It was quite clear to Maria that the king wished for this matter to be conducted in secrecy. After all, if La Sable had any reason to suspect the mission she had been given, they would be more on guard. Given that, like the attack led by the former Lord Presider, this plot required complete surprise to be effective.

"Hello, Dame Millicent! Oh, are these your sisters? Welcome! It's so nice to meet all of you!"

There was little reason they couldn't have the element of surprise. After all, the former Lord Presider's surprise attack on Sorcier had failed, clearly demonstrating that it was ineffective. Sorcier and its allies were also visibly entrenched in a deadlocked discussion, implying they were unlikely to move any time soon. Certainly the nation's armies were being mustered, but even at its quickest that would take time as levies were raised, supplies were gathered, covenants were called to fight… it would take time. No true attack could possibly occur while that was occurring. La Sable would have time to prepare their own defenses and rally their own troops.

"Oh, Achmed!" What followed was a steam of guttural moans, rasps, and other sounds that was the tongue—despite their lack thereof—of the undead. Katarina somehow managed to make the dead and depressing sounds seems lively and cheerful.

Even then, if spies from La Sable were somehow present in the castle observing and somehow reporting to their masters, they would have little reason to observe Maria. Yes, she had been acting as the King's bodyguard, but beyond that there should be no reason for any spy to give her any special attention. Certainly there was no reason to suspect that Maria had been given any sort of special orders.

"Dame Siegeia! Sir Sieguke, Sir Siegbiwan, thank you for coming!"

However, if such a spy existed and was observing Maria, they would have no reason to suspect that she was mustering knights and warriors to launch an attack on La Sable.

"Cousin! Dame Lalatina!"

A laugh. "Cousin, I don't think a hug is an appropriate greeting."

"I checked, it's not an inappropriate one, so there's no rule against it!"

After all, Katarina Claes making social visits to people all over the castle and consequently inviting them to dine with her or engage in some other social activity behind closed doors had in the recent past become so common that it was hardly worth mentioning.

"Oh… hello, Dame Vardan… I'm so glad you could make it… the buffet is over there… "

Were Maria a more paranoid person, she would have wondered if her squire had somehow foreseen this. That she had constructed a reputation of being sociable and friendly, going around the castle and inviting people so as to establish a precedent for such behavior so that she would have a perfect cover for some sort of subterfuge. That this situation had come about exactly according to some sort of elaborate plan on Katarina's part, leading one to come to the conclusion she was some sort of brilliant schemer whose kindly exterior belied a cold and calculating intellect capable of manipulating people to do exactly as she wanted.

Which to Maria was an absolutely hilarious notion, such that she had to take a few moments to herself hiding behind a convenient curtain while she wiped the dungeating grin off her face, but to any observers steeped deeply in politics…

Upon recalling the idea, Maria took a moment to spend a few quiet moments behind a curtain again. Fortunately, no one was watching her.

Should an observer be watching from outside of the room, they would see nothing amiss. Her squire was there greeting people—even if this was supposedly an informal gathering, as the one who had handed out the invitations there were proprieties to observe—there were visible servants roaming around with trays offering drinks, a table loaded with food—a bit sparse but given the food had been taken from the castle kitchen, who had needed to provide the food on short notice, that was to be expected—and even musicians. They were not playing very well, as few knights were very musically inclined, but Sir Olvar, Sir Cornwall and Sir Romani—no relation to Katarina's uncle—were certainly playing enthusiastically. Those invited watched them in bemusement, since a band of musicians usually had more than a single flute, and two harps, the latter two both trying to be the dominant one.

Maria stood quietly behind the door, counting all those who entered and mentally checking them off against the list of those invited. It was a relatively short list, less than sixty people, but it included most of the names that the other monarchs and heads of their delegation had submitted to be part of this mention. Each nation hadn't submitted equal numbers, of course. Etran, for example, had only sent two people, since a sizable part of their delegation's warriors had been privately hired by the Argent Silver merchant house, and thus not under Councilor Victoria's direct command, and those who were needed to remain to preserve appearances.

Xiarmah, on the other hand, had put forward a sizable amount of warriors, all of whom Katarina was of course on first name terms with. The other delegations—excluding the La Sable delegation, of course—had put forward between three and five knights. All told, there were sixty people in the room, which was slightly too many people for an intimate tea party, a reasonable number of knights to protect a fort from any number of invaders, and a depressingly small number of people to overthrow a country.

Still, she had received her orders, so Maria would have to make do. While she could call upon more knights as long as they were currently in the castle, there was probably a limit to how many people could be excused by 'Katarina invited them to something' unless her squire was holding a ball.

…

No, no, holding a ball was a terrible idea. Katarina's inevitable entourage would force their way in and would become a disruptive element, destroying any chance at subterfuge..

Fortunately, everyone was socializing rather well—no one was needing to talk about the weather—even Dame Vardan, who looked a little confused to Katarina's rather subdued greeting. It might have had to do with the little sickle she as carrying, which Katarina probably saw as further improper use of farming implements. Well, Maria supposed even Katarina Claes was capable of petty, irrational grudges. Some knights held a deep and undying hatred of dragons and clubbed them to death with their own teeth, some hated clergymen and kicked them into pits, and Katarina Claes acted coldly towards those she perceived as misusing farming implements.

Idly, Maria wondered what Katarina's opinions on shotels would be. Would she see them as swords or malformed sickles?

…

She'd have to borrow some armor for her legs when she finally got around to instructing her squire on their use.

