery.<br>
<br>
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Grace told him with a smile, sinking further under the water as they enjoyed their respite from the morning’s activities. An excellent idea indeed.<br>
<br>
<i>Coding notes: Changes made to font size and color</i><br>
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A Conversation Between Friends<br>
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The Redhill Grounds<br>
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<i><b>Interacting: King Averett &amp; Lord Emerson<br>
Location: Redhill castle grounds</b></i><br>
<b><i>Timing: After the meeting with Lord Brennan, roughly concurrent to the scenes with Grace &amp; Nuri</i></b><br>
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<br>
They rode in comfortable silence for a while, breaking it only on occasion to comment on the weather or a passing bird. Among others, Emerson’s silence migh be unusual and remarked upon, or at least noted as odd, but he didn’t need to worry about that with the king. Avery knew him well enough to know that as much as the other man liked to talk, he also liked not <i>having</i> to talk, and cherished the times he was not expected to.<br>
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Eventually however, Avery knew he must acknowledge what had been unsaid.<br>
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“So,” Avery started. “You’ve been avoiding me.”<br>
<br>
Emerson frowned. “I didn’t realize you’d be so hurt I skipped sparring practice, I apologize,” he said genially. It wasn’t exactly unheard of for him to be lax with his commitments, especially where the King was concerned. Avery had a whole guard retinue to spar with, and he frequently invited other squads to join so that he could assess them. He wasn’t hurting for practice partners.<br>
<br>
“I’m not hurt,” Avery said, with a slight eye roll. “I hardly care about that,” he said honestly. “But you have not come by my quarters to pester me, you have sent your servants to communicate with me in your place, you have only been at court dinners that conflicted with my own schedules- Ever since you and Nuri…. Had words,” Avery said, turning slightly on his horse so he could fix his friend with a pointed look.<br>
<br>
“Ah, so he told you about that,” Emerson said.<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Avery said, a furrow in his brow at the implication that Nuri wouldn’t have. “And I was hoping you might tell me about it, too.”<br>
<br>
“Wait,” Avery said after a moment’s consideration. “Were you avoiding me because you were hoping he would have to tell me first?”<br>
<br>
“Of course not,” Emerson scoffed. Well, maybe a little. “I thought…” He struggled to put words to his intent. “You are married now,” he said eventually. “Your relationship with Prince Nuri takes precedence.”<br>
<br>
Avery frowned. “I am married, not banished. Having a husband does not preclude me from having friends.”<br>
<br>
Emerson was silent for awhile. “Was he very angry with you?”<br>
<br>
He wasn’t sure what exactly Nuri had told Avery- About what he’d assumed Mercy had overheard, or even about his own conversation with Emerson.<br>
<br>
“He wasn’t pleased,” Avery admitted with a sigh. “But- It was a misunderstanding, what he thought about me and you. I managed to convince him of that.”<br>
<br>
“And how exactly did you do that?”<br>
<br>
Emerson had tried, and had felt it was a futile endeavor.<br>
<br>
“... I showed him,” Avery said. “My back.”<br>
<br>
“Ah,” Emerson said carefully. “Well, I suppose it was inevitable, wasn’t it? How did he take it?”<br>
<br>
“Well enough,” Avery replied. “He isn’t- He isn’t Belethan. He doesn’t…. Perceive it, the way that we do.”<br>
<br>
“As proof the gods have abandoned you?”  Emerson’s voice was mocking, but his tone was sharp. “Evidence you have been forsaken?”<br>
<br>
This particular subject- and most of the ones adjacent to it- was something the two of them had ample experience avoiding. They talked around it, and even when they did address it, they came at it from the side. An attempt to prevent either of their tempers from flaring or guilt being fought over, though it didn’t always work.<br>
<br>
“It should have been me,” Emerson said bitterly after a moment. “I was already abandoned.” The gods had deserted him long ago, before he’d even been born.<br>
<br>
“No,” Avery said, so sharp with anger that his horse’s ears twitched back in surprise. He breathed in through his nostrils. “You... Would not have survived the blood loss,” he pointed out after a moment.<br>
<br>
There was silence behind him, broken only by the soft footfalls of their horses. Avery’s lip curled in anger at Emerson’s unsaid reply, the words of prior conversations echoing in his ears.<br>
<br>
“And I would not have survived your loss,” he said as calmly as he could, though his voice was tight.<br>
<br>
“Hmm,” Emerson said, a noise of neither affirmation or disagreement.<br>
<br>
They rode in silence several minutes longer, both unsure of how to proceed, until Emerson decided to simply ignore the painful tangent and return to the previous topic.<br>
<br>
“So,” he said. “Your husband no longer dislikes me?”<br>
<br>
“Well,” Avery hedged. “He… Understands how events were... Misconstrued.”<br>
<br>
“Perhaps if I offer to give him a massage as well, all shall be put to right?,” Emerson suggested, a mischievous hint in his tone. “I have been told I have <i>excellent</i> hands,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.<br>
<br>
The gesture was not in vain, as Avery looked over his shoulder sternly and frowned at the faces the redhead was making.<br>
<br>
“You are a nuisance,” Avery declared, and Emerson laughed.<br>
<br>
“I’m guessing he spoke… harshly to you,” Avery said, with some concern. “He should not have. I will have him apologize to you-”<br>
<br>
“No,” Emerson said curtly. “You’ll do no such thing.”<br>
<br>
Avery looked like he might protest, but Emerson continued.<br>
<br>
“Dictating how he interacts with me is not going to improve the relationship between us,” he said. “And it’s going to <i>worsen</i> your relationship with him. Besides,” Emerson said with a shrug. “It’s fine. I’ve heard much worse.”<br>
<br>
“I would like for the two of you to be friends,” Avery admitted with a frown.<br>
<br>
“That will have to happen without your intervention,” Emerson counseled. “And perhaps a great deal of time.”<br>
<br>
This did not seem entirely satisfactory to the king, and his friend sighed.<br>
<br>
“Vee- Things change,” he said. “People change. You are king, you are married, you are going to have your own family. This is a…. Natural breaking point, in our relationship.”<br>
<br>
“Don’t be dense,” Avery said crossly.<br>
<br>
“You’re the one being dense,” Emerson shot back. “How did you imagine this playing out? I still sit in on family dinners when Queen Mother Agora is visiting? Your children- future monarchs of two countries- are going to grow up with their royal aunties who teach them diplomacy, and their lil’ ol’ bastard uncle who teaches them to cheat at cards and barter at brothels?”<br>
<br>
“I- You’re my <i>friend</i>,” Avery protested.<br>
<br>
“And I still will be,” Emerson relented. “But maybe- You could have some other friends, too. Friends… More suitable to a respected monarch.”<br>
<br>
Avery sighed. Their aimless route had led them to the orchards, and they made their way through the skeletal trees planted in even spacings like soldiers at attention.<br>
<br>
“And I suppose, you have some candidates in mind?”<br>
<br>
“Lady Roysa does, I believe,” Emerson admitted. “Some people who are already at court, some couples she thinks you and Prince Nuri might get on well with if they were to be invited for a stay-”<br>
<br>
“I’m not opposed to... Socializing,” Avery said, a bit grumpily. “But I resent it being made into some sort of project.”<br>
<br>
“Oh, you’ll be fine,” Emerson said airly. “They’re mostly fine- Lord Escalus is a decent enough fellow, by all accounts. And you didn’t hear it from me, <i>but</i> he seems more likely to inherit his father’s title than his brother despite the….” Emerson gestured at one side of his face. “...Situation.”<br>
<br>
“What do you know?,” Avery asked curiously. The fact that Escalus was at Redhill this season was a bit of a surprise- The stain on his face he’d been born with was bad enough, but the attempts to remove it when he’d been a child had been <i>disastrous</i>, and a source of great shame for his family. Everyone assumed he’d be kept out of the public eye as much as possible, and his younger brother would inherit instead.<br>
<br>
“Nothing I learned honestly, so don’t you trouble yourself over it,” Emerson said with a cheerful wave of his hand.<br>
<br>
It might have been embarrassing to have an heir whose face told the story of your family’s failings. But when the alternative was an heir who could neither read nor write- Well. Emerson was quite sure the younger brother was <i>not</i> going to become a duke.<br>
<br>
“And what do I talk about with Lord Escalus? I don’t think we have much in common,” Avery protested.<br>
<br>
“Nonsense, you’ve far more in common with him than with me,” Emerson scoffed. “And riveting conversation is hardly the point, stop being obtuse. You invite him to a night of drinking and cards, or go hunting- Invite Ches and some of his friends, make a whole party of it.”<br>
<br>
It was Avery’s turn to look incredulous.<br>
<br>
“Ches? Your cousin, Chester? He used to set hunting dogs on you,” Avery said with obvious disdain. “He nearly drowned you in a well when you were boys!”<br>
<br>
“Well, let’s not hold that against him,” Emerson obliged. “He was just following along with the bigger children, he’s hardly an independent mind. I think the worst thing he ever did to me personally was lock me in a root cellar, and even that I suspect he was put up to-”<br>
<br>
“And how long were you in that cellar?,” Avery asked icily.<br>
<br>
All night, most of the next day and then a few hours more, until Vienna had noticed his absence at the family’s evening meal and gone looking for him. It had been dark and cold, but at least he had not gone hungry.<br>
<br>
Emerson waved off Avery’s concerns with a brush of his hand. “He’s much more mature now-”<br>
<br>
“You’ve described him as ‘having the personality of cold oatmeal’, on more than one occasion,” Avery said.<br>
<br>
“Exactly- Wholesome, fulfilling, strong consistency, remarkably non-poisonous compared to the breakfast foods I would use to describe the rest of my family-”<br>
<br>
Avery’s thoroughly unimpressed glare finally broke Emerson’s resolve, and the redhead began to laugh.<br>
<br>
“All right, all right, I just think it would be funny- He tries <i>so</i> hard, Vee, I’m imagining him trying to make conversation without Vienna’s assistance and frankly it’s hilarious-”<br>
<br>
“You wouldn’t even be around to bear witness,” Avery reminded him.<br>
<br>
“Yes, I suppose I would have to rely on your second hand accounts, and you are a terrible storyteller, pity,” Emerson mused.<br>
<br>
The corner of the king’s mouth lifted into a slight smile and Emerson rolled his eyes.<br>
<br>
“Of course I’ll still be your friend,” the redhead relented. “It would just be good for you to have a…. Wider, more palpable social circle, that you interact with beyond events your aunt organizes.”<br>
<br>
Avery turned and raised his eyebrows.<br>
<br>
“All right, beyond events that your aunt has <i>publicly</i> organized.”<br>
<br>
“Mm-hmm.”<br>
<br>
“And maybe I need time to myself, did you ever think of that,” Emerson joked. “Being your only friend is <i>such</i> a burden on my schedule, you know. I have other things I want to do, other people I want to see.”<br>
<br>
“Mm-hmm,” Avery agreed, his lip twitching. “Like a certain new dark-haired lover?”<br>
<br>
<i>What.</i><br>
<br>
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Emerson said as smoothly as possible.<br>
<br>
“You aren’t as subtle as you think you are, you know,” Avery said, clearly pleased to have the upper hand.<br>
<br>
<i>How did he possibly know, </i>Emerson wondered. It had happened once-<br>
<br>
“You are lucky Captain Harpe is a consummate professional- Or else she might wish to have words with you. Though I suppose she has long since given up the illusion that she has any control over her sister’s life.<br>
<br>
<i>-Oh.</i><br>
<br>
“Mariah and I-,” Emerson began. Are just friends. Are working on a new song, and a repertoire she might one day play at court. Are meeting up to commiserate over our word-sparse, soldier-minded loved ones? “Are not in the business of explaining ourselves to others,” Emerson finished primly and Vee chuckled.<br>
<br>
“Of course, of course. Well- So long as you’re both enjoying yourself, I suppose,” he allowed, and Emerson smirked.<br>
<br>
“Oh, very <i>much</i> so, why just the other day I enjoyed her considerably-”<br>
<br>
“I don’t care to hear the details,” Avery interrupted. “I just- It’s been over a month now at least you’ve been seeing her, hasn’t it?,” he asked, and Emerson nodded hesitantly.<br>
<br>
It wasn’t unthinkable, for Emerson to be seeing someone for that long, but it wasn’t common- Especially considering the regularity with which he visited her in town and she came to visit him, and the fact that it wasn’t really convenient compared to a lover at court…. It made sense, that Avery might think this particular relationship more serious than others.<br>
<br>
“I’m glad,” Avery said, with a slight smile that irritated Emerson for some reason, even though he had just moments ago decided it was best to just let his friend assume whatever he wanted.<br>
<br>
“You seem… Similar in many ways,” Avery mused. “You seem good for each other.”<br>
<br>
Emerson was astonished at Avery’s capacity for being entirely wrong. They <i>were</i> similar in many ways, which was why Emerson always felt <i>exhausted</i> after having spent time with her. Mariah was a good woman and he liked her and was happy to help her but gods…. He was glad she was more interested in telling bawdy stories than experiencing them.<br>
<br>
He preferred someone who- Well... What did he prefer? He supposed it didn’t really matter, any more than it mattered to let Avery believe this fiction.<br>
<br>
He was distracted by a small white speck, drifting across his eyeline and settling on his horse’s mane.<br>
<br>
“Ah, here it comes then,” he said, and both he and the King looked up at the white sky and the flakes that had begun floating down from it.<br>
<br>
“Shall we head back then?,” Emerson asked. They were both dressed warmly enough, but it was reasonable to assume the weather might pick up soon, and it was at least a half hour’s ride back to the stables.<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Avery agreed, and they turned their horses around one tree and began back the way they had come, only now in a different aisle.<br>
<br>
After a minute, Avery made a thoughtful noise. “Actually,” he said hesitantly. “There was… Something, I wanted to speak with you about.”<br>
<br>
Interest piqued, Emerson rode closer so that their horses were parallel and they had to be careful not to brush against the others legs. It was tight spacing between the aisle of trees, but Emerson thought Avery might prefer the opportunity to speak more quietly.<br>
<br>
The guards were positioned far enough away that they could not have overheard much in the first place, and they were all loyal to Avery…. But all the same.<br>
<br>
“It’s about the Lord Chancellor,” Avery said after a moment. “Have you had a chance to consider your position on him?”<br>
<br>
Emerson felt his stomach twist. He’d recently been considering quite a number of positions on Cromwell- But he doubted that was what Avery was asking about him.<br>
<br>
“Your aunt and I have recently decided to treat him with… Healthy wariness, but not suspicion. Not trust yet, but the presumption that it may one day exist.”<br>
<br>
“But you have already investigated him, and found no obvious reason we should think him an enemy,” Avery clarified and Emerson nodded in agreement, and some confusion.<br>
<br>
“Vee- What is this about?”<br>
<br>
It had been Avery who had wanted to trust the man, and Emerson who’d doubted that- And now that he’d finally decided to trust his friend’s judgement, he was changing it. Of course.<br>
<br>
“I have recently learned,” Avery said stiffly. “That he- That is to say… He has not always acted in Nuri’s best interests,” he finally finished.<br>
<br>
“In what ways?,” Emerson asked.<br>
<br>
“I will not elaborate further,” Avery said- It was an apology, not a dismissal, but he still said it a bit sharply, and Emerson could tell he was angry about it, even if he was trying to act as though he wasn’t.<br>
<br>
“... Did he act in ways that were not in the prince’s best interests,” Emerson asked cautiously, trying to understand further without prying, “Or did he act in ways that were <i>against</i> the prince’s best interests?”<br>
<br>
“Against,” said Avery tightly.<br>
<br>
“And by doing so, was he potentially acting in the interest of instead his monarch, or Theren in general?”<br>
<br>
Avery considered this for a moment. “It could be… Potentially justified in that manner,” he allowed grudgingly.<br>
<br>
Emerson sighed. On the one hand, he didn’t want to dissuade Avery from being wary- It was a healthy thing, to be at least a bit suspicious of possible new allies. But-<br>
<br>
“Cromwell isn’t the prince’s personal advisor,” he reminded Avery. “The responsibilities of his role- and his past roles- have not necessarily included His Majesty’s interests. It is only very recently, in fact, that Prince Nuri’s fate has become so much more… linked to that of his country.”<br>
<br>
He didn’t know why he was defending Cromwell... Except because Emerson himself had acted - or <i>not</i> acted - in ways that did not always serve Grace’s best interests, or Elion’s, or even Beleth’s on more than a few occasions.<br>
<br>
“Obviously, I do not know the whole story,” Emerson allowed. “But it may be the case that you do not either. Perhaps he was not able to act-”<br>
<br>
“He could have,” Avery said tersely. “He <i>should</i> have.”<br>
<br>
Emerson was well aware of the different ways his friend’s temper showed through, and he guessed that if they continued to dwell on what had happened- whatever it was- Avery would start shouting, and potentially start hacking at tree with a sword as if it were an axe. Which would accomplish nothing except anger the weaponsmaster.<br>
<br>
“All right then,” he said calmly. “What do you want to do about it then?”<br>
<br>
The shift of focus to the future seemed to help, and Avery considered.<br>
<br>
“I want-,” he contemplated before sighing. “It isn’t <i>him</i> I want to punish,” he admitted after a minute. “He’s just who is most convenient.”<br>
<br>
Emerson had given up trying to guess what this was about- Knowing Avery, it was either something very serious, or something incredibly trivial that Avery had decided to take very seriously, for presumably idiotic but endearingly noble reasons.<br>
<br>
“But,” Avery added after a beat. “It was unacceptable nonetheless, and such a lapse cannot happen again. If he means to stay here-”<br>
<br>
“Does he,” Emerson interrupted, curious. “Mean to stay here?”<br>
<br>
He was only interested in the answer, as it pertained to the current conversation. And for no other reason.<br>
<br>
“I don’t actually know,” Avery admitted with a frown, and Emerson felt something akin to disappointment. “But if he is- Well. We can’t exactly just host another country’s chancellor for an indeterminate amount of time.”<br>
<br>
This was <i>exactly</i> the point Emerson had brought up a month prior, but he tried to take pride that Avery had finally reached the same conclusion, instead of feeling exasperated.<br>
<br>
“My own… Current feelings aside,” Avery said, with much consternation. “He has the potential to be a strong ally, and an asset to our plans. He is familiar with Theren government and society at multiple levels, he understands trade well, he doesn’t have any associated baggage with our noble families, he did excellent work on a recent project with Nuri,” Avery listed.<br>
<br>
It sounded like a very rehearsed list, Emerson thought, as though Avery had been reminding himself of these things to stop him from punching Cromwell in his smug, arrogant, handsome face-<br>
<br>
“And of course, if he were to agree to become an official advisor to the crown here in Beleth, it would be a commensurate position-”<br>
<br>
“No, it wouldn’t,” Emerson said, and Avery frowned.<br>
<br>
“In Theren, he’s a lord. He earned the rank of nobility- Land and title and all of it,” Emerson explained. “But he can’t be a lord in Beleth.”<br>
<br>
Avery considered this. “He could marry into it,” he suggested, and Emerson lifted his eyebrows.<br>
<br>
“Maybe,” Emerson agreed, though he didn’t like the idea for a reason he couldn't quite articulate. “A cousin, or youngest daughter of a lesser family. But an equivalent position? Would be an inheriting one,” he pointed out. “And I can’t think of a single duchy or even barony that would take a common born man from Theren as their son-in-law and future head of family.”<br>
<br>
After a moment he added, “At least not without some substantial leverage material- I don’t think we have any at the moment, though of course that could change-”<br>
<br>
“Stop planning blackmail,” Avery ordered. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves. I only wanted to know if you had found tangible evidence that we ought to distrust him.”<br>
<br>
“No,” Emerson admitted. “Per your aunt’s suggestion, I wasn’t going to keep outright looking, but I could continue,” he offered.<br>
<br>
It would be awkward, since he’d been avoiding the man since their… Encounter earlier in the week, but their conversation this morning had been fine. A little stilted in some places, but Emerson could work with that. He’d look a little desperate hanging around, now that Cromwell was satisfied with returning to polite professionalism, but it wasn’t like he was a stranger to acting foolish, so.<br>
<br>
Avery made a noise that was neither a confirmation nor a denial, so Emerson assumed it was probably the first and Avery was just too idealistic to actually say so.<br>
<br>
“I agree that I was… Naive, to assume that our treaty as countries meant we should ally ourselves unconditionally as individuals,” Avery said, which Emerson rolled his eyes at. That much was obvious, though he didn’t actually think Avery had been being <i>that</i> naive. “I think for now, we should… Evaluate opportunities we might use to get Cromwell more invested here in Beleth.”<br>
<br>
That sounded reasonable enough, and Emerson nodded.<br>
<br>
“If he is going to continue being here, I would like for him to be more… Embedded with Beleth and our interests,” Avery said.<br>
<br>
If it had been Roysa lingering over a certain word in that sentence, Emerson would be sure he had been caught out- As it was, he was certain Avery was just taking his usual time with words in the hopes he would sound more deliberative.<br>
<br>
Fairly certain, at least.<br>
<br>
Emerson rarely blushed and was proud of his ability to suppress that reaction- It annoyed him that his face was flushed pink now because of the snow and the wind, and had to console himself with the fact that it had at least not gotten any pinker.<br>
<br>
“I will endeavor to embed him,” Emerson said straight faced, and Avery’s distinct lack of reaction soothed Emerson’s worries about what his friend might know.<br>
<br>
“All right then,” Avery said with a nod. “We shall simply have to be aware, and see what happens next,” he decided, apparently satisfied with this conclusion.<br>
<br>
Having left the orchard behind, their horses drifted apart and they made their way through the woods with spatterings of conversations. Emerson was admittedly a bit distracted, thinking how he might recover from his previous error and reinstate a relationship with Cromwell that might allow him to keep an eye on the chancellor and his affairs. His professional affairs.<br>
<br>
They paused at the crest of a small hill, and Avery pointed across the forest, to an area that looked much the same to Emerson as the rest of it. He wasn’t actually sure where exactly Avery was pointing, or why he was doing it until the king spoke.<br>
<br>
“That’s where we took the deer down,” he explained. “During the hunt.”<br>
<br>
“Ah,” Emerson said. “That’s a far distance- Did you have a good time, then?”<br>
<br>
“It was fine,” Avery said with a shrug. Emerson assumed this meant it had been enjoyable enough, but that Avery felt guilty for taking part in something Emerson disliked.<br>
<br>
“And you wore your masks the whole time?,” he asked, curious about what he’d heard.<br>
<br>
“Not the whole time, and not everyone,” admitted Avery as they rode down the hill. “Made it a bit difficult to see,” he allowed. “But people seemed to like it.”<br>
<br>
“Well, all the better I skipped out,” Emerson said. “I can find formal wear in my wardrobe to match a fox’s face, but a riding outfit I might have more difficulty with,” he joked, and Avery chuckled a bit at his friend’s fastidious tastes.<br>
<br>
<i>-Wait. </i><br>
<br>
Emerson replayed the conversation he’d had this morning with Cromwell. He’d been a bit confused by the Chancellor’s farewell, but had assumed it to be some sort of Theren saying he wasn’t familiar with- Presumably about the value of hard work or something equally banal.<br>
<br>
But… If <i>he</i> was the ‘fox’…. <i>Oh.</i><br>
<br>
Oh, he had been being <i>very</i> stupid, Emerson realized, and mentally kicked himself. How had he not seen this? It was <i>so</i> obvious in hindsight, why hadn’t he seen it-<br>
<br>
He hadn’t spoiled things with the chancellor at all- Or at least, not yet he hadn’t. He might though, if he didn’t act soon. Did he have any plans for tonight? He could probably find out where Cromwell would be (his office, most likely) and stop by-<br>
<br>
No, no. Best not to seem too eager. Tomorrow, or the day after.<br>
<br>
It was all salvageable, Emerson thought, with something like relief. Relief- And maybe just a hint of anticipation.<br>
<br>
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Flashback<br>
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<br>
<b><i>Interacting: King Averett, Lord Emerson and Maxwell; King Averett, Lord Emerson and Lady Roysa</i></b><br>
<i><b>Location: Redhill Castle<br>
Timing: Flashback scene, takes place after Nuri first arrived in Redhill</b></i><br>
<br>
<br>
“This all looks fine,” Avery said, leafing through the pile of notes and letters that had accumulated in his absence as he walked through the halls of Redhill, Maxwell and Emerson on either side of him, and guards ahead and behind. He frowned at one of them, and then passed it to Emerson.<br>
<br>
“Could you look into that? And if it seems legitimate, draft a response thanking him for his inquiry, but no, the crown is not interested in the offer, generous as it may be,” he instructed his friend, passing a letter to the redhead.<br>
<br>
“You’ve got a designated secretary, you know,” Emerson groused, though he took the note without much genuine complaint.<br>
<br>
“Whose next few weeks are booked solid writing missives of thanks to my attendees and gift givers,” Avery reminded him. “See if the generals can meet with me earlier in the morning,” he told Maxwell, who nodded and scribbled something down in his notebook. “I’d like to strong arm as many of them as possible into coming with me to visit the barracks after.”<br>
<br>
Outside the door to his chambers, he paused and sighed.<br>
<br>
“How long has she been waiting?”<br>
<br>
“Not too long, Your Majesty. I let her in maybe 20 minutes ago,” Maxwell replied.<br>
<br>
“And before she informed you that she wanted to speak with me as soon as I got back?”<br>
<br>
“I believe she had not left her rooms since getting news of the attack on your party,” the manservant said cautiously.<br>
<br>
Since she had gotten news of who was <i>in</i> his party.<br>
<br>
In the guard room outside his chambers, the retinue took their positions, and Avery took a deep breath. “Maxwell, put away my dinner clothes, I won’t need them,” he instructed, thankful that Grace had managed to put off the inevitable family dinner for the time being. “But- Draw a bath please?”<br>
<br>
Maxwell looked hesitant to leave the king so soon after he’d arrived back home, but he had his instructions and an implied dismissal, so he bowed his head and left.<br>
<br>
“Well- I think you handled everything remarkably well,” Emerson said, clapping his friend on his shoulder. “Far better than I would have expected, frankly. Kept expecting you to say something stupid and ruin everything,” he admitted.<br>
<br>
“Thanks for your confidence,” Avery said wryly.<br>
<br>
“All right, then,” Emerson said, squaring his shoulders. “Been awhile since I got properly yelled at by your aunt. No point delaying, it’ll only get worse,” he advised, opening the door to the sitting room and pushing himself and his king through it. It clicked shut behind them, and Lady Roysa rose from her chair to turn her stern expression on them.<br>
<br>
She looked them both up and down, and a small fraction of the tightness in her face relaxed.<br>
<br>
“You both seem relatively unharmed,” she observed. “Thank the gods.”<br>
<br>
“Well, before you go about changing that,” Emerson cut in. “You should know that Vee here did quite well, considering the circumstances.Very professional about everything, rarely missed a beat, one would think everything went as expected- Well, not the ambush, obviously-”<br>
<br>
“’As expected’,” Roysa quoted. “Have you both gone blind, or are you just idiots of the highest caliber?”<br>
<br>
“Emerson,” Avery said with a wave of his hand. “You can go now.”<br>
<br>
“No, please stay,” Roysa interjected tightly. “You have just as much to answer for- What good are you if you can’t even stop him from being such a godsforsaken simpleton?”<br>
<br>
“As my lady requests,” Emerson said, halting his departure and turning back to the stone face of the lady in question.<br>
<br>
“Emerson. Go.” Avery’s directive was clearly an order, and he said it with finality as he sank down into an armchair across from his aunt.<br>
<br>
“As my king demands,” Emerson amended, offering a quick bow to the royals before seeing himself out the door. He would have preferred to get the being yelled at over with quickly if he could, but he was well aware of just how stubborn both Vee and his aunt could be when they dug their heels in. He wasn’t going to get caught in the middle of that for a little thing like convenience.<br>
<br>
“I’ll not have you eviscerate him in my stead,” Avery said with a sigh. “Would you pour me some water, please?”<br>
<br>
Roysa filled a cup from the pitcher on the table, her lips pursed in displeasure. “If you think being King means I would spare you the full weight of my words in favor of another, you are sorely mistaken. Especially since you have demonstrated you <i>can</i> listen to my advice,” she said pointedly, offering him the water.<br>
<br>
The corner of Avery’s mouth twitched slightly as he drank. “I am actually thirsty, you know,” he said, but she was right that he had been following her own teachings. When confronted with someone who doubts your judgement- Remind them of your authority by having it acknowledged by someone else. Then force them to acknowledge it as well.<br>
<br>
“Well,” she demanded after he had finished nearly half the water. “Are you going to at least try to explain yourself, or have you not even bothered coming up with an excuse for this mess?”<br>
<br>
“It’s not like we didn’t know this might happen,” Avery said, and Roysa looked affronted.<br>
<br>
“Oh, you’ve been consulting oracles now? I didn’t realize they were in the habit of being so specific, especially about events so near in the future,” she said tersely.<br>
<br>
“No,” Avery said, with some confusion. “I told you? We discussed this,” he said firmly, recalling the conversation in question. “That the prince’s engagement had been formally ended, and his fiance thrown from the palace?”<br>
<br>
Roysa looked confused, then a slow horror took over her face with realization.<br>
<br>
“I thought,” she said slowly. “I thought you meant- Just, that they would be looking for a more profitable match for him than Lord Brutus. Someone of higher rank, with more diplomatic importance.”<br>
<br>
Avery shrugged his shoulders, and gestured at himself. A king certainly outranked a general, even one of noble birth, and the treaty with Beleth was quite.... Diplomatically important. “You did seem remarkably… Calm about the prospect,” he recalled.<br>
<br>
Roysa let out a long sigh.<br>
<br>
“In the future,” she said tiredly. “If you reveal something of such an important nature and I do not react in a way that seems appropriate, <i>please</i> make sure we are on the same page. If I had realized- Perhaps we could have avoided this embarrassment.”<br>
<br>
“We <i>have</i> avoided embarrassment,” Avery said.<br>
<br>
“No, you’ve only made it worse,” Roysa snapped angrily. “What were you thinking, bringing that boy back here?,” she hissed. “What do you propose we do with him while we sort out this catastrophe?”<br>
<br>
“There’s nothing to sort out,” Avery replied. “I’m going to marry Prince Nuri.”<br>
<br>
Roysa gaped at him.<br>
<br>
“You cannot possibly- Agora is sitting in her palace, laughing at us right now!,” she said with a gesture in the vague direction of Delphi. “As will the rest of the continent, once news travels!”<br>
<br>
“I don’t think so,” Avery said. “There are two possibilities- Theren always intended that Prince Nuri and I would marry. If I refuse him, we risk offending our new allies.”<br>
<br>
Roysa rolled her eyes. “Your determination to give others the benefit of the doubt was endearing as a child- As a king, it is dangerous,” she warned.<br>
<br>
“Or as you suggest,” Avery allowed, “This was some plan to ‘trick’ us. But that plan only succeeds if we react accordingly.”<br>
<br>
Roysa’s eyes narrowed, but Avery knew she was thinking it over.<br>
<br>
“If I had demanded Queen Meera instead- Then yes, we would have looked foolish. Theren would have pointed out that my marriage to Nuri satisfied the requirements of our agreement. I would have returned with a prospective spouse that I had just announced as being my second choice- Or no prospective spouse at all.”<br>
<br>
Roysa huffed. “It would be like Agora to pull something like that. She’s always been a snake.”<br>
<br>
Avery could have forced the issue, and Agora could have called his bluff and claimed that if he wouldn’t accept Nuri, then they’d have no marriage at all.<br>
<br>
“Queen Mother Agora,” Avery corrected. It was only the two of them, but he probably shouldn’t get in the habit of letting others refer to his future mother-in-law so casually.<br>
<br>
“And the prince himself? Do you think he was the sacrificial lamb, or a willing conspirator?”<br>
<br>
“I don’t think it matters,” Avery said with a shrug. He wasn’t surprised that Roysa was unwilling to entertain the idea that this had been a case of misunderstanding. “He seems smart. If he hasn’t already realized- A king for a husband is a much better position than just a queen for a sister. It’s in his best interest- and in Theren’s- to be my ally in this marriage. The power he can wield here may not be the sort he’s seen at home,” Avery conceded. “But it has farther reach, and longer effects. I think I can persuade him that in the long run, what’s best for Beleth will aide Theren as well.”<br>
<br>
Roysa didn’t seem entirely satisfied, so he pressed on.<br>
<br>
“Queen Meera may be known for her diplomacy, but that could be an obstacle for us- She is <i>known</i>, internationally, as a Theren princess. It could be difficult to convincingly position her as a Belethan royal. Prince Nuri, on the other hand, has largely avoided attention and is not so well known an entity. We can better manage how he is perceived,” Avery said, appealing to his aunt’s love of control.<br>
<br>
“He has worked with their Lord Chancellor on trade agreements,” Avery pushed. “He understands international and oversea markets- With Theren’s better access to the sea and ours to the greater continent, he can bring the countries together on trade to the benefit of all.”<br>
<br>
“We are self-sufficient,” Roysa said haughtily. It wasn’t completely true, but the fact that it nearly was had everything to do with Roysa’s work over the last few decades.<br>
<br>
“For which I and our people are most grateful,” Avery amended. “But we still can be, <i>and</i> we can have eucalyptus in all the bathhouses of Kokinos, instead of just the ones here in Redhill. You could have cardamom wines with every meal, instead of just on occasion,” he pushed further, and Roysa waved a hand at him.<br>
<br>
She and Avery and the other ministers had talked at length about increasing international trade, and she did not need to be persuaded of its benefits. He was only trying to distract her.<br>
<br>
“And Queen Meera? She will be satisfied with giving up her country to her niece or nephew?”<br>
<br>
“The treaty states that the heirs I produce with my royal Theren spouse shall inherit both crowns,” Avery pointed out.<br>
<br>
“Their inheritance does not necessarily work the same as ours,” Roysa replied. “They may be less willing to let some piece of paper overrule the precedence of first born. Gods- And if she bears children first? The Theren nobles will back that child, no matter what past arrangement have been made,” she said with concern<br>
<br>
“She’s not even had a serious suitor, I doubt she plans to marry soon-”<br>
<br>
“Foolish boy,” Roysa said, though she seemed more sad than frustrated. “This could have been their plan all along- She’ll be married in the month, as I hear they have a newly single general now-”<br>
<br>
“No,” Avery said firmly. “Perhaps you are right, and my engagement to Prince Nuri was a test of our new alliance. But I do not think Queen Meera would seek to overturn it, especially so quickly.”<br>
<br>
Roysa frowned. “You are clearly unfamiliar with the Queen Mother-”<br>
<br>
“It is Meera who is queen now,” Avery reminded her. “And I don’t think either woman is foolish enough to try and make an enemy of us. The terms of the treaty were good for them, and they kept most of their country in tact,” he said, a fact which his own nobles seethed over. They had expected a war would mean new lands for them to squabble over.<br>
<br>
“But it still devastated them. <i>And</i> exposed their weaknesses to the rest of the world. It will take them a decade at least to rebuild their military, and until then they are vulnerable to every marauding force, to every foreign empire that wants a foothold on the shores of this continent, even to dissent among their own people. They cannot risk losing the protection an alliance with Beleth affords them.”<br>
<br>
Roysa considered this for a moment and nodded slightly. “They aren’t secure enough to alienate us,” she agreed, a statement for her own reassurance as much as anything else. She sighed as she sat in the chair opposite her nephew, and poured herself her own glass.<br>
<br>
She frowned at it after she had taken her drink, and sighed. “This is preposterous,” she said. “But we’ll have to make it work. You can’t really <i>marry</i> Prince Nuri, of course,” she said, and the crease between Avery’s eyebrows wrinkled.<br>
<br>
“You’ll make him an advisor- He can be your principle,” she said, unhappy that she would have to give up her role but willing to do so. “Maybe you can swear the Debt to him,” she suggested with an idleness that Avery didn’t like.<br>
<br>
He knew her faith had always been more… Pragmatic than his own, but the Debt was meant to be sworn for personal reasons, not political ones. He did not like how blasé she was being about it.<br>
<br>
“They’ve got to have a suitable cousin you could take as a consort, to provide an heir. Or to marry Grace, I suppose, she’s nearly ready,” she said, running two fingers along her forehead as she thought, her thumb anchored beneath her eye.<br>
<br>
“Or,” Avery countered. “I could just marry Prince Nuri.”<br>
<br>
Roysa looked up across the table at him with annoyance and a small amount of pity.<br>
<br>
“Be reasonable, Avery,” she admonished. “You know that is not possible.”<br>
<br>
It was Avery’s turn to look annoyed.<br>
<br>
“Because he’s a man,” he asked bluntly, “Or because you do not perceive him as one?”<br>
<br>
Roysa did not back down at her nephew’s frankness.<br>
<br>
“There isn’t exactly precedence,” she said practically. “For either situation.”<br>
<br>
“Queen Cordalia married a woman,” Avery countered, invoking his great great grandmother.<br>
<br>
“When she was in her late <i>sixties</i>,” Roysa said. “After her husband had died. And she had grown children and a dozen grandchildren. And her wife became ‘Princess Consort’, I believe, not queen. Besides, her situation was… Unique. And many, many years ago.”<br>
<br>
Avery did not have her Cordalia’s immense popularity with both the common people and the nobles alike, or her relative lack of responsibility. By the time she had remarried, she had largely relinquished rule of the country to her eldest son.<br>
<br>
“Lord Perrin of Jamatal,” Avery listed. “Lord Raimund also married a man, and Lady Astrid married that merchant’s daughter-”<br>
<br>
“They are all younger children, with siblings and nieces and nephews between them and their family’s title,” Roysa said plantatively. “And their spouses are all… Conventional.”<br>
<br>
“There is plenty of precedence there, too,” Avery said in irritation. “The temple on Merid- All the acolytes become priestesses, regardless of their birth. Those-of-many are protected by the Rites of Qaglos.”<br>
<br>
“Those are <i>religious</i> circumstances,” Roysa protested.<br>
<br>
“And Herma is religious to Nuri and to Theren,” Avery countered with a shrug. Emerson had been reading up on Theren culture and customs, and had given Avery a basic enough overview of the concept to understand that.<br>
<br>
“When a glassblower renounces femininity and masculinity to join the guild, when Lady Ferah joined Adite’s acolytes- These things are done to pursue a life that is otherwise restricted,” Roysa pointed out. “If Prince Nuri was a man because he wished for a masculine role.... That they might accept,” she admitted of the capricious nobles.<br>
<br>
“But he is marrying you. He has agreed to be the spouse of a monarch, to join two countries and provide heirs- and peace- for both. Traditionally,” she continued, trying to articulate her concerns. “That has been a <i>woman’s</i> task. I fear that people will not understand… Why he would agree to such a thing, and yet remain a man.”<br>
<br>
Avery considered this for a moment before deciding. “They do not have to understand him,” he said firmly. “They just have to respect him.”<br>
<br>
He wasn’t sure he understood entirely himself, but his own ignorance was nothing to hold against Nuri.<br>
<br>
The corner of Roysa’s mouth nearly turned up in a smile. “Everything is so straightforward for you, isn’t it?,” she sighed. “You may have taken a measure of the Prince, but I doubt you spoke at length: How does he feel about this paradox? How do you know he will not come to resent you- and everyone involved- for it, in the years to come?”<br>
<br>
Avery frowned. “I suppose I cannot say for certain,” he allowed. “But he does not seem overly bothered? In Theren, I think, their views on men and women and their roles are different. I do not think he sees being my spouse as a feminine task- And there’s no reason we have to make it be so, is there?”<br>
<br>
“No,” Roysa agreed slowly. There had been aspects of the royal apartments that included design elements that were traditionally reserved for women’s spaces, but the plans for the royal apartments were already a moving target, and they would save both time and money in striking those details. The robes for the wedding ceremony were traditional, and neither Avery’s nor his potential spouse’s used fashion that was considered gendered. The throne next to Avery’s was not for a woman, but for the spouse of the sitting monarch. “Introducing him as ‘King Nuri’ will be pushing it though,” she warned.<br>
<br>
“Prince Consort, then,” Avery compromised. “For now.” He could have that changed later.<br>
<br>
“Avery,” Roysa said gently, and she stood and crossed to kneel at his side. “You- You will be opening yourself up to ridicule and cruelty. Not just yourself, but Nuri and your children, too. Even if things go better than we could hope- There will still be those that look down on you, do you understand?”<br>
<br>
Avery squeezed his aunt’s hand to quell her protests, but she pressed on. “The things that people will accept in their neighbors and their families- They are less keen to tolerate in those who wield power over them. Nearness to the crown is not a shield from scrutiny, but a magnifier of it,” she cautioned.<br>
<br>
“I know,” Avery said softly, all too aware that she spoke from experience. Painful experience- Roysa's was well respected these days, but that hadn't always been the case. It had been the cost of being different, or even just perceived as such. “But I think- In this case, this is the right decision.”<br>
<br>
There were things he could say, that he did not. It was not the time to remind her that much of the hostility of her youth had been cultivated by her own father- A specter he himself would not have to contend with. She was not wrong in her warnings, but he felt they may not be as dire as she presumed.<br>
<br>
Roysa stood and took his face between her hands and peered down, as if she could divine something there.<br>
<br>
“Is it the decision you want, though? Can you really be happy with Prince Nuri?”<br>
<br>
“As happy as I might have been with his sister,” Avery reasoned with a shrug.<br>
<br>
“But you don’t even like men,” she scoffed, and Avery raised an eyebrow. She frowned. “<i>Really?</i>”<br>
<br>
He nodded, amused at her indignation.<br>
<br>
“But you and- Oh, never mind,” she decided with a sigh. “I only- Well. If you had second thoughts about sealing the alliance with marriage, if you did want something else… We could use this opportunity to… Adjust,” she proposed.<br>
<br>
“And risk looking like fools?,” Avery asked with a slight grin.<br>
<br>
“Have faith in your aunt,” she chided. “I can find us someway to seem... Only marginally foolish,” she said, her confidence having replaced her earlier panic and anger. “We will make it work, if this isn’t what you want.”<br>
<br>
The words were said with genuine intent, but they both knew such a promise couldn’t truly be fulfilled. What Avery wanted didn’t matter. What Avery wanted didn’t exist anymore, and hadn’t for many years.<br>
<br>
“What I want... Is for you to support me in this,” Avery said at last, rising from his chair. One of Roysa’s hand was still cupped to his cheek, so he did not straighten fully. “And to support your new prince, as well.”<br>
<br>
Roysa nodded slightly in agreement.<br>
<br>
“Of course,” she agreed, standing on her toes to place a kiss on his forehead. “Your Majesty.”<br>
<br>
<br>
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King Avery &amp; Prince Nuri<br>
learn some worrying news...</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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transparent; flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: justify; overflow: hidden;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 200%; height: 100%; padding: 0; overflow: auto;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 50%; padding: 0 0 0 10px;;"><i>My poor dearest child,<br>
<br>
My sympathies are with you, it is a difficult lesson to learn, but one you must learn sooner rather than later. And for the love of all the spirits in their infinite wisdom combined, do not sabotage your position further while you learn it. You have a nasty temper my child, not unlike your father, but unlike your father you are not King. Instead you are in my position, where I once was. I know it did not feel as such, as by the time you were old enough to understand politic my influence had been well built, both in the Kingdom and with your father. But things were not always so. In fact, I was not popular at first. It is the tradition of Theren nobility to marry of Theren. Rarely are matches made outside of the Kingdom. I was an outsider, a mistake that the King was surely making. It took time, perseverance, and a considerable amount of creativity to create a space for myself as their beloved and respected Queen.<br>
<br>
As Queen consort any true power I had was through the King, and winning his affections above all others came easy. I took his heart in my possession quickly, but the thing about men you need to understand is that their pricks rarely align with their hearts, and are demanding, beastly things. Depending on the man they can be demanding indeed. But you already know this my love. You said so yourself, you experienced the same with Brutus. He took many others to bed and worshipped you as his heart’s desire all the same. <br>
<br>
This King will not worship you like Brutus did, you have far less influence over him than you did with Brutus, do not think you can be demanding with him. A King made is an entirely different sort of man than a spoiled lordling heir. You will have to work towards gaining his affections by being the best version of yourself.<br>
<br>
You can be very thoughtful when you put your mind to it, and didn’t you used to paint and write those pretty poems? Play the harp? A kiss, a thoughtful gesture, and above all making yourself useful to the running of the Kingdom will endear you to him. Open trade and industry where you can, you are skilled in that arena and others. Do this, if, for no other reason than making your own situation easier. For if you endear yourself to him then he might not mind your other eccentricities and you may partake in the enjoyment of the simple things in life. <br>
<br>
But even this my dearest one, I fear might not be enough. You have a difficult road ahead of you, and you should not expect to have a happy marriage I am afraid. I still cry at the thought of what we’ve done, giving you to our greatest enemy as sacrifice. Allowing you to throw yourself into the den of wolves for our sake, the sake of your sister. <br>
<br>
I do not write this to despair you my dearest, only to steel your resolve. Do what you must to survive Beleth. The spirit of our ancestors will not begrudge what you do to that end, as you’ve already done your duty to them and us.<br>
<br>
I also suspect the new environment and fear of lack of influence has you feeling very vulnerable and more sensitive than you normally would. Surely you are homesick? For this I have the happiest solution and news. Your sister is to be wed. Theren will have a new King of proper Theren blood. You remember that dalliance she had with Lord Basilius? <br>
<br>
Come to us my own dearest love, and we will sooth your hurts and celebrate Theren’s new royal union the very next new moon.<br>
<br>
Your loving mother,<br>
Dowager Queen Agora of House Delphi</i><br>
<br>
The tea spoon Nuri held dropped out of his hand and clanged to the floor. His mouth fell open in shock as the meaning behind this letter became abundantly clear to him. <br>
<br>
How very like his mother.<br>
<br>
“I can not believe they’ve done this…” Nuri stammered, slowly taking his eyes off of the letter and settling them on his poor innocent husband, who had no clue of the mess that was happening while he broke his fast after a rather pleasant night of peaceful music playing and shy kisses before bed.<br>
<br>
Avery had been lost in private thought, dreading this morning’s meetings. <br>
<br>
The generals would be fine, of course- His once daily briefings with a full complement of military officials had dropped to every other day, and now to weekly, and consisted of far fewer people and considerably less stress and surprises. They were continuing to withdraw troops from Theren as the region stabilized and the peace held, and the danger from pirates and other external threats lessened. He was pretty sure the next step was a reduction in the garrisons stationed in and around Delphi, which he would of course approve.They’d been able to mostly wrestle control of the interior bay back from pirates, and the combined forces of the remaining Beleth soldiers and the Theren military should be able to protect the city adequately.<br>
<br>
But the meeting with the city officials from Kokinos’ uppertown… He wished he could force Grace or Roysa to take it, except he knew the only reason they had managed to get an audience with him in the first place was because Grace had been too soft hearted to tell them no, and Roysa would merely point out that if he was apprehensive to deny requests from his citizens, then it was all the more reason to practice doing so.<br>
<br>
But there was simply no use in rebuilding the uppertown docks, when the riverbed was too shallow for modern merchant ships to berth there reliably, and there were warehouses and wide streets and infrastructure already built to support the bustling docks further down the river, and few traders wanted to frequent an area where they were liable to be mugged.<br>
<br>
He could offer to fund the dismantling of the docks, which would at least remove the danger their dereliction posed and employ some residents for a few months, but he doubted it was really what they wanted- They wanted to return to a time when uppertown had been the city’s center of commerce, and it simply wasn’t going to happen.<br>
<br>
