Payments Due

[Taiylor Wallace]

"It's alright, my dear," Hinden wrapped one of his massive arms about her. "I got myself into the fight on purpose. The more people Marcellus has to deal with, the less damage he can cause. None of it is your fault." He nuzzled her cheek gently.

Brammond stepped in, and Hinden lifted his head in surprise. "Endgren- or Hinden, I should say. You've no idea how good it is to see you again, my brother." Brammond stepped up to place a gentle hand on Hinden's snout. Brothers in arms from years past, just line Amelia's father had been with them.

"And you, Brammond. I'm glad you're here, but I must beg your pardon, I'm terribly exhausted. I'll be fit to go on after a couple days."

"Take your time, friend. The lady's about to take charge, and a war will surely follow. You have time, though, and we'll find a way to fix those wings."

"Thank you. You, Amelia, and Rogal." Hinden settled down to get some rest, and they let him be.

[Rose Swan]

Amelia retreated out of the cavern with a sigh. Poor Hinden had no need to do that. She led them all to the dwarven area of town and found Brevir's door. A hard few knocks were given, and she called out Brevir! It's Amelia with some guest! Can we come in?" Amelia sounded tired now, like it had been a long day. It had, but things were looking up for a bit before war happened. The calm before the storm almost.

[Taiylor Wallace]

"Come on in, lass! Yer jes' in toime, got me more cider!"

"Brevir!" Brammond called as they stepped in. "Where are you hiding, old man?"

"Ol' man, eh? I'll 'ave ye know, yer royal fanciness, yer near a good millenium old an I'm jes fifty!"

"Old by proportion." Brammond laughed as the stocky dwarf stepped out.

"Yer all causin' quoite th'fuss 'roun' 'ere. Dwarves is ready ter kill ol' Marcellus fer troiyin' ter burn a lad their princess likes."

[Rose Swan]

"Marcellus won't try anything with King Brammond around, and the executions he was trying won't happen. I won't let them, and the man he was trying to burn is a Prince. It doesn't change the fact that I'm still driving him out of Hannibal, but there probably will be war. But I have good allies on my side, one of whom is crucial to my plan." She smiled and elbowed Rogal playfully. He hadn't said much the past hour or so. She wondered if he was still trying to process it all. She'd talk to him later when she had him alone.

[Taiylor Wallace]

Rogal chuckled lightly at her, nudging her elbow away, but he remained rather quiet. Brevir treated them all to his best cider and spirits, and after a while, Brammond leaned forward on the table. "So, then, kids... I imagine war will be upon us within... Oh, a month, if not sooner. What're we going to do? I have witches at my disposal, and some soldiers, but there aren't many people in the Arctic."

"And I can gather my tribe to our cause if they know Amelia is in control," Timur added.

"Mine as well," Ben nodded.

"And I can call on my allies elsewhere," Rogal added quietly. "Dragons, witches, werecreatures... the people humans cast out in fear, but they'll accept them when they see we mean well."

"Very true. Above all, Amelia," Brammond looked at her, "The humans are the ones who have to be swayed. The dwarves and elves have little quarrel with the other races, but humans are deathly afraid of unchained dragons and werecreatures and witches."

[Rose Swan]

Amelia nodded. "The people love me. I don't know how to sway them to not be afraid of the other creatures unless we have Marcellus out of Hannibal. The best way is to integrate them into society. But with the current laws, we can't right now. But Brammond, you're a witch, and my people trust you as a great ally. And my demonstration in the square should have at least lessened the fear of witches, but I'm still not sure. And war in a month? That gives us little to no time to pull part two of our plan together." she said with a sigh. She kept it in a more coded form because an official announcement about her engagement to Rogal wasn't made yet. With the possibility of spies everywhere, they couldn't be too careful.

[Taiylor Wallace]

"We can work fast, my dear. Like I said before, you leave the people's integration to me. I'll need Ben, Timur, and Hinden to do it, though. Rogal, my boy, stay at Amelia's side at all times. God knows what'll go on in the craziness to come." Rogal only nodded to him.
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The next day, the ball was ready thanks to the fast-working staff and Hannibal's constant readiness for such things. Brammond stepped into the grand room in his best robes of black, silver, and white with the Arctic Crest (a vast black mountain against the white moon) about his neck and on his cloak. Rogal had dressed similarly, but the white of his outfit was replaced by red, including on the Crests. As he was the prince, he had his own version of the crest.
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Also there came Miranos with Marcellus. Miranos was dressed in his coutry's light and dark purples and black, while Marcellus dressed in Hannibal's deep blue and white with a Miranoan crest about his neck to show where he came from. He looked terribly nervous, and he had a dark bruise along his cheekbone from his father. The man had been reduced to a frightened boy, and it was actually becoming somewhat painful to see.
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"Ah, my dear fellows!" Brammond's voice boomed into the hall. Commoners and nobles alike had been allowed in. The people called back happy hellos and Brammond greeted all and shook every hand he possibly could. They loved him like they'd loved Old King Hannibal. Rogal was also welcomed now that it was known he was the mysterious Prince Devereaux. Marcellus and Miranos, though... they were ignored unless they spoke to someone or a noble wanted to kiss up to them. Rogal left in the middle of the greetings to come find Amelia, whom he was meant to escort in. Timur and Ben were with her, to be introduced by Miranos.
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"Are you ready?" Rogal asked as he arrived at Amelia's side.

