Pen is introduced as DeRosin, or of the rose. It is a reference to her being a "black Rose" of the High Court. and Dain and Tam use DeRosin when sitting at Court and a reference to the fact that they are counted as Pen's sons and not Nuada's. Dierdra and Nodens are acknowledged as Nuada's children since he wed her a short time before their birth and their surname is Danu...
The chaos of the castle was not something Pen welcomed, preparations for defense were being carried out, weapons distributed. The last of the Muinn, the remembering ones, were armed with crossbows, and iron and silver-tipped bolts. The bolts could punch through most armor, and embed the ring mail into flesh. She had armed her singer with the same tipped war arrows. The Manse and freehold were locked down, none in or out, soon the castle would be the same.
Nuada found her laying out her weapons. He only had to say the word and she was at his command. He had wanted her and the twins safe at the manse, but she was here. He watched her set out her "night Elf" gear. He had to decide if she would stand as Queen, guild mistress or the Court's assassin. The last he had contemplated, set her in the shadows with a few others and strike down the riders with a hail of war arrows. He would try diplomacy first, and if that failed the order would be given.
"...I may need you as my Queen or guild Mistress more." He said, watching her tie up her hair. "I will be trying a more peaceful approach..."
"...We will see how they approach." She said. "I will not outfit myself beyond the standard guild armor."
He watched her bind herself up and put on the gambeson. The padded garment soon disappeared beneath the armored sleeves, leather, ring mail. She also wore leather breeches, armored boots, and greaves. The armor disappeared beneath the great cloak. He left her to armor himself, the black and red armor would do for this.
The white flag was something he had not expected to be flying above the riders who approached the castle. An arrow thunking before the lead rider said: "No further". Nuada and Pen came to stand, on the battlement above the gate.
"...Voe'rle." Nuada's voice rang out.
The lead rider rose in his stirrups to get a look at the two. The white flag went higher so that it could be clearly seen by those on the walls.
"We Seek the High King..." The Rider shouted. "For Parlay..."
Pen had cocked her crossbow, she nodded to her king. Nuada would descend, but Pen's arrow would be trained on him. If it went tits up, her first Shot would deny them a hostage, the second would take out their leader. The rider must have seen the glint off the tips of the arrows.
"Call off your archers..." The rider said. "We come to negotiate, you have my word as an Aen Saevheme..."
Nuada raised his hand, telling the archers and Pen to stand down. The creaking of bowstrings relaxing echoed on the walls.
"Speak quickly," He said. "State what you wish..."
"We come seeking new lands, places to settle."
Nuada frowned. "Come in the dawn...we will talk then."
He walked back toward the castle as the riders set up a camp outside the walls.
In the Rider's camp...
The Viceroy's tent was the grandest, next to the young Sovereign's. It was here the Aen Saevherne was summoned to give his impressions of the castle.
"...Ah, Crevan." The Viceroy's voice dripped with false praise. "Your aid will be greatly appreciated..."
He doubted that it was the threat to his family that the Viceroy was using to get his aid. He took his place before the map they had looted from an enclave two days ride away. The side of his mouth twitched, twisting his lip slightly.
"...No need to be so agitated." The Viceroy said. "We already control several of their enclaves...overthrowing the king..."
"Will not be as easy as you think. The High Court of the Danu is the strongest court of them all, its king not easily swayed. There are elements within that you have no idea of."
"But we do, we have you...who have been within the walls."
His tick flicked over his face again.
"...Tell me of the council within..."
He took solace that a tongue sharp as the daggers the viceroy was known to fling lay within the castle walls.
Pen stood in the throne room frowning, the Word Aen Saevherne. It was old, one she had not hoped to hear in a lifetime. There were things she was privy to that the general guild was not and that word was one of them.
"...What is an Aen Saevherne?" Dain asked. "It isn't a word I have heard."
"A knowing one, a Sage...in Elder speech." Pen said. "The Singers have done much to keep their knowledge."
"...I do not see what threat they pose." Nuada said.
"They are Aen Elle, of the Alders." she frowned. "Think of the most arrogant and entitled Sidhe, now times that by twenty and add a healthy dose of contempt for humans. That was the Aen Elle. When the white frost was banished, they were banished back to their own world by the "last" of the elder blood."
"That's the story," Dain said. "But knowing of my dear many great's grandfather, he recorded the true story and hid it in the mess of his personal archive."
"We are still sorting it out...but yes." Pen said. "We should step forward slowly...hear them out but temper what they request with the treaties..."
"I can easily do that, " Nuada said."I do not want another war...the cost was too dear."
"Nor do I..." Pen said. "The world burned...and almost us with it."
"We have guests to greet in the morning, which is rapidly approaching...I for one would like not to fall asleep in my Porridge..." Dain said.
There was general agreement, sleep would do everyone good.