He’d been so entrenched with his own musings that he hadn’t been paying any attention to Nuri’s own distractions, and looked up with surprise at the sound of the spoon hitting the marble tile. The wrinkle in his expression turned into an outright frown as he surveyed the table, looking for the cause of Nuri’s unhappiness.<br>
<br>
“Something is not to your liking?,” he asked, looking for the cause of the offense. Nuri had been here long enough that the royal kitchens had mostly learned what he liked and disliked- And, Avery thought, long enough that Avery had made clear any attempts to make him feel unwelcome or ignored through meal selections were grounds for demotion to a lesser kitchen staff, or even outright dismissal.<br>
<br>
“What?” Nuri looked around at the table, ridiculous, he loved mixed fruits sprinkled with chili pepper and salt seasoning, lemon squeezed over it all to create a new delightful favorite of his that Graceling introduced him to.<br>
<br>
“No, my mother she- well. <i>Meera.</i>” He struggled to explain in a way that wrapped up every political nuance both in the letter and situation. Mouth flapping uselessly.<br>
<br>
Avery continued to look confused, but stood from his seat and crossed to Nuri.<br>
<br>
“The treaty, <b>our treaty</b>!” Nuri threw his hands up in exasperation.<br>
<br>
“I’m reasonably certain my <i>thrice blessed sister</i> is <b>pregnant</b>.” He hissed, not so quietly whispering royal secrets that could doom entire Kingdoms.<br>
<br>
“And we are invited to the rushed wedding so that the babe may be born legitimate.” Or rather, Nuri was, but he'd be damned if he was going alone. To torture his mother if nothing else. Certainly not because he needed emotional support while he confronted his family or anything so ludicrous.<br>
<br>
“That’s…. Less than ideal,” Avery said, vastly understating the ideal-ness of the situation. “Does she actually say that- Your mother or your sister?” He wasn’t sure who the letter was from, and moved to pick it up gingerly, as though it might explode in his face.<br>
<br>
“Is she… Do you think it was intentional?,” he asked hesitantly. He did not want to imply that Nuri’s sister was purposefully attempting to undermine the peace, but she wasn’t just his husband’s sister- She was a sovereign of a country he had very recently been at war with, and they could not afford to be magnanimous with the benefit of doubt.<br>
<br>
“I…” His knee jerk reaction was to say no, of course not. But his mother’s letter… she'd laid the manipulation on thick. Shockingly thick in fact. <br>
<br>
Any regular person who hadn't been raised by an absolute snake would believe her false tone but things being as they were made her rather obvious. <br>
<br>
Was he a threat now? He licked his lips.<br>
<br>
“Don't think so. At least not on <i>her</i> part.” He didn't like the thought of being seen as a threat by his own mother, not one bit. It made him feel small, and not at all like a prince with his own nation.<br>
<br>
Avery began to read the letter, his brow furrowing at its contents.<br>
<br>
“Ah-” This was maybe the wrong letter, he thought. It seemed to have little to do with Meera, and more to do with him, and he wondered if he was really supposed to be reading it. But a quicker skim of the contents caught the word ‘sister’ at the bottom, and he jumped to it and tried not to think on the rest.<br>
<br>
“This ‘Lord Basilius’, then?,” Avery asked. “...Would he have been acting with or against the wishes of your mother?”<br>
<br>
This was bad, no matter how it had happened- If Queen Meera was intentionally testing the treaty, they had a problem. If she was being manipulated by those around her, that was another altogether. <br>
<br>
“Though- We are only inferring this news,” Avery pointed out. “Perhaps it is only a wedding. She is rushing it so as to avoid having a suitor chosen by us- I know there are several Beleth families who have suggested to me that their sons would thrive in a warmer climate,” he said dryly, placing the letter face down back on the table. He had feigned obliviousness to such implications, once he had realized what they were. <br>
<br>
This was why Nuri struggled to explain in a way Avery would understand. He wouldn't know…<br>
<br>
“Theren Monarchs typically marry somebody from Theren, Queen’s especially so because the man has to prove himself worthy of the title King through some grand campaign or task of the sort. Lord Basilius did not even fight in the war, it's how he's found himself a Lord. Instead he served as representative in court in place of his mother.” Nuri quickly explained.<br>
<br>
Avery nodded- The name sounded passingly familiar, but it was certainly not one he knew from his study of Theren’s military ranks.<br>
<br>
“A wedding taking place in less than a year, less than a fortnight even, is no time at all to prove himself in some grand gesture to appease the Lords. There's only one reason this would be happening. If the Queen in question is pregnant and must be wed before the baby begins to show.” He finished, leaning back. “For the preservation of her <i>Queenly dignity</i> of course.”<br>
<br>
“I’ll eat my left arm if this is coincidence. There's no way my mother would push a wedding outside of Theren custom otherwise.” Nuri’s expression soured. “Not when <i>she’s</i> a foreign Queen herself.”<br>
<br>
“I would prefer you to keep the arm, if it’s all the same,” Avery said idly. “Well,” he asked. “What would you like to do?”<br>
<br>
Nuri studied Avery while he uncrossed his arms and leaned forward, fidgeting.<br>
<br>
“You seem more mildly inconvenienced than upset.” That's right, it was more like Aunt Roysa to become upset in an offended way at something like this. Avery’s concern probably began and ended with everyone's safety. But the thing about this was… it was probably a thing, should this child be carried to term, that would affect the future safety of their heirs, and the Kingdoms that are supposed to go to them.<br>
<br>
Bloodshed would be guaranteed in fact. Theren was not likely to change its ways gracefully.<br>
<br>
Avery shrugged. “It is annoying,” he admitted. “If you wish to attend, then we shall have to rearrange our schedules, and transport will be difficult to secure so quickly, not to mention the guard arrangements- But of course, do not let these things factor into your decision,” he added quickly. “If you want to be there, I will make that happen,” he promised. If it was his own sister getting married, he knew he would want to be there. <br>
<br>
<i>Nuri realized just now that he married an idiot.</i><br>
<br>
“And it is… Frustrating,” Avery continued. “To find out this way. She is still a sovereign of course, and I do not expect her to notify us of every decision, much less seek our input. But we are meant to be each other’s closest allies, so it does not bode well that she would spring something so important on us so suddenly.”<br>
<br>
It was no wonder the King was not as alarmed as Nuri was. He didn't quite understand the ramifications of all of this.<br>
<br>
“<i>Avery…</i>” Nuri’s look of worried pity was laced with fondness, almost laughter. But the situation was so dire he held himself back to simply reaching over and tucking his husband's hair behind his ear. <br>
<br>
“You are terribly lucky you're handsome you know that?” He huffed in amusement, “And that it's me sitting here and explaining this to you because I am absolutely certain Aunt Roysa would chuck a vase at your head.”<br>
<br>
Avery’s face went slightly pink at these admonishments- Or perhaps the gesture of affection.<br>
<br>
“If our heirs are meant to take the throne, and Meera produces any, let alone one born before ours- Then it doesn't matter how much either of us wish to abide by the treaty. The Lords <i>will</i> conspire to put her heir on the throne, and not just them. The common folk will recognize that heir as their rightful monarch. Our heir will have no support in Theren whatsoever, and the rivers will run red once more.” Beleth's nobles certainly wouldn't tolerate the open defiance. They'd be proven right over their King’s soft hand in dealing with Theren.<br>
<br>
Avery hadn’t thought of that- Well, he had thought of it, in a brief, unfocused sort of way, but he hadn’t taken the time to turn over in his mind the full implications of the thought. No wonder Roysa liked Nuri, he thought.<br>
<br>
Nuri took a breath, “Which is why she promised me she would never produce any heirs… That part you wouldn't know, but she did give me her word. She's well aware of the danger.”<br>
<br>
“Oh,” Avery said, now considering things more holistically. Meera wasn’t just ignoring the spirit of alliance set forth by the treaty- She was actively undermining it. <br>
<br>
“Inheritance in Theren,” he asked. “The child needs to be legitimate from birth? Or can they be made an heir retroactively?”<br>
<br>
In Beleth, children born outside of wedlock were not eligible for inheritance among the noble families, but could made so through several different methods- Avery had offered to have Emerson legitimized when they were younger, but his friend’s interest in inheriting anything from the Fremont family had been minimal. These days, it was even less so.<br>
<br>
“Sure, but a retroactive legitimization is inherently less stable than one from birth in Theren. For instance if some bastard were legitimized despite an already legitimate heir existing then they can be officially challenged - either through support of the other Lords militarily or politically, or through one on one combat. Usually a combination of the two. It can and has happened before.” If an heir was found unworthy they would be tested in this way. A Theren Lord must be Theren strong, as they say.” <br>
<br>
Avery made a slight noise of understanding. He had hoped they could force Meera to put off the wedding, if the child could never inherit the Theren throne. She would have a bastard child, yes, but a child nonetheless. And if she lost the child, then nothing would be damaged save for their relationship. He looked to Nuri for further ideas.<br>
<br>
“I can't begin to formulate a plan to salvage this situation until we have more information. I confess I do not know Lord Basilius’s character, he kept to himself and did not gossip nor enjoy courtly pleasures as the others indulged.” Nuri chewed on this lower lip guiltily.<br>
<br>
“I do not know how open Meera will be to getting rid of her child. But if worse comes to worse there is that option. She'll do what will stave off bloodshed at the end of the day. Even at the defiance of mother.” He said darkly, not liking the very real possibility of having to force his flesh and blood to do something so deeply personal.<br>
<br>
Getting rid of an inconvenient pregnancy is one thing, being forced to get rid of your child that you wanted was quite another.<br>
<br>
Avery sighed. That hadn’t occurred to him either. “I think- Based on what you have told me,” he added, because he didn’t want to sound like he knew the queen of Theren better than her own brother. “That if she was willing to do so for the sake of keeping the peace… She would have done so already. The cost of asking could be your relationship,” he warned. If she understood the risks well enough to have made that promise to Nuri, it should have been a logical first step.<br>
<br>
“I'm sorry…” Nuri said quietly, looking down at the table. To Avery. To Meera. To children not yet born.<br>
<br>
Avery frowned, taking Nuri’s chin and tipping his face up to look him in the eyes. “There is nothing to be sorry for,” he said seriously. <br>
<br>
Nuri wasn't so sure, despite being unable to come up with any preventative measures he could have taken. He gulped but nodded affirmatively.<br>
<br>
Avery held Nuri’s face for a moment longer as he stared past his husband, beginning to plan.<br>
<br>
“The wedding will be public knowledge soon,” he said. They could hardly keep it a secret forever, and the Beleth court would learn about it- They paid close attention to news out of Theren these days. “The nobility will find the timetable suspicious, but they are not as well versed in your nuptial practices, and they’ll take their cues from us. And we… Have known about this for awhile,” he decided. He had begun to pace the length of the table, the way he often did when he planned.<br>
<br>
 “Of course we have,” he said more confidently.<br>
<br>
“Yes of course.” Nuri mimicked, as if it had always been so.<br>
<br>
“We had decided we would not attend- We have been occupied with the new tax proposal, we did not want to travel so close to when the snows might start falling, you were feeling unwell, we-” Avery held up one finger and shook his head. “No, let’s not bring that up,” he amended. There had been a few speculations that Nuri might be with child, and they didn’t need to direct thoughts towards that vein. <br>
<br>
Nuri’s mind too, thought briefly to a possibility of pretending he was with child, but the risk involved with that was too great. As he was reasonably certain his husband just realized.<br>
<br>
“Roysa and Grace can start some talk that would support a rushed ceremony to one of her own nobles- That the King of Ruhar had expressed an interest in a marriage, or one of our own nobles had begun to write to her regularly,” he hypothesized. People would be skeptical, but they could sow enough doubt to buy them more time. <br>
<br>
“Wait,” he paused, turning back to face Nuri. “I- We should decide who we will tell the full story and our conclusions to,” he said. Roysa would put it together, regardless of what they told her, but it had belatedly occurred to Avery that Nuri might not want her to know, and might not appreciate Avery’s assumption that she should be privy to everything. <br>
<br>
“Well Aunt Roysa of course, she must know. And there's little point keeping it from Grace if she's going to help spread information… Lord Emerson.” Nuri smiled ruefully, “He's useful at this sort of thing. Cromwell is too but we shouldn't tell him anything. He probably already knows but nonetheless he serves my sister first and foremost and he’ll no doubt say something infuriating like ‘I can neither confirm nor deny such information.’ either way.” Nuri mocked in a deep stony Cromwell voice, turning up his nose.<br>
<br>
“The nobles will be so fed up with him. They'll be all the more intrigued at what Grace has to say on the matter, close to the Prince as she is.” The scenario was highly amusing. “But, we do have to go, I think… I don't believe we can afford not to in truth. We must find out the details and the truth, suss out this Lord Basilius and come up with a solution that doesn't leave the court thinking you've been too soft on Theren... Even though really, you have.” He winked at his husband playfully.<br>
<br>
“Yes, I have,” Avery said solemnly. “And the court does think that already. We must impress on your sister- or her new husband, or your mother- that reality. I want this peace to last,” he promised, “But if they continue such attempts to box us into a corner, we will be forced to act.” He closed his eyes as he recalled his first meeting for this morning. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it considerably from its sleekly combed appearance. <br>
<br>
“I’m extending our breakfast,” Avery declared, shrugging his vest off one shoulder and unbuttoning his shirt partway as he crossed to the heavy doors, pulling the hem out from where it was tucked into his pants. He pulled one door open just a crack, and the servant standing there with the cart to take away the dishes looked nervous. <br>
<br>
“Your Majesty,” he said. “The Minister of War and the generals are waiting for you in your-” he began hesitantly.<br>
<br>
“Send a messenger to fetch my aunt,” Avery instructed. “She will take the meeting.”<br>
<br>
“Uh-”<br>
<br>
Roysa was his principle advisor and minister at large, and so of course could sit in for him on most occasions- But she had no authority to sign off on the movement of troops. The garrisons would stay in Delphi, without Avery having to disagree with the plans the generals had already drawn up.<br>
<br>
“She can come find us after if there’s anything we need to know,” Avery said airly. Roysa would certainly come, even though it was very unlikely there was anything to know, just to chastise him for delegating out to her, and they would be able to speak with her privately much sooner than otherwise scheduled. “We’ll probably be done by then,” he told the servant, glancing over his shoulder and back into the dining room. “But- Make sure she knows to knock.”<br>
<br>
“Of course,” the servant said, bowing his head at the dismissal, and to hide how his face had grown red at the implication of what might be happening behind the door. <br>
<br>
“Wait,” Avery said as the man turned away, and grabbed the fresh water pitcher off the cart before smiling at the servant, and shutting the door. If they were going to be trapped in here for another half hour, at least they would not go thirsty. </div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; max-width: 350px; padding: 0; margin: auto; box-sizing: border-box;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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Lady Roysa &amp; King Avery &amp; Prince Nuri<br>
make arrangements</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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transparent; flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: justify; overflow: hidden;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 200%; height: 100%; padding: 0; overflow: auto;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 50%; padding: 0 0 0 10px;;">Avery’s briefing with the generals had only been a few rooms over in his study, so it did not take Roysa long to arrive once it was finished, and she swept into the dining room with obvious annoyance. She had knocked, but hadn’t waited for an answer before intruding.<br>
<br>
“Playing hooky is unlike you,” she told Avery sternly. “You cannot foist your responsibilities off to whomever is most convenient whenever it suits you-”<br>
<br>
“Queen Meera is getting married,” Avery announced, stopping her lecture in its tracks. “Before the next moon.”<br>
<br>
Roysa’s mouth dropped slightly, in a rare display of surprise, and she turned to look at Nuri, as if he might refute this statement. <br>
<br>
Nuri did not, only nodded and said, “Lord Basilius of House Megara.”<br>
<br>
Roysa sighed, pressing two fingers to where her left eyebrow met her nose in her frequent tell of consternation. <br>
<br>
“Well,” she said after a moment. “It could be worse.” Which wasn’t saying much, but it was the only balm she had to cling to. It wasn’t a foreign alliance, and he wasn’t a military general.<br>
<br>
“We have a lot to determine in little time,” she began, but Avery interrupted her.<br>
<br>
“No ‘I told you so’?,” he asked, and Roysa frowned at him. <br>
<br>
“If we had time to waste,” she admitted. “But we <i>don’t.</i> Now- I assume she is early enough that ending the pregnancy would not jeopardize her own health? But she hasn’t. Is she idealistic or naive enough to think this won’t change or anything, or must we assume she is intentionally testing the treaty?,” she asked Nuri.<br>
<br>
Of course Aunt Roysa immediately understood the implications, Nuri was almost amused, if the solemn situation could have allowed it. But he didn't dare smile or tease Avery of it. At least not fit now.<br>
<br>
“She promised me she would bear no heirs. She takes the treaty seriously and in fact, as I told you, was one of the people most in favor of initial alliances… I have no idea what she's thinking or doing.” Nuri sighed defeatedly, “Maybe this man has gone to her head, maybe my mother has construed this, maybe she herself has suddenly lost her mind. The only thing I can really determine is that she clearly intends to keep her child if she's rushing to marry a man that hasn't proven himself in some great way to Theren's court. Why else rush like this?”<br>
<br>
At some point Nuri had gotten up and began pacing, he stopped abruptly, realizing he looked nervous and stated. “I need to get there as soon as possible to find out what's going on. There's too much we don't know.” <br>
<br>
Roysa nodded in agreement.<br>
<br>
Nuri shrugged, “I don't even know if I can convince her to get rid of the issue to be honest. She's not some Lady, she's a Queen.” His mind wandered vaguely to the possibility of sabotaging the pregnancy through something added to her food or drink, but quickly became disgusted with himself for thinking of it.<br>
<br>
“Hmm,” Roysa said, neither quite agreeing or disagreeing but reflecting on what she knew of Queen Meera. <br>
<br>
“Transportation will be tricky,” she mused, trying to think. “I hate to seem as though we are scrambling-”<br>
<br>
“We think it would be best to act as though we knew this was happening all along, but only recently decided to attend- Just earlier this week we’ve confirmed that most of the pirates have been driven out of the inner bay, so travel by sea is much safer. And Cicele’s Arrow is docked in Jamatal right now. I called it back a few weeks ago for repairs, which are finished now.”<br>
<br>
“That’s a warship,” Roysa pointed out.<br>
<br>
A rather formidable one at that- It was rude to arrive at a wedding with canon lining your deck. But….<br>
<br>
Avery shrugged. “So? I think Delphi could use a reminder of our power,” he said. “And piracy is down, not eliminated,” he said stubbornly. “I won’t put us into danger we can easily prevent.”<br>
<br>
“...And it has several cabins for the officers,” Roysa mused, which could be vacated in favor of nobility. “Who are you thinking will go with you?”<br>
<br>
“Grace is going to be upset,” Nuri said. She obviously couldn't go, thought Nuri, given she was next in line and would need to stay behind as regent.<br>
<br>
“She will have to learn to manage her disappointment,” Roysa said dryly, and Avery nodded in agreement. Even if they had had adequate time to prepare for the journey and establish security, they wouldn’t send both monarchs and their heir out of the country so soon after one of them had been attacked.<br>
<br>
“Cromwell will insist. Maybe Ladies Nyme and Veora. They could always knock sense into Meera, or at the very least give me insight if she shuts me out. They could chat up their old cohorts and provide information on what's been going on in my absence while they're at it.” It was true that before they were released from her service they belonged to Meera as her ladies, but they had other alliances and favor to curry now. Nor were they the sort to blindly excuse reprehensible behavior… and they would desperately want to be there.<br>
<br>
“Lady Veora is more… Level-headed than her sister,” Roysa said, which was the politest way Roysa could find to say that she thought Veora by far the most capable and responsible of the Theren ladies, at least in a delicate situation such as this. “I agree that she could be an asset to all parties, and her presence appreciated by Queen Meera. But I would caution against bringing Lady Nyme as well- She would certainly be adept at curating gossip, but all three of them will find their loyalties and interests tested by this situation. I think it best to limit their interactions, both with each other and with the Queen.” She did not want the sisters in a cabin together, making plans.<br>
<br>
And if Meera wanted her friends at her wedding, Roysa thought privately- Well. She could have given more notice.<br>
<br>
“She is also more likely to be amenable while her friends reside in Redhill,” Avery said with the bluntness of a military man. He didn’t think it would come to that, but they needed anything they could use to discourage Meera from escalating towards hostilities again.<br>
<br>
Nuri pointedly ignored the knee-jerk protective reaction itching at him to defend his sister and nodded. Her actions weren't defensible. That was the truth.<br>
<br>
“Keep Mercy here to assist Grace, I hear they get along well anyway.” Lady Mercidea and Grace were of a similar age and free spirit, naturally they fell into an easy friendship.<br>
<br>
“You Lady Aunt?” Nuri questioned whether she thought it best to come or stay, as there were reasons for either option.<br>
<br>
“...I think I should stay in Beleth,” Roysa said after consideration. “Your reign is new, and Grace is young, and I travel very rarely as it is. For me to join you might signal there is reason to be alarmed, or worse, eager- There are still many in Beleth who think we should have taken more of Theren’s land, and are waiting for the treaty to crumble. They will speculate wildly about this wedding regardless, and if I were to go, it would only confirm to them that there is something to be suspicious of.”<br>
<br>
She paused, and looked at the royal couple. “Unless of course you would like me to accompany you,” she added with a soft hesitance. “But- I do think you can handle this just as well with my support as without.”<br>
<br>
It was a sincere statement, but it was unclear if she was praising them, or merely acknowledging that the situation was an absolute disaster and they could hardly make it worse.<br>
<br>
“On second thought, mayhaps it's best we don't find out how well you get along with my mother just yet.” That is, there was every guarantee both would icily attempt to outclass the other every moment they were in each other's presence. And Nuri needed to focus on the matter at hand rather than managing fights. He looked pointedly to his husband.<br>
<br>
“One fire at a time, love. We’ve got to keep up appearances.” <br>
<br>
“<i>I</i> am perfectly capable of observing basic diplomacy,” Roysa said with slight affront, and Avery raised his eyebrow at her, and she sighed in acknowledgement. She was comparing herself to the other woman, and they weren’t even in the same room.<br>
<br>
Exactly what Nuri wanted to avoid.<br>
<br>
In truth, she would prefer not to meet with Queen Mother Agora in Delphi, especially in a situation like this. By Roysa’s accounting, Agora had the more powerful title within her country, and Roysa had the more powerful country. The balance would shift towards whichever woman had the home court advantage. <br>
<br>
“I think we should have one of the ministers with us, though, even if it’s not you,” Avery said. It would demonstrate they were attending not just as individuals, but as a delegation from a country. A country that had a vested interest in Theren’s future.<br>
<br>
“Lord Brennan maybe,” Roysa suggested. “He would appreciate the gesture of your confidence, to have him attend such an important event, and other than the Minister of War, he’s probably had the most reason to be keeping up with Theren these days. And hopefully, shall have the most reason to do so in the future.”<br>
<br>
Arriving in a warship was a show of force, a reminder. Bringing Beleth’s chief military advisor- a man who still publicly advocated for harsher treatment of Theren- could hardly be interpreted as anything other than aggression.<br>
<br>
Avery nodded. “He’ll be able to speak with the Theren nobles, establish himself and his credentials in economic matters. He and Lord Basilius could even discuss the potential of future lumber trades,” he pointed out, as he was pretty sure Basilius’s lands contained the majority of Theren’s mature woodlands.<br>
<br>
“Megara does not sell much in the way of lumber, nor do they sell it cheaply, considering the quality of their particular tree growth. That's why they're the poorest region.” Nuri noted absently as he thought on how taking Lord Brennen from here would prevent the Lords from accessing him to discuss their new tax proposal and how that would affect things.<br>
<br>
“I think going on the warship is wise, as is taking Lord Brennan instead of the Minister of War. This matter takes precedence over keeping a thumb on the developments of everyone's negotiations with each other regarding the tax proposal. But I’m sure Lady  Roysa that you can fill us in once we get back. That is if we even have time to announce it. When do we leave? What do we even bring as a wedding gift...” Nuri twiddled with a knickknack on the shelf, as if that would suffice for the royal couple.<br>
<br>
“Cromwell is good at that sort of thing. Surprisingly. I don't think my father ever even knew what he sent other Kingdoms as a gift; it was always Cromwell handling it.” <br>
<br>
“Let us hope he does not already have a gift chosen,” Roysa said ruefully.<br>
<br>
Nuri fully suspected that he did.<br>
<br>
“You think he already knows?,” Avery asked, and Roysa considered.<br>
<br>
“...Looking back on our recent conversations with a new perspective, I cannot find anything to suggest he was hiding something so enormous,” she admitted. “But… I do not think we can trust him at his word if we ask, nor am I particularly eager to admit that we don’t know whether he knows. Or that we only just found out ourselves,” she said.<br>
<br>
“I wouldn’t be shocked if he did. His alliance is to his queen ultimately. And there's no better secret keeper in Theren,” Nuri said. “I don't think we need to be concerned necessarily if he does or doesn't. Just about the treaty, which he is heavily invested in too. Though, thinking back… no I can't be sure. We may never know if he already knew or not…” Nuri sighed again and shrugged.<br>
<br>
“But giving him a task to do on short notice will at least occupy him. Idle hands as they say.” Leaving Cromwell's hands idle was never a good idea. That was when he came up with his best schemery.<br>
<br>
“Emerson’s still working on trying to befriend him, yes,” Roysa asked of Avery, who nodded. It was a testament to her growing trust of Nuri to allude to the fact that Emerson’s motivations were often dictated, when even she and Avery rarely discussed it so plainly.<br>
<br>
“He will mention the wedding to the Lord Chancellor as though he presumes Cromwell already knows, and gauge his reaction,” she decided. “Tomorrow morning you can meet with him formally, invite him to attend with you and task him with thinking of a gift. Claim you were going to send gold or jewels,” she suggested, as it was a standard gift that Beleth sent to foreign countries for important events. “And now that you’ve decided to go yourself, you are hoping for something more personal.” She frowned. “Though…. Perhaps assign him a secretary to run his errands for him,” she added. It wouldn’t do to just hand him a ready made excuse to be in and out of the city, where he might be able to communicate with anyone. <br>
<br>
“You could also ask him to reexamine some aspect of the tax proposal, if you wish to keep him busy- Perhaps you want to know what it might cost to exempt livestock. You should decide if you want to announce it before or after you leave,” she added. “Announcing it and then leaving, allows the families to discuss it without being able to speak to you or Lord Brennan directly about it, which could go poorly,” she pointed out, voicing Nuri’s earlier thought. <br>
<br>
“But it also suggests that you are planning to proceed with your plans as you have always intended, and are not concerned about the wedding,” she suggested. “And it gives them plenty to talk about that <i>isn’t</i> the wedding- Given a few days to stew, they may well turn on each other and scramble to your door for the best deal once you return.”<br>
<br>
“That would be the ideal outcome.” Nuri looked to Avery, “I hadn't even thought yet that it would naturally distract them from the wedding.” Good, another thing to be furious towards Meera about. Here they were, sacrificing the controlled outcome of his very first proposal to allow it to become chaotic gossip fodder instead. It would either work in his favor or against him but he'd have to leave that to chance, rather than his careful curation.<br>
<br>
“We’ll do that, they can chew on it for the duration of our visit while we focus on fixing this matter. Genius distraction Aunt.”<br>
<br>
“Is there anything else we should sort out before we all run off to a wedding we definitely knew about before this morning?” Nuri raised a brow, looking between Lady Roysa and his husband.<br>
<br>
“... I agree that we do not have enough information at this time to formulate a plan,” Roysa said slowly. “You will need to ascertain many things during your visit before you can make a decision, but chief among them are- Who is truly wielding the power of the crown, and how motivated they are to maintain the peace,” she cautioned. “It is possible your sister has been convinced by others to pursue this course of action, but you must help her to understand: She is risking her authority, her country’s stability, and her child in one move. She cannot have all three, even if we were to take no action.”<br>
<br>
“And if she will not understand,” Avery prompted. Maybe Meera would agree to discontinue the pregnancy. Maybe she would agree to disinherit the child, or have them raised in Beleth. Maybe she would agree to what the Beleth nobles had originally pushed for, for Theren to be absorbed into Beleth entirely and for her throne to be dissolved. Maybe.<br>
<br>
“Then we will have to take action,” Roysa said simply. <br>
<br>
‘She is no simpleton!’ Nuri did not dare say, for her actions proved otherwise. He had to bite down on the panic that set in the change in direction of the conversation and carefully school his features. This wasn't an unreasonable reaction to an affront like this.<br>
<br>
“I was supposed to authorize the withdrawal of troops from Delphi this morning,” Avery said.<br>
<br>
“Yes, I gathered that,” Roysa said, having understood why Avery had asked her to take the meeting once she’d learned about the wedding.<br>
<br>
“It would be impolite of me to be in the city, and not meet with my men,” he pointed out. “I will gather assessments on how the country is doing.” Where it was still weak. Where it was vulnerable to being weakened further.<br>
<br>
“Threats to renew the hostilities may be a very effective encouragement,” Roysa agreed. “But… Do not make threats you are not willing to follow through on. We have already backed down enough,” she sighed. Maybe if they hadn’t, Meera would not be testing them like this.<br>
<br>
Nuri wondered if this defiance was worth the continued military presence to his mother and sister. His mother in particular had been rather furious. What did they think was going to happen here? <br>
<br>
He felt all fight and indignation leave him at once. A tired numbness slipping into place instead. There would be no winning no matter what he did.<br>
<br>
“There will be no easy solution,” Avery acknowledged. He doubted any of this was going to endear him to Nuri’s family- But maybe if they hated him enough, Nuri’s relationship with them wouldn’t suffer as well.<br>
<br>
“Well...” Roysa said hesitantly, looking between them. “I hate to be intrusive…”<br>
<br>
“Unlikely,” Avery said with a roll of his eyes and a wave of his hand. “Continue.”<br>
<br>
“I would be negligent in my duties as an advisor to the Crown, if I did not point out that this situation might be more manageable if you had an heir of your own, older than Queen Meera’s.”<br>
<br>
Avery looked away.<br>
<br>
Nuri perked up. Previously glazed over expression no longer avoiding Lady Roysa.<br>
<br>
“Is this… There is no shame in consulting with one of the royal physicians, if attempts have been unsuccessful,” she said, treading delicately on a topic that Avery had previously warned her off of. <br>
<br>
“Attempts have not been made at all. So I hardly think the attentions of a physician will make much of a difference.” Nuri said plainly, honestly. Coming clean on a subject that had been avoided for quite some time now.<br>
<br>
“We’ve made certain choices at the pace we are going Lady Roysa and we understand… I understand…” Really this matter was his responsibility, Avery could hardly bear any heirs. “That this situation could have been avoided with different choices. But there's no unmaking those choices now. She is pregnant and I am not.” <br>
<br>
Tansy… Wormwood… Rue. There were quite a few plants that could change this situation. Loquat leaves in an ointment even. He desperately did not want to do this. Could he cross a line that evil? Sabotaging his own sister’s womb, stopping the birth of a niece or nephew? <br>
<br>
By the same vein, how could Meera be so callously thoughtless? Of not only her entire Kingdom but of him. She had to know. She was no idiot. That getting pregnant before him would humiliate the state of his marriage to everyone. A humiliation that he was capable of bearing to be sure. And a small matter next to the treaty. But she had to know this. Right?<br>
<br>
“It's my understanding you suspected as much anyway.” Nuri noted.<br>
<br>
Roysa, for once, was silent. <br>
<br>
“No,” she clarified. “I was… Unaware.”<br>
<br>
She had known Avery wanted to avoid a situation in which parentage might be called into doubt, but it had been months now. She had assumed that at this point, efforts were being made, though she had suspected such efforts had not been given the urgency she felt they deserved.<br>
<br>
Roysa turned her gaze on her nephew, who unlike his husband, did not look back, and she sighed.<br>
<br>
“I will speak with Grace and Emerson- Avery, dispatch a letter to Jamatal about the ship. I will arrange for a riverboat to take you there,” she continued. Two river boats, maybe, depending on number of servants and guards, she thought. “Let me know how many will be in your party,” she added. “You’ve a meeting with Lord Brennan this afternoon to go over some of the finer details of the tax proposal, so you can invite him then,” she carried on, not at all concerned that she was more or less giving orders to her monarchs. <br>
<br>
“I think Lord Cromwell was hoping to attend, so I will arrange something else for him- He and I can meet with the spymasters to go over anything new he has found regarding the attack on your person,” she suggested. She didn’t know if anything new <i>had</i> been found, but the spymasters would confirm they knew of no active conspiracies against the royal family, which would lend credence to the narrative that Avery and Nuri had only recently decided to attend the wedding.<br>
<br>
She was headed for the door, tasks and plans in her mind, when Nuri spoke.<br>
<br>
“Just one more thing. Lady Aunt, if you could find a way to acquire some rue and wormwood, the wormwood must be young leaves, but the rue dried. Quietly. Just in case I should need to take matters into my own hands.” Nuri couldn't be connected to the acquisition of these things, Cromwell would know. If he didn't already guess and make up his mind to watch the Queen's consumption of every little thing.<br>
<br>
Roysa turned to Nuri with a frown- Hers was of understanding, though Avery’s was of confusion.<br>
<br>
“That is-”<br>
<br>
There were many things she might say to finish that sentence, but she reconsidered all of them.<br>
<br>
“-Possible,” she finished. “I will have Lord Emerson acquire them,” she decided. “He is remarkably good at acquiring things he shouldn’t, without anyone knowing,” she said dryly. “I assume he will travel with you?”<br>
<br>
Avery looked at Nuri for any objections, but nodded hesitantly.<br>
<br>
“I have found him to be an asset in uncertain situations,” Avery said. “And his position will have a certain… Utility.”<br>
<br>
“You are planning on sacrificing him to the Queen Mother’s retribution?,” Roysa said, with a slight smile. Emerson’s unflappable demeanor in the face of an angered woman who knew she could treat him poorly with minimal repercussions- She had only ever experienced it as one of the parties involved, instead of an audience. She might even be sad to miss it.<br>
<br>
Avery looked askance at the suggestion. <br>
<br>
“Because people will talk to him in a very different way than they would to us,” Avery returned- Which he supposed was applicable to the Queen Mother as well. The same gossip Veora might gather, would be presented differently to an outsider, and not just in the court. Emerson could walk through Delphi’s markets, not as a soldier or a noble, and learn what the common people really thought of the wedding- And the treaty it threatened. <br>
<br>
“Be forewarned, I understand and accept his relationship with the crown now but others will find it extremely odd and a breach of decorum. And… come to similar mistaken conclusions as I initially did.” Nuri looked pointedly at Avery, “Maybe it's best to pretend he has a formal title or something.”<br>
<br>
Nuri couldn't tell if he was making this suggestion because of the nagging feeling of possessiveness itching at the back of his scalp or if he was being magnanimous on behalf of Lord Emerson… </div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; max-width: 350px; padding: 0; margin: auto; box-sizing: border-box;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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Lord Emerson &amp; Lord Chancellor Cromwell<br>
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transparent; flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: justify; overflow: hidden;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 200%; height: 100%; padding: 0; overflow: auto;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; width: 50%; padding: 0 0 0 10px;;">“He didn't even wake…” Puppies sure slept like the dead when they were tired, and he'd been so energetic earlier. What with his newfound ability to walk and all.<br>
<br>
Cromwell gave his little black head a small stroke and rose up, Emerson still drinking the wine he'd offered him to wash down… the taste of other things he'd swallowed.<br>
<br>
As pleasant an unexpected distraction as that had been, Cromwell really did have to get back to his letter. The Dowager Queen Agora of House Delphi was a demanding creature who demanded responses to her letters unreasonably fast. Whenever one showed up everything else had to be put aside in favor of answering it. <br>
<br>
Though to be fair, rarely did she write anything that was not of great importance. <br>
<br>
He deliberately reached across Lord Emerson, invading his space, and plucked the letter from where it had been moved to the side. The pretty fox had been eyeing it.<br>
<br>
“I already should've punished you for sitting on my desk, don't go reading my letters now. Then I really might…” He let the redhead imagine the end of that sentence.<br>
<br>
Cromwell was joking, half anyway.<br>
<br>
Emerson raised an eyebrow in mock concern. “My sincere apologies, I shall leave your desk alone in the future. I think I have a better idea for where I could sit next time,” he said pointedly with a wink, and then frowned at the dog in the corner. <br>
<br>
“But in the future, I could do without the dog present, I think,” he said. He’d very nearly changed his plans when he’d seen it sleeping in the corner, but he’d had his mission. <br>
<br>
“You aren’t taking it on the trip, are you,” he asked, wrinkling his nose in exaggeration once he had Cromwell’s attention. “The Arrow’s got at least five mousers on board, I don’t think they’d take kindly,” he pointed out.<br>
<br>
“Dogs behave how you raise them.” Cromwell said in response, an almost smile playing at the corner of his mouth as he retreated and sat down behind his work station. His non-answer was his answer, he couldn't abandon his new pet project at the most crucial stage. It would need to develop sea legs and learn to ignore distractions at some point anyway. If it were to be a useful thing. Cromwell did not abide by the unuseful.<br>
<br>
“Maybe Lady Roysa would look after it for you,” he suggested. “She doesn’t plan on coming, and <i>she</i> at least can be trusted not to change her mind,” he said with an eye roll, as if to commiserate on the fickle decisions of monarchs. “Didn’t even go to her own namesake's wedding, so. But wait, wasn’t she the one who didn’t want the pup in the first place? Maybe not, then,” he reasoned. <br>
<br>
“He's rather past the stage for culling my Lord… One would think he'd done you some great wrong.” Cromwell said amusedly. <br>
<br>
“I don’t like dogs,” Emerson said simply. His cousins had set the hunting dogs on him, time and time again. And when he’d broken one of the wretched beast’s jaw with a vicious kick, his mother had said nothing against his punishment. The dog at least, she’d said, was useful.<br>
<br>
“He likes you, his tail wags when you come around.” Cromwell pressed, teasing further as he poured himself some wine. And continued to pour. And continued.<br>
<br>
His expression grew stormy as the wine overflowed from the cup. <br>
<br>
“Umm,” Emerson said.<br>
<br>
Cromwell barely noticed and absently set the pitcher down. This letter… The Queen. The trip. Cromwell hadn't even thought twice about what trip Lord Emerson could have possibly meant. An error due to his rather relaxed state of mind. <br>
<br>
Crafty fox indeed. Emerson had caught him with his pants down hadn't he?<br>
<br>
Emerson grabbed at the pair of cloth napkins on the side table, and leapt to begin mopping up the mess.<br>
<br>
“Goddess, are you all right,” he asked Cromwell with a frown. “This is no way to treat a perfectly fine vintage,” he scolded. “Or your so-sacred desk.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell hadn’t seemed to find Emerson’s comments unusual, but maybe this was a delayed reaction? Emerson found himself hoping that was the case- And then tried not to examine too closely why he might have such hopes.<br>
<br>
As if he hadn't just spilled a bunch of vintage wine Cromwell explained. Holding up the letter to the candle flame so it's contents burned away to ashes. It fell into his wine cup, and Emerson frowned at the continued misuse of perfectly acceptable wine.<br>
<br>
“Lady Roysa had wanted me to meet with her and the spymasters tomorrow. No doubt she is curious as to what, if anything, has been found regarding the assassination attempt some months ago. But the problem is not if anything has been found. It's about what can be proven. And while I can with reasonable certainty ascertain who the culprit is. I can not prove anything. Not in a way that will stand up in any proper court. Which a man of such standing, even having committed treason, must be given trial in.” He said, knowingly implying that Lord Emerson was going straight to her tonight to give her a report on what he'd found out from him.<br>
<br>
With any luck, Emerson would think the letter had to do with that matter, and not the fact that the Queen Dowager had just informed him of something he should have been informed of much sooner. <br>
<br>
Leaving him utterly blindsided and far too lax. He'd have a thing or two to say once back in Theren. Especially to the clerical assistant he had left in his absence, whom he had thought was becoming rather competent in his duties.<br>
<br>
“And you said the love letter would lead to nothing.” Cromwell distinctly remembered the redhead’s contrary opinion of the one good piece of damning evidence he'd found.<br>
<br>
“In my defense, love letters so rarely lead to anything,” Emerson joked, a bit confused by the abrupt topic change but willing to follow it. He supposed that was what the letter was about- Or had been about, he supposed. Now it was dregs in ruined wine.<br>
<br>
“It and the armor has led to the region of the Duke of Gonby. Who has viciously elected to kill the blacksmith and his family, because he could have testified against him.” Cromwell sighed, “Killed shortly after my men arrived.”<br>
<br>
“Gonby? That seems… Uncharacteristic for him,” Emerson mused. The Duke was a reserved man, not prone to involving himself with the power jockeying of the other families, and violence against his own citizens seemed extreme. And as far as Emerson knew, he’d never shown any tendency towards disloyalty to the crown, especially since- Ah.<br>
<br>
“Queen Ysmena,” Emerson concluded with a sigh. “Was his niece. And she-”<br>
<br>
-“And he presumes he can take vengeance on her death by assassinating the prince. Yes, most likely.” <br>
<br>
Emerson trailed off as Cromwell interrupted. The dead queen’s secrets weren’t his to tell, especially to someone who was still mostly a stranger. And potential enemy. <br>
<br>
Ysmena’s death was reason enough for the Duke to hate Nuri, and that was motive right there.<br>
<br>
“Well, it sounds like a headache,” Emerson agreed. They certainly couldn’t accuse a duke of treason with only a dead blacksmith as proof. “But I’m sure you and Lady Roysa and the spymasters can figure something out to tie him to the attempt,” he said encouragingly, picking up the sopping napkins and then frowning when he realized he didn’t have anywhere to put them.<br>
<br>
Cromwell eyed Emerson's hands and his brain caught up with the wine all over his desk. <br>
<br>
“Curses, made a damned mess.” He lamented, the chair loudly sliding on the floor as he got up and took the soiled napkins from Emerson, tossing them into the fireplace with little care. As though he were getting rid of evidence.<br>
<br>
“I’ll figure something out, I always do in the end…” He poked the rubbish with the fire poker, brow furrowed in thought. Though not about the Duke.<br>
<br>
A hesitant silence followed.<br>
<br>
“Well- I’ll leave you to that then,” Emerson said, unsure if he had been dismissed or not. “I just… At the risk of being a fool- more than usual, I mean- I wanted to be sure I’m reading this correctly,” Emerson said. He sounded a bit uncertain, and hated himself when he realized it wasn’t an act. <br>
<br>
“This has been... Very enjoyable, of course. Very,” he said, licking his lower lip as he glanced towards Cromwell. He was never so nervous that he couldn’t flirt his way through it.<br>
<br>
Cromwell straightened up, squaring his shoulders as he studied Emerson.<br>
<br>
“And I’ll still be your friend regardless,” Emerson assured him, as he could hardly just stop bothering the other man altogether. “But if you are interested in… Repeating our recent activities- And I won’t be hurt if you aren’t,” he clarified, because he <i>wouldn’t</i> be. Emerson was one of the few people who made any effort to socialize with the chancellor, which made him a convenient choice, and Emerson didn’t care at all if he had his sights set elsewhere. Why would Emerson care? <br>
<br>
“...But, well, <i>are</i> you interested?” He had had some smooth line to finish that sentence that made him sound cavalier and sophisticated, that had totally abandoned him in his moment of need, and instead he’d asked a stupid question that made him sound desperate and pathetic and he was already mentally berating himself in embarrassment. <br>
<br>
“I'm terribly picky.” Cromwell stated matter of factly, setting the poker aside carefully, and moving over to the redhead. Intent on invading his space again. It was one of his new favorite activities that Beleth offered.<br>
<br>
“And don't bother with people I’m not interested in. Not if I don't have to. And to be honest, there's plenty of reason I should not allow someone with your duties and loyalties so close to a man with… my duties. My loyalties.” He loomed over the pretty little thing that had quickly become enrapturing and took a lock of hair between his thumb and forefinger, brushing his cheek with his knuckles as he played with it.<br>
<br>
Emerson’s hands came up between their bodies, as if he might create space between them- It was remarkable, considering how scant the difference in their height was, that Cromwell could make him feel so small. Instead of pushing Cromwell away, though, Emerson’s fingers curled in the cloth of the other man’s shirt. <br>
<br>
“Nevertheless, I am very interested.” Cromwell’s eyes bore into his as he hoped competitively that he had said the magical combination of words that would ensnare another visit. He had succeeded earlier, let him succeed again. He wanted more. He wasn't sated yet.<br>
<br>
“Well,” Emerson faltered. He could describe a hundred filthy acts down to the basest details and not blush. So it was impossible that his face was pink and his cheeks flushed. “I was only going to suggest that next time then, we might choose a location with more suitably horizontal surfaces,” he said lightly.<br>
<br>
The chaise lounge was likely sturdy, but might be a bit uncomfortable for two people and- Hell, it was sturdy, Emerson decided as his finger’s tightened and he pulled Cromwell closer still. <br>
<br>
“But I suppose… We could make do for now,” he suggested, his breath warm against Cromwell’s neck.<br>
<br>
“What was that about sitting on my lap you said earlier?” Cromwell imparted helpfully as he let Emerson steer them, spinning them around so he sat dead in the middle. Hand firmly on the Redhead’s hip. <br>
<br>
His directness startled a genuine laugh out of Emerson, who fell onto the other man as guided.<br>
<br>
“Ah yes, it was that.” Cromwell said before closing the snare with a heated kiss. Ashes of the Dowager Queen’s letter forgotten in the wine.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; max-width: 350px; padding: 0; margin: auto; box-sizing: border-box;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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Emerson, Grace, Roysa<br>
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Grace's Apartments, Redhill<br>
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The next day<br>
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Sentiments  &amp; Sabotage<br>
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“How about this one,” Grace asked excitedly, holding up a pink dress with sprays of pearl accents and spinning around so the skirt flared out.<br>
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“No,” Emerson said without much more than a glance.<br>
<br>
