The meeting room of Castle Styer is spacious; its tall windows let the pale light of the moon pick out dust motes as they float in the air, as they move with the heat from the fireplace. Five men sit around an oak table, its once-polished surface now showing its age. Vialten’s brow is furrowed; he taps his finger lightly against his chin. Lyran leans forward ever so slightly, resting his hands on the table; he reads the reactions of the surrounding men. Eler sits half-turned, focusing on the two men next to him; with a raised brow, he strokes his chin. Mar?l rests his cheek in his palm; he looks towards C?rten. C?rten stares at the table, as if trying to see his leg shake beneath it.

  A torn envelope sits between them, its wax seal scattered with minimal respect, and an open letter.

  “There appears to be a mildly threatening atmosphere about this letter.” Breaking the silence, Eler looks suspiciously at the four men around him.

  “What are you suggesting, Eler?” Responds Vialten. The gazes of the two men meet through knitted brows.

  “I am suggesting there is a traitor among us.” Eler knows something's wrong; she should not know, she could not know.

  “Cease with these unfounded accusations.” Mar?l responds; his tone is short, slightly panicked, but not enough to be noticed.

  “I am making no accusations, Mar?l; I am merely suggesting.” Eler glares towards Mar?l, suspicious of the man's quick response.

  “Gentlemen, we have no reason to squabble like this; we must be rational. We are the closest sovereign kingdom to the Crown. It is simply Gekaryna vela’Herst wishing to meet with us and young King Drewer.” Lyran says in an attempt to calm the group. He had met Athalric VI many times before; the man was always on top of the goings-on of Iania. He imagines Athalric’s daughter is no different.

  “I— I disagree, Lyran.” Says C?rten, nervously ringing his hands before him. “I think the rumors are true; she knows—the Hersts always know.”

  “Do not be ridiculous. First Eler suggests a traitor, and now you believe the fae-tales of the Hersts possessing clairvoyance. The family has been abusing hallucinogens for well over a thousand years. They are simply just well-bred and well-trained monarchs.”

  “Put this talk of a traitor to rest.” Vialten places both hands on the table, leaning in deeper. “Each one of us has the best interests of Drewer and this kingdom in mind. I will entertain talks of fae-tales but not of treachery.”

  C?rten and Mar?l quickly glance at each other from across the table.

  “I do not wish to bring the supernatural into political discussions, but if it allows for our decisions and discussion to flow freely and without bickering, I will agree to work under the assumption that Gekaryna vela’Herst was aware of our intent to take the barony of Sc?dstan.” Says Lyran.

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  “You cannot be serious, Lyran.” Says Eler. “You are more inclined to believe that she can see the future than admit there is a rat in our midst?”

  “I simply said that we work under the assumption that she knows, not that she is a clairvoyant. The more you discuss this idea of a rat—of a traitor—the more we will all subconsciously believe it. Your suggestions of this ‘traitor’ will do far more damage to this counsel than any traitor ever could.” Responds Lyran.

  “I would say a traitor would seek to instill paranoia among us.” Mar?l looks towards Eler, hoping to direct the accusations back towards him.

  “Speak your mind, Mar?l!” responds Eler.

  “ENOUGH!” Vialten slams his fist down onto the table; the glasses shake, tea spilling from Eler’s. “We will discuss the contents of this letter; we will not fight amongst ourselves. If we do not handle this rationally and with a calm mind, we will play into her hand.”

  “Let us take a vote.” suggests Lyran. “Who here believes that this is simply a friendly letter asking for a meeting? Please raise your hand.”

  Lyran raises his hand; Vialten looks around, skeptical at first, and then raises his as well, shortly followed by both Mar?l and C?rten.

  “Hmm... Well then, I guess we continue under the assumption that Gekaryna vela’Herst knows.” Lyran says, looking towards Eler to emphasize the fact that this traitor talk is over. “It’s clear she is threatening military pressure if we do not reply, meaning the same military pressure—if not more—can be assumed if we decline her invitation. So we simply must have her as a guest.”

  The advisors nod in agreement.

  “I would like to push this dinner as far back as we reasonably can.” says Vialten.

  “Why is that?”

  “I wish to observe how she rules. I feel as though—assuming that she knows about our plans—it might be best that we now form an alliance with her.”

  Mar?l and C?rten respond in agreement.

  “What? so you are just going to throw our planning and preparation out the window?” Eler squints at Vialten, throwing a hand up before him. “I have been in discussion with Alavel Heren for the last six months trying to find agreeable terms for a dowry between my son and his daughter, Mina. Now we just throw that all away?”

  “How is this throwing it away? You wanted to kill Alavel and then have your son placed in charge. We can still have the marriage between Floreke and Mina this way and also gain the benefit of being in the good graces of the Crown.” argues Mar?l.

  “She will gain influence in our court for as long as Alavel is baron of Sc?dstun.” responds Eler.

  “I agree with Mar?l.” says Lyran. “We are in a significantly better situation if we simply work with the Crown; just by having the marriage we gain influence in her court as well.”

  “We will not be killing Alavel; this is off the table now.” says Vialten.

  C?rten nods in agreement.

  “I agree as well, but we must be to stay sovereign. I made a promise to W?rner that I would see his son be old enough to take the throne and reign as sovereign. I will keep this promise. If Drewer wishes to become a baron under the Crown when he comes of age, that is his decision to make. Until then, I will keep my word.” Says Vialten.

  “What of becoming a barony under the Crown now—well, at the time of the dinner? What then?” asks C?rten.

  “We refuse. I will inform her of my promise if she asks; I’m sure she will be understanding—I feel as though we will be all but promising her this land.”

  “Raise a hand all those in favor of seeking an alliance with the Crown.” requests Lyran

  All but Eler raise a hand.

  “What date do you wish to go with?” Lyran readies a quill and takes out a notepad.

  “The fifteenth day of the twelfth maiden should be enough.” Says Vialten.

  Lyran begins to draft a letter. Upon finishing, he passes it around the group. Vialten, Mar?l, and C?rten give words of approval; Eler grunts, gazing upon the paper with disdain.

  “I shall have it mailed promptly.” Lyran stands and heads for the door.