OOC: This is a collaboration with Flooby! It was a very nice one. :-)

Quietly moving the blade of the scissor, she slid off the last of her fingernails. She had no time to play the mandolin anymore, and had no reason to keep her nails looking almost if she were a witch. She broke the seal and looked in the contents. Lord Gowan apologises and says he cannot come, on reasons of advanced age. Adequate. Although she was intrigued to learn he called Gabriel his son. Gabriel is his grandson. Truly, he is old. She thought, with a hue of sadness to her thoughts. Then came the Dunsch-Taxi reply. Aelfryd shall come, in a week or so. She noticed the trained messenger bird came a tad late, aye, it is hard to navigate in such a land. Bogs, meadows, and the winter in the midst of all. Then an unexpected one. Lord Solterra had never quite interested her, save for the romantic voyages and manly obstacles he had ventured through with his sister. She wondered if it was exaggerated. He sent a jester to discuss an alliance. This 'Flooby Badoop' had quite a swagger, in an unimpressive way.

The guests, both invited, and uninvited had arrived.

Gabriel's arrival was gallant, although she was a little unhappy to see a gratuitous amount of armed guards. It was a neccessant evil, she reckoned. Lord Aelfryd came much more festive, colorfully. He trusts me, she thought. It was good to know. And then came the Flooby Badoop. And in an instant he arrived, he decided to entertain her humorless, silent servants. Some had curved their mouths in an odd smiles, but did not dance, nor sing. She was especially amused to read about all the pleasures that Orgules has to offer. Orgules was a big city, a prospering city, a wealthy city. Yet it was gray, and seldom would anyone find delight in their dim, foggy streets and alleyways. She looked outside the door.

Two crowcapes stood, leaning on their large, cruel longswords. 'Sir Colbers, inside.' The giant of a man grunted, nodding, and as soon as he was inside, he had bowed deeply. She inspected him. He was, truly, a big man. Heavily muscled, his plate armor shone. His eyes were gray, unflinching, intimidating, but respectful. A bone showed on his jaw, sharp cheekbones and a heavy brow, a nose large and hooked. 'Sir Colbers. Have you heard Lord Commander Achamith had been unmounted in a tourney?' The huge man looked up. 'M'lady, 'Tis the one he was crippled in?' She merely nodded. 'A cripple cannot be a Crowcape, it is in your codex. Achamith was handsomely rewarded and has now a land with his own peasants to live in. From now on, you are Lord Commander.' He kneeled, and murmured an oath of fealty and service, to death and beyond. This one was impressive. He kept his oath till the end, it was known. He was unbuyable, and she valued him. 'Find a room for the envoy from Therral. Bring Gabriel Zollern and Lord Aelfryd in our audience chamber.' He once more bowed, and left the room, now proud and respectful, his cape swaying behind with a giant crow crudely painted on it.

Two men came in, and nodded, saying courtesies and bowing. She did, too. The room was a square one, with narrow windows. She sat down on a triangular, oaken table.

'My lords, it is time we finally discuss the perspectives and advantages of our situation. Overlord Balthazar is dead, and the current Overlord is still a child. He cannot bear the weight of the crown, and rumors even say his caretaker smacks him without any reason. To protect our lands, it is my idea to ally with House Wolff and House Cole. Now, you may speak your opinions and suggestions, gentlemen.' She struck the most pretty smile she had, and oh, it is a very pretty smile. "Hold on, my lady," Aelfryd started. He was a man in his 50s, something most people do not live past. He was dressed in a long, velvet garb, with a royal blue overcoat, tied by gold trimming over a silk shirt. He wore baggy pants, for the weather was harsh, and pointed black leather boots. A poofed-up cap adorned his head. He sat with his legs crossed, and though he were old, he spoke quite precisely, and without hesitation. "You say Rone's weakness is a problem? We have seen nothing but benefit from his lack of sense. When Balthazar was in power, we needed to cower before him, for fear that he would act in away to expand his authority. As it is now, our lordship has the ability to mint its own currency, maintain an unlimited standing army, war with whom we please, or for whatever reason, make what treaties we will, and act as the sovereigns we are! Long may he live, as I am concerned."

"And with regards to the aforementioned alliances," he continued, "I agree with allying ourselves to House Cole, for their naval protection would be much enjoyed, but to House Wolff? Their domain is vast, and they have many potential enemies.And aside from that, my closest relations are married to the heirs of their vassals Houses, and we would have everything to gain by opposing them."

"You mean you would have everything to gain," chimed Gabriel. He was a man who carved an impressive figure: he stood nearly six feet tall, and had the broad shoulders and thick upper body of a sculpture. His skin was very pale, and his eyes were sunken, but he had a very strong, sharp jaw, and curly black hair, which made him darkly handsome to some women. He was still wearing the armour of the the road, though he were unarmed. "I mean no insult, but you can't say that and think we'll go along with it. As is stands, your grandsons will inherit three houses, but we all know you've tried, and failed, to marry well into House Wolff. Hostile relations on our part could only further your own goals of holding land in Attolia."