“I know you don’t like this dress because it clashes with your hair,” she acknowledged. “But I can’t make <i>all</i> my sartorial choices based on what’s most flattering to you! Besides, we won’t be spending much time together,” Grace pointed out. “I’ll be meeting with every noble’s son who isn’t yet married, and I imagine Lord Brennan would much rather have you dancing with him instead of with me. You do look very good in blue,” she said with a grin.<br>
<br>
Emerson didn’t return the smile.<br>
<br>
“No?,” she asked curiously.<br>
<br>
“I’m not going to learn much by spending time with people I can see here at Redhill, am I? I’ll have to do a lot of mingling,” he said, to defend his less than enthusiastic response to her assumption that he would be spending his time with Brennan.<br>
<br>
“Well, I know we are up to the task,” Grace said confidently. Emerson did not bother to remind her that she would <i>not</i> be coming. It was an argument she could have with her aunt or her brother, and he preferred to stay out of it.<br>
<br>
She moved the pink dress to the ‘yes’ pile- Emerson had said no to all of them, but his input seemed to have very little influence.<br>
<br>
“Theren has a much longer coastline than we do,” he said. “And warmer waters.”<br>
<br>
Grace looked at him curiously.<br>
<br>
“Pearls are a novelty to us- In Theren, its industry.”<br>
<br>
Grace reexamined the dress. In Beleth, even the small pearls that studded the garment were expensive. But in Theren… She would look like she was trying to blend in, and doing a cheap job of it.<br>
<br>
“What about that green one, with the pearls sewn into the floral motif on the cuffs,” he suggested. It was more restrained in the embellishment, and would be unique in a culture that embroidered their garments rarely.<br>
<br>
“It might be too heavy,” Grace contemplated. She’d been focusing on her summer wardrobe, and though the dress Emerson spoke of was not wool, it was warm enough that she could wear it now comfortably, with a dusting of snow covering the capital city.<br>
<br>
“So ditch the dozen underskirts,” he said, and the princess looked scandalized at the suggestion.<br>
<br>
The door in the far corner opened and Grace startled noticeably, but Emerson didn’t even look to see who it was. There were only a handful of people that the princess’s guards would let through without first asking her permission, and only one besides himself who her servants would not have formally announced.<br>
<br>
“I thought I made it quite clear,” Roysa told her niece, eyeing the pile of dresses. “That you would not be going on this… Excursion.”<br>
<br>
“You did mention that, yes,” Grace said hurriedly. “Except I’ve been thinking, and I really ought to come, I’ll be so useful, I promise-”<br>
<br>
“No,” Roysa said, but Grace continued as if her aunt hadn’t spoken.<br>
<br>
“Because you need people to imagine all sorts of reasons for this wedding besides the actual reason, right, and I’ve got a whole host of them, depending on how the person views Meera- Queen Meera,” she corrected herself, and Roysa waved her hand in a gesture that Grace clearly took to mean ‘continue’, regardless of its actual intent.<br>
<br>
Grace tapped her index finger on one hand against the other as she began to list.<br>
<br>
“Why, just the other day, I was talking to Lady Alis about how <i>lucky</i> I am for my brother to have married for political alliance, as it relieves me of the same burden-”<br>
<br>
“Oh, does it now,” Roysa asked doubtfully, and Grace laughed.<br>
<br>
“Yes, that’s what Alis said, too,” she admitted with a chuckle. “But Nuri and Avery’s marriage was progress politics, and that’s different than stability politics. I will wed to <i>strengthen</i> diplomatic ties, not forge new ones. Which means I can have a much broader selection of suitors, maybe even some that I like, and my personal preferences might even factor into the final decision,” she continued.<br>
<br>
“You want to paint Queen Meera as a lovesick youth,” Roysa surmised.<br>
<br>
“Well- She could marry into Ruhar or some other foreign country- Which would be an obvious threat to the treaty with us, so that’s out. She could wait until we picked a husband for her. Or she could choose a nobleman from her own court and marry him before we can object, whose selection would support her agenda, who she already fancied- I mean, he supported her through a war and the loss of her father and her brother, it’s <i>so</i> romantic, and I hear he has the most gorgeous hair,” Grace gushed with an exaggerated dreamy sigh.<br>
<br>
Roysa looked unimpressed.<br>
<br>
“And for those who would rather see her as a schemer than a fool- Well, it’s not exactly a secret, that our nobles have been hoping she would marry one of their sons. She’s thumbing her nose at them by choosing first- And it <i>is</i> a smart match. If she’d chosen one of her generals or a military advisor, we could hardly see that as anything but aggression. A king who’d been so recently beaten by us could be out for revenge. And Megara is probably her region with the most natural resources- By choosing him, she is signaling a focus on domestic affairs, on rebuilding the country.”<br>
<br>
“Not to mention he’s got the only viable lumber industry,” Emerson added. “They’ll still need us for immediate infrastructure needs, but if they can make Megara’s industry more efficient, they may not need us long term.”<br>
<br>
Grace beamed. “Our nobles won’t like the idea that she’s trying to undercut them, but it’s a perfectly reasonable motive.”<br>
<br>
Roysa sighed. “And I suppose you have already prepared half a dozen ways to plant these notions in the mind of anyone within hearing distance, tailored to what perception of Queen Meera they are most likely to buy into?”<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Grace said brightly.<br>
<br>
“Then that’s exactly what you shall do,” Roysa allowed, and Grace looked positively radiant.<br>
<br>
Emerson pitied her, and wondered how such a bright girl could manage to be so willfully obtuse.<br>
<br>
“Here. In Redhill.”<br>
<br>
Grace’s face fell. “But-”<br>
<br>
“We do not care what the <i>Theren</i> nobility thinks of this wedding,” Roysa reminded her niece. “It matters very little. What <i>does</i> matter is what our nobles think. And as you have just demonstrated, you are more than prepared to send their thoughts scurrying in all sorts of directions.”<br>
<br>
“But-”<br>
<br>
“Grace, please,” Roysa said with finality. “You are needed here. <i>I</i> need you here. I cannot hold small court and attend the Council meetings and create interest in the new tax proposal and see to the functioning of the court and half a dozen other things, all by myself.”<br>
<br>
Grace pouted, looking at her dresses.<br>
<br>
“I never get to go <i>anywhere</i>,” she said sadly, and Roysa cupped her cheek.<br>
<br>
“I’m sorry, my darling. Someday,” she promised, and Grace sighed, defeated.<br>
<br>
Emerson was glad Roysa had not needed to address the larger concern- That Grace was the only heir of new monarchs in an unstable region. He’d seen her jump when Roysa had entered. He didn’t think she needed the reminder of the fragility of her own safety.<br>
<br>
“Their present isn’t going to be done in time, then,” she grumbled. She could have been working on the embroidered table runner instead of pulling all her summer dresses out of storage, but neither Roysa nor Emerson pointed that out. “And you,” she said to Emerson. “Have to tell me <i>everything</i>.”<br>
<br>
“I promise,” he agreed. “I will create an itemized list of Her Majesty’s eligible cousins and their best features.”<br>
<br>
Grace wrinkled her nose.<br>
<br>
“No?”<br>
<br>
“If I marry into the Theren royal family, it opens up competing claims to either throne,” she pointed out. “Plus- Then my children and Meera’s children are related.”<br>
<br>
“<i>Queen</i> Meera's,” Roysa corrected.<br>
<br>
“And I suppose it would depend on the cousin, the degree of closeness. But still- Theren isn’t keen on cousins marrying each other.”<br>
<br>
Roysa raised an eyebrow. “And you have already decided that your children are marrying Queen Meera’s?”<br>
<br>
Grace shrugged. “It’s a good back up,” she said practically. “If Vee and Nuri don’t have heirs, or they don’t live to adulthood- We can still unite the countries under a noble heir who can claim both thrones. I was reading the history of the Jolessic islands,” she said, referencing an obscure country, half a world away.<br>
<br>
“After their civil war, the leaders decreed that their grandchild would rule the combined territory, instead of immediately creating one country. It gave their citizens time to adjust to the idea, and to make their own alliances- People did not resent the changes, because they were the ones implementing them! They married their own children across the strait and reached business accords with their counterparts because they wanted to be the ones to flourish under the new regime. By the time Queen Winnamina was of age, she could not have separated the islands if she’d wanted.”<br>
<br>
When courtiers in Redhill sneered at the idea of treating Theren with respect, Grace wondered if Joless had not had the right idea. How much more eager would the Beleth families be to treat with their Theren counterparts, if they saw it as consolidating future power instead of conceding their current superiority?<br>
<br>
“That was hundreds of years ago,” Roysa observed, though she was pleased that Grace was at least reading her histories. “And the islands had luxuries we do not- Isolation, and time.” With minimal external factors- and threats- they could be relatively certain their plan might work. “But- Emerson, do pay attention to the eligible bachelors beyond the Queen’s cousins, won’t you?”<br>
<br>
“I will pay the utmost attention to all of Theren’s many handsome, unmarried nobility,” he swore solemnly, and Roysa snorted.<br>
<br>
“I’m sure you will,” she agreed. “But you still have those sapphire hair pins Lord Brennan gave you, don’t you,” Roysa asked, and he nodded. “You should take those- You’ll both be busy as delegates to the crown, but I’m sure he’d appreciate the sentiment regardless. And you need something to keep your hair off your face if you refuse to get it trimmed,” she chided.<br>
<br>
He liked to think the loose pieces that wouldn’t stay in the tie gave him an air of boyish handsomeness, but Roysa did not seem to agree.<br>
<br>
“Emerson is no longer interested in sentiments from Lord Brennan,” Grace piped up with the impish know-it-allness of a busybody little sister, and Emerson turned in surprise.<br>
<br>
“That isn’t true,” he said reflexively- It was too quick a defense, and Roysa looked at him suspiciously.<br>
<br>
“Isn’t it? I’ve been watching,” Grace said smugly, her earlier pout replaced with proud delight for her observations and inquiries. Looking back on their conversations over the last few weeks, he could see all the places he had walked right into her traps.<br>
<br>
“Emerson,” Roysa said evenly. “If you wish to interact less with Lord Brennan, I will make that happen. You are not required to be friendly with people simply because it is convenient for the crown’s agenda.”<br>
<br>
“I know that,” Emerson said with annoyance. Grace was the <i>worst</i>, and he reminded himself to be more careful around the princess.<br>
<br>
Both women looked at him expectantly, and Emerson sighed. Even if he denied it, he knew Roysa would doubt his words in favor of Grace’s assessment. This was the problem of having lied to her so often.<br>
<br>
“He’s just… Boring,” Emerson eventually said. “He tells the same stories over and over again, and I’ve heard them all. Even the ones that were funny at first have lost their charm. And not to be vain, but he looked much better when he had more hair,” Emerson added lightly.<br>
<br>
Though he hadn’t really had that much more hair than he did now, when Emerson had first met him.<br>
<br>
“I’ve no particular ill feelings towards him,” Emerson promised. “I suppose Grace is right that my personal interest in spending time with him has waned,” he admitted. “But it's not as if I <i>object</i> to doing so.”<br>
<br>
They didn’t need to know about Brennan’s.... Recent habits. Emerson knew he wasn’t really all that big, but compared to how he’d been when he’d still been using hard drugs- He was heavier than he’d been then of course, but he’d hardly thought much of it until Brennan had started pointing it out. And continued to do so.<br>
<br>
It was getting kind of annoying- Much like the story about the time Brennan and his sister had swapped their father’s coins for counterfeits when they were children, or the time he’d hunted a whale off the coast of Yetun, or any of the other stories that Emerson could probably recite back. It was even more annoying to Emerson that he was letting it get to him.<br>
<br>
Just because he was more muscular, because his collarbones and cheekbones didn’t stick out so much, didn’t make him less attractive. Or at least, no one else had said so.... Yet, at least. Maybe they were all thinking it, and too embarrassed for him to point it out, and he was just as ugly and useless as-<br>
<br>
“Hmm,” Roysa said. “Well- It would be hard to remove you entirely from his social circle,” she considered. “But I can at least stop arranging for you to meet ‘accidentally’,” she decided.<br>
<br>
“Sure,” Emerson said, as if it didn’t really matter to him either way, and not as if there was a sudden relief blossoming under his ribs. “I guess.”<br>
<br>
Roysa continued to look at him with suspicion, but eventually decided she was unlikely to get any further information, and moved on.<br>
<br>
“And your assignment?”<br>
<br>
“I already told you this morning when we talked after you met with the spymasters, it’s inconclusive- Something in the conversation definitely shook him, but it’s hard to know what, especially since we covered a lot of topics,” Emerson replied, his mind returning to his time the night before with the Lord Chancellor. “And he doesn’t trust me enough to tell me directly.” It wasn’t the first time that day his mind had returned to Cromwell's office, though at least this time it had been prompted by someone else.<br>
<br>
“Yes, well, he’s not an idiot,” Roysa reasoned. “I meant... The other thing, though.”<br>
<br>
Emerson waved his hand airly. “Already taken care of,” he said, and Roysa looked surprised.<br>
<br>
“Really? When have you had time to go into the city,” she said suspiciously, and Emerson laughed. Even a noblewoman as involved in the daily operations of her home as Lady Roysa didn’t know everything that happened under her roof- Or in her gardens.<br>
<br>
“Both have many other uses, and can be found in Redhill easily enough,” he told her with a laugh. Cara had gotten the rue by complaining of cramps to a friend who worked in the herb pantry, and Emerson had gotten the wormwood by simply asking the royal physician for it- Along with the rest of the ingredients needed to mix the ointment used on the King’s shoulder.<br>
<br>
Grace’s face was pinched with concern. “Wormwood’s so bitter to ingest though, isn’t it? Won’t she know and refuse the drink?”<br>
<br>
Roysa frowned. “The flavor cannot be disguised entirely, but with enough sugar- Perhaps she will not put it together until afterwards,” she said, trying not to dwell on Nuri’s plans. She had enough of her own plans to attend to.<br>
<br>
“Have you spoken to Lord Escalus,” she asked Grace, who nodded brightly.<br>
<br>
“I had breakfast with him and Alis and [Alis’s sister/Escalus’ cousin] this morning. They bullied him into agreeing to host a party!,” she said proudly, pleased with herself and with her friends. She hadn’t even had to bring up the idea at all, only agree that it would be enjoyable to have some social events more suited for the younger courtiers.<br>
<br>
“And,” she said conspiratorially, “He even asked them if they thought Lady Nyme might like to attend! He was very hesitant about it, it was positively adorable,” she gushed, as if that wasn’t the entire point.<br>
<br>
Grace wanted for Nyme and Mercy to have something to do while in Redhill for the week, and to remind them of the opportunities they had in Beleth. Escalus’ cousins were thrilled that he was interested in someone- someone who seemed to reciprocate that interest- and were delighted to play matchmaker. Even Alis, who was normally more reserved of the sisters, had seemed to enjoy coaching her cousin through his shyness and brainstorming things he could talk to Nyme about.<br>
<br>
“Well that’s something going right, then,” Roysa said, rising from where she had been sitting. “I’m afraid I have much to do still- Emerson, any insight on why your cousin has failed to sign off on the final version of the lumber trade agreement?”<br>
<br>
“Because his father wants to make you uncomfortable,” Emerson suggested.<br>
<br>
“Yes, that’s what I was afraid of,” Roysa sighed. The royal courier left for Theren in hours, and she would really have preferred to send him with the finished documents, stamped with the royal seal.<br>
<br>
“Ches went to town this morning, he should be back soon,” Emerson said idly. “Arrange for an urgent messenger to depart to Gonby.”<br>
<br>
“The Duke of Gonby has already declined to participate in the lumber trade,” Roysa pointed out with a significant look in his direction. That was unlikely to change- Especially considering recent revelations.<br>
<br>
“Yes, but Ches doesn’t know that,” Emerson returned. “He may be an idiot, but he’s not stupid- His father will be annoyed that he didn’t make you wait, but he’d be much angrier if Fremont lost the deal to Gonby instead. If Ches thinks you are serious about getting Gonby on board, he’ll do whatever is needed to make sure that doesn’t happen.”<br>
<br>
“How come you never just call him ‘my uncle’?,” Grace asked.<br>
<br>
“I do too call him that," Emerson replied quickly.<br>
<br>
“Only in public,” Grace shot back, which was true enough. She'd been careful in her observations. "With us he's always 'Ches' father' or 'the Duke' or-"<br>
<br>
“Thank you for the suggestion, Emerson,” Roysa said, finishing the argument before it got further. “I will put it into action immediately. Grace, put those away,” she said with a glance at the dresses. “Your servants spent hours packing them away after the summer, it was very rude to pull them all out again,” she chastised, and Grace nodded meekly.<br>
<br>
“And Emerson,” she added. “A courier was looking for you- You got a letter from your estate.”<br>
<br>
“Oh, is it that time of the month already?”<br>
<br>
Emerson got two letters from his estate each month- The first was from the steward and arrived in the beginning of the month, and consisted of a summary of the last month’s expenses, any notable firing or hiring among the staff, occasional requests for additional funds, and a reminder that the estate would be ready to host its lord at any time, they needed only a day’s notice.<br>
<br>
Emerson had at least convinced the man to no longer send such detailed, itemized summaries as he first had- Admittedly, a behavior he applauded in his enemies. That letter he usually replied to, if only to affirm the steward’s decisions and say that no, he had no interest in visiting.<br>
<br>
The second letter, from his mother’s physician, arrived midway through the month. Sometimes there were even notes from Emyria herself.<br>
<br>
Emerson had never replied to the second letter.<br>
<br>
“No, it is not,” Roysa said significantly. “Perhaps after you return from Theren, you could spend some time at your estate,” she suggested. “Even a week or two.”<br>
<br>
“Perhaps,” Emerson said tightly, looking down at his book, and she nodded curtly at him before sweeping from the room in her haste to get to the next item on her list.<br>
<br>
After she had gone, Grace narrowed her eyes at Emerson. “If she’s so busy with other things, why did she come in the first place?”<br>
<br>
“Hmm?,” Emerson asked, looking up from his book. “Maybe she-”<br>
<br>
“Maybe <i>someone</i> tattled on me when I asked him to come help me pick my wardrobe,” she accused, and Emerson shrugged.<br>
<br>
“Maybe,” he agreed noncommittally. “I’ll help you put them away,” he offered. “Since I hear you have a lot of work to do on a table runner,” he pointed out, and Grace rolled her eyes at him.<br>
<br>
After a few minutes of silent work, Grace spoke again.<br>
<br>
“We can’t let Nuri do this,” she said quietly.<br>
<br>
“Grace- It’s hardly our choice,” he said with as much finality as he could muster, but he prepared himself for a deluge of sentimentality.<br>
<br>
“Even if she doesn’t taste it immediately- What then? She loses the pregnancy after accepting a cup of bitter tea from him. She’ll put it together eventually, and their relationship will be <i>ruined</i>. Their personal relationship at the very least, and maybe the political one, too. We can’t put off future hostilities over an heir, by creating different hostilities.”<br>
<br>
“I know,” Emerson said heavily. “But it’s not like we have a different option.”<br>
<br>
When he looked up, Grace was looking back at him with those wide, innocent brown eyes. Innocent-seeming, at least.<br>
<br>
“Grace,” he said carefully. “Do we have a different option?”<br>
<br>
“Maybe,” she said. “I’ve been doing some research,” she admitted. “Into more... Unusual methods. Things people in our region wouldn’t necessarily recognize. That could be assumed to be natural causes, and would be much harder to trace.”<br>
<br>
“...And?”<br>
<br>
“...And I’m not allowed to come with! So. I would need someone else to make it happen,” she said.<br>
<br>
<i>Ah</i>, Emerson thought. No wonder she had been so insistent that she go to the wedding.<br>
<br>
“I won’t have access to the palace at Delphi the way I do at Redhill,” he warned. “And I won’t have the access you might.”<br>
<br>
Grace was young, and a princess, and more likeable than Emerson even when he was trying and she wasn’t. Her trespasses and missteps were more likely to be forgiven, and rarely viewed with suspicion.<br>
<br>
“I know,” she said, biting her lip in thought. “But- I still think that we should try. She’s his only sister, Emerson. And I’m pretty sure they were friends, too,” she added, aware that familial ties did not necessarily hold much sway for the bastard of Fremont.<br>
<br>
Emerson sighed.<br>
<br>
“I know you and Nuri have had your differences,” she said in a rush. “But- This shouldn’t be on him, it’s too much, you know that right? And if you won’t do it for him or for Beleth, would you at least do it for me? Because Nuri is <i>my</i> friend, and it’s my future, too-”<br>
<br>
Emerson held his hand up to silence her.<br>
<br>
“Grace. Did you hear me say no?”<br>
<br>
A slow smile spread across the princess’s face, and she threw her arms around his shoulders, nearly knocking him off balance.<br>
<br>
“Oh, thank you, Em!”<br>
<br>
“Don’t thank me yet,” Emerson warned wearily. “Let’s hear these schemes of yours.”<br>
<br>
<br>
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			<h5 class="userTitle message-userTitle" dir="auto" itemprop="jobTitle">and a swift justice to those that got away with it</h5>
			

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	<div class="message-userContent lbContainer js-lbContainer " data-lb-id="post-11168935" data-lb-caption-desc="The Witch Son · Nov 15, 2021 at 11:42 PM">

		

		
	


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Lady Roysa &amp; The Ladies of Theren<br>
are partially invited to...</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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“Their Majesties will not be travelling alone, of course,” Roysa continued. The neutral, bland tone and expression that had given the older woman a reputation as being hard to read had been in full force throughout the conversation.  Though perhaps it was a bit too one-sided to be called a proper conversation- Roysa had informed the ladies sitting in front of her that she wished to speak with them at their earliest convenience, arrived at the appointed time, and simply began to talk at them once pleasant greetings were finished.<br>
<br>
The ladies present nodded quite nearly in unison. Mercidea, Nyme, and Veora sitting perfectly erect, hands folded neatly in their laps. They were not ignorant of the courtship between Lord Basilius and Meera, but much to their chagrin, had not the faintest clue that they were to be officially married so soon. Nyme in particular wondered how it was that Lady Roysa would know before they, and how harsh they should all be on Lord Cromwell for not telling them immediately.<br>
<br>
“And they wish to extend an invitation for Lady Veora to join their company,” Roysa said, nodding at the lady in question with a slight smile of approval. <br>
<br>
Two heads whipped towards her in surprise, but only one had the self control to smile falsely, and it was not the elder. <br>
<br>
“I should warn you, that this will not be a visit of pure entertainment,” she cautioned. “If you accept, you will be assisting Their Majesties navigate the Theren court in a multitude of ways, and offering your own insight on the courtiers, particularly to King Averett and to Lord Brennan. You and Lord Emerson will also be serving as Their Majesties de facto household heads for the duration of their trip- They will be bringing two of their senior staff to see to their basic needs, but you would help Their Majesties in managing their schedules, arranging meetings, and communication with the household staff of Delphi.”<br>
<br>
Lady Veora took this to mean that the bulk of that responsibility would be on her. Given both her familiarity with the job, which she performed for Meera, and Theren court in general. If she had to guess, Nuri would be with the King most of the time, while she would be attending to Lord Brennan during festivities. <br>
<br>
“I serve at their Majesties leisure, Lady Roysa, and will endeavor to be useful to Lords Brennan and Emerson.” Veora lowered her head in a nod and ignored the pointed look from her sister, all sincere humble graces.<br>
<br>
“Perhaps-!” Lady Nyme began, but immediately shut her mouth once she felt her sister’s hand stead her own. Veora wouldn't stop her from speaking her mind or attempting to get her way unless there were other things to consider that she could end up ruining by being too quick.<br>
<br>
“You will also have the dubious honor of warning Lord Emerson off of any serious trouble,” Lady Roysa said wryly. “His gift for creating diverting gossip and petty dramas can be quite useful- But if left unchecked, I worry he may cause diplomatic offense,” she warned, with obvious annoyance. <br>
<br>
He’d had no way of knowing the woman he’d slept with after that banquet was the favorite mistress of one of Ruhar’s most powerful generals, but it had still caused Roysa an endless headache trying to soothe it over. She supposed she could forgive him for it- It had been years ago, and she doubted he would do something so careless these days. But still. Best to avoid the possibility.<br>
<br>
“Lady Veora is the most experienced of us at managing duties of this sort. She's level headed and wise. She won’t disappoint you Lady Roysa.” Mercy cheerfully assured her.<br>
<br>
Roysa’s slight smile became a tad less slight. “Of that I have no doubt. I know Their Majesties have the same confidence. I believe they have chosen well.”<br>
<br>
She had been intentionally not trying to track their reactions, but they seemed- No. She wasn’t going to do that, she reminded herself.<br>
<br>
Emerson was right- There was little use in it. It was impossible to know what exactly they might be reacting to, even if she was able to find any reaction at all. Like herself, these girls had grown up as noblewomen and had mastered a placid countenance. Especially in an audience with someone they didn’t know well and who held authority- She could have announced that Queen Meera was abdicating her throne in favor of Nuri’s cat and was going to live her life on the moon, and they might not have so much as blinked.<br>
<br>
And maybe, Grace was right too- That there was no need. These young women were intended to support Prince Nuri and the alliance, and they had only ever done so with as much sincerity and ability as they possessed. They had demonstrated themselves to be smart, kind and resourceful allies, and there was no indication that she should expect them to be any less as time went on. Grace trusted them, and thought that Roysa should as well. And historically- Roysa had to admit, Grace was a better judge of assessing potential allies than she herself was.<br>
<br>
“Lady Nyme,” Roysa said, turning her attention to the younger woman. “Did you have something to add?”<br>
<br>
Nyme <i>very badly</i> did want to add something, several somethings, to the conversation. But ultimately…<br>
<br>
“No Lady Roysa, not at all.” … thought better of it.<br>
<br>
Much to the relief of her companions. <br>
<br>
“Was there anything else you required of us Lady Roysa?” Veora spoke for them, de facto leader of the trio now. They reverted back to their ladylike courtesies, complacent smiles plastering all their faces.<br>
<br>
“No, I do not believe so,” she replied. A slight furrow of disappointment wrinkled the space between Roysa’s eyebrows before it was smoothed away as she stood. She knew she was not…. The most approachable and congenial of figures, but she had hoped the young women trusted her enough to share their concerns with her, at least in private. Though- She had to admit, were she in their place, she would not have either.  <br>
<br>
“Lord Emerson will <i>not</i> be foisting his own responsibilities off onto you,” she said definitively, hoping she might at least offer some reassurance in that regard. “He has served as His Majesty King Averrett’s primary and sometimes only domestic staff while- While away from Redhill,” she finished, deciding that though ‘while at war with your own native country’ was perhaps the most tangible of Emerson’s experiences in that regard, it did not need to be vocalized. <br>
<br>
“He is aware of the expectations and if he is derelict in any way, please do inform me,” she told Veora. “And I will ensure he has ample cause to regret it,” she said with finality that allowed for little doubt. <br>
<br>
At this the trio genuinely grinned and giggled, as any mention of Lord Emerson’s antics were likely elicit. He was a favorite with them, despite the incident with Mercy's misunderstanding concerning what she saw happening between him and the King.<br>
<br>
Regardless of whether the ladies present had guessed that the ongoing public antagonism between Lady Roysa and the bastard lord was actually how they expressed their affection, it was clear she had both the means and the intent to follow through on making his life miserable, should he do anything to disrupt the royal visit. <br>
<br>
And either way, it was all highly entertaining.<br>
<br>
All three stood up as Lady Roysa made to leave and the customary Belethan courtesies and curtsies were given. Calmly. A calm which barely lasted long enough for the door to shut behind the intimidating woman.<br>
<br>
“Why did you stop me, it isn't as though you couldn't use the help with that many duties. Really! What does Lady Roysa mean by putting so much on your shoulders.” Nyme shot up, huffing and beginning to pace around. “And you can't expect me to miss our Meera’s wedding that is simply out of the question. Mercy too, you can't deprive us of seeing her married, and <i>so suddenly-</i>” Nyme remembered, in afterthought, that Mercy ought to go too. Even if she was being uncharacteristically compliant, did she even want to go?!<br>
<br>
“-I really can't imagine how that happened, he hasn't even been recognized as a champion in court or anything, he doesn't even participate in tournaments, the boring man that he is. She shouldn't be so quick to accept just any man as the next King, I knew we shouldn't have left-”<br>
<br>
“Nyme you have to <i>breathe</i> at some point.” Mercy helpfully reminded her, hopefully stopping her rant short as she plopped down amongst comfortable pillows. Holding her hand out to help the much more graceful Veora delicately do the same.<br>
<br>
“<i>I’m breathing plenty!</i>” Nyme halted, stomping a foot in agitation and gesturing at the two, so calm there, her so-called companions!<br>
<br>
“Nyme, you couldn't have possibly thought that we would continue to be in the know the same way we were in Theren. Anything can happen in a matter of days there, and we've been gone for quite a while longer than that. Moreover, it isn't our place to question Meera's choice. It's likely that she saw little reason not to marry him if their situation together became… expedient for any reason.” Veora cautioned. <br>
<br>
Nyme was silent for a second, realization hitting her before it hit Mercy. “A baby… it has to be a baby. And they want it born as a true heir.” The political implications of this made what should have been a happy revelation a chilling one instead.<br>
<br>
A silence. So many had died already, they could not afford nor win another war.<br>
<br>
“He seemed gentle, and good, I think he would be a good father and wise King, the spirits willing.” Veora said finally. Earning her an unladylike snort from her sister.<br>
<br>
“And really Nyme, if you want to defy Lady Roysa, telling her that you wish to go very badly and giving her reason to think that you will find a way to do it will only make accomplishing such a thing infinitely more difficult. Wasn't it you who cautioned me to never show my hand?” This advice had proven to be especially successful for Mercy while in Theren. She went unnoticed wherever she pleased both in and out of the castle. Especially since she figured out which guards were bribable.<br>
<br>
All the while playing up a compliantly naive persona. She'd learned more in Cokinos than she'd ever had in Delphi. There were so many interesting things going on in the city, and you had to have your wits about you if you didn't want to end up robbed or cut up. <br>
<br>
“...I don't think I like being told that by you.” Nyme scowled, but relented into a proud grin at Mercy’s eye’s rolling.<br>
<br>
“I suppose… but how is it you're so calm about this?”<br>
<br>
“Because I know I can not go, not if you both intend to. Otherwise who will look after Alekxander? Lord Em was right, he isn't having an easy time here.” Mercy had spent just as much time with him as Veora had, given Nyme was much more interested in chasing Dukes than playing at swords with a lonely orphaned boy all day.<br>
<br>
Nyme made a guilty face, having not even considered the boy.<br>
<br>
“And besides, I don't think I want to face my parents without an engagement to tell them of.” She heaved a great sigh as Nyme groaned and Veora looked away.<br>
<br>
“You've only <i>just</i> become of marriageable age Mercy, and no one really gets married before their 20th year anyway.” Nyme remarked worriedly. Mercy’s parents were…<br>
<br>
“You haven't a clue how much pressure my parents impressed upon me to… <i>be perfect</i>! And marry advantageously, they want to expand into Belethan territory. They're <i>very</i> insistent and I am a constant disappointment to them as is.” Mercy huffed. She was relieved when she became a lady to the Princess Meera and yet more relieved still to put an entire kingdom between her and the watchful eyes of her parents at the first opportunity she could seize.<br>
<br>
Of the three ladies sent with Prince Nuri, Mercy had been the only one to beg Meera to send her away with him.<br>
<br>
“You're spirited, and they've never appreciated that about you.” Veora leaned into her shoulder.<br>
<br>
“No one ever properly appreciates spirit in a noble wife.” Nyme lamented as she hiked up her skirts and settled next to the pair. <br>
<br>
“So we are doomed to be spirited in secret instead.” Well, maybe one Duke did appreciate it, or he seemed to anyway.<br>
<br>
Nyme settled into comfort with her girls before promptly disturbing their peace again with a gasp, “My Duke! That's how I’ll do it.”<br>
<br>
At Veora and Mercy’s quizzical looks Nyme clarified, “Men always like to be useful to the women they fancy. I needn't be clever in how I get aboard that ship, my Duke can be clever for me and I'll be ever so grateful to him, <i>he'll love that</i>.”<br>
<br>
“I aspire to your devious skills in the art of courtship Nyme.” Mercy couldn't tell if she were exasperated or impressed.<br>
<br>
“We both do, though Nyme, I wonder if it would be wise to incur the Lady Roysa’s ire like this. She all but expressly stated that you were not coming. You know what mother always said…” A lesson Nyme and their father never seemed to learn, “It is always more expensive to make an enemy than to ma-”<br>
<br>
“-Make a friend, yes, I know Veora, we were both taught by the same unflappable woman. Thankfully I remember another proverb she recited; <i>you lose every chance you do not take.</i>”<br>
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The Royal Party Travels to Jamatal Port</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 

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<br>
Just according to Nyme’s prediction, Lord Escalus was resourceful and prompt when it came to helping Nyme sneak out ahead of Redhill ahead of the traveling party. <br>
<br>
She went by land in a carriage, where they went by water. Made slower by their frequent stops on the path to Jamatal in order to distribute supplies to the commonfolk and wave from a safe distance. <br>
<br>
Nyme imagines that her sister was a perfect lady, playing her part in the distribution just as the other Lords in the party did. Just as she would undoubtedly play her part in being shocked and properly embarrassed that her sister was discovered onboard the warship. <br>
<br>
They'd agreed between them that Veora must protect her reputation with the Lady Roysa and that she must not seem too willful. She must actively participate in chiding her and make apologies on her behalf. There was little sense in getting them both in trouble upon returning to Cokinos.<br>
<br>
But while getting to the ship was something the young Lord was able to help Nyme with, getting onto the ship was up to her. Something she assured him, she'd be able to use her natural wit and charm to accomplish.<br>
<br>
“I was sent ahead of my sister, the Lady Veora, to help her make the accommodations necessary for the distinguished passengers of this voyage.” She said to the soldiers blocking her way.<br>
<br>
They weren't informed of her participation of this trip, they replied.<br>
<br>
“I was told to go ahead of them at the last moment, most things were decided at the last moment given how quickly this trip was put together. As you are well aware. Just as you are well aware of who I am.” <br>
<br>
Still they did not budge. And Nyme had to quickly think of something other than rank that would sufficiently scare loyal soldiers into compliance.<br>
<br>
“I wouldn't think you would wish to keep me from my duties, given how important they are in attending to our Prince’s comfort. Especially given his happy, but <i>delicate</i>, condition.” <br>
<br>
That did the trick, leave it to anything to do with pregnancies and babies to scare hardened soldiers. Especially the prospect of <i>royal</i> ones.<br>
<br>
What she didn't anticipate once on the ship however, was the prospect of being thrown off of it. Which she came very near to experiencing once the main party arrived.<br>
<br>
-------earlier------<br>
<br>
The journey down the river in the royal barge had - of course- taken longer than a normal boat would have, though that was expected. They slowed down each time they approached a town, waiting for one of the sentires they had sent ahead to confirm the town’s militia had been martialed and was patrolling the banks. <br>
<br>
Avery and Nuri and the rest waved from the deck of the barge at all the people that came out to see them pass even when the people were only small, undefined shapes in the distance, and at all the sizeable settlements, Emerson oversaw the unloading of supplies from the barge following them onto a smaller boat. Joined by either Lady Veora or Lord Brennan or both, he’d ridden on horseback and sometimes walked to distribute gifts to the crowds- Packets of seeds for the farmers, toys for the children, oil for their lamps, coins and food and wine and other things also parceled out and stamped with the royal seal.<br>
<br>
Though the ‘Lord’ of his title may have been largely honorific, it was clear that Emerson excelled at this sort of glad-handing. His wide grin was genuine as he shook the outstretched hands and passed packages out. People cheered when he waved at him, and the soldiers of the various towns all seemed to know him by name. He repeated his thanks for their support of King Averett and Prince Nuri so many times in each hour the words should have been mush by the end, but instead were always clear and articulate. <br>
<br>
He led the crowd in a cheer loud enough to be heard on the deck of the barge before he left each settlement, and each time he returned, he complained to his king that his voice was tired and his hands would not stay up any longer and that he thought being out of active military service might mean he was done with parades- But with only a few exceptions, he waved off Brennan’s offer to do the next town without him.<br>
<br>
A team of rowers propelled them faster than even the current could take them when night fell or whenever a town was not in view, Lord Brennan asked the Prince and the Lord Chancellor and Lady Veora endless questions about the nobles most likely to be at the wedding, and Avery tried not to worry. In the end, they were only a few hours later to arrive in Jamatal than they had planned for- Possibly for the best, because then Avery didn’t have to agonize about if it was safe for them to do in the city as they had in the villages and towns.<br>
<br>
The city rang the bells to announce the royal arrival, and Roysa had already bought up goods for the city’s merchants to be distributed among the city’s poorer districts, so Avery and Nuri again stood on the deck and waved amiably, though now they were flanked by guards carrying shields. He tried not to wince when they crossed beneath bridges, but the guards patrolling the bridges had clearly done their jobs, and only flowers and petals fell to the deck.<br>
<br>
They reached the dock where Cicele’s Arrow was berthed, and were off the barge and onto the warship in a flurry of activity. Soldiers, sailors, guards and officers of every variety and rank were rushing about to prepare the ship to unmoor, and one of the mid-level officers hurried to get the party out of the way and to their cabins.<br>
<br>
Avery would have preferred to watch the goings-ons, but he appreciated the Arrow’s captain may have the opposite preference, so he followed with only a pang of regret. The officer enlisted a few junior officers to show the rest of the party to their cabins, and continued with the royal couple.<br>
<br>
“I apologize, Yer Majesties,” he said, his accent thick beneath his beard as he showed them the room. “I know it ain’t yer usual , but we’ll do what we can to make it home for ya for the next few days.”<br>
<br>
Indeed, the entire room was barely more than half the size of their bedroom at Redhill. The space they had entered contained a table that might sit six, built in bookshelves that contained atlases and journals and odds and ends, and a writing desk with the ink well bolted down. There was a large arched doorway to partition off part of the room, and with the weighted curtain drawn back, one could see the rest of the space- A built in chest of drawers with heavy latches to keep them closed, space for traveling chests, a chamber pot and wash basin, and bed that looked comfortable but perhaps just a touch too narrow for two adults. This was a warship, not a luxury vessel, and even the captain’s cabin did not have the amenities of a tub or a large bed. But there were large windows in both sections of the room, and Avery had certainly stayed in far worse.<br>
<br>
“This will be fine, thank you,” he said, though the officer still seemed nervous.<br>
<br>
“There’s the bell, ya can ring that if ya need anything,” he said, pointing at a bell on a string that presumably ran somewhere else on the ship. “The staircase we passed on the left- Go down that and the officer’s quarters are just ahead, that’s where ya can take yer meals, assuming ya don’t want ‘em private. Room across from it we gave to the ladies,” he explained.<br>
<br>
“Lords Brennan and Cromwell are the next level down, across from the captain and the first mate- They still got windows,” he rushed to add, in case that was a concern. “And Lord Emerson said he’d just as rather sleep below decks in a hammock, so we strung some up for him and yer servant staff, but ya just let us know if ya want ‘em closer, we can move the first mate if-”<br>
<br>
“This is fine,” Avery repeated. “Thank you for accommodating us.”<br>
<br>
“Uh- Of course,” the officer said. “Your Majesties,” he added belatedly, recalling that he could not get away with just saluting Avery as he used to.<br>
<br>
Nuri nodded, smiling politely but all around tensed from all the parading and the looks he got boarding the ship. The soldiers were minding their duties for the most part but a few of them looked at him rather curiously. <br>
<br>
He was used to being a spectacle in court but found he wasn’t at all well suited to it with the commons. He much preferred the casual anonymity he enjoyed in Delphi. Where the custom was to politely pretend his cloak was a good enough disguise to render him unrecognizable and treat him as just any other patron of the shops. Within reason of course.<br>
<br>
Here he felt scrutinized. How was it his sister thrived doing all this? What were her damned secrets? <br>
<br>
He let out a relieved sigh he’d been holding in, “Finally, we can-?”<br>
<br>
Lady Veora, traveling cloak not yet even unclasped, looking harried and embarrassed, interrupted Nuri in the middle of sitting down onto the bed. He straightened instead, concerned.<br>
<br>
“What’s happened…” He exasperatedly asked, Nuri didn’t like that look. Good things didn’t follow that particular look on the Lady Veora’s face. <br>
<br>
The Lady in question curtsied in the doorway, and took her queue to enter, eyes trained onto the wooden floors, hands clasped in front of her, looking the very picture of repentance.<br>
<br>
“I apologize for interrupting Your Majesties, and for what I am about to say. But I felt it best that you should learn of it from me instead of by surprise…” She glanced up at Nuri, wringing her hands, “I know the Lady Roysa personally invited myself, and myself alone to assist the royal party. But it would appear that my sister, the Lady Nyme, has found her way onboard. Apparently arriving before us.”<br>
<br>
“What,” Avery said, in disbelief.<br>
<br>
Nuri scoffed, falling back onto the bed, relieved that it was absolutely nothing after all.<br>
<br>
“Is that all? You worried me for a moment, I thought it was going to be something serious. I suppose if she’s been clever enough to <i>find</i> her way onboard then she can stay. So long as she knows she’s probably incurred the Lady Roysa’s wrath upon return.” Nuri smirked, glancing up at his husband.<br>
<br>
Avery did not return the expression of mirth. He looked like he might march down the stairs to demand answers of her, before recalling that when he wanted to speak with them, they came to him and not the other way around.<br>
<br>
“Officer Newport,” he said, his voice even but tight. “Escort the Lady Nyme here immediately.” The man bowed his head and was out the door in an instant, letting it swing shut behind them.<br>
<br>
“Lady Veora,” he said, turning his gaze on the elder sister. “What else do you know of this?”<br>
<br>
“A very little, I felt it best to inform your majesties promptly.” <br>
<br>
Well, at least one of the sisters had a shred of common sense, Avery thought, though it was a pity she didn’t have more context to fill him in on.<br>
<br>
Nuri’s expression had gone from amused, to curious, to annoyed, “Why is it any serious matter to us whether she stays or goes? In fact I’m more shocked that Mercy isn't here too somewhere.” <br>
<br>
Honestly he should've just ordered that they all come, but by the time it was the morning to leave it was too late. He hadn't spoken to any of them the entire time it took to prepare. They must’ve been anxious about it. Well now he felt a little bad about the whole thing. Just because his sister was to have a few harsh words from him didn't mean that her ladies, loyal as they were, deserved punishment.<br>
<br>
Lady Veora had the sense to look alarmed.<br>
<br>
“Is she?” <br>
<br>
“I would like to believe my sister would have mentioned that...” She trailed off. <br>
<br>
“Yes, I would hope so,” Avery said dourly. Not that he had high expectations.<br>
<br>
Newport appeared in the door a moment later with the lady herself, looking remarkably neutral for someone who was in trouble.<br>
<br>
“Yer Majesties,” he announced himself, seeming unsure if he was to leave at this point, or continue to stay. He glanced at Nyme a bit uncomfortably, as though she had said something particularly off-putting in their brief time together.<br>
<br>
“Please send a messenger to the dock authority,” Avery instructed Newport. “We will require a closed carriage to be sent as near our berth as possible. And another to Lord Perrin, that he may have an overnight guest and should prepare as such. Return here once you are done.”<br>
<br>
It was a waste of a senior officer’s time to be tending the crown’s whims but- Emerson had saved Newport’s life once, and Avery knew his discretion could be trusted. A cabin boy not be so reliable.<br>
<br>
“Is that honestly necessary?” Nuri rolled his eyes. Holding up a hand to halt Officer Newport so he didn't run off and delay them further with this ridiculousness.<br>
<br>
“Lady Nyme,” Avery demanded, turning his cold gaze on her and ignoring his husband’s interruption. “Explain your presence.”<br>
<br>
“I can not miss her wedding, your majesty.” Nyme replied, matter of factly. “There are days when devoted friends must be there for each other and a wedding is one of those.” <br>
<br>
Her chest was tightening by the moment, she hadn't anticipated the King would be <i>this</i> put out by her being there. But she carefully schooled her expression and kept her chin tilted level. She wouldn't be ashamed of her reasons. Moreover, if he kicked her off the boat she'd just procure passage by land… somehow.<br>
<br>
“There, no more than Emerson would do for you I imagine.” Nuri pointedly left ‘lord’ out of his address, a bit bitter at the situation.<br>
<br>
Avery sighed. He’d been holding out some vague hope that Nyme had been sent here, by his aunt or his sister, instead of just her own disobedience. <br>
<br>
“A key difference might be that Emerson was <i>invited</i> to my wedding,” Avery pointed out harshly. If her ‘devoted friend’ had wanted Nyme at her wedding, perhaps she could have said. “And you greatly overestimate his predilection for risking his own life and the diplomatic relationship between countries in one move- How did you travel here,” he pressed. “Did you at least bring guards?”<br>
<br>
Nyme’s reddened cheeks looked like she'd been smacked, but she kept her jaw set. Insults she could bare, but she has never been good at anyone, let alone this particular man, pointing out the folly of her Queen. The mere implication that Meera hadn't wanted her ladies, past and present, there! Contemptible man didn't know the first thing about any of them. Let alone her Queen.<br>
<br>
“I arrived here securely and through respectable means your majesty.” Was all she'd provide. Honestly, as if Lord Escalus would send her trampsing about the Kingdom without proper escort.<br>
<br>
That statement provided absolutely <i>no</i> insight whatsoever as to the security of her travel arrangements, and Avery shuddered at the possibilities.<br>
<br>
He had wanted Lady Veora to be visible to the common folk, and Emerson had been sure that she’d had the best gifts to pass out so that people would have a story of the kind and beautiful Theren lady who had given them a new pair of warm shoes just as the winter frosts began. He wanted that because Theren was not still not well-liked among the populace- Which is why he’d sent her next to one of the best fighters and more popular nobles he knew, and only along the roads where guards would be able to walk beside.<br>
<br>
Officer Newport slipped out the door, letting it close behind him- Whether he was taking Avery’s orders or merely giving the nobility some privacy, he clearly had no interest in being involved.<br>
<br>
“And if you had been robbed or beaten or killed,” Avery spat, “Would you expect me to deliver that morbid news to Her Majesty, or were you perhaps hoping that her brother could be the one to tell her, and it might soften the blow? Do you suppose that I took you and your sister and Lady Mercidae into my care, but that your continued well being and safety was something Her Majesty would not hold me responsible for? Would not fault me for if found lacking?”<br>
<br>
The questions were largely rhetorical, and Avery pressed on.<br>
<br>
“Tell me, Lady Nyme- Is this sort of disobedience to perfectly clear and simple instructions common among the Theren nobles, and you are merely giving me a sample of the behavior I should expect to see in Delphi? Or perhaps, you are just incredibly insolent,” he proposed. “And have so little respect for me, that you think my authority is merely a suggestion, to be ignored when it suits your whims?”<br>
<br>
This, Nyme knew then, was why he was so angry. Why is every man with authority so very predictable?<br>
<br>
She looked down, worried and embarrassed, the feelings not needing to be born of lies when you are being yelled at by someone with very real power over your fate. The trick to play acting was to not act at all, but summon the very real vulnerability of the heart, and not be frightened of showing it.<br>
