"...by that foul Plegian witch you allow free reign of your own palace!" Bradshaw seethed. "You allow her to corrupt your daughter with impunity! I find myself glad Isolde is dead, so she cannot see what an utter failure her son has become! Plegia is our enemy! Plegia has always been our enemy! They always will be! And if you choose to naively ignore the threat they pose to all your people, I swear by Naga above, I WILL NOT!"
Without another word, Claudius Bradshaw pushed his chair away, and stalked out of the chamber, his robes rippling as he strode out. Lady Fall followed him a moment later, offering a formal curtsy before she too left, worry in her eyes. Seven others, the other Isoldian's (and two Bulls), all soon followed suit, but unlike Bradshaw, they showed at least some respect as they left, offering murmured 'Your Radiance's' and bows or curtsies as they headed after the leader of their political faction.
Emmeryn took a calming breath after all of the Isoldian's had departed. She found many of the councillors to be terrifying, and the fact that this group of men and women were the ones that ruled over the various regions of the Halidom was...disconcerting sometimes. The Isoldian's however, she felt...disgusted by. The reason for Bradshaw's outburst had been a response to her father announcing that she was now in open and friendly conversation with Crown Prince Robin, in preparation for a potential meeting between the two. Peace it seemed, would happen.
From what the young Princess could tell, only two of the people that had just left the room had genuine reasons for their hatred. Cintra Fall had lost her father in the last battle, and Abenddis' lands were on the frontline of the crusade, and they had predictably suffered deeply. Aurelian Abenddis was now bound to a wheelchair and greying by the day despite only being in his early forties, but his wits and mind remained sharp. He still dealt with his paperwork personally everyday and had written poetry books in his youth. She supposed that Lord Bradshaw's grievance, that being Isolde's closest ally and lifelong friend, might also count..but she couldn't see how that was on the same level as Fall and Abenddis. In her eyes, he was just an old man that was desperate to hold onto what little, waning power he still had.
Emmeryn did think that Lady Fall was pretty though, with her dark hair and golden eyes that seemed to constantly be blazing in barely controlled fury. She wasn't that much older than her, the difference between eighteen and twelve was only six years after all.
"...Does anyone else wish to leave?" Her father asked in what she called his 'Exalt' tone of voice. The one that carried the full weight of his authority and power, the point where he was done putting up with the usual prattle of his argumentative councilors. The point where he was as far from her father as he ever got. The true meaning of his words needed not be said: Who else wishes to skirt treason?
He eyed the remaining men and women, the Bulls and the Irises, as a heavy silence fell upon them all. Their gazes fell to the table as the gaze of their Exalt crossed them. "I shall take your silence as a no. Let us continue."
It was a Bull, Duke Bloodman that spoke first. "As you say, Your Radiance. Might I offer a suggestion as to a location for a meeting? The border of the Ylissean and Plegian Marches would seem a good spot."
"The spot of some of the bloodiest fighting in my Mother's Crusade?" Nicholas asked in an unimpressed tone. "I doubt our friends to the West would appreciate that, Duke Bloodman. Perhaps we ought to host the meeting in your city. At least Plegia respects and approves of trade."
The Duke smiled neutrally at the comment. "I would be honoured to host two Royal families, Your Radiance. But I fear that my dear Salthall Manor is too poor a palace as to host such an...auspicious meeting."
A faint round of chuckles went around the room, and the uncomfortable air slowly began to dissipate as the various councillors settled into debate and conversation. Emmeryn, if she was being honest with herself, tuned most of it out. Taxes and trade routes and...stuff bored her. Ever since she had received the letter from Robin, she had actually spoken with the current Hierarch, Herschel Morris, on matters of the faith. It had...embarrassed her, to think that something two years her junior knew more of his faith than she did of hers. Sir Agatha had assuaged some of her concerns, pointing out that Robin had been training to become a Priest before his father had ascended the Plegian Throne. The Dark Flier pointed out that she was probably better at being a Royal, as Robin had only been so for only a few months.
There was a hesitant knock on the chamber doors, and Nicholas had called them in. Every eye was on the door as the person entered the room. To interrupt the council when it was in session was..decidedly unorthodox. It was his squire, Frederick Warwick, the son of a good friend. At thirteen years of age, he had only just began his martial training, as was the Ylissean tradition. The relatively plainly dressed boy fidgeted as he entered, cleared his throat and addressed the chamber. "Forgive me, Your Radiance, Your Highness, My Lords and Ladies. I bear a letter from his Lordship, Claudius Bradshaw of Brightrock."
Emmeryn watched as her father frowned, standing up from his seat and closing the gap between him and his squire. "And did his Lordship leave a verbal message for me, Squire Warwick?"
"No, Your Radiance. He merely left a letter." The youthful boy spoke in a hesitant tone, and offered said letter with a shaking hand. Nicholas let out a sigh, and took it, after which Frederick bowed, and made his exit.
The Exalt opened the letter, and his eyes soon widened at the words he read. His gaze turned to the others in the chamber. He cleared his throat, and read aloud for all the room to hear:
Nicholas Lowell, Exalt of the Halidom of Ylisse,
Your Radiance, it is with our utmost regret and sorrow that we must announce the immediate and total secession of all the lands and territory of the signatories below from the Halidom of Ylisse in perpetuity. Henceforth, our combined territory is to be addressed as the Isoldian League.
We cannot see how 'peace' with Plegia can ever last, and frankly we are of the opinion that your daughter deserves better in a husband than the son of an upjumped, filthy priest of the Grimleal. If you refuse to see the danger you expose your people to, we are resolved to protect our own people from your mistakes.
Plegia must be held accountable for the crimes they committed during your mother's most righteous crusade. How many brave men and women did we lose to their vile Risen Abominations? How many orphans and widowers and widows did they leave in their wake? Too many. Far too many.
The Isoldian League will see Exalt Isolde's great work realized, only unfortunately independent of her nation, and the one we now once called home.
Please understand, we are fully prepared to turn our weapons east against you in order to gain our freedom, although we hope we can achieve our wish without the spilling of Isoldian or Ylissean blood. Plegia is our enemy, it will be up to you as to whether or not they are our only enemy.
With the greatest respect, and in Naga's name.
Signed,
Claudius Bradshaw, Lord of Brightrock, Elected Leader of the Isoldian League
Cintra Fall, Lady of Winterspeak
Aurelian Abenddis, Lord of the Plegian Marches
Paul Caverndish, Lord of Hearthhold
Lawrence Lawrence, Lord of Greensea
Robert Haycox, Baron of Haycox
Victor Lancaster, Regent for Baron Tyrian Lancaster
Edward Derringdon, Baron of Derringdon
Risley Weatherspoon, Baron of Weatherspoon
Janus Fairbanks, Bishop of the East Ylisse
I'm currently writing a Three Houses story on the side of Unity. I'll probably post the first chapter before the next Unity update, but that isn't guaranteed. And whilst I dislike lore dumps for the sake of lore dumps, I might well do one at the conclusion of this arc. Tell me your thoughts on that one. If the majority of you dislike the idea, I won't do it, but if you want some more info on the backstory/world of Unity, also say so.
Until next time!