After the nurse gave me a clean bill of health, I delivered the first of, hopefully, many
gifts.
When I found Miss Belladona in the library, she dropped the book she was reading.
-"My L-"
I corrected her.
-"My friend."
.
Her cheeks flushed and she dipped her head.
.
-"Talking about friendship…"
I presented her with the wood carving.
.
-"Is ..is this from…?"
.
I nodded and pointed to the cardinal in the tree.
.
She took into the craftsmanship, many details that added to the whole message.
How the tree roots were shaped like the continents of our world.
In the bird's eyes, there were little cats.
In the cat's eyes, you could see the olive branch.
.
Cardin boyo, you sly dog you.
.
Blake hugged the sculpture to her bosom.
-"If anyone else gave me this, I would cast it aside as a jest in poor taste. But I will be foolish enough to ask: Arc, do you give me your word that this offering is true? That it truly comes from Cardin, son of Winchester, he who traces their line back to Orleans?"
.
I affected my voice. This was too monumental an occasion to fool around.
-"I, Vow Keeper, do attest that to be true. His exact words were thus; the cycle of hate must come to an end. And she is cute."
.
-"Wait here!"
She zoomed out of the library giving Miss Rose's speed a run for her money.
A scant minutes later, she returned with a pair of scissors.
-"When Gimli asked for no reward, the Lady of the Forest gifted him three hairs."
She cut a sizeable lock of her hair.
"I'm not that stingy"
Then she retrieved a locket from her neckline. Inside there were pictures of Kali and Ghira hugging Blake. She placed the lock of her hair inside and offered it to me.
.
My shaking hands grasped the political equivalent of a Dust Air Bomb.
I bid her goodbye and went in the search of my buddy.
.
.
I eyed the locked, secure in my pocket.
Well, at least ONE of my plans is going straight.
I dragged a hand across my face.
.
Plan Thrice Rebuffed was going bad.
Not bad, was going epically right. In the opposite direction.
Weiss stopped by my bed in the infirmary. Each night she would bring some traditional cuisine from the frigid lands of Atlas. Bannock, butter tarts, beavertails….
I eyed my tummy.
Traitor.
But not only her food was glorious. I got to know her witty banter. Her posh voices when mocking the Board. Her smile and..-
Oh my Oum! I need reinforcements, the enemy is cunning. I will ask for Vasilias's expertise in mucking up every single pickup.
.
My scroll displayed one- new message. It said:
I won't let any hussy dig her claws on my lil' bro.
Saffron.
.
YESSSSSSSS!
Well, actually... She could cause an incident between our houses. Nay, between our kingdoms.
But I was desperate and it was a risk I was willing to take.
.
I knocked someone around the corner and I fell on top of a very feminine form.
-"Pyr! I haven't seen you in days!"
.
She looked pale and had dark rings under her eyes.
-"So sooSOorrry. Pllease don't tell her. ImsoooSooorryy. Plsi-"
.
After I stood up I offered my hand but she took off like the devil was after her.
.
I eyed my scroll again.
Way to go, sis.
And facepalmed.