<br>
“Please your majesty, it has far less to do with wanting to defy any order, and far more to do with the sort of devotion that a former Queen’s lady still feels for her. I did not think such affection would be so unwelcome or so… so much trouble.” She gulped. That wasn't a lie either, she'd counted much more upon Nuri waving her presence off.<br>
<br>
But he'd gone silent, and she didn't dare glance at him with the King’s angry gaze on her still.<br>
<br>
“And it didn’t occur to you to <i>ask</i>?” Avery sighed, though he supposed he would likely have said no. He might have at least considered it first, if he’d known that she was this desperate. <br>
<br>
“Never mind,” he said, waving his hand. “I will content myself to knowing you have no respect for my crown, I have no need to know that you have no respect for my compassion as well. Lord Perrin has a townhouse here in the city, he will accommodate you tonight,” Avery said dismissively, having already decided his next steps. <br>
“He and his husband are good men, and I trust they will see you back to Redhill safely in the morning.”  They would see her back to Redhill personally if Avery asked, though he suspected they would do so even without the asking.<br>
<br>
“Await your orders in Lady Veora’s cabin.” Nuri finally spoke up, with clear finality, dismissing both ladies as he stood up.<br>
<br>
He was tired, and annoyed, and a bit bitter about how his husband was taking this to reflect so poorly on him. Because that is exactly what was being implied here, that Nyme’s behavior reflected on him. And while it was true, it hadn't been an issue before and had very poor timing to start being one.<br>
<br>
Nuri was tired of having to feel guilty about his homeland, or that he felt guilty at all.<br>
<br>
They wasted no time in curtsying out of the room.<br>
<br>
He waited until the door was firmly shut before carefully approaching his husband, turning him by the shoulder gently to face him. Deciding to, instead of butt heads, attempt to reason with him. They needed to be a united front when they reached Delphi. Nuri wasn't sure how he was going to manage if he was fighting both his family in Delphi and his own husband at the same time. <br>
<br>
“I like to think I know you a little by now, and despite how she might pretend Lady Nyme is no fool. Well, not in that way at least. I hardly think you're so angry because there was any danger in her traveling here in secret or that your authority is so spurned. Besides, it was Lady Roysa who decided which of the ladies were to go anyway, not you. If my memory serves me correctly…” Nuri left the rest of his statement open-ended, searching his husband's face for honest answers.<br>
<br>
“So I can count you among those who assume my aunt makes my choices for me,” Avery said bitterly. <br>
<br>
That burned, and Nuri removed his hand. That hadn't been what he'd meant at all.<br>
<br>
“Your memory serves you falsely- She suggested, and I agreed. She often suggests things I am prone to agree to, as a result of knowing me so well,” he said. “I assure you- She is not always right in her estimation, and I have no hesitation in telling her so.”<br>
<br>
“Well then, your majesty, I suppose I can’t deter you from seething over imagined slights, let me not keep you.” Nuri backed away and bowed, as though he were just another Belethan noble, leaving his husband to… do whatever it is he wanted he supposed.<br>
<br>
“Wait,” Avery said, once again amazed at his own ability to sabotage himself- Especially where Nuri was concerned. “I’m sorry,” he said genuinely, reaching out and placing his hand on Nuri’s shoulder. <br>
<br>
“I’m not your enemy. I'm your husband.” Nuri sighed, trying again for emotional support, hand on the door, still prepared to leave if spurned again.<br>
<br>
“I know,” Avery said. “It’s not you I’m angry at- It’s not even Lady Nyme,” he continued, then paused. “Well- All right, I am angry at Lady Nyme,” he admitted. “But I’m mostly angry at myself. I just feel so out of element with all of this, and I’m not very prepared to deal with… Unexpected changes before we’ve even left.”<br>
<br>
“People only seem to remember I am a king when I am angry,” he said with obvious frustration. “It is not a huge surprise, in courtiers who have known me since I was only the Crown Prince’s odd little brother, but I had hoped it might be different with people who have only even known me as a king. It does not bode well for my chances to reach a satisfactory resolution with your sister.”<br>
<br>
If a lady in waiting who Avery fed and housed placed so little value on his words, he did not imagine her queen would hear them favorably.<br>
<br>
His father had rarely doubted the obedience of any of his subjects, because he had made sure to demonstrate his power in ways that made them fear its retribution. Avery hated the moments when he was forced to consider that his father’s methods may have been right.<br>
<br>
Nuri turned and gripped Avery’s collar instead of the door.<br>
<br>
“Well, if it makes you feel any better. Keeping nobles in line is a game that will never end apparently, if my mother is to be believed. But there is a way to do it, and you do not have so many things standing in your way as to make the task impossible.” Nuri wondered if the irony in his voice could be detected at the quiet tone he spoke it in.<br>
<br>
It did not make Avery feel better- But Nuri’s returned attention to him did, a bit.<br>
<br>
“And I do not think any other noble would have acted that way. Lady Nyme is a former Lady in Waiting. She and my sister's other ladies are used to far more freedoms and authority than they've had in Beleth thus far. I’ll speak to them and remind them things are not the same anymore. They should mind how they reflect on me anyway. As for the rest, you certainly don’t need to bare that burden alone… I’m already exhausted just thinking of it. But I think we both might just be tired from all that parading too. It'll work out. We’ll find a way.” They had to. <i>There wasn't really a choice</i>, he thought as he dragged his husband's collar down till he could reach his lips.<br>
<br>
Avery went willingly, smiling into the soft kiss. He pulled Nuri’s free hand towards his mouth, and pressed in gently on the pulse beneath his palm.<br>
<br>
“Yes, all that waving must have truly tired your poor wrists, it’s a wonder your hands haven’t fallen off,” he said with a tone of affectionate mockery. He kept his eyes closed and his lips to Nuri’s skin a few seconds longer, before releasing his husband’s hand and sighing.<br>
<br>
“You want her to stay,” he said, a questioning guess.<br>
<br>
“She might as well if she's already in trouble,” Nuri pointed out, “But I’ll support you if you decide she must go.” He smiled reassuringly, eyelashes still fluttering and lips still tingling.<br>
<br>
Nuri did this sometimes, Avery was beginning to notice. Said one thing, but promised he would be fine with the other. Avery wasn’t sure he always meant it. Nuri knew he could disagree with him, Avery told himself. What to have for dinner, what order to take their meetings in, if that teal waistcoat actually looked good on Avery or not. But about something big like this- Avery was having difficulty remembering a time that Nuri had suggested an alternative and Avery had agreed to it.<br>
<br>
He considered for a moment- Did it really matter if Lady Nyme came with them? Now that she was with the royal party and their guards, the risk to her safety was much decreased. Her flagrant disrespect for his decisions still stung, but if he sent her back now, there would be questions about where she had been. Having burned any remaining benevolent feelings she might have towards him, she would have no reason not to tell the courtiers at Redhill just how little she respected their king. <br>
<br>
Of course, Lady Nyme’s presence at Redhill would have hopefully encouraged her sister and her queen to be cooperative…. But conversely, Lady Nyme’s presence at Delphi might do the same. Queen Meera might be glad to see her, and see that Avery and Nuri had no wish to create tension in the relationship. Her effusive nature and honesty might counter Lady Veora’s more tempered personality- The Theren nobles might interpret anything Veora tells them of life in Beleth as measured diplomacy, but would believe Nyme that she was treated well when she simultaneously complained of the weather, the fashion, and the inconvenience of needing guards to go to market.<br>
<br>
Avery kissed Nuri’s forehead, having made his decision.<br>
<br>
“If she will be helpful to you,” he said. “Then she will join us.”<br>
<br>
The truth was, she wouldn't necessarily, Nuri could get about as much use out of her as he might Veora. But Nyme genuinely owing him a favor did seem appealing. Even if he only ever pressed the matter because Avery seemed overly harsh over something so little.<br>
<br>
He mouthed a ‘<i>thank you</i>’ nevertheless. It was better to be thankful when shows of thoughtfulness were given than not. <br>
<br>
And the truth was, Nuri more and more found himself living for and soaking up any of these shows of thoughtfulness, like a greedy little weed who just couldn't get enough. It was disgusting as much as it was unavoidable, and never failed to make him flush.<br>
<br>
Avery opened the door and Officer Newport snapped to attention.<br>
<br>
“I apologize for the back and forth,” Avery told him. “But please fetch Lady Nyme again.”<br>
<br>
Newport looked like he would rather not, but saluted and was off.<br>
<br>
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The Royal Party Arrives in Theren<br>
To An Interesting Welcome</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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Their travel through the port, and through the city of Delphi went far quicker than their travel to Jamatal. Their escort had sent word ahead of them and crowds were kept away; it appeared they were the last to arrive, given the array of nobles present at their arrival on the large white steps of the castle. Every House appeared to be present except Megara, and neither was the Queen Meera herself present.<br>
<br>
Nyme observed keenly that the city’s inhabitants were no longer so thin looking, but that the shops did not look well stocked still. The entire city was sluggish, feeling the effects of the lack of import still.<br>
<br>
In contrast the nobles had changed drastically, in her opinion. Something strange that she did not understand was going on. Nearly all the men had their long locks of hair cut short, and there were several women wearing strings of pearls fashioned into a knot that resembled a noose.<br>
<br>
As for her own clothes, she’d changed into the Theren fashion, while Veora had kept the Belethan manner of dress. Something about showing up in Delphi while dressed as a Belethan gave her unrest, and besides, the climate was much milder here. <br>
<br>
And if it were her own underhanded silent way of showing support for Theren in front of King Avery. Well, that was her business wasn't it?<br>
<br>
In the Queen’s stead, The Dowager Queen Agora stood to greet them, she met them halfway down the steps and held out her arms to embrace her son, right in front of everyone! Loudly exclaiming that she had missed her darling <i>boy</i>. <br>
<br>
Nyme’s eyes widened at this, and she glanced at Veora, who glanced back, equally as shocked.<br>
<br>
There had to be only two possible reasons for this undignified manner of greeting her son, who had returned from another Kingdom after marrying to broker peace; if the Dowager Queen were genuinely overcome with emotion, which would no doubt be her claim, or if she were intentionally undermining him as a foreign dignitary and fully grown married man.<br>
<br>
Neither sister was naive enough to believe this was anything but calculated courtly arithmetic. The Queen of political intrigue herself would never be so frivolous.<br>
<br>
The sense that things were precariously dangerous came creeping up Nyme’s neck for the second time. Being gone from Theren court for so short a period was an unforgiving thing. Just like when they were brand new at fourteen and had barely arrived, things were happening before their eyes that they had little understanding and sway over.<br>
<br>
Prince Nuri stiffly accepted her embrace and the party continued up the steps, into the interior of Album Castellum. <br>
<br>
Emerson- and probably everyone else- couldn’t help but notice that she had failed to use Prince Nuri’s titles when greeting him, and had neglected to greet any of the other members of the party. Such as her daughter’s friends, or her Lord Chancellor, or perhaps most significantly, the foreign king she owed allegiance to. <br>
<br>
For his part, King Averett showed no reaction to the slight, only smiling at his mother-in-law and giving her a slight nod, as though her welcome was both expected and appropriate. In all honesty, Emerson wasn’t sure if he had even noticed the insult- Knowing Avery it might have gone completely over his head, and he was merely glad that Nuri had received a warm welcome. <br>
<br>
Emerson had gotten to partake in one of his favorite duties as Avery’s surrogate brother figure on the voyage to Delphi, which was to try to pester and shock his King into breaking his composure of diplomatic neutrality. They’d started it back when Avery had been a prince, seen by his generals as an inexperienced liability who they were entertaining for the sake of his father, and Emerson had found that giving Avery a chance to blunder through vocalizing his thoughts the first time around made the second time go much smoother.<br>
<br>
Of course, Emerson was much better at impersonating one of Beleth’s military officers than a Theren noble, but luckily Prince Nuri had been giving Avery pointers in that department. Emerson had tried to pick up on those, which was a bit tricky due to the Prince’s… less than warm feelings toward Emerson.<br>
<br>
Not that Emerson blamed him- He himself would have preferred to avoid the Prince as well, but that didn’t seem to be either of their lots in life. But he had absorbed plenty, listening to Lady Veora answer Lord Brennan’s endless questions. Lady Nyme had had some good insights as well, much as it annoyed him. He still couldn’t believe she’d been so <i>stupidly</i> reckless, pulling that stunt. <br>
<br>
It was probably a good thing that Lord Brennan had committed himself to memorizing the family tree, common industries, interests and conversational non-starters of every Theren noble, or dinners on the Arrow might have been awkward indeed. Between Lady Nyme and himself, they could usually carry a conversation with a dead man for several hours before the unfortunate fellow realized he’d expired- But Emerson had struggled to enjoy her company, and hadn’t made much effort either.<br>
<br>
He took his eyes off the royals in front of him to glance at the sisters- They seemed comfortable and pleased to see their old home, though Emerson suspected he did not know them well enough to decipher if that was truly the case or only appeared so. In a situation like this, everyone had their walls up, and several layers of walls to boot.<br>
<br>
The walls of the castle were smooth and white, and as the other nobles followed them inside, Emerson focused on the architectural details instead of the feeling of being trapped. It was beautiful he could admit, and he could hear a quiet conversation between Avery and Nuri about some of the more distinct features.<br>
<br>
“I should have thought to warn you,” Emerson told Cromwell wryly, “That any passage with an intriguingly carved arch may take longer to pass through.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell, like Nyme, had taken notice of the… social changes that had occurred, but unlike Nyme had not been surprised. As he'd been informed of all this by his understudy and secretary when it first started happening. Seeing it in person was a tad jarring however. All of them lined up like that, as more than half, being on the Dowager Queen’s side was worrying.<br>
<br>
He didn't want to have to make an enemy of her, as she'd be an enemy that could be his undoing, but he couldn't allow her to continue wielding influence like this if she was going to use it to undermine the current reigning Queen’s commitment to peace. A peace he worked tirelessly for as well.<br>
<br>
Court antics were one thing, war was another.<br>
<br>
“A king <i>should</i> have fine taste. Ironically, a thing he shares with our soon to be King, Basilius of House Megara. Their carvings are murals fashioned into the wood over there. I've never seen anything like it.” He rambled off quietly, zeroing in on the Dowager Queen’s face, attempting to read her lips as she spoke to King Avery.<br>
<br>
But she was turned just so as to make it impossible except for a few words, ‘best’ and ‘you’. The spirits know if she was being vicious or hiding her fangs for later. King Avery was blushing, his ears red, so it could be the former.<br>
<br>
A few lines of people ahead, Nuri pulled his husband along. “No Queen Mother, we didn't bring any of his carvings with us, now let us stop holding up the procession. I'm eager to see her grace after so long.”<br>
<br>
“Pitty.” Was all Agora deigned to say, turning away, taking note that her son must have grown in maturity if he was no longer petty enough to do something like stoop to her level and address her as she addressed him in front of an official procession.<br>
<br>
Either that or he'd become cowardly and forgotten how to bite.<br>
<br>
She hoped it wasn't the later.<br>
<br>
The long hall opened up into a vast room with rows of columns that the nobility behind them dispersed themselves between, some leaving through other archways and some formed cliques. No doubt to wait until the royals left the throne room after their first meeting. Nosy as they naturally were.<br>
<br>
The daughters of Corinth broke away from the procession as two of Queen Meera’s ladies approached the back of the party and offered to show the Lords where their accommodations would be. Lady Veora assured Lord Brennan he was in good hands, and that she'd check in on him later once given time to settle.<br>
<br>
The House of Corinth’s heads eagerly awaited the company of their two most prized jewels on the far side of the room.<br>
<br>
Cromwell followed the royals into the tall double doors, sped up past the procession towards his monarch to kneel and kiss her ring as was necessary for a returning noble of Theren who worked for the crown, before whispering something to her as he stood up. She nodded and Cromwell was off again at his quick pace, disappearing seemingly into the wall behind a tapestry that hung behind her throne.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesties have graced us with your attendance, you've made it just in time! Thank you for making the journey. It means so much to me to have my family here with me on this joyous day.” <br>
<br>
And there she was, in all her dazzling glory, standing a few feet in front of her throne instead of sitting in it. Nuri had no doubt this was a conscious choice on her part. <br>
<br>
It hadn't been that long since he'd last seen her, but already Nuri had forgotten how much she lit up a room, and why exactly it was that people fell over themselves in adoration of her. She, in all her splendor, was Theren’s warm sun, and her smiles were worth dying for.<br>
<br>
Too bad Nuri had to be her dark shadow, refusing to let that be the price.<br>
<br>
But oh how he still loved her all the same, the painful tension and ache in his chest was proof enough of that. <br>
<br>
He thought he might be angrier when he saw her, his mother had certainly been deliberately ribbing him since the moment she saw him. What with the stunt she pulled in front of everyone on the steps, and again when his husband complimented the architecture of Album Castellum:<br>
<br>
“We do house the best of the <i>best</i> of artists Theren has to offer in Delphi, we are patrons of the arts here at court. But I have it on good authority that <i>you</i>, your Grace, are a bit of an artist yourself. You make charming little wood carvings? I would adore seeing-”<br>
<br>
Nuri had to cut her off there, his husband was likely too dense to understand when he was being made fun of in such an underhanded way, but Nuri wasn't going to let it continue unchecked in front of him.<br>
<br>
Strangely enough though, that'd all melted away when he saw his sister. Whom he wanted nothing more than to embrace freely. What a ridiculous thing to even consider in a formal welcome procession.<br>
<br>
The Dowager Queen might wish to push at the boundaries of propriety, but Avery had no interest in playing that game. <br>
<br>
He bowed deeply to his sister-in-law in the Theren style- Perhaps not the level of genuflection Cromwell had shown, but certainly with more respect than his father had ever shown to another sovereign. <br>
<br>
“It is our honour and pleasure to celebrate this occasion with you, Queen Meera,” he said after straightening.  His words were formal and pronounced as though he were speaking to a crowd instead of just a few, but he paired them with a genuine smile.<br>
<br>
The bow was both too deep and unexpected by the queen but she returned it happily. Recalling that there was a time when they might have been married for the peace between their Kingdoms. Though those discussions were past a year's time and through his elder brother, it was clear that King Avery shared that wish still.<br>
<br>
“Our Kingdom's did not achieve peace the way we initially set out to do King Averette. But we do have it now, however much it may have cost, and Theren remains committed to it. You are welcome to every comfort while in Album Castellum. Should you have need of anything, everyone in this castle is at your behest.”<br>
<br>
Meera turned to her mother, “The Dowager Queen will show you to your arrangements, and make sure to fetch you once the festivities begin tonight. At dawn the ceremony will take place. I recommend you rest up for it, we are known for having lively festivities here, and the journey must have been tiring. I myself am going to rest and prepare.”<br>
<br>
“Of course,” Avery said, nodding his head in recognition of the dismissal. He was a bit surprised that this formal introduction had not included any exchange between siblings, but kept it from his face. “We do not wish to be an imposition during such a busy time, and would be glad of the chance to rest ourselves. We look forward to speaking with you further at a later time. Many congratulations,” he finished.<br>
<br>
The siblings very carefully did not look at each other as Meera kept to Avery's side and steered them out, back into the wide expanse of the tall ivory columns of the room of gathering.<br>
<br>
Somehow, in the short time they had been in the throne room, the room had gained a gathering of not just nobles of the great houses, but their bannermen as well. Bannermen who could not represent the regions during the procession, but were free to catch a glimpse afterward.<br>
<br>
Conscious that they were being observed, Nuri linked arms with his husband and did his utmost to seem indifferent to this scrutiny. Which more or less just made him appear like he was scowling. Avery attempted to offer a slight smile and nod to those he caught looking at him, but few held his eye long enough to do so.<br>
<br>
People, while observing the respect due to their Queen by gladly bowing and making room for her path, were really here to gawk at the visiting King and their former Prince. Nobles were naturally a very nosy group of people. They delighted in looking and whispering and looking and whispering and…<br>
<br>
Nuri thought he glanced someone he hadn't expected to see, but they passed by too quick for Nuri to see out of his periphery. And he simply couldn't risk appearing to be looking in the crowd at anyone in particular.<br>
<br>
“You'll have to forgive them King Averett, they're eager to see if the rumors about you had been true after all.” Meera held back a laugh once they passed through into a corridor leading to the south wing.<br>
<br>
“Ridiculous as most of them were, I'm sure at least some of them thought one or two of the characteristics you were described to have must hold some truth. Only to find out you are a handsome young King in his prime. They must all be heavily disappointed that you don't at least have an eye patch or peg-leg.”<br>
<br>
“I could attempt to affect a hunchback,” Avery said, dry but amused. “But I fear I would not be able to keep it up for long.”<br>
<br>
Nuri was of the opinion that it was far funnier to let them gawk at the truth, especially since he knew who they were comparing his husband to behind his back. Let them whisper it behind his back because if he caught wind of it in front of him he was going to cut out a tongue or two.<br>
<br>
“Ah, here is where I must leave you.” They came to the end of the corridor, where a fork now would take Meera up stairs and the Beleth royals down aways where it opened up into a balcony hall. Which surveyed the courtyard’s winding maze of a garden from above. <br>
<br>
Only those of the royal family and their guard were permitted through these particular halls, which the royal family used to their advantage. Spotting secret liaisons and surveying the tittering between the bushes had served many a ruler advantageously.<br>
<br>
“This way, your majesties.” Agora, who had quietly observed that her son was quiet, retook control of directing the pair.<br>
<br>
“The House of Corinth is happy to see their daughters back. Good, clever sort of girls they always were. Always so loyal.”<br>
<br>
“They're happy to see their parents as well I'm sure.” Nuri answered back automatically, still thinking of what he would even say to his sister if he could right now and coming up blank. Which is a ridiculous predicament to be in after all that time spent preparing his wrathful lecture.<br>
<br>
“I wonder why it is then, that The House of Argos must go without seeing their own daughter? Little Lady Mercidea is not ill is she?”<br>
<br>
“She is, we thought it best that she stay behind to recuperate. It is nothing serious, but sea travel is bad for recovery.” Nuri snapped to attention and answered before his husband could say anything that might give the dowager queen any actual reason to be cross with him.<br>
<br>
“What terrible timing, send her our well wishes.” <br>
<br>
“Of course.” This entire wedding had terrible timing, but Nuri chose to continue to keep the peace.<br>
<br>
“Have you been well? You're past the mourning stage by now I see.” She was no longer wearing a black veil.<br>
<br>
“Sooner than I would have liked, I was going to take the full two years, but the mother of a Queen, soon to be a wife, shrouded in a mourning veil at her wedding ceremony seemed…” She answered truthfully.<br>
<br>
Ever the dutiful Queen, now Dowager, of course she would put the practical over her own needs. “Dour.”<br>
<br>
“Just so.” Especially with the reason for her mourning in the first place married to the Queen's brother. Her pride would not suffer it.<br>
<br>
“She's looking positively radiant.” Nuri noted in a way that distinctly did not sound like a compliment, unsure where the sudden need to bitterly voice that came from.<br>
<br>
“She has always been radiant, as your grace is well aware, having grown up with her.” Agora deflected nonchalantly, wondering for a moment if her son had somehow developed the ability to hear thoughts.<br>
<br>
“No, not quite like that… I take it she's off to see Basilius?” He needled further.<br>
<br>
“<i>Lord</i> Basilius, Nuri, he's <i>Lord</i> Basilius. Soon to be King.” She clipped back, she couldn't have him slipping up like that in front of the nobility.<br>
<br>
”Your grace, or your majesty, is my proper title.”<br>
<br>
“So it is.” <br>
<br>
The uncomfortable tension of the conversation would have been obvious even to Avery even if he hadn’t been paying attention.<br>
<br>
“I couldn't help but notice you've been hiding him from me. What's the matter? Afraid of what I might do to him? Or is <i>he</i> afraid? It'd be unsurprising if that were true, after all this entire farce allows him to take a title he most certainly has not earned or proven himself worthy of. It's a no wonder you had to cut your own mourning period short to ensure the event-”<br>
<br>
“Your Grace is also <i>my</i> proper title.” Agora didn't really care a fig about that, but it was a good way to cut him off, and it worked, his jaw audibly clicked shut. Spirits help her, he got especially petty when he was angry.<br>
<br>
Avery was becoming more alarmed with the direction the conversation had taken, and had no idea how to steer it back towards safer grounds.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty,” he said to Nuri, placing his hand on the one his husband had looped through his other arm. He usually called Nuri ‘My Prince’ if speaking to him directly in front of others, but he thought the Dowager Queen might benefit from the reminder that her son outranked her now. “Perhaps we would be better served by conversing with Lord Basilius directly,” he suggested.<br>
<br>
“How exactly are we to converse with that eunuch if he's hiding?” Nuri pointedly asked.<br>
<br>
“If he were a eunuch I hardly think we would be having this discussion right now.” Agora pointed out, rejoicing that, finally, the doors to their arrangements were in sight.<br>
<br>
“No no mother, you misunderstand me, I mean to make him a eunuch the minute I see him.”<br>
<br>
Agora gave a tired sigh, stopping in front of the guarded doors of their apartments. “There, and now you know why it is Meera saw fit to hide him from you.” They had arrived at both the answer and the destination.<br>
<br>
“I'm shocked you didn't think to do the same, the indignity of it, father wouldn't have allowed-”<br>
<br>
“You'd be shocked, Nuri, at what it is your father allowed in his time! I know you think him perfect, but he was not, and neither am I.” Agora loudly and clearly cut him off, at the end of her patience, and frankly, a little hurt.<br>
<br>
“So let us all at least pretend that we are, for the sake of both our thrones, and wait to tear into this problem till after the wedding ceremony. That way the nobility may all be sufficiently drunk and unable to remember if we smiled at each other or not.” Agora tried for a compromise.<br>
<br>
Avery bit back his reply that Agora seemed to think she had already solved the problem if the wedding was to take place, and followed Nuri through the doors the guards had opened. <br>
<br>
“Your Grace,” Avery said to Agora as the doors closed behind them. “You will use his titles when addressing my husband. Do not make me ask again,” he warned.<br>
<br>
The sound of the double doors shutting reverberated in the wide but narrow sitting lounge. Nuri eyed his husband for a moment with an unreadable look, trying to decide if he should tell him or not that his mother was making amusement at his expense the entire time.<br>
<br>
Better not.<br>
<br>
“I don't think I’ve ever been in these rooms, I wonder why they didn't just put us in my old ones.” What it lacked in girth it made up for in height, rows of books stacked nearly to the ceiling. It was a pitty that all those transcribers who had worked tirelessly to copy these books had done it all for nothing. These books, though kept clean of dust, rarely had anyone to open them. Agora always preferred the rooms next to her own apartment empty, and so they were sparingly used.<br>
<br>
Nuri frowned suddenly, “I just had an awful thought, they probably put that dog Basilius in them.” <br>
<br>
He scoffed and let Avery's arm drop to check the rest of their arrangement, the sitting room opened up into a party room, where dining table, yet more seats to the side, a harp, and art decorated the room. Marble statues depicting past Kings and other figures of legend lined here and there. From there two more doors were before them, one was to the balcony outside overlooking the view of the ocean, and the other was to a bedroom. Where a large marble tub allowed for bathing.<br>
<br>
Avery assessed the apartment, his eyes moving quickly away from the carved figurines. He unbuttoned and began to remove his overcoat as he went, already too warm in the milder climate.<br>
<br>
“You seem-”<br>
<br>
Avery struggled to articulate his thoughts in a way he hoped might not offend his husband.<br>
<br>
“Quite determined to dislike him,” he finished a beat later. In prior discussions, Avery had thought they’d been open to a variety of possibilities- That Basilius or Agora was behind this plan and manipulating Meera, that Meera herself was the instigator, that there might be other people involved even....<br>
<br>
Avery wondered if there had been some subtle indication that he had missed but his husband had picked up on, or if once seeing his family face-to-face Nuri was simply having difficulty imagining they would so intentionally try to undermine him.<br>
<br>
“Do we need to worry your mother might take to frisking you for knives,” he asked, trying to lighten the situation.<br>
<br>
“I thought at LEAST he'd have the guts to face us. You know, before I rip them out for impregnating the one Queen in all the land tasked very specifically with <i>not</i> producing heirs.” Nuri had discarded his doublet on the bed, rounding the corner and taking his husband's from him.<br>
<br>
“If he's so delicate I wonder why they would make him King at all.” He rolled his eyes and tossed the doublet on his own before approaching the lever that filled the tub.<br>
<br>
“I feel the need for a swim, care to join me? It'll cool you off.” <br>
<br>
Avery watched with interest as the large basin began to fill, the water streaming down from somewhere above. <br>
<br>
It was really quite ingenious, he thought, and much more efficient than waiting as a servant dumped bucket after bucket of hot water in the tub, pulled up from the depths of the mountain by the pulleys running through Redhill. Though he supposed servants here had to refill whatever source this water came from... Unless they had a cistern for rainwater somewhere up above that was being filtered down and- Avery cut off his wandering thoughts and reminded himself to pay attention.<br>
<br>
“Uh- Sure, that would be nice,” he told Nuri, though he thought Nuri might be in more need of cooling off than himself. He had never seen his husband so hot-tempered before, and Avery wasn’t sure what to make of it. It unsettled him a bit, and made him eager to comply with Nuri’s suggestion in the hopes that the other man might calm down a bit.<br>
<br>
He eyed the water warily, already regretting what he had agreed to. It wasn’t like Nuri had never seen him undressed, but such instances were usually brief and occasionally included a team of servants hurriedly changing their outfits. Nor did he generally give Nuri such a prolonged chance to ogle at his scars… But he’d already said yes, and he had suspected that Nuri was concerned about how Avery might handle their cultural differences- So while Nuri was preoccupied with some cabinet on the far side of the room, Avery stripped off the rest of his clothes, untied his hair, and waded into the rising water.<br>
<br>
He stood directly under the stream of water for a few moments, letting it thunder down around him and soak his hair. It reminded him a bit of the ramshackle bathhouses in Allaria, where he and Emerson would spend their halfcoins for the privilege of pulling the string on a pail of water mounted above them in the wall. This water however, was of a much better temperature, and he didn’t have to worry he had tilted the pail too far and lost the water over its slotted half lid before he was done.<br>
<br>
All in all, it was a much better experience, though the roar of the water was a bit too loud, and he stepped out of it after a moment.<br>
<br>
“You think he knew about the agreement she had made with you?,” he asked, trying not to feel self conscious. <br>
<br>
Nuri, having already dressed into the thin, white, sleeveless bathing robe used for purposes of modesty, eyed Avery in surprise as he walked over. Surprise quickly turned into an appreciative smirk as he made his way up the steps and stood on the edge, enjoying the view from up high.<br>
<br>
“Well I was going to give you this, but maybe you aren't in need of it after all?” Nuri dangled his husband's robe over the edge.<br>
<br>
Avery turned to see what his husband was holding, and promptly turned bright red. Compared to his earlier flush at the Dowager Queen’s teasing that had been confined to his ears, this blush spread across the entirety of his body.<br>
<br>
“All right, give me that,” Avery said, reaching for the robe with a bashful laugh. Embarrassed as he was, he could tell that Nuri’s amusement may have been at his expense but wasn’t a mockery. <br>
<br>
Nuri plucked it out of his reach and walked away, “If I were smart I wouldn't have told you about these at all! Too bad I’m the generous sort.” He said as he plopped into the water, not caring if some water splashed out onto the floor and getting the robe all wet.<br>
<br>
“It is much appreciated,” Avery allowed. “Gods only know what sort of embarrassment I may have gotten myself into otherwise.” Admittedly, he would have refused the invitation to swim had anyone else been present in the room, but still.<br>
<br>
“Here stretch out your arms, I’ll help you tie it.” His husband was going to have to forgive him for being a <i>little</i> selfish and indulge his desire to dress him.<br>
<br>
Avery’s movement to take the robe was aborted and his hand stayed stretched out awkwardly in the air for a moment longer before he complied with Nuri’s instruction. It seemed to Avery that the flush on his chest somehow gave off more heat along the spots where Nuri’s hands lingered against it, and Avery hoped it was not as noticeable as it felt.<br>
<br>
“I don't know what he knows, but for his own sake Basilius had better be a clueless idiot. I find that far more forgivable. Especially considering he'll be King.” Nuri noted.<br>
<br>
Avery nodded absently, but he wasn’t sure he agreed. “If he is an intentionally malicious actor, though, we might have more luck with your mother,” he said. She would no doubt be angry that some man was trying to undermine her daughter’s authority, though she’d given very little of her thoughts away in their brief exchanges. “I would much prefer her as an ally than an enemy,” he admitted, then sighed. “Unlikely as that is to happen.”<br>
<br>
He had a feeling the Dowager Queen would rather cut out her own tongue than align herself with him, no matter the circumstances. If they returned to Redhill and had managed not to make her hate him even more than she already did, he would consider it a divine blessing and ask nothing else of the Goddess for the remainder of the year.<br>
<br>
“No, it wouldn't make sense for her to throw her support behind them if he were working against her. That public display of undermining me in front of every single great house in Theren was a statement. She did it on purpose. She does everything on purpose.” The fabric stuck to Avery's wet skin, and the robe wasn't meant to perfectly stay in place, it was supposed to be easy to slip on and off. So when Nuri straightened the fabric around his collar he did so for ulterior purposes. Perhaps the wet skin in general had something to do with it.<br>
<br>
“And another thing… The men and women are wearing a public display of… I don't know, but the pearl necklace fashioned into a noose and short hair isn't nothing. It's very clearly something. And we should find out sooner than later what that is and whether it works against us. Especially since my mother was wearing a string of Pearls the same way.” He smoothed the front down and finally found it in him to stop fondling his husband secretly like some sort of disgusting obsessed fool.<br>
<br>
The fact that his mother was wearing the noose of pearls too meant that it was bad for them, but maybe they would luck out and it would just be a shift in fashion. Theren was funny like that, one year they had all worn feathers in their hair.<br>
<br>
Nuri leaned back and let himself dip under the water, resurfacing only as a bobbing head.<br>
<br>
“Could be just a trend,” Avery suggested, with the bleak optimism of someone who knew he was likely wrong. He hadn’t noticed it of course, but he trusted Nuri knew what was out of place and what wasn’t when it came to Theren fashion. <br>
<br>
“You still sure you want to join me for… The harsher conversations,” Avery asked hesitantly. Nuri was of the opinion that Avery shouldn’t try to negotiate with Queen Meera or her mother alone, but Avery was hoping that Nuri might be able to salvage his own relationship with his family by distancing himself a bit from his husband in their tactics, and offering opportunities in contrast to Avery’s threats.<br>
<br>
Selfishly, Avery would also prefer that Nuri wasn’t witness to those threats.<br>
<br>
“You're the King of Beleth, you're well within your rights to have this meeting yourself.” Nuri pointed out. “But I think I can only be a help in ensuring they understand the full ramifications of their actions.” He didn't want his mother snaking around Avery without him knowing any better. He wasn't raised by her, he didn't know her tricks.<br>
<br>
“Tomorrow? Over breakfast?” Everyone else in the castle would be asleep, passed out from the festivities of the last night. <br>
<br>
Avery wrinkled his nose in distaste at the idea. “I think that might feel like an ambush,” he pointed out. Cutting short someone’s wedding night with bad news was not a way to earn their favor. “And I’m not sure we’ll be up for it, either. I hear Album Castellum throws quite the party after all,” he said with a speculative raise of one eyebrow.<br>
<br>
He wasn’t exactly planning on throwing decorum out the window for the evening, but he thought he would have an easier time at the ceremony if he wasn’t dreading the morning after.<br>
<br>
“But- By noon tomorrow, I think we should have a time to meet with them arranged,” he suggested. He had a vain hope that Queen Meera and Lord Basilius- King Basilius, soon enough- would issue he and Nuri an invitation to discuss the affairs of their two countries in private, but it did not seem wise to count on Queen Meera acting on advice Lady Roysa would have had him follow.<br>
<br>
“Well I wouldn't deny my husband and King his <i>fun</i>.” Nuri smiled ruefully, “But don't let them put it off too long, they'd probably avoid the matter entirely if you let them.”<br>
<br>
Avery crossed to the far side of the tub to pull the lever and halt the stream of water from above before sitting down on the stone bench across from Nuri’s.<br>
<br>
“Well, that would be unwise of them,” Avery said. “I have many other meetings I can fill my day with instead- Two commanders, several lieutenant generals, a dozen assorted captains,” he listed. <br>
<br>
None of the Belethan military officers had been inside Album Castellum as far as he knew- They communicated with their Theren counterparts outside the palace walls, and communicated with the Theren royals through those counterparts.<br>
<br>
“If your sister will not hold a spot on my schedule, I may even have to tour the ranks,” he said idly. The troops would love it- A personal visit from their King. It would certainly renew their dedication to their cause.<br>
<br>
Nuri snaked up to Avery's side to sling an arm over his shoulder and steal a kiss. It gave him a rush when his husband exercised good political strategy. Strong moves like this weren't just good for the Kingdom, but for generating a tingling sensation within him that had to be satisfied in some way, preferably by touching Avery in some small way.<br>
<br>
It was becoming a nasty habit, he realized before cupping the King's jaw.<br>
<br>
“How clever of you, I’m lucky my husband is a responsible and sensible one. Always ready with a way to work things out to an advantage.” Nuri said before turning his chin and stealing another kiss, he just couldn't help it. Especially when he had that well trimmed winter beard grown out like that. <br>
<br>
His husband would have to forgive him for running his fingers through it and getting carried away...<br>
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Album Castellum, Delphi<br>
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That Evening.... And Into The Morn<br>
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<br>
“Really Cassandra, I don’t know why dear aunt doesn’t just send you to Beleth, there’s a much wider variety of eligible men to choose from there than here. Of better prospects than a lesser house to be sure.” She whispered that last part to emphasize the delightful embarrassment of her cousin. Taking a sip of wine from her goblet and squinting at her condescendingly over it.<br>
<br>
Cassandra, who sneered in response, “I think I’d be better off with a stable boy than some man from Beleth, what use is a husband in a foreign land at odds with my home no matter the supposed title? What was it your prospect was again?”<br>
<br>
“Duke, dear cousin, he’s to inherit a Duchy, which is basically the same as being a Lord.” Nyme clarified, waving a hand.<br>
<br>
“And how many houses answer to a Duke?” Cassandra kept the smile from her lips, laying her trap.<br>
<br>
“...Around two or three.” Nyme realized her mistake as she answered, Lords in Theren had no less than five and as much as ten lesser houses who answered to them.<br>
<br>
“Right… just like a Lord.” The trap closed shut, and Cassandra’s victorious tinkling laugh fell forth.<br>
<br>
“And how many houses would answer to your husband? Oh that’s right, none.” Nyme hit back, causing that victorious little laugh to die off.<br>
<br>
“But really Nyme, in all seriousness, the match mother has made for me is stable and fortuitous. He’s well off, honorable, he respects me and will provide for me while strengthening the bonds in the region of our home. My husband will never be unwelcome wherever we go in Theren and I will not be far from our family. Don’t be a fool just because we are in competition with one another, go to your parents and demand a match from here. Any great house would have you as a daughter in law quicker than your mother could send the letters.” Cassandra in truth regretted entering into this bet if this was the outcome. Yes, it was a bit bitter that technically speaking she would be losing, but that detail paled in comparison to the wildly reckless actions Nyme was taking. This was no longer the enthralling competition of a Lady’s wit, will power, and resourcefulness they had imagined when first entering into it. Her cousin had gone too far. It was a shockingly bold and a smart move to trip her up, at first, but now that she’d come back from Beleth it was time she came to her better senses.<br>
<br>
Veora she could understand needing to leave Theren, all appropriate matches that would suit her well had already been refused, and no house wanted a daughter in law that was known to be reluctant to perform her most basic duties. The House of Corinth’s perfect daughter had ruined her chances in Theren, so it made sense to send her to a different court where she might try to amend her fate and marry with some dignity despite the potential future costs. For Nyme though, whose allurments were of an entirely different sort but no less sought after, it seemed cruel and unusual. Worse, it was dangerous. What would she do when Theren and Beleth went to war again? What would happen to her? Cassandra had already resigned herself to the possibility of losing all contact with one cousin, but both? She couldn’t wrap her head around what her aunt and uncle were thinking!<br>
<br>
Nyme studied her cousin’s beautiful face, usually so much like her mother in that dignified tilt of her pointed chin, now suddenly so sincere and worried, even frightened. It was unnerving, because why in the world would Cassandra be so afraid of what basically amounted to distance?<br>
<br>
“Oh come now Cassandra,” She scoffed, “Don’t get boring and sentimental on me, I’m going to be a Duchess I’m not marching off to my death. It’ll be far but I-” Orange copper hair, a colour that belonged to no one who had a title in Theren, caught her eye, and she lost her train of thought.<br>
<br>
“One moment…” She darted out after him, weaving through people, determined not to let his behavior go on any farther now that they were in Theren.<br>
<br>
“Lord Emerson! Just a moment Lady Seneca, I’m very cross with Lord Emerson at the moment he’s been neglecting his friends.” She said once she caught up with him enough to loop her arm around his free arm and pull him away so they might talk.<br>
<br>
“I do apologize, Lady Seneca,” Emerson told the lady in question with a smile and a slight bow of his head. “I’ve already taken up so much of your time pestering you about Theren fashion- I would certainly not want anyone to think I’m shirking my duty to Lady Nyme! I hope you’ll indulge me with more of your company at a later time,” he told Seneca with another smile, before allowing Nyme to pull him away.<br>
<br>
“There we are.” Now that she has him tucked away into a corner of flowered garland she could speak to him frankly.<br>
<br>
“I’ve let you be absolutely atrocious to me the entire length of travel here, which I have taken in good humor if I do say so myself, but really isn’t justified. So I do expect an apology before I graciously forgive you.” She waved her hand this way and that before settling it on her hip, not taking any of what had passed seriously or dwelling on it. Content to just let him brush it away like dust on the wind so they could return home in good spirits once this was all over.<br>
<br>
“Ahh, I see,” Emerson said. His tone and his smile did not falter in the slightest, so his following words were mismatched with his demeanor.  “The thing is, Lady Nyme, that sometimes actions have consequences. Unfortunately, losing my previously positive opinion of you is one of those consequences that Their Majesties cannot prevent.”<br>
<br>
She scoffed, not quite understanding and still choosing to believe that he was only playing at being harsh, “I would've thought you of all people would've found my resourcefulness clever and witty and charming and all those things I get told I am on the daily. When did you become so boring and rigid? Are you telling me you would have abandoned your friend the King in his time of need? Is my disobeying an order not even expressly given really so vulgar?” She rolled her eyes. “You're turning into Lady Roysa.”<br>
<br>
Emerson laughed brightly at that.<br>
<br>
“Oh, she may even crack a recognizable smile at that,” he said with amusement. “I found your resourcefulness to be… Reckless. Stupid. And dangerous. I had assumed you to be rather smarter than that, and I am disappointed to find otherwise.”<br>
<br>
He had abandoned his King in his time of need, he thought privately. Nothing so trivial as a moon wedding.<br>
<br>
“I always think it's funny that men insist that the smartest course of action is whatever they would have preferred we women do.” Nyme became rigid and lowered her goblet thoughtfully, she'd heard that criticism repeated to her many times despite the relative falsity of it.<br>
<br>
“I didn't think that was a flaw you possessed, even when you are inclined to lie about it. It wasn't dangerous at all, even the King knows that. Honestly you both act as though I've done something heinous, or rather you do, as the King has more or less let it go.”<br>
<br>
But is was dangerous, in more ways than one. The fact that Nyme couldn’t even grasp the simplest of the risks she had taken was half the reason he was so frustrated with her.<br>
<br>
Nyme wasn't really understanding what was going on here, and didn't really care so much about whatever was being hidden from her so much as she cared about that stinging feeling you get when you realize that someone you thought you were becoming good friends with can drop you quicker than a brass coin over nothing.<br>
<br>
“It isn't even a good lie, which is a bit insulting really, no matter how stupid you apparently think I am now.” Her eyes flashed in displeasure.<br>
<br>
“I do not think you stupid,” Emerson said with a sigh. Her recent choices certainly were, but she might still learn. She had to. “I think you are young, and have only known your home, where you are safe and loved. This is not inherently a fault in your character. But unfortunately, I have found it to be a fatal flaw where I am from.”<br>
<br>
Emerson considered just how much he should tell Nyme- Both what was wise, considering the unsurety of her loyalty, and what was practical, considering the nature of their environment.<br>
<br>
“I once failed to refill King Garrot’s wine cup during a private dinner,” he told her, leaning in as though they might be whispering conspiratorially about who their next dance partners would be. “He beat me- Claimed he would do so until my screams were loud enough to drown out Prince Elion’s protests. The prince stopped protesting,” he said simply. “The kitchens were forbidden from delivering me any food for a week. And the next day, the King sat in on his son’s session of petitioner’s court, and overruled the Prince’s judgements. Men lost their livelihood that day, their land, and even their lives.”<br>
<br>
His face did fall into a slight frown for a half a moment at the memory, but he righted it after a pause.<br>
<br>
The disturbed look on Nyme's face deepened the more Emerson explained the consequences of defiance in the court of two King’s passed. She'd heard the man was barbaric, they all had, but hearing intimate details from someone who had lived through it was quite something else.<br>
