Arrived Word

Three more days passed before an answer would come from Creseytesia. The sent eagle that arrived nearly caused a royal procession of its own. The inexperienced guardsman ran clumsily to the council, nearly stumbling over the cold stairs before he reached the council. His urgent steps were first seen with annoyance and quickly changed to eyes filled with interest. The letter was given to the one temporarily in charge, Hedara reads the letter in silence. Leaving the other council members in suspense as the cold silence hangs with the slight howling wind.

"What did they say?" The guard captain asks, echoing the same nervousness the messenger brought forth.

"It's more than I expected, that's for sure." Hedara simply responds, dismissing any further questions as she continues to quietly read the reply. "Treat the eagle to something nice and bring me a quill and paper." She says to the still breathing quickly guard, who leaves with a quick bow.

"Something more?" Kykarth Kasten, the representative of the nobles inquires. His long service together with Hedera made him realize that this was something that would need the approval of the grand duke. Otherwise, there would be no need for such doubt from the copper-skinned elf. Hedara stands up and passes the letter to maester Gyraedin, the one seated closest to her. She continues to walk around the triangular table, one hand on the handle of her blade.

"Brandubh." She orders softly, the crows scattering around.

"There appear to be no keen ears." The crow-beaked masked wizard responds, the birds settling down again.

"The rulership of Creseytesia has during the previous decades fallen short of expectation. However, it seems a new wind is approaching."

"In what manner?" Talade Jivalidin asks, seeking more clarity on a matter that sounds like it might impact the financial aspect of the council.

"This letter was sent by Dalbert Estian's heir and court wizard. It seems they've successfully "reformed" the upper nobility to their authority, claiming that Dalbert Estian after this journey will be forced to concede his crown. Even more so they do not offer to solely help but are apparently interested in forming a more permanent alliance. Going even as far as proposing marriage since Dalbert's heir is still unwedded."

"Yet there is no viable match? There is no female of child birthing age that is still unwedded. Unless they mean for an engagement with lady Reo but even then we're speaking of an engagement of more than 10 years!" The maester still surprisingly young looking for his profession yells nearly outraged. The only thing that could give a vague sense of his age is the few strands of gray in his black hair and the haggard eyes of many sleepless nights. Appalled by this hypothetical proposition he has made up in his mind, Gyraedin had to speak his discontent. It was not uncommon for these types of marriages so long as political value was firmly attached. Still even disregarding the fact that lady Reo was a sickly child herself and perhaps would never be able to safely sire children. The issue lies more in the fact of what future would await the sickly child he had personally nursed back to substandard health. "I cannot agree with such a proposition. The child stays in the duchy, Asariel knows how they will treat her."

"Political marriages are never easy." Kykarth Kasten remarks, met with the sour face of the maester. "However, I agree with your sentiment. To ensure this alliance we should opt for someone more suited to the role."

"Any suggestions?" Hedara asks as she seats herself down, receiving the asked-for quill and paper from the rapidly returned young guardsman.

"Not immediately but seeing how you're dancing around the topic it no longer seems necessary." Kykarth laments as he awaits the solution Hedara must have thought of.

"The issue lies in the matter that they need someone from the immediate ducal family to ensure this alliance, and we have no one to fit that role... Yet. Asking the grand duke to try to sire a new daughter would be simply idiotic and a cruel task to ask of a man still in grief. Besides as mentioned such an engagement period will most likely not last." Hedara explains as the letter is meanwhile still being read and passed around by the other council members. Their full attention is focused on the copper-skinned elf's explanation. "Instead, I propose to adopt a young woman that will bear the ducal Norka family name."

Only the cold wind welcomes Hedara's speech, most of the council is either unable to complain or unable to support this idea.

"Then what would be the point for them? The heir of Creseytesia will want to marry someone from a noble bloodline, to aid him in supporting his claim. The adoption of commoners with latent arcane capabilities has been a thing but most marry internally. Besides even Creseytesia's arcane blood seems to be nearing its end. I doubt another attempt will be made to rekindle their innate magical prowess." Kykarth Kasten is forced to lament the decision as he sees no one else standing up to address the issue. There has always been a disparity between Hedara and himself. Kykarth is a higher-born noble man whilst Hedera is an elf who's unaware of who even her parents were. Brought in already 2 ducal heads ago as the then-ducal head's aide. Someone completely alienated from the importance of a noble's bloodline.

"That's why I want to ask you to find a prospective bride. If we are to relay this plan to the duke then we must ensure that everything has been foreseen. Like you so kindly reminded me, Creseytesia could lose interest if the bride is a commoner. Still, this chance of building a firm alliance will only reach out once. If we do not act properly and ensure it then who's to say that they might not ask Witon or Blechia? What if the Sopoirs decide to launch a full-scale invasion? Or if they receive aid from the eastern holy empire?" The grim voice of Hedara brings down the already cold atmosphere. The council each individually thinks about the grimmest possibility they can imagine. Some stand to lose their status whilst others think about what would happen to the closest of them. All are subjected to a grim future if this were to be the case.

"Very well. I'll try to see if I can find a bride fit for a ducal wedding. I'll start with our own vassals, but chances are I might have to reach out to a preserved household in the confederacy." Kykarth Kasten adds as he sits there pensively, going over each noble family and their historical importance.

"Now on to our next topic. How exactly will we use our visitors?" Hedera asks out loud, once again drawing attention to her. In that same cold wind, the next topic is brought forth.