Eventually, all those invited arrived, and while Katarina went around seeing to it everyone was comfortable—or rather, moved around while people started drifting towards her—Maria met the eyes of Larna Smith. The woman was again clad as a maid, and actually looked quite unremarkable beyond having the appearance of a comely woman a noble might be inclined to take to their bed and ravish. She gave the woman a discreet nod, and the woman went towards the room's doors and used Wind Magic to prevent eavesdroppers. A few of those invited who presumably had wind magic themselves noticed and frowned, but made no move.

Maria, for her part, began walking towards her squire. The room had no elevated platform to act as some sort of stage, so the next best option for making her announcement was to stand near where many people were looking towards anyway. As she did, she reached into her coat and drew out a folder she had prepared. As planned, Dame Matthew and Dame Lalatina moved to join her, speaking to each other as they did so it would appear they were merely conversing as they moved towards the smorgasbord—because of course Katarina had gone there first—so that it wouldn't be obvious.

"Oh, Dame Campbell!" her squire (!-!-!-!) said with a wide smile as she saw her approaching. "Is it time?"

"Yes, my squire," Maria said. "I must speak to everyone now." Those who heard her words turned to look at her questioningly.

Katarina nodded, put two fingers in her mouth—squire, what are you, that looks very improp—

The ear-piercing whistle that followed certainly got everyone's attention, and cut through the subtle ululating of conversation in the room, immediately aggroing everyone's attention. Sirs Olvar, Cornwall and Romani—no relation to Katarina's uncle—finally ceased their music.

Her squire just smiled at being the center of attention, pressing her hands together in a way that looked vaguely apologetic. "Excuse me, everyone," she said. "I'm sorry for interrupting you all like this, but you see, we actually called you all here because Dame Campbell here has a very important announcement to make. Ah, but don't worry, this is still a party, so feel free to eat as much as you like, or else the food will go to waste."

Squire… you didn't need to say that last part...

Still, attention had been drawn and Maria took the opportunity. She slowly turned in place, making eye contact with as many people as possible. "Greetings, all. I am Dame Maria Campbell, and I apologize for this subterfuge that I requested my squire perpetrate upon you. It was the best means to gather you all without drawing any interest from any possible spies of La Sable."

Those words immediately changed the mood, and all eyes immediately focused on her.

"I will not mince words. I have been charged by his Majesty to lead our first counterstroke against La Sable, in cooperation with our honored allies." Maria nodded at the various foreigners in the room, many of whom were beginning to have the shine of recognition in their eyes. "This charge, should you choose to accept my invitation to engage in jolly cooperation, will be to make our way deep into La Sable and in secret penetrate their Capitol Palace while the La Sablican senate is in session. In doing so, we are to take their senate and as many figures of note as possible for ransom, and in so doing force the immediate capitulation and surrender of La Sable before this war that looms truly begins."

Murmurs and isolated exclamations broke out at this proclamation, which Maria used as an opportunity to draw out the contents of her folder. "As proof, I bear with me this writ by the king to recruit as many knights as I believe necessary for the task. Those in this chamber have been so chosen for their strength of character and honor, as vouchsafed by a trusted expert, as knights who would approach this task not with anger in their souls but righteousness and justice."

There was a snort from nearby. "Seriously?"

Everyone turned to face who had spoken. The knight in question was one of those not wearing formal armor, but rather a well-tailored dark green suit, though he did have a rather heavy broadsword at his belt. The diagonal scar across the bridge of his nose drew the eye and immediately drew attention to his cold expression. "What lunatic did you consult that thought I had 'righteousness and justice' in my soul?"

Maria blandly pointed sideways at Katarina, who had found the time to acquire a plate of food.

"Hi, Sir Leon!" her squire greeted cheerfully, waving at him. "How's everyone at the orphanage? Are Auntie Edea and Uncle Sid doing well? Did they like the vegetables I sent them?

Sir Leon gave her a stare and sighed. "They're… doing fine, Lady—Squire Katarina. And they appreciated the vegetables."

There were some snickers as Maria looked around. "Is there anyone else who wishes to object to my consultant's conclusions about the righteousness of those present?"

Despite many people coughing, there were no objections.

"Though I have asked my squire to call you here, I am requesting your participation in this quest, not assuming it. I acknowledge that this charge will not be easy. We will essentially be trying to turn La Sable's tactics against itself, though with far fewer people. If we are caught, the full force of the warriors of La Sable's capital will descend upon us, and they will show no mercy. As with La Sable's own invasion upon the castle, should we commence this attack, our only option for survival will be victory. If these odds seem beyond you, then I understand. You may leave this room without prejudice. I ask only that the come to me and whisper your refusal into my ear before you leave, and to hold the events of this discussion secret in your heart until you hear of our victory."

"However, for the rest of you… if these odds do not seem beyond you… if you are prepared to die and go beyond death to avenge those who have fallen in the cowardly attack upon us… if you are not deterred by what we would we face… if you believe you have the strength to face this bed of chaos, this blighted town, this final ancient dragon… will you walk with us?

On that day, Maria did not have to use her Dark Magic.

Achievement Unlocked: Covenant: Katarina's Party Conspiracy
Discovered Katarina's Party Conspiracy covenant

Party Invitation
A simple hand-written invitation in an envelope. The envelope is open but the seal is unbroken. The seal depicts two sequential dots above a curving line to depict a simple smiling face, the personal seal of Katarina Claes. The invitation bids the bearer to come to a certain room for a fun party between friends!

Equip to pledge oneself to the Katarina's Party Conspiracy covenant.

Lady Maria had often been told to stop solving social problems by throwing Katarina Claes at it. However, the princes are absent. The pretty one is at work. The Marchioness at heart is elsewhere. The most-definitely-not-the-paledrake-that-would-be-wrong-and-very-silly is away. Now, there is no one to stop her from using this awesome power…