<br>
“And you're trying to warn me that King Avery is going to behave the same? Is that it? I don't care even if he were exactly the same, I'd rather take the beating. Not that he'd give it, we all know he's not that monster.” She insisted.<br>
<br>
“And how is it that you so sure of that,” he asked softly. “Because you’ve had dinner with him twice a week for a few months? You were willing to bet your safety on the estimation of a man you’ve never spoken to privately? Never seen angry?”<br>
<br>
’Yes.’ Was Nyme's only thought, one she kept respectfully to herself.<br>
<br>
“And not just your own safety, but your sister’s too,” he pressed on, looking across the room at Lady Veora with a smile and a nod. “You say you are willing to take a beating to be here today, are you willing to watch her receive one? And what of Lady Mercidae, who you left alone in a castle full of predators,” he hissed. “Even if you presume that Lady Roysa and the princess would never wish to harm her- How long do you think they can protect her against those who do?”<br>
<br>
Their authority was derived from Avery’s after all, and Nyme had already demonstrated she had no issue undermining that. She was a fool to think that chipping away at the power of the family protecting her was a good idea, and naive if she imagined that no one else would ever find out.<br>
<br>
Her eyes flickered where he directed, but her thoughts remained stubborn, any illusion of trust in what he said already gone the first time he'd fibbed to her. She instead focused on his little inconsistencies.<br>
<br>
“Would it shock you if I told you my sister would tell you the same thing I would? Everyone always thinks she's so well behaved, but she is older than me and the burden of difficult to stomach tasks have often fallen on her shoulders. Mercy only stayed behind because she knew we were going, and she has loathsome parents she would rather avoid. Which is of course, all very irrelevant if staying in Beleth is apparently dangerous anyway. As the protections of the Lady Roysa and Princess Grace are simply insufficient…” She leveled him with a deadpan look.<br>
<br>
“There is always danger in Beleth,” Emerson said with a shrug. The trick was in evaluating it, and it wasn’t a trick he felt she had mastered yet.<br>
<br>
“I may not know your King as well as you do but I hardly think you would be half so fond of him if he were inclined to have noblewomen beaten for displeasing him. After all, Baroness Elleni is proof enough of that.” She said in a clipped tone. What with the way the Baroness got to act, if Veora’s account were to be believed, no one could think the King quick to be violent. Despite having started his reign with war.<br>
<br>
“Smile, Lady Nyme,” he said wryly, the corners of his own mouth lifting up as he said so. “We are enjoying ourselves, after all. I will apologize only that I cannot give you the groveling you feel you so deserve- But if the worse that comes of this is that I will have a second chance to learn how clever you are, perhaps you may get it eventually,” he allowed.<br>
<br>
The concession was more charitable and gracious than he really felt at the moment, but he was tired of wasting time listening to her entitled complaints. If she wished for him to have a good opinion of her, then he was doing her a favor- Every other time she’d opened her mouth, his opinion had fallen lower. “Can we get back to the festivities now? You really do know how to throw a party in Theren, and I would hate to miss out.”<br>
<br>
“I’ll be sure to let Mercy know you were oh so concerned about her well being, she'll have a good laugh at that.” She frowned mockingly and backed away, switching to a narrowed eyed glare before turning her back and leaving.<br>
<br>
She'd figured out enough to know there was something else going on, and Cromwell would be much more open with her than Emerson. Meanwhile she'd go ahead and let Lord Emerson find out that she, Veora, and Mercy were of the same mind when it came to people any one of them decided to give the cold shoulder to.<br>
<br>
—--<br>
<br>
Avery had yet to embarrass himself in the hours since the party had begun, but he knew that had nothing to do with him- It was the years of training in decorum from his aunt, the extensive review of Theren nobility Lady Veora had prepared, and of course, his husband’s help.<br>
<br>
Nuri greeted them all by name, asked about their children and families by name, and once they had left, reminded Avery of their political importance, rivalries and alliances. Not that they had had much time for those hushed discussions before the next noble came along.<br>
<br>
He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised by their interest in him- Hating him and his country was no barrier in the very human inclination towards curiosity. The structure of these parties meant that the nobles in attendance were the first to meet him, and could be the first to report back to others on their measure of him. They could be the first to impress him if they were angling for a lucrative business relationship, or the first to snidely insult him if they wanted to curry favor with the Dowager Queen.<br>
<br>
It was much like his own court's reaction to Nuri, he reasoned. They would put aside their own feelings towards his person if it meant they might advance their own goals. The Theren nobles were at least much more polite towards Nuri than their Beleth counterparts, and any veiled barbs- subtle or less so- were aimed mostly at Avery himself and not the nature of their relationship.<br>
<br>
Though at their own wedding, they had enjoyed a place of honor and structured traditions that meant they could not be approached while dining at the high table or while dancing. They’d had servants to fetch them food and drink, and a secretary each to introduce their well-wishers and time their interactions, and firmly tell the Duke of Yetun that Their Majesties were greatly pleased to hear of his improved crop yields this season but they had many guests to attend to and would look forward to discuss this further with him…. At a later time.<br>
<br>
“You’re sure I’m supposed to just eat these out of the shell,” Avery whispered to Nuri as they took advantage of a lull to eat, suspicious of the oysters. They had mollusks in Beleth, of course- Most commonly in a soup at Redhill, but sometimes served on their own in other regions. Deshelled and eaten with a fork in bite sized pieces. Even having watched several Theren nobles lift the shells to their mouths to eat, he still felt this might be an elaborate joke and they would turn to mock him if he did the same.<br>
<br>
Nuri nodded and took an oyster, tapping the one Avery was holding with it like a wine goblet before swigging it back whole in one gulp.<br>
<br>
“Like that dear, it’s perfectly safe I can assure you.” He hadn’t seen them served like this in Beleth, it must have looked odd to him. Nuri smiled amusedly at his husband, but not to make fun of him. He just couldn’t help but think his unsurety was cute, for lack of a better term. Everything from the way Avery shifted his shoulders in discomfort to the way he held his arm at his side was cute. Nuri very simply had a cute husband. And he was all his.<br>
<br>
So that nasty Lady Feona had best keep her eyeballs in her head the next time she approached them or Nuri was going to scoop them out with a silver spoon.<br>
<br>
Avery swallowed his down in turn, his face contorting into a grimace which he quickly righted. “What an…. Interesting texture,” he said, in lieu of what he really thought. He much preferred them in a soup.<br>
<br>
“Oh no they’re terrible, but they’re expensive, which is why nobles eat them at parties. I’m not sure who decided oysters were a delicacy and should cost so much but whomever they were, swindled the entirety of Theren court masterfully.” Nuri said with no lack of admiration in his voice. If only he could figure out some way to do the same to the Belethan court… ah well, he’d find something on the third day of celebration no doubt. All the merchants worth their salt would be right here for him to pick through.<br>
<br>
Oh right, the third day, which came after the second day, which is when the pleasuremen and women would arrive for the nobles to enjoy. No one had informed Avery of that yet, as he was positive Lady Veora wouldn’t have dared to. And Lord Emerson could hardly be considered an expert on the structure of Theren celebratory periods and the etiquette behind when a sex party is appropriate and when it isn’t. The solemnity of day one would give way to the carnal pleasures of post marital bliss once the couple was wed. He should probably warn Avery about what was expected of them as guests so that he could mentally prepare.<br>
<br>
Avery drank from his goblet, hoping to rid himself of the taste of the oyster. He’d noted the wine did not seem to be watered as it was at Beleth court dinner, but he wasn’t sure if that was the custom here or an exception for the celebratory occasion.<br>
<br>
He’d worried for Emerson, as the serving staff here had no soft spot for him - or orders from the royal family to monitor his intake. He’d tried to assess his friend from afar, but Emerson was difficult to track - Laughing with a cluster of young lords in the corner one moment, and spinning a beautiful woman across the dance floor the next. Emerson could handle himself, Avery had had to reassure himself. He would have to trust that the bastard lord knew his own limits when it came to his vices, and would not embarrass himself or his crown.<br>
<br>
“One more thing, I forgot to tell you about the sex parties didn’t I? It’d be considered uncouth if we didn’t attend one,” Nuri said.<br>
<br>
Avery managed to gulp down the wine in his mouth instead of spraying it down the front of his tunic, but it was a near thing and he had to cough a few times to clear his throat, trying to wheeze as quietly as possible.<br>
<br>
“Yes, I believe you failed to mention that,” he hissed. He’d heard rumors of such things- court wide orgies scheduled by the crown, with the regularity and expectations of Redhill’s weekly dinners- but assumed it was largely speculation and gossip among his own courtiers, hoping to paint their Theren counterparts as base and debauched.<br>
<br>
Nuri patted his back in sympathy, till he was breathing reasonably again.<br>
<br>
“We can’t seriously be expected to partake in that,” he said incredulously. Some of the more… libertine members of his own court held similar functions, but those were held in their own private apartments. A monarch would never be expected to attend, much less a foreign one.<br>
<br>
It seemed it would rather complicate the issue of progeny, for one thing. For another… Something inside Avery grew tight with displeasure at the idea that someone else might see Nuri in such a state of vulnerability, might hear the noises he made when Avery kissed him. Even worse was the idea of someone else touching him, their hands on his exposed skin- His own hand gripped his goblet harder than was really necessary.<br>
<br>
“Plenty of people spend the entire time spectating, that's what I always did,” Nuri said.<br>
<br>
Something akin to relief blossomed in Avery’s stomach<br>
<br>
“Some of the positions the pleasurewomen can get into are quite impressive whether they're naked or not. The men too.” Though to be honest not many of the men were that flexible, mostly they tended to be big and strong. Able to lift people above their heads and hold this position or that.<br>
<br>
“The earlier we go and make an appearance the less ‘wild’ things will be. In and out, and claim we were there longer than we were. People get more… touchy after the wine has been flowing for a while.” He suggested a course of action that would excuse either of them from participation. Nobody was going to remember who did what or even recognize each other after a certain point anyway.<br>
<br>
“There's masks people wear, the performers don't wear them but the nobles do. A bit of anonymity helps the night along and keeps the quarrels down to a minimum.” Not that people were all that inclined to be salty and irritated after indulging so gluttonously in pleasure.<br>
<br>
“All right,” Avery allowed, still skeptical but more willing to consider it. They could eat and make polite conversation and leave- And just ignore whatever was happening in the periphery. “So long as- I mean, I’d rather… Well,” Avery said, taking another drink of his wine to avoid saying anything more. Nuri didn’t need to know about the anger and possessiveness he’d felt a few moments before.<br>
<br>
“Is there anything else you might have forgotten to tell me,” he prompted instead, an eyebrow raised in inquiry.<br>
<br>
He should probably say something about being pretty sure he had seen Brutus around here but all he said was-<br>
<br>
“I’m pretty sure that's it, you don't have to worry, I don't exactly have a reputation of indulging anyway. Nobody is expecting you to jump in and frolic.” That was a lie, they were probably all anticipating what his reaction to this indulgence would be. But Avery didn't need to know that. It would only stress him out, given his modest nature.<br>
<br>
Nuri would protect him from their prying scrutiny as much as possible. The same way he'd been doing all night, by keeping the conversations industrious and butting heads with anyone bold enough to remark upon his husband in any way.<br>
<br>
--<br>
<br>
“Who’s side are you even on anymore?” Lady Desdemona complained, smile not faltering, unlike her scowling husband Lord Cyrus hiding behind his goblet and looking away.<br>
<br>
“The Crown’s, as ever Lady Desdemona.” Cromwell continued speaking mostly to her, despite his blackmailing being leveled at deals her husband made. When it came to the subject of marital matches being arranged, it was the wives in Theren that held the final sway. It was considered their domain and duty.<br>
<br>
“It just so happens that the crown does not rest upon the Dowager Queen’s head any longer, a fact that you should come to terms with by the time we usher in our new King. Her majesty has done her duty perfectly and provided for us a strong union. For the good of us all.”<br>
<br>
“Don’t you dare question our loyalty Lord Chancellor, we graciously sent our only daughter to be wed in a far away land for the Crown. You are asking us for another child, our heir, as well.” Lord Cyrus pointed out.<br>
<br>
“And without even bringing our daughter home to see us.” Lady Desdemona backed him up, eyes narrowing a little.<br>
<br>
“I doubt you would've wanted to pry Lady Mercidea from the attention of her rather wealthy suitors. Competition is fierce in Belethan court and she is without the benefit of her mother to guide her. I advised her to stay and foster the attention she is receiving rather than lose it. Would you have me sabotage her efforts? Especially when considering her position, her safest course of action is to enter the marriage state as soon as possible?” Cromwell returned Lady Desdemona’s fierce glare with a gentle reminder.<br>
<br>
“Your daughter does you a credit Lady Desdemona, she knows her duty and diligently makes every effort to be sociable and amenable to the correct people.” The lies he was weaving served the dual purpose of both calming the Lord and Lady of Argos and covering for Mercy. Poor girl, he'd seek to run away too if he had such demanding parents. For all her concern, Cromwell wasn't ignorant to the fact that they offered their daughter up like a sacrificial lamb to curry favor and possibly gain a foothold in Beleth. Without the courage to even go with her and ensure her care.<br>
<br>
Lord Cyrus sighed and his wife’s shoulders ceased to be so tense.<br>
<br>
“I trust she is well?” He asked, not trusting the answer but wanting to hear it either way.<br>
<br>
“She is thriving, as are the other ladies, who remain close-knit. You need not worry.” Cromwell assured him.<br>
<br>
Lord Cyrus nodded, “That doesn't change the fact that we can't give our heir to Beleth. Cassius must stay here to inherit.”<br>
<br>
“I am not asking you to give your heir to Beleth, on the contrary, play your cards right and you could gain a princess for your heir. I am simply asking that you hold off on any engagements for him for another year. He is still very young, this will not look odd.” Cromwell dangled the carrot finally, after giving them the stick for the past quarter hour.<br>
<br>
Their eyes widened at such a revelation, and the Lord and Lady turned to each other and smiled.<br>
<br>
It would appear that they were in agreement about the savory treat he'd dangled in front of them.<br>
<br>
“A year.” Lady Desdemona raised her goblet.<br>
<br>
“A year.” Cromwell raised his.<br>
<br>
Now to speak to Lady Feona, who had the son most likely to be actually chosen when the time came. If the time came. Cromwell was busy lining up possibilities for a proposal he hadn't even brought to King Avery yet.<br>
<br>
_____<br>
<br>
The hours went on, the cups were refilled, and as they drew closer to the dawn, Emerson felt he’d done decently, all things considered. He doubted any of the people he’d met this evening truly liked him, but the majority seemed to at least enjoy him and his novelty.<br>
<br>
He’d cemented himself as the most accessible member of the Beleth delegation- And as the most vulnerable. He did not have Lady Veora or Prince Nuri to steer his conversations, and he’d taken the digs at his birth and his character with no more defense than a shrug and a smile.<br>
<br>
From the judgement of his periphery and the occasional quick check-in, it seemed that Minister Brennan and Their Majesties had also managed to escape any major incident. He’d seem Cromwell flitting about, but the Chancellor had only nodded in passing to him instead of stopping for even a brief conversation. Emerson had squashed his feelings about that, in favor of speculating about the frequency with which Avery’s hand settled around his husband’s waist as the night wore on, even when the pair wasn’t dancing- It was hardly excessive, especially compared to the couple he’d found in that alcove earlier, but Emerson had to wonder if it was intentional on his friend’s part or the consequences of the strong wine.<br>
<br>
All in all, it had been a moderately successful and occasionally even enjoyable night, and Emerson wasn’t going to let some hotheads ruin it over some spilled wine and a stained tunic.<br>
<br>
“Young lords, this is hardly necessary,” Emerson implored, raising a hand as he stepped between the drawn swords.<br>
<br>
“He has to pay for this,” the younger one slurred, raising his sword higher and using it to point at his friend turned foe.<br>
<br>
“Perhaps that would be best accomplished by buying you a new shirt,” Emerson suggested idly, trying to subtly assess how badly this fight might go if it were to proceed. He’d seen neither of them fight before, but they certainly looked as though they had the basic training to do some damage- And both were so drunk that his evaluation was worthless anyways.<br>
<br>
“Why should I have to spend my coins on his clumsiness,” the other protested. “The oaf ran into me!”<br>
<br>
“No,” the affronted man decided. “I will have blood! Out of my way,” he demanded, though Emerson did not comply.<br>
<br>
“Come, come- There is still time before the ceremony,” Emerson said soothingly. “You can change into a clean tunic, and be with your family to cheer to Her Majesty’s health and happiness! But if two accomplished gentlemen such as yourselves cross blades, you shall undoubtedly both have wounds to tend to and miss the wedding altogether! Would you shame your families and your beautiful Queen in such a way?”<br>
<br>
This gave the tunic-ruiner at least some pause, as though it had only just occurred to him that dueling at his monarch’s wedding feast was perhaps not the wisest course of action. A pretty girl who was either the sister or fiancee of the other man tugged at the sleeve of his ruined tunic. “Please,” she begged. “Before Queen Agora notices, please.”<br>
<br>
It was true, they were beginning to draw onlookers. Exactly what Emerson needed- To be found in the middle of a fight.<br>
<br>
“This is my honor,” the younger man said, his words emphatic and clear even through his drunkenness. “You would not understand,” he told Emerson dismissively, and the other man nodded.<br>
<br>
Of course not, Emerson thought wryly. As though being a drunken idiot over an imagined slight was somehow unique to Theren culture<br>
<br>
“I see neither of you will be swayed,” Emerson allowed, stepping away from between the two young men, despite the panic in the eyes of the fiancee- No, definitely a sister, he was pretty sure.<br>
<br>
Instead of joining the growing circle of onlookers however, Emerson stepped so that he was level with the young man and moved to adjust his grip on the hilt of his sword. “Do make sure you aim your blows only at your enemy,” he advised, as the sword’s direction had wavered substantially over the course of the conversation and was pointed more at the gathered courtiers than the intended target. “And that you- Oh, wow,” he remarked conversationally as he looked down at the sword. “This is beautiful, do you mind?”<br>
<br>
Before he could gather the words for an answer, the sword was in Emerson’s hand instead, being held up to the light as the redhead admired it.<br>
<br>
“This is very finely crafted,” he said in appreciation. The young man gaped at him, perhaps for the theft or for interrupting his vengeance. “The balance is superb, absolutely remarkable,” he said, tossing the sword in the air and catching it in the other. He did it a second time, so the hilt of the blade was back in his dominant hand. “Why, I bet I could even….”<br>
<br>
Emerson threw the sword up into the air, so it spun hilt over blade over hilt- There was a gasp or two from their audience and both duelists instinctively drew back as the sword came back down towards them. It landed in Emerson’s outstretched palm, and after a brief wobble and a quickly hidden grimace from Emerson at the blood he’d drawn with the trick, the sword stayed balanced upright.<br>
<br>
There were more gasps, and even a smattering of applause. Yes, thank you, Emerson thought to himself. He enjoyed an appreciative audience.<br>
<br>
“A most excellent piece of craftsmanship,” Emerson praised the man he had taken the sword from, who beamed at him.<br>
<br>
“It was commissioned to my specifications,” he said proudly, as though he’d really had any part in the sword’s design.<br>
<br>
The other duelist scoffed. “My sword is just as fine,” he protested. “Finer even!”<br>
<br>
A much safer contest, Emerson decided, and seized the objection.<br>
<br>
“And if it isn’t?,” Emerson asked, and the older man scowled.<br>
<br>
“... Then I will buy him his new tunic,” he allowed.<br>
<br>
“Do you accept this bargain? That if I am unable to balance his sword on the palm of my hand as I have yours, then he will owe you a shirt,” Emerson asked the other man, who was already bragging about his commission to anyone who would listen.<br>
<br>
“I agree,” he said, after a moment’s consideration and a nod.<br>
<br>
“But if you are able,” the other man pressed. “Then what do I get?”<br>
<br>
“Then,” Emerson said, scrambling to come up with something suitable. “You shall both buy a jug of fine wine to gift to Her Majesty Queen Meera in the other’s name, in the spirit of your continued friendship and your shared dedication to her continued joy,” he proposed.<br>
<br>
“To Her Majesty,” someone in the crowd cheered drunkenly, and Emerson thanked the gods - or spirits- for it.<br>
<br>
“To Her Majesty,” both men agreed, and shook on it. Emerson breathed a sigh of relief as he took the second sword.<br>
<br>
He wasn’t actually sure he could catch the second sword as he had the first- Balancing the first in the one hand rather limited him. And this time he couldn’t pass the sword back and forth between his own hands to get a feel for its weight and balance first. But if it clattered to the floor- Well, the worst that would happen was a blow to his ego, and to the older man’s purse. Acceptable losses, all things considered. Or he could miscalculate the throw and maim a bystander.<br>
<br>
He tossed the second sword into the air with a quick prayer. He did indeed miscalculate- Not badly enough to maim anyone, but enough that he had to move to catch it. The first sword wobbled dangerously as he did so, and he had to twist his wrist significantly to keep the second upright when it landed in his other palm. They were both going to fall, he was sure- But after a moment, he righted himself out of the awkward leaning stance he’d had to dive into and both swords shook only slightly, their points balanced in small pools of blood in his palms.<br>
<br>
The applause was much louder this time, and Emerson beamed, rotating himself slightly so that all of his audience could be equally impressed with him.<br>
<br>
“What else can you do,” someone asked eagerly, and Emerson leaned his head back so that he was looking at the asker upside down.<br>
<br>
“Um,” Emerson considered. He’d learned a variety of tricks, but he wasn’t eager to pull out anything more dangerous than what he’d already done with weapons that weren’t his own- His mentors would probably have strong words with him as it was, if they’d known he’d done even this one stunt with swords he hadn’t handled previously.<br>
<br>
“If you get me an apple or something to bite, you can try stacking more on the first,” he suggested and she hurried off to find suitable fruit.<br>
<br>
“Can you juggle,” someone else asked, and Emerson laughed.<br>
<br>
“Of course,” he said, “But not swords, I’m afraid. Maybe some daggers, if you let me practice with them first!”<br>
<br>
Agora wandered over to the scene, people making way for her wherever she went so she may reach the front of the crowd without so much as brushing shoulders. Assessing as she went and coming to her conclusions.<br>
<br>
“Daggers did you say? Guards!” She called for the castle’s footmen.<br>
<br>
“Here we were thinking that the performers and jesters had retired for the night, only for one more to indulge us all. Or has he been indulging us all night as is?” She smiled wide as the guards promptly arrived at her side, glancing at Lord Emerson's bloodied palms in glee. Enjoying the laughter that followed at her own words.<br>
<br>
Emerson smiled as widely and graciously as he could, despite the danger he knew he was in.<br>
<br>
“Gentlemen, do please retrieve your swords so that I may bow as befits the Dowager Queen,” he asked, and they did so quickly. He swept a deep bow to Agora, clenching his fists so that his blood would not drip on the marble floors.<br>
<br>
“Yes, the entertaining little fellow. Give our friend your daggers, he’s going to juggle them for us.” She calmly ordered, a sliver of ice in her intentions.<br>
<br>
“I’m afraid I am a bit rusty on that particular trick,” Emerson protested as politely as he could. “If you would give me but a day to practice, then tomorrow perhaps I could-”<br>
<br>
“They make Lords in Beleth like this apparently. All so very talented.” She laughed to herself, grinning like a predator about to feast on its prey. The heckling of those present joined her as she implied that all lords of Beleth were merely court jesters.<br>
<br>
“It’s only me, I’m afraid,” he corrected. “Training with a Jolessic circus troupe is not a very common experience,” he stalled, trying to think of a way out of this that would not be considered an outright insult to the Dowager Queen.<br>
<br>
Even if had been using his own set of juggling knives- currently displayed on the mantle of his sitting room in Redhill, untouched for years- he would not have dared to pick them up with bloody palms. He was liable to injure himself, or someone else, if he tried.<br>
<br>
“I insist!” It was the most fun Agora'd had all night until all at once the fire of her laughter turned into wide eyed ash as someone poured wine all over her back. The liquid seeping through down to uncomfortable places, staining her hair sticky as well as her dress. She stood frozen and disbelieving as the crowd grew deadly silent.<br>
<br>
“Spirits mother! Terribly sorry I’m wretchedly clumsy. Guards! Enough of this damned foolery the ceremony is not long away and now the Dowager Queen must change her dress before it begins. Usher everyone to the cliffside and have them wait there for us.”<br>
<br>
Not a single soul moved, though Emerson gaped at Nuri with obvious confusion.<br>
<br>
“Now.” Agora turned her head and furiously commanded. Offended twice over now that it was clear that people did not consider one of her progeny to be above them in authority. The audacity of everyone present tonight was going to send her spinning into her grave.<br>
<br>
The speed with which everyone, the boys who had started their quarrel included, scrambled like the little rats they were wasn’t enough to satisfy her boiling rage. One of the ladies even had the nerve to press a handkerchief into Emerson’s hand as she scurried past. So she whirled on Nuri and swung her open palm at his face once they were gone.<br>
<br>
He must have predicted this however, as her palm connected with nothing but air. He'd already backed up out of her range and caught her wrist as it flew by his head.<br>
<br>
“Careful mother, you don't have much time to waste. Or dignity for that matter. Where do you get the audacity to openly mock your honored guests? Lord Emerson’s rank and position demands your respect.” He threw her wrist to the side, disgusted by her behavior. If she was going to go low he was going to go lower.<br>
<br>
“You honor me, Your Majesty,” Emerson said, his head bowed demurely to hide his surprise. He was as grateful for Nuri’s intervention as he was annoyed- The prince likely only had so much political capital to spend against his mother, and it seemed wasteful to use it for Emerson’s sake.<br>
<br>
“As hostess of this party you've done him wrong and I am well within my rights to demand you apologize to him.” Nuri sneered at her.<br>
<br>
Agora calculated for a quick moment and decided to say nothing at all. Gathering her sash and turning to leave. Without so much as a glance towards her victim.<br>
<br>
Which is about what Nuri expected of her. He watched her leave in triumph.<br>
<br>
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Emerson told Nuri once Agora was gone. “It wasn’t necessary,” he clarified, as he did not want Nuri thinking he needed to make a habit of rescuing him. “But thank you all the same.”<br>
<br>
Nuri frowned and sighed, glancing at the redhead’s palms, “Don’t give them any room, they’ll take the entire house from you” He did his utmost to sound annoyed and not worried, but lacked any heat in his tone and expression.<br>
<br>
He'd say 'it's no matter.’ but truth was he'd just drawn a line in the sand with someone who was dangerously teetering on the brink of considering him her enemy. An unfortunate place to be, even if she did lack a crown.<br>
<br>
“Did everyone already head outside for the ceremony,” Avery asked, coming up behind them, his hand finding purchase on Nuri’s hip. “I apologize, I did not mean to make you wait,” he told his husband, before frowning at his friend. Emerson had ripped the handkerchief in half and was wrapping the pieces about his palms as efficiently as he could. “What on earth happened to your hands?”<br>
<br>
“Lord Emerson needs to safeguard his limbs a bit better, had my mother had her way she'd have him leaving Theren with fewer than he came here with.” He told Avery before turning back to Emerson, “Why were you juggling swords anyway?”<br>
<br>
“I was balancing them,” Emerson corrected. “As a diversion- I had a pair of drunken fools intent on skewering the other.”<br>
<br>
“Oh! Did you do the thing where you toss it in the air and catch it on your chin,” Avery asked eagerly and Emerson grimaced. He would never do that with a sword he didn’t know to be blunted at the point.<br>
<br>
“Gods, no- I was trying to avoid bloodshed, not create it, I just used my hands,” he said, which he thought should be evident. “I bragged a bit too much, and Her Highness took me up on it,” he said with a shrug.<br>
<br>
“She can be such a bloodthirsty hag sometimes.” Nuri rolled his eyes and pat Emerson on the arm, “No good deed going unpunished eh? Let's go before we miss the thing we came here for. Lord Emerson is joining the rest of the crowd but you and I have to make the trek to the shoreline with the other immediate relatives.” Nuri said as he looped his arm with Avery’s to move him along. The excitement of the night was sobering, but it was almost over, and at least he had that to look forward to.<br>
<br>
Avery bent to kiss Nuri, but only caught his cheek. “Thank you,” he whispered in his ear.<br>
<br>
Nuri flushed pink. Avery, damn him, had been absentmindedly slipping his hand into his pockets and doing ridiculous things like squeezing his hip bone and drumming his fingers there. He probably was only bored and fidgeting but he should be more considerate of riling up poor innocent parties who'd been doing their best not to drink too much and focus on the conversations at hand.<br>
<br>
Avery glanced over his shoulder as he followed his husband, a bit concerned at the prospect of Emerson tying cloth onto his own hands, but he needn’t have worried. Someone had already anticipated the issue, and came up to offer Emerson his help and a pair of actual, clean bandages.<br>
<br>
“Thank you, Minister Brennan,” Emerson said, as the older man tucked the bloody handkerchief pieces into his own pocket, and gently wrapped Emerson’s hands in the fresh linen, tying each into a bow.<br>
<br>
“Of course, my dear boy,” Brennan said congenially. “Though Lady Veora assures me that if the young lords had come to blows, it would not have ruined the party- Apparently, it is not unheard of, for a fight or two during such festivities.”<br>
<br>
“Well now you tell me,” Emerson said with a dramatic sigh as they left the hall and began along the path towards the cliffside. “And I brought out my party tricks for nothing.”<br>
<br>
“Oh now, I’ve always enjoyed your party tricks,” Brennan pacified him and Emerson couldn’t help but laugh.<br>
<br>
“You just want a demonstration of my sword swallowing, don’t you,” he teased with a wink.<br>
<br>
“It is a magnificent trick,” Brennan returned. “Almost as worthy of praise as its performer,” and Emerson gave him a fond smile.<br>
<br>
“Maybe I’ll give you a private show later,” he whispered to Brennan as they took their places amongst the other courtiers. “But for now, I think we best pay attention.”<br>
<br>
Brennan nodded, his hand squeezing Emerson’s thigh before leaving. Emerson turned his regard to the crowd and the ceremonial set up in front of them, telling himself he was not looking for anyone in particular.<br>
<br>
That someone he wasn't looking for stood right behind him, pondering some contrived methodology he could use to entrap the fox about to run away with the old goat. Sorry old billy goat, but the crow was cleverer.<br>
<br>
“I can fill you in on what you need to know while we clean up those hands in my apartments later,” Cromwell leaned forward, letting his shoulder brush up against Lord Emerson's back to alert him to his presence before whispering his lure.<br>
<br>
Well that was interesting, Emerson thought- He’d seen Cromwell only a few times all night, and heard from him not at all. But if he’d been gathering information, Emerson would be a fool to pass up the opportunity to hear it- Or hear whatever version of it Cromwell wanted him to know.<br>
<br>
But he was a bit peeved at Cromwell, expecting him to drop everything just because the older man wanted to talk. “I suppose,” Emerson allowed. “What’s the best way between Minister Brennan’s suite and your apartments?”<br>
<br>
“Through the garden, the exterior, the interior is too maze-like to be quick.” Cromwell could've offered to escort him through the upper hall to avoid the garden entirely, as he was one of the few allowed to use it. But his catch was being so slippery, better not to make things too easy so he'd reconsider the trek to Minister Brennan’s and just come to him first.<br>
<br>
He leaned back and resumed his watch of the pinkening sky through the hole of the circular wedding arch. It was beautiful and golden, rays bursting from the opening in long thin shards to mimic the sun. It must have cost a fortune to make, and was impressive, but there was something to be said about the wild beauty of the ones the peasantry made whenever they held their weddings. Gnarled long sticks put together this way and that to create a strangely perfect circle that all together both looked natural and unnatural. Like humans did he supposed. Beings of nature that were not a part of it and yet were every bit as animal as the creatures who did not deign to create society.<br>
<br>
Others noticed before he did, the royal couple approaching the cliff, led by Corinth’s head Spirit Guide. They all grew silent and parted like the sea from the shore to make way for their path up and up. The both of them dressed in their house colours and looking magnificent, like rulers, up and up. Eyes trained ahead and focused, as if in a trance. They all were, he supposed, all of them tired and bleary-eyed and in a ritualistic trance for one the oldest traditions their kind held dear.<br>
<br>
When they finally made it up to the top of the cliff, and the Spirit Guide began the psalm, Cromwell glanced down below to the west, the Royal family waited. The Dowager Queen was in a different dress than the one she attended the party in. He wondered if and how that had to do with whatever ruckus it was he missed while grilling Lord Brutus in another room as to what it was he was doing in the castle after he had specifically banished him from setting foot in it. Imagine his surprise to learn Brutus had been summoned by said Dowager Queen.<br>
<br>
The psalm finished and everyone held their breath as the couple joined hands, ran through, and leapt off of the edge of the small cliff and into the waters below. The sun rising to officiate their union. Everyone rushed to the west side of the cliff to catch sight of them below, and from a distance watched as they swam to the shore, helped up by the rest of the royal family. Nuri clutching his sister in a tight embrace. It was sweet and emotional, and the crowd of onlookers cheered and whooped. It was done. For better or worse. Theren had their new King. Long may they reign.<br>
<br>
<br>
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							<h1 class="p-title-value">𝕿𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍「𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲」
	
	

	

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				<center>Roleplay Availability</center>
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Cromwell's Quarters, Album Castellum, Delphi<br>
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An hour or so later....<br>
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<br>
The ceremony had been over for more than an hour and a half by the time Emerson knocked on the doors to the Lord Chancellor’s apartments. He had to knock several times, and was considering the utility of just heading back to his own guest suite for a few hours sleep, by the time the other man opened the door.<br>
<br>
“Good morning,” Emerson said with a yawn. “You wished to see me?”<br>
<br>
Cromwell, who had not intended to fall asleep at all and as a result had ink smudged on his cheek from the document he was editing, did his utmost to appear wide awake as he responded.<br>
<br>
“Yes. Indeed. Come in.” He stepped aside, wondering if the way he said that sounded as awkward as it had felt. He heaved a great sigh and rolled his shoulders, looking around for the supplies he had sent for earlier.<br>
<br>
“Your… hands, I found out later what it is that happened. I wish I had been there to divert the Dowager Queen somehow. I’m shocked to learn that someone else came to your rescue however. I could’ve sworn he wasn’t fond of you in the slightest.” That was putting it lightly, Nuri resented Emerson’s existence stubbornly. But perhaps that was subject to change out of spite for his mother’s disrespect towards his marriage and guests.<br>
<br>
“I would have been all right, I always come up with something,” Emerson said airily, as though he hadn’t felt a very real fear only a few hours ago. “My palms will heal fine, Minister Brennan is more than adept at bandaging me up by now- I used to do that trick loads of times, the scars are hardly noticeable, even if you know to look for them.”<br>
<br>
Emerson chose not to comment on the ink stain, instead looking about the room. Tasteful, but a bit… Less minimal than he was expecting.<br>
<br>
“You know, you can decorate your rooms in Redhill if they aren’t to your liking,” he suggested.<br>
<br>
“Ha,” Cromwell said, attempting to sound humorless but failing at the mention of the decorations in his room. He fondly kept them just the way they were, pretending that he simply couldn’t be bothered to have them redorated, or de-decorated really, to how they had been before Meera’s ladies had gotten a hold of them.<br>
<br>
Cromwell had trouble keeping the small smile from his face as he abandoned the supplies he’d found off to the side in favor of examining the bandages on Lord Emerson’s hands, who politely resisted the urge to snatch them away. Cromwell took them in his own and inspected their wrapping. They were indeed well done. He couldn’t complain or insist on redoing them.<br>
<br>
“The decor was all an elaborate gift from the Queen, at the time a Princess, and her ladies a few years ago. I do not possess the level of taste they do. They declared my living quarters sad and unacceptable. So they set about…” He gestured, “Fixing it up in the way they thought I might appreciate.”<br>
<br>
“Well, they showed admirable restraint,” Emerson decided. “<i>I</i> would have demonstrated no such respect for your preferred color palette,” he joked, noting only the occasional pop of color against the majority of neutral tones.<br>
<br>
“No, I imagine you wouldn’t have.” Cromwell wasn’t quite joking, he let Emerson’s hands go and stepped over to the table in the middle of the room, where the wine was. Lord Emerson enjoyed challenging him in strange ways.<br>
<br>
“Speaking of ladies, you were uncharacteristically harsh with Lady Nyme. I could have sworn you were all thick as thieves. Almost as if she had thwarted certain political intentions with her being here that the crown had in mind for her. Ones she was almost entirely unaware of until… well her parents should make it clear to her upon breaking their fast I should think.” Cromwell teased.<br>
<br>
“She’ll get over it,” Emerson said sharply, uncharacteristically harsh once again. “And you can keep your speculation about my feelings to yourself,” he warned. That wasn’t why he was angry with her, not really, and he didn’t want to think about the real reason.<br>
<br>
That she was stupid and reckless and endangering her friends, and he couldn’t stop her from making all the same mistakes as he had.<br>
<br>
“Something to drink?” Cromwell offered as he poured more into his own goblet.<br>
<br>
“No, thank you,” Emerson said, after a dry swallow. “I think I’ve had enough for the night- Or the day, I suppose,” he said wryly, aiming for a lighter tone.<br>
<br>
“You would think everyone had, and yet tonight the wine will pour heavier than ever. Please sit, there’s several things at large that have gone on since last I was here. And annoyingly, I can not stay to fix them directly after the Crown’s little incident.” Cromwell sat on one of the many cushions surrounding the table and invited Lord Emerson to do the same.<br>
<br>
Emerson snorted at the euphemism. Instead of sitting as indicated, he laid himself out on his back across several cushions, so that the top of his head grazed against Cromwell’s thigh. He pulled a flask- water, presumably- from his own pockets and poured some into his open mouth, his eyes falling closed as he listened.<br>
<br>
“Before we arrived at the Capitol, King Averett tasked me with ensuring that should Lord Brutus be here he was to be kept far away from the Prince. A task I did not think necessary, as I would know if Lord Brutus had set foot in Album Castelum. Moreover, I personally threatened him to stay away when I had him thrown out.” Cromwell took a swig of wine.<br>
<br>
What an interesting task that Avery had set for Cromwell- Even more interesting, that he had failed to tell Emerson of it.<br>
<br>
“Unfortunately, he’s here anyhow. Apparently, the Dowager Queen silenced my clerk and Lord Brutus has been in Album Castelum for some time now, training and attending meetings. Turning a new leaf in his duties apparently, under the thumb of the Dowager Queen herself.”<br>
<br>
“A problem, I presume, since His Majesty intends to cut his hand off?,” Emerson fished.<br>
<br>
“Does he? I thought he was posturing.” That was the punishment for rapists in the Belethan army, did the King consider Brutus a rapist? Or was this simply jealousy over another man having touched his husband?<br>
<br>
Is that why the King seemed to dislike <i>him</i> so much? At least as far as he knew, the King didn't intend to cut <i>his </i>hand off. It would certainly be a problem if he did- Cromwell needed his hands.<br>
<br>
“Well kindly inform the King that while soldiers require no trial to be declared guilty of a crime punishable by limb detachment, nobles do. In either kingdom.”<br>
<br>
Emerson laughed lightly- He didn’t expect Cromwell to understand the nuances of Beleth’s military justice. At least Cromwell had confirmed his suspicion, and Emerson almost wished he’d denied it instead.<br>
<br>
“And yes, it is a problem, it was far better when Brutus was useless and focused on chasing his next opportunity for pleasure. His aunt used to handle affairs in representation of Vergina while his mother handled the running of the region. They are extremely reasonable people whose main interest was keeping the peace and doing their duty well. Brutus is an inherently selfish creature who is less likely to be so amenable. What’s worse, is that as a Lord he has the power to be a problem. All of the lesser houses in Vergina answer to him.”<br>
<br>
“The Dowager Queen Agora is intending on using him somehow and in a way that runs contrary to the treaty. She’s working against me. And given how many nobles are wearing her mark, she’s been busy.” He grabbed the string of pearls laying on the table and pulled them up, dangling them over Emerson's face so he could see.<br>
<br>
“They’re fashioned into a noose, and the men cut off their hair to signify seniority over those who did not fight in the war.” He tossed them back onto the table, annoyed.<br>
<br>
A noose- How charming, Emerson thought as he opened his eyes to take in the necklace before closing them again. If they kept it up, they might yet meet a real gallows.<br>
<br>
“She is not taking her lower rank well I think. In my opinion, the better the new King and Queen establish themselves as the authority the more she will act out, but the weaker her influence will get. And we can further undermine her influence by further solidifying the ties between our two kingdoms. I’ve taken the liberty of vetting through all eligible and age appropriate matches for the Princess Graceling. Their families have all agreed to hold off any engagements for the next full year, and are amenable to the arrangement should they be so lucky.”<br>
<br>
“My, you have been busy,” Emerson said, opening his eyes with a smile, impressed. Even if ‘all’ the possible matches Cromwell deemed appropriate were only a few, it was still quite a bit of work in a short time.<br>
<br>
“The only problem is, I’m not positive this initiative will be taken well coming from me. Your King feels a certain way about me.” Cromwell tilted his head, “I can’t imagine why.” He said dryly.<br>
<br>
“I would guess it’s due to your prodigious talent for acting like an ass,” Emerson told him frankly. “But luckily, you and the Princess are of the same mind- I was delegated with compiling a ranked list of your eligible bachelors,” he admitted. “Specifically she would like ‘someone who is taller than me, but not excessively so’ and ‘can do at least four different dances’. She’s also partial to brown eyes, but I warned her that some compromise would be expected.”<br>
<br>
“Hm…” Cromwell nodded, thinking, “I think at least one of them has brown eyes. I wasn’t particularly focused on those qualities, truth be told.” This must be part of his ‘talent for acting like an ass’ as Emerson called it.<br>
<br>
He moved a lock of hair from Emerson's face carefully, slowly, “At least she can be assured that all Theren nobles dance excessively, especially the eligible ones. Both of the late Prince Magnus’s progeny are made available, Lady Feona will hold off Gaius’ wedding date a year, to break the engagement if necessary. Though I think he may be a tad too old to be appropriate.”<br>
<br>
“I would think so,” Emerson agreed, relaxing into Cromwell’s hand. Grace herself probably would not care, but Avery would almost certainly object. “And we’ve broken enough engagements as it is.”<br>
<br>
The Theren nobility were not inclined to view the Beleth royal family favorably as it was, there was no reason to cause further resentment.<br>
<br>
“Agreed, nonetheless I thought it prudent that all options were offered. Out of respect for the Princess’ rank.” Cromwell liked the way Emerson's eyes fluttered shut, and experimentally ran his fingers through more of his soft hair as he continued. Watching keenly for any indication of discomfort and enjoying that the redhead only relaxed further under his hands.<br>
<br>
“The heir to Argos, Cassius, is available; he is Lady Mercy’s older brother. I hear that he is uncommonly kind, though maybe not the brightest mind. Pylos has two sons in her age range, one of them stands to inherit the region as heir, he did not attend the wedding, and instead was left to run Pylos in his parents' stead while they attended. His name is Sirius. I believe you stopped the younger from dueling someone from a lesser house earlier, that one is Quintus. Which leaves the heir to the House of Thebus, Draco. He was at his mother’s side all night… I don’t think he’d be taller than Princess Grace. He’s just at her height I believe.” He joked.<br>
<br>
Emerson snorted. “Well he’s young, perhaps he still has growing to do,” he suggested idly before continuing. “His Majesty is going to have a headache tomorrow, regardless of what we may do to heighten it,” he said. Avery held his alcohol well and had not given many visible signs of his drunkenness, but Emerson knew him better than most.<br>
<br>
“I shall inform him that I have asked you to assess possible matches for the Princess based on their political appropriateness, while I judge their characters- And their dancing,” he said. “If he objects, I can tell him the truth- That we are doing no less than his sister herself asked for,” he said simply. Perhaps Emerson was also a bit drunker than he appeared, to be openly admitting to Cromwell even a subtle manipulation of his king.<br>
<br>
“He’ll likely be more comfortable if he feels she has a chance to make her own judgments- When is Lord Gaius to be wed? She could attend as a representative for Beleth, and meet some of the prospects then,” Emerson suggested. “Or Cokinos usually holds a tourney in mid-spring, the families could be invited- And meet possible matches beyond just the Princess. Let’s see… All the immediate cousins are dead, already married, or- Well.”<br>
<br>
Emerson was fairly certain that Grace and Avery’s mother had had at least one brother, but beyond that he had really no idea. As far as the court was concerned, that branch of the royal family did not exist.<br>
<br>
“He’s got the nieces and nephews, but they are far too young and too far away, and their mother would never allow it. There’s some eligible second cousins though, I think. And of course,” he said with a wave of his hand in the air. “All the various bachelors and bachelorettes of the noble families.”<br>
<br>
“Mmmmm.” Cromwell's chest rumbled, pleased with the outcome of these suggestions, “Co-mingling should be encouraged, Theren nobles are practically all cousins as is. I’ll have to contrive some way to change their perceptions on the viability of matches made with Beleth.” Probably best done by ensuring that the ladies from Theren already present in Beleth married well. And quickly.<br>
<br>
“Speaking of co-mingling…” His fingers traced to Emerson's lips, running across them back and forth lightly, “How amenable are you to sitting on my face? Right. Here.” He tapped those lips, watching intently.<br>
<br>
Emerson chuckled, opening his eyes in a lazy smile, and darting his tongue out to lick at Cromwell’s fingers. “Fairly amenable,” he allowed. He’d never given Brennan an estimate on when to expect him, after all.<br>
<br>
“But we have another problem that I can hardly imagine you are unaware of,” he said more seriously, turning his head to fix his gaze against the Chancellor’s. “You’ve said the Dowager Queen is working against you. How are you certain that she is not working in line with her daughter?”<br>
<br>
Cromwell had made a good show of supporting the treaty, but it might only be that- Emerson knew that his loyalty was to Queen Meera. And if her intention was to support the treaty… Well, she had an unusual way of doing so.<br>
<br>
“Oh that, you needn't worry.” Cromwell smiled wryly, “As it would turn out, this wedding wasn't according to her plan either. The Queen informed me that her mother nearly screamed her head off when she informed her that she required a wedding to take place as soon as possible.” He languidly traced Emerson's ear. “Corroborated by servants' accounts of the rather memorable morning.”<br>