The castle was a bit more relaxed in the morning but still armed. Pen had changed into her Guild clothes, adding another layer with her cloak as she went out onto the balcony to look at the encampment. There was a pull there, someone among them belonged to the Singers, blood calling to blood. She smiled as she sang up the sun, Several heads raised from among the encampment. She finished and returned inside.
In the Rider's camp...
Crevan looked up to the castle wall, the song that came down from the walls swept over the camp. Several looked toward the castle, in near thrall to the song. The Viceroy frowned as he emerged from his tent. That Song grated upon some despite its beauty in calling up the sun. The Singer was taking a gamble, as a bolt could have been easily sent their way. He rubbed a spot on his arm, scared from the madness that had made him agree to help his people conquer again, he could not answer that call so many were now feeling just yet.
Nuada, dressed only in his breeches met her with the glazed mug she used for her morning Coffee. He'd tried it once, wondering what she and other humans found in the bitter beverage. He now carried the filled mug to her like it contained a jin. It was amusing to her but did not blame him. She took the mug, sipping before heading to the table to sweeten it and add cream.
"...There are ones who belong to the guild." She said. "I felt them...then again it could have been their sages..."
"...You could have ended up with an arrow sent your way." He scolded. "They mistrust us, and at this point it is mutual."
She sipped her coffee, letting it spread energy through her.
"Do you want me at your side?" She asked, looking over the breakfast that had been delivered to them. "...Or should I play least in sight?"
"Since you decided to go out and sing for them, As Guild Mistress..." He said. "Your lands are not far from here, you have a say as freeholder."
"True, and if they think you are unmarried..." She said, tracing the tattoo on his chest.
He sighed as she moved to trace the inked bramble knot on his side If she kept doing that they wouldn't meet their guests until noon. He stilled her hand before that happened.
"I will make it clear I have a Queen, and my bed is already Occupied." He said. "Let me finish dressing and we will go down to invite our guests in."
She finished her coffee and put on the rest of her garb.
Pen walked a spear length behind Nuada, her own guard arrayed around her. Aethen looked like he'd not slept. Knowing the night elf, he probably hadn't until the castle was secure. Their guests had found time to shed their armor and put court clothes. The table was set for breakfast, an offering of peace. The herald announced them.
"His majesty Nuada Aep Danu, High king, lord of Maynooth, Ulster, and Antrim. The Guild mistress Pen DeRosin, Lady freeholder, Lady of the Court of thorns..."
They took their seats, Dain came in, Tam behind him dressed in his Raven armor.
"Gideon Aep DeRosin...Lord of Dublin, master Singer.."
"Master Tam Lin Aep DeRosin, captain of the Raven guard..."
Pen let herself have a small smile, as Tam took off his helm. Each came and bowed before the table before taking their seats to either side of her. They could have been announced as Princes, but Dain did not like to play his hand, and Tam had renounced his titles in favor of his youngest brother.
"Ge'els, Viceroy to the Court of Tir Na Lar...Crevan Espane Aep Cormain Macha, Aen Saevherne."
Pen froze at that name, Nuada noticed.
~You know that name?~ He sent.
~Vaguely, I will have to look in the archives...but I have seen the name written down before~
~I want you to find what you can, order from your king~
She was not surprised he had given an official order, he wanted to know as much as she did.
The Sage looked at Pen as if he'd seen her before, he leaned toward the viceroy and said something. The Viceroy's face took on a hard look. It was clear he saw something he did not like.
"...We ask that Lady DeRosin be removed from this meeting."
"The lady is dear to this court, state your reason..."
"She is...Dh'oine. They do not have the..."
"Weigh your words carefully Viceroy..." Nuada said. "Lady DeRosin has earned her place among my court, and it is my court in which you stand."
Pen rose, it was important this initial meeting went well. If it didn't the viceroy and his sage would be eating three feet of steel. She would play politics, but as the court assassin, she wasn't going far.
"Perhaps it is best I do." Pen said, in near-perfect Elder Speech. "I have other duties, and my estate must be brought out of its defensive state. My Sons can relay any Decision made..."
~I won't go far, I do not like the viceroy...~ She sent. ~There is a place in the gallery that will give me a clear view.~
~I may need them alive~
~Do not worry, they will be if there is a need~ She sent and with Aethen and Cullen, she left.
Nuada gave them a hard look, they may have gotten what they wanted, but he would not send away the two other representatives of House DeRosin.
Crevan hid a smile the Lady "DeRosin" was playing the game but it was clear she did not like it. She no doubt would have made Ge'els eat a foot and half of iron if she was given the order. She was loyal to her king, and to the Freehold her house represented. The Freehold Ge'els wanted for the Aen Elle. That would not happen, he would not let it, he had betrayed her enough. He watched her pass, an echo brushed across his mind...her standing in ring mail and leather giving the order to fire.