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Jalapenohitchhiker
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The queen only smiled at the mention of Avram. He was a sentimental one, which likely contributed to his friendliness towards Myla. Unfortunately he let that aspect of him blind him to the obvious facts sometimes, especially now. There was also the possibility that the girl managed to sway him the way only a woman could. Meredina did not believe Avram was that foolish though. He was far too intelligent. But it did not change the fact that he did not understand how dangerous the girl was simply because he was blinded by what used to be a friendship. "Careful of how you speak about my son," she warned with a glower. "He is our king now, and you would do well to remember that." When she was satisfied that those words seeped in her expression softened, but only slightly. "He is a caring man, but the stresses of ruling a kingdom will harden him before long. Myla Auvery is dangerous, and he will come to realize it soon enough. But for now, he does not have to know about your mission." If Avram continued to ignore the obvious dangers then Meredina would have to continue to work behind his back. Of course now that she was being offered the position of spymaster there would be fewer opportunities for her to see those secret activities were done.
When Darwyn informed her about Ser Ector and Larcin Godfrey, the only change on Meredina's face was a raised eyebrow and nothing more. Inside, however, she was boiling. The Viricof Legion. She was certain that order of knights had died with Jensen Auvery. In all likelihood it had, but there was still a sliver of worry that it could reemerge as long as Myla was alive, even if it did not come back as powerful. Would the former knights follow a woman, even if she did possess the name? So long as Darwyn succeeded, none of that would matter. "I do not care what happens to this Ser Ector. If he is helping her as willingly as you say, then death for him would be best. As for Larcin..." She pursed her lips in frustration. Surely Ser Gerold would not be happy to hear his son's death came from one of his own guards, and one that he trusted so much at that. "You will have to kill him of course. If he were to live and then speak of who was behind the Auvery girl's death, it will surely lead back to us. Succeed in this mission and you will not have to worry about a new Viricof Legion." With that she stood and motioned for him to leave. "You have my blessing for this mission, Darwyn, so I trust you will not fail." When he stood she grinned slyly and placed a hand on his face, caressing his cheek as if he were a lover. The gods would surely rage at her for such an action, especially so soon after her husband's death. But a man was always more motivated to finish a task when he thought there would be a reward at the end. "Now I must be on my way to the council chambers. I will see you once more before you leave." He really was quite a handsome man, and with Feldon's strong embrace missing for so long it would be nice to feel such a powerful build around her. But not now. Never until the task was complete or his loyalty seemed to waiver.
To say that the palace was overflowing was an understatement. Servants bustled and sprinted around every corner and down every corridor, guards were shuffling about to make sure no one unwanted entered the castle, and Avram was on the verge of being married. The reality of it had not really hit until now, as he was awaiting Lyanna to be escorted to front of the great hall. He had not seen her since the funeral the day before, and not a word was spoken between them since the night he frightened her off. The same night he spent with Myla. By rights it was she who Avram should be waiting for, not Lyanna. But as fate would have it, the Eburharts were the ones who appeared through the large double doors at the end of the hall. She was escorted by her entire family, as was tradition, including some of her cousins that Avram did not quite know. Despite the lack of a smile, which was hardly a surprise, she looked quite beautiful and held all the elegance of a queen. Of course, elegance was not enough for one to make a good queen, she she probably knew herself. Had she been as strong willed as his mother, Lyanna would not have avoided him in these days leading up to their wedding.
There was still no sign that any member of Lyanna's family knew of what he said to her. Corlan looked as proud as ever strolling along next to his daughter. He was not one to display happiness so openly, or any emotion for that matter. But he did seem to have a slight spring in his step after the council meeting yesterday. He was named the council chief, saying he would have Harrick take over as lord of Ahthari. Though he claimed the move was not permanent, Warren could not be pleased with that. He exited the womb only minutes after Harrick, but it was enough of a reason for Corlan to decide which of them would inherit his lands, at least temporarily as he claimed. Lord Mirac, the new master of laws, was just as proud of his new position as Corlan was. Though for this occasion he elected to remain near his family instead of with the other council members, perhaps to avoid flaunting his new position. The queen, or rather the old queen, accepted her new position as spymaster without emotion, other than to smile at her son warmly as if she had expected to be placed on the council all along. She, of course, stood by him on the dais along with her daughters, and Carsil as well.
Before he knew it, Avram was standing face to face with Lyanna and he forced a smile before taking her arm and escorting her to the lavishly decorated thrones that were placed on the dais. When they sat, Priest Alemar, the same one who crowned him yesterday, was standing before them and murmuring prayers while staring up at the high ceiling. Finally he faced the enormous assembly before them and addressed all who were present in a voice that projected far louder than it should have for a man of his age. "The gods brought us a new king yesterday. Now, they bring us a new queen as well. Let their blessings continue and see a fertile womb bring new royalty into this world. King Avram of the royal house of Barkwer and Lady Lyanna of the noble house of Eburhart. May the gods shine upon them and see an era of prosperity reign for generations to come." More words for the sake of words as Avram saw it. Half of him wanted to get on with the ceremony and the wedding as a whole so he could move on to important matters, such as preparing for war. The other half of him was not so willing, however. At the end of the night, he would have to consummate the marriage with Lyanna. Could he really do such a thing after having already experienced Myla? The woman was pretty enough, but there would be no love in the act. You are a fool if you still believe a king can choose love before power, he inwardly reprimanded himself. Perhaps some wine would help.