<br>
“Apparently, the queen’s mother only supported her match after some sort of correspondence with the Prince. Something about competition apparently.” Cromwell could see why Agora would despise the match. Basilius was not her idea of a strong man, a good regional choice, nor a proven leader.<br>
<br>
Emerson looked up at him, unimpressed by these reassurances. “Having this child cedes her authority- To her mother, or to her husband… Or to Beleth,” he said. He knew that Avery did not want to restart the hostilities… But he would, if he felt it was necessary. “Theren is more advanced than Beleth in matters of the body, but even we have solutions to this. If she truly means to abide by the treaty, why has she not ended the pregnancy already?”<br>
<br>
“Are you asking me why rationality has been placed behind emotion?” Cromwell tweaked the ear he was tracing, “Funny, that's a question I have to ask every day and of everyone.” He noted annoyedly.<br>
<br>
“All these people, making every little thing so difficult instead of listening to reason is why I don't get any sleep.” He removed his ministrations and decided more wine was what he needed, he could feel a headache coming.<br>
<br>
He would kill the Dowager Queen if he needed to, whatever heir Meera produced too if necessary. He'd kill them all and install a new monarchy, a new nobility, if it would free the chokehold their petty squabbles had on the little boys they sent to war.<br>
<br>
“We won't go back to war, I think the blood of the common folk has been shed enough. The nobility think that people without rank are as disposable as a rag, but when I’m done with them, they are too.” He said airily as he stared at the ceiling.<br>
<br>
Emerson laughed, but instead of his cheer from earlier, it was a dark and hollow sound. Everyone was disposable to someone, and he couldn’t decide if he was impressed or amused that Cromwell thought such things were up to his decision. “His Majesty cannot afford to be any softer to Theren than he already has, without risking war in Beleth,” Emerson warned. “He will raze this country to the ground to prevent violence in his own. And for what,” Emerson asked. “A child she will one day hate?”<br>
<br>
He sighed, shifting slightly. “I am sure Queen Meera envisions a happy future, and I doubt she is interested in hearing from me on the topic,” he admitted. “But I know what it is, to be the son who stripped his mother of her birthright. She does not just carry a child, but a seed of resentment that will grow, faster and stronger than its twin.”<br>
<br>
“What reasonable conclusions you've arrived to.” Cromwell noted, deciding that the flow of information for tonight was to be cut off. As much as Cromwell strangely yearned to reassure Emerson with all the murderous contingencies he had in place, doing so would reveal far too much to the King of Beleth than was wise.<br>
<br>
Perhaps far too much to Emerson himself. The redhead would look at him in disgust if not disbelief. He wasn't sure which he disliked more.<br>
<br>
“Say what you mean to say, instead of asking me to give you what does not exist. It's annoying.” He shifted, looming over Emerson. Rethinking his original plans of devouring the redhead. He'd never been softer in his life.<br>
<br>
“I mean to say-” Emerson frowned, trying to remember where he had been going, and then frowning deeper as he reflected on what he had said. He’d had no intention to tell Cromwell of the weakness in Avery’s rule, or of his own insecurities.<br>
<br>
“I mean to say,” Emerson decided with a sigh, looking enviously at Cromwell’s wine cup but instead reaching up. He gently wiped the smear of ink from Cromwell’s cheek and tugged the other man’s face towards his own. “That I get very morose when I am drunk,” he said softly. “And I think both of our moods would improve, if you were to prevent me from talking much further.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell rethought the rethinking he'd done about what he was going to do to Emerson. The speed of which just annoyed him further.<br>
<br>
“Hm.” He grunted, before grabbing his jaw and obliging Emerson's request.<br>
<br>
<br>
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Maybe There's Hope For Love After All</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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Avery felt awful, and it wasn’t because of the headache pounding against his temples. Well- That probably wasn’t helping, and he downed his third glass of water since he’d woken up. He’d found a platter with some fruit on it in their room and he’d taken some when he’d fled to the sitting room, and he was feeling a bit better for having eaten.<br>
<br>
But even if the hangover were to disappear, the anxious pit gnawing away in his chest would surely not. He’d <i>promised</i> Nuri, and he’d broken that promise.<br>
<br>
Unless he was greatly misremembering, Nuri had at least enjoyed himself, so that was something. But he didn’t want Nuri to think the expectations had changed in any way. They owed each other and their countries heirs, that was unavoidable, but Avery would not ask for more.<br>
<br>
Even if he <i>wanted</i> more. He’d done an admirable job of denying that to himself thus far, but after last night he could hardly fail to recognize it. <br>
<br>
He wanted to know the planes of Nuri’s body so well he could carve them with his eyes closed, he wanted to memorize every sound Nuri had made only a few hours prior, and learn what other melodies he might compose with Nuri as his instrument. He wanted to taste those sounds pressed into his own mouth, to smell Nuri’s arousal mingled with the sweat of exertion and know that he was the cause. He wanted to hold Nuri’s chest so close to his own that he could feel Nuri’s heart beating against his until they hammered in sync together, and he wanted to make Nuri’s heart gallop so fast it might burst from his ribcage. He wanted to know just how quickly he could make Nuri fall to pieces in his hands, and he wanted to keep Nuri on the precipice for hours on end and commit to memory the contortions of his face when racked with pleasure. <br>
<br>
He wanted far too much, and it terrified him.<br>
<br>
He’d taken refuge in the sitting room, where he could compose his apology without having to look at Nuri’s sleeping form. Where he wouldn’t be distracted by the slivers of Nuri’s skin exposed by the tangled sheets where his hand might fit perfectly, or the way strands of Nuri’s hair fell into his dark eyelashes. But all he’d found in the sitting room was his own nervous anxiety, and nothing to soothe it as effectively as the steady rhythm of Nuri’s breathing.<br>
<br>
He’d returned to their bedroom eventually, eyeing the breakfast platter and the glass of some unknown juice on the side table. It was a bit unsettling, to think that servants had been in their bedchamber while they’d slept. At least he’d still been wearing his shirt.<br>
<br>
He’d brought one of the chairs level with the head of the bed so that he could know as soon as Nuri woke, and alternated between drinking water and rehearsing what he was going to say to his husband.<br>
<br>
Nuri himself was blissfully warm and comfortable. Relaxed, in a way that he hadn't been since coming back to his childhood home.<br>
<br>
Which had been an unfair sensation, not unlike having been robbed and left on the side of the road in nothing but your knickers. Marriage to a foreign Kingdom and King left him uncomfortable there, and now alienation left him uncomfortable here. <br>
<br>
By contrast his husband's mouth had left him feeling [/i]extremely<i> comforted. A few times. And relief, also in the form of feeling that his marriage was going somewhere good, could at least be found when he was alone in this room with Avery.<br>
<br>
So no anxiety or fretting woke him up particularly early, there was little sense of urgency even in the list of things he had to do. Cromwell could go wait, or go back to sleep, he was probably busy anyway. <br>
<br>
That was Nuri’s train of thought as he rolled over and reached for his husband, still half asleep. <br>
<br>
But didn't find him. <br>
<br>
He patted the bed a couple of times to make sure before begrudgingly opening his eyes. <br>
<br>
“That chair can </i>not<i> be more comfortable than my arms, husband.” Nuri pouted.<br>
<br>
Avery couldn’t help a soft smile at Nuri’s objection- It was a very nice chair, but Nuri was right.<br>
<br>
He was beautiful, Avery though, even in his sulking, the bright morning sun highlighting the bones of his cheeks and his collar and- Avery cleared his throat, before he let his eyes wander any further.<br>
<br>
“Are you thirsty,” Avery asked, offering the water. “How is your head?”<br>
<br>
It would only be fair to let Nuri sleep a bit longer, Avery reasoned. He was smaller than Avery and would need more rest to recover, and it was in no way a stalling technique on Avery’s part.<br>
<br>
“I didn't drink nearly as much as you.” Nuri grinned and flipped over to lay on his back, letting out a contented huff as the pillow deflated under his head.<br>
<br>
“Thought I'd leave the heavier drinking for tonight, when I don't have to introduce every noble here to my husband and assure them that yes, he really is that handsome. And no, he’s not hiding his peg leg anywhere. And yes, mother is </i>thrilled<i> we’re here.” He stretched his limbs all the way to his toes leisurely, his voice coming out muffled as a result. <br>
<br>
He settled again and noticed the look on Avery's face, with his quiet demeanor, looking deflated. Something or someone was bothering him, he looked around the room for clues and only found the food the servants must have left.<br>
<br>
“Why do you look sad? Did the servants come in here and mistreat you?” He accused huffily, shimmying out of the bed and looking around still.<br>
<br>
“No, no, of course not,” Avery said with alarm, standing to reach out and encircle his hand around Nuri’s wrist to halt his investigation, not wanting someone else to be blamed for his somber mood.<br>
<br>
“I only…” He dropped Nuri’s wrist and ran his hand over his face and through his hair, which had long since lost its tie to the silk sheets. “I wanted to apologize. For last night- Er, this morning,” he corrected. “I was… Incredibly presumptuous. Especially as I had already promised you that I had no such expectations,” he rushed forward, uncomfortable but determined. “I will be more cautious in the future,” he pledged. He may have to sleep in his study on nights when he’d been drinking, but the settee was relatively comfortable- Certainly more so than the prospect of repeating this conversation, with this most recent vow broken as well. “It will not happen again.”<br>
<br>
</i>Someone really allowed this man to be in charge of running a Kingdom,<i> thought Nuri dully as he went from annoyed to… annoyed for a different reason.<br>
<br>
Nuri grabbed a hold of Avery’s shoulders and shoved him on the bed, so he could glower over him properly.<br>
<br>
“Won't happen again?! Did you drink so much you don't remember teasing me all last night at the party?”<br>
<br>
“I didn’t-” Avery began to object, surprised at the turn this conversation had taken, and the position he found himself in. His hands found Nuri’s against his chest, but instead of pushing Nuri away, they pushed up Nuri’s sleeves to revel in the soft skin of his forearms.<br>
<br>
“Or how I was all over you in the bath earlier? [/b]Honestly<b> Averett…” Nuri didn't pay any mind to his reddening cheeks, or the way his eyes were getting misty with emotion and desire. He was past caring as he lowered his mouth onto his husband’s own, making needy noises.<br>
<br>
Avery hardly responded, his eyes open in shock.<br>
<br>
“It's like you can't tell at all how much I like you. You’re going to drive me insane.” He pulled away reluctantly, yanking his husband's hair back in order to finish his point. And slyly straddle his waist in order to punctuate it.<br>
<br>
“You… Like me,” Avery repeated, not quite a question but a hint of doubt nonetheless. On their wedding day, he’d dared only to hope they might one day reach a point where Nuri didn’t hate him. That they had become friendly enough to have a relationship based on mutual respect was more than he had ever thought to ask the Goddess for.<br>
<br>
He’d killed Nuri’s father, destroyed his romantic and familial relationships, and brought him to live in a foreign land surrounded by strangers. It was no less than King Garett had done to his third wife- And even if she had learned to pretend otherwise, Avery knew she had never forgiven him for it.<br>
<br>
But Nuri wasn’t Queen Eva. And Avery… Wasn’t his father.<br>
<br>
It had been months, and Avery suspected that Nuri had a fairly good judge of his character by now. He might not always be completely truthful with Avery when it came to uncomfortable topics, but Avery could not imagine that he would lie so boldly without prompt. He would certainly not feign an interest in Avery just for the sake of keeping the peace, when Avery had already told him it was not necessary.<br>
<br>
…Nuri was telling the truth and he was a <i>fool<i>, Avery concluded.<br>
<br>
“Then I should apologize again,” Avery said softly, no longer quite so shocked but instead amazed at his good fortune. He reached up to cup his hand against Nuri’s face, tracing his thumb against the other man’s jaw. “I have been so preoccupied with preventing our relationship from echoing that of my parents, that I failed to see it had already since diverged.”<br>
<br>
Somewhere in him, too close to the surface for comfort but too far down for him to realize it till now, Nuri had been terrified that somehow all of this was some horrible trick. That any moment now Avery would turn cold and make it clear that this was all a trick to have him under his thumb. That the love and affection he had been basking under were only conditional to the services he provided as a political pawn.<br>
<br>
Nuri had no idea if he was pathetic enough to still yearn for that affection had that actually happened, but then again he'd still pined for his mother's attention after everything hadn't he?<br>
<br>
But that wasn't Avery at all. He was warm, ran hot when he was angry. He never left Nuri shivering in his cold.<br>
<br>
His chest shook as he chuckled a little, wiping away at a little droplet of water that had fallen on Avery's cheek, eyes widening when he realized where that water had come from. Avery turned his face to press his lips against Nuri’s palm instinctually.<br>
<br>
“This is embarrassing Avery, you're making me all emotional. It's horrid and not at all dignified of a Prince.” He jerked away and wiped at his eyes aggressively, realizing that he wasn't wearing any smallclothes when he sat back, and lifted his hips up a little in further embarrassment.<br>
<br>
Avery soothed his hands down Nuri’s back and along his thighs, subtly adjusting Nuri’s long shirt so that the younger man could sit on its tails with somewhat more modesty than before.<br>
<br>
“There is no audience here with us now,” Avery said gently, replacing Nuri’s hands with his own and wiping at his tears far more gently than his husband had. “Do not criticize yourself for my sake, when I can find no flaws.”<br>
<br>
He leaned up to kiss Nuri softly. “You are so beautiful,” he breathed against Nuri’s cheeks. “Even with red eyes.” He paused, looking up at Nuri with fondness and reverence. “Though… Your words have made me exceedingly happy, so. I may feel badly if my own continue to be a source of tears for you,” he joked.<br>
<br>
Nuri threw his arms around his husband's shoulders, letting himself be kissed and adored. <br>
<br>
“Then you shall have to find some way to make me happy again this morn.” He demanded, grinning like a fool falling in love.<br>
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Some People Think Setting Traps &amp; Lures Is A Form Of Flirting</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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Emerson wasn’t surprised to wake up alone. He was, however, surprised to be in what he could only assume was Cromwell’s bed. He must have been drunker than he’d realized to have badgered the other man into letting him sleep there last night- Or this morning, rather. He didn’t remember having gotten up from the sitting room to come here, but it must have happened. He couldn’t imagine Cromwell having carried him.<br>
<br>
He squinted into the blinding light coming in from outside and decided it was probably sometime in the late morning. Probably still at least two hours before noon, but much later than he usually slept. He’d slept surprisingly well, for having been in a strange bed. Cromwell must be having his meeting with Their Majesties- the Beleth ones- that he’d mentioned he would need to attend. Or attending to any of his many other duties, Emerson supposed. Cromwell had a dozen more important things to do than wait around for Emerson to wake up.<br>
<br>
With a stretch, Emerson regretfully left the bed and straightened the covers and pillows, erasing the obvious signs of his presence. He found his clothes neatly folded on bench at the end of the bed and pulled them on hastily, aware of the time and his own obligations as the haze of a good night’s sleep wore off. He should have just returned to his own quarters last night, he chastised himself. He’d probably already been seen by the staff who served Cromwell, or at least his absence had been surely noted by those assigned to his guest rooms. Plus, he needed to start setting up meetings for Avery, he was supposed to have met with Minister Brennan this morning to discuss how last night had gone, he ought to-<br>
<br>
“Oh! Hello there,” he said brightly as the Lord Chancellor appeared through the large doorway, his mouth turning up into a smile without thinking. He did up the buttons on his tunic as he wondered if the meeting with Their Majesties was already finished, or if Cromwell was merely coming by to kick him out before going to it. <br>
<br>
“I apologize for intruding on your hospitality, but thank you for it nonetheless,” he said as he smoothed his hems down. “You are a <i>most</i> gracious host,” Emerson winked. He supposed guests on matters of business saw a very different side of Cromwell than he’d received half a dozen hours ago- The dour lord would never accomplish anything with his day, if he treated all guests as he had treated Emerson in the parlor. Emerson grinned again at the recollection.<br>
<br>
Cromwell's mouth flapped open and shut a few times as he thought like a madman what to say. What hook he could possibly cast to get this fox to snap his jaws shut on it and be reeled in, just as he was able to do last night. <br>
<br>
He'd only very reluctantly left because duty called, and then duty canceled after making him wait past the time of their meeting. The upside of which meant he got to come right back here, preferably before Lord Emerson escaped his bed.<br>
<br>
“I’ll be out of your way now,” Emerson said, leaning forward to kiss Cromwell on the cheek quickly. <br>
<br>
“You're not hungry my lord? Besides, I have good news for Beleth. Lady Roysa’s concerns can be laid to rest finally.” Well. That news about the Belethan royals was about as confirmed as the news that they had already consummated was. But Emerson didn’t need to know that detail.<br>
<br>
Emerson laughed. “You’ll have to be more specific- Lady Roysa has more concerns than a cat has kittens, and nurses them more fondly still.”<br>
<br>
Cromwell shrugged, a slow smirk forming on his crooked mouth. “I don't divulge secrets to people with their foot half out the door.” <br>
<br>
The servant he sent for food could not possibly be that far behind him now, if he could only get Lord Emerson to sit down - on a cushion if not his face this time. <i>He'd have him.</i> At least for breakfast.<br>
<br>
Emerson’s grin faltered momentarily. Cromwell must know of his intentions for the day and hope to derail them- But Cromwell was mistaken if he thought delaying Emerson would have much effect on his reception among the generals he was to visit today. Unlike with the nobility of Redhill that Cromwell had been exposed to, people in the military respected Emerson as Avery’s right hand, instead of viewing him as the King’s foolish pet project.<br>
<br>
He righted his smile in a moment, and it spread even wider. “Breakfast and secrets- You do know how to tempt a man,” he allowed with a laugh. “Just do not tell Lady Veora I am putting off my utility for either, or she may be cross with me!”<br>
<br>
He had promised to be useful, after all- Though he was slightly less concerned with her good opinion of him than when he had initially made that promise. If she was somewhere wringing her hands with worry that it would fall to her to arrange all of King Averett’s meetings as well as Prince Nuri’s…. Well, she could wring them until after Emerson had enjoyed breakfast.<br>
<br>
“Oh I doubt you'll be missed there. There's not much left to do on that front anyway.” Cromwell laced an arm around his waist and led him out to the table they sat at yesterday. Ready to fill him in on the agreed upon meeting times and the aforementioned ‘secrets’. <br>
<br>
The both of them unawares that the Dowager Queen Agora hadn't stopped to rest like they had, and had pieces falling into place as they spoke.<br>
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And Some People Think Setting Traps &amp; Lures Is Just Par For Course</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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A growing discontent sat in Agora’s stomach the longer she had observed how very different the relationship between the King Averett and her son appeared to have from her presumptions. Did he lie in his letter? Did things change drastically in so little a time? Did he not remember her careful instruction to keep a certain distance in his heart? <br>
<br>
A thing she thought would be no issue given how he'd done it so thoroughly well with Brutus. And poor Brutus, she really was asking much of him when she instructed him to have patience. He wasn't used to demands, and despite the strides he'd made in discipline since she first had him fetched from whatever brothel he'd been wallowing in he was a passionate man full of fire and brimstone. There was only so much she could expect from him.<br>
<br>
Especially when others were so very obviously attached at the hip to the prize she’d promised him would be his once again. <br>
<br>
A part of her wondered how she could put her son’s head back on straight, so that he might remember whose side he is on. But another part of her knew it mattered very little, one way or another. Her poor son really had sacrificed himself away, he wouldn't get to choose how things turned out. That part was for her. <br>
<br>
Which was not to say she wasn't doing her utmost for him still, even after his impudence. She was still his mother, who wanted what was best for him. And what was best for him was to not get attached to a temporary King.<br>
<br>
“Ah, so we finally have a moment alone, your Grace.” She grinned as she turned and curtsied in the Belethan fashion. <br>
<br>
She'd had a summons sent out under the guise of her son that invited King Averett to a comfortable solar with a pretty view and bright lighting from the setting sun. <br>
<br>
They were a few hours out from the second day's celebrations beginning. And to her son, she'd sent a summons under the guise of King Averett to another solar, far from this one, so that he could reacquaint himself with someone who could love him better than this murderer before her.<br>
<br>
“I thought it wise to meet, even unofficially, before the formal meeting tomorrow with my daughter.” She gestured for him to situate himself anywhere he liked in the room.<br>
<br>
Avery was disappointed that Nuri wasn’t there- He’d been looking forward to seeing him again, even if it had only been a few hours since they’d seen each other. But he thought he did a decent job of hiding his surprise, and he bit back his retort about his title being “Your Majesty”. <br>
<br>
She was being too familiar, but he would try to take it in good faith. They were family, after all, and Avery suspected it would mean much to Nuri if they could heal the fractures in the strained relationship.<br>
<br>
He took a seat so that he could admire the view, and did not hide his interest. “You have some truly gorgeous vantages here in Delphi,” he praised. “You know,” he said, turning to her more directly. “You do not need to trick me into meeting with you, officially or otherwise. You need only to ask, and I would be happy to grant you my time.”<br>
<br>
Agora answered with an easy laugh, genuine, as she did find playing with her food before she ate it entertaining.<br>
<br>
“It is just my idea of a joke. Unexpected things have a way of… lightening the mood.” She lied as easily as breathing. Unexpected things often had the opposite effect, and she didn't fancy taking chances when it came to her plans. So the trickery really was necessary.<br>
<br>
“And after all, our topic of conversation is very heavy indeed your grace. Any excuse to-” She gestured at the view, “-Show you our Kingdom's beauty and attempt to alleviate some of that burden I’ll take.” She leveled him with a look.<br>
<br>
Avery began to suspect that his concerns about this conversation’s trajectory might have some merit.<br>
<br>
“I know you must be angry, given the course of events that has brought us all here today. Happy though the occasion, unhappy is the cause.” She sat next to him and laid back, observing keenly.<br>
<br>
“Unburden your anger, your Majesty. I am humbly contrite and ready to listen.”<br>
<br>
She seemed genuine enough, but Avery could think of no good response. If he claimed ignorance of what she spoke or pretended he was happy, she would think him a fool. As for his anger- She was neither an appropriate nor correct person with which to share it, even when prompted. Worse, he might cement himself in her mind as the irascible lout she was already likely to think of him.<br>
<br>
“I am more familiar with my anger than I should like to be,” he admitted after a long moment. “But I can think of no reason why you should become acquainted with it as well. Besides- My anger is not currently present. Frustration,” he allowed. “Confusion. But not anger,” he assured her.<br>
<br>
“No? It would enrage me, to tell you the truth, had a vassal Kingdom of mine directly undermined me by producing heirs when the only ones to be had were to be mine. So that they might rule both seats one day. It would enrage me a great deal. It might even cause me to act.” Agora noted calmly, carefully ignoring that he did not want to address this to her specifically. He would. <br>
<br>
Avery raised his eyebrow. “Has Queen Meera tasked you to determine what I am and am not willing to do?” The Dowager Queen was certainly being insistent, after all. “I am hopeful we can come to a mutually unsatisfactory resolution,” he assured her dryly. A good compromise left all parties unhappy, his aunt always said. “But my actions are largely dependent on her own. You may convey that to her, at least.”<br>
<br>
Another chuckle, another amusement, “Unfortunately, she doesn't make decisions that I don't allow her to.”<br>
<br>
Well that was good to know, Avery thought. Whoever was really running Theren- Agora seemed to think it was her.<br>
<br>
“Nor does she possess the forethought to send anyone to meet with you before she does. She is a rather… honest and forthright sort of person. Terrible traits for a Queen to have, but admirable and inspiring as far as reputation goes.”<br>
<br>
She continued on, as if simply discussing dinner plans, “She has no intention of ending her pregnancy. Nor will she delegitimize or otherwise abandon her child. It's out of the question, you may consider it off the table.” Which left them all with very little room to do anything at all. What King Averett wouldn’t know however, is that she wasn't giving her daughter the credit she was due in this decision. Agora had been quite unable to sway her, and amended her plans accordingly.<br>
<br>
“Well, that’s all very good to know,” Avery said after taking a moment to absorb what she had said. “I’m sorry to hear you anticipate so little space for compromise.” He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts.<br>
<br>
“You were Queen of Theren during much of my father’s reign,” Avery said, a sudden non-sequitur. “I am sure you are familiar with his style of rule- If a slight against him ever went unpunished, it would only have been because he was unable to respond. It’s odd, you know, because I’ve never thought I look much like him,” Avery mused. He’d certainly heard it whispered behind his back often enough as a child. <br>
<br>
“But you must think me his spitting image,” he told Agora wryly. “I can only think you are looking at me and seeing my father instead- Convincing yourself that my lack of retaliation implies an inability to do so. Are you really so blinded that you fail to see the fully equipped fleet that patrols your coasts? The troops that occupy your cities? Do you think that because I have not restarted hostilities means I am unable to do so?”<br>
<br>
Of course not, but Agora smiled coyly anyway. Now she was getting somewhere. “You aren't your father? Are you entirely sure about that your Majesty?”<br>
<br>
“Oh, we are similar in many aspects,” Avery admitted easily enough, his even tone disguising his discomfort with that fact. “But I am a far better fighter and military strategist. I had hoped to be a better diplomat as well- But you seem to think that particular ambition to be a waste of time,” he pointed out. <br>
<br>
“I wasn't aware that you needed my approval or good opinion on your character and skill-set your grace. But despite what you have to say about whatever I might think of you, it really isn't all that bad.” If you called being very simply a walking dead man all that bad.<br>
<br>
“I have complete and utter faith that a resolution will be met. Simply put, there are certain things off the table. I thought you might like to know that before the meeting. So that you might have more time to be… creative. And as you've pointed out your grace, you have a much better mind for strategy than your father. Surely you can think of some way we may resolve things, without forcing a mother to kill her own child?” Agora pressed, gently, her jaws snapping shut on the verbal trap he’d fallen into.<br>
<br>
Avery hated this- When people said one thing, and then turned around and made it his problem. It reminded him of several conversations with Vienna, and that made him wary. <br>
<br>
“You seem to misunderstand my presence here,” Avery said slowly. “I am not here to propose solutions to a problem Theren has created. It is on you- and your monarchs- to present a resolution that myself and Prince Nuri will deem satisfactory. That you think to suggest otherwise,” he said, polite but cold. “Does not inspire confidence in your own ability to problem solve.”<br>
<br>
“But your Majesty-” Agora raised a delicate hand to the pearls around her neck, seemingly shocked, “Theren <i>lost</i> to the might of Beleth, clearly it is not I who is the superior in strategy. Though…” She looked out to the shoreline, “... We <i>do</i> have one idea of how to handle things. I had hoped that the King of Beleth would be up to the task at hand. But if he would prefer we play guessing games about what might please him, I suppose we are obligated.” She gave him an unimpressed and condescending look. This was <i>child’s</i> play.<br>
<br>
Avery barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her, and the look he returned to her was one of obvious annoyance.<br>
<br>
“Dowager Queen Agora, I grow increasingly tired of whatever game you are playing,” he said as bluntly as he could. “We both have better things to do with our time- Or at least, <i>I</i> do. If you wish to tell me this idea, I am willing to hear it. Otherwise, I suggest we end this audience.”<br>
<br>
“Better things than the thing you came here for?” She laughed at him, he wanted to run away, having had enough. Smart. <br>
<br>
“Alright I’ll concede. You aren't your father at all King Averett. He would've quite lost his head by now. Who taught you such self control? They don't teach politics to soldiers. Even noble ones.” And for good reason. A noble sent to lead armies tended to become beloved and admired in a way a sitting King could never be. If you were brother to said King and got certain ambitious ideas in your head. It could spell unrest.<br>
<br>
“Lord Brutus doesn’t have this kind of self control, no matter how much I try to instill it in him. Though, I've only had him for a little while, maybe he'll improve given more time. Certainly he'll take to his instructions better after being given the treat I dangled in front of him today.”<br>
<br>
Avery looked confused at this. “I was under the impression Lord Brutus had been banished from the castle,” Avery said. Had she offered to rescind his exile? But the way she spoke almost made it sound like she already had…. But she wouldn’t. Would she?<br>
<br>
“I was quite shocked you know… The only other man I've ever seen so attached to Nuri <i>was</i> Lord Brutus. Everyone had thought they were made for each other. They seemed the perfect pair. But everyone can see how you’ve come to dote on Nuri. A shocking turn of events indeed.” Agora noted, a sliver of ice in her tone, her eyes narrowing, a downward tilt to the corner of her mouth.<br>
<br>
She was displeased that this man stood a chance at snatching away one her progeny. He wasn't satisfied with taking her husband? He had to take her Nuri too? Well, they'd see about that.<br>
<br>
Avery didn’t like this. At all.<br>
<br>
“Not that shocking, His Majesty is an easy man to like,” Avery said flatly, her perception of his relationship with Nuri being the least of his concerns at the moment. “Where is Lord Brutus?,” he asked bluntly, uninterested in trying to guess at the answer to what had become a pressing question.<br>
<br>
“I believe I've already told you.” She leaning forward, resting her arm on a knee, acting as if this was all obvious and he was the village idiot playing catch-up. Or mayhaps just someone in over his head.<br>
<br>
“He's with <i>my son.</i>”<br>
<br>
Avery stood abruptly, his face gone thunderous with rage.<br>
<br>
“He is not some ‘treat’ to wave like meat before an ill behaved dog,” he spat. “Where are they?,” he demanded.<br>
<br>
“No, he is my son.” She rolled her eyes at his offense taken over the silly flowery prose one employs when speaking.<br>
<br>
She sat back and went back to staring off in the horizon. Done speaking with the King of who cares where.<br>
<br>
“You are either ignorant or cruel to treat him such, and a poor excuse for a mother either way,” Avery said, his voice thick with disgust. “Whatever modicum of goodwill I still held for you- Know that you have wasted it with your silence,” he said angrily, already halfway out into the hall beyond. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving the dowager queen alone.<br>
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Luckily Unraveling Traps &amp; Lures Just Takes One Unaccounted For Man</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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“This way your Majesty.” A maid beckoned Nuri up the stairs towards the wing of the castle that housed the King and Queen, surprised that his husband would have taken up in a solar there. Their room was in another wing of the castle entirely, on opposite ends… normally no one but the immediate Royal family had such freedom as to find themselves relaxing anywhere in these rooms. It was where he had been before he was married.<br>
<br>
It wasn't out of the question. But it was suspicious. Especially since he recognized this maid as one of his mother's. Intuition told him to turn back. Nonetheless, he obediently followed. Looking around and observing the guards placed here and there, they became sparse and disappeared entirely from view by the time they reached the open solar. <br>
<br>
He walked in, feeling altogether as though this might be an assassination attempt, but knowing logically that it couldn't be. He soon wished it were though. Given who was in the room.<br>
<br>
“Brutus.” He greeted the smiling bastard rudely, scowling and turning right around just as the doors shut behind him. A sliding sound made it clear that they were locked in, and Nuri cursed his luck while he kicked a dent into the fine wood. He should've listened to his damned intuition.<br>
<br>
“Oh come now Nuri, is seeing me again truly that disgusting to you? We did not leave each other on bad terms.” Brutus scoffed, smile falling, “And I did not leave you willingly I might add. That was all <i>your</i> doing. Your decision, and your idea. I did not leave you abandoned Nuri, <i>you left me</i>.”<br>
<br>
Brutus sighed deeply, “But I don't want to be angry  about that for the first time in months since I've seen you…” He strode over, arm reaching out to Nuri as if to steady a beast. He was always impossible to deal with when he was angry. Impossible for anyone but him.<br>
<br>
“Can’t you even look at me?!” He exclaimed, at a loss, he kneeled and took Nuri's hands on his own, “Beloved they might have married you to another but this changes nothing for me. You're still my heart. You're still <i>mine.</i>” He squeezed Nuri's boney hands till he finally twitched and deigned to look at him with a scrunched up haughty expression.<br>
<br>
“You have some nerve Brutus, I’m a royal consort now and my King would be well within his rights to have your life for this impudence. Do the smart thing for once in your life and leave this castle as soon as you can.” Asking Brutus to be smart and reasonable was like asking a baby to do arithmetic. Nuri couldn't believe he had the… well, never mind, Brutus always did have the audacity. <br>
<br>
Nuri looked away, not wanting to so much as look at him again. It was making him panic, it was making him feel trapped and small. He never thought he'd see Brutus in the flesh again, not in this lifetime. Tears pricked at the corn of his eyes. He never used to be this weak. Brutus didn't used to bring this reaction out in him. But ever since Avery… he was so kind. He’d gotten so <i>soft</i>.<br>
<br>
He just couldn't bare the thought of ever belonging to Brutus and dealing with him. Ever again. His mind was rejecting it violently. And the fact that he let himself be cornered like this meant he was dishonoring his own husband. His sweet, kind, eye-opening husband.<br>
<br>
“I don't care what King claims you Nuri. It is I who knows you and loves you best.” He reached up and cupped his jaw, forcing Nuri to look him in the eyes. “Your feelings for me could not have gone if you fear for my safety still my little darling. I know you still remember that you could never be angry with me for long. Not when I kissed your anger away, like this.”<br>
<br>
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. He had it all wrong! Nuri panicked as Brutus’s lips forced themselves on his own. A sick imitation of kissing. <br>
<br>
Nuri hadn't forgiven him he'd <i>given in</i> to him. He complied. And he didn't have to <i>do</i> that anymore. And <i>where did Brutus think his hands were going</i>.<br>
<br>
Nuri made frustrated yells and struggled against the door as best he could after Brutus covered his mouth and reached for the parts of him he always found so fascinating, it was obvious what Brutus intended now. To stake a claim on him again.<br>
<br>
Nuri clawed insistently against the hand that covered his mouth and tried not to feel hopeless at his body’s reaction to familiarity. So he did the next thing is panicked mind could think of. He bit him, <i>hard</i>.<br>
<br>
Brutus yelled in indignation and frustration. But Nuri triumphed, it got him to back away, turning in offense to cradle the now bleeding hand.<br>
<br>
“I don't know what's gotten into you Nuri but Beleth has made you incredibly disagreeable!” Brutus bellowed at him, cheeks blotched red. “This wasn't how this was supposed to <i>go</i> damn you!”<br>
<br>
Nuri only responded by producing a dagger he'd hidden on his person.<br>
<br>
For all his show of fierceness though, he was forced to try not to stumble back as the double doors swung open. He collided with a sturdy, tall figure. Who steadied him and looked between him, disheveled, and Brutus, bleeding.<br>
<br>
“Guards. Take Lord Brutus to the cells. Have someone see to his hand.” King Basilius frowned and led Prince Nuri out into the hall by the shoulders, to watch as Lord Brutus was quietly and without fuss taken out of the solar.<br>
<br>
“As my King commands.” Brutus stopped to bow before he left, sparing a glance at Nuri before leaving.<br>
<br>
Nuri, who spit out the bit of finger he chomped off of Brutus, straightened himself angrily. Still scowling. <br>
<br>
“I was going to make a joke about the guards that've been following me around all day finally coming to use, but I hardly think you must be in a joking mood.” Basilius said lightly, pulling out a handkerchief from his pocket and offering it to Nuri.<br>
<br>
“Why <i>are</i> guards following you around all day?” Nuri huffed, taking the offering and wiping the blood off his mouth. Guards were posted at checkpoints in Album Castellum, but they didn't follow people around unless it was for a purpose. The nobles here trusted the royal family to keep them safe. Whereas in Beleth Nuri had to become accustomed to being followed around.<br>
<br>
“To protect me from you, apparently.” Basilius raised a brow and pointed at his dagger.<br>
<br>
“Now you <i>are</i> joking.” Nuri scoffed ruefully and sheathed his dagger. Heartily ignoring that he'd said he intended to geld the man just yesterday. His heart was still pounding. He sighed heavily to calm it.<br>
<br>
Avery came barreling up the hallway in the opposite direction that Brutus had been taken, flanked closely by one of the servants who had once served in Nuri’s retinue, and was likely going to be offered the chance to do so again. Another step behind was one of the men from Beleth who’d been standing guard outside Agora’s solar, and had been rather shocked by the sudden and angry appearance of his King from within.<br>
<br>
He had no weapons on his person, but the rage emanating from his figure implied that none were needed. It dimmed slightly when his wild eyes fell on Nuri, and he was by his husband’s side in an instant.<br>
<br>
“Where is he- I will tear him apart, did he hurt you, is that your blood,” Avery demanded, his hands flitting across Nuri’s frame but never settling, as if to measure the damage by fingertip alone.<br>
<br>
“My King- Avery, My King it's not my blood, for the love of every god Beleth has…” Nuri fussed, tilting his head this way and that as Avery's fingers flew everywhere, finally grabbing his hands in his own and holding them to himself. Stilling them.<br>
<br>
“I’m fine. Look at me, I’m fine.” He caught his eyes in his own, the task of calming his husband down in turn calming <i>him</i> down.<br>
<br>
“Nothing happened, nothing was ever going to happen. Except maybe an international incident.” Nuri nodded towards the bloody bit of finger on the floor that he'd spat out.<br>
<br>
“And to <i>prevent</i> an international incident, <i>which is probably what my mother wants</i>, Brutus is going to stay in the dungeons till we leave. And you are going to stay away from him.” Nuri really needed Avery to understand that they couldn't afford to make a fuss about this. Creating a fire by putting one of Theren's most important nobles on trial while they had a mistake of a pregnancy to deal with was a ludicrously bad idea.<br>
<br>
Avery freed one of his hands from Nuri’s and pulled the other man into a crushing embrace, tilting his face down to press a kiss to the top of Nuri’s head and breathe in deeply. When he looked up, he seemed to notice the King of Theren for the first time.<br>
<br>
“She can have much more than an ‘incident’,” he said darkly. He would burn this city to the ground before the next sunrise. “What part did you and your Queen have in what has transpired here,” he demanded of Basilius. The castle had stronger defenses than the city, but with his ships already in the port, he could fire on it from the sea and watch the white stone crumble into the ocean-<br>
<br>
Nuri stilled, tense. He silently begged the spirits that Basilius was born with sense. Meera wouldn't fall in love with a fool would she? He clutched the back of Avery's tunic.<br>
<br>
“Meera is with her ladies, and I left to give them privacy, it was the noise against the doors that drew me here. No one should've been in this part of the castle save for us and a few of the staff and guard. I… confess I don't know what exactly is going on here, beyond the obvious.” Basilius answered anger with calm submission, holding his hands out in silent surrender.<br>
<br>
“But if you wish to seek justice then you shall have it.” He promised. Unsure if that was the correct thing to say, but surely that's what Meera would want too, no? He wasn't sure if he'd be getting scolded later, there were so many invisible rules he'd been trying to learn since he came to the capitol. Things were simpler back home. You did a bad thing, you were penalized for it. <br>
<br>
“He found us, and had Brutus arrested. Meera never even liked Brutus. I doubt she had a hand in this. This isn't something she would do, it is however, exactly what my mother would do.” Nuri titled his head up. <br>
<br>
“Then I owe you my thanks, not my anger,” Avery told Basilius, unwrapping himself from Nuri to bow his head in contrition. “I apologize for my temper.” He seemed genuine enough, but he was still clearly upset, even if not at the Theren monarchs.<br>
<br>
“Please my King, take me back to our chambers, I don't feel well.” Unused to using this sort of tactic, Nuri felt heavily awkward using it. But if it got Avery to where he could calm him down and contain him then he’d swallow his pride all he needed to. He couldn't allow Basilius to promise anything else concrete. 'Justice if you wish to seek it.’ - was already just barely vague enough for Nuri to work with.<br>
<br>
“I- Of course,” Avery decided after a moment’s delay. He looked like he would rather stay and speak with Basilius further, about Lord Brutus’ arrest and what sort of ‘justice’ might be on the table, but Nuri’s trick had worked and Avery was eager to please him.<br>
<br>
“I apologize for the disturbance,” he told Basilius. “I look forward to speaking more at a later time.” He was all clipped, diplomatic politeness now, anxious to do as Nuri wanted and be away. He wrapped one arm around Nuri’s waist, as much to support the younger man as to reassure himself that his husband was safe. <br>
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					<div class="bbWrapper"><b>[at this point some FC's change and the main character of "Nuri" goes through a makeover in terms of motivations/personality/background. see character thread for specifics]</b></div>
				
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Who is safer to anger?</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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Emerson was a bit surprised to be summoned to Their Majesties’ quarters, but he wasn’t displeased- Though it did cut into his time to get ready for the evening’s festivities. But he had a novel’s worth of reports from the generals to deliver, and other news besides.<br>
<br>
He strode into their sitting room after he’d been announced, crossing to the small desk to deposit the reports.<br>
<br>
“Well, let’s start with the bad news,” he said, deciding it best to get it over with quickly. “I thought it best you hear it in person, before we go off to any parties- I have reason to believe that Lord Brutus is back in- Ah,” he said, looking up at his monarchs and noting their expressions. Avery in particular looked like he wanted someone’s head detached from their neck, and didn’t overly care how it was done. “I see you already know,” he surmised.<br>
<br>
“Acutely observed Lord Emerson. I called for you because I need you to help me talk some sense into our King.” Nuri said passive aggressively.<br>
<br>
He wasn't confident he alone could wrangle his husband in this matter, and so called the only other person here he would listen to with any degree of seriousness. That debt swearing had better be useful for <i>something</i>.<br>
<br>
Well, that was dire indeed, Emerson thought- Nuri asking for <i>his</i> help.<br>
<br>
“There was a minor incident, my mother set a trap and I fell into it. Nothing of much import. But she succeeded in infuriating and undermining Avery. It's important now that he is not to be <i>seen</i> as undermined. We already have one fire, we can’t afford another.” Nuri was speaking to Emerson, but he directed a lot of what he was saying to Avery.<br>
<br>
“‘Nothing of import?’,” Avery echoed incredulously. “He attacked you! You had to fight him off- How would you feel if I went to a wedding in Ruhar and was attacked by one of their nobility? You would expect there to be repercussions!”<br>
<br>
“He attacked you?,” Emerson asked, concern furrowing his brow. “Are you all right?”<br>
<br>
“I’m fine. And he didn't attack me, he just became <i>presumptuous</i>.” Nuri shrugged, “He thought he could touch what used to be his. He thought that I would go along with it. It was probably my mother that gave him the impression.”<br>
<br>
“Prince Nuri is right,” Emerson said a moment later, after weighing his options, and deciding he was more likely to be forgiven for disagreeing with Avery. “You can use this. Put them in a position where they need to please you- Perhaps they will be more amenable to compromising on their inconvenient heir if you have this to hold over their head as well. Besides- If you make a public spectacle of this, it will only reflect poorly on you. People will assume you an overbearing, jealous asshole of a husband-”<br>
<br>
“I am not being ‘jealous’,” Avery spat angrily.<br>
<br>
“I know that, and Prince Nuri knows that,” Emerson assured his friend, with the sort of soothing tone one might use for a panicked horse. “But the average Theren courtier doesn’t. Nor does a Beleth noble for that matter, and word will certainly get back there eventually. Goddess only knows what they’ll say.”<br>
<br>
“I don’t care what they say-” Avery said fiercely.<br>
<br>
“Yes, you do,” Emerson corrected. “Because if you make a public spectacle of this- It will be at <i>his</i> expense, much more than yours,” he said with a nod towards Nuri. It was Nuri’s pain that Avery wanted to make public knowledge- Or Nuri who would have to suffer insults on his honor and stay silent.<br>
<br>
Avery deflated.<br>
<br>
“They will say I betrayed you.” Nuri added. “The crown just can't afford this right now. There could be accusations of illegitimacy to any heir born within the next year.”<br>
<br>
“I- I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Avery admitted. “I didn’t mean to- I had no intention of-”<br>
<br>
“I am sure you didn’t,” Emerson allowed. Avery had unlikely thought very far or thoroughly beyond satisfying his immediate anger. “But Prince Nuri is right, and I agree- You should put aside your stubbornness and follow his lead in this,” he counseled.<br>
<br>
Avery sighed, defeated on multiple fronts.<br>
<br>
“Then what do you suggest as the best course of action,” he asked Nuri.<br>
<br>
Nuri bit his bottom lip, relieved that Avery saw some sense. But this wasn't over yet, they could and would ask for a counter measure. They were owed at least that much for what his mother had done. She didn't know it yet, but she'd made a huge mistake.<br>
<br>
“...How did you know how to find me? You said my mother met with you, what did she say exactly? Was she taunting you openly? Can we concretely say this was set up by her to my sister at least and ask that she be barred from the meeting?” His mother's wording was often vague on inconvenient points.<br>
<br>
“She spent the whole time trying to, I don’t know, bait me into anger or something, acting like it was my responsibility to solve problems Theren created and feigning disapproval that I wouldn’t,” he said with annoyance, “And when I tried to excuse myself, she revealed she had brought Brutus back to Delphi. Said that you were a ‘treat to be dangled’ in front of him- She even bragged about his lack of self control,” Avery spat with anger. “I asked her directly where to find the two of you and she refused to answer- I only found you thanks to one of your former servants.”<br>
<br>
“Is she really expecting to attend a private meeting between monarchs? She isn’t one,” Emerson pointed out. <br>
<br>
“I don’t think anyone’s bothered to tell <i>her</i> that,” Avery said bitterly. “She as good as told me that she thinks of Queen Meera as little more than her personal puppet- That she doesn’t allow her daughter to make decisions she might disapprove of.”<br>
<br>
“I’m sure she believes a version of that, but in this instance I’m more sure she wants <i>you</i> to believe that,” Nuri pointed out. It protects Meera as a monarch more if someone else can be blamed for antagonizing behavior. And if it brings her glee to be thought of as the thorn in her opponent's side, with more power than she has, then that's a happy coincidence.<br>
<br>
“She probably expected me to welcome Brutus’s advances in truth.” Was that to undermine him? Or to undermine King Averett… probably both. If his mother had to choose who she backed, it would never be him.<br>