Gabriel turned to you. "My lady, I think an alliance with House Wolff would be most wise. Their military strength at land will help us guard our borders, and their strength at sea, combined with that of Lord Cole's, will help keep the coastline trade alive and prosperous."

"Prosperous for them!" cried Aelfryd. "You think me such a schemer! I should take that for the insult it is. House Wolff has a great deal of indefensible land, most of it along the coastline. If we were to secure an alliance with House Cole and his vassals, then House Wolff's position would be mightily weakened. As is stands, we have both his vassals against him through bonds of marriage by my House. If we were to secure assurances from other Houses not to intervene, their conquest would be a jaunt in the gardens!" She frowned deeply with Lord Aelfryd's outbursts. It was evident now that while securing solid power amongst vassals of several great houses, he was narrowminded, and hellbent on achieving ill for House Wolff. She had, overall, sided with Gabriel on this matter. She needed allies, Cole, Behringer, and Wolff. "Hold on, my lord." She repeated Aelfryd's words, giving a gentle chuckle, before continuing. "Have I ever spoke Rone's weakness is a problem? I do not recall, but anyhow, I wish trust and cooperation with our neighbors, we do not need a war on our hands, and lands, if it turns awry. You have reasoning in your plans, and nor do I have love for House Trisch, it is truly an opportunity. But I side with Gabriel, Attolia is to be our ally. However, I am going to speak with you after this, Lord Aelfryd." 

She looked outside the door to a Crowcape. "Sir Rochamail, bring the Behringer envoy, please." The crowcape nodded, leaving the hallway, and soon coming back with the courtier. "This is the one you've heard about. You may speak of the alliance now, Flooby." The courtier stumbled in alongside the crowcape. It is obvious by his clumsy movements, red nose, and glazed, droopy eyes, that he is already intoxicated to some degree.

"The most beautious Lady Olga," he reached out and kissed her hand, then bowed deeply. "I've heard so much of you. It is wonderful to finally meet you in person," he said, with a speech that made his drunkeness all the more obvious, "As you've no doubt heard tell, I have come on behalf of my patron, the right honourable Lord Solterra Behringer. His will be that your House and his join in an alliance, alongside that of House Cole. It is his belief that the west of Lundland be unified in its interests, that our defences both at sea and on land be secure, and peace reign in our lands. His terms are that each of our Houses pledges to aid one another in any just conflict for the defence of our lands. He also proposes that no aggressive action be taken between any member of our Houses toward each other, or our interests."

For a drunk man, he seems more than able to express himself and his wishes.

"What shall I tell my Lord, your graciousness?" he continues. "I hope you shant be offended when I say that I mean to return home with your reply with all due haste. I mean, you've a lovely place here, but the people below you are so dull. At least those servants out there. Not a one laughed at my jests!" She let the drunk fool kiss her hand, it was something vital in diplomatic relations, she couldn't express amusement at his incompetence, nor anything of sort. She had to smile, nod, and then think and formulate on what he has said. She couldn't proccess it right there, right in the open, to move her country's destiny. "I am thankful for your offer, but first, let me discuss it with Lord Aelfryd of Dunsch-Taxi, and Gabriel of House Zollern. Such an offer can't have a hasty reply, you understand." She nodded, and the crowcape escorted the fool from the room. 

She looked towards the other two men. "Speak of what you think, my lords." Lord Gabriel chuckled to himself. "What Solterra lacks in judgement of character, he seems to make up for in judgement of politics. A unification of western interests could only be to our benefit. I see no reason to align ourselves against House Behringer, anyway. As a matter of fact, it could be to our benefit. If we could offer some sort of mutual protection to our trade interests, like creating a joint fleet to protect the western coastal trade, all the merchant's money would flow into our coffers, instead of the pockets of pirates and raiders."

Lord Aelfryd scoffed. "A joint fleet? You must be joking," he says. "I agree with you partially: allying ourselves to House Behringer could only be to our benefit, but to place trust with a man who sends a fool to discuss diplomacy is folly. Let us ally ourselves to them in word only. There shall be no material promises between us." She had to agree with both. "Once more, I remind you, Lord Aelfryd, of our talk after this, however, in this particular council, I side with Lord Gabriel. Trade and protection shall be the virtue of the west. The council is over, however, I ask Lord Aelfryd to stay for a bit, Good tidings, Lord Gabriel Zollern." As the man nodded and left, she looked over to Aelfryd, and spoke. 

After her talk with Lord Aelfryd, she sighed, withdrawing to her chambers. She summoned Sir Colbers. "I have found a man for the empty slot in the Crowcape guard." He looked up, his eyes inquisitive. "The recently knighted Sir Petrock, who has led a dozen peasants armed with hatchets and destroyed a highwaymen's lair, he has proven immense valor." The giant of a man looked outside the window, his face cold, stoic. "Aye, he seems a good choice."