Grevis's Estate, Lalrial
13th of Gerna, 1200 AU
The column drifted past the gateway of the Duvards' Lalrial estate, a mass of downturned faces shrouded in black. There were around thirty knights in all, who wore thin, black veils over their multicolored tabards. At their head rode the King and Queen of Ignis, likewise shadowed by their garb, and accompanied by their children who still lived in Ignis. The Duvard assembly, more like a funeral procession, snaked down the roads of the capital in silence. Taramyth had been a good friend to King Roman; he owed the late Emperor a proper mourning.
As he rode, Roman's mind wandered to one expedition where he had the fortune of accompanying Taramyth. It had been a crisp day of Ra-hun-ru's month, and their vessel sailed right into the midst of a school of glimmerdrakes. He remembered the splash of saltwater as the serpents hurled themselves from the surface and rolled back in mere yards away. His tunic was soaked, but Roman had been as giddy as a boy with a sweetbun. He allowed his lips to form a weak smile, which he kept to himself.
In a span of hours, the Duvards reached the gate of the estate where Allianna had set up her gathering. They were led to the stables, dismounted, and gathered at the portico of the property to await entry.
"...Announcing the arrival of House Duvard: King-Elector Roman of Ignis, his wife Queen Dragica, Prince Guillame and Princess Helen!" a herald wheezed. Another janitor bid them welcome and led them in after a deep bow.
"It is a delight to have the company of House Duvard with us," the janitor chirped, "closest friends of the Valarien family and faithful retainers all. It is my privilege to bid you indulge in every-"
"We have come not to revel, but to mourn," cut Roman's smoky voice. "It would be a great disservice to the late Emperor Taramyth to proceed with the summit, without first honoring his memory."
The janitor paused, taken aback, but quickly regained his composure and put on a face to placate the Ignesian.
"Why, absolutely; you're entirely correct, your lordship. The loss of the late Emperor is a great misfortune upon Ethica. He was fortunate to have such close bonds with your house-"
Roman stepped past the man without another word, arms outstretched. He clasped his son’s arms in an embrace that was both fatherly and reverent.
“Father,” Edgar began, sinking into Roman’s cloak, “It’s moving to see your ensemble bedecked for grief. I remember how fond you were of the late Emperor.” He gave his father’s shoulder a pat of consolation and turned to look him in the eye.
“Your compassion warms my heart,” Roman answered. “If only every heir in Ethica was as humane,” he jabbed, a dart obviously intended for the party’s host.
“And my dear Sophsi!” The king of Ignis opened his wing to draw her into the embrace. “You are truly a sight to behold; a spitting image of Her Grace, Lalaifia!”
“She does look fit to rule Ethica,” came Guillame’s voice, who clasped his sibling’s shoulder in greeting.
“It’s so good to have the family together,” remarked Dragica, regarding her sons and daughters in-law behind her veil. “If only your sisters were here.”
Sophsi smiled from within the group hug, “Well we are all here together for this, I’m sure they would be here with us if they could.”
“If only Emperor Taramyth was still with us as well,” Roman sighed. He wiped his face on the back of his hand.
“Your uncle was very close to him,” Dragica remarked to Sophsi. “The news didn’t come easy,” she added in a whisper.
“It didn’t come easy to any heart not turned stone,” Sophsi added a sympathetic nod, she herself remembering her uncle Taramyth’s part in her youth.
“Edgar was fortunate to wed
you in that regard,” Ignis’s queen chirped, with a nod towards Alliana some distance away. Edgar shifted his feet and smiled unconvincingly.
Sophsi looked over to her husband, her brow perked, “Problem?”
“Hm? Oh, nothing, I concur! I applaud your judgement with our betrothal, mother.”
“This isn’t about the vinegar is it?” A curl took Sophsi’s smile.
“The vinegar?” Dragica echoed. “Whatever do you mean?”
Edgar quickly pointed away from the huddle and added, “Oh, look, here come Jakinius and Ana! You haven’t seen them for ages, mother!”