<br>
“Which I would never do, to be clear.” Nuri felt the need to say. If Avery felt relieved by that, it didn’t show on his face.<br>
<br>
“Well, I have no interest in any further meetings with her, especially in any official capacity. If she makes an appearance- Can we insist she leave,” Avery asked. “Or just leave ourselves, and refuse to meet with anyone but the <i>actual</i> monarchs?”<br>
<br>
“You could just keep meeting with the military instead, until they agree to it,” Emerson proposed. “Any of your officers would be happy to talk with you at a moment’s notice,” he said with a nod at the mountain of reports.<br>
<br>
“And what of Lord Brutus,” Emerson asked. “Where is he now?”<br>
<br>
“Dungeons.” Where he'd stay till King Basilius or Meera said otherwise unless his mother was intent on getting herself into more trouble. But Nuri thought it imprudent to mention any promises certain newly made Kings made.<br>
<br>
Avery frowned. “Is he going to be staying there, though?”<br>
<br>
“I’d suggest you insist on it,” Emerson said with a matching frown. “It does create some spectacle, if word gets out,” he mused. “But likely less than if he was allowed to run free during your visit. And he did violate his exile- It’s not unreasonable that he would be jailed for daring to return, is it?”<br>
<br>
“I’m not so sure anyone will really notice his absence, there's wedding celebrations going on. He can ruminate down there for a bit.” Nuri pointed out. People weren't likely to be focused on where anyone specific was, “The masks hide half of people's faces anyway, so it'll be difficult to tell who is all present and who isn't.”<br>
<br>
“Well, that’s for the best then, isn’t it,” Emerson decided. “On a more concerning note- Did neither of you meet with Lord Cromwell today? He is the one who told me of Lord Brutus’ return, I had assumed he would warn you as well.”<br>
<br>
Nuri looked at Avery, exasperated, of course sleeping in had consequences, “No… we didn't.”<br>
<br>
Ah well, it's not as though knowing that would have prevented this anyway, Nuri would never have guessed that his mother would pull this.<br>
<br>
“Hmm,” Emerson said, not revealing whether this answer satisfied him or not. “Well then, I suppose I ought to tell you what else I have discussed with him- Princess Graceling’s marriage prospects among the young Theren nobles.”<br>
<br>
“You discussed <i>what?</i>,” Avery sputtered, now quite distracted from one problem towards another.<br>
<br>
“She’ll be of marriageable age soon. I take it she would like to know her options so that she knows what to expect, which is wise and nothing to be alarmed about.” Nuri didn’t know if Grace was a part of this list making, probably not, but he didn't want the rug to be pulled out from underneath her in an attempt to keep her in the dark just because her brother was determined she should remain a child all her life.<br>
<br>
It would be good for her to know the possible outcomes of her future, whether she married within Beleth or from Theren. And if certain things went awry she might <i>have</i> to marry from Theren.<br>
<br>
“She’s not of marriageable age <i>yet</i>,” Avery scoffed, and Emerson rolled his eyes. She would be seventeen soon enough, and besides-<br>
<br>
“And how old were you when you were betrothed, Your Majesty? Ten, I think it was?”<br>
<br>
Avery frowned. “That was different-”<br>
<br>
“Hardly,” Emerson said, before Avery could expound. “Your mother made a match based on good politics and a hope for a future. We would be wise to do the same- Especially since your sister all but put me up to the task.”<br>
<br>
Avery’s frown didn’t go anywhere.<br>
<br>
“Well there you have it, she's thinking of her political future. All good and wise of a Princess who was raised to be good and wise. You should be proud.” Nuri raised a critical brow.<br>
<br>
‘Pride’ was not the emotion Avery was feeling.<br>
<br>
“No one’s made any vows yet,” Emerson promised. “But so long as we’re already here… Lord Cromwell will point out which of the noble families would make the strongest allies, and we can assess if Grace might like their sons,” he said, referring to the Princess in the familiar to remind Avery that Emerson was his sister’s friend as well, and wanted the best for her. “If any seem promising- Then perhaps we can arrange for them to meet with her at a future time. We are merely starting what will be a long vetting process- Mirroring what your sister and aunt have already been doing with the Belethan nobility and some of our continental neighbors.”<br>
<br>
Avery sighed heavily. “And how much vetting have they already done in Beleth, dare I ask?”<br>
<br>
“Enough that Grace has already determined most of Beleth’s bachelors to be ‘too old, too ugly or too boring’- Why do you think she was so persistent in her hopes to join us on this trip?”<br>
<br>
“Fine,” Avery said irritably, beginning to lose some of the composure he had regained.. “I will not ‘make a scene’ regarding Lord Brutus, even if he sorely deserves <i>much</i> more besides. I will allow Lord Cromwell to advise us on which young lordlings would be the best husband for my youngest sister. Is there any other favor I can grant against my better judgment,” he asked sarcastically.<br>
<br>
“Find a way to relax? The party is going to start in about an hour's time. You can't show up glowering at everyone.” Nuri sighed, running his fingers through Avery's hair. He didn't want to go, feeling exhausted and altogether like they'd just avoided another war but, well, they were expected.<br>
<br>
“Go run the bath, we can show up after everyone's had a drink or two,” Nuri suggested gently.<br>
<br>
“I can’t promise my mood, but I can run you a bath,” Avery agreed. He reluctantly drew his head away from Nuri’s hand, but then leaned in to kiss his husband on the forehead before departing<br>
<br>
Emerson sighed once the door had closed behind Avery, and turned to Nuri. “Well- That could have gone better. Could have gone worse, though. Did you have a plan beyond getting me involved?” <br>
<br>
Nuri shrugged, “I sent for you because I figured you were the only person here besides me that could talk him down. He's been rattled, and you've seen him rattled more times than I have.” He admitted.<br>
<br>
“We’re lucky it wasn’t worse- His Majesty tends to… React strongly, to things like this. He very well might still, if we are not careful to keep Lord Brutus out of sight and out of mind. He will have a hard time keeping his temper this week, I suspect,” Emerson said. <br>
<br>
“You have to understand,” Emerson said, trying to explain his friend’s behavior to someone who might find it overbearing. “After his mother and Grace and Lady Gilda and-” He didn’t finish that sentence. “Well. He is very protective of those he cares about.”<br>
<br>
<i>King Ellion</i>, it was left unsaid, thought Nuri. But more pointedly than that.<br>
<br>
“It's my understanding that Merid was attacked, and his Majesty was the one to rescue it. Are you implying he blames himself for… what, not getting there in time? One would think him a hero.”<br>
<br>
He didn't know why he was being so sensitive right now, and hoped he hid his anxiety better than he felt it, but this trip was going from bad to worse quickly and a thousand other complications he had to figure out a way to get out in front of and Lord Emerson just <i>really</i> had a way of irking him at the most inopportune time. <br>
<br>
“He followed his father’s orders to stay on the front line, rather than defect with Baroness Elleni to come to Merid’s defense.” Of course, Emerson had stayed too, though he suspected his guilt was somewhat less acutely painful than Avery’s. “If he hadn’t…. Lady Gilda might still have use of her legs. But that isn’t my point,” he said with a sigh, pushing his hand through his hair and wondering where his point had gotten to.<br>
<br>
“I only mean to tell you- His anger comes from feeling useless. What good is all his power, if he cannot use it to protect those he loves?” <br>
<br>
“Or those he's supposed to.” Nuri blurted out, unsure of why he did but refusing to ponder it before moving on to the material point quickly.<br>
<br>
Emerson hoped Nuri was not quite so oblivious as that last remark made him seem, but he kept his mouth closed, already aware he had crossed into dangerous territory by seeking to advise his Prince on his husband’s behavior.<br>
<br>
“Uselessness and powerlessness can indeed be grating. Thank you for your insight, Lord Emerson.”<br>
<br>
Well. That was a dismissal if Emerson had ever heard one, and a pointed one at that- He hadn’t meant to imply that Nuri had no such experience with such feelings, but as usual, he managed to taste his own boot regardless.<br>
<br>
He was tempted to say more- To point out where Nuri had managed Avery’s temper well, to assure the Prince that he probably hadn’t even needed Emerson’s assistance.<br>
<br>
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Emerson said with a deep bow of his head. “I shall see myself out. Thank you for your time.”<br>
<br>
Nuri didn't bother acknowledging that it was Emerson who had given him <i>his</i> time as he watched him leave. <br>
<br>
He had to find a way to get out in front of all of these damn <i>people</i>.<br>
[/i][/i][/b][/i]</div></div></div></div></div></div><i><b><i><i><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: transparent; max-width: 350px; padding: 0; margin: auto; box-sizing: border-box;;"><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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A Lady's fate is decided for her</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 
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“Sister…” Nuri swept into the room, Avery in tow, looking sharp as ever and satisfied with the fact that their opponents today were not.<br>
<br>
In fact they looked a tad frazzled despite the pomp they both were dressed in.<br>
<br>
“Nuri, your grace, you seem well rested. I’m told you did not partake in the night's festivities after all.” Queen Meera greeted the pair as they walked in.<br>
<br>
“A Shaman partaking in such a thing, as Prince I am allowed but I hardly think my presence would inspire relaxation or indulgence. My King had to stay in on my behalf.” Nuri quickly answered, taking the blame for not appearing and covering for his husband. Who he was not inclined to force last night to go anywhere. They'd spent the time talking strategy and actually sleeping.<br>
<br>
His religious role had finally done him some good on this trip.<br>
<br>
“Oh, I had thought since you are married now… well I missed you at lunch, a shame, I had them make your favorite.” Fig jam on toasted scones, it was out of season.<br>
<br>
She had thought her brother had always felt a little constrained by his role. Good at it though he was.<br>
<br>
“I thought the invitation a little ostentatious considering the insult you've born me.” Nuri bluntly and unkindly pointed out, smiling curtly.<br>
<br>
Meera’s smile fell, she looked down in shame before composing herself.<br>
<br>
“Yes, well, it was an attempt to better explain things in private before we met today.”<br>
<br>
“Explain in private why you thought spitting upon the treaty you were so magnanimously offered and undermining the marriage I made to solidify it was a good idea?” Nuri recited, he’d practiced that line in his head many times.<br>
<br>
“I had no part in what mother did.” Meera said defensively, tapping the table pointedly.<br>
<br>
“But she is your subject, and you do take the blame.” Nuri finally sat down in his seat, sighing, as his sister did the same.<br>
<br>
Meera shut her eyes and breathed while they all got comfortable.<br>
<br>
Avery, surprisingly, looked like he actually might be- He had decided to treat this as if he was meeting with his generals. He was the authority, and they were there to provide him with information. And, if they valued their positions, with solutions.<br>
<br>
He’d used the tactic on his own nobles with success- The trick was maintaining the facade through the twists a conversation might take, which he hadn’t quite mastered yet.<br>
<br>
“You're right, and we apologize for the ugly turn of events that have happened underneath our protection.” Basilius took over.<br>
<br>
“As you should,” Avery said, his voice flat.<br>
<br>
“Please understand that none of this has been in effort of the crown wishing to undermine yourselves or the treaty. We want to make things right, we want lasting peace between Beleth and Theren.” Basilius continued.<br>
<br>
“We do. We didn't get married with the intention of hurting anyone.” Meera agreed, joining hands with her husband and locking eyes with Nuri.<br>
<br>
“Your intent matters very little, when it so pales in comparison to the consequences,” Avery said calmly, a hint of disappointment in his tone. “You have potentially endangered the future of two countries- Not to mention that of both our neighbors and trade partners. What do you propose to do about it?” <br>
<br>
“I don't suppose there is any chance you are…” Meera glanced at King Averett but implored Nuri.<br>
<br>
Who didn't understand what she was trying to convey.<br>
<br>
“Pregnant?” Meera finished, hopeful but doubtful somehow. <br>
<br>
“No.” Nuri supplied. <br>
<br>
“Well, I can't undo the fact that I am-”<br>
<br>
“You can.” Stated Nuri, clarifying for her.<br>
<br>
Meera’s eyes widened, her brow furrowed, hand clamped down on her husband's until the knuckles turned white.<br>
<br>
“No, I can't, and it's monstrous to suggest otherwise. I didn't think I needed to tell you that Nuri, to suggest your future kin should be snuffed out…” Meera couldn't afford to be as angry as she felt, as horrified or as offended. She knew it. She suspected Nuri knew it. And she never thought she'd live to see the day their mother’s worst teachings would be used against her in her own brethren.<br>
<br>
Avery was immensely glad they had decided that Nuri would broach this subject, and not him.<br>
<br>
“I won't do it. There has to be some other way, we are not animals, we have the gift of civility and diplomacy.” She concluded.<br>
<br>
Avery winced internally. As he had gotten older, he had begun to suspect what the many illnesses of his mother might actually have been, and had it all but confirmed by Lady Deidre. She had not been an animal, and Avery resented the implication, even if he knew Meera could have had no such intent.<br>
<br>
“So you can, but you won't. Not even for the sake of future peace?” Nuri asked in a much more subdued way this time. As if only curious.<br>
<br>
“You have something in mind, something costly.” Basilius spoke up, dawning realization at the dance that Prince Nuri was making he and his wife do. He'd seen it before. Queen Agora was a master of it. She'd make people feel downright indebted to them for the things she pried out of their hands by the end.<br>
<br>
You save the thing you value most, but you give up the thing you value second most in the process. And done without notice, you're practically grateful for her ‘mercy’ in the end.<br>
<br>
“A father's role is to protect his children. To do anything to that end, don't you agree?” Nuri asked, impressed with Basilius’s quick uptake. He was immensely difficult to read, but read the intentions of others quickly. <br>
<br>
Basilius nodded solemnly.<br>
<br>
“Then the best thing to do to protect mine in the future would be to demand Meera end her pregnancy. But given your absolute refusal to do that, perhaps you can instead pay with your inheritance, Megara.”<br>
<br>
Silence.<br>
<br>
And then, “All of it?!” Meera clarified, a little shocked, for Basilius’s home was no small swathe; it spanned almost the entire Ruharian border in Theren.<br>
<br>
Nuri looked to Avery for approval, “All of it.”<br>
<br>
Avery nodded solemnly. In truth, he did not much care what happened to Megera, but Nuri had convinced him it would be a worthwhile prize. At the very least his hungry nobles would be sated, with land to squabble over. And maybe- just maybe- the people of Theren might be less likely to rally behind Meera’s child if the father was stripped of his title as a lord of Theren.<br>
<br>
“That's an entire great house Nuri and Basilius’s entire claim to nobili-” Meera stopped as she felt her hand squeezed and looked to Basilius, worried he didn't understand what this would mean.<br>
<br>
“That land is under the care of my sisters, what is to become of them if I were to agree?” Basilius would have already agreed, painful as it was, to give up his childhood home to protect his child on the way, had he no siblings to be concerned of.<br>
<br>
Avery shrugged, seemingly unbothered by this problem. “They can come live here in Castle Antebellum with you,” he suggested idly. “Or… Lady Florentina can marry a Beleth lordling, and Megara can stay intact- As a duchy of Beleth.”<br>
<br>
“Basilius!” Meera implored, knowing his answer before he said it.<br>
<br>
“Megara will stay intact, and my sisters will not be forced from their home. It will matter little which Kingdom Megara belongs to so long as those things remain true.” Basilius calmed his wife.<br>
<br>
“Florantina is not exactly…” Meera continued.<br>
<br>
Nuri sighed, not able to understand this half spoken conversation happening before him. These two were so close that they understood one another with looks and a squeeze of the hand alone.<br>
<br>
“Lady Florantina will marry a Belethan Lordling, so long as she is to keep her home.” Their home was the most important thing to them. Used to be for him too. But if Basilius had to choose…<br>
<br>
Meera stared into her husband's eyes, a sudden thought coming to mind. She would not leave the table with nothing.<br>
<br>
“Very well. Megara will be absorbed into Beleth’s Kingdom, my child will be safe, and you will take your soldiers home. It is time. They menace my people and cause unrest. If peace is what you want then bid them home.” <br>
<br>
“I have been through reports from my generals stationed in Theren, and have already decided to withdraw half of the company from within the city of Delphi over the next two months,” Avery admitted. She could have that for nothing- It was expensive to house them within the city, and their presence was largely unneeded at this point.<br>
<br>
“But do not be so hasty to dismiss my troops, Your Majesty,” he warned. “You are a very rich country, with little military left to speak of. I had planned to re-locate those in Delphi to your coastal borders to protect your fishing towns.”<br>
<br>
“But your majesty is about to absorb most of Theren’s border to Ruhar.” Meera smiled, “So we can easily manage with what little we have given the substantially smaller border to the north.”<br>
<br>
Avery smiled back, rather reminiscent of a wolf. “Very well. I shall withdraw two thirds of the troops from Delphi over the next three and a half months. But the soldiers already stationed around greater Theren will stay where they are,” he said, his tone not suggesting it was negotiable. <br>
<br>
He was not going to risk Theren’s safety, when an enemy country gaining a foothold on the continent could lead to attacks on Beleth, Dorelith and Ruhar as well. “We can revisit that at a later date- Perhaps along the timeline the treaty initially outlined.”  <br>
<br>
Beleth had made no firm promises on when all soldiers would leave Theren, but there were key dates in which undefined ‘progress’ was to be made. <br>
<br>
“To do what, cost you money? Those troops only make sense when you also have them on borders.” Meera kept her easy smile. “Unless you mean to continue having your men menace my people. Peace is not born of fear, King Averett. And isn't the dissolution of fear what we both want?”<br>
<br>
She didn't have the men to flank them and to spread on her new borders, she needed to focus on the outskirts and not worry about the heartland.<br>
<br>
“You speak of peace being ‘born’, as if it is not a birth that threatens it,” Avery said coldly. Peace, in his opinion, came about through security.<br>
<br>
“I am meeting in person with my generals this afternoon,” he told her. “I will discuss options with them and report back when we have reached a conclusion we hope will be more… satisfying to you. I can promise no specific number or dates until then, except that the number of troops in Theren shall be reduced.”<br>
<br>
He glanced at Nuri to see if his husband had anything else to add.<br>
<br>
“We’ll send you the terms for signing.” Nuri gave a small smile, “I’m glad, despite what you might think, that my niece or nephew can be born after all. I’ll copy sutra in their name, you can have the temple here in Delphi burn it in offering to our family's altar.”<br>
<br>
Meera’s fake pleasant smile dropped, but picked back up in some small, genuine way.<br>
<br>
“Thank you. I would like that.” She nodded.<br>
<br>
“Blessings be upon you.” Basilius added, nodding to the Shaman rather than the Prince in Nuri.<br>
<br>
“The spirits watch over you.” Nuri nodded back.<br>
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King Averett &amp; Prince Nuri discuss the terms of the treaty in their room</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 

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Soon after the meeting, which Nuri noticed Avery somehow didn't seem entirely satisfied by, Avery had to leave for a meeting with his Generals.<br>
<br>
Nuri tried to file away his worry by doing something busy, like getting to work on the sutra he said he'd copy. Not a simple and quick task. It'd take about a month to finish if he had ample free time, which he did not, excepting in perhaps now.<br>
<br>
He worried while he sent for a physician, lit his incense, ground his ink, was properly bled from his forearm to mix with the ink, and only received respite when he chanted the virtues of the ancient ones. Those unnamed and faceless but not forgotten that existed within all of their lines.<br>
<br>
But then came the endless and slow scrawling. Entirely unlike copying in the temple, where the soft hum of people whispering, water flowing, and shuffling steps could keep one company. And the worry could continue to bloom.<br>
<br>
Nuri had thought of visiting the temple. But it wasn't really appropriate for him to, he had to leave that role behind. He didn't serve that purpose. Not anymore.<br>
<br>
The adventure of newness on one's path coincides with the discomfort of it. This he knew as proverb, but to experience the discomfort himself was another thing. He didn't just speak of difficult paths he was walking one right now. And the comfort of the familiarity might be nice, but it'd be a crutch too.<br>
<br>
He did not need a crutch, he did not need to copy his sutra in the temple and speak with the monks there, the people that came by for offerings and blessings.<br>
<br>
Helping them seemed so easy compared to managing a Kingdom. <br>
<br>
Just when he'd thought he'd done well, his King was still displeased with things. What was a Prince to do? How was he to appease? And what significance did keeping Belethan troops in Theren really serve? <br>
<br>
Nuri diligently scrawled until he heard Avery return.<br>
<br>
The King placed a sheath of papers on the side table as he entered the private chambers, untying his hair binding with one hand as he did so. He glanced up at his husband, and his face immediately fell into a frown.<br>
<br>
He hastened to Nuri’s side, his hands hovering above the bandaging on the Prince’s arm as though he was afraid to touch. “What happened? Are you all right?”<br>
<br>
“Hello… I had a physician bleed me for the ink, that's all.” Nuri hadn't expected to be questioned about it, but now that he thought of it, Avery would just see a bandage on his arm and not understand.<br>
<br>
He set his brush in the shallow bowl of water next to his ink pot and grindstone, rolling his sleeves down so it didn't distract his husband any further.<br>
<br>
“Words written in blood are carved in stone… they blood let in Beleth still to <i>draw out sickness</i> yes? This is like that. But for certain sutra doctrine instead of medicinal properties.” Nuri screwed the cap on his ink pot shut as he explained.<br>
<br>
It didn’t seem the same at all- But Avery knew he had little understanding of Nuri’s religious practices, so he bit his tongue. <br>
<br>
“How did your meeting go?” <br>
<br>
“It was all right,” Avery replied, looking away from the now covered injury to meet Nuri’s eyes.  “One of the senior captains will be resigning so that he can marry a local baker,” he said with a slight smile. <br>
<br>
The captain in question was a good man, and though Avery would be sad to lose him, he suspected the man would be happy as a baker- He had come from a common background, and seemed eager to divest himself of leadership and return to humbler roots, especially considering how smitten he was. <br>
<br>
Nuri returned the smile with some glee, charmed by the news and imagining how this Captain might've met their baker and fallen in love. It was the sort of thing he loved hearing about during his temple days. <br>
<br>
He chuckled softly at images of flour on noses and blushes on cheeks.<br>
<br>
“It sounds as though the Theren military is not quite as poor as I had feared- It will take them a while to rebuild, but the majority assessment is that they have good leadership and a solid foundation, as well as some decent strategies on how to use their limited resources,” he said, grateful for the evaluations his own leadership team had conducted and their collaborations with the Theren senior officers.<br>
<br>
“There was, of course, some consternation with the agenda,” Avery admitted- Mostly from those more loyal to his Minister of War than to him. “But we reached an accord on what we would like to offer to Her Majesty, as well as our limit.”<br>
<br>
His strategy with politics may have been less robust than that of his field command, but Avery knew the basics- Always negotiate down from what you wanted to what you were prepared to give. <br>
<br>
Nuri’s smile tightened and then fell as he listened, he almost wished he had gone with Avery to meet with his men but Nuri hadn't been invited and he didn't want to overstep.<br>
<br>
“You know… as a Prince I had to learn the sword and spear, even as I learned to speak to the spirits, but I am no military man. There is much experience I lack. Some things that seem obvious to you that do not seem so to me. So please, keep my ignorance in mind when I ask.” <br>
<br>
Nuri licked his lips and glanced down at his hands, shrugging, “Is it really so important to keep soldiers in Theren for much longer?”<br>
<br>
Avery frowned, an eyebrow raised in surprise that Nuri did not agree.<br>
<br>
“I had thought things would be well settled when they agreed to give up such a substantial piece of land. It amounts to a rather large duchy for Beleth. The nobles will be ravenous over it, pleased, I thought <i>you</i> would be pleased. But by the time we left you certainly didn't seem so.”<br>
<br>
Avery shrugged- He <i>was</i> pleased with the concession of Megara, but mostly because Nuri seemed to find it important, and he trusted his husband’s judgment. It would certainly give his nobles- and those of Theren- something to talk about besides Meera’s untimely pregnancy. <br>
<br>
“I did not expect her to bring up the issue of the troops at such a time,” Avery explained. “It seemed… Presumptuous, to ask concessions of us, when they are the ones who have trespassed on <i>our</i> goodwill.”<br>
<br>
“Besides,” he continued, “I rather assumed I would discuss such things with her military advisors.” He wondered idly how much Queen Meera consulted with them. <br>
<br>
“As I told her, I was already planning on reducing the number of troops, particularly in Delphi- She is right, that they are wasted in the city and more likely to cause distrust than anything else. But a country weakened by war is weak to attacks on all fronts- Civil unrest, marauders and raiders, empires hoping to expand. I will not risk that- or it spilling into Beleth and the rest of the continent- simply for Her Majesty’s pride.”<br>
<br>
Nuri kept his shock to himself and only blinked until Avery finished the explanation of his thoughts on the matter. He chose his next words carefully, if not neutrally. Really neutrality was overrated and not a thing he missed leaving behind in the temples of old.<br>
<br>
“Ah, so, you stand to walk away with a tenth of a Kingdom, far more than anything your father ever accomplished or his father before him against Theren. For the price of one child. And you are concerned with condescending to a Queen who you think does not accurately represent her people's desires or needs because… you believe Theren is under your guardianship? Why?” Nuri’s brow furrowed, still not really comprehending.<br>
<br>
“It was your idea to take Megara,” Avery reminded him. <br>
<br>
“As you have explained this I can not tell if you are ridiculous or if you are lying because your real intention is to occupy Theren indefinitely and you think you can not tell me.” <br>
<br>
“I assure you, the only one planning for an indefinite stay in Theren is my besotted captain,” Avery said. <br>
<br>
“I need…” He crossed the room to the shelves, where an assortment of books were stacked for perusal. He pulled out a few likely looking ones- Poetry, something religious he didn’t recognize, something with illustrations that he closed immediately for propriety’s sake, until finally he found an atlas. He could not hide his wince as he took it out, quickly switching it to his other hand and rolling his shoulder back a few times to flex the muscle.<br>
<br>
Nuri sighed internally, recalling the whack he'd get as a boy on his shoulders when he sighed out loud during prayers, as he watched Avery fumble for the book he was looking for.<br>
<br>
Did he truly think that he was the only one who knew of the world?<br>
<br>
“Here we are,” Avery said, bringing it to the table Nuri had been working at. “This is us,” he said, flipping through the first half of the book, pages of detailed maps of Theren, Beleth, Ruhar, and Dorelith. But as he flipped further through the pages, the illustrations became less specific.  “Joless lies in the middle of the Wider Sea, yes? And to it’s south- Vendelia and Panet. These maps have to have been made after the Panet and Khstani war, as it shows all the land as Panet- So what, five years?”<br>
<br>
“But they are already inaccurate,” Avery continued, tracing a line along the borders of neighboring countries. “Panet has since taken over Angria as well. And Vendelia has crossed the sea here,” he said, flipping the page over and pointing to a peninsula jutting out from a larger landmass. “And taken most of Leiran. Then used their hold in Leiran to expand to Ratan.”<br>
<br>
“The two empires are in a war of conquest, amassing colonies to fight out their battles. Not to mention the Northern States,” he said, flipping further still to the rough outlines of the unified countries far to the north. “Like Vendelia, they have conquered a lesser area first, then expanded further into the land they wish to take.”<br>
<br>
“<i>Yes</i>.” Nuri barely glanced at the book, more focused on the paranoid look on his husband's face. Until it clicked. He understood now what his anxieties were and why. It seemed so obvious now that he realized.<br>
<br>
The only thing was these anxieties were entirely unreasonable and presumptuous in Nuri’s opinion. But at least his husband was not secretly out of his mind. His point of view was defensible.<br>
<br>
“I am confident - or at least, mostly- that none will move on Joless,” Avery continued, seemingly unaware of his husband’s frustrations. “It is too valuable to every player in international trade. But Joless’s firm refusal to anything but complete neutrality means they can use it as a staging ground for further attacks, and I fear they will set their eyes on us eventually.”<br>
<br>
Nuri moved his hand over the images, covering them and batting away Avery’s fingers until he could soundly close the damn thing.<br>
<br>
“I understand. I understand now that you wish to protect what your children will inherit and you are anxious that Theren will be invaded. Unfortunately for you, if you say this to the Queen of another Kingdom, who's Kingdom is not to be inherited until she is dead, she will want you gone even more. Please tell me you understand that?” <br>
<br>
Nuri didn't bother getting into the details of the rationale behind why he was ludicrous enough to believe any attack from so far would ever be attempted. Such a thing was unheard of. And instead attempted to get him to understand the terrible way he intended to go about this.<br>
<br>
The condescension alone wouldn't go over well, but the outright possessiveness implied in watching over what he saw as his, not his children's exactly, but <i>his</i> was a dangerous thing for any member of the Theren court to realize.<br>
<br>
They could tolerate, and given time, even accept, Nuri’s descendants as rulers of Theren. But Avery himself? Making a puppet of Queen Meera? There would be blood.<br>
<br>
“I am not thinking of our children,” Avery said, markedly confused. “We don’t exactly have any,” he reminded Nuri, though it was unclear if the statement was meant as a dig or just a simple statement of fact.<br>
<br>
Nuri rubbed his eyes in frustration at his thick headed husband's refusal to help himself.<br>
<br>
“I can certainly understand that the Queen is… Reluctant to host Belethan soldiers, even if it is on our dime and not hers. And I understand she does not want to appear weak- But Theren <i>is</i> weak, and will continue to be for at least a few more years.”<br>
<br>
Which, admittedly, was his own fault. <br>
<br>
“I am afraid it is she- and you- who do not understand that this is important to me,” he emphasized. “Even so, I am willing to compromise far beyond what I think is sensible, because she is your sister and I know you value her,” he allowed. “I only hope she will be satisfied with what we have come up with.”<br>
<br>
“For me?!” Nuri stood up, aghast, holding his hands up in surrender, “I wash my hands of this, do not think to do anything on <i>my</i> behalf as I won't thank you for it. <i>I</i> just wanted to go home with our gained riches and be braggarts before all of court and feel as though I did something good for once.”<br>
<br>
“Why should the court be happy we conceded to an impractical demand?” If Nuri thought Meera was concerned about looking weak in front of her people, couldn’t he understand that Avery had no desire to do the same. The MInister of War would want to call for a vote of no-confidence, though Avery did not think the others would go for it. Not to mention, the sooner the troops went home, the sooner the crown would enforce the land-for-service agreements, which most of the nobles hated.<br>
<br>
“If you and Meera insist upon this ridiculousness you will do it yourselves and of your own accord. I am not a Shaman of Theren anymore I do not need any coddling on my sister’s behalf and I do not agree with your insistence on this matter. If you wanted to conquer Theren then that is what you should have done, but you didn't, you chose this path. And you can't sit there and pretend another monarch is supposed to be happy you magnanimously want to keep your boot on their Kingdom’s neck. Especially when that boot was supposed to be temporary anyway.”<br>
<br>
“It <i>is</i> temporary!” Just not as expediently temporary as Meera wanted.<br>
<br>
Nuri finished his long winded rant and hand waving, and exclaimed “Ugh!” before circling around the table to get changed for bed.<br>
<br>
“Maybe I should call Lord Emerson again to talk sense into you!” He called from behind the curtain.<br>
<br>
Avery scoffed. “Emerson would be the first to tell you the consequences of compromising on safety,” he said, an edge of sadness bleeding into his irritated tone. “And he would only point out the absurdity of Her Majesty’s request! It is simply not possible to move thousands of  troops in a hasty manner,” he said with frustration. “Our ships are tied up patrolling the bay and the coasts, and with winter coming, travel through the mountains will be nearly impossible! I am not a god, Nuri- There is only so much that can be practically managed!”<br>
<br>
“Do not talk to me about logistics Avery. If this were about logistics you wouldn't be so insistent that so few stay, far beyond what is reasonable you said!” Nuri threw Avery’s words back at him as he tossed clothes aside and pulled on a sleeping robe.<br>
<br>
He was hardly going to offer more than he was able to actually accomplish, Avery thought angrily, but it seemed pointless- and perhaps unwise- to argue further.<br>
<br>
“Do what you like, it isn't as though Meera has much to bargain with. But if you lose me Megara I'm going to sick Lady Roysa on you.” <br>
<br>
“Well… Fine!” It was a stupid response and Avery knew it, but he couldn’t think of anything better to say. That it was important to him, and he wanted his husband’s support? He’d already expressed that, and had been ignored. <br>
<br>
He looked at Nuri’s silhouette behind the dressing screen, and sighed. He assumed he was not welcome in their shared bed, and turned to the low couch instead, pulling off his boots and overshirt and abandoning them on the floor. He pulled a pillow to one end and tried to make himself comfortable.<br>
<br>
“What are you <i>doing</i>?” Nuri, seeing this mopey display of childishness, walked over and gestured to the couch, towering over Avery disapprovingly. Hands on his hips.<br>
<br>
Avery rolled over to look up at Nuri. “Same thing as you,” he said churlishly. “Getting ready to go to sleep.”<br>
<br>
“You are <i>such</i> a military man. Go get dressed for bed properly and <i>go to sleep in your bed</i>. If you are really so disgusted by your husband you don't want to sleep in the same bed as him then I can leave you this room and find another.” Nuri’s tone didn't really convey that he really thought all that, but to point out the further ridicule of the situation.<br>
<br>
“... Fine,” Avery agreed, standing and picking up his discarded things. He placed them back where they belonged, before pulling on the sleeping robe he had been given to wear in Theren. It was not as warm as his night clothes in Beleth, but he supposed it was not as cold at night as it was in Beleth, especially this time of year. Once dressed he climbed into his side of the bed and settled there uneasily. In truth he had meant to stay up a bit later going over some reports, but he would feel foolish doing that now once he had already declared his intention to sleep.<br>
<br>
Leaving things unresolved and tense was getting tiring in Nuri’s opinion. But he didn't know what else to say or do. Maybe he isn't cut out to be a royal after all, who knew. He just hoped Meera caved tomorrow so they could leave with little trouble.<br>
<br>
He blew out the candles for them.<br>
<br>
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Lord Chancellor Cromwell &amp; Lord Emerson discuss the terms of the treaty in <i>their</i> room</div></div></div><div class="bbcode-border" style="border: 

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Emerson was floating languidly in his bath- His enormous bath. At least twice the size of the bathtubs at home. And to think, there were ones even larger in other rooms of the palace! Theren had its drawbacks of course, but it also had many pleasures. Many, many pleasures.<br>
<br>
He recalled his prior evening, spent cavorting with the nobility to a degree that would make even the most libertine of his Belethan friends blush. He had been a bit startled to see the Lord Chancellor there- It didn’t really seem like his scene, after all. Especially since he hadn’t really seemed to partake in any of the activities, not even the feasting or drinking. He just… Sat there and watched from under his mask.<br>
<br>
Not that Emerson had been hyperaware of him throughout the night, of course.<br>
<br>
There was a knock at the door, and Emerson sighed to be interrupted. Then remembered the day’s earlier flirtation with a pretty young noblewoman with pale gold hair, and decided it might well be worth his time to get out of the bath.<br>
<br>
He pulled himself out of the pool, leaving small puddles on the tiled floors as he crossed the room. Unlike some of the more glamorous guest accommodations at the palace, this was truly just a single room and not a suite- But it was still plenty large, with adequate room for a small sitting and dining area, a desk to work at, and the bed hidden behind a silken privacy screen. And the pool, of course.<br>
<br>
He opened the door, surprised to find Cromwell there but not displeased.<br>
<br>
“Well, you’re not a slender blonde,” he remarked casually. “But I suppose you’ll do,” he winked. “Come in then,” he gestured.<br>
<br>
“I assumed she was already here.” Cromwell lied, he had intercepted her on the way and sent her in another direction.<br>
<br>
He'd like to think it was because of the business he came to conduct, but, well, he was well past lying about that to himself wasn’t he? Hadn’t even put up a fight in fact. Pathetic.<br>
<br>
Cromwell raked his eyes over the very wet Lord Emerson and stepped in, deciding this outcome made him feel less pathetic already.<br>
<br>
“You are making it rather difficult to focus on the business I came to conduct.” Cromwell noted, deciding to stare at his calves in detail, even the back of which were spotted with a few freckles.<br>
<br>
“My sincerest apologies,” Emerson replied, not sounding very sincere at all. If anything, he sounded rather pleased with himself. “But please- Make yourself comfortable,” he said, gesturing broadly to the room. Emerson himself certainly intended to, grabbing a pear from a plate of fruit on the low table and crossing back to the bath to slip back in.<br>
<br>
Still hot, delightful.<br>
<br>
“So?,” Emerson asked, placing the pear on the side of the pool. “What business <i>did</i> you come to conduct?”<br>
<br>
Cromwell pondered momentarily if Lord Emerson was not sent by some enemy of his to <i>torture</i> him. He was being dramatic, <i>but</i>, thought Cromwell, <i>no one had ever held a pear and made it look so decadent.</i><br>
<br>
But he behaved himself and sat on the steps of the bath. He had a duty to uphold, he steeled himself.<br>
<br>
“Your King.” Cromwell began, keeping his eyes trained out of the water and on Emerson's eyes.<br>
<br>
“What’s he done this time,” Emerson asked with a sigh, though first he sank deeply into the water, rising up with his long hair now wet and streaming down his face.<br>
<br>
“It appears that he gave the Dowager Queen certain <i>threats</i> involving the troops occupying Theren. And she is using them to her full advantage. I understand the duration of the troop's stay here to be a point of contention right now. I fear if King Averett and Queen Meera part ways bitterly on this trip, the dowager Agora will succeed in turning her against the treaty.”<br>
<br>
Emerson frowned, pushing his hair out of his face with one hand. “Why should that have even come up,” he said with exasperation. “He couldn’t just stick with the original timeline?” Trust Avery to mess a good thing up, he supposed. “Well, we shall have to come up with a way for that <i>not</i> to happen, then. To be honest,” which he was more in the habit of being with Cromwell than he really should be, “I worry the King shall also be turned against the treaty, if there is not some recompense for what happened between Brutus and Prince Nuri.” <br>
<br>
Cromwell filed that away in a corner of his mind.<br>
<br>
Emerson moved closer to Cromwell, to grab his pear from the side of the large bath. “So what do you propose we do?” He bit into his fruit as he considered, letting the juices spill down his chin.<br>
<br>
Cromwell's eyes trailed those juices down, <i>shit</i>, he was fooled into looking into the water.<br>
<br>
Emerson was too clever, intentionally or not, for his own good.<br>
<br>
“I was hoping…” Cromwell's fingers darted out to catch some of the juice, dragging it up and off his chin as Emerson’s tongue slipped from his mouth and licked at the older man’s index finger, “That you could be convincing.” <br>
<br>
Emerson’s mouth had begun to turn up in a smile, but it fell to frown.<br>
<br>
Cromwell tasted it. <i>Pear</i> was his new favorite fruit.<br>
<br>
“I can only have one thing left to do and I would rather exhaust all other possibilities first.”<br>
<br>
“I am blessed in many respects, Lord Chancellor,” Emerson replied, almost a little frostily. “But seducing the King into obeying my whims is beyond even my powers.” He was a little… Annoyed at Cromwell, for having suggested it, and he drew back from the Chancellor to settle on one of the pool’s carved benches.<br>
<br>
Cromwell’s mouth went slack. He could not, if his life depended upon it, recall a more sudden dowse of cold water on so heated a moment he had experienced in his lifetime.<br>
<br>
“That is decidedly <b>not</b> what I was suggesting.” He recovered quickly, leaned back, and considered the mood in question that had turned icy.<br>
<br>
“Oh,” Emerson said quietly, relieved enough that his tense shoulders visibly relaxed. “I shouldn’t have  assumed,” he admitted. His family certainly had.<br>
<br>
“Though I can see why you thought as much.” Cromwell shrugged, “In my defense I don't think I can be blamed for getting distracted.” He deadpanned.<br>
<br>
“Hmm, I suppose not,” Emerson allowed, giving the Lord Chancellor a small smile, the corner of his left eye wrinkled into a crease. “So. What you <i>were</i> suggesting, then? That I talk His Majesty into your assuredly-more-reasonable idea… Which is what, exactly?”<br>
<br>
He had not been briefed by either his King or his Prince on how the meeting with their fellow monarchs had gone, and wanted to know what he was hoping to pull off before he agreed to it.<br>
<br>
There were other things he was anxious to pull off as well, but he supposed he could restrain himself if Cromwell could.<br>
<br>
“The timeline was vague in the treaty. I do know the Queen wants Beleth out in less than one year, but I've gotten her to consider two. I need you to find out what King Averett’s timeline is. And warn him of what I told you. No need to tell him how you found out.” Cromwell nodded in affirmation, thinking they could actually get somewhere if Emerson could work his metaphorical magic touch.<br>
<br>
“Four years,” Emerson said promptly. “Half the soldiers gone in the first year, another quarter in the second year, the remaining quarter to be withdrawn over the final two years, and those would mostly be officers to assist in the training of the new Theren troops and overseeing coastal patrols.”<br>
<br>
It wasn’t exactly a secret, so Emerson hoped he wasn’t betraying anything.<br>
<br>
Cromwell closed his eyes and sighed deeply.<br>
<br>
“It could be tricky to get him to agree to a two year timeline,” Emerson cautioned. “If he doesn’t feel Theren is able to defend itself yet. He is very… Concerned, about threats across the seas.”<br>
<br>
When Cromwell opened his eyes he did his utmost to appear patient.<br>
<br>
“Forget what I said about not telling your King it was me. Make sure you <i>do</i> tell him these three things.” <br>
<br>
Cromwell held up three fingers and ticked them off one by one. “That the defense of Theren is not his concern and he wildly oversteps the treaty by presuming it is or using that as an excuse to keep his troops here.” One.<br>
<br>
<i>Avery considered defense of anything to be his concern</i>, Emerson thought.<br>
<br>
“That he is delusional if he thinks he will ever be allowed to have his men preside over and train Theren's men.” Two.<br>
<br>
<i>Delusion had hardly stopped the man before.</i><br>
<br>
“And that if he <i>wanted</i> four years he shouldn't have openly threatened Theren as he did to the dowager queen. And now I am struggling against said dowager to get the Queen to agree to <i>two</i>.” And now Cromwell's heart was beating with frustration. If King Avery really intended to claim his troops were here for protection he had bungled that thoroughly already.<br>
<br>
<i>Well, Cromwell had the point there</i>, Emerson had to admit.<br>
<br>
“You can tell him that yourself, you know,” Emerson said idly as he thought through what Cromwell had told him. “He doesn’t really like you very much, but he does respect you.” <br>
<br>
To a degree, at least. Certainly more than he respected the Dowager Queen. Emerson also wondered why they were taking Agora’s word on <i>anything</i>, considering the stunt she had pulled the day prior. He supposed Cromwell had his reasons.<br>
<br>
The problem with politicking and scheming with people who weren’t Grace and Roysa he supposed, was that none of them really seemed to know Avery very well. They played against his values instead of with them- They were annoyed with his need to protect everyone, rather than seeing it as an avenue to appeal to. Admittedly, this one was a bit trickier than usual…<br>
<br>
“I might have some ideas,” Emerson allowed after some careful consideration, taking a thoughtful bite of his pear. “It depends on what the generals said- and which ones of them said what,” Emerson had to concede, as there were certainly some officer’s opinions that Avery valued more than others. “But I <i>think</i> I could convince him that two years is reasonable and in everyone’s best interest.”<br>
<br>
“Good, you advise him and I advise who I’m actually supposed to be working for.” Cromwell said lightly, his attempt at a joke, as he seemed to be doomed to be managing both sides at once for the foreseeable future.<br>
<br>
“And I will see about… what I can do about Brutus. Perhaps he's overstayed his welcome again in Delphi.” Or amongst the living, if things did not go over as smoothly as he'd hoped.<br>
<br>
“I’d say,” Emerson agreed, before turning a more calculating eye on Cromwell. “And you’ve overstayed your welcome on those steps,” he said, rising from the bench so that water streamed from the tips of his hair and ran in rivulets down his chest and back. He crossed the pool so that he stood in front of Cromwell, and tapped lightly on the other man’s ankles. “Come on, at least soak your feet. I’m sure they could use a rest?”<br>
<br>
Cromwell unlaced his boots at Emerson's prompting.<br>
<br>
“Maybe just a little soak.” He agreed, but instead of just his feet Cromwell’s clothed legs entered the bath, deciding he would take a seat where Emerson was just a moment ago.<br>
<br>
“You can sit back down, I didn't mean to disturb your bath after all.”<br>
<br>
“Oh, can I now,” Emerson said with a teasing smile. He returned to his previous perch, though he sat facing the opposite direction now, his knees on either side of Cromwell’s thighs. <br>
<br>
Emerson ran his fingers up Cromwell’s shirt, attempting to pull it up- But instead of coming along with his hands, the wet fabric merely bunched together and floated in the water. Emerson laughed, and Cromwell joined him, his attempt at seduction gone awry, and buried the sound in the dark-haired man’s neck as he shook with it. The laughter did not last overly long, though, as he began to press his open mouth along Cromwell’s collar bone and up his neck, humming as he did so.<br>
<br>
Despite everything though, the stress of the going-ons of the Kingdoms and moods previously killed, Cromwell found his heartbeat easy to quicken. <br>
<br>
Breaths became shallow as hands roamed and mouths inched closer to each other.<br>
<br>
Perhaps tonight, after they were sated at least once, Cromwell would finally ask Emerson if he'd ever experienced being tied up with silk rope before.<br>
<br>
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Queen Meera's Quarters, Album Castellum, Delphi<br>
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The next morning....<br>
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<br>
Queen Meera considered the note in her hand as King Averett was shown to the terrace by Lady Veora, who curtsied low and backed away.<br>
<br>
To King Averett. Not to her…<br>
<br>
She supposed that was proper and correct.<br>
<br>
Meera had heard Veora was flawlessly handling her duties for this trip, and felt a little bad at adding to her workload by rescheduling today's meeting with King Averett to the morning.<br>
<br>
But her mother was right, she needed to control this meeting far better than last time’s fiasco. With the whole picture clear and having had time to consider both her mother and Lord Chancellor's arguments she felt confident. Far more confident this time than last, when she agreed away a tenth of her Kingdom.<br>
<br>
Avery had not been pleased by Lady Veora’s arrival at his suite to inform him of the meeting’s changed time- He had considered not showing up until the previously arranged time, but he had no wish to antagonize Queen Meera any further, and if he was being honest- He would prefer to get this over with.<br>
<br>
“My brother sent me a note, it seems you've convinced him that your occupying force is here because you're simply concerned about the Panet and Vendelian Empires taking advantage of Theren's diminishment. A notion so ridiculous I’m not sure he even believes it, as he did receive the education of a Prince after all.”<br>
<br>
Avery wasn’t surprised by Meera’s assessment of his concerns, but he was a little surprised to hear that Nuri had contacted her without telling him.<br>
<br>
“As for me, I wouldn't believe it even if I hadn't spoken to my mother about your talk.”<br>
<br>
<i>Ah. That.</i> Avery wondered if he would ever learn the best way to react when he felt threatened by people more politically savvy than himself.<br>
<br>
