Objections
"I am...the Heart of Cendriane!"
A stunned silence followed this pronouncement. Then, from the back of the hall a voice was heard to say, "Ha! Who does he think he is? Nobody has claimed that title for millennia and this upstart thinks that he can just waltz in and declare himself to be Cendriane's heart? He is a fool."
As one, the entire hall turned to look at the speaker. Kristhana Iceheart, also known as the Ice Queen, glared defiantly back at the silent assembly. A member of the Winter Fey, she was not afraid of speaking her mind and did not care if she made any enemies. "Oh, stop acting as if you hadn't thought the same thing. Everyone here knows that the ritual to become the heart of Cendriane was lost and possibly destroyed in the devastation that ruined the city."
The Lord of Lightning smiled and replied, "No, it was not destroyed; it was stolen by the vampire lord Kannoth and hidden away in the catacombs of the city. This staff that I am carrying is the Staff of the Heart that is required for the ritual."
"And are we to take your word that that is indeed the Staff of the Heart?" challenged Kristhana. "Anyone can claim that a staff is the one needed for the ritual, but how can it be proved?"
Before the Lord of Lightning could answer her, a man's voice piped up from the center of the crowd, "Excuse me, but I believe that I can answer that." The crowd parted to let the man come forward. It was Soveljinn, High Wizard of Astrazalian. "I suppose that this is as good a time as any to speak my part. I came to this Court to discuss the odd occurrences that have been happening at Cendriane. Last year, Lady Shandria, ruler of Astrazalian, sponsored an expedition to Cendriane. The expedition returned with an odd staff that I immediately started to examine. Shortly after, the staff was stolen from Astrazalian. All I could tell about the culprit was that he was a very powerful wizard, even stronger than I. Lady Shandria believed it to be a wizard that had recently entered the city, but who had not given any name.
"A month or so later, Lady Shandria sent another expedition to Cendriane, this time to clear out displacer beasts to make the city safer for scavenging parties. While they were in the city, they heard an odd sound that echoed three times throughout the country. They pinpointed the location from which it had come, but were unable to enter the room by any means. We set a guard about the city, and our waiting was rewarded. At what I assume to be the end of the ritual, the stones of Cendriane began to glow with a faint luminescence. So, in conclusion, I believe it is safe to assume that Cendriane lives again, and that this is her heart, as this person matches the description of the mysterious wizard who came to Astrazalian at about the time that the staff was stolen."
His speech at an end, he stepped back and allowed the Lord of Lightning to speak. "I thank you for that resounding endorsement. And, yes, I reclaimed the staff from Astrazalian, but I believe that I gave you a fair recompense. I do believe that destroying an entire fomorian siege camp is more than just."
"Yes, and the city of Astrazalian thanks you for your service," Soveljinn replied with a bow.
The Lord of Lightning faced the assembly once more. "Now, are there any more protestations of how I cannot be the Heart of Cendriane?" he said with an amused smirk.
"Two questions, if I may," said Elias Alastai. "What reason did you have for becoming Cendriane's heart? How can we expect this to affect the balance of power in the Feywild?"
"In answer to your first question, I had only recently returned to the Feywild and I needed a home. In answer to your second question, I do not intend to attend any other Court of Stars after this. Cendriane is to become a place where any and all are welcome. Everyone is invited to live in Cendriane, as long as they keep the peace and set aside racial conflicts."
Tiandra quickly spoke up, "A laudable goal, and we wish you well. Now, I believe it is time to move on to other matters. I realize that another player has entered the Feywild's politics, but life must go on."