Making his way over to the Duvard delegation upon noticing their arrival, Jakinius's stride was confident with-- Anastazie on his arm as he moved to greet them. He had since cleaned up considerably upon arriving just yesterday into the capital. His snow white beard now trimmed short in the classic imperial noblemen fashion, sideburns just visible. "Lord Roman," Jakinius began by way of greeting, including his head, "it gladdens me to see you once more. Though I wish it were on a more merry occasion."
“Jakinius, my heart goes out to you and your family,” Roman greeted the claimant, taking his hand and leaning in to wrap the other around his shoulders. “My house and I extend our sympathy to the Valariens.” He embraced his daughter after, remarking how long it had been since she first left Ignis to live with her husband.
The Duvards and Valariens lingered for a while longer, exchanging arms, sympathies and reminiscing of days past.
“It is good to know the Duvards stand stalwart as always,” Allianna’s voice finally reached the crowd, her eyes quickly finding Jakinius’ with a smile. Ignoring Sophsi completely, she spoke directly to her older brother, “ I missed you.”
"A sentiment I share dear sister," Jakinius said with a sober smile as he embraced his younger sister with an arm. Standing back and arms at his side the Centurion added, "I see you have not changed much." A knowing look in his eyes.
“You did,” Allianna frowned, “you’re more square in the jaw.” Her eyes prodded his face for more signs of aging, “but still my brother.” Her words ended on a smile.
“Speaking of change, it seems a certain Valarien-Duvard went through quite the sudden transformation,” Allianna added loudly, “boisterous and as colorful as ever, peacock?”
“If I remember correctly, that was the endearment I gifted to you back during our fifteenth summer,” Sophsi’s voice answered.
“Consider it a return then,” Allianna’s lips pursed.
Sophsi’s eyes rolled and she shook her head, “I don’t have time-- no one has time to continue old arguments, Alli.”
“How about a new one then?” Allianna challenged, “what’s all this?” She made a clear gesture to Sophsi’s outfit, already knowing the answer.
“It’s not unusual for
contenders to dress like the figures of old before an election, you know this, we went to the same history lectures,” Sophsi answered sharply, “things haven’t changed in custom since the last, people still wear remnants of their ancestral past to connect politically, people still send the strongest children north, and people still marry off their most promising kin.”
The final sentence made Allianna’s nose twitch with suppressed fury.
“But I digress,” Sophsi continued with a pseudo softness to her tone, “surely there are more important matters of the realm than what I’m wearing?”
At this point Allianna’s eyes were slits as she practically growled her response, “there are.”
Jakinius lifted his hands in a gesture of peace. "Yes, yes, there are more important matters to attend. It would not do to have the High Houses see contenders squabble. Strength in Unity."
“Strength in Unity.” Allianna and Sophsi muttered regretfully at the same time.
Ralltene Valarien
Ralltene watched as Diende Argider approached, inclining his head in response to the man's Kawachian style bow. Ralltene listened closely to every word Diende spoke, filling the Diende's apparent aversion toward the other candidates in the back of his mind. He carried himself as one might have expected for a member of the 'Unruly' southern House Chalarensis.
"I see," Ralltene began. "It is a...pleasure to meet the patriarch of House Chalarensis in person." His almost dry response might have hinted that his statement was less than true yet his smile was the picture of genuine despite his apparent tone. "The vocal support of your house is certainly gratifying to hear."
He paused a moment if considering something then continued, "If I would be so forward. It is well known the... disquiet... between our two houses Duke Ormoneric. I fear my late father, Kammeth bear his soul, did little in regards to overcoming old grudges as it were. So the displeasure of your house is certainly in the realm of understandable. However, it has been my personal experience that one must put aside personal feelings in order to fully benefit from any dealings two parties may achieve together. A valuable skill one learns when forging both business ventures or ruling an empire. Regardless of what many may think or feel, I believe there are trying times ahead for the Empire. As for any aid, you might grant for my candidacy."
Ralletene smiled, "I consider the voicing of your support is certainly a step in the right direction. I shall certainly hold you to your words. As for your business with my wife-- that I shall leave to her. Now if you would please excuse me, I myself have an affair to set right with good Lord Aldrick." He inclined his head to both Victoria and Diende as he excused himself. Already thinking of how to use this turn of events to better serve his ambitions.