“You enjoy having your forces here ready to attack our citizenry at a moment's notice. A real reason we all can both believe and confirm. I can understand that. You were victorious and you have a right to certain liberties. Loot and conditions of surrender that include ensuring we can not rise against you any time soon. But you have this already, you've seen what's left of our forces. Theren is not interested nor capable of entering any war within the next decade at least. So…” She sat down.<br>
<br>
That was exactly what Avery worried about- Not that anyone seemed to believe him.<br>
<br>
“I am advised that the soonest you can leave is within the year, but comfort and convenience included raises this to two. Theren has never been beyond affording people comfort and convenience.”<br>
<br>
Avery sat as well, leaning back and putting one foot on the other knee. He tried to make himself look relaxed and confident, but he wasn’t sure if he was successful.<br>
<br>
“I have already promised you that I shall remove half the company from within Delphi within the next two months,” Avery said. “And I will abide by that.”<br>
<br>
He paused.<br>
<br>
Meera said nothing and waited for him to continue.<br>
<br>
“Once winter has come and gone, the mountain passes will be more traversable, and I believe that the seas will be safer, allowing us to move a larger amount of troops through both means in a more efficient manner,” he said. Ships, however, would be much faster. “However, I am unwilling to pull my naval patrols from the bay for your comfort. Nor will Beleth’s merchants be interested in sacrificing their trade. So here is the first part of my proposal: Theren will come up with the ships to move the soldiers, and Theren will pay for them.”<br>
<br>
“Additionally- Troops will stay along your border with Dorelith until the fort there is fully functional again, regardless of how long that takes,” he said, leaving the timeline of it up to her. He imagined she could get it done post-haste. “And two dozen of my mid-sized ships will continue to patrol your coastline, until such a time that they may each be replaced with functional ships of your own. However, they will stop in your towns only to restock.”<br>
<br>
“You have taken Megara already and the construction of enough ships vast enough for that will take longer than two years with access to their lumber. Is there any reason in particular you especially want to keep troops on the Dorelithian border?” Meera didn't say no outright, less concerned about the naval fleet than the ground troops in truth.<br>
<br>
Though she certainly wasn't keen on Beleth possibly having the power to cut off their trade to Zhongguo. Two Kings ago Beleth had been enraged when Zhongguo wouldn't do business with them.<br>
<br>
“You shall have access to Megera’s lumber,” he clarified, though he was aware that even with it, he had set a difficult task. He was willing to negotiate on the number of ships if she pressed the issue further- Hopefully by the time even a dozen ships were completed, a full two dozen would no longer be needed.<br>
<br>
“As you have pointed out, Beleth is taking on the considerable bulk of your border with Ruhar, so Dorelith may become your weak spot,” he said. “I quite doubt King Stefan means you ill,” Avery allowed, as he had his doubts about the old man’s ability to keep his own country safe, much less wage war against another. Or defend against one. Which was his concern. “But I will not leave the border vulnerable while the castle is rebuilt. I am open to having our generals negotiate the number of troops stationed along that border, if you have soldiers to spare that can add to their company.”<br>
<br>
“There is also the matter of the troop’s compensation,” Avery continued. “The men who agreed to land-for-service will, of course, be dealt with by Beleth.” The crown would either have to back-pay them for the full amount, or renegotiate with the nobles involved in the deal how much service equaled how much land- It would be a nightmare for his aunt either way, but this entire trip was already going to result in a massive headache for Lady Roysa. He could suggest that Theren offer them land, but he had a feeling he knew how that would go.<br>
<br>
“But the men who are given a straight pay…. Theren will pay six month’s wages for each that is sent home within the year, and three months for those sent home within the second year.”<br>
<br>
Meera kept her mouth shut until he was finished, even if emotionally she wanted to scream at his ludicrous demands. But she kept what both her mother and Cromwell had made clear to her.<br>
<br>
This was a military man at heart, and politics were not his forte.<br>
<br>
“You mean to beggar my people but keep our borders secure. Truly you think like a General.”<br>
<br>
Avery thought this ironic- He had rarely felt less like a military man.<br>
<br>
“No, you've already agreed to the mines as compensation in the treaty and have further been promised a tenth of my Kingdom. I can not afford to give you more, not if we are to recover in two years time from our famine. And further still, our borders are not your concern. I already told you that excuse won't fool anyone in this room. Theren is not yours. It is mine. You had your chance to take it and you didn't. You've lost momentum and you need to see to your own granaries. Your troops will go by land and this thing will be done.” Meera glared, wondering if she would see what her mother saw now.<br>
<br>
Avery sighed, uncrossing his legs and leaning forward, his hands clasped between his knees.<br>
<br>
“I am disappointed you do not take my concerns seriously. But considering our very different experiences, I am not surprised,” he allowed.<br>
<br>
“Neither am I.” Meera fired back, clearly not thinking much of his judgment either.<br>
<br>
“Going by land will be much slower than by sea,” he reminded her. They would only be able to get the troops removed out of Delphi through the pass before winter hit, and that might be cutting it close. If they went by sea, they could bring soldiers back with them on their return to Beleth within the week. “And during that prolonged time, my troops will need to eat- When that food could instead be served to your people.”<br>
<br>
Meera scoffed.<br>
<br>
The food for the troops was being brought from Beleth, and Avery knew the deliveries from the few ships he could spare caused resentment among the common people of Theren. But that food had already been paid for, by a fund specifically marked for the campaign of helping Theren rebuild. If Theren did not want their help- which their Queen had certainly indicated they did not- they could at least have the food. Avery supposed his Minister of War could- and would- object to the idea of what he viewed as military funds being used in such a way, but Avery was confident, considering how vaguely the proposal for the funds had been written, in telling him to shove it.<br>
<br>
“Theren will need to find the majority of the ships needed amongst her own merchants,” he reiterated.<br>
<br>
She thought for a moment, tapping her finger.<br>
<br>
“To suggest that you would be allowed to leave any men or ships after having Theren pay to move what you would <i>magnanimously</i> agree to ship out is a slap in the face.” Meera finally said, a compromise brewing in her mind.<br>
<br>
If she could just get them out of her Kingdom, no matter the cost…<br>
<br>
“If Theren were to do such a thing all of your men and all of your ships leave. Not a single one left behind.”<br>
<br>
Avery considered this- She had a point, after all. But like Meera, he knew what he was after. He wanted Theren defended against external or internal threats, and he wasn’t sure he was willing to let his perception of that go in favor of convenience or his coffers, however much the Minister of the Exchequer might object.<br>
<br>
“Beleth will pay half of the cost of using any ships you contract, up front,” he proposed. This seemed more than reasonable, Avery thought, to pay for half but leave only a small fraction of troops behind. “If I am able to find any Beleth merchants interested in joining the venture, we will again split the cost. They may also be amenable to loans,” he suggested, guessing that her own merchants may be even more so. “And I will ensure any interest rates are set low.”<br>
<br>
“I am also willing to relax my requirements for removal of the ships along the coast,” he negotiated. “For every one ship that Theren can supply, two shall return home to Beleth.”<br>
<br>
“<i>No</i>. They all must go.” Mother had been right, she had been <i>right</i>. And Meera was a fool to ever trust that they both had the treaty’s best interest at heart. This negotiation was <i>maddening</i>. She felt herself get angrier the longer it went on.<br>
<br>
Avery sighed, sitting upright in the chair again. “You are the one who wants this,” he reminded her, the slightest hint of impatience in his tone. “It is up to you to convince me of it.”<br>
<br>
“I should not have to convince you to leave my Kingdom, that should in fact, be a given. But if you truly need convincing King Averett, perhaps your court, nay the whole of Beleth, down to the last pig farmer, might find it amusing that your husband is a harlot and adulterer. That he cuckhold’s you in favor of another, more worthy man, Lord Brutus.” Meera threatened.<br>
<br>
If Meera had wanted to see the King of Beleth angry, she had found the right way to do it- Though it took a moment, as he processed what she was proposing to do.<br>
<br>
Then he stood so suddenly that his chair toppled over. “A ‘worthy man’,” he spat, his face thunderous. “Is that what you call his type in Theren? You would use your brother’s rapist against him,” Avery growled. “And believe you are worthy of calling yourself ‘sister’?”<br>
<br>
Meera scoffed, “<i>Rapist</i>, funny that is what they call <i>you</i>.” Meera wasn't shy about the venom in her tone as she stood up slowly.<br>
<br>
Of all the people that could have accused Lord Brutus of such a thing, the last person in all of Theren who would be believed is The Pirate King Averett.<br>
<br>
She had moved Lord Brutus from the dungeons last night, when this terrible betrayal has crossed her mind. A Queen oft had blood on her hands, her mother had warned. Best to get used to it now.<br>
<br>
She doubted her mother knew just how easily Meera had found it, the ways in which she could make cuts into the flesh of hearts. For though she scarcely believed Lord Brutus was ever able to abuse a Prince of the blood she did believe he was not an easy man to have as a betrothed.<br>
<br>
Nuri had certainly seemed happy to have an alternative when the treaty was struck.<br>
<br>
“I hardly care what you call me, when I know the truth. But if that is what you truly think of me, then you are an even worse sister than I thought,” Avery said sneered. “To send him from one abuser to someone you suspect to be one,” he said, his hands clenching the edge of the table.<br>
<br>
“Perhaps,” he said icily, “You might benefit from actually speaking with <i>Nuri</i> about his relationships, before you seek to exploit them for your own benefit. He has done nothing to deserve this treatment from you.”<br>
<br>
“Since when is any of this about <i>deserve</i> King Averett? Theren did not <i>deserve</i> to be attacked when your brother was assassinated. My father did not <i>deserve</i> to die. I do not <i>deserve</i> to be punished for having a child, and Theren does not <i>deserve</i> to be occupied by your men!” Meera got louder the more sins she laid at his feet.<br>
<br>
“Not a single thing since you became King nor I became Queen has been about <i>deserve</i>. We represent the interests of our Kingdom. Now and always and in all things.” She finished, scathingly. It would make no difference what Nuri said. His reputation would still be hung on a tree if it meant benefiting Theren.<br>
<br>
“You will be just as poor a mother as you are as sister, as you are a Queen,” he spat back. “Tell me, then- If I agree to your poor attempt to blackmail me, what then? You will promise me the matter is settled, and you will not threaten our relationship again? What good,” he asked with scorn, “Is the word of a woman who will sell out her family with so little care?”<br>
<br>
“Better than the word of some Pirate King who breaks treaties I imagine.” Meera bit back the thousand more words she wanted to say. Other threats of what she planned to do that she couldn't afford to admit outright. Explanations that Nuri was no longer her subject but the spouse of an enemy turned ally and quickly turned enemy again. Accusations that this was all his fault to begin with and he forced her hand.<br>
<br>
Her refusal to offer him any assurances that her word could be trusted- and the ease with which she tried to turn it back on him, as though he had actually broken the treaty or even intended to- convinced him that there was no further point to this negotiation, if there ever had been.<br>
<br>
“Here is what will happen,” he told her tensely. “I will abide by what I have already told you I will do, and much of what I have offered to come down on- Troops will be moved out of Delphi within months, with the other cities to follow. I will move them and others out of Theren as expeditiously as possible- By land before the snow hits, and I hope by ship, if your merchant vessels will deign to accept money offered by such a monster as myself,” he sneered. “If they do, we can have the majority of the troops gone from Theren for your first anniversary.”<br>
<br>
They likely would, he hoped- Money was money, and the merchant class had no more love of the lingering soldiers than anyone else. Still, the request would have been much more favorably received if it had come from their Queen.<br>
<br>
“You shall have Beleth’s assistance in rebuilding ships, and fortifications if you wish,” he continued. It occurred to him that she had turned to blackmail rather than come down on her own requirements, and perhaps it was foolish to still give her what he had been initially reluctant to offer. But he’d already said it, so he could hardly back down now.<br>
<br>
“But Beleth troops will continue to patrol Theren’s borders and coastlines for a year and half,” he said firmly. “If at the end of that time period, my spymasters say threats have receded significantly or my generals that your defenses increased, then those remaining shall be withdrawn as well. If not- We will endeavor to rapidly lower the first or raise the second within six months, and then reassess if needed. Regardless of any progress, all troops and ships will return to Beleth between the sixth and twelfth months of the third year. And you,” he said, pointing an  accusatory finger at the Queen of Theren.<br>
<br>
“You will have ruined your relationship with your only brother, and fractured the one with your neighboring crown, for the meager cost of several months, a handful of soldiers, and half a dozen ships,” Avery sneered angrily.<br>
<br>
“An amusing way to phrase the occupation of a Kingdom you have no rights to.” Queen Meera’s steely voice and expression was devoid of amusement.<br>
<br>
She'd already decided what she needed to do.<br>
<br>
“This audience is over,” he said, turning on his heel and marching to the door that separated the terrace from the inner halls of the palace, letting it fall shut with a heavy echo.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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The Sea<br>
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Later That Day<br>
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<br>
With a storm coming into Delphi, there had been a sudden rush to leave Theren with haste, and Avery still felt a little disjointed. He’d barely had time to talk to Nuri at all before he was being asked which troops of men would be accompanying them back on [what the fuck is the ships name? Something Arrow], what outfits he would want to wear while on the ship and what could be packed away below deck, and of course both Lord Brennan and Emerson had a few final people they wanted him to meet.<br>
<br>
But eventually they were off, just having beaten the storm by an hour- They hadn’t quite missed all of the first trickles of rain, and there were rivulets of water drying like tears in the cabin’s window, even with the sun shining again.<br>
<br>
Alone at last, Avery knew he could not put off talking to his husband any longer- He’d told the Prince briefly that the meeting with Queen Meera had not gone as well as he would have liked, and what he himself had agreed to do. But he’d made no mention of what Nuri’s sister had planned.<br>
<br>
“Nuri,” he said, turning away from the window in a slow, measured manner that likely meant his shoulder was still acting up. “We should talk.”<br>
<br>
<i>Finally</i> and <i>I’d rather not hear what has had you so wound up</i> battled for the forefront of Nuri’s mind. But instead…<br>
<br>
“I can't tell which seems more tumultuous, you or the sea.” Was what Nuri settled on. He recalled how upset Avery had been when he first came back from his <i>‘talk’</i> with Meera and had learnt the self control to not ask and instead give what it was a person needed when they came like that to him in the temple.<br>
<br>
He didn't think marriage involved his skills in that way but then again what did he know? Maybe he was doing that wrong too. Every time he tried to interfere with solutions it never seemed to do any good.<br>
<br>
“Did it truly go that badly?”<br>
<br>
“The sea seems to have settled, so I’m afraid it must be me,” Avery acknowledged wryly. “I told you of what I had promised your sister,” Avery said, knowing that Nuri was likely displeased with him for it. He was going to be even more displeased still though, and Avery hated to be the one to disappoint him. “But as for what she promised me…”<br>
<br>
He trailed off with a sigh, frustrated with the Queen and with himself. Perhaps he should have just given in… But what then? Allowing himself to be blackmailed was a dangerous precedent he could not afford.<br>
<br>
“She means to spread rumors as far as she can throughout Theren and Beleth, that you spent our time in Theren in Brutus’s arms and his bed,” he finally admitted. “Or at least, that is what she told me she will do.”<br>
<br>
Nuri could hear perfectly fine, but he wasn't sure he understood what was being said, and it showed on his face.<br>
<br>
He had thought perhaps that Avery was about to inform him that they'd lost Megara in the negotiations, not…<br>
<br>
“Why? What possible reason could she have to do such a thing?” Nuri asked, a little quiet, and a lot ashamed.<br>
<br>
“Because I would not agree to remove every last soldier and ship from her borders as quickly as she wanted, she decided trying to blackmail us would be most efficient.” Avery sighed, running a hand through his hair, before placing the other on Nuri’s shoulder, his thumb rubbing a small circle in the divot of Nuri’s collarbone. “I could not tell if she really means to go through with it,” he said, trying to instill some optimism. “I know I would certainly never do such a thing to Grace. But she did seem to have… Conviction, about it, or was at least very comfortable pretending that she did.”<br>
<br>
That was probably not the sense of optimism Avery was hoping for- That even if Meera had only been posturing, that she had seemed more than willing to do it regardless.<br>
<br>
The frown on Nuri’s face deepened as he gulped and looked anywhere but at his husband, he knew Meera would do as she threatened. But he wasn't sure what stung more. Meera's condescension, so reflective of his mother's, or Avery's. Against Meera.<br>
<br>
“I have seen what your fear is like Avery. I would not be so quick to be righteous if I were you. You do not know what you would do to try to gain the upper hand on a threatening force occupying your Kingdom. Having known you, I think in fact there's scarcely little you wouldn't.” Nuri hated how strained and heavy his voice sounded.<br>
<br>
She might have been hurt to hear Nuri defend her at such a time, if she knew, but Nuri took no satisfaction in that. No satisfaction in any imagined or real guilt. Because despite her barbs. It wasn't she who was at an advantage right now. She was just cornered, and people and creatures alike were nasty when they became cornered.<br>
<br>
“That-” Had any number of rebuttals, in Avery’s opinion. Depending on just how weak his own military was, he might be glad for an ally like Theren to have troops to prevent raiders from Ruhar attacking his mother’s people, might allow for Theren ships to offer Jamatal protection against pirates and bad actors. But he had come to realize that Theren did not see him as an ally at all, but just such another ‘bad actor’ to defend themselves against.<br>
<br>
And even if he had wanted Theren’s troops out of his country, he liked to think he would have exhausted several more options before resolving to sell out his sister’s reputation.<br>
<br>
“That… may have some merit,” Avery eventually allowed as he removed his hand from Nuri’ shoulder- Even if he knew what he would have <i>liked</i> to do in such a situation, he had no way of knowing what he actually <i>would</i> do.<br>
<br>
“I need only know…” A hot and shameful tear dropped out of Nuri’s eye, still refusing to look at his husband, “Is it worth it?”<br>
<br>
Nuri realized in the next moment how bitter that question might sound, and quickly stood up, looking at Avery properly, hastily wiping away droplets.<br>
<br>
“I don't mean- I don't ask to be condescending. I just need to be told, if you think it's worth it to not give her what she wanted. Because if it is, then I have no trouble bearing it. It is what it is. She means to carry through on her threat.” He shrugged, “It's what our mother taught us to do, never make a threat you won't carry out. I can almost hear her exploiting my vulnerability from this ship.”<br>
<br>
Avery sighed so deeply that his chest rose and fall. Of course he wanted to say it had been worth it, if it would offer Nuri some reassurance. But he truly didn’t know if it would be- Only time would tell, and even then…<br>
<br>
There was a knock at the cabin door, and the voice of the Second Mate.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesties! Permission to enter?”<br>
<br>
Nuri turned his face away and made sure he was presentable.<br>
<br>
“Permission granted,” Avery said wearily, and the man entered.<br>
<br>
“A ship’s been behind us- We thought it was just trying to escape the storm, same as us, but it’s definitely been following us, and it’s gaining,” he said with some amount of worry. “But- Well, Lord Emerson says you better come take a look, Your Majesty. That you will know what to do.”<br>
<br>
Out on the deck a small crowd had gathered, including the Ladies Veora, Nyme, and Lord Brennan. Who stood together with very concerned looks on their faces.<br>
<br>
“Are those Pirates...” Nyme braved to say aloud, sounding like she would be sick. Everyone else had been avoiding the word as they watched the ship ebb ever closer.<br>
<br>
“I’m sure they are not,” Lord Brennan told her confidently. “Lord Emerson would never have suggested we allow them to approach further if he had any doubts about our safety.”<br>
<br>
Emerson himself stood at the rail of the ship, spyglass in hand. Not that the spyglass was needed- The other ship had closed quite a distance, and the flag could be seen from the deck. A green background, with three white slashes across it. As though it had been sliced open by something with sharp claws.<br>
<br>
“Is that…” Avery trailed off as he crossed the deck towards his friend.<br>
<br>
“Seems to be,” Emerson told him, passing him the spyglass. There was a figure at the front of the other ship, waving a white scarf in the wind.<br>
<br>
With the spyglass, Avery could see the figure more clearly. It was a muscular woman with tanned skin and a yellow headscarf holding back dark curls, smashed beneath a tricornered hat. She was smirking as she waved her symbol of surrender.<br>
<br>
“Well, shit,” Avery muttered.<br>
<br>
“Exactly,” Emerson agreed. “But she’s never meant us harm before. And she wouldn’t be waving a white flag if she did now.”<br>
<br>
“Sir- Your Majesty,” the captain corrected himself. “What do you want us to do…?”<br>
<br>
“Allow the ship to pull alongside,” Avery decided. “But if they make any attempt to board us without first speaking to us, draw weapons.”  The captain nodded and relayed the message to the soldiers on deck, whose hands already rested on the hilts of their swords.<br>
<br>
Prince Nuri hung back, bewildered more than concerned, the whiplash of his earlier raw feelings leaving him more dumb than anything.<br>
<br>
“She is a… An ally, from when His Majesty and I were on the Wider Sea,” Emerson told Nuri quickly. “She is very… Showy. But mostly harmless.” To them, anyways. He hoped.<br>
<br>
“Of the famed Pirate allies, yes.” Nuri said as he straightened himself and clasped his hands behind his back. He saw little point in being delicate about it, besides, as far as he was concerned these were also <i>his</i> pirate allies now.<br>
<br>
Within minutes, the other ship was parallel to their own, and the woman who had been at the front had run to the side so that she could shout across the distance.<br>
<br>
She hopped onto the rail of her own ship, hanging onto a rope to steady herself.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesty,” she called out, taking her hat off with a flourish in Avery’s direction. “And Your Majesty,” she said a bit more sincerely to Nuri, actually bowing this time.<br>
<br>
The Prince couldn't help but smile back, her charisma working on him.<br>
<br>
“Captain Ka’Trine,” Avery called back. “What business brings you to our waters?”<br>
<br>
“I did not receive an invitation to your wedding,” Trine said, affecting mock sadness. “But I brought you gifts nonetheless!” She gestured behind her, where a man and a woman waited, each holding a chest. One of the wooden chests was significantly smaller than the other, but both seemed of fine quality.<br>
<br>
“My offer is genuine,” she told the gathered onlookers, with a smile that seemed sincere enough.<br>
“I could not hurt you even if I wanted,” she said, reaching for her scabbard. The soldiers on board the Cicele’s Arrow tensed as one, but she merely flipped it over to show its contents- Empty.<br>
<br>
“Your Baroness Ellini,” she explained. “Divested us of all our weapons before allowing us passage into your bay.”<br>
<br>
“You were so determined to pass that you faced Baroness Elleni? Or perhaps you were so well acquainted she considered it no trouble?” Lady Nyme asked before she could think to shut her mouth and let the King take the lead. She resolutely ignored her sister's shocked glare.<br>
<br>
But Veora would never ask, would rather die than ask, and spoke far too highly of a prospect that Nyme thought was a useless and faithless end. In this, at least she and Lady Roysa seemed to agree.<br>
<br>
“I’ll admit I had not had the pleasure. I had heard she is a fearsome woman, but had no idea she was so beautiful as well- Almost as beautiful as you, dear lady,” Trine told Nyme with a wink. “And nearly as forward! But as the ships that patrol the opening of the bay dock in Merid, I knew I would have little chance of entry if I did not first present myself to her and explain my sorry plight.”<br>
<br>
“Your sorry plight?,” Avery echoed with skepticism. He hardly doubted Elleni would have let her pass for a simple sob story- Much less one that entailed ‘I wasn’t invited to a wedding’.<br>
<br>
“All right, I gave her a gift, too,” Ka’Trine admitted. “Sorry, Vee- She got first pick! Just the way it goes sometimes.”<br>
<br>
Lady Nyme looked to her sister conspiratorially, and was promptly ignored.<br>
<br>
Captain Ka’Trine gestured again to the chests. “So- Do I get to present you with my tokens of well wishes, or do my crew have to stand here holding these longer?”<br>
<br>
Avery sighed. “Bring the gangplank over,” he said, and a few soldiers obediently placed it between the ships.<br>
<br>
Trine and the man holding the smaller chest came nimbly across, though the woman with the larger chest required the assistance of a third crew member to carry it across the slightly unsteady plank. Once on board, Trine nodded to her crew, who nodded back and scampered back to their own ship. It did at least seem that she was aware that the Beleth party was suspicious of her, and was trying to assuage their wariness.<br>
<br>
“A pleasure to meet you,” she told Nuri with a wide smile. And then with a conspiratorial undertone, she added so that only those in immediate proximity could hear, “You know- I was his first kiss. I do hope he’s improved somewhat, for your sake.”<br>
<br>
“Hardly!,” Avery sputtered, going red at the ears.<br>
<br>
“It was hardly your first kiss, or you’ve hardly improved?,” she asked, a bit louder, and Avery glared at her.<br>
<br>
Nuri couldn't help himself and only barely managed to turn his head away to snort in laughter, and pretend it was a cough.<br>
<br>
“Perhaps we could move this audience to our dining cabin,” he suggested tightly. If she was going to embarrass him- which she almost certainly was- he would prefer she do it only in front of himself and Nuri.<br>
<br>
“No, no- I think your fine officers are much more comfortable with me right where I am,” she pointed out, which was very true.<br>
<br>
“He has nothing to be embarrassed about unfortunately, at least for our amusement’s sake.” Nuri conceded.<br>
<br>
Trine laughed, and moved to slap Avery on the shoulder- But seemed to remember at the last minute that was not an appropriate way to treat a King, and stopped the movement halfway through.<br>
<br>
 “A pleasure to make your acquaintance Captain. They say in court though it may be nobles who are richer it is the Seafarers who own the most valuable and unique treasures. I’ve always imagined that's true.”<br>
<br>
“We have our freedom,” the captain said with a grin. “So that is certainly true. But I do have some… Unique items to give to you as well!”<br>
<br>
“For you, King Averett,” she said, again with a mocking tone over his title, as though she didn’t quite believe in it. She unlatched the smaller chest- There were two bundles in it, both covered in cloth. The first was larger, and she took it out. With a flourish, she pulled the cloth off of it and presented… A large jar.<br>
<br>
It was filled with a pale yellow liquid, in which floated a hand that had been severed several inches past the wrist. Even through the fog of the glass, Avery could see the tattoo on the wrist. A tree with a key hole in the center.<br>
<br>
“Ah. Captain Lockwood.” Avery said, taking the jar as though the contents were perfectly ordinary. He’d always thought it was a stupid tattoo. The man’s name wasn’t Keytree, after all. “I assume then that the Baroness took his head?”<br>
<br>
“And promptly mounted it from a stake on the castle’s roof, yes,” Ka’Trine said with an air of delight.<br>
<br>
“How gruesome,” Brennan said to Veora and Nyme, a bit shocked at the Baroness’s conduct.<br>
<br>
Nyme grimaced and Veora looked away in what Nyme recognized as falsely demure meekness. She didn't want to disagree with Lord Brennan apparently, and Nyme filed that information away for later.<br>
<br>
Recognition flitted in Nuri’s mind as he glanced from his husband to the Pirate to the gruesome swiveling hand. It looked bloated from either the liquid or the glass, he couldn't tell.<br>
<br>
“Was he alive when you cut it off?” Nuri asked, curious.<br>
<br>
“Sadly not,” Ka’Trine admitted. “He was a… Difficult man in life, and difficult in dying, too. I had to run him through several times before he finally agreed to do the decent thing and die.”<br>
<br>
“Some people have no shame.” The Prince agreed airily.<br>
<br>
“You killed him yourself?,” Avery asked, surprised.<br>
<br>
“Of course! It was a pain to track him down,” she complained. “But I got him in the end.”<br>
<br>
“Sorry I didn’t get you anything, Em,” she told the bastard lord, who shrugged.<br>
<br>
“I’m not the one who got married,” he pointed out, a little confused but willing to play along.<br>
<br>
“Well, you know my offer is always open,” she said with a wink, and he rolled his eyes.<br>
<br>
“You can just take him.” Lady Nyme shrugged, and said not so quietly in a hushed tone as she and her sister ogled the jar, having moved closer when it seemed it was appropriate to do so.<br>
<br>
“I’m afraid kidnapping that particular bastard is more trouble than it’s worth,” Trine said off-handedly.<br>
<br>
Lady Veora cleared her throat, “What my sister means to ask is whether our Prince can expect a similarly pickled body part to… decorate and intrigue the court.”<br>
<br>
Nuri smiled at Lady Veora’s deft ability to parry any barb she ever encountered and raised an expectant brow at Captain Ka’Trine.<br>
<br>
“Ah, I’m afraid not,” the captain admitted. “Had I known you had interest, I might have had the foresight to save some more pieces. My deepest apologies. You were much more difficult to shop for,” she allowed. “So I had to settle for a classic.”<br>
<br>
She reached back into the smaller chest, and unraveled the second bundle. From within she pulled a dagger sized scabbard of dark leather. There was mutlicolored thread along the seam holding it together, which was also sewn along the sides to resemble a magnificent feather.<br>
<br>
Already impressed with the scabbard and hilt alone, Nuri accepted it readily, holding it up to the light as he drew it out slowly.<br>
<br>
Unlike the set of Jolessic juggling knives Emerson had on his mantel at Redhill, this blade was symmetrical with a pair of two deadly sharp beveled edges. The blade was a dark gray that caught the light with a shine, and had what appeared to be a rippling pattern across it. The hilt was black, with delicate gold leaves curling up along it that matched the golden tiger’s eye stone that made up the pommel.<br>
<br>
It was the only weapon the Baroness had allowed her to keep.<br>
<br>
“It’s made from a fallen star,” Ka’Trine said, clearly eager for Nuri to like it. “Or the blade is at least. Not the hilt and the sheath.”<br>
<br>
“A fallen star?” He looked at her almost disbelievingly, but smiled despite himself.<br>
<br>
“I wasn't aware you could make blades from stars, but if you can, that is a fortuitous gift to receive indeed. You have my thanks Captain Ka’Trine, and my open invitation to court as my personal guest when it pleases you.” Nuri thought the Captain would make an excellent source of intrigue if she decided to take him up on his invitation. She was clearly as talented in the arena of conversation as she was in the open sea.<br>
<br>
The Captain flashed Nuri a brilliant smile as Avery spluttered a bit. “It would please me greatly, I may have to take you up on that offer one day- Perhaps during the summer court season, I hear Redhill is awfully dreary, especially coming up this time of year.”<br>
<br>
“I imagine you would find the summer court just as dreary as well,” Avery tried to point out, and for his part, Emerson nodded.<br>
<br>
“The courtiers all go to the beach and don’t even swim,” Emerson complained. “Just wade up to their ankles and think they’ve gotten their fill of the sea.”<br>
<br>
Ka’Trine laughed heartily, amused at the image he described.<br>
<br>
“My final gift is not really for either of you,” she admitted. “Nor is it really ‘from’ me- I’m more so the delivery method.”<br>
<br>
She opened the latch on the second, larger chest to reveal- Dehydrated food. Pretty much anything that could be dried and stuffed into a wooden box for at least two months of travel had been. Dried fruit and vegetables, jerky of various meats, beans and more.<br>
<br>
“My cargo hold is stocked similarly,” she said, gesturing with a nod of her chin back towards her own ship. “As are my two other ships docked in Merid still.”<br>
<br>
“Where did you get all this,” Avery asked suspiciously. Where did you get the <i>money</i> for this, is what he meant?<br>
<br>
“It’s a gift,” she reassured him. “Not even from me-I didn’t steal anything!,” she protested his suspicions. “It is from the Ringmaster of Joless, in lieu of a performance to celebrate your marriage. He was similarly sad to miss it, and also <i>devastated</i> to have not received an invitation.”<br>
<br>
“...Silas?,” Emerson guessed. “He’s the Ringmaster for the Royal Troupe now?” <br>
<br>
He’d been the one to teach Emerson to throw knives- To have made the Royal Troupe was a great honor in Joless. To be in charge of it practically made one an ambassador of the island nation, and the position wielded substantial power considering it was almost never held by someone of noble birth.<br>
<br>
“Got it in one,” Ka’Trine told him. “I know it will not make a huge dent in Theren’s hunger,” she admitted. “But I hope it will at least feed some families for the time being. And convey to you that Joless is… Interested in continuing a mutually beneficial relationship of trade and goodwill with both Theren and Beleth.”<br>
<br>
“How many times did Silas make you recite that bit,” Emerson asked, recognizing that the wording was certainly not hers.<br>
<br>
“Only half a dozen,” she replied peevishly, “And then he ended up writing a letter to the same effect anyways.” She patted her pocket to retrieve it, then frowned. “Think I left it in my cabin.”<br>
<br>
“I am sure my sister will welcome the gesture.” Nuri said neutrally, and noted the implication of how Joless was reading the new ties between Theren and Beleth. He wondered whether they would enrage Meera or not.<br>
<br>
How poorly had the negotiations between her and Avery really gone? If truly her perception had been changed on the treaty and Avery had made her feel like a trapped animal…<br>
<br>
Well, what was to be done about it now? King Averett had made his choices.<br>
<br>
The captain smiled again- It seemed there was very little she did not smile about.<br>
<br>
“Well, I’d love to stay and catch up more, but I’m expected back in Joless within the month- Apparently, there might be a merchant’s certification in my future, providing I fulfill various duties as expected,” she explained.<br>
<br>
“You’re going straight?,” Emerson asked, his brow arched in surprise.<br>
<br>
“I think so,” Ka’Trine said with a sigh. “It offers more consistent pay, and I would still get to fight anyone idiotic enough to attack me, so.”<br>
<br>
She seemed to find the logic sound enough.<br>
<br>
“Em, help me carry this back over,” she told the bastard lord, gesturing at the chest of food.<br>
<br>
“Your Majesties,” she told Avery and Nuri. “It would be my utmost pleasure to visit your court at a future date, especially now that I have an invitation! May the sun shine on you in the coming days,” she told them, a rough translation of the formal farewell from her native Panet.<br>
<br>
She and Emerson carried the heavy chest back across the gangplank, and Avery watched them for a moment. He turned away before he could see the quiet conversation that Trine initiated, or the way that Emerson’s face fell as she spoke.<br>
<br>
“I must apologize for the Captain’s… Overly familiar manner,” Avery told his husband. “She was perhaps the only person resembling a ‘friend’ for quite some time, and not knowing our true identities, she became accustomed to certain liberties,” he explained.<br>
<br>
She was also largely responsible for the attacks on Theren’s coasts as well- She herself had not been involved in any, but she had been who he’d contacted to spread the word that Beleth would no longer patrol the opening of the bay, and she’d been quite effective at spreading that word.<br>
<br>
He decided not to mention that.<br>
<br>
“I found her charming.” Prince Nuri shrugged, hoping she would indeed make an appearance in the summertime as he examined his star blade.<br>
<br>
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Redhill<br>
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A Few Days Later<br>
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Veora sat, happily unaccosted, at her favorite fountain in all of Redhill. It was small, and by no indication particularly beautiful, at least not more so than any of the identical ones like it littered around the court’s winding gardens. However Veora, as usual, knew something about its special beauty that no one else could detect.<br>
<br>
Barness Elleni had accidentally broken the spout off of the centerpiece when she was a child. And no one in all this time had noticed or cared enough to ever fix it. She had been convinced she'd be in trouble at the time, and buried the piece of stone in the ground near it, marking the grave with a red rock.<br>
<br>
Now the water, at least during warmer months, poured out gracelessly and remembering it does so makes Veora smile while she embroidered the leather gloves in her lap.<br>
<br>
“You know, everyone goes on and on about what a perfect lady you are, but they don't know you like I do.” Nyme, in perhaps her most annoying little sister voice, announced as her footsteps squelched their way through the scant amount of snow that had fallen in the morning, and would likely melt before noon.<br>
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So much for being happily unaccosted.<br>
<br>
“To what do I owe the rebuke dear sister?” Veora sighed, barely affording Nyme a glance as she continued her work, near done as she was.<br>
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“It's not a rebuke… I just… know something that you don't.” Nyme, not usually one to struggle articulating, carefully said as she peaked judgmentally at Veora’s handiwork.<br>
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“Oh Veora, really?” Nyme said, pity and exasperation in her voice.<br>
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Veora flushed and flipped over the gloves, she had thought its design to be ambiguous enough to not be obvious.<br>
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“They're for me.” She lied, looking away, not realizing that the implication of that was…<br>
<br>
“That's <i>worse</i> Veora. And presumptuous, given that the Baroness has made you no such offer. In fact I have it on good authority she has entertained others since last seeing you. I told you that woman has no reason to marry and likely never will. You can not afford the same.” Nyme said as earnestly and quickly as she could manage, expecting that her sister would-<br>
<br>
Veora rose abruptly, cheeks red hot with humiliation, and briskly fled her favorite fountain and its secrets.<br>
<br>
“<i>VE-OR-AH.</i>” Nyme ran after her before she could get too far on those damned long legs of hers and wrenched her back by the arm.<br>
<br>
“<i>Listen</i>. You can't afford what she can afford Veora you are no heir and you have no holdings. You are a guest at court and if mother and father cut you off you will be a penniless one.” She urged her sister, chest heaving, who refused to look at her.<br>
<br>
“If I can make a good marriage I would <i>never</i> let you suffer as you are my sister but you would still be reduced Veora, humiliated. Your fate would forever be reliant on the kindness of others, your rank and dignity always humbled. <i>But not if you accept Lord Brennan’s offer</i>.”<br>
<br>
Veora’s eyes snapped to Nyme’s in wide eyed shock.<br>
<br>
“I know you think in your mule headed stubbornness that you could handle such a life but you are a highborn girl who has never known that kind of indignity Veora. It would wear on you. You would struggle where you need not, the answer can be so much more simple.” Nyme continued to implore.<br>
<br>
“He is rich, <i>very</i> rich, he's dignified and of appropriate rank and merit. I know you could never stomach marrying a man you do not respect and I've seen how you respect Lord Brennan. He is neither vicious nor overbearing and considering his taste in men he would not make the demands of you that any other husband naturally would. Veora, if you are ever to marry, I think this offer is your best chance at a good life.”<br>
<br>
“He…” Veora gulped, “He is indeed respectable.” Veora admitted, head swimming as she felt her fate begin to set in mortar.<br>
<br>
“And did I mention he is <i>incredibly</i> rich.” Nyme smiled ruefully, earning a chuckle from her sister.<br>
<br>
Who wiped at her glassy eyes and took a deep and steadying breath.<br>
<br>
“How came you by this gossip anyhow?” She asked.<br>
<br>
“Tisn’t gossip sister, he already spoke with our parents.” Nyme had been tasked by them to deliver their warning.<br>
<br>
She <i>sort of</i> had. You could lead a mule to water… but you had better be smart enough to know you couldn't threaten them into drinking.<br>
<br>
“I see… I will think on it. Do you know when?” Veora eyed the pattern on the gloves. A nondescript ram’s head in all black, with a wreath of sharpened fern and laurel to adorn its horns. The soft edges of flowers and leaves didn't suit the piece in Veora’s opinion, so she took artistic liberties.<br>
<br>
Nyme covered the gloves with her hands, “Tonight, he will call upon you. And perhaps it will be safer to continue your friendship with the Baroness as a married woman. I’m sure Lord Brennan would not object so long as you are discreet. You need not be lonely just because you are married to a man.”<br>
<br>
<br>
------<br>
<br>
<br>
Redhill had been transformed in the time they’d been away in Theren. Exterior windows had been covered with thick wooden panels, and heavy curtains added to any that faced into a lightwell. The once green pleasure gardens seemed desolate in their winterization, even though the true cold had not truly hit quite yet, and few servants scurried back and forth from the bustling primary kitchen out into the food gardens that composed the lower part of the hill. The lighter weight clothes had been packed into trunks and the winter outfits brought out and cleaned by manservants and maids to be hung freshly pressed in the nobility's wardrobes.<br>
<br>
Minister Brennan’s office was not all too different. His one window had been covered by quarter sawn oak, the corners of the piece carved in relief like delicate waves. There was substantially more firewood stacked next to the hearth for him to add as he liked than there would have been prior, and a roaring blaze crackled away merrily.<br>
<br>
His office was larger than most of the Minister’s, in part because he had elected to have a separate office rather than an additional room as part of his apartments. It was in the same wing and floor as the official council meeting chamber, though that was often eschewed in favor of meeting in the antechambers of the royal apartments.<br>
<br>
One wall was covered by a large bookshelf and cupboards, some locked and some not. The shelves were stacked with scrolls- Maps, ledgers, proposals of new trade agreements, and more. Despite the volume of material, it was all clearly organized, and only a few papers were on his large desk, stacked in neat piles for his review. He was skimming through one such document when Lady Veora arrived in the doorway, and he stood with a smile.<br>
<br>
“Lady Veora! Thank you so much for coming,” he said warmly, putting aside his work and crossing the room.  “Please take a seat, and help yourself,” he told her, gesturing towards the several armchairs in front of his desk and the table between them that held a tray of various light appetizers and a pitcher of watered wine.<br>
<br>
“Lord Brennan, you shouldn't have.” Veora smiled winningly. Amongst the snacks were her favorite, lemon cakes. Despite the fruit not being in season.<br>
<br>
He was a man who paid attention to detail, a talented diplomat. There was much to like about that in a husband. She should be happy for it. Should be happy for many things.<br>
<br>
Instead all she could muster was feigned. For she felt nothing, nothing at all.<br>
<br>
She swept her skirts aside as she sat, the thick damask gown alike all the others the ladies at court were now sporting. She hadn't a clue how much colder it could get in Beleth, but already it had surpassed Theren’s winter.<br>
<br>
“Who did you have to bribe to find lemons this time of year my Lord.” She asked, crooking a brow as she took a cake.<br>
<br>
“No one at all,” Brennan answered. “I simply said these cakes were for you,” he said with a smile.<br>
<br>
This was not quite accurate. Actually, some of the staff had seemed hesitant to make the cakes when he’d mentioned they were for Veora, which had seemed odd. But luckily Klara had been working, and she’d been happy to help- Or Cara, maybe. He could never remember which of Emerson’s lovers was which.<br>
<br>
“I wanted to thank you for your assistance during our trip to Theren,” he told her. “Your help was indispensable. You are a competent and accomplished young woman, and a credit to your family and your country.”<br>
<br>
“You are too kind Lord Brennan, it is of course a personal honor to have been of service in any small way to the King and our Prince. Though it did help that my task was to aid an already well accomplished man. Your reputation well proceeds you Lord Brennan.” The niceties and flatteries of nobles came easy to Veora, but at least in this case she did not need to stretch the truth in service of etiquette.<br>
<br>
Brennan smiled at the praise, and took a sip of his wine.<br>
<br>
“Unfortunately, our combined efforts did not result in quite the… Results we might have hoped for. Beleth and Theren remain only tentative friends,” he said, which was underselling it. “But I think unity between the two countries is still possible, especially if the nobility undertakes that goal as well. Which is why,” he said, “I have spoken with your parents to get permission to broach the subject of marriage with you.”<br>
<br>
The surprise on Veora’s face, despite knowing full well what was coming, was still genuine. For some reason probably known only to those who knew how to divine hearts and minds, the news still hit Veora the way a drunken lout might hit a fellow drunkard at a pub.<br>
<br>
She had already quite made up her mind to say yes.<br>
<br>
“Indeed my Lord, that is why we ladies were sent with our Prince to Beleth. In the hopes that we might make marriages that benefit the alliance. I couldn't have imagined that someone like yourself would look my way however Lord Brennan. We had all presumed that you should never wish to marry at all.” Veora found herself saying, instead of the simple <i>yes</i> she had decided upon.<br>
<br>
Brennan chuckled at that. “When I was younger, I had no interest in the matter,” he admitted. “And once I had passed my title to my sister, it was no longer politically salient, and as my interests had not changed… It seemed unnecessary to pursue.”<br>
<br>
He paused, considering as Veora nodded in understanding.<br>
<br>
She and everyone else had long understood Lord Brennan’s choice. Had she the opportunity she would have chosen the same. Though she was beginning to understand that in Beleth people like they had more opportunity for romance in the marriage state than in Theren.<br>
<br>
“But now, a union between us would be politically advantageous for our countries. And I find myself in need of a good conversation partner, and more importantly, someone competent enough to help me manage my estates and finances.”<br>
<br>
Despite no longer being Duke of Perrin, Lord Brennan was quite wealthy regardless. He’d directly inherited a large sum from his father, and had made many good investments. He owned several businesses, as well as three homes. The role of trade minister had expanded very quickly in the last few months, and he found it difficult to split his attention.<br>
<br>
“I should clarify- This marriage would be entirely of a practical nature,” he told her. “When I said I had no interest in marriage as a youth, I mean that my interests were- and still are- outside the fairer sex. And if I may be presumptuous, I have a suspicion that we may differ in that regard.”<br>
<br>
Veora glanced to the bountiful table before raising her gaze to Lord Brennan once more, gulping dryly.<br>
<br>
“They say it is my only flaw as a Lady. A daughter can be perfect in every way in Theren, but if she does not marry, she is a great disappointment to her family. I think I have disappointed mine long enough. If it would please you to have me as your steadfast assistant in your matters Lord Brennan. You would find me most content to live in the arrangement you offer, and ever dedicated to seeing your estate flourish.” She sounded much stronger than she felt.<br>
<br>
With all the years she'd spent clinging to her romanticisms it felt strange to suddenly let go. It left her light headed.<br>
<br>
“Wonderful!,” he said, clearly pleased.<br>
<br>
“And I do not find it a flaw in the least,” Brennan said kindly. “In fact- I think it makes us rather uniquely suited for each other! So long as we are discrete, there is no reason we should not both be married, and happy. And if you should ever decide to take a different type of lover because you want a child, I will name such a child as my heir. Though the duchy will still pass to my nephew,” he clarified.<br>
<br>
Veora gave a breathless laugh, Nyme was right, she hadn't even needed to ask for it. Nyme was right. Nyme was right and she still felt like her heart was breaking.<br>
<br>
“That is a great relief Lord Brennan, that two such people could find so understanding a partner.” Broken hearts mended with time. And after all Nyme was right, this was, on paper, far more than she had a right to hope for in this life. She was a selfish and ungrateful creature to ever think to snub it.<br>
<br>
All for the impracticalities of fairytale romance.<br>
<br>
But Baronesses free of hand did not tie themselves to marriage when they had no reason to and daughters who stood to inherit nothing must marry for their upkeep. That was practical. That was the way of the world.<br>
<br>
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