When Darwyn informed her about Ser Ector and Larcin Godfrey, the only change on Meredina's face was a raised eyebrow and nothing more. Inside, however, she was boiling. The Viricof Legion. She was certain that order of knights had died with Jensen Auvery. In all likelihood it had, but there was still a sliver of worry that it could reemerge as long as Myla was alive, even if it did not come back as powerful. Would the former knights follow a woman, even if she did possess the name? So long as Darwyn succeeded, none of that would matter. "I do not care what happens to this Ser Ector. If he is helping her as willingly as you say, then death for him would be best. As for Larcin..." She pursed her lips in frustration. Surely Ser Gerold would not be happy to hear his son's death came from one of his own guards, and one that he trusted so much at that. "You will have to kill him of course. If he were to live and then speak of who was behind the Auvery girl's death, it will surely lead back to us. Succeed in this mission and you will not have to worry about a new Viricof Legion." With that she stood and motioned for him to leave. "You have my blessing for this mission, Darwyn, so I trust you will not fail." When he stood she grinned slyly and placed a hand on his face, caressing his cheek as if he were a lover. The gods would surely rage at her for such an action, especially so soon after her husband's death. But a man was always more motivated to finish a task when he thought there would be a reward at the end. "Now I must be on my way to the council chambers. I will see you once more before you leave." He really was quite a handsome man, and with Feldon's strong embrace missing for so long it would be nice to feel such a powerful build around her. But not now. Never until the task was complete or his loyalty seemed to waiver.
To say that the palace was overflowing was an understatement. Servants bustled and sprinted around every corner and down every corridor, guards were shuffling about to make sure no one unwanted entered the castle, and Avram was on the verge of being married. The reality of it had not really hit until now, as he was awaiting Lyanna to be escorted to front of the great hall. He had not seen her since the funeral the day before, and not a word was spoken between them since the night he frightened her off. The same night he spent with Myla. By rights it was she who Avram should be waiting for, not Lyanna. But as fate would have it, the Eburharts were the ones who appeared through the large double doors at the end of the hall. She was escorted by her entire family, as was tradition, including some of her cousins that Avram did not quite know. Despite the lack of a smile, which was hardly a surprise, she looked quite beautiful and held all the elegance of a queen. Of course, elegance was not enough for one to make a good queen, she she probably knew herself. Had she been as strong willed as his mother, Lyanna would not have avoided him in these days leading up to their wedding.
There was still no sign that any member of Lyanna's family knew of what he said to her. Corlan looked as proud as ever strolling along next to his daughter. He was not one to display happiness so openly, or any emotion for that matter. But he did seem to have a slight spring in his step after the council meeting yesterday. He was named the council chief, saying he would have Harrick take over as lord of Ahthari. Though he claimed the move was not permanent, Warren could not be pleased with that. He exited the womb only minutes after Harrick, but it was enough of a reason for Corlan to decide which of them would inherit his lands, at least temporarily as he claimed. Lord Mirac, the new master of laws, was just as proud of his new position as Corlan was. Though for this occasion he elected to remain near his family instead of with the other council members, perhaps to avoid flaunting his new position. The queen, or rather the old queen, accepted her new position as spymaster without emotion, other than to smile at her son warmly as if she had expected to be placed on the council all along. She, of course, stood by him on the dais along with her daughters, and Carsil as well.
Before he knew it, Avram was standing face to face with Lyanna and he forced a smile before taking her arm and escorting her to the lavishly decorated thrones that were placed on the dais. When they sat, Priest Alemar, the same one who crowned him yesterday, was standing before them and murmuring prayers while staring up at the high ceiling. Finally he faced the enormous assembly before them and addressed all who were present in a voice that projected far louder than it should have for a man of his age. "The gods brought us a new king yesterday. Now, they bring us a new queen as well. Let their blessings continue and see a fertile womb bring new royalty into this world. King Avram of the royal house of Barkwer and Lady Lyanna of the noble house of Eburhart. May the gods shine upon them and see an era of prosperity reign for generations to come." More words for the sake of words as Avram saw it. Half of him wanted to get on with the ceremony and the wedding as a whole so he could move on to important matters, such as preparing for war. The other half of him was not so willing, however. At the end of the night, he would have to consummate the marriage with Lyanna. Could he really do such a thing after having already experienced Myla? The woman was pretty enough, but there would be no love in the act. You are a fool if you still believe a king can choose love before power, he inwardly reprimanded himself. Perhaps some wine would help.