[Rose Swan]

For the ball the next day, Amelia was dressed in the deep blue of her country and gold rather than white, with the crest of Hannibal in smaller form on a thin gold chain around her neck. Her hair was pulled in a messy bun to the side, and diamonds dangled from her ears. Her lips were painted with red, and and she looked incredibly different from her normal day-to-day wear. She was nervous about everything. But still, she showed a look of confidence as to show she was better than the now frightened boy that was Marcellus. She searched the crowd for Rogal, who was supposed to be her escort.

Lucky for her, he found her first. "Not quite. I wish my father would be here to see this day. I had always thought he'd be here for things like this. But are you ready? You were awfully quiet yesterday, like you were deep in thought or overwhelmed. You never really gave an answer to this when it was only an idea. I'll tell your father to call it off if this isn't what you're okay with. I don't want to force you into anything. We'd find another way." she said, looking genuinely concerned. "And you look dashing tonight, by the way." There was a slight smile that followed, but she still looked worried about him.

[Taiylor Wallace]

He smiled softly, more so than ever before. He'd really warmed up to her. "I've just been thinking a lot lately, but I'll be glad to go through with this. It's not even about payment anymore- you owe me nothing- it's about Hannibal and the Arctic." He offered her his arm. "And you look absolutely gorgeous yourself." He escorted her out, Ben and Timur behind. The people all bowed to her immediately, smiles on all the faces that said they still loved her despite Marcellus' blasphemy. Brammond took his place at the head of the room off to one side of the throne. Marcellus approached to take it as he always had, but a quiet, dark growl from Brammond made him change course in mid-step to take up a seat further down with his father. Rogal approached with Amelia, and Lenny with Ben as Ben met him. Brammond chuckled, and moved down a seat so that Lenny could sit on one side of Amelia, and Rogal on the other. Ben and Timur took up guardsman positions on either end.
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Brammond smiled to Amelia, "Address your people, my dear. They're eager to hear from you. Rumors abound that you have a surprise for them."

[Rose Swan]

Amelia accepted his arm and he escorted her into the room. She smiled and waved at her people as she walked to the head of the room. She loved them all so much. The light in the room made her jewelry and golden tiara glitter, and somehow her nerves were calmed by Rogal being close by. She had warmed up to him as well. This time, she took the throne at the head of the room, Lenny beside her in a still elegant chair. Rogal was still at her side at the table as well. Champagne was brought around as she took her seat, and Brammond told her his instructions. She nodded, and stood with the champagne flute in hand.

"Ladies and gentleman of Hannibal, it gives me great pleasure to see you all here tonight. We are honored to receive the kings of two great countries, and it is rare to have three nations here in unity and peace. We are thankful to have them here and welcome them warmly.

Before we begin I have an announcement to make. As we all know, I am eligible for marriage. I have received a proposal I simply could not refuse, and I'd like to present my new fiance this evening: Prince Rogal Archer Devereaux, son of King Barammond Devereaux. The Devereaux family has always been a great ally of Hannibal, and I believe this marriage will strengthen our alliance that my father had worked hard to create. And with this announcement, I'd like to state that in my father's will he had said that the services of a Regent will no longer be necessary, and tonight we shall celebrate his services and bid him a warm farewell and good luck on his future endeavors. Now then, there is delicious food in the kitchen waiting for us, and afterward there's a party we have all been waiting for. I think this one will be one of the most wonderful, as we have much to celebrate, yes? People of Hannibal, thank you for coming, and now enjoy!" She was smiling throughout the speech, and finally shot a smug glance at the now demoted Regent before taking a seat and squeezing Rogal's hand. It was done.

The food was brought out, and men constantly got up to go put their names on dance cards for the ladies throughout the meal. Hers was already partially full with Rogal, Marcellus, and the two kings and her brother. Things were about to get very interesting. When her plate cleared from the table and the servants escorted them all into the ballroom, she glanced at her dance card to see who was first. Rogal. Thank God.